<PAGE> 1
FORM 10-QSB
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
------------------
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-16436
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PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
NORTH CAROLINA 56-1378516
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4101G Stuart Andrew Boulevard
Charlotte, North Carolina 28217
(Address of principal executive offices)
(704) 523-6866
(Issuer's telephone number)
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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
--- ---
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE--15,043,869 SHARES OUTSTANDING
AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1996
TRANSITIONAL SMALL BUSINESS DISCLOSURE FORMAT (Check one)
Yes No X
--- ---
1
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INDEX
PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (unaudited) --
September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 3
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (unaudited)
- -- Three months ended September 30, 1996 and September 30,
1995 and Nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
September 30, 1995 4
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
- -- Nine months ended September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995 5
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 12
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 16
Item 5. Other Information 18
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 18
SIGNATURES 19
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At At
September 30 December 31
1996 1995
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents (including $0 and
$0 relating to the Haile Mining Venture) $ 278,000 $ 782,000
Investment in Amax Gold common stock (Note B) 1,058,000 1,830,000
Accounts receivable 28,000 28,000
Other 3,000 -0-
----------- ------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,367,000 2,640,000
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (including $222,000
and $245,000 relating to the Haile
Mining Venture) 259,000 286,000
OTHER ASSETS
Deferred costs, net of accumulated
amortization of $3,377,000 (including
$1,536,000 relating to the Haile Mining
Venture) 1,754,000 1,754,000
Other 4,000 4,000
----------- ------------
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 1,758,000 1,758,000
----------- ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,384,000 $ 4,684,000
=========== ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable (including $442,000 and
$234,000 relating to Haile Mining Venture) $ 447,000 $ 288,000
Accrued venture costs (Note C) 565,000 315,000
Accrued salaries and wages 16,000 9,000
Accrued arbitration award (Note E) 1,370,000 1,370,000
----------- ------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,398,000 1,982,000
----------- ------------
ACCRUED RECLAMATION COSTS 125,000 125,000
----------- ------------
DEFERRED GAIN 7,019,000 7,019,000
Less accumulated amortization 6,821,000 6,341,000
----------- ------------
198,000 678,000
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock 11,157,000 11,157,000
Contributed capital 317,000 317,000
Accumulated deficit (10,840,000) (9,882,000)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale
securities (Note C) 29,000 307,000
----------- ------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 663,000 1,899,000
----------- ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 3,384,000 $ 4,684,000
=========== ============
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
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PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
---------------------------- ---------------------------
1996 1995 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET SALES $ -0- $ -0- $ -0- $ -0-
COST OF SALES:
Depreciation expense 3,000 3,000 8,000 8,000
Haile Mining Venture expenses
(Notes B,C) 147,000 146,000 480,000 480,000
Amortization-deferred gain
(Notes B,C) (147,000) (146,000) (480,000) (480,000)
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
3,000 3,000 8,000 8,000
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
GROSS LOSS FROM OPERATIONS 3,000 3,000 8,000 8,000
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
General and administrative 134,000 170,000 444,000 495,000
Stock appreciation rights and awards -0- -0- -0- -0-
Exploration 2,000 3,000 6,000 8,000
Professional fees 126,000 48,000 443,000 156,000
Interest and other, net (8,000) (10,000) (21,000) 12,000
Gain on sale of stock -0- (158,000) (104,000) (45,000)
Brokers fees and commissions -0- 3,000 4,000 45,000
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
254,000 56,000 772,000 671,000
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 257,000 59,000 780,000 679,000
Income tax benefit (provision) -0- 5,000 (178,000) 77,000
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
NET LOSS $ 257,000 $ 54,000 $ 958,000 $ 602,000
=========== =========== ========== ==========
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ .01 $ .01 $ .06 $ .04
=========== =========== ========== ==========
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE None None None None
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 15,043,869 15,043,869 15,043,869 15,043,869
=========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
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PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------------
1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss $ (958,000) $ (602,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Depreciation 30,000 28,000
Amortization of deferred gain (480,000) (480,000)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense 178,000 (77,000)
Compensation recorded with respect to
stock appreciation rights and stock awards -0- -0-
(Gain) Loss on sale of assets (104,000) (48,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in income taxes receivable -0- -0-
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
and accrued expenses 417,000 305,000
Other (3,000) 2,000
---------- ----------
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (920,000) (872,000)
---------- ----------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment -0- -0-
Proceeds from sales of land, property and equipment -0- 4,000
Proceeds from sales of Amax Gold Inc. stock 416,000 3,914,000
---------- ----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES 416,000 3,918,000
---------- ----------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from note payable to Amax Gold Inc. -0- -0-
Proceeds from broker margin loan -0- -0-
Payments on short-term debt -0- (2,197,000)
---------- ----------
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES -0- (2,197,000)
---------- ----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (504,000) 849,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 782,000 91,000
---------- ----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 278,000 $ 940,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
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PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-QSB and
Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. The consolidated condensed financial
statements include the accounts of the Registrant and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, Kershaw Gold Company, Inc. (formerly Mineral Mining Company,
Inc.) and Piedmont Gold Company, Inc. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary
for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications of prior
year amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Operating
results for the nine month period ended September 30, 1996 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31,
1996. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes
thereto included in the Registrant's audited consolidated financial statements
on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1995.
NOTE B - HAILE MINING VENTURE
On March 15, 1991, the Registrant entered into an option and earn-in
agreement with Amax Gold Exploration, Inc. (AGEI), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Amax Gold Inc. (AGI), pursuant to which AGI acquired an option to purchase a
62.5% interest in the Registrant's Haile Property located in South Carolina.
Pursuant to this agreement and as part of the earn-in conditions, AGEI paid the
Registrant $1,000,000 in cash; assumed the Registrant's obligations to make
payments on its notes to MMC Holding, Inc. and its sole shareholder through
May 1, 1992 (a total of $1,072,000); provided financial support for a $750,000
reclamation bond increase; agreed to fund all exploration costs during the
option period; and prepared at its sole cost a preliminary feasibility study
for the Haile Property which was delivered to the Registrant in December, 1991.
On May 1, 1992, AGI through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lancaster
Mining Company, Inc., exercised its option and acquired a 62.5% undivided
interest in the Registrant's Haile Property. Upon the exercise of the option,
the Registrant received $1,750,000 in cash and 1,000,000 unregistered shares of
AGI's
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common stock (AGI Common Stock), of which the Registrant has 192,300 shares
remaining at September 30, 1996. The closing price of AGI Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange was $5.625 on September 30, 1996.
Pursuant to the terms of the option and earn-in agreement, Kershaw
Gold Company, Inc. and Lancaster Mining Company, Inc. formed the Haile Mining
Venture (the Venture) to further explore, evaluate and, if warranted, develop
and operate a gold mine at the Haile Property. Lancaster Mining Company, Inc.
owns a 62.5% undivided interest and Kershaw Gold Company, Inc. owns a 37.5%
undivided interest in the Venture's assets and liabilities. Costs of the
Venture have been borne by each party based on their respective interests, and
the ultimate gold production by the Venture, if any, will be taken by the
parties in kind. In contemplation of the formation of the Venture described
above, the Registrant suspended its mining and hauling operations in August
1991. On June 30, 1992, leaching and recovery of gold ceased for the
Registrant's account and commenced for the account of the Venture.
The excess of the consideration received by the Registrant from AGI
over the carrying value of the Haile assets sold and liabilities assumed has
been recorded as a deferred gain in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet
because the Registrant had intended to fund its share of the costs of the
Venture at the Haile Property.
The Venture agreement between Kershaw Gold Company, Inc. and Lancaster
Mining Company, Inc. provided that the Venture participants jointly decide
whether to commence production at the Haile Property. Until a production
decision is made, the Registrant is charging to expense all of its share of the
Venture's costs and expenses.
The 1994 program and budget called for total Venture expenditures of
approximately $6,300,000, including $1,900,000 for additional drilling and
$150,000 for completion of a bankable feasibility study. However, no further
drilling was conducted in 1994, the bankable feasibility study has not yet been
produced, and actual Venture expenditures for 1994 were approximately
$2,415,000. In September 1994, the Registrant was advised by AGI that AGI had
decided to pursue the sale of its interest in the Venture.
The 1995 program and budget included total Venture expenditures of
approximately $1,010,000, of which the Registrant's 37.5% share was
approximately $378,750. The 1996 program and budget calls for total Venture
expenditures of approximately $1,080,000, of which the Registrant's 37.5% share
is approximately $405,000.
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The Registrant is amortizing the deferred gain to income in amounts
equal to the sum of the Registrant's share of the Venture's costs and expenses
and the Registrant's other direct costs of participation in the Venture. The
amortization recorded was approximately $480,000 relating to costs incurred
during the nine month period ended September 30, 1996. However, as discussed
in Note C, no cash calls have been paid by the Registrant since February 1995.
On March 29, 1995, the Registrant filed a lawsuit in South Carolina
against AGI and certain of its affiliates, claiming, among other things, that
AGI's failure to implement the 1994 program and budget was in breach of its
obligations under the Venture Agreement and Management Agreement for the
Venture, and seeking damages. The Registrant intends to vigorously pursue its
claims. (See Part II, Item 1 -- Legal Proceedings)
The failure of AGI to implement the 1994 work plan and budget, the
decision by AGI to pursue the sale of its interest in the Venture, and the
pending litigation between the Registrant and AGI are expected to further delay
a decision whether to commence production at the Haile property. Preliminary
estimates of the total costs of developing and commencing operations, based
upon the Preliminary Feasibility Study prepared by AGI in December 1991
pursuant to the Option and Earn-In Agreement, ranged up to approximately
$80,000,000, of which the Registrant's 37.5% share could range up to
approximately $30,000,000.
NOTE C - ACCRUED VENTURE COSTS
In February 1995, the Registrant advised AGI of its position that AGI
was in breach of the Haile Mining Venture Agreement and Management Agreement.
In March 1995, the Registrant further advised AGI of its position that it was
not obligated to continue to pay the monthly cash calls for the Venture.
Subsequent to the filing of the lawsuit against AGI described in Note B, the
Registrant, through its counsel, again advised AGI of its position that it is
not required to and does not intend to pay any further cash calls until the
litigation is resolved.
The cash calls for March 1995 through September 1996 are reflected as
accrued venture costs on the Registrant's balance sheet at September 30, 1996
and are included in the Haile Mining Venture expenses and offset by the
corresponding amortization of deferred gain in the Registrant's statement of
operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. However, the
Registrant has not paid such cash calls and maintains its position that it is
not obligated to make such payments.
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NOTE D - INVESTMENT IN AMAX GOLD COMMON STOCK
Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting
for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, ("FAS 115"), the
Registrant records its investment in AGI common shares at fair value, with
unrealized gains and losses reported in a separate component of shareholders'
equity.
In January 1995, the Registrant began selling shares of the AGI Common
Stock on the open market. On February 27, 1995 the Registrant paid AGI
$1,248,000, representing the entire loan balance plus accrued interest, from
the proceeds of the sale of a portion of the shares of AGI Common Stock held by
the Registrant. In addition, the Registrant repaid a brokers' loan in the first
quarter of 1995 with $949,000 of such proceeds. During the first nine month
period of 1996 the Registrant sold 60,100 shares of the AGI Common Stock
resulting in a gain of $104,000. At September 30, 1996, the Registrant held
192,300 shares of the AGI Common Stock. The closing price of AGI's Common
Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on September 30, 1996 was $5.625 per
share.
The Registrant has substantial deferred tax assets relating
principally to net operating loss carryforwards which are available to offset
taxable income generated upon the future disposition of the AGI shares. Based
on the Registrant's evaluation of the realizability of its deferred tax assets,
the Registrant has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets
to an amount equal to its deferred tax liability. As of September 30, 1996, a
deferred income tax liability relating to the unrealized gain on securities
available-for-sale, in the amount of approximately $19,000, has been recorded
as a reduction in the unrealized gain. This deferred tax liability decreased
by $178,000 during the nine month period ending September 30, 1996. Under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes ("FAS 109"), the decrease in this deferred income tax liability resulted
in a corresponding $178,000 increase in the Registrant's valuation allowance
against deferred tax assets. In accordance with FAS 109, the tax expense
relating to the increase of the valuation allowance has been recorded in the
statement of operations. In the event that the unrealized gain on investment
securities decreases in the future, the Registrant may be required to increase
the valuation allowance through a provision for income taxes.
NOTE E - CONTINGENCIES
Pursuant to the Option and Earn-In Agreement, the Venture Agreement
between the subsidiaries of the Registrant and AGI that are the Venture
participants, and certain related agreements, the Registrant and its subsidiary
have agreed to indemnify AGI and its affiliates from all environmental and
other liabilities arising from matters occurring or existing at the Haile
Property
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prior to March 15, 1991, or arising from acts, omissions and operations of the
Registrant and its subsidiary from March 15, 1991 to July 1, 1992 (the date of
formation of the Venture).
Venture expenditures incurred from its formation through December 31,
1995 totalled approximately $11,505,000 of which the Registrant has paid its
37.5% share through February 1995. AGI has identified approximately $2,361,000
of Venture expenditures through September 30, 1996 ($290,000 for the second
half of 1992, $681,000 for 1993, $674,000 in 1994, $488,000 for 1995 and
$228,000 for the first nine months of 1996) that it now claims are subject to
such indemnification provisions and should be reallocated 100% to the
Registrant. The Registrant has paid its 37.5% share of such costs through
December 31, 1994 (which total approximately $617,000), but has not paid the
remaining 62.5% of such costs. Furthermore, the Registrant has not paid any of
these costs since January 1995 due to the pending litigation. The Registrant
has disputed such cost reallocation, and the total amount claimed by AGI
through September 30, 1996 and not previously paid is approximately $1,744,000
and is increasing every month. A substantial part of such costs relate to
ongoing water treatment and property maintenance at the Haile Mine property, as
well as certain reclamation costs. AGI has also taken the position that the
Registrant will be responsible for 100% of similar ongoing expenses in the
future. The Venture's financial statements do not reflect the amount of such
costs as Venture expenditures.
The Registrant has disputed the cost reallocation asserted by AGI and
arbitration proceedings were commenced by AGI in May 1995. In March 1996 an
arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association rendered an award in
connection with the Registrant's dispute with AGI over such cost reallocation.
The award calls for the Registrant to pay approximately $1,370,000 of the
disputed expenses to a subsidiary of AGI. In addition, approximately $33,000
in administrative expenses are to be borne by the Registrant. The arbitration
award was confirmed by the court in August 1996, which entered judgement
against the Registrant on the award, and the Registrant filed a notice of
appeal. In the meantime, AGI has taken action to enforce its judgement on the
award, and in November 1996 the Registrant began selling its AGI Common Stock
in order to apply the proceeds to satisfaction of the judgement and further
demonstrate its good faith in pursuing its claims against AGI. The award has
been accrued as of December 31, 1995 and has been fully offset by amortization
of the deferred gain in the statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
The Registrant has not funded its share of the Venture's expenditures
since February 1995 as a result of litigation commenced against AGI in March
1995, but such costs have been accrued. AGI has indicated that it intends to
activate the
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dilution of interest provisions of the Venture Agreement as a result of the
Registrant's failure to pay its share of Venture expenditures since March 1995.
Dilution of the Registrant's interest in the Venture, if any, would result in a
proportionate adjustment to the accounts in the Registrant's balance sheet
relating to the Venture.
On March 29, 1995, the Registrant filed a lawsuit in South Carolina
against AGI claiming, among other things, that AGI's failure to implement the
approved 1994 Program and Budget for the Venture was in breach of its
obligations under the Venture Agreement and Management Agreement for the
Venture, and seeking actual and punitive damages. Discovery was completed on
August 1, 1996, with a trial date anticipated prior to year end. See Part II,
Item 1 -- Legal Proceedings. No amounts have been recorded in the accompanying
financial statements relating to this gain contingency.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
GENERAL
The Registrant's principal operations prior to mid-1992, other than
its exploration activities, were mining and production of gold at the Haile
Property, which accounted for most of the Registrant's revenues to date. On
March 15, 1991, the Registrant entered into an Option and Earn-In Agreement
with Amax Gold Inc. (AGI) pursuant to which AGI was granted an option to
acquire a 62.5% undivided interest in the Haile Property. In connection with
its entering into the Option and Earn-In Agreement and AGI's exploration
activities at the Haile Property during the option period thereunder, the
Registrant began to phase out its shallow, open-pit mining operations at the
Haile Property in March 1991 and suspended mining and hauling in August 1991.
AGI exercised its option on May 1, 1992, and the Registrant and AGI formed the
Venture on July 1, 1992 to further explore, evaluate, and, if warranted,
develop and operate a large-scale mining operation at the Haile Property. The
Registrant has an undivided 37.5% interest in the Venture's assets,
liabilities, costs and revenues. Recovery and production of gold from the
leaching of ore previously mined continued until July 1, 1992 for the account
of the Registrant until the formation of the Venture on July 1, 1992, after
which AGI commenced taking its 62.5% of the gold production.
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
There were no sales or mine operating expenses for the three month
period ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 due to the suspension of mining in
1991 and the completion in 1992 of recoveries of gold from leaching of ore
previously mined.
Depreciation expense remained unchanged at $3,000 because machinery
and equipment purchases were offset by fixed assets being fully depreciated.
General and administrative expenses decreased by 21.1% for the three
month period ended September 30, 1996 due to reduced office expenses.
Professional fees increased 162.5% principally due to the increase in
required legal and consulting services as related to the pending litigation
against AGI.
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Exploration expenses decreased by $1,000 due to a timing difference in
payment of lease expense for the Registrant's North Carolina properties.
Interest and other, net decreased 20% for the three month period ended
September 30,1996 compared to the three month period ended September 30, 1995.
This was a result of a decrease in invested cash.
The Registrant recorded no gain or loss on the sale of AGI stock
during the three month period ended September 30, 1996, since no shares were
sold, compared to a gain of $158,000 in the prior year quarter.
As a result of there being no AGI stock sales for the three months
ended September 30, 1996, there were no brokers fees and commissions compared
to $3,000 in 1995.
The Registrant has been amortizing the deferred gain, recorded as a
result of the AGI option exercise, to income in amounts equal to the sum of the
Registrant's share of the Venture's costs and expenses and the Registrant's
other direct costs of participation in the Venture. Such costs and related
amortization amounted to $147,000 for the three months ended September 30,
1996. This amount is about equal to the three months ended September 30, 1995.
The Registrant recorded no deferred income tax provision for the three
months ended September 30, 1996. The offsetting tax benefit relating to a
reduction of the deferred tax liability associated with the unrealized gain on
the AGI Common Stock is recorded as an adjustment to shareholders' equity.
The Registrant's net loss of $257,000 for the three month period ended
September 30, 1996 was due to the factors set forth above.
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
There were no sales or mine operating expenses for the nine month
period ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 due to the suspension of mining in
1991 and the completion in 1992 of recoveries of gold from leaching of ore
previously mined.
Depreciation expense remained unchanged at $8,000 because machinery
and equipment purchases were offset by fixed assets being fully depreciated.
General and administrative expenses decreased by 10.3% for the nine
month period ended September 30, 1996 due to reduced office expenses.
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Professional fees increased 184% principally due to the increase in
required legal and consulting services related to the pending litigation
against AGI.
Exploration expenses declined by $2,000 due to a reduction in lease
expense for the Registrant's North Carolina properties.
Interest and other, net was $21,000 of interest income for the first
nine months of 1996 compared to $12,000 of interest expense for the first nine
months of 1995. This was a result of no borrowings in 1996, while earning
interest income on cash investments.
The Registrant recorded a gain of approximately $104,000 on AGI stock
sold during the nine month period ended September 30, 1996, compared to a gain
of $45,000 in the first nine months of 1995.
As a result of the Registrant's reduced AGI stock sales for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, brokers fees and commissions were $4,000
compared to $45,000 in 1995.
The Registrant has been amortizing the deferred gain, recorded as a
result of the AGI option exercise, to income in amounts equal to the sum of the
Registrant's share of the Venture's costs and expenses and the Registrant's
other direct costs of participation in the Venture. Such costs and related
amortization amounted to $480,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
This amount is unchanged compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1995.
The Registrant recorded a deferred income tax provision of $178,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 relating principally to an
increase in the valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets. This
increase was directly attributable to accounting for the unrealized gain on the
AGI Common Stock as further discussed in Note D. The offsetting tax benefit
relating to a reduction of the deferred tax liability associated with the
unrealized gain on the AGI Common Stock is recorded as an adjustment to
shareholders' equity.
The Registrant's net loss of $958,000 for the nine month period ended
September 30, 1996 was due to the factors set forth above.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
The Registrant's financial condition and liquidity continued to
decline in the first nine months of 1996 due primarily to the accrual of its
37.5% share of the costs and expenses of the Venture, the arbitration award in
favor of AGI, and the funding of various corporate and legal costs without any
offsetting
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revenues. The Registrant has a negative working capital of $1,032,000 at
September 30, 1996.
The Registrant's principal source of liquidity since the beginning of
1995 has been the sale of some of the shares of AGI Common Stock it had
acquired upon AGI's exercise of its option with respect to the Haile Property.
Proceeds from the sale of such shares were also used to repay previous
borrowings against such shares made in 1993 and 1994. At September 30, 1996,
the Registrant held 192,300 shares of AGI Common stock and had approximately
$278,000 in cash and cash equivalents. Further sales of or margin loans on the
remaining shares of the AGI Common Stock held by the Registrant may be its only
source of additional cash for the foreseeable future. Thus, further declines in
the market price of the AGI Common Stock could severely affect the Registrant's
liquidity. The closing price of AGI Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
on September 30, 1996 was $5.625 per share. In November 1996, the Registrant
began selling its remaining shares of AGI Common Stock in order to apply the
proceeds to satisfaction of the arbitration award in favor of AGI and further
demonstrate its good faith in pursuing its claims against AGI.
The continued deterioration in the Registrant's cash position during
the first nine months of 1996 and increasing litigation costs have resulted in
uncertainty whether the Registrant will be able to fund its ongoing corporate
and legal expenses through the end of 1996 and through the trial of its lawsuit
against AGI currently anticipated to begin in early 1997, as well as pay the
$1,370,000 arbitration award in favor of AGI. (See Part II, Item 1- Legal
Proceedings.) The Registrant has vigorously pursued available procedures to
stay or vacate the arbitration award, but in light of the rulings against the
Registrant, including dismissal of its petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code, the Registrant has determined to apply the proceeds from sales
of its AGI Common Stock to satisfaction of the judgement on the arbitration
award and to marshal its remaining financial resources to continue to
vigorously pursue the prosecution in good faith of its claims against AGI.
There can be no assurance that the Registrant's existing resources, even if
carefully managed, will be adequate to do so, or that it can obtain any
additional financial resources through outside financing.
In addition to the possible need for additional financing to fund its
continuing corporate expenses as well as its pending litigation against AGI
while responding to the judgement on the arbitration award, the Registrant had
anticipated that it would need additional financing if the Haile Mining Venture
decided to develop and commence mining operations at the Haile Property
pursuant to the Venture Agreement, or if prior to a production decision the
Venture incurs substantially more expenditures for
15
<PAGE> 16
which the Registrant is responsible. If a production decision were made by the
Haile Mining Venture, the Registrant's share of the Venture's total costs of
developing and commencing mining operations at the Haile Property, as estimated
in the Preliminary Feasibility Study prepared in December 1991 by AGI pursuant
to the Option and Earn-In Agreement, could be as great as $30,000,000,
depending upon the nature, size and scope of the operations and other
variables, which have not yet been determined. The Registrant had anticipated
that additional financing for such purposes could be sought through the
issuance of additional shares of the Registrant's Common Stock or other equity
securities, through debt financing, or through various arrangements (including
joint ventures or mergers) with third parties. However, the Registrant
currently has no commitments for any such additional financing, and, especially
in light of the Registrant's current financial condition, there is no assurance
that the Registrant could obtain any such additional financing if and when
needed.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
On March 29, 1995, the Registrant and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Kershaw Gold Company, Inc., as plaintiffs, filed a complaint in the Court of
Common Pleas for Lancaster County, South Carolina against Amax Gold Inc.,
Lancaster Mining Company, Inc. and Haile Mining Company, Inc., alleging breach
of contract by defendants Amax Gold Inc., Lancaster Mining Company, Inc. and
Haile Mining Company, Inc., and tortious interference with contractual rights
by defendant Amax Gold Inc. The complaint asked for actual and punitive
damages as the Court and jury shall determine. A trial by jury has been
demanded.
A hearing on pending motions in the state court proceeding was held in
October 1995. In November 1995, the court issued an order dismissing the
claims of Piedmont Mining Company, Inc. (but not those of Kershaw Gold Company)
against the defendants, and dismissing both plaintiffs' claims for breach of
contract against Amax Gold Inc. (but not Kershaw Gold Company's claims against
Lancaster Mining Company, Inc. and Haile Mining Company, Inc.), on the grounds
that only the subsidiaries of the Registrant and of Amax Gold Inc. are parties
to the contract in question. The order also stayed Kershaw Gold Company's
claims for breach of contract against the two Amax Gold Inc. subsidiaries
pending a determination of arbitrability by the arbitrators. Kershaw Gold
Company's claim against Amax Gold Inc. for tortious interference with contract
(including the Venture Agreement) was allowed to proceed. Amax Gold Inc.'s
motion for a more definite statement of the tortious interference claim was
granted. Discovery on the tortious interference claim was also authorized.
The Registrant
16
<PAGE> 17
intends to vigorously prosecute its claims against Amax Gold Inc. and the two
subsidiaries. The Registrant timely moved for reconsideration of the court's
November 1995 order. To date no hearing or ruling has occurred with respect to
such motion.
Following the court's November 1995 order, the defendant, Amax Gold
Inc., removed the claim against it by Kershaw to the Federal District Court for
the District of South Carolina. Kershaw filed its amended complaint in this
action on January 29, 1996 alleging tortious interference and civil conspiracy.
Discovery was completed in August 1996 and a trial date is now anticipated in
early 1997.
On May 24, 1995, Lancaster Mining Company, Inc. filed a demand for
arbitration with the American Arbitration Association alleging a breach by the
Registrant of obligations under the Venture Agreement, seeking to recover costs
incurred, and taking the position that "future costs are not waived, but are
specifically preserved." The Registrant has taken the position before both the
court and the American Arbitration Association that the dispute is not
arbitrable under the terms of the Venture Agreement, and objected to the
arbitration proceedings. Nevertheless, the arbitration proceedings were
conducted in early 1996 before an arbitration panel of the American Arbitration
Association.
On March 5, 1996, the arbitration panel rendered an award calling for
the Registrant to pay approximately $1,370,000 of the disputed expenses to
Lancaster Mining Company, Inc. According to the award, the administrative and
arbitrators' fees and expenses, totalling approximately $66,000, are to be
borne equally by the parties. In August 1996, the award was confirmed by the
U.S. District Court in South Carolina and judgement was entered on the award.
The Registrant filed a notice of appeal.
On September 9, 1996, the Registrant and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Kershaw Gold Company, Inc., filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of
North Carolina. Such filings automatically stayed the enforcement of the
judgement on the arbitration award. After a hearing, the Bankruptcy Court
dismissed the petitions on October 30, 1996, thereby terminating the automatic
stay. Notices of appeal from such dismissals have been filed. Lancaster
Mining Company, Inc. has commenced proceedings to enforce its judgement, and in
November 1996 the Registrant began selling its remaining shares of AGI Common
Stock for the purpose of applying the proceeds to satisfaction of the
judgement.
The expenses that are the subject of the arbitration award are
reflected as current liabilities on the Registrant's financial statements.
17
<PAGE> 18
Item 5. Other Information
In its Current Report on Form 8-K for September 9, 1996, the
Registrant reported the filing by the Registrant and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Kershaw Gold Company, Inc., of the petitions for relief under
Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code discussed in Item 1 above. As
discussed in Item 1 above, such petitions were dismissed on October 30, 1996.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
27 Financial Data Schedule
(filed in electronic format only)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K for
September 9, 1996, reporting under Item 3 thereof the
filing of the bankruptcy petitions described in Items
1 and 5 of this report.
18
<PAGE> 19
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
PIEDMONT MINING COMPANY, INC.
Date: November 13, 1996 By /s/ Robert M. Shields, Jr.
----------------------------
Robert M. Shields, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
19
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE REGISTRANT FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS FILED WITH ITS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-QSB
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<CASH> 278,000
<SECURITIES> 1,058,000
<RECEIVABLES> 28,000
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,367,000
<PP&E> 259,000
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,384,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,398,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 11,157,000
<OTHER-SE> (10,523,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,384,000
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 8,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 772,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> (780,000)
<INCOME-TAX> 178,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (958,000)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (958,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.06)
</TABLE>
