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Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

 

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

 

For the transition period from ______ to ______

 

Commission file number: 000-28837

 

NEW JERSEY MINING COMPANY

(Name of small business issuer in its charter)

 

Idaho

 

82-0490295

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer identification No.)

 

201 N. Third Street, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

(208) 625-9001

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

None

N/A

N/A

 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.00 par value

NJMC

OTCQB

CSE

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o  No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes o  No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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 o

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

o

Accelerated filer

o

Non-accelerated filer  

x

Smaller reporting company

x

 

 

Emerging Growth Company

o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act    Yes o  No x

 

The aggregate market value of all common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the average of the bid and ask prices on June 30, 2019 was $14,365,560.

 

On March 1, 2020 there were 123,812,144 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

 

 

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS3 

GLOSSARY OF SIGNIFICANT MINING TERMS4 

PART I6 

ITEM 1.  DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS6 

ITEM 2.   DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES9 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS18 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES18 

PART II19 

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS19 

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA19 

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS20 

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK21 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA22 

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING

AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE41 

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES41 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION41 

PART III42 

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE42 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION44 

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS45 

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

INDEPENDENCE46 

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES46 

PART IV47 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS47 

SIGNATURES48 


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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits attached hereto contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements concern the Company’s anticipated results and developments in the Company’s operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. These statements include, but are not limited to, comments regarding:

 

the establishment and estimates of mineralization; 

the grade of mineralization; 

anticipated expenditures and costs in our operations; 

planned exploration activities and the anticipated outcome of such exploration activities; 

plans and anticipated timing for obtaining permits and licenses for our properties; 

expected future financing and its anticipated outcome; 

anticipated liquidity to meet expected operating costs and capital requirements; 

our ability to obtain joint ventures partners and maintain working relationships with our current joint venture partners; 

our ability to obtain financing to fund our estimated exploration expenditures and capital requirements; and 

factors expected to impact our results of operations. 

 

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

 

risks related to our limited operating history; 

risks related to our history of losses and our expectation of continued losses; 

risks related to our properties being in the exploration or development stage; 

risks related our mineral operations being subject to government regulation; 

risks related to future legislation and administrative changes to mining laws; 

risks related to future legislation regarding climate change; 

risks related to our ability to obtain additional capital or joint venture partners; 

risks related to land reclamation requirements and costs; 

risks related to mineral exploration and development activities being inherently dangerous; 

risks related to our insurance coverage for operating risks; 

risks related to cost increases for our exploration and development projects; 

risks related to a shortage of equipment and supplies adversely affecting our ability to operate; 

risks related to mineral estimates; 

risks related to the fluctuation of prices for precious metals, such as gold and silver; 

risks related to the competitive industry of mineral exploration; 

risks related to our title and rights in our mineral properties and mill; 

risks related to joint venture partners and our contractual obligations therewith; 

risks related to potential conflicts of interest with our management; 

risks related to our dependence on key management; 

risks related to the New Jersey Mill operations, management, and milling capacity; 

risks related to our business model; 

risks related to evolving corporate governance standards for public companies; and 

risks related to our shares of common stock. 

 

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the sections titled “Description of Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, except as required by law.

 

We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report by the foregoing cautionary statements.


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GLOSSARY OF SIGNIFICANT MINING TERMS

 

Ag-Silver.

 

Au-Gold.

 

Alluvial-Adjectivally used to identify rocks or minerals deposited over time by moving water.

 

Argillites-Metamorphic rock containing clay minerals.

 

Arsenopyrite-An iron-arsenic sulfide. Common constituent of gold mineralization.

 

Ball Mill-A large rotating cylinder usually filled to about 45% of its total volume with steel grinding balls. The mill rotates and crushed rock is fed into one end and discharged through the other. The rock is pulverized into small particles by the cascading and grinding action of the balls.

 

Bedrock-Solid rock underlying overburden.

 

Cu-Copper.

 

CIL-A standard gold recovery process involving the leaching with cyanide in agitated tanks with activated carbon. CIL means "carbon-in-leach."

 

Crosscut-A nominally horizontal mine passageway, generally driven at right angles to the strike of a vein.

 

Dip-Angle made by an inclined surface with the horizontal, measured perpendicular to strike.

 

Deposit-A mineral deposit is a mineralized body that has been intersected by sufficient closely-spaced drill holes or underground sampling to support sufficient tonnage and average grade(s) of metal(s) to warrant further exploration or development activities.

 

Drift-A horizontal mine opening driven on the vein. Driving is a term used to describe the excavation of a mine passageway.

 

Exploration Stage-As defined by the SEC-includes all issuers engaged in the search for mineral deposits (reserves), which are not in the production stage.

 

Fault-A fracture in the earth's crust accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other and in a direction parallel to the fracture.

 

Flotation-A physiochemical process for the separation of finely divided solids from one another. Separation of these (dissimilar) discrete solids from each other is affected by the selective attachment of the particle surface to gas bubbles.

 

GPT-grams per metric tonne.

 

Galena-A lead sulfide mineral. The most important lead mineral in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District.

 

Grade-A term used to assign the concentration of metals per unit weight of ore. An example-ounces of gold per ton of ore (opt). One troy ounce per short ton is 34.28 parts per million or 34.28 grams per metric tonne.

 

Mill-A general term used to denote a mineral processing plant.

 

Mineralization-The presence of minerals, usually of potential economic significance, in a specific area or geologic formation.

 

Net Smelter Return (“NSR”)-The Net Smelter Return from a processed ore is the value recouped from the mineral products less the costs associated with smelting, refining, and transport to the smelter. The NSR specifically does not permit the deduction of mining and milling costs.

 

Ore-A mineral or aggregate of minerals that can be mined and treated at a profit. A large quantity of ore that is surrounded by waste or sub-ore material is called an orebody.

 

Patented Claim-A mineral claim where the title has been obtained from the U.S. federal government through the patent process of the 1872 Mining Law. The owner of the patented claim is granted title to the surface and mineral rights.

 

Production Stage-As defined by the SEC-includes all issuers engaged in the exploitation of a mineral deposit (reserve).

 

Pyrite-An iron sulfide mineral that usually has no commercial value but is commonly associated with mineral deposits of gold, copper, and other metals.

 

Quartz-Crystalline silica (SiO2). An important rock-forming and gangue material in veins or other types of mineral deposits.


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Quartzites-Metamorphic rock containing significant amounts of quartz.

 

Raise-An underground opening driven upward, generally on the vein.

 

Ramp-An underground opening usually driven downward, but not always, to provide access to an orebody for rubber-tired equipment such as loaders and trucks. Typically ramps are inclined at a slope grade of approximately 15%.

 

Reserves-That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Reserves are subcategorized as either proven (measured) reserves, for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings, or drill holes, and grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling, and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are spaced so closely and geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth, and mineral content are well-established; or probable (indicated) reserves, for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) reserves, yet the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart.

 

Royalty or NSR Royalty-A mineral royalty is a percentage of the value extracted from an ore that is paid to an interest holding party, usually a claim owner. The NSR Royalty is calculated based on the value of the processed ore after deducting the costs of smelting, refining, and transport to a smelter. However, the cost of mining and milling is not deducted. Typical NSR Royalty rates in the United States are on the order of 1–5%.

 

Shoot – A body of ore, usually of elongated form, extending downward or upward in a vein.

 

Stope-An underground void created by the mining of ore.

 

Strike-The bearing or azimuth of the line created by the intersection of a horizontal plane with an inclined rock strata, vein or body.

 

Tellurium-Relatively rare chemical element found with gold and silver that can form minerals known as tellurides.

 

Tetrahedrite-Sulfosalt mineral containing copper, antimony, and silver.

 

Vein-A zone or body of mineralized rock lying within boundaries separating it from neighboring wallrock. A mineralized zone having a more or less regular development in length, width and depth to give it a tabular form and commonly inclined at a considerable angle to the horizontal.

 

Unpatented Claim-A mineral claim staked on United States Public Domain (USPD) that is open for mineral entry. Unpatented lode claims can be no more than 1,500 feet long by 600 feet wide. The claimant owns the mineral rights, but does not own the surface, which is USPD. Any exploration or mining on the claim must first be submitted in a plan of operations (POO) for approval to the appropriate federal land management entity.

 

Wallrock-Usually barren rock surrounding a vein.


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PART I

 

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

 

Business

New Jersey Mining Company (“the Company” or “NJMC”) is a gold producer with an established base in three historic mining districts in the Western United States. The Company’s primary source of revenue comes from its operating gold mine, the Golden Chest Mine located in the Murray Gold Belt of northern Idaho.

New Jersey Mining Company (“the Company” or “NJMC”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Idaho on July 18, 1996. The Company’s head office and registered records office is located at 201 N. 3rd St. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

Any Bankruptcy, Receivership or Similar Proceedings

There have been no bankruptcy, receivership, or similar proceedings.

Any Material Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation, or Purchase or Sale of a Significant Amount of Assets Not in the Ordinary Course of Business.

There have been no material reclassifications, mergers, consolidations, purchases, or sales not in the ordinary course of business for the past three years.

BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

General Description of the Business

New Jersey Mining Company (NJMC) was incorporated in the State of Idaho on July 18, 1996. The Company is an established gold producer, with surface and underground mining operations at its 100-percent owned Golden Chest Mine and milling operations at its majority-owned New Jersey Mill. Its business strategy is to grow its asset base and mineral production over time, relying primarily on its in-house skill sets to eventually become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company holds mineral properties in three historic mining districts of Idaho and Montana. Its portfolio of mineral properties includes:

The Golden Chest Mine, a producing gold mine located in the Murray Gold Belt (MGB) of North Idaho; 

Advanced stage, pre-development surface and underground property, adjacent to the Golden Chest Mine; 

A significant portfolio of early-stage exploration properties within the MGB, many of which include historic gold mines and known gold mineralization; 

A significant portfolio of early-stage exploration properties in Central Idaho, primarily in the Elk City area, and; 

The Butte Highlands Mine (50-percent interest), an advanced-stage project which has seen considerable development work, located south of the city of Butte, in Western Montana; 

In addition to its portfolio of exploration, pre-development, and producing properties, the Company is also the manager and majority-owner of the New Jersey Mill, which currently processes ore from the Golden Chest Mine. The New Jersey Mill can process gold and silver ore through a 360-tonne per day flotation plant.

During the last two years, the Company has focused its efforts on development and production at the Golden Chest Mine with an aggressive two-year pay back plan of all start-up costs. With all debt associated with the start-up of operations paid in full, the Company significantly increased its exploration and expansion activities in the Murray Gold Belt. This progress combined with the existing infrastructure and development over the last two years has created a solid foundation for continued growth and a base of value regardless of market cycles.

Competitive Business Conditions

While there has been a market for gold and precious metals historically, the Company competes on several different fronts within the minerals exploration industry. The Company competes with other junior mining companies for the capital necessary to sustain its exploration and development programs. NJMC also competes with other mining companies for exploration properties and mining assets, mostly properties in the western United States. In recent years, the Company has been successful in resuming operations at the New Jersey Mill, consolidating 100% ownership of the Golden Chest Mine and acquiring a 50% interest in the Butte Highlands Joint Venture. In October 2016 production at the Golden Chest resumed with the Company as the sole owner and operator. While not its core business, the New Jersey Mill has little competition for contract milling within an approximate 175-mile radius; however, it is conceivable that fuel prices and other factors could expand the market to include mines outside of the area.

Generally, the Company is subject to the risks inherent to the mineral industry. A primary risk of mineral exploration is the low probability of finding a major ore deposit. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by focusing its efforts in areas known to host significant mineral deposits, and also by relying on its experienced management team to drive analysis, evaluation, and acquisition of properties that it feels have a higher-than-average probability of success. In addition to deal essentials, such as cost, terms, timing, and market considerations, the Company’s process of property


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acquisition involves screening target properties based on geological, economic, engineering, environmental, and metallurgical factors. In all of its operations the Company competes for skilled labor within the mining industry.

The risks associated with the Company’s mining and milling operations include other risks typical of the mining industry, such as: operational effectiveness in the processing plant that could result in lower recovery of the economic metals, mechanical failure of equipment that could increase costs or decrease efficacy, ability to hire and retain qualified operators, and risks that the mining operations are unable to economically extract material due to ground or slope failures that increase cost. The Company manages these risks with engineering and geologic analysis, detailed mine planning, a preventive maintenance program, and installing experienced and technically proficient management.

Another significant risk in the mining industry is the price of metals such as gold and silver. If the prices of these metals were to fall substantially it could lead to a loss of investor interest in the mineral exploration sector, which would make it more difficult to raise the capital necessary for the Company or other potential customers to move exploration and development plans forward.

Effect of Existing or Probable Governmental Regulations on the Business

The mining business is subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing development, production, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, the use of toxic substances, environmental regulations, mine safety and other matters. The Company is subject to potential risks and liabilities occurring as a result of mineral exploration and production. Insurance against environmental risk (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) is not generally available to the Company (or to other companies in the minerals industry) at a reasonable price. To the extent that the Company becomes subject to environmental liabilities, the satisfaction of any such liabilities would reduce funds otherwise available to the Company and could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Laws and regulations intended to ensure the protection of the environment are constantly changing and are generally becoming more restrictive.

All operating and exploration plans have been made in consideration of existing governmental regulations. Regulations that most affect operations are related to surface water quality and access to public lands. An approved plan of operations (POO) and a financial bond are usually required before exploration or mining activities can be conducted on public land that is administered by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or United States Forest Service (USFS).

The New Jersey Mine, Golden Chest Mine, and other nearby properties are part of the expanded Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Current plans for expanded cleanup do not include any NJMC projects. There is no known evidence that previous operations at the New Jersey Mine (prior to 1910) caused any groundwater or surface water pollution or discharged any tailings into the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River; however, it is possible that such evidence could surface. Should such a liability emerge for the Company, its exposure would likely be to clean up or cover old mine tailings that may have washed downstream from upstream mining operations. There are no mineral processing tailings deposits at the Golden Chest Mine. However, at least two old adits have small water discharges. The Company could conceivably be required to conduct cleanup operations at its own expense, however, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Record of Decision for the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Operating Unit 3 does not include any cleanup activities at the Company’s projects. Recently, the EPA has proposed a new cleanup plan that greatly increases the number of historic mine sites to be reclaimed, however, the plan has not been approved. NJMC has not received any notifications that it could be liable for any environmental cleanup.

Costs and Effects of Compliance with Environmental Laws (Federal, State and Local)

No major Federal permits are required for the Golden Chest and New Jersey Mines because the operations are on private land and there are no process discharges to surface waters. However, any exploration program conducted by the Company on unpatented mining claims, usually administered by the BLM or USFS, requires a POO to be submitted. The Company’s exploration programs on public land can be delayed for significant periods of time (one to two years) because of the slow permitting process applied by the USFS. The Company believes that such permitting delays are caused by insufficient manpower, complicated regulations, competing priorities, and sympathy for environmental groups who oppose all mining projects.

The Company is also subject to the rules of the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for the New Jersey and Golden Chest operations. When an underground mine or mill is operating, MSHA performs a series of regular quarterly inspections to verify compliance with mine safety laws, and can assess financial penalties for violations of MSHA regulations. A typical mine citation order for a violation that is not significant or substantial is about $200.

The New Jersey Mine and Mill have two important State of Idaho permits. The first is an Idaho Cyanidation Permit and the second is a reclamation plan for surface mining operations. No permit is required for the current flotation process as there is no discharge of water to surface waters and the tailings impoundment is less than 30 feet high from toe to crest in height. An Idaho cyanidation permit was granted October 10, 1995 [No. CN-000027]. Construction of the Concentrate Leach Plant (CLP) at the New Jersey Mill was completed in November of 2007. The Idaho Cyanidation permit requires


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quarterly surface water and groundwater monitoring during the operation of the CLP. NJMC estimates the cost of water-monitoring associated with the CLP to be approximately $6,000 per year.

The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) approved a surface mining reclamation plan for the New Jersey Mine in 1993. The plan calls for grading of steep fill slopes and planting of vegetation on the area disturbed by the open pit mine. NJMC pays an annual reclamation fee of $133 to the Idaho Department of Lands for surface disturbance associated with the New Jersey Mine open pit. The Company has estimated its costs to reclaim the New Jersey Mine and Mill site to be $96,600. The Company submitted a reclamation plan to the IDL for its current open pit mining operation at the Golden Chest Mine. The plan was approved and the Company was required to post a reclamation bond of $103,320. This plan also calls for the grading of steep fill slopes and re-vegetation of disturbed land as well as erosion control measures utilizing best practices.

When the Company plans an exploration drilling program on public lands, it must submit a POO to either the BLM or USFS. Compilation of the plan can take several days of professional time and a reclamation bond is usually required to start drilling once the plan is approved. Bond costs vary directly with surface disturbance area, but a small, single set-up drilling program usually requires a bond amount of approximately $5,000. If a plan requires road building, the bond amount can increase significantly. Upon completion of site reclamation and approval by the managing agency, the bond is returned to the Company.

The Company complies with local building codes and ordinances as required by law.

Number of Total Employees and Number of Full Time Employees

The Company's total number of full time employees is 24.

REPORTS TO SECURITY HOLDERS

The Company is not required to deliver an annual report to shareholders, however, it plans to deliver an annual report to shareholders in 2020. The annual report will contain audited financial statements. The Company may also rely on the Internet to deliver annual reports to shareholders.

The Company filed a Form 10-SB with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2000. The filing became effective on January 27, 2000. The Company has filed the required annual 10-K reports, quarterly 10-Q reports, and 8-K reports since that time up to the Form 10-K report that was filed for 2012. A Form 15 was filed on May 15, 2013 suspending Company filing for the 2013 filing year. A Form 10 was subsequently filed on July 2, 2014 to return the Company to reporting status.

The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission and SEC.

The Company maintains a website where recent press releases and other information can be found. A link to the Company’s filings with the SEC is provided on the Company’s website www.newjerseymining.com.


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ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

Picture 7 

Figure 1 - Project Location Map

GOLDEN CHEST MINE

NWPitViewWinter2020.JPG 

Figure 1 - Photo of New Golden Chest Mine in February 2020


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Property Location

The Golden Chest Mine is comprised of an underground mine, an open pit mine, and an exploration project located about 1.5 miles east of Murray, Idaho, comprised of 25 patented mining claims (280 acres) and 90 unpatented claims (1,390 acres). The site is along Forest Highway 9 and is accessible by several improved dirt roads from the paved highway. A three-phase power line was installed at the property in 2014 with power supplied by Avista Utilities.

Property Ownership

NJMC owns 100% of the Golden Chest LLC (owner of the Golden Chest Mine). The Company consolidated its ownership in December 2015, purchasing Marathon Gold Corporation’s (“Marathon”) 52.22% stake in Golden Chest LLC for $180,000 along with a 2% NSR on production from the Golden Chest property, as well as an adjacent Area of Interest. Golden Chest LLC purchased the mine from Metaline Contact Mines and J.W. Beasley Interests for $3.75-million

Property History

The Golden Chest Mine was developed in the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s as part of the first gold production from the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. Historical accounts vary, but the district is believed to have produced approximately 300,000 ounces of gold from placer sources. It is estimated that the historic hard rock mining operations on the Golden Chest property produced approximately 65,000 ounces of gold, primarily from shallow, underground, high-grade veins. The Golden Chest Mine is considered to be the largest historic lode producer of gold in northern Idaho.

Modern exploration of the Golden Chest area began in the late 1970’s with several companies, including Cominco-American and Golden Chest Inc. (“GCI”), targeting gold and massive sulfides. Drill tests by GCI included a 200-foot hole from surface that intersected a 60-foot zone containing multiple low-grade gold-bearing quartz veins.

Newmont Exploration Ltd. followed GCI’s discovery by evaluating the veins for bulk mineable potential in the late-1980s. A geochemical survey yielded soil samples from the mine area that were anomalous in both gold and arsenic, indicating a well-developed vein system. Newmont then drilled 35 shallow reverse-circulation and five core holes, establishing an historic resource, most of which is related to the Idaho Vein system on the south end of the property.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

Exploration & Development by NJMC & Golden Chest LLC

NJMC first leased the property in 2003, then explored, drilled, and developed it over subsequent years, producing 8,400 tonnes of ore averaging 6.9 gpt gold, all of which was processed at its New Jersey Mill for total production of nearly 2,000 ounces of gold. From 2004 through 2008, the Company completed an exploration core drilling program at the Golden Chest totaling 3,415 meters of core during that period, successfully extending the Idaho Vein below the No. 3 Level. NJMC connected the historic No. 3 Level to the surface by driving a 440-meter ramp (the “North Ramp”), which was completed in 2008.

In 2010, NJMC terminated its operating leases to form Golden Chest LLC with Marathon. NJMC contributed certain mining claims, all geological data, and mining equipment to the venture, while Marathon contributed $4-million cash. As Marathon is a Canadian issuer, the joint venture operated and issued technical disclosures in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

In 2011, Golden Chest LLC completed the most aggressive exploration project in the history of the property, totaling 11,300 meters of surface drilling. Other work completed included the construction of a new core shed, construction of new roads, surface geological work, surface and underground surveying, underground exploration drifting, and mine rehabilitation. In 2012, Golden Chest LLC completed an additional 7,000 meters of drilling and exploration drifting on the Popcorn Vein. Based on the results of those work programs, Golden Chest LLC delineated an updated gold resource and filed a technical report in compliance with NI 43-101.

As part of the Company’s efforts to seek a listing on the Canadian Stock Exchange an updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report was completed and released. The report included current mining operations and activity that occurred in 2016 and 2017.

The Juniper Lease & Mine Modernization

In September 2013, the Skookum Shoot portion of the Golden Chest property was leased to Juniper Mining Company, which later reassigned the lease to Gold Hill, an affiliate company. Gold Hill began construction in Q3 2014, spending an estimated $7 to $9-million on mine development and infrastructure, building a modern gold mine that reached production in May 2015. Mining activities continued until September 2015 when Gold Hill ceased operations and terminated its lease, forfeiting the mine and infrastructure back to Golden Chest LLC.

During the lease, NJMC processed Golden Chest ore at its New Jersey Mill, earning cash from milling fees and its share of a 2% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty on gold production. In total, Gold Hill mined 40,840 dry metric tonnes of ore at an average grade of 6.70 gpt gold, resulting in production of approximately 8,000 ounces of gold.


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Current Underground Operations

During 2019, NJMC mined a total of 10,800 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 5.79 gpt gold. This production came from the 857, 848, 845 and 836 stopes. Underhand drift and fill is the mining method and cemented rock fill (CRF) utilizing waste rock mixed with cement slurry is used for backfill. A total of 1,828 cubic meters of backfill were placed during the year and 75 meters of development were completed as well. A new 20-tonne haultruck was added to the underground mining fleet and a nearly 50% increase in the daily backfill placement rate was observed. The Company plans to add a mining crew to extend the main ramp to depth to develop the next stope sublevel in 2020 while concurrently mining the existing stopes.

Current Open-Pit Operations

In 2019, NJMC continued its open pit mining operation which commenced in August of 2016. Mining advanced from the 1012 bench to the 985 bench. A total of 41,385 tonnes of ore at average grade of 2.86 gpt gold and 183.450 tonnes of waste were mined during the year resulting in stripping ratio of 4.43. A portion of the waste, 32,000 tonnes, was gold-mineralized footwall material and stockpiled in a separate area to save as a potential future resource. The Company has completed engineering studies that show an expansion of the existing pit is economically feasible at current gold prices, and therefore, a permit to expand the surface mining operation was submitted to the Idaho Department of Lands. It is expected the permit to expand will be received by mid-year 2020 and then a northern layback of the current pit will start.

While significant modern drilling, underground development, and pit excavation have resulted in industrial scale mining and recovery of gold, there are no mineral reserves at the Golden Chest, as recognized by the SEC.

Exploration Plans

Modern exploration, including nearly 30,000 meters of drilling, reveals six NW-trending ore shoots at Golden Chest that demonstrate strong periodicity, consistent width and spacing, along the Idaho Fault. Most historic production came from the northernmost of these shoots, the Katie-Dora and the Klondike. Excellent mineralization potential remains in unmined portions of the northern shoots as well as in the unmined Paymaster and Joe Dandy shoots to the south. Drilling is planned at depth for the entire the strike length of the Idaho Fault at the property. The Company also plans to evaluate the potential of heap leaching the moderate grade, oxidized footwall material with a laboratory column test. The results of this test could drive future exploration and development efforts.

Recent data compilation efforts by NJMC have integrated all available modern exploration data from the property and across the Murray area, including work by Cominco, Newmont, NJMC, Golden Chest LLC, and the recent information provided by Gold Hill. Based on these studies and the Company’s own exploration results, management believes the Golden Chest property has district-scale production potential for the longer term, not only near the recently constructed mine, but in areas of past exploration and historic production.

Present Condition of Plant & Equipment

During the lease, Gold Hill made many improvements to the Golden Chest property including approximately 1,000 meters of underground development at a nominal cross section of 4 meters by 4 meters, the establishment of a secondary escape-way and ventilation raises, the installation of three-phase power, and many surface improvements such as a septic field and a new haul road to keep mine traffic separate from employee and visitor traffic. NJMC constructed a 2,500 square-foot steel-clad pole building in 2011 which stands at the top of the most easterly driveway to the property and is used primarily for office space and core logging. A 600 square-foot steel-clad pole building, constructed by NJMC in 2005, is also present near the northern ramp portal.

Geology & Mineralization

Gold mineralization occurs in veins associated with multiple faulting and folding events in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. The gold mineralization is of a broad type known as orogenic gold, but it also appears to have an association with igneous rock activity. Hence, the vein deposits may be described as intrusion-related orogenic gold. The principal vein being exploited at the Golden Chest Mine is associated with the Idaho Fault, which juxtaposes the quartzites of the upper Prichard Formation against finer-grained argillites, also of the upper Prichard Formation.

Veins occur adjacent to the Idaho Fault and in its footwall but to a lesser extent in its hangingwall. The mineralization occurs in two types of quartz veins, banded and massive, that are generally conformable to bedding in the Proterozoic age Prichard Formation. Banded veins, which occur primarily in argillite, contain, pyrite, arsenopyrite, galena, sphalerite and visible gold. Thicker, massive veins occur in quartzite and contain pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, scheelite and visible gold.


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NEW JERSEY MILL

Property Location

The New Jersey Mill is a fully-permitted, 360-tonne per day, flotation mill and concentrate leach plant (“CLP”) located two miles east of Kellogg, Idaho, in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District. The mill is located on the same property as the New Jersey Mine, adjacent to U.S. Interstate Highway 90 and easily accessed year-round by local roads. Three-phase electrical power is supplied to the New Jersey Mill by Avista Utilities.

Project Ownership

In 2011, NJMC signed a joint venture (“JV”) agreement with United Mine Services (“UMS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Silver Corporation, to increase the capacity of the New Jersey Mill. UMS funded the mill expansion in return for a 35% interest in JV assets plus the right to process 7,000 tonnes of its ore per month. NJMC is the JV manager and retains a 65% interest in JV assets as well as the right to process its own ore at the rate of 3,000 tonnes per month and to allocate unused and excess capacity in its role as manager. The property covered by the JV agreement includes the crushing circuit, grinding circuit, gravity circuit, flotation circuit, CLP, buildings and surface rights only over the patented mill site claim. Unpatented mill site claims are also part of the JV.

Present Condition of Plant & Equipment

Mill Expansion and Crescent Ore Processing

The mill expansion was completed in 2012, rendering the mill capable of processing 360 tonnes of sulfide ore per day (a four-fold increase) to produce a single flotation concentrate. The expansion cost approximately $3.2 million, all of which was funded by UMS under terms of the JV (Ex. 10.1). The expansion project included the installation of a new cone crusher, a new fine ore bin, new conveyors, a new 2.4-meter by 4.0-meter ball mill, additional flotation cells, a new paste thickener, associated pumps, and a new building. Subsequent to the mill expansion, the New Jersey Mill processed 8,470 dry tonnes of silver ore from the Crescent Mine before operations ended.

In April 2014, Hale Capital Partners, through its subsidiary Crescent Silver LLC (“Crescent”), acquired the assets of UMS, including its stake in the New Jersey Mill JV, in a consensual foreclosure process. Therefore, Crescent is now the NJMC’s joint venture partner at the New Jersey Mill.

Mill Upgrades and Golden Chest Ore Processing

In September 2013, the Skookum Shoot portion of the Golden Chest Mine was leased to Juniper Resources LLC which, through its affiliate companies, developed a modern gold mine that reached full production in May 2015. NJMC processed Golden Chest ore at its New Jersey Mill, earning cash from milling fees and its share of a 2-percent net smelter return royalty on gold production.

Significant additional upgrades, including installation of a new gravity gold recovery circuit and a tune up of the crushing, grinding, flotation, and tailings circuits were completed in 2014 in anticipation of ore deliveries from the Golden Chest Mine. From December 2014 through September 2015, 40,840 dry tonnes from the Golden Chest Mine were successfully processed at the New Jersey Mill producing approximately 8,000 ounces of gold.

In addition to producing concentrates in 2015, NJMC leached approximately 10 tonnes of flotation concentrate, produced from Golden Chest ore, in the CLP at the New Jersey Mill. An improved leaching process that employs a Carbon-in-Leach finishing tank was tested, with objectives of reduced process time and increased gold recovery. Test results provided an understanding of which capital improvements to the leach circuit will be necessary to reach these objectives and also, as expected, confirmed that Golden Chest concentrates are amenable to leaching.

Current Ore Processing Operations

NJMC now has 100-percent ownership of the Golden Chest Mine. In October 2016, the Company resumed operations at the New Jersey Mill, processing ore extracted from open and underground of the Golden Chest. In 2019, the New Jersey Mill processed a record 52,170 tonnes at an average head grade of 3.26 gpt gold with 87% gold recovery.

The mill recycles process water and utilizes a paste tailings disposal process patented by NJMC founder Fred Brackebusch to minimize impacts to the environment. By implementing paste tailings processing methods, NJMC is able to recycle process water and prevent the discharge of process water to surface waters. At full capacity, this method saves more than 50 million gallons of water per year. NJMC was recognized as a “Pollution Prevention Champion” by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in 2014 for its efforts to reduce pollution at the mill.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a net capital cost of $4,194,805 associated with the New Jersey Mill.


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BUTTE HIGHLANDS PROJECT

Property Location

In January 2016, NJMC purchased a 50% interest in Butte Highlands Joint Venture LLC (“BHJV”) from Timberline Resources Corporation (“Timberline”). BHJV owns the Butte Highlands Gold Project, located 15 miles south of Butte, Montana, within a gold-producing region that includes several large gold deposits. The property can be accessed via State Highway 2 and county and USFS roads. Electricity and water are available on the property.

Property Ownership

The Butte Highlands property covers approximately 135 acres and includes 11 patented claims. All of the private lands within the Butte Highlands property are patented lode and placer claims. BHJV is responsible for paying Montana state property taxes on all patented lands and for paying annual BLM maintenance fees on any unpatented mining claims.

Butte Highlands Joint Venture

In 2009, Timberline formed a 50/50 joint venture, the BHJV, with Highland Mining LLC (“Highland”) for the purpose of developing and mining the Butte Highlands property, with Highland to fund all mine development costs through to commercial production. In 2012, Montana State Gold Company LLC (“MSGC”) purchased Highland, assuming its project loan and its funding commitment.

NJMC purchased Timberline’s 50% “carried to production” interest in BHJV in 2016 for total consideration of $435,000 with Highland funding all development costs and NJMC’s 50% share of costs to be paid from proceeds of future mine production. Proceeds are to be split on an 80/20 basis (to Highland and NJMC, respectively) until payback is reached, after which proceeds will be split evenly.

Property History

The Butte Highlands gold mine was an historic lode mine that produced an estimated 60,000 ounces of gold from 1937 until the War Production Board forced its closure at the onset of WWII. The property was later explored by Battle Mountain, Placer Dome, ASARCO, and Orvana in the 1980’s and 1990’s which, in total, drilled more than 30,000 meters at Butte Highlands, prior to its acquisition by Timberline in 2007.

In 2009, Timberline formed a 50/50 joint venture with Highland to create BHJV for the purpose of developing and mining the property. In 2009 and 2010, Timberline conducted surface exploration, drilling, and permitting work as Highland began building surface and underground infrastructure.

In 2011, BHJV completed an underground exploration ramp and a 16,000-meter underground core drilling program to support mine modeling, focusing on the upper portion of the “Old Mill Block” which has dimensions of approximately 85 meters along strike, 335 meters down dip, and a mineralized thickness of 2.5 to 4.5 meters. The program returned many significant mineralized intercepts, including a highlight of 4.4 meters grading 232 gpt gold.

A NI 43-101 compliant technical report for Butte Highlands was completed in May 2013 by Mine Development Associates of Reno, Nevada.

The project has experienced significant timeline delays due, in part, to miscalculations of the permitting process and other technical issues. Permitting advanced more effectively from 2013 to 2015 with the following critical milestones successfully achieved:

In July 2013, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) issued the final Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“MPDES”) water discharge permit; 

In January 2015, the Montana DEQ authorized BHJV to construct and operate an underground gold mine by publishing positive Record of Decision (“ROD”) on Final Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”); 

In October 2015, the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) released its Final Decision Notice on haul road with a Finding of No Significant Impacts. 

These milestones represent the final major hurdles to the receipt of necessary permits allowing the project to proceed. Final construction designs and completion of work will be required, along with bond payments, before final authority is granted to proceed with the proposed operation. Once final designs and road construction are complete, the USFS will grant authority to use local USFS roads for material haulage. Upon payment of the reclamation bond, the Hard Rock Operating Permit will be granted by the Montana DEQ.


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Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

Prior to NJMC’s purchase of its stake in BHJV, the BHJV partners envisioned a 4 to 5-year mine life with estimated annual production of 30,000 to 35,000 ounces of gold. Mining was proposed to be conducted by cut and fill methods at a rate of 400 tons per day with a cut-off grade estimated at 4.8 gpt gold. Waste rock will be mixed with portland cement and placed underground as cemented rock backfill (CRF) in the mined ore zones to promote geotechnical stability. Preliminary metallurgical testwork indicates recoveries of approximately 85% of the contained gold in a flotation concentrate and 20% of the mass reporting to a rougher concentrate.

NJMC anticipates progress in regard to BHJV (not the mine or operations) this year and is cooperating with its partner to advance and or consolidate ownership in 2020. The partner maintains management control and all plans are subject to their approval and direction.

Present Condition of Plant & Equipment

Since 2009 Highland has invested nearly $40-million at Butte Highlands building a modern gold mine, including nearly 1.6 kilometers of underground mine development and construction of surface facilities, all of which are located on private lands owned by BHJV.

Geology & Mineralization

Gold mineralization at Butte Highlands is hosted primarily in lower Paleozoic Wolsey Shale with higher-grade mineralization occurring within sediments proximal to diorite sills and dikes. The project is within a favorable geologic domain that has hosted several multi-million-ounce gold deposits. There are currently no mineral reserves as defined by the SEC at Butte Highlands Project.

NEW JERSEY MINE PROJECT

Property Location

The New Jersey Mine is an underground gold mine located two miles east of Kellogg, Idaho, in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District. The mine is adjacent to U.S. Interstate Highway 90 and is easily accessed year-round by local roads. The New Jersey Mill is located on the same property, providing a unique opportunity for small-scale production. Three-phase electrical power is supplied to the New Jersey Mill by Avista Utilities.

Property Ownership

At the New Jersey Mine and Mill complex, the Company owns 102 acres of private land with surface and mineral rights, 108 acres of private land with mineral rights only, 40 acres of private land with surface rights only, and approximately 130 acres of unpatented mining claims. The unpatented claims are on federal land administered by the BLM. The gold-bearing Coleman vein system, including the underground workings and the Coleman pit, are located on the patented mining claims that are wholly-owned by the Company and not part of the New Mill Joint Venture.

Property History

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, New Jersey Mining and Milling (an unrelated company) drove more than 760 meters of development workings on the Coleman Vein and its northwest branch, including drifts, crosscuts, shafts, and raises. The historic development also included a 10-stamp gravity mill that was operated for a short period.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

Since 2001, NJMC has drilled 14 holes totaling 1,765 meters to explore the Coleman Vein and associated zones. Drilling confirmed vein system continuity and resulted in the discovery of the broad, low grade (averaging about 0.70 gpt gold) Grenfel zone. The Company’s best intercept assayed 2.76 gpt gold over 12.5 meters, which included 6.80 gpt gold over 2.5 meters.

In 2008, the Company performed underground exploration on the Coleman Vein at the 740 level, including 84 meters of drifting, with 20 meters along the vein before it was displaced by a fault. The Company also drill-tested the Scotch Thistle prospect, but a 400-meter program encountered silicification and associated alterations with no significant gold mineralization. There are at least 14 gold prospects within or near the New Jersey Mine.

In 2010, a raise was driven upward on the 740 level to explore a narrow high-grade vein that crosscut the main Coleman Vein. This raise was driven 12 meters vertically, leading to the extraction of 367 dry tonnes that assayed 2.68 gpt gold in processing at the New Jersey Mill.

NJMC has not conducted material work at the New Jersey Mine since 2010, but Company geologists are again evaluating the known gold-bearing veins and historic targets. With the New Jersey Mill actively processing ores from the Golden Chest Mine and the increase in the gold price, the potential economics of nearby gold prospects has improved significantly.

While the Company has conducted significant drilling, underground development, and even limited gold production from the New Jersey Mine, the project has no mineral reserves as recognized by the SEC.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a capitalized development plus investment cost of $248,289 associated with the mine.


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Geology & Mineralization

The New Jersey Mine area is underlain by argillites and quartzites of the Proterozoic-age Prichard Formation, which commonly hosts gold mineralization regionally. The property occurs adjacent to and north of the major Osburn Fault, an important geological structure of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. The Prichard Formation is divided into nine units of alternating argillites, siltites, and quartzites; the units exposed in the New Jersey Mine area appear to belong to the lower members. Gold mineralization is associated with sulfide-bearing quartz veins that cut the bedding in Prichard argillite and quartzite. Associated sulfides are pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, low-silver tennantite, galena, and sphalerite.

BUCKSKIN PROJECT

Property Location

The Buckskin Project is located 1.5 kilometers north of the town of Murray in Shoshone County, Idaho. The property can be accessed via dirt roads from paved Forest Highway 9. The property is a gold exploration project without known reserves.

Property Ownership

The Buckskin Project is comprised of 12 patented mining claims covering 218 acres and 73 unpatented mining claims covering approximately 1,367 acres. The 218 acres of patented mining claims was acquired through an exploration and mining lease. The Buckskin Lease term runs for 7.5 years and includes annual payments of $12,000 and a 2-percent NSR on future production from the property. If the property is placed into production, the lease will continue as long as production is underway and also includes a right of first refusal for NJMC to purchase the property, and the lease payments are treated as an advance payment on the royalty. The unpatented lode claims adjacent to the core group of claims are wholly owned by the Company and not subject to a royalty. These claims require an annual claim fee payment to the BLM.

Property History

The Buckskin property was mined intermittently for both gold and base metals in the early 20th century with most of the mining completed in the 1930’s. The property contains numerous old workings, most of which are inaccessible. A mill was located on the property but historic production is unknown.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

In 2019, the Company conducted exploration efforts in the Buckskin area with trenching mapping/sampling, road building, reopening historic underground workings, and underground mapping/sampling. Evaluation of the sampling results is ongoing. The Company plans to reopen additional underground workings and conduct new trenching in 2020.

Geology & Mineralization

The bedrock geology at the Buckskin Project are largely quartzites of the Burke Formation and argillite-siltite of the Prichard Formation. A major structural feature is the Murray Peak Fault, a northerly trending, high-angle reverse fault. Historical prospects and adits are developed along northerly trending shear zones that are likely related to the Murray Peak Fault, that contain and silica flooded rock. Gold mineralization is found in quartz veins and is associated with sulfide minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena. Anomalous tungsten was also detected in assays.

BUTTE GULCH PROJECT

Property Location

The Butte Gulch Project is located 3 kilometers east of the town of Murray in Shoshone County, Idaho. The project lies immediately adjacent to the east side of Golden Chest Mine. It is accessed by paved Forest Highway 9, then on secondary dirt roads. The property is an exploration property without known reserves.

Property Ownership

The Butte Gulch Project is comprised of 60 acres of both patented surface and mineral rights, 117 acres of patented mineral rights, and 602 acres of unpatented claims. The patented surface and mineral rights were purchased from a third party in mid-2018 and any lode production from the patented claims is subject to a 2% NSR. The patented claims where the Company only owns the lode mineral rights can be placer mined by the current owner who was the vendor of the property. NJMC holds a first right of refusal for the purchase of the surface rights not already owned by the Company. The unpatented lode claims are wholly owned by the Company and not subject to a royalty.

Property History

Butte Gulch has been placer mined by several different operations over the last century however; there are no gold production records from these historic placer mining efforts. There is evidence of historic lode prospecting in the form of surface pits and exploration adits on the property, but the Company is not aware of any modern exploration occurring on the property.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

The property is an exploration stage property adjacent to the Golden Chest Mine. The property vendor has retained the placer mining rights in the bottom of the drainage on the patented claims and conducted placer mining activity last year.


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NJMC has no affiliation or connection with the placer mining operation. Two historic adits have been reopened for mapping and sampling. Additionally, areas have been rock sampled where current placer operations have uncovered altered bedrock.

Geology & Mineralization

Outcrops in the Butte Gulch area are dominantly argillite, siltite and quartzite units that belong to the Prichard Formation. The hinge line of a major regional scale fold called the Trout Creek Anticline traverses the property. Both northwest and northeast trending quartz veins containing pyrite, galena and chalcopyrite have been identified with anomalous silver mineralization. More geologic fieldwork is planned for the upcoming season to explore for gold mineralization.

GIANT LEDGE

Property Location

The Giant Ledge Project is located six kilometers east of the town of Murray in Shoshone County, Idaho. The project is situated in Granite Gulch and is accessed by paved Forest Highway 9 and secondary dirt roads. It is an exploration project without known ore reserves.

Property Ownership

The Company’s land position consists of 57 unpatented lode claims covering an area of 1,119 acres. The claim group includes 3 separate claim blocks; Giant Ledge, Porphyry and Bear. The unpatented lode claims are wholly owned by the Company and not subject to a royalty. These claims require an annual claim fee payment to the BLM.

Property History

The Giant Ledge Project consists of several historical prospected areas with lead, copper and gold mineralization in and along the contact of the igneous intrusive. The Giant Ledge Mine was active in the 1920’s when a 122 meter deep shaft was sunk and about 450 meters of drift development was completed. A flotation mill was erected and a minor amount of undisclosed production was achieved. Bunker Hill Mining Company also examined and mapped the mine workings in the 1950’s. Sunshine Mining Company conducted exploration at the Giant Ledge in the mid-1980’s and drilled two core holes. In 2008, the Company obtained core from Sunshine’s drilling program, and it was re-logged and assayed. The best of the mineralization showed 4.6 meters of 0.908 gpt gold and 0.24% combined copper and lead. An extensive soil sampling program was completed in conjunction with a VLF and magnetometer survey.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

The property is an exploration stage property east of the Golden Chest Mine. Although no significant work was performed at Giant Ledge during the 2009-2019 period, the Company is preparing to resume exploration efforts in 2020.

Geology & Mineralization

The primary structural feature on the Giant Ledge property is the French Gulch fault. The fault contact extends through the property, separating monzonitic intrusive rocks on the west, from Prichard Formation argillite and quartzites on the east. Structurally controlled mineralization is found in both the argillite-quartzite sediments and in the monzonites. Seams and disseminations of auriferous pyrite, galena and chalcopyrite are found up to 10 meters into the footwall and hangingwall.

CROWN POINT PROJECT

Property Location

The Crown Point Project is located 3.5 kilometers west-southwest of the town of Murray in Shoshone County, Idaho. The lower portion of the property can be accessed via Forest Highway 9 and the higher elevation part of the property is accessed seasonally via dirt roads. The property is a gold exploration project without known reserves.

Property Ownership

The Company’s land position consists of 24 unpatented claims covering an area of 362 acres. The unpatented lode claims are wholly owned by the Company and not subject to a royalty. These claims require an annual claim fee payment to the BLM.

Property History

The Crown Point claims were staked in 2018 on the presumed southern extension of the Crown Point shear zone. There is evidence of historic lode prospecting in the form of surface pits on the property, but the Company is not aware of any modern exploration occurring on the property.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

The Company has completed some surface sampling on the unpatented claims, and has no plans for additional work in 2020.


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Geology & Mineralization

The Crown Point shear zone is a fault system that has been historically mapped between the Crown Point patented claim group and the patented Potosi claim group in the south. Host rocks at the property are siltites, argillites and quartzites of the Prichard Formation.

 

POTOSI

Property Location

The Potosi Project is located 4.4 kilometers southwest of the town of Murray in Shoshone County, Idaho. It is an exploration project without known ore reserves. The project is accessed by the paved Beaver Creek county road and other secondary dirt roads.

Property Ownership

NJMC acquired fee simple title to of 3 patented lode claims as part of the 2018 Butte Gulch land acquisition. The 3 patented claims cover a 71 acre area.

Property History

Potosi has been placer mined in several different operations over the last century however, there is no gold production records from these historic placer mining efforts. There is evidence of historic lode prospecting in the form of surface pits and exploration adits on the property, but the Company is not aware of any modern lode exploration occurring on the property.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

Minor reclamation work, road improvements and timber harvesting was conducted in 2019, and minor trenching efforts are planned for 2020.

Geology & Mineralization

Host rocks at the property are siltites and argillites of the Prichard Formation. Geologic mapping suggests fault structures associated with the Crown Point Shear Zone may cross the property.

McKINLEY PROJECT

Property Location

The McKinley Property encompasses a number of historic prospects in central Idaho and extends, from the town of Riggins northward for nearly five miles. The property is an early-stage, gold exploration project accessed via public and private dirt roads off of US Highway 95.

Property Ownership

In 2013, NJMC acquired the McKinley Property through its acquisition of Idaho Champion Resources (“ICR”). The property is held by 28 unpatented claims and an agreement known as the Rupp Lease. The Rupp Lease consists of a mineral lease for 1,728 acres with an additional 1,518 acres of land with certain rights for access and surface disturbance. The 3,246 total acres held through the Rupp Lease requires an annual rental payment of $6,100. If an ore reserve of 250,000 ounces of gold is achieved within the Rupp Lease, there is a 1% NSR royalty on future production less recoupment of capital costs. The Company also holds 28 unpatented claims, totaling 560 acres, adjacent the 4 patented claims of the McKinley Mine and the lands of the Rupp Lease. These claims require an annual claim fee payment to the BLM. NJMC has dropped the mineral lease for the 4 patented claims where the historic McKinley Mine workings are located.

Property History

The McKinley Property is located in the Simpson Mining District and was first prospected in 1891. The property was subject to intermittent mining activity until it was shut down during WWII. The property remained largely dormant until Hunt Energy executed a sampling program in the late 1970’s and Kennecott Exploration completed a property evaluation in the early-1990s. In 2012, ICR started surface exploration of the property, including a ground magnetic survey, before the acquisition by NJMC in 2013.

ICR previously conducted ground magnetic survey over a large portion of the property, approximately 2.4 by 5.6 kilometers. The survey indicates that potentially major structures passing through the district are associated with some degree of demagnetization. It also appears to indicate the potential mineralization at the McKinley Mine along with several potential target areas, including historic mines and prospects that extend for several miles along the known trend.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

Surface mapping and sampling by NJMC identified two areas with significant gold mineralization in outcrop: the Monarch Zone, about one kilometer S-SW of the McKinley Mine, and along Fiddle Creek, which crosses the southern portion of the property. At the Monarch Zone, several samples returned high-grade gold with values up to 26 gpt. At Fiddle Creek, 10 of 20 samples exceeded 3 gpt gold with one sample exceeding 50 gpt gold. Both areas have had historic prospecting but no significant development and much of the ground between these prospects remains unexplored. More


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geologic fieldwork is planned for the upcoming season to explore for additional gold mineralization between the Monarch and Fiddle Creek zones.

Geology and Mineralization

The McKinley Project is located within the rocks of the Riggins and Seven Devils Groups of the Blue Mountains Island-Arc Complex. The metasediments of the accreted Riggins and Seven Devils Groups are considered to be the source of coarse gold found in the nearby historic placer operations. Mapping and geophysics both suggest major northerly trending fault structures cut these metasediments. Rock alteration consists of carbonization and silicification. Gold mineralization is associated with auriferous pyrite and quartz-carbonate veining.

EASTERN STAR PROJECT

Property Location

The Eastern Star property is located about four miles west of Elk City in central Idaho. It consists of 11 patented lode mining claims acquired by NJMC in 2014 and an additional 45 unpatented lode claims (413 acres) located in 2018. Eastern Star is an early-stage exploration project with no mineral reserves as recognized by the SEC. The property is accessible via improved dirt roads off of Idaho State Highway 14.

Property Ownership

NJMC acquired fee simple title to the 11 patented claims from Premium Exploration Inc. (“Premium”) for $250,817 in 2014. The Company also holds the 45 unpatented lode claims (413 acres) surrounding the core group of patented claims. All of the Eastern Star claims are wholly owned by the Company and not subject to a royalty. The unpatented claims require an annual claim fee payment to the BLM.

Property History

The Elk City Mining District is an historic gold mining region dating back to the 1860s that once supported more than 20 underground mines, including the Eastern Star, along with placer dredging operations. Modern exploration in the district by companies including Cypress-Amax, Kinross Gold, and Bema Gold has focused on near-surface bulk tonnage gold potential, while the many smaller-scale high-grade gold occurrences have largely been ignored.

In recent years, prior operator Premium collected grab samples from three separate locations, representing nearly one-half mile of mineralized trend. Of 25 grab samples, nine returned gold values greater than 16.9 gpt. Premium then drilled three core holes at Eastern Star, targeting a bulk mineable gold deposit.

Present Condition, Work Completed, and Exploration Plans

In 2014, The Company completed mapping, sampling and trenching programs. Company geologists identified several quartz veins that had been exploited by historic prospect pits and small shafts. Surface grab samples from these veins confirmed the widespread presence of high-grade gold within mineralized quartz vein material.

The Company performed an 880-meter trenching program. The channel samples intercepted notable gold mineralization including contiguous samples up to 10.4 meters of 2.25 gpt gold and 6.4 meters of 7.97 gpt gold (which included 4.3 meters of 11.34 gpt gold).

Although no significant work was performed at Eastern Star during the 2015-2018 period, the Company is preparing to resume exploration efforts in 2019. The Company’s exploration objective at Eastern Star is to evaluate its potential for high-grade gold-bearing quartz veins, similar to those that led to historic production and patenting of the mineral claims.

Geology & Mineralization

The Eastern Star property is underlain by extensively weathered, high grade metamorphic rocks such as biotite gneiss and schist, intruded by dikes and sills emanating from the Idaho Batholith. Two types of gold mineralization are present at the Eastern Star property. The first is the large, low-grade, bulk tonnage mineralization associated with the northerly trending Orogrande Shear Zone and the second is the easterly trending high-grade gold quartz veins.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had two citations for a violation of mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and substantially (S&S citation) contribute to the cause and affect a mine safety or health hazard under section 104 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. There were no legal actions, mining-related fatalities, or similar events in relation to the Company’s United States operations requiring disclosure pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.


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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Market Information

The Company's Common Stock currently trades on the OTCQB tier of the OTC Market under the symbol "NJMC" and the Canadian Stock Exchange (“CSE”).

As of March 1, 2020, there were approximately 1,200 shareholders of record of the Company's Common Stock.

Dividend Policy

The Company has not declared or paid cash dividends or made distributions in the past and the Company does not anticipate that it will pay cash dividends or make distributions in the foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to retain and reinvest future earnings, if any, to finance its operations.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent for the Company's Common Stock is Nevada Agency Trust 50 West Liberty, Suite 880 Reno, Nevada 89501.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

In April 2014 the Board of Directors of the Company established a stock option plan to authorize the granting of stock options to officers and employees. Upon exercise of the options shares are issued from the available authorized shares of the Company.

No additional fees are paid for attendance at Board of Directors’ meetings, committee membership or committee chairmanship

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))

 

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by the board

5,262,500

$0.13

0

Equity compensation plans not approved by the board

0

0

0

Total

5,262,500

$0.13

0

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Occasionally, we pay for goods and services with restricted common stock. Our policy is to determine the fair value of the goods or services, and then issue the number of corresponding shares using an agreed upon price for our common stock that considers the bid/offer price as quoted by the OTC Market or the CSE Market.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 9,608,578 shares of restricted common stock for cash resulting in net proceeds of $1,206,856 and an average net proceed price of $0.126 per share. The transactions were strictly limited to persons in the United States and Canada who met certain minimum financial (accredited investors) or sophistication requirements. In management’s opinion, the securities were issued pursuant to exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 108,000 shares pursuant to the exercise of options at $0.15 per share for $16,200. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 1,333,333 shares of common stock for the purchase of the Crown Point property at $0.175 per share for a value of $233,333. The Company did not issue any shares pursuant to the exercise of options or for property in 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 53,286 shares of its common stock valued at $9,059 for professional services. Fair value was based on the trading price of the Company’s stock on the date of each the transaction. The common shares are subject to a hold period of 4 months and 1 day. The Company did not issue any shares for professional services in 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 398,575 shares of its commons stock in exchange for 1,200,000 outstanding warrants in a cashless warrant exercise. The fair value at the time of exercise was $59,680.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not required for smaller reporting companies.


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Table of contents


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Plan of Operation

New Jersey Mining Company is a gold producer focused on diversifying and building its asset base and cash flows through a portfolio of mineral properties located in historic producing gold districts in Idaho and Montana.

The Company’s plan of operation is to generate positive cash flow, increase its gold production and asset base over time while being mindful of corporate overhead. The Companies management is focused on utilizing its in-house technical and operating skills to build a portfolio of producing mines and milling operations with a primary focus on gold and secondary focus on silver and base metals.

The Company’s properties include: the Golden Chest Mine (currently in production), the New Jersey Mill (majority ownership interest), and a 50% carried to production interest in the past producing Butte Highlands Mine located in Montana. In addition to its producing and near-term production projects, New Jersey Mining Company has additional exploration prospects, including the McKinley and Eastern Star located in Central Idaho, and additional holdings near the Golden Chest in the Murray Gold Belt.

Highlights for 2019 include:

For the year ending December 31, 2019 a record 52,170 dry metric tonnes (dmt) were processed at the Company’s New Jersey Mill with an average gold head grade of 3.46 grams per tonne gold (gpt). 

NJMC produced a record total of 5,060 ounces of gold contained in concentrates. 

Mined 41,385 tonnes of ore from the open pit at an average grade of 2.86 gpt gold with an average stripping ratio of 4.4 and average daily mining rate of 1,200 tonnes per day (tpd).  

Mined and stockpiled 31,870 tonnes of lower grade material from the pit leaving a total of 89,575 tonnes at a gold grade of 1.09 gpt in stockpile at year end for a potential heap leach operation.  

Mined 10,790 tonnes of ore from the underground mine at an average grade of 5.79 gpt gold, placed 1,583 cubic meters of cemented rockfill (CRF) and completed 43 meters of development required for the access of new stopes.  

A new 20-metric tonne underground haul truck was acquired which increased the backfilling rate by 50%, thereby increasing the monthly ore production for the underground mine. A new 2.0 cubic meter LHD was also acquired which significantly increased the mechanical availability of the mining fleet. 

Completed engineering studies that showed and expansion of the current pit (Idaho Pit) to the north and the development of satellite pit (Klondike Pit) to the north are feasible to mine at current gold prices. A permit application for the expansion was submitted to the State of Idaho in January 2020. 

Results of Operations

Our financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is summarized below:

Revenue from gold concentrate sales was $6,119,512 for the year ending December 31, 2019 compared to $3,629,837 for the comparable period in 2018. The increase in revenue from mining operations is the result of increased tonnage and higher grade mineralized material being mined in 2019 as the open pit progressed and underground production became more consistent. 

Gross profit in 2019 was $738,548 compared to a gross loss of $726,881 in 2018 also because of the mining of higher grade mineralized material in 2019 as the open pit progressed and underground production became more consistent. 

The Company had a net loss of $726,507 compared to a net income of $752,279 for the same period in 2018. 

The consolidated net income (loss) included non-cash charges of $1,112,434 (($2,498,164) in 2018) as follows: depreciation and amortization of $580,005 ($367,939 in 2018), accretion of asset retirement obligation of $9,077 ($3,901 in 2018), stock based compensation of $190,019 ($42,020), in 2018), loss on abandonment of mineral property of $333,333 (none in 2018), change in fair value of forward gold contracts, none in 2019 ($15,984 in 2018), write down of inventory to net realizable value, none in 2019 ($19,874 in 2018), and gain on sale of mineral property, none in 2019 (($2,947,862) in 2018). 

Net income (loss) attributable to New Jersey Mining Company was ($609,605) and $830,014 in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

The sale of the Toboggan and Little Baldy properties to Hecla in 2018 resulted in a $2,947,862 gain for the Company as reflected in net income. This sale was not a part of normal operations. 

Pre-development expenses decreased in 2019 compared to 2018 as the underground operations were commenced. Additional pre-development expenses incurred in 2018 were for underground access ramp and stope development. 

Exploration expenses decreased in 2019 compared to 2018 as focus in 2019 was on production. These exploration costs were primarily associated with core drilling. 


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Cash Costs and All In Sustaining Costs Reconciliation to GAAP-Reconciliation of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) to cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per ounce (non-GAAP).

The table below presents reconciliations between the most comparable GAAP measure of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization to the non-GAAP measures of cash cost per ounce produced and all in sustaining costs per ounce produced for the Company’s gold production for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The cost per ounce calculations are based on ounces produced. Upon sale, the Company typically receives payment at an average rate of 91% of ounces produced after smelting and refining charges are deducted.

Cash cost per ounce is an important operating measure that we utilize to measure operating performance. AISC per ounce is an important measure that we utilize to assess net cash flow after costs for pre-development, exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold do not capture all of the expenditures incurred to discover, develop, and sustain gold production.

 

December 31,

 

 

2019

 

2018

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

$

5,380,964

$

4,356,718

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

 

(580,005)

 

(367,939)

Change in concentrate inventory

 

(42,077)

 

42,211

Cash Cost

$

4,758,882

$

4,030,990

Pre-development expense

 

117,440

 

195,068

Exploration

 

214,924

 

467,926

Sustaining capital

 

95,220

 

329,443

General and administrative

 

453,958

 

392,654

Less stock based compensation and other non cash items

 

(199,096)

 

(45,921)

All in sustaining costs

$

5,441,328

$

5,370,160

Divided by ounces produced

 

5,060

 

3,400

Cash cost per ounce

$

940.49

$

1,185.59

All in sustaining cost (AISC) per ounce

$

1,075.36

$

1,579.46

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

Net cash provided (used) by:

 

2019

 

2018

Operating activities

$

206,407

$

(1,415,135)

Investing activities

 

79,780

 

2,146,119

Financing activities

 

(317,157)

 

(606,835)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

(30,970)

 

124,149

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

248,766

 

124,617

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

217,796

$

248,766

The Company has accumulated deficit at December 31, 2019 and incurred a consolidated net loss in 2019 of $726,507. The Company is currently producing from the open-pit and underground at the Golden Chest. During 2019, production generated cash flow from operations of $206,407 compared to cash flow used in operations of $1,415,135 in 2018. Planned production for the next 18 months indicates the trend to improve. In prior years, the Company has been successful in raising required funds for ongoing operations from sale of its common stock or borrowing. Management believes it has the ability to meet its contractual obligations with continuing cash flows from operations, existing cash, and potential financings for the next 12 months.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not required for smaller reporting companies.


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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

 

 

Picture 2 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the shareholders and the board of directors of New Jersey Mining Company

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of New Jersey Mining Company (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Picture 1 

 

DeCoria, Maichel & Teague, P.S.

 

We have served as the Company's independent auditor since 2003.

Spokane, Washington

March 23, 2020


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New Jersey Mining Company

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Page 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2019 and 2018  24 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended

December 31, 2019 and 2018  25 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019

and December 31, 2018  26 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018  27 

 

Notes to Financial Statements28-40 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


23


Table of contents


New Jersey Mining Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

ASSETS

 

2019

 

2018

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

217,796

$

248,766

Gold sales receivable

 

305,924

 

74,673

Inventories

 

225,146

 

183,069

Joint venture receivable

 

2,410

 

2,051

Note receivable

 

-

 

150,000

Other current assets

 

158,833

 

103,223

Total current assets

 

910,109

 

761,782

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

 

7,015,734

 

6,567,350

Mineral properties, net of accumulated amortization

 

2,363,018

 

2,759,339

Investment in joint venture

 

435,000

 

435,000

Reclamation bond

 

103,320

 

103,320

Deposit

 

25,000

 

11,958

Total assets

$

10,852,181

$

10,638,749

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

529,235

$

401,501

Accrued payroll and related payroll expenses

 

80,402

 

58,359

Notes payable related parties, current portion

 

34,924

 

47,591

Notes payable, current portion

 

303,987

 

217,679

Total current liabilities

 

948,548

 

725,130

 

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

163,369

 

154,292

Notes payable related parties, long term

 

181,750

 

189,236

Notes payable, long term

 

901,537

 

424,184

Total long term liabilities

 

1,246,656

 

767,712

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

2,195,204

 

1,492,842

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments (Note 6)

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares

issued or outstanding

 

-

 

-

Common stock, no par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized;

123,812,144 and 123,413,569 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

17,682,999

 

17,492,980

Accumulated deficit

 

(12,029,910)

 

(11,420,305)

Total New Jersey Mining Company stockholders’ equity

 

5,653,089

 

6,072,675

Non-controlling interest

 

3,003,888

 

3,073,232

Total stockholders' equity

 

8,656,977

 

9,145,907

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

10,852,181

$

10,638,749

 

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


24


Table of contents


New Jersey Mining Company

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue-gold sales

$

6,119,512

$

3,629,837

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

4,800,959

 

3,988,779

Depreciation and amortization

 

580,005

 

367,939

Total cost of sales

 

5,380,964

 

4,356,718

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

738,548

 

(726,881)

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

Pre-development expenses

 

117,440

 

195,068

Exploration

 

214,924

 

467,296

Gain on sale of mineral property

 

-

 

(2,947,862)

Loss on abandonment of mineral property

 

333,333

 

-

Management

 

153,484

 

155,217

Professional services

 

151,434

 

186,304

General and administrative

 

453,958

 

392,654

Total other operating expenses (income)

 

1,424,573

 

(1,551,323)

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(686,025)

 

824,442

 

 

 

 

 

Other (income) expense:

 

 

 

 

Timber revenue

 

(13,235)

 

-

Timber expense

 

1,963

 

-

Interest income

 

(33,017)

 

(27,511)

Interest expense

 

84,771

 

83,690

Change in fair value of forward gold contracts

 

-

 

15,984

Total other (income) expense

 

40,482

 

72,163

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

(726,507)

 

752,279

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

 

(116,902)

 

(77,735)

Net income (loss) attributable to New Jersey Mining Company

$

(609,605)

$

830,014

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share-basic and diluted

$

Nil

$

Nil

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic

 

123,658,174

 

120,024,534

Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted

 

123,658,174

 

122,339,225

 

 

 

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


25


Table of contents


New Jersey Mining Company

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Accumulated Deficit Attributable to New Jersey Mining

 

Non-Controlling

 

Stockholders’

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Company

 

Interest

 

Equity

Balance, December 31, 2017

112,310,372

$

15,985,512

$

(12,250,319)

$

3,112,294

$

6,847,487

Contribution from non-controlling interest in Mill JV

-

 

-

 

-

 

38,673

 

38,673

Issuance of common stock for cash net of issuance costs

9,608,578

 

1,206,856

 

-

 

-

 

1,206,856

Issuance of common stock for services

53,286

 

9,059

 

-

 

-

 

9,059

Issuance of common stock for options exercised

108,000

 

16,200

 

-

 

-

 

16,200

Issuance of common stock for mineral property

1,333,333

 

233,333

 

-

 

-

 

233,333

Stock based compensation

-

 

42,020

 

-

 

-

 

42,020

Net income (loss)

-

 

-

 

830,014

 

(77,735)

 

752,279

Balance, December 31, 2018

123,413,569

$

17,492,980

$

(11,420,305)

$

3,073,232

$

9,145,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from non-controlling interest in Mill JV

-

 

-

 

-

 

47,558

 

47,558

Issuance of common stock for cashless warrant exercise

398,575

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Stock based compensation

-

 

190,019

 

-

 

-

 

190,019

Net income (loss)

-

 

-

 

(609,605)

 

(116,902)

 

(726,507)

Balance, December 31, 2019

123,812,144

$

17,682,999

$

(12,029,910)

$

3,003,888

$

8,656,977

 

 

 

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


26


Table of contents


New Jersey Mining Company

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

2019

2018

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(726,507)

$

752,279

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

580,005

 

367,939

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

 

9,077

 

3,901

Stock based compensation

 

190,019

 

42,020

Loss on abandonment of mineral property

 

333,333

 

-

Change in fair value of forward gold contracts

 

-

 

15,984

Write down of inventory to net realizable value

 

-

 

19,874

Gain on sale of mineral property

 

-

 

(2,947,862)

Common stock issued for services

 

-

 

9,059

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Gold sales receivable

 

(231,251)

 

233,123

Inventories

 

(42,077)

 

42,211

Joint venture receivable

 

(359)

 

2,631

Other current assets

 

(55,610)

 

(862)

Accounts payable

 

127,734

 

37,691

Accrued payroll and related payroll expenses

 

22,043

 

17,649

Interest payable related parties

 

-

 

(10,772)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

206,407

 

(1,415,135)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(95,220)

 

(317,485)

Purchase of mineral property

 

-

 

(374,438)

Deposit on mineral property

 

(25,000)

 

-

Deposit on equipment

 

-

 

(11,958)

Proceeds from sale of mineral property

 

50,000

 

3,000,000

Issuance of note receivable

 

-

 

(250,000)

Payment received on note receivable

 

150,000

 

100,000

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

79,780

 

2,146,119

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Sales of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs

 

-

 

1,206,856

Cash from exercise of stock options

 

-

 

16,200

Payments on forward gold contracts in cash

 

-

 

(185,798)

Gold purchased for payments on forward gold contracts

 

-

 

(257,981)

Principal payments on notes payable

 

(294,562)

 

(366,689)

Principal payments on notes, related parties

 

(70,153)

 

(1,058,096)

Contributions from non-controlling interest

 

47,558

 

38,673

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

(317,157)

 

(606,835)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

(30,970)

 

124,149

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

248,766

 

124,617

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

217,796

$

248,766

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

Interest paid in cash

$

84,771

$

94,462

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Deposit on equipment applied to purchase of equipment

$

11,958

$

30,000

Notes payable for equipment purchase

$

858,223

$

735,762

Note from related party for equipment purchase

$

50,000

 

-

Shares of common stock issued for mineral property

 

-

$

233,333

Forward gold contract exchanged for note payable, related party

 

-

$

492,784

 

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


27


Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


1. Description of Business

New Jersey Mining Company (“the Company”) was incorporated as an Idaho corporation on July 18, 1996. The Company's primary business is exploring for, developing, and extraction of gold, silver, and base metal mineral resources in the Greater Coeur d’Alene Mining District of North Idaho and extending into Western Montana. The Company is currently focused on mining and milling ore from the Golden Chest property. It is also evaluating new mineral investment and development opportunities in the western United States.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiary, the New Jersey Mill Joint Venture (“NJMJV”). Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The portion of NJMJV partially owned by other investors is presented as non-controlling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations.

Accounting for Investments in Joint Ventures

For joint ventures where the Company holds more than 50% of the voting interest and has significant influence, the joint venture is consolidated with the presentation of non-controlling interest. In determining whether significant influence exists, the Company considers its participation in policy-making decisions and its representation on the venture’s management committee.

For joint ventures in which the Company does not have joint control or significant influence, the cost method is used. For those joint ventures in which there is joint control between the parties, the equity method is utilized whereby the Company’s share of the ventures’ earnings and losses is included in the statement of operations as earnings in joint ventures and its investments therein are adjusted by a similar amount. The Company periodically assesses its investments in joint ventures for impairment. If management determines that a decline in fair value is other than temporary it will write-down the investment and charge the impairment against operations.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s percentage ownership and method of accounting for each joint venture is as follows:

 

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Joint Venture

% Ownership

Significant Influence?

Accounting Method

% Ownership

Significant Influence?

Accounting Method

NJMJV

65%

Yes

Consolidated

65%

Yes

Consolidated

Butte Highlands Joint Venture (“BHJV”)

50%

No

Cost

50%

No

Cost

Non-controlling Interest

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Company’s stockholders’ equity and its net income (loss). Non-controlling interests represent non-controlling investor’s initial contribution at the date of the original acquisition, ongoing contributions, and percentage share of earnings since inception.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes for items such as depreciation lives and methods, potential impairment of long-lived assets, deferred income taxes, settlement pricing of gold sales, fair value of stock based compensation, estimation of asset retirement obligations and reclamation liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

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


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Revenue Recognition, continued

Gold Revenue Recognition and Receivables, continued-Sales and accounts receivable for concentrate shipments are recorded net of charges by the customer for treatment, refining, smelting losses, and other charges negotiated with the customers. Charges are estimated upon shipment of concentrates based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not vary materially from estimates. Costs charged by customers include fixed costs per ton of concentrate and price escalators. Refining, selling and shipping costs related to sales of doré and metals from doré are recorded to cost of sales as incurred. See Note 13 for more information on our sales of products.

Other Revenue Recognition-Revenue from harvest of raw timber is recognized when the performance obligation under a contract and transfer of control have both been completed. Sales of timber found on the Company’s mineral properties are not a part of normal operations.

Inventories

Inventories include concentrate inventory and supplies inventory. Concentrate inventory is valued at the lower of full cost of production or estimated net realizable value based on current metal prices. Costs consist of mining, transportation, royalties, and milling costs including applicable overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to the operations. Costs are allocated based on the stage at which the ore is in the production process. Supplies inventory is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this method deferred income tax liabilities or assets are determined at the end of each period using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are expected to be paid or recovered. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets if there is uncertainty regarding their realization.

Uncertain tax positions are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (i) it is determined whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (ii) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority would be recognized.

Fair Value Measurements

When required to measure assets or liabilities at fair value, the Company uses a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used. The Company determines the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall. The categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Level 1 uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, Level 2 uses significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 uses significant unobservable inputs. The amount of the total gains or losses for the period are included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities that were valued at a fair value measurement other than its gold sales receivable. Due to the time elapsed from shipment to the customer and the final settlement with the customer, management must estimate the prices at which sales of gold concentrates will be settled. Previously recorded sales and accounts receivable are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement by the customer. See Note 13 for further information.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, reclamation bond, note receivable, notes payable to related parties, and notes payable approximate their fair values.

Concentration Sales

In 2018 and 2019, the Company has sold its gold flotation concentrate product to a concentrate broker, H&H Metals Corp, a related party (see Note 13). In 2019 and 2018 floatation concentrates accounted 96% and 91%, respectively, of all gold sales. The remaining 4% and 9% in 2019 and 2018, respectively, was dore’ sold to a third party.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net amount excluding net income (loss) attributable to a non-controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options, warrants, and other convertible securities. For the year ended December 31, 2019, all outstanding stock options (5,262,500) and warrants (12,900,123) were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because they were anti-dilutive due to the net loss in that year. For the year ended December 31, 2018, stock options of 6,792,000 and warrants of 1,200,000 are included in the calculation of diluted income per share. Excluded from the 2018 diluted earnings per share calculation were 262,500 options and 12,900,123 warrants. These options and warrants were excluded because their exercise prices were greater than the average trading prices of the Company’s common stock for the respective period.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2019 financial statement presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on net income (loss), stockholders' equity, or cash flows as previously reported.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers cash in banks and other deposits with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are based on the estimated useful lives of the assets and are computed using straight-line or units-of-production methods. The expected useful lives of most of the Company’s buildings are up to 50 years and equipment life expectancy ranges between 2 and 10 years. When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related allowances for depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

Mineral Properties

Significant payments related to the acquisition of mineral properties, mineral rights, and mineral leases are capitalized. If a commercially mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are amortized when production begins using the units-of-production method based on estimated reserves. If no commercially mineable ore body is discovered, or such rights are otherwise determined to have no value, such costs are expensed in the period in which it is determined the property has no future economic value.

Consideration received by the Company pursuant to joint ventures or mineral interest agreements is applied against the carrying value of the related mineral interest. When and if payments received exceed the carrying value, the excess amount is recognized as a gain in the consolidated statement of operations in the period the consideration is received.

Mine Exploration and Development Costs

The Company expenses exploration costs as such in the period they occur. Mine development costs are capitalized as deferred development costs after proven and probable reserves have been identified. Amortization of deferred development costs is calculated using the units-of-production method over the expected life of the operation based on the estimated recoverable mineral ounces.

Pre-Development Activities

Pre-development activities involve cost incurred that may ultimately benefit production, such as underground ramp development, pumping, and open-pit development, which are expensed due to the lack of evidence of economic development, which is necessary to demonstrate future recoverability of these expenses. These costs are charged to operations as incurred.

Claim Fees

Unpatented claim fees paid at time of staking are expensed when incurred. Recurring renewal fees which are paid annually are recorded as other current assets and expensed over the course of the year.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. Estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from each mineral property are calculated using estimated future production, three-year average metals prices, operating capital and costs, and reclamations costs. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimated discounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset. The Company’s estimates of future cash flows are subject to risks and uncertainties. It is reasonably possible that changes in estimates could occur which may affect the expected recoverability of the Company’s investments in mineral properties.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Asset Retirement Obligations and Remediation Costs

Mineral properties are subject to standards for mine reclamation that have been established by various governmental agencies. Asset retirement obligations are related to the retirement of the mine when a contractual obligation has been established and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be determined. These obligations are initially measured at fair value with the resulting cost capitalized at the present value of estimated reclamation costs. An asset and a related liability are recorded for the fair value of these costs. The liability is accreted and the asset amortized over the life of the related asset. Adjustments are made for changes resulting from either the timing or amount of the original estimate underlying the obligation. If there is an impairment to an asset’s carrying value and a decision is made to permanently close the property, changes to the liability are recognized and charged to the provision for closed operations and environmental matters. Separate from asset retirement obligations, the Company records liability for remediation costs when a reasonable estimate of fair value can be determined. Accrued remediation costs are not discounted.

Reclamation Bond

Various laws and permits require that financial assurances be in place for certain environmental and reclamation obligations and other potential liabilities. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had a $103,320 reclamation bond for the Golden Chest Mine.

Stock Based Compensation

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

Derivatives

The Company measures derivative contracts as assets or liabilities based on their fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives in each period are recorded in current earnings (losses). None of the Company’s derivative contracts qualify for hedge accounting. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Going Concern

The Company has accumulated deficit at December 31, 2019 and incurred a consolidated net loss in 2019 of $726,507. The Company is currently producing from the open-pit and underground at the Golden Chest. During 2019, production generated cash flow from operations of $206,407 compared to cash flow used in operations of $1,415,135 in 2018. Planned production for the next 18 months indicates the trend to improve. In prior years, the Company has been successful in raising required funds for ongoing operations from sale of its common stock or borrowing. Management believes it has the ability to meet its contractual obligations with continuing cash flows from operations, existing cash, and potential financings for the next 12 months.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Updates Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The update modified the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. The update was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this update as of January 1, 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the Company has no long-term operating leases.

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


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New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Recent Accounting Pronouncements, continued

Accounting Standards Updates to Become Effective in Future Periods

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

3. Inventories

At December 31, 2019, inventories consisted of $197,862 in concentrate inventory and $27,284 in supplies inventory. At December 31, 2018, inventories consisted of $137,530 in concentrate inventory and $45,539 in supplies inventory. At December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an expense of $19,874 due to writing down concentrate inventory to net realizable value.

4. Note Receivable

On June 6, 2018, the Company loaned $250,000 to West Materials, Inc. and William J. West (collectively “West”) which bore interest at 8% if the loan went into default and had a term of fifteen months. Five equal payments were due quarterly with the first two payments received in cash during 2018 and the remaining outstanding $150,000 received in 2019. The note receivable was collateralized by a mortgage on the Butte Gulch real property and a related net smelter royalty right.

5. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following:

 

 

2019

 

2018

Mill

 

 

 

 

Land

$

225,289

$

225,289

Building

 

536,193

 

536,193

Equipment

 

4,192,940

 

4,192,940

 

 

4,954,422

 

4,954,422

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(759,617)

 

(557,502)

Total mill

 

4,194,805

 

4,396,920

 

 

 

 

 

Buildings and equipment

 

 

 

 

Buildings

 

143,725

 

124,677

Equipment

 

2,628,261

 

1,631,908

 

 

2,771,986

 

1,756,585

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(818,527)

 

(453,625)

Total building and equipment

 

1,953,459

 

1,302,960

Land

 

 

 

 

Bear Creek

 

266,934

 

266,934

BOW

 

230,449

 

230,449

Eastern Star

 

250,817

 

250,817

Gillig

 

79,137

 

79,137

Highwater

 

40,133

 

40,133

Total land

 

867,470

 

867,470

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

7,015,734

$

6,567,350


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


6. Mineral Properties

Mineral properties at December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

 

 

2019

 

2018

New Jersey

$

248,289

$

248,289

McKinley

 

200,000

 

250,000

Golden Chest

 

1,677,972

 

1,677,972

Crown Point

 

-

 

333,333

Butte Potosi

 

274,440

 

274,440

Less accumulated amortization

 

(37,683)

 

(24,695)

Total

$

2,363,018

$

2,759,339

New Jersey

The Coleman property is located at the New Jersey Mine area of interest and consists of 62 acres of patented mining claims, mineral rights to 108 acres of fee land, 80 acres of land for which the Company owns the surface but not the mineral rights, and approximately 130 acres of unpatented mining claims. The Coleman property was acquired in October 2002.

McKinley

The McKinley project is located near the town of Lucille, Idaho and encompasses three historic hard rock mines on private land in central Idaho. The Company started exploring the property in 2013. A prior lessee is due a 1% to 2% NSR sliding scale royalty on future production based on the price of gold capped at a total of $500,000. In the third quarter of 2019, a $50,000 non-refundable deposit was received from PM&G Company along with a letter of intent contemplating purchase of the McKinley project from the Company. The carrying value of the McKinley project was reduced by $50,000 in 2019 reflecting receipt of this payment. The transaction has not been completed as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.

Golden Chest

The Golden Chest is an exploration and underground mine project located near Murray, Idaho consisting of 25 patented and 70 unpatented mining claims. A 2% Net Smelter Royalty is payable on production at the Golden Chest to a former joint venture partner. Royalty expense of $118,223 and $77,758 was recognized as costs of sales and other direct production costs in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Crown Point

On March 2, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with J-J Farms LLC and Achievement Holdings LLC (“Crown Point”) to lease a group of patented and unpatented mining claims. The initial payment was 1,333,333 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock valued at $0.175/share for a fair value of $233,333. An additional payment was made in September of 2018 for $100,000 in cash. Per the agreement, future payments for the mineral property were as follows:

1,333,333 shares of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2019. 

Cash payments of $100,000 and $200,000 on September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. 

The Company made no payments under this agreement in 2019. In December of 2019, the Company abandoned the property and recognized a loss of $333,333.

Butte Potosi

In 2018, the Company purchased the Butte Potosi property near its Golden Chest mine for $250,440 and a 2% net smelter return on all ores mined and shipped from the property. The Company incurred an additional $24,000 to improve access to the property. This property consists of patented mining claims some of which include both the surface and mineral rights and some of which include only the mineral rights.

Toboggan

Toboggan was a gold and silver exploration project consisting of 106 claims covering 2,100 acres of federal land administered by the U.S. Forest Service. The Little Baldy prospect which was a part of the Toboggan project was under a 2011 lease agreement with Hecla Mining Company (“Hecla”). The lease had a 20-year term and called for annual payments to the Company of $10,000 through the fifth year, then escalating to $15,000 for three years, $20,000 for one year, and $48,000 thereafter. In 2018 which was the seventh year of the lease the Company sold property including the Little Baldy and Toboggan to Hecla for $3,000,000. This sale resulted in a net gain of $2,947,862 which was recognized in 2018.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


7. Notes Payable

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, notes payable are as follows:

 

 

2019

 

2018

Property with shop, 48 month note payable, 6.49% interest rate payable monthly through August 2023, monthly payments of $707

$

27,624

$

31,319

 

Haul truck, 20 month note payable, 10.0% interest rate payable monthly through May 2019, monthly payments of $6,020

 

-

 

31,657

 

Compressor, 48 month note payable, 5.25% interest rate payable monthly through November 2021, monthly payments of $813

 

19,018

 

27,616

 

Jumbo drill and 1 yrd. LHD, 12 month note payable, 8% interest rate payable monthly through January 2019, monthly payments of $10,874

 

-

 

10,802

 

Atlas Copco loader, 60 month note payable, 10.5% interest rate payable monthly through June 2023, monthly payments of $3,550

 

124,238

 

152,125

 

Caterpillar excavator and skid steer, 48 month note payable, 6.8% interest rate payable monthly through June 2022, monthly payments of $2,392

 

65,835

 

89,199

 

2018 pick-up truck, 72 month note payable, 9% interest rate payable monthly through June 2024, monthly payments of $701

 

30,863

 

36,230

 

2008 pick-up truck, 60 month note payable, 9% interest rate payable monthly through June 2023, monthly payments of $562

 

20,088

 

24,798

 

Haul truck, 13 month note payable, 8.0% interest rate payable monthly through July 2019, monthly payments of $5,000

 

-

 

34,085

 

Caterpillar 938 loader, 60 month note payable, 6.8% interest rate payable monthly through August 2023, monthly payments of $3,751

 

145,709

 

179,552

 

MultiQuip DCA70 Generator, 48 month note payable, 7.25% interest rate payable through August 2022, monthly payments of $635

 

18,433

 

24,480

 

Caterpillar AD22 haul truck, 48 month note payable, 6.45% interest rate payable monthly through June 2023, monthly payments of $12,979

 

485,896

 

-

 

Paus PFL-20 LHD, 60 month note payable, 4.78% interest rate payable through October 2024, monthly payments of $5,181

 

267,820

 

-

 

Total notes payable

 

1,205,524

 

641,863

Due within one year

 

303,987

 

217,679

Due after one year

$

901,537

$

424,184

All notes are collateralized by the property or equipment purchased in connection with each note. Future principal payments of debt at December 31, 2019 are as follows:

2020

$

303,987

2021

 

325,165

2022

 

321,231

2023

 

200,607

2024

 

54,534

Total

$

1,205,524


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


8. Asset Retirement Obligation

The Company has established asset retirement obligations associated with the ultimate closing of its mineral properties where there has been or currently is operations. Obligations were established for the New Jersey mill in 2014 and the Golden Chest mine in 2016. Activity for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1

$

154,292

$

121,560

Accretion expense

 

9,077

 

3,901

Revision of estimated reclamation costs

 

-

 

28,831

Balance at December 31

$

163,369

$

154,292

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the obligations for the Golden Chest and New Jersey mill properties were revised in consideration of additional disturbance activity and timing of future reclamation. The estimated reclamation costs were discounted using credit adjusted, risk-free interest rate of 5.0% from the time the obligation was incurred to the time management expects to pay the retirement obligation.

9. Joint Venture Arrangements

New Jersey Mill Venture Agreement (“NJMJV”)

In January 2011, the Company and United Mine Services, Inc. (“UMS”) entered into a joint venture agreement relating to the New Jersey mineral processing plant. To earn a 35 percent interest in the venture, UMS provided $3.2 million funding to expand the processing plant to 15 tonnes/hr. The Company is the operator of the venture and charges operating costs to UMS for milling its ore up to 7,000 tonnes/month, retain a milling capacity of 3,000 tonnes/month, and as the operator of the venture receive a fee of $2.50/tonne milled. UMS subsequently dissolved and its interest in the mill was transferred to Crescent Silver, LLC (Crescent). As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, an account receivable existed with the Mill Joint Venture from Crescent for $2,410 and $2,051, respectively. To date, no ore has been processed under this joint venture arrangement.

Butte Highlands Joint Venture

On January 29, 2016, the Company purchased a 50% interest in Butte Highlands JV, LLC (“BHJV”) for a total consideration of $435,000. Highland Mining, LLC (“Highland”) is the other 50% owner and manager of the joint venture. Under the operating agreement, Highland will fund all future project exploration and mine development costs. The Agreement stipulates that Highland is manager of BHJV and will manage BHJV until such time as all mine development costs, less $2 million are distributed to Highland out of the proceeds from future mine production. The Company has determined that because it does not currently have significant influence over the joint venture’s activities, it will account for its investment on a cost basis.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


10. Income Taxes

The Company did not recognize a provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had net deferred tax assets principally arising from the net operating loss carryforward for income tax purposes multiplied by an expected blended federal and state tax rate of 27%. As management of the Company cannot determine that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance equal to 100% of the net deferred tax asset exists at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The significant components of net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

 

2019

 

2018

Deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carry forward

$

3,420,600

$

3,014,000

Mineral properties

 

304,300

 

455,200

Asset retirement obligation

 

5,800

 

4,400

Stock based compensation

 

219,000

 

167,900

Other

 

11,200

 

7,150

Total deferred tax assets

 

3,960,900

 

3,648,650

Valuation allowance

 

(2,985,400)

 

(2,794,150)

 

 

975,500

 

854,500

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

(975,500)

 

(854,500)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(975,500)

 

(854,500)

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

$

-

$

-

At December 31, 2019 the Company had net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $12,750,000 for both federal and state purposes, $11,100,000 of which expire between 2021 through 2037. The remaining balance of $1,650,000 will never expire but its utilization is limited to 80% of taxable income in any future year.

The income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 differ from the statutory rate of 21% as follows:

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) at statutory rate for the period

$

(152,600)

$

158,000

State taxes, net of federal taxes

 

(42,500)

 

44,000

Adjustment of prior year tax estimates

 

3,850

 

6,450

Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance

 

191,250

 

(208,450)

Total provision (benefit)

$

-

$

-

The Company is open to examination of our income tax filings in the United States and state jurisdictions for the 2017 through 2019 tax years. Tax attributes from years prior to that can be adjusted as a result of examinations. In the event that the Company is assessed penalties and or interest, penalties will be charged to other operating expense and interest will be charged to interest expense.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


11. Equity

The Company has authorized 200,000,000 shares of no par common stock at December 31, 2019 and 2018. In addition, the Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of no par preferred stock, none of which had been issued at December 31, 2019 or 2018.

2019 Activity:

In the second quarter of 2019, 1,200,000 warrants were exercised in exchange for 398,575 shares of the Company’s common stock in a cashless warrant exercise. 

2018 Activity

On March 2, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with J-J Farms LLC and Achievement Holdings LLC (“Crown Point”) to lease a group of patented and unpatented mining claims. The initial payment was 1,333,333 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock valued at $0.175/share. Fair value was based on the trading price of the Company’s stock on the date of the transaction. 

In the first and second quarters of 2018, the Company offered units for sale under a private placement. Each unit consisted of one share of the Company’s stock and one half of one stock purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable for one share of the Company’s stock at $0.22 for 24 months. The Company sold 8,858,578 units for net proceeds of $1,107,571. 

In 2018, the Company issued 108,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of stock purchase options at $0.15 per share for $16,200 cash. 

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company offered units for sale under a private placement. The Company sold 750,000 units for net proceeds of $99,285. Each unit consisted of one share of the Company’s stock and one half of one stock purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable for one share of the Company’s stock at CDN$0.25 for 48 months. These warrants were initially sold with an exercise price that was not in the Company’s functional currency of the U.S. dollar. The Company did not account for the warrants as derivatives at December 31, 2018 as it was not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. Subsequently, the Company amended the exercise price of the warrants to USD $0.18. 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 53,286 shares of its common stock valued at $9,059 for professional services. Fair value was based on the trading price of the Company’s stock on the date of the transaction. 

Stock Purchase Warrants Outstanding

Transactions in common stock purchase warrants for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

 

 

Number of Warrants

 

Exercise Prices

Balance December 31, 2017

 

9,295,834

 

$0.10-0.20

Issued in connection with private placements

 

4,804,289

 

0.18-0.22

Balance December 31, 2018

 

14,100,123

 

$0.10-0.22

Exercised

 

(1,200,000)

 

0.10

Balance December 31, 2019

 

12,900,123

 

$0.18-0.22

These warrants expire as follows:

Shares

Exercise Price

Expiration Date

2,137,500

$0.20

February 28, 2020

4,250,000

$0.20

March 28, 2020

1,708,334

$0.20

November 3, 2020

2,506,212

$0.22

March 30, 2020

1,923,077

$0.22

April 20, 2020

375,000

$0.18

December14, 2023

12,900,123

 

 


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New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


11. Equity, continued

Stock Options

In April 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company established a stock option plan to authorize the granting of stock options to officers and employees. Upon exercise of the options shares are issued from the available authorized shares of the Company. Options reserved to any one related person on an annual basis may not upon exercise exceed 5% and the aggregate number of all options outstanding will not exceed 10% of the issued outstanding common shares as a whole calculated at that time.

In 2017, the Company granted a total of 662,500 options to consultants and employees of the Company. These options vested in 2018. The options had a fair value of $66,539 which was being recognized ratably over the vesting period. Compensation cost of $42,020 was recognized on these options in 2018. No additional options were granted in 2018 and there was no unrecognized compensation at December 31, 2018.

In June 2019, 2,100,000 stock options were granted to non-officer employees. These options vested immediately and are exercisable at $0.14 for 3 years. Total stock based compensation recognized on these options was $190,019. The weighted average fair value of stock option awards granted and the key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model to calculate the fair value of the options are as follows:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

Weighted average fair value

$0.09

Options issued

2,100,000

Exercise price

$0.14

Expected term (in years)

3.0

Risk-free rate

1.81%

Volatility

98.6%

Transactions in stock options for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

 

Number of Options

 

Exercise Prices

Balance December 31, 2017

7,662,500

 

0.10-0.18

Exercised

(108,000)

 

0.15

Expired

(500,000)

 

0.10

Balance December 31, 2018

7,054,500

 

0.10-0.18

Granted

2,100,000

 

0.14

Expired

(3,892,000)

 

0.10-0.15

Balance December 31, 2019

5,262,500

 

0.10-0.18

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2019

5,262,500

$

0.10-0.18

At December 31, 2019, the stock options have an intrinsic value of approximately $54,000 and have a weighted average remaining term of 1.62 years.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


12. Related Party Transactions

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had the following notes payable to related parties:

 

 

2019

 

2018

Mine Systems Design, a company in which our Company’s Vice President owns 10.4%, 12% interest, monthly payments of $4,910 through March 2019

$

-

$

14,696

Ophir Holdings LLC, a company owned by two officers and one former officer of the Company, 6% interest, monthly payments of $3,777 with a balloon payment of $148,285 in February 2021

 

189,236

 

222,131

H&H Metals, shareholder and concentrate broker, 8% interest, principal and interest due March 2021

 

27,438

 

-

Total

 

216,674

 

236,827

Current portion

 

34,924

 

47,591

Long term portion

$

181,750

$

189,236

At December 31, 2019, $34,924 of related party debt is payable in 2020 and the remaining $181,750 is payable in 2021. Related party interest expense for the years ending December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $15,169 and $40,624, respectively. There is no accrued interest payable at December 31, 2019 or 2018 on these notes.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company paid $9,000 and $40,500, respectively, to the Company’s previous chairman of the board, Del Steiner for consulting purposes. He retired in July 2019.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, gold sales receivable from H&H Metals, who owns 4% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, were $305,924 and $74,673, respectively. Concentrate sales to H&H Metals were $5,857,942 and $3,305,731, during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company leases office space from certain related parties on a month to month basis. Payments under these short-term lease arrangements totaled $24,000 and $23,375 for the year’s ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

13. Sales of Products

Our products consist of both gold floatation concentrates which we sell to a broker (H&H Metal), and an unrefined gold-silver product known as doré which we sell to a precious metal refinery. Revenue is recognized upon the completion of the performance obligations and transfer of control of the product to the customer, and the transaction price can be determined or reasonably estimated.

For gold flotation concentrate sales, the performance obligation is met when the transaction price can be reasonably estimated and revenue is recognized generally at the time when risk is transferred to H&H Metal based on contractual terms. Based on contractual terms, the Company has determined the performance obligation is met and title is transferred to H&H Metal when the Company receives its first provisional payment on the concentrate because, at that time, 1) legal title is transferred to the customer, 2) the customer has accepted the concentrate lot and obtained the ability to realize all of the benefits from the product, 3) the concentrate content specifications are known, have been communicated to H&H Metal, and H&H Metal has the significant risks and rewards of ownership to it, 4) it is very unlikely a concentrate will be rejected by H&H Metal upon physical receipt, and 5) we have the right to payment for the concentrate. Concentrates lots that have been sold are held at our mill up to 60 days, until H&H Metal provides shipping instructions.

Our concentrate sales sometimes involve variable consideration, as they can be subject to changes in metals prices between the time of shipment and their final settlement. However, we are able to reasonably estimate the transaction price for the concentrate sales at the time of shipment using forward prices for the estimated month of settlement, and previously recorded sales and accounts receivable are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement for financial reporting purposes. The embedded derivative contained in our concentrate sales is adjusted to fair value through earnings each period prior to final settlement. It is unlikely a significant reversal of revenue for any one concentrate lot will occur. As such, we use the expected value method to price the concentrate until the final settlement date occurs, at which time the final transaction price is known. At December 31, 2019, metals that had been sold but not final settled thus exposed to future price changes totaled 1,544 ounces of gold. The Company has received provisional payments on the sale of these ounces with the remaining amount due reflected in gold sales receivable.


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Table of contents

New Jersey Mining Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


13. Sales of Products, continued

Sales and accounts receivable for concentrate shipments are recorded net of charges for treatment and other charges negotiated by us with H&H Metal, which represent components of the transaction price. Charges are estimated by us upon transfer of risk of the concentrates based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not vary materially from our estimates. Costs charged by the customer include fixed treatment, refining and costs per ton of concentrate and may include penalty charges for lead and zinc content above a negotiated baseline as well as excessive moisture.

For sales of doré and of metals from doré, the performance obligation is met, the transaction price is known, and revenue is recognized at the time of transfer of control of the agreed-upon metal quantities to the customer.

Sales of products by metal for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

2019

2018

Gold

$

6,534,503

$

3,971,567

Silver

 

19,605

 

11,584

Less: Smelter and refining charges

 

(434,596)

 

(353,314)

Total

$

6,119,512

$

3,629,837

Sales by significant product type for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

2019

2018

Concentrate sales to H&H Metal

$

5,857,942

$

3,305,731

Dore’ sales to refineries

 

261,570

 

324,106

Total

$

6,119,512

$

3,629,837

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, our gold sales receivable balance related to contracts with customers of $305,924 and $74,673, respectively, consist only of amounts due from H&H Metal. There is no allowance for doubtful accounts. We have determined our contracts do not include a significant financing component. For doré sales, payment is received at the time the performance obligation is satisfied. Consideration for concentrate sales is variable, and we receive payment for a significant portion of the estimated value of concentrate parcels at the time the performance obligation is satisfied.

14. Forward Gold Contracts

Prior to 2018, the Company entered into some forward gold contracts which called for the Company to deliver ounces of gold. Under the terms of the contracts, the gold to be delivered did not need to be produced from the Golden Chest property. In addition, the counterparties could request cash payment instead of gold ounces for each quarterly payment. The cash payments were based on average gold prices for the applicable quarter. The contracts were accounted for as derivatives requiring their value to be adjusted to fair value each period end.

One of the forward gold contracts was with Ophir Holdings LLC, (“Ophir”) a company owned by three of the Company’s officers at the time of the transaction. On January 1, 2018, Ophir agreed to convert their Forward Gold Contract which at that time had an outstanding balance of 419.5 ounces with a fair value of $492,784 to a conventional debt structure at 6% interest (see Note 12).

The change in balance for the forward gold contracts for the year ended December 31, 2018 is as follows:

 

 

2018

Beginning balance

$

920,579

Conversion to note payable

 

(492,784)

Payments in cash

 

(185,798)

Payments in gold purchased by the Company

 

(257,981)

Change in fair value

 

15,984

Ending balance

$

-

The final gold ounces due under these contracts were delivered in September 2018.

15. Subsequent Events

In February 2020, the Company completed a land acquisition of approximately 368 acres of patented mining claims for $751,000. The claims are situated one mile west of its Golden Chest Mine. Funding for this acquisition was obtained through the issue of convertible promissory notes. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 8.0% for a term of three years and the principal amount is convertible at the option of the debtors for the Company’s common shares at $0.18 per share prior to the notes maturity.


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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

At the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our President who also serves as our Chief Accounting Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, it was concluded that our disclosure controls were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report, to ensure that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within required time periods specified by the Securities & Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decision regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of New Jersey Mining Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. This internal control system has been designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the Company’s published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

The management of New Jersey Mining Company has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. To make this assessment, we used the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2019, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There was no material change in internal control over financial reporting in the quarter ended December 31, 2019.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.


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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Name & Address

Age

Position

Term

Delbert W. Steiner

201 N. Third Street

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

75

Chairman of the Board

8/29/2013 to 12/1/2014 and 5/2/2015 to 1/10/17 CEO and 8/29/2013 to 7/11/2019 Chairman

John Swallow

201 N. Third Street

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

53

Chief Executive Officer/ President & Chairman of the Board

8/29/2013 to 12/1/2014 and 5/2/2015 to present President 1/20/17 to present CEO and 8/29/2013 to present Director

7/11/2019 to present Chairman

Grant A. Brackebusch

P.O. Box 131

Silverton, ID 83867

50

Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, & Director

7/18/1996 to present

Kevin Shiell

201 N. Third Street

Cœur d’Alene, ID 83814

61

Director

1/10/17 to present

Robert Morgan

1335 Cooper St.

Missoula MT 59802

52

Vice President

1/16/2018 to present

Monique Hayes

4159 E. Mullan Trail Rd

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

54

Secretary

11/20/16 to present

Directors are elected by shareholders at each annual shareholders meeting to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

Executive Officers and Key Employees

John Swallow was named Chief Executive Officer and President on January 10, 2017. Prior to being named as CEO, Mr. Swallow was appointed as the President and a Director of the Company on August 29, 2013. He resigned as president in December 2014, and subsequently reappointed as President on May 5, 2015 following the resignation of Mr. Highsmith. Following Mr. Steiner’s resignation on July 11, 2019 Mr. Swallow became the Chairman of the Board. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Arizona State University. Mr. Swallow was the Vice President of Timberline Drilling, Inc. from November 2011 until accepting the role of President with the Company. From September 2009, until November 2011, Mr. Swallow was self-employed. From January 2006 until September 2009 he served as chairman of Timberline Resources Corporation. He brings wide-ranging experience from within the local mineral exploration industry as well as extensive knowledge of the junior equity markets. Mr. Swallow’s extensive experience in the drilling industry, his previous roles as a chairman of a board and as a vice president of a corporation qualify him to sit on the Board of the Company.

Delbert Steiner resigned as Chief Executive Officer on January 10, 2017 but remained as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company as previously appointed on August 29, 2013. In December 2014, he resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and was subsequently reappointed as Chief Executive Officer on May 5, 2015 following the resignation of Mr. Highsmith. On July 11, 2019 Mr. Steiner resigned as Chairman of the Board and Director. He holds a B.S. from Lewis Clark State College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho. He has held the position of CEO and Chairman for the Vancouver based Premium Exploration, Inc. since 2005 and was responsible for day-to-day business and financial decision making. He practiced law for more than 25 years and has an extensive background in environmental and mining law, including permitting projects from the exploration to mining phases. Mr. Steiner’s extensive background in the mining industry and in operating a publicly traded company qualifies him to sit on the Board of the Company.

Grant A. Brackebusch, P.E. has served as the Vice President and a Director of the Company since 1996. He holds a B.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Idaho. He is registered in Idaho as a Professional Engineer. He has worked for New Jersey Mining Company since 1996 and worked for Newmont Mining previously. Currently, he supervises the mining operation at the Golden Chest Mine including the operation of the New Jersey Mill. He has experience with permitting, exploration, open pit and underground mining as well as mineral processing. Mr. Brackebusch’s extensive mining background, knowledge of the Company’s day to day operations, and industry expertise qualifies him to sit on the Board of the Company.

Kevin Shiell has more than 35 years of operating and management experience in the mining and mineral processing industries, primarily in Montana, Idaho and Nevada. He has held executive leadership positions at several public companies, including General Manager and Vice President of Mine Operations at Stillwater Mining Company, Chief Operating Officer at MDM Gold, and various mine supervisory positions at Hecla Mining Company. Mr. Shiell is currently the General Manager of the Hollister and Midas Gold Mines which are owned and operated by Hecla Mines. He brings vast operational knowledge and management experience at a transformational time in the Company’s development.


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Robert Morgan has served as the Vice President Exploration of the Company since January 2018. Mr. Morgan has over 22 years of exploration experience, including 20 years focused on gold exploration, of which 12 years were in Northern Idaho and Montana. Mr. Morgan has worked for some of the world's leading gold exploration and mining companies including Newmont and ASARCO throughout the western United States, Alaska and South America. He is practiced in designing, implementing and managing large exploration programs for gold, silver, base metals and rare earth elements. His technical work has included geologic mapping, logging of drill holes, compilation and interpretation of multiple data sets for target identification. Mr. Morgan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from California State University at Chico. He has an extensive environmental background with emphasis on wetlands and water management. Mr. Morgan is a registered professional geologist with the State of Idaho and Professional Land Surveyor registered with the State of Montana.

Monique Hayes was appointed Corporate Secretary in November 2016. She has over 10 years of investor relations corporate governance experience in the mining industry and over 10 years of communications and brand management experience. Prior to joining New Jersey Mining Company, Ms. Hayes worked for Hecla Mining Company, Revett Mining Company and Sterling Mining. Her advertising and communications experience includes working for Publicis Dialog Direct and WhiteRunkle Associates where she worked with national accounts including AT&T Wireless, Bell Atlantic and NordicTrack. Ms. Hayes attended City University where she studied business management, brand strategy and communications.

Legal Proceedings

No Director or Officer has been involved in any legal action involving the Company for the past five years.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations thereunder, the Company’s Directors, Executive Officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of any registered class of the Company’s equity securities are required to file reports of their ownership of the Company’s securities and any changes in that ownership with the SEC.

Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with.

Code of Ethics

The Company adopted a Code of Ethics at a Board of Directors meeting on December 9, 2003, that applies to the Company’s executive officers. The Company also adopted a Code of Ethics for all employees at the Board of Directors meeting on February 18, 2008.

Board Nomination Procedures

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.


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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation of Officers

A summary of cash and other compensation for John Swallow, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board, Delbert Steiner, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and former Chairman of the Board Grant Brackebusch, the Company’s Vice President, and Robert Morgan, the Company’s Vice President (the “Named Executive Officers”), for the two most recent years is as follows:

Executive Officer Summary Compensation Table

Name & Principal Position

Year

Salary ($)

Bonus ($)

Stock Awards

($)

Option Awards1

($)

Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensa-

tion

($)

Nonqualified Deferred Compensa-

tion Earnings

($)

All Other Compensa-tion(4)

($)

Total

($)

Delbert Steiner(2)

2019

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,000

9,000

Executive Chairman

2018

-

1,500

-

-

-

-

39,000

40,500

John Swallow

2019

72,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

72,000

President, Chief

Executive Officer, &

Chairman

2018

45,000

5,000

-

-

-

-

-

50,000

Grant Brackebusch

2019

120,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

120,000

Vice President

2018

120,000

5,000

-

-

-

-

-

125,000

Robert Morgan(3)

2019

80,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

80,000

Vice President

2018

57,600

5,000

-

-

-

-

24,992

87,592

(1)Stock Awards and Options Awards include fees earned as Directors. The Company has valued all Stock Awards granted at fair value as computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. The compensation of the Named Executive Officers has been set by disinterested members of the Board of Directors to a level competitive with other mining companies of similar size with similar types of operations. The executive stock compensation is for services as directors. 

(2)Mr. Steiner resigned as Chief Executive Officer on January 10, 2017, but remained as Chairman of the Board, then resigned as Chairman of the Board on July 11, 2019. 

(3)Mr. Morgan was appointed as Vice President of Exploration on January 16, 2018. 

(4)Mr. Steiner in 2019 and 2018 and Mr. Morgan in 2018 were paid consulting fees for work completed for the Company. 

The Company does not have a retirement plan for its executive officers and there is no agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for payments to executive officers in connection with resignation, retirement, termination or a change in control of the Company.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-end

As of December 31, 2019, 1,800,000 Options were vested and outstanding to directors Grant Brackebusch, John Swallow, and Kevin Shiell.

Director Compensation

Director Summary Compensation Table

Name & Principal Position

Year

Salary ($)

Bonus ($)

Stock Awards

($)

Option Awards1

($)

Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensa-

tion

($)

Nonqualified Deferred Compensa-

tion Earnings

($)

All Other Compensa-tion

($)

Total

($)

Kevin Shiell

2019

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Director

2018

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

No Option Awards were issued the Directors for service as directors of the Company in 2018 or 2019. No additional fees are paid for attendance at Board of Directors’ meetings, committee membership or committee chairmanship. On occasion, Directors are retained for consulting services unrelated to their duties as Directors. These consulting services are either paid in cash or with unregistered Common Stock according to the Company’s policy for share-based payment of services.

The Company does not have a retirement plan for its Directors and there is no agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for payments to Directors in connection with resignation, retirement, termination or a change in control of the Company.


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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth information as of March 1, 2020 regarding the shares of Company Common Stock beneficially owned by: (i) each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) each Director of the Company; (iii) the CEO and CFO of the Company (the “Named Executive Officers”); and (iv) all Directors and the Named Executive Officers of the Company as a group. Except as noted below, each holder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of the Company Common Stock listed as owned by that person.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

Title of Class

Name and Address Of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Owner

Percent of Class(1)

Common

John Swallow

201 N. Third Street

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

18,377,003 (a)

13.17%

Common

Steven Mark Bathgate and Margaret Bathgate

5350 S. Roslyn Suite #400

Greenwood Village, CO 8011

8,127,470

5.82%

Security Ownership of Management

Title of Class

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Owner

Percent of Class1

Common

John Swallow

201 N. Third Street

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

18,377,003 (a)

13.17%

Common

Delbert W. Steiner

201 N. Third Street

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

1,800,000 (b)

1.29%

Common

Grant A. Brackebusch

89 Appleberg Road

Kellogg, Idaho 83837

1,956,093 (c)

1.40%

Common

Kevin Shiell

201 N. Third St.

Cœur d’Alene, ID 83814

900,000 (d)

0.64%

Common

Rob Morgan

1335 Cooper St.

Missoula MT 59802

220,000 (e)

0.16%

Common

Monique Hayes

4159 E. Mullan Trail

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

338,688 (f)

0.23%

Common

All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (6 individuals)

23,591,784

16.33%

(1) Based upon 123,812,144 outstanding shares of common stock 10,762,623 warrants, and 9,929,167 vested options at March 1, 2020.

a)Consists of 16,477,003 shares of common stock, presently exercisable options to purchase 750,000 shares and presently exercisable warrants to purchase 1,150,000 shares. 

b)Consists of 1,050,000 shares of common stock, presently exercisable options to purchase 750,000 shares. 

c)Consists of 1,156,093 shares of common stock, presently exercisable options to purchase 750,000 shares and presently exercisable warrants to purchase 50,000 shares. 

d)Consists of 600,000 shares of common stock and presently exercisable warrants to purchase 300,000 shares. 

e)Consists of 170,000 shares of common stock and presently exercisable options to purchase 50,000 shares. 

f)Consists of 199,800 shares of common stock and presently exercisable options to purchase 138,888 shares. 

None of the Directors or Officers has the right to acquire any additional securities pursuant to options, warrants, conversion privileges or other rights. No shares are pledged as security.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Plans

In April 2014, the Company established a stock option plan to authorize the granting of stock options to officers and employee. The Company occasionally pays for goods or services with unregistered Common Stock and uses the average bid price of the stock, as quoted on the OTCQB, at the time to determine the number of shares to be issued.

Changes in Control

None.


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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

None

Director Independence

The Board of Directors has determined that John Swallow and Grant Brackebusch are not independent directors. Kevin Scheill is an independent director.

The Board of Directors does not have separately designated nominating or compensation committees. The entire Board performs these functions. The Company’s audit committee is comprised of one non-executive member Kevin Shiell, and one executive member, John Swallow.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the Company’s principal accountant for the audit of the annual financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and the review for the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during those fiscal years, were $52,821 and $45,334 respectively.

Audit Related Fees

The Company incurred no fees during the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the Company’s principal accountant that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, and not reported under “Audit Fees” above.

Tax Fees

$5,400 in 2019 and $4,500 in 2018 was paid to the Company's principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services.

All Other Fees

The Company incurred $2,450 in 2018 for fees related to the Company’s Canadian stock exchange listing and reporting. No other fees were incurred during the last two fiscal years for products and services rendered by the Company’s principal accountant.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies

The Board of Directors has adopted an audit committee pre-approval policy. The audit committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services do not impair the auditor’s independence.


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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS

3.0*

Articles of Incorporation of New Jersey Mining Company filed July 18, 1996

3.1*

Articles of Amendment filed September 29, 2003

3.2*

Articles of Amendment filed November 10, 2011

3.3*

Bylaws of New Jersey Mining Company

10.1*

Venture Agreement with United Mine Services, Inc. dated January 7, 2011.

10.2*

Idaho Champion Resources Lease with Cox dated September 4, 2013

10.3**

Rupp Mining Lease dated May 3, 2013

10.4**

Mining Lease with Hecla Silver Valley, Inc. Little Baldy prospect dated September 12, 2012

10.5***

Consent, Waiver and Assumption of Venture Agreement by Crescent dated February 14, 2014

10.6

Form of Forward Gold Purchase Agreement dated July 13, 2016 between the Registrant and Ophir Holdings LLC and incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2016.

10.7

Form of Forward Gold Purchase Agreement dated July 29, 2016 between the Registrant and Investors and incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2016.

10.8

Registrant’s Grant of Options to Directors and Officers dated December 30, 2016, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 4, 2017.

10.9

Form of Agreement to Purchase the “Four Square Property Group” of Patented and Un-Patented Mining Claims dated March 2, 2018, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2018

10.10

Asset Purchase Agreement with Hecla Silver Valley, Inc. to Sell Patented and Un-Patented Mining Claims dated May 18th, 2018, reported on the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2018 and reported on the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2018..

14*

Code of Ethical Conduct.

21****

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

 

31.1****

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.2****

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1****

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.2****

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

99(i)

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies-Filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein.

101.INS****

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH****

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL****

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF****

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB****

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE****

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

* Filed with the Registrant’s Form 10 on June 4, 2014. 

**Filed July 2, 2014 

***Filed March 31, 2015. 

****Filed herewith. 


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Table of contents


SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

New Jersey Mining Company

 

Date: March 23, 2020By /s/ JOHN SWALLOW 

                                           John Swallow, President, Chief Executive Officer  

 

Date: March 23, 2020          By /s/ GRANT A. BRACKEBUSCH 

                                           Grant A. Brackebusch, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 


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