GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO LTD (Form: 10-Q, Received: 05/10/2018 08:40:53)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

For the transition period from _________ to __________________

000-21777
(Commission File Number)

GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD .

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

British Columbia, Canada		Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(IRS Employer Identification) No.)

2300 – 1066 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6E 3X2 Canada

(Address of principal executive offices)

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code: (778) 373-1557

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A

Check whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 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 ¨

Check 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer ¨

Smaller reporting company x

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Check whether the registrant is a shell company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No x

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: As at May 9, 2018, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 300,101,444 shares

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars - Unaudited)

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	$	18,230		$	2,937
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		685			699
Inventories (Note 4)		9,928			9,028
Total current assets		28,843			12,664
Property, plant, equipment and mineral interests (Note 5)		141,641			141,848
Advance minimum royalties		304			304
Total Assets	$	170,788		$	154,816
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	5,894		$	6,984
Credit facility (Note 12 (v))		-			3,000
Current portion of note payable (Note 12 (ii))		4,000			7,712
Current portion of loan payable (Note 6)		7,709			7,629
Derivative liability – Related party warrants (Note 7)		303			441
Total current liabilities		17,906			25,766
Note payable (Note 12 (ii))		21,942			22,387
Loan payable (Note 6)		8,150			9,614
Asset retirement obligation (Note 8)		2,229			1,838
Deferred tax liability		8,197			8,197
Total liabilities		58,424			67,802
Temporary Equity
Redeemable portion of non-controlling interest (Note 12 (iv))		22,756			24,214
Shareholders’ Equity
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized (2017 - unlimited); 300,101,444 (2017 – 111,148,683) shares issued and outstanding (Note 9)		95,494			71,126
Additional paid-in capital		43,898			43,853
Deficit accumulated		(93,917	)		(88,500	)
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to GQM Ltd.		45,475			26,479
Non-controlling interest (Note 12 (iv))		44,133			36,321
Total Shareholders’ Equity		89,608			62,800
Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Shareholders’ Equity	$	170,788		$	154,816

Going Concern (Note 2)

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)

Approved by the Directors:

“Thomas M. Clay”		“Bryan A. Coates”
Thomas M. Clay, Director		Bryan A. Coates, Director

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,			Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Revenues
Metal Sales	$	9,585		$	14,804

Cost of Sales
Direct mining costs		(13,016	)		(11,561	)
Depreciation and depletion (Note 5)		(2,976	)		(2,756	)
Accretion expense		(42	)		(30	)
Income (loss) from mine operations		(6,449	)		457

General and administrative expenses (Note 10)		(1,254	)		(1,416	)
Operating loss		(7,703	)		(959	)

Other income (expenses)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments (Note 7)		138			(481	)
Finance expense (Notes 12 (iii) and 12 (v)))		(1,533	)		(1,047	)
Interest income		35			25
Other expenses		-			(354	)
Net and comprehensive loss for the period	$	(9,063	)		(2,816	)
Less: Net and comprehensive loss attributable to the non-controlling interest for the period (Note 12 (iv))		3,646			390
Net and comprehensive loss attributable to Golden Queen Mining Co Ltd. for the period	$	(5,417	)	$	(2,426	)
Loss per share – basic (Note 11)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.02	)
Loss per share – diluted (Note 11)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.02	)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		188,829,263			111,080,008
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		188,829,263			111,080,008

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, Non-controlling Interest and Redeemable Portion of Non-Controlling Interest

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts)

	Common shares		Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital		Deficit Accumulated			Total Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GQM Ltd			Non- controlling Interest			Total Shareholders’ Equity			Redeemable Portion of Non- controlling Interest
Balance, December 31, 2016		111,048,683	$	71,067	$	43,652	$	(87,335	)	$	27,384		$	39,327		$	66,711		$	26,220
Issuance of common shares (Note 9)		100,000		59		-		-			59			-			59			-
Stock-based compensation		-		-		34		-			34			-			34			-
Net loss for the period		-		-		-		(2,426	)		(2,426	)		(234	)		(2,660	)		(156	)
Balance, March 31, 2017		111,148,683	$	71,126	$	43,686	$	(89,761	)	$	25,051		$	39,093		$	64,144		$	26,064

Balance, December 31, 2017		111,148,683	$	71,126	$	43,853	$	(88,500	)	$	26,479		$	36,321		$	62,800		$	24,214
Issuance of common shares, net of share issue costs (Note 9)		188,952,761		24,368		-		-			24,368			-			24,368			-
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		-		-		-		-			-			10,000			10,000			-
Stock-based compensation		-		-		45		-			45			-			45			-
Net loss for the period		-		-		-		(5,417	)		(5,417	)		(2,188	)		(7,605	)		(1,458	)
Balance, March 31, 2018		300,101,444	$	95,494	$	43,898	$	(93,917	)	$	45,475		$	44,133		$	89,608		$	22,756

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars - Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,			Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Operating Activities
Net loss for the year	$	(9,063	)	$	(2,816	)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and depletion		2,976			2,756
Amortization of debt discount and interest accrual		555			286
Accretion expense		42			30
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities (Note 7)		(138	)		481
Stock based compensation		45			34
Unrealized foreign exchange		(43	)		(5	)
Non-cash finder’s fee		-			59
Changes in non-cash working capital items:
Prepaid expenses & other current assets		14			(88	)
Inventory		(900	)		(873	)
Accounts payable & accrued liabilities		(1,595	)		2,301
Interest payable		713			626
Cash generated from (used in) operating activities		(7,394	)		2,791
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mineral interests		(2,071	)		(5,236	)
Cash used in investing activities		(2,071	)		(5,236	)
Financing activities:
Issuance of common shares, net of share issue costs (Note 9)		24,368			-
Repayment of credit facility		(3,000	)		-
Repayments of loan payable (Note 6)		(1,898	)		(1,405	)
Repayments of note payable and accrued interest		(4,712	)		-
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		10,000			-
Cash generated from (used in) financing activities		24,758			(1,405	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		15,293			(3,850	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance		2,937			13,301
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance	$	18,230		$	9,451

Supplementary Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

	Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest on loan payable	$	235	$	135
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
Asset retirement costs charged to mineral property interests	$	349	$	87
Mining equipment acquired through issuance of debt	$	514	$	2,481
Mineral property expenditures included in accounts payable	$	165	$	1,524
Non-cash finders’ fee	$	-	$	59
Non-cash amortization of discount and interest expense	$	555	$	286
Interest payable converted to principal balance	$	-	$	296

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Nature of Business

Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (“Golden Queen”, “GQM Ltd.” or the “Company”) is engaged in the operation of the Soledad Mountain Mine (“the Mine”), located in the Mojave Mining District, Kern County, California. The Company owns 50% of Golden Queen Mining Company, LLC (“GQM LLC”), the operator of the Mine. The remaining 50% is owned by Gauss LLC (“Gauss”).

Basis of Presentation and Going Concern

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). The accounting policies followed in preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are those used by the Company as set out in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Certain information and note disclosures normally included for annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In the opinion of Management, all adjustments considered necessary (including reclassifications and normal recurring adjustments) to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows as at March 31, 2018 and for all periods presented, have been included in these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year ending December 31, 2018, or future operating periods. For further information, see the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, including the accounting policies and notes thereto.

The Company consolidates all entities in which it can vote a majority of the outstanding voting stock. In addition, it consolidates entities which meet the definition of a variable interest entity for which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party who has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of the entity or a right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. We consider special allocations of cash flows and preferences, if any, to determine amounts allocable to non-controlling interests. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Golden Queen, a limited liability Canadian corporation (Province of British Columbia), its wholly-owned subsidiary, GQM Holdings, a US (State of California) corporation, and GQM LLC, a limited liability company in which Golden Queen has a 50% interest, through GQM Canada’s ownership of GQM Holdings. GQM LLC meets the definition of a Variable Interest Entity. Golden Queen has determined it is the member of the related party group that is most closely associated with GQM LLC and, as a result, is the primary beneficiary who consolidates GQM LLC.

The Company is required to pay the following to the Clay Group on the following dates: $1.7 million of interest and principal on April 1, 2017 (paid); $1.7 million of interest and principal on July 1, 2018; $1.7 million of interest and principal on and October 1, 2018, $1.7 million of interest and principal on January 1, 2019, $3.9 million of interest and principal on April 1, 2019 and $21.7 million of interest and principal on May 21, 2019. Management believes the Company will meet its financial obligations for the 12 months period following the date of these financial statements. However, it is currently unlikely the Company can reimburse the final payment on May 21, 2019. The Company will need to receive cash distributions from GQM LLC to service its debt and such distributions are contingent on GQM LLC’s ability to generate positive cash flows. The Company reviewed the mine plan in light of the three months ended March 31, 2018 results and has determined it is unlikely it will receive sufficient distributions from GQM LLC during this fiscal year to service its debt in early 2019. This situation raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Consequently, later in 2018, discussions with the Clay Group to restructure the reimbursement of the last debt payment will be initiated. While the Company has been successful in re-negotiating the debt repayment terms with the Clay Group in the past, there can be no assurance that will be achieved going forward.

The Company’s access to the net assets of GQM LLC is determined by the Board of Managers of GQM LLC. The Board of Managers is not controlled by the Company and therefore there is no guarantee that any access to the net assets of GQM LLC would be provided to the Company in order to continue as a going concern. The Board of Managers of GQM LLC determine when and if distributions from GQM LLC are made to the holders of its membership units at their sole discretion.

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (continued)

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not reflect adjustments to the carrying values of the assets and liabilities, the reported revenues and expenses, and the balance sheet classifications used, that would be necessary if the company were unable to realize its assets and settle its liabilities as a going concern in the normal course of operations. Such adjustments could be material.

Summary of Accounting Policies and Estimates and Judgements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US 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 and judgements have been made by Management in several areas including the accounting for the joint venture transaction and determination of the temporary and permanent non-controlling interest, the recoverability of mineral properties interests, royalty obligations, inventory valuation, asset retirement obligations, and derivative liability – warrants. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

(i)

In May 2014, ASU 2014-09 was issued related to revenue from contracts with customers. The ASU was further amended in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, and May 2016 by ASU 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10 and 2016- 12. The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition.

The Company has completed its assessment of the impact of the new revenue standard on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company has completed the review of all contracts and determined that the adoption of this guidance will not materially impact amounts and timing of revenue recognition. The Company's revenue arises from contracts with customers in which the delivery of doré is the single performance obligation under the customer contract. Product pricing is determined at the point when contract is created by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example, the London Bullion Market for both gold and silver. The Company enters into the contracts with parties who have an ability and intention to meet its obligations with respect to consideration payment, thus ensuring the collectability of such consideration. These contracts are not modified and contain no variable consideration.

(ii)

In February 2016, FASB issued ASC 842 that requires lessees to recognize lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. The update, which supersedes existing lease guidance, will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with the classification determining the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.

The ASU will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and is applicable on a modified retrospective basis with various optional practical expedients. The Company is assessing the impact of this standard.

(iii)

In August 2016, ASC guidance was issued to amend the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018 and has retrospectively applied this guidance for all periods presented. There is no material impact from adoption of this guidance.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of production from the Company’s operation, in varying stages of the production process and supplies and spare parts, all of which are presented at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company directly expensed $4.5 million of costs to ensure inventory was recognized at net realizable value. Inventories of the Company are comprised of:

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Stockpile inventory	$	251	$	201
In-process inventory		7,123		6,495
Dore inventory		461		320
Supplies and spare parts		2,093		2,012
	$	9,928	$	9,028

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Property, Plant, Equipment and Mineral Interests

	Land			Mineral property interest and claims		Mine development			Machinery and equipment			Buildings and infrastructure			Construction in progress			Interest capitalized		Total
Cost
At December 31, 2016	$	3,893		$	4,241	$	42,033		$	60,201		$	28,604		$	543		$	5,886	$	145,401
Additions		98			817		354			17			-			19,597			-		20,883
Transfers		-			222		8,625			11,239			-			(20,086	)		-		-
Disposals		(22	)		-		(239	)		(1,391	)		(207	)		-			-		(1,859	)
At December 31, 2017	$	3,969		$	5,280	$	50,773		$	70,066		$	28,397		$	54		$	5,886	$	164,425
Additions		39			-		350			-			-			2,380			-		2,769
Transfers		-			-		-			1,190			-			(1,190	)		-		-
Disposals		-			-		-			-			-			-			-		-
At March 31, 2018	$	4,008		$	5,280	$	51,123		$	71,256		$	28,397		$	1,244		$	5,886	$	167,194

Accumulated depreciation and depletion
At December 31, 2016	$	-		$	67	$	971		$	7,129		$	2,679		$	-		$	5	$	10,851
Additions		-			261		2,444			6,489			2,358			-			466		12,018
Disposals		-			-		-			(265	)		(27	)		-			-		(292	)
At December 31, 2017	$	-		$	328	$	3,415		$	13,353		$	5,010		$	-		$	471	$	22,577
Additions		-			42		407			1,847			582			-			98		2,976
Disposals		-			-		-			-			-			-			-		-
At March 31, 2018	$	-		$	370	$	3,822		$	15,200		$	5,592		$	-		$	569	$	25,553

Carrying values
At December 31, 2017	$	3,969		$	4,952	$	47,358		$	56,713		$	23,387		$	54		$	5,415	$	141,848
At March 31, 2018	$	4,008		$	4,910	$	47,301		$	56,056		$	22,805		$	1,244		$	5,317	$	141,641

Loan Payable

As at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, equipment financing balances are as follows:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of the year	$	17,243		$	15,150
Additions		654			10,727
Principal repayments		(1,898	)		(6,192	)
Down payments and taxes		(140	)		(1,839	)
Settlements		-			(603	)
Balance, end of the year	$	15,859		$	17,243

Current portion	$	7,709		$	7,629
Non-current portion	$	8,150		$	9,614

The terms of the equipment financing agreements are as follows:

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Total acquisition costs	$	37,690	$	35,692
Interest rates		0.00% ~ 4.50%		0.00% ~ 4.50%
Monthly payments	$	5 ~ 74	$	5 ~ 74
Average remaining life (years)		1.91		2.13

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company made total down payments of $140 (December 31, 2017 – $1,839). The down payments consist of the sales tax on the assets and a 10% payment of the pre-tax purchase price. All of the loan agreements are for a term of four years, except two which are for three years, and are secured by the underlying asset.

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Loan Payable (continued)

The following table outlines the principal payments to be made for each of the remaining years:

Years	Principal Payments
2019	$	7,709
2020		4,748
2021		2,523
2022		879
Total	$	15,859

Derivative Liabilities

Share Purchase Warrants – Clay loans (Related Party (see Note 12 (ii))

On June 8, 2015, the Company issued 10,000,000 share purchase warrants to the Clay Group (the “June 2015 Warrants”) in connection with the June 2015 Loan. On February 22, 2018, the Company completed a rights offering at a share price lower than the original exercise price of $0.95 of the June 2015 Warrants. As per an anti-dilution provision included in the June 2015 Loan agreement, the exercise price of the June 2015 Warrants was revised to $0.7831 on the rights offering completion date. The expiry date of June 8, 2020 of the June 2015 Warrants remains unchanged.

On November 18, 2016, the Company issued 8,000,000 share purchase warrants to the Clay Group (the “November 2016 Warrants”) in connection with the November 2016 Loan. On February 22, 2018, the Company completed a rights offering at a share price lower than the original exercise price of $0.85 of the November 2016 Warrants. As per an anti-dilution provision included in the November 2016 Loan agreement, the exercise price of the November 2016 Warrants was revised to $0.6650 on the rights offering completion date. The expiry date of November 18, 2021 of the November 2016 Warrants remains unchanged.

The share purchase warrants meet the definition of a derivative liability instrument as the exercise price is not a fixed price as described above. Therefore, the settlement feature does not meet the “fixed-for-fixed” criteria outlined in ASC 815-40-15.

The fair value of the derivative liabilities related to the Clay Group share purchase warrants as at March 31, 2018 is $303 (December 31, 2017 – $441). The derivative liabilities were calculated using the binomial and the Black-Scholes pricing valuation models with the following assumptions:

Warrants related to June 2015 Loan	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Risk-free interest rate		1.88	%		1.73	%
Expected life of derivative liability		2.19 years			2.44 years
Expected volatility		69.63	%		78.59	%
Dividend rate		0.00	%		0.00	%

Warrants related to November 2016 Loan	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Risk-free interest rate		1.88	%		1.73	%
Expected life of derivative liability		3.65 years			3.89 years
Expected volatility		75.16	%		75.69	%
Dividend rate		0.00	%		0.00	%

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Derivative Liabilities (continued)

Share Purchase Warrants – Clay loans (Related Party) (continued)

The change in the derivative share purchase warrants is as follows:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	439		$	5,458
Change in fair value		(137	)		(5,019	)
Balance, end of the period	$	302		$	439

Share Purchase Warrants

On July 25, 2016, the Company issued a total of 6,317,700 share purchase warrants with an exercise price of C$2.00 and an expiry date of July 25, 2019. As at March 31, 2018, the Company re-measured the share purchase warrants and determined the fair value of the derivative liability to be $1 .

Asset Retirement Obligations

Reclamation Financial Assurance

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 annually. The financial assurance is adjusted once the cost estimate is approved.

This estimate, once approved by state and county authorities, forms the basis of reclamation financial assurance. The reclamation assurance provided as at March 31, 2018 was $1,500 (December 31, 2017 – $1,465).

The Company is also required to provide financial assurance with the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (the “Regional Board”) for closure and reclamation costs related to the lined impoundments, which are defined as the Stage 1 and Stage 2 heap leach pads, the overflow pond, and the solution collection channel. The reclamation financial assurance estimate as at March 31, 2018, is $2,450 (December 31, 2017 – $1,869).

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Asset Retirement Obligations (continued)

Reclamation Financial Assurance (continued)

In addition to the above, the Company is required to obtain and maintain financial assurance for initiating and completing corrective action and remediation of a reasonably foreseeable release from the Project’s waste management units as required by the Regional Board. The reclamation financial assurance estimate as at March 31, 2018 is $278 (December 31, 2017 – $278).

The Company entered into $4,228 (2017 – $3,612) in surety bond agreements in order to release its reclamation deposits and posted a portion of the financial assurance due in 2017. The Company pays a yearly premium of $90 (2017 – $90). Golden Queen Ltd. has provided a corporate guarantee on the surety bonds.

Asset Retirement Obligation

The total asset retirement obligation as at March 31, 2018, was $2,229 (December 31, 2017 – $1,838).

The Company estimated its asset retirement obligations based on its understanding of the requirements to reclaim and remediate its property based on its activities to date. As at March 31, 2018, the Company estimates the cash outflow related to these reclamation activities will be incurred in 2028. Reclamation provisions are measured at the expected value of future cash flows discounted to their present value using a discount rate based on a credit adjusted risk-free interest rate of 8.34% and an inflation rate of 2.41%.

The following is a summary of asset retirement obligations:

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	1,838	$	1,366
Accretion		42		126
Changes in cash flow estimates		349		346
Balance, end of the period	$	2,229	$	1,838

Share Capital

The Company’s common shares outstanding are no par value, voting shares with no preferences or rights attached to them.

Common shares

On January 17, 2017, the Company issued 100,000 shares for a total of $59 as finder fees which were recognized in general and administrative expenses in connection with the declaration of commercial production in December 2016.

On February 22, 2018, the Company closed a rights offering and issued 188,952,761 shares for total gross proceeds of $25,036. The Company paid associated fees of $668 which were classified as share issue costs.

Stock options

The Company’s current stock option plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by the Company in 2013 and approved by shareholders of the Company in 2013. The Plan provides a fixed number of 7,200,000 common shares of the Company that may be issued pursuant to the grant of stock options. The exercise price of stock options granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) but shall not be less than the volume-weighted, average trading price of the Company’s shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) for the five (5) trading days immediately prior to the date of the grant. The expiry date of a stock option shall be the date so fixed by the Board subject to a maximum term of five (5) years. The Plan provides that the expiry date of the vested portion of a stock option will be the earlier of the date so fixed by the Board at the time the stock option is awarded and the early termination date (the “Early Termination Date”).

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Share Capital (continued)

Stock options (continued)

The Early Termination Date will be the date the vested portion of a stock option expires following the option holder ceasing to be a director, employee or consultant, as determined by the Board at the time of grant, or in the absence thereof at any time prior to the time the option holder ceases to be a director, employee or consultant, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan. All options granted under the 2013 Plan will be subject to such vesting requirements as may be prescribed by the TSX, if applicable, or as may be imposed by the Board.

The Company has elected to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted. The compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which approximates the vesting period.

The following is a summary of stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Options outstanding, December 31, 2016		1,555,000		$	0.85
Options granted		1,605,001		$	0.38
Options forfeited		(166,667	)	$	0.64
Options expired		(393,333	)	$	1.13
Options outstanding, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018		2,600,001		$	0.54

On March 14, 2017, the former CFO of the Company resigned. 146,667 stock options were forfeited on this date as they did not meet the vesting conditions. Accordingly, the share-based compensation associated with the unvested stock options was reversed. The expiry date of 393,333 stock options that had vested was modified to June 14, 2017 pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement. These stock options were not exercised, thus expired during the year ended December 31, 2017.

On March 20, 2017, the Company granted 400,002 options to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) which are exercisable at a price of $0.65 for a period of five years from the date of grant. 133,334 options vest on March 20, 2018, 133,334 options vest on March 20, 2019 and 133,334 options on March 20, 2020.

The fair value of stock options granted as above was calculated using the following weighted average assumptions:

	2017
Expected life (years)		5.00
Interest rate		1.18% ~ 1.70	%
Volatility		77.29% ~ 79.17	%
Dividend yield		0.00	%

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized $45 (2017 – $34) in stock-based compensation relating to employee stock options that were issued and/or had vesting terms.

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

Share Capital (continued)

Stock options (continued)

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as at March 31, 2018:

Expiry Date	Number Outstanding		Number Exercisable		Remaining Contractual Life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price
June 3, 2018		50,000		50,000		0.18	$	1.16
September 3, 2018		150,000		150,000		0.43	$	1.59
September 8, 2020		430,000		430,000		2.44	$	0.58
November 30, 2021		365,000		121,666		3.67	$	0.66
March 20, 2022		400,002		133,334		3.97	$	0.65
October 20, 2022		1,204,999		-		4.56	$	0.29
Balance, March 31, 2018		2,600,001		885,000		3.67	$	0.54

As at March 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding exercisable options was $nil (December, 31, 2017 – $nil).

Warrants

As at March 31, 2018, 24,317,700 warrants were outstanding (December 31, 2017 – 24,317,700).

The following table summarizes information about share purchase warrants outstanding:

Expiry Date	Number Outstanding		Remaining Contractual Life (years)		Exercise Price
June 8, 2020 ⁽¹⁾		10,000,000		2.19	$	0.7831
July 25, 2019		6,317,700		1.32	C$	2.0000
November 18, 2021 ⁽¹⁾		8,000,000		3.64	$	0.6650
Balance, March 31, 2018		24,317,700		2.44

⁽¹⁾

Non-tradable share purchase warrants.

10.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses are incurred to support the administration of the business that are not directly related to production. Significant components of general and administrative expenses are comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Audit, legal and professional fees	$	240	$	288
Salaries and benefits and director fees		503		560
Regulatory fees and licenses		79		53
Insurance		139		133
Corporate administration		293		382
	$	1,254	$	1,416

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

11.

Loss Per Share

	Three Months Ended March 31,			Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of the Company - numerator for basic and diluted loss per share	$	(6,050	)	$	(2,426	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		188,829,263			111,080,008

Loss per share – basic and diluted	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.02	)

Weighted average number of shares for the three months ended March 31, 2018 excludes 2,600,001 options (December 31, 2017 – 2,600,001) and 24,317,700 warrants (December 31, 2017 – 24,317,700) that were antidilutive.

12.

Related Party Transactions

Except as noted elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements, related party transactions are disclosed as follows:

(i)

Compensation of Key Management Personnel, Transactions with Related Parties and Related Party Balances

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized $195 (for the three months ended March 31, 2017 – $ 218) salaries and fees for Officers and Directors.

As at March 31, 2018, $nil (December 31, 2017 – $38) was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets for closing fees paid to related parties.

As at March 31, 2018, $835 (December 31, 2017 – $463 for amended fees and accrued interest payable to related parties) was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for accrued interest payable to related parties and salaries and fees payable to Officers and Directors.

(ii)

Note Payable

On November 18, 2016, the Company entered into a loan with the Clay Group for $31,000 (the “November 2016 Loan”), due on May 21, 2019 and an annual interest rate of 8%, payable quarterly. In connection with the November 2016 Loan the Company issued 8,000,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable for a period of five years expiring November 21, 2021. The common share purchase warrants have an exercise price of $0.85.

On November 10, 2017, the Company and the Clay Group agreed to amend the November 2016 Loan by reducing the 2018 quarterly and 2019 Q1 principal payments from $2,500 to $1,000, adding the reduction of such payments pro-rata to the remaining 2019 payments, and increasing the annual interest rate from 8% to 10% effective January 1, 2018 (the “November 2017 Loan”). This amendment was accounted for as a debt modification.

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

12.

Related Party Transactions (continued)

(ii)

Note Payable (continued)

The following table summarizes activity on the notes payable:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	30,099		$	26,347
Interest payable transferred to principal balance		-			2,212
Accretion of discount on loans		490			1,940
Capitalized financing and legal fees		-			(400	)
Accretion of capitalized financing and legal fees		65			-
Repayment of loans and interest		(4,712	)		-
Balance, end of the period	$	25,942		$	30,099

Current portion	$	4,000		$	7,712
Non-current portion	$	21,942		$	22,387

(iii)

Amortization of Discounts and Interest Expense

The following table summarizes the amortization of discounts and interest on loan:

	Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Accretion of the November 2017 Loan discount	$	490	$	286
Accretion of capitalized financing and legal fees		65		-
Interest expense related to the November 2017 Loan		713		626
Closing and commitment fees related to the Credit Facility		30		-
Interest expense related to Komatsu financial loans ⁽¹⁾		235		135
Accretion of discount and interest on loan	$	1,533	$	1,047

⁽¹⁾

Komatsu is not a related party and has only been included in the above table to reconcile the total interest expense incurred for the period to the amounts capitalized and expensed.

(iv)

Joint Venture Transaction

The Company has presented Gauss’ ownership in GQM LLC as a non-controlling interest amount on the balance sheet within the equity section. However, there are terms in the agreement that provide for the exit from the investment in GQM LLC for an initial member whose interest in GQM LLC becomes less than 20%.

If a member becomes less than a 20% interest holder, its remaining interest will (ultimately) be terminated through one of 3 events at the non-diluted member’s option:

Through conversion to a net smelter royalty (“NSR”);

Through a buy-out (at fair value) by the non-diluted member; or

Through a sale process by which the diluted member’s interest is sold.

The net assets of GQM LLC as at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Assets, GQM LLC	$	156,998		$	149,095
Liabilities, GQM LLC		(23,221	)		(28,024	)
Net assets, GQM LLC	$	133,777		$	121,071

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

12.

Related Party Transactions (continued)

(iv)

Joint Venture Transaction (continued)

Included in the assets above, is $9,622 (December 31, 2017 – $2,606) in cash held by GQM LLC which is directed specifically to fund capital expenditures required to continue with production and to settle GQM LLC’s obligations. The liabilities of GQM LLC do not have recourse to the general credit of Golden Queen except for $2,203 for two mining drill loans and $4,228 in surety bond agreements.

Non-Controlling Interest

The carrying value of the non-controlling interest is adjusted for net income and loss, distributions and contributions pursuant to ASC 810-10 based on the same percentage allocation used to calculate the initial book value of temporary equity.

	Three Months Ended March 31,			Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Net and comprehensive loss in GQM LLC	$	(7,294	)	$	(779	)
Non-controlling interest percentage		50	%		50	%
Net and comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	$	(3,646	)	$	(390	)

Net and comprehensive loss attributable to permanent non-controlling interest	$	(2,188	)	$	(234	)
Net and comprehensive loss attributable to temporary non-controlling interest	$	(1,458	)	$	(156	)

	Permanent Non-Controlling Interest			Temporary Non-Controlling Interest
Carrying value of non-controlling interest, December 31, 2016	$	39,326		$	26,219
Net and comprehensive loss for the year		(3,005	)		(2,005	)
Carrying value of non-controlling interest, December 31, 2017	$	36,321		$	24,214
Capital contribution		10,000			-
Net and comprehensive loss for the period		(2,188	)		(1,458	)
Carrying value of non-controlling interest, March 31, 2018	$	44,133		$	22,756

(v)

Credit Facility

On May 23, 2017, GQM LLC entered into a $5,000 one-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) in which Gauss Holdings LLC and Auvergne, LLC agreed to extend credit in the form of loans to GQM LLC. The Credit Facility commenced on July 1, 2017, bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum and is subject to a commitment fee of 1% per annum. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, GQM LLC paid commitment fees of $30 (2017 – $nil). As at March 31, 2018, GQM LLC has drawn $nil (December 31, 2017 – $3,000) from the Credit Facility.

13.

Commitments and Contingencies

Royalties

The Company has acquired a number of mineral property interests outright. It has acquired exclusive rights to explore, develop and mine other portions of the Mine under various mining lease agreements with landowners. Royalty amounts due to each landholder over the life of the Mine vary with each property.

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

13.

Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Compliance with Environmental Regulations

The Company’s exploration and development activities are subject to laws and regulations controlling not only the exploration and mining of mineral properties, but also the effect of such activities on the environment. Compliance with such laws and regulations may necessitate additional capital outlays or affect the economics of a mine, and cause changes or delays in the Company’s activities.

Corporate Guaranties

The Company has provided corporate guaranties for two of GQM LLC’s mining drill loans. The Company has also provided a corporate guaranty for GQM LLC’s surety bonds.

14.

Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

All financial assets and financial liabilities are recorded at fair value on initial recognition. Transaction costs are expensed when they are incurred, unless they are directly attributable to the acquisition of qualifying assets, in which case they are added to the costs of those assets until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2	Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
Level 3	Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

	March 31, 2018
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Share purchase warrants – Related Party (see Note 8)	$	302	$	-	$	302	$	-
Share purchase warrants – (see Note 8)		1		-		1		-
	$	303	$	-	$	303	$	-

	December 31, 2017
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Share purchase warrants – Related Party (see Note 8)	$	439	$	-	$	439	$	-
Share purchase warrants – (see Note 8)		2		-		2		-
	$	441	$	-	$	441	$	-

Under fair value accounting, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value measurement of the financial instruments above use observable inputs in option price models such as the binomial and the Black-Scholes valuation models.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the Company by failing to discharge its obligations. To mitigate exposure to credit risk on financial assets the Company has established policies to ensure liquidity of funds and ensure counterparties demonstrate minimum acceptable credit worthiness.

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GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except shares amounts - Unaudited)

14.

Financial Instruments (continued)

Credit Risk (continued)

The Company maintains its US Dollar and Canadian Dollar cash in bank accounts with major financial institutions with high credit standings. Cash deposits held in the United States are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) for up to $250 and Canadian Dollar cash deposits held in Canada are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) for up to C$100.

Certain United States and Canadian bank accounts held by the Company exceed these federally insured limits or are uninsured as they relate to US Dollar deposits held in Canadian financial institutions. As at March 31, 2018, the Company’s cash balances held in United States and Canadian financial institutions include $17,880, which are not fully insured by the FDIC or CDIC. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts and management believes that using major financial institutions with high credit ratings mitigates the credit risk in cash.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company holds approximately 55% of its cash in bank deposit accounts with a single major financial institution. The interest rates received on these balances may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions. Based on the average cash balances during the three months ended March 31, 2018, a 1% decrease in interest rates would have reduced the interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018, by an immaterial amount.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Certain purchases of corporate overhead items are denominated in Canadian Dollar. As a result, currency exchange fluctuations may impact the costs of operations. Specifically, the appreciation of the Canadian Dollar against the US Dollar may result in an increase in the Canadian operating expenses in US dollar terms. As at March 31, 2018, the Company maintained the majority of its cash balance in US Dollars. The Company currently does not engage in any currency hedging activities.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

The following discussion of the operating results and financial condition of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (“Golden Queen”, “GQM Ltd.”, “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is as at May 9, 2018 and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the notes thereto.

The information in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). All amounts herein are presented in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts, or unless otherwise noted.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to the intent, belief and current expectations of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions and parameters used in the feasibility study referenced in this report. 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 and compliance with the terms of required approvals and permits, results of operations and commodity prices. In addition, projected mining results, including quantity of ore, grade, production rates, operating costs and recovery rates, are subject to numerous risks normally associated with mining activity of the nature described in this report and in the feasibility study, and as a result actual results may differ substantially from projected results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made.

Cautionary Note to US Investors

We advise US investors t hat the mineral reserve estimates disclosed in this report have been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulations and may not qualify as “reserves” under the SEC Industry Guide 7. Information concerning mineral resources and reserves set forth herein may not be comparable with information presented by companies using only US standards in their public disclosure.

Mr. Tim Mazanek, SME is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this Form 10-Q.

The Soledad Mountain Mine

Overview

The Company is engaged in the operation of the Soledad Mountain Mine (“the Mine”), located in the Mojave Mining District, Kern County, California. The Company owns 50% of Golden Queen Mining Company, LLC (“GQM LLC”), the operator of the Mine. The remaining 50% is owned by Gauss LLC (“Gauss”). The Mine is located just outside the town of Mojave in southern California and utilizes conventional open pit mining methods and cyanide heap leach and Merrill-Crowe processes to recover gold and silver from crushed, agglomerated ore. The Mine also produces aggregate.

Highlights: First Quarter Highlights

Total of 3.8 million tons of ore and waste were mined including 1,135 kt of ore;

Plant processed a total of 806 kt of ore at an average grade of 0.019 oz/t; and

6,579 ounces of gold and 58,024 ounces of silver were produced.

Project Update

In the fourth quarter of 2017, management accelerated the development of the East Pit to access production of sufficient higher-grade ore. In the first quarter of 2018, almost all of the Mine’s production was sourced from the East Pit. Mining results from the East Pit have shown significant positive reconciliation for both tons and grade with the mine plan. Operations during the first quarter of 2018 showed continued improvement in gold ounces loaded on the pad. Mining of the East Pit progressed on schedule.

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In the second half of 2017, the plant extracted more gold from the leach pad than the net recoverable ounces loaded due to the low grade of the ore loaded during this period, as shown in the figure below. In the first quarter of 2018, the Mine has experienced a lack of available ounces translating to doré as the gold loaded solution circulating on the pad was purged of its gold content during the fourth quarter of 2017. The monthly recoverable gold ounces loaded on leach pad have steadily increased since September 2017, but the impact on production will be from the second quarter of 2018 onward.

Leaching performance is matching the feasibility study - total apparent gold recovery to March 31, 2018 is 71.5%, which Management believes is on track to achieve the life of mine 80% gold recovery.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company continues to develop the East Pit. It is anticipated that the transition to the East Pit will provide the majority of ore production for at least the next two years where higher ore tonnage and grade and lower waste tons are expected. The plan is to increase delivery of ounces to the heap leach pad by selectively mining higher grade tons as much as practical.

In the process area, pad-loading tonnage and average grade are expected to increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. Taking advantage of the good porosity of the heap, flow to the Merrill-Crowe plant is expected to be at capacity. As a result of higher grades in the East Pit and the improved plant throughput, gold production is anticipated to increase throughout the year.

A drilling program commenced in January 2018 and is now complete. A total of 19,520 feet of reverse circulation drilling was completed over 21 holes. This drill program was designed to increase confidence in the currently modelled ore grades and tonnage associated with the Golden Queen vein structure, to improve the Company’s understanding of the Patience vein structure potentially adding ounces to the Company’s reserves and to investigate the Silver Queen vein structure (where historical underground development is illustrated on historic maps but not evidenced in historic extraction reports). The drill results will be analyzed during the second quarter of the year.

As well, the Company is in the process of permitting additional infrastructure for ongoing operations and planned activities that are expected to extend the mine life of Soledad Mountain beyond the initial 11 years contemplated in the 2015 Feasibility Study. The process is anticipated to take approximately 1 to 2 years.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded aggregate sales of $6. In 2017, the Company was added to the California AB 3098 list, which allows the Company to sell its aggregate to state and municipal agencies. The Company will not include the sale of aggregate in cash flow projections until such time as a long-term contract for the sale of products has been secured.

There is a total of 218 employees currently on site.

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Results of Operations

The following are the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

		Three months ended:
		March 31,			March 31,
		2018			2017
Mining - Key Metrics
Ore mined	k ton		1,135			852
Waste mined: ore mined ratio	ore mined ratio		2.3:1			3.8:1
Gold grade placed	oz/ton		0.019			0.019
Silver grade placed	oz/ton		0.313			0.232
Gold sold	oz		6,529			11,160
Silver sold	oz		53,612			62,095
Apparent cumulative recovery - gold ⁽¹⁾	%		71.5	%		63.3	%
Apparent cumulative recovery - silver ⁽¹⁾	%		27.1	%		25.3	%

Financial ⁽¹⁾
Revenue	$		9,585			14,804
Income (loss) from mine operations	$		(6,449	)		457
General and administrative expenses	$		(1,254	)		(1,416	)
Total other expenses	$		(1,360	)		(1,857	)
Net and comprehensive loss	$		(9,063	)		(2,816	)
Net and comprehensive loss attributable to GQM Ltd.	$		(5,417	)		(2,426	)
Average realized gold price ⁽¹⁾	$/oz sold		1,330			1,228
Average realized silver price ⁽¹⁾	$/oz sold		16.70			17.59
Total cash costs - net of by-product credits ⁽¹⁾	$/Au oz produced		2,090			1,019
All-in sustaining costs - net of by-product credits ⁽¹⁾	$/Au oz produced		2,413			1,663
Total cash costs ⁽¹⁾	$/t placed		18.06			16.08
Off-site costs ⁽¹⁾	$/t placed		0.61			0.84

⁽¹⁾

total cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, apparent cumulative recovery, off-site costs, average realized gold price and average realized silver price are financial performance measures with no standard meaning under US GAAP. Refer to “ Non-US GAAP Financial Performance Measures ” for further information.

Financial Results

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company generated revenues from operations of $9,585 from the sale of 6,529 ounces of gold and 53,612 ounces of silver compared to revenues of $14,804 from the sale of 11,160 ounces of gold and 62,095 ounces of silver during the comparable period in 2017, a decrease in revenue of $5,219.

The decrease in revenue is mainly due to a lack of available ounces translating to doré on the leach pad. Although 15,094 ounces of gold was placed on the leach pad in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 14,178 ounces in the first quarter of 2017, revenues from ounces of gold placed on the leach pad will not be realized until later in the year. Because of this situation, the Mine recorded a higher cost per ton (less tons mined) and a higher cost per ounce (less ounces produced).

The costs, excluding depreciation and depletion, applicable to sales incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $14.6 million (three months ended March 31, 2017 - $11.6 million). The cost of sales, excluding depreciation and depletion, in the current quarter were relatively consistent with the prior quarter (three months ended December 31, 2017 - $15.9 million) and increased compared to respective quarter in prior year due to expensing $4.5 million of costs to ensure inventory was recognized at net realizable value. Costs of sales include mining, processing, maintenance and site support costs. Also, included in the costs of sales are refining, transportation costs, royalties and property taxes.

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Depreciation and depletion expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $2,976 compared to $2,756 for the same period in 2017, an increase of $220. The increase in 2018 compared to 2017 was mainly due to the addition of depreciable fixed assets of $19,409 in the third and fourth quarters in 2017.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $1,254 compared to $1,416 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $162. The decrease in 2018 compared to 2017 was mainly a result of a decrease in corporate administration costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company incurred finance expenses of $1,533 compared to $1,047 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $486. The increase in finance expenses was mainly due to an increase of 2% in the interest rate on the Clay Loan resulting in additional interest of $87 payable, and increased accretion of $269 recorded on the Clay Loan.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded a gain on derivative instruments of $138 compared to a loss on derivative instruments of $481 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The gain in 2018 was due to a decrease in the Company’s share price whereas the loss in 2017 was due to an increase in the Company’s share price.

Summary of Quarterly Results

Results for the eight most recent quarters are set out in the table below:

	Results for the quarter ended:
	31-Mar-18			31-Dec-17			30-Sep-17			30-Jun-17
Revenue	$	9,585		$	13,939		$	16,496		$	16,882
Net and comprehensive income (loss)	$	(9,063	)	$	(1,327	)	$	(3,224	)	$	1,192
Net and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GQM Ltd.	$	(5,417	)	$	2,188		$	(1,889	)		962
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.03	)	$	0.02		$	(0.02	)	$	0.01
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.03	)	$	0.02		$	(0.02	)	$	0.01

	Results for the quarter ended:
	31-Mar-17			31-Dec-16			30-Sep-16		30-Jun-16
Revenue	$	14,804		$	10,278		$	13,451	$	3,464
Net and comprehensive income (loss)	$	(2,816	)	$	(434	)	$	3,591	$	(3,568	)
Net and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GQM Ltd.	$	(2,426	)	$	868			2,738		(2,109	)
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.01		$	0.03	$	(0.02	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.01		$	0.03	$	(0.02	)

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, net and comprehensive loss was $9,063 mainly as a result of loss from mine operations of $6,449 due to higher direct mining costs as a result of developing the East Pit and lower revenues due to lower production as a result of less available gold ounces on the leach pad.

In general, the results of operations can vary from quarter to quarter depending upon the nature, timing and cost of activities undertaken, whether or not the Company incurs gains or losses on foreign exchange or grants stock options, and the movements in its derivative liability.

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Reclamation Financial Assurance and Asset Retirement Obligation

Reclamation Financial Assurance

The Company entered into $4,228 (2017 – $3,612) in surety bond agreements in order to release its reclamation deposits and posted a portion of the financial assurance due in 2017. The Company pays a yearly premium of $90 (2016 – $90). GQM Ltd. has provided a corporate guarantee on the surety bonds.

Asset Retirement Obligation

The total asset retirement obligation as at March 31, 2018, was $2,229 (December 31, 2017 – $1,838).

The following is a summary of asset retirement obligations:

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	1,838	$	1,366
Accretion		42		126
Changes in cash flow estimates		349		346
Balance, end of the period	$	2,229	$	1,838

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Transactions with Related Parties

Except as noted elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, related party transactions are disclosed as follows:

(i)

Compensation of Key Management Personnel, Transactions with Related Parties and Related Party Balances

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized $195 (for the three months ended March 31, 2017 – $ 218) salaries and fees for Officers and Directors.

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As at March 31, 2018, $nil (December 31, 2017 – $38) was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets for closing fees paid to related parties.

(ii)

Note Payable

On November 10, 2017, the Company and the Clay Group entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) pursuant to which they agreed to amend the November 2016 Loan by reducing the 2018 quarterly and 2019 Q1 principal payments from $2,500 to $1,000, adding the reduction of such payments pro-rata to the remaining 2019 payments, and increasing the annual interest rate from 8% to 10% effective January 1, 2018 (the “November 2017 Loan”). On February 22, 2018, the Company and the Clay Group entered into definitive agreements to amend the terms of the November 2016 Loan and the registration rights agreement in accordance with the Letter Agreement.

The following table summarizes activity on the notes payable:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	30,099		$	26,347
Interest payable transferred to principal balance		-			2,212
Accretion of discount on loans		490			1,940
Capitalized financing and legal fees		-			(400	)
Accretion of capitalized financing and legal fees		65			-
Repayment of loans and interest		(4,712	)		-
Balance, end of the period	$	25,942		$	30,099

Current portion	$	4,000		$	7,712
Non-current portion	$	21,942		$	22,387

(iii)

Amortization of Discounts and Interest Expense

The following table summarizes the amortization of discounts and interest on loan:

	Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Accretion of the November 2017 Loan discount	$	490	$	286
Accretion of capitalized financing and legal fees		65		-
Interest expense related to the November 2017 Loan		713		626
Closing and commitment fees related to the Credit Facility		30		-
Interest expense related to Komatsu financial loans ⁽¹⁾		235		135
Accretion of discount and interest on loan	$	1,533	$	1,047

⁽¹⁾ Komatsu is not a related party and has only been included in the above table to reconcile the total interest expense incurred for the period to the amounts capitalized and expensed.

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(iv)

Joint Venture

The net assets of GQM LLC as at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Assets, GQM LLC	$	156,998		$	149,095
Liabilities, GQM LLC		(23,221	)		(28,024	)
Net assets, GQM LLC	$	133,777		$	121,071

(v)

Revolving credit

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2	Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
Level 3	Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

	March 31, 2018
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Share purchase warrants – Related Party (see Note 8)	$	302	$	-	$	302	$	-
Share purchase warrants – (see Note 8)		1		-		1		-
	$	303	$	-	$	303	$	-

	December 31, 2017
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Share purchase warrants – Related Party (see Note 8)	$	439	$	-	$	439	$	-
Share purchase warrants – (see Note 8)		2		-		2		-
	$	441	$	-	$	441	$	-

Under fair value accounting, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value measurement of the financial instruments above uses observable inputs in option price models such as the binomial and the Black-Scholes valuation models.

Please refer also to the note on fair value of derivative liability under Results of operations above for more information.

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Select Non-Consolidated Figures

The Company has a 50% interest in GQM LLC, which meets the definition of a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). The Company consolidates entities which meet the definition of a VIE for which it is the primary beneficiary. The Company has determined it is the member of the related party group that is most closely associated with GQM LLC and, as a result, is the primary beneficiary who consolidates GQM LLC.

The following table shows figures attributable to the Company only as at March 31, 2018:

	GQM LLC 100%		GQM LLC 50% Attributable to GQM Ltd.		GQM Ltd. on a Non- Consolidated Basis *		GQM Ltd. Attributable
			(1)		(2)		(1) + (2)
Cash	$	9,622	$	4,811	$	8,608	$	13,419
Short Term Debt	$	7,709	$	3,855	$	4,000	$	7,855
Long Term Debt	$	8,150	$	4,075	$	21,942	$	26,017
Working Capital	$	7,341	$	3,671	$	3,596	$	7,267

* includes GQM Holdings

The following table shows figures attributable to the Company only for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

	GQM LLC 100%			GQM LLC 50% Attributable to GQM Ltd.			GQM Ltd. on a Non- Consolidated Basis *			GQM Ltd. Attributable
				(1)			(2)			(1) + (2)
Revenue	$	9,585		$	4,793		$	-		$	4,793
Cost of sales including depreciation and depletion	$	(15,894	)	$	(7,947	)	$	(98	)	$	(8,045	)
Accretion expense	$	(42	)	$	(21	)	$	-		$	(21	)
G&A Expenses	$	(703	)	$	(352	)	$	(505	)	$	(857	)
Share based payments	$	-		$	-		$	(45	)	$	(45	)
Decrease in fair value of derivative liability	$	-		$	-		$	138		$	138
Interest Expense	$	(265	)	$	(133	)	$	(1,269	)	$	(1,387	)
Interest Income	$	25		$	13		$	9		$	22
Net Loss	$	(7,294	)	$	(3,647	)	$	(1,770	)	$	(5,417	)

* includes GQM Holdings

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has generated $98,899 in revenues from operations since inception and as at March 31, 2018, had an accumulated deficit of $93,917 and working capital of $10,937. On February 20, 2018, the Company successfully closed a rights offering for net proceeds of $24,368. The Company issued the full allotment of 188,952,761 common shares pursuant to the terms of the Offering. Partial proceeds were used to reduce the corporate debt, fund the Company’s 50% portion of costs required for the purchase of additional equipment for the Mine and to repay the Credit Facility.

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Cash from operating activities:

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, $7,394 of cash was used in operating activities compared to $2,791 of cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increased use of cash in 2018 was primarily due to increased direct mining costs and reduced revenue in 2018 compared to 2017.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company was still developing the East Pit resulting in higher costs in 2018 compared to 2017. As well, gold production in 2018 has been lower compared to 2017 resulting in lower revenues.

Cash used in investing activities:

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, $2,071 of cash was used in investing activities compared to $5,236 of cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The major use of cash in 2017 was the start of construction of leach pad phase 2; it was completed in the third quarter of 2017.

Cash from financing activities:

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, $24,758 of cash was generated from financing activities compared to $1,405 of cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The main financing activities of the Company during in 2018 was the closing of a rights offering partial proceeds from which was used to reduce the corporate debt, fund the Company’s 50% portion of costs required for the purchase of additional equipment for the Mine and to repay the Credit Facility and a capital contribution of $10,000 from the non-controlling interest.

Working capital:

The following table shows working capital as at March 31, 2018:

	GQM LLC 100%			GQM Ltd. on a Non-Consolidated Basis *			GQM Ltd. on a Consolidated Basis **
Current assets	$	20,183		$	8,660		$	28,843
Current liabilities		(12,842	)		(5,064	)		(17,906	)
Working capital	$	7,341		$	3,596		$	10,937

includes GQM Holdings

includes GQM Holdings and GQM LLC

Golden Queen and GQM Holdings

As at March 31, 2018, Golden Queen and GQM Holdings had current assets of $8,660 (December 31, 2017 – $502) and current liabilities of $5,064 (December 31, 2017 – $9,194) for working capital of $3,596 (December 31, 2017 – working capital deficit of $8,692). The increase in current assets from December 31, 2017 is the mainly a result of and increase in cash from funds received from the rights offering. The decrease in current liabilities is a result of paying off principal and accrued interest payable on the November 2017 Clay Loan from the proceeds of the rights offering.

GQM LLC

As at March 31, 2018, GQM LLC had current assets of $20,183 (December 31, 2017 – $12,162) and current liabilities of $12,842 (December 31, 2017 – $16,572) for working capital of $7,341 (December 31, 2017 – working capital deficit of $4,410). The increase in current assets from December 31, 2017 is a result of capital contributions of $10,000 received from each of its Members, Golden Queen and Gauss. The decrease in current liabilities is due to paying off the Credit Facility from the capital contribution proceeds.

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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 as at December 31, 2017		111,148,683
Shares issued as the result of a rights offering		188,952,761
Shares issued and outstanding as at March 31, 2018		300,101,444	Exercise Price	Expiry Date
Shares to be issued on exercise of directors and employees stock options		2,600,001	$0.29 to $1.59	From 06/03/18 to 10/20/22
Shares to be issued on exercise of warrants		24,317,700	$0.85 to $0.95 and CAD $2.00	From 06/08/20 to 11/18/21
Fully diluted May 9, 2018		327,019,145

The Company has unlimited authorized share capital

Non-US GAAP Financial Performance Measures

Non-US GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meaning prescribed by generally accepted accounting principles. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

Total Cash Costs

Total cash costs are derived from amounts included in the statement of operations and include direct mining costs and site general and administrative costs. The direct mining costs shown on the table below include mine site operating costs such as mining, processing, smelting, refining, third party transportation costs, advanced minimum royalties and production costs less silver metals revenues. Management has determined that silver revenues when compared with gold revenues, are immaterial and therefore are considered a by-product of the production of gold.

The table below shows a reconciliation of total cash costs per gold ounce and cash costs per gold ounce on a by-product basis:

	Three months ended
	March 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
Total Cash Costs
Mining	$	7,376		$	7,174
Processing		4,488			4,346
Indirect mining cost		1,972			2,308
Inventory changes and others		(820	)		1,970
Direct mining costs		13,016			15,798
Site general and administrative expenses		732			897
Cash costs before by-product credits		13,748			16,695
Divided by gold produced (oz)		6,579			9,886
Cash costs per ounce of gold produced ($/oz)		2,090			1,689
Less: By-product silver credits per ounce ($/oz)		(136	)		(123	)
Total cash cost per ounce of gold produced on a by-product basis ($/oz)	$	1,954		$	1,566


Ore placed (tons)		806,450			837,779
Total cash costs ($/t placed)		18.06			17.52
Crusher mechanical availability (%)		65	%		69	%
Apparent cumulative recovery ⁽¹⁾ – gold		71.5	%		75.5	%
Apparent cumulative recovery ⁽¹⁾ - silver		27.1	%		27.4	%

⁽¹⁾ Note: Apparent cumulative recovery is the ratio of metal produced since beginning of leaching over total estimated metal contained in ore loaded to pad since beginning of operation.

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All-in Sustaining Costs

Golden Queen defines all-in sustaining costs as the sum of direct mining costs (as defined under total cash costs), site and corporate general and administrative costs, share based payments, reclamation liability accretion and capital expenditures that are sustaining in nature. Adoption of the standard is voluntary and the cost measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.

The table below shows a reconciliation of cash costs per gold ounce on a by-product basis and all-in sustaining costs per ounce:

	Three months ended
	March 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
All-in sustaining costs
Cash costs before by-product credits*	$	13,748		$	16,695
Silver by-product		(895	)		(1,221	)
Total cash cost after by-product		12,853			15,474
Corporate general and administrative expenses		522			549
Stock based compensation		45			68
Accretion expense		42			32
Sustaining capital		2,412			3,303
All-in sustaining costs		15,874			19,426
Divided by gold produced (oz)		6,579			9,886
All-in sustaining costs per gold ounce on a by-product basis	$	2,413		$	1,965

*The following table reconciles the above non-US GAAP measures to the most directly comparable US GAAP measures:

	Three months ended
	March 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
Cost of goods sold		16,034			19,450
Less: depreciation and depletion	$	(2,976	)	$	(3,526	)
Less: accretion expense		(42	)		(126	)
Direct mining costs		13,016			15,798
Add: site general and administrative expenses		732			897
Cash costs before by-product credits	$	13,748		$	16,695

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Full disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates in accordance with US GAAP can be found in notes of its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Additional Information

Further information on Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. is available on the SEDAR web site at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s web site at www.goldenqueen.com .

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure controls and procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

Changes in Internal Control

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, other than the Company has implemented a remediation plan and has addressed the deficiency previously noted in the areas of personnel and controls and has engaged an external consultant to assist in the documentation and review of its internal controls.

Fraud Analysis

The Company is committed to preventing fraud and corruption and is developing an anti-fraud culture. To achieve this goal, the Company has committed to the following:

Developing and maintaining effective controls to prevent fraud;

Ensuring that if fraud occurs a vigorous and prompt investigation takes place;

Taking appropriate disciplinary and legal actions;

Reviewing systems and procedures to prevent similar frauds;

Investigating whether there has been a failure in supervision and take appropriate disciplinary action if supervisory failures occurred; and

Recording and reporting all discovered cases of fraud.

The following policies have been developed to support the Company’s goals:

Insider Trading Policy

Managing Confidential Information Policy

Whistleblower Policy

Anti-corruption Policy

All policies can be viewed in full on the Company’s website at www.goldenqueen.com

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no reported instances of fraud.

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Part II – Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are a party to routine litigation and proceedings that are considered part of the ordinary course of our business. We are not aware of any material current, pending, or threatened litigation.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

GQM LLC is the operator of the Project, which is located in Mojave in Kern County, California. The mine safety disclosures required by section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K are included in Exhibit 95.1 of this Quarterly Report. There was one lost-time accident at GQM LLC during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit	Manner of Filing
10.1	First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement dated February 22, 2018 among the Company, the Landon T. Clay 2009 Irrevocable Trust Dated March 6, 2009, EHT, LLC, and the Clay Family 2009 Irrevocable Trust Dated April 14, 2009	Filed herewith
10.2	First Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated February 22, 2018 among the Company, the Landon T. Clay 2009 Irrevocable Trust Dated March 6, 2009, EHT, LLC, and the Clay Family 2009 Irrevocable Trust Dated April 14, 2009	Filed herewith
31.1	Certification of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934	Filed herewith
31.2	Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934	Filed herewith
32.1	Section 1350 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer	Filed herewith
32.2	Section 1350 Certification of the Principal Financial Officer	Filed herewith
95.1	Mine Safety Disclosure	Filed herewith
101	Financial Statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL	Filed herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

Date: May 10, 2018

	GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
	(Registrant)


	By:		/s/ Thomas M. Clay
	Thomas M. Clay
	Principal Executive Officer


	By:		/s/ Guy Le Bel
	Guy Le Bel
	Principal Financial Officer

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Exhibit 10.1

FIRST amendment TO
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED TERM LOAN agreement

dated as of

February 22, 2018

among

GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD., as Borrower,

and

THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2009,

EHT, LLC,

and

THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009

as Lenders

FIRST AMENDMENT TO
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is made as of February 22, 2018, among GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD., a British Columbia corporation, (the “ Borrower ”), THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2009 (“ LTC Lender ”), EHT, LLC (“ EHT Lender ”), and THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009 (“ CFT Lender ” and, together with LTC Lender and EHT Lender, the “ Lenders ”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Lenders are parties to the Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated November 21, 2016, as amended (the “ Loan Agreement ”; all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement).

WHEREAS, the parties to the Loan Agreement wish to amend the Loan Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Amendments to Loan Agreement.

1.1 The definition of Fixed Rate in Subsection 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“ Fixed Rate . 8% per annum up to and including December 31, 2017, and 10% per annum thereafter.”

1.2 Subsection 2.2(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(a) The Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Fixed Rate. Such interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing January 1, 2017. For interest payments due in calendar year 2017, the Borrower may elect, by notice to the Lenders prior to the due date for payment of interest, to pay interest in kind by adding such interest payment to the unpaid principal balance outstanding under the Loan, provided , that the total amount of interest so added to the principal balance of the Loan (the “ Deferred Interest ”) and any interest accrued thereon, shall be due and payable in full upon the earlier of (i) the date of completion of a rights offering by the Company substantially as described in the final short form prospectus dated November 24, 2017 (the “ Rights Offering Date ”) and filed with the securities regulatory authorities in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, Canada, and (ii) March 5, 2018 (such date being the “ Initial Principal Payment Date ”);”

- 2 -

1.3 Section 2.4 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“2.4 Repayment of Loan . The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of the Loan as follows: (a) $5,376,037 on the Initial Principal Payment Date, which amount represents $2,500,000 of principal plus $2,876,037 in Deferred Interest; (b) $1,000,000 on each of April 1, 2018, July 1, 2018, September 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019; (c) $3,100,000 on April 1, 2019; and (b) an amount equal to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loan, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other charges hereunder on the Maturity Date.”

2. Conditions . This Amendment shall become and be effective upon completion of the following to the satisfaction of the Lenders:

2.1 This Amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Lenders;

2.2 The Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Lenders promissory notes dated as of the date of this Amendment in the aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of the Loan, such notes to be in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1, Exhibit A-2 and Exhibit A-3 hereto (together, the “ Notes ”). The Notes amend, restate and supersede the promissory notes dated November 21, 2016 and the Loan Agreement shall thereafter refer to such Notes as amended;

2.3 The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders on the Initial Principal Payment Date an amendment fee in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000), to be allocated among the Lenders in accordance with their respective percentages as set forth on Schedule 2.1(a); and

2.4 The Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Lenders an amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders.

3. General . Except as hereby amended, all terms, conditions, representations and agreement set forth in the Loan Agreement remain the same, in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed by the parties.

[ Remainder of Page Left Blank Intentionally; Signature Page Follows Immediately. ]

- 3 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Amendment under seal as of the date first above written.

	BORROWER:

	GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.


	By:	/s/ Brenda Dayton
		Name: Brenda Dayton
		Title: Corporate Secretary

	LENDERS:

	THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009
	IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED
	MARCH 6, 2009


	By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
		Thomas M. Clay, Trustee


	EHT, LLC


	By:	/s/ Jonathan C. Clay
		Jonathan C. Clay, Manager


	THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009


	By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
		Thomas M. Clay, Trustee

[Signature page to First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement]

- 4 -

Exhibit A-1

AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE

$18,497,700.00

February 22, 2018

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD., a British Columbia corporation (the “ Borrower ”), absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to the order of THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2009 (“ Payee ”):

(a) installments of principal amounts of the Loan as follows: ONE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($1,491,750) on the Initial Principal Payment Date; FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($596,700) on each of April 1, 2018, July 1, 2018, September 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019; and ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-NINE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY DOLLARS ($1,849,770) on April 1, 2019; pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2016 (as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement dated as of February 22, 2018 and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”), by and among the Borrower, the Payee, EHT, LLC and The Clay Family 2009 Irrevocable Trust dated April 14, 2009;

(b) ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE DOLLARS AND TWENTY-EIGHT CENTS ($1,716,131.28) in Deferred Interest owing to the Payee on the Initial Principal Payment Date, pursuant to the Loan Agreement;

(c) an amount equal to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loan together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other charges owing to the Payee on the Maturity Date, pursuant to the Loan Agreement; and

(d) interest on the principal balance hereof from time to time outstanding from the date hereof through and including the date on which such interest is computed pursuant to the Loan Agreement, at the times and at the rates provided in the Loan Agreement.

This Note evidences a borrowing under, is subject to the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and has been issued by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement and is one of the Notes referred to therein. The Payee and any permitted assignee of the Payee that is the holder hereof is entitled to the benefits and subject to the conditions of the Loan Agreement as a Lender and may enforce the agreements of the Borrower contained therein, and any such holder hereof may exercise the respective remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof, all in accordance with the respective terms thereof. This Note is secured by the Pledge Agreement and guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guaranty described in the Loan Agreement.

Exhibit A-1

Upon execution, this Note amends, restates and supersedes the note dated November 21, 2016 made by the Borrower in favor of the Payee (the “ 2016 Note ”), and hereby replaces and supersedes the 2016 Note in its entirety. The 2016 Note is null and void and hereby canceled for all purposes. This Note does not constitute a novation of the indebtedness evidenced by the 2016 Note, and all amounts due and payable under the 2016 Note as amended hereby shall continue to be due and payable under this Note until paid in full.

All capitalized terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as in the Loan Agreement.

The Borrower has the right in certain circumstances and the obligation under certain other circumstances to repay or prepay the whole or part of the principal of this Note on the terms and conditions specified in the Loan Agreement.

If any Event of Default shall occur, the entire unpaid principal amount of this Note and all of the unpaid interest accrued thereon may become or be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Loan Agreement.

The Borrower and every endorser and guarantor of this Note or the obligation represented hereby waive presentment, demand, notice, protest and all other demands and notice in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, assent to any extension or postponement of the time of payment or any other indulgence, to any substitution, exchange or release of collateral and to the addition or release of any other party or Person primarily or secondarily liable.

This Note is a contract under the laws of the State of New York and shall for all purposes be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said State without reference to its conflict or choice of laws principles (other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law, which shall apply to this Note).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

	GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.


	By:	/s/ Brenda Dayton
		Name: Brenda Dayton
		Title: Corporate Secretary

Exhibit A-2

AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE

$7,750,000.00

February 22, 2018

(a) installments of principal amounts of the Loan as follows: SIX HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($625,000) on the Initial Principal Payment Date; TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) on each of April 1, 2018, July 1, 2018, September 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019; and SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($775,000) on April 1, 2019; pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2016 (as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement dated as of February 22, 2018 and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”), by and among the Borrower, the Payee, The Landon T. Clay 2009 Irrevocable Trust Dated March 6, 2009, and the Clay Family 2009 Irrevocable Trust dated April 14, 2009;

(b) SEVEN HUNDRED NINETEEN THOUSAND AND NINE DOLLARS AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS ($719,009.25) in Deferred Interest owing to the Payee on the Initial Principal Payment Date, pursuant to the Loan Agreement;

Exhibit A-2

All capitalized terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as in the Loan Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

	GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.


	By:	/s/ Brenda Dayton
		Name: Brenda Dayton
		Title: Corporate Secretary

Exhibit A-3

AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE

$4,752,300.00

February 22, 2018

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD., a British Columbia corporation (the “ Borrower ”), absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to the order of THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009 (“ Payee ”):

(a) installments of principal amounts of the Loan as follows: THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($383,250) on the Initial Principal Payment Date; ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($153,300) on each of April 1, 2018, July 1, 2018, September 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019; and FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY DOLLARS ($475,230) on April 1, 2019; pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2016 (as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement dated as of February 22, 2018 and as further amended restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”), by and among the Borrower, the Payee, EHT, LLC, and the Landon T. Clay 2009 Irrevocable Trust Dated March 6, 2009;

(b) FOUR HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY-SIX DOLLARS AND FORTY SEVEN CENTS ($440,896.47) in Deferred Interest owing to the Payee on the Initial Principal Payment Date, pursuant to the Loan Agreement;

Exhibit A-3

All capitalized terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as in the Loan Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

	GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.


	By:	/s/ Brenda Dayton
		Name: Brenda Dayton
		Title: Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 10.2

FIRST amendment TO
Amended and restated registration rights agreement

dated as of

February 22, 2018

among

GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.,
as the Company,

and

THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2009,

EHT, LLC,

THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009,

and the holders set forth on Schedule A hereto

First amendment to
amended and restated registration rights agreement

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is made as of February 22, 2018 among GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD., a British Columbia corporation, (the “ Company ”), THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2009 (“ LTC Lender ”), EHT, LLC (“ EHT Lender ”), THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009 (together with the LTC Lender and EHT Lender, the “ Lenders ”) and the holders set forth on Schedule A (the “ Clay Family Holders ”).

WHEREAS, the Company, the Lenders and the Clay Family Holders are parties to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2015 (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”; all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement).

WHEREAS, the parties to the Registration Rights Agreement wish to amend the Registration Rights Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Amendments to the Registration Rights Agreement.

1.1 The definition of Registrable Securities in Section 1.1 of the Registration Rights Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“ Registrable Securities ” means (a) all Common Shares Beneficially Owned by the Lenders and the Clay Family Holders currently held or acquired prior to February 22, 2018, (b) any securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to such Common Shares described in clause (a) because of stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations, mergers, share exchanges, reorganizations, consolidations, or similar events, including, without limitation, Common Shares underlying warrants issued in connection with the Term Loan Agreement and the securities issued in connection with the rights offering by the Company substantially as described in the final short form prospectus dated November 24, 2017 and filed with the securities regulatory authorities in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, Canada, and (c) any of such Common Shares or other securities transferred to a Transferee, but excluding, as to any particular Registrable Securities, (i) Common Shares, if any, which have been transferred pursuant to a Registration Statement that is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) Common Shares, owned by Holders who are not Affiliates of the Company, that are eligible for sale without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1)(i) (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act, (iii) Common Shares which are otherwise eligible to be sold to the public without application of the volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act and (iv) Common Shares or other securities which have been transferred to any Person who is not a Transferee.”

2. General.

2.1 This Agreement is an amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement and is intended to be legally binding. Unless the context otherwise requires, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Agreement will be read together and will have effect as if the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement and this Agreement were contained in one agreement. Except as hereby amended, all terms, conditions, representations and agreements of the Registration Rights Agreement remain the same, in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed by the parties.

2.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

[ Signature page follows ]

- 2 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Amendment under seal as of the date first above written.

GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.


By:	/s/ Brenda Dayton
	Name: Brenda Dayton
	Title: Corporate Secretary


THE LENDERS:

THE LANDON T. CLAY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED
MARCH 6, 2009


	By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
		Thomas M. Clay, Trustee


EHT, LLC


	By:	/s/ Jonathan C. Clay
		Jonathan C. Clay, Manager


THE CLAY FAMILY 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST DATED APRIL 14, 2009


	By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
		Thomas M. Clay, Trustee

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

/s/ Cassius M.C. Clay
Cassius M.C. Clay

/s/ Whitney Clay
Whitney Clay, as custodian for James Clay

/s/ Jonathan Clay
Jonathan Clay

/s/ Landon H. Clay
Landon H. Clay

/s/ Lavinia D. Clay
Lavinia D. Clay

/s/ Richard T. Clay
Richard T. Clay

/s/ Thomas M. Clay
Thomas M. Clay

933 MILLEDGE LLC

By:	/s/ Jonathan Clay
	Name: Jonathan C. Clay
	Title: Member

ARCTIC COAST PETROLEUMS LTD.

By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
	Name: Thomas M. Clay
	Title: Vice-President

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

ESTATE OF LANDON THOMAS CLAY

By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
	Name: Thomas M. Clay
	Title: Executor

LANDON T. CLAY TRADITIONAL IRA

By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
	Name: Thomas M. Clay
	Title: Executor of the Estate of Landon T. Clay

LTC CORPORATION

By:	/s/ Thomas M. Clay
	Name: Thomas M. Clay
	Title: President

THE MONADNOCK CHARITABLE
ANNUITY LEAD TRUST DATED MAY 31, 1996

By:	/s/ Brian James
	Name: Brian James
	Title: Trustee

THE SKADUTAKEE CHARITABLE
ANNUITY LEAD TRUST DATED JUNE 28, 1993

By:	/s/ Brain James
	Name: Brian James
	Title: Trustee

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

Schedule A to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 8, 2015, as Amended

Cassius M.C. Clay

Whitney Clay, as custodian for James Clay

Jonathan Clay

Landon H. Clay

Lavinia D. Clay

Richard T. Clay

Thomas M. Clay

933 Milledge LLC

Arctic Coast Petroleums Ltd.

Estate of Landon Thomas Clay

Landon T. Clay Traditional IRA

LTC Corporation

The Monadnock Charitable Annuity Lead Trust Dated May 31, 1996

The Skadutakee Charitable Annuity Lead Trust Dated June 28, 1993

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)

OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

I, Thomas M. Clay, certify that:TS

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd.

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;

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

4.	The registrant’s 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:

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

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

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

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

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

Date: May 10, 2018	By:	/s/Thomas M. Clay
		Thomas M. Clay
		Principal Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)

OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

I, Guy Le Bel, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd.

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;

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

4.	The registrant’s 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:

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

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

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

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

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

Date: May 10, 2018	By:	/s/Guy Le Bel
		Guy Le Bel
		Principal Financial Officer

E XHIBIT 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 Quarterly Report of Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. (the “ Company ”) on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 (the “ Report ”), the undersigned, in the capacities and on the date 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:

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

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

Dated: May 10, 2018		/s/Thomas M. Clay
		Thomas M. Clay
		Principal Executive Officer

E XHIBIT 32.2

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

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

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

Dated: May 10, 2018		/s/ Guy Le Bel
		Guy Le Bel
		Principal Financial Officer

Exhibit 95.1

Mine Safety Disclosure

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States, and that is subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (“Mine Safety Act”), are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities.

The following table sets out the information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act for the period January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018 covered by this report:

Property

Section 104(a) S&S Citations ¹

(#)

Section 104b)

Orders ²

(#)

Section 104(d)

Citations and Orders ³

(#)

Section 110(b)(2) Violations ⁴

(#)

Section 107(a)

Orders ⁵

(#)

Total Dollar Value of MSHA Assessments Proposed ⁶

($)

Total Number of Mining Related Fatalities

(#)

Received Notice of Pattern of Violations or Potential Thereof Under Section 104(e) ⁷

(yes/no)

Legal Actions Pending As of Last Day of Period ⁸

(#)

Legal Actions Initiated During Period (#)

Legal Actions Resolved During Period (#)

Soledad Mountain

8,438.00

	1.	Citations and Orders are issued under Section 104 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 814) (the “Act”) for violations of the Act or any mandatory health or safety standard, rule, order or regulation promulgated under the Act. A Section 104(a) “Significant and Substantial” or “S&S” citation is considered more severe than a non-S&S citation and generally is issued in a situation where the conditions created by the violation do not cause imminent danger, but the violation is of such a nature as could significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a mine safety or health hazard. It should be noted that, for purposes of this table, S&S citations that are included in another column, such as Section 104(d) citations, are not also included as Section 104(a) S&S citations in this column.
	2.	A Section 104(b) withdrawal order is issued if, upon a follow up inspection, an MSHA inspector finds that a violation has not been abated within the period of time as originally fixed in the violation and determines that the period of time for the abatement should not be extended. Under a withdrawal order, all persons, other than those required to abate the violation and certain others, are required to be withdrawn from and prohibited from entering the affected area of the mine until the inspector determines that the violation has been abated.
	3.	A citation is issued under Section 104(d) where there is an S&S violation and the inspector finds the violation to be caused by an unwarrantable failure of the operator to comply with a mandatory health or safety standard. Unwarrantable failure is a special negligence finding that is made by an MSHA inspector and that focuses on the operator’s conduct. If during the same inspection or any subsequent inspection of the mine within 90 days after issuance of the citation, the MSHA inspector finds another violation caused by an unwarrantable failure of the operator to comply, a withdrawal order is issued, under which all persons, other than those required to abate the violation and certain others, are required to be withdrawn from and prohibited from entering the affected area until the inspector determines that the violation has been abated.
	4.	A flagrant violation under Section 110(b)(2) is a violation that results from a reckless or repeated failure to make reasonable efforts to eliminate a known violation of a mandatory health or safety standard that substantially and proximately caused, or reasonable could have been expected to cause, death or serious bodily injury.
	5.	An imminent danger order under Section 107(a) is issued when an MSHA inspector finds that an imminent danger exists in a mine. An imminent danger is the existence of any condition or practice which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm before such condition or practice can be abated. Under an imminent danger order, all persons, other than those required to abate the condition or practice and certain others, are required to be withdrawn from and are prohibited from entering the affected area until the inspector determines that such imminent danger and the conditions or practices which caused the imminent danger no longer exist.

	6.	These dollar amounts include the total amount of all proposed assessments from MSHA under the Act relating to any type of violation during the period, including proposed assessments for non-S&S citations that are not specifically identified in this exhibit, regardless of whether the Company has challenged or appealed the assessment.
	7.	A Notice is given under Section 104(e) if an operator has a pattern of S&S violations. If upon any inspection of the mine within 90 days after issuance of the notice, or at any time after a withdrawal notice has been given under Section 104(e), an MSHA inspector finds another S&S violation, an order is issued, under which all persons, other than those required to abate the violation and certain others, are required to be withdrawn from and prohibited from entering the affected area until the inspector determines that the violation has been abated.
	8.	There were no legal actions pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission as of the last day of the period covered by this report. In addition, there were no pending actions that are (a) contests of citations and orders referenced in Subpart B of 29 CFR Part 2700; (b) complaints for compensation referenced in subpart D of 29 CFR Part 2700; (c) complaints of discharge, discrimination or interference referenced in Subpart E of 29 CFR Part 2700; (d) applications for temporary relief referenced in Subpart F of 29 CFR Part 2700; or (e) appeals of judges’ decisions or orders to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission referenced in Subpart H of 29 CFR Part 2700.