fc_10ksb-80131.htm
U.S.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-KSB
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the Fiscal Year Ended
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Commission
File Number
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January
31, 2008
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0-20722
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FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
Delaware
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16-1400479
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(State
of Incorporation)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification)
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Principal
Executive Offices:
3108
Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210
Cameron
Park, CA 95682
(530)
677-5974
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange on Which
Registered
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None
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None
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Title of Each
Class
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Common
Stock |
$0.001 Par
Value |
Check
whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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
Check if
there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be
contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB
or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ X ]
The
issuer’s revenues for its most recent fiscal year were $551,279.
As of May
1, 2008 the aggregate value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant, computed by reference to the average of the bid and ask price on
such date was approximately $59,417,972 based upon the closing price of $0.49
per share.
As of May
1, 2008, the Registrant had outstanding 130,717,460 shares of common
stock.
Transitional
Small Business Disclosure
Format: Yes [ ] No [
X ]
Documents
Incorporated by Reference
Certain
exhibits required by Item 13 have been incorporated by reference from
Firstgold’s previously filed Form 8-K’s, Form 10-QSB and Form
10-KSB.
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Page
of
Report
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PART I |
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ITEM 1. |
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS
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1
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ITEM 2. |
DESCRIPTION
OF PROPERTY
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14
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ITEM 3. |
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
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16
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ITEM 4. |
SUBMISSION OF
MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
17
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PART II |
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ITEM 5. |
MARKET FOR COMMON
EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
18
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ITEM 6. |
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION |
23
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ITEM 7. |
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
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35
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ITEM 8. |
CHANGES IN AND
DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE |
36
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ITEM
8A(T). |
CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES |
36
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PART III |
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ITEM 9. |
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF
THE EXCHANGE ACT |
38
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ITEM 10. |
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
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44
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ITEM 11. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS |
48
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ITEM 12. |
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTION |
51
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ITEM 13. |
EXHIBITS |
53
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ITEM
14. |
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
55
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SIGNATURES |
57
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PART
I
ITEM
1. DESCRIPTION OF
BUSINESS
General
Firstgold
Corp. (“we,” “us,” “our” or “Firstgold”) has a business strategy whereby it will
invest in, explore and if warranted, conduct mining operations of its current
mining properties and other mineral producing properties. Firstgold
is a public company that in the past has been engaged in the acquisition and
exploration of gold-bearing properties in the continental United
States. Currently, Firstgold’s principal assets include various
mineral leases associated with the Relief Canyon Mine located near Lovelock,
Nevada along with various items of mining equipment and improvements located at
that site. Firstgold has also secured rights to explore approximately
25,000 acres of property located in Elko County, Nevada, and has staked claims
on approximately 4,200 acres of land at the Horse Creek exploration project near
Winnemucca, NV, claims on approximately 3,300 acres of land located at it
Honorine Gold exploration project near Winnemucca, NV, and claims on
approximately 2,300 acres of land at its Fairview-Hunter exploration project,
near Fairview, NV.
From 1995
until the beginning of 2000, Firstgold had followed the above described business
activity focusing on the exploration and mining of gold and silver ore
deposits. With the fall of the precious metal markets,
Firstgold attempted to redevelop its business strategy, and from approximately
July 2001 until February 2003 Firstgold discontinued all business
activity. During the period of inactivity, ASDi LLC, an entity
controlled by A. Scott Dockter who is also the Chief Operating Officer of
Firstgold, made the necessary expenditures to maintain the current status of the
Relief Canyon mining claims. In February 2003, Firstgold resumed its
business of acquiring, exploring and if warranted developing its mining
properties.
Firstgold's
mailing address is 3108 Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210, Cameron Park,
CA 95682 and its telephone number is (530) 677-5974.
The
Company
Firstgold
Corp., a Delaware corporation, has been engaged in the acquisition and
exploration of gold-bearing properties in the continental United States since
1995. In fiscal 1999 Firstgold placed its only remaining property,
the Relief Canyon Mine, located in Pershing County, Nevada, on a care and
maintenance status. During fiscal 2000, Firstgold executed a contract
to sell the Relief Canyon Mine to A. Scott Dockter, then Chairman of Firstgold;
however the sale was never completed and the asset remains the property of
Firstgold. It is now Firstgold’s intention to resume mining at the
Relief Canyon Mine. See “Business” below for further
detail.
Firstgold’s
independent accountants have included a “going concern” explanatory paragraph in
their report dated May 15, 2008 on
Firstgold’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008,
indicating substantial doubt about Firstgold’s ability to continue as a going
concern (See Note 2 of Financial Footnotes).
If
Firstgold’s exploration program is not successful or if insufficient funds are
available to carry out Firstgold’s business plans, then Firstgold will not be
able to execute its business plan.
For
financial information regarding Firstgold, see “Financial
Statements.”
Business
Firstgold
is an “exploration stage” company engaged in the search and/or verification of
ore deposits (reserves) in its property. Our business will be to
acquire, explore and, if warranted, develop various mining properties located in
the state of Nevada. We plan to carryout comprehensive exploration
and, if warranted, development programs on our properties. While we
currently plan to fund and conduct these activities ourselves, in the future we
may engage in joint venture, royalty or partnership arrangements pursuant to
which other companies would agree to finance and carryout the exploration and
possible future development programs on our mining properties. Our
current plan will require the hiring of various mining employees to perform
exploration and mining activities for our various mining
properties.
Properties
Relief Canyon
Mine
The
Relief Canyon Mine is an open-pit, heap leaching operation located approximately
110 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. Firstgold held 50 unpatented
mining claims covering approximately 1000 acres until October 2004 at which time
Firstgold completed re-staking the Relief Canyon mill site and lode
claims. Firstgold currently holds a total of 146 claims including 120
mill site claims and 26 unpatented mining claims. The annual payments
to maintain these claims are approximately $15,600. The mine is
readily accessible by improved roads. Water for mining and processing
operations is provided by two wells located on the property in close proximity
to the mine and processing facilities. Power is provided by a local
rural electric association and phone lines are present at the mine
site. Relief Canyon is located in the Humboldt Range, a mining
district in Pershing County, Nevada.
Background and
History
On
January 10, 1995, Firstgold purchased the Relief Canyon mine from J.D. Welsh
& Associates for $500,000. The mine at that time consisted of 39
unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 780 acres and a lease for
access to an additional 800 acres contiguous to the 39 claims located on
Firstgold’s property. When first acquired, the property included a
building containing five carbon tanks and a boiler for carbon strip solution,
four detoxified leach pads, a preg pond for gold bearing solution, a barren pond
for solution from which gold had been removed, water rights, and various
permits. From acquisition through November 1997, Firstgold
refurbished the processing facilities by the purchase and installation of all
equipment required to process the gold bearing leach solution when the mine was
returned to production in 1997. During 1997, Firstgold staked an
additional 402 claims. However, subsequent to January 31, 1998,
Firstgold reduced the total claims to 50 (covering approximately 1,000
acres). In 1999 Firstgold placed the mine in a care and maintenance
status.
If mining
operations are not resumed at the Relief Canyon mine, it is possible Firstgold
may be required to reclaim the mine. Reclamation consists of
recontouring the four heaps to a 3:1 slope, sale and removal of the building and
its contents, evaporation of all water in both ponds and burial of the building
foundation and floor within the ponds' liners under the soil contained in the
pond berms. Finally, native vegetation must be re-established in all
areas of disturbance. A cash bond has been posted which will cover
the cost of these reclamation activities.
During
1996, Repadre Capital Corporation (“Repadre”) purchased for $500,000 a net
smelter return royalty (Repadre Royalty). Repadre was to receive a 1.5% royalty
from production at each of the Relief Canyon Mine and Mission Mines. In July
1997, an additional $300,000 was paid by Repadre for an additional 1% royalty
from the Relief Canyon Mine. In October, 1997, when the Mission Mine lease was
terminated, Repadre exercised its option to transfer the Repadre Royalty solely
to the Relief Canyon Mine resulting in a total 4% royalty. The total amount
received of $800,000 has been recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying
financial statements.
Plan for Relief
Canyon
Based on
past exploration by us and work done by others, we believe the Relief Canyon
Mine presents the potential for gold bearing ore deposits which will hopefully
be validated through further exploration of additional mining
claims.
The
Relief Canyon properties include 146 millsite claims and unpatented mining
claims contained in about 1,000 acres.
Firstgold’s
operating plan is to place the most promising mining targets into production
during the 2008 calendar year, and use the net proceeds from these operations,
if any, to fund expanded exploration and, if warranted, development of its
entire property holdings. By this means, Firstgold intends to
progressively enlarge the scope and scale of the mining and processing
operations, thereby increasing Firstgold’s annual revenues and eventually its
net profits.
Firstgold’s
goals for environmental protection and reclamation are for minimal environmental
disturbance during mining, and reclamation and/or restoration of the disturbed
area after mining ceases. The economics of Firstgold’s operations
will permit this environmentally responsible plan of operations.
We will
initially focus on exploring the North Relief Canyon mining
property. We recently posted a $613,500 reclamation bond with the
Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulations and Reclamation (“BMRR”) which allows us to
apply for new permits for mining and processing on the
property. Posting the reclamation bond completes the Activities of
Compliance mandated by the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) and Nevada
Department of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) before any work can
commence. We have completed all of the environmental work required by
NDEP in the Administrative Order of Consent issued May 2005 (the
AOC). The purpose of the AOC is to bring the Relief Canyon mine up to
current environmental compliance.
On
September 25, 2006 we submitted our “Plan of Operations” for the Relief Canyon
Mining Project to the NDEP. The Plan contains extensive details on
how the mine will operate if and when production is achieved. The
Plan includes an intention to reprocess the existing heaps containing
approximately 8 million tons of ore and the construction of a new heap leach
pad. The Plan also includes facilities and processes which are
compliant with our “Green Initiative” to construct and operate an
environmentally conscience project.
On
October 19, 2006 we received notice from the NDEP that we would be allowed to
attach our current Plan of Operations as an amendment to a previous Plan of
Operations submitted in 1996. This consolidation of Plans is expected
to significantly reduce the processing time and documentation necessary to
secure our production permit from the NDEP which will allow us to commence
processing ore at the Relief Canyon Mining Project. On April 9, 2007
we received notice from the NDEP that Firstgold’s 1996 Plan of Operation had
been reinstated, and that the NDEP was processing the amendment. With
this approval, Firstgold is allowed to proceed at Relief Canyon with onsite
construction, drilling, operations and, if deemed appropriate, production,
subject to final determination and posting of reclamation bonds.
To assist
us in this effort, we have retained Dyer Engineering Consultants, Inc. as our
lead engineering firm for the permitting and compliance engineering work at the
Relief Canyon and other exploration projects in Nevada.
Currently,
we can proceed with the permits to commence full scale exploration and mining
activities. The estimated time for completing the permitting process
is between six months to nine months. However, upon posting the
reclamation bond, we are able to carry on limited operations pending full
permitting for full mining operations.
Description of Past
Exploration and Existing Exploration Efforts
Over 400
historic reverse circulation holes have been drilled at the Relief Canyon
project. Of the 400 holes drilled, 106 had intercepts of gold bearing
ore structures of 0.1 gold/ton content.
The
mineral zone of Relief Canyon is open ended on three sides. It is
projected that ongoing drilling will increase the size of possible
reserves. Most of the drilling to date was targeted for open pit
mining, resulting in shallow holes which did not test for possible deeper ore
deposits. A significant number of deep holes were drilled on the
North end of the property.
In late
May 2007 we completed 57 drill holes on existing heaps at Relief Canyon using
sonic drilling. The patented sonic drill head works by sending high frequency
resonant vibrations down the drill string of the drill bit while the operator
controls the frequencies to suit the specific conditions of the soil/rock
geology. This round of drilling was intended to improve our understanding of the
mineral content in the existing heap leach pads. We have also
completed 83 reverse circulation drill holes in the existing pit area. Fire
assays have been returned on the first 174 of these holes which are designed to
evaluate three specific exploration target areas.
We have
retained SRK Engineering to perform a resource evaluation of the Relief Canyon
Property.
Firstgold
owns 3 reverse circulation drill rigs and two diamond core drill
rigs. In addition to providing exploration drilling to Firstgold,
these drilling rigs, along with operating crews, have been contracted out from
time to time to other nearby mining operations. This rental activity
produced $551,279 of revenue during fiscal 2008.
Ore Processing
Facilities
In
October 2006, we commenced revitalization of our process solution
ponds. The existing Pregnant and Barren ponds, which were converted
to secondary overflow containment, have been cleaned and relined with the latest
technology of fluid containment. In keeping with our “Green
Initiative,” this will include new leak detection equipment and
protocols. In addition, a new enclosed solution transmission system
will be constructed between the site of the proposed heap leach pad and the
existing solution ponds. Upon completion, we plan to process
approximately 8 million metric tons of existing lower grade oxide ores by heap
leaching. Heap leaching consists of stacking crushed or run-of-mine
ore in impermeable ponds, where a weak cyanide solution is applied to the top
surface of the heaps to absorb the gold.
An ore
processing facility, with capacity to process up to 20,000 tons of material per
day, is presently under construction at the property site. A new jaw
crushing unit is also currently being erected. Planned construction
will commence on the new heap leach pad, pending approval and issuance of the
proper permit from NDEP. This permit is in the final stages of
evaluation, having completed its public commentary period.
Antelope
Peak
On
October 24, 2006, we entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement with the owners of
approximately 25,000 acres of property located in Elko County, Nevada (the
“Antelope Peak” property). The Lease allows Firstgold the exclusive
right to explore for and, if warranted, develop gold, silver and barite minerals
on the leased property. The Lease has an initial term of five (5)
years; however the term can be automatically extended thereafter for so long as
Firstgold is engaged in mining operations.
To date
we have performed an Aerial Ground Magnetic Survey which allows our geologists
to identify targets for more detailed exploration. We have also
conducted extensive ground sampling on the property.
Horse
Creek
On July
9, 2007, we completed staking claims on approximately 4,200 acres of potentially
mineralized ground Humboldt County, Nevada. We have conducted
preliminary sampling of the area. During the course of the property
evaluation, rock chip samples were collected. This sampling has shown the
potential presence of intrusion-related gold systems. The next phase of this
project will be to conduct extensive mapping of the area’s bedrock
geology. Additionally, we plan to conduct an airborne geophysical
survey to map the magnetic character of the rocks. Geochemical
exploration efforts will continue with more rock chip sampling as well as an
in-depth soil sampling survey.
Fairview-Hunter
On
January 11, 2008 we secured claims on approximately 2,300 acres of potentially
mineralized ground near Fairview, Nevada. We are conducting
preliminary sampling of the area. During the course of the property
evaluation, rock chip samples were collected. The next phase of this
project will be to conduct extensive mapping of the area’s bedrock
geology. Additionally, we plan to conduct an airborne geophysical
survey to map the magnetic character of the rocks. Geochemical
exploration efforts will continue with more rock chip sampling as well as an
in-depth soil sampling survey.
Honorine
Gold
On
February 22, 2008, we secured claims on approximately 3,300 acres of potentially
mineralized ground north of Winnemucca, Nevada. We are conducting
preliminary sampling of the area. During the course of the property
evaluation, rock chip samples were collected. The next phase of this
project will be to conduct extensive mapping of the area’s bedrock
geology. Additionally, we plan to conduct an airborne geophysical
survey to map the magnetic character of the rocks. Geochemical
exploration efforts will continue with more rock chip sampling as well as an
in-depth soil sampling survey.
Crescent Red Caps
LLC
In early
2005 we entered into a Letter of Intent to form a joint venture to acquire the
exploration rights to certain properties which consisted of two leases of
unpatented mining claims located in northeastern Nevada, approximately 60 miles
southwest of Elko, Nevada in Lander County for which ASDi LLC was the
lessee. In furtherance of this intended joint venture on January 25,
2006 ASDi LLC and Firstgold entered into an Operating Agreement for the Crescent
Red Caps LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Crescent Red Caps LLC”)
formed for the intended purpose of exploring the properties. The terms of the
Operating Agreement for Crescent Red Caps LLC provided for Firstgold to own an
initial 22.22% interest in the LLC and be the Manager and the remaining 77.78%
interest to be held by ASDi LLC, a California limited liability company owned by
A. Scott Dockter, COO of Firstgold. Additionally, by the terms of the
Operating Agreement, Firstgold, by making expenditures over three years (January
2006 - January 2009) aggregating $2,700,000, could acquire a 66.66% overall
interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC. Firstgold would then have the
opportunity to purchase the remaining Crescent Red Caps LLC interest held by
ASDi LLC based on the results of the exploration work contemplated by these
additional expenditures.
On
October 13, 2006 and November 1, 2006 the lessors gave notices of termination of
the two leases. The lessors claimed that the proposed assignment of
the leases by ASDi LLC to Crescent Red Caps LLC was either ineffective or in
breach of the leases. ASDi LLC disputed the lease terminations and on
February 8, 2007, the lessors filed a lawsuit seeking to terminate the leases
(see the section “Legal Proceedings” below). As a result of the recent
settlement of this litigation ASDi LLC, Firstgold and Crescent Red Caps LLC
relinquished all rights to any interest in the above leases or
properties. Firstgold had not yet expended any significant amounts on
its exploration program on the properties prior to this lease
dispute.
Industry
Overview
The gold
mining and exploration industry has experienced several factors recently that
are favorable to Firstgold as described below.
The spot
market price of an ounce of gold has increased from a low of $253 in February
2001 to a high of $1,011 in March 2008. The price was $923 as of
January 31, 2008 and $853 as of May 1, 2008. This current price level
has made it economically more feasible to produce gold as well as made gold a
more attractive investment for many. Accordingly, the gross margin
per ounce of gold produced per the historical spot market price range above
provides significant profit potential if we are successful in identifying and
mining gold at the Relief Canyon mine.
By
industry standards, there are generally four types of mining
companies. Firstgold is considered an “exploration stage”
company. Typically, an exploration stage mining company is focused on
exploration to identify new, commercially viable gold
deposits. “Junior mining companies” typically have proven and
probable reserves of less then one million ounces of gold, generally produces
less then 100,000 ounces of gold annually and / or are in the process of trying
to raise enough capital to fund the remainder of the steps required to move from
a staked claim to production. “Mid-tier” and large mining (“senior”)
companies may have several projects in production plus several million ounces of
gold in reserve.
Generally
gold reserves have been declining for a number of years for the following
reasons:
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The
extended period of low gold prices from 1996 to 2001 made it economically
unfeasible to explore for new deposits for most mining
companies.
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The
demand for and production of gold products have exceeded the amount of new
reserves added over the last several consecutive
years.
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Reversing
the decline in lower gold reserves is a long term process. Due to the
extended time frame it takes to explore, develop and bring new production on
line, the large mining companies are facing an extended period of lower gold
reserves. Accordingly, junior companies that are able to increase
their gold reserves more quickly should directly benefit with an increased
valuation.
Additional
factors causing higher gold prices over the past two years have come from a
weakened United States dollar. Reasons for the lower dollar compared
to other currencies include the historically low US interest rates, the
increasing US budget and trade deficits and the general worldwide political
instability caused by the war on terrorism.
Competition
Of the
four types of mining companies, we believe junior companies represent the
largest group of gold companies in the public stock market. All four
types of mining companies may have projects located in any of the gold producing
continents of the world and many have projects located near the Relief Canyon
mine in Nevada. Many of our competitors have greater exploration,
production, and capital resources than we do, and may be able to compete more
effectively in any of these areas. Firstgold’s inability to secure
capital to fund current exploration and possible future production capacity,
would establish a competitive cost disadvantage in the marketplace which would
have a material adverse effect on its operations and potential
profitability.
We also
compete in the hiring and retention of experienced
employees. Consequently, though unlikely, it is possible that we may
not be able to hire or retain qualified miners or operators in the numbers or at
the times desired.
Employees
As of
January 31, 2008, we had 61 full-time employees. Employees include a
Mine Manager, Chief Geologist and Senior Geologist, a Lead Driller and a Plant
Metallurgist. We anticipate hiring additional employees during the current year
to work on the mining sites in Nevada as our exploration program
continues. While skilled equipment and operations personnel are in
demand, we believe we will be able to hire the necessary workers to sustain our
exploration program. Our employees are not expected to be subject to
a labor contract or collective bargaining agreement. We consider our
employee relations to be good.
Consulting
services, relating primarily to geologic and geophysical interpretations, and
relating to such metallurgical, engineering, and other technical matters as may
be deemed useful in the operation of our exploration activities, will be
provided by independent contractors.
Government
Controls and Regulations
Our
exploration, mining and processing operations are subject to various federal,
state and local laws and regulations governing prospecting, exploration,
development, production, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety,
control of toxic substances, and other matters involving environmental
protection and employment. United States environmental protection
laws address the maintenance of air and water quality standards, the
preservation of threatened and endangered species of wildlife and vegetation,
the preservation of certain archaeological sites, reclamation, and limitations
on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous
wastes, among other things. There can be no assurance that all the
required permits and governmental approvals necessary for any mining project
with which we may be associated can be obtained on a timely basis, or
maintained. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain government
permits and approvals may adversely impact our operations. The
regulatory environment in which we operate could change in ways that would
substantially increase costs to achieve compliance. In addition,
significant changes in regulation could have a material adverse effect on our
operations or financial position.
Outlined
below are some of the more significant aspects of governmental controls and
regulations which materially affect our interests in the Relief Canyon, Horse
Creek and Antelope Peak properties.
Regulation of Mining
Activity
Firstgold’s
mining activities, including exploration, and possible future development and
production activities are subject to environmental laws, policies and
regulations. These laws, policies and regulations affect, among other
matters, emissions to the air, discharges to water, management of waste,
management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, protection
of endangered species, protection of antiquities and reclamation of
land. The mines are also subject to numerous other federal, state and
local laws and regulations. At the federal level, the mines are
subject to inspection and regulation by the Division of Mine Safety and Health
Administration of the Department of Labor (“MSHA”) under provisions of the
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The Occupation and Safety
Health Administration (“OSHA”) also has jurisdiction over certain safety and
health standards not covered by MSHA. Mining operations and all
future exploration and development will require a variety of
permits. Although we believe the permits can be obtained in a timely
fashion, permitting procedures are complex, costly, time consuming and subject
to potential regulatory delay. We do not believe that existing
permitting requirements or other environmental protection laws and regulations
would have a material adverse effect on our ability to explore and eventually
operate the mines. However, we cannot be certain that future changes
in laws and regulations would not result in significant additional expenses,
capital expenditures, restrictions or delays associated with the operation of
our properties. We cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain
new permits or whether material changes in permit conditions will be
imposed. Granting new permits or the imposition of additional
conditions could have a material adverse effect on our ability to explore and
operate the mining properties in which we have an interest.
On June
9, 2005, we received permission from the NDEP to commence designated
environmental activities previously requested by us. In January 2006,
we made a cash deposit of $243,204 to cover future reclamation costs as required
by the NDEP for the Relief Canyon Mine.
In
September 2006, we submitted our “Application for Water Pollution Control Permit
and Design Report” for the Relief Canyon project with the NDEP. This
document provides the BLM and NDEP with information regarding the
characteristics of the site, proposed management of process fluids, monitoring
and tentative plans for the eventual closure of operations. In
addition, this fulfills Nevada state requirements and illustrates the plan to
prevent undue degradation of public lands while the Relief Canyon Mining Project
is in operation.
On
October 19, 2006 we received notice from the NDEP that we would be allowed to
attach our current Plan of Operations for Relief Canyon submitted on September
15, 2006 as an amendment to the previous Plan of Operations submitted in
1996. This consolidation of Plans is expected to significantly reduce
the processing time and documentation necessary to secure our production permit
from the NDEP for the Relief Canyon project. We were also required to
increase the reclamation cost deposit from $243,204 to $613,500 which was placed
in a blocked account with our bank in Sacramento, California in March
2007.
On April
9, 2007 we received notice from the NDEP that Firstgold’s Plan of Operation had
been reinstated. With this approval, Firstgold is allowed to commence
onsite operations subject to final determination and posting of reclamation
bonds.
On
November 16, 2006, the NDEP notified Firstgold of certain violations that had
occurred pertaining to the unauthorized release of water from one of the
overflow containment ponds at the Relief Canyon mining site in early November
2006. On August 14, 2007, Firstgold was notified that a fine of $9,000 had been
assessed for these violations. Firstgold paid the fine in full on
August 21, 2007. Such violation and fine is not expected to affect the
permitting process or exploration program at the Relief Canyon Mine
site.
Legislation
has been introduced in prior sessions of the U.S. Congress to make significant
revisions to the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872 that would affect our
unpatented mining claims on federal lands, including a royalty on gold
production. It cannot be predicted whether any of these proposals
will become law. Any levy of the type proposed would only apply to
unpatented federal lands and accordingly could adversely affect the
profitability of portions of any future gold production from the Relief Canyon
mine.
The State
of Nevada, where our mine properties are located, adopted the Mined Land
Reclamation Act (the “Nevada Act”) in 1989 which established design, operation,
monitoring and closure requirements for all mining facilities. The
Nevada Act has increased the cost of designing, operating, monitoring and
closing mining facilities and could affect the cost of operating, monitoring and
closing existing mine facilities. The State of Nevada also has
adopted reclamation regulations pursuant to which reclamation plans must be
prepared and financial assurances established for existing
facilities. The financial assurances can be in the form of cash
placed on deposit with the State or reclamation bonds underwritten by insurance
companies. We prepared a specific reclamation plan of the Relief
Canyon Mine and began implementation of the plan in April 2005. This
work was completed in the summer of 2005. As a result of completing
the work, the State of Nevada reduced the financial assurance amount to $243,204
which we have deposited in a blocked account with our bank in Sacramento,
California. In March 2007, we increased the reclamation cost deposit
to $613,500. We have now completed the Activities of Compliance
required by BLM and NDEP which was a prerequisite to the issuance of mining
permits. Our ability to commence full mining operations at the Relief
Canyon Mine is subject to our obtaining all necessary mining
permits.
Environmental
Regulations
Legislation
and implementation of regulations adopted or proposed by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the BLM and by comparable agencies in
various states directly and indirectly affect the mining industry in the United
States. These laws and regulations address the environmental impact
of mining and mineral processing, including potential contamination of soil and
water from tailings, discharges and other wastes generated by mining
process. In particular, legislation such as the Clean Water Act, the
Clean Air Act, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and
the National Environmental Policy Act require analysis and/or impose effluent
standards, new source performance standards, air quality standards and other
design or operational requirements for various components of mining and mineral
processing, including gold-ore mining and processing.
Such
statutes also may impose liability on us for remediation of waste we have
created.
Gold
mining and processing operations by an entity would generate large quantities of
solid waste which is subject to regulation under the RCRA and similar state
laws. The majority of the waste which is produced by such operations
is “extraction” waste that EPA has determined not to regulate under RCRA's
"hazardous waste" program. Instead, the EPA is developing a solid
waste regulatory program specific to mining operations under the
RCRA. Of particular concern to the mining industry is a proposal by
the EPA entitled “Recommendation for a Regulatory Program for Mining Waste and
Materials Under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act”
(“Strawman II”) which, if implemented, would create a system of comprehensive
Federal regulation of the entire mine site. Many of these
requirements would be duplicates of existing state
regulations. Strawman II as currently proposed would regulate not
only mine and mill wastes but also numerous production facilities and processes
which could limit internal flexibility in operating a mine. To
implement Strawman II the EPA must seek additional statutory authority, which is
expected to be requested in connection with Congress' reauthorization of
RCRA.
We also
are subject to regulations under (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA" or “Superfund”) which regulates
and establishes liability for the release of hazardous substances and (ii) the
Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) which identifies endangered species of plants and
animals and regulates activities to protect these species and their
habitats. Revisions to “CERCLA” and “ESA” are being considered by
Congress; however, the impact of these potential revisions on us is not clear at
this time.
The Clean
Air Act, as amended, mandates the establishment of a Federal air permitting
program, identifies a list of hazardous air pollutants, including various metals
and cyanide, and establishes new enforcement authority. The EPA has
published final regulations establishing the minimum elements of state operating
permit programs. Firstgold will be required to comply with these EPA
standards to the extent adopted by the State of Nevada.
In
addition, we are required to mitigate long-term environmental impacts by
stabilizing, contouring, resloping, and revegetating various portions of a
site. While a portion of the required work was performed concurrently
with prior operations, completion of the environmental mitigation occurs once
removal of all facilities has been completed. These reclamation
efforts are conducted in accordance with detailed plans which have been reviewed
and approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies. We have made the
necessary cash deposits and we made provision to cover the estimated costs of
such reclamation as required by permit.
We
believe that our current exploration activities at the Relief Canyon
Mine, are in substantial compliance with federal and state regulations and is
consistent with our Green Initiative approach to environmental impact and that
no further significant capital expenditures for environmental control facilities
will be required unless and until production resumes at the site.
Factors
Affecting Firstgold's Business
As a
development stage company with an unproven business strategy, we may not be able
to achieve positive cash flows and our limited history of operations makes
evaluation of our future business and prospects difficult. We have
been actively pursuing our business strategy only since February
2003. Consequently, we have only recently reactivated our business
operations and we have not generated substantial revenues, other than drilling
revenue, interest income, and dividend income, since our
reactivation. As a result, we have only a limited operating history
upon which to evaluate our future potential performance. Our
prospects must be considered in light of the risks and difficulties encountered
by new companies which have not yet established their business
operations.
We will
need additional funds to finance our mining and exploration activities as well
as fund our current operations. Our ability to meet our long-term
obligations in the ordinary course of business is dependent upon our ability to
raise additional capital through public or private equity financings, establish
increasing cash flow from operations, entering into joint ventures or other
arrangements with capital sources, or secure other sources of financing to fund
operations.
Our prior
and current independent certified public accountants have expanded their opinion
contained in our financial statements as of and for the years ended January 31,
1997, through January 31, 2008 to include an explanatory paragraph related to
our ability to continue as a going concern, stating, in the audit report dated
May 15, 2008, that “the Company has incurred a net loss of $7,632,537 and had
negative cash flow from operations of $4,832,217. In addition,
the Company had an accumulated deficit of $31,391,140 and a shareholders’
surplus of $5,174,290 at January 31, 2008.” These factors, among
others, as discussed in “Note 2- Going Concern” to the financial statements,
raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern. The auditors recognize that the cash flow uncertainty makes
their basic assumptions about value uncertain. When it seems
uncertain whether an asset will be used in a “going concern” or sold at auction,
the auditors assume that the business is a “going concern” for purposes of all
their work, and then they disclose that there is material uncertainty about that
assumption. It is definitely a consequence of our negative cash flows
from operations that we continually need additional cash. At any
time, a serious deficiency in cash reserves could occur and it is not always
possible or convenient to raise additional capital. A problem in
raising capital could result in temporary or permanent insolvency and
consequently potential claims by unpaid creditors and perhaps closure of the
business. All of these things are possibilities. It is
certain, in any case, that analysts and investors view unfavorably any report of
independent auditors expressing substantial doubt about a company's ability to
continue as a going concern.
The price
of gold has experienced an increase in value over the past several years,
generally reflecting among other things relatively low interest rates in the
United States; worldwide instability due to terrorism; and a continuing global
economic slump. Any significant drop in the price of gold may have a
materially adverse affect on the results of our operations unless we are able to
offset such a price drop by substantially increased production.
The
disclosures of our mineral resources are only estimates. We have no
proven or probable reserves and have no ability to currently measure or prove
our reserves other then estimating such reserves relying on information produced
in the 1990’s supplemented by our current exploration data. Therefore
we are unable to determine the quantity of gold we may be able to
recover. We can only estimate a potential mineral resource which is a
subjective process which depends in part on the quality of available data and
the assumptions used and judgments made in interpreting such
data. There is significant uncertainty in any resource estimate such
that the actual deposits encountered or reserves validated and the economic
viability of mining the deposits may differ materially from our
expectations.
Gold
exploration is highly speculative in nature. Success in exploration
is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, quality of
management, quality and availability of geological data and the expertise to
interpret it and availability of exploration capital. Due to these
and other factors, the probability of our exploration program identifying
individual prospects having commercially significant reserves cannot be
predicted . It is likely that many of the claims explored
will not contain any commercially viable reserves. Consequently,
substantial funds will be spent on exploration which may identify only a few, if
any, claims having commercial development potential. In addition, if
commercially viable reserves are identified, significant amounts of capital will
be required to mine and process such reserves.
Our
mining property rights consist of 146 mill site and unpatented mining claims at
the Relief Canyon Mine, our staked claims at the Horse Creek exploration
property, the Honorine Gold exploration property, the Fairview-Hunter
exploration property, and our leasehold interest
in the Antelope Peak property. The validity of unpatented or staked
mining claims is often uncertain and is always subject to
contest. Unpatented mining and staked claims are generally considered
subject to greater title risk than patented mining claims, or real property
interests that are owned in fee simple. If title to a particular
property is successfully challenged, we may not be able to carryout exploration
programs on such property or to retain our royalty interests on that property
should production take place, which could reduce our future
revenues.
Mining is
subject to extensive regulation by state and federal regulatory
authorities. State and federal statutes regulate environmental
quality, safety, exploration procedures, reclamation, employees’ health and
safety, use of explosives, air quality standards, pollution of stream and fresh
water sources, noxious odors, noise, dust, and other environmental protection
controls as well as the rights of adjoining property owners. We
believe that we are currently operating in substantial compliance with all known
safety and environmental standards and regulations applicable to our Nevada
property. However, there can be no assurance that our compliance
could be challenged or that future changes in federal or Nevada laws,
regulations or interpretations thereof will not have a material adverse affect
on our ability to resume and sustain mining operations.
The
business of gold mining is subject to certain types of risks, including
environmental hazards, industrial accidents, and theft. Prior to
suspending operations, we carried insurance against certain property damage loss
(including business interruption) and comprehensive general liability
insurance. While we maintain insurance consistent with industry
practice, it is not possible to insure against all risks associated with the
mining business, or prudent to assume that insurance will continue to be
available at a reasonable cost.
We have
not obtained environmental liability insurance because such coverage is not
considered by management to be cost effective. We currently carry
insurance on all of our properties.
We are
substantially dependent upon the continued services of A. Scott Dockter, our
COO. While we have an employment agreement with Mr. Dockter, there is
no key person life insurance or disability insurance on Mr.
Dockter. While Mr. Dockter expects to spend the majority of his time
assisting Firstgold, there can be no assurance that Mr. Dockter’s services
will remain available to Firstgold. If Mr. Dockter’s services are not
available to us, we would be materially and adversely
affected. However, Mr. Dockter has been a significant
stockholder of Firstgold since its inception and considers his investment of
time and money in Firstgold of significant personal value.
As of
January 31, 2008, Firstgold had approximately 117,432,317 shares of Common Stock
outstanding and convertible debentures which are convertible into up to
1,444,444 shares of our Common Stock. Additionally, warrants to
purchase a total of 39,257,146 shares of our Common Stock and options to
purchase 4,650,000 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding as of January 31,
2008. The possibility that substantial amounts of our
outstanding Common Stock may be sold by investors or the perception that such
sales could occur, often called "equity overhang," could adversely affect the
market price of our Common Stock and could impair our ability to raise
additional capital through the sale of equity securities in the
future
ITEM
2. DESCRIPTION OF
PROPERTY
Firstgold’s
executive office is located at 3108 Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210, Cameron Park,
California 95682. Firstgold also owns and maintains an office at 1055
Cornell Avenue, Lovelock, Nevada 89419.
Mining
Property Rights
Relief Canyon
Property
Our
mining property rights are represented by 146 unpatented mill site and mining
lode claims which were re-staked in October 2004 and June
2006. Unpatented mining claims are generally considered subject to
greater title risks than patented mining claims or real property interests that
are owned in fee simple. To remain valid, such unpatented claims are
subject to annual maintenance fees. As of January 31, 2008, we were
current in the payment of such maintenance fees.
Dalton Livestock and
Winchell Ranch Mineral Lease
On
October 24, 2006, we entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement with the owners of
approximately 25,000 acres of property located in Elko County, Nevada (the
“Antelope Peak” property). The Lease allows Firstgold the exclusive
right to explore for and, if warranted, develop gold, silver and barite minerals
on the leased property. The Lease includes exploration, mining and
access rights, deposit of waste material, mineral processing and water
rights. The Lease has an initial term of five (5) years; however the
term can be automatically extended thereafter for so long as Firstgold is
engaged in mining operations.
Firstgold
paid $20,000 upon the signing of the Lease and is required to pay rent of
$50,000 per year. Firstgold is required to expend the following sums
for exploration work on the premises: first year - $150,000; second year -
$450,000; third year - $1,000,000; fourth year - $1,500,000; and fifth year -
$2,000,000. In addition, should mining operations be commenced,
the Lessors would be entitled to a percentage of net smelter returns ranging
from 2% to 5% depending on the price of gold. A finder’s fee of 2,000,000 common
shares and 2,000,000 warrants to purchase common shares at a price of $0.50 per
common share were issued to an unrelated third party at the date of signing the
Lease. The warrants have a term of three years.
Horse Creek
Property
On July
9, 2007, we completed staking claims on approximately 4,200 acres of ground in
the Horse Creek area located approximately 100 miles Northeast of Reno,
Nevada. These claims are staked claims on property owned by the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”). Such staking of claims is
permitted on U.S. Government property; however such claims must be filed with
the BLM and any significant drilling or development activity will be subject to
the review and approval of the BLM and NDEP.
Upon
conclusion of all mineral exploration and mining operations, if any, Firstgold
is required to restore the property.
Fairview-Hunter
On
January 11, 2008 we entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement with the Randall
Stoeberl, dba RSgold. of approximately 2,300 acres of potentially mineralized
ground near Fairview, Nevada (“Fairview-Hunter” property). The Lease
allows Firstgold the exclusive right to explore for and, if warranted, develop
gold, silver and barite minerals on the leased property. The Lease
includes exploration, mining and access rights, deposit of waste material,
mineral processing, and water rights. The Lease has an initial term
of ten (10) years; however the term can be automatically extended thereafter for
so long as Firstgold is engaged in mining operations.
Firstgold
paid $25,000 upon the signing of the Lease and is required to pay rent of
$25,000 the first year, with payments increasing each subsequent year by $5,000,
with a maximum annual payment of $50,000. Firstgold is required to
complete an intial 2000 feet of drilling in the first year, with no specified
obligations thereafter. In addition, should mining operations
be commenced, the Lessors would be entitled to 3% of net smelter
returns.
These
claims are staked claims on property owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
(“BLM”), and controlled by Randall Stoeberl. Such staking of claims
is permitted on U.S. Government property; however such claims must be filed with
the BLM and any significant drilling or development activity will be subject to
the review and approval of the BLM and NDEP.
Honorine
Gold
On
February 22, 2008, we entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement with the
Randall Stoeberl, dba RSgold. of approximately 3,300 acres of
property located in Humboldt County, Nevada (the “Honorine Gold”
property). The Lease allows Firstgold the exclusive right to explore
for and, if warranted, develop gold, silver and barite minerals on the leased
property. The Lease includes exploration, mining and access rights,
deposit of waste material, and mineral processing. The Lease has an
initial term of ten (10) years; however the term can be automatically extended
thereafter for so long as Firstgold is engaged in mining
operations.
Firstgold
paid $15,000 upon the signing of the Lease and is required to pay rent of
$15,000 the first year, with payments increasing each subsequent year by
$15,000, with a maximum annual payment of $50,000. Firstgold is
required to complete an intial 2000 feet of drilling in the first year, with no
specified obligations thereafter. In addition, should mining
operations be commenced, the Lessors would be entitled to 5% of net smelter
returns.
These
claims are staked claims on property owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
(“BLM”), and controlled by Randall Stoeberl. Such staking of claims
is permitted on U.S. Government property; however such claims must be filed with
the BLM and any significant drilling or development activity will be subject to
the review and approval of the BLM and NDEP.
ITEM
3. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
On
February 8, 2007, a complaint was filed against ASDi, LLC, Crescent Red Caps
LLC, Firstgold, and Scott Dockter by the Lessors of the Crescent Valley and Red
Caps mining properties. The complaint was filed in the Sixth Judicial
District Court of Lander County, Nevada (Case No. 9661). In the
complaint the plaintiffs allege that ASDi, LLC wrongfully assigned its lessee
rights in the Crescent Valley and Red Caps mining properties to Crescent Red
Caps LLC (of which Firstgold is the Managing Member). The complaint
sought the termination of the leasehold rights granted to ASDi, LLC and quiet
title and punitive damages. The complaint also sought an order
against Firstgold restricting public claims of ownership or control of the
mining properties. ASDi, LLC and Firstgold believed the leases were not assigned
and that any transfer of the leases or mining claims was not wrongful nor
required the Lessors’ consent. Consequently, ASDi, LLC and Firstgold pursued a
vigorous defense of this action. On April 3, 2007, a preliminary
hearing was held in which the defendants sought a Summary Judgment to have the
leasehold termination notices declared void. The Court did not grant
the defendants’ motion thus requiring the matter to proceed to trial on the
merits. In addition, on May 11, 2007, the Court entered a preliminary injunction
against public claims of ownership of any interest in the leases or the mining
property by defendants.
On June
7, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a Motion For Order to Show Cause claiming that
defendants had violated the injunction based upon certain statements made on
Firstgold’s website and certain disclosures made in Firstgold’s annual report on
Form 10-KSB and should be found in contempt of the injunction. A hearing on the
Motion to Show Cause was held on November 20, 2007 and on January 4, 2008 the
Court ruled in Defendant’s favor finding no contempt of the
injunction. In late March, 2008 the parties reached a settlement
agreement and the case was dismissed by the Court on April 4,
2008. As a result of the Settlement, Firstgold paid $150,000 to
Plaintiffs and Firstgold, ASDi LLC and Crescent Red Caps LLC relinquished all
right, title and interest in the Red Caps and Crescent Valley leases to the
Plaintiffs. Consequently, Firstgold no longer has any interest in
these leases and will not pursue any further exploration activity on such leased
property.
On
September 24, 2007, a complaint was served on Firstgold by Swartz Private
Equity, LLC. The complaint was filed in the District Court for the
Western District of New York (Case No. 07CV6447). In the complaint,
plaintiff alleges that pursuant to an Investment Agreement dated October 4,
2000, and entered into with Firstgold’s former management, it is entitled to the
exercise of certain warrants in the amount of 1,911,106 shares of Firstgold
common stock or the equivalent cash value of $0.69 per share and a termination
fee of $200,000. Firstgold filed an answer to the complaint on
December 3, 2007 and expects to vigorously defend this action. The
lawsuit is now in the discovery phase.
On
January 30, 2008, a complaint was served on Firstgold by Park Avenue Consulting
Group, Inc. The complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of the State
of New York but was subsequently removed to the Federal District Court for the
Southern District of New York (Case No. 08CV01850). In the complaint,
plaintiff alleges that pursuant to a Retainer Agreement entered into on
September 1, 2000 and an Addendum thereto entered into on September 7, 2000, it
is entitled to the issuance of warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
Firstgold stock, a monthly retainer fee of 50,000 shares of Firstgold stock and
a monthly cash retainer fee, a $50,000 finder’s fee, and other damages to be
proven at trial. Firstgold filed an Answer on April 15, 2008 and on
May 5, 2008 filed a Counterclaim seeking reimbursement of all costs of this
lawsuit. Firstgold expects to vigorously defend this action.
ITEM
4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS
TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR COMMON
EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market
for Our Common Stock
In July
1997, our Common Stock was approved for quotation on the Over-the-Counter
(“OTC”) Bulletin Board where it traded under the symbol “NGLD” until June
2001. In June 2001, our Common Stock was moved to the “Pink Sheets”
published by the Pink Sheets LLC (previously National Quotation Bureau,
LLC). On June 7, 2005, our Common Stock was again approved for
quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board with its symbol of “NGLD.” Due to
our name change to Firstgold Corp., effective December 1, 2006 our trading
symbol was changed to “FGOC.” As of May 1, 2008 the closing bid price
of our Common Stock was $0.49 per share.
In
January 2008, Firstgold filed an application to become listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (“TSX”). This application had been pending with the
TSX while Firstgold satisfied various listing requirements including securing
additional capital. On May 12, 2008 the TSX approved Firstgold’s application for
listing its common shares and effective May 14, 2008 Firstgold’s shares became
listed for trading under the symbol “FGD”.
Price
Range of Our Common Stock
A public
trading market having the characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness
depends upon the existence of market makers as well as the presence of willing
buyers and sellers, which are circumstances over which we do not have
control. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices
reported by the OTC Bulletin Board for our Common Stock in the periods
indicated. The quotations below reflect inter-dealer prices, without
retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not represent actual
transactions.
FIRSTGOLD
CORP. COMMON STOCK
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
Ending January 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter (November-January)
|
|
$ |
0.625 |
|
|
$ |
0.97 |
|
Third
Quarter (August-October)
|
|
$ |
0.52 |
|
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
Second
Quarter (May-July)
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
First
Quarter (February-April)
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
Ending January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter (November-January)
|
|
$ |
0.255 |
|
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
Third
Quarter (August-October)
|
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
FIRSTGOLD
CORP. COMMON STOCK
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second
Quarter (May-July)
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.53 |
|
First
Quarter (February-April)
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.245 |
|
Stockholders
As of
January 31, 2008, there were approximately 1,145 holders of record of our Common
Stock. This amount does not include stockholders whose shares are
held in street name.
Dividend
Policy
We have
never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We
currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings for the expansion
and operation of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.
Securities
Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
On July
26, 2006, our Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan which was
submitted to and approved by stockholders at the 2006 annual stockholders
meeting held on November 17, 2006. Under the terms of the 2006 Plan, we may
grant options to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of our common stock which can
include Incentive Stock Options issued to employees and Nonstatutory Stock
Options issuable to employees or consultants providing services to Firstgold on
such terms as are determined by our board of directors. Our Board
administers the 2006 Plan. Under the 2006 Plan, options vest not less
than 20% per year and have 10-year terms (except with respect to 10%
stockholders which have five-year terms). If an option holder
terminates his/her employment with us or becomes disabled or dies, the option
holder or his/her representative will have a certain number of months to
exercise any outstanding options. If we sell substantially all of our
assets or are a party to a merger or consolidation in which we are not the
surviving corporation, then we have the right to accelerate unvested options and
will give the option holder written notice of the exercisability and specify a
time period in which the option may be exercised. All options will
terminate in their entirety to the extent not exercised on or prior to the date
specified in the written notice unless an agreement governing any change of
control provides otherwise. As of January 31, 2008, options to
purchase 4,650,000 shares of common stock had been issued as
follows: 750,000 options issued to A. Scott Dockter; 400,000 options
issued to James Kluber; 750,000 options issued to Terrence
Lynch; 1,000,000 options issued to Stephen Akerfeldt; 500,000 options
issued to each of Donald Heimler, Fraser Berrill and Kevin Bullock; and 250,000
options issued to an employee for the purchase of Firstgold restricted common
stock. At the 2007 Annual Stockholders Meeting held on September 20,
2007, stockholders approved an increase in the shares issuable under the 2006
Plan to 10,000,000 shares.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
Plan
Category
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants
and rights as of January 31, 2008
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and right
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
|
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Equity
compensation plans to be approved by security holders
|
4,650,000
|
$ 0.62
|
5,350,000
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
N/A
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
4,650,000
|
$ 0.62
|
5,350,000
|
Shares
Issuable Upon Conversion of Convertible Debentures
The
$650,000 principal balance of Convertible Debentures are convertible into shares
of our Common Stock at a per share conversion rate of $0.45.
Repurchase
of Equity Securities
None
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
During
Firstgold’s most recent fiscal year ending January 31, 2008, it issued the
following securities pursuant to exemptions from registration under the
Securities Act.
On June
22, 2007, Firstgold issued 18,843,421 units at a price of $0.45 per
unit. Each unit consisted of one share of Firstgold common stock and
½ warrant to purchase a share of Firstgold common stock at an exercise price of
$0.65 per share. Firstgold raised gross proceeds of $8,479,539.45
from the sale of the units. From this amount, Firstgold paid a
Selling Agent Fee of $593,568 and issued 1,866,667 units to the Selling Agent as
compensation units. The warrants expire eighteen (18) months from the
date of issuance.
On April
12, 2007, Firstgold issued 5,673,110 Units at a price of $0.45 per
Unit. Each Unit consisted of one share of Firstgold common stock and
½ warrant to purchase a share of Firstgold common stock at an exercise price of
$0.65 per share. The warrants expire eighteen (18) months from the
date of issuance. Firstgold raised net proceeds of $2,374,200 from
the sale of the Units after paying a selling agent commission of
$178,703.
The units
referred to above were offered and sold exclusively to individuals residing or
entities formed outside the United States and are not deemed to be “U.S.
persons” as that term is defined under Regulation S. Each investor
represented that it is purchasing such shares for its own account.
Both the
offer and the sale of the Firstgold shares were made outside the United States
and are deemed to be “offshore transactions” as that term is defined under
Regulation S. The share certificates contain a legend indicating that such
shares can only be transferred in compliance with the provisions of Regulation
S. In light of the foregoing, such sales were deemed exempt from
registration pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. The shares are
deemed to be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the 1933
Act.
The
following issuances of stock, warrants, and other equity securities were made
without any public solicitation to a limited number of investors or related
individuals or entities in separately negotiated transactions. Each
investor represented to us that the securities were being acquired for
investment purposes only and not with an intention to resell or distribute such
securities. Each of the individuals or entities had access to
information about our business and financial condition and was deemed capable of
protecting their own interests. The stock, warrants and other
securities were issued pursuant to the private placement exemption provided by
Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) of the Securities Act. These are deemed
to be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act
and the warrant certificates and the stock certificates bear a legend limiting
the resale thereof.
On May
18, 2007, Firstgold issued 749,998 Units at a price of $0.45 per
Unit. Each Unit consisted of one share of Firstgold common stock and
½ Warrant to purchase a share of Firstgold common stock at an exercise price of
$0.65 per share. The warrants expire eighteen (18) months from the
date of issuance. Firstgold raised gross proceeds of $337,500 from
the sale of the Units.
On March
23, 2007, we issued options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of our
common stock to each of our three independent Directors from the 2006 Stock
Option Plan. The options are exercisable at $0.65 per share and vest
50% at the time of issue, and 50% on the first anniversary of the issue
date. The options expire in 10 years.
During
Firstgold's fiscal year ending January 31, 2007, it issued the following
securities pursuant to exemptions from registration under the Securities
Act:
On
January 31, 2007, James W. Kluber, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Firstgold, converted $209,251 of convertible debt and interest
thereon into 1,630,918 shares of our common stock. The conversion
price was $0.15 per share. The issuance of shares upon the conversion
of debt was made pursuant to the private placement exemption provided by Section
4(2) of the Securities Act. All shares issued are deemed to be
“restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and the
stock certificate bears a legend restricting the resale thereof.
On
January 9, 2007, we issued options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of
our common stock to a new director from our newly adopted 2006 Stock Option
Plan. The options are exercisable at $0.50 per share. The
options fully vest after one year and expire in ten years.
On
October 26, 2006 Firstgold issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock
and warrants to purchase 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock immediately
exercisable at a price of $0.50 per share. The shares and warrants
were issued to one investor as a finder’s fee related to the Antelope Peak
Lease.
On
October 4, 2006 Firstgold issued 100,000 shares of restricted common stock to
one person in partial settlement of an existing litigation matter.
On
September 26, 2006, Firstgold entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”) and a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”), as amended on November 1, 2006, in connection with a private
placement of convertible debentures, in the aggregate principal amount of
$3,000,000 and bearing interest of 8% per annum (the
“Debentures”). The Debentures were funded $1,000,000 on September 26,
2006, $1,000,000 on December 1, 2006 and $1,000,000 March 16,
2007. The Debentures are due and payable three years from the date of
issue unless they are converted into shares of the Company’s common stock or are
repaid prior to their expiration date. Additionally, pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, the investor was issued warrants (the “Warrants”) to
purchase an aggregate of 3,500,000 shares of Firstgold common stock exercisable
at $0.45. The Warrants have a term of four years and are immediately
exercisable.
On
September 15, 2006, Firstgold issued 1,523,229 shares of restricted common stock
in conversion of the remaining $400,000 in principal of outstanding Secured
Convertible Debentures held by Cornell Capital Partners from a prior financing
transaction. An additional 117,852 shares of restricted common stock
was issued in conversion of $30,948 of accrued interest on the Secured
Convertible Debentures.
In
September 2006, we issued options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of
our common stock to one director from our newly adopted 2006 Stock Option
Plan. The options are exercisable at $0.50 per share. The
options expire in ten years.
In July
2006, we issued options to purchase an aggregate of 1,350,000 shares of our
common stock to three employees and one director from our newly adopted 2006
Stock Option Plan. The options are exercisable at between $0.32 and
$0.50 per share. 500,000 of these options expire in five years while
the balance of options expire in ten years.
In June
2006, Firstgold issued 2,399,087 shares of restricted common stock in conversion
of $600,000 in principal of outstanding Secured Convertible Debentures held by
Cornell Capital Partners from a prior financing transaction.
In March
2006 Firstgold issued 500,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of
$0.20 per share to an investor for total proceeds of
$100,000. Additionally, 500,000 warrants to purchase common stock at
a price of $0.40 per share were issued to the investor. The warrants
expire three years from the date of issuance.
In March
2006 $200,000 was funded per the terms of the Debenture referred to in paragraph
(i) below. Of the $200,000 funded $20,000 was paid for various loan
fees and closing costs. All of the original terms and conditions of
the Debenture and related documents remain unchanged.
ITEM
6. MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION
For more
detailed financial information, please refer to the audited January 31, 2008
Financial Statements included in this Form 10-KSB.
Caution
about forward-looking statements
This Form
10-KSB includes “forward-looking” statements about future financial results,
future business changes and other events that haven’t yet
occurred. For example, statements like we “expect,” we “anticipate”
or we “believe” are forward-looking statements. Investors should be
aware that actual results may differ materially from our expressed expectations
because of risks and uncertainties about the future. We do not
undertake to update the information in this Form 10-KSB if any forward-looking
statement later turns out to be inaccurate. Details about risks
affecting various aspects of Firstgold’s business are discussed throughout this
Form 10-KSB and should be considered carefully.
Plan
of Operation for the Next Twelve Months
Certain
key factors that have affected our financial and operating results in the past
will affect our future financial and operating results. These
include, but are not limited to the following:
●
|
Gold
prices, and to a lesser extent, silver
prices;
|
|
Current
mineralization at the Relief Canyon Mine are estimated by us (based on
past exploration by Firstgold and work done by
others).
|
|
Our
proposed exploration of properties now include 146 millsite and unpatented
mining claims contained in about 1000 acres of the Relief Canyon Property;
the 25,000 acre Antelope Peak property; and approximately 4,200 acres in
the Horse Creek area of Nevada.
|
|
Our
operating plan is to continue exploration work on the Relief Canyon mining
property during calendar 2008. During 2008, we plan
to resume heap leaching at the Relief Canyon mine and we anticipate
realizing production revenue from the Relief Canyon mine
thereafter. Through the sale of additional securities and/or
the use of joint ventures, royalty arrangements and partnerships, we
intend to progressively enlarge the scope and scale of our exploration,
mining and processing operations, thereby potentially increasing our
chances of locating commercially viable ore deposits which could increase
both our annual revenues and ultimately our net profits. Our
objective is to achieve annual growth rates in revenue and net profits for
the foreseeable future.
|
|
We
expect to make capital expenditures in calendar years 2008 and 2009 of
between $10 million and $20 million, including costs related to the
exploration, development and operation of the Relief Canyon mining
property. We will have to raise additional outside capital to
pay for these activities and the resumption of exploration activities and
possible future production at the Relief Canyon
mine.
|
|
Additional
funding or the utilization of other venture partners will be required to
fund exploration, research, development and operating expenses at the
Horse Creek and Antelope Peak properties when and if such activity is
commenced at these properties. In the past we have been dependent on
funding from the private placement of our securities as well as loans from
related and third parties as the sole sources of capital to fund
operations.
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Results
of Operation
Our
current business strategy is to invest in, explore and if warranted, conduct
mining operations of our current mining properties and other mineral producing
properties. Firstgold is a public company that in the past has been
engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold-bearing properties in the
continental United States. Currently, our principal assets include
various mineral leases associated with the Relief Canyon Mine located near
Lovelock, Nevada along with various items of mining equipment and improvements
located at that site. We have also entered into a mineral lease to
explore approximately 25,000 acres of property located in Elko County,
Nevada.
Operating Results for the
Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
Although
we commenced efforts to re-establish our mining business early in fiscal year
2004, no mining operations have commenced and no revenue from mining production
has been recognized during the fiscal years 2007 and 2008,
respectively. However, we recognized $551,279 of revenue from the
leasing of some of our drilling rigs and crew to other nearby mining operations.
We have granted a 4% net smelting return royalty to a third party related to the
Relief Canyon mining property which has been recorded as an $800,000 deferred
option income.
During
the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 we spent $2,195,024 on exploration,
reclamation and maintenance expenses related to our mining
properties. Exploration, reclamation and maintenance expenses
expended during the year ended January 31, 2007 were $132,166. These
expenses relate primarily to exploration costs and property improvements at our
Relief Canyon mining claims. We expended $2,261,816 on retro fitting
the on-site mill facility and $2,098,686 for acquisition of mining
equipment. We incurred operating expenses of $5,715,150 during the
year ended January 31, 2008. Of this amount, $2,065,464 reflects director,
officer and staff compensation and related payroll taxes during the year,
$1,651,672 reflect fees for outside professional services, and $645,509 for
promotional expense. A large portion of the outside professional
services reflects legal and accounting work pertaining to our annual and
quarterly SEC reporting, preparation of two SB-2 registration statements
occurring in fiscal year 2008 and litigation expenses related to the Red Caps
and Crescent Valley leases. During the year ended January 31, 2007 we
incurred operating expenses of $1,955,816 of which $850,869 represents director,
officer and staff compensation and related payroll taxes during the year,
$445,940 reflect fees for outside professional services and $396,361 for
promotional expenses.
It is
anticipated that both mining costs and operating expenses will increase
significantly as we resume our exploration program and mining
operations.
We
incurred interest expense of $869,444 during the year ended January 31, 2008
which compares to interest expenses of $596,975 incurred during the year ended
January 31, 2007. The amount of loans outstanding on average was
higher during fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007, which was primarily
the result of the increase in convertible debentures on average during fiscal
2008. The higher interest expense during fiscal year 2008 was
primarily due to the increase in accretion of warrants issued in fiscal years
2007 and 2008 as a debt discount as well as the write-off of balances of
derivative liabilities upon conversion of convertible debt in fiscal
2008.
In
conjunction with the Convertible Debentures issued during fiscal years 2007 and
2008, we allocated the proceeds received between convertible debt and the
detachable warrants based upon the relative fair market values on the date the
proceeds were received. Subsequent to the initial recording, the
change in the fair value of the detachable warrants, determined under the
Black-Scholes option pricing formula, and the change in the fair value of the
embedded derivative in the conversion feature of the convertible debentures are
recorded as adjustments to the liabilities at January 31, 2008 and
2007. This resulted in $703,992 of expense relating to the change in
the fair value of Firstgold’s stock reflected in the change in the fair value of
the warrants and derivatives (noted above) and is included as other income
(expense). This expense was $616,493 for the fiscal year ending
January 31, 2007.
Our total
net loss for the year ended January 31, 2008 increased to $7,632,537compared to
a net loss of $4,728,070 incurred for the fiscal year ended January 31,
2007. The larger net loss in fiscal year 2008 reflects the
substantial increase in operating expenses as we pursue our exploration programs
and reactivate our mining activities, the increase in operating expense from
additional staffing levels as well as costs associated with capital raising
activities and litigation, coupled with the limited revenues recognized during
fiscal year 2008.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We have
incurred significant operating losses since inception which has resulted in an
accumulated deficit of $31,391,140 as of January 31, 2008. At January
31, 2008, we had cash and other current assets of $1,125,613 compared to
$412,752 at January 31, 2007and net working capital deficit of
$2,500,387. Since the resumption of our business in February 2003, we
have been dependent on borrowed or invested funds in order to finance our
ongoing operations. As of January 31, 2008, we had outstanding
debentures and notes payable in the gross principal amount of $1,006,417 (net
balance of $857,937 after $148,480 of note payable discount and $0 of derivative
liabilities) which reflects an decrease of $1,922,312 compared to notes payable
in the gross principal amount of $2,780,249, (net balance of
$3,642,727 after $1,382,643 of note payable discount and
$2,245,121 of derivative liabilities) as of January 31,
2007.
In
January 2006 we made a cash deposit of $243,204 in a blocked account to cover
future reclamation costs as required by the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection for the Relief Canyon Mine. On March 28, 2007 we provided
the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management with a
letter of credit which is secured by a certificate of deposit in the amount of
$613,500. On April 12, 2007 the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection returned the $243,204 previously held in the blocked
account.
On
January 25, 2006, Firstgold entered into a joint venture with ASDi, LLC to
develop two Nevada mining properties known as the Red Caps Project (“Red Caps”)
and Crescent Valley Project (“Crescent Valley”). Pursuant to the
Operating Agreement for the Crescent Red Caps LLC, ASDi LLC was to contribute
the Red Caps and Crescent Valley mining leases to the Crescent Red Caps LLC in
exchange for Firstgold issuing 2.5 million shares of its common stock and
warrants to purchase 2.5 million shares of Firstgold common stock at an exercise
price of $0.40 per share and a term of three years to ASDi
LLC. Pursuant to the joint venture, Firstgold initially owned a
22.22% interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
and ASDi LLC held a 77.78% interest. Firstgold was to expend up to
$1,350,000 on each project over the next three years. Due to the
settlement of litigation relating to these mining leases, the joint venture has
been terminated prior to Firstgold having spent any significant amounts for
exploration expenses relating to these properties. However, Firstgold
incurred approximately $1,100,000 in legal expenses relating to this
litigation.
Our
primary sources of operating capital have been debt and equity financings. In
January, 2006 we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement which resulted in
proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures as follows: $600,000 on
January 27, 2006; $200,000 on March 12, 2006; and $200,000 on July 18,
2006.
On
September 26, 2006 we entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement which
resulted in proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures as follows:
$1,000,000 on September 26, 2006; $1,000,000 on December 1, 2006; and $1,000,000
on March 16, 2007.
On
October 10, 2006 we issued convertible debentures raising proceeds of
$650,000.
On April
12, 2007 we received net proceeds of $2,374,200 from the sale of Units in
Canada.
On May
18, 2007 we received gross proceeds of $337,500 upon the issuance of units
consisting of Firstgold common stock and warrants.
On June
22, 2007 we received net proceeds of $7,885,972 upon the issuance of units
consisting for Firstgold common stock and warrants sold in Canada.
Subsequent
to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, we received net proceeds of
$7,791,398 from the sale of Units in Canada.
By
attempting to resume mining operations, we will require approximately $10
million to $20 million in working capital above the amounts realized during
calendar year 2008 to bring the Relief Canyon Mine into full production and
carry out planned exploration on our other properties. We believe we
have sufficient working capital to fund our current business plan for Relief
Canyon. However, should additional funds become necessary, our
intention would be to pursue several possible funding opportunities including
the sale of additional securities, entering into joint venture arrangements, or
incurring additional debt.
Due to
our continuing losses from business operations, the independent auditor’s report
dated May 15, 2008, includes a “going concern” explanation relating to the fact
that Firstgold’s continuation is dependent upon obtaining additional working
capital either through significantly increasing revenues or through outside
financing. As of January 31, 2008, Firstgold’s principal commitments
included its obligation to pay ongoing maintenance fees on 146 unpatented mining
claims and the annual minimum rent due on the Winchell Ranch mineral lease and
mortgage payments relating to its offices in Lovelock, Nevada.
It is
likely that we will need to raise additional capital to fund the long-term or
expanded development, promotion and conduct of our mineral
exploration. Due to our limited cash flow, operating losses and
limited assets, it is unlikely that we could obtain financing through commercial
or banking sources. Consequently, any future capital requirements
will be dependent on cash infusions from our major stockholders or other outside
sources in order to fund our future operations. Prior to the
transactions with Cornell Capital Partners, Firstgold’s president had paid a
substantial portion of Firstgold’s expenses since restarting its business in
February 2003. Although we believe that our creditors and investors
would continue to fund Firstgold’s expenses if such became necessary based upon
their significant debt and/or equity interest in Firstgold, there is no
assurance that such investors would continue to pay our expenses in the
future. If adequate funds are not available in the future, through
public or private financing as well as borrowing from other sources, Firstgold
might not be able to establish or sustain its mineral exploration or mining
program.
Recent Financing
Transaction
On
September 26, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”) and other agreements, which were amended on November 1,
2006, with Cornell Capital Partners LP in connection with the private placement
of convertible debentures, in the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 and
bearing interest at 8% per annum (the “Debentures”). The Debentures
were issued for $1,000,000 on September 26, 2006, $1,000,000 on December 1,
2006, and $1,000,000 on March 16, 2007.
Each
Debenture had a three (3) year term from the date of issue unless they were
converted into shares of Firstgold Common Stock or were repaid prior to the
expiration dates. The conversion rate was adjustable and at any
conversion date, would be the lower of $0.4735 per share (and subsequently
reduced to $0.45 per share) or 95% of the Market Conversion
Price. Consequently, the number of shares of Firstgold Common Stock
into which the Debentures could have been converted would never be less than
6,666,666 shares but could have been substantially more if the average market
price of Firstgold’s Common Stock fell below $0.45. On July 13, 2007,
Cornell Capital converted $450,000 principal amount of the third Debenture at
the Fixed Conversion Rate of $0.45 per share into 1,000,000 shares of Firstgold
common stock. On September 13, 2007, Cornell Capital converted the
first $1,000,000 Debenture at the Fixed Conversion Rate of $0.45 per share into
2,222,222 shares of Firstgold common stock. As of October 31, 2007,
Cornell Capital had converted the balance of its Debentures with accrued
interest at the Fixed Conversion Rate of $0.45 per share into 3,858,228 shares
of Firstgold Common Stock.
Firstgold
paid a Commitment Fee to Cornell Capital Partners, LP of 9% of gross proceeds or
a total of $270,000. Firstgold also paid Yorkshire Advisors, LLC (an
affiliate of Cornell Capital Partners) a due diligence fee of $5,000 and a
Structuring Fee of $20,000. Net proceeds to Firstgold from this
financing were approximately $2,705,000.
In
conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we entered into an Investor
Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights
Agreement”). The Registration Rights Agreement requires us to
register at least 18,750,000 shares of our Common Stock to cover the conversion
of the Debentures (assuming conversion prices substantially below $0.4735) and
3,500,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon conversion of warrants (the
“Warrants”) granted to the Debenture holder. We are required to keep
this Registration Statement effective until the Debentures have been fully
converted, repaid, or becomes due and the Warrants have been fully exercised or
expire. Both the Debentures and the Warrants are currently
convertible or exercisable, respectively.
In
conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we entered into a Security Agreement
(the “Security Agreement”). The Security Agreement creates a secured
interest in favor of the Debenture holder in our mining interest and assets in
the Relief Canyon Mine property. This security interest was created
by recordation of an Amended Memorandum of Security Agreement filed in Pershing
County, Nevada on November 15, 2006. Consequently, if a default would
occur under the Debenture, the Debenture holder could take over or sell all of
our interests, business and assets associated with the Relief Canyon
Mine.
In
conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we granted warrants to purchase
2,000,000 shares of Firstgold Common Stock exercisable at $0.45 per share and
1,500,000 shares exercisable at $0.60 per share. However, on March
16, 2007, the exercise price of the $0.60 per share warrants was changed to an
exercise price of $0.45 per share. The Warrants have a term of four
years. The exercise price may be reduced if shares of Firstgold’s
Common Stock are sold at a price below the Warrant exercise price.
On
October 10, 2006 we received $650,000 upon the issuance of Convertible
Debentures with certain investors which bear interest at 8% per annum and are
convertible into shares of Firstgold common stock at the Fixed Conversion Price
of $0.4735 per share (and subsequently reduced to $0.45 per share) which would
equal approximately 1,372,756 if the entire principal were converted into
Firstgold common stock. In conjunction with the Convertible
Debentures, we granted 746,843 warrants to purchase shares of Firstgold Common
Stock, 426,767 exercisable at $0.45 per share and 320,076 exercisable at $0.60
per share. The Warrants have a term of four years.
On April
12, 2007 we received gross proceeds of $2,552,900 upon the issuance of Units
consisting of 5,673,110 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase
2,836,555 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share.
The warrants have a term of 18 months. Due to the fact that these Units were not
registered in an effective resale prospectus by October 15, 2007, an additional
542,310 “penalty shares” and 271,156 “penalty warrants” were issued to these
investors and included in this prospectus.
On May
18, 2007 we received gross proceeds of $337,500 upon the issuance of Units
consisting of 749,998 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase
375,002 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per
share. The warrants have a term of 18 months.
On June
22, 2007, we received gross proceeds of $8,479,539.45 upon the issuance of Units
at $0.45 per Unit consisting of 18,843,421 shares of our common stock and
Warrants to purchase 9,421,711 shares of our common stock at an exercise price
of $0.65 per share. The warrants have a term of 18 months. Due to the fact that
these Units were not registered in an effective resale prospectus by November
15, 2007, an additional 1,884,342 “penalty shares” and 942,171 “penalty
warrants” were issued to these investors.
Subsequent
to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007, we received gross proceeds of
$8,342,843 upon the issuance of Units at $0.65 per Unit consisting of 12,835,143
shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 6,417,572 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $0.80 per share. The warrants
have a term of 18 months.
Subsequent
to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, we issued a Convertible Debenture in
the principal amount of $1,100,000 and bearing interest or 10% per annum. The
transaction included the issuance of warrants to purchase 1,100,000 shares of
Firstgold common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share.
Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements
During
the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, Firstgold did not engage in any
off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(c) of the SEC’s Regulation
S-B.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation are
based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States.
The
preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and
disclosures on the date of the financial statements. On an on-going
basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related
to revenue recognition. We use authoritative pronouncements,
historical experience and other assumptions as the basis for making
judgments. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. We believe that the following critical accounting policies
affect our more significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our
financial statements.
Exploration Stage
Company
Effective
January 1, 1995 (date of inception), Firstgold is considered an exploration
stage company as defined in SFAS No. 7. Firstgold’s exploration stage
activities consist of the development of several mining properties located in
Nevada. Sources of financing for these exploration stage activities
have been primarily debt and equity financing. Firstgold has, at the
present time, not paid any dividends and any dividends that may be paid in the
future will depend upon the financial requirements of Firstgold and other
relevant factors.
Valuation of long-lived
assets
Long-lived
assets, consisting primarily of property and equipment, patents and trademarks,
and goodwill, comprise a significant portion of our total
assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be
recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured by a comparison of
the carrying value of an asset to the future net cash flows expected to be
generated by those assets. The cash flow projections are based on
historical experience, management’s view of growth rates within the industry,
and the anticipated future economic environment.
Factors
we consider important that could trigger a review for impairment include the
following:
(a) significant
underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating
results,
(b) significant
changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy of our
overall business, and
(c) significant
negative industry or economic trends.
When we
determine that the carrying value of long-lived assets and related goodwill and
enterprise-level goodwill may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one
or more of the above indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment based
on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by
our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business
model.
Deferred Reclamation
Costs
In August
2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations,” which established a uniform methodology for accounting
for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. The statement was
adopted February 1, 2003. The reclamation costs will be allocated to
expense over the life of the related assets and will be adjusted for changes
resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount
of the original present value estimate.
Prior to
adoption of SFAS No. 143, estimated future reclamation costs were based
principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Such costs related
to active mines were accrued and charged over the expected operating lives of
the mines using the units of production method based on proven and probable
reserves. Future remediation costs for inactive mines were accrued
based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the
undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost
estimates included, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring
costs. Changes in estimates at inactive mines were reflected in
earnings in the period an estimate was revised.
Exploration
Costs
Exploration
costs are expensed as incurred. All costs related to property
acquisitions are capitalized.
Mine Development
Costs
Mine
development costs consist of all costs associated with bringing mines into
production, to develop new ore bodies and to develop mine areas substantially in
advance of current production. The decision to develop a mine is based on
assessment of the commercial viability of the property and the availability of
financing. Once the decision to proceed to development is made, development and
other expenditures relating to the project will be deferred and carried at cost
with the intention that these will be depleted by charges against earnings from
future mining operations. No depreciation will be charged against the property
until commercial production commences. After a mine has been brought into
commercial production, any additional work on that property will be expensed as
incurred, except for large development programs, which will be deferred and
depleted.
Reclamation
Costs
Reclamation
costs and related accrued liabilities, which are based on our interpretation of
current environmental and regulatory requirements, are accrued and expensed,
upon determination.
Based on
current environmental regulations and known reclamation requirements, management
has included its best estimates of these obligations in its reclamation
accruals. However, it is reasonably possible that our best estimates
of our ultimate reclamation liabilities could change as a result of changes in
regulations or cost estimates.
Valuation of Derivative
Instruments
FAS
No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" requires bifurcation of
embedded derivative instruments and measurement of their fair value for
accounting purposes. In determining the appropriate fair value, the Company uses
the Black Scholes model as a valuation technique. Derivative
liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each period end, with any
increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations
as Adjustments to Fair Value of Derivatives. In addition, the fair values of
freestanding derivative instruments such as warrants are valued using Black
Scholes models.
Stock-Based
Compensation
We
currently account for the issuance of stock options to employees using the fair
market value method according to SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment.
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements
In
February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid
Financial Instruments”, which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives
Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of
Liabilities”. SFAS No. 155 amends SFAS No. 133 to narrow the scope
exception for interest-only and principal-only strips on debt instruments to
include only such strips representing rights to receive a specified portion of
the contractual interest or principle cash flows. SFAS No. 155 also
amends SFAS No. 140 to allow qualifying special-purpose entities to hold a
passive derivative financial instrument pertaining to beneficial interests that
itself is a derivative instrument. Firstgold is currently evaluating
the impact of this new Standard but believes that it will not have a material
impact on Firstgold’s financial position, results of operations, or cash
flows.
In March
2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets” which provides an approach to simplify efforts to obtain hedge-like
(offset) accounting. This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 140,
“Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities”, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. The Statement (1)
requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or servicing liability each
time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a
servicing contract in certain situations; (2) requires that a separately
recognized servicing asset or servicing liability be initially measured at fair
value, if practicable; (3) permits an entity to choose either the amortization
method or the fair value method for subsequent measurement for each class of
separately recognized servicing assets or servicing liabilities; (4) permits at
initial adoption a one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities to
trading securities by an entity with recognized servicing rights, provided the
securities reclassified offset the entity’s exposure to changes in the fair
value of the servicing assets or liabilities; and (5) requires separate
presentation of servicing assets and servicing liabilities subsequently measured
at fair value in the balance sheet and additional disclosures for all separately
recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156
is effective for all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities as
of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after September 15,
2006, with earlier adoption permitted in certain
circumstances.
The
Statement also describes the manner in which it should be initially
applied. Firstgold does not believe that SFAS No. 156 will have a
material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
In
July 2006, the FASB released FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting and reporting
for uncertainties in income tax law. This interpretation prescribes a
comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement,
presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be
taken in income tax returns. This statement is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is
currently in the process of evaluating the expected effect of FIN 48 on its
results of operations and financial position.
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Issues No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”),
which defines the fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. Early adoption is encouraged, provided that the Company has
not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including any
financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. The Company
is currently evaluating the impact SFAS 157 may have on its financial condition
or results of operations.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans.” SFAS No. 158 requires
employers to recognize in its statement of financial position an asset or
liability based on the retirement plans over or under funded status. SFAS
No. 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15,
2006. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the
application of SFAS No. 158 will have on its results of operations and financial
condition.
In
September 2006, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year
Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial
Statements” (“SAB 108”). This SAB provides guidance on the
consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current
year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108
establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement
errors based on the effects on each of the company’s balance sheets, statements
of operations and related financial statement disclosures. The SAB
permits existing public companies to record the cumulative effect of initially
applying this approach in the first year ending after November 15, 2006 by
recording the necessary correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets
and liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment
recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Additionally,
the use of the cumulative effect transition method requires detailed disclosure
of the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected through the
cumulative adjustment and how and when it arose.
The
Company is currently evaluating the impact SAB 108 may have on its results of
operations and financial condition.
In
October 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF 06-3, “How
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should
Be Presented in the Income Statement (That is, Gross versus Net Presentation)”
to clarify diversity in practice on the presentation of different types of taxes
in the financial statements. The Task Force concluded that, for taxes
within the scope of the issue, a company may adopt a policy of presenting taxes
either gross within revenue or net. That is, it may include charges to
customers for taxes within revenues and the charge for the taxes from the taxing
authority within cost of sales, or, alternatively, it may net the charge to the
customer and the charge from the taxing authority. If taxes subject to
EITF 06-3 are significant, a company is required to disclose its accounting
policy for presenting taxes and the amounts of such taxes that are recognized on
a gross basis. The guidance in this consensus is effective for the first
interim reporting period beginning after December 15, 2006 (the first quarter of
our fiscal year 2007). We do not expect the adoption of EITF 06-3 will
have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash
flow.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159). Under the provisions of
SFAS 159, companies may choose to account for eligible financial instruments,
warranties and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract
basis. Changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings each
reporting period. SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those
fiscal years. Firstgold is required to and plans to adopt the
provisions of SFAS 159 beginning in the first quarter of
2008. Firstgold is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of
SFAS 159.
ITEM
7. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED
JANUARY
31, 2008 AND 2007
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
F-1
|
|
|
Balance
Sheet |
F-2
|
|
|
Statements of
Operations |
F-4
|
|
|
Statements of
Shareholders’ Deficit |
F-5
|
|
|
Statements of
Cash Flows |
F-10
|
|
|
Notes to
Financial Statements |
F-14
|
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of
Directors and Shareholders
Firstgold
Corp.
We have
audited the balance sheets of Firstgold Corp. (a development stage company) (the
“Company”) as of January 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of
operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders' deficit, and cash flows for each
of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2008 and the period from
January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provided a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Firstgold Corp. as of January 31,
2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two
years in the period ended January 31, 2008, and the period from January 1, 1995
to January 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the
financial statements, the Company has incurred a net loss of $7,632,537 and had
negative cash flow from operations of $4,832,217. In addition, the
Company had an accumulated deficit of $31,391,142 and a shareholders’ surplus of
$5,174,290 at January 31, 2008. These factors, among others, as
discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, raise substantial doubt about
the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's
plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of this uncertainty.
HUNTER
& RENFRO LLP
Sacramento,
California
May 15,
2008
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
BALANCE
SHEET
|
|
January
31,
|
|
|
January
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
383,223 |
|
|
$ |
150,647 |
|
Receivables
|
|
|
196,811 |
|
|
|
114,737 |
|
Deposits
|
|
|
295,281 |
|
|
|
7,368 |
|
Prepaid
expense
|
|
|
250,298 |
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
1,125,613 |
|
|
|
412,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
of $205,084 and $20,850 at January 31, 2008 and
2007, respectively
|
|
|
8,438,997 |
|
|
|
928,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
674,850 |
|
|
|
250,981 |
|
Deferred
reclamation costs
|
|
|
680,326 |
|
|
|
641,026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
other assets
|
|
|
1,355,176 |
|
|
|
892,007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
10,919,786 |
|
|
$ |
2,232,788 |
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$ |
2,730,596 |
|
|
$ |
598,788 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
538,987 |
|
|
|
1,198,174 |
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
356,417 |
|
|
|
130,249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
3,626,000 |
|
|
|
1,927,211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
debenture and related derivative liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
net
of unamortized discount of $0 and $402,135 and deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
financing
costs of $148,480 and $1,382,642 at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
31, 2008 and 2007,respectively
|
|
|
501,520 |
|
|
|
3,110,344 |
|
Accrued
reclamation costs
|
|
|
680,326 |
|
|
|
641,026 |
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
937,650 |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
long-term liabilities
|
|
|
2,119,496 |
|
|
|
4,551,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
5,745,496 |
|
|
|
6,478,581 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
BALANCE
SHEET
|
|
January
31,
|
|
|
January
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
surplus (deficit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000,000
shares authorized at January 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,432,317
and 77,839,601 shares issued and outstanding at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
31, 2008 and 2007, respectively
|
|
|
117,432 |
|
|
|
77,839 |
|
Additional
paid in capital
|
|
|
36,447,996 |
|
|
|
19,434,973 |
|
Deficit
accumulated during the exploration stage
|
|
|
(31,391,142 |
) |
|
|
(23,758,605 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
shareholders' surplus (deficit)
|
|
|
5,174,290 |
|
|
|
(4,245,793 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders' surplus (deficit)
|
|
$ |
10,919,786 |
|
|
$ |
2,232,788 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Period
|
|
|
|
For
the Years Ended
|
|
|
From
January 1,
|
|
|
|
January 31,
|
|
|
1995
to January
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Sales
|
|
$ |
551,279 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
551,279 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
and maintenance costs
|
|
|
(2,195,024 |
) |
|
|
(1,591,497 |
) |
|
|
(4,089,352 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
loss
|
|
|
(1,643,745 |
) |
|
|
(1,591,497 |
) |
|
|
(3,538,073 |
) |
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
(5,715,150 |
) |
|
|
(1,955,816 |
) |
|
|
(21,582,974 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from operations
|
|
|
(7,358,895 |
) |
|
|
(3,547,316 |
) |
|
|
(25,121,050 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
191,919 |
|
|
|
14,065 |
|
|
|
278,671 |
|
Dividend
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,188 |
|
Other
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,565 |
|
Gain on
settlement of obligations
|
|
|
1,107,875 |
|
|
|
18,649 |
|
|
|
1,126,524 |
|
Adjustments to
fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
(703,992 |
) |
|
|
(616,493 |
) |
|
|
(1,357,903 |
) |
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(869,444 |
) |
|
|
(596,975 |
) |
|
|
(3,875,456 |
) |
Loss
from joint venture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(859,522 |
) |
Loss on
sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(281,063 |
) |
Bad
debt expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40,374 |
) |
Loss on
disposal of plant, property
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(334,927 |
) |
Loss on
disposal of bond
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
other income (expense)
|
|
|
(273,642 |
) |
|
|
(1,180,754 |
) |
|
|
(5,328,297 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
(7,632,537 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,728,070 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,449,347 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share
|
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted weighted-average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares
outstanding
|
|
|
100,162,546 |
|
|
|
71,416,951 |
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
and
for the Period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
Other
Com-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Paid
in
|
|
|
prehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
(Loss)
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
December 31, 1994
|
|
|
6,768,358 |
|
|
$ |
6,768 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
(636,084 |
) |
|
$ |
(629,316 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(233,877 |
) |
|
|
(233,877 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
December 31, 1995
|
|
|
6,768,358 |
|
|
|
6,768 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(869,961 |
) |
|
|
(863,193 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued to creditors and shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
Warehouse Auto Centers, Inc.
|
|
|
305,709 |
|
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
305,403 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(305,709 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Shares
issued to investors and underwriters
|
|
|
5,135,130 |
|
|
|
5,135 |
|
|
|
4,701,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,706,970 |
|
Shares
issued to purchase Washington Gulch
|
|
|
3,800,000 |
|
|
|
3,800 |
|
|
|
177,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
181,000 |
|
Shares
issued in exchange for net profits interest
|
|
|
1,431,642 |
|
|
|
1,432 |
|
|
|
440,605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
442,067 |
|
Shares
issued to others
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
220,779 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
221,000 |
|
Shares
issued to Repadre
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
99,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
Shares
issued to repurchase 50% interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in
Relief Canyon
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
999,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
Net
loss for the period January 1, 1996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to
January 31, 1997
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,803,784 |
) |
|
|
(1,803,784 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 1997
|
|
|
18,761,839 |
|
|
|
18,762 |
|
|
|
6,944,722 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,979,454 |
) |
|
|
3,984,030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued to Warehouse Auto Centers, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shareholders
subsequently cancelled
|
|
|
(25,242 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(25,217 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,242 |
) |
Shares
issued to others
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
4,987 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
Additional
shares issued to investors and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
underwriters
for delay in share trading
|
|
|
513,514 |
|
|
|
513 |
|
|
|
204,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
205,000 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
and
for the Period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008
Shares
issued to Repadre
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
199,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,883,309 |
) |
|
|
(5,883,309 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 1998
|
|
|
19,462,611 |
|
|
|
19,463 |
|
|
|
7,328,779 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(8,862,763 |
) |
|
|
(1,514,521 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued in exchange for rent
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
5,985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Shares
issued to IBK
|
|
|
5,616,977 |
|
|
|
5,617 |
|
|
|
542,383 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
548,000 |
|
Shares
issued in exchange for property
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
55,350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(753,219 |
) |
|
|
(753,219 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 1999
|
|
|
25,244,588 |
|
|
|
25,245 |
|
|
|
7,932,497 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(9,615,982 |
) |
|
|
(1,658,240 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-for-two
stock split
|
|
|
12,672,441 |
|
|
|
12,671 |
|
|
|
(12,671 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Shares
issued in exchange for debt conversion
|
|
|
3,205,674 |
|
|
|
3,206 |
|
|
|
1,279,065 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,282,271 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(919,735 |
) |
|
|
(919,735 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 2000
|
|
|
41,122,703 |
|
|
|
41,122 |
|
|
|
9,198,891 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(10,535,717 |
) |
|
|
(1,295,704 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued for cash
|
|
|
1,796,000 |
|
|
|
1,796 |
|
|
|
663,204 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
665,000 |
|
Additional
shares issued for delay in registration
|
|
|
239,200 |
|
|
|
239 |
|
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Shares
issued for offering costs
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
(60,120 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(60,000 |
) |
Shares
issued for legal settlement
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
649,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
650,000 |
|
Shares
issued for services
|
|
|
78,271 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
69,922 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,382,723 |
) |
|
|
(2,382,723 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 2001
|
|
|
44,356,174 |
|
|
|
44,356 |
|
|
|
10,520,657 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(12,918,440 |
) |
|
|
(2,353,427 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued for cash
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
147,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
Warrants
issued with debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
and
for the Period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,502,366 |
) |
|
|
(1,502,366 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 2002
|
|
|
46,856,174 |
|
|
|
46,856 |
|
|
|
10,688,157 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(14,420,806 |
) |
|
|
(3,685,793 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued upon exercise of warrants
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
550 |
|
|
|
54,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
Offering
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,467 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,467 |
) |
Warrants
issued with debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,574 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,574 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(215,533 |
) |
|
|
(215,533 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 2003
|
|
|
47,406,174 |
|
|
|
47,406 |
|
|
|
10,754,714 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(14,636,339 |
) |
|
|
(3,834,219 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued upon exercise of warrants
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
19,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
Warrants
issued with debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,918 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,918 |
|
Other
comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(204,820 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(204,820 |
) |
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(470,823 |
) |
|
|
(470,823 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 2004
|
|
|
47,606,174 |
|
|
|
47,606 |
|
|
|
10,838,432 |
|
|
|
(204,820 |
) |
|
|
(15,107,162 |
) |
|
|
(4,425,944 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued for cash
|
|
|
671,667 |
|
|
|
672 |
|
|
|
100,078 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,750 |
|
Offering
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(124,337 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(124,337 |
) |
Warrants
issued with common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124,337 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124,337 |
|
Warrants
issued with debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,284,234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,284,234 |
|
Sale
of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
204,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
204,820 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,278,140 |
) |
|
|
(1,278,140 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 31, 2005
|
|
|
48,277,841 |
|
|
|
48,278 |
|
|
|
12,222,744 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(16,385,302 |
) |
|
|
(4,114,280 |
) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
and
for the Period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008
Shares
issued for cash
|
|
|
5,000,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1,070,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,075,000 |
|
Shares
issued in exchange for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
debt
conversion
|
|
|
12,326,231 |
|
|
|
12,326 |
|
|
|
1,836,609 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,848,935 |
|
Shares
issued to purchase 22%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
interest
in Crescent Red Caps LLC
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
497,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
Warrants
issued with investment in joint venture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
359,523 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
359,523 |
|
Warrants
issued for services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,690 |
|
Net
loss for the period February
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,
2005 to January 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,645,231 |
) |
|
|
(2,645,231 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
January 31, 2006
|
|
|
68,104,072 |
|
|
|
68,104 |
|
|
|
16,002,066 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(19,030,535 |
) |
|
|
(2,960,365 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued for cash
|
|
|
1,428,500 |
|
|
|
1,428 |
|
|
|
237,846 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
239,275 |
|
Shares
issued in exchange for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
debt
conversion
|
|
|
6,207,029 |
|
|
|
6,207 |
|
|
|
1,550,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,556,263 |
|
Stock
issued for services
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
738,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
740,000 |
|
Warrants
issued for services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
373,905 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
373,905 |
|
Stock
issued in settlement of litigation
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
38,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,000 |
|
Warrants
issued with debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,114 |
|
Stock
options issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
322,879 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
322,879 |
|
Net
loss for the period February
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,
2006 to January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,828,780 |
) |
|
|
(4,828,780 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
77,839,601 |
|
|
$ |
77,839 |
|
|
|
19,434,973 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(23,859,315 |
) |
|
|
(4,346,501 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued for cash
|
|
|
25,266,529 |
|
|
|
25,267 |
|
|
|
10,190,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,215,765 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
and
for the Period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008
Shares
issued in exchange for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
debt
conversion
|
|
|
7,080,450 |
|
|
|
7,080 |
|
|
|
5,060,004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,067,084 |
|
Stock
issued for services
|
|
|
277,000 |
|
|
|
277 |
|
|
|
168,154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168,431 |
|
Shares
issued upon exercise of warrants
|
|
|
4,380,180 |
|
|
|
4,380 |
|
|
|
810,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
814,494 |
|
Shares
issued upon exercise of stock options
|
|
|
61,906 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Additional
shares issued for delay in registration
|
|
|
2,526,651 |
|
|
|
2,527 |
|
|
|
(2,527 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Stock
options issued
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
786,842 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
786,842 |
|
Net
loss for the period February
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,
2007 to January 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,632,537 |
) |
|
|
(7,632,537 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
January 31, 2008
|
|
|
117,432,317 |
|
|
$ |
117,432 |
|
|
|
36,447,996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(31,391,142 |
) |
|
|
5,174,290 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
For
the Years Ended January 31, 2008 and 2007
and
for the Period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
January 1,
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended January
31,
|
|
|
1995
to January
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(7,632,537 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,728,070 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,449,347 |
) |
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
used
in operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion
of warrants issued as a debt discount
|
|
|
43,278 |
|
|
|
13,512 |
|
|
|
1,287,774 |
|
Accretion
of beneficial conversion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
107,468 |
|
Accretion
of debt discount
|
|
|
279,438 |
|
|
|
248,962 |
|
|
|
224,004 |
|
Adjustments
to fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
703,992 |
|
|
|
616,493 |
|
|
|
653,910 |
|
Loss
from joint venture
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
859,522 |
|
Loss
on sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
281,063 |
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
210,572 |
|
|
|
64,278 |
|
|
|
179,885 |
|
Loss
on disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
334,927 |
|
Impairment
in value of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
807,266 |
|
Loss
on disposal of bond
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
Impairment
in value of Relief Canyon Mine
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,311,672 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
Impairment
in value of joint investments
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
490,000 |
|
Bad
debt
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
40,374 |
|
Assigned
value of stock and warrants exchanged for services
|
|
|
168,431 |
|
|
|
1,387,073 |
|
|
|
1,888,331 |
|
Assigned
value of stock options issue for compensation
|
|
|
786,842 |
|
|
|
49,711 |
|
|
|
49,711 |
|
Gain
on write off of note payable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(7,000 |
) |
Judgment
loss accrued
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
(Increase)
decrease in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
(423,869 |
) |
|
|
(7,777 |
) |
|
|
(243,204 |
) |
Receivables
|
|
|
(82,074 |
) |
|
|
(113,415 |
) |
|
|
(30,737 |
) |
Deposits
|
|
|
(287,913 |
) |
|
|
(7,368 |
) |
|
|
(53,868 |
) |
Deferred
reclamation costs
|
|
|
39,300 |
|
|
|
370,290 |
|
|
|
175,548 |
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
|
(110,298 |
) |
|
|
(140,000 |
) |
|
|
(146,900 |
) |
Reclamation
bonds
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,600 |
) |
Increase
(decrease) in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
2,131,838 |
|
|
|
(199,445 |
) |
|
|
408,044 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
(659,187 |
) |
|
|
(209,744 |
) |
|
|
2,077,485 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used by operating activities
|
|
|
(4,832,217 |
) |
|
|
(2,655,050 |
) |
|
|
(9,767,839 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
34,124 |
|
Investment
in marketable securities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(315,188 |
) |
Advances
from shareholder
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,436 |
|
Contribution
from joint venture partner
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
775,000 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
Purchase
of joint venture partner interest
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(900,000 |
) |
Capital
expenditures
|
|
|
(7,695,202 |
) |
|
|
(929,681 |
) |
|
|
(3,826,219 |
) |
Proceeds
from disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,783 |
|
Investments
in joint ventures
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(490,000 |
) |
Note
receivable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(268,333 |
) |
Repayment
of note receivable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
268,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used by investing activities
|
|
|
(7,965,202 |
) |
|
|
(929,681 |
) |
|
|
(4,436,064 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from the issuance of common stock
|
|
|
12,396,177 |
|
|
|
651,288 |
|
|
|
7,559,253 |
|
Proceeds
from notes payable
|
|
|
250,685 |
|
|
|
2,841,500 |
|
|
|
5,554,548 |
|
Principal
repayments of notes payable
|
|
|
(24,517 |
) |
|
|
(457,634 |
) |
|
|
(2,037,706 |
) |
Repayment
of advances to affiliate
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(231,663 |
) |
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
137,650 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
12,759,995 |
|
|
|
3,035,154 |
|
|
|
11,644,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase in cash
|
|
|
232,576 |
|
|
|
(549,577 |
) |
|
|
693,537 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash,
beginning of year
|
|
|
150,647 |
|
|
|
700,224 |
|
|
|
6,687 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash,
end of year
|
|
$ |
383,223 |
|
|
$ |
150,647 |
|
|
$ |
263,871 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
Supplemental
cash flow information for the years ended January 31, 2006 and 2005 and
January 1, 1995
|
|
through
January 31, 2008 as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
January 1,
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended January
31,
|
|
|
1995
to January
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
31,
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid for interest
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
161,107 |
|
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non
Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion
of related party note payable to common
stock,
including interest payable of $446,193
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
244,678 |
|
|
$ |
2,093,573 |
|
Conversion of convertible debentures to common
stock,
including interest of $217,151
|
|
$ |
3,186,203 |
|
|
$ |
1,173,406 |
|
|
$ |
4,359,609 |
|
Issuance of warrants as financing costs in connection with
convertible
debt
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
173,114 |
|
|
$ |
2,093,573 |
|
Issuance of common stock as payment for
settlement of
liabilities
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
206,375 |
|
|
$ |
2,093,573 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
NOTE
1 - ORGANIZATION AND LINE OF BUSINESS
Firstgold
Corp. has a business strategy whereby it will invest in, explore and if
warranted, conduct mining operations of its current mining properties and other
mineral producing properties. Firstgold is a public company that in
the past has been engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold-bearing
properties in the continental United States. Currently, Firstgold’s
principal assets include various mineral leases associated with the Relief
Canyon Mine located near Lovelock, Nevada along with various items of mining
equipment and improvements located at that site. Firstgold has also
secured rights to explore approximately 25,000 acres of property located in Elko
County, Nevada and has staked claims on approximately 4,200 acres of land in the
Horse Creek area of Nevada.
From 1995
until the beginning of 2000, Firstgold had followed the above described business
activity focusing on the exploration and mining of gold and silver ore
deposits. At the beginning of 2000, Firstgold’s business strategy
became focused on investing in Internet start-up companies. That
strategy was not successful and by mid-2001 Firstgold had abandoned such
investments. From approximately July 2001 until February 2003
Firstgold had been inactive. During the period of inactivity, ASDi
LLC, an entity controlled by A. Scott Dockter who is also the Chief Operating
Officer of Firstgold, made the necessary expenditures to maintain the current
status of the Relief Canyon mining claims. In February 2003,
Firstgold resumed its business of acquiring, exploring and if warranted
developing its mining properties.
Merger
In
November 1996, Newgold, Inc. of Nevada (Old Newgold) was merged into Warehouse
Auto Centers, Inc. (WAC), a public company, which had previously filed an
involuntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New
York. Pursuant to the plan of reorganization and merger (the Plan),
(i) WAC which was the surviving corporation for legal purposes, changed its name
to Newgold Inc. (the Company), (ii) the outstanding shares
of Old Newgold were converted into the right to receive an aggregate of
12,000,000 shares or approximately 69% of the post merger outstanding common
stock of the Company, (iii) each outstanding share of WAC was converted into the
right to receive 1/65 share of the common stock of the Company, for an aggregate
of 51,034 shares or less than 1% of the post merger outstanding common stock,
(iv) unsecured trade debts and other unsecured pre-petition liabilities were
paid in full via the issuance of one share of the Company’s stock, for each $42
of debt, for an aggregate of 63,374 shares or less than 1% of the post merger
outstanding common stock, and (v) post petition creditors received 1 share of
stock for each $1 of debt, for an aggregate of 191,301 shares or approximately
1% of the post merger outstanding common stock. The Plan also
required an amendment to the Company’s capital structure to increase the number
of shares authorized to 50,000,000 and to reduce the corresponding par value to
$.001.
In
connection with the Plan, the Company raised $4,707,000 of cash through the
issuance of convertible debtor certificates. Shortly after
confirmation of the Plan, the debtor certificates were exchanged for 5,135,130
shares of common stock (including 428,130 shares issued in lieu of paying cash
for underwriter’s fees) representing approximately 29% of the post merger
outstanding common stock. An additional bonus of 513,514 shares was
issued to investors and underwriters during the year ended January 31, 1998 for
delay in the effective date of the Company’s stock trading.
For
accounting purposes, Old Newgold has been treated as the acquirer (reverse
acquisition). Accordingly, the historical financial statements prior to November
21, 1996 are those of Old Newgold. There were no assets or
liabilities acquired in this transaction and there is no impact on the statement
of operations.
NOTE
2 - GOING CONCERN
These
financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis. During the years ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 and the
period from January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008, Firstgold incurred net losses
of approximately $7,632,537, $2,645,231and $30,550,057,
respectively. In addition, while Firstgold had a total shareholders’
surplus of $5,174,290 it has been in the development stage since inception and
through January 31, 2008. The Company's ability to continue as a
going concern is dependent upon its ability to generate profitable operations in
the future and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and
repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come
due. The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with any certainty at this
time. Since inception, the Company has satisfied its capital needs by
issuing equity securities.
Management
plans to continue to provide for its capital needs during the year ending
January 31, 2009 by issuing equity securities or incurring additional debt
financing, with the proceeds to be used to re-establish mining operations at
Relief Canyon as well as improve its working capital position. These
financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and
classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should the
Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE
3 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Effective
January 1, 1995 (date of inception), the Company is considered a development
stage Company as defined in SFAS No. 7. The Company’s development
stage activities consist of the development of several mining properties located
in Nevada. Sources of financing for these development stage activities have been
primarily debt and equity financing. The Company has, at the present
time, not paid any dividends and any dividends that may be paid in the future
will depend upon the financial requirements of the Company and other relevant
factors.
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
For the
purpose of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid
investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.
Restricted
Cash
Restricted
cash represents a certificate of deposit with Umpqua Bank to serve as collateral
for a reclamation bond with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection at
the Relief Canyon Mine.
Marketable Securities
Available for Sale
Investments
in equity securities are classified as available-for-sale. Securities classified
as available for sale are marked to market at each period end. Changes in value
on such securities are recorded as a component of Other comprehensive income (loss).
If declines in value are deemed other than temporary, losses are
reflected in Net income
(loss).
Property and
Equipment
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization of mining properties, mine development costs and
major plant facilities will be computed principally by the units-of-production
method based on estimated proven and probable ore reserves. Proven
and probable ore reserves reflect estimated quantities of ore which can be
economically recovered in the future from known mineral
deposits. Such estimates are based on current and projected costs and
prices. Other equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method
principally over the estimated useful life of the respective asset.
Deferred Reclamation
Costs
In August
2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations,” which established a uniform methodology for accounting
for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. The statement was
adopted February 1, 2003. The reclamation costs will be allocated to
expense over the life of the related assets and will be adjusted for changes
resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount
of the original present value estimate.
Prior to
adoption of SFAS No. 143, estimated future reclamation costs were based
principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Such costs related
to active mines were accrued and charged over the expected operating lives of
the mines using the Units Of Production method based on proven and probable
reserves. Future remediation costs for inactive mines were accrued
based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the
undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost
estimates included, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring
costs. Changes in estimates at inactive mines were reflected in
earnings in the period an estimate was revised.
Exploration
Costs
Exploration
costs are expensed as incurred. All costs related to property
acquisitions are capitalized.
Mine Development
Costs
Mine
development costs consist of all costs associated with bringing mines into
production, to develop new ore bodies and to develop mine areas substantially in
advance of current production. The decision to develop a mine is based on
assessment of the commercial viability of the property and the availability of
financing. Once the decision to proceed to development is made,
development and other expenditures relating to the project will be deferred and
carried at cost with the intention that these will be depleted by charges
against earnings from future mining operations. No depreciation will
be charged against the property until commercial production
commences. After a mine has been brought into commercial production,
any additional work on that property will be expensed as incurred, except for
large development programs, which will be deferred and depleted.
Financing
Costs
Financing
costs, including interest, are capitalized when they arise from indebtedness
incurred to finance development and construction activities on properties that
are not yet subject to depreciation or depletion. Capitalization is
based upon the actual interest on debt specifically incurred or on the average
borrowing rate for all other debt except where shares are issued to fund the
cost of the project.
Depreciation, Depletion and
Amortization
Assets
other than mining properties and mineral rights are depreciated using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Capitalized
development costs are amortized on the units of production method considering
proven and probable reserves. Depreciation and depletion rates are
subject to periodic review to ensure that asset costs are amortized over their
useful lives.
Impairment
Mining
projects and properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be
recoverable. If estimated future cash flows expected to result from
the use of the mining project or property and its eventual disposition are less
than the carrying amount, impairment is recognized based on the estimated fair
value of the mining project or property. Fair value generally is
based on the present value of estimated future net cash flows for each mining
project or property, calculated using estimates of proven and probable mineable
reserves, geological resources, future prices, operating costs, capital
requirements and reclamation costs. A provision for impairment in
valuation of development costs and property, plant and equipment amounted to
$800,000 for the year ended January 31, 2002 and was charged to operating
expense. After these adjustments all development costs and property,
plant and equipment have been fully written off.
Management’s
estimates of future cash flows are subject to risks and
uncertainties. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that changes
could occur which may affect the recoverability of the Company’s investment in
mineral properties.
Risks Associated with Gold
Mining
The
business of gold mining is subject to certain types of risks, including
environmental hazards, industrial accidents, and theft. While the
Company maintains insurance consistent with industry practice, it is not
possible to insure against all risks associated with the mining business, or
prudent to assume that insurance will continue to be available at a reasonable
cost. The Company has not obtained environmental liability insurance
because such coverage is not considered by management to be cost
effective.
Reclamation
Costs
Reclamation
costs and related accrued liabilities, which are based on the Company’s
interpretation of current environmental and regulatory requirements, are accrued
and expensed, upon determination.
Based on
current environmental regulations and known reclamation requirements, management
has included its best estimates of these obligations in its reclamation
accruals. However, it is reasonably possible that the Company’s best
estimates of its ultimate reclamation liabilities could change as a result of
changes in regulations or cost estimates.
Valuation of Derivative
Instruments
FAS
No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" requires bifurcation of
embedded derivative instruments and measurement of their fair value for
accounting purposes. In determining the appropriate fair value, the Company uses
the Black Scholes model as a valuation technique. Derivative
liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each period end, with any
increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations
as Adjustments to Fair Value of Derivatives. In addition, the fair values of
freestanding derivative instruments such as warrants are valued using Black
Scholes models.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenues
will be recognized when deliveries of gold are made, title and risk of loss
passes to the buyer and collectibility is reasonably
assured. Deferred revenue represents non-refundable cash received in
exchange for royalties on net smelter returns on the Relief Canyon
Mine. Deferred revenue will be amortized to earnings based on
estimated production in accordance with the royalty agreement.
Fair Value of Financial
Instruments
The
Company's financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents and accounts
payable - trade. The carrying amounts for these financial instruments
approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
Comprehensive
Income
The
Company utilizes SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This
statement establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income and its
components in a financial statement. Comprehensive income as defined
includes all changes in equity (net assets) during a period from non-owner
sources. Examples of items to be included in comprehensive income,
which are excluded from net income, include foreign currency translation
adjustments, minimum pension liability adjustments, and unrealized gains and
losses on available-for-sale marketable securities. Comprehensive
income is presented in the Company's financial statements since the Company did
have unrealized gain (loss) of from changes in equity from available-for-sale
marketable securities.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method, which requires the
recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax
consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or
tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized
for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of
assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end
based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in
which the differences are expected to affect taxable
income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to
reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
As of
January 31, 2008, the deferred tax assets related to the Company’s net operating
loss carry-forwards are fully reserved. Due to the provisions of
Internal Revenue Code Section 382, the Company may not have any net operating
loss carry-forwards available to offset financial statement or tax return
taxable income in future periods as a result of a change in control involving 50
percentage points or more of the issued and outstanding securities of the
Company.
Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Loss Per
Share
The
Company utilizes SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share." Basic loss per
share is computed by dividing loss available to common shareholders by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss
per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the
denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that
would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and
if the additional common shares were dilutive. Common equivalent
shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is
anti-dilutive.
The
following common stock equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted
loss per share since their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants |
|
|
39,257,146 |
|
|
|
26,592,866 |
|
Concentrations of Credit
Risk
Financial
instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit
risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its
cash and cash equivalents with high credit, quality financial
institutions. At times, such cash and cash equivalents may be in
excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of
$100,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts
and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash
equivalents.
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements
In
February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid
Financial Instruments”, which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives
Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of
Liabilities.” SFAS No. 155 amends SFAS No. 133 to narrow the scope
exception for interest-only and principal-only strips on debt instruments to
include only such strips representing rights to receive a specified portion of
the contractual interest or principle cash flows. SFAS No. 155 also
amends SFAS No. 140 to allow qualifying special-purpose entities to hold a
passive derivative financial instrument pertaining to beneficial interests that
itself is a derivative instrument. The Company has evaluated the
impact of this new Standard and determined that it did not have a material
impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash
flows.
In March
2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets” (“SFAS NO. 156”), which provides an approach to simplify efforts to
obtain hedge-like (offset) accounting. This Statement amends FASB
Statement No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets
and Extinguishments of Liabilities”, with respect to the accounting for
separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. The
Statement (1) requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or servicing
liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by
entering into a servicing contract in certain situations; (2) requires that a
separately recognized servicing asset or servicing liability be initially
measured at fair value, if practicable;
(3)
permits an entity to choose either the amortization method or the fair value
method for subsequent measurement for each class of separately recognized
servicing assets or servicing liabilities; (4) permits at initial adoption a
one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities to trading securities
by an entity with recognized servicing rights, provided the securities
reclassified offset the entity’s exposure to changes in the fair value of the
servicing assets or liabilities; and (5) requires separate presentation of
servicing assets and servicing liabilities subsequently measured at fair value
in the balance sheet and additional disclosures for all separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 is effective
for all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities as of the
beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, with
earlier adoption permitted in certain circumstances. The Statement
also describes the manner in which it should be initially
applied. The Company has evaluated the impact of this new standard
and determined that it did not have a material impact on its financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2006, the FASB released
FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”,
an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the
accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income tax law. This
interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement
recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions
taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. This statement is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company
has evaluated the impact of this new standard and determined that it did not
have a material impact on its results of operations and financial
position.
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Issues No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”),
which defines the fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. Early adoption is encouraged, provided that the Company has
not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including any
financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. The Company
is currently evaluating the impact SFAS 157 may have on its financial condition
or results of operations.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans”. SFAS No. 158 requires
employers to recognize in its statement of financial position an asset or
liability based on the retirement plan’s over or under funded status. SFAS
No. 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The
Company is currently evaluating the effect that the application of SFAS No. 158
will have on its results of operations and financial condition.
In
September 2006, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year
Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial
Statements” (“SAB 108”). This SAB provides guidance on the consideration of the
effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements
for the purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108 establishes an
approach that requires quantification of financial statement errors based on the
effects on each of the company’s balance sheets, statements of operations and
related financial statement disclosures. The SAB permits existing
public companies to record the cumulative effect of initially applying this
approach in the first year ending after November 15, 2006 by recording the
necessary correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets and
liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment
recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings.
Additionally,
the use of the cumulative effect transition method requires detailed disclosure
of the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected through the
cumulative adjustment and how and when it arose. The Company is
currently evaluating the impact SAB 108 may have on its results of operations
and financial condition.
In
October 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF 06-3, “How
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should
Be Presented in the Income Statement (That is, Gross versus Net Presentation)”
to clarify diversity in practice on the presentation of different types of taxes
in the financial statements. The Task Force concluded that, for taxes
within the scope of the issue, a company may adopt a policy of presenting taxes
either gross within revenue or net. That is, it may include charges to
customers for taxes within revenues and the charge for the taxes from the taxing
authority within cost of sales, or, alternatively, it may net the charge to the
customer and the charge from the taxing authority. If taxes subject to EITF 06-3
are significant, a company is required to disclose its accounting policy for
presenting taxes and the amounts of such taxes that are recognized on a gross
basis. The guidance in this consensus is effective for the first interim
reporting period beginning after December 15, 2006 (the first quarter of our
fiscal year 2007). The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 06-3
will have a material impact on Firstgold’s results of operations, financial
position or cash flow.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159). Under the
provisions of SFAS 159, Companies may choose to account for eligible financial
instruments, warranties and insurance contracts at fair value on a
contract-by-contract basis. Changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings
each reporting period. SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those
fiscal years. The Company is required to and plans to adopt the
provisions of SFAS 159 beginning in the first quarter of 2008. The Company is
currently assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS 159.
NOTE
4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment was recorded at $8,644,081 and $948,879 at January 31, 2008 and
2007, respectively. Depreciation expense was $184,234 and $20,850 for
the years ended January 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively
NOTE
5 - NOTES PAYABLE
Notes
payable consist of the following at January 31, 2008:
Mortgage note
payable |
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
The note bears
interest at 10% per year and was paid off in April 2008. The loan is
secured by a 3,000 square foot improved office building located in
Lovelock, NV. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
equipment loan |
|
$ |
192,691 |
|
The loan bears
interest at 9% per year and is due December 2012. The loan is
secured by certain pieces of equipment which were acquired with the
proceeds of the loan. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment notes
payable |
|
$ |
68,241 |
|
The first note
does not bear any interest and is due in December 2010. The
second note bears interest at 8.6% and is due June 2011. The
loans are secured by a Caterpillar loader and backhoe. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total notes
payable |
|
$ |
360,932 |
|
|
|
Interest
expense was $869,444, $596,975 and $3,875,456 for the years ended January
31, 2008 and 2007, and the period from January 1, 1995 to January 31,
2008, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
NOTE
6 – CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE
September 26, 2006
Convertible Debenture
On
September 26, 2006, Firstgold entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”) and other agreements, as amended on November 1, 2006,
in connection with the private placement of convertible debentures, in the
aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 and bearing interest at 8% per annum
(the “Debenture”). The Debentures were funded $1,000,000 on September
26, 2006, $1,000,000 upon the filing of a resale registration statement with the
SEC on December 1, 2006 and $1,000,000 on March.15, 2007. Of the
$1,000,000 funded on September 26, 2006, $120,000 was paid for various loan fees
and closing costs; of the $1,000,000 funded December 1, 2006, $90,000 was paid
for various loan fees and closing costs; and of the $1,000,000 funded March 19,
2007, $90,000 was paid for various loan fees and closing costs. On
July 13, 2007 $450,000 of the Debenture dated March 15, 2007 was converted into
1,000,000 shares of common stock. On September 13, 2007 the $1,000,000 Debenture
dated September 26, 2006 was converted into 2,222,222 shares of common stock. On
October 12, 2007 $450,000 of the Debenture dated December 1, 2006 was converted
into 1,000,000 shares of common stock. On October 16, 2007 $450,000 of the
Debenture dated December 1, 2006 was converted into 1,000,000 shares of common
stock. On October 30, 2007 1,444,444 shares of common stock were issued in
conversion of the remaining $650,000 in principal of outstanding Secured
Convertible Debentures. An additional 413,784 shares of common stock
was issued in conversion of $186,203 of accrued interest on the Secured
Convertible Debentures.
October 10, 2006 Convertible
Debentures
On
October 10, 2006, Firstgold issued convertible debentures in the aggregate
principal amount of $650,000 and bearing interest of 8% per
annum. The Debentures and accrued interest are convertible into
shares of Firstgold common stock at a conversion rate of $0.45 per
share. The Debentures are due and payable three years from the date
of issue unless they are converted into shares of the Company’s common stock or
are repaid prior to their expiration date. Additionally, the
investors were issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 746,843 shares of
Firstgold common stock with 426,767 warrants exercisable at $0.45 per share and
320,076 warrants exercisable at $0.60 per share. The warrants expire
four years from the date of issuance. The warrants were issued as
financing costs and total deferred financing cost of $173,114 was recorded in
relation to this debt.
NOTE
7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Except
for the advance royalty and rent payments noted below, the Company is not
obligated under any capital leases or non-cancelable operating lease with
initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year as of January 31,
2008. However, minimum annual royalty payments are required to retain
the lease rights to the Company’s properties.
Relief Canyon
Mine
The
Company purchased the Relief Canyon Mine from J.D. Welsh Associates (Welsh) in
January 1995. The mine consisted of 39 claims and a lease for access
to an additional 800 acres contiguous to the claims. During 1997, the Company
staked an additional 402 claims. Subsequent to January 31, 1998, the Company
reduced the total claims to 50 (approximately 1,000 acres). The
annual payment to maintain these claims is $5,000. As part of the
original purchase of Relief Canyon Mine, Welsh assigned the lease from Santa Fe
Gold Corporation (Santa Fe) to the Company. The lease granted Santa Fe the sole
right of approval of transfer to any subsequent owner of the Relief Canyon Mine.
Santa Fe had accepted lease and minimum royalty payments from the Company, but
has declined to approve the transfer. Due to Welsh’s inability to
transfer the Santa Fe lease, the original purchase price of $500,000 for Relief
Canyon Mine was reduced by $50,000 in 1996 to $450,000.
Subsequent
to January 31, 1998, the lease was terminated by Santa Fe. Management believes
loss of the Santa Fe lease will have no material adverse affect on the remaining
operations of the mine operation or the financial position of the
Company.
During
1996, Repadre Capital Corporation (“Repadre”) purchased for $500,000 a net
smelter return royalty (Repadre Royalty). Repadre was to receive a 1.5% royalty
from production at each of the Relief Canyon Mine and Mission Mines. In July
1997, an additional $300,000 was paid by Repadre for an additional 1% royalty
from the Relief Canyon Mine. In October, 1997, when the Mission Mine lease was
terminated, Repadre exercised its option to transfer the Repadre Royalty solely
to the Relief Canyon Mine resulting in a total 4% royalty. The total amount
received of $800,000 has been recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying
financial statements.
Litigation
On
February 4, 2000, a complaint was filed against Firstgold by Sun G. Wong in the
Superior Court of Sacramento County, California (Case No.
00AS00690). In the complaint, Mr. Wong claims that he was held
liable as a guarantor of Firstgold in a claim brought by Don Christianson
in a breach of contract action against Firstgold. On September 26,
2006, the parties signed a Settlement Agreement to resolve this lawsuit. Pursuant to the Settlement
Agreement, Firstgold paid Mr. Wong $125,000 and issued him 100,000 shares of
common stock on October 4, 2006 and made a final payment of $50,000 to Mr. Wong
on January 3, 2007. An Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment has
been filed by Mr. Wong.
On
February 8, 2007, a complaint was filed against ASDi, LLC, Crescent Red Caps
LLC, Firstgold, and Scott Dockter by the Lessors of the Crescent Valley and Red
Caps mining properties. The complaint was filed in the Sixth Judicial
District Court of Lander County, Nevada (Case No. 9661). In the complaint the
plaintiffs allege that ASDi, LLC wrongfully assigned its lessee rights in the
Crescent Valley and Red Caps mining properties to Crescent Red Caps LLC (of
which Firstgold is the Managing Member).
In late
March, 2008 the parties reached a settlement agreement and the case was
dismissed by the Court on April 4, 2008. As a result of the
Settlement, Firstgold paid $150,000 to Plaintiffs and Firstgold, ASDi LLC and
Crescent Red Caps LLC relinquished all right, title and interest in the Red Caps
and Crescent Valley leases to the Plaintiffs. Consequently, Firstgold
no longer has any interest in these leases and will not pursue any further
exploration activity on such leased property.
On
September 24, 2007, a complaint was served on Firstgold by Swartz Private
Equity, LLC. The complaint was filed in the District Court for the
Western District of New York (Case No. 07CV6447). In the complaint,
plaintiff alleges that pursuant to an Investment Agreement dated October 4,
2000, and entered into with Firstgold’s former management, it is entitled to the
exercise of certain warrants in the amount of 1,911,106 shares of Firstgold
common stock or the equivalent cash value of $0.69 per share and a termination
fee of $200,000. Firstgold filed an answer to the complaint on
December 3, 2007 and expects to vigorously defend this action. The
lawsuit is now in the discovery phase.
On
January 30, 2008, a complaint was served on Firstgold by Park Avenue Consulting
Group, Inc. The complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of the State
of New York but was subsequently removed to the Federal District Court for the
Southern District of New York (Case No. 08CV01850). In the complaint,
plaintiff alleges that pursuant to a Retainer Agreement entered into on
September 1, 2000, it is entitled to $100,000 in retainer fees,
$43,874 in expenses, and 850,000 shares of common stock during the term of the
agreement. Firstgold is currently evaluating this lawsuit and expects
to vigorously defend this action.
The
Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the
ultimate dispositions of these matters will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s financial position, results or operations or
liquidity.
NOTE
8 - SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
The
following common stock transactions occurred during the period from January 1,
1995 to January 31, 2008:
Common
Stock
In
January 1996 3,800,000 shares were issued to purchase the rights to the
Washington Gulch property. The site was acquired from a former
officer of the Company. The property consists of a mill site located
in Montana. The value of the common stock issued on the property was recorded at
the cash value of the net monetary assets received which amounted to
$181,000.
In June,
1996 the Company exchanged several “net profits interests” for shares of common
stock of the Company. A net profit interest is a royalty based on the
profit remaining after recapture of certain operating, capital and other costs
as defined by agreement. Net profits interests sold for $442,037 were
repurchased for 1,431,642 shares of common stock.
In
October 1996 the Company issued 1,000,000 shares, valued at $1 per share, to
Casmyn Corp. as partial consideration for the repurchase of their 50% interest
in the Relief Canyon Mine.
In
November 1996, the Company sold 100,000 shares in exchange for $100,000 in cash
to Repadre Capital Corporation.
In
November 1996, Newgold, Inc. of Nevada (Old Newgold) was merged into Warehouse
Auto Centers, Inc. (WAC), a public company, which had previously filed an
involuntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New
York. Pursuant to the plan of reorganization and merger
(the Plan), (i) WAC which was the surviving corporation for legal
purposes, changed its name to Newgold, Inc. (the
Company), (ii) the outstanding shares of Old Newgold were converted
into the right to receive an aggregate of 12,000,000 shares or
approximately 69% of the
post merger outstanding common stock of
the Company, (iii) each
outstanding share of WAC was converted into the right to
receive 1/65 share of the common stock of the Company, for an aggregate of
51,034 shares or less than 1% of the post merger outstanding common stock, (iv)
unsecured trade debts and other unsecured pre-petition liabilities were paid in
full via the issuance of one share of the Company's stock for each $42 of debt,
for an aggregate of 63,374 shares or less than 1% of the post
merger outstanding common stock, and (v) post petition 1 share of
stock for each $1 of debt, for an aggregate of 191,301
shares or approximately 1% of the post merger
outstanding common stock. The Plan also
required an amendment to the Company's capital structure to increase the number
of shares authorized to 50,000,000 and to reduce the corresponding par value to
$.001.
In
connection with the Plan, the Company raised $4,707,000 of cash through the
issuance of convertible debtor certificates. Shortly after
confirmation of the Plan, the debtor certificates were exchanged for
5,135,130 shares of common stock (including 428,130 shares issued in
lieu of paying cash for underwriter's fees) of the Company representing
approximately 29% of the post merger outstanding common stock.
In the
bankruptcy reorganization of WAC, all creditors were issued stock in settlement
of accounts payable. During fiscal 1998 post petition creditors had the option
of receiving cash in lieu of stock. Five creditors returned 25,242 shares to the
Company, resulting in a charge to stockholders' deficit of $25,242.
In May
1997, the Company issued 12,500 shares to a note holder in payment of a $5,000
note, which had originally been issued in exchange for an agreement to defer
filing a judgment for collection of the $200,000 note.
The
Company's stock was approved by NASD for trading on July 7, 1997. On May 27,
1997, the investors in the WAC bankruptcy reorganization, which had been
approved by the court on November 21, 1996, were issued a ten-percent bonus of
470,700 shares for the delay in trading. An additional 42,814 shares were issued
to the investment bankers for a total of 513,514 shares. A total of $205,000 was
credited to stockholders' deficit for the transaction.
In
October 1997 Repadre Capital Corp. exercised warrants to purchase 200,000 shares
1997 at $1.00 per share.
The
employment contract for the corporate counsel stipulated the Company would pay
the rent for a law office. In March 1998, the Company issued 15,000 shares in
lieu of cash for six months rent. General and administrative expense was charged
$6,000 for the rent. The corporate counsel's office was subsequently relocated
to the Company's headquarters.
In April
1998, the Company closed a Regulation S offering for 5,480,000 shares to raise
$548,000 at $.10 per share. In connection with this offering 136,977 shares were
issued as commission to brokers.
As an
alternative to gold mining, the Board of Directors approved an exploration
program for a calcium bentonite mine located in southern California. In payment
of a purchase option on the mine, the Company issued 150,000 shares of stock to
the mine owner in May 1998. The Company charged $55,500 to exploration expense
for the option. After completing the due diligence on the mine
property, the Company abandoned development of the mine in August
1998.
On June
8, 1999 the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock split, effected in
the form of a 50% stock dividend, payable to stockholders of record on June 10,
1999.
In
January 2000 the Board of Directors, agreed that various creditors of the
Company would settle their debt through conversion of the debt into equity by
issuing stock at a price of $0.40 per share. In total, $1,282,271 of debt was
converted into 3,205,674 shares of stock. $477,977 or 1,194,943
shares were for amounts owed to the Chairman of the Company; $328,733 or 821,833
shares were for amounts owed to two directors and $475,561 or 1,188,898 shares
were for amounts owed to other shareholders.
In
February 2000, the Company closed a private placement offering or 1,196,000
shares to raise $598,000 at $.50 per share. Additionally, a warrant was issued
with each share to purchase an additional share of common stock at $1 per share.
The warrants expired four years from
the original date of
closing. In connection with this offering $60,000 was paid as commission to
brokers in the form of 120,000 shares of common stock and were accounted for as
offering costs. Due to the registration of the shares not being
completed, as a penalty the Company issued an additional 239,200 to the
investors in August 2000.
In April
2000, the Company issued 78,271 shares of common stock in exchange for services
related to an Internet interview and broadcast with the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.
In April
2000, a $200,000 note payable and a $250,000 judgment payable were settled and
paid off in full by a shareholder of the company. The total balances due
including interest and legal fees had grown to approximately $650,000 at the
time of settlement. The shareholder has received an additional 1,000,000 shares
of stock as reimbursement for the payment of these amounts on behalf of the
Company.
In
October 2000 the Company issued 600,000 shares of common stock to an investor
for $67,000.
In
February 2001 the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock to an investor
for $150,000.
In
January 2003 warrants to purchase 550,000 shares of common stock were exercised
at a price of $0.10 per share. The original exercise price was $1.00
however the investors and the Company renegotiated the exercise price to $0.10
per share.
In
February 2003 warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock were exercised
at a price of $0.10 per share. The original exercise price was $1.00
however the investor and the Company renegotiated the exercise price to $0.10
per share.
In
January 2005 the Company issued 671,667 shares of common stock at a price of
$0.15 per share to four investors for total proceeds of
$100,750. Additionally, 671,667 warrants to purchase common stock at
a price of $0.30 per share were issued to the investors. The warrants
expire three years from the date of issuance.
In March
2005 a Special Meeting of Shareholders of Firstgold was held for the purpose of
amending the Articles of Incorporation to affect an increase in the authorized
shares of common stock issuable to 250,000,000 shares. At the meeting
the proposal was approved by the shareholders, with a total of 31,392,611 shares
voting in favor of the amendment, 411,711 voting against the amendment and
10,207 shares abstained from voting.
In
February 2005 Firstgold issued 500,000 shares of common stock at a price of
$0.15 per share to an investor for total proceeds of
$75,000. Additionally, 500,000 warrants to purchase common stock at a
price of $0.30 per share were issued to the investor. The warrants
expire three years from the date of issuance.
In April
2005 Firstgold issued 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.25 per
share to investors for total proceeds of $500,000. Additionally,
1,000,000 warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $0.50 per share were
issued to the investors. The warrants expire three years from the
date of issuance.
In June
2005, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock and 50,000 warrant to
purchase common stock in exchange for services related to website development
for the Company.
In July
2005 Firstgold issued 12,326,231 shares of common stock at a price of $0.15 per
share to the Chief Executive Officer according to the terms of existing notes
payable to the officer. The issuance resulted in the repayment of
principal and interest totaling $1,848,935.
In
January 2006 Firstgold issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock at a price of
$0.20 per share to ASDi LLC, an entity controlled and managed by the Chief
Executive Officer in exchange for a 22.22% interest in a newly formed entity,
Crescent Red Caps Joint Venture (see Note 8). Additionally, 2,500,000
warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $0.40 per share were issued to
ASDi LLC. The warrants expire three years from the date of
issuance.
In
January 2006 Firstgold issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock at a price of
$0.20 per share to an investor for total proceeds of
$500,000. Additionally, 2,500,000 warrants to purchase common stock
at a price of $0.40 per share were issued to the investor. The
warrants expire three years from the date of issuance.
In March
2006 Firstgold issued 500,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.20 per
share to an investor for total proceeds of $100,000. Additionally,
500,000 warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $0.40 per share were
issued to the investor. The warrants expire three years from the date
of issuance.
In June
2006 Firstgold issued upon conversion 450,050 shares of common stock at a price
of $0.202 per share and 1,904,037 shares of common stock at a price of $0.263 to
a convertible debenture holder according to the terms of two existing
convertible debentures. The issuance resulted in the repayment of
principal totaling $600,000 owed by Firstgold to the convertible debenture
holder.
In
October 2006 Firstgold issued 100,000 shares of restricted common stock to one
person in partial settlement of an existing litigation matter.
In
October 2006 a finder’s fee of 2,000,000 common shares and 2,000,000 warrants to
purchase common shares at a price of $0.50 per common share were issued to an
unrelated third party for their work associated with the Antelope Peak mineral
lease.
In
January 2007 Firstgold issued 1,630,9181 shares of common stock at a price of
$0.15 per share to the Chief Financial Officer according to the terms of
existing notes payable to the officer. The issuance resulted in the
repayment of principal and interest totaling $244,638.
In
January 2007 Firstgold issued 535,643 shares of restricted common stock to one
person in settlement of an existing note payable, accrued interest and accrued
wages and bonus totaling $357,422.
In March
2007 warrants to purchase 1,125,000 shares of common stock were exercised at a
price of $0.20 per share.
In April
2007 warrants to purchase 2,340,013 shares of common stock were exercised by the
Chief Executive Officer at a price of $0.15 per share.
In April
2007 Firstgold received net proceeds of $2,374,200 upon the issuance of Units
consisting of 5,673,110 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
2,836,555 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per
share. An additional 567,311 shares and warrants to purchase
283,656 shares were issued on October 16, 2007 because the original Units were
not registered for resale by October 15, 2007.
In May
2007 warrants to purchase 54,667 shares of common stock were exercised at a
price of $0.1875 per share.
In May
2007 Firstgold received net proceeds of $337,500 upon the issuance of Units
consisting of 749,999 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 375,002
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share. An
additional 74,998 shares and warrants to purchase 37,499 shares were issued on
November 19, 2007 because the original Units were not registered for resale by
November 18, 2007.
In June
2007 Firstgold received net proceeds of $7,798,141 upon the issuance of Units
consisting of 18,843,421 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
9,421,711 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share. An
additional 1,884,342 shares and warrants to purchase 942,171 shares were issued
on November 16, 2007 because the original Units were not registered for resale
by November 15, 2007.
In June
2007 50,000 common shares and 127,000 warrants to purchase common shares at a
price of $0.30 per common share were issued to an unrelated third party for
their work associated with the raising of capital for Firstgold.
In July
2007 Firstgold issued upon conversion 1,000,000 shares of common stock at a
price of $0.45 per share. The issuance resulted in the repayment of
principal totaling $450,000 owed by Firstgold to the convertible debenture
holder.
In July
2007 25,000 stock options were exercised on a cashless basis at a price of $0.63
by an employee which resulted in 18,651 shares being issued.
In
September 2007 Firstgold issued upon conversion 2,222,222 shares of common stock
at a price of $0.45 per share. The issuance resulted in the repayment
of principal totaling $1,000,000 owed by Firstgold to the convertible debenture
holder.
In
September 2007 warrants to purchase 93,500 shares of common stock were exercised
at a price of $0.1875 per share.
In
September 2007 75,000 stock options were exercised on a cashless basis at a
price of $0.61 by an employee which resulted in 43,255 shares being
issued.
In
October 2007 Firstgold issued upon conversion 3,858,228 shares of common stock
at a price of $0.45 per share to a convertible debenture holder according to the
terms of three existing convertible debentures. The issuance resulted
in the repayment of principal totaling $1,550,000 and accrued interest of
$186,203 owed by Firstgold to the convertible debenture holder.
In
January 2008 warrants to purchase 767,000 shares of common stock were exercised
at a price of $0.30 per share.
Warrants
Firstgold
has issued common stock warrants to officers of Firstgold as part of past
financing transactions. Firstgold has also issued warrants as part of
past and present convertible debt transactions (see Note
7). Firstgold has also issued warrants as part of the issuance of
common stock (see this Note 9).
The fair
market value of these warrants issued during the years ended January 31, 2008
and 2007 was determined to be $3,224,944 and $603,743, respectively, and was
calculated under the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions used:
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
Expected
life
|
3 -
4 years
|
|
3 -
4 years
|
Risk
free interest rate
|
4.75%-4.84%
|
|
4.75%-4.84%
|
Volatility
|
86%-160%
|
|
86%-160%
|
Expected
dividend yield
|
None
|
|
None
|
The fair
value of these warrants is being amortized to interest expense over one and
three years, the original life of the loans. Total amortization
expense for the years ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 and the period from
January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2008 was approximately $43,278, $13,517 and
$1,331,052, respectively.
The
following table presents warrant activity through January 31, 2008:
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
|
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2000
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Granted
|
|
|
3,746,000 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Canceled
or expired
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2001 and 2002
|
|
|
3,746,000 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
452,463 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(550,000 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
Canceled
or expired
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2003
|
|
|
3,648,463 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
1,265,766 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(200,000 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
Canceled
or expired
|
|
|
(996,000 |
) |
|
|
(1.00 |
) |
Outstanding
at January 31, 2004
|
|
|
3,718,229 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
8,006,354 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Canceled
or expired
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2005
|
|
|
11,724,583 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
8,800,000 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Canceled
or expired
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2006
|
|
|
20,524,583 |
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
6,746,783 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(928,500 |
) |
|
|
(0.15 |
) |
Canceled
or expired
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2007
|
|
|
26,342,866 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
17,558,743 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(4,344,463 |
) |
|
|
(0.19 |
) |
Cancelled
or expired
|
|
|
(300,000 |
) |
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
at January 31, 2008
|
|
|
39,257,146 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
Exercisable
at January 31, 2008
|
|
|
39,257,146 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual term
|
|
14 months
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE
9 - INCOME TAXES
As of
January 31, 2008, the Company had net operating loss carry-forwards of
approximately $19,483,716 available to reduce future Federal taxable income
which, if not used, will expire at various dates through January 31,
2028. Due to changes in the ownership of the Company, the utilization
of these loss carry-forwards may be subject to substantial annual
limitations. Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the
following at January 31, 2008:
Deferred Tax Assets
|
|
|
|
Net Operating Loss
Carry-forwards
|
|
$ |
7,814,423 |
|
Contribution Carryover
|
|
|
16,029 |
|
Accrued Interest Payable
|
|
|
29,234 |
|
Accrued Payroll
|
|
|
172,068 |
|
Accrued Payroll Tax
|
|
|
32,023 |
|
AmortizationDiffBook/Tax
|
|
|
970,159 |
|
AccruedAccountsPayable
|
|
|
60,769 |
|
Capital Loss Difference
|
|
|
120,416 |
|
Stock compensation
|
|
|
61,143 |
|
Other
|
|
|
272 |
|
Less valuation allowance
|
|
(8,625,782)
|
|
Total Deferred Tax Assets
|
|
650,754
|
|
Deferred Tax Liability
|
|
|
|
|
State Taxes
|
|
(650,754)
|
|
Total Deferred Tax
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
- |
|
The net
change in the total valuation allowance for the year ended January 31, 2008 was
$816,412. The valuation
allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax asset to a level which, more
likely than not, will be realized.
The
expected Federal income tax benefit, computed based on the Company’s pre-tax
losses at January 31, 2008 and the statutory Federal income tax rate, is
reconciled to the actual tax benefit reflected in the accompanying financial
statements as follows:
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
Statutory
regular federal income benefit rate
|
34.00%
|
|
34.00%
|
State
taxes
|
8.84%
|
|
8.84%
|
Change
in valuation allowance
|
(42.84)%
|
|
(42.84)%
|
Total
|
0.00%
|
|
0.00%
|
Previous
to June 21, 1996, the stockholder of the Company elected under Internal Revenue
Code Section 1362 to have the Company taxed as an S Corporation. As
such, all Federal and substantially all State income tax attributes passed
through the Company directly to the stockholder until that date.
NOTE
10 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Joint Venture with
Officer
On
January 25, 2006, Firstgold entered into a joint venture with ASDi, LLC to
develop two Nevada mining properties known as the Red Caps Project and Crescent
Valley Project. The Red Caps and Crescent Valley lessee was ASDi, LLC, which is
owned and managed by the Chief Operating Officer of Firstgold. The
terms of the joint venture provided for ASDi to contribute the Red Caps and
Crescent Valley leases to the LLC in exchange for Firstgold issuing 2.5 million
shares of its Common Stock to ASDi. Additionally, 2,500,000 warrants
to purchase common stock at a price of $0.40 per share were issued to ASDi
LLC.
On
February 8, 2007, a complaint was filed against ASDi, LLC, Crescent Red Caps
LLC, Firstgold, and Scott Dockter by the Lessors of the Crescent Valley and Red
Caps mining properties. The complaint was filed in the Sixth Judicial
District Court of Lander County, Nevada (Case No. 9661). In the
complaint the plaintiffs allege that ASDi, LLC wrongfully assigned its lessee
rights in the Crescent Valley and Red Caps mining properties to Crescent Red
Caps LLC (of which Firstgold was the Managing Member). The complaint
sought the termination of the leasehold rights granted to ASDi, LLC and quiet
title and punitive damages. In late March, 2008 the parties reached a
settlement agreement and the case was dismissed by the Court on April 4,
2008. As a result of the Settlement, Firstgold paid $150,000 to
Plaintiffs and Firstgold, ASDi LLC and Crescent Red Caps LLC relinquished all
right, title and interest in the Red Caps and Crescent Valley leases to the
Plaintiffs. Consequently, Firstgold no longer has any interest in
these leases and will not pursue any further exploration activity on such leased
property.
Prepayment of Airplane Time
from Officer
In
December 2006 Firstgold purchased 600 hours of airplane usage from the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Firstgold for $120,000 at a rate of $200 per
hour. The airplane is to be used by Firstgold for commuting to and
from Nevada to the various mine sties and the Lovelock, NV
office. Based on current market rental rates for similar planes
Firstgold believes that the current market hourly rate is substantially above
its contract rate of $200 per hour.
Advance to
Officer
In
January 2007 Firstgold made a temporary travel advance of $100,000 to the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This amount had been fully
repaid by May 2007.
NOTE
11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On March
26, 2008, Firstgold extended an irrevocable Letter of Credit effective March 26,
2008 from Umpqua Bank in favor of the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of
Land Management to an aggregate amount of U.S. $613,500 and represents the
revised reclamation bond for the Relief Canyon Mine. The letter of
credit is secured by a certificate of deposit in the amount of
$674,850.
During
the first quarter ended April 30, 2008 of fiscal 2009, Firstgold received net
proceeds of $7,791,398 upon the issuance of Units consisting of 12,835,143
shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 6,417,571 shares of common stock
at an exercise price of $0.80 per share
On May 1,
2008 a $1,100,000 Convertible Debenture was closed of which $115,000 was paid
for various fees and closing costs. The Debenture is for a term of 20
months, bears interest at 10% and is convertible into common shares of Firstgold
at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. Additionally, warrants to
purchase $1,100,000 worth of common stock at a price of $1.00 per common share
with a term of 30 months were issued to the Debenture holder.
On May
14, 2008 Firstgold began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
of “FGD”.
ITEM
8. CHANGES IN AND
DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
As
previously reported on Form 8-K, on December 16, 2006, Firstgold received
notification from its then current independent registered public accountants,
Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP (“SLGG”), Certified Public
Accountants, that SLGG had decided not to continue as Firstgold’s independent
public accountants. SLGG completed its SAS 100 review of Firstgold’s
third quarter 10-QSB.
As
previously reported on Form 8-K, on January 5, 2007, Firstgold’s Audit Committee
took action to appoint the accounting firm of Hunter Flemmer Renfro &
Whitaker LLP (“HFRW”) as Firstgold’s new independent accountants and HFRW
accepted the appointment on January 16, 2007. HFRW’s address is 455
Capitol Mall, Suite 235, Sacramento, CA 95814.
ITEM
8A(T). CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and
Procedures.
We have
adopted and maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined
in Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act, is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required under the
SEC’s rules and forms and that the information is gathered and communicated to
our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), as
appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
As
required by SEC Rule 15d-15(b) we carried out an evaluation, under the
supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to
Exchange Act 15d-14 as of the end of the year covered by this
report. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer
and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures are ineffective in timely alerting them to material information
relating to us that is required to be included in our periodic SEC reports and
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic SEC reports
is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure as a result of any
deficiency detected in our internal control over financial
reporting.
Management’s Annual Report
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Our
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting for Firstgold in accordance with and as defined
in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange
Act.
Our
internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial
reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i)
|
require
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our
assets;
|
(ii)
|
provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of Firstgold are
being made in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of Firstgold;
|
(iii)
|
provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of Firstgold’s assets that
could have a material effect on the financial
statements,
|
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation
of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management’s
assessment of the effectiveness of Firstgold’s internal control over financial
reporting as of the year ended January 31, 2008 is ineffective. We
have not identified any, current material weaknesses considering the nature and
extent of our current operations and any risks or errors in financial reporting
under current operations.
This
annual report does not include an attestation report of Firstgold’s registered
public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by
Firstgold’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the
SEC that permit Firstgold to provide only management’s report in this annual
report.
Changes in Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting.
There was
no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
the last fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or
is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting..
PART
III
ITEM
9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL
PERSONS;
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE
ACT
The
following table sets forth information about the directors and executive
officers of Firstgold together with the principal positions and offices with
Firstgold held by each:
Name
of Person
|
Age
|
Position
and Office Presently Held With Firstgold
|
Director
Since
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
63
|
Director
and Chairman
|
2006
|
A.
Scott Dockter
|
51
|
Chief
Operating Officer
|
|
James
W. Kluber
|
57
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary
|
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
48
|
Director
|
2006
|
Donald
Heimler
|
65
|
Director
|
2007
|
Fraser
Berrill
|
58
|
Director
|
2007
|
Kevin
Bullock
|
43
|
Director
|
2007
|
Biographical information for
directors and executive officers:
Stephen Akerfeldt was
appointed to the Board of Directors on September 12, 2006 and became Chairman in
June 2007 and Chief Executive Officer on January 4, 2008. Mr. Akerfeldt is
currently a member of the board of Jura Energy Corporation which is an oil and
gas exploration company based in Calgary, Canada. In 1998 he became
part owner and currently serves as a director and president of Ritz Plastics
Inc. which produces plastic injection molded parts used primarily in the
automotive industry. In 1991, Mr. Akerfeldt and certain partners
acquired two major chains of dry cleaning operations in the Toronto, Ontario
marketplace which were then sold in 2003. Mr. Akerfeldt has worked as
a business consultant to various companies and entrepreneurs since the
mid-1990’s. From 1987 to 1990 Mr. Akerfeldt was Vice-Chairman and
Chief Financial Officer of Magna International Inc. a multi-billion dollar
public company auto parts manufacturer. Mr. Akerfeldt joined the
accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand in 1965 and from 1974 through 1987 he was
a partner in the firm’s Toronto office. His accounting practice
included a broad range of clients including investment dealers, public mining
companies, insurance companies, public oil and gas producers and manufacturing
companies, both public and private. Mr. Akerfeldt holds a Bachelor of
Arts degree from the University of Waterloo and became a chartered accountant
with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1970.
A. Scott Dockter served as
Chief Executive Officer since December 2000 and Chairman from December 2000
until June 2007. Mr. Dockter resigned from the Board on December 21,
2007 and resigned as President and CEO on January 4, 2008 He now serves as Chief
Operating Officer of Firstgold. Mr. Dockter had previously served as
Firstgold’s CEO and President from November 1996 until February
2000.
Mr.
Dockter has been self-employed in the business sector since 1978 and in addition
to working full time with Firstgold, he currently operates two
private businesses through ASD CORP and ASDi
LLC. He has held a Class A General Engineering and Contracting
License for more than 20 years, operating his businesses in California, Nevada
and Montana, specializing in earth moving, mining, pipeline projects,
structures, dams, industrial parks and sub divisions. Mr. Dockter has
directed his companies in large landfill operations, underground concrete
structures projects, large excavations, reclamation projects and others, which
include state and local municipal projects. Mr. Dockter has also been
a real estate developer, worked on oil & gas projects and has spent 15 years
in the mining industry. He has personally owned mines, operated
mines, constructed mine infrastructures (physical, production and process) and
produced precious metals
James W. Kluber has been the
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Firstgold since February 2000 and a
director from April 2000 to June 2007. Mr. Kluber has served as
a senior financial consultant in a variety of service and technology
environments with special focus on high growth companies and restructuring
operations. He has successfully raised capital for companies in a
variety of markets, utilizing public and private equity as well as securitized
and unsecured debt to accomplish funding requirements. From December
2001 to September 2003, Mr. Kluber was the CFO and until October 2005 was the
interim CFO of NutraCea a public company involved in the development and
distribution of products based on the use of stabilized rice
bran. During 2004, Mr. Kluber served as interim CFO for M&A
Medical Holdings, Inc. a manufacturer of medical
devices. Additionally, he was the Senior Vice President and CFO from
1996 to 1999 for RealPage, Inc. a leading provider of software and services to
the real estate industry. From 1993 to 1996 he served as Vice
President of Financial Operations for two New York Stock Exchange listed
companies sponsored by Security Capital Group, ProLogis Trust and Archstone
Communities.
Terrence Lynch was appointed
to the Board of Directors in July 2006. Since December 2006 he has
been president of Resort Owners Group which specializes in resort home
sales. Since October 2005, Mr. Lynch has been a partner with
Kingsmill Capital Partners, a financial advisory firm specializing in advising
both public and private early stage growth companies. Prior to
joining Kingsmill Capital he spent fifteen years operating start up companies in
industrial products, oil & gas, and media. Experienced in
developing the necessary financial structure to maximize a company’s ability to
secure growth capital, Mr. Lynch has raised corporate capital via debentures,
limited partnerships, and royalty financing in addition to conventional equity
placements. From August 2004 to March 2006, Mr. Lynch served as CEO
of Star Digital, a media and internet development firm. From
September 2001 to August 2004, Mr. Lynch served as CEO of Probrandz Media, a
media and internet development firm. Mr. Lynch graduated in 1981 from
St. Francis Xavier University with a joint honors degree in Economics and a
BBA.
Donald Heimler was appointed
to the Board on January 9, 2007. His career spanned 29 years with Scotia Capital
Inc. (Scotia McLeod, McLeod Young Weir), as Director, Institutional Equities
where he successfully managed several of the firm’s largest clients by the time
he retired in October 2006. Previous to that he was the chief
accountant of a chain of optical stores under the corporate umbrella of Imperial
Optical.
He
attended the University of Western Ontario, enrolled in the Certified General
Accounting program and has successfully completed many investment industry
accredited courses.
Fraser Berrill was appointed
to the Board on June 26, 2007. Mr. Berrill is currently the CEO and President of
Renasant Financial Partners, which is a publicly held financial services and
technology trading organization. He also serves as a Trustee of
Vicwest Income Fund and a number of private companies. From 1991 to
2000, Mr. Berrill was Senior Vice-President, Corporate Development of publicly
held Acklands Limited, which sold its industrial distribution and auto parts
assets to WW Grainger and Carquest transforming into Morguard
Corporation. Positions held prior to that included Vice-President,
Corporate Development for the Paja Group and President of the Sherman group of
companies. In addition, Mr. Berrill was a member of litigation team
for Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP from 1975 to 1981.
Kevin Bullock was appointed to
the Board of directors on December 21, 2007. Mr. Bullock currently
serves as President, CEO and a Director of Volta Resources Inc. (a mining and
mineral exploration company listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange, formerly
Goldcrest Resources Ltd.). Prior to joining Volta Resources in August
2003 he was the Vice President, Corporate Development of Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.
(formerly Foxpoint Resources Ltd.) from November 2001 to August 2003
.. Prior thereto, he was Managing Director, Mining Division of Cook
Engineering, Thunder Bay, Ontario, from January 2001 to November
2001. Mr. Bullock has served as a member of the advisory board of
Orezone Resources Inc. since June, 1999. Mr. Bullock served as Vice
President of Brandon Gold Corporation from June 1997 to September 1999 and as
Manager of Operations for IAMGOLD Corporation from January 1995 to June
1997. He is currently also a director of Young Shannon Gold Mines
Ltd., Rolling Rock Resources and Kingsmill Capital Ventures. Mr.
Bullock is a professional engineer and received is B.Eng. Degree from Laurentian
University in Sudbury, Ontario. He is a member of the Canadian
Institute of Mining and Metullargy, the Professional Engineers of Ontario and
the Society of Mining Engineers.
The
current Directors will serve and hold office until the next annual stockholders'
meeting or until their respective successors have been duly elected and
qualified. Firstgold’s executive officers are appointed by the Board
of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board.
Corporate
Governance
Our board
of directors has five directors and has established an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, and a Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee as
its standing committees. Our board does not have an executive
committee or any committee performing similar functions. We are not
currently listed on a national securities exchange or on an inter-dealer
quotation system that has requirements that a majority of the board of directors
be independent, however, the board has determined that all of our directors, are
“independent” under the definition set forth in the listings of the NASDAQ Stock
Market, Inc., which is the definition our board has chosen to use for the
purposes of determining independence. In addition, our board has
determined that all members of its Audit Committee, in addition to meeting the
standards for independence set forth in the listing standards of the NASDAQ
Stock Market, Inc., also meet the criteria for independence for audit committee
members set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Family
Relationships
There are
no family relationships between any director or executive officer.
Board
Meetings and Committees
Our Board
of Directors held 11 meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 and
acted by unanimous written consent on 1 occasion. Each nominee who
was a director during fiscal 2008 participated in at least 75% or more of the
aggregate number of the meetings of the Board held during the time that such
nominee was a director and any committee on which he served. On October 21,
2006, the Board created an Audit Committee and on January 31, 2007, the Board
voted to create a Compensation Committee and a Nominating & Corporate
Governance Committee. Charters for those committees have been
approved by the Board.
The Audit
Committee consists of Donald Heimler as our Audit Committee financial expert and
chairman of the Audit Committee along with Terry Lynch and Fraser Berrill. Each
of Messrs. Lynch and Berrill were considered independent directors as defined
the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards and by the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 and related regulation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Stephen Akerfeldt served as chairman of the Audit
Committee until January 4, 2008 when Mr. Akerfeldt assumed the position of CEO.
At that time, Mr. Akerfeldt resigned from the Audit Committee and was
replaced by Donald Heimler. The Audit Committee facilitates and
maintains open communications among the Board, the Audit Committee, senior
management and Firstgold’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee
also serves as an independent and objective party to monitor Firstgold’s
financial reporting process and internal control system. In addition,
the Audit Committee reviews and evaluates the efforts of Firstgold’s independent
auditors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and
Firstgold’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee held 3 meetings
in fiscal year 2008. The Board has determined that the chairman of
the Audit Committee, Mr. Heimler, meets the SEC’s definition of audit committee
financial expert. The Audit Committee has a written
charter.
The
Compensation Committee, consisting of Terry Lynch, chairman, Kevin Bullock, and
Donald Heimler, establishes salary, incentive and other forms of compensation
for Firstgold’s Chief Executive Officer, and authorizes stock option issuances
for Firstgold. The Compensation Committee meets periodically with
management of Firstgold. The Compensation Committee, held 2
meetings in fiscal year 2008. The Compensation Committee has a
written charter.
The Board
has also established a Nominating & Corporate Governance
Committee. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
consisting of Fraser Berrill, chairman, Kevin Bullock, and Donald
Heimler, evaluates potential candidates for membership on the Board and may
consider such factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may
include judgment, skill, diversity, integrity, experience with businesses and
other organizations of comparable size, the interplay of the candidate’s
experience with the experience of other Board members and the extent to which
the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of
the Board.
While the
Board has not established any specific minimum qualifications for director
nominees, the Board believes that demonstrated leadership, as well as
significant years of service, in an area of endeavor such as business, law,
public service, the mining industry or academia, is a desirable qualification
for service as a director of Firstgold. The Committee also evaluates
the performance of Board members and monitors Directors compliance with
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
other regulatory agencies. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee has a written charter.
The Board
has a policy with respect to the consideration of director candidates
recommended by stockholders. Any stockholder may make recommendations
to the Board for membership on the Board by sending a written statement of the
qualifications of the recommended individual to: Secretary, Firstgold Corp, 3108
Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210, Cameron Park,
CA 95682. Such recommendations should be received no later
than sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting for which the stockholder
wishes his or her recommendation to be considered. The Board will
evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders on the same basis as it
evaluates other candidates, including the following criteria:
●
|
Directors
should be of the highest ethical character and share values that reflect
positively on themselves and
Firstgold.
|
|
Directors
should have reputations, both personal and professional, consistent with
the image and reputation of
Firstgold.
|
|
Directors
should be highly accomplished in their respective fields, with superior
credentials and recognition.
|
The fact
that a proposed director nominee meets some or all of the above criteria will
not obligate the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee Board to
nominate or recommend the candidate for director in the proxy
materials.
Stockholder
Communication Policy
Stockholders
may send communications to the Board or individual members of the Board by
writing to them, care of Secretary, Firstgold Corp., 3108 Ponte Morino Drive,
Suite 210, Cameron Park, California 95682, who will forward the communication to
the intended director or directors. If the stockholder wishes the
communication to be confidential, then the communication should be appropriately
marked to maintain confidentiality.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board
has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors,
officers and employees of Firstgold. Firstgold will provide any
person, without charge, a copy of this Code. Requests for a copy of
the Code may be made by writing to Firstgold at 3108 Ponte Morino Drive, Suite
210, Cameron Park, California 95682. Attention:
Secretary.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive
officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of Firstgold’s common
stock to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4
with the SEC. Such executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders
are also required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file. Based solely upon its review of copies of such forms
received by it, or on written representations from certain reporting persons
that no other filings were required for such persons, Firstgold believes that,
during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, its executive officers and
directors and 10% stockholders complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing
requirements except as follows:
Mr. Lynch
sold shares of Firstgold on July 3, 2007. He did not file a Form 4
regarding such sale until July 10, 2007.
Mr.
Berrill acquired shares of Firstgold on November 16, 2007. He did not
file a Form 4 reporting such conversion until January 4, 2008.
Mr.
Dockter exercised warrants on April 15, 2007 and April 30, 2007. He
did not file a Form 4 reporting such exercises until May 2, 2007.
Mr.
Dockter sold shares of Firstgold on June 1, 2007. He filed a Form 5
reporting such sale and an adjustment to his share ownership on September 19,
2007.
Mr.
Akerfeldt was granted 250,000 warrants on June 26, 2007. He did not
file a Form 4 regarding this grant until July 10, 2007.
Mr. Lynch
sold shares of Firstgold on September 27, 2007. He did not file a
Form 4 regarding such sales until October 10, 2007.
Mr.
Akerfeldt and Mr. Heimler each acquired shares of Firstgold on October 16,
2007. They did not file a Form 4 regarding such acquisitions until
January 3, 2008.
1346049
Ontario Ltd. became a 10% stockholder of Firstgold on June 22,
2007. It did not file a Form 3 regarding such acquisition until July
5, 2007.
Mr.
Bullock was appointed a Director of Firstgold on December 21, 2007. He did not
file a Form 3 regarding his appointment until January 11, 2008.
Mr.
Dockter sold shares of Firstgold on November 19, 2007. He filed a Form 5
reporting such sale on March 20, 2008.
ITEM
10. EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth the compensation of Firstgold’s Principal Executive
Officer during the last two complete fiscal years and each officer who received
annual compensation in excess of $100,000 during the last completed fiscal
year.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
Name
& Position
|
Fiscal
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Stock
Awards
$
|
Option
Awards
$
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
|
2008
|
180,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
94,667
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
12,000(3)
(5)
|
286,667
|
(PEO)
(1)
|
2007
|
180,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
132,297
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
12,000(3)
(4)
|
324,297
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jim
Kluber
|
2008
|
160,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
6,000(2)
|
166,000
|
(CFO)
|
2007
|
160,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
106,886
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
6,000(2)
|
272,886
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Dockter resigned as CEO on January 4, 2008 at which time he became
COO.
|
(2)
|
Amount
reflects a home office allowance.
|
(3)
|
Amount
reflects a $1,000 per month car
allowance.
|
(4)
|
The
Firstgold Board, with Mr. Dockter abstaining, approved the extension of
the expiration date from January 31, 2007 to April 15, 2007 of certain
warrants to acquire 2,000,000 shares of Firstgold common stock held by Mr.
Dockter. On April 15, 2007, Mr. Dockter exercised these
warrants with a cash payment.
|
(5)
|
Amount
reflects payments pursuant to the Aircraft Time Sharing
Agreement.
|
2006
Stock Option Plan
Our Board
of Directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan on July 26, 2006. The
2006 Plan was submitted to and approved by stockholders at the 2006 annual
stockholders meeting held on November 17, 2006. Under the terms of
the 2006 Plan, we may grant up to 5,000,000 options which can include Incentive
Stock Options issued to employees and Nonstatutory Stock Options issuable to
employees or consultants providing services to Firstgold on such terms as are
determined by our board of directors. The Board’s Compensation
Committee administers the 2006 Plan. Under the 2006 Plan, options
vest not less than 20% per year and have 10-year terms (except with respect to
10% stockholders which have five-year terms). If an option holder
terminates his/her employment with us or becomes disabled or dies, the option
holder or his/her representative will have a certain number of months to
exercise any outstanding vested options. If we sell substantially all
of our assets, are a party to a merger or consolidation in which we are not the
surviving corporation, then we have the right to accelerate unvested options and
will give the option holder written notice of the exercisability and specify a
time period in which the options may be exercised. All options will
terminate in their entirety to the extent not exercised on or prior to the date
specified in the written notice unless an agreement governing any change of
control provides otherwise. Stockholders voting at the 2007 Annual Stockholders
meeting held on September 20, 2007 approved an increase in the shares issuable
under the 2006 Plan to a total of 10,000,000.
Options/SAR Grants in Last
Fiscal Year
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to options or SAR
grants of Common Stock during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 to the
Named Executive Officers.
Name
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Options Granted
|
Percent
of Total Options Granted to Employees at January 31, 2008
|
Average
Exercise
or Base Price
($
Per Share)
|
Expiration
Dates
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
Dockter
|
750,000
|
16%
|
$0.65
|
July
27, 2011,
|
|
|
|
|
December
21, 2012
|
James
Kluber
|
400,000
|
9%
|
$0.50
|
July
27, 2016
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
750,000
|
16%
|
$0.55
|
July
30, 2016,
|
|
|
|
|
October
21, 2016,
|
|
|
|
|
March
28, 2017
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
1,000,000
|
22%
|
$0.66
|
September
11, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
March
28, 2017,
|
|
|
|
|
June
26, 2017,
|
|
|
|
|
December
21, 2017
|
Donald
Heimler
|
500,000
|
11%
|
$0.58
|
January
8, 2017,
|
|
|
|
|
March
28, 2017
|
Fraser
Berrill
|
500,000
|
11%
|
$0.65
|
June
26, 2017
|
Kevin
Bullock
|
500,000
|
11%
|
$0.85
|
December
21, 2017
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table provides information on all restricted stock and stock option
awards held by our named executive officers as of January 31, 2008. All
outstanding equity awards are in shares of our common stock.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercised-able
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options
(#)
|
|
Option
Exercise Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
Scott
Dockter
|
|
250,000
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
07/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
|
$0.94
|
|
|
12/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
Kluber
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
07/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
07/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
|
$0.65
|
|
|
03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
09/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.65
|
|
|
03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.65
|
|
|
06/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.85
|
|
|
12/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald
Heimler
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
01/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fraser
Berrill
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.65
|
|
|
03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
06/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
Bullock
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
$0.85
|
|
|
12/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment
Agreements
On
February 1, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with A. Scott Dockter
to serve as our chief executive officer for Firstgold, Inc. Pursuant
to the agreement, Mr. Dockter will receive an annual salary of $180,000 and an
automobile expense allowance of $1,000 per month. In addition, Mr.
Dockter will be eligible to participate in any discretionary bonuses or employee
stock option plans which may be adopted in the future. The employment
agreement has a term of three years. On May 8, 2008 Mr. Dockter
entered into a new Employment Agreement as Chief Operating Officer of Firstgold.
Among other things, Mr. Dockter’s annual salary was increased to $225,000. The
new Agreement expires on January 31, 2009 and may be automatically renewed for
successive one year terms.
On
February 1, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with James W. Kluber
to serve as our chief financial officer of Firstgold, Inc. Pursuant
to the agreement, Mr. Kluber will receive an annual salary of $160,000 and an
office expense allowance of $500 per month. In addition,
Mr. Kluber will be eligible to participate in any future discretionary
bonuses or employee stock option plans which may be adopted in the
future. The employment agreement has a term of three
years.
On
January 4, 2008, we entered into an employment agreement with Steve Akerfeldt as
Chief Executive Officer of Firstgold. Mr. Akerfeldt will receive an annual
salary of $250,000. The Agreement expires on January 31, 2009 and may be
automatically renewed for successive one year terms.
Employee
Pension, Profit Sharing or Other Retirement Plans
We do not
have a defined benefit pension plan or profit sharing or other retirement
plan.
Compensation
of Directors
The
following table sets forth the compensation of Firstgold’s Directors paid during
fiscal year 2008 for services as a Director.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
|
Name
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
(e)
|
(f)
|
(g)
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
Dockter(1)
|
|
|
$94,667
|
|
|
|
$94,667
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
$38,500(2)
|
|
$61,311
|
|
|
|
$99,811
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
$31,000(2)
|
|
$219,936
|
|
|
|
$250,936
|
Donald
Heimler
|
$61,000(2)
|
|
$61,311
|
|
|
|
$122,311
|
Fraser
Berrill
|
$46,000(2) |
|
$116,086
|
|
|
|
$162,086
|
Kevin
Bullock
|
|
|
$201,164
|
|
|
|
$201,164
|
(1) Employees
are not separately compensated as a Director
(2) Outside
directors receive annual compensation of $10,000 per year and $1,500 for each
Board and/or Committee meeting attended.
Limitation
of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Firstgold’s
bylaws provide that it will indemnify its officers and directors, employees and
agents and former officers, directors, employees and agents unless their conduct
is finally adjudged as grossly negligent or to be willful
misconduct. This indemnification includes expenses (including
attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by these individuals in connection with such action, suit,
or proceeding, including any appeal thereof, subject to the qualifications
contained in Delaware law as it now exists. Expenses (including
attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or
proceeding will be paid by Firstgold in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount, unless it shall
ultimately be determined that he or she is entitled to be indemnified by
Firstgold as authorized in the bylaws. This indemnification will
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or
agent, and will benefit their heirs, executors, and
administrators. These indemnification rights are not deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which any such person may otherwise be entitled apart
from the bylaws. Delaware law generally provides that a corporation
shall have the power to indemnify persons if they acted in good faith in a
manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. In the event
any such person is judged liable for negligence or misconduct, this
indemnification will apply only if approved by the court in which the action was
pending. Any other indemnification shall be made only after the
determination by Firstgold’s Board of Directors (excluding any directors who
were party to such action), by independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
or by a majority vote of stockholders (excluding any stockholders who were
parties to such action) to provide such indemnification. Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
“1933Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
Firstgold pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Firstgold has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore, enforceable.
ITEM
11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The
following table sets forth the number of shares of Firstgold’s Common Stock
beneficially owned as of May 1, 2008 by, (i) each executive officer and director
of Firstgold; (ii) all executive officers and directors of Firstgold as a group;
and (iii) owners of more than 5% of Firstgold’s Common Stock.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Position
|
Number
of Shares Beneficially Owned
|
Percent
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.
Scott Dockter
3108
Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210
Sacramento,
CA 95814
|
COO
|
16,424,487(1)
|
13%
|
|
|
|
|
James
Kluber
169
Elliott Road
Centerville,
MA 02632
|
CFO,
Executive Vice President, and Secretary
|
2,992,091(2)
|
2.5%
|
|
|
|
|
Terrence
Lynch
1130
Morrison Heights
Oakville,
Ontario Canada L6J 4J1
|
Director
|
471,000(3)
|
*%
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
93
Sheppard Avenue East
North
York, Ontario, Canada M2N3A3
|
CEO
& Chairman
|
906,667(4)
|
1%
|
|
|
|
|
Donald
Heimler
75
Airdrie Road
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
M4G
1M1
|
Director
|
672,500(5)
|
1%
|
|
|
|
|
Fraser
Berrill
3672
County Road #8
Picton,
Ontario, Canada
K0K
2T0
|
Director
|
635,000(6)
|
1%
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
Bullock
36
Emeline Circle
Markham,
Ontario Canada
L3P4G4
|
Director
|
250,000(7)
|
*%
|
|
|
|
|
All
officers and directors as a group (6 individuals)
|
|
22,351,745
|
18.2%
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders
owning 5% or more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1346049
Ontario LTD
22
St. Clair Avenue East
18th
Floor
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M4T 2S3
|
|
13,332,132
(8)
|
11%
|
*
Represents less than 1%.
|
(1)
|
Amount
includes 900,000 shares owned by ASDi LLC, 6,401,946 shares issuable under
stock warrants and options exercisable within 60 days of May 1, 2008 and
2,500,000 warrants held by ASDi LLC (of which Mr. Dockter is the Manager
Member) exercisable within 60 days of May 1, 2008. Does not include
375,000 unvested options.
|
|
(2)
|
Amount
includes 1,595,007 shares issuable under stock warrants and options
exercisable within 60 days of April 18, 2008. Does not include
200,000 unvested options.
|
|
(3)
|
Amount includes 750,000 of shares
issuable under options granted to Mr. Lynch since he has been a director
of Firstgold exercisable within 60 days of May 1, 2008. Amount also
includes 96,000 shares of common stock held jointly with Mr. Lynch’s
wife. Does not include 125,000 unvested
options.
|
|
(4)
|
Amount
includes 1,000,000 shares issuable under options to purchase 1,000,000
shares granted during the time the person has been a director of
Firstgold. Amount includes 55,000 shares issuable under stock
warrants exercisable within 60 days of May 1, 2008. Does not
include 375,000 unvested options.
|
|
(5)
|
Amount
includes 500,000 shares issuable under options to purchase 500,000 shares
granted during the time the person has been a director of
Firstgold. Amount also includes 82,500 shares issuable under
stock warrants exercisable within 60 days of May 1, 2008. Does
not include 125,000 unvested
options.
|
|
(6)
|
Amount
includes 500,000 shares issuable under options to purchase 500,000 shares
granted during the time the person became a director of Firstgold. Amount
also includes 150,000 shares issuable under stock warrants exercisable
within 60 days of May 1, 2008. Does not include 125,000
unvested options.
|
|
(7)
|
Amount includes 250,000 shares
issuable under options to purchase 500,000 shares granted at the time the
person became a director of Firstgold. 50% of the options are
exercisable immediately while the balance vests on the first anniversary
date. Does not include 125,000 unvested
options.
|
|
(8)
|
Amount
includes 4,444,044 shares issuable under stock warrants exercisable within
60 days of May 1, 2008. The 1346049 Ontario LTD holdings
include stock and warrants held by Trapeze Capital Corp. and Trapeze Asset
Management Inc. The responsible executive officer for each entity is
Randall Abramson.
|
As a
condition to listing the Firstgold shares on the TSX, Mr. Dockter was required
to place all shares of Firstgold stock beneficially owned by him into a Voting
Trust and Escrow held by Equity Transfer & Trust Company of Toronto, Canada.
Pursuant to the Voting Trust and Escrow Agreement dated May 8, 2008, Mr. Dockter
will be allowed to vote his shares representing no more than 9.9% of the votes
eligible to be cast on any matter subject to stockholder approval. The Agreement
also limits Mr. Dockter’s ability to acquire additional Firstgold stock in the
open marked however he is permitted to exercise warrants owned at the time the
Agreement was entered into and stock options currently owned or granted in the
future pursuant to the Firstgold Stock Option Plan. The Agreement has a term of
three years.
ITEM
12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
AND RELATED TRANSACTION
During
the 2006 fiscal year, the president of Firstgold, Scott Dockter, had loaned
Firstgold an aggregate of $5,000. In July 2005 a convertible
promissory note with a balance of $1,402,742 and additional accrued interest of
$446,193 due to Mr. Dockter was converted into 12,326,231 shares of Firstgold
common stock. As of January 31, 2005, Mr. Dockter had loaned
Firstgold a total of $24,845 and accrued interest of $32,023. In
addition to the outstanding note payable, Mr. Dockter has been issued Warrants
to purchase up to 12,157,909 shares of Firstgold’s Common Stock at exercise
prices ranging from $0.15/share to $0.40/share. As of January 31,
2007, Firstgold had an advance receivable from Mr. Dockter in the amount of
$100,000. The advance receivable was repaid in full by April 30,
2007.
On
January 25, 2006, Firstgold entered into a joint venture with ASDi, LLC to
explore various Nevada mining properties. ASDi LLC is owned and managed by A.
Scott Dockter, the then President and CEO of Firstgold. The joint
venture was to be operated through a newly formed Nevada limited liability
company called Crescent Red Caps, LLC. The terms of the Operating
Agreement provide for ASDi LLC to contribute the leases covering two mining
properties located in Nevada in exchange for Firstgold issuing 2.5 million
shares of its Common Stock and warrants to
purchase 2.5 million shares of Firstgold Common Stock at an exercise price of
$0.40 per share for a term of three years to ASDi,
LLC. Firstgold initially owned a 22.22% interest in the Crescent Red
Caps LLC and ASDi, LLC held a 77.78% interest. By expending up to
$1,350,000 on each project over the next three years, Firstgold could have
increased its interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC to
66.66%. Thereafter, Firstgold had the right to purchase the remaining
interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC held by ASDi, LLC at a price to be
determined by the results of the exploration work
conducted. Firstgold was the Manager of the Crescent Red Caps
LLC. Due to the recent settlement of litigation regarding these
Nevada mining properties, the leases held by ASDi LLC have been relinquished
back to the property owners and the joint venture terminated. In
addition to the shares and warrants previously issued to ASDi LLC, Firstgold
paid approximately $1,100,000 in litigation expenses representing all of
the litigation costs relating to these properties and paid $150,000 in final
settlement of the litigation.
On
December 1, 2006, Firstgold entered into an Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement (the
“Agreement”) with its CEO and President A. Scott Dockter. Pursuant to
the Agreement, Mr. Dockter will make his private airplane available for use by
Firstgold at a rental rate of $200 per hour plus designated
expenses. The Agreement has a term of 10 years. Firstgold
made an advance payment under the Agreement of $120,000 on December 9, 2006. As
of January 31, 2008 Firstgold had utilized $6,360 of the advance payment in
plane usage. The rental rate being charged is deemed to be
significantly less then the rates obtainable from an unaffiliated third
party. The Agreement and advance payment were approved by the
Firstgold Board with Mr. Dockter abstaining.
In April
2007, Kingsmill Capital Partners assisted Firstgold in a private placement which
was conducted in Canada and raised gross proceeds of $2,552,900. For
Kingsmill’s participation as a selling agent in the private placement, it
received selling commissions of $178,703. Terrence Lynch, a director
of Firstgold, is an officer of Kingsmill but did not receive any compensation as
such from this completed Firstgold private placement. However, CBKT
Media is Mr. Lynch’s family owned entity which in turn owns a 25% interest in
Kingsmill. Consequently, CBKT Media may receive some portion of the
selling commissions paid by Firstgold to the extent net profits of Kingsmill are
distributed to its partners. The amount of any such distribution
cannot be determined at this time, but is expected to be less than
$45,000.
Should a
transaction, proposed transaction, or series of transactions involve one of our
officers or directors or a related entity or an affiliate of a related entity,
or holders of stock representing 5% or more of the voting power (a “related
entity”) of our then outstanding voting stock, the transactions must be approved
by the unanimous consent of our board of directors. In the event a
member of the board of directors is a related party, that member will abstain
from the vote
ITEM
13. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
|
Description of Exhibit
|
2.1(4)
|
Plan
of Reorganization and Merger Agreement, dated as of July 23, 1999, between
the
Registrant and Business Web, Inc.
|
2.2(6)
|
First
Amendment to Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement, dated as of
October
31, 1999, between the Registrant and Business Web, Inc.
|
2.3(7)
|
Termination
Agreement, dated as of December 27, 1999, between the Registrant
and
Business Web, Inc.
|
3.1(2)
|
Certificate
of Incorporation of the Registrant.
|
3.2(1)
|
Certificate
of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant.
|
3.3(2)
|
Bylaws
of the Registrant
|
4.1(9)
|
Convertible
Debenture
|
4.1.(a)(13)
|
Form
of Convertible Debenture dated September 26, 2006
|
4.2.(a)(9)
|
Form
of Warrant - $0.20 exercise price
|
4.2.(b)(9)
|
Form
of Warrant - $0.30 exercise price
|
4.3.(a)(15)
|
Convertible
Debenture dated December 1, 2006
|
4.3.(b)(17)
|
Convertible
Debenture dated March 16, 2007
|
4.4(13)
|
Form
of Warrant dated September 26, 2006
|
4.4(a)(15)
|
Warrants
dated November 1, 2006
|
4.4(b)
(15)
|
Warrants
dated November 1, 2006
|
4.4.(a)
(17)
|
Amended
and Restated Warrant dated March 16, 2007
|
4.5(19)
|
Warrants
dated April 12, 2007 filed as Exhibits 10.26
|
4.6(20)
|
Warrants
dated June 22, 2007
|
5.1(22)
|
Opinion
of Counsel
|
5.1(a)*
(23)
|
Updated
Opinion of Counsel
|
10.1(3)
|
Promissory
Note between Firstgold and A. Scott Dockter, dated April 2, 1997, for the
principal amount of $100,000.
|
10.2(3)
|
Promissory
Note between Firstgold and A. Scott Dockter, dated April 17, 1997, for the
principal amount of $50,000.
|
10.3(3)
|
Promissory
Note between Firstgold and A. Scott Dockter, dated April 30, 1997, for the
principal amount of $20,000.
|
10.4(3)
|
Promissory
Note between Firstgold and A. Scott Dockter, dated May 30, 1997, for
the
principal amount of $35,000
|
10.5(5)
|
Promissory
Note between Firstgold and A. Scott Dockter, dated December 24, 1998, for
the principal amount of $24,000.
|
10.6(7)
|
Warrant
to Purchase shares of Common Stock of Business Web,
Inc.
|
10.7(9)
|
Securities
Purchase Agreement dated January 27, 2006 by and among Firstgold and the
investor named therein.
|
10.8(9)
|
Registration
Rights Agreement dated January 27, 2006 by and among Firstgold and
the
investor named therein.
|
10.9(10)
|
Joint
Venture Agreement dated January 25, 2006 between Firstgold, Inc. and ASDi,
LLC
|
10.10(10)
|
Crescent
Red Caps LLC - Operating Agreement
|
10.11(11)
|
Employment
Agreement for A. Scott Dockter dated February 1, 2006
|
10.12(11)
|
Employment
Agreement for James W. Kluber dated February 1, 2006
|
10.13(12)
|
Pledge
and Escrow Agreement dated January 27, 2006 by and among Firstgold
and
the
investor named therein.
|
10.14(15)
|
Firstgold,
Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan
|
10.15(13)
|
Securities
Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2006 by and among Firstgold and the
investor named therein.
|
10.15.(a)(14)
|
Amendment
Number 1 to Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 1,
2006.
|
10.16(13)
|
Registration
Rights Agreement dated September 26, 2006 by and among
Firstgold
and
the investor named therein.
|
10.16.(a)(21)
|
Modification
to Registration Rights Agreement
|
10.16(b)(14)
|
Amendment
No. 1 to Investor Registration Rights Agreement
|
10.17(15)
|
Amended
Memorandum of Security Agreement
|
10.18(a)(15)
|
Pledge
and Escrow Agreement dated September 26, 2006
|
10.18(b)(15)
|
Amendment
to Pledge and Escrow Agreement dated November 1, 2006
|
10.19(16)
|
Transfer
Agent Instructions
|
10.20(18)
|
Aircraft
Time Sharing Agreement dated December 1, 2006
|
10.21(23)
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement for Regulation S offering in April
2007
|
14(8)
|
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics.
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Counsel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.1 of this
filing)
|
23.2(23)
|
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
23.3(23)
|
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
31.1*
|
Certification
by CEO pursuant to Sections 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
31.2*
|
Certification
by CFO pursuant to Sections 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
32*
|
Certification
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
____________________
* Filed
herewith
(1)
|
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 1996 filed with the Commission on January
22, 1997.
|
(2)
|
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File
No. 33-49920) filed with the Commission on October 14,
1993.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on June 30,
1997.
|
(4)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 1999 filed with the Commission on October 1,
1999.
|
(5)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s First Amendment to Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, filed with the
Commission on October 20, 1999.
|
(6)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
November 2, 1999.
|
(7)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 2000 filed with the Commission on May 17,
2000.
|
(8)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 2005 filed with the Commission on May 2,
2005
|
(9)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
February 2, 2006
|
(10)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed with Commission on February
27, 2006.
|
(11)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No.
333-132218) filed with the Commission on March 6,
2006.
|
(12)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Amended Registration Statement on Form SB-2
(File No. 333-132218) filed with the Commission on June 12,
2006.
|
(13)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
September 28, 2006.
|
(14)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on
November 24, 2006.
|
(15)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s First Amended Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 (File No. 333-139052) filed with the Commission on February 8,
2007
|
(16)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Second Amended Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 (File No. 333-139052) filed with the Commission on April 16,
2007
|
(17)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March
22, 2007.
|
(18)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 2007,
filed with the Commission on May 16,
2007.
|
(19)
|
Incorporated by reference to
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 11,
2007.
|
(20)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June
28, 2007.
|
(21)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 #333-145016 filed August
1, 2007.
|
(22)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2
#333-145016 filed September 27,
2007.
|
(23)
|
Filed as exhibit to Amendment No.
2 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 #333-145016 filed November 7,
2007.
|
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT
FEES AND SERVICES
During
Firstgold’s fiscal years ended January 31, 2007 and January 31, 2008, Firstgold
was billed the following aggregate fees by Singer Lewak Greenbaum &
Goldstein LLP (“SLGG”), its former independent public accountants and Hunter
Flemmer Renfro & Whitaker LLP (“HFRW”), its current independent public
accountants.
Audit
Fees.
This
category includes aggregate fees billed by our independent auditor HFRW for the
audit of our annual financial statements on Form 10-KSB, audit or management’s
assessment and effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting,
review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB
and services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings for those fiscal years.
The
aggregate fees billed by HFRW to Firstgold for professional services rendered
for the audit of Firstgold’s financial statements for the fiscal year, for
reviews of the financial statements included in Firstgold’s Forms 10-QSB for the
fiscal year, and for services provided by HFRW in connection with statutory or
regulatory filings for the fiscal year, were $__ for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2008 and $177,186 for the fiscal year ended January 31,
2007.
Audit Related
Fees
This
category consists of services by our independent auditors that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements
and are not reported above under Audit Fees. This category includes
accounting consultations on transaction and proposed transaction related
matters.
In fiscal
year 2008, HFRW billed $____ Audit Related Fees. In fiscal year 2007, SLGG and
HFRW billed $119,685 for Audit Related Fees.
Tax Fees
This
category consists of professional services rendered for tax, compliance and
preparation of our corporate tax returns and other tax advice. There
were no amounts billed by SLGG or HFRW for Tax Fees. However, prior
to joining HFRW, Chris Whitaker was paid $5,940 for tax preparation services
during fiscal year 2007.
All Other
Fees
There are
no other fees to disclose.
As stated
elsewhere in this report, Firstgold did not have a separate Audit Committee for
most of the 2007 fiscal year. Consequently, all of the services
performed by HFRW and SLGG for most of fiscal year 2007 were reviewed and
approved by Firstgold’s Board of Directors, which concluded that the provision
of the non-audit services described above were compatible with maintaining the
accountant’s independence. Services performed by HFRW during fiscal
year 2008 were reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded
that the provision of the non-audit services described above were compatible
with maintaining the accountant’s independence
Pre-Approved
Policies and Procedures
Prior to
retaining HFRW to provide services in the current fiscal year (beginning
February 1, 2007), the Audit Committee will first review and approve HFRW’s fee
proposal and engagement letter. In the fee proposal, each category of
services (Audit, Audit Related, Tax and All Other) is broken down into
subcategories that describe the nature of the services to be rendered, and the
fees for such services. Firstgold’s pre-approval policy provides that
the Audit Committee must specifically pre-approve any engagement of HFRW for
services outside the scope of the fee proposal and engagement
letter.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15 (d)
of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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FIRSTGOLD
CORP. |
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Date:
May 15, 2008
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By:
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/s/ Stephen
Akerfeldt |
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Stephen
Akerfeldt |
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Chief
Executive Officer |
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In
accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/
Stephen Akerfeldt
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Chairman
of the Board
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May
15, 2008
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Stephen
Akerfeldt
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and
Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/
James W. Kluber
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Director,
Secretary and
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James
W. Kluber
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Chief
Financial Officer |
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(Principal
Financial & |
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Accounting
Officer) |
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/s/
Terrence Lynch
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Director
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Terrence
Lynch
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/s/
Donald Heimler |
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Director
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May
15, 2008
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Donald
Heimler |
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/s/
Fraser Berrill |
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Director
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May
15, 2008
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Fraser
Berrill |
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/s/
Kevin Bullock |
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Director
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May
15, 2008
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Kevin
Bullock |
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