UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
☒
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended April 30 , 2024
OR
☐
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from to
Commission
file number: 001-08266
U.S.
GOLD CORP
(Exact
Name of registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Nevada
22-1831409
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
1910
East Idaho Street , Suite 102-Box 604
Elko ,
NV
89801
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip
Code)
(800)
557-4550
(Registrant’s
Telephone Number, including Area Code)
SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Title
of Each Class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
USAU
NASDAQ
Capital Market
SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Note
– Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated
filer ☐
Non-accelerated
filer ☒
Smaller
reporting company ☒
Emerging
Growth Company ☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As
of October 31, 2023, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting shares of common stock of the registrant issued and outstanding
on such date, excluding shares held by affiliates of the registrant as a group, was $ 27,084,928 . This figure is based on the closing
sale price of $3.33 per share of the Registrant’s common stock on October 31, 2023 .
Number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 26, 2024: 10,732,277
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The
information called for by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant’s Definitive Proxy
Statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders which the registrant intends to file pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than
120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report .
U.S.
GOLD CORP
INDEX
Page
Part
I
Items
1 and 2.
Business
and Properties
4
Item
1A.
Risk
Factors
23
Item
1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
34
Item
3.
Legal Proceedings
35
Item
4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
35
Part II
Item
5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
36
Item
6.
[Reserved]
36
Item
7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
36
Item
7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
40
Item
8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
41
Item
9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
42
Item
9A.
Controls and Procedures
42
Item
9B.
Other Information
42
Item
9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
42
Part III
Item
10.
Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
43
Item
11.
Executive Compensation
43
Item
12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
43
Item
13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
43
Item
14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
43
Part IV
Item
15.
Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
44
Item
16.
Form 10-K Summary
47
Signatures
48
2
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Some
information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated
results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of our properties, plans related to
our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based
on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. These statements include, but
are not limited to, comments regarding:
●
The
timing of the preparation, filing, and satisfaction of the conditions of our mine construction and operating permits for the CK Gold
Project;
●
The
timing and process of completing conditions surrounding our approved mine operating permit and closure plan for the CK Gold Project;
●
The
assumptions and projections contained in the CK Gold Project Prefeasibility Study, including estimated mineral resources and mineral
reserves, mine life, projected operating and capital costs, projected production, internal rate of return (“IRR”) and
Net Present Value (“NPV”) calculations, and the possibility of upside potential at the project;
●
The
planned extensions of our leases;
●
Our
planned expenditures during our fiscal year ended April 30, 2025;
●
Future
exploration plans and expectations related to our properties;
●
Our
ability to fund our business through April 30, 2025 with our current cash reserves based on our currently planned activities;
●
Our
anticipation of future environmental and regulatory impacts; and
●
Our
business and operating strategies.
We
use the words “anticipate,” “continue,” “likely,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,”
“could,” “will,” “project,” “should,” “believe” and similar expressions (including
negative and grammatical variations) to identify forward-looking statements. Statements that contain these words discuss our future expectations
and plans, or state other forward-looking information. Although we believe the expectations and assumptions reflected in those forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that these expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Our actual results
could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors described
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including:
●
Unfavorable
results from our exploration activities;
●
Decreases
in gold, copper or silver prices;
●
Whether
we are able to raise the necessary capital required to continue our business on terms acceptable to us or at all, and the likely
negative effect of volatility in metals prices or unfavorable exploration results;
●
Whether
we will be able to begin to mine and sell minerals successfully or profitably at any of our current properties at current or future
metals prices;
●
Potential
delays in our exploration activities or other activities to advance properties towards mining resulting from environmental consents
or permitting delays or problems, accidents, problems with contractors, disputes under agreements related to exploration properties,
unanticipated costs and other unexpected events;
●
Our
ability to retain key management and mining personnel necessary to successfully operate and grow our business;
●
Economic
and political events affecting the market prices for gold, copper, silver, and other minerals that may be found on our exploration
properties;
●
Volatility
in the market price of our common stock; and
●
The
factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Many
of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to us. Consequently,
forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from
the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or developments. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us and
persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Descriptions
of agreements or other documents contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are intended as summaries and are not necessarily complete.
Please refer to the agreements or other documents filed or incorporated herein by reference as exhibits. Please see the exhibit index
at the end of this report for a complete list of those exhibits.
3
PART
I
Items
1 and 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
Overview
U.S.
Gold Corp., formerly known as Dataram Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”),
was re-incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada in 2016 and was originally incorporated in the State of New Jersey in 1967.
Effective June 26, 2017, the Company changed its legal name to U.S. Gold Corp. from Dataram Corporation. On May 23, 2017, the Company
merged with Gold King Corp. (“Gold King”), in a transaction treated as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization, and the
business of Gold King became the business of the Company. We are a gold, copper and precious metals development and exploration company
pursuing exploration opportunities primarily in Wyoming, Nevada and Idaho.
While
we are an exploration and development company that owns certain mining leases and other mineral rights comprising the CK Gold Project
in Wyoming, the Keystone Project in Nevada and the Challis Gold Project in Idaho, most of our recent activity has focused on moving the
CK Gold Project along the development pathway. The Company’s CK Gold Project’s property contains proven and probable mineral
reserves and accordingly is classified as a development stage property, as defined in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K (“S-K 1300”)
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). None of the Company’s other properties contain proven
and probable mineral reserves and all activities are exploratory in nature. We do not currently have any revenue-producing activities.
Corporate
Organization Chart
The
name, place of incorporation, continuance or organization and percent of equity securities that we own or control as of July 29, 2024
for each of our subsidiaries is set out below.
4
Corporate
Address
The
current address, telephone number of our offices are:
U.S.
Gold Corp.
1910
E. Idaho Street, Suite 102-Box 604
Elko,
NV 89801
(800)
557-4550
We
make available, free of charge, on or through our website, at https://www.usgoldcorp.gold, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and other information. Our website and
the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be, and are not, incorporated into this Annual Report on Form
10-K. The SEC maintains an Internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Employees
As
of April 30, 2024, we had 4 full-time employees and no part-time employees. In addition, we use consultants with specific skills to assist
with various aspects of our project evaluation, due diligence, corporate governance and property management.
OUR
MINERAL PROPERTIES AND PROJECTS
Property
Map
For
a map showing the more precise location of each property, see the individual property descriptions set forth below.
5
Summary
of Current Mineral Properties
Property
Stage
of Property/Mine and mineralization types
Ownership,
Mineral Rights,
Leases or Options
Key
permit conditions
Processing
plants and other available facilities
Other
CK
Gold Project - Wyoming
Development
stage, proposed open-pit mine producing a copper concentrate containing gold, copper and silver from porphyry-style mineralization.
100%
ownership - Two state of Wyoming Mineral Leases covering approximately 1,120 acres in Laramie County, Wyoming. State of Wyoming has
certain royalty interests on mineral production.
Exploration
permits, received. Submitted applications to the Wyoming Division of Environmental Quality (the “WDEQ”) for the permit
to mine and industrial siting. (granted). The WDEQ – Land Division has accepted the Company’s reclamation bond and issued
a water discharge permit to the Company. The remaining condition associate with the permit to mine is receipt of the air quality
permit. The permit application is with the WDEQ – Air Quality Division.
No
significant facilities.
Working
on detailed engineering studies for feasibility study.
Keystone
-Nevada
Gold
exploration
100%
ownership - 601 unpatented lode mining claims comprising approximately 20 square miles in Eureka County, Nevada.
Exploration
permits received. Reclamation bonding in place. Additional exploration permits may be necessary for additional exploration.
No
significant facilities.
Challis
- Idaho
Gold
exploration
100%
ownership - 77 unpatented lode mining claims in Lemhi County, Idaho covering approximately
1,710 acres. A royalty interest has been granted on the Challis property.
Preparing
a revised plan of operations for further exploration.
No
significant facilities.
Maggie
Creek -Nevada
Gold
exploration
Having
sold the project to Nevada Gold Mines Inc., we retain a potential Royalty position.
0.5%
NSR subject to NGM exercising their option on the property, with a buy option to reduce the royalty to 0.25% for $800,000.
No
significant facilities.
Summary
of Previous Mineral Properties
Property
Stage
of Property/Mine and mineralization types
Ownership,
Mineral Rights,
Leases or Options
Key
permit conditions
Processing
plants and other available facilities
Other
Maggie
Creek - Nevada
Gold
exploration
We
sold our rights to acquire the property to Nevada Gold Mines (“NGM”) in November 2022. Royalty potential of 0.5% if NGM
exercises its option and acquires the Maggie Creek property.
Previous
exploration permit and reclamation bond have been transferred to NGM.
No
significant facilities.
Drilled
two exploration holes in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022.
6
Quality
Assurance/Quality Control (“QA/QC”) Protocol
We
employ a rigorous QA/QC protocol on all aspects of sampling and analytical procedure. Drill core is checked, logged, marked for sampling
and sawn in half. One-half of each drill core is maintained for future reference and the other half of each drill core is sent to ALS,
an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory in Elko, Nevada to complete all sample preparation and assaying. Samples are analyzed by employing
fire assaying with atomic absorption finish for gold, and four-acid ICP-MS analysis for silver and copper. For QA/QC protocol purposes,
certified standards, blank samples and sample duplicates are inserted into the sample stream. We also periodically submit sample pulps
to another independent laboratory for check analysis. With respect to the CK Gold Project, and as part of the examination and preparation
of a Technical Report under Reg. S-K 1300 guidelines, QA/QC protocols have been independently checked. We retain core remnants, duplicates,
pulps and rejects in one of several secured facilities.
CK
Gold Project, Wyoming
The
CK Gold Project consists of certain mining leases and other mineral rights located in the historic Silver Crown Mining District of southeast
Wyoming.
Location
and Access
The
CK Gold Project is located in southeastern Wyoming, approximately 20 miles west of the city of Cheyenne, on the southeastern margin of
the Laramie Range (Figure 1). The property covers about two square miles that include the S½ Section 25, NE¼ Section 35,
and all of Section 36, T.14N., R.70W., Sixth Principal Meridian. Access to within an approximate 4.0 miles of the property is provided
by public paved and maintained gravel roads. An agreement with the private landowner (The Ferguson Ranch Inc. (“Ferguson Ranch”))
provides access for the remaining distance to the main project area. The surface of S½ Section 25, NE¼ Section 35 is privately
owned by the Ferguson Ranch. An easement agreement providing access for exploration and potential development activities has been negotiated
with an adjacent landowner. The fee for this easement is $10,000 per year, renewable each year prior to July 11. The surface of Section
36 is owned by the State of Wyoming and is currently leased to an adjacent landowner for grazing. Currently, the surface of Section 36
is leased for grazing by the Ferguson Ranch and part of the option to lease the lands necessary for project development and operation
is compensation to the Ferguson Ranch for loss of grazing, as and when areas are impacted.
The
project is entirely located on mineral rights owned and administered by the State of Wyoming. There are no federal lands within or adjoining
the CK Gold Project’s land position. Curt Gowdy State Park lies northwest of the property, partially within Section 26. The state
park’s southeastern boundary is approximately 1,000 feet northwest of the property and approximately 3,000 feet northwest of the
mineralized area. The CK Gold Project’s property position consists of two State of Wyoming Metallic and Non- metallic Rocks and
Minerals Mining Leases.
Through
Gold King, the project has acquired two 35-acre parcels immediately adjacent to Section 36 in Section 35, on the western boundary of
the project area. This 70-acre landholding provides a buffer to other occupied and unoccupied parcels to the west of the project area.
7
Figure
1 – CK Gold Project Location and Project Boundary
Rights
to the CK Gold Project
Our
rights to the CK Gold Project arise under two State of Wyoming mineral leases:
1)
State
of Wyoming Mining Lease No. 0-40828
Township
14 North, Range 70 West, 6th P.M., Laramie County, Wyoming:
Section
36: All
2)
State
of Wyoming Mining Lease No. 0-40858
Township
14 North, Range 70 West, 6th P.M., Laramie County, Wyoming:
Section
25: S/2
Section
35: NE/4
8
Ownership
of the mineral rights remains in the possession of the State of Wyoming as conveyed to the State by the United States, evidenced by 1942
patents for Section 36, and 1989 Order confirming title to Section 25 and 35. The State of Wyoming issued Mineral Leases for the mineral
rights to Wyoming Gold Mining Company, Inc. (“Wyoming Gold”) in 2013 and 2014. These leases were assigned to us on June 23,
2014.
Lease
0-40828 is a ten-year lease that was renewed within the past year and expires on February 1, 2033. Annual rental payments under this
lease are $3.00 per acre. Lease 0-40858 is a ten-year lease that was renewed within the current year and expires on February 1,
2034. Annual rental payments under this lease are $3.00 per acre. Each lease is renewable for successive ten-year terms by submitting a renewal
application fee and paying a nominal fee of $50. We anticipate continuing to renew each lease beyond their current expiration
dates.
Effective
April 6, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Office of State Lands and Investments (“OSLI”) approved the recommendation from
the staff of the OSLI fixing the production royalty rate at a flat 2.1% of net receipts received by us once the project is in operation.
Additionally, once the project is in operation, the Board of Directors of the OSLI has the authority to reduce the royalty payable to
the State. Additionally, original lease restrictions limiting operations on the lease areas, deemed critical mule deer habitat, were
lifted by OSLI after the company came to an arrangement with The Wyoming Department of Game and Fish (“Game and Fish”) to
make a compensatory payment to Game and Fish to support habitat and conservation measures. The agreed amount to be paid by the Company
to Game and Fish once development and operational impact occur amount to $300,000.
Infrastructure
Given
the project’s proximity to Cheyenne, the state capital of Wyoming and the Front Range metropolitan area, personnel needs, delivery
of consumables, and infrastructure needs are available both locally and regionally. The area has access to both BNSF and Union Pacific
railroad lines, intersection of 2 major interstate highways, I-80 and I-25, and a regional airport.
High
voltage powerlines are approximately 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from the current project area. A connection to the local power provider and easement
for transmission lines has been identified and scoped. While there is a nearby line serving the local population, we anticipate that
a new line to the project site, catering to approximately a 30-Megawatt load will be constructed and talks have been conducted with the
local power provider (Black Hills Energy), the designated provider for the area. Indicative rates including the installation of approximately
16-miles of line from a nearby sub-station have been received and incorporated into project engineering studies.
In
February 2023, we entered into a Water Development and Purchase Agreement (“Water Agreement”) with the Board of Public Utilities
(the “BOPU”) of the City of Cheyenne. Under this Water Agreement, BOPU will provide a firm supply of up to 600 gallons per
minute for the life of the project. It is anticipated that the water to be supplied under this Water Agreement will come from the Lone
Tree well field owned by BOPU. A pipeline from the Lone Tree well field to the project will be required to be constructed. Minor water
sources have been identified around the project site from monitoring well locations, and additional deeper well sites will be investigated
in upcoming fields seasons with a view to securing an independent water supply.
Permitting
Mine
Operating Permit and Closure Plan (“MOP”)
In
September 2022, we filed our mine operation and reclamation plan (“MOP”) with the WDEQ – Land Division (the “WDEQ”).
In November 2022, we received notification from WDEQ that our MOP was deemed complete and that it was under technical review. In April
2023, we received a first round of technical comments and worked with the WDEQ to fully respond to their initial review. In May 2024,
WDEQ issued us a letter of approval for the MOP. Per WDEQ’s letter of approval there were three conditions to the MOP: (1) acceptance
of a reclamation bond, in the amount of $5,010,000; (2) receipt of a water discharge permit from WDEQ and (3) receipt of the WDEQ Air
Quality Division permit. To date, the Company has received acceptance of the reclamation bond and obtained the water discharge permit.
The Company expects to obtain the WDEQ Air Quality permit this calendar year.
Industrial Siting Permit (“ISP”)
In February 2023, we submitted our ISP with the Industrial Siting Division
of the WDEQ. An ISP is required for all projects within the state of Wyoming when the projected capital costs are anticipated to exceed
$253.9 million. This threshold includes costs we may incur as well as costs incurred from other parties. The ISP’s intent is to
ascertain the regional impacts during construction and mine operation and release state funds to local governments to offset anticipated
impacts. Subsequent to the permit submission, a hearing was held with the Industrial Siting Commission in May 2023 whereby our ISP was
approved. In June 2023, we received official notification from the state of Wyoming that our ISP was granted.
9
History
of Prior Operations and Exploration on the CK Gold Project
Limited
exploration and mining were conducted on the CK Gold Project’s property in the late 1880s and early 1900s. Approximately 300 tons
of material was reported to have been produced from a now inaccessible 160-foot-deep shaft with two levels of cross-cuts. A few small
adits and prospect pits with no significant production are scattered throughout the property.
Since
1938, at least nine historic (pre-Strathmore Minerals Corp.) drilling campaigns by at least seven companies plus the U.S. Bureau of Mines
have been conducted at CK Gold Project’s property, previously referred to as Copper King. The current project database contains
91 drill holes totaling 37,500 feet that were drilled before Wyoming Gold acquired the property. All but six of the drill holes are within
the current resource area. Other work conducted at the CK Gold Project’s property by previous companies has included ground and
aeromagnetic surveys as well as induced polarization surveys along with geochemical sampling, geologic mapping, and a number of metallurgical
studies.
Wyoming
Gold conducted an exploration drill program in 2007 and 2008. Thirty-five diamond core drill holes were completed for a total of 25,500
feet. The focus of that work was to confirm and potentially expand the mineralized body outlined in the previous drill campaigns, increase
the geologic and geochemical database leading to the creation of the current geologic model and mineralization estimate, and to provide
material for further metallurgical testing. The CK Gold Project’s historic assay database for some 120 holes contains 8,357 gold
assays and 8,225 copper assays. At least 10 different organizations or individuals conducted metallurgical studies on the gold-copper
mineralization at the request of prior operators between 1973 and 2009.
Geology
and Mineralization
The
CK Gold Project is underlain by Proterozoic rocks that make up the southern end of the Precambrian core of the Laramie Range. Metavolcanic
and metasedimentary rocks of amphibolite-grade metamorphism are intruded by the 1.4-billion-year-old Sherman Granite and related felsic
rocks. Within the project area, foliated granodiorite is intruded by aplitic quartz monzonite dikes, thin mafic dikes and younger pegmatite
dikes. Shear zones with cataclastic foliation striking N60°E to N60°W are found in the southern part of the Silver Crown district,
including at CK Gold. The granodiorite typically shows potassium enrichment, particularly near contacts with quartz monzonite. Copper
and gold mineralization occur primarily in unfoliated to mylonitic granodiorite. The mineralization is associated with a N60°W-trending
shear zone and disseminated and stockwork gold-copper deposits in the intrusive rocks. The mineralization style is consistent with a
porphyry gold-copper deposit of Paleoproterozoic age. Hydrothermal alteration is overprinted on retrograde greenschist alteration and
includes a central zone of silicification, followed outward by a narrow potassic zone, surrounded by propylitic alteration. Higher-grade
mineralization occurs within a central core of thin quartz veining and stockwork mineralization that is surrounded by a ring of lower-grade
disseminated mineralization. Disseminated sulfides and native copper with stockwork malachite and chrysocolla are present at the surface,
and chalcopyrite, pyrite, minor bornite, primary chalcocite, pyrrhotite, and native copper are present at depth. Gold occurs as free
gold and within chalcopyrite crystals.
The
CK Gold Project’s property contains oxide, mixed oxide-sulfide, and sulfide rock types. At the stated cutoff grade of 0.015oz AuEq/ton,
approximately 80% of the resource is sulfide material with the remaining 20% split evenly between the oxide and mixed rock types. There
is consistent distribution of gold and copper, albeit generally low-grade, throughout this potential open-pit type deposit.
Mineral
Reserves and Mineral Resources
Mineral
reserve and mineral resource estimates were calculated by Gustavson Associates LLC (now WSP USA, Inc.) through the effective date of
November 15, 2021 as shown in the Technical Report Summary attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The mineral reserve and mineral
resource tabulations shown below are based on assumed metals prices of $1,625/oz gold, $3.25/lb copper and $18.00/oz silver. These metals
price assumptions are comprised of long-term metals forecasting (33%) and the two-year trailing average (67%). Based on the actual prices
of these metals at the end of our fiscal year ($1,911/oz gold, $4.45/lb copper and $23.45/oz silver), based on the respective London
Metal Exchange, we believe that the price assumptions used in preparing our mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates at November
15, 2021 remain reasonable and, therefore, we believe the estimates prepared by Gustavson Associates LLC remain a reasonable estimate
of our mineral resources and mineral reserves at April 30, 2024.
10
CK
Gold Project – Summary of Gold, Copper and Silver Mineral Resources at April 30, 2024 based on $1,625/oz gold, $3.25/lb copper
and $18.00/oz silver
Mass
Gold
(Au)
Copper
(Cu)
Silver
(Ag)
Au
Equivalent
(AuEq)
Tons
(000’s)
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
lbs
(millions)
%
Oz
(000’s)
oz/st
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
Measured
(M)
1,000
6
0.019
2
0.196
100
0.05
2
0.024
Indicated (I)
10,500
94
0.01
30
0.15
450
0.03
138
0.016
M
+ I
11,500
100
0.014
32
0.16
550
0.039
140
0.018
Inferred
22,500
235
0.01
68.3
0.152
323
0.014
357
0.016
(1)
Resources tabulated at a cutoff grade of (0.0107 – 0.0088) AuEq oz/st, 0.009 AuEq oz/st average
(2)
Note only 3 significant figures shown, may not sum due to rounding
(3)
Estimates of mineral resources are exclusive of mineral reserves
CK
Gold Project – Summary of Gold, Copper and Silver Mineral Reserves at April 30, 2024 based on $1,625/oz gold, $3.25/lb copper and
$18.00/oz silver
Mass
Gold
(Au)
Copper
(Cu)
Silver
(Ag)
Au
Equivalent
(AuEq)
Tons
(000’s)
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
lbs
(millions)
%
Oz
(000’s)
oz/st
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
Proven (P1)
29,600
574
0.019
118
0.198
1,440
0.049
757
0.026
Probable (P2)
40,700
440
0.011
130
0.16
1,220
0.03
679
0.017
P1 + P2
70,400
1,010
0.014
248
0.176
2,660
0.038
1,440
0.02
(1)
Reserves tabulated at a cutoff grade of (0.0107 – 0.0088) AuEq oz./st, 0.009 AuEq Oz/st average
(2)
Note only 3 significant figures shown, may not sum due to rounding
For
comparison, below are our mineral resources and mineral reserves at April 30, 2023:
CK
Gold Project – Summary of Gold, Copper and Silver Mineral Resources at April 30, 2023 based on $1,625/oz gold, $3.25/lb copper
and $18.00/oz silver
Mass
Gold
(Au)
Copper
(Cu)
Silver
(Ag)
Au
Equivalent
(AuEq)
Tons
(000’s)
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
lbs
(millions)
%
Oz
(000’s)
oz/st
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
Measured (M)
1,000
6
0.019
2
0.196
100
0.05
2
0.024
Indicated (I)
10,500
94
0.01
30
0.15
450
0.03
138
0.016
M
+ I
11,500
100
0.014
32
0.16
550
0.039
140
0.018
Inferred
22,500
235
0.01
68.3
0.152
323
0.014
357
0.016
(1) Resources tabulated at a cutoff grade of (0.0107 – 0.0088) AuEq oz/st, 0.009 AuEq oz/st average
(2)
Note only 3 significant figures shown, may not sum due to rounding
(3)
Estimates of mineral resources are exclusive of mineral reserves
11
CK
Gold Project – Summary of Gold, Copper and Silver Mineral Reserves at April 30, 2023 based on $1,625/oz gold, $3.25/lb copper and
$18.00/oz silver
Mass
Gold
(Au)
Copper
(Cu)
Silver
(Ag)
Au
Equivalent
(AuEq)
Tons
(000’s)
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
lbs
(millions)
%
Oz
(000’s)
oz/st
Oz
(000’s)
oz/
st
Proven (P1)
29,600
574
0.019
118
0.198
1,440
0.049
757
0.026
Probable (P2)
40,700
440
0.011
130
0.16
1,220
0.03
679
0.017
P1 + P2
70,400
1,010
0.014
248
0.176
2,660
0.038
1,440
0.02
(1)
Reserves tabulated at a cutoff grade of (0.0107 – 0.0088) AuEq oz./st, 0.009 AuEq Oz/st average
(2)
Note only 3 significant figures shown, may not sum due to rounding
Mineral
resources are reported at a gold equivalent grade (AuEq) cutoff grade, which considers metal recovery and pricing Cutoff grade varies
with expected recovery for delineated material types, but averages 0.009 short ton (oz/st) AuEq, equivalent to 0.31 grams per metric
tonne (g/t) AuEq. Gold equivalent grade (Au/Eq) is used to simplify cutoff grade to a single equivalent metal (gold). The mineral resource
is constrained inside an optimization shell which, combined with the cutoff grade, represents reasonable prospects for economic extraction.
The mineral reserve estimate lies inside of a designed mine open pit. See Section 12.1 in the Technical Report Summary incorporated by
reference in this Form 10-K for a discussion of pit optimization, cutoff grade and dilution.
Prefeasibility
Study (“PFS”)
On
December 1, 2021, we released the results of our prefeasibility study (“PFS”). The PFS was prepared by Gustavson Associates
LLC with an effective date of November 15, 2021.
The
following are highlights from the PFS:
●
10-year
Mine Life at 20,000 short tons per day process rate
○
Average
AuEq production: 108,500 ounces per year
○
First
three years: 135,300 AuEq ounces per year
●
Initial
Capital: $221 million
○
Potential
attractive financing terms from equipment suppliers and development capital sources
○
2-year
payback
●
Economics
– 39.4% IRR before tax and 33.7% IRR after tax
○
NPV
(5%): $323 million and $266 million, before and after tax, respectively
○
All
in Sustaining Cost (“AISC”) at $800 per AuEq ounce
○
Assumes
$1,625/ounce gold price and $3.25/lb copper price
○
Highly
leveraged to increasing metals prices
●
Upside
Potential
○
Aggregate
sales from mine waste rock, proven to be excellent quality
○
Feasibility
study level value engineering and plant optimization
○
Ongoing
metallurgical testing to enhance recovery of gold and copper
○
Resource
expansion potential at depth and to the south-east
●
Permitting
and Development
○
Project
footprint under the jurisdiction of Wyoming agencies
12
The
economic projections in the PFS are subject to a variety of assumptions and qualifications that are described in more detail in the Technical
Report Summary incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. In summary, the low-grade copper, silver and gold deposit located on Wyoming
State Land and under lease to US Gold Corp, is proposed as an open pit mine. The rate of extraction will be sufficient to feed minerals
to the process plant at a rate of 20,000 tons per day, involving the removal of surrounding waste material at a similar rate. The process
plant serves to crush and grind the ore into a fine particle form in a slurry, whereupon the copper, silver and gold values can be separated
from non-mineralized rock into a concentrate using froth flotation. The concentrate will be dried and shipped off site and sold to a
smelter for final metal extraction. The waste material will be filtered to recoup and recycle water back to the process plant, and the
filtered tailings will be trucked and mechanically stacked onto a tailings pile. The process facility is also on the same Wyoming State
section less than a mile away from the mineralized orebody, with the entire operation some 20-miles west of Cheyenne. The metallurgical
test work supporting the extraction methodology was initially performed by a previous owner between 2009 and 2012, but the company has
gathered additional representative sample and conducted further extensive test work between 2020 and 2023. The results of the test work
were incorporated into the prefeasibility study published on December 1, 2021. We expect to update the prefeasibility study by the end
of the third quarter of 2024 and finalize the feasibility study sometime thereafter.
We
expense all mineral exploration costs as incurred. Although we have identified proven and probable mineral reserves on our CK Gold Project,
development costs will be capitalized when all the following criteria have been met, (a) we receive the requisite operating permits,
(b) completion of a favorable Feasibility Study and (c) approval from our Board of Directors (our “Board”) authorizing the
development of the ore body. Until such time all these criteria have been met, we record pre-development costs to expense as incurred.
The current book value of our property is approximately $3.1 million, which is recorded in mineral properties and reflects the value
that was attributed to the purchase of the CK Gold Project. We do not have any costs on our balance sheet related to plant or equipment
as we have not incurred any such costs.
Recent
Activities
We
submitted both of our major permit applications during the year-ended April 30, 2023, the MOP and Industrial Siting Permit (the “ISP”).
We were granted our ISP in June 2023 providing local governments the ability to receive state funds to mitigate impacts from the anticipated
construction and operation of our CK Gold Project. In May 2024, we received approval of the MOP subject to three conditions (reclamation
bond approval, water discharge permit and air quality permit). Two of the three conditions have been met (reclamation bond approval and
water discharge permit) and we expect to meet the third condition (air quality permit) in calendar 2024.
Primarily
in support of the feasibility study presently underway, during the 2021 field season, 47 core, reverse circulation rotary and conventional
rotary holes were drilled at the CK Gold Project. The primary purpose of the drilling program is to supplement the geotechnical and hydrological
information.
Additional
work centered around the capture and interpretation of environmental base line data encompassing sub-surface and surface water, fauna,
flora, cultural, air quality, meteorological conditions, wetlands and socio-economic factors in the project area. Since September 2020,
over 3 1/2 years of monitoring data have been gathered and ongoing monitoring in critical areas continues.
Additionally,
a great deal of social outreach has been conducted to familiarize the immediate population and the Wyoming, Cheyenne and Laramie governmental
and regulatory agencies.
Geological
Potential of the CK Gold Project
Potential
to expand the existing resource exists primarily at depth beyond current drilling depths and to the south of the proposed pit. Numerous
drill holes end in significant mineralization. A geophysical anomaly to the southeast supports the trend extending from the proposed
open pit as identified by step-out drilling from the current reserve boundary; however, to date exploration has not pinpointed mineralization
that might be associated with the anomaly further to the southeast in what is thought to be fairly complex geologic conditions.
13
Keystone
Project, Cortez Trend, Nevada
Location
The
Keystone Project consists of 601 unpatented lode mining claims situated in Eureka County, Nevada. The claims making up the Keystone Project
are situated in Eureka County, Nevada in Sections 2-4 and 9-11, Township 23 North, Range 48 East, and Sections 22- 28, and 33-36 Township
24 North, all Range 48 East of the Mount Diablo Meridian (Figures 2 and 3).
14
Figure
2 – Location of Keystone Project and Major Gold Trends in Nevada
15
Figure
3 – Keystone Project Claim Boundaries
The
Keystone Project is accessible via unpaved roads. Navigation through the interior of the project is by off-road vehicle on exploration
tracks.
Title
and Ownership for Keystone Project
The
Keystone Project consists of unpatented mining claims located on federal land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”).
An annual maintenance fee of $200 per claim per year must be paid to the Nevada BLM by September 1 of each year, and failure to make
the payment on time renders the claims void. In addition to the annual maintenance fee paid to the Nevada BLM, a $12 per claim fee is
due to the Eureka County (NV) Clerk’s office as a record fee.
16
We
acquired the mining claims comprising the Keystone Project on May 27, 2016 from Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC and Americas Gold Exploration,
Inc. (“Americas Gold”). Some of the Keystone claims are subject to pre-existing net smelter royalty (“NSR”) obligations.
In addition, Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC retained additional NSR rights of 0.5% with regard to certain claims and 3.5% with regard to certain
other claims. The unpatented mining claims comprising the Keystone Project, with applicable NSR obligations, are as follows:
1.
Acquired
100% from Americas Gold; subject to a one percent (1%) NSR held by Wolfpack Gold Nevada Corp.; a two percent (2.0%) NSR with respect
to precious metals and one percent (1.0%) NSR with respect to all other metals and minerals held by Orion Royalty Company, LLC; and
a one-half percent (0.5%) NSR to Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC
27
unpatented lode mining claims situated in Eureka County, Nevada, in Sections 33 and 34, Township 24 North, Range 48 East, and Sections
3, 4, 9, and 10, Township 23 North, Range 48 East, Mount Diablo Base Line and Meridian.
2.
Acquired
100% from Americas Gold; subject to a three and one-half percent (3.5%) NSR to Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC
13
unpatented lode mining claims situated in Eureka County, Nevada, in Sections 27, 28 and 35, Township 24 North, Range 48 East, and Sections
2 and 3, Township 23 North, Range 48 East, Mount Diablo Base Line and Meridian.
3.
Acquired
100% from Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC; subject to a three and one-half percent (3.5%) NSR to Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC
28
unpatented lode mining claims situated in Eureka County, Nevada, in Sections 2 & 11, Township 23 North, Range 48 East, Mount Diablo
Base Line and Meridian.
4.
Acquired
50% from Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC, 50% from Americas Gold, subject to a three and one-half percent (3.5%) NSR to Nevada Gold Ventures,
LLC
216
unpatented lode mining claims, alphabetically ordered, situated in Eureka County, Nevada, in Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33,
34, 35 & 36, Township 24 North, Range 48 East, Mount Diablo Base Line and Meridian.
Under
the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 25, 2016, under which we acquired the claims, we had the right to buy down 1%
of the NSR owed to Nevada Gold Ventures LLC at any time through the fifth anniversary of the closing date, May 25, 2021, for $2,000,000.
In addition, we may buy down an additional 1% of the NSR owed to Nevada Gold Ventures, LLC anytime through the eighth anniversary of
the closing date, May 25, 2024, for $5,000,000. We did not buy down any portion of the NSR.
History
of Prior Operations and Exploration on the Keystone Project
No
comprehensive, modern-era, model-driven exploration has ever been conducted on the Keystone Project. Newmont drilled 6 holes in the old
base metal and silver Keystone mine area in 1967 and encountered low-grade (+/- 0.02 opt) gold intercepts. Chevron staked the property
in 1981-1983 and drilled 27 shallow drill holes, continued by an agreement with USMX that drilled an additional 19 shallow holes; significant
amounts of low grade and anomalous gold were intersected, but results were considered uneconomic, and the project was dropped. In 1988
and 1989, Phelps Dodge acquired a southern portion of the district and drilled 6 holes, one of which contained gold mineralization in
its total depth and was subsequently deepened in 1990 resulting in over 200’ of low-grade gold mineralization. About this time
Coral Resources acquired a northern portion of the property and drilled 21 shallow holes to follow-up previous drill intercepts. 1995-1997,
Golden Glacier, a junior company, acquired the north end of the district, and Uranerz a portion of the southern area; 6 holes were drilled
in the north and only 2 holes in the south, respectively. The entire district was dropped by all parties.
17
In
2004, with the discovery of Cortez Hills and escalating gold prices, Nevada Pacific Gold, Great American Minerals (Don McDowell), and
Tone Resources (Dave Mathewson) competed in claim staking the entire district. Subsequently, Don McDowell, founder of Great American
Minerals approached Placer Dome (prior to Barrick acquisition) who discovered Pipeline and Cortez Hills, and who correctly recognized
the Keystone district potential. Placer Dome entered into separate joint venture agreements with Nevada Pacific and Great American. The
following year Barrick Gold bought Placer Dome and dropped all Placer Dome’s Nevada exploration projects and joint ventures, including
Keystone. In 2006, Nevada Pacific and Tone were purchased by McEwen Mining. McEwen Mining drilled 35 holes mostly near the north end
of the district; targeting the range front pediment and the historic Keystone Mine. McEwen Mining dropped their Keystone claims and quit
claimed them to Dave Mathewson and NV Gold Ventures. NV Gold Ventures and American Gold staked their own additional claims in the district.
This expanded group of claims was acquired in the original Keystone Purchase Agreement. We have staked additional claims in the district,
such as Potato Canyon, since acquiring the project.
Geology
and Mineralization
To
date, a technical report has not been prepared on the Keystone Project. Keystone is positioned on the prolific Cortez gold trend. The
Keystone Project is centered on a granitic intrusion that warped the local Paleozoic stratigraphy into a dome, allowing for exposure
of highly favorable Devonian, Carboniferous (Mississippian-Pennsylvania) and Permo- Triassic rocks including key likely host rocks for
mineralization, the silty carbonate strata of the Horse Creek Formation and the Wenban limestone, as well as possible sandy clastic units
of the Diamond Peak Formation. The Horse Canyon and Wenban rocks are the primary host rocks at the nearby Cortez Hills Mine and Gold
Rush deposit currently operated by Barrick Gold.
In
2022, a hyperspectral survey was conducted on the property identifying evidence of potential mineralization. Numerous anomalies often
associated with mineralization were identified. Field investigation of the anomalies commenced during the 2023 field season. In September
2023, we announced completion of a hyperspectral study, which yielded the discovery of multiple high priority targets requiring further
investigation and adding to the targets identified from the Company’s prior work at the project.
Infrastructure
and Facilities
The
Keystone Project does not currently include any significant facilities. The Keystone Project sits some 10 miles to the southwest of Nevada
Gold mines Cortez Complex. The Cortez Complex, consisting of surface and underground mines, is served by roads and power, while water
in the area is extracted from sub-surface water resources. The Keystone Project is served by paved and unpaved roads, which extend down
trend from the Cortez Complex to the north and additional road and infrastructure to the north-east. The whole area is some 30 miles
to the south of the I-80 interstate corridor between the towns of Battle Mountain and Winnemucca, with Elko, Nevada being the dormitory
town for the majority of the workforce and support services.
The
Challis Gold Project, Idaho
Location
The
Challis Gold property is situated in the Salmon River Mountains, approximately 40 km (25 mi) southwest of the town of Salmon, Idaho,
and 69 km (43 mi) north of the smaller town of Challis (Figure 7). The project area is considered to be within the Cobalt Mining District,
as the past-producing Blackbird Cobalt Mine is located 9.3 km (5.75 mi) north-northwest of the property. The nearly-abandoned town of
Cobalt, a previous company town for the Blackbird Mine, is along Panther Creek 9.7 km (6 mi) northeast of the property. Meridian Gold’s
Beartrack Mine, the closest of the larger gold mines in the region, is 24 km (15 mi) northeast of the Challis Gold Project. The central
portion of the property is located at approximately 45º 2’ North Latitude and 114º 20’ West Longitude. The claims
are situated in the south-central portion of unsurveyed Township T20N, R18E.
18
19
- Figure
7: The Challis Gold Project Location in Idaho
Title
and Ownership for Challis Gold Project
All
of the mining claims comprising the Musgrove property are unpatented lode mining claims that have been recorded in the Lemhi County Court
House in Salmon, Idaho and filed with the US BLM office in Boise. An annual maintenance fee of $200 per claim per year must be paid to
the BLM by September 1 of each year, and failure to make the payment on time renders the claims void. In addition to the annual maintenance
fee, $20 is due to the Lemhi County (ID) Recorder’s office as a notice of intent to hold fee.
History
of Prior Operations and Exploration
Early
mining dates to the late 1880’s when gold was discovered at the nearby Yellow Jacket Mine and copper and cobalt was discovered
north of the project area at the Blackbird Mine. Small scale intermittent mining was conducted in the project area from 1908 through
the 1930’s at the Musgrove Mine and at the Smith-Gahan Mine.
In
the mid-1980’s, alteration and quartz veining was identified located along the ridge north of Musgrove Creek A large block of claims
covering the area was staked by an independent geologist and then leased to Atlas Minerals. Atlas completed an extensive sampling program
and, in 1991, drilled nine reverse circulation holes resulting in the discovery of significant mineralization at the Johny’s Point
deposit.
The
project was acquired by Newmont in 1992 as part of the Grassy Mountain Deposit acquisition. Newmont conducted an extensive exploration
program between 1992 and the fall of 1995 consisting of mapping and rock chip sampling. Twenty-seven core holes were completed consisting
of nine holes in the Johny’s Point area and 18 holes testing targets along strike from Johny’s Point. Newmont concluded that
the project did not meet the potential for their size criteria and the project was dropped.
In
1996, Meridian Gold acquired the property and drilled an additional 20 core holes and three reverse circulation drill holes. The property
was subsequently returned to the owner due to declining gold prices.
In
2003, Wave Exploration leased the property and completed a GIS compilation of the surface and drill hole data. Wave subsequently commissioned
a technical report. In 2004, Wave drilled two confirmation drill holes and two step out holes and completed a soil geochemical program
northwest of Johny’s Point.
In
2005, Wave optioned the property to Journey Resources. In 2006 and 2007, Journey drilled nine reverse circulation drill holes and five
core holes northwest of Johny’s Point.
There
is no documented exploration activity from 2008 until 2018. On September 1, 2018, Journey Resources failed to pay the required claim
payments to the Bureau of Land Management and the claims were forfeited. Subsequently, Northern Panther Resources Corporation located
or acquired new claims covering the project. In 2020, we acquired Northern Panther Resources. In 2020, we contracted with Wright Geophysics
to conduct a ground magnetic geophysical over the current claim block. This survey identified a prominent low magnetic linear feature
that trends from the Musgrove Mine north-northwest for over two miles.
Geology
and Mineralization
The
project is located within the Trans-Challis Fault System, a prominent NE-trending fault zone which crosscuts central Idaho and hosts
numerous gold deposits. Host rocks consist of quartzites and phyllites of the Precambrian Apple Creek Fm with minor mineralization within
the Eocene Challis Volcanics. The Musgrove Mine – Johny’s Point mineral trend is within and adjacent to the Musgrove Fault,
a northwest-trending fault that brings the Challis Volcanics into contact with the Precambrian rocks. This is a major structural zone
that forms the northern edge of the Panther Creek Graben.
Gold
mineralization occurs within epithermal quartz veins, quartz vein stockworks, and silicified breccia. The mineralization displays the
characteristics of a low sulfidation epithermal gold system. The Musgrove Mine – Johny’s Point mineral trend has been defined
by a broad soil and rock chip gold and arsenic anomaly that extends a distance 3000 feet and is up to 800 feet wide. Approximately 600
feet of this zone has been drilled with the remainder tested by wide spaced drilling.
20
Infrastructure
and Facilities
The
Challis Gold project does not currently include any significant facilities. The Challis property is located in the Salmon-Challis National
Forest and served by paved and unpaved roads. There are historic workings in the area and there has been recent mining activity in the
area. The site is somewhat remote from grid power and power lines would have to be extended into the area, or onsite power generation
used to support an eventual operation. There is water in the area from both surface and sub-surface sources. The Bear Track operation,
now closed but under renewed exploration, is some 16 miles as the crow flies to the northeast of the property. Historic mining was conducted;
however, the facilities have been abandoned decades ago and the nearest habited area is a forest ranger station near Forney some 5-miles
from site.
Competition
We
do not compete directly with anyone for the exploration or removal of minerals from our property as we hold all interest and rights to
the claims. Readily available commodities markets exist in the U.S. and around the world for the sale of minerals. Therefore, we will
likely be able to sell minerals that we are able to recover. We will be subject to competition and unforeseen limited sources of supplies
in the industry in the event spot shortages arise for supplies such as explosives or large equipment tires, and certain equipment such
as bulldozers and excavators and services, such as contract drilling that we will need to conduct exploration. If we are unsuccessful
in securing the products, equipment and services we need, we may have to suspend our exploration plans until we are able to secure them.
Compliance
with Government Regulation
We
will be required to comply with all regulations, rules and directives of governmental authorities and agencies applicable to the exploration
of minerals in the United States generally. We will also be subject to the regulations of the BLM and the US Forest Service (“Forest
Service”) with respect to mining claims on federal lands.
Future
exploration drilling on any of our properties that consist of BLM or Forest Service land will require us to either file a Notice of Intent
(NOI) or a Plan of Operations, depending upon the amount of new surface disturbance that is planned. A Notice of Intent is required for
planned surface activities that anticipate less than 5.0 acres of surface disturbance, and usually can be obtained within a 30 to 60-day
time period.
Environmental
Permitting Requirements
Various
levels of governmental controls and regulations address, among other things, the environmental impact of mineral mining and exploration
operations and establish requirements for reclamation of mineral mining and exploration properties after exploration operations have
ceased. With respect to the regulation of mineral mining and exploration, legislation and regulations in various jurisdictions establish
performance standards, air and water quality emission limits and other design or operational requirements for various aspects of the
operations, including health and safety standards. Legislation and regulations also establish requirements for reclamation and rehabilitation
of mining properties following the cessation of operations and may require that some former mining properties be managed for long periods
of time after mining activities have ceased.
Our
activities are subject to various levels of federal and state laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment, including
requirements for closure and reclamation of mineral exploration properties. Some of the laws and regulations include the Clean Air Act,
the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy
Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and related state laws in Nevada. Additionally, much of our property is subject to the
federal General Mining Law of 1872, which regulates how mining claims on federal lands are located and maintained.
21
The
State of Nevada, where we focus mineral exploration efforts, requires mining projects to obtain a Nevada State Reclamation Permit pursuant
to the Mined Land Reclamation Act (the “Nevada MLR Act”), which establishes reclamation and financial assurance requirements
for all mining operations in the state. New and expanding facilities are required to provide a reclamation plan and financial assurance
to ensure that the reclamation plan is implemented upon completion of operations. The Nevada MLR Act also requires reclamation plans
and permits for exploration projects that will result in more than five acres of surface disturbance on private lands.
The
State of Wyoming, where we focus mineral exploration and development efforts at the CK Gold Project, requires exploration and mining
projects to obtain permits from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), and various other state agencies. New and expanding
facilities are required to provide a reclamation plan and financial assurance to ensure that the reclamation plan is implemented upon
completion of operations. WDEQ in granting permits requires that reclamation plans and permits are in place and that bonds have been
secured covering the cost of remediation of disturbances on both state and private land.
Executive
Officers of U.S. Gold Corp.
Name
Age
Principal
Occupation
Officer/
Director Since
Eric
Alexander
57
Chief
Financial Officer - Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
2020
of
U.S. Gold Corp.
George
M. Bee
66
Chief
Executive Officer, President and Director of U.S. Gold Corp.
2020
Kevin
Francis
64
Vice
President – Exploration and Technical Services
2021
Eric
Alexander is our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and has been with us since September 2020. He has over 30 years of corporate,
operational and business experience, and over 15 years of mining industry experience. Previously he served as Corporate Controller of
Helix Technologies, Inc., a publicly traded software and technology company from April 2019 to September 2020. Prior to that, he served
as the Vice President Finance and Controller of Pershing Gold Corporation, a mining company (formerly NASDAQ: PGLC), from September 2012
until April 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Alexander was the Corporate Controller for Sunshine Silver Mines Corporation, a privately held mining
company with exploration and pre-development properties in Idaho and Mexico, from March 2011 to August 2012. He was a consultant to Hein
& Associates LLP from August 2012 to September 2012 and a Manager with Hein & Associates LLP from July 2010 to March 2011. He
served from July 2007 to May 2010 as the Corporate Controller for Golden Minerals Company (and its predecessor, Apex Silver Mines Limited),
a publicly traded mining company with operations and exploration activities in South America and Mexico. In addition to his direct experience
in the mining industry, he has also held the position of Senior Manager with the public accounting firm KPMG LLP, focusing on mining
and energy clients. Mr. Alexander has a B.S. in Business Administration (concentrations in Accounting and Finance) from the State University
of New York at Buffalo and is also a licensed CPA.
George
M. Bee has been serving as a member of our Board since November 2020 and our Executive Chairman from March 2021 to May 2022. He was
appointed as our President in August 2020 and become Chief Executive Officer in November 2020. Mr. Bee is a senior mining industry executive,
with deep mine development and operational experience. He has an extensive career advancing world-class gold mining projects in eight
countries on three continents for both major and junior mining companies. In 2018, Mr. Bee concluded a third term with Barrick Gold Corporation
(“Barrick Gold”) (NYSE: GOLD) as Senior VP Frontera District in Chile and Argentina working to advance Pascua Lama feasibility
as an underground mine. This capped a 16-year tenure at Barrick Gold, where he served in multiple senior-level positions, including Mine
Manager at Goldstrike during early development and operations, Operations Manager at Pierina Mine taking Pierina from construction to
operations, and General Manager of Veladero developing the project from advanced exploration through permitting, feasibility and into
production. Previously, Mr. Bee held positions as CEO and Director of Jaguar Mining Inc. between March 2014 and December 2015, President
and CEO of Andina Minerals Inc. from February 2009 until January 2013 and Chief Operating Officer for Aurelian Resources, Inc. from 2007
to 2009. As Chief Operating Officer of Aurelian Resources in 2007, he was in charge of project development for Fruta del Norte in Ecuador
until Aurelian was acquired by Kinross Gold in 2008. Mr. Bee has served on the board of directors of Stillwater Mining Company, Sandspring
Resources Ltd., Jaguar Mining, Peregrine Metals Ltd. and Minera IRL. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Camborne School
of Mines in Cornwall, United Kingdom. He also holds ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
22
Kevin
Francis is our Vice President - Exploration and Technical Services and has been with us since July 2021. Mr. Francis has held many
senior roles within the mining industry, including VP of Project Development for Aurcana Corporation, VP of Technical Services for Oracle
Mining Corporation, VP of Resources for NovaGold Resources and Principal Geologist for AMEC Mining and Metals. Most recently, he consulted
to U.S. Gold Corp. as Principal of Mineral Resource Management LLC, a consultancy providing technical leadership to the mining industry,
as well as through his association with Gustavson Associates LLC (a member of WSP Global Inc.) since September 2020. Mr. Francis is a
“qualified person” as defined by SEC S-K 1300 and Canadian NI 43-101 reporting standards and holds both an M.S. degree and
a B.A. in geology from the University of Colorado.
Item
1A. RISK FACTORS
RISKS
RELATED TO OUR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
If
we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately
or prevent fraud. Any inability to report and file our financial results accurately and timely could harm our reputation and adversely
impact the trading price of our common stock and our ability to file registration statements pursuant to registration rights agreements
and other commitments.
Effective
internal control is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial
reports or prevent fraud, we may not be able to manage our business as effectively as we would if an effective control environment existed,
and our business and reputation with investors may be harmed. As a result of our small size, any current internal control deficiencies
may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operation and access to capital. As of April 30, 2024, management has concluded
that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective.
There
is substantial doubt about whether we can continue as a going concern.
To
date, we have earned no revenues and have incurred accumulated net losses of $72.8 million. We have limited financial resources. As of
April 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $5.6 million and working capital of $6.1 million. Therefore, our continuation as
a going concern is dependent upon our achieving a future financing or strategic transaction. However, there is no assurance that we will
be successful pursuing a financing or strategic transaction. Accordingly, there is substantial doubt as to whether our existing cash
resources and working capital are sufficient to enable us to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Ultimately,
in the event that we cannot obtain additional financial resources, or achieve profitable operations, we may have to liquidate our business
interests and investors may lose their investment. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that
our company will continue as a going concern. Continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financial resources
or generate profitable operations. Such additional financial resources may not be available or may not be available on reasonable terms.
Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Such adjustments
could be material.
We
have a limited operating history on which to base an evaluation of our business and prospects.
Since
our inception, we have had no revenue from operations. We have no history of producing metals from any of our exploration properties.
Our properties are exploration stage properties. Advancing properties from the exploration stage requires significant capital and time,
and successful commercial production from a property, if any, will be subject to completing feasibility studies, permitting and construction
of the potential mine, processing plants, roads, and other related works and infrastructure. As a result, we are subject to all of the
risks associated with developing and establishing new mining operations and business enterprises including:
●
completion
of feasibility studies to verify potential mineral reserves and commercial viability, including the ability to find sufficient mineral
reserves to support a commercial mining operation;
●
the
timing and cost, which can be considerable, of further exploration, preparing feasibility studies, permitting and construction of
infrastructure, mining and processing facilities;
23
●
the
availability and costs of drill equipment, exploration personnel, skilled labor and mining and processing equipment, if required;
●
the
availability and cost of appropriate smelting and/or refining arrangements, if required;
●
compliance
with environmental and other governmental approval and permit requirements;
●
the
availability of funds to finance exploration activities, as warranted;
●
potential
opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, local groups or local inhabitants which may delay or prevent
exploration activities;
●
potential
increases in exploration, construction and operating costs due to changes in the cost of fuel, power, materials and supplies;
●
inability
to secure fair and reasonable terms associated with mineral leases; and
●
potential
shortages of mineral processing, construction and other facilities-related supplies.
The
costs, timing and complexities of exploration activities may be increased by the location of our properties and demand by other mineral
exploration and mining companies. It is common in exploration programs to experience unexpected problems and delays during drill programs
and, if ever commenced, development, construction and mine start-up. Accordingly, our activities may not ever result in profitable mining
operations, and we may not succeed in establishing mining operations or profitably producing metals at any of our properties.
We
will require significant additional capital to fund our business plan.
We
will be required to expend significant funds to continue exploration and if warranted, develop our existing exploration properties and
to identify and acquire additional properties to diversify our properties portfolio. We have spent and will be required to continue to
expend significant amounts of capital for drilling, geological and geochemical analysis, assaying and feasibility studies with regard
to the results of our exploration. We may not benefit from some of these investments if we are unable to identify any commercially exploitable
mineralized material.
Our
ability to obtain necessary funding for these purposes, in turn, depends upon a number of factors, including the status of the national
and worldwide economy and the price of gold and copper. We may not be successful in obtaining the required financing or, if we can obtain
such financing, such financing may not be on terms that are favorable to us. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result
in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration operations, development activities and the possible partial or total loss
of our potential interest in our properties.
Our actual results could differ from the estimates
and assumptions we make to prepare our financial statements, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results
of operations.
In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, including
the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, our management is required under GAAP to make estimates and assumptions
based on historical experience and other factors. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions based on historical
experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the
basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Although we believe these estimates and assumptions
are reasonable under the circumstances, they are subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. If management’s
estimates and assumptions change or are not correct, our financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
RISKS
RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We
do not know if our properties contain any gold or other minerals that can be mined at a profit.
Although
the properties on which we have the right to explore for gold are known to have historic deposits of gold, there can be no assurance
such deposits can be mined at a profit. Whether a gold deposit can be mined at a profit depends upon many factors. Some but not all of
these factors include: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; operating costs
and capital expenditures required to start mining a deposit; the availability and cost of financing; the price of gold, which is highly
volatile and cyclical; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land use, importing and
exporting of minerals and environmental protection.
Most
of our projects are in the exploration stage.
Although
we have established an estimate of mineral reserves on the CK Gold Project, there are no current estimates of mineral resources or mineral
reserves at the Keystone Property or Challis Gold Project. There is no assurance that we can establish the existence of any mineral reserves
on those projects in commercially exploitable quantities. If we do not establish the existence of mineral reserves or mineral resources
on those projects, we may lose all of the funds that we expend on exploration.
The
commercial viability of an established mineral deposit will depend on a number of factors including, by way of example, the size, grade
and other attributes of the mineral deposit, the proximity of the mineral deposit to infrastructure such as a smelter, roads and a point
for shipping, government regulation and market prices. Most of these factors will be beyond our control, and any of them could increase
costs and make extraction of any identified mineral deposit unprofitable.
24
We
have no history of producing metals from our current mineral properties and there can be no assurance that we will successfully establish
mining operations or profitably produce precious metals.
We
have no history of producing metals from our properties. We do not produce gold and do not currently generate operating earnings. While
we seek to advance our projects and properties through exploration, such efforts will be subject to all of the risks associated with
establishing new future potential mining operations and business enterprises, including:
●
the
timing and cost, which are considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities;
●
the
availability and costs of skilled labor and mining equipment;
●
compliance
with environmental and other governmental approval and permit requirements;
●
the
availability of funds to finance exploration activities;
●
potential
opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, local groups or local inhabitants that may delay or prevent
exploration activities; and
●
potential
increases in construction and operating costs due to changes in the cost of labor, fuel, power, materials and supplies.
It
is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems and delays. In addition, our management will need to be expanded.
This could result in delays in the commencement of potential mineral production and increased costs of production. Accordingly, we cannot
assure you that our activities will result in any profitable mining operations or that we will ever successfully establish mining operations.
We
may not be able to obtain all required permits and licenses to place any of our properties into future potential production.
Our
current and future operations, including additional exploration activities, require permits from governmental authorities and such operations
are and will be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, exploration, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste
disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. Companies engaged in mineral property
exploration generally experience increased costs, and delays in exploration and other schedules as a result of the need to comply with
applicable laws, regulations and permits. We cannot predict if all permits which we may require for continued exploration and development
activities, will be obtainable on reasonable terms, if at all. Costs related to applying for and obtaining permits and licenses may be
prohibitive and could delay our planned exploration activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements
may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing exploration operations to cease
or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial
actions.
Parties
engaged in exploration operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the exploration activities
and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. Amendments to current laws,
regulations and permits governing operations and activities of exploration companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could
have a material adverse impact on our operations and cause increases in capital expenditures or production costs or reduction in levels
of exploration activities at our properties or require abandonment or delays in future activities.
We
are subject to significant governmental regulations, which affect our operations and costs of conducting our business.
Our
current and future operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations, including:
●
laws
and regulations governing mineral concession acquisition, prospecting, exploration and development and operation;
●
laws
and regulations related to exports, taxes and fees;
●
labor
standards and regulations related to occupational health and mine safety; and
●
environmental
standards and regulations related to waste disposal, toxic substances, land use and environmental protection.
25
Companies
engaged in exploration activities often experience increased costs and delays in exploration and other schedules as a result of the need
to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits may result in
enforcement actions, including the forfeiture of mineral claims or other mineral tenures, orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities
requiring operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional
equipment or costly remedial actions. We may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of our mineral exploration
activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of such laws, regulations and permits. Existing and
possible future laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of exploration companies, or more stringent implementation,
could have a material adverse impact on our business and cause increases in capital expenditures or require abandonment or delays in
exploration.
Our
business is subject to extensive environmental regulations that may make exploring, or related activities prohibitively expensive, and
which may change at any time.
All
of our operations are subject to extensive environmental regulations that can substantially delay exploration and make exploration expensive
or prohibit it altogether. We may be subject to potential liabilities associated with the pollution of the environment and the disposal
of waste products that may occur as the result of exploring and other related activities on our properties. We may have to pay to remedy
environmental pollution, which may reduce the amount of money that we have available to use for exploration, or other activities, and
adversely affect our financial position. If we are unable to fully remedy an environmental problem, we might be required to suspend exploration
operations or to enter into interim compliance measures pending the completion of the required remedy. We have not purchased insurance
for potential environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards associated with the disposal of waste
products from our exploration activities) and such insurance may not be available to us on reasonable terms or at a reasonable price.
All of our exploration will be subject to regulation under one or more local, state and federal environmental impact analyses and public
review processes. It is possible that future changes in applicable laws, regulations and permits or changes in their enforcement or regulatory
interpretation could have significant impact on some portion of our business, which may require our business to be economically re-evaluated
from time to time. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk that regulatory authorities may increase bonding requirements
beyond our financial capability. Inasmuch as posting of bonding in accordance with regulatory determinations is a condition to the right
to operate under specific federal and state exploration operating permits, increases in bonding requirements could prevent operations
even if we are in full compliance with all substantive environmental laws.
Regulations
and pending legislation governing issues involving climate change could result in increased operating costs, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
A
number of governments or governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes in response to the potential impact
of climate change. Legislation and increased regulation regarding climate change could impose significant costs on us, our venture partners
and our suppliers, including costs related to increased energy requirements, capital equipment, environmental monitoring and reporting
and other costs to comply with such regulations. Any adopted future climate change regulations could also negatively impact our ability
to compete with companies situated in areas not subject to such limitations. Given the emotion, political significance and uncertainty
around the impact of climate change and how it should be dealt with, we cannot predict how legislation and regulation will affect our
financial condition, operating performance and ability to compete. Furthermore, even without such regulation, increased awareness and
any adverse publicity in the global marketplace about potential impacts on climate change by us or other companies in our industry could
harm our reputation. The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain and would be particular
to the geographic circumstances in areas in which we operate. These may include changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities,
water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures. These impacts may adversely impact the cost, production and financial
performance of our operations.
26
The
values of our properties are subject to volatility in the price of gold and any other deposits we may seek or locate.
Our
ability to obtain additional and continuing funding, and our profitability in the event we commence future mining operations or sell
the rights to mine, will be significantly affected by changes in the market price of gold. Gold prices fluctuate widely and are affected
by numerous factors, all of which are beyond our control. Some of these factors include the sale or purchase of gold by central banks
and financial institutions; interest rates; currency exchange rates; inflation or deflation; fluctuation in the value of the United States
dollar and other currencies; speculation; global and regional supply and demand, including investment, industrial and jewelry demand;
and the political and economic conditions of major gold or other mineral producing countries throughout the world, such as Russia and
South Africa. The price of gold or other minerals have fluctuated widely in recent years, and a decline in the price of gold could cause
a significant decrease in the value of our properties, limit our ability to raise money, and render continued exploration activities
of our properties impracticable. If that happens, then we could lose our rights to our properties and be compelled to sell some or all
of these rights. Additionally, the future progression of our properties beyond the exploration stage is heavily dependent upon the level
of gold prices remaining sufficiently high to make the continuation of our properties economically viable. A decrease in the price of
gold may adversely affect our financial condition and access to capital and result in a decrease
in our stock price . The greater the decrease in the price of gold, the more likely it is that our stock price will decrease.
Our
property titles may be challenged, and we are not insured against any challenges, impairments or defects to our mineral claims or property
titles.
We
cannot guarantee that title to our properties will not be challenged. Title insurance is not available for our mineral properties, and
our ability to ensure that we have obtained secure rights to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be severely constrained.
Our unpatented Keystone claims were created and maintained in accordance with the federal General Mining Law of 1872. Unpatented claims
are unique U.S. property interests and are generally considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property interests
because the validity of unpatented claims is often uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state
laws and regulations under the General Mining Law. We have obtained a title report on our Keystone claims but cannot be certain that
all defects or conflicts with our title to those claims have been identified. Further, we have not obtained title insurance regarding
our purchase and ownership of the Keystone claims. Defending any challenges to our property titles may be costly and may divert funds
that could otherwise be used for exploration activities and other purposes. We cannot provide any assurances that there are no title
defects affecting our properties. In addition, unpatented claims are always subject to possible challenges by third parties or contests
by the federal government, which, if successful, may prevent us from exploiting our discovery of commercially extractable gold. Challenges
to our title may increase its costs of operation or limit our ability to explore on certain portions of our properties. We are not insured
against challenges, impairments or defects to our property titles, nor do we intend to carry extensive title insurance in the future.
Market
forces or unforeseen developments may prevent us from obtaining the supplies and equipment necessary to explore for gold and other minerals.
Gold
exploration, and mineral exploration in general, is a very competitive business. Competitive demands for contractors and unforeseen shortages
of supplies and/or equipment could result in the disruption of our planned exploration activities. Current demand for exploration drilling
services, equipment and supplies is robust and could result in suitable equipment and skilled manpower being unavailable at scheduled
times for our exploration program. The recent inflationary environment has also resulted in a significant increase in costs, including
fuel. If we cannot find the equipment and supplies needed for our various exploration programs, we may have to suspend some or all of
them until equipment, supplies, funds and/or skilled manpower become available. Any such disruption in our activities may adversely affect
our exploration activities and financial condition.
Joint
ventures and other partnerships may expose us to risks.
We
may enter into future joint ventures or partnership arrangements with other parties in relation to the exploration, of a certain portion
of the CK Gold, Keystone and Challis Gold Properties in which we have an interest. Joint ventures can often require unanimous approval
of the parties to the joint venture or their representatives for certain fundamental decisions such as an increase or reduction of registered
capital, merger, division, dissolution, amendments of consenting documents, and the pledge of joint venture assets, which means that
each joint venture party may have a veto right with respect to such decisions which could lead to a deadlock in the operations of the
joint venture. Further, we may be unable to exert control over strategic decisions made in respect of such properties. Any failure of
such other companies to meet their obligations to us or to third parties, or any disputes with respect to the parties’ respective
rights and obligations, could have a material adverse effect on the joint ventures or their properties and therefore could have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations, financial performance, cash flows and the price of the Common Shares.
27
We
may pursue acquisitions, divestitures, business combinations or other transactions with other companies, involving our properties or
new properties, which could harm our operating results, may disrupt our business and could result in unanticipated accounting charges.
Acquisitions
of other companies or new properties, divestitures, business combinations or other transactions with other companies may create
additional, material risks for our business that could cause our results to differ materially and adversely from our expected or
projected results. Such risk factors include the effects of possible disruption to the exploration activities and mine planning,
loss of value associated with our properties, mismanagement of project development, additional risk and liability, indemnification
obligations, sales of assets at unfavorable prices, failure to sell non-core assets at all, poor execution of the plans for such
transactions, permit requirements, debt incurred or capital stock issued to enter into such transactions, the impact of any such
transactions on our financial results, negative stakeholder reaction to any such transaction and our ability to successfully
integrate an acquired company’s operations with our operations. If the purchase price of any acquired businesses exceeds the
current fair values of the net tangible assets of such acquired businesses, we would be required to record material amounts of
goodwill or other intangible assets, which could result in significant impairment and amortization expense in future periods. These
charges, in addition to the results of operations of such acquired businesses and potential restructuring costs associated with an
acquisition, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot forecast
the number, timing or size of future transactions, or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating or financial
results. Any potential future transactions will be viewed on their merits by management and ultimately our Board at the time
definitive proposals are received by the Company and viewed relative to the current circumstances of the Company and
its business. Furthermore, potential transactions, whether or not consummated, will divert our management’s attention and
may require considerable cash outlays at the expense of our existing operations. In addition, to complete future transactions, we
may issue equity securities, incur debt, assume contingent liabilities or have amortization expenses and write-downs of acquired
assets, which could adversely affect our profitability.
We
may experience difficulty attracting and retaining qualified management to meet the needs of our anticipated growth, and the failure
to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. In addition, we are dependent
upon our employees being able to safely perform their jobs, including the potential for physical injuries or illness.
We
are dependent on a relatively small number of key employees, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial
Officer and our Vice President – Exploration and Technical Services. The loss of any officer could have an adverse effect on us.
We have no life insurance on any individual, and we may be unable to hire a suitable replacement for them on favorable terms, should
that become necessary.
Our
success is also dependent on the contributions of highly skilled and experienced consultants and contractors. Our ability to achieve
our operating goals depends upon our ability to retain such consultants and contractors in order to execute on our strategy. There continues
to be competition over highly skilled consultants and contractors in our industry. If we lose key consultants, contractors, or one or
more members of our senior management team, and we fail to develop adequate succession plans, our business, financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows could be harmed.
Our
business is dependent upon our consultants and contractors being able to safely perform their jobs, including the potential for physical
injuries or illness. If we experience periods where our consultants and contractors are unable to perform their jobs for any reason,
including as a result of illness, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
28
We
may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.
Our
future income taxes could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions that have lower statutory tax
rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions that have higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax
assets or liabilities, or changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items. We are subject
to review or audit by tax authorities. As a result, we may in the future receive assessments in multiple jurisdictions on various tax-related
assertions. Any adverse outcome of such a review or audit could have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition.
In addition, the determination of our provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment, and there could
be situations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome
may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods
for which such determination is made.
Our
activities may be adversely affected by unforeseeable and unquantifiable health risks, whether those effects are local, nationwide or
global. Matters outside our control may prevent us from executing on our exploration programs, limit travel of Company representatives,
adversely affect the health and welfare of Company personnel or prevent important vendors and contractors from performing normal and
contracted activities.
The
risks we face related to contagious disease, or policies implemented by governments to protect against the spread of a disease, are unforeseeable
and unquantifiable by us. We, or our people, investors, contractors or stakeholders, may be prevented from free cross-border travel or
normal attendance to activities in conducting Company business at trade shows, presentations, meetings or other activities meant to promote
or execute our business strategy and transactions. We may be prevented from receiving goods or services from contractors. Decisions beyond
our control, such as canceled events, restricted travel, barriers to entry or other factors may affect our ability to accomplish drilling
programs, technical analysis of completed exploration actions, equity raising activities, and other needs that would normally be accomplished
without such limitations.
We
use a variety of outsourced contractors to execute our exploration programs. Drilling contractors need to be able to access our projects
and ensure social distancing recommended safety standards While our contractors are currently able to access our projects, there can
be no assurances that this access will continue if subsequent waves of the infection or variant strains appear.
As
an exploration and development company with no revenues, we are reliant on constantly raising additional capital to fund our operations.
A continuation or worsening of the levels of market disruption and volatility seen in the recent past could have an adverse effect on
our ability to access capital, on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and on the market price of our common
stock. There are no assurances we will be able to raise additional capital on favorable terms in the foreseeable future.
We
are dependent on information technology systems, which are subject to certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage risks.
We
are dependent upon information technology systems in the conduct of our business. Any significant breakdown, invasion, virus, cyberattack,
security breach, destruction or interruption of these systems by employees, others with authorized access to our systems, or unauthorized
persons could negatively impact our business. To the extent any invasion, cyberattack or security breach results in disruption to our
business, loss or disclosure of, or damage to, our data or confidential information, our reputation, business, results of operations
and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Our systems and insurance coverage for protecting against cyber security
risks may not be sufficient. Although to date we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyberattacks, we may suffer such
losses in the future. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures.
We also may be subject to significant litigation, regulatory investigation and remediation costs associated with any information security
vulnerabilities, cyberattacks or security breaches.
The
Company could also be adversely affected by system or network disruptions if new or upgraded information technology systems are defective,
not installed properly or not properly integrated into operations. Various measures have been implemented to manage the risks related
to the system implementation and modification, but system modification failures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, financial position, and results of operations.
29
RISKS
RELATED TO THE MINERAL EXPLORATION INDUSTRY
Exploring
for gold is an inherently speculative business .
Natural
resource exploration and exploring for gold in particular is a business that by its nature is very speculative. There is a strong possibility
that we will not discover gold or any other resources which can be mined or extracted at a profit. Although we have established the existence
of mineral reserves at the CK Gold Project, we may be unsuccessful in bringing it into production on a profitable basis. Few properties
that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Unusual or unexpected geological formations, geological formation pressures,
fires, power outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate
machinery, equipment or labor are just some of the many risks involved in mineral exploration programs and the subsequent expansion of
potential gold deposits.
Estimates
of mineral reserves and mineral resources are subject to evaluation uncertainties that could result in project failure.
Our
exploration and future potential mining operations, if any, are and would be faced with risks associated with being able to accurately
predict the quantity and quality of mineral resources or mineral reserves within the earth using statistical sampling techniques. Estimates
of mineral resources or mineral reserves on our properties are made using samples obtained from appropriately placed trenches, test pits
and underground workings and intelligently designed drilling. There is an inherent variability of assays between check and duplicate
samples taken adjacent to each other and between sampling points that cannot be reasonably eliminated. Additionally, there also may be
unknown geologic details that have not been identified or correctly appreciated at the current level of accumulated knowledge about our
properties. This could result in uncertainties that cannot be reasonably eliminated from the process of estimating potential mineral
resources/reserves. If these estimates were to prove to be unreliable, we could implement an exploitation plan that may not lead to any
commercially viable operations in the future.
We
may be denied the government licenses and permits which we need to explore or mine on our properties.
Exploration
activities usually require the granting of permits from various governmental agencies. For example, exploration drilling on unpatented
mineral claims requires a permit to be obtained from the United States BLM, which may take several months or longer to grant the requested
permit. Depending on the size, location and scope of the exploration program, additional permits may also be required before exploration
activities can be undertaken. Prehistoric or Native American graveyards, threatened or endangered species, archeological sites or the
possibility thereof, difficult access, excessive dust and important nearby water resources may all result in the need for additional
permits before exploration activities can commence. As with all permitting processes, there is the risk that unexpected delays and excessive
costs may be experienced in obtaining required permits. The needed permits may not be granted at all. Delays in or our inability to obtain
necessary permits will result in unanticipated costs, which may result in serious adverse effects upon our business.
Possible
amendments to the General Mining Law and other regulations could make it more difficult or impossible for us to execute our business
plan.
In
recent years, the U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to the General Mining Law, as well as legislation that
would make comprehensive changes to the law. Although no such comprehensive legislation has been adopted to date, there can be no assurance
that such legislation will not be adopted in the future. If adopted, such legislation, if it includes concepts that have been part of
previous legislative proposals, could, among other things, (i) limit on the number of millsites that a claimant may use, (ii) impose
time limits on the effectiveness of plans of operation that may not coincide with mine life, (iii) impose more stringent environmental
compliance and reclamation requirements on activities on unpatented mining claims and millsites, (iv) establish a mechanism that would
allow states, localities and Native American tribes to petition for the withdrawal of identified tracts of federal land from the operation
of the General Mining Law, (v) allow for administrative determinations that mining would not be allowed in situations where undue degradation
of the federal lands in question could not be prevented, (vi) impose royalties on gold and other mineral production from unpatented mining
claims or impose fees on production from patented mining claims, and (vii) impose a fee on the amount of material displaced at a mine.
Further, such legislation, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on earnings from our exploration operations, could reduce future
estimates of any reserves we may establish and could curtail our future exploration activity on our unpatented claims.
30
Our
ability to conduct exploration, and related activities may also be impacted by administrative actions taken by federal agencies.
We
may not be able to maintain the infrastructure necessary to conduct exploration and development activities.
Our
exploration and development activities depend upon adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are
important factors which affect capital and operating costs. Climate change or unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government
or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect our exploration activities and financial
condition.
We
compete against larger and more experienced companies.
The
mining industry is intensely competitive. Many large mining companies are primarily producers of precious or base metals and may become
interested in the types of deposits and exploration projects on which we are focused, which include gold, silver and other precious metals
deposits or polymetallic deposits containing significant quantities of base metals, including copper. Many of these companies have greater
financial resources, experience and technical capabilities than we do. We may encounter increasing competition from other mining companies
in our efforts to acquire mineral properties and hire experienced mining professionals. Increased competition in our business could adversely
affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable mining properties or prospects for mineral exploration in
the future.
We
rely on contractors to conduct a significant portion of our exploration operations.
A
significant portion of our exploration operations are currently conducted in whole or in part by contractors. As a result, our exploration
operations are subject to a number of risks, some of which are outside our control, including:
●
negotiating
agreements with contractors on acceptable terms;
●
the
inability to replace a contractor and its operating equipment in the event that either party terminates the agreement;
●
reduced
control over those aspects of operations which are the responsibility of the contractor;
●
failure
of a contractor to perform under its agreement;
●
interruption
of exploration operations or increased costs in the event that a contractor ceases its business due to insolvency or other unforeseen
events;
●
failure
of a contractor to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, to the extent it is responsible for such compliance;
and
●
problems
of a contractor with managing its workforce, labor unrest or other employment issues.
In
addition, we may incur liability to third parties as a result of the actions of our contractors. The occurrence of one or more of these
risks could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.
Our
exploration activities may be adversely affected by the local climate or seismic events, which could prevent us from gaining access to
our property year-round.
Earthquakes,
heavy rains, snowstorms, wildfires and floods could result in serious damage to or the destruction of facilities, equipment or means
of access to our property, or may otherwise prevent us from conducting exploration activities on our property. There may be short periods
of time when the unpaved portion of the access road is impassible in the event of extreme weather conditions or unusually muddy conditions.
During these periods, it may be difficult or impossible for us to access our property, make repairs, or otherwise conduct exploration
activities on them.
31
We
may be unable to secure surface access or to purchase required surface rights.
Although
we acquire the rights to some or all of the minerals in the ground subject to the mineral tenures that it acquires, or has a right to
acquire, in most cases it does not thereby acquire any rights to, or ownership of, the surface to the areas covered by such mineral tenures.
In such cases, applicable mining laws usually provide for rights of access to the surface for the purpose of carrying on exploration
activities, however, the enforcement of such rights through the courts can be costly and time consuming. It is necessary to negotiate
surface access or to purchase the surface rights if long-term access is required. There can be no guarantee that, despite having the
right at law to access the surface and carry on exploration activities, we will be able to negotiate satisfactory agreements with any
such existing landowners/occupiers for such access or purchase of such surface rights, and therefore we may be unable to carry out planned
exploration activities. In addition, in circumstances where such access is denied, or no agreement can be reached, we may need to rely
on the assistance of local officials or the courts in such jurisdiction the outcomes of which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
Our inability to secure surface access or purchase required surface rights could materially and adversely affect our timing, cost or
overall ability to develop any potential mineral deposits we may locate.
RISKS
RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
Our
stock price may be volatile.
The
market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors,
many of which are beyond our control, including the following:
●
results
of our operations and exploration efforts;
●
fluctuation
in the supply of, demand and market price for gold and copper;
●
our
ability to obtain working capital financing;
●
additions
or departures of key personnel;
●
limited
“public float” in the hands of a small number of persons whose sales or lack of sales could result in positive or negative
pricing pressure on the market price for our common stock;
●
our
ability to execute our business plan;
●
sales
of our common stock and decline in demand for our common stock;
●
regulatory
developments;
●
economic
and other external factors;
●
investor
perception of our industry or our prospects; and
●
period-to-period
fluctuations in our financial results.
In
addition, the securities markets have from time-to-time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the
operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of
our common stock. As a result, you may be unable to resell your shares of our common stock at a desired price.
Volatility
in the price of our common stock may subject us to securities litigation.
As
discussed above, the market for our common stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers,
and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs
have initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities.
We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and
could divert management’s attention and resources.
There
is currently a limited trading market for our common stock and we cannot ensure that one will ever develop or be sustained.
Although
our common stock is currently quoted on NASDAQ, there is limited trading activity. We can give no assurance that an active market will
develop, or if developed, that it will be sustained. If an investor acquires shares of our common stock, the investor may not be able
to liquidate our shares should there be a need or desire to do so. There can be no assurance that there will be an active market for
our shares of common stock either now or in the future. The market liquidity of our common stock is limited and may be dependent on the
market perception of our business, among other things. We may, in the future, take certain steps, including utilizing investor awareness
campaigns, press releases, road shows and conferences to increase awareness of our business and any steps that we might take to bring
us to the awareness of investors may require we compensate consultants with cash and/or stock. There can be no assurance that there will
be any awareness generated or the results of any efforts will result in any impact on our trading volume. Consequently, investors may
not be able to liquidate their investment or liquidate it at a price that reflects the value of the business and trading may be at an
inflated price relative to our performance due to, among other things, availability of sellers of our shares. If a market should develop,
the price may be highly volatile. Because there may be a low price for our shares of common stock, many brokerage firms or clearing firms
may not be willing to effect transactions in the securities or accept our shares for deposit in an account. Even if an investor finds
a broker willing to effect a transaction in the shares of our common stock, the combination of brokerage commissions, transfer fees,
taxes, if any, and any other selling costs may exceed the selling price. Further, many lending institutions will not permit the use of
low-priced shares of common stock as collateral for any loans.
32
Sales,
offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Sales
of substantial amounts of the common stock, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market
prices for the common stock. A decline in the market prices of the common stock could impair our ability to raise additional capital
through the sale of securities should we desire to do so. In addition, if our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock
in the public market or upon the expiration of any statutory holding period, under Rule 144, or upon the exercise of outstanding options
or warrants, it could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang” in anticipation of which the market price
of our common stock could decline. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make
it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time
and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.
Our
issuance of additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock in exchange for services would dilute the proportionate
ownership and voting rights of existing stockholders and could have a negative impact on the market price of our common stock.
Our
Board may generally issue shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock without further approval by our stockholders,
based upon such factors that our Board may deem relevant at that time. We have also issued securities as payment for services. It is
possible that we will issue additional securities to pay for services in the future. We cannot give you any assurance that we will not
issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock under circumstances we may deem appropriate at the
time.
Our
articles of incorporation allow for our Board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which
could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our
Board has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Board also has the authority to
issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval. As a result, our Board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred
stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends
are distributed to the holders of our common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the
redemption of our common stock. In addition, our Board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting
power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common
stock or result in dilution to our existing stockholders.
Anti-takeover
provisions may impede the acquisition of our Company.
Certain
provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination.
These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our
Board in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of us, including
an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire
to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.
33
The
Company does not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We
anticipate that we will retain any future earnings to support operations and to finance the development of our business and do not expect
to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, the success of an investment in our common stock will depend entirely upon
any future appreciation in its value. There is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price
at which stockholders have purchased their shares.
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price
and trading volume could decline.
The
trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about
us or our business. We have relatively little research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no additional industry analysts
commence coverage of the Company, the trading price for our common stock could be negatively impacted. If one or more of the analysts
who cover us downgrades our common stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely
decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock
could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
We
may not meet the continued listing requirements of the NASDAQ, which could result in a delisting of our common stock.
Our
common stock is listed on the NASDAQ. We have in the past, and may in the future, be unable to comply with certain of the listing standards
that we are required to meet to maintain the listing of our common shares on the NASDAQ. For instance, on November 7, 2019, we received
a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the NASDAQ Stock Market indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of our
common stock for the 30 consecutive business day period between September 26, 2019, through November 6, 2019, we did not meet the minimum
bid price of $1.00 per share required for continued listing on the NASDAQ pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). On April 3, 2020,
we received notice from the NASDAQ indicating that we have regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under NASDAQ Listing
Rule 5550(a)(2), and the matter is now closed.
If
NASDAQ delists our common stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, we and our stockholders could
face significant material adverse consequences including:
●
a
limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
●
a
determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere
to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common
stock;
●
a
limited amount of analyst coverage; and
●
a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
Delisting
could also have other negative results, including the potential loss of confidence by employees, the loss of institutional investor interest
and fewer business development opportunities.
Item
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not
applicable.
ITEM
1C. CYBERSECURITY
Our
system of internal controls includes consideration of cybersecurity risks. We use technology and control procedures designed to mitigate
cybersecurity risks, with our management team working to monitor, identify, assess, and respond to potential cybersecurity incidents
that may threaten the Company. The system of controls also focuses on security awareness and training for employees with access to Company
systems. Company management periodically reviews system and organization control reports (SOC 1, Type 2) for key outsourced information
systems to ensure that third-party data processing is subject to appropriate controls and security measures.
We
have engaged with a third-party information technology firm to assess our vulnerabilities and help us mitigate cybersecurity-related
risks.
34
Management
is responsible for the operational oversight of company-wide cybersecurity strategy, policy, and standards across relevant departments
to assess and help prepare us to address cybersecurity risks. As part of our overall risk management system, we monitor and test our
safeguards and train our employees on these safeguards. Personnel at all levels and departments are made aware of our cybersecurity policies
through trainings and necessary implementations.
One
of the key functions of our Board is informed oversight of our risk management process, including risks from cybersecurity threats. Our
Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, and management is responsible for the day-to-day management
of any material risks that may arise. Our Board receives periodic updates from management regarding cybersecurity matters and is notified
between such updates regarding any significant new cybersecurity threats or incidents, if any. We do not believe that there are currently
any known risks from cybersecurity threats that are reasonably likely to materially affect us or our business strategy, results of operations
or financial condition.
As
of April 30, 2024, we have not identified an indication of a cybersecurity incident that would have a material impact on our business
and consolidated financial statements. For further discussion of cybersecurity risks, please refer to Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Item
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From
time to time, we may be involved in claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. To our knowledge, there are
no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or of which any of our property is the subject.
Item
4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Pursuant
to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other
mine in the United States are required to disclose specified information about mine health and safety in their periodic reports. These
reporting requirements are based on the safety and health requirements applicable to mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
of 1977 (the “Mine Act”) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration
(“MSHA”). During the twelve months period ended April 30, 2024, we and our properties or operations were not subject to regulation
by MSHA under the Mine Act and thus no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
35
PART
II
Item
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market
Information
Our
Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “USAU”.
Holders
of Common Stock
On
July 26, 2024, we had 88 registered holders of record of our common stock, which number does not reflect beneficial stockholders who
hold their stock in nominee or “street” name through various brokerage firms. On July 26, 2024, the closing sales price of
our common stock as reported on NASDAQ Capital Market was $5.84 per share.
Dividends
and Dividend Policy
We
do not anticipate paying dividends on shares of its common stock in the foreseeable future as our Board intends to retain future earnings
for use in our business. Any future determination as of the payment of dividends on our common stock will depend upon our financial condition,
results of operations and such other factors as our Board seems relevant.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities.
There
were no sales of unregistered securities during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 that were not previously reported on a Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report on Form 8-K. None of the transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.
Item
6. [RESERVED].
Item
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
U.S.
Gold Corp., formerly known as Dataram Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”),
was originally incorporated in the State of New Jersey in 1967 and was subsequently re-incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada
in 2016. Effective June 26, 2017, the Company changed its legal name to U.S. Gold Corp. from Dataram Corporation. On May 23, 2017, the
Company merged with Gold King Corp. (“Gold King”), in a transaction treated as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization,
and the business of Gold King became the business of the Company. We are a gold and precious metals exploration company pursuing exploration
and development properties. We own certain mining leases and other mineral rights comprising the CK Gold Project in Wyoming, the Keystone
Project in Nevada and the Challis Gold Project in Idaho. We have established an estimate of proven and probable mineral reserves under
S-K 1300 at our CK Gold Project, where we are conducting exploration and pre-development activities, and all of our activities on our
other properties are exploratory in nature.
Summary
of Activities for the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2024
During
the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, we focused primarily on advancing our CK Gold Project in Wyoming with the approval of two major
permits; our surface gold mine permit (mine operation and reclamation plan (“MOP”)) approved April 2024 and an Industrial
Siting permit for the construction and operation of our CK Gold project approved May 2023, and continued engineering studies towards
the completion of a revised prefeasibility study and feasibility study. Additional exploration and geologic investigations were undertaken,
enhancing our understanding of the Keystone Project deposit in Nevada and continued analysis of the historic geological data on the Challis
Gold Project in Idaho. Management focused on investor relations and awareness, resulting in the completion of an equity financing in
April 2024.
An
overview of certain significant events follows:
CK
Gold Project, Wyoming
●
In
May 2023, we received notification from the Industrial Siting Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (“WDEQ”)
that an Industrial Siting Permit was granted to us for the construction and operation of the proposed mine at the CK Gold Project.
●
In
April 2024, we received a letter from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) confirming that the proposed
CK Gold Project did not need a permit from the USACE for the activities outlined in the MOP. With the project being situated on Wyoming
State and private land and falling under the jurisdiction of Wyoming State authorities, this was the only direct nexus to Federal
Government involvement in obtaining the necessary project permits.
●
In
April 2024, we received notification from the Land Quality Division of the WDEQ that we received approval on our surface gold mine
permit, subject to certain conditions.
●
In
May 2024, we satisfied two of the three conditions associated with our MOP with 1) the approval of our Wyoming Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit and 2) acceptance by the WDEQ of our reclamation bond
●
During
the year-ended April 30, 2024, we continued to advance towards approval of our Air Quality permit with the Air Quality Division of
the WDEQ. Approval of this air quality permit is the final condition associated with our MOP and is expected to be received this
year.
36
Keystone
Project, Cortez Trend, Nevada
●
We continue systematic exploration investigations at our highly prospective Keystone Project looking for potential drill targets.
We conducted a hyperspectral survey on the property identifying evidence of potential mineralization. Numerous anomalies often associated
with mineralization were identified. Field investigation of the most prospective anomalies was completed during the 2023 field season.
Altered sedimentary outcrops containing anomalous gold grades were discovered which require additional investigation.
Challis
Gold Project, Idaho
●
We
continue towards the completion of a Plan of Operations as the next phase of exploration.
Sales
of Common Shares to raise a total of $4.9 million in cash
On
April 19, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional
and accredited investors in connection with a registered direct offering of 1,400,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $3.50
per share and warrants to purchase 1,400,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.48 per share (the “Registered
Offering”). The warrants are exercisable on October 19, 2024 and will expire on October 19, 2029. The aggregate gross proceeds
of the Registered Offering was $4,900,000 before deduction of legal related offering expenses of $72,309. The closing of the Registered
Offering occurred on April 19, 2024.
Shareholder
Meeting, Appointment of Directors and Corporate Matters
On
April 26, 2024, we held our annual meeting of stockholders. At that meeting, among other matters, shareholders re-elected to our Board
four of the five incumbent Directors: Mr. Norman, Mr. Bee, Mr. Schafer and Mr. Waldkirch; and elected Ms. Johanna Fipke to our Board,
replacing Ms. Tara Gilfillan, who did not stand for re-election. Each of the elected Directors will hold office until the next meeting
of stockholders and until their successors are named and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. The stockholders also
ratified the appointment of our audit firm for our fiscal year ended April 30, 2024.
Results
of Operations
Net
Revenues
We
are a development-stage company with no operations, and we did not generate any revenues for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.
Operating
Expenses
Total
operating expenses for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, as compared to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, were approximately
$7,257,000 and $9,401,000, respectively. The approximate $2,144,000 decrease in operating expenses for the fiscal year ended April 30,
2024, as compared to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, is comprised of (i) a decrease in compensation expense of approximately $437,000
primarily due to a decrease in stock based compensation, (ii) a decrease of approximately $336,000 in exploration expenses on our mineral
properties due to the decrease in exploration activities and related consulting expenses at our CK Gold property, (iii) a decrease in
professional and consulting fees of approximately $1,204,000 primarily due to decreases in general strategic and permitting consulting
services of $698,000, decrease in legal fees of $64,000, decreases in director fees of $247,000 (primarily due to the decrease in director
stock based compensation), decrease in investor relation fees of $244,000, offset marginally by an increase in accounting fees of $49,000
and (iv) a decrease in general and administrative expenses of approximately $167,000 due primarily to decreases related to advertising,
insurance, research and development, and travel expenses.
37
Loss
from Operations
We
reported loss from operations of approximately $7,257,000 and $9,401,000 for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Other
Income (Loss)
We
reported other income of approximately $360,000 and $1,786,000 for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We reported
a change in fair value of warrant liability of approximately $314,000 and $1,560,000 for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We reported a gain from the sale of asset (Maggie Creek) of approximately $0 and $763,000 for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023,
respectively. We reported interest income and gain from settlement of asset retirement obligation of approximately $40,000 and $6,000,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, as compared to approximately $4,900 and $0 during the fiscal year ended April
30, 2023, respectively. We reported a decrease in change in fair value due to modification of warrants of approximately $263,000 and
decrease in offering cost related to warrant liability of approximately $279,000 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 as compared
to none during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024.
Net
Loss
We
reported a net loss of approximately $6,897,000 and $7,614,000 for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
following table summarizes total current assets, liabilities and working capital at April 30, 2024, compared to April 30, 2023, and the
changes between those periods:
April 30, 2024
April 30, 2023
Increase (decrease)
Current Assets
$ 6,523,111
$ 8,433,070
$ (1,909,959 )
Current Liabilities
$ 452,790
$ 378,798
$ 73,992
Working Capital
$ 6,070,321
$ 8,054,272
$ (1,983,951 )
As
of April 30, 2024, we had working capital of $6,070,321, as compared to working capital of $8,054,272 as of April 30, 2023, a decrease
of $1,983,951.
We
are obligated to file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) and the rules subsequently
implemented by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board have imposed various requirements on public companies, including
requiring changes in corporate governance practices. We expect to spend between $175,000 and $250,000 in legal and accounting expenses
annually to comply with our reporting obligations and Sarbanes-Oxley. These costs could affect profitability and our results of operations.
Our
consolidated financial statements are prepared using the accrual method of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and have been prepared
assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in
the normal course of business. For the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, we incurred net losses in the amounts of approximately $6,897,000
and $7,614,000, respectively. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, cash used in operating activities was approximately $7,076,000.
As of April 30, 2024, we had cash of approximately $5,574,000, working capital of approximately $6,070,000, and an accumulated deficit
of approximately $72,848,000. Our primary source of operating funds since inception has been equity financing. As of April 30, 2024,
we may have sufficient cash to fund our corporate activities and general and administrative costs and currently undertaken project activities
related to permitting and engineering studies over the next twelve months. However, in order to advance any of our projects past the
aforementioned objectives, we do not have sufficient cash and will need to raise additional funds. These matters raise substantial doubt
about our ability to continue as a going concern for the twelve months following the issuance of these financial statements.
38
Cash
Used in Operating Activities
Net
cash used in operating activities totaled approximately $7,076,000 and $8,691,000 for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net cash used in operating activities during the year fiscal ended April 30, 2024, decreased primarily due to the i) decrease in net
loss of approximately $717,000 as compared to the year fiscal ended April 30, 2023 ii) increase in non-cash items of approximately $890,000
as compared to the years ended April 30, 2023. primarily due to the change in fair value of warrant liability, stock-based compensation
and gain from sale of asset and iii) decrease in changes in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $7,500 as compared to the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2023.
Cash
Used in Investing Activities
Net
cash used in investing activities during the year fiscal ended April 30, 2024 was $0. Net cash used in investing activities during the
years ended April 30, 2023 was approximately $2,572,000, primarily from proceeds received from the sale of Maggie Creek of $2,750,000
related to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated on November 9, 2022 and offset by approximately $178,000 primarily for the purchase
of property and equipment.
Cash
Provided by Financing Activities
Net
cash provided by financing activities totaled approximately $4,828,000 for the year fiscal ended April 30, 2024 primarily due to the
sale of our common stock and warrants for approximately $4,900,000 in April 2024, net of offering costs. Net cash provided by financing
activities totaled approximately $4,830,000 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, primarily due to the sale of our common stock and
warrants for approximately $4,800,000 in April 2023, net of offering costs.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As
of April 30, 2024, we did not have, and do not have any present plans to implement, any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See
Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of recently issued accounting
pronouncements.
Critical
Accounting Estimates
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet,
and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Critical accounting
estimates are those estimates made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles that involve a significant level of
estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Our critical accounting estimates are discussed below, including, to the extent material and reasonably available, the impact such estimates
have had, or are reasonably likely to have, on our financial condition or results of operations.
39
Share-Based
Compensation
Share-based
compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”),
which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award
of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively,
the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award
based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
Mineral
Rights
Costs
of leasing, exploring, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. We expense all mineral exploration
costs as incurred. Where we have identified proven and probable mineral reserves on any of our properties, development costs will be
capitalized when all the following criteria have been met, a) we receive the requisite operating permits, b) completion of a favorable
Feasibility Study and c) approval from our Board authorizing the development of the ore body. Until such time all these criteria have
been met, we record pre-development costs to expense as incurred.
When
a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized on a units-of-production basis over the proven
and probable reserves following the commencement of production. The Company assesses the carrying costs of the capitalized mineral properties
for impairment under ASC 360-10, “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”, and evaluates its carrying value under ASC 930-360, “Extractive
Activities—Mining”, annually. An impairment is recognized when the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is
less than the carrying amount of the mineral properties. Impairment losses, if any, are measured as the excess of the carrying amount
of the mineral properties over its estimated fair value.
To
date, the Company has expensed all exploration and pre-development costs as none of its properties have satisfied the criteria above
for capitalization.
ASC
930-805, “Extractive Activities—Mining: Business Combinations” (“ASC 930-805”), states that mineral rights
consist of the legal right to explore, extract, and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits. Mining assets include
mineral rights.
Acquired
mineral rights are considered tangible assets under ASC 930-805. ASC 930-805 requires that mineral rights be recognized at fair value
as of the acquisition date. As a result, the direct costs to acquire mineral rights are initially capitalized as tangible assets. Mineral
rights include costs associated with acquiring patented and unpatented mining claims.
ASC
930-805 provides that in measuring the fair value of mineral assets, an acquirer should take into account both:
●
The
value beyond proven and probable reserves (“VBPP”) to the extent that a market participant would include VBPP in determining
the fair value of the assets.
●
The
effects of anticipated fluctuations in the future market price of minerals in a manner that is consistent with the expectations of
market participants.
Leases
to explore for or use of natural resources are outside the scope of ASC 842, “Leases”.
Warrant
Liability
We
account for the warrants issued in March 2022 and April 2023, respectively, in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 “Derivatives
and Hedging” whereby under that provision these warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as
a liability. Accordingly, we classify these warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value
at each reporting period. This liability is re-measured at each balance sheet date until the warrants are exercised or expire, and any
change in fair value will be recognized in our statement of operations. The fair value of these warrants is estimated using a Monte Carlo
simulation model. Such warrant classification is also subject to re-evaluation at each reporting period.
Item
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not
applicable.
40
Item
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Consolidated
Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 688 )
F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2024 and 2023
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - Years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-6
41
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
U.S.
Gold Corp.
Opinion
on the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of U.S. Gold Corp. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of April
30, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of
the two years in the period ended April 30, 2024 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April
30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2024,
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory
Paragraph – Going Concern
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more
fully described in Note 3, the Company has a significant working capital deficiency, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise
additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 3. The consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis
for Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company
is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits
we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error
or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit s also included evaluating the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that
our audit s provide s a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical
Audit Matters
Critical
audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be
communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and
(2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/
Marcum llp
Marcum LLP
We
have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016 through 2018 and subsequently reappointed as the Company’s auditor in 2019.
Houston,
TX
July
29, 2024
F- 1
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
2024
2023
April
30,
2024
2023
ASSETS
CURRENT
ASSETS:
Cash
$ 5,574,278
$ 7,822,930
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
948,833
610,140
Total
current assets
6,523,111
8,433,070
NON
- CURRENT ASSETS:
Property,
net
458,107
490,925
Reclamation
bond deposit
1,159,329
857,509
Operating
lease right-of-use asset, net
70,331
32,080
Mineral
rights
14,370,255
14,370,255
Total
non - current assets
16,058,022
15,750,769
Total
assets
$ 22,581,133
$ 24,183,839
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
$ 395,304
$ 346,718
Operating
lease liabilities, current portion
57,486
32,080
Total
current liabilities
452,790
378,798
LONG-
TERM LIABILITIES
Warrant
liability
3,916,900
4,230,850
Asset
retirement obligation
307,657
285,764
Operating
lease liabilities, less current portion
12,845
-
Deferred
tax liability
430,486
430,486
Total
long-term liabilities:
4,667,888
4,947,100
Total
liabilities
5,120,678
5,325,898
Commitments
and Contingencies
-
-
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY :
Preferred
stock, $ 0.001 par value; 50,000,000 authorized, none shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2024 and 2023
-
-
Common
stock ($ 0.001 Par Value; 200,000,000 Shares Authorized; 10,732,277 shares and 9,295,837 shares issued and outstanding as of April
30, 2024 and 2023)
10,732
9,296
Additional
paid-in capital
90,297,824
84,799,263
Accumulated
deficit
( 72,848,101 )
( 65,950,618 )
Total
stockholders’ equity
17,460,455
18,857,941
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 22,581,133
$ 24,183,839
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 2
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For
the Year
For
the Year
Ended
Ended
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Net
revenues
$ -
$ -
Operating
expenses:
Compensation
and related taxes - general and administrative
1,356,442
1,793,426
Exploration
costs
1,468,830
1,804,981
Professional
and consulting fees
3,055,594
4,259,931
General
and administrative expenses
1,376,471
1,542,328
Total
operating expenses
7,257,337
9,400,666
Loss
from operations
( 7,257,337 )
( 9,400,666 )
Other
income (loss):
Gain
from sale of asset
-
763,393
Gain
from settlement of asset retirement obligation
6,075
-
Interest
income
39,829
4,906
Offering
cost related to warrant liability
-
( 279,487 )
Change
in fair value due to modification of warrants
-
( 262,500 )
Change
in fair value of warrant liability
313,950
1,560,150
Total
other income (loss)
359,854
1,786,462
Loss
before provision for income taxes
( 6,897,483 )
( 7,614,204 )
Provision
for income taxes
-
-
Net
loss
$ ( 6,897,483 )
$ ( 7,614,204 )
Net
loss per common share, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.74 )
$ ( 0.90 )
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
9,356,931
8,413,849
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 3
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2024 AND 2023
Shares
Amount
Paid-in
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Common
Stock
Total
$0.001
Par Value
Additional
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Paid-in
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance,
April 30, 2022
8,349,843
$ 8,350
$ 81,555,379
$ ( 58,336,414 )
$ 23,227,315
Issuance
of common stock, net of offering cost
870,000
870
1,740,327
-
1,741,197
Issuance
of common stock for prepaid services and accrued services
49,728
50
194,950
-
195,000
Issuance
of common stock for services
18,339
18
77,482
-
77,500
Issuance
of common stock for vested restricted stock unit
7,927
8
( 8 )
-
-
Accretion
of stock based compensation in connection with stock option grants
-
-
493,008
-
493,008
Stock-based
compensation in connection with restricted common stock award grants and restricted common stock unit grants
-
-
738,125
-
738,125
Net
loss
-
-
-
( 7,614,204 )
( 7,614,204 )
Balance,
April 30, 2023
9,295,837
9,296
84,799,263
( 65,950,618 )
18,857,941
Balance
9,295,837
9,296
84,799,263
( 65,950,618 )
18,857,941
Issuance
of common stock, net of offering cost
1,400,000
1,400
4,826,291
-
4,827,691
Issuance
of common stock for prepaid services
25,000
25
143,975
-
144,000
Issuance
of common stock for services
13,147
13
52,487
-
52,500
Cancellation
of shares
( 1,707 )
( 2 )
2
-
-
Accretion
of stock based compensation in connection with stock option grants
-
-
29,608
-
29,608
Stock-based
compensation in connection with restricted common stock award grants and restricted common stock unit grants
-
-
446,198
-
446,198
Net
loss
-
-
-
( 6,897,483 )
( 6,897,483 )
Balance,
April 30, 2024
10,732,277
$ 10,732
$ 90,297,824
$ ( 72,848,101 )
$ 17,460,455
Balance
10,732,277
$ 10,732
$ 90,297,824
$ ( 72,848,101 )
$ 17,460,455
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 4
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For
the Year
For
the Year
Ended
Ended
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net
loss
$ ( 6,897,483 )
$ ( 7,614,204 )
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
32,818
36,505
Accretion
27,968
25,568
Amortization
of right-of-use asset
55,357
52,456
Stock
based compensation
593,556
1,308,633
Amortization
of prepaid stock based expenses
229,850
367,250
Gain
from settlement of asset retirement obligation
( 6,075 )
-
Change
in fair value of warrant liability
( 313,950 )
( 1,560,150 )
Change
in fair value due to modification of warrants
-
262,500
Gain
from sale of asset
-
( 763,393 )
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
( 504,943 )
512
Reclamation
bond deposit
( 301,820 )
( 25,000 )
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
63,736
( 728,687 )
Operating
lease liability
( 55,357 )
( 52,756 )
NET
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
( 7,076,343 )
( 8,690,766 )
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds
from sale of asset
-
2,750,000
Purchase
of property and equipment
-
( 177,513 )
NET
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
-
2,572,487
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance
of common stock, net of offering costs
4,827,691
4,829,697
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
4,827,691
4,829,697
NET
DECREASE IN CASH
( 2,248,652 )
( 1,288,582 )
CASH
- beginning of year
7,822,930
9,111,512
CASH
- end of year
$ 5,574,278
$ 7,822,930
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash
paid for:
Interest
$ -
$ -
Income
taxes
$ -
$ -
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance
of common stock for prepaid services and accrued services
$ 78,750
$ 195,000
Operating
lease right-of-use asset and operating lease liability recorded upon lease modification
$ 93,608
$ 20,472
Initial
valuation of warrant liability
$ -
$ 3,088,500
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 5
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
NOTE
1 - ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Organization
U.S.
Gold Corp., formerly known as Dataram Corporation (the “Company”), was originally incorporated in the State of New Jersey
in 1967 and was subsequently re-incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada in 2016. Effective June 26, 2017, the Company changed
its name to U.S. Gold Corp. from Dataram Corporation. On May 23, 2017, the Company merged with Gold King Corp. (“Gold King”),
in a transaction treated as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization, and the business of Gold King became the business of the Company.
The Company is a gold and precious metals exploration company pursuing exploration and development properties. The Company owns certain
mining leases and other mineral rights comprising the CK Gold Project in Wyoming, the Keystone Project in Nevada and the Challis Gold
Project in Idaho. The Company has established an estimate of proven and probable mineral reserves under S-K 1300 at its CK Gold Project,
where the Company is conducting exploration and pre-development activities, and all of its activities on its other properties are exploratory
in nature.
The
Company’s CK Gold property contains proven and probable mineral reserves and accordingly is classified as a development stage property,
as defined in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“S-K 1300”).
Unless
the context otherwise requires, all references herein to the “Company” refer to U.S. Gold Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
NOTE
2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of presentation and principles of consolidation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), the instructions to Form 10-K, and the rules and regulations of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for financial information, which includes the consolidated financial
statements and presents the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of April 30, 2024.
All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. It is management’s opinion that all material adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring adjustments) have been made, which are necessary for a fair financial statement presentation.
Use
of Estimates and Assumptions
In
preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual
results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, valuation
of mineral rights, stock-based compensation, the fair value of common stock, valuation of warrant liability, asset retirement obligations
and the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Revision
of Financial Statements
During
the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 (“fiscal year 2021”), the Company determined that it had not appropriately recorded
a deferred tax liability related to the acquisition of mineral rights in August 2020. This resulted in an understatement of deferred
tax liability and a corresponding understatement of provision for income taxes during fiscal year 2021. Based on an analysis of Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250 – “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“ASC 250”),
Staff Accounting Bulletin 99 – “Materiality” and Staff Accounting Bulletin 108 – “Considering the Effects
of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company determined that these
errors were immaterial to the previously issued consolidated financial statements, and as such no restatement was necessary. Correcting
prior period financial statements for immaterial errors would not require previously filed reports to be amended.
F- 6
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
The
effect of this revision on the line items within the Company’s consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity
as of April 30, 2022, was as follows:
SCHEDULE OF REVISION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT
April
30, 2022
As
Previously Reported
Revision
As
Revised
Accumulated
Deficit
$ ( 57,905,928 )
$ ( 430,486 )
$ ( 58,336,414 )
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
$ 23,657,801
$ ( 430,486 )
$ 23,227,315
Fair
Value Measurements
The
Company has adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), for assets and liabilities
measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied in accordance with
U.S. GAAP, which requires the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure
about such fair value measurements.
ASC
820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the
use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
These
inputs are prioritized below:
Level
1:
Observable
inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level
2:
Observable
market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level
3:
Unobservable
inputs for which there is little or no market data, which, require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
The
Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s
(“FASB”) accounting standard for such instruments. Under this standard, financial assets and liabilities are classified in
their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The
Company’s warrant liability for warrants issued in connection with equity financing in March 2022 and April 2023 (see Note 9) was
estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model using Level 3 inputs.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash
equivalents are comprised of certain highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. The Company did
not have any cash equivalents on hand at April 30, 2024 and 2023. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions.
The Company’s accounts at these institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to
$ 250,000 . To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institutions, the Company evaluates, at least annually, the
rating of the financial institutions in which it holds deposits. At April 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had bank balances of approximately
$ 5.2 million and $ 7.3 million, respectively, exceeding the FDIC insurance limit on interest bearing accounts.
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets of $ 948,833 and $ 610,140 at April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, consist primarily of costs paid
for future services which will occur within a year. Prepaid expenses principally include prepayments in cash and equity instruments for
consulting, public relations, business advisory services, insurance premiums, mining claim fees, easement fees, options fees, and mineral
lease fees which are being amortized over the terms of their respective agreements.
Property
Property
is carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized.
When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains
or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
life of the assets, generally three to five years .
F- 7
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Impairment
of long-lived assets
The
Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the
assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted
future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s
estimated fair value and its book value. The Company did not recognize any impairment during the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.
Mineral
Rights
Costs
of leasing, exploring, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. The Company expenses all mineral
exploration costs as incurred. Where the Company has identified proven and probable mineral reserves on any of its properties, development
costs will be capitalized when all the following criteria have been met, a) the Company receives the requisite operating permits, b)
completion of a favorable Feasibility Study and c) approval from the Board of director’s authorizing the development of the ore
body. Until such time all these criteria have been met the Company records pre-development costs to expense as incurred.
When
a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized on a units-of-production basis over the proven
and probable reserves following the commencement of production. The Company assesses the carrying costs of the capitalized mineral properties
for impairment under ASC 360-10, “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”, and evaluates their carrying value under ASC 930-360,
“Extractive Activities—Mining”, annually. An impairment is recognized when the sum of the expected undiscounted future
cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the mineral properties. Impairment losses, if any, are measured as the excess of the carrying
amount of the mineral properties over its estimated fair value.
To
date, the Company has expensed all exploration and pre-development costs as none of its properties have satisfied the criteria above
for capitalization.
ASC
930-805, “Extractive Activities—Mining: Business Combinations” (“ASC 930-805”), states that mineral rights
consist of the legal right to explore, extract, and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits. Mining assets include
mineral rights.
Acquired
mineral rights are considered tangible assets under ASC 930-805. ASC 930-805 requires that mineral rights be recognized at fair value
as of the acquisition date. As a result, the direct costs to acquire mineral rights are initially capitalized as tangible assets. Mineral
rights include costs associated with acquiring patented and unpatented mining claims.
ASC
930-805 provides that in measuring the fair value of mineral assets, an acquirer should take into account both:
●
The value beyond proven and probable reserves (“VBPP”) to the extent that a market participant would include VBPP in determining
the fair value of the assets.
●
The effects of anticipated fluctuations in the future market price of minerals in a manner that is consistent with the expectations of
market participants.
Leases
to explore for or use of natural resources are outside the scope of ASC 842, “Leases”.
Share-Based
Compensation
Share-based
compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”),
which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award
of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively,
the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award
based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
F- 8
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Accounting
for Warrants
Warrants
are accounted for in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance provided in ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC
815”) as either derivative liabilities or as equity instruments, depending on the specific terms of the agreements. The Company
classifies as equity any contracts that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) give the Company a choice of
net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). The Company classifies as assets or
liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net-cash settle the contract if an event occurs
and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement
in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). Instruments that are classified as liabilities are recorded at fair value at
each reporting period, with any change in fair value recognized as a component of change in fair value of derivative liabilities in the
consolidated statements of operations.
The
Company assessed the classification of its outstanding common stock purchase warrants as of the date of issuance and determined that
such instruments, except for the warrants discussed under Warrant Liability below, met the criteria for equity classification under the
guidance in ASU 2017-11 “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging
(Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Feature”. The Company has no outstanding warrants
that contain a “down round” feature under Topic 815 of ASU 2017-11.
Warrant
Liability
The
Company accounts for the 625,000 warrants and 870,000 warrants issued in March 2022 and April 2023 (the “Warrant Agreements”),
respectively, in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” whereby under that provision
these warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as a liability (see Note 9). Accordingly, the Company
classifies these warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period.
This liability is re-measured at each balance sheet date until the warrants are exercised or expire, and any change in fair value will
be recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. The fair value of these warrants is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation
model. Such warrant classification is also subject to re-evaluation at each reporting period.
Offering
Costs
Offering
costs incurred consisted of legal, placement agent fees and other costs that were directly related to registered direct offerings. Offering
costs were allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the registered direct offering based on the same proportion as
the proceeds were allocated to the warrants and equity. Offering costs associated with warrant liabilities are expensed as incurred,
presented as offering costs related to warrant liability in the consolidated statements of operations. Offering costs associated with
the sale of common shares are charged against equity.
Remediation
and Asset Retirement Obligation
Asset
retirement obligations (“ARO”), consisting primarily of estimated reclamation costs at the Company’s CK Gold and Keystone
properties, are recognized in the period incurred and when a reasonable estimate can be made, and recorded as liabilities at fair value.
Such obligations, which are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates, are accreted to full value over time through
charges to accretion expense. Corresponding asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived
asset and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. AROs are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated
present value resulting from revisions to the estimated timing or amount of reclamation and closure costs. The Company reviews and evaluates
its AROs annually or more frequently at interim periods if deemed necessary.
Foreign
Currency Transactions
The
reporting and functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into
the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date with any transaction gains and
losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency included
in the results of operations as incurred. Translation adjustments, and transaction gains or losses, have not had, and are not expected
to have, a material effect on the results of operations of the Company and are included in general and administrative expenses.
F- 9
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Leases
The
Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC Topic 842, Leases. Operating lease right of use assets (“ROU”) represent
the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the
future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses
an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments.
Upon the election by the Company to extend the lease for additional years, that election will be treated as a lease modification and
the lease will be reviewed for re-measurement. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the
lease term and is included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”),
which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach
requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between
the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets
for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred asset will not be realized.
The
Company follows the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions” (“ASC 740-10”).
When tax returns are filed, there may be uncertainty about the merits of positions taken or the amount of the position that would be
ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements
in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be
sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or
aggregated with other positions.
Tax
positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than
50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefit associated with
tax positions taken that exceed the amount measured as described above should be reflected as a liability for uncertain tax benefits
in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon
examination. The Company believes its tax positions are all more likely than not to be upheld upon examination. As such, the Company
has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax benefits or for any related interest and penalties. In the event that the Company is assessed
penalties and/or interest, penalties will be charged to other operating expense and interest will be charged to interest expense.
The
Company follows ASC 740-10-25, “Definition of Settlement”, which provides guidance on how an entity should determine whether
a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits and provides that a tax position
can be effectively settled upon the completion and examination by a taxing authority without being legally extinguished. For tax positions
considered effectively settled, an entity would recognize the full amount of tax benefit, even if the tax position is not considered
more likely than not to be sustained based solely on the basis of its technical merits and the statute of limitations remains open. The
federal and state income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities,
generally for three years after they are filed.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting
standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material
effect on the financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have
an effect on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
In
June 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) (“ASU 2022-03”). The amendments in ASU 2022-03 clarify
that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security
and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account,
recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. The amendments in this Update also require additional disclosures for equity securities
subject to contractual sale restrictions. The provisions in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024.
Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect to early adopt this ASU. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard
to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
F- 10
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
On
May 1, 2023, the Company adopted FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”),
which requires the immediate recognition of management’s estimates of current and expected credit losses. The adoption of this
standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In
December 2023, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). The
standard enhances income tax disclosure requirements for all entities by requiring specified categories and greater disaggregation within
the rate reconciliation table, disclosure of income taxes paid by jurisdiction, and providing clarification on uncertain tax positions
and related financial statement impacts. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is
currently assessing the impact of ASU 2023-09 on its disclosures.
NOTE
3 — GOING CONCERN
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets
and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of April 30, 2024, the Company had cash of approximately $ 5.6
million, working capital of approximately $ 6.1 million which consists primarily of cash and prepaid expenses and other current assets
and an accumulated deficit of approximately $ 72.8 million. The Company had a net loss and cash used in operating activities of approximately
$ 6.9 million and $ 7.1 million, respectively, for the year ended April 30, 2024. As a result of the utilization of cash in its operating
activities, and the development of its assets, the Company has incurred losses since it commenced operations. The Company’s primary
source of operating funds since inception has been equity financing. As noted in Note 10, in April 2024, the Company completed a registered
offering which raised total gross proceeds of approximately $ 4.9 million before deducting fees
and other estimated offering expenses. As of the date of filing the annual report for the year ended April 30, 2024, the Company
has sufficient cash to fund its corporate activities and general and administrative costs and currently undertaken project activities
related to permitting and engineering studies. However, in order to advance any of its projects past the aforementioned objectives the
Company does not have sufficient cash and will need to raise additional funds. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern for the twelve months following the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.
The
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or
the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE
4 — MINERAL RIGHTS
The
Company’s CK Gold property contains proven and probable mineral reserves and accordingly is classified as a development stage property,
as defined in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“S-K 1300”). None of
the Company’s other properties contain proven and probable mineral reserves and all activities are exploratory in nature.
CK
Gold Project
The
Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gold King Corp., a Nevada corporation, owns the Copper King gold and copper development
project (the “CK Gold Property”), which is comprised of two State of Wyoming Metallic and Non-metallic Rocks and Minerals
Mining Leases covering an area of approximately 1.8 square miles located in the Silver Crown Mining District of southeast Wyoming.
Keystone
Project
The
Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, U.S. Gold Acquisition Corporation, acquired the mining claims comprising the Keystone Project.
The Keystone Project consists of 601 unpatented lode mining claims situated in Eureka County, Nevada. Some of the Keystone Project claims
are subject to pre-existing net smelter royalty (“NSR”) obligations.
F- 11
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Maggie
Creek Project
On
November 9, 2022, the Company entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”)
with and among Orevada Metals, Inc., the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary (“Orevada”), Nevada Gold Mines
LLC (“NGM”), Orogen Royalties Inc. (“Orogen”) and Renaissance Exploration, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Orogen (“RenEx”) whereby Orevada assigned its interest in that certain Exploration Earn-In Agreement with RenEx, dated February
19, 2019 (the “Original Earn-In Agreement”), to NGM. Pursuant to the Original Earn-In Agreement, Orevada, by making certain
payments and incurring certain exploration expenditures, had the right to earn at least a 50 % interest and up to a 70 % interest in the
Maggie Creek Property, owned by RenEx, in Eureka County, Nevada. Simultaneous with this assignment, NGM and RenEx entered into an Amended
and Restated Exploration Earn-In Agreement, pursuant to which NGM can earn a 100 % interest in the Maggie Creek Property (the “NGM
Option”).
As
consideration for the assignment of the Original Earn-In Agreement to NGM, U.S. Gold received an upfront cash payment of $ 2,750,000 from
NGM, and NGM agreed that if it exercises the NGM Option and acquires the Maggie Creek Property, it will grant to U.S. Gold a 0.5 % Net
Smelter Returns royalty on all gold and other recovered and saleable minerals from the Maggie Creek Property (the “U.S. Gold Royalty”),
pursuant to a separate royalty agreement (the “U.S. Gold Royalty Agreement”) between NGM and the Company, the terms of which
have been fully agreed as part of this assignment. Under the U.S. Gold Royalty Agreement, NGM will have the right to buy back one-half
of the U.S. Gold Royalty (reducing the royalty to 0.25 % of Net Smelter Returns) for a fixed price of $ 500,000 . In addition, the U.S.
Gold Royalty Agreement will provide that the Company waives the first $ 800,000 of production royalty payments owed to it, regardless
of whether NGM exercises its buy-back rights. Under the U.S. Gold Royalty Agreement, NGM will also have a right of first refusal to purchase
the U.S. Gold Royalty if the Company decides to sell that royalty. Under the U.S. Gold Royalty Agreement, NGM will also have a right
of first refusal to purchase the U.S. Gold Royalty if the Company decides to sell that royalty. Accordingly, the Company recognized gain
from sale of asset of $ 763,393 during the year ended April 30, 2023 as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations
in connection with the Assignment and Assumption Agreement.
Northern
Panther Merger Agreement
On
August 10, 2020, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with Acquisition Corp., NPRC and the Stockholder Representative named
therein, pursuant to which Acquisition Corp. merged with and into NPRC, with NPRC surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Consequently, the Company acquired mineral rights on a gold exploration project in Idaho called the Challis Gold project. The Challis
Gold project contains 77 unpatented lode mining claims in Lemhi County, Idaho covering approximately 1,710 acres.
As
of the dates presented, mineral properties consisted of the following:
SCHEDULE OF MINERAL RIGHTS
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
CK
Gold Project
$ 3,091,738
$ 3,091,738
Keystone
Project
1,028,885
1,028,885
Challis
Gold Project
10,249,632
10,249,632
Total
$ 14,370,255
$ 14,370,255
NOTE
5 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
As
of the dates presented, property consisted of the following:
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Site
costs
$ 203,320
$ 203,320
Land
352,718
352,718
Computer
equipment
3,766
7,265
Vehicle
39,493
39,493
Total
599,297
602,796
Less:
accumulated depreciation
( 141,190 )
( 111,871 )
Total
$ 458,107
$ 490,925
For
the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, depreciation expense amounted to $ 32,818 and $ 36,505 , respectively.
F- 12
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
NOTE
6 — ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
In
conjunction with various permit approvals allowing the Company to undergo exploration activities at the CK Gold and Keystone , the Company
has recorded an ARO based upon the reclamation plans submitted in connection with the various permits. The following table summarizes
activity in the Company’s ARO for the years presented:
SCHEDULE OF ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Balance,
beginning of year
$ 285,764
$ 260,196
Addition
and changes in estimates
( 6,075 )
-
Accretion
expense
27,968
25,568
Balance,
end of year
$ 307,657
$ 285,764
For
the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, accretion expense amounted to $ 27,968 and $ 25,568 , respectively.
NOTE
7 – OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES
On
May 1, 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for a facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The initial term of the lease was for a
two-year period from May 2021 to May 2023 starting with a monthly base rent of $ 1,667 . On January 30, 2023, the Company entered into
a first lease amendment effective as of May 1, 2023, to extend this lease for a period of one year expiring April 30, 2024. On January
11, 2024, the Company entered into a second lease amendment effective as of May 1, 2024, to extend this lease for another period of one
year expiring April 30, 2025, with an option to renew the lease for an additional one-year term. Under the second lease amendment, the
monthly base rent increased from $ 1,768 to $ 1,821 starting on May 1, 2024. The Company accounted for the lease extensions as lease modifications
under ASC 842. On January 30, 2023, the effective date of the first lease amendment, the Company recorded an adjustment to the right-of-use
asset and lease liability in the amount of $ 20,472 based on the net present value of lease payments discounted using an incremental borrowing
rate of 8 %. On January 11, 2024, the effective date of the second lease amendment, the Company recorded an adjustment to the right-of-use
asset and lease liability in the amount of $ 20,936 based on the net present value of lease payments discounted using an incremental borrowing
rate of 8 %.
On
September 1, 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for another facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The initial term of the lease
was for a two-year period from September 2021 through August 2023. On October 18, 2023, the Company entered into a lease amendment effective
as of September 1, 2023, to extend the lease for a period of two years expiring August 31, 2025. The Company will not have an option
to renew the lease past August 31, 2025, unless agreed to by the lessor and the Company. Pursuant to the lease amendment, the monthly
base rent increased to $ 3,265 . On September 1, 2023, the effective date of the amendment, the Company recorded an adjustment to the right-of-use
asset and lease liability in the amount of $ 72,672 based on the net present value of lease payments discounted using an incremental borrowing
rate of 8 %.
During
the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, lease expense of approximately $ 59,000 and $ 56,000 , respectively, was included in general and
administrative expenses as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Right-of-
use assets are summarized below:
SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION RELATED TO LEASES
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Operating
leases
$ 70,331
$ 32,080
Operating
Lease liabilities are summarized below:
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Operating
lease, current portion
$ 57,486
$ 32,080
Operating
lease, long term portion
12,845
-
Total
lease liability
$ 70,331
$ 32,080
F- 13
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
The
weighted average remaining lease term for the operating leases is 1.17 years and the weighted average incremental borrowing rate is 8.0 %
at April 30, 2024.
The
following table includes supplemental cash and non-cash information related to the Company’s lease:
SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTAL CASH AND NON-CASH INFORMATION
2024
2023
Years
ended April 30,
2024
2023
Cash
paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating
cash flows from operating lease
$ 59,148
$ 56,000
Lease
assets obtained upon lease modification
$ 93,608
$ 20,472
The
remaining minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at April 30, 2024 are as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS UNDER NON-CANCELABLE OPERATING LEASES
Year
ended April 30, 2025
61,034
Year
ended April 30, 2026
13,060
Less:
imputed interest
( 3,763 )
Total
present value of lease liability
$ 70,331
NOTE
8 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On
January 7, 2021, the Company entered into a one-year consulting agreement (the “January 2021 Agreement”) with a director.
On January 7, 2022, the Company and the director mutually agreed to extend the term of the agreement for an additional 12 months under
the same terms as the January 2021 agreement (the “January 2022 Extension”). In consideration for the services provided pursuant
to the January 2022 Extension, the director was paid an annual fee of $ 86,000 consisting of shares of the Company’s common stock
with a value of $ 50,000 , paid within five days of the effective date of the January 2022 Extension, and cash payments of $ 36,000 , paid
in increments of $ 3,000 per month. In January 2022, and in connection with the January 2022 Extension, the Company issued 5,814 shares
of common stock to the director. Effective December 31, 2022, the director resigned from the Board. Accordingly, the Company also issued
7,927 shares of common stock in connection with vested RSUs on the date of resignation (see Note 10). During the years ended April 30,
2024 and 2023, the Company paid consulting fees in cash of $ 0 and $ 24,000 , respectively.
On
March 10, 2021, the Company entered into a one-year consulting agreement (the “March 2021 Agreement”) with an individual
who subsequently was appointed as a director of the Company on May 18, 2022, to provide services related to investor and strategic introductions
for potential mergers and acquisitions and other potential and strategic relationships to add shareholder value. On March 10, 2022, the
Company and the director mutually agreed to extend the March 2021 Agreement for an additional 12 months (the “March 2022 Extension”).
On March 10, 2023, the Company and the director further extended the March 2021 Agreement for another 12 months (the “March 2023
Extension”). The terms of the March 2022 Extension and the March 2023 Extension remain the same as stipulated in the March 2021
Agreement. In consideration for the services provided pursuant to the March 2022 Extension and the March 2023 Extension, the director
was paid an annual fee of $ 250,000 consisting of shares of the Company’s common stock with a value of $ 130,000 paid within five
days of the effective date of the applicable extension, and cash payments of $ 120,000 , paid in increments of $ 10,000 per month. In April
2022 and March 2023, the Company issued 14,286 shares and 33,419 shares of common stock pursuant to March 2022 Extension and the March
2023 Extension, respectively, to the director. The Company paid consulting fees to such director of $ 100,000 and $ 120,000 in cash during
the year ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, as of April 30, 2024, the Company recorded accounts payable and accrued
expenses totaling $ 58,977 due to such director and was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
F- 14
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
NOTE
9 — WARRANT LIABILITY
As
of April 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s warrant liabilities were valued at $ 3,916,900 and $ 4,230,850 , respectively. Under the
guidance in ASC 815-40, certain warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment. These warrants include a clause whereby the warrant
holder may be entitled to receive a net cash settlement upon the completion of a “fundamental transaction.” A fundamental
transaction, as defined in the warrants, includes (a) any merger or consolidation by and between the Company and another Person, (b)
the sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets, (c) the completion of any tender offer or exchange
offer pursuant to which the holders of greater than 50% of the Company’s outstanding common stock has agreed to tender or exchange
their securities, and (d) the consummation of a stock purchase agreement or other business combination whereby another Person acquires
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. In the event of a fundamental transaction, the holder of the
warrant has the right to require that the Company purchase the warrant from the holder by paying the holder an amount of cash equal to
a valuation based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model reflecting an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% or the 100-day
volatility as of the trading day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable fundamental transaction. This volatility
input precludes the Company from applying equity accounting as the warrant holder could receive a net cash settlement value that is greater
than a holder of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, the Company has concluded that liability accounting is required.
As
such, these warrants are recorded at fair value as of each reporting date with the change in fair value reported within other income
in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as “Change in fair value of warrant liability” until the warrants
are exercised, expired or other facts and circumstances lead the warrant liability to be reclassified to stockholders’ equity.
The Company utilized a Monte Carlo Simulation model to estimate the fair values of the April 2023 and March 2022 warrants, which incorporates
significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable
inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the contingent consideration reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions
that market participants would use in valuing the contingent consideration. The Company determined the fair value by using the below
key inputs to the Monte Carlo Simulation Model.
Initial
Measurement
The
Company accounted for the 625,000 warrants issued on March 18, 2022, in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 “Derivatives
and Hedging” whereby under that provision these warrants did not meet the criteria for equity treatment and were recorded as a
liability. The initial valuation of these warrants was valued at $ 3,652,000 on March 18, 2022. Additionally, the Company accounted for
the 870,000 warrants issued on April 10, 2023, in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”
whereby under that provision these warrants did not meet the criteria for equity treatment and were recorded as a liability at an initial
valuation of $ 3,088,500 .
The
key inputs for the warrant liability were as follows as of April 30, 2024:
SCHEDULE
OF KEY INPUTS FOR THE WARRANT LIABILITY
Key
Valuation Inputs
Expected
term (years)
4.45
Annualized
volatility
78.9 %
Volatility
if fundamental transaction occurs
100.00 %
Risk-free
interest rate
4.75 %
Stock
price
$ 4.18
Dividend
yield
0.00 %
Exercise
price
$ 6.16
Probability
of fundamental transaction
95 %
Date
of fundamental transaction
0.25
years to 4.45 years
The
key inputs for the warrant liability were as follows as of April 30, 2023:
Key
Valuation Inputs
Expected
term (years)
5.45
Annualized
volatility
81.4 %
Volatility
if fundamental transaction occurs
100.00 %
Risk-free
interest rate
3.51 %
Stock
price
$ 4.31
Dividend
yield
0.00 %
Exercise
price
$ 6.16
Probability
of fundamental transaction
90 %
Date
of fundamental transaction
1.00
years to 5.45 years
F- 15
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
The
following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Level 3 warrant liability for the years ended April 30,
2024 and 2023:
SCHEDULE
OF CHANGES IN FAIR VALUE OF LEVEL 3 WARRANT LIABILITY
Warrant
Liability
Fair
value as of April 30, 2022
$ 2,440,000
Initial
fair value of warrant liability upon issuance
3,088,500
Change
in fair value due to modification of warrants
262,500
Change
in fair value of warrant liability
( 1,560,150 )
Fair
value as of April 30, 2023
4,230,850
Change
in fair value of warrant liability
( 313,950 )
Fair
value as of April 30, 2024
$ 3,916,900
NOTE
10 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
As
of April 30, 2024, authorized capital stock consisted of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, and 50,000,000
shares of “blank check” preferred stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, of which 1,300,000 shares are designated as Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, 400,000 shares are designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, 45,002 shares are designated as Series
C Convertible Preferred Stock, 7,402 shares are designated as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, 2,500 shares are designated as Series
E Convertible Preferred Stock, 1,250 shares are designated as Series F Preferred Stock, 127 shares are designated as Series G Preferred
Stock, 106,894 shares are designated as Series H Preferred Stock, and 921,666 shares are designated as Series I Preferred Stock. The
Company’s Board has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock.
There
were no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding as of April 30, 2024 and 2023.
Common
Stock issued for cash
On
April 10, 2023, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with a single institutional investor in connection with a registered
direct offering of 870,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $ 5.75 per share and warrants to purchase 870,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $ 6.16 per share (the “Securities”) ,
resulting in total gross proceeds of $ 5,002,500 before the deduction of placement agent fees of $ 415,175 and legal related offering expenses
of $ 37,115 for a total of $ 452,290 . The warrants are exercisable six months following the date of issuance and will expire 5 years following
the initial exercise date. The closing of the sale of the Securities occurred on April 10, 2023. Pursuant to ASC 470-20-25, if the warrants
are classified as liability, the proceeds should be allocated first to the warrants based on their fair value (not relative fair value).
The residual should be allocated to the remaining equity instruments.
These
870,000 warrants were recorded as warrant liability as of April 30, 2023 (see Note 9) and was allocated to the proceeds as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF WARRANT LIABILITY
Net
proceeds on April 10, 2023
$ 4,550,210
Less:
Proceeds
allocated to warrant liability
( 3,088,500 )
Plus:
Offering
cost associated with warrant liability
279,487
Net
proceeds on April 10, 2023 allocated to equity
$ 1,741,197
F- 16
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Additionally,
on April 10, 2023, the Company agreed to amend, effective as of the closing of a registered offering (see above), the 625,000 warrants
which were initially granted on March 15, 2022 with an original exercise price of $ 8.60 per share and a termination date of September
18, 2027, were reduced to an exercise price of $ 6.16 per share and amended the termination date to April 10, 2028. Accordingly, the Company
recorded a change in fair value due to modification of warrants of $ 262,500 during the year ended April 30, 2023.
On
April 19, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain
institutional and accredited investors in connection with a registered direct offering of 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock at a price of $ 3.50 per share and warrants to purchase 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price
of $ 4.48 per share (the “Registered Offering”). The warrants are exercisable on October 19, 2024 and will expire on October 19, 2029 . The aggregate gross proceeds of the Registered Offering was $ 4,900,000 before deduction
of legal related offering expenses of $ 72,309 . The closing of the Registered Offering occurred on April 19, 2024.
Common
Stock Issued, Restricted Stock Awards, and RSU’s Granted for Services
On
November 14, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 7,510 shares of common stock to a consultant in connection with an advisory consulting
agreement for services rendered from May 2022 to October 2022 and issued 885 shares of common stock for services rendered in April 2022
for a total of 8,395 shares. The 8,395 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 35,000 , or $ 4.17 per share, based on the quoted trading
price on the date of grants, which was fully vested. The Company reduced accrued liabilities by $ 5,000 in connection with the issuance
of the 885 shares and recognized stock-based consulting of $ 30,000 in connection with the issuance of the 7,510 shares during the year
ended April 30, 2023.
On
November 14, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,425 shares of common stock to a consultant in connection with a consulting agreement
for services rendered from May 2022 to October 2022. The 5,425 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 22,500 , or $ 4.15 per share,
based on the quoted trading price on the date of grants, which was fully vested and expensed immediately.
On
December 22, 2022, the Company issued 7,927 shares of common stock to a former director in connection with vested RSU’s (see Note
8).
On
March 10, 2023, the Company issued 33,419 shares of common stock to a director of the Company pursuant to the March 2023 Agreement (see
Note 8). The 33,419 shares had a fair value of $ 130,000 or $ 3.89 per share of common stock based on the quoted trading price on the date
of grant. The Company recognized stock-based consulting of $ 113,750 and $ 5,417 during the year ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
On
March 10, 2023, the Company issued 15,424 shares of common stock to Edward Karr, former Executive Chairman of the Company, pursuant to
the March 2023 Agreement (see Note 8). The 15,424 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 60,000 , or $ 3.89 per share, based on the
quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company recognized stock-based consulting of $ 52,500 and $ 7,500 during the year ended
April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
On
April 4, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,404 shares of common stock to a consultant in connection with an advisory consulting
agreement for services rendered from November 2022 to March 2023. The 5,404 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 25,000 , or $ 4.63
per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grants, which was fully vested and expensed immediately.
On
October 24, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 7,569 shares of common stock to a consultant in connection with an advisory consulting
agreement for services rendered from April 2023 to September 2023. The 7,569 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 30,000 , or $ 3.96
per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grants, which was fully vested and expensed over each monthly service period
from April 2023 to September 2023. In connection with this issuance, the Company reduced accrued liabilities by $ 5,000 and recognized
stock-based consulting of $ 25,000 during the year ended April 30, 2024.
On
October 24, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,578 shares of common stock to a consultant in connection with a consulting agreement
for services rendered from April 2023 to September 2023. The 5,578 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 22,500 , or $ 4.03 per share,
based on the quoted trading price on the date of grants, which was fully vested and expensed over each monthly service period from April
2023 to September 2023. The Company reduced accrued liabilities by $ 1,750 and recognized stock-based consulting of $ 20,750 during the
year ended April 30, 2024.
F- 17
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
On
October 24, 2023, the Company issued 25,000 shares of common stock to a consultant in connection with an investor relations agreement
for services to be rendered from April 2023 to April 2024. The 25,000 shares of common stock had a fair value of $ 144,000 , or $ 5.76 per
share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company reduced accrued liabilities by $ 8,400 , recognized stock-based
consulting of $ 135,600 during the year ended April 30, 2024.
Total
stock compensation expense for awards issued for services of $ 446,198 and $ 738,125 was expensed for the years ended April 30, 2024 and
2023, respectively. There are 23,829 unvested restricted stock units with unvested compensation expense of $ 215,375 at April 30, 2024
remaining to be expensed over future vesting periods of a weighted average period of 0.22 year. There were 409,646 vested restricted
stock units awarded but unissued into common stock as of April 30, 2024. A total of 433,475 restricted stock units are outstanding, vested
and unvested, as of April 30, 2024.
A
summary of the of changes in restricted stock units outstanding during the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, is as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF ACTIVITY RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Restricted
Stock Units
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Balance
at April 30, 2022
441,402
$ 9.57
Vested
and converted into common stock
( 7,927 )
9.34
Balance
at April 30, 2023
433,475
9.57
Vested
and converted into common stock
-
-
Balance
at April 30, 2024
433,475
$ 10.31
Equity
Incentive Plan
In
August 2017, the Board approved the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) including the reservation
of 165,000 shares of common stock thereunder.
On
August 6, 2019, the Board approved and adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”).
The 2020 Plan initially reserved 330,710 shares for future issuance to officers, directors, employees and contractors as directed from
time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The 2020 Plan was approved by a vote of stockholders at the 2019 annual meeting.
With the approval and effectivity of the 2020 Plan, no further grants will be made under the 2017 Plan. On August 31, 2020, the Board
approved and adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment (the “2020 Plan Amendment”) to the 2020 Plan. The 2020
Plan Amendment increased the number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2020 Plan by an additional
836,385 , to a total of 1,167,095 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2020 Plan Amendment was approved by the Company’s
stockholders on November 9, 2020. On December 16, 2022, the Company’s stockholders approved another amendment to the 2020 Plan
increasing the number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2020 Plan by an additional 1,252,476
shares, to a total of 2,419,571 shares of the Company’s common stock.
Stock
options
The
following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity during the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:
SCHEDULE OF STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY
Number
of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)
Balance
at April 30, 2022
148,060
$ 11.65
2.23
Granted
140,000
5.02
5.00
Exercised
—
—
—
Forfeited
—
—
—
Cancelled
( 95,310 )
14.27
—
Balance
at April 30, 2023
192,750
5.54
4.44
Granted
—
—
—
Exercised
—
—
—
Forfeited
—
—
—
Cancelled
—
—
—
Balance
at April 30, 2024
192,750
5.54
3.44
Options
exercisable at end of year
186,200
$ 5.49
Options
expected to vest
6,550
$ 6.93
Weighted
average fair value of options granted during the year
$ —
F- 18
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
At
April 30, 2024 and 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable were de minimis for each period.
On
January 12, 2023, the Company granted an aggregate of 48,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock to certain officers
and employees of the Company. The options have a term of 5 years from the date of grant and are exercisable at an exercise price of $ 5.02
(see table below for the assumptions used). The options fully vested and was expensed immediately.
On
January 12, 2023, the Company granted an aggregate of 70,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock to the directors of
the Company. The options have a term of 5 years from the date of grant and are exercisable at an exercise price of $ 5.02 (see table below
for the assumptions used). The options fully vested and was expensed immediately.
On
January 12, 2023, the Company granted an aggregate of 22,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock to certain consultants
of the Company. The options have a term of 5 years from the date of grant and are exercisable at an exercise price of $ 5.02 (see table
below for the assumptions used). The options fully vested and was expensed immediately. One of the consultants is Mr. Karr, the Company’s
former Executive Chairman.
The
Company used the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of stock options granted during the year ended April 30, 2023. In applying
the Black-Scholes option pricing model to options granted, the Company used the following assumptions:
SCHEDULE
OF STOCK OPTION VALUATION ASSUMPTION
For
the Year
Ended
April 30, 2023
Risk
free interest rate
3.53 %
Dividend
yield
0.00 %
Expected
volatility
80 %
Contractual
and expected term (in years)
5.0
Forfeiture
rate
0.00 %
Stock-based
compensation for stock options recorded in the consolidated statements of operations totaled $ 29,608 and $ 493,008 for the years ended
April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. A balance of $ 19,736 remains to be expensed over future vesting periods related to unvested stock
options issued for services to be expensed over a weighted average period of 0.73 years.
Stock-based
expense for stock options were recorded in the following as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations:
SCHEDULE
OF STOCK-BASED EXPENSE FOR STOCK OPTION
For
the Year
Ended
April 30, 2024
For
the Year
Ended
April 30, 2023
Compensation
and related taxes – general and administrative
$ 29,608
$ 188,488
Professional
and consulting fees
-
304,520
Total
$ 29,608
$ 493,008
F- 19
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
Stock
Warrants
The
following is a summary of the Company’s stock warrant activity during the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:
SCHEDULE
OF STOCK WARRANT ACTIVITY
Number
of Warrants
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Life
(Years)
Warrants
with no Class designation:
Balance
at April 30, 2022
1,909,262
$ 9.29
4.38
Granted
870,000
6.16
5.51
Exercised
—
—
—
Forfeited
—
—
—
Canceled
—
—
—
Balance
at April 30, 2023
2,779,262
7.76
4.27
Granted
1,400,000
4.48
5.47
Exercised
—
—
—
Forfeited
—
—
—
Canceled
—
—
—
Balance
at April 30, 2024
4,179,262
6.66
4.01
Class
A Warrants:
Balance
at April 30, 2022
109,687
11.40
2.22
Granted
—
—
—
Exercised
—
—
—
Forfeited
—
—
—
Canceled
—
—
—
Balance
at April 30, 2023
109,687
11.40
1.22
Granted
—
—
—
Exercised
—
—
—
Forfeited
—
—
—
Canceled
—
—
—
Balance
at April 30, 2024
109,687
11.40
0.64
Total
Warrants Outstanding at April 30, 2024
4,288,949
$ 6.79
3.92
Warrants
exercisable at end of year
2,888,949
$ 7.90
Weighted
average fair value of warrants granted during the year
$ 4.48
As
of April 30, 2024 and 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of warrants outstanding and exercisable were de minimis for each period.
Concurrent
with the sale of common stock on April 10, 2023, the Company issued warrants to purchase 870,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock at an exercise price of $ 6.16 per share . The warrants are exercisable six months following
the date of issuance and will expire 5 years following the initial exercise date. These warrants allow for the potential settlement
in cash if certain extraordinary events are affected by the Company, including a 50% or greater change of control in the Company’s
common stock. Such payment in cash shall be equal to the black-scholes value as defined in the warrant agreement. These
870,000 warrants were recorded as warrant liability as of April 30, 2024 and 2023 (see Note 9).
Additionally,
on April 10, 2023, the Company agreed to amend, effective as of the closing of a registered offering, 625,000 warrants which was initially
granted on March 15, 2022 with an original exercise price of $ 8.60 per share and a termination date of September 18, 2027 , were reduced
to an exercise price of $ 6.16 per share and amended the termination date to April 10, 2028 . These 625,000 warrants were recorded as warrant
liability as of April 30, 2024 and 2023 (see Note 9).
Concurrent
with the sales of common stock on April 19, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock at an exercise price of $ 4.48 per share. The warrants are exercisable on October 19, 2024 and will expire on October 19, 2029 .
F- 20
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
NOTE
11 — NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Net
loss per share of common stock is calculated in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic loss per share is computed
by dividing net loss available to common stockholder, by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
period. The following were excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have had an anti-dilutive impact
on the Company’s net loss. In periods where the Company has a net loss, all dilutive securities are excluded.
SCHEDULE OF ANTI-DILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Common
stock equivalents:
Restricted
stock units
433,475
433,475
Stock
options
192,750
192,750
Stock
warrants
4,288,949
2,888,949
Total
4,915,174
3,515,174
NOTE
12 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Mining
Leases
The
CK Gold property position consists of two State of Wyoming Metallic and Non-metallic Rocks and Minerals Mining Leases: (1) State of Wyoming
Mining Lease No. 0-40828, consisting of 640 acres, and (2) State of Wyoming Mining Lease No. 0-40858 consisting of 480 acres. These leases
were assigned to the Company in July 2014 through the acquisition of the CK Gold Project. Leases to explore for or use natural resources
are outside the scope of ASU 2016-02 “Leases”.
Lease
0-40828 was renewed in February 2023 for a third ten -year term and Lease 0-40858 was renewed for a third ten -year term in February 2024.
Lease 0-40828 requires an annual payment of $ 3.00 per acre starting with the year beginning February 2023 and Lease 0-40858 requires
an annual payment of $ 3.00 per acre starting with the year beginning February 2024. The Company paid the total required minimum lease
payment of $ 3,360 in February 2024.
In
connection with the Wyoming Mining Leases, production royalties of 2.1 % of net receipts are required to be paid to the State of Wyoming,
although once the project is in operation, the Board of Land Commissioners has the authority to reduce the royalty payable to the State
of Wyoming.
The
future minimum lease payments at April 30, 2024 under these mining leases are as follows, each payment to be made in the fourth quarter
of the respective fiscal years:
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS
Fiscal
2025
$ 0
Fiscal
2025
$ 3,360
Fiscal
2026
3,360
Fiscal
2027
3,360
Fiscal
2028
3,360
Fiscal
2029
3,360
Fiscal
2030 and thereafter
11,520
Total
$ 28,320
The
Company may renew each lease for a fourth ten -year term, which will require annual payments of $ 4.00 per acre.
NPRC
option:
Pursuant
to the Merger, the Company acquired from NPRC a mineral property called Challis Gold located in Idaho pursuant to an option agreement
dated in February 2020 which was later amended in June 2020. The Company satisfied the minimum royalty payment of $ 25,000 for fiscal
years 2022 and 2023. The Company paid the minimum royalty payment of $ 25,000 in June 2023 for fiscal year 2024.
F- 21
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
The
annual advance minimum royalty payments as of April 30, 2024 under the option agreement are as follows, each payment to be made on the
first anniversary of the effective date of this option agreement and continuing until the tenth anniversary:
SCHEDULE OF ADVANCE MINIMUM ROYALTY PAYMENTS
Fiscal
2025
$ 25,000
Fiscal
2025
$ 25,000
Fiscal
2026
25,000
Fiscal
2027
25,000
Fiscal
2028
25,000
Fiscal
2029
25,000
Fiscal
2030 and thereafter
50,000
Total
$ 175,000
100 %
of the advance minimum royalty payments will be applied to the royalty credits.
Exploration
Access and Option to Lease Agreement
On
August 25, 2021 (“Effective Date”), the Company entered into an Exploration Access and Option to Lease Agreement (the “Agreement”)
with a private-party landowner (the “Landowner”) whereby the Landowner granted the Company an option (the “Option”)
to lease and right of way on a property located in Laramie County, Wyoming. The Company may exercise the Option for five years (“Option
Term”) from the Effective Date. During the Option, the Landowner granted non-exclusive rights (the “Exploration Access Rights”)
to the Company to use the surface of the property for an annual exploration and access right payment of $ 10,000 , thirty days after the
effective date and each year on the anniversary of the Effective Date during the Option Term until such time the Option is exercised
or expires. The Company is also required to pay an annual Option payment of $ 35,780 for the lease and $ 6,560 for the right of way within
thirty days after the Effective Date and each year on the anniversary of the Effective Date during the Option Term until such time the
Option is exercised by the Company or expires. The Company paid a total of $ 42,340 for each of the periods ended on September 1, 2021,
2022 and 2023, pursuant to this Agreement.
At
any time during the Option Term, the Company may exercise the Option by providing a written notice to the Landowner and the Company shall
pay a one-time right-of-way payment of $ 26,240 at closing and shall execute a lease agreement. The exclusive option to lease (the “Lease”)
and right of way (the “Right of Way”) is for a term of ten years with the right to extend for an additional ten years and
requires an annual lease payment of $ 50,000 , compensation for loss of grazing of $ 40.00 per acre impacted land and annual Right of Way
payments of $ 13,120 .
In
consideration for the option rights, lease rights and right of way rights under this Agreement, the Company agreed to grant the Landowner
shares of the Company’s common stock worth $ 50,000 , which shares will not vest, or be issued, until the Company executes the Lease.
Currently, the Company has not executed the Lease.
At
any time during the Option Term, the Company may terminate this Agreement by providing a written notice to the Landowner. Upon termination,
the Landowner is entitled to retain any payments already made and the Company shall have no further obligation after the date of termination.
The Agreement, including the Option and the Exploration Access Rights, may be extended for a period of five years upon written notice
from the Company. In the absence of such notice, the Agreement shall automatically terminate at the end of the Option Term. Currently,
the Company has not exercised the Option.
Legal
Matters
From
time to time the Company may be involved in claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. To the Company’s
knowledge, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of the Company’s property
is the subject.
F- 22
U.S.
GOLD CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2024
NOTE
13 — INCOME TAX
The
deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are summarized as follows:
SCHEDULE OF NET DEFERRED TAX ASSET AND LIABILITIES
Deferred
tax assets:
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Net
operating loss carryover
$ 12,317,000
$ 11,599,000
Stock-based
compensation
948,000
866,000
Exploration
cost
386,000
-
Accrued
remediation costs
22,000
35,000
Other
15,000
7,000
Subtotal
13,688,000
12,507,000
Less:
valuation allowance
( 11,949,000 )
( 10,774,000 )
Total
deferred tax assets
$ 1,739,000
$ 1,733,000
Deferred
tax liabilities:
April
30, 2024
April
30, 2023
Acquired
mineral rights in excess of tax basis in a tax-free merger
$ ( 2,152,000 )
$ ( 2,152,000 )
Other
( 17,000 )
( 11,000 )
Total
deferred tax liabilities
$ ( 2,169,000 )
$ ( 2,163,000 )
Net
deferred tax assets (liabilities)
$ ( 430,000 )
$ ( 430,000 )
The
Company has a net operating loss carryforward for federal tax purposes totaling approximately $ 58.6 million at April 30, 2024. Approximately
$ 11.3 million expires between the years 2029 and 2038, with approximately $ 47.3 million net operating losses incurred after December
31, 2017 that do not expire and can be utilized to offset up to 80 % of future taxable income. As of April 30, 2023, the Company had identified
certain adjustments that were required to past tax return filings, including those related to capitalized exploration expenses and share-based
compensation. These adjustments were made to the Company’s net operating loss carryforward in the federal tax return for the year
ended April 30, 2023. These adjustments are reflected in the carryforward amounts disclosed above. The Company does not have any state
net operating loss carryforwards. The Company primarily operates in the states of Wyoming and Nevada which do not impose a corporate
income tax. Any minor apportionment that may occur to any other taxable state will be immaterial to current and future operations of
the Company. Therefore, the effective state tax rate used in the calculation of the Company’s deferred tax is 0 %.
On
August 10, 2020, the Company acquired mineral rights totaling $ 10,249,632 (see Note 4 – Mineral Rights) in a tax-free reorganization
pursuant to IRC Section 368. The Company recorded the assets at fair value for financial reporting purposes and retained the seller’s
tax basis which was zero resulting in a deferred tax liability on the business combination date. As required by ASC 740, the Company
has recognized the deferred tax impact of acquiring the mineral rights asset in this transaction, with the amount paid exceeding the
tax basis of the asset on the acquisition date. A portion of the deferred tax liability is offset by deferred tax assets recognized by
the Company. The remaining portion of the deferred tax liability is not offset by deferred tax assets due to the indefinite life of the
mineral rights. As of April 30, 2024, the Company’s remaining net deferred tax assets have been offset with a full valuation allowance
as management is unable to conclude that it is not more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will expire unrealized.
The
differences between the provision (benefit) for federal income taxes and federal income taxes computed using the U.S. statutory tax rate
of 21 % were as follows:
SCHEDULE OF EFFECTIVE TAX RATE
Years
Ended April 30,
2024
2023
Federal
income tax provision (benefit) based on statutory rate
$ ( 1,448,000 )
21.0 %
$ ( 1,599,000 )
21.0 %
State
income tax provision (benefit), net of federal taxes
—
— %
—
— %
Change
in fair value of warrant liabilities
( 66,000 )
1.0 %
( 273,000 )
3.6 %
Change
in prior year estimate
( 14,000 )
0.2 %
( 255,000 )
3.4 %
Prior
year deferred tax adjustment
—
— %
1,804,000
( 23.7 ) %
Federal
net operating loss expiration
335,000
( 4.9 )%
—
— %
Other
nondeductible expenses
18,000
( 0.3 )%
42,000
( 0.6 ) %
Increase
(decrease) in valuation allowance
1,175,000
( 17.0 )%
281,000
( 3.7 )%
Total
tax provision (benefit) on income (loss)
$ —
— %
$ —
— %
The
Company has assessed its tax positions and has determined that it has not taken a position that would give rise to an unrecognized tax
liability being reported. In the event that the Company is assessed penalties and/or interest, penalties will be charged to other operating
expenses and interest will be charged to interest expense.
The
Company operates exclusively in the United States and in various state jurisdictions, primarily the states of Wyoming and Nevada. For
both federal and state income tax purposes, the Company’s fiscal 2021 through 2024 tax years remain open for examination by the
tax authorities under the general three-year statute of limitations. However, due to the Company’s federal net operating loss carryforward,
the Internal Revenue Service has the ability to adjust this carryforward even if the losses were incurred in years that would otherwise
be closed under the statute of limitations.
F- 23
Item
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
Item
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We
maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Management recognizes that any controls
and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management
necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as
of April 30, 2024. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to the Company’s management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded
that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at the reasonable assurance level, in ensuring that information required
to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within
the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”). Our
internal control system was designed to, in general, provide reasonable assurance to our management and our Board regarding the preparation
and fair presentation of published financial statements, but because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting
may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures
may deteriorate.
Our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal controls over
financial reporting as of April 30, 2024. The framework used by management in making that assessment was the criteria set forth in the
document entitled “2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission, (“COSO”). Based on that assessment, management concluded that, during the period covered by this report,
such internal controls and procedures were effective as of April 30, 2024.
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control
over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm as we are
a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide the report.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There
have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Item
9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Adoption
or Termination of Insider Trading Arrangements and Policies
The
Company has adopted an insider trading policy, which is effective as of June 14, 2021.
Item
9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not
applicable.
42
PART
III
Item
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Incorporated
by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
We
have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer, and those of our officers performing similar functions. The full text of our code of ethics can be found
on the Corporate Governance page on our website. In the event our Board approves an amendment to or waiver from any provision of our
code of ethics, we will disclose the required information pertaining to such amendment or waiver on our website.
Item
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated
by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or amendment to this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
Item
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Incorporated
by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or amendment to this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
Item
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Incorporated
by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or amendment to this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
Item
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated
by reference from the information in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or amendment
to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report
relates.
43
PART
IV
Item
15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The
following documents are filed as part of this report:
EXHIBIT
INDEX
2.1
Articles of Merger as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on May 23, 2017. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on May 26, 2017.
3.1
Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on January 8, 2016.
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated July 6, 2016. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on July 8, 2016.
3.3
Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on January 8, 2016.
3.4
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of 0% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on January 21, 2016.
3.5
Certificate of Designation of Rights, Powers, Preferences, Privileges and Restrictions of 0% Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on August 5, 2016.
3.6
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Company’s 0% Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001- 08266 on May 26, 2017.
3.7
Amended and Restated Bylaws. Incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on February 23, 2016.
3.8
Certificate of Designations, Rights, Powers, Preferences, Privileges and Restrictions of the Company’s 0% Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266 on June 20, 2019.
3.9
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of U.S. Gold Corp. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266 on March 19, 2020.
44
3.10
Certificate of Designation of 0% Series G Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on March 30, 2020.
3.11
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated May 2, 2017. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266 on May 5, 2017.
3.12
Certificate of Designations of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266 on August 13, 2020.
3.13
Certificate of Designations of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266 on August 13, 2020.
4.1
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibits to the Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, filed on May 12, 2011.
4.2
Form of Class A Warrant Certificate. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266 on June 20, 2019.
4.3
Description of Securities. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on July 29, 2021.
4.4
Form of Common Warrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on January 28, 2021.
4.5
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on February 18, 2022.
4.6
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on March 21, 2022.
4.7
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on April 10, 2023.
4.8
Amendment No. 1 to Warrants. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on April 10, 2023.
4.9
Form of Warrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on April 19, 2024.
10.1#
2014 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Exhibits to a Definitive Proxy Statement for an Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on November 10, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on October 21, 2014.
10.2#
2017 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Appendix A to a Definitive Proxy Statement for an Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on July 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001- 08266, on July 12, 2017.
10.3#
Consulting Agreement dated January 7, 2021 by and between Ryan K. Zinke and U.S. Gold Corp. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on July 29, 2021.
45
10.4#
Employment Agreement dated December 4, 2020 by and between George Bee and U.S. Gold Corp. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC File number 001- 08266, on December 10, 2020.
10.5#
Employment Agreement dated December 4, 2020 by and between Eric Alexander and U.S. Gold Corp. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC File number 001- 08266, on December 10, 2020.
10.6#
Employment Agreement dated July 19, 2021 by and between Kevin Francis and U.S. Gold Corp. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC File number 001- 08266, on July 19, 2021.
10.7#
U.S. Gold Corp 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC File number 001-08266, on September 24, 2019.
10.8#
First Amendment to the U.S. Gold Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporate by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC File number 001-08266, on November, 10, 2020.
10.9
Form of Leak-Out Agreement. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on August 13, 2020.
10.10#
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the U.S. Gold Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on December 16, 2019.
10.11#
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the U.S. Gold Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on December 16, 2019.
10.12#
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement under the U.S. Gold Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on December 16, 2019.
10.13
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on February 18, 2022.
10.14
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on March 21, 2022.
10.15#
Consulting Agreement dated March 10, 2021 by and between Luke Norman and U.S. Gold Corp. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on May 24, 2022.
10.16
Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated November 9, 2022. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on November 15, 2022.
10.17
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on April 10, 2023.
10.17
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on April 19, 2024.
19.1
Insider Trading Policy.
46
21.1
List of Subsidiaries.
23.1
Consent of Marcum LLP.
23.2
Consent of Gustavson Associates LLC (a member of WSP Global Inc.).
23.3
Consent of John A. Wells.
23.4
Consent of Mark C. Shutty.
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of George Bee.
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Eric Alexander.
32.1
*
Section 1350 Certification of George Bee (Furnished not Filed).
32.2
*
Section 1350 Certification of Eric Alexander (Furnished not Filed).
96.1
Technical Report Summary. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 96.1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC file number 001-08266, on August 15, 2022.
97.1#
U.S. Gold Corp Executive Compensation Clawback Policy
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Link base Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Link base Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Link base Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Link base Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
*
Furnished herewith
#
Indicates management or compensating plan or arrangement
Item
16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
47
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
U.S.
GOLD CORP.
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
George M. Bee
George
M. Bee
President
and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
Eric Alexander
Eric
Alexander
Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
Luke Norman
Luke
Norman, Director and Chairman
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
George M. Bee
George
M. Bee, Director
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
Johanna Fipke
Johanna
Fipke, Director
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
Robert W. Schafer
Robert
W. Schafer, Director
Date:
July 29, 2024
By:
/s/
Michael Waldkirch
Michael
Waldkirch, Director
48
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.