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THIS PROSPECTUS IS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(1)
Registration No. 333-26547
[ALTA GOLD CO. LOGO]
COMMON STOCK
The shares offered hereby (the "Shares") consist of up to
7,746,316 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share (the
"Common Stock"), of Alta Gold Co., a Nevada corporation (the
"Company"), which may be issuable by the Company to the persons
listed herein under "Selling Stockholders" (the "Selling
Stockholders") upon conversion of the $10 million in aggregate
principal amount of convertible debentures (the "Debentures"),
together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, issued to the
Selling Stockholders by the Company on April 14, 1997, pursuant
to the terms of a certain Securities Purchase Agreement by and
between the Selling Stockholders and the Company (the "Purchase
Agreement"). The Debentures are convertible into shares of
Common Stock based on the "Conversion Price" at the time of
conversion. The "Conversion Price" is the lesser of (i) 90% of
the average of the closing bid price for the Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market, or on the principal securities exchange
or other securities market on which the Common Stock is then
being traded (as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets) for the
five consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to
the date the conversion notice is sent by the holder of the
Debenture to the Company, and (ii) $4.00 per share (subject to
equitable adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, rights
offerings, combinations, recapitalization, reclassifications and
similar events). Solely for purposes of estimating the number of
shares included in the registration statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, the number of Shares covered for sale by
this Prospectus equals approximately 200% of the number of shares
of Common Stock into which the Debentures were convertible on
June 18, 1997, which date was arbitrarily selected. As of
June 18, 1997, the Debentures were convertible into 3,873,158
shares of Common Stock based on a Conversion Price of $2.581875
(90% of the average of the closing bid price for the Common Stock
on the Nasdaq National Market for the five consecutive trading
days ended June 17, 1997 or $2.86875), assuming that accrued
interest is paid in cash. At the date hereof, the Debentures may
be converted at any time and from time to time in an amount equal
to any part of the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of the
Debentures of at least $50,000, or such lesser amount as remains
unpaid at the time of the conversion. This Prospectus covers the
sale of the Shares from time to time by the Selling Stockholders.
The issuance of the Shares upon conversion of the Debentures is
not covered by this Prospectus, rather only the resale of such
Shares by the Selling Stockholders or their respective pledgees,
donees, transferees or other successors in interest.
The Shares may be offered from time to time by the Selling
Stockholders or their respective pledgees, donees, transferees or
other successors in interest. All expenses of the registration
of the Shares are being borne by the Company. Any brokers' or
underwriters' fees or commissions incurred by the Selling
Stockholders in connection with the sale of the Shares will be
borne by the Selling Stockholders. The Company will not receive
any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling
Stockholders.
The Selling Stockholders have not advised the Company of any
specific plans for the distribution of the Shares covered by this
Prospectus, but it is anticipated that the Shares will be sold
from time to time by the Selling Stockholders or their respective
pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest,
primarily in transactions (which may include block transactions)
on the Nasdaq National Market, or such other market on which the
Company's securities may from time to time be trading at the
market price then prevailing, although sales may also be made in
negotiated transactions or otherwise. The Selling
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Stockholders and the brokers and dealers through whom sales of
the Shares may be made may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and their commissions or discount and other
compensation may be regarded as underwriters' compensation. See
"Plan of Distribution."
The aggregate proceeds to the Selling Stockholders from the
sale of the Shares will be the sale price of the Shares sold,
less the aggregate underwriters' commissions and discounts, if
any, and the expenses of distribution not borne by the Company.
The Company has agreed to pay certain expenses of the
registration of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders. The
Company will not receive any proceeds directly from the sale of
the Shares by the Selling Stockholders. See "Use of Proceeds."
The Common Stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "ALTA." On June 17, 1997, the last
reported sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market was $2.8125 per share.
THERE ARE CERTAIN RISK FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
BEFORE PURCHASING THE SHARES. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON
PAGE 5.
__________________________________________
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is June 20, 1997.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 3
THE COMPANY 4
RISK FACTORS 5
USE OF PROCEEDS 13
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS 13
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 15
LEGAL MATTERS 16
EXPERTS 16
AVAILABLE INFORMATION 16
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INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which have been filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), are hereby incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus:
(i) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996;
(ii) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997;
(iii) The Company's Form 8-K for an event dated January 20,
1997;
(iv) The Company's Form 8-K for an event dated April 10,
1997;
(v) The Company's Form 8-K for an event dated April 14,
1997;
(vi) The Company's proxy statement on Schedule 14A for the
Company's annual meeting of stockholders to be held on
June 13, 1997; and
(vii) The description of the Common Stock contained in the
Company's registration statement on Form S-3, Amendment
No. 4 (Registration No. 33-84046), as filed with the
Commission under the Securities Act.
All documents filed by the Company after the date of this
Prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
and prior to the termination of the offering hereunder shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and
to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute
a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or
oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the
documents incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits
to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference in such documents). Written requests
for such copies should be directed to Margo R. Bergeson,
Secretary, Alta Gold Co., at the Company's principal executive
offices located at 601 Whitney Ranch Drive, Suite 10, Henderson,
Nevada 89014. Telephone requests may be directed to Ms. Bergeson
at (702) 433-8525.
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THE COMPANY
The Company is engaged in the exploration, development,
mining and production of gold on properties located in Nevada.
The Company also has three base metals properties in the western
United States which are in various stages of development. The
Company operates solely in the metals mining industry segment.
The Company was incorporated in Nevada on May 7, 1962, under the
name of Silver King Mines, Inc. On November 24, 1989, the
Company merged with Pacific Silver Corporation, and the Company's
name was changed to Alta Gold Co. The Company's principal
executive offices are located at 601 Whitney Ranch Drive, Suite
10, Henderson, Nevada 89014, and its telephone number is
(702) 433-8525.
In 1991, the Company ceased mining activities because of
higher than expected mining costs, and lower than anticipated ore
grades and recoveries, as well as declining gold prices.
Following a change in management and the implementation of a new
mining plan, the Company resumed mining in 1993 at the Easy
Junior mine ("Easy Junior") located near Ely, Nevada. In 1994,
the Company acquired three gold properties, the Kinsley mine
("Kinsley") located in Elko County, Nevada, the Olinghouse
property ("Olinghouse") located in Washoe County, Nevada, and the
Griffon property ("Griffon") located in White Pine County,
Nevada, and one copper property, the Copper Flat property
("Copper Flat") located in Sierra County, New Mexico. Kinsley
was permitted, developed and put into operation in October 1994,
and the Company completed mining all reserves at Easy Junior in
August 1994.
In 1995, the Company (i) produced 53,063 ounces of gold at
Easy Junior and Kinsley; (ii) continued mining activities at
Kinsley; (iii) continued permitting and development drilling at
Olinghouse and Griffon, (iv) continued permitting at Copper Flat;
and (v) sold its remaining royalty interest in a copper property.
In 1996, the Company (i) produced 49,486 ounces of gold at Easy
Junior and Kinsley; (ii) completed gold processing at Easy
Junior; (iii) continued mining activities at Kinsley;
(iv) continued permitting, development drilling and mine planning
at Olinghouse, as well as preparing a feasibility study;
(v) continued permitting and mine planning at Griffon;
(vi) continued permitting at Copper Flat; (vii) acquired control
of the Excalibur property ("Excalibur") located in Mineral
County, Nevada; and (viii) entered into an agreement giving the
Company an option to acquire a 50% interest in, and right to
manage, the Osceola property ("Osceola") located in White Pine
County, Nevada.
Currently, the Company is (i) continuing to conduct mining
activities at Kinsley; (ii) continuing to permit and conduct
development drilling and mine planning, as well as completing a
feasibility study, at Olinghouse; (iii) continuing to permit and
conduct mine planning at Griffon; (iv) continuing to permit
Copper Flat; and (v) conducting exploration at Excalibur and
drilling at Osceola.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In May 1997, the Company recorded a one-time extraordinary
gain in the amount of $784,000 on the early retirement of debt.
The transaction involved the early retirement of a $4.0 million
zero coupon debenture due in 2008 (the "Zero Coupon Debenture")
which had a net book value of $1.6 million as of April 30, 1997.
The Company paid the holder of the Zero Coupon Debenture cash in
the amount of $750,000 in exchange for the full and complete
satisfaction of the Zero Coupon Debenture and the termination of
an associated agreement under which the holder of the Zero Coupon
Debenture had the right to receive up to $4.0 million in
royalties from production at Copper Flat.
In May 1997, the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") revised
its schedule for issuing a Record of Decision for Olinghouse. As
recently as March 1997, the Company believed that a Record of
Decision
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would be received by the end of the second quarter of 1997, at
which time site development and mining was scheduled to begin at
Olinghouse. Based on the recently revised schedule issued by the
BLM regarding the issuance of the Record of Decision and the
likelihood of resultant third-party appeals, the Company
currently does not expect site development and mining to begin at
Olinghouse until the first quarter of 1998.
In April 1997, a final Environmental Impact Statement was
published, and a Record of Decision for Griffin was issued by the
U.S. Forest Service. On June 5, 1997, the Building and
Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada ("BCT") filed an
appeal and a request for a stay on the Record of Decision. The
Company believes that the appeal and request for a stay are
without merit, and the Company is attempting to resolve the
underlying issues raised by BCT. As a result of the appeal and
request for a stay, commencement of site development and mining
at Griffon, originally scheduled to begin June 18, 1997, is
expected to be delayed by at least two months.
In April 1997, the Company increased its land position at
Olinghouse by more than 50% from approximately 4,300 acres to
more than 6,700 acres. The Company increased its position by
staking an additional 140 mining claims in an area which had
previously been withdrawn by the federal government. As a
result, the Company has secured the mineralized trend at
Olinghouse, which is approximately five-miles long and one-mile
wide.
RISK FACTORS
EXCEPT FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, THE MATTERS DISCUSSED HEREIN CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF SECTION
27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SECTION 21E OF THE EXCHANGE ACT,
INCLUDING MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE COMPANY'S
RESERVES, TIMING OF RECEIPT OF GOVERNMENT PERMITS, PLANNED DATES
FOR COMMENCEMENT OF PRODUCTION AT THE COMPANY'S MINING
PROPERTIES, AND ANTICIPATED DRILLING AND RECLAMATION
EXPENDITURES. SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE INHERENTLY
UNCERTAIN, AND INVESTORS MUST RECOGNIZE THAT ACTUAL RESULTS MAY
DIFFER FROM MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS. KEY FACTORS IMPACTING
CURRENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY INCLUDE THE FACTORS
DISCUSSED BELOW.
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SHARES SHOULD CONSIDER
CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE MAKING AN
INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES.
CURRENT DEPENDENCE ON A SINGLE OPERATING PROPERTY
All of the Company's operating revenues are currently
derived from its mining operations at Kinsley. Mining activities
at Kinsley commenced in the fourth quarter of 1994, and gold
production therefrom began in January 1995. Although the Company
has not experienced any serious interruption in production at
Kinsley, if the operations at Kinsley were reduced, interrupted
or curtailed, the Company's ability to generate operating
revenues and earnings would be materially and adversely affected,
unless and until other properties were put into production.
LIMITED LIFE OF MINING PROJECTS
The Company derives all of its operating revenues from
mining projects which have a limited life. Based upon the
reserves estimate as of December 31, 1996, and the results of
drilling conducted since that date, the Company expects mining
activities at Kinsley to continue at least through the second
fiscal quarter of 1998, and gold production from heap leaching
and pad rinsing to continue in declining amounts from 1998
through at least mid-1999. No assurance can be given that the
estimated time for completion of mining activities or gold
production at Kinsley is accurate. The Company has not yet
initiated production at any of its primary development stage
properties, Olinghouse, Griffon, or Copper Flat. The Company's
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ability to generate future operating revenues and earnings after
Kinsley is depleted is dependent on its ability to bring one or
more of these or other properties into production. The
commencement of production at these properties is subject to,
among other things, obtaining necessary government permits and
obtaining outside sources of funding. No assurance can be given
that the Company will have any mining properties in operation
once the mining and processing of ore from Kinsley or other
future operating properties, if any, are completed.
GOVERNMENT PERMITS AND PROJECT DELAYS
The Company is seeking government permits and approvals for
the development of Olinghouse, Griffon and Copper Flat.
Obtaining the necessary government permits is a complex and time-
consuming process involving numerous federal, state and local
agencies. The duration and success of each permitting effort are
contingent upon many variables not within the Company's control.
Notwithstanding the Company's good faith expectations, no
assurance can be given that any government permit or approval
will be issued when anticipated or without conditions that may
have a material adverse effect on the project. In the context of
environmental permitting, including the approval of reclamation
plans, the Company must comply with existing standards, laws and
regulations which may entail unexpected costs and delays
depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted and the
interpretation of the regulations implemented by the permitting
authority. Substantial delays in obtaining, or a failure to
obtain, certain government permits or approvals without
burdensome conditions could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and operations.
In the event that Griffon is not in production by October 1,
1997 for reasons other than "force majeure," which term as
defined in the acquisition agreement includes any government-
imposed delays, the Company may be required to reconvey Griffon
to the seller. As of December 31, 1996, the Company had invested
$0.9 million in Griffon. Although the Company currently
anticipates receiving the necessary permits prior to October 1,
1997, no assurance can be given that the Company will receive
such government permits in a timely manner, if at all. See "The
Company - Recent Developments."
An owner of real property known as the Ladder Ranch, near
Copper Flat in New Mexico, has threatened to challenge the
permitting and opening of Copper Flat. The owner of the Ladder
Ranch has raised concerns that operations at Copper Flat would
affect his quality of life and is allegedly concerned about the
impact of Copper Flat's operations on the environment. The
Company believes that the allegations made by the owner of the
Ladder Ranch are without merit, and it intends to vigorously
defend any such challenge to Copper Flat. However, no assurance
can be given that any such challenge will not prevent or delay
the permitting or opening of Copper Flat.
UNCERTAINTY OF FUNDING
Mining operations require a substantial amount of capital
prior to the commencement of, and in connection with, the actual
production of gold. Such capital requirements relate to the
costs of, among other things, acquiring mining claims and
properties, obtaining government permits, exploration and
delineation drilling to determine the underground configuration
of the ore body, designing and constructing the mine and process
facilities, purchasing and maintaining mining equipment, and
complying with bonding requirements established by various
regulatory agencies regarding the future restoration and
reclamation activities for each property.
For 1997, the Company has budgeted cash expenditures of
(i) $2.2 million for permitting and holding costs at Olinghouse,
Griffon and Copper Flat, (ii) $5.7 million for site development,
equipment purchases and working capital at Griffon, (iii) $2.0
million for debt repayments and associated interest,
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(iv) $0.5 million for reclamation, and (v) $1.8 million for
drilling and related activities - $0.8 million for Olinghouse,
$0.4 million for Kinsley and $0.6 million for other properties,
including Griffon, Osceola, Excalibur and other properties that
may be acquired. In addition to funds generated from gold
production at Kinsley, the net proceeds from the sale of the
Debentures and the net proceeds of an $8.5 million loan from
Gerald Metals, Inc. and BHF-Bank Aktiengesellschaft which the
Company obtained in April 1997, the Company anticipates that it
will require $15.0 - $20.0 million in additional funding in 1998
for site development, equipment purchases and working capital at
Olinghouse. No assurances can be given that the Company will
obtain financing on terms that are favorable to the Company or in
the necessary amounts.
The Company's ability to obtain additional financing will
depend upon, among other things, the receipt of government
permits for Olinghouse and Griffon, the completion of an
acceptable feasibility study for Olinghouse and the market price
of gold and perceptions of future gold prices. Therefore, the
availability of financing is dependent largely upon factors
outside of the Company's control, and cannot be accurately
predicted. The failure of the Company to obtain additional
financing could have a material adverse effect upon its financial
condition and results of operations.
VOLATILITY OF THE PRICE OF GOLD
The profitability of the Company's current operations is
affected by the market price of gold. Gold prices can fluctuate
widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's
control, including industrial and jewelry demand, expectations
with respect to the rate of inflation, the strength of the U.S.
dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally
quoted) and of other currencies, interest rates, central bank
sales, forward sales by producers, global or regional political
or economic events and production costs in major gold-producing
regions such as South Africa and the former Soviet Union. In
addition, the price of gold sometimes is subject to rapid short-
term changes because of speculative activities.
The demand for and supply of gold affect gold prices, but
not necessarily in the same manner as supply and demand may
affect the prices of other commodities. The supply of gold
consists of a combination of new mine production and existing
stocks of bullion and fabricated gold held by governments, public
and private financial institutions, industrial organizations and
private individuals. As the amounts produced in any single year
constitute a very small portion of the total potential supply of
gold, normal variations in current production do not necessarily
have a significant impact on the supply of gold or on its price.
If the price of gold should decrease, the value of the
Company's gold properties which are being explored or developed
would also decrease and the Company might not be able to recover
its investment in those properties. The decision to place a mine
in production, and the commitment of funds necessary for that
purpose, must be made well in advance of the time when a mining
company will receive the first revenues from that production.
Price fluctuations between the time that such a decision is made
and the commencement of production can dramatically change the
economics of a mine. If the Company's revenue from gold sales
falls for a substantial period below its costs of production at
any or all of its operations, the Company could determine that it
is not economically feasible to continue commercial production at
any or all of its operations. One of the reasons the Company
ceased gold production activities from 1991 to 1993 was because
of depressed gold prices during that period.
The volatility of gold prices is illustrated in the
following table of annual high and low gold fixing prices per
ounce on the London P.M. Fix:
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YEAR HIGH LOW
1985 $341 $284
1986 438 326
1987 500 436
1988 484 395
1989 416 356
1990 424 346
1991 403 344
1992 360 330
1993 406 326
1994 396 370
1995 396 372
1996 415 367
On June 17, 1997, the afternoon fixing for gold on the
London P.M. Fix was $342.15. Gold prices on the London P.M. Fix
are regularly published in most major financial publications and
many nationally recognized newspapers.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
The Company is required to comply with numerous
environmental laws and regulations imposed by federal and state
authorities. At the federal level, legislation such as the Clean
Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Federal Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (the "RCRA"), the Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, and the National
Environmental Policy Act impose effluent and waste standards,
performance standards, air quality and emissions standards and
other design or operational requirements for various components
of mining and mineral processing, including gold ore mining and
processing. Although the majority of the waste produced by the
Company's operations are "extraction" and "beneficiation" wastes,
which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") does
not regulate under its current "hazardous waste" program, the EPA
is currently developing a separate program under the RCRA to
regulate such waste. Until the new regulatory program is
formally proposed by the EPA, there is not a sufficient basis on
which to predict the potential impacts of such regulations on the
Company.
Many states, including the State of Nevada (where a majority
of the Company's properties are located), have also adopted
regulations that establish design, operation, monitoring, and
closing requirements for mining operations. Under these
regulations, mining companies are required to provide a
reclamation plan and financial assurance to insure that the
reclamation plan is implemented upon completion of mining
operations. Additionally, Nevada and other states require mining
operations to obtain and comply with environmental permits,
including permits regarding air emissions and the protection of
surface water and groundwater.
The Company's compliance with federal and state
environmental laws may necessitate significant capital outlays or
delays, may materially and adversely affect the economics of a
given property, or may cause material changes or delays in the
Company's intended exploration, development and production
activities. Further, new or different environmental standards
imposed by governmental authorities in the future could adversely
affect the Company's business activities.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE MINING INDUSTRY
During the past several years, the U.S. Congress considered
a number of proposed amendments to the General Mining Law of
1872, as amended (the "General Mining Law") which governs mining
claims
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and related activities on federal lands. In 1992, a holding fee
of $100 per claim was imposed upon unpatented mining claims
located on federal lands. Beginning in October 1994, a
moratorium on processing of new patent applications was approved.
In addition, a variety of legislation is now pending before the
U.S. Congress to amend further the General Mining Law. The
proposed legislation would, among other things, change the
current patenting procedures, limit the rights obtained in a
patent, impose royalties on unpatented claims, and enact new
reclamation, environmental controls and restoration requirements.
The royalty proposals range from a 2% royalty on net profits from
mining claims to an 8% royalty on modified gross income/net
smelter returns. The extent of any such changes that may be
enacted is not presently known, and the potential impact on the
Company as a result of future congressional action is difficult
to predict. If enacted, the proposed legislation could adversely
affect the economics of development of operating mines on the
federal unpatented mining claims held by the Company. Many of
the Company's properties, including Kinsley, Griffon and portions
of Olinghouse and Copper Flat, consist of unpatented mining
claims on federal lands. The Company's financial performance
could therefore be materially and adversely affected by passage
of all or pertinent parts of the proposed legislation.
UNCERTAINTY OF DEVELOPMENT PROPERTY ECONOMICS
Exploration for and production of minerals is highly
speculative and involves greater risks than are inherent in many
other industries. Many exploration programs do not result in the
discovery of mineralization, and any mineralization discovered
may not be of sufficient quantity or quality to be profitably
mined. Also, because of the uncertainties in determining
metallurgical amenability of any minerals discovered, the mere
discovery of mineralization may not warrant the mining of the
minerals on the basis of available technology.
The Company's decision as to whether any of the mineral
development properties it now holds or which it may acquire in
the future contain commercially minable deposits, and whether
such properties should be brought into production, depends upon
the results of its exploration programs and/or feasibility
analyses and the recommendations of engineers and geologists.
The decision will involve the consideration and evaluation of a
number of significant factors, including, but not limited to,
the: (i) receipt of government permits; (ii) costs of bringing
the property into production, including exploration and
development work, preparation of feasibility studies and
construction of production facilities; (iii) availability and
costs of financing; (iv) ongoing costs of production; (v) market
prices for the metals to be produced; and (vi) estimates of
reserves or mineralization. No assurance can be given that any of
the development properties the Company owns, leases or acquires
contain, or will contain, commercially minable mineral deposits,
and no assurance can be given that the Company will ever generate
a positive cash flow from production operations on such
properties. The Company has identified Olinghouse, Griffon and
Copper Flat as having minable reserves. No assurance can be
given, however, that any of these development properties can
attain profitable operations.
COMPETITION AND SCARCITY OF MINERAL LANDS
Although many companies and individuals are engaged in the
mining business, including large, established mining companies,
there is a limited supply of desirable mineral lands available
for claim staking, lease or other acquisition in the United
States and other areas where the Company contemplates conducting
exploration and/or production activities. The Company may be at
a competitive disadvantage in acquiring suitable mining
properties since it must compete with these other individuals and
companies, many of which have greater financial resources and
larger technical staffs than the Company. As a result, there can
be no assurance the Company will be able to acquire new reserves
or replace its current reserves once they are depleted.
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RESERVES ESTIMATES
The reserves reported by the Company are based upon
estimates, and no assurance can be given that the Company will
recover the indicated amount of metals. Further, estimated
reserves for properties that have not yet commenced production
(such as Olinghouse, Griffon and Copper Flat) may require
revision if the Company commences actual production.
Fluctuations in the market price of the metals produced by the
Company, as well as increased production costs or reduced
recovery rates, could make the mining of ore reserves containing
relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomic, and could
ultimately cause the Company to restate its reserves. Moreover,
short-term operating factors relating to the ore reserves, such
as the need for sequential development of ore bodies and the
processing of new or different ore grades, could adversely affect
the Company's profitability in any particular accounting period.
UNCERTAINTY OF TITLE
A majority of the Company's properties consist of unpatented
mining claims or mill site claims which the Company owns or
leases. These claims are located on federal land or involve
mineral rights which are subject to the claims procedures
established by the General Mining Law. Under this law, if a
claimant complies with the statute and the regulations for the
location of a mining claim or mill site claim, the claimant
obtains a valid possessory right to the land or the minerals
contained therein. To preserve an otherwise valid claim, the
claimant must also make certain additional filings with the
county in which the land or mineral is situated and the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management and pay an annual holding fee of $100
per claim. If a claimant fails to make the annual holding
payment or make the required filings, the mining claim or mill
site claim is void or voidable.
Because mining claims and mill site claims are self-
initiated and self-maintained rights, they are subject to unique
vulnerabilities not associated with other types of property
interests. It is difficult to ascertain the validity of
unpatented mining claims or mill site claims from public property
records and, therefore, it is difficult to confirm that a
claimant has followed all of the requisite steps for the
initiation and maintenance of a claim. The General Mining Law
requires the discovery of a valuable mineral on each mining claim
in order for such claim to be valid, and mining claims may be
challenged by rival mining claimants and the United States
government. Under judicial interpretations of the rule of
discovery, the mining claimant has the burden of proving that the
mineral found is of such quality and quantity as to justify
further development, and that the deposit is of such value that
it can be mined, removed and disposed of at a profit. The burden
of showing that there is a present profitable market applies not
only to the time when the claim was located, but also to the time
when such claim's validity is challenged. It is therefore
conceivable that, during times of falling metal prices, claims
which were valid when they were located could become invalid if
challenged.
Title to unpatented claims and other mining properties in
the western United States typically involves certain other
inherent risks due to the frequently ambiguous conveyance history
of those properties, as well as the frequently ambiguous or
imprecise language of mining leases, agreements and royalty
obligations. No generally applicable title insurance is
available for mining or mill site claims. As a result, some of
the titles to the Company's properties may be subject to
challenge.
MINING RISKS AND INSURANCE
The Company's operations are subject to all of the operating
hazards and risks normally incident to exploring for and
developing mineral properties, such as unusual or unexpected
geological formations, environmental pollution, personal
injuries, flooding, cave-ins, changes in technology or mining
techniques, periodic interruptions because of inclement weather
and industrial accidents. Although the Company
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<PAGE>
currently maintains insurance within ranges of coverage
consistent with industry practice to ameliorate some of these
risks, no assurance can be given that such insurance will
continue to be available at economically feasible rates, or that
the Company's insurance is adequate to cover the risks and
potential liabilities associated with exploring, owning and
operating its properties. Insurance against environmental risks
is not generally available to the Company or to other companies
in the mining industry.
RISK OF HEDGING STRATEGIES
In order to mitigate some of the risks associated with
fluctuating gold prices, the Company has in the past and may in
the future use various price hedging strategies, such as selling
future contracts for gold, or using call and put options, to lock
in delivery prices for its gold production. The Company
continually evaluates the potential short- and long-term benefits
of engaging in such price hedging strategies based upon the then
current market conditions. In addition, lenders may from time to
time require the Company to use such hedging strategies. No
assurance can be given, however, that the use of price hedging
strategies will always benefit the Company. There is a
possibility that the Company could lock in forward deliveries at
prices lower than the market price at the time of delivery. The
Company could also be subject to margin calls if the market price
of gold were to significantly rise above the contracted forward
delivery prices, which could materially and adversely affect the
Company's cash flows and financial condition. In addition, the
Company could fail to produce enough gold to satisfy its forward
delivery obligations, causing the Company to purchase gold in the
spot market at higher prices to fulfill its delivery obligations.
UNKNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES FOR PAST ACTIVITIES
Mining operations involve a potential risk of releases to
soil, surface water and groundwater of metals, chemicals, fuels,
liquids having acidic properties and other contaminants. In
recent years, regulatory requirements and improved technology
have significantly reduced those risks. However, those risks
have not been eliminated, and the risk of environmental
contamination from present and past mining activities exists for
mining companies. Companies may be liable for environmental
contamination and natural resource damages relating to properties
which they currently own or operate or at which environmental
contamination occurred while or before they owned or operated the
properties. The Company has conducted limited reviews of
potential environmental cleanup liability at its operating and
primary development properties, as well as other properties
acquired by the Company subsequent to 1992. The Company has
conducted limited or no reviews of potential environmental
cleanup liability at other properties owned currently or
previously by the Company. On a few occasions at operating
sites, the Company has detected leaks in excess of allowable
rates in the primary liners at heap leach pads or ponds. In each
such case, the pad or pond was equipped with a second liner and
either the location of the leak in the primary liner was taken
out of service or the leak was repaired. Other than known
conditions which will be remediated pursuant to approved or
proposed reclamation plans, the Company is not aware of any
significant environmental contamination which could give rise to
cleanup obligations or natural resource damages on the part of
the Company as a result of past activities (by the Company or
others) on these properties. However, no assurance can be given
that potential liabilities for such contamination or damages
caused by past activities at these properties do not exist.
WORKING CAPITAL DEFICIT
As of December 31, 1996, and 1995, the Company had $2.6
million and $0.3 million working capital deficits, respectively.
No assurance can be given that the Company's working capital
position will improve.
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<PAGE>
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company is dependent on the services of certain key
executives, including Robert N. Pratt, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and John A.
Bielun, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The
loss of either of these individuals could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business and operations. The Company
currently does not have key person insurance on these
individuals. The Company has entered into employment agreements
with certain of its key executives, including Messrs. Pratt and
Bielun. Each of these employment agreements expires in October
1998.
EFFECT OF CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
The Company's Bylaws contain certain measures designed to
make it more difficult and time consuming to change majority
control of the Company's Board of Directors and to reduce the
vulnerability of the Company to an unsolicited offer to take
control of the Company. The Company has also entered into
employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and Vice President of Engineering and
Construction which provide for certain payments upon termination
or resignation resulting from a change in control of the Company.
Furthermore, Nevada's "Combination with Interested Stockholders
Statute" and "Control Share Acquisition Statute" may have the
effect of delaying or making it more difficult to effect a change
in control of the Company.
These corporate and statutory anti-takeover measures may
have certain negative consequences, including an effect on the
ability of stockholders of the Company or other individuals to
(i) change the composition of the incumbent Board of Directors;
(ii) benefit from certain transactions which are opposed by the
incumbent Board of Directors; and (iii) make a tender offer or
otherwise attempt to gain control of the Company, even if such
attempt were beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
Since such measures may also discourage accumulations of large
blocks of Common Stock by purchasers whose objective is to seek
control of the Company or have such Common Stock repurchased by
the Company (or other persons) at a premium, these measures could
also depress the market price of the Common Stock. Accordingly,
stockholders may be deprived of certain opportunities to realize
a control premium associated with certain takeover attempts.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS
The Company periodically considers the acquisition of mining
claims, properties and businesses. In connection with any such
future acquisitions, the Company may incur indebtedness or issue
equity securities, resulting in the dilution of the percentage
ownership of the Company of existing stockholders. The Company
intends to seek stockholder approval for any such acquisitions
only to the extent required by applicable law, regulations or
stock market listing rules.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
The sale, or availability for sale, of substantial amounts
of Common Stock in the public market subsequent to the conversion
of the Debentures may adversely affect the prevailing market
price of Common Stock and may impair the Company's ability to
raise additional capital by the sale of its equity securities.
The Company will have 33,077,250 shares of Common Stock
outstanding at the date hereof if all of the Debentures are
converted to Shares (assuming a hypothetical Conversion Price of
$2.581875), of which 648,137 shares and options to purchase an
additional 1,120,500 shares are beneficially owned by executive
officers and directors of the Company. Approximately 31,612,766
shares will be freely transferable without restriction in the
United States. The Company believes that the balance of such
shares
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<PAGE>
(approximately 1,464,484 shares) will be transferable in the
United States only in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144
("Rule 144") under the Securities Act, including, but not
limited, to the holding period and volume restrictions of
Rule 144. Some of these shares may be freely transferable under
Rule 144(k) because they appear from the Company's records to
have been held by non-affiliates of the Company for at least two
years.
In addition, up to approximately 2,177,209 shares of Common
Stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
options, and 450,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued upon
the exercise of warrants. Of the foregoing shares, 35,700 are
subject to the rights of holders of options to piggyback
registration, and 400,000 of the foregoing shares are subject to
the rights of holders of warrants to demand registration upon the
exercise of such warrants, provided that the warrants have been
exercised with respect to at least 100,000 shares.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
the Shares by the Selling Stockholders. The aggregate proceeds
to the Selling Stockholders from the sale of the Shares will be
the sale price of the Shares sold, less the aggregate
underwriters' commissions and discounts, if any, and the expenses
of distribution not borne by the Company. The Company has agreed
to pay certain expenses of the registration of the Shares by the
Selling Stockholders.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The table below sets forth the names of the Selling
Stockholders, the number of Shares which may be sold respectively
by the Selling Stockholders as of the date of this Prospectus
(assuming a hypothetical Conversion Price of $2.581875),
regardless of whether such Selling Stockholders have a present
intent to sell, and the number of Shares which may be offered for
resale pursuant to this Prospectus. The number of Shares
included in the registration statement on file with the
Commission of which this Prospectus is a part (i) is based, in
part, upon an estimate of the number of Shares underlying the
Debentures utilizing a hypothetical Conversion Price of
$2.581875, (ii) is subject to adjustment and (iii) could be
materially less or more than such estimated amount depending on
factors which cannot be predicted by the Company at this time,
including, among others, the future market price of the Common
Stock. The use of such hypothetical price is not intended, and
should in no way be construed, to constitute a prediction as to
the future market price of the Common Stock.
Except for the ownership of the Debentures and any Shares on
conversion thereof, the Selling Stockholders have not had any
material relationship with the Company or any of its predecessors
or affiliates within the past three years. The information
included below is based upon information provided by the Selling
Stockholders. Because the Selling Stockholders may offer all,
some or none of the Shares, no definitive estimate as to the
number of Shares thereof that will be held by the Selling
Stockholders after this offering of the Shares can be provided
and the table below has been prepared on the assumption that all
of the Shares offered under this Prospectus will be sold to
unaffiliated parties. The Shares are being registered to permit
public secondary trading of the Shares, and the Selling
Stockholders may offer the Shares for resale from time to time.
See "Plan of Distribution."
The Shares being offered by the Selling Stockholders hereby
are issuable by the Company to the Selling Stockholders upon
conversion of the Debentures. The Debentures were issued by the
Company to the Selling Stockholders pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement. The Debentures are convertible into shares of Common
Stock based on the Conversion Price at the time of conversion.
The Conversion Price is the
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lesser of (i) 90% of the average of the closing bid price for the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market, or on the principal
securities exchange or other securities market on which the
Common Stock is then being traded (as reported by Bloomberg
Financial Markets) for the five consecutive trading days ending
on the trading day prior to the date the conversion notice is
sent by the holder of the Debenture to the Company, and (ii)
$4.00 per share (subject to equitable adjustments for stock
splits, stock dividends, rights offerings, combinations,
recapitalization, reclassifications and similar events). At the
date hereof, the Debentures may be converted at any time and from
time to time in an amount equal to any part of the outstanding
and unpaid principal amount of the Debentures of at least
$50,000, or such lesser amount as remains unpaid at the time of
the conversion.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES PERCENTAGE
NUMBER OF BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
SHARES NUMBER OF OWNED AFTER OWNED AFTER
BENEFICIALLY SHARES THAT THE SALE OF THE THE SALE OF
SELLING STOCKHOLDER OWNED 1,2,3 MAY BE SOLD 3,4 SHARES 5 THE SHARES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
RGC International 1,549,262 1,549,262 0 0
Investors, LDC
The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. 580,974 580,974 0 0
European American 154,927 154,927 0 0
Securities, Inc.
Nelson Partners 387,316 387,316 0 0
Olympus Securities, Ltd. 387,316 387,316 0 0
Halifax Fund L.P. 387,316 387,316 0 0
Keyway Investments Ltd. 426,047 426,047 0 0
<FN>
____________________
1 The Selling Stockholders will have sole voting and sole
investment power with respect to all Shares owned.
2 Consists of the actual number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the complete conversion of the Debentures. The
calculation of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
complete conversion of the Debentures, assuming that accrued
interest is paid in cash, assumes a Conversion Price of
$2.581875, which price is 90% of the average of the closing
bid price for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market
for the five consecutive trading days ended June 17, 1997
(which was $2.86875), which date was arbitrarily selected.
Therefore, the assumed Conversion Price results in Share
ownership which may differ from what actual Share ownership
will be on the actual date of the conversion of a particular
Debenture. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the
Debentures, the Debentures are convertible by the holders thereof
only to the extent that the number of shares of Common Stock
to be issued upon a particular conversion or exercise, together
with the number of shares of Common Stock then held by such
holder and its affiliates (excluding shares underlying the
unconverted portion of the Debenture), would not exceed 4.9% of
the then outstanding shares of Common Stock as determined in
accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly,
the number of shares of Common Stock set forth above may exceed
the actual number of Shares that the Selling Stockholders could
own beneficially at any given time upon the complete conversion
of the Debentures. In that regard, beneficial ownership as set
forth in the table is not determined in accordance with Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
3 Except as set forth in footnote 2 above, ownership is
determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
Subject to the provisions of footnote 2 above, the actual number
of Shares beneficially owned and offered for sale hereunder is
subject to adjustment and could be materially less or more
than the estimated amount indicated depending upon factors which
cannot be predicted by the Company at this time, including, among
others, the average of the closing bid price of the Common Stock
during the five consecutive trading days ending one trading day
prior to the actual date of the conversion of a particular
Debenture.
4 Pursuant to agreements between the Selling Stockholders and
the Company, the amount of Common Stock offered under this
Prospectus and included in the registration statement of which
this Prospectus is a part is 200% of the actual amount of Common
Stock (3,873,158) issuable upon the complete conversion of the
Debentures on June 18, 1997, assuming that accrued interest is
paid in cash, and assuming a hypothetical Conversion Price of
$2.581875. In addition, the total amount of Common Stock offered
under this Prospectus and included in the registration statment
of which this Prospectus is a part includes a presently
indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Debentures, as such number may be adjusted as a
result of stock splits, stock dividends and antidilution
provisions (including the floating rate conversion feature
contained in the Debentures and described herein) in accordance
with Rule 416 of the Securities Act.
5 Assumes the sale of all of the Shares to persons who are not
affiliates of the Selling Stockholders.
</FN>
</TABLE>
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Shares being offered by the Selling Stockholders or
their respective pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors in interest, will be sold in one or more transactions
(which may involve block transactions) on the Nasdaq National
Market or on such other market on which the Common Stock may from
time to time be trading, in privately-negotiated transactions,
though the writing of options on the Shares, short sales or any
combination thereof. The sale price to the public may be the
market price prevailing at the time of sale, a price related to
such prevailing market price or such other price as the Selling
Stockholders determine from time to time. The Shares may also be
sold pursuant to Rule 144. The Selling Stockholders shall have
the sole and absolute discretion not to accept any purchase offer
or make any sale of Shares if they deem the purchase price to be
unsatisfactory at any particular time.
The Selling Stockholders or their respective pledgees,
donees, transferees or other successors in interest, may also
sell the Shares directly to market makers acting as principals
and/or broker-dealers acting as agents for themselves or their
customers. Brokers acting as agents for the Selling Stockholders
will receive usual and customary commissions for brokerage
transactions, and market makers and block purchasers purchasing
the Shares will do so for their own account and at their own
risk. It is possible that a Selling Stockholder will attempt to
sell shares of Common Stock in block transactions to market
makers or other purchasers at a price per share which may be
below the then market price. There can be no assurance that all
or any of the Shares offered hereby will be issued to, or sold
by, the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders and any
brokers, dealers or agents, upon effecting the sale of any of the
Shares offered hereby, may be deemed "underwriters" as that term
is defined under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or the
rules and regulations thereunder.
The Selling Stockholders, alternatively, may sell all or any
part of the Shares offered hereby through an underwriter. No
Selling Stockholder has entered into any agreement with a
prospective underwriter and there is no assurance that any such
agreement will be entered into. If a Selling Stockholder enters
into such an agreement or agreements, the relevant details will
be set forth in a supplement or revisions to this Prospectus.
The Selling Stockholders and any other person participating
in the sale or distribution of the Shares will be subject to
applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, which provisions may limit the timing of
purchases and sales of any of the Shares by the Selling
Stockholders or any other such person. The foregoing may affect
the marketability of the Shares.
Each Selling Stockholder has agreed that as long as
Debentures are outstanding, in the event that the Selling
Stockholder engages in short sale transactions of the Common
Stock during the five consecutive trading days immediately
preceding any conversion date, the Selling Stockholder will, to
the extent within its reasonable control, conduct such activities
so as not to complete or effect any such sale on any trading day
during such period at a price which is lower than the lowest sale
effected on such day by persons other than the Selling
Stockholder. In the event such a sale is completed or effected
at a price lower than the lowest sale effected on such day by
persons other than the Selling Stockholder, such lower price will
not be included in the calculation of the Conversion Price.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling
Stockholders, or their transferees or assignees, against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or
to contribute to payments the Selling Stockholders or their
respective pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in
interest, may be required to make in respect thereof.
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<PAGE>
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Shares being offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company by Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw,
Las Vegas, Nevada.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of the Company incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in
their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing in giving said reports.
The Company's ore reserves incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus have been audited by the independent engineering
firm of Pincock, Allen & Holt, and are included herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as an expert in such
matters.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of
the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
and information statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy and information statements and
other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following Regional Offices of
the Commission: Northwest Atrium Center, 400 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Seven World Trade
Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act, of which this Prospectus constitutes a part, with
respect to the Shares. The Registration Statement, including
exhibits and schedules thereto, may be obtained from the
Commission's principal office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the fees
prescribed by the Commission. Statements contained in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any document referred to are not
necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to
the copy of the appropriate document filed as an exhibit to, or
incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement, each
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. In
addition, the Commission maintains a web site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements, and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. The Company is such a filer. The Commission web
site address is (http://www.sec.gov).
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