Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated
financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Report.
This
Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements for Brazil Minerals, Inc. reflect current expectations,
as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially
differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include: unprofitable efforts resulting not only from
the failure to discover mineral deposits but also from finding mineral deposits that, though present, are insufficient in quantity and
quality to return a profit from production; market fluctuations; government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties,
allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection; competition; the loss of services of key personnel;
unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of infrastructure
as well as general economic conditions.
Description
of Business
We
are a U.S. mineral exploration and mining company with projects and properties in essentially all battery metals to power the Green Energy
Revolution – lithium, rare earths, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and titanium. Our current focus is on developing our hard-rock lithium
project located in a premier pegmatitic district in Brazil – as lithium is essential for batteries in electric vehicles. Additionally,
through subsidiaries, we participate in iron, gold, and quartzite projects. We also own multiple mining concessions for gold, diamond,
and industrial sand.
All
of our mineral projects and properties are located in Brazil and, as of the date of this Report, our mineral rights portfolio for battery
metals includes approximately 62,926 acres (255 km 2 ) for lithium, 30,009 acres (121 km 2 ) for rare earths, 57,900
acres (234 km 2 ) for nickel, 22,050 acres (89 km 2 ) for titanium, and
14,507 acres (59 km 2 ) for graphite. We believe that we have one of the largest battery metals exploration footprints among
publicly listed companies.
Currently
we are primarily focused on advancing and developing our hard-rock lithium project located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where
some of our high-potential mineral rights are adjacent to or near large lithium deposits that belong to a large, publicly traded competitor.
Our Minas Gerais Lithium Project is our largest endeavor and consists of 48 mineral rights spread over 46,659 acres (190 km 2 )
and predominantly located within the Brazilian Eastern Pegmatitic Province which has been surveyed by the Brazilian Geological Survey
and is known for the presence of hard rock formations known as pegmatites which contain lithium-bearing minerals such as spodumene and
petalite. In general, lithium derived from pegmatites is less costly to purify for uses in high technology applications than lithium
obtained from brine. Such applications include the battery supply chain for electric vehicles (“EVs”), an area of expected
high growth for the next several decades.
We
also own 44.41% of the shares of common stock of Apollo Resources Corporation (“Apollo Resources”), a private company currently
primarily focused on the development of its initial iron mine, expected to start operations and revenues in early 2023. We also own approximately
24.56% of Jupiter Gold Corporation (“Jupiter Gold”), a company focused on the development of gold projects and a quartzite
mine, and whose shares of common stock are quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “JUPGF”. The results of operations from both
Apollo Resources and Jupiter Gold are consolidated in our financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
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As
the self-titled “Mineral Resources Company for the Green Energy Revolution,” we are deeply committed to Environmental, Social,
and Corporate Governance (“ESG”) causes. We have an ESG Chief who coordinates our efforts in these important matters. Within
the last few years, we planted more than 6,000 trees of diverse types for the benefit of local populations in areas in which we operate
and constructed over 1,000 small retention walls to preserve and enhance dirt access roads used by such communities. Separately, many
of our work needs have been specifically delegated to firms owned or managed by women and minorities.
We
are an expl oration stage company and we have no “reserves”
as such term is defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 (“S-K 1300”).
Operational
Update
During
the second quarter of 2022 and continuing to date, we have significantly advanced our knowledge of the Neves Area, one of the 48
mineral rights that comprise our Minas Gerais Lithium Project. We have continuously drilled the Neves Area and have identified
several spodumene bodies; spodumene is the main mineral containing lithium in hard rock pegmatitic projects such as ours. One of our
latest drill holes yielded a zone of over 27 meters of spodumene, a result that our lithium experts qualified as very positive and
indicative of the potential of the Neves Area. Geochemical results from Neves have included a reading of 2.86% Li 2 O. We
have two qualified persons under S-K 1300 who are responsible for the technical advancement of our Minas Gerais
Lithium Project. SLR Consulting Ltd., a premier independent company, is finalizing an initial report on the Neves Area.
Given our belief
in the strength of our lithium holdings, and our desire to provide a clear message to our shareholders, and current and potential partners,
we announced on July 18, 2022, that we will be changing our corporate name to Atlas Lithium Corporation, and such change is expected to
take effect before the end of 2022.
As previously
disclosed, we are actively working towards a desired uplisting to the Nasdaq Capital Market, and this process includes various steps,
some of which are completed while others are in the process of being completed during the third quarter of 2022.
Results of Operations
Three
Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to the Three Months ended June 30, 2021
Revenue
for the three months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $2,367, compared to revenue of $1,645 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 representing
an increase of 44%. This revenue comes from sales of industrial sand during the rainy season. Industrial sand is a residual business line
as we are primarily focused on our lithium exploration as described above.
Cost
of goods sold for the three months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $26,343, as compared to cost of goods sold of $24,105 during the three
months ended June 30, 2021 representing a increase of 9%. Cost of goods sold is primarily comprised of labor, fuel, and repairs and maintenance
on our mining equipment.
Gross
loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $23,976, compared to gross loss of $22,460 during the three months ended June 30,
2021, representing an increase of 6.75%.
Operating
expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $989,294, compared to operating expenses of $740,540 during the three months
ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of 34%. The increase was mostly due to higher general and administrative expenses related
to public company costs and higher compensation cost of officers and directors.
As
a result, we incurred a net loss attributable to our stockholders of $871,016, or $0.00 per share, for the three months ended June 30,
2022, compared to a net loss attributable to our stockholders of $826,674, or $0.00 per share, during the three months ended June 30,
2021.
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to the Six Months ended June 30, 2021
Revenue
for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $2,844, compared to revenue of $6,104 during the six months ended June 30, 2021 representing
a decrease of 53%. This revenue comes from sales of industrial sand during the rainy season. Industrial sand is a residual business line
as we are primarily focused on our lithium exploration as described above.
Cost
of goods sold for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $36,198, as compared to cost of goods sold of $47,094 during the six months
ended June 30, 2021 representing a decrease of 23%. Cost of goods sold is primarily comprised of labor, fuel, and repairs and maintenance
on our mining equipment. The decrease is explained by reduced production activities and mining costs partially attributable to our exploratory
efforts.
Gross
loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $33,354, compared to gross loss of $40,990 during the six months ended June 30, 2021,
representing an improvement of 19%.
Operating
expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $1,816,611, compared to operating expenses of $1,852,836 during the six months
ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of 2%.
As
a result, we incurred a net loss attributable to our stockholders of $1,402,506, or $0.00 per share, for the six months ended June 30,
2022, compared to a net loss attributable to our stockholders of $1,542,696, or $0.00 per share, during the six months ended June 30,
2021.
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Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As
of June 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $393,864 and a working capital deficit of $413,094.
Net
cash used by operating activities totaled $1,327,301 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net cash used
of $98.400 during the six months ended June 30, 2021 representing an increase in cash used of $1,228,901. Net cash used in investing
activities totaled $247,163 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net cash used of $957,978 during the six months
ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease in cash used of $710,815. Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $1,910,960
for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $877,812 during the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase in
cash provided of $1,033,148.
We
have limited working capital, have historically incurred net operating losses, and have not yet received material revenues from the sale
of products or services. These factors create substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our
primary sources of liquidity have been derived through proceeds from the (i) issuance of debt and (ii) sales of our equity and the equity
of one of our subsidiaries. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our capability to generate cash flows from operations
and successfully raise new capital through debt issuances and sales of our equity. We have no plans for any significant cash acquisitions
in the foreseeable future.
Currency
Risk
We
operate primarily in Brazil which exposes us to currency risks. Our business activities may generate intercompany receivables or payables
that are in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. Changes in exchange rates from the time the activity occurs
to the time payments are made may result in us receiving either more or less in local currency than the local currency equivalent at
the time of the original activity.
Our
condensed consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable
foreign currency and the U.S. dollar affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. dollars for
purposes of reporting in the consolidated financial statements. Our foreign subsidiaries translate their financial results from the local
currency into U.S. dollars in the following manner: (a) income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period;
(b) balance sheet asset and liability accounts are translated at end of period exchange rates; and (c) equity accounts are translated
at historical exchange rates. Translation in this manner affects the shareholders’ equity account referred to as the foreign currency
translation adjustment account. This account exists only in the foreign subsidiaries’ U.S. dollar balance sheets and is necessary
to keep the foreign subsidiaries’ balance sheets in agreement.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our
financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, loans to a related party, accrued expenses, and an amount due to a director.
The carrying amount of these financial instruments approximates fair value due either to length of maturity or interest rates that approximate
prevailing market rates unless otherwise disclosed in our financial statements. If our estimate of the fair value is incorrect at June
30, 2022, it could negatively affect our financial position and liquidity and could result in our having understated our net loss.
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Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Our
consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note
1 of the financial statements. We have reviewed all recent accounting pronouncements issued to the date of the issuance of these financial
statements, and we do not believe any of these pronouncements will have a material impact on us.
Item
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Pursuant
to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), we are not required to provide the information required by this Item as we are
a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.