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Table Of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

  

For the quarterly period ended

June 30, 2015

  

 

Transition report under section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act

 

  

For the transition period from

  

to

  

  

 

  

Commission File Number

000-31380

  

 

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

  

82-0096527

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

  

  

  

  

  

  

110 Greene Street – Suite 1101, New York, NY

  

10012

(Address of principal executive offices)

  

(Zip Code)

 

  

(800) 356-6463

  

  

(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

  

 

Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report:

 

Indicate by check whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

  

YES

NO

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller-reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Non-accelerated Filer

Smaller Reporting Company

 ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

  

YES

NO

 

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of August 7, 2015 was 96,711,662.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

  

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

 

SECOND QUARTER 2015 REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

  

  

  

  

Page(s)

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

  

  

  

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014

3

  

  

  

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

4

  

  

  

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit (unaudited) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 

5

  

  

  

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

6

  

  

  

  

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

  

  

  

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

  

  

  

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

32

  

  

  

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

32

  

  

  

  

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

  

  

  

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

33

  

  

  

Item 1A

Risk Factors

33

  

  

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

33

  

  

  

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

33

  

  

  

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

33

  

  

  

Item 5.

Other Information

33

  

  

  

Item 6.

Exhibits

34

  

  

  

Signatures

35

  

  

  

  

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
   

(Unaudited)

         

ASSETS

               

Current Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 5,749,056     $ 10,701,666  

Accounts receivable

    24,211       112,831  

Deposits and prepaid expenses

    155,571       289,644  

Total Current Assets

    5,928,838       11,104,141  
                 

Property and Equipment, net

    6,420,964       7,055,874  
                 

Other Assets

               

Deferred Financing Costs

    25,000       28,750  

Deposits

    269,061       268,937  

Total Other Assets

    294,061       297,687  
                 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 12,643,863     $ 18,457,702  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

               

Current Liabilities

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 2,891,175     $ 2,608,364  

Current portion of notes payable

    57,948       246,894  

Total Current Liabilities

    2,949,123       2,855,258  
                 

Long-Term Liabilities

               

Long-term portion of notes payable

    44,651       59,145  

PIK notes payable, net of $17,919,567 and $18,400,297 debt discount, respectively

    14,083,982       13,024,439  

PIK Note derivatives

    8,841,643       10,035,625  

Total Long-Term Liabilities

    22,970,276       23,119,209  
                 

Total Liabilities

    25,919,399       25,974,467  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)

               
                 

Stockholders’ Deficit

               

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

               

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 96,614,033 and 95,054,552 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

    96,614       95,055  

Additional paid-in capital

    65,689,480       64,526,469  

Accumulated deficit prior to the exploration stage

    (20,009,496

)

    (20,009,496

)

Accumulated deficit during the exploration stage

    (59,052,134

)

    (52,128,793

)

Total Stockholders’ Deficit

    (13,275,536

)

    (7,516,765

)

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

  $ 12,643,863     $ 18,457,702  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

  

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

 

   

For the three months ended

   

For the six months ended

 
   

June 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2015

   

2014

   

2015

   

2014

 
                                 

REVENUES

  $ 65,848     $ 47,993     $ 228,595     $ 59,007  
                                 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                               

Production costs

    3,934       21,567       6,170       25,316  

Exploration costs

    1,291,197       1,257,579       2,618,478       2,454,735  

General and administrative

    1,247,466       1,343,719       2,429,775       2,597,735  

Depreciation expense

    326,684       137,193       652,905       245,579  

Total Operating Expenses

    2,869,281       2,760,058       5,707,328       5,323,365  
                                 

Operating Loss

    (2,803,433

)

    (2,712,065

)

    (5,478,733

)

    (5,264,358

)

                                 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                               

Interest expense, net, including amortization of deferred financing cost and debt discount

    (1,092,595

)

    (304,196

)

    (2,121,222

)

    (604,363

)

Gain (loss) on revaluation of warrant derivative

    --       (25,000

)

    --       700,000  

Gain on revaluation of stock award

    --       72,000       --       110,000  

Gain (loss) on revaluation of PIK Note derivative

    1,313,110       (39,375

)

    1,220,369       1,753,125  

Other income (expense)

    (145,958

)

    (27,068

)

    (543,755

)

    (87,333

)

Total Other Income (Expense)

    74,557       (323,639     (1,444,608

)

    1,871,429  
                                 

Net Loss

  $ (2,728,876

)

  $ (3,035,704

)

  $ (6,923,341

)

  $ (3,392,929

)

                                 
                                 

Net Loss Per Share (Basic and Diluted)

  $ (0.03

)

  $ (0.03

)

  $ (0.07

)

  $ (0.04

)

                                 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted)

    95,653,519       94,860,753       95,381,825       94,777,189  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

 

                           

Accumulated

   

Accumulated

         
   

Common Stock

   

Deficit

   

Deficit

   

 

 
                   

Additional

   

Prior to

   

During

   

Total

 
                   

Paid-In

   

Exploration

   

Exploration

    Stockholders'  
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Stage

   

Stage

   

Deficit

 
                                                 

Balance, December 31, 2014

    95,054,552     $ 95,055     $ 64,526,469     $ (20,009,496

)

  $ (52,128,793

)

  $ (7,516,765

)

                                                 

Shares issued for directors' fees and other services

    544,395       544       215,417       --       --       215,961  
                                                 

Stock-based compensation expense

    --       --       207,598       --       --       207,598  
                                                 

Shares issued for liquidated damages

    1,015,086       1,015       739,996                       741,011  
                                                 

Net Loss

    --       --       --       --       (6,923,341

)

    (6,923,341

)

                                                 

Balance, June 30, 2015

    96,614,033     $ 96,614     $ 65,689,480     $ (20,009,496

)

  $ (59,052,134

)

  $ (13,275,536

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

 

   

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    For the Six Months ended  
    June 30,  
   

2015

   

2014

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

               

Net loss

  $ (6,923,341

)

  $ (3,392,929

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations

               

Depreciation

    652,905       245,579  

Amortization of discount – PIK Notes

    507,116       53,683  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    3,750       --  

Issuance of PIK Notes in payment of interest

    578,813       525,000  

Shares issued for director fees and other services

    215,961       220,880  

Stock-based compensation expense for consultants and directors

    207,598       586,068  

Share issued for liquidated damages

    541,011       --  

Gain on revaluation of stock warrant derivative

    --       (700,000

)

Gain on revaluation of PIK Note derivative

    (1,220,369

)

    (1,753,125

)

Gain on revaluation of stock awards

    --       (110,000

)

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

               

(Increase) Decrease in:

               

Accounts receivable

    88,620       (13,895

)

Deposits and prepaids

    133,949       138,439  

Increase (Decrease) in:

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    482,812       (203,996

)

Net cash used in operating activities

    (4,731,175

)

    (4,404,296

)

                 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

               

Purchases of property and equipment

    (17,995

)

    (306,266

)

Construction-in-progress

    --       (513,278

)

Net cash used in investing activities

    (17,995

)

    (819,544

)

                 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

               

Payments on notes payable

    (203,440

)

    (251,600

)

Net cash used in financing activities

    (203,440

)

    (251,600

)

                 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    (4,952,610

)

    (5,475,440

)

                 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    10,701,666       8,685,552  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 5,749,056     $ 3,210,112  
                 

Cash Paid For:

               

Interest

  $ 5,974     $ 6,121  

Income Taxes

  $ --     $ 1,403  
                 

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:

               

Reclassification of construction in progress to buildings

  $ --     $ 2,405,648  

Reclassification of construction in progress to milling equipment

  $ --     $ 1,857,727  

Reclassification of construction in progress to lab equipment

  $ --     $ 96,077  

Additional large mine permit deposit in accounts payable

  $ --     $ 49,167  

Property and equipment financed with notes payable

  $ --     $ 91,229  

Laboratory equipment in accounts payable

  $ --     $ 378,485  

Reclassification from buildings to milling equipment

  $ --     $ 319,328  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited, condensed, consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Applied Minerals, Inc. ("Applied Minerals" or "the Company" or "we") and its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Such financial statements have been condensed in accordance with the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for such year. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

 

NOTE 2 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Applied Minerals, Inc. (the “Company”) is the owner of the Dragon Mine located in the Tintic Mining District of the State of Utah from where it produces halloysite clay and iron oxide. The Company is currently in various phases of commercial scale trials with several organizations in various markets with respect to uses of its products.

 

Applied Minerals is a publicly traded company incorporated in the state of Delaware. The common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol AMNL.

 

NOTE 3 – LIQUIDITY

 

The Company has a history of recurring losses from operations and use of cash in operating activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's net loss was $6,923,341 and cash used in operating activities was $4,731,175. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had working capital of $2,979,715, which will not be sufficient to support its current operations for the next twelve months based on its business plan without obtaining additional financing. Collectively, these factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

 

Besides continuing its strategic business plan on generating revenue, the Company intends to explore various strategic alternatives, including the sale of equity, debt or the disposal of certain non-core assets to raise additional capital. ln November 2014, the Company raised $12.5 million in capital financing through the issuance of convertible PIK Notes. During 2013, the Company raised gross proceeds of $16,060,000 pursuant to the sale of common stock and issuance of convertible PIK Notes. Management can also take steps to reduce the Company's future operating expenses as needed. However, the Company cannot provide any assurance that it will be able to raise additional capital as needed.  The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. 

 

NOTE 4 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Exploration-Stage Company

Effective January 1, 2009, due to the shutdown of our contract mining business, we were, and still are, classified as an exploration company as the existence of proven or probable reserves has not been demonstrated and no significant revenue has been earned from the mine. Under the SEC’s Industry Guide 7, a mining company is considered an exploration stage company until it has declared mineral reserves determined in accordance with the guide and staff interpretations thereof.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Applied Minerals, Inc. and its inactive subsidiary in northern Idaho.

 

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In these condensed consolidated financial statements, the warrant and PIK note derivative liability, stock compensation and impairment of long-lived assets involve extensive reliance on management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a term of three months or less. The Company minimizes its credit risk by investing its cash and cash equivalents, which sometimes exceeds FDIC limits, with major financial institutions located in the United States with a high credit rating.

 

Receivables

Trade receivables are reported at outstanding principal amounts, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management evaluates the collectability of receivable account balances to determine the allowance, if any. Management considers the other party’s credit risk and financial condition, as well as current and projected economic and market conditions, in determining the amount of the allowance. Receivable balances are written off when management determines that the balance is uncollectable.

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter, as follows:

 

   

Estimated Useful Life

(years)

 

Building and Building Improvements

 

5 – 40

 

Mining equipment

 

2 – 7

 

Office and shop furniture and equipment

 

3 – 7

 

Vehicles

  5  

 

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company started using a five-year depreciation schedule with respect to its new processing plant that was commissioned in 2014.  The five-year depreciation schedule is a change from the 40 years utilized for the building and 7 years utilized for the equipment relating to the new processing plant in the quarterly financial statements for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2014.  This change in useful life resulted in $587,427 of additional depreciation expense, which was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2014.  The impact of the change in the depreciation schedule did not have had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements for the three quarters previously reported on Form 10-Q.

 

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 totaled $326,684 and $137,193, respectively. Depreciation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 totaled $652,905 and $245,579, respectively. The Company currently does not capitalize any amounts related to proven or probable reserves and therefore does not have any depletion expense.

 

Fair Value

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

 

Level 2 – Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions, which are developed by the reporting entity and reflect those assumptions that a market participant would use.

 

 

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

 

   

Fair value measurement using inputs

   

Carrying amount

 
   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

June 30,
2015

   

December 31,
2014 (a)

 
                                         

Financial instruments:

                                       
Series 2023 PIK Note Derivative                   $ 482,627     $ 482,627     $ 478,149  
Series A PIK Note Derivative                   $ 8,359,016     $ 8,359,016     $ 9,557,476  

 

(a)

In the course of preparing its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reclassified the Series 2023 PIK note derivative to Level 3 fair value hierarchy to match with the Series A PIK note derivative since it is based off of a similar model.

 

The following table summarizes the activity for financial instruments at fair value using Level 3 inputs:

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 10,035,625  

Issuance of additional Series 2023 PIK Note

    26,387  

Net unrealized gain

    (1,220,369 )
         

Balance at June 30, 2015

  $ 8,841,643  

 

The recorded value of certain financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates the fair value at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms, and the remaining short term period outstanding, the carrying value of notes payable other than PIK notes approximates fair value. Estimated fair value of the PIK Notes Payable approximate $20,175,113 and $19,006,908, respectively, at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of the PIK Notes at December 31, 2014 has been restated to correct a mechanical error in the calculation of the estimated fair value for both the Series A and Series 2023 Notes Payable. This mechanical error had no impact on the reported December 31, 2014 consolidated financial statements.

  

For the Company's PIK note derivative liabilities, fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo Model and the following assumptions:

 

Series 2023 PIK Note derivative liability

 

Fair Value Measurements

 
   

Using Inputs

 
   

June 30,

2015

   

December 31,

2014

 
                 

Market price and estimated fair value of stock

  $ 0.58     $ 0.73  

Exercise price

  $ 1.36     $ 1.36  

Term (years)

    8.08       8.58  

Dividend yield

  $ --     $ --  

Expected volatility

    62.2

%

    52.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

    2.17

%

    2.08

%

 

Series A PIK Note derivative liability

 

Fair Value Measurements

 
   

Using Inputs

 
   

June 30,

2015

   

December 31,

2014

 
                 

Market price and estimated fair value of stock

  $ 0.58     $ 0.73  

Exercise price

  $ 0.92     $ 0.92  

Term (years)

    3.17       3.83  

Dividend yield

  $ --     $ --  

Expected volatility

    62.2

%

    52.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

    2.17

%

    2.08

%

 

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets 

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of long-lived assets to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustment to such carrying amounts. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. When such events occur, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset to its carrying amount.

 

If this comparison indicates impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows where observable fair values are not readily determinable. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

 

Revenue Recognition

Revenue includes sales of halloysite clay and iron oxide, and is recognized when title passes to the buyer and when collectability is reasonably assured. Title passes to the buyer based on terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined based on related contractual arrangements with the Company’s customers.

 

Mining Exploration and Development Costs

Land and mining property are carried at cost. The Company expenses prospecting and mining exploration costs. At the point when a property is determined to have proven and probable reserves, subsequent development costs will be capitalized and will be charged to operations using the units-of-production method over proven and probable reserves. Upon abandonment or sale of a mineral property, all capitalized costs relating to the specific property are written off in the period abandoned or sold and a gain or loss is recognized.

 

Income taxes

The Company uses an asset and liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance has been provided for the portion of the Company’s net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.

 

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of certain state jurisdictions. Federal income tax returns subsequent to 2009 are subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

The Company follows the provision of ASC Topic 740-10, “Income Taxes”, relating to recognition thresholds and measurement attributes for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. It also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. This guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in our financial statements, only if the position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of June 30, 2015, no amounts are included in the financial statements for unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Stock Options and Warrants

The Company follows ASC 718 (Stock Compensation) and 505-50 (Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees), which provide guidance in accounting for share-based awards exchanged for services rendered and requires companies to expense the estimated fair value of these awards over the requisite service period.

 

Per share data

Loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is calculated based on the weighted average outstanding shares of common stock during such periods.

 

At June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, the Company had outstanding options and warrants to purchase 18,989,402 shares and 23,258,046 shares of Company common stock, and had notes payable which were convertible into 31,590,709 shares and 7,875,000 shares of the Company common stock, none of which were included in the diluted computation as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

 

Environmental Matters

Expenditures for ongoing compliance with environmental regulations that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate.  Expenditures resulting from the remediation of existing conditions caused by past operations that do not contribute to future revenue generations are expensed.  Liabilities are recognized when environmental assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

 

Estimates of such liabilities are based upon currently available facts, existing technology and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of inflation and other societal and economic factors, and include estimates of associated legal costs.  These amounts also reflect prior experience in remediating contaminated sites, other companies’ clean-up experience and data released by The Environmental Protection Agency or other organizations.  Such estimates are by their nature imprecise and can be expected to be revised over time because of changes in government regulations, operations, technology and inflation.  Recoveries are evaluated separately from the liability and, when recovery is assured, the Company records and reports an asset separately from the associated liability.

 

Based upon management’s current assessment of its environmental responsibilities, it does not believe that any reclamation or remediation liability exists at June 30, 2015.  

  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

 

ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. On July 9, 2015, the FASB agreed to delay the effective date by one year. In accordance with the agreed upon delay, the new standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date of the standard. The new standard is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating these new requirements to determine the method of implementation and any resulting estimated effects on the consolidated financial statements.

  

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction to the carrying amount of the associated debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Currently debt issuance costs are recognized as an asset. The ASU is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016 and is required to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its balance sheets.

 

NOTE 5 - INCOME TAX

 

Income tax provisions or benefits for interim periods are computed based on the Company's estimated annual effective tax rate. Based on the Company's historical losses and its expectation of the continuation of losses for the foreseeable future, the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized and, accordingly, has provided a full valuation allowance as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.   

 

  

NOTE 6 - NOTES PAYABLE

 

Notes payable at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consist of the following:

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Note payable for mining equipment, payable $1,339 monthly, including interest (a)

  $ 49,065     $ 55,720  

Note payable for mining equipment, payable $950 monthly, including interest (b)

    9,030       14,057  

Note payable for mining equipment, payable $6,060 monthly, including interest (c)

    --       6,033  

Note payable for lab equipment, payable $9,122 monthly, including interest (d)

    ----       18,246  

Note payable for mine site vehicle, payable $628 monthly (e)

    16,966       20,736  

Note payable to an insurance company, payable $21,531 monthly, including interest (f)

    21,460       149,036  

Note payable to an insurance company, payable $6,094 monthly, including interest (g)

    6,078       42,211  
      102,599       306,039  

Less: Current Portion

    (57,948

)

    (246,894

)

Notes Payable, Long-Term Portion

  $ 44,651     $ 59,145  

 

 

(a)

On October 31, 2014, the Company purchased mining equipment for $57,900 by issuing a note with an interest rate of 5.2%. The note is collateralized by the mining equipment with payments of $1,339 for 48 months, which started on November 30, 2014.

 

(b)

On April 17, 2012, the Company purchased mining equipment for $40,565 by issuing a note with an effective interest rate of 11.279%. The note is collateralized by the mining equipment with payments of $950 for 48 months, which started on May 1, 2012.

 

(c)

On July 23, 2012, the Company purchased mining equipment for $169,500 by issuing a note with an interest rate of 5.5%. The note is collateralized by the mining equipment with payments of $6,060 for 30 months, which started on August 25, 2012.

 

(d)

On April 16, 2014, the Company purchased lab equipment for $109,493 by depositing and issuing a non-interest bearing note in the amount of $91,229. The note is collateralized by the lab equipment with payments of $9,122 for ten months, which started in May 2014.

 

(e)

On September 20, 2012, the Company purchased a vehicle for the mine site for $37,701 by issuing a non-interest bearing note. The note is collateralized by the vehicle with payments of $628 for 60 months, which started on October 20, 2012.

 

(f)

The Company signed a note payable with an insurance company dated October 31, 2014 for directors’ and officers’ insurance, due in monthly installments, including interest at 3.15%. The note will mature on July 2015.

 

(g)

The Company signed a note payable with an insurance company dated October 31, 2014 for liability insurance, due in monthly installments, including interest at 3.15%. The note will mature on July 2015.

 

 

The following is a schedule of the principal maturities on these notes for the next four years:

 

July 2015 – June 2016

  $ 57,948  

July 2016 – June 2017

    22,116  

July 2017 – June 2018

    17,238  

July 2018 – June 2019

    5,297  

Total Notes Payable

  $ 102,599  

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's interest payments totaled related to these notes $1,776 and $5,974, respectively.

 

NOTE 7– CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES)

 

The Company raised $23 million of financing through the issuance of two series of Paid-In-Kind (“PIK”)-Election Convertible Notes in 2013 and 2014, with key terms highlighted in the table below:

  

Key Terms

 

Series 2023 Notes

 

 

Series A Notes

 

Issuance Date

 

August 5, 2013

 

 

November 3, 2014

 

Cash Received

 

$

10,500,000

 

 

$

12,500,000

 

Principal (Initial Liability)

 

$

10,500,000

 

 

$

19,848,486

 

Original Issue Discount (OID)     N/A     $ 7,348,486  

Maturity (Term)

 

10 years, but convertible after 1 year based on the market price of the Company’s stock

 

 

4 years, but may range between 2 years to the full maturity of the Series 2023 Notes, depending on whether a Specified Event occurs and/or an Extension Option is elected (see below for further details)

 

Exercise Price

 

$1.40 at inception, adjusted downward based on antidilution provisions/downround protection

 

 

$0.92 at inception, adjusted downward based on antidilution provisions; also may be reduced by $0.10 if Extension Option is elected (see below)

 

Stated Interest

 

10% per annum, due semiannually

 

 

10% per annum, due semiannually, may be reduced to 1% if Specified Event (see below) occurs

 

Derivative Liability

 

$2,055,000 established at inception due to existence of antidilution provisions; revalued every quarter using Monte Carlo model

 

 

$9,212,285 established at inception due to existence of antidilution provisions; revalued every quarter using Monte Carlo model

 

 

As of 06/30/2015, the liability components of the PIK Notes on the Company’s balance sheet are listed in the following table:

 

(in $$)

 

Series 2023 Notes

   

Series A Notes

   

Total

 

PIK Note Payable, Gross

    12,155,063       19,848,486       32,003,549  

Less: Discount

    (1,912,683

)

    (16,006,884

)

    (17,919,567

)

PIK Note Payable, Net

    10,242,380       3,841,602       14,083,982  
                         

PIK Note Derivative Liability

    482,627       8,359,016       8,841,643  

 

 

As of 12/31/2014, the liability components of the PIK Notes on the Company’s balance sheet are listed in the following table:

 

(in $$)

 

Series 2023 Notes

   

Series A Notes

   

Total

 

PIK Note Payable, Gross

    11,576,250       19,848,486       31,424,736  

Less: Discount

    (1,949,555

)

    (16,450,742

)

    (18,400,297

)

PIK Note Payable, Net

    9,626,695       3,397,744       13,024,439  
                         

PIK Note Derivative Liability

    478,149       9,557,476       10,035,625  

 

Series A Notes

On November 3, 2014 (“Issue Date”), the Company issued, in a private placement pursuant to investment agreements, $19,848,486 principal amount of 10% PIK-Election Convertible Notes due 2018 ("Series A Notes") in exchange for $12,500,000 in cash and the cancellation of previously-issued warrants held by one investor.

 

Below are key terms of the Series A Notes:

 

 

o

Maturity- November 3, 2018, provided that the Stated Maturity Date may be extended to November 3, 2019 at the option of the Company (the “Extension Option”) if (i) the Company has delivered written notice of its exercise of the Extension Option to the Holder not more than ninety (90) nor less than thirty (30) days prior to November 3, 2018 and (ii) the Company has delivered a certificate, dated as of November 3, 2018, certifying that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; provided, further that the Stated Maturity Date shall be extended to the maturity date of the Series 2023 Notes or any Replacement Financing, as applicable, upon the occurrence of a Specified Event (“Specified Extension”).

 

 

o

Exercise Price- initially $0.92 per share and will be (i) adjusted from time to time pursuant to antidilution provisions and (ii) reduced by $0.10 per share if the Company elects to exercise its Extension Option.

 

 

o

Stated Interest: 10% payable semiannually in arrears, provided that the interest rate shall be reduced to 1% per annum on the principal amount of the Note upon the occurrence of the Specified Event, as defined below.

 

 

o

Specified Event- means the event that may occur after the second anniversary of the Issuer Date if: (i) any amounts under the Series 2023 Notes or any Replacement Financing are outstanding, (ii) the VWAP for the preceding 30 consecutive Trading Days as determined by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in good faith is in excess of the Exercise Price, (iii) the closing Market Price of the Common Stock is in excess of the Exercise Price on the date immediately preceding the date on which the Specified Event occurs, (iv) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (v) the Issuer has delivered a certificate to each holder of Series A Notes certifying that the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above have been met.

 

 

o

Extension Option- If stock price is lower than current exercise price ($0.92) prior to the stated maturity (November 3, 2018), then the Company can elect an Extension Option, whereby the maturity is extended by one year (see Maturity definition), but with a reduction in exercise price by $0.10.

 

 

o

Liquidated Damages- The company is required to pay the noteholders 1% of the principal amount of the Series A Notes if a Registration statement is not filed and effective within 90 days of the inception date (and further damages for every 30 days thereafter). The registration statement became effective on July 8, 2015. Liquidated damages of $541,011 has been charged to other expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2015 due to the delay in its effective date, such amount is in addition to $200,000 accrued at December 31, 2014. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company issued 1,015,086 shares valued at $741,011 to Series A noteholders as payment of liquidated damages.

 

 

o

The number of shares issuable under the Notes may be affected by the antidilution provisions of the Notes. The antidilution provisions adjust the Exercise Price of the Notes in the event of stock dividends and splits, issuance below the market price of the Common Stock, issuances below the conversion price of the Notes, pro rata distribution of assets, rights plans, tender offers, and exchange offers.

 

These Series A Notes were not issued with the intent of effectively hedging any future cash flow, fair value of any asset, liability or any net investment in a foreign operation. In addition to the customary antidilution provisions the notes contain a down-round provision whereby the conversion price would be adjusted downward in the event that additional shares of the Company’s common stock or securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for the Company’s common stock were issued for cash consideration (e.g. a capital raise) at a price less than the conversion price. Therefore, the estimated fair value of the conversion feature of $9,212,285 (based on observable inputs using a Monte Carlo model) was bifurcated from the Series A Notes and accounted for as a separate derivative liability, which resulted in a corresponding amount of debt discount on the Series A Notes. In addition, an additional debt discount of $7,348,486 was recorded as a result of the difference between the $12,500,000 of cash received and the $19,848,486 of principal on the Series A Notes. This combined debt discount of $16,560,771 is being amortized using the effective interest method over the 4-year term of the Notes as Interest Expense, while the PIK Note Derivative is carried at fair value (using a Monte Carlo model) until the Notes are converted or otherwise extinguished. Any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

 

 

At June 30, 2015, the fair value of the Series A PIK Note Derivative was estimated to be $8,359,016. In addition, the Company amortized $443,858 of debt discount relating to the Series A PIK Notes Payable, increasing the Series A PIK Notes Payable carrying value to $3,841,602 as of June 30, 2015.

 

Series 2023 Notes

In August 2013, the Company received $10,500,000 of financing through the private placement of 10% mandatory convertible Notes due 2023 ("Series 2023 Notes"). The principal amount of the Notes is due on maturity.  The Company can elect to pay semi-annual interest on the Series 2023 Notes with additional PIK Notes containing the same terms as the Series 2023 Notes, except interest will accrue from issuance of such notes. The Company can also elect to pay interest in cash. In February 2014, August 2014, and February 2015 the Company issued $525,000, $551,250, and $578,813, respectively, in additional PIK Notes to the holders to pay the semi-annual interest.

 

The Series 2023 Notes originally converted into the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.40 per share, which is subject to anti-dilution adjustments; these antidilution adjustments reduced the conversion price to $1.36 after the issuance of the Series A Notes. As of issuance, principal amount of the Series 2023 Notes were convertible into 7,500,000 shares of the common stock and into 7,720,588 shares after the issuance of the Series A Notes. The holders may convert the Series 2023 Notes at any time.  The Series 2023 Notes are mandatorily convertible after one year when the weighted average trading price of a share of the common stock for the preceding ten trading days is in excess of the conversion price.  The Series 2023 Notes contain customary representations and warranties and several covenants. The proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes. No broker was used and no commission was paid in connection with the sale of the Series 2023 Notes. As of June 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants.

 

These Series 2023 Notes were not issued with the intent of effectively hedging any future cash flow, fair value of any asset, liability or any net investment in a foreign operation. In addition to the customary anti-dilution provisions the notes contain a down-round provision whereby the conversion price would be adjusted downward in the event that additional shares of the Company’s common stock or securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for the Company’s common stock were issued for cash consideration (e.g. a capital raise) at a price less than the conversion price. Therefore, the estimated fair value of the conversion feature of $2,055,000 (based on observable inputs using a Monte Carlo model) was bifurcated from the Series 2023 Notes and accounted for as a separate derivative liability, which resulted in a corresponding amount of debt discount on the Series 2023 Notes. The debt discount is being amortized using the effective interest method over the 10-year term of the Series 2023 Notes as Interest Expense, while the PIK Note Derivative is carried at fair value (using a Monte Carlo model) until the Series 2023 Notes are converted or otherwise extinguished. Any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

 

At June 30, 2015, the fair value of the PIK Note Derivative was estimated to be $482,627, which includes the value of the additional PIK Notes issued in February 2014, August 2014, and February 2015, for the semi-annual interest payments due. In addition, during the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $26,387 of additional debt discount from the February 2015 issuance, and also amortized $63,259 of debt discount relating to the Series 2023 PIK Notes Payable, resulting in a total debt discount of $1,912,683 as of June 30, 2015, and increasing the Series 2023 PIK Notes Payable carrying value to $10,242,380 as of June 30, 2015.

 

NOTE 8 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of noncumulative, non-voting, nonconvertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

 

Common Stock

On November 20, 2012, stockholders of the Company approved to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 120,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value per share. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 96,614,033 and 95,054,552 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company issued a total of 226,829 shares of common stock valued at $171,373 to consultants as payments of fees.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company issued a total of 317,566 shares of restricted stock valued at $213,798 to directors for services as Board members.

 

 

NOTE 9 - OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

Derivative Instruments - Warrants

 

The Company issued 5,000,000 warrants (“Samlyn warrants”) in connection with the December 22, 2011 private placement of 10,000,000 shares of common stock. The strike price of these warrants was $2.00 per share at the date of grant. These warrants were not issued with the intent of effectively hedging any future cash flow, fair value of any asset, liability or any net investment in a foreign operation. In addition to the customary antidilution provisions the notes contained a down-round provision whereby the exercise price would be adjusted downward in the event that additional shares of the Company's common stock or securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for the Company's common stock were issued at a price less than the exercise price. Therefore, the fair value of these warrants (based on observable inputs using a Monte Carlo model) was recorded as a liability in the balance sheet until they are exercised or expire or are otherwise extinguished. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company issued 3,756,757 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of $5,560,000, which triggered a down-round adjustment of $0.03 from $2.00 to $1.97 in the strike price of the Samlyn warrants at that time. As discussed in Note 7, during August 2013, the Company issued $10,500,000 of 10% mandatorily convertible Series 2023 PIK Notes in a private placement, which triggered a down-round adjustment of $0.04 from $1.97 to $1.93 in the strike price of the Samlyn warrants. On November 3, 2014, the Company cancelled the warrant arrangement, resulting in the fair value of the warrant at such date of $120,000 being credited to equity.

 

Outstanding Stock Warrants

A summary of the status of the warrants outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2015 is presented below:

 

       

Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable

 

Exercise Price

   

Number Outstanding

   

Weighted Average

Remaining

Contractual Life

(years)

   

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

 
$ 0.75       139,340       0.25     $ 0.75  
$ 0.78       213,402       0.59     $ 0.78  
$ 0.80       124,481       0.50     $ 0.80  
$ 1.00       180,000       0.31     $ 1.00  
$ 1.15       461,340       5.83     $ 1.15  
$ 2.00       54,367       1.09     $ 2.00  
          1,172,930       2.58     $ 1.01  

 

No warrants were issued during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The intrinsic value of the outstanding warrants at June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $0.

  

Outstanding Stock Options

On November 20, 2012, the shareholders of the Company approved the adoption of the Applied Minerals, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) and the Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”) and the performance criteria used in setting performance goals for awards intended to be performance-based. Under the LTIP, 8,900,000 shares are authorized for issuance. The STIP does not refer to a particular number of shares under the LTIP, but would use the shares authorized in the LTIP for issuance under the STIP. The CEO, the CFO, and named executive officers, and directors, among others are eligible to participate in the LTIP and STIP. Prior to the adoption of the LTIP and STIP, stock options were granted under individual arrangements between the Company and the grantees, and approved by the Board of Directors.

 

The fair value of each of the Company's stock option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below. Expected volatility is based on an average of historical volatility of the Company's common stock. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the stock option award is based on the yield curve of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond on the date the award is granted with a maturity equal to the expected term of the award.

 

The significant assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company's options issued for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows on a weighted average basis:

 

   

2015

   

2014

 

Dividend Yield

    0

%

    0

%

Expected Life (years)

    5.6       5 - 6  

Expected Volatility

    51

%

    55.70

%

Risk Free Interest Rate

    1.47

%

    1.71 – 1.90

%

 

  

A summary of the status and changes of the options granted under stock option plans and other agreements for the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

   

June 30, 2015

 
   

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

 
                 

Outstanding at beginning of period

    17,053,116     $ 1.02  

Issued

    888,356       0.70  

Exercised

    --       --  

Expired

    (125,000 )     --  

Outstanding at end of period

    17,816,472     $ 1.00  

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company granted 888,356 options to purchase the Company’s common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $0.70 and the following vesting schedule.

 

    Vesting Information  
Options   Frequency   Begin Date   End Date  
200,000  

Quarterly

 

03/31/2015

 

12/31/2015

 
200,000  

Annually

 

02/05/2016

 

02/05/2018

 
100,000  

Monthly

 

04/30/2015

 

03/31/2016

 
38,356  

Quarterly

 

07/15/2015

 

04/16/2016

 
350,000  

Annually

 

06/01/2016

 

06/01/2018

 

 

A summary of the status of the options outstanding at June 30, 2015 is presented below:

 

Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  

 

 

Number

Outstanding

   

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual Life (years)

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

   

 

 

Number

Exercisable

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 
                                     
  200,000       9.63     $ 0.66       100,000     $ 0.66  
  200,000       9.61     $ 0.68       --     $ --  
  7,233,277       3.50     $ 0.70       7,233,277     $ 0.70  
  488,356       9.89     $ 0.73       25,000     $ 0.73  
  3,405,134       6.19     $ 0.83       3,405,134     $ 0.83  
  975,000       8.95     $ 0.84       591,667     $ 0.84  
  60,000       1.00     $ 1.00       60,000     $ 1.00  
  300,000       8.15     $ 1.10       100,000     $ 1.10  
  300,000       7.99     $ 1.15       183,333     $ 1.15  
  100,000       2.59     $ 1.24       100,000     $ 1.24  
  115,000       5.74     $ 1.35       115,000     $ 1.35  
  125,000       2.59     $ 1.45       125,000     $ 1.45  
  330,000       6.45     $ 1.55       330,000     $ 1.55  
  7,645       2.59     $ 1.58       7,645     $ 1.58  
  3,077,060       7.40     $ 1.66       3,077,060     $ 1.66  
  900,000       6.14     $ 1.90       900,000     $ 1.90  
  17,816,472       5.63     $ 1.02       16,353,116     $ 1.02  

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the first half of 2015 was $0.31.

 

Compensation expense of $107,660 and $371,218 has been recognized for the vested options for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $207,598 and $586,068 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding options at June 30, 2015 was $0. At June 30, 2015, 543,564 of unamortized compensation expense for unvested options is expected to be recognized over the next 1.78 years on a weighted average basis.

  

 

NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2015 that requires us to make future cash payments:

 

   

Payment due by period

 
   

Total

   

< 1 year

   

1 - 3 years

 

Contractual Obligations:

                       

Rent obligations

  $ 233,722     $ 154,935     $ 78,787  

Total

  $ 233,722     $ 154,935     $ 78,787  

 

Contingencies

The Company was named as the defendant in a lawsuit filed on April 18, 2014 in state District court in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The plaintiff is Tekko Enterprises, Inc., which was hired in 2012 as project manager for the construction of a processing plant at the Company’s Dragon Mine property and terminated in 2013 before the completion of the plant.  The complaint seeks damages of $346,000, which represents unpaid amounts that the plaintiff claims it is entitled to under the project management agreement and two purchase orders.  The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims and to counterclaim.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 450, when applicable, we record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition to the above matter, we may become involved in or subject to, routine litigation, claims, disputes, proceedings and investigations in the ordinary course of business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

NOTE 11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In July 2015 the Company implemented a number of cost-savings initiatives at its Utah property.  The majority of these costs savings will be realized through a reduction in the workforce employed at the Dragon Mine.  Most of these workers had been focused on underground development, which included (i) the establishment of the underground mine's infrastructure and (ii) the opening up of faces of iron oxide and halloysite clay that will be needed for future production. Given that the great majority of this underground development work has now been completed, the Company no longer needs the workers dedicated to these activities. As demand for our iron oxide and halloysite clay products grows, the Company may need to increase its underground mining staff to meet such demand.  The Company did not incur any material severance liabilities as a result of the reduction in work force.   

  

 

ITEM 2     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and our industry. Words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will," "may," and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Applied Minerals, Inc. (the “Company” or “we” or “us”) is focused primarily on (i) the development and marketing of our halloysite clay-based DRAGONITE™ line of products for use to improve the performance of end-products in application markets such as flame retardant additives for plastics, nucleation, thermosets and adhesives, reinforcement, molecular sieves and catalysts, ceramics, binders, cosmetics, controlled release carriers and environmental remediation and (ii) the development and marketing of our AMIRON™ line of iron oxide products for pigmentary and technical applications.

 

The Company owns the Dragon Mine, which has significant deposits of high-quality halloysite clay and iron oxide. The 267-acre property is located in southwestern Utah and its resource was mined for halloysite on a large-scale, commercial basis between 1949 and 1976 for use as a petroleum cracking catalyst. The mine was idle until 2001 when the Company leased it to develop its halloysite resource for advanced, high-value applications. We purchased 100% of the property in 2005.

 

Halloysite is an aluminosilicate clay that possesses a tubular morphology with a hollow lumen (pore). Traditionally, halloysite has been used to manufacture porcelain, bone china and catalysts used in the petroleum cracking process. A significant amount of academic and industrial research has been performed on the commercial uses of halloysite clay beyond porcelain products and ceramic catalysts. This research has identified a wide array of application areas in which the unique morphology of halloysite can be utilized to either enhance the performance of existing applications or create new high-performance ones. Since 2009, management has been primarily focused on developing halloysite-based products for advanced applications, such as, but not limited to, reinforcement additives for polymer composites, flame retardant additives for polymers, controlled release carriers for paints and coatings, environmental remediation media, and carriers of agricultural agents. The clays used in these advanced applications sell for significantly higher prices than those used in more traditional applications. Nanoclays have been used as additives to develop high performance plastic composites. These nanoclays provide functionality to polymer matrices that cannot be replicated using traditional fillers. Nanoclays, such as treated montmorillonite, sell for up to $5,000 per ton due, in large part, to the cost associated with exfoliating the clay so it may be properly dispersed within a polymer matrix. Halloysite has been shown to be as effective a polymer additive as nanoclay without requiring a costly exfoliation to disperse it within a polymer matrix. The Company has and continues to utilize a number of employees and consultants to research and develop the use of halloysite for advanced applications.

 

In addition to the development of its halloysite resource, management has also developed a line of iron oxide-based products for the pigmentary and technical markets. The Dragon Mine has a resource of 3.3 million tons of natural iron oxide mineralized material, which is comprised primarily of goethite and hematite. Initially, the resource was considered to be utilizable as only an input of the steel-manufacturing process but, upon additional analysis, the iron resource was found to be a high-quality natural iron oxide due to its high Fe2O3 content, exceptional chemical purity, good dispersability, good tinting strength and color saturation, low color variation, and low content of heavy metals. High-quality iron oxides have commercial uses in a number of higher value applications such as the aforementioned pigmentary and technical markets. The Company’s AMIRON product line includes semi-transparent and opaque pigments for the construction, concrete, paints and coatings, and plastics and rubber industries. AMIRON’s technical oxides, due to their particularly high surface area of 25 m2/g – 125 m2/g and reactivity, can be used as the media for the removal of toxins from waste and drinking water, as a catalyst for desulfurization, and a foundry sand additive. The Company currently has 24,229 tons of mined iron ore in stockpiles on the surface of the mine property.

 

The Company has carried out an extensive drilling program to characterize the mineralized material at the Dragon Mine. In addition, in January 2014, the Company commissioned a mineral processing plant with a capacity of up to 45,000 tons per annum for certain applications. Currently, this facility is dedicated to the iron oxide resource except for occasional processing of halloysite. Additionally, the Company has another processing facility with a capacity of 5,000 – 10,000 tons per annum that is dedicated to its halloysite resource.

 

 

Applied Minerals is a publicly traded company incorporated in the state of Delaware. The common stock trades on the OTCQB under the symbol AMNL.

 

BUSINESS ACTIVITY – SECOND QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2015

 

Below are some business activity highlights for the Company’s second fiscal quarter.

 

Technical Ceramics and Porcelain

 

 

During the quarter the Company continued to work with one of the world’s leading sanitary ware producers regarding the use of DRAGONITE as a ceramic binder to improve the green strength of the ceramic body and reduce manufacturing time. Additionally, this potential customer has begun an evaluation of DRAGONITE as a glaze for its ceramic products.

 

 

During the quarter the Company continued to sell product to a producer of ceramic formulations that utilizes it as a binder for high-value ceramic tiles.

 

Plastics, Adhesives and Coatings

 

 

During the quarter the Company received very positive results from a product trial run by a leading cable and wire manufacturer. The results of the trial demonstrated DRAGONITE performs as an effective reinforcing flame retardant.

 

 

During the quarter a global manufacturer of silicone products completed testing of DRAGONITE-HP in a product in which it achieved improved flame retardancy and more uniform foam cell size. This potential customer has indicated that it expects to commercialize this product in the fourth quarter of 2015 or first quarter of 2016.

 

 

The Company continued to receive small orders from a leading global producer of structural acrylic adhesives, which incorporates DRAGONITE-XR in its next generation of structural acrylic products.

 

 

During the quarter the Company received an order for 10 metric tons of DRAGONITE from a Taiwan-based distributor that is exploring distributing the product in Asia to a number of application markets.

 

 

Catalysts and Molecular Sieves

 

 

During the quarter a leading global producer of molecular sieves completed a production scale trial of DRAGONITE as a binder for a catalyst product. DRAGONITE has now been approved by this manufacturer who has indicated it intends to begin ordering the product in late 2015 or early 2016.

 

Cosmetics

 

 

During the quarter the Company was focused on finalizing the details of a joint venture agreement with a leading developer and retailer of cosmetics. The joint venture will own and market a brand of cosmetic products utilizing the unique characteristics of DRAGONITE-PUREWHITE. The Company will own a significant equity stake in the joint venture and is currently on track to close the agreement during the second half of 2015.

 

Cementing

 

 

During the quarter the Company continued marketing its DRAGONITE product to the cement admixture market as well as to consumers of high performance cement. Recent research demonstrates how halloysite, when added to a cement formulation, results in significant improvements in tensile strength and compressive strength while also reducing in permeability. Cement and concrete mixtures, on their own, lack significant tensile strength and must often be reinforced with steel to achieve the tensile strength required by many applications. One patent, published in April 2014 (US20140090842 A1), demonstrates how just a 1.5% loading of DRAGONITE by weight to a cement mixture produces an increase in tensile strength of ~ 135%, a significant increase over a leading strength additive used in well cement. We believe the cementing market offers an attractive opportunity for DRAGONITE.

 

 

Iron Oxides

 

Pigmentary

 

 

During the quarter The Lorama Group continued sampling its AMIRON pigment products to its customer base. The product is now available in powder and dispersion form.

 

 

During the quarter a leading producer of mulch colorants successfully tested AMIRON at its Brazilian subsidiary. This subsidiary intends to commercialize a mulch colorant utilizing AMIRON.

 

Technical

 

 

During the quarter a leading oil and gas field services company successfully completed final field trials of AMIRON as a desulphurization catalyst for use in natural gas drilling operations. The Company is currently contemplating the terms of a supply agreement with this potential customer.

 

 

During the quarter the Company received an order for 10 tons on AMIRON from a leading biogas digestor manufacturer and operator located in South Korea.

 

Other

 

 

During the quarter the Company hired Brian Newsome as its Director of Sales. Mr. Newsome previously worked as Sales Manager for BASF SE within its kaolin division. Mr. Newsome brings significant sales experience to the Company and will focus primarily on (i) the marketing of the Company’s DRAGONITE products to high value application markets and (ii) the establishment and management of relationships with a number of global distributors.

 

 

Other

 

 

During the quarter the Company engaged the sales and advisory services of a former senior-level executive who focused on product innovation at one of the world’s largest consumer products companies. This individual has begun introducing the unique controlled-release functionality of DRAGONITE to companies within the consumer products space. DRAGONITE is capable of being loaded with an array of active agents and can deliver these agents over an extended time horizon. This functionality has already garnered interest from manufacturers of personal care, household cleaning and detergent products as well as from producers of fragrances and flavors used in consumer products.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates, and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with US GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.

 

The following accounting policies have been identified by management as policies critical to the Company's financial reporting:

 

 

Fair Value

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

 

Level 2 – Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions, which are developed by the reporting entity and reflect those assumptions that a market participant would use.

 

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

   

Fair value measurement using inputs

   

Carrying amount

 
   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

June 30,
2015

   

December 31,
2014 (a)

 
                                         

Financial instruments:

                                     

Series 2023 PIK Note Derivative

                  $ 482,627     $ 482,627     $ 478,149  

Series A PIK Note Derivative

                  $ 8,359,016     $ 8,359,016     $ 9,557,476  

 

The following table summarizes the activity for financial instruments at fair value using Level 3 inputs:

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 10,035,625  

Issuance of additional Series 2023 PIK Note

    26,387  

Net unrealized gain

    (1,220,369 )
         

Balance at June 30, 2015

  $ 8,841,643  

 

(a)

In the course of preparing its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reclassified the Series 2023 PIK note derivative to Level 3 fair value hierarchy to match with the Series A PIK note derivative since it is based off of a similar model.

 

The recorded value of certain financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates the fair value at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms, and the remaining short term period outstanding, the carrying value of notes payable other than PIK notes approximates fair value. Estimated fair value of the PIK Notes Payable approximate $20,175,113 and $19,006,908, respectively, at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of the PIK Notes at December 31, 2014 has been restated to correct a mechanical error in the calculation of the estimated fair value for both the Series A and Series 2023 Notes Payable. This mechanical error had no impact on the reported December 31, 2014 consolidated financial statements.

  

For the Company's PIK note derivative liabilities, fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo Model and the following assumptions:

 

Series 2023 PIK Note derivative liability

 

Fair Value Measurements

 
   

Using Inputs

 
   

June 30,

2015

   

December 31,

2014

 
                 

Market price and estimated fair value of stock

  $ 0.58     $ 0.73  

Exercise price

  $ 1.36     $ 1.36  

Term (years)

    8.08       8.58  

Dividend yield

  $ --     $ --  

Expected volatility

    62.2

%

    52.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

    2.17

%

    2.08

%

 

 

Series A PIK Note derivative liability

 

Fair Value Measurements

 
   

Using Inputs

 
   

June 30,

2015

   

December 31,

2014

 
                 

Market price and estimated fair value of stock

  $ 0.58     $ 0.73  

Exercise price

  $ 0.92     $ 0.92  

Term (years)

    3.17       3.83  

Dividend yield

  $ --     $ --  

Expected volatility

    62.2

%

    52.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

    2.17

%

    2.08

%

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets 

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of long-lived assets to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustment to such carrying amounts. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. When such events occur, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset to its carrying amount.

 

If this comparison indicates impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows where observable fair values are not readily determinable. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, which clarifies that entities should treat performance targets that can be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting. Under the ASU, an entity would not record compensation expense related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the entity's satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. The adoption of this ASU will be required, either on a retrospective basis or prospective basis, beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2014-10 Development Stage Entities. The amendments in ASU 2014-10 remove the definition of a development stage entity from Topic 915 Development Stage Entities, thereby removing the distinction between development stage entities and other reporting entities from US GAAP. In addition, the amendments eliminate the requirements for development stage entities to (1) present inception-to-date information in the statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholder’s equity, (2) label the financial statements as those of a development stage entity, (3) disclose a description of the development stage activities in which the entity is engaged, and (4) disclose in the first year in which the entity is no longer a development stage entity that in prior years it had been in the development stage. The amendments also clarify that the guidance in Topic 275, Risks and Uncertainties, is applicable to entities that have not commenced planned principal operations. ASU 2014-10 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods therein. The Company could early adopt ASU 2014-10 for any annual reporting period or interim period for which the entity’s financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company has elected to adopt this ASU effective with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and its adoption resulted in the removal of inception-to-date information in the Company’s financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

 

 

ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. On July 9, 2015, the FASB agreed to delay the effective date by one year. In accordance with the agreed upon delay, the new standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date of the standard. The new standard is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating these new requirements to determine the method of implementation and any resulting estimated effects on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction to the carrying amount of the associated debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Currently debt issuance costs are recognized as an asset. The ASU is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016 and is required to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its balance sheets.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2014

 

Results of Operations

 

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain components of our operating earnings, including such data stated as percentage of revenues: 

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Variance

 
   

2015

   

2014

   

Amount

   

%

 
                                 

REVENUES

  $ 65,848     $ 47,993     $ 17,855       37

%

                                 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                               

Production costs

    3,934       21,567       (17,633

)

    -82

%

Exploration costs

    1,291,197       1,257,579       33,618       3

%

General and administrative

    1,247,466       1,343,719       (96,253

)

    -7

%

Depreciation expense

    326,684       137,193       189,491       138

%

Total Operating Expenses

    2,869,281       2,760,058       109,223       4

%

                                 

Operating Loss

    (2,803,433

)

    (2,712,065

)

    (91,368

)

    3

%

                                 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                               

Interest expense, net, including amortization of deferred financing cost and debt discount

    (1,092,595

)

    (304,196

)

    (788,399

)

    259

%

(Loss) gain on revaluation of warrant derivative

    --       (25,000

)

    25,000       -100

%

Gain on revaluation of stock award

    --       72,000       (72,000

)

    -100

%

Gain (Loss) on revaluation of PIK note derivative

    1,313,110       (39,375

)

    1,352,485       -3435

%

Other income (expense)

    (145,958

)

    (27,068

)

    (118,890

)

    439

%

Total Other Income (Expense)

    74,557       (323,639

)

    398,196       -123

%

                                 

Net Loss

  $ (2,728,876

)

  $ (3,035,704

)

  $ 306,828       -10

%

 

Revenue generated during the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $65,848, compared to $47,993 of revenue generated during the same period in 2014. The main increase was due to increased sales of Dragonite to a ceramic formulator. Quarterly revenue may be unpredictable as we are in various stages of product development, ongoing trials and the building of stockpile levels. 

 

Total operating expenses for the three months ending June 30, 2015 were $2,869,281 compared to $2,760,058 of operating expenses incurred during the same period in 2014, an increase of $109,223 or 4%. The increase was due primarily to a $189,490 increase in depreciation expense as fixed assets were moved from Construction-in-Progress and depreciated as a result of the new mill, offset by $96,253, or 7%, decrease in general and administrative costs.

 

Exploration costs incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2015 were $1,291,197 compared to $1,257,579 of exploration costs incurred during the same period in 2014, an increase of $33,618, or 3%. The Company hired new mining personnel in 2014 and 2015 to facilitate the sorting and processing of our minerals. The increase in mine personnel costs, including health benefits and workers compensation expense, coupled with an increase in equipment rentals, were offset by reductions in minerals testing and an expired contract with OPF consulting for ceramics and proppants during the third quarter of 2014. The expired OPF contract, which was previously fixed, has been converted to a variable contract based on future sales leads.

 

In July 2015 the Company implemented a number of cost-savings initiatives at its Utah property.  The majority of these costs savings will be realized through a reduction in the workforce employed at the Dragon Mine.  Most of these workers had been focused on underground development, which included (i) the establishment of the underground mine's infrastructure and (ii) the opening up of faces of iron oxide and halloysite clay that will be needed for future production. Given that the great majority of this underground development work has now been completed, the Company no longer needs the workers dedicated to these activities. As demand for our iron oxide and halloysite clay products grows, the Company may need to increase its underground mining staff to meet such demand.  The Company did not incur any material severance liabilities as a result of the reduction in work force.     

 

General and administrative expenses incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2015 totaled $1,247,466 compared to $1,343,719 of expense incurred during the same period in 2014, a decrease of $96,253 or 7%. Stock compensation expense reduced by $371,218 to $107,660 due to a lower amount of stock options issued in 2015. This reduction was mainly offset by increases in: professional services due to additional registration statements filed; shareholder expenses as the Company hired a new investor relations firm; and an increase in director fees due to the addition of a Board member.

 

Net loss for the three-month period ending June 30, 2015 was $2,728,876 compared to a loss of $3,035,704 incurred during the same period in 2014, a decrease of $306,828 or 10%. The reduction in the net loss was primarily due to a $398,196 reduction in Other Expense, offset by a $109,223 increase in operating expenses and a $17,855 increase of revenue, as described above.

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

 

Results of Operations

 

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain components of our operating earnings, including such data stated as percentage of revenues: 

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

   

Variance

 
   

2015

   

2014

   

Amount

   

%

 

REVENUES

  $ 228,595     $ 59,007     $ 169,588       287

%

                                 

OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSES:

                               

Production costs

    6,170       25,316       (19,146

)

    -76

%

Exploration costs

    2,618,478       2,454,735       163,743       7

%

General and administrative

    2,429,775       2,597,735       (167,960

)

    -6

%

Depreciation expense

    652,905       245,579       407,326       166

%

Total Operating Expenses

    5,707,328       5,323,365       383,963       7

%

                                 

Net Operating Loss

    (5,478,733

)

    (5,264,358

)

    (214,375

)

    4

%

                                 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                               

Interest expense, net, including amortization of deferred financing cost and debt discount

    (2,121,222

)

    (604,363

)

    (1,516,859

)

    251

%

Gain on revaluation of warrant derivative

    --       700,000       (700,000

)

    -100

%

Gain on revaluation of stock awards

    --       110,000       (110,000

)

    -100

%

Gain on revaluation of PIK note derivative

    1,220,369       1,753,125       (532,756

)

    -30

%

Other income (expense)

    (543,755

)

    (87,333

)

    (456,422

)

    523

%

Total Other Income (Expense)

    (1,444,608

)

    1,871,429       (3,316,037

)

    -177

%

                                 

Net Loss

  $ (6,923,341

)

  $ (3,392,929

)

  $ (3,530,412

)

    104

%

 

Revenue generated during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $228,595, compared to $59,007 of revenue generated during the same period in 2014. The increase in first half 2015 revenues involved various customers, including the sale to Lorama, as described in Recent Business Developments; sales of Dragonite to a ceramic formulator; and sales to customers that use Dragonite as an additive to improve the mechanical properties of a polymer and as a nucleating agent to reduce the cycle time of molded plastic composites. Quarterly revenue may be unpredictable as we are in various stages of product development, ongoing trials and the building of stockpile levels.

 

Total operating expenses for the six months ending June 30, 2015 were $5,707,328 compared to $5,323,365 of expenses incurred during the same period in 2014, an increase of $383,963 or 7%.

 

 

Exploration costs incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2015 were $2,618,478 compared to $2,454,735 of costs incurred during the same period in 2014, an increase of $163,743 or 7%. The Company hired new mining personnel in 2014 and 2015 to facilitate the sorting and processing of our minerals. The increase in mine personnel costs, including health benefits and workers compensation expense, coupled with an increase in equipment rentals, were offset by reductions in minerals testing and an expired contract with OPF consulting for ceramics and proppants during the third quarter of 2014. The expired OPF contract, which was previously fixed, has been converted to a variable contract based on future sales leads.

 

In July 2015 the Company implemented a number of cost-savings initiatives at its Utah property.  The majority of these costs savings will be realized through a reduction in the workforce employed at the Dragon Mine.  Most of these workers had been focused on underground development, which included (i) the establishment of the underground mine's infrastructure and (ii) the opening up of faces of iron oxide and halloysite clay that will be needed for future production. Given that the great majority of this underground development work has now been completed, the Company no longer needs the workers dedicated to these activities. As demand for our iron oxide and halloysite clay products grows, the Company may need to increase its underground mining staff to meet such demand.  The Company did not incur any material severance liabilities as a result of the reduction in work force.     

 

General and administrative expenses incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2015 totaled $2,429,775 compared to $2,597,735 of expense incurred during the same period in 2014, a decrease of $167,960 or 6%. Stock compensation expense reduced by $378,470 due to a lower amount of stock options issued in 2015. This reduction was mainly offset by increases in professional services due to additional registration statements filed; shareholder expenses as the Company hired a new investor relations firm; and an increase in director fees due to the addition of a Board member.

 

Net loss for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $6,923,341 compared to a loss of $3,392,929 incurred during the same period in 2014, an increase of $3,530,412 or 104%. The increase in the net loss was due to a $3,316,037 increase in Other Expense, primarily from an increase in PIK Note interest, and a $383,963 increase in operating expense, offset by a $169,588 increase in revenue.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

 

The Company has a history of recurring losses from operations and use of cash in operating activities. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's net loss was $2,728,876 and cash used in operating activities was $1,874,360. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s net loss was $6,923,341 and cash used in operating activities was $4,731,175. As of June 30, 2015, the Company has working capital of $2,979,715, which will not be sufficient to support its current operations for the next twelve months based on its business plan without obtaining additional financing. Collectively, these factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Besides continuing its strategic business plan on generating revenue, the Company intends to explore various strategic alternatives, including the sale of equity, or debt or the disposal of certain non-core assets to raise additional capital. ln November 2014, the Company raised $12.5 million in capital financing through the issuance of PIK Notes. During 2013, the Company raised gross proceeds of $16,060,000 pursuant to the sale of common stock and issuance of convertible PIK Notes. Management can also take steps to reduce the Company's future operating expenses as needed. However, the Company cannot provide any assurance that it will be able to raise additional capital as needed.  The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. 

 

In July 2015 the Company implemented a number of cost-savings initiatives at its Utah property.  The majority of these costs savings will be realized through a reduction in the workforce employed at the Dragon Mine.  Most of these workers had been focused on underground development, which included (i) the establishment of the underground mine's infrastructure and (ii) the opening up of faces of iron oxide and halloysite clay that will be needed for future production. Given that the great majority of this underground development work has now been completed, the Company no longer needs the workers dedicated to these activities. As demand for our iron oxide and halloysite clay products grows, the Company may need to increase its underground mining staff to meet such demand.  The Company did not incur any material severance liabilities as a result of the reduction in work force.     

 

Cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $4,731,175 compared to $4,404,296 of cash used during the same period in 2014. The key difference is in the timing of certain payments made over both periods.

 

Cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $17,995 compared to a use of $819,544 during the same period in 2014. The Company incurred costs relating to the new mill, which was commissioned with the lab and office during the first half of 2014.

 

Cash used by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $203,440 compared to $251,600 of cash used during the same period in 2014, mainly due to lower payments on notes payable. 

 

Our total assets as of June 30, 2015 were $12,643,863 compared to $18,457,702 at December 31, 2014, or a decrease of $5,813,839, mainly due to funding operations. Total liabilities were $25,919,399 at June 30, 2015, compared to $25,974,467 at December 31, 2014 mainly due to payment of notes payable.

 

 

ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE DEBT

 

The Company raised $23 million of financing through the issuance of two series of Paid-In-Kind (“PIK”)-Election Convertible Notes in 2013 and 2014, See Note 7 in the consolidated financial statements for key terms of the Notes.

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There are no off-balance sheet arrangements between the Company and any other entity that have, or are reasonable likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that is material to investors.

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2015 that requires us to make future cash payments:

 

   

Payment due by period

 
   

Total

   

< 1 year

   

1 - 3 years

 

Contractual Obligations:

                       

Rent obligations

  $ 233,722     $ 154,935     $ 78,787  

Total

  $ 233,722     $ 154,935     $ 78,787  

 

ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We have no exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currencies, or other factors. 

 

ITEM 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report, effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

 

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our internal controls over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the quarter covered by this report.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company was named as the defendant in a lawsuit filed on April 18, 2014 in state district court in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The plaintiff is Tekko Enterprises, Inc., which was hired in 2012 as project manager for the construction of a processing plant at the Company’s Dragon Mine property and terminated in 2013 before the completion of the plant.  The complaint seeks damages of $346,000, which represents unpaid amounts that the plaintiff claims it is entitled to under the project management agreement and two purchase orders.  The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims and to counterclaim.

 

In addition to the matter described above, we may become involved in or subject to, routine litigation, claims, disputes, proceedings and investigations in the ordinary course of business which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS. 

 

Except for the below, there were no additions or material changes to the Company’s risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

 

The Company has a history of recurring losses from operations and use of cash in operating activities as it is still an exploration stage company. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's net loss was $2,728,876 and cash used in operating activities was $1,874,360. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had working capital of $2,979,715, which will not be sufficient to support its current operations for the next twelve months based on its business plan without obtaining additional financing. Collectively, these factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

 

Besides continuing its strategic business plan on generating revenue, the Company intends to explore various strategic alternatives, including the sale of equity, debt or the disposal of certain non-core assets to raise additional capital. ln November 2014, the Company raised $12.5 million in capital financing through the issuance of PIK Notes. During 2013, the Company raised gross proceeds of $16,060,000 pursuant to the sale of common stock and issuance of convertible PIK Notes. Management can also take steps to further reduce the Company's future operating expenses as needed. However, the Company cannot provide any assurance that it will be able to raise additional capital as needed. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

ITEM 2.     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None 

 

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and this Item is included in Exhibit 95 to this Form 10-Q. 

 

ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

  

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS

 

(a)     Exhibits.

 

The following exhibits are included in this report:

 

Exhibit

  

  

Number

  

Description of Exhibits

  

  

  

31.1

  

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive Officer

  

  

 

31.2

  

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer

  

  

 

32.1

  

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive Officer

  

  

 

32.2

  

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer

  

  

 

95

  

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

 

 

101.INS**

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

101.CAL**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.DEF**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.LAB**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 

 

 

 

101.PRE**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 

 

 

 

XBRL**

 

Information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration stamen or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposed of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under theses sections.

  

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  

  

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

  

  

  

Dated: August 7, 2015

  

/s/ ANDRE ZEITOUN

  

  

By: Andre Zeitoun

  

  

Chief Executive Officer

  

  

  

Dated: August 7, 2015

  

/s/ NAT KRISHNAMURTI

  

  

By: Nat Krishnamurti

  

  

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 35