UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q/A
_X_ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| |
| For the Quarterly Period EndedJune 30, 2009 |
| |
____ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Transition Period From to
GOLD STANDARD MINING CORP.
(Name of small business issuer specified in its charter)
Nevada | 80-0250289 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) | |
| |
190 N. Canon Drive Suite 420, Beverly Hills, CA | 90210 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
| |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes T No £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes T No £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, anon –accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Section 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | Accelerated filer |
Non-accelerated filer | Smaller reporting company X |
As of June 30, 2009, the issuer had 142,699,522 shares of common stock outstanding.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format: Yes £ No T
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes £ No T
1
This current report and the exhibits attached hereto contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern the Company's anticipated results and developments in the Company's operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “believes” or “does not believe”, "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
*
risks related to our mineral operations being subject to government regulation;
*
risks related to our ability to obtain additional capital to develop our resources, if any;
*
risks related to mineral exploration activities;
*
risks related to the fluctuation of prices for precious and base metals, such as gold, silver and copper;
*
risks related to the competitive industry of mineral exploration;
*
risks related to our title and rights in our mineral properties;
*
risks related to the possible dilution of our common stock from additional financing activities; and
*
risks related to fluctuations of the price of our shares of common stock.
Other risks and uncertainties include such factors, among others, as market acceptance and market demand for our products and services, pricing, the changing regulatory environment, the effect of our accounting policies, potential seasonality, industry trends, adequacy of our financial resources to execute our business plan, our ability to attract, retain and motivate key technical, marketing and management personnel, possible disruption in commercial activities occasioned by terrorist activity and armed conflict, and other risk factors detailed in this report and our other SEC filings. You should consider carefully the statements under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in "Part II—Other Information" and other sections of this report, which address additional factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements a nd could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the applicable cautionary statements.
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”). While these statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the results of the interim period, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto, which are included in the Company’s Report on form 10K, as amended, previously filed with the Commission.
3
Gold Standard Mining Corp. and Subsidiaries (a Production Stage Company) Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (Restated) |
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | June 30, 2009 |
ASSETS | |
| |
Current Assets | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 192 |
Accounts and notes receivable, net | 336 |
Inventories | 575 |
Total current assets | 1,103 |
| |
Non-current assets | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 13,597 |
| |
TOTAL ASSETS | 14,700 |
| |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
| |
Current liabilities | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | -- |
Taxes payable | 352 |
Total current liabilities | 352 |
| |
Long-term liabilities | |
Long-term debt | 32 |
Asset retirement obligations | 3,342 |
Total long-term liabilities | 3,374 |
| |
Total liabilities | 3,726 |
| |
EQUITY | |
| |
Common stocks , $.001 par value | |
Authorized shares; 100,000,000 | |
Issued and outstanding shares; | |
142,699,522 at June 30, 2009 | 891 |
| |
Paid in capital | 9,049 |
Surplus accumulated during development stage | 1,034 |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | 10,974 |
| |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ 14,700 |
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements
4
|
| Gold Standard Mining Corp. and Subsidiaries (a Production Stage Company) Statement of Operations ¬(Unaudited)- (Restated) |
| (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | Three months ended June 30, 2009 | 3 months ended March 31, 2009 | Six months ended June 30, 2009 | Six months ended June 30 2008 |
| Revenues | | | | |
| Gold production sales | $16 297 | $ - | $16 297 | $31 902 |
| | | | | |
| Net revenues | 16,297 | - | 16,297 | 31,902 |
| | | | | |
| Administrative and Corporate Expenses | 417 | 96 | 513 | - |
| | | | | |
| Taxes other than income tax | 1,436 | 5 | 1,441 | 2,372 |
| Maintenance expenses | 1,009 | - | 1,009 | 1,238 |
| Operating expenses | 1,583 | 62 | 1,645 | 2,301 |
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 6,644 | 3,984 | 10,628 | 10,297 |
| Operating expenses | 18 | 42 | 60 | 129 |
| Accretion expense | 73 | 73 | 147 | 296 |
| | | | | |
| Operating expenses | 11,180 | 4,263 | 15,442 | 16,634 |
| | | | | |
| Other income and expenses | | | | |
| Interest income (expense) | - | - | - | - |
| Other income, net | 34 | (154) | (120) | 1739 |
| | | | | |
| Total other income and expenses | 34 | (154) | (120) | 1,739 |
| | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | 5,151 | (4,417) | 734 | 17,007 |
| | | | | |
| Income taxes | | | | |
| Current income tax expense (benefit) | 1,114 | (864) | 249 | 4,082 |
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | (783) | 864 | 81 | (534) |
| Total income tax expense | 331 | - | 331 | 3,548 |
| | | | | |
| Net income | $4,821 | $(4,417) | $ 404 | $13,460 |
| See notes to financial statements |
5
Gold Standard Mining Corp. and Subsidiaries (a Production Stage Company) Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Restated) |
| Six months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, |
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
| 2009 (unaudited) | 2008 (unaudited) |
Operating activities | | |
Net income | $ 404 | $ 13,460 |
| | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 10,628 | 10,297 |
Accretion expense on asset retirement obligations | 147 | 296 |
Deferred income tax (benefit) / expense | 81 | (534) |
Other non-cash items | | |
| | |
Changes in operational working capital: | | |
Accounts and notes receivable | 15,423 | (15,759) |
Inventories | 174 | (504) |
Accounts and taxes payable | 352 | 119,285 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 15,949 | 126,542 |
| | |
Investing activities | | |
Capital expenditures | (79,126) | (62,624) |
Net cash used for investing activities | (79,126) | (62,624) |
| | |
Financing activities | | |
Long-term debt issued | -- | 70,649 |
Repayment of long-term debt | -- | (15,269) |
Net cash used for financing activities | -- | 55,380 |
| | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 192 | (144) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | - | 144 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 192 | $ - |
| | |
See notes to financial statements |
6
Gold Standard Mining Corp. and Subsidiaries Statement of Stockholder's Equity From inception (December 11, 2007) to June 30, 2009 (Restated) |
| | | | | |
| Common | Stock | | Deficit | Total |
| | | Additonal | Accumulated | Stockholders’ |
| | | Paid in | During | Surplus |
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Development | Deficit |
| | | | | |
Balance at inception (Dec. 11, 2007) | - | - | - | - | - |
| | | | | |
Issuance of shares on Dec. 31, 2007 for services rendered | 20,000,000 | 20,000 | - | - | 20,000 |
Net loss period Dec. 11, 2007 through December 31, 2007 | - | - | - | (20,000) | (20,000) |
Balance December 31, 2007 | 20,000,000 | 20,000 | - | (20,000) | - |
| | | | | |
Issuance of shares for cash | 10,000,000 | 10,000 | - | - | 10,000 |
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 | | | | (44,497) | (44,497) |
| | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2008 | 30,000,000 | 30,000 | - | (64,497) | (34,497) |
Stocks issued for cash | 191,219 | 191 | 513,752 | | 513,943 |
Stocks issued for services | 525,000 | 525 | | | |
Stocks cancelled | (18,000,000) | (18,000) | | | (18,000) |
Stocks issued for acquisition | 30,506,060 | 739,972 | | | 30,506 |
3.3 – 1 forward split | 138,377,243 | 138,377 | | | 138,377 |
Net loss for the period ended June 30, 2009 | | | | 404,000 | 404,000 |
Balance at June 30, 2009 | 142,699,522 | $891,065 | $513,572 | $ 339,503 | $ 1,034,329 |
| | | | | |
See notes to financial statements |
7
Gold Standard Mining Corp. and Subsidiaries
(a production stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2009
(unaudited)
(restated)
NOTE 1: ORGANIZATION
Gold Standard Mining Corp. was incorporated on December 17, 2007 in the State of Nevada. The Company, through its subsidiary, Ross Zoloto, is engaged in the business of exploration, development, and production of gold from alluvial and hard rock mineral deposits located in the Amur region in the far east of the Russian Federation. The Company is a “production stage company” as defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7, and is subject to compliance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 7 (SFAS No. 7).
The Russian Federation has experienced political and econolic change, which has affected and may continue to affect the activities of enterprises operating in this environment. Conseuquently, operations in the Russian Federation involve certain risks, which do not typically exist in other markets. The accompanying financial statements reflect management’s assessment of the impact of the Russian business environment on the operation and the financial position of the company. The future business environment may differ from management’s assessment.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary to provide a fair presentation of operating results for the interim period presented have been made. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to exploration stage enterprises. The functional currency is the Russian Rouble, but all financial statements are presented in United States dollars.
NOTE 2: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and cash equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Mining properties
The Company will follow the successful efforts method of accounting. All developmental costs will be capitalized. The Company is predominately engaged in the acquisition and development of proved reserves as opposed to exploration activities. Depreciation and depletion of producing properties will be computed on the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved mineral reserves. Repairs and maintenance will be expensed, while renewals and betterments will be generally capitalized.
At least quarterly, or more frequently if conditions indicate that long-term assets may be impaired, the carrying value of our properties will be compared to management's future estimated pre-tax cash flow from the properties. If undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, then the asset value will be written down to fair value. Impairment of individually significant unproved properties will be assessed on a property-by-property basis, and impairment of other unproved properties is assessed and amortized on an aggregate basis.
Revenue Recognition.
Metal sales revenue is recognized when the sales price is fixed and title has passed to the customer.
Functional and reporting currency.
The functional currency of the company’s operating subsidiary is the Russian ruble. The company’s subsidiary maintains its accounting records in the Russian ruble and the company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of the company’s operations denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange at the consolidated balance sheet dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates. Gains and losses on translation of foreign currencies are included in earnings.
Currency risk management.
The company is primarily exposed to currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar on expenditures that are denominated in Russian rubles. The Russian ruble is not convertible outside of Russia. Accordingly, the translation of amounts recorded from Russian rubles to U.S. dollars should not be construed as a representation that such currency amounts have been, could or will be in the future, converted into U.S. dollars at any exchange rate.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receiveable are presented at net realizable value and do notinclude value-added tax . Accounts and ntoes receivable are recorded at their transaction amounts, less provisions for doubtful debts. Provisions for doubtful debts are recorded to the extent that there is a likelihood that any of the amounts due will not be obtained.
Asset Retirement Obligation.
The Company’s financial statements will reflect the fair value for any asset retirement obligation, consisting of future plugging and abandonment expenditures related to mining properties, which can be reasonably estimated. The asset retirement obligation will be recorded as a liability at its estimated present value at the asset's inception, with an offsetting increase to producing properties on the balance sheet. Periodic accretion of the discount of the estimated liability will be recorded as an expense in the statements of operations.
Stock Based Compensation
Shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued for services. These issuances are valued at the fair market value of the services provided and the number of shares issued is determined based upon what the price of the common stock is on the date of each respective transaction.
Estimates
The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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 these estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts for the Company’s cash, and related party payables approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Income Taxes
In February 1992, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS No. 109 required a change from the deferred method of accounting for income taxes of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 11 to the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method of SFAS No. 109, 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 SFAS No. 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Deferred income taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities for the purposes of the financial statements and their respective tax bases and in respect of operating loss and tax credits carryforwards. Deferred income 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 reverse and the assets be recovered and liabilities settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in the reporting periods in which the originating expenditure becomes deductible. In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will be realized. In making this assessment, management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” SFAS No. 128 simplifies the standards for computing earnings per share (“EPS”) and was effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997, with earlier application not permitted. Upon adoption, all prior EPS data was restated.
Basic EPS is determined using net income divided by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding, assuming all dilutive potential common shares were issued.
Inventories
Gold is measured at the lower of net production cost and net realizable value. The net cost of production per unit of gold is determined by dividing total production cost, by the saleable output of gold.
Production costs include consumables and spares, labor, tax on mining, utilities, refining costs, sundry costs, amortization and depreciation of operating assets.
Materials and supplies inventories are recorded at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated proved and probable ore reserves reflect the economically recoverable quantities which can be legally recovered in the future from known mineral deposits. The Company’s reserves are estimated in accordance with the Russian Resource Reporting Code for gold reserves.
Mineral rights are recorded as assets when acquired and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the related mineral deposits based on estimated proved and probable ore reserves.
Mining assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Mining assets include the cost of acquiring and developing mining properties, pre-production expenditure, mine infrastructure, mineral rights and mining and exploration licenses and the present value of future asset retirement
costs.
Mining assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of mines of 7 to 20 years, which is based on estimated proved and probable ore reserves. Amortization is charged from the date on which a new mine reaches commercial production quantities and is included in the cost of production.
Other property, plant and equipment not associated with mining activities are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of these assets is calculated on a straight line basis as follows:
•
Buildings and constructions 5 - 33 years
•
Machinery and equipment 5 - 15 years
Maintenance and repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets, such as mining properties, other property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by that group. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by writing down the carrying amount to the estimated fair value of the asset group. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs t o sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.
Loans and borrowings
Loans and borrowings are recognized initially at the fair value of the proceeds received which is determined using the prevailing market rate of interest for a similar instrument, if significantly different from the transaction price, net of transaction costs incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and borrowings are stated at amortized cost, using an effective interest method; any difference between fair value of the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount is recognized as debt discount amortization over the period of the borrowings.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with a transaction will flow to the enterprise and the amount of the revenue can be measured reliably. Sales are recognized net of value-added tax and discounts when transfer of risks and rewards has been completed. In particular, revenue from the production and sale of produced gold is recognized when title has transferred to the customer. In our restaurant, hotel and farm businesses, revenue is recognized when goods and services have been given to the customer.
Pension and post-employment Benefits
The Company’s mandatory contributions to the governmental pension scheme in the Russian Federation are expensed when incurred.
Contingencies
Certain conditions may exist as of balance sheet dates that may result in losses to the Company but the impact of which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.
If a Company’s assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, then the estimated liability is accrued and charged to the statement of income. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable, but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss, is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee is disclosed.
Environmental expenditures
Estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations are generally recognized no later than the completion of remedial feasibility studies. The Company accrues for losses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. Such accruals are adjusted as further information becomes available or circumstances change. Costs of expected future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted to their net present value.
Business Segments
The company has adopted SFAS 131, « Disclosures About Segments of a Business Enterprise » and requires that a public company report annual and interim financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Operating segments, as defined, are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. This Statement allows aggregation of similar operating segments into a single operating segment if the businesses are considered similar under the criteria of this statement. For the purposes of applying this statement, we consider our farm, hotel and night club businesses to be similar and therefore have aggregated them. As required, ou r financial information has been reported on the basis that we use internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments.
NOTE 3: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On May 8, 2009, 4,900,000 and on June 30, 2009, an additional 2,500,000 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Agata Gotova, and 7,500,000 common shares to Kenata corporation, a corporation owned by Agata Gotova and company general counsel, Kenneth Eade, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, in exchange for Ross Zoloto.
On May 8, 2009, 15,000,000 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Araik Khachatrian in exchange for Ross Zoloto, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On May 8, 2009, 606,600 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Zurab Chavchvadze, in exchange for Ross Zoloto. pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
During the periods ended June 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s subsidiary, Ross Zoloto, had certain activities with its shareholder and related companies. The Company’s reported results of operations, financial position and cash flows may have been different had such transactions been carried out amongst unrelated parties. Related parties may enter into transactions which unrelated parties might not, and transactions between related parties may not be effected on the same terms, conditions and amounts as transactions between unrelated parties.
On March 10, 2009, Araik Khachatrian cancelled the outstanding debt of $388,010 to Rosszoloto by agreement, and the value of the corresponding assets was adjusted from actual contractual cost to a lower appraised value.
NOTE 4: NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In April 2009, FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 was issued to amend SFAS No. 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28,Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, FSP No. 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, was issued to provide additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also provides guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP No. FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, ("SFAS No. 157") was issued by the FASB in September 2006. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 57 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement. No new requirements are included in SFAS No. 157, but application of SFAS No. 157 will result in additional disclosure requirements.. The Company does not expect adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. It provides entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The Company does not expect adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007),Business Combinations("SFAS No. 141R"). Among other things, SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired business, (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. This stan dard will require accounting treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51("SFAS No. 160"). SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Minority interests will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. It also establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary and requires expanded disclosures. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operatio ns or cash flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—An Amendment of FASB Statement 133("SFAS No. 161"). SFAS No. 161 amends and expands SFAS No. 133 to enhance required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities. It requires companies to provide additional disclosure to discuss the uses of derivative instruments; the accounting for derivative instruments and related hedged items under SFAS No. 133; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the company's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The Company adopted SFAS No. 161 on July 1, 2009. The Company does not expect theadoption of this statement will have a material impac t on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
June 30,2009 | December 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 |
| | | |
Cash in bank accounts denominated in RR | 192 | - | 144 |
Total cash and cash equivalents | 192 | - | 144 |
| | |
| NOTE 6. | INVENTORIES |
Gold is valued at the lower of net production cost and net realizable value. The net cost of production per unit of gold is determined by dividing total production cost by the saleable output of gold. Production costs include consumables and spares, labor, tax on mining, utilities, refining costs, sundry costs, amortization and depreciation of operating assets.Materials and supplies inventories are recorded at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.
NOTE 7: ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
|
June 30,2009 | December 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 |
| | | |
Taxes prepaid – VAT | - | 15,725 | - |
Other receivables and advances | 336 | 34 | - |
Total accounts and notes receivable | 336 | 15,759 | - |
NOTE 8: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
|
June 30,2009 | December 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 |
| | | |
Trade accounts payable | - | 477 | 470 |
Accrued expenses | - | - | 41 |
Other payables | - | 204 | - |
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses | - | 681 | 511 |
NOTE 9: LONG-TERM DEBT
|
June 30,2009 | December 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 |
| | | |
Long-term debt payable to shareholder | - | 260,000 | 260,000 |
Additional borrowings, net of repayments | - | 55,380 | - |
Less: current portion | - | (315,380) | - |
Total long-term debt, net of current portion | - | - | 260,000 |
In November 2007, the Company entered into a long-term interest-free financing arrangement with it’s shareholder to borrow approximately an equivalent of USD 260 million. In 2008 the Company borrowed additional funds for a total of USD 315 million. The loan was repaid in full in 2009.
NOTE 10: SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
During the reporting period of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 the Company’s subsidiary Ross Zoloto, made cash distributions from retained earnings of USD 15,269 million and USD 10,557 thousand, respectively. The distributions were used in part to repay long-term loan from the owner.
NOTE 11. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
| Cost | Accumulated DD&A | Net book value |
| | | |
Mining assets | 210,794 | 203,681 | 7,113 |
Non-mining assets | 195,199 | 188,715 | 6,484 |
Balance at 30 June 2009 | 405,593 | 392,396 | 13,597 |
The Company’s mining fields are situated on land belonging to the Russian Federation. The Company obtained licenses from the local authorities and pays unified natural resources production tax to explore and produce mineral ore from the fields.
Non-mining assets include hotel, night club, cattle farm and related infrastructure. The services provided by these assets are available to general public. Revenues and operating expenses related to these non-mining assets are included in other income or expense in Company’s income statement.
Management believes that the entire carrying amount of Company’s assets included under property, plant and equipment is fully recoverable from future cash proceeds expected to be received over the useful lives of these assets.
In accordance with SFAS No. 143, property, plant and equipment listed above include asset retirement costs associated with asset retirement obligations. Changes in the asset retirement obligation during the period ended June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
|
June 30,2009 | December 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 |
| | | |
ARO liability at the beginning of the period | 3,196 | 2,899 | 2,566 |
Accretion expense | 146 | 297 | 333 |
Liabilities incurred | - | - | - |
Changes in estimates | - | - | - |
Total asset retirement obligations | | | 2,899 |
The company conducts its operations so as to protect the public health and the environment, and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. Reclamation and remediation obligations rise throughout the life of each mine.
NOTE 12. MINERAL RESERVES
Estimated proven and probable ore reserves reflect the economically recoverable quantities which can be legally recovered in the future from known mineral deposits. The company’s reserves are estimated in accordance with the Russian Resource Reporting Code for gold reserves. Mineral rights are recorded as assets when acquired and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the related mineral deposits based on estimated proved and probable ore reserves.
The company’s mineral reserves are estimated based on the Russian mineral reserve reporting system. The company has 120 tons of C1 and P2 gold reserves; 69 tons of B and C1 gold reserves; 6 tons of C2 gold reserves; 3 tons of P2 platinum and 345 tons of silver reserves. Russian mineral rights are owned by the government and licensed to enterprises such as Rosszoloto. The Russian mineral resource and reserve reporting is split into two categories; “resources” and “reserves;” depending on the level of exploration. Mineral resources are in situ estimates based on geological evidence with preliminary technical and economic assessments sufficient to show that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. Mineral reserves are the economically mineable part of a mineral resource, having taken into accou nt all dilution and recovery factors and technical and economic studies having been carried out in sufficient detail to demonstrate that extraction can reasonably be justified. The categories of resources and reserves are split into the following sub-categories:
Resources:
-
P3: No supporting evidence
-
P2: Evidence from geophysics/geochemistry/mapping
-
P1: Limited drill hole, trench sampling and outcrop data
Reserves:
-
C2: Systematic sampling, ancillary studies
-
C1: Closer-spaced sampling, more detailed ancillary studies
-
B: Close-spaced exploration or partly blocked out in mine
-
A: Generally blocked out ore in a producing mine
Costs to acquire mineral properties are capitalized and represent the property’s fair value at the time it was acquired, either as an individual asset purchase or as part of a business combination.
The expected useful lives used in depletion calculations are determined based on the facts and circumstances associated with the mineral interest. The company evaluates the proven and probable reserves at least on an annual basis and adjusts the calculation upon which depletion is based, to correspond with the reserves as necessary. Any changes in estimates of useful lives are accounted for prospectively from the date of the change.
NOTE 13. GOODWILL AND GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
Business acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method whereby acquired assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value as of the date of acquisition with the excess of the purchase price over such fair value recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting units and is not amortized.
Included in the fair market value of property, plant and equipment and mineral properties in value beyond proven reserves (VBPP) resulting from the company’s acquisitions. The concept of VBPP is described in FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 04-3, « Mining Assets : Impairment and Business Combinations, » and the Emerging Issues Committee abstract « EIC-152-Mining Assets-Impairment and Business Combinations » and has been interpreted differently by different mining companies. The company’s acquisition adjustments to property, plant and equipment include VBPP attributable to mineralized material, which includes measured and indicated amounts that the company believes could be brought into production, and inferred resources.
Goodwill is attributed to the following factors :
-
The expected ability of the company to increase the reserves and resources t a particular mining property based on its potential to develop identified exploration targets existing on the properties which were part of the acquisitions.
-
The optionality (real option value associated with the portfolio of acquired mines as well as each individual mine) to develop additional, higher-cost reserves and to intensify efforts to develop the more promising acquired properties and reduce efforts at developing the less promising acquired properties should gold prices change in the future ; and
-
The going concern value of the company’s capacity to replace and augment reserves through completely new discoveries whose value is not reflected in any of the other valuations.
Accordingly, in determining the basis of assigning goodwill to reporting units as at the date of the acquisition, the value associated with expected additional value attributable to exploration potential is quantified for each reporting unit based on the specific geological attributes of the mineral property and based on market data for similar types of properties. The values associated with optionality and going concern value are not separately computed and accordingly the balance of goodwill is assigned to reporting units using a relative fair value methodology.
In determining the fair value of goodwill for the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is recalculated in a manner consistent with the way it would be determined under a business combination.
At least on an annual basis, the company evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill to determine whether events and circumstances have changed from the last evaluation date such that the carrying amount may no longer be recoverable. The company compares the estimated fair value of reporting units to which goodwill was allocated to the carrying amounts. If the carrying value of a reporting until were to exceed its estimated fair value, the company would compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount. Any excess of the carrying value over the fair value is charged to earnings.
NOTE 14: COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OPERATING RISKS
Insurance
The insurance industry in the Russian Federation is in a developing state and many forms of insurance protection common in other parts of the world are not yet generally available. The Company does not have full coverage for its plant facilities, business interruption, or third party liability in respect of property or environmental damage arising from accidents on Company property or relating to the operations. Until the Company obtains adequate insurance coverage, there is a risk that the loss or destruction of certain environmental assets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and financial position.
Taxation environment
Russian tax, currency and customs legislation is subject to varying interpretations, and changes, which can occur frequently. Management’s interpretation of such legislation as applied to the transactions and activity of the Company may be challenged by the relevant regional and federal authorities. Recent developments in the Russian taxation environment suggest that the authorities are becoming more active in seeking to enforce, through the Russian court system, interpretations of tax legislation which may be different to authorities’ previous interpretations or practices. Differences and selective interpretations of tax regulations by various government authorities and inconsistent enforcement create further uncertainties in the taxation environment in the Russian Federation.
Tax declarations together with related documentation, are subject to review and investigation by a number of authorities, each of which may impose fines, penalties and interest charges. Fiscal periods remain open to review by the authorities for three calendar years preceding the year of review (one year in case of customs). Under certain circumstances reviews may cover longer periods. In addition, in some instances new tax regulations have taken retroactive effect. Additional taxes, penalties and interest which may be material to the position of the taxpayers may be assessed in the Russian Federation as a result of such reviews.
Mining Licenses
The Company is subject to periodic reviews of its activities by governmental authorities with respect to the requirements of its mining licenses. Management of the Company corresponds with governmental authorities to agree on remedial actions, if necessary, to resolve any findings resulting from these reviews.
Failure to comply with the terms of a license could result in fines, penalties or license limitation, suspension or revocation. The Company’s management believes any issues of non-compliance will be resolved through negotiations or corrective actions without any materially adverse effect on the financial position or the operating results of the Company. No significant issues of non compliance existed as of June 30, 2009.
Environmental matters
The enforcement of environmental regulation in the Russian Federation is evolving and the enforcement posture of government authorities is continually being reconsidered. The Company periodically evaluates its obligations under environmental regulations and, as obligations are determined, they are recognized immediately, if no current or future benefit is discernible. Potential liabilities which might arise as a result of stricter enforcement of existing regulations, civil litigation or changes in legislation, cannot be estimated. Under existing legislation, management believes that there are no probable liabilities or contingencies which will have a material adverse effect on the financial position or the operation results of the Company.
Legal contingencies
The Company is not a named party in any pending or threatened litigation.
NOTE 15: BUSINESS AND CREDIT CONCENTRATION
During 2009 and prior years, the main customer of the Company was Sberbank, a major state controlled retail banking institution in the Russian Federation. The gold industry in Russia is subject to world market conditions and Russian government policies. The Russian and regional government have exercised, and can be expected to continue to exercise, significant influence over the Company’s operations, through legislative and regulatory means.
Changes in the market and government policies may significantly affect management’s estimates and the Company’s performance.
NOTE 15: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the time the June 30, 2009 Form 10Q was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2009 which is the date the financial statements were issued. No events have occurred subsequent to June 30, 2009 that require disclosure or recognition in these financial statements, except that the financial statements have been restated to properly record a lower appraised value of the company’s assets over the historical cost value, and the result of Araik Khachatrian’s release of debt owed him by the company’s subsidiary.
16
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including without limitation, the disclosures made under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" included in Part II of this Report, and in the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, previously filed with the SEC.
Overview
On May 6, 2009, the registrant entered into a material definitive agreement with Gold Standard Mining Corp., a Wyoming corporation, by which the registrant acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Gold Standard Mining Corp. in exchange for 20 million shares of company common stock and Pantelis Zachos retired 19,800,000 shares of common stock to the company treasury. On June 18, 2009, the agreement was amended to reflect the originally agreed 30 million share purchase price, that could not be issued at the time because of the lack of authorized common share capital.
Pursuant to the agreement, the registrant has issued 30 million shares in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Gold Standard, which owns a wholly owned subsidiary called Ross Zoloto, a company which is engaged in the business of running a producing gold mine in Blagoveshchensk, Russia, in far eastern Russia on the border between Russia and China.
On May 6, 2009, Agata Gotova, Araik Khachatrian, and Zurab Chachavadze were appointed as directors of the company and Araik Khachatrian was appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the company.
Because of the recent acquisition of Ross Zoloto, management of the company does not believe a comparison with the previous quarter will be meaningful, so it has presented a cursory review and a summary of its plan of operations.
Results of Operations
The company’s only operating subsidiary was acquired on May 6, 2009. Therefore, the comparison of our results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2008 with our results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, are generally not meaningful. Except for the discussion on administrative and corporate expenses set forth below, all comparative information is presented from Ross Zoloto. Because of the lack of meaningful comparison, a summary of the company’s plan of operations also been included.
Revenues
Revenues were $16,297,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Revenues of Ross Zoloto were $16,907,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared with $31,902,00 for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Management attributes the decrease in revenues to the repayment of long-term debt, which resulted in a loss of operating capital.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses include payroll and related employee benefits, taxes and maintenance associated with Ross Zoloto’s mining operations and other administrative costs associated with facilities, and legal and other administrative fees, as well as corporate administrative expenses, which are discussed below. Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2009 were $11,180,000 compared with $4,263,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Operating expenses were $15,442,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared with $16,634,000 for the same period in 2008.
Administrative and Corporate Expenses
Administrative and corporate expenses include all corporate expenses of the company associated with its financing activities and expenses incurred to run a publicly traded company. This includes corporate, legal, accounting, shareholder and SEC filing expenses. It also includes officer’s consultants’, and legal and accounting staff’s travel expenses. Administrative expenses were $417,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Comparable figures for the three months ended June 30, 2008 are not available. Admninistrative expenses were $513,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $14,261 for the same period in 2008.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other income was $34,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $154,000 in other expenses, net of income, for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Other expense, net of other income, was $120,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $1,739,000 for the same period in 2008.
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss includes the loss from operations, corporate expense and other expense. We recorded a net income of $4,821,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to a net loss of $4,417,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009. We recorded a net income of $4,308,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared with a net income of $13,460,000 for the same period in 2008.
17
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On June 30, 2009, we had cash of $192,000, accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, of $336,000, and inventories of 575,000. Our working capital deficit as of June 30, 2009 was $387,261,000 compared to a working capital deficit of $299,621,000 at December 31, 2008.
Net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $394,699. The primary uses of cash was our repayment of long-term debt of $315,380.
Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $315,380, and was used for repayment of long-term debt. Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $79,126,000.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Please see "Note 43 – New Accounting Pronouncements" to our financial statements included in Part I—Item 1. Financial Statements of this report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 193
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and plan of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates including, among others, those affecting revenue, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the salability of inventory and the useful lives of tangible and intangible assets. The discussion below is intended as a brief discussion of some of the judgments and uncertainties that can impact the application of these policies and the specific dollar amounts reported on our financial statements. We base o ur estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form our basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, or if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Many of our estimates or judgments are based on anticipated future events or performance, and as such are forward-looking in nature, and are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise this discussion to reflect any future events or circumstances.
We have identified below some of our accounting policies that we consider critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. This is not a complete list of all of our accounting policies, and there may be other accounting policies that are significant to us. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and our other accounting policies, see note 1 to the financial statements for the period ended June 30 2009, included in this Form 10Q.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less which are not securing any corporate obligations.
18
Stock Based Compensation.
Shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued for services. These issuances are valued at the fair market value of the services provided and the number of shares issued is determined based upon what the price of the common stock is on the date of each respective transaction.
Estimates.
The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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 these estimates.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. There were no advertising expenses for the period ended March 31, 2009.
Income Taxes.
In February 1992, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS No. 109 required a change from the deferred method of accounting for income taxes of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 11 to the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method of SFAS No. 109, 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 SFAS No. 109, 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.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share.
In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” SFAS No. 128 simplifies the standards for computing earnings per share (“EPS”) and was effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997, with earlier application not permitted. Upon adoption, all prior EPS data was restated.
Basic EPS is determined using net income divided by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding, assuming all dilutive potential common shares were issued.
Segment Reporting
Based on the Company's integration and management strategies, the Company operates in a single business segment.
Plan of Operations
The company has acquired mining properties and completed exploration activities on all of its properties. It is producing gold from its alluvial operations and its ultimate objective is to build an ore processing facility to exploit its more extensive hard rock gold reserves.
We currently produce approximately 4-5 kilos of gold ore per day from alluvial deposits. By the end of 2009, we expect to have mined between 300-400 kilograms of gold our alluvial deposits. Our plan of operations is to expand our operations to the mining and processing of hard rock ore to exploit our most valuable gold reserves. This will require the building of a plant at a cost of approximately $50 million.
Our first milestone is to raise the capital for the plant, which is expected to take between 3 to 12 months. The raising of this capital will involve the preparation of an independent geological report, based on the laws of Canada. In conjunction with the company’s capital raising effort, it will attempt to qualify for and apply for a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the NYSE Amex Exchange of the New York Stock Exchange (former AMEX). The next milestone is to construct the plant and put it in operation, which is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months. In the meantime, we intend to continue our alluvial gold production.
19
ITEM 3 . QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company’s business activities contain elements of risk. The Company considers a principal type of market risk to be a valuation risk. All assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (which is based, in part, on quoted market prices). Market prices of common equity securities in general, are subject to fluctuations which could cause the amount to be realized upon sale to differ significantly from the current reported value. The fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the Company’s portfolio companies, the relative prices of alternative investments, general market conditions and supply and demand imbalances for a particular security.
Neither the Company’s investments nor an investment in the Company is intended to constitute a balanced investment program. The Company will be subject to exposure in the public—market pricing and the risks inherent therein.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure (i) that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms; and (ii) that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision of our chief executive officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer concluded that as of June 30, 2009, the design and operation of such disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level because of material weaknesses in those controls and procedures.
Material Weaknesses.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Because we acquired Ross Zoloto in May 2009, we only recently put in place internal controls in June 2009. In connection with our acquisition of Ross Zoloto, we acquired substantial new operations, including international operations, new accounting systems, new financial personnel, and new financial procedures for which we had not fully implemented our internal controls as of June 30, 2009. Accordingly, our chief executive officer identified the following internal control deficiencies during his assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2009: (i) we have not instituted all elements of an effective program to help prevent and detect fraud by Company employees; (ii) we did not maintain adequate segregation of duties for staff members responsible for recording revenue; and (iii) we have not completed a comprehensive test of materia l high risk internal controls to confirm these controls are effective.
If the identified material weaknesses are not remediated, one or more of those material weaknesses could result in a material misstatement in our reported financial statements in a future interim or annual period. We are in the process of attempting to remediate the above noted weaknesses, but that remediation was not complete as of June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2009 a new Chief Financial Officer was appointed for the company. During the third quarter of 2009, Russian speaking accountants have been engaged to translate Russian accounting standards into generally accepted accounting principles. We anticipate that we will complete the implementation of our internal controls and testing against a standardized framework over the next few fiscal quarters.
We will assess the need to take additional actions including, but not limited, to the following: evaluate accounting and control systems to identify opportunities for enhanced controls; recruit and hire additional staff to provide greater segregation of duty; evaluate the need for other employee changes; expand executive management's ongoing communications regarding the importance of adherence to internal controls and company policies; implement an internal auditing function at the Company and its subsidiaries; and evaluate such other actions as our advisors may recommend.
Management does not believe any of its financial statements contain a material error as a result of any material weakness in internal controls.
Changes In Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting.
No changes were made in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations On Disclosure Controls And Procedures.
Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors or all instances of fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be 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. Because of 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. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error o r mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and any design may not succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitation of a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
20
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
This item is not applicable because this is not an annual report for a fiscal year ending on or after March 31, 2007 but before December 15, 2008.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the normal course of business, the Company is, and in the future may be, subject to various disputes, claims, lawsuits, and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to commercial, employment and other matters, which could involve substantial amounts of damages. In the opinion of management, any liability related to any such known proceedings would have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company. Additionally, from time to time, we may pursue litigation against third parties to enforce or protect our rights under our contracts, trademarks, trade secrets and our intellectual property rights generally. At the present time, the Company is not the subject of any lawsuits or claims.
ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS
We are subject to various risks which may materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this filing before deciding to purchase our common stock. If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Because Our Assets and Operations Will Be Located Outside the U.S. , U.S. Investors May Experience Difficulties In Attempting To Enforce Judgments Based Upon U.S. Federal Securities Laws. U.S. Laws and/or Judgments Might Not Be Enforced Against Us In Foreign Jurisdictions.
All of our operations and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to enforce judgments of U.S. courts for civil liabilities against us or against any of our individual directors or officers. In addition, U. S. investors should not assume that courts in the countries in which our operations or assets are located (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiary based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or our subsidiary based upon these laws.
Mining activities involve a high degree of risk.
Our operations on our properties will be subject to all the hazards and risks normally encountered in the mining deposits of gold. These hazards and risks include, without limitation, unusual and unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, rock bursts, pit-wall failures, cave-ins, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, damage to life or property, environmental damage and legal liability. Milling operations, if any, are subject to various hazards, including, without limitation, equipment failure and failure of retaining dams around tailings disposal areas, which may result in environmental pollution and legal liability.
The parameters that would be used at our properties in estimating possible mining and processing efficiencies would be based on the testing and experience our management has acquired in operations elsewhere. Various unforeseen conditions can occur that may materially affect estimates based on those parameters. In particular, past mining operations indicate that care must be taken to ensure that proper mineral grade control is employed and that proper steps are taken to ensure that the underground mining operations are executed as planned to avoid mine grade dilution, resulting in uneconomic material being fed to the mill. Other unforeseen and uncontrollable difficulties may occur in planned operations at our properties which could lead to failure of the operation.
If we make a decision to exploit either of our properties based on gold mineralization that may be discovered and proven, we plan to process the resource using technology that has been demonstrated to be commercially effective at other geologically similar gold deposits elsewhere in the world. These techniques may not be as efficient or economical as we project, and we may never achieve profitability.
We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in gold prices.
The value and price of our securities, our financial results, and our exploration activities may be significantly adversely affected by declines in the price of gold and other precious metals. Gold prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control such as interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the relative value of the United States dollar against foreign currencies on the world market, global and regional supply and demand for gold, and the political and economic conditions of gold producing countries throughout the world. The price for gold fluctuates in response to many factors beyond anyone’s ability to predict. The prices that would be used in making any resource estimates at our properties would be disclosed and would probably differ from daily prices quoted in the news media. Percentage changes in the price of gold cannot be directly related to any estimated resource quantities at any of our properties, as they are affected by a number of additional factors. For example, a ten percent change in the price of gold may have little impact on any estimated resource quantities and would affect only the resultant cash flow. Because any future mining would occur over a number of years, it may be prudent to continue mining for some periods during which cash flows are temporarily negative for a variety of reasons, including a belief that a low price of gold is temporary and/or that a greater expense would be incurred in temporarily or permanently closing a mine there.
Mineralized material calculations and life-of-mine plans, if any, using significantly lower gold and precious metal prices could result in material write-downs of our investments in mining properties and increased reclamation and closure charges.
In addition to adversely affecting any of our mineralized material estimates and its financial aspects, declining metal prices may impact our operations by requiring a reassessment of the commercial feasibility of a particular project. Such a reassessment may be the result of a management decision related to a particular event, such as a cave-in of a mine tunnel or open pit wall. Even if any of our projects may ultimately be determined to be economically viable, the need to conduct such a reassessment may cause substantial delays in establishing operations or may interrupt on-going operations, if any, until the reassessment can be completed.
Estimates of mineralized material are subject to evaluation uncertainties that could result in project failure.
Our exploration and future mining operations, if any, are and would be faced with risks associated with being able to accurately predict the quantity and quality of mineralized material within the earth using statistical sampling techniques. Estimates of any mineralized material on any of our properties would be made using samples obtained from appropriately placed trenches, test pits and underground workings and intelligently designed drilling. There is an inherent variability of assays between check and duplicate samples taken adjacent to each other and between sampling points that cannot be reasonably eliminated. Additionally, there also may be unknown geologic details that have not been identified or correctly appreciated at the current level of accumulated knowledge about our properties. This could result in uncertainties that cannot be reasonably eliminated from th e process of estimating mineralized material. If these estimates were to prove to be unreliable, we could implement an exploitation plan that may not lead to commercially viable operations in the future.
Future legislation and administrative changes to the Russian mining laws could prevent us from exploring our properties.
Russian laws and regulations, amendments to existing laws and regulations, administrative interpretation of existing laws and regulations, or more stringent enforcement of existing laws and regulations, could have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct exploration and mining activities. Any change in the regulatory structure making it more expensive to engage in mining activities could cause us to cease operations.
We are a relatively young company with limited operating history
Since we are a young company, it is difficult to evaluate our business and prospects. At this stage of our business operations, even with our good faith efforts, potential investors have a high probability of losing their investment. Our future operating results will depend on many factors, including the ability to generate sustained and increased demand and acceptance of our products, the level of our competition, and our ability to attract and maintain key management and employees. While management believes their estimates of projected occurrences and events are within the timetable of their business plan, there can be no guarantees or assurances that the results anticipated will occur.
We may require additional funds to operate in accordance with our business plan.
We may not be able to obtain additional funds that we may require. We do not presently have adequate cash from operations or financing activities to meet our long-term needs. If unanticipated expenses, problems, and unforeseen business difficulties occur, which result in material delays, we will not be able to operate within our budget. If we do not achieve our internally projected sales revenues and earnings, we will not be able to operate within our budget. If we do not operate within our budget, we will require additional funds to continue our business. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining those funds, we cannot assure you of our ability to generate positive returns to the Company. Further, we may not be able to obtain the additional funds that we require on terms acceptable to us, if at all. We do not currently have any established third-party bank credit arrangements. If the add itional funds that we may require are not available to us, we may be required to curtail significantly or to eliminate some or all of our development, manufacturing, or sales and marketing programs.
If we need additional funds, we may seek to obtain them primarily through equity or debt financings. Such additional financing, if available on terms and schedules acceptable to us, if available at all, could result in dilution to our current stockholders and to you. We may also attempt to obtain funds through arrangement with corporate partners or others. Those types of arrangements may require us to relinquish certain rights to our intellectual property or resulting products.
21
We compete with larger, better capitalized competitors in the mining industry.
The mining industry is acutely competitive in all of its phases. We face strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of exploration-stage properties, or properties capable of producing precious metals. Many of these companies have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than us. As a result of this competition, we may be unable to maintain or acquire attractive mining properties on terms it considers acceptable or at all. Consequently, our revenues, operations and financial condition and possible future revenues could be materially adversely affected by actions by our competitors.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
Our directors and executive officers beneficially own a substantial amount of our common stock.
Accordingly, these persons will be able to exert significant influence over the direction of our affairs and business, including any determination with respect to our acquisition or disposition of assets, future issuances of common stock or other securities, and the election or removal of directors. Such a concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of the Company or cause the market price of our stock to decline. Notwithstanding the exercise of their fiduciary duties by the directors and executive officers and any duties that such other stockholder may have to us or our other stockholders in general, these persons may have interests different than yours.
We are subject to SEC regulations and changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations and other trading market rules, are creating uncertainty for public companies.
We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, we intend to invest appropriate resources to comply with evolving standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
22
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following securities were issued by Gold Standard Mining Corp. within the past three years and were not registered under the Securities Act:
The following securities were issued by Gold Standard Mining Corp. within the past three years and were not registered under the Securities Act:
In December 2007, 20,000 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Pantelis Zachos, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
From June through October 2008, 10,000 shares were sold to 25 investors pursuant to Regulation D, Rule 504(b)(ii), registered in the State of Illinois as a Small Corporate Offering.
On or about January 30, 2009, 20,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about February 13, 2009, 2,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about February 14 2009, 20,000 shares of common stock were issued to two non-affiliate investors in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about February 26, 2009, 10,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about February 26, 2009, 25,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for services, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about March 30, 2009, 10,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash.
On or about April 25, 2009, 1667 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about May 6, 2009, 5,502 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash.
On or about May 7, 2009, 50,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On May 8, 2009, 4,900,000 and on June 30, 2009, an additional 2,500,000 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Agata Gotova, and 7,500,000 common shares to Kenata corporation, a corporation owned by Agata Gotova and company general counsel, Kenneth Eade, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, in exchange for Ross Zoloto.
On May 8, 2009, 15,000,000 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Araik Khachatrian in exchange for Ross Zoloto, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On May 8, 2009, 606,600 shares of common stock were issued to officer and director Zurab Chavchvadze, in exchange for Ross Zoloto. pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On July 2, 2009, 41,000 and 56,552 shares of common stock, respectively, were issued to two non-affiliate investors in exchange for cash, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On or about July 27, 2009, 50,000 shares of common stock were issued to a non-affiliate investor in exchange for services, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Proceeds from the above-referenced sales were used for administrative and corporate expenses, including legal, accounting, consulting and finance activities, as well as research, travel and acquisition expenses.
23
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Exhibit No. | DESCRIPTION |
| |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 |
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 |
| |
Reports on Form 8-K:
Reports on Form 8-K are as follows:
Item 8.01 Report filed on May 6, 2009
24
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 9, 2009 | GOLD STANDARD MINING CORP. |
| |
| BY: Pantelis Zachos |
| |
| /s/ Pantelis Zachos |
| Pantelis Zachos Chief Executive Officer and Director |
25