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Comstock Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2019
or
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
Commission File No. 001-35200
lode20150930logoa07.jpg
COMSTOCK MINING INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEVADA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
1040
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
 
65-0955118
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1200 American Flat Road
Virginia City, NV 89440
(Address of principal executive offices)
(775) 847-5272
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer,” "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
 
Large accelerated filer
 
¨
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Smaller reporting company
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark of the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨  No x
The registrant's number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, $0.000666 par value, at August 6, 2019, was 94,991,386.
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 


2



Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements


Certain statements contained in this report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future industry market conditions; future explorations or acquisitions; future changes in our exploration activities; future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products; land entitlements and uses; permits; production capacity and operations; operating and overhead costs; future capital expenditures and their impact on us; operational and management changes (including changes in the board of directors); changes in business strategies, planning and tactics; future employment and contributions of personnel, including consultants; future land sales; investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, operational, tax, financial and restructuring initiatives; including the nature and timing and accounting for restructuring charges, derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, limitations on sales or offering of equity or debt securities; including asset sales and the redemption of the debenture and associated costs; future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.

These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control and could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.  Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and the following: adverse effects of climate changes or natural disasters; global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our stock issuances, recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to comply with applicable government regulations or law; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; permitting constraints or delays; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, asset sales, and investments that we may be party to in the future; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to capital constraints; equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, zinc, cyanide, water, diesel fuel and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; adverse effects of terrorism and geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies, equipment and raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to satisfy debt and lease obligations; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to list our securities on any securities exchange or market; inability to maintain the listing of our securities; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Except as may be required by securities or other law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



3



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

COMSTOCK MINING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
136,625

 
$
488,657

Assets held for sale, Net (Note 2)
6,902,600

 
5,363,403

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 3)
4,661,519

 
2,712,202

Total current assets
11,700,744

 
8,564,262

 
 
 
 
MINERAL RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES, Net
5,690,885

 
7,205,081

PROPERTIES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net (Note 4)
8,579,054

 
9,742,120

RECLAMATION BOND DEPOSIT
2,669,211

 
2,622,544

RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ASSET (Note 5)
169,395

 
203,274

INVESTMENT IN PREFERRED SHARES (Note 16)
4,995,000

 

OTHER ASSETS
383,693

 
274,444

 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
34,187,982

 
$
28,611,725

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
602,277

 
$
405,146

Accrued expenses and other liabilities (Note 6)
1,636,888

 
1,674,733

Deferred liabilities (Note 16)
8,045,000

 

Long-term debt– current portion (Note 7)
318,827

 
309,843

Total current liabilities
10,602,992

 
2,389,722

 
 
 
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
Long-term debt (Note 7)
7,722,811

 
8,857,870

Long-term reclamation liability (Note 8)
7,042,493

 
7,441,091

Other liabilities
554,252

 
538,140

Total long-term liabilities
15,319,556

 
16,837,101

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
25,922,548

 
19,226,823

 
 
 
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)


 


 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
Preferred Stock, $.000666 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 1,274 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively
1

 

Common stock, $.000666 par value, 790,000,000 shares authorized, 85,500,000 and 75,338,273 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively
56,943

 
50,175

Additional paid-in capital
244,206,469

 
241,419,897

Accumulated deficit
(235,997,979
)
 
(232,085,170
)
 
 
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
8,265,434

 
9,384,902

 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
34,187,982

 
$
28,611,725


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



COMSTOCK MINING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue - mining
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Revenue - real estate
44,184

 
28,815

 
81,782

 
51,665

Total revenues
44,184

 
28,815

 
81,782

 
51,665

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs applicable to mining revenue
505,393

 
728,559

 
1,010,785

 
1,457,463

Real estate operating costs
12,288

 
9,880

 
22,711

 
16,971

Exploration and mine development
241,538

 
248,648

 
466,379

 
458,186

Mine claims and costs
136,901

 
91,025

 
287,855

 
271,256

Environmental and reclamation
(362,826
)
 
62,186

 
(308,349
)
 
120,254

General and administrative
964,268

 
827,542

 
1,624,634

 
1,554,163

Total costs and expenses
1,497,562

 
1,967,840

 
3,104,015

 
3,878,293

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
(1,453,378
)
 
(1,939,025
)
 
(3,022,233
)
 
(3,826,628
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(181,907
)
 
(330,887
)
 
(643,045
)
 
(714,227
)
Other income (expense)
(442,459
)
 
(145,420
)
 
(247,531
)
 
(359,381
)
Total other income (expense), net
(624,366
)
 
(476,307
)
 
(890,576
)
 
(1,073,608
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(2,077,744
)
 
(2,415,332
)
 
(3,912,809
)
 
(4,900,236
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAXES

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS
$
(2,077,744
)
 
$
(2,415,332
)
 
$
(3,912,809
)
 
$
(4,900,236
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.09
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic and diluted
81,937,760

 
53,834,285

 
81,087,561

 
51,859,818


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5



COMSTOCK MINING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Total
BALANCE - January 1, 2019

 
$

 
75,338,273

 
$
50,175

 
$
241,419,897

 
$
(232,085,170
)
 
$
9,384,902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock

 

 
5,452,000

 
3,631

 
809,930

 

 
813,561

Common stock issuance costs

 

 

 

 
(85,093
)
 

 
(85,093
)
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,835,065
)
 
(1,835,065
)
BALANCE - March 31, 2019

 
$

 
80,790,273

 
$
53,806

 
$
242,144,734

 
$
(233,920,235
)
 
$
8,278,305

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock

 

 
3,643,949

 
2,427

 
673,041

 

 
675,468

Common stock issuance costs

 

 
1,065,778

 
710

 
(126,305
)
 

 
(125,595
)
Issuance of convertible preferred stock
1,274

 
1

 

 

 
1,514,999

 

 
1,515,000

Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,077,744
)
 
(2,077,744
)
BALANCE - June 30, 2019
1,274

 
$
1

 
85,500,000

 
$
56,943

 
$
244,206,469

 
$
(235,997,979
)
 
$
8,265,434

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Total
BALANCE - January 1, 2018

 

 
47,236,103

 
$
31,459

 
$
234,438,057

 
$
(222,604,417
)
 
$
11,865,099

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock

 

 
4,064,310

 
2,707

 
1,182,745

 

 
1,185,452

Common stock issuance costs

 

 
615,605

 
410

 
(52,978
)
 

 
(52,568
)
Purchase of membership interests

 

 
1,475,410

 
983

 
(983
)
 

 

Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,484,903
)
 
(2,484,903
)
BALANCE - March 31, 2018

 
$

 
53,391,428

 
$
35,559

 
$
235,566,841

 
$
(225,089,320
)
 
$
10,513,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock

 

 
2,365,000

 
1,575

 
608,833

 

 
610,408

Common stock issuance costs

 

 

 

 
(275
)
 

 
(275
)
Issuance of share options with Tonogold at fair value

 

 

 

 
2,000,000

 

 
2,000,000

Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
(2,415,332
)
 
(2,415,332
)
BALANCE - June 30, 2018

 
$

 
55,756,428

 
$
37,134

 
$
238,175,399

 
$
(227,504,652
)
 
$
10,707,881

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6



COMSTOCK MINING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(3,912,809
)
 
$
(4,900,236
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, amortization, and depletion
1,173,861

 
1,659,808

(Reduction) accretion of reclamation liability
(398,598
)
 
11,054

Gain on sale of properties, plant, and equipment
(3,125
)
 
(26,000
)
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs
130,373

 
192,600

Net loss on early retirement of long-term debt
176,639

 
164,751

Payment-in-kind interest expense
470,246

 
437,852

Change in make-whole liability with Pelen, LLC
(100,216
)
 
201,393

Preferred shares issuance expense
432,000

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(77,699
)
 
(157,861
)
Accounts payable
197,131

 
182,458

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
263,483

 
50,504

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(1,648,714
)
 
(2,183,677
)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Proceeds from principal payment on note receivable
217

 
239

Proceeds from sale of mineral rights and properties, plant, and equipment
3,125

 
26,000

Proceeds from deposits on Membership Interest Purchase Agreement
3,050,000

 

Purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment
(1,085,000
)
 
(255,631
)
Change in reclamation bond deposit
(46,667
)
 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
1,921,675

 
(229,392
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
(1,903,334
)
 
(1,927,238
)
Proceeds from the issuance of share option with Tonogold

 
2,000,000

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
1,489,029

 
1,795,860

Common stock issuance costs
(210,688
)
 
(52,842
)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(624,993
)
 
1,815,780

(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(352,032
)
 
(597,289
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
488,657

 
2,066,718

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
136,625

 
$
1,469,429

 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
55,588

 
$
83,775

 
 
 
(Continued)








7





COMSTOCK MINING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Receipt of preferred shares of Tonogold
$
4,995,000

 
$

Advance payment on Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (Note 16)
$
4,995,000

 
$

Transfer of mineral rights and properties to assets held for sale
$
1,539,197

 
$

Issuance of preferred shares
$
1,083,000

 
$

Preferred share receivable
$
1,083,000

 
$

Common stock issuance costs
$
250,000

 
$
200,000

Issuance of common stock (in advance) to purchase membership interest
$

 
$
585,000


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                            

8



COMSTOCK MINING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 (UNAUDITED)

1. Interim Financial Statements
 
Basis of Presentation

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Comstock Mining Inc. and subsidiaries (“Comstock”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six month period ended June 30, 2019, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Liquidity and Management Plans
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and contemplates the Company's continuation as a going concern.

The Company has recurring net losses from operations and an accumulated deficit of $236.0 million at June 30, 2019. For the six month period ended June 30, 2019, the Company incurred a net loss of $3.9 million and used $1.6 million of cash in operations. As of June 30, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million, current assets of $11.7 million and current liabilities of $10.6 million, resulting in current working capital of $6.1 million. Current assets include a receivable of $1.1 million for the issuance and sale of shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”).

The Company’s current capital resources include cash and cash equivalents and other net working capital resources, an equity purchase agreement capacity and a loan commitment agreement with $9.5 million in unused capacity after consideration of fees due at the time of borrowing. These capital resources are in addition to the planned asset sales.

In February 2019, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3, for the purchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s securities and also entered into an equity purchase agreement (the "2019 Equity Agreement") with the Murray Family Office ("Murray FO") for the sale of up to $5.0 million in shares of the Company's common stock from time to time, at the Company’s option, subject to certain restrictions and at a 10% discount to a volume weighted average price.

On February 25, 2019, as Amended on June 18, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Industrial Park and water rights, for a cash purchase price of $7.2 million and to sell its rights in the membership interests of Downtown Silver Springs, LLC (“DTSS”) for $3.4 million. After closing, the Company will retain a right to receive 3% of the amount of the carried interest that the general partner of the fund that purchased such property is due to receive after all costs, expenses, investor hurdles and returns are deducted from the gross proceeds arising from any gain with respect to such property by the buyer.

On June 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Temple Tower Group LLC (“Temple") providing for the issuance and sale to Temple of shares of the Preferred Shares for gross proceeds to the Company of $1.1 million, that was received on July 1, 2019. The Preferred Shares are convertible into the Company's common stock from time to time, at the Temple’s option, subject to certain restrictions and at a 10% discount to the lowest volume weighted average price over the prior seven days.

Through August 7, 2019 the Company has received $3.4 million in non-refundable deposits relating to a Membership Purchase Agreement (the "Tonogold Agreement") with Tonogold Resources Inc. ("Tonogold"). The Company used $2.3 million of the proceeds to reduce its indebtedness under the 11% Senior Secured Debenture (the "Debenture").

On April 3, 2018, the Company received a $2.0 million cash payment relating to an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with Tonogold. The Company used $1.4 million of the proceeds to reduce its indebtedness under the 11% Debenture. In addition, the Option Agreement requires Tonogold to reimburse the Company for certain expenditures associated

9



with the Lucerne Mine Project. The Company received approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million in expense reimbursements during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

Future operating expenditures above management’s expectations, including exploration and mine development expenditures in excess of amounts to be raised from the issuance of equity under the 2019 Equity Agreement, declines in the market value of properties held for sale, or declines in the share price of the Company's common stock would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. If the Company was unable to obtain any necessary additional funds, this could have an immediate material adverse effect on liquidity and could raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In such case, the Company could be required to limit or discontinue certain business plans, activities or operations, reduce or delay certain capital expenditures or sell certain assets or businesses. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to take any such actions on favorable terms, in a timely manner or at all.

While the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining the necessary capital to support its operations, including registered equity financings from its existing shelf registration statement, borrowings, or other means, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional equity capital or other financing, if needed. However, the Company believes it will have sufficient funds to sustain its operations during the next 12 months from the date the financial statements were issued as a result of the funding sources detailed above.

Use of Estimates
 
In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenditures during the reported periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Estimates may include those pertaining to estimated useful lives and valuation of properties, plant, and equipment, assets held for sale, mineral rights, deferred tax assets, derivative assets and liabilities, reclamation liabilities, stock-based compensation and payments, and contingent liabilities.

Comprehensive Loss
 
The only component of comprehensive loss for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, was our net loss.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of certain recorded assets and liabilities and for tax loss carryforwards. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable earnings. Where it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized, we have provided a full valuation allowance. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance at June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, for its net deferred tax assets because we cannot conclude it is more likely than not that they will be realized.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 affects any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exceptions. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019, with no material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

2. Assets Held For Sale

The Company has committed to a plan to sell certain land, buildings, and water rights ("the Non-mining assets"). In January 2019, the Company committed to a plan to sell certain mining properties. As of June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company has assets with a net book value of $6.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, which met the criteria to be classified as assets held for sale. Those criteria specify that the asset must be available for immediate sale in its present condition (subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets), the sale of the asset must be probable, and its transfer

10



expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale generally within one year. Proceeds from the sale of these assets are required to be used to satisfy obligations due under the terms of the debenture with GF Comstock 2 LP as described in Note 7.

Assets held for sale include:
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Industrial Park (Land and water rights)
$
2,738,462

 
$
2,738,462

Daney Ranch (Land and buildings)
2,146,575

 
2,146,575

Lucerne Properties (Mineral rights and properties) (Note 16)
1,539,197

 

Gold Hill Hotel (Land and buildings)
478,366

 
478,366

Total assets held for sale
$
6,902,600

 
$
5,363,403


3. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Land and property deposits (Note 15)
$
2,700,000

 
$
1,800,000

Preferred shares issuance receivable (Note 11)
1,083,000

 

Surety bond and insurance
327,573

 
475,861

Reimbursements due from Tonogold
312,436

 
82,951

Other
238,510

 
353,390

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
4,661,519

 
$
2,712,202


The Company received $1.1 million, available for immediate use, for the preferred share issuance receivable on July 1, 2019.

4. Properties, Plant and Equipment

Properties, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Land and building
$
9,140,805

 
$
9,169,605

Vehicle and equipment
2,318,124

 
2,319,290

Processing and laboratory
21,113,178

 
21,129,248

Furniture and fixtures
549,860

 
648,309

Construction in progress
35,190

 
35,190

 
33,157,157

 
33,301,642

Less accumulated depreciation
(24,578,103
)
 
(23,559,522
)
 Total properties, plant and equipment
$
8,579,054

 
$
9,742,120


During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2019, the Company recognized depreciation expense of $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2018, the Company recognized depreciation expense of $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively.


11



5. Retirement Obligation Asset

Following is a reconciliation of the aggregate retirement obligation asset associated with our mining reclamation plans: 
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months
Ended
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Retirement obligation asset — beginning of period
$
203,274

 
$
282,745

Additional obligations incurred

 

Amortization of retirement obligation asset
(33,879
)
 
(79,471
)
Retirement obligation asset — end of period
$
169,395

 
$
203,274


6. Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following:
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Accrued Northern Comstock Joint Venture
$
407,083

 
$
180,833

Accrued interest expense
397,898

 
481,946

Accrued vendor liabilities
392,000

 

Accrued insurance liabilities
136,672

 
341,680

Accrued payroll costs
122,882

 
140,915

Accrued liability for purchase of DTSS (Note 15)

 
185,000

Accrued make-whole for Pelen LLC (Note 15)
34,946

 
135,162

Accrued Board of Directors fees
20,000

 
20,000

Accrued personal property tax

 
74,434

Other accrued expenses
125,407

 
114,763

 Total accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
1,636,888

 
$
1,674,733


The accrued expense for the Northern Comstock Joint Venture represents the difference in timing of expense recognition and required monthly and annual payments to Northern Comstock LLC.

7. Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
Note Description
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Senior Secured Debenture (GF Comstock 2) - 11% interest, due 2021.
$
7,592,356

 
$
8,872,663

Note Payable (Caterpillar Financial Services) - 5.75% interest.
803,064

 
955,845

Total debt
8,395,420

 
9,828,508

Less: long-term debt discounts and issuance costs
(353,782
)
 
(660,795
)
Total debt, net of discounts and issuance costs
8,041,638

 
9,167,713

Less: current maturities
(318,827
)
 
(309,843
)
Long-term debt, net of discounts and issuance costs
$
7,722,811

 
$
8,857,870



12



Debt Obligations

GF Comstock 2 LP

On January 13, 2017, the Company issued an 11% Senior Secured Debenture (the "Debenture") to GF Comstock 2 LP due 2021 in an aggregate principal amount of $10,723,000. The Debenture is collateralized by (1) substantially all of the assets of the Company, and (2) a pledge of 100% of the equity of the subsidiaries of Comstock Mining Inc. The use of proceeds included refinancing substantially all of the Company’s current obligations, except the amount due to Caterpillar Finance. The Debenture was issued at a discount of approximately $568,000 and the Company incurred issuance costs of approximately $528,000. The Debenture required an additional "Make Whole" obligation totaling approximately $688,000 if paid any time prior to or at maturity. At June 30, 2019, the remaining balance on the Make Whole obligation was $403,045. Total principal on the Debenture is due on January 13, 2021. The Debenture requires acceleration of payment of accrued interest, principal, and the related Make Whole obligation from all net proceeds received upon the sale of any of the assets of the Company.

Interest is payable semi-annually. For the first two years, interest was payable, at the option of the Company, either in cash or in the form of additional Debentures (or a combination thereof). For the third and fourth years, interest is payable only in cash. In 2018, the Company elected to make the semi-annual interest payments in the form of additional Debentures (Payment in Kind).

Hard Rock Nevada Inc., an employee owned entity, and another related party who is a significant shareholder of the Company, participated in this financing. A director of the Company is a manager and member of the general partner of GF Capital 2 LP.

Loan Commitment

In 2017, and amended in February 2019, the Company entered into a loan commitment agreement that provides up to $10 million in borrowing capacity and expires in 2021 with an 11% interest rate. Principal amounts borrowed under this agreement are not due until 2021. Interest on any borrowings will be payable in cash and/or in the form of additional indebtedness under the agreement, at the Company’s option. No amounts have been borrowed under this agreement and the Company has $9.5 million (after consideration of fees due at the time of borrowing) of available borrowing capacity.

8. Long-Term Reclamation Liability

Following is a reconciliation of the aggregate reclamation liability associated with our reclamation plan for our mining projects:
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months
 Ended
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Long-term reclamation liability — beginning of period
$
7,441,091

 
$
7,417,680

Additional obligations incurred

 

Reduction of obligation
(410,018
)
 

Accretion of reclamation liability
11,420

 
23,411

Long-term reclamation liability — end of period
$
7,042,493

 
$
7,441,091


Reduction by NDEP

On April 30, 2019, the Company was notified by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection ("NDEP") that the Company's successful reclamation of parts of the Lucerne mine area had reduced the Lucerne project reclamation cost estimate with an updated reclamation bond requirement of $6.8 million. Our total reclamation liability also includes cost estimates for our Dayton project and enhanced reclamation obligations in Storey County.

9. Leases

The Company has an operating lease for a property located adjacent to the Gold Hill Hotel, which is primarily used as a room rental. The lease commenced in 2018, and ends in 2028. The monthly rent is $750 at commencement with automatic annual increases of $25 per month every November, beginning in 2020. The operating lease is sub-leased to the Gold Hill Hotel and not separately valued within the lease of the Gold Hill Hotel. As the operating lease does not provide an implicit rate, we used the Company's incremental borrowing rate at the time of the commencement of the lease in determining the present value of the lease payments. As of the commencement of the lease in 2018, the rate was 11%.

13




For the three and six month period ended June 30, 2019, the operating lease expense was $2,250 and $4,500, consisting of a fixed operating lease component. The operating lease has a remaining term of 9.4 years as of June 30, 2019.

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating lease for the six month period ended June 30, 2019, are as follows:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
$
4,500

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations
$
1,916


The Company has the following lease balances recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as follows:
Lease Assets and Liabilities
Classification
 
June 30, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use asset
Other assets
 
$
51,556

 
 
 
 
Operating lease liability - current
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
$
9,000

Operating lease liability - long-term
Other liabilities
 
42,876

Total operating lease liabilities
 
 
$
51,876


Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year for the Company's operating leases are as follows:
Remainder of 2019
 
$
4,500

2020
 
9,050

2021
 
9,350

2022
 
9,650

2023
 
9,950

Thereafter
 
52,300

Total operating lease payments
 
94,800

Less: Imputed interest
 
42,924

Present value of lease liabilities
 
$
51,876


10. Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company has minimum royalty obligations with certain of its mineral properties and leases. For most of the mineral properties and leases, the Company is subject to a range of royalty obligations once production commences. These royalties range from 0.5% to 5% of net smelter revenues (NSR) from minerals produced on the properties, with the majority being under 3%. Some of the factors that will influence the amount of the royalties include ounces extracted and the price of gold.

The Company’s mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. The Company believes its operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations, but cannot predict the full amount of such future expenditures.

On January 31, 2014, the Comstock Residents Association (the “CRA”) and two of its members filed a civil action in the Third Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada in and for Lyon County (the “District Court”) against the Lyon County Board of Commissioners (the “Commissioners”) and the Company, asking the District Court to reverse the Commissioners’ decision to grant an application for master plan amendment and zone change submitted and approved by the Commissioners on January 2, 2014 (the “Application”).

Prior to the approval of the Application, the master plan designation and zoning precluded mining on certain property of the Company in the area of Silver City, Lyon County. In April 2015, the District Court ruled in favor of the Company and the Commissioners. The written Order Denying Petition for Judicial Review was filed and mailed to all parties on June 15, 2015. On July 14, 2015, the CRA and one individual (together “Appellants”) filed a Notice of Appeal of the Court Order, appealing

14



the decision to the Nevada Supreme Court. On December 9, 2015, Appellants filed their Opening Brief in the Nevada Supreme Court, generally repeating the arguments that were made at the District Court. On January 15, 2016, the Company and the Commissioners jointly filed an Answering Brief. Briefing in the Nevada Supreme Court was completed with the Appellants’ filing of a Reply Brief on March 3, 2016. An oral argument before a three-judge panel of the Nevada Supreme Court took place on September 14, 2016.

On December 2, 2016, the Nevada Supreme Court entered an order affirming all three of the District Court’s decisions associated with 1) the Commissioners’ discretion and authority for changing master plans and zoning, 2) their compliance with Nevada’s Open Meeting Law and 3) their compliance with Nevada statutory provisions. Specifically, the Supreme Court affirmed the District Court’s conclusions that Lyon County did not abuse its discretion and that it acted with substantial evidence in support of their decision, that the County did not violate Nevada’s Open Meeting Law and that the County did not violate statutory provisions regarding master plans.

The Supreme Court reversed the District Court’s dismissal of CRA’s claim of a due process violation, concluding that this claim should not have been dismissed and that further proceedings are necessary in the District Court on this single claim.  The Company and the Commissioners filed a motion for summary judgment with the District Court based on the evidence in the record and the District Court held a hearing on December 11, 2017. The District Court concluded that the Supreme Court's reversal of CRA's due process claim required that CRA be afforded the opportunity to conduct discovery. Therefore, the District Court has allowed a limited time for CRA to conduct discovery on its due process claim. The Company responded to the CRA discovery request on February 20, 2018 and the District Court held a hearing on April 23, 2018. Additional discovery was allowed by the District Court. On May 14, 2019, the Court held a hearing on CRA's due process claim and issued its ruling from the bench.  The Court concluded that CRA, having been afforded the opportunity to conduct discovery, was unable to meet its burden to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that Lyon County had denied CRA of its due process rights.  The Court, therefore, denied CRA's claim for violations of due process. On July 11, 2019, the Court issued and filed the formal written order confirming the ruling.

On July 12, 2018, Precious Royalties LLC (“Precious”) filed a complaint against the Company in the First Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, in Storey County, against the Company, alleging that the Company failed to properly pay Precious a net smelter return royalty in accordance with a settlement agreement dated September 24, 2012, and seeking $510,000 in damages. On November 16, 2018, the Company filed a Motion for a More Definite Statement on the basis that the complaint is too vague to allow a responsive pleading. On May 16, 2019, the Court granted the Company’s Motion, which required Precious to revise and re-file its complaint in order to proceed with the action. Precious re-filed the complaint on June 5, 2019. On July 3, 2019, the Company answered the amended claim by Precious Royalty and filed a counter-claim that, among other things, requests reimbursement of legal fees and related interest. On July 26, 2019, Precious filed an answer to the counter-claim. The Company believes that the claims made in this complaint are without merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend this litigation.

From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no other matters pending that we expect to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

11. Stockholders’ Equity

Convertible Preferred Stock

On June 28, 2019, the Company entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement with Temple Tower Group LLC ("Temple")
providing for the issuance and sale to Temple of 1,083 Preferred Shares for gross proceeds to the Company of $1.1 million and 191 Preferred Shares as a due diligence fee, for the sale of up to an aggregate of $5.0 million of Preferred Shares, with a stated value of $1,000 per share, as mutually agreed upon from time to time. The gross proceeds of $1.1 million were received in cash by the Company on July 1, 2019. The total of 1,274 Preferred Shares issued on June 28, 2019 have a stated value of $1.3 million. Based on a valuation study performed by a third-party specialist, those Preferred Shares were determined to have a fair value of $1.5 million. The Company recorded the difference between the gross proceeds of $1.1 million and the fair value of $1.5 million as a cost of issuance of Preferred Shares. Temple converted 274 Preferred Shares, with a stated value of $0.3 million to 1,936,590 common shares subsequent to June 30, 2019.

The articles of incorporation of the Company were supplemented to include the terms of the Preferred Shares pursuant to a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations (the “Certificate of Designation”), filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The Certificate of Designation defines all rights of the holders of Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares were issued pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3, as supplemented by a prospectus

15



supplement. The Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of shares of common stock issuable is determined by dividing the stated value of the Preferred Shares by the conversion price. The conversion price is equal to 90% of the lowest reported volume-weighted average price for the Company’s common stock as reported at the close of trading on the NYSE AMERICAN LLC during the seven trading days ending on, and including, the date of the notice of conversion, subject to a minimum conversion price of $0.075 per share and a maximum conversion price of $0.75 per share.

The Preferred Shares have no voting rights other than votes affecting the Preferred Shares. The holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to receive a liquidating distribution of $1,000 per share, before the Company makes any distribution of assets to the holders of common stock or any other class or series of shares of junior stock.

Subject to restrictions in the Company’s debt documents, the Company may redeem the Preferred Shares at its option, in whole or in part, from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 115% of the stated value per share (subject to satisfaction of the “Equity Conditions” as defined in the Certificate of Designation).

Equity Offering Program

In February 2019, the Company entered into an equity sales agreement (the "2019 Equity Agreement") with Murray FO for the sale of up to $5.0 million in shares of the Company's common stock from time to time, at the Company’s option, subject to certain volume and pricing restrictions. Shares purchased under the 2019 Equity Agreement will be purchased at a 10% discount to the volume weighted average sales price of such shares prior to the Company initiating sales. The shares will be sold pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3, filed on February 26, 2019, for the purchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s securities. As of June 30, 2019, the Company has issued shares with an aggregate sales price of $0.7 million under the 2019 Equity Agreement.

Effective August 2018, the Company entered into an equity sales agreement (the "2018 Sales Agreement") with Leviston Resources LLC ("Leviston") for the sale of up to $2.3 million in shares of the Company's common stock from time to time, at the Company's option. Effective February 2019, the Company and Leviston terminated the 2018 Sales Agreement and made no further sales pursuant to that program. At the time of termination, the Company had issued share with an aggregate purchase price of $1.7 million.

Effective April 2017, the Company entered into an equity sales agreement (the "2017 Sales Agreement") with Leviston for the purchase of up to $7.3 million in shares of the Company's common stock from time to time, at the Company's option. Effective August 2018, the Company and Leviston terminated the 2017 Sales Agreement and made no further sales pursuant to that program. At the time of termination, the Company had issued shares with an aggregate purchase price of $5.3 million.

Effective June 2016, the Company entered into an at-the-market offering sales agreement program (the “ATM Agreement”) whereby the Company could offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $5.0 million. Final proceeds from the ATM Agreement were received in January 2018, and the ATM Agreement was terminated. The Company paid the sales agent a commission of 2.5% of the gross proceeds.

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company issued Murray FO common shares valued at $0.3 million for issuance fees under the 2019 Equity Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued Leviston common shares valued at $0.2 million for issuance fees under the 2017 Sales Agreement and the 2018 Sales Agreement.


16



Following is a reconciliation of the transactions under the ATM Agreement, 2017 Sales Agreement, the 2018 Sales Agreement and the 2019 Equity Agreement for six months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively:
 
Six Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2018
Number of shares sold
9,095,949

 
6,429,310

 
 
 
 
Gross proceeds
$
1,489,029

 
$
1,795,861

Fees
210,688

 
52,843

Net proceeds
$
1,278,341

 
$
1,743,018

 
 
 
 
Average price per share
$
0.16

 
$
0.28


In January 2018, the Company issued 1,475,410 shares of restricted stock as initial payment to acquire 25% of the total membership interests of Pelen, LLC (Note 15).

12. Net Loss Per Common Share
 
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options were exercised.
 
The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted computation of net loss per share: 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(2,077,744
)
 
$
(2,415,332
)
 
(3,912,809
)
 
(4,900,236
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding
81,937,760

 
53,834,285

 
81,087,561

 
51,859,818

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.09
)

13. Fair Value Measurements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.


17



The following table presents our assets and liabilities at June 30, 2019 which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at 
 
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
Total
 
Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible preferred shares of Tonogold (Note 16)
$
4,995,000

 

 

 
4,995,000

Total Assets
$
4,995,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,995,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued make-whole for Pelen LLC (Note 15)
$
34,946

 
$

 
$
34,946

 
$

Total Liabilities
$
34,946

 
$

 
$
34,946

 
$


The following table presents our liabilities at December 31, 2018 which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
Total
 
Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued make-whole for Pelen LLC (Note 15)
$
135,162

 
$

 
$
135,162

 
$

Total Liabilities
$
135,162

 
$

 
$
135,162

 
$


Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company's financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Convertible preferred shares of Tonogold - The value of the convertible preferred shares of Tonogold is based on a Monte Carlo model with various inputs. These inputs include the Tonogold common share price, volatility, risk-free rate, private placement conversion observations, listing probability, and illiquidity discount. The convertible preferred shares are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Accrued make-whole for Pelen LLC - The accrued make-whole is valued based on the difference between the valuation of the outstanding shares held by the seller of the membership interests at the Company's closing stock price of $0.19 on June 30, 2019, and $0.13 on December 31, 2018, as compared to the remaining aggregate proceeds due. Because the inputs are all observable market-based inputs, this instrument is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents and trade payables approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. At June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the fair value of long-term debt approximated $7.7 million and $8.9 million, respectively, as determined by borrowing rates estimated to be available to the Company for debt with similar terms and conditions. The fair value of assets and liabilities whose carrying value approximates fair value is determined using Level 2 inputs, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents (Level 1).


18



14. Segment Reporting
 
Our management organizes the Company into two operating segments: mining and real estate. Our mining segment consists of all activities and expenditures associated with mining. Our real estate segment consists of land, real estate rental properties and the Gold Hill Hotel. We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on operating income (loss). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated, and inter-segment revenues are not significant. Financial information relating to our reportable operating segments and reconciliation to the consolidated totals is as follows:    

 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Real estate
44,184

 
28,815

 
81,782

 
51,665

Total revenue
44,184

 
28,815

 
81,782

 
51,665

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining
(1,485,274
)
 
(1,957,960
)
 
(3,081,304
)
 
(3,861,322
)
Real estate
(12,288
)
 
(9,880
)
 
(22,711
)
 
(16,971
)
Total costs and expenses
(1,497,562
)
 
(1,967,840
)
 
(3,104,015
)
 
(3,878,293
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining
(1,485,274
)
 
(1,957,960
)
 
(3,081,304
)
 
(3,861,322
)
Real estate
31,896

 
18,935

 
59,071

 
34,694

Total loss from operations
(1,453,378
)
 
(1,939,025
)
 
(3,022,233
)
 
(3,826,628
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net
(624,366
)
 
(476,307
)
 
(890,576
)
 
(1,073,608
)
Net loss
$
(2,077,744
)
 
$
(2,415,332
)
 
$
(3,912,809
)
 
$
(4,900,236
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining
$

 
$
255,631

 
$

 
$
225,631

Real estate
720,000

 

 
1,085,000

 

Total capital expenditures
$
720,000

 
$
255,631

 
$
1,085,000

 
$
225,631

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, Amortization, and Depletion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining
$
584,475

 
$
830,416

 
$
1,168,931

 
$
1,654,878

Real estate
2,465

 
2,465

 
4,930

 
4,930

Total depreciation, amortization, and depletion
$
586,940

 
$
832,881

 
$
1,173,861

 
$
1,659,808


 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Assets
 
 
 
Mining
$
26,379,017

 
$
21,166,231

Real estate
7,808,965

 
7,445,494

Total assets
$
34,187,982

 
$
28,611,725



19



15. Acquisition Agreements

Pelen, LLC

In January 2018, the Company issued 1,475,410 shares of restricted common stock as initial payment to acquire 25% of the total membership interests of Pelen, LLC. The purchase of the membership interests will close once the seller of the membership interests has received total cash proceeds of at least $0.6 million either through sale of the restricted common stock received or through additional cash payments made by the Company. If all of the shares of restricted common stock have been sold by the seller of the membership interests and the aggregate proceeds received are less than $0.6 million, then the Company is required to pay the shortfall in either additional shares of the Company’s common stock or cash, at the Company’s election. In November 2018, the Company issued 1,758,181 shares of restricted common stock as additional shares based on the shortfall on the aggregate proceeds for the initial shares. In December 2018, the agreement was amended to have a "Cut-Off" date of December 31, 2019, for closing the transaction and any unsold shares will be returned to the Company, with the Company required to make up any shortfall in cash. As of June 30, 2019, the purchase has not closed and the Company has not received legal ownership of the membership interests. The Company has recorded a make-whole liability of $34,946 at June 30, 2019, representing the value of the shortfall based on the actual sales of shares and the share price as of June 30, 2019. The Company has recorded a make-whole liability of $0.1 million at December 31, 2018, representing the value of the shortfall based on the actual sales of shares and the share price as of December 31, 2018. These amounts are recorded within accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Downtown Silver Springs, LLC

The Company entered into an agreement for the purchase of 100% of the membership interests DTSS on May 30, 2018, as amended. DTSS holds a contract for the purchase of approximately 160 acres of centrally located land in Silver Springs, Nevada. DTSS has no other assets, operations or employees.

The Company’s CEO advanced $25,000 to the equity holders of DTSS in 2017, from his own funds. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company was presented with an opportunity to acquire DTSS, and after disclosure of such advance, the Board of Directors unanimously approved such acquisition.  In connection with the closing of the acquisition of DTSS in August 2018, the equity holders of DTSS repaid $25,000 to the Company’s CEO, without interest or profit.

The agreement to purchase the land allows the holder of the option to purchase the land for approximately $3.2 million, plus 4% interest less deposits made through July 29, 2019 totaling $2.4 million. The current amendment requires a series of non-refundable deposits totaling $0.9 million due monthly and to close the land purchase by December 9, 2019 with the remaining balance due of approximately $0.3 million including interest.
On February 25, 2019, as amended on June 18, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement, as amended, to sell its rights in the membership interests of Downtown Silver Springs, LLC (“DTSS”) for $3.4 million plus any additional deposits made by the Company and 3% of the carried interest. The purchaser has not paid a deposit of $12,500 that was due on February 25, 2019. The Company has advanced the purchaser $25,000 for a deposit on a property purchase in Silver Springs, Nevada. The purchaser of DTSS, as well as the Company, under that agreement is allowed to negotiate extensions and different terms with the seller. After closing of the sale of the option by DTSS, the Company will retain a right to receive 3% of the amount of the carried interest that the general partner of the fund that purchased the option is due to receive after all costs, expenses, investor hurdles and returns are deducted from the gross proceeds arising from any gain with respect to such option purchased by the buyer.
The DTSS acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition as it was determined that the operations of DTSS do not meet the definition of a business. The Company paid total consideration of $2.7 million, as of June 30, 2019, which consists of (1) $2.2 million in non-refundable cash deposits, which are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets that will reduce the final purchase price of the land parcel, and (2) $0.5 million cash payments to the former membership interest holders of DTSS. As the options expire on December 9, 2019, the total consideration has been recorded in prepaid expenses.


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16. Agreements with Tonogold

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement

On January 24, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with Tonogold (the “Tonogold Agreement”). Under the terms of the Tonogold Agreement, the Company will sell Tonogold its interests in Comstock Mining LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comstock (“CML”) whose sole assets are the Lucerne Mine properties and related permits. Upon closing, the Tonogold Agreement would replace the October 2017 Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement").

The purchase price for CML is $15.0 million, plus Tonogold will also guarantee the Company’s financial responsibility for its membership interest in Northern Comstock LLC, which owns and leases certain mineral properties in the Lucerne area, and assume certain reclamation liabilities. The Company also retains a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the Lucerne properties.

Amendments to Tonogold Agreement

On April 30, 2019, the Company and Tonogold entered into the Purchase Agreement Amendment ("First Amendment)"), which allows Tonogold the option to extend the closing until August 30, 2019, upon the payment of three additional $1.0 million non-refundable deposits and other considerations. In addition, the First Amendment requires Tonogold to reimburse the Company the monthly interest expense on the Senior Secured Debenture (GF Comstock 2) beginning on June 1, 2019, through the latest possible closing of August 30, 2019.

On May 22, 2019, the Company and Tonogold entered into the Second Purchase Agreement Amendment ("Second Amendment"), which allowed Tonogold to forgo funding the remaining $0.7 million in cash payments due in May 2019, as required in the First Amendment. The total cash consideration for the Tonogold Agreement remains at $11.5 million in cash. The Second Amendment required that Tonogold issue the Company $3.5 million in convertible preferred shares ("Preferred Shares"), subject to certain pricing conditions and restrictions. Tonogold also issued an additional $0.4 million in Preferred Shares as a commitment fee. Based on a valuation study performed by a third-party specialist, the total $3.9 million in Preferred Shares issued to the Company were determined to have a fair value of $5.0 million as of June 30, 2019; that fair value is recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as Investment in Preferred Shares.

Under U.S. GAAP, the Company has the irrevocable option to report certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis, with changes in fair value reported in net earnings. This option was elected for the treatment of the Preferred Shares received from Tonogold on May 31, 2019.

The Preferred Shares convert to common shares of Tonogold in two equal tranches after closing the transaction. The first tranche converts upon the four month anniversary of the closing and the second tranche at the twelve month anniversary. The conversion price is the lowest of Tonogold’s (1) 20-day volume weighted closing price prior to conversion, (2) most recent private placement, or (3) initial public offering price. If the closing does not occur within the amended timelines, the stock is automatically convertible at 85% of the then current volume weighted average price.

On June 21, 2019, the Company and Tonogold entered into the Third Purchase Agreement Amendment ("Third Amendment') which extended the due date of the June 21, 2019 required non-refundable deposit, $700,000 of that deposit was received in June 2019 and the remaining $300,000 was received by July 8, 2019.

As of June 30, 2019, Tonogold has paid the Company $3.05 million in non-refundable cash deposits and $5.0 million in Preferred Shares, totaling $8.0 million, which is recorded in deferred liabilities.

As of August 13, 2019, Tonogold has paid the Company $3.4 million in non-refundable cash deposits and $3.5 million in non-refundable Preferred Shares associated with the $15.0 million purchase price with a remaining balance due of $8.1 million.

Option Agreements under Tonogold Agreement

The Company and Tonogold also agreed that commencing upon the closing of the sale of CML, it will enter into a new Option Agreement to lease its permitted American Flat mining property, plant and equipment to Tonogold for crushing, leaching and processing material from the Lucerne mine. Under this new Option Agreement, Tonogold will be required to reimburse the Company for an additional $1.1 million per year to maintain the processing facility lease option. If such option is exercised, Tonogold will then pay the Company a rental fee of $1.0 million per year plus $1 per processed ton, in addition to all the costs of operating and maintaining the facility, up to and until the first $15.0 million in rental fees are paid, and then stepping down to $1.0 million per year and $0.50 per processed ton for the next $10.0 million paid to the Company.

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The Company has also agreed, upon the closing of the sale of CML, to enter into a ten-year mineral lease for additional mineral properties in Storey County, Nevada, granting Tonogold the right to explore, develop and mine these properties. Tonogold will assume approximately $0.1 million in annual costs for these properties and will assume work commitments totaling more than $0.2 million in 2019. The Company will retain a 3.0% net smelter return royalty on these additional leased properties, which will be reduced to 1.5% one year after the commencement of mining operations. The lease is renewable for an additional ten-year term.

Existing Option Agreement

On October 3, 2017, the Company entered into the Option Agreement with Tonogold. Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Tonogold has the right to participate in certain activities, including but not limited to, engineering, development, drilling and test-work, towards completing an economic feasibility assessment on certain properties within the Company’s Lucerne resource area (the “Lucerne Property”). The Option Agreement remains in effect until the Tonogold Agreement closes.

Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Tonogold can earn a 51% interest in CML, which owns the Lucerne Property by meeting certain requirements and financial milestones. These requirements and milestones include: (1) making capital expenditures on the Lucerne Property and related expense reimbursements to the Company of $20.0 million no later than 42-months following the Commencement Date of April 3, 2018, and (2) making option payments totaling $2.2 million to the Company. Tonogold made a $0.2 million option payment on October 3, 2017, and a second and final option payment of $2.0 million on April 3, 2018. The option payments were both recorded within stockholders' equity as they relate to Tonogold’s right to earn-in to a 51% interest in CML. The Company has recognized approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million in expense reimbursements for the six months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

As of August 13, 2019, the Company received $0.2 million from Tonogold for routine reimbursement for monthly expenses for May 2019 and June 2019, and for the due diligence fee per the Second Amendment.

17. Mercury Investment, Pilot and Joint Venture Agreement

On June 21, 2019, as amended July 3, 2019, the Company entered into a Mercury Remediation Pilot, Investment and Joint Venture Agreement (the “MCU Agreement”) with Mercury Clean Up LLC (“MCU”).

Pursuant to the MCU Agreement, the Company committed $2.0 million of capital contributions to MCU, $50,000 which was paid on July 3, 2019, $300,000 payable no later than August 15, 2019, $150,000 payable no later than September 30, 2019, $300,000 payable no later than October 31, 2019 and $350,000 payable no later than November 30, 2019 and the remaining $850,000 to be paid to MCU in shares of restricted stock of the Company to be sold to fund working capital needs of MCU starting in the seventh month after the MCU Agreement. On July 18, 2019, the Company issued 4,500,000 shares of common stock to MCU. If there is insufficient working capital to fund the plans of MCU and the Company, the Company will fund MCU up to $100,000 per month, starting in the seventh month after the MCU Agreement, as required based upon the mutually agreed upon capital plan. This additional funding applies directly, dollar for dollar, towards the Company’s investments commitments.

The Company’s investment entitled it to 15% of the fully-diluted equity ownership of MCU and 50% of the equity of a new joint venture formed with MCU (the “Joint Venture”) for the purchase price of $2.0 million.

MCU will deliver mercury recovery units on the Company’s properties and plans to work during the 18-month pilot period toward the goal of building capacity to process approximately five to twenty-five tons of ore and sediment per hour, depending on the final approved pilot design.

Based on the results of the pilot showing economic viability, commencing after the completion the Company has the rights to coordinate an additional $3.0 million in financing for the Joint Venture and MCU plans to contribute the 25-ton-per-hour system, based on an agreed upon capital plan (equipment and working capital uses) and a time-specific project schedule, including the timing of the capital needs. Such financing shall entitle the Company to acquire an additional 10% of the fully-diluted equity interests of MCU.


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
The following discussion provides information that we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company as of and for the six month period ended June 30, 2019. It should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

Overview

The Company is a Nevada-based, gold and silver mining exploration, development and production company with extensive, contiguous property in the historic Comstock and Silver City mining districts (collectively, the “Comstock District”) and additional commercial and industrial properties located in Storey and Lyon Counties, Nevada. The Comstock District is located within the western portion of the Basin and Range Province of Nevada, near Reno and Carson City. The Company began acquiring properties and developing projects in the Comstock District in 2003. Since then, the Company has consolidated a substantial portion of the historic Comstock District, secured permits, built an infrastructure and brought exploration projects into production, and completed major reclamations with distinction, establishing a social and legal license for growth.

The Company and its subsidiaries now own or control approximately 9,358 acres of mining claims and parcels in the broader Comstock District and surrounding area. The acreage includes approximately 2,396 acres of patented claims and surface parcels (private lands) and approximately 6,962 acres of unpatented mining claims (public lands), which the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) administers. The Company's headquarters is on American Flat road, immediately north of the Lucerne resource area and just south of Virginia City, Nevada.

Because of the Comstock District’s historical significance, the geology is well known and has been extensively studied by the Company, our advisors and many independent advisors and researchers. We have expanded our understanding of the geology through vigorous surface mapping and drill hole logging. The volume of geologic data is immense, particularly in the Lucerne and Dayton resource areas. We have amassed a large library of historic data and detailed surface mapping of Comstock District properties and continue to obtain historic information from private and public sources. We integrate this data with information obtained from our recent mining operations, to target geological prospective exploration areas and plan exploratory drilling programs, including expanded surface and underground drilling.

The Company continues evaluating and acquiring properties, expanding its footprint and evaluating all of our existing and prospective opportunities for further development and profitable growth. The near-term goal of our business plan is to maximize intrinsic stockholder value realized, per share, by continuing to assess, acquire and develop properties, exploring, developing and validating qualified resources (measured, indicated and inferred) and reserves (proven and probable) and enabling the commercial development of all our properties both through extended, long-lived mine plans that are economically feasible and socially responsible, and other feasible and responsible development opportunities.

Our Dayton resource area and the adjacent Spring Valley exploration targets are located in Lyon County, Nevada, approximately six miles south of Virginia City. Access to the properties is by State Routes 341 and 342, both paved roads.

Our Lucerne resource area is located in Storey County, Nevada, approximately three miles south of Virginia City and 30 miles southeast of Reno. The Lucerne resource area was host to the Company’s most-recent test mining operations from 2012 through 2015. The processing facility is in American Flat, approximately three quarters of a mile west of Lucerne.

The Company achieved initial production and its first pour of gold and silver on September 29, 2012. The Company ceased mining in 2015 and concluded processing in 2016. From 2012, through 2016, the Company mined and processed approximately 2.6 million tons of mineralized material, and produced 59,515 ounces of gold and 735,252 ounces of silver.

During the first quarter of 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a strategy focused on high-value, high cash-generating, precious metal-based activities, (the “Strategic Focus”) including, but not limited to, metals and mining and related supply chain asset acquisitions, exploration, engineering, resource development, economic feasibility assessment, mineral production, metal processing and environmentally-friendly, conservation-based, economically enhancing technologies and processes. The Board of Directors also approved the formation of and participation in a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund, enabling a more strategically aligned capital resource partner for maximizing the most productive returns from Company’s property position within qualified opportunity zones in both Storey County and Silver Springs, in Lyon County.



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figure1a.jpg
Figure 1 - Comstock Mining Corporate Structure

The Company completed the realignment during the second quarter of 2019, such that the new corporate structure is now well aligned with the Strategic Focus. Comstock Mining Inc. remains as the parent company that wholly owns the realigned subsidiaries. As shown on Figure 2 below, Comstock Mining LLC owns or controls the Lucerne properties, including those contained in the Northern Comstock Joint Venture. Comstock Processing LLC owns the American Flat processing facility and additional land for potential expansion. Comstock Northern Exploration LLC owns or controls the remaining Storey County mining claims and exploration targets, primarily located north of the Lucerne properties, including the Gold Hill targets and the Occidental Lode. Comstock Exploration & Development LLC owns or controls the Lyon County mining claims and exploration targets, including the Dayton Resource Area and the Spring Valley target. Comstock Industrial LLC owns the Silver Springs properties and water rights. Comstock Real Estate Inc. owns the Daney Ranch and the Gold Hill Hotel.


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figure2a.jpg
Figure 2 - Comstock Mining's Land Position in the Comstock District

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Current Projects

The Company has identified many exploration targets on its land holdings in the Comstock District, but has focused, to date, on the Dayton resource area and the Lucerne resource area (including surface and underground exploration). We are working to develop comprehensive exploration plans for the remaining areas, which include the Spring Valley group, Occidental group, and Gold Hill group of exploration targets. Exploration activities will proceed subsequent to and in some cases concurrent with the ongoing exploration and development of the Dayton and Lucerne resource areas.

 The Dayton resource area is south of Virginia City in Lyon County, Nevada. It generally includes the historic Dayton, Kossuth and Alhambra patents, including the old Dayton Consolidated mine workings, south to where the Kossuth patent crosses State Route 341. The historic Dayton mine was the last meaningful underground mining operation in the Comstock District, before being closed after the War Production Board published Limitation Order L-208, 7 F. R. 7992 on October 8, 1942, that closed down all gold mining operations in the United States and its territories. The Dayton resource area ranks as one of the Company’s top exploration and potential mine development targets. In January 2014, the Lyon County Board of Commissioners approved strategic master plan and zoning changes on the Dayton, Kossuth and Alhambra mining patents and other properties located in the Dayton resource area, enabling a more practical, comprehensive feasibility study for mining. Geological studies and development planning are currently underway utilizing data from extensive metallurgical testing and assessment during 2017, 30,818 feet of additional drilling completed in 2015, geophysical analysis and interpretation completed in 2013, and extensive geological data from pre-2013, drill programs.

The Spring Valley group of exploration targets lies adjacent to the Dayton resource area at the southern end of the Comstock District, where the mineralized structures, trending to the south from the Dayton resource area, lie mostly concealed beneath a veneer of sediment gravels. Spring Valley includes the southern portion of the Kossuth patented claim and the Dondero, Daney and New Daney claims, as well as the Company’s placer mining claims in Spring Valley and Gold Canyon.

The Lucerne resource area has been the primary focus of the Company’s exploration and development efforts since 2007. It includes the previously mined Billie the Kid, Hartford and Lucerne mining patents, and extends east and northeasterly to the area of the historic Woodville (southern-most of the historic Comstock bonanzas), Succor and Lager Beer patents and north to the historic Justice and Keystone mines. The Lucerne resource area is approximately one mile along strike, with explored widths from 600 to 1,800 feet, representing less than three percent of the land holdings controlled by the Company. The Lucerne is the site of our previous mining activities and ongoing exploration program, and the Company holds the key mining permits required to resume surface or underground mining of this area.

Our Lucerne exploration activities included open pit gold and silver test mining from 2004, through 2006, and from late 2012 through 2015. As defined by the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 and by the 2018 amendments to Regulation S-K, we have not yet established any proven or probable reserves at our Lucerne mine.

On January 24, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with Tonogold (the “Tonogold Agreement”). Under the terms of the Tonogold Agreement, the Company will sell Tonogold its interests in Comstock Mining LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comstock (“CML”) whose sole assets are the Lucerne Mine properties and related permits. Upon closing, the Company and Tonogold will terminate the Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”), dated October 3, 2017.

The purchase price for CML is $15 million, plus Tonogold will also guarantee the Company’s financial responsibility for its membership interest in Northern Comstock LLC ("Northern Comstock"), who leases certain mineral properties in the Lucerne area, and assume certain reclamation liabilities, in total relieving some $8 million in future lease and reclamation liabilities. The Company also retains a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the Lucerne properties.

Tonogold has paid the Company $3.4 million in non-refundable cash deposits, as of August 7, 2019, of the total $11.5 million of the cash component of the purchase price. An additional $3.5 million was received in the form of convertible preferred shares of Tonogold.

The Company and Tonogold also agreed that commencing upon the closing of the sale of CML, it will enter into a new Option Agreement to lease its permitted American Flat mining property, plant and equipment to Tonogold for crushing, leaching and processing material from the Lucerne mine. Under this new Option Agreement, Tonogold will be required to reimburse the Company for an additional $1.1 million per year to maintain the processing facility lease option. If such option is exercised, Tonogold will then pay the Company a rental fee of $1 million per year plus $1 per processed ton, in addition to all the costs of operating and maintaining the facility, up to and until the first $15 million in rental fees are paid, and then stepping down to $1 million per year and $0.50 per processed ton for the next $10 million paid to the Company.


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The Company has also agreed, upon the closing of the sale of CML, to enter into a ten-year mineral lease for additional mineral properties in Storey County, Nevada, granting Tonogold the right to explore, develop and mine these properties. Tonogold will assume approximately $100,000 in annual costs for these properties and will assume work commitments totaling more than $200,000 in 2019. The Company will retain a 3% net smelter return royalty on these additional leased properties, which will be reduced to 1.5% one year after the commencement of mining operations. The lease is renewable for an additional ten-year term.

The Tonogold Agreement would replace the October 2017 Option Agreement between the Company and Tonogold. The October 2017 Option Agreement will remain in place until the Tonogold Agreement closes.

On April 30, 2019, the Company and Tonogold entered into the Purchase Agreement Amendment ("Amendment"), which allows Tonogold the option to extend the closing until August 30, 2019, upon the payment of three additional $1 million non-refundable deposits and other considerations. In addition, the Amendment requires Tonogold to reimburse the Company the monthly interest expense on the Senior Secured Debenture (GF Comstock 2) beginning on May 31, 2019, through the latest possible closing of August 30, 2019.

On May 22, 2019, the Company and Tonogold entered into the Second Purchase Agreement Amendment ("Second Amendment"), which allowed Tonogold to forgo funding the remaining $0.7 million in cash payments due in May 2019, as required in the First Amendment. The total cash consideration for the Tonogold Agreement remains at $11.5 million in cash. The Second Amendment required that Tonogold issue the Company $3.5 million in convertible preferred shares ("Preferred Shares"), subject to certain pricing conditions and restrictions. Tonogold also issued an additional $0.4 million in Preferred Shares as a commitment fee.

On June 21, 2019, the Company and Tonogold entered into the Third Purchase Agreement Amendment (“Third Amendment”), which allowed Tonogold the option to reduce the July non-refundable deposit to $0.5 million with the payment of an extension fee of $0.5 million in Preferred Shares. The total purchase price remains $15.0 million. The Third Amendment also provided Tonogold the option to pre-pay the monthly interest on the Senior Secured Debenture, through August 30, 2019, in Preferred Shares.

The Occidental group and Gold Hill group of exploration targets represent longer-term exploration target areas that contain many historic mining operations, including the Overman, Con Imperial, Caledonia, and Yellow Jacket mines. We believe that our consolidation of the Comstock District has provided us with opportunities to utilize the historical information available to identify drilling targets with significant potential.



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Exploration & Development

The Company's long-term, district-wide plans contemplate the exploration and development of specific, identified geological target areas across the District, which the Company has grouped into the Lucerne resource area, the Dayton resource areas, and Spring Valley, Occidental, and Gold Hill groups of exploration targets. These exploration targets represent over 7 miles of mineralized strike length, with current and historical grades of gold and silver.
figure3.jpg
Figure 3 - General Overview of Priority Exploration Targets

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Lucerne Resource Area

In December, 2018, the Company received unanimous approval from the Storey County Board of Commissioners to extend its landmark Special Use Permit (“SUP”) for mining and processing for the Lucerne Mine Project for the maximum allowable, 20-year term, extending the original, 10-year permit until September 2, 2034. This permit represents one of the most significant, progressive and collaborative permit approvals in the Company’s history, and its extension strengthens the foundation for the future growth of the Company and its partner in Lucerne’s development, Tonogold Resources, Inc.

The amendment significantly extends the duration of the permitted and allowable uses for the entire Lucerne Mine Project, including the Lucerne Mine and resource area and the fully permitted American Flat processing area. The permit applies to both surface and underground mining, processing, milling, exploration and development, and other ancillary uses.

As described in the Current Projects section, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Lucerne properties. Under the terms of the Tonogold Agreement, the Company will sell its interests in the Lucerne properties and related permits.

Dayton Resource Area    

The Company plans to advance the Dayton Project to full feasibility, with a production ready mine plan within two years of commencing that work. This work has not yet commenced. The plan includes expanding the current resource at the Dayton resource area and continuing southerly into Spring Valley with incremental expansion programs that include exploration and definition drilling of targets identified by the prior conventional percussion, RC and diamond core drill programs and magnetic, IP and resistivity geophysical surveys (see Figure 4).
    
The Company has retained the independent mining advisory firm of Behre Dolbear to produce a National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) compliant technical report for the Dayton resource area, scheduled for completion in 2019. The reporting scope includes an updated, robust mineral resource estimate, plans for expanding and further developing the mineral resource, and most of the prerequisite data for a subsequent Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”). The PEA is the first major step in determining overall economic feasibility for the Dayton project.

The Company previously estimated a mineral resource for Dayton as part of a broader technical report for the Comstock Mine Project, but this new, Behre Dolbear commissioned technical report represents the first stand-alone NI 43-101 technical report to be published specifically for the Dayton resource area. Since our last Dayton resource estimate, the Company has:
Increased the Dayton project property position, both mining claims and private land, including more than 350 acres of contiguous private lands suitable for a dedicated mineral processing site;
Achieved a landmark, Lyon County Master Plan and zoning change that broadened the potential land uses and restored mining as an appropriate use for the historic mining patents;
Submitted our project estimates for due diligence reviews by SRK Consulting in both Reno and Denver offices;
Restored several historic Dayton mine portals for safe exploration of the accessible mine workings;
Completed underground geologic mapping of the accessible mine workings and completed underground sampling;
Completed significant assaying and other analysis for furthering the geologic interpretation;
Identified new, broader mineralized zones and structures;
Drilled 408 shallow holes totaling 30,819 feet, identifying new mineralized structures covered by shallow alluvium;
Improved, meaningfully, the geologic mapping of the area;
Expanded trials by Cycladex, a strategic investee, testing their patented, cycladextrin lixiviant, a potential alternative to cyanide heap leaching for our Dayton materials; and
Commenced trials with Itronics, Inc., using their KAM-Thio metallurgical recovery processes, another potential alternative to cyanide heap leaching for our Dayton materials.

The new information is supporting the development of a completely updated, detailed, three-dimensional model of the Dayton project. The Company’s technical staff is currently compiling a detailed structural interpretation of the Dayton resource area, which will provide the framework for the new resource model. The detailed interpretation is leading to a list of highly prospective drill targets to further define and expand the mineral resource.


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In-house Dayton engineering and mine planning have resulted in profiling various economic shells with multiple cutoff grade scenarios. Multiple layout plans for the mine and corresponding processing facilities have been conceptually developed and located on lands 100% privately held by the Company, thus simplifying and shortening the critical permitting chain. The new technical report will provide not only a new resource estimate, but also a phased drilling plan for further defining and expanding the resource for sustainable, profitable mining.

Dayton Metallurgy

The Dayton mineralized material has been subjected to metallurgical testing by independent laboratories as well as in the Company’s on-site lab. Column tests were conducted by McClelland Laboratories in 2011 on medium grade and high grade composites from the Dayton Pit area, at 1” and ½” crush sizes for each sample. The gold recovery after 154 days averaged 86.7% for gold and 47.4% for silver. The final report stated that at the end of the test, the curves had flattened, but recovery was still increasing.

In early 2018, the Company’s in-house lab ran column tests on bulk samples from three different locations in the Dayton resource area: Glory Hole mid-grade, Glory Hole high-grade, and Dayton Adit. Two columns were loaded from each bulk sample. The recovery after 74 days averaged 84% for gold and 55% for silver. The metal recovery had not stopped after 74 days, but the daily incremental increases were below the Company’s analytical detection limits.


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figure4.jpg
Figure 4 - Dayton and Spring Valley Magnetic Geophysics with Interpreted Veins and Structures    

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Dayton - Spring Valley Group Targets

Spring Valley is south of the Dayton resource area, extending to the south and east of State Route 341. The volcanic host rocks and structural controls of the mineralization defined to date for the Dayton resource area are known to continue south into Spring Valley. Potentially economic gold mineralization has been intercepted in several widely spaced holes drilled during prior Spring Valley drilling programs.

Ground magnetic geophysical surveys identified a linear anomalous corridor, defined by a series of relative magnetic lows. Altered volcanic host rocks have been intercepted by limited drilling and identified several mineralized zones, the global Dayton resource foot print is outlined with reference to the technical report authored by Behre Dolbear in January 2013. The exploration of Spring Valley will include phased drilling programs that will continue southerly from SR 341 to the historic Daney mine site (Figure 5), with a potential strike length of approximately 9,600 feet.
figure5.jpgfigure5a07.jpg
Figure 5 - Dayton and Spring Valley Group Targets

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The technical staff reviewed historic geologic and geophysical studies and prior drill programs that focused upon the Dayton resource area and extensions south into Spring Valley. The few drill holes that were completed in Spring Valley intercepted altered Miocene volcanic rock known to host the economic mineralization of the Dayton resource. Specific drill holes that encountered highly mineralized zones are highlighted on Figure 4. Collectively, several specific locations were selected and are targeted for future drilling. The Dayton resource area has open ended economic mineralization requiring additional drill holes to delineate the geometry for mine planning. South of the Dayton resource area the limited drilling coupled with the geophysical interpretation indicates the targeted exploration model extends an additional 8,000 feet (length of geophysical magnetic survey) into Spring Valley.
    
Ground magnetic geophysical surveys identified a linear anomalous corridor, defined by a series of relative magnetic lows. Altered volcanic host rocks have been intercepted by limited drilling and identified several mineralized zones. Selected drill hole intercepts are highlighted (see Figure 4). The mid-level magnetic lows define a zone (up to 500 feet wide) beginning at the Dayton resource and continuing southerly approximately 8,000 feet (length of geophysical magnetic survey) towards the Daney patent. The zone is further defined by the trace of interpreted north/south trending vein swarms depicted on Figure 4. In the Dayton resource area the increased density of the vein swarms with intersecting cross structures has been indicative to host the higher grades and larger volumes of economic mineralization. This scenario is part of the exploration model and has generated a multiple drill target environment.

The Spring Valley exploration program is designed to target areas that have similar magnetic signatures of known economic grade mineralization. The magnetic geophysical survey was further studied and a structural interpretation was developed that illustrated multiple cross cutting structures (colored green) that are oblique to the southerly projected north/south vein trend (colored red), refer to Figure 4. Though rare due to alluvial cover, the outcropping quartz veins and outcropping crosscutting structures had definitive diagnostic magnetic signatures. The interpretation of the structures and veins were derived by connecting these specific magnetic attributes as identified on each 25-meter spaced survey line. Similar structures have been identified in the Dayton resource area and were found to be important components for the development of economic grades of mineralization.

New Technologies
    
The Company is working with strategic partners to test alternative, greener technologies for mineral processing and remediation. This includes Itronics Inc. (“Itronics”), Cycladex, Inc. (“Cycladex”) and Mercury Cleanup LLC (“MCU”).

The Company is collaborating with Itronics, Inc., to test their KAM-Thio metallurgical recovery processes as an alternative to cyanide heap leaching for processing the Dayton mineralized material. Previous trials by Itronics showed promising results for recovering substantially all the residual silver from the Company’s previously leached material. The Company delivered a bulk sample of higher-grade, Dayton mineralized material to Itronics in August. The Company and Itronics will collaborate to finalize a proposed processing flow sheet and screening level economics with the KAM-Thio based recovery process for use in the preliminary economic assessment of the Dayton resource.

The Company is also collaborating with Cycladex, a strategic investee, previously funded in part by the National Science Foundation for extensive testing of their patented cycladextrin lixiviant, which is a potential alternative to cyanide leaching.
    
The Company recently entered into an agreement with MCU, for piloting, testing and commercializing an organic-solution based, clean technology for remediating mercury from soils and rivers. On June 28, 2019, the Company announced that Comstock Processing LLC (CPL) had entered in to an agreement with MCU, in collaboration with Oro Industries Inc. (“Oro”), for the manufacture and global deployment of mercury remediation systems with proprietary mechanical, hydro, electro-chemical and oxidation processes to reclaim, treat and remediate mercury from tailings and industrial effluents derived from mining and industrial applications.

Worldwide unregulated activity has released thousands of tons of mercury into the environment. The continued worldwide use of mercury in unregulated activities, primarily outside of the United States, is polluting air, soils, and waters and poisoning marine life and endangering lives. Ongoing, unregulated artisanal mining outside of the U.S. represents more than 40% of the ongoing mercury contamination and represents a tremendous opportunity for cleaning up the environment in a sustainable, profitable manner. Mercury will not go away by itself and must be removed to stop the pollution. Mercury can’t be broken down or destroyed, and MCU, in collaboration with Oro and the Company, is pioneering an effective solution.


33



Over the past seven years, Comstock has implemented several approved plans, by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”), intended to address NDEP’s and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) protocols, guidance and goals for sampling, characterizing, transporting and managing mercury within the Carson River Mercury Superfund Site. These plans and Comstock’s existing permitted infrastructure provide an ideal platform for evaluating and fine-tuning the MCU process. MCU will work closely with NDEP for any additional approvals, engineering design changes (EDC) or permits.

Comstock will invest $2 million in MCU to demonstrate the feasibility of the Mercury Remediation System within the historic, world-class, Comstock Lode mining district. Comstock will provide the platform for testing the Mercury Remediation System and MCU will conduct the initial trials starting with a 2 ton per hour pilot operation that could scale up to 25 ton per hour and deliver the final feasibilities. With successful feasibility, Comstock and MCU would create a new, 50-50 venture called Comstock Mercury Remediation LLC for pursuing global business opportunities. Comstock will own up to 25% of MCU and separately, 50% of Comstock Mercury Remediation LLC.

The ongoing testing of all of these alternative technologies underpins the Company’s commitment to responsible development. A breakthrough with any of these cleaner technologies could result in higher, faster recoveries with reduced waste, as well as a streamlined permitting process and lower long-term reclamation costs.

Pelen-Sutro Tunnel Company Acquisition

In January 2018, the Company issued 1,475,410 shares of restricted common stock as initial payment to acquire 25% of the total membership interests of Pelen, LLC. Pelen, LLC is the 100% owner of the historic Sutro Tunnel Company that owns the Town of Sutro, the historic 6-mile Sutro Tunnel, the federal land grants and mining rights spanning 1,000 feet on each side of the 6-mile span, the rights to the tunnel’s water and the patented mining claims and private lands on Gold Hill.

The purchase of the membership interests will close by December 31, 2019, once the seller of the membership interests has received total cash proceeds of at least $585,000 either through sale of the restricted common stock received or through additional cash payments made by the Company. If all of the shares of restricted common stock have been sold by the seller of the membership interests and the aggregate proceeds received are less than $585,000, then the Company is required to pay the shortfall in either additional shares of the Company’s common stock or cash, at the Company’s election.

The Company issued 1,758,181 additional shares in November 2018.

Non-mining Real Estate

On February 25, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Industrial Park and water rights, for a cash purchase price of $7.2 million. After closing, the Company will retain a right to receive 3% of the amount of the carried interest that the general partner of the fund that purchased such party is due to receive after all costs, expenses, investor hurdles and returns are deducted from the gross proceeds arising from any gain with respect to such property by the buyer.

Downtown Silver Springs, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, holds a contract for the purchase of approximately 160 acres of centrally located land in Silver Springs, Nevada. On February 25, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its rights under the purchase agreement for $3.4 million, as adjusted, dollar for dollar, for any additional deposits made by the purchaser of the option to the seller of the property, on behalf of DTSS. The purchaser has not paid the deposit of $12,500 that was due on February 25, 2019. After closing, the Company will retain a right to receive 3% of the amount of the carried interest that the general partner of the fund that purchased such property is due to receive after all costs, expenses, investor hurdles and returns are deducted from the gross proceeds arising from any gain with respect to such property by the buyer.

The Gold Hill Hotel is listed for sale for $1 million. The Gold Hill Hotel has been consistently cash positive over the past two years. The Daney Ranch is listed for sale for $3.9 million.

Outlook

Our annual operating expenses are planned at just over $4.0 million, with approximately $1.2 million of that amount currently being reimbursed under the existing Tonogold Option Agreement. We anticipate an additional $1 million in annualized savings, or a total of $2.2 million annually, upon closing the Tonogold Agreement, on or before August 31, 2019. This would result in an early extinguishment of the entirety of our approximately $6.1 million outstanding Senior Secured Debenture obligation as of July 29, 2019, eliminating about $0.7 million in annualized interest expense.


34



The Company’s 2019 plans include advancing the commercialization of certain mining and processing technologies that the Company has been collaborated on, with partners such as MCU, Cycladex Inc. and Itronics, and additional technologies, that present nearer term revenue opportunities, and enhance our potential project economic feasibilities.

The Company plans on updating Dayton’s current resource estimate and commence activities for obtaining the local permits for the Dayton Project. The Company will also continue exploration activities southerly into Spring Valley with incremental exploration programs that include exploration and definition drilling of targets identified by geophysical surveys, surface mapping, prior drilling and deeper geological interpretations that all lead to publishing an updated, NI 43-101 compliant, mineral resource estimate for the Dayton Project and expanded exploration in Spring Valley in 2019.

Equity Raises

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company issued 9,095,949 common shares through the 2019 Equity Agreement and the 2018 Sales Agreement. Gross proceeds were approximately $1.5 million at an average share price of $0.16.
    
Following is a reconciliation of the common stock based transactions as of June 30, 2019:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Shares outstanding as of beginning of period
 
75,338,273

 
47,236,103

Shares issued for:
 
 
 
 
 Equity issue agreements
 
9,095,949

 
6,429,310

 Purchase of Pelen, LLC membership interest
 

 
1,475,410

 Payment for equity issue costs
 
1,065,778

 
615,605

 Shares outstanding as of end of period
 
85,500,000

 
55,756,428

    
On June 28, 2019, the Company issued 1,083 preferred shares with gross proceeds of $1.1 million, that was received on July 1, 2019.

Subsequent to quarter-end and through August 6, 2019, the Company issued a total of 9,491,386 shares of common stock as follows:

4,500,000 shares of common stock with a value of $850,000 to MCU;
3,054,796 shares of common stock for $450,000, under the 2019 Equity Agreement;
1,936,590 shares of common stock were issued to Temple, upon conversion of 274 Preferred Shares.


35



Comparative Financial Information
 
The Company had two operating segments as of June 30, 2019: mining and real estate.

The comparative financial information is reflected in the following table:

Three Months Ended:
 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2018
 
Change
Revenue - mining
$

 
$

 
$

Revenue - real estate
44,184

 
28,815

 
15,369

 
 
 
 
 


Costs applicable to mining revenue
505,393

 
728,559

 
(223,166
)
Real estate operating costs
12,288

 
9,880

 
2,408

Exploration and mine development
241,538

 
248,648

 
(7,110
)
Mine claims and costs
136,901

 
91,025

 
45,876

Environmental and reclamation
(362,826
)
 
62,186

 
(425,012
)
General and administrative
964,268

 
827,542

 
136,726

     Total costs and expenses
1,497,562

 
1,967,840

 
(470,278
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from operations
(1,453,378
)
 
(1,939,025
)
 
485,647

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(181,907
)
 
(330,887
)
 
148,980

Other income (expense)
(442,459
)
 
(145,420
)
 
(297,039
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS
$
(2,077,744
)
 
$
(2,415,332
)
 
$
337,588


The Company ceased processing material from its leach pad in December 2016, resulting in no mining revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Real estate revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019 increased $15,369 as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, primarily related to the additional rental of a building at our processing site.

Real estate operating costs were essentially flat for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018.

Costs applicable to mining revenue decreased by $0.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, as a result of certain assets becoming fully depreciated. These costs consist solely of depreciation expense on temporarily idled mining equipment, processing facilities and heap leach pads.

Exploration and mine development costs decreased slightly during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018.

Mine claim and costs increased by $45,876 during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, due to the timing of the recognition of reimbursements related to the Tonogold Option Agreement in 2018, as compared to 2019, due to the Option Agreement becoming effective in April 2018.

Environmental and reclamation decreased by $0.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, primarily related to a reduction of $0.4 million in the long-term reclamation liability.

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018. Governance costs, including legal and audit increased approximately $0.4 million partially offset by certain lower, non-recurring payroll costs and by lower personal property taxes.


36



Interest expenses decreased by $0.1 million, during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, a result of the pay-down on the Senior Secured Debentures in 2019 offset by an increase in additional make-whole expense and fees expense recognized as a result of those pay-downs, as well as interest expense reimbursements from the Tonogold Purchase Agreement, that began in June 2019.

Other expenses increased by $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, primarily related to the $0.4 million cost of issuance of the preferred shares offset by the approximately $0.2 million in make-whole expense on principal pay-downs in 2018.

Net loss was $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to a net loss of $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The $0.3 million improvement in net loss is a result of decrease in depreciation expense of $0.3 million due to assets becoming fully depreciated, a $0.4 million reduction in the long-term reclamation liability, a net decrease in interest expense of $0.1 million, offset by the $0.4 million cost of issuance of preferred shares.

Six Months Ended:
 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2018
 
Change
Revenue - mining
$

 
$

 
$

Revenue - real estate
81,782

 
51,665

 
30,117

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs applicable to mining revenue
1,010,785

 
1,457,463

 
(446,678
)
Real estate operating costs
22,711

 
16,971

 
5,740

Exploration and mine development
466,379

 
458,186

 
8,193

Mine claims and costs
287,855

 
271,256

 
16,599

Environmental and reclamation
(308,349
)
 
120,254

 
(428,603
)
General and administrative
1,624,634

 
1,554,163

 
70,471

     Total costs and expenses
3,104,015

 
3,878,293

 
(774,278
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from operations
(3,022,233
)
 
(3,826,628
)
 
804,395

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(643,045
)
 
(714,227
)
 
71,182

Other income (expense)
(247,531
)
 
(359,381
)
 
111,850

 
 
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS
$
(3,912,809
)
 
$
(4,900,236
)
 
$
987,427


The Company ceased processing material from its leach pad in December 2016, resulting in no mining revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Real estate revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019 increased $30,117 as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, related a deposit forfeiture on the termination of the sale of the Gold Hill Hotel and to the rental of an additional building at our processing site.

Real estate operating costs increased slightly for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018.

Costs applicable to mining revenue decreased by $0.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, as a result of certain assets becoming fully depreciated. These costs consist solely of depreciation expense on temporarily idled mining equipment, processing facilities and heap leach pads.

Exploration and mine development costs increased slightly during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018.

Mine claim and costs increased by $16,599 during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018.

37




Environmental and reclamation costs decreased $0.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, primarily related to a reduction of $0.4 million in the long-term reclamation liability.

General and administrative expenses increased by $70,471 during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018. Governance costs, including legal and audit increased approximately $0.4 million, offset by lower costs in 2019, from lower personal property taxes, payroll and other costs.

Interest expenses decreased by $71,182, during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, a result of the pay-down on the Senior Secured Debentures in 2019 offset by an increase in additional make-whole expense and fees expense recognized as a result of those pay-downs, as well as interest expense reimbursements from the Tonogold Purchase Agreement, that began in June 2019.

Other income and expense decreased by $0.1 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2018, related a decrease in Pelen make-whole expense of approximately $0.2 million, make-whole expense of approximately $0.2 million due to principal pay-downs in 2018, and an interest income recorded on the reclamation bond of approximately $65,000, offset by the $0.4 million costs of issuance of preferred shares.

Net loss was $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to a net loss of $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The $1.0 million improvement in net loss is primarily a result of decrease in depreciation expense of $0.5 million, the decrease in the Pelen make whole expense of $0.2 million and a credit of $0.4 million to expense related the reduction in the long-term reclamation liability, offset by the $0.4 million costs of issuance of preferred shares.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company had total assets of $34.2 million, total current assets of $11.7 million, current liabilities of $10.6 million and net current assets of $1.1 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million at June 30, 2019. The Company’s current capital resources include cash and cash equivalents and other net working capital resources, along with a loan commitment agreement with $10.0 million in unused capacity, before consideration of fees due at the time of borrowing and the 2019 Equity Agreement with Murray FO, LLC ("Murray"), with aggregate unused capacity of $4.3 million as of June 30, 2019, pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3, filed on February 26, 2019. These capital resources are in addition to certain planned non-mining asset sales and proceeds of the transaction contemplated by the Tonogold Agreement, including an additional $0.5 million received subsequent to June 30, 2019.

Net cash used in operating activities was $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, a decrease of $0.5 million, resulting from a decrease in costs, including an increase in the Tonogold reimbursement of costs per the Option Agreement and Purchase Agreements.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $1.9 million, primarily relating to $3.1 million deposits on the sale of the Lucerne mine properties and related permits to Tonogold, offset by $1.1 million in deposits and payments on the purchase of DTSS and the related non-refundable deposits on the option on the purchase of land. Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018, was $0.2 million, primarily a non-refundable deposit on the option to purchase land.

Net cash used by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $0.6 million, comprised of the pay-down of long-term debt of $1.9 million offset by the net proceeds of $1.3 million from the sale common shares. Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018, was $1.8 million, comprised of the $2.0 million payment received from Tonogold on the Option Agreement and the net proceeds of $1.7 million from the sale common shares, offset by the pay-down of long-term debt of $1.9 million.

The Tonogold Agreement is expected to provide up to $11.5 million in cash to the Company in 2019. When received, the cash will be used to pay-down the Senior Secured Debenture. The Tonogold Agreement also relieves the Company of $8 million in long-term obligations, primarily $7.2 million for the Northern Comstock annual mine claims and $0.8 million other Lucerne-specific reclamation liabilities with Storey County, Nevada and the State of Nevada. The Tonogold Agreement subsidizes an additional $1 million of annual costs (in addition to current reimbursements of approximately $1.2 million per annum, for a total, post-transaction-closing reduction of approximately $2.2 million of operating savings per annum).


38



On February 25, 2019, the Company entered into agreements to sell one non-mining asset, that is, the 98-acre certified industrial site and related water rights, and to sell the purchase agreement and option on the 160 acres of land, all located in Silver Springs, NV, for a total of $10.6 million plus a residual 3% future share of the profit. The transactions are expected to be finalized in 2019, and the Company expects to record a gain of approximately $5.0 million.

The Company has recurring net losses from operations and an accumulated deficit of $236.0 million as of June 30, 2019. If the Company was unable to obtain any necessary additional funds, this could have an immediate material adverse effect on liquidity and could raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In such case, the Company could be required to limit or discontinue certain business plans, activities or operations, reduce or delay certain capital expenditures or sell certain assets or businesses. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to take any such actions on favorable terms, in a timely manner or at all. While the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining the necessary capital to support its operations, including registered equity financings from its existing shelf registration statement, borrowings, or other means, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional equity capital or other financing, if needed. However, the Company believes it will have sufficient funds to sustain its operations during the next 12 months from the date the financial statements were issued as a result of the sources of funding detailed above.
     
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
There have not been any material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018


39



ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
There have been no material changes in the market risks discussed in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
A.  Disclosure
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management performed, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Exchange Act and the SEC’s rules, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Design and Evaluation of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2019. In making this assessment, management used the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” (2013) set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of June 30, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
B.  Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
No change in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13(a)-15, occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019, that materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.


40



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company’s mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. The Company believes its operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations, but cannot predict the full amount of such future expenditures.

On January 31, 2014, the Comstock Residents Association (the “CRA”) and two of its members filed a civil action in the Third Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada in and for Lyon County (the “District Court”) against the Lyon County Board of Commissioners (the “Commissioners”) and the Company, asking the District Court to reverse the Commissioners’ decision to grant an application for master plan amendment and zone change submitted and approved by the Commissioners on January 2, 2014 (the “Application”).

Prior to the approval of the Application, the master plan designation and zoning precluded mining on certain property of the Company in the area of Silver City, Lyon County. In April 2015, the District Court ruled in favor of the Company and the Commissioners. The written Order Denying Petition for Judicial Review was filed and mailed to all parties on June 15, 2015. On July 14, 2015, the CRA and one individual (together “Appellants”) filed a Notice of Appeal of the Court Order, appealing the decision to the Nevada Supreme Court. On December 9, 2015, Appellants filed their Opening Brief in the Nevada Supreme Court, generally repeating the arguments that were made at the District Court. On January 15, 2016, the Company and the Commissioners jointly filed an Answering Brief. Briefing in the Nevada Supreme Court was completed with the Appellants’ filing of a Reply Brief on March 3, 2016. An oral argument before a three-judge panel of the Nevada Supreme Court took place on September 14, 2016.

On December 2, 2016, the Nevada Supreme Court entered an order affirming all three of the District Court’s decisions associated with 1) the Commissioners’ discretion and authority for changing master plans and zoning, 2) their compliance with Nevada’s Open Meeting Law and 3) their compliance with Nevada statutory provisions. Specifically, the Supreme Court affirmed the District Court’s conclusions that Lyon County did not abuse its discretion and that it acted with substantial evidence in support of their decision, that the County did not violate Nevada’s Open Meeting Law and that the County did not violate statutory provisions regarding master plans.

The Supreme Court reversed the District Court’s dismissal of CRA’s claim of a due process violation, concluding that this claim should not have been dismissed and that further proceedings are necessary in the District Court on this single claim.  The Company and the Commissioners filed a motion for summary judgment with the District Court bases on the evidence in the record and the District Court held a hearing on December 11, 2017. The District Court concluded that the Supreme Court's reversal of CRA's due process claim required that CRA be afforded the opportunity to conduct discovery. Therefore, the District Court has allowed a limited time for CRA to conduct discovery on its due process claim. The Company responded to the CRA discovery request on February 20, 2018 and the District Court held a hearing on April 23, 2018. Additional discovery was allowed by the District Court. On May 14, 2019, the Court held a hearing on CRA's due process claim and issued its ruling from the bench.  The Court concluded that CRA, having been afforded the opportunity to conduct discovery, was unable to meet its burden to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that Lyon County had denied CRA of its due process rights.  The Court, therefore, denied CRA's claim for violations of due process. On July 11, 2019, the Court issued and filed the formal written order confirming the ruling.

On July 12, 2018, Precious Royalties LLC (“Precious”) filed a complaint in the First Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, in Storey County, against the Company, alleging that the Company failed to properly pay Precious a net smelter return royalty in accordance with a settlement agreement dated September 24, 2012, and Precious is seeking $510,000 in damages. On November 16, 2018, the Company filed a Motion for a More Definite Statement on the basis that the complaint is too vague to allow a responsive pleading. On May 16, 2019, the Court granted the Company’s Motion, which required Precious to revise and re-file its complaint in order to proceed with the action. Precious re-filed the complaint on June 5, 2019. On July 3, 2019, the Company answered the amended claim by Precious Royalty and filed a counter-claim that, among other things, requests reimbursement of legal fees and related interest. On July 26, 2019, Precious filed an answer to the counter-claim. The Company believes that the claims made in this complaint are without merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend this litigation.


41



From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no other matters pending that we expect to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have not been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

On July 18, 2019, the Company issued MCU 4,500,000 shares of Common Stock with a value of $850,000, pursuant to the MCU Agreement. The issuance was exempt from the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 104 of Regulation S-K, we are required to disclose items believed to be violations of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, any health and safety standard, or any regulation, as administered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. The required information is included in Exhibit 95 to this report.

Item 5. Other Information.

Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing or Notice of Delisting

On June 24, 2019, the Company received notice from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE”) that it was not compliant with the NYSE’s low selling price rule 1003(f)(v) and would have six months to cure such noncompliance.




42



Item 6. Exhibits.
 
The exhibits required to be filed as a part of this Report on Form 10-Q are listed in the Exhibit Index attached hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(1) Financial statements filed as part of this Report:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(2) Exhibits filed as part of this Report:

See Exhibits for which the Exhibit number is noted with an asterisk on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
31*
 
 
 
 
32*
 
 
 
 
95*
 
 
 
 
101*
 
Interactive Data File (Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the periods ended June 30, 2019, furnished in XBRL (extensible Business Reporting Language)).
 
 
 
 
 
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and (iv) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

* Filed herewith.

43



SIGNATURES

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

 
 
COMSTOCK MINING, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date:
August 14, 2019
By:
/s/ Corrado De Gasperis
 
 
 
Name: Corrado De Gasperis
 
 
 
Title:   President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 


44