You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may also contain statistical data and estimates we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by third parties. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified their data.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits attached hereto contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and developments of our operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, include, but are not limited to:
- the progress, potential and uncertainties of our exploration program at our properties located in the Homestake District of the Black Hills of South Dakota (the "Project");
- the success of getting the necessary permits for future drill programs and future project exploration;
- expectations regarding the ability to raise capital and to continue our exploration plans on our properties; and
- plans regarding anticipated expenditures at the Project.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
- risks associated with the Merger (as defined herein);
- risks associated with lack of defined resources that are not SEC Guide 7 Compliant Reserves, and may never be;
- risks associated with our history of losses and need for additional financing;
- risks associated with our limited operating history;
- risks associated with our properties all being in the exploration stage;
- risks associated with our lack of history in producing metals from our properties;
- risks associated with our need for additional financing to develop a producing mine, if warranted;
- risks associated with our exploration activities not being commercially successful;
- risks associated with ownership of surface rights at our Project;
- risks associated with increased costs affecting our financial condition;
- risks associated with a shortage of equipment and supplies adversely affecting our ability to operate;
- risks associated with mining and mineral exploration being inherently dangerous;
- risks associated with mineralization estimates;
- risks associated with changes in mineralization estimates affecting the economic viability of our properties;
- risks associated with uninsured risks;
- risks associated with mineral operations being subject to market forces beyond our control;
- risks associated with fluctuations in commodity prices;
- risks associated with permitting, licenses and approval processes;
- risks associated with the governmental and environmental regulations;
- risks associated with future legislation regarding the mining industry and climate change;
- risks associated with potential environmental lawsuits;
- risks associated with our land reclamation requirements;
- risks associated with gold mining presenting potential health risks;
- risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic;
- risks associated with cybersecurity and cyber-attacks;
- risks related to title in our properties;
- risks related to competition in the gold and silver mining industries;
- risks related to economic conditions;
- risks related to our ability to manage growth;
- risks related to the potential difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified personnel;
- risks related to our dependence on key personnel;
- risks related to our SEC filing history; and
- risks related to our securities.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by the foregoing cautionary statements.
This management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto as set forth herein. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us, which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including without limitation, the disclosures made under "Risk Factors" of our most recent Form 10-K.
Our unaudited financial statements are stated in United States dollars and are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Since we are an exploration stage company and have not generated revenues to date, our business is subject to numerous contingencies and risk factors beyond our control, including exploration and development risks, competition from well-funded competitors, and our ability to manage growth.
Overview
Our goal is to create shareholder value through the acquisition, responsible exploration and future development of high caliber gold properties in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our management and technical teams have more than 50 combined years of mining and exploration experience in the Black Hills with Homestake Mining Company, which we believe has uniquely positioned Dakota Territory to leverage our direct experience and knowledge of past exploration endeavors to focus our programs at the point where Homestake Mining Company left off in the 1990's.
The Black Hills of South Dakota has yielded approximately 44.6 million ounces of gold production from the 100 square mile area known as the Homestake District. Despite the gold endowment of the area, we believe the District is generally underexplored and lacks a concerted effort to search for gold under the cover of younger sedimentary and igneous rocks that dominate the surface. The Black Hills of South Dakota is a safe low-cost jurisdiction with well-developed mining infrastructure and is a jurisdiction in which regulatory authorities have consistently demonstrated a willingness to work with responsible operators to permit well-planned compliant projects.
Since 2012, we have consistently pursued a strategy of expanding our portfolio of brownfields exploration properties located exclusively within the Homestake District to build a dominant land position with the goal of consolidating the remaining mineral potential. Our property acquisitions have been based on our past exploration experiences, the extensive data sets we have assembled over the past 8 years, and new research we have conducted on the gold system that created the District. We currently hold eight exploration properties covering a total of approximately 19,604 mineral acres. We have not established that any of our projects or properties contain any proven or probable reserves under SEC Industry Guide 7.
Planned Activities
Our planned activities during fiscal 2022 are focussed on advancing our Maitland, Blind Gold, City Creek and Tinton gold exploration properties and to continue to build on our overall property position in the Homestake District of the Black Hills of South Dakota.
We continue to model data acquired by our broad high definition airborne geophysical survey to enhance our current drill targets, as well as to screen other areas of interest within the district. We have budgeted for several field sampling/mapping programs and to continue to locate and add historic information to our extensive data sets. We have planned to complete site preparations and to conduct our first drill program on the deep Maitland iron-formation target and other tertiary-replacement targets in the Maitland area. Additionally, our budget provides for the commencement of necessary permit work for the Blind Gold, Tinton and City Creek Properties and provides for our general operating expenses and the maintenance of the Company's mining claims and leases.
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Table: Fiscal Year 2022 Proposed Exploration Expenditures (millions) |
General & administrative | $ 3.4 |
Drilling, Field programs/Met Testing/Data Compilation | $ 6.2 |
Property Acquisition | $ 3.8 |
TOTAL | $13.4 |
Since we are an exploration stage company and have not generated revenues to date, our cash flow projections are subject to numerous contingencies and risk factors beyond our control, including exploration and development risks, competition from well-funded competitors, and our ability to manage growth. We can offer no assurance that our expenses will not exceed our projections.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We are an exploration-stage company and do not generate revenues. As such, we finance our operations and the acquisition and exploration of our mineral properties through the issuance of share capital.
As of June 30, 2021, we had working capital of approximately $23,451,000 and our accumulated deficit as of June 30, 2021 was approximately $20,724,000. We had a net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 of approximately $12,181,000. On June 23, 2021, we issued 2,311,000 shares of common stock at a price of $4.50 per share, for proceeds of approximately $10,399,500.
During our fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, we plan to spend approximately $13.4 million. The timing of these expenditures is dependent upon a number of factors, including the availability of contractors.
Results of Operations
Three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
Revenue
We had no operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. We are not currently profitable. As a result of ongoing operating losses, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $20,724,000 as of June 30, 2021.
Exploration Costs
During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, our exploration costs were approximately $2,184,000 and $126,000, respectively. Included in these costs were share-based compensation and payments of annual claim maintenance fees related to our mineral properties. The increase year over year related to $1,916,030 of share-based compensation expense in the three months ended June 30, 2021 and having additional funds as a result of the financing proceeds from JR (the "Purchase Agreement"), which funded the airborne geophysical survey and review and compilation of historical geological data.
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were approximately $9,906,000 and $152,000, respectively. These expenditures were primarily for $8,688,218 of share-based compensation expense in the three months ended June 30, 2021, legal, accounting & professional fees, investor relations and other general and administrative expenses necessary for our operations.
We had losses from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 totaling approximately $12,089,000 and $278,000, respectively. We had total net losses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 of approximately $12,181,000 and $346,000, respectively. We incurred interest expense from notes payable for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in the amounts of $101 and $69,744 and recognized a loss on settlement of related party debt of $92,045 and $0, respectively. Our money market account generated interest income during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in the amounts of $237 and $2,000.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we have off-balance sheet arrangements for annual payments in relation to the mineral leases as disclosed in Note 3 of the financial statements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Preparation of financial statements requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingencies. Management bases its estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with US GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Management believes that the following critical accounting estimates and judgments have a significant impact on our financial statements: valuation of options granted to directors and officers using the Black-Scholes model and fair value of mineral properties. The accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to our audited annual financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.