EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1011509
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1011509_10-K_2021_0001558370-21-001156.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEMS 1 AND 2: BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
Overview
We are a mining company holding a 100% interest in the Rodeo property in Durango State, Mexico, a 100% interest in the Velardeña and Chicago precious metals mining properties and associated oxide and sulfide processing plants in the state of Durango, Mexico (the “Velardeña Properties”), a 100% interest in the El Quevar advanced exploration silver property in the province of Salta, Argentina (subject to the terms of the April 9, 2020, earn-in agreement (the “Earn-in Agreement”) pursuant to which Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”) has the option to earn a 70% interest in the El Quevar project), and a diversified portfolio of precious metals and other mineral exploration properties located primarily in or near historical precious metals producing regions of Argentina, Nevada and Mexico. The Rodeo property, the Velardeña Properties and the El Quevar advanced exploration property are the Company’s only material properties.
We are primarily focused on mining operations at the Rodeo property as well as further studies of a restart plan for Velardeña, including use of bio-oxidation to improve the payable gold recovery. We are also focused on (i) advancing our El Quevar exploration property in Argentina through the Earn-in Agreement with Barrick and (ii) continuing to evaluate and search for mining opportunities in North America (including Mexico) with near term prospects of mining, and particularly for properties within reasonable haulage distances of our processing plants at the Velardeña Properties. The Company is also reviewing strategic opportunities, focusing primarily on development or operating properties in North America, including Mexico.
Our management team is comprised of experienced mining professionals with extensive expertise in mineral exploration, mine construction and development, and mine operations. Our principal office is located in Golden, Colorado at 350 Indiana Street, Suite 650, Golden, CO 80401, and our registered office is the Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. We also maintain an office at the Velardeña Properties in Mexico and exploration offices in Argentina and Mexico.
No Proven or Probable Mineral Reserves/Exploration Stage Company
We are considered an exploration stage company under the SEC criteria since we have not demonstrated the existence of proven or probable mineral reserves at any of our properties. In SEC Industry Guide 7, the SEC defines a “reserve” as that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Proven or probable mineral reserves are those reserves for which (a) quantity is computed and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are spaced so closely that the geologic character is defined and size, shape and depth of mineral content can be established (proven) or the sites are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced but high enough to assume continuity between observation points (probable). Mineral reserves cannot be considered proven or probable unless and until they are supported by a feasibility study, indicating that the mineral reserves have had the requisite geologic, technical and economic work performed and are economically and legally extractable.
We have not completed a feasibility study with regard to any of our properties to date. Any mineralized material discovered or extracted by us should not be considered proven or probable mineral reserves. As of December 31, 2020, none of our mineralized material met the definition of proven or probable mineral reserves. We expect to remain an exploration stage company for the foreseeable future. We will not exit the exploration stage until such time, if ever, that we demonstrate the existence of proven or probable mineral reserves that meet the guidelines under SEC Industry Guide 7, even if we successfully produce material from our properties, as we expect to do in 2021.
Company History
We were incorporated in Delaware under the Delaware General Corporation Law in March 2009. From March 2009 through September 2011, we focused on the advancement of our El Quevar silver project in Argentina. In September 2011, we completed a business combination transaction with ECU Silver Mining Inc. (“ECU”), resulting in our ownership of the Velardeña and Chicago silver, gold and base metals mines located in the Velardeña mining district in the State of Durango, Mexico as further described below under “-Velardeña Properties”.
Corporate Structure
Golden Minerals Company, headquartered in Golden, Colorado, is the operating entity through which we conduct our business. We have a number of wholly-owned subsidiaries organized throughout the world, including in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Europe. We generally hold our exploration rights and properties through subsidiaries organized in the countries in which our rights and properties are located.
Our Competitive Strengths and Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to establish Golden Minerals as a mid-tier precious metals mining company focused in North America and Argentina. We also review strategic opportunities from time to time.
Rodeo Property. As a result of our decision to seek to commence mining operations at our Rodeo project, we now consider the Rodeo property to be one of our material properties, along with the Velardeña Properties and the El Quevar project. We began mining at the Rodeo project in late December 2020 and began processing mined material from the Rodeo project in January 2021. Although short-lived, the Rodeo project is expected to provide free cash flow through at least 2023 that will enable us to continue to evaluate a potential restart of mining at the Velardeña Properties as well as to evaluate our other exploration properties.
Velardeña Properties. Due to continuing net operating losses, we suspended mining and sulfide processing activities at the Velardeña Properties during the first half of November 2015. The Velardeña Properties include a 300-tonne per day flotation sulfide mill, which includes three flotation circuits in which we can process sulfide material to make lead, zinc and pyrite concentrates. The properties also include a conventional 550-tonne per day cyanide leach oxide
mill with a Merrill-Crowe precipitation circuit and flotation circuit located adjacent to our Chicago mine. We continue to evaluate and search for other oxide and sulfide feed sources, focusing on sources within haulage distance of our sulfide and oxide mills at the Velardeña Properties. The recent rise in precious metals prices, the advancement of alternative processing technologies in the industry, and the results of our testing activities prompted us to pursue the preparation of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment of our Velardeña project. In April 2020 we announced positive results from the updated PEA (as more fully described herein under “Velardeña - Mine Plan and Metallurgy”).
El Quevar Project. We continue to advance our El Quevar silver project in Salta Province, Argentina. On April 9, 2020, we entered into the Earn-In Agreement with Barrick pursuant to which Barrick has the option to earn a 70% interest in the El Quevar project (as more fully described herein under “El Quevar - Title and Ownership Rights”).
Exploration Focus. We are focused on evaluating and searching for mining opportunities in North America with high precious metal grades and low development costs with near term prospects of mining, and particularly properties within reasonable haulage distances of our Velardeña processing plants. We are also continuing our exploration efforts on selected properties in our portfolio of approximately 12 exploration properties located in Mexico, Nevada and Argentina.
Experienced Management Team. We are led by a team of mining professionals with approximately 60 years of combined experience in exploration, project development, and operations management, primarily in the Americas. Our executive officers have held senior positions at various large mining companies including, among others, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, INCO Limited, Meridian Gold Company, Barrick Gold Exploration and Noranda Exploration.
Rodeo Property
Location, Access and Facilities
Our Rodeo project is located approximately 2 kilometers east of the town of Rodeo in Durango State, Mexico. The city of Torreón is located 189 kilometers by road to the east of the project and the city of Durango is located 157 kilometers by road to the south. The property can be reached via gravel roads from the town of Rodeo. Basic amenities are available in the town of Rodeo. Facilities onsite at the Rodeo project will include fuel storage, a maintenance area, portable warehouses, mobile offices and other essential services and support units. No processing facilities will be located on site. We have obtained rights to extract water from the Nazas River which is within a few kilometers of the project. There is a power line that crosses the property and services the nearby villages however, we anticipate relying on generators to provide power for the minimal infrastructure required at the mine site.
We began mining at the Rodeo project in late December 2020. Our mine plan for the Rodeo project contemplates the processing of mined material at our Velardeña oxide mill, which is located approximately 115 kilometers via road from the Rodeo project. We began processing mined material from the Rodeo project in January 2021. Pursuant to the mine plan, we truck mined material to the plant using a commercial trucking contractor. Our Velardeña oxide plant is a typical agitated leach plant that is rated to handle up to 550 tonnes per day of throughput. The plant is equipped with a modern doré refinery, and the attached tailings facility recently underwent an expansion which is expected to be sufficient for the tailings that would be produced from operations at Rodeo. We have begun installation of a new regrind mill circuit at the plant specifically to process the harder mined material coming from the Rodeo property. The circuit, which will allow for increased throughput of material and the increased recovery of gold, is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter 2021.
The following map shows the location of the Rodeo project.
Property History
Exploration and informal mining of the Rodeo property dates back over 25 years. Prior to 1994, two prospects, called the “Los Murcielagos” gold-silver-lead-copper and “Francisco Marquez” gold-copper prospects, were documented in the vicinity of the Los Murcielagos arroyo on the Rodeo property. Little information is available on these historic prospects other than gold- and silver-bearing mineralization was apparently extracted from short adits that are visible from surface. In the early 1990’s, exploration work, including geological mapping and drilling, on the property was carried out by La Cuesta International Inc. and Monarch Resources de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. The property was acquired by Canplats Resource Corporation in 2003, and it conducted a geochemical sampling program and multiple drilling programs during the mid-2000s. Canplats was acquired by Goldcorp Inc. in 2010 and the rights to the Rodeo concessions came to be held in Camino Minerals Corporation (“Camino”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldcorp. In 2010, Camino issued a technical report on the property. In 2011, Camino conducted a 6,238-meter drilling program to investigate the extension of the known mineralization to the north and south of the main mineralized zone of the property, as well as its depth. In 2014, Camino relinquished its right to acquire the Rodeo concessions and the property reverted to La Cuesta. We acquired the Rodeo concessions from La Cuesta International Inc. in 2015.
Title and Ownership Rights
The Rodeo project consists of two mineral concessions totaling approximately 1,866 hectares. The “Rodeo” concession, totaling 521 hectares, is held under a lease agreement dated May 18, 2015 pursuant to which we are required to make advanced royalty payments of $40,000 per year to La Cuesta International, S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of La Cuesta International Inc (“La Cuesta”). We are required to pay a 2% net smelter return royalty from production to La Cuesta. After $5 million has been paid to La Cuesta under the royalty agreement, the royalty payment
will reduce to a 1% net smelter return. The mineralized material that has been identified to date and which forms the basis for the Preliminary Economic Assessment described below is located on the Rodeo concession.
The “Rodeo 2” concession, totaling approximately 1,345 hectares, was purchased from Rojo Resources, S.A. de C.V. under a purchase agreement dated July 22, 2015. Royalty payments of 2% of net smelter returns on material produced from Rodeo 2 are also due to La Cuesta.
We are also required to pay a 0.5% net smelter return royalty to the Mexican federal government from all production at the Rodeo property.
The following Rodeo property mine concessions are identified below by name and file number in the Federal government Public Registry of Mining.
Name of Mine Concession
Concession File Number
Rodeo
Rodeo 2
We are required to pay annual concession holding fees to the Mexican government to maintain our rights to the Rodeo mining concessions. In 2020, we made such payments totaling approximately $31,000 and expect to pay approximately $34,000 in 2021. Similar to our Velardeña Properties, the Rodeo property is subject to the Mexican ejido system requiring us to contract with the local communities, or ejidos, surrounding the property to access mineral claims needed in connection with our mining and exploration activities. The Rodeo deposit is located on a private ranch and is not a part of the ejido system. We have a surface use agreement with the private ranch owner that allows us to operate on the property. The surface use agreement requires us to make annual payments of approximately $70,000 to the private ranch owner. We also have an agreement with the local ejidos to allow access to the property that we believe will be sufficient to conduct our proposed mining activities. The local ejidos do not have a direct interest in the mineral claims and payments under the agreement are expected to be less than $25,000 per year.
Geology and Mineralization
The Rodeo concession lies on the eastern boundary of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The Rodeo fault system consists of three major parallel structures and wall-rock fracture systems that are the principal feeder conduits for a high-level, gold-silver epithermal mineral system. These major vein and breccia-filled structures appear to be feeder conduits responsible for the 1 kilometer by 4 kilometer area of silicified, clay-altered and gold-anomalous rocks that form a resistant north northwest-trending ridge. All three of the structures are wide, laterally and longitudinally persistent, well-developed feeder vein swarms with high-level, locally banded chalcedonic quartz veins, stockworks and silicified breccias. In the area of principal interest, the structures are strongly veined, silicified, brecciated, and mineralized for over 4 kilometers, and the shear fault zones and hydrothermal system can be traced for 8 kilometers along strike on the property. Individual feeder vein and breccia systems are up to 60 meters thick. Flexures in the vein swarms and/or structural intersections provide brecciation and open conduits for intense, episodic fluid flow and silica deposition with the potential for ore-grade concentrations of precious metals, especially gold.
The immediate Rodeo deposit area is approximately 300 meters along strike and 200 meters wide and extends to a depth of 200 meters below surface. The deposit strikes at 330° and dips to the northeast with various vein phases dipping from subvertical to 30°. The deposit is entirely hosted within Tertiary Rodeo volcanics that are strongly silicified and brecciated. The deposit is bound to the east by the Rodeo fault. Along strike to the north and south, the mineralization is offset slightly by near vertical faulting; mineralization does not terminate at these faults but the intensity of the trend is either diminished or has yet to be located.
2017 Mineralized Material Estimate
During January 2017, Tetra Tech, Inc. completed an estimate of mineralized material at the Rodeo deposit, prepared pursuant to Canada National Instrument 43-101. The estimate was prepared using a block model rotated to fit the deposit strike. Two different estimates were prepared based on alternative operating scenarios. The first operating scenario, which contemplates transportation of the mined material to the Velardeña oxide mill, is shown below. The alternative operating scenario would require the construction of a processing facility on-site, which we do not currently believe is attractive.
The following table shows the estimated mineralized material.
Cutoff AuEq g/t
Tonnes (M)
Au g/t
Ag g/t
0.83
0.4
3.3
______
(1)
Cutoff grade and Au equivalent calculated using metal prices of $1,220 and $17 per troy ounce of Au and Ag, recoveries of 77% and 90% Au and Ag.
(2)
The mineralized material estimate has been pit shell constrained using the Lerch Grossman algorithm with inputs of $7.50 mining, $10 trucking, and $20 processing costs per tonne. A breakeven cutoff including trucking and processing costs per block was applied to a block model within the optimized shell.
See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Mineralized Material” above.
Mine Plan and Metallurgy
In April 2020 we announced the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the project. The PEA calls for an open pit mining operation with material transported to our Velardeña oxide plant. In August 2020, we completed a 35-hole 1400-meter drilling program to further verify the continuity of the high-grade core of the deposit. The results of this program enabled us to finalize the initial start-up mine plan and also provided further metallurgical data in order to confirm recovery assumptions and enable the appropriate setup of the oxide plant. Results from the drilling program were slightly better than the assumptions that were used in the PEA.
The PEA utilized metallurgical results from initial test work conducted in 2017, which confirmed good gold and silver metallurgical recoveries for milled material. Bottle roll cyanide leach testing of the high-grade samples conducted in 2017 resulted in gold extractions of 80 to 86 percent. Silver extractions ranged from 72 to 76 percent for all tests. Initial test work also indicated that the material is not suitable for gold and silver recovery by heap leaching. The results of metallurgical testing conducted during 2020 using samples obtained in the recently completed drilling program revealed the need for an additional regrind circuit in the oxide plant and a finer grind size to attain recoveries projected in the PEA. In the 2020 metallurgical testing, gold extractions averaged approximately 85 percent assuming a grind size of 80 percent passing 325 mesh. The potential need for a regrind circuit due to the harder characteristics of the Rodeo mined material was anticipated in the PEA and the estimated $600,000 capital cost of the regrind circuit has already been included in the total estimated $1.5 million of capital, pre-production drilling and other assessment activities, initial mining costs, working capital and other start-up related costs reflected in the PEA.
Certain Laws Affecting Mining in Mexico
Our current and proposed operations at the Rodeo project are subject to a variety of laws affecting mining operations in Mexico. For a discussion of these laws, see “Business and Properties - Velardeña Properties - Certain Laws Affecting Mining in Mexico”.
Taxes
For a discussion of the taxes that apply generally to mining projects in Mexico, see “Business and Properties - Velardeña Properties - Taxes in Mexico”.
Recent Activities and Operating Plans
For a discussion of recent activities and projected operating parameters, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - 2020 Highlights - Rodeo Property” below.
Velardeña Properties
Location, Access and Facilities
The Velardeña Properties are comprised of two underground mines and two processing plants within the Velardeña mining district, which is located in the municipality of Cuencamé, in the northeast quadrant of the State of Durango, Mexico, approximately 65 kilometers southwest of the city of Torreón, Coahuila and approximately 140 kilometers northeast of the city of Durango, which is the capital of the State of Durango. The mines are reached by a seven kilometer road from the village of Velardeña which is reached by highway from Torreón and Durango. The Velardeña mining district is situated in a temperate hot, semi-arid region.
Of the two underground mines comprising the Velardeña Properties, the Velardeña mine includes five different major vein systems including the Terneras, Roca Negra, San Mateo, Santa Juana and San Juanes systems. During 2015, we mined from the San Mateo, Terneras and Roca Negra vein systems as well as the Santa Juana vein system to augment grades as mining and processing rates ramped up.
We own a 300-tonne per day flotation sulfide mill situated near the town of Velardeña. The mill includes three flotation circuits in which we can process sulfide material to make lead, zinc and pyrite concentrates. We also own a conventional 550-tonne per day cyanide leach oxide mill with a Merrill-Crowe precipitation circuit and flotation circuit located adjacent to our Chicago mine. In July 2015, we leased the oxide plant to Minera Hecla S.A. de C.V. (“Hecla”), a Mexican corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company, to process its own material through the plant (the “Hecla Lease”). The Hecla Lease was subsequently extended and ultimately terminated in accordance with its terms on November 30, 2020. We continue to evaluate and search for other oxide and sulfide feed sources, focusing on sources within haulage distance of our sulfide and oxide mills at the Velardeña Properties.
Power for all of the mines and plants is provided through substations connected to the national grid.
Water is provided for all of the mines by wells located in the valley adjacent to the Velardeña Properties. In Mexico, water concessions are granted by the National Commission of Water (“CNA”). Currently no new water concessions are being granted by the CNA; however, companies can acquire water concessions through purchase or lease from current concession holders. We hold title to three wells located near the sulfide plant and hold certificates of registration to three wells located near the oxide plant. We are licensed to pump water from all six wells up to a permitted amount. We are required to make annual payments to the CNA to maintain our rights to these wells. In 2020 we made such payments totaling approximately $7,000 and expect to pay approximately $12,000 in 2021. We are required to pay a nominal additional fee to the CNA each year if we use too much water from a particular well or alternatively if we do not use a minimum amount of water from a particular well.
The following map shows the location of the Velardeña Properties.
Property History
Exploration and mining in the Velardeña district extended back to at least the late 1500s or early 1600s, with large scale mining beginning in 1888 with the Velardeña Mining and Smelter Company. In 1902, the mining properties were acquired by ASARCO, who mined the property until 1926 when the mines were closed. For the next 35 years, the mines were operated from time to time by small companies and local miners. The property was nationalized in 1961, and in 1968 the sulfide processing plant was built by the Mexican government. In 1994, William Resources acquired the concessions comprising the Velardeña Properties. In 1997, ECU Gold (the predecessor to ECU Silver Mining Inc.) purchased from William Resources the subsidiaries that owned the concessions and the sulfide processing plant. The oxide processing plant was acquired in 2004. In 2011, we acquired ECU Silver Mining Inc.
Title and Ownership Rights
We hold the concessions comprising the Velardeña Properties through our wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary Minera William S.A. de C.V. At present, a total of 28 mineral concessions comprise the Velardeña Properties. The Velardeña Properties concessions encompass approximately 316 hectares. The mineral concessions vary in size, and the concessions comprising each mineral property are contiguous within each of the Velardeña and Chicago properties. We are required to pay annual concession holding fees to the Mexican government to maintain our rights to the Velardeña mining concessions. In 2020, we made such payments totaling approximately $21,000 and expect to pay approximately $23,000 in 2021. We also own the surface rights to 144 hectares that contains the oxide plant, tailings area and access to the Chicago mine, along with surface lands that may be required for potential plant expansions.
The Velardeña Properties are in part subject to the Mexican ejido system requiring us to contract with the local communities, or ejidos, surrounding our properties to obtain surface access rights needed in connection with our mining and exploration activities. We currently have contracts with two ejidos to secure surface rights for our Velardeña Properties with a total annual cost of approximately $35,000. We have a ten-year contract with the Velardeña ejido, which provides surface rights to certain roads and other infrastructure at the Velardeña Properties through 2021, and a 25-year contract with the Vista Hermosa ejido, which provides exploration access and access rights for roads and utilities for our Velardeña Properties until 2038.
The following Velardeña Properties exploitation concessions are identified below by name and number in the Federal government Public Registry of Mining.
Mine/Area
Name of Exploitation
Concession
Concession
Number
Velardeña
AMPL. DEL ÁGUILA MEXICANA
ÁGUILA MEXICANA
LA CUBANA
TORNASOL
SAN MATEO NUEVO
SAN MATEO
RECUERDO
SAN LUIS
LA NUEVA ESPERANZA
LA PEQUEÑA
BUEN RETIRO
UNIFICACIÓN SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA
UNIFICACIÓN VIBORILLAS
BUENAVENTURA No. 3
EL PÁJARO AZÚL
BUENAVENTURA 2
BUENAVENTURA
LOS DOS AMIGOS
VIBORILLAS NO. 2
KELLY
Chicago
SANTA TERESA
SAN JUAN
LOS MUERTOS
EL GAMBUSINO
AMPLIACIÓN SAN JUAN
MUÑEQUITA
SAN AGUSTÍN
LA CRUZ
Geology and Mineralization
The Velardeña district is located at the easternmost limit of the Sierra Madre Occidental on the boundary between the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Mesa Central sub-provinces. Both of these terrains are underlain by Paleozoic and probably Precambrian basement rocks.
The regional geology is characterized by a thick sequence of limestone and minor calcareous clastic sediments of Cretaceous age, intruded by Tertiary plutons of acidic to intermediate composition. During the Laramide Orogeny, the sediments were folded into symmetrical anticlines and synclines that were modified into a series of asymmetrical overturned folds by a later stage of compression.
A series of younger Tertiary stocks have intruded the older Cretaceous limestone over a distance of approximately 15 kilometers along a northeast to southwest trend. The various mineral deposits of the Velardeña mining district occur along the northeast southwest axis and are spatially associated with the intrusions and their related alteration.
An important northwest-southeast fracture system is associated with these intrusions and, in many cases, acts as the main focus of mineralization. The Velardeña Properties are underlain by a thick sequence of limestone that corresponds to rocks of the Aurora and Cuesta del Cura formations of Lower Cretaceous age.
Several types of Tertiary intrusive rocks are present in the Velardeña district. The largest of these intrusives outcrops on the western flank of the Sierra San Lorenzo and underlies a portion of the Velardeña Properties. It is referred to as the Terneras pluton and forms a northeast oriented, slightly elongated body, considered to represent a diorite or monzodiorite that outcrops over a distance of about 2.5 kilometers. The adjacent limestone has been altered by contact metamorphism (exoskarn), and locally the intrusive has been metamorphosed (endoskarn).
The following is a description of the individual geological characteristics and mineralization found on each of the properties comprising the Velardeña and Chicago mines.
Velardeña Mine
The Santa Juana, Terneras, San Juanes and San Mateo vein deposits on the Velardeña property are hosted by Aurora Formation limestone, the Terneras intrusion and related skarn. The limestone is intruded by a series of multiphase diorite or monzodiorite stocks (Terneras intrusion) and dikes of Tertiary age that outcrop over a strike length of approximately 2.5 kilometers.
Two main vein systems are present on the Velardeña property. The first is a northwest striking system as found in the Santa Juana deposit, while the second is east-west trending and is present in the Terneras, San Juanes and San Mateo deposits.
In the Santa Juana deposit, vein trends are steeply northeast dipping and northwest trending. The Terneras, San Juanes and San Mateo veins all strike east-west and dip steeply north. The most extensive of these is the Terneras vein, which was mined in the past over a strike length of 1,100 meters. All of these veins are observed to have extensive strike lengths and vertical continuity for hundreds of meters. The mineralogy of the east west system is somewhat different in that it contains less arsenic than the northwest Santa Juana veins.
Mineralization in the deposits located at the Velardeña mine occurs primarily in epithermal quartz-calcite veins with associated lead, zinc, silver, and copper minerals including gold hosted mostly in arsenopyrite and pyrite, typical of the polymetallic vein deposits of northern Mexico. The veins are usually thin, normally in the 0.2 meter to 0.5 meter range, but consistent along strike and down dip. Coxcomb and rhythmically banded textures are common.
2020 Technical Report
During the second quarter of 2020, the engineering firm of Tetra Tech, Inc. (“Tetra Tech”) completed a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) of the Velardeña Properties. The PEA included an updated estimate of mineralized material, which is set forth in the table below:
Silver
Gold
(Ag)
(Au)
Grade
Grade
Lead
Tonnes
(Grams
(Grams
(Pb)
(in
per
per
Grade
Zinc (Zn)
Mineralized Material
thousands)
tonne)
tonne)
%
Grade %
Mineralized Material at May 8, 2020
Velardeña & Chicago Mines
Oxide
5.1
1.71
1.49
Sulfide
4.8
1.46
1.92
Total Mineralized Material
1,351
4.9
1.54
1.78
Note: Results may not tie precisely due to rounding.
The above mineralized material estimate was based on a cutoff grade of a net smelter return (“NSR”) of $125 per tonne and the following assumed prices:
Metal
Metal Prices*
Silver
$
16.30 (oz)
Gold
$
1,305 (oz)
Lead
$
0.99 (lb)
Zinc
$
1.27 (lb)
* Amounts represent three-year trailing average as of December 2019.
The cutoff grade of $125 NSR per tonne of mineralized material was determined by assessing the estimated average costs of mining, processing and general and administration, as well as metallurgical recoveries, including sulfide metallurgical recoveries of 67%, 90%, 72% and 77% for gold, silver, lead and zinc respectively. The average cost estimates are the same for both the Velardeña and Chicago mines.
For further detail regarding mineralized material, see “CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING MINERALIZED MATERIAL”.
Velardeña Properties Activities
The recent rise in precious metals prices, the advancement of alternative processing technologies in the industry, and the results of our testing activities prompted us to pursue the preparation of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment of our Velardeña project. In April 2020 we announced positive results from the updated PEA. The updated PEA was prepared to incorporate new and updated elements of the project database, mine plan and processing plan, most notably the inclusion of bio-oxidation treatment of gold-bearing pyrite concentrates. In late 2019, we obtained successful results from testing Velardeña gold concentrate material using Finnish firm Outotec’s “BIOX” process, a sustainable technology that was developed to pre-treat refractory ores and concentrates ahead of conventional cyanide leaching. The
gold in these types of mineralized materials, such as those found at Velardeña, is encapsulated in pyrite and arsenopyrite which prevents the gold from being successfully cyanide leached. BIOX utilizes bacteria to oxidize these sulfide minerals, thereby exposing the gold for subsequent cyanide leaching and increasing overall gold recoveries. The 2019 BIOX testing of Velardeña material achieved gold recoveries of 92% from the pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrate, compared to sub-30% gold recoveries realized when the Velardeña Properties last operated in 2015. During 2021, we plan to continue to optimize the mine plan and processing details in preparation for future test-mining and processing in advance of establishing a definite schedule for restarting commercial production at the Velardeña mines and the installation of the bio-oxidation circuit. No development decision has been made regarding a potential restart of the Velardeña mines, however, discussions are in progress regarding the potential to restart mining and flotation processing in late 2021 or early 2022 while awaiting design and possible construction of the bio-oxidation facility.
Mining and Processing
Aside from some minor test mining and crushing activities, there were no mining or processing activities, other than the Hecla Lease, at our Velardeña Properties in 2019 or 2020 as a result of the shutdown of the mining and sulfide processing activities in November 2015. Currently, we expect to incur approximately $0.2 million in quarterly holding costs for as long as mining and sulfide processing activities remain suspended.
Environmental Matters and Permitting
We hold environmental licenses and environmental impact assessments that allow us to run our mines, plants and tailing facilities at our Velardeña Properties. We are required to update our environmental licenses and environmental impact assessments for expansion of or modification to any of the existing two processing plants. The construction of new infrastructure beyond the current plant facilities also would require additional permitting, which could include environmental impact assessments and land use permits.
Certain Laws Affecting Mining in Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a federal constitutional republic in North America and bordered by the United States of America, Belize and Guatemala. Mexico is a federal democratic republic with 31 states and Mexico City. Each state has its own constitution and its citizens elect a governor, as well as representatives, to their respective state congresses. The President of Mexico is the head of the executive federal government. Executive power is exercised by the President, while legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the Congress of the Union. The three constitutional powers are the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature which are independent of each other.
Legislation Affecting Mining
The Mining Law, originally published in 1992 and amended in 1996, 2005, 2006 and 2014, is the primary legislation governing mining activities in Mexico. Other significant legislation applicable to mining in Mexico includes the regulations to the Mining Law, the Federal Law of Waters, the Federal Labor Law, the Federal Law of Fire Arms and Explosives, the General Law on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection and regulations, the Federal Law of Duties and the Federal Law on Metrology and Standards.
The Concession System
Under Mexican law, mineral deposits are property of the Mexican republic, and a mining concession, granted by the executive branch of the federal government, is required for the exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral deposits. Mining concessions may only be granted to Mexican individuals domiciled in Mexico or companies incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Mexico. Mexican companies that have foreign shareholders must register with the National Registry of Foreign Investments and renew their registration on an annual basis. Mining concessions grant rights to explore and exploit mineral deposits but do not grant surface rights over the land where the concession is located. Mining
concession holders are required to negotiate surface access with the land owner or holder (e.g., agrarian communities) or, should such negotiations prove unsuccessful, file an application with the corresponding administrative authority (Ministry of Economy or Ministry of Agrarian-Territorial-Urban Development) to obtain an easement, temporary occupancy, or expropriation of the land, as the case may be. An application for a concession must be filed with the Mining Agency or Mining Delegation located closest to the area to which the application relates.
Mining concessions have a term of 50 years from the date on which title is recorded in the Public Registry of Mining. Holders of mining concessions are required to comply with various obligations, including the payment of certain mining duties based on the number of hectares of the concession and the number of years the concession has been in effect. Failure to pay the mining duties can lead to cancellation of the relevant concession. Holders of mining concessions are also obliged to carry out and prove assessment works in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Mining Law and its regulations. The regulations to the Mining Law establish minimum amounts that must be spent or invested on mining activities. A report must be filed in May of each year regarding the assessment works carried out during the preceding year. The mining authorities may impose a fine on the mining concession holder if one or more proof of assessment work reports is not timely filed.
Pursuant to amendments to the federal corporate income tax law, effective January 2014, additional duties are imposed on mining concession holders; see “-Taxes in Mexico”.
Environmental Legislation
Mining projects in Mexico are subject to Mexican federal, state and municipal environmental laws and regulations for the protection of the environment. The principal legislation applicable to mining projects in Mexico is the federal General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, which is enforced by the Federal Bureau of Environmental Protection, commonly known as “PROFEPA”. PROFEPA is the federal entity in charge of carrying out environmental inspections and negotiating compliance agreements. Voluntary environmental audits, coordinated through PROFEPA, are encouraged under the federal General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection. PROFEPA monitors compliance with environmental legislation and enforces Mexican environmental laws, regulations and official standards. If warranted, PROFEPA may initiate administrative proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, which proceedings may result in the temporary or permanent closure of non-complying facilities, the revocation of operating licenses and/or other sanctions or fines. According to the Federal Criminal Code, PROFEPA must inform the relevant governmental authorities of any environmental crimes that are committed by a mining company in Mexico.
Concession holders under the exploration stage may submit themselves to comply with the Mexican Official Norm: NOM-120-SEMARNAT-1997, which provides, among other things, that mining exploration activities to be carried out within certain areas must be conducted in accordance with the environmental standards set forth in NOM-120-SEMARNAT-1997; otherwise, concession holders are required to file a preventive report or an environmental impact study prior to the commencement of the exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources. An environmental impact study is required for exploitation and processing of mineral resources activities.
In 2014 Mexico developed an energy policy applicable to private investment companies whereby new mining concessions are now subject to prior approval from the Ministry of Energy. Current mining concessions forming the Velardeña Properties are not subject to or affected by this approval requirement, but any new mining concessions acquired will be subject to this additional approval.
Taxes in Mexico
Mexico has a federal corporate income tax rate of 30%, and there are no state taxes on corporate net income. In determining their corporate income tax, entities are allowed to subtract from gross income various deductions permitted by law, and they are allowed a ten-year carry-forward of net operating losses. Pursuant to amendments to the federal tax
laws effective January 1, 2014, a 10% withholding tax is charged on dividends distributed to shareholders, regardless of the tax residence of the recipient, out of after tax profits. However, in the case of nonresident shareholders the limitations and tax rates provided in the treaties to avoid double taxation will prevail. A foreign resident company is subject to income tax if it has a permanent establishment in Mexico. In general, a permanent establishment is a place of business where the activities of an enterprise are totally or partially carried out and includes, among others, offices, branches and mining sites.
Under the 2014 amendments to the federal corporate income tax law, titleholders of mining concessions are required to pay an annual special duty of 7.5% of their mining related profits. Titleholders of mining concessions also are required to pay a 0.5% special mining duty, or royalty, on an annual basis, on revenues obtained from the sale of silver, gold and platinum. Both the 7.5% annual special duty and the 0.5% duty are due at the end of March each year. The special duty of 7.5% is generally applicable to earnings before income tax, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and interest. In calculating the special duty of 7.5%, there are no deductions related to depreciable costs from operational fixed assets, but exploration and prospecting depreciable costs are deductible when incurred. Both duties are tax deductible for income tax purposes.
Mexico has several taxes in addition to income tax that are relevant to most business operations, including (i) the Value Added Tax (“VAT”); (ii) import duties; (iii) various payroll taxes; and (iv) statutorily entitled employee profit sharing (“PTU”). In addition, annual mining concession fees are charged by the government.
VAT in Mexico is charged upon alienation of goods, performance of independent services, grant of temporary use or exploitation of goods, or import of goods or services that occur within Mexico’s borders, at a rate of 16%. There is no VAT in the case of export of goods or services or for the sale of gold, jewelry, and gold metalwork with a minimum gold content of 80%, excluding retail sale to the general public. The sale of mining concessions is subject to VAT as concessions are not considered to be land. VAT paid by a business enterprise on its purchases and expenses may usually be credited against its liability for VAT collected from customers on its own sales. This creditable VAT may also be directly refunded, but under new regulations beginning in January 2019, the creditable VAT can no longer offset other Mexican federal taxes.
Import duties apply for goods and services entering the country, unless specifically exempted due to a free trade agreement or registered under specific programs like IMMEX. Payroll taxes are payable in most states including Durango and Coahuila, and social security, housing and pension contributions must be made to the federal government when paying salaries.
Employees of Mexico entities are statutorily entitled to a portion of the employer’s pre-tax profits, called PTU. The rate of profit sharing is currently 10% of the employer’s taxable income as defined by the Income Tax law. A taxpayer may reduce its income tax base by an amount equal to the PTU. Certain companies are exempt from paying PTU, which include companies in the extractive industry (principally the mining industry) during the period of exploration.
El Quevar
Location and Access
Our El Quevar silver project is located in the San Antonio de los Cobres municipality, Salta Province, in the altiplano region of northwestern Argentina, approximately 300 kilometers by road northwest of the city of Salta, the capital city of the province. The project is also accessible by a 300-kilometer dirt and gravel road from the city of Calama in northern Chile. The small village of Pocitos, located about 20 kilometers to the west of El Quevar, is the nearest settlement. We have established a camp approximately 10 kilometers west of the project to house project workers. A high-tension power line is located approximately 40 kilometers from the site, and a high-pressure gas line devoted to the mining industry and subsidized by the Salta government is located within four kilometers of the El Quevar camp.
The El Quevar project is located near Nevado Peak with altitudes at the concessions ranging from 3,800 to 6,130 meters above sea level. The climate of the area is high mountain desert, with some precipitation in summer (such as snow) and little snow in winter.
The following map shows the location of the El Quevar project.
Property History
Mining activity in and around the El Quevar project dates back at least 80 years. Between 1930 and 1950, there was lead and silver extraction of mineralized materials from small workings in the area, but we have no mining records from that period. The first organized exploration activities on the property occurred during the 1970s, although no data from that period remains. Over the last 30 years, several companies have carried out exploration activity in the area, including BHP Billiton, Industrias Peñoles, Mansfield Minerals and Hochschild Mining Group, consisting primarily of local sampling with some limited drilling programs.
Title and Ownership Rights
According to Argentine law, mineral resources are subject to regulation in the provinces where the resources are located. Each province has the authority to grant mining exploration permits and mining exploitation concession rights to applicants. The Federal Congress has enacted the National Mining Code and other substantive mining legislation, which is applicable throughout Argentina; however, each province has the authority to regulate the procedural aspects of the National Mining Code and to organize the enforcement authority within its own territory.
In the province of Salta, where the El Quevar project is located, all mining concessions are granted by a judge in the Salta Mining Court. The El Quevar project is comprised of exploitation concessions. Exploitation concessions are subject to a canon payment fee (maintenance fee) which is paid in advance twice a year (before June 30th and December 31st of each calendar year). Each time a new mining concession is granted, concession holders are exempt from the canon payment fee for a period of three years from the concession grant date. However, this exemption does not apply to the grant of vacant exploitation concessions; only to the grant of new mining concessions.
The El Quevar project is currently comprised of 31 mining concessions that we hold directly. In total, the El Quevar project encompasses approximately 57,000 hectares. The area of most of our exploration activities at El Quevar is within the concessions that are owned by Silex Argentina S.A., our wholly-owned subsidiary.
We are required to pay a 1% net smelter return royalty on the value of all minerals extracted from the El Quevar II concession and a 1% net smelter return royalty on one-half of the minerals extracted from the Castor concession to the third party from whom we acquired these concessions. We can purchase one half of the royalty for $1 million in the first two years of production. The Yaxtché deposit is located primarily on the Castor concession. We may also be required to pay a 3% royalty to the Salta Province based on the net smelter value of minerals extracted from any of our concessions less costs of processing. To maintain all of the El Quevar concessions, we paid canon payment fees to the Argentine government of approximately $36,000 and $22,000 in 2019 and 2020, respectively. In 2021 we expect to pay approximately $15,000.
The following El Quevar mine concessions are identified below by name and file number in the Salta Province Registry of Mines.
Name of Mine Concession
Concession
File Number
Quevar II
Quirincolo I
Quirincolo II
Castor
Vince
Armonia
Quespejahuar
Toro I
Quevar Primera
Quevar Novena
Quevar Decimo Tercera
Quevar Tercera
Quevar Vigesimo Tercero
Quevar 10
Quevar Vigesimo Primera
Quevar Vigesimo Septima
Quevar IV
Quevar Vigesimo Cuarto
Quevar 11
Quevar Quinta
Quevar 12
Quevar Decima Quinta
Quevar Sexta
Quevar 19
Quevar Vigesimo Sexta
Quevar Vigesimo Segundo
Quevar Séptima
Quevar Veinteava
Mariana
Arjona II
Quevar Vigesimo Quinto
The surface rights at El Quevar are controlled by the Salta Province. There are no private properties within the concession area. To date, no issues involving surface rights have impacted the project. Although we have unrestricted access to our facilities, we have been granted easements to further protect our access rights.
Barrick Earn-In Agreement
In April 2020, we entered into the Earn-In Agreement with Barrick, pursuant to which Barrick has acquired an option (the “Option”) to earn a 70% interest in the Company’s El Quevar project located in the Salta Province of Argentina.
Pursuant to the terms of the Earn-In Agreement, in order to earn an undivided 70% interest in the El Quevar project, Barrick must: (A) incur a total of $10 million in work expenditures over a total of eight years ($0.5 million per year in years one and two, $1.0 million per year in years three, four and five, and $2.0 million per year in years six, seven and eight); (B) deliver to the Company a National Instrument 43-101 compliant pre-feasibility study pursuant to the parameters set forth in the Earn-In Agreement; and (C) deliver a written notice to exercise the Option to us within the term of the Earn-In Agreement. Barrick may withdraw from the Earn-In Agreement at any time after spending a minimum of $1.0 million in work expenditures and upon providing us with 30 days’ notice.
We will form a new entity (“NewCo”) that will hold the El Quevar properties. Upon satisfaction of the earn-in conditions and exercise of the Option, NewCo will be 70% owned by Barrick and 30% owned by us. Funding of NewCo will be based on Barrick’s and our respective ownership, and industry standard dilution mechanisms will apply in the case of funding shortfalls by either shareholder.
During the earn-in period, originally scheduled from April 9, 2020 to April 9, 2028, in addition to the exploration spending, Barrick will fund the holding costs of the property, which will qualify as work expenditures. Barrick will reimburse us for expenses related to maintaining the exploration camp which will initially be run by us under a service agreement, which will also qualify as work expenditures. Through December 31, 2020, approximately $0.4 million of expenses incurred by us were reimbursable under the Earn-In Agreement.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related legal restrictions on mining exploration in Salta, Argentina, Barrick declared a force majeure event under the Earn-In Agreement. As a result of the force majeure event, the earn-in period and other applicable deadlines in the Earn-In Agreement were extended by 119 days. The force majeure event is no longer in effect and Barrick has commenced activities at the site.
Geology and Mineralization
The geology of the El Quevar project is characterized by silver-rich veins and disseminations in Tertiary volcanic rocks that are part of an eroded stratovolcano. Silver mineralization at El Quevar is hosted within a broad, generally east-west-trending structural zone and occurs as a series of north-dipping parallel sheeted vein zones, breccias and mineralized faults situated within an envelope of pervasively silicified brecciated volcanic rocks. There are at least three sub-parallel structures that extend for an aggregate length of approximately 6.5 kilometers. Several volcanic domes (small intrusive bodies) have been identified and mineralization is also found in breccias associated with these domes, especially where they are intersected by the structures. The silver mineralization at the Yaxtché zone is of epithermal origin. The cross-cutting nature of the mineralization, the assemblage of sulfide and alteration minerals, and the presence of open spaces with euhedral minerals, all point to an origin at shallow to moderate depths (a few hundred meters below surface) from hydrothermal solutions.
Mineralized Material Estimate
During 2012, we released an estimate of mineralized material at our El Quevar project. This estimate assumed mining of oxide material from an open pit on the east end of the Yaxtché deposit and sulfide material from both the open pit and an underground mine on the western portion of the Yaxtché deposit. The estimate was based on results from 270 core drill holes.
In 2017, Wood Group USA, Inc. (formerly known as Amec Foster Wheeler E&C Services, Inc.) (“Wood”) undertook an analysis and re-modeling of data utilized in a 2012 mineralized material estimate based on results from 270 core drill holes from the Yaxtché deposit. The Wood estimate, which we announced in February 2018, used updated geologic controls and a modeling method that optimized silver grade assuming mining would occur solely underground.
In September 2018, we completed a PEA prepared pursuant to NI 43-101 that used the February 2018 revised estimate of mineralized material for the Yaxtché deposit as a basis. The PEA contemplates a six-year underground mining
operation using pre-existing and new underground development at a mine production rate of 1,200 tonnes per day using a post-pillar cut-and-fill mining method that will deliver 2.45 million tonnes of diluted sulfide material at an average grade of 409 g/t silver. As contemplated in the PEA, the mined material would be processed using a conventional single product flotation mill that would produce a silver-rich bulk concentrate suitable for sale.
For further detail regarding mineralized material, see “CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING MINERALIZED MATERIAL”.
Exploration Properties
In addition to Rodeo, Velardeña and El Quevar, we currently control a portfolio of approximately 12 exploration properties located primarily in certain traditional precious metals producing regions of Mexico, Nevada and Argentina. We do not consider any of our exploration properties to be individually material, including those noted below.
In 2021 we plan to focus our exploration efforts primarily on evaluating and searching for mining opportunities in North America with near term prospects of mining. We are also focused on continuing our exploration efforts on selected properties in our portfolio. During 2021 we expect our expenditures for the exploration program to total approximately $0.4 million, with approximately $0.2 million in property holding costs in Mexico, $0.1 million in holding costs in Nevada and approximately $1.2 million in administrative and general reconnaissance costs in Mexico.
Yoquivo
The Yoquivo property was acquired in 2017 and with the 2019 additional acquisition of a claim internal to the exterior boundary the project consists of 1,975 hectares in 7 claims that cover an epithermal vein district hosted in Tertiary andesitic volcanic rocks that is exposed in an erosional window through Oligocene rhyolite on the eastern margin of the Sierra Madre Occidental of northern Mexico. The property is 200 km SW of Chihuahua city in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Surface rock sampling done in 2018 demonstrated gold and silver values of potential economic interest in several of the veins in the district. We have an option to purchase the six concessions that comprise the Yoquivo property for payments totaling $0.75 million over four years subject to a 2% to 3% NSR royalty on production, capped at $2.8 million.
In October 2018 we announced high-grade silver-gold assays from the Yoquivo project. Multiple silver-gold bearing epithermal veins were mapped and sampled, with the two most important veins being the San Francisco and Pertenencia veins. A new vein, the La Nina vein, was discovered in the northwest of the property where it splits off from the main San Francisco vein. Two other veins, the Esperanza and El Dolar veins have been identified and sampled. Based on sampling and mapping we have identified the most attractive targets on the property and have permits in hand to initiate the drill program. In September 2020 we began a 3,400-meter, 15-hole drill program to test the most promising portions of the veins. We completed the drill program in December 2020 and identified four separate vein systems in which surface sampling has returned grades up to 4,050 g/t silver and 27.7 g/t gold from surface. We announced the drill results in January 2021, which identified four veins with potentially economic gold-silver grades, including a newly discovered vein without previous historic mining within the district scale property holdings. We plan to follow with a second phase drill program, which could start in the the second quarter 2021.
Santa Maria
On July 14, 2020, we entered into a binding letter of intent with Fabled Silver Gold Corp., formerly known as Fabled Copper Corp. (“Fabled”), for a potential transaction pursuant to which Fabled would acquire our option to earn a 100% interest in the Santa Maria mining claims located in Chihuahua, Mexico (the “Option”). Entry into a definitive agreement regarding the Option was subject to a number of contingencies. On December 4, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) to sell its Option to Fabled. The period to exercise the Option (the “Exercise Period”) expires on December 4, 2022, unless extended by the parties under the terms of the Option Agreement. As consideration for the Option, Fabled (i) paid $0.5 million in cash to the Company and issued to the
Company one million shares of Fabled’s common stock; (ii) will pay $1.5 million in cash to the Company on the one year anniversary date following the closing of the Option Agreement; (iii) will pay $2.0 million in cash to the Company on the two year anniversary date following the closing of the Option Agreement; and (iv) upon exercise of the Option, will grant the Company a 1% net smelter return royalty on the Maria, Martia III, Maria II Frac. I, Santa Maria and Punto Com concessions (the “Concessions”). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, during the Exercise Period, Fabled is obligated to pay to each of the owners of the Concessions (the “Owners”) any remaining required payments due to the Owners pursuant to the various underlying option agreements between the Owners and the Company, and to make all payments and perform all other requirements needed to maintain the Concessions in good standing. Should Fabled not complete its obligations described herein, the Santa Maria mining claims will revert to the Company and the Company will be entitled to keep any payments made by Fabled under the terms of the Option Agreement.
We have the right to acquire 100% of the Santa Maria property under two separate option agreements representing the total concessions that comprise the property for additional payments of $0.2 million, payable through August 2021. The first option agreement covers concessions we acquired in August 2014 and required a final payment of approximately $0.1 million in November 2020. The second option agreement covers concessions acquired in August 2017 and requires an additional approximately $0.2 million be paid in 2021.
Sand Canyon
During the second quarter 2019 we entered into an earn-in agreement with Golden Gryphon Explorations for the Sand Canyon project located in northwestern Nevada, where surface work has identified a large system of epithermal veins with potential for gold and silver deposits. We hold an option to earn a 60% interest in the Sand Canyon project by spending $2.5 million in exploration expenses over four years, with guaranteed minimum expenditures of $0.5 million in year one. To continue to earn interest in the project, we must spend at least $0.75 million in each of years two and three and $0.5 million in year four, and drill at least 5,000 feet of core or 10,000 feet of reverse circulation or a combination of the two, by the end of the second year. We paid $25,000 cash and $50,000 in reimbursed exploration expenditures to acquire the option and $35,000 cash in 2020 on the first anniversary of the agreement, and will make staged payments of a total additional $100,000 ($50,000 in 2021 and $50,000 in 2022) over the next two anniversaries of the agreement.
We completed surface exploration activities on the project in late 2019, including mapping and geochemical sampling to identify drill targets. Based on this work and after securing drill permits, we initiated a drill program in the first quarter 2020. In March 2020 we completed the initial drill program of approximately 1,800 meters in 4 diamond drill holes. The drill holes were placed to target surface geochemical and geophysical anomalies associated with epithermal veining observed in outcrops. Drill holes tested the two principal epithermal vein target areas on the property, the DeLong Canyon target and the Sand Canyon target. The drill hole collared to test the DeLong Canyon target did not encounter any veins or significant anomalous geochemical values. Interpretation shows that a fault offset likely caused the drill hole to miss the vein system as projected from surface. The three drill holes collared to test the veins and anomalies in the Sand Canyon target area all intersected narrow vein and breccia structures with low anomalous values of Ag, As, Sb, and Mo. No potentially economic concentrations of precious metals were encountered in any of the four drill holes. Plans for further testing of the mineralized system are being considered. In the first year of exploration at Sand Canyon and through December 31, 2020, we spent $1.8 million toward the $2.5 million earn-in requirement, fulfilling the first and second year minimum expenditures and the minimum drill commitment.
Executive Officers of Golden Minerals
Name
Age
Position
Warren M. Rehn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert P. Vogels
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Warren M. Rehn. Mr. Rehn was appointed President of our company in May 2015 and appointed Chief Executive Officer and director in September 2015. Mr. Rehn previously served as Senior Vice President, Exploration and Chief Geologist since December 2012 and served as Vice President, Exploration and Chief Geologist since February 2012. From 2007 until February 2012, Mr. Rehn held various positions at Barrick Gold Exploration, Inc., serving most recently as Chief Exploration Geologist for the Bald Mountain and Ruby Hill mining units. From 2005 until 2007, Mr. Rehn was a consulting geologist for Gerson Lehman Group, which provides consulting services to various industries, including geology and mining. Mr. Rehn served as a Consulting Senior Geologist at Placer Dome Exploration, Inc. in 2004 and as an independent consulting geologist throughout the Americas from 1994 until 2003. He served as a Senior Geologist at Noranda Exploration, Inc. from 1988 until 1994. Mr. Rehn holds an M.S. in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines and a B.S. in Geological Engineering from the University of Idaho.
Robert P. Vogels. Mr. Vogels was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in March 2009. Mr. Vogels served as Controller of Apex Silver from January 2005 to March 2009 and was named Vice President in January 2006. Prior to joining Apex Silver, Mr. Vogels served as corporate controller for Meridian Gold Company from January 2004 until December 2004. He served as the controller of INCO Limited’s Goro project in New Caledonia from October 2002 to January 2004. Prior to joining INCO, Mr. Vogels worked from 1985 through October 2002 for Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, which was acquired in 1999 by Phelps Dodge Corp. During that time, he served in several capacities, including as the controller for its El Abra copper mine in Chile from 1997 until March 2002. Mr. Vogels began his career in public accounting as a CPA. He holds a B.Sc. in accounting and an MBA degree from Colorado State University.
Metals Market Overview
We are an emerging precious metals exploration company with silver and gold mining properties in Mexico and a large advanced exploration silver project in Argentina. Descriptions of the markets for these metals are provided below.
Silver Market
Silver has traditionally served as a medium of exchange, much like gold. Silver’s strength, malleability, ductility, thermal and electrical conductivity, sensitivity to light and ability to endure extreme changes in temperature combine to make it a widely used industrial metal. While silver continues to be used as a form of investment and a financial asset, the principal uses of silver are industrial, primarily in electrical and electronic components, photography, jewelry, silverware, batteries, computer chips, electrical contacts, and high technology printing. Silver’s anti-bacterial properties also make it valuable for use in medicine and in water purification. Additionally, the use of silver in the photovoltaic and solar panel industries is growing rapidly, and new uses of silver are being developed in connection with the use of superconductive wire and radio frequency identification devices.
Most silver product is obtained from mining in which silver is not the principal or primary product. The Silver Institute, an international silver industry association, noted that for 2018 only around 26% of output came from so-called primary silver mines, where silver is the main source of revenue.
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated on the London Fix high and low silver fixes in U.S. dollars per troy ounce. On February 12, 2021, the closing price of silver was $27.07 per troy ounce.
Silver
Year
High
Low
$
37.23
$
26.67
$
32.23
$
18.61
$
22.05
$
15.28
$
18.23
$
13.71
$
20.71
$
13.58
$
18.56
$
15.22
$
17.52
$
14.13
$
19.31
$
14.38
$
28.89
$
12.01
2021*
$
29.59
$
24.87
*
Through February 12, 2021.
Gold Market
Gold has two main categories of use: fabrication and investment. Fabricated gold has a variety of end uses, including jewelry, electronics, dentistry, industrial and decorative uses, medals, medallions and official coins. Gold investors buy gold bullion, official coins and jewelry. The supply of gold consists of a combination of production from mining and the draw-down of existing stocks of gold held by governments, financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals.
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated on the London Fix PM high and low gold fixes in U.S. dollars per troy ounce. On February 12, 2021, the closing price of gold was $1,816 per troy ounce.
Gold
Year
High
Low
$
1,792
$
1,540
$
1,694
$
1,192
$
1,385
$
1,142
$
1,296
$
1,049
$
1,366
$
1,077
$
1,346
$
1,151
$
1,355
$
1,178
$
1,546
$
1,270
$
1,672
$
1,527
2021*
$
1,943
$
1,786
* Through February 12, 2021.
Employees
We currently have 192 employees, including [seven] in Golden, approximately 174 in Mexico, primarily involved with the Rodeo operation, and 11 in Argentina, primarily in connection with the El Quevar project.
Competition
There is aggressive competition within the mining industry for the acquisition of a limited number of mineral resource opportunities, and many of the mining companies with which we compete have greater financial and technical resources than we do. Accordingly, these competitors may be able to spend greater amounts on acquisitions of mineral properties of merit, as well as on exploration and advancement of their mineral properties. We also compete with other mining companies for the acquisition and retention of skilled mining engineers, mine and processing plant operators and mechanics, geologists, geophysicists and other experienced technical personnel. Our competitive position depends upon our ability to successfully and economically advance new and existing silver and gold properties. Failure to achieve and
maintain a competitive position could adversely impact our ability to obtain the financing necessary for us to advance our mineral properties.
Available Information
We make available, free of charge through our website at www.goldenminerals.com, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K and is not a part of this report. Additionally, the public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A:RISK FACTORS
Investors in Golden Minerals should consider carefully, in addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K, the following risk factors:
Risk Factors related to our Financial Circumstances
We are an exploration stage company and do not have a long-term source of revenue.
We have a history of operating losses and have not successfully produced revenue from mining operations since 2015. Although we expect our Rodeo project to generate revenue and free cash flow commencing in 2021, that project is short-lived and is not expected to generate significant cash flow beyond 2023. We are evaluating other potential mining activities, including a potential restart of production at the Velardeña Properties. However, we do not currently have any mining activities scheduled to commence after the termination of production at the Rodeo property.
If we are unable to generate revenue from another mining property, we will be dependent on future external financing to fund our corporate expenses and exploration and development activities. There is no assurance that such financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. See “Risk Factors - We may not have access to sufficient future capital.”
We may not have access to sufficient future capital.
Although the Rodeo property is expected to generate revenue and free cash flow through 2023, we expect to require additional external financing to fund our continuing business activities. Additional capital would be required to fund general and administrative costs if our revenue and cash flow projections for Rodeo are not realized. Moreover, additional capital may be required in order to continue to advance our other projects.
We do not have a credit, off-take or other commercial financing arrangement in place that would finance our general and administrative costs and other working capital needs to fund our continuing business activities in the future, and we believe that securing credit for these purposes would be challenging. In addition, commercial financing arrangements may not be available on favorable terms or on terms that would not further restrict our flexibility and ongoing ability to meet our cash requirements over a reasonable period of time. We also may not be able to obtain funding by monetizing additional non-core exploration or other assets at an acceptable price.
Although we may be able to access public equity markets, including through issuances under out At the Market Offering Program with H.C. Wainwright & Co. (“ATM Program”) or the committed equity program with Lincoln Park
Capital that we entered into in May 2018 (the “LPC Program”), significant equity issuances may be dilutive to our existing stockholders.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain financing to fund our general and administrative costs and other working capital needs to fund our continuing business activities in the future on favorable terms or at all.
Risk Factors related to our Mining and Processing Activities
We have not established proven or probable mineral reserves at our only producing property, the Rodeo project.
We have not established proven or probable reserves, as defined by the SEC under Industry Guide 7 or Canadian securities regulators, at the Rodeo mine. In order to establish proven reserves under SEC Industry Guide 7, we would be required to prepare a final, “bankable” feasibility study. Due to the size of the Rodeo deposit and the relatively short anticipated mine life, we do not believe it is necessary to incur the expense and delay involved in preparing a bankable feasibility study in order to bring the Rodeo project into production. As a result, despite the fact that we have undertaken confirmatory drilling to provide additional certainty regarding the Rodeo deposit, there is an increased uncertainty and risk that may result in economic and technical failure which may adversely impact our future profitability. Our production and after-tax cash flow estimates at the Rodeo mine are based in part on the mineralized material estimate. Therefore, because the estimate does not constitute proven reserves under SEC Industry Guide 7, the production and after-tax cash flow estimates which are derived therefrom are inherently more uncertain than would otherwise be the case if the Rodeo mine were supported by a bankable feasibility study and estimate of proven reserves established in accordance with Industry Guide 7.
Our ability to achieve the cash flow and profitability predicted at the Rodeo mine will be affected by changes in prices of silver and gold.
We estimate approximately $9.0 million to $10.5 million in after-tax cash flow from the Rodeo mine during 2021. This estimate is based on an average silver price of $25.00 per ounce and an average gold price of $1,800 throughout 2021. Our ability to achieve our revenue and cash flow forecast is dependent, in large part, on the market prices of silver and gold. The market prices for these metals are volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including (i) global or regional consumption patterns; (ii) supply of and demand for silver and gold on a worldwide basis; (iii) speculative and hedging activities; (iv) expectations for inflation; (v) political and economic conditions; (vi) supply of, and demand for, consumables required for extraction and processing of metals, and (vii) general economic conditions worldwide. We have no ability to influence the price of silver and gold.
The assumptions behind our estimates of cash flow and profitability at the Rodeo mine are inherently subject to uncertainty.
Our decision to commence production at the Rodeo mine was based on a Preliminary Economic Assessment that was completed in April 2020, as well as subsequent drilling and metallurgical work. In making the decision to commence mining, we made certain assumptions regarding operating and capital costs and project economic returns. These estimates of average cash operating costs are based upon, among other things (i) anticipated tonnage, grades and metallurgical characteristics of the ore to be mined and processed; (ii) anticipated recovery rates of silver and other metals from the ore; (iii) cash operating costs of comparable facilities and equipment; and (iv) anticipated climatic conditions. Actual cash operating costs, production and economic returns may differ significantly from those anticipated by our studies and estimates.
We are party to a collective bargaining agreement with a union in Mexico that, together with labor and employment regulations, could adversely affect our mining activities and financial condition.
Mine employees in Mexico are typically represented by a union, and our relationship with our employees is, and we expect in the future will be, governed in part by collective bargaining agreements. Any collective bargaining agreement that we enter into with a union is likely to restrict our mining flexibility in and impose additional costs on our mining activities. In addition, relations between us and our employees in Mexico may be affected by changes in regulations or labor union requirements regarding labor relations that may be introduced by the Mexican authorities or by labor unions. Changes in legislation or in the relationship between us and our employees may have a material adverse effect on our mining activities and financial condition.
Products processed from our Rodeo project or other mines in the future could contain higher than expected contaminants, thereby negatively impacting our financial condition.
Treatment charges paid to smelters and refineries include penalties for certain elements, including arsenic and antimony that exceed contract limits. If the material mined from our Rodeo project includes higher than expected contaminants, this would result in higher treatment expenses and penalty charges that could increase our costs and negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. This could occur due to unexpected variations in the occurrence of these elements in the material mined, problems that occur during blending of material from various locations in the mine prior to processing and other unanticipated events.
Mining and processing activities are dependent on the availability of sufficient water supplies to support our mining activities.
Processing activities at the Velardeña Properties require significant amounts of water. At the Velardeña Properties, our ability to have sufficient water is dependent on our ability to maintain our water rights and claims. Water is provided for all of the mines comprising our Velardeña Properties by wells located in the valley adjacent to the Velardeña Properties. We hold title to three wells located near the sulfide plant and hold certificates of registration to three wells located near the oxide plant. We are licensed to pump water from all six wells up to a permitted amount. We are currently using water from the three wells associated with the oxide plant and from two of the three wells associated with the sulfide plant. We are required to make annual payments to the Mexican government to maintain our rights to these wells. We are required to pay a fine to the Mexican Government each year if we use too much water from a particular well or alternatively if we do not use a minimum amount of water from a particular well. In addition to these fines, the Mexican Government reserves the right to cancel our title to the wells for abuse of these rules.
We believe we currently have a sufficient amount of water for our expected processing activities at the plant. However, if we began processing material through both the sulfide and oxide plants in the future, we may face shortages in our water supply, and therefore will need to obtain water from outside sources at higher costs. The loss of some or all water rights for any of our wells, in whole or in part, or shortages of water to which we have rights would require us to seek water from outside sources at higher costs and could require us to curtail or shut down mining and processing in the future. Laws and regulations may be introduced in the future which could limit our access to sufficient water resources in mining activities, thus adversely affecting our business.
There are significant hazards involved in possible future underground mining and processing activities at our Velardeña Properties, not all of which would be fully covered by insurance.
While we are not currently conducting mining operations at the Velardeña Properties, we are evaluating a potential restart of production. Because the Velardeña mines are underground, potential mining activities, as well as the conduct of our exploration programs that frequently require rehabilitation of and drilling in underground mine workings, are subject to numerous risks and hazards inherent in underground mines. These risks include, for example, unforeseen environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, formation pressures, cave-ins, underground fires or floods, power outages, seismic activity, rock bursts, accidents relating to historical workings, landslides and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These occurrences could result in
damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or processing facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, reduced extraction and processing and delays in mining, asset write-downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Although we maintain insurance against risks inherent in the conduct of our business in amounts that we consider reasonable, this insurance contains exclusions and limitations on coverage, and will not cover all potential risks associated with mining and exploration activities, and related liabilities might exceed policy limits. As a result of any or all of the forgoing, we could incur significant liabilities and costs that could adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.
Risk Factors related to our Exploration and Development Activities
Our exploration properties may not contain mineral reserves.
We are considered an exploration stage company under SEC Industry Guide 7, and none of our properties have been shown to contain proven or probable mineral reserves as defined under Industry Guide 7. Expenditures made in mining at our properties may not result in positive cash flow or in discoveries of commercially recoverable quantities of ore. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable ore deposits, and we cannot assure you that any mineral deposit we identify will qualify as an orebody that can be legally and economically exploited or that any particular level of recovery from discovered mineralization will in fact be realized.
Our mineralized material estimates are inherently imprecise.
We have released estimates of mineralized material at the Rodeo project, the El Quevar project and the Velardeña Properties. Mineralized material figures based on estimates made by geologists are inherently imprecise and depend on geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling that may prove to be unreliable or inaccurate. We cannot assure you that these estimates are accurate, and even if the estimates are accurate, the economic viability of the project may not justify exploitation.
The exploration of our mineral properties is highly speculative in nature, involves substantial expenditures and is frequently non-productive.
Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature and frequently results in no or very little return on amounts invested to evaluate a particular property. Substantial expenditures are required to (i) establish the existence of a potential ore body through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques; (ii) determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to process metal from the ore; (iii) determine the feasibility of mine development and production; and (iv) construct, renovate or expand mining and processing facilities. If we discover a deposit or ore at a property, it usually takes several years from the initial phases of exploration until production is possible, if at all. During this time, the economic feasibility of a project may change because of increased costs, lower metal prices or other factors. As a result of these uncertainties, our exploration programs may not result in the identification of proven and probable reserves in sufficient quantities to justify developing a particular property.
We may not mine the Velardeña Properties again.
In mid-November 2015, we shut down the mines and sulfide processing plant at our Velardeña Properties and placed them on care and maintenance. Commencing mining again is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including:
●whether we are able to create a mine plan or gold recovery improvements that can achieve sustainable cash positive results at current and future metals prices;
●unexpected events, including difficulties in maintaining the properties on a care and maintenance basis, potential sabotage or damage to the assets related to the suspension of mining, and variations in ore grade and relative amounts, grades and metallurgical characteristics of oxide and sulfide ores;
●whether gold and silver prices will achieve or remain at sufficiently high levels to permit us to achieve sustainable cash positive results;
●whether actual holding and care and maintenance costs exceed current estimates or whether unanticipated costs arise;
●whether we are able to retain sufficient numbers of skilled mining and management personnel and otherwise maintain satisfactory relations with the unionized workforce on site; and
●our ability to obtain additional funding for general and administrative costs and other working capital needs to fund our continuing business activities as currently conducted and possibly for a potential restart of our Velardeña Properties.
Based on these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that we will restart mining activities at the Velardeña Properties.
Most of our properties are subject to foreign environmental laws and regulations which could materially adversely affect our business.
We are conducting mining activities in Mexico and conduct mineral exploration activities in Mexico and Argentina. Both jurisdictions have laws and regulations that control the exploration and mining of mineral properties and their effects on the environment, including air and water quality, mine reclamation, waste generation, handling and disposal, the protection of different species of flora and fauna and the preservation of lands. These laws and regulations require us to acquire permits and other authorizations for conducting certain activities. In many countries, there is relatively new comprehensive environmental legislation, and the permitting and authorization process may not be established or predictable. We may not be able to acquire necessary permits or authorizations on a timely basis, if at all. Delays in acquiring any permit or authorization could increase the cost of our projects and could suspend or delay the commencement of extraction and processing of mineralized material.
Our Rodeo and Velardeña properties are subject to regulation by SEMARNAT, the environmental protection agency of Mexico. In order to permit new facilities at or expand existing facilities, regulations require that an environmental impact statement, known in Mexico as a Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (the “Manifestación”), be prepared by a third-party contractor for submission to SEMARNAT. Studies required to support the Manifestación include a detailed analysis of soil, water, vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources and socio-economic impacts. The Manifestación is then published on SEMARNAT’s web page and in its official gazette in a national and local newspaper. The Manifestación is discussed at various open hearings, including hearings in the local communities, at which third parties may voice their views. We would be required to provide proof of local community support of the Manifestación as a condition to final approval. We may not be able to obtain community support of future projects.
Environmental legislation in Mexico is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Future changes in environmental regulation in the jurisdictions where our Rodeo and Velardeña properties are located may adversely affect our business, make our business prohibitively expensive, or prohibit it altogether.
Environmental legislation in many other countries, in addition to Mexico, is evolving in a manner that will likely require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. We cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted or adopted in the future or how future laws and regulations will be administered or interpreted. Compliance with more stringent laws and regulations,
as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement policies or regulatory agencies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may (i) necessitate significant capital outlays, (ii) cause us to delay, terminate or otherwise change our intended activities with respect to one or more projects, or (iii) materially adversely affect our future exploration activities.
Many of our properties are located in areas of prior mining activity and we may encounter legacy environmental damage.
The Velardeña Properties and many of our exploration properties are located in historic mining districts where prior owners, including ECU in the case of the Velardeña Properties, may have caused environmental damage that may not be known to us or to applicable regulators. At the Velardeña Properties and in most other cases, we have not conducted comprehensive environmental analyses of our mineral properties. Insurance fully covering many environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and mining) is not generally available. To the extent environmental hazards may exist on the properties in which we currently hold interests, or may hold interests in the future, that are unknown to us at present and that have been caused by us, or previous owners or operators, or that may have occurred naturally, and to the extent we are subject to environmental requirements or liabilities, the cost of compliance with these requirements and satisfaction of these liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to fully fund the cost of remediation of any environmental condition, we may be required to suspend activities or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remediation.
Climate change and climate change legislation or regulations could impact our business.
We are subject to risks associated with climate change which could seriously harm our results of operations and increase our costs and expenses. The occurrence of severe adverse weather conditions, including increased temperatures, hail, droughts, fires or floods, may have a potentially devastating impact on our operations. Adverse weather may result in physical damage to our operations, instability of our infrastructure and equipment, washed-out roads to our projects, and alter the supply of water and electricity to our mining sites and oxide plant. Increased temperatures may also decrease worker productivity at our projects and raise cooling costs. Should the impacts of climate change be material in nature or occur for lengthy periods of time, our financial condition or results of operations would be adversely affected.
U.S. or international legislative or regulatory action intended to ensure the protection of the environment are constantly changing and evolving in a manner expected to result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability, and potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs. While we will continue to monitor and assess any new policies, legislation or regulations regarding such matters, we currently believe that the impact of such legislation on our business will not be significant.
Most of our exploration properties, including our Rodeo and Velardeña properties, are located in Mexico and are subject to various levels of political, economic, legal, social and other risks.
Our Rodeo and Velardeña properties are located in Mexico, and, as such, are exposed to various levels of political, economic, legal and other risks and uncertainties, including local acts of violence, such as violence from drug cartels; military repression; extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates; high rates of inflation; labor unrest; the risks of war or civil unrest; expropriation and nationalization; renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits and contracts; illegal mining; acts of political corruption; changes in taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and changing political conditions, currency controls and governmental regulations that favor or require the awarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction.
In the past, Mexico has been subject to political instability, changes and uncertainties, which have resulted in changes to existing governmental regulations affecting mineral exploration and mining activities. Mexico’s status as a
developing country may make it more difficult for us to obtain any required funding for our Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties or other projects in Mexico in the future.
Our Mexican properties are subject to a variety of governmental regulations governing health and worker safety, employment standards, waste disposal, protection of historic and archaeological sites, mine development, protection of endangered and protected species, purchase, storage and use of explosives and other matters. Specifically, our activities related to the Rodeo and Velardeña properties are subject to regulation by SEMARNAT, the Comisión Nacional del Agua, which regulates water rights, and Mexican mining laws. Mexican regulators have broad authority to shut down and levy fines against facilities that do not comply with regulations or standards.
Our Rodeo and Velardeña properties and mineral exploration activities in Mexico may be adversely affected in varying degrees by changing government regulations relating to the mining industry or shifts in political conditions that increase the costs related to our mining and exploration activities or the maintenance of our properties. For example, in January 2014, amendments to the Mexico federal corporate income tax law require titleholders of mining concessions to pay annually a 7.5% duty of their mining related profits and a 0.5% duty on revenues obtained from the sale of gold, silver and platinum that were effective March 2015. These additional duties applicable to Mexico mining concession titleholders will have a significant impact on the annual costs applicable to the Rodeo and Velardeña properties if we have mining-related profits or significant revenues in the future.
Changes, if any, in mining or investment policies, changes or increases in the legal rights of indigenous populations or in the difficulty or expense of obtaining rights from them that are necessary for our Rodeo or Velardeña properties or shifts in political attitude may adversely affect our business and financial condition. Our mining and exploration activities may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on extraction, price controls, export controls, currency remittance, income and other taxes, expropriation of property, foreign investment, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety. Restart of mining or use of both the oxide and sulfide plant may also require us to assure the availability of adequate supplies of water and power, which could be affected by government policy and competing businesses in the area. The occurrence of these various factors and uncertainties cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on our mining and exploration activities and financial condition.
Future changes in applicable laws and regulations or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could negatively impact current or planned exploration or mining activities at our Rodeo or Velardeña properties or in respect of any of our other projects in Mexico or projects with which we become involved in Mexico. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, even if inadvertent, could result in the interruption of mining and exploration or material fines, penalties or other liabilities.
Our El Quevar exploration property is located in Argentina and is subject to various levels of political, economic, legal, social and other risks.
Our El Quevar exploration property is located in Argentina and, as such, is exposed to various levels of political, economic, legal, social and other risks and uncertainties, including high interest rates; abrupt changes in currency values; high levels of inflation; stability and competitiveness of the Argentine peso against foreign currencies; wage and price controls; regulations to import equipment and other necessities relevant for operations; changes in governmental economic (including export duties and import regulations) or tax policies; and political and social tensions.
The Argentine economy has experienced significant volatility in recent decades, characterized by periods of low or negative gross domestic product growth, high and variable levels of inflation and currency depreciation and devaluation. Financial and securities markets in Argentina, and the Argentine economy, are influenced by economic and market conditions in other markets worldwide. The Argentine government has often changed monetary, taxation, credit, tariff and other policies to influence the course of Argentina’s economy, and taken other actions which do, or may be perceived to weaken the nation’s economy especially as it relates to foreign investors and the overall investment climate.
The Argentine government has not only historically exercised significant influence over the country’s economy, but the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks have at times suffered radical changes due to political influence and significant political uncertainties as well. For example, in April 2014, there were nationwide strikes that paralyzed the Argentine economy, shutting down air, train and bus traffic, closing businesses and ports, emptying classrooms, shutting down non-emergency hospital attention and leaving trash uncollected. This is consistent with past periods of significant economic unrest and social and political turmoil. Future government policies to preempt, or in response to, social unrest may include expropriation, nationalization, forced renegotiation or modification of existing contracts, suspension of the enforcement of creditors’ rights, new taxation policies, including royalty and tax increases and retroactive tax claims, and changes in laws and policies affecting foreign trade and investment. Such policies could destabilize the country and adversely and materially affect the economy, and thereby our business.
Title to the Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties and our other properties and rights may be defective or may be challenged.
Our policy is to seek to confirm the validity of our rights to, title to, or contract rights with respect to, each mineral property in which we have a material interest. However, 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. Accordingly, the Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties and our other mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. In addition, we may be unable to conduct activities on our properties as permitted or to enforce our rights with respect to our properties, and the title to our mineral properties may also be impacted by state action. We have not conducted surveys of all of the exploration properties in which we hold direct or indirect interests and, therefore, the precise area and location of these exploration properties may be in doubt.
In most of the countries in which we operate, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations relating to mineral right applications and tenure could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of entitlements, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners. Any such loss, reduction or imposition of partners could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Under the laws of Mexico, mineral resources belong to the state, and government concessions are required to explore for or exploit mineral reserves. Mineral rights derive from concessions granted, on a discretionary basis, by the Ministry of Economy, pursuant to the Mexican mining law and regulations thereunder. We hold title to the Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties and our other properties in Mexico through these government concessions, but there is no assurance that title to the concessions comprising the Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties and other properties will not be challenged or impaired. The Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties and other properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, interests or native land claims, and title may be affected by undetected defects. There could be valid challenges to the title of any of the claims comprising the Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties that, if successful, could impair mining with respect to such properties in the future. A defect could result in our losing all or a portion of our right, title, and interest in and to the properties to which the title defect relates.
Our Rodeo project mining concessions, Velardeña Properties mining concessions and our other mining concessions in Mexico may be terminated if our obligations to maintain the concessions in good standing are not satisfied, including obligations to explore or exploit the relevant concession, to pay any relevant fees, to comply with all environmental and safety standards, to provide information to the Ministry of Economy and to allow inspections by the Ministry of Economy. In addition to termination, failure to make timely concession maintenance payments and otherwise comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices relating to mineral right applications and tenure could result in reduction or expropriation of entitlements. Additionally, in 2014, new mining concessions became subject to additional review and approval by the Mexico Ministry of Energy, and in recent years the federal government has been reluctant to issue new mining concessions at all.
Mining concessions in Mexico give exclusive exploration and exploitation rights to the minerals located in the concessions but do not include surface rights to the real property, which requires that we negotiate the necessary agreements with surface landowners. Many of our mining properties are subject to the Mexican ejido system requiring us to contract with the local communities surrounding the properties in order to obtain surface rights to land needed in connection with our mining exploration activities. In connection with our Velardeña Properties, we have contracts with two ejidos to secure surface rights with a total annual cost of approximately $25,000. The first contract is a ten-year contract with the Velardeña ejido, which provides surface rights to certain roads and other infrastructure at the Velardeña Properties through 2021. The second contract is a 25-year contract with the Vista Hermosa ejido signed in March 2013, which provides exploration access and access rights for roads and utilities for our Velardeña Properties. Similar to our Velardeña Properties, the Rodeo project is subject to the Mexican ejido system. We believe, although we cannot be certain, that our agreement with the local ejidos to allow access to the property will be sufficient to conduct our proposed mining activities. We also have a separate surface rights agreement in place with a local private landowner that allows us to conduct mining operations on the two concessions that make up the Rodeo property. Our inability to maintain and periodically renew or expand these surface rights on favorable terms or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Most of our costs are subject to exchange control policies, the effects of inflation and currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso.
Our revenue and external funding are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. However, certain mining, processing, maintenance and exploration costs at the Rodeo and Velardeña properties and most of our exploration properties are denominated in Mexican pesos. These costs principally include electricity, labor, water, maintenance, local contractors and fuel. When inflation in Mexico increases without a corresponding devaluation of the Mexican peso, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. The annual average inflation rate in Mexico was approximately 3.2% in 2020, 3.6% in 2019, and 4.9% in 2018. At the same time, the peso has been subject to fluctuation, which may not have been proportionate to the inflation rate and may not be proportionate to the inflation rate in the future. The value of the peso decreased by 4.7% in 2020, increased by 3.6% in 2019, and decreased by 0.5% in 2018. In addition, fluctuations in currency exchange rates may have a significant impact on our financial results. There can be no assurance that the Mexican government will maintain its current policies with regard to the peso or that the peso's value will not fluctuate significantly in the future. We cannot assure you that currency fluctuations, inflation and exchange control policies will not have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, earnings and cash flows.
If we are unable to obtain all of our required governmental permits or obtain property rights on favorable terms or at all, our business could be negatively impacted.
Future mining and current processing at our Rodeo and Velardeña properties, the continued evaluation of the El Quevar project and other exploration activities will require additional permits from various governmental authorities. Our business is and will continue to be governed by laws and regulations governing mining, exploration, prospecting, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety, mining royalties and other matters. We may also be required to obtain certain property rights to access or use our properties. Obtaining or renewing licenses and permits, and acquiring property rights, can be complex and time-consuming processes. There can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire all required licenses, permits or property rights on reasonable terms or in a timely manner, or at all, and that such terms will not be adversely changed, that required extensions will be granted, or that the issuance of such licenses, permits or property rights will not be challenged by third parties. Delays in obtaining or a failure to obtain any licenses, permits or property rights or any required extensions; challenges to the issuance of licenses, permits or property rights, whether successful or unsuccessful; changes to the terms of licenses, permits or property rights; or a failure to comply with the terms of any licenses, permits or property rights that have been obtained could have a material adverse effect on our business by delaying, preventing or making future mining and processing at our Rodeo or Velardeña properties and other continued processing activities economically unfeasible.
Lack of infrastructure could forestall or prevent further exploration and advancement.
Exploration activities, as well as any advancement activities, depend on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important factors that affect capital and operating costs and the feasibility and economic viability of a project. Unanticipated or higher than expected costs and unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, or government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our exploration activities are in countries with developing economies and are subject to the risks of political and economic instability associated with these countries.
We currently conduct exploration activities almost exclusively in countries with developing economies, including Argentina and Mexico. These countries and other emerging markets in which we may conduct business have from time to time experienced economic or political instability. We may be materially adversely affected by risks associated with conducting exploration activities in countries with developing economies, including:
●political instability and violence;
●war and civil disturbance;
●expropriation or nationalization;
●changing fiscal, royalty and tax regimes;
●fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
●high rates of inflation;
●uncertain or changing legal requirements respecting the ownership and maintenance of mineral properties, mines and mining activities, and inconsistent or arbitrary application of such legal requirements;
●uncertain or changing economic and environmental policies of governmental authorities in Mexico or Argentina;
●underdeveloped industrial and economic infrastructure;
●corruption; and
●unenforceability of contractual rights.
Changes in mining or investment policies or shifts in the prevailing political climate in any of the countries in which we conduct exploration activities could adversely affect our business.
We conduct our business in countries that may be adversely affected by changes in the local government’s policies toward or laws governing the mining industry.
We have exploration activities primarily in Mexico and Argentina. In these regions there exist uncertainties regarding future changes in applicable law related to mining and exploration. For instance, in January 2014, amendments to the Mexico federal corporate income tax law required titleholders of mining concessions to pay annually a 7.5% duty of their mining related profits and a 0.5% duty on revenues obtained from the sale of gold, silver and platinum that were effective March 2015. These additional duties applicable to Mexico mining concession titleholders will have a significant
impact on the annual costs applicable to our Rodeo and Velardeña properties if we have mining related profits or significant revenues in the future.
Additionally, effective January 2015, the Argentina National Mining Code was amended, increasing the annual canon payment by approximately four times. In 2019 and 2020, our annual canon fees payable to the Argentine government was $36,000 and $22,000 respectively, and we expect to pay approximately $15,000 in 2021.
In addition to the risk of increased transaction costs, we do not maintain political risk insurance to cover losses that we may incur as a result of nationalization, expropriation or similar events in Mexico or Argentina where we explore or have mining and processing activities.
Risk Factors related to our Common Stock
One of our stockholders owns a significant percentage of our common stock and could block decisions or transactions that could be beneficial to other stockholders.
One of our stockholders, The Sentient Group, through the Sentient executive funds (“Sentient”), owns approximately 24% of our outstanding common stock. With this level of ownership, Sentient could exert significant control over us, including over the election of directors, changes in the size or the composition of the board of directors, and mergers and other business combinations involving us. Through greater control of the board of directors and increased voting power, including the potential to prevent a quorum at stockholders meetings, Sentient could control certain decisions, including decisions regarding qualification and appointment of officers, operations of the business including acquisition or disposition of our assets or purchases and sales of mining or exploration properties, dividend policy, and access to capital (including borrowing from third-party lenders and the issuance of equity or debt securities). Sentient’s large share ownership will also make it difficult, if not impossible, for us to enter into a change of control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial for our other shareholders.
The existence of a significant number of warrants may have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2020, we had 16,728,846 warrants outstanding with a weighted average exercise price per share of $0.38. The existence of securities available for exercise and resale is referred to as an “overhang,” and, particularly if the warrants are "in the money," the anticipation of potential sales could exert downward pressure on the market price of our common stock.
Failure to meet the maintenance criteria of the NYSE American may result in the delisting of our common stock, which could result in lower trading volumes and liquidity, lower prices of our common shares and make it more difficult for us to raise capital.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”), and we are subject to its continued listing requirements, including maintaining certain share prices and a minimum amount of stockholders’ equity. On August 19, 2019, we received written notification (the “Notice”) from the NYSE American that were not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”). We are required to report a stockholders’ equity of $6.0 million or more if we have reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years. The Notice noted that we reported a stockholders’ equity of $4,380,000 as of June 30, 2019 and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in each of its five most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2018. As a result, we became subject to the procedures and requirements of Section 1009 of the Company Guide and were required to submit a plan of compliance by September 18, 2019 to the NYSE American addressing how we intended to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide by February 19, 2021. On January 14, 2021, we received notice from the NYSE American that we had resolved the continued listing deficiency with respect to Section
1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide and had regained compliance with all of the NYSE American continued listing requirements.
If we are unable to remain in compliance with the NYSE American continued listing requirements, our common stock may be suspended from trading on and/or delisted from the NYSE American. Although we have not been notified of any delisting proceedings, there is no assurance that we will not receive such notice in the future or that we will be able to then comply with NYSE American listing standards. If we are delisted from the NYSE American, it may have an adverse impact on our share price and may make it more difficult for us to raise capital in the future. In particular, if we are delisted from the NYSE American, we will be unable to sell our common stock pursuant to the ATM Program.
If our common stock were delisted and determined to be a “penny stock,” a broker-dealer could find it more difficult to trade our common stock and an investor may find it more difficult to acquire or dispose of our common stock in the secondary market.
If our common stock were removed from listing on the NYSE American, it may be subject to the so-called “penny stock” rules. The SEC has adopted regulations that define a “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price per share of less than $5.00, subject to certain exceptions, such as any securities listed on a national securities exchange. For any transaction involving a “penny stock,” unless exempt, the rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers, subject to certain exceptions. If our common stock were delisted and determined to be a “penny stock,” a broker-dealer may find it more difficult to trade our common stock and an investor may find it more difficult to acquire or dispose of our common stock on the secondary market. These factors could significantly negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital.
General Risk Factors
Our operations may be further disrupted, and our financial results may be adversely affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The December 2019 novel strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, poses a risk to our business and operations. If a significant portion of our workforce becomes unable to work or travel to our operations due to illness or state or federal government restrictions (including travel restrictions and “shelter-in-place” and similar orders restricting certain activities that may be issued or extended by authorities), we may be forced to reduce or suspend exploration activities and/or development projects which may impact liquidity and financial results. For example, in compliance with a directive of the Mexican Federal Government to suspend all non-essential activities, including mining, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended processing activities at the Velardeña Properties in the State of Durango, Mexico, during portions of April and May 2020. If the Mexican Federal Government were to resuspend non-essential activities, including mining, this may significantly lower the revenue we expect to receive from production at our Rodeo property.
To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results as discussed above, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, such as those relating to our operation and indebtedness and financing. Because of the highly uncertain and dynamic nature of events relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not currently possible to estimate the impact of the pandemic on our business. However, these effects could have a material impact on our operations, and we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely.
We depend on the services of key executives.
Our business strategy is based on leveraging the experience and skill of our management team. We are dependent on the services of key executives, including Warren Rehn and Robert Vogels. If one or both of these executives were to
cease serving the company in their role, we would need to immediately undertake a search for a replacement. During any such interim period, our ability to continue achieving our business objectives would be impaired.
We compete against larger and more experienced companies.
The mining industry is intensely competitive. Many large mining companies are primarily makers of precious or base metals and may become interested in the types of deposits on which we are focused, which include silver, gold and other precious metals deposits or polymetallic deposits containing significant quantities of base metals, including zinc, lead and 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 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, cyber attack, 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, cyber attack 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 cyber attacks, 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, cyber attacks or security breaches.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock began trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “AUMN” on March 19, 2010. Our common stock is also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, also referred to as the “TSX”, and trades under the symbol “AUMN”.
As of February 12, 2021, we had 156 record holders of our common stock of record based upon the stockholders list provided by our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Dividends
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, to fund the growth of our business.

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6: SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
Due to our status as a Smaller Reporting Company, the presentation of this information is not required.

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes beginning on page in this annual report on Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Our Company
We were incorporated in Delaware under the Delaware General Corporation Law in March 2009 and are the successor to Apex Silver Mines Limited for purposes of reporting under the Exchange Act. During the year ended December 31, 2020, our only sources of income were revenues from the lease of our Velardeña oxide plant and sales of non-core assets. We incurred net operating losses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
We are primarily focused on operations at the Rodeo property as well as further studies of a restart plan for Velardeña, including use of bio-oxidation to improve the payable gold recovery. We are also focused on (i) advancing our El Quevar exploration property in Argentina through the Earn-in Agreement with Barrick and (ii) continuing to evaluate and search for mining opportunities in North America (including Mexico) with near term prospectus of mining, and particularly for properties within reasonable haulage distances of our processing plants at the Velardeña Properties. We are also reviewing strategic opportunities, focusing primarily on development or operating properties in North America, including Mexico.
2020 Highlights
COVID-19 uncertainties
We undertook several initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to implement most of these initiatives in 2021 until it is considered safe to alter or remove these practices. We followed, and continue to follow, World Health Organization protocols and local government rules and recommendations at all of our projects and corporate offices. Office employees are working remotely wherever possible. In compliance with a directive of the Mexican Federal Government to suspend all non-essential activities, including mining, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended mining activities at our Velardeña Properties (Durango State, Mexico) during portions of April and May 2020. Activities at the Velardeña Properties, including processing of Hecla material at the oxide mill, continued uninterrupted since the temporary shutdown.
To provide greater financial flexibility at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 30, 2020, we entered into a short-term loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Sentient Global Resources Fund IV , L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Sentient”), pursuant to which Sentient granted to us an unsecured loan in an amount equal
to $1.0 million (the “Sentient Loan”). Sentient is a private equity fund, and together with certain other Sentient equity funds, Sentient is our largest stockholder, and at the time of the loan held approximately 38% of our outstanding common stock. The Sentient Loan bore interest at a rate of 10% per annum and the loan was due in full, together with accrued interest and any other amount outstanding under the Loan Agreement, on December 31, 2020. On August 12, 2020, we repaid in full all outstanding borrowings under, and terminated, the Loan Agreement, with no prepayment penalty.
In addition to the Sentient Loan, we also reached an agreement in April 2020 with Compañía Minera Autlán S.A.B. de C.V. (“Autlán”) to extend the time to repay the then remaining $0.8 million related to the $1.5 million refundable deposit received for the proposed sale of our Velardeña Properties and other assets in June 2019 through December 2020. The deposit was related to the proposed sale of our Velardeña Properties and other assets to Autlán in June 2019, which was subsequently terminated. During August 2020, we paid the remaining refundable deposit plus accrued interest in full.
Rodeo Property
As a result of our decision to commence mining operations at our Rodeo project, we now consider the Rodeo property to be one of our material properties, along with the Velardeña Properties and the El Quevar project. Further information about our Rodeo project is set forth in Items 1 and 2 above.
In November 2020 we received the final necessary permits for us to commence mining at the Rodeo project from SEMARNAT, the environmental protection agency in Mexico. We began mining activities at the Rodeo property during December 2020, with processing of mined material at our Velardeña oxide plant beginning in January 2021. We pored our first doré bar at the end of January 2021.
We have completed the hiring of additional key mine and plant supervision to support the oxide plant operating workforce, which was already in place following the termination of the Hecla Lease on November 30, 2020. We entered into a contract mining agreement in December 2020 with a regional contractor to perform mine excavation work. We will continue to provide overall mine management and engineering, which includes in-pit technicians who will determine whether material is suitable for process or placement on the waste dump. In January 2021, we entered into an agreement with another regional contractor for haulage of mined material to the oxide plant. Our assay lab, located in Velardeña, Durango, Mexico will be used for the project’s assaying requirements.
We are installing a new regrind mill circuit at the plant specifically designed to process the harder mined material coming from the Rodeo property, with completion expected by the end of February 2021 at a total cost of approximately $0.6 million. The new circuit, which will allow for the maximum recovery of gold, will allow daily throughput in the oxide plant to increase to approximately 450 tonnes per day, following a ramp-up period we expect to complete by the end of the first quarter 2021. Mine life is estimated at approximately ten quarters (2.5 years) at currently estimated throughput levels.
Assays from early processing at the oxide plant indicate the doré produced should be comprised of approximately 10 to 15 percent gold and 65 to 75 percent silver and be of a quality that is readily marketable and saleable to refineries located either in Mexico or internationally, consistent with standard commercial terms. We entered into a refining agreement with a third party in February 2021 and expect to begin export shipments of doré to the U.S. as soon as the appropriate export documentation and permits are in place, which is expected to occur prior to the end of the first quarter 2021.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we spent approximately $0.9 million on exploration and other pre-production costs and $0.3 million of capital expenditures in preparation for the processing of Rodeo material. We expect to spend an additional approximately $0.4 million in the first quarter 2021 to complete the installation of the new regrind mill circuit.
If we are successful in the ramp-up of processing the mined material from Rodeo to estimated levels by the end of the first quarter 2021, we anticipate total tonnes processed for the full year 2021 will be approximately 125,000 to 135,000, resulting in payable production of approximately 12,000 to 14,000 ounces of gold and 25,000 to 30,000 ounces of silver. Using an assumed gold price of $1,800/oz and an assumed silver price of $25.00/oz (the London Fix PM prices on December 31, 2020, as reported by Kitco, were $1,888 and $26.49 for gold and silver, respectively), estimated after-tax cash flow for the full year 2021 from production at the Rodeo operation, net of capital expenditures and working capital, is estimated at approximately $9.0 million to $10.5 million.
The estimates shown above are preliminary in nature and are based primarily on the assumptions described in the PEA, adjusted slightly to reflect the results of the recently completed drilling program and metallurgical testing and the proposed contract mining and hauling contracts (as noted above). Actual results from production at Rodeo may vary significantly based upon, among other things, unanticipated variations in grade, unexpected challenges associated with our proposed mining plan, volatility in commodity prices, variations in expected recoveries, increases in projected operating or capital costs or delays in commencement of or interruptions in production. See “Risk Factors - Risk Factors related to our Mining and Processing Activities.”
Velardeña Oxide Plant Lease Agreement
During the year ended December 31, 2020, Hecla processed approximately 120,000 tonnes of material through the oxide plant, resulting in total revenues to us of approximately $5.6 million, comprised of approximately $3.6 million for direct plant charges and fixed fees and approximately $2.0 million for other net reimbursable costs related to the services we provide under the lease. During the term of the lease, Hecla was responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the oxide plant. The $2.0 million of reimbursable costs are also reported as plant lease costs, resulting in net operating margin of approximately $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
On July 7, 2020, in accordance with the terms of the Third Amendment to the Hecla Lease, the Company received notification from Hecla terminating the Hecla Lease effective November 30, 2020. Hecla continued to process material at approximately 400 tonnes per day during the remainder of the agreement through November 30, 2020.
Velardeña PEA
The Velardeña Properties contain two underground mines that were last operated in late 2015, at which point mining activities were suspended when a combination of low metals prices, mining dilution and metallurgical challenges rendered operations unprofitable. We elected to preserve the asset for future use, and since that time we have evaluated and tested various mining methods and processing alternatives that could enable sustainable profitable operations.
The recent rise in precious metals prices, the advancement of alternative processing technologies in the industry, and the results of our testing activities prompted us to pursue the preparation of an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA). On April 2, 2020 we announced positive results from the updated PEA (as more fully described above in Items 1 and 2: “Velardeña Properties - Velardeña Properties Activities”). In the coming months, we plan to continue to optimize the mine plan and processing details in preparation for future test-mining and processing in advance of establishing a definite schedule for restarting commercial production at the Velardeña mines and the installation of the bio-oxidation circuit. No development decision has been made regarding a potential restart of the Velardeña mines.
El Quevar
On April 9, 2020, we entered into the Earn-In Agreement with Barrick, pursuant to which Barrick has acquired an option to earn a 70% interest in the Company’s El Quevar project located in the Salta Province of Argentina. For a discussion of the Earn-In Agreement, see “Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties - El Quevar - Barrick Earn-In Agreement” above.
Yoquivo
In September 2020 we began a 3,400-meter, 15-hole drill program to test the most promising portions of certain veins in the Yoquivo property in Chihuahua, Mexico. We completed the drill program in December 2020 and identified four separate vein systems in which surface sampling has returned grades up to 4,050 g/t silver and 27.7 g/t gold from surface. Complete results from the drill program were announced in our press release dated January 27, 2021. Of substantial interest is the discovery of a new vein parallel to and east of the Pertenencia vein. While the other principal veins have been partially mined from surface to the water table (up to 130 meters) in the case of San Francisco and Pertenencia, and over a much less extensive vertical interval in the case of El Dolar and Esperanza, the new vein is unmined from surface. We are planning a second phase drill program, which could start in the second quarter 2021.
For a further discussion of the Yoquivo property, see “Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties - Exploration Properties - Yoquivo” above.
Santa Maria
In December 2020, we entered into an Option Agreement with Fabled Silver Gold Corp. pursuant to which Fabled will have the right to acquire our interest in the Santa Maria mining claims in Chihuahua, Mexico. For a further discussion of the Santa Maria property and this Option Agreement, see “Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties - Exploration Properties - Santa Maria” above.
Sand Canyon
We have an earn-in agreement with Golden Gryphon Explorations for the Sand Canyon project located in northwestern Nevada. We completed surface exploration activities in late 2019 and completed an initial drill program of approximately 1,800 meters in March 2020. No potentially economic concentrations of precious metals were encountered in any of the four drill holes. Plans for further testing of the mineralized system are being considered. In the first year of exploration at Sand Canyon and through December 31, 2020, we spent $1.8 million toward the $2.5 million earn-in requirement, fulfilling the first and second year minimum expenditures and the minimum drill commitment.
For a further discussion of the Sand Canyon property, see “Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties - Exploration Properties - Sand Canyon” above.
Public offering
On July 21, 2020, we entered into an Amended and Restated Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC as representative of the underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (the “Underwriters”), providing for the issuance and sale by us in a firm commitment offering (the “Offering”) of 17,857,143 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $0.42 per share (the “Offering Shares”). In addition, we granted the Underwriters an option to purchase, at the public offering price per share of common stock, up to an additional 2,678,571 shares of common stock, exercisable for 30 days from the date of the Underwriting Agreement (the “Option Shares”). The Offering Shares and Option Shares were registered pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-220461), and a prospectus supplement thereto filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On July 24, 2020, the Underwriters acquired the Offering Shares and the full amount of the Option Shares from us. After the underwriting discount of 6% and total offering expenses of approximately $155,000 we received net proceeds of approximately $8.0 million from the sale of the Offering Shares and the Option Shares. We intend to use the proceeds from the Offering for working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.
2020 Offering and private placement transaction
On April 20, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors providing for the issuance and sale of 15,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.20 per share, and in a concurrent private placement transaction, the issuance of 11,250,000 warrants, ultimately consisting of 7,500,000 series A warrants and 3,750,000 series B warrants, to purchase up to 11,250,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.30 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $3.0 million. The securities purchase agreement granted the institutional investors the right to collectively participate in up to 50% of any future offerings of securities by the Company on the same terms as other investors, other than certain “exempt issuances” and “permitted sales” as defined therein, until April 22, 2021.
Each Warrant is exercisable six months from April 22, 2020, the date of issuance, and has a term expiring five years after such initial exercise date. The Warrants contain so-called full-ratchet anti-dilution provisions which may be triggered upon any future issuance by the Company of shares of its common stock or common stock equivalents at a per share price below the then-exercise price of the Warrant, subject to certain exceptions; provided, however, that with respect to the Series B warrants, the adjusted exercise price will not be less than $0.26.
Warrant exercises
During the fourth quarter 2020, 5,000,000 of the series A warrants and 3,500,000 of the series B warrants associated with the April 2020 offering were exercised at a price of $0.30 per share resulting in proceeds of $2.6 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, 1,400,000 of the series A warrants associated with the April 2020 offering were exercised at a price of $0.30 per share resulting in proceeds of $420,000. Also, subsequent to December 31, 2020, 1,500,000 of the series B warrants and 200,000 of the Series A warrants associated with the May 2016 offering were exercised at a price of $0.35 per share resulting in proceeds of $595,000.
At the Market Offering
Subsequent to December 31, 2020 we sold an aggregate of approximately 1,856,960 common shares under the ATM Program at an average price of $0.97 per common share for gross proceeds of approximately $1.8 million during the year-to-date period ended February 17, 2021. We paid a 2% cash commission on the gross proceeds in the amount of approximately $37,000 and incurred additional accounting, legal, and regulatory costs of approximately $6,000.
Results of Operations
For the results of operations discussed below, we compare the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 to the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Revenue from oxide plant lease. We recorded revenue of $5.6 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, from the lease of our Velardeña oxide plant to Hecla. The decrease in revenue during 2020 is primarily related to a reduction in the per tonne processing fees during the first six months of 2020 relating to the Third Amendment to the Hecla Lease as discussed in Note 17 in the accompanying financial statements. In addition, during 2020 we experienced a temporary shutdown of operations during portions of April and May related to COVID-19 restrictions mandated by the Mexican government. Also, Hecla terminated the Lease Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Third Amendment one month early, effective November 30, 2020.
Oxide plant lease costs. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 we recorded $2.0 and $2.4 million, respectively, of costs related to the oxide plant lease consisting primarily of reimbursable labor and utility costs which for accounting purposes were also included in revenue from the oxide plant lease. The decrease in oxide plant lease costs during 2020 is primarily related to a temporary shutdown of operations during portions of April and May related to
COVID-19 restrictions mandated by the Mexican government. Also, Hecla terminated the Lease Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Third Amendment one month early, effective November 30, 2020.
Exploration Expense. Our exploration expense, including work at the Rodeo, Sand Canyon, Yoquivo and other properties, totaled $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our exploration expense, including work at the Sand Canyon, Yoquivo, Santa Maria and other properties, totaled $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Exploration expense for both years was incurred primarily in Mexico and includes property holding costs, costs incurred by our local exploration offices, and allocated corporate administrative expenses. The increase in exploration expense during 2020 is primarily related to exploration and mining activities at our Rodeo project, which comprised approximately $0.9 million of the total, in preparation for the commencement of processing mined material from Rodeo beginning in January 2021.
Velardeña shutdown and care and maintenance costs. We recorded $1.2 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for expenses related to care and maintenance at our Velardeña Properties as the result of the suspension of mining and processing activities in November 2015. The higher care and maintenance costs in 2019 are related to increased maintenance costs.
El Quevar Project Expense. As discussed above, during April 2020, we entered into the Earn-In Agreement with Barrick, pursuant to which Barrick has acquired an option to earn a 70% interest in the El Quevar project. During the earn in period Barrick has and will continue to reimburse us for certain holding and maintenance costs related to the project. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an expense of approximately $0.6 million primarily related to exploration, holding and evaluation costs for the Yaxtché deposit at the El Quevar project, net of costs reimbursed. During the year ended December 31, 2019 we recorded an expense of approximately $2.0 million primarily related to exploration, holding and evaluation costs for the Yaxtché deposit at the El Quevar project. The decrease in costs for 2020 are primarily related to the reimbursement of costs by Barrick and an increase in costs during 2019 related to a drilling program conducted during the year. For both years, additional nominal costs incurred in Argentina and not related to the El Quevar project are included in “Exploration Expense”, discussed above.
Administrative Expense. Administrative expenses totaled $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Administrative expenses, including costs associated with being a public company, are incurred primarily by our corporate activities in support of the Rodeo project, Velardeña Properties, El Quevar project and our exploration portfolio. The $3.7 million of administrative expenses we incurred during 2020 is comprised of $1.4 million of employee compensation and directors’ fees, $1.3 million of professional fees, and $1.0 million of insurance, rents, travel expenses, utilities and other office costs. The $3.6 million of administrative expenses we incurred during 2019 is comprised of $1.5 million of employee compensation and directors’ fees, $1.2 million of professional fees and $0.9 million of insurance, rents, travel expenses, utilities and other office costs.
Stock based compensation. During the year ended December 31, 2020 we incurred expense related to stock-based compensation in the amount of $0.9 million compared to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Stock based compensation varies from period to period depending on the number and timing of shares granted, the type of grant, the market value of the shares on the date of grant and other variables.
Reclamation and accretion expense. During each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we incurred $0.2 million of reclamation expense related to the accretion of an asset retirement obligation at the Velardeña Properties.
Other Operating Income, Net. We recorded only a nominal amount of other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2020, consisting of the sale of surplus equipment. We recorded other operating income of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, consisting of $3.0 million for the sale of the Mogotes and Pistachon properties in Mexico and $0.2 million for the sale of surplus equipment in Argentina and property in Peru.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization. During the year ended December 31, 2020 we incurred depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of $1.0 million compared to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Interest and Other expense, net. We recorded $0.1 million of interest and other expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily related to interest incurred on the repayment of the Autlán advanced payment and the financing of certain insurance premiums. We recorded $0.2 million of interest and other expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily related to the sale of common stock we owned in a junior mining company.
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency. We recorded a $0.1 million foreign currency loss for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Foreign currency gains and losses are primarily related to the effect of currency fluctuations on monetary assets net of liabilities held by our foreign subsidiaries that are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.
Income Taxes. We recorded a nil amount of tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 related to a Mexican subsidiary.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2020, our aggregate cash and cash equivalents totaled $9.7 million, compared to the $4.6 million in similar assets held at December 31, 2019. The December 31, 2020 balance is due in part from the following expenditures and cash inflows for the year ended December 31, 2020. Expenditures totaled $13.6 million from the following:
● $5.0 million in exploration expenditures, including $0.9 million of exploration and mining activities at our Rodeo project along with other work at the Sand Canyon, Yoquivo, Santa Maria and other properties;
● $0.5 million in capital expenditures, including $0.3 million related to construction of the new regrind mill circuit related to the Rodeo project;
● $0.6 million in evaluation activities, care and maintenance and property holding costs at the El Quevar project;
● $1.3 million related to repayment of the Autlán deposit, including interest;
● $1.2 million in care and maintenance costs at the Velardeña Properties;
● $3.7 million in general and administrative expenses; and
● $0.3 million in Canadian income tax payments (as discussed in Note 15 in the accompanying financial statements), $0.4 million related to the remittance of value added taxes in Mexico collected previously in the fourth quarter 2019, and $0.6 million related to a net working capital increase primarily from a reduction of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities.
The foregoing expenditures were offset by cash inflows of $18.7 million from the following:
● $8.0 million, net of transaction costs, related to a public offering in July 2020 (as further described above);
● $2.7 million, net of transaction costs, related to an equity offering and private placement in April 2020 (as further described above);
● $0.9 million, net of transaction costs, related to a private placement transaction involving Barrick in April 2020 (as further described above);
● $3.6 million of net operating margin received pursuant to the oxide plant lease (defined as oxide plant lease revenue less oxide plant lease costs);
● $0.4 million, net of commitment fees and other offering related costs, from the LPC Program and the ATM Program;
● $0.5 million from the first installment related to the option agreement involving Fabled (as further described above); and
● $2.6 million from the exercise of warrants issued in prior offerings (as further described above).
In addition to the $9.7 million cash balance at December 31, 2020, in January and February 2021 an additional $1.0 million was received from the exercise of warrants issued in prior offerings and $1.8 million was received from the sale of shares under the ATM Program (as further described above). We also expect to receive approximately $10.5 million to $12.0 million in net operating margin from the Rodeo property (defined as revenues less costs of sales) during the twelve months ending December 31, 2021, assuming an average gold and silver price during that period of $1,800 and $25.00 oz respectively (the London Fix PM prices on December 31, 2020, as reported by Kitco, were $1,888 and $26.49 for gold and silver, respectively). Our forecasted cash inflows during the twelve months ending December 31, 2021 do not include the anticipated second installment of $1.5 million from the sale of the Santa Maria property to Fabled, scheduled to be paid in December 2021, as discussed above. At this time, given the uncertainties associated with the eventual outcome of exploration activities at Santa Maria initiated by Fabled, and the associated timing of the start-up of operations at Santa Maria, we are not currently including the additional installment in our liquidity analysis.
Our forecasted expenditures during the twelve months ending December 31, 2021, apart from Rodeo cost of sales already included in our forecast of net operating margin, total approximately $10.0 million as follows:
● Approximately $3.6 million on exploration activities and property holding costs related to our portfolio of exploration properties located in Mexico, Argentina and Nevada, including project assessment and evaluation costs relating to Yoquivo and other properties;
● Approximately $0.5 million on capital expenditures related to the Rodeo operation;
● Approximately $0.6 million at the Velardeña Properties for care and maintenance;
● Approximately $0.5 million at the El Quevar project to fund care and maintenance and property holding costs, net of reimbursement from Barrick;
● Approximately $3.6 million on general and administrative costs; and
● Approximately $1.2 million related to an increase in working capital primarily related to increased inventories and receivables at the Rodeo property.
Our forecasted cash resources of approximately $23.5 to $25.0 million, which includes cash on hand at December 31, 2020, cash already received from the exercise of warrants and the sale of shares under the ATM Program subsequent to December 31, 2020, and the forecasted net operating margin from the Rodeo property, are greater than our forecasted expenditures of approximately $10.0 million. The actual net operating margin received from the Rodeo property could be negatively impacted if further interruptions due to COVID-19 occur in Mexico. The actual amount of cash receipts that
we receive during the period from the Rodeo operation may also vary significantly from the amounts specified above due to, among other things: (i) unanticipated variations in grade, (ii) unexpected challenges associated with our proposed mining plan, (iii) decreases in commodity prices below those used in calculating the estimates shown above, (iv) variations in expected recoveries, (v) increases in operating costs above those used in calculating the estimates shown above, or (vi) interruptions in production at Rodeo. The actual amount of cash expenditures that we incur during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2021 may vary significantly from the amounts specified above and will depend on a number of factors, including variations in the anticipated care and maintenance costs at the Velardeña Properties or at El Quevar, and costs for continued exploration, project assessment, and development at our other exploration properties. Likewise, if cash expenditures are greater than anticipated or if cash receipts are less than anticipated, we may need to take certain actions to maintain sufficient cash balances over the next twelve months, including drawing down current cash balances, additional asset dispositions or raising additional equity capital through sales under the ATM Program, the LPC Program or otherwise.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, our continuing long-term operations are dependent upon our ability to secure sufficient funding and to generate future profitable operations. The underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown as property, plant and equipment in our condensed consolidated financial statements are dependent on our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations and to continue to fund exploration and development activities that would lead to profitable mining and processing activities or to generate proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.
There can be no assurance that we will be successful in generating future profitable mining and processing activities or securing additional funding in the future on terms acceptable to us or at all. We believe the cash on hand, anticipated positive net operating margins from the Rodeo operation, the potential use of the ATM Program and the LPC Program, and the potential for additional asset dispositions make it probable that we will have sufficient cash to meet our financial obligations and continue our business strategy beyond one year from the filing of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2020.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The selection and application of accounting policies is an important process that has developed as our business activities have evolved and as the accounting rules have changed. Accounting rules generally do not involve a selection among alternatives, but involve an implementation and interpretation of existing rules, and the use of judgment, to the specific set of circumstances existing in our business. Discussed below are the accounting policies that we believe are critical to our financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved and the magnitude of the asset, liability, revenue or expense being reported.
Income Recognition
We record income from farm-out agreements with third parties in accordance with Auditing Standards Codification (“ASC”) 610 and ASC 606, which generally provides that income be recognized as the Company performs its obligations according to the contract. In most instances, this will result in income being recognized ratably over a period of time relating to the receipt of periodic payments as the Company satisfies its performance obligation.
Mineral Reserves
When and if we determine that a mineral property has proven and probable reserves, subsequent development costs are capitalized to mineral properties. When mineral properties are developed and operations commence, capitalized costs are charged to operations using the units-of-production method over proven and probable reserves. “Mineralized material” as used in this annual report, although permissible under SEC’s Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC standards, and therefore all development costs incurred by us are expensed when incurred. We cannot be certain
that any part of the deposits at the Velardeña Properties or the Yaxtché deposit at the El Quevar project will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves”.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We record asset retirement obligations in accordance with ASC 410, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” (“ASC 410”), which establishes a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. According to ASC 410, the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. An offsetting asset retirement cost is capitalized as part of the carrying value of the assets with which it is associated, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset.
Long Lived Assets
Long lived assets are recorded at cost and per the guidance of ASC 360 we assess the recoverability of our long lived assets, including goodwill, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of estimated future net cash flows on an undiscounted basis is less than the carrying amount of the related asset, impairment is considered to exist. The related impairment loss is measured by comparing estimated future net cash flows on a discounted basis or by comparing other market indicators to the carrying amount of the asset.
Functional Currency
Our revenue and external funding are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Additionally, substantially all of our significant expenditures are made with reference to U.S. dollars. Accordingly, the Company and its subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as their functional and reporting currency.
Table of Contractual Obligation
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2020:
More
Less Than
1 - 3
3 - 5
Than
Contractual Obligations
Total
1 Year
Years
Years
5 Years
(in thousands of $)
Office leases (1)
-
El Quevar, Velardeña and Rodeo mining concession and surface rights payments (2)
1,070
-
(3)
(1) The office lease obligations are related to our corporate headquarters office in Golden, Colorado, which expires November 30, 2024, as well as another office lease associated with our Velardeña Properties.
(2) In 2021 and subsequent years, we expect to make annual maintenance payments of approximately $57,000 to the Mexico federal government to maintain the Velardeña Properties and Rodeo property concessions and $142,000 to maintain related surface rights under contracts with the local community ejidos and other property owners. In 2021 and subsequent years, we expect to pay approximately $15,000 per year to the Argentina federal government in order to maintain our El Quevar concessions.
(3) We cannot currently estimate the life of the Velardeña Properties, the Rodeo property or the El Quevar project. This table assumes that no annual maintenance payments will be made more than five years after December 31, 2020. If we continue to hold the Velardeña Properties concessions and the Rodeo property
concessions beyond five years, we expect that we would make annual maintenance payments of approximately $57,000 per year for the life of the Velardeña Properties and Rodeo property concessions and $142,000 to maintain related surface rights under contracts with the local community ejidos and other property owners. If we continue to hold the El Quevar concessions beyond five years, we expect that we would make annual maintenance payments of approximately $15,000 per year for the life of the El Quevar concessions.
From time to time we enter into lease or option agreements related to exploration properties that are of interest to us. These agreements typically contain escalating payments required to maintain our exploration rights to the property. Such agreements are not included in the above table because exploration success is historically low and we have the right to terminate the agreements at any time.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
We invest substantially all of our excess cash with high credit-quality financial institutions or in U.S. government and debt securities rated “investment grade” or better. The rates received on such investments may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions. Based on the average cash, restricted cash, investments and restricted investment balances outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2020, a 1.0% decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a reduction in interest income for the period of less than approximately $0.1 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Although most of our expenditures are in U.S. dollars, certain purchases of labor, supplies and capital assets are denominated in other currencies. As a result, currency exchange fluctuations may impact the costs of our mining and exploration activities. To reduce this risk, we maintain minimum cash balances in foreign currencies and complete most of our purchases in U.S. dollars.
Commodity Price Risk
We are primarily engaged in the exploration and mining of properties containing silver, gold, zinc, lead and other minerals. As a result, decreases in the price of any of these metals have the potential to negatively impact our ability to establish reserves and mine on our properties. For further detail regarding the effect on our expected cash flow from fluctuations in silver and gold prices, see “Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis-Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements and supplementary information filed as part of this Item 8 are listed under Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” and contained in this annual report on Form 10-K at page.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020.
Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective and designed to provide reasonable assurance that (i) information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
The management of Golden Minerals, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of our controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on these criteria.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-11, we have modified our internal control over financial reporting to include procedures to ensure the appropriate accounting treatment for our operating leases. Other than with respect to the accounting for our operating leases, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting..

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
For Information regarding our board of directors, see “Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties-Board of Directors of Golden Minerals.”
Additional information is incorporated by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2021 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 of Directors 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
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2021 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.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
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 2021 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.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Incorporated by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2021 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.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2021 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.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
a. Documents filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference:
(1) Our consolidated financial statements are listed on the “Index to Financial Statements” on Page to this report.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules (omitted because they are either not required, are not applicable, or the required information is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements or related notes).
(3) The following exhibits are filed with this annual report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference.