LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. - Annual Report: 2015 (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 January 31, 2015
[ ] 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 000-50071
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 90-0175540 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
organization) |
5610 E Sutler Lane, Tucson, Arizona 85712
(Address of principal executive offices)
520.731.8786
(Registrants telephone number,
including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | |
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Nil | Nil |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $0.00001
(Title of
class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
2
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation
S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if there is disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained in herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants 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 the definition of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [ ] | Non-accelerated filer [ ] |
Accelerated filer [ ] | Smaller reporting company [X] |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell
company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked prices of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
898,324,979 shares of Common Stock @ $0.0138 (1) = $12,396,885
(1) Closing price on July 31, 2014 was $0.0138.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
1,062,726,992 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2015.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Not applicable.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled "Risk Factors", that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
Our consolidated financial statements are stated in United States Dollars (US$) and are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report.
As used in this annual report, the terms "we", "us", the Company and "Liberty Star" mean Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. and our subsidiaries, Big Chunk Corp and Hay Mountain Super Project, LLC., unless otherwise indicated. All dollar amounts refer to U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Business development
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (the Company, we or Liberty Star) was formerly Liberty Star Gold Corp. and formerly Titanium Intelligence, Inc. (Titanium). Titanium was incorporated on August 20, 2001 under the laws of the State of Nevada. On February 5, 2004 we commenced operations in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties business. Big Chunk Corp. (Big Chunk) is our wholly owned subsidiary and was incorporated on December 14, 2003 in the State of Alaska. Big Chunk is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties business in the State of Alaska. Redwall Drilling Inc. (Redwall) was our wholly owned subsidiary and was incorporated on August 31, 2007 in the State of Arizona. Redwall performed drilling services on the Companys mineral properties. Redwall ceased drilling activities in July 2008 and was dissolved on March 30, 2010. We formed the wholly owned subsidiary, Hay Mountain Super Project LLC (HMSP) incorporated on October 24, 2014, to serve as the primary holding company for development of the potential ore bodies encompassed in the Hay Mountain area of interest in Arizona. In April 2007, we changed our name to Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. We are in the exploration phase of operations and have not generated any revenues from operations.
Our current business
We are engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in the States of Arizona and Alaska. Claims in the State of Alaska are held in the name of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Big Chunk Corp. Claims in the State of Arizona are held in the name of Liberty Star. We use the term Super Project to indicate a project in which numerous mineral targets have been identified, any one or more of which could potentially contain commercially viable quantities of minerals. Our significant projects are described below.
North Pipes Super Project (North Pipes and NPSP): Located in Northern Arizona on the Arizona Strip, we plan to ascertain whether the NPSP claims possess commercially viable deposits of uranium and associated co-product metals. We have not identified any ore reserves to date.
Big Chunk Super Project (Big Chunk): Located in the Iliamna region of Southwestern Alaska, we plan to ascertain whether the Big Chunk claims possess commercially viable deposits of copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, palladium rhenium and zinc. We have not identified any ore reserves to date.
Tombstone Super Project (Tombstone)(formerly referred to as Tombstone Porphyry Precious Metals Project): Tombstone is located in Cochise County, Arizona and the Super Project covers the Tombstone caldera and its environs. Within the Tombstone Caldera is the Hay Mountain target where we are concentrating our work at this time. We plan to ascertain whether the Tombstone, Hay Mountain claims possess commercially viable deposits of copper, molybdenum, gold, silver, lead, zinc, manganese and other metals including Rare Earth Elements (REEs). We have not identified any ore reserves to date.
East Silver Bell Porphyry Copper Project (East Silver Bell): Located northwest of Tucson, Arizona, we plan to ascertain whether the East Silver Bell claims possess commercially viable deposits of copper. We have not identified any ore reserves to date.
Title to mineral claims involves certain inherent risks due to difficulties of determining the validity of certain claims as well as potential for problems arising from the frequently ambiguous conveyancing history characteristic of many mineral properties. We have investigated title to all the Companys mineral properties and, to the best of its knowledge, title to all properties are in good standing.
The mineral resource business generally consists of three stages: exploration, development and production. Mineral resource companies that are in the exploration stage have not yet found mineral resources in commercially exploitable quantities, and are engaged in exploring land in an effort to discover them. Mineral resource companies that have located a mineral resource in commercially exploitable quantities and are preparing to extract that resource are in the development stage, while those engaged in the extraction of a known mineral resource are in the production stage. We have not found any mineral resources in commercially exploitable quantities.
There is no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of our properties, and further exploration is required before we can evaluate whether any exist and, if so, whether it would be economically feasible to develop or exploit those resources. Even if we complete our current exploration program and we are successful in identifying a mineral deposit, we would be required to spend substantial funds on further drilling and engineering studies before we could know whether that mineral deposit will constitute an ore reserve (an ore reserve is a commercially viable mineral deposit).
To date, we have not generated any revenues. Our ability to pursue our business plan and generate revenues is subject to our ability to obtain additional financing, and we cannot give any assurance that we will be able to do so.
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Competition
We are a mineral resource company engaged in the business of mineral exploration. We compete with other mineral resource exploration companies for financing from a limited number of investors that are prepared to make investments in mineral resource exploration companies. The presence of competing mineral resource exploration companies may impact our ability to raise additional capital in order to fund our property acquisitions and exploration programs if investors are of the view that investments in competitors are more attractive based on the merit of the mineral properties under investigation and the price of the investment offered to investors.
We also compete for mineral properties of merit with other exploration companies. Competition could reduce the availability of properties of merit or increase the cost of acquiring additional mineral properties.
Many of the resource exploration companies with whom we compete may have greater financial and technical resources than we do. Accordingly, these competitors may be able to spend greater amounts on acquisitions of properties of merit and on exploration of their properties. In addition, they may be able to afford greater geological expertise in the targeting and exploration of resource properties. This competition could result in our competitors having resource properties of greater quality and interest to prospective investors who may finance additional exploration and to senior exploration companies that may purchase resource properties or enter into joint venture agreements with junior exploration companies. This competition could adversely impact our ability to finance property acquisitions and further exploration.
Compliance with Government Regulation
We will be required to comply with all regulations, rules and directives of governmental authorities and agencies applicable to the exploration of minerals in the States of Arizona and Alaska.
We are required to perform annual assessment work in order to maintain the Big Chunk Alaska State mining claims. If annual assessment work is not performed we must pay the assessment amount in cash in order to maintain the claims. Completion of annual assessment work in the amount of $400 per 1/4 section (160 acre) claim or $100 per 1/16 section (40 acre) claim extends the claims for a one year period. Assessment work performed in excess of the required amount may be carried forward for up to 4 years to reduce future obligations for assessment work. Since we have excess of the required amount remaining from work performed within the four year period, assessment work was not required, but was and will be carried forward up to 4 years.
The annual state rentals for the Big Chunk Alaska State mining claims vary from $70 to $680 per mineral claim and escalate with the age of the mining claim. The rental period begins at noon September 1 st through the following September 1 st and annual rental payments are due on November 30th of each year. Annual rent is due in full within 45 days of staking a new claim and covers the period from staking until the next September 1st. The rentals of $6,120 to extend the Big Chunk claims through September 1, 2015 were paid in November 2014. The estimated state rentals due for the Big Chunk claims by November 30, 2015 for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016 are $6,120. Alaska State production royalty is three percent of net income. State law prescribes that after a 3.5 -year exemption from state taxes a metal mine is liable for a 15% state licensing tax on net income from the mine.
Our North Pipes claims are federal lode mining claims located on U.S. federal lands and administered by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing potential for contamination of significant amounts of uranium leaking into the Colorado River. The EIS indicated the danger of such contamination insignificant. Regardless, the United States Secretary of the Interior, Kenneth Salazar, through executive order has withdrawn federal lands from locatable mineral exploration and mining North of the Grand Canyon along the Utah border in Arizona, the so-called Arizona Strip. Nearly 1 million acres of land managed by the BLM and the Forest Service were segregated in July 2009 by the Secretary of Interior. The executive order has resulted in the withdrawal of an area of the Arizona Strip from mining in particular, and the moratorium now is instated for the next 20 years. However, the moratorium permits existing claims and mines to continue as before, including our North Pipes lode mining claims.
We are required to pay annual rentals to maintain our North Pipes federal lode mining claims in good standing. The rental period begins at 12:01 PM on September 1 st through the following September 1 st at 12:00 and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period starting at 12:01 PM. The annual rental is $155 per claim. Additional fees of $57 per claim are due in the first year of filing a federal lode mining claim along with the first years rent. The rentals of $32,705 for the period from September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015 have been paid. The annual rentals due by September 1, 2015 of $32,705 are required to maintain the North Pipes claims for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016. There is no requirement for annual assessment or exploration work on the federal lode mining claims, this having been supplanted by the rental fee. There are no royalties associated with the federal lode mining claims.
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We are required to pay annual rentals for our federal lode mining claims for our East Silver Bell project in the State of Arizona. The rental period begins at noon on September 1 st through the following September 1 st and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. The annual rental is $155 per claim. The rentals fees of $4,030 for the period from September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015 have been paid. The annual rentals due by September 1, 2015 of $4,030 are required to maintain the East Silver Bell claims are for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016. There is no requirement for annual assessment or exploration work on the federal lode mining claims, this having been supplanted by the rental fee. There are no royalties associated with the federal lode mining claims.
We are required to pay annual rentals for our federal lode mining claims for our Tombstone project in the State of Arizona. The rental period begins at noon on September 1 st through the following September 1 st and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. The annual rental is $155 per claim. Additional fees of $57 per claim are due in the first year of filing a federal lode mining claim along with the first years rent. The rentals and initial filing fees of $14,725 for the period from September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015 have been paid. The annual rentals due by September 1, 2015 of $ $14,725 are required to maintain the Tombstone claims for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016. There is no requirement for annual assessment or exploration work on the federal lode mining claims, this having been supplanted by the rental fee. There are no royalties associated with the federal lode mining claims. Beginning September 1, 2011 at 12:01 PM, Liberty Star started and subsequently completed staking 9 federal lode mining claims along the east edge of old patented mining claims in the main producing part of the old Tombstone mining area. These new claims are adjacent to the south end of the Walnut Creek TS claim block and are also named the TS claims. These claims occupy fractional land areas open to location by federal lode mining claims.
We are required to pay annual rentals for our Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) Mineral Exploration Permits (AZ MEP) at our Tombstone Hay Mountain Project in the State of Arizona. A mineral exploration permit is permission from ASLD to prospect and explore for minerals on State Trust land. Exploration is any activity conducted for the purpose of determining the existence of a valuable mineral deposit, such as: geologic mapping, drilling, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys. Prior to exploration, the Plan of Operations must be approved by ASLD. The permitting process for an exploration permit takes a minimum of sixty (60) days. If the application is approved, the initial rent is $2 per acre. If renewed, no additional rents are due for the second year. Rents are set at $1 per acre for years 3 thru 5. Work expenditure requirements are: $10 per acre for years 1-2; and $20 per acre for years 3-5. Removal of any minerals or materials from State Trust land without the appropriate lease or permit is prohibited. The permit is valid for one year from the due date of the rental and bond. If renewal requirements are met, the permit can be renewed annually for up to five years. If discovery of a valuable mineral deposit is made, the permittee must apply for a mineral lease before actual mining activities can begin. A mineral lease permits the mining of minerals discovered under the exploration permit. The approval process takes a minimum of six (6) months. The mineral lease is issued for a term of twenty (20) years. Leases may be renewed for an additional term. Both rents and royalties are determined by appraisal. Royalties may be based on: 1) a fixed rate subject to annual adjustment; or 2) a sliding-scale rate which is linked to a commodity index price and the operation's break-even price. There is a statutory minimum royalty rate of 2% of gross value. These AZ MEPs require a reclamation bond of $3,000 which we currently hold. The first years rental has been paid for these MEPs and the escalating rental is due on the anniversary of the MEP each year. After the end of the 4th year, the MEPs must transition to a State Mineral Lease upon satisfaction of the State Mineral Inspector that economic indications of a minable deposit exist. After commencement of mining, the State of Arizona shall be paid a minimal net smelter return after taking into consideration any extenuating mining challenges royalty but not less than a 2% gross royalty. The rental period begins on September 30 th through the following September 29 th and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. We hold AZ MEP permits for 2,366.88 acres at our Tombstone project. Required minimum work expenditures for the period ended September 29, 2015 are$42,537. The annual rentals due by September 30, 2015 to maintain the AZ MEP permits are $4,867.
With respect to the foregoing properties, additional approvals and authorizations may be required from other government agencies, depending upon the nature and scope of the proposed exploration program. The amount of these costs is not known at this time as we do not know the size, quality of any resource or reserve at this time, and it is extremely difficult to assess the impact of any capital expenditures on earnings or our competitive position.
Personnel
Currently we employ one full time geologist who is also our CEO, CFO, and Chairman of the Board, James Briscoe. We also employ one full time executive for management of finance and accounting, one as-needed PhD consulting geologist specializing in GIS computer mapping and database creation, one full time geo-tech, who is also our manager of field operations, one investor relations representative, and one CPA on an as needed basis. We hire consultants for investor relations, exploration, derivative accounting, and administrative functions also on an as needed basis.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not Required.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our offices
We rent the premises for our principal office located at 5610 E Sutler Lane, Tucson, Arizona 85712. We rent this office space which is located in the home of our Chief Geologist and CEO for $522 per month plus a pro rata share of taxes and maintenance. Our employees work either from our principal office or from offices maintained in their homes.
We believe that our existing office facilities are adequate for our needs. Should we require additional space at that time, or prior thereto, we believe that such space can be secured on commercially reasonable terms.
Our warehouse
On June 1, 2011 we rented a warehouse located at Building No. 1, 7900 South Kolb Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706. We rent this warehouse space for $3,673 per month. The lease is in effect until May 31, 2015. In addition to using the warehouse for standard purposes, such as storage of our exploration equipment, supplies and samples, the warehouse space also includes office facilities.
Our mineral claims
All of the Companys claims for mineral properties are in good standing as of January 31, 2015.
North Pipes Super Project (North Pipes and NPSP):
We hold a 100% interest in 211 (unpatented) federal lode mining claims strategically placed on the Arizona Strip. The 211 unpatented federal lode mining claims with an area of 3,668 acres include breccia pipe targets (Pipes). Breccia pipes are cylindrical formations in the earths crust sometimes identified by a surface depression, or surface bump or no visible surface expression at all, and contain a high concentration of fragmented rock breccia sometimes cemented by uranium and other minerals. We plan to ascertain whether our North Pipes claims possess commercially viable deposits of uranium. Due to the moratorium of location of lode mining claims on the Arizona Strip and the low price of U3O8 we have no current exploration plans and will not until the uranium price increases and the moratorium expires in about 15 years. We intend to hold a strategic position until such time that it is economically feasible to mount a new drilling program. We want to take advantage of more than a million dollars of exploration data which was acquired by Liberty Star when uranium prices were higher and before the moratorium was instituted.
North Pipes is located on the Arizona Strip, which is located approximately 10 miles south of the town of Fredonia, AZ. Access is by Hwy 389 and various dirt roads, some of which are maintained and some that are very primitive. 4WD vehicles are necessary for the primitive dirt roads. Some of the claims cannot be driven to and require hiking to their location or under an approved plan of operation it is possible to create an access road.
North Pipes-AZ Claims | ||
11 BC Claims | 8 JN Claims | 6 SA Claims |
1 BP Claims | 4 JT Claims | 25 SG Claims |
7 BR Claims | 20LA Claims | 7 SR Claims |
1 BT Claim | 1 LC Claims | 17 ST Claims |
2 CV Claims | 12 LR Claims | 1 VP Claims |
1 FT Claims | 4 NT Claims | 2 WB Claims |
14 GN Claims | 5 PE Claims | 1 WC Claims |
7 GP Claims | 3 RC Claims | 4 WR Claims |
1 HC Claims | 18 RW Claims | 1 WS Claims |
1 HR Claims | 20 RX Claims | 6 WZ Claims |
211 Claims - 3,688 Acres |
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Our NPSP claims are undeveloped. There are neither open-pit nor underground mines, nor is there any mining plant or equipment located on the properties. There is no power supply to the properties. We have not found any mineral resources on any of our claims. The Arizona Strip was an active exploration district in the 1970s and 1980s with multiple producing uranium mines. No evidence of actual development work has been found on any of our properties and no significant exploration activities have been performed on our NPSP claims since 2008 due to many factors including the lowered uranium prices and the moratorium on locating claims. Below is a summary of prior exploration activities performed on our NPSP claims:
Geophysics: We have completed PEM (Pulse Electro-magnetic) geophysical surveys on some of our NPSP claims. Two types of PEM surveys were conducted in 2007: (i) Downhole PEM and (ii) In-Loop PEM. We have also used CSAMT and NSAMT (Controlled and Natural Source Audio-range Magneto Tellurics), run on the ground and executed by Zonge Engineering of Tucson AZ. A survey was also completed on an approximately six square mile area by VTEM helicopter borne electromagnetic survey along right angle crossing grid lines spaced 100 meters apart, which was performed by Geotech of Aurora, Ontario, Canada. Significant anomalies resulted from this survey. Preliminary drilling on one of Liberty Stars anomalies intersected strong breccia, alteration and pyrite mineralization. The holes did not penetrate down to the elevation where uranium mineralization would be expected, but are targets for future work. As of this date we have not developed any uranium resources on the Arizona Strip.
Stereoscopic geologic color air photo interpretation (photo-geology): Stereoscopic geologic interpretation of 1:24,000 (1 inch = 2,000 feet) high resolution color air photographs were contracted for and completed by Dr. Karen Wenrich and Edward Ulmer, a Registered Professional Geologist. Dr. Wenrich worked on the Arizona Strip uranium bearing breccia pipes almost exclusively during her twenty three year tenure with the United States Geological Survey from which she is now retired. During this period of study she authored many professional papers on breccia pipes of the Grant Canyon area, and is considered a foremost expert on them. Mr. Ulmer worked on the Arizona Strip in the mid to late 1970s working on both imagery interpretation and surface geology.
Geologic field mapping on the surface: Geological field mapping was conducted in the fall of 2005 through 2007 by our staff geologists as well as contracted geologists. Approximately 180 of the breccia pipe target areas have been mapped in detail 1:5,000 (1 inch = 417 feet). Several detailed measured stratigraphic sections have also been completed.
Geochemical sampling: A comprehensive soil geochemical survey was completed in 2007. We have collected approximately 14,000 soil samples over all identifiable breccia pipes, both those with known ore and those that are yet to be proven by drilling. A strict chain of custody procedures were followed and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) samples were inserted regularly into the sample stream. The samples were assayed for 63 elements. Assay analyses were conducted by a Certified Assay Lab, Acme Analytical Laboratories of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We believe that these samples allow us to identify potential uranium bearing breccia pipes versus barren or non-uranium bearing breccia pipes.
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Drilling: In 2007 a drilling program was undertaken using both rotary drilling and core drilling. Rotary drilling was contracted by Boart Longyear. Diamond core drilling was completed by Redwall Drilling Inc., a former wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Star. A total of 22 holes were drilled for a total of 16,226 feet of drilling. Important intersections of rock generally associated with producing breccia pipes were made. We did not intersect any ore mineralization during the drilling program.
Total costs including claim staking (initially in 2005), claim maintenance (see PART I ITEM1. Business. Compliance with Government Regulation in each Form 10K for the years ended January 31, 2006 through January 31, 2015) and a drilling program (exploratory) in calendar years 2007 and 2008, are $5,220,794.
Beginning in 2006, Certified Professional Geologist Dr Karen Wenrich and a dozen other well regarded geoscientists engaged in an exploratory program centering on the regions breccia pipes. By the time Dr. Wenrich came to work on the North Pipes project, she had 27 years with the USGS working on breccia pipe research and was a member of a Nobel Peace Prize winning team of UN atomic science specialists. The Liberty Star team worked with high resolution color aerial photographs and other reconnaissance covering approximately 2,000 square miles to format geological maps of the terrain. In addition to geology, geophysics gamma ray spectroscopy, approximately 14,000 soil samples were collected and analyzed by a certified lab for 63 elements. These were located precisely as they were collected using GPS. The results were compiled and plotted using GIS software, and various contouring and interpretation techniques. Expenses included food and lodging and a daily commute of approximately 100 miles. Road conditions were extreme and resulted in vehicle expenses of approximately $2.00 per mile. Various contractors were used in claim staking, and other contract work in sample collection. Helicopters and light planes were used for various transportation tasks. Home office support also involved permanent and contract support.
Exploratory drilling includes costs of travel, food and lodging, payments on the drill rig, drill bits, fuel, drilling permits, and maintenance costs of the drill rig and of support vehicles. Also included are the costs of reclamation bonds and reclamation costs of lands disturbed by drilling, as well as the costs of conducting archaeological surveys to identify prehistoric remains of human habitation or human activity.
Currently there are no planned costs for the North Pipes Super Project unless commodity prices, specifically for uranium, increase sufficiently to make exploration financially tenable. The Moratorium on acquiring any additional land has also negatively affected the current investment climate for such work. However we have a letter agreement with Mr. Andrew Mueller to option our existing claims North Pipes claims to him for mining using his vertical bore technology. He believes this will make the Pipes exploitable.
Big Chunk Super Project (Big Chunk) Location, claims, geology and technical studies:
We hold a 100% interest in 9 State mining claims in the Iliamna region of Southwestern Alaska with an area of 1,440 acres, located on the north side of the Cook Inlet, approximately 265 miles southwest of the city of Anchorage, Alaska. We plan to ascertain whether the Big Chunk claims possess commercially viable deposits of copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, palladium, rhenium and zinc. Due to decisions made by the EPA regarding the nearby Pebble Deposit we have no immediate exploration plans, however, we intend to hold our land position until such a time we determine it is clear that exploration is economically viable again.
Big Chunk-AK Claims | |
BC 817 | BC 1114 |
BC 818 | BC 1115 |
BC 841 | |
BC 842 | |
BC 1104 | |
BC 1105 | |
BC 1113 | |
9 BC Claims- 1,440 acres |
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Our Big Chunk claims are undeveloped. Big Chunk is in the Iliamna region of Southwestern Alaska, located on the north side of the Cook Inlet, approximately 265 miles southwest of the city of Anchorage Alaska. The claims are located in a remote area of Southwestern Alaska near Lake Iliamna, Alaskas largest lake. The claims are immediately adjacent and contiguous to the Pebble mine property and about 3 miles north east from the Pebble Porphyry copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, palladium, rhenium and zinc mineral deposit which is reportedly one of the largest of its type in the world. Two or more Air Taxi services connect to the village of Iliamna roughly 240 miles distant from Anchorage. At Iliamna, approximately 27 miles southeast of Big Chunk, there is a major regional airport, Fixed Base Operator (FBO), fuel, bush planes and, periodically, helicopters for rent with pilot. Air is the only practical way to the property either by float plane, ski plane in the winter, or helicopter. Ground travel is unsafe and impractical in the summer due to the dense population of black bears, grizzly bears, bogs and small lakes. Winter access by snow machine could be possible, although difficult.
In 2011, the Company engaged the international firm of SRK Consulting, Engineering and Scientist of Tucson (SRK) through its Tucson, Arizona office to prepare a Technical Report in the same format of the internationally accepted Canadian National Instrument NI 43-101. Because the Companys stock does not trade on any Canadian stock exchanges, this Technical Report was not submitted to SEDAR, the electronic system for the official filing of documents by public companies and investment funds across Canada. In their report which encompasses some 194 pages of technical data, they compared the Northern Dynasty NI 43-101 geologic and drill data, published on the Northern Dynasty web site in its entirety, to results of Liberty Stars technical work on the Big Chunk ground. They concluded amongst other things: (1) Twenty seven scout diamond drill holes drilled by Liberty Star in 2004 2005 intersected the same rock types as were intersected in the exploration drilling on the Pebble deposit (2) All drill holes, which were spaced over some 500 square miles, intersected the outer shell or propylitic halo of multiple porphyry copper systems, which is the model co-developed by our director, Dr. John Guilbert; and (3) Copper and molybdenum sulfides along with low grade gold were intersected in two drill holes in the White Sox target area. This mineralization and associated alteration may indicate a porphyry Cu-Mo system (SRK Big Chunk Technical Report- page 109, 11.2 Results of Drilling). After publication of the report in August of 2012 during a review of core logs it was discovered that diamond core hole 1003 showed characteristic copper and molybdenum chalcopyrite and molybdenite, as well as lead, zinc and silver. The hole was stopped prematurely in increasing values of these metals at a depth of 206.4 meters. The area of the Big Chunk Claims is largely covered by glacial debris, soil, and tundra. There are no open-pit or underground mines, nor is there any mining plant or equipment located on the properties. There is no power supply to the properties. There is no road access to the properties, but such public road access is planned for the Pebble mine, and as currently planned, that road will cross the Companys land, and be accessible for the Companys use. Extensive geotechnical data on the Big Chunk claims has been acquired between startup of 2004 and the current time. Extensive geophysical data has been acquired by the Company of several types, which includes the following:
(1) an extensive air borne magnetic survey flown by McPhar Geosurveys Ltd., Newmarket, Ontario Canada over 18,243 line kilometers covering 3,646 square kilometers using: (a) a draped survey with a mean elevation of the instrument above the terrain of 200 meters (600 feet) feet; (b) a line spacing of 250 meters (800 feet); (c) and a sample interval of 8 meters (26.4 feet). State of the art magnetometer, GPS, radar altimeter, and computer recording of data were used and in our opinion no other survey of this quality and precision is available in the area.
(2) one hundred twenty seven linear miles of Induced Polarization (IP) was run by Zonge Engineering of Tucson AZ. Of necessity lines were brushed of all trees and undergrowth and all access was by helicopter, however, the lines themselves were done on the ground by foot. All data was recorded on appropriate computers, downloaded each evening and sent to the Zonge Office in Tucson and to our consulting geophysicist Mr. Jan Klein in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Mr. Klein supervised all IP and other geophysical surveys over the Pebble for Cominco who sold the Pebble Project to Northern Dynasty. Thus, we believe Mr. Klein has had more experience in the geophysics of the area, which includes over 2,000 square miles, than any other geophysicist. The results were interpreted and sent back to the Alaska headquarters every night.
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(3) Liberty Star contracted with Geotech Limited of London, Ontario, Canada to run their ZTEM Electro Magnetic (EM) airborne survey equipment over the Big Chunk project. This thoroughly tested system can look down 2,000 meters (6,000 feet) in to the crust of the earth and detect sulfide mineralization associated with porphyry copper-gold systems, as well as other geologic features. This survey was completed in August 2009. The survey covered 315.2 sq. kilometers (121.7 sq. miles) and consisted of north-south lines spaced 250 meters apart on our Big Chunk Super Project mineral claims. In May 2010, Liberty Star received feedback from Geotech Ltd. that its interpretation showed at least 4 to 7 signatures that are consistent with porphyry copper responses. The 2D computer model shows typical low responsive areas, which could correspond to an ore mineral core zones with a surrounding responsive cylinders representing a pyrite halos typical of Porphyry copper systems. For control, Geotech flew a survey the day after completing the Big Chunk survey, over the Pebble mineral deposit. The anomalies on Big Chunk show strong similarities to the Pebble.
During the field seasons of 2004 and 2005 Liberty collected approximately eleven thousand geochemical samples. The sampling program was designed by both consulting geochemist, Shea Clark Smith, of MEG Laboratories in the Reno area of Nevada, and Liberty Chief Geologist, James Briscoe. The sampling program was based on many years of geochemical studies and sampling throughout the world by Mr. Smith and his Masters Degree thesis on sampling tundra plants and detecting metals in their woody stems reflecting metals at depth. Further, Mr. Smith and Mr. Briscoe used this technique to locate buried porphyry copper deposits in the Silver Bell district (see discussion of the East Silver Bell Project in this report) near Tucson, Arizona in 1996 -1998. The methodology was conceived, discovered and proven in a well-known porphyry district south of Tucson, Arizona between the periods 1950 to 1955. At Big Chunk the samples collected included: (1) stream sediment; (2) stream water; (3) pond and small-lake water; (4) soil samples; and (5) vegetation sampling new growth of woody plants. These samples were analyzed by Acme Labs, a Certified Assayer in Canada for 64 elements for each sample. For the eleven thousand samples, this resulted in approximately seven hundred thousand separate analyses including blanks, repeat and control samples part of the QA/QC (Quality Assurance Quality Control) procedures. Because of the overload worldwide in all assay labs at the time, turnaround time for the assays was up to three or more months. After receipt of the samples, they were processed using computer techniques and the results analyzed and interpreted. Known indicator elements, including porphyry copper-gold mineral center elements, formed typical porphyry copper center anomaly zones. Additionally, samples taken by Liberty Star over the Pebble deposit, with the permission of Northern Dynasty, indicated that mineral body to be detectable by these methods. The geochemical methodology was used by the US Geological Survey, under contract for the Pebble partnership over the Pebble mineral zone, and data was published in 2010. It was again shown to be effective in indicating the Pebble deposit mineralization at depth. The anomalies generated by both deep looking ZTEM and geochemistry by Liberty Star have been tested by published results from drilling in the Pebble mineral body. The same types of targets in the Liberty Star Big Chunk have yet to be tested by drilling in a significant way.
We are unaware of any previous claim ownership anywhere on our Big Chunk claims in Alaska. No historical drilling resulting in mineral resources or reserves appears in the published literature concerning the property. Minor exploration was conducted by Teck Cominco Alaska, and Anaconda Mining Inc. The United States Geological Survey does not do exploration but they had done minor geological mapping in the north part of the Big Chunk caldera, along with widely spaced aeromag surveys in the same area. We are not aware of any prior exploration that was conducted on our Big Chunk claims in Alaska prior to January 10, 2004, when our aerial magnetic survey began.
We have not defined mineral resources on any of our claims at Big Chunk.
Letter Agreement and Secured Convertible Note with Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. With Respect to Big Chunk
On July 15, 2010, we issued a secured convertible promissory note (the 2010 Convertible Note) to Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (Northern Dynasty). The original advanced amount is $4,000,000 and bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum compounded monthly (the Loan). On August 17, 2010, we transferred 95 of our Alaska State mineral claims from the Big Chunk Super Project to Northern Dynasty for consideration of $1,000,000 of the original advanced amount under the Convertible Note, leaving $3,000,000 of the Loan amount outstanding. No interest accrued on the $1,000,000 of the original advanced amount. Effective September 1, 2011, the agreement with Northern Dynasty was amended to increase the 2010 Convertible Note by $561,816 to reimburse Northern Dynasty for assessment work, rental fees, cash in lieu of assessment work and filing fees on the mineral claims that was paid in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 because we could not come to an agreement on an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Northern Dynasty. On February 29, 2012, with effect from November 30, 2011, we executed an additional convertible promissory note (the 2011 Convertible Note and together with the 2010 Convertible Note, the Convertible Notes) in the amount of $168,358 in reimbursement to Northern Dynasty of assessment work, rental fees and filing fees on our mineral claims.
As part of the transactions noted above, we entered into a letter agreement with Northern Dynasty whereby, subject to negotiating and signing a definitive earn-in option and joint venture agreement, Northern Dynasty could earn a 60% interest in our Big Chunk and Bonanza Hills projects in Alaska (the Joint Venture Claims) by spending $10,000,000 on those properties over six years. The outstanding loan amounts from Northern Dynasty could be applied as part of Northern Dynastys earn-in requirements. Northern Dynastys minimum annual expenditures under the earn-in would be the minimum level necessary to keep the Joint Venture Claims in good standing. Northern Dynasty could elect to abandon the earn-in at any time on 30 days notice, so long as sufficient annual labor was performed, or a cash payment in lieu of labor was made, in order to fulfill the annual labor requirements for the Joint Venture Claims for a minimum of 12 months after termination of the earn-in.
On November 14, 2012, we signed a loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty which would have discharged the $3,730,174 principal balance and $1,592,769 of accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note and would have terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in rights. In exchange for the settlement, we initiated the transfer of 199 Alaska mining claims to Northern Dynastys subsidiary, U5 Resources. However, MBGS, LLC filed liens against the claims before the transfer could be completed. In March 2014 Liberty Star and Big Chunk entered into a settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, following a resolution conference conducted in Anchorage, Alaska whereby all Northern Dynasty claims recorded by MBGS, LLC were released. As a result of the settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, the Company completed its loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty and discharged the principal balance and accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note and
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terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in-rights. A gain of $5,322,943 for the settlement of the Northern Dynasty debt and accrued interest was recorded in other income in April 2014. As of January 31, 2015, we had no principal or interest outstanding for the 2010 Convertible Note.
Tombstone Super Project (Tombstone):
Our CEO and Chief Geologist, James Briscoe, has long experience in the Tombstone district, southeast Arizona, where he first worked in 1972. In the mid-1980s, he concluded that much earlier regional geologic work had reached erroneous conclusions and that Tombstone was a large and ancient (72 million years before the present or Laramide in age) volcanic structure a caldera. He brought this to the attention of the US Geological Survey caldera experts, who after study concluded that Briscoe was correct. Subsequently, more than seventeen calderas of various ages have been identified in Arizona by the US Geological survey, the Arizona Geological Survey and others. Such calderas of Laramide age are all associated with porphyry alteration and copper and associated mineralization; many of these have become very large copper mines. Studies by Mr. Briscoe over the years, and more recently using advanced technology, have indicated that alteration associated mineralization at Tombstone is much more extensive than originally thought. This alteration lies largely under cover and is indicated by geochemistry, geophysics and projection of known geology into covered areas.
We hold 95 unpatented standard federal lode mining claims with an area of 1,798.68 acres located due east and southeast of the town of Tombstone, Arizona. The Walnut Creek Project is located immediately east of the town of Tombstone. The Hay Mountain Project is located 6.5 miles southeast of Tombstone; access is by Hwy 89 and Davis Rd. We also hold Arizona State Mineral Exploration Permits (MEPs) covering (2,366.88 acres) or 3.7 square miles in the same area. We also hold an option to explore 29 unpatented standard federal lode mining claims (604 acres out of the total 1,798.68 acres) located in the same region. On April 29, 2008 Liberty Star announced that it had leased, with an option to purchase, three properties from JABA US Inc. in Arizona and Nevada, USA. Liberty Star President James A. Briscoe controls JABA US INC and Dr. J. M. Guilbert, Director of the Company, holds a small stock position as well. The properties in Arizona are part of the Tombstone and the 26 claims East Silver Bell projects. The option covering the property in Nevada was sold in October, 2008 to NPX Metals. Proceeds from that sale were loaned immediately back to Liberty Star by Mr. Briscoe. For the remaining claims, according to the option agreement, Liberty Star could earn up to 100% interest by keeping up annual assessment work and spending $175,000 in exploration expenditures on the properties between April 2008 and January 1, 2011. This provision payment of assessment and related expenses has been met and option agreement has been maintained over the Tombstone and East Silver Bell Claims.
LIBERTY STAR | |
TOMBSTONE-AZ | JABA Optioned Claims |
Federal Unpatented Claims | |
Claim Names | |
HM 87-143 | TS 129- 152 |
TS 168-176 | TS 163- 167 |
Claim Acreage | |
57 HM Claims- 1095.18 acres | 29 TS Claims- 604 acres |
9 TS Claims- 99.5 acres | |
State Exploration Permits | |
5 State MEP's- 2,366.88 acres |
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At Hay Mountain (HM), we plan to ascertain whether the HM lode mining claims and AZ MEPs possess commercially viable deposits of copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, zinc, rare earth metals and other valuable metals. We have a phased exploration plan that involves diamond core drilling of multiple holes over targets determined by analysis of geochemical sampling and ZTEM electromagnetic and magnetic survey. Initial phase 1 drilling is planned to take approximately one year. Should results indicate the viability of the project, additional phased work, both exploration and development, is planned over the course of seven total years to define the nature and size of an ore body(s) and move toward mining. Any exploration plans are dependent on acquiring suitable funding. No part of the phased program is currently funded.
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The Tombstone claims are undeveloped. However significant amounts of aeromagnetic surveys, IP (Induced Polarization Surveys), geologic mapping by the USGS and others, and geochemical surveys including soil, rock and vegetation sampling have been conducted at various times by various parties, over the last 60 years. When compiled and analyzed these various data suggest a compelling series of anomalies that are typical of buried, dirt and rock covered porphyry copper system(s). Below is a summary of prior exploration activities performed on our Tombstone claims: Technical Report: In mid-March 2011, Liberty Star contracted SRK to prepare three (3) Technical studies and Reports in a form similar to mineral reports prescribed under NI 43-101. Members of SRKs engineering/scientific staff supervised by a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 and SRKs Tucson Office Principal Geologist, Corolla Hoag, and geologist Dr. Jan Rasmussen have visited the Tombstone property. This information was combined with historic technical reports going back to 1878 and more recent data up to August 2011 (the date of their reports). The three Technical Reports are entitled: (1) Walnut Creek Exploration Report, Tombstone District, Arizona August 31, 2011, 147 pages; (2) The Tombstone Caldera South Exploration Report, Tombstone District, Arizona August 31, 2011, 144 pages; and (3) Hay Mountain Exploration Report, Tombstone District, Arizona August 31 2011, 155 pages. Because the Companys stock does not trade on any Canadian stock exchanges, these three Technical Reports were not submitted to SEDAR, the electronic system for the official filing of documents by public companies and investment funds across Canada. We had also requested that SRK prepare a report on the Tombstone Consolidated Mines patented claims. These claims covered the entirety of historic productive area of the Tombstone mines which date to their discovery in 1877. However, before that report could be completed a competitor acquired a lease on those lands. These Technical Reports thoroughly summarize and illustrate the salient geotechnical data of the Tombstone Mining District covering about 250 square miles and present much data in computer map format. In such context, they analyze Liberty Stars exploration programs as related to the entire area, make estimates and recommend execution of proposed Company exploration programs. Because of competitive pressure and the unique nature of the data which includes 40+ years of private report compilation by James Briscoe, our CEO, these reports are considered confidential and will not be released for the foreseeable future. Geochemical sampling at the Hay Mountain Project: In 2011 and early 2012 we collected nearly 1,800 rock, soil and vegetation samples over 621 sample sites over approximately 14 square miles centered on the Hay Mountain property. These samples have been assayed for 63 elements generating about 113,000 analyses. The samples were prepared by MEG Inc. and have been shipped to ALS Minerals (ALS-Chemex) a Certified (under NI 43-101 criteria and approved by regulatory processes) geochemical analysis lab in Vancouver, British Columbia. Assay results are being sent to our Tucson office and when all assays are received our geology team will be able to generate computer analyses that allow interpretation of the data.
ZTEM EM Survey: We have requested and have received a cost estimate from Geotech of Aurora (Toronto area) Ontario, Canada, which is the only purveyor of this helicopter borne electromagnetic (EM) geophysical method. This geophysical method has the ability to look down into the crust of the earth about 2,000 meters (6,000 feet) and detect sulfides which may be associated with porphyry copper systems. Test work over known Safford, Arizona porphyry copper deposits along with thousands of verifying drill holes show the geometry of such mineral systems can be determined, thus identifying whether it is a porphyry copper system or some other mineral system. When combined with our geochemical data, we can determine the position of the copper-moly center of the system and design our drill program to efficiently test and define mineralization. We flew ZTEM in July 2013 and the analysis report was received in February 2014.
East Silver Bell Porphyry Copper Project (East Silver Bell or ESB):
Located northwest of Tucson, Arizona, these claims currently are within the Ironwood National Monument, which was established after the claims were staked and validated by numerous drill holes in addition to extensive technical studies. We plan to ascertain whether the East Silver Bell claims possess commercially viable deposits of copper. We hold an option to explore 26 unpatented standard federal lode mining claims with an area of 536.03 acres located in the same region. The optioned mineral claims are owned by JABA US Inc., a corporation in which two of our directors are owners. On April 29, 2008 Liberty Star announced that it had leased, with an option to purchase, three properties from JABA US Inc. in Arizona and Nevada, USA. The properties in Arizona, are part of the Tombstone (and the 26 claims) East Silverbell projects. The option covering the property in Nevada was sold in October, 2008 to NPX Metals, and the proceeds were paid by JABA US Inc. as a loan to Liberty Star. According to the option agreement, Liberty Star can earn up to 100% interest by keeping up annual assessment work and spending $175,000 in exploration expenditures on the properties between April 2008 and January 1, 2011. This provision has been met for the assessment work and other related expense payments, and even though the work commitment is now in arrears, the option agreement has been maintained over the Tombstone and East Silver Bell Claims.
JABA Optioned Properties |
East Silver Bell-AZ Claims |
ESB 180-191 |
ESB 193 |
ESB 195 |
ESB 238 |
ESB 240 |
ESB 242-245 |
ESB 247-251 |
ESB 301 |
26 ESB Claims- 536.03 acres |
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Located approximately 30 miles northwest of Tucson, Arizona, 18 miles from the Avra Valley road off ramp and then 18 miles west, just north of that road on dirt roads (accessible with a 2 wheel drive vehicle), the claims currently are within the Ironwood Forest National Monument, which was created after the claims were staked, underwent detailed geochem and geophysical studies and drilled with numerous drill holes revealing a mineralized body. We plan to ascertain whether the East Silverbell claims possess commercially viable deposits of copper. Due to difficulty of doing work on the Ironwood Forest National Monument, which was created after drill definition of a mineral body on our claims, we are negotiating with an adjacent fee-simple, land-owner on which half of the mineral zone lies, to explore in detail to develop a viable ore body.
The East Silver Bell claims are undeveloped. The ESB block of claims were staked circa 1994 about five miles east of the ASARCO Solvent-Extraction-Electro-Winning (SXEW) plant. The East Silver Bell claims are directly adjacent and contiguous to the ASARCO Patented (fee simple) lands. Circa 1994 JABA (US) Inc. compiled geophysics consisting of existing, widely spaced airborne magnetics, collected soil and vegetation geochemical samples, performed detailed photo interpretation from high resolution color aerial photography, mapped surface geology, breccia pipes and performed detailed mapping and interpretation of leached capping and performed very closely spaced man borne magnetic surveys over alteration and projection of the edge of the Silver Bell caldera and associated mineral belt that includes the Silver Bell porphyry copper mines that could be seen on the color air photos. The surface magnetic survey was interpreted by geophysicist Edward DeRidder, who pointed out a magnetic low that he interpreted as a porphyry copper magnetic low. Subsequently, north-south Induced Polarization (IP) lines were run and interpreted by Zonge engineering, to show a sulfide response at 900 to 1,000 feet below the surface. All of this data was plotted in 3D images showing overlapping and mutually reinforcing geochemical, ground magnetic and IP geophysics, and geologic- alteration mapped anomalies. Half of this responsive area lies on the adjacent ASARCO ground and half lies on JABA (US) ground. Subsequent to these studies, the ground was lease-optioned to Valarie Gold Exploration Inc., (Valarie) a Canadian exploration company. They drilled 6 holes to a predetermined depth of 600 feet, using a rotary drill and recovered drill chips, sampled at 5 foot intervals. The drilling penetrated and recovered classic chalcocite leached capping typical of that material occurring over ore bodies in the Silver Bell mines of North Silver Bell, El Tiro and Oxide open pit mines. Geochemical assays of the cuttings showed three to four relict ghost copper enriched zones to the final arbitrary depth of six hundred feet. These holes did not penetrate the leached chalcocite capping rock and did not enter sulfides. Valarie relinquished their lease. Latter Kennecott Copper Corp. optioned the claims and drilled three rotary drill holes. Of these holes two twisted off the drill bits at shallow depth and had to be abandoned while in the leached chalcocite capping. One hole penetrated to a depth of 1,000 feet but poor sampling procedures negated any meaningful data from this hole, when primary samples were irretrievably lost. These two drill attempts were predictably not successful but geochemistry from the Valarie drill holes did show shadow geochemical copper enrichment indicating chalcocite enrichment in the sulfide blanket below and the Kennecott effort did recover some chalcocite (enriched copper sulfide) circa 1998 the Ironwood National Monument was created over JABAs valid mining claims. The surface of these claims cannot be used to extract the copper mineral body below by the open pit mining method. Since half of the of the geophysically, geochemically, geologically, alteration indicated mineral body is located on ASARCO patented land and because the ASARCO SXEW plant is only five miles to the west, it is believed that this mineral body can be extracted from the ASARCO property by underground in situ leach technology at some point in the future. To date we have not identified any ore reserves on the East Silver Bell Project.
We have not found any mineral resources on any of our claims.
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Sampling Protocols for all projects
Liberty Star trains all employees/contractors conducting sample collection to use a handheld digital mobile device to record all aspects of each individual sample. The handheld mobile device leads the sampler through a series of dropdown menu windows with various description capabilities and the ability to record a GPS coordinate. Data from the device is uploaded to our database daily. Liberty Star also uses professionally created video training to teach samplers the proper techniques of obtaining a proper sample whether it is soil, rock or vegetation and instruction on avoiding contamination. After samples are collected they are stored in a secure location under lock and key until they are shipped via FedEx or UPS using chain of custody guidelines to a professional sample prep lab in Washoe Valley, Nevada run by Shea Clark Smith, MSc/ Geochemist. Mr. Smith prepares the samples by crushing, mixing, pulverizing and homogenizing. Then a 200 gram sample is scientifically split for shipment to a Certified Assay Laboratory of each original sample. Standards, blanks and duplicates are added to the sample stream, including such Quality Assurance Quality Control (QA/QC) every 10th assay sample. Before being sent to a certified assay lab using ICP-MS analysis the samples are randomized. Once Liberty Star gets the analysis data back from the laboratory, checks for quality assurance and control are made using data from the blanks, standards and duplicates. The results are sent to Liberty Star by email and a paper copy mailed for verification and as a permanent record. The data are then de- randomized and processed for interpretation by various software programs designed for the purpose.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We currently have no outstanding litigation.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and under the SEC's Item 104 of Regulation S-K, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include disclosures regarding certain mine safety results in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. The operation of our mine(s) that may be developed in the future would be subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. We do not own any mines in the United States and as a result, this information is not required.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets Groups OTCQB under the trading symbol LBSR. Trading in stocks quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and is characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices due to many factors that may be unrelated or have little to do with a companys operations or business prospects.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low bid prices for our common stock on the OTCQB:
OTCQB (1) | ||||||
Quarter Ended | High | Low | ||||
January 31, 2015 | $ | 0.0199 | $ | 0.0084 | ||
October 31, 2014 | $ | 0.0146 | $ | 0.0114 | ||
July 31, 2014 | $ | 0.0210 | $ | 0.0115 | ||
April 30, 2014 | $ | 0.0235 | $ | 0.0120 | ||
January 31, 2014 | $ | 0.0290 | $ | 0.0145 | ||
October 31, 2013 | $ | 0.0366 | $ | 0.0185 | ||
July 31, 2013 | $ | 0.0233 | $ | 0.0080 | ||
April 30, 2013 | $ | 0.0165 | $ | 0.0093 |
(1) |
These bid prices were taken from OTC Markets Groups quarterly trade and quote summary report. Such over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. |
Our common stock is issued in registered form. The Nevada Agency and Transfer Company, of Suite 880 Bank of America, 50 West Liberty Street, Reno, Nevada 89501 USA (telephone: 775.322.0626; facsimile 775.322.5632) is the registrar and transfer agent for our common stock.
As of April 30, 2015, the shareholders' list for our common stock showed 1,062,726,992 shares issued and outstanding with 94 registered stockholders and approximately 8,500 stockholders whose names and contact information we have and an unknown number of unregistered stockholders whose shares are held in their brokerage accounts. The closing sale price for our common stock on April 30, 2015, as reported on the OTCQB was $0.0031.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
In March 2014, the Company issued 1,000,000 units of common stock to a designee of MBGS, LLC, pursuant to a settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty which discharged the $3,730,174 principal balance and $1,592,769 of accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note (See Note 7). Each unit consists of one share of the Companys common stock and a warrant to purchase one-half share of the Companys common stock. The fair value of the common stock issued was $17,500, which was recorded as an expense upon issuance of the units. The 500,000 warrants, which have an exercise price of $0.028 and have a three year term with a fair value of $6,440. The fair value was expensed and a derivative liability was recorded for the fair value of the warrant on the date of issuance of the units. The change in the fair value of the derivative liability between the date of issuance and the year ended January 31, 2015 was recorded in other income and expense. In issuing these securities we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In August 2014, we received $150,000 pursuant to the terms of a convertible promissory note (the “August 2014 Note”) dated August 26, 2014. The Note bears interest at 12%, is due on August 26, 2015, and is convertible after 180 days at a 45% discount to the average of the daily VWAP prices for the previous 10 trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $157,791 principal and interest outstanding for this Note. We issued the security to one U.S. person who is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in issuing these securities to this investor we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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On October 14, 2014, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note (the October 2014 Note) to one lender in the principal amount of $105,000. The Note is payable in full on October 14, 2015 and bears interest at the rate of 10% per annum. There is a $5,000 original issuance discount on the Note. The Note may be convertible into shares of common stock of our company at any time from 180 days after the execution date of the Note at a price per share of 40% discount to the average of the daily VWAP for the previous five trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $108,136 principal and interest outstanding for this Note. We issued the security to one U.S. person who is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in issuing these securities to this investor we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
On December 3, 2014, we entered into a note purchase agreement, whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note (the December 2014 Note) to lender in the principal amount of $210,000. There is a $10,000 original issuance discount on the Note. The initial purchase price was $105,000 of consideration of which $100,000 was received our company and $5,000 was retained through the original issue discount.. The Note bears interest at 10%, is due on December 3, 2016, and is convertible after six month at a 37.5% discount to the average of the daily VWAP prices for the previous 5 trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $106,697 principal and interest outstanding for this Note. We issued the security to one U.S. person who is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in issuing these securities to this investor we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
During the year ended January 31, 2015, the Company issued 6,424,979 units to three investors for total proceeds of $73,000. Each unit consists of one share of the Companys common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of the Companys common stock. The warrants have exercise prices ranging from $0.015 to $0.021 and have a three year term. In issuing these securities we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Between February and April 2015, $125,000 of the December 2014 Note was converted into 29,248,823 shares of the Companys common stock. We issued the securities to one U.S. person who is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in issuing these securities to this investor we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Between February and April 2015, $105,734 of the promissory note issued in August 2013 for a principal sum of $555,000 was converted into 30,800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In issuing these securities we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In March and April 2015, $160,833 of the August 2014 Note was converted into 56,676,739 shares of the Company’s common stock. We issued these securities to one U.S. person who is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in issuing these securities to this investor we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In April 2015, $52,320 of the October 2014 Note was converted into 26,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. We issued these securities to one U.S. person who is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in issuing these securities to this investor we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
All proceeds will be used for working capital and exploration expenses.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
As of January 31, 2015, we had three compensation plans in place, entitled "2004 Stock Option Plan", 2007 Stock Option Plan and 2010 Stock Option Plan. These plans have been approved by our security holders. These plans have been given retroactive effect of the 1 for 4 reverse stock split on September 1, 2009.
Number of securities | ||||
remaining available for | ||||
Number of securities to | Weighted-average | further issuance as at | ||
be issued upon exercise | exercise price of | January 31, 2015 | ||
of outstanding options | outstanding options as | (excluding securities | ||
Total number of | as at January 31, 2015 | at January 31, 2015 | reflected in column (a)) | |
Plan category | securities authorized | (a) | (b) | (c) |
2004 Stock Option Plan | 962,500 | 834,874 | $0.671 | 127,626 |
2007 Stock Option Plan | 2,500,000 | 2,450,000 | $0.860 | 50,000 |
2010 Stock Option Plan | 95,500,000 | 83,000,000 | $0.038 | 12,500,000 |
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to increase our working capital and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated audited financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. We refer you to the cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements included at the beginning of this annual report. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report, particularly in the section entitled "Risk Factors" included in this annual report.
Our consolidated audited financial statements are stated in United States Dollars and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Overview
We are an exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in the States of Arizona and Alaska. Claims in the State of Alaska are held in the name of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Big Chunk Corp. Claims in the State of Arizona are held in the name of Liberty Star. We use the term Super Project to indicate a project in which numerous mineral targets have been identified within a mineral province such as the Arizona Strip or a large structural feature such as calderas which occur at Big Chunk, East Silver Bell, and Tombstone, any one or more of which could potentially contain commercially viable quantities of minerals.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We had cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $53,517 as of January 31, 2015. We had negative working capital of $1,251,939 as of January 31, 2015. We had cash inflows from financing activities of $968,657 for the year ended January 31, 2015. We will need additional funds in order to proceed with our planned exploration program.
Letter Agreement and Secured Convertible Notes with Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
On July 15, 2010, we issued a secured convertible promissory note (the 2010 Convertible Note) to Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (Northern Dynasty). The original advanced amount was $4,000,000 and bore interest at a rate of 10% per annum compounded monthly (the Loan). On August 17, 2010, we transferred 95 of our Alaska State mineral claims from the Big Chunk Super Project to Northern Dynasty for consideration of $1,000,000 of the original advanced amount under the Convertible Note, leaving $3,000,000 of the Loan amount outstanding. No interest accrued on the $1,000,000 of the original advanced amount. Effective September 1, 2011 the agreement with Northern Dynasty was amended to increase the 2010 Convertible Note by $561,816 to reimburse Northern Dynasty for assessment work, rental fees, cash in lieu of assessment work and filing fees on the mineral claims that was paid in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 because we could not come to an agreement on an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Northern Dynasty. On February 29, 2012, with effect from November 30, 2011, we executed an additional convertible promissory note (the 2011 Convertible Note and together with the 2010 Convertible Note, the Convertible Notes) in the amount of $168,358 in reimbursement to Northern Dynasty of assessment work, rental fees and filing fees on our mineral claims. Principal balance of the Convertible Notes at January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0 and $3,730,174, respectively. Accrued interest on the Convertible Notes at January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0 and $1,465,059.
As part of the transactions noted above, we entered into a letter agreement with Northern Dynasty whereby, subject to negotiating and signing a definitive earn-in option and joint venture agreement, Northern Dynasty could earn a 60% interest in our Big Chunk and Bonanza Hills projects in Alaska (the Joint Venture Claims) by spending $10,000,000 on those properties over six years. The outstanding loan amounts from Northern Dynasty could be applied as part of Northern Dynastys earn-in requirements. Northern Dynastys minimum annual expenditures under the earn-in would be the minimum level necessary to keep the Joint Venture Claims in good standing. Northern Dynasty could elect to abandon the earn-in at any time on 30 days notice, so long as sufficient annual labor was performed, or a cash payment in lieu of labor was made, in order to fulfill the annual labor requirements for the Joint Venture Claims for a minimum of 12 months after termination of the earn-in. No joint venture agreement was agreed upon and as such, Northern Dynasty could demand payment of the funds due under the Convertible Notes at any time upon 45 days notice.
The Convertible Notes were secured against our Big Chunk and Bonanza Hills property. The Convertible Notes were due for repayment 45 days after the earlier to occur of: (i) Northern Dynastys completion of its earn-in to the Joint Venture Claims unless it had elected to deem the entire outstanding balance of the Convertible Note (including interest thereon) to be part of the earn-in expenditure requirements and (ii) termination of Northern Dynastys earn-in right by voluntary abandonment provided that $1,000,000 in expenditures had been made; or (iii) termination of Northern Dynastys earn-in right on account of a superior third party joint venture offer.
Provided a minimum of $1,000,000 was expended by Northern Dynasty on earn in expenses, the Convertible Notes were convertible until repaid or deemed repaid, into common shares of our company at the 5 day volume weighted average trading price immediately prior to Northern Dynasty giving a notice of conversion less the maximum allowable discount applicable as if our shares were listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.
On November 14, 2012, we signed a loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty which would have discharged the $3,730,174 principal balance and $1,592,769 of accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note and would have terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in rights. In exchange for the settlement, we initiated the transfer of 199 Alaska mining claims to Northern Dynastys subsidiary, U5 Resources. However, MBGS, LLC filed liens against the claims before the transfer could be completed. In March 2014 Liberty Star and Big Chunk entered into a settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, following a resolution conference conducted in Anchorage, Alaska whereby all Northern Dynasty claims recorded by MBGS, LLC were released. As a result of the settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, the Company completed its loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty and discharged the principal balance and accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note and terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in-rights. A gain of $5,322,943 for the settlement of the Northern Dynasty debt and accrued interest was recorded in other income in April 2014. As of January 31, 2015, we had no principal or interest outstanding for the 2010 Convertible Note.
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Financing Agreement with Fairhills Capital Offshore Ltd.
On January 19, 2012, we entered into a financing agreement (the Fairhills Agreement) with Fairhills Capital Offshore Ltd. (Fairhills Capital), whereby Fairhills Capital will provide for a non-brokered financing arrangement of up to $10,000,000. The financing allows but does not require us to issue and sell up to the number of shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000 to Fairhills Capital. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Fairhills Agreement and a registration rights agreement entered into concurrently (the Registration Rights Agreement), we may, in our sole discretion, deliver a notice to Fairhills Capital which states the dollar amount which we intend to sell to Fairhills Capital on a certain date. The amount that we shall be entitled to sell to Fairhills Capital shall be equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the average daily volume (U.S. market only) of our shares of common stock for the ten (10) trading days prior to the applicable notice date. Such shares of common stock will be valued at a 27.5% discount from the weighted average trading price of our stock for the five (5) trading days before Fairhills Capital receives our notice of sale. The shares of common stock that we sell to Fairhills Capital must be registered stock, among other conditions of investment.
In connection with the Fairhills Agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with Fairhills. Pursuant to this registration rights agreement, we registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission 185,000,000 shares of the common stock underlying the Investment Agreement.
Investment Agreement with Dear Valley Management, LLC
In February, March and April, 2013, we issued 22,874,405 shares for gross proceeds of $200,000 related to the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC.
In May, June and July, 2013, we issued 31,270,958 shares for gross proceeds of $255,000 related to the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC. As of July 31, 2013, we had not yet received payment for one transaction valued at $25,000. As of October 31, 2013, we received the final payment for this transaction, plus $5,000 from Deer Valley Management, LLC for the inconvenience of paying late. In August 2013, we decided to terminate the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC due to their violation of the payment terms pursuant to the investment agreement. As of the time of the termination of the investment agreement, we had issued a total of 113,815,732 and had received gross proceeds of $1,635,000. No further shares issuances to Deer Valley Management, LLC are expected to occur.
Other Financing Agreements
In August, 2013, we entered into a promissory note (the August 2013 Note) for a principal sum of $555,000 plus accrued and unpaid interest and any other fees. The consideration is up to $500,000, which would produce an original issue discount of $55,000 if all the consideration is received. The lender paid $150,000 upon closing pursuant to the terms of the August 2013 Note. The August 2013 Note has a maturity of one year from the delivery of each payment. The August 2013 Note may be convertible into shares of common stock of our company at any time from 180 days after the date of each payment of consideration, at a conversion price which is 70% of the average of the three lowest closing prices in the 20 trading days previous to the conversion. We may repay the August 2013 Note at any time on or before 90 days from the effective date of the August 2013 Note with an interest rate of 0%, after which we may not make any further payments on the August 2013 Note prior to the maturity date without written approval from the lender. If we elect not to repay the August 2013 Note on or before 90 days from the effective date of the August 2013 Note, a one-time interest charge of 12% will be applied to the principal sum. On December 9, 2013, we received additional consideration of $75,000 pursuant to the terms of the August 2013 Note. As of January 31, 2014 we did not repay any portion of the note before 90 days from the effective date, and since the 180 days hadnt lapsed since the initial payment occurred, the note wasnt convertible by the holder. As of April 21, 2014, $186,480 had been converted into shares of our Common stock pursuant to the conversion terms of the agreement.
On October 30, 2013, the Company entered into an investment agreement in which with KVM Capital Partners LLC, a New York limited liability company (KVM). Pursuant to the agreement, KVM has agreed to purchase up to $8,000,000 of our common stock over a period of up to thirty-six (36) months. The purchase price per share to be paid by KVM shall be calculated at a twenty percent (20%) discount to the lowest volume weighted average price of the common stock as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. during the five (5) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the receipt by KVM of the put notice. We initially reserved 244,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the KVM Investment Agreement. In connection with the KVM Investment Agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with KVM, pursuant to which we are obligated to file a registration statement with the SEC covering 244,500,000 shares of our common stock underlying the KVM Investment Agreement within 21 days after the closing of the transaction. In addition, we are obligated to use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective by the SEC and maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement until termination of the KVM Investment Agreement. On November 6, 2013, we filed form S-1 related to the KVM investment agreement. As of January 31, 2014, no shares were purchased by the investor. Between February 2014 and April 2014, pursuant to the investment agreement, KVM purchased 15,593,934 shares for proceeds of $220,250.
23
On November 18, 2013, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the November 2013 Note), whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note to one lender in the principal amount of $250,000. The proceeds from the note were $225,000, which created an original issue discount of $25,000. The note was payable in full on November 18, 2014 and bears no interest except in an event of default. The lender may, at its option, after the 183rd day (after May 20, 2014) following the closing date, convert the principal amount or any portion of such principal amount of the note into shares of common stock of our company at the price equal to the lesser of (a) 100% of the volume weighted average price (VWAP), as reported on the closing date (November 18, 2013), and (b) 70% of the average of the 5 day VWAP immediately prior to the day of conversion. On November 13, 2014, we entered into an Assignment of Promissory Note & Acknowledgment, whereby we consented to an assignment of the note to another lender, pursuant to which $250,000 remains owing by the Company. The maturity date of the November 2013 Note was extended to November 18, 2015. From November 2014 through January 2015, the new noteholder converted principal of $102,500 into 11,792,944 shares of the Companys common stock. As of January 31, 2015, we had $147,500 principal outstanding for the November 2013 Note.
In August 2014, we received $150,000 pursuant to the terms of a convertible promissory note (the “August 2014 Note”) dated August 26, 2014. The Note bears interest at 12%, is due on August 26, 2015, and is convertible after 180 days at a 45% discount to the average of the daily VWAP prices for the previous 10 trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $157,791 principal and interest outstanding for this Note.
On October 14, 2014, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note (the October 2014 Note) to one lender in the principal amount of $105,000. The Note is payable in full on October 14, 2015 and bears interest at the rate of 10% per annum. There is a $5,000 original issuance discount on the Note. The Note may be convertible into shares of common stock of our company at any time from 180 days after the execution date of the Note at a price per share of 40% discount to the average of the daily VWAP for the previous five trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $108,136 principal and interest outstanding for this Note.
On December 3, 2014, we entered into a note purchase agreement, whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note (the December 2014 Note) to lender in the principal amount of $210,000. There is a $10,000 original issuance discount on the Note. The initial purchase price was $105,000 of consideration of which $100,000 was received our company and $5,000 was retained through the original issue discount.. The Note bears interest at 10%, is due on December 3, 2016, and is convertible after six month at a 37.5% discount to the average of the daily VWAP prices for the previous 5 trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $106,697 principal and interest outstanding for this Note.
We also entered into certain private investment agreements where we received a total of $474,251 in proceeds.
Results of Operations for the year ended January 31, 2015
We had net income of $4,115,431 for the year ended January 31, 2015 compared to a net loss of $2,318,047 for the year ended January 31, 2014. Net income increased by $6,433,478 due to the $5,322,943 gain on the debt settlement of debt with Northern Dynasty, a decrease in salaries and benefits of $220,322 due to a decrease in stock option grants, and a decrease in geological and geophysical costs of $290,067 due to decreased survey and land research.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to stockholders.
Presentation of Financial Information
Our consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2015 reflect financial information for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014.
Since we have not generated any revenue, we have included a reference to our ability to continue as a going concern in connection with our consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014. Our accumulated stockholders’ equity (deficit) at January 31, 2015, was $(1,326,859) and the net loss from operations for the year ended January 31, 2015 was $1,046,784. All of our exploration costs are expensed as incurred.
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that adequate sources of financing will be obtained as required and that our assets will be realized, and liabilities settled in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
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In order to continue as a going concern, we require additional financing. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to us when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. If we are not able to continue as a going concern, we would likely be unable to realize the carrying value of our assets reflected in the balances set out in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 in this Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies adopted by our company are as follows:
Going Concern
Since we have not generated any revenue, we have negative cash flows from operations, and negative working capital we have included a reference to the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in connection with our consolidated financial statements for the period ended January 31, 2015. Our total stockholders equity (deficit) at January 31, 2015 was $(1,326,859).
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that adequate sources of financing will be obtained as required and that our assets will be realized, and liabilities settled in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Development Stage
During the fiscal year 2015, the Company elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements. The adoption of this ASU allows the Company to remove the inception to date information and all references to exploration stage.
Mineral claims
We account for costs incurred to acquire, maintain and explore mineral properties as charged to expense in the period incurred until the time that a proven mineral resource is established at which point development of the mineral property would be capitalized. Currently, we do not have any proven mineral resources on any of our mineral properties.
Convertible promissory notes
We reviewed the convertible promissory notes and the related subscription agreements to determine the appropriate reporting within the financial statements. We report convertible promissory notes as liabilities at their carrying value less unamortized discounts in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. We bifurcate conversion options and detachable common stock purchase warrants and report them as liabilities at fair value at each reporting period when required in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. No gain or loss is reported when the notes are converted into shares of our common stock in accordance with the notes terms.
Common stock purchase warrants
We report common stock purchase warrants as equity unless a condition exists which requires reporting as a derivative liability at fair market value. The valuation of the derivative liability of the warrants is determined through the use of a Monte Carlo options model that values the liability of the warrants based on a risk-neutral valuation where the price of the option is its discounted expected value.
Changes in officers and directors
On October 20, 2014, we appointed Brett Gross as a director of our company.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
26
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
27
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Liberty Star Uranium
& Metals Corp.
Tucson, Arizona
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of internal control over financial reporting. Our audits include consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position Star Uranium & Metals Corp. and its subsidiaries as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations, changes in stockholders equity (deficit), and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, and requires additional funds for further exploratory activity prior to attaining a revenue generating status. In addition, the Company may not find sufficient ore reserves to be commercially mined. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Managements plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 3. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
Houston, Texas
May 1, 2015
28 |
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
January 31, | January 31, | |||||
2015 | 2014 | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 53,517 | $ | 55,089 | ||
Advances | 1,052 | 1,000 | ||||
Deferred financing costs | - | 38,052 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 88,288 | 9,109 | ||||
Total current assets | 142,857 | 103,250 | ||||
Property and equipment, net | 32,338 | 49,792 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 175,195 | $ | 153,042 | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit | ||||||
Current: | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 6,149 | $ | 5,594 | ||
Convertible notes payable and accrued interest, net of debt discount of $41,928 and $34,584 | 516,018 | 4,193,090 | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 250,932 | 254,261 | ||||
Accrued wages to related parties | 404,992 | 340,992 | ||||
Accrued interest | - | 1,465,059 | ||||
Derivative liability | 216,705 | 46,985 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 1,394,796 | 6,305,981 | ||||
Long-term: | ||||||
Long-term debt, net of current portion | 561 | 6,710 | ||||
Long-term convertible note payable | 106,697 | - | ||||
Total long-term liabilities | 107,258 | 6,710 | ||||
Total liabilities | 1,502,054 | 6,312,691 | ||||
Stockholders' deficit | ||||||
Common
stock - $.00001 par value; 1,250,000,000 shares authorized;
920,001,430 and 830,236,231 shares issued and outstanding |
9,200 |
8,302 |
||||
Stock subscription receivable | (55,673 | ) | - | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 49,798,278 | 49,026,144 | ||||
Accumulated deficit | (51,078,664 | ) | (55,194,095 | ) | ||
Total stockholders' deficit | (1,326,859 | ) | (6,159,649 | ) | ||
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit | $ | 175,195 | $ | 153,042 |
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
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LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
For the Twelve Months Ended | ||||||
January 31, | ||||||
2015 | 2014 | |||||
Revenues | $ | - | $ | - | ||
Expenses: | ||||||
Geological and geophysical costs | 173,057 | 463,124 | ||||
Salaries and benefits | 293,096 | 513,418 | ||||
Public relations | 136,453 | 210,776 | ||||
Depreciation | 27,324 | 32,827 | ||||
Legal | 79,117 | 177,472 | ||||
Professional services | 89,785 | 51,115 | ||||
General and administrative | 223,128 | 268,236 | ||||
Travel | 24,824 | 46,268 | ||||
Net operating expenses | 1,046,784 | 1,763,236 | ||||
Loss from operations | (1,046,784 | ) | (1,763,236 | ) | ||
Other income (expense): | ||||||
Interest income | 5 | 15 | ||||
Interest expense | (643,430 | ) | (522,953 | ) | ||
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative liability | 482,697 | (31,873 | ) | |||
Gain on settlement of debt | 5,322,943 | - | ||||
Total other income (expense) | 5,162,215 | (554,811 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 4,115,431 | $ | (2,318,047 | ) | |
Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.00 | ) | |
Diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.00 | ) | |
Basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding | 884,138,341 | 803,439,114 | ||||
Diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding | 1,004,926,936 | 803,439,114 |
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
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LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
Stock | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock | subscription | paid-in | Accumulated | stockholders | ||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | receivable | capital | deficit | equity | |||||||||||||
(deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 31, 2013 | 740,710,265 | $ | 7,408 | - | $ | 47,912,449 | $ | (52,876,048 | ) | $ | (4,956,191 | ) | ||||||
Cashless exercise of common stock purchase warrants | 6,087,165 | 61 | - | (61 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and warrants private placement, net | 23,606,957 | 236 | - | 271,807 | - | 272,043 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash pursuant to investment agreement | 54,145,363 | 541 | - | 459,459 | - | 460,000 | ||||||||||||
Stock issued in exchange for services | 2,934,763 | 29 | - | 61,909 | - | 61,938 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for deferred financing cost | 1,225,000 | 12 | - | 30,151 | - | 30,163 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for settlement of accounts payable | 1,526,718 | 15 | - | 19,985 | - | 20,000 | ||||||||||||
Warrants issued for services | - | - | - | 7,682 | - | 7,682 | ||||||||||||
Warrants issued for settlement of accounts payable | 22,141 | 22,141 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock based compensation | 240,622 | - | 240,622 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year ended January 31, 2014 | - | - | - | - | (2,318,047 | ) | (2,318,047 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, January 31, 2014 | 830,236,231 | 8,302 | - | 49,026,144 | (55,194,095 | ) | (6,159,649 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and warrants private placement, net | 6,424,979 | 64 | - | 72,936 | - | 73,000 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash pursuant to investment agreement | 34,214,226 | 343 | (55,673 | ) | 456,581 | - | 401,251 | |||||||||||
Stock issued pursuant to legal settlement | 1,000,000 | 10 | - | 17,490 | - | 17,500 | ||||||||||||
Stock issued in exchange for services | 2,511,628 | 25 | - | 53,975 | - | 54,000 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for conversion of notes | 45,614,366 | 456 | - | 423,724 | - | 424,180 | ||||||||||||
Resolution of derivative liabilities due to debt conversions | - | - | - | 256,748 | - | 256,748 | ||||||||||||
Warrants reclassified to derivative liabilities | (520,552 | ) | - | (520,552 | ) | |||||||||||||
Stock based compensation | 11,232 | - | 11,232 | |||||||||||||||
Net income for the year ended January 31, 2015 | 4,115,431 | 4,115,431 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 31, 2015 | 920,001,430 | $ | 9,200 | (55,673 | ) | $ | 49,798,278 | $ | (51,078,664 | ) | $ | (1,326,859 | ) |
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
31 |
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
For the Year Ended January 31, | ||||||
2015 | 2014 | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 4,115,431 | $ | (2,318,047 | ) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating | ||||||
activities: | ||||||
Depreciation | 27,324 | 32,827 | ||||
Amortization of deferred financing charges | 38,052 | 7,611 | ||||
Amortization of debt discount | 403,579 | 12,916 | ||||
Gain on settlement of debt | (5,322,943 | ) | - | |||
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivatives | (482,697 | ) | 31,873 | |||
Share based compensation | 11,232 | 240,622 | ||||
Common shares issued for third party services | 54,000 | 61,938 | ||||
Common shares issued pursuant to legal settlement | 17,500 | - | ||||
Warrants issued for third party services | - | 29,823 | ||||
Warrants issued pursuant to legal settlement | 6,440 | - | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | (79,179 | ) | (447 | ) | ||
Other current assets | (52 | ) | (1,000 | ) | ||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (3,329 | ) | 122,780 | |||
Accrued wages related parties | 64,000 | 64,000 | ||||
Accrued interest | 190,283 | 492,442 | ||||
Cash flows used in operating activities: | (960,359 | ) | (1,222,662 | ) | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Purchase of equipment | (9,870 | ) | (1,418 | ) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities | (9,870 | ) | (1,418 | ) | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
Payments on long-term debt | (5,594 | ) | (5,090 | ) | ||
Cash paid on deferred financing costs | - | (15,500 | ) | |||
Principal activity on convertible promissory notes | 500,000 | 450,000 | ||||
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of expenses | 474,251 | 732,043 | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 968,657 | 1,161,453 | ||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (1,572 | ) | (62,627 | ) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 55,089 | 117,716 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 53,517 | $ | 55,089 | ||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||
Income tax paid | $ | - | $ | - | ||
Interest paid during the period | $ | 10,587 | $ | 17,595 | ||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash items: | ||||||
Cashless exercise of common stock purchase warrants | $ | - | $ | 61 | ||
Settlement of accounts payable through issuance of common stock | $ | - | $ | 20,000 | ||
Shares issued for deferred financing cost | $ | - | $ | 30,163 | ||
Stock subscription receivable | $ | 55,673 | $ | - | ||
Resolutions of derivative liabilities due to debt conversions | $ | 256,748 | $ | - | ||
Warrants reclassified to derivative liabilities | $ | 520,552 | $ | - | ||
Debt discounts due to derivative liabilities | $ | 382,173 | $ | - | ||
Common stock issued for conversion of debt and interest | $ | 424,180 | $ | - | ||
Original issue discounts | $ | 28,750 | $ | 47,500 |
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
32 |
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
NOTE 1 Organization
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (the Company, we or Liberty Star) was formerly Liberty Star Gold Corp. and formerly Titanium Intelligence, Inc. (Titanium). Titanium was incorporated on August 20, 2001 under the laws of the State of Nevada. On February 5, 2004 we commenced operations in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties business. Big Chunk Corp. (Big Chunk) is our wholly owned subsidiary and was incorporated on December 14, 2003 in the State of Alaska. Big Chunk is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties business in the State of Alaska. Redwall Drilling Inc. (Redwall) was our wholly owned subsidiary and was incorporated on August 31, 2007 in the State of Arizona. Redwall performed drilling services on the Companys mineral properties. Redwall ceased drilling activities in July 2008 and was dissolved on March 30, 2010. We formed the wholly owned subsidiary, Hay Mountain Super Project LLC (HMSP) incorporated on October 24, 2014, to serve as the primary holding company for development of the potential ore bodies encompassed in the Hay Mountain area of interest in Arizona. In April 2007, we changed our name to Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. We have not generated any revenues from operations.
These consolidated financial statements include the results of operations and cash flows of Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Big Chunk and HMSP. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation.
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) with the on-going assumption that we will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. However, certain conditions noted below currently exist which raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. Our operations have primarily been funded by the issuance of common stock and debt. Continued operations are dependent on our ability to complete equity financings or generate profitable operations in the future. Managements plan in this regard is to secure additional funds through future equity financings, joint venture agreements or debt. Such financings may not be available, or may not be available on reasonable terms.
NOTE 2 Summary of significant accounting policies
The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Company's consolidated financial statements. Such consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Companys management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in all material respects, and have been consistently applied in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies adopted by the Company are as follows:
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
The valuation of stock-based compensation, classification and valuation of common stock purchase warrants, classification and value of embedded conversion options, value of beneficial conversion features, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, the determination of useful lives and recoverability of depreciable assets, accruals, and contingencies are significant estimates made by management. It is at least reasonably possible that a change in these estimates may occur in the near term.
33
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, Big Chunk and HMSP. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Cash and cash equivalents
We consider cash held at
banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months
or less to be cash and cash equivalents. We maintain our cash in bank deposit
accounts which, for periods of time, may exceed federally insured limits. At
January 31, 2015 and 2014, we had cash in bank deposit accounts that exceeded
federally insured limits of $0 and $0, respectively.
Mineral claim costs
We account for costs incurred to
acquire, maintain and explore mineral properties as a charge to expense in the
period incurred until the time that a proven mineral resource is established, at
which point development of the mineral property would be capitalized. Currently,
we do not have any proven mineral resources on any of our mineral properties.
Long-lived assets and impairment of long-lived assets
Property and equipment is stated
at cost. We capitalize all purchased equipment over $500 with a useful life of
more than one year. Depreciation is calculated using the straight line method
over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are stated
at cost and are amortized over their estimated useful lives or the lease term,
whichever is shorter. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while
betterments or renewals are capitalized. Property and equipment is reviewed
periodically for impairment. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 7 years.
We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of a long-lived asset group to be held and used in operations is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. If such asset group is considered to be impaired, the impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less the costs of disposal.
Convertible promissory notes
We report convertible
promissory notes as liabilities at their carrying value less unamortized
discounts, which approximates fair value. We bifurcate conversion options and
detachable common stock purchase warrants and report them as liabilities at fair
value at each reporting period when required in accordance with the applicable
accounting guidance. When convertible promissory notes are converted into shares
of our common stock in accordance with the debts terms, no gain or loss is
recognized. We account for inducements to convert as an expense in the period
incurred, included in debt conversion expense.
Derivative liabilities
The valuation of the derivative liability of our warrants is determined through the use of a Monte Carlo options model that values the liability of the warrants based on a risk-neutral valuation where the price of the option is its discounted expected value. The technique applied generates a large number of possible (but random) price paths for the underlying common stock via simulation, and then calculates the associated exercise value (i.e. “payoff”) of the option for each path. These payoffs are then averaged and discounted to a current valuation date resulting in the fair value of the option.
The valuation of the derivative liability attached to the convertible debt is arrived at through the use of a Monte Carlo model that values the derivative liability within the notes. The technique applied generates a large number of possible (but random) price paths for the underlying (or underlyings) via simulation, and then calculates the associated payment value (cash, stock, or warrants) of the derivative features. The price of the underlying common stock is modeled such that it follows a geometric Brownian motion with constant drift, and elastic volatility (increasing as stock price decreases). The stock price is determined by a random sampling from a normal distribution. Since the underlying random process is the same, for enough price paths, the value of the derivative is derived from path dependent scenarios and outcomes. The features in the notes are analyzed and incorporated into the model included the conversion features with the reset provisions, the call/redemption/prepayment options, and the default provisions. Based on these features, there are six primary events that can occur; payments are made in cash; payments are made with stock; the note holder converts upon receiving a redemption notice; the note holder converts the note; the issuer redeems the note; or the Company defaults on the note. The model simulates the underlying economic factors that influenced which of these events would occur, when they were likely to occur, and the specific terms that would be in effect at the time (i.e. stock price, conversion price, etc.). Probabilities are assigned to each variable such as redemption likelihood, default likelihood, and timing and pricing of reset events over the remaining term of the notes based on management projections. This leads to a cash flow simulation over the life of the note. A discounted cash flow for each simulation is completed, and is compared to the discounted cash flow of the note without the embedded features, thus determining a value for the derivative liability.
Common stock purchase warrants
We report common
stock purchase warrants as equity unless a condition exists which requires
reporting as a derivative liability at fair market value.
Stock based compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for all share-based payment awards made to employees based on the estimated fair values, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Non-employee stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the fair value of the related stock or options or the fair value of the services on the grant date, whichever is more readily determinable. The fair value of options to be granted are estimated on the date of each grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and amortized ratably over the option's vesting periods, which approximates the service period.
Environmental expenditures
Our operations have been
and may in the future be affected from time to time in varying degree by changes
in environmental regulations, including those for future removal and site
restoration costs. The likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect
upon us are not predictable. We provide for any reclamation costs in accordance
with the accounting standards codification section 410-30. It is managements
opinion that we are not currently exposed to significant environmental and
reclamation liabilities and have recorded no reserve for environmental and
reclamation expenditures as of January 31, 2015 and 2014.
34
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The
Company measures and discloses certain financial assets and liabilities at fair
value. Authoritative guidance defines fair value as the exchange price that
would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price)
in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
Authoritative guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an
entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of
unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three
levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Income taxes
Income taxes are recorded using the
asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences attributable to differences
between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities
and their respective tax bases. Future tax assets and liabilities are measured
using the enacted tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the
liability settled. The effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a change
in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that enactment occurs. To the
extent that the Company does not consider it more likely than not that a future
tax asset will be recovered, it provides a valuation allowance against the
excess. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits, if
any, are classified as additional income taxes in the statement of operations.
With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local
examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.
Net income (loss) per share
Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share takes into consideration shares of common stock outstanding (computed under basic income or loss per share) and potentially dilutive shares of common stock that are not anti-dilutive. For the year ended January 31, 2015, potentially dilutive shares included in the calculation of diluted net income per share included 1,345,666 shares related to warrants and 119,442,929 shares related to convertible promissory notes. For the year ended January 31, 2014, potentially dilutive instruments were not included in the determination of diluted loss per share as their effect was anti-dilutive.
Statement Presentation
Certain amounts in the
prior-year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes
to conform with the presentation in the current-year financial statements.
Recently issued accounting standards
During the
fiscal year 2015, the Company elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update
No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain
Financial Reporting Requirements. The adoption of this ASU allows the Company to
remove the inception to date information and all references to exploration
stage.
NOTE 3 Going concern
The Company has incurred losses from operations and requires additional funds for further exploratory activity and to maintain its claims prior to attaining a revenue generating status. There are no assurances that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of our properties. In addition, the Company may not find sufficient ore reserves to be commercially mined. As such, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Management is working to secure additional funds through the exercise of stock warrants already outstanding, equity financings, debt financings or joint venture agreements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
35
NOTE 4 Mineral claims
At January 31, 2015 we held a 100% interest in 211 standard federal lode mining claims on the Colorado Plateau Province of Northern Arizona (the North Pipes Claims).
At January 31, 2015 we held a 100% interest in 95 standard federal lode mining claims located in the Tombstone region of Arizona. 29 federal lode mining claims are owned by JABA US Inc, an Arizona Corporation in which two of our directors are owners and 66 federal lode mining claims belong to Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. At January 31, 2015 we held Arizona State Land Department Mineral Exploration Permits covering 2,367 acres in the Tombstone region of Arizona.
At January 31, 2015 we held an option to explore 26 standard federal lode mining claims located in the East Silver Bell region of northwest Tucson, Arizona. The mineral claims are owned by JABA US Inc., an Arizona Corporation in which two of our directors are owners.
At January 31, 2015 we held a 100% interest in 9 Alaska State mining claims in the Iliamna region of Southwestern Alaska, located on the north side of the Cook Inlet, approximately 200 miles southwest of the city of Anchorage, Alaska (the Big Chunk Claims). The transaction for 199 claims transferred to Northern Dynasty in conjunction with our loan settlement agreement has now closed, and is no longer pending.
Title to mineral claims involves certain inherent risks due to difficulties of determining the validity of certain claims as well as potential for problems arising from the frequently ambiguous conveyance history characteristic of many mineral properties.
All of the Companys claims for mineral properties are in good standing as of January 31, 2015.
NOTE 5 – Prepaid expenses
At January 31, 2015, the company had prepaid approximately $70,000 relating to a private investor event scheduled for a future date. This amount is included in prepaid expenses as of January 31, 2015.
NOTE 6 Property and equipment
The balances of our major classes of depreciable assets and useful lives are:
January 31, 2015 | January 31, 2014 | ||||||
Geology Equipment (3 to 7 years) | $ | 264,734 | $ | 260,521 | |||
Vehicles and transportation equipment (5 years) | 44,284 | 50,180 | |||||
Office furniture and equipment (3 to 7 years) | 81,061 | 75,404 | |||||
390,079 | 386,105 | ||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (357,741 | ) | (336,313 | ) | |||
$ | 32,338 | $ | 49,792 |
Depreciation expense was $27,324 and $32,827 for the years ended January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014, respectively.
NOTE 7 – Long-term debt and convertible promissory notes
Note payable to Ford Credit is payable in monthly installments of $544 including interest at a fixed rate of 9.49% through maturity in February 2016. The principal balance at January 31, 2015 and 2014 is $6,710 and $12,304, respectively. The carrying amount of the vehicle that serves as collateral is $6,891and $14,410 at January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following is a summary of the principal maturities of long-term debt during the next five years:
Minimum future debt payments | |||
For the year ending January 31, | |||
2016 | $ | 6,149 | |
2017 | 561 | ||
2018 and thereafter | - | ||
$ | 6,710 | ||
Less: current maturities | 6,149 | ||
$ | 561 |
36
Following is a summary of convertible promissory notes:
January 31, | January 31, | |||||
2015 | 2014 | |||||
10% convertible note payable with Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (Northern Dynasty) issued July 15, 2010 | $ | - | $ | 3,730,174 | ||
12% convertible note payable issued August 2013, $51,279 due in June 2015 and $93,240 due in September 2015 | 144,519 | 247,500 | ||||
Convertible note payable issued November 2013, due November 2015 | 147,500 | 250,000 | ||||
12% convertible note payable issued August 2014, due August 2015 | 157,791 | - | ||||
10% convertible note payable issued October 2014, due October 2015 | 108,136 | - | ||||
10% convertible note payable issued December 2014, due December 2016 | 106,697 | - | ||||
664,643 | 4,227,674 | |||||
Less debt discount | (41,928 | ) | (34,584 | ) | ||
Less current portion of convertible notes | (516,018 | ) | (4,193,090 | ) | ||
Long-term convertible notes payable | $ | 106,697 | $ | - |
We issued convertible promissory notes in private placements of our securities to institutional investors pursuant to exemptions from registration set out in Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933.
On July 15, 2010 we issued a secured convertible promissory note bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum compounded monthly (the 2010 Convertible Note) to Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (Northern Dynasty). During the year ended January 31, 2012 the agreement with Northern Dynasty was amended to issue additional secured convertible promissory notes totaling $730,174 to reimburse Northern Dynasty for assessment work, rental fees, cash in lieu of assessment work and filing fees on the mineral claims that was paid in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 because we could not come to an agreement on the earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Northern Dynasty.
As part of the transaction noted above, Northern Dynasty could earn a 60% interest in our Big Chunk project in Alaska (the Joint Venture Claims) by spending $10,000,000 on those properties over six years. The borrowings from Northern Dynasty could be applied as part of Northern Dynastys earn-in requirements. Northern Dynastys minimum annual expenditures under the earn-in would be the minimum level necessary to keep the Joint Venture Claims in good standing. Northern Dynasty could elect to abandon the earn-in at any time on 30 days notice, so long as sufficient annual labor was performed, or a cash payment in lieu of labor was made, in order to fulfill the annual labor requirements for the Joint Venture Claims for a minimum of 12 months after termination of the earn-in. No such notice by Northern Dynasty was received.
On November 14, 2012, we signed a loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty which would have discharged the $3,730,174 principal balance and $1,592,769 of accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note and would have terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in rights. In exchange for the settlement, we initiated the transfer of 199 Alaska mining claims to Northern Dynastys subsidiary, U5 Resources. However, MBGS, LLC filed liens against the claims before the transfer could be completed. In March 2014 Liberty Star and Big Chunk entered into a settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, following a resolution conference conducted in Anchorage, Alaska whereby all Northern Dynasty claims recorded by MBGS, LLC were released. As a result of the settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, the Company completed its loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty and discharged the principal balance and accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note and terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in-rights. A gain of $5,322,943 for the settlement of the Northern Dynasty debt and accrued interest was recorded in other income in April 2014. As of January 31, 2015, we had no principal or interest outstanding for the 2010 Convertible Note.
In August 2013, we entered into a promissory note (the August 2013 Note) for a principal sum of $555,000 plus accrued and unpaid interest and any other fees. The consideration is up to $500,000, which would produce an original issue discount of $55,000 if all the consideration is received. The lender paid $150,000 upon closing pursuant to the terms of the August 2013 Note. The August 2013 Note has a maturity of one year from the delivery of each payment. The August 2013 Note may be convertible into shares of common stock of our company at any time from 180 days after the date of each payment of consideration, at a conversion price which is 70% of the average of the three lowest closing prices in the 20 trading days previous to the conversion. We may repay the August 2013 Note at any time on or before 90 days from the effective date of the August 2013 Note with an interest rate of 0%, after which we may not make any further payments on the August 2013 Note prior to the maturity date without written approval from the lender. If we elect not to repay the August 2013 Note on or before 90 days from the effective date of the August 2013 Note, a one-time interest charge of 12% will be applied to the principal sum. We elected not to pay the $150,000 portion of the August 2013 Note within 90 days from the effective date. After the $150,000 portion of the August 2013 Note became convertible, the note holder elected to convert the principal and interest totaling $186,480 into 17,937,915 shares of the companys common stock during the months of February through May
37
of 2014. On December 9, 2013, we received additional consideration of $75,000 pursuant to the terms of the August 2013 Note. We elected not to pay the $75,000 portion of the August 2013 Note within 90 days from the effective date. In June, July and August 2014, the note holder converted principal and interest totaling $93,240 into 9,983,507 shares of the Companys common stock. On June 24, 2014 and September 3, 2014, we received additional consideration of $75,000 and $75,000, respectively, pursuant to the terms of the August 2013 Note. In December 2014 and January 2015, the note holder converted principal and interest totaling $41,961of the $75,000 of consideration received on June 24, 2014 into 5,900,000 shares of the Companys common stock. As of January 31, 2015, we had $144,519 outstanding for the August 2013 Note.
On November 18, 2013, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the November 2013 Note), whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note to one lender in the principal amount of $250,000. The proceeds from the note were $225,000, which created an original issue discount of $25,000. The note was payable in full on November 18, 2014 and bears no interest except in an event of default. The lender may, at its option, after the 183rd day (after May 20, 2014) following the closing date, convert the principal amount or any portion of such principal amount of the note into shares of common stock of our company at the price equal to the lesser of (a) 100% of the volume weighted average price (VWAP), as reported on the closing date (November 18, 2013), and (b) 70% of the average of the 5 day VWAP immediately prior to the day of conversion. On November 13, 2014, we entered into an Assignment of Promissory Note & Acknowledgment, whereby we consented to an assignment of the note to another lender, pursuant to which $250,000 remains owing by the Company. The maturity date of the November 2013 Note was extended to November 18, 2015. From November 2014 through January 2015, the new noteholder converted principal of $102,500 into 11,792,944 shares of the Companys common stock. As of January 31, 2015, we had $147,500 principal outstanding for the November 2013 Note.
In August 2014, we received $150,000 pursuant to the terms of a convertible promissory note (the August 2014 Note) dated August 26, 2014. The Note bears interest at 12%, is due on August 26, 2015, and is convertible after 180 days at a 45% discount to the average of the daily VWAP prices for the previous 10 trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $157,791 principal and interest outstanding for this Note.
On October 14, 2014, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note (the October 2014 Note) to one lender in the principal amount of $105,000. The Note is payable in full on October 14, 2015 and bears interest at the rate of 10% per annum. There is a $5,000 original issuance discount on the Note. The Note may be convertible into shares of common stock of our company at any time from 180 days after the execution date of the Note at a price per share of 40% discount to the average of the daily VWAP for the previous five trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $108,136 principal and interest outstanding for this Note.
On December 3, 2014, we entered into a note purchase agreement, whereby we agreed to issue a convertible note (the “December 2014 Note”) to lender in the principal amount of $210,000. There is a $10,000 original issuance discount on the Note. The initial purchase price was $105,000 of consideration of which $100,000 was received our company and $5,000 was retained through the original issue discount.. The Note bears interest at 10%, is due on December 3, 2016, and is convertible after six month at a 37.5% discount to the average of the daily VWAP prices for the previous 5 trading days before the date of conversion. As of January 31, 2015, we had $106,697 principal and interest outstanding for this Note.
During the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded debt discounts of $382,173 and $0, respectively, due to the derivative liabilities, and original issue debt discounts of $28,750 and $47,500, respectively, due to the convertible notes. The Company recorded amortization of these discounts of $403,579 and $12,916 for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In November of 2013, the Company recorded $45,663 of deferred financing costs, of which $15,500 was paid in cash and $30,163 paid with common stock, related to the November 18, 2013 convertible note. The Company recorded amortization of these deferred financing costs of $38,052 and $7,611 for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
38
NOTE 8 Derivative Liabilities
The embedded conversion feature in the convertible debt instruments that the Company issued in August 2013 and November 2013 (See Note 7), that became convertible during the year ended January 31, 2015, qualified it as a derivative instrument since the number of shares issuable under the note is indeterminate based on guidance in FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. This convertible note tainted all other equity linked instruments including outstanding warrants and fixed rate convertible debt on the date that the instrument became convertible.
The valuation of the derivative liability of the warrants was determined through the use of a Monte Carlo options model that values the liability of the warrants based on a risk-neutral valuation where the price of the option is its discounted expected value. The technique applied generates a large number of possible (but random) price paths for the underlying common stock via simulation, and then calculates the associated exercise value (i.e. payoff) of the option for each path. These payoffs are then averaged and discounted to a current valuation date resulting in the fair value of the option.
The valuation of the derivative liability attached to the convertible debt was arrived at through the use of a Monte Carlo model that values the derivative liability within the notes. The technique applied generates a large number of possible (but random) price paths for the underlying (or underlyings) via simulation, and then calculates the associated payment value (cash, stock, or warrants) of the derivative features. The price of the underlying common stock is modeled such that it follows a geometric Brownian motion with constant drift, and elastic volatility (increasing as stock price decreases). The stock price is determined by a random sampling from a normal distribution. Since the underlying random process is the same, for enough price paths, the value of the derivative is derived from path dependent scenarios and outcomes. The features in the notes that were analyzed and incorporated into the model included the conversion features with the reset provisions, the call/redemption/prepayment options, and the default provisions. Based on these features, there are six primary events that can occur; payments are made in cash; payments are made with stock; the note holder converts upon receiving a redemption notice; the note holder converts the note; the issuer redeems the note; or the Company defaults on the note. The model simulates the underlying economic factors that influenced which of these events would occur, when they were likely to occur, and the specific terms that would be in effect at the time (i.e. stock price, conversion price, etc.). Probabilities were assigned to each variable such as redemption likelihood, default likelihood, and timing and pricing of reset events over the remaining term of the notes based on management projections. This led to a cash flow simulation over the life of the note. A discounted cash flow for each simulation was completed, and it was compared to the discounted cash flow of the note without the embedded features, thus determining a value for the derivative liability.
Key inputs and assumptions used to value the convertible notes and warrants upon issuance or tainting and also as of January 31, 2015:
- The stock projections are based on the historical volatilities for each date. These ranged in the 112-124% range. The stock price projection was modeled such that it follows a geometric Brownian motion with constant drift and a constant volatility, starting with the market stock price at each valuation date;
- An event of default would not occur during the remaining term of the note;
- Conversion of the notes to stock would be completed monthly after any holding period and would be limited based on: 25% of the last 6 months average trading volume and the ownership limit identified in the contract assuming the underlying number of common shares increases at 1% per month. The effective discount was determined based on the historical trading history of the Company based on the specific pricing mechanism in each note;
- The Company would not have funds available to redeem the notes during the remaining term of the convertible notes;
- Discount rates were based on risk free rates in effect based on the remaining term and date of each valuation and instrument.
- The holder would exercise the warrant at maturity if the stock price was above the exercise price;
- The Holder would exercise the warrant after any holding period prior to maturity at target prices starting at 2 times the exercise price for the Warrants or higher subject to monthly limits of: 25% of the last 6 months average trading volume increasing by 1% per month and the ownership limit identified in the contract assuming the underlying number of common shares increases at 1% per month.
- For the warrants with reset features, the Company assumed it would issue equity linked instruments in the quarters ended 1/31/15 through 7/31/15 at 70% of market.
Using the results from the model, the Company recorded a derivative liability of $520,552 for the fair value of the tainted warrants previously classified in equity, a derivative liability of $6,440 for newly granted warrants (see note 11) and a derivative liability of $382,173 for the fair value of the convertible feature included in the Company’s convertible debt instruments. The derivative liability recorded for the convertible feature created a debt discount of $382,173 which is being amortized over the remaining term of the note using the effective interest rate method, and is classified as convertible debt on the balance sheet. Interest expense related to the amortization of this debt discount for the year ended January 31, 2015, was $172,968. Additionally, $182,348 of debt discount was charged to interest expense as a result of the conversion of a portion of the underlying debt instrument (See Note 7). The remaining unamortized debt discount related to the derivative liability was $26,859 as of January 31, 2015. The Company recorded the change in the fair value of the derivative liability as a gain of $482,697 to reflect the value of the derivative liability for warrants and convertible notes as $216,705 as of January 31, 2015. The Company also recorded a reclassification from derivative liability to equity of $256,748 for the conversions of a portion of the Company’s convertible notes.
At January 31, 2014, we estimated the fair value of the derivative liability related to the warrants using level 3 inputs and the Black-Scholes valuation model. We used historical volatility as a method to estimate expected volatility. At January 31, 2014 we had 2,500,000 whole share purchase warrants outstanding that contain a full ratchet down anti-dilution provision which is triggered if we enter into any lower priced issuance than $0.0264 per common share. As a result of these provisions, these warrants were not considered indexed to our common stock and were
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classified as liabilities under ASC 815. We used the following assumptions to estimate the fair value of the derivative liability related to the warrants at January 31, 2014:
Expected | Expected dividend | Expected | Risk-free interest | |
Description | volatility | yield | term | rate |
Derivative liability at January 31, 2014 | 209.37% | 0% | 2.5 | 0.69% |
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Companys derivative liability:
Year Ended January 31, | |||||||
2015 | 2014 | ||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 46,985 | $ | 15,112 | |||
Total (gains) losses | (482,697 | ) | 31,873 | ||||
Settlements | (256,748 | ) | - | ||||
Additions | 909,165 | - | |||||
Ending balance | $ | 216,705 | $ | 46,985 | |||
Change in unrealized (gains) losses included in earnings relating to derivatives still held as of January 31, 2015 and 2014 | $ | (482,697 | ) | $ | 31,873 |
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NOTE 9 Common stock
Our common shares are all of the same class, are voting and entitle stockholders to receive dividends as defined. Upon liquidation or wind-up, stockholders are entitled to participate equally with respect to any distribution of net assets or any dividends that may be declared.
On January 19, 2012, we entered into a financing agreement with Fairhills Capital Offshore Ltd., whereby Fairhills Capital will provide for a non-brokered financing arrangement of up to $10,000,000. The financing allows but does not require us to issue and sell up to the number of shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000 to Fairhills Capital. Subject to the terms and conditions of the financing agreement and a registration rights agreement, we may, in our sole discretion, deliver a notice to Fairhills Capital which states the dollar amount which we intend to sell to Fairhills Capital on a certain date. The amount that we shall be entitled to sell to Fairhills Capital shall be equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the average daily volume (U.S. market only) of the common stock for the ten (10) trading days prior to the applicable notice date. Our common stock will be valued at a 27.5% discount from the weighted average trading price of our stock for the five (5) trading days before Fairhills Capital receives our notice of sale. The shares that we sell to Fairhills Capital must be registered stock, among other conditions of investment.
In connection with the Investment Agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with Fairhills. Pursuant to this registration rights agreement, we registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission 185,000,000 shares of the common stock underlying the Investment Agreement.
On November 13, 2012, we filed a 424B prospectus with the Securities Exchange Commission, acknowledging the assignment of all the rights under our investment agreement with Fairhills Capital Offshore Ltd. (Fairhills) to Deer Valley Management, LLC (Deer Valley). The Investment Agreement and other associated agreements were assigned by Fairhills to Deer Valley on November 6, 2012, and Liberty Star consented to the assignment. Fairhills and Deer Valley share the same ownership and management and there has not been any substantial change to our arrangement under the Investment Agreement as a result of the Assignment.
In February, March and April, 2013, we issued 22,874,405 shares for gross proceeds of $200,000 related to the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC.
In February, 2013, we sold 3,448,276 units to one investor for gross proceeds of $40,000. Each unit consisted of one common share of our company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitles the investor to purchase one additional common share of our company at a price of $0.0162 until February 7, 2016.
In February, 2013, we issued 1,526,718 units to one vendor in exchange for the settlement of accounts payable of $20,000. Each unit consisted of one common share of our company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitles the investor to purchase one additional common share of our company at a price of $0.0183 until February 15, 2016. The fair value of the warrants issue was $22,141.
In April, 2013, one investor exercised 3,033,618 of the May 2007 common stock purchase warrants using the cashless exercise provision. We issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock and cancelled 533,618 common stock purchase warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise provision. No cash proceeds were received.
In May, June and July, 2013, we issued 31,270,958 shares for gross proceeds of $255,000 related to the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC. As of July 31, 2013, we had not yet received payment for one transaction valued at $25,000. As of October 31, 2013, we received the final payment for this transaction, plus $5,000 from Deer Valley Management, LLC for the inconvenience of paying late. In August 2013, we decided to terminate the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC due to their violation of the payment terms pursuant to the investment agreement. As of the time of the termination of the investment agreement, we had issued a total of 113,815,732 and had received gross proceeds of $1,635,000. No further shares issuances to Deer Valley Management, LLC are expected to occur.
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In May, June and July, 2013, we sold 18,001,166 units to six investors for gross proceeds of $182,043. Each unit consisted of one common share of our company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. The share purchase warrants entitle the investors to purchase one additional common share of our company at prices ranging between of $0.0116 and $0.0173 until July 30, 2016.
In June 2013, one investor exercised 4,263,989 of the May 2007 common stock purchase warrants using the cashless exercise provision. We issued 3,587,165 shares of common stock and cancelled 678,824 common stock purchase warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise provision. No cash proceeds were received.
In August 2013, the company entered into an agreement with an investor relations firm to issue 5,023,256 common shares in exchange for investor relations services, with 50% (2,511,628) issued in October 2013 at a fair value of $54,000, and the remaining 2,511,628 shares to be held by the Company until the Company chose to continue with additional services. These additional services were accepted by the Company during the year ended January 31, 2015, and the 2,511,628 common shares held by the Company were released and classified as issued and outstanding effective July 31, 2014, with an expense of $54,000 recorded for their fair value.
In August 2013, we issued 423,135 shares to an individual in exchange for services valued at $7,938. Additionally, warrants with a fair value of $7,682 were also issued to this individual. The warrants entitle the investor to purchase 423,135 shares of the Companys common stock and have an exercise price of $0.0263. The warrants have a term of three years and expire August 2, 2016.
In September 2013, we sold 2,157,497 units to one investor for gross proceeds of $50,000. Each unit consisted of one common share of our company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitles the investor to purchase one additional common share of our company at a price of $0.0324 until September 5, 2016.
On October 30, 2013, the Company entered into an investment agreement with KVM Capital Partners LLC, a New York limited liability company (“KVM”). Pursuant to the agreement, KVM has agreed to purchase up to $8,000,000 of our common stock over a period of up to thirty-six (36) months. The purchase price per share to be paid by KVM shall be calculated at a twenty percent (20%) discount to the lowest volume weighted average price of the common stock as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. during the five (5) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the receipt by KVM of the put notice. We initially reserved 244,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the KVM Investment Agreement. In connection with the KVM Investment Agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with KVM, pursuant to which we are obligated to file a registration statement with the SEC covering 244,500,000 shares of our common stock underlying the KVM Investment Agreement within 21 days after the closing of the transaction. In addition, we are obligated to use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective by the SEC and maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement until termination of the KVM Investment Agreement. On November 6, 2013, we filed form S-1 related to the KVM investment agreement. Between February 2014 and July 2014, pursuant to the KVM investment agreement, KVM purchased 34,214,226 shares for $456,924, of which $55,673 is still owed to the Company and is reflected as a stock subscription receivable as of January 31, 2015. On November 14, 2014, we filed a Post-Effective Amendment to deregister the remaining unsold securities, which became effective on December 2, 2014.
In January 2014, we issued 1,225,000 shares to an individual in exchange for services valued at $30,163. The company recorded the value as deferred financing cost.
In March 2014, the Company issued 1,000,000 units of common stock to a designee of MBGS, LLC, pursuant to a settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty which discharged the $3,730,174 principal balance and $1,592,769 of accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note (See Note 7). Each unit consists of one share of the Companys common stock and a warrant to purchase one-half share of the Companys common stock. The fair value of the common stock issued was $17,500, which was recorded as an expense upon issuance of the units. The 500,000 warrants, which have an exercise price of $0.028 and have a three year term with a fair value of $6,440. The fair value was expensed and a derivative liability was recorded for the fair value of the warrant on the date of issuance of the units. The change in the fair value of the derivative liability between the date of issuance and the year ended January 31, 2015 was recorded in other income and expense.
On December 15, 2014, we entered into an investment agreement with Tangiers Investment Group, LLC (TIG), whereby TIG has agreed to invest up to $8,000,000 to purchase shares of our common stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement and a registration rights agreement, we may, in our sole discretion, deliver a notice to TIG which states the dollar amount which we intend to sell to TIG on a certain date. The amount that we shall be entitled to sell to TIG shall be equal to one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the average daily volume of the common stock for the ten trading days prior to the applicable notice date so long as such amount does not exceed an accumulative amount per month of $100,000 unless a prior approval of TIG is obtained by our company from TIG. The minimum amount shall be equal to $5,000. In connection with the agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement dated December 15, 2014, whereby we agreed to file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission within thirty (30) days of the date of the registration rights agreement and to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission within ninety (90) days after we have filed the Registration Statement. We filed the Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015.
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During the year ended January 31, 2015, $321,680 of the August 2013 Note was converted into 33,821,422 shares of the Companys common stock. The conversions occurred on multiple dates with conversion prices ranging from $0.006 to $0.012.
From November 2014 through January 2015, the holder of the November 2013 Note converted principal of $102,500 into 11,792,944 shares of the Companys common stock. The conversions occurred on multiple dates with conversion prices ranging from $0.006 to $0.011.
During the year ended January 31, 2015, the Company issued 6,424,979 units to three investors for total proceeds of $73,000. Each unit consists of one share of the Companys common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of the Companys common stock. The warrants have exercise prices ranging from $0.015 to $0.021 and have a three year term.
At January 31, 2015 there were 863,500 non-qualified stock options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $0.316 per option; of those options 863,500 are exercisable. At January 31, 2015 there were 85,421,374 incentive stock options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $0.042 per option; of those options 84,010,886 are exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $0.042.
During the year ended January 31, 2015 we recognized $11,232 of compensation expense related to incentive and non-qualified stock options previously granted to officers, employees and consultants.
NOTE 10 Share-based compensation
The 2010 Stock Option Plan was approved and adopted by the Board of Directors on August 10, 2010. The plan allows for up to 95,500,000 shares to be granted to key employees and non-employee consultants after specific objectives are met. The 2007 Stock Option Plan was approved and adopted by the Board of Directors on December 10, 2007. The plan allows for up to 2,500,000 shares to be granted to key employees and non-employee consultants after specific objectives are met. The 2004 Stock Option Plan was approved and adopted by the Board of Directors on December 27, 2004. The plan allows for up to 962,500 shares to be granted to key employees and non-employee consultants after specific objectives are met. Employees can receive incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options while non-employee consultants can receive only non-qualified stock options. The options granted vest under various provisions using graded vesting, not to exceed four years. The options granted have a term not to exceed ten years from the date of grant or five years for options granted to more than 10% stockholders. The option price set by the Plan Administration shall not be less than the fair market value per share of the common stock on the grant date or 110% of the fair market value per share of the common stock on the grant date for options granted to greater than 10% stockholders. Options remaining available for grant under the 2010 Stock Option Plan at January 31, 2015 and 2014 are 12,500,000 and 12,500,000. Options remaining available for grant under the 2007 Stock Option Plan at January 31, 2015 and 2014 are 50,000 and 50,000, respectively. Options remaining available for grant under the 2004 Stock Option Plan at January 31, 2015and 2014 are 127,626 and 32,876, respectively.
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In September 2013, there were 7,423,624 stock options granted at an exercise price of $0.0257 per share, exercisable until September 5, 2023 with a fair value net of forfeitures, at grant date of $210,300. The options granted were 100% vested for directors and shall vest in 25% immediately and 25% over four years increments on a yearly basis over the next four years for employees. In order to calculate the fair value of stock options at the date of grant, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The volatility used was based on our historical volatility. The expected term was determined based on the simplified method outlined in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Remaining stock option expense to be recognized in future periods related to the award is $29,455.
The following tables summarize the Companys stock option activity during the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014. Incentive stock options to employees and directors outstanding at January 31, 2015 are as follows:
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Weighted | average | |||||||||||
Number of | average | remaining life | Aggregate | |||||||||
options | exercise price | (years) | intrinsic value | |||||||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2013 | 90,635,375 | $ | 0.047 | $ | - | |||||||
Granted | 7,423,624 | 0.026 | ||||||||||
Cancelled | (12,582,875 | ) | 0.041 | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | ||||||||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2014 | 85,476,124 | $ | 0.047 | $ | - | |||||||
Granted | - | - | ||||||||||
Cancelled | (54,750 | ) | 6.710 | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | ||||||||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2015 | 85,421,374 | $ | 0.042 | 1.27 | $ | - | ||||||
Exercisable, January 31, 2015 | 84,010,886 | $ | 0.042 | 1.14 | $ | - |
The options cancelled during the year ended January 31, 2015 were a result of the options expiring. The options cancelled during the year ended January 31, 2014 were a result of employee terminations. The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated based on the stock price of $0.0086 and $0.0195 per share as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
We estimate the fair value of option awards on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company uses historical volatility, disregarding identifiable periods of time in which share price was extraordinarily volatile due to certain events that are not expected to recur during the expected term, as its method to estimate expected volatility. The Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair value of stock option grants to employees and non-employees:
Expected | |||||
Expected | dividend | Risk-free interest | |||
Grant date | volatility | yield | Expected term | rate | Forfeiture rate |
January 10, 2012 | 128% | 0% | 10 years | 2% | 10% |
December 13, 2012 | 174% | 0% | 3 years | 0.34% | 0% |
January 1, 2013 | 173% | 0% | 3 years | 0.36% | 0% |
January 1, 2013 | 171% | 0% | 3 years | 0.41% | 0% |
September 5, 2013 | 221% | 0% | 6.25 years | 2.15% | 20% |
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Share-based compensation expense is reported in our statement of operations as follows:
January 31, 2015 | January 31, 2014 | |||||
Geological and geophysical costs | $ | 4,728 | $ | 2,610 | ||
Salaries and benefits | 4,728 | 236,509 | ||||
Investor relations | 1,776 | 1,503 | ||||
General and administrative | - | - | ||||
$ | 11,232 | $ | 240,622 |
At January 31, 2015 there is $29,455 unrecognized share-based compensation for all share-based awards outstanding with a weighted average remaining period for amortization of 2.8 years.
Non-qualified stock options to non-employee consultants and vendors outstanding as of January 31, 2015 are as follows:
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Weighted | average | |||||||||||
Number of | average | remaining life | Aggregate | |||||||||
options | exercise price | (years) | intrinsic value | |||||||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2013 | 903,500 | $ | 0.376 | $ | - | |||||||
Granted | - | - | ||||||||||
Expired | - | - | ||||||||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2014 | 903,500 | $ | 0.376 | $ | - | |||||||
Granted | - | - | ||||||||||
Expired | (40,000 | ) | 1.678 | |||||||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2015 | 863,500 | $ | 0.316 | 1.67 | $ | - | ||||||
Exercisable, January 31, 2015 | 863,500 | $ | 0.316 | 1.67 | $ | - |
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated based on the stock price of $.0086 and $0.0195 per share for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
NOTE 11 Warrants
As of January 31, 2015, there were 59,566,708 whole share purchase warrants outstanding and exercisable. The warrants have a weighted average remaining life of 1.1 years and a weighted average exercise price of $0.024 per whole warrant for one common share. Whole share purchase warrants outstanding at January 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
Number of | Weighted average | |||||
whole share | exercise | |||||
purchase warrants | price per share | |||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2013 | 94,059,629 | $ | 0.055 | |||
Issued | 25,556,792 | 0.016 | ||||
Expired | (46,579,478 | ) | 0.071 | |||
Exercised | (14,595,214 | ) | 0.051 | |||
Outstanding, January 31, 2014 | 58,441,729 | $ | 0.026 | |||
Issued | 6,924,979 | 0.017 | ||||
Expired | (5,800,000 | ) | 0.037 | |||
Exercised | - | - | ||||
Outstanding, January 31, 2015 | 59,566,708 | $ | 0.024 | |||
Exercisable, January 31, 2015 | 59,566,708 | $ | 0.024 |
The weighted average intrinsic value for warrants outstanding was $0 and $109,275 as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
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NOTE 12 Income taxes
As of January 31 our deferred tax asset is as follows:
January 31, 2015 | January 31, 2014 | ||||||
Deferred Tax Assets | $ | 8,853,000 | $ | 10,243,000 | |||
Less Valuation Allowance | (8,853,000 | ) | (10,243,000 | ) | |||
$ | - | $ | - |
Management has elected to provide a deferred tax asset valuation allowance equal to the potential benefit due to our history of losses. If we demonstrate the ability to generate future taxable income, management will re-evaluate the allowance. The decrease in the valuation allowance of $1,390,000 during the year ended January 31, 2015 primarily represents the utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards during the period to offset taxable income for the year. The change in the valuation allowance of $730,000 in the year ended January 31, 2014 primarily represents the benefit of the change in net operating loss carry-forwards during the period. As of January 31, 2015, our estimated net operating loss carry-forward is approximately $26,000,000 and will expire beginning in 2025 through 2034.
Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limits the ability to utilize net operating losses if a 50% change in ownership occurs over a three year period. Such limitation of the net operating losses may have occurred but we have not analyzed it at this time as the deferred tax asset is fully reserved. We have federal and state net operating loss carry-forwards that are available to offset future taxable income.
NOTE 13 Related party transactions
We entered into the following transactions with related parties during the year ended January 31, 2015:
Paid or accrued $6,263 in rent. We rented an office from Jim Briscoe, our Chairman of the Board, CEO and CFO, and President on a month-to-month basis for $522 per month.
At January 31, 2015 we had a balance of accrued unpaid wages of $389,367 to Jim Briscoe, our Chairman of the Board, CEO and CFO and President.
At January 31, 2015, we had a balance of accrued unpaid wages of $15,625 to Larry Liang, our former President.
We have an option to explore 26 standard federal lode mining claims at the East Silver Bell project and 29 standard federal lode mining claims at the Walnut Creek project from JABA US Inc., an Arizona Corporation in which two of our directors are owners. We are required to pay annual rentals to maintain the claims in good standing. During the year ended January 31, 2015 we paid $8,525 in rental fees to maintain the mineral claims in good standing. The original option agreement was for the period from April 11, 2008 through January 1, 2011 and has been extended through June 1, 2013 and now to June 1, 2015. This may additionally be extended in five year periods or increments in the future by any JABA director.
We entered into the following transactions with related parties during the year ended January 31, 2014:
Paid or accrued $6,263 in rent. We rented an office from Jim Briscoe, our Chairman of the Board, CEO and CFO, and President on a month-to-month basis for $522 per month.
At January 31, 2014 we had a balance of accrued unpaid wages of $325,367 to Jim Briscoe, our Chairman of the Board, CEO and CFO and President.
At January 31, 2014, we had a balance of accrued unpaid wages of $15,625 to Larry Liang, our former President.
We recognized compensation expense of $67,500 for stock options granted to an officer.
We have an option to explore 26 standard federal lode mining claims at the East Silver Bell project and 33 standard federal lode mining claims at the Walnut Creek project from JABA US Inc., an Arizona Corporation in which two of our directors are owners. We are required to pay annual rentals to maintain the claims in good standing. During the year ended January 31, 2014 we paid $8,260 in rental fees to maintain the mineral claims in good standing.
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NOTE 14 Commitments and Contingencies
We are required to perform annual assessment work in order to maintain the Big Chunk Alaska State mining claims. If annual assessment work is not performed the Company must pay the assessment amount in cash in order to maintain the claims. Completion of annual assessment work in the amount of $400 per ¼ section (160 acre) claim or $100 per ¼ -¼ section (40 acre) claim extends the claims for a one-year period from the staking of claims. Assessment work performed in excess of the required amount may be carried forward for up to four years to satisfy future obligations. The Company estimates that the required annual assessments per year to maintain the claims from 2015 forward will be $3,600. Sufficient assessment work has been performed for Big Chunk to maintain the claims beyond the next labor year.
The annual state rentals for the Big Chunk Alaska State mining claims vary from $70 to $280 per mineral claim. The rental period begins at noon September 1st through the following September 1st and annual rental payments are due on November 30th of each year. The rentals of $6,120, to extend the Big Chunk claims through September 1, 2015 were paid in November 2014. The estimated state rentals due by November 30, 2015 for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016 are $6,120. Alaska State production royalty is three percent of net income. State law prescribes that after a 3.5 -year exemption from state taxes a metal mine is liable for a 15% state licensing tax on net income from the mine. We are required to pay annual rentals for our federal lode mining claims for the North Pipes project in the State of Arizona. The rental period begins at noon on September 1st through the following September 1st and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. The annual rentals are $140 per claim. The rentals of $60,340 for the period from September 1, 2013 to September 1, 2014 have been paid. The rentals due by September 1, 2014 for the period from September 1, 2014 through September 1, 2015 of $52,640 have not been paid. The rentals due by September 1, 2015 for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2015 of have not been paid.
We are required to pay annual rentals for our federal lode mining claims for the North Pipes project in the State of Arizona. The rental period begins at noon on September 1st through the following September 1st and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. The annual rentals are $155 per claim. The rentals of $32,705 for the period from September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015 have been paid. The rentals due by September 1, 2015 for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016 of $32,705 have not been paid.
We are required to pay annual rentals for our federal lode mining claims for our East Silver Bell project in the State of Arizona. The rental period begins at noon on September 1st through the following September 1st and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. The annual rental is $155 per claim. The rentals of $4,030 for the period from September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015 have been paid. The annual rentals due by September 1, 2015 of $4,030 are required to maintain the East Silver Bell claims are for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016 have not been paid. There is no requirement for annual assessment or exploration work on the federal lode mining claims. There are no royalties associated with the federal lode mining claims.
We are required to pay annual rentals for our federal lode mining claims for the Tombstone project in the State of Arizona. The rental period begins at noon on September 1st through the following September 1st and rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. The annual rentals are $155 per claim. The rentals and initial filing fees of $14,725 for the period from September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015 have been paid. The rentals due by September 1, 2015 for the period from September 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016 of $14,725 have not been paid. We are required to pay annual rentals for our Arizona State Land Department Mineral Exploration Permits (“AZ MEP”) at our Tombstone Hay Mountain project in the State of Arizona. AZ MEP permits are valid for 1 year and renewable for up to 5 years. The rental fee is $2.00 per acre for the first year, which includes the second year, and $1.00 per acre per year for years three through five. The minimum work expenditure requirements are $10 per acre per year for years one and two and $20 per acre per year for years three through five. If the minimum work expenditure requirement is not met the applicant can pay the equal amount in fees to the Arizona State Land Department to keep the AZ MEP permits current. The rental period begins on September 30th through the following September 29th for our Phase 1 permits, and September 14th through September 13th for our Phase 2 permits. On February 7, 2014 we added a new AZ MEP with 480 acres and an initial rental payment of $960.00 with estimated work expenditures of $4,800 due by February 6, 2015 Rental payments are due by the first day of the rental period. We hold AZ MEP permits for 2,366.88 acres at our Tombstone project. We will need to pay rental fees for our Phase 1 AZ MEP’s before September 29, 2014 in the amount of $3,346.88. Required minimum work expenditures for the period ended September 29, 2014 is $36,937.60. The annual rental due by September 13, 2014 to maintain the Phase 2 AZ MEP permits was $540. We also included $800 to cover minimum work expenditure requirements which were due September 13, 2014 to maintain our Phase 2 AZ MEP permits.
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A civil action was pending in the Alaska Superior Court in Anchorage, Alaska, that concerned title to some Alaska state mining claims owned by Big Chunk Corp., a subsidiary of Liberty Star. In that action Big Chunk and Liberty Star requested a judicial determination that certain lien claim notices recorded by a party named MBGS, LLC, against the mining claims were void; and MBGS sought an order enforcing the lien claims. Liberty Star and Big Chunk filed a motion for summary judgment to invalidate the lien claims. As was anticipated, MBGS opposed this motion. The lien claims were based on a debt alleged by MBGS to be due from Liberty Star. The existence of this alleged debt was disputed.
In March 2014 Liberty Star and Big Chunk entered into a settlement agreement with MBGS, LLC, following a resolution conference conducted in Anchorage, Alaska whereby all lien claims for the Northern Dynasty transfer were released. As a result of those claims released by MBGS, LLC, in May 2014 the company completed its loan settlement agreement with Northern Dynasty and discharged the principal balance and accrued interest for the 2010 Convertible Note which also terminated Northern Dynastys earn-in-rights.
On June 1, 2011 we rented a warehouse located at Building No. 1, 7900 South Kolb Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706. We rent this warehouse space for $3,645 per month. The lease was in effect until May 31, 2014 with an option to extend for two additional years. The lease was not renewed and is currently on a month to month basis. In addition to using the warehouse for standard purposes, such as storage of our exploration equipment, supplies and samples, the warehouse space also includes office facilities for the use of field geologists and geotechs.
NOTE 15 Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value measurements at reporting date using: | ||||||||||||
Quoted prices in | Significant | |||||||||||
active markets for | Significant other | unobservable | ||||||||||
identical liabilities | observable inputs | inputs | ||||||||||
Description | Fair Value | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | ||||||||
Warrant and convertible note derivative liability at January 31, 2015 | $ | 216,705 | - | - | $ | 216,705 | ||||||
Warrant and convertible note derivative liability at January 31, 2014 | $ | 46,985 | - | - | $ | 46,985 |
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, convertible notes payable, notes payable, and derivative liability. It is management's opinion that we are not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments. With the exception of the derivative liability, the fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying values based on their short maturities or for long-term debt based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms and maturities. Gains and losses recognized on changes in estimated fair value of the warrant liability are reported in other income (expense) as gain (loss) on change in fair value.
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NOTE 16 Changes in officers and directors
On August 28, 2013, Larry Liang, resigned as the president and a director of our company. On the same date, we appointed James Briscoe as president of our company. On October 20, 2014, we appointed Brett Gross as a director of our company.
NOTE 17 Subsequent events
Between February and April 2015, $125,000 of the December 2014 Note was converted into 29,248,823 shares of the Companys common stock.
Between February and April 2015, $105,734 of the August 2013 Note was converted into 30,800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
In March and April 2015, $160,833 of the August 2014 Note was converted into 56,676,739 shares of the Company’s common stock.
In April 2015, $52,320 of the October 2014 Note was converted into 26,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our Company evaluated the effectiveness and design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. Our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that we designed to ensure that our Company records, processes, summarizes, and reports in a timely manner the information that it must disclose in reports that our Company files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and principal executive officer, Mr. James Briscoe, conducted this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, our principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and principal executive officer made the determination that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and principal executive officer conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control -Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 31, 2015.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (1) pertain to maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Our management, including our principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and principal executive officer, Mr. James Briscoe, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. In addition, the design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and controls may become inadequate if conditions change. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Remediation of Identified Material Weakness
A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
Management identified material weaknesses during its assessment of internal controls over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014. Following is a summary of the weaknesses identified and their remediation during the year ended January 31, 2015:
Segregation of duties: Due to the small size of the Company, there is a lack of segregation of duties.
Remediation: Previously, there was a lack of segregation of duties due to the small size of the Company, specifically, the small number of individuals involved in recording transactions and preparing the financial statements. To remediate this weakness, the Company hired a consulting firm in the quarter ended April 30, 2014 to assist with the duties of measuring and recording derivative related transactions, and hired a new outside accounting advisor in the quarter ended July 31, 2014 to assist with the duties of recording transactions and preparing financial statements. Since implementing these changes, the number of adjusting entries arising from the quarterly review of our interim financial statements has been significantly reduced. Accordingly, we believe weve corrected this material weakness beginning with the quarter ended July 31, 2014.
Complex accounting issue review: The Company lacked multiple reviews on complex accounting issues which occurred during the year.
Remediation: To remediate this weakness, the Company hired a consulting firm to assist with derivative accounting and an outside accounting advisor to assist with our reporting beginning with the quarters ended April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2014, respectively. As a result, we believe weve corrected this weakness beginning with the quarter ended July 31, 2014.
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Based on these changes, we believe weve corrected the material weaknesses previously identified and believe that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were effective beginning with the quarter ended July 31, 2014.
No change in our Companys internal control over financial reporting occurred during our fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
All directors of our company hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The officers of our company are appointed by our board of directors and hold office until their death, resignation or removal from office. Our directors, executive officers and significant employees, their ages, positions held, and duration as such, are as follows:
Name |
Position Held with the Company |
Age |
Date First Elected or Appointed |
James Briscoe |
Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director, President |
73 |
February 3, 2004 |
Gary Musil | Secretary and Director | 63 | October 23, 2003 |
John Guilbert | Director | 83 | February 5, 2004 |
Keith Brill | Director | 37 | December 23, 2009 |
Peter OHeeron | Director | 51 | September6,2012 |
Brett Gross | Director | 55 | October 20, 2014 |
Business Experience
James Briscoe - Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board and Director and President
Mr. Briscoe was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman and a director on February 3, 2004. Mr. Briscoe became the interim Chief Financial Officer on July 31, 2008. Mr. Briscoe is a Registered Professional Geologist in the states of Arizona and California. From 1996 to April 2005, Mr. Briscoe was the Vice President of Exploration, and Chairman of the Board of JABA Exploration Inc., a TSX Venture Exchange Canadian public company. Mr. Briscoe was also the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Geologist of JABA (US) Inc. and President of Compania Minera JABA, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico. Compania Minera JABA, S.A. de C.V. is no longer active and is in the process of dissolution. During the periods of time indicated below, Mr. Briscoe served in the positions listed for the following two Canadian public companies:
Company | Title | From | To |
1. Excellon | VP Exploration | April 1994 | January 1996 |
2. JABA Inc. | CEO | January 1980 | April 2005 |
We believe Mr. Briscoe is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his knowledge of our companys history and current operations, which he gained from working for our company as described above, in addition to his
Gary Musil Secretary and Director
Mr. Gary Musil was appointed as one our directors on October 23, 2003 and is presently our corporate Secretary. Mr. Musil was our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from October 23, 2003 to February 3, 2004. Mr. Musil has more than 30 years of management and financial consulting experience. Mr. Musil has served as an officer and director on numerous public mining companies since 1988. This experience has resulted in his overseeing exploration projects in Peru, Chile, Eastern Europe (Slovak Republic), British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick (Canada). Prior to this, he was employed for 15 years with Dickenson Mines Ltd. and Kam-Kotia Mines Ltd. as a controller for the producing silver/lead/zinc mine in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Musil currently serves as an officer/director of four TSX Venture Exchange public companies in Canada. Mr. Musil has been the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of International Montoro Resources Inc., a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since February 1999. Mr. Musil has been the chief financial officer and secretary and a director of Belmont Resources Inc., a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since August 1992. Mr. Musil has been the chief financial officer and a director of Megastar Development Corp, a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since July 2006. Mr. Musil has been the Chief Financial Officer and secretary of Highbank Resources Ltd., a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since December 1988.
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We believe Mr. Musil is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his knowledge of our companys history and current operations, which he gained from working for our company as described above, in addition to his education and business experience as described above.
John Guilbert Director
Dr. Guilbert was appointed as one of our directors on February 5, 2004. Dr. Guilbert is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona and is a world-renowned geologist and author of the book The Geology of Ore Deposits, a popular 900 page text used throughout the world and a co-developer of the Lowell-Guilbert porphyry copper model and recipient of two mining awards, the R.A.F. Penrose Medal and the D.C. Jackling Award. These gold medal awards, the most coveted in American Mining, were awarded back-to-back in successive years. Dr. Guilbert has served as a director of Excellon Inc. a Vancouver Stock Exchange listed company from 1992 1996. Dr. Guilbert has served as a Board Chairman and director for JABA Inc., an Alberta Stock Exchange (later CDNX then TSX) listed company from 1996 2002.
We believe Dr. Guilbert is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his knowledge of our companys history and current operations, which he gained from working for our company as described above, in addition to his education and business experience as described above.
Keith Brill Director
Mr. Brill was appointed as one of our directors on December 23, 2009. Mr. Brill received an International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) from the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina in May 2005. He graduated from the South Carolina Honors College, University of South Carolina in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, major in Economics and Finance, minor in Spanish. Mr. Brill has been a management consultant with PA Consulting Group, Inc., a leading global consulting firm, since 2004. He has provided multinational Fortune 500 companies with consulting advice on topics including cost reduction, operational efficiency, and IT strategy. Mr. Brill has extensive experience in conducting ROI analysis, developing business cases, and providing strategic financial advice on major business transformation programs.
We believe Mr. Brill is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his knowledge of our companys history and current operations, which he gained from working for our company as described above, in addition to his education and business experience as described above.
Pete OHeeron Director
Mr. OHeeron joined the board in September, 2012. Mr. OHeeron leads an operational investment group which identifies early stage opportunities in the medical field with strong intellectual property positions. Through his 20+ years of medical product development experience, Mr. OHeeron brings together the resources from strategic disciplines necessary to commercialize unique technologies. Prior to founding Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, Mr. OHeeron founded NeoSurg Technologies, Inc. to develop a minimally invasive access system. As a result of his efforts, NeoSurg Technologies was successful in developing the T2000 Minimally Invasive Access System, the world leader in reposable surgical instrumentation. Mr. OHeeron completed the sale of NeoSurg Technologies to CooperSurgical in 2005. Mr. OHeeron graduated from Texas State University with a BS in Healthcare Administration and a minor in Business Administration. He received his Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston. Mr. OHeeron currently holds 5 patents and has 4 patents pending.
We believe Mr. OHeeron is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his knowledge of our companys history and current operations, which he gained from working with our company as described above, in addition to his education and business experience as described above. He also catalyzed a negotiation with Northern Dynasty which benefited the company by millions of dollars.
Brett Gross Director
Mr. Gross joined the board on October 20, 2014. Mr. Gross is a mining engineer (BS, Ohio State University, 1982; MS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1988; PE, Colorado and Alabama) and attorney (JD, University of Denver, 2001) with over 30 years of experience, both domestic and international. His work experience includes surface and underground mining operations, engineering, and delivery of construction mega-projects across multiple industrial and commercial markets, and the practice of law related to each of these sectors. Mr. Gross brings a combination of professional skills that benefits every aspect of our business. Mr. Gross engineering career began at Virginia Tech, with research focused on rock mechanics and the stability of underground openings, particularly the phenomenon of coal bumps and rock bursts, and studying methods to monitor stress changes in the longwall barrier pillar during the onset of the active longwall face. The ensuing years of his career have been intimately involved with a broad spectrum of engineering, operations, management and project delivery. Since 2002, Mr. Gross has practiced law both in private practice and as in-house counsel, negotiating and closing complex deals with what today is among the largest engineering and construction firms in the United States.
We believe Mr. Gross is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his education and business experience as described above.
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Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors or officers.
Board and Committee Meetings
The board of directors of our company held three formal meetings during the year ended January 31, 2015 and two formal meetings during the year ended January 31, 2014. All proceedings of the board of directors were conducted by resolutions consented to in writing by all the directors and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the directors. Such resolutions consented to in writing by the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the directors are, according to the Nevada corporate law and the By-laws of our company, as valid and effective as if they had been passed at a meeting of the directors duly called and held.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which our shareholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors during the year ended January 31, 2015. Shareholders may contact our President, James Briscoe, to recommend nominees to our board of directors.
For the year ended January 31, 2015 our only standing committee of the board of directors was our audit committee. We do not have a nominating committee or a compensation committee.
Audit Committee
Currently our audit committee consists of our entire board of directors. We do not have a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act.
During fiscal years ended January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014, there were no special meetings held by this committee. The business of the Audit Committee was conducted by resolutions consented to in writing by all the members of the board and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors has determined that it does not have a member of its board of directors or audit committee that qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
We believe that the members of our board of directors are collectively capable of analyzing and evaluating our consolidated financial statements and understanding internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. In addition, we believe that retaining an independent director who would qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" would be overly costly and burdensome and is not warranted in our circumstances given the early stages of our development and the fact that we have not generated any material revenues to date.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Our directors and executive officers have not been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:
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1. |
any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; |
2. |
any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences); |
3. |
being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; |
4. |
being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated. |
5. |
being the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of: (i) any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation; or (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease- and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or, |
6. |
being the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self- regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, our securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to provide us with copies of those filings. 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 the year ended January 31, 2015, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with.
Code of Ethics
Effective March 15, 2004, our company's board of directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to, among other persons, our company's president and secretary (being our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), as well as persons performing similar functions. As adopted, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth written standards that are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
1. |
honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
2. |
full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by us; |
3. |
compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; |
4. |
the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and |
5. |
accountability for adherence to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires, among other things, that all of our company's Senior Officers commit to timely, accurate and consistent disclosure of information; that they maintain confidential information; and that they act with honesty and integrity. |
In addition, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics emphasizes that all employees, and particularly Senior Officers, have a responsibility for maintaining financial integrity within our company, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, and federal and state securities laws. Any Senior Officer who becomes aware of any incidents involving financial or accounting manipulation or other irregularities, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it, must report it to our company. Any failure to report such inappropriate or irregular conduct of others is to be treated as a severe disciplinary matter. It is against our company policy to retaliate against any individual who reports in good faith the violation or potential violation of our company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by another.
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Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2004 as Exhibit 14.1 to our annual report. We will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any person without charge, upon request. Requests can be sent to: Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp., 5610 E Sutler Lane, Tucson, Arizona 85712.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Following are the particulars of all compensation paid or accruing to our named executive officers for the last two fiscal years ended.
Summary Compensation Table | |||||||||
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary (US$) |
Bonus (US$) |
Stock Awards (US$) |
Option Awards (US$) |
Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation (US$) |
Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (US$) |
All Other Compensation (US$) (1) |
Total (US$) |
James Briscoe, Principal Executive Officer, CEO, CFO, Chairman, President and Director |
2015 2014 |
84,000
84,000 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
64,000
(2) 64,000 (2) |
$148,000
$148,000 |
(1) |
The value of perquisites and other personal benefits, securities and property for the officers that do not exceed the lesser of $10,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus and is not reported herein. |
(2) |
Mr. Briscoes other compensation represents accrued and unpaid wages during the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 of $64,000 and $64,000 respectively. |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth for each named executive officer certain information concerning the outstanding equity awards as of January 31, 2015.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||
Equity | |||||||||
Incentive | |||||||||
Plan | |||||||||
Equity | Awards : | ||||||||
Incentive | Market or | ||||||||
Equity | Plan | Payout | |||||||
Incentive | Awards : | Value | |||||||
Plan | Market | Number of | of | ||||||
Awards: | Value | Unearned | Unearned | ||||||
Number of | Number of | Number of | Number of | of Shares or | Shares, | Shares, | |||
Securities | Securities | Securities | Shares or | Units of | Units | Units | |||
Underlying | Underlying | Underlying | Units of | Stock | or Other | or Other | |||
Unexercised | Unexercised | Unexercised | Option | Option | Stock that | that Have | Rights that | Rights that | |
Options | Options | Unearned | Exercise | Expiration | Have Not | Not | Have Not | Have Not | |
Name | Exercisable | Unexercisable | Options | Price | Date | Vested | Vested | Vested | Vested |
James Briscoe | 52,500,000 | Nil | Nil | $0.038 | 8/10/2015 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
James Briscoe | 75,000 | Nil | Nil | $0.88 | 5/21/2018 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
COMPENSATION PLANS
As of January 31, 2015, we had three compensation plans in place, entitled "2004 Stock Option Plan", 2007 Stock Option Plan and 2010 Stock Option Plan. These plans have been approved by our security holders. These plans have been given retroactive effect of the 1 for 4 reverse stock split on September 1, 2009.
Number of securities | ||||
remaining available for | ||||
Number of securities to | Weighted-average | further issuance as at | ||
be issued upon exercise | exercise price of | January 31, 2015 | ||
of outstanding options | outstanding options as | (excluding securities | ||
Total number of | as at January 31, 2015 | at January 31, 2015 | reflected in column (a)) | |
Plan category | securities authorized | (a) | (b) | (c) |
2004 Stock Option Plan | 962,500 | 834,874 | $0.671 | 127,626 |
2007 Stock Option Plan | 2,500,000 | 2,450,000 | $0.860 | 50,000 |
2010 Stock Option Plan | 95,500,000 | 83,000,000 | $0.038 | 12,500,000 |
On September 5, 2013, we granted incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to certain of our directors, officers, employees and consultants to purchase an aggregate of 7,423,624 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, with a ten year term expiring on September 5, 2023. The options have various vesting terms. No options were granted during the year ended January 31, 2015.
Long-Term Incentive Plans
There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors or executive officers, except that our directors and executive officers receive stock options at the discretion of our Board. We do not have any material bonus or profit sharing plans pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation is or may be paid to our directors or executive officers, except that stock options may be granted at the discretion of our Board.
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We have no plans or arrangements in respect of remuneration received or that may be received by our executive officers to compensate such officers in the event of termination of employment (as a result of resignation, retirement, change of control) or a change of responsibilities following a change of control, where the value of such compensation exceeds $60,000 per executive officer.
Employment Contracts
We have not entered into any written employment agreements or compensation arrangements with any of our named executive officers. We have entered into a verbal agreement with James Briscoe, CEO, CFO and Director for annual salary of $148,000.
Compensation of Directors
We have no formal plan for compensating our directors for their service in their capacity as directors, although such directors are expected in the future to receive stock options to purchase common stock as awarded by our board of directors or (as to future stock options) a compensation committee which may be established. Directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our board of directors. Our board of directors may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on our behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director. No director received and/or accrued any compensation for their services as a director, including committee participation and/or special assignments.
Warrants were granted to a director during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. There was no other compensation paid or accruing to any director, unless such director is also a named executive officer, during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.
Fees | Nonequity | Non-qualified | ||||||
Earned or | Incentive | Deferred | ||||||
Paid in | Stock | Option | Plan | Compensation | All Other | |||
Cash | Awards | Awards | Compensation | Earnings | Compensation | Total | ||
Name | Year | (US$) | (US$) | (US$) | (US$) | (US$) | (US$) (1) | (US$) |
John Guilbert | 2015 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $0 |
Gary Musil | 2015 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $0 |
Keith Brill | 2015 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $0 |
Pete O'Heeron | 2015 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil(2) | $0 |
Brett Gross | 2015 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $0 |
(1) The value of perquisites and other personal benefits, securities and property for the officers that do not exceed the lesser of $10,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus and is not reported herein.
(2) 677,507 warrants with an exercise price of $0.207 were granted to this director on July 11, 2014.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
We have set forth in the following table certain information regarding our common stock beneficially owned on April 29, 2015 for (i) each shareholder we know to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our executive officers and directors, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. In general, a person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of a security if that person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. All percentages are calculated based upon a total number of 1,062,726,992 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2015, plus, in the case of the individual or entity for which the calculation is made, that number of options or warrants owned by such individual or entity that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percentage of Class (1) |
James Briscoe 5610 E Sutler Lane Tucson AZ 85712 USA |
54,762,500 (2) (3) |
4.91% |
Gary Musil 3577 Marshall Street Vancouver BC V5N 4S2 Canada |
7,542,000 (3) |
0.70% |
John Guilbert 961 E Linda Vista Blvd. Tucson AZ 85727 USA |
15,032,500 (3) | 1.39% |
Keith Brill 250 Central Ave Apt B204 New York, NY 11559 USA |
2,500,000 (3) |
0.23% |
Pete OHeeron 17300 El Camino Real #110 Houston, TX 77058 USA |
6,897,987 (4) |
0.65% |
Brett Gross 16290 E Powers Pl Centennial, CO 80015 USA |
6,042,296 |
0.57% |
Directors and Executive Officers as a
Group |
92,778,033 | 8.09% |
(1) |
Based on 1,062,726,992 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2015. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed above, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. |
(2) |
There are 2,187,500 shares that are held by Alaska Star Minerals LLC. James Briscoe beneficially owns 100% of the membership interest in Alaska Star Minerals LLC. There are 52,575,000 incentive stock options granted to James Briscoe under the 2004, 2007 and 2010 stock option plans that are currently exercisable. |
(3) |
Includes incentive stock options granted under the 2004, 2007 and 2010 stock option plans that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. |
(4) |
Includes incentive stock options granted under the 2004, 2007 and 2010 stock option plans, and warrants, that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. |
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
There has been no transaction, since February 1, 2013, or currently proposed transaction, in which our company was or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of the following persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest:
(a) |
Any director or executive officer of our company; | |
(b) |
Any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of our voting securities; and | |
(c) |
Any member of the immediate family (including spouse, parents, children, siblings and in- laws) of any of the foregoing persons. |
Director Independence
We currently act with six directors consisting of James Briscoe, Gary Musil, John Guilbert, Keith Brill, Peter OHeeron and Brett Gross. Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, which does not impose any director independence requirements. Under NASDAQ rule 5605(a)(2), a director is not independent if he or she is also an executive officer or employee of the corporation or was, at any time during the past three years, employed by the corporation. Using this definition of independent director, we have five independent directors consisting of Gary Musil, John Guilbert, Keith Brill, Peter OHeeron and Brett Gross.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTS FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate fees billed by Malone Bailey, LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K and for the reviews of our consolidated financial statements included in Forms 10-Q were $28,000 and $20,000, respectively.
Audit Related Fees
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by Malone Bailey, LLP relating to the performance of the audit of our consolidated financial statements which are not reported under the caption "Audit Fees" above, was $1,100 and $0, respectively.
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Tax Fees and All Other Fees
For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate fees billed by Malone Bailey, LLP for other non-audit professional services, other than those services listed above, was $0.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures with respect to Services Performed by Independent Auditors
The board of directors pre-approves all services provided by our independent auditors. All of the above services and fees were reviewed and approved by the board of directors before the respective services were rendered.
The board of directors has considered the nature and amount of fees billed by Malone Bailey, LLP and believes that the provision of services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining Malone Bailey, LLPs independence.
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ITEM 15 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibit | |
Number | Description of Exhibit |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation 1 |
3.2 | Bylaws 2 |
3.3 | Certificate of Change to Authorized Capital 3 |
3.4 | Articles of Merger 3 |
10.1 | Letter Agreement dated November 14, 2011 with Northern Dynasty 4 |
10.2 | Form of Subscription Agreement 5 |
10.3 | Form of Stock Option Agreement 6 |
10.4 | Form of Warrant Certificate 7 |
10.5 | Settlement Agreement dated November 13, 2012 with Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. 8 |
10.6 | Convertible Note issued to JSJ Investments Inc. 9 |
10.7 | Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 2014 10 |
10.8 | Convertible Note dated October 15, 2014 10 |
10.9 | Investment Agreement dated December 15, 2014 with Tangiers Capital, LLC 11 |
10.10 | Registration Rights Agreement dated December 15, 2014 with Tangiers Capital, LLC |
14.1 | Code of Ethics 3 |
21.1 |
Subsidiaries: Big Chunk Corp., incorporated in Alaska Hay Mountain Super Project LLC, organized in Arizona |
31.1* | Section 302 Certification under Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of James Briscoe |
32.1* | Section 906 Certification under Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of James Briscoe |
101.INS* | XBRL INSTANCE DOCUMENT |
101.SCH* | XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA |
101.CAL* | XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE |
101.DEF* | XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE |
101.LAB* | XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE |
101.PRE* | XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE |
* Filed herewith.
_______________________________ | |
1 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form SB-2, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2002. |
2 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2007. |
3 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 1, 2009. |
4 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 25, 2011. |
5 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2011. |
6 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 23, 2012. |
7 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 30, 2012. |
8 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 15, 2012. |
9 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 2, 2014. |
10 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 20, 2014. |
11 |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 19, 2014. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP.
By: /s/ James A. Briscoe |
James A. Briscoe |
Chief Executive Officer, Director and |
Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
Dated: May 1, 2015 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ James A. Briscoe |
James A. Briscoe |
Chief Executive Officer, Director and |
Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
Dated: May 1, 2015 |
By: /s/ John Guilbert | By: /s/ Gary Musil |
Dr. John Guilbert | Gary Musil |
Director | Secretary and Director |
Dated: May 1, 2015 | Dated: May 1, 2015 |
By: /s/ Pete O'Heeron | By: /s/ Keith Brill |
Pete O'Heeron | Keith Brill |
Director | Director |
Dated: May 1, 2015 | Dated: May 1, 2015 |
By: /s/ Brett Gross | |
Brett Gross | |
Director | |
Dated: May 1, 2015 |