US ENERGY CORP - Quarter Report: 2006 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
Quarterly
report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934
|
For
the quarter ended September 30, 2006 or
|
|
o
|
Transition
report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934
|
For
the transition period from ___________ to
____________
|
Commission
file number 0-6814
U.S.
ENERGY CORP.
|
(Exact
Name of Company as Specified in its
Charter)
|
Wyoming
|
83-0205516
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
|
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
877
North 8th
West, Riverton, WY
|
82501
|
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
|
Company's
telephone number, including area code:
|
(307)
856-9271
|
Not
Applicable
|
Former
name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last
report
|
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES
o NO
x
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports to Section
13 or
Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES
o NO
x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required
to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the
past 90 days.
YES
x NO
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large
accelerated filer o Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer 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
APPLICABLE
ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS
DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports
required to be filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed
by a
court.
YES
o NO
o
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
|
Outstanding
Shares at November 14, 2006
|
|
Common
stock, $.01 par value
|
19,704,434
|
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. and SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
Page
No.
|
||
PART
I.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
Financial
Statements.
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2006 (unaudited) and December
31, 2005 (audited)
|
4-5
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)
|
6-7
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)
|
8-10
|
|
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
|
11-22
|
|
ITEM
2.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
23-39
|
ITEM
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
40-41
|
ITEM
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
42
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
43-45
|
ITEM
2.
|
Changes
in Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
45
|
ITEM
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
45
|
ITEM
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders
|
45
|
ITEM
5.
|
Other
Information
|
45
|
ITEM
6.
|
Exhibits
and Reports on Form 8-K
|
46
|
Signatures
|
47
|
|
Certifications
|
See
Exhibits
|
-3-
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Financial Statements
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
20,290,400
|
$
|
6,998,700
|
|||
Marketable
securities
|
|||||||
Trading
securities
|
149,300
|
--
|
|||||
Held
for resale securities
|
590,900
|
328,700
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable
|
|||||||
Trade,
net of allowance of $0 and $32,300, respectively
|
238,100
|
251,400
|
|||||
Affiliates
|
126,300
|
14,100
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
173,200
|
215,000
|
|||||
Inventories
|
37,500
|
32,700
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
21,605,700
|
7,840,600
|
|||||
INVESTMENTS:
|
|||||||
Non-affiliated
companies
|
--
|
14,760,800
|
|||||
Marketable
securities, held-to-maturity
|
6,753,100
|
6,761,200
|
|||||
Other
|
54,900
|
54,900
|
|||||
Total
investments
|
6,808,000
|
21,576,900
|
|||||
PROPERTIES
AND EQUIPMENT:
|
14,801,200
|
13,847,600
|
|||||
Less
accumulated depreciation,
|
|||||||
depletion
and amortization
|
(7,333,000
|
)
|
(7,481,800
|
)
|
|||
Net
properties and equipment
|
7,468,200
|
6,365,800
|
|||||
OTHER
ASSETS:
|
|||||||
Note
receivable trade
|
10,400
|
20,800
|
|||||
Real
estate held for resale
|
1,819,700
|
1,819,700
|
|||||
Deposits
and other
|
1,137,700
|
482,900
|
|||||
Total
other assets
|
2,967,800
|
2,323,400
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
38,849,700
|
$
|
38,106,700
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-4-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||||||
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
365,300
|
$
|
433,000
|
|||
Accrued
compensation expense
|
1,208,100
|
177,100
|
|||||
Current
portion of asset retirement obligations
|
233,200
|
233,200
|
|||||
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
207,500
|
156,500
|
|||||
Other
current liabilities
|
2,971,500
|
232,400
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
4,985,600
|
1,232,200
|
|||||
LONG-TERM
DEBT, net of current portion
|
1,042,400
|
880,300
|
|||||
ASSET
RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS,
|
|||||||
net
of current portion
|
6,330,800
|
5,669,000
|
|||||
OTHER
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
|
1,641,700
|
1,400,500
|
|||||
MINORITY
INTERESTS
|
5,204,500
|
1,767,500
|
|||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
|
|||||||
FORFEITABLE
COMMON STOCK, $.01 par value
|
|||||||
297,540
and 442,740 shares issued, respectively
|
|||||||
forfeitable
until earned
|
1,746,600
|
2,599,000
|
|||||
PREFERRED
STOCK,
|
|||||||
$.01
par value; 100,000 shares authorized
|
|||||||
No
shares issued or outstanding
|
--
|
--
|
|||||
SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $.01 par value;
|
|||||||
unlimited
shares authorized; 19,536,827
|
|||||||
and
18,825,134 shares issued net of
|
|||||||
treasury
stock, respectively
|
195,400
|
188,200
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
71,677,500
|
68,005,600
|
|||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(50,433,800
|
)
|
(40,154,100
|
)
|
|||
Treasury
stock at cost,
|
|||||||
1,004,174
and 999,174 shares respectively
|
(2,923,500
|
)
|
(2,892,900
|
)
|
|||
Unrealized
loss on marketable securities
|
(127,000
|
)
|
(98,100
|
)
|
|||
Unallocated
ESOP contribution
|
(490,500
|
)
|
(490,500
|
)
|
|||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
17,898,100
|
24,558,200
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$
|
38,849,700
|
$
|
38,106,700
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-5-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
Three
months ended September 30,
|
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
OPERATING
REVENUES:
|
|||||||||||||
Real
estate operations
|
$
|
35,000
|
$
|
60,700
|
$
|
137,800
|
$
|
217,900
|
|||||
Management
fees and other
|
246,100
|
106,400
|
468,200
|
474,100
|
|||||||||
281,100
|
167,100
|
606,000
|
692,000
|
||||||||||
OPERATING
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|||||||||||||
Real
estate operations
|
85,200
|
76,400
|
221,500
|
211,800
|
|||||||||
Mineral
holding costs
|
1,078,900
|
565,000
|
2,262,300
|
1,234,900
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative
|
5,593,000
|
1,007,300
|
10,509,000
|
4,331,800
|
|||||||||
6,757,100
|
1,648,700
|
12,992,800
|
5,778,500
|
||||||||||
OPERATING
LOSS
|
(6,476,000
|
)
|
(1,481,600
|
)
|
(12,386,800
|
)
|
(5,086,500
|
)
|
|||||
OTHER
INCOME & (EXPENSES):
|
|||||||||||||
Gain
on sales of assets
|
240,000
|
1,219,900
|
3,063,500
|
1,229,400
|
|||||||||
(Loss)
gain on sale of marketable securities
|
(860,500
|
)
|
1,038,500
|
(860,500
|
)
|
1,038,500
|
|||||||
Gain
on sale of investment
|
10,869,800
|
--
|
10,842,300
|
117,700
|
|||||||||
(Loss)
gain from valuation of derivatives
|
--
|
727,900
|
(630,900
|
)
|
4,194,300
|
||||||||
Loss
from Enterra share exchange
|
--
|
--
|
(3,845,800
|
)
|
--
|
||||||||
Settlement
of litagation
|
(7,000,000
|
)
|
--
|
(7,000,000
|
)
|
--
|
|||||||
Dividends
|
136,600
|
43,400
|
141,600
|
43,400
|
|||||||||
Interest
income
|
168,200
|
50,800
|
418,200
|
241,200
|
|||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(40,500
|
)
|
(467,100
|
)
|
(97,600
|
)
|
(4,099,100
|
)
|
|||||
3,513,600
|
2,613,400
|
2,030,800
|
2,765,400
|
||||||||||
(LOSS)
GAIN BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST,
|
|||||||||||||
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS AND
|
|||||||||||||
PROVISION
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
(2,962,400
|
)
|
1,131,800
|
(10,356,000
|
)
|
(2,321,100
|
)
|
||||||
MINORITY
INTEREST IN LOSS OF
|
|||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES
|
28,700
|
96,800
|
76,300
|
458,200
|
|||||||||
(LOSS)
GAIN BEFORE DISCONTINUED
|
|||||||||||||
OPERATIONS
AND PROVISION
|
|||||||||||||
FOR
INCOME TAXES
|
(2,933,700
|
)
|
1,228,600
|
(10,279,700
|
)
|
(1,862,900
|
)
|
||||||
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS, net of taxes
|
|||||||||||||
Gain
(loss) on sale of discontinued segment
|
--
|
(188,100
|
)
|
--
|
15,533,500
|
||||||||
Loss
from discontinued operations
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
(326,100
|
)
|
||||||||
|
--
|
(188,100
|
)
|
--
|
15,207,400
|
||||||||
(LOSS)
GAIN BEFORE PROVISION FOR
|
|||||||||||||
INCOME
TAXES
|
(2,933,700
|
)
|
1,040,500
|
(10,279,700
|
)
|
13,344,500
|
|||||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-6-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
Three
months ended September 30,
|
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
PROVISION
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|||||||||
NET
(LOSS) GAIN
|
$
|
(2,933,700
|
)
|
$
|
1,040,500
|
$
|
(10,279,700
|
)
|
$
|
13,344,500
|
|||
PER
SHARE DATA
|
|||||||||||||
Loss
from continuing operations
|
$
|
(0.16
|
)
|
$
|
0.07
|
$
|
(0.56
|
)
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
||
(Loss)
gain from discontinued operations
|
--
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
--
|
$
|
0.97
|
||||||
$
|
(0.16
|
)
|
$
|
0.06
|
$
|
(0.56
|
)
|
$
|
0.85
|
||||
BASIC
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
|
|||||||||||||
SHARES
OUTSTANDING
|
18,367,198
|
17,229,336
|
18,283,573
|
15,681,519
|
|||||||||
DILUTED
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
|
|||||||||||||
SHARES
OUTSTANDING
|
18,809,938
|
19,160,917
|
18,283,573
|
16,124,259
|
|||||||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-7-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|
||||
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Net
(loss) gain
|
$
|
(10,279,700
|
)
|
$
|
13,344,500
|
||
Adjustments
to reconcile net (loss) gain
|
|||||||
to
net cash used in operating activities:
|
|||||||
Minority
interest in loss of
|
|||||||
consolidated
subsidiaries
|
(76,300
|
)
|
(458,200
|
)
|
|||
Amortization
of deferred charge
|
--
|
441,300
|
|||||
Depreciation
|
380,700
|
289,100
|
|||||
Accretion
of asset
|
|||||||
retirement
obligations
|
578,400
|
275,000
|
|||||
Initial
valuation of asset
|
|||||||
retirement
obligation
|
83,400
|
--
|
|||||
Amortization
of debt discount
|
--
|
3,136,100
|
|||||
Noncash
interest expense
|
--
|
720,000
|
|||||
(Gain)
on sale of assets
|
(3,063,500
|
)
|
(890,600
|
)
|
|||
Loss
on valuation of Enterra units
|
3,845,800
|
--
|
|||||
Loss
(gain) on valuation of derivatives
|
630,900
|
(4,194,300
|
)
|
||||
Gain
on sale of discontinued segment
|
--
|
(15,533,500
|
)
|
||||
Loss
(gain) on sale of marketable securities
|
860,500
|
(1,156,200
|
)
|
||||
Proceeds
from the sale of trading securities
|
8,304,300
|
--
|
|||||
Gain
on sale of Pinnacle Resources
|
(10,842,300
|
)
|
--
|
||||
Noncash
compensation
|
1,481,200
|
270,900
|
|||||
Noncash
services
|
670,200
|
35,600
|
|||||
Net
changes in assets and liabilities:
|
1,295,300
|
(178,600
|
)
|
||||
NET
CASH USED IN
|
|||||||
OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
|
(6,131,100
|
)
|
(3,898,900
|
)
|
|||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from sale of marketable securities
|
491,600
|
5,916,600
|
|||||
Sale
of RMG
|
--
|
(270,000
|
)
|
||||
Proceeds
from sale of investments
|
13,800,000
|
117,700
|
|||||
Acquisition
of unproved mining claims
|
(644,800
|
)
|
(602,600
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
on sale of property and equipment
|
2,410,400
|
925,200
|
|||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(599,800
|
)
|
(361,600
|
)
|
|||
Investment
in marketable securities
|
--
|
(338,800
|
)
|
||||
Net
change in restricted investments
|
8,100
|
111,500
|
|||||
Net
change in notes receivable
|
(20,200
|
)
|
500
|
||||
Net
change in investments in affiliates
|
30,600
|
--
|
|||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY
|
|||||||
BY
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
15,475,900
|
5,498,500
|
|||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-8-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|||||||
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
$
|
915,900
|
$
|
2,834,900
|
|||
Issuance
of subsidiary stock
|
3,173,700
|
--
|
|||||
Proceeds
from long term debt
|
184,300
|
3,764,900
|
|||||
Repayments
of long term debt
|
(327,000
|
)
|
(3,285,000
|
)
|
|||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY
|
|||||||
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
|
3,946,900
|
3,314,800
|
|||||
Net
cash used in operating activities of
|
|||||||
discontinued
operations
|
--
|
(453,500
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash used in investing activities of
|
|||||||
discontinued
operations
|
--
|
(215,000
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash used in financing activities of
|
|||||||
discontinued
operations
|
--
|
(8,500
|
)
|
||||
NET
INCREASE IN
|
|||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
13,291,700
|
4,237,400
|
|||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|||||||
AT
BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
6,998,700
|
3,842,500
|
|||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|||||||
AT
END OF PERIOD
|
$
|
20,290,400
|
$
|
8,079,900
|
|||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURES:
|
|||||||
Income
tax paid
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
--
|
|||
Interest
paid
|
$
|
97,600
|
$
|
242,800
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-9-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|||||||
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||||
NON-CASH
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Conversion
of Enterra shares
|
|||||||
to
tradable units
|
$
|
13,880,100
|
$
|
--
|
|||
Issuance
of stock warrants in
|
|||||||
conjunction
with agreements
|
$
|
727,300
|
$
|
--
|
|||
Acquisition
of assets
|
|||||||
through
issuance of debt
|
$
|
355,800
|
$
|
113,400
|
|||
Unrealized
loss/gain
|
$
|
42,200
|
$
|
--
|
|||
Satisfaction
of receivable - employee
|
|||||||
with
stock in company
|
$
|
30,600
|
$
|
20,500
|
|||
Issuance
of stock warrants in
|
|||||||
conjunction
with debt
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
1,226,200
|
|||
Issuance
of stock as conversion of
|
|||||||
subsidiary
stock
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
499,700
|
|||
Issuance
of stock for services
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
35,600
|
|||
Issuance
of stock to satisfy debt
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
4,000,000
|
|||
-10-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1) The
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2006, the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, have been prepared
by the Company without audit. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at
December 31, 2005 has been taken from the audited financial statements included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period then ended. In the
opinion of the Company, the accompanying financial statements contain all
adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present
fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, the results of operations for the three and nine months
ended
September 30, 2006, and 2005 and cash flows for the nine months ended September
30, 2006 and 2005.
2) Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that
these financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's December
31, 2005 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the periods ended September
30, 2006 and 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for
the full year.
3) The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates based on certain assumptions. These estimates and assumptions 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.
4) The
consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries include the
accounts of the Company, the accounts of its majority-owned or controlled
subsidiaries Plateau Resources Limited, Inc. (“Plateau”) (100%); Four Nines
Gold, Inc. ("FNG") (50.9%); Sutter Gold Mining Inc. (“Sutter”) (49%); Crested
Corp. (“Crested”) (71%); Yellow Stone Fuels, Inc. (“YSFI”) (35.9%), and the
USECC Joint Venture ("USECC"), a consolidated joint venture which is equally
owned by the Company and Crested, through which the bulk of their operations
are
conducted.
Investments
of less than 20% are accounted for by the cost method. All material
inter-company profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated. Because
of management control, YSFI is consolidated into the financial statements of
the
Company.
5) The
Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised
2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R
requires the recognition of the fair value of stock-based compensation in net
income. Stock-based compensation primarily consists of stock options. Stock
options are granted to employees at exercise prices equal to the fair market
value of the Company’s stock at the dates of grant. Generally, options fully
vest immediately and expire 90 days after the employee voluntarily terminates
their employment with the Company and twelve months after retirement, disability
or death. The Company recognizes the stock-based compensation expense over
the
requisite service period of the individual grantees, which generally equals
the
vesting period. The Company provides newly issued shares to satisfy stock option
exercises. There were no option awards granted in the three months ended
September 30, 2006. There were, however, options that vested on July 1, 2006.
The expense of $273,600 associated with the vesting of these shares was recorded
during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as a result of the adoption
of
SFAS 123(R).
-11-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Prior
to
January 1, 2006, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion
25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in
accounting for our stock-based compensation. Under APB 25, no compensation
expense was recognized for stock options since the exercise price of employee
stock options equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date
of
grant. The Company elected the modified prospective transition method for
adopting SFAS 123R. Under this method, the provisions of SFAS 123R apply to
all
awards granted or modified after the date of adoption.
FAS
123R
requires the Company to present pro forma information for periods prior to
the
adoption as if the Company had accounted for all employee stock options and
performance awards under the fair value method of that statement. For purposes
of pro forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options and performance
awards at the date of the grant is amortized to expense over the requisite
service period, which generally equals the vesting period. For pro forma
purposes, the estimated fair value of stock-based awards to employees is
amortized over the respective vesting periods.
The
following table illustrates the effect on net gain and net gain per share if
the
Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123,
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation
for the periods indicated:
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||
September
30,
|
||||
2005
|
||||
Net
gain
|
$
|
13,344,500
|
||
Deduct:
|
||||
Stock-based
employee compensation determined under fair value method for all
awards,
net of related tax effects
|
$
|
(311,100
|
)
|
|
Net
income available to common stockholders - pro forma
|
$
|
13,033,400
|
||
Basic
gain per share as reported
|
$
|
0.85
|
||
Diluted
gain per share as reported
|
$
|
0.83
|
||
Basic
gain per share pro forma
|
$
|
0.83
|
||
Diluted
gain per share pro forma
|
$
|
0.81
|
||
Weighted
average basic common stock outstanding
|
$
|
15,681,519
|
||
Weighted
average diluted common stock outstanding
|
$
|
16,124,259
|
||
The
weighted average remaining contractual term and aggregate intrinsic value of
options outstanding at September 30, 2006 was 6.02 years and $4,427,900,
respectively. At September 30, 2006, all options that had been issued were
vested and exercisable. Consequently no additional expense will be recorded
in
future periods from options outstanding as of September 30, 2006.
6)
Components of Properties and Equipment at September 30, 2006, consist of land,
buildings and equipment.
-12-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Depletion
and
|
|
Net
|
|
|||
|
|
Cost
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
Book
Value
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Mining
and oil properties
|
$
|
3,129,400
|
$
|
(1,773,600
|
)
|
$
|
1,355,800
|
|||
Buildings,
land and equipment
|
11,671,800
|
(5,559,400
|
)
|
6,112,400
|
||||||
Totals
|
$
|
14,801,200
|
$
|
(7,333,000
|
)
|
$
|
7,468,200
|
|||
The
Company has impaired a portion of historical costs associated with its
properties in prior periods. The Company will provide additional impairments
if
necessary in the future. No additional impairments are required at September
30,
2006.
7) Unrealized
gains on investments are excluded from net income but are reported as
comprehensive income on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets under
Shareholders’ equity. The following table illustrates the effect on net income
(loss) if the Company had recognized comprehensive income:
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|
||||||
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||
Net
(loss) gain
|
$
|
(10,279,700
|
)
|
$
|
13,344,500
|
||
Comprehensive
loss from the
|
|||||||
unrealized
loss on marketable securities
|
(127,000
|
)
|
(7,700
|
)
|
|||
Comprehensive
loss
|
$
|
(10,406,700
|
)
|
$
|
13,336,800
|
||
8) Based
on
the provisions of SFAS No. 115, the Company accounts for marketable equity
securities as marketable securities which are available for sale. Available
for-sale securities are measured at fair value, with net unrealized gains and
losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of
comprehensive income until realized.
Investments
in marketable securities consisted of the following at September 30,
2006:
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|||||
|
|
Cost
|
|
Market
Value
|
|
Loss
|
||||
Equity
Securities
|
||||||||||
UPC
shares
|
$
|
677,700
|
$
|
550,700
|
$
|
(127,000
|
)
|
|||
Dynasty
shares
|
40,200
|
40,200
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
717,900
|
$
|
590,900
|
$
|
(127,000
|
)
|
|||
These
securities are 1,500,000 shares of UPC and 13,000 shares of
Dynasty.
-13-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
9) During
the quarter ended September 30, 2006 the Company and Crested sold all 682,345
of
their units of Enterra Energy Trust (“Enterra”). As a result of the sale of
these units of Enterra, the Company, on a consolidated basis, received
$8,304,300 in net cash proceeds and recorded a net loss of $961,800 on the
sale
of the marketable securities. These units of Enterra were received by the
Company and Crested upon the conversion of Enterra Acquisition (“Acquisitions”)
shares on June 6, 2006. The units were originally received as a portion of
the
compensation that the Company and Crested received when they sold their
interests in Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. (“RMG”).
The
Company and Crested also sold 1,000,000 shares of their Uranium Power Corp.
(“UPC”) common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The
Company recognized $398,100 in consolidated cash receipts as well as a gain
of
$60,300 from the sale of these shares. Sutter also sold 17,000 shares of Dynasty
Metals & Mining Inc. for $93,600 in cash and recognized a gain of $41,000 on
the sale. At September 30, 2006, the Company and Crested equally owned 1,500,000
shares of UPC. Sutter owns 13,000 shares of Dynasty Metals & Mining
Inc.
10) During
the quarter ended September 30, 2006 the Company and Crested sold their equity
position in Pinnacle Gas Resources, Inc. (“Pinnacle”). The Company and Crested
had contributed assets in the formation of Pinnacle along with other joint
venture partners in the coal bed methane business previously. The Company,
on a
consolidated basis, received $13.8 million in cash proceeds from this sale
and
recorded a net gain of $10,842,300. As a result of the sale of the equity
ownership of Pinnacle, the Company and Crested became obligated to pay Enterra
$2.0 million in either cash or stock of the Company. Subsequent to September
30,
2006, the Company and Crested paid the obligation to Enterra with 506,395 shares
of the Company common stock owned by Crested.
11) The
Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
per
Share". Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share
is
computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to outstanding options and
warrants to purchase common stock, if dilutive. Potential common shares relating
to options and warrants are excluded from the computation of diluted loss per
share, because they are anti-dilutive. These options and warrants totaled
5,763,711 and 5,354,390 at September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Stock
options and warrants have a weighted average exercise price of $2.91 and $3.61
per share, respectively at September 30, 2006 and were $2.68 and $3.43 per
share, respectively at September 30, 2005.
12) Long
term
debt at September 30, 2006 consists of:
Current
portion of long term debt for the purchase of aircraft, equipment
and
insurance policies at various interest rates and due dates
|
$
|
207,500
|
||
Long
term portion of debt for the purchase of aircraft, equipment and
insurance
policies at various interest rates and due dates
|
1,042,400
|
|||
$
|
1,249,900
|
-14-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
13)
The
Company has uranium properties that are in a shut down status in Wyoming and
southern Utah for which it is responsible for the reclamation expense. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates for these reclamation expenses based on certain assumptions. These
estimates and assumptions 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.
The
Company accounts for the reclamation of its mineral properties pursuant to
SFAS
No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligation.” Under the provisions of
this accounting statement, the Company records the estimated fair value of
the
reclamation liability on its mineral properties as of the date that the
liability is incurred with a corresponding increase in the property’s book
value. Actual costs could differ from those estimates. The reclamation
liabilities are reviewed each quarter to determine whether estimates for the
total asset retirement obligation are sufficient to complete the reclamation
work required.
The
Company deducts any actual funds expended for reclamation from the asset
retirement obligations during the quarter in which it occurs. As a result of
the
Company taking impairment allowances in prior periods on its shut-down mining
properties, it has no remaining book value for these properties. Any upward
revisions of retirement costs on its mineral properties will therefore be
expensed in the quarter in which they are recorded.
The
following is a reconciliation of the total liability for asset retirement
obligations (unaudited):
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|
||||||
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||
Balance
December 31, 2005
|
$
|
5,902,200
|
$
|
8,075,100
|
|||
Addition
to Liability
|
83,400
|
--
|
|||||
Liability
Settled
|
--
|
--
|
|||||
Sale
of RMG
|
--
|
(463,700
|
)
|
||||
Accretion
Expense
|
578,400
|
275,000
|
|||||
Balance
September 30, 2006
|
$
|
6,564,000
|
$
|
7,886,400
|
|||
14)
On
July 10, 2006, the Company and Crested signed an Exclusivity Agreement with
sxr
Uranium One Inc. (“”Uranium One”” or “SXR”), which is headquartered in Toronto,
Canada with offices in South Africa and Australia (TSE and JSE “SXR”). Upon
signing the Exclusivity Agreement, the Term Sheet (signed by Uranium One and
by
the Company and Crested on June 22, 2006) became effective. The Term Sheet
sets
forth the indicative terms of a proposed sale of the majority of the Company
and
Crested’s uranium assets to Uranium One. In the event that the transaction with
Uranium One is concluded, the Company will no longer be liable for the majority
of the reclamation obligation discussed in Footnote 13.
-15-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Under
the
terms of the Exclusivity Agreement, Uranium One paid the Company and Crested
$750,000 cash (nonrefundable, except for material breach of the Exclusivity
Agreement) for the exclusive right to purchase the uranium assets, including
the
Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in southeast Utah (and all geological libraries
and other intellectual property related to the acquired assets and the mill),
for a period of up to 270 days (an initial six month period, plus an optional
three month extension). During this time, the parties will prepare definitive
acquisition agreements. Subject to satisfactory results on Uranium One’s due
diligence review and obtaining all required approvals associated with the sale
and purchase of the assets, the definitive agreements would be signed and the
sale closed as soon as possible.
Under
the
Term Sheet, Uranium One has the right to purchase the assets under the following
terms:
· $49,250,000
in Uranium One common stock at a set price at closing (the set price is the
volume weighted average price of Uranium One stock for the 10 days prior to
signing the Exclusivity Agreement, which is $7.45US or $8.32 Cdn per share).
This represents the $50 million portion, less the cash paid for the Exclusivity
Agreement.
· $20
million in cash upon the start of commercial operation of the Shootaring Canyon
uranium mill.
· $7.5
million in cash upon the first delivery of mineralized material to a commercial
uranium mill from any of the purchased properties that are subject to the
Agreement.
· A
cash
royalty equivalent to 5% of the revenues derived from the sales value of any
commodity produced from the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill, to a maximum royalty
payment of $12.5 million.
The
Company and Crested hold a 4% net profits interest on Rio Tinto’s Jackpot
uranium property located on Green Mountain in Wyoming. This interest will not
be
included in the agreement to sell uranium assets to Uranium One. Uranium One
has
announced that it may acquire the Sweetwater mill and the Green Mountain
properties from Rio Tinto, separate from the proposed transaction with the
Company and Crested.
15) During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company issued 566,493 shares
of
its common stock. The following table details the number of shares issued and
the dollar values received. The Company also released 145,200 shares which
had
previously been forfeitable to the estate of John L. Larsen, who passed away
during the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
-16-
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|||||
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
|
Paid-In
|
|
|||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
|||
Balance
December 31, 2005
|
18,825,134
|
$
|
188,200
|
$
|
68,005,600
|
|||||
Stock
issued to outside directors
|
3,140
|
100
|
17,900
|
|||||||
2001
stock compensation plan
|
45,000
|
400
|
239,300
|
|||||||
Exercise
of options, net
|
185,129
|
1,900
|
110,400
|
|||||||
Exercise
of warrants
|
221,400
|
2,200
|
801,400
|
|||||||
Expense
of employee options
|
||||||||||
vesting
|
-
|
-
|
273,600
|
|||||||
Forfeitable
stock released for a former
|
||||||||||
employee
|
145,200
|
1,500
|
850,900
|
|||||||
Stock
issued for a professional service
|
||||||||||
agreements
|
111,824
|
1,100
|
635,200
|
|||||||
Value
of company warrants issued
|
||||||||||
for
a professional service agreement
|
-
|
-
|
251,800
|
|||||||
Value
of company warrants issued and
|
||||||||||
extended
|
-
|
-
|
508,100
|
|||||||
Valuation
of Company warrants issued
|
||||||||||
for
professional services
|
-
|
-
|
(16,700
|
)
|
||||||
19,536,827
|
$
|
195,400
|
$
|
71,677,500
|
||||||
16) On
April
11, 2006, the Company signed a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (“SEDA”)
with Cornell Capital Partners, LP (”Cornell”), under which Cornell committed to
provide up to $50 million of equity financing over 36 months. The SEDA has
gone
through various amendments and on October 31, 2006, the Company and Cornell
Capital Partners, LP terminated it. All other agreements related to the SEDA
also were terminated.
-17-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Cornell
will retain the 68,531 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock and the
three year warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of restricted common stock of
the
Company (at $7.15 per share), and Newbridge Securities Corporation will retain
the 1,399 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, all of which
securities were issued by the Company to Cornell (and to Newbridge) for
commitment fees and due diligence fees.
The
Company will file a registration statement to register the public resale by
Cornell of the 68,531 shares and the 100,000 shares underlying the warrant,
and
the public resale by Newbridge of its 1,399 shares. For further information,
please see the subsequent event in this report and the Form 8-K’s filed on May
9, 2006 and November 2, 2006.
17) On
September 26, 2006, the Company and Crested signed an agreement with Phelps
Dodge Corporation and Mt. Emmons Mining Company (collectively “PD”) to settle
the case of Phelps
Dodge Corporation and Mt. Emmons Mining Company v. U.S. Energy Corp. and Crested
Corp
(Civil
Case No. 02-cv-00796-LTB-PAC). Under the terms of the settlement agreement,
the
Company and Crested paid PD $7,000,000 and PD has agreed to deliver to the
Company and Crested all information, studies and records associated with the
Mount Emmons molybdenum property. The parties also agreed to dismiss with
prejudice all appeals and cross-appeals. Upon delivery of the information by
PD,
all disputes between the parties related to the lawsuit will have been
settled.
18) Upon
the
recommendation of the Company’s Compensation Committee (made on September 29,
2006) the Company paid a cash bonus to all 29 of its employees (including
officers) in the aggregate amount of $3,013,000. The bonus was paid for the
extraordinary results of the employees’ work on behalf of the Company related to
the sale of the Company’s stock in Pinnacle and other transactions.
The
Compensation Committee is comprised of the four independent directors. The
Compensation Committee determined that the bonus amount allocated to each
recipient should be based upon years of service and previous compensation.
There
was no distinction made in the allocation of benefits between management and
non-management participants.
All
employees work for both the Company and Crested. Under the long-standing joint
venture agreement between the Company and Crested, each corporation is
responsible for paying one-half of all administrative expenses. Accordingly,
one-half of the bonus was charged to Crested.
19) Subsequent
Events
Lucky
Jack Molybdenum Property - Kobex Resources, Ltd.
On
October 6, 2006, the Company and Crested, and U.S. Moly Corp. (“U.S. Moly,”) (a
Wyoming corporation, which has been organized by the Company and Crested but
is
not yet active), on the one hand, and Kobex Resources Ltd. (“KBX”) (a British
Columbia company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “KBX”), on
the other hand, signed a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) providing KBX
the opportunity to acquire an option to acquire up to a 65% interest in certain
patented and unpatented claims held by the Company and Crested. The claims,
located near Crested Butte, Colorado and referred to as the “Lucky Jack
Property” contain significant deposits of molybdenum. For further information on
the Property, see the Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2005 (Part I, Item
1
and 2, Business and Properties).
-18-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
The
total
cost to KBX, over an estimated period of five years, to exercise the full option
will be $50 million in option payments, property expenditures (including the
costs to prepare a bankable feasibility study on the Property), plus a cash
differential payment if this total is less than $50 million (see
below).
KBX
paid
the Company and Crested $25,000 each, for which KBX has 60 days to conduct
a due
diligence review of the Property, to the exclusion of all other parties. This
payment is not refundable and will not be credited against future payments
and
expenditures by KBX in accordance with the Letter Agreement.
At
the
end of the due diligence period (the “Effective Date”), during which the parties
have agreed to use their best efforts to negotiate a formal agreement, KBX
may
elect (i) not to proceed; or (ii) to proceed with the transaction and sign
a
formal agreement with U.S. Moly. If KBX elects to proceed and the parties are
unable to negotiate and execute a formal agreement, they nonetheless shall
continue to be bound by the terms of the Letter Agreement and Form 5A
(“Exploration, Development and Mine Operating Agreement”) of the Rocky Mountain
Mineral Foundation.
At
or
before the date the parties sign a formal agreement, the Company and Crested
will have assigned all of their right, title and interest in the Property
(except for royalty interests in the Property) to U.S. Moly. Subject to KBX
electing to proceed with the transaction, then, upon the first to occur of
signing a formal agreement, or January 4, 2007 (90 days after execution of
the
Letter Agreement), U.S. Moly, or the Company and Crested (as the case may be)
will deliver executed transfer forms to an independent escrow agent, for the
agent’s subsequent delivery to KBX of a 15% undivided interest, and a further
35% undivided interest, in the Property, when KBX has exercised each of the
stages of the Option (see below). If U.S. Moly requests KBX to take the 65%
Election (see below), U.S. Moly will deliver to escrow a further transfer form
for an additional 15% of the Property, for delivery to KBX when it earns the
additional interest. The Company and Crested each would own an equal percentage
of U.S. Moly. Because the Company and Crested officers and employees already
own
10% of the common stock of U.S. Moly, the Company and Crested will each own
45%
of the common stock of U.S. Moly.
Terms
and Conditions of the Option.
If, at
the end of the due diligence period, KBX elects to proceed with the transaction,
then KBX shall have an exclusive option (the “Option”) to acquire, in two
stages, up to an undivided 65% interest in the Property, by paying all of the
Option Payments to U.S. Moly, and also paying for permitting, engineering,
exploration, operating (including water treatment plants expenses) and all
other
Property-related costs and expenses (“Expenditures”), until a bankable
feasibility study is provided to U.S. Moly. Option Payments may be made in
cash
or KBX common stock, at KBX’s election. The Expenditures will be paid in cash.
KBX also will have to pay an additional cash amount if the total of all Option
Payments and Expenditures is less than $50 million at the time a bankable
feasibility study is delivered to U.S. Moly (see below).
-19-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Date
or
|
Option
|
||||||
Anniversary*
|
Payment
|
Expenditures
|
|||||
10
business days
|
|||||||
after
Effective Date**
|
$
|
1,450,000
|
-0-
|
||||
By
first anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
3,500,000
|
|||
By
second anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
|||
By
third anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
|||
By
fourth anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
2,500,000
|
|||
By
fifth anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
***
|
||||
$
|
3,950,000
|
$
|
16,000,000
|
*
|
Anniversary
of Effective Date.
|
**
|
If
paid in KBX stock, 10 business days after Canadian regulatory and
stock
exchange approval.
|
***
|
Delivery
of a bankable feasibility study (“BFS”) on the Property. If the total
Option Payments and Expenditures and costs to prepare the BFS are
less
than $50 million, KBX will pay U.S. Moly the difference in cash.
If the
total is more than $50 million before the BFS is completed, U.S.
Moly and
KBX each will pay 50% of the balance needed to complete the BFS.
|
Except
for the first Expenditures of $3.5 million and the first Option Payment of
$1.45
million (both of which must be paid by KBX if it elects to proceed with the
transaction), all other Option Payments and Expenditures are at KBX’s
discretion. However, if KBX fails to make any other Option Payments and
Expenditures by the due dates (with a 90 day grace period), the Letter Agreement
(or the formal agreement, if there is one) will be terminated and all rights
and
interests will revert to U.S. Moly.
When
KBX
has paid $15 million in Expenditures, it will have earned a 15% interest in
the
Property. When all remaining Option Payments, and all of the Expenditures over
$15 million, have been paid, KBX will have earned an additional 35% interest
(50% total). However, if when the BFS is delivered, the total of all Option
Payments, Expenditures, and BFS costs are less than $50 million, earning this
additional 35% interest also will be subject to KBX paying U.S. Moly (in cash)
the difference between the actual Option payments and Expenditures paid, and
$50
million.
The
Company and Crested each hold a 3% gross overriding royalty interest in the
Property, and this will be reserved for their separate benefit (in addition
to
their being shareholders of U.S. Moly) when the Property is transferred to
U.S.
Moly. When KBX earns a 15% interest in the Property, the royalty will be reduced
to 2.55% each; when KBX earns a 50% interest, the royalty will be reduced to
1.5% each.
-20-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued
At
such
time as KBX has earned a 50% interest, KBX will have the right to form a joint
venture with U.S. Moly for the Property on a 50%-50% basis. Alternatively,
within four months of earning a 50% interest, KBX may offer U.S. Moly a one
time
only election (30 days to exercise) to (i) elect to remain in the 50%/50% joint
venture; or (ii) to allow KBX to acquire an additional 15% interest in the
Property for a total of 65% interest in the Property (the “65% Election”),
whereby U.S. Moly would revert to a 35% interest (this change in ownership
will
require KBX to have arranged all future Property financing on optimal terms);
or
(iii) have KBX acquire all of the outstanding securities of U.S. Moly for KBX
common stock on an agreed upon valuation basis (but the KBX shares issued cannot
be less than 50% for KBX and not more than 50% for the U.S. Moly securities).
Management
of the Property.
Until
KBX earns its 50% interest, KBX will manage all programs on the Property, but
a
Technical Committee (with two representatives from each of KBX and U.S. Moly)
will approve all programs and budgets for Expenditures. If there is a tie vote,
the KBX representative would cast the deciding vote. A management committee
will
also be formed to operate the venture; each of KBX and U.S. Moly will have
two
representatives, and the technical committee will report to the management
committee. If voting is equal and there is a tie vote, KBX will have the right
to cast the deciding vote.
Termination.
If KBX
elects to move forward with the transaction after the due diligence period,
KBX
may terminate the Letter Agreement or the formal agreement at any time, subject
to KBX paying U.S. Moly the initial $1.45 Option Payment (in cash or KBX stock),
and KBX having paid the minimum initial $3.5 million of Expenditures. Further,
if and to the extent the initial minimum $3.5 million in Expenditures has not
been met, termination by KBX will be subject to its paying (in cash) to U.S.
Moly the difference between $3.5 million and the total Expenditures actually
made by the date of termination.
Broker
or Finder’s Fee.
If KBX
pays a broker or finder’s fee in connection with the transaction, the Company
and Crested will reimburse KBX up to 50% of the fee (but the reimbursable amount
will not exceed Cdn $400,000), in cash or common stock of the Company (at the
Company’s election), in four equal annual installments. The reimbursement
obligation would terminate if the Letter Agreement or the formal agreement
is
terminated before it is fully paid.
Cancellation
of SEDA with Cornell Capital
As
of
October 31, 2006, the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, LP (“Cornell”)
terminated the May 5, 2006 Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (the “SEDA”)
with Cornell, under which Cornell had committed to provide up to $50 million
of
equity financing over 36 months. All other agreements related to the SEDA also
were terminated. For further information, please see the Form 8-K filed on
May
9, 2006.
Cornell
will retain the 68,531 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock and the
three year warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of restricted common stock of
the
Company (at $7.15 per share), and Newbridge Securities Corporation will retain
the 1,399 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, all of which
securities were issued by the Company to Cornell (and to Newbridge) for
commitment fees and due diligence fees.
The
Company will file a registration statement to register the public resale by
Cornell of the 68,531 shares and the 100,000 shares underlying the warrant,
and
the public resale by Newbridge of its 1,399 shares.
-21-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Special
Committee of the Company Directors
On
October 13, 2006, the Company notified the board of directors of Crested that
the Company has established a Special Committee to evaluate whether, and if
so
how, the Company might offer to acquire the common stock of Crested (29%) not
owned by the Company (which now owns 71% of Crested). The Special Committee
is
comprised of H. Russell Fraser and Michael Anderson, current independent
directors.
If
the
Company’s board of directors, acting on the recommendation of the Company
Special Committee, should make an offer from the Company to acquire the minority
shares of Crested, the Crested Special Committee will determine if the offer,
and its terms (when and if the Company makes an offer) would be fair to the
Crested minority shareholders.
The
Special Committee is evaluating what price, and other terms, may be appropriate
for the Company to offer. Crested has established a Special Committee, which
will determine if an offer, and the terms of an offer, by the Company (when
and
if made) would be fair to the Crested minority shareholders.
The
Company’s Special Committee has retained Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC as its
financial advisor to provide an opinion on the fairness, to the Company, of
such
offer as the Company may make to Crested.
The
Company has not and may not in the future make an offer to Crested, and if
it
does make an offer, Crested may not accept such an offer. In any event, no
prediction is made whether or not an offer will be made by the Company to
acquire the Crested minority shares, or if made, whether that offer would be
recommended by the Crested board of directors to the minority shareholders
for
approval.
-22-
ITEM
2. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
The
following is Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of the
significant factors which have affected our liquidity, capital resources and
results of operations during the periods included in the accompanying financial
statements. For a detailed explanation of the Company's Business Overview,
it is
suggested that Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and
Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006
be
read in conjunction with the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December
31,
2005. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and
uncertainties. Due to uncertainties in our business, actual results may differ
materially from the discussion below.
Overview
of Business
U.S.
Energy Corp. ("USE" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries historically have
been involved in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of
properties prospective for minerals including lead, zinc, silver, molybdenum,
gold, uranium, and oil and gas. The Company also has been engaged to a limited
extent in commercial real estate, primarily in connection with acquiring mineral
properties which included commercial real estate.
The
Company manages its operations through a joint venture, USECC Joint Venture
("USECC"), with one of its subsidiary companies, Crested Corp. ("Crested")
of
which it owns a consolidated 71%. The narrative discussion of this MD&A
refers only to USE or the Company but includes the consolidated financial
statements of USECC, Crested, Plateau Resources Limited, Inc. ("Plateau"),
Sutter Gold Mining Inc. (“Sutter”), Yellow Stone Fuels Inc. (“YSFI”) and one
other minor subsidiary. Historically, the Company has entered into partnerships
through which it either joint ventured or leased properties with non-related
parties for the development and production of certain of its mineral properties.
The Company had no production from any of its mineral properties during the
nine
months and quarter ended September 30, 2006.
During
the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company’s uranium and gold
properties were shut down due to depressed metals prices. During 2005 and 2006,
the market prices for gold, uranium and molybdenum increased to levels which
may
allow the Company to place these properties into production or sell part or
all
of them to industry participants. Continued strong demand, which has outpaced
supply over the past several years (deficit market conditions), has reduced
inventory levels throughout the industry.
Exploration
work was resumed on the uranium properties in 2005 and continues in 2006. New
uranium properties have also been acquired. The Company re-acquired the Lucky
Jack molybdenum property (“Lucky Jack”) near Crested Butte, Colorado during the
nine months ended September 30, 2006. The Company’s interest in gold is being
further developed at Sutter Creek, California through exploration and
development drilling which is being paid for by funds raised in an offering
of
Sutter common stock.
Uranium
- The
price of uranium concentrates has increased from a five year low of $7.25 per
pound in January 2001 to a five year high of $60.00 per pound on October 30,
2006 (Ux Weekly).
Gold
- The
five year low for gold was $265 per ounce in July 2001. The market price for
gold has risen since that time to a five year high of $719.88 per ounce on
May
11, 2006. The price for gold on October 31, 2006 was $604.10 per ounce (Metal
Prices.com).
-23-
Molybdenum
- The
five year low for molybdic oxide was $3.77 per pound in 2002. The five year
high
of molybdic oxide was $39.50 per pound on June 2, 2005. The price for molybdic
oxide was $25.50 per pound on October 27, 2006. (Metal Prices.com).
Management’s
strategy to generate a return on shareholder equity is first, to demonstrate
prospective value in the mineral properties sufficient to support substantial
investments by industry partners and second, to structure these investments
to
bring capital and long term development expertise to move the properties into
production.
The
principal uncertainties in the successful implementation of our strategy
are:
· |
Whether
the Company can negotiate terms with industry partners which will
return a
substantial profit to the Company for its retained interest and the
project’s development costs to that point in
time.
|
· |
Whether
a feasibility study will show volumes and grades of mineralization
and
manageable costs of mining, transportation and processing, which
are
sufficient to make a profit and to bring industry partners or other
investors to the point of further
investment.
|
To
some
extent, the economic feasibility of a particular property can be changed with
modifications to the mining, transportation, milling and/or processing plans.
However, the overall principal drivers to attainment of the business strategy
are the quality and volume of the minerals in the ground, cost of production,
and commodity prices.
Please
see the risk factor disclosures in this Report for more information on the
risks
and uncertainties in the business.
Forward
Looking Statements
This
Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2005, includes "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended ("the Exchange Act"). All statements other than statements of historical
fact included in this Report are forward-looking statements. In addition,
whenever words like "expect", "anticipate”, or "believe" are used, the Company
is making forward looking statements. Actual results may vary materially from
the forward-looking statements and there is no assurance that the assumptions
used will be realized in fact.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Asset
Impairments
- We
assess the impairment of property and equipment whenever events or circumstances
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Mineral
Claims
- We
follow the full cost method of accounting for mineral properties. Accordingly,
all costs associated with acquisition and development of mineral reserves,
including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized and are subject
to
ceiling tests to ensure the carrying value does not exceed the fair market
value. Exploration costs are expensed as they are incurred.
-24-
All
capitalized costs of mineral properties subject to amortization and the
estimated future costs to develop proven reserves are amortized using the
unit-of-production method using estimates of proven reserves. Investments in
unproved properties and major construction and development projects are not
amortized until proven reserves associated with the projects can be determined
or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the
properties are impaired, the capitalized cost of the property will be added
to
the costs to be amortized.
Asset
Retirement Obligations
- The
Company's policy is to accrue the liability for future reclamation costs of
its
mineral properties based on the current estimate of the future reclamation
costs
as determined by internal and external experts.
Revenue
Recognition
-
Revenues are reported on a gross revenue basis and are recorded at the time
services are provided or the commodity is sold. Sales of proved and unproved
properties are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs with no gain
or
loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the
relationship between capitalized costs and proven reserves, in which case the
gain or loss is recognized in income. Abandonment of properties is accounted
for
as an adjustment of capitalized costs with no loss recognized.
Use
of Accounting Estimates
- The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions.
These estimates and assumptions 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. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Income
Taxes
- The
Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109"), "Accounting for Income Taxes". This
statement requires recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities
for
the expected future income tax consequences, based on enacted tax laws, of
temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets,
liabilities and carry forwards.
SFAS
109
requires recognition of deferred tax assets for the expected future effects
of
all deductible temporary differences, loss carry forwards and tax credit carry
forwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if deemed necessary, by a valuation
allowance for any tax benefits which, based on current circumstances, are not
expected to be realized.
Marketable
Securities -
The
Company accounts for its marketable securities under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities, which requires certain securities to be categorized
as trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Based on the Company's
intent to sell the securities, its equity securities are reported as a trading
security. The Company's available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value
with net unrealized gain or (loss) recorded as a separate component of
shareholders' equity. If a decline in fair value of held-to-maturity securities
is determined to be other than temporary, the investment is written down to
fair
value.
-25-
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS
123(R)
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued its
final standard on accounting for employee stock options, FAS No. 123 (Revised
2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("FAS123(R)"). FAS 123(R) replaces FAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS 123"), and supersedes Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. FAS
123(R) requires companies to measure compensation costs for all share-based
payments, including grants of employee stock options, based on the fair value
of
the awards on the grant date and to recognize such expense over the period
during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the
award. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under FAS 123 will no
longer be an alternative to financial statement recognition. FAS 123 (R) is
effective for all awards granted, modified, repurchased or cancelled after,
and
to unvested portions of previously issued and outstanding awards vesting after,
interim or annual periods, beginning after June 15, 2005, which for us is first
quarter of fiscal 2006. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the
Company recognized $273,600 in employee compensation related to options which
vested on July 1, 2006. All future issuances of options under the plan will
be
evaluated using the Black Scholes model and expensed over the term of the
option.
The
Company has reviewed other current outstanding statements from the FASB and
does
not believe that any of those statements will have a material adverse affect
on
the financial statements of the Company when adopted.
All
discussions of Liquidity and Capital Resources and Results of Operations in
this
report include the consolidated financial statements of Crested, USECC, Plateau,
Sutter and YSFI and an additional subsidiary, Four Nines Gold, Inc. which is
inactive.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
Company continues to maintain a strong cash position at September 30, 2006,
of
$20,290,400 which is an increase of $13,291,700 from the cash position at
December 31, 2005. Investing activities generated $15,475,900, financing
activities generated $3,946,900 and operating activities consumed
$6,131,100.
As
of
September 30, 2006, the Company had sold all, 682,345 units, of the Enterra
Energy Trust (“Enterra”) units that were converted from the Enterra Acquisitions
Class D (“Acquisitions”) shares on June 6, 2006. The sale of these units
resulted in the receipt of $8,304,300 in cash and a net loss of $961,900. The
Company also sold all of its consolidated minority interest in Pinnacle Gas
Resources, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) for $13.8 million, resulting in a net gain of
$10,842,300.
Although
the Company’s cash position increased during the nine months ended September 30,
2006; management intends to continue to seek industry partners or equity
financing to fund mine exploration and development costs and also fund
reclamation and general and administrative expenses.
On
September 26, 2006, the Company signed a Settlement Agreement and Release with
Phelps Dodge Corporation (“PD”) resulting in a $7,000,000 payment to PD as part
of the final agreement. This settlement resulted in a cash savings of $538,300
from the $7,538,300 awarded to PD by the U.S. Federal District Court of Colorado
on July 26, 2006. Funding for this settlement was derived from cash on hand
which was provided by investing and financing activities during the quarter
ended September 30, 2006.
-26-
Operations
resulted in a net loss of $10,279,700 of which $7,670,600 consisted of non-cash
transactions. The largest of these non cash transactions were: depreciation,
$380,700; accretion of asset retirement obligations relating to the Company’s
mining properties, $578,400; loss on the valuation of the Enterra Acquisition
units of $3,845,800; loss on valuation of the imbedded derivative associated
with the Enterra Acquisition units, $630,900; non-cash compensation relating
to
the 2001 stock award plan, expensing of employee options, accrual of executive
retirement benefits and the accrual of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
$1,481,200; the expense associated with the extension and revaluation of
warrants of $509,300, and the payment for services by the issuance of common
stock, $160,900. These non-cash increases in the net loss for the nine months
ended September 30, 2006 were off set by a gain of $3,063,500 on the sale of
assets and a gain on the sale of the equity interest in Pinnacle of $10,842,300.
The sale of assets represents primarily the cash and stock receipts from Uranium
Power Corp. (“UPC”) for its purchase of a 50% undivided interest in certain of
our uranium properties.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company received $8,304,300 from
the sale of Enterra units; $13.8 million from the sale of the Pinnacle shares,
$398,100 from the sale of the UPC shares and $93,500 from the sale of Dynasty
shares. The Company also received $2,410,400 in proceeds from the sale of
property and equipment. The cash proceeds from the sale of property and
equipment relate primarily to the sale of miscellaneous equipment which was
no
longer needed and the cash received from UPC pursuant to its agreement. During
the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company had no similar cash flows
from the sale of marketable securities and property and equipment. During the
nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company purchased equipment to manage
the Lucky Jack molybdenum property. The assets purchased consisted of a loader,
vehicles and miscellaneous other smaller equipment. The net cash used in these
purchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, was
$599,800.
Cash
flows from financing activities were primarily as a result of the issuance
of
the Company’s common stock as a result of the exercise of stock warrants and
options, $915,900; the issuance of Sutter common stock in private placements,
$3,173,700 and proceeds from long term debt of $184,300 for the financing of
the
purchase of equipment and the financing of liability insurance premiums. These
sources of cash from financing activities were off set by payments made on
long
term debt in the amount of $327,000.
The
Company believes that the current market prices for gold, uranium and molybdenum
are at levels that warrant further exploration and development of the Company’s
mineral properties. Management of the Company anticipates these metals prices
will remain at levels which will allow the properties to be produced
economically. Management of the Company therefore believes that sufficient
capital will be available to develop its mineral properties from strategic
industry partners, debt financing, and the sale of equity or a combination
of
the three. The successful development and production of these properties could
greatly enhance the liquidity and financial position of the
Company.
Although
the Company has sufficient liquidity due to the sale of its Enterra units and
Pinnacle shares to fund limited exploration, development and reclamation
projects on its mineral properties as well as general and administrative costs
and expenses, it may need to continue to attract equity investors or industry
partners to fully develop its mineral properties. During the quarter ended
June
30, 2006, the Company entered into a three year financing agreement with Cornell
Capital Partners, L.P., (“Cornell”), to establish a $50 million equity line of
credit (the “Standby Equity Distribution Agreement or SEDA”). However, due to
the Company’s sale of the Enterra units and Pinnacle shares, management of the
Company determined that this type of financing was no longer needed at this
time. Effective October 31, 2006, the SEDA with Cornell was terminated.
-27-
Capital
Resources
Uranium
Power Corp.
On
December 8, 2004, UPC signed a Purchase and Sales Agreement with USECC to
purchase an undivided 50% interest in the Sheep Mountain properties. The
agreement was amended on January 13, 2006.
UPC
paid
USECC $850,000 cash in calendar 2005, and issued 1,000,000 UPC shares to USECC
(1/2 each to USE and Crested) in both 2004 and 2005. As a result of the January
13, 2006 amendment, UPC paid USECC an additional $2,100,000 cash and issued
1.5
million more shares (for a total of 2.5 million shares), against the purchase
price. USECC has sold 1,000,000 of these shares as of September 30, 2006 which
generated $398,100 in net cash. These funds are used to pay operating costs
of
USECC.
An
additional $4.1 million cash and 1.5 million UPC shares are required to pay
the
full purchase price: $1.0 million cash is due on April 29, 2007 and $1.5 million
cash is due on October 29, 2007 (provided UPC is required to pay 50% of all
money it raises after January 13, 2006 until the two cash payments are made);
and two additional payments each of $800,000 cash and 750,000 UPC shares (total
$1,600,000 cash and 1,500,000 UPC shares) on June 29, 2007 and December 29,
2007, respectively.
The
agreement with UPC calls for UPC to fund 50% of the expenses associated with
maintaining the Sheep Mountain uranium properties in central Wyoming and five
other uranium projects and performing exploration drilling on them. A budget
of
$2.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2006 has been approved, relating
to exploration drilling, geological and engineering work, reclamation and other
costs associated with the uranium properties. UPC has also agreed to fund the
first $500,000 in expenditures for up to 20 projects up to a total of
$10,000,000. The Company and UPC each will be responsible for 50% of costs
on
each jointly approved project in excess of $500,000. As of September 30, 2006,
UPC has funded a total of $1,696,500. USECC and UPC will each be responsible
for
paying 50% of (i) current and future Sheep Mountain reclamation costs in excess
of $1,600,000, and (ii) all costs to maintain and hold the properties.
Closing
of the agreement is required on or before December 29, 2007. UPC may terminate
the agreement before closing, in which event UPC (i) would forfeit all payments
made up to the termination date; (ii) lose all of its interest in the properties
to be contributed by USECC under the agreement; (iii) lose all rights to
additional properties acquired in the joint venture as well as forfeit all
cash
contributions to the joint venture, and (iv) be relieved of its share of
reclamation liabilities existing at December 8, 2004.
sxr
“Uranium One” Agreement
On
July
10, 2006, the Company and Crested signed an Exclusivity Agreement with Uranium
One which is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with offices in South Africa
and
Australia (TSE and JSE “SXR”). Upon signing the Exclusivity Agreement, the Term
Sheet (signed by Uranium One and by USE and Crested on June 22, 2006) became
effective. The Term Sheet sets forth the terms of a proposed sale of the
majority of the USE and Crested’s uranium assets to Uranium One.
-28-
Under
the
terms of the Exclusivity Agreement, Uranium One paid to the Company $750,000
(nonrefundable, except for material breach of the Exclusivity Agreement) for
the
exclusive right to purchase the Company’s uranium assets, including the
Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in southeast Utah (and all geological libraries
and other intellectual property related to the acquired assets and the mill),
for a period of up to 270 days (an initial six month period, plus an optional
three month extension). During this time, the parties will prepare definitive
acquisition agreements. Subject to satisfactory results on Uranium One’s due
diligence review and obtaining all required approvals associated with the sale
and purchase of the assets, the definitive agreements would be signed and the
sale closed as soon as possible.
In
addition, the Company anticipates that it will continue exploratory and other
work on some or all of the assets. The Exclusivity Agreement provides that
when
the assets acquisition is closed, Uranium One will reimburse the Company for
those expenses which have been pre-approved by Uranium One.
Under
the
Term Sheet, Uranium One has the right to purchase the assets under the following
terms:
· $49,250,000
in Uranium One common stock at a set price at closing (the set price is the
volume weighted average price of Uranium One stock for the 10 days prior to
signing the Exclusivity Agreement, which was $7.45 US or $8.32 Cdn per share).
This represents the $50 million portion, less the $750,000 cash paid for the
Exclusivity Agreement.
· $20
million in cash upon the start of commercial operation of the Shootaring Canyon
uranium mill.
· $7.5
million in cash upon the first delivery of mineralized material to a commercial
uranium mill from any of the purchased properties that are subject to the
Agreement.
· A
cash
royalty equivalent to 5% of the revenues derived from the sales value of any
commodity produced from the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill, to a maximum royalty
payment of $12.5 million.
The
Company and Crested also hold a 4% net profits interest on Rio Tinto’s Jackpot
uranium property located on Green Mountain in Wyoming. This interest will not
be
included in the agreement to sell uranium assets to Uranium One. Uranium One
has
announced that it may acquire the Sweetwater mill and the Green Mountain
properties from Rio Tinto, separate from the proposed transaction with the
Company and Crested.
If
the
Uranium One transaction closes, the Company and Crested will own an equity
interest in Uranium One. Capital and operating funds will not be required to
maintain and modify the Shootaring Canyon Uranium Mill or any other uranium
properties being sold to Uranium One.
Sutter
Gold
During
the second quarter of 2006, Sutter raised $3,173,700 of net proceeds from two
private placements of its common stock. Proceeds from these private placements
will fund a combined underground and surface diamond drill program and, if
warranted, a feasibility study on its Sutter Gold Mine which is an advanced
stage gold project in the historic Mother Lode district located about 50 miles
southeast of Sacramento, California.
-29-
Line
of Credit
The
Company has a $500,000 line of credit with a commercial bank. The line of credit
is secured by certain real estate holdings and equipment. This line of credit
is
used for short term working capital needs associated with operations. At
September 30, 2006, the entire amount of $500,000 under the line of credit
was
available to the Company.
Cash
on Hand
As
discussed above the Company has monetized certain of its assets which have
provided cash which will continue to be used to fund general and administrative
expenses, limited exploration, development and required remedial work on its
mineral properties and the maintenance of those properties and associated
facilities such as the water treatment plant at the Lucky Jack property until
such time as an industry partner is secured to develop the properties or they
are sold.
Capital
Requirements
The
direct capital requirements of the Company during 2006 remain its general and
administrative costs, exploration and drilling costs, the holding costs of the
Sheep Mountain uranium properties in Wyoming, required reclamation work on
the
Sheep Mountain properties, a uranium mill in Utah, other uranium properties
in
southern Utah, Colorado and Arizona, the operation of a water treatment plant
at
the Lucky Jack molybdenum property and the maintenance of real estate.
Maintaining
Mineral Properties
Uranium
Properties
The
average care and maintenance costs associated with the Sheep Mountain uranium
mineral properties in Wyoming is approximately $200,000 per year of which UPC
is
required to pay 50% annually. In addition, UPC, as disclosed under Capital
Resources, is responsible for the funding of the majority of the proposed
exploration and drilling costs associated with the Company’s uranium properties
during the year. Additionally, the Company’s uranium properties are subject to
the potential acquisition agreement with Uranium One. In the event that the
Uranium One agreement is successfully closed, Uranium One has agreed to
reimburse the Company for any pre-approved costs associated with the
properties.
Sutter
Gold Mining Inc. (“Sutter”) Properties
Sutter
initiated an 18,000 foot underground and surface drilling program during the
second quarter 2006, to further delineate and define potential resources at
the
property. The 2006 drill program includes both underground and surface holes.
As
of September 30, 2006, 15 out of the 24 planned underground step-out and infill
drill holes have been completed, which represents approximately 3,000 feet
of
the overall 18,000 foot surface and underground drill program. On September
14,
2006, Sutter announced that it intersected three new mineralized zones plus
significant extensions to four shoots hosting previously reported mineral
resources. The 9 to 12 hole surface drill program is to grid test an area
containing what may be another significant mineralized zone in the K5 Vein,
historically mined on Sutter's property at the South Spring Hill Mine.
The
estimated cost of these projects is $897,500 during the balance of calendar
2006. Capital to fund these projects was obtained from private placements of
Sutter’s common stock. See Capital Resources above.
-30-
Lucky
Jack Molybdenum Property
The
Company re-acquired the Lucky Jack molybdenum property, from PD on February
28,
2006. The property was returned to the Company by PD in accordance with a 1987
Amended Royalty Deed and Agreement between the Company and Amax Inc. PD became
the successor owner of the property in 1999.
Conveyance
of the property by PD to the Company also included the transfer of ownership
and
operational responsibility of the mine water treatment plant located on the
properties. Operating costs for the water treatment plant are expected to
approximate $1.5 million annually. In an effort to assure continued compliance,
the Company has retained the technical expert and contractor hired by PD on
January 2, 2006 to operate the water treatment plant.
On
September 26, 2006, the Company paid PD $7,000,000 as the final settlement
of
the July 26, 2006 Judgment of $7,538,300 awarded by the U.S. Federal District
Court of Colorado to PD.
On
October 6, 2006 the Company entered into an agreement with Kobex Resources
Ltd.
(“KBX”) (a British Columbia company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the
symbol “KBX”) to potentially pay these costs. See Subsequent Events below. Until
such time as the Company is able to find an industry partner to participate
in
the Lucky Jack property it will be responsible for one half of the costs of
holding the property which will be significant.
Debt
Payments
Debt
to
non-related parties at September 30, 2006 was $1,249,900. This debt consists
of
debt related to the purchase of vehicles, a corporate aircraft and insurance
policies. The total amount of debt as of September 30, 2006 that is classified
as current, meaning to be paid during the next twelve months, was
$207,500.
Reclamation
Costs
The
asset
retirement obligation on the Plateau uranium mineral properties and the
Shootaring Mill in Utah at September 30, 2006 is $3,982,300. This liability
is
fully funded by cash investments that are recorded as long term restricted
investments. It is currently anticipated that the reclamation of the Plateau
uranium mill will not commence until 2033.
The
asset
retirement obligation of the Sheep Mountain uranium properties in Wyoming at
September 30, 2006 is $2,462,000 and is covered by a reclamation bond which
is
secured by a pledge of certain real estate assets of the Company. It is
anticipated that $233,200 of reclamation work on the Sheep Mountain properties
will be performed during 2006.
In
the
event that the proposed transaction with Uranium One is successfully closed,
the
asset retirement obligations associated with Plateau’s Shootaring Canyon Mill
and the Sheep Mountain uranium properties will be assumed by Uranium One. As
a
result of the assumption of those asset retirement obligations, the government
agencies which hold various assets pledged against these obligations, would
return those assets to the Company. Specifically the pledge of the Company’s
corporate headquarters office building would be released and the building would
be owned free and clear of any debt or obligation, and the $6.7 million cash
bond pledged for the Shootaring Canyon Mill would be released to the Company.
The release of these assets to the Company is dependent on the closing of the
transaction with Uranium One.
-31-
The
asset
retirement obligation for Sutter at September 30, 2006 is $22,400 which is
covered by a cash bond. It is not anticipated that any cash resources will
be
used for asset retirement obligations at Sutter during the year ending December
31, 2006.
As
a
result or the re-acquisition of the Lucky Jack molybdenum property during the
six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company recorded an asset retirement
obligation of $83,400 at June 30, 2006. An additional $13,900 in asset
retirement obligation liability was acreeted during the third quarter of 2006
resulting in a total reclamation liability at the Lucky Jack project of $97,300
as of September 30, 2006. It is not anticipated that this reclamation work
will
occur in the near term.
Reclamation
bonds totaling $43,800 have been posted with the State of Colorado and the
Arizona State Office of the Bureau of land Management for two drilling projects
included within the Uranium One agreement. All reclamation work required for
the
return of these bonds has been completed. Application for the return of these
bonds will be made during the last quarter of 2006. A portion of the bonds
will
be withheld by the appropriate agency until plant growth reaches 70% of
pre-disturbance levels.
Other
The
employees of the Company are not given raises on a regular basis. In
consideration of this and in appreciation of their work, the board of directors
from time to time has accepted the recommendation of the Compensation Committee
to grant a bonus to employees and directors.
Results
of Operations
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2006 compared with the Nine Months Ended September
30, 2005
Operating
revenues were reduced by $86,000 to $606,000 at September 30, 2006 from $692,000
at September 30, 2005. Components of this reduction of revenues were reductions
in real estate operations of $80,100 and management fees of $5,900. Revenues
from real estate operations decreased primarily as a result of the Company
selling one of its office buildings which was no longer needed.
Mineral
property holding costs increased by $1,027,400 during the nine months ended
September 30, 2006 to $2,262,300 as compared to $1,234,900 during the nine
months ended September 30, 2005. During the quarter ended September 30, 2006,
mineral property holding costs increased $513,900 over those recorded during
the
same quarter of 2005. The increase is due to the increased geological and
engineering activity on the Company’s mineral properties and the holding costs
associated with the Lucky Jack molybdenum property and associated water
treatment plant. The water treatment plant and other Lucky Jack property costs
were approximately $125,000 per month.
-32-
General
and Administrative expenses increased by $6,177,200 during the nine months
ended
September 30, 2006 over those recorded during the same nine months of the prior
year. General and Administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30,
2006 were $4,585,700 higher than those recognized during the quarter ended
September 30, 2005. These increases in General and Administrative expenses
for
the nine months were as a result of (1) the payment of a $3 million bonus to
all
employees of the Company (see note 18 to financial statements); (2) the
settlement of other litigation, $395,000; and (3) maintenance for the Company’s
airplane $353,700; (4) an increase of general and administration costs at Sutter
of $410,400 due to the drilling program and associated increased number of
employees as well as non-cash expenditures of: (a) the expensing of employee
options pursuant to SFAS 123(R) which vested on July 1, 2006, $273,600; (b)
accrual of the executive retirement benefits adopted in October 2005, $540,400
and (c) increased professional services paid for through the issuance of common
stock and the extension of warrants, $344,900.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized $3,063,500
from
the sale of assets while during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 the
Company recognized $1,229,400 from the sale of assets. This increase of
$1,834,100 was primarily due cash and common stock payments from UPC along
with
the sale of a no longer needed office building, $126,500, and the sale of
miscellaneous equipment.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized a non-cash
loss
of $630,900 from the valuation of the imbedded derivative associated with the
Acquisitions Class D shares discussed above under Capital Resources. Further,
the Company recorded a non-cash loss of $3,845,800 due to the depressed price
of
the Enterra units at the time that the Acquisitions Class D shares were
exchanged for units of Enterra along with management’s decision to sell the
Enterra units during the third quarter of 2006. During the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a non-cash gain from the valuation
of
the imbedded derivative of $4,194,300.
The
Company recorded a net gain of $10,842,300 on the sale of its equity ownership
in Pinnacle during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2006. The
Company received $13.8 million in cash as a result of the sale. From that
amount, the Company deducted $2.0 million due to Enterra and its cost basis
in
Pinnacle of $957,700 for the net gain of $10,842,300. No similar gain was
recorded during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2005.
Interest
revenues increased by $177,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2006
and by $117,400 during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 over those amounts
of interest revenues recorded during the same periods of 2005. The reason for
the increase in interest revenues is larger sums of cash being invested for
longer periods of time during 2006. Interest expense decreased during the nine
months ended September 30, 2006 by $4,001,500 from the amount of interest
expense recorded during the same period in 2005. The reason for the decrease
in
interest expense is that there were no major financing activities with prepaid
interest and attached warrants during the nine months ended September 30, 2006
while there were such financings during the nine months ended September 30,
2005. Dividend income increased during the nine and three months ended September
30, 2006 over those recognized during the same period of the previous year
due
to dividends being paid on the units of Enterra that the Company owned prior
to
them being sold.
-33-
During
the nine and three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized
losses of $10,279,700 or $0.56 per share and $2,933,700 or $0.16 per share,
respectively as compared to gains of $13,344,500 or $0.85 per share and
$1,040,500 or $0.06 per share, respectively for the periods ended September
30,
2005. Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 resulted in gains
as a result of the sale of RMG. No similar sales occurred during the nine months
ended September 30, 2006. The payment of the $7.0 million settlement to PD
was
the single largest contributor of the loss incurred during the nine months
ended
September 30, 2006. This settlement was a one time charge to
earnings.
Although
operations resulted in losses during the nine and three months ended September
30, 2006; the Company recorded a net increase of cash during the nine months
ended September 30, 2006 of $13,291,700 or $0.73 per share. This increase in
cash is net of the $7.0 million payment to PD and is a result of the sale of
the
Enterra units and the equity ownership of Pinnacle. During the nine months
ended
September 30, 2005, the Company recorded earnings as discussed above but only
recorded an increase of $4,237,400 in cash or $0.27 per share.
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2005 compared with the Nine Months Ended September
30, 2004
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the only operating
revenues recorded by the Company were from real estate operations and management
fee charged for management services provided for various subsidiary companies
and fees associated with the management of three oil wells in Montana which
are
owned by the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. Real estate revenues increased
$28,300 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 over those recognized
during the corresponding period of the prior year and decreased by $20,300
during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 from the rental revenues recorded
during the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Management fee revenue increased
by
$112,600 and decreased $84,900 during the nine and three months ended September
30, 2005, respectively over the comparative periods of the prior year. The
increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is due to management
fees charged to RMG as a result of the sale of RMG to Enterra.
Operating
costs and expenses incurred in operations during the nine and three months
ended
September 30, 2005 increased $1,368,800 and $281,500, respectively over the
operating costs and expenses recognized from operations during the comparative
periods of the prior year. Expenses from real estate operations remained
constant during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2005 when compared
with those recorded during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2004.
Mineral holding costs increased during both the nine and three months ended
September 30, 2005 by $94,500 and $260,800 respectively. These increases were
as
a result of increased activity on the properties that the Company holds for
the
development of uranium and gold as well as work done on the potential molybdenum
property to be returned by Phelps Dodge.
General
and administrative costs and expenses increased by $1,276,100 during the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 when compared to the general and administrative
costs and expenses recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
The general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September
30,
2005 also increased by $19,100 over those recognized during the quarter ended
September 30, 2004. The primary reasons for these increases were; costs
associated with a $4,000,000 convertible debt financing in February of 2005
-
commissions of $280,000, legal fees of $20,000 along with $114,500 of expenses
recorded for the issuance of warrants granted to seven accredited investors;
$160,600 in expenses for legal and accounting services to comply with Sarbanes
Oxley; increased activity levels at Sutter which increased general and
administrative costs and expenses by $147,100, and a bonus paid to directors,
officers and employees of the Company after the close of the sale of RMG to
Enterra.
-34-
One
outside director of RMG was paid a bonus of $10,000 and another RMG director
was
paid a bonus of $5,000 for their work on the development of RMG, and the four
outside directors of USE were paid $5,000 each for a total bonus to the
directors of $35,000. The employees were paid a total bonus of $435,750 at
the
close of the sale of RMG. All employees of the Company participated in the
bonus
which was paid at the close of the sale of RMG. The bonus was paid in
consideration for the dedicated work put forth by the employees in the
development of RMG and due to the fact that many of the employees have not
received increases in compensation for a number of years. For a more detailed
description of the bonuses paid please see the Form 10Q for the six months
ended
June 30, 2005.
During
the nine and three months ended September 30, 2005, other income and expenses
resulted in a gain of $2,765,400 and $2,613,400, respectively. These amounts
are
compared to a gain of $523,100 during the nine months ended September 30, 2004
and a loss for of $71,200 for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Components
of the changes in other income and expenses during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 when compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2004,
were (1) an increase of $1,185,200 in the gain recognized on the sale of assets,
(2) an increase of $1,038,500 from the sale of marketable securities, (3) a
decrease of $540,700 in the revenues recorded from the sale of investments;
(4)
a gain of $4,194,300 from the valuation of the imbedded derivative in the
Acquisitions Class D shares; (5) increases in dividend and interest income
of
$43,400 and $43,600, respectfully, and (6) a increase of $3,722,000 in interest
expense.
The
increase in sale of assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2005
was
as a result of a cash payment of $500,000 and the receipt of 1,000,000 shares
of
UPC common stock valued at $337,800 received from UPC to enter into an agreement
described above in Capital Resources and the settlement of a claim on a real
estate property in Colorado. The gain on the sale of marketable securities
was
as a result of the Company and Crested selling 165,600 shares and 91,029 shares
of Enterra Initial Units. The decrease in of $540,700 in revenues from the
sale
of investments is as a result of the Company selling fewer shares of Ruby Mining
Company shares which it holds as an investment.
Interest
expense increased from $377,100 during the nine months ended September 30,
2004
by $3,722,000 to $4,099,100 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
The
reasons for the increase in interest expense is related directly to the senior
convertible debentures which were issued in February 2005 in the amount of
$4,000,000 with $720,000 of prepaid interest (please see Capital Resources
above), and the debt to Geddes. During the nine months ended September 30,
2005,
both of these debt instruments were retired in full. The Company recognized
$164,600 in interest expense, paid with cash, and the amortization of $273,000
of the remaining discount taken on the Geddes loan for total interest related
to
the Geddes loan of $437,600. The senior convertible debentures had prepaid
interest of $720,000 and a discount on the note of $1,111,700 and the
amortization of the beneficial conversion feature in the amount of 1,751,400
for
total interest expense of $3,583,100 from the senior convertible debentures.
The
remaining interest of $78,400, which was paid during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 was on various notes for equipment and the Company’s
aircraft.
All
previously reported operations of RMG are reported on this filing as
discontinued operations. The gain on sale of discontinued operations at
September 30, 2005 was $15,533,500 along with a loss from discontinued
operations of RMG of $326,100. The total gain from discontinued operations
therefore is $15,207,400 for the six months ended September 30, 2005. There
are
no discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005 as
a
result of the Enterra transaction having an effective date of April 1,
2005.
-35-
After
a
provision of alternative minimum taxes due on income recognized during the
nine
months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recognized a net gain of
$13,344,500 or $0.85 basic per share as compared to a net loss of $4,988,400
or
$0.39 basic per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. During
the
quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company recognized a net gain of
$1,040,500 or $0.06 basic per share as compared to a net loss of $1,604,200
or
$0.12 basic per share.
Contractual
Obligations
The
Company has two divisions of contractual obligations as of September 30, 2006:
debt to third parties of $1,249,900, and asset retirement obligations of
$6,564,000 which will be paid over a period more than five years. The following
table shows the schedule of the payments on the debt, and the expenditures
for
budgeted asset retirement obligations.
Payments
due by period
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Less
|
|
One
to
|
|
Three
to
|
|
More
than
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
than
one
|
|
Three
|
|
Five
|
|
Five
|
|
|||||
|
|
Total
|
|
Year
|
|
Years
|
|
Years
|
|
Years
|
||||||
Long-term
debt obligations
|
$
|
1,249,900
|
$
|
207,500
|
$
|
978,000
|
$
|
64,400
|
-
|
|||||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
6,564,000
|
233,200
|
430,600
|
2,099,800
|
3,800,400
|
|||||||||||
Totals
|
$
|
7,813,900
|
$
|
440,700
|
$
|
1,408,600
|
$
|
2,164,200
|
$
|
3,800,400
|
||||||
Subsequent
Events
Lucky
Jack Molybdenum Property - Kobex Resources, Ltd.
On
October 6, 2006, the Company and Crested, and U.S. Moly Corp. (“U.S. Moly,”) (a
Wyoming corporation, which has been organized by the Company and Crested but
is
not yet active), on the one hand, and Kobex Resources Ltd. (“KBX”) (a British
Columbia company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “KBX”), on
the other hand, signed a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) providing KBX
the opportunity to acquire an option to acquire up to a 65% interest in certain
patented and unpatented claims held by the Company and Crested. The claims,
located near Crested Butte, Colorado and referred to as the “Lucky Jack
Property” contain significant deposits of molybdenum. For further information on
the Property, see the Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2005 (Part I, Item
1
and 2, Business and Properties).
The
total
cost to KBX, over an estimated period of five years, to exercise the full option
will be $50 million in option payments, property expenditures (including the
costs to prepare a bankable feasibility study on the Property), plus a cash
differential payment if this total is less than $50 million (see
below).
KBX
paid
the Company and Crested $25,000 each, for which KBX has 60 days to conduct
a due
diligence review of the Property, to the exclusion of all other parties. This
payment is not refundable and will not be credited against future payments
and
expenditures by KBX in accordance with the Letter Agreement.
At
the
end of the due diligence period (the “Effective Date”), during which the parties
have agreed to use their best efforts to negotiate a formal agreement, KBX
may
elect (i) not to proceed; or (ii) to proceed with the transaction and sign
a
formal agreement with U.S. Moly. If KBX elects to proceed and the parties are
unable to negotiate and execute a formal agreement, they nonetheless shall
continue to be bound by the terms of the Letter Agreement and Form 5A
(“Exploration, Development and Mine Operating Agreement”) of the Rocky Mountain
Mineral Foundation.
-36-
At
or
before the date the parties sign a formal agreement, the Company and Crested
will have assigned all of their right, title and interest in the Property
(except for royalty interests in the Property) to U.S. Moly. Subject to KBX
electing to proceed with the transaction, then, upon the first to occur of
signing a formal agreement, or January 4, 2007 (90 days after execution of
the
Letter Agreement), U.S. Moly, or the Company and Crested (as the case may be)
will deliver executed transfer forms to an independent escrow agent, for the
agent’s subsequent delivery to KBX of a 15% undivided interest, and a further
35% undivided interest, in the Property, when KBX has exercised each of the
stages of the Option (see below). If U.S. Moly requests KBX to take the 65%
Election (see below), U.S. Moly will deliver to escrow a further transfer form
for an additional 15% of the Property, for delivery to KBX when it earns the
additional interest. The Company and Crested each would own an equal percentage
of U.S. Moly. Because the Company and Crested officers and employees already
own
10% of the common stock of U.S. Moly, the Company and Crested will each own
45%
of the common stock of U.S. Moly.
Terms
and Conditions of the Option.
If, at
the end of the due diligence period, KBX elects to proceed with the transaction,
then KBX shall have an exclusive option (the “Option”) to acquire, in two
stages, up to an undivided 65% interest in the Property, by paying all of the
Option Payments to U.S. Moly, and also paying for permitting, engineering,
exploration, operating (including water treatment plants expenses) and all
other
Property-related costs and expenses (“Expenditures”), until a bankable
feasibility study is provided to U.S. Moly. Option Payments may be made in
cash
or KBX common stock, at KBX’s election. The Expenditures will be paid in cash.
KBX also will have to pay an additional cash amount if the total of all Option
Payments and Expenditures is less than $50 million at the time a bankable
feasibility study is delivered to U.S. Moly (see below).
Date
or
|
Option
|
||||||
Anniversary*
|
Payment
|
Expenditures
|
|||||
10
business days
|
|||||||
after
Effective Date**
|
$
|
1,450,000
|
-0-
|
||||
By
first anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
3,500,000
|
|||
By
second anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
|||
By
third anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
|||
By
fourth anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
2,500,000
|
|||
By
fifth anniversary
|
$
|
500,000
|
***
|
||||
$
|
3,950,000
|
$
|
16,000,000
|
*
|
Anniversary
of Effective Date.
|
**
|
If
paid in KBX stock, 10 business days after Canadian regulatory and
stock
exchange approval.
|
***
|
Delivery
of a bankable feasibility study (“BFS”) on the Property. If the total
Option Payments and Expenditures and costs to prepare the BFS are
less
than $50 million, KBX will pay U.S. Moly the difference in cash.
If the
total is more than $50 million before the BFS is completed, U.S.
Moly and
KBX each will pay 50% of the balance needed to complete the BFS.
|
-37-
Except
for the first Expenditures of $3.5 million and the first Option Payment of
$1.45
million (both of which must be paid by KBX if it elects to proceed with the
transaction), all other Option Payments and Expenditures are at KBX’s
discretion. However, if KBX fails to make any other Option Payments and
Expenditures by the due dates (with a 90 day grace period), the Letter Agreement
(or the formal agreement, if there is one) will be terminated and all rights
and
interests will revert to U.S. Moly.
When
KBX
has paid $15 million in Expenditures, it will have earned a 15% interest in
the
Property. When all remaining Option Payments, and all of the Expenditures over
$15 million, have been paid, KBX will have earned an additional 35% interest
(50% total). However, if when the BFS is delivered, the total of all Option
Payments, Expenditures, and BFS costs are less than $50 million, earning this
additional 35% interest also will be subject to KBX paying U.S. Moly (in cash)
the difference between the actual Option payments and Expenditures paid, and
$50
million.
The
Company and Crested each hold a 3% gross overriding royalty interest in the
Property, and this will be reserved for their separate benefit (in addition
to
their being shareholders of U.S. Moly) when the Property is transferred to
U.S.
Moly. When KBX earns a 15% interest in the Property, the royalty will be reduced
to 2.55% each; when KBX earns a 50% interest, the royalty will be reduced to
1.5% each.
At
such
time as KBX has earned a 50% interest, KBX will have the right to form a joint
venture with U.S. Moly for the Property on a 50%-50% basis. Alternatively,
within four months of earning a 50% interest, KBX may offer U.S. Moly a one
time
only election (30 days to exercise) to (i) elect to remain in the 50%/50% joint
venture; or (ii) to allow KBX to acquire an additional 15% interest in the
Property for a total of 65% interest in the Property (the “65% Election”),
whereby U.S. Moly would revert to a 35% interest (this change in ownership
will
require KBX to have arranged all future Property financing on optimal terms);
or
(iii) have KBX acquire all of the outstanding securities of U.S. Moly for KBX
common stock on an agreed upon valuation basis (but the KBX shares issued cannot
be less than 50% for KBX and not more than 50% for the U.S. Moly securities).
Management
of the Property.
Until
KBX earns its 50% interest, KBX will manage all programs on the Property, but
a
Technical Committee (with two representatives from each of KBX and U.S. Moly)
will approve all programs and budgets for Expenditures. If there is a tie vote,
the KBX representative would cast the deciding vote. A management committee
will
also be formed to operate the venture; each of KBX and U.S. Moly will have
two
representatives, and the technical committee will report to the management
committee. If voting is equal and there is a tie vote, KBX will have the right
to cast the deciding vote.
Termination.
If KBX
elects to move forward with the transaction after the due diligence period,
KBX
may terminate the Letter Agreement or the formal agreement at any time, subject
to KBX paying U.S. Moly the initial $1.45 Option Payment (in cash or KBX stock),
and KBX having paid the minimum initial $3.5 million of Expenditures. Further,
if and to the extent the initial minimum $3.5 million in Expenditures has not
been met, termination by KBX will be subject to its paying (in cash) to U.S.
Moly the difference between $3.5 million and the total Expenditures actually
made by the date of termination.
Broker
or Finder’s Fee.
If KBX
pays a broker or finder’s fee in connection with the transaction, the Company
and Crested will reimburse KBX up to 50% of the fee (but the reimbursable amount
will not exceed Cdn $400,000), in cash or common stock of the Company (at the
Company’s election), in four equal annual installments. The reimbursement
obligation would terminate if the Letter Agreement or the formal agreement
is
terminated before it is fully paid.
-38-
Cancellation
of SEDA with Cornell Capital
As
of
October 31, 2006, the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, LP (“Cornell”)
terminated the May 5, 2006 Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (the “SEDA”)
with Cornell, under which Cornell had committed to provide up to $50 million
of
equity financing over 36 months. All other agreements related to the SEDA also
were terminated. For further information, please see the Form 8-K filed on
May
9, 2006.
Cornell
will retain the 68,531 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock and the
three year warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of restricted common stock of
the
Company (at $7.15 per share), and Newbridge Securities Corporation will retain
the 1,399 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, all of which
securities were issued by the Company to Cornell (and to Newbridge) for
commitment fees and due diligence fees.
The
Company will file a registration statement to register the public resale by
Cornell of the 68,531 shares and the 100,000 shares underlying the warrant,
and
the public resale by Newbridge of its 1,399 shares.
Special
Committee of the Company Directors
On
October 13, 2006, the Company notified the board of directors of Crested that
the Company has established a Special Committee to evaluate whether, and if
so
how, the Company might offer to acquire the common stock of Crested (29%) not
owned by the Company (which now owns 71% of Crested). The Special Committee
is
comprised of H. Russell Fraser and Michael Anderson, current independent
directors.
If
the
Company’s board of directors, acting on the recommendation of the Company
Special Committee, should make an offer from the Company to acquire the minority
shares of Crested, the Crested Special Committee will determine if the offer,
and its terms (when and if the Company makes an offer) would be fair to the
Crested minority shareholders.
The
Special Committee is evaluating what price, and other terms, may be appropriate
for the Company to offer. Crested has established a Special Committee, which
will determine if an offer, and the terms of an offer, by the Company (when
and
if made) would be fair to the Crested minority shareholders.
The
Company’s Special Committee has retained Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC as its
financial advisor to provide an opinion on the fairness, to the Company, of
such
offer as the Company may make to Crested.
The
Company has not and may not in the future make an offer to Crested, and if
it
does make an offer, Crested may not accept such an offer. In any event, no
prediction is made whether or not an offer will be made by the Company to
acquire the Crested minority shares, or if made, whether that offer would be
recommended by the Crested board of directors to the minority shareholders
for
approval.
-39-
ITEM
3. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Risk
Factors
The
following risk factors should be considered in evaluating the information in
this Form 10-Q.
The
Company has a history of operating losses, and working capital needs have
primarily come from the receipt of funds from liquidating investments and
selling equity. These sources of capital may not be sufficient to develop the
Company’s mineral properties, none of which have proven reserves.
The
Company and Crested may seek additional financing sources or industry partners
for the gold, uranium and molybdenum properties, but have not entered into
agreements. The development of some or all of the properties likely could be
delayed to the extent and for so long as the Company and Crested are
unsuccessful in obtaining additional financing, either in direct capital or
through arrangements with industry partners. As for the molybdenum property,
it
is uncertain as to whether the Kobex transaction will close and whether Kobex
will be able to meet all of the requirements set out in the Letter
Agreement.
Uncertainties
in the value of the mineral properties.
While
the Company and Crested believe that their mineral properties are valuable,
substantial work and capital will be needed to establish whether they are
valuable in fact.
· |
In
the event that Uranium One does not purchase our uranium assets,
the
Company and Crested will have to continue to pursue an equity or
industry
partner to assist in the development of the properties. Profitability
of
the uranium properties will depend on several factors which include
continued sustained higher prices for uranium oxide, cost controls
at the
Shootaring Canyon Mill and the surrounding uranium properties including
mining, transportation and milling of ores and successful financing
and
commencing refurbishment of the mill. Additional mineral properties
in the
vicinity of the Shootaring Canyon Mill or ore from contract miners
in the
area may need to be acquired to feed the
mill.
|
· |
The
profitable mining and processing of gold by Sutter will depend on
many
factors, including compliance with permit conditions; delineation
through
extensive drilling and sampling of sufficient volumes of mineralized
material, with sufficient grades, to make mining and processing economic
over time; continued sustained high prices for gold; and obtaining
the
capital required to initiate and sustain mining operations and build
and
operate a gold processing mill.
|
· |
The
Lucky Jack molybdenum property has had extensive work conducted by
prior
owners, but this data will have to be updated to the level of a current
feasibility study to determine the viability of starting mining
operations. Obtaining mining and other permits to begin mining the
molybdenum property may be very difficult, and, like any mining operation,
capital requirements for a molybdenum mine/mill operation will be
substantial. There is a history of opposition by local government
entities
and environmental organizations to the prior owners seeking permits
to
mine this property. This opposition has been expressed in litigation
from
time to time. Continued legal challenges may delay putting the Lucky
Jack
property into production.
|
-40-
· |
The
Company and Crested have not yet obtained feasibility studies on
any of
our mineral properties. These studies would establish the economic
viability, or not, of the different properties based on extensive
drilling
and sampling, the design and costs to build and operate mills, the
cost of
capital, and other factors. Feasibility studies can take many months
to
complete. These studies are conducted by professional third party
consulting and engineering firms, and will have to be completed,
at
considerable cost, to determine if the deposits contain proven reserves
(amounts of minerals in sufficient grades that can be extracted profitably
under current pricing assumptions for development and operating costs
and
commodity prices). A feasibility study usually must be completed
in order
to raise the substantial capital needed to put a property into production.
The Company and Crested have not established any reserves (economic
deposits of mineralized materials) on any of our molybdenum, uranium
or
gold properties, and future studies may indicate that some or all
of the
properties will not be economic to put into production.
|
Compliance
with environmental regulations may be costly:
The
Company’s business is intensely regulated by government agencies. Permits are
required to explore for minerals, operate mines, build and operate processing
plants. The regulations under which permits are issued change from time to
time
to reflect changes in public policy or scientific understanding of issues.
If
the economics of a project cannot withstand the cost of complying with changed
regulations, the Company and Crested might decide not to move forward with
the
project.
The
Company must comply with numerous environmental regulations on a continuous
basis: the United States Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), and the Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation Liability Act ("CERCLA"). For example, water and dust
discharged from mines and tailings from prior mining or milling operations
must
be monitored and contained and reports filed with federal, state and county
regulatory authorities. Additional monitoring and reporting is required by
the
Utah Division of Radiation Control for uranium mills even if not currently
operating (like the Shootaring Mill near Ticaboo, Utah).
The
Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act in Wyoming and similar laws in other states
where
the Company and Crested have properties, impose reclamation obligations on
abandoned mining properties, in addition to or in conjunction with federal
statutes. Environmental regulatory programs create potential liability for
operations, and may result in requirements to perform environmental
investigations or corrective actions under federal and state laws and federal
and state Superfund requirements.
Failure
to comply with these regulations could result in substantial fines,
environmental remediation orders and/or potential shut down of the project
until
compliance is achieved. Failure to timely obtain required permits to start
operations at a project could cause delay and/or the failure of the project
resulting in a potential write-off of the investments therein.
Possible
Dilution to Shareholders:
Because
the Company does not have enough capital to put its properties into production,
shareholders may be diluted in their ownership if the Company raises capital
through the sale of equity. Direct dilution would occur if the Company sells
preferred stock, common stock, or debt, convertible into common stock, with
conversion and other terms which large institutions can negotiate for
substantial capital financings which result in more favorable terms than buying
stock in the market. Indirect dilution would occur if institutional financing
is
raised for a subsidiary company. In this scenario, the percentage of the
subsidiary held by us would be diluted.
-41-
ITEM
4. Controls
and Procedures
Management
of the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its Chief
Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has evaluated the
effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as defined
in
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of
the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation,
management has concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures
are effective to ensure that information it is required to disclose in reports
that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is communicated
to
management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and
forms.
During
the nine months covered by this Report, there have been no significant changes
in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected,
or
are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
-42-
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Legal
Proceedings
Material
proceedings pending at September 30, 2006, and developments in those proceedings
from that date to the date this Report was filed, are summarized below. The
legal status of the legal proceedings, which were pending during the year has
either not changed, been settled or is otherwise immaterial.
Phelps
Dodge Corporation Litigation
On
July
25, 2006, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado entered
an order granting a motion for attorney fees and costs in favor of Phelps Dodge
Corporation and Mt. Emmons Mining Company (collectively “PD”). A hearing on the
motion was held on July 20, 2006. The motion was made in the case of
Phelps
Dodge Corporation and Mt. Emmons Mining Company v. U.S. Energy Corp. and Crested
Corp.
(Civil
Cases No. 02-cv-00796-LTB-PAC), subsequent to the plaintiffs, PD, prevailing
in
a declaratory judgment action against the Company and Crested regarding the
parties’ rights related to molybdenum properties located near Crested Butte,
Colorado (the “Lucky Jack” molybdenum property). The court had entered an order
in the declaratory judgment action on February 4, 2005. As a result of that
earlier order, the Company and Crested have taken title to the subject mineral
properties with an existing water treatment plant located thereon.
The
court
ordered that the Company and Crested pay PD for (i) attorney fees and costs
of
$3,223,000; plus (ii) operations expenses of $4,315,300 for the Lucky Jack
molybdenum property (including costs for PD to operate the water treatment
plant
for the period from July 2002 through August 2005). The total amount of the
award was $7,538,300 with 5 ½% interest on the outstanding judgment amount.
On
September 26, 2006, the Company and Crested signed an agreement with PD to
settle the case. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company and
Crested paid PD $7,000,000 and PD agreed to deliver to the Company and Crested
all information, studies and records associated with the Mount Emmons molybdenum
property. The parties also agreed to dismiss with prejudice all appeals and
cross-appeals. Upon delivery of the information by PD, all disputes between
the
parties related to the lawsuit will have been settled.
Mt.
Emmons Patents Litigation
On
July
21, 2006, a panel of the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals (the
“10th
CCA”)
affirmed the January 12, 2005 United States District Court for the District
of
Colorado dismissal of challenges to the issuance of nine mining patents (by
the
United States Bureau of Land Management) on certain of the properties comprising
the Mt. Emmons properties, to Phelps Dodge Corporation and Mt. Emmons Mining
Company. The case is High
Country Citizen’s Alliance, Town of Crested Butte, Colorado, and The Board of
County Commissioners of the County of Gunnison, Colorado v. Kathleen Clarke,
Director of the Bureau of Land Management et. al., Gale Norton, Secretary of
Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior; Phelps Dodge Corporation; Mt. Emmons
Mining Company
(the
10th
CCA case
number is D.C. No. 04-MK-749PAC).
-43-
The
subject patents (and adjacent properties) were transferred to the Company and
Crested by PD on February 28, 2006. On September 5, 2006, the High Country
Citizens’ Alliance, Town of Crested Butte, Colorado, and the Board of County
Commissioners of the County of Gunnison, Colorado (“Appellants”) filed a
Petition for Rehearing En Banc before the 10th
CCA. On
September 8, 2006 the Company and Crested filed a Motion to Substitute Parties
(for PD) and Motion for leave to File Response to Appellants’ Petition for
Rehearing En Banc. On September 22, 2006, the Company and Crested filed a
Response to Appellants’ Petition for Rehearing Enbanc. On October 27, 2006, the
10th
CCA
denied Appellants’ Petition for Rehearing Enbanc.
For
further information on the Lucky Jack molybdenum property and the background
of
this litigation, please see the Form 10-Ks for the year ended December 31,
2005
filed by the Company and Crested.
Plateau
Resources Ltd. Christian Murer vs. Plateau Resources Limited,
Inc.
On
May
11, 2006, Christian F. Murer (“Murer”) filed a lawsuit against Plateau Resources
Limited, Inc. (“Plateau”) in the United States District Court, District of Utah,
Central Division (Case Number 2:06cv00393 BSJ) claiming that: 1) Plateau was
required to deliver certain geological and engineering data for some unpatented
mining claims located in Utah pursuant to an April 8, 1977 agreement between
Murer and Century 21 Mining, Inc. and 2) that Murer will be economically damaged
by the differential in royalty payments he would otherwise receive under an
agreement with IUC Exploration LLC on August 31, 2005. Murer is seeking specific
performance and damages. Plateau has retained Parr Waddoups Brown Gee &
Loveless of Salt Lake City, Utah to represent Plateau in the case. An answer
to
the complaint was filed on June 8, 2006 and management of Plateau does not
believe that it is obligated to provide the geological and engineering data
to
Murer or that it owes Mr. Murer damages.
On
August
21, 2006, Plateau filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. A hearing on
the
motion was held on October 31, 2006, and the court denied Plateau’s motion.
Discovery and settlement discussions will proceed.
Enterra
Energy Trust Indemnification on Rocky Mountain Gas,
Inc.
Enterra
Energy Trust (“Enterra”) contacted the Company and Crested concerning two
indemnification matters related to the sale of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. (“RMG”)
to Enterra.
The
first
matter was a lawsuit against RMG and Pinnacle Gas Resources, Inc. (“Pinnacle”)
by Angler, who claimed that RMG and Pinnacle violated the coalbed methane lease
by non-development. USE and Crested were required to indemnify Enterra because
this activity occurred prior to the sale of RMG to Enterra. RMG and Pinnacle
have settled the case for $40,000; $15,000 to be paid by RMG and $25,000 to
be
paid by Pinnacle. USE and Crested will reimburse Enterra for the $15,000
settlement amount and 50% of the legal costs incurred by RMG, estimated to
be an
additional $15,000 each.
In
the
second matter on September 22, 2006, the Campbell County (Wyoming) Treasurer
filed a complaint (Civil No. 27492) seeking payment of $73,400 of delinquent
ad
valorem taxes (including $16,600 in interest (18% per annum through September
21, 2006, and continuing until the taxes are paid) on the original alleged
tax
deficiency of $56,800).
The
taxes
are owed on gas produced in 2003 from coalbed methane wells in the county.
The
wells were owned by Hi-Pro Production, LLC (“Hi-Pro”). As of November 1, 2003,
Hi-Pro sold the subject properties, including the wells, of Rocky Mountain
Gas,
Inc. (“RMG,” a subsidiary of the Company and Crested., which was sold to Enterra
Energy Trust on June 1, 2005).
-44-
The
defendants in the litigation are RMG, Hi-Pro, and persons who owned Hi-Pro
(the
“Hi-Pro defendants”), including Steven Youngbauer, who also was president of
Hi-Pro. Mr. Youngbauer has been employed by the Company and Crested as Associate
General Counsel since late 2003. Pursuant to the contract by which the Company
and Crested sold RMG to Enterra, the Company and Crested are responsible for
payment of delinquent taxes, including ad valorem taxes, on RMG’s production
before RMG was sold to Enterra.
RMG,
when
it was still owned by the Company and Crested, agreed with Hi-Pro that it would
pay, and RMG did pay, its share of the ad valorem taxes ($56,800, being 100%
of
the taxes due for November and December 2003, the only months when the
properties were owned by RMG). The Company and Crested allege that RMG sent
a
check to Hi-Pro for its share, but the county incorrectly applied the amount
to
Hi-Pro’s taxes for the period January to October 2003.
Accordingly,
the Company and Crested have filed (i) an answer on behalf of RMG denying
liability for payment of any of the amount sought by the Campbell County
Treasurer; and (ii) a counterclaim asking the court to strike RMG as a party
responsible for the delinquent taxes and interest.
The
Hi-Pro defendants have filed an answer stating that Hi-Pro has been dissolved,
that its former owners are not responsible for the taxes or interest, and that
only RMG is responsible for payment of the taxes and interest.
Daniel
P.
Svilar, General Counsel and Scot Anderson of Davis, Graham & Stubbs, LLP of
Denver, CO are handling this case for the Company and Crested. All defendants
have answered plaintiffs’ complaint by October 31, 2006. Mr. Steven R.
Youngbauer, Associate General Counsel has excused himself from management of
this case because he has a conflict of interest, being the previous President
of
Hi-Pro.
Discovery
proceedings have not commenced. An adverse outcome in this litigation will
not
have an adverse impact on the Company. Management of the Company believes that
they will prevail.
ITEM
2. Changes
in Securities and Use of Proceeds
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company issued a total of 566,493
shares of its common stock. These shares were issued pursuant to the exercise
of
warrants, 221,400 shares; employee options, 185,129 shares; the 2001 stock
compensation plan, 45,000 shares; shares issued to outside directors for
services rendered, 3,140 and the issuance of shares for professional services
rendered, 111,824 shares. The Company also released 145,200 shares which had
previously been forfeitable to the Estate of John L. Larsen, who passed away
during the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
ITEM
3. Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
Not
Applicable
ITEM
4. Submission
of Matter to a Vote of Shareholders
Not
Applicable
ITEM
5. Other
Information
Not
Applicable
-45-
ITEM
6. Exhibits
and Reports on Form 8-K
(a)
|
Exhibits.
|
||
31.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) / Rule
15d-15(e)
|
||
31.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule
15(e)/15d-15(e)
|
||
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
||
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
||
10.1
|
Exclusivity
Agreement with sxr “Uranium One” Inc.
|
||
10.2
|
Settlement
Agreement with Phelps Dodge Corp.
|
||
10.3
|
Stock
Purchase Agreement with DLJ MB Partners III, Inc.
|
||
(b)
|
Reports
on Form 8-K.
The Company filed 4 reports on Form 8-K for the quarter ended September
30, 2006. The events reported were as follows:
|
||
1.
|
The
report filed on July 13, 2006, under Item 8.01 referenced the signing
of
an Exclusivity Agreement with sxr “Uranium One” Inc.
|
||
2.
|
The
report filed on July 28, 2006, under Item 8.01 referenced the U.S.
District Court’s Order for Payment of Attorney Fees and Costs related to
litigation with Phelps Dodge Corporation and U.S. Tenth Circuit Court
of
Appeals Affirmation of Court dismissal of Challenges to Mt. Emmons
Patents.
|
||
3.
|
The
report filed on September 6, 2006, under Item 8.01 referenced the
signing
of an amendment to the May 5, 2006 registration rights agreement
with
Cornell Capital Partners, PL.
|
||
4.
|
The
report filed on September 22, 2006, under Item 1.01 referenced signing
of
a stock purchase agreement with DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc., Item
2.01
referenced sale of Pinnacle Gas Resources Gas, Inc. shares under
the stock
purchase agreement and Item 8.01 referenced entering into a settlement
agreement and the payment of $7.0 million to Phelps Dodge Corporation
to
resolve outstanding litigation and the sale of 100% of the Enterra
Energy
Trust units by the Company.
|
-46-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has
duly
caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto
duly authorized.
U.S.
ENERGY CORP.
|
||||
(Company)
|
||||
Date:
November 14, 2006
|
By:
|
/s/
Keith G. Larsen
|
||
KEITH
G. LARSEN,
|
||||
Chairman
and CEO
|
||||
Date:
November 14, 2006
|
By:
|
/s/
Robert Scott Lorimer
|
||
ROBERT
SCOTT LORIMER
|
||||
Principal
Financial Officer and
|
||||
Chief
Accounting Officer
|
-47-