Prospectus Supplement No. 3 to
Prospectus dated July 12, 2007
Registration No. 333-143310
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
Supplement No. 3
To
Prospectus Dated July 12, 2007
This Prospectus Supplement supplements our Prospectus dated July 12, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2007, and our Prospectus Supplement No. 1 dated August 22, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2007, and our Prospectus Supplement No. 2 dated January 30, 2008 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2008, (collectively, the “Prospectus”).
This Prospectus relates to the sale of 21,343,178 shares of common stock, no par value per share, by the Selling Security Holders listed under “Selling Security Holders” on page 36, of which 50,000 shares of common stock are to be issued in connection with financial advisory services. This Prospectus also covers the sale of 10,600,000 shares of our common stock by the Selling Security Holders upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
This Prospectus Supplement No. 3 includes the attached Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2008. We encourage you to read this Supplement carefully with the Prospectus.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “GPXM.OB”. On February 11, 2008, the last reported sale price for our common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board was $0.27 per share. There is no public market for the warrants.
___________________
Investing in our common stock involves certain risks and uncertainties. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of the Prospectus and the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006.
___________________
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is February 11, 2008.
1
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QSB/A
Amendment No. 1
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2007
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____.
Commission File No. 000-22905
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Minnesota | | 41-1878178 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction Of Incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
| | |
1675 East Prater Way, Suite 102, Sparks, Nevada | | 89434 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (775) 853-4919
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 Registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Yes ¨ No x
As of November 14, 2007, there were 180,552,639 outstanding shares of the issuer’s common stock.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one):
Yes ¨ No x
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-QSB/A (“Form 10-QSB/A) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2007 initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2007 (“the Original Filing”) corrects a typographical error in Part II Other Information, Item 2. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds, specifically to now disclose the correct summation of the shares sold for the three months ended September 30, 2007, which is 161,167 shares, rather than 21,434,178 shares. In addition, the Original Filing has been amended to contain currently dated certifications from the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (See Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, 32.1 and 32.2). This Amendment No. 1 continues to speak as of November 14, 2007, the date of the Original Filing and the Company has not updated the disclosure in this Amendment No. 1 to speak as of any later date.
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
FORM 10-QSB INDEX
| Page Number |
| |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2007 (Unaudited) | 3 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) | 4 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) | 5 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) | 6 |
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 7 |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation | 22 |
Item 3T. Controls and Procedures | 40 |
| |
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION | |
Item 1. Legal Proceedings | 41 |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds | 42 |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 43 |
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 43 |
Item 5. Other Information | 44 |
Item 6. Exhibits | 45 |
Signature Page | 49 |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
September 30, 2007
(Unaudited)
ASSETS | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 3,769,720 | |
Receivables | | | 236,160 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 248,684 | |
Inventories | | | 645,613 | |
Marketable securities | | | 269,467 | |
Total current assets | | | 5,169,644 | |
| | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 1,710,048 | |
| | | | |
Other assets: | | | | |
Restricted funds – reclamation obligations | | | 2,184,511 | |
Prepaid bond insurance premiums | | | 288,079 | |
Deposits | | | 60,996 | |
Total other assets | | | 2,533,586 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 9,413,278 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
Current liabilities: | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 695,407 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 735,692 | |
Current portion of severance obligations | | | 206,058 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 82,831 | |
Production payment obligation – related party | | | 296,263 | |
Production payment obligation | | | 1,974,456 | |
Amounts due to related parties | | | 509,552 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 4,500,259 | |
| | | | |
Long-term liabilities: | | | | |
Reclamation obligations | | | 3,138,753 | |
Severance obligations | | | 186,629 | |
Long-term debt | | | 128,386 | |
Total long-term liabilities | | | 3,453,768 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 7,954,027 | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | |
| | | | |
Minority Interest | | | 145,458 | |
| | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | |
Common stock; no par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 180,552,639 shares issued and outstanding | | | 37,673,547 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | 107,426 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (36,467,180 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 1,313,793 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 9,413,278 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
| | | | | | |
Sales | | $ | 1,381,376 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Costs of mining operations | | | 1,679,364 | | | | 242,127 | |
Exploration, development and mineral property lease expenses | | | 105,161 | | | | 323,508 | |
Accretion expense | | | 49,183 | | | | 40,620 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 779,371 | | | | 539,376 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | | 59,030 | | | | 24,629 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs and expenses | | | 2,672,109 | | | | 1,170,260 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations | | | (1,290,733 | ) | | | (1,170,260 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | | 50,191 | | | | 1,523 | |
Interest expense | | | (26,040 | ) | | | (170,205 | ) |
Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment | | | (2,017 | ) | | | (11,599 | ) |
Gain on disposal of mineral properties | | | — | | | | 162,041 | |
Other income | | | — | | | | 19,740 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total other income (expense) | | | 22,134 | | | | 1,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before minority interest and income taxes | | | (1,268,599 | ) | | | (1,168,760 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Minority interest in net loss of consolidated joint venture | | | 194,056 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss before income taxes | | | (1,074,543 | ) | | | (1,168,760 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | (1,074,543 | ) | | | (1,168,760 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | | | 28,200 | | | | (12,510 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net comprehensive loss | | $ | (1,046,343 | ) | | $ | (1,181,270 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) per common share, basic and diluted | | $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | | | 180,481,389 | | | | 148,249,435 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
| | | | | | |
Sales | | $ | 6,645,958 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Costs of mining operations | | | 5,287,416 | | | | 447,569 | |
Exploration, development and mineral property lease expenses | | | 141,907 | | | | 2,569,013 | |
Accretion expense | | | 141,628 | | | | 116,555 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 2,229,826 | | | | 1,363,396 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | | 160,938 | | | | 79,580 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs and expenses | | | 7,961,715 | | | | 4,576,113 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations | | | (1,315,757 | ) | | | (4,576,113 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | | 88,127 | | | | 4,109 | |
Interest expense | | | (253,761 | ) | | | (981,188 | ) |
Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment | | | 19,712 | | | | (27,466 | ) |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | | 537,309 | | | | 1,593,803 | |
Gain on disposal of mineral properties | | | — | | | | 162,041 | |
Other income | | | — | | | | 19,740 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total other income (expense) | | | 391,387 | | | | 771,039 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss before minority interest and income taxes | | | (924,370 | ) | | | (3,805,074 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Minority interest in net income of consolidated joint venture | | | (327,525 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss before income taxes | | | (1,251,895 | ) | | | (3,805,074 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | (1,251,895 | ) | | | (3,805,074 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | | | 63,524 | | | | (12,510 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net comprehensive loss | | $ | (1,188,371 | ) | | $ | (3,817,584 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss per common share, basic and diluted | | $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | (0.03 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | | | 170,356,083 | | | | 142,185,509 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (1,251,895 | ) | | $ | (3,805,074 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 160,938 | | | | 79,580 | |
Accretion expense | | | 141,628 | | | | 116,555 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 78,441 | | | | — | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | | (537,309 | ) | | | (1,593,803 | ) |
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment | | | (19,712 | ) | | | 27,466 | |
Gain on disposal of mineral properties | | | — | | | | (162,041 | ) |
Issuance of common stock for services | | | 144,105 | | | | 291,583 | |
Issuance of common stock for exploration and property costs | | | — | | | | 373,380 | |
Issuance of warrants for interest expense | | | 7,308 | | | | — | |
Minority interest in net income (loss) of joint venture | | | 327,525 | | | | — | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
(Increase) decrease in receivables | | | (100,576 | ) | | | 135,806 | |
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 95,350 | | | | 160,698 | |
(Increase) decrease in inventories | | | (598,357 | ) | | | 4,128 | |
Increase in restricted funds – reclamation obligations | | | (7,016 | ) | | | (179,109 | ) |
Increase in deposits | | | (235 | ) | | | (12,631 | ) |
Increase in accounts payable | | | 280,539 | | | | 478,367 | |
Increase (decrease) in accrued and other liabilities | | | 122,692 | | | | 839,377 | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (1,156,574 | ) | | | (3,245,718 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property and equipment | | | (565,189 | ) | | | (151,360 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment | | | 40,000 | | | | 33,075 | |
Minority interest capital contributions to joint venture | | | 360,000 | | | | — | |
Cash distributions from joint venture to minority interest | | | (500,000 | ) | | | — | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (665,189 | ) | | | (118,285 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from the sale of common stock | | | 6,744,505 | | | | 2,932,500 | |
Proceeds from the exercise of options and warrants | | | 186,045 | | | | 139,610 | |
Payments of severance obligations | | | (240,935 | ) | | | — | |
Payments of notes payable and long-term debt | | | (816,360 | ) | | | — | |
Payments of amounts due to related parties | | | (152,500 | ) | | | (273,047 | ) |
Payments of production payment obligation – related party | | | (608,304 | ) | | | — | |
Proceeds from amounts due to related parties | | | — | | | | 145,000 | |
Proceeds from notes payable | | | — | | | | 265,000 | |
Proceeds from production payment purchase agreement | | | — | | | | 650,000 | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 5,112,451 | | | | 3,859,063 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 3,290,688 | | | | 495,060 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 479,032 | | | | 10,175 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 3,769,720 | | | $ | 505,235 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2007
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 -DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. (the “Company” or “Golden Phoenix”) was incorporated under the laws of the state of Minnesota on June 2, 1997. The Company is engaged in the operation, exploration and development of mineral properties primarily in the state of Nevada. The Company controls its mineral property interests through joint venture interests, direct ownership, leases, and mining claims. The Company is planning exploration and development of selected properties with the intent of conducting precious and base metal mining and production operations. The Company is investigating new mineral properties for potential exploration, development and operation.
On September 28, 2006, the Company entered into the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement with Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. in order to govern the management of Ashdown Project LLC (the “Ashdown LLC”) and the future mineral exploration, evaluation, development and mining operations by the Ashdown LLC on the real property contributed by the Company and Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. and all other real property within the area of interest that is acquired by the Ashdown LLC. The Ashdown LLC commenced production of molybdenite concentrates in December 2006. The principal business focus of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 has been the management of the operations of the Ashdown LLC. At September 30, 2007, the Company held a 60% interest in the capital and profits of the Ashdown LLC (see Note 3). The Company has claim to an additional 9.5% interest, though contested, which would bring its total interest in the capital and profits of the Ashdown LLC to 69.5%.
On April 18, 2006, the Company executed a Purchase Agreement with four individuals to acquire five (5) registered claims totaling 22 units on the Northern Champion Property together with a report describing a molybdenum deposit within the area of the claim. On February 12, 2007, the Purchase Agreement was amended to allow the Company to convert the remaining cash payments of $125,000 to an equivalent number of restricted shares valued at the market close on that date, and the purchase was completed. Through September 30, 2007, the Company has not performed significant exploration and development activities on the Northern Champion Property.
In mid-2003, the Company began formal operation of the Mineral Ridge property, and subsequently elected to suspend those operations in January 2005. As of September 30, 2007, the operations of the Mineral Ridge mine remain temporarily idled awaiting completion of an optimized mine plan.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2007 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 include the accounts of Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and the Ashdown LLC, an entity controlled by Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. through its 60% member interest. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The interim financial information of the Company as of September 30, 2007 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 is unaudited. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they omit or condense footnotes and certain other information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The accounting policies followed for quarterly financial reporting conform with the accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006. In the opinion of management, all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the interim periods reported have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006.
NOTE 2 -GOING CONCERN
The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the Company has a history of operating losses since its inception in 1997, and has an accumulated deficit of $36,467,180 at September 30, 2007, which together raises doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The Company has obtained working capital from debt and equity financing, the exercise of options and warrants, and from a production payment purchase agreement to fund the Company’s activities until sufficient revenues can be generated from operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company received net proceeds from the sale of its common stock of $6,744,505 and proceeds from the exercise of options and warrants of $186,045. The Ashdown LLC placed the Ashdown property into commercial operation in December 2006, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, generated sales of $6,645,958, which has funded a significant portion of the Company’s operating costs and expenses. Because commercial operations only recently commenced at the Ashdown property and the Ashdown LLC has not sustained a consistent level of production, the Company cannot predict the future operating cash flows from the Ashdown LLC. However, the Company anticipates that operating cash flows from the Ashdown LLC, after distributions to the minority interest member and after related production payment and debt obligations have been satisfied, will contribute to the working capital of the Company.
There can be no guarantee or assurance that the Company will be successful in its ability to sustain a profitable level of operations from the Ashdown LLC or to attain successful operations from its other properties, or to continue to raise capital at favorable rates or at all. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
NOTE 3 -ASHDOWN PROJECT LLC
On September 28, 2006, the Company entered into the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement with Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. in order to govern the management of Ashdown LLC and the future mineral exploration, evaluation, development and mining operations by the Ashdown LLC on the real property contributed by the Company and Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. and all other real property within the area of interest that is acquired by the Ashdown LLC. The Company will serve as the initial Manager of the Ashdown LLC until such a time that the Management Committee determines that the Ashdown LLC should manage itself with the Mine General Manager and the other officers of the Ashdown LLC being responsible for the day-to-day operations. The Ashdown LLC initiated mining activities on the property, subject to certain stipulations, in the fourth quarter of 2006, and completed the first sale of molybdenite concentrates in December 2006. The Ashdown LLC has a marketing agreement in place that facilitates the sale of the molybdenite concentrates (FOB mine) to an international metals broker. The Ashdown LLC will not be required to provide roasted material to the market, and does not have to locate third party roasting capacity under this contract. The Company plans to assess potential expansion into a larger operation.
Pursuant to the terms of a Letter Agreement dated September 28, 2006 (the “Letter Agreement”) entered into as part of the organization of the Ashdown LLC, on November 1, 2006, the Company believes that Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. was required to pay the Company the aggregate amount of $309,391 related to the joint venture. On December 4, 2006, the Company informed Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. that it was in default under the Letter Agreement, that the 30-day cure period had expired and that the matter had been referred to the Company’s Board of Directors for further consideration. On December 20, 2006, the Company notified Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. of its intention, pursuant to the remedial provisions of the Letter Agreement, to invoke the remedy of dilution under subsection 7.5.2(a) of the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) to decrease Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc.’s Ownership Interest from 40% to 30.5% and increase the Company’s Ownership Interest from 60% to 69.5%. Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. disagrees that it is in default under the Letter Agreement and the Company anticipates that this disagreement will be resolved by an amicable agreement or under the dispute resolution provisions of the Operating Agreement providing for mediation and binding arbitration. While the Company is confident that its interpretation of the Letter Agreement and the remedial provisions of the Operating Agreement are correct, until the disagreement is resolved pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of the Operating Agreement, or by the ongoing settlement discussions between the parties, it is uncertain whether the Company’s Ownership Interest in the Ashdown LLC will remain at 60% or increase to 69.5%. The Company does not anticipate that this disagreement will have a material adverse effect on the Ashdown LLC’s operations or on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Through September 30, 2007 the consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s Ownership Interest in the Ashdown LLC at 60%.
As more fully described in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company’s share of production distributions from the LLC are encumbered by certain financing agreements.
NOTE 4 -STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share Based Payments. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award granted, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and recognized over the period in which the award vests. The stock-based compensation expense for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 included in general and administrative expenses was $14,221 and $79,001, respectively. The stock-based compensation expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 included in general and administrative expenses was $78,441 and $183,829, respectively. There was no stock compensation expense capitalized during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006.
No new stock options were issued by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The following table summarizes the stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2007:
| | Options | | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term | | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2006 | | | 6,915,715 | | | $ | 0.22 | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | - | | | | - | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | | (886,667 | ) | | $ | 0.23 | | | | | | | |
Expired or cancelled | | | (397,475 | ) | | $ | 0.19 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2007 | | | 5,631,573 | | | $ | 0.22 | | | | 2.37 | | | $ | 610,517 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options vested and exercisable at September 30, 2007 | | | 5,520,277 | | | $ | 0.22 | | | | 2.30 | | | $ | 610,517 | |
As of September 30, 2007, the total future compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based awards not yet recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $29,915.
NOTE 5 -STOCK WARRANTS
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock warrants as of September 30, 2007 and changes during the nine months then ended is presented below:
| | Shares | | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |
| | | | | | |
Outstanding, December 31, 2006 | | | 2,656,602 | | | $ | 0.17 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | 10,636,576 | | | $ | 0.40 | |
Canceled / Expired | | | - | | | | - | |
Exercised | | | (1,193,178 | ) | | $ | 0.14 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Outstanding, September 30, 2007 | | | 12,100,000 | | | $ | 0.38 | |
The following summarizes the exercise price per share and expiration date of the Company's outstanding warrants to purchase common stock at September 30, 2007:
Expiration Date | | Price | | | Number | |
2008 | | $ | 0.20 | | | | 800,000 | |
2009 | | $ | 0.20 | | | | 700,000 | |
2009 | | $ | 0.40 | | | | 10,600,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 12,100,000 | |
NOTE 6 -EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The computation of basic earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average common stock equivalents which would arise from the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding using the treasury stock method and the average market price per share during the period.
A reconciliation of the number of shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | | | 180,481,389 | | | | 148,249,435 | | | | 170,356,083 | | | | 142,185,509 | |
Dilutive effect of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Warrants | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution | | | 180,481,389 | | | | 148,249,435 | | | | 170,356,083 | | | | 142,185,509 | |
No stock options and warrants are included in the computation of weighted average number of shares because the effect would be anti-dilutive. At September 30 2007, the Company had outstanding options and warrants to purchase a total of 17,731,573 common shares of the Company that could have a future dilutive effect on the calculation of earnings per share. At September 30, 2007, a production payment obligation of $1,974,456, which is recorded as a current liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, is convertible into a maximum of 5,484,600 common shares of the Company that could have a future dilutive effect on the calculation of earnings per share.
NOTE 7 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following at September 30, 2007:
Land | | $ | 57,599 | |
Buildings | | | 239,184 | |
Mining and milling equipment | | | 1,559,410 | |
Support equipment | | | 39,933 | |
Vehicles | | | 79,930 | |
Computer equipment | | | 140,142 | |
Office furniture and equipment | | | 44,784 | |
Construction in progress | | | 288,378 | |
| | | 2,449,360 | |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | (739,312 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 1,710,048 | |
NOTE 8 -RESTRICTED FUNDS – RECLAMATION OBLIGATIONS
During May 2003, the Company entered into an insurance backed financial assurance program for a surety bond to secure the $2,693,000 reclamation bond for the Mineral Ridge property. The program structure includes an insurance policy that will pay reclamation expenses as they occur. During June 2003, the Company transferred to the insurance company approximately $1,800,000 of restricted cash for the reclamation of the Mineral Ridge property. The Company has paid an additional $526,505 of premiums on the reclamation bond policy through September 30, 2007. The Company is obligated to pay $11,311 annually thereafter which amount will be expensed during the year incurred.
Of the total initial premium of $2,326,505, $1,796,652 represents a Reclamation Experience Account which funds are directly available to the Company to use for closure, reclamation and remediation activities once they commence based on the existing known condition of the Mineral Ridge property. This amount has been included in the balance of the Restricted Funds - Reclamation Obligations asset in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007.
The prepaid bond insurance premiums of $526,505 are being amortized over the twelve (12) year term of the policy. The annual insurance premium of $11,311 is amortized over a twelve (12) month period. At September 30, 2007, the total current portion of the prepaid insurance premiums related to this policy totaled $43,212 and is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The long-term portion of the prepaid insurance premiums totaled $288,079 and is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007. This program allows the Company flexibility to increase its bond in the future to an aggregate limit of $4,000,000.
Restricted funds totaling $346,700 for a bond and other regulatory deposit requirements for the Ashdown property and a deposit of $41,159 for the Mineral Ridge property are also included in the balance of the Restricted Funds – Reclamation Obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007.
NOTE 9 -RECLAMATION OBLIGATIONS
In accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which establishes a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandoned costs, the Company has estimated reclamation costs for the Mineral Ridge and Ashdown properties. At September 30, 2007, the total amount recorded for estimated reclamation obligations was $3,138,753. Because the Mineral Ridge property has been idled and because the Ashdown LLC has not yet established proven or probable reserves, no related reclamation asset has been recorded at September 30, 2007.
Accretion expense related to the reclamation obligations for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $49,183 and $40,620, respectively. Accretion expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $141,628 and $116,555, respectively.
NOTE 10 -SEVERANCE OBLIGATIONS
At a meeting of the Board on February 18, 2005, the directors unanimously approved a separation agreement for Michael Fitzsimonds, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The terms of separation were that Mr. Fitzsimonds would be paid his full salary for one year including medical benefits, followed by 180 hours of vacation. The Company then would pay him $394,000 in 59 equal monthly payments. He would be allowed to use a company vehicle for one year at which time he exercised his option to purchase it. Mr. Fitzsimonds loaned $100,000 to the company in 1998 on which the Company pays $1,350 a month for interest (see Note 13). The principal is to be repaid on or before February 18, 2008. There is no prepayment penalty. The current portion of the severance obligation to Mr. Fitzsimonds of $80,136 is included in current liabilities and the long-term portion of the severance obligation of $186,629 is included in long-term liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007.
On January 31, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with Kenneth S. Ripley whereby Mr. Ripley resigned as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and all other positions he held with the Company and on behalf of the Company, effective as of January 31, 2007 (the “Effective Date”). The Separation Agreement terminates the Employment Agreement dated as of March 8, 2006 between the Company and Mr. Ripley whereby Mr. Ripley assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective March 13, 2006 (the “Employment Agreement”).
Under the terms of the Separation Agreement: (i) subject to a “Cash Call Delay”, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Ripley his deferred salary of $115,000 (balance of $98,750 as of December 31, 2006) in twelve (12) equal monthly installments starting in March 2007 as severance pay; (ii) subject to a Cash Call Delay, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Ripley a performance bonus in the amount of $195,000 in twelve (12) equal monthly installments starting in March 2007 as bonus pay, with the unpaid portion of the bonus pay accruing simple interest at the rate of 18% per annum; (iii) subject to a Cash Call Delay, the Company agreed to pay the outstanding balance of the Mr. Ripley’s note payable and related accrued interest totaling $157,979, consisting of $89,897 in principal and $68,082 in accrued interest, in twelve (12) equal monthly installments starting in March 2007 as promissory note payments; (iv) the Company agreed to immediately vest the unvested portion of the Mr. Ripley’s stock options to purchase an aggregate amount of 30,000 shares of common stock granted pursuant to the Company’s Year 2002 Supplemental Employee/Consultant Stock Compensation Plan as of January 31, 2007 (the “Termination Date”); (v) Mr. Ripley agreed to a non-solicitation clause for a term of eighteen (18) months following the Termination Date; and (vi) Mr. Ripley provided the Company with a general release of liability and claims. Under the Separation Agreement, a “Cash Call Delay” is defined as a cash call or any cash payment required of the Company in connection with the Ashdown Project LLC.
In addition, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company and Mr. Ripley further agreed that all payments to Mr. Ripley that are subject to a Cash Call Delay are to be suspended for such month and such monthly payments are to be deferred until the next month with the payment terms to be extended by such number of cash call delay months, provided however, such repayment term will not exceed April 30, 2008. The Company guaranteed that Mr. Ripley will receive at least one monthly installment of the payments due on or before April 1, 2007. The total severance obligation to Mr. Ripley as of September 30, 2007 of $125,922, including accrued interest payable of $13,005, is included in current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007. Through September 30, 2007, no Cash Call Delays have occurred.
NOTE 11 -PRODUCTION PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT
Schnack Agreements - On May 10, 2005, the Company entered into a financing agreement with William D. and Candida Schnack (“Schnack”), unrelated parties, (the “Prior Schnack Agreement”) wherein Schnack could advance to the Company up to $1,000,000 secured by production and sale of molybdenum concentrates from the Ashdown property. The advances were restricted to funding activities associated with the Ashdown mineral property. Advances were to be disbursed in accordance with the achievement by the Company of pre-approved milestones as set forth in the Agreement. In consideration of the advances, Schnack will receive the repayment of the advances, a premium of $2,000,000 and 1,000,000 two-year warrants to purchase common stock of the Company at an exercise price equal to $0.14 per share. In addition, the Company agreed that, during the period that is two (2) years from the date of the agreement, in the event there is any dilution of the stock of the Company, the number of warrants to Schnack shall be increased to reflect this dilution. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company received $735,000 in 2005 and $265,000 in 2006, and recognized $1,470,000 of the premium as interest expense in 2005 and $530,000 interest expense in 2006.
In conjunction with the anti-dilution provisions of the agreement, an additional 156,602 warrants were issued in 2006 and 2005, and the final 36,576 warrants valued at $7,309 were issued in May 2007.
On April 23, 2007, the Company entered into an Advance Sales Restructuring Agreement with Schnack (the “Restructuring Agreement”), which supersedes the Prior Schnack Agreement. Terms of the Restructuring Agreement include: that it be effective upon the closing of private placement equity financing; to provide for an early payment of $1 million; the restructuring of the remaining amounts owed under the Schnack Agreement into a Net Smelter Returns payment from the Company’s distributions from the Ashdown LLC; the exercise of Schnack’s warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock issued to Schnack pursuant to the Prior Schnack Agreement (the “Schnack Warrants”); and that the Company use its reasonable best efforts to include the shares purchased by Schnack upon the exercise of the Warrants on a registration statement to be filed with the SEC (which was done with a registration statement that went effective with the SEC on July 12, 2007).
Further terms include: that the remaining amounts owed to Schnack under the Prior Schnack Agreement shall be paid from a production payment in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000) paid exclusively from the Company’s share of production of base and precious minerals produced from the Ashdown Mine allocated to the Company pursuant to the Ashdown LLC. The rate of payment shall be equal to a fifteen percent (15%) Net Smelter (Refinery) Return on the entire production of precious and base minerals produced from the Ashdown Mine.
Further terms include that the Company, or its assignee, has the option to purchase the production payment provided for in the Restructuring Agreement for the following amounts during the time periods set forth below:
1. On or prior to August 31, 2007. The Company, or its assignee, has the option to purchase the production payment for one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000), less any amounts already paid pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement.
2. Between September 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. The Company, or its assignee, has the option to purchase the production payment for one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000), less any amounts already paid pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement.
3. After December 31, 2007. The Company, or its assignee, has the option to purchase the production payment for two million dollars ($2,000,000), less any amounts already paid pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement.
4. Assignment of Option and Adjustment to Production Payment. If, and only if, the Company assigns its option to purchase the production payment provided for herein, then the following modifications to the production payment shall be made automatically immediately prior to the exercise of the option by the assignee, as follows. The aggregate amount of the production payment shall be equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the amount of the exercise price of the option, but in no case shall it exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000) less any amounts already paid. The production payment shall be paid in an amount equal to a five percent (5%) Net Smelter (Refinery) Returns instead of the fifteen percent (15%) Net Smelter (Refinery) Returns provided for above and paid solely from the Company’s share of production distributed to the Company pursuant to the Ashdown Project LLC.
On May 4, 2007, Schnack exercised 1,193,178 warrants, with total proceeds to the Company of $167,045, and the Company repaid $250,000 of the $1.0 million advance.
Crestview Agreement - On June 13, 2007, the Company entered into a Production Payment Purchase Agreement and Assignment (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company and Crestview Capital Master, LLC (“Crestview”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Crestview acquired from the Company the assignment of the Company’s purchase rights under the Restructuring Agreement in consideration of Crestview paying the seven hundred fifty thousand dollar ($750,000) payment due Schnack and Crestview immediately exercising the Company’s purchase rights to acquire the production payment, along with certain amendments to the Restructuring Agreement, for a combined purchase amount paid by Crestview to Schnack equal to one million seven hundred ninety-four thousand nine hundred sixty dollars ($1,794,960).
Further terms of the Purchase Agreement include: (i) that the aggregate amount of the production payment will be equal to one million nine hundred seventy four thousand four hundred fifty six dollars ($1,974,456), representing 110% of the actual cash paid by Crestview to satisfy the Company’s obligations to Schnack; (ii) that the production payment will be paid in an amount equal to a five percent (5%) Net Smelter (Refinery) Returns (“NSR”) paid solely from the Company’s share of production distributed to the Company pursuant to the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement; and (iii) that so long as the production payment remains outstanding, the production payment shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at the option of Crestview or its assignee.
As a result of the Purchase Agreement and related agreements, the liabilities of the Company have been reduced by five hundred twenty thousand five hundred four dollars ($520,504), which has been recorded as a gain on extinguishment of debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007.
The production payment obligation to Crestview of $1,974,456 has been recorded as a current liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2007. So long as the production payment obligation remains outstanding, it may be converted in whole or in part into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of Crestview. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued upon conversion of the production payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining amount of the production payment by the number derived by multiplying the average of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock for a period of ten (10) trading days prior to exercise of this conversion right by 0.80, but in no case less than $0.36 per share nor more than $0.46 per share. Provided that the shares of common stock underlying the conversion right have been registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the production payment shall automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock if the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board or other public trading market is greater than or equal to $0.65 per share for ten consecutive trading days.
The Company has determined, that in the event the market value per share of the Company’s common stock is greater than the $0.36 per share minimum conversion price per share, there is a beneficial conversion feature equal to the intrinsic value of the production payment obligation. The Company will calculate the beneficial conversion feature at the end of each quarterly reporting period, and record changes to the intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion to common stock and interest expense. At September 30, 2007, there was no beneficial conversion feature since the market price of the Company’s common stock was less that the $0.36 per share minimum conversion price.
NOTE 12 -ASHDOWN MILLING PRODUCTION PAYMENT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
On September 26, 2005, the Company entered into a Production Payment Purchase Agreement with Ashdown Milling Co LLC (“Ashdown Milling”). Under the terms of the agreement, Ashdown Milling agreed to purchase a production payment to be paid from the Company’s share of production from the Ashdown mine for a minimum of $800,000. In addition, Ashdown Milling is to receive one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock at $0.20 per share for each dollar paid to the Company. In addition, the Production Payment Purchase Agreement provides that, upon the request of the Company for additional funds, Ashdown Milling has the right, but not the obligation, to increase its investment in the production payment up to an additional $700,000 for a maximum purchase price of $1,500.000. The amount of the production payment to be paid to Ashdown Milling is equal to a 12% net smelter returns royalty on the minerals produced from the mine until an amount equal to 240% of the total purchase price has been paid. Robert P. Martin, President of the Company, and Kenneth S. Ripley, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, are members, managers, and lead investors in Ashdown Milling. The Company’s Board approved the transaction.
Because production payments from the Ashdown mine were not assured at the time of the agreement with Ashdown Milling, the transaction was originally accounted for as the sale of an interest in mineral properties with the related gain to be deferred until the Company began making payments according the terms of the agreement. During 2005 and 2006, $1,500,000 was advanced to the Company pursuant to this agreement, with $904,567 of the proceeds allocated to deferred revenue – related party, a current liability. With the commencement of mining operations at the Ashdown mine, the Company has reclassified the deferred revenue to a production payment obligation, a current liability, to be repaid from the Company’s share of production distributions received from the Ashdown LLC. The Company made payments of $241,474 in May 2007 and $366,830 in July 2007, reducing the obligation to a balance of $296,263 at September 30, 2007.
NOTE 13 -LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2007: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Note payable to GMAC, payable at $538 per month with no interest through May 2009, secured by vehicle | | $ | 10,751 | |
Note payable to CitiFinancial, payable at $468 per month with interest at 15.7% through August 2007, secured by vehicle | | | 1,585 | |
Note payable to Komatsu Equipment Company, with principal payments of $240,000 on July 6, 2007, $58,486 on June 30, 2008, $58,486 on June 30, 2009, and $58,485 on June 30, 2010, with interest at 8%, unsecured | | | 178,966 | |
Capital lease payable to GE Capital, payable at $1,272 per month through March 2009, secured by equipment | | | 19,915 | |
| | | | |
Total | | | 211,217 | |
Less current portion | | | 82,831 | |
| | | | |
Long-term portion | | $ | 128,386 | |
NOTE 14 -AMOUNTS DUE TO RELATED PARTIES
Amounts due to related parties included in current liabilities consist of the following at September 30, 2007:
| | Principal | | | Interest | | | Total | |
Note payable to Kenneth Ripley, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with interest at an annual rate of 18%, plus a 5% origination fee | | $ | 37,397 | | | $ | 42,313 | | | $ | 79,710 | |
Note payable to Michael Fitzsimonds, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with interest payments of $1,350 per month, due on or before February 18, 2008 | | | 100,000 | | | | — | | | | 100,000 | |
Note payable to an employee and the manager of the Ashdown mine for the purchase of a mill, equipment rental and other, with interest at 12% | | | 287,908 | | | | 41,934 | | | | 329,842 | |
| | $ | 425,305 | | | $ | 84,247 | | | $ | 509,552 | |
In January 2007, the principal balance of the note payable to Mr. Ripley was reduced by $160,227 in connection with the exercise by Mr. Ripley of employee stock options.
Under the terms of an Employment Separation Agreement (see Note 10), the Company agreed to pay the then outstanding balance of the Mr. Ripley’s note payable in twelve (12) equal monthly installments starting in March 2007.
NOTE 15 -STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On April 24, 2007, the Company completed its private offering of 20,000,000 units of its common stock and warrants to purchase common stock (the “Private Offering”) to certain institutional and accredited investors. Each unit consists of one share of common stock, no par value per share, and one-half (1/2) of one two year warrant to purchase common stock, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. The units were sold at a per unit price of $0.30. The Company raised an aggregate amount of $6,000,000 from this Private Offering, less a placement fee of $210,000 and other offering expenses of $140,494.
Further, in connection with the Private Offering, the Company issued to its placement agent 150,000 shares of common stock and two-year warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share.
On July 13, 2005, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) with Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC (“Fusion Capital”), pursuant to which Fusion Capital had agreed, under certain conditions, to purchase on each trading day $12,500 of the Company’s common stock up to an aggregate of $6 million over a twenty-four (24) month period. On January 19, 2006, the Company and Fusion Capital entered into a Termination Agreement whereby the parties terminated the Original Purchase Agreement. On January 20, 2006, the Company entered into a new Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Fusion Capital. Under the Purchase Agreement, Fusion Capital committed to purchase up to $6 million of the Company’s common stock over a twenty-four (24) month period that commences when a registration statement filed with the SEC becomes effective. The SEC declared the registration statement effective on February 13, 2006. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Fusion Capital was to purchase $12,500 of the Company’s common stock on each trading day during the term of the Purchase Agreement, subject to the Company’s right to increase, decrease or suspend purchases by Fusion Capital. The purchase price for each purchase of shares of common stock was equal to a price based upon the future market price of the common stock without any fixed discount to the market price. However, Fusion Capital did not have the right and was not obligated to purchase the Company’s stock in the event that the purchase price per share of common stock was below $0.10. The Company has used this financing vehicle on an as needed basis for working capital and general corporate purposes. On March 13, 2006, the Company initiated the sale of commencement shares under the Purchase Agreement.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, 3,441,066 shares of the Company’s common stock were purchased by Fusion Capital with proceeds to the Company of $1,034,999, or an average of $0.301 per share.
On April 23, 2007, the Company terminated the agreement with Fusion Capital.
In addition to the 23,441,066 common shares issued for cash to Fusion Capital and in the Private Offering, the Company issued 3,047,563 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 for the following consideration: 393,990 shares for services valued at $144,105; 423,728 shares issued for reduction of accounts payable of $125,000; 150,000 shares for stock issuance costs; and 2,079,845 shares issued for the exercise of options and warrants, $186,045 for cash, $27,373 reduction in accounts payable and $160,227 reduction in amounts due related parties. The prices per share recorded in non-cash equity transactions approximated the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the date the shares were issued. In those instances where the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date the shares are issued to repay debt or other obligations differs from the market price originally used to determine the number of shares to be issued, a gain or loss on extinguishment of debt is recorded. Depending on the delay in issuing these shares, the gain or loss may be material. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, no gain or loss on extinguishment of debt repaid through the issuance of the Company’s common stock was recorded.
NOTE 16 - LEGAL MATTERS
Steven D. Craig — On August 30, 2006, Steven D. Craig filed a Complaint against Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. in the Second Judicial District for the State of Nevada in the County of Washoe. The Complaint alleges Breach of Contract regarding the failure to permit the exercise of stock options, failure to repay non-reimbursed business expenses, and failure to pay and account for the accrual of interest of deferred compensation. Steven D. Craig is seeking options issued by Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. with regard to back salaries owed in the following amounts: 984,300 shares at $0.15 per share; 340,000 shares at $0.37 per share; and 250,000 shares at $0.15 per share. Steven D. Craig is further seeking $5,500 for non-reimbursed expenses and $243,625.33 in deferred salaries with interest for both amounts. Payments have been made monthly since Mr. Craig’s termination in the amount of $5,000, and approximately $130,000 has been paid through September 30, 2007, resulting in a reduction of these claims.
On September 20, 2006, Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. filed an Answer to the Summons and Complaint. On September 29, 2006, Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. filed a Third-Party Complaint naming Collette Crater-Craig as an interested party with regard to community property issues due to the recent termination of marriage between her and Steven D. Craig. The Third-Party Complaint seeks declaratory relief to ascertain the respective parties’ rights and obligations with regard to the damages sought by the subject Complaint.
The Company currently is in discussions with Mr. Craig regarding settlement terms to this matter.
Twain Walker — On October 16, 2006, Twain Walker filed a Complaint against the Company in the Second Judicial District for the State of Nevada in the County of Washoe. The Complaint alleges breach of contract regarding the failure to permit the exercise of stock options and failure to pay and account for the accrual of interest on deferred compensation. On May 14, 2007, the parties executed a Settlement Agreement and release of claims and the Company paid Mr. Walker $4,400 in the settlement. The Second Judicial District Court for the State of Nevada, Washoe County, executed an order dismissing this action with prejudice on July 16, 2007.
Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. — On April 4, 2007, Golden Phoenix participated in mediation proceedings with Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. (“WEG”). The dispute, which was mediated, arises from Golden Phoenix’s November 2, 2006 formal notice of default to WEG that it failed to timely fund its share of the Program and Budget for the Ashdown Project, due on October 15, 2006. Payment was due pursuant to the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement between WEG and Golden Phoenix dated September 28, 2006 and a related letter agreement of the same date. Golden Phoenix’s claim was that WEG owed $115,755 under both the Operating Agreement and the letter agreement. Additionally, by the same notice of default, Golden Phoenix reminded WEG that it did not timely pay to Golden Phoenix its share of revenues received by WEG for ore from stockpiles as required by the above-mentioned letter agreement. Golden Phoenix’s share of these monies was $193,391. The total amount in default totals $309,146. Pursuant to the agreements, interest accrues on these amounts at a rate equal to two percentage points over the Prime Rate to the maximum allowed by law. The Operating Agreement permits a defaulting party to cure if they pay the defaulted amount, plus interest at a rate of Prime plus 7%. WEG did not cure their default. Consequently, Golden Phoenix elected, as permitted under the Operating Agreement, to dilute WEG’s membership interest in the Ashdown Project LLC by notice dated December 20, 2006. Pursuant to a calculation formula contained in the Operating Agreement, Golden Phoenix contends WEG’s membership interest has been reduced from 40% to 30.5%. WEG is currently contesting this dilution of its interest in the Ashdown Project. WEG has disputed and continues to dispute the amount and timing of certain expenditures incurred by Golden Phoenix on the Ashdown property. As of the date of this Report the mediation has not resolved the dispute and the parties plan to proceed to arbitration pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement. Golden Phoenix expects this arbitration to be conducted in 2008. In addition, WEG has notified Golden Phoenix of certain provisions in the Operating Agreement that it contends Golden Phoenix has breached and has requested a meeting to discuss these provisions in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions of the Operating Agreement. Further, WEG has also notified Golden Phoenix that WEG may make a claim that Golden Phoenix exceeded the approved 2007 budget and would be liable to WEG for the budget overrun pursuant to the Operating Agreement. However, Golden Phoenix contends that the overrun is directly related to an increase in the rate of production that was ratified by WEG and therefore Golden Phoenix intends to defend such a claim, if it is made.
As of the date of this report, Golden Phoenix does not believe any of WEG’s allegations are material. The outcome of these matters cannot currently be determined. The consolidated financial statements of Golden Phoenix filed with this Report reflect Golden Phoenix’s ownership in the Ashdown Project LLC at 60% and do not reflect the potential impact of any ultimate resolution or arbitration.
NOTE 17 -SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company made no cash payments for income taxes.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company made cash payments for interest of $322,504 and $21,970, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company had the following non-cash financing and investing activities:
| · | Increased marketable securities and other comprehensive income for unrealized gain on marketable securities of $63,524. |
| · | Common stock was issued to pay accounts payable of $125,000. |
| · | Amounts due related parties were reduced by $160,227 through the exercise of stock options and resultant increase in common stock. |
| · | Accounts payable was reduced by $27,373 through the exercise of stock options and resultant increase in common stock. |
| · | Accounts payable was reduced and long-term debt increased by $512,262. |
| · | Property and equipment was purchased through the issuance of debt of $30,949. |
| · | Notes payable and related accrued interest was reduced and production payment obligation was increased by $1,974,456. |
| · | The Company reclassified deferred revenue – related party of $904,567 to production payment obligation – related party. |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company had the following non-cash financing and investing activities:
| · | Common stock was issued for debt of $173,765. |
NOTE 18 -RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The FASB has issued Financial Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes– An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement standard for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, and the provisions of FIN 48 were applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of this standard. There was no financial statement impact of adopting FIN 48.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. This new standard will require employers to fully recognize the obligations associated with single-employer defined benefit pension, retiree healthcare and other postretirement plans in their financial statements. The Company anticipates adopting SFAS No. 158 on December 31, 2007, and does not believe the adoption of the new accounting standard will result in a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company since the Company currently does not sponsor the defined benefit pension or postretirement plans within the scope of the standard.
The FASB has issued SFAS Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This new standard provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, and requires expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. The standard applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Under the new standard, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The new standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008, but is currently unable to determine the impact of the adoption of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets. This statement amends SFAS 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement 125, or SFAS 140, regarding (1) the circumstances under which a servicing asset or servicing liability must be recognized, (2) the initial and subsequent measurement of recognized servicing assets and liabilities, and (3) information required to be disclosed relating to servicing assets and liabilities. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2007, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, or SFAS 155. This statement amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to narrow the scope exception for interest-only and principal-only strips on debt instruments to include only such strips representing rights to receive a specified portion of the contractual interest or principal cash flows. SFAS 155 also amends SFAS 140 to allow qualifying special-purpose entities to hold a passive derivative financial instrument pertaining to beneficial interests that itself is a derivative financial instrument. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2007, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB ratified EITF, No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation). EITF No. 06-3 requires that, for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006, companies disclose their policy related to the presentation of sales taxes and similar assessments related to their revenue transactions. The Company presents revenue net of sales taxes and any similar assessments. EITF No. 06-3 had no effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion And Analysis or Plan Of Operation
Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks. This filing contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, (1) our estimates of mineral reserves and mineralized material, (2) our projected sales and profitability, (3) our growth strategies, (4) anticipated trends in our industry, (5) our future financing plans, (6) our anticipated needs for working capital, (7) our lack of operational experience and (8) the benefits related to ownership of our common stock. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. This information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. These statements may be found under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as in this filing generally. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Certain Business Risk Factors” and matters described in this filing generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this filing will in fact occur as projected.
Overview
Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. (the “Company” or “Golden Phoenix”) is a mineral exploration, development and production company, formed in Minnesota on June 2, 1997, specializing in acquiring and consolidating mineral properties with potential production and future growth through exploration discoveries. Acquisition emphasis is focused on properties containing gold, silver, molybdenum and other strategic minerals that present low political and financial risk and exceptional upside potential. Our main focus is in Nevada.
Our corporate directors, officers, and managers have prior management experience with large and small mining companies. We believe that Golden Phoenix has created the basis for a competitive minerals exploration/development and operational company through assembling a group of individuals with experience in target generation, ore discovery, resource evaluation, mine development and mine operations.
We have transformed from an exploration and development company into a production stage company, and we intend to profitably operate our own mines. We also intend to continue to explore and develop properties. We plan to provide joint venture opportunities for mining companies to conduct exploration or development on mineral properties we own or control. We, together with any future joint venture partners, intend to explore and develop selected properties to a stage of proven and probable reserves, at which time we would then decide whether to sell our interest in a property or take the property into production alone or with our future partner(s). By joint venturing our properties, we may be able to reduce our costs for further work on those properties, while continuing to maintain and acquire interests in a portfolio of gold, and other strategic metals properties in various stages of mineral exploration and development. We expect that this corporate strategy will minimize the financial risk that we would incur by assuming all the exploration costs associated with developing any one property, while maximizing the potential for success and growth.
We have at least five sources of land available for exploration, development and mining: public lands, private fee lands, unpatented mining claims, patented mining claims, and tribal lands. The primary sources for acquisition of these lands are the United States government, through the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service, state and Canadian Provincial governments, tribal governments, and individuals or entities who currently hold title to or lease government and private lands.
There are numerous levels of government regulation associated with the activities of exploration and mining companies. Permits, which we are maintaining and amending include “Notice of Intent” to explore, “Plan of Operations” to explore, “Plan of Operations” to mine, “Reclamation Permit”, “Air Quality Permit”, “Water Quality Permit”, “Industrial Artificial Pond Permit”, and several other health and safety permits. These permits are subject to amendment or renewal during our operations. Although there is no guarantee that the regulatory agencies will timely approve, if at all, the necessary permits for our current operations or other anticipated operations, currently we have no reason to believe that necessary permits will not be issued in due course. The total cost and effects on our operations of the permitting and bonding process cannot be estimated at this time. The cost will vary for each project when initiated and could be material.
The Federal government owns public lands that are administered by the Bureau of Land Management or the United States Forest Service. Ownership of the subsurface mineral estate can be acquired by staking a twenty (20) acre mining claim granted under the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended (the “General Mining Law”). The Federal government still owns the surface estate even though the subsurface can be controlled with a right to extract through claim staking. Private fee lands are lands that are controlled by fee-simple title by private individuals or corporations. These lands can be controlled for mining and exploration activities by either leasing or purchasing the surface and subsurface rights from the private owner. Unpatented mining claims located on public land owned by another entity can be controlled by leasing or purchasing the claims outright from the owners. Patented mining claims are claims that were staked under the General Mining Law, and through application and approval the owners were granted full private ownership of the surface and subsurface estate by the Federal government. These lands can be acquired for exploration and mining through lease or purchase from the owners. Tribal lands are those lands that are under control by sovereign Native American tribes. Areas that show promise for exploration and mining can be leased or joint ventured with the tribe controlling the land.
Mining Properties and Projects
Our two primary mining property assets are the Ashdown molybdenum project operated by the Ashdown Project LLC (the “Ashdown LLC”), in which we currently own a 60% member interest (and have claim to an additional 9.5% interest, though contested, which would bring our total interest to 69.5%), and the Mineral Ridge gold mine (Figure 1). Management’s near-term goal is to extract the known molybdenum deposits at Ashdown while continuing to redevelop a plan for profitable production of gold and silver at Mineral Ridge.
As further discussed below, the Company completed a purchase agreement with four individuals for the Northern Champion molybdenum property located in Ontario, Canada (Figure 2), and plans to take bulk samples for metallurgical and market testing, and to actively explore and delineate molybdenum mineralization on the property.
Figure 1. Map showing the locations of the Nevada properties discussed in this report. Ashdown is the only active property, with Mineral Ridge idled in 2005.
Figure 2. Map showing the Northern Champion property located within the Province of Ontario, Canada. The acquisition of this property was completed in February 2007.
The Ashdown LLC currently does not have proven or probable reserves supported by a current third-party feasibility study. The Ashdown LLC commenced production in December 2006 and had sales of molybenite concentrates of $6,645,958 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Company is working to put Ashdown into profitable production and establishing a mineable reserve base by 2008. As further discussed below, in 2003 we identified economically feasible gold reserves that could be recovered using a cyanide heap leaching process at the Mineral Ridge Project. We operated the Mineral Ridge Project in 2004 and 2005, but did not obtain the results projected in the engineering and feasibility study completed in 2003. Consequently, the Mineral Ridge mine was idled pending full reviews of engineering and metallurgy, and optimization of a revised mine and operations plan. We intend to commence further exploration of numerous targets and development of identified economic mineralization at Mineral Ridge in 2007. It is expected that this work, which has been contracted with the technical teams of West Coast Environmental and Engineering and Vector Engineering, will identify and delineate additional reserves for both open pit and underground deposits and ultimately extend the life of the mine.
Ashdown Project, Humboldt County, Nevada
The Ashdown molybdenum-gold project is located about 115 miles northwest of Winnemucca in Humboldt County, Nevada (“the Ashdown mine”). The property covers about three (3) square miles and is controlled by 101 unpatented mining claims. We signed a Joint Venture Agreement for the Ashdown property with Win-Eldrich on February 5, 2004. The terms of the agreement gave us the right to earn in to 60%, as manager and operator of the project, with Win-Eldrich retaining 40% as owner of the property. We were eligible to earn an undivided vested 60% interest in the project in either of two (2) ways: (1) by placing the project into profitable production using a small mill, or (2) by spending $5,000,000 toward development of the project. Upon signing, we paid Win-Eldrich $50,000, and beginning three (3) months after signing we paid $5,000 per month through December 2006. In May 2006, we exceeded the $5,000,000 benchmark for development expenditures at Ashdown mine and formally notified Win-Eldrich that we had vested our 60% interest as provided under clause (2) of the Letter Agreement. We have claim to an additional 9.5% interest in the Ashdown LLC, though contested, which would bring our total interest to 69.5%.
On September 28, 2006, we entered into the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement with Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. in order to govern the management of the Ashdown LLC and the future mineral exploration, evaluation, development and mining operations by the Ashdown LLC on the real property contributed by us and Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. and all other real property within the area of interest that is acquired by the Ashdown LLC. We will serve as the initial Manager of the Ashdown LLC until such a time that the Management Committee determines that the Ashdown LLC should manage itself with the Mine General Manager and the other officers of the Ashdown LLC being responsible for the day-to-day operations. Additionally, on September 28, 2006, we entered into a Contribution Agreement with the Ashdown LLC in order to recognize that we had incurred actual expenditures at the Ashdown Mine of not less than $5,000,000 and to contribute all of our right, title and interest in the Ashdown mine, encumbered as set forth in the Settlement Agreement, dated August 26, 2005 by and between us, Earl Harrison, dba Western Mine Development, Retrievers LLC, John Tingue and Kris Tingue, to the LLC. We agreed with the Ashdown LLC that value of our contribution was $5,000,000, which resulted in a sixty percent (60%) ownership interest in the Ashdown LLC. Simultaneously with the entry into the Contribution Agreement by us, Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. entered into a Contribution Agreement with the Ashdown LLC in order to contribute all of its right, title and interest in and to certain personal property and certain unpatented mining claims situated in Humboldt County, Nevada in exchange for a forty percent (40%) ownership interest in the Ashdown LLC at an agreed-upon value of the contribution of $3,333,333.
Because the mineral property operated by the Ashdown LLC currently does not have proven or probable reserves supported by a current third-party feasibility study, the $5,000,000 in development expenditures incurred by us at the Ashdown mine have been expensed by us as incurred, with the exception of the cost of the mill and other tangible property and equipment, along with certain reclamation bonds and deposits contributed by us to the Ashdown LLC.
Because of our 60% ownership in the Ashdown LLC, we have consolidated the financial statements of the Ashdown LLC with those of the Company, effective October 1, 2006.
In May 2006, we completed permitting a mill designed to run about 100 tons per day of mine production. Construction on the mill and tailings impoundment was completed in 2006, and the facility is processing material as development at the mine allows the production and delivery of mill feed. We plan to assess expansion into a larger operation.
Currently the Ashdown mine produces a molybdenite concentrate product, which generally averages over 50% elemental molybdenum. We have a marketing agreement in place that facilitates the sale of the molybdenite concentrates (FOB mine) to an international metals broker, Derek Raphael & Company, of London, England. We will not be required to provide roasted material to the market, and do not have to locate third party roasting capacity under this contract.
Molybdenum is a base metal used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including steel production, catalytic converters, and specialty lubricants. Due to its properties, it is used as a strengthening component in alloys, and provides corrosion resistance in acidic environments. Molybdenum is used as a hardener in the manufacture of machine tools, drill equipment, and pipelines, and is an essential component of stainless steel.
The molybdenum concentrate is produced by a flotation process at the Ashdown mine, and then bagged in Super Sacks, each weighing approximately 3,950 pounds. The concentrate is a molybdenum disulfide, which requires roasting at an outside facility to convert to a molybdenum oxide, the international standard form for its sale. The molybdenum disulfide product is shipped by truck from the mill in lots containing 12 Super Sacks. Once the product leaves the mill, it is transferred to a roasting facility of the broker's choice, converted to molybdenum oxide and then sold on the world markets.
The broker takes custody and ownership of the product at the Ashdown mine and at our discretion makes 80% to 90% payment of the assayed value of the shipment at that time. The balance of approximately 10% is settled following processing of the shipment at the outside roasting facility and Final Assay, which can take between two and four months to complete.
On October 30, 2006, a Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Record were signed under the 43 CFR 3715 Surface Occupancy Regulations, and the proposed occupancy was found to meet the requirement of §§ 3715.2, 3715.2-1, and 3715.2-2 and was approved subject to certain stipulations. Similarly the Plan of Operations/Environmental Assessment (“POO”) was approved under the 43 CFR 3809 Surface Management Regulations subject to certain stipulations. As of September 2006 we have been allowed to proceed with the proposed project, its occupancy and use as described in the POO. These represent the final permits required to allow us to initiate full-scale mining operations, which commenced in December 2006. The Ashdown LLC has also received regulatory approval for reclamation plans and cost estimates for the Ashdown mine site and the mill and tailings pond, and has deposited approximately $340,000 for reclamation bonds.
Interim progress at the mine was accomplished under a Notice of Intent level permit that allowed for the removal, test processing and marketing of a 1,000-ton sample. The activities undertaken to access the bulk sample are the same as those that would have occurred under the full POO, and the delays in the permitting process did not substantially impact our operations. The Ashdown LLC completed the first sale of molybdenite concentrates produced at the Ashdown mine and mill in December 2006. Since that time development work has been ongoing resulting in a ramping of our production capability and resulting revenue. Full production rates have not yet been achieved, and quarterly revenue numbers for the operation reflect this. In the second quarter of the current fiscal year, revenues from Ashdown’s production contributed to the first net income reported in our history. This quarter’s revenues from the Ashdown LLC will be lower due to an unscheduled relining of the grinding mill during August and additional upgrading of the machinery in the mill during September and October.
As discussed below, the Company’s share of production distributions from the Ashdown LLC are encumbered by financing agreements pursuant to which funds were raised to develop the Ashdown mine.
Mineral Ridge Gold Mine, Esmeralda County, Nevada
The Mineral Ridge gold mine is located four miles northwest of the town of Silver Peak and thirty-two miles west of Tonopah in Esmeralda County, Nevada (“Mineral Ridge”). The property consists of 54 patented and 140 unpatented mining claims totaling nearly 3,880 acres, or 6 square miles. The property is accessed on the east side from state highway 265 and on the west side from a well-maintained gravel road. Heavy trucks access the site by way of the west entrance by way of state highway 264, which connects to state highway 773 and U. S. highway 6. We also control three (3) private land parcels, which are located outside the main Mineral Ridge mine area. The private lands total about 430 acres. The total combined acreage controlled by Golden Phoenix is equal to approximately 6.78 square miles.
Golden Phoenix purchased the Mineral Ridge mine in late 2000 out of bankruptcy for $225,000 cash and the assumption of a $382,000 liability to Sierra Pacific Power Co. for a facility charge for the installation of a grid power line. Additional commitments were also assumed, including obligations to pay advanced royalty payments of $60,000 per year and the annual permit cost for the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection of approximately $20,000 during the time the permits were being transferred to Golden Phoenix from the previous operator. We believe that prior mine operators had spent about $30 million on the property, which includes about $18 million in office, process, and ancillary facilities, about $2 million in engineering and feasibility studies, about $6 million in drilling and assays, $2 million in past permitting costs, and the remainder in site preparation.
The Mineral Ridge property holds three separate potentially economic mineable gold deposits, the Drinkwater, Mary, and Brodie. We believe that the property holds further mineral potential with identified targets potentially containing additional gold mineralization. Our operations have yielded certain amounts of precious metal product that has been sold resulting in revenues of approximately $2.3 million in 2005 and 2004. On January 12, 2005, we announced our decision to temporarily idle the mine pending full reviews of engineering and metallurgy, and optimization of a revised mine and operations plan. We intend to commence further exploration of numerous targets and development of identified economic mineralization at Mineral Ridge in 2007. It is expected that this work, which has been contracted with the technical teams of West Coast Environmental and Engineering and Vector Engineering, will identify and delineate additional reserves for both open pit and underground deposits and ultimately extend the life of the mine.
In 2001, Golden Phoenix filed a $1.8 million interim reclamation bond, which allowed the Company to hold the Mineral Ridge property while other permitting was underway. We negotiated an interim bond amount to keep the project at status-quo until a new plan and bond amount could be negotiated. On May 8, 2003, we received the new amended operating permit and on June 23, 2003, we filed a $2.7 million reclamation bond with the Bureau of Land Management with respect to the Mineral Ridge mine. We utilized an insurance-backed financial assurance program to acquire the bond. The program structure includes an insurance policy that will pay reclamation expenses as they occur. The insurance enabled us to acquire the necessary reclamation bond at a fixed and discounted rate for a term of twelve (12) years. It also allows us the flexibility to increase our bond in the future as we recommence operations at Mineral Ridge. Operations began in 2003 once the bond was in place, including adding chemicals to the process solutions, plumbing the pad with drip lines and main trunk pipes, and mining both new and old stockpiled materials.
Mineral Ridge Royalty Obligations
We are obligated to honor two (2) prior royalty agreements. The first is to Mary Mining Company, which includes annual advanced royalty payments of $60,000, and a sliding-scale production royalty based on gold price divided by 100 in $50 increments. The other agreement, which originated from Benquet Corp., is with private individuals on several patented claims. This agreement includes a 1.0% sliding-scale production royalty on production when gold prices are below $300 per ounce and 2.0% when gold prices are above $300 per ounce.
Northern Champion Property, Ontario, Canada
The Northern Champion Property is approximately 880 acres in Griffith and Brougham Townships in the Province of Ontario, Canada (“Northern Champion Property”). On April 18, 2006, we executed a Purchase Agreement with Robert R. Robitaille, Douglas Lalonde, Sheldon Davis and Ronald E. Dockweiler (collectively, the “Vendors”) to purchase five (5) registered claims totaling 22 units on the Northern Champion Property together with a NI43-101 report describing a molybdenite deposit within the area of the claims.
Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we were obligated to pay $125,000 in four (4) equal quarterly installments of $31,250 commencing on August 15, 2006. Each payment was to be distributed as follows, $9,991.50 to Mr. Lalonde, $9,247.45 to each of Messrs. Robitaille and Davis, and $2,763.61 to Mr. Dockweiler. In addition, the agreement provided that we would issue 735,000 shares of our common stock to the Vendors. Mr. Lalonde received 235,000 shares, each of Messrs. Robitaille and Davis received 217,500 shares and Mr. Dockweiler received 65,000 shares. The agreement also provides that the Vendors will retain a 3.3% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) on the sales of minerals taken from the Northern Champion Property. Each of Messrs. Lalonde, Robitaille and Davis will be entitled to receive 1% of the Net Smelter Return and Mr. Dockweiler will be entitled to receive 0.3% of the Net Smelter Return. Additionally, we will have the right of first refusal to purchase 1.65% of said Net Smelter Return from the Vendors for $1,650,000. We will have the ability to purchase 0.5% of said Net Smelter Return from each of Messrs. Lalonde, Robitaille and Davis and 0.15% of said Net Smelter Return from Mr. Dockweiler.
On February 12, 2007, the parties agreed to convert the remaining cash payments to an equivalent number of restricted shares valued at the market close of $0.295 on that date. On February 16, 2007, 423,729 restricted shares were issued to the Vendors and the purchase was completed. We now own 100% of the Northern Champion Property subject to the NSR reserved by the Vendors.
All costs incurred by us in connection with the Northern Champion Property, including acquisition costs, have been expensed to exploration and development costs.
Alaskan Royalties
We own a 1% net smelter return royalty on two properties located in Alaska, Glory Creek and Uncle Sam. We are not required to perform any work or make any payments for these royalties.
The Glory Creek property is 100% controlled by Great American Mineral Exploration, Inc. (“GAME”). It is located in the Bonnifield mining district, about 60 miles south of Fairbanks. Exploration work on the property has defined an anomalous zone of gold mineralization that requires drilling for the next phase of work. We do not know if and when a discovery of gold mineralization will be made.
The Uncle Sam property is 100% controlled by GAME. The property is located in the Richardson Gold District, about 60 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Their work has defined a strongly anomalous gold zone that requires drilling for the next phase of work. We do not know if and when a discovery of gold mineralization will be made.
Going Concern
Our independent auditors have added an explanatory paragraph to their audit opinion issued in connection with our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 with respect to their doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to our recurring losses from operations and our accumulated deficit. The Company has a history of operating losses since its inception in 1997, and has an accumulated deficit of $36,467,180 at September 30, 2007, which together raises doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by our ability to sustain a successful level of operations and to continue to raise capital from debt, equity and other sources. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make a wide variety of estimates and assumptions that affect: (1) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and (2) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the future resolution of the uncertainties increases, these judgments become even more subjective and complex. We have identified certain accounting policies that are most important to the portrayal of our current financial condition and results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and several of those critical accounting policies are as follows:
Marketable Securities. Marketable securities consist of shares of International Enexco Ltd. common stock received in the sale of mineral properties. The Company intends on holding these shares for the foreseeable future, and accordingly, the shares are accounted for as securities held-for-sale in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. The marketable securities are stated at fair value based on market quotes. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ deficit in our consolidated balance sheet. The total net unrealized gain on this investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $63,524.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the respective estimated useful lives of the assets.
Mine development costs are capitalized after proven and probable reserves have been identified. Amortization of mine development costs will be calculated using the units-of-production method over the expected life of the operation based on the estimated proven and probable reserves. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had no proven or probable reserves. Accordingly, mining equipment and buildings are currently being depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic useful life rather than on a units-of-production method.
Property Acquisition and Deferred Mineral Property Development Costs. Mineral property acquisition and deferred mineral property development costs are recorded at cost and will be capitalized once determination has been made that a mineral property has proven or probable reserves that can be produced profitably. On the commencement of profitable commercial production, depletion of each mineral property acquisition and associated deferred property development costs will be computed on the units of production basis using estimated proven and probable reserves.
Exploration Properties. Mineral exploration expenditures are expensed as incurred. Property acquisition costs relating to exploration properties are also expensed until the economic viability of the project is determined and proven and probable reserves quantified. Costs associated with economically viable projects are depreciated and amortized in accordance with the policies described above.
Stripping Costs. On March 30, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 04-06 that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable costs that should be included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. The Company will utilize this accounting policy for stripping costs incurred in its mining operations where applicable.
Closure, Reclamation and Remediation Costs. Current laws and regulations require certain closure, reclamation and remediation work to be done on mineral properties as a result of exploration, development and operating activities. The Company periodically reviews the activities performed on its mineral properties and makes estimates of closure, reclamation and remediation work that will need to be performed as required by those laws and regulations and makes estimates of amounts that are expected to be incurred when the closure, reclamation and remediation work is expected to be performed. Future closure, reclamation and environmental related expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances due to the early stages of investigation, uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental contamination, the uncertainties relating to specific reclamation and remediation methods and costs, application and changing of environmental laws, regulations and interpretation by regulatory authorities and the possible participation of other potentially responsible parties.
The Company has estimated costs associated with closure, reclamation and environmental reclamation of the Mineral Ridge and Ashdown properties which are reflected in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including the adoption of SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2003. Because we were unable to operate the Mineral Ridge mine profitably in accordance with the feasibility study completed in 2003 and have idled the project, and because we have not established proven or probable reserves at the Ashdown project, we have not recorded any reclamation assets pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 143.
Property Evaluations and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The Company reviews and evaluates the carrying amounts of its mining properties and related buildings and equipment, and other long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimated future net cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, from a property or asset are calculated using estimated recoverable minerals (considering current proven and probable reserves and mineralization expected to be classified as reserves where applicable); estimated future mineral price realization (considering historical and current prices, price trends and related factors); and operating, capital and reclamation costs. Reduction in the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, or other long-lived assets, with a corresponding charge to earnings, are recorded to the extent that the estimated future net cash flows are less than the carrying value.
Estimates of future cash flows are subject to risks and uncertainties. It is reasonably possible that changes in circumstances could occur which may affect the recoverability of the Company’s properties and long-lived assets.
Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the sale of molybdenite concentrates and precious metals is recognized when title and risk of ownership passes to the buyer and the collection of sales proceeds is assured. Molybdenite concentrates from the LLC are currently sold FOB mine site pursuant to the terms of a long-term agreement with a buyer. Title transfers upon the buyer’s acceptance of each twelve (12) sack lot when the material is loaded onto the buyer’s transport.
Income Taxes. The Company recognizes a liability or asset for deferred tax consequences of all temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred tax items mainly relate to net operating loss carryforwards and accrued expenses. These deferred tax assets or liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reviewed periodically for recoverability, and valuation allowances are provided when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had reduced its deferred tax assets by recording a valuation allowance of $9,486,785.
Stock-Based Compensation and Equity Transactions. We account for stock-based compensation pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, an amendment of FASB Statements 123 and 95, which requires us to measure the compensation cost of stock options and other stock-based awards to employees and directors at fair value at the grant date and recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest.
Except for transactions with employees and directors that are within the scope of SFAS 123R, all transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. Additionally, in accordance with EITF 96-18, the Company has determined that the dates used to value the transaction are either: (1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the counter party to earn the equity instruments is established; or (2) the date at which the counter party’s performance is complete.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB has issued Financial Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes– An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement standard for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, and the provisions of FIN 48 were applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of this standard. There was no financial statement impact of adopting FIN 48.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 apply only to entities that elect the fair value option. However, the amendment to SFAS No. 115 Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provision of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. This new standard will require employers to fully recognize the obligations associated with single-employer defined benefit pension, retiree healthcare and other postretirement plans in their financial statements. The Company anticipates adopting SFAS No. 158 on December 31, 2007, and does not believe the adoption of the new accounting standard will result in a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company since the Company currently does not sponsor the defined benefit pension or postretirement plans within the scope of the standard.
The FASB has issued SFAS Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This new standard provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, and requires expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. The standard applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Under the new standard, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The new standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008, but is currently unable to determine the impact of the adoption of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets. This statement amends SFAS 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement 125, or SFAS 140, regarding (1) the circumstances under which a servicing asset or servicing liability must be recognized, (2) the initial and subsequent measurement of recognized servicing assets and liabilities, and (3) information required to be disclosed relating to servicing assets and liabilities. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2007, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, or SFAS 155. This statement amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to narrow the scope exception for interest-only and principal-only strips on debt instruments to include only such strips representing rights to receive a specified portion of the contractual interest or principal cash flows. SFAS 155 also amends SFAS 140 to allow qualifying special-purpose entities to hold a passive derivative financial instrument pertaining to beneficial interests that itself is a derivative financial instrument. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2007, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB ratified EITF, No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation). EITF No. 06-3 requires that, for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006, companies disclose their policy related to the presentation of sales taxes and similar assessments related to their revenue transactions. The Company presents revenue net of sales taxes and any similar assessments. EITF No. 06-3 had no effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
Results Of Operations
Sales
We generated sales of $1,381,376 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and sales of $6,645,958 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, consisting of sales of molybdenite concentrates produced by the Ashdown LLC. The Ashdown LLC commenced operations and had its first sale of molybdenite concentrates in December 2006. By comparison, we reported sales by the Ashdown LLC of $4,466,470 for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Sales were negatively impacted during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 due to an unscheduled relining of the grinding mill during August and additional upgrading of the machinery in the mill during September.
No sales were recorded for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as the operations at the Mineral Ridge mine, a source of sales for 2004 and 2005, had been temporarily idled pending a re-engineering study designed to maximize gold recoveries through the addition of a milling and vat leaching circuit.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Cost of mining operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 were $1,679,364 and $5,287,416, respectively. The increase in cost of mining operations in the first nine months of the current fiscal year resulted from operating costs and expenses incurred by the Ashdown LLC, which commenced production of molybdenite concentrates in December 2006, and as described above, has generated sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Cost of mining operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 were $242,127 and $447,569, respectively, consisting of expenditures to maintain the Mineral Ridge project on standby status. The costs at Mineral Ridge during the current year and prior fiscal year consist only of costs of security operations since no sales of precious metals occurred.
Exploration, development and mineral property lease expenses were $105,161 and $141,907 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively. Current fiscal year levels of these expenses have decreased significantly as efforts have been directed to the production activities of the Ashdown LLC. Exploration, development and mineral property lease expenses for the three months and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 were $323,508 and $2,569,013, consisting primarily of development expenditures at Ashdown, which have been expensed as incurred. In May 2006, we exceeded the $5,000,000 benchmark for development expenditures at Ashdown and earned in our 60% ownership interest in the Ashdown LLC. Subsequent to this earn in, our joint venture partner was required to fund 40% of the expenditures on the Ashdown Project.
General and administrative expenses were $779,371 and $2,229,826 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, general and administrative expenses were $539,376 and $1,363,396, respectively. General and administrative expenses include investor relations, salaries and wages of officers and office personnel, legal and professional fees, and stock-based compensation expense. The increase in the current fiscal year is primarily the result of increases in legal and professional fees and additional compensation for executives that were put under contract in 2006.
Accretion expense and depreciation and amortization expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased from levels recorded for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to the operations of the Ashdown LLC.
Loss From Operations
As a result of the decreased production and sales of molybdenite concentrates by the Ashdown LLC during the current quarter, we reported a loss from operations of $1,290,733 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we reported a loss from operations of $1,315,757. Our ability to report income from operations, as we accomplished in the second quarter of this fiscal year, is dependent on our ability to sustain and ultimately increase the level of sales of molybdenite concentrates at the Ashdown property.
We had no production or sales activities during the first nine months of 2006, and we reported losses from operations of $1,170,260 and $4,576,113 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
Other Income (Expense)
During the three months ended September 30, 2007, interest income increased to $50,191 from $1,523 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Similarly, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest income increased to $88,127 from $4,109 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in interest income in the current fiscal year is due to increased interest-bearing deposits resulting primarily from the sale of our common stock in a private offering in April 2007.
During the three months ended September 30, 2007, interest expense decreased to $26,040 from $170,205 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Similarly, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest expense decreased to $253,761 from $981,188 in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This decrease resulted from two factors. First, a portion of the $2,000,000 premium obligation recorded as interest expense in the Schnack financing agreement was expensed in the first nine months of 2006. In addition, during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, we have repaid $816,360 of notes payable and long-term debt and $152,500 of amounts due related parties.
Our other income has been favorably impacted by our continued efforts to extinguish accounts payable and debt, resulting at times in a gain on extinguishment of debt. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we did not realize any gain on extinguishment of debt, but reported a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $537,309 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The gain on extinguishment of debt in the current fiscal year resulted from the elimination of amounts payable pursuant to the Schnack financing agreement, subsequent conversion of certain amounts to a production payment obligation to Crestview, and from agreements reached to extinguish certain accounts payable. During the three months ended September 30, 2006 we did not realize any gain on extinguishment of debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we reported a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $1,593,803, resulting from agreements reached to retire debt and accounts payable related to certain of our mineral properties, net of loss on extinguishment of accounts payable to related parties.
The remaining other income (expense) amounts reported in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 consisted of gain or loss on disposal of property and equipment incidental to our operations, and were not material.
Net Income (Loss)
After deducting our minority interest member’s share of net loss from the Ashdown LLC, our net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $1,074,543. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, including minority interest in net income of the Ashdown, LLC of $327,525, our net loss was $1,251,895.
We had no operations of the Ashdown LLC, and therefore no minority interest in the net income or loss of the Ashdown LLC, during the first nine months of 2006. Our net loss for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $1,168,760 and $3,805,074, respectively.
Liquidity And Capital Resources
The Company has a history of operating losses since its inception in 1997, and has an accumulated deficit of $36,467,180 at September 30, 2007.
Primarily as a result of the completion of our private offering of common stock in April 2007, we had $3,769,720 in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $669,385 at September 30, 2007. We believe our current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient for our current level of operations in the near term, particularly if the Ashdown LLC can again reach the level of operations and sales reached in the three months ended June 30, 2007, and ultimately increase them. However, we anticipate expenditures for the remainder of 2007 will exceed the levels incurred in 2006, particularly at the Ashdown mine. Our operating costs and expenses could increase or decrease significantly, at any time during the next twelve months, based on exploration results and decisions about releasing or acquiring additional properties, among other factors. We believe that in the short-term the Ashdown LLC will retain significant portions of the proceeds from the sale of molybdenite concentrates to expand and improve operations at the Ashdown mine and mill. In addition, as more fully described elsewhere in this Form 10-QSB and in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company’s share of production distributions from the Ashdown LLC are encumbered by significant production payment obligations entered into to provide development funds for the Ashdown project. Consequently, we may require additional funding from debt and equity financing to finance our operations, including any cash call obligations of the Ashdown LLC.
We cannot assure that additional capital required to finance our operations will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Any failure to secure additional financing may force us to modify our business plan. In addition, we cannot be assured of profitability in the future.
In May 2003, we entered into an insurance-backed financial assurance program for a surety bond, to secure the reclamation bond for approximately $2,700,000 for the Mineral Ridge property. The program structure includes an insurance policy that will pay reclamation expenses as they occur. During June 2003, we transferred approximately $1,800,000 of the reclamation cash deposits that had been presented as restricted cash for the reclamation of the Mineral Ridge property to the insurance company and removed the accrued reclamation obligation due to the insurance policy entered into that will pay the future reclamation costs during the term of the policy. The total bond amount is reviewed by BLM every three years, and their audit for this period was completed on August 28, 2006 with a finding that the bond amount be increased to approximately $2,800,000 to remain in compliance with our reclamation obligations. We have posted this additional amount. We are also obligated to pay an additional $11,311 annually to keep this insurance policy in force.
In the next 12 months, we anticipate purchasing or leasing certain capital equipment for the Ashdown and Mineral Ridge mines, which would be support equipment for the underground operation and surface process facilities. These items include underground hauling machines and muckers and various surface equipment including front-end loaders, forklifts, and small haul trucks. We anticipate funding these capital equipment expenditures with funds we receive from any molybdenum or gold production revenues we may generate or from debt and equity financing. All purchases at the Ashdown mine will be borne in proportion to our equity percentage as operator in that project. The pickup trucks we intend to purchase will be for our staff professionals only. All contractors will provide their own vehicles.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we used net cash of $1,156,574 in operating activities, compared to $3,245,718 net cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities in the current fiscal year was attributed to the increased sales at the Ashdown LLC.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net cash used in investing activities was $665,189, comprised of $360,000 cash contributed to capital by our minority interest member of the Ashdown LLC and $40,000 proceeds from the sale of property and equipment, net of cash used to purchase property and equipment of $565,189, primarily for the Ashdown project, and $500,000 cash distributions to our minority interest member of the Ashdown LLC. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $118,285, consisting of the purchase of property and equipment of $151,360, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of property and equipment of $33,075.
Net cash provided by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $5,112,451. Our liquidity needs were primarily met from the net proceeds of $6,744,505 from the sale of 23,441,066 of our common shares in a private offering in April 2007 and pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Fusion Capital. In addition, we received $186,045 in cash proceeds from the exercise of common stock warrants. The cash provided by these financing sources was partially offset by the payment of severance obligations of $240,935, notes payable and long-term debt of $816,360, amounts due to related parties of $152,500 and the payments of production payment obligation – related party of $608,304.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net cash provided by financing activities was $3,859,063, consisting of $2,932,500 from the sale of common stock, $139,610 from the exercise of options and warrants, $145,000 proceeds from amounts due related parties, $265,000 proceeds from notes payable and $650,000 proceeds from the production payment purchase agreement, partially offset by payments of amounts due related parties of $273,047.
On July 13, 2005, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) with Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC (“Fusion Capital”), pursuant to which Fusion Capital had agreed, under certain conditions, to purchase on each trading day $12,500 of the Company’s common stock up to an aggregate of $6 million over a twenty-four (24) month period. On January 19, 2006, the Company and Fusion Capital entered into a Termination Agreement whereby the parties terminated the Original Purchase Agreement. On January 20, 2006, the Company entered into a new Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Fusion Capital. Under the Purchase Agreement, Fusion Capital committed to purchase up to $6 million of the Company’s common stock over a twenty-four (24) month period. On April 23, 2007, the Company terminated the Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Fusion Capital.
On April 24, 2007, the Company completed its private offering of 20,000,000 units of its common stock and warrants to purchase common stock (the “Private Offering”) to certain institutional and accredited investors. Each unit consists of one share of common stock, no par value per share, and one-half (1/2) of one two year warrant to purchase common stock, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. The units were sold at a per unit price of $0.30. The Company raised an aggregate amount of $6,000,000 from this Private Offering, less a placement fee of $210,000 and other offering expenses of $140,494
Further, in connection with the Private Offering, the Company issued to its placement agent 150,000 shares of common stock and two-year warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share.
On September 26, 2005, the Company entered into a Production Payment Purchase Agreement with Ashdown Milling Co LLC (“Ashdown Milling”). Under the terms of the agreement, Ashdown Milling agreed to purchase a production payment to be paid from the Company’s share of production from the Ashdown mine for a minimum of $800,000. In addition, Ashdown Milling is to receive one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock at $0.20 per share for each dollar paid to the Company. In addition, the Production Payment Purchase Agreement provides that, upon the request of the Company for additional funds, Ashdown Milling has the right, but not the obligation, to increase its investment in the production payment up to an additional $700,000 for a maximum purchase price of $1,500.000. The amount of the production payment to be paid to Ashdown Milling is equal to a 12% net smelter returns royalty on the minerals produced from the mine until an amount equal to 240% of the total purchase price has been paid. Robert P. Martin, President of the Company, and Kenneth S. Ripley, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, are members, managers, and lead investors in Ashdown Milling. The Company’s Board approved the transaction.
Because production payments from the Ashdown mine were not assured at the time of the agreement with Ashdown Milling, the transaction was originally accounted for as the sale of an interest in mineral properties with the related gain to be deferred until the Company began making payments according the terms of the agreement. During 2005 and 2006, $1,500,000 was advanced to the Company pursuant to this agreement, with $904,567 of the proceeds allocated to deferred revenue – related party, a current liability. With the commencement of mining operations at the Ashdown mine, the Company has reclassified the deferred revenue to a production payment obligation, a current liability, to be repaid from the Company’s share of production distributions received from the Ashdown LLC. During the first nine months of 2007, we made payments totaling $608,304, reducing the obligation to a balance of $296,263 at September 30, 2007.
At September 30, 2007, we had a production payment obligation of $1,974,456 to Crestview Capital Master, LLC (“Crestview”) resulting from the June 13, 2007, Production Payment Purchase Agreement and Assignment (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company and Crestview. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Crestview acquired from the Company the assignment of the Company’s purchase rights under the Schnack Restructuring Agreement in consideration of Crestview paying the seven hundred fifty thousand dollar ($750,000) payment due Schnack and Crestview immediately exercising the Company’s purchase rights to acquire the production payment, along with certain amendments to the Restructuring Agreement, for a combined purchase amount paid by Crestview to Schnack equal to one million seven hundred ninety-four thousand nine hundred sixty dollars ($1,794,960).
Further terms of the Purchase Agreement include: (i) that the aggregate amount of the production payment will be equal to one million nine hundred seventy four thousand four hundred fifty six dollars ($1,974,456), representing 110% of the actual cash paid by Crestview to satisfy the Company’s obligations to Schnack; (ii) that the production payment will be paid in an amount equal to a five percent (5%) Net Smelter (Refinery) Returns (“NSR”) paid solely from the Company’s share of production distributed to the Company pursuant to the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement; and (iii) that so long as the production payment remains outstanding, the production payment shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at the option of Crestview or its assignee.
As a result of the Purchase Agreement and related agreements, the liabilities of the Company were reduced by five hundred twenty thousand five hundred four dollars ($520,504), which has been recorded as a gain on extinguishment of debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
The production payment obligation to Crestview of $1,974,456 has been recorded as a current liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2007. So long as the production payment obligation remains outstanding, it may be converted in whole or in part into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of Crestview. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued upon conversion of the production payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining amount of the production payment by the number derived by multiplying the average of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock for a period of ten (10) trading days prior to exercise of this conversion right by 0.80, but in no case less than $0.36 per share nor more than $0.46 per share. Provided that the shares of common stock underlying the conversion right have been registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the production payment shall automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock if the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board or other public trading market is greater than or equal to $0.65 per share for ten consecutive trading days.
We continue to investigate other potential financing sources, and to entertain potential joint venture partners for the Mineral Ridge mine.
Certain Business Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006 before purchasing our common stock. There have been no material changes to the risks described in our Form 10-KSB. The risks set forth by us describe the material risks presently known by us. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, or results or operations could be materially adversely affected, the trading of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. You should acquire shares of our common stock only if you can afford to lose your entire investment.
Item 3T. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer (our Principal Accounting Officer), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objective, and management is required to exercise its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007.
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures discussed above that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 or subsequent to that date that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Steven D. Craig — On August 30, 2006, Steven D. Craig filed a Complaint against Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. in the Second Judicial District for the State of Nevada in the County of Washoe. The Complaint alleges Breach of Contract regarding the failure to permit the exercise of stock options, failure to repay non-reimbursed business expenses, and failure to pay and account for the accrual of interest of deferred compensation. Steven D. Craig is seeking options issued by Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. with regard to back salaries owed in the following amounts: 984,300 shares at $0.15 per share; 340,000 shares at $0.37 per share; and 250,000 shares at $0.15 cents per share. Steven D. Craig is further seeking $5,500 for non-reimbursed expenses and $243,625.33 in deferred salaries with interest for both amounts. Payments have been made monthly since Mr. Craig’s termination in the amount of $5,000, and approximately $130,000 has been paid through September 30, 2007, resulting in a reduction of these claims.
On September 20, 2006, Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. filed an Answer to the Summons and Complaint. On September 29, 2006, Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. filed a Third-Party Complaint naming Collette Crater-Craig as an interested party with regard to community property issues due to the recent termination of marriage between her and Steven D. Craig. The Third-Party Complaint seeks declaratory relief to ascertain the respective parties’ rights and obligations with regard to the damages sought by the subject Complaint.
The Company currently is in discussions with Mr. Craig regarding settlement terms to this matter.
Twain Walker — On October 16, 2006, Twain Walker filed a Complaint against the Company in the Second Judicial District for the State of Nevada in the County of Washoe. The Complaint alleges breach of contract regarding the failure to permit the exercise of stock options and failure to pay and account for the accrual of interest on deferred compensation. On May 14, 2007, the parties executed a Settlement Agreement and release of claims and the Company paid Mr. Walker $4,400 in the settlement. The Second Judicial District Court for the State of Nevada, Washoe County, executed an order dismissing this action with prejudice on July 16, 2007.
Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. — On April 4, 2007, Golden Phoenix participated in mediation proceedings with Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. (“WEG”). The dispute, which was mediated, arises from Golden Phoenix’s November 2, 2006 formal notice of default to WEG that it failed to timely fund its share of the Program and Budget for the Ashdown Project, due on October 15, 2006. Payment was due pursuant to the Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement between WEG and Golden Phoenix dated September 28, 2006 and a related letter agreement of the same date. Golden Phoenix’s claim was that WEG owed $115,755 under both the Operating Agreement and the letter agreement. Additionally, by the same notice of default, Golden Phoenix reminded WEG that it did not timely pay to Golden Phoenix its share of revenues received by WEG for ore from stockpiles as required by the above-mentioned letter agreement. Golden Phoenix’s share of these monies was $193,391. The total amount in default totals $309,146. Pursuant to the agreements, interest accrues on these amounts at a rate equal to two percentage points over the Prime Rate to the maximum allowed by law. The Operating Agreement permits a defaulting party to cure if they pay the defaulted amount, plus interest at a rate of Prime plus 7%. WEG did not cure their default. Consequently, Golden Phoenix elected, as permitted under the Operating Agreement, to dilute WEG’s membership interest in the Ashdown Project LLC by notice dated December 20, 2006. Pursuant to a calculation formula contained in the Operating Agreement, Golden Phoenix contends WEG’s membership interest has been reduced from 40% to 30.5%. WEG is currently contesting this dilution of its interest in the Ashdown Project. WEG has disputed and continues to dispute the amount and timing of certain expenditures incurred by Golden Phoenix on the Ashdown property. As of the date of this Report the mediation has not resolved the dispute and the parties plan to proceed to arbitration pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement. Golden Phoenix expects this arbitration to be conducted in 2008. In addition, WEG has notified Golden Phoenix of certain provisions in the Operating Agreement that it contends Golden Phoenix has breached and has requested a meeting to discuss these provisions in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions of the Operating Agreement. Further, WEG has also notified Golden Phoenix that WEG may make a claim that Golden Phoenix exceeded the approved 2007 budget and would be liable to WEG for the budget overrun pursuant to the Operating Agreement. However, Golden Phoenix contends that the overrun is directly related to an increase in the rate of production that was ratified by WEG and therefore Golden Phoenix intends to defend such a claim, if it is made.
As of the date of this report, Golden Phoenix does not believe any of WEG’s allegations are material. The outcome of these matters cannot currently be determined. The consolidated financial statements of Golden Phoenix filed with this Report reflect Golden Phoenix’s ownership in the Ashdown Project LLC at 60% and do not reflect the potential impact of any ultimate resolution or arbitration.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Following is a summary of sales of unregistered securities for the three months ended September 30, 2007. All securities were issued as restricted common shares, which are subject to Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Generally, Rule 144 requires shareholders to hold the shares for a minimum of one year before sale. In addition, officers, directors and more than 10% shareholders are further restricted in their ability to sell such shares. There have been no underwriters of these securities and no commissions or underwriting discounts have been paid.
| Consideration or Nature of Service Performed | | Shares Issued | | | Value Received | |
| | | | | | | |
Harlan Kleiman, TTE | Stock placement agent fee | | | 25,000 | | | $ | 7,500 | |
Jeffrey Wright | Stock placement agent fee | | | 9,500 | | | | 2,850 | |
Paresh Patal | Stock placement agent fee | | | 8,000 | | | | 2,400 | |
Jon Slizza | Stock placement agent fee | | | 7,500 | | | | 2,250 | |
Earl Harrison | Cash exercise of options | | | 46,667 | | | | 7,000 | |
John Rasmussen | Cash exercise of options | | | 50,000 | | | | 12,000 | |
Daniel Breckenridge | Advisory board services | | | 7,000 | | | | 3,000 | |
David Payne | Advisory board services | | | 7,500 | | | | 3,075 | |
| | | | 161,167 | | | $ | 40,075 | |
We believe that all transactions were transactions not involving any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, since: (1) each of the transactions involved the offering of such securities to a substantially limited number of persons; (2) each person took the securities as an investment for his own account and not with a view to distribution; (3) each person had access to information equivalent to that which would be included in a registration statement on the applicable form under the Act; and (4) each person had knowledge and experience in business and financial matters to understand the merits and risk of the investment; therefore no registration statement need be in effect prior to such issuances.
As previously reported in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007, on April 24, 2007, the Company completed its private offering of 20,000,000 units of its common stock and warrants to purchase common stock (the “Private Offering”) to certain institutional and accredited investors. Each unit consists of one share of common stock, no par value per share, and one-half (1/2) of one two year warrant to purchase common stock, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. The units were sold at a per unit price of $0.30. The Company raised an aggregate amount of $6,000,000 from this Private Offering, less a placement fee of $210,000 and approximately $25,000 in expenses related to the Private Offering paid to its placement agent. Additionally, in connection with the Private Offering, the Company issued to its placement agent 100,000 shares of common stock and two-year warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share.
The Private Offering was conducted in reliance upon exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including, without limitation, those under Regulation D and Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. The units were offered and sold only to investors who are “Accredited Investors,” as defined in Rule 502 under the Securities Act, including non-U.S. persons who may be investing under Regulation S.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Submission Of Matters To A Vote Of Security Holders
The annual meeting of shareholders of the Company was held on September 21, 2007. The shareholders voted, either in person or by proxy, on the following proposals. The directors listed below were elected, and all other proposals submitted to a vote of the shareholders were approved, with the results of the shareholder vote as follows:
| 1 | The following five directors were elected to hold office for one-year terms or until their successors are elected and qualified: |
| Votes For | | Votes Against or Withheld | | Total Voted |
| | | | | |
David A. Caldwell | 145,286,810 | | 3,940,508 | | 149,227,318 |
Ronald L. Parratt | 146,502,873 | | 2,724,445 | | 149,227,318 |
Jeffrey P. Tissier | 146,572,498 | | 2,654,820 | | 149,227,318 |
Corby G. Anderson | 145,566,504 | | 3,660,814 | | 149,227,318 |
Kent D. Aveson | 146,360,501 | | 2,866,817 | | 149,227,318 |
| 2. | To approve of the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan: |
For | 83,689,395 |
Against | 9,584,793 |
Abstain | 1,777,582 |
| 3. | To approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger to reincorporate from the State of Minnesota to the State of Nevada: |
For | 90,330,065 |
Against | 3,586,265 |
Abstain | 1,135,440 |
| 4. | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares from 200,000,000 shares to 450,000,000 shares consisting of 400,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. |
For | 82,596,313 |
Against | 11,391,289 |
Abstain | 1,064,168 |
| 5. | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to provide for a classified Board of Directors with staggered terms. |
For | 90,009,752 |
Against | 3,957,929 |
Abstain | 1,084,089 |
| 6. | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to reduce the number of shares required to constitute a quorum to transact business from a majority to one-third of the outstanding shares. |
For | 75,481,204 |
Against | 18,030,264 |
Abstain | 1,540,302 |
| 7. | To approve the Board of Directors appointment of HJ & Associates, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year 2007. |
For | 146,733,391 |
Against | 754,096 |
Abstain | 1,739,829 |
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit No. | | Description | | Location |
3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation of Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10SB12G as filed with the SEC on July 30, 1997 |
| | | | |
3.2 | | Bylaws of Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10SB12G as filed with the SEC on July 30, 1997 |
| | | | |
10.1 | | Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 20, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on January 23, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.2 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 20, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on January 23, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.3 | | Termination Agreement, dated January 19, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on January 23, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.4 | | Long Term Agreement, dated August 18, 2004, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Derek Raphael & Company Limited | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.5 | | Settlement Agreement, dated August 26, 2005 by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc., Earl Harrison, dba Western Mine Development, Retrievers LLC, John Tingue and Kris Tingue | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.6 | | Payment Production Purchase Agreement, September 26, 2005, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Ashdown Milling Company, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.7 | | Second Addendum to Long Term Agreement, October 25, 2005, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Derek Raphael & Company Limited | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
10.8 | | Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and David A. Caldwell | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.9 | | Employment Agreement, dated March 8, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Robert P. Martin | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.10 | | Employment Agreement, dated March 13, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Kenneth S. Ripley | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
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10.11 | | Employment Agreement, dated March 22, 2006, by and between Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. and Larry A. Kitchen | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006 |
10.12 | | Golden Phoenix/Schnack Agreement, dated May 10, 2005, by and between the Company and William D. and Candida Schnack | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for May 10, 2005, as filed with the SEC on May 18, 2005 |
| | | | |
10.13 | | Letter of Extension, dated November 4, 2005, by and between the Company and William D. and Candida Schnack | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for November 4, 2005, as filed with the SEC on November 15, 2005 |
| | | | |
10.14 | | Purchase Agreement, dated April 18, 2006, by and between the Company, Robert R. Robitaille, Douglas Lalonde, Sheldon Davis and Ronald E. Dockweiler | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC on May 19, 2006 |
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10.15 | | Termination Agreement, dated June 27, 2006, by and between the Company and International Enexco Ltd. | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for June 27, 2006, as filed with the SEC on July 7, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.16 | | Quitclaim Deed, dated June 27, 2006, granted by the Company in favor of International Enexco Ltd. | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for June 27, 2006, as filed with the SEC on July 7, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.17 | | Employment Agreement, dated August 14, 2006, by and between the Company and Donald R. Prahl | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for August 14, 2006, as filed with the SEC on August 17, 2006 |
10.18 | | Letter Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and between the Company and Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for August 29, 2006, as filed with the SEC on August 30, 2006 |
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10.19 | | Ashdown Project LLC Operating Agreement, dated September 28, 2006, by and between the Company and Win-Eldrich Gold, Inc. | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for September 28, 2006, as filed with the SEC on October 3, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.20 | | Second Amendment to Golden Phoenix/Schnack Agreement | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A for November 2, 2006, as filed with the SEC on November 8, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.21 | | Independent Contractor Agreement dated December 18, 2006 by and between the Company and Dennis P. Gauger | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for December 18, 2006, as filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006 |
| | | | |
10.22 | | Share and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated April 23, 2007 by and between the Company and certain Investors | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for April 23, 2007, as filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007 |
| | | | |
10.23 | | Registration Rights Agreement dated April 23, 2007 by and between the Company and certain Investors | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for April 23, 2007, as filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007 |
| | | | |
10.24 | | Advance Sale Restructuring Agreement dated April 23, 2007 by and between the Company and William Schnack or Candida Schnack | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for April 23, 2007, as filed with the SEC on April 27, 2007 |
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10.25 | | Mutual Termination Agreement dated April 23, 2007 by and between the Company and Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for April 23, 2007, as filed with the SEC on April 27, 2007 |
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10.26 | | Production Payment Purchase Agreement and Assignment, dated June 12, 2007, by and between the Company and Crestview Capital Master, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for June 13, 2007, as filed with the SEC on June 19, 2007 |
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10.27 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 12, 2007, by and between the Company and Crestview Capital Master, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K for June 13, 2007, as filed with the SEC on June 19, 2007 |
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10.28 | | Security Agreement, dated June 12, 2007, by and between the Company and Crestview Capital Master, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A1 as filed with the SEC on June 29, 2007 |
10.29 | | Notice of Assignment, dated June 12, 2007, by and between the Company and Crestview Capital Master, LLC | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A1 as filed with the SEC on June 29, 2007 |
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31.1 | | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 | | Provided herewith |
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31.2 | | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 | | Provided herewith |
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32.1 | | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 | | Provided herewith |
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32.2 | | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 | | Provided 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.
| GOLDEN PHOENIX MINERALS, INC. |
| |
Date: February 7, 2008 | By: | /s/ David A. Caldwell |
| | Name: David A. Caldwell |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer |
| |
| |
Date: February 7, 2008 | By: | /s/ Dennis P. Gauger |
| | Name: Dennis P. Gauger |
| | Title: Principal Accounting Officer |