The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial statements and results of operations of Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. (“Xtra-Gold”or“our company”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes to our company’s consolidated financial statements and other information presented elsewhere in this Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect Xtra-Gold’s plans, estimates and beliefs. Our company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements set out herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to those discussed below and as contained elsewhere in this Report. Our company’s consolidated unaudited financial statements are stated in United States Dollars and are prepared in ac cordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Xtra-Gold is 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 33.65 sq km for our Kibi Project (formerly known as the Apapam Project), 51.67 sq km for our Banso Project, 55.65 sq km for our Muoso 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 (24,684 hectares), 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 Discovery located on our Kibi 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 suspended our operations at our Kwabeng Project while Management considered a more economic and efficient manner in which to extract and process the alluvial 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 Discovery located on our Kibi 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 Discovery located on our Kibi 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 Phase III Drill Program at our Kibi Project, subject to positive results from this program, we plan to spend an additional $5,000,000 in drilling expenditures on the Kibi Gold Discovery 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 will be raised primarily 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 will 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.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
Our company’s loss for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $563,501 as compared to a net loss of $425,971 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. We incurred expenses of $1,266,309 in the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $803,106 in the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase $463,203. The increase in expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2010 can be primarily attributed to an increase in exploration costs to $872,154 (2009 - $601,421) resulting from the execution of our Phase III drill program and other exploration activities (trenching and mapping) conducted at our Kibi Project. The increase in general and administrative expenses (“G&A”) to $370,515 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $184,778 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 can be primarily attributed to increased costs in Ghana of $129,339 (2009 - $76,952), increased legal and regulatory costs of $ 54,642 (2009 - $2,031), increased marketing and advertising costs of $50,540 (2009 - $14,357) and stock-based compensation of $19,757 (2009 - $11,544).
Other items totaled a gain of $726,746 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a gain of $377,135 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, our company (i) derived $733,391 from the recovery of 3,262.63 ounces of gold at our Pameng Project by independent Ghanaian contract miners of which our company’s proportionate 19% interest was 619.90 ounces; (ii) had a foreign exchange gain of $14,345 compared to a gain of $116,250 in the three months ended September 30, 2009 which gain can be attributed to currency fluctuations; and (iii) realized a gain of $34,398 on sales of trading securities compared to a loss of $90,788 in the three months ended September 30, 2009.
Our company’s portfolio of marketable securities had an unrealized loss of $59,557 in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to an unrealized gain of $318,474 in the three months ended September 30, 2009 which loss can be attributed to extreme volatility in the public equity markets this reporting period and reduced exposure through ongoing divestiture of these investments to fund our ongoing operations. Our company’s portfolio of marketable securities is largely Canadian currency denominated and is comprised mostly of investments in common shares and income trust units of resource companies.
Our company’s securities portfolio realized a gain of $34,398 on the sale of trading securities during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a realized loss in 2009 of $90,788. Other income, primarily derived from dividends and interest earned, decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2010 to $4,169 as compared to $33,841 in 2009.
Our company’s basic and diluted income (loss) per share for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was ($0.02) compared to a loss ($0.01) per share for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 34,625,543at September 30, 2010 compared to 32,378,004 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding can be attributed to the issuance of 360,000 shares in connection with the exercise of warrants during the period.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
Our company’s loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $1,566,274 as compared to a net loss of $527,623 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $1,038,651. We incurred expenses of $2,444,129 in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $1,219,121 in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase $1,225,008. The increase in expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 can be primarily attributed to an increase in exploration costs to $1,309,423 (2009 - $705,958) resulting from the execution of our Phase III drill program and other explorationactivities (trenching and mapping) conducted at our Kibi Project. The increase in G&A to $1,090,432 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $462,194 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, can be primarily attributed to stock-based compensation of $331,386 (2009 - $63,974) expensed with respect to stock options, $267,419 related to o perations in Ghana (2009 - $165,205), $171,292 of marketing and advertising (2009 – $36,082), and legal fees and regulatory filing fees of $70,743 (2009 - $36,082).Other significant cost items include consulting (2010 - $119,393; 2009 - $129,818), directors’ fees (2010 - $24,030; 2009 - $12,015), and insurance (2010 - $24,340; 2009 - $13,600). The balance of the costs covers office operating costs and other G&A expenses.
Other items totaled a gain of $877,855 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a gain of $691,498 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, due to the recovery of gold at our Pameng Project by independent contract miners, our company sold 619.90 fine ounces of gold (being our company’s 19% proportionate interest in the 3,262.63 ounces of gold) recoveredfrom this Project as compared to $11,603 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 which was booked as Recovery of Gold. Our company had a foreign exchange gain of $21,055 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (2009 – gain of $246,520) which can be attributed to currency fluctuations.
Our company’s portfolio of marketable securities had an unrealized loss of $77,858 as compared to an unrealized gain of $509,157 in 2009) due to extreme volatility in the public equity marketsthrough this reporting period. Our company’s portfolio of marketable securities is largely comprised of investments in common shares and income trust units of resource companies and is Canadian currency denominated. The change reflects a significant decrease in the value of our company’s resource company investments due to the ongoing divestiture of these investments to fund on ongoing operations.
Our company’s securities portfolio realized a gain of $169,539 on the sale of trading securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a realized loss in 2009 of $180,740. Other income, primarily derived from dividends and interest earned, decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 to $33,011 (nine months to September 30, 2009 - $106,883).
Our company’s basic and diluted loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $0.05 compared to $0.02 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 34,031,604at September 30, 2010 compared to 31,919,602 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding can be attributed to the issuance of (i) 250,000 shares in connection with the conversion of the remaining Debenture; (ii) the repurchase and subsequent cancellation of 80,891 shares in connection with a debt settlement; (iii) the issuance of 1,088,000 shares in connection with two private placement financings completed during the period; and (iv) the issuance of 360,000 shares in connection with the exercise of warrants during the period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, Xtra-Gold’s principal source of funds is its available resources of cash and cash equivalents and investments, as well as equity and debt financings.
Liquidity Discussion
Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $1,199,852 (2009 - $901,311).
As of September 30, 2010, our company had working capital equity of $1,966,044, comprised of current assets of $2,134,788 less current liabilities of $168,744. Our company’s current assets were comprised mostly of $1,915,544 in cash and cash equivalentsand $169,821 in trading securities, which is based on our company’s 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 company’s trading securities are held in its investment portfolio with an established brokerage in Canada in which our company primarily invests in the common shares and income trust fund units of publicly traded resource companies.
Our company has historically relied on equity and debt financings to finance its 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 company’s operations over the next year. Our company has no lines of credit or other bank financing arrangements. Generally, our company has financed operations to date through the proceeds of the private equity financings and a convertible debt financing. In connection with our company’s business plan, Management anticipates that our company will spend an aggregate of approximately $2,000,000 comprised of $1,000,000 for exploration expenses in connection with our Phase III Drill Program of our Kibi Gold Discovery located on our Kibi Project and approximately $1,000,000 for general and administrative expenses (which includes approximately $500,000 in non-cash expenses). However, we may not ex pend this amount unless we are able to raise additional capital. Upon completion of our Phase III Drill Program at our Kibi Project, subject to positive results from this program, we plan to spend an additional $5,000,000 in drilling expenditures in the Kibi Gold Discovery to identify a potential resource. This $5,000,000 drilling program cannot be completed unless our company is successful in raising additional capital.
Until our company achieves profitability, we will need to raise additional capital for its exploration programs. Our company intends 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, our company 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, our company 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 company’s business operations.
The independent auditors’ report accompanying Xtra-Gold’s December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph expressing doubt about our company’s 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 our company will realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.
Recent Capital Raising Transactions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our company received gross aggregate subscription proceeds of $1,088,000 from two private placement financings completed during the period at a price of $1.00 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock (a “Share”) and a one-half of a whole common stock purchase warrant (the “Warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per whole Warrant. The Warrants expire 18 months from the closing of each financing; namely October 19, 2011 and December 11, 2011 (each, the “Closing”), subject to a forced conversion provision whereby if, at any time after 12 months from the Closing, the Company’s closing share price for 10 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $2.50 per Share, the Company shall have the option to give notice to the Warrant holders that they must exercise their remaining unexercised Warrants within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice. Any Warrants remaining unexercised after the expiration of the 30-day notice period will be cancelled and will thereafter be of no force or effect. Our Company also issued finders’ warrants of 73,800 and 25,000 on the same terms as the Warrants. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, 360,000 warrants were exercised for proceeds of $360,000.
Net cash derived from financing activities were $1,199,852 (2009 - $901,311) which reflects the payment of $108,000 for the repurchase and subsequent cancellation of 80,891 Shares in connection with a debt settlement.
Material Commitments