UNITED STATES

 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q


x

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016

OR

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to           


Commission file number: 001-34055

[TLR10QAUG1016002.GIF]





TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION

 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE

 

82-0291227

(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

101 EAST LAKESIDE AVENUE

 

 

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO

 

83814

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(208) 664-4859

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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.    x   Yes   o  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   x Yes   o  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer    o

Accelerated filer                   o

Non-accelerated filer      o

Smaller reporting company x


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) o  Yes   x   No


Number of shares of issuer’s common stock outstanding at August 10, 2016: 24,006,952




1






INDEX




Page


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3


ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

3


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

13


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

21


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

21



PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

21


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

21


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

21


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

22


ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

22


ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

22


ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.

22


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

22


SIGNATURES

23






2






PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)




TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Contents




Page


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:


Consolidated balance sheets

4


Consolidated statements of operations

5


Consolidated statements of cash flows

6


Notes to consolidated financial statements

7 - 12







3







TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

September 30, 2015

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

  CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

    Cash

$

770,627

$

500,965

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

34,306

 

23,589

    Joint venture receivable

 

-

 

5,761

    Available-for-sale equity securities

 

300,000

 

-

      TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

1,104,933

 

530,315

 

 

 

 

 

  PROPERTY, MINERAL RIGHTS AND EQUIPMENT

 

15,389,719

 

15,277,257

 

 

 

 

 

  OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

    Investment in joint venture

 

-

 

642,450

    Restricted cash

 

694,157

 

764,662

    Deposits and other assets

 

9,750

 

9,750

      TOTAL OTHER ASSETS

 

703,907

 

1,416,862

 

 

 

 

 

      TOTAL ASSETS

$

17,198,559

$

17,224,434

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

  CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

    Accounts payable

$

46,590

$

219,474

    Accrued expenses

 

293,080

 

313,048

    Accrued payroll, benefits and taxes

 

24,058

 

130,965

      TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

363,728

 

663,487

 

 

 

 

 

  LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

    Asset retirement obligation

 

143,901

 

138,720

      TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

143,901

 

138,720

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS (Notes 4 and 9)

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,

      none issued and outstanding

 

-

 

-

    Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized,

      24,006,952 and 13,331,946 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

24,007

 

13,332

    Additional paid-in capital

 

67,385,809

 

65,544,517

    Accumulated deficit

 

(50,795,986)

 

(49,135,622)

    Accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

         Unrealized gain on available-for-sale equity securities

 

77,100

 

-

      TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

16,690,930

 

16,422,227

 

 

 

 

 

      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

17,198,559

$

17,224,434



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



4






TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Mineral exploration expenses

$

34,129

$

292,309

$

180,092

$

1,033,002

  Impairment of mineral rights

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

426,000

  Salaries and benefits

 

56,545

 

187,202

 

658,689

 

703,410

  Professional fees expense

 

67,396

 

72,805

 

235,529

 

284,975

  Insurance expense

 

18,256

 

34,587

 

27,393

 

87,538

  Gain on equipment exchanged for services

 

 

 

-

 

(25,644)

 

-

  Loss on sale of investment in joint venture

 

-

 

-

 

180,050

 

-

  Other general and administrative expenses

 

296,842

 

99,048

 

442,294

 

447,308

  TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

 

473,168

 

685,951

 

1,698,403

 

2,982,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

 

(473,168)

 

(685,951)

 

(1,698,403)

 

(2,982,233)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

 

9,499

 

4,019

 

14,189

 

(1,252)

  Gain on sale of securities

 

5,000

 

-

 

5,000

 

-

  Related party financing fees

 

(5,200)

 

-

 

(5,200)

 

-

  Miscellaneous other income

 

1

 

9

 

24,050

 

172

  TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

9,300

 

4,028

 

38,039

 

(1,080)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(463,868)

 

(681,923)

 

(1,660,364)

 

(2,983,313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS

 

(463,868)

 

(681,923)

 

(1,660,364)

 

(2,983,313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale equity securities

 

30,000

 

-

 

77,100

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

$

(433,868)

$

(681,923)

$

(1,583,264)

$

(2,983,313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS PER SHARE AVAILABLE TO COMMON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  STOCKHOLDERS,  BASIC AND DILUTED

$

(0.03)

$

(0.06)

$

(0.12)

$

(0.28)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     BASIC AND DILUTED

 

16,127,922

 

12,000,084

 

14,331,978

 

10,622,917



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




5







TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)


 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

 

2016

 

2015

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

  Net loss

$

(1,660,364)

$

(2,983,313)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

  Depreciation and amortization

 

1,981

 

5,938

  Stock based compensation

 

351,967

 

194,911

  Accretion of asset retirement obligation

 

5,181

 

4,934

  Equipment exchanged for services

 

29,603

 

-

  Gain on equipment exchanged for services

 

(25,644)

 

-

  Gain on sale of securities

 

(5,000)

 

-

  Loss on sale of investment in joint venture

 

180,050

 

-

  Impairment of mineral rights

 

-

 

426,000

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets  

 

(10,717)

 

34,079

  Joint venture receivable

 

5,761

 

5,823

  Accounts payable

 

(172,884)

 

(72,599)

  Accrued expenses

 

(19,969)

 

(86,419)

  Accrued payroll, benefits and taxes

 

(106,908)

 

11,320

      Net cash used by operating activities

 

(1,426,943)

 

(2,459,326)

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

  Purchase of property, mineral rights and equipment

 

(118,400)

 

(181,000)

  Proceeds from sale of property, mineral rights and equipment

 

 

 

158,500

  Proceeds from sale of investment in joint venture

 

225,000

 

-

  Proceeds from sale of securities

 

5,000

 

-

  Refund of reclamation and road use bonds

 

85,005

 

9,450

    Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

196,605

 

(13,050)

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

  Proceeds from related party notes

 

52,000

 

 

  Payments on related party notes

 

(52,000)

 

 

  Proceeds from issuance of stock

 

1,500,000

 

-

    Net cash provided by financing activities

 

1,500,000

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

269,662

 

(2,472,376)

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

500,965

 

2,825,320

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AT END OF PERIOD

$

770,627

$

352,944

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

  Common stock issued for property, mineral rights and equipment purchase

$

-

$

1,200,000

  Common stock issued for common stock payable

 

-

 

80,000

  Available-for-sale equity securities received for investment in joint venture

 

222,900

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.







6





NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS:


Timberline Resources Corporation (“Timberline” or “the Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) was incorporated in August of 1968 under the laws of the State of Idaho as Silver Crystal Mines, Inc., for the purpose of exploring for precious metal deposits and advancing them to production.  In 2008, we reincorporated into the State of Delaware pursuant to a merger agreement approved by our shareholders.


NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:


a.

Basis of Presentation and Going Concern – The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, as well as the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending September 30, 2016.  All amounts presented are in U.S. dollars.  For further information refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.


The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2016 were prepared on the basis that the Company is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of its assets and the settlement of its liabilities in the normal course of operations. These financial statements do not reflect adjustments that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate.  The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to receive cash flow from its operations or to successfully obtain additional financing. While the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining financing, there is no assurance that it will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that such financing will be on terms acceptable to the Company.  These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.


b.

Net Income (Loss) per Share – Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options, warrants, and other convertible securities.


The dilutive effect of convertible and outstanding securities, in periods of future income as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, would be as follows:


 

2016

 

2015

Stock options

360,419

 

594,189

Warrants

10,012,506

 

25,000

    Total possible dilution

10,372,925

 

619,189


At June 30, 2016 and 2015, the effect of the Company’s outstanding options and common stock equivalents would have been anti-dilutive.  


c.

Asset retirement obligation – We account for asset retirement obligations by following the uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs as prescribed by authoritative accounting guidance.  This guidance provides that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) will be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The ARO is capitalized as part of the carrying value of the assets to which it is associated, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Adjustments are made to the liability for changes resulting from passage of time and changes to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate underlying the obligation. We have an ARO associated with our exploration program at the Lookout Mountain exploration project.


d.

Available-for-sale equity securities – Available-for-sale equity securities are recorded at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses relating to equity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity unless an other-than-temporary impairment in value has occurred, in which case such accumulated loss would be charged to current period net income (loss).  Unrealized gain and losses originally included in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to the current period net income (loss) when the sale or determination of other-than-temporary impairment of securities occurs.  Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities are recognized on a specific identification basis.



7





NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:


The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level that we have determined applies to each asset and liability category.


 

 


June 30,   2016

 


September 30, 2015

 

Input
Hierarchy
Level

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

770,627

 

$

500,965

 

 

Level 1

 

Restricted cash

 

694,157

 

 

764,662

 

 

Level 1

 

Available-for-sale equity securities

 

300,000

 

 

-

 

 

Level 1

 




NOTE 4 – ENTRY INTO PROPERTY OPTION AGREEMENT:


On March 12, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a property option agreement (“Agreement”) with Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. (“Gunpoint”), which closed on March 31, 2015.  Gunpoint granted us an exclusive and irrevocable option (“Option”) to purchase a 100% interest in Gunpoint’s Talapoosa project (the “Project”) in western Nevada.  Pursuant to the Agreement, we have the right to exercise the Option at any time beginning on March 31, 2015 and ending within thirty (30) months of March 12, 2015, unless sooner terminated (“Option Period”).    


As consideration for the Option, we agreed to issue two million (2,000,000) shares of common stock and pay $300,000 in cash.  A $100,000 cash payment was made on March 31, 2015.  The common stock was valued at fair value on the Effective Date and capitalized with the cash payment of $100,000 for a total of $1,300,000.  The remaining $200,000 cash payment was paid on September 23, 2015.  The common stock was issued on March 31, 2015 and is being held in escrow.  The shares are irrevocable and will be released to Gunpoint as follows:  25% on September 12, 2015; 25% on March 12, 2016; 25% on September 12, 2016; and 25% on March 12, 2017.  Gunpoint will receive the total of 2,000,000 shares even if the Company does not exercise the Option.  


At any time during the Option Period, we may purchase 100% of Talapoosa by providing written notification thereof and paying to Gunpoint $10 million in cash (the “Option Payment”) within ninety (90) days of the notification date.  Upon the date that Gunpoint receives the Option Payment (the “Closing Date”), we will have earned a 100% interest in the Project.


For a period of five years following the Closing Date (“Contingent Payment Period”), should the daily price of gold (as determined by the London PM Fix) be fixed at or above $1,600 per ounce, on any single day during the Contingent Payment Period (the “Initial Threshold Event”) and at any time after the Initial Threshold Event during the Contingent Payment Period the daily price of gold (as determined by the London PM Fix) averages U.S.$1,600 per ounce or greater for a period of ninety (90) consecutive trading days (the “Trigger Event”), we shall be required to pay or cause to be paid to Gunpoint an additional payment of $10 million (the “Contingent Payment”) within ninety (90) days of the date that the Trigger Event is deemed to have occurred.  The Contingent Payment shall consist of $5 million in cash, and the remainder shall be paid either in cash or in shares of our common stock or a combination thereof at our sole discretion.


Following our exercise of the Option, effective as of the Closing Date, Gunpoint reserves a net smelter returns royalty in all minerals mined and removed from the Project, in the amount of one percent (1%).  We may purchase the royalty from Gunpoint at any time for a cash payment of $3 million.


NOTE 5 – INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE AND OTHER INVESTMENTS:


In July 2009, we entered into a joint venture operating agreement (the “Agreement”) with Highland Mining, LLC (“Highland”).  The joint venture entity, Butte Highlands JV, LLC (“BHJV”) was created for the purpose of developing and mining the Butte Highlands Gold Project.  As a result of our contribution of our 100% interest in the Butte Highlands Gold Project, carried on our balance sheet at cost, we held a 50% interest in BHJV.  Under terms of the Agreement, our interest in BHJV would be carried to production by Highland, which would fund all future project exploration and mine development costs.  




8





NOTE 5 – INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE AND OTHER INVESTMENTS, (continued):


Under the Agreement, Highland contributed property and agreed to fund all future mine development costs at Butte Highlands.  Both the Company’s and Highland’s share of development costs would be paid from proceeds of future mine production.  The Operating Agreement stipulated that Highland would appoint a manager of BHJV and that Highland would manage BHJV until such time as all mine development costs, less $2 million (the deemed value of our contribution of property to BHJV), were distributed to Highland out of the proceeds from future mine production.


During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we executed a Member Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with New Jersey Mining Company (“NJMC”) pursuant to which we sold all of our 50% interest in the Butte Highlands, JV, LLC (the “JV Interest”).  We received $225,000 in cash and 3 million restricted shares of common stock of NJMC (the “NJMC Shares”) as consideration for the sale of the JV Interest.  The NJMC Shares were valued at $222,900 based on the closing price of the NJMC Shares ($0.0743) on the OTCQB market on January 29, 2016, the closing date of the transaction.  The total value of the consideration at the closing date was $447,900.  A loss of $180,050 was incurred on the sale of the JV Interest after reducing our investment by the amount received from an expired road use bond ($14,500).  At June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 we had an investment in joint venture of nil and $642,450, respectively.


At June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, we have a receivable from BHJV for expenses incurred on behalf of BHJV in the amount of nil and $5,761, respectively.  


During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, we sold 2,980,000 shares of Rae-Wallace Mining Company (“RWMC”), which had been previously written off, for $5,000.  At June 30, 2016, we do not own any shares of RWMC.


NOTE 6 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE EQUITY SECURITIES:


Available-for-sale equity securities are comprised of 3,000,000 restricted shares of common stock in New Jersey Mining Company (“NJMC”) (the “NJMC Shares”) (See Note 5).  The following table summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale equity securities:  


 

June 30,

 

2016

Cost

$     222,900

Unrealized Gain

   77,100

Fair Value

$     300,000


Management has determined the best measure of NJMC fair value to be the closing price of NJMC common stock on the OTCQB market as of June 30, 2016, which was $0.10 per share.


NOTE 7 – COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS AND PREFERRED STOCK:


Private Placements


In September 2015, we closed a private placement of our common stock.  We sold 1,331,861 shares of common stock at a price of $0.375 per share for gross proceeds of $499,448.     


During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, we closed three tranches of a private placement offering of Units of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Unit.  Each Unit consisted of one share of common stock of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each a “Warrant”), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire an additional share of common stock of the Company at a price of $0.25 per share until May 31, 2019.  In the aggregate of the three tranches, accredited investors subscribed for 10,000,006 Units on a private placement basis at a price of $0.15 per unit for total proceeds of $1,500,000.00.  As a result, 10,000,006 shares of common stock of the Company and 10,000,006 Warrants were issued and 10,000,006 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to Warrant exercises.      


Stock Issued for Mineral Rights, Property and Equipment


In October, 2014, pursuant to a mineral property lease and option agreement for mineral claims, we issued 83,334 restricted common shares with a value of $80,000 based upon the closing price of our shares of common stock on the date of issuance as quoted on the NYSE MKT.  The value of these shares was listed as common stock payable on September 30, 2014.



9





NOTE 7 – COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS AND PREFERRED STOCK, (continued):


Stock Issued for Property Option Agreement


On March 31, 2015, pursuant to a property option agreement (Note 4), we issued 2,000,000 restricted common shares with a value of $1,200,000 based upon the closing price of our shares of common stock as quoted on the NYSE MKT on March 12, 2015, the effective date of the property option agreement.


Stock Issued for Compensation


On January 27, 2015, we issued 100,000 restricted common shares for employee compensation.  The shares were valued at $69,000 based upon the closing price of our shares of common stock on the date of issuance as quoted on the NYSE MKT.  


Stock Issued for Stock Unit Awards


On March 3, 2016, we issued 675,000 common shares upon the exercise of Stock Unit Awards granted to certain employees in October 2015 for compensation related to modifications to employment contracts.  These Stock Unit Awards had a value of $337,500, which was recognized as salaries and benefits expense during the quarter ended December 31, 2015.


Warrants


10,000,006 and nil warrants were issued during the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and the year ended September 30, 2015, respectively.  No warrants were exercised or expired during the year ended September 30, 2015.  12,500 warrants expired during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.  There are 12,500 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $3.00 per share that expire on September 9, 2016, and 10,000,006 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $0.25 per share that expire on May 31, 2019 .  


Preferred Stock


We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Our board of directors is authorized to issue the preferred stock from time to time in series, and is further authorized to establish such series, to fix and determine the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between series, to fix voting rights, if any, for each series, and to allow for the conversion of preferred stock into common stock.


NOTE 8 – STOCK-BASED AWARDS:


During the year ended September 30, 2015 our Board of Directors adopted and our stockholders approved the adoption of the Company’s 2015 Stock and Incentive Plan. This plan replaces our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.  The aggregate number of shares that may be issued to employees, directors, and consultants under all stock-based awards made under the 2015 Stock and Incentive Plan is 4 million shares of our common stock.  Upon exercise of stock-based awards, shares are issued from the available authorized shares of the Company.  Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of our stock at the date of grant.  


The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, terminated on May 28, 2015 and no stock or option awards may be granted under this plan after it was terminated.   At June 30, 2016, 360,419 stock options remain outstanding at an average exercise price of $1.32 and may be exercised under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.  


During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, 43,837 stock options and 675,000 stock unit awards were granted to certain employees by the Company’s Board of Directors and vested immediately.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, 90,526 stock options expired, including the 43,837 stock options granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.  Stock unit awards are awards granted under the Company’s 2015 Stock and Incentive Plan which are payable in common shares of the Company upon the occurrence of certain events, achievement of certain milestones, or at a future date.  Total compensation cost of options and stock unit awards for employees was $351,967 and $125,911 for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 respectively.  These costs are classified under salaries and benefits expense.  Total compensation cost of options and stock unit awards for employees was nil for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.  The fair value of the stock unit awards was determined by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE MKT on the grant date.  



10





NOTE 8 – STOCK-BASED AWARDS, (continued):


The fair value of the option awards granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2016 was estimated on the date of grant with a Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the assumptions noted in the following table:


Expected volatility

 

 

110.4%

Stock price on date of grant

 

 

$0.50

Expected dividends

 

 

-

Expected term (in years)

 

 

3

Risk-free rate

 

 

0.90%

Expected forfeiture rate

 

 

0%


The following is a summary of our options issued under the Amended 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2015 Stock and Incentive Plan:


 

Options

 

 Weighted  Average

 Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2015

 

533,778

 

$

2.48

 

Granted

 

43,837

 

 

0.50

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(217,196)

 

 

(3.99)

Outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2016

 

360,419

 

$

1.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2016

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

 

Average remaining contractual term of options outstanding and exercisable

at June 30, 2016 (years)

3.03


The aggregate of options exercisable as of June 30, 2016 had an intrinsic value of nil based on the closing price of $0.42 per share of our common stock on June 30, 2016.


NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS:


Real Estate Lease Commitments


The Company has real estate lease commitments related to its main office in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and facilities in Eureka, Nevada and Sparks, Nevada. As of June 30, 2016, lease obligations until the termination of the leases is $46,000.


Total office lease expense from continuing operations is included in the following line items in the consolidated statements of operations:


 

 

Three months ended    June 30,

Nine months ended

June 30,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

Mineral exploration expenses

$

12,900

$

16,050

$

43,950

$

23,850

Other general and administrative expenses

 

10,500

 

10,500

 

31,500

 

31,500

Total

$

23,400

$

26,550

$

75,450

$

55,350


Employment Agreements


The Company has an employment agreement with an executive employee that requires certain termination benefits and payments in defined circumstances.




11





NOTE 10 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS:


During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Company entered into loan agreements with an officer, a director and a consultant in the aggregate amount of $52,000 in order to meet the Company’s short-term operating needs. During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, a total amount of $57,200 was re-paid to the note holders, including financing fees of $5,200 as consideration for providing the loans.


During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, certain vehicles were transferred to a director, the former Chief Financial Officer, and a former employee of the Company in exchange for services.  The fair value of the transferred vehicles was $29,603 which was classified as an expense under other general and administrative expenses.  A gain of $25,644 was recognized on the exchange because the vehicles had a carrying value of $3,959 on the exchange date.    


NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:


On July 6, 2016, pursuant to our bylaws, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Giulio T. Bonifacio and Paul H. Zink as directors of the Company, effective July 6, 2016.  In connection with their appointments to our Board of Directors, Mr. Giulio was granted 600,000 options to acquire shares of common stock of the Company and Mr. Zink was granted 200,000 options to acquire shares of common stock of the Company.  In addition, our Board of Directors also granted a total of 950,000 options to acquire common shares of the Company to an officer, other directors, and a consultant to the Company. All of these options were granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock and Incentive Plan with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock at the time of the grant of $0.40 per share, vested immediately, and have a term of five years.  The Company estimates that the aggregate value of the options issued was approximately $525,000.


In July 2016, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a consultant pursuant to the terms of a January 2016 resignation and consulting agreement.  The shares were not granted by our Board of Directors until July 2016 and were valued at $41,000 based upon the closing price of our shares of common stock on the date of issuance as quoted on the OTCQB.




12





ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes which appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 our anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future.  These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.  These statements include, but are not limited to, comments regarding:


· the establishment and estimates of mineralization and reserves;

· the grade of mineralization and reserves;

· anticipated expenditures and costs in our operations;

· planned exploration activities and the anticipated outcome of such exploration activities;

· planned production of technical reports and economic assessments on our properties;

· plans and anticipated timing for obtaining permits and licenses for our properties;

· expected future financing and its anticipated outcome;

· plans and anticipated timing regarding production dates;

· anticipated gold prices;

· anticipated liquidity to meet expected operating costs and capital requirements;

· our ability to obtain financing to fund our estimated expenditure and capital requirements; and

· factors expected to impact our results of operations


Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” 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 limited operating history;

· risks related to our ability to continue as a going concern;

· risks related to our history of losses and our expectation of continued losses;

· risks related to our properties being in the exploration or, if warranted, development stage;

· risks related to our bringing our projects into production;

· risks related to our mineral operations being subject to government and environmental regulations;

· risks related to future legislation and administrative changes to mining laws;

· risks related to future legislation regarding climate change

· risks related to our ability to obtain additional capital to develop our reserves, if any;

· risks related to land reclamation requirements and costs;

· risks related to mineral exploration and development activities being inherently hazardous;

· risks related to our insurance coverage for operating risks;

· risks related to cost increases for our exploration and development projects;

· risks related to a shortage of skilled personnel, equipment, & supplies adversely affecting our ability to operate;

· risks related to mineral estimates;

· 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 integration issues with acquisitions;

· risks related to our common stock trading on the Over-the-Counter markets

· risks related to joint ventures and partnerships;

· risks related to potential conflicts of interest with our management;



13





· risks related to our dependence on key management;

· risks related to our Talapoosa Project, Lookout Mountain and other acquired growth projects;

· risks related to our business model;

· risks related to our acquisition of Wolfpack Gold Corp.;

· risks related to our acquisition of the Talapoosa option;

· risks related to evolving corporate governance standards for public companies;

· risks related to our Canadian regulatory requirements; and

· risks related to our shares of common stock or other securities.


This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the sections titled “Risk Factors”, “Description of Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 29, 2015.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.  We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, except as otherwise required by law.


We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by the foregoing cautionary statements.


Corporate Background and History


We became an exploration-stage company in January 2004 with the change in the management of the Company.  From January 2004 until March 2006, we were strictly a mineral exploration company.  With our acquisition of a drilling services company and the acquisition of the Butte Highlands Gold Project, we diversified our business plan to include drilling services and an exploration property with the potential to develop an underground mine with possible future gold production.  Prior to the purchase of Timberline Drilling (formerly known as Kettle Drilling), we had no reported revenues and only had accumulated losses. In June 2010, we acquired Staccato Gold Resources Ltd. (“Staccato”), a Canadian-based resource company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange that was in the business of acquiring, exploring and developing mineral properties with a focus on gold exploration in the dominant gold producing trends in Nevada.  As a result of this acquisition, we obtained Staccato’s Eureka Property, which included their flagship gold exploration project, the Lookout Mountain Project (“Lookout Mountain”) and the Windfall project, along with several other projects at various stages of exploration in the Battle Mountain/Eureka gold trend in Nevada, along with Staccato’s wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, BH Minerals USA, Inc.  In September 2011, we announced that we had entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell Timberline Drilling to a private company formed by a group of investors, including certain members of the senior management team of Timberline Drilling.  The sale of Timberline Drilling was completed in November 2011 for a total value of approximately $15 million and enabled the Company to focus exclusively on its core business of gold exploration and development.  In August 2014, we acquired Wolfpack Gold (Nevada) Corp. (“Wolfpack”), a U.S. company that was in the business of acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties with a focus on gold exploration in the dominant gold producing trends in Nevada.  As a result of this acquisition, we obtained cash and several projects at various stages of exploration in the gold trends of Nevada.


Corporate Overview


Our business is mineral exploration, with a focus on district-scale gold projects such as the advanced Talapoosa project and our Eureka project in Nevada.


Recent Events


On March 12, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a property option agreement (“Agreement”) with Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. (“Gunpoint”), which closed on March 31, 2015.  Gunpoint granted us an exclusive and irrevocable option (“Option”) to purchase a 100% interest in Gunpoint’s Talapoosa project (the “Project”) in western Nevada.  Pursuant to the Agreement, we have the right to exercise the Option at any time beginning on March 31, 2015 and ending within thirty (30) months of March 12, 2015, unless sooner terminated (“Option Period”).  (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of the transaction.)  




14





On December 21, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company received a letter of resignation from Mr. Kiran Patankar, pursuant to which Mr. Patankar resigned as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company effective January 20, 2016. Mr. Patankar claimed in his letter to the Board that his resignation was for “good reason” as set forth in Mr. Patankar’s employment agreement dated August 28, 2015.  As such, Mr. Patankar would be owed severance payments by the Company as set forth in the agreement.  The Company’s Board disagrees with Mr. Patankar’s characterization of the resignation.  On January 19, 2016, the Board dismissed effective immediately Mr. Kiran Patankar as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.


No amounts have been accrued in the Company’s financial statements as of June 30, 2016 for severance benefits or claims.


Effective January 19, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company accepted the resignation of Mr. Randal Hardy as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Hardy continues to serve as a consultant to the Company.  Effective January 19, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Mr. Steven A. Osterberg to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company.  


On April 26, 2016, Mr. William M. Sheriff resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors effective immediately.  Mr. Sheriff indicated that his resignation was due to the significant demands on his time from his other obligations.  He expressed confidence in Timberline’s leadership and projects, and he further indicated that he intends to remain a large shareholder of Timberline.  


Mr. Leigh Freeman has been appointed to succeed Mr. Sheriff as the Chairman of Timberline’s Board of Directors.  Mr. Freeman has been a director of Timberline for over three years and has over 35 years of mining industry experience in a variety of technical, managerial and executive positions with junior and senior mining and service companies, including Co-Founder of Orvana Minerals and Chief Geophysicist at Placer Dome.  He is currently self-employed as a consultant and serves in leadership roles for the Society of Mining Engineers and as an Advisor to Montana Tech, University of Arizona, and South Dakota School of Mines.


Mineral Exploration


Talapoosa, Nevada


Talapoosa is a 14,870 acre district-scale property comprising US Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) claims, fee lands, and water rights.  Mineralized material at Talapoosa consists of 42.5 million tons of in-place bulk tonnage with an average grade of 0.03 ounces of gold per ton and 0.37 ounces of silver per ton.  The project was fully permitted by Miramar Mining Corporation with the BLM and the State of Nevada in 1996, but remained undeveloped due to low prevailing metals prices.  The deposit is open on strike, and we believe potential exists to expand the quantity of mineralized material with additional exploration.  The acquisition includes the 4 mile-long Appaloosa zone located one mile to the north of and parallel to the Talapoosa mineralized area.  The Appaloosa zone outcrops as epithermal-type sinter and breccia with vein fragments and is untested but for six historic, shallow drill holes.  


In March, 2015, we completed a National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) compliant Technical Report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Talapoosa Project, Nevada,” dated March 24, 2015 (the “Talapoosa Technical Report”) substantiating the mineralization for the Talapoosa project.  Upon completion of the Talapoosa Technical Report, we initiated an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on the property.  Results of the PEA were released on April 27, 2015 and reported positive results on a potential open pit mine with heap leach processing and Merrill Crowe recovery of gold and silver.  To support the PEA, we completed due diligence reviews on the gold and silver mineralization; historic studies including metallurgy, geotechnical pit wall stability, hydrology, geochemistry, mining methods, facility siting for the previously proposed operation, and mine permitting.  A metallurgical and geotechnical test program is currently in progress and is designed to assess the potential to improve heap permeability and enhance gold and silver leach efficiency for the processing of the mineralized material at the Talapoosa gold and silver deposit. The program has been designed to increase the already-substantial metallurgical test results incorporated into the Company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment issued in May 2015.


Follow-up work is planned to include additional metallurgical studies, drilling for additional samples and to increase our level of confidence for certain parts of the mineralized zone, and initiation of studies to update historic permits to current standards.  These activities will be completed as soon as possible, subject to availability of sufficient financing.  Pending availability of such financing, these activities will be completed and results will be incorporated into a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Feasibility Study.  




15





There are no proven and probable reserves as defined under United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Industry Guide 7 (“Guide 7”) at Talapoosa and our activities there remain exploratory in nature.


Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: The Talapoosa Technical Report and the PEA use the terms “mineral resource,” “measured mineral resource,” “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”. We advise investors that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed by Canadian regulations (NI 43-101); however, these terms are not defined terms under Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. As a reporting issuer in Canada, we are required to prepare reports on our mineral properties in accordance with NI 43-101. We reference the Talapoosa Technical Report and the PEA in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for informational purposes only and the Technical Report and PEA are not incorporated herein by reference.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in the above categories will ever be converted into Guide 7 compliant reserves.  “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.  Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.  


Eureka Project, Nevada


The Eureka Project, which includes Lookout Mountain, comprises an area of approximately 15,000 acres, or more than 23 square miles.  The Eureka Project is located within the southern portion of Nevada’s Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend and includes three structurally controlled zones of gold mineralization, each approximately 3- 4 miles in strike length, all zones of which are open and will require additional in-fill and step-out drilling. The project has an extensive exploration, drilling, and gold production history by a number of companies since 1975, including Idaho Mining Corp., Norse-Windfall Mining, Amselco, Echo Bay Mines, Newmont and Barrick Gold. A total of 533 holes, totaling 267,000 feet, were drilled on the property prior to its acquisition by Timberline in 2010. Gold mineralization tested to date is typical sediment-hosted “Carlin-type” gold mineralization, most of which may be amenable to low-cost, heap-leach processing.


In 2010-2011, we completed an exploration program that culminated in the release of an NI 43-101 compliant technical report, entitled, Technical Report on the Lookout Mountain Project, Eureka County, Nevada, USA , dated May 2, 2011 (the “Lookout Mountain Technical Report”).  The Lookout Mountain Technical Report was prepared by Mine Development Associates (“MDA”) of Reno, Nevada under the supervision of Michael M. Gustin, Senior Geologist, who is a qualified person under NI 43-101.  The Lookout Mountain Technical Report details mineralization at Lookout Mountain.


Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: The Lookout Mountain Technical Report uses the terms “mineral resource,” “measured mineral resource,” “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”. We advise investors that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed by Canadian regulations (NI 43-101); however, these terms are not defined terms under Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. As a reporting issuer in Canada, we are required to prepare reports on our mineral properties in accordance with NI 43-101. We reference the Lookout Mountain Technical Report in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for informational purposes only and the Lookout Mountain Technical Report is not incorporated herein by reference.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in the above categories will ever be converted into Guide 7 compliant reserves.  “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.  Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.  


The Lookout Mountain Technical Report was modeled and estimated by MDA by statistically evaluating available drill data, utilizing geologic interpretations provided by Timberline to interpret gold mineral domains on cross sections spaced at 50- to 100-foot intervals across the extent of the Lookout Mountain mineralization, rectifying the mineral-domain interpretations on level plans spaced at 10-foot intervals, analyzing the modeled mineralization using geostatistics to aid in the establishment of estimation parameters, and interpolating grades into a three-dimensional block model.


In 2012, we released updated exploration data for Lookout Mountain and filed an updated Lookout Mountain Technical Report.   As a result of the most recently completed exploration program, we have successfully extended the mineralized zone at Lookout Mountain 600 feet to the south of the mineralized zone boundary defined in the 2011 Lookout Mountain Technical Report, and have expanded mineralization along the west margin of the deposit. Results from Lookout Mountain, and from the South Adit area, significantly increased the currently reported mineralization at Lookout Mountain.  In early 2013, we completed our 2012 exploration program at Lookout Mountain, including 26,140 feet total of infill-drilling.  This program focused on expansion of mineralization, metallurgical, geotechnical, and permitting studies.




16





Assay results from drilling were incorporated into an updated Lookout Mountain Technical Report which was completed in early 2013.  Drilling also provided data for on-going metallurgical studies directed at characterization of gold mineralization recovery, and for initial assessment of pit-slope stabilities.  Permitting-related activities were advanced through completion of quarterly monitoring, and installation of three monitoring wells. Initial site facilities (heap leach pads, mine rock storage, access roads) have also been prepared.  


In 2013, we continued geochemical waste rock environmental characterization, completed independent metallurgical leach testing, continued water quality monitoring and defined hydrologic work plans.  We also continued the baseline environmental data collection and analysis at Lookout Mountain.  In addition, we reduced costs by consolidating our Elko field office into our Eureka facility.  


During most of 2014, the Company limited exploration related activities to low cost field surveys including soil and rock sampling, drill site reclamation, site archeological surveys, and geologic mapping.  The mapping led to identification of new targets on each of the three structural zones of gold mineralization.  In December, 2014 drilling resumed at Eureka with an initial test of one new target completed before year-end.  Reverse circulation (RC) drill hole BHSE-171 identified a new zone of gold mineralization and intersected 25 feet of 0.144 ounces of gold per ton (opt) (7.62 meters (m) of 4.93 grams of gold per tonne (g/t)) within a longer 65 foot interval assaying 0.094 opt (19.82 m of 3.22 g/t) in the Lookout Mountain area.  This hole was offset 140 feet from BHSE-152 (drilled in 2012) which first encountered the new zone in 2012 but was not completed due to drilling difficulties.  


In follow-up to the successful results in RC drill hole BHSE-171, two diamond drill core holes were completed in January, 2015.  BHSE-172 intersected 25.2 feet of 0.15 opt (7.7 m of 5.02 g/t) within an interval of 46.6 feet of 0.10 opt (14.2 m of 5.02 g/t).  BHSE-173 intercepted 57.4 feet of 0.06 opt (17.5 m @ 1.92 g/t).  The two core hole intercepts of the mineralized zone were offset approximately 140 feet from BHSE-171.  The intercepts are well-correlated, as the gold occurs in mineralized collapse breccia within the pyritic Dunderberg Shale-Hamburg Dolomite contact zone.  The intercepts are thought by Timberline geologists to be related to stratigraphic traps associated spacially with a higher grade feeder system as recognized in many Carlin-type systems.


Two additional RC holes were completed as infill drilling within the existing resource area at Lookout Mountain.  Results were highlighted by hole BHSE-174 which intercepted 75.0 feet of 0.02 opt (22.9 m of 0.57 g/t) which is very consistent with surrounding intercepts.  


We also completed a six-hole RC drill program on the Windfall target within the Eureka project.  The drilling successfully tested on-strike, offset, and down-dip extensions of gold mineralization that was previously mined at Windfall.  Six drill holes completed over a strike length of approximately 3,000 feet intersected gold mineralization consistent with results from over 600 historic drill holes, highlighted by BHWF-40 which intersected 80 feet at 0.09 opt of gold (6.1 m @ 8.79 g/t).    The data for Windfall will support potential development of a resource estimate of the gold mineralization at the project.  


In order to prioritize our resources toward the development of Talapoosa, we are not planning any material exploration expenditures at the Eureka Project in 2016.


There are no proven and probable reserves as defined under Guide 7 at the Eureka Project and our activities there remain exploratory in nature.


Summary


We believe the global economic environment and monetary climate continue to favor a relatively steady gold price for the foreseeable future.  While volatility is to be expected, our expectation is that we can identify and pursue opportunities to advance our projects in spite of the current gold price and market volatility.  


As a company, we are considering strategic corporate opportunities with our focus on providing for the advancement of our Talapoosa project.  In May 2015, we finalized a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) at Talapoosa, the results of which had been announced on April 27, 2015.  The test programs currently in progress are designed to increase the level of confidence in the metallurgical conclusions that were incorporated into the Talapoosa PEA.


We believe that with appropriate funding, the Talapoosa project can advance toward the preparation of a pre-feasibility study for an anticipated open-pit mining operation.  Subject to available capital, exploration programs at the Lookout Mountain and Windfall areas within our Eureka project and at Seven Troughs may also continue.  We believe that management and our board of directors have the knowledge and experience to evaluate strategic opportunities and to provide for the advancement of our Talapoosa project toward a production decision.     



17





Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015


Consolidated Results



($US)

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

2016

2015

 

2016

 

2015

Exploration expenses :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eureka

$

9,198

$

56,979

$

43,227

$

552,881

 

Talapoosa

20,879

203,466

 

82,287

 

322,142

 

Other exploration properties

4,052

31,864

 

54,578

 

157,979

Total exploration expenditures

34,129

292,309

 

180,092

 

1,033,002

Non-cash expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of mineral rights

-

-

 

-

 

426,000

 

Stock option and stock issuance expense

-

-

 

351,966

 

194,911

 

Loss on sale of investment in JV

-

-

 

180,050

 

-

 

Gain on equipment exchanged for services

-

-

 

(25,644)

 

-

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

1,755

3,650

 

7,161

 

10,873

Total non-cash expenses

1,755

3,650

 

513,533

 

631,784

Professional fees expenses

67,396

72,805

 

235,529

 

284,975

Insurance expenses

18,256

34,587

 

27,393

 

87,538

Salaries and benefits expenses

56,545

187,202

 

306,723

 

508,499

Interest and other (income) expense

(14,500)

(4,028)

 

(38,039)

 

1,080

Other general and administrative expenses

300,287

95,398

 

435,133

 

436,435

Net loss

$

(463,868)

$

(681,923)

 

(1,660,364)

 

(2,983,313)


Our consolidated net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $463,868 compared to a consolidated net loss of $681,923 for the three months ended June 30, 2015.  The year-over-year difference is primarily attributed to significantly decreased exploration activity in 2016, which led to decreased manpower and lower overall costs.  These costs were partially offset by increased fees related to marketing our private placement financing.  Exploration expenditures during the three months ended June 30, 2016 decreased as we materially reduced our exploration program expenditures due to our financial condition.    


Our consolidated net loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 was $1,660,364 compared to a consolidated net loss of $2,983,313 for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.  The year over year cost reduction is primarily attributed to significantly decreased exploration activity in the nine months ended June 30, 2016, which led to decreased manpower and lower overall costs.  These costs were partially offset by higher stock option and stock issuance expense and the loss incurred related to the sale of our interest in Butte Highlands JV, LLC.  In the nine months ended June 30, 2015, we terminated the property lease on the Iron Butte property, resulting in a $426,000 charge to impairment of mineral rights.  Exploration expenditures during the nine months ended June 30, 2016 decreased as we significantly reduced our exploration program expenditures due to our financial condition.  


Subsequent to the completion of our private placement financing in June 2016, we initiated a metallurgical and geotechnical test program designed to assess the potential to improve heap permeability and enhance gold and silver leach efficiency for the processing of the mineralized material at Talapoosa.  Initial program results from the crushing and permeability testing are expected in August 2016, with further results expected by the end of 2016.  Subject to test results and sufficient funding, additional metallurgical testing is anticipated to be performed in late 2016 and early 2017.


Subject to adequate funding, expenses for the advancement of Talapoosa and exploration at Eureka are expected to continue in 2016.  



18





Financial Condition and Liquidity

At June 30, 2016, we had assets of $17,198,559, consisting of cash in the amount of $770,627; property, mineral rights and equipment, net of depreciation of $15,389,719, restricted cash held for exploration bonds of $694,157, restricted common stock of NJMC valued at $300,000, and other assets in the amount of $44,056.  

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of our assets and the settlement of our liabilities in the normal course of our operations. Disruptions in the credit and financial markets over the past several years have had a material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and investors and have limited access to capital and credit for many companies.  In addition, commodity prices and mining equities have seen significant volatility which increases the risk to precious metal investors.     Credit and market disruptions, among other things, make it more difficult for us to obtain, or increase our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our operations.  Our access to additional capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.  If we are unable to obtain financing through equity investments, we will seek multiple solutions including, but not limited to, return of excess restricted cash held for exploration bonds, asset sales, credit facilities or debenture issuances in order to continue as a going concern.  


At June 30, 2016, we had working capital of $741,205.  As of the date of this report, we have approximately $275,000 outstanding in current liabilities and a cash balance of approximately $475,000.  As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we do not anticipate that we will be able to continue as a going concern and execute our business plan for the next 12 months without receiving significant additional capital.  Therefore, we expect to engage in financial transactions to increase our cash balance or decrease our cash obligations in the near term, which may include equity financings, refunds of excess restricted cash held for exploration bonds, joint venture agreements, sales of non-core assets, credit facilities, debenture issuances, or other strategic transactions.  


We are working to increase and maintain sufficient working capital by prioritizing our expenditures toward added-value activities and advancing transactions aimed at improving our cash position.  We have implemented significant across-the-board salary reductions; reduced staff, curtailed discretionary exploration expenditures; and reduced professional fees to preserve cash.  We are also working to increase our working capital by exploring multiple financing alternatives and the return of restricted cash deposits to fund the execution of our business plan.    


We recognize that we will not be able to execute our operating plans with our current cash balances.  However, with our current cash balance, our expected ability to acquire additional capital and complete necessary financing transactions, our ability to curtail discretionary exploration expenditures as needed and obtain the refund of excess restricted cash held for exploration bonds, we believe that we will have sufficient working capital to meet our ongoing, non-discretionary operating expenses for the next 12 months and maintain our primary mineral properties.  Additional capital may be obtained through financing transactions such as equity investments, asset sales, joint ventures, debt facilities, or other types of strategic arrangements.


We plan, as funding allows, to follow-up on our completed PEA of Talapoosa with a pre-feasibility study, which is expected to include trade-off studies, further metallurgical tests, and analysis of milling and other processing scenarios.  Also subject to available capital, we may continue prudent exploration programs on our material exploration properties and/or fund some exploratory activities on early-stage properties.  We are revising our corporate and exploration budgets based upon potential funding opportunities with a focus on the advancement of the Talapoosa pre-feasibility study.  While we believe our current working capital is sufficient to meet our currently planned exploration costs and general corporate and administrative expenses through the end of fiscal 2016, we recognize that we will require additional funding in order to execute our operating plans and advance toward development of our properties.


Given current market conditions, we cannot provide assurance that necessary financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.  We have significantly curtailed our corporate, exploration and other expenditures, and we have strengthened our treasury by way of our recent private placement financing; however, we recognize that we will still require additional funding to provide sufficient capital to meet our planned, non-discretionary expenditures for the next 12 months and maintain our primary mineral properties.  If we cannot obtain sufficient additional financing, we may be unable to make required property payments on a timely basis and be forced to return some or all of our leased or optioned properties to the underlying owners.   


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures.



19






Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


See Note 2 to the financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report for a summary of the significant accounting policies used in the presentation of our financial statements. We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses.  We believe that our most critical accounting estimates are related to asset impairments and asset retirement obligations.


Our critical accounting policies and estimates are as follows:


Asset Impairments


Significant property acquisition payments for active exploration properties are capitalized.  The evaluation of our mineral properties for impairment is based on market conditions for minerals, underlying mineralized material associated with the properties, and future costs that may be required for ultimate realization through mining operations or by sale.  If no mineable ore body is discovered, or market conditions for minerals deteriorate, there is the potential for a material decline in the value assigned to such mineral properties.


We review the carrying value of equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from our use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which the equipment is used, and the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.


Asset Retirement Obligations


We have an obligation to reclaim our properties after the surface has been disturbed by exploration methods at the site. As a result, we have recorded a liability for the fair value of the reclamation costs we expect to incur at our Lookout Mountain Project.  We estimate applicable inflation and credit-adjusted risk-free rates as well as expected reclamation time frames. To the extent that the estimated reclamation costs change, such changes will impact future reclamation expense recorded. A liability is recognized for the present value of estimated environmental remediation (asset retirement obligation) in the period in which the liability is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The offsetting balance is charged to the related long-lived asset. Adjustments are made to the liability for changes resulting from passage of time and changes to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate underlying the obligation.


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Not applicable.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Conclusions of Management Regarding Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operations of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(e) and Rule 15d – 15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, has concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.



20






Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting


There were changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred prior to the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter and have continued to occur during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  


Prior to this fiscal quarter, due to changes in management and the temporary consolidation of the offices of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, the Company’s management believes that such consolidation is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and may result in material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including appropriate segregation of duties, review and signature authority, and accounting knowledge and competency. The Company has addressed these potential material weaknesses by retaining the Company’s previous Chief Financial Officer on a consulting basis to address accounting, financial, reporting, and other administrative obligations and responsibilities.  The Company anticipates remediating these potential material weaknesses on a long-term basis by appointing a new Chief Financial Officer in the near future and thereby separating the offices of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.


We are not aware of any material pending litigation or of any proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities which are, or would be, likely to have a material adverse effect upon us or our operations, taken as a whole.  No director, officer or affiliate of Timberline and no owner of record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our securities or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to Timberline or has a material interest adverse to Timberline in reference to any currently pending litigation.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


In addition to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015 which was filed with the SEC on December 29, 2015, investors should carefully consider the following risk factors.


Management changes and the temporary consolidation of the offices of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer may be reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting


Certain recent changes in management and the temporary consolidation of the offices of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer may be reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and may result in material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including appropriate segregation of duties, review and signature authority, and accounting knowledge and competency. The Company has addressed these potential material weaknesses by retaining the Company’s previous Chief Financial Officer on a consulting basis to address accounting, financial, reporting, and other administrative obligations and responsibilities.  The Company anticipates remediating these potential material weaknesses on a long-term basis by appointing a Chief Financial Officer in the near future and thereby separating the offices of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.


All unregistered sales of equity securities have previously been disclosed on Form 8-K.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.



21






ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


We consider health, safety and environmental stewardship to be a core value for the Company.


Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities with respect to mining operations and properties in the United States that are subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, our U.S. exploration properties were not subject to regulation by the MSHA under the Mine Act.  

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.  

 

 

 

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant as amended through October 31, 2014, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2014

3.2

Amended By-Laws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2015.

4.1

Specimen of the Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10SB as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on September 29, 2005

4.2

Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company and Aegis Capital Corp., incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2013.

4.3*

Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company and various accredited investors.

10.1

Form of Loan Agreement dated May 26, 2016, incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 2016

10.2

Form of Note dated May 26, 2016, incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 2016

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act)

32.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of  2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


* - Filed herewith




22






SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION

 


By:  /s/ Steven A. Osterberg

       ___________________________________

       Steven A. Osterberg

       President and Chief Executive Officer

       (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Date:  August 11, 2016



 

 






23


Exhibit 4.3


THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”).  THESE SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) IF THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (C) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF APPLICABLE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (D) IN A TRANSACTION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE OFFER AND SALE OF SECURITIES, AND THE HOLDER HAS, PRIOR TO SUCH SALE, FURNISHED TO THE COMPANY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OF RECOGNIZED STANDING, OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF EXEMPTION, REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.  HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.


THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES DELIVERABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES.  THIS WARRANT MAY NOT BE EXERCISED BY OR ON BEHALF OF A “U.S. PERSON” OR A PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES UNLESS THE WARRANT AND THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION OF ANY SUCH STATE OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IS AVAILABLE.  “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” ARE AS DEFINED BY REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.


“Unless permitted under securities legislation, the holder of this security must not trade the security before [insert the date that is four months and a day after the distribution date].”


“Without prior written approval of TSX Venture Exchange and compliance with all applicable securities legislation, the securities represented by this certificate may not be sold, transferred, hypothecated or otherwise traded on or through the facilities of TSX Venture Exchange or otherwise in Canada or to or for the benefit of a Canadian resident until [the date that is four months and a day after the Closing].”  



TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION


CLASS A WARRANTS
TO PURCHASE SHARES

OF COMMON STOCK OF

TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION



D-1




CERTIFICATE NO.: A- ¨

Warrant to Purchase

¨ Shares of Common Stock

[ DATE ]

(“Issue Date”)


FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION , a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), hereby certifies that __________________________________ , its successor or permitted assigns (the " Holder "), is entitled, subject to the provisions of this Class A Warrant, to purchase from the Company, at the times specified herein, one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the " Common Stock "), at a purchase price per share equal to the Exercise Price (as hereinafter defined).

1.

Definitions .  (a)  The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

" Affiliate " shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

" Business Day " means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho are authorized by law to close.

" Common Stock " means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.

" Duly Endorsed " means duly endorsed in blank by the Person or Persons in whose name a stock certificate is registered or accompanied by a duly executed stock assignment separate from the certificate with the signature(s) thereon guaranteed by a commercial bank or trust company or a member of a national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

“Exercise Date” means the date a Warrant Exercise Notice is delivered to the Company in the manner provided in Section 9 below.

" Exercise Price " means US$0.25 per share until the Expiration Date.

" Expiration Date " means 5:00 p.m. pacific time (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) on May 31, 2019; provided that if such date shall in the City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho be a holiday or a day on which banks are authorized to close, then 5:00 p.m. on the next following day which in the City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is not a holiday or a day on which banks are authorized to close.

"Initial Warrant Exercise Date" means the date hereof.

" Person " means an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, joint stock company, association, joint venture, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

Principal Market ” means the OTCQB or the primary securities exchanges or market on which such security may at the time be listed or quoted for trading.

" Warrant Shares " means the shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of this Warrant, as adjusted from time to time.


2.

Exercise of Warrant .


(a)

The Holder is entitled to exercise this Warrant in whole or in part at any time on or after the Initial Warrant Exercise Date until the Expiration Date.  To exercise this Warrant, the Holder shall execute and deliver to the Company a Warrant Exercise Notice substantially in the form annexed hereto.  No earlier than five (5) days after



D-2



delivery of the Warrant Exercise Notice, the Holder shall deliver to the Company this Warrant Certificate, including the Warrant Exercise Subscription Form forming a part hereof duly executed by the Holder, together with payment of the applicable Exercise Price.  Upon such delivery and payment, the Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the Warrant Shares subject to such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of the Company shall then be closed or that certificates representing such Warrant Shares shall not then be actually delivered to the Holder.  No fractional shares will be issued.


(b)

The Exercise Price may be paid to the Company in cash or by certified or official bank check or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the Company, or by wire transfer or by any combination of cash, check or wire transfer.


(c)

If the Holder exercises this Warrant in part, this Warrant Certificate shall be surrendered by the Holder to the Company and a new Warrant Certificate of the same tenor and for the unexercised number of Warrant Shares shall be executed by the Company.  The Company shall register the new Warrant Certificate in the name of the Holder or in such name or names of its transferee pursuant to paragraph 6 hereof as may be directed in writing by the Holder and deliver the new Warrant Certificate to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same.


(d)

Upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate in conformity with the foregoing provisions, the Company shall transfer to the Holder of this Warrant Certificate appropriate evidence of ownership of the shares of Common Stock or other securities or property to which the Holder is entitled, registered or otherwise placed in, or payable to the order of, the name or names of the Holder or such transferee as may be directed in writing by the Holder, and shall deliver such evidence of ownership and any other securities or property to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same.  


(e)

In no event may the Holder exercise these Warrants in whole or in part unless the Holder is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or the Holder is a non-U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) exercising these Warrants in an “off shore transaction” in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act.


3.

Exercise Restrictions .  Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no Holder shall exercise these Warrants, if as a result of such conversion the holder would then become a “ten percent beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 16a-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Common Stock.  For greater certainty, the Warrants shall not be exercisable by the Holder or redeemed by the Company, if, after giving effect to such exercise, the holder of such securities, together with its affiliates, would in aggregate beneficially own, or exercise control or direction over that number of voting securities of the Company which is 9.99% or greater of the total issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company, immediately after giving effect to such exercise; provided , however , that upon a holder of these Warrants providing the Company with a Waiver Notice that such holder would like to waive the provisions of this paragraph 3 with regard to any or all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of these Warrants, this paragraph 3 shall be of no force or effect with regard to those shares of Common Stock referenced in the Waiver Notice; provided , further , that this provision shall be of no further force or effect during the sixty-one (61) days immediately preceding the expiration of the term of these Warrants.


4.

Restrictive Legend .  Certificates representing shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Warrant shall bear a legend substantially in the form of the legend set forth on the first page of this Warrant Certificate to the extent that and for so long as such legend is required pursuant to applicable law.



D-3




5.

Covenants of the Company .


(a)

The Company hereby agrees that at all times there shall be reserved for issuance and delivery upon exercise of this Warrant such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company from time to time issuable upon exercise of this Warrant as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.  All such shares shall be duly authorized and, when issued upon such exercise, shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, security interests, charges and other encumbrances or restrictions on sale and free and clear of all preemptive rights.


(b)

The Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder against impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (iii) use its best efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.


(c)

Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the current Exercise Price below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall take any corporate action which may be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of such Common Stock at such adjusted Exercise Price.


(d)

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.


(e)

The Company covenants that during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will use its best efforts to comply with any and all reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


(f)

The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary (i) to maintain a Principal Market for its Common Shares in the United States and (ii) to assure that such Warrant Stock may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Principal Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed.


(g)

The Company shall preserve and maintain its corporate existence and all licenses and permits that are material to the proper conduct of its business.


(h)

The Company will not close its shareholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant .


6.

Exchange, Transfer or Assignment of Warrant ; Registration .


(a)

Each taker and holder of this Warrant Certificate by taking or holding the same, consents and agrees that the registered holder hereof may be treated by the Company and all other persons dealing with this Warrant Certificate as the absolute owner hereof for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented hereby.


(b)

The Holder agrees that this Warrant is non-transferrable.




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7.

Anti-Dilution Provisions .  The Exercise Price in effect at any time and the number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening of certain events as follows:


(a)

In case the Company shall (i) declare a dividend or make a distribution on its outstanding shares of Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide or reclassify its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, or (iii) combine or reclassify its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Warrant Shares shall be proportionately adjusted to reflect such dividend, distribution, subdivision, reclassification or combination. For example, if the Company declares a 2 for 1 stock split and the number of Warrant Shares immediately prior to such event was 200,000, the number of Warrant Shares immediately after such event would be 400,000.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event listed above shall occur.  

(b)

Whenever the number of Warrant Shares is adjusted pursuant to Subsection (a) above, the Exercise Price shall simultaneously be adjusted by multiplying the Exercise Price immediately prior to such event by the number of Warrant Shares immediately prior to such event and dividing the product so obtained by the number of Warrant Shares, as adjusted. If an Exercise Price has not yet been established, an adjustment thereof shall be deferred until one is established pursuant to the terms of this Warrant.

(c)

No adjustment in the Exercise Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least five percent (5%) in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Subsection (c) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment required to be made hereunder. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be.

(d)

Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted, as herein provided, the Company shall promptly cause a notice setting forth the adjusted Exercise Price and adjusted number of Shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant to be mailed to the Holder.  The Company may retain a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Board of Directors (who may be the regular accountants employed by the Company) to make any computation required by this Section 7, and a certificate signed by such firm shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment.

(e)

In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Subsection (a) above, the Holder of this Warrant thereafter shall become entitled to receive any shares of the Company, other than Common Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Stock contained in Subsection (a), above.

(f)

Irrespective of any adjustments in the Exercise Price or the number or kind of shares purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant, Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same price and number and kind of shares as are stated in this Warrant.

(g)

In case at any time or from time to time conditions arise by reasons of action taken by the Company, which in the reasonable opinion of its Board of Directors, are not adequately covered by the provisions of Section 7 hereof, and which might materially and adversely affect the exercise rights of the Holder hereof, the Board of Directors shall appoint a firm of independent certified public accountants, which may be the firm regularly retained by the Company, which will give their opinion upon the adjustment, if any, on a basis consistent with the standards established in the other provisions of Section 7 necessary with respect to the Exercise Price then in effect and the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Warrant is exercisable, so as to preserve, without dilution, the exercise rights of the Holder.  Upon receipt of such opinion, the Board of Directors shall forthwith make the adjustments described therein.



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8.

Loss or Destruction of Warrant .  Upon receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory to it (in the exercise of its reasonable discretion) of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant Certificate, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant Certificate, if mutilated, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and date.

9.

Notices .  Any notice, demand or delivery authorized by this Warrant Certificate shall be in writing and shall be given to the Holder or the Company, as the case may be, at its address (or telecopier number) set forth below, or such other address (or telecopier number) as shall have been furnished to the party giving or making such notice, demand or delivery:


If to the Company:

TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION

101 East Lakeside Avenue

Coeur d’Alene, ID  83814

Attn:  Steven Osterberg, CEO

Fax:  208-664-4860


With a copy to:

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

1400 Wewatta Street
Suite 400
Denver, CO  80202-5549

Fax:303-629-3450
Attention :  Jason K. Brenkert, Esq.


If to the Holder:

at the address set forth on the last page of this Warrant.


Each such notice, demand or delivery shall be effective (i) if given by telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number specified herein and the intended recipient confirms the receipt of such telecopy or (ii) if given by any other means, when received at the address specified herein.  

10.

Rights of the Holder .  Prior to the exercise of any Warrant, the Holder shall not, by virtue hereof, be entitled to any rights of a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions, to exercise any preemptive right or any notice of any proceedings of the Company except as may be specifically provided for herein.

11.

GOVERNING LAW .  THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE AND ALL RIGHTS ARISING HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND THE PERFORMANCE THEREOF SHALL BE GOVERNED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.

12.

Amendments; Waivers .  Any provision of this Warrant Certificate may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Holder and the Company, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.  No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

13.

Company Reorganization.  In the event of any sale of substantially all the assets of the Company or any reorganization, reclassification, merger or consolidation of the Company where the Company is not the surviving entity, then as a condition to the Company entering into such transaction, the entity acquiring such assets or the surviving entity, as the case may be, shall agree to assume the Company's obligations hereunder.

************



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly caused this Warrant to be signed by its duly authorized officer and to be dated as of _____ ___________, 2016

TIMBERLINE RESOURCES CORPORATION

By:                                                                 

Name:                                                            

Title:                                                              


HOLDER:

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

(Name and address)





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EXHIBIT 31.1


CERTIFICATION

 

I, Steven A. Osterberg, certify that:


1.

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Timberline Resources Corporation,

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;


(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and


5.

I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: August 11, 2016

By:   /s/ Steven A. Osterberg

        _____________________________

        Steven A. Osterberg

        President & Chief Executive Officer

        Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer






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EXHIBIT 32.1



CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Timberline Resources Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steven A. Osterberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 


 Date: August 11, 2016

By:   /s/ Steven A. Osterberg

        _____________________________

        Steven A. Osterberg

        President & Chief Executive Officer

        Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer




The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.












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