US ENERGY CORP - Quarter Report: 2008 March (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 March 31, 2008 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 x Non-accelerated
filer o
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 May 9, 2008
|
|
Common
stock, $.01 par value
|
23,658,196
|
-2-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. and SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
Page
No.
|
||
PART
I.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2008
and December 31, 2007 (unaudited)
|
4-5
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three months Ended March 31,
2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
|
6
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
and 2007 (unaudited)
|
7-8
|
|
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
|
9-20
|
|
ITEM
2.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
21-30
|
ITEM
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
30
|
ITEM
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
30-31
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
32-33
|
ITEM
1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
34
|
ITEM
2.
|
Changes
in Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
34
|
ITEM
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
35
|
ITEM
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders
|
35
|
ITEM
5.
|
Other
Information
|
35
|
ITEM
6.
|
Exhibits
and Reports on Form 8-K
|
36
|
Signatures
|
37
|
|
Certifications
|
See
Exhibits
|
-3-
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Financial Statements
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 48,806,700 | $ | 72,292,200 | ||||
Marketable
securities
|
||||||||
Held
to maturity - treasury bills
|
24,886,000 | -- | ||||||
Available
for sale securities
|
252,100 | 480,200 | ||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
||||||||
Trade
|
49,100 | 171,700 | ||||||
Reimbursable
project costs
|
698,300 | 782,100 | ||||||
Dissolution
of subsidiaries
|
-- | 197,600 | ||||||
Income
taxes
|
749,600 | 902,900 | ||||||
Restricted
investments
|
4,830,900 | 6,624,700 | ||||||
Assets
held for sale
|
1,112,600 | 1,112,600 | ||||||
Deferred
tax assets
|
248,000 | 59,700 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
204,700 | 105,200 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
81,838,000 | 82,728,900 | ||||||
PROPERTIES
AND EQUIPMENT:
|
57,344,200 | 52,785,200 | ||||||
Less
accumulated depreciation,
|
||||||||
depletion
and amortization
|
(4,876,400 | ) | (4,691,700 | ) | ||||
Net
properties and equipment
|
52,467,800 | 48,093,500 | ||||||
OTHER
ASSETS:
|
||||||||
Restricted
investments
|
376,900 | 375,500 | ||||||
Deposits
and other
|
656,600 | 206,500 | ||||||
Total
other assets
|
1,033,500 | 582,000 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 135,339,300 | $ | 131,404,400 | ||||
-4-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
||||||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$ | 499,200 | $ | 1,589,600 | ||||
Accrued
compensation expense
|
736,300 | 275,200 | ||||||
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
10,349,900 | 5,560,900 | ||||||
Other
current liabilities
|
859,100 | 667,500 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
12,444,500 | 8,093,200 | ||||||
LONG-TERM
DEBT, net of current portion
|
171,200 | 190,500 | ||||||
DEFERRED
TAX LIABILITY
|
7,048,400 | 6,928,800 | ||||||
ASSET
RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
|
135,600 | 133,400 | ||||||
OTHER
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
|
1,252,000 | 958,600 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock, $.01 par value; 100,000 shares
|
||||||||
authorized
no shares issued or outstanding
|
-- | -- | ||||||
Common
stock, $.01 par value; unlimited shares
|
||||||||
authorized;
23,814,570 and 23,592,493
|
||||||||
shares
issued, respectively
|
238,100 | 235,900 | ||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
97,557,900 | 96,560,100 | ||||||
Accumulated
surplus
|
17,334,300 | 19,050,900 | ||||||
Unrealized
loss on marketable securities
|
(352,200 | ) | (256,500 | ) | ||||
Unallocated
ESOP contribution
|
(490,500 | ) | (490,500 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
114,287,600 | 115,099,900 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$ | 135,339,300 | $ | 131,404,400 | ||||
-5-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
OPERATING
REVENUES:
|
||||||||
Remington
Village real estate
|
$ | 87,400 | $ | -- | ||||
Other
real estate
|
39,100 | 33,000 | ||||||
Management
fees and other
|
24,600 | 39,000 | ||||||
151,100 | 72,000 | |||||||
OPERATING
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
||||||||
Remington
Village real estate
|
91,000 | -- | ||||||
Other
real estate
|
77,200 | 165,900 | ||||||
Mineral
holding costs
|
233,500 | 796,700 | ||||||
General
and administrative
|
2,692,000 | 1,705,600 | ||||||
3,093,700 | 2,668,200 | |||||||
LOSS
BEFORE INVESTMENT AND
|
||||||||
PROPERTY
TRANSACTIONS
|
(2,942,600 | ) | (2,596,200 | ) | ||||
OTHER
INCOME & (EXPENSES):
|
||||||||
(Loss)
gain on sales of assets
|
-- | 1,000 | ||||||
Gain
on sale of marketable securities
|
16,200 | 737,400 | ||||||
Dividends
|
-- | 2,900 | ||||||
Interest
income
|
553,600 | 226,000 | ||||||
Interest
expense
|
(17,500 | ) | (55,800 | ) | ||||
552,300 | 911,500 | |||||||
LOSS
BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST AND
|
||||||||
PROVISION
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
(2,390,300 | ) | (1,684,700 | ) | ||||
MINORITY
INTEREST IN LOSS OF
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES
|
-- | 18,200 | ||||||
LOSS
BEFORE PROVISION
|
||||||||
FOR
INCOME TAXES
|
(2,390,300 | ) | (1,666,500 | ) | ||||
INCOME
TAXES:
|
||||||||
Current
benefit from
|
628,000 | 348,300 | ||||||
Deferred
benefit from
|
45,700 | -- | ||||||
673,700 | 348,300 | |||||||
NET
LOSS
|
$ | (1,716,600 | ) | $ | (1,318,200 | ) | ||
PER
SHARE DATA
|
||||||||
Basic
and diluted loss per share
|
$ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) | ||
BASIC
AND DILUTED WEIGHTED
|
||||||||
AVERAGE
SHARES OUTSTANDING
|
23,749,056 | 19,413,931 | ||||||
-6-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (1,716,600 | ) | $ | (1,318,200 | ) | ||
Reconcile
net loss to net cash used in operations
|
||||||||
Minority
interest in the loss of
|
||||||||
consolidated
subsidiaries
|
-- | (18,200 | ) | |||||
Depreciation
|
184,800 | 120,300 | ||||||
Accretion
of asset retirement obligations
|
2,200 | 2,100 | ||||||
Income
tax payable
|
153,300 | -- | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
(45,700 | ) | (348,300 | ) | ||||
Gain
on sale of assets
|
-- | (1,000 | ) | |||||
Gain
on sales of marketable securities
|
(16,200 | ) | (737,300 | ) | ||||
Noncash
compensation
|
1,161,200 | 128,400 | ||||||
Net
changes in assets and liabilities:
|
(492,400 | ) | (1,464,200 | ) | ||||
NET
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(769,400 | ) | (3,636,400 | ) | ||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Proceeds
from sale of marketable securities
|
$ | 124,600 | $ | 1,452,400 | ||||
Proceeds
from sale of property and equipment
|
-- | 1,000 | ||||||
Acquisition
& development of real estate
|
(4,913,600 | ) | -- | |||||
Acquisition
of unproved oil & gas properties
|
(82,200 | ) | -- | |||||
Acquisition
of unproved mining claims
|
(10,900 | ) | (253,300 | ) | ||||
Acquisition
of property and equipment
|
(4,600 | ) | (51,700 | ) | ||||
Investment
in marketable securities
|
(24,886,000 | ) | -- | |||||
Net
change in restricted investments
|
1,792,400 | (52,900 | ) | |||||
Net
change in notes receivable
|
-- | 560,900 | ||||||
Net
change in investments in affiliates
|
-- | 34,700 | ||||||
NET
CASH (USED IN)
|
||||||||
BY
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(27,980,300 | ) | 1,691,100 | |||||
-7-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
1,527,500 | 393,100 | ||||||
Proceeds
from long term debt
|
4,765,800 | 164,100 | ||||||
Repayments
of long term debt
|
(30,900 | ) | (183,100 | ) | ||||
Purchase
of treasury stock
|
(998,200 | ) | -- | |||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY
|
||||||||
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
|
5,264,200 | 374,100 | ||||||
NET DECREASE
IN
|
||||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(23,485,500 | ) | (1,571,200 | ) | ||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
||||||||
AT
BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
72,292,200 | 16,973,500 | ||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
||||||||
AT
END OF PERIOD
|
$ | 48,806,700 | $ | 15,402,300 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURES:
|
||||||||
Income
tax paid
|
$ | -- | $ | -- | ||||
Interest
paid
|
$ | 17,500 | $ | 55,800 | ||||
NON-CASH
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Development
of assets through issuance of debt
|
$ | 34,800 | $ | -- | ||||
Issuance
of subsidiary stock to acquire
|
||||||||
mining
claims
|
$ | -- | $ | 33,700 | ||||
Unrealized
loss/gain
|
$ | 95,700 | $ | -- | ||||
-8-
1) Basis
of Presentation
The
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2008, the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008
and 2007 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, have been prepared by the Company without
audit. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2007
was derived from financial statements audited by Moss Adams, LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated on their report for the year ended December 31,
2007 (which report is not included in this Form 10-Q Report). In the
opinion of the Company, the accompanying condensed financial statements contain
all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to
present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007, the results of operations for the three months ended March
31, 2008 and 2007 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and
2007.
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, 2007 Form 10-K. The results of operations for
the periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the
operating results for the full year.
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.
2) Principles
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2008, March 31,
2007 and December 31, 2007 include the accounts of the Company and Sutter Gold
Mining Inc. (“SGMI”) which was owned 54.4% by the Company at March 31,
2008. The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of
March 31, 2007 also include the accounts of its then majority-owned or
controlled subsidiaries Plateau Resources Limited, Inc. (“Plateau”) (100%); Four
Nines Gold, Inc. ("FNG") (50.9%); Crested Corp. (“Crested”) (70.9%); Yellow
Stone Fuels, Inc. (“YSFI”) (35.9%); U.S. Moly Corp. (“USMC”) (90%); InterWest,
Inc. (“InterWest”) (90%), and the USECC Joint Venture ("USECC"), a consolidated
joint venture which was equally owned by the Company and
Crested. Subsequent to March 31, 2007 all subsidiaries and affiliated
companies were liquidated or merged into the Company with the exception of
SGMI. All material inter-company profits, transactions and balances
have been eliminated.
-9-
3) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS
141R In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No.
141(R), “Business Combinations”
(“SFAS 141(R)”), to replace SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. SFAS
141(R) requires use of the acquisition method of accounting, defines the
acquirer, establishes the acquisition date and broadens the scope to all
transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or
more other businesses. This statement is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 with
earlier adoption prohibited. While the Company does not expect that
the adoption of SFAS 141(R) to have a material impact to its consolidated
financial statements for transactions completed prior to December 31, 2008, the
impact of the accounting change could be material for business combinations
which may be consummated subsequent thereto.
SFAS
157 In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No.
157, Fair
Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted
accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
SFAS 157 applies to other existing accounting pronouncements that require or
permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those
accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute.
While SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, its
application may change the current practice for fair value measurements.
SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. On February 8, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2,
Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157,
which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and
liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The
adoption of SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities in the first quarter
of 2008 had no impact on our consolidated financial statements. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets
and liabilities.
SFAS
159 In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair
Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS
159”) which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and
certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured
at fair value. SFAS 159 will be effective for the Company’s current
fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The effect of adopting this
statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
SFAS
160 In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,
“Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”—an amendment of
ARB No. 51 ,
(“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the
non controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the retained interest and gain
or loss when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. This statement is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after
December 15, 2008 with earlier adoption prohibited. The Company is
currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 160 on its consolidated financial
statements.
The
Company has reviewed other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does
not believe that any of those pronouncements will have a material effect on the
Company’s financial position or results of operations when adopted.
-10-
4) Stock
Based Compensation
Stock
Options - The Company accounts for all stock-based compensation pursuant
to SFAS No. 123(R), “Share Based Payment” which requires the recognition of the
fair value of stock-based compensation in operations. Stock-based
compensation to all employees 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 have vested immediately or over a service period and expire 90 days after the employee voluntarily terminates their
employment with the Company and twelve months after retirement, disability or
death. No stock options were granted during the quarter ended
March 31, 2008. 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. See Note
13.
5) Properties
and Equipment
The
components of Properties and Equipment at March 31, 2008 are oil and gas
properties, mining properties, land, buildings and equipment.
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||
Amortization
|
||||||||||||
Depletion
and
|
Net
|
|||||||||||
Cost
|
Depreciation
|
Book
Value
|
||||||||||
Oil
& Gas properties
|
$ | 2,992,400 | $ | - | $ | 2,992,400 | ||||||
Mining
properties
|
21,417,700 | - | 21,417,700 | |||||||||
Buildings,
land and equipment
|
32,934,100 | (4,876,400 | ) | 28,057,700 | ||||||||
Totals
|
$ | 57,344,200 | $ | (4,876,400 | ) | $ | 52,467,800 | |||||
The
Company evaluates assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate
that recorded values may not be recoverable. There were no
impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and
2007. Mining properties of $21,417,700 are the result of the
allocation of the purchase price associated with the merger of Crested Corp.
into the Company during the fourth quarter of 2007. The Company is in
the process of conducting a valuation of the allocation of the purchase price
under SFAS 141R which it anticipates having completed during the second or third
quarter of 2008.
-11-
Land,
buildings, improvements, machinery and equipment are carried at
cost. Depreciation of buildings, improvements, machinery and
equipment is provided principally by the straight-line method over estimated
useful lives ranging from 3 to 45 years. Following is a breakdown of
the lives over which assets are depreciated.
Machinery
and equipment
|
||
Office
Equipment
|
3
to 5 years
|
|
Aircraft
|
10
years
|
|
Field
Tools and Hand Equipment
|
5
to 7 years
|
|
Vehicles
and Trucks
|
3
to 7 years
|
|
Heavy
Equipment
|
7
to 10 years
|
|
Buildings
and improvements
|
||
Service
Buildings
Multi-Family
Housing
|
20
years
25
years
|
|
Corporate
Headquarters' Building
|
45
years
|
6) Marketable
Securities
The
Company accounts for its marketable securities as (1) held-to-maturity, (2)
available-for-sale and (3) trading. The Company holds short-term
securities which have maturities of greater than three months but less than one
year from the date of purchase. These securities are classified as
held-to-maturity based on the Company's intent to hold such securities to the
maturity date. All held-to-maturity securities are U.S. Government
securities and are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair market
value. Income related to these securities is reported as a component
of interest income. 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. Based on the Company's intent to sell
the securities, its equity securities are reported as trading
securities.
7) Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Unrealized
gains and losses 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 reconciles net loss to
comprehensive loss:
For
the three months ending March 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (1,716,600 | ) | $ | (1,318,200 | ) | ||
Other
comprehensive loss from the
|
||||||||
unrealized
loss on marketable securities
|
(282,200 | ) | -- | |||||
Deferred
income taxes on marketable securities
|
186,500 | -- | ||||||
Comprehensive
loss
|
$ | (1,812,300 | ) | $ | (1,318,200 | ) | ||
-12-
8) Income
Taxes
The
income tax provision differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory
federal income tax rate to income from continuing operations before taxes. The
reasons for these differences are as follows:
Three
Months
|
Year
|
|||||||
Ended
|
Ended
|
|||||||
March
31, 2008
|
December
31, 2007
|
|||||||
Consolidated
book income before income tax
|
$ | (2,390,200 | ) | $ | 88,730,000 | |||
Minority
loss from non consolidated tax subsidiary
|
- | 3,551,400 | ||||||
Add
back losses from non consolidated tax subsidiaries
|
156,600 | 2,009,700 | ||||||
Prior
year true-up and rate change
|
- | (265,100 | ) | |||||
Permanent
differences
|
308,700 | (2,549,300 | ) | |||||
Taxable
income before temporary differences
|
$ | (1,924,900 | ) | $ | 91,476,700 | |||
Expected
federal income tax expense (benefit)35%
|
$ | (673,600 | ) | $ | 32,016,800 | |||
Federal
deferred income tax expense (benefit)
|
(45,700 | ) | 14,777,600 | |||||
Federal
current expense (benefit)
|
(628,000 | ) | 17,239,200 | |||||
Total
federal income tax expense (benefit)
|
(673,700 | ) | 32,016,800 | |||||
Current
state income tax expense net of
|
||||||||
federal
tax benefit
|
- | 350,000 | ||||||
Total
provision (benefit)
|
$ | (673,700 | ) | $ | 32,366,800 | |||
Current
taxes receivable at March 31, 2008 is comprised of $749,600 of federal income
taxes. The amount of current taxes receivable has been increased by $18,800
benefit from the exercise of pre-SFAS No. 123(R) nonqualified stock options and
warrants which result in an increase to paid in capital. There were no
taxes due at March 31, 2007 due to a loss during the quarter. Likewise,
there was no benefit from taxes at March 31, 2007. At March 31, 2008
and December 31, 2007, current taxes receivable were $749,600 and $902,900,
respectively.
The
components of deferred taxes as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are as
follows:
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Current
deferred tax assets:
|
||||||||
Tax
basis in excess of book
|
$ | 186,500 | $ | - | ||||
Non-deductible
reserves and other
|
61,500 | 59,700 | ||||||
Total
net current deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
|
$ | 248,000 | $ | 59,700 | ||||
Non-current
deferred tax assets:
|
||||||||
Deferred
compensation
|
$ | 590,900 | $ | 436,300 | ||||
Accrued
reclamation
|
39,300 | 38,500 | ||||||
Tax
basis in excess of book
|
- | 200,400 | ||||||
Total
noncurrent deferred tax assets
|
630,200 | 675,200 | ||||||
Non-current
deferred tax liabilities:
|
||||||||
Book
basis in excess of tax basis
|
(7,678,600 | ) | (7,604,000 | ) | ||||
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
(7,678,600 | ) | (7,604,000 | ) | ||||
Total
net non-current deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
|
$ | (7,048,400 | ) | $ | (6,928,800 | ) | ||
-13-
A
valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is required when it is more likely
than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized. No valuation allowance is provided at March 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 as the Company believes that it is more likely than not that
the deferred tax assets will be utilized in future years.
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008, net current deferred tax assets increased
by $188,300 and net non-current deferred tax liabilities increased by
$119,600. The total change in net deferred tax liabilities was a
decrease of $68,700, resulting from deferred income tax benefit of $45,700 and
the recognition of other comprehensive loss in the amount of $23,000 resulting
from the tax benefit related to the mark to market of assets held for
resale. The book basis in excess of tax basis in the schedule above
relates primarily to the $7,193,300 difference created from the excess of the
purchase price over the carrying value of the assets acquired in the purchase of
the remaining minority interest of Crested in 2007.
The
Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income
tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrued
interest or penalties at March 31, 2008 or December 31, 2007.
On
January 1, 2007 the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). Pursuant to FIN 48, the
Company identified and evaluated any potential uncertain tax
positions. The Company has concluded that there are no uncertain tax
positions requiring recognition in the financial statements.
The
Internal Revenue Service has audited the Company’s and subsidiaries tax returns
through the year ended May 31, 2000. The Company’s income tax
liabilities are settled through fiscal 2000.
9) Sale
of Marketable Securities
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company, through SGMI, sold 55,000
shares of Premier Gold for net proceeds (after commissions) of $124,600 and
recorded a gain of $16,200 on the sale of the shares.
10) Earnings
Per Share
The
Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS 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. These options and warrants
totaled 3,564,910 and 5,867,729 at March 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
-14-
11) Long
term debt
At March
31, 2008, long term debt consists of debt related to the construction of the
Remington Village real estate properties and the purchase of equipment at
various interest rates and due dates:
Current
portion of long term debt
|
$ | 10,349,900 | ||
Long
term portion of debt
|
171,200 | |||
$ | 10,521,100 | |||
12) Asset
Retirement Obligations
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 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 Company
deducts any actual funds expended for reclamation from the asset retirement
obligations during the quarter in which it occurs. 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
following is a reconciliation of the total liability for asset retirement
obligations (unaudited):
For
the three months ending March 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Balance
January 1,
|
$ | 133,400 | $ | 124,400 | ||||
Accretion
Expense
|
2,200 | 2,100 | ||||||
Balance
March 31,
|
$ | 135,600 | $ | 126,500 | ||||
13) Shareholders’
Equity
Stock
Option Plans
In
December 2001, the Board of Directors adopted (and the shareholders approved)
the U.S. Energy Corp. 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "2001 ISOP") for the
benefit of USE's employees. The 2001 ISOP reserves for issuance
shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 25% of the Company’s shares of
common stock issued and outstanding at any time. The 2001 ISOP has a
term of 10 years.
On July
27, 2007 the Compensation Committee of the Company granted 1,558,000 stock
options to employees and officers of the Company under the 2001
ISOP. These options vest over three years (358,000) and five years
(1,200,000) and are exercisable at the closing price on July 27, 2007 or $4.97
per share.
-15-
The
weighted average remaining contractual term and aggregate intrinsic value of
options outstanding at March 31, 2008 was 6.03 years and $1,226,000,
respectively. At March 31, 2008, 1,023,329 of the options granted
were not vested. During the quarters ending March 31, 2008 and 2007,
the Company recognized $344,000 and $136,800, respectively in compensation
expense related to employee options and will recognize an additional $4,243,500
over the remaining vesting period of five years. The Company computes
the fair values of its options granted using the Black-Scholes pricing
model. The options issued in 2007 were valued under Black-Scholes
using a risk free interest rate of 4.82%, expected life of 10 years and expected
volatility of 48.8%. To estimate expected lives of options for this
valuation, it was assumed options will be exercised at the end of their expected
lives. All options are initially assumed to
vest. Cumulative compensation cost recognized in pro forma net income
or loss with respect to options that are forfeited prior to vesting is adjusted
as a reduction of pro forma compensation expense in the period of
forfeiture.
Warrants
to Others
From time
to time the Company issues stock purchase warrants to non-employees for
services.
The
following table represents the activity in employee stock options and
non-employee stock purchase warrants for the nine months ended March 31,
2008:
March
31, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||
Employee
Stock Options
|
Stock
Purchase Warrants
|
|||||||||||||||
Weighted
|
Weighted
|
|||||||||||||||
Average
|
Average
|
|||||||||||||||
Exercise
|
Exercise
|
|||||||||||||||
Options
|
Price
|
Warrants
|
Price
|
|||||||||||||
Outstanding
at beginning
|
||||||||||||||||
Outstanding
balance at December 31, 2007
|
3,819,927 | $ | 3.75 | 1,445,585 | $ | 3.58 | ||||||||||
Granted
|
- | $ | - | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
Forfeited
|
- | $ | - | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
Expired
|
(208,904 | ) | $ | 3.91 | (45,000 | ) | $ | 3.88 | ||||||||
Exercised
|
- | $ | - | (446,698 | ) | $ | 3.42 | |||||||||
Outstanding
at March 31, 2008
|
3,611,023 | $ | 3.75 | 953,887 | $ | 3.64 | ||||||||||
Exercisable
at March 31, 2008
|
2,587,694 | $ | 3.26 | 953,887 | $ | 3.64 | ||||||||||
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Life - Years
|
6.03 | 2.61 | ||||||||||||||
Aggregate
intrinsic value of options / warrants outstanding
|
$ | 1,226,000 | $ | 273,490 | ||||||||||||
Common
Stock
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company issued 471,698 shares of
common stock. Issued shares consist of 25,000 shares issued to
officers of the Company pursuant to the 2001 Stock Compensation Plan and 446,698
shares issued as the result of the exercise of warrants. The Company
also purchased 249,621 shares during the three months ended March 31, 2008 under
its June 22, 2007 stock buyback plan.
-16-
The
following table details the changes in common stock during the three months
ended March 31, 2008:
Additional
|
||||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
Paid-In
|
|||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
||||||||||
Balance
December 31, 2007
|
23,592,493 | $ | 235,900 | $ | 96,560,100 | |||||||
2001
stock compensation plan
|
25,000 | 200 | 107,800 | |||||||||
Exercise
of warrants
|
446,698 | 4,500 | 1,523,000 | |||||||||
Expense
of employee options
|
- | - | 344,000 | |||||||||
Deferred
taxes on FAS 123R compensation
|
- | - | 18,700 | |||||||||
Cancelation
of common stock
|
(249,621 | ) | (2,500 | ) | (995,700 | ) | ||||||
23,814,570 | $ | 238,100 | $ | 97,557,900 | ||||||||
Equity
Compensation
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008 the Company recorded compensation expense
of $452,000 in the form of common stock or options. Of this
compensation $108,000 was paid to officers pursuant to the shareholder approved
Stock Bonus Plan, $344,000 recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) as the expense
related to the vesting of employee options.
14) Real
Estate Investment
Remington
Village – Gillette, Wyoming. The Company is developing a nine
building Class A multifamily apartment complex, with 216 units on 10.15 acres
(purchased in 2007) located in Gillette, Wyoming. At March 31, 2008,
overall project construction is about 65% complete, with 3 buildings finished
and occupied by tenants. Remaining buildings should be ready for
occupancy by the end of 2008. The apartments are a mix of one, two,
and three bedroom units, and a clubhouse and family amenities are still under
construction. All construction is being conducted by a third party
contractor.
A
commercial bank is providing construction financing of up to $18.5
million. Total cost to buy the land, pay a developer’s fee, obtain
permits and entitlements, site work and construction, is estimated at $26
million. Pursuant to the loan agreement, the Company has invested
$7.0 million into the project (including $1,247,700 for land
purchase). At March 31, 2008, the outstanding balance on the
construction loan was $10.3 million. The interest rate on the loan
balance at March 31, 2008 was 4.9587% based on LIBOR, and interest is payable
monthly. Loan maturity is March 1, 2009 (extendable to September 1,
2009 at our election). Obtaining permanent financing is expected to
be subject to the project meeting the lender’s customary appraised value
requirements.
15) Sutter
Gold Mining, Inc.
Sutter
Gold Mining Company (“SGMC”) was established in 1991 to conduct operations on
mining leases and to produce gold from the Lincoln Project in
California.
-17-
SGMC has
not generated any significant revenue. Impairment was taken in prior
years against all the prior exploration and development costs due to depressed
market prices for gold. During fiscal 2000, a visitor’s center was
developed and became operational. SGMC has leased the visitor’s
center to partially cover stand-by costs of the property.
On
December 29, 2004, a majority of SGMC was acquired by SGMI ("SGMI") (formerly
Globemin Resources, Inc.) of Vancouver, B.C. SGMI is traded on the TSX Venture
Exchange. Approximately 90% of SGMC's common stock was exchanged for
40,190,647 shares of SGMI common stock. At March 31, 2008, the
Company owned and controlled 54.4% of the common stock of SGMI.
The
Company has notified the board of SGMI that it does not plan on funding any
additional costs and expenses relating to the SGMI operations and that it
intends to sell its interest in SGMI. No contract has been entered
into to sell the Company’s interest in SGMI and management can give no assurance
of being able to actually sell the Company’s interest. SGMI is
therefore evaluating whether to raise third party investor capital, seek a joint
venture or merger partner, and other possibilities.
16) Common
Stock Buy Back Program
On June
22, 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share buyback program
for up to $5 million in common stock. The buyback program is being
administered exclusively through a brokerage firm and is subject to blackout
periods. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008 the Company purchased 249,621 shares of common stock for $998,200 or an
average cost per share of $4.00. From the commencement of the stock
buyback plan through March 31, 2008 the Company has purchased 477,621 shares for
$2,045,500 or an average price of $4.28 per share.
17) Lucky
Jack Molybdenum Property - Kobex Resources,
Ltd.
On March
31, 2008, Kobex gave notice to the Company, effective March 31, 2008, that Kobex
was terminating the April 3, 2007 Exploration, Operating and Mine Development
Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of that agreement, Kobex had
expended over $8.0 million on the Lucky Jack project. It is the
Company’s understanding that Kobex terminated the agreement due to Kobex’
perception of uncertainties in the regulatory and legal environment for
developing the property.
On August
7, 2007, the Town of Crested Butte issued a temporary moratorium on development
activities within its watershed that were not ongoing at the effective date of
the moratorium. Company management believes that the Lucky Jack
Project should not be affected by this moratorium and they are continuing all
ongoing activities while reviewing and evaluating the matter. The
Company intends to work with the Town to proceed with necessary rehabilitation
activities, in a manner which will be consistent with applicable rules,
regulations, and statutes. However, the timing of expected revisions
to the Watershed Protection District Ordinance, and the nature of such
revisions, are not predicted. As a result, it is possible that
unexpected delays, and/or increased costs, may be encountered in developing a
new mine plan for the Lucky Jack property.
The board
of directors and management of the Company intend to move the Lucky Jack project
forward. They will do so through application of cash reserves on hand
as well as seeking an industry partner to replace Kobex.
-18-
18) Oil
and Gas Exploration Activities
The
Company has signed an Exploration and Area of Mutual Interest agreement with a
Gulf Coast (United States) oil and gas exploration and production
company. The Company anticipates it will participate as a 20% working
interest partner in potentially numerous wells that could be drilled over the
next three to five years. Approximately $3 million has been paid under the
agreement to date. Three prospects have been leased, and exploration
and development activities are expected to commence in the later part of the
second quarter of 2008.
The
Company believes that numerous prospects could be generated, leased and drilled
potentially resulting in $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 in exploration and
development expenditures for its working interest over the course of the
anticipated three to five year program.
19) Segment
Information
As of
March 31, 2008, the Company had two reportable segments: Real Estate Operations
and Maintenance of Mineral Properties. As of December 31, 2007 and
March 31, 2007, the Company did not meet the quantifiable thresholds of SFAS No.
131, (Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information), and
therefore did not disclose any segment information.
The only
revenues from maintaining mineral properties are management fees charged on
reimbursable costs related to the Lucky Jack molybdenum
property. There were no expenses related to mineral properties as the
costs at March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 were being reimbursed by Kobex (see
Note 17 for status of Kobex).
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company capitalized $77,000 in
construction loan interest related to the construction of a multi-family housing
project in Gillette, Wyoming (see Note 14). This project accounts for
69.1% of total revenues received from real estate operations during the three
months ended March 31, 2008.
-19-
A summary
of results of operations and total assets by segment follows:
For
the three months ended March 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||
Real
estate
|
$ | 126,500 | $ | 33,000 | ||||
Mineral
properties, management fees & other
|
24,600 | 39,000 | ||||||
Total
revenues:
|
151,100 | 72,000 | ||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||
Real
estate
|
168,200 | 165,900 | ||||||
Mineral
properties
|
233,500 | 796,700 | ||||||
Total
operating expenses:
|
401,700 | 962,600 | ||||||
Loss
before investment and property transactions:
|
||||||||
Real
estate
|
(41,700 | ) | (132,900 | ) | ||||
Mineral
properties
|
(208,900 | ) | (757,700 | ) | ||||
Total
loss before investment and property transactions:
|
(250,600 | ) | (890,600 | ) | ||||
Corporate
other revenues and expenses:
|
(2,139,700 | ) | (775,900 | ) | ||||
U.S.
Energy loss before provision for income taxes
|
$ | (2,390,300 | ) | $ | (1,666,500 | ) | ||
Depreciation
expense:
|
||||||||
Real
estate
|
$ | 50,700 | $ | 10,100 | ||||
Mineral
properties, management fees & other
|
10,400 | 5,700 | ||||||
Corporate
|
123,700 | 104,500 | ||||||
Total
depreciation expense
|
$ | 184,800 | $ | 120,300 | ||||
As
of
|
||||||||
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Assets
by segment
|
||||||||
Real
estate
|
$ | 23,752,200 | $ | 18,951,700 | ||||
Mineral
/ Oil & Gas properties
|
26,363,500 | 26,817,100 | ||||||
Corporate
assets
|
85,223,600 | 85,635,600 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 135,339,300 | $ | 131,404,400 | ||||
-20-
ITEM
2. Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The
following is Management's Discussion and Analysis of significant factors, which
have affected the Company's liquidity, capital resources and results of
operations during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
Forward
Looking Statements
This
Report 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, we are 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.
General
Overview
The
Company has historically been involved in the acquisition, exploration,
development and production of properties prospective for hard rock minerals
including lead, zinc, silver, molybdenum, gold, uranium, and oil and
gas. The Company had no production from any of its mineral properties
during the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. The Company also
has been engaged in commercial real estate on a limited basis, generally in
connection with the acquisition of mineral properties which included commercial
real estate.
Going
forward, the Company’s primary focus is to improve shareholder value by
developing long term income and cash flow streams through participation in the
minerals business. Secondarily, for cash flow in the short term and
income in the midterm, the Company has invested in the multifamily housing
business along with other commercial real estate projects.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
Company, at March 31, 2008, had $48,806,700 in cash and cash equivalents and
$24,886,000 in six month Treasury Bills, together equal to $3.09 per outstanding
common share. Its working capital (current assets minus current
liabilities) was $69,393,500. As discussed below in Capital Resources
and Capital Requirements, the Company projects that its capital resources at
March 31, 2008 will be sufficient to fund its operations and capital projects
through the balance of 2008 and into the future.
Due to
the nature of the Company’s business, (acquiring and selling mineral properties
and acquiring majority interests in mining and natural resource companies), the
principal trend which affects the Company is the price of minerals and the grade
of mineral deposits discovered. As minerals experience lower values
in the market place, it is typically less expensive for the Company to acquire
properties and hold them until mineral prices raise to levels which either allow
the properties to be sold or placed into production through joint venture
partners or by the Company for its own account.
-21-
Major
changes in liquidity during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 were:
Current
Assets
|
·
|
Cash
decreased by $23,485,500 as a result of investing $24,886,000 in
marketable securities, U.S. Treasury Bills, with maturities greater than
three months. Cash and U.S. Treasury Bills therefore
increased by $1,400,500.
|
|
·
|
Aggregate
Accounts Receivable decreased by $557,300. Major changes in
accounts receivable were the result of the collection of amounts due the
Company at December 31, 2007. Reimbursable project costs
related to the Lucky Jack molybdenum project were reduced by $83,800 from
$782,100 at December 31, 2007 to $698,300 at March 31,
2007. The amount at March 31, 2008 represents the amount
unpaid, but current, from Kobex at the time it elected to no longer
participate in the project. Kobex has indicated it will pay all
costs through March 31, 2008 pursuant to the terms of the
agreement. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company
received amounts due from subsidiary companies which had been dissolved
during 2007 as well as partial payment of $800,000 of the amount due from
the Internal Revenue Service at December 31, 2007. The Loss
incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 resulted in an increase
in the amount of the account receivable from the Internal Revenue Service
as a result of that loss being carried back against taxes paid during
2007.
|
|
·
|
The
Company’s restricted investments, cash held in an interest bearing
account, decreased by $1,793,800 due to the release of funds held in
escrow at December 31, 2007 for a potential tax fee exchange real estate
transaction. The contemplated transaction did not occur within
the time frame allowed by the Internal Revenue Code so it was therefore
released from restricted investments to
cash.
|
|
·
|
The
Company reported $1,112,600 in assets held for sale at March 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007, which was a used corporate aircraft. We
anticipate that the aircraft will be sold during
2008.
|
Current
Liabilities
|
·
|
Accounts
payable decreased by $1,090,400 during the quarter ended March 31,
2008. The decrease was a result of the Company funding an early
retirement benefit in the amount of $600,000, the payment of $285,100 in
sales taxes due on the purchase of an aircraft, and the payment of accrued
accounts payable.
|
|
·
|
Accrued
compensation expense increased by $461,100 during the quarter ended March
31, 2008. This increase reflects a onetime bonus paid to an
officer of the company for past performance in the amount of $500,000 plus
taxes, which is to be paid out quarterly over a two year period beginning
in March 2008.
|
|
·
|
The
current portion of long term debt increased by $4,789,000 to $10,349,900
at March 31, 2008. The majority of the current debt,
$10,254,900, was for the construction loan associated with the multifamily
housing project in Gillette,
Wyoming.
|
|
·
|
Other
current liabilities increased by $191,600 primarily as a result of the
retainage amounts related to the Gillette, Wyoming multifamily housing
project.
|
Cash
flows during the quarter ended March 31, 2008:
|
·
|
Operations
consumed $769,400, Investing Activities consumed $27,980,300 and Financing
Activities provided $5,264,200 for a net decrease in cash of
$23,485,500.
|
|
·
|
For
a discussion on cash consumed in Operations please refer to Results of
Operations below.
|
-22-
Investing
Activities:
|
·
|
Cash
provided by investing activities:
|
|
·
|
The
sale of marketable securities – 55,000 shares of Premier by SGMI for
$124,600.
|
|
·
|
$1,792,400
in cash, held as restricted investments at December 31, 2007 was released
to the Company due to a tax free exchange real estate transaction not
being concluded.
|
|
·
|
Cash
consumed in investing activities:
|
|
·
|
The
Company invested $147,800 in a prospective real estate property to prepare
it for future development and $4,765,800 in the multi-family housing
development in Gillette, Wyoming for a total investment of $4,913,600 in
real estate.
|
|
·
|
The
Company paid $82,200 as its portion of oil and gas acquisition costs
subject to its agreement on properties in the U.S. gulf
coast. The Company plans on beginning drilling these properties
in 2008.
|
|
·
|
The
Company invested $10,900 in unproven mining claims through its subsidiary
SGMI on its gold prospect
properties.
|
|
·
|
The
Company invested $24,886,000 in U.S. Treasury Bills. The
Treasury Bills are classified as marketable securities rather than cash as
they have maturities longer than three months from the date of
purchase.
|
Financing
Activities:
|
·
|
Cash
provided by Financing
Activities:
|
·
|
$4,765,800
additional funds were drawn against the construction loan for the
multi-family housing project in Gillette,
Wyoming.
|
·
|
A
total of $1,527,500 was received from the issuance of the Company’s common
stock as the result of the cash exercise of 446,698
warrants.
|
|
·
|
Cash
consumed in Financing Activities:
|
|
·
|
Payment
of long term debt of $30,900 which related primarily to the payment on
notes related to various pieces of
equipment.
|
|
·
|
On June 22, 2007 the Company
announced a stock buyback plan to purchase up to $5.0 million of its
common stock. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008 the
Company purchased 249,621 shares under the buyback plan for $998,200 or an
average price of $4.00 per share. From inception of the stock
buyback plan through March 31, 2008, the Company has purchased 477,621
shares at an average price per share of $4.28 or
$2,045,500.
|
Capital
Resources
Lucky
Jack molybdenum property and Kobex Resources Ltd. Agreement
Historical
records filed by predecessor owners of the Lucky Jack molybdenum property with
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the 1990’s for the application of
patented mineral claims, referenced identification of mineral resources of some
220 million tons of 0.366% molybdic disulfide (MoS2)
mineralization. A high grade section of the mineralization containing
some 23 million tons at a grade of 0.689% MoS2 was also
reported. No assurance can be given that these quantities of MoS2 exist. The
average market price for MoS2
at March 31, 2008 was $34.13 per pound.
-23-
On March
31, 2008, Kobex gave notice to the Company, effective March 31,
2008, that Kobex was terminating the April 3, 2007 Exploration,
Operating and Mine Development Agreement with the Company. Through
March 31, 2008, Kobex had expended over $8.0 million on the
project. It is the Company’s understanding that Kobex terminated the
agreement due to Kobex’ perception of uncertainties in the regulatory and legal
environment for developing the property. As a result of Kobex
electing to no longer participate in the Lucky Jack project, the Company will no
longer receive annual option payments from Kobex and is responsible for all of
the holding and exploration costs associated with the Lucky Jack
project. The Company announced on April 2, 2008 that its board of
directors had approved a $5.0 million budget for the balance of
2008.
The
Company plans on continuing its permitting efforts on the Lucky Jack
project. Additionally, the Company may seek an industry partner to
participate in the cost of development of the project.
On August
7, 2007, the Town of Crested Butte, Colorado issued a temporary moratorium on
development activities within its watershed that were not ongoing at the
effective date of the moratorium. Company management believes that
the Lucky Jack Project should not be affected by this moratorium and we are
continuing all ongoing activities while reviewing and evaluating the
matter. The Company intends to work with the Town to proceed with
necessary rehabilitation activities, in a manner which will be consistent with
the Town’s Watershed Protection District Ordinance 23 and other applicable
rules, regulations, and statutes. However, the timing of expected
revisions to the Ordinance, and the nature of such revisions are not
predicted. As a result, it is possible that unexpected delays, and/or
increased costs, may be encountered in developing a new mine plan for the Lucky
Jack property.
Cash
on Hand
The
Company has invested its cash surplus in interest bearing accounts and short
term U.S. Government Treasury Bills which will provide working capital to fund
the Company’s projects.
Commercial
Bank
Line
of Credit - The Company has a $5,000,000 line of credit with a commercial
bank. The full line of credit was available to the Company when this
report was filed. The line of credit has a variable interest rate
which is tied to a national market rate. At inception the line of
credit (October 26, 2007), the interest rate of interest per annum was 7.75% per
annum. The line of credit is available until October 1, 2008 at which
time it may be renewed depending on the financial strength and needs of the
Company. The credit line is secured by our corporate headquarters and
one of the corporate aircraft. To date, no advances have been made on
the line of credit.
Construction
Loan - On August 31, 2007, the Company obtained construction financing
from a commercial bank of $18.5 million for the construction of the Gillette,
Wyoming multifamily housing project. The construction loan matures on
March 1, 2009, bears interest at 2.25% over 30 day LIBOR and required a 0.75%
origination fee. We can elect to extend the due date to September 1,
2009. Collateral for the loan is the Gillette, Wyoming property, a
guarantee by the Company and a deposit of an additional $4.7 million with the
commercial bank, held in an interest bearing account that is to be released to
the Company upon obtaining permanent financing. The Company has
contacted various lending institutions regarding permanent
financing. Once 90% occupancy is obtained on all the units, these
financial institutions have indicated that they will consider providing long
term financing.
Future
Receipts of Royalties and Contractual Commitments from Uranium
Properties
We
retained our 4% Net Profits Royalty on the Green Mountain uranium property in
Wyoming which is owned and operated by Rio Tinto, Inc. No assurance
can be given as to when or if the property will be placed into
production. Any royalty due will be based on the market price of
uranium concentrates and the cost of producing those concentrates.
-24-
Pursuant
to the terms of the Uranium One contract, the Company also anticipates receiving
$20,000,000 when commercial production begins at the uranium mill the Company
sold to Uranium One; $7,500,000 when the first delivery of ore to a commercial
mill, after commercial production commences, from any of the uranium properties
the Company sold to Uranium One; and a production royalty of up to
$12,500,000. No assurance can be given as to when these events and
payments will occur.
Other
Current
Asset held for sale – At March 31, 2008, the Company owned a used
corporate aircraft which is held for sale. The book value of the
aircraft at March 31, 2008 is $1,112,600. The Company anticipates
selling the aircraft during 2008 in excess of the book value. No
assurance however can be given as to when and for how much the aircraft will be
sold.
Restricted
Cash Investments – At March 31, 2008, we had $4,830,900 in current
restricted cash investments. Of this amount $4,784,500 was pledged as
additional collateral with a commercial bank providing the construction loan for
the Gillette, Wyoming multifamily housing project. Once the project
is completely built and permanent financing is secured for the project, this
cash deposit will be released to the Company.
Capital
Requirements
The
direct capital requirements of the Company during the 2008 are the funding of
the Lucky Jack molybdenum project, development of the Company’s interest in
recently acquired oil and gas properties, development of the Gillette, Wyoming
multifamily housing property, general and administrative costs, the stock
buyback program, and the potential acquisition of other natural resources or
mineral interests.
Oil
and Gas Development
The
Company signed an Exploration and Area of Mutual Interest agreement with a
United States Gulf Coast oil and gas exploration and production company for
potential onshore oil and gas development. The Company anticipates it
will participate as a 20% working interest partner in potentially numerous wells
that could be drilled over the next three to five years. As of March
31, 2008, the Company had invested $2,992,400 under the
agreement. Three prospects have been leased, and exploration and
development activities are expected to commence in the second quarter of
2008.
The
Company believes that numerous prospects could be generated, leased and drilled
potentially resulting in $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 in exploration and
development expenditures for its working interest over the course of an
anticipated three to five year program. The Company has forecast the
expenditure of $6.2 million cash in the drilling and possible completion of the
initial wells as well as the potential purchase of additional leases and seismic
data during 2008.
Real
Estate
Remington
Village multifamily housing – The Company has budgeted $26 million to
complete this project. The Company has funded approximately $7.0
million of its cash commitment of $7.5 million or approximately 29% of the total
project cost. The Company was also required to place $4,725,000 in
escrow with the commercial bank at the time of the closing of the construction
loan.
As of
March 31, 2008, a total of $10.3 million had been drawn on the $18,500,000
construction line of credit. Since there have been no major cost over
runs on the project, the Company believes that the remainder of the construction
loan, $8.2 million, will be sufficient to complete the project. In
the event the construction loan is not sufficient to complete the project, the
Company intends to make up any shortfall. The Company anticipates
that all apartment units will be completed and fully occupied before or during
the fourth quarter of 2008 at which time it expects to obtain long term
financing on the property.
-25-
Other
Real Estate Developments – The Company had budgeted additional
investments in real estate and multifamily developments during
2008. The notice of the withdrawal of Kobex from the Lucky Jack
molybdenum project has resulted in a cessation of real estate
development.
Stock
Buyback Program
The Board
of Directors of the Company approved a share buyback program for up to $5.0
million. The buyback program which became effective June 22, 2007, is
being administered exclusively through an individual brokerage firm and is
subject to blackout periods. Through March 31, 2008, the Company had
repurchased 477,621 shares of its common stock for $2,045,500 leaving an
additional $2,954,500 available for the purchase of shares of the Company under
the plan.
Sutter
Gold Mining Inc. Properties
The
Company has notified the board of SGMI that it does not wish to continue funding
additional costs and expenses relating to the SGMI operations. The
Company’s intent is to support SGMI in bringing an industry partner to further
develop the property and over time allow the Company the opportunity to
liquidate its investment position in SGMI. No contract has been
entered into to sell the Company’s interest in SGMI and management can give no
assurance of being able to actually sell the Company’s interest. SGMI
is therefore evaluating whether to raise third party investor capital, seek a
joint venture or merger partner, and other possibilities. The Company
does not anticipate using any of its working capital to fund SGMI operations
during 2008.
Reclamation
Costs
The asset
retirement obligation for SGMI at March 31, 2008 is $23,200 which is covered by
a cash bond. It is not anticipated that any cash resources will be
used for asset retirement obligations at SGMI during 2008.
The Lucky
Jack molybdenum property is located on fee property within the boundary of U.S.
Forest Service (“USFS”) land. Although mining of the mineral resource
will occur on the fee property, associated ancillary activities will occur on
USFS land. It is anticipated that the Company will be submitting a
Plan of Operations to the USFS in 2009 for USFS review and approval, which
approval is required before construction can begin and mining and processing may
occur. Under the procedures mandated by National Environmental
Protection Act (“NEPA”), the USFS will prepare an environmental analysis in the
form of an Environmental Assessment and/or and Environmental Impact Statement to
evaluate the predicted environmental and social economic impacts of the proposed
development and mining of the Lucky Jack molybdenum property. The
NEPA process provides for public review and comment of the proposed
plan.
Obtaining
and maintaining the various permits for the mining operations at the Lucky Jack
molybdenum property will be complex, time-consuming, and
expensive. Changes in a mine’s design, production rates, quality of
material mined, and many other matters, often require submission of the proposed
changes for agency approval prior to implementation. In addition,
changes in operating conditions beyond the Company’s control, or changes in
agency policy and Federal and State law, could further complicate getting
changes to the mine’s operation approved.
Although
the Company is confident that the Plan of Operations for the Lucky Jack
molybdenum property will ultimately be approved by the USFS, the timing and
cost, and ultimate success of the mining operation cannot be
predicted.
-26-
The asset
retirement obligation for the Lucky Jack molybdenum property at March 31, 2008
is $112,400. As the Lucky Jack project is developed, the reclamation
liability will increase. It is not anticipated that this reclamation work will
occur in the near term. The Company’s objective, upon closure of the
proposed mine at the Lucky Jack property, is to eliminate long-term liabilities
associated with the property.
Other
The
Company continues to evaluate mineral projects in which it may
invest. Additionally, the Company is researching other opportunities
to deploy its capital outside of the minerals business. At March 31,
2008, none of these acquisition opportunities had advanced past the initial
internal evaluation stage.
Results of
Operations
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2008 compared to 2007
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized a loss of
$1,716,600 as compared to a loss of $1,318,200 recorded during the same period
of the prior year. This increase of $398,400 in the loss recorded
during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 over the loss of the same quarter of
2007 is as a result of increased operating costs and expenses of $425,500,
decrease in other income and expenses of $359,200 and no minority interest in
losses of consolidated subsidiaries. These increases in the net loss
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 from the quarter ended March 31, 2007 were
offset by an increase in revenues of $79,100 and an increase of $325,400 in the
current and deferred benefit from income taxes during the quarter ended March
31, 2008.
Operating
Revenues:
Revenues
increased during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as a result of $87,400 in
rental revenues being received from the multi-family housing project in
Gillette, Wyoming, which was partially occupied at March 31, 2008. A
reduction of $14,400 was recorded in management fees during the quarter ended
March 31, 2008 from those management fees recorded during the quarter ended
March 31, 2007. This reduction was as a result of the elimination of
management fees on uranium properties which were charged prior to the properties
being sold in 2007.
Operating
Costs and Expenses:
The
primary increase in operating costs and expenses of $425,500 was the recording
of $91,000 in costs associated with the multi-family housing property in
Gillette, Wyoming which includes depreciation of $23,400. The
increases in General and Administrative costs of $986,400 relate to the
expensing of a onetime bonus awarded to an officer of $500,000, net of taxes,
which is to be paid quarterly over two years, and the expensing of employee
options granted in the second quarter of 2007.
The
increases in operating costs and expenses were offset by a reduction of $563,200
in costs and expenses related to holding costs of mineral properties during the
quarter ended March 31, 2008. This reduction is directly as a result
of the sale of the uranium properties during 2007. The $233,500 of
mineral holding costs recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 are
primarily associated with the properties held by SGMI. Costs and
expenses associated with other real estate were reduced by $88,700 during the
quarter ended March 31, 2007. This reduction was as a result of costs
related to a town site in southern Utah which was also sold during
2007.
-27-
Other
Income and Expenses:
Gain on
sale of marketable securities – During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the
Company recorded a gain on the sale of shares of Premier, sold by SGMI, of
$16,200 as compared to a gain of $737,400 recorded by the company as a result of
the sale if its shares of Uranium Power Corp. during the quarter ended March 31,
2007.
Interest
Income – The Company recognized $553,600 in interest income during the three
months ended March 31, 2008 or an increase of $327,600 over the interest income
recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The increase is as
a result of larger amounts of cash invested in interest bearing accounts at
March 31, 2008 as a result of the sale of the Company’s uranium properties
during 2007.
As a
result of the above described changes in revenues, costs and expenses, the
Company recorded a loss of $1,716,600 during of the quarter ended March 31, 2008
or $0.07 per share as compared to a loss of $1,318,200 or $0.07 per share for
the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2007 compared to 2006
During
the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recognized a loss of
$1,318,200 or $0.07 per share as compared to a loss of $1,085,100 or $0.06 per
share for the period ended March 31, 2006. The primary reason for the
increased loss is the reduction in the gain on sale of assets. During
the three months ended March 31, 2006 the Company recognized a gain of
$2,414,900 from the sale of a portion of its uranium assets to
UPC. The only gain from the sale of assts during the three months
ended March 31, 2007 was the sale of one truck in the amount of
$1,000. The gain on the sale of assets during the quarter ended March
31, 2006 was off set by the loss $585,400 from the valuation of the Company’s
shares of Enterra Energy Trust. No similar loss from the valuation of
a derivative was recognized during the quarter ended March 31,
2007. Finally, the other major component of the change in the net
earnings for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was the gain on the sale
of the UPC shares recognized during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 of
$774,700. No similar gain was recognized during the quarter of the
previous year.
Other
changes in revenues and expenses during the comparative periods of the quarters
ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are a reduction of $104,600 in operating revenues
and a reduction of operating costs and expenses of $451,800.
The
components of the reduction in operating revenues were reductions in revenues
from real estate operations of $21,800 and management fees of
$82,800. These reductions were as a result of reduced rental income
from real estate properties and lower amounts of management fees charged to
affiliates and third parties for work performed by the Company in their
behalf.
Mineral
holding costs increased by $295,600 during the three months ended March 31, 2007
to $796,700 as compared to $501,100 during the three months ended March 31,
2006. The increase is due to the increased geological and engineering
activity on the Company’s mineral properties. The majority of these
expenses are reimbursable expenses under the sale of the uranium properties to
sxr Uranium One.
General
and Administrative expenses decreased by $843,100 during the three months ended
March 31, 2007 over those recorded during the three months of the same quarter
of the prior year. This decrease was as a result of large expenses
during 2006 which included, the expensing of employee options, $136,800; the
value of the extension of warrants to non affiliates of $321,100; maintenance of
to the Company’s airplane $353,700; $278,200 in professional services related to
the Lucky Jack molybdenum property which consisted of both legal and
engineering/geological services. During the quarter ending March 31,
2007, the Company had no expenses for warrants to non affiliates, significantly
lower maintenance costs relating to Company’s airplane, and no professional
services relating to the reacquisition of the Lucky Jack molybdenum property and
also only expensed $6,000 for employee options.
-28-
During
the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we recognized an income tax benefit of
$348,300 by reducing the valuation allowance on the deferred income tax assets
based upon our assessment that we will generate taxable income as a result of
the transaction with sxr Uranium One for the sale of uranium assets (the
Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, and unpatented uranium claims in
Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and Utah). No provision for or benefit
from income taxes was recorded during the quarter ended March 31,
2006.
Critical Accounting
Policies
Principles
of Consolidation – The Company uses the equity method of accounting in
the consolidation of SGMI. All material inter-company profits,
transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Marketable
Securities - The Company accounts for its marketable securities as (1)
held-to-maturity, (2) available-for-sale and (3) trading. The Company
holds short-term securities which have maturities of greater than three months
but less than one year from the date of purchase. These securities
are classified as held-to-maturity based on the Company's intent to hold such
securities to the maturity date. All held-to-maturity securities are
U.S. Government securities and are stated at amortized cost, which approximates
fair market value. Income related to these securities is reported as
a component of interest income. 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. Based on the Company's intent to
sell the securities, its equity securities are reported as trading
securities.
Mineral
Claims - We follow the full cost method of accounting for mineral
properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with acquisition,
development and capital equipment as well as construction of plant relating to
mineral properties are capitalized and are subject to ceiling tests to ensure
the carrying value does not exceed the fair market value. All
associated general and administrative as well as exploration costs and expenses
associated with mineral properties are expensed when
incurred.
All
capitalized costs of mineral properties subject to amortization and the
estimated future costs to develop proved reserves are amortized by applying the
unit-of-production method using estimates of proved
reserves. Investments in unproven 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
sum of estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis is less than the
carrying amount of the related asset, an asset impairment is considered to
exist. The related impairment loss is measured by comparing estimated
future cash flows on a discounted basis to the carrying amount of the
asset. Changes in significant assumptions underlying future cash flow
estimates may have a material effect on the Company's financial position and
results of operations. An uneconomic commodity market price, if
sustained for an extended period of time, or an inability to obtain financing
necessary to develop mineral interests, may result in asset
impairment. If the results of an assessment indicate that the
properties are impaired, the capitalized cost of the property is
expensed.
Asset
Impairments - We assess the impairment of property and equipment whenever
events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable.
Asset
Retirement Obligations - The Company records the fair value of the
reclamation liability on its shut down mining properties as of the date that the
liability is incurred. The Company reviews the liability each quarter
and determines if a change in estimate is required as well as accretes the total
liability on a quarterly basis for the future liability. Final
determinations are made during the fourth quarter of each year. The
Company deducts any actual funds expended for reclamation during the quarter in
which it occurs.
-29-
Assets
Held for Sale – Long lived assets that will be sold within one year of
the financial statements are classified as current. At March 31, 2008
and December 31, 2007, the Company believed that its used corporate aircraft
would be sold within a twelve month
period.
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 proved
reserves, in which case the gain or loss is recognized in
income.
Income
Taxes - The Company recognizes 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 basis of assets,
liabilities and carry forwards. The Company recognizes 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.
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.
Contractual
Obligations
We had
two divisions of contractual obligations at March 31, 2008: Debt to third
parties of $10,521,100 and asset retirement obligations of
$135,600. The debt will be paid over a period of three years and the
retirement obligations will be retired during the next 34 years. The
following table shows the scheduled debt payment and expenditures for budgeted
asset retirement obligations:
Less
|
One
to
|
Three
to
|
More
than
|
|||||||||||||||||
than
one
|
Three
|
Five
|
Five
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Year
|
Years
|
Years
|
Years
|
||||||||||||||||
Long-term
debt obligations
|
$ | 10,521,100 | $ | 10,349,900 | $ | 171,200 | $ | - | - | |||||||||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
135,600 | - | - | - | 135,600 | |||||||||||||||
Totals
|
$ | 10,656,700 | $ | 10,349,900 | $ | 171,200 | $ | - | $ | 135,600 | ||||||||||
ITEM
3. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
None
ITEM
4. Controls
and Procedures
Effectiveness
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We are required to
maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are assigned to ensure that required
information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required
timeframe, as specified in the rules set forth by the SEC. Our
disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
-30-
Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls
and procedures as of March 31, 2008 and, based on this evaluation, our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2008.
Management
is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process
designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, and effected by our Board, management and other personnel, to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
Internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3)
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a
material effect on our financial statements.
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Forward looking statements regarding
the effectiveness of internal controls during future periods are subject to the
risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may
deteriorate.
Management
assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as
of March 31, 2008. In making this assessment, management used the
criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based
on our assessment, we believe that, as of March 31, 2008, our internal control
over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There has been
no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
the quarter ended March 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
-31-
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Legal
Proceedings
Material
legal proceedings pending at March 31, 2008, and developments in those
proceedings from that date to the date this Quarterly Report is filed, are
summarized below. The status of the legal proceedings, which were
pending during the year has either not changed, been settled or is otherwise
immaterial.
Water
Rights Litigation – Lucky Jack Molybdenum Property
Prior to
the transfer of the Lucky Jack molybdenum property (formerly the Mount Emmons
property) from Phelps Dodge Corporation (“PD”) and Mount Emmons Mining Company
(“MEMCO”) to USE on February 28, 2006, MEMCO filed a number of Statements of
Opposition in the Water Court, Water Division No. 4, State of Colorado to
protect its existing water rights against applications filed by other parties
seeking to appropriate or change water rights or perfect conditional water
rights. Subsequent to transfer of the mine property, Motions for
Substitution of Parties (from MEMCO to USE) were filed and approved by the Water
Court. These cases are as follows:
1.
|
Concerning
the Application for Water Rights of Virgil and Lee Spann Ranches, Inc.,
Case No. 03CW033, 03CW034, 03CW035, 03CW036 and
03CW037. These related cases involve the Spann Ranches, Inc.’s
Water Court applications to change the point of diversion through
alternative points for the purpose of rotating a portion of their senior
water rights between ditches to maximize beneficial use in the event of a
major downstream senior call. MEMCO filed Statements of
Opposition to ensure that the final decrees to be issued by the Water
Court contain terms and conditions sufficient to protect MEMCO’s water
rights from material injury. These cases are pending and USE is
awaiting proposed decrees from Applicant Spann Ranches, Inc. for
consideration.
|
2.
|
Concerning
the Application for Water Rights of the Town of Crested Butte,
Case No. 02CW63. This case involves an application filed by the
Town of Crested Butte to provide for an alternative point of
diversion. MEMCO filed a Statement of Opposition to ensure that
the final decree to be issued by the Water Court contains terms and
conditions sufficient to protect MEMCO’s water rights from material
injury. The Town of Crested Butte and USE have reached a
settlement to protect USE’s water rights pursuant to a proposed final
decree, which will be submitted with a Stipulation signed by the parties
to the Water Court for its
approval.
|
3.
|
Concerning
the Application of the United
States of America in
the Gunnison River,
Gunnison County,
Case No. 99CW267. This case involves an application filed by
the United States of America to appropriate 0.033 cubic feet per second of
water for wildlife use and for incidental irrigation of riparian
vegetation at the Mt. Emmons Iron Bog Spring, located in the vicinity of
the Lucky Jack property. MEMCO filed a Statement of Opposition
to protect proposed mining operations against any adverse impacts by the
water requirements of the Iron Bog on such operations. This
case is pending while the parties attempt to reach a settlement on the
proposed decree terms and
conditions.
|
-32-
4.
|
Concerning
the Application for Water Rights of the United
States of America for
Quantification of Reserved Right for Black Canyon of
Gunnison National
Park, Case No. 01CW05. This case involves an application
filed by the United States of America to make absolute conditional water
rights claimed in the Gunnison River in relation to the Black Canyon of
the Gunnison National Park for, and to quantify in-stream flows for the
protection and reproduction of fish and to preserve the recreational,
scenic and aesthetic conditions. MEMCO and over 350 other
parties filed Statements of Opposition to protect their existing water
rights. USECC and most other Opposers have taken the position
that the flows claimed by the United States should be subordinated to the
historical operations of the federally owned and operated Aspinall Unit,
and are subject to the provisions contained in the Aspinall Unit
Subordination Agreement between the federal government and water districts
which protect junior water users in the Upper Gunnison River
Basin. This case is pending while the parties negotiate terms
and conditions for incorporation into Stipulations among the parties and
into the future final decree to be issued by the Water
Court. Future Water Court proceedings in this case will involve
quantification of the in-stream flows claimed for the
Black Canyon Park.
|
Moratorium Related to the
Crested Butte Watershed
On August
7, 2007, the Town of Crested Butte, Colorado issued a temporary moratorium on
development activities within its watershed that were not ongoing at the
effective date of the moratorium. USE believes the Lucky Jack project
should not be affected by this moratorium and we are continuing all ongoing
activities while reviewing and evaluating the matter.
USE
intends to work with the Town to proceed with the necessary rehabilitation
activities, in a manner which will be consistent with Ordinance 23 and other
applicable rules, regulations, and statutes. However, the timing of
expected revisions to the Watershed Protection District Ordinance, and the
nature of such revisions, is not predicted. As a result, it is
possible that unexpected delays, and/or increased costs, may be encountered in
developing a new mine plan for the Lucky Jack property.
Appeal
of Approval of Notice of Intent to Conduct Prospecting for the Lucky Jack
Molybdenum Property
On March
8, 2008, the High Country Citizens’ Alliance (‘HCCA”) filed a request for
hearing before the Colorado Land Reclamation Board of the approval of a Notice
of Intent to Conduct Prospecting Notice for the Lucky Jack molybdenum property
(“NOI”), which was approved by the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety of
the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (“DRMS”) on January 3,
2008. The NOI as approved provided for continued exploration of the
molybdenum deposit to update, improve and verify in accordance with current
industry standards and legal requirements mineralization data that was collect
by Amax in the late 1970’s.
On March
28, 2008 USE and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office filed independent
Motions to Dismiss alleging among other matters that: (i) HCCA had no standing
to appeal the NOI; (ii) the NOI is not an appealable decision under Colorado
law; (iii) HCCA’s appeal is not timely; and (iv) the appeal is based on
information obtained in violation of Colorado law. The Colorado Land
Reclamation Board is expected to hear this matter during the second quarter of
2008. Management of USE believes that approval of the NOI will be
upheld and the appeal will be denied. Management of USE also does not
expect any outcome to ultimately adversely affect USE’s plan of operations or
financial condition.
-33-
ITEM 1A.
Risk
Factors
The
reader should consider the risk factors discussed in our annual report for the
year ended December 31, 2007 filed on Form 10-K.
We
may be classified as an inadvertent investment company. We are
not engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities,
and we do not hold ourselves out as being engaged in those
activities. However, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a
company may be classified as an “inadvertent investment company” under section
3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act if (absent an available exemption or exclusion under
the 1940 Act categories) the value of investment securities is more than 40% of
its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash
items). Total asset value includes amounts for assets recorded
on the financial statements, as well as additional amounts which the board of
directors believes reflect the fair value of those
assets.
The SEC’s
Rule 3a-2 under the 1940 Act allows an inadvertent investment company (as a
“transient investment company”) a period of one year from the date of
classification (in our case, April 30, 2008), to own investment securities with
a value of 40% or less of our total assets. Accordingly, we are
taking actions to comply with this 40% limit from the present time through April
30, 2008. These actions include liquidating investment securities as
necessary to stay within the 40% limit.
As Rule
3a-2 is available to a company no more than once every three years, we will have
to keep within the 40% limit through April 30, 2010. In any event, we
would not intend to become an intentional investment company (i.e. engaging in
investment and trading activities in “investment securities), even after April
30, 2010.
Classification
as an investment company, whether registered or not, requires prompt
registration with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940
Act. If an investment company, even an inadvertent one, fails to
register, it would have to stop doing almost all business, and its contracts
would become voidable. Registration is time consuming and
restrictive; we would be very constrained in the kind of business we could do as
a registered investment company. Thus, it is critical that we take
steps now to make sure we are in compliance with the 40% limit.
ITEM
2. Changes
in Securities and Use of Proceeds
During
the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company issued a total of 471,698
shares of its common stock. These 471,698 shares were issued as new
issuances as a result of the exercise of warrants, 446,698 and issuance of
25,000 shares pursuant to the 2001 stock compensation plan. The
Company also purchased and cancelled 249,621 shares of its common stock under
its Stock Buyback Plan during the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
-34-
On June
22, 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share buyback program
for up to $5.0 million in common stock. The following table sets
forth the activity under the stock buyback plan during since inception through
March 31, 2008.
Number
|
Average
|
Total
shares
|
Maximum
|
|||||||||||||
of
shares
|
per
share
|
purchased
|
value
of shares
|
|||||||||||||
Period
|
purchased
|
price
|
under
plan
|
to
be purchased
|
||||||||||||
Inception
- June 22, 2007
|
$ | 5,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
July
1, through December 31, 2007
|
228,000 | $ | 4.59 | 228,000 | $ | 3,952,700 | ||||||||||
January
1, through January 31, 2008
|
161,260 | $ | 4.36 | 389,260 | $ | 3,249,200 | ||||||||||
February
1, through February 28, 2008
|
- | $ | - | 389,260 | $ | 3,249,200 | ||||||||||
March
1, through March 31, 2008
|
88,361 | $ | 3.33 | 477,621 | $ | 2,954,500 | ||||||||||
Totals
|
477,621 | $ | 4.28 | |||||||||||||
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
-35-
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
|
||
(b)
|
Reports on Form
8-K. The Company filed four reports on Form 8-K for the
quarter ended March 31, 2008. The events reported were as
follows:
|
||
1.
|
The
report filed on January 23, 2008, under Item 5.02 referenced the changed
in corporate officers.
|
||
2.
|
The
report filed on February 15, 2008, under Item 8.01 referenced the approval
of amended work program for the Lucky Jack Project.
|
||
3.
|
The
report filed on February 25, 3008, under Item 8.01 referenced the results
of metallurgical testing at the Lucky Jack Project.
|
||
4.
|
The
report filed on March 14 2008, under Item 8 referenced the amendment of
Bylaws and setting of annual meeting
dates.
|
-36-
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:
May 9, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
Keith G. Larsen
|
||
KEITH
G. LARSEN,
|
||||
Chairman
and CEO
|
||||
Date:
May 9, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
Robert Scott Lorimer
|
||
ROBERT
SCOTT LORIMER
|
||||
Principal
Financial Officer and
|
||||
Chief
Accounting Officer
|
-37-