VISTA GOLD CORP - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

For the transition period from              to

          

Commission file number: 001-9025

 

   

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

(720) 981-1185

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1)  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 registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒No □

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ☒No □

 

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 (Check one):

      Large Accelerated Filer □  Accelerated Filer □  Non-Accelerated Filer □Smaller Reporting Company  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes □ No ☒    

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date: 82,904,132 common shares, without par value, outstanding as of April 27, 2016.

 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP. 

(An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

FORM 10-Q 

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016 

INDEX  

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except shares)

 

 

Approved by the Board of Directors

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME/(LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

 

Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) operate in the gold mining industry. We are focused on the evaluation, acquisition, exploration and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions such as earn-in right agreements, option agreements, leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration.  We look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies focused on optimizing previous engineering work. 

 

Our principal asset is our flagship Mt Todd gold project (“Mt Todd”) in Northern Territory, Australia where we continue to work to identify opportunities to improve project economics with the goal of advancing the project toward development. We also hold 4.4% of the outstanding common shares in the capital of Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold Shares”), non-core projects in Mexico and the United States, and royalty interests in Indonesia. 

 

The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“interim statements”) of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. The results reported in these interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 as filed on February 26, 2016 on Form 10-K. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements and, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, certain information and footnote disclosures required by United States generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. 

 

References to C$ refer to Canadian currency, A$ to Australian currency and $ to United States currency.

 

2. Recent accounting pronouncements

 

Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Accounting Standard Update 2016-09)

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to accounting for stock-based compensation which is intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees.  Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows.  For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any organization in any interim or annual period. We do not expect to early adopt this guidance and do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

3. Other Investments

 

Midas Gold Shares 

 

During March 2015, we sold 8,000,000 Midas Gold Shares, at a price of C$0.46 ($0.36) per Midas Gold Share, for net proceeds of $2,772, reducing the total Midas Gold Shares we own to 7,802,615 or approximately 4.4% of the Midas Gold Shares outstanding, on a non-dilutive basis.

 

Upon initial recognition of its investment in the Midas Gold Shares, Vista elected to apply the fair value option, and as such, the investment is recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss) in the period in which they occur. 

 

The following table summarizes our investment in Midas Gold Shares as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

 

 

 

4. Mineral Properties

 

 

Guadalupe de los Reyes Gold/Silver Project, Sinaloa, Mexico

 

During April 2014, Minera Gold Stake S.A. de C.V. (“MGS”), Vista’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a definitive option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) to option a 70% interest in the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project in Sinaloa, Mexico to Great Panther Silver Limited (formerly Cangold Limited) (“Great Panther”) for consideration of $5,000 in payments over a three-year period, with payments totaling $1,000 in the first year ($500 received in 2014 and $500 net of legal costs was received in March 2015), $1,500 due in February 2016 (postponed from January 2016) and $2,500 in January 2017. The Option Agreement provided that all cash payments are non-refundable and optional to Great Panther, and in the event Great Panther failed to pay any of the required amounts on the scheduled dates or failed to comply with its other obligations, the Option Agreement would terminate and Great Panther would have no interest in the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project.

 

On February 25, 2016 Vista received notification from Great Panther that it was terminating the Option Agreement and the $1,500 option payment due in February 2016 was not made.  Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, Vista retains all amounts already paid by Great Panther and 100% of the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project.

 

Los Cardones

 

In October 2013, we sold our 100% debt and equity participation in the Los Cardones gold project located in Baja California Sur, Mexico (“Los Cardones Sale”) to Invecture Group, S.A. de C.V. (“Invecture”) and RPG Structured Finance S.a.r.l. (together the “Purchasers”) for a total of $13,000 ($7,000 of which was paid in October 2013 and $6,000 of which was originally payable in January 2014 (the “Subsequent Payment”) subject to the Purchasers’ option to elect to not make the Subsequent Payment.  In 2014, the due date for the Subsequent Payment was extended to January 30, 2015 for additional consideration of $500.  In October 2014, Invecture announced that the Los Cardones gold project had been suspended because the conditions for its development were not favorable at that time, which introduced substantial doubt that the Subsequent Payment would be made.  After making this announcement, there were no apparent significant favorable changes to incentivize Invecture to lift the suspension. In January 2015, we agreed to amend the payment terms (the “Amendment”) of the Los Cardones Sale. Under the Amendment, the Company received a payment of $2,994 net of legal costs from the Purchasers as the final payment for 100% of the Company’s interest in the project.  This resulted in a realized gain of $1,958.

 

Utah Claims

 

During the first quarter of 2016, we sold our unpatented mining claims located in Utah for $150 and a 2% net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on any future production from said claims. This resulted in a realized gain of $150. 

 

5. Plant and Equipment

 

 

 

 

6. Common Shares

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Under our Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and our Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), we may grant options and/or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or restricted stock awards to our directors, officers, employees and consultants.  The combined maximum number of shares in the capital of Vista (“Common Shares”) that may be reserved for issuance under the Plan and the LTIP is a variable number equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis.  Options and RSUs under the Plan and LTIP, respectively, are granted from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”), with vesting periods and other terms as determined by the Board.  Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows: 

 

 

As of March 31, 2016, stock options and RSUs had unrecognized compensation expense of $21 and $438, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.75 and 0.98 years, respectively.   

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of options under the Plan as of March 31, 2016 is set forth in the following table:

 

 

A summary of our unvested stock options as of March 31, 2016 is set forth in the following table:

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

The following table summarizes the RSUs under the LTIP as of March 31, 2016:

 

 

A portion of the RSU awards vest on a fixed future date provided the recipient continues to be affiliated with Vista on that date.  Other RSU awards vest subject to certain performance and market criteria, including the accomplishment of certain corporate objectives and the Company’s share price performance.  The vesting period for RSUs is at least one year.  

 

7. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Our exploration and development activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. As such, the future expenditures that may be required for compliance with these laws and regulations cannot be predicted. We conduct our operations to minimize effects on the environment and believe our operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects.

 

Under our agreement with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (the  “JAAC”), we must offer the JAAC the opportunity to establish a joint venture with Vista holding 90% and the JAAC holding a 10% participating interest in the Mt Todd mining licenses. In addition, the JAAC will be entitled to an annual cash payment, or payment in kind, equal to 1% of the value of the annual gold production from the current mining licenses, and a 1% NSR royalty on other metals, subject to a minimum payment of A$50 per year.

 

During November 2015, we entered into a two-year lease agreement to store our used mill equipment.  Monthly rent for the term of the lease is C$18 ($13).

 

8. Fair Value Accounting

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by accounting guidance, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. 

 

 

 

Our marketable securities and investment in Midas Gold Shares are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued at quoted market prices in an active market.  Marketable securities are included in other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

 

The mill equipment is classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as its value at December 31, 2015 was based on a third party assessment of the projected sale value less costs to sell giving full consideration to current market conditions and an orderly sale process. The mill equipment is included in plant and equipment on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

 

At March 31, 2016, the assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy represent 73% of the total assets measured at fair value. There have been no transfers between levels in 2016 nor have there been any changes in valuation techniques.

 

9. Geographic and Segment Information

 

The Company has one reportable operating segment, consisting of evaluation, acquisition, and exploration activities.  We evaluate, acquire, explore and advance gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions.  These activities are focused principally in Australia and North America. We reported no revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  Geographic location of mineral properties and plant and equipment is provided in Notes 4 and 5, respectively.

 

10. Research and Development Grant

 

In March 2016, the Company received an A$992 ($744) Research & Development (“R&D”) Tax Incentive refund, net of costs to prepare and file, paid under the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Incentive Program, a program designed to encourage industry to engage in R&D activities that benefit Australia.  This refund is related to costs we incurred during the 2014 fiscal year for qualifying R&D programs.  

 

 

 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and information as a result of many factors.  See section heading “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.

 

All dollar amounts stated herein are in U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts and currency exchange rates unless specified otherwise. References to C$ refer to Canadian currency, A$ to Australian currency and $ to United States currency.

 

Overview

 

Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) are engaged in the gold mining industry. We are focused on the evaluation, acquisition, exploration and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions such as earn-in right agreements, option agreements, leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration.  We look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies focused on optimizing previous engineering work. 

 

Our principal asset is our flagship Mt Todd gold project (“Mt Todd”) in Northern Territory, Australia where we continue to work to identify opportunities to improve project economics with the goal of moving the project closer to development. We also hold 4.4% of the outstanding common shares in the capital of Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold Shares”), non-core projects in Mexico and the United States, and royalty interests in Indonesia.

 

Outlook

 

We do not currently generate cash flows from mining operations. The prices for gold equities, particularly those with early stage projects, have decreased significantly during the past few years, and capital raising on reasonable terms has become more difficult for mining companies which do not have producing assets, although we are encouraged by the recent apparent renewed interest in the gold sector. 

 

Since 2013, we have financed our business without share dilution and we have significantly reduced our costs to mitigate the effects of these difficult markets. We believe we have sufficient cash to fund our currently planned programs into 2018, while retaining opportunities to access additional financing from non-dilutive sources.  Potential future sources of non-dilutive financing include the sale of our used mill equipment (which we have recently cleaned and repainted), other non-core assets including Guadalupe de los Reyes and, depending on market conditions, our remaining Midas Gold Shares.  Future research and development (“R&D”) grants from the Government of Australia, if any, are expected to be significantly smaller than those received during the year ended December 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

As a result of cost cutting measures and a favorable Australian dollar exchange rate, the Company’s 2016 fixed costs (those cash expenditures necessary to ensure that we preserve our property rights and meet all of our safety, regulatory and environmental responsibilities) are expected to average $1,400 to $1,600 per quarter, with seasonal fluctuations. Subject to availability of funding, we will continue to consider selected discretionary programs, mainly consisting of technical studies and exploration programs, that could be expected to add value to Mt Todd and better position us to quickly advance the project to development when economic conditions warrant.  In addition, with our improved treasury and strong management team we are in a position to judiciously evaluate and pursue other near-term value creating opportunities.

 

Results from Operations

 

Summary

 

As a result of our strict cost management policies, together with the realization of R&D grants and non-dilutive financing, the Company continues to be well funded and able to execute selected strategic discretionary programs.

 

Consolidated net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $714 and $947 or $0.01 and $0.01 per share, respectively.  The principal components of these year-over-year changes are discussed below.

 

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs

 

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs were $987 and $975 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These costs are predominantly associated with Mt Todd. 2016 fixed costs (those cash expenditures necessary to ensure that we preserve our property rights and meet all of our safety, regulatory and environmental responsibilities) and, on an Australian dollar basis are substantially unchanged from 2015.

 

During 2016, we retained a team of technical experts to review the key areas of Mt Todd, concentrating on metallurgical recovery, process engineering and plant design, pit slope rock mechanics, mine plans and scheduling, and the gas-fired power plant, and to make recommendations that may lead to improved project economics. The costs for this discretionary program were partially offset by the weaker Australian dollar in 2016. There were no material discretionary programs in 2015. 

 

Corporate administration

 

Corporate administration costs of $1,088 and $1,044 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were substantially unchanged year over year. 

 

Non-operating income and expenses  

 

Gain/(loss) on Other Investments

 

Gain/(loss) on other investments was $543 and $(738) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  These amounts are the result of changes in fair value of our Midas Gold Shares.  The 2015 loss includes a realized loss of $348 on the sale of 8,000,000 Midas Gold Shares. 

 

Research and development grant

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company received $744, net of costs to prepare and file, from the Australian Government related to R&D activities at Mt Todd.  No similar transactions occurred in the same period in 2015.

 

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $1,086 and $1,361 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Cash provided in 2016 includes grants totaling $744 from the Government of Australia related to R&D expenditures we incurred in 2014.  Other factors that contributed to the year-over-year change are those discussed in “Results from Operations” above. 

 

Investing activities

 

The Company continues to monetize non-core assets as a non-dilutive means of financing. Net cash of $2,731 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily provided from disposition of short-term investments.

 

Net cash of $6,307 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was provided from proceeds received from the Los Cardones Sale of $2,994 net of legal costs, the Guadalupe de los Reyes Option Agreement of $500, and the sale of 8,000,000 Midas Gold Shares for net proceeds of $2,772. 

 

Financing activities

 

There were no cash transactions from financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

Cash flows generated during the three months ended March 31, 2016 included the receipt of grants totaling $744, net of costs to prepare and file, from the Government of Australia related to the R&D Tax Incentive for qualifying R&D expenditures we incurred in 2014.  Our cash and short-term investments (comprised of U.S. and Australian Government Treasury Bills) as of March 31, 2016 decreased to $11,956, from $12,892 as at December 31, 2015; and our net working capital decreased slightly to $13,997 from $14,399 at December 31, 2015.

 

The continuing long-term viability of the Company is dependent upon our ability to secure sufficient funding and ultimately to generate future profits from operations. The underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown as mineral properties and plant and equipment in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are dependent on our ability to fund exploration and development activities that could lead to profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of these assets.

 

Fair Value Accounting

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by accounting guidance, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. 

 

 

 

 

Our marketable securities and investment in Midas Gold Shares are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued at quoted market prices in an active market.  Marketable securities are included in other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

 

The mill equipment is classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as its value at December 31, 2015 was based on a third party assessment of the projected sale value less costs to sell giving full consideration to current market conditions and an orderly sale process. The mill equipment is included in plant and equipment on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

 

At March 31, 2016, the assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy represent 73% of the total assets measured at fair value. There have been no transfers between levels in 2016 nor have there been any changes in valuation techniques.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements required to be disclosed in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

During November 2015, we entered into a two-year lease agreement to store our used mill equipment.  Monthly rent for the term of the lease is C$18 ($13).

 

Project Updates

 

Mt Todd Gold Project, Northern Territory, Australia

 

During 2016, we plan to continue our focus on Mt Todd and have retained a team of technical experts to review the key areas of the project, concentrating on metallurgical recovery, process engineering and plant design, pit slope rock mechanics, mine plans and scheduling, and the gas-fired power plant, and to make recommendations that may lead to improved project economics.  In addition, subject to availability of funding, we continue to consider other selected discretionary programs, mainly consisting of technical studies and exploration programs, that could be expected to add value to Mt Todd and better position us to quickly advance the project to development when economic conditions warrant.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we submitted a request for authorization under the Australian Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999, as it relates to the Gouldian Finch. The Australian Commonwealth Department of Environment (the “DoE”) has requested additional modelling and testing information from us as part of their review. To provide such information, we are working with our consultants to define the scope of the work and initiate the required studies as soon as possible.

 

Guadalupe de los Reyes Gold/Silver Project, Sinaloa, Mexico

 

During April 2014, Minera Gold Stake S.A. de C.V., Vista’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a definitive option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) to option a 70% interest in the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project in Sinaloa, Mexico to Great Panther Silver Limited (formerly Cangold Limited) (“Great Panther”) for consideration of  $5,000 in five payments over a three-year period, with payments totaling $1,000 in the first year ($500 received in 2014 and $496 net of legal costs was received in March 2015), $1,500 due in February 2016 (postponed from January 2016) and $2,500 due in January 2017. The Option Agreement provided that all cash payments are non-refundable and optional to Great Panther, and in the event Great Panther failed to pay any of the required amounts on the scheduled dates or failed to comply with its other obligations, the Option Agreement would terminate and Great Panther would have no interest in the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project.

 

On February 25, 2016, Vista received notification from Great Panther that it was terminating the Option Agreement and the $1,500 option payment due in February 2016 was not made.  Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, Vista retains all amounts already paid by Great Panther and 100% of the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project.

 

We do not consider the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project a material project. We intend to seek partners to advance the project.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations 

Vista has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) as defined under Section 1297 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and

prospective United States shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, under “Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities commissions and in press releases and public statements by our officers or representatives that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, such things as those listed below:

 

 

 

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information have been based upon our current business and operating plans, as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors; our cash and other funding requirements and timing and sources thereof; results of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, mineral resource and reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments and exploration activities; advancements of the Company’s required permitting processes; our experience working with our regulators; current market conditions and project development plans. The words “estimate,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “may” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These factors include risks such as: 

 

For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, please see the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, under “Part I-Item 1A. Risk Factors”. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

We are engaged in the acquisition of gold projects and related activities, including exploration, engineering, permitting and the preparation of feasibility studies. The value of our properties, as well as our marketable securities and our investment in Midas Gold Shares, are related to the price of gold, and changes in the price of gold could affect the value of, and/or our ability to generate revenue from, our mineral projects and other assets.

 

Gold prices may fluctuate widely from time to time and are affected by numerous factors, including: expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, exchange rates, interest rates, global and regional political and economic circumstances and governmental policies, including those with respect to gold holdings by central banks. The demand for and supply of gold affect gold prices, but not necessarily in the same manner as demand and supply affect the prices of other commodities. The supply of gold consists of a combination of new mine production and existing stocks of bullion and fabricated gold held by governments, public and private financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. The demand for gold primarily consists of jewelry and investments. Additionally, hedging activities by producers, consumers, financial institutions and individuals can affect gold supply and demand. The market value for gold cannot be predicted with any accuracy for future time periods.

 

Because we have exploration operations in Australia, we are subject to foreign currency fluctuations. We are not currently engaged in currency hedging to offset any risk of currency fluctuations.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

At the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

We are not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation or of any proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities that are, or would be, likely to have a material adverse effect upon us or our operations, taken as a whole. 

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

 

Other than the risk factor discussed below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016.

 

Our R&D grants may be subject to review

 

The R&D tax incentive program is a self-assessment process, and as such, the Australian Government has the right to review the qualifying programs and expenditures for a period of four years.

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.

 

We consider health, safety and environmental stewardship to be a core value for the Company.

 

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the United States Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities under the regulation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the United States Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). During the three months ended March 31, 2016, our U.S exploration properties were not subject to regulation by the MSHA under the Mine Act and consequently no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

 

Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

 

* - Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.