DC 10-Q
Dakota Gold Corp. (DC)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the quarterly period ended
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For the transition period from ___________to ___________
Commission file number
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its charter)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
| Large Accelerated Filer | [ ] | Accelerated Filer | [ ] |
| [X] | Smaller Reporting Company | ||
| Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No
As of November 8, 2022, there were
DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) |
| September 30, 2022 |
March 31, 2022 |
|||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||
| Receivables | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Mineral rights and properties | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||
| Other assets | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | $ | ||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||
| Deferred tax liability | ||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||
| Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 6) | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity | ||||||
| Common stock, par value $ |
||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
4
|
DAKOTA GOLD CORP. |
| Three months ended September 30, |
Six months ended September 30, |
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| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Exploration expenses | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
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| Other income (expenses) | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Loss on settlement of debt | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expenses) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
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| Deferred tax benefit | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
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| Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Net loss attributable to owners of the Company | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
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| Basic and diluted loss per share | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
| Weighted average number of basic and diluted shares of common stock outstanding | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
5
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DAKOTA GOLD CORP. |
| Six months ended September 30, | ||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||
| Depreciation expense | ||||||
| Loss on settlement of debt | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||
| Deferred tax benefit | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Receivables | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( |
) | ||||
| Accounts payable - related party | ( |
) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( |
) | ( |
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| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( |
) | ( |
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| Purchases of mineral rights and properties | ( |
) | ( |
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| Cash used in investing activities | ( |
) | ( |
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| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of DTRC common stock | ||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | ||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | ||||||
| Payments on notes payable - related parties | ( |
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| Cash provided by financing activities | ||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( |
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| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | ||||
| NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||
| Common stock issued for purchase of mineral properties | $ | $ | ||||
| Common stock issued for settlement of notes payable | $ | $ | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
6
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY For the Three and Six Months Ended September 30, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Common Stock | Additional | Retained | Total | ||||||||||||
| Number | Paid-in | Earnings | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||
| of Shares | Amount | Capital | Equity | ||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||
| Common stock issued for restricted stock units ("RSUs") | ( |
) | - | - | |||||||||||
| Common stock issued for exercise of options | - | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for purchase of mineral properties | ( |
) | - | - | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for exercise of warrants | - | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for purchase of mineral properties | - | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
7
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY For the Three and Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 (Unaudited) |
| Common Stock | Additional | Retained | Non- | Total | ||||||||||||||
| Number | Paid-in | Earnings | Controlling | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||
| of Shares | Amount | Capital | Interest | Equity | ||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for cash, net of issuance costs | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| DTRC common stock issued | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Cash received for unissued DTRC shares of common stock | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| DTRC common stock issued for purchase of mineral properties | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| DTRC common stock issued upon conversion of debt | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Change in non-controlling interest | - | - | - | ( |
) | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
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| Balance, June 30,2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DTRC common stock issued | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| DTRC common stock issued for purchase of mineral properties | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| DTRC common stock issued upon conversion of debt | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Change in non-controlling interest | - | - | - | ( |
) | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
8
DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2022, and 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1-Summary of Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements ("interim financial statements") of Dakota Gold Corp. ("we", "us", "our", the "Company", "Dakota Gold") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for interim statements, and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended March 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on June 28, 2022. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to the financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, as reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been omitted. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements.
DTRC Merger Transaction
On September 10, 2021, the Company and Dakota Territory Resource Corp. ("DTRC") entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "merger agreement") providing for the acquisition of the non-controlling interest of DTRC where the Company would acquire the remaining shares (not previously owned) of DTRC for an equal number of shares of the Company and DTRC would merge into a subsidiary of the Company (the "DTRC Merger" or the "DTRC Transaction"). The DTRC Merger was approved by the stockholders of DTRC at a Special Meeting of Stockholders and closed with an effective date of March 31, 2022.
Pursuant to the merger agreement, the DTRC stockholders received one share of Dakota Gold common stock for each share of DTRC's common stock owned at the time of the closing. After the closing, the former stockholders of DTRC and the Company owned approximately
Basis of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries at the end of the reporting periods as follows:
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Incorporation |
Percentage owned |
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2022 |
2021 |
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DTRC LLC |
USA |
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JR Resources (Canada) Services Corp. |
Canada |
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Dakota Gold Holdings LLC |
USA |
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N/A |
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Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp. |
Canada |
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N/A |
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.
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Note 2 - Mineral Rights and Properties
On September 26, 2012, the Company was re-organized with North Homestake Mining Company and acquired the Blind Gold Property located in the Homestake District of South Dakota. In 2018 and 2019, DTRC acquired additional acreage associated with DTRC's City Creek Property and the Tinton Gold Property. In 2020 and 2021, DTRC increased the size of the DTRC's Blind Gold Property, the Tinton Property, the Poorman Anticline Property, the Ragged Top Gold Project, the West Corridor Property, the City Creek Property and added the South Lead/Whistler Gulch Property through a combination of acquisitions and claim staking.
On October 26, 2020, the Company completed the purchase of the Maitland Gold Property from Homestake Mining Company of California ("HMCC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick"). At closing, DTRC paid Barrick $
On September 7, 2021, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire surface rights and certain facilities in the Homestake District, South Dakota from HMCC. The agreement provides for exclusive access to three extensive historic data sets which chronicle its 145-year exploration and mining history throughout South Dakota. Under the terms of the agreement, DTRC has a three-year option to acquire
On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire Barrick's interest in the Richmond Hill Property in the Homestake District, South Dakota from LAC Minerals (USA) LLC and HMCC. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has an option to acquire
On September 8, 2022, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary DTRC LLC, entered into a first amendment (the "amended option agreement") to the option agreement for purchase and sale of real property dated October 14, 2021 to acquire LAC Minerals (USA) LLC ("LAC") and HMCC's Richmond Hill Property in the Homestake District, South Dakota. The extension gives the Company further optionality in its exploration at the Richmond Hill Property. Other terms and obligation within the original option agreement will remain unchanged.
In total, the Company currently holds eleven brownfield project areas in the district comprised of
During the six-month period ending September 30, 2022 the company acquired additional mineral properties totaling $
10
Note 3 - Property and Equipment
As of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, the Company's property and equipment consists of the following:
| Estimated Useful Life (Years) |
September 30, 2022 |
March 31, 2022 |
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| Land | $ | $ | |||||||
| Building | |||||||||
| Furniture and equipment | |||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| $ | $ |
Depreciation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 was $
Note 4 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
As of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, the Company's accounts payable and accrued liabilities consists of the following:
| September 30, 2022 |
March 31, 2022 | |||||
| Trade payables | $ | $ | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||||
| Other | ||||||
| $ | $ |
Note 5 - Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to all matters required by law to be submitted to stockholders. The holders of common stock have the sole right to vote. The common stock does not have any cumulative voting, pre-emptive, subscription or conversion rights. Election of directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of common stock represented at a meeting, and other general stockholder action (other than an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation) requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares represented at a meeting in which a quorum is represented. The outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
In connection with the domestication process on May 22, 2020, the Company changed its share capital structure from unlimited authorized shares of common stock without par value to
Share Issuances during the six months ended September 30, 2022
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Company issued (i)
11
Note 5 -Stockholders' Equity, continued
Share Issuances during the six months ended September 30, 2021
During the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued
DTRC Share Issuances during the six months ended September 30, 2021
On June 23, 2021, DTRC issued
During the six months ended September 30, 2021, DTRC also issued (i)
12
Note 5 -Stockholders' Equity, continued
Of the
Stock Options Issued
Pursuant to the DTRC Merger on March 31, 2022, the Company cancelled DTRCs outstanding stock options and replaced them with options of Dakota Gold Corp. ("DGC") under the "2022 Stock Incentive Plan" with the same terms and provisions. The 2022 Stock Incentive Plan had a total of
Outstanding stock options under the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan have a term of
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Company estimated the fair value of each stock option granted to have a weighted average grant date fair value of $
During the six months ended September 30, 2021, DTRC granted a total of
During the six months ended September 30, 2021, DTRC estimated the fair value of each stock option granted to have a weighted average grant date fair value of $
Estimated volatility is calculated based on average volatility of the Company's peer group because the Company does not have sufficient historical data and will continue to use peer group volatility information until historical volatility of the Company is available to measure expected volatility for future grants. Peers are companies at similar stages of mine development and operating jurisdictions who have granted options with similar terms recently.
The stock-based compensation expense is recognized as the fair value determined at the initial grant date using Black-Scholes which is amortized over the vesting period.
13
Note 5 -Stockholders' Equity, continued
A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information for the period ended September 30, 2022 is as follows:
| Number | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years) |
Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
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| Outstanding as of March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Options granted | ||||||||||||
| Options exercised | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Options exercisable as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ |
As of September 30, 2022, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options was $
Warrants
As of September 30, 2022, there were
RSUS and PSUs
The Company has an RSU plan that provides for the issuance of RSUs and PSUs in amounts as approved by the Company's board of directors.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company issued PSUs to certain members of management and other select employees. RSUs and PSUs generally vest in one-third increments over a three-year period, and compensation cost is recognized over the respective service periods based on the grant date fair value.
Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company's common stock.
Each PSU award entitles the participant to receive a variable number of shares of the Company's common stock at the end of a specified period. The total number of shares that would vest under the PSUs will be determined at the end of each of the next three-year performance periods based on the Company's performance against the index for the relevant performance periods. The total number of shares that may be earned for PSUs is based on performance over the performance period and ranges from
The fair value of RSUs is measured at the grant-date price of the Company’s shares. The fair value of PSUs is measured at the grant-date fair value.
The compensation expense related to the RSUs and PSUs has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements since the grant date and the fair value determined at the initial grant date will continue to be amortized over the vesting period.
14
Note 5 -Stockholders' Equity, continued
The Company recognized compensation expense related to the vesting of RSUs and PSUs totaling $
A summary of RSU and PSU awards outstanding and activity during the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 are as follows:
| Number of RSU Awards |
Weighted- average grant date fair value per award |
Number of PSU Awards |
Weighted- average grant date fair value per award |
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| Outstanding at March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding at June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2022 | $ | $ |
During the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized stock-based compensation related to the vesting of RSUs totaling $
Bonus Shares of Common Stock Issued by DTRC during the six months ended September 30, 2021
During the six months ended September 30, 2021, DTRC issued
Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies
The Company may become party to various legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company is also subject to audit by tax and other authorities for varying periods in various federal, state and local jurisdictions, and disputes may arise during the course of these audits. It is impossible to determine the ultimate liabilities that the Company may incur resulting from any of these lawsuits, claims, proceedings, audits, commitments, contingencies and related matters or the timing of these liabilities, if any. If these matters were to ultimately be resolved unfavorably, it is possible that such an outcome could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company does not, however, anticipate such an outcome and it believes the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
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Note 7 - Income Taxes
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax for the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
| Six months ended September 30, 2022 |
Six months ended September 30, 2021 |
|||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) computed at federal statutory rates | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
| Non-deductible expenses | ||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | ||||||
| Other | ||||||
| Deferred tax benefit | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 was
Management has established a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets because the underlying the deferred tax benefit may not be realized.
The tax effects of the temporary differences between reportable financial statement income and taxable income are recognized as deferred tax assets or liabilities. Significant components of the deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance are set out below:
| September 30, 2022 |
March 31, 2022 |
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| Deferred tax assets: | ||||||
| Net operating losses | $ | $ | ||||
| Net capital losses | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||
| Deferred exploration costs | ||||||
| Total | ||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Total deferred tax assets | ||||||
| Deferred tax liability: | ||||||
| Property and equipment | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Mineral properties | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||
| Total deferred taxes | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
Of a total of approximately $
We follow the provisions of ASC 740 relating to uncertain tax provisions and have commenced analyzing filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. There are no unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30 or March 31, 2022. We file income tax returns in the United States federally and in one state jurisdiction. The Company has not been subjected to tax examinations for any year and the statute of limitations has not expired. The Company's tax returns remain open for examination by the applicable authorities, generally 3 years for federal and 4 years for state.
16
Note 8 - Subsequent Event(s)
On October 21, 2022, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Canaccord Genuity LLC (collectively, the "Sales Agents"), to establish an at-the-market equity program (the "ATM Program"). Under the ATM Program, the Company may offer and sell shares of common stock having aggregate proceeds of up to $
17
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations together with the Company's financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may also contain statistical data and estimates the Company obtained from industry publications and reports generated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the publications and reports are reliable, it has not independently verified their data.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits attached hereto contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning our anticipated results and developments of our operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, include, but are not limited to:
- the progress, potential and uncertainties of the Company's exploration program at its properties located in the Homestake District of South Dakota (the "Black Hills Property");
- our assessment that the Homestake District is a safe, low-cost jurisdiction in a favorable regulatory environment;
- our planned exploration activities during fiscal year 2023;
- proposed cash exploration expenditures for fiscal year 2023
- the success of getting the necessary permits for future drill programs and future project exploration;
- expectations regarding the sufficiency of the Company's existing funds for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the Company's ability to raise capital and to continue the Company's exploration plans on the Company's properties in the future; and
- plans regarding anticipated expenditures at the Black Hills Property.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
• risks associated with the Company's history of losses and need for additional financing,
• risks associated with its limited operating history,
• risks associated with its properties all being in the exploration stage,
• risks associated with its lack of history in producing metals from its properties,
• risks associated with its need for additional financing to develop a producing mine, if warranted,
• risks associated with its exploration activities not being commercially successful,
• risks associated with ownership of surface rights at its Black Hills Property,
• risks associated with increased costs affecting its financial condition,
• risks associated with a shortage of equipment and supplies adversely affecting its ability to operate,
• risks associated with mining and mineral exploration being inherently dangerous,
• risks associated with mineralization estimates,
• risks associated with changes in mineralization estimates affecting the economic viability of its properties,
• risks associated with uninsured risks,
18
• risks associated with mineral operations being subject to market forces beyond its control,
• risks associated with fluctuations in commodity prices,
• risks associated with permitting, licenses and approval processes,
• risks associated with governmental and environmental regulations,
• risks associated with future legislation regarding the mining industry and climate change,
• risks associated with potential environmental lawsuits,
• risks associated with its land reclamation requirements,
• risks associated with gold mining presenting potential health risks,
• risks associated with possible amendments to mining laws, mineral withdrawals of similar actions,
• risks associated with any material weaknesses that have been identified in our internal controls over financial reporting,
• risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,
• risks associated with cybersecurity and cyber-attacks,
• risks related to title in its properties,
• risks associated with geopolitical factors,
• risks associated with potential property title disputes,
• risks related to competition in the gold and silver mining industries,
• risks related to economic conditions,
• risks related to its ability to manage growth,
• risks related to the potential difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified personnel,
• risks related to its dependence on key personnel,
• risks related to its SEC filing history, and
• risks related to its securities.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. The Company qualifies all the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by the foregoing cautionary statements.
This management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's financial statements and notes thereto as set forth herein. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company, which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect its business, including without limitation, the disclosures made under "Risk Factors" of its most recent Form 10-K.
The Company's unaudited financial statements are stated in United States dollars and are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Since the Company is an exploration stage company and has not generated revenues to date, its business is subject to numerous contingencies and risk factors beyond its control, including exploration and development risks, competition from well-funded competitors, and its ability to manage growth.
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Overview
The Company's goal is to create stockholder value through the acquisition, responsible exploration, and future development of high caliber gold properties in the Homestake District of South Dakota (the "Homestake District"). Management and the technical teams cumulatively have several hundred years of international mining and exploration experience. Key personnel have more than fifty combined years of mining and exploration experience in the Homestake District, mostly with the Homestake Mining Company, as well as other exploration companies that have operated in the region. The Company believes this experience uniquely positions the Company and will allow it to leverage its direct experience and knowledge of past exploration and mining activities in the Homestake District. Combined with the use of modern exploration and mining techniques, and new geologic understanding from experience in other mines, new research and information extracted from its new geophysical surveys, the Company hopes to focus its programs and build upon dominance where the historic Homestake Mining Company left off in the 1990's.
The Homestake District has yielded approximately 44.6 million ounces of gold production with most of it coming from within a small area. The production ledges of the old mine define a cumulative surface projection area of much less than 3 square miles. Homestake Mining Company's historic gold production and exploration in the Homestake District was overwhelmingly focused on the underground mine. Outside of the mine area, the Homestake District has been underexplored and lacks the modern exploration efforts required to search for other deposits especially under the cover of younger rocks that dominate the surface.
Since 2012, the Company has consistently pursued a strategy of expanding its portfolio of brownfield properties located exclusively within the Homestake District to build a dominant land position with the goal of consolidating possible mineral potential. Property acquisitions are focused and based on past exploration, the access to proprietary data sets the Company has assembled over the years, and new research and remote data acquisition (Magnetics, Gravity and Radiometric) that was recently conducted over the district that hosts the Homestake Gold Deposit.
The Company has not established that any of its projects or properties contain proven or probable mineral reserves under S-K 1300 nor do they guarantee their exploration work will ever establish an economic gold deposit. The Company believes the Homestake District is in a safe, low-cost jurisdiction with well-developed infrastructure and is in a favorable regulatory environment in which authorities have consistently demonstrated a willingness to work with responsible operators to permit well-planned compliant projects.
Planned Activities
The Company's planned activities in fiscal 2023 will be focused on advancing exploration drilling on its Maitland, Richmond Hill, and City Creek projects. In addition, work is planned to continue exploration, permitting studies, and targeting activities on its Blind Gold and Tinton projects to bring them to a drilling stage.
The Company's technical group and consultants are continuously modeling and evaluating data acquired through its regional high-definition airborne magnetic survey, supplemented by ground gravity surveys completed in 2021, to enhance possible drill targets, as well as to screen targets on other brownfields areas of interest within the district. Field sampling and mapping programs have been initiated at the Richmond Hill, City Creek, and the Barrick Option property. The Company continues to locate, evaluate, and add to the historic information in its regional and project level data sets much of which is from the 145-year-old Homestake Mining Company files acquired in the Barrick Option agreement but also from other private and public sources.
Permitting and site preparations were completed for the first drilling program on the iron-formation target and other tertiary-age replacement targets in the Maitland area and drilling commenced in early 2022. There are now three drill rigs operating on the property - two at Maitland and one at Richmond Hill. Permit and environmental field work for the Blind Gold and Tinton project areas has also been initiated. Targets in some of the other brownfield areas may also be identified and advanced for drilling as exploration activities continue throughout the year.
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Proposed Cash Exploration Expenditures for the | |
| General & administrative | $ 4.7 |
| Drilling, Field programs/Met Testing/Data Compilation | $ 15.5 |
| Property Acquisition | $ 6.3 |
| TOTAL | $26.5 |
The Company's projects are all at the exploration stage and do not generate revenues. The Company has not established that any of its properties or projects contain proven or probable mineral reserves as defined under S-K 1300. Expenditure projections are subject to numerous contingencies and risk factors beyond the Company's control, including exploration and development risks, competition from well-funded competitors, and the Company's ability to manage growth and assessments of ongoing exploration activities and results. The Company cannot offer assurance that its expenses will either meet or exceed its projections.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company is in the exploration-stage and does not generate revenues. As such, the Company finances its operations and the acquisition and exploration of its mineral properties through the issuance of common stock, and the Company could be materially adversely affected if it is unable to raise capital because of market or other factors.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had working capital of $26,905,899 and its retained earnings as of September 30, 2022, was $681,220. The Company had net losses for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022, of $6,575,955 and $12,384,680, respectively.
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Company issued a total of 37,500 shares of common stock for proceeds of $12,000 pursuant to the exercise of stock options and 3,607 shares of common stock for proceeds of $7,503 pursuant to the exercise of warrants.
During the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, the Company plans cash expenditures for exploration of approximately $26.5 million and is managing spending within that budget. In the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Company has incurred cash expenditures of approximately $3.5 million on general and administrative expenses, $7.9 million on exploration expenses and approximately $0.9 million on property acquisitions.
The timing of expected expenditures is dependent upon a number of factors, including the availability of contractors. The Company has sufficient funds for funding its activities for the remainder of the current fiscal year.
Subsequent to September 30, 2022, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Canaccord Genuity LLC (collectively, the "Sales Agents"), to establish an at-the-market equity program (the "ATM Program"). Under the ATM Program, the Company may offer and sell shares of common stock having aggregate proceeds of up to $50,000,000, from time to time, through any of the Sales Agents. Following establishment of the ATM program, the Company has issued 1,000,000 shares from the ATM program at an average price of $3.10 for gross proceeds of $3.1 million.
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Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
The Company had no operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. We are not currently profitable. We had a net loss of $6,575,955 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 (three months ended September 30, 2021 - $5,003,080).
Exploration Costs
During the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, our exploration costs totaled $4,677,900 and $1,875,085, respectively. The increase quarter over quarter primarily related to the continuation of exploration drilling and related activities which commenced in January 2022. In addition, the Company funded the airborne geophysical survey and increased the review and compilation of historical geological data. Included in these costs were payments of annual claim maintenance fees related to our mineral properties and exploration-related stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $188,817 (three months ended September 30, 2021 - $184,252).
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 were $2,396,284 and $3,298,785, respectively. These expenditures were primarily for legal, accounting and professional fees, investor relations as well as other general and administrative expenses necessary for our operations. The decrease quarter over quarter was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation allocated to administration expenses of $499,535 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 (three months ended September 30, 2021 - $2,617,448). The organization grew from twelve employees to over thirty, which resulted in increased general and administrative costs (excluding stock-based compensation) to $1,896,749 during the three months ended September 30, 2022 (three months ended September 30, 2021 - $623,076). The organization grew to support advancing the exploration activities, which include drilling activities in the current fiscal year.
Six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
We had a net loss of $12,384,680 for the six months ended September 30, 2022 (six months ended September 30, 2021 - $17,845,804).
Exploration Costs
During the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, our exploration costs totaled $8,449,417 and $4,058,726, respectively. The increase period over period primarily related to the continuation of exploration drilling and related activities which commenced in January 2022. In addition, the Company funded the airborne geophysical survey and increased the review and compilation of historical geological data. Included in these costs were payments of annual claim maintenance fees related to our mineral properties, as well exploration-related stock-based compensation expenses of $525,883 for the six months ended September 30, 2022 (six months ended September 30, 2021 - $1,768,110).
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 were $5,704,945 and $14,027,533, respectively. These expenditures were primarily for legal, accounting and professional fees, investor relations, as well as other general and administrative expenses necessary for our operations. The decrease period over period was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation allocated to administration expenses of $2,084,986 for the six months ended September 30, 2022 (six months ended September 30, 2021 - $11,862,461). The organization has grown to over thirty employees, which resulted in increased general and administrative costs (excluding stock-based compensation) to $3,619,959 during the six months ended September 30, 2022 (six months ended September 30, 2021 - $2,106,811). The organization grew to support advancing the exploration activities, which include drilling activities in the current fiscal year.
22
We had losses from operations totaling $14,154,362 and $18,086,259, respectively, losses before income tax of $14,144,591 and $18,195,764, respectively, and deferred tax benefits of $1,759,911 and $349,960, respectively, leading to net losses for the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 of $12,384,680 and $17,845,804, respectively.
The effective tax rate for the quarter is less than the statutory rate, due to a lower tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to Restricted Share Units which were issued during the period, when compared to what was recognized during the vesting period for those units, and a change in our valuation allowance related to our net operating losses.
Cash flows used in operating activities
During the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company's cash flows used in operating activities were $12,335,132 and $4,442,778, respectively. Cash used in operations for the six months ended September 30, 2022 increased year over year as the Company increased the amount of land staking and associated annual claim maintenance costs. In addition, the company completed an airborne geophysical survey and engaged additional personnel to review and commence the compilation of historical geological data obtained through the Barrick option agreements. The Company also continued drilling and related activities which commenced in January 2022.
Cash flows used in investing activities
During the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, cash used in investing activities was $1,016,990 and $3,548,196, respectively. In the six months ended September 30, 2022, the cash used for investing activities consisted of $854,316 for the acquisition of mineral properties and $162,674 for the purchases of property and equipment. In the six months ended September 30, 2021, the cash used for investing activities consisted of $3,285,316 for the acquisition of mineral properties and $262,880 for the purchases of property and equipment.
Cash flows from financing activities
During the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, cash flows from financing activities were $19,503 and $49,064,986, respectively. In the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Company issued 37,500 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of stock options for cash proceeds of $12,000 and 3,607 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of warrants for cash proceeds of $7,503. In the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued shares for net proceeds of $351,075, and DTRC issued shares for net proceeds of $49,515,626 and repaid $801,715 to extinguish a related party note.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had off-balance sheet arrangements for payments in relation to annual mineral lease payments related to certain properties under option as disclosed in Note 3 of the financial statements.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on the Company's financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Preparation of financial statements requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingencies. Management bases its estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that the Company's financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with US GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from the Company's assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Management believes that the following critical accounting estimates and judgments have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements: valuation of options granted to directors and officers using the Black-Scholes model and fair value of mineral properties. The accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to the Company's audited annual financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. There have been no material changes to the Company's critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the Company's critical accounting policies and estimates described in the Form 10-K.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company's management, including its chief executive officer ("CEO") and chief financial officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by us in reports that it files or submits to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes to Internal Controls and Procedures over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As noted in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022, management concluded that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2022, based on the criteria set forth in the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control -Integrated Framework. We are continuing to take steps to remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Except as set forth below, all unregistered sales of equity securities during the period covered by this Quarterly Report were previously disclosed in the Company's current reports on Form 8-K.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 180,000 shares of common stock in connection with an amendment to the option agreement for the Richmond Hill property. The Company relied on the exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 506 of Regulation D for purposes of the issuance common stock.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company's exploration properties were not subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are attached hereto or are incorporated by reference:
________________
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
| /s/ Jonathan Awde | |
| By: Jonathan Awde | |
| Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and Director | |
| Dated: November 8, 2022 |
| /s/ Shawn Campbell | |
| By: Shawn Campbell | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
| Dated: November 8, 2022 |
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