Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary
Statement
The
following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. The information
contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment
in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Quarterly Report and in
our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed on August 8, 2024, and the related audited financial statements and notes included therein.
Certain
statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking
statements are projections in respect of future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “expect,”
“plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,”
or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity
or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include: general economic and financial market conditions; our ability to obtain additional
financing as necessary; our ability to continue operating as a going concern; any adverse occurrence with respect to our business or;
results of our research and development activities that are less positive than we expect; our ability to bring our intended products
to market; market demand for our intended products; shifts in industry capacity; product development or other initiatives by our competitors;
fluctuations in the availability and costs of raw materials required in our drug development process; other factors beyond our control;
and the other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on
August 8, 2024.
Although
we believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements we make are reasonable, we cannot guarantee
future results, levels of activity or performance. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent
to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed by any forward-looking
statements. As a result, readers should not place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements we make in this report. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update
publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Company
Overview
Range
is a public company dedicated to improving the health and wellness of people and the planet through a novel and innovative approach to
impact investing. We own and operate several complementary operating businesses focused on developing long-term solutions to environmental,
social, and health challenges, with a particular focus on acquiring, reclaiming and repurposing mine sites and other undervalued land
in economically disadvantaged communities throughout Appalachia. Range takes an opportunistic approach to impact investing by leveraging
its competitive advantages and looking at solving old problems in new ways. Range seeks to thoughtfully allocate its capital into strategic
opportunities that are expected to make a positive impact on the people-planet ecosystem and generate strong investment returns for its
shareholders.
19
Our
corporate headquarters is located in Cleveland, Ohio with an additional office location in Fola, West Virginia. As of November 13,
2024, we employed 24 full-time employees. In addition, we have, from time to time, engaged various consultants and professional
service firms to provide us with flexible and experienced resources to advance our corporate objectives in order to maintain a
cost-effective overhead structure. We strive to instill a corporate culture of honesty, integrity and respect while advancing our
mission of doing well by doing good.
Impact
Investing Strategy
Our
impact investing strategy aims to improve the health and wellness of people and the planet, while also generating long-term sustainable
financial returns for our shareholders. We believe that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive, and that an impact investing
strategy can balance the environmental, social and economic needs of people and the planet while also generating attractive risk-adjusted
financial returns for shareholders.
Our
impact investing strategy provides an opportunity for our dedicated team to address pressing environmental, social and economic challenges,
such as air and water pollution, educational inequality and economic disparity, and climate change, through the development of technology-based
solutions. By actively directing investment capital towards businesses that are working to create positive environmental, social and
economic outcomes, we believe that our impact investing strategy can contribute to an improved people-planet ecosystem and a healthier
and happier way of life.
We
have a particular interest in providing environmental and social solutions in economically-disadvantaged regions of the United States.
Initially, the Company is targeting the Appalachian region, which is home to communities with some of the most disadvantaged income,
education and employment demographics in the United States. Our ambitious strategy is to allocate investment capital and build operating
businesses that provide positive environmental and social impact in the disadvantaged coal communities of Appalachia to maximize the
good we can do for people and the planet.
Operating
Business Segments
Our
five operating business segments are: (i) Range Reclaim; (ii) Range Minerals; (iii) Range Water; (iv) Range Security; and (v) Range Land.
Range
Reclaim
In
May 2022, the Company acquired Range Environmental Resources, Inc., a West Virginia corporation (“Range Environmental”).
Range Environmental provides land reclamation and water restoration services to customers throughout the Appalachian region with the
goal of returning land to pre-mining conditions or repurposing the land for natural, commercial, agricultural or recreational use. Range
Environmental’s water restoration services seek to improve the water quality of rivers, streams and discharges through novel and
innovative treatment applications to help customers meet their various regulatory standards and requirements.
According
to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), the United States had 551 coal mines in 2020, comprised of 370 active
mines, 141 idled or closed mines, and 40 new or activated mines. Approximately 82% of those coal mines were located in Appalachia (which
comprises the Appalachian Mountains and is commonly known as the cultural region in the Eastern United States stretching from the southern
part of New York to the northern parts of Alabama and Georgia). According to the EIA, there were approximately three times as many coal
mines in the United States in 2008 compared to 2020 with approximately 89% located in Appalachia. The precipitous decline in the number
of operating coal mines since 2008 is due to various supply, demand and regulatory factors, including a reduction in demand for coal
as a source of electricity due to the increased use of natural gas and renewable energy, an increase in coal production costs due to
inflation, the dearth of cost-effective locations remaining for mining, and a more stringent and costly regulatory environment, all of
which have resulted in an increasingly difficult market for coal producers.
In
2000, coal was responsible for 1,966 billion kWh of electricity generation, which represented 52% of the total electricity generation
in the United States. By contrast, in 2022, coal was responsible for only 828 billion kWh of electricity generation, which represented
20% of the total electricity generation in the United States. According to the EIA, 23% of the 200,568 megawatts of coal-fired capacity
currently operating in the United States is scheduled to be retired by the end of 2029 due to the high cost of operations, continued
competition from natural gas and renewable energy resources, and sustainable initiatives of energy producers.
However,
the reclamation of closed and inactive mine sites has not kept pace with the increase in closed and idled mine sites, thus creating a
substantial backlog of reclamation work that needs to be completed on former mine sites. According to the U.S. Office of Surfacing Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (“OSMRE”), there are approximately 50,000 high-priority abandoned mine land locations in the
United States resulting from legacy coal mining operations that failed to adequately reclaim the land and waterways back to their natural
state. Additionally, there are tens of thousands of active mine sites in the United States that require contemporaneous reclamation of
land and waterways during the active mining process, and an estimated equally large number of idled mine locations that also require
significant land reclamation and water restoration services.
20
Under
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (“SMRCA”), OSMRE was established for two basic purposes: (i) to ensure
coal mines in the United States operate in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining operations and to restore
the land to beneficial use following mining; and (ii) to implement an Abandoned Mine Land (“AML”) reclamation program to
address the hazards and environmental degradation resulting from two centuries of coal mining activities that occurred before SMRCA was
passed in 1977. The AML reclamation program is funded through fees levied against coal producers based on tons of coal produced. As of
September 2020, the AML reclamation fund had collected a total of $11.7 billion in coal mining fees over the life of the program, with
$9.5 billion (81%) appropriated and distributed in accordance with SMCRA, and $2.2 billion (19%) unappropriated and available for future
disbursement. In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was enacted, which, among other things, authorized $11.3 billion
in new funding to be appropriated for deposit into the AML reclamation fund. Importantly, the AML reclamation fund is only available
to help fund the reclamation of mines abandoned before SMCRA was enacted in 1977; therefore, all mines abandoned after the year 1977
cannot access funding from the AML reclamation fund and must obtain funding from other sources.
While
much of the funding for this reclamation work comes from the federal government, each state in Appalachia has a Department of Environmental
Protection or an equivalent agency (“DEP”) that oversees coal mining permitting, operations, and reclamation. Under DEP rules
and regulations, coal mining companies are required to develop a mining and reclamation plan that is approved by the applicable state
agency, obtain a mining permit from the state, and secure a reclamation surety bond from a qualified third-party insurance company or
provide a comparable financial guarantee. The reclamation surety bond provides the state with financial assurances that land reclamation
and waterway restoration will be performed in accordance with the original reclamation plan once mining is complete if the coal mining
company, as primary obligor, fails to perform. Therefore, there are at least three groups who may need land reclamation, water restoration
and environmental auditing services: (i) mining companies when permits are active and reclamation bonds are not in default; (ii) surety
bond insurers when reclamation bonds are in default; and (iii) states through their AML reclamation funds for mine lands abandoned before
1977 and for mine lands with defaulted coal mining companies and surety bond insurers after 1977.
Range Environmental currently provides reclamation and water treatment
services to one customer at one large mining complex located in Fola, West Virginia (the “Fola Mine”). Range Environmental
employs 15 full-time workers and owns over 50 pieces of equipment, trucks and accessories that are used in its business operations. Occasionally,
Range Environmental will also rent or lease specific pieces of equipment for certain tasks. Range Environmental operates in a highly-competitive
market environment with high price sensitivity of customers and inflationary pressures on labor, material and supply costs, therefore
operating efficiency and asset utilization are key drivers of profitability and performance. Range Environmental uses minimal raw materials
in connection with its reclamation services at the Fola Mine, other than grass seed, trees, water treatment solutions and other related
reclamation and water treatment supplies, which are reimbursed by its customer. Range Environmental does not own any intellectual property
and does not require any government approvals to provide reclamation services at the Fola Mine, other than standard business licenses
and safety training for workers.
In
August 2023, the Company acquired Collins Building & Contracting, Inc. (“Collins Building”), a West Virginia-based environmental
services business focused on performing reclamation services on AML sites throughout West Virginia. After the acquisition, the Company used Range Environmental employees to
perform reclamation services on AML sites using Range Environmental equipment and Collins Building equipment. The Company subsequently
determined that AML reclamation work was more administratively and operationally challenging than anticipated, and that the Company was
devoting a disproportionate amount of time, capital and human resources allocated to these AML projects, particularly when compared to
alternative opportunities in the marketplace. In August 2024, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Collins Building
back to its previous owner in exchange for discharge of the outstanding indebtedness incurred in connection with the August 2023 acquisition.
The Company completed its final AML jobs in early November 2024, and subcontracted its remaining three active AML jobs to the previous
owner of Collins Building as part of the August 2024 transaction. As of the date of this filing, the Company is no longer involved
in the AML reclamation business. Collins Building, along
with Range Environmental, are classified within the Range Reclaim operating business segment.
Range
Minerals
In
May 2022, the Company acquired Range Natural Resources, Inc., a West Virginia corporation (“Range Natural”). Range Natural
provided mining and reclamation services using six of its own employees and two third-party mining subcontractors for its one customer
at the Fola Mine until December 2023. Range Natural operates in a highly-competitive market environment with high price sensitivity of
customers and inflationary pressures on labor, material and supply costs, therefore operating efficiency and asset utilization are key
drivers of profitability and performance. Range Natural uses minimal raw materials in connection with its mining and reclamation services
at the Fola Mine, other than grass seed and other related reclamation supplies, which are reimbursed by its customer. Range Natural does
not own any intellectual property and does not require any government approvals to provide mining and reclamation services at the Fola
Mine, other than standard business licenses, mining operator permits, and safety training for workers. Range Natural billed its sole
customer using a “rates and hours” method for its own employees and a “cost plus margin” method for its subcontractors.
Range Natural employees used Range Natural equipment and Range Natural subcontractors used their own equipment in performing the mining
and reclamation services. In December 2023, all of the Range Natural employees were terminated and the mining equipment subsequently
sold since Range Natural was no longer directly providing mining and reclamation services at the Fola Mine. Beginning in January 2024,
Range Natural had no employees, equipment or operations, other than contracts with third-party subcontractors.
In
January 2024, the Company separated Range Natural’s results from the “Range Reclaim” reporting segment and included
Range Natural’s results in a separate “Range Minerals” reporting segment. The Company believes reporting the results
of Range Minerals separately from Range Reclaim will provide better insight and transparency into the overall operational performance
of both operating business segments.
From
January 2024 to May 2024, Range Natural engaged two subcontractors to perform mining and reclamation services for its one customer at
the Fola Mine. Range Natural was responsible for paying both subcontractors on a bi-monthly basis and then charged its customer using
a “cost plus margin” method.
On
May 2024, Range Natural engaged a primary contractor to fund the bi-monthly payments due to the same two subcontractors performing mining
and reclamation services for its one customer at the Fola Mine. As of June 30, 2024, the primary contractor failed to perform and therefore
the contract was terminated.
On
June 30, 2024, as part of the contract termination, Range Natural agreed to assume the liability due to the subcontractors in exchange
for the ownership of the coal that had been mined by the subcontractor, and all contractual relationships with third-party contractors
and subcontractors were terminated. In August 2024, Range Natural sold all of the coal that it had acquired as part of the contract termination
and subsequently paid in full all amounts due to the subcontractors. Range Natural currently has no, and has no future plans to have
any, employees, equipment, contractual relationships, or operations, and therefore intends to discontinue the Range Minerals operating
business segment beginning in 2025.
Range
Water
Terra
Preta, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Terra Preta”), is a biochar product development and environmental
solutions business started by the Company in December 2022. Terra Preta is developing a novel and innovative combination of biochar,
proprietary materials and structural designs intended to create several first-of-its-kind agricultural and water filtration products
and solutions. Terra Preta’s research and development efforts have been put on hold until the Company has raised additional
capital to fund the advancement of its biochar-based agricultural and water filtration products.
21
Biochar
is a solid, lightweight carbon-rich material produced by the thermal decomposition of organic material (such as cellulosic feedstock,
including wood and plants) using a chemical-conversion process known as pyrolysis. Carbonization pyrolysis is a chemical degradation
process that heats organic materials to produce carbon-rich biochar, liquid bio-oils, and syngas products. Since organic material is
thermally decomposed without oxygen during the pyrolysis process, combustion does not occur, so the process allows for the permanent
capture of carbon in the biochar end-product and eliminates the release of climate-damaging carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The specific
yield of biochar during the carbonization pyrolysis process depends on several variables such as temperature, heating time and heating
rate. Lower temperatures, longer heating times and lower heating rates typically yield more biochar and less bio-oil and syngas.
Terra
Preta has been launched to build a full-cycle, carbon-negative business that reduces greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, passively
filters contaminated water without the use of harsh chemicals, and provides a fortified, nutrient-rich soil amendment to improve the
growth of agricultural products.
Greenhouse
gases, comprised of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, and are
generally believed to result in warmer temperatures and climate change, including changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and more
extreme weather events. Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through, among other things, the burning of fossil fuels, solid waste and
other biomass materials, and is removed from the atmosphere when absorbed by plants during the photosynthesis process. Terra Preta would seek to lease or acquire former mine land for the planting, growth and harvesting of crops to serve as the primary feedstock for our biochar production operations.
The newly planted crops would then act as a “carbon sink”, drawing substantial amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
into the plants through the photosynthesis process. When the plants are harvested, biochar is produced through the carbonization pyrolysis
process and the captured carbon dioxide is permanently preserved as carbon in the biochar product for use in water treatment and agricultural
end uses.
Pursuant
to rules adopted under the Clean Water Act of 1972 (“Clean Water Act”), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)
has implemented various pollution control programs such as wastewater standards for industry and recommendations for pollutants in surface
waters. The Clean Water Act prohibits any party from discharging pollutants into a water of the United States unless they have a permit
issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”), which contains limits on what a party can discharge
and establishes monitoring and reporting requirements. On mining sites, coal operators are required to sample and test their water discharges
on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act and applicable NPDES permits. Currently, most mining operators treat
non-compliant water with temporary holding ponds and expensive chemicals such as pH adjusters, coagulants and flocculants that require
constant reapplication to ensure compliance. Terra Preta will focus on developing a proprietary, biochar-based passive treatment system
that treats non-compliant mine site discharges to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act and NPDES permits without the need for holding
ponds or expensive chemicals.
Sustainable
agriculture plays a critical role in the stability, growth, and diversification of our future food supply chain and the growth of plants
intended to serve as a carbon sink to reduce greenhouse gases. High-quality soil, a key condition for sustainable agriculture, requires
organic matter, microorganisms, nutrients, and optimal compaction. Subsoils with a sufficient number of air-filled pores have little
restriction to drainage and aeration, and typically are able to decompose and cycle organic matter and nutrients more efficiently. Alternatively,
soil with poor aeration leads to the build-up of carbon dioxide, reduces the ability of plants to absorb water and nutrients, and leads
to increased plant stress and root disease. To help address the ill effects of soil compaction, Terra Preta plans to develop a proprietary,
fortified biochar soil amendment that provides unique soil structuring characteristics that will allow plants to grow strong roots that
optimize the absorption of water and nutrients, thereby reducing root stress and disease.
22
In
December 2022, Terra Preta filed trademarks for biochar goods and services related to agricultural and water treatment applications.
In March 2023, Terra Preta filed provisional patents related to novel and innovative agricultural and water treatment solutions and
designs. Additionally, in March 2023, Terra Preta purchased two pyrolysis ovens with the capacity to produce one ton of biochar per
day to advance our research and development activities. In July 2024, the biochar ovens were dismantled since they were no longer being used for small batch biochar production. We are currently evaluating the purchase of a large continuous-process pyrolysis oven to increase the scale of our biochar
production to commercial levels once adequate funding is secured to advance this initiative.
Range
Security
Range
Security Resources, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Range Security”), is an environmental security services business
started by the Company in November 2022. Range Security is focused on providing eco-friendly, technology-driven security services to
active and former mine sites, with a particular focus on locations transitioning from coal mining to next generation industries and uses.
Range Security is intended to serve as a complementary business to the Range Reclaim and Range Minerals entities.
Mine
sites in the Appalachian region frequently comprise thousands of acres of natural habitat with valuable infrastructure and operating
assets disbursed across large tracts of land. However, many of these mine sites lack adequate broadband access or cellular service, and
therefore traditional technology-based security solutions are not available. Also, due to the large land areas and often challenging
access roads and mountainous terrain, consistent visual confirmation of the safety and security of high value assets is problematic,
and unnecessary amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted from heavy-duty trucks used to perform frequent visual security checks. Furthermore,
due to the remoteness and lack of technological options, most security services in the market fail to provide an independent verification
of the security status of a mine site and confirmation of visual security checks, resulting in a customer’s uncertainty regarding
the actual security services being provided.
Valuable
assets commonly found on mine sites requiring high-levels of security services include office buildings, coal operation facilities such
as preparation plants and loadout facilities, power stations and electrical lines, vehicles and heavy equipment, supplies and chemicals,
and spare parts and components. These high-value assets are frequently the target of theft since all or parts of these assets can be
easily removed from the mine site and sold for cash. Unfortunately, the actual damage to the operation resulting from this type of destructive
theft is frequently many times the market value of the stolen item, primarily due to the losses resulting from the down-time of operations,
the cost of repairs and replacement components, and the long-term damage to critical infrastructure that can be repurposed and used to
attract next generation industries once the mining is complete.
In
March 2023, Range Security was engaged by its first customer for environmental security services covering a 13,000-acre coal mine
site in West Virginia. As of November 13, 2024, Range Security employed 8 security professionals, and is focusing its recruitment
efforts on military veterans, police officers, and other professionals with security experience. Range Security has purchased two
fuel-efficient utility task vehicles for ground surveillance and a thermal-imaging drone for aerial surveillance, all of which use
significantly less fuel and electricity to operate than traditional security vehicles and provide a much broader coverage range with
a substantially lower carbon footprint. Range Security is also in the process of establishing satellite-based wireless service to
support video surveillance and enable a mobile technology solution used by our security professionals to provide real-time evidence
of visual security checks. Range Security plans to expand its security service business to additional mine sites, with a particular
focus on locations with valuable infrastructure being repurposed into non-coal multi-use complexes with attractive job growth
prospects and next generation industry opportunities.
23
Range
Land
Range
Land, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Range Land”), is a land acquisition company started by the Company in August
2023. Range Land is focused on acquiring former mine lands with the goal of reclaiming and repurposing the sites for non-fossil fuel
uses, including commercial, industrial, residential and recreational developments. Range Land is specifically focused on acquiring land
to be used for renewable energy facilities, innovative agricultural installations, and projects focused on improving the quality and
condition of our air, land and waterways.
According
to industry estimates, Appalachia contains nearly one million acres of abandoned, idled and non-performing mine sites that are burdened
with significant land reclamation and water restoration obligations. Many of these troubled mine sites are subject to mining permits
and associated reclamation bonds, which as a result, prevents the land from being repurposed for non-mining uses until the land has been
reclaimed and the permits and bonds have been released by the applicable state’s environmental protection department. Water quality
is a particularly challenging issue since a permit can only be released if the site has at least 12-months of compliant water samples
without active chemical treatment, which heightens the need for water restoration solutions to help transition former mine land to economically
viable non-mining uses.
The
Company has assembled the internal resources and capabilities to reclaim land, restore waterways, install innovative water treatment
solutions, and secure the mine site to protect the significant historical investment in infrastructure. In addition, the Company has
extensive knowledge and expertise regarding the permit and bond release process, which is a critical step necessary to unlock the underlying
value of the former mine land for non-fossil fuel uses. Range Land is actively reviewing several mine sites throughout Appalachia to
acquire, reclaim and repurpose in order to improve the land and create non-fossil fuel economic development opportunities for disadvantaged
local coal communities.
In
September 2023, Range Land, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CLV Azurite Land, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“CLV
Azurite”), acquired over 1,900 acres of surface interest at an idled mine complex in West Virginia. CLV Azurite is in active discussions
with the holder of the permits and bonds associated with the acquired land to ensure that the acquired surface acreage can be repurposed
for alternative non-fossil fuel uses. Concurrently, CLV Azurite is in active discussions with two experienced and well-capitalized solar
developers to convert the former mine land into a large solar energy facility on a majority of the acquired surface acreage, as well
as additional acreage for commercial, industrial, recreational and residential development. Under the solar arrangements, CLV Azurite
would be the landlord and the solar developer-operator would be the tenant required to pay CLV Azurite a negotiated lease payment on
a per acre basis.
Competition
Our
Company is focused on a large and growing marketplace for impact investing initiatives, and therefore, is anticipated to face competition
from a variety of operating businesses and investment funds who are developing similar business plans and operating strategies to satisfy
the increasing demands of these types of investments in the marketplace. In many cases, these competitors are larger and better capitalized
operating businesses and investment funds.
Our
Company competes on the basis of a number of factors, including our geographic focus on Appalachia, access to mission-driven energy-transition
capital, access to impact investing opportunities, strategic relationships with reclamation bond insurance companies, recruitment and
retention of key personnel, market share with key customers, and supply relationships with critical vendors. Our ability to continue
to compete effectively in our businesses will depend upon our ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate our existing employees.
Information
Systems
In
2023, the Company engaged Foundation Software, LLC (“Foundation Software”) as its new accounting software provider and converted
all of the Company’s accounting system operations from QuickBooks to Foundation Software during the second quarter of 2023.
Founded
in Cleveland, Ohio in 1985, Foundation Software is specifically designed for service companies, particularly those in the construction,
contracting and reclamation industries. Foundation Software offers the Company several enhanced features critical to the successful execution
of its shareholder value creation plan, including: (i) general ledger accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory
and customer billing; (ii) equipment tracking on job sites, maintenance, utilization and depreciation; (iii) employee tracking on job
sites, time and materials, utilization, and billing; (iv) job costing and profitability reporting segmented by customers, job types and
location’ and (v) numerous real-time management dashboard and key performance indicator reports that will allow management to closely
monitor financial and operational performance and quickly react to business opportunities and issues. Furthermore, Foundation Software
will allow the Company to quickly scale operations and efficiently and cost-effectively support the anticipated growth of each business,
thereby preventing our accounting and management systems from becoming a limiting factor to our growth initiatives.
24
Results
of Operations
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023
The
Company’s revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $2,171,655, its gross loss was $392,928 and net loss from continuing
operations was $4,743,323. The Company’s revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $5,455,633, its gross profit
was $2,857,766 and net income from continuing operations was $3,545,015. The $3,283,978 reduction in quarterly revenue was due to a $3,279,635
reduction in revenue from the Range Reclaim and Range Minerals business segments. A significant portion of that reduction is attributable
to a one-time project that contributed $2,355,000 of revenue to Range Reclaim in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Range Minerals’
revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was lower by $984,790 due the termination of its subcontractor mining arrangement on
June 30, 2024, with the only sales in the Range Minerals segment related to the sale of coal inventory that was acquired as part of a
settlement with its mining subcontractor on June 30, 2024. Range Security revenue was lower by $4,343 due to a slight variation in hours
worked in the quarter during September 30, 2024.
For
the three months ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $473,942 compared to $1,057,055 incurred for the
three months ended September 30, 2023. This $583,113 decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to reduced employees,
consultants, and legal fees related to the Range Reclaim and Range Minerals business segments.
For
the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred net other expenses in the amount of $3,873,498 compared to net other
income of $1,744,304 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The loss in the quarter ended September 30, 2024 is primarily attributable
to the $3,043,799 loss on the sale of the Collins Building assets, and the $707,881 loss on other asset disposals. The net other income for the three
months ended September 30, 2023, is primarily the result of the $1,875,150 gain on the bargain purchase recognized when the Collins Building
acquisition was closed in August 2023. State income tax expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $2,955. There was no state
tax expense incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The
net loss during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $4,920,338 compared to net income of $3,404,175 for the three months
ended September 30, 2023. This $8,324,513 decrease in net income was due primarily to a decrease in revenues of $3,283,978, the
$3,043,799 loss on the sale of the Collins Building assets, the $707,881 loss on other asset disposals, and the $1,875,150 gain on
bargain purchase recognized when the Collins Building acquisition was closed in August 2023 offset by lower operating expenses of
$583,113.
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023
The
Company’s revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $8,431,286, its gross loss was $523,003 and net loss was $7,359,859.
The Company’s revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $12,468,787, its gross profit was $4,351,869 and net profit
was $3,214,077. The $4,037,501 reduction in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was related to a $4,473,440 reduction
in revenue from the Range Reclaim and Range Minerals business segments primarily due to a failure of performance by a mining subcontractor
and termination of that subcontractor arrangement on June 30, 2024, which decline was partially offset by a $435,940 increase in revenue
from the Range Security business segment primarily due to its growth with its first customer and the performance of a new security services
contract at a second mine site for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
25
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $2,115,542 compared to $2,419,001 incurred for the
nine months ended September 30, 2023. This $303,459 decrease in general and administrative expenses are primarily due to reduced employees,
consultants, and legal fees of the Range Reclaim and Range Minerals business segments.
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred net other expenses in the amount of $4,195,826 compared to net other income
of $1,635,670 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This $5,831,496 increase was primarily attributable to $3,043,799 loss on
sale of the Collins Building assets, loss on sale of other asset dispositions of $707,881, the one-time gain of $1,875,150 recognized
in September 30, 2023 for the bargain purchase of the Collins Building acquisition, as well as increased interest expense of $252,221
offset by miscellaneous income of $47,555 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
The
net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $7,359,859 compared to a net profit of $3,214,077 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2023. This $10,573,936 decrease in net income was due primarily to (i) a decrease in revenues of $4,037,501, (ii) the $3,043,799
loss on the sale of the Collins Building assets, and the $707,881 loss on other asset disposals, (iii) the $1,875,150 gain on the bargain purchase recognized
when the Collins Building acquisition was closed in August 2023, (iv) the increase in state income tax of $59,555, and (v) increased costs
from discontinued operations of $111,472 offset by lower operating expenses of $303,459.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As
of September 30, 2024, the Company had total current assets of $5,105,376, comprised of: (i) cash of $244,586; (ii) accounts receivable
of $4,133,776; (iii) contract assets of $697,039; and (iv) prepaid expenses of $29,975. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had total
current liabilities of $4,770,069, comprised of: (v) outstanding amounts on the lines of credit of $2,100,000; (x) accounts payable of
$1,099,753; (y) accrued expenses of $112,101, and (z) the current portion of long-term debt of $1,458,215. As a result, as of September
30, 2024, the Company had working capital of $335,307. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had working capital of $753,756.
This $418,449 decrease in working capital is the result of lower sales in the amount of $4,037,501 during the nine months ended September
30, 2024, which has resulted in a reduction of current assets of $4,619,469, and a similar reduction in current liabilities of $4,201,020.
As
of September 30, 2024, the Company had long-term assets of $5,336,656, comprised of: (i) net equipment assets of $3,576,338; (ii) land
of $1,008,897; and (iii) goodwill of $751,421. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had long-term liabilities of $2,403,824, entirely
comprised of long-term debt, net of current portion. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had long-term assets of $14,063,299, comprised
of: (v) net equipment assets of $11,549,689; (w) land of $1,563,797; (x) building of $188,416; (y) goodwill of $751,421; and (z) deposits
of $9,976. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had long-term liabilities of $5,250,027, entirely comprised of long-term debt, net of
current portion.
The
ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company attaining and maintaining profitable operations in the future, collecting
outstanding accounts receivable, and/or raising additional capital to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal
business operations when they come due. The Company estimates, as of September 30, 2024, that it may not have sufficient funds to operate
the business for 12 months given its cash balance of $244,586 and revenues being generated by the Range Reclamation Entities. The Company
is actively seeking additional financing and other sources of capital to fund its currently estimated level of operations. However, these
estimates could differ if the Company encounters unanticipated difficulties, or if its estimates of the amount of cash necessary to operate
its business prove to be wrong, and the Company uses its available financial resources faster than it currently expects. No assurance
can be given that any future financing or capital, if needed, will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory
to the Company.
26
Our
estimated total expenditures for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025 could increase if we encounter unanticipated lower revenues
and higher expenses in connection with operating our business as presently planned. In addition, our estimates of the amount of cash
necessary to fund our business may prove to be too low, and we could spend our available financial resources much faster than we currently
expect. If we cannot raise the capital necessary to continue to develop our business, we will be forced to delay, scale back or eliminate
some or all of our proposed operations. If any of these were to occur, there is a substantial risk that our business would fail.
Until
such time as the Company and its operating businesses are cash flow positive, we expect to continue funding our operations, at least
in part, through equity and debt financings. However, sources of additional funds may not be available when needed, on acceptable terms,
or at all. If we issue equity or convertible debt securities to raise additional funds or to fund, in whole or in part, acquisitions
in furtherance of our business strategy, our existing stockholders may experience substantial dilution, and the new equity or debt securities
may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our existing stockholders. If we incur additional debt, we would incur
additional interest expenses, and assuming those loans would be available, it would increase our liabilities and future cash commitments.
Moreover, regardless of the manner in which we seek to raise capital, we may incur substantial costs in those pursuits, including investment
banking fees, legal fees and other related costs.
Net
Cash Used in Operating Activities
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $1,859,370, compared to net cash provided by operating
activities of $1,074,719 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This $2,934,089 decrease was primarily due to: (a) $10,573,936
increase in net loss that was primarily driven by reduced gross profit of $5,161,245 in our Range Reclaim and Range Minerals business
segments and increase in other expenses of $5,891,051, which was offset by (b) $6,158,257 of non-cash adjustments that was primarily
comprised of $3,751,680 non-cash loss on the sale of assets that had been purchased to support the Range Reclaim and Range Minerals business
segments, the elimination of the $1,875,150 non-cash gain on bargain purchase, and higher non-cash depreciation expense of $524,307 due
to the Company’s larger investment in equipment, and (c) $1,481,590 increase in cash generated from changes in the Company’s
working capital.
Net
Cash Used in Investing Activities
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash provided by investing activities was $430,100, compared to net cash used in
investing activities of $7,146,525 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Net cash provided by investing activities for the
nine months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of $270,000 from the disposition of assets no longer used in the business, $160,000
from a casualty loss from a destroyed piece of equipment, and $100 from the disposition of the Graphium Biosciences business
segment. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted of land, equipment purchases
and capital expenditures. Based on the Company’s current corporate strategy, no additional equipment purchases are required to
execute its near-term strategic plan; however, if additional equipment is required in the future, the Company anticipates securing
such equipment through third-party equipment leases or equipment financings. Future capital expenditures required to maintain the
Company’s existing equipment are anticipated to be funded with cash on hand.
Net
Cash Provided By Financing Activities
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the most significant items affecting the comparison of our cash flows (used in) provided by
financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are summarized below:
●
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received aggregate proceeds of $1,000,000 from the sale of our common stock
in a privately-negotiated transaction.
●
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company received aggregate proceeds of
$1,410,000 from the sale of our common stock in privately-negotiated transactions.
●
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repaid $1,502,944 of our indebtedness.
●
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company received proceeds of $4,035,250 from long-term debt issued in connection with
the acquisition of Collins Building, $383,202 from the issuance of long-term debt and $1,900,000 from a line of credit, offset by
the repayment of long-term debt of $1,072,729.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial
condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources
that would be material to stockholders.
27
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our
financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting periods.
We
regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates that we use to prepare our financial statements. In general, management’s
estimates are based on historical experience, on information from third party professionals, and on various other assumptions that are
believed to be reasonable under the facts and circumstances. Actual results could differ from the estimates made by management.
We
believe the following critical accounting policies require us to make significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated
financial statements included in this report:
Use
of Estimates and Assumptions
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. The more significant
estimates and assumption by management include, among others, assumptions used in valuing assets acquired in business acquisitions, reserves
for accounts receivable, assumptions used in valuing equity instruments issued for services, the valuation allowance for deferred tax
assets, accruals for potential liabilities, and assumptions used in the determination of the Company’s liquidity. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Business
Combinations
Business
combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting under ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” This method
requires the Company to record assets and liabilities of the businesses acquired at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition
date. Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the
fair value requires management to make estimates and assumptions including discount rates, rates of return on assets, and long-term sales
growth rates.
Goodwill
As
referenced by ASC 350 “Intangibles- Goodwill and other” (“ASC 350”), management performs its annual test for
goodwill at least annually or more frequently, if impairment indicators arise.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The core principle of the revenue standard
is that a company should recognize revenue by analyzing the following five steps: (1) identify the contract with the customer; (2) identify
the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance
obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company primarily invoices customers
and recognizes revenue on a periodic basis for equipment and labor hours provided to a customer on a particular job based on an agreed-upon
hourly rate sheet or a fixed amount for a project. The Company also invoices customers and recognizes revenue for equipment mobilization
fees and materials and supplies required to complete a project. The Company invoices for the sales of chemicals and recognizes revenue
when the products are delivered to the customer’s designated site. Costs for equipment, labor and chemicals are generally expensed
as incurred since the projects are generally short-term and not subject to a contract. The Company also invoices customers for the provision
of environmental security services on an agreed-upon hourly rate for each project. All revenue is recognized at a point in time.
The
Company recognizes revenue from contracts for financial reporting purposes over time. Progress toward completion of the Company’s
contracts is measured by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to estimated total costs for each contract. This method is
used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on contracts. Because of inherent uncertainties
in estimating costs, it is at least reasonably possible that the estimates used will change significantly within the near term.
28
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company periodically issues stock options and restricted stock awards to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions
for services and for financing costs. The Company accounts for such grants issued and vesting based on ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation
whereby the value of the award is measured on the date of grant and recognized for employees as compensation expense on the straight-line
basis over the vesting period. Recognition of compensation expense for non-employees is in the same period and manner as if the Company
had paid cash for the services.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Please
refer to Footnote 1 of the accompanying financial statements for management’s discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not
Applicable.
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.