The following table sets forth information relating to our outstanding equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2009:
A description of our 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan is contained later in this Report under Part III, Item 11 – “Executive Compensation - Stock Option Plans”.
We have not sold any unregistered equity securities during the period covered by this Report, other than those previously reported in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or in our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required under this item.
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial conditions and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes to our consolidated financial statements and other information presented elsewhere in this Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to those discussed below and elsewhere in this Report, particularly in the item entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this Report. Our consolidated audited financial statements are stated in United States Dollars and are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
We are a gold exploration company engaged in the exploration of gold properties in the Republic of Ghana, West Africa. Our mining portfolio currently consists of 246.84 sq km comprised of 51.67 sq km for our Banso Project, 55.65 sq km for our Muoso Project, 33.65 sq km for our Apapam Project, 44.76 sq km for our Kwabeng Project, 40.51 sq km for our Pameng Project and 20.60 sq km for our Edum Banso Project, or 60,969 acres, pursuant to the leased and licensed areas set forth in our respective mining leases, prospecting licenses and/or option agreement.
Our strategic plan is, with respect to our gold projects: (i) to focus our efforts and dedicate our financial resources toward the potential to drill out a resource and, perhaps ultimately, a reserve of the Kibi Gold Trend located on our Apapam Project; (ii) to define a resource and, perhaps ultimately, a reserve on our other exploration projects; (iii) to enter into negotiations with independent Ghanaian contract miners and operators to assume our recovery of gold operations at our Kwabeng Project with a view to these contractors conducting recovery of gold operations for fixed payments to our company; and (iv) to acquire further interests in gold mineralized projects that fall within the criteria of providing a geological basis for development of drilling initiatives that can enhance shareholder value by demonstrating the potential to define reserves.
As part of our current business strategy, we plan to continue engaging technical personnel under contract where possible as Management believes that this strategy, at its current level of development, provides the best services available in the circumstances, leads to lower overall costs, and provides the best flexibility for our business operations.
We anticipate that our ongoing efforts, subject to adequate funding being available, will continue to be focused on the exploration and development of our Projects and completing acquisitions in strategic areas.
Our ability to continue to expand land acquisitions and drilling opportunities during the next 12 months is dependent on adequate capital resources being available. In October 2008, we temporarily suspended our operations at our Kwabeng Project while Management considered a more economic and efficient manner in which to extract and process the gold recovered from the mineralized material at this Project. As at the date of this Report, we have not planned to resume operations at our Kwabeng Project. During the next 12 months, we plan to (i) enter into negotiations to contract out the recovery of gold operations at this Project, as noted above; (ii) advance the development of our Kibi Gold Trend located on our Apapam Project by carrying out the Phase III Drill Program; and (iii) acquire further interests in mineral projects by way of acquisition or joint venture participation.
We anticipate that, over the next 12 months, we will spend an aggregate of approximately $2,000,000 comprised of $1,000,000 for exploration expenses in connection with our planned Phase III Drill Program of our Kibi Gold Trend located on our Apapam Project and approximately $1,000,000 for general and administrative expenses (which includes approximately $500,000 in non-cash expenses). However, we may not expend this amount unless we are able to raise additional capital. Upon completion of our planned exploration program at our Apapam Project, in particular, the Phase 3 Drill Program, we plan to spend an additional $5,000,000 in drilling expenditures in the Kibi Gold Trend to identify a potential resource. This $5,000,000 drilling program cannot be completed unless our company is successful in raising additional capital.
We require additional capital to implement our plan of operations. We anticipate that these funds primarily will be raised through equity and debt financing or from other available sources of financing. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, it may result in the dilution in the equity ownership of investors in our common stock. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available upon acceptable terms, if at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to take advantage of prospective new opportunities or acquisitions, which could significantly and materially restrict our operations, or we may be forced to discontinue our current projects.
The cash proceeds derived from the sale of 12.40 fine ounces of gold recovered from the mineralized material at our Kwabeng Project during the year ended December 31, 2009, as discussed elsewhere in this Report, was categorized as Recovery of Gold. Since April 24, 2007 to December 31, 2009, we have recovered 8,814.82 fine ounces of gold from the mineralized material at our Kwabeng Project and derived cash proceeds of $6,843,965 from the related gold sales.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2008
Our loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1,038,124 as compared to a loss of $3,231,403 for the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $2,193,279. We incurred expenses of $2,105,612 in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $6,239,722 in the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $4,134,110. The decrease in expenses in the year ended December 31, 2009 can be primarily attributed to (a) a significant decrease in operational costs at our Kwabeng Project due to the suspension of operations at this Project since October 2008; and (b) limited or no exploration activities at our Banso and Muoso Project, our Edum Banso Project and our Pameng Project as compared to $5,140,679 expended on these Projects in the year ended December 31, 2008. Exploration expenses of $1,080,488 were incurred for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $5,140,679 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and were primarily incurred in connection with drilling expenditures for our Phase II Drill Program at our Apapam Project, a trenching program at our Muoso Project, permitting costs and license renewal fees. General and administrative expenses (“G&A”) were $957,332 as compared to $1,035,369 for the year ended December 31, 2008. A down-sizing of management consultants, a significant reduction in legal costs and operational costs at our Kwabeng Project and a decrease in administrative costs in the year ended December 31, 2009 attributed to the decrease in our G&A.
Our loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 was less than our loss for the year ended December 31, 2008, partially due to (i) a significant net unrealized gain on trading securities of $789,934 (compared to a loss of $857,980 in 2008); and (ii) a foreign exchange gain of $303,243 (compared to a foreign exchange loss of $424,559 in 2008). Trading securities were comprised mostly of investments in common shares and income trust units of resource companies. The net unrealized gain can be attributed to an increase in the market value of those securities due to improved market conditions and less economic strain, in particular, the significant stability of the Canadian dollar in which our marketable securities are denominated.
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Other items totaled a gain of $1,067,488 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to a gain of $3,008,319 for the year ended December 31, 2008. In particular, during the year ended December 31, 2009, due to the continued suspension of operations at our Kwabeng Project, we only recovered and sold 12.40 fine ounces of gold recovered from the mineralized material at this Project for cash proceeds of $10,958 which was booked as Recovery of Gold as compared to $4,140,765 for the year ended December 31, 2008. We had a foreign exchange gain of $303,243 for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008 – loss of $424,559) which can be attributed to the sharp appreciation of the Canadian dollar. Additionally, the continuing weakness of the US dollar decreased our expenses that are denominated in other foreign currencies. Consequently, transactions denominated in US dollars would be less expensive.
Our portfolio of marketable securities had an unrealized gain of $789,934 (compared to an unrealized loss of $857,980 in 2008) due to improved market conditions and less economic strain than experienced in 2008. Our securities portfolio realized a loss of $172,638 on the sale of trading securities during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to a gain in 2008 of $2,585. Other income of $138,558, derived from dividends, decreased on account of less investment activity during 2009 (2008 - $196,621). The decrease in our interest expense (2009 - $2,567; 2008 - $49,113) is largely attributable to our cessation of interest payable under convertible debentures due to the automatic conversion of the debentures in June 2008.
Our basic and diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $0.03 compared to $0.11 per share for the year ended December 31, 2008. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 32,101,330 at December 31, 2009 compared to 30,389,400 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding can be attributed to (i) the issuance of 2,100,875 shares in connection with private placement financings completed during fiscal 2009; and (ii) the repurchase and cancellation of 200,000 shares at $0.25 per share from a former shareholder of our company.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our principal source of funds is our available resources of cash and cash equivalents and investments, as well as debt and equity financings. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we received cash proceeds of $10,958 derived from the sale of gold recovered from the mineralized material at our Kwabeng Project during this financial reporting period.
Unrealized Gain on Trading Securities
Unrealized gain on trading securities represents the change in value of securities as of the end of the financial reporting period. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recognized an unrealized gain of $789,934 on trading securities, as compared to an unrealized loss of $857,980 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The change reflects a significant rebound in the value of our resource company investments following a significant decline during 2008. Trading securities were comprised mostly of investments in common shares and income trust units of resource companies.
Liquidity Discussion
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1,612,710 (2008 - $2,489,460).
As of December 31, 2009, we had working capital equity of $2,119,159, comprised of current assets of $2,602,232 less current liabilities of $483,073. Our current assets were comprised mostly of $622,670 in cash and cash equivalents, $151,506 for a deposit on equipment and $1,781,594 in trading securities, which is based on our analysis of the ready saleable nature of the securities including an existing market for the securities, the lack of any restrictions for resale of the securities and sufficient active volume of trading in the securities. Our trading securities are held in our investment portfolio with an established brokerage in Canada in which we primarily invest in the common shares and income trust fund units of publicly traded resource companies.
We have historically relied on equity and debt financings to finance our ongoing operations. Existing working capital, possible debt instruments, anticipated warrant exercises, further private placements and anticipated cash flow are expected to be adequate to fund our operations over the next year. We have no lines of credit or other bank financing arrangements. Generally, we have financed operations to date through the proceeds of the private equity financings and a convertible debt financing. In connection with our business plan during the next 12 months, Management anticipates operating expenses as follows: (i) $1,000,000 for exploration activities, in particular, our planned Phase III Drill Program of our Kibi Gold Trend located on our Apapam Project; and (ii) $1,000,000 for general and administrative costs (which includes approximately $500,000 in non-cash expenses). Upon completion of our planned exploration program at our Apapam Project, in particular, the Phase 3 Drill Program, we plan to spend an additional $5,000,000 in drilling expenditures in the Kibi Gold Trend to identify a potential resource. This $5,000,000 drilling program cannot be completed unless our company is successful in raising additional capital.
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Until we achieve profitability, we will need to raise additional capital for our exploration programs. We intend to finance these expenses with our cash proceeds and to the extent that our cash proceeds are not sufficient, then from further sales of our equity securities or debt securities, or from investment income. Thereafter, we may need to raise additional capital to meet long-term operating requirements. Additional financing may not be available upon acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to take advantage of prospective new business endeavors or opportunities or existing agreements and projects which could significantly and materially restrict our business operations.
The independent auditors’ report accompanying our December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph expressing doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared “assuming that we will continue as a going concern”, which contemplates that we will realize our assets and satisfy our liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.
Material Commitments
Mineral Property Commitments
Save and except for fees payable from time to time to (i) the Minerals Commission for an extension of an expiry date of a prospecting license (current consideration fee payable is $15,000) or mining lease or annual operating permits; (ii) the EPA for the issuance of permits prior to the commencement of any work at a particular concession or the posting of a bond in connection with any mining operations undertaken by our company; and (iii) a legal obligation associated with our mineral properties for clean up costs when work programs are completed, we are committed to expend an aggregate of less than $500 in connection with annual or ground rent and mining permits to enter upon and gain access to the following concessions and such other financial commitments arising out of any approved exploration programs in connection therewith:
| (i) | the Kwabeng concession (Kwabeng Project); |
| (ii) | the Pameng concession (Pameng Project); |
| (iii) | the Banso and Muoso concessions (Banso and Muoso Project); |
| (iv) | the Apapam concession (Apapam Project); and |
| (v) | the Edum Banso concession (Edum Banso Project). |
Upon and following the commencement of gold production at any of our Projects, a royalty of 5% of the net smelter returns is payable quarterly to the Government of Ghana.
With respect to the Edum Banso Project:
| (a) | $5,000 is payable to Adom Mining Limited (“Adom”) on the anniversary date of the Option Agreement in each year that we hold an interest in the agreement; |
| (b) | $200,000 is payable to Adom when the production of gold is commenced (or $100,000 in the event that less than 2 million ounces of proven and probable reserves are discovered on our project at this concession; and |
| (c) | an aggregate production royalty of 2% of the net smelter returns (“NSR”) from all ores, minerals and other products mined and removed from the project, except if less than 2 million ounces of proven and probable reserved are discovered in or at the Project, then the royalty shall be 1% of the NSR. |
Repayment of Convertible Debentures and Accrued Interest
We issued Convertible Debentures aggregating the face value of $900,000 in July 2005 under which interest was calculated at 7% per annum. Interest only payments were payable quarterly on the last days of September, December, March and June in each year of the term or until such time that the principal was repaid in the full. The Convertible Debenture holders were entitled, at their option, to convert, at any time and from time to time, until payment in full of their respective Convertible Debentures, all or any part of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Debenture, plus the Accrued Interest, into shares (the “Conversion Shares”) of our common stock at the conversion price of $1.00 per share (the “Conversion Price”). Each Convertible Debenture provided for the automatic conversion of the outstanding principal amount and all accrued but unpaid interest, into shares of our common stock, at the Conversion Price, in the event that our common stock traded for 20 consecutive trading days (a) with a closing bid price of at least $1.50 per share and (b) a cumulative trading volume during such twenty (20) trading day period of at least 1,000,000 shares.
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In June 2008, we provided notice of the automatic conversion of the Convertible Debentures and in July 2008 we converted $650,000 of the aggregate principal of $900,000 of the Convertible Debentures by way of the issuance of 650,000 Conversion Shares. Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2009, in February 2010 we converted the outstanding principal of $250,000 owing under one remaining Convertible Debenture by way of the issuance of 250,000 Conversion Shares.
Purchase of Significant Equipment
During the next 12 months, we do not expect to purchase significant equipment to conduct our exploration activities. During 2009, we purchased a new excavator to carry out trenching and drill pad activities. In addition, in connection with our exploration activities at our Projects, we own the equipment necessary to carry out such activities, except for a drill rig which we plan to rent.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
Significant Accounting Applications
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Mineral Properties
The valuation of our mineral properties (the “Assets”) is based upon the fair value of cash or securities issued as consideration for the purchase of the Assets.
Asset Retirement Obligation
The fair value of our asset retirement obligation is recorded as liabilities when they are incurred. As such, the valuation could be affected by the following:
Costs - When work actually commences on asset retirement obligations, actual costs could materially differ from what has been projected. This would materially affect the value of the obligation.
Ghanaian laws and regulations - If the Government of Ghana approves or changes laws and regulations that affect mining operations in Ghana, the cost of meeting our asset retirement obligations could change materially.
Deferred Income Taxes
As we have no history of profitability and currently have derived limited cash proceeds, we have recognized a 100% valuation allowance on our future tax assets. If our company becomes profitable in the future, a material amount of these future tax assets could actually be realized.
Stock-based Compensation
Our company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Under the fair value recognition provisions, stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date for all stock-based awards to employees and directors and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to calculate fair value.
Our company accounts for stock compensation arrangements with nonemployees in accordance with ASC 718 which require that such equity instruments are recorded at their fair value on the measurement date. The measurement of stock-based compensation is subject to periodic adjustment as the underlying equity instruments vest. Nonemployee stock-based compensation charges are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For stock options granted to nonemployees, the fair value of the stock options is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
● | During the third quarter of 2009, our company adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 105,”Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”(the Codification). The Codification has become the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. Effective with our company’s adoption on July 1, 2009, the Codification has superseded all prior non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification has become non-authoritative. As the adoption of the Codification only affected how specific references to GAAP literature have been disclosed in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements, it did not result in any impact on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. |
● | In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements, which was an amendment of ARB No. 51. This guidance is set forth in ASC 810, Consolidation. ASC 810 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which for the Company was the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company adopted ASC 810 at January 1, 2009, which resulted in $76,629 allocated to the non-controlling interest. |
● | In September 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. This guidance addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate consideration to one or more units of accounting. Specifically, the guidance requires that consideration be allocated among multiple deliverables based on relative selling prices. The guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy of (1) vendor-specific objective evidence, (2) third-party evidence and (3) estimated selling price. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after June 15, 2010 but may be early adopted as of the beginning of an annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that this guidance will have on consolidated financial position and results of operations. |
● | ASC 855-10-20, “Subsequent Events” establishes accounting and reporting standards for events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued and requires the disclosure of the date through which a company has evaluated subsequent events. This statement is effective for our third quarter ended September 30, 2009 and the adoption did not have an impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 17 for the required disclosures. |
● | In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 820-10-65 formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP 157-4”). This provides significant guidance for determining when a market has become inactive as well as guidance for determining whether transactions are not orderly. It also provides guidance on the use of valuation techniques and the use of broker quotes and pricing services. It reiterates that fair value is based on an exit price and also that fair value is market-driven and not entity-specific. The accounting standard of codification applies to all assets and liabilities within the scope of ASC 820 and is effective for all interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of ASC 820-10-65 did not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. |
● | In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 320-10-65, formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 115-2, FAS 124-2 and EITF 99-20-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP 115-2”). This accounting standard provides guidance related to determining the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) of debt securities and prescribes the method to be used to present information about an OTTI in the financial statements. It is effective for all interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of FSP 115-2 did not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. |
● | In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 825-10-65, formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP 107-1”), which increases the frequency of fair value disclosures to a quarterly basis instead of an annual basis. The guidance relates to fair value disclosures for any financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet at fair value. This ASC is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption did not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. |
We do not anticipate that the adoption of the foregoing pronouncements will have a material effect on our company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
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Item 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required under this item.
Item 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
Our financial statements are contained in pages F-1 through F-29, which appear at the end of this annual report.
Item 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
There have been no changes in and disagreements with our accountants on accounting and financial disclosure from the inception of our company through to the date of this Report.
Item 9A(T). | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer who also serves as our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Report.
Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Report our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective such that the information required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission reports (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms; and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer is not a financial or accounting professional, and we lack any accounting staff who are sufficiently trained in the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Until such time as we hire a chief financial officer or similarly titled person with the requisite experience in the application of U.S. GAAP, there is a likelihood that we may experience material weaknesses in our disclosure controls that may result in errors in our financial statements in future periods.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As we were not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 at December 31, 2009, our management was not then required to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with our evaluation that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
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PART III
Item 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Directors and Executive Officers
The following individuals serve as our executive officers and members of our Board:
Name | Age | Position |
James Longshore | 43 | President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director |
Richard W. Grayston | 65 | Chairman of the Board and Director |
Peter Minuk | 45 | Director and Secretary and Treasurer |
Robert H. Montgomery | 48 | Director |
Paul Zyla | 65 | Director |
Yves Pierre Clement | 45 | Vice-President, Exploration |
Victor Nkansa | 51 | Vice-President, Ghana Operations |
Alhaji Nantogma Abudulai | 67 | Vice-President, Community Relations |
James Werth Longshore, BA, Economics
President (Principal Executive Officer), Principal Financial Officer and Director
Mr. Longshore is one of the founders of our company and was appointed as President in March 2007 and a director in November 2006. Mr. Longshore has been a director of our Ghanaian subsidiaries, XGEL and XOG Ghana, since April 2006 and XG Mining, since June 2006 and an officer and director of Xtra Energy since March 2007. Mr. Longshore has approximately 18 years of business experience. Since 1995 to the present, Mr. Longshore has been President of Brokton International Ltd. (“Brokton”), a Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies based private investment company focused on investing in natural resource companies. Since February 2004 until February 2006, Mr. Longshore has provided financial advisory consulting services to our company through his corporation, Brokton. From 1990 to 1995, he was a salesman for UNUM Insurance Company selling in both the United States and Canada.
During the prior five years, Mr. Longshore has not been an officer and/or director of any other public companies.
In August 2002, Mr. Longshore, formerly known as James Pincock, entered into a settlement agreement and order with the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”). Pursuant to a settlement agreement reached between the OSC and Mr. Longshore, he voluntarily agreed to abide by the order which included, among other things, that he cease trading in securities for five years from the date of the order (until August 27, 2007), with the exception that after three years he can trade in securities beneficially owned by him in his personal accounts in his name, and that he be prohibited from becoming or acting as an officer or director of any issuer in Ontario or an officer or director of any issuer which has an interest directly or indirectly in any registrant, for a period of five years. Mr. Longshore paid the OSC approximately $17,740 for cost incurred by the OSC and its Staff with respect to the proceeding. Mr. Longshore disclosed this matter to the company prior to his appointment as a director and advised that as he was a non-resident of Ontario at the relevant time, he had sought, relied and acted upon poor financial and legal advice of Ontario advisors and completed certain securities transactions which ultimately gave rise to the Order.
Mr. Longshore devotes approximately 90% of his time to our company. He currently provides 10% of his time to unrelated companies. During 2009, through Brokton, he entered into a management consulting agreement with our company to provide services as the general manager to XG Mining and XGEL. The renewal of this agreement for 2010 is currently being reviewed by the Compensation Committee.
Richard Walter Grayston
Chairman and Director
Mr. Grayston was appointed as Chairman and a director of our company in March 2007. Since 1985, Mr. Grayston has been a self-employed business consultant with more than 25 years of experience in financial and economic consulting and public company management including preparation of valuations, feasibility studies, capital budgeting, financial reorganizations, profit improvement studies and business plans and going public and business brokerage during which time he has provided his consulting services to oil and gas, mineral exploration, technology, manufacturing, retail and wholesale consumer businesses.
Mr. Grayston received a Ph.D. in Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago in 1971, a MBA from the University of Chicago in 1969, a BA of Commerce from the University of British Columbia in 1966 and has been a certified general accountant since 1977.
During the prior five years, Mr. Grayston has been an officer and/or director of the following public companies.
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Name of Company | Position(s) Held | Term of Office |
| | |
Verbina Resources Inc. (1) | Director | November 2009 to present |
Ruby Red Resources Inc. (2) | President and Chief Executive Officer | October 2009 to present |
| Interim Chief Financial Officer and | October 2009 to |
| Vice President, Finance | December 2009 |
| Chief Financial Officer and | August 2008 to December 2009 |
| Vice President Finance | August 2008 to December 2009 |
Ranger Canyon Energy Inc. (3) | Director | May 2008 to present |
| Chief Executive Officer and | October 2008 to present |
| Chief Financial Officer | October 2008 to present |
New Cantech Ventures Inc. (4) | Director | January 1991 to May 2008 |
| (1) | Verbina Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) listed issuer. |
| (2) | Ruby Red Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration TSXV listed issuer. |
| (3) | Ranger Canyon Energy Inc. is a private Alberta, Canada oil and gas company seeking listing on the TSXV. |
| (4) | New Cantech Ventures Inc. is an oil and gas and mineral exploration (diamonds and gold) TSXV listed issuer. |
Peter Minuk
Secretary and Treasurer and Director
Mr. Minuk was appointed as Vice-President, Finance (“VP, Finance”) and a director of our company in March 2007. He resigned as VP, Finance effective January 31, 2009 and was subsequently appointed Secretary and Treasurer on August 11, 2009 following the resignation of Kiomi Mori from this office. Mr. Minuk has more than 22 years of experience in finance and investment as well as experience in project management, training and developing staff and client relationships. From February 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009, he provided limited consulting services to our company. From June 1, 2009 to the present, Mr. Minuk has been a business analyst consultant for Industry Canada where he is responsible for reviewing proposals relating to regional development of public infrastructure projects and provides oversight over 40 projects assigned to him by the Federal Development Ontario Department which is responsible for administering a variety of government stimulus programs, resources and initiatives for the southern Ontario region. Prior to joining our company, from 1990 to 2006, Mr. Minuk was employed by BMO InvestorLine (“BMO”) in connection with implementing project management protocols. Mr. Minuk received a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business, York University in 2005. He obtained his FCSI (Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute) in 1989 and completed the Business Administration program from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1985.
During the prior five years, Mr. Minuk has not been an officer and/or director of any other public companies.
Mr. Minuk devotes approximately 10% of his time in consulting services to our company. He provides 90% of his time to unrelated companies. There is no management consulting agreement in force at this time nor has Mr. Minuk entered into a non-competition and non-disclosure agreement with our company.
Robert Hudson Montgomery, CA
Director
Mr. Montgomery was appointed as a director of our company in March 2007. Mr. Montgomery has more than 15 years of experience as a chartered accountant and auditor. Since September 2009 to the present, he has been a consultant to the Royal Bank of Canada, Capital Markets, Product Finance. Prior thereto, Mr. Montgomery was a consultant to CIBC Mellon, Internal Audit and Corporate Compliance Department (September to November 2008) and a consultant to Bank of Montreal, Corporate Audit Department (August 2007 to June 2008). Since February 2004 to June 2008, Mr. Montgomery has been a Sarbanes Oxley contractor to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), from February 2004 to January 2005, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) from January to September 2005, Dundee Wealth Management, a major Canadian investment dealer from September 2005 to December 2006 where he was responsible for documentation and testing of key financial and non-financial controls for various lines of business and assisted in the preparation and transfer of Sarbanes Oxley audit files and supporting documentation from their project groups to internal and external auditors, and the Toronto Dominion Bank from May to August 2007. He was not employed during the periods November 2008 to January 2009, July to September 2008 and January to May 2007).
Mr. Montgomery assisted in the design of process narrative and control testing documents, planned and supervised the control testing program at a major Canadian investment dealer and assisted in the remediation of control gaps and weaknesses identified during the testing process and as identified by its external auditors. At CIBC, Mr. Montgomery assisted in the update and maintenance a database identifying key accounts, linking them to controls procedures, testing and lines of business and assisted in the remediation of control gaps and weaknesses identified during the testing process. He obtained his Chartered Accountant designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1994 and a BA, Double Major Economics and Geography from the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia in 1985.
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During the prior five years, Mr. Montgomery has not been an officer and/or director of any other public companies.
Paul Norman Zyla
Director
Mr. Zyla was appointed as a director of our company in January 2010. Mr. Zyla has over 25 years of resource-based public company experience. Since September 1993 to the present, Mr. Zyla has been a self-employed consultant to the mining industry. Mr. Zyla was the former President, Secretary and Treasurer and a director of our company from November 2003 to August 2005.
During the prior five years, Mr. Zyla has been an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Name of Company | Position(s) Held | Term of Office |
| | |
Verbina Resources Inc. (1) | President, Secretary-Treasurer | November 2009 to present |
| and Director | |
| (1) | Verbina Resources Inc. is mineral exploration TSXV listed issuer. |
Yves Pierre Clement, P. Geo.
Vice-President, Exploration
Mr. Clement was appointed Vice-President, Exploration of our company in May 2006. Mr. Clement has over 21 years experience in the generation, evaluation and development of a wide variety of mineral resources hosted by a broad spectrum of geological environments in Canada and South America. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Clement was senior project geologist for Lake Shore Gold Corp. in the Timmins lode gold camp from August 2005 to April 2006 and was formerly exploration manager for Aurora Platinum Corp.’s Sudbury operations from August 2000 to July 2005. Prior to joining Aurora, Mr. Clement was senior project geologist/exploration manager for Southwestern Resources Corp. where he was responsible for the generation of precious and base metal exploration opportunities in Peru and Chile. Mr. Clement’s experience will allow us to further maximize the value of our existing portfolio of projects, as well as allowing us to expand our strategy of growth through strategic acquisitions.
During the prior five years, Mr. Clement has been an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Name of Company | Position(s) Held | Term of Office |
| | |
Ginguro Exploration Inc. (1) | Vice President, Exploration | March 2005 to July 2009 |
| (1) | Ginguro Exploration Inc. is a gold exploration TSXV listed issuer. |
Mr. Clement devotes approximately 90% of his time in consulting services to our company. He provides 10% of his time to unrelated companies. Our company and Mr. Clement entered into a management consulting agreement on May 1, 2006 for a three year term expiring on May 1, 2009. Prior to the expiration of this agreement, we mutually agreed to renew this agreement for a further one year term (see “Management Consulting Agreement with Vice-President, Exploration”). Mr. Clement has not entered into a non-competition and non-disclosure agreement with our company.
Victor Nkansa, CA, BA, Economics, MBA, Finance
Vice-President, Ghana Operations
Mr. Nkansa was appointed as Vice-President, Ghana Operations of our company in December 2009. Mr. Nkansa has assumed the responsibilities of this position previously held by Mr. Abudalai, which includes overseeing our operations in Ghana under the supervision of our President, James Longshore, who is also the President and General Manager of our Ghanaian subsidiaries. Mr. Nkansa is also the Secretary and a director of our Ghanaian subsidiaries. He is familiar and experienced with respect to obtaining mining permits, prospecting and reconnaissance licenses and the government regulations relating thereto and is knowledgeable in connection with environmental and forestry issues, immigration and customs affairs. His experience and background will assist us with respect to acquiring approvals, prospecting licenses, mining leases and related permits and renewals from the relevant government authorities in order to advance our operations in Ghana and acting as our primary government liaison in connection therewith. Mr. Nkansa has more than 26 years of business experience, the last 12 years of which have been in the mining industry. Since 2004, he has been the Controller of our Ghanaian subsidiaries where his responsibilities included the provision of accounting services and assisting with the facilitation of license renewals with respect to our property interests.
During the prior five years, Mr. Nkansa has not been an officer and/or director of any other public companies.
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As at the date of this Report, Mr. Nkansa devotes a variable amount of his time in consulting services to our company, as he is currently engaged on an “as needed” basis. There is no management consulting agreement in force at this time. He has not entered into a non-competition and non-disclosure agreement with our company.
Alhaji Nantogma Abudulai, BA
Vice-President, Community Relations
Mr. Abudulai was appointed as Vice-President, Community Relations of our company in December 2008. He was formerly Vice-President, Ghana Operations of our company from April 2005 to December 2008. He is the former Secretary and President, Community Relations and a director of our Ghanaian subsidiaries which positions he resigned from in December 2008. Mr. Abudulai has more than 15 years of business experience in the mining industry. Since 1994 to the present, he has been the managing director of CME (Ghana) Ltd. and a director of CME (Nigeria) Ltd. where his responsibilities included protocol and coordination of government and local authority affairs in Ghana and overseeing logistical support. He is also the President of the Canadian Business Association in Ghana. Mr. Abudulai’s primary responsibilities with our company are the continued improvement of community relations on behalf of our Ghanaian subsidiaries.
During the prior five years, Mr. Abudulai has not been an officer and/or director of any other public companies:
As at the date of this Report, Mr. Abudulai devotes a variable amount of his time in consulting services to our company, as he is currently engaged on an “as needed” basis. He provides the majority of his time to unrelated companies. There is no management consulting agreement in force at this time. He previously entered into a non-disclosure agreement with our company which remains in force.
There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers and directors. Each director currently holds office until he resigns or his successor is elected at an annual stockholders’ meeting.
Consultants
One of our business strategies is to outsource other services as required by our company from time to time by engaging consultants on an “as needed” basis or entering into special purpose contracts with a view to maintaining our overhead at a reasonable, affordable cost.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
We are not currently subject to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and, therefore, our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock are not required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports disclosing their initial ownership and changes in their ownership of our common stock.
Corporate Governance Matters
Audit Committee
While we are not currently subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring that we establish or maintain an audit committee, our Board determined it advisable and in the best interests of our stockholders to establish an audit committee (the“Audit Committee”) in November 2009.
Our Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to:
| ● | the integrity of our financial statements; |
| ● | our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and |
| ● | the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accountants. |
Our Audit Committee has adopted a written charter pursuant to which the committee provides: (i) an independent review and oversight of our company's financial reporting processes, internal controls and independent auditors; (ii) a forum separate from Management in which auditors and other interested parties can candidly discuss concerns. By effectively carrying out its functions and responsibilities, our Audit Committee helps to ensure that: (i) Management properly develops and adheres to a sound system of internal controls; (ii) procedures are in place to objectively assess Management's practices and internal controls; and (iii) the outside auditors, through their own review, objectively assess our company's financial reporting practices. Our Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for our company.
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Our Audit Committee is composed of two directors; namely Richard Grayston, who is also Chairman of our Audit Committee and Robert Montgomery, both of whom have been determined by the Board to be “independent,” as defined in the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ.
Board of Directors Independence
Our Board consists of five members. Although, we are not currently subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring that all or any portion of our Board include “independent” directors, three of our directors are considered to be “independent” directors, as defined in the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Each of Richard Grayston and Robert Montgomery is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 401(h)(1) of Regulation S-K. In general, an “audit committee financial expert” is an individual member of the audit committee who (a) understands generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements, (b) is able to assess the general application of such principles in connection with accounting for estimates and accruals, (c) has experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the company’s financial statements, (d) understands internal controls over financial reporting (e) understands audit committee functions, and (f) is an independent director.
Code of Ethics
In December 2009, we adopted a new and expanded Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officers and persons performing similar functions. A Code of Ethics is a written standard designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote (a) honest and ethical conduct, (b) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in regulatory filings and public statements, (c) compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, (d) the prompt reporting violation of the code and (e) accountability for adherence to the Code. A copy of our Code of Ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Report. We will provide a copy of our Code of Ethics, without charge, to any person desiring a copy of the Code of Ethics, by written request to us at our principal offices.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
We established a nominating and governance committee in November 2009. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written charter pursuant to which the committee: (i) recommends the slate of director nominees for election to our Board; (ii) identifies and recommends candidates to fill vacancies on our Board; (iii) reviews the composition of Board committees; and (iv) monitors compliance with, reviews and recommends changes to our various corporate governance policies and guidelines.
The committee also prepares and supervises the Board’s annual review of director independence and the Board’s annual self-evaluation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of two directors, both of which have been determined by the Board to be “independent,” as defined in the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ.
A majority of the persons serving on our Board must be “independent”. Thus, the committee has considered transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his immediate family and us or our affiliates, including those reported under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below. The committee also reviewed transactions and relationships between directors or their affiliates and members of our senior management or their affiliates. As a result of this review, the committee affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. Grayston, Montgomery and Zyla are independent.
Nomination of Directors
The committee considers all qualified candidates for our Board identified by members of the committee, by other members of the Board, by senior management and by our stockholders. The committee reviews each candidate including each candidate’s independence, skills and expertise based on a variety of factors, including the person’s experience or background in management, finance, regulatory matters and corporate governance. Further, when identifying nominees to serve as director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to create a Board that is strong in its collective knowledge and has a diversity of skills and experience with respect to accounting and finance, management and leadership, vision and strategy, business operations, business judgment, industry knowledge and corporate governance. In addition, prior to nominating an existing director for re-election to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider and review an existing director’s Board and committee attendance and performance, length of Board service, experience, skills and contributions that the existing director brings to the Board, equity ownership in our company and independence.
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The committee follows the same process and uses the same criteria for evaluating candidates proposed by members of the Board, members of senior management and stockholders. Based on its assessment of each candidate, the committee recommends candidates to the Board. However, there is no assurance that there will be any vacancy on the Board at the time of any submission or that the committee will recommend any candidate for the Board.
Compensation Committee
We established a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) in November 2009. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter pursuant to which the committee is responsible for overseeing our compensation programs and practices, including our executive compensation plans and incentive compensation plans. Our Chief Executive Officer provides input to the Compensation Committee with respect to the individual performance and compensation recommendations for the other executive officers. Although the committee’s charter authorizes the committee to retain an independent consultant, no third party compensation consultant was engaged for 2009. The Compensation Committee is composed of two directors, all of whom have been determined by the Board to be “independent,” as defined in the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ.
Item 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information relating to all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid by us during each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively, to: (a) our chief (principal) executive officer; (b) each of our executive officers who was awarded, earned or we paid more than $100,000; and (c) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been made in this table but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of our company at December 31, 2009. The value attributable to any option awards is computed in accordance with ASC 718 (Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 718).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION (A) | YEAR (B) | SALARY ($) (C) | BONUS ($) (D) | STOCK AWARDS ($) (E) | OPTION AWARDS ($) (F) | NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN COMPENSATION ($) (G) | NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION EARNINGS ($) (H) | ALL OTHER COMPENSATION ($) (I) | TOTAL ($) (J) |
| | | | | | | | | |
James Longshore CEO, CFO (1) | 2009 2008 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 79,637 13,948 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 60,000 0 | 139,637 13,948 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Yves Clement Vice-President, Exploration (2) | 2009 2008 | 0 N/A | 8,000 N/A | 0 N/A | 151,946 N/A | 0 N/A | 0 N/A | 83,000 N/A | 242,946 N/A |
(1) | Mr. Longshore was appointed as our CEO and CFO on March 3, 2007. Our company entered into a management consulting agreement with Brokton International Ltd. (“Brokton”), a corporation of which Mr. Longshore is the sole officer, director and shareholder from which Mr. Longshore received this compensation for the provision of consulting services as the general manager of XG Mining and XGEL during the year ended December 31, 2009. |
(2) | Mr. Clement was appointed as our Vice-President, Exploration, on May 1, 2006. Our company entered into a management consulting agreement with Mr. Clement (see “Management Consulting Agreement with Vice-President, Exploration” hereunder). |
As of the date of this Report, Mr. Longshore does not currently receive any monetary compensation in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer or as our Chief Financial Officer, however, the Compensation Committee is currently reviewing a compensation package for Mr. Longshore for 2010. The terms of any future compensation to be paid to Mr. Longshore will be determined by our Compensation Committee. At such time, the Compensation Committee will consider a number of factors in determining Mr. Longshore’s compensation including the scope of his duties and responsibilities to our company and our subsidiaries and the time he devotes to our business. At the Compensation Committee’s discretion, it will be determined whether to consult with any experts or other third parties in fixing the amount of Mr. Longshore’s compensation. During fiscal 2009, Mr. Longshore received a compensation package, through Brokton, for providing his consulting services as general manager to XG Mining and XGEL. He was reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of our company in connection with carrying out his duties and responsibilities.
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Management Consulting Agreements
During the period covered by this Report, we had entered into the following management consulting agreements with two officers of our company.
Management Consulting Agreement with Chief Executive Officer
We entered into a management consulting agreement on January 3, 2009 with Brokton to provide the consulting services of our Chief Executive Officer, James Longshore, as general manager for XG Mining and XGEL for a one year term which expired on December 31, 2009. Brokton was paid $5,000 per month for providing Mr. Longshore’s services. As of the date of this Report, our Compensation Committee is reviewing the renewal of this agreement for the ensuing year.
Management Consulting Agreement with Vice-President, Exploration
We entered into a management consulting agreement with our Vice-President, Exploration (VPE”), Yves Clement, on May 1, 2006 for a term of 36 months which expired on May 1, 2009. Prior to the expiration of this agreement, we negotiated terms for renewal of this agreement for a further one year term with our VPE. Our VPE is paid approximately $8,804 (Cdn$10,000) per month and is reimbursed for expenses incurred by him on behalf of our company. Our VPE shall be paid compensation equivalent to 18 months’ fees, based on the rate of compensation being paid at the relevant time in the event of (i) termination without cause; or (ii) a Change of Control. Our VPE provides certain services to our company including, but not limited to, making project or property site attendances as may be required from time to time, preparing progress reports with respect to our mineral exploration projects, conducting due diligence as may be required from time to time in connection with potential mineral properties; reviewing geological data and liaising with principal owners of mineral properties in which our company may wish to acquire an interest, meeting with government authorities and retaining technical experts, making recommendations to the Board and its relevant committees with respect to the acquisition and/or abandonment of mineral exploration properties and preparing and implementing, subject to Board approval, plans for the operation of our company including plans for exploration programs, costs of operations and other expenditures in connection with our mineral projects.
Compensation of Management
The terms of the foregoing management consulting agreements were determined at the time by our then constituted Board. As at the date of this Report, our Compensation Committee has complete authority to determine the amount of compensation to be paid and the other terms of management compensation. At the time of entering into the foregoing agreements, our Board did not consult with any consultants or other third parties in determining the amount of compensation to be paid under the management consulting agreements.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth information concerning our grant of options to purchase shares of our common stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 to each person named in the Summary Compensation table.
NAME (A) | NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS (#) EXERCISABLE (B) | NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS (#) UNEXERCISABLE (C) | EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED UNEARNED OPTIONS (#) (D) | OPTION EXERCISE PRICE ($) (E) | OPTION EXPIRATION DATE (F) | NUMBER OF SHARES OR UNITS OF STOCK THAT HAVE NOT VESTED (#) (G) | MARKET VALUE OF SHARES OR UNITS OF STOCK THAT HAVE NOT VESTED ($) (H) | EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANA AWARDS NUMBER OF UNEARNED SHARES, UNITS OR OTHER RIGHTS THAT HAVE NOT VESTED (#) (I) | EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS MARKET OR PAYOUT VALUE OF UNEARNED SHARES, UNITS OR OTHER RIGHTS THAT HAVE NOT VESTED (#) (J) |
| | | | | | | | | |
James Longshore | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Yves Clement | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
On June 21, 2005, our Board authorized, approved and adopted, our 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. As the Plan was not submitted to our shareholders for approval and was not approved by our shareholders, we are not permitted to issue any options qualifying as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A total of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance under the Plan. As at the date of this Report, we have granted options to purchase an aggregate of 972,000 shares of our common stock. During 2009, 108,000 options were cancelled pursuant to Board approval.
The purpose of the Plan is to encourage stock ownership by our officers, directors, key employees and consultants, and to give such persons a greater personal interest in the success of our business and an added incentive to continue to advance and contribute to us. Our Board, or a committee of the Board, will administer the Plan including, without limitation, the selection of the persons who will be awarded stock grants and granted options, the type of options to be granted, the number of shares subject to each option and the exercise price.
Plan options may only be non-qualified options. In addition, the Plan allows for the inclusion of a reload option provision, which permits an eligible person to pay the exercise price of the option with shares of common stock owned by the eligible person and receive a new option to purchase shares of common stock equal in number to the tendered shares. Furthermore, compensatory stock amounts may also be issued. The term of each plan option and the manner in which it may be exercised is determined by our Board or a committee of the Board. All awards granted under the Plan are made on a case by case basis, and the Board does not have any policy regarding timing of grants, amount of shares subject to any option to be granted or the exercise price, except that the Board does consider and/or approve option grants to incoming officers and directors at the time of their appointment.
Eligibility
Our officers, directors, key employees and consultants are eligible to receive stock grants and non-qualified options under the Plan.
Administration
The Plan will be administered by our Board or an underlying committee. The Board or an underlying committee determines from time to time those of our officers, directors, key employees and consultants to whom stock grants or plan options are to be granted, the terms and provisions of the respective option agreements, the time or times at which such options shall be granted, the dates such Plan options become exercisable, the number of shares subject to each option, the purchase price of such shares and the form of payment of such purchase price. All other questions relating to the administration of the Plan, and the interpretation of the provisions thereof and of the related option agreements, are resolved by our Board or an underlying committee. As of the date of this Report, the entire Board administers the Plan.
Shares Subject to Awards
We have currently reserved 3,000,000 of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan, and a maximum of 3,000,000 shares may be issued, unless the Plan is subsequently amended, subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in our capitalization, without further action by our Board and stockholders, as required. Subject to the limitation on the aggregate number of shares issuable under the Plan, there is no maximum or minimum number of shares as to which a stock grant or Plan option may be granted to any person. Shares used for stock grants and Plan options may be authorized and unissued shares or shares reacquired by us. Shares covered by Plan options which terminate unexercised or shares subject to stock awards which are forfeited or cancelled will again become available for grant as additional options or stock awards, without decreasing the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan.
The Plan provides that, if our outstanding shares are increased, decreased, exchanged or otherwise adjusted due to a share dividend, forward or reverse share split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made in the number or kind of shares subject to unexercised options and in the purchase price per share under such options. Any adjustment, however, does not change the total purchase price payable for the shares subject to outstanding options. In the event of our proposed dissolution or liquidation, a proposed sale of all or substantially all of our assets, a merger or tender offer for our shares of common stock, the option may be assumed, converted or replaced by the successor corporation (if any) or may substitute equivalent awards or provide substantially similar consideration to awardees. In the event such successor corporation (if any) refuses or otherwise declines to assume or substitute awards, as provided above, (i) the vesting of any or all Awards granted pursuant to this Plan will accelerate immediately prior to the effective date of a transaction described above and (ii) any or all Options granted pursuant to the Plan will become exercisable in full prior to the consummation of such event at such time and on such conditions as our Board or an underlying committee determines. If such Options are not exercised prior to the consummation of the corporate transaction, they shall terminate at such time as determined by our Board or an underlying committee.
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Terms of Exercise
The Plan provides that the options granted thereunder shall be exercisable from time to time in whole or in part, unless otherwise specified by our Board or an underlying committee.
Exercise Price
The purchase price for shares subject to options is determined by our Board or an underlying committee and may be below fair market value on the day of grant. If the purchase price is paid with consideration other than cash, our Board or an underlying committee shall determine the fair value of such consideration to us in monetary terms.
The per share purchase price of shares issuable upon exercise of a plan option may be adjusted in the event of certain changes in our capitalization, but no such adjustment shall change the total purchase price payable upon the exercise in full of options granted under the Plan.
Manner of Exercise
Plan options are exercisable by delivery of written notice to us stating the number of shares with respect to which the option is being exercised, together with full payment of the purchase price therefor. Payment shall be in cash, checks, certified or bank cashier’s checks, promissory notes secured by the shares issued through exercise of the related options, shares of common stock or in such other form or combination of forms which shall be acceptable to our Board or an underlying committee.
Option Period
The term of each non-qualified stock option is determined and fixed by our Board or an underlying committee.
Termination
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the option agreement, all Plan options are nonassignable and nontransferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of the optionee, may be exercised only by such optionee. If an optionee shall die while our employee or within three months after termination of employment by us because of disability, or retirement or otherwise, such options may be exercised, to the extent that the optionee shall have been entitled to do so on the date of death or termination of employment, by the person or persons to whom the optionee’s right under the option pass by will or applicable law, or if no such person has such right, by his executors or administrators.
In the event of termination of employment because of death while an employee or because of disability, an optionee’s options may be exercised not later than the expiration date specified in the option or one year after the optionee’s death, whichever date is earlier, or in the event of termination of employment because of retirement or otherwise, not later than the expiration date specified in the option or three months after the optionee’s retirement, whichever date is earlier.
If an optionee’s employment by us terminates because of disability and such optionee has not died within the following three months, the options may be exercised, to the extent that the optionee shall have been entitled to do so at the date of the termination of employment, at any time, or from time to time, but not later than the expiration date specified in the option or one year after termination of employment, whichever date is earlier.
If an optionee’s employment shall terminate for any reason other than death or disability, such optionee may exercise the options to the same extent that the options were exercisable on the date of termination, for up to three months following such termination, or on or before the expiration date of the options, whichever occurs first. In the event that the optionee was not entitled to exercise the options at the date of termination or if the optionee does not exercise such options (which were then exercisable) within the time specified herein, the options shall terminate.
If an optionee’s employment with us is terminated for any reason whatsoever, and within three months after the date thereof the optionee either (i) accepts employment with any competitor of, or otherwise engages in competition with us, or (ii) discloses to anyone outside our company or uses any confidential information or material of our company in violation of our policies or any agreement between the optionee and our company, the committee, in its sole discretion, may terminate any outstanding stock option and may require the optionee to return to us the economic value of any award that was realized or obtained by the optionee at any time during the period beginning on that date that is six months prior to the date the optionee’s employment with us is terminated.
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Our Board or an underlying committee may, if an optionee’s employment with us is terminated for cause, annul any award granted under the Plan to such employee and, in such event, our Board or an underlying committee, in its sole discretion, may require the optionee to return to us the economic value of any award that was realized or obtained by an optionee at any time during the period beginning on that date that is six months prior to the date the optionee’s employment with us is terminated.
Modification and Termination of Plan
Our Board or an underlying committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, no such action may prejudice the rights of any holder of a stock grant or an optionee who has prior thereto been granted options under the Plan. Any such termination of the Plan shall not affect the validity of any stock grants or options previously granted thereunder. Unless terminated by our Board, the Plan shall continue to remain effective until such time as no further awards may be granted and all awards granted under the Plan are no longer outstanding.
Compensation of Directors
We established compensation arrangements for our directors for each individual’s service and expense on our Board in March 2007. Directors’ fees are paid on a quarterly basis. As of December 31, 2009, we did not pay fees to directors for their attendance at Board meetings. As an austerity measure, the Board agreed to reduce their respective directors’ fees by 50% in and from the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008.
The following table sets forth information relating to the compensation paid to our directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009:
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
NAME (A) | FEES EARNED OR PAID IN CASH ($) (B) | STOCK AWARDS ($) (C) | OPTION AWARDS ($) (D) | NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN COMPENSATION ($) (E) | NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION EARNNGS ($) (F) | ALL OTHER COMPENSATION ($) (G) | TOTAL ($) (H) |
| | | | | | | |
James Longshore | 5,282 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5,282 |
| | | | | | | |
Richard Grayston | 5,282 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5,282 |
| | | | | | | |
Peter Minuk | 3,962 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,962 |
| | | | | | | |
Robert Montgomery | 3,962 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,962 |
Item 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
At March 29, 2010, we had 33,400,586 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth information known to us as of March 29, 2010 relating to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by:
| ● | each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock; |
| ● | each named executive officer; and |
| ● | all named executive officers and directors as a group. |
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Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each person listed is in care of our Field Camp located at 2 Masalakye Street, Kwabeng, Ghana. The percentages in the table have been calculated on the basis of treating as outstanding for a particular person, all shares of our common stock outstanding on that date and all shares of our common stock issuable to that holder in the event of exercise of outstanding options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges owned by that person at that date which are exercisable within 60 days of that date. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock owned by them, except to the extent that power may be shared with a spouse.
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER | AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP | PERCENTAGE OF CLASS |
James Longshore | 2,662,000 shares (1) | 7.97% |
Richard W. Grayston | 187,000 shares (2) | 0.56% |
Robert H. Montgomery | 108,000 shares (3) | 0.32% |
Peter Minuk | 110,000 shares (4) | 0.33% |
Paul Zyla | 279,500 shares (5) | 0.86% |
Yves P. Clement | 324,000 shares (6) | 0.97% |
Alhaji N. Abudulai | 108,000 shares (7) | 0.32% |
Officers and Directors as a Group (7 persons) | 3,786,000 shares (1) to (7) | 11.34% |
5% Stockholders | | |
Brokton International Ltd. | 2,162,000 shares (1) | 6.47% |
Mark T. McGinnis | 2,519,442 shares (8) | 7.54% |
(1) | Consists of (a) 2,000,000 shares which are owned by Brokton International Ltd. (“Brokton”); (b) 500,000 shares which are owned by Sausilito Ltd.; and (c) 162,000 shares which can be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Report. Brokton is a Turks & Caicos Islands corporation, whose sole beneficial owner is James Longshore. Sausilito Ltd. is a Turks & Caicos Islands corporation, whose sole beneficial owner is James Longshore. Mr. Longshore exercises sole investment, voting and disposition powers over the shares included in the above table. |
(2) | Consists of (a) 25,000 shares of common stock; and (b) 162,000 shares which can be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Report. |
(3) | Consists of 108,000 shares which can be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Report. |
(4) | Consists of (a) 2,000 shares of common stock; and (b) 108,000 shares which can be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Report. |
(5) | Consists of (a) 267,500 shares of common stock; (b) 6,000 shares which cam be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable; (c) 7,500 warrants which are exercisable into common stock within 60 days following the date of this Report; and (d) 6,000 shares which shall become issuable upon options that shall vest and be exercisable within 60 days following the date of this Report; namely April 1 and May 1, 2010. Does not include 96,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that have not yet vested and will vest monthly as to 3,000 in each month. |
(6) | Consists of 324,000 shares which can be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Report. |
(7) | Consists of 108,000 shares which can be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase shares that have vested and are currently exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Report. |
(8) | Consists of (a) 1,918,725 shares of common stock held by Mark McGinnis; and (b) 16,250 warrants which are exercisable into common stock within 60 days from the date of this Report; and (c) 584,467 shares of common stock held by his spouse of which an aggregate of 70,000 shares of common stock is held in trust for her children. |
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Item 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
Consulting Agreement with Principal Shareholder
From February 1, 2004 through February 1, 2006, we were a party to a consulting agreement with Brokton, a company which, as of the date of this Report, owns 6.47% of our common stock and one of only two shareholders that owns more than 5% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Under the terms of this agreement, we engaged Brokton as a consultant to advise our Management with respect to hiring additional qualified management, providing support with respect to operational matters and government compliance in Ghana, mergers and acquisitions and financial advisory. James Longshore, our President and one of the directors of our company, is the President of Brokton and exercises sole investment, voting and disposition powers over the shares of Brokton. Mr. Longshore is also a director of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, XGEL and XOG Ghana (since April 2006) and Chief Operating Officer (since February 2007) and General Manager (since June 2006) and a director of XG Mining (since June 2006) and Chief Operating Officer (since February 2007) and General Manager (since June 2006) and a director and officer of Xtra Energy (since March 2007). From February 2004 to February 2006, we paid Brokton an aggregate of $53,176 for its consulting services and reimbursed Brokton for expenses incurred by Brokton on behalf of our company.
On January 3, 2009, we were a party to a consulting agreement with Brokton, whereby we engaged Brokton as a consultant to provide the consulting services of Mr. Longshore as General Manager of our subsidiaries, XG Mining and XGEL, for a one year term ending on December 31, 2009. We paid Brokton an aggregate of $60,000, during the period covered by this Report, for its consulting services and reimbursed Brokton for expenses incurred by Brokton on behalf of our company and our subsidiaries.
A Principal Shareholder Manages our Investment Portfolio
We currently, and since approximately six years ago, maintain our brokerage account with Haywood Securities Inc. (“Haywood”) in connection with our investment accounts. Haywood provides us with investment recommendations and custodial services. Haywood is a member of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the TSXV, the Montreal Exchange, the Canadian Trading and Quotation System, the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, and the Investment Dealers Association of Canada. In addition, Haywood Securities (USA) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary is a broker-dealer registered to transact securities business in the United States and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers. We pay Haywood ordinary brokerage commissions on trade transactions and our accounts with Haywood can be terminated at any time. Mark McGinnis, a shareholder who, as at the date of this Report, owns 7.54% of our common stock and one of only two shareholders that owns more than 5% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, is an investment advisor with Haywood and is the manager of our accounts with Haywood.
Director Independence
As our common stock is currently traded on the OTCBB, we are not subject to the rules of any national securities exchange which requires that a majority of a listed company’s directors and specified committees of its board of directors meet independence standards prescribed by such rules. For the purpose of preparing the disclosures in this Report on Form 10-K with respect to director independence, we have used the definition of “independent director” set forth in the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ, which defines an “independent director” generally as being a person, other than an executive officer or employee of the company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Consistent with these standards, our Board has determined that Richard W, Grayston, Robert H. Montgomery and Paul Zyla are “independent” within the meaning of Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ.
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Item 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES |
Davidson & Company LLP is our principal accountant for our audit of annual financial statements and review of the financial statements included in this Report and served as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2009 and 2008. The following table shows the fees that were billed for the audit and other services provided by such firm for 2009 and 2008.
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Audit Fees | | $ | 60,000 | | $ | 55,000 | |
Audit-Related Fees | | | 15,485 | | | 18,000 | |
Tax Fees | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
All Other Fees | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
Total | | $ | 75,485 | | $ | 73,000 | |
Audit Fees
This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in this Report and services that are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with their engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of our interim financial statements.
Audit-Related Fees
This category consists of assurance and related services by the independent auditors that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.” The services for the fees disclosed under this category include consultation regarding our correspondence with the SEC and other accounting consulting.
Tax Fees
This category consists of professional services rendered by our independent auditors for tax compliance and tax advice. The services for the fees disclosed under this category include tax return preparation and technical tax advice.
All Other Fees
This category consists of fees for other miscellaneous items.
Our Audit Committee has adopted a procedure for pre-approval of all fees charged by our independent auditors. Under the procedure, the Audit Committee approves the engagement letter with respect to audit, tax and review services. Other fees are subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The audit and tax fees paid to the auditors with respect to 2009 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
PART IV
Item 15. | EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
Exhibit No. | Description of Document |
2.1 | Stock Exchange Agreement dated October 31, 2003, by and between Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. and the former shareholders of Xtra Energy Corp. (formerly Xtra-Gold Resources, Inc.) (1) |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of Silverwing Systems Corporation filed on September 1, 1998 (1) |
3.2 | Articles of Amendment filed on August 19, 1999 to change our name to Advertain On-Line Inc. (1) |
3.3 | Articles of Amendment filed June 18, 2001 to change our name to RetinaPharma International, Inc. (1) |
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Exhibit No. | Description of Document |
3.4 | Articles of Amendment filed on October 8, 2001 to increase our capital stock from 25,000,000 to 100,000,000 shares (1) |
3.5 | Articles of Amendment filed December 16, 2003 to change our name to Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. and to increase our capital stock from 100,000,000 to 250,000,000 shares (1) |
3.6 | By-laws (1) |
4.1 | Form of common stock purchase warrant * |
4.2 | Form of convertible debenture (1) |
10.1 | 2005 Equity Compensation Plan (1) |
10.2 | Memorandum of Agreement dated October 28, 2003, by and between Xtra Energy Corp. (formerly Xtra-Gold Resources, Inc.) and Ranger Canyon Energy Inc. (formerly CaribGold Minerals, Inc.) (1) |
10.3 | Agreement dated February 16, 2004 by and between Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. and Akrokeri-Ashanti Gold Mines Inc. (1) |
10.4 | Share Purchase Agreement dated December 22, 2004 between Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. and 2058168 Ontario Inc., the trustee for the former note holders of Akrokeri-Ashanti Gold Mines Inc. (1) |
10.5 | Share Purchase Agreement dated December 22, 2004 among Xtra-Gold Resources Corp., 2058168 Ontario Inc., the trustee for the former debenture holders of Akrokeri-Ashanti Gold Mines Inc. and 2060768 Ontario Corp. (1) |
10.6 | Stock option agreement dated April 21, 2006 with Kiomi Mori, as optionee (1) |
10.7 | Stock option agreement dated May 1, 2006 with Yves Clement, as optionee (1) |
10.8 | Stock option agreement dated May 1, 2006 with Alhaji Abudulai, as optionee (1) |
10.9 | Stock option agreement dated August 1, 2006 with John Douglas Mills, as optionee (1) |
10.10 | Management consulting agreement dated May 1, 2006 with Yves Clement (1) |
10.11 | Management consulting agreement dated July 1, 2006 with Rebecca Kiomi Mori (1) |
10.12 | Management consulting agreement dated November 1, 2006 with Alhaji Nantogma Abudulai (1) |
10.13 | Mining lease with respect to the Kwabeng concession (1) |
10.14 | Mining lease with respect to the Pameng concession (1) |
10.15 | Prospecting license with respect to the Banso and Muoso concessions (1) |
10.16 | Prospecting license with respect to the Apapam concession (1) |
10.17 | Prospecting license with respect to the Edum Banso concession (1) |
10.18 | Option Agreement dated October 17, 2005 between Xtra-Gold Exploration Limited and Adom Mining Limited (1) |
10.19 | Consulting agreement dated January 17, 2006 between Xtra-Gold Mining Limited and Bio Consult Limited (1) |
10.20 | Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 1, 2006 between Xtra Oil & Gas Ltd. and TriStar Oil & Gas Partnership (1) |
10.21 | Amending Agreement dated October 19, 2006 between Xtra-Gold Exploration and Adom Mining Limited (1) |
10.22 | Stock option agreement dated March 5, 2007 with Richard W. Grayston, as optionee (1) |
10.23 | Stock option agreement dated March 5, 2007 with Peter Minuk, as optionee (1) |
10.24 | Stock option agreement dated March 12, 2007 with Robert H. Montgomery, as optionee (1) |
10.25 | Stock option agreement dated March 12, 2007 with Brokton International Ltd., as optionee (1) |
10.26 | Stock option agreement dated March 12, 2007 with John Douglas Mills, as optionee (1) |
10.27 | Consulting agreement dated March 20, 2007 with JD Mining Ltd. (1) |
10.28 | Lease with 360 Bay Street Limited dated March 29, 2007 (1) |
10.29 | Termination agreement dated January 31, 2008 with JD Mining Ltd. and John Douglas Mills (1) |
10.30 | Mining lease with respect to the Apapam Concession (2) |
10.31 | Management consulting agreement dated January 3, 2009 with Brokton International Ltd. * |
14 | Code of Ethics * |
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer * |
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer * |
32.1 | Section 1350 Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer * |
* | Filed herewith |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to the registration statement on Form SB-2 on Form S-1, SEC File No. 333-139037 |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to the company’s 10-K annual report filed on March 27, 2009, SEC File No. 333-139037 |
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SIGNATURES
(General Instruction D)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have duly caused this Report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: | March 30, 2010 | XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP. |
| /s/ James Werth Longshore |
| By | _________________________ |
| President, Chief Executive Officer and |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on our behalf and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date |
| | |
/s/ James Werth Longshore _________________________ James Werth Longshore | President, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) and Director | March 30, 2010 |
| | |
/s/ Richard W. Grayston _________________________ Richard W. Grayston | Chairman and Director | March 30, 2010 |
| | |
/s/ Peter Minuk _________________________ Peter Minuk | Director | March 30, 2010 |
| | |
/s/ Robert H. Montgomery _________________________ Robert H. Montgomery | Director | March 30, 2010 |
| | |
/s/ Paul Zyla _________________________ Paul Zyla | Director | March 30, 2010 |
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XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. and subsidiaries
(an Exploration Stage Company)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. and subsidiaries (an Exploration Stage Company) as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from the beginning of the exploration stage on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from the beginning of the exploration stage on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regards to these matters are discussed in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
“DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP”
Vancouver, Canada | Chartered Accountants |
| |
March 30, 2010 | |
F-2
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
AS AT DECEMBER 31
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Current | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 622,670 | | $ | 271,573 | |
Investment in trading securities, at fair value (cost of $1,636,628 (2008 - $2,208,373)) (Note 4) | | | 1,781,594 | | | 1,470,382 | |
Receivables and other | | | 46,462 | | | 92,942 | |
Deposit for equipment (Note 5) | | | 151,506 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 2,602,232 | | | 1,834,897 | |
| | | | | | | |
Equipment (Note 5) | | | 244,508 | | | 312,300 | |
Deferred financing costs (Note 6) | | | 1,283 | | | 3,850 | |
Oil and gas investment (Note 7) | | | 40,000 | | | 40,000 | |
Mineral properties (Note 8) | | | 1,662,564 | | | 1,662,564 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 4,550,587 | | $ | 3,853,611 | |
| | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Current | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 233,073 | | $ | 535,272 | |
Convertible debentures (Note 9, 17) | | | 250,000 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 483,073 | | | 535,272 | |
| | | | | | | |
Convertible debentures (Note 9, 17) | | | — | | | 250,000 | |
Asset retirement obligation (Note 10) | | | 71,906 | | | 65,369 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 554,979 | | | 850,641 | |
| | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity | | | | | | | |
Capital stock (Note 11) | | | | | | | |
Authorized | | | | | | | |
250,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001 | | | | | | | |
Issued and outstanding | | | | | | | |
33,231,477 common shares ( 2008 – 31,330,602 common shares) | | | 33,231 | | | 31,331 | |
Additional paid in capital | | | 14,771,222 | | | 12,742,360 | |
Deficit | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | (1,427,764 | ) |
Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage | | | (9,304,452 | ) | | (8,342,957 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Total Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. stockholders’ equity | | | 4,072,237 | | | 3,002,970 | |
Non-controlling interest | | | (76,629 | ) | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 3,995,608 | | | 3,002,970 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 4,550,587 | | $ | 3,853,611 | |
History and organization of the Company (Note 1)
Contingency and commitments (Note 16)
Subsequent events (Note 17)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Cumulative amounts from the beginning of the exploration stage on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009 | | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization | | $ | 185,645 | | $ | 67,792 | | $ | 63,674 | |
Exploration | | | 12,034,212 | | | 1,080,488 | | | 5,140,679 | |
General and administrative | | | 4,975,034 | | | 957,332 | | | 1,035,369 | |
Write-off of mineral property | | | 26,000 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
LOSS BEFORE OTHER ITEMS | | | (17,231,090 | ) | | (2,105,612 | ) | | (6,239,722 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER ITEMS | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | | | 370,528 | | | 303,243 | | | (424,559 | ) |
Interest expense | | | (240,653 | ) | | (2,567 | ) | | (49,113 | ) |
Realized gains (losses) on sales of trading securities | | | 23,580 | | | (172,638 | ) | | 2,585 | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on trading securities | | | (66,573 | ) | | 789,934 | | | (857,980 | ) |
Other income | | | 822,732 | | | 138,558 | | | 196,621 | |
Recovery of gold | | | 6,843,965 | | | 10,958 | | | 4,140,765 | |
Gain (loss) on disposal of property | | | 96,430 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 7,850,009 | | | 1,067,488 | | | 3,008,319 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated loss for the period | | | (9,381,081 | ) | | (1,038,124 | ) | | (3,231,403 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | | | 76,629 | | | 76,629 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. | | $ | (9,304,452 | ) | $ | (961,495 | ) | $ | (3,231,403 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss attributable to common shareholders per common share | | | | | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding | | 32,101,330 | | | 30,389,400 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Cumulative amounts from the beginning of the exploration stage on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009 | | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the period | | $ | (9,381,081 | ) | $ | (1,038,124 | ) | $ | (3,231,403 | ) |
Items not affecting cash: | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization | | | 185,645 | | | 67,792 | | | 63,674 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 44,919 | | | 2,567 | | | 19,251 | |
Accretion of asset retirement obligation | | | 17,071 | | | 6,537 | | | — | |
Shares issued for services | | | 202,365 | | | — | | | 196,865 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 1,067,182 | | | 468,052 | | | 156,444 | |
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss | | | (429,789 | ) | | (247,155 | ) | | 385,947 | |
Realized (gain) losses on sale of trading securities | | | (23,580 | ) | | 172,638 | | | (2,585 | ) |
Purchase of trading securities | | | (11,564,690 | ) | | (778,387 | ) | | (2,088,467 | ) |
Proceeds on sale of trading securities | | | 10,169,892 | | | 1,331,626 | | | 1,544,484 | |
Unrealized (gain) loss on trading securities | | | 66,573 | | | (789,934 | ) | | 857,980 | |
Gain on disposal of property | | | (95,342 | ) | | — | | | — | |
Write-off of mineral property | | | 26,000 | | | — | | | — | |
Expenses paid by stockholders | | | 2,700 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Changes in non-cash working capital items: | | | | | | | | | | |
(Increase) decrease in receivables and other | | | (38,087 | ) | | 46,480 | | | (38,433 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 222,381 | | | (302,199 | ) | | (259,959 | ) |
Increase in due to related party | | | 50,000 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (9,477,841 | ) | | (1,060,107 | ) | | (2,396,202 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures | | | 900,000 | | | — | | | — | |
Deferred financing costs | | | (46,202 | ) | | — | | | — | |
Repurchase of capital stock | | | (57,000 | ) | | (50,000 | ) | | — | |
Issuance of capital stock, net of financing costs | | | 9,842,432 | | | 1,612,710 | | | 2,489,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 10,639,230 | | | 1,562,710 | | | 2,489,460 | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Cumulative amounts from the beginning of the exploration stage on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009 | | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition of equipment | | | (433,976 | ) | | — | | | (115,950 | ) |
Deposit on equipment | | | (151,506 | ) | | (151,506 | ) | | — | |
Oil and gas property expenditures | | | (250,137 | ) | | — | | | (40,000 | ) |
Acquisition of cash on purchase of subsidiary | | | 11,510 | | | — | | | — | |
Acquisition of subsidiary | | | (25,000 | ) | | — | | | — | |
Proceeds on disposal of assets | | | 310,390 | | | — | | | — | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (538,719 | ) | | (151,506 | ) | | (155,950 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Change in cash and cash equivalents during the period | | | 622,670 | | | 351,097 | | | (62,692 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period | | | — | | | 271,573 | | | 334,265 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period | | $ | 622,670 | | $ | 622,670 | | $ | 271,573 | |
Supplemental disclosure with respect to cash flows (Note 13)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2002 | | 12,364,085 | | $ | 12,364 | | $ | 1,412,842 | | $ | (1,427,764 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (2,558 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid on behalf of the Company | | — | | | — | | | 5,258 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,258 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
October 31, 2003, issuance of stock for acquisition of subsidiary | | 50,350,000 | | | 50,350 | | | (50,350 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,700 | ) | | (2,700 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2003 | | 62,714,085 | | | 62,714 | | | 1,367,750 | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | — | | | (2,700 | ) | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March, 2004 - private placement at $0.35 per share | | 2,000,000 | | | 2,000 | | | 698,000 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 700,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
May, 2004 - private placement at $0.35 per share | | 2,129,400 | | | 2,129 | | | 743,161 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 745,290 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December, 2004 - acquisition of subsidiary via issuance of common stock | | 2,698,350 | | | 2,699 | | | 1,616,311 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,619,010 | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share issuance costs | | — | | | — | | | (76,298 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (76,298 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (398,533 | ) | | (398,533 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2004 | | 69,541,835 | | | 69,542 | | | 4,348,924 | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | — | | | (401,233 | ) | | 2,589,469 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
May, 2005 – cancellation of shares | | (47,000,000 | ) | | (47,000 | ) | | 47,000 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June 2005 – for services | | 10,000 | | | 10 | | | 5,490 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June, 2005 – private placement at $0.55 per share | | 536,218 | | | 536 | | | 294,384 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 294,920 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
August, 2005 – private placement at $0.55 per share | | 300,000 | | | 300 | | | 164,700 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 165,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
November, 2005 – private placement at $0.55 per share | | 1,549,354 | | | 1,550 | | | 850,595 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 852,145 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share issuance costs | | — | | | — | | | (130,714 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (130,714 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | 41,022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 41,022 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (272,572 | ) | | (272,572 | ) |
| �� | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2005 | | 24,937,407 | | | 24,938 | | | 5,621,401 | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | — | | | (673,805 | ) | | 3,544,770 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February, 2006 – conversion of promissory note at $0.55 per share | | 90,909 | | | 91 | | | 49,909 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 50,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March, 2006 – exercise of warrants at $0.75 per share | | 108,500 | | | 108 | | | 81,267 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 81,375 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March, 2006 - private placement at $0.70 per share | | 792,029 | | | 792 | | | 553,628 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 554,420 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
April, 2006 – exercise of warrants at $0.75 per share | | 177,200 | | | 177 | | | 132,723 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 132,900 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-9
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June, 2006 – cancellation of shares | | (10,000 | ) | | (10 | ) | | (6,990 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (7,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June, 2006 – private placement at $0.90 per share | | 578,112 | | | 578 | | | 519,722 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 520,300 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July, 2006 – private placement at $0.90 per share | | 1,132,000 | | | 1,132 | | | 1,017,668 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,018,800 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
October, 2006 – private placement at $1.10 per share | | 282,000 | | | 282 | | | 309,918 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 310,200 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share issuance costs | | — | | | — | | | (240,616 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (240,616 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | 206,041 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 206,041 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,562,992 | ) | | (2,562,992 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2006 | | 28,088,157 | | | 28,088 | | | 8,244,671 | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | — | | | (3,236,797 | ) | | 3,608,198 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-10
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
October, 2007 – Private placement at $1.35 per unit | | 668,202 | | | 668 | | | 901,405 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 902,073 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share issuance costs | | — | | | — | | | (89,533 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (89,533 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | 195,623 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 195,623 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,874,757 | ) | | (1,874,757 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2007 | | 28,756,359 | | | 28,756 | | | 9,252,166 | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | — | | | (5,111,554 | ) | | 2,741,604 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February, 2008 – Private placement at $1.50 per unit | | 1,062,000 | | | 1,062 | | | 1,591,938 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,593,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
May, 2008 – Exercise of options at $0.75 per share | | 100,000 | | | 100 | | | 74,900 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 75,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June, 2008 – Conversion of debentures at $1.00 per share | | 650,000 | | | 650 | | | 649,350 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 650,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-11
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July, 2008 – Exercise of warrants at $1.50 per share | | 631,000 | | | 631 | | | 945,869 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 946,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December, 2008 – For services at $1.50 per share | | 131,243 | | | 132 | | | 196,733 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 196,865 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share issuance costs | | — | | | — | | | (125,040 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (125,040 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | 156,444 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 156,444 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (3,231,403 | ) | | (3,231,403 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2008 | | 31,330,602 | | | 31,331 | | | 12,742,360 | | | (1,427,764 | ) | | — | | | (8,342,957 | ) | | 3,002,970 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
April, 2009 – Private placement at $0.70 per unit | | 710,000 | | | 710 | | | 496,290 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 497,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
May, 2009 – Private placement at $0.70 per unit | | 308,000 | | | 308 | | | 215,292 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 215,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
- continued -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-12
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | Deficit | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid in Capital | | Deficit | | Non- Controlling Interest | | Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continued ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
May, 2009 – Repurchase and cancellation of shares at $0.25 per share | | (200,000 | ) | | (200 | ) | | (49,800 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (50,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
August, 2009 – Private placement at $0.80 per unit | | 376,875 | | | 376 | | | 301,124 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 301,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December, 2009 – Private placement at $1.00 per unit | | 706,000 | | | 706 | | | 705,294 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 706,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share issuance costs | | — | | | — | | | (107,390 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (107,390 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | 468,052 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 468,052 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (76,629 | ) | | (961,495 | ) | | (1,038,124 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2009 | | 33,231,477 | | $ | 33,231 | | $ | 14,771,222 | | $ | (1,427,764 | ) | $ | (76,629 | ) | $ | (9,304,452 | ) | $ | 3,995,608 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-13
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
1. | HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY |
Silverwing Systems Corporation (the “Company”), a Nevada corporation, was incorporated on September 1, 1998. On June 23, 1999, the Company completed the acquisition of Advertain On-Line Canada Inc. (“Advertain Canada”), a Canadian company operating in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Company changed its name to Advertain On-Line Inc. (“Advertain”) on August 19, 1999. Advertain Canada’s business was the operation of a web site, “Advertain.com”, whose primary purpose was to distribute entertainment advertising on the Internet.
In May 2001, the Company, being unable to continue its funding of Advertain Canada’s operations, decided to abandon its interest in Advertain Canada. On June 15, 2001, the Company sold its investment in Advertain Canada back to Advertain Canada’s original shareholder. On June 18, 2001, the Company changed its name from Advertain to RetinaPharma International, Inc. (“RetinaPharma”) and became inactive.
In 2003, the Company became a resource exploration company. On October 31, 2003, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Xtra-Gold Resources, Inc. (“XGRI”). XGRI was incorporated in Florida on October 24, 2003. On December 19, 2003, the Company changed its name from RetinaPharma to Xtra-Gold Resources Corp.
In 2004, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Canadiana Gold Resources Limited (“Canadiana”) and 90% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Goldenrae Mining Company Limited (“Goldenrae”). Both companies are incorporated in Ghana and the remaining 10% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Goldenrae is held by the Government of Ghana.
On October 20, 2005, XGRI changed its name to Xtra Energy Corp. (“Xtra Energy”).
On October 20, 2005, the Company incorporated Xtra Oil & Gas Ltd. (“XOG”) in Alberta, Canada.
On December 21, 2005, Canadiana changed its name to Xtra-Gold Exploration Limited (“XG Exploration”).
On January 13, 2006, Goldenrae changed its name to Xtra-Gold Mining Limited (“XG Mining”).
On March 2, 2006, the Company incorporated Xtra Oil & Gas (Ghana) Limited (“XOGG”) in Ghana.
The Company is in the exploration stage with respect to its resource properties, incurred a loss of $1,038,124 for the year ended December 31, 2009 and has accumulated a deficit during the exploration stage of $9,381,081. This raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company’s ability to raise additional capital and implement its business plan. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Management of the Company (“Management”) is of the opinion that sufficient financing will be obtained from external financing and further share issuances to meet the Company’s obligations. At December 31, 2009, the Company has working capital of $2,119,159.
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Generally accepted accounting principles
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
F-14
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...) |
Principles of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Xtra Energy (from October 31, 2003), XG Exploration (from February 16, 2004), XOG (from October 20, 2005) and XOGG (from March 2, 2006) and its 90% owned subsidiary, XG Mining (from December 22, 2004). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash held at financial institutions.
Receivables
No allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided. Management has evaluated all receivables and believes they are all collectible.
Recovery of gold
Recovery of gold and other income is recognized when title and the risks and rewards of ownership to delivered bullion and commodities pass to the buyer and collection is reasonably assured.
Trading securities
The Company’s trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of XG Mining (from December 22, 2004). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Company records a non-controlling interest which reflects the 10% portion of the earnings (loss) of XG Mining allocable to the holders of the minority interest.
Oil and natural gas properties
The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations. Under this method, all costs associated with the acquisition of, exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves are capitalized in cost centers on a country-by-country basis. Such costs include property acquisition costs, geological and geophysical studies, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling productive wells, and overhead expenses directly related to these activities.
F-15
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...) |
Oil and natural gas properties (cont’d...)
Depletion is calculated for producing properties by using the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved reserves, before royalties, as determined by management of the Company or independent consultants. Sales or dispositions of oil and gas properties are credited to the respective cost centers and a gain or loss is recognized when all properties in a cost center have been disposed of, unless such sale or disposition significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas attributable to the cost center. Costs of abandoned properties are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs and written off to expense.
Undeveloped properties are excluded from the depletion calculation until the quantities of proved reserves can be determined.
A ceiling test is applied to the proven properties for each cost center and for the aggregate of all cost centers by comparing the net capitalized costs to the estimated future net revenues from production of estimated proved reserves without discount, plus the costs of unproved properties net of impairment. Any excess capitalized costs are written off to expense. Further, the ceiling test for the aggregate of all cost centers is required to include the effects of future removal and site restoration costs, general and administrative expenses, financing costs and income taxes. The calculation of future net revenues is based upon prices, costs and regulations in effect at each year end.
Unproved properties are assessed for impairment on an annual basis by applying factors that rely on historical experience. In general, the Company may write off any unproved property under one or more of the following conditions:
| (a) | there are no firm plans for further drilling on the unproved property; |
| (b) | negative results were obtained from studies of the unproved properties; |
| (c) | negative results were obtained from studies conducted in the vicinity of the unproved property; or |
| (d) | the remaining term of the unproved property does not allow sufficient time for further studies or drilling. |
Equipment
Equipment is recorded at cost and is being amortized over its estimated useful lives using the declining balance method at the following annual rates:
| Furniture and equipment | 20% |
Deferred financing costs
Deferred financing costs consist of expenses incurred to obtain funds pursuant to the issuance of the convertible debentures and are being amortized straight-line over the term of the debentures.
F-16
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...) |
Mineral properties and exploration and development costs
The costs of acquiring mineral rights are capitalized at the date of acquisition. After acquisition, various factors can affect the recoverability of the capitalized costs. If, after review, management concludes that the carrying amount of a mineral property is impaired, it will be written down to estimated fair value. Exploration costs incurred on mineral properties are expensed as incurred. Development costs incurred on proven and probable reserves will be capitalized. Upon commencement of production, capitalized costs will be amortized using the unit-of-production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on proven and probable reserves (which exclude non-recoverable reserves and anticipated processing losses).
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the recoverability test is performed using undiscounted net cash flows related to the long-lived assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Asset retirement obligations
The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and/or normal use of the long-lived assets. The Company also records a corresponding asset which is amortized over the life of the asset. Subsequent to the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the obligation is adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time (accretion expense) and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation (asset retirement cost).
Stock-based compensation
The Company accounts for share-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Under the fair value recognition provisions, stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date for all stock-based awards to employees and directors and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to calculate fair value.
The Company accounts for stock compensation arrangements with non-employees in accordance with ASC 718 which require that such equity instruments are recorded at their fair value on the measurement date. The measurement of stock-based compensation is subject to periodic adjustment as the underlying equity instruments vest. Nonemployee stock-based compensation charges are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For stock options granted to non-employees, the fair value of the stock options is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under the asset and liability method 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. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be recognized.
F-17
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...) |
Loss per share
Basic loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. To calculate diluted loss per share, the Company uses the treasury stock method and the if converted method. As of December 31, 2009, there were 1,610,038 warrants (2008 – 1,514,471); 972,000 stock options (2008 – 1,080,000) and convertible debentures exercisable into 250,000 common shares (2008 – 250,000) outstanding which have not been included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding as these were anti-dilutive.
Foreign exchange
The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The Company does not have any significant non-monetary assets and liabilities that are in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. Any monetary assets and liabilities that are in a currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rate prevailing at year end. Revenue and expenses in a foreign currency are translated at rates that approximate those in effect at the time of translation. Gains and losses from translation of foreign currency transactions into U.S. dollars are included in current results of operations.
Financial instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, trading securities, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and convertible debentures. It is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from its financial instruments. The fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying values unless otherwise noted. The Company has its cash primarily in one commercial bank in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on GAAP guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions for financial assets and liabilities, as well as for any other assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions for non-financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value.
The Company classifies financial assets and liabilities as held-for-trading, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables or other financial liabilities depending on their nature. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized at fair value on their initial recognition, except for those arising from certain related party transactions which are accounted for at the transferor’s carrying amount or exchange amount.
Financial assets and liabilities classified as held-for-trading are measured at fair value, with gains and losses recognized in net income. Financial assets classified as held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, and financial liabilities other than those classified as held-for-trading are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method of amortization. Financial assets classified as available-for-sale are measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses being recognized as other comprehensive income until realized, or if an unrealized loss is considered other than temporary, the unrealized loss is recorded in income.
Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at cost, which management believes approximates fair value due to the short term nature of these instruments. Investments in trading securities are classified as held for trading, with unrealized gains and losses being recognized in income.
F-18
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...) |
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities (cont’d...)
The following table presents information about the assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and included situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset:
| | December 31, 2009 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 622,670 | | $ | 622,670 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Marketable securities | | $ | 1,781,594 | | $ | 1,781,594 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Total | | $ | 2,404,264 | | $ | 2,404,264 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are determined through market, observable and corroborated sources.
Concentration of credit risk
The financial instrument which potentially subjects the Company to concentration of credit risk is cash. The Company maintains cash in bank accounts that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company has exceeded the federally insured limit. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash in bank accounts.
Recent accounting pronouncements
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 105,”Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”(the Codification). The Codification has become the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. Effective with the Company’s adoption on July 1, 2009, the Codification has superseded all prior non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification has become non-authoritative. As the adoption of the Codification only affected how specific references to GAAP literature have been disclosed in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements, it did not result in any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements, which was an amendment of ARB No. 51. This guidance is set forth in ASC 810, Consolidation. ASC 810 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which for the Company was the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company adopted ASC 810 at January 1, 2009, which resulted in $76,629 allocated to the non-controlling interest.
F-19
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...) |
Recent accounting pronouncements (cont’d...)
In September 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. This guidance addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate consideration to one or more units of accounting. Specifically, the guidance requires that consideration be allocated among multiple deliverables based on relative selling prices. The guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy of (1) vendor-specific objective evidence, (2) third-party evidence and (3) estimated selling price. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after June 15, 2010 but may be early adopted as of the beginning of an annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that this guidance will have on consolidated financial position and results of operations.
ASC 855-10-20, “Subsequent Events” establishes accounting and reporting standards for events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued and requires the disclosure of the date through which a company has evaluated subsequent events. This statement is effective for our third quarter ended September 30, 2009 and the adoption did not have an impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 17 for the required disclosures.
In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 820-10-65 formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP 157-4”). This provides significant guidance for determining when a market has become inactive as well as guidance for determining whether transactions are not orderly. It also provides guidance on the use of valuation techniques and the use of broker quotes and pricing services. It reiterates that fair value is based on an exit price and also that fair value is market-driven and not entity-specific. The accounting standard of codification applies to all assets and liabilities within the scope of ASC 820 and is effective for all interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of ASC 820-10-65 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 320-10-65, formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 115-2, FAS 124-2 and EITF 99-20-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP 115-2”). This accounting standard provides guidance related to determining the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) of debt securities and prescribes the method to be used to present information about an OTTI in the financial statements. It is effective for all interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of FSP 115-2 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 825-10-65, formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP 107-1”), which increases the frequency of fair value disclosures to a quarterly basis instead of an annual basis. The guidance relates to fair value disclosures for any financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet at fair value. This ASC is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
4. | INVESTMENTS IN TRADING SECURITIES |
At December 31, 2009, the Company held investments classified as trading securities, which consisted of various equity securities. All trading securities are carried at fair value. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of trading securities was $1,781,594 (2008 – $1,470,382).
F-20
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
| | December 31, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | Cost | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Book Value | | Cost | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Book Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Furniture and equipment | | $ | 12,416 | | $ | 4,171 | | $ | 8,245 | | $ | 12,416 | | $ | 2,110 | | $ | 10,306 | |
Computer equipment | | | 24,864 | | | 17,800 | | | 7,064 | | | 24,864 | | | 14,772 | | | 10,092 | |
Mining equipment | | | 304,083 | | | 86,352 | | | 217,731 | | | 316,791 | | | 55,456 | | | 261,335 | |
Vehicles | | | 76,398 | | | 64,930 | | | 11,468 | | | 76,398 | | | 45,831 | | | 30,567 | |
| | $ | 417,761 | | $ | 173,253 | | $ | 244,508 | | $ | 430,469 | | $ | 118,169 | | $ | 312,300 | |
As of December 31, 2009 the Company also had made a deposit of $151,506 to acquire mining equipment, which was delivered subsequent to year end.
6. | DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS |
| | December 31, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
Balance, beginning of year | | | $ 3,850 | | | $ 23,101 | |
Costs incurred | | | — | | | — | |
Amortization | | | (2,567 | ) | | (19,251 | ) |
Balance, end of year | | | $ 1,283 | | | $ 3,850 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company paid a finder’s fee of $45,000 and other expenses of $1,202 relating to a convertible debenture financing (Note 9).
In April 2008, XOG purchased an 18.9% participating interest in a petroleum and natural gas lease at an Alberta Crown Land sale. The lease has a five year term, but may be held by continuous production of petroleum and natural gas commencing prior to the expiry of the five year term.
| | December 31, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
Acquisition costs | | | $ 1,607,729 | | | $ 1,607,729 | |
Asset retirement obligation (Note 10) | | | 54,835 | | | 54,835 | |
Total | | | $ 1,662,564 | | | $ 1,662,564 | |
F-21
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
8. | MINERAL PROPERTIES (cont’d...) |
Kwabeng, Pameng and Apapam Projects
The Company holds three mining leases in Ghana. These mining leases grant the Company mining rights to produce gold in the leased areas until July 26, 2019 with respect to the Kwabeng and Pameng Projects and until December 17, 2015 with respect to the Apapam Project, the latter of which can be renewed for a further 30 year term on application and payment of applicable fees to the Minerals Commission. All gold production will be subject to a 3% production royalty of the net smelter returns (“NSR”).
Banso and Muoso Project
The Company holds a prospecting license on its Banso and Muoso Project in Ghana. This license grants the Company the right to conduct exploratory work to determine whether there are mineable reserves of gold or diamonds in the licensed areas, and currently has been renewed for a further one year term (to December 21, 2010) and is further renewable on application and payment of applicable renewal fees to the Minerals Commission. If mineable reserves of gold or diamonds are discovered, the Company will have the option to acquire a mining lease.
Option agreement on Edum Banso Project
In October, 2005, XG Exploration entered into an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with Adom Mining Limited (“Adom”) to acquire 100% of Adom’s right, title and interest in and to a prospecting license on the Edum Banso concession (the “Edum Banso Project”) located in Ghana. Adom further granted XG Exploration the right to explore, develop, mine and sell mineral products from this concession. The renewal date was July 14, 2009 and the Company has been granted an extension by the Minerals Commission to December 1, 2010.
The consideration paid was $15,000 with additional payments of $5,000 to be paid on the anniversary date of the Option Agreement in each year during the term. Upon the commencement of gold production, an additional $200,000 is to be paid, unless proven and probable reserves are less than 2,000,000 ounces, in which case the payment shall be reduced to $100,000.
Upon successful transfer of title from Adom to XG Exploration, a production royalty (the “Royalty”) of 2% of the net smelter returns shall be paid to Adom; provided, however that in the event that less than 2,000,000 ounces of proven and probable reserves are discovered, then the Royalty shall be 1%. The Royalty can be purchased by XG Exploration for $2,000,000; which will be reduced to $1,000,000 if proven and probable reserves are less than 2,000,000 ounces.
Mining lease and prospecting license commitments
The Company is committed to expend, from time to time to the Minerals Commission for an extension of an expiry date of a prospecting license (currently $15,000 for each occurrence) or a mining lease and the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) (of Ghana) for processing and certificate fees with respect to EPA permits, an aggregate of less than $500 in connection with annual or ground rent and mining permits to enter upon and gain access to the areas covered by the Company’s mining leases and prospecting licenses.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company completed a convertible debenture financing for gross proceeds of $900,000. The debentures bear interest at 7% per annum, payable quarterly, and the principal balance is repayable by June 30, 2010. Debenture holders have the option to convert any portion of the outstanding principal into common shares at the conversion rate of $1 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2008, convertible debentures totalling $650,000 were converted into 650,000 common shares. Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2009, the convertible debenture of $250,000 was converted into 250,000 common shares (Note 17).
F-22
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
10. | ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION |
| | December 31, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
Balance, beginning of year | | | $ 65,369 | | | $ 28,399 | |
Change in obligation | | | — | | | 36,970 | |
Accretion expense | | | 6,537 | | | — | |
Balance, end of year | | | $ 71,906 | | | $ 65,369 | |
The Company has a legal obligation associated with its mineral properties for clean up costs when work programs are completed.
The undiscounted amount of cash flows, required over the estimated reserve life of the underlying assets, to settle the obligation, adjusted for inflation, is estimated at $150,000 (2008 - $150,000). The obligation was calculated using a credit-adjusted risk free discount rate of 10% and an inflation rate of 2%. It is expected that this obligation will be funded from general Company resources at the time the costs are incurred.
Cancellation of shares
In May 2005, 47,000,000 common shares owned by two former directors were returned to treasury and cancelled.
In June 2006, 10,000 common shares were returned to the Company in settlement of a dispute and cancelled.
In May 2009, 200,000 common shares were repurchased for $50,000 and cancelled.
Issuance of shares for services
In December 2008, an aggregate of 131,243 common shares were issued to three vendors of the Company’s subsidiary, XG Mining to settle outstanding accounts for services at a value of $1.50 per share.
Private placements
In December 2009, the Company issued 706,000 units at $1.00 per unit for gross proceeds of $706,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and one half of one share purchase warrant. One whole warrant enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.50 expiring eighteen months from the date of issue. The Company also issued finder’s warrants enabling the holders to acquire up to 50,600 common shares at the same terms as the unit warrants. The fair value of finder’s warrants was $20,098 calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation method. The assumptions used were 1.5 years of expected life, risk free interest rate of 2.05%, volatility of 109% and a dividend rate of 0%
In August 2009, the Company issued 376,875 units at $0.80 per unit for gross proceeds of $301,500. Each unit consisted of one common share and one half of one share purchase warrant. One whole warrant enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.00 expiring two year from the date of issue.
In April and May 2009, the Company issued 1,018,000 units at $0.70 per unit for gross proceeds of $712,600. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant enabling the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.00 expiring two years from the date of issue.
F-23
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
11. | CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d...) |
Private placements (cont’d...)
In February 2008, the Company issued 1,062,000 units at $1.50 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,593,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant enabling the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $2.25 per share expiring on July 7, 2009. The Company also issued finder’s warrants enabling the holder to acquire up to 84,960 common shares at the same terms as the unit warrants. The fair value of the finder’s warrants was $15,136 and calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation method. The assumptions used were 1.5 years of expected life, risk free interest rate of 4.88%, volatility of 33% and a dividend rate of 0%.
In October 2007, the Company issued 668,202 units at $1.35 per unit for gross proceeds of $902,073. Each unit consisted of one common share and one half of one share purchase warrant. One whole warrant enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.75 for one year which expiry date was extended to January 13, 2009 (expired). The Company also issued finder’s warrants enabling the holder to acquire up to 33,410 common shares at the same terms as the unit warrants (expired). The fair value of the finder’s warrants was $2,015 and calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation method. The assumptions used were 1 year of expected life, risk free interest rate of 4.50%, volatility of 36% and a dividend rate of 0%.
In October 2006, the Company issued 282,000 common shares at $1.10 per share for gross proceeds of $310,200. For each two shares subscribed for, the purchaser received one share purchase warrant which enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.50 to April 23, 2008 which expiry date was extended to July 13, 2008 (65,000 exercised; 76,000 expired).
In July 2006, the Company issued 1,132,000 common shares at $0.90 per share for gross proceeds of $1,018,800. For each two shares subscribed for, the purchaser received one share purchase warrant which enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.50 to July 31, 2007 which expiry date was extended to July 13, 2008 (566,000 exercised).
In June 2006, the Company issued 578,112 common shares at $0.90 per share for gross proceeds of $520,300. For each two shares subscribed for, the purchaser received one share purchase warrant which enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $1.50 to June 16, 2007 (expired).
In March 2006, the Company issued 792,029 common shares at $0.70 per share for gross proceeds of $554,420.
In November 2005, the Company issued 1,549,354 common shares at $0.55 per share for gross proceeds of $852,145.
In August 2005, the Company issued 300,000 common shares at $0.55 per share for gross proceeds of $165,000. For each two shares subscribed for, the purchaser received one share purchase warrant which enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.75 to August 31, 2006 (expired).
In June 2005, the Company issued 536,218 common shares at $0.55 per share for gross proceeds of $294,920. For each two shares subscribed for, the purchaser received one share purchase warrant which enables the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.75 to April 30, 2006 (177,200 exercised; 90,910 expired).
Acquisition of subsidiary
Effective December 22, 2004, the Company acquired 90% of the outstanding shares of XG Mining in exchange for 2,698,350 shares of common stock. In connection with this acquisition, 47,000,000 shares owned by two former officers and directors of the Company were returned to treasury and cancelled.
F-24
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
11. | CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d...) |
Stock options
The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation option plan is 3,000,000. The terms and conditions of any options granted, including the number and type of options, the exercise period, the exercise price and vesting provisions, are determined by the board of directors.
At December 31, 2009, the following stock options were outstanding:
| Number of Options | Exercise Price | Expiry Date |
| | | |
| 432,000 | $0.70 | May 1, 2013 |
| 270,000 | $0.75 | May 1, 2013 |
| 270,000 | $0.75 | May 1, 2013 |
Stock option transactions and the number of stock options outstanding are summarized as follows:
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | Number of Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | Number of Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding, beginning of year | | 1,080,000 | | | $ 0.72 | | | 1,480,000 | | | $ 0.75 | |
Granted | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Exercised | | — | | | — | | | (100,000 | ) | | 0.75 | |
Cancelled/Expired | | (108,000 | ) | | 0.70 | | | (300,000 | ) | | 0.80 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding, end of year | | 972,000 | | | $ 0.73 | | | 1,080,000 | | | $ 0.73 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable, end of year | | 972,000 | | | $ 0.73 | | | 783,000 | | | $ 0.72 | |
The aggregate intrinsic value for options vested as of December 31, 2009 is approximately $272,000 (2008 - $Nil) and for total options outstanding is approximately $284,000 (2008 - $Nil).
Stock-based compensation
The fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2009 totalled $Nil (2008 - $Nil). During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company extended the life of the options to May 1, 2013 which resulted in an expense of $468,052 (2008 - $156,444) which was included in general and administrative expenses. The remaining $Nil (2008 - $83,870) will be expensed in future periods.
The following assumptions were used for the Black-Scholes valuation of stock options granted or extended during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
| 2009 | 2008 |
| | |
Risk-free interest rate | 2% | — |
Expected life | 4 years | — |
Annualized volatility | 108.16 | — |
Dividend rate | — | — |
The weighted average fair value of options granted was $Nil (2008 - $Nil).
F-25
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
11. | CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d...) |
Warrants
At December 31, 2009, the following warrants were outstanding:
| Number of Warrants | Exercise Price | Expiry Date |
| | | |
| 350,000 | $1.00 | April 1, 2011 |
| 360,000 | $1.00 | April 16, 2011 |
| 308,000 | $1.00 | May 19, 2011 |
| 188,438 | $1.00 | August 5, 2011 |
| 403,600 | $1.50 | June 16, 2011 |
Warrant transactions and the number of warrants outstanding are summarized as follows:
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | |
Balance, beginning of year | | 1,514,471 | | 1,074,511 | |
Issued | | 1,610,038 | | 1,146,960 | |
Exercised | | — | | (631,000 | ) |
Expired | | (1,514,471 | ) | (76,000 | ) |
Balance, end of year | | 1,610,038 | | 1,514,471 | |
12. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company entered into the following transactions with related parties:
| (a) | Paid or accrued consulting fees of $160,927 (2008 - $169,957) to officers of the Company or companies controlled by such officers. |
| (b) | Paid or accrued directors’ fees of CAD$21,000 (USD$18,486) (2008 – CAD30,335 (USD$28,639)) to directors of the Company or companies controlled by directors. |
The amounts charged to the Company for the services provided have been determined by negotiation among the parties. These transactions were in the normal course of operations and were measured at the exchange value, which represented the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
F-26
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
13. | SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS |
| | Cumulative amounts from the beginning of the exploration stage on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the period for: | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 187,362 | | $ | — | | $ | 29,862 | |
Income taxes | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
The significant non-cash transaction during the year ended December 31, 2009 was the issuance of 50,600 finder’s warrants with a value of $20,098 in connection with a private placement (Note 11).
The significant non-cash transactions during the year ended December 31, 2008 were the issuance of 84,960 finder’s warrants with a value of $15,136 in connection to a private placement, the conversion of $650,000 of convertible debentures into 650,000 common shares and the issuance of 131,243 common shares for services rendered with a value of $196,865.
Income tax benefits attributable to losses from United States of America operations was $Nil for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and differed from the amounts computed by applying the United States of America federal income tax rate of 34% to pretax losses from operations as a result of the following:
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
Loss for the year | | $ | (1,038,124 | ) | $ | (3,231,403 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Computed “expected” tax (benefit) expense | | $ | (352,962 | ) | $ | (1,098,677 | ) |
Non deductible (taxable) items | | | (130,796 | ) | | 487,376 | |
Lower effective income tax rate on loss of foreign subsidiaries | | | 68,966 | | | 55,690 | |
Valuation allowance | | | 414,792 | | | 555,611 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net expected tax (benefit) expense | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax assets (liabilities): | | | | | | | |
Net operating loss carryforwards - US | | $ | 1,278,492 | | $ | 1,279,002 | |
Trading securities | | | (49,288 | ) | | 250,917 | |
Net operating loss carryforwards - Ghana | | | 1,038,366 | | | 898,094 | |
| | | | | | | |
Valuation allowance | | | (2,267,570 | ) | | (2,428,013 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax assets | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
F-27
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
14. | DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (cont’d...) |
The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $(2,267,570) and $(2,428,013) respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets. In order to fully realize the deferred tax asset attributable to net operating loss carryforwards, the Company will need to generate future taxable income of approximately $7,620,000 prior to the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards. Of the $7,620,000 of operating loss carryforwards, $4,566,000 is attributable to the US, and expires between 2020 and 2029, and the balance of $3,054,000 is attributable to Ghana and expires between 2010 and 2013.
The Company has one reportable segment, being the exploration and development of resource properties.
Geographic information is as follows:
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | |
Capital assets: | | | | | | | |
Canada | | $ | 94,751 | | $ | 61,307 | |
Ghana | | | 1,852,321 | | | 1,953,557 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total capital assets | | $ | 1,947,072 | | $ | 2,014,864 | |
16. | CONTINGENCY AND COMMITMENTS |
| a) | Effective May 1, 2006, the Company entered into a management consulting agreement with the Vice President, Exploration whereby the Company will pay $5,000 per month for three years for providing 50% of his time in consulting services to the Company (renewed to May 1, 2010 at a rate of CAD$10,000 (USD$8,804) per month effective September 1, 2009 for providing the majority of his time in consulting services to the Company). In the event of termination, without cause, 18 months of fees will be payable. |
| b) | The Company has entered into a temporary consulting agreement with Brokton International Ltd. (“Brokton”), a company controlled by its President, James Longshore. Brokton is to be paid $5,000 per monthfor fiscal 2009. |
| c) | The Company leases 1,163 square feet for its corporate office located at Suite 301, 360 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario. The lease has a 66 month term commencing May 1, 2007, at approximately CAD$3,868 (USD$3,405) per month. |
| d) | The Company was party to a lawsuit for the sum of $121,336 filed in the Ghanaian courts pertaining to payment for excavation services provided by a subcontractor. No further liability had been recorded in connection with the lawsuit because the Company believed the debt had previously been discharged through the transfer of shares to the subcontractor in 2008. Subsequent to year end, the lawsuit was settled and the Company agreed to pay $108,000 in return for the shares previously issued. Upon payment by the Company of $108,000, the 80,891shares were returned to the Company and cancelled. |
F-28
XTRA-GOLD RESOURCES CORP.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
| a) | On January 31, 2010, the Company granted 216,000 stock options to consultants and 108,000 to a director. The options are exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share for 36 months and will vest as to 3,000 options per month respectively. |
| b) | On February 14, 2010 the Company granted 110,000 stock options to a consultant. The options are exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share for 13 months and will vest as to 20,000 options per month for the first five months and the balance of 10,000 options will vest in the sixth month. |
| c) | On February 16, 2010, the $250,000 convertible debenture was converted into 250,000 common shares. |
| d) | On February 18, 2010, the Company settled a lawsuit for a total sum of $108,000 (Note 16). |
F-29