FORM 10-QSB
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURUSANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to _______________
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Province of British Columbia 0-21777 Not Applicable
---------------------------- ------------ -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
11847 Gempen Street
Mojave, California 93501
----------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (661) 824-1054
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
without par value
Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
The number of outstanding shares of the issuer's common stock at September 30,
2000 was 48,046,641 shares.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format: Yes [ ] No [X]
<PAGE>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-QSB FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: Financial Information Page
Item 1: Consolidated Financial Statements....................... 1
Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operations.............................................. 12
Part II: Other Information
Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..... 15
Item 5: Other Information....................................... 15
Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K........................ 15
SIGNATURES............................................................... 16
EXHIBIT NO. 27........................................................... 17
i
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PART I
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the periods
covered by this report are set forth at pages 2 through 10.
[The balance of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
1
<PAGE>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. DOLLARS)
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
(unaudited) (audited)
------------ ------------
Assets (Note 2)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 264,807 $ 1,469,855
Receivables 1,719 6,664
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 37,946 58,759
------------ ------------
Total current assets 304,472 1,535,278
Property and equipment, net 945,869 1,013,338
Mineral properties 27,279,363 26,428,791
Other assets 1,101,004 1,017,551
------------ ------------
$ 29,630,708 $ 29,994,958
============ ============
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Note 2)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 57,878 $ 84,493
Accrued liabilities 17,205 31,886
Current maturities of long-term debt 31,432 39,986
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 106,515 156,365
Long-term debt, less current maturities 746,321 766,449
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 852,836 922,814
------------ ------------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares, no par, 3,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares outstanding -- --
Common shares, no par, 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 48,046,641 shares issued and
outstanding 33,978,345 34,155,989
Deficit accumulated during development stage (5,200,473) (5,083,845)
------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity 28,777,872 29,072,144
------------ ------------
$ 29,630,708 $ 29,994,958
============ ============
2
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS
(U.S. DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
Cumulative
Amounts From
Date of
Inception
Three Month Three Month Nine Month Nine Month (November 21,
Period Ended Period Ended Period Ended Period Ended 1985) through
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2000 1999 2000 1999 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
General and
administrative
expense $ 41,049 $ 191,812 $ 326,593 $ 559,423 $ 5,214,861
Interest expense -- -- -- -- 323,485
Interest income (5,049) (45,022) (29,491) (80,210) (1,072,095)
Other expense
(income), (218) 6,338 (2,830) 9,423 55,930
Abandoned mineral
properties -- -- -- -- 277,251
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss before
cumulative effect of
change in accounting
principle (35,782) (153,128) (294,272) (488,636) (4,799,432)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cumulative effect of
change in accounting
for stock options
(Note 3) 177,644 -- 177,644 -- 177,644
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ 141,862 $ (153,128) $ (116,628) $ (488,636) $ (4,621,788)
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Net loss per share
before cumulative
effect of change in
accounting principle $ (0.00) $ (0.00) $ (0.01) $ (0.01)
============ ============ ============ ============
Net earnings (loss) per
share $ (0.00) $ (0.00) $ (0.00) $ (0.00)
============ ============ ============ ============
Weighted average
shares outstanding 48,046,641 45,310,228 48,046,641 38,339,681
============ ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
3
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(U.S. DOLLARS)
Deficit
From the Date of Inception Accumulated
(November 21, 1985) During the Total
through Common Development Shareholders'
September 30, 2000 Shares Amount Stage Equity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
November 21, 1985
Issuance of common
shares for cash 1,425,001 $ 141,313 $ -- $ 141,313
Net loss for the year -- -- (15,032) (15,032)
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1986 1,425,001 141,313 (15,032) 126,281
Issuance of common
shares for cash 550,000 256,971 -- 256,971
Issuance of common
shares for mineral property 25,000 13,742 -- 13,742
Net loss for the year -- -- (58,907) (58,907)
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1987 2,000,001 412,026 (73,939) 338,087
Issuance of common
shares for cash 1,858,748 1,753,413 -- 1,753,413
Net income for the year -- -- 38,739 38,739
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1988 3,858,749 2,165,439 (35,200) 2,130,239
Issuance of common
shares for cash 1,328,750 1,814,133 -- 1,814,133
Issuance of common
shares for mineral property 100,000 227,819 -- 227,819
Net loss for the year -- -- (202,160) (202,160)
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1989 5,287,499 4,207,391 (237,360) 3,970,031
Issuance of common
shares for cash 1,769,767 2,771,815 -- 2,771,815
Issuance of common
shares for mineral property 8,875 14,855 -- 14,855
Net loss for the year -- -- (115,966) (115,966)
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1990 7,066,141 6,994,061 (353,326) 6,640,735
Net income for the year -- -- 28,706 28,706
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1991 7,066,141 6,994,061 (324,620) 6,669,441
Net loss for the year -- -- (157,931) (157,931)
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1992 7,066,141 6,994,061 (482,551) 6,511,510
</TABLE>
4
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(U.S. DOLLARS)
Deficit
From the Date of Inception Accumulated
(November 21, 1985) During the Total
through Common Development Shareholders'
September 30, 2000 Shares Amount Stage Equity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss for the year -- -- (285,391) (285,391)
---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1993 7,066,141 6,994,061 (767,942) 6,226,119
Issuance of common
shares for cash 5,834,491 1,536,260 -- 1,536,260
Share issue costs -- -- (18,160) (18,160)
Issuance of common
shares for mineral property 128,493 23,795 -- 23,795
Net loss for the year -- -- (158,193) (158,193)
---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1994 13,029,125 8,554,116 (944,295) 7,609,821
Issuance of common
shares for cash 648,900 182,866 -- 182,866
Net loss for the year -- -- (219,576) (219,576)
---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1995 13,678,025 8,736,982 (1,163,871) 7,573,111
Issuance of common
shares for cash 2,349,160 2,023,268 -- 2,023,268
Issuance of common
shares for debt 506,215 662,282 -- 662,282
Issuance of 5,500,000
special warrants -- 9,453,437 -- 9,453,437
Special warrants issue
cost -- -- (100,726) (100,726)
Net loss for the year -- -- (426,380) (426,380)
---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, May 31, 1996 16,533,400 20,875,969 (1,690,977) 19,184,992
Issuance of common
shares for cash 18,000 10,060 -- 10,060
Issuance of common
shares for special
warrants 5,500,000 -- -- --
Special warrants issue
cost -- -- (123,806) (123,806)
Net loss for the period -- -- (348,948) (348,948)
---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 22,051,400 20,886,029 (2,163,731) 18,722,298
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(U.S. DOLLARS)
Deficit
From the Date of Inception Accumulated
(November 21, 1985) During the Total
through Common Development Shareholders'
September 30, 2000 Shares Amount Stage Equity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of common
shares for cash 157,000 157,050 -- 157,050
Issuance of 3,500,000
special warrants -- 5,287,315 -- 5,287,315
Issuance of common
shares for special warrants 3,500,000 -- -- --
Options to non-
employee directors -- 70,200 -- 70,200
Special warrants issue cost -- -- (163,313) (163,313)
Net loss for the year -- -- (1,047,869) (1,047,869)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 25,708,400 26,400,594 (3,374,913) 23,025,681
Issuance of common
shares upon exercise
of warrants 1,834,300 857,283 -- 857,283
Issuance of common
shares through
conversion of debt 2,017,941 1,000,000 -- 1,000,000
Share issuance cost -- -- (6,060) (6,060)
Issuance of common
shares for cash 5,236,000 2,439,753 -- 2,439,753
Options and re-priced
options to non-
employee directors -- 107,444 -- 107,444
Net loss for the year -- -- (971,595) (971,595)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 34,796,641 30,805,074 (4,352,568) 26,452,506
Issuance of 13,250,000
special warrants -- 3,350,915 -- 3,350,915
Special warrants issue cost -- -- (166,620) (166,620)
Issuance of common
shares for special warrants 13,250,000 -- -- --
Net loss for the year -- -- (564,657) (564,657)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1999 48,046,641 $ 34,155,989 $ (5,083,845) $ 29,072,144
Cumulative effect change in
accounting for stock options
(Note 3) -- (177,644) -- (177,644)
Net loss for the period
(unaudited) -- -- (116,628) (116,628)
Balance, September 30, 2000
(unaudited) 48,046,641 $ 33,978,345 $ (5,200,473) $ 28,777,872
=============================================================
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(U.S. DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cumulative Amounts
Nine Month Nine Month From Date of
Period Period Inception (November
Ended Ended 21, 1985) through
September 30, September 30, September 30,
2000 1999 2000
------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities:
Net loss $ (116,628) $ (488,636) $ (4,621,788)
Adjustments to reconcile net
loss to cash used in operating
activities:
Abandoned mineral properties -- -- 277,251
Amortization and depreciation 62,664 62,120 341,308
(Gain) Loss on disposition of
property and equipment 770 1,216 608
Options to directors -- 12,469 177,644
Cumulative effect of change in (177,644) -- (177,644)
accounting principle
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables 4,945 (16,576) (1,719)
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets (62,640) (5,287) (121,399)
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities (41,296) (54,891) 75,083
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash used in operating activities (329,830) (489,585) (4,050,657)
------------ ------------ ------------
Investment activities:
Deferred exploration and
development expenditures (545,792) (1,588,177) (22,037,921)
Deposits on mineral properties -- (86,626) (1,017,551)
Purchase of mineral properties (304,780) (330,854) (5,388,482)
Purchase of property and
equipment -- (5,162) (1,312,638)
Proceeds from sale of property
and equipment 4,036 -- 24,854
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash used in investment
activities (846,536) (2,010,819) (29,731,738)
------------ ------------ ------------
Financing activities:
Borrowing under long-term debt -- -- 3,766,502
Payment of long-term debt (28,682) (44,889) (1,176,467)
</TABLE>
7
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(U.S. DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cumulative Amounts
Nine Month Nine Month From Date of
Period Period Inception (November
Ended Ended 21, 1985) through
September 30, September 30, September 30,
2000 1999 2000
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of common stock for
cash -- -- 13,086,902
Share issuance costs -- (166,036) (578,685)
Net cash received from issuance
of special warrants -- 3,350,915 18,091,667
Issuance of common shares upon
exercise of warrants -- -- 857,283
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash (used in) provided by
financing activities (28,682) 3,319,990 34,047,202
------------ ------------ ------------
Net change in cash and cash
equivalents (1,205,048) 639,586 264,807
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning balance 1,469,855 1,197,029 --
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents,
ending balance $ 264,807 $ 1,836,615 $ 264,807
============ ============ ============
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest $ 60,918 $ 56,986 $ 821,053
Income taxes $ -- $ -- $ --
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
Exchange of notes for common
shares $ -- $ -- $ 1,662,282
Exchange of note for future
royalty payments $ -- $ -- $ 150,000
Shares for mineral property $ -- $ -- $ 280,211
Mineral property acquired
through the issuance of long-
term debt $ -- $ -- $ 1,084,833
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and the instructions to Form 10-QSB. Accordingly, they do
not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted
accounting principles for complete financial statements. These consolidated
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company's 1999
annual report on Form 10-KSB. In the opinion of management, all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair
presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the year ending December 31, 2000.
Note 2: Financial Condition and Liquidity
The Company has had no revenues from operations since inception, has a deficit
accumulated during the development stage of $5,200,473, and has been unable to
obtain the necessary financing to complete current development activities or
exit the development stage. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management will use its best
efforts to control current costs and obtain debt, equity, or joint venture
financing in order to complete current development activities and provide
sufficient cash to fund Company activities over the next 12 months. During the
fourth quarter, management will review the feasibility study update and continue
to evaluate the current carrying value of Soledad Mountain Project assets. The
ability of the Company to obtain financing and adequately manage its expenses,
and thus maintain solvency, is dependant on equity market conditions, the
ability to find a joint venture partner, the market for precious metals, and /
or the willingness of other parties to lend the Company money. While the Company
has been successful at certain of these efforts in the past and management is
optimistic, there can be no assurance that current efforts will be successful.
Note 3: U.S. and Canadian GAAP Differences / Change in Accounting Principle
Under Canadian generally accepted accounting principals ("GAAP") options to
purchase common stock granted to members of the Company's board of directors are
treated under the intrinsic value method. That method has resulted in no charges
to the Company's statement of loss for directors expense. Until January 1, 2000,
under United States GAAP such options were treated under the fair value method
prescribed by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation".
On March 31, 2000 the FASB issued Interpretation No. 44, "Accounting for Certain
Transactions involving Stock Compensation, an interpretation of APB Opinion No.
25" ("the interpretation"). Among other issues, the interpretation allows stock
options issued to members of the Company's board of directors to be treated
under the intrinsic value method for U.S. GAAP purposes. The interpretation is
effective July 1, 2000.
As a result, on July 1, 2000, the Company recorded a one time adjustment of
$177,644, recorded as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principles for
U.S. GAAP purposes.
9
<PAGE>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 4: Share Capital
On February 4, 2000, stock options to purchase up to a total of 325,000 common
shares were granted to three non-employee directors of the Company. The options
are exercisable at the price of C$0.23 per share and expire on February 4, 2005.
Note 5: Subsequent Events
Subsequent to September 30, 2000, the Company received firm commitments from
shareholders to provide a $65,000 loan, convertible, upon approval of The
Toronto Stock Exchange and the Company's shareholders, to common stock. The
shareholders have committed to purchase shares for a price of $200,000, with
warrants to purchase additional shares for an aggregate exercise price of up to
$265,000 for a period of two years. The issuance of the shares and warrants is
subject to the approval of The Toronto Stock Exchange and the shareholders of
the Company.
On November 3, 2000, Steve Banning resigned as a director of the Company.
Due to strict cash constraints, the extended period of low gold market
conditions, and with exploration of the Soledad Mountain Project substantially
complete, the Company's activities will be focused on maintaining the project
and preserving shareholder investment. Additionally, moratorium negotiations
with landowners are in progress and are a significant element in the Company's
ability to maintain the project over the next 12 months.
[The balance of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
10
<PAGE>
GOLDEN QUEEN MINING CO. LTD.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This report contains both historical and prospective statements concerning the
Company and its operations. Historical statements are based on events that have
already happened; examples include the reported financial and operating results,
descriptions of pending and completed transactions, and management and
compensation matters. Prospective statements, on the other hand, are based on
events that are reasonably expected to happen in the future; examples include
the timing of projected operations, the likely effect or resolution of known
contingencies or other foreseeable events, and projected operating results.
Prospective statements (which are known as "forward-looking statements" under
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) may or may not prove true
with the passage of time because of future risks and uncertainties. The risks
and uncertainties associated with prospective statements contained in this
report include, among others, the following:
The Likelihood of Continued Losses from Operations. The Company has no revenue
from mining operations and has incurred losses from inception through September
30, 2000 of approximately $4,622,000. It is anticipated that additional
financing will be required for continued operations. This trend is expected to
continue for at least the next two years and is expected to reverse only if, as
and when gold is produced from the Soledad Mountain Project.
The Need for Significant Additional Financing. The Company anticipates that it
will need approximately $86,000,000 in additional financing to put the Soledad
Mountain Project into production; an anticipated $82,000,000 will be used for
capital expenditures with an estimated thirteen-month construction period and
$4,000,000 will be used as working capital and for start-up expenditures. The
Company expects to finance development from additional sales of common stock,
from bank or other borrowings or, alternatively, through joint development with
another mining company. However, it has no commitment for bank financing or for
the underwriting of additional stock, and it is not a party to any agreement or
arrangement providing for joint development. Whether and to what extent
financing can be obtained will depend on a number of factors, not the least of
which is the price of gold. Gold prices fluctuate widely and are affected by
numerous factors beyond the Company's control, such as inflation, the strength
of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand,
and the political and economic conditions of major gold producing countries
throughout the world. As of September 30, 2000, world gold prices were
approximately $274 per ounce, a decrease of approximately 9% from prices a year
ago. If gold prices do not strengthen, it may not be economical for the Company
to put the Soledad Mountain Project into production.
Risks and Contingencies Associated with the Mining Industry Generally. The
Company is subject to all of the risks inherent in the mining industry,
including environmental risks, fluctuating metals prices, industrial accidents,
labor disputes, unusual or unexpected geologic formations, cave-ins, flooding
and periodic interruptions due to inclement weather. These risks could result in
damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties and production facilities,
personal injury, environmental damage, delays, monetary losses and legal
liability. Although the Company maintains or can be expected to maintain
insurance within ranges of coverage consistent with industry practice, no
assurance can be given that such insurance will be available at economically
feasible premiums. Insurance against environmental risks (including pollution or
other hazards resulting from the disposal of waste products generated from
exploration and production activities) is not generally available to the Company
or other companies in the mining industry. Were the Company subjected to
environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities would reduce the
funds available to the Company. Were the Company unable to fund fully the cost
of remedying an environmental problem, it might be required to suspend
operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of
remedial activities.
11
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Overview. During the periods indicated in the discussion which follows, the
Company has been in the exploration stage of its business and therefore has
earned no revenue from its operations. Variations in the level of expenses
between periods have been as a result of the nature, timing and cost of the
activities undertaken in the various periods. Financing of the continued
exploration of the Soledad Mountain Project during such periods has been
obtained through the sale of shares of common stock of the Company in
predominantly offshore transactions and through borrowings.
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1999.
General and administrative expenses decreased to $41,000 for the three months
ended September 30, 2000, from $192,000 for the three-month period ended
September 30, 1999. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in staffing and
other cash conserving efforts.
Interest income was approximately $5,000 for the three months ended September
30, 2000, and $45,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 1999
resulting from a lower balance of invested funds. As a result of the foregoing
factors, the Company incurred a net loss of $36,000 for the three months ended
September 30, 2000, versus a net loss of $153,000 for the three-month period
ended September 30, 1999.
As stated in note 3 to the financial statements, the Company recorded a one time
adjustment of $177,644. This adjustment, offset against a $36,000 net loss,
resulted in net income of $142,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2000.
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1999
General and administrative expenses decreased to $327,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000, from $559,000 for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in staffing and
other related costs.
No interest expense was recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30,
2000 or for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999. Interest incurred on
debt relating to the Company's investment in the Soledad Mountain Project is
capitalized as part of mineral properties.
Interest income was approximately $29,000 for the nine months ended September
30, 2000, and $80,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999. As a
result of the foregoing factors, the Company incurred a net loss of $294,000 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2000, versus a net loss of $489,000 for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1999.
As stated in note 3 to the financial statements, the Company recorded a one time
adjustment of $177,644. This adjustment, offset against a $294,000 net loss,
resulted in a net loss of $117,000 for the nine- month period ended September
30, 2000.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES.
General. The Company acquired the Soledad Mountain Project in 1986. Since then
it has solidified its land position, conducted several drilling and sampling
programs to delineate ore reserves, and taken steps to secure permits and
approvals needed for production activities. The Company previously reported that
it expected to begin producing gold and silver from the project during the
second half of 1998, once permitting was completed. Because of the downturn in
world gold prices during the second half of 1997, however, the Company has not
been able to obtain financing for construction. As a consequence, production
will be delayed until construction financing can be raised.
12
<PAGE>
The Company has had no reported revenues from operations since inception, and is
in the exploration or development stage. During the period from inception
through September 30, 2000, the Company used $4,051,000 in operating activities,
primarily as the result of cumulative losses of $4,622,000 for the same period.
During the same period, the Company used $29,732,000 in investing activities;
these consisted of $28,419,000 in expenditures related to the Soledad Mountain
Project and fixed asset purchases of $1,313,000. These operating and investing
activities were financed by net borrowings of $2,590,000 under various long-term
debt arrangements, and from the sale of $30,600,000 of equity securities.
At September 30, 2000, the Company held $265,000 in cash and cash equivalents.
As is discussed below under the heading "Plan of Operations", significant
additional funds will be needed to put the Soledad Mountain Project into
production. These funds are expected to come from additional sales of common
stock and from bank or other borrowings. Alternatively, the Company may decide
to enter into a joint development or other similar arrangement with another
mining company to develop the project. Beyond the agreement and commitment
discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements, the Company does not have a
commitment for bank financing or for the underwriting of additional shares of
its common stock, and is not a party to any agreement or arrangement providing
for the joint development of the Soledad Mountain Project. Whether and to what
extent additional or alternative financing options are pursued by the Company
will depend on a number of important factors, including the results of further
development activities at the Soledad Mountain Project, management's assessment
of the financial markets, the overall capital requirements for development of
the project, and the price of gold. Gold prices fluctuate widely and are
affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, such as inflation,
the strength of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and
regional demand, and the political and economic conditions of major gold
producing countries throughout the world. As of September 30, 2000, world gold
prices were approximately $274 per ounce, a decrease of approximately 9% from
prices a year ago, and a reduction of approximately 8% from prices two years
ago. The project is not economical at current world gold prices and may not be
economical until prices strengthen.
Due to strict cash constraints, the extended period of low gold market
conditions, and with exploration of the Soledad Mountain Project substantially
complete, the Company's activities will be focused on maintaining the project
and preserving shareholder investment. In this effort, the Company has elected
to reduce staffing to the lowest possible level at the Soledad Mountain site.
Additionally, moratorium negotiations with landowners are in progress and are a
significant element in the Company's ability to maintain the project over the
next 12 months.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
Proposed Activities and Estimated Costs. The Company has substantially completed
exploration of the Soledad Mountain Project and intends to develop the project
as an open pit gold and silver mine employing a cyanide heap leach recovery
system. Development plans include the construction of infrastructure and
processing facilities, mining by open pit methods and processing precious metals
ores at a rate of up to 5.76 million tonnes (6.35 million tons) per year for at
least eleven years. Concurrent heap detoxification will be employed, followed by
reclamation of the project site.
Plans also include the production and sale of construction aggregates as
byproducts of the precious metals operation. The construction aggregates
operation will utilize rinsed ore from the heap leach operation and waste rock
from the mine dumps. Once the project is in full operation, annual sales of 3.0
million tonnes (3.3 million tons) each of fine aggregates from rinsed ore and
3.1 million tonnes (3.4 million tons) of coarse aggregates from sized mine waste
are included in production plans.
The initial capital costs of bringing the project into production are estimated
to be $86,000,000; these include costs associated with the purchase of all
necessary facilities and equipment, construction costs, start-up costs, working
capital and contingency costs over a projected thirteen-month construction
period. The Company presently cannot secure the financing needed to bring the
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project into production, and will not be able to do so unless gold prices and
the conditions in the gold equity markets improve. Based on current project cost
information, the Company believes world gold prices would have to achieve
sustained levels of $325 per ounce or better before such financing could be
obtained. The Company believes it is well positioned to obtain this financing
should market conditions improve sufficiently and in a timely manner.
The Company estimates that total average precious metals operating costs will be
$5.77 per tonne ($5.23 per ton) of ore processed, based on a stripping ratio of
3.5 to 1. These operating costs consist of mining costs of $3.14 per tonne
($2.85 per ton), processing costs of $1.72 per tonne ($1.56 per ton) and general
and administrative costs of $0.68 per tonne ($0.62 per ton). Based on assumed
gold and silver prices of $300 and $5.50, respectively, the Company also
estimates that average annual production rates of 110,000 ounces of gold and
1,500,000 ounces of silver can be maintained for at least eleven years, at an
average cash cost (consisting of operating and royalty costs) of $185 per ounce
of gold, net of byproduct credits. The Company estimates that total average
aggregates operating costs will be $0.55 per tonne ($.50 per ton).
These development plans are based on a February 1998 feasibility study that was
updated by the Company in September 2000. The 1998 study was prepared for the
Company by M3 Engineering and Technology Corporation incorporating the results
of the Company's 1997 drilling program. The study was commissioned by the
Company to obtain project financing, and to provide basic project engineering
information. The updated study includes the results of 1998 and 1999 sampling
programs. Ore reserve estimates and mine design features incorporated into the
study were prepared by Mintec Inc., in collaboration with the Company. Basic
engineering information was updated by M3 Engineering and Technology.
PERMITTING.
All major permitting requirements for the Soledad Mountain Project were
completed in late 1997. Pending the procurement of project financing, the
Company can commence construction of surface infrastructure and processing
facilities, and, following that, can begin commercial production of gold and
silver from the project.
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PART II
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. NONE
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
Exhibits. A financial data schedule is filed as exhibit no. 27 to this report.
No other exhibits are filed as part of this report.
Form 8-K Reports. The Company filed no reports on Form 8-K during the second
quarter of 2000.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd.
By: /s/ EDWARD G. THOMPSON
----------------------
Edward G. Thompson, its
President and CEO
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