Applied Minerals, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

 

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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

March 31, 2018

 

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

 

For the transition period from

to

 

Commission File Number

000-31380

 

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		82-0096527
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)
55 Washington Street - Suite 301, Brooklyn, NY		11201
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

	(212) 226-4265
	(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

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). Yes X     No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, 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	X
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 checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES

☐

NO

X

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of May 22, 2018 was 164,138,549.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

 

 

 

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

 

FIRST QUARTER 2018 REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Page(s)
Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 (unaudited) and December 31, 2017	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (unaudited)	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)	6
	Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	22
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	23
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	24
Item 1A	Risk Factors	24
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	24
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	24
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	24
Item 5.	Other Information	24
Item 6.	Exhibits	25
Signatures		26

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

		March 31, 2018
		(Unaudited)				December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	72,167			$	47,652
Accounts receivable			17,870				27,265
Deposits and prepaid expenses			149,602				205,922
Total Current Assets			239,639				280,839
Property and Equipment, net			2,479,247				2,802,391
Other Assets - Deposits			216,863				240,934
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,935,749			$	3,324,164
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	970,580			$	963,609
PIK Note interest accrual			318,464				57,334
Current portion of notes payable			118,252				212,134
Total Current Liabilities			1,407,296				1,233,077
Long-Term Liabilities
PIK Notes payable, net of $7,542,091 and $9,755,832 debt discount, respectively			35,520,026				33,244,605
PIK Note derivative			10,227,191				2,047,264
Total Long-Term Liabilities			45,747,217				35,291,869
TOTAL LIABILITIES			47,154,513				36,524,946
Stockholders’ (Deficit)
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding			- 0 -				-0 -
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 150,388,549 and 140,763,549 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			150,389				140,764
Additional paid-in capital			72,200,686				71,152,311
Accumulated deficit prior to the exploration stage			(20,009,496	)			(20,009,496	)
Accumulated deficit during the exploration stage			(96,560,343	)			(84,484,361	)
Total Stockholders’ (Deficit)			(44,218,764	)			(33,200,782	)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)		$	2,935,749			$	3,324,164

---

 

		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2018				March 31, 2017
REVENUES		$	45,647			$	795,282
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Production costs			171,596				787,121
Exploration costs			55,951				243,270
General and administrative			1,199,046				986,628
Depreciation expense			323,144				330,785
Total Operating Expenses			1,749,737				2,347,804
Operating Loss			(1,704,090	)			(1,552,522	)
OTHER (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net, including amortization of deferred financing cost and debt discount			(2,542,051	)			(2,073,194	)
(Loss) gain on revaluation of PIK Note derivative			(8,179,927	)			895,724
Other income, net			350,086				1,552
Total Other (Expense)			(10,371,892	)			(1,175,918	)
NET LOSS		$	(12,075,982	)		$	(2,728,440	)
Net Loss Per Share (Basic and Diluted)		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.03	)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted)			145,620,493				108,613,549

---

 

		Common Stock
		Shares				Amount				Additional Paid-In Capital				Accumulated Deficit Prior to Exploration Stage				Accumulated Deficit During Exploration Stage				Total Stockholders’ Deficit
Balance, December 31, 2017			140,763,549			$	140,764			$	71,152,311			$	(20,009,496	)		$	(84,484,361	)		$	(33,200,782	)
Shares issued for consulting services			1,500,000				1,500				58,500				- 0 -				- 0 -				60,000
Shares issued in private placement			7,625,000				7,625				387,375				- 0 -				- 0 -				395,000
Shares issued for warrant exercise			500,000				500				19,500				- 0 -				- 0 -				20,000
Stock option compensation expense			- 0 -				- 0 -				583,000				- 0 -				- 0 -				583,000
Net Loss			- 0 -				- 0 -				- 0 -				- 0 -				(12,075,982	)			(12,075,982	)
Balance, March 31, 2018			150,388,549			$	150,389			$	72,200,686			$	(20,009,496	)		$	(96,560,343	)		$	(44,218,764	)

---

 

		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2018				2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss		$	(12,075,982	)		$	(2,728,440	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:
Depreciation			323,144				330,785
Amortization of discount - PIK Notes			2,190,989				1,044,238
Amortization of deferred financing costs			22,751				1,875
Issuance of PIK Notes in payment of interest			61,681				762,458
Stock issued for director fees			- 0 -				65,862
Stock issued for consulting services			60,000				- 0 -
Stock based compensation expense			583,000				- 0 -
(Gain) loss on revaluation of PIK Note derivative			8,179,927				(895,724	)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			9,395				12,529
Other current receivables			- 0 -				16,339
Deposits and prepaids			80,391				142,251
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			268,101				506,270
Net cash used in operating activities			(296,603	)			(741,557	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities			- 0 -				- 0 -
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on notes payable			(93,882	)			(90,078	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock			395,000				- 0 -
Proceeds from exercise of options or warrants			20,000				- 0 -
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			321,118				(90,078	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			24,515				(831,635	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			47,652				1,049,880
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	72,167			$	218,245
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest		$	5,501			$	1,527

---

 

NOTE 1– ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Applied Minerals, Inc. (the “Company” or “we” or “us”) is focused primarily on (i) the development, marketing and sale of our halloysite clay-based DRAGONITE™ line of products for use in advanced applications such as, but not limited to, reinforcement additives for polymer composites, flame retardant additives for polymers, catalysts, controlled release carriers for paints and coatings, strength reinforcement additives for cement, concrete, mortars and grouts, advanced ceramics, rheology additives for drilling fluids, environmental remediation media, and carriers of agricultural agents and (ii) the development, marketing and sale of our AMIRON™ line of iron oxide products for pigmentary and technical applications. Halloysite is an aluminosilicate with a tubular structure that provides functionality for a number of applications. Iron oxides are inorganic compounds that are widely used as pigments in paints, coatings and colored concrete.

 

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

 

The Company has a mineral processing plant with a capacity of up to 45,000 tons per annum for certain applications that is currently dedicated to the processing of its AMIRON product. The Company has a smaller processing facility with a capacity of 5,000 – 10,000 tons per annum that is currently dedicated to its halloysite resource. The Company believes it can increase its halloysite production capacity to meet an increase in demand through (i) an expansion of our on-site production capacity through a relatively modest capital investment and (ii) the use of a manufacturing tolling agreement.

 

The Company currently sells its DRAGONITE product as functional additive for advanced molecular sieves, as a nucleating agent for injection molding applications and as a binder for ceramic applications. For a number of markets mentioned above, the Company is currently working with a number of customers, which are in the latter stages of commercializing new and existing products that will utilize DRAGONITE as a functional additive.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the largest customer during the period accounted for 47% of total revenue and amounts owed by the largest customer represented 0% of accounts receivable. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the largest customer during the period accounted for 55% of total revenue and amounts owed by the largest customer represented 62% of accounts receivable.

 

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

 

Exploration Agreement

On December 22, 2017, the Company and Continental Mineral Claims, Inc. (“CMC”) entered into an Exploration Agreement with Option to Purchase (“Agreement”). The Company granted to CMC the exclusive right and option to enter upon and conduct mineral exploration activities (the “Exploration License”) for Metallic Minerals on the Company’s Dragon Mine minesite in Utah (the “Mining Claims”).  Metallic Minerals are defined to include minerals with a high specific gravity and metallic luster, such as gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, uranium, tin, iron, etc., but shall exclude any such Metallic Minerals that are intermingled within any economically-recoverable, non-metallic mineral deposits located at or above an elevation of 5,590 feet above sea level. Non-metallic minerals include clay and iron oxide, the minerals mined by the Company.  The Company believes that all economic recoverable non-metallic mineral deposits are well above 5,590 feet above sea level. The Exploration License is for a period of ten years.

 

In consideration of the Exploration License CMC has paid the Company $350,000 and will pay it $150,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Exploration License, $250,000 on or before each subsequent anniversary during the Exploration License term following the first anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement, unless the Exploration License is terminated earlier by CMC by exercising the option or failing to make the required payment for the Exploration License.

 

CMC may exercise the option at any time during the Exploration License term. Upon exercise of the Option and the completion of the closing, CMC shall acquire 100% of the Metallic Rights within the Mining Claims from the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

 

The consideration to be paid by CMC to the Company after exercising the option for the acquisition of the Metallic Rights shall be payable as follows: $3,000,000; and, CMC shall grant to the Company a five percent (5%) Net Profits Interest (“NPI”) royalty over the Metallic Minerals produced from the Mining Claims.  The NPI royalty shall be initially capped at $20,000,000 (the “NPI Cap”). The NPI Cap shall be subject to reduction in the event the Company elects to take the Share Contribution, as set forth below.

 

Upon exercise of the option, the Company shall retain the all rights and title to (1) the surface interest (with exception of those rights associated with the Metallic Rights), and (2) all non-metallic minerals (expressly including all industrial minerals including clays and iron oxides). 

 

It is anticipated that CMC will acquire rights similar to the Metallic Rights with respect to contiguous and nearly properties and such rights will be contributed to a new company formed or designated by CMC to own and operate CMC’s Tintic District project, which would involve the Metallic rights and similar rights regarding adjacent or nearby properties (“PubCo”) that intends to go public.

 

 

The Company shall have the right, at its sole election, to convert a portion of its NPI royalty interest into $2,000,000 worth of shares in PubCo up to a maximum of Two Percent (2%) net value of PubCo (the “Share Contribution”), through a reduction of the NPI Cap. The Company shall make the determination whether to take the Share Contribution or not, and so notify CMC, within ninety (90) days, of the completion (and delivery to the Company) of a feasibility study by CMC for the Tintic District project.  If the Company elects not to take the Share Contribution, the Company’s NPI royalty shall remain unchanged, including the NPI Cap, which will remain at $20,000,000.

 

The Agreement contains protections in favor of the Company against unreasonable interference of its current and future mining operations by CMC. CMC may not do anything that may, at the Company’s determination, adversely impact the Company’s Mining Operations.  “Mining Operations” shall mean the activities incident to mineral extraction, permitting, and any operations by CMC or the Company relating to the removal of minerals, respectively, that are or may reasonably be conducted on the Mining Claims, including the exploration for, and development, active mining, removing, producing and selling of any minerals, including the Metallic Minerals.  The Agreement states that the parties understand that the Company is willing to enter into the Agreement only if it is assured that CMC will not have any right to unreasonably interfere with the Company’s current mining operations and possible future Mining Operations on the Mining Claims.

 

There are no assurances that CMC will exercise its option to purchase 100% of the Metallic Rights.

 

 

NOTE 2 - LIQUIDITY AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The Company has a history of recurring losses from operations and the use of cash in operating activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company’s net loss was $12,075,982 and cash used in operating activities was $296,603. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had current assets of $239,639 and current liabilities of $1,407,296 of which $318,464 was accrued PIK Note interest expected to be paid in additional PIK Notes. The Company’s current liabilities also include (i) $183,149 of accrued management bonus payable as determined by the Company’s Audit Committee, (ii) $118,252 of a note payable related to the financing of the Company’s D&O and G/L policies, (iii) $158,700 of payables to a compounder for which it has agreed to satisfy in halloysite product and (iv) $156,200 of disputed accrued expenses for which the Company believes it has a statute of limitations defense.

 

Based on the Company’s current cash usage expectations, management believes it will not have sufficient liquidity to fund its operations through May 22, 2019. Further, management cannot provide any assurance that it is probable that the Company will be successful in accomplishing any of its plans to raise debt or equity financing or generate additional product sales. Collectively these factors raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as going concern. These financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company not be able to continue as a going concern.

 

Management believes that in order for the Company to meet its obligations arising from normal business operations through May 22, 2019 that the Company requires (i) additional capital either in the form of a private placement of common stock or debt and/or (ii) additional sales of its products that will generate sufficient operating profit and cash flows to fund operations.  Without additional capital or additional sales of its products, the Company’s ability to continue to operate will be limited.

 

NOTE 3– BASIS OF REPORTING AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Applied Minerals, Inc. have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

 

In the opinion of management, these interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all of the adjustments of a normal and recurring nature which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related disclosures for the year ended December 31, 2017, included in the Annual Report of Applied Minerals, Inc. on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 17, 2018.

 

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described below and elsewhere in these notes. As of May 22, 2018, the Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates remain unchanged from those detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

 

Exploration-Stage Company

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company was, and still is, classified as an exploration company because the existence of proven or probable reserves at the Company’s Dragon Mine property have not been demonstrated and no significant revenue has been earned from the mine. Under the SEC’s Industry Guide 7, a mining company is considered an exploration stage company until it has declared mineral reserves determined in accordance with the guide and staff interpretations thereof.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Applied Minerals, Inc. and its inactive subsidiary, which holds 100 acres of timber and mineral property in northern Idaho.

 

Use of Estimates

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

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

 

Receivables

Trade receivables are reported at outstanding principal amounts, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Management evaluates the collectability of receivable account balances to determine the allowance, if any. Management considers the other party’s credit risk and financial condition, as well as current and projected economic and market conditions, in determining the amount of the allowance. Receivable balances are written off when management determines that the balance is uncollectable. No allowance was required at March 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Property and Equipment

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

 

 

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 totaled $323,144, and $330,785, respectively.

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of long-lived assets to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustment to such carrying amounts. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. When such events occur, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset to its carrying amount. If this comparison indicates that there is an impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows where observable fair values are not readily determinable. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. The Company has determined that there was no impairment of its long-lived assets as of March 31,2018 and 2017.

 

Revenue Recognition

Revenue includes sales of halloysite clay and iron oxide during 2017 and is recognized when title passes to the buyer and when collectability is reasonably assured. Title passes to the buyer based on terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined based on contractual arrangements with the Company’s customers.

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenue recognition, which provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance.  The main principle under this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue at the amount it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of goods or services to customers.  The Company identified the predominant changes to its accounting policies resulting from the application of this guidance and quantified the impact on its consolidated financial statements.  The cumulative effect of the initial adoption of this guidance did not have any significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company did not have any significant customer contracts in place at December 31, 2017.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. For 2018, revenue is recognized when product transfers to the customer.

 

Mining Exploration and Development Costs

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

 

 

Income taxes

The Company uses an asset and liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A full valuation allowance has been provided for the Company’s net deferred tax assets as it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.

 

Authoritative guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return can be recognized in our financial statements only if the position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2017no benefit from uncertain tax positions was recognized in our financial statements. The Company has elected to classify interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

Stock Options and Warrants

The Company follows ASC 718 (Stock Compensation) and 505-50 (Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees), which provide guidance in accounting for share-based awards exchanged for services rendered and requires companies to expense the estimated fair value of these awards over the requisite service period. The Company instituted a formal long-term and short-term incentive plan on November 20, 2012, which was approved by its shareholders. Prior to that date, we did not have a formal equity plan, but all equity grants, including stock options and warrants, were approved by our Board of Directors. We determine the fair value of the stock-based compensation awards granted to non-employees as either the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. If the fair value of the equity instruments issued is used, it is measured using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of either of (1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, or (2) the date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete. Beginning in the quarter ended June 30, 2013 the Company began using the simplified method to determine the expected term for any options granted because the Company did not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. The Company previously utilized the contractual term as the expected term.

 

Environmental Matters

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

 

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

 

Based upon management’s current assessment of its environmental responsibilities, it does not believe that any reclamation or remediation liability exists at March 31, 2018.

 

Recent Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenue recognition, which provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance.  The main principle under this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue at the amount it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of goods or services to customers.  The Company identified the predominant changes to its accounting policies resulting from the application of this guidance and quantified the impact on its consolidated financial statements.  The cumulative effect of the initial adoption of this guidance did not have any significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company did not have any significant customer contracts in place at December 31, 2017.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (“Topic 842”) new accounting guidance for leases, which supersedes previous lease guidance. Under this guidance, for all leases with terms in excess of one year, including operating leases, the Company will be required to recognize on its balance sheet a lease liability and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases and the classification criteria is substantially similar to previous guidance. Additionally, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed. The Company is currently evaluating the impact is guidance on its consolidated balance sheets. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

 

 

 

NOTE 4– PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

The following is a summary of property, plant, and equipment – at cost, less accumulated depreciation:

 

 

 

NOTE 5– FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows at March 31, 2018:

  

 

The following table summarizes the activity during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 for financial instruments at fair value using Level 3:

 

 

 

The recorded value of certain financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms, and the remaining short-term period outstanding, the carrying value of notes payable other than PIK notes approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the PIK Notes Payable was $12,157,385 and $11,395,208 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (Level 3), respectively.

 

For the Company's warrant and PIK note derivative liabilities, Level 3 fair value hierarchy was estimated using a Monte Carlo Model using the following assumptions:

  

(1) Exercise price is reflective of amended Series 2023 Notes issued in December 2017 as discussed in Note 8.

 

 (1) Exercise price is reflective of amended Series A Notes issued in December 2017 as discussed in Note 7.

 

 

NOTE 6 - NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE

 

Notes payable at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

(a)

On October 31, 2014, the Company purchased mining equipment for $65,120 by paying deposit and issuing a note in the amount of $57,900 with an interest rate of 5.2%. The note is collateralized by the mining equipment with payments of $1,339 for 48 months, which started on November 30, 2014.

(b)

The Company signed a note payable with an insurance company dated October 17, 2016 for liability insurance, payable in monthly installments, including interest ranging from 2.6% - 4.15%

(c)

The Company signed a note payable with an insurance company dated October 17, 2017 for liability insurance, payable in monthly installments, including interest ranging from 3.1% - 5.78%

 

 During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company's interest payments totaled $5,501 and $1,527, respectively.

 

 

 

NOTE 7– CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES)

 

The Company raised $23 million of financing through the issuance of two series of Paid-In-Kind (“PIK”)-Election Convertible Notes in 2013 (“Series 2023 Notes”) and 2014 (“Series A Notes”). The original terms of the Series A Notes included among other things: (i) a maturity of November 1, 2018 with an option to extend to November 1, 2019, (ii) a stated interest rate of 10% paid semi-annually and (iii) a conversion price of $0.90, adjusted downward based on an anti-dilution provision. The original terms of the Series 2023 Notes included among other things: (i) a maturity of August 1, 2023, (ii) a stated interest rate of 10% paid semi-annually and (iii) a conversion price of $1.40, adjusted downward based on an anti-dilution provision. On December 14, 2017, an amendment agreement, entered into between the Company and the holders of the Series A Notes and Series 2023 Notes, went into effect. The agreement resulted in changes to certain terms of the Series A and Series 2023 Notes. The key terms of the Series A and Series 2023 Notes, as amended, are highlighted in the table below: 

 

 

As of March 31, 2018, the liability components of the PIK Notes on the Company’s balance sheet are listed in the following table:

 

 

 As of December 31, 2017, the liability components of the PIK Notes on the Company’s balance sheet are listed in the following table:

 

 

Series A Notes (Amended)

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

 

The original terms of the Series A Notes included among other things: (i) a maturity of November 1, 2018 with an option to extend to November 1, 2019, (ii) a stated interest rate of 10% paid semi-annually and (iii) a conversion price of $0.90, adjusted downward based on an anti-dilution provision. The original terms of both the Series A notes and Series 2023 Notes can be as exhibits to Forms 8-K filed on November 5, 2014.

 

 

At March 31, 2018, the fair value of the Series A Note Derivative was estimated to be $9,351,128. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company amortized $2,159,514 of debt discount and deferred financing cost relating to the Series A Notes Payable. The carrying value of the Series A Notes Payable as of March 31, 2018 was $21,073,037.

 

At December 31, 2017, the fair value of the Series A Note Derivative was estimated to be $1,883,630, which includes the value of the derivative related to the additional PIK Notes issued in May and November 2017 for the semi-annual interest payments due and the additional notes issued in December, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company amortized $5,808,294 of debt discount and deferred financing cost relating to the Series A Notes Payable and issued additional PIK Notes in lieu of interest payments of $2,797,836, increasing the Series A Notes Payable carrying value to $26,909,721 as of December 31, 2017.

 

As of March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Series A Notes.

 

Series 2023 Notes (Amended)

In August 2013, the Company received $10,500,000 of financing through the private placement of 10% mandatory convertible Notes due 2023 ("Series 2023 Notes"). The principal amount of the Notes is due on maturity. The Company can elect to pay semi-annual interest on the Series 2023 Notes with additional PIK Notes containing the same terms as the Series 2023 Notes, except interest will accrue from issuance of such notes. The Company can also elect to pay interest in cash. In February, 2017 and August, 2017, the Company issued $703,550 and $738,728, respectively, in additional Series 2023 Notes to the holders to pay the semi-annual interest. Additionally, on December 14, 2017, the Company issued $577,439 of additional 2023 Notes, which represented the accrued interest of the Series 2023 Notes on the day on which the terms of the Series 2023 Notes were effectively amended.

 

At March 31, 2018, the fair value of the Series 2023 Note Derivative was estimated to be $876,063, which includes the value of the derivative related to additional PIK Notes issued in February 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company amortized $54,166 of debt discount and deferred financing cost relating to the Series 2023 Notes Payable and issued additional PIK Notes of $61,681 in lieu of cash interest payments, increasing the Series 2023 Notes Payable carrying value to $14,446,989 as of March 31, 2018.

 

At December 31, 2017, the fair value of the Series 2023 Note Derivative was estimated to be $163,634, which includes the value of the derivative related to additional PIK Notes issued in February and August 2016 for the semi-annual interest payments due and the additional notes issued in December, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company amortized $200,360 of debt discount and deferred financing cost relating to the Series 2023 Notes Payable and issued additional PIK Notes of $2,019,717 in lieu of cash interest payments, increasing the Series 2023 Notes Payable carrying value to $16,090,721 as of December 31, 2017. As part of the amendment agreement, the holders of the Series 2023 Notes received warrants to purchase 3,720,000 million shares of common stock at $0.10 per share. The Black Scholes value of these warrants totaled $224,290.

 

As of March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Series 2023 Notes.

 

 

NOTE 8– STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of noncumulative, non-voting, nonconvertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

 

Common Stock

On December 7,2017, stockholders of the Company approved to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 250,000,000 to 400,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value per share. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 150,388,549 and 140,763,549 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

2018

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 the Company (i) issued 1,500,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.04 per share to a consultant for investor relation services to be performed, (ii) sold 3,625,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.04 per share, (iii) sold 3,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.05 per share, (iv) sold 1,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.10 per share and (iii) sold 500,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.04 per share upon the exercise of a warrant to purchase shares of common stock.

 

2017

During 2017, the Company issued: (i) 250,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $0.36 per share, to directors; (ii) 26,500,000 units, (one unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase 0.25 shares of common stock at a price of $0.04 per unit; (iii) 2,275,000 units, at a price of $0.04 per unit, as payment for fees associated with a private placement of stock and (iv) 3,1250,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $0.04 per share, upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock.

 

 

 

NOTE 9– OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

Outstanding Stock Warrants

 

A summary of the status and changes of the warrants issued for the three months ended 2018:

 

 

A summary of the status of the warrants outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2018 is presented below:

 

 

Outstanding Stock Options

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

 

In May, 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2016 LTIP”). The number of shares of common stock for issuance or for reference purposes subject to the 2016 LTIP was 2,000,000.

 

On December 7, 2016, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2016 Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2016 Incentive Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer eligible employees, consultants, and non-employee directors incentive awards in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes under the 2016 Incentive Plan or with respect to which awards may be granted may not exceed 15,000,000 shares, which may be either (i) authorized and unissued Common Stock or (ii) Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company.

 

 

The Compensation Committee of the Company Board of Directors has full authority to administer and interpret the 2016 Incentive Plan, to grant awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan, to determine the persons to whom awards will be granted, to determine the types of awards to be granted, to determine the terms and conditions of each award, to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each award and to make all other determinations in connection with the 2016 Incentive Plan and the awards thereunder as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.

 

On December 14, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the 2017 Incentive Plan (“2017 IP”). Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock are subject to the 2017 IP.

 

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

 

The significant assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company's options issued during the three months ended March 31, 2018 were as follows on a weighted average basis:

 

 

A summary of the status and changes of the options granted under stock option plans and other agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company granted 3,000,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $0.12. The options vest monthly through January, 2019.

 

 

A summary of the status of the options outstanding at March 31, 2018 is presented below:

 

 

On December 14, 2017, the Company’s management was granted performance-based options to purchase 27.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.06 per share. The options expire on December 13, 2027. At December 31, 2017, the first fifty percent (50%) of the performance-based options vested as management was able to (i) close the sale of an aggregate of $600,000 of units (consisting of a share of common stock of the Company and a warrant to buy 0.25 of a share of common stock of the Company) at $0.04 per unit and (ii) establish toll processing arrangements with two toll processors of halloysite that, in management’s good faith belief, can process halloysite to the Company’s specifications. An additional twenty-five percent (25%) of the performance-based options vested on February 1, 2018 when management generated $900,000 of additional cash proceeds through (i) the sale of common stock and (ii) the licensing of a right to explore the Dragon Mine property for certain precious metals. The vesting of the remaining 8.3%, 8.3% and 8.4% of the performance-based options occurs when (i) EBITDA is positive over a twelve-month period, (ii) EBITDA is at or greater than $2 million over a twelve-month period and (iii) EBITDA is at or greater than $4 million over a twelve-month period, respectively. At March 31, 2018, the achievement of the performance targets was not deemed probable.

 

Compensation expense of $583,000 has been recognized for the vested options for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding options at March 31, 2018 was $5,154,661. At March 31, 2018, (i) $600,173 of unamortized compensation expense for time-based unvested options will be recognized over the next 0.78 years on a weighted average basis; and (ii) $354,750 of unamortized compensation expense for performance-based unvested options will be recognized as the achievement of the performance targets becomes probable.

 

 

 

NOTE 10 - PER SHARE DATA

 

The computation of basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year plus the common stock equivalents that would arise from the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding under the treasury method and the average market price per share during the year as well as the conversion of notes. At March 31, 2018, the weighted average shares outstanding excluded options to purchase 59,825,123 shares of common stock of the Company, warrants to purchase 18,313,373 shares of common stock of the Company and 94,651,255, shares of common stock of the Company issuable upon the conversion of notes because their effect would be anti-dilutive. At March 31, 2017, the weighted average shares outstanding excluded options to purchase 20,540,769 shares of common stock of the Company, warrants to purchase 3,744,623 shares of common stock of the Company and 40,677,826 shares of common stock of the Company issuable upon the conversion of notes payable because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

 

NOTE 11– COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Office Lease

 

On January 1, 2017, the Company moved its headquarters to a temporary location. The Company paid a monthly rent of $6,000 through March 31, 2017 for the temporary office. On April 1, 2017, the Company entered into a 5-year lease agreement for permanent office space. At March 31, 2018, the Company’s total monthly office rental payments, due through March 31, 2022, was $449,880. As March 31, 2018, monthly office rental payments due through March 31, 2019 total $107,532, monthly office rental payments due for the period from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2021 total $224,844 and monthly office rental payments due for the period from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022 total $117,504.

  

 

NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On April 24, 2018 the Company sold 13,750,000 shares of common stock at $0.04 per share to seven investors in a private transactions.

 

 

 

---

---

---

---

---

---

---