Attached files

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EX-99.1 - NRS ROYALTY INTEREST (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN REDACTED) - Desert Hawk Gold Corp.f10q0319ex99-1_deserthawk.htm
EX-95 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE - Desert Hawk Gold Corp.f10q0319ex95_deserthawk.htm
EX-32.2 - CERTIFICATION - Desert Hawk Gold Corp.f10q0319ex32-2_deserthawk.htm
EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION - Desert Hawk Gold Corp.f10q0319ex32-1_deserthawk.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION - Desert Hawk Gold Corp.f10q0319ex31-2_deserthawk.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION - Desert Hawk Gold Corp.f10q0319ex31-1_deserthawk.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019.

 

or

 

☐  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: 333-169701

 

Desert Hawk Gold Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   82-0230997
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
1290 Holcomb Ave. Reno, NV   89502
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
     
(775) 337-8057
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
         
         
         

 

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  ☐  No  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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).

Yes  ☒  No  ☐

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer   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. ☐

 

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

Yes  ☐  No  ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, as of January 30, 2020: 26,631,603.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESERT HAWK GOLD CORP.

Form 10-Q

March 31, 2019

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1
   
Item 1. Financial Statements 1
   
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16
   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 22
   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 22
   
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 23
   
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 23
   
Item 6. Exhibits 23
   
SIGNATURES 24

 

i

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

DESERT HAWK GOLD CORP
BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
ASSETS        
         
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash  $4,085,468   $8,716 
Inventories (Note 5)   1,168,936    1,193,341 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   213,575    40,475 
     Total Current Assets   5,467,979    1,242,532 
           
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net (Note 6)   3,702,936    3,415,707 
MINERAL PROPERTIES AND INTERESTS, net (Note 7)   3,955,319    879,001 
RECLAMATION BONDS (Note 4)   710,488    753,290 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $13,836,722   $6,290,530 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $64,036   $652,895 
Accrued liabilities-officer and other wages (Notes 16 and 19)   -    922,039 
Interest payable - related parties (Notes 8, 9, and 10)   -    463,993 
Short-term notes payable - related parties (Note 8)   -    249,000 
Convertible debt  - related parties (Note 9)   -    1,350,000 
Obligation under capital lease - related party (Note 10)   -    69,562 
Notes payable - equipment (Note 11)   217,772    324,111 
Total Current Liabilities   281,808    4,031,600 
           
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES          
Asset retirement obligation (Note 13)   770,618    792,747 
Settlement of consulting contract payable (Note 14)   200,000    - 
Forward gold sales contract liability (Note 3)   10,600,000    - 
    11,570,618    792,747 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   11,852,426    4,824,347 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 7 and 19)          
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  (Note 15)          
Preferred stock,  $0.001 par value, 10,000,000  shares authorized; none issued outstanding   -    - 
Common stock,  $0.001 par value, 100,000,000  shares authorized; 26,631,603 and 20,581,603 shares issued and outstanding   26,633    20,753 
Additional paid-in capital   9,466,475    7,120,355 
Accumulated deficit   (7,508,812)   (5,674,925)
Total Stockholders’ Equity   1,984,296    1,466,183 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $13,836,722   $6,290,530 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

1

 

 

DESERT HAWK GOLD CORP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31,   March 31, 
   2019   2018 
REVENUE:          
Concentrate sales  $-   $- 
           
EXPENSES          
General project costs   247,741    165,630 
Consulting   320,000    - 
Officers and directors fees   71,768    63,000 
Legal and professional   92,521    28,700 
General and administrative   26,609    539,291 
Loss on disposal of equipment   51,950    - 
    810,589    796,621 
           
OPERATING LOSS   (810,589)   (796,621)
           
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)          
Gain on extinguishment of DMRJ debt (Note 12)   -    24,916,561 
Interest  and other income   -    62 
Interest expense   (129)   (9,770)
Interest expense - related parties   (31,412)   (462,717)
Loss on settlement of consulting contract (Note 14)   (900,000)   - 
Loss on settlement of redeemable stock (Note 19)   (63,094)   - 
Financing expense   (28,663)   - 
    (1,023,298)   24,444,136 
           
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (1,833,887)   23,647,515 
INCOME TAXES   -    - 
           
NET INCOME (LOSS)  $(1,833,887)  $23,647,515 
DEEMED CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF PREFERRED STOCK (NOTE  12)   -    4,068,720 
NET INCOME  (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS  $(1,833,887)  $27,716,235 
           
BASIC NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE  $(0.08)  $1.83 
           
DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE  $(0.08)  $1.51 
           
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING-BASIC AND DILUTED   22,414,936    15,170,492 
           
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING- DILUTED   22,414,936    18,402,067 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2

 

 

DESERT HAWK GOLD CORP                            
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) (unaudited)    

 

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018

 

                  Additional       Total Stockholders’  
   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Paid-in   Accumulated   Equity 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   (deficit) 
Balance, December 31, 2017   1,582,563   $1,582    13,956,603   $13,828   $9,143,418   $(31,088,143)  $(21,929,315)
                                    
Extinguishment of preferred stock (Note 12)   (1,582,563)   (1,582)   -    -    (4,067,138)   4,068,720    - 
                                    
Stock options (Note 18)             -    -    456,000    -    456,000 
                                    
Common stock issued for cash at $.40 per share   -    -    1,250,000    1,250    498,750    -    500,000 
                                    
Common stock issued to convertible debtholders  in connection with extinguishment of DMRJ debt  (Note 12)   -    -    4,500,000    4,500    620,500    -    625,000 
                                    
Net income   -    -    -    -    -    23,647,515    23,647,515 
                                    
Balance, March 31, 2018   -   $-    19,706,603   $19,578   $6,651,530   $(3,371,908)  $3,299,200 
                                    
Balance, December 31, 2018   -    -    20,881,603    20,753    7,120,355    (5,674,925)   1,466,183 
                                    
Common stock issued in connection with acquiring mineral proprerties and interests (Note 7)   -    -    5,500,000    5,500    2,194,500    -    2,200,000 
                                    
Common stock issued in connection with settlement of consulting contract (Note 14)             250,000    250    99,750    -    100,000 
                                    
Common stock released in settlement of redeemable stock (Note 19)   -    -    -    130    51,870    -    52,000 
                                    
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (1,833,887)   (1,833,887)
                                    
Balance, March 31, 2019        $    26,631,603   $26,633   $9,466,475   $(7,508,812)  $1,984,296 

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3

 

 

DESERT HAWK GOLD CORP
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31,   March 31, 
   2019   2018 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net income (loss)  $(1,833,887)  $23,647,515 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   102,472    100,868 
Gain of extinguishment of DMRJ debt (Note 12)   -    (24,916,561)
Stock based compensation   -    456,000 
Accretion of asset retirement obligation   18,673    18,128 
Gain on settlement of asset retirement obligation   (20,451)   - 
Loss on disposal of equipment, net   51,950    - 
Common stock issued for consulting contract settlement   100,000    - 
Common stock issued for settlement of redeemable stock   52,000    - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Inventories   24,405    (52,586)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (173,100)   55,886 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (588,859)   163,290 
Accrued liabilities - officer wages   (922,039)   63,000 
Interest payable - related parties   (463,993)   37,602 
Interest payable - DMRJ   -    451,891 
Settlement of consulting contract payable   200,000    - 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities   (3,452,829)   25,033 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Additions to property and equipment   (177,746)   - 
Additions to mineral properties and interests   (900,000)   - 
Increase in reclamation bonds   -    (62)
Net cash used by investing activities   (1,077,746)   (62)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Proceeds from sale of common stock   -    1,125,000 
Proceeds from note payable - related parties   91,680    72,000 
Proceeds from forward gold contract liability, net   10,600,000    - 
Payment on note payable - DMRJ   -    (625,000)
Payment of obligation under capital lease - related party   (69,562)   - 
Payment of notes payable - equipment   (324,111)   (76,093)
Payment of short term note payable - related parties   (340,680)   - 
Payment of convertible debt - related parties   (1,350,000)   - 
Net cash provided  by financing activities   8,607,327    495,907 
           
NET INCREASE IN CASH   4,076,752    520,878 
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   8,716    4,212 
           
CASH, END OF PERIOD  $4,085,468   $525,090 
           
NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Extinguishment of preferred stock   -   $4,068,720 
Common stock issued for mineral properties and interests  $2,200,000    - 
Equipment acquired with notes payable - equipment  217,772    - 
Funds sent by buyer directly to previous owner for purchase of royalty interest (Note 8)  2,200,000    - 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4

 

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Desert Hawk Gold Corp. (the “Company”), a Nevada Corporation, was incorporated on November 5, 1957. The Company commenced its current mining activities on May 1, 2009.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company entered into Joint Venture Agreements with the Clifton Mining Company (“Clifton”), the Woodman Mining Company and the Moeller Family Trust for the lease of certain of their property interests in the Gold Hill Mining District of Utah.  In 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with DMRJ Group, (a Platinum Partners related entity), which allowed for long term funding of the Kiewit project and helped to provide cash flow for operations during the period from 2009 until 2014 while the permitting process was ongoing. The final permit needed to begin development of the Kiewit property was received in January 2014 and development began in February 2014. Construction at the site was substantially complete at September 30, 2014. Revenue from the heap leach operation began in October 2014 with the first sales of gold concentrate. Production commenced and revenues of approximately $7,200,000 from sales of gold and other metals concentrate have been received through March 31, 2019.

 

On March 8, 2018, the Company successfully finalized an agreement with the trustees of DMRJ Group (“DMRJ”) which eliminated the note and interest payable balance of $25,541,561 due to DMRJ in exchange for $625,000. In addition, all outstanding shares of preferred stock held by DMRJ were retired and cancelled. See Note 12.

 

Prior to March 2019, ongoing undercapitalization continued to hamper the Company’s ability to operate. Due to lack of funding, the Company was temporarily shut down since third quarter of 2017. On March 7, 2019, the Company successfully finalized a forward gold sales contract agreement (the Pre-Paid Forward Gold Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”)) that provided funding and enabled production to resume later in 2019. See Note 3.

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim balance sheets and statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders’ equity contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The operating and financial results for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

These unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles used in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and are presented in U.S. dollars. These unaudited interim financial statements do not include all note disclosures required by U.S. GAAP on an annual basis, and therefore should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2019.

 

Accounting for Stock Options and Stock Awards Granted to Employees and Nonemployees

 

All transactions in which goods or services are received for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock or options to purchase shares of common stock are accounted for based on the fair value of the goods or services received or the fair value of the equity interest issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. For stock options, the Company estimates the fair value of stock-based compensation using the Black-Scholes model, which requires the input of some subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (“expected life”), the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term (“volatility”), the risk-free interest rate and the dividend yield. Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of the fair value of stock-based compensation.

 

Inventories

 

The recovery of gold from certain oxide ores is achieved through the heap leaching process. Under this method, mineralized material is placed on a leach pad where it is treated with a chemical solution, which dissolves the gold contained in the material. The resulting “pregnant” solution is further processed in a plant where gold is recovered. The Company records ore on leach pad, solution in carbon columns in process and gold doré, at average production cost per gold ounce, less provisions required to reduce inventory to net realizable value. Production costs include the cost of mineralized material processed; direct and indirect materials and consumables; direct labor; repairs and maintenance; utilities; depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, and mineral properties; and mine administrative expenses. Revenue from the sale of silver is accounted for as by-product and is deducted from production costs. Costs are removed from ore on leach pads as ounces are recovered based on the average cost per recoverable ounce of gold on the leach pad.

 

5

 

 

Estimates of recoverable gold on the leach pad are calculated from the quantities of material placed on the leach pad (measured tons added to the leach pad), the grade of material placed on the leach pad (based on assay data) and an estimated recovery percentage (based on ore type). The nature of the leaching process inherently limits the ability to precisely monitor inventory levels. As a result, actual gold ounces recovered are regularly monitored and estimates are refined based on actual results over time. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had a limited operating history and actual results only over that short period of time. Due to this, estimates of recoverable gold are based primarily on initial tests and only limited refinements.

 

Variations between actual and estimated quantities resulting from changes in assumptions and estimates that do not result in write-downs to net realizable value are accounted for on a prospective basis. The ultimate recovery of gold from a leach pad will not be known until the leaching process is concluded. The quantification of material inventory on the leach pad is based on estimates of the quantities of gold at each balance sheet date that the Company expects to recover during the next 12-18 months.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sales of gold concentrate sold directly to customers are recorded as revenues and receivables upon completion of the performance obligations and transfer of control of the product to the customer. For concentrate sales, the performance obligation is met, the transaction price can be reasonably estimated, and revenue is recognized generally at the time of shipment at estimated forward prices for the anticipated month of settlement. Due to the time elapsed from shipment to the customer and the final settlement with the customer, prices at which sales of the Company’s concentrates will be settled are estimated. Previously recorded sales and accounts receivable are adjusted to the estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement by the customer.

 

Sales and accounts receivable for concentrate shipments are recorded net of charges by the customer for treatment, refining, smelting losses, and other charges negotiated with the customers. Charges are estimated upon shipment of concentrates based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not vary materially from estimates. See Note 17.

 

Earnings (loss) Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of the Company. 

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2019   2018 
Net income (loss)  $(1,833,887)  $23,647,515 
Deemed capital contribution on extinguishment of preferred stock   -    4,068,720 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - basic   (1,833,887)   27,716,235 
Interest expense on convertible notes payable - related parties   -    17,958 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - diluted  $(1,833,887)  $27,734,193 
           
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic   22,414,936    15,170,492 
Dilutive shares – convertible notes payable – related parties   -    3,231,575 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted   22,414,936    18,402,067 
           
Basic income (loss) per share  $(0.08)  $1.83 
           
Diluted income (loss) per share  $(0.08)  $1.51 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, common stock equivalents of 2,400,000 associated with the Company’s outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive due to the net loss for the period then ended. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, common stock equivalents of 2,400,000 associated with the Company’s outstanding stock options were excluded because the options’ exercise price was not lower than the average share price during the period.

 

Going Concern

 

As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $7,508,812 through March 31, 2019 and net loss of $1,833,887 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Both raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. However, with the funding received under the forward gold sales agreement (Note 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and resulting working capital of $5,186,171 at March 31, 2019, the Company believes it has the ability to meet its obligations for the next twelve months.

 

6

 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

 In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The update modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Upon implementation of the new guidance, the Company will be required to recognize a liability and right-of-use asset for its operating leases. The Company has elected the transition option to apply the new guidance at the effective date without adjusting comparative periods presented. Adoption of the ASU on January 1, 2019 had no material impact to the Company’s financial statements as the Company has no long term leases.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The update involves simplification of several aspects of accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions by expanding the scope of Topic 718 to include nonemployee awards. The update was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this update as of January 1, 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The update removes, modifies and makes additions to certain disclosure requirements with respect to fair value measurements. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on fair value measurement 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 financial statements upon adoption.

 

NOTE 3 – FORWARD GOLD SALES CONTRACT LIABILITY

 

During the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into and closed a Pre-Paid Forward Gold Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with PDK Utah Holdings L.P. (“PDK”) for the sale and purchase by PDK of gold produced from the Company’s mining property. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, PDK agreed to purchase a total of 73,910 ounces of gold from the Company at a reduced market price. Prepayment will be made in three tranches, with the initial tranche in the amount of $11,200,000 having been made upon execution of the Purchase Agreement on March 7, 2019 (the “Initial Funding”), $4,500,000 for Tranche 2 to occur at least six months following the Initial Funding date, and $5,500,000 for Tranche 3 to occur at least 10 months following the Initial Funding date, provided that all conditions precedent for funding Tranches 2 and 3 are met. From the Initial Funding, the Company paid an upfront fee of $600,000 to PDK for expenses incurred in connection with the transaction. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell gold at a reduced market price in certain quantities during agreed periods following prepayment of each tranche. The first gold delivery of 655 ounces is due December 2020.

 

The Purchase Agreement contains provisions requiring the Company to pay PDK a portion of the proceeds when gold is sold to a third party. In addition, PDK may reduce the required number of ounces to be sold in exchange for common shares of the Company. As security for the obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company has granted PDK a security interest in all of the assets of the Company and has issued and recorded a Leasehold Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases, Rents, As Extracted Collateral and Contracts, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing. The Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties, as well as affirmative and negative covenants customary to a transaction of this nature.

 

The forward gold sales contract liability due under the terms of the Purchase Agreement at March 31, 2019 is $10,600,000 which is the $11,200,000 received from PDK in the initial tranche less the $600,000 upfront fee paid by the Company. On October 31, 2019, the Purchase Agreement was amended to reduce the number of gold ounces to be delivered and the amount of funding to be received in Tranches 2 and 3 (Note 20).

 

NOTE 4 – RECLAMATION BONDS

 

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company has a surety bond of $674,000 in an escrow account with the bonding company for reclamation of its property. This escrowed amount is held at Bank of New York, Mellon for the Company’s benefit. It may not be released to the Company without the prior consent of the surety bondholder. The escrowed amount does not earn interest.

 

In March 2019, as part of the Amended Lease (Note 7), the Company returned the Cactus Mill property and the reclamation bond of $42,802 on that property to Clifton Mining Company.

 

Total reclamation bonds posted at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are $710,488 and $753,290, respectively, which consists of the above escrowed amount along with certificate of deposits held with the state of Utah for the remaining bonds on the property, including exploration bonds.

 

7

 

 

NOTE 5 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consists of ore on the leach pad all of which is expected to be processed over the next twelve months. Inventories at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were valued at net realizable value because inventory-related costs were greater than the amount the Company expects to receive on the sale of the estimated gold ounces contained in inventories at both period-end dates.

 

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

The following is a summary of property and equipment at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
Equipment  $3,303,225   $3,093,690 
Furniture and fixtures   6,981    6,981 
Electronic and computer equipment   50,587    52,874 
Vehicles   99,073    108,089 
Land improvements   27,746    - 
    3,487,612    3,261,634 
Less accumulated depreciation   (1,794,898)   (1,856,149)
    1,692,714    1,405,485 
           
Kiewit property facilities   2,497,436    2,497,436 
Less accumulated amortization   (487,214)   (487,214)
    2,010,222    2,010,222 
           
Total  $3,702,936   $3,415,707 

 

For the Kiewit property facilities, amortization expense is based on units of production which resulted in no amortization in the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 due to the lack of production.

 

NOTE 7 – MINERAL PROPERTIES AND INTERESTS

 

Mineral properties and interests as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

   March 31,
2019
   December 31,
2018
 
Kiewit and all other sites  $3,700,000   $600,000 
Less accumulated amortization   (36,948)   (36,948)
    3,663,052    563,052 
Asset retirement obligation          
Kiewit Site   452,193    452,193 
Kiewit Exploration   11,126    11,126 
Cactus Mill   -    26,234 
Total   463,319    489,553 
Less accumulated amortization   (171,052)   (173,604)
    292,267    315,949 
           
Total  $3,955,319   $879,001 

 

8

 

 

In 2009, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with the Clifton Mining Company (“Clifton”) and the Woodman Mining Company for the lease of their property interests in the Gold Hill Mining District of Utah. In March 2019, the Company and Clifton entered into a Second Amended and Restated Lease Agreement (the “Amended Lease”).   Under the terms of this Amended Lease, the Company relinquished its leasehold interest in all but 10 of the patented mining claims, for which it retained only the surface rights, and 66 of the unpatented lode mining claims previously held by the Company. The Cactus Mill property was returned to Clifton Mining Company as part of this agreement.

 

As consideration for entering into the Amended Lease, the Company issued 5,500,000 shares of its common stock with a fair value of $2,200,000 to Clifton which was added to the carrying value of the mineral properties and interests. In addition, the Company and Clifton entered into a Registration Rights Agreement to register for resale the shares issued to Clifton which requires the Company to register the shares within 18 months following the Initial Funding. In the event the Company does not register the shares within the 18-month period, the Company is obligated to pay Clifton a royalty equal to 2.5% of the net smelter returns from the minerals generated from the Company’s mining claims.

 

Under the terms of the initial Joint Venture Agreement, the Company was required to pay a 4% net smelter royalty (“NSR”) on base metals in all other areas except for production from the Kiewit gold property and a NSR on gold and silver, except for production from the Kiewit gold property, based on a sliding scale of between 2% and 15% based on the price of gold or silver, as applicable.  The Company was also required to pay Clifton a 6% NSR on any production from the Kiewit gold property.  

 

As part of the Purchase Agreement (Note 3) finalized in March 2019, these NSRs were bought out by the Company from Clifton and two other minority royalty holders at a cost of $900,000 which was added to the carrying value of the mineral properties and interests. The buyer in the Purchase Agreement, PDK, acquired a 4% NSR, previously held by Clifton, on the Kiewit property for $2,200,000. A 4% NSR on any production from the Kiewit gold property is now due to PDK.

 

For mineral properties and interests, amortization expense is based on units of production which resulted in no amortization in the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 due to the lack of production.

 

NOTE 8 – SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE – RELATED PARTIES

 

During 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into several short-term notes payable with the convertible debt holders (Note 9) and with the Company’s president. Total borrowed was $91,680 during the first quarter 2019 and $249,000 during the year ended December 31, 2018. The notes bore interest at 10%, had a 2% loan initiation fee, and were due in full on March 31, 2019. Accrued interest payable to related parties on these notes at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was nil and $7,243. Interest expense recognized on these loans was $5,820 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. No interest expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

 

These short-term notes were repaid in full, including 10% interest and a 2% loan initiation fee, in March 2019 as part of the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

 

NOTE 9 – CONVERTIBLE DEBT – RELATED PARTIES

 

2009 Convertible Notes:

 

On November 18, 2009, the Company issued convertible promissory notes to two of its minority shareholders, for a total of $600,000. The notes bore interest at 15% per annum. Interest-only was payable in equal monthly installments of $7,500. The notes were convertible at a rate of $0.70 per share.

 

The Company failed to repay the notes on the November 2018 maturity date. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued shares of common stock valued at $0.40 per share based on the cash price of common stock sales during 2018 which was recognized as financing expense. The due date of the note was extended to May 31, 2019. Interest had not been paid since November 2014. Per the terms of the notes, interest on these notes is not convertible to common stock.

 

On February 28, 2018, the notes were amended changing the interest rate from 15% to 10% effective March 1, 2018 and allowing for accrued interest to be payable in full on May 31, 2019. The amendment further waived the default provision in the notes for past due interest. In addition, as part of the agreement, the convertible feature of the notes was removed.

 

2016 Convertible Notes:

 

On October 14, 2016, the Company issued additional convertible promissory notes to the convertible debt holders for a total of $250,000. The notes bore interest at 10% per annum and were due in full on September 30, 2018. The notes were convertible at a rate of $0.25 per share. These notes were amended in February 2018 to extend the due date of the notes and the accrued interest to May 31, 2019. Interest on these notes is convertible to common stock.

 

9

 

 

2017 Convertible Notes:

 

On August 7, 2017, the convertible debt holders agreed to fund up to an additional aggregate of $500,000 under terms similar to existing convertible debt agreements. At December 31, 2017, $428,000 of these funds had been advanced. The remaining $72,000 was advanced in 2018 with the final advance on February 9, 2018. On February 28, 2018, these notes were amended to postpone the maturity date and interest payment date to May 31, 2019.

 

Accrued interest payable to related parties on the above convertible notes payable was nil and $456,750 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Interest expense recognized on these loans was $24,412 and $37,602 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

 

All of the notes were paid in full, including accrued interest, on March 7, 2019 with funds received under the Purchase Agreement.

 

NOTE 10 – OBLIGATION UNDER CAPITAL LEASE — RELATED PARTY

 

A capital lease was entered into on June 20, 2016 with RMH Overhead, LLC for mining and crushing equipment valued at $185,618, some of which had been previously owned by the Company. RMH Overhead, LLC is an entity owned by the Company’s president, Rick Havenstrite. The equipment is being amortized over the estimated useful life of the equipment. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 2018 was $66,292.

 

Lease payments were paid in full, including accrued interest and late fees, in March 2019 with funds received under the Purchase Agreement.

 

NOTE 11 – NOTES PAYABLE – EQUIPMENT

 

The following is a summary of the equipment notes payable:

 

   March 31,
2019
   December 31,
2018
 
Note payable to Komatsu Financial, collateralized by a Komatsu Telehandler lift, due in 48 monthly installments of $2,441 including interest at 4.99%.  $-   $27,192 
Note payable to CAT Financial, collateralized by used mining equipment due in 36 monthly installments of varying amounts including interest at 4.68%.   -    117,002 
Note payable to Wheeler Machinery, collateralized by used crushing equipment, due in 9 monthly installments of $39,009.   -    145,066 
           
Note payable to Komatsu Financial, collateralized by a Komatsu D275 dozer, due in one monthly installment of $21,000 and 47 monthly installments of $11,674 including interest at 2.99%.   -    34,851 
Note payable to Wheeler Machinery, collateralized by a used Metso C3054 Jaw Crusher, due in 5 monthly installments of $45,000, beginning June 2019, including interest at 8%.   217,772    - 
    217,772    324,111 
Current portion   (217,772)   (324,111)
Long term portion  $-   $- 
           
Principal payments are as follows for the twelve months ended March 31, 2020  $217,772      

 

All of the above notes with balances due at December 31, 2018 were paid in full in March 2019 with funds received under the Purchase Agreement.

 

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NOTE 12 – NOTE PAYABLE — DMRJ

 

In July 2010, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement with DMRJ. The Agreement had been modified numerous times and operated under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Investment Agreement dated December 22, 2016. The Amendments provided for extensions of payment dates, increased funding capacity and other modifications to the debt agreement. At December 31, 2017, DMRJ beneficially owned approximately 77% of the Company (on a fully diluted basis) with Series A, A-2 and B preferred stock shares convertible to 47,211,002 shares of common stock (See Note 15).

 

In the third quarter of 2016, control of the management of DMRJ was given to court appointed trustees of the two major funds of Platinum Partners. On March 8, 2018, the Company finalized an agreement with the trustees to discharge all of the amounts owed by the Company to DMRJ and to extinguish all of DMRJ’s shares of the Company’s preferred stock in exchange for $625,000. On the date of the agreement, the principal balance of the note was $15,554,552 and accrued interest payable was $9,987,009 for a total balance due of $25,541,561. As a result of the transaction, in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $24,916,561.

 

All of the preferred stock of the Company that had been issued to DMRJ in prior years was extinguished. The preferred stock was originally recorded for a total value $4,068,720. As a result of the extinguishment, the Company adjusted accumulated deficit for the value of the preferred stock. This amount is considered a capital contribution and has been added to net income attributable to common stockholders in the calculation of earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

 

After the above transactions, DMRJ is no longer a shareholder (beneficially or otherwise) of the Company as of March 8, 2018.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the existing convertible debt holders funded the $625,000 and modifications to their existing convertible note terms were made in exchange for 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. See Notes 9 and 15.

 

NOTE 13 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

 

Changes in the asset retirement obligation for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

 

   March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018 
Asset retirement obligation, beginning of period  $792,747   $1,046,621 
Reduction in liability due to transfer of Cactus Mill property   (40,802)   - 
Accretion expense   18,673    18,128 
Asset retirement obligation, end of period  $770,618   $1,064,749 

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Cactus Mill property was returned to Clifton as part of the terms of the Amended Lease (Note 7). The net asset retirement cost of $20,351 and obligation of $40,802 relating to the Cactus Mill property were eliminated resulting in a gain on settlement of asset retirement obligation of $20,451 recognized in the statement of operations.

 

NOTE 14 – SETTLEMENT OF CONSULTING CONTRACT

 

On March 29, 2018, the Company entered into a five-year Agency Agreement (the “Agency Agreement”) with H&H Metals Corp., a New York corporation (“H&H”). Under the terms of the Agency Agreement, H&H agreed to provide certain advisory services in regard to natural resources activities and to assist in securing purchasers for minerals produced from its mining properties.

 

On January 16, 2019, the Company negotiated a termination of the Agency Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with H&H. Under the terms of the Termination Agreement, the Company paid H&H $600,000 in cash and agreed to pay an additional $200,000 within 18 months. The Company also issued 250,000 shares of its common stock with a fair value of $100,000 to H&H. In addition, Phillip H. Holme, a principal of H&H, became a director of the Company.

 

The Company recognized a loss on settlement of consulting contract of $900,000 during the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The balance of $200,000 is due under the settlement agreement at March 31, 2019.

 

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NOTE 15 – CAPITAL STOCK

 

Common Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock. All shares have equal voting rights and have one vote per share. Voting rights are not cumulative and, therefore, the holders of more than 50% of the common stock could, if they choose to do so, elect all of the directors of the Company.

 

2019 Activity

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company had the following transactions relating to common stock. All shares issued were valued at $0.40 per share based on the most recent sale of common stock for cash:

 

Issued 5,500,000 shares of common stock to Clifton in connection with the Amended Lease (Note 7). The fair value of these shares was $2,200,000.

 

Issued 250,000 shares of common stock to H&H in connection with settlement of a consulting contract (Note 14). The fair value of these shares was $100,000.

 

In connection with the settlement of stock redeemable with gold proceeds issued in 2012, the Company allowed investors to retain 130,000 shares of common stock that had been issued in connection with a financing in 2012 (Note 19). The fair value of these shares was $52,000.

 

2018 Activity

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company had the following transactions relating to common stock:

 

Sold 4,500,000 shares of common stock to the convertible debt holders for $625,000 in cash and several concessions as to the convertibility, due dates and default provisions on their outstanding debt. See Note 9.

 

Sold 1,250,000 shares of its common stock at $0.40 per share for cash proceeds of $500,000.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorized 10,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Stock available for issuance with such rights and preferences, including liquidation, dividend, conversion, and voting rights, as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

On March 8, 2018, the Company finalized an agreement with the trustees of DMRJ, who owned all of the Series A, A-2 and Series B outstanding preferred stock. This agreement discharged all of the debt owed by the Company to DMRJ and its related affiliates and returned all of the shares of preferred stock to the Company in exchange for $625,000. The Company then cancelled all of the preferred shares of stock. As a result, DMRJ relinquished all ownership in the Company. See Note 12.

 

NOTE 16 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

In addition to transactions disclosed in Notes 8, 9, 10 and 19, the Company had the following related party transaction.

 

The Company has a month to month lease agreement for its office space with RMH Overhead, LLC, a company owned by Rick Havenstrite, the Company’s President and a director. The Company recognized rent expense of $3,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, under this lease. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, amounts due to RMH Overhead, LLC of nil and $18,750, respectively, are included in in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the balance sheet.

 

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NOTE 17 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

The Company’s product consists of an unrefined gold concentrate, which is then refined offsite to become doré. For the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 the Company had no sales of concentrate. Revenue is recognized upon the completion of the performance obligations and transfer of control of the product to the customer, and when the transaction price can be determined or reasonably estimated.

 

Sales and accounts receivable for sales are recorded net of charges for treatment and other charges which represent components of the transaction price. Charges are estimated by management upon transfer of risk based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not vary materially from management’s estimates. Revenue from the sale of metals may be subject to adjustment upon final settlement of estimated metal prices, weights and assays, and are recorded as adjustments to revenue in the period of final settlement of prices, weights and assays; such adjustments are typically not material in relation to the initial invoice amounts. Costs charged by the refiner include fixed treatment, refining and costs per ton of concentrate and may include penalty charges for other metal content above a negotiated baseline as well as excessive moisture.

 

Management has determined the performance obligation is met and title is transferred when the Company delivers the concentrate to the customer because, at that time, (i) legal title is transferred to the customer, (ii) the customer has accepted the concentrate lot and obtained the ability to realize all of the benefits from the product, (iii) the concentrate content specifications are known, have been communicated to the customer, and the customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership to it, and (iv) the Company has the right to payment for the concentrate. The performance obligation is met, the transaction price is known, and revenue is recognized at the time of transfer of control of the agreed-upon metal quantities to the customer.

 

There were no sales of products for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company did not have a gold sales receivable balance.

 

NOTE 18 – STOCK OPTIONS

 

The Company has reserved 2,400,000 shares under its 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan was adopted by the board of directors on March 28, 2018, retroactive to February 23, 2018, as a vehicle for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees, officers, directors, consultants, and other service providers. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Company may issue, to eligible persons, restricted common stock, incentive and non-statutory options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units. The terms and conditions of awards under the Plan will be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

On February 23, 2018, the Board approved the grant of an aggregate of 2,400,000 non-statutory options under the 2018 Plan exercisable at $0.40 per share which expire February 23, 2023 in the amounts and to the following:

 

Rick Havenstrite, President and CEO – 1,000,000 options
   
Howard Crosby, Director – 1,000,000 options
   
John Ryan, Director – 200,000 options
   
Linde Havenstrite, Project Engineer – 200,000 options

 

The options were fully vested on the date of grant. The fair value of the options, calculated using the Black Scholes model, of $456,000 was recognized as stock based compensation cost for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, which was included in general and administrative expenses.

 

Outstanding options at March 31, 2019 are 2,400,000, have a remaining life of 3.9 years, and had no intrinsic value. No options were granted, expired, or were exercised during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

NOTE 19 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

In addition to commitments disclosed in Notes 3 and 7, the Company had the following commitments and contingencies.

 

Personal property tax and other accrued liabilities

 

Personal property tax for Tooele County, Utah, is billed and becomes due on November 30 of each year. At March 31, 2019, the amount due to Tooele County is nil. At December 31, 2018, the balance due for these taxes was $134,687 which included delinquent taxes from prior years. The balance was paid in full in March 2019 with funds received under the Purchase Agreement.

 

Employment Agreements

 

The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Havenstrite as President of the Company, which is ongoing. The agreement, as amended, requires Mr. Havenstrite to meet certain time requirements and limits the number of other board member obligations in which he can participate. The agreement allows for a base annual salary of $144,000 plus certain performance compensation upon fulfillment of established goals. The agreement allows the board of directors to terminate Mr. Havenstrite’s employment at any time, providing for a severance payment upon termination without cause.

 

Beginning in 2019, the Company’s board of directors agreed to compensate directors for their contributions to the management of the Company, with one director receiving $6,000 per month and the other two directors receiving $5,000 per quarter.

 

13

 

 

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, accrued compensation of nil and $828,039, were due to officers of the Company. Of the amounts accrued at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, accrued compensation of nil and $593,232 is due to Rick Havenstrite and nil and $234,807 is due to Marianne Havenstrite, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer. In addition, nil and $94,000 was due to directors at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The amounts due at December 31, 2018 were paid in full in March 2019 with funds received under the Purchase Agreement.

 

Finder’s Agreement

 

On May 11, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with Mount Royal Consultants (Mount Royal) to assist in finding prospective investors. Mount Royal would receive a finder’s fee of 7% for a connection with a company that resulted in a qualified investment consisting of equity securities or a fee of 3% for a connection with a company that resulted in a purchase of debt securities. On March 7, 2019, the Company closed a Purchase Agreement (Note 3) to a buyer for the purchase of gold produced from the Company’s mining property. This agreement was deemed to be subject to the finder’s fee and resulted in a payment to Mount Royal of $318,000, 3% of the $10,600,000 beneficially received by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement. On November 1, 2019, an additional payment of 3% of the Tranche 2 payment received by the Company resulted in a payment of $48,000 to Mount Royal and a third payment of $42,000 was issued after receipt of the Tranche 3 payment on December 27, 2019. Future amounts to be received from investors could also be subject to this agreement. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized $318,000 as consulting expense relating to this agreement.

 

Stock Redeemable with Gold Proceeds

 

In 2012, the Company sold 130,000 shares of its common stock.  Under the terms of this offering, the shares could be redeemed for cash generated from the sale of gold. Each investor received the right to convert a minimum of one-half and up to all of his shares (on a pro rata basis) into the value of the number of ounces represented by the total investment, determined using a base price of $1,000 per ounce.  Due to the redemption feature of these shares, the shares were recorded as a liability and not as equity.

 

All investors opted to convert their shares for cash from 5% of the gold sales.  At December 31, 2018, the Company had a payable of $151,405 to investors for their portion of gold sales included in accounts payable. This balance was paid to the investors during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 fully satisfying the terms of the original offering. Upon full satisfaction of the redemption provisions, the shares of common stock should have been returned to the Company. However, the Company allowed the investors to keep the shares. The Company recognized an expense of $63,094, which includes $52,000 for the fair value of the shares of common stock, as loss on settlement of redeemable stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

 

Mining Leases

 

Annual claims fees are currently $155 per claim plus administrative fees.

 

NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Claim Acquisition

 

On June 13, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement whereby the Company acquired 20 claims adjacent to the Kiewit property from Ben Julian, LLC for $250,000.

 

Amendment of Forward Gold Sales Contract (Purchase Agreement)

 

On October 31, 2019, the Company and PDK amended the Purchase Agreement and entered into the Amended Pre-Paid Forward Agreement (the “Amended Agreement”) to adjust the second and third tranches paid to the Company, to reduce the total number of ounces of gold subject to the Purchase Agreement, and to revise other provisions therein. The second tranche was reduced from $4,500,000 to $1,600,000, and the third tranche was reduced from $5,500,000 to $1,400,000. The second tranche was received on October 31, 2019 upon execution of the Amended Agreement and the third tranche was received on December 27, 2019, with funds to be dedicated in accordance with the revised budget furnished with the Amended Agreement. The amendment also reduced the total number of ounces of gold prepaid under the agreement from 73,910 to 47,045.

 

14

 

 

Under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company is obligated to deliver gold in the following quantities following prepayment of each tranche:

 

Beginning the 21st calendar month following the Initial Funding, 655 ounces of gold per month for each of the four calendar months thereafter, 670 ounces for each the 12 calendar months thereafter, 1,155 ounces for each of the 12 calendar months thereafter, and 1,512 ounces of gold for each of the 9 calendar months thereafter.

 

Beginning the 14th Calendar month following the Tranche 2 funding, 129 ounces of gold per month for each of the 37 calendar months thereafter.

 

Beginning the 13th Calendar month following the Tranche 3 funding, 112 ounces of gold per month for each of the 37 calendar months thereafter.

 

The Amended Agreement also alters the total amount that PDK may reduce the number of ounces of gold to be delivered under the Amended Agreement in exchange for common shares of the Company. Under the Amended Agreement, PDK may reduce the required number of ounces by up to 8,000 ounces in exchange for common shares of the Company.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and audited financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and with the unaudited financial statements and related notes thereto presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Forward-looking statements

 

 The statements contained in this report that are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements found in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” are forward-looking statements that represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, ability to retain and recruit personnel, the effects of competition, and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “could,” “plans,” or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements.

 

Among the factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this report. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:

 

  environmental hazards;

 

  metallurgical and other processing problems;

 

  unusual or unexpected geological formations;

 

  need for additional funding to continue operations;
     
  global economic and political conditions;

 

 

staffing considerations in remote locations;

 

  disruptions in credit and financial markets;

 

  global productive capacity;

 

  changes in product costing; and

 

  competitive technology positions and operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, fires, flooding, landslides, power outages, explosions, unscheduled downtime, transportation interruptions, war and terrorist activities).
     

 Mining operations are subject to a variety of existing laws and regulations relating to exploration, permitting procedures, safety precautions, property reclamation, employee health and safety, air and water quality standards, pollution and other environmental protection controls, all of which are subject to change and are becoming more stringent, and costly to comply with. Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

These risk factors could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.

 

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Overview

 

Desert Hawk Gold Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated on November 5, 1957, in the State of Idaho as Lucky Joe Mining Company. In 2008 we changed our corporate domicile to the State of Nevada by merging with a wholly-owned subsidiary formed solely for this purpose. Our Nevada corporation was incorporated on July 17, 2008. We have no subsidiaries.

 

We are currently engaged in the extraction of gold and related precious metals from our Kiewit mining property located in the Gold Hill Mining District in Tooele County, Utah.

 

DMRJ Settlement

 

On July 14, 2010, we entered into an Investment Agreement, which was amended from time to time, (the “Investment Agreement”) with DMRJ Group I, LLC (“DMRJ”) to provide funding for our mining operations. Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, we borrowed approximately $15,000,000 through the year ended December 31, 2017 resulting in a balance due to DMRJ on March 8, 2018 of $25,511,561 including principal and interest. As further consideration for the loans, we issued to DMRJ 958,033 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 180,000 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock, and 444,529.69 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. On March 8, 2018, DMRJ owned approximately 77% of stock of the Company (on a fully diluted basis). The preferred shares and debt were subsequently transferred to affiliated entities of DMRJ.

 

In the third quarter of 2016, control of the management of DMRJ was given to court appointed trustees of the affiliated assignees of the debt and preferred shares, Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund L.P. (“PPVA”) and Platinum Partners Credit Opportunities Master Fund, LP (“PPCO”). On December 19, 2016, the SEC filed the complaint against defendants Platinum Management, PPCO, and management of the DMRJ, charging the defendants with a complex, multi-pronged, fraudulent scheme to inflate returns to investors, and cover up massive losses and liquidity problems. In July 2011, a federal jury in the Eastern District of New York convicted two executives of Platinum Partners L.P., the parent of DMRJ, of securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. One of the defendants convicted in the lawsuit, David Levy, served as a director of our company from 2015 through April 2016.

 

After 2016 neither DMRJ nor its affiliates were able to provide further funding and on February 13, 2018, we entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement with DMRJ, PPVA, and PPCO (the “Assumption Agreement”), whereby we agreed to repurchase the debt and preferred shares for payment of $625,000. The transaction closed on or about March 8, 2018. Upon closing DMRJ also released all security interest in the assets of the Company. Following closing of the Assumption Agreement, we cancelled all of the debt owed DMRJ. We also cancelled all of the preferred shares and terminated each of the series of preferred stock. Each of the parties to the Assumption Agreement also agreed to indemnify the other for breach of any representation or covenant made under the agreement.

 

Funding for the closing of the Assumption Agreement was furnished by Ibearhouse, LLC and West C Street, LLC, note holders and shareholders of the Company. Under the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2018 (the “SPA”), the Company exchanged 4,500,000 shares of common stock to the convertible debt holders for $625,000 in cash and several concessions as to the convertibility, due dates and default provisions on their outstanding debt. Under the terms of the SPA these investors waived their rights to convert under prior 2009 promissory notes to eliminate any rights to convert the amounts due under the notes into shares of our common stock or to accelerate repayment upon default. These investors also agreed to amend their prior 10% Secured Convertible Promissory Note dated October 14, 2016, in the principal amount of $125,000, their 10% Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note dated November 15, 2016, in the principal amount of $25,000, and their 15% Convertible Promissory Note dated November 30, 2009, as amended, in the principal amount of $300,000. Each of these promissory notes was repaid in full on March 7, 2019.

 

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Bridge Funding

 

In August 2018, we completed a non-public offering of 2,125,000 shares of our common stock at $0.40 per share, for gross proceeds of $850,000. Funds from this offering were used for our mining operations and provided working capital prior to project funding.

 

 Pre-Paid Forward Gold Purchase and Amended Agreement

 

During the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into and closed a Pre-Paid Forward Gold Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with PDK Utah Holdings L.P. (“PDK”) for the sale and purchase by PDK of gold produced from the Company’s mining property. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, PDK agreed to purchase a total of 73,910 ounces of gold from the Company at a reduced market price. Prepayment will be made in three tranches, with the initial tranche in the amount of $11,200,000 having been made upon execution of the Purchase Agreement on March 7, 2019 (the “Initial Funding”), $4,500,000 for Tranche 2 to occur at least six months following the Initial Funding date, and $5,500,000 for Tranche 3 to occur at least 10 months following the Initial Funding date, provided that all conditions precedent for funding Tranches 2 and 3 are met. From the Initial Funding, the Company paid an upfront fee of $600,000 to PDK for expenses incurred in connection with the transaction. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell gold at a reduced market price in certain quantities during agreed periods following prepayment of each tranche. The first gold delivery of 655 ounces is due December 2020.

 

The Purchase Agreement contains provisions requiring the Company to pay PDK a portion of the proceeds when gold is sold to a third party. In addition, PDK may reduce the required number of ounces to be sold in exchange for common shares of the Company. As security for the obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company has granted PDK a security interest in all of the assets of the Company and has issued and recorded a Leasehold Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases, Rents, As Extracted Collateral and Contracts, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing. The Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties, as well as affirmative and negative covenants customary to a transaction of this nature.

 

The forward gold sales contract liability due under the terms of the Purchase Agreement at March 31, 2019 is $10,600,000 which is the $11,200,000 received from PDK in the initial tranche less the $600,000 upfront fee paid by the Company. On October 31, 2019, the Purchase Agreement was amended to reduce the number of gold ounces to be delivered and the amount of funding to be received in Tranches 2 and 3.

 

On October 31, 2019, the Company and PDK amended the Purchase Agreement and entered into the Amended Pre-Paid Forward Agreement (the “Amended Agreement”) to adjust the second and third tranches paid to the Company, to reduce the total number of ounces of gold subject to the Purchase Agreement, and to revise other provisions therein. The second tranche was reduced from $4,500,000 to $1,600,000, and the third tranche was reduced from $5,500,000 to $1,400,000. The second tranche was received on October 31, 2019 upon execution of the Amended Agreement and the third tranche was received on December 27, 2019, with funds to be dedicated in accordance with the revised budget furnished with the Amended Agreement. The amendment also reduced the total number of ounces of gold prepaid under the agreement from 73,910 to 47,045.

 

Under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company is obligated to deliver gold in the following quantities following prepayment of each tranche:

 

Beginning the 21st calendar month following the Initial Funding, 655 ounces of gold per month for each of the four calendar months thereafter, 670 ounces for each the 12 calendar months thereafter, 1,155 ounces for each of the 12 calendar months thereafter, and 1,512 ounces of gold for each of the 9 calendar months thereafter.
   
Beginning the 14th Calendar month following the Tranche 2 funding, 129 ounces of gold per month for each of the 37 calendar months thereafter.
   
Beginning the 13th Calendar month following the Tranche 3 funding, 112 ounces of gold per month for each of the 37 calendar months thereafter.

 

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The Amended Agreement also alters the total amount that PDK may reduce the number of ounces of gold to be delivered under the Amended Agreement in exchange for common shares of the Company. Under the Amended Agreement, PDK may reduce the required number of ounces by up to 8,000 ounces in exchange for common shares of the Company.

 

Clifton Amended Lease Agreement

 

In March 2019, the Company and Clifton entered into a Second Amended and Restated Lease Agreement (the “Amended Lease”).   Under the terms of this Amended Lease, the Company relinquished its leasehold interest in all but 10 of the patented mining claims, for which it retained only the surface rights, and 66 of the unpatented lode mining claims previously held by the Company. The Cactus Mill property was returned to Clifton Mining Company as part of this agreement.

 

As consideration for entering into the Amended Lease, the Company issued 5,500,000 shares of its common stock with a fair value of $2,200,000 to Clifton which was added to the carrying value of the mineral properties and interests. In addition, the Company and Clifton entered into a Registration Rights Agreement to register for resale the shares issued to Clifton which requires the Company to register the shares within 18 months following the Initial Funding. In the event the Company does not register the shares within the 18-month period, the Company is obligated to pay Clifton a royalty equal to 2.5% of the net smelter returns from the minerals generated from the Company’s mining claims.

 

Under the terms of the initial Joint Venture Agreement, the Company was required to pay a 4% net smelter royalty (“NSR”) on base metals in all other areas except for production from the Kiewit gold property and a NSR on gold and silver, except for production from the Kiewit gold property, based on a sliding scale of between 2% and 15% based on the price of gold or silver, as applicable.  The Company was also required to pay Clifton a 6% NSR on any production from the Kiewit gold property.  

 

As part of the Purchase Agreement finalized in March 2019, these NSRs were bought out by the Company from Clifton and two other minority royalty holders at a cost of $900,000 which was added to the carrying value of the mineral properties and interests. The buyer in the Purchase Agreement, PDK, acquired a 4% NSR, previously held by Clifton, on the Kiewit property for $2,200,000. A 4% NSR on any production from the Kiewit gold property is now due to PDK.

 

 Settlement of Consulting Agreement

 

On March 29, 2018, the Company entered into a five-year Agency Agreement (the “Agency Agreement”) with H&H Metals Corp., a New York corporation (“H&H”). Under the terms of the Agency Agreement, H&H agreed to provide certain advisory services in regard to natural resources activities and to assist in securing purchasers for minerals produced from its mining properties.

 

On January 16, 2019, the Company negotiated a termination of the Agency Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with H&H. Under the terms of the Termination Agreement, the Company paid H&H $600,000 in cash and to pay an additional $200,000 within 18 months. The Company also issued 250,000 shares of its common stock with a fair value of $100,000 to H&H. In addition, Phillip H. Holme, a principal of H&H, became a director of the Company.

 

The Company recognized a loss on settlement of consulting contract of $900,000 during the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The balance of $200,000 is due under the settlement agreement at March 31, 2019.

 

Acquisition of Additional Mining Claims

 

On March 26, 2019, we negotiated an option to purchase 64 patented mining claims from Ben Julian, LLC, an Idaho limited liability company, for $500,000. The claims are located contiguous to our existing Kiewit claims, except for one claim located in the Dugway Mining District. On June 13, 2019, we entered into a letter agreement with Clifton Mining Company whereby Clifton would purchase 44 of the optioned claims and we would acquire the remaining 20 claims. Each party would pay one-half of the total purchase price for the claims. The purchase price was paid by each party and the closing of the acquisition occurred on June 14, 2019. The Company received and has recorded a quitclaim deed for the 20 patented claims.

 

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Stock Options

 

Effective February 23, 2018, the Board approved and adopted the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) pursuant to which 2,400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were authorized. On February 23, 2018, the Board approved the grant of an aggregate of 2,400,000 options under the 2018 Plan exercisable at $0.40 per share which terminate February 23, 2023 in the amounts and to the following:

 

Rick Havenstrite – 1,000,000 options;
   
Howard Crosby – 1,000,000 options;
   
John Ryan – 200,000 options; and
   
Linde Havenstrite – 200,000 options.

 

Historically, we incurred net losses for the year ended December 31, 2017. We incurred net income for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was attributable primarily to the gain on extinguishment of DMRJ debt. We incurred net losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

  

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

The operating loss of $810,589 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the operating loss of $796,621 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 represent increased losses in the amount of $13,968. Increased losses are due to consulting fees in association with the Purchase Agreement finalized on March 7, 2019. During the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we had net income (loss) of $(1,833,887) and $23,647,515 respectively. This represents a decrease of $25,481,402 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 over the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 is attributable to the cancellation of our agreement with DMRJ whereby we agreed to repurchase the debt and preferred shares previously owned by them, resulting in a gain on extinguishment of $24,916,561.

 

Liquidity and Cash Flow

 

Net cash used by operating activities was $3,452,829 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $25,033 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2018. This $3,477,862 increase in the amount of cash used by operating activities is primarily attributable to increased net loss and payment of accrued expenses and payables in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

 

Net cash used by investing activities was $1,077,746 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 compared to $62 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2018. This increase of $1,077,684 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was due to the purchase of royalty interests as part of the Purchasing Agreement and to additions to property and equipment in relation to the restart of operations.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $8,607,327 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared with $495,907 cash provided by financing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2018. The increase of $8,111,420 in cash provided by financing activities in 2018 was due primarily to proceeds from the Purchase Agreement.

 

As a result of the above, cash increased by $4,076,752 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, leaving us with a cash balance of $4,085,468 as of March 31, 2019.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The selection and application of accounting policies is an important process that has developed as our business activities have evolved and as the accounting rules have changed. Accounting rules generally do not involve a selection among alternatives, but involve an implementation and interpretation of existing rules, and the use of judgment, to the specific set of circumstances existing in our business. Discussed below are the accounting policies that we believe are critical to our financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved and the magnitude of the asset, liability, revenue or expense being reported. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in our attached unaudited financial statements for a discussion of those policies.

 

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Revenue Recognition

 

Sales of all metals products are recorded as revenues when title and risk of loss transfer to the purchaser. Sales to the purchaser are recorded at gross sales price, with charges for treatment, refining, smelting and other sales charges included as part of general project costs.

 

Mineral Exploration and Development Costs

 

We account for mineral exploration costs in accordance with ASC 932 Extractive Activities. All exploration expenditures are expensed as incurred, previously capitalized costs are expensed in the period the property is abandoned. Expenditures to explore new mines, to define further mineralization in existing bodies of mineralized material, and to expand the capacity of operating mines, are capitalized and amortized on a units-of-production basis over proven and probable reserves.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of estimated gold on the heap leach pad and in the carbon process system and are valued at the lower of production cost or market value. Gold on the heap leach pad is estimated to be 80% complete for cost purposes and gold in the process system is estimated at 95% complete.

 

Mineral Properties

 

We account for mineral properties in accordance with ASC 930 Extractive Activities-Mining. Costs of acquiring mineral properties are capitalized by project area upon purchase of the associated claims. Mineral properties are periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value.

 

Reclamation and Remediation

 

Remediation, reclamation and mine closure costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation costs for inactive properties. We use assumptions about future costs, capital costs and reclamation costs. Such assumptions are based on our current mining plan and the best available information for making such estimates.

 

For non-operating properties, we accrue costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when it is probable that such costs will be incurred and that they are reasonably estimable. Such costs are based on management’s estimate of amounts expected to be incurred when the remediation work is performed.

 

Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents as well as various notes payable. All instruments are accounted for on a historical cost basis, which, due to the short maturity and interest rates of these financial instruments, approximates fair value at March 31, 2019 and 2018. 

 

Going Concern

 

As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $7,508,812 through March 31, 2019 which raises doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary in the event the Company cannot continue in existence.

 

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Although production has restarted in 2019, it has not yet reached optimum levels. The timing and amount of capital requirements will depend on a number of factors, including demand for products, metals market pricing, and the availability of opportunities for expansion through affiliations and other business relationships. Although management has procured funding through Purchase Agreement, they intend to continue to seek new capital from equity securities issuances to provide funds needed to increase liquidity, fund internal growth, and fully implement its business plan. However, with the funding received under the Purchase Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company believes it has the ability to meet its obligations for the next twelve months.

 

If the going concern assumption were not appropriate for these financial statements, then adjustments would be necessary to the carrying values of the assets and liabilities, the reported revenues and expenses, and the balance sheet classifications used.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues, result of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

As a smaller reporting company, we have elected not to provide the disclosure required by this item.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer, who serves as our principal executive officer; and our Treasurer, who serves as our principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”), have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. However, due to financial considerations, we were unable to timely file this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, thus, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
31.1   Rule 15d-14(a) Certification by Principal Executive Officer
31.2   Rule 15d-14(a) Certification by Principal Financial Officer
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
95   Mine Safety Disclosure
99.1   NRS Royalty Interest (confidential information has been redacted)
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  Desert Hawk Gold Corp.
   
Date: February 3, 2020 By:   /s/ Rick Havenstrite
Rick Havenstrite, Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date: February 3, 2020 By: /s/ Marianne Havenstrite
    Marianne Havenstrite, Treasurer
    (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

 

 

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