EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 773717
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 773717_10-K_2024_0001213900-24-061848.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Business Overview
General
American Clean Resources Group, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “ACRG” or the “Company”) is an exploration stage company having offices in Lakewood, Colorado and, through its subsidiaries, a property in Tonopah, Nevada. Our business plan is to purchase equipment and build a facility on our Tonopah property to serve as a permitted custom processing toll milling facility (which includes an analytical lab, pyrometallurgical plant, and hydrometallurgical recovery plant).
The Company plans to perform permitted custom processing toll milling, which is a process whereby mined material is crushed and ground into fine particles to ease the extraction of any precious minerals contained therein, such as minerals in the gold, silver, and platinum metal groups. Custom milling and refining can include many different processes that are designed specifically for each ore load and to maximize the extraction of precious metals from carbon or concentrates. These toll-processing services also distill, dry, mix, or mill chemicals and bulk materials on a contractual basis and provide a chemical production outsourcing option for industrial companies, which lack the expertise, capacity, or regulatory permits for in-house production.
We are required to obtain several permits before we can begin construction of a small-scale mineral processing facility to conduct permitted processing toll milling activities and construction of the required additional buildings for us to commence operations.
Any reference herein to “ACRG” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” is intended to mean American Clean Resources Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and all of our subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated.
Corporate History
The Company was incorporated in the State of Colorado on July 10, 1985, as Princeton Acquisitions, Inc. On December 7, 2009, the Company changed its name to Standard Gold, Inc. Effective March 5, 2013, the Company moved its domicile from Colorado to Nevada and changed its name from Standard Gold, Inc. to Standard Gold Holdings, Inc. In 2013, the Company changed its name to Standard Metals Processing, Inc., and coincident with announcing its plans to acquire 80.1% of Sustainable Metals Solutions, LLC and its subsidiaries (the “SMS Group” or “SMS”) during 2022, changed its name to American Clean Resources Group, Inc. to more accurately reflect the business plans contemplated by the Company, and relocated its administrative offices into those adjacent to Granite Peak Resources, LLC (“GPR”), an ACRG affiliate. (see “Recent Actions” below for further information regarding the SMS Group).
On March 15, 2011, we closed a series of transactions, whereby we acquired certain assets of Shea Mining & Milling, LLC (“Shea Mining”), which assets include land, buildings, a dormant milling facility, abandoned milling equipment, water permits, mine tailings, mine dumps and the assignment of a note payable, a lease and a contract agreement with permits. We completed the Shea Exchange Agreement to acquire the Shea assets to develop a permitted custom processing toll milling of precious minerals business in Tonopah, Nevada. Toll milling is a process whereby mined material is crushed and ground into fine particles to ease the extraction of any precious minerals contained therein, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals. Custom milling and refining can include many different processes to extract precious metals from carbon or concentrates. These toll-processing services also distil, dry, mix, or mill chemicals and bulk materials on a contractual basis and provide a chemical production outsourcing option for industrial companies which lack the expertise, capacity, or regulatory permits for in-house production. The land encompasses 1,186 deeded acres, one of the largest private land holdings in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Approximately 334 acres of this land has an estimated 2.2 million tons of tailings known as the Millers Tailings from the historic gold rush of Goldfield and Tonopah, Nevada sitting on it.
Subsidiaries
The Company has one wholly owned subsidiary, Aurielle Enterprises, Inc. (“AE”), a Nevada corporation. AE has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Tonopah Resources, Inc., (“TR”) a Nevada corporation and Tonopah Custom Processing, Inc., (“TCP”) a Nevada corporation.
Products and Services
We seek to establish ourselves as a custom processing and permitted toll milling service provider. Our business plan is to build a facility on our Tonopah property, which includes an analytical lab, pyrometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical recovery plant.
The Company’s intention is to become a full service permitted custom toll milling and processing company that facilitates the extraction of precious and strategic minerals from mined material. The Company will need to obtain permits for the planned construction and operation of our permitted custom processing toll milling facility with state-of-the-art equipment capable of processing gold, silver and platinum metal groups. Many junior miners do not have the capital or the ability to permit a processing facility, yet they have a large supply of mined material that requires milling be performed. It is often cost prohibitive or impractical for these mine operators to send their materials to processing mills owned by the large mining companies, or to other customers badly needing milling and processing services.
On September 13, 2023, American Clean Resources Group, Inc. (the “Company”) executed an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in SWIS, L.L.C. (“SWIS”). The Company issued 1,500,000 shares of restricted common stock in exchange for a 100% interest in SWIS. The Company believes this acquisition will help strengthen our economics and further our goal to decrease our environmental impact and promote environmentally conscious operations. SWIS was incorporated in the state of Kentucky and is operating out of a Company office in Louisville, Kentucky. The Company determined the acquisition to be an asset acquisition under ASC 805, Business Combinations.
SWIS has developed an algorithm and a “smart” device that provides essential information to improve water quality from Combined Sewer Overflow (“CSO”). Recently, we have assigned the patent to the University of Louisville (“U of L”) with the intent to commercialize the solution on behalf of the university, community, state and country. More importantly, SWIS along with other fellow entrepreneurs and environmental stewards have assembled a team to launch SWIS, with stakeholders from U of L, Municipal Sewer Districts (“MSD”), and several state governments. SWIS is actively ready to launch a pilot project to test its modernized approach to CSO Public Notification Programs. Currently, the patented algorithm is on standby for integration into “smart” plugs that will be used for non-invasive in-home notification. An implementation playbook has been designed for municipal use. SWIS has a management team well versed in the necessary strategies for market penetration and adoption and looks to test its behavior modification program abilities with the U of L.
Combined Sewer Systems (“CSS”) were built over a century ago with the intention to divert wastewater away from households. CSS collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater into a single pipe system, which then transports the combined wastewater to a treatment plant. When the aged CSS is overwhelmed, the result is untreated wastewater being discharged directly into public waterways, such as creeks, streams, rivers, and other local bodies of water referred to as CSO. The resulting discharges of pollutants into public waterways increases the amount of suspended solids from point-source origins introduced to the ecosystem, creating a significant health hazard for wildlife and humans exposed to these waterways, historically tied to disease transmission. These violate the Clean Water Act and result in significant repercussions from the EPA. Currently, over forty million people in 700+ municipalities nationwide live in a municipality with a CSS.
Current solutions rely predominantly on inadequate Public Notification Programs to prevent water use at the source, the household, during high-risk CSO times. The current Public Notification Programs utilized by all municipalities in a CSS entails email signups, website banners, pamphlets, signs, etc., which remains arduous and ineffective. This antiquated, ineffective approach creates the immediate need to develop a modern, real-time notification system that gives individual households and facilities the immediately ability to positively modify their water use behavior resulting in a decrease in harmful point source pollutants unknowingly and unnecessarily being introduced to public waterways.
This project would greatly contribute to the universities’ expanding sustainability program and would put UofL and SWIS in an advanced position to compete to be one of six universities in the US that the EPA will chose as stormwater research hubs. With the completion of a successful Research Project, these stated goals and deliverables would revolutionize a major component of the $1 trillion water infrastructure issue plaguing a growing population and prime U of L and SWIS for nationwide Public Notification Program adoption. The development of our platform will modernize Public Education and Notification Programs that will significantly reduce the monetary cost and health risk of CSO events for municipalities worldwide. The results to be discovered at U of L will give SWIS data and information capable of educating citizens of developed cities across the globe and seamlessly integrating newly developed nations.
Water Pollution Control Permit with Nevada Department of Environmental Protection
Through TCP, a Water Pollution Control Permit (“WPCP”) Application was filed with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) Bureau of Mines and Mining Reclamation (“BMMR”) for the approval of the permits necessary for a small-scale mineral processing facility planned for the Tonopah property. The permit process is currently on hold, the Company will reactivate such application when it is closer to facilitating mineral processing. The plant will perform laboratory testing, pilot testing, and custom processing of precious metal ores and concentrates from mining industry clients. Processing of ore materials will employ standard mineral processing techniques including gravity concentration, froth flotation and chemical leaching and carbon stripping.
The WPCP must be approved prior to commencing the planned construction of our processing plant in Tonopah, Nevada. We are preparing for construction of our planned 21,875 square foot processing plant, cleaning and preparing the property, and refurbishing a trailer that will act as our construction office.
In connection with our WPCP application, NDEP suggested that we take the following actions: (i) retain a Nevada Certified Environmental Manager (“CEM”), (ii) perform Meteoric Profile II water testing on ground water directly below the mill as well as surrounding wells located off site, and (iii) determine baseline values of water using the Meteoric Profile II results. NDEP regulations require that the Company delay any new construction planned for “metal extraction” until after the permits are in place.
Survey
Advanced Surveying & Professional Services, a Professional Land Surveyor (“PLS”), completed surveys and testing of the Tonopah property required for the application of our required permits. After completion of the survey, it was determined the property is 1,186 acres. The scope of work the PLS completed includes: (i) setting a total of 19 permanent monuments at angle points along lines, (ii) setting eight permanent monuments locating US Hwy 95, (iii) recording a professional map indicating longitude and latitude for all corners, and (iv) providing a digital map accessible in Auto Cad software.
Site Preparation
We have completed the initial grading of specific designated areas on the 40 undisturbed acres of land including clearing all vegetation, removing of all scrap metal, and the excavation of the building pad for the preparation of the new 21,875 square foot processing plant and have completed the removal of all the extra and unnecessary materials and old equipment that has accumulated on the land.
Toll Milling
Toll milling is a process whereby mined material is crushed and ground into fine particles to ease the extraction of any precious minerals contained therein, such as minerals in the gold, silver and platinum metal groups. Custom milling and refining that are designed specifically for each ore load can include many different processes to maximize the extraction of precious metals from ore, carbon, or concentrates.
Procedure
Ore will be sent to our facility at the responsibility and cost of the customer. The Company will take a sample of the ore through a specific ore sampling procedure. The Company’s metallurgist will test the sample on site. To obtain a quantitative determination of the amount of a given substance in a particular sample, the Company can perform wet methods and dry methods. In the wet method, the sample is dissolved in a reagent, like acid, until the purified metal is separated out. In the dry method, the sample is mixed with a flux (a substance such as borax or silica that helps lower the melting temperature) and then heated so that the impurities in the metal fuse with the flux, leaving the purified metal as residue.
If it is determined that the sample is approved for processing, the customer and the Company will then agree upon a value of the metal grade per ton. If there is any disagreement on the value, a third-party referee determines the value by testing the sample. The Company charges either a flat fee per ton of the ore processed or a percentage of the precious metals extracted during processing, or a combination of both based on the amount of work that is performed.
There are various methods of extraction. The Company determines which method to use based upon the sample sent to the Company. In most situations, a series of tests will be performed on a bulk sample ranging in size from 250 to 1,000 pounds. A metallurgist will determine the best process or processes to use for the extraction based on several factors. These include the composition of the host rock, mineralization of the host rock, whether or not it is an oxide or sulfide ore body, and the particle size of the precious metal. After the metallurgist reviews these characteristics, the Company will run ore on a gold table and assays the concentrates, middlings, and tails. An assay is an investigative procedure for qualitatively assessing or quantitatively measuring the presence, or amount of, precious metals in ore. If there is too much gold in the middling or tails, the size of the grind is adjusted to increase yield or if there is not enough gold in the middlings or tails the Company grinds the material to a finer mesh.
Some of our miner customers will be able to take their tailings (the material left over after the desired minerals have been extracted) from the material they deposited with the Company and put it back in the exact same mines those particular tailings came from. This eliminates the need for the Company to dispose of those tailings.
Concentrate/Leach Circuit
Concentration is the separation of precious minerals from other materials by utilizing different properties of the minerals to be separated including density, magnetic or electric and physiochemical. The Company will attempt to create a “concentrate” of minerals to reduce the size of each ton processed. The Company may also receive concentrates from customers, especially those where transport of tons of raw ore is not feasible.
The leaching process uses chemicals to extract the metals from the solid materials (concentrates) and bring them into a solution. Once the metals are in the solution, it is passed through carbon or resin columns where the precious metals are deposited onto the carbon/resin.
The metals will then be stripped from the carbon back into a different solution where they are pumped through an electrowinning circuit in a process called carbon stripping. The metals are then deposited onto stainless steel in the electrowinning circuit. After this stage, the metals are either sold or further refined off-site. The solution is recycled and used again to process additional material.
Employees
As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any employees. The Company’s and its subsidiaries’ officers, directors and independent contractors conduct all operations.
Available Information
You can request a free copy of 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 Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material, or furnish it to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) the above filings by writing or calling us at our principal executive offices, the address and telephone number for which are set forth on the cover page of this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this prospectus. The statements contained in or incorporated into this prospectus that are not historic facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed. In that case, the value of our common stock could decline, and an investor in our securities may lose all or part of their investment.
Risks Related to Our Capital Stock
INVESTORS MAY BE UNABLE TO ACCURATELY VALUE OUR COMMON STOCK.
Investors often value companies based on the stock prices and results of operations of other comparable companies. Currently, we do not believe another publicly traded permitted custom processing toll milling company exists that is directly comparable to our size and scale. Prospective investors, therefore, have limited historical information about our permitted custom processing toll milling capabilities on which to base an evaluation of our performance and prospects and an investment in our common stock. As such, investors may find it difficult to accurately value our common stock.
INVESTORS MAY FACE SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON THE RESALE OF OUR COMMON STOCK DUE TO FEDERAL REGULATION OF PENNY STOCKS.
The SEC has defined any equity security with a market price of less than $5.00 per share as a “penny stock.” Penny stocks are subject to the requirements or Rule 15(g)-9 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our common stock is quoted on the Over the Counter (“OTC”) Markets under the symbol ACRG and despite recent trading prices above $5.00 per share, has historically been below $5.00 per share. Therefore, our common stock is deemed a “penny stock” and is subject to the requirements of Rule 15(g)-9. Under such rule, broker-dealers who recommend low-priced securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including a requirement that they make an individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s consent prior to the transaction. The required penny stock disclosures include the delivery, prior to any transaction, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated with it. Such requirements could severely limit the market liquidity of the securities and the ability of purchasers to sell their securities in the secondary market.
WE DO NOT INTEND TO PAY DIVIDENDS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all of our earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future. Our Board of Directors retains the discretion to change this policy.
THE MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK MAY FLUCTUATE.
Currently, our common stock is traded on the OTC Market. Stock prices on the OTC Markets can be more volatile than stocks trading on national market systems such as NSADAQ, NYSE or AMEX. Our stock price may be affected by factors outside of our control and unrelated to our business operations.
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition
WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH CASH TO FUND OPERATIONS AND/OR REDUCE OUR DEBT DURING 2024.
We have very limited funds, and such funds are not adequate to develop our current business plan, or even to satisfy our existing working capital requirements. We will be required to raise additional funds to effectuate our current business plan for permitted custom processing toll milling and to satisfy our working capital requirements. Without significant additional capital, we will be unable to start operations. With respect to our proposed permitted custom processing toll milling operations, the costs and ability to successfully operate have not been fully verified because none of our proposed tolling operations have begun and we may incur unexpected costs or delays in connection with starting operations. The cost of designing and building our operations and of finding customers and sources of ore for our toll milling sources can be extensive and will require us to obtain additional financing, and there is no assurance that we will have the resources necessary or the financing available to attain operations or to acquire customers and ore sources necessary for our long-term business. Our ultimate success will depend on our ability to raise additional capital. Additionally, such additional capital may not be available to us at acceptable terms or at all. Further, if we increase our capitalization and sell additional shares of our capital stock, a shareholder’s position in our Company will be subject to dilution. In the event we are unable to obtain additional capital, we may be forced to cease our search for additional business opportunities, reduce our operating expenditures or to cease operations altogether.
WE HAVE NOT YET BEGUN OPERATIONS AND WE EXPECT TO INCUR LOSSES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
We have yet to commence active operations. We have no prior operating history from which to evaluate our success, or our likelihood of success in operating our business, generating any revenues, or achieving profitability. This provides a limited basis for you to assess our ability to commercialize our services and the advisability of investing in our securities. We have not generated revenue from our toll milling services to date and there can be no assurance that our plans for permitted custom processing toll milling will be successful, or that we will ever attain significant revenue or profitability. Also, toll milling is a new area of business for us, and our management team has little experience in permitted custom processing toll milling operations. Although we intend to hire knowledgeable and experienced employees and/or consultants with significant experience in toll milling operations, there is no guarantee that we will reach profitability in the near future, if at all. As we develop our Tonopah property to prepare for operations, we are subject to unforeseen costs, expenses, problems and difficulties inherent in new business ventures.
OUR MANAGEMENT HAS SUBSTANTIAL DOUBT ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE AS A GOING CONCERN.
The consolidated financial statements for each of these periods were prepared assuming that we would continue as a going concern. We have had net losses for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and we have an accumulated a deficit as of December 31, 2023, of $107,939,395. Virtually all of the Company’s assets are encumbered or pledged under senior secured debt that is in default. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Furthermore, since we do not expect to generate any significant revenues from operations for the foreseeable future, our ability to continue as a going concern depends, in large part, on our ability to raise additional capital through equity or debt financing transactions. If we are unable to raise additional capital, we may be forced to discontinue our business.
Risks Related to the Company
WE HAVE LIMITED ASSETS.
Our assets to be used in the development of a toll milling service have not yet been utilized, we will need to acquire additional equipment and construct additional facilities and there can be no guarantee that we will be successful in utilizing our current assets or obtaining the additional equipment and facilities that we will need to operate going forward. We do not anticipate having any revenues from our permitted custom toll milling processing for the foreseeable future. Additionally, without adequate funding, we may never produce any significant revenues.
OUR MAJOR ASSETS ARE ENCUMBERED UNDER A DEED OF TRUST OR PLEDGED.
The Tonopah property is subject to a first deed of trust securing the Line of Credit held by GPR, a related party.
On March 16, 2020, the Company executed a Line of Credit (“LOC”) with Granite Peak Resources, LLC (“GPR”), a related party, evidenced by a convertible promissory note. The LOC is for up to $2,500,000, matures over three years and may be increased by up to another $1,000,000 and extended an additional two years at GPR’s sole option. The LOC is for funding operating expenses critical to the Company’s basic operations and redirection and all requests for funds may be approved or disapproved in GPR’s sole discretion. The LOC bears interest at 10% per annum, was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share price of $1.65 and is secured by the real and personal property of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the subsidiaries’ stock GPR already has under lien (See Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements).
The Company entered into an Amendment and Forbearance Agreement with GPR on January 5, 2023 wherein GPR agreed to: (a) increase the existing LOC from $5,000,000 due March 16, 2025 to $35,000,000 due March 16, 2027, (b) roll two existing promissory notes and the judgement purchased by GPR into the LOC resulting in the extinguishment of such notes and judgement as separate instruments, and (c) to forebear until January 12, 2024, on exercising its foreclosure rights under its Senior Secured Note. The Company’s Board of Directors approved a revision in the conversion price at which the LOC may convert into the Company’s common stock from $1.65 per share to $1.05 per share, based upon the market price of the Company’s common stock over the 3 days preceding the agreement. GPR is the Company’s majority shareholder and largest debtholder. GPR holds a senior secured interest in all of the assets of the Company, including the stock of its subsidiary entities. Effective June 12, 2023, the Company entered into a Third Amendment Agreement with GPR, wherein the LOC was increased to $52,500,000 and both the Senior Secured Promissory Note (previously held by Pure Path and acquired in 2019) and the Flechner Judgment (see the Company’s 10-K for 2022) were rolled into the balance of the LOC and the Deed of Trust was increased to $250,000,000 and the appropriate paperwork was filed with the requisite government office(s).
Advances by GPR to pay directly certain operating expenses, reduce certain accounts payable, or acquire certain notes payable on the Company’s behalf have been included in the promissory issued by the Company in connection with the LOC and classified accordingly in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
In furtherance of the preparation for the planned merger with the SMS Group, Granite Peak Resources, LLC converted a $5,250,000 portion of the LOC into 5 million shares of restricted common stock effective August 2, 2023. The remaining $5,506,441 balance of the LOC was converted into 5,244,230 shares of restricted common stock effective August 15, 2023.
As of the date of this filing, GPR owns 10,542,989 shares of common stock, which is 73% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock.
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS STRATEGIES.
If our management team is unable to execute our business strategies, then our development could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, we may encounter difficulties in effectively managing the budgeting, forecasting and other process control issues presented by any future growth. We may seek to augment or replace members of our management team or we may lose key members of our management team, and we may not be able to attract new management talent with sufficient skill and experience.
OUR SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE MAY DEPEND ON OUR ABILITY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN STRATEGIC ALLIANCES, AND ANY FAILURE ON OUR PART TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN SUCH RELATIONSHIPS WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR MARKET PENETRATION AND REVENUE GROWTH.
We may be required to establish strategic relationships with third parties in the mining and toll milling industries. Our ability to establish strategic relationships will depend on a number of factors, many of which are outside our control, such as the suitability of our property, facilities and equipment relative to our competitors, or the quality grade of precious minerals we are able to extract from the ore we process. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to establish strategic relationships in the future.
In addition, any strategic alliances that we establish, will subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, loss of control of operations that are material to developed business and profit-sharing arrangements. Moreover, strategic alliances may be expensive to implement and subject us to the risk that the third party will not perform its obligations under the relationship, which may subject us to losses over which we have no control or expensive termination arrangements. As a result, even if our strategic alliances with third parties are successful, our business may be adversely affected by a number of factors that are outside of our control.
Risks Relating to Our Business
WE WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FINANCING TO FUND OUR PERMITTED CUSTOM PROCESSING TOLL MILLING DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS.
Substantial additional financing will be needed to fund the current plan to begin toll milling services and develop and maintain the Tonopah property. Our means of acquiring investment capital is limited to private equity and debt transactions. We have no significant sources of currently available funds to engage in additional development. Without significant additional capital, we will be unable to fund our current property interests or effectuate our current business plan for permitted custom processing toll milling and mining services. See “-Risks Relating to Our Financial Condition - We Currently Do Not Have Enough Cash to Fund Operations, and/or Reduce Debt During 2024”.
OUR PERFORMANCE MAY BE SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATIONS IN MINERAL PRICES.
The profitability of any permitted custom processing toll milling services could be significantly affected by changes in the market price of minerals. Demand for minerals can be influenced by economic conditions and attractiveness as an investment vehicle. Other factors include the level of interest rates, exchange rates and inflation. The aggregate effect of these factors is impossible to predict with accuracy.
In particular, mine production and the willingness of third parties such as central banks to sell or lease gold affects the supply of gold. Worldwide production levels also affect mineral prices. In addition, the price of gold, silver and other precious minerals have, on occasion, been subject to very rapid short-term changes due to speculative activities.
OUR PERMITTED CUSTOM PROCESSING TOLL MILLING OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PERMITTING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE INCURRENCE OF ADDITIONAL COSTS AND OPERATIONAL DELAYS.
All phases of our operations are subject to current environmental protection regulation. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, such as greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint and the like, will not adversely affect our operations. Some of our proposed operations will require additional permits, which could incur additional cost and may delay start up and cash flow. In addition, each toll milling mineral source must be fully permitted for its own operation, a process over which we have no control.
OUR PERMITTED CUSTOM PROCESSING TOLL MILLING OPERATIONS WILL REQUIRE US TO DEPEND ON THIRD PARTIES AND OTHER ELEMENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN HARM TO OUR BUSINESS.
Our permitted custom processing toll milling operations will rely on mineral material produced by others, and we have no control over their operations. Delivery of ore to our processing facilities is also subject to the risks of transportation, including trucking and aviation operations run by others, regulations and permits, fuel cost, weather, and travel conditions. Toll milling requires that the mineral producer and the mineral processor agree on the grade of the incoming material, which can be a source of conflict between parties. Although a third party will be utilized for any such conflict, any disagreements with mineral producers, or problems with the delivery of ore, could result in additional costs, disruptions and other problems in the operation of our business.
Risks Related to Cybersecurity
CYBERSECURITY.
We recognize the critical importance of developing, implementing, and maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard our information systems and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data. We currently have security measures in place to prevent data loss and other security breaches. We also only use third party software for accounting, billing and payroll that have successful SOC 1 type 2 compliance. Both management and the Board are actively involved in the continuous assessment of risks from cybersecurity threats, including prevention, mitigation, detection, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents.
Our current cybersecurity risk assessment program consists of an annual review of our risks and policies. The program outlines governance, policies and procedures, and technology we use to oversee and identify risks from cybersecurity threats.
Our President, CFO and CEO are responsible for overseeing our business operations and are responsible for day-to-day assessment and management of risks from cybersecurity threats, including the prevention, mitigation, detection, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents.
We routinely undertake activities to prevent, detect, and minimize the effects of cybersecurity incidents, including an annual risk review, policy reviews and revisions. In addition, we maintain business continuity, contingency, and recovery plans for use in the event of a cybersecurity incident by the administering of local and cloud based back up of files. and emails.
As of the date of this report, no cybersecurity incident (or aggregation of incidents) or cybersecurity threat has materially affected our results of operations or financial condition. However, an actual or perceived breach of our security could damage our reputation, risk loss of our proprietary information and prevent us from attracting new clients / customers. and / or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other actions or liabilities, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. We currently do not carry a cyber liability insurance policy.
U.S. FEDERAL LAWS
Under the U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, companies such as ours may incur costs for generating, transporting, treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste. Our permitted custom processing toll milling operations may produce air emissions, including fugitive dust and other air pollutants, from stationary equipment, storage facilities, and the use of mobile sources such as trucks and heavy construction equipment which are subject to review, monitoring and/or control requirements under the Federal Clean Air Act and state air quality laws. Permitting rules may impose limitations on our production levels or create additional capital expenditures in order to comply with the rules.
The U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”) imposes strict joint and several liability on parties associated with releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances. The groups who could be found liable include, among others, the current owners and operators of facilities which release hazardous substances into the environment and past owners and operators of properties who owned such properties at the time the disposal of the hazardous substances occurred. This liability could include the cost of removal or remediation of the release and damages for injury to the surrounding property. We cannot predict the potential for future CERCLA liability with respect to our property.
THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKET MAY HAVE IMPACTS ON OUR BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION THAT WE CURRENTLY CANNOT PREDICT.
The global financial market, especially the precious metal market and its market price fluctuations have, and may continue to have, an impact on our business and our financial condition. We may face significant challenges if the price of the minerals we intend to process does not achieve or stay at adequate price levels. Our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access such markets, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The market price of ores, metals and precious metals could have an impact on any potential lenders or investors or on our customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
On March 15, 2011, in an effort to enter the precious metal toll milling business, we completed the Shea Exchange Agreement, whereby we acquired the Tonopah property, consisting of land, buildings, mining tailings, a dormant milling facility, abandoned milling equipment and water permits.
Our Tonopah property consists of 1,186 acres of land, buildings, mining tailings, a dormant milling facility, abandoned milling equipment and water permits. The assets have been fully depreciated and have a $0 carry value as of December 31, 2023. The Tonopah property was transferred to Aurielle Enterprises Inc (“AE”), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary and then transferred to Tonopah Resources, Inc., (“TR”) a wholly owned subsidiary of AE.
During 2022, our corporate office was relocated to 10567 West Cedar Drive, Suite 203, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-2039, a commercial office building owned and operated by GPR’s affiliates. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current needs and are in closer physical proximity to our property.

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

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Market under the symbol “ACRG.” As of June 27, 2024, the last closing sale price of our common stock as reported by OTCQB was $8.525per share. The following table sets forth for the periods indicating the range of high and low closing sale prices of our common stock:
Period High Low
Quarter Ended March 31, 2022 $ 8.50 $ 4.40
Quarter Ended June 30, 2022 $ 11.75 $ 7.50
Quarter Ended September 30, 2022 $ 8.95 $ 1.75
Quarter Ended December 31, 2022 $ 3.14 $ 1.50
Quarter Ended March 31, 2023 $ 4.00 $ 1.00
Quarter Ended June 30, 2023 $ 3.10 $ 2.51
Quarter Ended September 30, 2023 $ 8.00 $ 2.01
Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 $ 13.99 $ 5.24
The quotations from the OTC Market above reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not reflect actual transactions.
Transfer Agent
Our transfer agent is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (f/k/a American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC), and is located at 48 Wall Street, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10005. Their telephone number is (800) 401-1957 and website is www.equiniti.com.
Holders of Common Stock
As of July 11, 2024, there were approximately 156 shareholders of record of our common stock. As of such date, 14,418,760 shares were issued and outstanding.
Dividends
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and have no present intention of doing so in the foreseeable future. Rather, we intend to retain all future earnings to provide for the growth of our Company. Payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will depend, among other things, upon our future earnings, requirements for capital improvements and financial condition.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the year ended December 31, 2023, GPR, a related party, advanced $262,398 pursuant to the LOC in direct payments on the Company’s behalf to reduce certain accounts payable and pay operating expenses.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, GPR, a related party, advanced $314,433 pursuant to the LOC in direct payments on the Company’s behalf to reduce certain accounts payable and pay operating expenses. The balance due GPR under this line of credit is comprised of principal of $1,199,527 and accrued interest of $184,928 at December 31, 2022.
After the foregoing note conversions and advances received, there was $191,231 of principal and $17,384 of accrued interest outstanding on convertible promissory notes payable at December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. See “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Readers are cautioned that the following discussion contains certain forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing at the beginning of this Annual Report.
The information contained in Item 7 contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results may materially differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties set forth in this report. Although management believes that the assumptions made and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that the underlying assumptions will, in fact, prove to be correct or that actual results will not be different from expectations expressed in this report.
We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This filing contains a number of forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s current views and expectations with respect to our business, strategies, products, future results and events, and financial performance. All statements made in this filing other than statements of historical fact, including statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments which management expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements related to distributor channels, volume growth, revenues, profitability, new products, adequacy of funds from operations, statements expressing general optimism about future operating results, and non-historical information, are forward looking statements. In particular, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements, and their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from historical results as well as those expressed in, anticipated, or implied by these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect any future events or circumstances.
Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on management’s current expectations and projections about future events, are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions (including those described below), and apply only as of the date of this filing. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks to be discussed in our Annual Report on form 10-K and in the press releases and other communications to shareholders issued by us from time to time which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors which may affect our business. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Water Pollution Control Permit
Through the Company’s subsidiaries, a Water Pollution Control Permit (“WPCP”) Application will need to be filed with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) Bureau of Mines and Mining Reclamation (“BMMR”) for the approval of the permits necessary for a small-scale mineral processing facility planned for the Tonopah Property. The plant will perform laboratory testing, pilot testing, and custom processing of precious metal ores and concentrates from mining industry clients. Processing of ore materials will employ standard mineral processing techniques including gravity concentration, froth flotation and chemical leaching and carbon stripping.
The WPCP must be approved prior to commencing the planned construction of our processing plant in Tonopah, Nevada.
In connection with the WPCP application, NDEP suggested that we take the following actions: (i) retain a Nevada Certified Environmental Manager (“CEM”), (ii) perform Meteoric Profile II water testing on ground water directly below the mill as well as surrounding wells located off site, and (iii) determine baseline values of water using the Meteoric Profile II results. NDEP regulations require that the Company delay any new construction planned for “metal extraction” until after the permits are in place.
Advanced Surveying & Professional Services, a Professional Land Surveyor (“PLS”), completed surveys and testing of the Tonopah property required for the application of our required permits. After completion of the survey, it was determined the property is 1,186 acres. The scope of work the PLS completed includes: (i) setting a total of 19 permanent monuments at angle points along lines, (ii) setting eight permanent monuments locating US Hwy 95, (iii) recording a professional map indicating longitude and latitude for all corners, and (iv) providing a digital map accessible in AutoCAD software.
Site Preparation
We have completed the initial grading of specific designated areas on the 40 undisturbed acres of land including clearing all vegetation, removing of all scrap metal, and the excavation of the building pad for the preparation of the new 21,875 square foot processing plant and have completed the removal of all the extra and unnecessary materials and old equipment that have accumulated on the land. We refurbished a trailer that will act as our construction office.
Business Plan
Our business plan is to purchase equipment and build a facility on the Tonopah property to serve as a permitted custom processing toll milling facility which includes an analytical lab, pyrometallurgical plant, and hydrometallurgical recovery plant. We are required to obtain several permits before we can begin construction of a small-scale mineral processing facility and the required additional buildings to conduct permitted processing toll milling activities and commence operations.
On March 27, 2020, the Company engaged NovaMetallix. Inc. (“NMX”), a member of the SMS Group, a GPR affiliate, to conduct a study of the quantity and quality of our historic mine tailings, and the economic feasibility of processing them to reclaim their residual content of gold, silver, and other valuable metals. NMX, a firm comprised of world class mining, geological and metallurgical engineering professionals, is dedicated to the rapidly developing field of sustainable metal recovery. NMX has agreed to conduct the study of the Company’s tailings in exchange for GPR’s agreement to underwrite its cost and expense, and the exclusive right to process the tailings should their economic assessment prove positive. The terms of such processing to be mutually agreed upon in the future based on the results of the assessment.
On September 13, 2023, the “Company executed an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in SWIS, L.L.C. (“SWIS”). The Company issued 1,500,000 shares of restricted common stock in exchange for a 100% interest in SWIS. The Company believes this acquisition will help strengthen our economics and further our goal to decrease our environmental impact and promote environmentally conscious operations. SWIS was incorporated in the state of Kentucky and is operating out of a company office in Louisville, Kentucky.
SWIS has developed an algorithm and a “smart” device that provides essential information to improve water quality from Combined Sewer Overflow (“CSO”). Recently, we have assigned the patent to the University of Louisville (“U of L”) with the intent to commercialize the solution on behalf of the university, community, state and country. More importantly, SWIS along with other fellow entrepreneurs and environmental stewards have assembled a team to launch SWIS, with stakeholders from U of L, Municipal Sewer Districts (“MSD”), and several state governments. SWIS is actively ready to launch a pilot project to test its modernized approach to CSO Public Notification Programs. Currently, the patented algorithm is on standby for integration into “smart” plugs that will be used for non-invasive in-home notification. An implementation playbook has been designed for municipal use. SWIS has a management team well versed in the necessary strategies for market penetration and adoption and looks to test its behavior modification program abilities with the U of L.
Combined Sewer Systems (“CSS”) were built over a century ago with the intention to divert wastewater away from households. CSS collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater into a single pipe system, which then transports the combined wastewater to a treatment plant. When the aged CSS is overwhelmed, the result is untreated wastewater being discharged directly into public waterways, such as creeks, streams, rivers, and other local bodies of water referred to as CSO. The resulting discharges of pollutants into public waterways increases the amount of suspended solids from point-source origins introduced to the ecosystem, creating a significant health hazard for wildlife and humans exposed to these waterways, historically tied to disease transmission. These violate the Clean Water Act and result in significant repercussions from the EPA. Currently, over forty million people in 700+ municipalities nationwide live in a municipality with a CSS.
Current solutions rely predominantly on inadequate Public Notification Programs to prevent water use at the source, the household, during high-risk CSO times. The current Public Notification Programs utilized by all municipalities in a CSS entails email signups, website banners, pamphlets, signs, etc., which remains arduous and ineffective. This antiquated, ineffective approach creates the immediate need to develop a modern, real-time notification system that gives individual households and facilities the immediately ability to positively modify their water use behavior resulting in a decrease in harmful point source pollutants unknowingly and unnecessarily being introduced to public waterways.
This project would greatly contribute to the universities’ expanding sustainability program and would put U of L and SWIS in an advanced position to compete to be one of six universities in the US that the EPA will chose as stormwater research hubs. With the completion of a successful Research Project, these stated goals and deliverables would revolutionize a major component of the $1 trillion water infrastructure issue plaguing a growing population and prime U of L and SWIS for nationwide Public Notification Program adoption. The development of our platform will modernize Public Education and Notification Programs that will significantly reduce the monetary cost and health risk of CSO events for municipalities worldwide. The results to be discovered at U of L will give SWIS data and information capable of educating citizens of developed cities across the globe and seamlessly integrating newly developed nations.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022
Revenues
We had no revenues from any operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Furthermore, we do not anticipate any significant future revenue until we have sufficiently funded construction and begin operations.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $593,994 for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $323,940 for the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased legal and advisory costs due to increased business activity. We anticipate that future administration and operating expenses will increase for fiscal 2024 as we work toward completion of the planned merger.
Other Income and Expenses
Each year we receive monthly payments of approximately $700 per month, totaling $8,395 per year, from American Tower Corporation for a cellular tower located on our Tonopah land. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized gains due to the write off of numerous accrued claims that were no longer enforceable or settled for less than face amount aggregating $57,571. The Company also recognized an impairment related to assets acquired with the SWIS acquisition of $2,625,000.
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $761,634 compared to $752,233 for the respective period in 2022. The $9,401 increase during 2023 compared to 2022 is primarily due to different amounts outstanding on the debt instruments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of an entity’s ability to secure enough cash to meet its contractual and operating needs as they arise. We have funded our operations and satisfied our capital requirements principally through increases in our LOC with GPR. We do not anticipate generating sufficient positive cash flows from our operations to fund the next 12 months. We had a working capital deficit of $3,095,998, at December 31, 2023. Cash was $36,254, at December 31, 2023, as compared to cash of $1,251 at December 31, 2022.
Our cash reserves will not be adequate to meet our operational needs and thus, we need to raise additional capital to pay for our operational expenses and provide for capital expenditures. Our basic operational expenses are currently approximately $49,000 per month, without regard to accrued interest of approximately $63,000 per month. Above our basic monthly expenses, we estimate that we need $50,000,000 to begin limited toll milling operations. If we are not able to raise additional working capital, we may have to cease operations altogether.
Recent Financings
During the year ended December 31, 2022, GPR, a related party, advanced $314,433 pursuant to the LOC in direct payments on the Company’s behalf to reduce certain accounts payable. The balance due GPR under this line of credit is comprised of principal of $1,199,527 and accrued interest of $184,928 at December 31, 2022. The Company entered into an Amendment and Forbearance Agreement with GPR on January 5, 2023 wherein GPR agreed to: (a) increase the existing LOC from $5,000,000 due March 16, 2025 to $35,000,000 due March 16, 2027, (b) roll two existing promissory notes purchased by GPR into the LOC resulting in the extinguishment of such notes as separate instruments, and (c) to forebear until January 12, 2024, on exercising its foreclosure rights under its defaulted Senior Secured Note. The Company’s Board of Directors approved a revision in the conversion price at which the LOC may convert into the Company’s common stock from $1.65 per share to $1.05 per share, based upon the market price of the Company’s common stock over the 3 days preceding the agreement. GPR is the Company’s majority shareholder and largest debtholder. GPR holds a senior secured interest in all of the assets of the Company, including the stock of its subsidiary entities. Effective June 12, 2023, the Company entered into a Third Amendment Agreement with GPR, wherein the LOC was increased to $52,500,000 and both the Senior Secured Promissory Note (previously held by Pure Path and acquired in 2019) and the Flechner Judgment (see the Company’s 10-K for 2022) were rolled into the balance of the LOC and the Deed of Trust was increased to $250,000,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, GPR, a related party, advanced $262,398 in direct payments on the Company’s behalf, to reduce certain accounts payable and pay operating expenses. The balance due GPR under this LOC is comprised of principal of $191,231 and accrued interest of $17,384, at December 31, 2023. In furtherance of the preparation for the planned merger with the SMS Group, GPR converted a $5,250,000 portion of the LOC into 5 million shares of restricted common stock effective August 2, 2023. The remaining $5,506,441 balance of the LOC was converted into 5,244,230 shares of restricted common stock effective August 15, 2023.
GPR now owns 10,542,989 shares of common stock, which is 73% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock.
Going Concern
The consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has accumulated losses from inception through the period ended December 31, 2023, of $107,939,395 and a working capital deficit of $3,095,998, as well as negative cash flows from operating activities. Presently, the Company does not have adequate cash resources to meet its debt obligations in the 12 months following the date of this filing. In addition, virtually all of the Company’s assets are encumbered or are pledged under senior secured debt that is in default. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management is in the process of evaluating various financing alternatives to finance its capital requirements, as well as for general and administrative expenses. These alternatives include raising funds through public or private equity markets and either through institutional or retail investors. Although there is no assurance that the Company will be successful with its fund-raising initiatives, management believes that the Company will be able to secure the necessary financing as a result of ongoing financing discussions with third party investors and existing shareholders.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company’s continuation as a going concern is dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing as may be required and ultimately to attain profitability. If the Company raises additional funds through the issuance of equity, the percentage ownership of current shareholders could be reduced, and such securities might have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights, preferences and privileges of the Company’s common stock. Additional financing may not be available upon acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company may not be able to take advantage of prospective business endeavors or opportunities, which could significantly and materially restrict its future plans for developing its business and achieving commercial revenues. If the Company is unable to obtain the necessary capital, the Company may have to cease operations.
Working Capital Deficiency
December 31,
December 31,
Current assets $ 36,394 $ 1,251
Current liabilities 3,132,392 12,351,299
Working capital deficiency $ (3,095,998 ) $ (12,350,048 )
Current assets remained stable between periods. The decrease in current liabilities is primarily due to a decrease in accrued interest relating to the Company’s convertible debentures and notes payable, as well as the decrease of convertible debt balances as a result of increasing advances from GPR, a related party.
Cash Flows
Years Ended
December 31,
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 35,003 $ (1,112 )
Net cash provided by investing activities - -
Net cash provided by financing activities - -
Increase (decrease) in cash $ 35,003 $ (1,112 )
Operating Activities
Net cash used by operating activities was $1,112 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $35,003 for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the net loss for the year, net of expenses paid directly by related party and increases in accruals for settlement of lawsuit and interest
Investing Activities
For the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 the Company conducted no investing activities.
Financing Activities
The Company’s financing during 2023 was from non-cash advances from a related party totaling $262,398, which were paid to certain vendors on the Company’s behalf. The Company’s financing during 2022 was from non-cash advances from a related party totaling $314,433, for expenses of the Company paid by such related party.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in item 303(a)(4) of the SEC’s Regulation S-K.
Effects of Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our business, revenues or operating results during the periods presented.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We believe that the accounting policies below are critical for one to fully understand and evaluate our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We are reviewing the property and equipment, intangible assets subject to amortization and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset class may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Indicators of potential impairment include: an adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of the asset; an adverse change in the extent or manner in which the asset is used or is expected to be used, or in its physical condition; and current or forecasted operating or cash flow losses that demonstrate continuing losses associated with the use of the asset. If indicators of impairment are present, the asset is tested for recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the related estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset. If the expected cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, then the asset is considered to be impaired and its carrying value is written down to fair value, based on the related estimated discounted cash flows. There were no impairment charges in the year ended December 31, 2023, however, in 2019 we decided to combine the carrying value of our mining and mineral assets as they are inseparable and depend upon each other in value creation.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for based upon an asset and liability approach. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from the difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the financial statements. Deferred tax amounts are determined using the tax rates expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received, as provided under currently enacted tax law. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense or benefit is the tax payable or refundable, respectively, for the period plus or minus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.
Accounting guidance requires the recognition of a financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company believes its income tax filing positions and deductions will be sustained upon examination and accordingly, no reserves, or related accruals for interest and penalties have been recorded at December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company recognizes interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as well as interest received from favorable tax settlements within income tax expense.
Recent Accounting Standards
During the year ended December 31, 2023 and through July 12, 2024, there were several new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not believe the adoption of any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information called for by Item 8 is included following the “Index to Financial Statements” on page contained in this annual report on Form 10-K.

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

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance the objectives of the control system are met.
Under the supervision of, and the participation of, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2023, because of the identification of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below. Notwithstanding the material weaknesses that existed as of December 31, 2023, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have each concluded that the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We are currently taking steps to remediate such material weaknesses as described below.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a set of processes designed by, or under the supervision of, a company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
● Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
● Provide reasonable assurance our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
● Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. It should be noted that any system of internal control, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), as of December 31, 2009.
As a result of our continued material weaknesses described below, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on the criteria in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by COSO.
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In connection with the assessment, management identified the following control deficiencies, which were previously identified, that still represent material weaknesses at December 31, 2023:
● The Company, at times in the past prior to the period covered by this annual statement, entered into material transactions without timely obtaining the appropriate signed agreements, stock certificates and board approval prior to releasing cash funds called for by the transaction. Management believes the approval process currently in place is sufficient to alleviate any misappropriation of funds and will change procedures if and when circumstances indicate they are needed. Although the Company has taken steps to prevent this from happening by utilizing an escrow agent, agreements entered into by prior management will continue to cause an issue until such prior agreements terminate or expire.
● Management did not design and maintain effective control relating to the quarter end closing and financial reporting process due to lack of evidence of review surrounding various account reconciliations and properly evidenced journal entries. Due to the Company’s limited resources, the Company has insufficient personnel resources and technical accounting and reporting expertise to properly address all of the accounting matters inherent in the Company’s financial transactions. Additionally, though the Company has recently formed a formal audit committee, the Company has not yet formalized processes and controls that would provide proper board oversight role within the financial reporting process. Management continues to search for additional board members that are independent and can add financial expertise and intends to formalize oversight processes in this area in an effort to remediate part of this material weakness.
● The Company’s change in management, board members and officer positions resulting in changes of the responsible person for certain duties has caused delays in the timely review of financial data and banking information. The Company has very limited review procedures in place. This material weakness, previously identified, continued in 2023 as a result of additional management changes. Management plans to establish a more formal review process by the board members in an effort to reduce the risk of fraud and financial misstatements.
We are in the process of establishing certain steps in response to the identification of these material weaknesses that should result in certain changes in our internal control over financial reporting, but due to the Company’s limited funds and inability to add certain staff personnel, the changes may be limited and may also not be completely effective. There were no additional material weaknesses noted during the year ended December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Set forth below are the names of all directors and executive officers of the Company, their respective ages and all positions and offices with the Company held by each person as of December 31, 2023:
Name
Age
Positions with the Company
Tawana Bain
Chief Executive Officer, Director, and Chairwoman
Sharon L. Ullman
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Director
J. Bryan Read
President, Director and Secretary
Biographies
Tawana Bain - Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairwoman
Ms. Bain is Founder and CEO of TBAIN & Co, LLC (“TBAIN”), a social impact enterprise that houses organizations committed to renewable energy and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) efforts. TBAIN is the manager of Granite Peak Resources, LLC, the Company’s largest shareholder.
She is also Owner and Publisher of Todays Woman, a 30+ year regional publication designed to uplift and empower the everyday woman.
Ms. Bain is active in philanthropic and government relations through her work as Founder of Derby Diversity Week and has been nationally recognized for building equity initiatives for black entrepreneurs and other marginalized groups. Ms. Bain has an extensive history in environmental programs that require community buy-in and marketing strategy of environmental restoration efforts, Diversity Equity and Inclusion around tourism for horse racing and technical support of consent decrees for the monitoring and documentation in the water and land space. Bain has been ranked as one of the top 50 most powerful people among her business peers in Louisville, Kentucky in 2022 and 2023.
Sharon L. Ullman - Chief Financial Officer, Director and Chief Administrative Officer
Sharon L. Ullman was appointed to our board of directors on March 18, 2011, in connection with the Shea Exchange Agreement. Effective December 16, 2011, Ms. Ullman was appointed to serve as the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairperson of the Board. On October 9, 2012, the Board of Directors voted to remove “interim” from her title and approve her position as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. On February 6, 2014, the Board of Directors voted to appoint Ms. Ullman the Company’s President and Executive Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. On August 20, 2015 Ms. Ullman stepped down as CEO and President and took on the role of Chief Administrative Officer, she was appointed as the Interim Chief Financial Officer on October 26, 2015. Her appointment as CFO and Chief Administrative Officer was confirmed by the Board of Directors on April 4, 2016 and she was also appointed as the Treasurer.
Since June 2010, Ms. Ullman has served as the Manager of Afignis, LLC (“Afignis”), a New York limited liability company, which was established to identify and develop mining, natural resource and agricultural opportunities on a global basis, with a focus on emerging markets. Afignis has made several investments, including currently holding approximately 12% of our outstanding common stock and the acquisition of mining and agricultural interests in Sierra Leone, Africa. The Sierra Leone investment is managed by Afignis Sierra Leone Limited, a Sierra Leone company, which is a strategic partnership between the Mende tribe and Afignis. Ms. Ullman has been the President of Afignis Sierra Leone Limited since 2010. Afignis Sierra Leone Limited is involved in gold and diamond mining operations and had interests in large parcels of arable land for agriculture including acres of cacao and coffee plantations.
Ms. Ullman is active in philanthropic and government relations through her work as the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of S. L. Ullman & Associates, Inc., formed in 2007 as a private consulting firm, and has been recognized for her achievements in these areas.
Ms. Ullman served as the Executive Director and President of the 23rd Street Association (the “Association”). Through her efforts, the Association was involved in the development of Project 9A, the Hudson River Waterfront and the High Line. She was a prominent leader in the revitalization of historic Madison Square Park, helping to raise millions for its restoration and maintenance. She successfully led the effort to establish the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership, a Business Improvement District in the Flatiron/23rd Street area. Her efforts as the founding member and member of the Board, helped reinforce the Flatiron/23rd Street area’s growing stature as one of the city’s premier destination spots.
Ms. Ullman has worked with all levels of government and government agencies and has been widely acknowledged for her contributions. Her numerous awards include being voted a top 100 New Yorker. She was written into the congressional record with remarks in recognition of her outstanding leadership by congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in 2004 and 2007, she received letters of recognition and outstanding citizen citations from President Bill Clinton, Governor George Pataki, Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudolf Giuliani, and she received letters of recognition from then senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles E. Schumer.
Ms. Ullman has been awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award from Speaker Christine Quinn, Council of the City of New York, and letters of recognition from State Senators, State Assembly Members, City Council Members and Police Commissioners. She received the Tilden Humanitarian Award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from Concerned Citizen’s Speak. She has participated in Mayor Bloomberg’s “Friday Morning Breakfasts” for outstanding community leaders to discuss important issues affecting the city.
J. Bryan Read, Lt. Col, US Army (R) - President, Director and Secretary
Mr. Read, appointed Chief Executive Officer on December 13, 2016, honorably served as an officer and a commander in the United States Army. He has over twenty years professional military experience in leadership management, military logistics, training operations, missile defense, property management, diplomacy, and supply systems. He has commanded military organizations from platoon up through battalion level. As a military attaché assigned to the State Department and an overseas United States Embassy in the Former Soviet Union, he regularly planned and conducted meetings with high level foreign government officials and ministries on behalf of the United States involving important defense and commerce related matters. He has served as the Russian language Interpreter and team leader for the U.S. Humanitarian Special Operations Mission to Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. Additionally, he was a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Bryan has served as a business development executive officer and independent business development consultant for variety of companies and industries. He has introduced businesses to private and government sector opportunities by utilizing operations research, analytics, and networking. The goal was to present revenue generating opportunities as well as merger and acquisition opportunities. His duties included negotiating terms of agreement for client projects, analyzing business models, developing marketing strategies, and reviewing P&L. His clients’ products and services have included the following industries: renewable energy, mining, precious metals processing, B2B connectivity/management services, e-mail encryption technology software, EVM software, steel manufacturing technology, construction, antennas, smart grid technologies, computer simulations, and sports recovery nutritional products. He has also served as a business development liaison between Bio-Pharmaceutical companies in order to coordinate clinical research for FDA approval. He has regularly organized and facilitated meetings for clients with fortune 500 senior management, government agencies, and congressional staffs. His efforts have a proven track record of producing contracts, teaming arrangements, alliances, and reseller agreements.
As a member of the American Council of Renewable Energy (“ACORE”), Mr. Read has served on the Power and Infrastructure Committee and the Defense Initiatives Energy Committee. These committee positions allowed him to regularly provide input to elected officials on future energy policy. He regularly attends national energy conferences to connect and share ideas with public and private leaders in the energy community. Bryan is also the President and Founder of Keystone General Contracting and Technologies LLC., a Veteran Owned Small Business.
Mr. Read has a master’s degree from Cornell University and is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He was a Senior Fellow at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama.
Family Relationships
There are no other family relationships between or among any of our directors and executive officers and any incoming directors or executive officers.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and persons performing similar functions on October 5, 2012.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Based solely upon our review of such filings, we are not aware of any failures by such persons to make any such filings on a timely basis.
Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Financial Expert
The Company does not currently utilize a formal audit committee. There were no audit committee meetings held during 2023. Financial information relating to quarterly reports was disseminated to all board members for review. The consolidated unaudited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 and audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 were provided to each member of the board in which any concerns by the members were directed to management and the auditors. The Company does not currently utilize a compensation committee. There were no compensation committee meetings during 2023 and no actions taken by written consent.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General Philosophy
Our Board of Directors is responsible for establishing and administering the Company’s executive and director compensation.
Executive Compensation
The following table summarizes the compensation of each named executive officer for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 awarded to or earned by (i) each individual serving as our principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company and (ii) each individual that served as an executive officer of the Company at the end of such fiscal years who received compensation in excess of $100,000.
Annual Compensation
Option All Other Total
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Awards (1) Compensation ($)
Tawana Bain
Chief Executive Officer $ - - - - -
J. Bryan Read, $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
President and Secretary $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Sharon L. Ullman $ $ -
$ $
Chief Financial Officer $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
(1) The amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair values of these awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance now codified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) FASB ASC Topic 718, “Stock Compensation” (formerly under FASB Statement No. 123(R)).
Employment Agreements
We have not entered into any severance or change of control provisions with any of our other executive officers.
Equity Compensation Plans
No options were exercised by our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023 the executive officers held no options or warrants.
Director Compensation
Members of our board who are also employees of ours receive no compensation for their services as directors. Non-employee directors are reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred in connection with their duties as directors. In addition, we issue options to our directors as determined from time to time by the Board.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The following information sets forth the number and percentage of shares of the Company’s common stock owned beneficially, as of April 13, 2023, by any person, who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of the Company’s common stock, and, in addition, by each director and each executive officer of the Company, and by all directors and executive officers as a group.
Information as to beneficial ownership is based upon statements furnished to the Company by such persons and the shareholder list provided by the Company’s transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, as of April 13, 2023.
Name and Address Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership (1) Percentage
of
Class %
Sharon Ullman
507,200
3.51 %
12567 West Cedar Drive, Suite 104
Lakewood, Colorado 80228-2039
J. Bryan Read 3,000 *
12567 West Cedar Drive, Suite 104
Lakewood, Colorado 80228-2039
All directors and officers as a group 510,200 3.53 %
Granite Peak Resources, LLC# 10,542,989 73 %
30 N Gould Street, Suite R
Sheridan, WY 82081
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, each person possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned. Shares are deemed owned in the same percentage as the individual’s ownership in the entity owning such shares.
(*) Less than 1%
(#) TBain, the CEO of the Company is the Manager of GPR but is not deemed to own any of GPR’s shares
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2023:
Plan category Number of
securities
to be issued
upon
exercise of
outstanding
options (a) Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under
equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a)
(b)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 65,000 (1) $ 62.50 1,460,000
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - $ - -
Total 65,000 $ 62.50 1,460,000
(1) granted pursuant to the 2014 Option Plan, for individual grants. See the notes to the financial statements.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The following describes certain relationships and related transactions that we have with persons deemed to be affiliates of ours. We believe that each of the transactions described below were on terms at least as favorable to our Company as we would have expected to negotiate with unaffiliated third parties.
Granite Peak Resources, LLC
On March 16, 2020, the Company executed a Line of Credit (“LOC”) with GPR evidenced by a promissory note. The LOC is for up to $2,500,000, matures over three years and may be increased by up to another $1,000,000 and extended an additional two years, respectively, at GPR’s sole option. The LOC is for funding operating expenses critical to the Company’s redirection and all requests for funds may be approved or disapproved in GPR’s sole discretion. The LOC bears interest at 10% per annum, is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share price of $20.00 based on the last closing sale price and is secured by the real and personal property GPR already has under lien and in pledge. The Company entered into an Amendment and Forbearance Agreement with GPR on January 5, 2023 wherein GPR agreed to: (a) increase the existing LOC from $5,000,000 due March 16, 2025 to $35,000,000 due March 16, 2027, (b) roll two existing promissory notes purchased by GPR into the LOC resulting in the extinguishment of such notes as separate instruments, and (c) to forebear until January 12, 2024, on exercising its foreclosure rights under its defaulted Senior Secured Note. The Company’s Board of Directors approved a revision in the conversion price at which the LOC may convert into the Company’s common stock from $1.65 per share to $1.05 per share, based upon the market price of the Company’s common stock over the 3 days preceding the agreement. GPR is the Company’s majority shareholder and largest debtholder. GPR holds a senior secured interest in all of the assets of the Company, including the stock of its subsidiary entities. Effective June 12, 2023, the Company entered into a Third Amendment Agreement with GPR, wherein the LOC was increased to $52,500,000 and both the Senior Secured Promissory Note (previously held by Pure Path and acquired in 2019) and the Flechner Judgment (see the Company’s 10-K for 2022) were rolled into the balance of the LOC and the Deed of Trust was increased to $250,000,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2023 GPR, a related party, advanced $262,398 pursuant to the LOC in direct payments on the Company’s behalf to reduce certain accounts payable. The balance due GPR under this LOC is comprised of principal of $191,231 and accrued interest of $17,384, at December 31, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, GPR advanced $314,433 in direct payments on the Company’s behalf, to reduce certain accounts payable and pay its operating expenses. The balance due GPR under this LOC is comprised of principal of $885,095 and accrued interest of $77,172, at December 31, 2022.
Director Independence
Our securities are quoted on the OTC Market, which does not have any director independence requirements. We evaluate independence by the standards for director independence established by applicable laws, rules, and listing standards including, without limitation, the standards for independent directors established by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the NASDAQ National Market, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Subject to some exceptions, these standards generally provide that a director will not be independent if (a) the director is, or in the past three years has been, an employee of ours; (b) a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, an executive officer of ours; (c) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family has received more than $120,000 per year in direct compensation from us other than for service as a director (or for a family member, as a non-executive employee); (d) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, employed in a professional capacity by our independent public accountants, or has worked for such firm in any capacity on our audit; (e) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, employed as an executive officer of a company where one of our executive officers serves on the compensation committee; or (f) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is an executive officer of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, us in an amount which, in any twelve-month period during the past three years, exceeds the greater of $1,000,000 or two percent of that other company’s consolidated gross revenues. Based on these standards, we have determined that our directors are not independent directors.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Our Board of Directors appointed Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. (“Turner”) PCAOB Auditor ID76 to audit our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022. The following tables set forth the fees billed to the Company for professional services rendered by Turner for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022.
Services
Audit fees $ 51,250 $ 35,200
Audit related fees
-
Tax fees
-
All other fees
-
Total fees $ 51,250 $ 35,200
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed are for professional services rendered by Turner for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and review of consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K and 10-Qs for 2023 and 2022, and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Audit-Related Fees
There were no fees billed in each of the last two years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
Tax Fees
There were no fees billed in each of the last two years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning other than as presented in the table above.
All Other Fees
There were no other fees billed in each of the last two years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported above.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Company does not currently utilize a formal audit committee as it has yet to formalize processes and controls that would provide proper Board oversight. Our Board approves each engagement for audit or non-audit services before we engage our independent auditor to provide those services. The Board has not established any pre-approval policies or procedures that would allow our management to engage our independent auditor to provide any specified services with only an obligation to notify the audit committee of the engagement for those services. None of the services provided by our independent auditors for fiscal year 2023 were obtained in reliance on the waiver of the pre-approval requirement afforded in SEC regulations.
Part IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or are incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Nevada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 2010 filed on March 21, 2011).
3.2
Articles of Amendment, effective January 4, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99-3i03 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2013).
3.3
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation and Plan of Conversion filed with the State of Colorado with effective dates of March 4 and March 5, 2013 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14C information filed on February 11, 2013).
3.4
Bylaws of Standard Gold, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit D to the Company’s Schedule 14C filed on February 11, 2013).
4.1**
Description of Securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
10.1
Exchange Agreement, dated March 15, 2011, by and between the Company, Shea Mining & Milling, LLC, Afignis, LLC, Leslie Lucas Partners, LLC, Wits Basin Precious Minerals Inc. and Alfred A. Rapetti, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.2
Assignment and Assumption of Loan Documents and Loan Modification Agreement, dated March 15, 2011, by and between the Company, Shea Mining & Milling, LLC and NJB Mining, Inc, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.3
Term Loan Agreement, dated August 25, 2009, by and between Shea Mining & Milling, LLC and NJB Mining, Inc (assumed by the Company on March 15, 2011), (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.4
Promissory Note, dated August 25, 2009, issued by Shea Mining & Milling, LLC to NJB Mining, Inc (assumed by the Company on March 15, 2011), (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.5
Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents and Fixture Filing, dated August 21, 2009, executed by Shea Mining & Milling, LLC in favor of NJB Mining, Inc (assumed by the Company on March 15, 2011), (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.6
Assignment of Lease and Rents, dated August 21, 2009, executed by Shea Mining & Milling, LLC in favor of NJB Mining, Inc (assumed by the Company on March 15, 2011), (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.7
Environmental Indemnity, dated August 25, 2009, by and between Shea Mining & Milling, LLC and NJB Mining, Inc (assumed by the Company on March 15, 2011), (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-14319)).
10.15
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Standard Gold, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Schedule 14C filed on February 11, 2013).
10.16
Plan of Conversion of Standard Gold, Inc., a Colorado corporation, into Standard Gold, Inc., a Nevada corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Company’s Schedule 14C filed on February 11, 2013).
10.17
Articles of Incorporation of Standard Gold, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to the Company’s Schedule 14C filed on February 11, 2013).
10.19
Statement of Correction (Document Number 20111157771) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).01 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2013).
Statement of Correction (Document Number 20111178093) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).02 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2013).
Articles of Amendment (Document Number 20131009270) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).03 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2013).
24**
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto).
31.1**
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2**
Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label
101.PRE**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
Cover Page Interactive Data File. (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
** Filed herewith electronically