Texas Mineral Resources Corp. - Quarter Report: 2014 November (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2014
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OR
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o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 000-53482
TEXAS RARE EARTH RESOURCES CORP
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware
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87-0294969
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(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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539 West El Paso Street
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Sierra Blanca, Texas
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79851
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(915) 369-2133
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(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company x
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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o No x
Number of shares of issuer’s common stock outstanding at January 12, 2015: 37,036,916
1
Table of Contents
Part I
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Page
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Item 1
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Financial Statements
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3
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Item 2
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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9
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Item 3
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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14
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Item 4
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Controls and Procedures
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14
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Part II
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Item 1
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Legal Proceedings
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14
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Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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14
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Item 2
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Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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14
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Item 3
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Defaults upon Senior Securities
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15
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Item 4
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Mine Safety Disclosures
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16
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Item 5
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Other Information
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16
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Item 6
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Exhibits
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16
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Signatures
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17
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2
TEXAS RARE EARTH RESOURCES CORP
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BALANCE SHEETS
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(Unaudited)
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November 30, 2014
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August 31, 2014
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ASSETS
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CURRENT ASSETS
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ | 57,794 | $ | 387,841 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
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30,853 | 44,641 | ||||||
Total current assets
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88,647 | 432,482 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net
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72,720 | 83,002 | ||||||
Mineral properties
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1,733,446 | 1,718,286 | ||||||
Deposits
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39,933 | 61,396 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS
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$ | 1,934,746 | $ | 2,295,166 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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CURRENT LIABILITIES
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
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$ | 124,168 | $ | 155,123 | ||||
Accounts payable - related party
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8,382 | 8,390 | ||||||
Current portion of note payable
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30,458 | 30,458 | ||||||
Total current liabilities
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163,008 | 193,971 | ||||||
Note payable - net of current portion and discount
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260,387 | 260,387 | ||||||
Total liabilities
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423,395 | 454,358 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no
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shares issued and outstanding as of November 30, 2014 and
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August 31, 2014, respectively
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- | - | ||||||
Common stock, par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized,
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37,036,916 shares issued and outstanding as of
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November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, respectively
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370,370 | 370,370 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital
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30,816,966 | 30,769,086 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit
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(29,675,985 | ) | (29,298,648 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders' equity
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1,511,351 | 1,840,808 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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$ | 1,934,746 | $ | 2,295,166 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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3
TEXAS RARE EARTH RESOURCES CORP
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UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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Three Months Ended November 30,
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2014
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2013
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OPERATING EXPENSES
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Exploration costs
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$ | 66,074 | $ | 140,456 | ||||
General and administrative expenses
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307,719 | 563,302 | ||||||
Total operating expenses
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373,793 | 703,758 | ||||||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
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(373,793 | ) | (703,758 | ) | ||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
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Interest and other income
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206 | 1,970 | ||||||
Interest and other expense
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(3,750 | ) | (4,000 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expense)
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(3,544 | ) | (2,030 | ) | ||||
NET LOSS
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$ | (377,337 | ) | $ | (705,788 | ) | ||
Net loss per share:
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Basic and diluted net loss per share
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$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding:
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Basic and diluted
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37,036,916 | 37,036,916 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
TEXAS RARE EARTH RESOURCES CORP
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UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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Three Months Ended November 30,
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2014
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2013
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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Net loss
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$ | (377,337 | ) | $ | (705,788 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
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used in operating activities:
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Depreciation expense
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10,282 | 19,205 | ||||||
Stock based compensation
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47,880 | 118,142 | ||||||
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
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Prepaid expenses and other assets
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35,251 | 47,549 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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(30,963 | ) | (117,919 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable related party
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- | |||||||
Net cash used in operating activities
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(314,887 | ) | (638,811 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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Investment in mineral properties
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(15,160 | ) | - | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities
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(15,160 | ) | - | |||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
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(330,047 | ) | (638,811 | ) | ||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
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387,841 | 2,374,017 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
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$ | 57,794 | $ | 1,735,206 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Interest paid
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$ | - | $ | - | ||||
Taxes paid
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$ | - | $ | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
5
Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp
Notes to Interim Financial Statements
November 30, 2014
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp. (“we”, “us”, “our”, the “Corporation”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in our annual report on Form 10-K, for the year ended August 31, 2014, dated November 11, 2014 as filed with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to the financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 as reported in our annual report on Form 10-K, have been omitted.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes the Company will not be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred losses since inception resulting in an accumulated deficit of $29,675,985 as of November 30, 2014 and further losses are anticipated in the development of its business raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company generating profitable operations in the future and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management intends to finance operating costs over the next twelve months with existing cash on hand and or private placement of common stock.
NOTE 2 – MINERAL PROPERTIES
September 2011 Lease
On September 2, 2011, we entered into a new mining lease with the Texas General Land Office covering Sections 7 and 18 of Township 7, Block 71 and Section 12 of Block 72, covering approximately 860 acres at Round Top Mountain in Hudspeth County, Texas. The mining lease issued by the Texas General Land Office gives us the right to explore, produce, develop, mine, extract, mill, remove, and market beryllium, uranium, rare earth elements, all other base and precious metals, industrial minerals and construction materials and all other minerals excluding oil, gas, coal, lignite, sulfur, salt, and potash. The term of the lease is nineteen years so long as minerals are produced in paying quantities.
Under the lease, we will pay the State of Texas a lease bonus of $142,518; $44,718 of which was paid upon the execution of the lease, and $97,800 which will be due when we submit a supplemental plan of operations to conduct mining. Upon the sale of minerals removed from Round Top, we will pay the State of Texas a $500,000 minimum advance royalty.
Thereafter, we will pay the State of Texas a production royalty equal to eight percent (8%) of the market value of uranium and other fissionable materials removed and sold from Round Top and six and one quarter percent (61/4%) of the market value of all other minerals removed and sold from Round Top.
Thereafter, assuming production of paying quantities has not been obtained, we may pay additional delay rental fees to extend the term of the lease for successive one (1) year periods pursuant to the following schedule:
Per Acre Amount
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Total Amount
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September 2, 2013 – 2014
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$
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50
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$
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44,718
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September 2, 2015 – 2019
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$
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75
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$
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67,077
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September 2, 2020 – 2024
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$
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150
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$
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134,155
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September 2, 2025 – 2029
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$
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200
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$
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178,873
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In August 2014, we paid a delay rental to the State of Texas in the amount of $44,718.
6
November 2011 Lease
On November 1, 2011, we entered into a mining lease with the State of Texas covering 90 acres, more or less, of land that we purchased in September 2011 near our Round Top site. The deed was recorded with Hudspeth County on September 16, 2011. Under the lease, we paid the State of Texas a lease bonus of $20,700 which was paid upon the execution of the lease. Upon the sale of minerals removed from Round Top, we will pay the State of Texas a $50,000 minimum advance royalty. Thereafter, we will pay the State of Texas a production royalty equal to eight percent (8%) of the market value of uranium and other fissionable materials removed and sold from Round Top and six and one quarter percent (6 1/4%) of the market value of all other minerals sold from Round Top.
If production of paying quantities of minerals has not been obtained on or before November 1, 2012, we may pay the State of Texas a delay rental to extend the term of the lease in an amount equal to $4,500. Thereafter, assuming production of paying quantities has not been obtained, we may pay additional delay rental fees to extend the term of the lease for successive one (1) year periods pursuant to the following schedule:
Per Acre Amount
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Total Amount
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November 1, 2013-2014
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$
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50
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$
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4,500
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November 1, 2015 – 2019
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$
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75
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$
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6,750
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November 1, 2020 – 2024
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$
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150
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$
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13,500
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November 1, 2025 – 2029
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$
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200
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$
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18,000
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In August 2014, we paid a delay rental to the State of Texas of $4,500.
On March 6, 2013, we entered into a lease assignment (the “Lease Assignment Agreement”) with Southwest Range & Wildlife Foundation, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation (the “Foundation”), pursuant to which the Foundation agreed to assign to us a surface lease identified with the State of Texas as Surface Lease SL20040002 (the “West Lease”), which covers 54,990.11 acres in Hudspeth County, Texas. In exchange for the West Lease, we agreed to: (i) pay the Foundation $500,000 in cash; (ii) issue 1,063,830 of our common shares, par value $0.01 (the “Common Shares”); and (iii) make ten (10) payments to the Foundation of $45,000 each. The first payment was made in June 2013, and the nine (9) subsequent payments due on or before June 1 of each of the following years, such payments to be used by the Foundation to support conservation efforts within the Rio Grande Basin. The Lease Assignment Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants. The closing of the transaction contemplated by the Lease Assignment Agreement was completed on March 8, 2013.
On October 29, 2014, we announced that we had executed agreements with the Texas General Land Office securing the option to purchase the surface rights covering the potential Round Top project mine and plant areas and, separately, a lease to develop the water necessary for the potential Round Top project mine operations.
The option to purchase the surface rights covers approximately 5,670 acres over the mining lease and the additional acreage adequate to site all potential heap leaching and processing operations as currently anticipated by the Company. We may exercise the option for all or part of the option acreage at any time during the sixteen year primary term of the mineral lease. The option can be kept current by an annual payment of $10,000 which was paid during the period. The purchase price will be the appraised value of the surface at the time of exercising the option.
The ground water lease secures our right to develop the ground water within a 13,120 acre lease area located approximately 4 miles from the Round Top deposit. The lease area contains five existing water wells. It is anticipated that all potential water needs for the Round Top project mine operations would be satisfied by the existing wells covered by this water lease. This lease has an annual minimum production payment of $5,000 prior to production of water for the operation. After initiation of production we will pay $0.95 per thousand gallons or $20,000 annually, whichever is greater. This lease remains effective as long as the mineral lease is in effect.
NOTE 3 – NOTE PAYABLE
In relation to the Foundation lease discussed in Note 2 the Company recorded a note payable for an amount for the initial $45,000 due upon signing of lease and the nine (9) future payments due of $45,000 which has been recorded at its present value discounted with an imputed interest rate of 5% for a total note payable of $364,852. At November 30, 2014 the current portion due is $30,458 and long-term portion due is $260,387. The Company has also accrued interest expense of $11,500 as of November 30, 2014 which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
7
Future maturities
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Year
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Principle amount due
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2015
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30,458 | |||
2016
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31,981 | |||
2017
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33,580 | |||
2018
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35,259 | |||
2019 thereafter
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159,567 | |||
Total
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$ | 290,845 |
In May 2015 we will pay the third installment of our surface lease in the amount of $45,000 to the Southwest Wildlife Foundation.
NOTE 4 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 preferred shares with a par value of $0.001 per share.
All shares of common stock have equal voting rights and, when validly issued and outstanding, are entitled to one non-cumulative vote per share in all matters to be voted upon by shareholders. The shares of common stock have no pre-emptive, subscription, conversion or redemption rights and may be issued only as fully paid and non-assessable shares. Holders of the common stock are entitled to equal ratable rights to dividends and distributions with respect to the common stock, as may be declared by our Board of Directors (our “Board”) out of funds legally available. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment or provision for all liabilities and any preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.
On September 30, 2014, October 31, 2014, and November 30, 2014, the Board approved a total grant of 30,000 options to a consultant to the Company. The options are exercisable at $0.30 per share for a period of five years. All options vest immediately. With respect to these options, the Black-Scholes pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of the 30,000 options issued during the period to this advisor, using the assumptions of a risk free interest rate of 1.49% to 1.78%, dividend yield of 0%, volatility of 456% to 457%, and an expected life of 5 years. These options were expensed immediately in the amount of approximately $12,000.
During the period, the Company recognized stock compensation expense of approximately $35,597 for 1,425,000 stock options issued to Board members in prior year for services vesting over one to three years. As of period end, there remains approximately $214,000 of stock compensation expense to be recognized.
We currently have 37,036,916 shares of our common stock outstanding.
NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company rents office space on a month to month basis of $1,600 from a director.
NOTE 6 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On December 30, 2014, Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp., a Delaware Corporation (the “ Registrant ”) appointed Mr. Eric Noyrez to serve as a member of the Registrant’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Noyrez was granted 400,000 options to purchase the Registrant’s shares of common stock, vesting immediately with a term of 5 years and at an exercise price of $0.21. The Black-Scholes pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of the 400,000 options issued during the period to these consultants, using the assumptions of a risk free interest rate of 1.68%, dividend yield of 0%, volatility of 198%, and an expected life of 5 years. These options are valued at approximately $81,819.
The options were issued pursuant to the Registrant's amended and restated 2008 Stock Option Plan, a general description of which is contained in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2011, which description is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, Mr. Noyrez, as a non-executive director, will receive $10,000 annually, $1,000 for in person board meetings, $500 for telephonic board meetings and $500 for committee meetings (both in person and telephonic) pursuant to the Registrant’s director compensation program.
8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp,” "the Corporation" “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp. You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may also contain statistical data and estimates we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by third parties. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified their data.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits attached hereto contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, include, but are not limited to:
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·
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the progress, potential and uncertainties of our 2014-2015 rare-earth exploration plans at our Round Top project in Hudspeth County, Texas (the “Round Top Project”);
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·
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timing for a completed feasibility study for our Round Top Project;
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·
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the success of getting the necessary permits for future drill programs and future project development;
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·
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expectations regarding our ability to raise capital and to continue our exploration plans on our properties;
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·
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plans regarding anticipated expenditures at the Round Top Project; and
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·
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plans outlined under the section heading “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Plan of Operation”.
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Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
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·
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risks associated with our history of losses and need for additional financing;
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·
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risks associated with our limited operating history;
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·
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risks associated with our properties all being in the exploration stage;
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·
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risks associated with our lack of history in producing metals from our properties;
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·
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risks associated with our need for additional financing to develop a producing mine, if warranted;
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·
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risks associated with our exploration activities not being commercially successful;
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·
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risks associated with increased costs affecting our financial condition;
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·
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risks associated with a shortage of equipment and supplies adversely affecting our ability to operate;
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·
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risks associated with mining and mineral exploration being inherently dangerous;
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·
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risks associated with mineralization estimates;
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·
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risks associated with changes in mineralization estimates affecting the economic viability of our properties;
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·
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risks associated with uninsured risks;
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·
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risks associated with mineral operations being subject to market forces beyond our control;
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·
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risks associated with fluctuations in commodity prices;
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·
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risks associated with permitting, licenses and approval processes;
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·
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risks associated with the governmental and environmental regulations;
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·
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risks associated with future legislation regarding the mining industry and climate change;
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·
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risks associated with potential environmental lawsuits;
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·
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risks associated with our land reclamation requirements;
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·
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risks associated with rare earth and beryllium mining presenting potential health risks;
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·
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risks related to title in our properties
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·
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risks related to competition in the mining and rare earth elements industries;
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·
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risks related to economic conditions;
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·
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risks related to our ability to manage growth;
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·
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risks related to the potential difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified personnel;
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·
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risks related to our dependence on key personnel;
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·
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risks related to our United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filing history; and
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·
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risks related to our securities.
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9
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the section heading “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on November 11, 2014. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report by the foregoing cautionary statements.
Overview and Organizational History
We are a mining company engaged in the business of the acquisition, exploration and, if warranted, development of mineral properties. We currently hold two nineteen year leases, executed in September 2011 and November 2011, to explore and develop a 950 acre rare earths project located in Hudspeth County, Texas known as the Round Top Project and prospecting permits covering an adjacent 9,345 acres. Our principal focus will be on developing a metallurgical process to concentrate or otherwise extract the metals from the Round Top rhyolite, although we will continue to examine other opportunities in the region as they develop. We currently have limited operations and have not established that any of our projects or properties contain any Proven or Probable Reserves under SEC Industry Guide 7. Our operations are exploratory in nature.
We currently do not have any producing properties and consequently, we have no current operating income or cash flow and have not generated any revenues. Further exploration will be required before a final evaluation as to the economic and practical feasibility of any of our properties is determined.
On December 23, 2013, we published a revised version of the June 2012 Preliminary Economic Assessment (the “Revised PEA”) on the Round Top Project based on a 20,000 tonne per day heap leach operation using a conventional element separation plant. The mineralized material estimate was recalculated to include uranium, niobium, tantalum and tin. The revised PEA assesses the potential economic viability of the simplified and "scaled down” operation which we believe is a much better fit with the present rare earth market.
On September 8, 2014, we announced that we had completed an internal analysis suggesting that there is a reasonable possibility to adapt a lower volume staged growth approach to development of our Round Top project. The analysis indicated that an operation designed to produce a selected group of separated REE products in the range of 350-450 tonnes per year range, could potentially yield favorable mine economics. The goal of the proposed staged approach would be to increase mining rates if and when our products gained acceptability. The analysis suggested that capital needs in the Revised PEA could be proportionally reduced in relation to the lower volume initial stage. We are currently conducting a more detailed analysis of the relative capital expenses and operating expenses requirements of a scaled down processing plant with both solvent extraction and ion exchange processes under evaluation. We believe the lower capital requirements of a staged startup could offset any marginal increase in unit operating costs.
On September 18 2014, we executed an option to purchase agreement with the Texas General Land Office (GLO) covering 5,670 acres of surface enclosing the area of the anticipated mine, heap leach and processing plants. These acreages are approximate and may be modified as needed at the time of purchase. Simultaneously, we executed a ground water lease covering 13,120 acres approximately 3 to 8 miles east of Round Top for development of the water needed for the potential operations. There are two existing water wells within this area.
Our current management and Board are stockholder-centric, and receive either no cash compensation or much less than previous management. We will require definitive scientific documentation, rigorous economic studies, consideration of a wide range of alternatives and meticulous oversight of any cash outlays of stockholder funds.
Current Plan of Operations
Continued Work Program on Round Top Project
Metallurgical research done leading to the publication of our Revised PEA of December 2013 has shown the possibility of heap leaching at the Round Top Project. This first step of "dissolving" the REE bearing mineral is the critical factor in the determination to develop REE projects. The type of solvent, its strength and other conditioning necessary to render the elements soluble is, in our opinion, what most affects the ultimate feasibility of a project. TRER has been able to extract a high percentage of the REE and other elements from the mineralized rock at the Round Top Project, and test work to date also indicates it can be done easily and at projected low operating costs.
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We have now addressed and completed the ion exchange purification of the pregnant leach solution part of Stage 1 as outlined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.. This was to demonstrate process to remove the rare earth elements from an impure, relatively high flow rate pregnant leach solution (LLS) and produce a solution with a high concentration of rare earth, low impurities and low flow rate feedstock to be fed to the final element separation plant. As announced on December 9, 2014, we have, at bench scale, employing ion exchange been able to process a low grade solution containing approximately 30 to 1 impurities over rare earth elements and produce a feed stock solution with approximately .5 to 1 impurities to rare earth elements.
Subject to raising additional funds, we propose to carry the process design phase forward by continuing bench scale testing to separate the rare earth elements into three classed, light, mid and heavy, and to separate high purity individual rare earth elements.
This will be followed by Stage 2 which will be pilot plant scale testing to define the operating parameters, capital costs and operating cost of the removal of the rare earth from the pls and the process to produce the high purity separated rare earth products for sale. Stage 2 will also design the process to separate and purify such by-product and potential by-products as uranium and thorium. Stage 3 will bring the project to full feasibility with completed engineering, design, tables of organization and equipment and the required permitting and regulatory approvals.
See “Properties – Current and Planned Metallurgical Activities” in our Annual Report as filed with the SEC on November 11, 2014 for a description of our current work activities and budget for the Round Top Project.
Exploration Potential of the Round Top Property
Although we have no plans in the next 24 months to conduct more physical exploration, we do believe, as stated in our 2010 presentations, that there are untested exploration targets present. They are:
1.
|
Uranium-beryllium mineralization at the lower contact of the rhyolite and the underlying sedimentary rock. This class of mineralization was the target of the successful exploration program conducted in the late 1980's by Cabot Corporation and Cyprus Exploration. It appears to be structurally controlled and associated with a later phase of hydrothermal or gas phase deposition that occurred sometime after the emplacement of the rhyolite. This fluorite-beryllium replacement mineralization in what is termed the West Side Fault under the north side of Round Top was the topic of a 1988 in-house feasibility study by Cyprus Minerals to historical standards (not NI 43-101 compliant under today’s Canadian regulations, not an SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant feasibility study) to produce beryllium. This zone is the location of the intact decline and lateral mine workings developed by Cyprus Minerals in 1988-89. Sampling and analysis by TRER indicates the presence of uranium mineralization occurring adjacent to and likely associated with these beryllium bearing structures. This "Contact Zone" mineralization is not restricted to Round Top and is present under the Sierra Blanca rhyolite and there is some evidence in drill holes on Little Blanca that this style of mineralization may also be present there.
|
2.
|
Uranium-beryllium-rare earth and other rare metals hosted as structurally controlled fluorite replacements in the limestones at depth below the known deposits. Geologic and geochemical conditions are thought to be conducive for the emplacement of replacement type deposits within the same fault zones that hosted the known beryllium-uranium deposits at depth where favorable host limestones are present. We believe that careful compilation and analysis of existing surface geologic mapping and of the drill data may better define these targets.
|
We believe that using the existing data we can improve our understanding of the exploration potential of the area without resorting to such expensive techniques such as drilling.
Actively Seeking Project Partners
In addition to pursuing the exploration of our Round Top Project, we are actively seeking industry partners to assist the Company in financing the exploration and, if warranted, development of the Round Top Project. While we do not currently have any agreements and do not anticipate any agreements in the near future, we are actively engaged in pursuing partners for the Round Top Project for a range of participation, including but not limited to, joint-venture arrangements, project sale, significant investment in the Company, back-end processing and product sales arrangements and other financing arrangements to assist in the Round Top Project.
On August 24, 2012, we changed our state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware (the “Reincorporation”) pursuant to a plan of conversion dated August 24, 2012. The Reincorporation was previously submitted to a vote of, and approved by, our stockholders at a special meeting of the stockholders held on April 25, 2012.
11
Recent Corporate Developments
On December 30, 2014, we announced the appointment of Mr. Eric Noyrez to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Noyrez served as the Chief Executive Officer of Lynas Corporation Limited, a company engaged in integrated extraction and processing of rare earth minerals, primarily in Australia and Malaysia from March 31, 2013 to June 5, 2014 and served as an Executive Director until June 5, 2014. Mr. Noyrez served as the President of Lynas Corporation Limited from March 2011 to March 31, 2013 and its Chief Operating Officer from February 16, 2010 to March 31, 2013. Mr. Noyrez spent 9 years with the Rhodia Group, a global specialty chemicals company. He served as a member of the Executive Committee, and was President of Rhodia Silcea, its rare earths, silicas and diphenols division. Before joining Rhodia, he spent 11 years with the Shell group of companies, managing chemical and industrial businesses. Mr. Noyrez began his career designing automobiles for the Peugeot / Citroen group. He holds a Masters degree in Engineering and Mechanicals from ENSM (Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines) in France.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of November 30, 2014, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $74,000 and a cash balance of approximately $58,000 as of November 30, 2014. We will need to raise additional funding to implement our business strategy
If we are able to successfully raise additional funds we plan to initiate Phase 2 of Stage 1of our metallurgical activities as discussed more fully in the section heading “ITEM 2. PROPERTIES” of our Annual Report as filed with the SEC on November 11, 2014. Our budget for this stage of activity was approximately $508,000. We completed part of Stage 1in December of 2014 as discussed in our Annual Report. We have made some changes in the scheduling an phasing of this work to conform to the operational requirements of the testing lab, but the overall objectives remain the same. Of the approximate $508,000 budgeted to this Stage, we estimate that approximately $370,000 will be required to complete Stage 1. Costs and timing may be modified further depending on results obtained. We anticipate that our financing efforts will raise sufficient capital to finish the Stage 1 but there is no guarantee that we will be able to raise the working capital necessary for Stage 1 activities. After completion of Stage 1, we will use any remaining available capital to begin work on Stage 2 of our metallurgical activities and the closed circuit pilot plant level testing. Currently, we anticipate that general and administrative expenses in the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015 will be approximately $700,000.
The audit opinion and notes that accompany our financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2014, disclose a ‘going concern’ qualification to our ability to continue in business. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. We are an exploration stage company and we have incurred losses since our inception. We do not have sufficient cash to fund normal operations and meet debt obligations for the next 12 months without deferring payment on certain current liabilities and raising additional funds. We believe that the going concern condition cannot be removed with confidence until the Company has entered into a business climate where funding of its activities is more assured.
We currently do not have sufficient funds to fully complete exploration and development work on any of our properties, which means that we will be required to raise additional capital, enter into joint venture relationships, or find alternative means to finance our properties in order to place them into commercial production, if warranted, or evaluate the possibility of selling one or more of our projects or the Company in its entirety. Failure to obtain sufficient financing may result in the delay or indefinite postponement of exploration and, if warranted, development or production on one or more of our properties and any properties we may acquire in the future or even a loss of property interests. This includes our leases over claims covering the principal deposits on our properties, which may expire unless we expend minimum levels of expenditures over the terms of such leases. We cannot be certain that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favorable or acceptable to us. Our ability to arrange additional financing in the future will depend, in part, on the prevailing capital market conditions as well as our business performance.
On August 28, 2014 we filed a registration statement on Form S-1, as amended October 1, 2014, November 13, 2014 and December 10, 2014, relating to a rights offering to our stockholders of units of the Company to raise approximately $1.5 million. The registration statement was brought effective on December 12, 2014 and a record date of December 15, 2014 was set for the rights. Each five (5) rights are exercisable to acquire one unit of the Company, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock of the Company, one class A warrant and one class B warrant. The rights expired on January 13, 2015. Due to the proximity to the filing of this report on Form 10-Q, we were not able to include the final net proceeds of the offering in this discussion, but the Company expects to announce the net proceeds of the rights offering within the next few days after the filing of this Form 10-Q.
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Results of Operations
Three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013
General & Revenue
We had no operating revenues during the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013. We are not currently profitable. As a result of ongoing operating losses, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $29.7 million as of November 30, 2014.
Operating expenses and resulting losses from Operations.
We incurred exploration costs for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, in the amount of approximately $66,000 and $140,000, respectively. Expenditures for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 were primarily for metallurgical testing and related laboratory fees for our Round Top project.
Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, were approximately $308,000 and $563,000. For the three months ended November 30, 2014, this amount included approximately $48,000 in stock-based compensation to directors and consultants. The remaining expenditures totaling approximately $260,000 were primarily for payroll and related taxes and benefits, professional fees and other general and administrative expenses necessary for our operations.
Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended November 30, 2013 included approximately $118,000 in stock-based compensation to directors and consultants. The remaining expenditures totaling approximately $445,000 were primarily for payroll and related taxes and benefits, professional fees and other general and administrative expenses necessary for our operations.
We had losses from operations for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 totaling approximately $374,000 and $704,000, respectively, and net losses for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 totaling approximately $377,000 and $706,000, respectively.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Preparation of financial statements requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingencies. Management bases its estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Management believes that the following critical accounting estimates and judgments have a significant impact on our financial statements; Valuation of options granted to Directors, Officers and consultants using the Black-Scholes model.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(e) and Rule 15d – 15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC on November 11, 2014.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table describes all securities we issued during the period covered by this report without registering the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”):
Date
|
Description
|
Number
(A)
|
Purchaser
|
Proceeds
($)
|
Consideration
|
Exemption
(B)
|
June 30, 2014
|
Common Stock Purchase Options
|
10,000
|
Consultant
|
$Nil
|
Advisory Services
|
Sec. 4(a)(2)
|
July 31, 2014
|
Common Stock Purchase Options
|
10,000
|
Consultant
|
$Nil
|
Advisory Services
|
Sec. 4(a)(2)
|
August 31, 2014
|
Common Stock Purchase Options
|
10,000
|
Consultant
|
$Nil
|
Advisory Services
|
Sec. 4(a)(2)
|
September 30, 2014
|
Common Stock Purchase Options
|
10,000
|
Consultant
|
$Nil
|
Advisory Services
|
Sec. 4(a)(2)
|
October 31, 2014
|
Common Stock Purchase Options
|
10,000
|
Consultant
|
$Nil
|
Advisory Services
|
Sec. 4(a)(2)
|
November 30, 2014
|
Common Stock Purchase Options
|
10,000
|
Consultant
|
$Nil
|
Advisory Services
|
Sec. 4(a)(2)
|
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(A)
|
Common Stock Purchase Options were issued pursuant to a consulting agreement. Options vested immediately. Each option is exercisable for a 5 year term at an exercise price of $0.30. The options were issued outside of the Company’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.
|
(B)
|
With respect to sales designated by “Sec. 4(a)(2),” these shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as privately negotiated, isolated, non-recurring transactions not involving any public offer or solicitation. Each purchaser represented that such purchaser’s intention to acquire the shares for investment only and not with a view toward distribution. None of the securities were sold through an underwriter and accordingly, there were no underwriting discounts or commissions involved.
|
We did not repurchase any of our securities during the quarter covered by this report.
Use of Proceeds
On December 12, 2014, our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-198457) went effective. The Registration Statement related to the distribution of rights of the Company (“Rights”) to its stockholders. Each five (5) Rights entitle the holder thereof to purchase, at the holder's election and subject to the satisfaction of the minimum subscription amount, at the subscription price of $0.22 (the "Subscription Price"), one (1) unit (each, a "Unit"), consisting of (a) a share of Common Stock (a “Unit Share”), (b) one non-transferable Class A Common Stock purchase warrant (each, a "Class A Unit Warrant"), with each Class A Unit Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Common Stock (a “Warrant Share”) at an exercise price of $0.35 for a period of five years following the closing of the offering, and (c) one non-transferable Class B Common Stock purchase warrant (each, a "Class B Unit Warrant" and together with the Class A Unit Warrant, the “Unit Warrants”), with each Class B Unit Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Warrant Share at an exercise price of $0.50 for a period of five years following the closing of the offering.
The Rights were distributed to stockholders of record on December 15, 2014 and were exercisable until January 13, 2015. On January 13, 2015, we announced that our Board had extended the rights offering period from January 13, 2015 to January 21, 2015 to permit holders that had experienced delays in receiving their Rights to subscribe. As of the most recent date practicable prior to filing of this report, subscriptions totaling approximately $155,000 had been received by the rights agent for the offering.
The rights offering terminated on January 13, 2014. Due to the proximity of the expiration of the rights and the administrative time required to compile rights exercised on the expiration date or pursuant to certain grace periods as set forth in the Registration Statement, we are not able to include a final number of Units issued upon exercise of rights. As of the most recent date practicable, we had received subscriptions for the issuance of approximately 703,000 Units.
In connection with the Offering, the Company has incurred to date approximately $110,000 in costs.
As disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for completion of Stage 1 of our Round Top Project metallurgical plan and to address our general corporate and administrative expenses. A breakdown of the use of proceeds under Stage 1 and for general corporate and administrative expenses is as follows:
Bench Scale Purification Design:
|
$ | 370,000 | ||
Project General and Administration:
|
$ | 12, 500 | ||
Contingency:
|
$ | 63,375 | ||
General Corporate and Administration:
|
$ | 191,000 | ||
Total
|
$ | 636,875 |
As noted above, since the effective date of the Registration Statement, we have completed Phase 1 of Stage 1 and now estimate that completion of Stage 1 will cost approximately $370,000. We have not used any proceeds from the rights offering prior to the date of the filing of this report. Any net proceeds raised beyond the remaining budget of $370,000 for Stage 1 will be used first for general corporate and administrative expenses in the fiscal year ending in August 2015 and then applied towards Stage 2 costs for the Round Top Project metallurgical plan as detailed under the Registration Statement.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.
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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (The “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities. During the quarter ended November 30, 2013, our U.S. exploration properties were not subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are attached hereto or are incorporated by reference:
Exhibit Number | Description |
2.1
|
Plan of Conversion, dated August 24, 2012, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2012.
|
3.1
|
Delaware Certificate of Conversion, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2012.
|
3.2
|
Delaware Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2012.
|
3.3
|
Delaware Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2012.
|
4.1
|
Form of Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 10-K for the period ended August 31, 2009 filed with the SEC on February 8, 2011.
|
4.2
|
Form of Rights Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on December 10, 2014.
|
4.3
|
Form of Warrant Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of our Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on December 10, 2014.
|
4.4
|
Form of Class A Warrant, included as Schedule A in Exhibit 4.3
|
4.5
|
Form of Class B Warrant, included as Schedule B in Exhibit 4.3
|
31.1(1)
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
|
32.1(1)
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.2(1)
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
101.INS(1)
|
XBRL Instance Document
|
101.SCH(1)
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension — Schema
|
101.CAL(1)
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension — Calculations
|
101.DEF(1)
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension — Definitions
|
101.LAB(1)
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension — Labels
|
101.PRE(1)
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension — Presentations
|
(1)
|
Submitted Electronically Herewith.
|
16
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
TEXAS RARE EARTH RESOURCES CORP.
Date: January 14, 2015
/s/ Daniel E. Gorski
Daniel E. Gorski, duly authorized officer
Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer
Date: January 14, 2015
/s/ G. Mike McDonald
G. Mike McDonald, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
17