Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We lack an operating history and have losses which we expect to continue into the future. As a result, we may have to suspend or cease exploration activities and if we do not obtain sufficient financing, our business will fail.
We were incorporated on August 4, 2010 and to date have been involved primarily in the acquisition and exploration of our mineral properties. We have no exploration history upon which an evaluation of our future success or failure can be made. Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow is dependent upon: (i) our ability to locate a profitable mineral property, and (ii) our ability to generate revenues.
For the next twelve months, management anticipates that the minimum cash requirements to fund our proposed exploration program and our continued operations will be approximately $75,830. Accordingly, we do not have sufficient funds to meet our planned expenditures over the next twelve months and will be required to raise additional financing.
Obtaining financing would be subject to a number of factors, including the market prices for the mineral property and base and precious metals. These factors may make the timing, amount, terms or conditions of additional financing unavailable to us. Since our inception, we have used our common shares to raise money for our operations and for our property acquisitions. We have not attained profitable operations and are dependent upon obtaining financing to pursue our plan of operation.
Because we are an exploration stage company, our business has a high risk of failure.
We are an exploration stage company that has incurred net losses since inception, we have not attained profitable operations and we are dependent upon obtaining adequate financing to complete our exploration activities. The success of our business operations will depend upon our ability to obtain further financing to complete our planned exploration program and to attain profitable operations. If we are not able to complete a successful exploration program and attain sustainable profitable operations, then our business will fail.
Our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern; as a result we could have difficulty finding additional financing.
Our financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. Except for the interest revenue, we have not generated any revenue from our main operations since inception and have accumulated losses. As a result, our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue our operations depends on our ability to complete equity or debt financings or generate profitable operations. Such financings may not be available or may not be available on reasonable terms. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that could result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Because of the unique difficulties and uncertainties inherent in mineral exploration ventures, we face a high risk of business failure.
Investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new mineral exploration companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of the mineral properties that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. Our mineral properties do not contain a known body of commercial ore and, therefore, any program conducted on our mineral properties would be an exploratory search of ore. There is no certainty that any expenditures made in the exploration of our mineral properties will result in discoveries of commercial quantities of ore. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore. Problems such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions are involved in mineral exploration and often result in unsuccessful exploration efforts. If the results of our exploration program do not reveal viable commercial mineralization, we may decide to abandon our claim and acquire new claims for new exploration. The acquisition of additional claims will be dependent upon our possessing sufficient capital resources to purchase such claims. If we do not have sufficient capital resources and are unable to obtain sufficient financing, we may be forced to abandon our operations.
We have no known mineral reserves and if we cannot find any, we may have to cease operations.
We are in the initial phase of our exploration program for the OS Gold Claim. It is unknown whether this property contains viable mineral reserves. If we do not find a viable mineral reserve, or if we cannot exploit the mineral reserve, either because we do not have the money to do it or because it will not be economically feasible to do it, we may have to cease operations and you may lose your investment. Mineral exploration is a highly speculative endeavor. It involves many risks and is often non-productive. Even if mineral reserves are discovered on our properties, our production capabilities will be subject to further risks and uncertainties including:
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Costs of bringing the property into production including exploration work, preparation of production feasibility studies, and construction of production facilities, all of which we have not budgeted for;
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(ii)
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Availability and costs of financing;
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Ongoing costs of production; and
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Environmental compliance regulations and restraints.
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The marketability of any minerals acquired or discovered may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond our control and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the lack of milling facilities and processing equipment near the OS Gold Claim and the Quad Gold Claim, and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection.
Because we have not commenced business operations, we face a high risk of business failure.
We have not earned any revenues from business operations as of the date of this report. Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new mineral exploration companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of the mineral properties that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates.
Because of the inherent dangers involved in mineral exploration, there is a risk that we may incur liability or damages as we conduct our business.
The search for valuable minerals involves numerous hazards. As a result, we may become subject to liability for such hazards, including pollution, cave-ins and other hazards against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. At the present time we have no coverage to insure against these hazards. The payment of such liabilities may result in our inability to complete our planned exploration program and/or obtain additional financing to fund our exploration program.
Because the prices of metals fluctuate, if the price of metals for which we are exploring decreases below a specified level, it may no longer be profitable to explore for those metals and we will cease operations.
Metal prices are determined by such factors as expectations for inflation, the strength of the United States dollar, global and regional supply and demand, and political and economic conditions and production costs in metals producing regions of the world. The aggregate effect of these factors on metal prices is impossible for us to predict. In addition, the prices of metals such as lead, zinc, copper, silver, gold or uranium are sometimes subject to rapid short-term and/or prolonged changes because of speculative activities. The current demand for and supply of these metals affect the metal prices, but not necessarily in the same manner as current supply and demand affect the prices of other commodities. The supply of these metals primarily consists of new production from mining. If the prices of the metals are, for a substantial period, below our foreseeable cost of production, it may not be economical for us to continue operations and investors could lose their entire investment.
We sometimes hold a significant portion of our cash in United States dollars, which could weaken our purchasing power in other currencies and limit our ability to conduct our exploration programs.
Currency fluctuations could affect the costs of our operations and affect our operating results and cash flows. Gold and copper are sold throughout the world based principally on the U.S. dollar price, but most of our operating expenses are incurred in Canadian dollar. The appreciation of Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar can increase the costs of our operations.
In order to maintain our rights on the OS Gold Claim and Quad Gold Claim we will be required to make annual payments with the Ministry of Mines or complete assessment work on these mineral properties.
Our prospecting activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate mineral tenures and regulatory comments, which may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. Mineral claims are renewable subject to certain expenditure requirements. Although we believe that we will obtain the necessary prospecting licenses and permits, including but not limited to drill permits, there can be no assurance that they will be granted or as to the terms of any such grant. Furthermore, we are required to expend required amounts on the mineral claims of the OS Gold Claim and Quad Gold Claim in order to maintain them in good standing. If we are unable to expend these amounts, we may lose our title thereto on the expiry date(s) of the relevant mineral claims on the OS Gold Claim and Quad Gold Claim. There is no assurance that, in the event of losing our title to a mineral claim, we will be able to register the mineral claim in its name without a third party registering its interest first.
Our mineral properties may become subject to aboriginal rights which may affect title to our mineral properties.
In British Columbia, aboriginal rights may be claimed on Crown properties or other types of tenure with respect to which mining rights have been conferred. We are not aware of any other aboriginal land claims having been asserted or any legal actions relating to native issues having been instituted with respect to any of the land which is covered by the OS Gold Claim and the Quad Gold Claim.
The legal basis of a land claim is a matter of considerable legal complexity and the impact of a land claim settlement and self-government agreements cannot be predicted with certainty. In addition, no assurance can be given that a broad recognition of aboriginal rights by way of a negotiated settlement or judicial pronouncement would not have an adverse effect on our activities. Such impact could be marked and, in certain circumstances, could delay or even prevent our exploration or mining activities.
There are environmental risks associated with mineral exploration.
Inherent with mining operations is an environmental risk. The legal framework governing this area is constantly developing, therefore we are unable to fully ascertain any future liability that may arise from the implementation of any new laws or regulations, although such laws and regulations are typically strict and may impose severe penalties (financial or otherwise). Our proposed activities of, as with any exploration, may have an environmental impact which may result in unbudgeted delays, damage, loss and other costs and obligations including, without limitation, rehabilitation and/or compensation. There is also a risk that our operations and financial position may be adversely affected by the actions of environmental groups or any other group or person opposed in general to our activities and, in particular, the proposed exploration and mining by us within the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
We face significant competition in the mineral exploration industry.
We compete with other mining and exploration companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities than we do. Due to our weaker competitive position, we may have greater difficulty in hiring and retaining qualified personnel to conduct our planned exploration activities, which could cause delays in our exploration programs. In addition, there is significant competition for a limited number of mineral properties. Due to our weaker financial position, we may be unable to acquire rights to new mineral properties on a continuing basis.
Our Quad Gold Claim has not been physically examined by a professional geologist or mining engineer.
We have not engaged a professional geologist or mining engineer to conduct a physically examine the Quad Gold Claim. Gerald Diakow, Vice President of Exploration and a member of our Board of Directors, conducted a physical examination of the Quad Gold Claim in May 2006. Due to the fact that Mr. Diakow is a geological consultant and such visit occurred in 2006, there is a risk that the geology and mineralization on the property may not reflect historical work and reports we have based our assessment.
We have not reviewed the quality or accuracy of historical drilling and sampling reported on our properties.
We have not verified the quality and accuracy of the historical sampling and drilling reported, and we caution readers not to rely upon them. Mr. Diakow has reviewed the data on mineral claims and technical data supplied by the British Columbia Ministry of Mines
Minfile Data Base
and other sources of public technical information. It is important to note that the claims were acquired by map designation by Mr. Diakow. There is no assurance that our properties will be of merit since our exploration programs are based on historical data.
With the exception of Gerald Diakow, our executive officers and directors do not have formal training specific to the technicalities of mineral exploration, there is a higher risk that our business will fail.
With the exception of Mr. Diakow, none of our executive officers and directors has any formal training as a geologist. Our executive officers and directors have only limited training in the technical aspects of managing a mineral exploration company. With very limited direct training or experience in these areas, our management may not be fully aware of the specific requirements related to working within this industry. Our management's decisions and choices may not take into account standard engineering or managerial approaches mineral exploration companies commonly use. Consequently, our operations, earnings, and ultimate financial success could suffer irreparable harm due to management's lack of experience in this industry.
If we are unable to hire and retain key personnel, we may not be able to implement our business plan and our business will fail
Our success will largely depend on our ability to hire highly qualified personnel with experience in geological exploration. These individuals may be in high demand and we may not be able to attract the staff we need. In addition, we may not be able to afford the high salaries and fees demanded by qualified personnel, or may lose such employees after they are hired. Currently, we have not hired any key personnel. Our failure to hire key personnel when needed could have a significant negative effect on our business.
The recently enacted JOBS Act will allow us to postpone the date by which we must comply with certain laws and regulations and to reduce the amount of information provided in reports filed with the SEC. We cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are and we will remain an "emerging growth company" until the earliest to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year during which our total annual revenues equal or exceed $1 billion (subject to adjustment for inflation), (ii) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering, (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities, or (iv) the date on which we are deemed a "large accelerated filer" (with at least $700 million in public float) under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an "emerging growth company" as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies" as described in further detail in the risk factors below. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on some or all of these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. If we avail ourselves of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements, as is currently our plan, our reduced disclosure may make it more difficult for investors and securities analysts to evaluate us and may result in less investor confidence.
Our election not to opt out of JOBS Act extended accounting transition period may not make its financial statements easily comparable to other companies.
Pursuant to the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company”, we can elect to opt out of the extended transition period for any new or revised accounting standards that may be issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) or the SEC. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, our company, as an “emerging growth company”, can adopt the standard for the private company. This may make comparison of our financial statements with any other public company which is not either an “emerging growth company” nor an “emerging growth company” which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible as possible different or revised standards may be used.
The recently enacted JOBS Act will also allow our company to postpone the date by which it must comply with certain laws and regulations intended to protect investors and to reduce the amount of information provided in reports filed with the SEC.
The recently enacted JOBS Act is intended to reduce the regulatory burden on “emerging growth companies”. We meet the definition of an “emerging growth company” and so long as it qualifies as an “emerging growth company,” it will, among other things:
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be exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that its independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting;
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be exempt from the "say on pay” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve compensation of certain executive officers) and the "say on golden parachute” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve golden parachute arrangements for certain executive officers in connection with mergers and certain other business combinations) of The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) and certain disclosure requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act relating to compensation of Chief Executive Officers;
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be permitted to omit the detailed compensation discussion and analysis from proxy statements and reports filed under the Exchange Act, as amended and instead provide a reduced level of disclosure concerning executive compensation; and
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be exempt from any rules that may be adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report on the financial statements.
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Although we are still evaluating the JOBS Act, we currently intend to take advantage of all of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that will be available to it so long as it qualifies as an “emerging growth company”. We have elected not to opt out of the extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards available under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. Among other things, this means that our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting so long as it qualifies as an “emerging growth company”, which may increase the risk that weaknesses or deficiencies in the internal control over financial reporting go undetected. Likewise, so long as it qualifies as an “emerging growth company”, we may elect not to provide certain information, including certain financial information and certain information regarding compensation of executive officers, which would otherwise have been required to provide in filings with the SEC, which may make it more difficult for investors and securities analysts to evaluate us. As a result, investor confidence in our company and the market price of its common stock may be adversely affected.
Notwithstanding the above, we are also currently a “smaller reporting company”, meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company and have a public float of less than $75 million and annual revenues of less than $50 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. In the event that we are still considered a “smaller reporting company”, at such time we cease being an “emerging growth company”, the disclosure we will be required to provide in our SEC filings will increase, but will still be less than it would be if we were not considered either an “emerging growth company” or a “smaller reporting company”. Specifically, similar to “emerging growth companies”, “smaller reporting companies” are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; are not required to conduct say-on-pay and frequency votes until annual meetings occurring on or after January 21, 2013; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as an “emerging growth company” or “smaller reporting company” may make it harder for investors to analyze the Company’s results of operations and financial prospects.
We will likely conduct further offerings of our equity securities in the future, in which case your proportionate interest may become diluted.
Since our inception, we have relied on such sales of our common shares to fund our operations. We will likely be required to conduct additional equity offerings in the future to finance our current projects or to finance subsequent projects that we decide to undertake. If common shares are issued in return for additional funds, the price per share could be lower than that paid by our current shareholders. We anticipate continuing to rely on equity sales of our common shares in order to fund our business operations. If we issue additional shares, your percentage interest in us could become diluted.
The quotation price of our common stock may be volatile, with the result that an investor may not be able to sell any shares acquired at a price equal to or greater than the price paid by the investor.
Our common shares are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. Companies quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board have traditionally experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. In addition, our stock price may be adversely affected by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. Market fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, to date, the trading volume for our shares on the OTC Bulletin Board has been limited. As a result of this potential volatility and potential lack of a trading market, an investor may not be able to sell any of our common stock that they acquire that a price equal or greater than the price paid by the investor.
Our securities are considered a penny stock.
Because our securities are considered a penny stock, shareholders will be more limited in their ability to sell their shares. The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the Nasdaq system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or quotation system. Because our securities constitute “penny stocks” within the meaning of the rules, the rules apply to us and to our securities. The rules may further affect the ability of owners of shares to sell our securities in any market that might develop for them. As long as the trading price of our common shares is less than $5.00 per share, the common shares will be subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, that:
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contains a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading;
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contains a description of the broker’s or dealer’s duties to the customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to a violation to such duties or other requirements of securities laws;
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contains a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including bid and ask prices for penny stocks and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask price;
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contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions;
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defines significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading in penny stocks; and
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contains such other information and is in such form, including language, type, size and format, as the SEC shall require by rule or regulation.
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The broker-dealer also must provide, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, the customer with: (a) bid and offer quotations for the penny stock; (b) the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; (c) the number of shares to which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such shares; and (d) a monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules; the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitably statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our shares.