UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                                to                              . 

 

Commission file number: 001-37481

 

Pershing Gold Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		26-0657736 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1658 Cole Boulevard Building 6, Suite 210 Lakewood CO		80401
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (720) 974-7248

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 

Indicate by check mark 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 x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨		Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨		Smaller reporting company x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
		Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

 

Applicable only to issuers involved in bankruptcy proceedings during the preceding five years:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  ¨ No  ¨

 

Applicable only to corporate issuers:

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of August 13, 2018 there were 33,629,260 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, outstanding.  

 

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1	Financial Statements	3
ITEM 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
ITEM 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	24
ITEM 4	Controls and Procedures	24
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1	Legal Proceedings	25
ITEM 1A	Risk Factors	25
ITEM 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	25
ITEM 3	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	25
ITEM 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	25
ITEM 5	Other Information	25
ITEM 6	Exhibits	25

 

 

ITEM 1

Financial Statements

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in United States dollars)

 

		June 30,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,501,245			$	12,858,873
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			708,533				1,006,779
Deposit			62,667				27,884
Total Current Assets			6,272,445				13,893,536
NON - CURRENT ASSETS:
Property and equipment, net			2,837,443				3,303,366
Mineral rights			22,873,912				22,803,912
Restricted cash			3,690,000				3,690,000
Reclamation bond deposit			50,000				50,000
Other non-current assets			20,596				9,689
Total Non - Current Assets			29,471,951				29,856,967
Total Assets		$	35,744,396			$	43,750,503
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	1,364,547			$	1,651,461
Deferred rent			645				4,513
Deposit			1,750				1,750
Total Current Liabilities			1,366,942				1,657,724
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Asset retirement obligation			980,930				963,303
Total Liabilities			2,347,872				2,621,027
Commitments and Contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY :
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 authorized
Convertible Series A Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 2,250,000 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			-				-
Convertible Series B Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 8,000,000 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			-				-
Convertible Series C Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 3,284,396 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			-				-
Convertible Series D Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 7,500,000 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			-				-
Convertible Series E Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 15,151 Shares Authorized; 8,946 shares issued and outstanding; liquidation preference of $9,742,194 as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			1				1
Common stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 200,000,000 Shares Authorized; 33,629,260 and 33,544,125 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			3,363				3,354
Additional paid-in capital			212,349,059				211,817,072
Accumulated deficit			(178,955,899	)			(170,690,951	)
Total Stockholders' Equity			33,396,524				41,129,476
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	35,744,396			$	43,750,503

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in United States dollars)

 

		For the Three Months Ended June 30,								For the Six Months Ended June 30,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Net revenues		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
Operating expenses:
Compensation and related taxes			769,279				1,237,618				1,647,691				2,312,510
Exploration cost			1,609,982				230,851				2,862,923				828,130
Consulting fees			883,501				699,859				1,678,286				1,222,405
General and administrative expenses			977,310				1,116,564				2,080,997				2,242,477
Total operating expenses			4,240,072				3,284,892				8,269,897				6,605,522
Loss from operations			(4,240,072	)			(3,284,892	)			(8,269,897	)			(6,605,522	)
Other income (expenses):
Other income			-				9,673				-				9,673
Foreign currency gain (loss)			(434	)			500				(1,531	)			(10,655	)
Interest expense and other finance costs			(2,660	)			(2,056	)			(6,160	)			(4,978	)
Interest income			6,808				3,141				12,640				4,109
Total other income (expenses) - net			3,714				11,258				4,949				(1,851	)
Loss before provision for income taxes			(4,236,358	)			(3,273,634	)			(8,264,948	)			(6,607,373	)
Provision for income taxes			-				-				-				-
Net loss		$	(4,236,358	)		$	(3,273,634	)		$	(8,264,948	)		$	(6,607,373	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted		$	(0.13	)		$	(0.12	)		$	(0.25	)		$	(0.23	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted			33,629,260				28,400,084				33,603,861				28,394,151

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in United States dollars)

 

		For the Six Months Ended June 30,
		2018				2017
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss		$	(8,264,948	)		$	(6,607,373	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation			492,958				567,883
Accretion			17,627				19,264
Non-cash consulting			75,000				-
Stock-based compensation			326,434				838,378
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			298,246				118,233
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(81,352	)			(1,067,711	)
Deferred rent			(3,868	)			(2,869	)
Deposits			(34,783	)			-
Other non-current assets			(10,907	)			-
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES			(7,185,593	)			(6,134,195	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in reclamation bond deposits			-				(25,000	)
Purchase of mineral rights			(70,000	)			(17,000	)
Purchase of property and equipment			(102,035	)			(25,470	)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES			(172,035	)			(67,470	)
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH			(7,357,628	)			(6,201,665	)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH - beginning of period			16,548,873				13,972,102
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH - end of period		$	9,191,245			$	7,770,437
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest		$	6,160			$	4,978
Income taxes		$	-			$	-
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Reduction of accrued bonuses in connection with vested restricted common stock unit grants		$	73,035			$	427,320
Reduction of accrued bonuses in connection with vested stock options		$	132,527			$	-
Net book value of equipment in exchange for consulting fees		$	75,000			$	-
Reduction of accounts payable in connection with issuance of common stock		$	-			$	8,250
Reduction of accounts payable in connection with issuance of restricted stock unit grants		$	-			$	65,000

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

  

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Pershing Gold Corporation (the “Company”), formerly named Sagebrush Gold Ltd., was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on August 2, 2007. The Company is a gold and precious metals exploration company pursuing exploration, development, and mining opportunities primarily in Nevada. The Company is currently focused on exploration of its Relief Canyon properties in Pershing County in northwestern Nevada. None of the Company’s properties contain proven and probable reserves, and the Company’s activities on all of its properties are exploratory in nature.

 

On August 30, 2011, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gold Acquisition Corp. (“Gold Acquisition”), acquired the Relief Canyon Mine property (“Relief Canyon”) located in Pershing County, near Lovelock, Nevada.

 

A wholly-owned subsidiary, Pershing Royalty Company, a Delaware corporation, was formed on May 17, 2012 to hold royalty interests in two gold exploration properties. On July 5, 2016, a wholly-owned subsidiary, Blackjack Gold Corporation, a Nevada corporation, was formed for potential purchases of exploration targets.

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) and present the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of June 30, 2018. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2018, and the results of operations and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 have been included. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accounting policies and procedures employed in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements have been derived from the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which are contained in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 28, 2018. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, contained herein, was derived from those financial statements.

 

Use of estimates

 

In preparing the unaudited consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the useful life of property and equipment, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, including valuation allowance, amounts and timing of closure obligations, the assumptions used to calculate fair value of restricted stock units, options and warrants granted, stock-based compensation, beneficial conversion on preferred stock, capitalized mineral rights, asset valuations, timing of the performance criteria of restricted stock units and the fair value of common stock issued.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions. The Company’s accounts at these institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. 

 

At June 30, 2018, the Company had bank balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit on interest bearing accounts. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institutions, the Company evaluates at least annually the rating of the financial institutions in which it holds deposits.

 

Going concern

 

These unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business over a reasonable period of time. The Company has incurred a net loss of approximately $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, has used approximately $7.2 million of net cash in operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018, has incurred a total cumulative deficit of approximately $179.0 million since its inception and requires capital for its contemplated business and exploration activities to take place. The Company plans to raise additional capital to carry out its business plan. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital through future equity and debt securities issuances is unknown. Obtaining additional financing, the successful development of the Company’s contemplated plan of operations, and its transition, ultimately, to profitable operations are necessary for the Company to continue business. The ability to successfully resolve these factors raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as determined by management. The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Restricted cash – non current

 

Restricted cash consists of cash which is held as collateral under surface management surety bonds issued on the Company’s behalf. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

		June 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
		(Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,501,245			$	12,858,873
Restricted cash – non current			3,690,000				3,690,000
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	9,191,245			$	16,548,873

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing generally accepted accounting principles that requires the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. The adoption of ASC 820 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results, but did expand certain disclosures.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

These inputs are prioritized below:

 

Level 1:	Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

 

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) accounting standard for such instruments. Under this standard, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their estimated fair market values based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets of $708,533 and $1,006,779 at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consist primarily of costs paid for future services which will occur within a year. Prepaid expenses principally include prepayments for consulting, public relations, and business advisory services, insurance premiums, drilling services, mining claim fees and mineral lease fees which are being amortized over the terms of their respective agreements.

 

Mineral property acquisition and exploration costs

 

Costs of leasing, exploration, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. The Company expenses all mineral exploration costs as incurred as it is still in the exploration stage. Given the completion on May 24, 2018 of a final feasibility study indicating a mine is economically viable, upon a final decision to commence operating mine development activities to bring a mine into production, the property would enter into the development stage and the Company would capitalize future costs until production is established. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs are amortized using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the proven and probable reserves. If in the future the Company has capitalized mineral properties, these properties will be periodically assessed for impairment. To date, the Company has not established the commercial feasibility of any exploration prospects; therefore, all exploration costs are being expensed.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

  

ASC 930-805, “Extractive Activities-Mining: Business Combinations” (“ASC 930-805”), states that mineral rights consist of the legal right to explore, extract, and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits. Mining assets include mineral rights. Acquired mineral rights are considered tangible assets under ASC 930-805. ASC 930-805 requires that mineral rights be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. As a result, the direct costs to acquire mineral rights are initially capitalized as tangible assets. Mineral rights include costs associated with acquiring patented and unpatented mining claims.

 

ASC 930-805-30-1 and 30-2 provide that, in fair valuing mineral assets, an acquirer should take into account both:

 

·            The value beyond proven and probable reserves (“VBPP”) to the extent that a market participant would include VBPP in determining the fair value of the assets.

 

·            The effects of anticipated fluctuations in the future market price of minerals in a manner that is consistent with the expectations of market participants.

 

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, generally one to twenty-five years.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

The Company accounts for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets according to ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets, including mineral rights, may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets in the exploration stage are monitored for impairment based on factors such as the Company’s continued right to explore the area, exploration reports, assays, technical reports, drill results and the Company’s continued plans to fund exploration programs on the property, and whether sufficient work has been performed to indicate that the carrying amount of the mineral property cost carried forward as an asset will not be fully recovered. The tests for long-lived assets in the exploration stage are monitored for impairment based on factors such as current market value of the long-lived assets and results of exploration, future asset utilization, business climate, mineral prices and future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets.

 

Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. When necessary, impaired assets are written down to estimated fair value based on the best information available. Estimated fair value is generally based on either appraised value or measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The Company did not record any impairment of its long-lived assets at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”), consisting primarily of estimated mine reclamation and closure costs at the Company’s Relief Canyon property, are recognized in the period incurred and when a reasonable estimate can be made, and recorded as liabilities at fair value. Such obligations, which are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates, are accreted to full value over time through charges to accretion expense. Corresponding asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Asset retirement obligations are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting  from revisions to the estimated timing or amount of reclamation and closure costs. The Company reviews and evaluates its asset retirement obligations annually or more frequently at interim periods if deemed necessary.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

  

Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”), which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred asset will not be realized.

 

The Company follows the provision of ASC 740-10 related to Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions. When tax returns are filed, there may be uncertainty about the merits of positions taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefit associated with tax positions taken that exceed the amount measured as described above should be reflected as a liability for uncertain tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

 

The Company has adopted ASC 740-10-25, “Definition of Settlement”, which provides guidance on how an entity should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits and provides that a tax position can be effectively settled upon the completion and examination by a taxing authority without being legally extinguished. For tax positions considered effectively settled, an entity would recognize the full amount of tax benefit, even if the tax position is not considered more likely than not to be sustained based solely on the basis of its technical merits and the statute of limitations remains open.  The federal and state income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by the IRS and state taxing authorities, generally for three years after they are filed.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), which requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

 

The Company adopted ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” (“ASU 2016-09”), which makes several modifications to Topic 718. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company recognizes the effect of forfeitures in compensation cost as they occur, rather than estimating forfeitures as of the award date. Any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed in the period of forfeiture.

 

Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-employees”, for share-based payments to consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the measurement date. The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date.

 

Related party transactions

 

Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Foreign currency transactions

 

The Company accounts for foreign currency transactions in accordance with ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASC 830”), specifically the guidance in subsection ASC 830-20, “Foreign Currency Transactions”. The U.S. dollar is the functional and reporting currency for the Company and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to ASC 830, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the resulting gains or losses upon settlement reported in foreign exchange gain (loss) in the computation of net income (loss).

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash,” or ASU 2016-18. ASU 2016-18 is intended to clarify how entities present restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. When cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are presented in more than one line-item on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet. This reconciliation can be presented either on the face of the statement of cash flows or in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company early adopted ASU 2016-18 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. When an indication of impairment was identified after performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test, Step 2 required that an entity determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) using the same procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Under the amendments in ASU No. 2017-04, an entity would perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value. An entity would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. In addition, an entity must consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. A public business entity that is a SEC filer should adopt the amendments in ASU No. 2017-04 for its annual, or any interim, good will impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”. The update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC Topic 718. An entity shall account for the effects of a modification described in ASC paragraphs 718-20-35-3 through 35-9, unless all the following are met: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The provisions of this update become effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company’s adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and related disclosures.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11 “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260)”. The amendments in the update change the classification of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. For freestanding equity-classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. Convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features would be subject to the specialized guidance for contingent beneficial conversion features (in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options), including related EPS guidance (in Topic 260). For public business entities, the amendments in Part I of this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. ASU 2017-12 eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” These amendments expand the scope of Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (which currently only includes share-based payments to employees) to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. The ASU supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity - Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. The guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim fiscal periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than a company’s adoption date of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company is assessing ASU 2018-07 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its accounting and disclosures.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

 

NOTE 3 — MINERAL PROPERTIES

 

The Company’s Relief Canyon property rights currently total approximately 29,000 acres and are comprised of approximately 1,056 owned unpatented mining claims, 120 owned millsite claims, 143 leased unpatented mining claims, and 4,127 acres of leased and 3,739 acres of subleased private lands. Most of the property on which the Relief Canyon deposit is located is subject to a 2% net smelter return production royalty, with a portion of that property subject to net smelter return production royalties totaling 4.5%. The rest of the property is subject, under varying circumstances, to net smelter return production royalties ranging from 2% to 5%.

 

Pershing Pass Property

 

The Pershing Pass property consists of over 765 unpatented mining claims (746 owned and 19 leased) covering approximately 12,900 acres and a mining lease of private lands covering approximately 635 acres.  Out of the total unpatented mining claims, 17 unpatented mining claims are subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty and 19 unpatented mining claims are leased with a purchase option.

 

The primary term of the mining lease of private lands is ten years ending in January 2023, which may be extended as long as mineral exploration, development or mining continue on the property. Production from the private lands covered by the lease is subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty on all metals produced other than gold, and to a royalty on gold indexed to the gold price, ranging from 2% at gold prices of less than $500 per ounce to 3.5% at gold prices over $1,500 per ounce. Prior to one year after commercial production begins, the Company can repurchase up to 3% of the royalty on gold production at the rate of $600,000 for each 1%.

 

In September 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement and purchase option for 19 unpatented mining claims (approximately 400 acres) in the Pershing Pass Property. Production from the lease is subject to a 1% net smelter return royalty on precious metals and a 0.5% net smelter royalty on all other metals produced from the leased property. Prior to production, and starting in September 2016, the Company is required to pay a $10,000 annual advance minimum royalty payment until September 2023. The annual advance minimum royalty payment increases to $12,500 in September 2023, to $15,000 in September 2028 and to $20,000 in September 2033.  The Company has the right to buy the leased claims at any time for $250,000.

 

Coal Canyon Property

 

In December 2017, the Company entered into two mining leases at Coal Canyon, which is west of the Relief Canyon Mine. One such mining lease with Good Springs Exploration, LLC and Clancy Wendt (collectively “Lessor”) covers 43 unpatented mining claims adding 800 acres to the Company’s property holdings. The lease contains customary terms and conditions, with a primary term of ten years, which may be extended, annual advance royalty payments to Lessor starting at $20,000 per year, capping at $50,000, which payments are recoupable against a 3% net smelter return production royalty, which royalty can be bought down by one percent point of net smelter return for a payment of $1,000,000, and also includes a conditional purchase option for $350,000.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 3 — MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

 

A second mining lease with New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC (collectively “New Nevada”) covers 1,899 acres of fee land. The lease contains customary terms and conditions, with a primary term of twenty years, which may be extended, with annual advance royalty payments to New Nevada starting at $10 per acre capping at $25 per acre, which payments are recoupable against a 3% net smelter return production royalty. This royalty can be reduced by one percent of net smelter return in exchange for a payment of $1 million, and also includes a conditional purchase option at a price of $500 per acre.

 

Newmont Properties

 

On April 5, 2012, the Company purchased from Victoria Gold Corp. and Victoria Resources (US) Inc. (collectively, “Victoria”) their interest in approximately 13,300 acres of mining claims and private lands adjacent to the Company’s original landholdings at the Relief Canyon Mine in Pershing County, Nevada.

 

Approximately 8,900 acres of the lands that the Company acquired from Victoria were a leasehold interest comprised of unpatented mining claims and private lands subject to a 2006 Mineral Lease and Sublease with Newmont USA Ltd. (“Newmont”), which the Company refers to as the Newmont Leased property. At that time, the Newmont Leased property consisted of 155 unpatented lode mining claims owned by Newmont comprising approximately 2,800 acres, approximately 4,900 acres of privately-owned fee minerals leased by Newmont from the owners, and 62 unpatented mining claims that were owned by Victoria within the Newmont Leased property and area of interest.

 

On January 14, 2015, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Newmont (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company acquired for $6.0 million, 74 unpatented mining claims totaling approximately 1,300 acres that the Company had previously leased from Newmont, and entered into a new mining lease directly with New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC for approximately 1,600 acres of fee, or private, land that the Company had previously subleased from Newmont.

 

As part of the January 2015 transactions completed pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a Mining Lease (the “2015 Mining Lease”) with New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC (the “Owners”), covering certain fee lands (the “Leased Properties”) included in the Company’s Relief Canyon properties. The 2015 Mining Lease has a term of twenty years and for as long thereafter as any mining, development or processing operations are being conducted on a continuous basis. The 2015 Mining Lease contains customary terms and conditions, including an advance royalty and a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty on the Leased Properties payable to the Owners.

 

Newmont Leased Property

 

As part of the Asset Purchase Agreement transactions, Newmont and the Company entered into an amendment of the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease (the “Third Amendment”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to a $2.6 million work commitment on the properties remaining subject to the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease to be expended by the seventh anniversary of the effective date of the Third Amendment. Upon the eighth anniversary of the effective date of the Third Amendment, the Company shall pay an annual rental payment of $10.00 per acre if the Company does not incur $500,000 in qualified expenditures during the preceding year. Expenditures incurred in excess of the annual work commitment or rental payment obligation may be carried forward as credits against future annual work commitment obligations or rental payment obligations. As of December 15, 2017, the most recent cost reporting date under the Third Amendment, the Company can credit approximately $2.9 million in exploration expenditures already incurred against the remaining $2.3 million work commitment and future rental payment obligations.

 

Also as part of the transactions completed pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, Newmont and the Owners entered into a new Mining Lease (the “2015 Newmont Lease”) covering about 2,770 acres of private lands included in the Company’s Relief Canyon properties (the “Subleased Properties”) and subleased by the Company from Newmont pursuant to the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease. The 2015 Newmont Lease has a term of twenty years and for as long thereafter as any mining, development or processing operations are being conducted on a continuous basis. The 2015 Newmont Lease contains customary terms and conditions, including an advance royalty and a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty on the Subleased Properties payable to the Owners. The Company continues to hold rights to the Subleased Properties pursuant to its 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease with Newmont.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 3 — MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

 

On March 29, 2017, the Company entered into a Mining Sublease with Newmont granting the Company the exclusive right to prospect, explore for, develop, and mine minerals on certain lands within the Pershing Pass area south of the Relief Canyon Mine. The Mining Sublease has an initial term of ten years and may be extended by the Company until December 3, 2034 and so long thereafter as any mining, development, or processing operations are being conducted continuously. The Mining Sublease calls for the Company to make minimum work expenditures for the first four years of the Mining Sublease, followed by annual advanced minimum royalty payments to Newmont to maintain the Mining Sublease in good standing. The Sublease may be terminated any time after providing 90-days written notice of termination. If the required minimum work commitment of $500,000 has not been satisfied prior to termination the Company must pay Newmont the difference between the $500,000 required minimum work commitment and costs already incurred by the Company towards the required minimum work commitment. As of June 30, 2018, the most recent cost reporting date under the Mining Sublease, the Company can credit approximately $270,000 in exploration expenditures already incurred against the $1.5 million work commitment. 

 

General

 

In February 2018, the Company increased its statewide surface management surety bonds by $200,000 with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) as required by the State of Nevada. No additional collateral was required. As of June 30, 2018, the Company had posted statewide surface management surety bonds in the total amount of approximately $12.5 million, which was approximately $80,000 in excess of the coverage requirement as of June 30, 2018, to reclaim land disturbed in its exploration and mining operations. The surface management surety bonds are provided through third-party insurance underwriters. The Company was required to deposit a total of $3,690,000, or approximately 30% of the total surety bonds, in collateral accounts. The funds deposited in the collateral accounts are classified as restricted cash – noncurrent on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

As of June 30, 2018, based on management’s review of the carrying value of mineral rights, management determined that there is no evidence that the cost of these acquired mineral rights will not be fully recovered and accordingly, the Company determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of mineral rights was required. As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, the Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral properties and has incurred only acquisition and exploration costs.

 

Mineral properties consisted of the following: 

 

		June 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
		(Unaudited)
Relief Canyon Mine — Gold Acquisition		$	8,571,071			$	8,501,071
Relief Canyon Mine — Newmont Properties			13,709,441				13,709,441
Pershing Pass Property			593,400				593,400
		$	22,873,912			$	22,803,912

 

NOTE 4 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following: 

 

		Estimated Life		June 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
				(Unaudited)
Furniture and fixtures		5 years		$	56,995			$	56,995
Office and computer equipment		1 - 5 years			436,173				434,563
Land		—			358,886				358,886
Building and improvements		5 - 25 years			823,131				823,131
Site costs		10 years			1,518,129				1,417,704
Crushing system		20 years			2,390,995				2,514,021
Process plant and equipment		10 years			3,530,460				3,530,460
Vehicles and mining equipment		5 - 10 years			605,824				605,824
					9,720,593				9,741,584
Less: accumulated depreciation					(6,883,150	)			(6,438,218	)
				$	2,837,443			$	3,303,366

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 4 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, depreciation expense amounted to $492,958 and $567,883, respectively. During May 2018, the Company exchanged a reclaim tunnel and other equipment with a net book value of $75,000 (cost of $123,026 and associated accumulated depreciation of $48,026) for engineering design services also valued at $75,000. As a result, the assets and related accumulated depreciation were written-off as of June 30, 2018. No gain or loss was recognized on the exchange.

 

NOTE 5 — ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

In conjunction with the permit approval permitting the Company to resume mining in the existing open pits at the Relief Canyon Mine during the third quarter of 2014, the Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation based upon the reclamation plan submitted in connection with the permit.

 

The following table summarizes activity in the Company’s ARO:

 

		June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Balance, beginning of period		$	963,303			$	895,085
Accretion expense			17,627				9,632
Reclamation obligations settled			-				-
Additions and changes in estimates			-				-
Balance, end of period		$	980,930			$	904,717

 

NOTE 6 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

On June 17, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) which became effective on June 18, 2015. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, with the Nevada Secretary of State to reduce the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue from 800,000,000 to 200,000,000. All share and per share values of the Company’s Common Stock for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the Reverse Stock Split in accordance with SAB Topic 4C.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company is authorized within the limitations and restrictions stated in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to provide by resolution or resolutions for the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share in such series and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as the Company’s Board of Directors establishes.

 

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

 

As of June 30, 2018, 2,250,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value were authorized with none outstanding.

 

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

 

As of June 30, 2018, 8,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value were authorized with none outstanding.

 

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock

 

As of June 30, 2018, 3,284,396 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, were authorized with none outstanding.

 

9% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

As of June 30, 2018, 7,500,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, were authorized with none outstanding.

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 6 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 

Series E Convertible Preferred Stock

 

As of June 30, 2018, 15,151 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, were authorized with 8,946 Series E Preferred shares outstanding.

 

Common Stock

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

In January 2018, the Company granted 25,000 restricted stock units to the directors of the Company in connection with bonus compensation for fiscal year 2017. The fair market value on the date of grant was approximately $59,000. The restricted stock units granted to the directors of the Company vested upon grant. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one restricted share of the Company's Common Stock upon the holder's termination of service on the Company's Board of Directors or upon a change in control.

 

In February 2018, the Company accelerated the vesting of 18,518 restricted stock units granted to one of its board members who resigned effective February 23, 2018. After the acceleration, the Company converted 85,135 vested restricted stock units into 85,135 shares of the Company’s Common Stock due to the resignation of one of the members of the board of directors.

 

In April 2018, the Company granted 12,377 restricted stock units to a director of the Company for initial board retainer fees. The fair market value on the date of grant was approximately $25,000. The restricted stock units granted to the director vest one-third on April 29, 2019, 2020 and 2021. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one restricted share of the Company's Common Stock upon the holder's separation of employment under certain circumstances or upon a change in control.

 

Between April 2018 and June 2018, the Company granted a total of 17,497 restricted stock units to two members of the Company’s Board of Directors as payment in lieu of cash for retainer and meeting fees earned totaling $34,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018. All of these restricted stock units vested on the date of grant. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one restricted share of the Company's Common Stock upon such director’s termination of service on the Board of Directors, in connection with a change in control, or under certain other circumstances. 

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized a liability for employee and director bonus compensation related to restricted stock unit grants with a fair value of approximately $59,000 and $530,000, respectively, which was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Consequently, the Company recognized stock based compensation of approximately $59,000 and $530,000 during the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in connection with these transactions. As of June 30, 2018, the Company recorded approximately $73,035 in additional paid-in capital and a contemporaneous reduction of accounts payable and accrued expenses in connection with the issuance of vested restricted stock units related to fiscal year 2016 and 2017 bonus compensations. As of June 30, 2018, there is no remaining unvested restricted stock units related to fiscal year 2016 and 2017 bonus compensation.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense in connection with restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards of $292,433 and $734,692, respectively.  At June 30, 2018, there was a total of $1,594,089 unrecognized compensation expense in connection with restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards.

 

A summary of the status of the restricted stock units as of June 30, 2018, and of changes in restricted stock units outstanding during the six months ended June 30, 2018, is as follows: 

 

		Six months ended June 30, 2018
		(Unaudited)
		Restricted Stock Unit				Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at December 31, 2017			1,061,471			$	5.68
Granted			54,874				2.16
Vested and converted			(85,135	)			2.15
Forfeited			-				-
Outstanding at June 30, 2018			1,031,210			$	5.25

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 6 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 

Common Stock Options

 

In January 2018, the Company issued 436,000 stock options in bonus compensation for certain employees. The options are exercisable at a price of $2.80 for 10 years.

 

A summary of the Company’s outstanding stock options as of June 30, 2018 (unaudited) and changes during the six months ended are presented below: 

 

		Number of Options				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
Balance at December 31, 2017			1,794,453			$	7.21				4.20
Granted			436,000				2.80				10.00
Exercised			—				—				—
Forfeited			—				—				—
Cancelled			—				—				—
Balance at June 30, 2018			2,230,453				6.35				5.05
Options exercisable at end of period			1,794,453			$	7.21
Options expected to vest			436,000			$	2.80
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period						$	1.19

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a liability for employee bonus compensation related to stock options granted in January 2018 with a grant-date fair value of approximately $520,000, which was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The stock options granted to employees vest one-third on January 29, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The 436,000 options were valued on the grant date at approximately $1.19 per option or a total of approximately $520,000 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $2.36 per share (based on the sale of its common stock in a private placement at $2.80), volatility of 41%, expected term of 10 years, and a risk free interest rate of 2.70%. Consequently, the Company recognized stock based compensation of approximately $520,000 during the year ended December 31, 2017, in connection with these transactions. As of June 30, 2018, the Company recorded approximately $132,527 in additional paid in capital and a contemporaneous reduction of accounts payable and accrued expenses in connection with the issuance of vested restricted stock units related to fiscal year 2017 bonus compensations. As of June 30, 2018, the remaining balance of unvested stock options related to fiscal year 2017 bonus compensations amounted to approximately $388,000.

 

Common Stock Warrants

 

A summary of the Company’s outstanding stock warrants as of June 30, 2018 (unaudited) and changes during the six months ended are presented below:  

 

		Number of Warrants				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
Balance at December 31, 2017			4,434,267			$	4.12				1.29
Granted			—				—				—
Cancelled			—				—				—
Forfeited			—				—				—
Exercised			—				—				—
Balance at June 30, 2018			4,434,267			$	4.12				1.05
Warrants exercisable at June 30, 2018			4,434,267			$	4.12				0.80
Weighted average fair value of warrants granted during the period						$	—

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 7 — NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

 

Net loss per common share is calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholder, adjusted for preferred dividends, by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net loss per share does not include anti-dilutive Common Stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:

 

		For the Six Months ended June 30, 2018				For the Six Months ended June 30, 2017
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Numerator:
Net loss available to common stockholders		$	(8,264,948	)		$	(6,607,373	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share (weighted-average shares)			33,603,861				28,394,151
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted		$	(0.25	)		$	(0.23	)

 

The following were excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have had an anti-dilutive impact on the Company’s net loss. In periods where the Company has a net loss, all dilutive securities are excluded.

 

		June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Common stock equivalents:
Stock options			2,230,453				1,794,453
Stock warrants			4,434,267				2,497,763
Restricted stock units			1,031,210				1,041,969
Convertible preferred stock			3,163,051				2,725,092
Total			10,858,981				8,059,277

 

NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its corporate facility and certain office equipment under operating leases with expiration dates through 2021. In April 2015, the Company executed a new operating lease agreement for its corporate facility in Lakewood, Colorado. The lease is for a period of 39 months commencing in May 2015 and expiring in July 2018. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company executed an amendment to the office lease agreement extending the lease period an additional 39 months through October 2021. The Company recognized total deferred rent of $2,578 in connection with this lease agreement as of June 30, 2018. Rent expense was $12,333 and $12,619 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases are as follows:

 

2018		$	18,247
2019			56,099
2020			57,194
2021			42,888
		$	174,428

 

 

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

(in United States Dollars)

 

NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

Mining Leases

 

The Company leases certain mineral properties and water rights included in its Relief Canyon Properties. The future minimum lease payments under these mining leases are as follows:

 

2018		$	78,994
2019			98,491
2020			137,485
2021			137,485
2022			142,485
Thereafter			937,290
		$	1,532,230

 

The Company has given notification of its intention to exercise a right to purchase certain royalty interests currently burdening the Relief Canyon properties and surrounding areas in exchange for a cash payment of $1.1 million.  If consummated, this transaction would reduce the overall royalty burden on the Company’s Relief Canyon properties.  The Company anticipates that the transaction would be consummated, if at all, during the remainder of fiscal year 2018.  There is no assurance that this transaction will be completed. 

 

 

ITEM 2

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

 

Pershing Gold Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Pershing Gold”, the “Company” or “we”) is a gold and precious metals exploration company pursuing exploration and development opportunities primarily in Nevada.  We are currently focused on exploration at our Relief Canyon properties in Pershing County in northwestern Nevada. We completed a feasibility study of the Relief Canyon Mine in May 2018 and continue to advance the permitting process and evaluate financing alternatives for the Relief Canyon Mine project.

 

This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Report on Form 10-Q and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us may contain so-called “forward-looking statements,” all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to our planned expenditures and cash position, business goals, planned exploration and metallurgical work, our 2018 drilling program, business strategy, planned permitting and bonding activities, metallurgical and geographic surveys and the conclusions of the feasibility study, plans with respect to an environmental studies to expand the Relief Canyon open-pit mines, preliminary construction activities at the Relief Canyon Mine, our liquidity and capital resources outlook and future financing requirements, the consummation of our purchase of certain royalty positions burdening our Relief Canyon properties and estimates and assumptions required under our financial statements.  Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions.  Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, results of future exploration and engineering studies on our Relief Canyon properties; increases in estimates or costs of exploration and other activities; our ability to raise necessary capital to conduct our exploration and other activities and do so on acceptable terms or at all; results from exploration and changes in interpretations of geological, metallurgical or other technical information; problems or delays in permitting or other government approvals; and the matters described in the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Overview

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we focused primarily on continuing permitting and bonding; engineering and other work related to the potential commencement of mining at the Relief Canyon Mine; completion of our feasibility study, an expansion drilling program at the Relief Canyon Mine, and financing efforts. An overview of certain significant events follows:

 

·

During the six-months ended June 30, 2018 we completed a final positive feasibility study for the Relief Canyon Mine.

 

·

During the six-months ended June 30, 2018 we drilled 39 holes, totaling approximately 33,000 feet, at the Relief Canyon Mine. The objective of this drilling program is to expand the mineralized material at the Relief Canyon Mine.

 

·

During June 2018, we submitted the 2018 Plan of Operations Modification for the Phase II expansion of the mining and heap leach facilities to the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.

 

·

During the first quarter, we commenced preliminary construction activities at the Relief Canyon Mine by hiring a contractor to perform initial ground clearing in preparation for potential construction.

 

·

On April 23, 2018, we appointed Jeffrey G. Clevenger to our Board of Directors. Mr. Clevenger has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry.

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Three and Six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

 

Net Revenues

 

We are an exploration stage company with no operations, and we generated no revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.  

  

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 were approximately $4.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The $0.9 million increase in operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 is comprised of (i) a $1.4 million increase in exploration expenses on our Relief Canyon properties to approximately $1.6 million from $0.2 million in the prior period due to increased direct drilling activities during the current period, (ii) an increase in consulting fees of approximately $0.1 million to approximately $0.8 million from $0.7 million in the prior period related to increased consulting costs related to progress of our feasibility study, offset by (iii) a decrease of approximately $0.5 million in compensation to approximately $0.7 million from $1.2 million in the prior period as a result of decreased stock-based compensation in connection with restricted stock grants to employees and (iv) a decrease of approximately $0.1 million in general and administrative expenses to approximately $1.0 million from $1.1 million in the prior period related to decreased legal fees and travel related expenses.

 

Total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 were approximately $8.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The $1.7 million increase in operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 is comprised of (i) a $2.1 million increase in exploration expenses on our Relief Canyon properties to approximately $2.9 million from $0.8 million in the prior period due to increased direct drilling activities during the current period, (ii) an increase in consulting fees of approximately $0.5 million to approximately $1.7 million from $1.2 million in the prior period related to increased consulting costs related to progress of our feasibility study, offset by (iii) a decrease of approximately $0.7 million in compensation to approximately $1.6 million from $2.3 million in the prior period as a result of decreased stock-based compensation in connection with restricted stock grants to employees and (iv) a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in general and administrative expenses to approximately $2.0 million from $2.2 million in the prior period related to decreased legal fees and travel related expenses.

 

Loss from Operations

 

We reported a loss from operations of $4.2 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We reported a loss from operations of $8.3 million and $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in operating loss was due primarily to the increase in operating expenses described above.

 

Other Income (Expenses)

 

Total other income (expense) was approximately $3,700 and $11,300 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Total other income (expense) was approximately $4,900 and ($1,900) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The change in other income (expense) is primarily attributable to a decrease in foreign currency loss offset by an increase in interest income.

 

Net Loss

 

As a result of the operating expense and other income (expense) discussed above, we reported a net loss of approximately ($4.2) million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to a net loss of ($3.3) million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. As a result of the operating expense and other income (expense) discussed above, we reported a net loss of approximately ($8.3) million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to a net loss of ($6.6) million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We reported a net loss of approximately $(8.3) million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.  We expect to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future and our monthly “burn rate” for the remainder of fiscal 2018 is expected to be approximately $0.65 million (including approximately $0.45 million for general and administrative costs and $0.20 million for exploration, permitting and additional work at the Relief Canyon Mine). We have primarily relied on public and private offerings of our equity securities for our liquidity.  We will require additional external financing to fund exploration, operations and the advancement of the Relief Canyon Mine into production. If we are unable to raise external funding, and eventually generate significant revenues from our claims and properties, we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. We have no production history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and it is uncertain that we will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.

 

 

At June 30, 2018, our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled approximately $9.2 million. Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2018 by approximately $7.4 million from our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance at December 31, 2017 of approximately $16.5 million. The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was primarily the result of cash used in operations of approximately $7.2 million that was comprised of costs for our feasibility study, continued permitting and additional work on the Relief Canyon Project, exploration expenditures on our Relief Canyon properties, and general and administrative expenses, including consultant fees, compensation costs, legal fees and public company expenses.

 

At June 30, 2018, we had approximately $5.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $3.7 million in restricted cash – noncurrent. The amounts held as restricted cash – noncurrent consists of collateral under surface management bonds issued on our behalf and is therefore not available for general corporate purposes. We expect to require additional financing to fund our current operations no later than the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2019. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all.

 

We plan the following expenditures for the remainder of fiscal year 2018:

 

·

$2.6 million on general and administrative expenses (including employee salaries, public company expenses, consultants, land holding costs and annual insurance premium renewals);

 

·

$1.0 million on additional work at the Relief Canyon properties including the 2018 drilling program, further metallurgy tests, geographic surveys and continued planning, engineering and design work to advance the Relief Canyon mine into production; and

 

·

$0.2 million for the continuation of studies for expansion below the water table and the amended plan of operations modification.

 

We have given notice of our intention to exercise a right to purchase certain royalty interests currently burdening our Relief Canyon properties and surrounding areas in exchange for a cash payment of $1.1 million.  If consummated, this transaction would reduce the overall royalty burden on our Relief Canyon properties.  We anticipate that the transaction would be consummated, if at all, during the third quarter.  There is no assurance that this transaction will be completed. The consummation of this transaction would increase our cash expenditures by $1.1M during the remainder of fiscal year 2018, which would result in the need to raise additional financing no later than January 2019.

 

The actual amount we spend for our year ending 2018 may vary significantly from the amounts specified above if we decide to advance the Relief Canyon Mine toward production in 2018. Based on the estimates contained in the feasibility study, we currently expect to incur capital expenditures and working capital expenses of approximately $38 million. We are evaluating various sources of additional financing. No development decision with respect to the Relief Canyon Mine is expected to be made unless and until we are able to solidify our financing plans.

 

Our ability to raise additional funds will depend on financial, economic and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The additional funds necessary to fund the development of the Relief Canyon Mine may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash,” or “ASU 2016-18”. ASU 2016-18 is intended to clarify how entities present restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. When cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are presented in more than one line-item on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet. This reconciliation can be presented either on the face of the statement of cash flows or in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We early adopted ASU 2016-18 for the three-months period ended December 31, 2017 and our adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. When an indication of impairment was identified after performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test, Step 2 required that an entity determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) using the same procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Under the amendments in ASU No. 2017-04, an entity would perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value. An entity would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. In addition, an entity must consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. A public business entity that is a SEC filer should adopt the amendments in ASU No. 2017-04 for its annual, or any interim, good will impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not believe the guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”. The update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC Topic 718. An entity shall account for the effects of a modification described in ASC paragraphs 718-20-35-3 through 35-9, unless all the following are met: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The provisions of this update become effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Our adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position and related disclosures.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11 “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260)”. The amendments in the update change the classification of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. For freestanding equity-classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. Convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features would be subject to the specialized guidance for contingent beneficial conversion features (in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options), including related EPS guidance (in Topic 260). For public business entities, the amendments in Part I of this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We do not believe the guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. ASU 2017-12 eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The guidance is effective for us beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. We do not believe the guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” These amendments expand the scope of Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (which currently only includes share-based payments to employees) to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. The ASU supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity - Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. The guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim fiscal periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than a company’s adoption date of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We do not believe the guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. We do not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and present the financial statements of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. In the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated.

 

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the useful life of property and equipment, amounts and timing of closure obligations, the assumptions used to calculate fair value of restricted stock units, options and warrants granted, stock-based compensation, beneficial conversion on preferred stock, capitalized mineral rights, asset valuations, timing of the performance criteria of restricted stock units and the fair value of common stock issued.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other third parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain.

 

We adopted ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” (“ASU 2016-09”), which makes several modifications to Topic 718. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, we recognize the effect of forfeitures in compensation cost as they occur, rather than estimating forfeitures as of the award date. Any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed in the period of forfeiture.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. We examine the possibility of decreases in the value of fixed assets when events or changes in circumstances reflect the fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, generally from one to twenty-five years.

 

Mineral Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs

 

Costs of lease, exploration, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. We have chosen to expense all mineral exploration costs as incurred given that we are still in the exploration stage. Once we have identified proven and probable reserves in our investigation of our properties and upon development of a plan for operating a mine, we would enter the development stage and capitalize future costs until production is established. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized, using the units-of-production method over proven and probable reserves. When we have capitalized mineral properties, these properties will be periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value. To date, we have not established the commercial feasibility of any exploration prospects; therefore, all costs are being expensed.

 

ASC 930-805 states that mineral rights consist of the legal right to explore, extract, and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits. Mining assets include mineral rights. Acquired mineral rights are considered tangible assets under ASC 805. ASC 805 requires that mineral rights be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. As a result, our direct costs to acquire mineral rights are initially capitalized as tangible assets. Mineral rights include costs associated with acquiring patented and unpatented mining claims and mill sites. If proven and probable reserves are established for the property and it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed, costs will be amortized using the units-of-production method over proven and probable reserves. For mineral rights in which proven and probable reserves have not yet been established, we assess the carrying values for impairment at the end of each reporting period and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

We review for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable, pursuant to guidance established in ASC 360-10-35-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. An impairment is considered to exist when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its carrying amount.

 

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Asset retirement obligations, consisting primarily of estimated mine reclamation and closure costs at our Relief Canyon property, are recognized in the period incurred and when a reasonable estimate can be made, and recorded as liabilities at fair value. Such obligations, which are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates, are accreted to full value over time through charges to accretion expense. Corresponding asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Asset retirement obligations are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from revisions to the estimated timing or amount of reclamation and closure costs. We review and evaluate the asset retirement obligations annually or more frequently at interim periods if deemed necessary.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Since our inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, including the use of structured finance, special purpose entities or variable interest entities.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

As a “smaller reporting company” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company is not required to provide this information.

 

ITEM 4

Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed 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 Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President Finance, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

With respect to the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s management has concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2018.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the six months ended June 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1

Legal Proceedings

 

We are not currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings, although may from time to time be subject to ordinary routine litigation.

 

ITEM 1A

Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

  

ITEM 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In April 2018, the Company granted 12,377 restricted stock units to a director of the Company for an initial retainer fee. The issuance of these securities was deemed to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.

 

Between April and June 2018 the Company granted an aggregate of 17,497 restricted stock units to two directors of the Company as payment in lieu of cash for retainer and meeting fees for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The issuance of these securities was deemed to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. 

 

ITEM 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

There have been no events that are required to be reported under this Item.

 

ITEM 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

 

ITEM 5

Other Information

 

On June 22, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the Company's Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended 2013 Plan”) that, among other amendments, increases the number of shares issuable under the Company’s 2013 Equity Incentive Plan from 2,222,222 shares to 4,575,000 shares.

 

The 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, which was originally adopted by the board of directors on February 12, 2013, is an omnibus equity incentive plan pursuant to which the Company may grant equity and cash incentive awards to certain key service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries. As of April 27, 2018, only 18,093 shares remained available for issuance under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Accordingly, on April 29, 2018, the Company’s board of directors voted unanimously to adopt the Amended 2013 Plan, in order to, among other things, provide a sufficient share reserve that may be used to incentivize the Company’s employees and other eligible persons going forward.

 

The Amended 2013 Plan also imposes caps on the cash and equity compensation directors may receive in a given year. Under these new limits, directors may not receive cash compensation in excess of $300,000 or equity grants that have a grant-date value in excess of $300,000 in any fiscal year. In addition, recipients of restricted stock issued after the adoption of the plan will agree not to vote such shares of restricted stock until such shares become vested, and payment of accrued dividends on unvested restricted stock is prohibited unless and until the related restricted stock becomes vested. The expiration date of the plan has been extended from February 11, 2013 to April 28, 2028.

 

This summary of the Amended 2013 Plan is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the plan that is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein. 

 

ITEM 6	Exhibits
10.1	Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan+
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1	Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 USC, Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2	Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 USC, Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101.ins	XBRL Instance Document
101.sch	XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document
101.cal	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Document
101.def	XBRL Taxonomy Linkbase Document
101.lab	XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.pre	XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*

Furnished herewith

+

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

	Pershing Gold Corporation
Date: August 13, 2018	By:	/s/ Stephen Alfers
		Stephen Alfers
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: August 13, 2018	By:	/s/ Eric Alexander
		Eric Alexander
		Vice President Finance and Controller
		(Principal Financial Officer)