UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K /A
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________to _______________
0-21777
(Commission File Number)
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO.
LTD.
(Name of registrant in its charter)
British Columbia, Canada | Not Applicable |
(State or other jurisdiction | (IRS Employer |
of incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
6411 Imperial Avenue, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | V7W 2J5 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Issuers telephone number: (604) 921-7570
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None
Securities registered under section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common shares without par value
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] 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). Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller
reporting company.
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filed [ ] 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). Yes [ ] No [X]
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $72,956,250 as at June 30, 2010.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrants classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 94,228,380 common shares as at December 31, 2010.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K, which Proxy Statement is to be filed within 120 days after the end of the registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment on Form 10-K/A constitutes an amendment to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, which was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2010.
This amendment is being filed for the purposes of disclosing additional and correcting the discussions requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission during their review on our annual report previously filed and to reflect the restatement discussed below..
On December 7, 2010, we announced that following, a internal review by our management, auditors and Audit Committee of our accounting for our stock options in accordance with a new adopted accounting pronouncement, ASC 815-40 (which was effective on January 1, 2009), we would restate our December 31, 2009 financial statements. This amendment on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2009, discloses and discusses the impact and effect of a restatement of our previously filed financial statements for the l year ended December 31, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity (capital deficit) and cash flows for the l year then ended, for the effects of the accounting error on the adoption of the accounting pronouncement ASC 815-40. Accordingly, management concluded, and our Audit Committee agreed, that our financial statements and the related report of our independent registered public accounting firm and all earnings press releases and similar communications issued by us relating to the fiscal year December 31, 2009 should no longer be relied upon.
As a result of the review, management has concluded, and the Board of Directors concur that the new accounting pronouncement of ASC 815-40-15 was not properly adopted on January 1, 2009. Therefore, we are restating previously issued financial statements to properly record the year end amount of the derivative liability on the consolidated balance sheet, the amounts of net loss for the year and loss per share and the opening deficit for the fiscal year 2009, the amounts of common shares and additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statement of shareholders equity (capital deficit). These adjustments result in an increase in net loss of $2,095,300 for the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease in the opening deficit by $ 464,255 and an increase of ending deficit by $1,631,045, a decrease in additional paid in capital by $1,064,557 and an increase in liabilities by $2,695,602. This restatement has no effect on our cash flows.
The combined effect of the restated figures is an increase in our basic and diluted loss per share by $0.02 to $0.05 per share for the year ended December 31, 2009.
As a result of the restatement noted above, we have also amended our disclosures regarding the controls and procedures as disclosed in Item 9A(T) of the 10-K/A.
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As required by Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, new certifications of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer are being filed as exhibits to this amendment.
This amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 amends and restates only those items of the previously filed annual report on Form 10-K which have been affected by the internal review by the Securities Exchange Commissions, the restatement and controls and procedures in item 9A(T) . In order to preserve the nature and character of the disclosures set forth in such items as originally filed, no attempt has been made in this amendment (i) to modify or update such disclosures except as required to reflect the effects of the restatement or (ii) to make revisions to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements except for those which are required by or result from the effects of the restatement and comments raised by the Securities Exchange Commissions. For additional information regarding the restatement, see Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8. No other information contained in our previously filed Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 has been updated or amended.
It is also the Companys intention to restate its financial statements and amend its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010 as soon as the reviews are completed.
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Form 10-K
Table of Contents
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PART I
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
ALL STATEMENTS IN THIS DISCUSSION THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. STATEMENTS PRECEDED BY, FOLLOWED BY OR THAT OTHERWISE INCLUDE THE WORDS "BELIEVES", "EXPECTS", "ANTICIPATES", "INTENDS", "PROJECTS", "ESTIMATES", "PLANS", "MAY INCREASE", "MAY FLUCTUATE" AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS OR FUTURE OR CONDITIONAL VERBS SUCH AS "SHOULD", "WOULD", "MAY" AND "COULD" ARE GENERALLY FORWARD-LOOKING IN NATURE AND NOT HISTORICAL FACTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WERE BASED ON VARIOUS FACTORS AND WERE DERIVED UTILIZING NUMEROUS IMPORTANT ASSUMPTIONS AND OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE INFORMATION CONCERNING OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, BUSINESS STRATEGY, PROJECTED PLANS AND OBJECTIVES. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE FACTORS SET FORTH BELOW UNDER THE HEADING "RISK FACTORS." ALTHOUGH WE BELIEVE THAT THE EXPECTATIONS REFLECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE REASONABLE, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS. MOST OF THESE FACTORS ARE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT ACCURATELY AND ARE GENERALLY BEYOND OUR CONTROL. WE ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY UPDATE ANY OF THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE HEREOF OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS. READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. REFERENCES IN THIS FORM 10-K, UNLESS ANOTHER DATE IS STATED, ARE TO DECEMBER 31, 2008. AS USED HEREIN, THE "COMPANY," "GOLDEN QUEEN MINING" "WE," "US," "OUR" AND WORDS OF SIMILAR MEANING REFER TO GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
Item 1. Business.
Glossary
Certain terms used in this Form 10-K are described below. Note that Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (the Company) uses Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions for the terms reserves, measured resources, indicated resources and inferred resources, and U.S. investors are cautioned that while these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them.
Advance minimum royalty - Payment made before the start of commercial production under a mining lease agreement with landholders.
Ag The chemical symbol for silver.
Au The chemical symbol for gold.
Exploration stage A mining company engaged in the search for or exploration of mineral deposits, which is not in either the development or production stage.
Development stage A mining company engaged in the preparation of a mineral deposit with reserves for production and which is not in the production stage.
Production stage A mining company engaged in the exploitation of a mineral deposit with reserves.
Fault or faulting - A fracture in the earths crust caused by tectonic forces with displacement along the fracture.
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Grade - A term used to assign value to resources and reserves, such as gram per tonne (g/t) or troy ounces per ton (oz/ton). Grades are reported both in Imperial and SI units in this Form 10-K.
Heap leaching A process for extracting gold and/or silver, which typically allows dilute cyanide solutions to percolate through crushed ore heaped on an impervious pad to dissolve the gold and/or silver.
Kriging - A geostatistical method used to assign grades to mineral resource and mineral reserve model blocks.
Mineral deposit - A mineral deposit is a mineralized body, which has been intersected by a sufficient number of drill holes or by underground workings to give an estimate of grade(s) of metal(s) and thus to warrant further exploration or development. A mineral deposit does not qualify as a commercially viable mineral deposit with reserves under standards set by the Securities and Exchange Commission until a final, comprehensive, economic, technical and legal feasibility study has been completed.
Ore - A natural aggregate of one or more minerals which, at a specified time and place, may be mined and processed and the product(s) sold at a profit or from which some part may be profitably separated.
Mineral Resource - A mineral resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the earths crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic exploitation. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. Mineral resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into inferred, indicated and measured categories.
Mineral Reserve - A mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of an indicated or measured mineral resource as demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, metallurgy and processing, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic exploitation can be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and allowance for losses that may occur when the material is mined. Mineral reserves are sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into probable and proven categories.
Stripping ratio - The quantity of waste rock in tons removed to allow the mining of one ton of ore in an open pit.
Volcanics - Rock composed of clasts or pieces that are of volcanic composition.
General Development of Business
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada in November 1985 and has been exploring its mineral properties (the Property) located just south of Mojave in Kern County in southern California since that time.
The Company acquired its initial interest in the Property in 1985 and has since added to its holdings in the area. Work on the Property and on the Soledad Mountain project (the Project) is done by Golden Queen Mining Co., Inc., a California corporation and the wholly-owned subsidiary (the Subsidiary) of the Company.
The Company explored for gold and silver on the Property and did extensive engineering work on the Project between 1988 and 1999. M3 Engineering and Technology Corp. (M3), Tucson, Arizona completed a preliminary feasibility study for the Project in 1998 with gold and silver prices of $350/oz and $5.50/oz respectively. The Company did additional drilling and underground sampling in 1998 and 1999.
The Company had previously reported that it expected to begin producing gold and silver from the Project during the second half of 1998, based on the M3 preliminary feasibility study and once approvals and permits had been secured. Because of relatively low gold prices in the late 1990s and in the early 2000s however, the Company was not able to obtain financing for the Project and the Project was therefore put on hold in late 2000. Employees were laid off and costs were reduced to the minimum required to maintain rights to the Property. The major landholders agreed to a 3-year moratorium on advance minimum royalty and other property payments or until the price of gold improved. The Company recorded an asset impairment loss of $28,547,592 for the year ended December 31, 2000 and this asset impairment loss reduced the carrying value of mineral properties and other assets to their estimated, net realizable value.
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The Project remained on hold in 2009 pending the receipt of outstanding approvals and permits for the Project.
In order to update the prospects for the economic exploitation of the Soledad Mountain deposit, the Company initiated a detailed review of the Project in mid-2002 to identify new approaches that would reduce both the capital cost to the start of production and future operating costs. The review was supported and complimented by a substantial amount of work done by independent engineers and contractors. The review was documented and compiled into an in-house report to assist management in determining the prospects for development of the Project at gold and silver prices prevailing in late-2006. The review indicated reasonable prospects for the development of the Project.
The Company retracted the historical mineral reserve estimates, which were based on the report prepared by M3 in 1998, in 2005 on the basis that they were out of date and not supported by National Instrument NI 43-101 (NI 43-101), being the Canadian regulation that governs the disclosure of technical information by natural resource companies. Past disclosure of mineral reserve estimates should accordingly not be relied upon.
The Company engaged SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (SRK), Lakewood, Colorado in 2005 to prepare a NI 43-101 compliant technical report (the Technical Report (SRK)) to validate and confirm the mineral resource estimates in compliance with NI 43-101. SRK released the Technical Report (SRK) on March 6, 2006. The mineral resource estimates were confirmed as set out in more detail below.
The Company engaged Norwest Corporation (Norwest), Vancouver in 2007 to prepare a further NI 43-101 compliant technical report (the Technical Report (Norwest)) to assess mineral reserves for the Project as part of an independent feasibility study based upon the technical work that had been completed to the end of 2006. The results of the Norwest study were disclosed in a press release on December 14, 2007 as set out in more detail below.
There are a number of risks associated with the Project and readers are urged to consider the risks set out below and possible other risks, in order to obtain an understanding of the Project.
The registered office of the Company is located at 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2T8 and its executive offices are located at 6411 Imperial Ave., West Vancouver, BC, Canada, V7W 2J5.
The U.S. dollar is used in this Form 10-K and quantities are reported in Metric units with Imperial units in brackets.
Project Background
The Project is located approximately 8km (5mi) south of Mojave in Kern County in southern California. See Figure 1, property location map under below.
Gold mining on Soledad Mountain dates back to the late 19 th century. The largest producer in the area was Gold Fields America Development Co. (Gold Fields), a subsidiary of Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa. This syndicate operated an underground mine and mill on the property from 1935 to 1942, when the mine was forced to close by War Production Board Order L-208. Production after the war was minimal, as costs had increased while the price of gold remained fixed at $35/oz until 1973.
Exploration & Mineral Resources
The Soledad Mountain mineral deposit is hosted in a volcanic sequence of rhyolite porphyries, quartz latites and bedded pyroclastics that occur on a large dome-shaped feature, called Soledad Mountain, along the margins of a collapsed caldera. Higher-grade precious metals mineralization is associated with steeply dipping, epithermal veins, which occupy faults and fracture zones that cross cut the rock units and generally trend northwest. The veins are contained within siliceous envelopes of lower-grade mineralization that forms the bulk of the mineral resource.
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The primary rock types that occur on the Property are rhyolite porphyry and flow-banded rhyolite, quartz latite porphyry, pyroclastics and siliceous vein material. Little or no clay occurs in any of the rocks and the rocks contain upwards of 60% Si as SiO 2 . Rhyolite porphyry and flow-banded rhyolite were grouped as a single rock type for the metallurgical test work.
Extensive programs of mapping, diamond drilling, reverse-circulation drilling and underground diamond drilling and channel sampling were carried out on the Property between 1985 and 1999. Company geologists and engineers managed these programs. The geological database today includes the results of exploration done on the Property by Rosario Exploration and Shell/Billiton and the crosscut assay data recorded on linens by Gold Fields between 1933 and 1942. The database contains 71,325 samples, generated from over 113,593m (372,649ft) of drilling and sampling of underground crosscuts.
Ore zones were shaped manually by Company geologists to define continuity with a low-grade cutoff grade of 0.274g/t AuEq (0.008oz/ton AuEq). Prices for gold and silver of $325.00/oz and $6.00/oz and recoveries for gold and silver of 78.0% and 60.0% respectively were used to calculate the gold-equivalent cutoff grade for this purpose.
Mineral Resources Development, Inc. (MRDI), San Mateo, California completed a detailed due diligence review of the procedures used by the Company between 1998 and 2000. This work involved statistical analyses, the evaluation of grade capping, the design of appropriate kriging techniques and setting criteria for the classification of resources. MRDI submitted a final report with recommendations in May 2000.
SRK and AMEC E&C Services, Inc. (AMEC acquired MRDI in 2000) did an exhaustive review of the database information and this included the MRDI recommendations from 2000 and audited the geological model over a period of five months in late 2005 and early 2006. Linear kriging was used to estimate gold and silver grades for all blocks in the model. SRK released the Technical Report (SRK) on March 6, 2006.
Mineral resources were classified as follows:
- Measured first drill hole or crosscut within 21m (70ft) and a second drill hole or crosscut within 30m (100ft).
- Indicated - first drill hole or crosscut within 43m (140ft) and a second drill hole or crosscut within 61m (200ft).
- Inferred everything beyond measured and indicated, but with two drill holes or cross-cuts within 91m (300ft) and this is more restrictive than the MRDI recommendation from 2000.
Note that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Cautionary note to U.S. investors concerning estimates of measured or indicated resources: This section uses the terms measured resources and indicated resources. We advise U.S. investors that while these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them.
Soledad Mountain Project - Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources
Grade | ||||||||
AuEq | Gold | Silver | ||||||
Category | t | ton | g/t | oz/ton | g/t | oz/ton | g/t | oz/ton |
Measured | 39,720,000 | 43,692,000 | 1.118 | 0.033 | 0.926 | 0.027 | 14.86 | 0.43 |
Indicated | 50,774,000 | 55,851,000 | 0.789 | 0.023 | 0.603 | 0.018 | 11.47 | 0.33 |
Total & Average | 90,494,000 | 99,543,000 | 0.912 | 0.027 | 0.744 | 0.022 | 12.96 | 0.38 |
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Cautionary note to U.S. investors concerning inferred resources: This section uses the term inferred resources. We advise U.S. investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize it. Inferred resources have great uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to the economic feasibility of exploiting these in a mining operation. Under Canadian rules, estimates of an inferred resource may not form the basis of pre-feasibility or feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all of or part of an inferred resource exists or will be economically exploitable.
Soledad Mountain Project - Inferred Mineral Resources
Grade | ||||||||
AuEq | Gold | Silver | ||||||
Category | t | ton | g/t | oz/ton | g/t | oz/ton | g/t | oz/ton |
Inferred | 32,073,000 | 35,280,000 | 0.634 | 0.019 | 0.497 | 0.015 | 10.84 | 0.32 |
Note:
1. |
AuEq is the gold-equivalent grade, which is calculated as
follows:
|
R 1 = Au price in $/oz/Ag price in $/oz; R 2 = Ag recovery in %/Au recovery in %. |
|
Prices used in the calculations are $450.00/oz and $7.50/oz for gold and silver respectively. Recoveries used in the calculations are 78.0% and 60.0% for gold and silver respectively. |
|
2. |
Ore zones were shaped manually with a cutoff grade of 0.274g/t (0.008oz/ton) AuEq. |
3. |
The mineral resources were calculated with a cutoff grade of 0.274g/t (0.008oz/ton) AuEq. |
Infill Drilling Program
The Company has prepared a drilling program with 40 drill holes and approximately 7,200m (23,500ft) of drilling, designed to test a portion of the material classified as inferred within pit shells constructed in 2007. SRK concurred in the Technical Report (SRK) that strategically targeted drilling could upgrade a significant portion of the inferred to the measured or indicated categories. The Company commenced an infill drill program in October of 2010, and proposes additional infill drilling once the mine is in production.
Mineral Reserves
The Company engaged Norwest in January 2007 to prepare a NI 43-101 compliant technical report (the Technical Report (Norwest)) to assess mineral reserves for the Project as part of an independent feasibility study based upon the technical work that had been completed to the end of 2006. The results of the Norwest study were disclosed in a press release on December 14, 2007 and the Technical Report (Norwest) is dated March 2008.
The mineral reserves as calculated by Norwest are set out in the table below.
Soledad Mountain Project - Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves
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Cautionary note to U.S. investors concerning proven or probable reserves: This section uses the terms proven reserves and probable reserves. We advise U.S. investors that these terms are defined strictly in accordance with applicable Canadian regulations. We further advise U.S. investors that the mineral reserve estimates are not compliant with the Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7 as a final bankable feasibility study has not been completed.
Sean Ennis, P.Eng., of Norwest Corporation, a Qualified Person as described in NI 43-101, signed the Technical Report (Norwest). The Technical Report (Norwest) is available on the Companys web site at www.goldenqueen.com .
These mineral reserve estimates are included in the Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources set out in the table in the section Exploration & Mineral Resources above.
The gold-equivalent cut-off grade for the calculation of mineral reserves is 0.51g/t (0.015oz/ton) AuEq.
Norwest allowed for ore loss of 2.5% and 15% dilution at a zero grade in calculating the mineral reserves.
Exploration Potential
Additional geological targets have been identified on the Property. These targets are generally peripheral (east, south and west) to the currently defined mineral resources. In the east, two additional zones of quartz stringer veins have been mapped in the hanging wall of the Karma/Ajax vein system. Toward the south, an extension of the Silver Queen vein system is open and additional vein splits have been mapped on surface. Also, an extension of the Golden Queen vein system appears to be offset by an east-west trending fault. Initial drill results indicate widths of 8m (26ft) with good gold and silver grades.
The exploration work to date has focused on known fault/vein structures central to the deposit. The host volcanics associated with the mineralization on the Property extend further to the south and have not been fully evaluated. Further, anomalous gold values have also been found in the low volcanic hills that protrude from the valley floor to the northwest of the Property.
The continuity of mineralization at depth remains untested.
Independent Feasibility Study Completed By Norwest Corporation
Norwest completed a feasibility study and Technical Report (Norwest) for the Project and the results were released in a press release on December 14, 2007.
The following are the parameters used in the base case cash flow projection:
The Project has a projected internal rate of return (IRR) on capital employed of 19% before taxes with a payback of approximately 4 years. The net present value (NPV) is $66.5million with discount rate of 5.0% and the undiscounted, cumulative, net cash flow is $120million. The contribution of gold and silver to gross revenues is projected to be 84% and 16% respectively with an average cash operating cost per ounce of gold produced, net of silver credits, of $420/oz. To provide a comparison, the same mining scenario without the 10% contingency on operating costs has an IRR of 23% before taxes, a NPV of $93.3million with a discount rate of 5% and an undiscounted, cumulative net cash flow of $158million.
Technical information is provided in the following sections.
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Mine Design
Norwest did a detailed mine design in 2007. Gold and silver prices of $600.00/oz and $12.00/oz respectively were used to develop an ultimate, open pit shell with standard modeling techniques. A total of five mining phases were defined within this shell. Detailed waste rock removal and ore production schedules were prepared. The waste rock management plan incorporates sequential backfilling of mined-out phases of the open pit as required by current California regulations.
An independent consulting engineer did open pit slope stability analyses in 1995 and these included analyses with the ultimate slopes subjected to a maximum, credible earthquake acceleration of 0.297g. The consulting engineer recommended an ultimate slope angle of 55 o with an indication that this angle could be safely increased to 63.4 o . The Company drilled five diamond drill holes in 1997 specifically to obtain rock strength parameters for further slope stability analyses. An independent consulting engineer did further slope stability analyses and confirmed the ultimate slope angle of 55 o . Norwest use an inter-ramp slope angle of 55 o for the mine design done in 2007.
Disposal of waste rock will be largely in mined-out phases of the open pit and a single, external waste rock dump will be constructed to provide a pad for the aggregate operation. Independent consulting engineers did waste rock dump stability analyses in 1996 and again in 1998 and these were confirmed by Norwest in 2007. The analyses concluded that waste rock dumps would be stable under both static and seismic loading conditions, both during operations and after closure and reclamation. Some sloughing of the faces of dumps could occur during significant seismic events in the area.
Waste rock dumps will be constructed at an angle of repose of 37 o (1.3:1.0) and a specific volume of 18.1ft 3 /ton that represents a 30% net swell after allowing for partial compaction. Dumps will be re-sloped to 27 o (2.0:1.0) as part of closure and reclamation. The toes of the re-sloped dumps will also typically remain within the open pjt perimeter. There is no groundwater in the areas where waste rock will be disposed of and this will therefore not have an impact on the stability of the waste rock dumps.
Open Pit Operation
Standard, open pit mining methods will be used to mine ore and waste rock. Mining operations will include drilling, blasting, loading and hauling and it is expected that the Company will do the mining. All open pit mining will occur in dry conditions above the water table.
Norwest determined the open pit equipment requirements and capital and operating costs for the feasibility study.
Planned mining rates are 13,000 tons of ore and 27,000 tons of waste rock per day or 4.55million tons of ore and 9.45million tons of waste rock per year for a combined total of 14.0million tons per year and these have been reduced from the earlier planned mining rates. Mine life has increased from 7 years to 12 years. The total quantity of ore to be mined, crushed and screened and stacked on the heap leach pads is estimated to be 51.2million tons. Total waste rock mined is 108.4million tons of which 19.0 million tons is expected to be processed and 15.0million tons sold as aggregate and 89.4million is expected to be managed on site as set out above. The average stripping ratio is 2.12:1.0.
The quantities of both ore and waste rock mined per year will vary from year to ensure the most efficient disposal of waste rock in mined-out phases of the open pit.
Ore-from-waste separation will require special attention to ensure that overall grade projections are met.
Underground mine openings will be encountered from time-to-time during open pit mining and this will be allowed for in the detailed mine planning.
The open pit design done by Norwest assumed a loaded downhill ore haul to the primary crusher for the life of the mine. The intent is to replace trucks with a downhill pipe conveyor to convey ore for a number of the mining phases with a reduction in the number of trucks required. Ore will be crushed by an in-pit, portable, primary crusher and fed to the pipe conveyor and conveyed to the coarse ore stockpile. The length of the pipe conveyor will be approximately 1500ft. Various alternative mine designs are being explored in an effort to make the best possible use of the pipe conveyor and detailed engineering for this application remains to be completed.
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Pipe conveyor technology is well-proven in practice with upwards of 200 installations in Europe. Regenerative braking is typically used in all loaded downhill applications and the power generated would provide a small portion of the power required elsewhere in the Project.
Mineralogy, Process Development & Flow Sheet
Studies show that gold is present as native gold and electrum with particles ranging in size from less than 10 micron to greater than 150 micron with the silver content of the electrum as high as 25%. Silver is also present as the mineral acanthite (Ag 2 S) with some native silver, pyrargyrite (3Ag 2 S.Sb 2 S 3 ) and polybasite (9Ag 2 S.Sb 2 S 3 ). Pyrite (FeS 2 ), galena (PbS) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) are present in minor amounts with no indicated acid-generating potential. Multi-element x-ray fluorescence analyses show only trace quantities of mercury.
Test work done on Soledad Mountain ores from 1989 to 2007 shows that these ores are readily amenable to heap leaching provided the ore is crushed and/or ground to relatively small sizes. Gold and silver recoveries of 78.0% and 60.0% respectively and a range of parameters required to design a heap leach operation, such as agglomerate strength, percolation rates under load and the consumption of cyanide and other reagents, were determined.
It was proposed to crush and screen ore to 100% - 8mesh or 100% - 2.37mm and a four-stage crushing and screening plant using vertical shaft impact crushers in the third and fourth crushing stages was designed for the Project in the 1990s. This approach is referred to as conventional crushing in the following analysis. The Company did a review that provided new insights into the historical test results in 2002. An alternative flow sheet was developed for the Project in late 2002, based upon the use of a high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR). The Company, in consultation with an independent engineering firm experienced in HPGR design, prepared a detailed flow sheet for the Project based on an HPGR in the third comminution stage.
Confirmation HPGR tests were required to provide the following:
Samples of rhyolite ore and quartz latite ore were collected for the HPGR tests in July 2003 and in March 2004 respectively. The samples were crushed to 100% passing 32mm and 35mm respectively by McClelland Laboratories, Inc. (MLI), an independent metallurgical laboratory located in Sparks, Nevada. The samples were shipped by airfreight to the laboratories of two HPGR manufacturers in Germany where the actual HPGR tests were done. The crushed samples were returned to the MLI laboratory in Nevada for confirmation leach test work. The following conclusions were drawn based upon the results of bottle roll and column leach tests:
The detailed analysis of the leached residues or tails indicated that tests should be done on a high-grade and a low-grade sample to obtain data for the complete range of expected head grades. Two rhyolite samples were taken for this test work in April 2006. The total weight of the two samples was approximately 2,100kg (4,600lb). The samples were shipped by truck to MLI for first-stage crushing and then by airfreight to a HPGR manufacturers laboratory in Germany where the HPGR tests were done. The samples were returned to MLI and bottle roll tests and column leach tests were started in July and completed in December 2006. Final test results were received and combined with the results from earlier tests for a detailed recovery analysis.
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The Company now estimates the following recoveries based upon the tails analysis:
Primary Rock Types
|
Proportion | Gold | Silver |
% | % | % | |
Pyroclastics | 10.5 | 85.4 | 52.5 |
Quartz Latite | 21.3 | 89.9 | 52.5 |
Rhyolite | 68.1 | 83.4 | 52.5 |
Undefined | 0.1 | Average | Average |
Total & Average | 100.0 | 85.0 | 52.5 |
Tests were done on leached residues from two of the column leach tests to determine the percolation rates under load and the results of the tests were used to design the heap and confirm heap height for the heap leach operation.
The test work shows that the HPGR is expected to have distinct advantages over conventional crushing and screening to size and prepare particles for heap leaching in this particular application. The indicated benefits of using the HPGR will be:
A technical paper entitled Flow Sheet Development And Benefits Of The HPGR was presented at the RANDOL conference held in Perth, Australia in late-August 2005.
An independent consulting engineering firm did the design of the crushing-screening plant including the HPGR in 2006 and this design was revised in detail in 2008.
The HPGR consists basically of two counter-rotating rolls one a fixed roll and the other a floating roll. The floating roll is mounted on and can move freely on two slides and the grinding forces are applied to the floating roll by four hydraulic rams. Ore is choke-fed to the gap between the rolls and comminution takes place by inter-particle crushing in the bed of particles. The gap between the rolls is determined by the nip-in characteristics of the feed and the total grinding force applied, which in turn depends upon pressures in the hydraulic system. Each roll is driven by an electric motor via a planetary gear reducer. The total grinding force can range from 750kN to 20,000kN and pressures in the gap can range from 50MPa to 250MPa. The unconfined compressive strengths of Soledad Mountain ores range from 2.2MPa to 118.9MPa by comparison.
Comminution in the HPGR is achieved without impact and essentially without attrition of the wear protection on the surface of the rolls.
Merrill-Crowe Plant
Gold and silver are typically recovered in a heap leach operation by dissolution in a dilute sodium-cyanide solution and then by precipitation with zinc or adsorption on activated carbon. The zinc precipitation process, referred to as the Merrill-Crowe process after its developers, is used to recover gold and silver when the silver to gold ratio in solution is greater than 10:1. The silver to gold ratio is expected to average 15:1 for the Project and a Merrill-Crowe precipitation plant will therefore be required. In the Merrill-Crowe process, zinc dust is metered into the deaerated, pregnant solution and gold and silver are precipitated as micron-sized, metallic particles. The precipitate is dried, mixed with selected fluxes and melted in an induction furnace. The molten mix of gold and silver, i.e. the dorè, is poured into molds. The dorè is cooled, cleaned and shipped to a commercial refinery where gold and silver bullion are produced for final sale.
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The Merrill-Crowe process is highly efficient and recoveries in a commercial plant typically range upwards of 98%.
Independent consulting engineering firms did detailed designs for the Merrill-Crowe plant and this includes the refinery and for an analytical laboratory.
The Heap Leach Pad And The Heap
A dilute, sodium-cyanide solution will be used to extract gold and silver in the heap leach operation. Extensive procedures will be put in place to protect workers and the environment. The cyanide will be received in a dissolved form by truck directly from the manufacturer and will be pumped to a storage tank on site and from there to the process. An alternative is to receive delivery of the cyanide in dry form and the facilities for the Project have been designed to accept delivery of cyanide in either form.
An independent consulting engineering firm is responsible for the design of the heap leach facility, which has been designed for zero discharge. The design contemplates that the first heap leach pad to be constructed, the Phase 1 pad, will be located on the northern side of Soledad Mountain. A second pad, the Phase 2 pad, will be located on the western side of Soledad Mountain if required. The Phase 1 pad will be a dedicated pad, i.e. ore will be stacked, leached, rinsed and left in place on the pad for final reclamation. The following are the design criteria for the Phase 1 pad:
The Phase 1 heap leach pad will be lined with a composite liner consisting of a compacted soil liner and a geomembrane. The geomembrane will in turn be covered and protected by 45cm (18inch) of a crushed liner protection fill that will act as a drainage layer. A network of perforated pipes will be installed in the liner protection fill. Solution will drain by gravity to a pump box and will be pumped to the Merrill-Crowe plant where gold and silver will be extracted from the pregnant solution. The barren solution will be pumped to the heap with vertical turbine pumps and drip emitters will be used on the heap to limit evaporation losses. Drip emitters will be covered. An overflow pond is located east and downstream of the pump box.
Detailed site investigations were done in the area where the Phase 1 heap leach pad will be constructed in 2004 and again in 2006. The design of the Phase 1 pad for construction has been completed.
The design of the heap leach pad meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
An equipment manufacturer did the heap leach stacking study for the conveying and stacking system.
Services
The Project is located approximately 8km (5 miles) south of Mojave in southern California. The metropolitan areas of Rosamond and Lancaster lie from 14km (9 miles) to 32km (20 miles) to the south. Access to site is from State Route 14 and Silver Queen Road, an existing paved County road. Mojave is a railroad hub for the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific/Southern Pacific railroad lines. Services such as a hospital, ambulance, fire-protection, garbage and hazardous waste disposal, schools, motels and housing, shopping, airport and recreation are available in Mojave and its surroundings.
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Water Supply
A water supply will be required for the mining operation and it is expected that groundwater will be used.
A detailed study of the site hydrogeology was completed in 2006 to confirm that groundwater would be a dependable source of water for the Project. As many as 35 wells have been drilled in the greater Project area in the past. Records for some of these wells plus step rate test data from production well PW-1 drilled by the Company indicate that, initially, two production wells can provide the maximum estimated water requirement of 147.6m 3 /h (650gal/min). Production well PW-1 is located approximately 1km (3,000ft) north of the Project. A second production well was drilled approximately 300m (1,000ft) north of well PW-1 and cased and tested and a third production well, PW-3, was drilled in an area west of the Project in November 2008. Development of well PW-3 remains to be completed..
Water samples taken from five characterization wells on site indicate that groundwater can be used in the heap leach process without pre-treatment.
An independent consulting engineering firm did the design for the water supply and the process water and firewater distribution systems
The Company filed an application for a water service connection with Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency in February 2008 to provide a backup water supply. This was mandated as one of the conditions of approval in the Conditional Use Permits that were issued in 1997. The possibility of water banking is also being discussed.
The Company is in discussion with a local agency to determine the availability and feasibility of using recycled water for the Project and initial engineering studies are underway.
Power Supply
The regional utility, Southern California Edison (SCE), will supply power.
A main power line with two sets of conductors currently reaches the eastern property boundary. The top set of conductors carries 66kV while the bottom set of conductors carries 12,460V and these are the common primary voltages in SCE territory.
SCE provided a rate for power. The rate structure is complex and a mix of consumption and demand charges applies to peak, mid-peak and off-peak periods.
SCE indicates that the power factor is an absolutely critical item in SCE territory. SCE requires a minimum operating power factor of 0.95 and a load-sensitive capacitor bank will be installed to achieve this. SCE may also limit the number of starts permitted for the major motors per day.
SCE is doing an in-house study to determine the most effective way of providing power for the Project.
It is expected that the Company will install and own the utility tie sub-station, which will transform the incoming voltage of 66kV to 4160V and this will be the mine distribution voltage. Overhead transmission lines will distribute power from the utility tie sub-station to the areas where power will be required.
A diesel-powered generator will provide standby power and this will be set beside the Merrill-Crowe plant. Power will be available to operate the barren and recycle solution pumps in case of a SCE power failure.
An independent consulting engineering firm prepare a detailed motor list and estimated the power consumption for the heap leach operation..
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Assay Laboratory, Offices & Workshop/Warehouse
The initial designs for all services required for a mining operation such as an assay laboratory, office, workshop and warehouse and diesel fuel and gasoline storage have been completed.
Project Management & Operating Manpower
A management team will be assembled in Mojave to manage the Project. Manpower is expected to average 27 salaried and 129 hourly-paid workers once the mine is in full production with a further 15 hourly-paid workers required for the aggregate operation. Indications are that skilled workers will be available locally as there are a number of mines and quarries in production in the greater Mojave area.
Construction manpower is expected to peak at 200 with an estimated 141.7 man-years required for construction.
Aggregate
It is expected that a byproduct aggregate and construction materials business can be developed once the heap leach operation is in full production, based on the location of the Project in southern California with close proximity to major highways and railway lines. The source of raw materials will be quality waste rock specifically stockpiled for this purpose. The waste rock can be classified into a range of products such as riprap, crushed stone and sand with little further processing. Test work done in the 1990s confirmed the suitability of waste rock as aggregate and construction material. The waste rock could be sold over an extended mine life greater than 30 years. The Company has received an expression of interest from an aggregate producer with experience in southern California markets and this is being actively pursued.
Wind Power
A large number of wind turbines are located in an area between the Project and a range of mountains to the northwest of the Project.
A company based in Mojave has investigated the feasibility of using Soledad Mountain as a base for a commercial installation of wind turbines and has had discussions with the Company. Initial indications are that Soledad Mountain would be a good site and could accommodate a number of wind turbines without interfering with the mining operation.
Wind power could only be a supplemental source of power for the Project as it would still be necessary for SCE to provide power during periods when there is little or no wind.
Environmental Issues & Permits
Introduction
The Companys Soledad Mountain Project requires three main permits that will give the Company the right to begin mining and processing operations. These are:
a. |
Amended Conditional Use Permits to be issued by Kern County (see CEQA/NEPA heading below); |
|
b. |
Authorities to Construct to be issued by the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (see Authority to Construct & Permit to Operate heading below; and |
|
c. |
Waste Discharge Requirements to be issued by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (see Water Quality heading below. |
The environmental issues and the efforts made to secure the three main permits are described in detail under the subheadings CEQA/NEPA , Authority to Construct & Permit to Operate , and Water Quality , which follow below under this Environmental Issues & Permits heading.
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General
The area surrounding Mojave is typical of the western Mojave Desert. The immediate vicinity of the Project is sparsely populated with considerable historical and more recent mining activity. The Standard Hill, Tropico and Cactus mines are located within a radius of 12km (7.5 miles) of the Property.
The Project and the immediate area surrounding the Project or a total of approximately 9,600 (3,887 hectares) acres are included in the Specific Plan (the Plan) for Soledad Mountain - Elephant Butte & Vicinity - south of Mojave. This Plan was prepared in March 1973 and adopted by the Kern County Board of Supervisors as Resolution 73-485 on June 18, 1973. Gold and silver mining operations are recognized in the Plan as important land uses and the protection of mineral deposits, potentially of commercial value, is included in the Plan through restriction of incompatible land uses. The Project as presently defined is consistent with the Plan.
An independent consulting engineering firm reviewed the major approvals and permits that were issued for the Project in the late 1990s and the current regulatory environment in California in 2005. Additional work was indicated due to the time that had passed since the permits were first issued and changes that had been made in the Project. There have also been changes in regulations imposed by two levels of government in California. No significant environmental issues were however identified in the review and furthermore, the footprint of the Project as presently defined has been reduced in both a physical and an environmental sense.
Environmental issues and the status of approvals and permits are summarized in the following sections.
CEQA/NEPA
The Project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), each of which requires written analysis of proposed mining activities and their effect on the physical, biological, social and economic resources of the area. This analysis is known under CEQA as an environmental impact report (EIR), and under NEPA as an environmental impact statement (EIS).
The environmental setting of the Project was documented in a number of baseline studies prepared between 1990 and 1997. The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for the Project in September 1997 (i.e. CUP Case No. 41, Map No. 213 and CUP Case No. 22, Map No. 214). The Bureau of Land Management subsequently issued its Record of Decision approving the Plan of Operations under NEPA in November 1997.
The State of California introduced backfilling requirements for certain types of open pit, metal mines in December 2002. The Company contended that these regulations did not apply to the Project under a grandfathering provision included in the regulation. The Company, therefore, pursued both a favorable interpretation under the regulation and subsequently an amendment of the regulation with the State Mining and Geology Board (the Board) in 2006. These efforts were supported by Kern County officials. Both approaches were rejected by the Board and the decision was duly recorded by the Board in January 2007.
The Company completed an Application for a revised Surface Mining and Reclamation Plan, which was submitted to the Kern County Planning Department (the Planning Department) in April 2007. The Planning Department completed its review of the Application and deemed the Application complete in July 2007. The Planning Department noted that changes proposed for the Project constituted new information that required evaluation of potential impacts and mitigation in a supplemental EIR (SEIR). The Planning Department issued a Request for Proposal to prepare the SEIR to a total of 17 qualified consultants in October 2007. The Chambers Group was awarded the contract to prepare the SEIR. The Company signed an agreement with the Planning Department in February 2008 and made a payment of $55,000 which was 50% of the cost of preparing the SEIR. This agreement was approved by the Kern County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on March 11, 2008.
The kickoff meeting with the Chambers Group was held on the afternoon of March 12, 2008. The Chambers Group completed the initial review of information provided by the Planning Department and issued a draft Notice of Preparation by mid-June. The Planning Department then terminated the agreement with the Chambers Group due to a conflict of interest related to another project. The Planning Department mailed the Notice of Preparation and the supporting reports to agencies on the mailing list on August 18 with a deadline for responses by September 17. A total of 66 sets of information were mailed by the Planning Department directly plus a further 15 sets were mailed by the State Clearinghouse.
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The State Office of Mine Reclamation (OMR), accompanied by the Planning Department and Company management, met on site for a due diligence review on September 16, 2008. The OMR indicated that it would require additional time beyond the September 17, 2008 deadline to prepare comments on the Project.
The Planning Department received nine comment letters by September 17, 2008 and two additional comment letters at the end of September plus a twelfth comment letter thereafter. The OMR submitted comments to the Planning Department on September 30, 2008.
The County selected RGP Planning and Development Services (RGP) to continue with the preparation of the S EIR. The agreement with RGP was approved by the Kern County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on October 14, 2008. The estimated cost of the work to be done by RGP was $123,800 and the Company paid this amount on September 25, 2008.
A scoping meeting was held on site attended by RGP, the Planning Department, and Company management.
The Company submitted responses to ten of the comment letters referred to above to the Planning Department on November 27, 2008 and responses to the OMRs comment letter on December 16, 2008.
RGP prepared a Progress Report, which the Planning Department released to the public, on December 30, 2008.
The Companys consulting engineers did extensive studies to confirm the possibility of backfilling mined-out phases of the open pit in January and February 2009. The studies were presented to the Planning Department in a meeting in Bakersfield on March 11, 2009. The Planning Department requested that the Project Description be revised to include the backfilling studies and this was done and submitted to the Planning Department on March 24. The Application for the revised Surface Mining and Reclamation Plan was also revised and submitted to the Planning Department on April 5. A further revision of the Application was requested by the Planning Department on May 5 and this was completed and submitted on May 25. The Company recognizes that the reviews by the Planning Department have added to the overall quality of the Application.
The Planning Departments target for the release of the S EIR to the public was then late July or early August 2009.
The following two items are of note:
There are 87 conditions of approval listed in Exhibit E to the CUPs and this includes a requirement to reclaim historical disturbances on the Property. Site inspections are conducted annually to verify that the Company is in compliance with the conditions of approval.
The SEIR was distributed by the Planning Department, as lead agency under the provisions of CEQA to approximately 430 recipients and notification of release to 985 recipients on January 11, 2010. At the conclusion of the review period, the Planning Department had received 26 responses, including letters supporting the project, letters with project concerns, and letters from regulatory agencies designated as responsible agencies under CEQA. Comments were also received from the State of California on the reclamation plan provisions. The lead agency responded in writing to the comments received by February 25, 2010.. The Company supported the lead agencys effort by supplying additional information that was requested. As required by CEQA, the lead agency provided written responses to those who commented no later than 14 days prior to the projects consideration by the Kern County Planning Commission Commission. The Commission was scheduled to consider this case at its regularly scheduled April 8, 2010, hearing.
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The Commission formally considered the Project on April 8, 2010. At the meeting, the Commission, consisting of a panel of three commissioners, unanimously approved the Project. Two appeals to the certification were filed but subsequently withdrawn. Accordingly, the Commissions actions became final on May 24, 2010. The thirty-day period for filing a lawsuit challenging the SEIR expired on June 23, 2010 and as a result the SEIR certification was then final.
Air Quality
Background Information
The Project lies within the Southeast Desert Air Basin, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District ( EKAPCD ). The district is charged to regulate sources of air pollution within the basin, pursuant to authority granted under the federal Clean Air Act.
The area is designated as unclassified for PM 10 emissions (that portion of the total suspended particulates less than 10 microns in size) and as a non-attainment area for ozone. The typically windy conditions and very dry nature of the area are responsible for high background PM 10 levels recorded at several nearby meteorological monitoring stations.
Fugitive dust from a mining operation on the Property, combined with background dust, may result in unacceptable levels of PM 10 emissions in the surrounding areas, especially downwind, and this may present the greatest potential environmental issue for the Project. A PM 10 level of 44 micrograms per cubic meter was projected by computer modeling for a mining rate of 27million t (30million ton) in 1996. This level is below the California attainment standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter and the Federal standard of 150 micrograms per cubic meter. However, the Company believes that it will achieve compliance with applicable standards by a greater margin, as the modeling methodology assumes worst-case conditions, which are considered unlikely to be encountered in the actual operation based on the planned use of commonly accepted dust control techniques in all phases of the operation.
The Planning Department requested that the Air Quality Assessment and Health Risk Assessment for the Project be redone in February 2009 to provide current information for the S EIR. This study was completed and in the hands of the Planning Department and EKAPCD on July 21, 2009.
EKAPCD transferred an Emission Reduction Credit Certificate from Cactus Gold Mines Company to the Project in February 1999 and this remains valid.
Authority To Construct & Permit To Operate
The Company had obtained seven Authority to Construct permits dated March 16, 2002. These permits expired on March 16, 2004 and were not renewed due to changes anticipated in the Project.
The Companys consulting engineers have completed the revised Applications for Authority to Construct permits and it is now expected that these will be submitted to Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District in November 2010. ECAPCD can now prepare and issue Authority to Construct permits as the SEIR has been certified.
The Authority to Construct permits are converted to a Permit To Operate after construction has been completed and subject to inspection by the ECAPCD .
Meteorological Monitoring Station
The Company was required to install both upwind and downwind meteorological monitoring stations before the start of production and decided to proceed with the upwind monitoring station in May 2006 to add to the background database. The station was designed by Air Sciences Inc., Golden, Colorado and commissioned in September 2006. The KCAPCD approved the design of the station in October 2006. Data is being recorded on a continuous basis and quarterly reports are being issued to the KCAPCD.
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The equipment for the downwind meteorological monitoring station has been purchased and is in storage in Mojave.
Water Quality
The Project is located in the northern portion of the Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin. The mean recorded annual rainfall in the surrounding area is approximately 156mm (6.14in) . Typical patterns of precipitation are winter rains and summer thunderstorms and these tend to be short-lived and of high intensity. The site is dominated by Soledad Mountain and surface drainage patterns in the area are largely influenced by local topography. This varies from steep, rugged hillsides at the upper elevations to a gently sloping desert floor around the toe of Soledad Mountain. Runoff on the northern side of Soledad Mountain is via a series of gullies or channels, which direct surface flows to the north, northeast and northwest and eventually to the east to the Gloster and Chaffee Hydrologic Areas of the Antelope Hydrologic Unit.
There are no springs or intermittent streams in the immediate area. The closest intermittent stream is approximately 5km (3 miles) to the west. Evaporation rates are high. Groundwater is typically found at depths of 55m to 6m (180ft to 200ft) in the area north of the Project.
The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) is responsible for ensuring compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and Californias Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act. The Company submitted a Report of Waste Discharge (ROWD), prepared by a company based in Bakersfield to the Regional Board in June 1997. The Regional Board adopted Board Order No. 6-98-9 in March 1998 at a meeting held in Lancaster and this set the Waste Discharge Requirements for the Project.
Revised Report Of Waste Discharge
The ROWD submitted in 1997 included a design for the heap leach facility done before and in 1997. The Company and its consulting engineers prepared an engineering review that set out significant differences between the layout and designs prepared for the heap leach facility in 1997 and in 2005 and made a presentation to the Regional Board in Victorville in May 2006. The Regional Board requested that the Company submit a revised ROWD to reflect these changes. The Company and its consulting engineers prepared and submitted a revised ROWD to the Regional Board in March 2007.
The Regional Board completed its assessment of the revised ROWD and prepared draft Waste Discharge Requirements for the Project. The Regional Board will wait for confirmation from the Planning Department that SEIR has been certified before adopting a revised Board Order and setting Waste Discharge Requirements for the Project.
The Regional Board unanimously approved Waste Discharge Requirements and a Monitoring and Reporting Program (WDRs) for the Soledad Mountain Project at the joint, regular meeting held on July 14, 2010 in South Lake Tahoe, NV and Victorville, CA. The Board recommended adopting an order approving the WDRs subject only to locating an additional ground water monitoring well. The order approving the WDRs is a critical authorization for the construction and operation of, and establishes the discharge and monitoring standards for, the heap leach pads, rock stockpiles and other activities that have the potential to affect surface and ground waters. The Board Order was signed by the Executive Officer of the Board on July 23, 2010.
Closure, Reclamation and Financial Assurance
Closure and reclamation will be done in accordance with the requirements set out in the CUPs and an approved Surface Mining and Reclamation Plan and as set out in the Board Order issued by the Regional Board.
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The following general principles apply:
The following points will have an impact on closure and reclamation costs:
The following two items will require future consideration:
Revegetation
Sites have been revegetated successfully elsewhere in the California deserts, for example at the Castle Mountain Mine in San Bernardino County, and it is expected that revegetation can be completed successfully for the Project as per the detailed revegetation plan that has been prepared by the Companys consulting engineers.
A summary of the proposed revegetation procedures is given below:
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Financial Assurances
The Company will be required to provide the following financial assurances for the Project:
The Company provided reclamation financial assurance in the form of a Payment Bond Certificate backed by a Certificate Of Deposit with Union Bank of California in the amount of $286,653 on October 21, 2009. The financial assurance is reassessed annually.
Cleanup On Site
The Company has done extensive cleanup on site over the past four years as summarized in the table below.
Amount | |||
Payable To | Years | U.S.$ | Loads |
Contractor A | 2006 | 13,077 | 6.0 |
2007 | 41,946 | 48.5 | |
2008 | 138,336 | 160.0 | |
2009 | 15,425 | 17.5 | |
Total | 2006-2009 | 208,784 | 232.0 |
Contractor B | 2008 | 128,000 | 141.0 |
Grand Total | 336,784 | 373.0 |
Some work remains to be done and cleanup is continuing at a reduced pace in 2010.
The work was done at a significant cost to the Company and demonstrates that the Company is committed to envioronmental stewardship and good housekeeping in its operations.
Environmental, Safety and Health Policy
The Company has an Environmental, Safety and Health Policy and a management system to implement the Policy.
The Company expects to sign the International Cyanide Management Code. The Code was developed under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program and the International Council on Metals and the Environment. The International Cyanide Management Institute, a non-profit organization, administers the Code. Signatories to the Code commit to follow the Principles set out in Code and to follow the Standards of Practice. Companies are expected to design, construct, operate and decommission their facilities consistent with the requirements of the Code and must have their operations audited by an independent third party. Audit results are made public.
Offices and Employees
The Companys principal executive offices are located in Vancouver at 6411 Imperial Ave., West Vancouver, BC, V7W 2J5, Canada.
The Company currently has no employees. The Company utilizes an accounting firm, which is independent from our auditors, on a contract basis for the preparation of its financial statements, and engages various part-time consultants and contractors as needed for administrative services. Technical services related to Project permitting, development and land matters are performed by consultants and contractors on an as-needed basis.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The following is a brief discussion of those distinctive or special characteristics of the Companys operations and the industry in which it operates, which may have a material impact on, or constitutes risk factors in respect of, the Companys future financial performance and in respect of an investment in the Company. These risk factors should be read in conjunction with disclosure on business and risks appearing in this Form 10-K and elsewhere.
The Likelihood Of Continued Losses From Operations
The Company has had no revenue from operations and has incurred cumulative losses from inception through December 31, 2009 of $ 53,244,225 . Losses are expected to continue until such time as the Company can economically produce and sell gold and silver, aggregate and construction materials from the Project. Continued losses will require that the Company raise additional funds by equity or debt financing, failing which the Company will not be able to continue operations.
Ability To Continue As A Going Concern
The Company has had no revenues from operations since inception and has a deficit of $ 53,468,071 accumulated during the exploration stage. In addition we have significant costs associated with ongoing operations and advancing the Project that we are presently funding primarily through the sale of our common shares.
The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the continued financial support from our shareholders, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing to achieve its operating objectives, and the attainment of profitable operations. Management cannot provide assurances that such plans will occur. These factors raise substantial doubt regarding the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. The Companys financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The Need for Significant Additional Financing
If approvals and permits are secured for the Project and a production decision is made, the Company will need significant additional financing to develop the Project into an operating mine and estimates that this could range as high as $100 million plus working capital. The Company expects to finance the construction and to secure the necessary working capital from either additional sales of common shares, from bank or other borrowings or, alternatively, through a joint venture. However, the Company has no commitment for the underwriting of additional shares or for bank financing and it is not a party to any agreement or arrangement providing for a joint venture. Whether or not and to what extent project financing can be secured will depend on a number of factors, including gold and silver prices. Gold and silver prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, such as the strength of the US dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, and global or regional political or economic events. If financing is not obtained, the Company will not be able to develop the Project and would be forced to seek alternatives to its current business plan, including disposing of its interests in the Property.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
The Company may be classified as a passive foreign investment company. U.S. investors should seek independent advice from tax advisors to discuss any tax consequences.
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We must secure approvals and permits.
The Company must secure all approvals and permits as set out above. The Company has been persistent in its efforts to secure approvals and permits, however, there is no assurance that these can ultimately be secured and this remains a significant risk.
Our ability to obtain mine financing is likely dependant on the price of gold and silver remaining at current levels, which, given historical fluctuations, can vary significantly.
Financing to develop the Project will depend upon current price levels for gold and silver being sustained for the foreseeable future. The current price levels of gold and silver have not been attained since the early 1980s and there is no guarantee that prices will remain at the current high levels. Gold and silver prices historically have fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous factors outside of our control including industrial and retail demand, central bank lending, forward sales of gold by producers and speculators, levels of gold production, short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities, confidence in the global monetary system, expectations of the future rate of inflation, the strength of the US dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally quoted), interest rates and global or regional political or economic events.
Historical prices for gold and silver based on the London pm Fixing as at the closing dates noted, are set out in the table below.
Date | Gold | Silver |
January 2, 2010 | $1,121.50 | $17.17 |
January 2, 2009 | $874.50 | $11.08 |
January 2, 2008 | $840.75 | $14.93 |
January 2, 2007 | $640.75 | $13.01 |
January 3, 2006 | $530.00 | $9.04 |
January 4, 2005 | $427.75 | $6.39 |
January 2, 2004 | $415.25 | $5.98 |
January 3, 2000 | $281.50 | $5.30 |
The agreements with landholders need ongoing monitoring.
The Company monitors the status of agreements with landholders on a regular basis in order to protect the Companys interests in the Property that it does not own. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to retain all of its interests in the Property through negotiations with landowners, or that the cost of retaining its interests will not increase significantly as a result of future negotiations. The value of the Project may be significantly reduced if the Company cannot access or mine areas of the Property that are material to the Project, due to its inability to retain its interests in the Property. While each and every property has its own value and unique purpose in the overall mine plan, the feasibility of the Project will depend on the Companys ability to maintain control of the portions of the Property that are material to the Project. Failure to keep property agreements in good standing may result in a loss of control of the corresponding interest in the Property, which, if material to the Project, would prevent the Company from developing the Project.
We rely extensively on the services of our President, Mr. H. Lutz Klingmann, P.Eng., who has considerable current knowledge of our operations, including the Soledad Mountain Project, and the loss of his services would likely result in delay and cost associated with acquiring and training additional management.
Since 2002, Mr. Lutz Klingmann has been largely responsible for most of the operations of the Company, including work on the Project. The successful development of the Project as currently envisioned by management is dependent to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of Mr. Klingmann. Investors must be willing to rely to a significant extent on managements discretion and judgment. We do not maintain key employee insurance on Mr. Klingmann and the loss of his services would likely have an adverse affect on Company operations and plans, until such time as a replacement can be located and brought current on Company plans and operations.
24
Risks and Contingencies Associated with the Mining Industry Generally
In addition to the risks noted above, the Company is subject to all of the risks inherent in the mining industry, including environmental risks, fluctuating metals prices, industrial accidents, labor disputes, unusual or unexpected geologic formations, cave-ins, flooding, earth quakes and periodic interruptions due to inclement weather. These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, production facilities, personal injury, environmental damage, delays, monetary losses and legal liability. Although the Company maintains or can be expected to maintain insurance within ranges of coverage consistent with industry practice, no assurance can be given that such insurance will be available at economically feasible premiums. Insurance against environmental risks (including pollution or other hazards resulting from the disposal of waste products generated from production activities) is not generally available to the Company or other companies in the mining industry. If subjected to environmental liabilities, the costs incurred would reduce funds available for other purposes. If the Company is unable to fund fully the cost of remedying an environmental problem, the Company might be required to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of remedial activities.
Most of our directors are ordinarily resident outside of the United States and accordingly it may be difficult to effect service of process on them, or to enforce any legal judgment against them.
With the exception of Thomas Clay, our directors namely Edward G. Thompson, Chester Shynkaryk, Gordon C. Gutrath, and H. Lutz Klingmann are residents of Canada. Consequently, it may be difficult for U.S. investors to effect service of process within the U.S. upon these directors, or to realize in the U.S. upon judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liabilities under the U.S. securities laws. A judgment of a U.S. court predicated solely upon such civil liabilities would probably be enforceable in Canada by a Canadian court if the U.S. court in which the judgment was obtained had jurisdiction, as determined by the Canadian court, in the matter. There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be brought successfully in Canada against any of such directors predicated solely upon such civil liabilities.
Because our common shares will likely trade at prices below $5.00 per share, and because we will not be listed on a national U.S. exchange, there are additional regulations imposed on U.S. broker-dealers trading in our shares that may make it more difficult for you to resell our shares through a U.S. broker-dealer.
Because of U.S. rules that apply to shares with a market price of less than $5.00 per share, known as the penny stock rules, investors will find it more difficult to sell their securities in the U.S. through a U.S. broker dealer. The penny stock rules will probably apply to trades in our shares. These rules in most cases require a broker-dealer to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document to a potential purchaser of the securities, along with additional information including current bid and offer quotations, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customers account, and to make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchasers written agreement to the transaction.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties.
Land Ownership and Mining Rights
The Company acquired its initial property interests in 1985 and has since acquired additional properties in the area. The Company holds directly or controls via agreement a total of 33 patented lode mining claims, 134 unpatented lode mining claims, 1 patented millsite and 12 unpatented millsites, which together comprise the Property. The Property is located west of California State Highway 14 and lies largely south of Silver Queen Road covering all of Section 6 and portions of Sections 5, 7 and 8 in Township 10 North, Range 12 West; portions of Sections 1 and 12 in Township 10 North, Range 13 West; portions of Section 18 in Township 9 North, Range 12 West, and portions of Section 32 in Township 11 North, Range 12 West, all from the San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian.
25
Figure 1 below provides a property location map.
Figure 1
The Company holds the properties either directly through a subsidiary, or under mining lease agreements with 63 individual landholders, two groups of landholders and three incorporated entities. The land required for the Project has therefore either been secured under one of these agreements or is controlled by the Company through ownership of the land in fee or where the Company holds patented and unpatented mining claims or millsites. The mining lease agreements were entered into from 1986 onwards.
26
Figure 2 below provides a map of the various claims groups comprising the Property.
Figure 2
The Company owns or controls 792.13 acres of fee land in the area surrounding Section 6. The land is required for the construction of the ancillary facilities required for a mining operation, for the construction of the heap leach pads and for waste rock disposal. The area that will be disturbed by the Project is a 369 hectare-block (912 acres) within the total area of approximately 366 hectares (3,500 acres) owned, held or controlled by the Company. The Company also owns four residential properties with buildings north of Silver Queen Road and four residential properties west of Soledad Mountain.
The Company is continuing with its efforts to purchase additional land that will secure its land position in the area.
Title Review
The Company commissioned a formal title review of the Property by a firm familiar with title matters in California in 1996. This title review was updated in February 1998 and again in March 1999. A further title review was completed by an independent landman in 2004 and no particular title problems were identified.
Quiet Title Judgment
The ownership history is typically complex in historic mining districts and title problems will exist. The Company obtained a Quiet Title Judgment on May 15, 1999 and this resolved a majority of the title questions. The effect of the Judgment was to clear the title to the interests in the patented claims listed in the action and to cure the title defects of record, providing security of title and thus greatly enhancing the value of the properties.
27
The Company has determined that any remaining title questions would not present a threat to the Project.
Land Survey
A U.S. mineral surveyor licensed in California has completed a survey of the patented and unpatented lode mining claims in Section 6, T10N, R2W and Section 32, T11N, R12W. A claim status map and Royalty Map have been prepared. The Company has confirmed that there are no gaps in its land holdings in the project area. The Company is planning to file a Record of Survey with Kern County in 2010.
Royalties
The Company is required to make advance, minimum royalty payments under the mining lease agreements. With one exception, the Company will receive a credit for the advance minimum royalty payments on commencement of commercial production. Most of the royalties are of the net smelter return (NSR) type and are based on a sliding scale, with the percentage amount of the royalty depending upon the ore grades on the particular property to which the royalty relates. Weighted average royalty rates will range from a low of 2.0 % to a high of 5.0% depending upon the area being mined and gold and silver prices. The agreements also typically provide for an additional royalty if non-mineral commodities, such as aggregates, are produced and sold.
Property Interests Are In Good Standing
The Company had disclosed in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 that not all property interests were in good standing. The total advance minimum royalty owing to landholders was $714,137. The Company contacted all landholders and paid $666,103 in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2008 with a further $48,034 payable to be paid to the remaining rightful landholders in 2009. The Company is continuing to pay advance minimum royalties to landholders and had paid a total of $174,196 in 2009. The Company believes it is in compliance with the requirements.
A mining lease agreement with one group of landholders expired in 2004 and the Company has prepared a new mining lease agreement for discussion with the group of landholders and these discussions are ongoing. Note that this group of landholders has mineral rights only and no surface rights in the area. Further, the recoverable gold and silver on the group of landholders property amount to approximately 3% of the total recoverable gold and silver in the mineral reserves reported in the section titled Mineral Reserves above and accordingly is not considered material by the Company. Discussions with the group of landholders is ongoing and, while the Company is interested in concluding an agreement, such an agreement is not critical to the success of the Project.
A number of mining lease agreements expire in 2010 and the Company has prepared or is preparing extension agreements. Of these expiring lease agreements, one group of leases that together comprise a 50% interest in a claim group is considered material by the Company. The Company is in the process of negotiating renewal leases with this group, maintains a good relationship with the landowners involved, and anticipates that it will be able to reach agreements for renewal leases.
While the Company is not in default of any current lease, leases that are individually not material are currently being renegotiated as they approach expiry, or have expired and are in the process of renegotiation. The Company does not consider any of those leases to be individually material. However leases that are individually not material may become part of a material group of leases if more than one of the leases in the group are allowed to expire.
The current leases have expiry dates ranging from 2011 to 2045. Of these, no single lease is considered material with the exception of four leases which expire in September 2014, April of 2015, 2021 and April 2026 respectively. All leases become non-expiring once the mine commences production.
While each and every part of the Property has its own value and unique purpose in the overall mine plan, the feasibility of the Project will depend on the ability of the Company to maintain the rights to access and use of the material portions of the Property. A failure to keep property agreements in good standing may result in a loss of control, which, if material to the Project, would prevent the Company from developing the Project.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
To the best of our knowledge, there are no legal actions pending, threatened or contemplated against the Company.
Item 4. Reserved.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market and Trading Price
The common shares of the Company are listed and traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol GQM. The high and low sales prices of the common shares as traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange for the calendar periods indicated are set out in the table below. All prices are reported in Canadian dollars.
Year ended December 31 | High | Low | |
2009 | Fourth Quarter | $1.17 | $0.77 |
Third Quarter | $0.84 | $0.55 | |
Second Quarter | $0.72 | $0.40 | |
First Quarter | $0.50 | $0.23 | |
2008 | Fourth Quarter | $0.39 | $0.15 |
Third Quarter | $0.96 | $0.30 | |
Second Quarter | $1.11 | $0.82 | |
First Quarter | $1.29 | $0.75 |
Exchange Rates
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain exchange rates based on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars. Such rates are the number of Canadian dollars per one (1) U.S. dollar quoted by the Bank of Canada. As of December 31, 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discontinued the publication of foreign exchange rates. On March 1, 2010, the exchange rate was US$1.00 per CDN$1.04. The high and low exchange rates for each month during the previous six months were as follows:
High | Low | |
February 2010 | $1.07 | $1.04 |
January 2010 | $1.07 | $1.03 |
December 2009 | $1.07 | $1.04 |
November 2009 | $1.08 | $1.05 |
October 2009 | $1.08 | $1.03 |
September 2009 | $1.11 | $1.06 |
Exchange rate information (from US$ to CDN$) as at each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 is set out in the table below:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||
Rate at end of Period | $ | 1.224 | $ | 1.0510 | ||
Low | $ | 0.9717 | $ | 1.0292 | ||
High | $ | 1.2935 | $ | 1.3000 |
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As of March 1, 2010, there were 253 registered holders of record of the Companys common shares and an undetermined number of beneficial holders.
The common shares of the Company are also traded on the Pink Sheets under the trading symbol GQMNF. The high and low sales prices of the common stock as traded on the Pink Sheets for the calendar periods indicated are set out in the table below. All prices are reported in U.S. dollars. Such over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The Pink Sheets has a limited and sporadic trading market and does not constitute an established trading market.
Year ended December 31 | High | Low | |
2009 | Fourth Quarter | $1.08 | $0.69 |
Third Quarter | $0.78 | $0.48 | |
Second Quarter | $0.67 | $0.33 | |
First Quarter | $0.44 | $0.22 | |
2008 | Fourth Quarter | $0.35 | $0.10 |
Third Quarter | $0.92 | $0.28 | |
Second Quarter | $1.10 | $0.80 | |
First Quarter | $1.30 | $0.76 |
Dividends
The Company has not declared dividends on its common shares since inception.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as at December 31, 2009 respecting the compensation plans under which shares of the Companys common stock are authorized to be issued.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
On July 29, 2009, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 2,337,500 common shares of the Company at a price of C$0.65 per share for proceeds of $1,396,646 (C$1,519,375). The shares were offered and sold to accredited investors pursuant to the provisions of Rule 106 of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933 .
The shares are subject to a four-month hold period and may not be resold or transferred until November 30, 2009 under Canadian securities laws. The shares are also restricted pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
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Net proceeds of this offering are allocated to general working capital.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company and Affiliated Purchasers
Neither the Company nor an affiliated purchaser of the Company purchased common shares of the Company in the year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Not Applicable.
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.
The following discussion of the operating results and financial position of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (the Company) is dated March 31, 2010 and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the notes thereto.
All amounts herein are in US$ unless otherwise noted.
Results of Operations
Following are the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The Company had no revenue from operations.
The Company incurred general and administrative expenses of $2,246,953 for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008 - $2,817,429).
The following significant costs were incurred in the general and administrative expenses during the year:
$174,196 for advance minimum royalties owing to landholders (2008 - $735,333 ). The advance minimum royalties owing to landholders from the end of the three year moratorium period from 2000 to 2003 were brought current in 2008 as more fully described in the section titled Property Interests Are In Good Standing above;
$362,050 for the Air Quality and Health Risk Assessment and for ongoing maintenance of and data recovery from the meteorological station (2008 - $109,007 ). The increase was primarily due to the fact that the Planning Department requested that the Air Quality Assessment and Health Risk Assessment for the Project be redone in February 2009 to provide current information for the SEIR. This study was completed and delivered to the Planning Department and EKAPCD on July 21, 2009. The study was prepared by consulting engineers;
$15,355 for a study to confirm that there are no desert tortoise found on the property (2008 - $0);
$35,354 for quarterly water sampling and analysis (2008 - $37,837);
$172,114 for detailed engineering for the Phase 1 heap leach pad, for the associated site drainage plan and general support for the approvals and permitting process (2008 - $428,012 ). The Company is proceeding with detailed engineering designs of the key facilities for construction as described in more detail in the section titled Outlook. The foregoing costs were incurred for this particular design. Design costs may recur if changes are made to the heap leach pad, however the extent of any recurring costs is not known at this time;
31
$60,194 for traffic studies and detailed design for the new access road for the Project (2008 - $0 ). The Companys consulting engineers completed two traffic studies, which were required for the SEIR in 2009;
$41,869 for the detailed design of the workshop and warehouse for the Project (2008 - $0 ). The Company is proceeding with detailed engineering designs of the key facilities for construction as described in more detail in the section titled Outlook. Significant costs were therefore incurred for this particular design. Design costs are non-recurring;
$202,883 for ongoing work on the occurrence of arsenic in groundwater, a review of the use of cyanide in heap leaching, a study of the occurrence of mercury and capture of mercury and general support required for the approvals and permitting process (2008 - $278,914 ). The Companys consulting engineers completed work on the studies outlined above at a reduced level of activity in 2009 and then continued to communicate and liaise with the Regional Board leading up to the regular meeting held on July 14, 2010 at which the Waste Discharge Requirements and a Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project were approved. Accordingly, the Company additional costs were incurred in 2010 to complete the consulting services;
$45,024 for ongoing work done by a registered surveyor on the status of mining claims (2008 - $70,958);
$17,953 to an independent engineer for ongoing site support (2008 - $21,710);
$15,425 to a local contractor for ongoing cleanup and weekly safety checks (2008 - $266,034 ). The major cleanup on site was completed in 2008 and work continued on a reduced scale in 2009.
$167,898 for property purchases (2008 - $133,641 ), consisting of land adjacent to the Project;
$20,440 to the Bureau of Land Management for annual assessment work for 2009 (2008 19,800);
$26,195 for property taxes for 2009 2010 (2008 -2009 - $24,885) ;
$31,412 for insurance for 2009-2010 (2008-2009 - $31,431);
$190,201 for legal fees incurred for ongoing work on the S EIR (2008 - $10,000 ). During the fiscal year ended 2009, the Company engaged legal counsel to work with the Planning Department on the preparation of the SEIR. We expect that additional legal costs for the SEIR will be incurred in 2010;
$85,448 for general corporate legal fees and work on agreements with landholders (2008 - $77,089);
$20,051 to the Planning Department for work on the SEIR (2008 - $200,392 ). The Company provided advances of $55,000 in February 2008 and $123,800 in September 2008 to the Planning Department for work on the SEIR;
$90,000 for preparing promotional material and seeking public support for the Project (2008 - $56,250);
C$180,184 for ongoing mine design and drafting support (2008 C$124,102);
C$19,798 to confirm the availability of power for the Project with Southern California Edison and for the design of a sub-station for the Project (2008 C$0);
C$26,787 for stock exchange and filing fees (2008 C$18,135);
C$55,656 for general corporate legal fees (2008 - $43,452)
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For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company has also recorded a change in fair value of derivative liability of $2,095,300. This item is a non-cash item and was recorded in accordance with the new accounting pronouncement of ASC 850-40-15. This guidance requires entities to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock by assessing the instruments contingent exercise provisions and settlement provisions. Instruments not indexed to their own stock fail to meet the scope exception of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, paragraph 11(a), now included in the FASB Codification at ASC 815-10-15-74(a), and should be classified as a liability and marked-to-market. ASC 815-40-15 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and thus, upon its adoption on January 1, 2009, was applied to the Companys outstanding stock options.
Interest income of $10,070 (2008 - $107,956) was significantly lower by $97,886 as there was less cash on deposit during the year and interest rate has been significantly lower compared to prior year. There was no interest expense during the year.
The Company incurred a net loss of $ 4,514,742 (or $0.05 loss per share) for the year as compared to a net loss of $3,996,777 (or $0.05 per share) for 2008 for a difference in the net loss of $517,965.
The following significant and non-recurring costs were incurred in 2008 and this therefore contributed to the difference in net loss between 2009 and 2008:
Summary of Quarterly Results
Results for the eight most recent quarters are set out in the table below.
Results for the quarter ending on: | Dec. 31, 2009 | Sept. 30, 2009 | June 30, 2009 | March 31, 2009 |
Item | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Revenue | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Net loss for the quarter | 1,239,360 | 1,057,149 | 1,230,829 | 987,404 |
Net loss per share | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
Results for the quarter ending on: | Dec. 31, 2008 | Sept. 30, 2008 | June 30, 2008 | March 31, 2008 |
Item | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Revenue | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Net loss for the quarter | 1,223,439 | 923,380 | 1,224,663 | 625,295 |
Net loss per share | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
The results of operations can vary from quarter to quarter depending upon the nature, timing and cost of activities undertaken during the quarter and whether or not the Company incurs gains or losses on foreign exchange, grants of stock options or makes end-of-year adjustments.
33
Selected Annual Information
Results for the year ending on: | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2008 | Dec. 31, 2007 |
From
Inception |
Item | $ | $ | $ | $ |
General and administrative expenses | (2,246,953) | (2,817,429) | (1,907,159) | (19,727,800) |
Asset impairment loss | (167,898) | (1,270,366) | (246,283) | (32,135,592) |
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | (2,095,300) | - | - | (2,095,300) |
Adjustment to asset retirement obligation on changes in cash flow estimates | (6,882) | 275 | (1,485) | 223,583 |
Accretion expense | (7,779) | (17,213) | (11,930) | (55,381) |
Sub-total | (4,524,812) | (4,104,733) | (2,166,857) | (53,790,490) |
Interest expense | - | - | - | (913,098) |
Interest income | 10,070 | 107,956 | 160,375 | 1,599,987 |
Net loss | (4,514,742) | (3,966,777) | (2,006,482) | (53,103,601) |
Loss per share | (0.05) | (0.05) | (0.03) |
Reclamation Financial Assurance and Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company provided reclamation financial assurance in the form of an Irrevocable Payment Bond Certificate with Union Bank of California in the amount of $286,653 on October 21, 2009. The financial assurance is reassessed annually and the estimate for reclamation of historical disturbances on the property is $283,809 for 2010. The financial assurance will be provided in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The asset retirement obligation accrual is estimated at $177,564 and this is shown as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The actual obligation could differ materially from these estimates.
Advance Minimum Royalties
The Company is continuing to pay advance minimum royalties to landholders with a total of $174,196 paid in 2009.
A mining lease agreement with one group of landholders expired in 2004 and the Company has prepared a new mining lease agreement for discussion with the group of landholders.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Stock Option Plan
The Company prepared a new stock option plan (New Plan) to replace its existing stock option plan. The New Plan provides a fixed number of 7,200,000 common shares of the Company that may be issued pursuant to the grant of options. The exercise price of all stock options shall be determined by the Companys Board of Directors, but it shall not be less than the last price at which the Companys shares were issued prior to the award date or the closing price on the day immediately preceding the award date. The expiry date of the option shall be the date so fixed by the Board, unless the option holder dies or ceases to be employed as a director or as a consultant prior to the date fixed by the Board.
The Company granted 1,950,000 stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company pursuant to the new plan on January 28, 2009. The options are exercisable at a price of C$0.26 per share for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. The new plan and the stock options were approved by the shareholders of the Company at the 2009 annual general meeting, which was held on May 21, 2009.
Transactions With Related Parties
Mr. H. Lutz Klingmann was paid $116,776 (2008 - $136,500) for services as President of the Company and Mr. Chester Shynkaryk was paid $18,620 (2008 - $17,996) for consulting services to the Company for the year ended December 31, 2009. No other compensation was paid or given during the year for services rendered by the directors in such capacity and no additional amounts were payable at year-end under any standard arrangements for committee participation or special assignments.
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Four directors of the Company were paid $1,752 (2008 - $ 1,861) and two directors were paid $2,000 (2008 -$2,000) in director fees for the year ended December 31, 2009.
There were no other related party transactions during the year ended December 31, 2009.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The company does not hold any bank or non-bank asset-backed commercial paper. The fair value of the reclamation financial assurance approximates carrying value because the stated interest rate reflects recent market conditions. It is the opinion of management that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risk arising from the use of these financial instruments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company concluded a non-brokered private placement of 2,337,500 common shares of the Company at a price of C$0.65 per share for proceeds of $1,396,646 (C$1,519,375) on July 30, 2009.
The Company held $2,433,202 in cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2009.
The Company has no long-term debt.
Management plans to control costs and does not expect that additional cash will be required (prior to securing production financing) beyond cash currently on hand for ongoing work on approvals and permits for the Project, for bringing current the remaining advance minimum royalties owing to landholders, for additional property purchases, for ongoing work on site and for general corporate purposes to the end of 2010.
In January 2010 , the Company issued 700,000 common shares for proceeds of $233,111 (C$245,000) pursuant to the exercise of stock options.
Outstanding Share Data
The number of shares issued and outstanding and the fully diluted share position are set out in the table below.
Item |
No. of
Shares |
||
Shares issued and outstanding on Dec. 31, 2008 | 85,640,883 | ||
Shares issued pursuant to a private placement | 2,337,500 | ||
Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options | 400,000 | ||
Shares issued and outstanding on Dec. 31, 2009 | 88,378,383 | ||
Shares issued in January 2010 | 700,000 | ||
89,078,383 | Exercise Price | Expiry Date | |
C$0.35 & | 9/02/10 & | ||
Director and employee stock options | 1,200,000 | C$0.77 | 20/04/11 |
Director and employee stock options | 1,950,000 | C$0.26 | 28/01/14 |
Shares to be issued as a finders fee | 100,000 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Bonus shares to be issued to H.L. Klingmann | 300,000 | None | None |
Fully diluted on March 31, 2010 | 92,628,383 |
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The company's authorized share capital is 100,000,000 common shares with no par value.
Outlook
The Company plans to put the Project into production as an open pit heap leach operation and to construct facilities to process ore at a rate of 4.5million tonnes (5.0million tons) per year and these have been reduced from the earlier planned mining rates. Projected life of the open pit heap leach operation has increased from 7 years to 12 years. The Company also plans to produce and sell aggregate for an extended period after gold and silver production from the heap leach operation has ended. The Company has completed or is proceeding with detailed engineering designs for each of the key facilities to be constructed. The Company is also securing approvals such as building permits and other approvals for these facilities. Cost estimates for construction of the key facilities are being obtained from contractors. These cost estimates are being incorporated into the feasibility study update, which is being prepared by Norwest Corporation of Vancouver. The feasibility study update, once completed, will be considered by management in connection with making a production decision.
If all approvals and permits are secured for the Project and a production decision is made, the Company will need significant additional financing to develop the Project into an operating mine. The Company believes that financing for the Project can be secured if gold and silver prices remain at or above $600.00/oz and $12.50/oz respectively and these are the prices used for the feasibility study base case cash flow projections that were released on December 14, 2007. Gold and silver prices averaged $972.35/oz and $14.67/oz in 2009 and closing prices on March 19, 2010 were $1,105.50/oz and $16.96/oz respectively. The Company is targeting a project financing in the first quarter of 2011. The ability to finance the Project will be subject to market conditions at the time of financing.
The following are possible financing options that the Company will evaluate, and that may be combined:
a. |
An equity financing; |
|
b. |
A combination of equity and debt; |
|
c. |
A silver-stream financing; and |
|
d. |
A merger with an established mining company. |
It is not expected that the Company will hedge any of its gold or silver production.
Subsequent Event
Four directors exercised a total of 700,000 options on shares for proceeds of $233,111 (C$245,000) in January 2010.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Because a precise determination of many assets and liabilities is dependent upon future events, the preparation of financial statements for a period necessarily involves the use of estimates which have been made using careful judgment.
The financial statements have, in managements opinion, been properly prepared within reasonable limits of materiality and within the framework of the significant accounting policies summarized below:
Mineral Property and Exploration Costs
Exploration costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs are expensed until it has been established that a mineral deposit is commercially mineable and a production decision has been made by the Company to implement a mining plan and develop a mine, at which point the costs subsequently incurred to develop the mine on the property prior to the start of mining operations are capitalized.
36
The Company capitalizes the cost of acquiring mineral property interests, including undeveloped mineral property interests, until the viability of the mineral interest is determined. Capitalized acquisition costs are expensed if it is determined that the mineral property has no future economic value. Exploration stage mineral interests represent interests in properties that are believed to potentially contain (i) other mineralized material such as measured, indicated or inferred resources with insufficient drill hole spacing to qualify as proven and probable mineral reserves and (ii) other mine-related or green field exploration potential that are not an immediate part of measured or indicated resources. The Companys mineral rights are generally enforceable regardless of whether or not proven and probable reserves have been established. The Company has the ability and intent to renew mineral rights where the existing term is not sufficient to recover undeveloped mineral interests.
Capitalized amounts (including capitalized development costs) are also written down if future cash flows, including potential sales proceeds, related to the mineral property are estimated to be less than the propertys total carrying value. Management reviews the carrying value of each mineral property periodically, and, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, makes the necessary adjustments. Reductions in the carrying value of a property would be recorded to the extent that the total carrying value of the mineral property exceeds its estimated fair value. A write down of $167,898 (2008 - $1,270,366) in mineral property interests was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Asset Retirement Obligations
In accordance with the Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, the fair value of an asset retirement cost, and corresponding liability, should be recorded as part of the cost of the related long-lived asset and subsequently allocated to expense using a systematic and rational method. The Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation to reflect its legal obligations related to future abandonment of its mineral property using estimated expected cash flow associated with the obligation and discounting the amount using a credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rate. At least annually, the Company reassesses the obligation to determine whether or not a change in any estimated obligation is necessary. The Company has evaluated whether or not there are indicators that suggest the estimated cash flows underlying the obligation have materially changed. The asset retirement obligation recorded as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet is $177,564 (2008 - $162,903) as at December 31, 2009.
Stock-based Compensation
Management has made significant assumptions and estimates in determining the fair market value of stock-based compensation granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants. These estimates have an effect on the stock-based compensation expense recognized and the additional paid-in capital and share capital balances on the Companys Balance Sheet. The value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For consultants, such amount is revalued on a quarterly basis. To date, substantially all of our stock option grants have been to directors and officers of the Company. Increases in the Companys share price will likely result in increased stock option compensation expense. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the option award and stock price volatility. The expected life used for the purposes of the Black-Scholes calculation is the term of the award. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In January 2010, an accounting standard update on codification, Fair value Measurements and Disclosures, improving disclosures about fair value measurements was issued. This update provides amendments that will provide more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. The standard adds new disclosure and clarifies existing disclosure requirements. The new standard requires disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies in addition to the annual disclosure required at year-end. The provisions of the new standard are effective for the interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
37
In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 07-5 (EITF 07-5), Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entitys Own Stock which is now included in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification at ASC 815-40-15. This guidance requires entities to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock by assessing the instruments contingent exercise provisions and settlement provisions. Instruments not indexed to their own stock fail to meet the scope exception of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, paragraph 11(a), now included in the FASB Codification at ASC 815-10-15-74(a), and should be classified as a liability and marked-to-market. ASC 815-40-15 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and thus, upon its adoption on January 1, 2009, was applied to the Companys outstanding stock options and warrants.
In January 2010, an accounting standard update on stock compensation was issued. This accounting standards update codifies Escrowed Share Arrangements and the Presumption of Compensation. When evaluating whether presumption of compensation has been overcome, registrants should consider the substance of the arrangement, including whether the arrangement was entered into for purposes unrelated to, and not contingent upon, continued employment. An escrowed share arrangement in which the shares are automatically forfeited if employment terminates is compensation. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In September 2009, an accounting standard update, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures was issued. This amendments to Fair Value Measurements and DisclosuresOverall for the fair value measurement of investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent). The amendments in this Update also require disclosures by major category of investment about the attributes of investments within the scope of the amendments in this Update. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. Early application is permitted in financial statements for earlier interim and annual periods that have not been issued. If an entity elects to early adopt the measurement amendments in this Update, the entity is permitted to defer the adoption of the disclosure provisions until periods ending after December 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In August 2009, Fair Value of Measurements and Disclosure Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value was issued. The new guidance provides clarification that in certain circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a company is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following valuation techniques: the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset, the quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets, or another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of fair value measurements. The new guidance clarifies that a company is not required to include an adjustment for restrictions that prevent the transfer of the liability and if an adjustment is applied to the quoted price used in a valuation technique, the result is a Level 2 or 3 fair value measurement. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27, 2009. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, Subsequent Events was issued, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The standard sets forth (1) The period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, (2) The circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and (3) The disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The standard was effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through December 14, 2010 which represents the date on which the financial statements were issued.
In April 2009, an accounting standard was issued, which extends the previous disclosure requirements about fair value of financial instruments to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies. This standard requires that disclosures provide quantitative and qualitative information on fair value estimates for all financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value, when practicable, with the exception of certain financial instruments. This standard is effective prospectively for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
38
In June 2009, new guidance relating to the accounting for transfers of financial assets was issued. The new guidance, which was issued as, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets , has not yet been adopted into Codification. The new standard eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures in order to enhance information reported to users of financial statements by providing greater transparency about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and an entitys continuing involvement in and exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact it would have to the Companys consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards For Canadian Public Companies
In February 2008, the Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) confirmed that Canadian public companies will have to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this new framework will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Qualified Person and Caution With Respect to Forward-looking Statements
Mr. H. Lutz Klingmann, P.Eng., the president of the Company, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this report.
This report contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to the intent, belief and current expectations of the Companys management. These forward-looking statements are based upon numerous assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include among other things the receipt of required approvals and permits, the costs of and availability of sufficient capital to fund the projects to be undertaken by the Company, commodity prices and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made.
Caution to U.S. Investors
Management advises U.S. investors that while the terms measured resources, indicated resources and inferred resources are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize these terms. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the material in the mineral resource categories will be converted into mineral reserves.
Additional Information
Further information on Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. is available on the SEDAR web site at www.sedar.com and on the Companys web site at www.goldenqueen.com .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the notes thereto are attached to this report following the signature page and Certifications.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
39
Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure of Controls and Procedures
Management, including the principal executive officer who is also our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. This includes those controls and procedures necessary to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted with the SEC (i) is recorded, processed, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The conclusion that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective was due to the inherent limitation of a lack of segregated duties , items and restatement noted below.
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during this period that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 . The Companys internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2009, the Companys internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on those criteria. Based on the assessment, management has noted the following in regards to its internal controls:
a. |
The Company does not review certain expenditures in a U.S. bank account on a regular basis; and |
|
b. |
The Company does not have the proper procedure for recording and reporting changes in the US dollar to Canadian dollar. |
The deficiencies noted above had no material effect on the Company, however the Company has implemented the following changes in its internal controls to avoid recurrence of the deficiencies in future periods:
a. |
The Companys President, Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer now has sole signing authority on checks drawn on the U.S. bank account and no other person has access to this account. A record of transactions and bank balances are reviewed via internet access on a regular basis to ensure accuracy. |
|
b. |
Every foreign exchange transaction is recorded in exact detail and reported to the Companys principal bank in Vancouver on the day the transaction takes place. The information is provided to the Companys independent accountants at the end of every month. |
40
Restatement
In addition to items noted above, our company has effected a restatement of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009. The restatement was to correct an error that was made in connection with the Companys adoption of a new accounting pronouncement, ASC 815-40-15 which came into effect on January 1, 2009. As a result, the financial statements reflect an increase in the net loss by $2.095,300 for the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease in the opening deficit by $464,255 as at January 1, 2009, an increase of ending deficit by $1,631,045 at December 31, 2009, a decrease in additional paid in capital by $1.064,557 as at December 31, 2009 and an increase in liabilities of $2,695,602 as at December 31, 2009.
The combined effect of the restated figures is a increase in our basic and diluted loss per share by $0.02 to $0.05 per share for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures and remediation
In connection with the weaknesses noted above for signing authority and foreign exchange, the Company has implemented the following changes in its internal controls to avoid recurrence of the deficiencies in future periods:
a. |
The Companys President, Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer now has sole signing authority on checks drawn on the U.S. bank account and no other person has access to this account. A record of transactions and bank balances are reviewed via internet access on a regular basis to ensure accuracy. |
|
b. |
Every foreign exchange transaction is recorded in exact detail and reported to the Companys principal bank in Vancouver on the day the transaction takes place. The information is provided to the Companys independent accountants at the end of every month. |
If the Project is financed and proceeds to the production stage, a production management team will be required to oversee the operations of the Project, and internal controls would be reviewed and updated at that time.
In connection with the restatement, under the direction of the companys management, we have re-evaluated certain disclosure controls and procedures. In connection with the restatement, we identified a material weakness in our disclosure controls and procedures relating to the recognition of new accounting pronouncements and assessment of their potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
A material weakness is a control deficiency (within the meaning of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 5) or combination of control deficiencies that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. We have identified the following material weakness which has caused us to conclude that, as of December 31, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level.
On December 7, 2010, the Company announced that following an internal review by our Company and our independent auditors, the Company would restate its historical financial statements in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our conclusion to restate the above period resulted in the company recognizing that its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the year ended December 31, 2009 and constituted a material weakness.
To address this material weakness, we performed additional analyses and other procedures to ensure that the financial statements included herein fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
To remediate the material weakness in our disclosure controls and procedures identified above, in addition to working with our independent auditors, we have continued to refine our internal procedures to alleviate this weakness and have added human resources with experience in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are committed to ongoing education in this area as a well as a defined process to prepare such calculations.
41
Limitations on the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures
A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments, in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of internal control is based in part upon certain assumptions above the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
The Companys annual report does not include an attestation report of the Companys registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by the Companys registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only managements report in the annual report..
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Information with respect to Items 10 through 14 is set forth in the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 30, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference. If the definitive Proxy Statement cannot be filed on or before April 30, 2010, the issuer will instead file an amendment to this Form 10-K disclosing the information with respect to Items 10 through 14.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits
Exhibit | Description of Exhibit | Manner of Filing | |
No. | |||
3.1 | Notice of Articles | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on September 2, 2010 | |
3.2 | Articles | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on September 2, 2010 | |
10.1 | Management Agreement dated March 11, 2004 between the Registrant and H. Lutz Klingmann, and amendment dated May 31, 2010. | Filed herewith | |
10.2 | Mining Lease dated April 22, 1986 between the Registrant, Southwestern Refining Corporation, and Claude and Mary J.Birtle, and amendment dated March 23, 2007. | Filed herewith |
42
10.3 | Mining Lease dated April 26, 2001 between the Subsidiary and Virginia Knight. | Filed herewith | |
10.4 | Lease dated October 20, 1994 between the Subsidiary and William J. Warner with respect to certain property within the project area. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10-SB | |
10.5 | Mining Lease dated September 19, 1994 between the Subsidiary and Western Centennials, Inc., with respect to certain property within the project area. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-SB | |
10.6 | 1996 Stock option plan of the registrant, as amended. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Form 10-SB | |
10.7 | 2008 Stock option plan of the registrant. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form S-8 of the Company filed with the SEC on February 17, 2010 | |
21.1 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24.0 to the Form 10-SB | |
23.1 | Consent of BDO Canada LLP | Filed herewith | |
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification | Filed herewith | |
32.1 | Section 1350 Certification | Filed herewith |
43
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
By: | /s/ H. Lutz Klingmann | |
H. Lutz Klingmann | ||
President , Principal Executive Officer, | ||
and Principal Accounting Officer | ||
Date: January 13, 2011 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ H. Lutz Klingmann | President, Principal Executive Officer, Principal | January 13, 2011 | ||
Accounting Officer, and Director | ||||
H. Lutz Klingmann | ||||
/s/ Edward Thompson | ||||
Director | January 13, 2011 | |||
Edward Thompson | ||||
/s/ Chester Shynkaryk | ||||
Director | January 13, 2011 | |||
Chester Shynkaryk | ||||
/s/ Gordon Gutrath | ||||
Director | January 13, 2011 | |||
Gordon Gutrath | ||||
/s/ Thomas Clay | ||||
Director | January 13, 2011 | |||
Thomas Clay |
44
Tel: 604 688 5421
Fax: 604 688 5132 www.bdo.ca |
BDO Canada LLP
600 Cathedral Place 925 West Georgia Street Vancouver BC V6C 3L2 Canada |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders of
Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd.
(An
exploration stage company)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (an exploration stage company), as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated statements of loss, changes in shareholders equity (capital deficit) and cash flows for the years then ended. We have also audited the statements of loss, changes in shareholders equity (capital deficit), and cash flows for the period from inception (November 21, 1985) through December 31, 2009, except that we did not audit these financial statements for the period from inception (November 21, 1985) through May 31, 1996; those statements were audited by other auditors whose report dated July 12, 1996, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. Our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts for the period from inception (November 21, 1985) through May 31, 1996, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects the financial position of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from inception (November 21, 1985) through December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company had a $53,468,071 deficit accumulated during the exploration stage as of December 31, 2009. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Managements plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2009 and for the year then ended have been restated to correct errors in the adoption of a new accounting pronouncement as described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
/s/ BDO Canada LLP
Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
December 14,
2010
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
(US dollars) |
Approved by the Directors:
/s/ H. Lutz Klingmann | /s/ Chester Shynkaryk | |
H. Lutz Klingmann, Director | Chester Shynkaryk, Director |
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Statements of Loss |
(US dollars) |
Cumulative | |||||||||
Amounts From Date | |||||||||
of Inception | |||||||||
Year Ended | (November 21, | ||||||||
December 31, | 1985) through | ||||||||
2009 | Year Ended | December 31, 2009 | |||||||
(Restated Note | December 31, | (Restated Note | |||||||
11) | 2008 | 11) | |||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ | (2,246,953 | ) | $ | (2,817,429 | ) | $ | (19,727,800 | ) |
Asset impairment loss (Note 3) | (167,898 | ) | (1,270,366 | ) | (32,135,592 | ) | |||
Adjustment to asset retirement obligation on changes in cash flow estimates (Note 7) | (6,882 | ) | 275 | 223,583 | |||||
Accretion expense (Note 7) | (7,779 | ) | (17,213 | ) | (55,381 | ) | |||
Change in fair value of derivative liability (Note 11) | (2,095,300 | ) | - | (2,095,300 | ) | ||||
Gain on settlement of debt | - | - | 136,627 | ||||||
Abandoned mineral property interests | - | - | (277,251 | ) | |||||
(4,524,812 | ) | (4,104,733 | ) | (53,931,114 | ) | ||||
Interest expense | - | - | (913,098 | ) | |||||
Interest income | 10,070 | 107,956 | 1,599,987 | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,514,742 | ) | $ | (4,104,733 | ) | $ | (53,244,225 | ) |
Loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | |||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 86,738,897 | 85,539,184 |
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
3
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity (Capital Deficit) |
(US dollars) |
Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Additional | Accumulated | Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||
From the Date of Inception (November | Common | Stock | Paid-in | During the | Equity (Capital | |||||||||||||
21, 1985) through December 31, 2009 | Shares | Amount | Subscription | Capital | Exploration Stage | Deficit) | ||||||||||||
Balance, November 21, 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 1,425,001 | $ | 141,313 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 141,313 | |||||||
Net loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (15,032 | ) | (15,032 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1986 | 1,425,001 | 141,313 | - | - | (15,032 | ) | 126,281 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 550,000 | 256,971 | - | - | - | 256,971 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for mineral property | 25,000 | 13,742 | - | - | - | 13,742 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (58,907 | ) | (58,907 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1987 | 2,000,001 | 412,026 | - | - | (73,939 | ) | 338,087 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 1,858,748 | 1,753,413 | - | - | - | 1,753,413 | ||||||||||||
Net income for the year | - | - | - | - | 38,739 | 38,739 | ||||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1988 | 3,858,749 | 2,165,439 | - | (35,200 | ) | 2,130,239 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 1,328,750 | 1,814,133 | - | - | - | 1,814,133 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for mineral property | 100,000 | 227,819 | - | - | - | 227,819 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (202,160 | ) | (202,160 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1989 | 5,287,499 | 4,207,391 | - | - | (237,360 | ) | 3,970,031 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 1,769,767 | 2,771,815 | - | - | - | 2,771,815 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for mineral property | 8,875 | 14,855 | - | - | - | 14,855 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (115,966 | ) | (115,966 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1990 | 7,066,141 | 6,994,061 | - | - | (353,326 | ) | 6,640,735 | |||||||||||
Net income for the year | - | - | - | - | 28,706 | 28,706 | ||||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1991 | 7,066,141 | 6,994,061 | - | - | (324,620 | ) | 6,669,441 | |||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (157,931 | ) | (157,931 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1992 | 7,066,141 | 6,994,061 | - | - | (482,551 | ) | 6,511,510 | |||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (285,391 | ) | (285,391 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1993 | 7,066,141 | 6,994,061 | - | - | (767,942 | ) | 6,226,119 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 5,834,491 | 1,536,260 | - | - | - | 1,536,260 | ||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (18,160 | ) | (18,160 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for mineral property | 128,493 | 23,795 | - | - | - | 23,795 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (158,193 | ) | (158,193 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1994 | 13,029,125 | 8,554,116 | - | - | (944,295 | ) | 7,609,821 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 648,900 | 182,866 | - | - | - | 182,866 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (219,576 | ) | (219,576 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1995 | 13,678,025 | 8,736,982 | - | - | (1,163,871 | ) | 7,573,111 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 2,349,160 | 2,023,268 | - | - | - | 2,023,268 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for debt | 506,215 | 662,282 | - | - | - | 662,282 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of 5,500,000 special warrants | - | 9,453,437 | - | - | - | 9,453,437 | ||||||||||||
Special warrants issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (100,726 | ) | (100,726 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (426,380 | ) | (426,380 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 1996 | 16,533,400 | $ | 20,875,969 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (1,690,977 | ) | $ | 19,184,992 |
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity (Capital Deficit) |
(US dollars) |
Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | Shareholders | |||||||||||||||||
From the Date of Inception (November | Common | Stock | Additional | During the | Equity (Capital | |||||||||||||
21, 1985) through December 31, 2009 | Shares | Amount | Subscription | Paid-in Capital | Exploration Stage | Deficit) | ||||||||||||
Balance, carried forward from previous page | 16,533,400 | $ | 20,875,969 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (1,690,977 | ) | $ | 19,184,992 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 18,000 | 10,060 | - | - | - | 10,060 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for special warrants | 5,500,000 | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Special warrants issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (123,806 | ) | (123,806 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (348,948 | ) | (348,948 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1996 | 22,051,400 | 20,886,029 | - | - | (2,163,731 | ) | 18,722,298 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 157,000 | 157,050 | - | - | - | 157,050 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of 3,500,000 special warrants | - | 5,287,315 | - | - | - | 5,287,315 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for special warrants | 3,500,000 | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Options to non-employee directors | - | - | - | 70,200 | - | 70,200 | ||||||||||||
Special warrants issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (163,313 | ) | (163,313 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (1,047,869 | ) | (1,047,869 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1997 | 25,708,400 | 26,330,394 | - | 70,200 | (3,374,913 | ) | 23,025,681 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares upon exercise of warrants | 1,834,300 | 857,283 | - | - | - | 857,283 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through conversion of debt | 2,017,941 | 1,000,000 | - | - | - | 1,000,000 | ||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (6,060 | ) | (6,060 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 5,236,000 | 2,439,753 | - | - | - | 2,439,753 | ||||||||||||
Options and re-priced options to non- employee directors | - | - | - | 107,444 | - | 107,444 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (971,595 | ) | (971,595 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1998 | 34,796,641 | 30,627,430 | - | 177,644 | (4,352,568 | ) | 26,452,506 | |||||||||||
Issuance of 13,250,000 special warrants | - | 3,350,915 | - | - | - | 3,350,915 | ||||||||||||
Special warrants issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (166,620 | ) | (166,620 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for special warrants | 13,250,000 | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (564,657 | ) | (564,657 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1999 | 48,046,641 | 33,978,345 | - | 177,644 | (5,083,845 | ) | 29,072,144 | |||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for stock options | - | - | - | (177,644 | ) | - | (177,644 | ) | ||||||||||
Stock subscription | - | - | 200,000 | - | - | 200,000 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (28,708,276 | ) | (28,708,276 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2000 | 48,046,641 | 33,978,345 | 200,000 | - | (33,792,121 | ) | 386,224 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through conversion of debt | 406,250 | 65,000 | - | - | - | 65,000 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for conversion of stock subscription | 1,538,462 | 200,000 | (200,000 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (3,337 | ) | (3,337 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (262,059 | ) | (262,059 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2001 | 49,991,353 | $ | 34,243,345 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (34,057,517 | ) | $ | 185,828 |
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity (Capital Deficit) |
(US dollars) |
Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | Shareholders | |||||||||||||||||
From the Date of Inception (November 21, | Common | Stock | Additional | During the | Equity (Capital | |||||||||||||
1985) through December 31, 2009 | Shares | Amount | Subscription | Paid-in Capital | Exploration Stage | Deficit) | ||||||||||||
Balance, carried forward from previous page | 49,991,353 | $ | 34,243,345 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (34,057,517 | ) | $ | 185,828 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of options | 290,000 | 37,234 | - | - | - | 37,234 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of warrants | 1,520,836 | 243,334 | - | - | - | 243,334 | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | - | - | - | 21,456 | - | 21,456 | ||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (4,216 | ) | (4,216 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (347,603 | ) | (347,603 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2002 | 51,802,189 | 34,523,913 | - | 21,456 | (34,409,336 | ) | 136,033 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of options | 100,000 | 24,379 | - | - | - | 24,379 | ||||||||||||
Equity component of convertible notes | - | - | - | 375,000 | - | 375,000 | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | - | - | - | 127,326 | - | 127,326 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (744,516 | ) | (744,516 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2003 | 51,902,189 | 34,548,292 | - | 523,782 | (35,153,852 | ) | (81,778 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 8,000,000 | 3,036,282 | - | - | - | 3,036,282 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for convertible notes | 978,260 | 225,000 | - | - | - | 225,000 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of options | 200,000 | 55,861 | - | - | - | 55,861 | ||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (38,975 | ) | (38,975 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (1,772,250 | ) | (1,772,250 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2004 | 61,080,449 | 37,865,435 | - | 523,782 | (36,965,077 | ) | 1,424,140 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of options | 110,000 | 21,049 | - | - | - | 21,049 | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | - | - | - | 48,592 | - | 48,592 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (1,476,324 | ) | (1,476,324 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2005 | 61,190,449 | 37,886,484 | - | 572,374 | (38,441,401 | ) | 17,457 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through private placement | 7,200,000 | 1,614,716 | - | 1,520,899 | - | 3,135,615 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of options | 100,000 | 30,853 | - | - | - | 30,853 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of warrants | 8,978,260 | 4,659,173 | - | - | - | 4,659,173 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for convertible notes | 652,174 | 150,000 | - | 39,917 | - | 189,917 | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | - | - | - | 814,810 | - | 814,810 | ||||||||||||
Modification of warrants | - | - | - | 889,117 | - | 889,117 | ||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | - | - | (62,888 | ) | (62,888 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (4,910,036 | ) | (4,910,036 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2006 | 78,120,883 | 44,341,226 | - | 3,837,117 | (43,414,325 | ) | 4,764,018 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for exercise of options | 290,000 | 127,652 | - | - | - | 127,652 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares for property | 30,000 | 24,600 | - | - | - | 24,600 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (2,006,482 | ) | (2,006,482 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 78,440,883 | 44,493,478 | - | 3,837,117 | (45,420,807 | ) | 2,909,788 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of warrants | 7,200,000 | 4,184,425 | - | - | - | 4,184,425 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (3,996,777 | ) | (3,996,777 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 | 85,640,883 | 48,677,903 | - | 3,837,117 | (49,417,584 | ) | 3,097,436 | |||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (Note 11) | - | - | - | (863,402 | ) | 464,255 | (399,147 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through private placement (Note 6) | 2,337,500 | 1,396,646 | - | - | - | 1,396,646 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares through exercise of options (Note 6) | 400,000 | 131,085 | - | - | - | 131,085 | ||||||||||||
Reclassification of derivative liability on the exercise of stock options (Note 11) | - | - | - | 156,834 | - | 156,834 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year, restated (Note 11) | - | - | - | - | (4,514,742 | ) | (4,514,742 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 (restated) | 88,378,383 | $ | 50,205,634 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,130,549 | $ | (53,468,071 | ) | $ | (131,888 | ) |
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
(US dollars) |
Cumulative | |||||||||
Amounts From Date | |||||||||
of Inception | |||||||||
Year Ended | (November 21, | ||||||||
December 31, | 1985) through | ||||||||
2009 | Year Ended | December 31, 2009 | |||||||
(Restated | December 31, | (Restated Note | |||||||
Note 11) | 2008 | 11) | |||||||
Operating activities: | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,514,742 | ) | $ | (3,996,777 | ) | $ | (53,244,225 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to non- cash items and cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||
Asset impairment loss | 167,898 | 1,270,366 | 32,135,592 | ||||||
Abandoned mineral property interests | - | - | 277,251 | ||||||
Amortization and depreciation | 6,024 | 6,127 | 461,801 | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount | - | - | 375,000 | ||||||
Adjustment to asset retirement obligation based on changes in cash flow estimates | 6,882 | (275 | ) | (223,583 | ) | ||||
Accretion expense | 7,779 | 17,213 | 55,381 | ||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liability | 2,095,300 | - | 2,095,300 | ||||||
Gain on disposition of property and equipment | - | - | (10,032 | ) | |||||
Stock option compensation | 357,989 | - | 1,370,173 | ||||||
Financing charges related to modification of warrants | - | - | 889,117 | ||||||
Mineral property expenditures | - | - | (22,395,449 | ) | |||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||
Receivables | (4,553 | ) | 23,492 | (24,604 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 356 | 1,599 | (106,400 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (20,456 | ) | 31,343 | 268,504 | |||||
Royalty and mining rights payable | (48,034 | ) | (24,450 | ) | - | ||||
Cash used in operating activities | (1,897,523 | ) | (2,646,912 | ) | (38,076,174 | ) | |||
Investing activities: | |||||||||
Purchase of mineral properties | (167,898 | ) | (1,270,366 | ) | (7,803,356 | ) | |||
Deposits on mineral properties | - | - | (1,017,551 | ) | |||||
Purchase of reclamation financial assurance | (14,845 | ) | (5,116 | ) | (286,653 | ) | |||
Purchase of property and equipment | - | - | (1,313,838 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | - | - | 47,153 | ||||||
Cash used in investing activities | (182,743 | ) | (1,275,482 | ) | (10,374,245 | ) |
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued) |
(US dollars) |
Cumulative | |||||||||
Amounts From Date | |||||||||
of Inception | |||||||||
Year Ended | (November 21, | ||||||||
December 31, | 1985) through | ||||||||
2009 | Year Ended | December 31, 2009 | |||||||
(Restated | December 31, | (Restated Note | |||||||
Note 11) | 2008 | 11) | |||||||
Financing activities: | |||||||||
Borrowing under long-term debt | - | - | 3,918,187 | ||||||
Payment of long-term debt | - | - | (2,105,905 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from convertible debt | - | - | 440,000 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 1,396,646 | - | 21,237,302 | ||||||
Share issuance costs | - | - | (688,101 | ) | |||||
Issuance of special warrants | - | - | 18,091,667 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares upon exercise of stock options | 131,085 | - | 289,590 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares upon exercise of warrants | - | 4,184,425 | 9,700,881 | ||||||
Cash provided by financing activities | 1,527,731 | 4,184,425 | 50,883,621 | ||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (600,569 | ) | 237,581 | 2,433,202 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance | 3,033,771 | 2,796,190 | - | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance | $ | 2,433,202 | $ | 3,033,771 | $ | 2,433,202 |
Supplementary Disclosures of Cash Flows Information (Note 10)
See Accompanying Summary of Accounting Policies and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Summary of Accounting Policies |
(US dollars) |
Nature of Business Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. ( Company) is engaged in acquiring and maintaining gold and silver mining properties for exploration, future development and production. The Company was formed on November 21, 1985. Since its inception, the Company has been in the exploration stage. Planned activities involve bringing to production a precious metals mine located in the Mojave Mining District, Kern County, California.
Principles of Consolidation . These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., a British Columbia corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Queen Mining Co., Inc. (the Subsidiary), a US (State of California) corporation and, until its dissolution on August 27, 2007, the Karma Wegmann Corporation (see Note 4).
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) . The consolidated financial statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US.
In June 2009, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles was issued. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) will become the source of authoritative US GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. On the effective date of this statement, the Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 30, 2009. Effective January 1, 2009, references made to FASB guidance throughout this consolidated financial statements have been updated for the Codification.
Cash and Cash Equivalents . For purposes of balance sheet classification and the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. In response to the global financial crisis of 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Act) was created in the US. The Act temporarily increased the federal deposit insurance coverage (FDIC) from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor until December 31, 2013.
The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. At times, such investments may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits. To date, the Company has not experienced a loss or lack of access to its invested cash and cash equivalents. However, no assurance can be provided that access to the Companys invested cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse economic conditions in the financial markets.
Property and Equipment . Property and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the estimated service lives of the respective assets, which range from 5 to 30 years, as follows:
Buildings | 20 years |
Furniture and Fixtures | 5 years |
Automobiles | 3 to 5 years |
Rental Properties | 30 years |
Mineral Properties . Mineral properties includes the cost of advance minimum royalty payments, the cost of capitalized mineral property leases, and the cost of property acquired either by cash payment, the issuance of term debt or common shares. Expenditures for exploration on specific properties with no proven reserves are written off as incurred. Mineral property costs will be amortized against future revenues or charged to operations at the time the related property is determined to have an impairment in value.
9
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD |
(an exploration stage company) |
Summary of Accounting Policies |
(US dollars) |
Carrying Value of Mineral Property Interests . The cost of acquiring mineral property interests is capitalized. Capitalized acquisition costs are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the mineral property has no future economic value. Capitalized amounts may also be written down if future cash flows, including potential sales proceeds related to the property, are estimated to be less than the carrying value of the property. The Company reviews the carrying value of mineral property interests periodically, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, reductions in the carrying value of each property would be recorded to the extent the carrying value of the investment exceeds the propertys estimated fair value (Note 3).
Exploration and Development Expenditures . Exploration and development expenditures are expensed as incurred. Once a mineral reserve has been established, all future development costs will be capitalized and charged to operations on a unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable reserves.
Valuation of Long-lived Assets . Accounting standard requires recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event the net book value of such assets exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows attributable to such assets. It requires that those long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are to be measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost of sale whether reported in continuing operations or in discontinued operations. In accordance with the provisions of the accounting standard, the Company reviews the carrying value of its mineral properties on a regular basis. Estimated undiscounted future cash flow from the mineral properties is compared with the current carrying value in order to determine if an impairment exists. Reductions to the carrying value, if necessary, are recorded to the extent the net book value of the property exceeds the estimate of future discounted cash flow or liquidation value.
Foreign Currency Translation . The Company has adopted the US dollar as its reporting currency for its financial statements prepared after May 21, 1996 as the US dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which Golden Queen and the Subsidiary conduct business and is considered the appropriate functional currency for the Companys operations. Balances held in Canadian dollars are re-measured into the functional currency in accordance with accounting standard, Foreign Currency Translation. Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are generally translated into US dollars at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the year. Where amounts denominated in a foreign currency are converted into dollars by remittance or repayment, the realized exchange differences are included in other income. The exchange rates prevailing at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were $1.05 and $1.22 stated in Canadian dollars per one US dollar respectively. The average rates of exchange during the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were $1.14 and $1.07 stated in Canadian dollars per one US dollar, respectively.
Loss per Share . The Company computes and discloses loss per share in accordance with accounting standard, Earnings per Share, which requires dual presentation of basic loss per share and diluted loss per share on the face of all income statements presented for all entities with complex capital structures. Basic loss per share is computed as net loss divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and warrants. Since the Companys stock options and warrants are anti-dilutive for all periods presented, there is no difference between basic and diluted loss per share as presented. A total of 3,850,000 (2008 2,300,000) and nil (2008 nil) common shares were issuable pursuant to such stock options and warrants at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Asset Retirement Obligations . The Company follows the requirements of accounting standard, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and/or normal use of the assets. The obligation is measured initially at fair value using present value methodology, and the resulting costs capitalized into the carrying amount of the related asset. In subsequent periods, the liability will be adjusted for any changes in the amount or timing of the underlying future cash flows. Capitalized asset retirement costs are depreciated on the same basis as the related asset and the discount accretion of the liability is included in determining the results of operations.
10
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates have been made by management in several areas including the recoverability of mineral properties, reclamation reserves and valuation of stock options. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments . The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of the reclamation financial assurance approximates the carrying value because the stated interest rates reflect recent market conditions or because the rates are variable in nature.
Income Taxes. The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If it is determined that the realization of the future tax benefit is not more likely than not, the Company establishes a valuation allowance.
Stock Option Plan . In 1996, the Company adopted the 1996 stock option plan (the 1996 Plan) reserving 3,300,000 shares for issuance on exercise of options granted under that plan. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 1996 Plan is determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), or a committee established by the Board in accordance with the 1996 Plan, but shall not be less than the closing price on the day immediately preceding the award date. Options issued to directors who are not employees can vest immediately. For all other options granted under the 1996 Plan, the right to exercise vests over a two year period in equal increments on the date of grant and on each of the first two anniversaries of such date. All stock options granted under the 1996 Plan and outstanding as at December 31, 2009 expire at a date determined by the Board, not exceeding five years from the date of grant, or after 39 months from the date of grant if not specified.
In 2009, the Company adopted a second stock option plan referred to as the 2008 stock option plan (the 2008 Plan). Pursuant to the 2008 stock option plan, a further 7,200,000 shares were reserved for issuance on exercise of options granted under the new plan. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2008 Plan is determined by the Board, but shall not be less than the volume weighted average price for the five trading days immediately prior to the award date. All options granted under the 2008 Plan will be subject to such vesting requirements as may be prescribed by the Exchange, if applicable, or as may be imposed by the Board. All stock options granted under the 2008 Plan and outstanding as at December 31, 2009 expire at a date determined by the Board, not exceeding five years from the date of grant.
11
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company reviews the terms of its equity instruments and other financing arrangements to determine whether there are embedded derivative instruments that are required to be accounted for separately as a derivative financial instrument. Also, in connection with the issuance of financing instruments, the Company may issue freestanding options or warrants that may, depending on their terms, be accounted for as derivative instrument liabilities, rather than as equity. The Company may also issue options or warrants to non-employees in connection with consulting or other services.
Derivative financial instruments are initially measured at their fair value. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported as charges or credits to income. For warrant-based derivative financial instruments, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value the derivative instruments. To the extent that the initial fair values of the freestanding and/or bifurcated derivative instrument liabilities exceed the total proceeds received, an immediate charge to income is recognized, in order to initially record the derivative instrument liabilities at their fair value.
The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is reassessed at the end of each reporting period. If reclassification is required, the fair value of the derivative instrument, as of the determination date, is reclassified. Any previous charges or credits to income for changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are not reversed. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
New Accounting Pronouncements. In January 2010, an accounting standard update on codification, Fair value Measurements and Disclosures, improving disclosures about fair value measurements was issued. This update provides amendments that will provide more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. The standard adds new disclosure and clarifies existing disclosure requirements. The new standard requires disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies in addition to the annual disclosure required at year-end. The provisions of the new standard are effective for the interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 07-5 (EITF 07-5), Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entitys Own Stock which is now included in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification at ASC 815-40-15. This guidance requires entities to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock by assessing the instruments contingent exercise provisions and settlement provisions. Instruments not indexed to their own stock fail to meet the scope exception of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, paragraph 11(a), now included in the FASB Codification at ASC 815-10-15-74(a), and should be classified as a liability and marked-to-market. ASC 815-40-15 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and thus, upon its adoption on January 1, 2009, was applied to the Companys outstanding stock options and warrants. (Note 11).
In January 2010, an accounting standard update on stock compensation was issued. This accounting standards update codifies Escrowed Share Arrangements and the Presumption of Compensation. When evaluating whether presumption of compensation has been overcome, registrants should consider the substance of the arrangement, including whether the arrangement was entered into for purposes unrelated to, and not contingent upon, continued employment. An escrowed share arrangement in which the shares are automatically forfeited if employment terminates is compensation. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
12
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
New Accounting Pronouncements (continued). In September 2009, an accounting standard update, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures was issued. This amendments to Fair Value Measurements and DisclosuresOverall for the fair value measurement of investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent). The amendments in this Update also require disclosures by major category of investment about the attributes of investments within the scope of the amendments in this Update. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. Early application is permitted in financial statements for earlier interim and annual periods that have not been issued. If an entity elects to early adopt the measurement amendments in this Update, the entity is permitted to defer the adoption of the disclosure provisions until periods ending after December 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In August 2009, Fair Value of Measurements and Disclosure Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value was issued. The new guidance provides clarification that in certain circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a company is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following valuation techniques: the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset, the quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets, or another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of fair value measurements. The new guidance clarifies that a company is not required to include an adjustment for restrictions that prevent the transfer of the liability and if an adjustment is applied to the quoted price used in a valuation technique, the result is a Level 2 or 3 fair value measurement. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27, 2009. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, Subsequent Events was issued, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The standard sets forth (1) The period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, (2) The circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and (3) The disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The standard was effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through December 14, 2010 which represents the date on which the financial statements were issued.
In April 2009, an accounting standard was issued, which extends the previous disclosure requirements about fair value of financial instruments to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies. This standard requires that disclosures provide quantitative and qualitative information on fair value estimates for all financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value, when practicable, with the exception of certain financial instruments. This standard is effective prospectively for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective
In June 2009, new guidance relating to the accounting for transfers of financial assets was issued. The new guidance, which was issued as, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets , has not yet been adopted into Codification. The new standard eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures in order to enhance information reported to users of financial statements by providing greater transparency about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and an entitys continuing involvement in and exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact it would have to the Companys consolidated financial statements.
13
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
1. Financial Condition and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will continue to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated revenues and has an accumulated deficit of $53,468,071 at December 31, 2009 and is unlikely to generate earnings in the immediate or foreseeable future. The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the continued financial support from its shareholders, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary equity and/or debt or joint venture financing to fund construction of the operating facility on its Soledad Mountain Property (the Property) in the Mojave Mining District, Kern County, California once a production decision has been made.
Management cannot provide assurances that such plans will occur. These factors raise substantial doubt regarding the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. These financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
2. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of:
2009 | 2008 | |||||
Buildings | $ | 26,360 | $ | 26,360 | ||
Furniture and fixtures | 56,090 | 56,090 | ||||
Automobiles | 21,401 | 21,401 | ||||
Rental properties | 313,635 | 313,635 | ||||
Property and equipment, cost | 417,486 | 417,486 | ||||
Less accumulated depreciation | (211,570 | ) | (205,546 | ) | ||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 205,916 | $ | 211,940 |
3. Mineral Properties
The Company formerly capitalized amounts which were paid to acquire mineral property rights and for professional services rendered in the exploration, drilling, sampling, engineering and other related technical, managerial and professional services toward the evaluation and development of its Property until the fiscal year 2000. The Companys investment in mineral properties in the amount of $30,616,348 (2008 - $30,267,372) was fully provided for by the year ended December 31, 2009.
2009 | 2008 | |||||
Exploration and development expenditures | $ | 21,015,506 | $ | 21,015,506 | ||
Mineral Properties | 5,937,952 | 5,770,054 | ||||
Advance minimum royalty | 3,297,103 | 3,122,907 | ||||
Asset retirement obligations | 365,787 | 358,905 | ||||
Asset impairment loss | (30,616,348 | ) | (30,267,372 | ) | ||
Total | $ | - | $ | - |
14
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
3. Mineral Properties - Continued
As at December 31, 2009, the Company had provided reclamation financial assurance to the Bureau of Land Management, the State and Kern County totaling $286,653 (2008 - $271,808). This deposit earns interest at 0.4% per annum and is not available for working capital purposes.
4. Other Assets
In July 2006 the Company acquired, through the purchase of the Karma Wegmann Corporation a tract of land contiguous to the Property in consideration of $875,000 paid to the vendors. The mineral properties owned by Karma Wegmann Corporation were transferred to Golden Queen Mining Co. Inc. and management determined that a write down of $875,000 was necessary in 2006. The Karma Wegmann Corporation was wound-up on August 27, 2007.
The Company is required to pay a royalty of 1% of gross smelter returns for a period of up to 60 years, not to exceed $60,000,000, upon commencement of commercial production from the property formerly owned by Karma Wegmann Corporation. As of December 31, 2009, the Company has not incurred any royalty as the property has not been in production.
5. Income Taxes
The tax effects of the temporary differences that give rise to the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
2009 | 2008 | |||||
Net operating and capital losses | $ | 8,848,000 | $ | 8,777,000 | ||
Property, plant and equipment | 317,000 | 321,000 | ||||
Mineral properties and deferred exploration costs | 1,456,000 | 1,539,000 | ||||
Asset retirement obligations | 58,000 | 60,000 | ||||
Undeducted financing costs | 4,000 | 9,000 | ||||
Valuation allowance | (10,683,000 | ) | (10,706,000 | ) | ||
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ | - | $ | - |
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount established using the statutory income tax rate as follows:
2009 | 2008 | |||||
Income benefit at Canadian statutory rate | $ | (1,354,000 | ) | $ | (1,239,000 | ) |
Foreign income taxes at other than Canadian statutory rate | (64,000 | ) | (92,000 | ) | ||
Change in fair value of derivative liability | 681,000 | - | ||||
Expiry of losses carried forward | 699,000 | - | ||||
Effect of reduction in statutory rate | 61,000 | 163,000 | ||||
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance | (23,000 | ) | 1,168,000 | |||
Deferred tax recovery | $ | - | $ | - |
15
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
5. Income Taxes - Continued
The Companys deferred tax assets include approximately $14,000 (2008 - $29,000) related to deductions for share issue costs in excess of amounts deducted for financial reporting purposes. If and when the valuation allowance related to these amounts is reversed, the Company will recognize this benefit as an adjustment to share capital as opposed to income tax expense in the Statements of Loss.
The Company evaluates its valuation allowance requirements based on projected future operations. When circumstances change and this causes a change in managements judgment about the recoverability of future tax assets, the impact of the change on the valuation allowance is reflected in current income. As management of the Company does not currently believe that it is more likely than not that the Company will receive the benefit of this asset, a valuation allowance equal to the future tax asset has been established at both December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
As at December 31, 2009, the Company had net operating loss carry-forwards available to reduce taxable income in future years as follows:
Country | Amount | Expiration Dates | ||||
US Federal | $ | 22,309,000 | 2010 2029 | |||
Canada (C$) | $ | 5,505,000 | 2010 2029 |
These financial statements do not reflect the potential effect on future income taxes of the application of these losses.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes was issued, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprises financial statements, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company has evaluated its tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and determined that it has no uncertain tax positions requiring financial statement recognition.
The impact of an uncertain income tax position on income tax expense must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Because the Companys recent history of operating losses, management believes that recognition of the deferred tax assets arising from the above-mentioned future tax benefits is currently not likely to be realized and, accordingly, has provided a 100% valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of such assets.
6. Share capital
Common shares
In January 2008, warrants were exercised and the Company issued 7,200,000 common shares at C$0.60 per share for proceeds of $4,184,425 (C$4,320,000).
In July 2009, the Company issued 2,337,500 common shares at C$0.65 per share for proceeds of $1,396,646 (C$1,519,375).
During the three-month period from September to November of 2009, 400,000 stock options were exercised and the Company issued 400,000 common shares at C$0.35 per share for cash proceeds of $131,085 (C$140,000).
16
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US Dollars) |
6. Share capital - Continued
Stock options
The Company has elected to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted. In accordance with the accounting standard for employees, the compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period which approximates the vesting period. Compensation expense for stock options granted to non-employees is amortized over the contract services period or, if none exists, from the date of grant until the options vest. Compensation associated with unvested options granted to non-employees is re-measured on each balance sheet date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The expected volatility of options granted has been determined using the method described under the accounting standard using the historical stock price. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise, forfeiture and employee termination within the valuation model. For non-employees, the expected term of the options approximates the full term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected term of the stock options. The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock; therefore, the expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero. In addition, accounting standard requires companies to utilize an estimated forfeiture rate when calculating the expense for the reporting period. Based on its best estimate, management applied the estimated forfeiture rate of nil in determining the expense recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Loss.
The following is a summary of stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2009:
Weighted Average | ||||||
Shares | Exercise Price per Share | |||||
Options outstanding and exercisable, | ||||||
January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 | 2,300,000 | C$0.57 | ||||
Granted | 1,950,000 | C$0.26 | ||||
Exercised | (400,000 | ) | C$0.35 | |||
Options outstanding and exercisable, December 31, 2009 | 3,850,000 | C$0.44 |
The Company applies the fair value method in accounting for its stock options granted to directors, officers and consultants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The stock-based compensation expense recognized on the grant date was $357,989 (2008 - $nil). Subsequent to the grant date, such options are revalued to fair value at each period end. (Note 11)
The fair value of stock options granted as above was calculated using the following weighted average assumptions:
2009 | 2008 | |||||
Expected life (years) | 5 | - | ||||
Interest rate | 2.04% | - | ||||
Volatility | 112.3% | - | ||||
Dividend yield | 0% | - |
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.
As at December 31, 2009, the aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding exercisable options was $1,921,979 (2008 - $nil). The total intrinsic value of 400,000 options exercised during 2009 was approximately $232,160 (2008 - $nil).
17
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US Dollars) |
6. Share capital - Continued
Stock options - Continued
There is no unamortized compensation expense as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 as all the outstanding options vested at the grant date.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2009:
Weighted | Weighted | ||
Number | Average | Average | |
Expiry | Outstanding and | Contractual Life | Exercise |
Date | Exercisable | (Years) | Price |
February 1, 2010 | 700,000 | 0.09 | C$0.35 |
April 20, 2011 | 1,200,000 | 1.30 | C$0.77 |
January 28, 2014 | 1,950,000 | 4.08 | C$0.26 |
6,084 | 2.49 | C$0.44 |
In January 2010, the Company issued 700,000 common shares for proceeds of $233,111 (C$245,000) pursuant to the exercise of stock options.
In April 2010, the Company granted 50,000 stock options to a consultant, which are exercisable at C$1.24 per share and expire on April 18, 2015.
In September 2010, 50,000 stock options were exercised and the Company issued 50,000 common shares at C$0.26 per share for proceeds of $12,487 (C$13,000).
Warrants
Average | |||||||||
Weighted Average | Contractual Life | ||||||||
Shares | Exercise Price per Share | (Years) | |||||||
Outstanding and exercisable, January 1, 2008 | 7,200,000 | C$0.60 | 1.07 | ||||||
Granted | - | - | |||||||
Exercised | (7,200,000 | ) | C$0.60 | 1.07 | |||||
Options outstanding and exercisable, December 31, 2008 and 2009 | - | - |
On June 1, 2010, the Company issued 5,000,000 units at C$1.60 per unit for gross proceeds of $7,634,316 (C$8,000,000). Each unit consisted of one common share, one-quarter of one Class A purchase warrant and one-quarter of one Class B purchase warrant. Each whole Class A warrant is exercisable to acquire one additional common share of the Company at a price of C$1.75. Each Class B warrant is exercisable to acquire one additional common share of the Company at a price of C$2.00. Both Class A and Class B warrants expire December 1, 2011.
18
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US Dollars) |
7. Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company is required to provide the Bureau of Land Management, the State Office of Mine Reclamation and Kern County with a revised reclamation cost estimate once per year. The financial assurance is adjusted once the cost estimate is approved (Note 3).
The Company estimated its asset retirement obligation based on its understanding of the requirements to reclaim, and clean up its Property. The Company estimated that total payments of approximately $370,414 over three years commencing in 2017 would be required to complete the retirement obligations. In determining the estimated initial present value of the obligation, a discount factor of 9.0% (the credit-adjusted risk-free rate), and an inflation rate of 3.0% were used. The asset portion of the retirement obligation was written off in 2004. The asset retirement obligation accrual required management to make significant estimates and assumptions. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. The liability for accrued asset retirement obligations is comprised as follows:
2009 | 2008 | |||||
Beginning of the year | $ | 162,903 | $ | 145,965 | ||
Change in cash flow estimates | 6,882 | (275 | ) | |||
Accretion expense | 7,779 | 17,213 | ||||
End of the year | $ | 177,564 | $ | 162,903 |
20
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US dollars) |
8. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company has acquired a number of mineral properties outright and has acquired exclusive rights to explore, develop and mine the Property under various agreements with landowners.
Agreements are typically subject to sliding scale royalties on either gross or net smelter returns ranging from 1% to 7.5% .
The Company ceased making property payments and advance minimum royalty payments after successfully concluding moratorium agreements with a number of the landowners in 2000. The moratorium agreements expired toward the end of 2003. The total advance minimum royalty owing from 2003 to the end of 2008 was $714,137. The Company contacted all landholders and has paid a total of $714,137 during 2008. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company paid $174,196 to the remaining rightful landholders (2008 - $48,034). The total advance minimum royalty owing for 2010 is expected to be approximately $153,000.
In 2007, the Company reached an agreement with a landowner to amend the terms of the lease agreement. Under the terms of the amendment, the Company was granted an extension of twenty years and had to pay $100,000 owing from 2005. In addition, the Company was not required to pay any further advance royalty until April 23, 2008. Furthermore, the Company will receive a credit representing 50% of all advance minimum royalty paid to date, to be used it against the future production royalty payments. The Company made advance minimum royalty payment, and paid the landowner $100,000 in 2008 and $100,000 in 2009.
A mining lease agreement with a group of landholders expired in 2004. The Company is currently in discussions with this group of landholders in an effort to reach a new agreement.
The Company has agreed to issue 100,000 common shares as a finders fee upon commencement of commercial production on the Property in connection with certain property acquisitions. As of December 31, 2009, commercial production has not commenced and no shares have been issued.
In a prior year, the Company entered into an agreement with the President of the Company to issue 300,000 bonus shares upon the completion of certain milestones. Upon receipt by the Company of a bankable feasibility study and the decision to place the Property into commercial production, a bonus of 150,000 common shares is to be issued. Upon commencement of commercial production on the Property, a bonus of 150,000 common shares is to be issued. As at December 31, 2009, the milestones had not been reached and no common shares were issued in connection with this agreement.
9. Related Party Transactions
Except as noted elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements, related party transactions are disclosed as follows:
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company paid $116,776 (2008 - $136,500) to the President of the Company for his services, and paid $18,620 (2008 - $17,996) to the Director of the Company for his consulting services to the Company.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company paid $1,752 (2008 - 1,861) to each of the four directors and $2,000 (2008 - $2,000) to two directors as directors fees.
The above noted transactions were in the normal course of operations, and were measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
21
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US Dollars) |
10. Supplementary Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cumulative | |||||||||
Amounts From Date | |||||||||
of Inception | |||||||||
Year ended | Year ended | (November 21, | |||||||
December 31, | December 31, | 1985) through | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | December 31, 2009 | |||||||
Cash paid during year for: | |||||||||
Interest | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,192,911 | |||
Income taxes | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||
Non-cash financing and investing activities: | - | ||||||||
Reclassification of derivative liability for exercised stock options | $ | 156,834 | $ | - | $ | 156,834 | |||
Stock option compensation | $ | 357,989 | $ | - | $ | 1,370,173 | |||
Financing charges related to modification of warrants term | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 889,117 | |||
Exchange of notes for common shares | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,727,282 | |||
Exchange of note for future royalty payments | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 150,000 | |||
Common shares issued for mineral property | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 304,811 | |||
Mineral property acquired through the issuance of long-term debt | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,084,833 | |||
Common shares issued upon conversion of convertible debt | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 414,917 | |||
Asset retirement obligations | $ | 14,661 | $ | 16,938 | $ | 177,564 |
22
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US Dollars) |
11. Restatement of Prior Financial Statements
Subsequent to the issuance of the Companys December 31, 2009 consolidated financial statements, management discovered an error in connection with the guidance of ASC 815-40-15 in respect of the Companys outstanding stock options. As at January 1, 2009, the date on which the guidance of ASC 815-40-15 became effective for the Company, these stock options met the criteria of a derivative instrument liability because they were exercisable in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company and thus do not meet the fixed-for-fixed criteria of that guidance. As a result, the Company was required to separately account for the stock options as a derivative instrument liability recorded at fair value and marked-to-market each period with the changes in the fair value each period charged or credited to income.
The transition provisions of ASC 815-40-15 require cumulative effect adjustments as of January 1, 2009 to reflect the amounts that would have been recognized if derivative fair value accounting had been applied from the original issuance date of an equity-linked financial instrument through the implementation date of the revised guidance. Thus, the Company calculated the value of the derivative liability associated with the stock options at the date of their issuances and recorded the change in the fair value of the derivative liability from the date of the grant of the options up to January 1, 2009. Additionally, in conjunction with the foregoing, the previously calculated amounts in respect of the additional paid-in capital were reversed.
The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle of $399,147 has been recognized as a decrease of the opening balance of the accumulated deficit of $464,255 and a decrease in the opening balance of additional paid-in capital of $863,402 as of January 1, 2009, with corresponding adjustments at January 1, 2009 to recognize a derivative liability of $399,147.
Stock-based compensation of $357,989 in respect of stock options granted in 2009, previously recorded as additional paid-in capital, was reclassified as derivative liability in connection with the adoption of these pronouncements.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, a total of 400,000 stock options included the derivative liability were exercised. Upon exercise of these options, the portion of the derivative liability that pertained to these options was re-measured and recorded at its fair value of $156,834, subsequent to which it was reclassified to additional paid-in capital. The Company measured the fair value of the derivative liability pertaining to the options exercised using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following range of assumptions: expected volatility 100.45% - 108.23%, expected life 0.28 0.44 years, risk-free discount rate 1.23% - 1.52%, dividend yield 0.00% .
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had re-measured the remaining outstanding options and determined the fair value of the derivative liability to be $2,695,602.
23
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. |
(an exploration stage company) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(US Dollars) |
11. Restatement (continued)
The Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Company as at December 31, 2009 has been restated for the effect of this change as follows:
As previously | |||||||||
reported | Adjustment | Restated | |||||||
Derivative liability | $ | - | $ | 2,695,602 | $ | 2,695,602 | |||
Additional paid in capital | $ | 4,195,106 | $ | (1,064,557 | ) | $ | 3,130,549 | ||
Ending accumulated deficit | $ | (51,837,026 | ) | $ | (1,631,045 | ) | $ | (53,468,071 | ) |
The Consolidated Statement of Loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 has been restated for the effect of this change as follows:
As previously | |||||||||
reported | Adjustment | Restated | |||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liability | $ | - | $ | (2,095,300 | ) | $ | (2,095,300 | ) | |
Net loss for the year | $ | (2,419,442 | ) | $ | (2,095,300 | ) | $ | (4,514,742 | ) |
Net loss, cumulative amounts from date of inception | |||||||||
(November 21, 1985) through December 31, 2009 | $ | (51,148,925 | ) | $ | (2,095,300 | ) | $ | (53,244,225 | ) |
Loss per share | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) |
The impact of the adoption of ASC 815-40-15 is of a non-cash nature. Therefore, there is no change in total operating, investing, and financing activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
The fair value of the derivative liability has been determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:
25
AMENDMENT TO MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is effective as of the 31 st day of May , 2010;
BETWEEN:
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. , a company duly incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, having its Registered and Records Office at #1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver British Columbia, V6C 2T8 | ||
(the Company ) |
OF THE FIRST PART
AND:
H. LUTZ KLINGMANN , President of the Company, residing at 6411 Imperial Avenue, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7W 2J5 | ||
(the " Contractor ") |
OF THE SECOND PART
WHEREAS t he Company and the Contractor wish to amend the management agreement entered into between them and dated the 11 th day of March 2004 (the Management Agreement).
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants and conditions herein contained, and for the continued efforts of the Contractor, the parties hereto covenant and agree, as follows:
1. |
The Company and the Contractor hereby agree that the Management Agreement is hereby amended as follows: |
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a. |
Section 5 of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following: |
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This Agreement shall be for a term of 36 months and shall automatically renew for 24 month periods unless terminated in accordance with the termination provisions herein. |
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b. |
Section 6 of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following: |
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This Agreement may be terminated by the Contractor by the giving of sixty (60) days notice to the Company (the Contractor Notice ). In the event the Contractor gives the Contractor Notice within 12 months following a Change of Control, as defined below, the Contractor will be entitled to receive from the Company a lump sum termination fee equal to three (3) times the Contractors annual compensation paid by the Company to the Contractor pursuant to this Agreement for the latest completed calendar year (the Annual Payment ). In all other cases where the Contractor Notice is provided, the Contractor will be entitled to receive a termination bonus equal to one (1) time the Annual Payment. In the event the Contractor provides the Contractor Notice the Contractor agrees to provide reasonable assistance with an orderly transition of duties of the Contractor to persons designated by the Company. The Company agrees to pay the foregoing termination fee or termination bonus, as applicable, within fifteen (15) calendar days following the end of the sixty (60) day notice period. |
For the purposes of this section, Change of Control means:
(i) |
the direct or indirect acquisition at or above the Threshold Price in any manner of voting shares of the Company and/or securities exchangeable, exerciseable or convertible into voting shares of the Company, by a person, group of persons or persons acting jointly (in each case the Holder ) which would entitle the Holder to cast more than 50% of the votes attaching to all of the shares of the Company which may be cast to elect directors of the Company, assuming full exchange, exercise and conversion of convertible securities held by the Holder; |
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(ii) |
the closing of an amalgamation, arrangement, merger or other combination or exchange of securities of the Company with another company or the shareholders of another company, which results in the shareholders of the Company immediately thereafter owning shares of the successor company entitling them to cast less than 40% of the votes attaching to all of the shares in the capital of the successor company which may be cast to elect directors of that company; |
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(iii) |
a sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets (which for the purposes hereof includes the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a material subsidiary of the Company); or |
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(iv) |
a transaction or process similar to those described in (i) (iii) above. |
For the purposes of the (i) and (ii) above, the Threshold Price means CAD$1.00 per voting share of the Company as such shares are presently constituted, and subject to adjustment in the event of a Transaction (as defined in section 11). |
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c. |
Section 7 of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following: |
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This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon notice to Contractor for just cause which includes one or more of the following acts of the Contractor: |
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(a) |
commits a material breach of a provision of this Agreement; |
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(b) |
is unable or unwilling to perform the duties under this Agreement; |
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(c) |
commits fraud or serious neglect or misconduct in the discharge of his duties hereunder; |
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or |
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(d) |
becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or compromise with his creditors. |
For the purposes of this Agreement, the term just cause shall mean the legal test for dismissal of an employee as interpreted by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
2
d. |
Section 8 of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following: |
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This Agreement may be terminated by the Company without cause on providing the Contractor sixty (60) days written notice (the Company Notice ). In the event the Company provides the Company Notice to the Contractor, the Contractor will be entitled to receive a termination fee equal to one (1) times the Annual Payment in the event the 30 day VWAP on the date of the Company Notice is below the Threshold Price and otherwise a termination fee equal to three (3) times the Annual Payment. The Company agrees to pay the foregoing termination fee within fifteen (15) calendar days following the end of the sixty (60) day notice period. |
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e. |
Section 11 of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following: |
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The Company agrees to issue common shares of the Company as a bonus to the Contractor as follows: |
(a) | (i) | Upon receipt by the Company of a bankable feasibility study and the decision to place the Property into commercial production, a performance bonus of 150,000 common shares; and | |
(ii) | Upon commencement of commercial production on the property, a performance bonus of 150,000 common shares; or | ||
(b) | In the event of a Change of Control at or above the Threshold Price, a performance bonus of 300,000 common shares; or | ||
(c) | In the event of a Change of Control at or above 150% of the Threshold Price, a performance bonus of 600,000 common shares. | ||
(each hereinafter referred to as the Performance Shares ) |
For the purposes of the foregoing, the Performance Shares mean common shares of the Company as constituted on the date of this Agreement. The obligation of the Company to issue the Performance Shares is subject to the Company having sufficient authorized share capital in order to issue the Performance Shares.
The Contractor hereby acknowledges that the Company is currently contemplating a private placement equity financing which, if completed, will result in the Company having insufficient authorized share capital to issue the Performance Shares.
In the event the Company conducts or participates in a transaction, reorganization, or capital change (each a Transaction ) affecting the shareholders of the Company or the common shares of the Company, the Contractor shall in all cases be entitled to receive any securities or consideration resulting from such Transaction as if the Contractor were the holder of record of the Performance Shares on the record date and/or the closing date of such Transaction provided that such securities or consideration shall be issued or paid to Contractor only if Contractor would otherwise be entitled to receive Performance Shares pursuant to this Section 11.
3
In the event of a Change of Control transaction where the holders of the common shares of the Company are entitled to receive any securities or other consideration pursuant to such Change of Control transaction, the Contractor will receive such securities or other consideration in lieu of the Performance Shares that the Contractor would otherwise be entitled to pursuant to this Section 11, as if the Contractor were the holder of record of the Performance Shares on the record date and/or the closing date of such Change of Control transaction. |
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The Company agrees to include in any agreement entered into by the Company in connection with a Change of Control transaction or a Transaction a provision requiring any third party to comply with this Agreement, including the adjustment provisions herein. |
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If any issuance of securities pursuant to this section would contravene any provision of law, regulation or policy of a stock exchange, then the Contractor shall receive the fair market value of such securities, determined as at the time such securities are otherwise payable, in cash in lieu of receiving the securities. |
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This section shall apply to successive Transactions. The obligation to issue the Performance Shares, and any securities or consideration in lieu thereof due to one or more Transactions, pursuant to this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years from the termination date. |
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f. |
Section 11.1 is hereby added to the Management Agreement as follows: |
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The parties agree that the Contractor is not an employee of the Company and, as such, the Company shall be no deductions for any statutory withholdings such as income tax, Canada Pension Plan, Unemployment Insurance or Workers Compensation, or equivalent provisions in any foreign jurisdiction in which the Contractor may be resident or in which the Contractor may be performing the services pursuant to this Agreement. The Contractor agrees to pay all income taxes, and make and remit all statutory withholdings as may be required by it in respect of the compensation paid to the Contractor pursuant to this Agreement. The Contractor hereby agrees to indemnify the Company from any loss or expense that the Company may incur or realize as a result of having to pay any taxes, statutory withholdings, interest and penalties in respect of the Contractors compensation pursuant to this Agreement. |
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g. |
Section 17 of the Management Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following: |
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In the event the issuance of the Performance Shares referred to in 11(c) of the Management Agreement, as amended hereby, requires approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Company shall take all reasonable and necessary steps to obtain such approval. |
2. |
Other than as amended by this amendment agreement, all other provisions of the Management Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. |
4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company and the Contractor have executed this Agreement as of the day, month and year first above written.
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
Per:
/s/ Golden Queen Mining
Co. Ltd.
Authorized Signatory
Executed by H. LUTZ KLINGMANN in the | ) | |
presence of: | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Signature | ) /s/ H. Lutz Klingmann | |
) H. LUTZ KLINGMANN | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Print Name | ) |
5
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is effective as of the 11th day of March, 2004; BETWEEN:
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD. , a company duly incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, having its Registered and Records Office at #1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver British Columbia, V6C 2T8 | ||
(the Company ) |
OF THE FIRST PART
AND:
H. LUTZ KLINGMANN , President of the Company, residing at | ||
6411 Imperial Avenue, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7W 2J5 | ||
(the " Contractor ") |
OF THE SECOND PART
WHEREAS:
A. |
The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and is involved in the business of developing an open pit, gold-silver heap leach operation on its Soledad Mountain property, which is located in southern California (the Property); |
B. |
The Company desires to retain the Contractor to look after the management of the Company and the Contractor has agreed to manage the affairs of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. |
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants and conditions herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree, as follows:
Duties of the Contractor
1. |
The Contractor shall act as chief operating officer and have overall management responsibilities for the operations of the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
2. |
The Contractor shall provide the following services to the Company: |
(a) |
management of the day to day affairs of the Company and coordination of management of the day to day affairs of any subsidiary; |
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(b) |
liaising with the Company's auditors, accountants and lawyers, consulting engineers and other professionals; |
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(c) |
applying the Contractor's geological and engineering expertise to: |
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(i) |
bring the Property to a stage that a commercial production decision can be made; |
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(ii) |
on a favourable decision, place the Property into commercial production; and |
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(iii) |
manage the mining operations of the Company once the Property is in commercial production. |
(d) |
developing financial plans to secure financing to place the Property into commercial production. |
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(e) |
negotiating and concluding, at the direction of the Board of Directors, acquisitions of resource properties having the potential for commercial mineral production; |
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(f) |
assisting the chief financial officer with all proposed corporate financings of the Company, including initiation of proposed financings as required from time to time to carry out those matters referred to in clauses (d) and (e); and |
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(g) |
co-ordinating with the chief financial officer the dissemination of information about the Company to the public and to shareholders of the Company. |
3. |
The Contractor agrees that he shall, during the continuance of this Agreement, provide sufficient time to the business of the Company, and to any subsidiary of the Company, for the performance of the said services faithfully, diligently, to the best of his abilities and in the best interests of the Company. |
4. |
The term subsidiary as used herein means any company or companies of which more than fifty per cent of the outstanding shares carrying votes at all times (provided that the ownership of such shares confers the right at all times to elect at least a majority of the Board of Directors of such company or companies) are for the time being owned by or held for the Company and/or any other company in like relation to the Company and include any company in like relation to the subsidiary. |
Term of this Agreement
5. |
This Agreement shall be for a term of 36 months and shall successively renew for 24 month periods, unless the parties jointly agree otherwise. |
6. |
This Agreement may be terminated by the Contractor, without cause, by the giving of sixty (60) days notice, unless a shorter notice period is agreed to by both parties hereto. |
2
7. |
This Agreement may be terminated by the Company if there is "just cause" to do so, by the Company giving 120 days notice in writing to the Contractor with full reasons, which must include one or more of the following acts of the Contractor: |
|
(a) |
commits a material breach of a provision of this Agreement; |
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(b) |
is unable or unwilling to perform the duties under this Agreement; |
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(c) |
commits fraud or serious neglect or misconduct in the discharge of his duties hereunder; |
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or |
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(d) |
becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or compromise with his creditors. |
For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "just cause" shall mean the legal test for dismissal of an employee as interpreted by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. |
|
8. |
If the Company otherwise gives notice to the Contractor to terminate this Agreement (eg: where just cause cannot be established and the termination is prompted by a change in control of the Company), the Contractor shall be entitled to, and shall be immediately paid, without reservation or condition except agreement to terminate, a lump sum equal to the three month average amount paid to the Contractor for his services prior to the notice of termination, multiplied by twelve (12). |
Compensation to the Contractor
9. |
For the Contractor's services under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Contractor a fee In the amount of $60 per hour with no monthly maximum amount. |
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10. |
For the use of the Contractors office, equipment and out-of-pocket incidental expenses, the Company agrees to pay an additional amount of $5.00 per hour with no monthly maximum amount. |
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11. |
To issue up to 300,000 common shares of the Company as a bonus to the Contractor in the amounts set out below upon the achievement by the Company of the following: |
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(a) |
Upon receipt by the Company of a bankable feasibility study and the decision to place the Property into commercial production, a bonus of 150,000 common shares; and |
|
(b) |
Upon commencement of commercial production on the property, a bonus of 150,000 common shares. |
Restrictions on the Contractor
12. |
The Company is aware that the Contractor may provide management services to other companies and the Company recognizes that in such circumstances these companies will require a certain portion of the Contractor's time. The Company agrees that the Contractor may continue to provide services to such outside interests, provided that such interests do not conflict with his duties under this Agreement. |
3
13. |
The Contractor shall not, except as authorized or required by his duties, reveal or divulge to any person or companies any of the trade secrets, secret or confidential operations, processes or dealings or any information concerning the organization, business, finances, transactions or other affairs of the Company or of its subsidiary which may come to his knowledge during the term of this Agreement and shall keep in complete secrecy all confidential information entrusted to him and shall not use or attempt to use any such information in any manner which may injure or cause loss either directly or indirectly to the Company's business or may be likely so to do. This restriction shall continue to apply after the termination of this Agreement without limit in point of time but shall cease to apply to information or knowledge which may come into the public domain. |
Reporting by the Contractor
14. |
At least once in every month, the Contractor shall provide to each Director such information concerning the Company's businesses and activities for the previous month as the Directors may reasonably require. |
General
15. |
This Agreement may not be assigned by any party except with the written consent of the other party hereto. |
16. |
Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. |
17. |
This Agreement is subject to the acceptance of the TSX. |
18. |
The parties hereto agree from time to time after the execution hereof to make, do, execute or cause or permit to be made, done or executed all such further and other lawful acts, deeds, things, devices and assurances in law whatsoever as may be required to carry out the true intention and to give full force and effect to this Agreement. |
19. |
This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, whether oral or written, relative to the subject matter hereof. |
20. |
The following rules shall be applied in Interpreting this Agreement: |
(a) |
this Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; |
|
(b) |
if any provision of this Agreement or any part thereof shall be found or determined to be invalid it shall be severable from this Agreement and the remainder of this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid provision or part has been deleted from this Agreement; and |
4
(c) |
this Agreement and all matters arising thereunder shall be governed by the laws of British Columbia and all disputes arising under this Agreement shall be referred to a court of British Columbia. |
21. |
Any notice, or instrument provided to be given hereunder shall be given in writing and be mailed, delivered or transmitted by facsimile to the other party at the address set out on page one. A party may give notice of any change of their respective address and the address of such party shall be deemed to be changed accordingly. Any notice, or Instrument if delivered or faxed shall be deemed to have been received on the day on which it was delivered or faxed, and if mailed, shall be deemed to have been received on the third business day following the day on which it was mailed, provided that if there shall be a postal strike, or labour dispute which may affect the delivery of the mail between the time of mailing and the actual receipt of notice then such notice shall only be effective if actually delivered. |
22. |
The Contractor and the Company may execute this Agreement in two or more counterparts, and or by facsimile, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which constitute one agreement, effective a of the date first above written. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company and the Contractor have executed this Agreement as of the day, month and year first above written.
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
Per:
/s/ Golden Queen
Mining Co. Ltd.
Authorized
Signatory
Executed by H. LUTZ KLINGMANN in the | ) | ||
presence of: | ) | ||
) | |||
) | |||
) | |||
Signature | ) | /s/ H. Lutz Klingmann | |
) | H. LUTZ KLINGMANN | ||
) | |||
) | |||
Print Name | ) |
5
MINING LEASE
This Agreement made and entered into this 26t day of April, 2001, by and between MRS. VIRGINIA KNIGHT (hereafter referred to as LESSOR), and GOLDEN QUEEN CO., NC. a California corporation, jointly and severally, (hereafter LESSEE).
1. |
Description of Property. LESSOR is the owner of certain real property in Kern County, California, and more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto. |
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2. |
Grant of Lease . |
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2.1. |
LESSOR hereby leases exclusively to LESSEE, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter expressed, the property set forth in Paragraph 1 (hereafter LEASED PROPERTY). |
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2.2. |
This lease is granted for the primary purpose of the exploration, development, and mining of the LEASE PROPERTY for minerals as may be found therein (hereinafter referred to as the Leased Minerals). LESSEE is hereby granted the exclusive right to enter into possession of the LEASED PROPERTY, and during the term of this lease, to remain in possession thereof, and diligently explore, develop, mine, operate and use the property and any surface or underground rights, including but not limited to access, and water or water rights, for purposes of conducting exploration, development, and mining operation on the LEASED PROPERTY the Leased Minerals and to treat, mill, stockpile, store, leach, ship, sell or otherwise dispose of the same and receive the full proceeds thereof (subjects to the obligation of rent and royalty payment as specified below); and to construct, use and operate thereon and therein structures, excavations, stockpiles, facilities, roads, equipment and other improvements which LESSEE shall deem reasonably required for, or in connection with, the full enjoyment of the rights and interests granted to LESSEE by this lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, LESSEE will confer with LESSOR prior to the placement or modifications to any roads it intends to construct or modify. |
Page 1 of 15
2.3. | Term of Lease. The term of this Mining Lease shall be for twenty (15) years from and after the date of this lease and for so long thereafter as LESSEE is in production on properties located within a one (1) mile radius of the LEASED PROPERTY. For purposes of this paragraph, production shall be defined as the processing of in excess of 10,000 tons of ore per year. LES SEE may terminate this Lease at any time by delivery to LESSOR of a quitclaim deed to the LEASED PROPERTY, provided that LESSEE is not then in default under the terms of this lease. |
3. |
Royalties and Consideration . |
|
3.1. |
Advance Minimum Royalty. LESSEE shall pay to LESSOR Advance Minimum Royalties as follows: |
Upon execution of this agreement | $ | 10,000.00 | ||
On the last day of each calendar quarter beginning April 30, 2004, or when the Company secures production financing reasonably acceptable to the Company whichever is sooner. | $ | 2,500.00 |
3.2. |
Production Royalties. A production royalty to reflect a sliding scale royalty equal to Net Smelter Return (NSR) during a calendar quarter multiplied by Royalty Rate as defined hereafter: |
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3.2.1. |
The Net Smelter Return (NSR) is defined as the net dollar amount received by Lessee from the sale of Land Minerals produced from the Ore mined from the Premises in the corresponding calendar quarter, after deducting: (I) all charges, penalties, and deductions of any nature made by the smelter, refinery, or other treatment plant or purchaser arising out of the receipt, processing or handling of production, including umpire charges: and (II) the following items attributable to production paid by or for the account of Lessee: (a) all brokers or agents commissions negotiated at arms length with an independent party on the sale and all other costs of sale, (b) all cost of transportation (including but not limited to packaging, freight, insurance, handling, forwarding, port, demurrage, delay, and other like charges and expenses) from mine, mill or refinery, as the case may be, to the delivery destination specified in the purchase contract, and (c) any tax, royalty or fee levied on the ownership, mining production, processing, severance, or sale of the subject minerals. |
Page 2 of 15
3.2.2. | NSR per Ton of Ore Production (NSRPT) is defined as the NSR divided by the tons of Ore produced during the corresponding calendar quarter and adjusted for inflation. The inflation factor shall be determined from the U.S. Government Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items) or, if no longer issued, a corresponding government issued statistic. The factor is to be applied so as to reflect the April 1, 2001 value of the U.S. dollar: | |
For example, assuming that (a) in the third quarter 2002, the production is 500,000 tons of Ore and the NSR is $6,500,000, and (b) CPI in the third quarter of 2002 is 460 and on April 1, 2001 is 405, then the NSRPT is |
$6,500,000 X 405 = $1l.445/ton of ore | |
500,000 tons 460 |
3.2.3. |
The Royalty Rate utilized to calculate Production Royalties shall vary according to the Quality of the Ore (in terms of its recovered unit value in dollars per ton, such unit value is a function of metal content and price of metal). The Royalty Rate on production derived from Ores shall be determined as follows: |
NSR per Ton of Ore Production | Royalty Rate |
(NSRPT) | % |
Less than $12.00 | 3% |
From $12.00 to $66.00
|
(NSRPT - 12) +3
12 |
Greater than $66.00 | 7.5% |
Page 3 of 15
For example, if NSRPT is determined to be $11,445, the Royalty Rate of ore production would be | (11.445 - 12) +3 = 3% | |
12 |
3.2.4. | Rock Production Royalty. The royalty on every ton of Rock material produced from the Premises and sold (with Payment received by Lessee) shall be $0.10. For purposes of the Mining Lease, Rock material shall be defined as Non-Ore Minerals mined to allow for mining of Ore or mined separately, and material remaining after processing Ore and removing recoverable metals. Also for purposes of this Mining Lease, Ore shall be defined as Minerals owned an processed for metal content, and Minerals shall mean any and all minerals and rocks occurring in, on, and under the Premises. |
3.3. |
Manner of Payment. All minerals mined, removed and extracted from the LEASED PROPERTY shall be sold under the name of LESSEE and a royalty settlement sheet accounting from such transactions shall be furnished to LESSOR on or before the twenty-fifth (2 5th) day of the next succeeding calendar month for all sales made and received during the preceding calendar quarter. All production royalty payments, accompanied by a settlement sheet required by this lease shall be made to the LESSOR monthly at the addresses set forth in Paragraph 7 by mail or personal delivery. LESSEE shall receive cumulative credit against production royalties for all minimum royalties paid pursuant to this lease agreement regardless of the year in which said rental payments are paid and production royalties shall not be payable until the production royalty set forth in Paragraph 3.2 exceeds the cumulative sums paid by LESSEE pursuant to Paragraph 3.1. If the Leased Minerals are sold to, or processed by, a smelter or refinery owned, operated, affiliated with or controlled by LESSEE, in no event shall the royalties computed herein be less that would have been paid had the ore been sold to or processed by a major smelter or refinery not owned, operated affiliated with, or controlled by LESSEE. |
Page 4 of 15
4. |
Conduct of Mining Operations . |
4.1. |
General. LESSEE shall conduct, and cause all mining activities to be conducted in a prudent, workmanlike and miner-like manner in accordance with established mining practices. |
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4.2. |
Commingling of Ore. LESSEE may commingle ore from the LEASED PROPERTY with ore from other properties, either before or after concentration or beneficiation, provided that the method and procedures LESSEE uses to commingle the ore and to determine the weight and grade of the ore removed from the LEASED PROPERTY and of the ore with which it is commingled shall be a method recognized by the mining industry and conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. LESSEE shall use that method to determine weight and grade and to allocate net returns from the commingled ore between the LEASED PROPERTY and the other properties from which the other commingled ore was removed and to assure that the share of production received by LESSOR is representative of the ore that was produced from the LEASED PROPERTY. All such weight, grade and allocation calculations by LESSEE shall be done in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and in a manner recognized by the mining industry as practical and sufficient at that time. If it is impractical to determine which portions of any of the costs and expenses described in Paragraph 3.2.2 above are directly attributable to ore removed from the LEASED PROPERTY, such costs and expenses shall be allocated on a straight-line, per-ton basis among all ores that give rise to those expenses, in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards. |
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4.3. | Cross-Mining Rights. LESSEE is hereby granted the right, if it so desires, to mine or remove from the LEASED PROPERTY any ores, waste, water and other materials existing therein or thereon or in any part thereof, through or by means of shafts, openings or pits which may be sunk or made upon other property owned, controlled, or operated by or for LESSEE (hereinafter Other Property). LESSEE also may stockpile any ores, waste, or other materials and/or concentrated products of ores or materials (collectively Products) from LEASED PROPERTY, or any part thereof, upon stockpile grounds situated upon such Other Property. In the event LESSEE stockpiles Products from the LEASED PROPERTY on Other Properties, LESSEE shall execute or cause to be executed such instruments as LESSOR may reasonably request in writing to evidence LESSORS royalty interest in the Products so stockpiled. Any such instrument executed by LESSEE, however, expressly shall acknowledge LESSEES right to sell the stockpiled Products. LESSEE also, if it so desires, may use the LEASED PROPERTY and any part thereof and any shafts, openings, pits and stockpile grounds sunk or made for the mining, removal and/or stockpiling of any Products from the LEASED PROPERTY and/or from the Other Property, or for any purpose or purposes connected therewith, provided, however, that such use of the LEASED PROPERTY does not prevent or interfere with the mining or removal of ore from the LEASED PROPERTY. |
Page 5 of 15
5. |
Records and Books of Account. |
5.1. |
Books of Account. LESSEE shall keep complete, true and proper books and records of account showing all minerals mined and removed from the LEASED PROPERTY and recording all sales, transfers, conveyances or other dispositions of ores, minerals or other materials taken from the LEASED PROPERTY in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Said books and records shall be open to examination by LESSOR or its duly authorized representative during regular business hours and shall include any and all documents necessary to establish a gross selling price of the ores, minerals or other materials taken from the LEASED PROPERTY. LESSOR is hereby granted the right at LESSORS expense to examine and make a copy or copies of said books or records or any portion thereof. |
Page 6 of 15
5.2. |
Inspection. LESSOR or its duly authorized agents shall have following advanced notice the right at reasonable times under reasonable circumstances to enter upon the LEASED PROPERTY for the purpose of inspection operations and work being performed by LESSEE pursuant to this lease. Such entry shall be at LESSORS risk and LESSEE shall not be liable for injury to LESSOR unless such injury is caused by the willful or grossly negligent conduct of LESSEE. |
6. |
Protecting from Liens and Taxes . |
|
6.1. |
LESSEE shall keep the subject LEASED PROPERTY and every part thereof free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances for work performed upon the subject LEASED PROPERTY, or for materials furnished to it while this agreement remains in force and effect. |
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6.2. |
LESSEE shall pay not later than ten (10) days before due, one hundred percent (100%) of all taxes and assessments that may be levied or assessed against the Leased Property, including all taxes that may be levied or assessed as a direct or indirect result of LESSEES mining activities, and further including, but not limited to, taxes on the real property, the mineral estate, real property improvements and personal property and possessory interest taxes. LESSOR shall forward to LESSEE, upon receipt all notices of taxes and assessments due. |
7. | Notice. Any notices required or permitted to be given to LESSOR or LESSEE hereunder shall be considered as delivered when received by the parties to whom they shall be directed. Notice shall be given by personal delivery or by registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, addressed to the persons and addresses given below or to such other person or address as the parties may designate by written notice from time to time. |
Page7of 15
LESSEE: | Golden Queen Mining Co., Inc. | |
P.O. Box 1030 | ||
Mojave, CA 93502-1030 | ||
LESSOR: | Mrs. Virginia Knight | |
540 5. Arden Blvd. | ||
Los Angeles, CA 90020 |
Changes in the above names and addresses shall be effected by sending notice as set forth herein and said change shall be effective fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. |
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8. |
Waste and Refuse. LESSEE agrees to dispose of waste and refuse from all mining activities conducted pursuant to this lease in accordance with good mining practice and in accordance with the provisions of applicable ordinances, laws and regulations. |
9. |
Insurance. LESSEE shall at its sole cost and expense cause to be issued and maintained during the term of this lease or any extension thereof the following insurance coverage: |
9.1. |
Workers Compensation Insurance. LESSEE shall maintain workers compensation insurance coverage in accordance with the provision of California law. |
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9.2. |
Automobile and Comprehensive General Liability Insurance. LESSEE shall cause to be maintained during the term of this agreement automobile liability and comprehensive general liability coverage with broad form endorsements in a amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in insurance companies qualified to do insurance business in the State of California. |
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9.3. |
Certificates of Insurance. LESSEE shall promptly furnish to LESSOR certificates of insurance for all types of insurance applicable under this lease, which certificates shall provide that the insurance described therein may not be canceled, restrictively modified or terminated except upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice delivered to LESSOR. |
Page 8 of 15
10. |
Compliance with Laws. LESSEE shall conduct and cause to be conducted all mining activities in full compliance with the applicable laws of the State of California and the United States of America. |
11. |
Title . |
11.1. |
LESSOR warrants the LESSOR is the owner of an undivided full interest to the LEASED PROPERTY and that there are no defects in its title to said percentage which would affect LESSORS right to possession and use pursuant to the terms of this lease. LESSOR warrants and represents that title to the LEASED PROPERTY is vested in LESSOR as to an undivided full interest as indicated in Exhibit A. |
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11.2. |
In the event that any defect in LESSORS title is determined to exist, LESSOR shall, at its sole cost and expense, take such steps as may be required, including, but not limited to, the commencement of litigation, the location of additional claims and the amendment or relocation of existing claims held by LESSOR. In the event LESSOR fails or refuses to take or complete appropriate steps to correct any defect in LESSORS title, LESSEE may elect to correct such defect and deduct the cost of such correction, including attorneys fees, from the payment obligations contained in this lease. LESSEE also may make such deductions for costs or corrections to title to the LEASED PROPERTY incurred by LESSEE prior to the date of this Lease. |
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11.3. | In the event it is determined that LESSOR owns a different percentage of the LEASED PROPERTY than indicated in this paragraph, then LESSORS rights under this Agreement and the percentage indicated shall be adjusted upward or downward so as to reflect the actual interest owned. It is the intention of the parties that the full ownership of LESSOR be included in this Mining Lease. |
12. |
Default and Termination . |
Page 9 of 15
12.1. |
Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an event of default on the part of LESSEE: |
12.1.1. |
Breach of Covenants. Failure (i) to perform any of LESSEES covenants hereunder, and (ii) to commence to remedy such failure within sixty (60) days after written demand is made therefore. |
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12.1.2. |
Assignments. The making of a general assignment by LESSEE for the benefit of creditors. |
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12.1.3. |
Bankruptcy. The filing of any form of voluntary petition in bankruptcy by LESSEE, or the filing of an involuntary petition by LESSEES creditors, if such petition remains undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days. |
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12.1.4. |
Receivership. The appointment of a receiver to take possession of substantially all of LESSEES assets or of the interest held by LESSEE under this lease, if such receivership remains undissolved for a period of thirty (30) days. |
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12.1.5. |
Attachment. The attachment or other judicial seizure of substantially all of LESSEES assets or of the interest held under this lease, if such attachment or other seizure remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days after the levy thereof. |
12.2. |
Remedies . |
12.2.1. |
Termination. In the event of the occurrence of any event of default mentioned in Paragraph 12.1 hereof, LESSOR, shall have the right, so long as default continues, to immediately terminate this lease by giving LESSEE written notice of such termination. |
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12.2.2. |
Eviction. In the event of any such termination of this lease, LESSOR may then or at any time thereafter, re-enter the LEASED PROPERTY, or any part thereof, and expel or remove therefrom LESSEE and any other person occupying the same, using such force as may be necessary so to do, and again repossess and enjoy the LEASED PROPERTY, without prejudice to any other remedies that LESSOR may have under this lease, or at law or equity, by reason of LESSEES default or of such termination. |
Page 10 of 15
12.2.3. |
Damages. In the event of any such termination of this lease, LESSOR shall have all of the rights and remedies of a landlord provided by Section 1951.2 of the Civil Code of the State of California. |
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12.2.4. |
Remedies Under CC 1951.4. In the event LESSEE breaches this lease and abandons the LEASED PROPERTY, LESSOR shall have all of the remedies of a landlord provided by Section 1951.4 of the Civil Code of the State of California. |
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12.2.5. |
Default by Landlord. In the event of default by LESSOR, LESSEE shall have all of the remedies of a tenant provided by the laws of the State of California. |
12.3. |
Termination by LESSE E |
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This agreement may be terminated by LESSEE at any time by the giving of three (3) months written notice. |
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12.4. |
Information . |
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Upon termination of this Agreement LESSEE shall provide LESSOR with copies of all Information as defined below. As used in this Agreement, Information shall mean all geological, geophysical and geochemical data, all laboratory testing results maps and reports, whether acquired, generated or compiled by or for LESSEE. LESSEE warrants that all Information supplied to LESSOR pursuant to the terms of this provision shall be true and accurate copies of the Information acquired, generated or compiled by or for LESSEE; provided, however, that LESSEE does not warrant that the data contained therein is an accurate interpretation of the geology described therein. |
Page 11 of 15
12.4.1. |
Upon execution of this Agreement, LESSOR shall provide LESSEE access to all geological, geophysical and geochemical data concerning the LEASED PROPERTY which has been acquired, generated, or compiled by LESSOR. |
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12.4.2. |
Any and all data, information, reports and samples provided by LESSEE to LESSOR under terms of this agreement shall be treated and held confidential for the term of this Agreement. |
13. |
Force Majeure. The failure to perform or comply with any of the covenants or conditions hereof on the part of LESSEE (including, but not limited to, production requirements set forth in Paragraph 3 above) will not be grounds for cancellation, penalty, termination or forfeiture hereof during such time as failure to perform is caused or compliance is prevented by severe weather, explosion, unusual mining casualty, mill shutdowns, damage to or destruction of mill or mill plant facility, fire, flood, civil or military authority, insurrection, strikes, riots, inability after diligent effort to obtain competent workmen or material or necessary permits, fuel shortages, inadequate or shortages of transportation facilities not due to the negligence or lack of diligence by LESSEE, governmental actions or policies which substantially restrict the legality or profitability of extracting and selling any of the valuable minerals produced under the Mining Lease, acts of God, or any circumstances or conditions beyond the control of LESSEE, and in such an event, LESSEE shall be excused from, and not held liable for, such failure to perform or comply. No event of force majeure shall affect LESSEES obligation to make the payments required under Paragraph 3.1 above. |
14. |
Inurement. This lease shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon their respective heirs, trustees, conservators, successors and assigns of the parties. |
Page 12 of 15
15. |
Recordation. This agreement is not to. be recorded. LESSEE may, however, prepare and submit to LESSOR for signature, a memorandum of this agreement for recordation. |
16. |
Assignment . |
16.1. |
Assignment by LESSOR. LESSOR agrees that it shall give notice to LESSEE of its intention to sell or otherwise assign the Lease or LEASED PROPERTY. Upon receipt of a bona fide offer to purchase the Lease or LEASED PROPERTY, the LESSOR shall forthwith give notice, to be accompanied by a true copy of such offer to purchase attached thereto, to LESSEE and LESSEE shall have sixty (60) days in which to present to LESSOR a written counter offer, such counter offer to be for greater consideration than the offer, expressed in cash or marketable securities. Upon receipt of such counter offer, LESSOR will have thirty (30) days to sell to LESSEE or to give notice to LESSEE of receipt of a further counter offer for greater consideration than LESSEES counter offer. In the event of a further counter offer being presented, LESSEE will have seven (7) days from receipt of notice to raise its offer and the offers and counter offers shall thereafter be limited to response time of seven (7) days from receipt. |
16.2. |
Assignment of LESSEE . |
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16.2.1. |
Prohibition. LESSEE may assign this Lease without the prior written consent of LESSOR provided LESSEE guarantees the obligations of the assignee; otherwise, this Lease shall not be assigned by LESSEE without the prior written consent of LESSOR which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. |
17. |
Removal of Equipment. At the termination of the lease, LESSEE may remove any and all equipment it placed on the property during the term of this lease, or any extension thereof, provided, said removal is completed within one (1) year of the termination date. |
18. |
Arbitration. Any dispute arising out of this Lease herein must be raised and settled in binding arbitration proceeding in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The process for selecting arbitrators shall be as follows: Each party shall select an arbitrator and the two (2) selected arbitrators shall select the third arbitrator. Such selections must be made within fifteen (15) days after the party commencing the arbitration process gives notice to the other party of its intention to arbitrate a dispute or difference. Any arbitration award may include the reasonable attorney fees and costs of the prevailing party. |
Page 13 of 15
19. |
Counterparts. This agreement may be signed in counterparts and shall be deemed effective when both parties have executed this agreement or any counterpart thereof. |
20. |
Complete Agreement. This writing and all terms and convenience contained herein are deemed to be the complete and unequivocal written agreement of the parties and no other agreements, either written or oral, are contemplated with respect to said property. |
21. |
California Law. This lease shall be governed by and construed and interpreted under the internal laws of the State of California. |
22. |
Severability. If any term, covenant, condition or provision of this agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. |
23. |
Title Headings. The headings of the respective paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and considered in construing this Agreement. |
Page 14 of 15
EXHIBIT A
Unpatented Lode Mining Claims
and Placer Claims and Mill Sites
Portion of Section 6, T10N, R12W,
SBB&M
Portion of 32, T11N, R12W, SBB&M
Portion of 7, T10N, R12W,
SBB&M
Mojave Mining District
Kern County, California
CLAIM | CLAIM TYPE | BLM SERIAL No. |
B&H | LODE | 041701 |
BOBTAIL | LODE | 218374 |
CAROLYN | LODE | 041691 |
CHARITY | LODE | 041697 |
ELEPHANT | LODE | 041696 |
ELEPHANT EXTENSION | LODE | 041695 |
EXCELSIOR | LODE | 041693 |
FAITH 1 | LODE | 218369 |
FAITH 2 | LODE | 218370 |
FAITH 3 | LODE | 218371 |
FAITH 4 | LODE | 218372 |
FAITH 5 | LODE | 218373 |
HERMAN | LODE | 041694 |
HOPE | LODE | 041699 |
MARILYN | LODE | 041692 |
MOUNTAIN VIEW | LODE | 041698 |
CAROLYN | MILL SITE | 041689 |
MARILYN | MILL SITE | 041690 |
DOLLY X | PLACER | 189836 |
|
Tel: 604 688 5421 | BDO Canada LLP |
Fax: 604 688 5132 | 600 Cathedral Place | |
www.bdo.ca | 925 West Georgia Street | |
Vancouver BC V6C 3L2 Canada |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd.
Vancouver, Canada
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-102112) of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., of our report dated December 14, 2010, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., which appears in this Amended Form 10-K/A. Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Companys ability to continue as a going concern and a note regarding a restatement of the Companys consolidated financial statements.
/s/ BDO Canada LLP
Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
December 14,
2010
BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms.
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR
15d-14(a)
OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
I, Lutz Klingman, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. |
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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 in order 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; |
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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; |
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4. |
The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are 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: |
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a) |
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our 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 the annual report is being prepared; |
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b) |
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our 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; |
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c) |
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants 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 |
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d) |
disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrants internal control over financial reporting; |
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5. |
The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
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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 registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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b) |
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants control over financial reporting. |
Date: January 13, 2011 | By: | /s/ Lutz Klingmann |
Lutz Klingmann | ||
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AND
RULE 13a-14(b) OR RULE 15d-14(b)
OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
In connection with the annual report of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (the "Company") on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), each of the undersigned, in the capacities and on the dates indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:
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. |
Dated: January 13, 2011 | /s/ Lutz Klingmann |
Lutz Klingmann | |
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |