UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 29, 2015
COMSTOCK MINING INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Nevada
(State or Other
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-35200
(Commission File Number)
65-0955118
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1200 American Flat Road, Virginia City, Nevada 89440
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: ( 775) 847-5272

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 1.01.      Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.     
Item 8.01.      Other Items.

On July 29, 2015, Comstock Mining Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it has reached an agreement with the other members of its Northern Comstock LLC joint venture that will result in reduced capital contribution obligations of the Company going forward. The Company also announced that it will mail notices and consents to all holders of the Company’s outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock (the “Consent Solicitation”), pursuant to which the Company is seeking written authorization from a majority of the holders of the Company’s outstanding 7 1/2% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1”), 7 1/2% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2”) and 7 1/2% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B,” and together with the Series A-1 and Series A-2, the “Preferred”) to amend the certificates of designation of rights, preferences, rights and limitations of the Preferred (the “Charters”). The amendments to the Charters will result in the automatic conversion of the Preferred into shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.000666, per share. If the amendments to the Charters are approved, the Company will declare and pay a one-time dividend of 127 shares of common stock per share of Preferred to each holder of the Preferred. All shares of common stock will be delivered by the same method that dividend share payments are presently made.

Unless extended by the Company (which the Company has the right to do at any time and from time to time), the Consent Solicitation is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on August 26, 2015.

On July 29, 2015, the Company entered into a Restructuring Agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”), with Northern Comstock LLC (“Northern Comstock”), the members of Northern Comstock and other entities affiliated with the Company's Chairman and largest shareholder, John V. Winfield. Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, the Company’s shareholders party thereto agreed to consent to the proposed amendments to the Charters thereby eliminating the special voting rights and Board representation rights associated with the Series A-1 and the Company and the other members of Northern Comstock agreed to amend the terms of the operating agreement for Northern Comstock (the "Operating Agreement") to reduce the Company's remaining capital contributions from approximately $31.05 million to $9.75 million and permit such capital contributions to be made in the form of cash, or in certain circumstances, common stock. The foregoing description of the Restructuring Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Restructuring Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

On July 29, 2015, the Company entered into a Stockholders' Agreement (the "Stockholders' Agreement"), with Mr. Winfield and entities affiliated with Mr. Winfield, pursuant to which the Company is generally prohibited from incurring indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000, subject to certain limited exceptions. The prohibition set forth in the Stockholders' Agreement is substantially identical to the negative covenant presently set forth in the Charters governing the Preferred. The foregoing description of the Stockholders' Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Stockholders' Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.



Item 9.01.      Financial Statements and Exhibits.
d) Exhibits .
 
 
99.1
Press release dated July 29, 2015
99.2
Notice of Proposed Amendments and Consent Solicitation
10.1
Restructuring Agreement
10.2
Stockholders' Agreement


    





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



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMSTOCK MINING INC.
 
 
 
 
Date: July 29, 2015
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Corrado De Gasperis
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name: Corrado De Gasperis
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Director




EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Press release dated July 29, 2015
99.2
Notice of Proposed Amendments and Consent Solicitation
10.1
Restructuring Agreement
10.2
Stockholders' Agreement









RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT


THIS RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made this 29th day of July, 2015, (“Effective Date ) by and among Northern Comstock LLC (“Northern Comstock”) and Comstock Mining Inc., as a member of Northern Comstock (“Comstock Mining”), DWC Resources Inc., as a member of Northern Comstock (“DWC”), The InterGroup Corporation, a shareholder of Comstock Mining (“InterGroup”), Santa Fe Financial Corporation, a shareholder of Comstock Mining and subsidiary of InterGroup (“Santa Fe”), Portsmouth Square, Inc., a shareholder of Comstock Mining and subsidiary of Santa Fe (“Portsmouth”), and John V. Winfield, as a member and manager of Northern Comstock (“Winfield,” and together with Northern Comstock, Comstock Mining, DWC, InterGroup, Portsmouth and Sante Fe, the “Parties”).

WHEREAS, Northern Comstock, InterGroup, Santa Fe, Portsmouth and Winfield are holders of outstanding shares of 7 ½% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock of Comstock Mining (“Series A-1”); and

WHEREAS, Comstock Mining has also issued and outstanding shares of 7 ½% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2”) and 7 ½% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B,” and together with the Series A-1 and Series A-2, the “Shares”); and

WHEREAS, the rights of the holders of the Shares are governed by the certificates of designation of rights, preferences, rights and limitations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on or about October 20, 2010 (the “Charters”); and

WHEREAS, on October 19, 2010, Comstock Mining entered into an operating agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) to form Northern Comstock with Winfield and DWC, pursuant to which Comstock Mining obtained rights relating to certain property formerly owned by DWC in Storey County, Nevada (the “DWC Property”) and two groups of properties formerly leased by Winfield in Storey County, Nevada from the Sutro Tunnel Company (the “Sutro Property”) and Virginia City Ventures (the “VCV Property,” and together with the DWC Property and the Sutro Property, the “Land”) in exchange for annual capital contributions in the amount of $862,500, in the form of Series A-1 or cash that on each anniversary of the Operating Agreement, up to and including the thirty-ninth (39th) anniversary, of which thirty-six (36) installments valued at $31.05 million remain to be paid; and

WHEREAS, in order to: (i) create a simpler, more efficient, effective and liquid capital structure for Comstock Mining, that is more typical of similar companies, more attractive to value investors and better positioned to enhance the value of Comstock Mining for all shareholders; (ii) to reduce the remaining obligations of Comstock Mining under the Operating Agreement; (iii) eliminate the additional dilution caused by dividends payable on the Shares; (iv) strengthen Comstock Mining’s balance sheet; (v) enhance the overall quality of governance by increasing the industry experience, increasing the number of independent Board members, eliminating the special voting and representation rights associated with the Series A-1; and (vi) position Comstock Mining to capitalize on near term industry and business opportunities; Comstock Mining has determined to: (x) propose a revision to the Charters that would cause all outstanding Shares to automatically convert (the “Conversion”) into $0.000666 par value, per share, common stock of Comstock Mining (the “Common Stock”) at the Conversion Price set forth in Section 6(d) of the Charters; (y) eliminate the special voting rights and Board representation rights associated with the Series A-1; and (z) reduce Comstock Mining's remaining capital contributions under the Operating Agreement and, under certain circumstances, permit the form of such capital contributions to include contributions made in the form of common shares, $0.000666 par value, per share ("Common Shares"), of Comstock Mining, subject to the terms and conditions hereof; and

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, and for the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the Parties agree as follows:






1.
Consent to Conversion . Each of Northern Comstock, InterGroup, Santa Fe, Portsmouth, DWC and Winfield hereby agrees to execute and deliver a consent to the Conversion, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A attached hereto. Each of Northern Comstock, InterGroup, Santa Fe, Portsmouth, DWC and Winfield hereby agrees and acknowledges that after giving effect to the Conversion, the Winfield Group (as defined in the Charters) shall have no further special voting rights or Board representation rights.

2.
Amendments Related to the Land . Each of DWC, Winfield and Comstock Mining agrees to execute and deliver the First Amendment to the Operating Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Amendment"). The obligation of DWC, Winfield and Comstock Mining to enter into the Amendment shall be conditioned on the receipt of the requisite approval of the Conversion.

3.
Entire Agreement . This Agreement together with any exhibits or attachments contains all of the terms and provisions of the Parties’ agreement and supersedes all other agreements or understandings between the Parties. Any prior or contemporaneous agreements, promises, negotiations or representations, either oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, not expressly set forth herein, are of no force.

4.
Successors and Assigns . Each of the Parties hereby agrees that this Agreement shall be binding upon them and upon their respective agents, employees, heirs, executors, administrators, successors in interest and assigns.


5.
Governing Law; Forum Selection . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to any choice of law provisions. Any controversy, claim or dispute of whatever nature arising between the parties, including those arising out of or relating to any agreement between the parties or the breach, termination, enforceability, scope or validity thereof, whether such claim existed prior to or arises on or after the Effective Date, shall be adjudicated in a state or federal court in the City of New York, in the State of New York, USA. The prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover all reasonable fees and expenses including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield



NORTHERN COMSTOCK LLC

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield     
Title: Manager


THE INTERGROUP CORPORATION

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield     
Title: Chairman


PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield     
Title: Chairman


SANTA FE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield     
Title: Chairman


DWC RESOURCES, INC.

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield     
Title: Chairman

COMSTOCK MINING INC.

By: /s/ Corrado De Gasperis
Name: Corrado De Gasperis     
Title: Chief Executive Officer







Exhibit A

Form of Conversion Consent






Notice of Proposed Amendments and Consent Solicitation
COMSTOCK MINING INC.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440

You are receiving this notice because you are a holder of outstanding shares of 7 ½% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1”), 7 ½% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2”) and/or 7 ½% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B,” and together with the Series A-1 and Series A-2, the “Shares”) issued by Comstock Mining Inc. (the “Company”).
Your rights as a holder of the Shares are governed by the certificates of designation of rights, preferences, rights and limitations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on or about October 20, 2010 (the “Charters”).
In order to simplify the Company’s capital structure and achieve other strategic objectives of the Company (as more fully described below), the Company has determined to propose a revision to the Charters that would cause all outstanding Shares to automatically convert into $0.000666 par value, per share, common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) at the Conversion Price set forth in Section 6(d) of the Charters.
In connection with the proposed amendments to the Charters, the Company has determined to make a one-time payment of 127 shares of Common Stock per Share converted. All shares of Common Stock will be delivered by the same method that dividend share payments are presently made.
Consistent with its intentions to simplify the capital structure, the Company has entered into a Restructuring Agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”) on July 29, 2015, with Northern Comstock LLC (“Northern Comstock”), the members of Northern Comstock and other entities affiliated with our Chairman and largest shareholder, John V. Winfield. Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, the Company’s shareholders party thereto agreed to consent to the proposed amendments to the Charters thereby eliminating the special voting rights and Board representation rights associated with the Series A-1 and the Company and the other members of Northern Comstock have agreed to amend the terms of the operating agreement for Northern Comstock (the "Operating Agreement") to reduce the Company's remaining capital contributions and, under certain circumstances, permit such capital contributions to be made in the form of Common Stock. The foregoing description of the Restructuring Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Restructuring Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on July 29, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The purpose and strategic objectives of the revisions to the Charters and the amendments to the Operating Agreement are to : (i) create a simpler, more efficient, effective and liquid capital structure for the Company, that is more typical of similar companies, more attractive to value investors and better positioned to enhance the value of the Company for all shareholders; (ii) reduce the Company's remaining obligations under the Operating Agreement; (iii) eliminate the dilution caused by dividends payable on the Shares; (iv) strengthen the Company’s balance sheet; (v) enhance the overall quality of governance by





increasing the industry experience, enhancing the independence of all Board members, eliminating the special voting and representation rights associated with the Series A-1; and (vi) position the Company to capitalize on near term industry and business opportunities.
Pursuant to Section 8(a)(vi) of the Charters, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Shares (which shall, as long as the Winfield Group (as defined in the Charters) still holds at least 25% of the Shares that were originally issued, include the Winfield Group) is required to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation, by-laws or the certificate of designation of any of the Shares in any manner that materially affects any of the rights, preferences or privileges of the holders of such Shares. A majority of the holders of the Shares, including the Winfield Group, have indicated their intention to authorize the amendments described in this notice.
In order to revise the Charters to cause all outstanding Shares to automatically convert into Common Stock at the Conversion Price set forth in Section 6(d) of the Charters, the Section 6(b) of each of the Charters shall be amended and restated as follows:
“Automatic Conversion. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, if: (i) the Corporation shall have received written authorization from the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Parity Securities (including the Winfield Group) to amend this Certificate of Designation; and (ii) the Corporation shall have provided instructions to its transfer agent to deliver a special dividend of 127 shares of Common Stock per share of the Parity Securities to each holder thereof, then all outstanding shares of Parity Securities shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, based on the then-effective Conversion Price. Each Holder shall deliver the certificate(s) representing all of its shares of Parity Securities to the Corporation in accordance with a letter of transmittal or other instructions provided by the Corporation. Shares of Parity Securities converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be canceled and shall not be reissued. Not later than ten (10) Trading Days after receipt of each Holder’s shares of Parity Securities, the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a certificate or certificates representing the Conversion Shares which shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions or, if an account is designated by such Holder, Conversion Shares delivered electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions.”
The revision to the Charters, described above, will be approved by written consent if holders holding a majority of the Shares submit written consents in favor of such actions on or prior to August 26, 2015. There will be no shareholders’ meeting to vote, and instead the Company is requesting that you fill out and return the consent card attached to this notice to indicate your vote with respect to such revisions.
Consents will be tabulated by the Company. The enclosed consent, if executed and returned, will be counted as set forth as directed in the consent. YOUR CONSENT IS IRREVOCABLE.
There are no rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters with respect to the matter to be voted upon pursuant to this consent solicitation.
By the order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ Corrado De Gasperis
Corrado De Gasperis
President, CEO and Director
Virginia City, Nevada
July 29, 2015





 
PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT YOUR CONSENT IS IMPORTANT. TO ENSURE THAT YOUR CONSENT WILL BE COUNTED TOWARD THE NUMBER OF SHARES NECESSARY FOR MAJORITY CONSENT, PLEASE SIGN THE ENCLOSED CONSENT FORM AND RETURN TO THE COMPANY VIA THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH ON THE CONSENT FORM NO LATER THAN AUGUST 26, 2015 .





COMSTOCK MINING INC.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, Nevada 89440

CONSENT CARD FOR
THE WRITTEN CONSENT IN LIEU OF A
SPECIAL MEETING OF PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS OF
COMSTOCK MINING INC.

The undersigned, a preferred stockholder of Comstock Mining Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), do hereby consent to the implementation of the following resolutions, in lieu of a special Meeting of the Shareholders of the Corporation, to have the same full force and effect as if passed at a special meeting of the preferred stockholders of the Corporation. To either consent, not consent or abstain on the issue, please fill out the Consent Card and return it to the Corporation pursuant to the instructions set forth. Note that you must indicate your approval/disapproval/abstention for the matter to be passed upon by only checking ONE box. If you do not check a box or do not sign and return this Consent Card, your shares will not be voted FOR the resolutions.
 
Please fill out and sign this card promptly and return to the Corporation via regular mail at P.O. Box 1118, Virginia City, Nevada 89440, Attention: Investor Relations or via email at shipley@comstockmining.com .

Proposed Resolutions:

IT IS RESOLVED, that Section 6(b) of each Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on or about October 20, 2010, as an amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Automatic Conversion. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, if: (i) the Corporation shall have received written authorization from the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Parity Securities (including the Winfield Group) to amend this Certificate of Designation; and (ii) the Corporation shall have provided instructions to its transfer agent to deliver a special dividend of 127 shares of Common Stock per share of the Parity Securities to each holder thereof, then all outstanding shares of Parity Securities shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, based on the then-effective Conversion Price. Each Holder shall deliver the certificate(s) representing all of its shares of Parity Securities to the Corporation in accordance with a letter of transmittal or other instructions provided by the Corporation. Shares of Parity Securities converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be canceled and shall not be reissued. Not later than ten (10) Trading Days after receipt of each Holder’s shares of Parity Securities, the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a certificate or certificates representing the Conversion Shares which shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions or, if an account is designated by such Holder, Conversion Shares delivered electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions.”
FURTHER IT IS RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation hereby are, and each of them hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver any documents and take any actions necessary to comply with the terms





and intent of the foregoing resolution and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. This consent may be executed in counterparts all of which taken together shall constitute one original consent.
Indicate vote by checkmark below:
Yes
No
Abstain

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Written Consent as of this __ day of ______________, 2015.
  
Signature
 
Name of Stockholder
 
Title (if applicable)
 
Address City, State, Zip Code, Country (for cash payment)
 
E Mail Address
 
Telephone Number
 
Number of Preferred Shares Owned
 
Custodian Account Information for Conversion Shares (if shares are to be delivered electronically)
 






Exhibit B

Form of First Amendment to Operating Agreement





Northern Comstock LLC
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT dated as of [_], 2015 among the undersigned signatories hereto.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, a Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada for the purpose of forming the limited liability company governed hereby under Chapter 86 of the Nevada Revised Statutes Act and such Certificate of Formation became effective; and
WHEREAS, the name of such limited liability company is Northern Comstock LLC; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned constitute all of the members of such limited liability company and executed and delivered that certain limited liability company operating agreement dated as of October 19, 2010 to govern the affairs of such limited liability company (the “Original Agreement”), which the undersigned hereby desire to amend certain provisions of the Original Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations and warranties and the mutual covenants and set forth herein and other good, valuable and sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Section 1 . Amendments to Section 3.1. Section 3.1 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
"3.1 Previous Capital Contributions. Prior to the date hereof, each of the Initial Members have contributed the real property rights or capital stock to the capital of the Company as set forth on Schedule A opposite its name in consideration for its Ownership Interest."
Section 2 . Amendments to Section 3.2. Section 3.2 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
"3.2 Additional Capital Contributions.
(a)
Subject to Section 3.2(b), Comstock Mining shall make cash Capital Contributions to the Company in the amount and on the dates indicated on the table set forth below.





Capital Contribution Amount
Capital Contribution Date
$812,500
August 28, 2016
$812,500
August 28, 2017
$812,500
August 28, 2018
$812,500
August 29, 2019
$812,500
August 28, 2020
$812,500
August 28, 2021
$812,500
August 28, 2022
$812,500
August 28, 2023
$812,500
August 28, 2024
$812,500
August 28, 2025
$812,500
August 28, 2026
$812,500
August 28, 2027

(b)
Notwithstanding Section 3.2(a), at any time that Comstock Mining’s cash and cash equivalents are less than Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) (such occurrence, a “Liquidity Threshold Event”), then Comstock Mining shall notify the Company that a Liquidity Threshold Event has occurred and at any time that a Liquidity Threshold Event has occurred and is occurring, Comstock Mining shall have the option in its discretion to make any accelerated Capital Contributions in the form of shares of $0.000666 par value, per share common stock, of Comstock Mining ("Common Stock"), the number of shares to be calculated by dividing the amount of the Capital Contribution to be made, by the closing price of the Common Stock on its primary trading market on the date prior to such Capital Contribution. Notwithstanding Section 3.2(a), at the initial time that Comstock Mining’s cash and cash equivalents are greater than Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) (such occurrence, a “Liquidity Surplus Event”), then Comstock Mining shall notify the Company that a Liquidity Surplus Event has occurred and within five (5) business days of delivering such notice, Comstock Mining agrees to make a one-time payment equal to One Million Six Hundred Twenty Five Thousand ($1,625,000), with such Capital Contribution being applied against the scheduled Capital Contributions in reverse order. For the sake of clarity, the right such Capital Contribution is a one-time right. Notwithstanding Section 3.2(a), Comstock Mining shall have the option to prepay such Capital Contributions from time to time or at any time without any penalty. Notwithstanding Section 3.2(a), to the extent production has commenced on DWC Property or Leased Property, then Comstock Mining agrees to accelerate Capital Contributions by making accelerated payments (the amount of the accelerated payment is determined as equal to 3% of Net Smelter Returns with respect to the ore producing Property, with such Capital Contributions being applied against the scheduled Capital Contributions in reverse order. For purposes of clarity, this is not an additional payment nor a royalty payment, but a mechanism to accelerate and prepay the existing capital obligation without interest or penalty. Except as provided in this Section 3.2, no Member shall be permitted to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company without the prior written consent of all Members."
Section 3 . Amendments to Section 5.1(a). Section 5.1(a) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:





"5.1 Allocations of Net Income and Net Losses .
"(a) Subject to Section 5.1(b), the Net Income and Net Losses of the Company for each Fiscal Year will be allocated to Comstock Mining."
Section 4 . Amendments to Section 5.2. Section 5.2 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
"5.2 Distributions; Record Dates .
(a) To the extent the Company holds Common Stock, and subject to Section 5.3, the Company shall make:
(i) to DWC on October 20, 2016 and on each anniversary of such date thereafter (each such date a “Yearly Distribution Date”), a distribution of fifty-eight percent (58%) of shares of Common Stock then held by the Company; provided, that prior to October 20, 2025, the Company shall not make such distribution unless DWC shall deliver written notice to the Company at least sixty (60) days prior to such Yearly Distribution Date requesting that such shares be distributed; and
(ii) to Winfield on each Yearly Distribution Date, a distribution of forty-two percent (42%) of shares of Common Stock then held by the Company; provided, that prior to October 20, 2025, the Company shall not make such distribution unless Winfield shall deliver written notice to the Company at least sixty (60) days prior to such Yearly Distribution Date requesting that such shares be distributed.
(b) For as long as the Company shall exist, the Company shall make to Comstock Mining (or its permitted Assigns), a distribution of the cash flows on the Minerals Produced from the DWC Property and the Sutro Property and all cash flows on the Minerals Produced from the VCV Property.
Distributions made pursuant to Section 5.2(b) shall be made no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of payment from the smelter or other purchaser; provided, that upon request by Comstock Mining (or its respective Assigns), the Company shall give a written instruction to the smelter, refinery or other purchaser that such distributions are to be paid directly to Comstock Mining (or its Assigns) from the sums payable to the Company. If Comstock Mining shall Assign less than all of its Ownership Interests to another Person in accordance with this Agreement, distributions made pursuant to Section 5.2(b) shall be prorated between or among Comstock Mining and its Assign(s) in proportion to the respective Capital Accounts of Comstock Mining and its Assign(s) (or as otherwise agreed to by Comstock Mining and its Assigns). All payments shall be accompanied by a statement explaining the manner in which the payment was calculated, including a determination of weights and values of the Minerals Produced.
(c) Except as provided in Section 5.2(b) or Article 10, without the prior written consent of each Member, the Company shall not be permitted, and none of the Manager(s), any Managing Director or any other Person shall cause the Company, to make any distributions of cash or any other property of the Company to the Members except for distributions in the form of Common Stock or cash. To the extent deemed to be necessary or appropriate by the Manager, the Manager may fix a record date for the determination of Members entitled to receive any such distribution."





Section 5 . Insertion of New Section 5.5. The following new Section 5.5 is hereby inserted in its entirety as follows:
"5.5 Special Redemption Right . Commencing on August 28, 2027 (or the date of Comstock Mining’s last capital contribution pursuant to Section 3.2(a), if earlier) and thereafter, in exchange for a one-time payment of one-thousand dollars ($1,000), the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem all of the then owned Ownership Interests of each of Winfield and DWC at any time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment effective as of the day and year first above written.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMSTOCK MINING INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Corrado De Gasperis
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name: Corrado De Gasperis
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DWC RESOURCES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ John V. Winfield
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name: John V. Winfield
Title: Chairman

 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ John V. Winfield
 
 
 
 
JOHN V. WINFIELD










    







SCHEDULE A

Capital Contribution Table

Member                          Contribution

DWC Resources, Inc.
The property described in Exhibit A contributed on October 19, 2010. (Fair Market Value = $7,656,000)

John V. Winfield
The rights of the “Lessee” under the Leases attached hereto as Exhibit B and Exhibit C contributed on October 19, 2010. (Fair Market Value = $5,544,000)

Comstock Mining Inc.
3,450 shares of 7 ½% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock contributed in four increments on October 20, 2010, October 20, 2011, October 20, 2012 and October 20, 2013. (Fair Market Value = $3,450,000)
    
    
 







STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
This STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of July 29, 2015, and is entered into by and among Comstock Mining Inc. (the “ Company ”), Northern Comstock LLC (“ Northern Comstock ”), DWC Resources Inc. (“ DWC ”), The InterGroup Corporation (“ InterGroup ”), Santa Fe Financial Corporation (“ Santa Fe ”), Portsmouth Square, Inc. (“ Portsmouth ”), and John V. Winfield, (“ Winfield ,” and together with Northern Comstock, DWC, InterGroup, Portsmouth and Sante Fe, the “ Holders ”).
WITNESSETH :
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement by and among the Company and the Holders, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Restructuring Agreement ”), the Holders agreed to take certain actions, including the amendment of the certificates of designation of rights, preferences, rights and limitations of the Company's outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock that will result in all of such shares converting into shares of common stock, $0.000666 par value per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”); and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to provide for certain restrictions on the ability of the Company to incur Debt (as defined below) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth and other good, valuable and sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions
1.1 Defined Terms . As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the title.
A Person shall be deemed the “ Beneficial Owner ” of any securities which such Person or any of such Person’s “affiliates” or “associates” (for purposes of this definition, within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) is deemed to “beneficially” own, directly or indirectly, (for purposes of this definition, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except that, for purposes of the definition of “Beneficial Owner,” a person shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities where such person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time by any means, notwithstanding the reference to 60 days in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) under the Exchange Act) or any securities which such Person or any of such Person’s “affiliates” or “associates,” directly or indirectly, has the right or obligation to acquire (regardless of whether such right is revocable, conditional, or exercisable immediately or only after the occurrence of a default or triggering event, the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, or otherwise) pursuant to any Contract or any written or oral arrangement or understanding, including upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, purchase rights, warrants or options, or otherwise (other than customary agreements with and among underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities and customary agreements with or among initial purchasers with respect to a bona fide institutional private offering of securities).
Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
A “ Change in Control ” shall be deemed to occur if any of the following events or circumstances shall occur:
(a) any “person” or “group” (for purposes of this definition, within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the then outstanding Common Stock or more than 50% of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company;
(b) any “person” or “group” acquires by irrevocable proxy or otherwise the right to vote on any matter or question with respect to more than 50% of the then outstanding Common Stock or more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company;
(c) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of dissolution or complete or substantially complete liquidation of the Company or the Board approves such a plan (other than in connection with a Non-Organic Change); or
(d) any consummation of:
(i) a reorganization, restructuring, recapitalization, reincorporation, merger or consolidation of the Company (a “Business Combination”) unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the “persons” or “groups” who were





the Beneficial Owners of the Common Stock and the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of each of the common equity securities and the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Person resulting from such Business Combination outstanding after such Business Combination (including a Person, which as a result of such Business Combination, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the assets of the Company) in substantially the same proportions as their Beneficial Ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of each of the then outstanding Common Stock and the voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company, respectively, (B) no “person” or “group” (excluding (x) any Person resulting from such Business Combination and (y) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or any Person resulting from such Business Combination) Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the common equity securities or more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Person resulting from such Business Combination outstanding after such Business Combination, except to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership existed prior to such Business Combination with respect to the then outstanding Common Stock and the then outstanding voting securities of the Company, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Person resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Board at the earliest of the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or at the time of the action of the Board approving such Business Combination or at the time of action of the stockholders of the Company approving such Business Combination (a Business Combination that satisfies all of the requirements of clauses (A) through (C) being called a “Non-Organic Change”); or
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, whether held directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries (excluding any pledge, mortgage, grant of security interest, sale-leaseback or similar transaction (x) in the ordinary course of business or (y) in connection with any loan credit facility, bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or debt securities or any other financing, credit or credit enhancement transaction, but including any foreclosure sale).
Contract ” means a written or oral contract, agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, purchase or sale order, or other commitment, obligation or instrument of any kind that is legally binding or enforceable under applicable Law.
" Debt " means (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business, and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder).
 
Governmental Entity ” means any domestic (including federal, state or local) or foreign government, any political subdivision thereof or any court, administrative or regulatory agency, department, instrumentality, body, commission or other governmental authority or agency.
Holder ” has the meaning set forth in the title.
Incur ” means to create or assume, as well as incur, Debt, and, for purposes of this definition, Debt that may be incurred in multiple borrowings at the same or different times or borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed is deemed incurred at the time of authorization thereof by the Board and not at the time of borrowing or re-borrowing. In giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of Debt, the repayment of any other Debt and the results of any business (or any property or asset constituting an operating line of business, product line or equivalent) to be acquired with the proceeds of the Debt to be incurred shall also be given effect.
Judicial Authority ” means a court, arbitrator, special master, receiver, tribunal or similar body of any kind.
Law ” means a treaty, code, statute, law (including common law), rule, regulation or ordinance of any kind of any Governmental Entity.
Order ” means a judgment, writ, decree, directive, decision, injunction, ruling, award or order (including any consent decree or cease and desist order) of any kind of any Governmental Entity or Judicial Authority.
Permitted Indebtedness ” means, with respect to the Company, any: (a) Debt and other obligations arising in the ordinary course of operations or business such as those in respect of business expense reimbursements, workers’ compensation claims,





bid or performance bonds, reclamation or appeal bonds, surety bonds or letters of credit, leases or deferred purchase price of equipment, trade credit, endorsement of checks, and completion guarantees, (b) Debt under a revolving credit facility from banks or similar financial institutions in a principal amount of up to $5,000,000, (c) Debt incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any newly acquired business, property or asset so long as recourse with respect to such Debt is limited solely to such newly acquired business, property or asset; and (d) Debt existing as of the date hereof.
Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, company, limited liability company, trust, joint venture or other entity.
Restructuring Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Shares ” means the 39,430,392 shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by the Holders after giving effect to the transactions under the Restructuring Agreement.
1.2 Interpretation . Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement:
(a) the words “ hereof ”, “ hereby ” and “ hereunder ,” and correlative words, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular provision;
(b) the words “ includes ” and “ including ”, and correlative words, are deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”;
(c) the word “ written ” and the phrase “ in writing ,” and correlative words and phrases, include e-mail, pdf and facsimile transmissions;
(d) the words “ asset ” and “ property ” are synonymous and include owned, leased and licensed real, personal and intangible property of every kind, including contractual rights, tort claims, cash, securities and information;
(e) the masculine, feminine or neuter form of a word includes the other forms of such word and the singular and plural forms of a word have correlative meanings;
(f) the word “ or ” is not exclusive;
(g) the words “ will ” and “ shall ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect;
(h) references to any Contract mean such Contract as amended and, in the case of any Law, mean such Law as amended, supplemented or modified and any successor Law and, in the case of any Contract, includes any and all side letters, exhibits, annexes, schedules and documents attached or related thereto, incorporated therein or constituting a part thereof;
(i) references to a Section or Schedule mean a Section of or a Schedule to this Agreement;
(j) references to “ amendments ” of a Contract or other document, and correlative terms, include amendments, modifications, supplements, novations, waivers, releases, discharges and other changes to such Contract or document;
(k) the word “ party ” refers to a party to this Agreement; and
(l) capitalized terms that are correlative to terms defined in Section 1.1 shall have correlative meanings.
Section 2. Limitations on Incurring Debt
(a) The Company shall not Incur any Debt for any purpose unless such Incurrence shall have been authorized by the Board. The Board shall not authorize the Incurrence of Debt for any purpose unless the Board shall have determined, in accordance with its fiduciary duties, that such Incurrence is in the best interest of the stockholders of the Company and, in its judgment, appropriately balances achievement of strategic objectives, the financial condition and liquidity of the Company (on a consolidated basis) and the cost of and availability of capital to the Company (on a consolidated basis).
(b) Subject to its fiduciary duties and other requirements under applicable Law, the Board shall not authorize the Company to Incur any Debt other than Permitted Indebtedness.
Section 3. Termination





(a) The obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall terminate (i) upon the consummation of a Change in Control or (ii) the date upon which Holders cease to Beneficially Own at least 30,000,000 Shares (as adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, combination, or other recapitalization or reclassification effected after the date hereof).
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Board shall have any obligations under this Agreement if any Person shall have breached his or its obligations under the Restructuring Agreement in any material respect.
(c) Unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 3(a) or Section 3(b) of this Agreement, or by mutual written consent of the parties, this Agreement shall terminate on the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of the date of this Agreement.
Section 4. Miscellaneous
4.1 Notice . All notices, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in writing, shall be transmitted by personal delivery, by an nationally recognized courier service, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by facsimile and shall be addressed as follows:
When the Company is the intended recipient:
Comstock Mining Inc.
PO Box 1118
Virginia City, Nevada 89440
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (216) 676-2526
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Withers LLP
157 Church Street, 12th Floor
New Haven, CT 06510
Attention: Clyde W. Tinnen
When any Holder is the intended recipient to:

The InterGroup Corporation
10940 Wilshire Blvd # 2150
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Attention: John Winfield
A party may designate a new address to which notices or demands required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall thereafter be transmitted by giving written notice to that effect to the other parties. Each notice or demand transmitted in the manner described in this Section 4.1 shall be deemed to have been given, received and become effective for all purposes at the time it shall have been: (a) delivered to the addressee as indicated by the return receipt (if transmitted by mail), the affidavit of the messenger (if transmitted by personal delivery), the receipt of the courier service (if transmitted by courier service), or the answer back or call back (if transmitted by facsimile); or (b) presented for delivery to the addressee as so indicated during normal business hours, if such delivery shall have been refused for any reason.
4.2 Interpretation . All parties have participated substantially in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and no ambiguity herein shall be construed against the draftsman. The headings set forth herein have been inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be considered a part hereof and shall not limit, modify or affect in any way the meaning or interpretation hereof.
4.3 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or Law, or public policy, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

4.4 Amendments; Waiver .





(a) This Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only by an instrument in writing executed by all of the parties or their respective successors or assigns.
(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by applicable Laws.
4.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.
4.6 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except for the Restructuring Agreement, this Agreement (a) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any stockholder or creditor of the Company or any other Person (other than the parties and their permitted successors and assigns) any rights or remedies. No Person shall be, or be deemed to be, a third party beneficiary (or equivalent) under this Agreement.
4.7 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Nevada, regardless of the Laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of Laws thereof.
4.8 Successors’ Assignment . This Agreement shall bind the parties and their successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of the parties and their permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in violation of this Agreement shall be void.
 
4.9 Forum Selection . Any controversy, claim or dispute of whatever nature arising between the parties, including those arising out of or relating to any agreement between the parties or the breach, termination, enforceability, scope or validity thereof, whether such claim existed prior to or arises on or after the date hereof, shall be adjudicated in a state or federal court in the City of New York, in the State of New York. The prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover all reasonable fees and expenses including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith.
4.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 4.10.
4.11 Injunctive Relief . Each of the parties agrees that money damages for a breach hereof by it or them is unlikely to be calculable, that such a breach is likely to cause irreparable harm to the aggrieved Person and that remedies at Law are likely to be inadequate to protect the aggrieved Person against any actual or threatened breach hereof. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that the other parties may seek injunctive relief in favor of the aggrieved Person in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, without proof of actual damages and without the requirement of posting bond or other security. Such relief shall not be the exclusive remedy for a breach or threatened breach hereof, but shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available at Law, in equity or otherwise to the aggrieved Person.
 







IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield



NORTHERN COMSTOCK LLC

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield    
Title: Manager


THE INTERGROUP CORPORATION

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield    
Title: Chairman


PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield    
Title: Chairman


SANTA FE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield    
Title: Chairman


DWC RESOURCES, INC.

By: /s/ John V. Winfield
Name: John V. Winfield    
Title: Chairman

COMSTOCK MINING INC.

By: /s/ Corrado De Gasperis
Name: Corrado De Gasperis    
Title: Chief Executive Officer
.
 

 
 





Comstock Mining Reaches Positive Agreement to Favorably Amend Joint Venture
Moves on Consent for Automatic Conversion of Preferred Stock

VIRGINIA CITY, NV (July 29, 2015) - Comstock Mining Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE MKT: LODE) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with John V. Winfield to amend the terms of the operating agreement for its Northern Comstock LLC joint venture, that will reduce the Company's remaining capital contributions from $31.05 million down to $9.75 million and permit such capital contributions to be made in the form of cash, or in certain circumstances, the Company’s common stock, par value $0.000666 per share ("Common Stock") and defer certain payments to a more suitable schedule. In addition, any prior or future royalty commitments for the Northern Comstock properties and Mr. Winfield will be eliminated. There are no provisions for any issuances of preferred stock, in any form.
Additionally, the Company will mail notices and consent solicitations to all the holders of the Company’s outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock (the “Consent Solicitation”), pursuant to which the Company is seeking written authorization from a majority of the holders of the Company’s outstanding 7 1/2% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1”), 7 1/2% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2”) and 7 1/2% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B,” and together with the Series A-1 and Series A-2, the “Preferred”) to amend the certificates of designation of rights, preferences, rights and limitations of the Preferred (the “Charters”). If adopted, the amendments to the Charters will result in the automatic conversion of the Preferred into shares of Common Stock. In addition, if the amendments to the Charters are approved, each holder of the Preferred will receive a one-time dividend of 127 shares of Common Stock, per share of Preferred.
Adoption of the amendments requires approval of affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Preferred and submission of the amendments to the Charters with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Even if approved by a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Preferred, until adopted, the Board has the right to terminate the Consent Solicitation and elect not to file the amendments. Consents received by the Company shall cease to be effective if the amendments are not adopted on or before August 26, 2015.
A majority of the holders of the Shares, including the Winfield Group (which includes Mr. John V. Winfield, the Company's Chairman of our Board of Directors, and entities that he controls) have indicated their intention to authorize the amendments to the Charters.



Corrado De Gasperis, President & CEO commented, "This is a watershed moment in the Company’s evolution that reflects our investors confidence in our progress and forward plans and our boards ability to take steps necessary to maximize value to all of our shareholders. It immediately strengthens our balance sheet by significantly reducing liabilities on some of our richest properties, improves our liquidity and dramatically lowers our future capital and mining costs.
The following table reflects the number of shares currently outstanding and the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding after the conversion of the Preferred:
 
Preferred shares
As Converted into Common Stock
One-Time Dividend
Total Shares of Common Stock
Series A-1
24,361.99
37,422,412
3,090,560
40,512,972
Series A-2
1,610.31
2,473,594
204,282
2,677,876
Series B
22,626.20
13,712,848
2,870,304
16,583,152
Common Stock Outstanding as of 6/30/2015*
 
 
 
85,173,255
Post-Conversion Common Stock*
 
 
 
144,947,255
*Excludes 3,082,713 shares of Common Stock issued as dividends on Preferred on July 1, 2015.

Holders of Preferred are referred to the Notice dated July 29, 2015 and the related Consent Letter, which are being sent to holders of the Preferred, for the detailed terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation. The record date for determining the holders who are entitled to consent is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 28, 2015.
Chairman John V. Winfield commented, "We have achieved tremendous progress despite significant challenges and obstacles, in the midst of one of the most difficult markets for junior miners. We have consolidated an unprecedented land position in a world-class silver and gold district, developed our resources, constructed and permitted a low-cost operation and have successfully established production while developing multiple, high-grade targets. These achievements, coupled with a simpler, more efficient capital structure that equally aligns all of our shareholders, provide a clear path for maximizing the intrinsic value of the Company’s precious metals, real estate and the unique, historical Comstock brand."



Mr. Winfield has advised the Company that, upon the successful conversion, he intends to donate all of his resulting personal dividends to the Comstock Foundation, an established 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to the protection, preservation and restoration of the Comstock.  He also informed the Company of his intention to step down from his duties on its board, upon the successful conversion, to focus more on the community enhancing work of the Comstock Foundation and its efforts to enhance the national historical landmark and the Comstock brand. He will also continue focusing on his other InterGroup (NASDAQ: INTG) responsibilities. 
Mr. De Gasperis concluded: “These transactions reflect the strong confidence and direct support of our largest investor in both our board and management teams for growing and maximizing the intrinsic value for all of our shareholders.”
Unless extended by the Company (which the Company has the right to do at any time and from time to time), the Consent Solicitation is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on August 26, 2015.
About Comstock Mining Inc.
Comstock Mining Inc. is a producing, Nevada-based, gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District and is an emerging leader in sustainable, responsible mining, including concurrent and accelerated reclamations, soil sampling, voluntary air monitoring, cultural asset protection and historical restorations.  The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003.  Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and commenced production in 2012.  The Company continues acquiring additional properties in the district, expanding its footprint and creating opportunities for further exploration, development and mining.  The near term goal of our business plan is to maximize intrinsic stockholder value realized, per share, by validating qualified resources and reserves (proven and probable) from our first two resource areas, Lucerne and Dayton, and significantly grow the commercial development of our operations through extended, long-lived mine plans that are economically feasible and socially responsible.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Comstock. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products; future industry



market conditions; future changes in our exploration activities, production capacity and operations; future exploration, production, operating and overhead costs; operational and management restructuring activities (including implementation of methodologies and changes in the board of directors); future employment and contributions of personnel; tax and interest rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature and timing and accounting for restructuring charges, gains or losses on debt extinguishment, derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; productivity, business process, rationalization, investment, acquisition, consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects and initiatives; recapitalization and other capital structure modifications; capital raising; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities; and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.
The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K and the following: current global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources and reserves; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from the conversion of securities that are convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock; potential inability to continue to comply with government regulations; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to unexpected equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, copper, diesel fuel, and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues organically; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies and equipment raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to maintain the listing of our securities on any securities exchange or market; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.


Contact information for Comstock Mining Inc.:

 
PO Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440
 
 
questions@comstockmining.com
 
 
http://www.comstockmining.com
 
Corrado De Gasperis
 
Kimberly Shipley
President & CEO
 
Manager of Investor Relations
Tel (775) 847-4755
 
Tel (775) 847-0545
degasperis@comstockmining.com
 
shipley@comstockmining.com









Notice of Proposed Amendments and Consent Solicitation
COMSTOCK MINING INC.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440

You are receiving this notice because you are a holder of outstanding shares of 7 ½% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1”), 7 ½% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2”) and/or 7 ½% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B,” and together with the Series A-1 and Series A-2, the “Shares”) issued by Comstock Mining Inc. (the “Company”).
Your rights as a holder of the Shares are governed by the certificates of designation of rights, preferences, rights and limitations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on or about October 20, 2010 (the “Charters”).
In order to simplify the Company’s capital structure and achieve other strategic objectives of the Company (as more fully described below), the Company has determined to propose a revision to the Charters that would cause all outstanding Shares to automatically convert into $0.000666 par value, per share, common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) at the Conversion Price set forth in Section 6(d) of the Charters.
In connection with the proposed amendments to the Charters, the Company has determined to make a one-time payment of 127 shares of Common Stock per Share converted. All shares of Common Stock will be delivered by the same method that dividend share payments are presently made.
Consistent with its intentions to simplify the capital structure, the Company has entered into a Restructuring Agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”) on July 29, 2015, with Northern Comstock LLC (“Northern Comstock”), the members of Northern Comstock and other entities affiliated with our Chairman and largest shareholder, John V. Winfield. Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, the Company’s shareholders party thereto agreed to consent to the proposed amendments to the Charters thereby eliminating the special voting rights and Board representation rights associated with the Series A-1 and the Company and the other members of Northern Comstock have agreed to amend the terms of the operating agreement for Northern Comstock (the "Operating Agreement") to reduce the Company's remaining capital contributions and permit such capital contributions to be made in the form of Common Stock. The foregoing description of the Restructuring Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Restructuring Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on July 29, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The purpose and strategic objectives of the revisions to the Charters and the amendments to the Operating Agreement are to : (i) create a simpler, more efficient, effective and liquid capital structure for the Company, that is more typical of similar companies, more attractive to value investors and better positioned to enhance the value of the Company for all shareholders; (ii) reduce the Company's remaining obligations under the Operating Agreement; (iii) eliminate the dilution caused by dividends payable on the Shares; (iv) strengthen the Company’s balance sheet; (v) enhance the overall quality of governance by





increasing the industry experience, enhancing the independence of all Board members, eliminating the special voting and representation rights associated with the Series A-1; and (vi) position the Company to capitalize on near term industry and business opportunities.
Pursuant to Section 8(a)(vi) of the Charters, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Shares (which shall, as long as the Winfield Group (as defined in the Charters) still holds at least 25% of the Shares that were originally issued, include the Winfield Group) is required to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation, by-laws or the certificate of designation of any of the Shares in any manner that materially affects any of the rights, preferences or privileges of the holders of such Shares. A majority of the holders of the Shares, including the Winfield Group, have indicated their intention to authorize the amendments described in this notice.
In order to revise the Charters to cause all outstanding Shares to automatically convert into Common Stock at the Conversion Price set forth in Section 6(d) of the Charters, the Section 6(b) of each of the Charters shall be amended and restated as follows:
“Automatic Conversion. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, if: (i) the Corporation shall have received written authorization from the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Parity Securities (including the Winfield Group) to amend this Certificate of Designation; and (ii) the Corporation shall have provided instructions to its transfer agent to deliver a special dividend of 127 shares of Common Stock per share of the Parity Securities to each holder thereof, then all outstanding shares of Parity Securities shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, based on the then-effective Conversion Price. Each Holder shall deliver the certificate(s) representing all of its shares of Parity Securities to the Corporation in accordance with a letter of transmittal or other instructions provided by the Corporation. Shares of Parity Securities converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be canceled and shall not be reissued. Not later than ten (10) Trading Days after receipt of each Holder’s shares of Parity Securities, the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a certificate or certificates representing the Conversion Shares which shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions or, if an account is designated by such Holder, Conversion Shares delivered electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions.”
The revision to the Charters, described above, will be approved by written consent if holders holding a majority of the Shares submit written consents in favor of such actions on or prior to August 26, 2015. There will be no shareholders’ meeting to vote, and instead the Company is requesting that you fill out and return the consent card attached to this notice to indicate your vote with respect to such revisions.
Consents will be tabulated by the Company. The enclosed consent, if executed and returned, will be counted as set forth as directed in the consent. YOUR CONSENT IS IRREVOCABLE.
There are no rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters with respect to the matter to be voted upon pursuant to this consent solicitation.
By the order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ Corrado De Gasperis
Corrado De Gasperis
President, CEO and Director
Virginia City, Nevada
July 29, 2015





 
PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT YOUR CONSENT IS IMPORTANT. TO ENSURE THAT YOUR CONSENT WILL BE COUNTED TOWARD THE NUMBER OF SHARES NECESSARY FOR MAJORITY CONSENT, PLEASE SIGN THE ENCLOSED CONSENT FORM AND RETURN TO THE COMPANY VIA THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH ON THE CONSENT FORM NO LATER THAN AUGUST 26, 2015 .






COMSTOCK MINING INC.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, Nevada 89440

CONSENT CARD FOR
THE WRITTEN CONSENT IN LIEU OF A
SPECIAL MEETING OF PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS OF
COMSTOCK MINING INC.

The undersigned, a preferred stockholder of Comstock Mining Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), do hereby consent to the implementation of the following resolutions, in lieu of a special Meeting of the Shareholders of the Corporation, to have the same full force and effect as if passed at a special meeting of the preferred stockholders of the Corporation. To either consent, not consent or abstain on the issue, please fill out the Consent Card and return it to the Corporation pursuant to the instructions set forth. Note that you must indicate your approval/disapproval/abstention for the matter to be passed upon by only checking ONE box. If you do not check a box or do not sign and return this Consent Card, your shares will not be voted FOR the resolutions.
 
Please fill out and sign this card promptly and return to the Corporation via regular mail at P.O. Box 1118, Virginia City, Nevada 89440, Attention: Investor Relations or via email at shipley@comstockmining.com .

Proposed Resolutions:

IT IS RESOLVED, that Section 6(b) of each Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on or about October 20, 2010, as an amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Automatic Conversion. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, if: (i) the Corporation shall have received written authorization from the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Parity Securities (including the Winfield Group) to amend this Certificate of Designation; and (ii) the Corporation shall have provided instructions to its transfer agent to deliver a special dividend of 127 shares of Common Stock per share of the Parity Securities to each holder thereof, then all outstanding shares of Parity Securities shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, based on the then-effective Conversion Price. Each Holder shall deliver the certificate(s) representing all of its shares of Parity Securities to the Corporation in accordance with a letter of transmittal or other instructions provided by the Corporation. Shares of Parity Securities converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be canceled and shall not be reissued. Not later than ten (10) Trading Days after receipt of each Holder’s shares of Parity Securities, the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a certificate or certificates representing the Conversion Shares which shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions or, if an account is designated by such Holder, Conversion Shares delivered electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions.”
FURTHER IT IS RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation hereby are, and each of them hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver any documents and take any actions necessary to comply with the terms





and intent of the foregoing resolution and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. This consent may be executed in counterparts all of which taken together shall constitute one original consent.
Indicate vote by checkmark below:
Yes
No
Abstain

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Written Consent as of this __ day of ______________, 2015.
  
Signature
 
Name of Stockholder
 
Title (if applicable)
 
Address City, State, Zip Code, Country (for cash payment)
 
E Mail Address
 
Telephone Number
 
Number of Preferred Shares Owned
 
Custodian Account Information for Conversion Shares (if shares are to be delivered electronically)