Applied Minerals, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2020 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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.

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.

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 xSection 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).

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of June 29, 2020 was 175,638,549.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

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

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

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

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

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

APPLIED MINERALS, INC.

(An Exploration Stage Mining Company)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1– ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Applied Minerals, Inc. (the “Company” or “Applied Minerals” or “we” or “us”) (OTCQB: AMNL) is the owner of the Dragon Mine located in the Tintic Mining District of the State of Utah from where it produces halloysite clay and iron oxide. The Company is currently selling its DRAGONITE halloysite clay product regularly to four customers. Several prospective customers are conducting either commercial-scale trials or field trials for an array of products that are expected to use DRAGONITE as a functional additive. In October 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to supply a manufacturer of cement with up to 30,000 tons AMIRON iron oxide per year over a two-year period.

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

Status of the Company for SEC Reporting Purposes

The Company is classified as an “exploration stage” company for purposes of Industry Guide 7 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Under Industry Guide 7, companies engaged in significant mining operations are classified into three categories, referred to as “stages” - exploration, development, and production.

Exploration stage includes all companies that do not have established reserves in accordance with Industry Guide 7. Such companies are deemed to be “in the search for mineral deposits.” Notwithstanding the nature and extent of development-type or production-type activities that have been undertaken or completed, a company cannot be classified as a development or production stage company unless it has established reserves in accordance with Industry Guide 7.

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 paid the Company $350,000 upon the execution of the agreement and paid it $150,000 on the first anniversary of the Exploration License in December 2018. CMC will pay the Company $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.

On March 25, 2020, the Company and Tintic Copper and Gold, Inc. (CMC’s successor) (“Tintic”) agreed to lower the exercise price of the Option to $1,050,000 and Tintic immediately exercised the Option. The Company also provided Tintic with a Right of First Offer which expired on December 21, 2027 and can be extended to December 21, 2032 for $250,000.

Upon the exercise of the option, the Company retained 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).

Upon the exercise of the option the Company retained protections 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.

Impact of COVID–19 Pandemic on Financial Statements

In December 2019, a novel strain of COVID-19 was reported in China. Since then, COVID-19 has spread globally, to include Canada, the United States and several European countries. The spread of COVID-19 from China to other countries has resulted in the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the outbreak of COVID-19 as a “pandemic,” or a worldwide spread of a new disease, on March 11, 2020. Many countries around the world have imposed quarantines and restrictions on travel and mass gatherings to slow the spread of the virus and have closed non-essential businesses.

As local jurisdictions continue to put restrictions in place, our ability to continue to operate our business may also be limited. Such events may result in a period of business, supply and product manufacturing disruption, and in reduced operations, any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In response to COVID-19, the Company implemented remote working and thus far, has not experienced a significant disruption or delay in our operations

To date, COVID-19 has not had a significant financial impact on the Company. However, COVID-19 has caused severe disruptions in transportation and limited access to the Company’s facility, resulting in limited support from its staff and professional advisors. The small size of the Company’s accounting staff and the additional responsibilities emanating from COVID-19 have presented difficulties to the Company’s ability to complete this Report on Form 10-Q, resulting in its delay, and may continue to cause a delay in the Company’s ability to complete subsequent reports in a timely manner.

NOTE 2 - GOING CONCERN 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, 2020, the Company’s net income was $107,025 and cash provided by operating activities was $727,004. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had current assets of $760,121 and current liabilities of $2,469,678 of which $412,909 was accrued PIK Note interest expected to be paid in additional PIK Notes. The Company’s current liabilities also include (i) $314,000 of accrued salaries deferred by certain members of management until the Company’s liquidity improves, (ii) $823,000 of accrued directors fee as determined by the Company’s Board, (iii) $119,269 of payables to a compounder for which it has agreed to satisfy in halloysite product and (iv) $132,635 of disputed or erroneously accrued expenses.

Management believes that in order for the Company to meet its obligations arising from normal business operations through June 29, 2021 that the Company may be required (i) to raise additional capital either in the form of a private placement of common stock or debt and/or (ii) generate 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 may be limited.

Based on the Company’s current cash usage expectations, management believes it may not have sufficient liquidity to fund its operations through June 29, 2021. 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.

NOTE 3 – BASIS OF REPORTING AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited 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 the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

In the opinion of management, these interim unaudited 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, 2020 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, 2019, included in the Annual Report of Applied Minerals, Inc. on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2020.

The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described below and elsewhere in these notes. As of June 29, 2020, 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, 2019. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. As of March 31, 2020, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our business going forward depends on numerous dynamic factors which we cannot reliably predict. As a result, many of our estimates and assumptions required increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. As the events continue to evolve with respect to the pandemic, our estimates may materially change in future periods.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash balances, accounts receivable and derivative financial instruments are financial instruments potentially subject to credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained in bank deposit accounts, which, at times, may exceed the federally insured limits. Management periodically reviews and assesses the financial condition of the banks to mitigate the risk of loss.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, revenues from the Company’s largest customer accounted for 34% and 80% of total revenues, respectively. As of March 31, 2020 and 2019, amounts owed from these customers comprised 63% and 85% of accounts receivable, respectively.

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, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are 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:

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, 2020 and 2019.

Stock Options and Warrants

The Company follows ASC 718 (Stock Compensation) and ASU 2018-07 (Compensation – Stock Compensation), 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.

The Company has posted a cash bond in the amount of 297,000 required by the Utah Department of Oil, Gas and Minerals to cover estimated reclamation costs related the Company large mining permit for its Dragon Mine property.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework

Effective January 1, 2020 the Company adopted ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU eliminates, modifies, and adds disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 had no material impact on the Company’s results.

ASU 2018-18. Collaborative Arrangements

Effective January 1, 2020 the Company adopted ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which, among other things, provides guidance on how to assess whether certain collaborative arrangement transactions should be accounted for under Topic 606. The adoption of ASU 2018-18 had no material impact on the Company’s results.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The amendments within ASU No. 2019-12 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 4 – LEASES

On March 16, 2017, the Company entered into a 5-year operating lease agreement for permanent office space, base rent payment is approximately $9,000 per month, subject to annual adjustments.

The following table summarizes the maturity of lease liabilities under operating leases as of March 31, 2020:

NOTE 5 – DEPOSIT

The following is a summary of deposit:

NOTE 6 - NOTES PAYABLE

Notes payable at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consist of the following:

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company's interest payments totalled $2,069 and $9,156 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 and April 4, 2019, amendment agreements entered into between the Company and the holders of the Series A Notes and Series 2023 Notes went into effect. The agreements 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, 2020, the liability components of the PIK Notes on the Company’s balance sheet are listed in the following table:

As of December 31, 2019, 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.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company amortized $93,462 of debt discount relating to the Series A Notes Payable. The carrying value of the Series A Notes Payable as of March 31, 2020 was $26,890,698.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Series A Notes.

As of March 31, 2020, Samlyn Offshore Master Fund, Ltd. and Samlyn Onshore Fund, LP owned $9,284,784 and $4,955,681, respectively, of principal of the Series A Notes. Samlyn Offshore Master Fund, Ltd. and Samlyn Onshore Fund, LP are managed by Samlyn Capital, LLC. As of March 31, 2020, Michael Barry, a director of the Company, was the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Samlyn Capital, LLC.

As of March 31, 2020, The IBS Turnaround Fund, LP, The IBS Turnaround (QP) (A Limited Partnership) and The IBS Opportunity Fund, Ltd. owned $1,347,172, $2,705,266, and $262,852, respectively, of principal of the Series A Notes. The IBS Turnaround Fund, LP, The IBS Turnaround (QP) (A Limited Partnership) and The IBS Opportunity Fund, Ltd. are managed by IBS Capital, LLC. At March 31, 2020, IBS Capital, LLC owned 13.6% of the shares of the common stock of the Company.

As of March 31, 2020, M. Kingdon Offshore Master Fund, LP, a fund managed by Kingdon Capital Management, LLC, owned $4,315,293 of principal of the Series A Notes. As of March 31, 2020, Michael Pohly, a director of the Company, was an employee of Kingdon Capital Management, LLC. 

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 2020, the Company issued $107,042 in additional Series 2023 Notes to the holders to pay the semi-annual interest.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company issued additional PIK Notes of $107,042 in lieu of cash interest payments. The carrying value of the Series 2023 Notes Payable was $17,004,489 as of March 31, 2020.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Series 2023 Notes.

As of March 31, 2020, M. Kingdon Offshore Master Fund, LP, a fund managed​​​​​​​ by Kingdon Capital Management, LLC, owned $4,049,638 of principal of the Series 2023 Notes. As of March 31, 2020, Michael Pohly, a director of the Company, was an employee of Kingdon Capital, Management, LLC. 

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, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding. 

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 700,000,000 shares of common stock with a $0.001 par value per share. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 175,638,549 and 175,513,549 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively.

2020

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, 125,000 shares were issued at a price of $0.01 per share to note holders as financing cost.

2019

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there were no activities.

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 March 31, 2020:

At March 31, 2020, the intrinsic value of the outstanding warrants was $0.

A summary of the status of the warrants outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2020 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. 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 Company did not grant any stock option awards during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

A summary of the status and changes of the options granted under stock option plans and other agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2020:

A summary of the status of the options outstanding at March 31, 2020 is presented below:

Compensation expense of $6,570 and $65,323 was recognized for vested options for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding options at March 31, 2020 was $0. At March 31, 2020, (i) $27,466 of unamortized compensation expense for time-based unvested options will be recognized over the next 1.15 years on a weighted average basis; (ii) $223,105 of unamortized compensation expense for performance-based unvested options will be recognized if the performance targets are achieved.

On August 18, 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 August 18, 2027. On November 1, 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 January 18, 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, 2020, management, based on its financial expectations for 2020, did not consider the vesting of the remaining 25% of the option grant to be 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, 2020, the weighted average shares outstanding excluded options to purchase 60,676,568 shares of common stock of the Company, warrants to purchase 26,688,373 shares of common stock of the Company and 99,475,033, shares of common stock of the Company issuable upon the conversion of notes because their effect would be anti-dilutive. At March 31, 2019, the weighted average shares outstanding excluded options to purchase 55,526,568 shares of common stock of the Company, warrants to purchase 26,688,373 shares of common stock of the Company and 98,265,956, shares of common stock of the Company issuable upon the conversion of notes because their effect would be anti-dilutive. 

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

On May 5, 2020 the Company entered into a promissory note (“PPP Loan”) in the amount of $223,075 from Bank of America, N.A. under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The term of the promissory note is two years and the annual interest rate is 1.0%, which shall be deferred for the first six months of the term of the loan. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act, the proceeds of each PPP Loan may be used for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent or utility costs.

The promissory note evidencing each PPP Loan contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, or provisions of the promissory note. The occurrence of an event of default may result in a claim for the immediate repayment of all amounts outstanding under such PPP Loan, collection of all amounts owing from the respective Borrower, filing suit and obtaining judgment against the respective Borrower.

Under the terms of the CARES Act, each Borrower can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of loan proceeds in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act, as described above, during the 8-week period after loan origination and the maintenance or achievement of certain employee levels. No assurance is provided that any Borrower will obtain forgiveness under any relevant PPP Loan in whole or in part.

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

Forward-looking Statements

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

Overview

Applied Minerals, Inc. 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. 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.

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

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

A complete discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates is included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 compared to the disclosures on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

Results of Operations

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

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020 totalled $152,476, an increase of $31,949 or 27%, compared to the same period in 2019. Sales of DRAGONITE halloysite clay totaled $100,135 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decline of $20,392, or 17%, compared to the same period in 2019. Sales of AMIRON iron oxide totaled $52,116 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $0 sales for the comparable period in 2019. The decline in the sale of DRAGONITE halloysite clay was driven primarily by the absence of $96,000 sales to a manufacturer of molecular sieves, partially offset by a sale of $39,900 of DRAGONITE-filled masterbatch to a manufacturer of plastic lawn and garden products and a sale of $34,200 to a manufactuer of advanced oil field proppant technology. The increase in sales of AMIRON iron oxide was due to the sale of our iron oxide product to a large manufacturer of cement.

Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 totalled $900,119, a decrease of $171,923, or 16%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decline was driven primarily by a $177,635, or 22%, decline in general and administrative costs and a $6,155, or 3% decline in production costs offset by a $11,867 or 35% increase in exploration costs.

Production costs include those operating expenses which management believes are directly related to the mining and processing of the Company’s iron oxide and halloysite minerals, which result in the production of its AMIRON and DRAGONITE products for commercial sale. Production costs include, but are not limited to, wages and benefits of employees who mine material and who work in the Company’s milling operations, energy costs associated with the operation of the Company’s two mills, the cost of mining and milling supplies and the cost of the maintenance and repair of the Company’s mining and milling equipment. Wages and energy are the two largest components of the Company’s production costs.

Production costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $219,550, a decrease of $6,155, or 3%, compared to the same period in 2019.

Exploration costs include operating expenses incurred at the Dragon Mine that are not directly related to production activities. Exploration costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $45,634, a $11,867, or 35%, increase compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was driven primarily by a $13,526 increase in wages due to an increase in the utilization of the Company’s lab technician, partially offset by a $1,798 decline in health insurance expense.

General and administrative expenses incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 totalled $634,935, a decrease of $177,635, or 22%, when compared to the same period in 2019. The decline in general and administrative expense was driven primarily by a $42,781 decline in wages due to lower CEO salary, a $58,753 decline in stock-based compensation expense due to a decline in option granted to employees and consultants, a $38,100 decline in professional fees due to change in independent accounting firm and less legal services, a $22,572 decline in travel and entertainment expenses, and a $15,294 decline in employee-related insurance expenses.

Operating loss incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $747,643, a $203,872, or 21%, decrease when compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by a $31,949 increase in revenue, a $6,155 decrease in production cost and a $177,635 decrease in general and administrative expense offset by a $11,867 increase in production costs when compared to the same period in 2019.

Total Other Income was $854,668 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to Total Other Expense of $391,066. The $1,245,734 increase in Total Other Income was due primarily to the $1,300,000 income from an exploration agreement, partially offset by a $53,107 increase in interest expense when compared to the same period in 2019.

Net Income for the three-month period ending March 31, 2020 was $107,025, an increase of $1,449,606, or 108%, when compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily driven by the increase of $1,245,734 in other income, related primarily to the exploration agreement income realized during the three months ended March 31, 2020, and a $203,872 decline in operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

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, 2020, the Company’s net income was $107,025 and cash provided by operating activities was $727,004. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had current assets of $760,121 and current liabilities of $2,469,678 of which $412,909 was accrued PIK Note interest expected to be paid in additional PIK Notes. The Company’s current liabilities also include (i) $314,000 of accrued salaries deferred by certain members of management until the Company’s liquidity improves, (ii) $823,000 of accrued directors fee as determined by the Company’s Board, (iii) $119,269 of payables to a compounder for which it has agreed to satisfy in halloysite product and (iv) $132,635 of disputed or erroneously accrued expenses.

Management believes that in order for the Company to meet its obligations arising from normal business operations through June 29, 2021 it may be required (i) to raise additional capital either in the form of a private placement of common stock or debt and/or (ii) generate 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 may be limited.

Based on the Company’s current cash usage expectations, management believes it may not have sufficient liquidity to fund its operations through June 29, 2021. 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.

Cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $727,004 compared to $1,013,802 used during the same period in 2019. The $1,740,806 increase in cash provided during the period was due primarily to a $31,949 increase in revenue and $1,300,000 increase in exploration agreement revenue. Cash provided by operating activities during 2020 before adjusting for changes in operating assets and liabilities was $557,304, an increase of $1,443,210 when compared to the same period in 2019.

Cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $277,754 compared to $91,009 during the same period in 2019. The $186,745 increase in cash used during the period was due primarily to a $300,495 increase in payments on notes payable and insurance financing offset by $113,750 proceeds from notes issued during March 31, 2020.

Total assets at March 31, 2020 were $1,809,333 compared to $1,489,180 at December 31, 2019, increase of $320,153 due primarily to an increase in the Company cash balance resulting from cash provided by operations and cash used in financing activities. Total liabilities were $46,478,637 compared to $46,273,329 at December 31, 2019. The increase of $205,308 in total liabilities was due primarily to the increase in accounts payable results from cash management, amortization of PIK Notes debt discount which increased the carrying value of PIK Notes payable, proceeds from issuance of notes payable and offset by repayment of notes payable to related party.

ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE DEBT

For information with respect to issuance of convertible debt, see Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

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

ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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

ITEM 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Notwithstanding the existence of these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, the management believes that the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As of the date of this report, there is no pending or threatened litigation. We may become involved in or subject to, routine litigation, claims, disputes, proceedings and investigations in the ordinary course of business, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

Except for the below, there were no additions or material changes to the Company’s risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

None

ITEM 3.     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

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

ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are included in this report:

SIGNATURES

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