ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Name and Incorporation
Gryphon Gold Corporation was formed under the laws of the State of Nevada on April 24, 2003.
Our principal business office, which also serves as our administration and financing office, is located in Canada at Suite 711, 675 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 1N2, and our telephone number there is 604-261-2229.
We own 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of our operating subsidiaries, Borealis Mining Company (which we refer to as Borealis Mining) and Gryphon Nevada Eagle Holding Company. Gryphon Nevada Eagle Holding Company owns 100% of the membership interests in Nevada Eagle Resources LLC. We have no other subsidiaries. Borealis Mining was formed under the laws of the State of Nevada on June 5, 2003, Gryphon Nevada Eagle Holding Company was formed under the laws of the State of Nevada on July 27, 2007, and Nevada Eagle Resources LLC was organized under the laws of the State of Nevada on April 28, 2005.
History and Background of Company
We were established as a private company in April 2003 to acquire and develop gold properties in the United States. Our objective is to establish a producing gold company through the development and extraction of gold deposits.
In July 2003, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Borealis Mining, we acquired from Golden Phoenix an option to earn up to a 70% joint venture interest in the mining lease for the Borealis Property (July 2003 Option and Joint Venture Agreement) by making qualified development expenditures on that property.
In October 2003, we engaged a mining consultant to develop a preliminary scoping study for the redevelopment of the Borealis Property.
During 2004, we completed drilling, technical and engineering work necessary to prepare a Plan of Operation in respect of the development of an open pit, heap leach mine on the Borealis Property. We submitted the Plan of Operation to the U.S. Forest Service on August 27, 2004, and we continue to work on satisfying all the requirements of the various approval agencies and completing all necessary reviews, including the approval of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The principal mine operating permits were granted in 2006. A further discussion of operating permits and other governmental regulation concerns is described under the caption “Permitting,” below.
Following the course established by the recommendations in the preliminary scoping study, and based on additional geologic field work that was completed in 2004, we retained a consulting resource modeling engineering firm, to complete an updated mineralization estimate model in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. In May 2005, the engineering firm delivered the report titled Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada.
On January 10, 2005, Borealis Mining entered into a purchase agreement with Golden Phoenix which gave Borealis Mining the right to purchase the interest of Golden Phoenix in the Borealis Property for $1,400,000. Golden Phoenix transferred its interest in the Borealis Property to Borealis Mining on January 28, 2005. Borealis Mining paid $400,000 of the purchase price to Golden Phoenix upon closing of the purchase, and four additional quarterly payments of $250,000 were made to Golden Phoenix. With the final payment of $250,000 on January 24, 2006, Borealis Mining completed all the required payments under the purchase agreement and now has 100% control of the Borealis Property. A portion of the Borealis Property is subject to mining leases, as described under the caption “Borealis Property,” below.
As sole shareholder of Borealis Mining, we control all of the lease rights to a portion of the Borealis Property, subject to advance royalty, production royalty, and other payment obligations imposed by the lease. Our acquisition of the interest of Golden Phoenix in the Borealis Property terminated the July 2003 Option and Joint Venture Agreement.
In addition to our leasehold interest to a portion of the Borealis Property, we also own through Borealis Mining numerous unpatented mining claims that make up the balance of the Borealis Property, and all of the documentation and samples from years of exploration and development programs carried out by the previous operators of the Borealis Property, totaling thousands of pages of data including, but not limited to, geophysical surveys, mineralogical studies and metallurgical testing reports.
On July 11, 2005, we accepted a joint proposal for a feasibility study from the firms of Samuel Engineering, Inc. and Knight Piesold and Company. Samuel Engineering provides services including metallurgical process development and design, and Knight Piesold provides mining, metallurgical and environmental engineering services.
During the period from our inception on April 24, 2003 through June 30, 2005, we funded our capital needs by raising $6,513,965 in private placements, issuing 20,906,408 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $0.10 per share to $0.65 per share.
On August 11, 2005, our board of directors authorized an increase in our authorized capital to consist of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par $0.001, and 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par $0.001. The increase was approved by shareholders.
On December 22, 2005, we completed our initial public offering of 6.9 million units for gross proceeds of approximately $5,036,497 with net proceeds of $2,794,557 after deducting costs of $2,241,940. The units were sold at a price of $0.73 (Cdn$0.85) each and consisted of one common share and one Class A warrant. Each Class A warrant is exercisable for a period of 12 months at a price of Cdn$1.15. The common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “GGN.” The offering was underwritten by a syndicate of Canadian underwriters which included Desjardins Securities, CIBC World Markets, Bolder Investment Partners and Orion Securities. The units were offered for sale pursuant to a prospectus filed in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario). The units were also registered in a registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The proceeds of the offering were used principally for the completion of the Company's feasibility study for our Borealis Property and our exploration program on the Borealis Property, as well as for working capital.
On March 24, 2006, we closed the private placement of 5,475,000 units for sale at Cdn$1.25 to a limited number of accredited investors in Canada and the United States. Each unit consisted of one common share and one half of one Series B purchase warrant. The Series B warrants are exercisable until March 23, 2007 at a price of Cdn$1.65. The private offering raised gross proceeds of Cdn$6.8 million. We paid qualified registered dealers a 7% cash commission and issued compensation options to acquire 280,500 common shares at price of Cdn$1.40 until March 23, 2007 on a portion of the private placement. The shares, warrants and underlying shares were not qualified by prospectus and were not registered under U.S. securities laws. We granted registration rights to the investors in this private placement and used commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC. The proceeds of this offering were used to fund the continuation of our exploration and development program on the Borealis Property.
In June 2006, we closed a private placement with our newly appointed Chief Financial Officer and our Corporate Controller. Mr. Longinotti was appointed as new Chief Financial Officer, effective May 15, 2006, and we entered into a formal employment agreement with him in due course. Mr. Longinotti received through a private placement as compensation: 100,000 units at a price of Cdn$1.35; each unit consisted of one (1) share of common stock with a par value of $0.001 and one-half (1/2) of one (1) share purchase Series D Warrant. The common stock was issued May 26, 2006, and the Series D warrants were issued June 10, 2006. Mr. Longinotti's employment commenced April 18, 2006. Mr. Rajwant Kang was appointed Corporate Controller. In June of that year, as part of a private placement, Mr. Kang was issued 29,000 units at a price of Cdn$1.35; with each unit consisted of one (1) share of common stock with a par value of $0.001 and one-half (1/2) of one (1) share purchase Series D Warrant. The common stock was issued June 2, 2006, and the Series D warrants were issued June 10, 2006.
On November 30, 2006, our board of directors concluded that we would not proceed with near term construction and production financing of the Borealis heap leach mine. The feed for the proposed mine was remnants from the previously mined open pits, and heap and dump material associated with the historical mining operations. The decision not to proceed was made due to the impact of certain technical corrections to the previously announced Feasibility Study and related NI 43-101 Technical Report, dated August 15, 2006. The technical corrections reduced the anticipated quantity of recoverable gold and silver over the project life, and resulted in a marginal projected return on investment. In light of the decision not to proceed with development of a mine, in December 2006, we closed our Denver office and terminated operations and engineering staff, including our Chief Operating Officer Mr. Allen Gordon and Mr. Matt Bender, our Vice President of Borealis Project Development. Mr. Steven Craig, our Vice President of Exploration, was relocated to Nevada. As of December 1, 2006, our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Michael Longinotti commenced working on a part-time basis. Under this agreement, his time spent in the office was reduced by 50% along with his salary. Mr. Longinotti resumed full time employment in mid-2007.
In December 2006, we completed the geophysical survey, which commenced in September 2006. The positive geophysical results obtained from induced polarization (IP) surveys identified multiple chargeability and resistivity anomalies coincident with aeromagnetic lows which extended several kilometers (km) to the north and northwest of the Graben sulphide deposit. The IP surveys identified two new mineralized exploration targets located under the pediments 3.0 km (Central Pediments) and 5.3 km (Western Pediment) northwest of the Graben sulphide deposit. On January 11, 2007, we announced the results of the revised CIM compliant mineralization estimate in accordance with NI 43-101 which had been compiled by a consulting and resource modeling engineering firm, entitled
Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA, August 15, 2006 Revised January 11, 2007. The results of the report were independently reviewed by AMEC to insure the methodology and assumptions used in the calculations were consistent with industry standards. The mineralization estimate included the results of exploration drilling through November 5, 2006.
In January 2007 we started the process of completing a mineralization estimate covering the entire property that included all drilling results obtained during calendar year 2007. The mineral mineralization estimate was completed April 28, 2008 and is available for review on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at website: www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.gryphongold.com. The report is entitled Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA,(the ”Technical Report”) and was compiled by Dr. Roger Steininger, Ph.D., CPG.
On February 9, 2007 we completed a private placement of 5.0 million units at a price of Cdn$0.90 per unit for gross proceeds of Cdn$4.5 million. Each unit consisted of one common share and one full purchase warrant. The two year warrants are exercisable at a price of Cdn$1.10 if exercised within twelve months of the closing and at a price of Cdn$1.35 if exercised after the first anniversary but prior to expiry. We paid qualified registered dealers a 7% cash commission in the amount of Cdn$77,175 and issued compensation options to acquire 85,050 common shares (at a price of Cdn$0.90 per share for a period of 12 months from closing) in respect of the 1.225 million units placed by them. The shares, warrants and underlying shares were not qualified by prospectus and were not registered under U.S. securities laws. We granted registration rights to the investors in this private placement and used commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC. The proceeds of this offering were applied to fund the continuation of our exploration and development program on the Borealis Property.
On July 4, 2007, we entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with Gerald W. Baughman and Fabiola Baughman (“Baughmans”), as sellers, and Nevada Eagle, under which we agreed to purchase all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Nevada Eagle. Upon closing of the membership interest purchase agreement on August 21, 2007, we acquired Nevada Eagle from the sellers for the following consideration:
(a)
2,500,000 in cash;
(b)
four million five hundred thousand (4,500,000) shares of our common stock; and
(c)
a 5% convertible note in the principal amount of $5,000,000.
The convertible note, due March 30, 2010, bears interest at the annual rate of 5% and is convertible at the option of the holder into common shares at an initial conversion price of $1.00 per share during first the twelve month period following the closing date, $1.25 per share during the second twelve month period following the closing date, $1.50 per share thereafter and $1.75 per share if converted on March 30, 2010. The interest payments are due on a semi-annual basis beginning on January 1, 2008. In addition to the purchase consideration, the Baughmans were entitled to all revenues of Nevada Eagle (payable in cash, stock, or other consideration) calculated to be received and received on the assets and properties of Nevada Eagle from January 1, 2007 through midnight on December 31, 2007.
In addition, we granted the sellers registration rights to file a registration statement for the resale of the common shares issuable at closing and issuable upon exercise of the convertible note under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We subsequently filed a registration statement to register the securities.
We executed the following agreements at closing:
(a)
A Lock-up Agreement, dated August 21, 2007, under which the Sellers agreed that for a period of three months following the Closing Date not to sell Common Shares issued or issuable under the Purchase Agreement and Convertible Note and, thereafter, to limit the sale of such Common Shares to 20% of the aggregate Common Shares issued under the Purchase Agreement and Convertible Note each quarter (with unsold Common Shares aggregating each quarter thereafter);
(b)
An Employment Agreement between us and Mr. Baughman for a term of one year, renewable by the parties, to serve as our Vice President of Business Development; and
(c)
A Non-Competition Agreement under which the Sellers have agreed not to compete with the Registrant for the latter of (i) twelve (12) months following the Closing Date (the “Restricted Period”), or (ii) twelve (12) months following the termination of the Company's employment of Gerald Baughman. The scope of the non-competition obligation relates to the business of acquiring and/or holding base metal and precious metal mineral assets located in the state of Nevada within the Area of Interest and to properties that have been examined by the Registrant or Mr. Baughman during the course of his employment by the Registrant, in any manner or capacity. “Area of Interest” is defined as any property owned by the Registrant, Nevada Eagle, or any affiliate of the Registrant or Nevada Eagle on the latter of (i) Closing Date or (ii) the termination date of Gerald Baughman's employment by the Registrant, if any, together with any adjacent areas within one kilometer of the exterior boundary of such properties.
On August 7, 2007, we closed a private placement of 5.0 million units at a price of Cdn$0.80 per unit for gross proceeds of Cdn$4.0 million. Each unit consisted of one common share and one full purchase warrant. The two year warrants are exercisable at a price of Cdn$1.00 if exercised within twelve months of the closing and at a price Cdn$1.25 if exercised after the first anniversary but prior to expiry. We paid qualified registered dealers cash commissions in the amount of Cdn$152,040 and issued warrants to acquire 265,050 common shares (at a price of Cdn$0.83 for a period of up to 9 months from closing). The shares, warrants and underlying shares were not qualified by prospectus, were not registered under U.S. securities laws and were subject to resale restrictions. The Company has granted registration rights to the investors in this private placement and used commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC. Such registration was filed. The proceeds of this offering were applied to fund the continuation of our exploration and development programs.
On December 14, 2007 we completed a private placement of 4,486,500 units at Cdn$0.80 for gross proceeds of approximately Cdn$3,589,200. The private placement closed in three tranches on November 22, November 27 and December 14, 2007. Each unit consisted of one common share and one series I warrant. Each series I warrant entitles the holder to purchase a common share at a price of Cdn$1.00 per share during the first 12 months after closing and Cdn$1.25 per share during the second 12 months after closing and until expiry. We paid qualified registered dealers a 7% cash commission in the amount of Cdn$71,624 and issued compensation warrants (series J) to acquire 89,530 common shares (at a price of Cdn$0.80 per share for a period of 9 months from closing) in respect of the 1,204,000 units placed by them (14,000 of the compensation warrants were later rejected and cancelled by one of the registered dealers). We have a right to force warrant holders to exercise warrants, if the price of our common stock remains equal to or greater than, Cdn$1.85 per common share, for a period of twenty consecutive days. The shares, warrants and underlying shares were not qualified by prospectus, have not been registered under U.S. securities laws, and are subject to resale restrictions. We granted registration rights to the investors in this private placement and will use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act and to cause such statement to be declared effective. The proceeds of this offering will be applied to fund the continuation of our exploration and development program on the Borealis Property.
In the calendar year 2007, we continued extension drilling, focused on the expansion of the Graben deposit and exploration drilling for a new gold deposit within the two newly identified potentially gold-bearing hydrothermal systems in the pediments. This drilling program consisted of a series of Graben deposit expansion drilling and extension drilling north and west of the successful G3 - G13 fence of holes. The drilling of the Graben deposit alternated with follow up exploration drilling in the Central and Western Pediments where 10 holes have intersected two distinct hydrothermal systems hidden beneath the pediments.
In April of 2008, we completed a CIM compliant, NI 43-101 report that included all drilling results to date. We have analyzed those results and incorporated them in a Preliminary Assessment report (“PA”) examining the engineering and economic feasibility of placing the oxide mineralization into production.
In July 2008, we announced the appointment of John L. Key as President and CEO, replacing Mr. Tony Ker. Mr. Key is a mining engineer with over 30 years experience and has run, in succession, the Magmont, Polaris and Red Dog mines in the Teck Cominco organization. Mr. Key had been acting as our Chief Operating Officer for the past six months, and Mr. Key’s primary focus has been overseeing the completion the Preliminary Assessment on the Borealis heap leach mine and advancing the project towards production.
Mr. Key's employment contract provides for the granting of 350,000 stock options, which were granted August 1, 2008.
Mr. Ker entered into a Transition Agreement (TA) with us in August 2008, under which, Mr. Ker ceased to be an employee effective August 31, 2008 and ceased to be a director of the Company upon the election of directors at our Annual General Meeting September 5, 2008. Mr. Ker will receive monthly payments of $12,500 and certain incidental expenses for 12 monthly beginning September 2008. The Company recorded a charge to expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to accrue the cost of the agreement. Mr. Ker has entered into a consulting agreement with the Company that becomes effect September 2008. Under the agreement, he is eligible for 200,000 common stock options and a success fee of 0.67% of any financing initiated during the term of this agreement. The consulting agreement was terminated effective September 28, 2008. The TA was amended on December 12, 2008 terminating the monthly $12,500 payments. A consulting agreement was entered into on December 12, 2008 and Mr. Ker will receive Cdn$50,000 on January 1, 2009 and may be terminated any time and requires 90 days’ notice. Effective August 5, 2008, we entered into an option agreement with Baughmans to amend the $5 million face value note payable to them at a cost of $35,000. The option period is twelve months and extendable for another six months for an additional $35,000. At the time the option is exercised, the note payable will be reduced by $2.5 million by a payment of $500,000 in cash and 4,000,000 common shares. Upon exercise of the option, the conversion rate of the remaining $2.5 million note payable would be amended to $0.70 per common share until March 30, 2009, $0.80 per common share until March 30, 2010, and the maturity date would be extended from March 30, 2010 to March 30, 2012 and secured by certain exploration properties. We may exercise the option if the royalty on the Borealis property has been fixed at 5% or lower, and there is an arrangement to merge the Company or the financing of a mine on the Borealis property has been completed.
On August 22, 2008, the Company entered into a 12 month option agreement, at a cost of $250,000, to amend the Borealis Property mining lease. If exercised, the net smelter return royalty rate will be fixed at 5%, versus the current uncapped variable rate. Payment upon exercise is $1,750,000 in cash, 7,726,250 common shares of the Company and a three year, $1,909,500 5% note payable. The option period can be extended for an additional six months for a payment of $125,000.
During September 2008, we released the independent PA on the development of an oxide heap leach mine. The PA was furnished to the SEC as Exhibit 99.1 to our Form 8-K as filed on October 7, 2008. The report outlines the possibility of developing a mineable oxidized gold deposit on the Borealis property. Gryphon Gold is undertaking a detailed economic evaluation of the potential for developing an open-pit heap leach gold mining operation on the property. The Preliminary Assessment is not a bankable feasibility study and cannot form the basis for proven or probable reserves on the Borealis Property.
We may perform more drilling to expand the oxide base and take other steps as necessary to advance the potential oxide heap leach mine. We will also consider extension drilling, focused on the expansion of the Graben deposit and exploration drilling for new gold deposits within the two newly identified potentially gold-bearing hydrothermal systems in the pediments.
No exploration drilling was completed during the year ended March 31, 2009. A water well necessary for the construction of an oxide heap leach mine was installed during the quarter ended June 30, 2008. As of March 31, 2008, approximately 203 holes and 142,220 feet of RC drilling had been completed. A majority of the holes were in the area of existing mineralization in order to allow us to complete the PA with the aim of identifying gold reserves and, if economically feasible, building a mine. During fiscal 2008, the majority of the holes drilled were to attempt to expand the Graben mineralization or complete exploration in the Pediment areas of the Borealis property.
Two water monitoring wells were installed during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Under our permits, a water-monitoring program must be active for at least six months prior to the placement of material on a leach pad, and these wells were therefore necessary prior to the start of any leaching operation.
Effective November 2008, the CEO, VP Business Development became part time, and we terminated the CFO, VP Exploration, administrative assistant and Field Supervisor for the Borealis property. The CFO and VP Exploration have entered into consulting agreements with us.
In December 2008 we sold an exploration property held by Nevada Eagle Resources for $50,000. In April 2009, we sold another exploration property held by Nevada Eagle Resources for $50,000. We anticipate that we will sell certain other properties, none of which are part of the Borealis property. The ability to sell and the payment terms and amount of proceeds we will receive is likely will be impacted by the general condition of the gold exploration industry.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Nevada Eagle Resources, we staked 6 new exploration properties. At year end, we had 25 properties subject to lease or joint venture with third parties. During the year we collected $373,830 in lease and joint venture payments ($360,700 in cash and $13,130 in shares or warrants) and we sold 2 properties for $122,098 ($50,000 in cash and $72,098 in shares) in proceeds. Certain exploration properties were dropped during fiscal 2009 which did not show strong potential for exploration discoveries or for the potential to be leased out to create positive cash flow, none of which are part of the Borealis property.
Business Objectives
We are in the business of acquiring, exploring, and developing gold properties in the United States, emphasizing the state of Nevada. Our objective is to increase value of our shares through the exploration, development and extraction of gold deposits, beginning with our Borealis Property. The development and extraction may be performed by us or may be performed by potential partners. We will also consider the acquisition and exploration of other potential gold bearing properties within Nevada or areas that have a similar political risk profile. The Plan of Operations for the Borealis property that has been approved by the U.S. Forest Service does not present an economic analysis, and we have not placed any information in the Plan of Operations regarding capital expenditures, operating costs, ore grade, anticipated revenues, or projected cash flows. The Plan of Operation was based on the general economic concepts as presented in the Preliminary scoping study.
Corporate Strengths
We believe that we have the following business strengths that will enable us to achieve our objectives:
Our management team has significant exploration experience in Nevada and our CEO has 30 years of experience in mining operations;
As the Borealis Property was the site of surface mining operations from 1981 to 1990, we believe the process to receive permits and start operations on previously mined operations is less difficult than getting permits for a previously undisturbed area. The USDA Forest Service and the Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation have both approved the Plan of Operations and Reclamation Plan, allowing us to proceed with the development of a heap leach mine assuming sufficient oxide reserves are found and additional financing is available. We have also received approvals for surface exploration and water wells and have successfully progressed through the required agency and public review process for those permits.
Our land position is extensive, controlled by 751 unpatented mining claims covering approximately 15,020 acres and one 5 acre millsite claim. We believe many surface showings of gold mineralization on the property may provide opportunities for discovery of gold deposits. Our property has multiple types of gold deposits including oxidized material, partial oxidized material, and predominantly sulfide material; which we believe may allow us flexibility in our future plans for mine development and expansion, assuming additional financing is available.
We cannot be certain that any mineral deposits will be discovered in sufficient quantities and grade to justify commercial operations. We have no proven or probable reserves. Whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including the particular attributes of the deposit; metal prices, which are highly cyclical; the cost to extract and process the mineralized material; and government regulations and permitting requirements. We may be unable to upgrade our mineralized material to proven and probable reserves in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations and we may not be able to raise sufficient capital to develop the Borealis Property.
We have specifically focused our activities on Nevada. Mining is an integral part of Nevada's economy. Nevada ranks fourth in the world in gold production, after South Africa, Australia, and China. Located in the State of Nevada are well known geological trends such as the Carlin Trend, Battle Mountain, Getchell Trend and the Walker Lane Trend. The Borealis Property is also located along the Aurora-Bodie trend which crosses the principal Walker Lane Trend as shown in the illustration below. Borealis, Bodie, Aurora, and other historical producing districts, are aligned along this northeast-southwest belt of significant gold deposits. Nevada Eagle's principal properties have a cumulative 900,000 of historical (the historical estimates are based on internal reports prepared by prior owners prior to February 2001 and were not been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards and thus their reliability has not been verified) ounces of gold.
(Source: Gryphon Gold, 2005)
Gold Industry
Gold Uses. Gold has two main categories of use: fabrication and investment. Fabricated gold has a variety of end uses, including jewelry, electronics, dentistry, industrial and decorative uses, medals, medallions and official coins. Gold investors buy gold bullion, official coins and jewelry.
Gold Supply. The supply of gold consists of a combination of production from mining and the draw-down of existing stocks of gold held by governments, financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. In recent years, mine production has accounted for 60% to 70% of the annual supply of gold.
Gold Prices and Market Statistics
The following table presents the annual high, low and average afternoon fixing prices for gold over the past ten years, expressed in U.S. dollars per ounce on the London Bullion Market.
Source: Kitco and Reuters
The price of gold has risen steadily for the last few years. In 2006, gold traded between approximately $520 and $720 per ounce, based on London PM Fix Price. In 2007, gold traded between approximately $600 and $840 per ounce, based on the London PM Fix Price. In 2008, gold traded between approximately $700 and $1,010 per ounce, based on the London PM Fix Price. The price of gold closed at $932 per ounce on June 12, 2009, based on the London PM Fix Price. In 2006, the price of silver ranged from $8.80 to $14.90 per ounce, based on the London Fix Price. In 2007, silver traded between approximately $11.70 and $15.80 per ounce, based on the London Fix Price. In 2008, silver traded between approximately $8.90 and $20.90 per ounce, based on the London Fix Price. The price of silver closed at $15 on June 12, 2009, based on the London Fix Price.
Competition
We compete with other mining companies in connection with the acquisition, exploration, financing and development of gold properties. There is competition for the limited number of gold acquisition and exploration opportunities, some of which is with other companies having substantially greater financial resources than we have. As a result, we may have difficulty acquiring attractive gold projects at reasonable prices. We also compete with other mining companies for mining engineers, geologists and other skilled personnel in the mining industry and for exploration and development equipment.
We believe no single company has sufficient market power to affect the price or supply of gold in the world market.
Employees
As of March 31, 2009, we had 1 full-time employee and 2 part-time employees, 1 of which was employed at our executive office in Vancouver, British Columbia and 2 of whom were employed at Reno, Nevada. As of March 31, 2009 Borealis Mining Company, our wholly-owned subsidiary, had no full-time employees or part-time employees. We use consultants with specific skills to assist with various aspects of our project evaluation, due diligence, corporate governance and property management.
Environmental Regulation
Our gold projects are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. These laws are continually changing and, in general, are becoming more restrictive. Our policy is to conduct business in a way that safeguards public health and the environment. We believe that our operations are conducted in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Changes to current local, state or federal laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate could require additional capital expenditures and increased operating and/or reclamation costs. Although we are unable to predict what additional legislation, if any, might be proposed or enacted, additional regulatory requirements could impact the economics of our projects.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, there were no material environmental incidents or material non-compliance with any applicable environmental regulations.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Readers should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock.
Our failure to successfully address the risks and uncertainties described below would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations, and the trading price of our common stock may decline and investors may lose all or part of their investment. There is no assurance that we will successfully address these risks or other unknown risks that may affect our business.
Estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements inherently subject to error. Although mineralization estimates require a high degree of assurance in the underlying data when the estimates are made, unforeseen events and uncontrollable factors can have significant adverse or positive impacts on the estimates. Actual results will inherently differ from estimates. The unforeseen events and uncontrollable factors include: geologic uncertainties including inherent sample variability, metal price fluctuations, variations in mining and processing parameters, and adverse changes in environmental or mining laws and regulations. The timing and effects of variances from estimated values cannot be accurately predicted.
Risks Related to Our Operations
Our operations will require future financing and our lease for the Borealis property is affected by our ability to perform development work, an activity that requires capital.
We are an early stage company and currently do not have sufficient capital to fully fund the Plan of Operation at the Borealis Property. Currently, we have sufficient cash on hand to fund regulatory permitting, claim maintenance fees, and general and administrative expenses for approximately 6 - 8 months. However, we will require substantial additional financing for future development activities, if any, or if we encounter unexpected costs or delays.
Failure to obtain sufficient financing may result in the delay or indefinite postponement of exploration, and, development or production on any or all of the Borealis Property and any properties we may acquire in the future or even a loss of our property interest.
This includes the Borealis Property, as our lease, which includes claims covering the principal deposits, states that after January 24, 2009 (twelve years from the effective date of the lease) we must be engaged in active mining, development or processing to automatically extend the term of the lease. If 365 consecutive days elapses during which no mining or development or processing is conducted we are subject to not having the term of the lease extended. Development is defined to mean work or construction in preparation for mining or processing a proven or possible reserve, including further exploration of development drilling of such a reserve. We currently are in the process of completing a pre-feasibility study which is part of the development process. If we do not perform any qualifying development activities within a 365 day period, we are subject to losing our lease rights in the Borealis Property. Without additional financing in the future, we may not be able to continue our development process and we may lose the lease to the Borealis Property. We cannot be certain that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favorable or acceptable to us. Future financings may cause dilution to our shareholders.
Recent market events and conditions, including disruptions in the U.S. and international credit markets and other financial systems and the deterioration of the U.S. and global economic conditions, could, among other things, impede access to capital or increase the cost of capital, which would have an adverse effect on our ability to fund our working capital and other capital requirements.
In the past year there has been severe deterioration in global credit and equity markets. This has resulted in the need for government intervention in major banks, financial institutions and insurers and has also resulted in greater volatility, increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions.
These unprecedented disruptions in the current credit and financial markets have had a significant material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and have limited access to capital and credit for many companies. These disruptions could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to obtain, or increase our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our operations. Our access to additional capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
We recognize that additional resources are required to enable us continue operations. We intend to raise additional funds through debt and/or equity financing, selling certain exploration properties, and continue leasing exploration properties held by Nevada Eagle Resources or through other means that we deem necessary. However, no assurance can be given that we will be successful in raising additional capital. Further, even if we raise additional capital, there can be no assurance that we will achieve profitability or positive cash flow. If we are unable to raise additional capital and expected significant revenues do not result in positive cash flow, we will not be able to meet its obligations and may have to suspend or cease operations.
At March 31, 2009, we had working capital of negative $4,281,691, and excluding our note payable, positive working capital of $500,594 with an average cash expenditure rate of $72,000 per month in a typical month based on the 1 full time and 2 part time employees we have. This level of activity is subject to change based upon future events. Current assets consisted of $799,517 in cash, $80,015 in securities held for trading, $23,943 in accounts receivable and $48,278 in prepaid expenses. We had $451,159 in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 31, 2009 and a note payable of $4,782,285.
Risks related to the Borealis Property.
Our primary mineral exploration property is the Borealis Property. Even though the Borealis Property encompasses several areas with known gold mineralization, unless we discover additional deposits at the Borealis Property, future development of the property may be uneconomic. We cannot provide any assurance that we will establish any reserves or successfully commence mining operations on the Borealis Property.
Risks related to Nevada Eagle properties
We acquired approximately 54 exploration properties with the acquisition of Nevada Eagle Resources LLC. Approximately 25 of these properties are leased out to other exploration companies. We cannot provide any assurance that any reserves or successful mining operations will be established on any of these properties. We cannot give assurance that the existing parties currently performing exploration on the leased properties will continue with their exploration efforts. In addition, management's expectations of the significance of the Nevada Eagle properties; the Nevada Eagle prospects, including mineralization estimates, projections, exploration and value; our planned exploration and drilling programs; or our expectations with respect to future property acquisition, diversification of our property base and Mr. Baughman's addition to the Gryphon Gold management team will prove accurate or increase shareholder value.
We cannot assure you that we will successfully integrate the Nevada Eagle properties into our portfolio or operations or that we will have sufficient capital or resources to successfully implement our diversification strategy.
Recent market events and current economic conditions may negatively impact the expected cash flow to Nevada Eagle for the lease of its exploration properties.
The rapid decline in the financial markets, much greater volatility in equity valuations and generally weaker economic conditions experienced during 2008 and into 2009, has made it more difficult for companies, including junior exploration companies, to raise capital. Nevada Eagle Resources leases many of its exploration properties to junior exploration companies. Many of these companies may experience difficulties raising money to complete their planned exploration programs and this may negatively impact the expected cash flow to Nevada Eagle Resources for the lease of the exploration properties, and may result in the renegotiation of terms or cancellation of some of the leases by the exploration companies.
Leverage as a result of our outstanding convertible notes may harm our financial condition and results of operations.
On August 21, 2007, we announced the closing of our acquisition of Nevada Eagle Resources in which we issued $5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes due March 30, 2010. The Notes are convertible into Common Shares of the Company at the option of the holder at a current conversion price of $1.25 per share (the conversion price will be $1.50 per share beginning August 21, 2009 and $1.75 per share if converted on March 30, 2010), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. As a result, 4 million Common Shares are issuable upon conversion of the Notes. Upon conversion of the Notes, existing shareholders will suffer immediate dilution in their capital interest in the Company. Further, the market price of our Common Shares could decline as a result of the conversion of the Notes and the sale into the market of the Common Shares underlying the Notes. The Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes are currently registered for resale pursuant to an effective registration statement file with the SEC. These factors could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of Common Shares.
The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum (calculated and payable semi-annually in arrears) and will mature on March 30, 2010.
Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness depends upon our future ability to generate funds, including through operating cash flows, which will be subject to the potential development of certain of our properties into producing mines, metal prices, prevailing economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. If we cannot raise sufficient funds or our cash flows were to prove inadequate to meet our debt service and other obligations in the future, we may be required, among other things:
to obtain additional financing in the debt or equity markets;
to refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness; or
to sell selected assets.
We cannot assure you that such measures will be sufficient to enable us to service our debt. In addition, any such financing, refinancing or sale of assets might not be available on economically favorable terms or at all. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operation, and additional financings, borrowings or refinancings, or proceeds of asset sales are not available to us, we may not have sufficient cash to enable us to meet our obligations, including payments on the Notes.
On August 5, 2008, we entered into an option agreement with the holders of the Notes to permit the restructuring of the Notes to reduce the principal face value from $5 million to $2.5 million with the conversion rate of the remaining $2.5 million note payable being amended to $0.70 per common share until March 30, 2009, $0.80 per common share until March 30, 2010, and the maturity date would be extended from March 30, 2010 to March 30, 2012 and secured by certain exploration properties. However, we can only exercise such option if the royalty on the Borealis property is fixed at 5% or lower and there is an arrangement to merge the Company or the financing of a mine on the Borealis Property has been completed. We can make no assurance that we will be able to exercise this option to restructure the Notes.
On November 10, 2008, we amended the Notes such that ongoing cash interest payments will be $73,288 and $51,713 each January 1 and June 1, respectively, or one half of their previous amounts. The unpaid interest will be added to the principal balance of the note, compound monthly at 5% and become due and payable at the due date of the note, March 30, 2010.
Failure to timely make payments on the Notes could result in a default on the Notes permitting the holders of the Notes to increase the interest due on such Notes and accelerate the payment of the principal and interest due. Such events could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We have no history of producing metals from our mineral property and there can be no assurance that we will successfully establish mining operations or profitably produce precious metals.
We have no history of producing metals from the Borealis Property. While our plan is to move the Borealis Property into the development stage, production there will be subject to completing construction of the mine, processing plants, roads, and other related works and infrastructure. As a result, we are subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations and business enterprises including:
the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities;
the ability to find sufficient gold reserves to support a mining operation;
the availability and costs of skilled labor and mining equipment;
the availability and cost of appropriate smelting and/or refining arrangements;
compliance with environmental and other governmental approval and permit requirements;
the availability of funds to finance construction and development activities;
potential opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, local groups or local inhabitants which may delay or prevent development activities; and
potential increases in construction and operating costs due to changes in the cost of fuel, power, materials, supplies, and other costs.
The costs, timing and complexities of mine construction and development may be increased by the remote location of the Borealis Property. It is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems and delays during construction, development and mine start-up. In addition, delays in the commencement of mineral production often occur. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our activities will result in profitable mining operations or that we will successfully establish mining operations or profitably produce metals at any of our properties.
Historical production on the Borealis Property may not be indicative of the potential for future development.
The Borealis Mine actively produced gold in the 1980’s, but we currently have no commercial production at the Borealis Property and have never recorded any revenues from gold production. You should not rely on the fact that there were historical mining operations at the Borealis Property as an indication that we will ever place the property into commercial production. We expect to continue to incur losses unless and until such time, if ever, as our property enters into commercial production and generates sufficient revenues to fund our continuing operations. The development of new mining operations at the Borealis Property will require the commitment of substantial resources for operating expenses and capital expenditures, which may increase in subsequent years as needed consultants, personnel and equipment associated with advancing exploration, development and commercial production of our properties are added. The amounts and timing of expenditures will depend on the progress of ongoing exploration and development, the results of consultants’ analysis and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses are incurred, the execution of any joint venture agreements with strategic partners, our acquisition of additional properties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may not be able to place the Borealis Property into production or generate any revenues or achieve profitability.
Our exploration activities on the Borealis Property may not be commercially successful, which could lead us to abandon our plans to develop the property and our investments in exploration.
Our long-term success depends on our ability to identify additional mineral deposits on the Borealis Property and other properties we may acquire, if any, that we can then develop into commercially viable mining operations. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently non-productive. These risks include unusual or unexpected geologic formations, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor. The success of gold exploration is determined in part by the following factors:
the identification of potential gold mineralization based on surficial analysis;
availability of government-granted exploration permits;
the quality of our management and our geological and technical expertise; and
the capital available for exploration.
Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal, and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, which include, without limitation, the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices, which fluctuate widely; and government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. We may invest significant capital and resources in exploration activities and abandon such investments if we are unable to identify commercially exploitable mineral reserves. The decision to abandon a project may have an adverse effect on the market value of our securities and the ability to raise future financing. We cannot assure you that we will discover or acquire any mineralized material in sufficient quantities on any of our properties to justify commercial operations.
Actual capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns may differ significantly from those we have anticipated and there are no assurances that our development activities will result in profitable mining operations.
We plan to estimate operating and capital costs for the Borealis Property based on information available to us and that we believe to be accurate. However, costs for labor, regulatory compliance, energy, mine and plant equipment and materials needed for mine development and construction may significantly fluctuate. In light of these factors, actual costs related to our proposed mine development and construction may exceed any estimates we may make.
We do not have an operating history upon which we can base estimates of future operating costs related to the Borealis Property, and we intend to rely upon our future economic feasibility of the project and any estimates that may be contained therein. Studies derive estimates of cash operating costs based upon, among other things:
anticipated tonnage, grades and metallurgical characteristics of the ore to be mined and processed;
anticipated recovery rates of gold and other metals from the ore;
cash operating costs of comparable facilities and equipment; and
anticipated climatic conditions.
Capital and operating costs, production and economic returns, and other estimates contained in feasibility studies may differ significantly from actual costs, and there can be no assurance that our actual capital and operating costs will not be higher than anticipated or disclosed.
In addition, any calculations of cash costs and cash cost per ounce may differ from similarly titled measures of other companies and are not intended to be an indicator of projected operating profit.
A shortage of equipment and supplies could adversely affect our ability to operate our business.
We are dependent on various supplies and equipment to carry out our mining exploration and development operations. The shortage of such supplies, equipment and parts could have a material adverse effect on our ability to carry out our operations and therefore limit or increase the cost of production.
The figures for our mineralization are estimates based on interpretation and assumptions and may yield less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently estimated.
Unless otherwise indicated, mineralization figures presented in this annual report and in our filings with securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time are based upon estimates made by independent geologists and our internal geologists. When making determinations about whether to advance any of our projects to development, we must rely upon such estimated calculations as to the mineral reserves and grades of mineralization on our properties. Until ore is actually mined and processed, mineral reserves and grades of mineralization must be considered as estimates only.
These estimates are imprecise and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. We cannot assure you that:
these estimates will be accurate;
reserve or other mineralization estimates will be accurate; or
this mineralization can be mined or processed profitably.
Any material changes in mineral reserve estimates and grades of mineralization will affect the economic viability of placing a property into production and a property’s return on capital.
Because we have not started mine construction at our Borealis Property and have not commenced actual production, mineralization estimates, including reserve estimates, for the Borealis Property may require adjustments or downward revisions based upon actual production experience. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined, if any, may differ from that indicated by our feasibility studies and drill results. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale.
The mineralization estimates contained in this report have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades and operating costs that may prove to be inaccurate. Extended declines in market prices for gold and silver may render portions of our mineralization, reserve estimates uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralization or adversely affect the commercial viability of our Borealis Property. Any material reductions in estimates of mineralization, or of our ability to extract this mineralization, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Changes in the market price of gold, silver and other metals, which in the past has fluctuated widely, will affect the profitability of our operations and financial condition.
Our profitability and long-term viability depend, in large part, upon the market price of gold and other metals and minerals produced from our mineral properties. The market price of gold and other metals is volatile and is impacted by numerous factors beyond our control, including:
expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;
the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and certain other currencies;
interest rates;
global or regional political or economic conditions;
supply and demand for jewelry and industrial products containing metals; and
sales by central banks and other holders, speculators and producers of gold and other metals in response to any of the above factors.
We cannot predict the effect of these factors on metal prices. Gold and silver prices have fluctuated during the last several years. The price of gold has risen steadily for the last few years. In 2006, gold traded between approximately $520 and $720 per ounce, based on London PM Fix Price. In 2007, gold traded between approximately $600 and $840 per ounce, based on the London PM Fix Price. In 2008, gold traded between approximately $700 and $1,010 per ounce, based on the London PM Fix Price. The price of gold closed at $932 per ounce on June 12, 2009, based on the London PM Fix Price. In 2006, the price of silver ranged from $8.80 to $14.90 per ounce, based on the London Fix Price. In 2007, silver traded between approximately $11.70 and 15.80 per ounce, based on the London Fix Price. In 2008, silver traded between approximately $8.90 and $20.90 per ounce, based on the London Fix Price The price of silver closed at $15 on June 12, 2009, based on the London Fix Price.
A decrease in the market price of gold and other metals could affect the commercial viability of our Borealis Property and our anticipated development and production assumptions. Lower gold prices could also adversely affect our ability to finance future development at the Borealis Property, all of which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the market price of gold and other metals will remain at current levels or that such prices will improve.
Mining is inherently dangerous and subject to conditions or events beyond our control, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Mining involves various types of risks and hazards, including:
environmental hazards;
power outages;
metallurgical and other processing problems;
unusual or unexpected geological formations;
structural cave-ins or slides;
flooding, fire, explosions, cave-ins, landslides and rock-bursts;
inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment, or labor;
metals losses; and
periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions.
These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties, production facilities or other properties, personal injury, environmental damage, delays in mining, increased production costs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. We may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance against certain environmental risks, including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from production, is not generally available to us or to other companies within the mining industry. We may suffer a material adverse effect on our business if we incur losses related to any significant events that are not covered by our insurance policies.
We are subject to significant governmental regulations.
Our primary properties, operations and exploration and development activities are in Nevada and are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing various matters, including:
environmental protection;
management and use of toxic substances and explosives;
management of natural resources;
exploration, development of mines, production and post-closure reclamation;
exports controls;
price controls;
regulations concerning business dealings with native groups;
labor standards and occupational health and safety, including mine safety; and
historic and cultural preservation.
Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions, any of which could result in us incurring significant expenditures. We may also be required to compensate private parties suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements. It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or a more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of our operations and delays in the development of our properties.
Our activities are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may increase our costs of doing business and restrict our operations.
All of our exploration and potential development and production activities are in the United States and are subject to regulation by governmental agencies under various environmental laws. These laws address emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species and reclamation of lands disturbed by mining operations. Environmental legislation in many countries is evolving and the trend has been towards stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and increasing responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations and future changes in these laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays and may cause material changes or delays in our operations and future activities. It is possible that future changes in these laws or regulations could have a significant adverse impact on our Borealis Property or some portion of our business, causing us to re-evaluate those activities at that time.
Land reclamation requirements for our Borealis Property may be burdensome.
Although variable depending on location and the governing authority, land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration companies (as well as companies with mining operations) in order to minimize long term effects of land disturbance.
Reclamation may include requirements to:
control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents; and
reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation.
In order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on us in connection with our potential development activities, we must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and development programs. We have set up a provision for our reclamation obligations at the Borealis Property, but this provision may not be adequate. If we are required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, our financial position could be adversely affected.
We may experience difficulty attracting and retaining qualified management to meet the needs of our anticipated growth, and the failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We are dependent on the services of key executives including, John Key, CEO, Michael Longinotti, CFO, Jerry Baughman, VP Business Development, and other highly skilled and experienced consultants focused on bringing our Borealis Property into production and managing our interests and on-going exploration programs on our other properties. Our management is also responsible for the identification of new opportunities for growth and funding. Due to our relatively small size, the loss of these persons or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees required for our development activities may have a material adverse effect on our business or future operations. The failure to hire qualified people for these positions could adversely affect planned operations of the Borealis Property. We do not maintain key-man life insurance on any of our key management employees.
Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
The mining industry is intensely competitive. Significant competition exists for the acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing, gold or other metals. We may be at a competitive disadvantage in acquiring additional mining properties because we must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than us. We may also encounter increasing competition from other mining companies in our efforts to hire experienced mining professionals. Competition for exploration resources at all levels is currently very intense, particularly affecting the availability of manpower, drill rigs, mining equipment and production equipment. Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
We compete with larger, better capitalized competitors in the mining industry.
The mining industry is competitive in all of its phases, including financing, technical resources, personnel and property acquisition. It requires significant capital, technical resources, personnel and operational experience to effectively compete in the mining industry. Because of the high costs associated with exploration, the expertise required to analyze a project’s potential and the capital required to develop a mine, larger companies with significant resources may have a competitive advantage over us. We face strong competition from other mining companies, some with greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than us. As a result of this competition, we may be unable to maintain or acquire financing, personnel, technical resources or attractive mining properties on terms we consider acceptable or at all.
Title to the Borealis Property and our properties held through Nevada Eagle may be subject to other claims, which could affect our property rights and claims.
Although we believe we have exercised commercially reasonable due diligence with respect to determining title to properties we own or control through Nevada Eagle and the Borealis Mining Company and the claims that are subject to the Borealis mining lease, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. The Borealis Property and the Nevada Eagle properties may be subject to prior unrecorded agreements or transfers or native land claims and title may be affected by undetected defects. There may be valid challenges to the title of these properties which, if successful, could impair development and/or operations. This is particularly the case in respect of those portions of the Borealis Property in which we hold our interest solely through a lease with the claim holders, as such interest is substantially based on contract and has been subject to a number of assignments (as opposed to a direct interest in the property).
All of the mineral rights to the Borealis Property consist of "unpatented" mining claims created and maintained in accordance with the U.S. General Mining Law. Unpatented mining claims are unique property interests, and are generally considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property interests because the validity of unpatented mining claims is often uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and regulations under the U.S. General Mining Law, including the requirement of a proper physical discovery of valuable minerals within the boundaries of each claim and proper compliance with physical staking requirements. Also, unpatented mining claims are always subject to possible challenges by third parties or validity contests by the federal government. The validity of an unpatented mining or millsite claim, in terms of both its location and its maintenance, is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of U.S. federal and state statutory and decisional law. In addition, there are few public records that definitively determine the issues of validity and ownership of unpatented mining claims.
There are differences in U.S. and Canadian practices for reporting reserves and resources.
We are a reporting issuer in Canada and report under Canadian reporting standards outside the United States. Our disclosure outside the United States differs from the disclosure contained in our SEC filings. We generally furnish our disclosure released outside the United States with the SEC as Regulation FD disclosure.
Our reserve and resource estimates disseminated outside the United States are not directly comparable to those made in filings subject to SEC reporting and disclosure requirements, as we generally report reserves and resources in accordance with Canadian practices. These practices are different from the practices used to report reserve and resource estimates in reports and other materials filed with the SEC. It is Canadian practice to report measured, indicated and inferred resources, which are generally not permitted in disclosure filed with the SEC. In the United States, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Further, “inferred resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. Disclosure of “contained ounces” is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC only permits issuers to report “resources” as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization, reserves and resources contained in disclosure released outside the United States, or in the documents incorporated herein by reference, may not be comparable to information made public by other United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
We will be required to locate mineral reserves for our long-term success.
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable mineral reserves, we will have to continually replace and expand our mineral reserves, if any, if and when the Borealis Property produces gold and other base or precious metals. Our ability to maintain or increase its annual production of gold and other base or precious metals once the Borealis Property is restarted, if at all, will be dependent almost entirely on its ability to bring new mines into production.
We do not insure against all risks which we may be subject to in our planned operations.
We currently maintain insurance to insure against general commercial liability claims and losses of equipment. Our insurance will not cover all the potential risks associated with a mining company’s operations. We may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, we expect that insurance against risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration and production may be prohibitively expensive to obtain for a company of our size and financial means. We might also become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards which may not be insured against or which we may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events may cause us to incur significant costs that could negatively affect our financial condition and ability to fund our activities on the Borealis Property. A significant loss could force us to terminate our operations.
Our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest as a result of their relationships with other companies.
Certain of the directors and officers of Gryphon Gold have served as officers and directors for other companies engaged in natural resource exploration and development and may also serve as directors and/or officers of other companies involved in natural resource exploration and development
New legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make it difficult for us to retain or attract officers and directors.
We may be unable to attract and retain qualified officers, directors and members of board committees required to provide for our effective management as a result of the recent and currently proposed changes in the rules and regulations which govern publicly-held companies. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has resulted in a series of rules and regulations by the Securities and Exchange Commission that increase responsibilities and liabilities of directors and executive officers. We are a small company with a very limited operating history and no revenues or profits, which may influence the decisions of potential candidates we may recruit as directors or officers. The perceived increased personal risk associated with these recent changes may deter qualified individuals from accepting these roles.
While we believe we have adequate internal control over financial reporting, we will be required to provide an auditor’s attestation on the effectiveness of our internal controls under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and any adverse results from such attestation could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and have an adverse effect on the price of our shares of common stock.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have furnished a report by management on our internal controls over financial reporting in this annual report on Form 10-K. Such report contains, among other matters, an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, including a statement as to whether or not our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
For our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, such report must also contain a statement that our auditors have issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of such internal controls.
While we have evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our auditors have not conducted the evaluation necessary to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. During the auditor’s evaluation and testing process, they may identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and they will be unable to attest that such internal control is effective. If our auditor’s are unable to attest that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of March 31, 2010, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on our stock price.
Failure to comply with the new rules may make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage and/or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, on committees of our board of directors, or as executive officers.
Risks Related To Our Securities
Broker-dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in our common shares because they are considered a penny stock and are subject to the penny stock rules.
Rules 15g-1 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act impose sales practice and disclosure requirements on certain brokers-dealers who engage in certain transactions involving a “penny stock.” Subject to certain exceptions, a penny stock generally includes any non-NASDAQ equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. Our common stock has traded below $5.00 per share throughout its trading history. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon broker-dealers may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our shares, which could severely limit the market liquidity of the shares and impede the sale of our shares in the secondary market.
A broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or “accredited investor,” generally, an individual with net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with his or her spouse, must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. In addition, the penny stock regulations require the broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the penny stock market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a broker-dealer is required to send monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the penny stock held in a customer’s account and information with respect to the limited market in penny stocks.
In the event that your investment in our shares is for the purpose of deriving dividend income or in expectation of an increase in market price of our shares from the declaration and payment of dividends, your investment will be compromised because we do not intend to pay dividends.
We have never paid a dividend to our shareholders, and we intend to retain our cash for the continued development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. As a result, your return on investment will be solely determined by your ability to sell your shares in a secondary market.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Executive Offices
We lease our principal executive office at Suite 711, 675 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1N2. We do not currently maintain any investments in real estate, real estate mortgages or securities of persons primarily engaged in real estate activities, nor do we expect to do so in the foreseeable future.
Borealis Property
Unless stated otherwise, information of a technical or scientific nature related to the Borealis Property is summarized or extracted from the “Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA” dated April 28, 2008, prepared by Dr. Roger Steininger, Ph.D., CPG of Reno Nevada, a “Qualified Person”, as defined in National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Technical Report was prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101. Management's plans, expectations and forecasts related to our Borealis Property are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures which are set out only in the full Technical Report. For a complete description of assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with the following information, reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report which is available for review on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at website: www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.gryphongold.com.
The Borealis Property in Nevada is our principal asset, which we hold through our subsidiary, Borealis Mining Company (“Borealis Mining”). In the 1980's previous operators of the Borealis Property mined approximately 600,000 ounces of gold from near-surface oxide deposits. In this annual report, the previously mined area is referred to as the “Borealis site”, the “previously disturbed area” or the “previously mined area”, while our references to the Borealis Property refer to the entire property we own or lease through Borealis Mining.
Echo Bay Mines Limited ceased active mining operations in 1991. Full site reclamation was completed in 1994. Reclamation bonds were released and Echo Bay relinquished its lease in 1996.
At Borealis, there is one large hydrothermal system, containing at least 13 known gold deposits, some of which are contiguous. There has been historical production from 8 of these deposits. As there are several other showings of gold mineralization across the property, there is an opportunity to identify additional gold deposits.
Borealis Property Description and Location
The Borealis Property is located in Mineral County in southwest Nevada, 12 miles northeast of the California border. The Borealis Property covers approximately 15,020 acres. The approximate center of the property is at longitude 118° 45' 34” West and latitude 38° 22' 55” North. The figure below shows the location and access to the Borealis Property.
(Source: Gryphon Gold, 2005)
The Borealis Property is comprised of 751 unpatented mining claims of approximately 20 acres each, totaling about 15,020 acres, and one unpatented millsite claim of approximately 5 acres. Of the 751 unpatented mining claims, 128 claims are owned by others but leased to Borealis Mining, and 623 of the claims were staked by Golden Phoenix or Gryphon Gold and transferred to Borealis Mining.
Our rights, through Borealis Mining as the owner or lessee of the claims, allow us to explore, develop and mine the Borealis Property, subject to the prior procurement of required operating permits and approvals, compliance with the terms and conditions of the mining lease, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances. We believe that all of our claims are in good standing.
The 128 leased claims are owned by John W. Whitney, Hardrock Mining Company and Richard J. Cavell, whom we refer to as the “Borealis Owners.” Borealis Mining leases the claims from the Borealis Owners under a Mining Lease dated January 24, 1997 and amended as of February 24, 1997. The mining lease was assigned to Borealis Mining by the prior lessee, Golden Phoenix. The mining lease contains an “area of interest” provision, such that any new mining claims located or acquired by Borealis Mining within the area of interest after the date of the mining lease shall automatically become subject to the provisions of the mining lease.
The term of the mining lease extends to January 24, 2009 and continues indefinitely thereafter for so long as any mining, development (including exploration drilling) or processing is being conducted on the leased property on a continuous basis.
The remainder of the Borealis Property consists of 623 unpatented mining claims and one unpatented millsite claim staked by Golden Phoenix, Gryphon Gold or Borealis Mining. Claims staked by Golden Phoenix were transferred to Borealis Mining in conjunction with our January 28, 2005 purchase of all of Golden Phoenix's interest in the Borealis Property. A total of 202 claims of the total 751 claims held by Gryphon Gold are contiguous with the claim holdings, are located outside of the area of interest, and are not subject to any of the provisions of the lease.
All of the mining claims (including the owned and leased claims) are unpatented, such that paramount ownership of the land is in the United States of America. Claim maintenance payments and related documents must be filed annually with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and with Mineral County, Nevada to keep the claims from terminating by operation of law. Borealis Mining is responsible for those actions. At present, the estimated annual BLM maintenance fees are $125 per claim, or $94,000 per year for all of the Borealis Property claims (751 unpatented mining claims plus one millsite claim). In addition, Mineral County filling and document fees totaling $6,400 are paid to fulfill the annual filing requirements.
Royalty Obligations
The leased portion of the Borealis Property is currently subject to advance royalty payments of approximately $9,590 per month, payable to the Borealis Owners. These advance royalty payments are subject to annual adjustments based on changes in the United States Consumer Price Index.
On August 22, 2008, the Company entered into a 12 month option agreement, at a cost of $250,000, to amend the Borealis Property mining lease. If exercised, the net smelter return royalty rate will be fixed at 5%, versus the current uncapped variable rate. Payment upon exercise is $1,750,000 in cash, 7,726,250 common shares of the Company and a three year, $1,909,500 5% note payable. The option period can be extended for an additional six months for a payment of $125,000.
The terms of the mining lease prior to the amendment require the payment of a net smelter returns production royalty by Borealis Mining to the Borealis Owners in respect of the sale of gold (and other minerals) extracted from those claims within the area of interest specified in the mining lease. The royalty rate for gold is determined by dividing the monthly average market gold price by 100, with the result expressed as a percentage. The royalty amount is determined by multiplying that percentage by the amount of monthly gold production from the claims in the “area of interest” and by the monthly average market gold price, after deducting all smelting and refining charges, various taxes and certain other expenses. For example, using an assumed monthly average market gold price of $850, the royalty rate would be 8.5% . Using an assumed monthly production of 5,000 ounces of gold from the leased claims, the monthly royalty amount would be 5,000 ounces times $850 per ounce, less allowable deductions, multiplied by 8.5% .
At present, there is no royalty payable to the United States or the State of Nevada on production from unpatented mining claims, although legislative attempts to impose a royalty have occurred in recent years.
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography
Primary access to the Borealis Property is gained from an all weather county gravel road located about two miles south of Hawthorne from State Highway 359. Hawthorne is about 133 highway miles southeast of Reno. The Borealis Property is about 16 road miles from Hawthorne.
The elevation on the property ranges from 7,200 ft to 8,200 ft above sea level. This relatively high elevation produces moderate summers with high temperatures in the 90°F (32°C) range. Winters can be cold and windy with temperatures dropping to 0°F (-18°C). Average annual precipitation is approximately 10 inches, part of which occurs as up to 60 inches of snowfall. Historically, the Borealis Property was operated throughout the year with only limited weather related interruptions.
Topography ranges from moderate and hilly terrain with rocky knolls and peaks, to steep and mountainous terrain in the higher elevations.
The vegetation throughout the project area is categorized into several main community types: pinyon/juniper woodland, sagebrush, ephemeral drainages and areas disturbed by mining and reclaimed. Predominate species include pinyon pine, Utah juniper, greasewood, a variety of sagebrush species, crested wheat grass and fourwing saltbush.
There is a power line crossing the Borealis Property within 2 miles of the center of the potential operations, which we will evaluate for the power source during our potential future engineering feasibility work. Water is available from two water basins located approximately 5 miles and 7 miles south of the planned mine site, respectively. Water for historical mining operations was supplied from the basin 5 miles away from the site. We have obtained permits from the Nevada Division of Water Resources to access water from each of these basins. We believe that each of these basins, individually, would provide a sufficient water supply for our potential operations.
The Borealis site has been reclaimed by the prior operator to early 1990's standards. The pits and the project boundary are fenced for public safety. Currently, access to the pits and leach heap areas is gained through a locked gate. No buildings or power lines or other mining related facilities located on the surface remain. All currently existing roads in the project area are two -track roads with most located within the limits of the old haul roads that have been reclaimed.
The nearest available services for both mine development work and mine operations are in the small town of Hawthorne, via a wide well-maintained gravel road. Hawthorne has substantial housing available, adequate fuel supplies and sufficient infrastructure to meet basic supply requirements. Material required for property development and mine operations are generally available from suppliers located in Reno, Nevada.
History of the District and Borealis Property
The original Ramona mining district, now known as the Borealis mining district, produced less than 1,000 ounces of gold prior to 1981. In 1978 the Borealis gold deposit was discovered by S. W. Ivosevic, a geologist working for Houston International Minerals Company (a subsidiary of Houston Oil and Minerals Corporation). The property was acquired from the Whitney Partnership, which later became the Borealis Owners, following Houston's examination of the submitted property. Initial discovery of ore-grade gold mineralization in the Borealis district and subsequent rapid development resulted in production beginning in October 1981 as an open pit mining and heap leaching operation. Tenneco Minerals acquired the assets of Houston International Minerals in late 1981, and continued production from the Borealis mine. Subsequently, several other gold deposits were discovered and mined by open pit methods along the generally northeast-striking Borealis trend, and also several small deposits were discovered further to the northwest in the Cerro Duro area. Tenneco's exploration in early 1986 discovered the Freedom Flats deposit beneath thin alluvial cover on the pediment southwest of the Borealis mine. In October 1986, Echo Bay Mines acquired the assets of Tenneco Minerals.
With the completion of mining of the readily available oxide ore in the Freedom Flats deposit and other deposits in the district, active mining was terminated in January 1990, and leaching operations ended in late 1990. Echo Bay left behind a number of oxidized and sulfide-bearing gold mineralized material. All eight open pit operations are reported to have produced 10.7 million tons of ore averaging 0.057 ounces of gold per ton (opt Au). Gold recovered from the material placed on heaps was approximately 500,000 ounces, plus an estimated 1.5 million ounces of silver. Reclamation of the closed mine began immediately and continued for several years. Echo Bay decided not to continue with its own exploration, and the property was farmed out as a joint venture in 1990-91 to Billiton Minerals, which drilled 28 reverse circulation (RC) exploration holes on outlying targets for a total of 8,120 ft. Billiton Minerals stopped its farm-in on the property with no retained interest.
Subsequently Santa Fe Pacific Mining, Inc. entered into a joint venture with Echo Bay in 1992, compiled data, constructed a digital drill-hole database and drilled 32 deep RC and core holes totaling 31,899.3 feet, including a number of holes into the Graben deposit. Santa Fe terminated its interest in the joint venture in 1993. Echo Bay completed all reclamation requirements in 1994 and then terminated its lease agreement with the Borealis Owners in 1996.
In 1996 J.D. Welsh & Associates, Inc. negotiated an option-to-lease agreement for a portion of the Borealis Property from the Borealis Owners. Prior to 1996, J.D. Welsh had performed contract reclamation work for Echo Bay and was responsible for monitoring the drain-down of the leach heaps. Upon signing the lease, J.D. Welsh immediately joint ventured the project with Cambior Exploration U.S.A., Inc. Cambior performed a major data compilation program and several gradient IP surveys. In 1998 Cambior drilled 10 holes which succeeded in extending the Graben deposit and in identifying a new area of gold mineralization at Sunset Wash.
During the Cambior joint venture period, in late 1997, Golden Phoenix entered an agreement to purchase a portion of J.D. Welsh's interest in the mining lease. J.D. Welsh subsequently sold its remaining interest in the mining lease to a third party, which in turn sold it to Golden Phoenix, resulting in Golden Phoenix controlling a 100% interest in the mining lease beginning in 2000. Golden Phoenix personnel reviewed project data, compiled and updated a digital drill-hole database (previous computer-based mineralization modeling databases), compiled exploration information and developed concepts, maintained the property during the years of low gold prices, and developed new mineralized material estimates for the entire property.
In July 2003 Borealis Mining acquired an option to earn an interest in a joint venture in a portion of the Borealis Property and in January 2005 Borealis Mining acquired full interest in the mining lease and mining claims comprising the Borealis Property. See, “Description and Development of the Business: History and Background of the Company,” above.
We have expended considerable effort consolidating the available historical data since acquiring our interest in the Borealis Property. This data has been scanned, and converted into a searchable electronic form. The electronic database has formed the basis of re-interpretation of the district geologic setting, and helped to form the foundation for a new understanding of the district's potential. We acquired this data from Golden Phoenix in May 2003, and additional information from other sources.
Historical Gold Production
The Borealis Property is not currently a producing mine. Historical data is presented for general information and is not indicative of existing grades or expected production. We have no reserves on the Borealis Property . We cannot be assured that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations.
Photograph of Borealis district.
View to the east, with Freedom Flat pit in foreground.
The photograph shows the site as it was circa 1991.
(Source: Gryphon Gold 2005)
Several gold deposits have been previously defined through drilling on the Borealis Property by prior owners. Some gold deposits have been partially mined. Reports on past production vary. The past gold production from pits on the Borealis Property, as reported by prior owners is tabulated below. The total of past gold production was approximately 10.6 million tons of ore averaging 0.057 ounces per ton (opt) gold. Mine production resulting from limited operations in 1990 is not included. Although no complete historical silver production records still exist at this time, the average silver content of ore mined from all eight pits appears in the range of five ounces of silver for each ounce of gold. We are determining the potential viability of silver recovery as our feasibility study and more detailed mine planning progress.
Reported past Borealis production, 1981-1990(1)
(1)
The numbers presented in this table are based on limited production records. A later report in 1991 published by the Geologic Society of Nevada reports that production totaled 10.7 million tons with an average grade of 0.059 opt.
(2)
Crushed and agglomerated ore is that material which has been reduced in size by crushing, and as a result may contain a significant portion of very fine particles which is then, with the aid of a binding agent such as cement, reconstituted into larger particles and subsequently leached in a heap. The agglomerated ore typically has greater strength allowing for higher stacked heaps and may allow better percolation of leach solutions if the ore has high clay content.
(3)
Run of mine ore is that material which was fragmented by blasting only, and then stacked on the heaps without being further reduced in size by crushing or other beneficiation processes.
Borealis Property Background
In October 2003, we engaged a mining consultant to develop a preliminary scoping study for the redevelopment of the Borealis Property.
Following our consideration of the preliminary scoping study, and based on additional geologic field work, we retained a consulting and resource modeling engineering firm, to complete an updated mineralized material estimate model in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. In May 2005, the engineering firm delivered a report titled the Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada. A second report by the engineering firm entitled Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA dated August 15, 2006 and Revised January 11, 2007 was completed.
A third Technical Report (the “Technical Report”) was completed April 28, 2008, entitled Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Projected Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA, compliant with National Instrument 43-101. The Technical Report was compiled by Dr. Roger Steininger, Ph.D., CPG of Reno, Nevada. The Technical Report states that the recommended course of action for Gryphon Gold is to increase gold mineralization by completing additional drilling primarily in the previously mined areas, to complete a technical report to determine the feasibility of near term production, and through continued drilling and exploration, delineate possible new mineralized material on the Borealis Property.
We are undertaking a systematic district-scale exploration program designed to discover and delineate large gold deposits within the greater Borealis property, outside of the known mineral deposits, which should focus along known mineralized trends that project into untested gravel-covered areas with coincident geophysical anomalies.
The principal steps to the current exploration plans related to the Borealis Property include:
maintaining all previously obtained permits;
completing the permitting process;
continuing our drilling program, database enhancement and geophysical surveys on the previously disturbed area of the Borealis Property, also referred to as the “Borealis site”;
implementing a systematic metallurgical testing program for gold bearing samples collected;
continuing drilling in the area known as the Graben to test the extent and further define the quality of known sulfide gold mineralization; and
continuing the exploration program for the areas of the Borealis Property outside the Borealis site.
We are actively working on completion of all the above steps. In addition and in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Technical Report, we are undertaking an exploration program on areas of the Borealis Property outside the Borealis Site, subject to receiving required permits. We expect to test other high-potential targets contained in the Central and Western Pediment Prospect areas and the Rainbow Ridge and Tough Hills area.
A fourth Technical Report, A Preliminary Assessment of the Mineral Resource of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA was completed September 2, 2008 and authored by John R. Danio, P.E. of Denver, Colorado. The report outlines the possibility of developing a mineable oxidized gold deposit on the Borealis property. Gryphon Gold is undertaking a detailed economic evaluation of the potential for developing an open-pit heap leach gold mining operation on the property. The Preliminary Assessment is not a bankable feasibility study and cannot form the basis for proven or probable reserves on the Borealis Property. If we determine to proceed with mine construction, we will be required to obtain additional capital. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis - Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Risk Factors and Uncertainties”.
Geological Setting
Regional Geology
The Borealis mining district lies within the northwest-trending Walker Lane mineral belt of the western Basin and Range province, which hosts numerous gold and silver deposits. Mesozoic metamorphic rocks in the region are intruded by Cretaceous granitic plutons. In the Wassuk range the Mesozoic basement is principally granodiorite with metamorphic rock inclusions. Overlying these rocks are minor occurrences of Tertiary rhyolitic tuffs and more extensive andesite flows. Near some fault zones, the granitic basement rocks exposed in the eastern part of the district are locally weakly altered and limonite stained.
The oldest exposed Tertiary rocks are rhyolitic tuffs in small isolated outcrops which may be erosional remnants of a more extensive unit. The rhyolitic tuffs may be correlative with regionally extensive Oligocene rhyolitic ignimbrites found in the Yerington area to the north and within the northern Wassuk Range. On the west side of the Wassuk Range, a thick sequence of older Miocene andesitic volcanic rocks unconformably overlies and is in fault contact with the granitic and metamorphic rocks, which generally occur east of the Borealis district. The age of the andesites is poorly constrained due to limited regional dating, but an age of 19 to 15 Ma is suggested (“Ma” refers to million years before present). In the Aurora district, 10 miles southwest of the Borealis district, andesitic agglomerates and flows dated at 15.4 to 13.5 Ma overlie Mesozoic basement rocks and host gold-silver mineralization. Based on these data, the andesites in the Borealis region can be considered as 19 to 13.5 Ma.
The Borealis district lies within the northeast-trending Bodie-Aurora-Borealis mineral belt; the Aurora district lies 10 miles southwest of Borealis and the Bodie district lies 19 miles southwest in California. All three mining districts are hosted by Miocene volcanics. The intersection of northwesterly and west-northwesterly trending Walker Lane structures with the northeasterly trending structures of the Aurora-Borealis zone probably provided the structural preparation conducive to extensive hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Borealis.
Local Geology
The Borealis District comprises widespread high-sulfidation(acid-sulfate alteration) gold-silver mineralization that was the focus of recent and historical mining operations. The district trends N70-75W, for seven miles, from Bullion-Delta targets, west-northwest to Purdy Peak. The eastern boundary of the district is west of Mesozoic intrusive rocks, and Pre-Mesozoic sequences. The western limit of the district is unknown and unexplored.
Gold-silver mineralization, silicified fault breccias, zones of silicification, and associated alteration is structurally controlled. The most important structural trends defined in the district are:
Principal displacement zone: Cerro Duro Fracture Zone (CDFZ), striking approximately N70- 75W, brittle fracture system,
Transtensional zone: Freedom Flats-Borealis-East Pit-Northeast Pit (FFBENE), striking approximately N50E,
Antithetic, right lateral, strike slip zones, trending approximately North-South,
Reverse fault systems trending northwest.
Faults, fault breccias, linear zones of silicification and silicified sheeted joints dip steeply, vertical to 60 degrees. These zones dip predominately westerly, i.e. northwesterly, southwesterly, with subordinate northeast dips. Structural zones are laterally discontinuous exhibiting en-echelon patterns and complex sets of conjugate internal joint arrays.
Five distinct styles of silicification occur in the district:
Pervasive micro-granular quartz, + chalcedony-opal, devoid of pyrite, associated with weak (to moderate) leaching, and bleaching of host rocks, i.e. low temperature clays.
Fine-medium grained granular quartz structurally controlled along faults and breccia zones, (a) with pyrite, (b) devoid of pyrite with associated moderate leaching and bleaching, i.e. low to medium temperature clays.
Medium-grained granular quartz, structurally controlled along faults and breccia zones with pyrite, and zones of late stage vuggy-vapor phase acid leaching. Host lithologies, particularly volcaniclastic breccias exhibit a range in clast replacement, i.e. silica absorption, from weak to moderate. Groundmass is replaced by medium-grained granular quartz. Medium temperature clay alteration occurs as peripheral halos.
Medium to coarse-grained quartz with pyrite, structurally controlled, with associated fault breccias and zones of intense silicification, moderate to total replacement of original host lithologies and occasionally replacing preexisting silicified fault breccia zones with associated alunite, barite, with peripheral zones of moderate to intense medium to intense moderate to high temperatures clay alteration.
Quartz sericite pyrite alteration occurs in the granodiorite basement, up to 500 feet from the contact with the volcanic stratigraphy, in fault zones, in zones of stockwork fracturing spatially associated with fault-contact between the basement and volcanic stratigraphy. In addition, as dilatational zones, there are “pods” in the granodiorite, of granular white quartz.
Mineral Deposits
The gold deposits contained within the larger, district scale, Borealis hydrothermal system are recognized as high-sulfidation type systems with high-grade gold mineralization occurring along steeply dipping structures and lower grade gold mineralization surrounding the high-grade and commonly controlled by more permeable volcanic rocks in relatively flat-lying zones. The gold deposits, some with minor amounts of silver mineralization are hosted by Miocene andesitic flows, laharic breccias, and volcaniclastic tuffs, which all strike northeasterly and dip shallowly to the northwest. Pediment gravels cover the altered-mineralized volcanic rocks at lower elevations along the mountain front where there is potential for discovery of more blind (covered by gravel) gold deposits, similar to the Graben deposit.
The surface “footprints” of the high-grade pods or pipe-like bodies, found to date are rather small and they can be easily missed with patterns of too widely spaced geophysical surveys and drill holes. Most of the drilling on the property by prior owners was vertical, and therefore did not adequately sample the steep higher-grade zones. Drill-hole orientation may have underestimated the grades within the district. Several drill holes to the west of Freedom Flats and Borealis encountered gold within the alluvium stratigraphically above known deposits. These holes trace a gold-bearing zone that in plan appears to outline a paleochannel of a stream or gently sloping hillside that may have had its origin in the eroding Borealis deposit. The zone is at least 2,500 feet long, up to 500 feet wide, and several tens up to 100 feet thick. At this point it is unknown if this is a true placer deposit, an alluvial deposit of broken ore, or some combination of both. Additional drilling and beneficiation tests are needed to determine if an economic gold deposit exists.
Exploration
Since the late 1970s, exploration completed at the Borealis property focused on finding near surface deposits with oxide-type gold mineralization. Exploration work consisted of field mapping, surface sampling, geochemical surveys, geophysical surveys, and shallow exploration drilling. Only limited drilling and geological field work was conducted in areas covered by pediment gravels, even though Freedom Flats was an unknown, blind deposit, without surface expression when discovered.
Many geophysical surveys were conducted by others in the Borealis district since 1978. In addition, regional magnetics and gravity maps and information are available through governmental sources. The most useful geophysical data from the historic exploration programs has been induced polarization (chargeability), aeromagnetics, and resistivity.
Areas with known occurrences of gold mineralization, which have been defined by historical exploration drilling, and had historical mine production include: Northeast Ridge, Gold View, East Ridge, Deep Ore Flats, Borealis, Freedom Flats, Jaimes Ridge, and Cerro Duro. All of these deposits still have gold mineralization remaining in place, contiguous with the portions of each individual deposit that were mined. Graben, Crocodile Ridge, Purdy Peak, Boundary Ridge, and Bullion Ridge are known gold deposits in the district that have not been mined.
Discovery potential on the Borealis property includes oxidized gold mineralization adjacent to existing pits, new oxide gold deposits at shallow depth within the large land position, gold associated with sulfide minerals below and adjacent to the existing pits, in possible feeder zones below surface mined ore and buried gold-bearing sulfide mineralization elsewhere on the property. Both oxidized and sulfide-bearing gold deposits exhibit lithologic and structural controls for the locations and morphologies of the gold deposits.
The following areas have not been subject to historic mine production, but have been subject to historical exploration that has identified gold mineralization.
Borealis Extension
The Borealis Extension deposit occurs 110 to 375 feet below the surface at the northern and western margins of the former Borealis pit. Generally the top of this target occurs at or slightly below the 7,000-ft elevation. The primary target is defined by 16 contiguous drill holes completed by previous operators that have economically attractive gold intercepts. Thicknesses of mineralized intercepts ranges from 15 to 560 ft with nine holes having from 155 to 560 ft of +0.01 opt of gold; the average thickness of the zone is 236 ft. We have drilled an additional 16 holes into the deposit. The drilling results were generally marginal and further evaluation is needed.
Graben Deposit
The Graben deposit has been defined with approximately 36 historical RC holes and 19 historical core holes. This drilling defined a zone of gold mineralization, using an 0.01 opt Au boundary, that extends at least 2,000 feet in a north-south direction and between 200 and 750 feet east-west, and up to 300 feet thick. The top of the deposit is from 500 to 650 feet below the surface. Near its southern margin the axis of the deposit is within 800 feet of the Freedom Flats deposit and along one portion of the southeastern margin low-grade mineralization may connect with the Freedom Flats mineralization through an east-west trending splay.
Through November 2007, Gryphon Gold has drilled an additional 58 RC drill holes into the Graben zone. All holes had mineralized intervals. Gryphon Gold’s Graben drilling program was designed to test for extensions of the interior high-grade zones and to expand the exterior boundaries of the deposit. Drilling along the margins of the deposit, particularly along the northwestern portion, identified significant extensions of mineralization. Drilling for extensions of the northern and southern high-grade pods also revealed that these zones are larger than previously thought. Additional drilling in, and around, the Graben deposit is needed before it can be considered fully explored. At this point the mineralization estimate for the deposit probably represents a minimum size.
In mid-2007 a controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics CSAMT survey was conducted over the Graben deposit as a test case. Several anomalies were identified that correlated favorably with known mineralization. The survey lines ended to the northwest in a similar looking anomaly in an undrilled area The initial interpretation is that this could be an extension of the Graben deposit, or a separate mineralized area.
Additional drilling is needed to fill in gaps between widely spaced holes in the Graben, and step out from the Graben zone in a north, east and west direction in order to delineate the full extent of the gold mineralization, and to fully define the boundaries of the zone.
North Graben Prospect
The North Graben prospect is defined by the projection of known mineralization, verified by drill hole sampling, and coincident with a large intense aeromagnetic low and an elongate chargeability (IP) high. This blind target lies on trend of the north-northeast-elongate Graben mineralized zone. In 1989, Echo Bay completed a district-wide helicopter magnetic/electromagnetic survey, which identified a large, intense type aeromagnetic low in the North Graben area. This coincident magnetic low/chargeability high is now interpreted as being caused by an intensive and extensive hydrothermal alteration-mineralization system. Five drill holes completed in the North Graben by Gryphon Gold encountered a permissive geologic setting and trace levels of gold mineralization.
In early 2006 the Company completed four holes into the North Graben geophysical anomaly and one additional hole was drilled in 2007. All the holes intercepted a hydrothermal system as indicated by several zones of silicification, and pyrite up to 20 percent. None of the holes contained significant amounts of gold, but were geochemically anomalous in gold and silver, and other important trace elements. North Graben is a target area that needs additional study and drilling to determine if a gold deposit is present.
Rainbow Ridge and Tough Hills Prospects
Previous exploration drilling the Rainbow Ridge and Tough Hills Prospect areas targeted shallow oxide mineralization, generally less than 500 feet deep. In 2006 we completed four gradient IP/ resistivity survey blocks covering a total area of one square mile. Results from these surveys indicate a broad deep seated north, north-east trending chargeability anomaly and a prominent, shallow north west trending chargeability anomaly. These targets are essentially untested by drilling.
Central Pediment (Lucky Boy) Prospect
Another important prospect area is the Lucky Boy area, which may be in a shallower pediment environment in the central portion of the district near the range front. Historic drill holes at the periphery of the zone intersected thick zones of silification and traces of gold mineralization. Echo Bay’s aeromagnetic map shows another magnetic low and Cambior’s IP map shows a coincident chargeability high in the area of the silicification.
We drilled eight RC holes in this area during late 2006 and 2007. All of these holes encountered intense hydrothermal alteration with anomalous gold and favorable trace element geochemistry. A subsequent CSAMT survey indicates that these holes may have encountered the margins of a high-sulfidization gold system. Additional drilling is planned to test the CSAMT anomaly.
Sunset Wash Prospect
The Sunset Wash prospect consists of a gravel-covered pediment underlain by extensive hydrothermal alteration in the western portion of the Borealis district. Sixteen holes drilled by Echo Bay Mines indicate that intense alteration occurs within a loosely defined west-southwest belt that extends westerly from the Jaimes Ridge/Cerro Duro deposits. At the western limit of the west-southwest belt, Cambior’s IP survey and drilling results can be interpreted to indicate that the alteration system projects toward the southeast into the pediment.. Cambior conducted a gradient array IP survey over the Sunset Wash area effectively outlining a 1,000 by 5,000 foot chargeability anomaly. The anomaly corresponds exceptionally well to alteration and sulfide mineralization identified by Echo Bay’s drill hole results. Two structures appear to be mapped by the chargeability anomaly; one is a 5,000-foot long west-southwest-trending structure and the other is a smaller, northwest-trending structure.. Alteration types and intensity identified by the drilling, combined with the strong IP chargeability high and the aeromagnetic low, strongly suggest that the robust hydrothermal system at Sunset Wash is analogous to high-sulfidation gold systems. Cambior drilled three holes to test portions of the Sunset Wash geophysical anomaly and to offset other preexisting drill holes with significant alteration. The westernmost of Cambior’s three holes encountered the most encouraging alteration and gold mineralization suggesting that this drill hole is near the most prospective area. This drill hole intercepted hydrothermally altered rock from the bedrock surface to the bottom of the hole, including an extremely thick zone of chalcedonic replacement in the lower two-thirds of the hole.
We drilled three holes in the same area, all of which encountered strongly developed hydrothermal alteration with anomalous gold and favorable pathfinder trace elements. To assist in defining the target a CSAMT survey was conducted late in 2007 and further defined the anomalous zone. Additional drilling is planned to test the center of the anomaly.
Bullion Ridge/Boundary Ridge
The northeast-trending alteration zone extending along Boundary Ridge into Bullion Ridge contains intense silicification that is surrounded by argillization, with abundant anomalous gold. Widely-spaced shallow drill holes completed by previous operators have tested several of the alteration/anomalous gold zones and defined discrete zones of mineralized material.
Mineralization
Overview
Finely disseminated gold mineralization found in the Borealis epithermal system was associated with pyrite and other gold bearing sulfide minerals such as marcasite when initially deposited by the gold rich hydrothermal fluids. In the upper portions of the near surface deposits, over time through natural oxidation, the pyrite was transformed to limonite releasing the gold particles. Through this geologic process, the mineral character of the deposit was altered, and sulfides were destroyed releasing the gold so that conventional hydrometallurgical processes (e.g. gold heap leaching) could be effectively applied to recover the gold. Gold bound in pyrite or pyrite-silica which was not oxidized (commonly in the deeper deposits) in the geologic process, is not as easily recovered by a simple heap leaching and may require some type of more advanced milling operation. Limited evidence suggests that in certain deposits, such as the Borealis and Freedom Flats deposits, some coarse gold exists, probably in the higher-grade zones.
Oxide Gold Mineralization
Oxide gold mineralization is generally more amenable to direct cyanidation processes such as heap leaching as compared to sulfide gold mineralization.
Oxide deposits in the district have goethite, hematite, and jarosite after iron sulfides as the supergene oxidation products, and the limonite type depends primarily on original sulfide mineralogy and abundance. Iron oxide minerals occur as thin fracture coatings, fillings, earthy masses, as well as disseminations throughout the rock. The degree of supergene oxidation, mineral constituents, and form and occurrence of the oxide minerals in the host rock are significant factors in determining metallurgical performance and ultimate gold recovery. As demonstrated in previous operations, this type of gold bearing material is amenable to conventional heap leaching methodology.
Depth of oxidation is variable throughout the district and is dependent on alteration type, structure, and rock type. Oxidation ranges from approximately 250 ft in argillic and propylitic altered rocks to over 600 ft in fractured silicified rocks. A transition zone from oxides to sulfides with depth is common and is characterized by a mixture of oxide and sulfide minerals.
Except for the Graben deposit, all of the known gold deposits are at least partially oxidized. Typically the upper portion of a deposit is totally oxidized and the lower portions unoxidized. In places, such as the Ridge deposits, there is an extensive transition zone of partially oxidized sulfide bearing gold mineralization. Oxidation has been observed to at least 1,000 ft below the surface.
Sulfide Gold Mineralization
Sulfide gold mineralization is generally less amenable to conventional direct cyanidation metallurgical processes, and may require more advanced processes such as milling, flotation, and roasting or some pre-cyanidation treatment.
Sulfide deposits in the district are mostly contained within quartz-pyrite alteration with the sulfides consisting mostly of pyrite with minor marcasite, and lesser arsenopyrite. Many trace minerals of copper, antimony, arsenic, mercury and silver have also been identified. Pyrite content ranges from 5 to 20 volume percent with local areas of nearly massive sulfides in the quartz-pyrite zone and it occurs with grain sizes up to 1mm. Gold is commonly restricted to the iron sulfide grains.
The Graben deposit is the best example found to date of the size and quality of sulfide deposits within the district. In addition sulfide mineralization occurs in the bottoms of most of the mined areas, but the most significant of which is beneath the Freedom Flats pit.
Drilling
We have conducted a drilling program on the Borealis site. Set out below is a summary of the drilling work conducted on the Borealis Property by prior owners and by us.
Historical Drill Hole Database
The historical drill hole database used for the Borealis project mineralization models contains 2,417 drill holes with a total drilled length of 671,595 feet. A total of 1,947 holes were drilled inside the mineralization model areas. An additional 470 holes were either drilled outside the mineralization models at scattered locations throughout the district or did not have collar coordinates.
The historic holes were drilled by several different operators on the property. Drill hole types include diamond core holes, reverse circulation holes and rotary holes. The only holes that have down-hole survey information are a few core holes. Since most of the drilling is shallow, the absence of down-hole survey information is not significant. In the deeper Graben zone, however, unsurveyed drill holes may locally distort the shape of the grade zones. Drill hole sampling lengths are generally 5 feet for the RC holes, but vary for the core holes based on geological intervals. Sampling length is up to 25 feet for some of the early rotary holes. Gold assays in parts per billion (ppb) and troy ounces per short ton (opt) are provided for most of the sample intervals. Silver assays in parts per million (ppm) and opt are also provided for some of the sample intervals.
Drilling of Existing Heaps and Dumps
In May 2004 we completed a drilling program on the five Borealis site heaps and parts of the Freedom Flats and Borealis waste dumps. This program consisted of 32 holes totaling 2,478.5 ft. Dump holes were drilled deep enough to penetrate the soil horizon below the dump, while holes on the heaps were drilled to an estimated 10-15 ft above the heap's liner.
Gryphon Gold Drilling Program
Since acquiring the Borealis property we have drilled 252 holes totaling 153,000.5 feet. The majority of these holes were drilled in, and around, known gold deposits. Less than 30 holes can be considered purely exploration.
Sampling and Analysis
General
The Borealis Mine operated from 1981 through 1990 producing approximately 10.7 million tons of ore averaging 0.059 ounces of gold per ton from seven open pits. The mined ore contained approximately 607,000 ounces of gold of which approximately 500,000 ounces of gold were recovered through a heap leach operation (please refer to table “Reported Past Borealis Production 1981-1990”). This historic production can be considered a bulk sample of the deposits validating the database that was used for feasibility studies and construction decisions through the 1980s. With over 2,400 drill holes in the database that was compiled over a 20-year period by major companies, the amount of information on the project is extensive. It is primarily these data that have been used as the foundation of the current mineralization estimate. The bulk of the data was collected beginning in 1978, the year of discovery of the initial ore-grade mineralization, and was continuously collected through the final year of full production. Subsequent owners who conducted exploration programs through the 1990s added to the database.
Previous Mining Operations - Sampling, Analysis, Quality Control and Security
Specific detailed information on sampling methods and approaches by the various mine operators is not available to us. However, a report written in 1981 (referred to in the Technical Report) noted that the drilling, sampling and analytical procedures as well as assay checks were reported as acceptable by industry practice.
Echo Bay Mines performed quality checks on their drill cuttings, sampling and assaying methods as part of their evaluation of the property prior to and following its purchase from Tenneco Minerals, indicating that the original assays were reliable and representative. During their exploration and development programs they also drilled a number of core hole twins of reverse circulation rotary drill holes to compare assay results in the same areas.
Houston Oil and Minerals, Tenneco, and Echo Bay Mines are reported to have used standard sample preparation and analytical techniques in their exploration and evaluation efforts, but detailed descriptions of the procedures have not been found. Most of the drill-hole assaying was accomplished by major laboratories that were in existence at the time of the drilling programs. Various labs including Monitor Geochemical, Union Assaying, Barringer, Chemex, Bondar-Clegg, Metallurgical Laboratories, Cone Geochemical, the Borealis Mine lab and others were involved in the assaying at different phases of the exploration and mining activity.
We believe that early work on the property relied on assay standards that were supplied by the laboratories doing the assaying. However, Echo Bay Mines (1986) reported using seven internal quality control standards for their Borealis Mine drill-hole assaying program, with gold concentrations from 170 ppb to 0.37 opt. Analytical labs involved in the standards analyses were Cone Geochemical, Chemex, and the Borealis Mine lab, and the precision of the three labs was reported as excellent (+/- 1 to 8%) for the higher gold grades (0.154 -0.373 opt); acceptable (+/- 3 to 14%) for the lower grades (0.029 -0.037 opt); and fair (+/- 4 to 20%) for the geochemical anomaly grades (0.009 opt to 170 ppb). These data provide an initial estimation of the precision and accuracy of gold analyses of Borealis mineralization.
During 1986, Echo Bay instructed Chemex to analyze duplicate samples for five selected drill holes. A comparison was made of (a) 1/2 assay-ton fire assay with a gravimetric finish, versus (b) 1/2 assay-ton fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, versus (c) hot cyanide leach of a 10-gram sample. The 1/2 assay-ton fire assay - gravimetric and the 1/2 assay-ton fire assay - atomic absorption gave essentially the same results. However the hot cyanide leach gave results that were 5-11 percent higher in one comparison and significantly lower in another, prompting Chemex to conclude that cyanide leach assaying was not appropriate for Borealis samples. The great majority of the assays in the database are based on fire assays.
We have no information relating to the sample security arrangements made by the previous operators.
Gryphon Gold Operations - Sampling, Analysis, Quality Control and Security
The work we performed to evaluate the 32 holes drilled in 2004 on the five previously leached heaps and two waste dumps was done by a sonic rig to retrieve core-like samples. All drill holes were drilled vertical, with the sample immediately slid into a plastic sleeve that was sealed and marked with the drill hole number and footage interval. These plastic sample sleeves were not reopened until they reached the analytical lab. A Qualified Person and geologist, Dr. Roger Steininger, monitored all of the drill procedures and the handover to the analytical lab. A non-blind standard was added as the last sample of each hole, which was obvious to the lab since the standard was in a pulp bag, although the lab did not know the gold value of the standard.
All samples were submitted to American Assays Labs of Sparks, Nevada. Each analytical sample was split in a rotary splitter with a one-fifth of the sample removed for assay and the remaining four-fifths retained for metallurgical testing. Each assay sample was pulverized and assayed for gold and silver by one assay ton fire assay, and a two hour 200 gram cyanide shake assay for dissolvable gold. As part of the quality control program, standards were submitted to American Assay Labs (AAL) with each drill hole, several assayed pulps and two standards were submitted to ALS Chemex, and three of the duplicates and two standards were submitted to ActLabs-Skyline.
For the hard rock drilling program, started in 2005 and continuing through 2007, reverse circulation drilling services were provided by two international drilling contractors, Diversified Drilling LLC of Missoula, Montana and Eklund Drilling Company of Elko, Nevada. Drill bit size equaled 4 ½ inches in diameter and samples were collected at 5-foot intervals (1.5 meters). All drill samples were bagged and sealed at the drill site by drill contractor employees, placed in bins, and delivered to a secure storage. American Assay Laboratories in Sparks, Nevada picked up the sample bins from secure storage. AAL is ISO/IEC 17025 certified and has successfully completed Canadian proficiency testing (CCRMP). Drill cuttings were dried, crushed to -10 mesh, rotary split to 1,000 grams, pulverized to -150 mesh, split to 350 gram pulps, fire assayed for gold and silver using 1-assay ton fire assay with gravimetric finish. Strict QA/QC protocol was followed, including the insertion of standards and blanks on a regular basis in the assaying process.
In the period between April 2006 and November 2007, reverse circulation drilling services were provided Eklund Drilling Company of Elko, Nevada. Drill bit size equaled 4 ½ inches in diameter and samples were collected at 5-foot intervals (1.5 meters). All drill samples were bagged and sealed at the drill site by the drill contractor employees, placed in bins, and delivered to a secure storage. Inspectorate America Corporation (IAC) in Sparks, Nevada picked up the sample bins from secure storage. IAC is ISO 9001:2000 certified (Certificate number: 37295) and has successfully completed Canadian proficiency testing (CCRMP). Drill cuttings were dried, crushed to -10 mesh, rotary split to 1,000 grams, pulverized to -150 mesh, split to 350 gram pulps, fire assayed for gold and silver using 1-assay ton fire assay with an AA finish. Assays greater than 0.10 opt Au were re-assayed by 1-assay ton fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Strict QA/QC protocol was followed, including the insertion of standards and blanks on a regular basis in the assaying process.
Borealis Mineralization Estimate
A mineralization model was developed for the Borealis property and is detailed in the April 28, 2008 report, entitled Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Borealis Gold Projected Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA, compliant with National Instrument 43-101, which was furnished to the SEC as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2008. The Technical Report details mineralization on the Borealis Property. The Technical Report states that the recommended course of action for Gryphon Gold is to increase gold mineralization by completing additional drilling primarily in the previously mined areas, to complete a technical report to determine the feasibility of near term production, and through continued drilling and exploration, delineate possible new mineralization on the Borealis Property. The Report uses the terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource". We advise investors that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained pounds" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
In the report A Preliminary Assessment of the Mineral Resource of the Borealis Gold Project Located in Mineral County, Nevada, USA was completed September 2, 2008 it is concluded that there is significant mineralization which “could support an open pit, heap leach gold and silver mine. Based on historical operational data and similar deposits and projects in the area, the field-proven process technology selected (heap leach and ADR plant, using carbon absorption) will be able to effectively produce gold and silver ore for sale.” The Preliminary Assessment was furnished to the SEC as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2008. The Technical Report details mineralization on the Borealis Property. The Preliminary Assessment uses the terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource". We advise investors that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained pounds" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
Historical Mining and Metallurgical Operations
The historical mining operations processed both a run-of-mine ore and an ore that was crushed to a nominal 1 1/2-inch product as the primary feed material that was placed on the heap for leaching. The fines fraction was agglomerated with cement, mixed with the coarse fraction, and leached with sodium cyanide solution. Gold mineralization is finely disseminated and/or partially bonded with pyrite, and although there are very little ore mineralogy data available, historical operating reports suggest that some coarse gold may exist. Gold that is bound in pyrite or pyrite-silica is not easily recovered by simple heap leach cyanidation, however gold recovery in oxide ores is reported to average about 80% for the ore treated. There are no reports of carbonaceous refractory components within the old heap or dump materials. The previous mine operators employed a Merrill Crowe circuit to enhance ease of silver recovery, followed by a retort to remove mercury.
Laboratory testing subsequent to mine shut down in 1990 indicates that gold recoveries of 55 to 80 percent can be expected from remaining oxide material on the Borealis Property by heap leaching.
Based on limited test work, gold bearing sulfide material appears to respond to conventional flotation concentration and cyanidation of oxidized concentrates. In the laboratory testing, chemical oxidation and bioxidation treatment of the sulfide material yield a high level of oxidation and correspondingly high gold recoveries after cyanidation of the oxidized material. Aeration of concentrate slurries may be a suitable oxidation method for the sulfide material. A test plan to evaluate recovery options for the sulfide ores from the Borealis Project site is planned for 2008.
Exploration and Development
Our development and exploration plans are based on the recommendations contained on the Technical Report and are subject to our ability to obtain additional capital to fund such plans. These plans are outlined below:
Permitting Process
We intend to maintain the permits we have received that are necessary for mine start up. Maintaining the permits necessary for mine start up does not require us to complete a feasibility study. The principal permits were issued during calendar 2006, while ordinary course permits will be sought prior to the possible mine start up.
The following is a summary and status of the permits required for the Borealis Gold Project:
An Approved Plan of Operations from the USFS, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has been received. The Environmental Assessment (EA) was approved for the Plan of Operations with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on June 19, 2006. The Decision Notice was published on June 22 and 23, 2006 and is not appealable. Final revisions to the Plan of Operations were submitted to the USFS on June 23, 2006 and the USFS signed the Plan on June 29, 2006. The Plan of Operations can be implemented as soon as a reclamation bond of $4,205,377 is posted with the USFS.
A Water Pollution Control Permit (WPCP) from the NDEP-Bureau of Mining Regulation & Reclamation (BMRR) was approved and granted to BMC on January 28, 2006. The permit allows BMC to construct and operate a 10-million ton capacity heap leach pad and processing plant as a zero-discharge facility.
A Reclamation Permit from the NDEP-BMRR and reclamation bond amount were approved on June 23, 2006. This permit is the State of Nevada’s approval of the Plan of Operations and is effective with the posting of the reclamation bond with the USFS.
A Tentative Permanent Closure Plan to be administered by the NDEP-BMRR was submitted with the WPCP application and accepted by NDEP-BMRR. A Final Permanent Closure Plan will not need to be developed until 2 years prior to project closure.
NDEP-Bureau of Air Pollution Control (BAPC) issued the Air Quality Operating Permit on April 28, 2006 for the Borealis processing facilities. The State of Nevada recently adopted new regulations regarding mercury emissions, and an application was filed under this new State program on September 14, 2006, as a compliance order pursuant to the approved air quality permit. Approval of the mercury permit is pending.
A Surface Area Disturbance Permit from the NDEP-BAPC was approved and granted to BMC on April 3, 2006 for disturbances associated with construction and mining activities.
The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been prepared for the project. A Notice of Intent, filing fee, and the SWPPP will be submitted to the Bureau of Water Pollution Control (BWPC) 2 days prior to the start of mining operations to obtain coverage under the general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Nevada mines.
A Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will be prepared and implemented before starting operations. The SPCC Plan will provide methods for storing, transporting, and using petroleum products as well as emergency response measures in the event of a release.
A preliminary Emergency Release, Response and Contingency Plan (ERRCP) was submitted with the Plan of Operations. The ERRCP provides methods for storing, using, and transporting process chemicals on site as well as emergency response measures in the event of a release. A final ERRCP will be prepared prior to the start of leaching and processing activities. Both the USFS and the NDEP-BMRR require the ERRCP.
Threatened & Endangered Species Act: No known threatened or endangered species have been identified within or near the project area. A Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation (BA/BE) and a Wildlife Specialist Report were approved by the USFS on June 6, 2006. These reports identified three USFS sensitive plants and two other plant species of concern within the project area. Mitigation measures were developed for these plants and incorporated into the EA and Plan of Operations. The USFS concluded that the project may impact individual plants and plant habitat but will not likely contribute to a trend towards listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species.
Historical Preservation Act (Section 107): Consultation with the USFS and the State Historical Preservation Officer (SHPO) has occurred in conjunction with the preparation of the EA. The “Heritage Research Final Report, Gryphon Gold, USA, Mining and Exploration Project, Borealis Mine Area” was submitted to the USFS in March 2006. The report identifies prehistoric cultural resources located within and near the project area. This report was approved by the USFS and forwarded to SHPO for their review and comment on April 17, 2006. The SHPO approved the report in early May 2006. Mitigation measures consisting of avoidance and protection were incorporated into the EA and the Plan of Operations.
Water Rights: Water Rights have been granted by the Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) for two production wells located approximately 3 miles south of the project, in the same vicinity as the supply wells from the previous mining operation. Based on historic well productivity records, this water right and point of diversion has the capacity and productivity to meet project needs. A second set of water rights were obtained for a site about 10 miles to the south of the planned operation as a contingency; however, this water right has been forfeited as it has been deemed extraneous.
In addition, the BLM has granted approval for drilling exploration holes in the areas of the West Pediment and the Central Pediment, which are on the Borealis property but outside of the central project area.
Drilling and Feasibility
We plan to continue our drilling and exploration program with the intent of locating additional sulfide and oxide gold mineralization on the Borealis property. The primary focus of the program will be within the previously disturbed area, the Graben zone and in the Central and Western Pediment areas. Once sufficient additional potential mineralization is discovered, we will assess possible methods of beginning production including the possible completion of a feasibility study.
Possible Future Mine Development
If warranted by the discovery and possible development of additional gold mineralization, project economics, and if we are successful in obtaining adequate additional capital, we may propose to build a mine operation on the Borealis site. Our plan will be based on the Plan of Operation filed with the U.S. Forest Service and could change based on additional information as it is acquired and analyzed in our ongoing engineering studies and feasibility study.
The Plan of Operation consists of the reopening of a previously reclaimed open pit mining operation. The Plan of Operation does not present an economic analysis, and we have not placed any information in the Plan of Operation regarding capital expenditures, operating costs, ore grade, anticipated revenues, or projected cash flows.
Mineralized Material Expansion and Exploration Program
We have undertaken a systematic district scale exploration program designed to discover and delineate large gold deposits within the greater Borealis Property, outside of the known mineral deposits, which will focus along known mineralized trends that project into untested gravel-covered areas with coincident geophysical anomalies. The greatest potential in the district lies beneath a large gravel-covered area at the mountain front with several potential blind deposits (with no surface expression). The Graben zone is an example of this type of deposit, and other high-potential targets include Rainbow Ridge/Tough Hills, Sunset Wash, Lucky Boy, and others yet to be named generally within the areas referred to as the Central and Western Pediments. To date we have drilled and assayed 206 holes as part of the district wide exploration program.
In addition to the district exploration program, the Borealis property embraces numerous areas with potential for discovery of mineable gold deposits. The defined target areas can be grouped into categories based on our expectation for deposit expansion or potential for discovery. Past emphasis was focused on targets which are the extensions of previously mined deposits, specifically within the previously disturbed areas the East Ridge-Gold View-Northeast Ridge mineralized trend, and around the margins of the Borealis, Freedom Flats, and Deep Ore Flats/Polaris deposits. Each has the potential to add to the material that can be developed as part of the initial mine plan. Drilling programs from 2005 through 2007 were completed primarily in areas where mineralization is known to exist. In addition to advancing existing mineralization to a higher level of confidence, this drilling program has further information gathering objectives for metallurgical assessment, waste characterization, and hydrological analyses that are required in support of our operating permit applications, environmental assessment, and engineering design. Results from drilling of heap leachable material will be incorporated into the feasibility study, should a feasibility study be completed.
Planned activities and expenditures include both field and compilation geology, geophysics, geochemistry, permitting and claim maintenance, road construction and drill-site preparation, reverse circulation (RC) and core drilling, drill-hole assaying, sampling protocol studies and assay quality control, preliminary metallurgical testing, and database management. We estimate that nearly 50% of the budget would be spent directly on drilling (mostly on RC drilling) with approximately 20% on geologists, 10% on assaying, and the remainder divided among the other items. The budget is expected to be sufficient to discover and delineate one or more deposits, but additional funding will be required for detailed development drilling and other development activities.
The names of deposits and exploration targets on the Borealis Property are shown on the map below. The map also shows the boundary of the claim holdings that comprise the Borealis Property.
(Source: Gryphon Gold, 2005)
United States Mining Laws
Mining in the State of Nevada is subject to federal, state and local law. Three types of laws are of particular importance to the Borealis Property: those affecting land ownership and mining rights; those regulating mining operations; and those dealing with the environment.
The Borealis Property is situated on lands owned by the United States (Federal Lands). Borealis Mining, as the owner or lessee of the unpatented mining claims, has the right to conduct mining operations on the lands subject to the prior procurement of required operating permits and approvals, compliance with the terms and conditions of the mining lease, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances. On Federal Lands, mining rights are governed by the General Mining Law of 1872 as amended, 30 U.S.C. §§ 21-161 (various sections), which allows the location of mining claims on certain Federal Lands upon the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit and proper compliance with claim location requirements. A valid mining claim provides the holder with the right to conduct mining operations for the removal of locatable minerals, subject to compliance with the General Mining Law and Nevada state law governing the staking and registration of mining claims, as well as compliance with various federal, state and local operating and environmental laws, regulations and ordinances. Historically, the owner of an unpatented mining claim could, upon strict compliance with legal requirements, file a patent application to obtain full fee title to the surface and mineral rights within the claim; however, continuing Congressional moratoriums have precluded new mining claim patent applications since 1993.
The operation of mines is governed by both federal and state laws. Part of the Borealis Property is situated within the Toiyabe National Forest, and that part is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. The rest of the Borealis Property is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In general, the federal laws that govern mining claim location and maintenance and mining operations on Federal Lands, including the Borealis Property, are administered by the BLM. The Forest Service is concerned with surface land use, disturbances and rights-of-way on Federal Lands that it manages. Additional federal laws, such as those governing the purchase, transport or storage of explosives, and those governing mine safety and health, also apply. Various permits or approvals from the BLM and other federal agencies will be needed before any mining operations on the Borealis Property can begin.
The State of Nevada likewise requires various permits and approvals before mining operations can begin, although the state and federal regulatory agencies usually cooperate to minimize duplication of permitting efforts. Among other things, a detailed reclamation plan must be prepared and approved, with bonding in the amount of projected reclamation costs. The bond is used to ensure that proper reclamation takes place, and the bond will not be released until that time. The bond amount for a large mining operation is significant. Local jurisdictions (such as Mineral County) may also impose permitting requirements (such as conditional use permits or zoning approvals).
Mining activities on the Borealis Property are subject also to various environmental laws, both federal and state, including but not limited to the federal National Environmental Policy Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act, and certain Nevada state laws governing the discharge of pollutants and the use and discharge of water. Various permits from federal and state agencies are required under many of these laws. See, “Permitting Requirements,” below. Local laws and ordinances may also apply to such activities as waste disposal, road use and noise levels.
Permitting
Permit Acquisition and Fundamental Environmental Permitting Considerations
In 2004 we initiated a plan to obtain the required principal environmental operating permits in anticipation of a possible mine start-up.
A staged permit acquisition program is in progress. The first permitting stage, started in the fall of 2003, has been completed. Permits obtained at that time authorized exploration activities needed to prove the mineral mineralization, condemn the heap sites and support infrastructure, and obtain environmental baseline data to support the permitting packages. A second stage of application for exploration drilling permits was submitted in December 2004 and approval was obtained in May 2005. A Plan of Operations for a new mine was submitted in August 2004 to the U.S. Forest Service and Nevada State agencies and approval was received in the second quarter of 2006. A Water Pollution Control Permit application for the reopening and expansion of the mine was submitted to the Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation in January 2005. Future exploration activities and mine expansion initiatives will be included in applications for subsequent approvals on a case-by-case and as-needed basis.
The approved Plan of Operation focuses on the approximately 460 acre area previously disturbed by mining operations. Deposits within this boundary, subject to permit applications generally, include the oxidized and partially oxidized portions of Borealis, Deep Ore Flats (also known as Polaris), East Ridge, Freedom Flats, and Northeast Ridge which are amenable to a conventional hydrometallurgical gold recovery process such as heap leaching. Also included in the Plan of Operations is the option for development of underground access to the Graben deposit to be used for exploration and future development activities, although no production plan has been submitted for consideration in this mineralized zone at this date. Crocodile Ridge, Middle Ridge, and other deposits within the study area boundaries of the Borealis Property will be added to the permit applications if warranted based on ongoing engineering and in-fill drilling results.
Permitting Process Overview
The development, operation, closure and reclamation of mining projects in the United States require numerous notifications, permits, authorizations and public agency decisions. This section does not attempt to exhaustively identify all of the permits and authorizations that need to be gained, but instead focuses on those that are considered to be the main efforts that are on the critical path for possible project start-up.
Environmental Inventories
There are certain environmental evaluations that routinely must be completed in order to provide the information against which project impacts are measured. Both the U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR) have requirements to profile existing conditions and to evaluate what effects will result from implementing the project plans on those mineral resources.
Background information on geology, air quality, soils, biology, water resources, social and economic conditions, and cultural resources were assembled for us and submitted to the appropriate regulatory agency.
Permitting Requirements
U.S. Forest Service Requirements
The Bridgeport Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service is the lead agency regulating mining and reclamation activities at the Borealis Property. The permitting process with the U.S. Forest Service approved our Plan of Operations in the second quarter of 2006, pursuant to the requirements of 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart A. Our Plan of Operations was filed in August 2004 describing the project plans in a step-by-step process. The Plan of Operations describes the development of the deposits identified in the Technical Report and recognizes and anticipates the effects of market impacts such as reductions or increases in gold price, and describes the measures that will be taken to adjust for these changing conditions. The emphasis of the Plan of Operations is on defining the spatial and temporal aspects, as they will affect the land that is managed by the agency. The Plan of Operations also describes the plans to reclaim the site, and includes an estimate of the cost to accomplish that reclamation. This cost estimate is the first step toward establishing the reclamation surety for the site.
In order to satisfy the reclamation surety requirements of the U.S. Forest Service, we will consider obtaining an insurance policy for its benefit. This policy, if obtained on terms acceptable to us, would require us to pay into a “commutation” account of the insurer the agreed cost of the initial future reclamation work. The initial amount covered under the policy will be funded by a deposit into the “commutation” account, in an amount to be negotiated. The amount covered by the policy is expected to increase as reclamation costs increase due to expanded mining related disturbances. This additional policy coverage is expected to be funded from mining revenue once the mine is in operation. Once funded, the account will be available to pay for concurrent and final reclamation expenses as they are incurred. The policy is expected to provide us a mechanism to manage the overall cost of reclamation for a known cost for the entire life of mine and provide financial assurance required by the U.S. Forest Service. We would propose to acquire the policy once the plan of operations and associated reclamation plan are approved by the U.S. Forest Service.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that any decision made by a Federal agency must consider the environmental effects of that decision. The USFS will decide whether or not there is a decision to be made, and whether that decision is significant or not. If there is no decision to be made, as in the instance of Categorical Exclusions (CE), the project can proceed with notification only. CE's are allowed when surface disturbances are limited to less than one mile of new road building. If a decision must be made, an environmental impact evaluation is completed and from that analysis, a determination of whether the environmental impact is significant or not. If the determination is a “finding of no significant impact” (FONSI), then the agency is authorized to approve the plan based on the Environmental Assessment (EA) findings. If the decision is that the impacts are in fact significant, then an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required to arrive at the final decision. There is a significantly increased time period for review and public comment for an EIS versus an EA. Approvals of Gryphon Gold's site exploration activities to date were authorized under a CE.
The USFS Bridgeport Ranger District (District) determined that preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) was necessary to comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The USFS and we mutually agreed to have Knight Piesold and Co. (KPCO), a third-party NEPA contractor, prepare the EA. Comments from a variety of stakeholders have been solicited. These comments were incorporated into a Modified Plan of Operations, which includes some changes from the initial Plan of Operations submitted to account for updated operating plans and required mitigation measures to better protect the environment.
At the completion of the NEPA process and decision, the reclamation surety must be posted with the USFS prior to any surface disturbance on site. The reclamation cost estimate provided in the Plan of Operations will be reviewed and refined by the agency and an acceptable amount agreed upon among the U.S. Forest Service, BMRR and us.
Nevada Division of Water Resources Requirements
Development of the Borealis Property will involve significant water demand in an arid region where the water basin has been over-appropriated and for which project water rights have been withdrawn. Successful mining and processing will require careful control of project water and efficient reclamation of project solutions back into the leaching process.
The Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) is the responsible agency for granting water rights permits. The basin from which water rights could be appropriated is the same basin that was the water supply for the mining activities at Borealis during the 1980‘s and early 1990‘s. Although this basin appears to be over allocated to various users, many of these rights go unused, so it may be possible to transfer existing appropriations to the project if necessary.
We believe that water rights granted to us by the NDWR are sufficient to conduct planned operations. A wellfield to perfect this water supply has not yet been tested or developed.
NDEP Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation Requirements
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR) regulates mining activities within the state including water pollution control and reclamation.
The heap leach and process solution ponds are presented in the water pollution control permit application that was filed in January 2004. The permit application package includes the engineering design report for the heap and ponds, certified by a Nevada registered professional engineer. In addition to the engineering report, operating plans describing the mineral processing circuit, fluid management plan, monitoring plans, emergency response plan, temporary closure plan and tentative permanent closure plan were presented. The Water Pollution Control Permit was issued on January 28, 2006.
BMRR also administers and enforces the requirements relating to the reclamation of land subject to mining or exploration projects.
A Reclamation Plan that contains the identical information as was contained in the Plan of Operations was submitted to the BMRR in August 2004. The Reclamation Plan was approved during the second quarter of 2006.
We will be required to post a reclamation bond from a financial institution or otherwise set aside a corresponding amount for the benefit of BMRR. We anticipate that BMRR will accept the reclamation bond we post for the benefit of the U.S. Forest Service.
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Air Quality Requirements
Prior to the commencement of construction activities, an air quality permit will be necessary. The Nevada Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) regulations state that a process flow diagram must be generated to communicate the technical aspects of the process/activity and determine which class of permit will be required. We have prepared the required process flow diagram and submitted our permit application. On April 28, 2006 the Class II air quality permit was issued by BAQ.
United States Regulatory Matters
General
All of our exploration activities in the United States are subject to regulation by governmental agencies under various mining and environmental laws. The nature and scope of regulation depends on a variety of factors, including the type of activities being conducted, the ownership status of land on which the operations are located, the nature of the resources affected, the states in which the operations are located, the delegation of federal air and water-pollution control and other programs to state agencies, and the structure and organization of state and local permitting agencies. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations. While these laws and regulations govern how we conduct many aspects of our business, we do not believe that they will have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition. We evaluate our projects in light of the cost and impact of regulations on the proposed activity, and evaluate new laws and regulations as they develop to determine the impact on, and changes necessary to, our operations.
Generally, compliance with environmental and related laws and regulations requires us to obtain permits issued by regulatory agencies and to file various reports and keep records of our operations. Some permits require periodic renewal or review of their conditions and may be subject to a public review process during which opposition to our proposed operations may be encountered.
U.S. Federal and State Environmental Law
Our past and future activities in the United States may cause us to be subject to liability under various federal and state laws. Proposed mining activities on federal land trigger regulations promulgated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and potentially other federal agencies, depending on the nature and scope of the impacts. For operations on federal public lands administered by the BLM that disturb more than five acres, an operator must submit a Plan of Operations to BLM. On USFS-administered lands, the USFS requires the submission of a notice for all mining operations, regardless of size, and a Plan of Operations if the USFS determines that there will be any “significant” disturbance of the surface.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), imposes strict, joint, and several liability on parties associated with releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances. Liable parties include, among others, the current owners and operators of facilities at which hazardous substances were disposed or released into the environment and past owners and operators of properties who owned such properties at the time of such disposal or release. This liability could include response costs for removing or remediating the release and damages to natural resources. We are unaware of any reason why our undeveloped properties would currently give rise to any potential CERCLA liability. We cannot predict the likelihood of future CERCLA liability with respect to our properties or surrounding areas that have been affected by historic mining operations.
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and related state laws, mining companies may incur costs for generating, transporting, treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous or solid wastes associated with certain mining-related activities. RCRA costs may also include corrective action or clean up costs.
Mining operations may produce air emissions, including fugitive dust and other air pollutants, from stationary equipment, such as crushers and storage facilities, and from mobile sources such as trucks and heavy construction equipment. All of these sources are subject to review, monitoring, permitting, and/or control requirements under the federal Clean Air Act and related state air quality laws. Air quality permitting rules may impose limitations on our production levels or create additional capital expenditures in order to comply with the permitting conditions.
Under the federal Clean Water Act and delegated state water-quality programs, point-source discharges into “Waters of the State” are regulated by the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredge and fill material into “Waters of the United States,” including wetlands. Stormwater discharges also are regulated and permitted under that statute. All of those programs may impose permitting and other requirements on our operations.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires an assessment of the environmental impacts of “major” federal actions. The “federal action” requirement can be satisfied if the project involves federal land or if the federal government provides financing or permitting approvals. NEPA does not establish any substantive standards. It merely requires the analysis of any potential impact. The scope of the assessment process depends on the size of the project. An “Environmental Assessment” (EA) may be adequate for smaller projects. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is much more detailed and broader in scope than an EA, is required for larger projects. NEPA compliance requirements for any of our proposed projects could result in additional costs or delays.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is administered by the U.S. Department of Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose of the ESA is to conserve and recover listed endangered and threatened species and their habitat. Under the ESA, “endangered” means that a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means that a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. Under the ESA, it is unlawful to “take” a listed species, which can include harassing or harming members of such species or significantly modifying their habitat. We conduct wildlife and plant inventories as required as part of the environmental assessment process prior to initiating exploration projects. We currently are unaware of any endangered species issues at any of our projects that would have a material adverse effect on our operations. Future identification of endangered species or habitat in our project areas may delay or adversely affect our operations.
We are committed to fulfilling our requirements under applicable environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are continually changing and, as a general matter, are becoming more restrictive. Our policy is to conduct our business in a manner that safeguards public health and mitigates the environmental effects of our business activities. To comply with these laws and regulations, we have made, and in the future may be required to make, capital and operating expenditures.
U.S. Federal and State Reclamation Requirements
We are subject to land reclamation requirements under state and federal law, which generally are implemented through reclamation permits that apply to exploration activities. These requirements often mandate concurrent reclamation and require the posting of reclamation bonds or other financial assurance sufficient to guarantee the cost of reclamation. If reclamation obligations are not met, the designated agency could draw on these bonds and letters of credit to fund expenditures for reclamation requirements.
Reclamation requirements generally include stabilizing, contouring and re-vegetating disturbed lands, controlling drainage from portals and waste rock dumps, removing roads and structures, neutralizing or removing process solutions, monitoring groundwater at the mining site, and maintaining visual aesthetics. We believe that we currently are in substantial compliance with and are committed to maintaining all of our financial assurance and reclamation obligations pursuant to our permits and applicable laws.
Nevada Eagle Properties
Nevada Eagle Properties General Description
Nevada Eagle has interests in approximately 63 prospective gold properties covering over 70 square miles of gold trends in Nevada. Twenty-four of these properties are in the Walker Lane belt and add to Gryphon's inventory of volcanogenic hosted gold mineralization. Seven of the properties are in the Cortez Trend, seven in the Austin-Lovelock Trend, two in the Carlin Trend and the balance are unique situations throughout Nevada with a few in contiguous states. These properties offer Gryphon both production opportunities or royalty income upon production. Twenty-five of the properties are ‘farmed-out' through lease and option agreements that generate a positive cash flow net of carryings costs. The remaining wholly-owned properties are retained for Gryphon's own exploration effort or additional future farm outs.
During the year ended March 31, 2009 we staked 6 new properties of which two were sold and three were “farmed out”. Ten of the previous “farmed out” properties were dropped throughout the year.
The following is a summary of the major properties in which Nevada Eagle has interests:
Golden Arrow
The Golden Arrow property is located approximately 39 miles east of Tonopah within the Golden Arrow mining district of southern Nye County, Nevada, U.S.A., at geographic co-ordinates 37deg. 59min. North latitude by 116deg. 37min. West longitude. Access is excellent; 37 miles east of Tonopah, Nevada on Highway 6, then 12 miles south on graded dirt road. It is comprised of 196 contiguous unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 4,051 acres.
The property is situated regionally within the Walker Lane Structural Belt, a terrain dominated by northwesterly-trending transcurrent faulting and hosting numerous precious metal deposits across central Nevada, and locally along the western rim of the Kawich resurgent caldera. The property is underlain by Oligocene- to Miocene-age sequence of andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks and spatially- and genetically-related to the tectonism and volcanism of the Kawich caldera. Rhyolitic domes and associated phreatic diatremes intruded the volcanic stratigraphy, and all lithologies are overlain by Pliocene-age basaltic glows prior to and coeval with Basin and Range faulting and erosion. Regional northwesterly- and northeasterly-oriented fault structures controlled both the deposition of the volcanic units and the distribution of siliceous and argillic alteration assemblages associated with precious metals-bearing mineralization.
Mineralization within the property is typical of a volcanic-hosted, low-sulphidation epithermal mineralizing system. Precious metal values are genetically- and spatially-associated with multi-episodic quartz-sulphide (/- adularia /- carbonate /- sericite /- barite) veins, veinlets and stockwork zones that are controlled by normal and oblique strike-slip faults within the rhyolitic-latite, volcaniclastic and andesite rock units.
Since 1981 ten successive companies, including Homestake Mining Company, Coeur d'Alene Mines and Kennecott Exploration Company, have conducted extensive geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying, and drilled at least 389 air-track, percussion, reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drill holes totaling at least 137,481 feet. Most of this work has been directed at discovering and delineating the near-surface bulk-tonnage potential of two adjacent zones, namely Gold Coin/Confidence Mountain and Hidden Hill. An updated technical report on the Golden Arrow project (NI 43-101 compliant) was completed on May 1, 2009.
From July 2003 to January 2004, Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. Drilled 29 RC drill holes totaling 18,721 feet in seven separate target areas on the property. The majority of the holes tested for strike and down-dip extensions to higher-grade mineralized intercepts encountered in earlier drilling. Numerous high-grade intercepts in the Confidence Mountain area, were encountered.
Several additional target areas have been identified as a result of Pacific Ridge's efforts which have the potential to host higher-grade, precious metals-bearing, structurally-controlled deposits. Within the drill-indicated disseminated gold mineralization, numerous structurally-confined zones containing gold grades between one and three ounces per ton have been intercepted.
High-grade gold intercepts were encountered in past drilling programs designed to explore for bulk tonnage, low-grade deposits. These intercepts have not been followed up systematically to determine the extent of high-grade mineralization. Also three parallel NE trending vein-structures, north of the mineralized areas have not yet been drilled. These structures have a cumulative strike length of over 3 miles.
Regent
The Regent property is located approximately 38 miles southeast of Fallon within the Rawhide mining district of northern Mineral County, Nevada, U.S.A., at geographic co-ordinates 39deg. 2min. North latitude by 118deg. 25min. West longitude. Access is Excellent; 32 miles east of Fallon, Nevada on Highway 50, then 21 miles south on Highway 31, thence west 6 miles along a well-maintained road. It is comprised of 110 contiguous unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 2,272 acres.
The property is situated regionally along the northeastern margin of the northwest trending Walker Lane Structural Belt, a terrain dominated by northwesterly-trending transcurrent faulting. The Regent deposits more specifically lie along the northeastern margin of the Rawhide volcanic center. Numerous other volcanic hosted precious metal deposits are located within this northwest trending zone of complex structural disruption: Goldfield, Tonopah, Comstock Lode, Paradise Peak, Silver Peak, Candelaria and Tallapoosa. The property is underlain by a complex pile of mid-Miocene calc-alkaline volcanics, ranging in composition from basaltic andesite to latite to rhyolite. Pyroplastic tuffs and minor volcanically-derived epiclastic sediments underlie much of the area from the Rawhide deposit to Regent, but the majority of the Regent project area is composed of a series of coalescing latitic flow-dome complexes.
Mineralization at Regent occurs in quartz veins and in intensely silicified illite and clay altered volcanic rocks many of which show intense brecciation. Mineralization can be classified (as can most of the Walker Lane) as low to intermediate sulfidation epithermal type; in the case of Regent with a very strong structural control. Structures that have received the most exploration attention to date are NNE with west dips such as the Regent Hill structure and NNW with east dips such as the Regent Hill and Antithetic structure. There are strongly ENE structures such as the Broadway and Crosstown structure that have been underexplored to date.
Since 1984 Kennecott and Newmont conducted exploration programs designed to develop low grade open pit bulk mineable reserves. These programs resulted in the drilling of over 560 holes totaling at least 263,600 feet of shallow, vertical reverse circulation holes drilled within a limited area. Kennecott used these holes to define a small low-grade bulk mineable deposit. Both companies encountered significant high grade intercepts suggesting that a higher grade bonanza vein of mineralized material might be present.
The Regent property has excellent potential for further discovery of multiple ore bodies. Collectively the discovery of multiple gold deposits would contribute significantly to the established reserve base at Regent.
Also, Kennecott discovered several high-grade gold quartz veins but did not pursue high-grade vein occurrences. Their exploration program was specifically aimed at finding more bulk tonnage disseminated mineralization in the crystal-lithic tuff unit. They did not test the vein systems systematically for high grade/underground deposits even though they discovered several zones grading above .25 opt Au in their drilling programs.
Monte Cristo
The Monte Cristo property is located approximately 25 miles west of Tonopah within the Gilbert mining district of northern Esmeralda County, Nevada, U.S.A., at geographic co-ordinates 38deg. 11min. North latitude by 117deg. 42min. West longitude. Access is good; 28 miles west of Tonopah, Nevada on Highway 95, then 9 miles north on graded dirt road. It is comprised of 239 contiguous unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 4,731 acres.
The property lies within the Walker Lane, a region dominated by right-lateral strike-slip faults. These regional faults have created structural complexes of crosscutting faults and pullapart/accommodation features in the Monte Cristo Range. Caldera-related Tertiary volcanic rocks of varying composition are the dominant lithology in the range. The structural setting of the Gilbert district is dominated by the strike-slip faulting typical of the Walker Lane. The dominant local structural trends are north-northeast and west-northwest. On the Monte Cristo property, a north-northeast to north-south striking fault separates older Tertiary rhyolitic pyroclastic flow units, rhyolite dikes, and rhyolite domes on the east from younger Tertiary andesitic flows and lahars on the west.
The mineralization within the property is located on an 11 km long north-northeast fault zone in Tertiary volcanics which is offset by northwest cross faults. The host rocks are Tertiary andesites, the same as the host rocks of the famous Comstock Lode at Virginia City, which produced gold. The gold-silver mineralization occurs within parallel shear structures on either side of the north-northeast fault. The McLean Lode, a zone of episodic veining, brecciation, and silicification with adularia, is hosted in clay altered andesitic rocks. The gold is associated with minor pyrite and acanthite. Native gold is seen in the centers of quartz veins as well as in silicified zones parallel to the shear fabric. The lode is 400m long, 300m down-dip and open, and averages 4.4m wide (1-11m), displaced at both ends by northwesterly cross-cutting faults. Gold mineralization is recognized in fine-grained to massive quartz and calcite veins in brecciated Tertiary volcanics and sediments and in the Ordovician Palmetto Formation. Pyrite, adularia and barite are common gangue minerals. The veins dip 45-85 degrees to the west.
The western-most vein occurs in what is now the McLean Pit. In the mid-1980's 20,000 ounces were extracted from an open pit operation. The host rocks are breccias and tuffaceous rhyolite with local wallrock silicification and clay alteration. Locally weak to moderate opal-alunite alteration is visible around the pit area. The average grade was 0.07 opt Au, however, local samples can reach 1.0 opt Au. The vein and wallrock were mined about 250 feet deep. There was no visible structure or vein material at the surface. The hill that existed prior to the discovery, however, had features consistent within a high level, epithermal system. Trace elements As, Sb, and Hg are anomalous. The extensions of the structure down-dip pose an intriguing Midas-type, high-grade target. Projections of the structure north and south of the pit have never been found.
To the east of the Mclean pit lies the Black Mammoth-New Hope vein system. Numerous segments of the vein crop out and values along its 8,000 feet strike length can reach 0.25 opt Au and up to 15 opt Ag. The main Gilbert vein (Monte Cristo) with the Gilbert Mine located at the southern end, forms a continuous structure for about 3,000 feet.
Drilling in the district in the early 1980's, primarily by Anaconda, tested parts of these structures at relatively shallow depths (less than 500 feet). Exploration in the district has been sporadic over the past 20 years and has included companies such as Getty, U.S. Borax, Inmet, Felmont and Homestake. The McLean mine, a small gold deposit was developed on a somewhat broader gold zone associated with the westernmost vein. The mine produced approximately 20,000 ounces at a grade of about 0.07 opt Au. Values from the main part of the structure, however, can exceed 1.0 opt gold.
The geologic environments of the district are diverse and provide numerous ore deposit target types such as gold-bearing jasperoids in the sedimentary lithologies of the Palmetto Formation, as well as porphyry copper, moly and associated skarn occurrences within and adjacent to a Cretaceous granitic intrusive complex.
Rosebud
The Rosebud property is located approximately 48 miles west of Winnemucca within the Rosebud mining district of northern Pershing County, Nevada, U.S.A., at geographic co-ordinates 40deg. 48min. North latitude by 118deg. 39min West longitude. Access is excellent; 46 miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada on Jungo Road, (gravel) well-maintained then 7 miles south on dirt road. It is comprised of 54 contiguous unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 1,115 acres.
The property is located in the Kamma Mountains near Rosebud Peak, about 5 miles southeast of the Hycroft mine operated by Allied Nevada. The ore deposits are located under Dozer Hill, which is a rounded promontory of about 200 feet in relief.
The property is underlain by Oligocene bimodal volcanic rocks interbedded with pyroclastic and water-lain tuff. Jurassic-Triassic metasediments of the Auld Lang Syne Group, composed of carbonaceous shales, siltstones, sandstones and limestones, form the basement for overlying Tertiary volcanics. From the base upward, the volcanic sequence consists mostly of ash flow tuffs and andesitic flows; and a fine grained rhyolite flow dome complex.
The Rosebud is a low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit. The mineralization within the property is characterized by up to four stages of discontinuous stockwork veins of quartz, calcite and clay. Sulphide content ranges from three to five percent as pyrite, marcasite, and trace amounts of chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Mineralization occurs in tabular zones associated with the South Ridge fault and cross-cutting high-angle faults. Quartz-calcite-clay veins cut clay altered, silicified, and/or sericitized Tertiary rhyolitic volcanic host rocks. Gold and silver minerals include electrum, aurian silver, naumannite, and argentite. These veins crosscut bleached, clay-altered and sericitized flows and tuffs.
The Rosebud district was founded in 1906, and minor production occurred during the early years after a rush to the site ensued. In 1988, LAC Minerals entered the district by staking claims around Dozer Hill, and by forming a joint venture with Equinox Resources, which held adjacent ground to the northwest extending beyond the Dreamland mine. In 1989, LAC discovered ore on their 3rd drill hole, intersecting 55 ft of 0.12 opt Au. Equinox purchased LAC's interest in 1993 and started an exploration decline. Hecla Mining completed the underground development after a merger with Equinox in the early 1994. Hecla and Santa Fe Pacific Gold formed the Rosebud Mining Company LLC (50/50) in late 1995 to develop the mine and truck the ore to the Twin Creeks mine to be processed. Hecla operated the mine, and Santa Fe operated the milling and exploration. Production commenced in April, 1997. Newmont took over Santa Fe's interest in the Rosebud joint venture upon acquisition of Santa Fe in May, 1997. The Rosebud mine produced 396,842 oz of gold and 2.3 million ounces of silver from 1997 to 2000. The average grade of gold over the mine life was 0.416 opt Au and 2.4 opt for Ag.
Currently Harvest Gold is compiling and reviewing all available historical data. All the paper maps and cross sections are being converted into digital data using Micromine 3D modeling software. The Company is focusing on 3 areas:
(1)
Evaluation of historic low and high grade gold mineralization that remains on the property;
(2)
Exploration for near surface, high grade gold mineralization similar to that which has been discovered on the property in the past; and
(3)
Exploration for large bodies of gold-silver mineralization at depth.
A detailed enzyme leach soil grid has been completed. Results clearly indicate the Rosebud ore bodies, Northwest Corridor, and Far East zone. A new target, the Northeast zone< is also indicated by the soil results.
The company is currently investigating gold and silver zones located at or near the periphery of the mined area. To the northwest of the mine, the “Northwest Corridor” contains numerous high grade drill intercepts (described below). Additional high grade intercepts are also reported at the eastern margin of the mine in the “Far East” zone.
Numerous drill intercepts have been encountered to the northwest of the Rosebud mine in what is called the Northwest Corridor. Outside of the mined area, several other gold zones have been intersected by previous operators. Limited follow up drilling has not defined the geometry of the mineralized zone. To the northeast of the mine, alluvium and talus cover the South Ridge fault, a major ore-controlling feature. Very limited drilling has been undertaken in this target area. One hole drilled in this area in 2000 intersected 145 feet of stockwork veinlets containing drusy quartz, marcasite, and anomalous gold within metamorphic rocks that form the basement beneath the Tertiary volcanic host rocks at the mine.
In addition to the historical gold and silver target areas, Harvest Gold is systematically analyzing the potential of the remaining ground to identify new target areas that have not previously been recognized. The company is compiling, reviewing, and interpreting a large volume of project data generated by previous operators. These data include geologic mapping, rock chip geochemistry, soil geochemistry, geophysical data, and drilling data.
The Harvest Gold geological crew has completed its own detailed soil grid utilizing modern geochemical techniques capable of detecting signals from blind or buried mineral zones. The Rosebud Mine ore bodies are well indicated by strong gold responses. Gold mineralization in the Northwest Corridor and the Far East zone is also indicated by enzyme leach gold responses. A new target zone is indicated to the northeast of the mine by enzyme leach gold, silver, and other metals. The Northeast zone anomaly suggests a target of similar proportions and orientation to the Rosebud Mine. This new target has not been drill tested.
Other Nevada Eagle Properties
Nevada Eagle Resources controls a total of approximately 59 other exploration properties in Nevada, southeastern California and western Utah. These individual properties range in size from one mining claim to 129 mining claims for a grand total of 24,792 acres. Target commodity types are mostly gold and gold/silver, but also include copper/molybdenum, lead/zinc/copper and barite. These target metals are found in a variety of geologic environments including volcanic-hosted epithermal bonanza veins and stock works, sediment hosted replacement and stock work deposits, granite-hosted mesothermal quartz veins and porphyry related quartz stock works and related deposits.
Sixteen properties host volcanic hosted gold and gold/silver targets as both discrete quartz veins and quartz stock work zones. These are located in the Walker Lane Belt of western Nevada, the Pioche Belt in eastern Nevada and in several unique locations in northern and central Nevada. Typical gold assay grades range from low grade, open pittable gold values in the 0.03 ounces per ton range upward to plus 1.0 ounces per ton from underground mineable deposits. These properties are Blackrock, Star City, Bald Peak, Argentite, Brik, Gold Reef, Stateline, Gold Springs 1, Gold Springs 2, Cold Springs, Wonder, Florence Canyon, Blue Sphinx, Jasperoid Peak, Velvet and Black Velvet.
Twelve properties host sediment-hosted gold targets similar to those found on the Carlin Trend. These properties are located along the Carlin and Cortez Trends with a few in unique locations. The properties include Rock Creek, Scraper Springs, Bullion Mountain, Indian Creek, Black Mountain, Grass Valley, Water Canyon, Kobeh, Anchor, Gold Point, Horse Thief, and Baxter Springs.
Nine properties host mesothermal high-grade gold quartz veins and stock works in granitic or metamorphic rocks. These are located in southeastern California and western Nevada. Typical gold assays and past production from the veins returned from 0.25 to 1.5 ounces per ton. These properties are Southern Bell, Buckskin, Dale, Suitcase, Troy, Columbia, Cumberland, Ashby, and Argus.
Only three properties host lead/zinc/copper replacements in sedimentary rocks. These are located in western Nevada. Typical assays range from a combined Pb/Zn/Cu ranging of 5 to 15%. These are found at Ruby, Four Aces and Mud Springs.
Three properties host porphyry-related copper/molybdenum targets, and located in western Nevada in the Walker Lane Belt. Past drilling has tested the broader reaches of the targets with drill intercepts returning molybdenum values in the 0.1% range and copper values in the 0.4% range. These properties are the New Boston, Ace and Fri Gold.
One industrial mineral property, which hosts a high grade barite deposit is found in central Nevada. Past production from the Monitor property indicates that it qualifies for redevelopment due to its potential for high quality drilling mud production.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Except as provided below, neither we nor any of our properties, including the Borealis Property, are currently subject to any material legal proceedings or other regulatory proceedings and to our knowledge no such proceedings are contemplated.
On September 16, 2005, our subsidiary, Borealis Mining Company, was named as a co-defendant in an ongoing civil action pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, entitled United States v. Walker River Irrigation District (Court Doc. No. In Equity C-125, Subfile C-125-B). The action seeks to determine the existence and extent of water rights held by the federal government in the Walker River drainage area for use on federally reserved lands such as Indian reservations, National Forests, military reservations, and the like. The suit does not dispute nor seek to invalidate any existing water rights (including ours); rather, it seeks to determine the extent and priority of the federal government’s water rights. On May 27, 2003, the Court stayed all proceedings to allow the United States, the State of Nevada, the State of California, the Walker River Paiute Tribe, the Walker River Irrigation District, Mono County, California, Lyon County, Nevada, Mineral County, Nevada and the Walker Lake Working Group to attempt to mediate a settlement. No settlement has yet been reached. Borealis Mining Company was named as one of several hundred co-defendants in this action because it owns water rights within a portion of the Walker River drainage area in Nevada, which were granted under a permit on September 16, 2005. We, like most private water right owners, intend to have only minimal involvement in the merits of the lawsuit. We do not believe that this civil action, which will determine the extent and priority of federally reserved water rights in the area, will have any effect on our potential business operations.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). Our common shares commenced trading on the TSX on December 22, 2005. Before trading on the TSX our stock was not publicly traded on any exchange. The high and low bid quotations of our common stock on the TSX were as follows:
As of June 12, 2009 the closing bid quotation for our common stock was Cdn$0.20 per share as quoted by the TSX.
As of June 12, 2009, we had 62,069,565 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, held by approximately 2,000 registered shareholders. In many cases, shares are registered through intermediaries, making the precise number of shareholders difficult to obtain.
Dividend Policy
We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any further determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent on the financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and other factors that our board deems relevant. We have never declared a dividend.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Small Business Issuer and Affiliates
There were no purchases of our equity securities by us or any of our affiliates during the year ended March 31, 2009.
Equity Compensation Plans
Securities Authorized for Issuance
On March 29, 2005, our board of directors adopted a stock option plan which was approved by our shareholders on May 13, 2005. As of March 31, 2007 we had granted 3,000,000 stock options, of which 565,000 were forfeited and 107,500 were exercised, pursuant to the terms of our 2005 stock option plan with expiry dates to 2011. We may only issue up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock under the terms of the 2005 stock option plan.
On April 4, 2006 (amended July 24, 2006), the Board of Directors approved the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which increased the number of reserved shares of common stock for issuance to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors, from 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 shares. The 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan was ratified by the shareholders at the company's annual general meeting on September 12, 2006, along with all options previously granted there under, pending such ratification.
On September 6, 2007, at the annual general meeting of the shareholders, the shareholders approved an increase in the number of shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the grant of stock options under the Omnibus Incentive Plan. After the shareholder approved increase, the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan authorizes the Company to grant 4,500,000 options and 1,000,000 restricted stock units. As of June 11, 2009 we had granted 7,782,000 stock options, of which 4,195,000 were forfeited, pursuant to the terms of our omnibus incentive plan as described below with expiry dates to 2014; 851,170 restricted stock units had been granted as of June 11, 2009, of which 142,750 have been forfeited and the equivalent of 42,500 were issued in cash pursuant to the terms of our omnibus incentive plan.
We have no equity compensation plans in place that have not been approved by our shareholders. The table below shows securities issued under our equity compensation plans as of June 12, 2009.
(1) Consists of 1,055,000 outstanding options granted from the Stock Option Plan, and 3,587,000 outstanding options granted from the Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(2) Consists of 913,000 options and 291,580 restricted stock units remaining under the Omnibus Incentive Plan.
* Based on the March 31, 2009 exchange rate of Cdn$1.2613 equals US$1
Omnibus Incentive Plan
The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, and has full and final authority with respect to the granting of options there under. Options may be granted under the Plan to such directors, officers, employees or consultants of Gryphon Gold and its subsidiaries as the Compensation Committee may from time to time designate (referred to as a “participant”). Each option will generally entitle a participant to purchase one share of common stock during the term of the option upon payment of the exercise price. The exercise price of any options granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Compensation Committee and may not be less than the market price of our common stock on the date of grant of the options (calculated in accordance with the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange as the volume weighted average trading price for the five trading days preceding the date of grant). Gryphon Gold may provide financial assistance to eligible persons to purchase shares of common stock under the Plan, subject to applicable law and the rules and policies of any securities regulatory authority or stock exchange with jurisdiction over the Corporation or a trade in its securities. Any financial assistance so provided will be repayable with full recourse and the term of any such financing shall not exceed the term of the option to which the financing applies.
The term of any options granted shall be determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of the grant but the term of any options granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years. If desired by the Compensation Committee, options granted under the Plan may be subject to vesting provisions. Options granted under the Plan are not transferable or assignable other than by will or otherwise by operation of law. In the event of death or disability of an option holder, options granted under the Plan expire one year from the death or disability of the option holder.
Certain restrictions contained in the Plan include:
the number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan (or any other employee related plan or options for service) to any one person may not exceed 5% of all the common shares issued and outstanding on a non-diluted basis from time to time; and
the number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan (or any other employee- related plan or options for services) to insiders (as defined in the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange to include generally directors, senior officers of Gryphon Gold or its subsidiaries or shareholders who own more than 10% of our common stock) during any twelve month period may not exceed 10% of the common stock issued and outstanding on a non-diluted basis from time to time (unless approval of disinterested shareholders has been obtained in accordance with the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange).
the number of shares of common stock which may be reserved for issuance in respect of options granted to insiders pursuant to the Plan (or any other employee-related plan or options for service) may not exceed 10% of the common stock issued and outstanding on a non-diluted basis from time to time unless approval of disinterested shareholders has been obtained in accordance with the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange).
Gryphon Gold's board of directors may at any time terminate or amend the Plan in any respect, provided however, that the board may not, without the approval of the shareholders, amend the Plan or any option granted there under in any manner that requires shareholder approval under applicable law or the rules and policies of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the common shares are listed or quoted.
Sale of Unregistered Securities
All sales of unregistered securities were previously reported in the Company's quarterly and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not Applicable.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors and Uncertainties” and elsewhere in this annual report.
Overview
In May 2005 we initiated a drilling program. As of March 31, 2009, approximately 203 holes and 142,220 feet of RC drilling have been completed. A majority of the holes were in the area of existing mineralization in order to allow us to start a feasibility study with the aim of identifying gold reserves and, if economically feasible, building a mine.
In April of 2008, we completed a CIM compliant, NI 43-101 report that included all drilling results to date, which was furnished to the SEC as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2008. The Technical Report details mineralization on the Borealis Property. The Technical Report states that the recommended course of action for Gryphon Gold is to increase gold mineralization by completing additional drilling primarily in the previously mined areas, to complete a technical report to determine the feasibility of near term production, and through continued drilling and exploration, delineate possible new mineralization on the Borealis Property. The Report uses the terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource". We advise investors that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained pounds" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
During September 2008, we released the independent PA on the development of an oxide heap leach mine. The PA was furnished to the SEC as Exhibit 99.1 to our Form 8-K as filed on October 7, 2008. The report outlines the possibility of developing a mineable oxidized gold deposit on the Borealis property. Gryphon Gold is undertaking a detailed economic evaluation of the potential for developing an open-pit heap leach gold mining operation on the property. The Preliminary Assessment is not a bankable feasibility study and cannot form the basis for proven or probable reserves on the Borealis Property.
No exploration drilling was completed during the year ended March 31, 2009. A water well necessary for the construction of an oxide heap leach mine was installed during the quarter ended June 30, 2008. As of March 31, 2009, approximately 203 holes and 142,220 feet of RC drilling had been completed. A majority of the holes were in the area of existing mineralization in order to allow us to complete the PA with the aim of identifying gold reserves and, if economically feasible, building a mine. During fiscal 2008, the majority of the holes drilled were to attempt to expand the Graben mineralization or complete exploration in the Pediment areas of the Borealis property.
Two water monitoring wells were installed during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Under our permits, a water-monitoring program must be active for at least six months prior to the placement of material on a leach pad, and these wells were therefore necessary prior to the start of any leaching operation.
Transactions during year ended March 31, 2009
Effective August 5, 2008, we entered into an option agreement with the Baughmans to amend the $5 million face value note payable to them at a cost of $35,000. The option period is twelve months and extendable for another six months for an additional $35,000. At the time the option is exercised, the note payable will be reduced by $2.5 million by a payment of $500,000 in cash and 4,000,000 common shares. Upon exercise of the option, the conversion rate of the remaining $2.5 million note payable would be amended to $0.70 per common share until March 30, 2009, $0.80 per common share until March 30, 2010, and the maturity date would be extended from March 30, 2010 to March 30, 2012 and secured by certain exploration properties. We may exercise the option if the royalty on the Borealis property has been fixed at 5% or lower, and there is an arrangement to merge the Company or the financing of a mine on the Borealis property has been completed.
On August 22, 2008, the Company entered into a 12 month option agreement, at a cost of $250,000, to amend the Borealis Property mining lease. If exercised, the net smelter return royalty rate will be fixed at 5%, versus the current uncapped variable rate. Payment upon exercise is $1,750,000 in cash, 7,726,250 common shares of the Company and a three year, $1,909,500 5% note payable. The option period can be extended for an additional six months for a payment of $125,000.
During fiscal 2009 we completed nine joint venture and lease agreements for un-leased properties held by Nevada Eagle Resources of which one has been dropped. We also marketed certain properties for sale of which two were sold for cash payment of $50,000 and one for securities (3,000,000 shares of public company which become free trading on July 14, 2009).
Discussion and Analysis
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes. The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis the company reviews its estimates and assumptions. The estimates were based on historical experience and other assumptions that the company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions, but the company does not believe such differences will materially affect our financial position or results of operations. Critical accounting policies, the policies the company believes are most important to the presentation of its financial statements and require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, are outlined below in “Critical Accounting Policies,” and have not changed significantly.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements is in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The following are critical accounting policies and estimates which we believe are important to understanding our financial results.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the revenues and expenses for the period reported. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and the effect on the financial statements of changes in such estimates in future periods could be significant. Actual results will likely differ from these estimates.
Revenue recognition
Mineral lease rentals or option payments are treated as reductions of the cost of the property as the payer is accumulating an interest in the mineral property; payments in excess of capitalized costs are recognized in income. Some agreements provide for payments in the form of stock and other equity instruments as well as cash payments. Stock and other equity instruments are recognized based on their fair market value at the time of receipt. Fluctuations incurred during the holding period are accounted for as gains or losses from held for trading securities. Privately held stock, or stock that is not currently trading is valued at zero. The leases provide for the receipt of royalty payments upon production of the property. Royalty payments will be recognized in the period in which production occurs. There are no properties in the production stage at this time.
Mineral property interests
We expense exploration costs as they are incurred. When we determine that a mining deposit can be economically and legally extracted or produced based on established proven and probable reserves, development costs incurred after such determination will be capitalized. The establishment of proven and probable reserves is based on results of final feasibility studies which indicate whether a property is economically feasible. Upon commencement of commercial production, we will transfer capitalized costs to the appropriate asset category and amortize them over their estimated useful lives and/or ounces produced, as appropriate. We capitalize the cost of acquiring mineral property interests (including claims establishment and maintenance) until we have determined the viability of the property. We expense capitalized acquisition costs if we determine that the property has no future economic value. We will also write down capitalized amounts if estimated future cash flows, including potential sales proceeds, related to the mineral property are estimated to be less than the carrying value of the property.
Stock-based compensation
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123R, Share-Based Payment, (“SFAS 123 (R)”) a revision to SFAS 123. SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to be recognized in the financial statements based on their values using either a modified-prospective or modified-retrospective transition method.
Prior to March 31, 2006, the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans were accounted for under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). The Company did not recognize employee stock-based compensation costs in its statement of operations for the periods prior to March 31, 2006, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant.
Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), using the modified-prospective-transition method. The Company’s total employees are relatively few in number and turnover is considered remote, therefore the Company currently estimates forfeitures to be 7%. Estimation of forfeitures will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Asset retirement obligations
The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that results from the acquisition, construction, development or normal use of the assets with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. This amount is then depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Over time, the liability is increased to reflect an interest element considered in its initial measurement at fair value. The amount of the liability will be subject to re-measurement at each reporting period. Currently, the Company has a reclamation liability of $5,600 which is disclosed further in Note 7 of the consolidated financial statements.
Tax valuation allowance
We have recorded a valuation allowance that fully reserves for our deferred tax assets because at this time we cannot establish that we will be able to utilize the tax loss carryforwards in the future. If in the future we determine that we will be able to use all or a portion of our deferred tax assets in the future, based on our projections of future taxable income, we will reduce the valuation allowance, thereby increasing income in that period.
Foreign currency translation
The United States dollar is our functional currency. Transactions involving foreign currencies for items included in operations are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates; monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date and all other balance sheet items are translated at the historical rates applicable to the transactions that comprise those amounts. Translation gains and losses are included in our determination of net income.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. This consensus is effective for the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005, with early adoption permitted. To date the Company has not incurred any stripping costs.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB interpretation No. 48 - Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those pronouncements that fair value is a relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. However, the application of this Statement will change current practice, effective December 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS 160 amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. SFAS 160 is effective for our fiscal year commencing April 1, 2009, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The Company believes that SFAS 160 should not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations, which amends SFAS No. 141, and provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. It also provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with the objective of improving financial reporting by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The provisions of FAS 159 are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2008. The adoption of FAS 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results.
In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s operating results, financial position, and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the provisions of FAS 161 and have not yet adopted the statement. However, as the provisions of FAS 161 are only related to disclosure of derivative and hedging activities, at this time we do not believe the adoption of FAS 161 will have a material impact on our consolidated operating results, financial position, or cash flows.
In June 2008, the EITF reached consensus on Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 clarifies the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . If the terms of an instrument, or embedded feature, are such that it is not considered to be indexed to the entity’s own stock, equity classification would be precluded and the instrument would not be within the scope of EITF 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled In, a Company’s Own Stock . EITF 07-5 is effective for our fiscal years beginning January 1, 2009. Early adoption for an existing instrument is not permitted if an alternative accounting pronouncement was previously adopted. At this time, the Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have any impact on its financial statements
Results of Operations
We are in an exploration stage and currently have no producing mineral properties and thus we had no sales revenue during all reporting periods. Property payments we received under lease or joint venture arrangements were recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the property unless the carrying value of the property was at or near zero, in which case the payments were recognized as lease revenue in the Statement of Operations
Year ended March 31, 2009 compared to year ended March 31, 2008
For the year ended March 31, 2009 we had a net loss of $9,943,231 or $0.16 per share compared to a net loss of $7,850,766 or $0.13 for the prior year.
The current year expenses include a charge to earnings of $5,100,000 for the impairment of the carrying value of the Nevada Eagle exploration properties. The loss before the impairment charge is $4,843,321 and is less than the prior period’s comparable loss. The reduction in the comparable loss is due to decreased spending on exploration activities, management salaries and consulting fees, and general and administrative costs as a result of our efforts to conserve cash.
Exploration expenses during the year ended March 31, 2009 were $1,473,628 or 32% of our net expenses (before the effect of the non-cash impairment charge) compared to $3,845,525 or 49% of our total net expenses in the prior year. No exploration drilling was completed during the year ended March 31, 2009. During the prior year we drilled a total of 31 holes at the Borealis property, representing 36,485 feet. During the year ended March 31, 2009, we completed a CIM compliant NI 43-101 report and in September 2008, we released the results of our Preliminary Assessment of the development of an oxide heap leach gold mine on the Borealis property. Much of the current year’s exploration expense covered the completion of these two reports plus permitting efforts for exploration drilling in the pediment areas of the Borealis property.
Management salaries and consulting fees for the year ended March 31, 2009 were $1,375,518 compared to $2,061,885 incurred in the prior year as the number of employees and consultants decreased during the year and non-cash compensation decreased. Total non-cash compensation expense recognized in the year totaled $528,429 compared to non-cash compensation expense of $829,080 recognized in the prior year. General and administrative expenses totaled $657,708, compared to $1,007,053 in the prior year. The decrease is due to reduced spending on investor relations and our efforts to conserve cash. Legal and audit fees for the period decreased from $492,308 to $229,034 for the year ended March 31, 2009. The decrease resulted from a larger number of registration statements being completed for shares issued under private placements, an increase in audit fees due to the acquisition of Nevada Eagle Resources during the prior year, and legal fees related to potential acquisition activity in the prior year. Travel and accommodation expense for the year ended March 31, 2009 was $133,971, compared to $202,118 for the prior year. The decrease is due to decreased investor relations related travel and fewer property site visits.
Loss on disposal of mineral properties for the year ended March 31, 2009 was $302,276, compared to $0 in the prior year. The loss is due a $340,014 loss on two properties we had released our interest in offset by a gain of $37,738 on two sold properties.
Interest income earned on cash deposits was $33,116 for the year ended March 31, 2009, compared to $203,970 in the prior year due to lower cash balances held on average through the current year versus the prior year and a declining interest rate environment in the current fiscal year. Interest expense totaled $529,776, of which $276,863 was non-cash compared to $316,963 of which $159,775 was non-cash, in the prior period. The increase is due to interest being charged for 7 months in the prior period compared to 12 months during the current year ended. The interest expense was related to the note payable for the purchase of Nevada Eagle Resources during fiscal 2008
Year ended March 31, 2008 compared to year ended March 31, 2007
For the year ended March 31, 2008 we had a net loss of $7,850,766 or $0.13 per share compared to a net loss of $8,737,141 or $0.21 per share for the prior year, as spending on our exploration program decreased and management salaries deceased.
Exploration expenses during the year ended March 31, 2008 were $3,845,525 or 49% of our total net expenses compared to $4,819,692 or 55% of total net expenses in the prior year. The decrease in spending occurred because activity on the property during the current year was focused on exploration drilling in the pediment and Graben areas while in the prior year we focused on continuation of permitting activities, exploration drilling program and completing the feasibility study on our Borealis property, which commenced May 2005 and was terminated in November 2006. During the year we drilled a total of 31 reverse circulation holes (totaling 36,485 feet) on the Borealis property, compared to 56 reverse circulation holes (totaling 54,530 feet) drilled during the prior year. Drilling was terminated earlier in fiscal 2008 than the preceding year due to more severe winter conditions and the desire to complete geophysical and permitting activities to better understand the geology and therefore select better drill site targets in the pediment exploration areas.
Management salaries and consulting fees for the year ended March 31, 2008 were $2,061,885 compared to $2,632,794 incurred in the prior year as the number of employees decreased during the year and non-cash compensation decreased. Total non-cash compensation expense recognized in the year totaled $829,080 compared to non-cash compensation expense of $1,466,207 recognized in the prior year. General and administrative expenses totaled $1,007,053, compared to $890,596 in the prior year. The increase is due to higher spending on investor relations that included the attendance with a booth for the first time at a number of gold trade shows, video recorded media presentations and greater level of general advertising. We incurred $96,964 in closing costs of our Lakewood, Colorado office, and this amount was included in general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2007. Legal and audit fees for the period increased to $492,308 from $330,005 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The increase resulted from a larger number of registration statements being completed for shares issued under private placements, an increase in audit fees due to the acquisition of Nevada Eagle Resources, and legal fees related to potential acquisition activity. Travel and accommodation expense for the year ended March 31, 2008 was $202,118, compared to $325,024 for the prior year. The decrease is due to fewer property site visits.
Interest income earned on cash deposits was $203,970 for the year ended March 31, 2008, compared to $322,725 in the prior year due to lower cash balances held on average through the current year versus the prior year and a declining interest rate environment in the latter half of the current fiscal year. Interest expense totaled $316,963, of which $159,775 was non-cash. The interest expense was related to the note payable for the purchase of Nevada Eagle Resources during fiscal 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal source of liquidity is cash that is raised by way of sale of common stock from treasury and other equity securities. Our secondary source of liquidity is cash received through lease payments and sales of exploration properties, and the sale of shares received as lease payments on exploration properties.
Conservation Activities
Effective November 2008, our CEO, VP Business Development went to a part time basis, and we terminated the CFO, VP Exploration, administrative assistant and Field Supervisor for the Borealis property. The CFO and VP Exploration have entered into consulting agreements with us.
Convertible Debt
On July 4, 2007, we entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with the Baughmans, as sellers, and Nevada Eagle, under which we agreed to purchase all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Nevada Eagle. Upon closing of the membership interest purchase agreement on August 21, 2007, we acquired Nevada Eagle from the sellers for the following consideration:
(a)
2,500,000 in cash;
(b)
four million five hundred thousand (4,500,000) shares of our common stock; and
(c)
a 5% convertible note in the principal amount of $5,000,000.
The convertible note, due March 30, 2010, bears interest at the annual rate of 5% and is convertible at the option of the holder into common shares at an initial conversion price of $1.00 per share during first the twelve month period following the closing date, $1.25 per share during the second twelve month period following the closing date, $1.50 per share thereafter and $1.75 per share if converted on March 30, 2010. The interest payments are due on a semi-annual basis beginning on January 1, 2008 and due each January 1 and June 1. In addition to the purchase consideration, the sellers were entitled to all revenues of Nevada Eagle (payable in cash, stock, or other consideration) calculated to be received and received on the assets and properties of Nevada Eagle during calendar year 2007.
Effective August 5, 2008, we entered into an option agreement with the Baughmans to amend the $5 million face value note payable to them at a cost of $35,000. The option period is twelve months and extendable for another six months for an additional $35,000. At the time the option is exercised, the note payable will be reduced by $2.5 million by a payment of $500,000 in cash and 4,000,000 common shares. Upon exercise of the option, the conversion rate of the remaining $2.5 million note payable would be amended to $0.70 per common share until March 30, 2009, $0.80 per common share until March 30, 2010, and the maturity date would be extended from March 30, 2010 to March 30, 2012 and secured by certain exploration properties. We may exercise the option if the royalty on the Borealis property has been fixed at 5% or lower, and there is an arrangement to merge the Company or the financing of a mine on the Borealis property has been completed.
On November 10, 2008, we amended our 5% convertible note and ongoing cash interest payments will be $73,288 and $51,713 each January 1 and June 1, respectively, or one half of their previous amounts. The unpaid interest will be added to the principal balance of the note, compound monthly at 5% and become due and payable at the due date of the note, March 30, 2010.
We will need to complete additional financing prior to the maturity of this note to fully pay off the principal owing. Currently the note is a general obligation of Gryphon Gold and is unsecured. In the event a financing is not completed prior to the due date of the convertible note we will take steps to renegotiate the terms of the note
Borealis Lease
We anticipate continuing to take all steps necessary to preserve our rights to the Borealis property under the existing terms of the property lease. We also intend to work with the USFS to maintain our permits under the Plan of Operations. These steps are intended to preserve the existing value of the Borealis property for our shareholders. We are undertaking development activity through the completion of a pre-feasibility study by Telesto of Nevada. The study is being completed by Telesto on an at risk, deferred fee basis, which will be payable upon a completion of a possible future financing.
Nevada Eagle Leases
We intend to continue to lease and joint venture out the exploration properties held by Nevada Eagle Resources. The leased properties provide a cash and liquidity for us, and therefore we intend to continue to actively manage the portfolio of leases. Certain of these properties may be sold outright and during the year ended March 31, 2009 we sold three unleased mineral properties held by Nevada Eagle Resources. Two of these properties were sold for a cash payment of $50,000 each and the third property for 3,000,000 shares, which at the time of sale were valued at $72,098.
Borealis Mine
In the event we make the decision to construct and operate a gold heap leach mine on the Borealis property, we will need to raise capital and will consider debt, equity or forms of joint venture to raise the required capital. We cannot make any assurance that financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
Capital Resources
At March 31, 2009, we had working capital of negative $4,281,691, and excluding our note payable, positive working capital of $500,594 with an average cash expenditure rate of $72,000 per month in a typical month based on the 1 full time and 2 part time employees we have. This level of activity is subject to change based upon future events. Current assets consisted of $799,517 in cash, $80,015 in securities held for trading, $23,943 in accounts receivable and $48,278 in prepaid expenses. We had $451,159 in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 31, 2009 and a note payable of $4,782,285.
During 2008 and early 2009 there was severe deterioration in global credit and equity markets. This has resulted in the need for government intervention in major banks, financial institutions and insurers and has also resulted in greater volatility in the equity markets, increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions. These disruptions in the current credit and financial markets have had a significant material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and have limited access to capital and credit for many companies. These disruptions could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to obtain, or increase our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our operations. Our access to additional capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
As we expect our reliance on equity financings to continue into the future, these current market conditions could make it difficult or impossible for us to raise necessary funds to meet our capital requirements. If we are unable to obtain financing through equity investments, we will seek multiple solutions including, but not limited to, credit facilities or debenture issuances.
Our market value and the market values for companies similar to us have declined considerably over the past twelve months due the market conditions as discussed above. To preserve as much cash as possible and to ensure liquidity for the longest period possible, we have taken steps to reduce our rate of cash expenditure. These steps included reducing the number of personnel to three at reduced compensation rates, terminating other employees and temporarily suspending development work on the Borealis property, including engineering work. We have also reduced discretionary spending, including sub-leasing our Vancouver, British Columbia office and reducing the size of our rented office in Reno.
We recognize that additional resources are required to enable us continue operations. We intend to raise additional funds through debt and/or equity financing, selling certain exploration properties, and continue leasing exploration properties held by Nevada Eagle Resources or through other means that we deem necessary. However, no assurance can be given that we will be successful in raising additional capital. Further, even if we raise additional capital, there can be no assurance that we will achieve profitability or positive cash flow. If we are unable to raise additional capital and expected significant revenues do not result in positive cash flow, we will not be able to meet its obligations and may have to suspend or cease operations.
Our current working capital is $500,594, excluding the note payable, with an average cash expenditure rate of $72,000 per month in a typical month based on the current number of employees we have. We do not have sufficient working capital for the next twelve months. We will consider raising funds through different forms of equity offerings, joint ventures, sales of exploration properties or other asset sales. This expenditure rate is subject to change based upon future events. The average burn rate does not include all anticipated costs, including annual claim maintenance fees, or the exercise of the option to fix the royalty rate on the Borealis property at 5% or the cost to exercise the option to reduce the balance of the note payable to the Baughman’s. The average burn rate does not include expected lease payments from third parties for Nevada Eagle properties.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, we used cash in operating activities of $3,522,805 which included our net loss during the year of $9,943,231 off-set by depreciation of $55,313, non-cash compensation of $521,665, non-cash interest expense of $350,151, unrealized gain of $22,471 on the valuation of marketable securities, realized loss on the sale of securities of $138,071, held for trading securities of $9,598, gain on disposal of equipment $1,722, a loss on disposal of mineral property of $302,276, impairment of $5,100,000 and changes in non-cash working capital of a $68,161 decrease in accounts receivable, a $175,684 decrease in accounts payable and a $94,264 decrease in prepaid expenses.
We generated cash from investing activities of $138,628 including $347,054 for expenditures on mineral properties, $45,198 on purchase of equipment, and we received $34,859 from our reclamation deposit, $386,700 in cash payments from the leasing of exploration properties, $8,568 from sale of equipment, $50,753 from sales of held for trading securities, and $50,000 from the sale of a mineral property. We used cash in financing activities of $12,700 for the year ended March 31, 2009 which included $3,454 in capital lease payments and $9,246 in share issue costs. Cash decreased during the period by $3,396,877 to $799,517 as at March 31, 2009.
On August 22, 2008, we entered into a 12 month option agreement, at a cost of $250,000 plus $25,000 in legal and consulting costs, to amend the Borealis Property mining lease. If exercised, the net smelter return royalty rate will be fixed at 5%, versus the current uncapped variable rate. Payment upon exercise is $1,750,000 in cash, 7,726,250 common shares of the Company and a three year, $1,909,500 5% note payable. The option period can be extended for an additional six months for a payment of $125,000.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any 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 is material to investors.
Contractual Obligations
We make advance royalty payments of $9,590 per month to certain lease holders while exploration is proceeding on the Borealis Property. Also, to maintain its existing claims on the Borealis property, we make payments totaling approximately $101,000 annually. These payments are contingent upon us maintaining an interest in the property. Through Nevada Eagle, we also make claim payments of approximately $43,000 annually. The definitive amount depends on the exact number of claims and the number of unleased properties.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement for Nevada Eagle Resources LLC, we have a note payable outstanding for $4,782,285 due March 10, 2010. Refer to the section ‘Liquidity and Capital Resources’ under this document for a full description of the acquisition and commitment.
As of March 31, 2009, we had the following non-cancelable contractual obligations:
(1) Obligation for the rental of office space in Vancouver, BC, 5-year term, terminating August 2013 and payments of approximately $5,010 per month for the first 3 years and $5,232 per month for the remaining two years.
The Vancouver office has been sub-leased commencing Feb 1, 2009 for 4 years and 7 months (remaining life on lease) for Cdn$4,000 per month. The subtenant has an option to terminate the lease on January 31, 2011; such option must be exercised during October, 2010. If the option to terminate Sublease Agreement is not executed by the Subtenant, then the agreement shall continue until the expiration date. $65,587, the difference between the required lease payments and the estimated future sub-lease receipts, has been accrued as a loss at year ended March 31, 2009.
(2)Obligation for rental of office space in Hawthorne, Nevada, one-year term, terminating April 30, 2009 and payments of $1,100 per month.
Certain information contained in this “Management Discussion and Analysis” constitutes forward looking information and actual results could differ from estimates, expectations or beliefs contained in such statements.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Consolidated Financial Statements
Gryphon Gold Corporation
(an exploration stage company)
March 31, 2009 and 2008
(Stated in U.S. dollars)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
Gryphon Gold Corporation
(an exploration stage company)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gryphon Gold Corporation (an exploration stage company) as of March 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended March 31, 2009 and for the period from April 24, 2003 (inception) to March 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Gryphon Gold Corporation (an exploration stage company) as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended March 31, 2009 and for the period from April 24, 2003 (inception) to March 31, 2009, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring operating losses, and has a working capital deficiency. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The March 31, 2009 consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Gryphon Gold Corporation
(an exploration stage company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in US dollars)
See accompanying notes
See Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Going Concern Uncertainty
On behalf of the Board:
/s/ John Key /s/ Marvin Kaiser
Director Director
Gryphon Gold Corporation
(an exploration stage company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Stated in US dollars)
See accompanying notes
See Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Going Concern Uncertainty
Gryphon Gold Corporation
(an exploration stage company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(Stated in US dollars)
See accompanying notes
See Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Going Concern Uncertainty
Gryphon Gold Corporation
(an exploration stage company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Stated in US dollars)
See accompanying notes
See Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Going Concern Uncertainty
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY
Gryphon Gold Corporation was incorporated in the State of Nevada in 2003 and wholly owns its subsidiaries, Borealis Mining Company, Gryphon Nevada Eagle Holding Company and Nevada Eagle Resources LLC (collectively, “the Company”). The Company is an exploration stage company in the process of exploring its mineral properties, and has not yet determined whether these properties contain reserves that are economically recoverable.
The Company’s current liabilities significantly exceed its current assets. In addition, the recoverability of amounts shown for mineral property interests in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to arrange appropriate financing to complete the development of its properties, the receipt of necessary permitting and upon achieving future profitable production or receiving proceeds from the disposition of the properties. The timing of such events occurring, if at all, is not yet determinable. As a result, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is in substantial doubt.
Management recognizes that the Company must generate additional resources to enable it to continue operations. Management intends to raise additional funds through debt and/or equity financing or through other means that it deems necessary, such as the sale of certain mineral properties. However, no assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in raising additional capital. Further, even if the company raises additional capital, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve profitability or positive cash flow. If management is unable to raise additional capital and possible future revenues do not result in positive cash flow, the Company will not be able to meet its obligations and may have to suspend or cease operations.
The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of expenses incurred during the period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates include the determination of potential impairments of asset values, the calculation of fair values of options and warrants, and rates for depreciation of equipment. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Financial instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of current assets and current liabilities, the fair value of which approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. Financial risk is the risk arising from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use any derivative or hedging instruments to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or metal prices.
Revenue recognition
Mineral lease rentals or option payments are treated as reductions of the cost of the property as the payor is accumulating an interest in the mineral property; payments in excess of capitalized costs are recognized in income. Some agreements provide for payments in the form of stock and other equity instruments as well as cash payments. Stock and other equity instruments are recognized based on their fair market value at the time of receipt. Fluctuations incurred during the holding period are accounted for as gains or losses from held for trading securities. The leases provide for the receipt of royalty payments upon production of the property. Royalty payments will be recognized in the period in which production occurs. There are no properties in the production stage at this time.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d.)
Mineral property acquisition costs
The costs of acquiring mineral properties are capitalized and will be amortized over their estimated useful lives following the commencement of production or expensed if it is determined that the mineral property has no future economic value or the properties are sold or abandoned.
Cost includes cash consideration and the fair market value of shares issued on the acquisition of mineral properties. Properties acquired under option agreements, whereby payments are made at the sole discretion of the Company, are recorded in the accounts at such time as the payments are made.
The recoverable amounts for mineral properties is dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves; the acquisition and maintenance of appropriate permits, licenses and rights; the ability of the Company to obtain financing to complete the exploration and development of the properties; and upon future profitable production or alternatively upon the Company’s ability to recover its spent costs from the sale of its interests. The amounts recorded as mineral properties reflect actual costs incurred and are not intended to express present or future values.
The capitalized amounts may be written down if potential future cash flows, including potential sales proceeds, related to the property are estimated to be less than the carrying value of the property. Management of the Company reviews the carrying value of each mineral property interest quarterly, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reductions in the carrying value of each property would be recorded to the extent the carrying value of the investment exceeds the estimated future net cash flows.
Exploration and development costs
Exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When it is determined that a mining deposit can be economically and legally extracted or produced based on established proven and probable reserves, further exploration costs and development costs incurred after such determination will be capitalized. The establishment of proven and probable reserves is based on results of final feasibility studies which indicate whether a property is economically feasible. Upon commencement of commercial production, capitalized costs will be transferred to the appropriate asset category and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Capitalized costs, net of salvage values, relating to a deposit which is abandoned or considered uneconomic for the foreseeable future, will be written off.
Foreign currency translation
The U.S. dollar is the functional currency of the Company. Transactions involving foreign currencies for items included in operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the monthly average exchange rate; monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date and all other balance sheet items are translated at the historical rates applicable to the transactions that comprise the amounts. Translation gains and losses are included in the determination of net income.
Equipment
Equipment is recorded at cost and is comprised of office furniture, trucks, computers and lab equipment. All equipment is being amortized on a straight line basis over 5 years.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method of tax allocation. Under this method deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities.
The effect on deferred taxes for a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment. In addition, deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent their realization is more likely than not.
Stock-based compensation
The Company accounts for its stock options in accordance with FAS 123(R) - Share Based Payments, and related interpretations in accounting for stock-based compensation awards to employees, directors and non-employees. In accordance with FAS 123(R) -Share Based Payments, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the stock options on the date of grant. The fair value of the stock options at the date of grant is amortized over the vesting period, with the offsetting credit to additional paid in capital. If the stock options are exercised, the proceeds are credited to share capital.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d.)
Loss per share
Loss per common share is determined based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share is calculated by the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes that the proceeds to be received on the exercise of dilutive stock options and warrants are applied to repurchase common shares at the average market price for the period. Also, outstanding convertible promissory notes are assumed to be converted into common stock at the then applicable rate. Stock options, warrants, and the convertible note are dilutive when the Company has income from continuing operations and when the average market price of the common shares during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options and warrants.
Asset retirement obligations
The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that results from the acquisition, construction, development or normal use of the assets with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. This amount is then depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Over time, the liability is increased to reflect an interest element considered in its initial measurement at fair value. The amount of the liability will be subject to re-measurement at each reporting period.
Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. The objective of SFAS 157 is to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and to expand disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 are effective for fair value measurements made in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
The Company measures it’s held for trading securities at fair value in accordance with SFAS 157. SFAS 157 specifies a valuation hierarchy based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
This hierarchy requires the Company to minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to use observable market data, if available, when estimating fair value. The fair value of the held for trading securities using the following inputs at March 31, 2009 is:
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d.)
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with the objective of improving financial reporting by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The provisions of FAS 159 are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2008. Effective April 1, 2008, the Company adopted FAS 159, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS 160 amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. SFAS 160 is effective for our fiscal year commencing April 1, 2009, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The Company believes that SFAS 160 should not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations, which amends SFAS No. 141, and provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. It also provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 and is to be applied prospectively. SFAS 141R may have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when effective, but the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, terms and size of any acquisition the Company may consummate after the effective date.
In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s operating results, financial position, and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the provisions of FAS 161 and have not yet adopted the statement. However, as the provisions of FAS 161 are only related to disclosure of derivative and hedging activities, the Company does not believe the adoption of FAS 161 will have a material impact on its consolidated operating results, financial position, or cash flows.
On May 9, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1 (FSP APB 14-1), Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settle in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement). FSP APB 14-1 clarifies that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants. Additionally, FSP APB 14-1 specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. FSP APB 14-1 will be effective for us on April 1, 2009. Currently, we are assessing the impact upon adoption of FSP APB 14-1 on our results of operations or financial position.
In June 2008, the EITF reached consensus on Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 clarifies the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. If the terms of an instrument, or embedded feature, are such that it is not considered to be indexed to the entity’s own stock, equity classification would be precluded and the instrument would not be within the scope of EITF 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled In, a Company’s Own Stock . EITF 07-5 is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009. Early adoption for an existing instrument is not permitted if an alternative accounting pronouncement was previously adopted. At this time, the Company is assessing the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
3. NEVADA EAGLE RESOURCES LLC
On August 21, 2007 Gryphon Gold Corporation closed the acquisition of Nevada Eagle Resources LLC, a privately held Nevada limited liability company (“Nevada Eagle”), pursuant to a membership interest purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated July 4, 2007, by and between the Company, Gerald W. Baughman and Fabiola Baughman, as sellers (“Sellers”), and Nevada Eagle. Under the Purchase Agreement, the company acquired all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Nevada Eagle from the Sellers (the “Acquisition”) for the following consideration, paid on August 21, 2007 (the “Closing Date”):
(a)
$2,500,000 in cash:
(b)
4,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Shares”) valued at $3,449,418; and
(c)
a 5% convertible note in the principal amount of $5,000,000 (the “Convertible Note”) with an issue date of August 21, 2007 and a fair value of $4,272,359 [note 9].
Consideration paid for acquisition of Nevada Eagle
Cash at closing $2,500,000
Cash due diligence costs
and other expenses 568,340
3,068,340
Common shares 3,449,418
Convertible note and value
of conversion feature 4,272,359
$10,790,117
Allocation of Purchase Price
Mineral properties 10,719,209
Non-competition agreement 70,908
$10,790,117
Subsequent to the purchase of NER, the value for exploration properties has declined as evidenced by lower publically quoted stock values for gold exploration companies. As the decline in value is an indicator of impairment, an impairment test was performed for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The Company also determined that undiscounted cash flows were not likely to recover the carrying values of the properties.
The original purchase price allocation for the acquisition of the NER properties was based on a valuation model. The model was driven by three parameters, 1- the value of an exploration property, 2- the value of an acre of exploration property, and 3 - the value of an identified mineral resource on the property. The value of each parameter was determined from recent similar acquisition transactions in the marketplace and the market values of a sample of publicly traded gold exploration companies.
To measure for impairment, the Company updated the valuation parameters that were utilized for the purchase price allocation. The updated parameters were input into the valuation model. It was determined that the Nevada Eagle exploration properties and the non-competition agreement (see note 7) were impaired by $5,044,883 and $55,117, respectively, for a total of $5,100,000 effective September 30, 2008.
On March 31, 2009 the same parameters were inputted into the valuation model and it was determined that the values had not changed since the September 30 2008 impairment; therefore, no impairment was recorded at year end.
4. EQUIPMENT
5. MINERAL PROPERTIES
The Company initially entered into a property option agreement dated July 21, 2003 to acquire up to a 70% interest in the Borealis property in Nevada, USA from Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. for cash consideration of $125,000 and the obligation to make qualifying expenditures over several years. On January 28, 2005, the Company purchased outright the rights to a full 100% interest in the property for $1,400,000. A cash payment of $400,000 was made on closing. The Company paid the full outstanding consideration of $1,000,000, in four quarterly payments of $250,000 during the year ended March 31, 2006.
On August 22, 2008, the Company entered into a 12 month option agreement, at a cost of $250,000 and an additional $35,903 to cover legal costs, to amend the Borealis Property mining lease. If exercised, the net smelter return royalty rate will be fixed at 5%, versus the current uncapped variable rate. Payment upon exercise of the option is $1,750,000 in cash, 7,726,250 common shares of the Company and a three year, $1,909,500 5% note payable. The option period can be extended for an additional six months for a payment of $125,000.
Effective August 21, 2007, the Company purchased all the rights and interests of Nevada Eagle, as described in note 3. $10,719,209 of the purchase price was allocated to the value of the exploration properties acquired.
6. EXPLORATION
7. OTHER ASSETS
On March 31, 2009 the Company had $133,600 (March 31, 2008 - $168,459) on deposit to support a performance bond with the United States Forest Service. The Company also has a deposit with the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) for $27,177 (March 31, 2008 - $27,177), which supports its potential future obligations for reclamation during the Company’s exploration activities within the BLM area. At March 31, 2009, the Company has recorded an estimated reclamation liability of $5,600 (March 31, 2008 - $5,600) representing future obligations related to its general property activities completed to March 31, 2009.
As part of the acquisition of Nevada Eagle, the primary interest holder entered into a non-compete agreement. The non-compete agreement was being amortized on a straight line basis over 5 years. At September 30, 2008, the value of the non-compete agreement was reduced to zero in conjunction with the recording of impairment in value of the Nevada Eagle exploration properties [note 3].
8. CAPITAL LEASE
The Company leased a truck that was accounted for as a capital lease, with the present value of the required lease payments recorded as a liability and an asset at inception and thereafter lease payments reduce the liability and result in interest expense and the asset is depreciated. The truck was returned to the leasing company at the end of the minimum term of the lease, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, which extinguished any further required lease payments.
9. CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE
Gryphon Gold issued a Convertible Promissory Note to the former owner of Nevada Eagle with a face amount of $5,000,000, due March 30, 2010, bearing interest at 5% per annum, payable on January 1 and June 1 of each year. The note is convertible at the holder’s option into shares for the first 12 months after closing at a conversion price of $1 per common share; for the next 12 months at $1.25 per common share; for the period 24 months from closing to March 29, 2010 at $1.50 per common share and on March 30, 2010 at $1.75 per common share. The conversion rate is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments and is subject to adjustment on payment of cash dividends by Gryphon Gold. Upon an event of default, which includes amongst other things a change in control of Gryphon Gold, the holder may demand repayment of the principal amount of the debenture or exercise the conversion feature for a fixed number of shares. After an event of default, the interest rate on the convertible debenture increases to 9%. The change in control event of default acceleration feature is considered an embedded derivative however its issue date fair value is not considered to be significant, nor is it considered to be significant at March 31, 2009. The conversion feature does not require bifurcation in the financial statements because it is not a beneficial conversion feature and a cash payment is not required if common shares issued at time of conversion are never successfully registered. The Convertible Promissory Note, including the conversion feature and change in control event of default acceleration feature embedded derivative, was recorded at its estimated issue date fair value of $4,272,359 at date of issue. Interest and discount accretion of $250,592 and $276,863, for the year ended March 31, 2009, has been recorded as interest expense in the audited consolidated income statement. The former owner of Nevada Eagle is also an employee of the Company [note 3].
Effective August 5, 2008, the Company entered into an option agreement with Gerald W. Baughman and Fabiola Baughman to amend the $5 million face value note payable to them at a cost of $35,000. The option period is twelve months and extendable for another six months for an additional $35,000. At the time the option is exercised, the note payable will be reduced by $2.5 million by a payment of $500,000 in cash and 4,000,000 common shares of the Company. Upon exercise of the option, the conversion rate of the remaining $2.5 million note payable would be amended to $0.70 per common share until March 30, 2009, $0.80 per common share until March 30, 2010, and the maturity date would be extended from March 30, 2010 to March 30, 2012 and secured by certain exploration properties. The Company may exercise the option if the royalty on the Borealis property has been fixed at 5% or lower, and there is an arrangement to merge the Company or the financing of a mine on the Borealis property has been completed.
On November 10, 2008, the 5% convertible promissory note was amended so that cash interest payments shall be $73,288 and $51,713 each January 1 and June 1, respectively, or one half of the previous amounts. The unpaid interest will be added to the principal balance of the note, compounded monthly at 5% and become due and payable at the due date of the note, March 30, 2010.
10. CAPITAL STOCK
[a]
Authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001 per share and 15,000,000 preferred shares with a par value of $0.001 per share.
On July 10, 2008, the company issued 180,000 common shares to directors. The issuance was the last vesting of restricted stock grants dated January 10, 2007.
On May 9, 2008, the company issued 41,670 common shares to a director (whom retired April 8, 2008). The issuance was provided under a transition agreement, which allowed 2,778 restricted stock units to vest monthly commencing January 2007 and until such time as this individual retired from the board of directors. See also note 10[d].
10. CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d)
[b]
Warrants:
The following table contains information with respect to all warrants:
The following table summarizes information about warrants outstanding and exercisable as at March 31, 2009:
Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable
The fair value of agents’ and underwriters’ warrants issued during 2008, 2007 and 2006 has been estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: a risk-free interest rate of 3.38% to 5.21% as of the date of transaction; expected life of 1 to 3 years depending on their terms; an expected volatility of 51% to 70% (based on the average volatility of companies in the industry at date of issuance for period equivalent to the expected life); and no expectation for the payment of dividends.
[c]
Stock options:
On April 8, 2008 directors, officers, a consultant and an employee were granted 500,000 options. 25% of these options vested June 30, 2008 while the remaining will vest over the next three quarters and are exercisable for 5 years at a price of Cdn$0.41 per share.
On July 2, 2008, an investor relations firm was granted 250,000 stock options. The options vest over one year and are exercisable at a price of Cdn$0.40 for a term of two years.
On July 7, 2008, several directors, officers and one consultant cancelled 2,627,500 options.
On July 8, 2008, four employees and one consultant were granted 385,000 options. These options vest over one year and are exercisable at a price of Cdn$0.38 for a term of five years.
10. CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d)
On July 21, 2008, a director was granted 200,000 options. These options vest over one year and are exercisable at a price of Cdn$0.38 for a term of five years.
On August 1, 2008, 750,000 stock options were granted to three executive officers. 550,000 of these options vest over the next two years, while the remaining 200,000 vest in the next six months. The options are exercisable at a price of Cdn$0.41 for a term of five years.
On August 5, 2008, 3 employees and one consultant cancelled 940,000 options.
On September 16, 2008, 550,000 options were granted to two directors and a consultant. 400,000 options vest at date of grant and 150,000 vest in the next nine months. The option are exercisable at a price of Cdn$0.28 for a term of five years.
On September 18, 2008, 150,000 options were granted to a consultant which vested immediately, and have a term of five years and an exercise price of Cdn$0.26 per share.
On November 18, 2008, 150,000 options were granted to a director of which 37,500 vested immediately and the remaining 112,500 will vest in the next 8 months, and have a term of five years and an exercise price of Cdn$0.07 per share.
On November 20, 2008, 275,000 options were granted to a consultant which vested immediately and have a term of five years and an exercise price of Cdn$0.07.
On March 15, 2009, two consultants cancelled 525,000 options.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, 895,000 options were forfeited by employees, directors, and consultants.
On November 24, 2008, 250,000 options were granted to a consultant which vested immediately and have a term of five years and an exercise price of Cdn$0.26.
On March 3, 2009, 100,000 options were granted to a consultant which vested immediately and have a term of five years and an exercise price of Cdn$0.28 .
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals the vesting period. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company’s total employees are relatively few in number and turnover is low, therefore the Company currently estimates forfeitures to be 15%. Estimate of forfeitures is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Stock-based compensation is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
The Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units as follows:
Stock option activity
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the year ended March 31, 2009:
(1) The unamortized grant date fair value of unvested options was fully expensed immediately.
* Based on the March 31, 2009 exchange rate of Cdn$1 equals US$0.7928.
10. CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d)
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as at March 31, 2009:
Valuation assumptions
Compensation expense recorded in the financial statements has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used in the pricing model include:
The risk-free interest rate is determined based on the rate at the time of grant for US government zero-coupon bonds for a 3 year term, which is a term equal to the estimated life of the option. Dividend yield is based on the stock option’s exercise price and expected annual dividend rate at the time of grant. Volatility is derived by measuring the average share price fluctuation of three publicly listed companies that operate in the same industry. The period of historical volatility is the same period as the expected life of the option being 3 years.
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model used by the Company to calculate option values was developed to estimate the fair value of freely tradable, fully transferable options without vesting restrictions, which significantly differ from the Company’s stock option awards. Options pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time until exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and therefore it is management’s view that the existing models do not necessarily provide a single reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s equity instruments.
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year ended March 31, 2009 was $0.11 [2008 -$0.77; 2007 - $1.20; 2006 - $0.83] . Options granted under the Company Option Plan are not available to be granted again under the Company Option Plan upon exercise.
10. CAPITAL STOCK (cont’d)
[d]
Restricted stock units (“RSU’s”):
The RSU stock grant entitles the recipient to receive shares of common stock of the Company upon vesting. The RSU grants can vest immediately or over a period for up to five years.
On July 10, 2008, 180,000 RSU’s vested for four directors.
On September 5, 2007, the Company entered into a Transition Agreement with an employee and director (see note 13c). Among other things, the agreement provided a grant of 112,500 RSU’s that vest over two years; 18,750 RSU’s that were to vest in January 2008 were forfeited; a grant of 50,000 RSU’s was forfeited and replaced with a new RSU agreement that provides 2,778 units for each full month of service (subject to a maximum of 50,000 RSU’s) completed as a member of the Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2007 and vest upon resignation from the Board of Directors. Effective April 8, 2008, the individual resigned from the Board and 41,670 RSU’s vested.
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals the vesting period. The grant date fair value of the RSU is calculated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.
The following table summarizes information about RSU’s outstanding as at March 31, 2009:
* Based on the March 31, 2009 exchange rate of Cdn$1 equals US$0.7928.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
All transactions with related parties have occurred in the normal course of operations and are measured at their exchange amount as determined by management. All material transactions and balances with related parties not disclosed elsewhere are described below.
On March 20, 2008, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a director, former employee and shareholder for certain financial services. The individual was paid $31,500 during the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Effective September 1, 2008, the terms of the financial services agreement were amended and the individual was paid $32,250 during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. During the quarter ended December 31, 2008 the consulting agreement was terminated and the individual was paid $30,259.
In November 2008, the Company entered into two Consulting Agreements with two former employees for certain financial services and geological consulting services. During the year ended March 31, 2009 the consultants were paid $4,841 and $14,225 respectively.
12. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax balances are as follows:
The potential income tax benefits relating to the deferred tax assets have not been recognized in the consolidated financial statements as their realization did not meet the requirements of “more likely than not” under the liability method of tax allocation. Accordingly, no deferred tax assets have been recognized as at March 31, 2009 and 2008.
The reconciliation of income taxes attributable to continuing operations computed at the statutory income tax rate of 35.09 % [2008 - 37.06%] is as follows:
At March 31, 2009 the Company has non-capital losses of approximately $16.5 million [2008 - $12.7 million] in the United States available for future deduction from taxable income and which expire prior to 2026. The Company has not recognized as an asset any of these potential deductions as it cannot be considered more likely than not that they will be utilized.
13. COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
[a] A portion of the Borealis Property is subject to a mining lease. The Company is required to make monthly lease payments of $9,590, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, for the duration of the lease term. In addition, production of precious metals from the Borealis Property will be subject to the payment of a royalty under the terms of the mining lease. The mining lease automatically renews annually beginning in 2009, so long as mining related activity, including exploration drilling, continues on the Borealis Property. The Company has the option to terminate the mining lease at any time prior to expiry in 2009.
[b] The Company rents office space in Vancouver, BC for a 5 year term, commencing September 2008, and office space in Hawthorne, Nevada for a one year term. The following are the remaining rental lease commitments in relation to the office lease:
The Vancouver office has been sub-leased effective Feb 1, 2009 for 4 years and 7 months (the remaining life on lease) for Cdn$4,000 per month. The subtenant has an option to terminate the lease on January 31, 2011; such option must be exercised during October, 2010. If the option to terminate Sublease Agreement is not executed by the Subtenant, then the agreement shall continue until the expiration date. $65,587, the difference between the required lease payments and the estimated future sub-lease receipts, has been accrued as a loss at year ended March 31, 2009.
[c] In September 2007, the Company entered into a Transition Agreement with an individual under which, the individual will cease to be an employee and will continue as a director of the Company. The individual was granted 112,500 Restricted Stock Units that will vest at 37,500 each on April 1, 2009, July 1, 2009 and October 1, 2009. The agreement provides for certain incidental expenses for 18 months beginning October 2007. The Company recorded a charge to management salaries and consulting fees of $322,464 during the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
[d] In August 2008, the Company entered into a Transition Agreement with an individual under which the individual ceased to be an employee effective August 31, 2008 and ceased to be a director of the Company September 4, 2008. The individual will receive monthly payments of Cdn$12,500 and certain incidental expenses for 12 months beginning September 2008. The Company recorded a charge to expense of $162,809 during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to accrue the cost of the agreement. On December 12, 2008 the individual and the Company terminated the Transition Agreement eliminating the nine Cdn$12,500 future monthly payments and entered into a consulting agreement which included a Cdn$50,000 payment made on January 1, 2009.
[e] The Company’s market value and the market values for companies similar to the Company have declined considerably over the past twelve months. To preserve as much cash as possible and to ensure liquidity for the longest period possible, the Company implemented steps to reduce the rate of cash expenditure. These steps included reducing the number of personnel to three at reduced compensation, terminating four full time employees, and temporarily suspending development work on the Borealis property, including engineering work. The Company also eliminated all discretionary spending. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company recorded $178,887 in total severance cost.
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 1, 2009, the Transition Agreement with an individual (note 13(c)) was amended to change the vesting period of the 112,500 Restricted Stock Units. The units which previously vested 37,500 each on April 1, 2009, July 1, 2009 and October 1, 2009 were amended to vest 112,500 on April 1, 2009.
Effective April 2, 2009, the Company sold its interest in the Blue Mountain property to Nevada Geothermal Power Company. The Company received a $50,000 cash payment and retained a royalty interest.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A(T).
ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
At the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a - 15(e) and Rule 15d - 15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequately designed and effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness in future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2009 based on the criteria in a framework developed by the Company’s management pursuant to and in compliance with the SEC’s Guidance Regarding Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Release No. 33-8810. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2009 and no material weaknesses were discovered.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(f) or 15(d)-15(f)) that occurred during the period covered by this yearly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2008, our staffing levels decreased and certain positions were eliminated or converted to part-time. We have analyzed certain parts of our system of internal control that were affected by these changes and made reasonable efforts to reassign tasks to maintain an appropriate segregation of duties. In conjunction we, eliminated signing authorities for certain individuals, and retained our CFO and VP of exploration on consulting agreements to perform certain tasks. These changes were reviewed and approved by our board of directors. Our disclosure controls were not affected by these personnel changes and remain effective.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our directors hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the direction of the Board of Directors.
The following table and information that follows sets forth, as of June 12, 2009, the names, and positions of our directors and executive officers:
The following is a description of the business background of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation.
John L. Key, 58, was appointed February 5, 2008 as Chief Operating Officer and has since been appointed President, CEO, and Director (July 21, 2008). Mr. Key is a graduate of the University of Missouri - Rolla with an M.S. in Mining Engineer. He possesses 32 years of extensive mining experience. He worked for the Teck Cominco organization from 1973 to 2004 during which time he was directly responsible for running, in succession, the Magmont, Polaris, and Red Dog mines and also served as General Manager Projects. Mr. Key oversaw over $300 million in capital expansions at Red Dog. His primary duties at Gryphon Gold are to review the potential for an oxide mine on the Borealis property, to work on the longer term opportunities for the sulphide ore resources and to review opportunities available to Gryphon Gold.
Gerald W. Baughman, 48, was appointed August 21, 2007 as Vice President of Business Development and has since been appointed Director (September 4, 2008). Since the fall of 1994 Mr. Baughman began acquiring exploration stage gold properties in Nevada and surrounding states, under his company Nevada Eagle Resources LLC. Nevada Eagle has leased many of these properties to a number of the major mining companies and to a host of juniors. From 1990 to the present time, Mr. Baughman has been based in the Reno area and has worked as an independent geologist evaluating gold and silver properties. From 1991 to 1994 he worked for Southwestern Gold as Exploration Manager, and oversaw all precious metal exploration and development projects in Nevada. He also worked on projects in Peru for Southwestern Gold. During 1990, Mr. Baughman worked as a consulting geologist for Cambior (U.S.A.) Inc. Mr. Baughman received his B.S. degree in Geology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is a Certified Professional Geologist through the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).
Donald W. Gentry, 66, Director, joined our board in July 2005 after retiring from PolyMet Mining Corporation as its President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director from 1998 to 2003. He is a retired Professor Emeritus of the Colorado School of Mines, having served that institution from 1972 to 1998 as Professor, Department Head and Dean of Engineering. He has an international reputation as a consulting mining engineer, professional educator and mining executive. His primary interests center on the financial aspects of project evaluation, investment decision analysis, project financing, and corporate investment strategies. He previously served as a Director of Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation, Newmont Mining Corporation, and Newmont Gold Company and currently is a Director of Golden Gryphon Explorations (a company which is unrelated to Gryphon Gold Corporation). He was elected President of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. in 1993 and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers in 1996 and to the National Academy of Engineering in 1996. He holds B.S., M.S. and PhD. degrees in mining engineering from the University of Illinois, Mackay School of Mines, and University of Arizona, respectively.
Marvin K. Kaiser, 67, was appointed to our board on November 18, 2008. Mr. Kaiser graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and began his career in the field of public accounting becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 1965. His career in the natural resources industry began in 1969 with Ranchers Exploration and Development Corporation where he held various positions including Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President until the company was combined with Hecla Mining Company in 1984. Mr. Kaiser also served as Chief Financial Officer of AMAX Gold, Inc from 1989 until 1993 when AMAX Inc was combined with Cyprus Mining. Subsequent to leaving AMAX, Mr. Kaiser joined The Doe Run Company as Chief Financial Officer. At the time of his retirement from Doe Run in 2006, he held the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Following his retirement, Mr. Kaiser formed Whippoorwill Consulting, LLC, which provides financial advisory services to the natural resources industry. He presently serves as a director of several publicly traded mining/exploration companies as well as The Southern Illinois University Foundation.
Michael K. Longinotti, 52, was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer effective May 15, 2006. From 2003 to 2006 Mr. Longinotti has worked with several entrepreneurial companies as CFO including Digital Payment Technologies, Knight Signs and Rx Networks. From 2000 to 2004 he was CFO of Silent Witness, a NASDAQ and TSX listed provider of security equipment and network provider. From 1989 to 2000 he was in various positions, including Comptroller and Treasurer at Cominco Ltd. a multinational mining and smelting corporation with Cdn$3 billion in assets. Mr. Longinotti holds a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Washington State University and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and is a member of the Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
None of our executive officers or key employees is related by blood, marriage or adoption to any other director or executive officer.
To our knowledge, there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our officers and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected to serve as an officer.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors has established four board committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee and a Project Development, Environmental & Sustainability Committee.
The information below sets out the current members of each of Gryphon Gold’s board committees and summarizes the functions of each of the committees in accordance with their mandates.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee has been structured to comply with Canadian Multilateral Instrument 52-110-Audit Committees (MI 52-110) and Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Our Audit Committee is comprised of Marvin Kaiser, Don Gentry and Jerry Baughman. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that two of the three members of the Company’s Audit Committee are independent directors under MI 52-110, Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, and the audit committee rules of the NYSE Amex Equities. Marvin Kaiser is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Marvin Kaiser satisfies the criteria for an audit committee financial expert under Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee meets with management and Gryphon Gold’s external auditors to review matters affecting financial reporting, the system of internal accounting and financial controls and procedures and the audit procedures and audit plans. The Audit Committee reviews Gryphon Gold’s significant financial risks, will be involved in the appointment of senior financial executives and will annually review Gryphon Gold’s insurance coverage and any off-balance sheet transactions.
The Audit Committee is mandated to monitor Gryphon Gold’s audit and the preparation of financial statements and to review and recommend to the board of directors all financial disclosure contained in Gryphon Gold’s public documents. The Audit Committee is also mandated to appoint external auditors, monitor their qualifications and independence and determine the appropriate level of their remuneration. The external auditors report directly to the Audit Committee and to the board of directors. The Audit Committee and board of directors each have the authority to terminate the external auditor’s engagement (subject to confirmation by shareholders). The Audit Committee will also approve in advance any services to be provided by the external auditors which are not related to the audit.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Don Gentry (chairman) and Marvin Kaiser, which are both independent directors. The Compensation Committee is responsible for considering and authorizing terms of employment and compensation of Directors, executive officers and providing advice on compensation structures in the various jurisdictions in which Gryphon Gold operates. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews both the overall salary objectives of Gryphon Gold and significant modifications made to employee benefit plans, including those applicable to directors and executive officers, and propose any awards of stock options, incentive and deferred compensation benefits.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are comprised of Marvin Kaiser and Don Gentry (chairman). The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are responsible for developing Gryphon Gold’s approach to corporate governance issues and compliance with governance rules. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is also mandated to plan for the succession of Gryphon Gold, including recommending director candidates, review of board procedures, size and organization, and monitoring of senior management with respect to governance issues. The committee is responsible for the development and implementation of corporate communications to ensure the integrity of Gryphon Gold’s internal control and management information systems. The purview of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also includes the administration of the board’s relationship with the management of Gryphon Gold, monitoring the quality and effectiveness of Gryphon Gold’s corporate governance system and ensuring the effectiveness and integrity of Gryphon Gold’s communication and reporting to shareholders and the public generally.
There have been no material changes to the procedures pursuant to which a shareholder may recommend nominees for the Company’s Board of Directors.
Project Development, Environmental & Sustainability Committee
The Project Development, Environmental & Sustainability Committee is comprised of Don Gentry and John Key. The committee is to review and provide technical and commercial guidance for major project development plans, ensure management has appropriate systems in place to plan, implement and track performance of project development. The Committee shall establish environmental policy, monitor compliance and audit our performance relative to policy. The Committee shall establish health and safety policies monitor compliance and audit our practices and actions. The Committee shall establish policy for involving communities of interest in the design and implementation of project development towards sustainable mining development.
Code of Conduct
We adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics summarizes the legal, ethical and regulatory standards that we must follow and will serve as a reminder to our directors, officers and employees, of the seriousness of that commitment. Compliance with this code and high standards of business conduct is mandatory for each of our employees.
The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics was filed with the SEC on February 10, 2006 as exhibit 14.1(2) to Form 10-QSB quarterly report for the quarter ending December 31, 2005. Further information and a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on our website at www.gryphongold.com.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company’s officers, directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock (“10% Stockholders”), to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such officers, directors and 10% Stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Based solely upon information provided to us by individual officers, directors and 10% Stockholders, we believe that all of these filing requirements were satisfied by our officers, directors, and 10% Stockholders in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth compensation paid to each of the individuals who served as our Principal Executive Officers and our two other most highly compensated employees (the “named executive officers”) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, the Board authorized salary adjustments for directors, officers, and employees. These adjustments are indicated in the compensation table below. Further, the Board made stock and option grants to certain directors and executives to provide additional compensation, and the calculated value of such grants are indicated in the compensation table below.
(1)
$83,562 of grand total was received as cash, remaining $35,158 was recorded as non-cash stock compensation expense.
(2)
$98,617 of grand total was received as cash, $109,109 was recorded as non-cash stock compensation expense, $149,555 was accrued for severance pay, payable November 2009, and $4,841 was paid in consulting fees.
(3)
April - Aug 2008 salary received as employee
(4)
Recorded as non-cash stock compensation expense.
(5)
Consists of Cdn$37,500 for three months of pay related to transition agreement, Cdn$50,000 one time consulting fee, and Cdn$1,362 holiday pay.
(6)
$95,000 of grand total was granted in cash, remaining $10,506 was recorded as non-cash stock compensation expense.
(7)
$78,750 of grand total was salary received as employee, $15,577 was received as severance pay, and $6,103 was received as holiday pay, $30,541 was recorded as non-cash compensation expense and $14,225 received as consultant fees.
Executive Compensation Agreements and Summary of Executive Compensation
Report on Executive Compensation
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company’s Compensation Committee was responsible for establishing compensation policy and administering the compensation programs of our executive officers.
The amount of compensation paid by the Company to each of our officers and the terms of those persons’ employment is determined solely by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee evaluates past performance and considers future incentive and retention in considering the appropriate compensation for the Company’s officers. The Company believes that the compensation paid to the Company’s directors and officers is fair to the Company.
Our Compensation Committee believes that the use of direct stock awards is at times appropriate for employees, and in the future intends to use direct stock awards to reward outstanding service or to attract and retain individuals with exceptional talent and credentials. The use of stock options and other awards is intended to strengthen the alignment of interests of executive officers and other key employees with those of our stockholders.
Executive Compensation Agreements
Gryphon Gold is a party to employment contracts for John Key and Gerald Baughman. Pursuant to those agreements they are entitled to compensation for termination of their employment in certain circumstances, including termination without cause and change of control. The employment agreements provide for the payment of compensation that will be triggered by a termination of the executive officer’s employment by either Gryphon Gold or the executive officer following a change of control of Gryphon Gold, or by Gryphon Gold at any time, other than for “cause.” In such event, Messer’s Key, and Baughman will be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year’s annual salary plus bonus (equal to the amount of bonus in the prior year) earned in the year of change of control, and existing benefits for a period of 12 months. The agreements with Gerald Baughman and John Key include limited non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for a period of 12 months following termination.
Gryphon Gold is party to a consultant contract with Michael Longinotti. The agreement pays an hourly wage of Cdn$90/hour for any work preformed.
Except as described above, and the payment of directors’ fees, there are no service contracts of any officer of Gryphon Gold and there is no arrangement or agreement made or proposed to be made between Gryphon Gold and any of its named executive officers pursuant to which a payment or other benefit is to be made or given by way of compensation in the event of that officer’s resignation, retirement or other termination of employment, or in the event of a change of control of Gryphon Gold or a change in the named executive officer’s responsibilities following such change in control.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth the stock options and stock appreciation rights granted to our named executive officers as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
(1)
75,000 options vest Feb 10, 2010; 262,500 options vest 87,500 each Aug 1, 2009, Feb 1, 2010, and Aug 1, 2010.
(2)
21,250 options vest on September 21, 2009; 75,000 options vest June 23, 2009.
(3)
150,000 options vest 50,000 each Aug 1, 2009, Feb 1, 2010 and Aug 1, 2010.
Retirement, Resignation or Termination Plans
We sponsor no plan, whether written or verbal, that would provide compensation or benefits of any type to an executive upon retirement, or any plan that would provide payment for retirement, resignation, or termination as a result of a change in control of our Company or as a result of a change in the responsibilities of an executive following a change in control of our Company.
Director Compensation
(1)
$4,500 of fees has been paid in cash, the remaining $13,500 has been accrued. 250,000 stock options, 225,000 have vested; 25,000 vest on June 16, 2009.
(2)
Director’s fees paid.
(3)
$4,500 paid; 100,000 stock options vested March 3, 2008.
(4)
$6,000 accrued; 150,000 stock options, 75,000 have vested, remaining vest 37,500 each May 18, 2009, Aug 18, 2009.
Compensation of Directors
Beginning April 1, 2008, each independent board member shall receive $1,500 per month. The fees cover attendance for all meetings, irrespective of the number of audit, compensation and board meetings. The independent directors were paid for the first quarter and fees owed for the subsequent quarters have been accrued.
Beginning January 2007, independent board members who are not employed by us in any capacity other than as a director were compensated for their services as follows:
A grant of 25,000 Restricted Stock Units that vest at a rate of 6,250 units each calendar quarter during 2007 and 50,000 units that will vest July 10, 2008.
No cash compensation for attendance of any meeting.
Any expenses, travel, administrative, telephone or other costs associated with a Board member’s fulfilling his or her duties as a Board member will be reimbursed by Gryphon Gold.
Beginning January 2007, non-independent board members were compensated for their services as follows:
A grant of 50,000 Restricted Stock Units that will vest July 10, 2008.
No cash compensation for attendance of any meeting.
Any expenses, travel, administrative, telephone or other costs associated with a Board member’s fulfilling his or her duties as a Board member will be reimbursed by Gryphon Gold.
Beginning in July 2005 and until January 2007, independent board members who were not employed by us in any capacity other than as a director were compensated for their services as follows:
For any Board or Committee meeting not requiring travel, such as a telephone conference call - a meeting fee of $250.
For any fully constituted meeting of the Board or a Committee requiring travel of over four hours in aggregate - a meeting fee of $1,000.
Any expenses, travel, administrative, telephone or other costs associated with a Board member’s fulfilling his or her duties as a Board member will be reimbursed by Gryphon Gold.
Director Compensation Agreements
Gryphon Gold is a party to an employment contract for John Key and Jerry Baughman. Pursuant to the agreement, he is entitled to compensation for termination of theirs employment in certain circumstances, including termination without cause and change of control. The employment agreements provide for the payment of compensation that will be triggered by a termination of the executive officer’s employment by either Gryphon Gold or the executive officer following a change of control of Gryphon Gold, or by Gryphon Gold at any time, other than for “cause.” In such event, each officer will be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year’s annual salary plus bonus (equal to the amount of bonus in the prior year) earned in the year of change of control, and existing benefits for a period of 12 months. The agreements with John Key and Jerry Baughman include limited non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for a period of 12 months following termination.
Except as described above, and the payment of directors’ fees, there are no service contracts of any director of Gryphon Gold and there is no arrangement or agreement made or proposed to be made between Gryphon Gold and any of its directors pursuant to which a payment or other benefit is to be made or given by way of compensation in the event of that officer’s resignation, retirement or other termination of employment, or in the event of a change of control of Gryphon Gold or a change in the director’s responsibilities following such change in control.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS
Securities Ownership
The following tables set forth information as of June 12, 2009 regarding the ownership of our common stock by:
each person who is known by us to own more than 5% of our shares of common stock; and
each named executive officer, each director and all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage of shares beneficially owned are based on 62,069,565 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 12, 2009.
For the purposes of the information provided below, shares subject to options and warrants that are exercisable within 60 days following June 12, 2009 are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the holder for the purpose of computing the number of shares and percentage ownership of that holder but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to these tables, and as affected by applicable community property laws, all persons listed have sole voting and investment power for all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
Principal Stockholders
(1)
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting and investment power with respect to shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting and sole investment control with respect to all shares beneficially owned. Figures shown are on a non-diluted basis.
(2)
6,390,750 common shares beneficially owned by the Baughmans, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, is comprised of 4,500,000 shares of common stock of Gryphon Gold, 50,000 shares acquirable upon exercise of options and 1,840,750 shares of common stock of Gryphon Gold that are issuable upon conversion of a $5,000,000, convertible note, subject to a cap on conversion at 9.99% of the issued and outstanding.
(3)
Includes 3,000,000 shares acquirable upon exercise of warrants. The Investment Advisor with ultimate voting and dispositive power is Luxor Asset Management Trust reg., Balzers, which is represented by Mr. Martin Frick, Balzers.
Security Ownership of Management
(1)
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect to shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting and sole investment control with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
(2)
Includes vested options exercisable to acquire 275,000 shares of common stock.
(3)
Includes vested options exercisable to acquire 250,000 shares of common stock.
(4)
Includes vested options exercisable to acquire 188,750 shares of common stock.
(5)
Includes vested options exercisable to acquire 162,500 shares of common stock.
(6)
Includes vested options exercisable to acquire 50,000 shares of common stock and 1,840,750 shares of common stock of Gryphon Gold that are issuable upon conversion of a $5,000,000, convertible note, subject to a cap on conversion at 9.99% of the issued and outstanding.
(7)
Includes vested options exercisable to acquire 901,250 shares of common stock, and 1,840,750 shares of common stock of Gryphon Gold that are issuable upon conversion of a $5,000,000, convertible note, subject to a cap on conversion at 9.99% of the issued and outstanding.
We have no knowledge of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of our securities, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in our control.
We are not, to the best of our knowledge, directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or foreign government.
As of June 12, 2009, we had approximately 2,000 shareholders of record of our common stock.
Equity Compensation Plans
Please review the disclosure provided under the section heading “Market for Common Equity”.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Except for the transactions described below, none of our directors, senior officers or principal shareholders, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing have any interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction, since the beginning of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, or in any proposed transactions, in which such person had or is to have a direct or indirect material interest.
Effective August 5, 2008, we entered into an option agreement with Gerald W. Baughman and Fabiola Baughman to amend the $5 million face value note payable to them at a cost of $35,000. Gerald W. Baughman is an executive officer of the Company. The option period is twelve months and extendable for another six months for an additional $35,000. At the time the option is exercised, the note payable will be reduced by $2.5 million by a payment of $500,000 in cash and 4,000,000 common shares. Upon exercise of the option, the conversion rate of the remaining $2.5 million note payable would be amended to $0.70 per common share until March 30, 2009, $0.80 per common share until March 30, 2010, and the maturity date would be extended from March 30, 2010 to March 30, 2012 and secured by certain exploration properties. We may exercise the option if the royalty on the Borealis property has been fixed at 5% or lower, and there is an arrangement to merge the Company or the financing of a mine on the Borealis property has been completed.
Related party transactions are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.
Purchases Of Securities
During and subsequent to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, no officers, directors and 10% shareholders of Gryphon Gold purchased securities of Gryphon Gold.
Other than compensatory arrangements described under “Executive Compensation” and the transactions described above, we have had no other transactions, directly or indirectly, during the past fiscal year with our directors, senior officers or principal shareholders, or any of their associates or affiliates in which they had or have a direct or indirect material interest.
Director Independence
The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that the following directors are independent based on the standards for director independence for the NYSE Amex Equities:
Don Gentry; and
Marvin Kaiser.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by the Company's auditors for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2009 and 2008 and reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Forms 10-K and 10-QSB for fiscal 2009 and 2008 were $99,500 and $150,746, respectively.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed by the Company's auditors for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning for fiscal 2009 and 2008 were $20,350 and $9,500, respectively.
All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed by the Company's auditors for all other non-audit services rendered to the Company, such as attending meetings and other miscellaneous financial consulting, for fiscal 2009 and 2008 were $nil and $3,965, respectively.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statements
The following financial statements have been filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are presented in Item 8, herein.
1.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm;
2.
Audited Consolidated Balance Sheets as at March 31, 2009 and 2008;
3.
Audited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 and for the period from April 24, 2003 (inception) to March 31, 2009;
4.
Audited Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 and for the period from April 24, 2003 (inception) to March 31, 2009;
5.
Audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 and for the period from April 24, 2003 (inception) to March 31, 2009; and
6.
Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Exhibits
Number
Description
* Previously filed and incorporated by reference.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized:
GRYPHON GOLD CORPORATION
/s/ John Key Chief Executive Officer and Director June 26, 2009
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael K. Longinotti Chief Financial Officer June 26, 2009
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report to be signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ John Key Chief Executive Officer June 26, 2009
and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael K. Longinotti Chief Financial Officer June 26, 2009
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Marvin Kaiser Director June 26, 2009
/s/ Donald W. Gentry Director June 26, 2009