svbr_10q-013112.htm
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
R
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2012.
|
£
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _________ TO _________.
|
Commission File Number: 001-33125
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
|
91-1766677
|
State or other jurisdiction of
|
(I.R.S. Employer
|
incorporation or organization
|
Identification No.)
|
885 West Georgia Street, Suite 2200
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3E8
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number: 604-687-5800
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 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 R No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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 R No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company:
Large accelerated filer o |
Accelerated filer R |
Non-accelerated filer o |
Smaller reporting company o |
|
|
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No R
As of March 8, 2012, there were 136,160,157 shares of the Registrant’s $.01 par value Common Stock (“Common Stock”), the Registrant’s only outstanding class of voting securities.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 2012
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
PAGE
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Financial Statements:
|
|
|
|
|
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Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011
|
|
2
|
|
|
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Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended
January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011, and for the period from inception
(November 8, 1993) to January 31, 2012
|
|
3
|
|
|
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011, and for the period from inception
(November 8, 1993) to January 31, 2012
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|
4-5
|
|
|
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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6-19
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|
|
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[The balance of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
1
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
January 31,
2012
|
|
|
October 31,
2011
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
** |
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
11,336,283 |
|
|
$ |
4,239,899 |
|
Restricted cash (Note 5)
|
|
|
111,858 |
|
|
|
77,068 |
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
118,780 |
|
|
|
80,789 |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
293,739 |
|
|
|
239,286 |
|
Prepaid income taxes
|
|
|
9,264 |
|
|
|
10,933 |
|
Total Current Assets
|
|
|
11,869,924 |
|
|
|
4,647,975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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PROPERTY CONCESSIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Sierra Mojada, Mexico (Note 6)
|
|
|
4,798,403 |
|
|
|
4,846,687 |
|
Gabon, Africa (Notes 6 and 8)
|
|
|
4,179,061 |
|
|
|
4,500,148 |
|
|
|
|
8,977,464 |
|
|
|
9,346,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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EQUIPMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Office and mining equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
of $998,971 and $973,457, respectively (Note 7)
|
|
|
746,301 |
|
|
|
785,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Value-added tax receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible taxes of $1,473,676 and $1,380,818, respectively (Note 9)
|
|
|
1,997,126 |
|
|
|
1,826,664 |
|
Goodwill (Note 10)
|
|
|
18,495,031 |
|
|
|
18,495,031 |
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Other assets
|
|
|
16,412 |
|
|
|
112,170 |
|
|
|
|
20,508,569 |
|
|
|
20,433,865 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
$ |
42,102,258 |
|
|
$ |
35,214,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
1,155,882 |
|
|
$ |
798,679 |
|
Accrued liabilities and expenses
|
|
|
552,127 |
|
|
|
874,605 |
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
9,904 |
|
|
|
7,842 |
|
Payable to joint venture partner (Note 8)
|
|
|
575,241 |
|
|
|
541,913 |
|
Total Current Liabilities
|
|
|
2,293,154 |
|
|
|
2,223,039 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 12 and 17)
|
|
|
|
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STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Notes 12, 13, 14 and 15)
|
|
|
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|
|
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Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized,
136,160,157 and 115,110,157 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
1,361,601 |
|
|
|
1,151,101 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
115,561,609 |
|
|
|
105,201,435 |
|
Deficit accumulated during exploration stage
|
|
|
(77,153,353 |
) |
|
|
(73,559,865 |
) |
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
39,247 |
|
|
|
198,451 |
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity
|
|
|
39,809,104 |
|
|
|
32,991,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
$ |
42,102,258 |
|
|
$ |
35,214,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
** Derived from the audited financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2011.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
January 31,
|
|
|
|
Period from
November 8,
1993 (Inception)
to January 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
2012 |
|
REVENUES
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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EXPLORATION AND PROPERTY HOLDING COSTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and property holding costs
|
|
|
2,447,809 |
|
|
|
1,041,166 |
|
|
|
38,354,999 |
|
Depreciation and asset write-off (Note 6)
|
|
|
104,328 |
|
|
|
59,002 |
|
|
|
1,526,329 |
|
TOTAL EXPLORATION AND PROPERY HOLDING COSTS
|
|
|
2,552,137 |
|
|
|
1,100,168 |
|
|
|
39,881,328 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Personnel
|
|
|
274,913 |
|
|
|
270,739 |
|
|
|
16,061,376 |
|
Office and administrative (Note 11)
|
|
|
188,857 |
|
|
|
197,235 |
|
|
|
4,195,568 |
|
Professional services
|
|
|
175,531 |
|
|
|
207,510 |
|
|
|
8,126,341 |
|
Directors’ fees
|
|
|
159,275 |
|
|
|
131,288 |
|
|
|
4,597,376 |
|
Provision for uncollectible value-added taxes
|
|
|
83,821 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,493,406 |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
3,430 |
|
|
|
261,095 |
|
TOTAL GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
|
|
|
882,712 |
|
|
|
810,202 |
|
|
|
34,735,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
|
|
|
(3,434,849 |
) |
|
|
(1,910,370 |
) |
|
|
(74,616,490 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER (EXPENSES) INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and investment income
|
|
|
3,379 |
|
|
|
23,440 |
|
|
|
938,277 |
|
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain
|
|
|
(187,960 |
) |
|
|
284,568 |
|
|
|
(3,025,192 |
) |
Miscellaneous income (expense)
|
|
|
30,904 |
|
|
|
(4,801 |
) |
|
|
(189,814 |
) |
TOTAL OTHER (EXPENSES) INCOME
|
|
|
(153,677 |
) |
|
|
303,207 |
|
|
|
(2,276,729 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
(3,588,526 |
) |
|
|
(1,607,163 |
) |
|
|
(76,893,219 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
4,962 |
|
|
|
3,888 |
|
|
|
134,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS
|
|
$ |
(3,593,488 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,611,051 |
) |
|
$ |
(77,027,263 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
(159,204 |
) |
|
|
(188,104 |
) |
|
|
39,247 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
|
$ |
(3,752,692 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,799,155 |
) |
|
$ |
(76,988,016 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
|
|
|
126,547,167 |
|
|
|
105,982,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Period from
November 8,
1993 (Inception)
to January 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(3,593,488 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,611,051 |
) |
|
$ |
(77,027,263 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and asset write-off
|
|
|
106,585 |
|
|
|
68,703 |
|
|
|
1,757,723 |
|
Provision for uncollectible value-added taxes
|
|
|
83,821 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,486,431 |
|
Noncash expenses
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
126,864 |
|
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)
|
|
|
197,571 |
|
|
|
(275,423 |
) |
|
|
3,025,847 |
|
Common stock issued for services
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,563,574 |
|
Common stock issued for compensation and directors’ fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,753,222 |
|
Stock options issued for compensation
|
|
|
352,900 |
|
|
|
191,931 |
|
|
|
9,497,529 |
|
Stock options and warrants issued for services, financing fees and directors’ fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,769,840 |
|
(Increase) decrease in, net of merger transaction:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value-added tax receivable
|
|
|
(273,244 |
) |
|
|
(152,148 |
) |
|
|
(3,614,341 |
) |
Restricted cash
|
|
|
(42,345 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(118,184 |
) |
Other receivables
|
|
|
(38,005 |
) |
|
|
5,582 |
|
|
|
(107,071 |
) |
Prepaid income taxes and expenses
|
|
|
(52,871 |
) |
|
|
(38,895 |
) |
|
|
(286,831 |
) |
Deposits
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,965 |
|
|
|
(12,601 |
) |
Increase (decrease) in, net of merger transaction:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
341,988 |
|
|
|
(323,237 |
) |
|
|
906,581 |
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
1,937 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
13,189 |
|
Accrued liabilities and expenses
|
|
|
(315,209 |
) |
|
|
(58,818 |
) |
|
|
606,914 |
|
Accrued severance costs
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(184,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,649 |
|
Net cash used by operating activities
|
|
|
(3,230,360 |
) |
|
|
(2,374,391 |
) |
|
|
(55,650,928 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investments
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(21,609,447 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of investments
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
21,609,447 |
|
Cash acquired in merger with Dome Ventures
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,618,548 |
|
Equipment purchases
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6,317 |
) |
|
|
(3,017,682 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of equipment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65,472 |
|
|
|
451,565 |
|
Proceeds from mining concession option payment (Note 8)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
Acquisition of property concessions
|
|
|
(20,000 |
) |
|
|
(50,601 |
) |
|
|
(5,823,476 |
) |
Net cash (used by) provided by investing activities
|
|
|
(20,000 |
) |
|
|
8,554 |
|
|
|
(5,571,045 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
|
|
|
10,217,774 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
64,908,705 |
|
Proceeds from sales of options and warrants
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
949,890 |
|
Proceeds from exercise of options
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
131,156 |
|
|
|
188,913 |
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
6,350,286 |
|
Deferred offering costs
|
|
|
94,549 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Payable to joint venture partner
|
|
|
74,501 |
|
|
|
(36,108 |
) |
|
|
554,095 |
|
Proceeds from shareholder loans
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Payment of note payable
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(15,783 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
10,386,824 |
|
|
|
105,048 |
|
|
|
72,966,106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(40,080 |
) |
|
|
(15,657 |
) |
|
|
(407,850 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
7,096,384 |
|
|
|
(2,276,446 |
) |
|
|
11,336,283 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
|
|
|
4,239,899 |
|
|
|
10,570,598 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
|
|
$ |
11,336,283 |
|
|
$ |
8,294,152 |
|
|
$ |
11,336,283 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (CONTINUED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
January 31,
|
|
|
Period from
November 8,
1993 (Inception)
to January 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
$ |
4,962 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
145,526 |
|
Interest paid
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
286,771 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued in merger with Dome
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
24,840,886 |
|
Warrants issued in merger with Dome
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,895,252 |
|
Common stock issued for equipment
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Common stock options issued for financing fees
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
276,000 |
|
Common stock options issued for non-cash options
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
59,947 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Silver Bull Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on November 8, 1993 as the Cadgie Company for the purpose of acquiring and developing mineral properties. The Cadgie Company was a spin-off from its predecessor, Precious Metal Mines, Inc. On June 28, 1996, at a special directors meeting, the Company’s name was changed to Metalline Mining Company (“Metalline”). On April 20, 2011, at an annual meeting of shareholders, the Company’s name change to Silver Bull Resources, Inc. was approved and became effective April 21, 2011. The Company’s fiscal year-end is October 31. The Company has not realized any revenues from its planned operations and is considered an Exploration Stage Company. The Company has not established any reserves with respect to its exploration projects, and may never enter into the development with respect to any of its projects.
The Company engages in the business of mineral exploration. The Company currently owns or has the option to acquire a number of property concessions in Mexico (collectively known as the “Sierra Mojada Property”). The Company conducts its operations in Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary corporations, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V. (“Minera”) and Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V. (“Contratistas”) and through Minera’s wholly-owned subsidiary Minas de Coahuila SBR S.A. de C.V. (“Minas”).
On April 16, 2010, Metalline Mining Delaware, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was merged with and into Dome Ventures Corporation (“Dome”). As a result, Dome became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Dome’s subsidiaries include its wholly-owned subsidiaries Dome Asia Inc., and Dome International Global Inc., which are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Dome International Global Inc.’s subsidiaries include its wholly-owned subsidiaries incorporated in Gabon, Dome Ventures SARL Gabon, and African Resources SARL Gabon, as well as its 99.99%-owned subsidiary, Dome Minerals Nigeria Limited incorporated in Nigeria. The Company conducts its exploration activities in Gabon, Africa through Dome Ventures SARL Gabon and African Resources SARL Gabon.
The Company’s efforts have been concentrated in expenditures related to exploration properties, principally in the Sierra Mojada Property located in Coahuila, Mexico. The Company has not determined whether the exploration properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The ultimate realization of the Company’s investment in exploration properties is dependent upon the success of future property sales, the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain financing or make other arrangements for development, and upon future profitable production. The ultimate realization of the Company’s investment in exploration properties cannot be determined at this time. Accordingly, no provision for any asset impairment that may result, in the event the Company is not successful in developing or selling these properties, has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements except as disclosed in Note 6.
NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim reporting. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated during consolidation. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2011.
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements (except as disclosed in Note 3). In the opinion of management, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements furnished herein include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Uncertainties with respect to estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that the actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions and could have a material effect on the reported amounts of the Company's financial position and results of operations.
6
NOTE 3 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies are defined in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2011 filed on January 11, 2012 except as follows.
Foreign Currency
During the year ended October 31, 2011 assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations were translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate, and revenue and expenses were translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Exchange differences arising on translation were disclosed as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions were reflected in the results of operations. Intercompany transactions and balances with the Company’s Mexican and Gabonese subsidiaries were considered to be short-term in nature except for $13.4 million of intercompany loans which the Company agreed to convert to future capital increases. All foreign currency transaction gains and losses on intercompany loans which were not considered to be short-term in nature were included in the consolidated statement of operations.
During the period-ended January 31, 2012 the Company’s Gabonese foreign operations were translated into U.S. dollars consistent with the year-ended October 31, 2011.
As at November 1, 2011, the Company determined that the functional currency of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries changed from the Mexican Peso (“$MXN”) to the U.S. dollar. During the three month period ended January 31, 2012 the Company’s Mexican foreign operations monetary assets and liabilities were translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate and non-monetary assets and liabilities were translated using the historical exchange rate. The Company’s Mexican foreign operations revenue and expenses were translated at the average exchange rate during the period except for depreciation of office and mining equipment and impairment of property concessions which are translated using the historical exchange rate. Foreign currency translation gains and losses of the Company’s foreign Mexican operations occurring after November 1, 2011 are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Three Months Ended January 31, 2012
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06 which included additional disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements disclosures effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those years. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” This new guidance on testing goodwill provides an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that this is the case, it is required to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit (if any). If an entity determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. ASU 2011-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with prospective application required. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company`s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
7
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This update amended the presentation options in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, “Comprehensive Income,” to provide an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with retrospective application required. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company`s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” This update amended explanations of how to measure fair value to result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with prospective application required. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company`s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed to have a material impact on the Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 4 – LOSS PER SHARE
The Company has stock options and warrants in the aggregate of 6,775,863 shares and 15,776,715 shares outstanding at January 31, 2012 and 2011. They were not included in the calculation of loss per share because they would have been considered anti-dilutive.
NOTE 5 – RESTRICTED CASH
At January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Company has $111,858 and $77,068 respectively of restricted cash which is classified as a current asset. The restricted cash represents cash contributed by AngloGold Ashanti Limited (“AngloGold”) for use exclusively on exploration costs related to the joint venture agreements with AngloGold (Note 8).
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY CONCESSIONS
The following is a summary of the Company’s property concessions in Sierra Mojada, Mexico and Gabon, Africa as at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively:
|
|
Sierra Mojada,
|
|
|
Gabon,
|
|
|
|
Mexico
|
|
|
Africa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property Concessions – October 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
4,318,292 |
|
|
$ |
4,396,915 |
|
Acquisitions
|
|
|
797,960 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Joint venture agreement payment received (Note 8)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(100,000 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
(269,565 |
) |
|
|
203,233 |
|
Property Concessions – October 31, 2011
|
|
$ |
4,846,687 |
|
|
$ |
4,500,148 |
|
Acquisitions
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment
|
|
|
(68,284 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(321,087 |
) |
Property Concessions – January 31, 2012
|
|
$ |
4,798,403 |
|
|
$ |
4,179,061 |
|
During the three months ended January 31, 2012, the Company decided not to pursue further work on the Fortaleza and Ampl. A. Fortaleza concessions. As a result the Company did not make a concession option payment for these concessions in February 2012 and has written off the capitalized property concession balance related to these concessions of $68,284.
8
NOTE 7 – OFFICE AND MINING EQUIPMENT
The following is a summary of the Company's property and equipment at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively:
|
|
January 31,
|
|
|
October 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining equipment
|
|
$ |
1,050,845 |
|
|
$ |
1,051,312 |
|
Vehicles
|
|
|
217,852 |
|
|
|
229,912 |
|
Buildings and structures
|
|
|
186,041 |
|
|
|
186,041 |
|
Computer equipment and software
|
|
|
201,856 |
|
|
|
203,000 |
|
Well equipment
|
|
|
39,637 |
|
|
|
39,637 |
|
Office equipment
|
|
|
49,041 |
|
|
|
49,041 |
|
|
|
|
1,745,272 |
|
|
|
1,758,943 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(998,971 |
) |
|
|
(973,457 |
) |
|
|
$ |
746,301 |
|
|
$ |
785,486 |
|
NOTE 8 – JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS
In October 2009, Dome and AngloGold entered into two joint venture agreements; the Ogooue Joint Venture Agreement and the Ndjole and Mevang Joint Venture Agreement.
Ogooue Joint Venture Agreement
AngloGold acquired a reconnaissance license over an area comprising 8,295 square kilometers in Gabon, Africa. This license was acquired by AngloGold for its gold potential. The joint venture is an 80/20 joint venture in favor of AngloGold. AngloGold made a firm commitment to spend $100,000 and solely fund the first $3 million of exploration expenditures, after which the parties will contribute on an 80/20 basis. Joint venture dilution provisions apply whereby if Dome is diluted in the future to a joint venture interest of 5% or less due to lack of contribution to exploration budgets, its interest will be converted to a 2% Net Smelter Return which can be purchased at an appraised value 14 months after commencement of commercial production. Should AngloGold elect not to spend the aforesaid $3 million, the lease shall be assigned to Dome.
Ndjole and Mevang Joint Venture Agreement
Dome is the owner of the Ndjole and Mevang exploration licenses, each comprised of 2,000 square kilometers. Under the terms of the joint venture, AngloGold earned a 20% interest by paying Dome $400,000 upon signing of the joint venture agreement in October 2009. AngloGold can earn an additional 40% interest by paying Dome $100,000 per year from 2010 through 2012 and by incurring exploration expenditures in the amount of $3.7 million from 2010 through 2012 at the rate of $1 million in the first year, $1.2 million in the second year and $1.5 million in the third year. As of January 31, 2012, AngloGold has incurred exploration expenditures of $5,515,000 and paid Dome two payments of $100,000 each.
Once it has earned a 60% interest, AngloGold can earn an additional 10% interest (70% total) by spending $5 million on exploration expenditures within two years of earning into a 60% interest as set out above. When the parties have a 70/30 joint venture, and if Dome elects not to contribute to work programs and budgets, AngloGold may elect to earn an additional 15% interest (85% total) by carrying the project to a completed pre-feasibility study. Should AngloGold fail to perform as set out above, a 100% interest in the licenses shall revert to Dome and the joint venture will cease. AngloGold shall be entitled to withdraw from the joint venture after it has spent $1 million on exploration expenditures.
Joint venture dilution provisions apply whereby if Dome is diluted in the future to a joint venture interest of 5% or less due to lack of contribution to exploration budgets, its interests will be converted to a 2% Net Smelter Return which can be purchased at appraised value 14 months after commencement of commercial production.
9
Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, exploration costs are currently being funded 100% by AngloGold through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Dome Gabon SARL. AngloGold will typically fund in advance the exploration costs for the upcoming period. Any funds received in excess of exploration costs are reflected as a payable to joint venture partner on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of January 31, 2012, the payable to AngloGold was $575,241.
NOTE 9 – VALUE-ADDED TAX RECEIVABLE
During 2008, the Company filed value added (“IVA”) tax returns with the Mexican authorities to recover IVA taxes paid by its Mexican subsidiaries from 2005 through 2008. The Mexican authorities reviewed the IVA tax returns filed and requested the Company provide copies of supporting documentation for amounts filed. During 2008 and 2009, the Company worked extensively with IVA tax consultants and Mexican authorities to provide the requested documentation and answer questions related to these tax returns, but was unable to recover the IVA tax amounts.
As the result of these difficulties, the Company applied for authorization before the tax authorities to transfer the tax office jurisdiction to Mexico City beginning in the 2012 fiscal year. During December 2011 the Company received this authorization and the Company filed IVA tax returns in Mexico City for calendar years 2008, 2009 and 2010 in January 2012.
At January 31, 2012, management evaluated the IVA tax receivable and increased the allowance for uncollectible taxes to $MXN 19.1 million or $1,473,676. The allowance for uncollectible taxes was estimated by management based upon a number of factors including the length of time the returns have been outstanding, general economic conditions in Mexico and estimated net recovery after commissions.
During the three months ended January 31, 2012, additional IVA allowance for uncollectible taxes of $MXN 1.1 million Pesos or $83,821 has been recorded.
A summary of the changes in the allowance for uncollectible taxes for the three months ended January 31, 2012 is as follows:
Allowance for uncollectible taxes – October 31, 2011
|
|
$ |
1,380,818 |
|
Provision for Uncollectible IVA Taxes
|
|
|
83,821 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
9,037 |
|
Allowance for uncollectible taxes – January 31, 2012
|
|
$ |
1,473,676 |
|
NOTE 10 – GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess, at the date of acquisition, of the purchase price of the business acquired over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. As at January 31, 2012 the Company did not identify any potential indicators of impairment.
The following is a summary of the Company’s goodwill balance as at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively:
|
|
|
|
Goodwill – October 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
19,738,862 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
(1,243,831 |
) |
Goodwill – October 31, 2011
|
|
$ |
18,495,031 |
|
Goodwill – January 31, 2012
|
|
$ |
18,495,031 |
|
10
NOTE 11 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has an arrangement with Rand Edgar Investment Corp., a company owned by Brian Edgar, the Company's Chairman, whereby the Company pays approximately $10,000 per month for general corporate development, rent and administrative services for an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. During the three months ended January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011, the Company paid $30,000 and $31,340, respectively, to Rand Edgar Investment Corp. for general corporate development, rent and administrative services which is included in the office and administrative line of the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
NOTE 12 – SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
On June 11, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted a Shareholders’ Right Plan through the adoption of a Rights Agreement, which became effective immediately. In connection with the adoption of the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared a distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 22, 2007. In accordance with the Rights Plan, one Right is attached to each share of Company common stock issued since that date. Each Right is attached to the underlying common stock and will remain with the common stock if the stock is sold or transferred. As of January 31, 2012, there are 136,160,157 shares outstanding with Rights attached.
In certain circumstances, in the event that any person acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, each holder of a Right, other than the acquirer, would be entitled to receive, upon payment of the purchase price, which is initially set at $20 per Right, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock having a value equal to two times such purchase price. The Rights will expire on June 11, 2017.
NOTE 13 - COMMON STOCK
On December 12, 2011, the Company closed a registered direct offering for the sale or 20,755,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.50 per share for gross proceeds of $10,377,500. The Company paid a 6% finder’s fee totaling $94,500 to a Canadian finder with respect to certain non-U.S. purchasers who were introduced by them. The Company incurred other offering costs of $209,744 related to this offering.
On December 13, 2011, the Company closed a registered direct offering for the sale or 295,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.50 per share for gross proceeds of $147,500. The Company incurred offering costs of $2,982 related to this offering.
During the three months ended January 31, 2011, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants at an average cash consideration of $0.50 per share. Options to acquire 199,480 shares of common stock were also exercised at an average exercise price of $0.66. In addition, options to acquire 6,666 shares of common stock were exercised by way of a cashless exercise whereby the recipients elected to receive 2,160 shares without payment of the exercised price and the remaining options for 4,506 shares were cancelled.
NOTE 14 - STOCK OPTIONS
The Company has adopted two active stock option plans. Under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”) the Company may grant non-statutory and incentive options to employees, directors and consultants for up to a total of 5,000,000 shares of common stock. Under the 2010 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan (the “2010 Plan”), the lesser of (i) 30,000,000 shares or (ii) 10% of the total shares outstanding are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options or the grant of stock bonuses.
Options are typically granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant, have a graded vesting schedule over approximately 2 to 3 years and have a contractual term of 5 to 10 years.
11
A summary of the range of assumptions used to value stock options granted for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
|
|
Three months Ended
January 31,
|
|
Options
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
81% - 104% |
|
|
103% - 116% |
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
0.29% - 0.46% |
|
|
0.88% - 1.34% |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Expected term (in years)
|
|
2.50 - 3.50 |
|
|
2.50 - 3.50 |
|
During the three months ended January 31, 2012, the Company granted options to acquire 1,630,000 shares of common stock with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $0.30. No options were exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2012.
During the three months ended January 31, 2011, options to acquire 201,640 shares of common stock were exercised at an average exercise price of $0.66 per share. The options had an intrinsic value of $95,090 at the time of exercise. Also during the three months ended January 31, 2011, the Company granted options to acquire 250,000 shares of common stock with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $0.78.
The following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended January 31, 2012:
Options
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
|
|
|
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at November 1, 2011
|
|
|
4,551,908 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
1,630,000 |
|
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited or cancelled
|
|
|
(710,001 |
) |
|
|
2.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at January 31, 2012
|
|
|
5,471,907 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
|
4.28 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested or Expected to Vest at January 31, 2012
|
|
|
5,471,907 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
|
4.28 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Exercisable at January 31, 2012
|
|
|
2,991,897 |
|
|
$ |
0.78 |
|
|
|
4.12 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs for stock options of $352,900 and $191,931 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company typically does not recognize any tax benefits for stock options due to the Company’s recurring losses. The Company currently expects all outstanding options to vest. Compensation cost is revised if subsequent information indicates that the actual number of options vested is likely to differ from previous estimates.
12
Summarized information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2012 is as follows:
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Exercisable
|
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
Number
Outstanding
|
|
Weighted Ave. Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
Number
Exercisable
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
1,630,000 |
|
|
|
4.96 |
|
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
643,328 |
|
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
0.63 - 1.20 |
|
|
3,713,333 |
|
|
|
3.93 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
2,219,995 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
2.18 |
|
|
128,574 |
|
|
|
5.97 |
|
|
|
2.18 |
|
|
128,574 |
|
|
|
2.18 |
|
$ |
0.54 - 2.18 |
|
|
5,471,907 |
|
|
|
4.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
2,991,897 |
|
|
$ |
0.78 |
|
A summary of the non-vested shares as of January 31, 2012 and changes during the three months ended January 31, 2012 is as follows:
Nonvested Shares
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
|
|
Nonvested at November 1, 2011
|
|
1,520,005 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
Granted
|
|
1,630,000 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
Vested
|
|
(643,328 |
) |
|
|
0.30 |
|
Forfeited
|
|
(26,667 |
) |
|
|
0.42 |
|
Nonvested at January 31, 2012
|
|
2,480,010 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
As of January 31, 2012, there was $593,306 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share based compensation arrangements granted under the qualified stock option plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.61 years.
NOTE 15 - WARRANTS
A summary of warrant activity for the three months ended January 31, 2012 is as follows:
Warrants
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
|
|
|
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at November 1, 2011
|
|
1,803,956 |
|
|
$ |
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited or expired
|
|
(500,000 |
) |
|
|
3.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at January 31, 2012
|
|
1,303,956 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
$ |
10,800 |
|
Exercisable at January 31, 2012
|
|
1,303,956 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
$ |
10,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No warrants were exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2012.
During the three months ended January 31, 2011, warrants to acquire 20,000 shares of common stock were exercised at an average exercise price of $0.50 per share. The warrants had an intrinsic value of $11,600 at time of exercise.
13
Summarized information about warrants outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2012 is as follows:
Warrants Outstanding
|
|
|
Warrants Exercisable
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Number Outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted Ave. Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
|
|
|
Number
Exercisable
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
|
|
$ |
0.34 – 0.50 |
|
|
|
1,303,956 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
|
1,303,956 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
NOTE 16 – 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).
|
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. As of January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Company had no financial or non-financial assets or liabilities required to be reported for fair value purposes.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and expenses approximate fair value at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 due to the short maturities of these financial instruments.
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.
14
The Company maintains its US Dollar and Canadian Dollar (“$CDN”) cash and cash equivalents in bank and demand deposit 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 $250,000 and $CDN cash deposits held in Canada are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) for up to $CDN 100,000. Certain United States and Canadian bank accounts held by the Company exceed these federally insured limits or are uninsured as they related to US Dollar deposits held in Canadian financial institutions. As of January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Company’s cash and cash equivalent balances held in United States and Canadian financial institutions included $10,570,576 and $4,008,674 respectively, which was not 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.
The Company also maintains cash in bank accounts in Mexico and Gabon. These accounts are denominated in the local currency and are considered uninsured. As of January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the US dollar equivalent balance for these accounts was $443,367 and $116,451, respectively.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company holds substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents in bank and demand deposit accounts with major financial institutions. The interest rates received on these balances may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions. Based on the average cash and cash equivalent and restricted cash balances during the three months ended January 31, 2012, a 1% decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a reduction in interest income for the period of approximately $3,379.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Certain purchases of labor, operating supplies and capital assets are denominated in $CDN, $MXN, Central African Francs (“$CFA”) or other currencies. As a result, currency exchange fluctuations may impact the costs of our operations. Specifically, the appreciation of the $MXN, $CDN or $CFA against the US dollar may result in an increase in operating expenses and capital costs in US dollar terms. To reduce this risk as of January 31, 2012, the Company maintains minimum cash balances in $CFA and $MXN. As of January 31, 2012, the Company maintained the majority of its cash balance in $US dollar. The Company currently does not engage in any currency hedging activities.
NOTE 17 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Compliance with Environmental Regulations
The Company’s activities are subject to laws and regulations controlling not only the exploration and mining of mineral properties, but also the effect of such activities on the environment. Compliance with such laws and regulations may necessitate additional capital outlays; affect the economics of a project, and cause changes or delays in the Company’s activities.
Employment Agreements
Effective September 2, 2011, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Edgar that revised the change in control provision. The amended and restated employment agreement provides that Mr. Edgar is entitled to written notice of termination for 12 months if Mr. Edgar is terminated without cause. Further upon a change of control (which is defined in the amended and restated employment agreement), Mr. Edgar is entitled to receive a severance payment equal to 12 months of his base salary ($CDN 7,500 per month) plus the previous year bonus, if Mr. Edgar terminates his employment within three months of such change in control.
15
On September 2, 2011 (although effective June 1, 2011), the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Barry, that provides for base compensation of $CDN 18,000 per month (or $CDN 216,000 annually) and a potential bonus of $CDN 30,000 if certain performance targets are met. The amended and restated employment agreement provides that Mr. Barry is entitled to written notice of termination for up to 12 months if Mr. Barry meets certain employment terms and is terminated without cause. Further upon a change of control (which is defined in the amended and restated employment agreement), Mr. Barry is entitled to receive a severance payment of up to 18 months of his base salary plus the previous year bonus, if Mr. Barry terminates his employment within three months of such change in control.
On April 6, 2011 (although effective February 7, 2011), the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Sean Fallis, as Chief Financial Officer starting April 15, 2011 that provides for an annual base salary of $CDN 150,000. The amended and restated employment agreement provides that Mr. Fallis is entitled to written notice of termination for up to six months if Mr. Fallis meets certain employment terms and is terminated without cause. Further upon a change of control (which is defined in the amended and restated employment agreement), Mr. Fallis is entitled to receive a severance payment of up to 12 months of his base salary, if Mr. Fallis terminates his employment within three months of such change in control.
On August 4, 2011, the Company entered into an amended and restated independent contractor agreement with Jason Cunliffe, as the newly appointed Vice President of Exploration. Pursuant to the agreement Mr. Cunliffe will receive a base consulting rate of $700 per day for each day worked and a potential annual bonus of $20,000 if certain performance targets are met. The amended and restated independent contractor agreement continues on a month-to-month basis and can be terminated by either party with 30 days advance notice. Further upon a change of control (which is defined in the amended and restated independent contractor agreement), Mr. Cunliffe is entitled to receive a severance payment of up to 240 days of his base consulting rate, if Mr. Cunliffe terminates his contract within three months of such change in control.
Property Concessions Mexico
To properly maintain property concessions in Mexico, the Company is required to pay a semi-annual fee to the Mexican government and complete annual assessment work.
In addition ten of the concessions in the Sierra Mojada project are subject to options to purchase from existing third party concession owners. The agreements are considered option purchase agreements and give the Company the option, but not the obligation, to acquire the concessions at established prices. Pursuant to the option purchase agreements, the Company is required to make certain payments over the terms of these contracts. The payments required to obtain full ownership of these concessions are set forth in the table below:
Olympia (1 concession)
|
|
|
Payment Date
|
Payment Amount
|
February 2012
|
$MXN $200,000
|
August 2012
|
$MXN $250,000
|
February 2013
|
$MXN $470,000
|
August 2013
|
$MXN $1,000,000
|
Nuevo Dulces Nombres (Centenario) and Yolanda III (2 concessions)
|
|
|
Payment Date
|
Payment Amount(1)
|
Anticipated Second Quarter 2012(2)
|
$460,000
|
Beginning 24 months after the initial payment date and ending 48 months after the initial payment date
|
$20,000 per month
|
(1) 48 months after the initial payment date, Silver Bull has the option of acquiring Nuevo Dulces Nombres (100% interest) for $4 million and Yolanda III (100% interest) for $2 million.
(2) Initial payment less advances is expected to be paid in the second quarter of the 2012 fiscal year.
16
Poder de Dios, Anexas a Poder de Dios, and Ampliacion a Poder de Dios (3 concessions)
|
|
|
|
Payment Date
|
Payment Amount
|
Option Purchase Price(1)
|
April 2012
|
$200,000
|
$4 million
|
October 2012
|
$300,000
|
$4 million
|
April 2013
|
$300,000
|
$5 million
|
October 2013
|
$300,000
|
$5 million
|
April 2014
|
$300,000
|
$6 million
|
October 2014
|
$300,000
|
$6 million
|
April 2015(2)
|
$300,000
|
$7 million
|
(1) Payments shown in the second column are required to maintain the option. Payments shown in the third column reflect the purchase price at that point in time for the acquisition of 100% of the concessions. Upon payment of the option purchase price, no subsequent payments are required.
(2) After April 2015, Silver Bull must pay $300,000 every 6 months in order to maintain the option-purchase agreement. During this period, Silver Bull has the option of acquiring Poder de Dios, Anexas a Poder de Dios, and Ampliacion a Poder de Dios (100% interest) for $7 million.
Veta Rica o La Inglesa (1 concession)
|
|
|
Payment Date
|
Payment Amount
|
April 2012
|
$200,000
|
April 2013
|
$300,000
|
April 2014
|
$300,000
|
La Perla, La India, and La India Dos (3 concessions)
|
|
|
|
Payment Date
|
Payment Amount
|
Option Purchase Price(1)
|
April 2012
|
$300,000
|
$3 million
|
April 2013
|
$400,000
|
$4 million
|
April 2014
|
$500,000
|
$5 million
|
(1) Payments shown in the second column are required to maintain the option. Payments shown in the third column reflect the purchase price at that point in time for the acquisition of 100% of the concessions. Upon payment of the option purchase price, no subsequent payments are required.
17
Property Concessions Gabon
The Company holds title to several property concessions in Gabon, Africa that require the Company to spend minimal amounts each term to renew the licenses. Each license is renewable twice with each renewal lasting for three years. The Company must spend 200,000,000 $CFA francs in order to renew each exploration license for a second term of three years and 400,000,000 $CFA francs in order to renew the license for a third term of three years. The Company must spend 800,000,000 $CFA francs in the third term. Dome may apply for a mining license at any time during these periods. The initial term of these exploration licenses expired on September 18, 2011. The Company applied for renewal in June of 2011 as it had met the necessary expenditure requirements and expects to receive the renewal approval in 2012. As of January 31, 2012, one U.S. dollar approximates $CFA 507.
Drilling Agreement
The Company entered into drilling agreements with two companies for a minimum of 25,000 meters of drilling at the Sierra Mojada Property. The remaining drilling commitment under these agreements was equal to $1,793,000 at January 31, 2012.
NOTE 18 – SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates in one business segment being the exploration of mineral property interests. The Company has mineral property interests in Sierra Mojada, Mexico and Gabon, Africa.
Geographic information is approximately as follows:
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
January 31,
|
|
|
Period from November 8, 1993 (Inception) To
January 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
Net (loss) for the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mexico
|
|
$ |
(2,517,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(407,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(40,062,000 |
) |
Canada
|
|
|
(853,000 |
) |
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
(2,138,000 |
) |
Gabon
|
|
|
(224,000 |
) |
|
|
(33,000 |
) |
|
|
(518,000 |
) |
United States
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,169,000 |
) |
|
|
(34,309,000 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(3,594,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,611,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(77,027,000 |
) |
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
January 31,
|
|
|
Period from November 8, 1993 (Inception) To
January 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
Exploration and property holding costs for the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mexico
|
|
$ |
(2,495,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,085,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(39,522,000 |
) |
Gabon
|
|
|
(57,000 |
) |
|
|
(15,000 |
) |
|
|
(359,000 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(2,552,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,100,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(39,881,000 |
) |
18
The following table details foreign assets included in the accompanying balance sheet at January 31, 2012:
|
|
|
United States
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
Mexico
|
|
|
Gabon
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
300,000
|
|
$
|
10,705,000
|
|
|
$
|
262,000
|
|
|
$
|
69,000
|
|
|
$
|
11,336,000
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
112,000
|
|
|
|
112,000
|
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
109,000
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
118,000
|
|
Prepaid expenses and income taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
155,000
|
|
|
|
148,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
303,000
|
|
Mining concessions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,798,000
|
|
|
|
4,179,000
|
|
|
|
8,977,000
|
|
Office and mining equipment, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
728,000
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
746,000
|
|
Value-added tax receivable, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,527,000
|
|
|
|
470,000
|
|
|
|
1,997,000
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,495,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,495,000
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
$ |
300,000
|
|
$
|
10,975,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,983,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,842,000
|
|
|
$
|
42,100,000
|
|
The following table details foreign assets included in the accompanying balance sheet at October 31, 2011:
|
|
|
United States
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
Mexico
|
|
|
Gabon
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
40,000
|
|
$
|
4,160,000
|
|
|
$
|
18,000
|
|
|
$
|
21,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,239,000
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
77,000
|
|
|
|
77,000
|
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
72,000
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
81,000
|
|
Prepaid expenses and income taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Mining concessions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,847,000
|
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
9,347,000
|
|
Office and mining equipment, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
764,000
|
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
785,000
|
|
Value-added tax receivable, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,278,000
|
|
|
|
549,000
|
|
|
|
1,827,000
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,495,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,495,000
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
|
113,000
|
|
|
|
$
|
40,000
|
|
$
|
4,434,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,561,000
|
|
|
$
|
5,179,000
|
|
|
$
|
35,214,000
|
|
The Company has significant assets in Coahuila, Mexico and Gabon, Africa. Although these countries are generally considered economically stable, it is always possible that unanticipated events in foreign countries could disrupt the Company’s operations. Neither the Mexican government nor the Gabonese government requires foreign entities to maintain cash reserves in their respective country.
19
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
When we use the terms “Silver Bull ,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we are referring to Silver Bull Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. We have included technical terms important to an understanding of our business under “Glossary of Common Terms” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. Throughout this document we make statements that are classified as “forward-looking.”
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. We use words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “likely”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “projection”, “should”, “believe”, “potential”, “could” or similar words suggesting future outcomes (including negative and grammatical variations) to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances.
Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties and our actual results could differ from those express or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011, including:
·
|
Results of future exploration at our Sierra Mojada Project;
|
·
|
Our ability to raise necessary capital to conduct our exploration activities, and do so on acceptable terms;
|
·
|
Worldwide economic and political events affecting the market prices for silver, gold, zinc, lead, and other minerals that may be found on our exploration properties;
|
·
|
The amount and nature of future capital and exploration expenditures;
|
·
|
Competitive factors, including exploration-related competition;
|
·
|
Our inability to obtain required permits;
|
·
|
Timing of receipt and maintenance of government approvals;
|
·
|
Unanticipated title issues;
|
·
|
Changes in regulatory frameworks or regulations affecting our activities;
|
·
|
Our ability to retain key management necessary to successfully operate and grow our business; and
|
·
|
Political and economic instability in Mexico and other countries in which we conduct our business, and future actions of the governments in such countries with respect to nationalization of natural resources or other changes in mining or taxation policies.
|
These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that could affect us.
20
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Exploration Companies
We are an exploration stage company and do not currently have any known reserves and cannot be expected to have reserves unless and until a feasibility study is completed for the Sierra Mojada concessions that shows proven and probable reserves. There can be no assurance that our concessions contain proven and probable reserves and investors may lose their entire investment. See “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.
Business Overview
Silver Bull, incorporated in Nevada, is an exploration stage company, engaged in the business of mineral exploration. Our primary objective is to define sufficient mineral reserves on the Sierra Mojada Property to justify the development of a mechanized mining operation (the “Sierra Mojada Property”). We conduct our operations in Mexico through our wholly-owned Mexican subsidiaries, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V. (“Minera”) and Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V. (“Contratistas”), and through Minera’s wholly-owned subsidiary Minas de Coahuila SBR S.A. de C.V. However, as noted above, we have not established any reserves at the Sierra Mojada Property, and are in the exploration stage and may never enter the development or production stage.
On April 16, 2010, we completed a merger transaction with Dome Ventures Corporation (“Dome”), whereby Dome became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Dome through its subsidiaries holds three exploration licenses in Gabon, West Africa covering approximately 6,000 square kilometers and has entered into a joint venture agreement with a subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti Limited (“AngloGold”) on two of its licenses, Ndjole and Mevang. Dome also entered into a second joint venture agreement on the Ogooue license held by AngloGold. Dome’s third license, the Mitzic license, has iron ore potential and we are currently looking for a joint venture partner on this license. Operations in Gabon are conducted by Dome’s subsidiaries Dome Ventures SARL Gabon and African Resources SARL Gabon.
Our principal offices are located at 885 West Georgia Street, Suite 2200, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 3E8, and our telephone number is 604-687-5800.
Current Developments
Sierra Mojada Property
In January 2012, the board of directors approved a calendar year 2012 exploration budget of $14.6 million for the Sierra Mojada Property. The majority of budgeted expenditures relate to drilling and metallurgy on the silver and zinc mineralization and concession option purchase agreement payments.
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Drilling
The calendar year 2012 exploration program includes a planned 41,200 meter drilling program targeting the “Centenario Zone,” a new zone discovered toward the end of 2011 that lies immediately adjacent to the main body of the “Shallow Silver Zone” and the western extension of the Shallow Silver Zone. Additionally, this program includes a planned 5,000 meter underground drilling program targeting along the 2.2 kilometer Parrena adit which lies immediately south of the Shallow Silver Zone. The Parrena adit has not been previously drilled. Currently, two drill rigs are onsite focused on drilling the extensions to the “Centenario Zone” and data from drilling completed to the end of February will be included in the updated resource report discussed below. An underground drill rig is also currently onsite drilling in the Parrena adit. Approximately 4,600 meters of drilling was completed during the month of January.
Resource Update
The third in a series of resource updates in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) is anticipated to be completed by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. (“SRK”) in the second quarter of calendar 2012. All available data up to February 29, 2012 will be provided to SRK for inclusion in the report.
Mineralized Material Estimate
On November 25, 2011, SRK delivered a NI 43-101 technical report on the silver mineralization in the “Shallow Silver Zone” of the Sierra Mojada Project. The resource was estimated from 1,107 diamond drill holes, 34 reverse circulation drill holes, 10,611 channel samples and 3,056 long holes. In total, these contain 157,758 assay records, of which 148,950 records contain silver and zinc assays values.
At an economic cutoff grade of 15 grams/tonne of silver for mineralized material possibly accessible by open pit mining and 70 grams/tonne of silver for mineralized material possibly amendable to underground mining, the report indicates mineralized material of 28.564 million tonnes at an average silver grade of 50.4 grams/tonne for the silver pit and 0.282 million tonnes at an average silver grade of 110.9 grams/tonne for the underground workings. Mineralized material estimates do not include any amounts categorized as inferred resources.
“Mineralized material” as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, although permissible under SEC’s Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the Sierra Mojada project will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves.” Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
Metallurgical Studies
We have recently contracted our Vice President of Metallurgy George Rawsthorne to lead our metallurgical program in 2012. This program to test the recovery of silver and zinc will be vigorously pursued. The goal of this program will be to test the silver for heap and agitation cyanide leach methods. We will also look to see how any low grade zinc (<1%) which reports with the silver mineralization can be recovered. We will also review all of the previous metallurgical work completed on the Zinc Zone. Our Vice President of Metallurgy will coordinate the effort in close liaison with our other management and the selected laboratories.
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Gabon Property
To date, three main coherent gold anomalies above 50 parts per billion (“ppb”) and over 5km in length and up to 1.5km wide and several smaller anomalous zones up to 2km in length and up to 1km wide have been identified. Background gold values in the region are less than 5 ppb and results above 20 ppb are considered anomalous. Over 25% of the results received to date are above 30 ppb with peak values in excess of 5,000 ppb in the soils. The anomalies appear to have strong structural controls concentrating along mapped or inferred lithological contacts, structural breaks, and fold hinges. There is also a strong spatial relationship of the gold anomalies to a thick graphitic lithological unit in the area that is thought to represent an ideal lithological trap for mineralizing fluids. Initial prospecting in these anomalous zones has identified a number of gold bearing quartz veins, many of which run between 2 g/t to 5 g/t gold.
Exploratory drilling has focused on these gold anomalies. East-west trending drill fences have been positioned to test roughly north-south trending lithological contacts which are considered as the most favorable sites for gold deposition. A total of 5,000 meters was drilled with gold intercepts between 1m to 13m in thickness encountered. The best intercept averaged 7.6 g/t gold over 9 meters. Most intercepts were in the 1 meter to 3 meter range at 1 to 4 g/t gold. Anomalous silver and manganese were also encountered in some holes.
Airborne Geophysics
A 5,000 line kilometer VTEM Geophysics survey was completed by Spectrem Air LTD over the Ndjole exploration permit in March 2011. Results show a strong electro-magnetic response that has been strongly folded and deformed.
Mapping
Mapping of the main gold prospects was completed in the Ndjole and Mevang licenses at 1:20,000 scale. Detailed mapping at 1:5000 scale occurred over areas with drilling to better define lithological contacts and local structure.
A large soil sampling and mapping campaign lead by AngloGold targeting the extensions to the known geology is currently underway on the property and will continue into 2012
Management Changes
During 2012, we made the following changes to our board of directors:
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On February 22, 2012, Joshua Crumb was appointed to the Board of Directors as an independent director. Mr. Crumb is an engineer and mineral economist with a wide range of executive experience in the mining industry. Mr. Crumb is a co-founder of LEC Minerals Inc, a private investment corporation that also provides advisory services for mining/exploration companies. Mr. Crumb was formerly the Senior Metals Strategist at Goldman Sachs, working in the commodity research division in London, has held various positions within the Lundin group of companies. Mr. Crumb holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Master of Science in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines.
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On February 22, 2012, John McClintock was appointed to the Board of Directors. Mr. McClintock has a significant amount of experience in all facets of the mineral exploration business, which has come from managing large exploration organizations. He currently serves as the President of McClintock Geological Management, which provides ongoing management services to Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. and Savant Explorations Ltd. Mr. McClintock holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and an undergraduate degree in geology, with honors, from the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the Professional Engineers of British Columbia, the Prospectors and Developers Association of British Columbia, and the Association of Mineral Exploration of British Columbia.
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Two of our current directors, Dr. Nicole Adshead-Bell and Duncan Hsia, have elected not to stand for reelection at the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders. Each of them will continue to serve on the board until the meeting, at which time the size of the board will be reduced from eight members to six members.
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Results of Operation
Three Months Ended January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011
For the three months ended January 31, 2012, we experienced a consolidated net loss of $3,593,000 or approximately $0.03 per share, compared to a consolidated net loss of $1,611,000 or approximately $0.02 per share during comparable period last year. The $1,982,000 increase in the consolidated net loss was primarily due to a $1,452,000 increase in exploration and property holding costs, and a foreign currency transaction loss of $188,000 in the three months ended January 31, 2012 compared to a foreign currency transaction gain of $285,000 in the comparable period last year
Exploration and Property Holding Costs
Exploration and property holding costs increased $1,452,000 or 132% to $2,552,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 compared to $1,100,000 for the comparable period last year. The increase was primarily due to the fact we were drilling for the majority of the three months ended January 31, 2012 whereas minimal drilling was completed in the comparable period last year.
General and Administrative Costs
General and administrative expenses increased $73,000 or 9% to $883,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 as compared to $810,000 for the comparable period last year. The increase was mainly for the result of provision for uncollectible value-added taxes in Mexico of $84,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012.
Stock based compensation was a factor in the fluctuations in general and administrative expenses. Overall stock based compensation included in general and administrative expenses increased to $255,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 from $192,000 for the comparable period last year.
Personal costs of $275,000 and office and administrative costs of $189,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 were similar to $271,000 and $197,000 for the comparable period last year.
Professional fees decreased $32,000 or 15% to $176,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 as compared to $208,000 for the same period last year. The decrease relates to the work performed in the comparable period last year related to the joint prospectus and proxy statement prepared as a result of the merger of Dome Venture Corporation and Silver Bull.
Directors’ fees increased $28,000 or 21% to $159,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 as compared to $131,000 for the comparable period last year. The increase was primarily due to higher stock based compensation for stock options granted to independent directors which increased $29,000 to $115,000 in 2012.
We recorded a provision of $84,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 for uncollectible value-added taxes compared to a provision of $nil in the comparable period last year. The allowance for uncollectible taxes was estimated by management based upon a number of factors including the length of time the returns have been outstanding, general economic conditions in Mexico and estimated net recovery after commissions.
Other Income (Expense)
We recorded other expense of $154,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2012 as compared to other income of $303,000 for the compared period last year. The significant factor was a foreign currency transaction loss of $188,000 in the three months ended January 31, 2012 as compared to a $285,000 foreign currency transaction gain for the comparable period last year.
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The foreign currency transaction loss in the three months ended January 31, 2012 was primarily the result of the depreciation of the Central African Franc and the resulting impact on the intercompany loans between Silver Bull and our Gabonese subsidiaries. The foreign currency transaction gain in the comparable period last year was primarily the result of the appreciation of the Mexican Peso and the resulting impact on the intercompany loans between Silver Bull and our Mexican subsidiaries. In the three months ended January 31, 2012, foreign currency transaction gains/losses are not recorded on the intercompany loans between Silver Bull and our Mexican subsidiaries due to the change in functional currency described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section.
Material Changes in Financial Condition; Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
During the three months ended January 31, 2012, we primarily utilized cash and cash on hand to fund exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Property, property concession option purchase agreement payments and general and administrative expenses. Additionally, during the three months ended January 31, 2012 we received net proceeds after offering costs of $10,218,000 as we closed registered direct offerings for the sale of 21,050,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.50 per share during December 2011. As a result of the registered direct offerings offset by the exploration activities and general and administrative expenses, cash and cash on hand increased from $4,240,000 at October 31, 2011 to $11,336,000 at January 31, 2012.
Cash flows used in operations for the three months ended January 31, 2012 year was $3,230,000 as compared to $2,374,000 for the comparable period in 2011. This increase was mainly due to the significantly higher exploration costs at the Sierra Mojada Property in the three months ended January 31, 2012 compared to the similar period last year which was partial offset by the significant decrease in the accrued payable and accrued severance costs in the comparable period last year.
During the three months ended January 31, 2012, we spent $20,000 on the acquisition of property concessions as compared to $51,000 in the similar period last year. Also, we received $65,000 on the sale of equipment in the three months ended January 31, 2011.
Cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2012 year was $10,387,000 as compared to $105,000 for the comparable period last year. The significant increase is due to the registered direct offerings which closed in December 2012.
Capital Resources
As of January 31, 2012, we had cash and cash on hand of $11,336,000 and working capital of $9,577,000 as compared to cash and cash on hand of $4,240,000 and working capital of $2,425,000 as of October 31, 2011. The increase in our liquidity and working capital were primarily the result of the registered direct offerings in December 2011 which was partially offset by cash used by operating and investing activities.
Since inception, we have relied primarily upon proceeds from private placements and registered direct offerings of our equity securities and warrant exercises as our primary sources of financing to fund our operations. We anticipate that we will continue to rely on sales of our securities in order to continue to fund our business operations. Issuances of additional shares will result in dilution to our existing stockholders. There is no assurance that we will be able to complete any additional sales of our equity securities or that we will be able arrange for other financing to fund our planned business activities. If we are unable to fund future operations by way of financing, including public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, our business, financial condition and exploration activities will be adversely impacted.
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Capital Requirements and Liquidity; Need for Subsequent Funding
Our management and Board of Directors monitor our overall costs, expenses, and financial resources and, if necessary, will adjust our planned operational expenditures in an attempt to ensure we have sufficient operating capital. We continue to evaluate our costs and planned expenditures including for our Sierra Mojada Property.
The continued exploration of the Sierra Mojada Property will require significant amounts of additional capital. In January 2012, the board of directors approved a calendar year 2012 exploration budget of $14.6 million for the Sierra Mojada Property and a $1.9 million budget for general and administrative expenses. As of February 29, 2012, we had approximately $9.9 million in cash on hand, and therefore we anticipate that we will need to raise additional capital to fully fund the calendar 2012 exploration program at the Sierra Mojada Property and for general and administrative expenses. During calendar year 2012 we will continue to evaluate our ability to raise additional capital and we will reduce expenditures on the Sierra Mojada property if we determine that additional capital is unavailable or available on terms that we determine are unacceptable. Also, the continued exploration of the Sierra Mojada Property ultimately will require us to raise additional capital, identify other sources of funding, or identify another strategic transaction. The on-going uncertainty and volatility in the global financial and capital markets have limited the availability of funding. Debt or equity financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. Equity financing, if available, may result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders. If we are unable to fund future operations by way of financing, including public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely impacted.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to our stockholders.
Critical Accounting Policies
The critical accounting policies are defined in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2011 filed on January 11, 2012 except as follows.
Foreign Currency
During the year ended October 31, 2011 assets and liabilities of our foreign operations were translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate, and revenue and expenses were translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Exchange differences arising on translation were disclosed as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions were reflected in the results of operations. Intercompany transactions and balances with the our Mexican and Gabonese subsidiaries were considered to be short-term in nature except for $13.4 million of intercompany loans which we agreed to convert to future capital increases. All foreign currency transaction gains and losses on intercompany loans which were not considered to be short-term in nature were included in the consolidated statement of operations.
During the period-ended January 31, 2012 our Gabonese foreign operations were translated into U.S. dollars consistent with the year-ended October 31, 2011.
As at November 1, 2011, we determined that the functional currency of our Mexican subsidiaries changed from the Mexican Peso to the U.S. Dollar. During the three month period ended January 31, 2012 our Mexican foreign operations monetary assets and liabilities were translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate and non-monetary assets and liabilities were translated using the historical exchange rate. Our Mexican foreign operations revenue and expenses were translated at the average exchange rate during the period except for depreciation of office and mining equipment and impairment of property concessions which are translated using the historical exchange rate. Foreign currency translation gains and losses of our foreign Mexican operations occurring after November 1, 2011 are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Three Months Ended January 31, 2012
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06 which included additional disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements disclosures effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those years. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” This new guidance on testing goodwill provides an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that this is the case, it is required to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit (if any). If an entity determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. ASU 2011-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with prospective application required. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This update amended the presentation options in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, “Comprehensive Income,” to provide an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with retrospective application required. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” This update amended explanations of how to measure fair value to result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with prospective application required. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed to have a material impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Interest Rate Risk
We hold substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents in bank and demand deposit accounts with major financial institutions. The interest rates received on these balances may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions. Based on the average cash and cash equivalent and restricted cash balances during the period ended January 31, 2012, a 1% decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a reduction in interest income for the period of approximately $3,379.
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Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Certain purchases of labor, operating supplies and capital assets are denominated in Canadian Dollars (“$CDN”), Mexican Pesos, Central African Francs (“$CFA”) or other currencies. As a result, currency exchange fluctuations may impact the costs of our operations. Specifically, the appreciation of the Mexican Peso, $CDN or $CFA against the U.S. dollar may result in an increase in operating expenses and capital costs in US dollar terms. To reduce this risk as of January 31, 2012, we maintain minimum cash balances in $CFA and Mexican Pesos. As of January 31, 2012, we maintained the majority of our cash balance in U.S. dollars. We currently do not engage in any currency hedging activities.
Commodity Price Risk
Our primary business activity is the exploration of properties containing silver, zinc, lead, gold and other minerals. As a result, decreases in the price of any of these metals have the potential to negatively impact our ability to establish reserves and develop our exploration properties. None of our properties are in production and we do not currently hold any commodity derivative positions.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of January 31, 2012, we have carried out an evaluation under the supervision of, and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on the evaluation as of January 31, 2012, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)) under the Exchange Act) were effective.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended January 31, 2012 there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION.
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
None.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.
There were no material changes from the risk factors included in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2011.
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Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
No sales of unregistered equity securities occurred during the period covered by this report, and through March 8, 2012.
Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
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Item 6. EXHIBITS.
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Incorporated by Reference
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Exhibit Number
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Exhibit Description
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Form
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Date
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Exhibit
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Filed Herewith
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31.1
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Certification of CEO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
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X
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31.2
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Certification of CFO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
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32.1
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Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
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32.2
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Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
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X
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101.INS*
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XBRL Instance Document
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101.SCH*
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XBRL Schema Document
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101.CAL*
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XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
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101.LAB*
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XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
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101.PRE*
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XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
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In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
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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.
SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
Dated: March 8, 2012
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By
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/s/ Timothy Barry
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Timothy Barry
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President and Principal Executive Officer
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Dated: March 8, 2012
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By
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/s/ Sean Fallis
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Sean Fallis
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Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
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