Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission File No. 000-28837

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(g) of the Act:

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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 ☒     No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Indicated by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes ☐     No ☒

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

At August 1, 2023, 12,256,523 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

IDAHO STRATEGIC RESOURCES, INC

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD

ENDED JUNE 30, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: Financial Statements

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

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

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

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

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

1. The Company and Significant Accounting Policies

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the management of Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc (“IDR”) (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been included.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that the actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material effect on the reported amounts of the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations. Operating results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2023.

For further information refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2023.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed 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 entities owned by other investors is presented as non-controlling interests on the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations.

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 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 doré 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.

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 4 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 the timber have both been completed. Sales of timber found on the Company’s mineral properties are not a part of normal operations.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of full cost of production or estimated net realizable value based on current metal prices. Costs consist of mining, transportation, 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.

Mine Exploration and Development Costs

The Company expenses exploration costs as such in the period they occur. The mine development stage begins once the Company identifies ore reserves which is based on a determination whether an ore body can be economically developed. Expenditures incurred during the development stage are capitalized as deferred development costs and include such costs for drift, ramps, and infrastructure. Costs to improve, alter, or rehabilitate primary development assets which appreciably extend the life, increase capacity, or improve the efficiency or safety of such assets are also capitalized. The development stage ends when the production stage of ore reserves begins. 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.

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 that are included in earnings are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date. At June 30, 2023, the Company had equity securities measured at fair value using level 1 quoted prices and no liabilities required measurement at fair value. At December 31, 2022, the Company had no assets or liabilities that required measurement at fair value on a recurring basis.

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. The Company and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Accounting for Investments in Joint Ventures and Equity Method Investments

Investment 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.

Equity Method Investments-Investments in companies and joint ventures in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In determining whether significant influence exists, the Company considers its participation in policy-making decisions and representation on governing bodies. Under the equity method of accounting, our share of the net earnings or losses of the investee are included in net income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. We evaluate equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period. At June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the Company's 37% common stock holding of Buckskin Gold and Silver, Inc. is accounted for using the equity method (Note 10).

At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s percentage ownership and method of accounting for each joint venture and equity method investment is as follows: 

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2023 financial statement presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on net loss, stockholders’ equity, or cash flows as previously reported.

Investments in Equity Securities

Investments in equity securities are generally measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for equity securities resulting from changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings. If an equity security does not have a readily determinable fair value, we may elect to measure the security at its cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment in the same issuer. At the end of each reporting period, we reassess whether an equity investment security without a readily determinable fair value qualifies to be measured at cost less impairment, consider whether impairment indicators exist to evaluate if an equity investment security is impaired and, if so, record an impairment loss. At the end of each reporting period, unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings. Upon sale of an equity security, the realized gain or loss is recognized in current earnings.

New Accounting Pronouncement

Accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

2. Going Concern

The Company is currently producing from underground at the Golden Chest Mine. In the past, the Company has been successful in raising required capital from sale of common stock, forward gold contracts, and debt. As a result of its planned production, equity sales and potential debt borrowings or restructurings, management believes cash flows from operations and existing cash are sufficient to conduct planned operations and meet contractual obligations for the next 12 months.

3. Inventories

At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s inventories consisted of the following:

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

4. Sales of Products

Our products consist of both gold flotation concentrates which we sell to a single broker (H&H Metal), and an unrefined gold-silver product known as doré which we sell to a precious metal refinery. At June 30, 2023, metals that had been sold but not finally settled included 5,223 ounces of which 4,276 ounces were sold at a predetermined price with the remaining 947 exposed to future price changes. The Company has received provisional payments on the sale of these ounces with the remaining amount due reflected in gold sales receivable. Sales of products by metal type for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

Sales by significant product type for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, and 2022 were as follows:

At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our gold sales receivable balance related to contracts with customers of $840,288 and $909,997, respectively, consist only of amounts due from H&H Metal. There is no allowance for doubtful accounts.

5. Related Party Transactions

At December 31, 2022, the Company had a note payable to Ophir Holdings, a company owned by two officers and one former officer of the Company, with a balance of $75,183 of which $12,226 was due within one year and the remaining $62,957 due thereafter.

The Company paid the remaining amount due to Ophir Holdings on May 10, 2023. This payment resulted in a negative net interest charge for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2023. Related party interest expense for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 is as follows.

The Company leases office space from certain related parties on a month-to-month basis. $1,500 per month is paid to NP Depot, a company owned by the Company’s president, John Swallow and approximately $1,700 is paid quarterly to Mine Systems Design which is partially owned by the Company’s vice president, Grant Brackebusch. Payments under these short-term lease arrangements are included in general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

6. Joint Ventures

New Jersey Mill Joint Venture Agreement

The Company owns 65% of the New Jersey Mill Joint Venture (JV) and has significant influence in its operations. Thus, the venture is included in the consolidated financial statements along with presentation of the non-controlling interest. At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, an account receivable existed with Crescent Silver, LLC, the other joint venture participant (“Crescent”), for $1,554 and $1,926, respectively, for shared operating costs as defined in the JV agreement.

Butte Highlands JV, LLC (“BHJV”)

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 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 accounts for its investment on a cost basis.

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

7. Earnings 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 period. 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. Such common stock equivalents are included or excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share for each period as follows:

8. Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:

9. Mineral Properties

Mineral properties at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

9. Mineral Properties (continued)

For the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, interest expense was capitalized in association with the ramp access project at the Golden Chest as follows.

10. Investment in Buckskin

The investment in Buckskin is being accounted for using the equity method and resulted in recognition of equity income on the investment of $1,007 and $1,357 for the respective three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and $339 and $670 in 2022 for the respective three and six month periods ended June 30, 2022. The Company makes an annual payment of $12,000 to Buckskin per a mineral lease covering 218 acres of patented mining claims. As of June 30, 2023, the Company holds 37% of Buckskin’s outstanding shares.

11. Notes Payable

At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, notes payable are as follows:

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

11. Notes Payable (continued)

All notes are collateralized by the property or equipment purchased in connection with each note. Future principal payments of notes payable at June 30, 2023 are as follows:

The balance of convertible debt at December 31, 2021 consisted of $200,000 convertible to Common shares at a price of $5.60 per share (35,715 shares) and $1,750,000 convertible to Common shares at a price of $4.90 per share (357,151 shares). All of this debt was converted to Common shares as provided in the respective agreements in March 2022.

12. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock issuance activity

The Company closed a private placement in February 2023. Under the private placement, the Company sold 123,365 shares of common stock at $5.50 per share and 35,088 shares of common stock at $5.70 per share for net proceeds of $878,503. No shares were issued in the second quarter of 2023.

The Company closed a private placement in February 2022. Under the private placement, the Company sold 360,134 shares of common stock at $7.50 per share for net proceeds of $2,701,000. In the first quarter of 2022 the Company issued 3,572 shares of common stock at $9.05 per share for services provided for a total value of $32,326. In the second quarter of 2022, the Company sold 138,665 shares of common stock for net proceeds of 980,107.

Stock Purchase Warrants Outstanding

In the six months ended June 30, 2022, 93,976 shares of common stock were issued in exchange for outstanding warrants for net proceeds of $465,453.

13. Stock Options

There were no stock options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2023 or 2022. Activity in the Company’s stock options is as follows:

At June 30, 2023, outstanding stock options have a weighted average remaining term of approximately 1.31 years and have an intrinsic value of $21,810. There were no stock options exercised during the first six months of 2023.

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

Plan of Operation

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc is a gold producer and critical minerals/rare earth elements exploration company focused on a diversified asset base and cash flows from operations. Its portfolio of mineral properties are located in the historic producing silver and gold districts of the Coeur d’Alene Mining region of north Idaho and the Elk City region of north-central Idaho, as well as the historic Rare Earth Elements-Thorium Belt located near the city of Salmon in central Idaho.

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 Company’s management is focused on utilizing its in-house technical and operating skills to build a portfolio of producing mines and milling operations with a focus on gold production and exploration for rare earth elements (“REEs”).

The Company’s gold properties include: the Golden Chest Mine (currently in production), and the New Jersey Mill (majority ownership interest), as well as the Eastern Star exploration property and other less advanced properties. The Company’s primary focus as it relates to its gold properties is to continue to grow production at the Golden Chest Mine and look to reinvest the cash flow into both the Golden Chest Mine, the New Jersey Mill, and furthering its exploration efforts near the Golden Chest - as well as at its rare earth elements properties.

In addition to its gold properties, Idaho Strategic has three rare earth elements exploration properties in Idaho known as Lemhi Pass, Diamond Creek, and Mineral Hill. The Company’s expansion into rare earth elements came about in an effort to diversify its holdings towards the anticipated demand for these elements in the electrification of motorized vehicles and a renewed focus on the United States’ domestic critical minerals supply chain security. To date, Idaho Strategic has conducted numerous exploration programs on its rare earth elements landholdings which include drilling, trenching, sampling, and mapping of certain areas within the Company’s 18,030-acre landholdings.

Idaho Strategic has been able to leverage its track record of operations and experience in mining, milling, and exploring at the Golden Chest Mine to develop relationships with different state government agencies, universities, national labs, and other government and non-government entities to advance its rare earth elements exploration activities on multiple fronts. Idaho Strategic plans to continue to look for additional partnerships to find mutually beneficial solutions to advance the U.S.' domestic rare earth elements supply chain.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We have, besides our estimates of the amount of depreciation on our assets, two critical accounting estimates. The ounces of gold contained in our process and concentrate inventory is based on assays taken at the time the ore is processed and the ounces of gold contained in shipped concentrate which is based upon assays taken prior to shipment however subject to final assays at the refinery, these shipments are also subject to the fluctuation in gold prices between our shipment date and estimated and actual final settlement date. Also, the reclamation bond obligation on our balance sheet is based on an estimate of the future cost to recover and remediate our properties as required by our permits upon cessation of our operations, and may differ when we cease operations.

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 the concentrate receivable as a whole will occur upon final settlement of the lots. 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 June 30, 2023, metals that had been sold but not finally settled included 5,223 ounces of which 4,276 ounces were sold at a predetermined price with the remaining 947 exposed to future price changes. The Company has received provisional payments on the sale of these ounces with the remaining amount due reflected in gold sales receivable.

The asset retirement obligation and asset on our balance sheet is based on an estimate of the future cost to recover and remediate our properties as required by our permits upon cessation of our operations and may differ when we cease operations. At June 30, 2023 we reviewed our December 31, 2022 estimate that the cost of the machine and man hours probable to be needed to put our properties in the condition required by our permits once we cease operations. The June 30, 2023 estimated costs would be $103,320 for the Golden Chest property and $203,600 for the New Jersey Mine and Mill. For purposes of the estimate, we evaluated the expected life in years and costs that, initially, are comparable to rates that we would incur at the present. An expected present value technique is used to estimate the fair value of the liability. This includes inflating the estimated costs in today’s dollars using a reasonable inflation rate up to the date of expected retirement and discounting the inflated costs using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Upon initial recognition of the liability, the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is increased by the same amount. The liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings. In addition, the asset retirement cost is amortized over the life of the related asset. We are adding to the liability each year, and amortizing the asset over the estimated life, which decreases our net income in total each year. Changes resulting from revisions to the timing or amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows are recognized as either an increase or a decrease in the carrying amount of the liability for an asset retirement obligation and the related asset retirement cost capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Upward revisions of the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows are discounted using the current credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Downward revisions in the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows are discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recognized. The Company reviews, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the asset retirement obligations. Separately, the Company accrues costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when it is probable that such costs will be incurred and they are reasonably estimable.

Highlights during the second quarter of 2023 include:

Results of Operations

Our financial performance during the quarter is summarized below:

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 and all in sustaining costs per ounce for the Company’s gold production in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, and 2022.

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.