UNITED STATES ANTIMONY CORP - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
x
|
ANNUAL
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
o
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TRANSITION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the transition period
|
to
|
Commission
file number 33-00215
UNITED
STATES ANTIMONY CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Montana
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81-0305822
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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P.O.
Box 643, Thompson Falls, Montana
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59873
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant's
telephone number, including area code: (406) 827-3523
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share
Check
whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
x No
o
Check if
there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K contained in this form and will not be contained, to the best of
registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
Accelerated Filer o
|
Accelerated
Filer o
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Non-Accelerated
Filer o
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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
o No
x
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant, based on the average bid price of such stock, was $10,298,200 as of
June 30, 2009.
At March
29, 2010, the registrant had 53,538,772 outstanding shares of
par value $0.01 common stock.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PART
I
ITEM
1.
|
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS
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3
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General
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3
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History
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3
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Overview-2009
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3
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Antimony
Division
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3
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||
Zeolite
Division
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5
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||
Environmental
Matters
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5
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||
Employees
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7
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Other
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7
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ITEM
1A.
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RISK
FACTORS
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7
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ITEM
1B.
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UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
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8
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ITEM
2.
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DESCRIPTION
OF PROPERTIES
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8
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Antimony
Division
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8
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||
Zeolite
Division
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8
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ITEM
3.
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LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
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8
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ITEM
4.
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(REMOVED
AND RESERVED)
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8
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PART
II
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|||
ITEM
5.
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MARKET
FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
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8
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ITEM
6.
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SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA
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9
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ITEM
7.
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MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATIONS
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9
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ITEM
7A.
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QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
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11
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ITEM
8.
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FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
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11
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ITEM
9(T).
|
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
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11
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ITEM
9A
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CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
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11
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ITEM
9B
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OTHER
INFORMATION
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12
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PART
III
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|||
ITEM
10.
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DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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12
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ITEM
11.
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EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
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14
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ITEM
12.
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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14
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ITEM
13.
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CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
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15
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ITEM
14.
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PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
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15
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PART
IV
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|||
ITEM
15.
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EXHIBITS
AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
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16
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SIGNATURES
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20
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||
CERTIFICATIONS
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21
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FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
F1-F21
|
Item
1. Description of Business
General
Explanatory
Note: As used in this report, the terms "we," "us" and "our"
are used to refer to United States Antimony Corporation and, as the context
requires, its management.
Some of
the information in this Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these
statements by forward-looking words as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate" and "continue," or similar words. You should
read statements that contain these words carefully because they:
|
·
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discuss
our future expectations;
|
|
·
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contain
projections of our future results of operations or of our financial
condition; and
|
|
·
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state
other "forward-looking"
information.
|
History
United
States Antimony Corporation (“USAC”) was incorporated in Montana in January 1970
to mine and produce antimony products. In December 1983, we suspended
antimony mining operations but continued to produce antimony products from
domestic and foreign sources. In April 1998 we formed United States Antimony SA
de CV (“USAMSA”) to min and smelt antimony in Mexico. Bear River
Zeolite Company (“BRZ”) was incorporated in 2000, and it mined and produces
zeolite in southeastern Idaho. On August 19, 2005, USAC formed
Antimonio de Mexico, S. A. de C. V. to explore and develop antimony and silver
deposits in Mexico. Our principal business is the production and sale of
antimony and zeolite products.
Overview-2009
Antimony
Sales
During
2009, sales of our antimony products decreased approximately 31% from that of
2008. The profitability of the Antimony Division increased from
$442,848 in 2008 to $505,582 in 2009.
Zeolite
Sales
During
2009, sales of zeolite decreased 2% in 2009 from 2008 and the Zeolite Division
and the gross profit increased from a $185,981 loss in 2008 to a profit of
$16,882 in 2009.
Antimony
Division
Our
antimony mill and metallurgical plant are located in the Burns Mining District
of Sanders County, Montana, approximately 15 miles west of Thompson Falls. We
hold 3 patented mill sites which are contiguous, and 2 patented mill sites where
the plant is located. We have no "proven reserves" or "probable
reserves" of antimony, as these terms are defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Environmental restrictions preclude mining at this
site.
Prior to
1984, we mined antimony ore underground by driving drifts and using slushers in
room and pillar type stopes. Mining was suspended in December 1983,
because antimony could be purchased more economically from foreign
sources.
Because
we depend on foreign sources for raw materials, there are risks of interruption
in procurement from these sources and/or volatile changes in world market prices
for these materials that are not controllable by us. We are currently
developing sources of antimony ore through our sites in Mexico and working with
suppliers in Central America, Europe and South America.
We
currently own 100% of the common stock, equipment, and the lease on real
property of United States Antimony, Mexico S.A. de C.V. ("USAMSA"), which was
formed in April 1998. This plant is currently ready to begin
production.
3
The San
Miguel mine is located in the State of Queretaro, Mexico. The mine began
operations in 2009 using equipment shipped from Montana. We currently
own 100% of the stock in Antimonia de Mexico SA de CV (AM) which owns the San
Miguel Mine.
In our
existing operations in Montana, from antimony raw materials we produce antimony
oxide products of different particle size using proprietary furnace technology,
several grades of sodium antimonate using hydro metallurgical techniques, and
antimony metal. Antimony oxide is a fine, white powder that is used
primarily in conjunction with a halogen to form a synergistic flame retardant
system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and
paper. Antimony oxide is also used as a color fastener in paint, as a
catalyst for production of polyester resins for fibers and film, as a
phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs and as an opacifier for
porcelains. Sodium antimonate is primarily used as a fining agent
(degasser) for glass in cathode ray tubes used in television picture tubes and
as a flame retardant. We also sell antimony metal for use in
bearings, storage batteries and ordnance.
We
estimate (but have not independently confirmed) that our present share of the
domestic market for antimony oxide products is approximately
2-2.5%. We are the only significant U.S. producer of antimony
products. The balance of domestic sales is foreign imports (primarily
from China).
For the
year ended December 31, 2009, we sold 1,103,824 pounds of antimony products
generating $2,611,207 in revenues which is a decrease of 30%. During
2008, we sold 1,362,598 pounds of antimony products generating
$3,705,240. During 2009 and 2008, approximately 40% and 65%,
respectively, of our antimony sales were made to one customer.
Marketing We employ full-time
marketing personnel and have negotiated various commission based sales
agreements with other chemical distribution companies.
Antimony
Price Fluctuations: Our operating results
have been, and will continue to be, directly related to the market prices of
antimony metal, which have fluctuated widely in recent years. The
volatility of prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth the
average prices of antimony metal per pound as reported by sources deemed
reliable by us.
Year
|
Average Price
|
2009
|
$2.28
|
2008
|
2.88
|
2007
|
2.52
|
2006
|
2.28
|
2005
|
1.73
|
2004
|
1.32
|
2003
|
1.21
|
2002
|
0.88
|
2001
|
0.58
|
2000
|
0.67
|
4
The range
of sales prices for antimony oxide per pound was as follows for the periods
indicated:
Year
|
High
|
Low
|
Average Price
|
2009
|
$5.89
|
$1.78
|
$2.37
|
2008
|
7.50
|
2.35
|
2.72
|
2007
|
5.45
|
2.23
|
2.52
|
2006
|
5.14
|
1.76
|
2.28
|
2005
|
5.45
|
1.36
|
1.58
|
2004
|
5.45
|
0.95
|
1.48
|
2003
|
5.45
|
1.01
|
1.27
|
2002
|
5.25
|
0.71
|
0.99
|
2001
|
5.99
|
0.66
|
0.93
|
2000
|
5.88
|
0.65
|
0.99
|
Antimony
metal prices are determined by a number of variables over which we have no
control. These include the availability and price of imported metals,
the quantity of new metal supply, and industrial and commercial
demand. If metal prices decline and remain depressed, our revenues
and profitability may be adversely affected.
We use
various antimony raw materials to produce our products. We currently
obtain antimony raw material from sources in Canada, the U.S and
Europe.
Zeolite
Division
We own
100% of Bear River Zeolite Company (BRZ), an Idaho corporation incorporated on
June 1, 2000. BRZ has a lease with Webster Farm, L.L.C. that entitles
BRZ to surface mine and process zeolite on property located near Preston, Idaho,
in exchange for a royalty payment The royalty is a percentage of the
zeolite sales price (FOB mine). The current minimum annual royalty is
$5,000. In addition, BRZ has located more zeolite on U.S. Bureau of
Land Management land. During 2002, we sold additional royalty
interests in BRZ to a company controlled by Al Dugan, a significant stockholder
and, as such, an affiliate. The royalties granted Mr. Dugan's company
a payment equal to 3% of all gross sales (FOB mine) on zeolite
products. On a combined basis, royalties vary from
8%-13%. BRZ has constructed a processing plant on the property
and it has improved its productive capacity. Through December 31,
2009, we had spent approximately $3,500,000 to purchase and construct the
processing plant and develop sales.
We have
no "proven reserves" or "probable reserves" of zeolite, as these terms are
defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Zeolite"
refers to a group of minerals that consist of hydrated aluminosilicates that
hold cations such as calcium, sodium, ammonium and potassium in their crystal
lattice. Water is loosely held in cavities in the
lattice. BRZ's zeolite deposits have characteristics which make the
mineral useful for a variety of purposes including:
·
|
Soil
Amendment and Fertilizer. Zeolite has been successfully used to
fertilize golf courses, sports fields, parks and common areas, and high
value crops, including corn, potatoes, soybeans, red beets, acorn squash,
|
5
|
green
beans, sorghum sudangrass, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes,
cauliflower, radishes, strawberries, wheat, lettuce and
broccoli.
|
·
|
Water
Filtration. Zeolite is used for particulate, heavy metal and
ammonium removal in swimming pools, municipal water systems, fisheries,
fish farms, and aquariums.
|
·
|
Sewage
Treatment. Zeolite is used in sewage treatment plants to remove
nitrogen and as a carrier for
microorganisms.
|
·
|
Nuclear
Waste and Other Environmental Cleanup. Zeolite has shown a
strong ability to selectively remove strontium, cesium and various other
radioactive isotopes from solution. Zeolite can also be used
for the cleanup of soluble metals such as mercury, chromium, copper, lead,
zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, antimony, calcium, silver and
uranium.
|
·
|
Odor
Control. A major cause of odor around cattle, hog, and poultry
feed lots is the generation of the ammonium in urea and
manure. The ability of zeolite to absorb ammonium prevents the
formation of ammonia gas, which generates the
odor.
|
·
|
Gas
Separation. Zeolite has been used for some time to separate
gases, to re-oxygenate downstream water from sewage plants, smelters, pulp
and paper plants, and fish ponds and tanks, and to remove carbon dioxide,
sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from methane generators as organic
waste, sanitary landfills, municipal sewage systems and animal waste
treatment facilities.
|
·
|
Animal
Nutrition. Feeding up to 2% zeolite increases growth rates,
decreases conversion rates, prevents worms, and increases
longevity.
|
·
|
Miscellaneous
Uses. Other uses include catalysts, petroleum refining,
building applications, solar energy and heat exchange, desiccants, pellet
binding, horse and kitty litter, floor cleaner and carriers for
insecticides, pesticides and
herbicides.
|
Environmental
Matters
Our
exploration, development and production programs conducted in the United States
are subject to local, state and federal regulations regarding environmental
protection. Some of our production and mining activities are
conducted on public lands. We believe that our current discharge of
waste materials from our processing facilities is in material compliance with
environmental regulations and health and safety standards. The U.S.
Forest Service extensively regulates mining operations conducted in National
Forests. Department of Interior regulations cover mining operations
carried out on most other public lands. All operations by us
involving the exploration for or the production of minerals are subject to
existing laws and regulations relating to exploration procedures, safety
precautions, employee health and safety, air quality standards, pollution of
water sources, waste materials, odor, noise, dust and other environmental
protection requirements adopted by federal, state and local governmental
authorities. We may be required to prepare and present to the
authorities data pertaining to the effect or impact that any proposed
exploration for or production of minerals may have upon the
environment. Any changes to our reclamation and remediation plans,
which may be required due to changes in state or federal regulations, could have
an adverse effect on our operations. The range of reasonably possible
loss in excess of the amounts accrued, by site, cannot be reasonably estimated
at this time.
We accrue
environmental liabilities when the occurrence of such liabilities is probable
and the costs are reasonably estimable. The initial accruals for all our sites
are based on comprehensive remediation plans approved by the various regulatory
agencies in connection with permitting or bonding requirements. Our accruals are
further based on presently enacted regulatory requirements and adjusted only
when changes in requirements occur or when management revises its estimate of
costs required to comply with existing requirements. As remediation activity has
physically commenced, management has been able to refine and revise its
estimates of costs required to fulfill future environmental tasks based on
contemporaneous cost information, operating experience, and changes in
regulatory requirements. In instances where costs required to complete our
remaining environmental obligations are clearly determined to be in excess of
the existing accrual, we have adjusted the accrual accordingly. When regulatory
agencies require additional tasks to be performed in connection with our
environmental responsibilities, we evaluate the costs required to perform those
tasks and adjust our accrual accordingly as the information becomes available.
In all cases, however, our accrual at year-end is based on the best information
available at that time to develop estimates of environmental
liabilities.
6
Yankee
Fork Mill Site.
During
2006, USAC finished the bulk of the reclamation work at the Yankee Fork mill
site. On December 18, 2006, the Idaho Department of Environmental
Quality terminated the voluntary Consent Order. On January 22, 2007, the
Department dropped the requirement for any additional groundwater quality
monitoring.
Antimony
Processing Site.
We have
environmental remediation obligations at our antimony processing site near
Thompson Falls, Montana ("the Stibnite Hill Mine Site"). Under the
regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service and subject to the operating
permit requirements of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality require
that we line a storm water pond and construct a water treatment facility and
thus fulfill the majority of our environmental responsibilities at the Stibnite
Hill Mine site. At December 31, 2009, we have accrued
$100,000.
Yellow Jacket
Mine.
During
2006, USAC received a reclamation award for the Yellow Jacket Mine from the U.
S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands, U. S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Water Resources, and Idaho Fish
and Game.
BRZ.
During
2001, we recorded a reclamation accrual for our Bear River Zeolite subsidiary,
based on an analysis performed by management and reviewed and approved by
regulatory authorities for environmental bonding purposes. The
accrual of $7,500 represents the Company's estimated costs of reclaiming, in
accordance with regulatory requirements; the acreage disturbed by our zeolite
operations and remains unchanged at December 31, 2009.
General.
Reclamation
activities at the Thompson Falls Antimony Plant have proceeded under supervision
of the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Environmental
Quality. We have complied with regulators' requirements and do not
expect the imposition of substantial additional requirements.
We have
posted cash performance bonds with a bank and the U.S. Forest Service in
connection with our reclamation activities.
We
believe we have accrued adequate reserves to fulfill our environmental
remediation responsibilities as of December 31, 2009. We have made
significant reclamation and remediation progress on all our properties over the
past three years and have complied with regulatory requirements in our
environmental remediation efforts.
Employees
As of
December 31, 2009, we employed 27 full-time employees. The number of
full-time employees may vary seasonally. None of our employees are
covered by any collective bargaining agreement.
Other
We hold
no material patents, licenses, franchises or concessions, however we consider
our antimony processing plant proprietary in nature. We use the trade
name "Montana Brand Antimony Oxide" for marketing our antimony
products.
We are
subject to the requirements of the Federal Mining Safety and Health Act of 1977,
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's regulations, requirements of
the state of Montana and the state of Idaho, federal and state health and safety
statutes and Sanders County, Montana and Franklin County, Idaho health
ordinances.
Item
1A. Risk Factors
There may
be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or over which
we have no control. The risk factors listed below, as well as any
cautionary language in this report, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and
events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the
expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements.
7
If
we were liquidated, our common stockholders could lose part or all of their
investment.
In the
event of our dissolution, the proceeds (if any) realized from the liquidation of
our assets will be distributed to our stockholders only after satisfaction of
claims of our creditors and preferred stockholders. The ability of a
purchaser of shares to recover all or any portion of the purchase price for the
shares in that event will depend on the amount of funds realized and the claims
to be satisfied by those funds.
We
have an accumulated deficit, have incurred significant losses in the past, and
may incur losses in the future.
Prior to
2008 we have not generated an operating profit for several years. We
have been able to continue operations from gross profit from our antimony
operations, sales of common stock and borrowings from banks and
others. As of December 31, 2009, we had a stockholders’ equity of
$2,963,231. We may incur net losses for the foreseeable future unless
and until we are able to establish profitable business operations and reduce
cash outflows from general and administrative expenses. As of
December 31, 2009, we had total current assets of $539,814 and total current
liabilities of $848,443, or negative working capital of approximately
$309,000.
Our
auditors' report as of March 24, 2010 raised doubt about our ability to continue
as a going concern.
Our
audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009, which are
included in this report, indicate that there was doubt about our ability to
continue as a going concern due to our need to generate cash from operations and
obtain additional financing.
We
are delinquent or in arrears on significant current liabilities; and collection
efforts by creditors could jeopardize our viability as a going concern and close
down our operations.
As of
December 31, 2009, we are delinquent on the payment of several current
liabilities including accounts payable of approximately $263,000 and accrued
interest payable of approximately $25,000. In the absence of payment
arrangements, creditors could individually or collectively demand immediate
payment and jeopardize our ability to fund operations and correspondingly damage
our business.
We
may have unasserted liabilities for environmental reclamation.
Our
research, development, manufacturing and production processes involve the
controlled use of hazardous materials, and we are subject to various
environmental and occupational safety laws and regulations governing the use,
manufacture, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials and some
waste products. The risk of accidental contamination or injury from hazardous
materials cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of an
accident, we could be held liable for any damages that result and any liability
could exceed our financial resources. We also have one ongoing
environmental reclamation and remediation projects at our current production
facility in Montana. Adequate financial resources may not be
available to ultimately finish the reclamation activities if changes in
environmental laws and regulations occur; and these changes could adversely
affect our cash flow and profitability. We do not have environmental
liability insurance now; and we do not expect to be able to obtain insurance at
a reasonable cost. If we incur liability for environmental damages
while we are uninsured, it could have a harmful effect on our financial
condition and us. The range of reasonably possible losses from our exposure to
environmental liabilities in excess of amounts accrued to date cannot be
reasonably estimated at this time.
We
have accruals for environmental obligations.
We have
accruals totaling $107,500 on our balance sheet at December 31, 2009, for our
environmental reclamation responsibilities. If we are not able to adequately
perform our reclamation activities on a timely basis, we could be subject to
fines and penalties from regulatory agencies.
Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not
applicable to a Smaller Reporting Company.
8
Item
2. Description of Properties
Antimony
Division
Our
principal plant and mine are located in the Burns Mining District, Sanders
County, Montana, approximately 15 miles west of Thompson Falls,
Montana. We hold 5 patented mill sites claims covering approximately
25 acres.
Antimony
mining and milling operations were curtailed during 1983 due to continued
declines in the price of antimony. We are currently purchasing
foreign raw antimony materials and continue to produce antimony metal, oxide and
sodium antimonate from our antimony processing facility near Thompson Falls,
Montana.
Zeolite
Division
We own
100% of Bear River Zeolite Company ("BRZ"), an Idaho corporation incorporated on
June 1, 2000. BRZ has entered into a mining lease with Webster Farm,
L.L.C. that entitles BRZ to surface mine and process zeolite on property located
near Preston, Idaho, in exchange for royalty payments. The royalty is
a percentage of the processed ore sale price (FOB mine). The current
minimum annual royalty is $5,000. The royalty is also payable on
zeolite mined on adjacent Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") ground on which BRZ
has located five additional BLM claims, if BRZ accesses those claims across the
leased property. We are also subject to a 3% royalty on all gross
zeolite sales (FOB mine), payable to a company controlled by Al Dugan, a major
stockholder and an affiliate. On a combined basis, royalties vary
from 8%-13%. BRZ has constructed a processing plant on the
property.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
We are
not a party to any pending legal proceeding.
Item
4. (Removed and Reserved)
PART
II
Item
5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters
Currently,
our common stock is traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board ("OTCBB")
under the symbol "UAMY.OB." The following table sets forth the range
of high and low bid prices as reported by the OTCBB for the periods
indicated. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without retail
mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.
2009
|
High
|
Low
|
First
Quarter
|
$0.35
|
$0.10
|
Second
Quarter
|
0.45
|
0.20
|
Third
Quarter
|
0.55
|
0.25
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
0.55
|
0.36
|
2008
|
High
|
Low
|
First
Quarter
|
$0.70
|
$0.42
|
Second
Quarter
|
0.67
|
0.45
|
Third
Quarter
|
0.55
|
0.30
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
0.35
|
0.15
|
The approximate number of record holders of our common stock at March 29, 2010 is 2,500.
9
We have
not declared or paid any dividends to our stockholders during the last five
years and do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the
foreseeable future. Instead, we expect to retain earnings, if any,
for the operation and expansion of our business.
Item
6. Selected Financial Data
Not
applicable to a Smaller Reporting Company.
Item
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operations
Certain
matters discussed are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including the impact of antimony prices and production
volatility, changing market conditions and the regulatory environment and other
risks. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These
forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of
this filing. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.
Results
of Operations
The
Company reported a net loss of $294,843 in 2009 compared to net income of
$332,364 in 2008.
In the
Antimony Division, sales decreased from $3,705,240 in 2008 to $2,567,107 in
2009, a decrease of 31%. Gross profit from antimony operations rose from
$442,848 in 2008 to $505,582 in 2009. The decrease in revenue was due
to decreased sales volume and the increase in gross profit was due to decreased
production costs. Sales of antimony products during the year ended
December 31, 2009 consisted of 1,103,824 pounds at an average sale price of
$2.33 per pound. During the year ended December 31, 2008, sales of
antimony products consisted of 1,362,598 pounds at an average sale price of
$2.72 per pound. Combined costs of antimony sales were $2,061,525 or
$1.87 per pound sold for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to
$3,262,392 or $2.39 per pound sold for the year ended December 31,
2008. Depreciation expense in the Antimony division was $71,929
during 2009 compared to $23,075 during 2008. Direct sales expenses were $46,875
for 2009 compared to $45,000 for 2008.
Total
sales of zeolite products were $1,536,233 for 2009, compared with $1,570,747 for
2008, a decrease of 2%. Combined costs of zeolite sales were
$1,519,351 for 2009, compared with $1,756,728 for 2008. The tons
shipped in 2009 were 11,519 tons at an average price of $133.37 per ton compared
to 11,919 tons at an average price of $131.79 in 2008, a 3% decrease in
tonnage. Depreciation expense was $190,523 for BRZ during 2009,
compared to $192,653 during 2008. Direct sales expenses for 2009 were $69,766
compared to $72,287 for 2008. Gross profit of $16,882 was earned in
2009, which was an increase from a $185,981 loss in 2008. This
increase in profit from operations was due primarily to decreased production
costs and decreased delivery costs.
The
Company sold certain sales rights for the sale of zeolite for $300,000 and
$500,000 during 2008 and 2007, respectively. The agreement called for
shipping zeolite product under this agreement beginning in 2008. In
2008, the $800,000 was recorded as other income and was recognized in its
entirety because the agreement expired without any performance required by the
Company. Improvements at the BRZ plant this year included more silos,
conveyors and other equipment.
During
2009, the Company incurred general and administrative expenses totaling
$595,803, compared with $418,792 during 2008. In 2009, the Company
incurred $153,418 in start-up expenses at our Mexico operations compared to
$170,357 during 2008. The Company incurred $58,529 of exploration
expense during 2009 compared to $47,487 in 2008. The exploration was
on property located in Mexico.
The
Company sold $66,268 of surface rights of idle mining claims in
2008. In 2009, the Company exchanged fully depreciated equipment in
payment of an outstanding note payable, resulting in a gain of
$49,100.
Net
interest expense was $5,605 for 2009, compared with $40,938 for
2008. The decrease in interest expense was due to the conversion of a
significant amount of debt to common stock during 2009.
10
Accounts
receivable factoring expense was $90,124 for 2009, compared with $113,197 for
2008. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in the amount of
receivables that were factored during 2009 compared to 2008.
In 2009
the Company management performed an analysis of significantly aged payables for
validity which resulted in the extinguishment of $37,072 in
payables.
Subsidiaries
The
Company has a 100% investment in two subsidiaries in Mexico, USAMSA and AM,
whose carrying value was assessed at December 31, 2009 for
impairment. Management’s assessment of the subsidiaries’ fair value
was based on future benefit to the Company and no impairment charges were deemed
necessary at year-end. During the third quarter of 2009, USAMSA in
Mexico commenced operations.
Financial
Condition and Liquidity
At
December 31, 2009, Company assets totaled $4,017,884, and stockholders’ equity
was $2,963,231. At December 31, 2009, the Company's total current
liabilities exceeded its total current assets by $308,629. Due to the
Company's prior operating losses and other liquidity concerns, the Company's
independent accountants included a paragraph in its report on our 2009 financial
statements relating to a going concern uncertainty. To continue as a
going concern, the Company must generate profits from its antimony and zeolite
sales and acquire additional capital resources through direct sales of common
stock or through the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common stock or
short and long-term debt financing. Without financing and profitable
operations, the Company may not be able to meet its obligations, fund operations
and continue existence. While management is optimistic, there can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to sustain profitable operations and
meet its financial obligations.
Other
significant financial commitments for future periods will include:
·
|
Servicing
notes payable to bank.
|
·
|
Paying
accounts payable.
|
·
|
Fulfilling
responsibilities with environmental, labor safety and securities
regulatory agencies.
|
Cash used
by operating activities during 2009 was $358,187
Cash used
by investing activities during 2009 was $590,815, which was primarily related to
the construction and purchases of capital assets used at the Bear River Zeolite
facility and for construction of a plant and mill in Mexico.
The
Company was able to offset cash outflows from operations and its acquisition of
plant and equipment during 2009 from net cash provided by financing activities
of $1,075,767 including $1,122,243 generated from sales of unregistered common
stock through direct sales and through the exercise of
warrants.
The
Company sold sales rights for the sale of zeolite for $300,000 and $500,000
during 2007 and 2006, respectively. The agreement called for shipping
zeolite product under this agreement beginning in 2008. In 2008, the
$800,000 was recorded as other income and was recognized in its entirety because
the agreement expired without any performance required by the
Company. The funds were used for the installation of a small
packaging plant: the installation of a semi-automatic packaging line for large
bags; the completion of the Raymond Mill and the installation of line
electricity.
The
Company hopes that it will have additional financial resources from increasing
gross profits from its antimony business and sales of zeolite from
BRZ.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not
applicable to a Smaller Reporting Company.
11
Item
8. Financial Statements
The
consolidated financial statements of the registrant are included herein on pages
F1-F21.
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
Item
9-A(T). Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls
and procedures
We
maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information
is accumulated and communicated to management, as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. Our president, who serves as the chief
accounting officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31,
2009. Based upon this evaluation, it was determined that there were
material weaknesses affecting our internal control over financial reporting
(described below) and, as a result of those weaknesses, our disclosure controls
and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2009.
Management's annual report
on internal control over financial reporting
The
management of United States Antimony Corporation is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. This
internal control system has been designed to provide reasonable assurance to the
Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair
presentation of the Company’s published financial statements.
All
internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent
limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can
provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement
preparation and presentation.
The
management of United States Antimony Corporation has assessed the effectiveness
of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2009. To make this assessment, we used the criteria for effective internal
control over financial reporting described in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO).
As a
result of our assessment, we concluded that we have material weaknesses in our
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2009. These weaknesses are as follows:
·
|
The
Company does not have either internally or on its Board of Directors the
expertise to produce financial statements to be filed with the
SEC.
|
·
|
The
Company lacks proper segregation of duties. As with any company the size
of this Company, this lack of segregation of duties is due to limited
resources. The president authorizes the majority of the
expenditures and signs checks.
|
·
|
The
Company lacks accounting personnel with sufficient skills and experience
to ensure proper accounting for complex, non-routine
transactions.
|
·
|
During
its year end audit, our independent registered accountants discovered
material misstatements in our financial statements that required audit
adjustments.
|
We are
aware of these material weaknesses and will develop procedures to ensure that
independent review of material transactions is performed. In
addition, we plan to consult with independent experts when complex transactions
are entered into.
12
Because
these material weaknesses exist, management has concluded that the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 is not
effective.
This
annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered
public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered
public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission that permit the company to provide only management’s report
in this annual report.
Changes in internal control
over financial reporting
There
have been no changes, during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, in the
Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over
financial reporting.
Item
9b. Other Information
None.
PART
III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons,
Compliance with Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act
Identification
of directors and executive officers at December 31, 2009, is as
follows:
Name
|
Age
|
Affiliation
|
Expiration of Term
|
|
John
C. Lawrence
|
71
|
Chairman,
President, Secretary,
|
Annual
meeting
|
|
and
Treasurer; Director
|
||||
Leo
Jackson
|
66
|
Director
|
Annual
meeting
|
|
Gary
A. Babbitt
|
64
|
Director
|
Annual
meeting
|
|
Patrick
W. Dugan, Esq.
|
57
|
Director
|
Annual
meeting
|
|
Russell
C. Lawrence
|
41
|
Director
|
Annual
meeting
|
Business Experience of Directors and Executive Officers
John C.
Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence has been the president and a director
since our inception. Mr. Lawrence was the president and a director of
AGAU Mines, Inc., our corporate predecessor, since the inception of AGAU Mines,
Inc. in 1968. He is a member of the Society of Mining Engineers and a
recipient of the Uuno Sahinen Silver Medallion Award presented by Butte Tech,
University of Montana. He has a vast background in mining, milling,
smelting, chemical processing and oil and gas.
Leo
Jackson. Mr. Jackson is a resident of El Paso,
Texas. For the past 17 years, he has been a principal owner and the
president of Production Minerals, Inc. Mr. Jackson is one of the
principal owners of Minera de Roja, S.A. de C.V., and has been involved in the
production and marketing of industrial minerals such as fluorspar and celestite
in the United States and Mexico for 26 years. Mr. Jackson speaks
fluent Spanish and has a BBA degree from the Sul Ross State University in
Texas.
13
Gary A.
Babbitt. Mr. Babbitt has experience in mining industry with 30
years dealing with joint ventures, financing, contracting and employment. He has
a working knowledge of Spanish and has negotiated contracts in Latin
America. Mr. Babbitt has a B.A. from the Albertson College of Idaho,
and earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago.
Patrick W. Dugan,
Esq. Mr. Dugan has been a Director, Vice President and General
Counsel of Nortex Corporation, a company involved in the oil and gas business,
for the past 19 years. He is also a Director, Vice President and General
Counsel of San Luis Development, L.P., and a Director of Gow Communications,
LLC. Mr. Dugan graduated with a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of
Texas at Austin.
Russell C.
Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence has
experience in the lines of applied physics, mining, refining, excavation,
electricity, electronics, and building contracting. He graduated from
the University of Idaho with a degree in physics in 1994 and worked for the
Physics Department at the University of Idaho for a period of 10 years. He has
also worked as a building contractor and for USAC at the smelter and laboratory
at Thompson Falls, for USAMSA in the construction and operation of the USAMSA
smelter in Mexico, and for Antimonio de Mexico, S. A. de C. V. at the San Miguel
Mine and the Cadereyta mill site in Mexico.
We are
not aware of any involvement by our directors or executive officers during the
past five years in legal proceedings that are material to an evaluation of the
ability or integrity of any director or executive officer.
Board Meetings and
Committees. Our Board of Directors held three (3) regular
meetings during the 2009 calendar year. Each incumbent director
attended at least 75% of the meetings held during the 2009 calendar year, in the
aggregate, by the Board and each committee of the Board of which he was a
member. Our Board of Directors does not have a Compensation Committee
or a Nominating Committee.
Our Board
of Directors has established an Audit Committee consisting of one member (Gary
Babbitt) of the Board of Directors not involved in our day-to-day financial
management. Mr. Babbitt is not considered a financial expert; the
Company does not have the necessary capital resources to attract and retain an
independent financial expert to serve on an Audit Committee.
Board Member
Compensation. We paid directors' fees in the form of 26,000
shares of our common stock per director during 2009.
Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance. Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers
and the holders of 10% or more of our common stock to file reports of ownership
and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers,
directors and stockholders holding more than 10% of our common stock are
required by the regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they have filed.
Based
solely on our review of copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us, Mr.
Lawrence, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Babbitt, Mr. Dugan and Mr. Lawrence did not file
timely Forms 3, 4 or Form 5 reports during 2009.
Code of
Ethics
The
Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Company's executive
officers and its directors. The Company will provide, without charge,
a copy of the Code of Ethics on the written request of any person addressed to
the Company at: United States Antimony Corporation, P.O. Box 643, Thompson
Falls, MT 59873.
14
Item
11. Executive Compensation
Summary
Compensation Table
The
Securities and Exchange Commission requires the following table setting forth
for fiscal years ending December 31, 2008 and 2007; the compensation paid by
USAC to its principal executive officer.
Annual
Compensation
|
Long-Term
Compensation
|
|||||||
Awards
|
Payouts
|
|||||||
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
|
Bonus
|
Other
Annual Compensation
(1)
|
Restricted
Options/
Awards
(2)
|
Securities
Underlying LTIP SARs
|
All
Other Payouts
|
All
Other Compensation
|
John
C. Lawrence, President
|
2009
|
$100,000
|
N/A
|
$5,538
|
$6,500
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
John
C. Lawrence, President
|
2008
|
$96,000
|
N/A
|
$5,538
|
$6,760
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
(1)
|
Represents
earned but unused vacation.
|
(2)
|
These
figures represent the fair values, as of the date of issuance, of the
annual director's fee payable to Mr. Lawrence in the form of shares of
USAC's common stock.
|
Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management
The
following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our
common stock as of March 29, 2010, by (i) each person who is known by us to
beneficially own more than 5% of our Series A, C, and D preferred stock or
common stock; (ii) each of our executive officers and directors; and (iii) all
of our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise stated,
each person's address is c/o United States Antimony Corporation, P.O. Box 643,
1250 Prospect Creek Road, Thompson Falls, Montana 59873.
Name
and Address of
|
Amount
and Nature of
|
Percent
of
|
|
Title of Class
|
Beneficial Owner(1)
|
Beneficial Ownership
|
Class(1)
|
Common
stock
|
Reed
Family Limited Partnership
|
3,418,335
|
6
|
328
Adams Street
|
|||
Milton,
MA 02186
|
|||
Common
stock
|
The
Dugan Family
|
6,362,927(3)
|
12
|
c/o
A. W. Dugan
|
|||
1415
Louisiana Street, Suite 3100
|
|||
Houston,
TX 77002
|
|||
Series
C Preferred
|
Richard
A. Woods
|
48,305(4)
|
27
|
59
Penn Circle West
|
|||
Penn
Plaza Apts.
|
|||
Pittsburgh,
PA 15206
|
|||
Series
C Preferred
|
Dr.
Warren A. Evans
|
48,305(4)
|
27
|
69
Ponfret Landing Road
|
|||
Brooklyn,
CT 06234
|
|||
Series
C Preferred
|
Edward
Robinson
|
32,203(4)
|
18
|
1007
Spruce Street 1st
Floor
|
|||
Philadelphia,
PA 19107
|
|||
Common
stock
|
John
C. Lawrence
|
4,051,653(2)
|
10
|
Common
stock
|
Pat
Dugan
|
104,000
|
Nil
|
Common
stock
|
Russ
Lawrence
|
104,000
|
Nil
|
Common
stock
|
Leo
Jackson
|
240,000
|
Nil
|
Common
stock
|
Gary
Babbitt
|
82,167
|
Nil
|
Series
D Preferred
|
John
C. Lawrence
|
1,590,672(4)
|
91
|
Series D Preferred
|
Leo Jackson
|
102,000
|
5
|
Series
D Preferred
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group
(3 persons)
|
1,751,005
|
100
|
(1)
|
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. Shares of common stock subject to options or
warrants currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or
convertible within 60 days of March 29, 2010 are deemed outstanding for
computing the percentage of the person holding options or warrants but are
not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
Percentages are based on a total of 53,098,769 shares of common
stock, 177,904 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and 1,751,005 shares of
Series D Preferred Stock outstanding on March 29,
2010.
|
15
(2)
|
Includes
3,801,653 shares of common stock and 250,000 stock purchase
warrants. Excludes 158,324 shares owned by Mr. Lawrence's
sister, as to which Mr. Lawrence disclaims beneficial
ownership.
|
(3)
|
Includes
shares owned by Al W. Dugan and shares owned by companies owned and
controlled by Al W. Dugan. Excludes 183,333 shares owned by
Lydia Dugan as to which Mr. Dugan disclaims beneficial
ownership.
|
(4)
|
The
outstanding Series A, Series C and Series D preferred shares carry voting
rights.
|
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Described
below are transactions during the last two years to which we are a party and in
which any director, executive officer or beneficial owner of five percent (5%)
or more of any class of our voting securities or relatives of our directors,
executive officers or five percent (5%) beneficial owners has a direct or
indirect material interest. See also transactions described in notes
4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 19 to our Financial Statements as of December 31,
2009.
·
|
During
2009, John C. Lawrence, a director and Chief Executive Officer, converted
a $100,000 note receivable into 500,000 shares of common stock and
exercised warrants for 1,000,000 shares of common stock in exchange for
the forgiveness of $200,000 of related party payables and accrued
interest.
|
·
|
We
reimbursed John C. Lawrence, a director and Chief Executive Officer, for
operational and maintenance expenses incurred in connection with our use
of equipment owned by Mr. Lawrence, including welding trucks, backhoes,
and an aircraft. Reimbursements for 2009 and 2008 totaled $100,150 and
$67,467, respectively. In addition, we accrued interest expense
of $0 and $10,328 on net cash advances due Mr. Lawrence, for the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
|
·
|
During
2009, the Company issued 26,000 of its common stock to its Board of
Directors as compensation for their services as directors. In
connection with the issuances, the Company recorded $39,000 in director
compensation expense.
|
·
|
During
2008, the Company issued 26,000 of its common stock to its Board of
Directors as compensation for their services as directors. In
connection with the issuances, the Company recorded $35,100 in director
compensation expense.
|
ITEM
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The
Company's Board of Directors and audit committee reviews and approves audit and
permissible non-audit services performed by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S.,
as well as the fees charged by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. for such
services. In its review of non-audit service fees and its appointment of
DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. as the Company's independent accountants, the
Board of Directors considered whether the provision of such services is
compatible with maintaining DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. independence. All
of the services provided and fees charged by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S.
in 2009 were pre-approved by the Board of Directors and its audit
committee.
Audit
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. for professional
services for the audit of the annual financial statements of the Company and the
reviews of the financial statements included in the Company's quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q for 2009 and 2008 were $64,888 and $67,432, respectively, net of
expenses.
16
Audit-Related
Fees
There
were no other fees billed by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. during the last
two fiscal years for assurance and related services that were reasonably related
to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements
and not reported under "Audit Fees" above.
Tax
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. during the last two
fiscal years for professional services rendered by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague
P.S. for tax compliance for 2009 and 2008 were $5,433 and $3,415
respectively.
All
Other Fees
There
were no other fees billed by DeCoria, Maichel & Teague P.S. during the last
two fiscal years for products and services provided by DeCoria, Maichel &
Teague P.S
Item
15. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
3.01
|
Articles
of Incorporation of USAC, filed as an exhibit to USAC's Form 10-KSB for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (File No.001-08675), are
incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
3.02
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of USAC, filed as an exhibit to amendment No. 2 to
USAC's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 333-45508) are
incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
3.03
|
Articles
of Correction of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
USAC.
|
3.04
|
Articles
of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of United States Antimony
Corporation, filed as an exhibit to USAC's Form 10-QSB for the quarter
ended September 30, 2002 (File No. 001-08675), are incorporated herein by
this reference.
|
4.01
|
Key
Employees 2000 Stock Plan, filed as an exhibit to USAC's Form S-8
Registration Statement filed on March 10, 2000 (File No. 333-32216) is
incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
Documents
filed with USAC's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31,
1995 (File No. 001-08675), are incorporated herein by this
reference:
10.10
|
Yellow
Jacket Venture Agreement
|
10.11
|
Agreement
Between Excel-Mineral USAC and Bobby C.
Hamilton
|
10.12
|
Letter
Agreement
|
10.13
|
Columbia-Continental
Lease Agreement Revision
|
10.14
|
Settlement
Agreement with Excel Mineral
Company
|
10.15
|
Memorandum
Agreement
|
10.16
|
Termination
Agreement
|
10.17
|
Amendment
to Assignment of Lease (Geosearch)
|
10.18
|
Series
B Stock Certificate to Excel-Mineral Company,
Inc.
|
17
10.19
|
Division
Order and Purchase and Sale
Agreement
|
10.20
|
Inventory
and Sales Agreement
|
10.21
|
Processing
Agreement
|
10.22
|
Release
and settlement agreement between Bobby C. Hamilton and United States
Antimony Corporation
|
10.23
|
Columbia-Continental
Lease Agreement
|
10.24
|
Release
of Judgment
|
10.25
|
Covenant
Not to Execute
|
10.26
|
Warrant
Agreements filed as an exhibit to USAC's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for
the year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 001-08675), are incorporated
herein by this reference
|
10.27
|
Letter
from EPA, Region 10 filed as an exhibit to USAC's Quarterly Report on Form
10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 1997 (File No. 001-08675) is
incorporated herein by this
reference
|
10.28
|
Warrant
Agreements filed as an exhibit to USAC's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for
the year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 001-08675) are incorporated
herein by this reference
|
10.30
|
Answer,
Counterclaim and Third-Party Complaint filed as an exhibit to USAC's
Quarterly Report on Forms 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 1998
(File No. 001-08675) is incorporated herein by this
reference
|
Documents
filed with USAC's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31,
1998 (File No. 001-08675), are incorporated herein by this
reference:
10.31
|
Warrant
Issue-Al W. Dugan
|
10.32
|
Amendment
Agreement
|
Documents
filed with USAC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March
31, 1999 (File No. 001-08675) is incorporated herein by this
reference:
10.33
|
Warrant
Issue-John C. Lawrence
|
10.34
|
PVS
Termination Agreement
|
Documents
filed as an exhibit to USAC's Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1999
(File No. 001-08675) are incorporated herein by this reference:
10.35
|
Maguire
Settlement Agreement
|
10.36
|
Warrant
Issue-Carlos Tejada
|
10.37
|
Warrant
Issue-Al W. Dugan
|
10.38
|
Memorandum
of Understanding with Geosearch
Inc.
|
10.39
|
Factoring
Agreement-Systran Financial Services
Company
|
18
10.40
|
Mortgage
to John C. Lawrence
|
10.41
|
Warrant
Issue-Al W. Dugan filed as an exhibit to USAC's Quarterly Report on Form
10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 (File No. 001-08675) is
incorporated herein by this
reference
|
10.42
|
Agreement
between United States Antimony Corporation and Thomson Kernaghan &
Co., Ltd. filed as an exhibit to USAC form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
June 30, 2000 (File No. 001-08675) are incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
10.43
|
Settlement
agreement and release of all claims between the Estate of Bobby C.
Hamilton and United States Antimony Corporation filed as an exhibit to
USAC form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 001-08675)
are incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
10.44
|
Supply
Contracts with Fortune America Trading Ltd. filed as an exhibit to USAC
form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 001-08675) are
incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
10.45
|
Amended
and Restated Agreements with Thomson Kernaghan & Co., Ltd, filed as an
exhibit to amendment No. 3 to USAC's Form SB-2 Registration Statement
(Reg. No. 333-45508), are incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
10.46
|
Purchase
Order from Kohler Company, filed as an exhibit to amendment No. 4 to
USAC's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 333-45508) are
incorporated herein by this
reference.
|
Documents
filed as an exhibit to USAC's Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2002
(File No. 001-08675) are incorporated herein by this reference.
10.47
|
Bear
River Zeolite Company Royalty Agreement, dated May 29,
2002
|
10.48
|
Grant
of Production Royalty, dated June 1,
2002
|
10.49
|
Assignment
of Common Stock of Bear River Zeolite Company, dated May 29,
2002
|
10.50
|
Agreement
to Issue Warrants of USA, dated May 29,
2002
|
10.51
|
Secured
convertible note payable - Delaware Royalty Company dated December 22,
2003*
|
10.52
|
Convertible
note payable - John C. Lawrence dated December 22,
2003*
|
10.53
|
Pledge,
Assignment and Security Agreement dated December 22,
2003*
|
10.54
|
Note
Purchase Agreement dated December 22,
2003*
|
14.0
|
Code
of Ethics*
|
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications Certification
of John C. Lawrence*
|
32.1
|
Section
1350 Certifications Certification
of John C. Lawrence*
|
44.1
|
CERCLA
Letter from U.S. Forest Service filed as an exhibit to USAC form 10-QSB
for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 001-08675) are incorporated
herein by this reference and filed as an exhibit to USAC's Form 10-KSB for
the year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 1-8675) is incorporated herein
by this reference.
|
______________________
* Filed
herewith.
19
Reports
on Form 8-K
Item
5. Other Events - October 10, 2003.
20
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(b) 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.
UNITED
STATES ANTIMONY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date:
March 29, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ John C. Lawrence | |
John C. Lawrence | |||
President, Director and Principal Executive Officer | |||
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.
Date:
March 29, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ John C. Lawrence | |
John C. Lawrence | |||
Director and President (Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||
Date:
March 29, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Leo Jackson | |
Leo Jackson | |||
Director | |||
Date:
March 29, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Gary D. Babbitt | |
Gary D. Babbitt | |||
Director | |||
Date:
March 29, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Patrick Dugan | |
Patrick Dugan | |||
Director | |||
Date:
March 29, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Russell Lawrence | |
Russell Lawrence | |||
Director | |||
21
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
United
States Antimony Corporation
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United States Antimony
Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes
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 consolidated financial position of United States
Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and
the consolidated results of their operations 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 1 to the
financial statements, the Company has negative working capital and an
accumulated deficit which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue
as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also
described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/Decoria,
Maichel & Teague, P.S.
DeCoria,
Maichel & Teague P.S.
Spokane,
Washington
March 24,
2010
F-1
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
December
31, 2009 and 2008
ASSETS
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 180,613 | $ | 53,848 | ||||
Accounts
receivable, less allowance
|
||||||||
for
doubtful accounts of $7,872 and $10,000, respectively
|
161,765 | 66,761 | ||||||
Inventories
|
197,436 | 109,217 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
539,814 | 229,826 | ||||||
Properties,
plants and equipment, net
|
3,404,154 | 2,960,624 | ||||||
Restricted
cash for reclamation bonds
|
73,916 | 80,664 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 4,017,884 | $ | 3,271,114 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
||||||||
Checks
issued and payable
|
$ | 17,142 | $ | 20,282 | ||||
Accounts
payable
|
457,425 | 596,005 | ||||||
Accrued
payroll, taxes and interest
|
83,857 | 79,428 | ||||||
Other
accrued liabilities
|
148,835 | 117,071 | ||||||
Deferred
revenue
|
73,022 | 65,441 | ||||||
Payables
to related parties
|
10,306 | 332,752 | ||||||
Long-term
debt, current
|
57,856 | 114,596 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
848,443 | 1,325,575 | ||||||
Long-term
debt, noncurrent
|
98,710 | 54,541 | ||||||
Accrued
reclamation costs, noncurrent
|
107,500 | 107,500 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
1,054,653 | 1,487,616 | ||||||
Commitments
and contingencies (Note 1 and 16)
|
||||||||
Stockholders'
equity:
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized:
|
||||||||
Series
A: -0- shares issued and outstanding
|
— | — | ||||||
Series
B: 750,000 shares issued and outstanding
|
||||||||
(liquidation
preference $862,500 and $855,000, respectively.)
|
7,500 | 7,500 | ||||||
Series
C: 177,904 shares issued and outstanding
|
||||||||
(liquidation
preference $97,847)
|
1,779 | 1,779 | ||||||
Series
D: 1,751,005 shares issued and outstanding
|
||||||||
(liquidation
preference and cumulative dividends of $4,632,136
|
||||||||
and
$4,590,987, repectively)
|
17,509 | 17,509 | ||||||
Common
stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized;
|
||||||||
53,098,769
and 45,868,535 shares issued and outstanding,
respectively.
|
530,987 | 458,688 | ||||||
Stock
subscriptions receivable
|
(270,000 | ) | (83,333 | ) | ||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
23,604,625 | 22,015,681 | ||||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(20,929,169 | ) | (20,634,326 | ) | ||||
Total
stockholders' equity
|
2,963,231 | 1,783,498 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
$ | 4,017,884 | $ | 3,271,114 | ||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-2
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
For
the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Antimony
Division
|
||||||||
Revenues
|
$ | 2,567,107 | $ | 3,705,240 | ||||
Cost
of sales:
|
||||||||
Production
costs
|
1,742,990 | 2,939,665 | ||||||
Depreciation
|
71,929 | 23,075 | ||||||
Freight
and delivery
|
121,144 | 192,820 | ||||||
General
and administrative
|
78,587 | 61,832 | ||||||
Direct
sales expense
|
46,875 | 45,000 | ||||||
Total
cost of sales
|
2,061,525 | 3,262,392 | ||||||
Gross
profit - antimony
|
505,582 | 442,848 | ||||||
Zeolite
Division
|
||||||||
Revenues
|
1,536,233 | 1,570,747 | ||||||
Cost
of sales:
|
||||||||
Production
costs
|
830,065 | 1,021,023 | ||||||
Depreciation
|
190,523 | 192,653 | ||||||
Freight
and delivery
|
68,117 | 128,240 | ||||||
General
and administrative
|
158,144 | 138,069 | ||||||
Royalties
|
202,736 | 204,456 | ||||||
Direct
sales expense
|
69,766 | 72,287 | ||||||
Total
cost of sales
|
1,519,351 | 1,756,728 | ||||||
Gross
profit (loss) - zeolite
|
16,882 | (185,981 | ) | |||||
Total
revenues - combined
|
4,103,340 | 5,275,987 | ||||||
Total
cost of sales - combined
|
3,580,876 | 5,019,120 | ||||||
Gross
profit - combined
|
522,464 | 256,867 | ||||||
Other
operating (income) expenses:
|
||||||||
General
and administrative
|
595,803 | 418,792 | ||||||
Mexico
start-up expenses
|
153,418 | 170,357 | ||||||
Exploration
expense
|
58,529 | 47,487 | ||||||
Gain
on disposal of properties, plants and equipment
|
(49,100 | ) | (66,268 | ) | ||||
Expired
exclusivity contract
|
— | (800,000 | ) | |||||
Other
operating (income) expenses
|
758,650 | (229,632 | ) | |||||
Income
(loss) from operations
|
(236,186 | ) | 486,499 | |||||
Other
(income) expenses:
|
||||||||
Interest
expense, net
|
5,605 | 40,938 | ||||||
Factoring
expense
|
90,124 | 113,197 | ||||||
Extinguishment
of payables
|
(37,072 | ) | — | |||||
Other
(income) expenses
|
58,657 | 154,135 | ||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$ | (294,843 | ) | $ | 332,364 | |||
Net
income (loss) per share of
|
||||||||
common
stock:
|
||||||||
Basic
|
$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.01 | |||
Diluted
|
$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.01 | |||
Weighted
average shares outstanding:
|
||||||||
Basic
|
49,855,229 | 43,049,076 | ||||||
Diluted
|
49,855,229 | 43,601,178 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-3
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
For
the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
Stock
|
Additional
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Preferred Stock
|
Common
Stock
|
Subscriptions
|
Paid
|
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Receivable
|
In
Capital
|
Deficit
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances,
December 31, 2007
|
2,678,909 | $ | 26,788 | 42,519,243 | $ | 425,192 | $ | — | $ | 21,243,249 | $ | (20,966,690 | ) | $ | 728,539 | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock and warrants
|
3,219,292 | 32,196 | (83,333 | ) | 738,632 | 687,495 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock to Directors for services
|
130,000 | 1,300 | 33,800 | 35,100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
332,364 | 332,364 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances,
December 31, 2008
|
2,678,909 | 26,788 | 45,868,535 | 458,688 | (83,333 | ) | 22,015,681 | (20,634,326 | ) | 1,783,498 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock and warrants
|
5,600,234 | 55,999 | (200,000 | ) | 1,266,244 | 1,122,243 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment
received for outstanding stock subscriptions
|
13,333 | 13,333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion
of outstanding related party payable into common stock
|
1,500,000 | 15,000 | 285,000 | 300,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock to Directors for services
|
130,000 | 1,300 | 37,700 | 39,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
loss
|
(294,843 | ) | (294,843 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances,
December 31, 2009
|
2,678,909 | $ | 26,788 | 53,098,769 | $ | 530,987 | $ | (270,000 | ) | $ | 23,604,625 | $ | (20,929,169 | ) | $ | 2,963,231 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
For
the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Cash
Flows From Operating Activities:
|
||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$ | (294,843 | ) | $ | 332,364 | |||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
|
||||||||
used
by operating activities:
|
||||||||
Depreciation
expense
|
262,452 | 215,728 | ||||||
Allowance
for doubtful accounts
|
(2,128 | ) | (20,000 | ) | ||||
Common
stock issued to Directors for services
|
39,000 | 35,100 | ||||||
Gain
on properties, plants and equipment
|
(49,100 | ) | (66,268 | ) | ||||
Gain
on expiration of exclusivity agreement
|
— | (800,000 | ) | |||||
Extinguishment
of payables
|
(37,072 | ) | — | |||||
Change
in:
|
||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(92,876 | ) | 121,915 | |||||
Inventories
|
(88,219 | ) | 143,397 | |||||
Accounts
payable
|
(116,729 | ) | (156,111 | ) | ||||
Accrued
payroll and payroll taxes
|
4,429 | (59,415 | ) | |||||
Other
accrued liabilities
|
31,764 | (42,156 | ) | |||||
Deferred
revenue
|
7,581 | (61,797 | ) | |||||
Payable
to related parties
|
(22,446 | ) | (21,333 | ) | ||||
Net
cash used by operating activities
|
(358,187 | ) | (378,576 | ) | ||||
Cash
Flows From Investing Activities:
|
||||||||
Purchase
of properties, plants and equipment
|
(597,563 | ) | (310,932 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from sale of properties, plants and equipment
|
— | 66,268 | ||||||
Change
in restricted cash for reclamation bonds
|
6,748 | (14,928 | ) | |||||
Net
cash used by investing activities
|
(590,815 | ) | (259,592 | ) | ||||
Cash
Flows From Financing Activities:
|
||||||||
Proceeds
from sale of common stock, net of commissions
|
1,122,243 | 687,496 | ||||||
Proceeds
from long-term debt
|
1,232 | — | ||||||
Principal
payments of long-term debt
|
(57,901 | ) | (28,025 | ) | ||||
Payments
received on stock subscription agreements
|
13,333 | — | ||||||
Change
in checks issued and payable
|
(3,140 | ) | (49,202 | ) | ||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
1,075,767 | 610,269 | ||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
126,765 | (27,899 | ) | |||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
53,848 | 81,747 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$ | 180,613 | $ | 53,848 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-5
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows, Continued:
For
the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Cash
paid during year for interest
|
$ | 9,245 | $ | 47,038 | ||||
Non-cash
investing and financing activities:
|
||||||||
Warrants
exercised for forgiveness of payable to related party
|
$ | 200,000 | $ | — | ||||
Stock
issued for stock subscription note receivable
|
200,000 | — | ||||||
Properties,
plants & equipment purchased with long-term debt
|
106,300 | 85,560 | ||||||
Stock
issued for conversion of convertible note payable to related
party
|
100,000 | — | ||||||
Payment
of long-term debt with equipment
|
55,000 | — | ||||||
Properties,
plants & equipment acquired with accounts payable
|
8,019 | — |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-6
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
1.
Background of Company and Basis
of Presentation
AGAU
Mines, Inc., predecessor of United States Antimony Corporation ("USAC" or "the
Company"), was incorporated in June 1968 as a Delaware corporation to mine gold
and silver. USAC was incorporated in Montana in January 1970 to mine and produce
antimony products. In June 1973, AGAU Mines, Inc. was merged into USAC. In
December 1983, the Company suspended its antimony mining operations when it
became possible to purchase antimony raw materials more economically from
foreign sources. The principal business of the Company has been the
production and sale of antimony products.
During
2000, the Company formed a 75% owned subsidiary, Bear River Zeolite Company
("BRZ"), to mine and market zeolite and zeolite products from a mineral deposit
in southeastern Idaho. In 2001, an operating plant was constructed at
the zeolite site and zeolite production and sales commenced. During
2002, the Company acquired the remaining 25% of BRZ and continued to produce and
sell zeolite products.
During
2005, the Company formed a currently 100% owned subsidiary, Antimonio de Mexico
S.A. de C.V. (“AM”), to explore and develop potential antimony properties in
Mexico (see note 7).
During
2006, the Company acquired the remaining 50% ownership in United States
Antimony, Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“USAMSA”). USAMSA is now a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The
financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes
realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of
business. At December 31, 2009, the Company had negative working capital of
$308,629, an accumulated deficit of approximately $20.9
million. These factors, among others, indicate that there is
substantial doubt that the Company will be able to meet its obligations and
continue in existence as a going concern. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments that may be necessary should the Company be unable to
continue as a going concern.
To
improve the Company's financial condition, the following actions have been
initiated or taken by management:
·
|
During
2008, the Company received stockholder authorization to issue an
additional 10 million shares of common stock, enabling the Company to
raise capital through sales of common stock, if
desired.
|
·
|
The
completion of the USAMSA smelter in 2009 and anticipated completion of the
flotation mill and crusher in Mexico, including permitting and land
acquisition should allow USAC to bring antimony, silver and gold operation
into production in 2010.
|
·
|
During
2009, the Company significantly reduced outstanding debt through issuance
of common stock.
|
2.
Concentrations of
Risk
The
Company purchases most of the raw antimony used in the production of its
finished antimony products from foreign sources. During the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, approximately 40% and 65%, respectively, of
the Company's antimony revenues were generated by sales to one
customer. During 2009 and 2008, 21% and 31%, respectively, of the
Company's revenues generated from zeolite product sales were to two
customers. The loss of the Company's "key" customers could adversely
affect its business.
The
Company's revenues from antimony sales are strongly influenced by world prices
for such commodities, which fluctuate and are affected by numerous factors
beyond the Company's control, including inflation and worldwide forces of supply
and demand. The aggregate effect of these factors is not possible to predict
accurately.
F-7
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
Many of
the Company's competitors in the antimony industry have substantially more
capital resources and market share than the Company. Therefore, the Company's
ability to maintain its market share can be significantly affected by factors
outside of the Company's control.
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
Principles of
Consolidation
The
Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BRZ, USAMSA
and AM, all wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and
transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of
Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the carrying value of
property plant and equipment, reclamation and remediation requirements, and the
allowance for bad debts. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain
reclassifications have been made to the 2008 financial statements in order to
conform to the 2009 presentation. These reclassifications have no
effect on net loss, total assets or stockholders' equity as previously
reported.
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
The
Company considers cash in banks and investments with original maturities of
three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Restricted
Cash
Restricted
cash at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consists of cash held for reclamation
performance bonds, and is held as certificates of deposit with financial
institutions.
Accounts
Receivable
Accounts
receivable are stated at the amount that management expects to collect from
outstanding balances. Management provides for probable uncollectible
amounts through an allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes to the
allowance for doubtful accounts are based on management’s judgment, considering
historical write-offs, collections and current credit
conditions. Balances which remain outstanding after management has
used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the
allowance for doubtful accounts and a credit to the applicable accounts
receivable. Payments received on receivables subsequent to being
written off are considered a bad debt recovery.
Inventories
Inventories
at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consisted primarily of finished antimony products,
antimony metal and finished zeolite products that are stated at the lower of
first-in, first-out cost or estimated net realizable value. Since the Company's
antimony inventory is a commodity with a sales value that is subject to world
prices for antimony that are beyond the Company's control, a significant change
in the world market price of antimony could have a significant effect on the net
realizable value of inventories.
F-8
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies, continued
Properties, Plants and
Equipment
Production
facilities and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net
realizable value and are depreciated using the straight-line method over
estimated useful lives of five to fifteen years. Vehicles and office equipment
are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over
estimated useful lives of three to seven years. Maintenance and
repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Betterments of a major nature are
capitalized. When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related
accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain
or loss is reflected in operations.
Management
of the Company periodically reviews the net carrying value of all of its
properties on a property-by-property basis. These reviews consider the net
realizable value of each property to determine whether a permanent impairment in
value has occurred and the need for any asset write-down. An impairment loss is
recognized when the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without
interest) expected to result from the use of an asset are less than the carrying
amount of the asset. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on
the estimated fair value of the asset if the asset is expected to be held and
used.
Although
management has made its best estimate of the factors that affect net realizable
value based on current conditions, it is reasonably possible that changes could
occur in the near term which could adversely affect management's estimate of net
cash flows expected to be generated from its assets, and necessitate asset
impairment write-downs.
Mineral
Rights
The cost
to obtain the legal right to explore, extract and retain at least a portion of
the benefits from mineral deposits are capitalized as mineral rights in the year
of acquisition.
Exploration and
Development
The
Company records exploration costs as operating expenses in the period they
occur, and capitalizes development costs on discrete mineralized bodies that
have proven reserves in compliance with SEC Industry Guide 7, and are in
development or production.
Asset Retirement
Obligations
The
Company recognizes the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement
obligation in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of
fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are
capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the associated long-lived assets
and depreciated over the lives of the assets on a units of production
basis. Reclamation costs are allocated to accretion expense over the
life of the related assets and are adjusted for changes resulting from the
passage of time and changes to either the timing or amount of the original
present value estimate underlying the obligation.
Reclamation and
Remediation
All of
the Company's mining operations are subject to reclamation and remediation
requirements. Minimum standards for mine reclamation have been established by
various governmental agencies. Costs are estimated based primarily upon
environmental and regulatory requirements and are accrued. The liability for
reclamation is classified as current or noncurrent based on the expected timing
of expenditures.
F-9
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies, continued
The
Company accrues costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when
it is probable that such costs will be incurred, and they are reasonably
estimable. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation are not
discounted to their present value. Such costs are based on management's current
estimate of amounts that are expected to be incurred when the remediation work
is performed within current laws and regulations. The Company has restricted
cash balances that have been provided to ensure performance of its reclamation
obligations.
It is
reasonably possible that because of uncertainties associated with defining the
nature and extent of environmental contamination, application of laws and
regulations by regulatory authorities, and changes in remediation technology,
the ultimate cost of remediation and reclamation could change in the future. The
Company continually reviews its accrued liabilities for such remediation and
reclamation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that its remediation
and reclamation liability has changed.
Revenue
Recognition
Sales of
antimony and zeolite products are recorded upon shipment and when title passes
to the customer. Prepayments received from customers prior to the
time that products are shipped are recorded as deferred revenue. When
the related products are shipped, the amount recorded as deferred revenue is
recognized as revenue. The Company's sales agreements provide for no
product returns or allowances.
Revenue
from exclusive sales agreement with multiple elements is recognized prorata over
the duration of the contract.
Common Stock Issued for
Consideration Other than Cash
All
transactions in which goods or services are received for the issuance of shares
of the Company’s common stock are accounted for based on the fair value of the
consideration received or the fair value of the common stock issued, whichever
is more readily determinable.
Income
Taxes
Income
taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this
method, deferred income tax liabilities or assets are determined at the end of
each period using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are
actually paid or recovered. A valuation allowance is recognized on
deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of these
deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The
Company applies generally accepted accounting principles for recognition of
uncertainty in income taxes and prescribing a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the recognition and measurement of a tax position
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In the course of its assessment,
the Company has determined that it is subject to examination of our income tax
filings in the United States and state jurisdictions for the 2005 through 2008
tax years. In the event that the Company is assessed penalties and or interest,
penalties will be charged to other operating expense and interest will be
charged to interest expense.
Income (Loss) Per Common
Share
Basic
earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to
common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus
the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents, including warrants
to purchase the Company's common stock (see note 12) and common stock issuable
upon the conversion of notes payable (see note 11).
F-10
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies, continued
Fair Value
Measures
ASC 820,
“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, requires an entity to maximize the
use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when
measuring fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the
level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure
fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value
hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the
fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs into three levels that
may be used to measure fair value:
·
|
Level
1: Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in
active markets for identical assets or
liabilities.
|
·
|
Level
2: Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than
quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as
quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted
prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient
volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived
valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived
principally from, or corroborated by, observable market
data.
|
·
|
Level
3: Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable
inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the
measurement of the fair value of the assets or
liabilities.
|
At
December 31, 2009, the Company has no financial assets or liabilities that are
measured at fair value on a recurring basis other than restricted cash in
certificates of deposit, which are measured using level 1 inputs.
New Accounting
Pronouncements
The
Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 805 related to business
combinations, which is effective for transactions where the acquisition date is
on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or
after December 15, 2008. FASB ASC 805 has changed the method of accounting for
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, as
follows:
·
|
Acquisition
costs will be generally expensed as
incurred;
|
·
|
Noncontrolling
interests (formally known as “minority interests”) will be valued at fair
value at the acquisition date;
|
·
|
Acquired
contingent liabilities will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition
date and subsequently measured at either the higher of such amount or the
amount determined under existing guidance for non-acquired
contingencies;
|
·
|
In-process
research and development will be recorded at fair value as an
indefinite-lived intangible asset at the acquisition
date;
|
·
|
Restructuring
costs associated with a business combination will be generally expensed
subsequent to the acquisition date;
and
|
·
|
Changes
in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties
after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax
expense.
|
F-11
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies, continued
The
adoption of FASB ASC 805 does not currently have a material effect on our
consolidated financial statements. However, any future business acquisitions
will be accounted for in accordance with this standard.
The
Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 810 which relate to non
controlling interests in consolidated financial statements. The adopted
provisions of FASB ASC 810 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods
within those years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. FASB ASC 810
establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non controlling ownership
interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The
adoption of FASB ASC 810 currently has no impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
4.
Sales of Accounts
Receivable
The
Company sells its accounts receivable to a financing company pursuant to the
terms of a factoring agreement. According to the terms of the
agreement, the receivables are sold with full recourse and the Company assumes
all risks of collectability. Accordingly, the Company's allowance for
doubtful accounts is based upon the expected collectability of all trade
receivables. The performance of all obligations and payments to the
factoring company is personally guaranteed by John C. Lawrence, the Company's
president and a director. As consideration for Mr. Lawrence's
guarantee, the Company granted a mortgaged security interest to Mr. Lawrence
collateralized by the Company's real and personal property.
The
factoring agreement requires the Company to pay a financing fee equal to 2% of
the face amount of receivables sold. Financing fees paid by the
Company during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 totaled $90,124 and
$113,197, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008, net accounts receivable of approximately $3.07 million and $4.93 million,
respectively, were sold under the agreement.
Proceeds
from the sales were used to fund inventory purchases and operating
expenses. The agreement is for a term of one year with automatic
renewal for additional one-year terms.
5.
Inventories
The major components of the
Company's inventories at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as
follows:
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Antimony
Metal
|
$ | 33,722 | $ | 40,907 | ||||
Antimony
Oxide
|
109,665 | 15,525 | ||||||
Zeolite
|
54,049 | 52,785 | ||||||
$ | 197,436 | $ | 109,217 |
At
December 31, 2009 and 2008, antimony metal consisted principally of recast metal
from antimony-based compounds and metal purchased from foreign
suppliers. Antimony oxide inventory consisted of finished product
oxide held at the Company's plant. The Company's zeolite inventory consists of
salable zeolite material held at BRZ's Idaho mining and production
facility.
F-12
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
6.
Properties, Plants and
Equipment
The major
components of the Company's properties, plants and equipment at December 31,
2009 and 2008 are shown below. Approximately $1.1 million of
capitalized costs at December 31, 2009 have not yet been placed in service and,
therefore, have not been subject to depreciation.
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Antimony:
|
||||||||
Equipment
|
1,547,559 | 1,395,293 | ||||||
Buildings
|
628,809 | 547,401 | ||||||
Mineral
rights
|
193,549 | 193,549 | ||||||
Land
|
608,998 | 315,354 | ||||||
2,978,915 | 2,451,597 | |||||||
Accumulated
depreciation
|
(1,249,236 | ) | (1,226,407 | ) | ||||
Total
Antimony, net
|
1,729,679 | 1,225,190 | ||||||
Zeolite:
|
||||||||
Equipment
|
2,125,748 | 2,038,748 | ||||||
Buildings
|
1,415,984 | 1,373,420 | ||||||
3,541,732 | 3,412,168 | |||||||
Accumulated
depreciation
|
(1,867,257 | ) | (1,676,734 | ) | ||||
Total
Zeolite, net
|
1,674,475 | 1,735,434 | ||||||
Properties,
plants and equipment, net
|
$ | 3,404,154 | $ | 2,960,624 |
7.
Investment in AM
On
December 16, 2005, AM signed a contract and option agreement that gives AM the
exclusive right to explore and develop the San Miguel I and San Miguel II
concessions for an annual payment of $50,000, and an option to purchase payment
of $100,000 annually. Total payments will not exceed $1,430,344,
reduced by taxes paid. All installment payments must be paid when and
if AM exercises the option to purchase. During both 2009 and 2008,
$86,956 was paid and capitalized as mineral rights in accordance with the
Company’s accounting policies.
8.
Deferred Revenue
On
October 25, 2006, the Company entered into a five year agreement to exclusively
sell pozzlan zeolite (PZ) to one individual. The agreement called for
the individual to purchase a minimum of 3,000 tons of PZ per
month. If the minimum sales are not purchased for a 90-day period of
time, the exclusivity of sales to this individual is forfeited. The
agreement called for a sales price between $30 and $40 per ton until June 1,
2007, at which time the Company could adjust its price as necessary based on its
production costs.
The
agreement was to commence upon receipt of $500,000 from the stockholder (buyer),
which occurred in 2006, and upon completion of permitting and construction of
the new mill with operational milling equipment (completed as of December 31,
2007).
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company received an additional $300,000 to
extend the life of the agreement and provide exclusivity for certain other sales
areas. The extension agreement was with a company, Zeolite Company of
America (ZCA), of which the stockholder is part owner. The extension
agreement lowered the monthly sales requirement to 350 tons per month and set
the sale price at $40 per ton beginning December 31, 2007.
F-13
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
8.
Deferred Revenue,
continued
It
further specified that should ZCA not purchase or pay for the 350 tons per month
for any three month period, ZCA would lose its exclusivity and price
commitment.
During
the second quarter of 2008 the exclusivity agreement became void due to ZCA’s
failure to perform. As a result, the Company recognized the entire
$800,000 of deferred revenue related to the contract in the second quarter of
2008.
9.
Due to Related
Parties
Amounts
due to related parties at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows (see Note
15 and 19):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Entity
owned by John C. Lawrence, president and director
|
$ | 1,912 | $ | 8,594 | ||||
John C. Lawrence, president and
director(1)
|
8,394 | 324,158 | ||||||
$ | 10,306 | $ | 332,752 |
(1)
Includes accrued interest at 10% per annum of $0 and $146,219 at December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
Transactions affecting the payable
to Mr. Lawrence during 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Balance,
beginning of year
|
$ | 324,158 | $ | 344,327 | ||||
Equipment
rental charges
|
32,236 | 70,767 | ||||||
Interest
expense
|
— | 38,137 | ||||||
Conversion
of payables and exercise of warrants
|
(291,406 | ) | — | |||||
Payments
and advances, net
|
(56,594 | ) | (129,073 | ) | ||||
Balance,
end of year
|
$ | 8,394 | $ | 324,158 | ||||
F-14
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
10.
Long-Term Debt
Long-term
debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Note
payable to Western States Equipment Co., bearing interest
|
||||||||
at
6.4%; payable in monthly installments of $2,066; maturing
|
||||||||
December
2013; collateralized by equipment.
|
$ | 87,300 | $ | — | ||||
Note
payable to CNH Capital America, LLC, bearing interest
|
||||||||
at
4.5%; payable in monthly installments of $505; maturing
|
||||||||
June
2013; collateralized by equipment.
|
19,958 | 24,854 | ||||||
Note
payable to GE Capital, bearing interest at 6.32%; payable
in
|
||||||||
monthly
installments of $908; maturing May 2011; collateralized by
|
||||||||
equipment.
|
14,735 | 23,592 | ||||||
Note
payable to GE Capital, bearing interest at 2.25%; payable
in
|
||||||||
monthly
installments of $359; maturing July 2013; collateralized
by
|
||||||||
equipment.
|
14,817 | 18,745 | ||||||
Note
payable to Robert and Phyllis Rice, bearing interest
|
||||||||
at
1%; payable in monthly installments of $1,000; maturing
|
||||||||
January
2011; collateralized by equipment.
|
13,082 | — | ||||||
Note
payable to CNH Capital America, LLC, bearing interest
|
||||||||
at
2.5%; payable in monthly installments of $1,115; maturing
|
||||||||
May
2010; collateralized by equipment.
|
6,674 | 19,745 | ||||||
Note
payable to an individual. The balance was paid by
a
|
||||||||
transfer
of equipment to an individual in 2009.
|
— | 55,000 | ||||||
Note
payable, bearing interest at 10%; payable in four annual
|
||||||||
installments
of $10,000 each beginning December 2005; not
|
||||||||
collateralized.
|
— | 20,000 | ||||||
Note
payable to CNH Capital America, LLC, bearing interest
|
||||||||
at
15%; payable in monthly installments of $135; maturing
|
||||||||
April
2014; collateralized by equipment.
|
— | 7,201 | ||||||
156,566 | 169,137 | |||||||
Less
current portion
|
(57,856 | ) | (114,596 | ) | ||||
Noncurrent
portion
|
$ | 98,710 | $ | 54,541 |
F-15
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
10. Long-Term Debt,
continued
At
December 31, 2009, principal payments on debt are due as
follows:
Year
Ending
|
||||
December
31,
|
||||
2010
|
$ | 57,856 | ||
2011
|
36,321 | |||
2012
|
32,440 | |||
2013
|
29,949 | |||
Thereafter
|
— | |||
$ | 156,566 |
11.
Secured Convertible and
Convertible Notes Payable
Unsecured Convertible Note
Payable
On
December 22, 2003, John C. Lawrence, the Company's president and a director,
agreed to convert $100,000 of related party debt due to him into a convertible
note payable. The note accrued interest at 10% per annum and was convertible
into shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion price of
$0.20 per share. At December 31, 2008, $100,000 of principal was
outstanding, and accrued interest on the note included in Payables to related
parties was $67,890. During 2009 the note was converted into 500,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock. In addition, $200,000 of related party payable,
including outstanding accrued interest payable, was used by Mr. Lawrence to
exercise warrants initially issued in connection with the convertible note
payable, for the purchase of 1,000,000 shares of common stock.
12.
Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of Common Stock for
Cash
During
2009 and 2008, the Company sold an aggregate of 5,600,234 and 3,219,292 shares,
respectively, of its unregistered common stock to existing stockholders and
other parties for $1,122,243 and $687,495, respectively. In
connection with sales of the Company’s common stock, no warrants to purchase
shares of the Company’s common stock were granted in 2009. In 2008,
warrants to purchase 158,400 at $0.75 and 31,250 at $0.60 were
granted.
Issuance of Common Stock for
Services and Property
During
2009 and 2008, the Company issued 130,000 and 130,000 shares, respectively, of
common stock to its directors for services, with values of $39,000 and $39,000,
respectively. The stock values were determined based on current stock price at
date of grant.
Common Stock
Warrants
The
Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue stock warrants for the
purchase of preferred or common stock to directors and employees of the Company.
The Company has also issued warrants in exchange for services rendered the
Company and in connection with sales of its unregistered common
stock.
During
2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a reduction in the exercise
price of all outstanding warrants that become due prior to June 30, 2009 to
$0.20 per share.
F-16
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
12.
Stockholders' Equity, continued
Transactions
in common stock warrants are as follows:
Number
of
|
Exercise
|
|||||||
Warrants
|
Prices
|
|||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
7,067,727 | $0.20-$0.75 | ||||||
Warrants
granted in connection with 2008 stock sales
|
189,650 | $0.60-$0.75 | ||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
(2,662,293 | ) | $0.20-$0.60 | |||||
Warrants
expired and cancelled
|
(833,334 | ) | $ 0.60 | |||||
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
3,761,750 | $0.20-$0.75 | ||||||
Warrants
granted in connection with 2009 stock sales
|
— | $ — | ||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
(1,512,849 | ) | $0.20-$0.60 | |||||
Warrants
expired and cancelled
|
(1,327,167 | ) | $ 0.60 | |||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
921,734 | $0.20-$0.75 |
The above common stock warrants expire as
follows:
Year
Ended December 31:
|
||||||||
2010
|
513,334 | |||||||
2011
|
158,400 | |||||||
2012
|
— | |||||||
Thereafter
|
250,000 | |||||||
921,734 | ||||||||
Preferred
Stock
The
Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize 10,000,000 shares of $0.01 par
value preferred stock available for issuance with such rights and preferences,
including liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights, as the Board of
Directors may determine.
Series B
During
1993, the Board established a Series B preferred stock, consisting of 1,666,667
shares. All 1,666,667 shares authorized were issued in connection
with the final settlement of litigation. The Series B preferred stock has
preference over the Company's common stock and Series A preferred stock; has no
voting rights (absent default in payment of declared dividends); and is entitled
to cumulative dividends of $0.01 per share per year, payable if and when
declared by the Board of Directors. In the event of dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, the preferential amount payable to Series B
preferred stockholders is $1.00 per share plus dividends in arrears. No
dividends have been declared or paid with respect to the Series B preferred
stock. At December 31, 2009, cumulative dividends in arrears on the
750,000 outstanding Series B shares were $112,500 or $0.15 per
share. At December 31, 2008, cumulative dividends in arrears on the
750,000 outstanding Series B shares were $105,000, or $0.14 per
share.
Series C
The
Series C shares have voting rights, are non-redeemable and have a $0.55 per
share liquidation preference.
F-17
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
12.
Stockholders' Equity, continued
Series D
During
2002, the Company established its Series D preferred stock. Holders
of the Series D preferred stock have the right, subject to the availability of
authorized but unissued common stock, to convert their shares into shares of the
Company's common stock without payment of additional
consideration. The Series D shares are initially convertible into the
Company's common stock as determined by dividing $0.20 by the conversion price
in effect at the time of the conversion. The initial conversion price
of the Series D preferred stock is $0.20, and subject to adjustment based upon
anti-dilution provisions, which include but are not limited to, the affects of
the subsequent sale of common stock at prices less than the initial conversion
price.
Designation. The
class of convertible Series D preferred stock, $0.01 par value, consists of up
to 2.5 million shares.
Voting
Rights. The holders of Series D preferred shares shall have
the right to that number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock
issuable upon conversion of such Series D preferred shares.
Redemption. The
Series D preferred shares are not redeemable by the Company.
Liquidation
Preference. The Series D holders are entitled to a liquidation
preference equal to the greater of $2.50 per share or the equivalent market
value of the number of shares of common stock into which each share of Series D
is convertible. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the liquidation
preference for Series D preferred stock was $4,377,513 and $4,377,513,
respectively.
Registration
Rights. All of the underlying common stock issued upon
conversion of the Series D preferred shares shall be entitled to "piggyback"
registration rights when, and if, the Company files a registration statement for
its securities or the securities of any other stockholder.
Dividends. The
Series D holders are entitled to an annual dividend of $0.0235 per
share. The dividends are cumulative and payable after payment and
satisfaction of the Series A, B and C preferred stock dividends. At December 31,
2009 and 2008, cumulative dividends in arrears on the 1,751,005 outstanding
Series D shares were $254,623 and $213,474, respectively.
During
2009 and 2008, no warrants were exercised to purchase shares of Series D
preferred stock.
Preferred Stock
Warrants
No
preferred stock warrants were issued in 2009 or 2008.
Transactions
in Series D preferred stock warrants are as follows:
Number
of
|
Exercise
|
|||||||
Warrants
|
Prices
|
|||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
111,185 | $0.25-$0.30 | ||||||
Warrants
granted
|
— | |||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
— | |||||||
Warrants
expired and cancelled
|
(111,185 | ) | $ 0.30 | |||||
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
— | |||||||
Warrants
granted
|
— | |||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
— | |||||||
Warrants
expired and cancelled
|
— | |||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
— | |||||||
F-18
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
13.
2000 Stock Plan
In
January 2000, the Company's Board of Directors resolved to create the United
States Antimony Corporation 2000 Stock Plan ("the Plan"). The purpose
of the Plan is to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions
of substantial responsibility and to provide additional incentive to employees,
directors and consultants of the Company to promote the success of the Company's
business. The maximum number of shares of common stock or options to purchase
common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan is 500,000. At
December 31, 2009 and 2008, 300,000 shares of the Company's common stock had
been issued under the Plan. There were no issuances under the Plan
during 2009 and 2008.
14.
Income Taxes
The Company had no income tax
provision or benefit for the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008.
At
December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had net deferred tax assets composed as
follows:
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Arising
from differences in the book and tax basis of
|
||||||||
certain
property assets
|
$ | 295,000 | $ | 316,000 | ||||
Arising
from limitation in deduction of foreign
|
||||||||
exploration
costs
|
462,000 | 354,000 | ||||||
Arising
from net tax operating loss carryforwards
|
833,000 | 844,000 | ||||||
Total
deferred tax assets
|
1,590,000 | 1,514,000 | ||||||
Valuation
allowance
|
(1,590,000 | ) | (1,514,000 | ) | ||||
Net
deferred tax assets
|
$ | — | $ | — |
The
deferred tax assets were calculated based on an estimated 34% income tax
rate. As management of the Company cannot determine if it is more
likely than not that the Company will realize the benefit of its deferred tax
assets, a valuation allowance equal to the net deferred tax assets at both
December 31, 2009 and 2008 has been established.
At
December 31, 2009, the Company had unexpired federal regular tax net operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $2,500,000 which expire between 2012 and
2028. In addition, the Company had unexpired Montana and Idaho state
regular tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $595,000 and
$10,000, respectively, which expire between 2011 and 2027.
The
income tax provision (benefit) differs from the amount of income tax determined
by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to pretax income (loss) for the
years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 due to the following:
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Computed
"expected" tax provision (benefit)
|
$ | (99,000 | ) | $ | 113,000 | |||
Effect
of permanent differences
|
23,000 | (3,000 | ) | |||||
Increase
in valuation allowance
|
76,000 | — | ||||||
Release
of valuation allowance
|
— | (110,000 | ) | |||||
$ | — | $ | — |
F-19
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
14.
Income Taxes,
continued
We have
determined that we are subject to examination of our federal income tax filings
in the United States for the 2006 through 2009 tax years. The states
of Montana and Idaho income tax filings are subject to examination for the 2006
through 2009 tax years. There were no uncertain tax positions taken by the
Company. In the event that the Company is assessed penalties and or
interest, penalties will be charged to other operating expense and interest will
be charged to interest expense.
15.
Related-Party
Transactions
In
addition to transactions described in Notes 4, 8, 9, 11 and 12, during 2009 and 2008,
the Company had the following transactions with related parties:
During
both 2009 and 2008, the Company issued 130,000 shares of its common stock to
members of its Board of Directors as compensation for their services as
directors. In connection with the issuances, the Company recorded
$39,000 and $35,100, respectively, in director compensation. In
addition, the Company had directors' compensation of $49,400 and $23,400 accrued
as a liability of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
During
2009 and 2008, the Company paid $159,995 and $33,201, respectively. to a
director for development of Mexican mill sites.
A
director of the Company acts as legal counsel to the Company. During the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company paid legal fees and expenses to
this director in the amount of $23,500 and $36,500, respectively.
Royalty
expense of $46,867 and $47,491 was incurred for the years ended December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively, to a company controlled by Al Dugan, a significant
stockholder and affiliate, based on gross sales (FOB mine) of
zeolite.
16.
Commitments and
Contingencies
The
Company's management believes that USAC is currently in substantial compliance
with environmental regulatory requirements and that its accrued environmental
reclamation costs are representative of management's estimate of costs required
to fulfill its reclamation obligations. Such costs are accrued at the
time the expenditure becomes probable and the costs can reasonably be
estimated. The Company recognizes, however, that in some cases future
environmental expenditures cannot be reliably determined due to the uncertainty
of specific remediation methods, conflicts between regulating agencies relating
to remediation methods and environmental law interpretations, and changes in
environmental laws and regulations. Any changes to the Company's
reclamation plans as a result of these factors could have an adverse affect on
the Company's operations. The range of possible losses in excess of
the amounts accrued cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
F-20
United
States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2009 and 2008
17.
Business Segments
The
Company has two operating segments, antimony and zeolite. Management
reviews and evaluates the operating segments exclusive of interest and factoring
expenses. Therefore, interest expense is not allocated to the
segments. Selected information with respect to segments for the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Capital
expenditures:
|
||||||||
Antimony
|
||||||||
United
States
|
$ | 3,000 | $ | — | ||||
Mexico
|
573,416 | 180,573 | ||||||
Subtotal
Antimony
|
576,416 | 180,573 | ||||||
Zeolite
|
129,565 | 218,662 | ||||||
$ | 705,981 | $ | 399,235 | |||||
Properties,
plants and equipment, net:
|
||||||||
Antimony
|
||||||||
United
States
|
$ | 69,719 | $ | 94,137 | ||||
Mexico
|
1,659,960 | 1,131,053 | ||||||
Subtotal
Antimony
|
1,729,679 | 1,225,190 | ||||||
Zeolite
|
1,674,475 | 1,735,434 | ||||||
$ | 3,404,154 | $ | 2,960,624 | |||||
Total
Assets:
|
||||||||
Antimony
|
||||||||
United
States
|
$ | 329,932 | $ | 266,746 | ||||
Mexico
|
1,838,991 | 1,131,053 | ||||||
Subtotal
Antimony
|
2,168,923 | 1,397,799 | ||||||
Zeolite
|
1,847,380 | 1,818,867 | ||||||
Corporate
|
1,581 | 54,448 | ||||||
$ | 4,017,884 | $ | 3,271,114 |
See Note
2 regarding sales to major customers.
F-21