EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1031093
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1031093_10-K_2021_0001079973-21-000025.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Items 1 and 2.	BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
Overview and Corporate Structure
Silver Bull Resources, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on November 8, 1993 as the Cadgie Company for the purpose of acquiring and developing mineral properties. The Cadgie Company was a spin-off from its predecessor, Precious Metal Mines, Inc. On June 28, 1996, our name was changed to Metalline Mining Company (“Metalline”). On April 21, 2011, we changed our name to Silver Bull Resources, Inc. We have not realized any revenues from our planned operations, and we are considered an exploration stage company. We have not established any reserves with respect to our exploration projects and may never enter into the development stage with respect to any of our projects.
We engage in the business of mineral exploration. We currently own a number of property concessions in Mexico within a mining district known as the Sierra Mojada District, located in the west-central part of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. We conduct our operations in Mexico through our wholly-owned subsidiary corporations, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V. (“Minera Metalin”), Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V. (“Contratistas”) and Minas de Coahuila SBR S.A. de C.V (“Minas”).
In April 2010, Metalline Mining Delaware, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in the State of Delaware, was merged with and into Dome Ventures Corporation (“Dome”), a Delaware corporation. As a result, Dome became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Silver Bull. Dome has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Dome Asia Inc. (“Dome Asia”), which is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Dome Asia has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Dome Minerals Nigeria Limited, incorporated in Nigeria.
On June 5, 2015, we announced our decision to voluntarily delist our shares of common stock from the NYSE MKT due to costs associated with the continued listing and NYSE MKT exchange rules regarding maintenance of a minimum share price. On June 29, 2015, our shares began trading on the OTCQB marketplace operated by OTC Markets Group. Our shares of common stock continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”).
On August 12, 2020, we entered into an option agreement (the “Beskauga Option Agreement”) with Copperbelt AG, a corporation existing under the laws of Switzerland (“CB Parent”), and Dostyk LLP, an entity existing under the laws of Kazakhstan and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CB Parent (the “CB Sub,” and together with CB Parent, “CB”), pursuant to which we have the exclusive right and option (the “Beskauga Option”) to acquire CB’s right, title and 100% interest in the Beskauga property located in Kazakhstan (the “Beskauga Property”), which consists of the Beskauga Main project (the “Beskauga Main Project”) and the Beskauga South project (the “Beskauga South Project,” and together the Beskauga Main Project, the “Beskauga Project”). After the completion of due diligence, the transaction contemplated by the Beskauga Option Agreement closed on January 26, 2021.
On September 1, 2020, we entered into a joint venture agreement (the “Stepnoe and Ekidos JV Agreement”) with CB Parent in connection with mineral license applications for, and further exploration and evaluation of, the Stepnoe and Ekidos properties located in Kazakhstan. Pursuant to the Stepnoe and Ekidos JV Agreement, we are obligated to contribute to the joint venture such funds as may be required to apply for the Stepnoe and Ekidos mineral licenses and to fund such other exploration activities on the Stepnoe and Ekidos properties as we, in our sole discretion, may deem appropriate, and CB is obligated to contribute to the joint venture the identification of the Stepnoe and Ekidos properties. We and CB have initial participating interests in the joint venture of 80% and 20%, respectively. Pursuant to the Stepnoe and Ekidos JV Agreement, we are entitled to acquire CB’s participating interest in one or both of the Stepnoe and Ekidos properties for $1.5 million each in cash.
On September 18, 2020, we completed a one-for-eight reverse stock split of our shares of common stock. All share and per share information in this annual report on Form 10-K, including references to the number of shares of common stock, stock options and warrants, prices of issued shares, exercise prices of stock options and warrants, and loss per share, have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split.
Our efforts and expenditures have been and are expected to be concentrated in the exploration of properties, principally the Sierra Mojada property located in Coahuila, Mexico (the “Sierra Mojada Property”) and the Beskauga Property. We have not determined whether our exploration properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The ultimate realization of our investment in exploration properties is dependent upon the success of future property sales, the existence of economically recoverable reserves, and our ability to obtain financing or make other arrangements for exploration, development and future profitable production activities. The ultimate realization of our investment in exploration properties cannot be determined at this time.
South32 Option Agreement
On June 1, 2018, we and our subsidiaries Minera Metalin and Contratistas entered into an earn-in option agreement (the “South32 Option Agreement”) with South32 International Investment Holdings Pty Ltd (“South32”), a wholly owned subsidiary of South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32), whereby South32 is able to obtain an option to purchase 70% of the shares of Minera Metalin and Contratistas (the “South32 Option”). Minera Metalin owns the Sierra Mojada Property located in Coahuila, Mexico (the “Sierra Mojada Project”) and Contratistas supplies labor for the Sierra Mojada Project. Under the South32 Option Agreement, South32 earns into the South32 Option by funding a collaborative exploration program on the Sierra Mojada Project. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the South32 Option Agreement, in order for South32 to earn and maintain its four-year option, South32 must have contributed to Minera Metalin for exploration of the Sierra Mojada Project at least $3 million by the end of Year 1, $6 million by the end of Year 2, $8 million by the end of Year 3 and $10 million by the end of Year 4 (the “Initial Funding”). Funding is made on a quarterly basis based on the subsequent quarter’s exploration budget. South32 may exercise the South32 Option by contributing $100 million to Minera Metalin (the “Subscription Payment”), less the amount of Initial Funding previously contributed by South32. The issuance of shares upon notice of exercise of the South32 Option by South32 is subject to antitrust approval by the Mexican government. If the full amount of the Subscription Payment is advanced by South32 and the South32 Option becomes exercisable and is exercised, we and South32 will be obligated to contribute funding to Minera Metalin on a 30/70 pro rata basis. If South32 elects not to continue with the South32 Option during the four-year option period, the Sierra Mojada Project will remain 100% owned by us. The exploration program will be initially managed by us, with South32 being able to approve the exploration program funded by it. We received funding of $3,144,163 from South32 for Year 1 of the South32 Option Agreement. In April 2019, we received a notice from South32 to maintain the South32 Option Agreement for Year 2 by providing cumulative funding of $6 million by the end of such period. As of October 31, 2020, we had received funding of $1,420,161 from South32 for Year 2 of the South32 Option Agreement, the time period for which has been extended by an event of force majeure described in more detail below. In November 2020, we received an additional payment of $60,286 for the extended Year 2 time period. If the South32 Option Agreement is terminated by South32 without cause or if South32 is unable to obtain antitrust authorization from the Mexican government, we are under no obligation to reimburse South32 for amounts contributed under the South32 Option Agreement.
Upon exercise of the South32 Option, Minera Metalin and Contratistas are required to issue common shares to South32. Pursuant to the South32 Option Agreement, following exercise and until a decision has been made by the board of directors of Minera Metalin to develop and construct a mine on the Sierra Mojada Project, each shareholder holding greater than or equal to 10% of the shares may withdraw as an owner in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty on products produced and sold from the Sierra Mojada Project. Any shareholder whose holdings are reduced to less than 10% must surrender its interest in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty.
On October 11, 2019, we and our subsidiary Minera Metalin issued a notice of force majeure to South32 pursuant to the South32 Option Agreement. Due to a blockade by a cooperative of local miners called Sociedad Cooperativa de Exploración Minera Mineros Norteños, S.C.L. (“Mineros Norteños”), we have temporarily halted all work on the Sierra Mojada Property. The notice of force majeure was issued because of the blockade’s impact on the ability of us and our subsidiary Minera Metalin to perform our obligations under the South32 Option Agreement. Pursuant to the South32 Option Agreement, any time period provided for in the South32 Option Agreement will generally be extended by a period equal to the period of delay caused by the event of force majeure. As of January 28, 2021, the blockade by Mineros Norteños at, on and around the Sierra Mojada Property is ongoing.
Beskauga Option Agreement
On August 12, 2020, we entered into the Beskauga Option Agreement with CB pursuant to which we have the exclusive right and option to acquire CB’s right, title and 100% interest in the Beskauga Property, which consists of the Beskauga Main Project and the Beskauga South Project. Upon the execution of the Beskauga Option Agreement, we paid CB Parent $30,000. In addition, we paid CB Parent $40,000 upon completion of our due diligence, and the transaction contemplated by the Beskauga Option Agreement closed on January 26, 2021.
The Beskauga Option Agreement provides that subject to its terms and conditions, in order to maintain the effectiveness of the Beskauga Option, we must incur $2,000,000 in cumulative exploration expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the first anniversary following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Beskauga Option Agreement (the “Closing Date”), $5,000,000 in cumulative expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the second anniversary following the Closing Date, $10,000,000 in cumulative expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the third anniversary following the Closing Date, and $15,000,000 in cumulative expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the fourth anniversary following the Closing Date (collectively, the “Exploration Expenditures”). The Beskauga Option Agreement also provides that subject to its terms and conditions,after we have incurred the Exploration Expenditures, we may exercise the Beskauga Option and acquire (i) the Beskauga Property by paying CB $15,000,000 in cash, (ii) the Beskauga Main Project only by paying CB $13,500,000 in cash, or (iii) the Beskauga South Project only by paying CB $1,500,000 in cash.
In addition, the Beskauga Option Agreement provides that subject to its terms and conditions, we may be obligated to make the following bonus payments (collectively, the “Bonus Payments”) to CB Parent if the Beskauga Main Project or the Beskauga South Project is the subject of a bankable feasibility study in compliance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 indicating gold equivalent resources in the amounts set forth below, with (i) (A) 20% of the Bonus Payments payable after completion of the bankable feasibility study or after the mineral resource statement is finally determined and (B) the remaining 80% of the Bonus Payments due within 15 business days of commencement of on-site construction of a mine for the Beskauga Main Project or the Beskauga South Project, as applicable, and (ii) up to 50% of the Bonus Payments payable in shares of our common stock to be valued at the 20-day volume-weighted average trading price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange calculated as of the date immediately preceding the date such shares are issued:
Gold equivalent resources Cumulative Bonus Payments
Beskauga Main Project
3,000,000 ounces $ 2,000,000
5,000,000 ounces $ 6,000,000
7,000,000 ounces $ 12,000,000
10,000,000 ounces $ 20,000,000
Beskauga South Project
2,000,000 ounces $ 2,000,000
3,000,000 ounces $ 5,000,000
4,000,000 ounces $ 8,000,000
5,000,000 ounces $ 12,000,000
The Beskauga Option Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including (i) upon the mutual written agreement of us and CB; (ii) upon the delivery of written notice by us, provided that at the time of delivery of such notice, unless there has been a material breach of a representation or warranty given by CB that has not been cured, the Beskauga Property is in good standing; or (iii) if there is a material breach by a party of its obligations under the Beskauga Option Agreement and the other party has provided written notice of such material breach, which is incapable of being cured or remains uncured.
On August 24, 2020, we loaned $360,000 to Ekidos Minerals LLP, an unrelated third-party Kazakh entity relating to the acquisition of mineral property concessions in Kazakhstan. The loan is interest free and is to be repaid by January 31, 2021.
On December 21, 2020, we loaned an additional $400,000 to Ekidos Minerals LLP. This loan is interest free and is to be repaid by June 30, 2021.
Sierra Mojada Project
Location, Access and Infrastructure
The Sierra Mojada Project is located within a mining district known as the Sierra Mojada District. The Sierra Mojada District is located in the west-central part of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, near the Coahuila-Chihuahua state border approximately 200 kilometers south of the Big Bend of the Rio Grande River. The principal mining area extends for approximately five kilometers in an east-west direction along the base of the precipitous, 1,000-meter high Sierra Mojada Range.
The Sierra Mojada Project site is situated to the south of the village of Esmeralda, on the northern side of a major escarpment that forms the northern margin of the Sierra Mojada range. In general, the site is approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. The project is accessible by paved road from the city of Torreon, Coahuila, which lies approximately 250 kilometers to the south. Esmerelda is served by a rail spur of the Coahuila Durango railroad. There is an airstrip east of Esmeralda, although its availability is limited, and another airstrip at the nearby Penoles plant, which we can use occasionally. The Sierra Mojada District has high voltage electric power supplied by the national power company, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, C.F.E., and is supplied water by the municipality of Sierra Mojada. Although power levels are sufficient for current operations and exploration, future development of the project, if any, may require additional power supplies to be sourced.
Our facilities in Mexico include offices, accommodation for employees, workshops, warehouse buildings and exploration equipment located at Calle Mina #1, La Esmeralda, Coahuila, Mexico.
The map below shows the location of the Sierra Mojada Project:
Property History
Silver and lead were first discovered by a foraging party in 1879, and mining through 1886 consisted of native silver, silver chloride, and lead carbonate ores. After 1886, silver-lead-zinc-copper sulphide ores within limestone and sandstone units were produced. No accurate production history has been found for historical mining during this period.
Approximately 95 years ago, zinc silicate and zinc carbonate minerals (“Zinc Manto Zone”) were discovered underlying the silver-lead mineralized horizon. The Zinc Manto Zone is predominantly zinc dominated, but with subordinate lead-rich manto and is principally situated in the footwall rocks of the Sierra Mojada Fault System. Since discovery and until 1990, zinc, silver, and lead ores were mined from various mines along the strike of the deposit, including from the Sierra Mojada Property. Ores mined from within these areas were hand-sorted, and the concentrate shipped mostly to smelters in the United States.
Activity during the period of 1956 to 1990 consisted of operations by the Mineros Norteños and operations by individual owners and operators of pre-existing mines. The Mineros Norteños operated the San Salvador, Encantada, Fronteriza, Esmeralda, and Parrena mines, and shipped oxide zinc ore to Zinc National’s smelter in Monterrey, while copper and silver ore were shipped to smelters in Mexico and the United States.
We estimate that over 45 mines have produced ore from underground workings throughout the approximately five kilometers by two-kilometer area that comprises the Sierra Mojada District. We estimate that since its discovery in 1879, the Sierra Mojada District has produced approximately 10 million tons of silver, zinc, lead and copper ore. The Sierra Mojada District does not have a mill to concentrate ore, and all mining conducted thus far has been limited to selectively mined ore of sufficient grade to direct ship to smelters. We believe that mill-grade mineralization that was not mined remains available for extraction. No mining operations are currently active within the area of the Sierra Mojada District, except for a dolomite quarry by Peñoles near Esmeralda.
In the 1990s, Kennecott Copper Corporation (“Kennecott”) had a joint venture agreement with USMX, Inc. (“USMX”) involving its Sierra Mojada concessions. Kennecott terminated the joint venture in approximately 1995. We entered into a Joint Exploration and Development Agreement with USMX in July 1996 involving USMX’s Sierra Mojada concessions. In 1998, we purchased the Sierra Mojada and the USMX concessions, and the joint exploration and development agreement was terminated. We also purchased certain other concessions during this time and conducted exploration for copper and silver mineralization from 1997 through 1999.
Title and Ownership Rights
The Sierra Mojada Project is comprised of 20 concessions consisting of 6,496 hectares (about 16,052 acres). We periodically obtain additional concessions in the Sierra Mojada Project area, and whether we will continue to hold these additional concessions will depend on future exploration work and exploration results and our ability to obtain financing. As we have done in prior years, we continually assess our concession ownership, and we may terminate our rights to certain concessions holdings.
Each mining concession enables us to explore the underlying concession in consideration for the payment of a semi-annual fee to the Mexican government and completion of certain annual assessment work. Annual assessment work in excess of statutory annual requirements can be carried forward and applied to future periods.
Ownership of a concession provides the owner with exclusive exploration and exploitation rights to all minerals located on the concessions, but does not include the surface rights to the real property. Therefore, we will need to negotiate any necessary agreements with the appropriate surface landowners if we determine that a mining operation is feasible for the concessions. We own surface rights to five lots in the Sierra Mojada Property (Sierra Mojada lot #1, #3, #4, #6 and #7) but anticipate that we will be required to obtain additional surface rights if we determine that a mining operation is feasible.
Geology and Mineralization
The Sierra Mojada concessions contain a mineral system which can be separated into two distinct zones: a silver-rich zone (the “Silver Zone”) and a zinc-rich zone (the “Zinc Zone”). These two zones lie along the Sierra Mojada Fault which trends east-west along the base of the Sierra Mojada range. The majority of the mineralization identified to date is seen as oxide, which has been derived from primary “sulphide” bodies that have been oxidized and remained in situ or remobilized into porous and fractured rock along the Sierra Mojada Fault. The formation of the Silver Zone and the Zinc Zone is a reflection of the mobility of the metals in the ground water conditions at Sierra Mojada.
The geology of the Sierra Mojada District is composed of a Cretaceous limestone and dolomite sequence sitting on top of the Jurassic “San Marcos” red sediments. This sedimentary sequence was subsequently intruded by Tertiary volcanics, which are considered to be responsible for the mineralization seen at Sierra Mojada. Historical mines are dry, and the rocks are competent for the most part. We believe that the thickness and attitude of the mineralized material could potentially be amenable to high volume mechanized mining methods and low-cost production.
Sierra Mojada Technical Report (October 2018)
On October 30, 2018, Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited and Timothy Barry delivered an updated technical report (the “Sierra Mojada Report”) on the silver and zinc mineralization at the Sierra Mojada Project in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). The Sierra Mojada Report supersedes the prior mineralized material estimate released by the Company in June 2015. The Sierra Mojada Report includes an update on the silver and zinc mineralization which was estimated from 1,336 diamond drill holes, 24 reverse circulation drill holes, 9,027 channel samples and 2,346 underground long holes. Using a net smelter return (“NSR”) economic cut-off, the Sierra Mojada Report indicates mineralized material in the optimized pit of 70.4 million tonnes at an average silver grade of 38.6 grams/tonne silver, an average zinc percentage of 3.4%, an average copper percentage of 0.04% and an average lead percentage of 0.3%. The Sierra Mojada Report used a $13.50/tonne NSR cut-off grade and assumed a silver price of $15.00/ounce and a zinc price of $1.20/pound. Mineralized material estimates do not include any amounts categorized as inferred resources.
“Mineralized material” as used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, although permissible under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’s”) Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the Sierra Mojada Project will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide - 7 -- compliant “reserves.” Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
Sampling, Analysis, Quality Control and Security
Our activities conform to mining industry standard practices and follow the Best Practices Guidelines of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM). Sampling is directed and supervised by trained and experienced geologists. Drill core and other samples are processed and logged using industry standard methods. Standard samples, duplicates and blanks are periodically entered into the stream of samples submitted for assays, and campaigns of re-sampling and duplicate analyses and round-robin inter-laboratory validations are conducted periodically. We use ALS Chemex - Vancouver (“ALS Chemex”) laboratory as our independent primary laboratory. ALS Chemex is ISO 9001:2000 certified. All analytical results that are used in resource models are exclusively from the independent primary laboratory.
Our consultants perform technical audits of our operations, including our formal quality assurance/quality control (“QA/QC”) program, and recommend improvements as needed. A systematic program of duplicate sampling and assaying of representative samples from previous exploration activities was completed in 2010 under the direction and control of our consultants. Results of this study acceptably confirm the values in the project database used for resource modeling.
We formerly operated a sample preparation and an analytical laboratory at the project that prepared samples for shipment, performed QA/QC analyses to ensure against cross-contamination of samples during preparation and removed most low-value samples from the flow to the primary laboratory. For cost and other reasons, the internal laboratory has been shut down.
Prior Exploration Activities
We have focused our exploration efforts on two primary locations: the Silver Zone and the Zinc Zone. As further described below, we have conducted various exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Project; however, to date, we have not established any reserves, and the project remains in the exploration stage and may never enter the development stage.
Prior to 2008, exploration efforts largely focused on the Zinc Zone with surface and underground drilling. In fiscal year 2009, we scaled back our exploration activities and administrative costs to conserve capital while we tried to secure additional sources of capital resources.
After closing the transaction with Dome in April 2010, we focused our exploration activities at Sierra Mojada primarily on the Silver Zone, which lies largely at surface. By the end of calendar 2018, approximately 101,000 meters of diamond drilling from surface and 10,000 meters of underground drilling had been completed.
The silver contained within the Silver Zone is seen primarily as silver halide minerals. The zinc contained within the Zinc Zone is contained mostly in the mineral hemimorphite and, to a lesser amount, in the mineral smithsonite.
2020 Exploration Activities
In January 2020, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.2 million for the period from January 2020 through May 2020 and $1.1 million for general and administrative expenses for calendar year 2020. In June 2020, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.1 million for the period from June 2020 through December 2020. Due to the blockade by Mineros Norteños previously mentioned under the “South32 Option Agreement” section of this Form 10-K, we have temporarily halted all work at the Sierra Mojada Property.
Drilling
During the year ended October 31, 2020, we conducted no drilling as we halted the drilling program due to the blockade.
Airborne Geophysics
Between September 2018 and November 2018, we completed a 5,297 line kilometer helicopter-borne Versatile Time Domain Electro Magnetic (VTEM) and Magnetic Geophysical Survey over the Sierra Mojada Property. The results of this survey aided in refining the design of the drilling program.
2021 Exploration Program
The focus of our 2021 calendar year exploration program on the Sierra Mojada Property will be to resolve the blockade and maintain our property concessions. Upon resolution of the blockade, we will work with South32 to approve an updated exploration program.
Metallurgical Studies
In May 2015, we selected and shipped samples of high-grade zinc material to a lab in Denver, Colorado for “fine bubble” flotation test work and to a group in Australia to assess their proprietary hydrometallurgy process. Previous test work completed by Silver Bull using mechanical flotation has shown an 87% recovery of zinc from the white zinc zone to produce a rough concentrate of 43% zinc, and a 72.5% recovery of zinc from the red zinc zone to produce a rough concentrate of 30% zinc. The “fine bubble” flotation test work that was performed did not improve recovery, but based on analysis of the results, it was determined that the “fine bubble” flotation test process may be able to be adjusted to improve recovery. Further testing is not planned at this time.
In addition, we previously conducted a metallurgical program to test the recovery of (i) the silver mineralization using the agitation cyanide leach method and (ii) the zinc mineralization using the SART process (sulfidization, acidification, recycling, and thickening). The test work on the Silver Zone focused on cyanide leach recovery of the silver using “Bottle Roll” tests to simulate an agitation leach system and to determine the recovery of (A) low-grade zinc that occurs in the Silver Zone and (B) high-grade zinc from the Zinc Zone that had been blended with mineralization from the Silver-rich Zone to the leach solution. The silver was recovered from the cyanide leach solution using the Merrill Crowe technique, and the zinc was recovered from the leach solution using the SART process. The SART process is a metallurgical process that regenerates and recycles the cyanide used in the leaching process of the silver and zinc and allows for the recovery of zinc that has been leached by the cyanide solution. The results showed an overall average silver recovery of 73.2%, with peak values of 89.0% and an overall average zinc recovery of 44% in the Silver Zone.
Beskauga Project
Location, Access and Infrastructure
The Beskauga Project is located in the Pavlodar Region of northeastern Kazakhstan, approximately 300 kilometers from the Kazakhstan capital Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), approximately 70 kilometers southwest of the city of Pavlodar, and approximately 65 km east of the town of Ekibastuz. There is an international airport at Nur-Sultan. Access to the project area is via sealed road from Pavlodar.
The property comprises three licenses, the Beskauga mineral license (67.8 square kilometers) in the center of the property, which has been the subject of all work carried out thus far, and the Stepnoe (425 square kilometers) and Ekidos (425 square kilometers) mineral exploration licenses.
The region has sufficient infrastructure to host large-scale mining operations and is a sophisticated transportation and communication node with a local economy dominated by activity in the mining and industrial sectors. Some 40% of all of Kazakhstan’s power-generating capacity comes from the region, which contains six power stations, three of which are in Pavlodar. Fresh water is supplied to the area from the Irtysh River/Karaganda Canal, and there is a large, well-trained labour force to draw upon for any future mining activities.
The map below shows the location of the Beskauga Project:
Property History, Title and Ownership Rights
The Beskauga deposit was discovered by a regional shallow drilling program conducted during the Soviet-era in the 1980’s. CB Sub maintains minerals rights for the Beskauga deposit based on License No. 785 (series MG) dated January 8, 1996, and a series of subsequent contracts and addendums as per the Republic of Kazakhstan legislation.
The Beskauga mineral exploration license was issued under Kazakhstan’s previous mining code, which was based on a contract arrangement whereby a company agrees to meet certain milestones and expenditure with the government. Despite a new mining code being in place since June 2018, obligations under existing contracts and licenses are still enforced. CB Sub has a mineral exploration license providing for the right to explore for all minerals (except uranium) on the Beskauga property. In order to maintain the exploration license in good standing, CB Sub is required to spend the following:
· 2021: $1,801,000
· 2022: $2,726,000
· 2023: $4,700,000
Before the end of the three-year period ending December 31, 2023, the Beskauga exploration license will need to be converted to a mining license. A mining license has a provision to allow for another 3-year exploration period before an economic study needs to be completed on the project. Pursuant to the Beskauga Option Agreement with CB Parent and the Beskauga mineral exploration license held by CB Sub, Silver Bull has the exclusive right and option to acquire CB Sub’s right to explore for all minerals (except uranium) on the Beskauga property until December 31, 2023.
Geology and Mineralization
The Beskauga Project is located in northeastern Kazakhstan, an area underlain by the rocks of the Altaid tectonic collage or Central Asian Orogenic Belt, an extensive Palaeozoic subduction-accretion complex made up of fragments of sedimentary basins, island arcs, accretionary wedges and tectonically bounded terranes that was progressively developed from the late Neoproterozoic Era, through the Palaeozoic Era to the early Mesozoic Era, and which extends eastwards into Russia, Mongolia and China as the Transbaikal-Mongolian orogenic collage. These tectonic collages contain several major porphyry copper-gold/molybdenum and epithermal gold deposits formed over an extensive period from the Ordovician to the Jurassic and associated with the various magmatic arcs of this complex.
Beskauga is thought to be located in the lower Boshchekul-Chingiz volcanic arc, part of the Kipchak arc system. Island-arc volcanism was calc-alkaline in nature, evolving from are more sodic chemistry to more potassic in later stages and formed small hypabyssal intrusive bodies of gabbro, diorites, granodiorite and sodic granite. These intrusives are responsible for the formation of the copper-gold porphyry deposits in the region.
Beskauga Main is a copper-gold porphyry deposit with elevated grades of molybdenum and silver, related to granodiorite and plagiogranite porphyry intrusions. The project area is predominantly underlain by volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks of upper Ordovician age that have been intruded by small stock-like intrusive bodies of porphyry ranging in composition from gabbro-diorite to quartz diorite and granodiorite. Porphyry-style mineralization is hosted in granodiorite and plagiogranite intrusions that have elongated sheet-like shapes. Mineralized zones are affected by stockwork veining and hydrothermal alteration and dip steeply. Alteration is mainly represented by albitization, sericitization and pyritization, though potassic alteration is also described. The most intensive alteration is at a depth of 250-500 meters. The principal sulphide minerals at Beskauga Main are pyrite and chalcopyrite, with smaller amounts of bornite, chalcocite, tennantite, enargite, and molybdenite, with magnetite and hematite also described. Analysis indicates a close correlation between gold and copper grades. Sulphides occur as fine-grained disseminations as well as in stockwork veins and veinlets.
Beskauga South is a gold only deposit associated with sericite-pyrophyllite-quartz alteration and silicification in steeply-dipping alteration zones affecting diorite porphyry. Mineralization may represent an epithermal stage within a porphyry-epithermal system.
Beskauga Technical Report (January 2021)
On January 27, 2021, Silver Bull announced a technical report prepared by CSA Global Consultants Canada Ltd on the mineralization at the Beskauga Project in accordance with NI 43-101 (the “Beskauga Report”). The Beskauga Report includes an estimate of the copper, gold and silver mineralization at Beskauga Main. Using a NSR economic cut-off, the Beskauga Report indicates mineralized material in an open-pit constrained block resource model of 207 million tonnes at an average copper percentage of 0.23%, gold grade of 0.35 grams/tonne, and silver grade of 1.09 grams/tonne. The Beskauga Report used a $5.70/tonne NSR cut-off grade and assumed a copper price of $2.80/pound, a gold price of $1,500/ounce and a silver price of $17.25/ounce. These mineralized material estimates do not include any amounts categorized as inferred resources.
The full Beskauga Report will be issued by March 12, 2021, which is 45 days from the report announcement date, as per Canadian regulatory requirements.
“Mineralized material” as used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, although permissible under the SEC’s Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the Beskauga Project will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7-compliant “reserves.” Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
2021 Exploration Program
We anticipate the commencement of an exploration program in the second calendar quarter of 2021 on the Beskauga property. This will involve a geological mapping and sampling program of key select areas, as well as a diamond drilling program targeting extensions to the known mineralization in the second half of calendar year 2021. The exploration program’s design is being determined based historical geological information in the area and an airborne geophysics program that has recently been completed. The exploration drilling program is subject to obtaining adequate financing.
Information about our Executive Officers
We have three executive officers: a Chairman, a President and Chief Executive Officer and a Chief Financial Officer. Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers.
Name and Residence
Age
Position
Brian Edgar
Vancouver, BC
Chairman
Timothy Barry
Squamish, BC
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Christopher Richards
Vancouver, BC
Chief Financial Officer
Brian Edgar. Mr. Edgar was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in April 2010. Mr. Edgar has broad experience working in junior and mid-size natural resource companies. He previously served as Dome’s President and Chief Executive Officer from February 2005 to April 2010, when Dome was acquired by Silver Bull. Further, Mr. Edgar served on Dome’s board of directors from 1998 to 2010. Mr. Edgar currently serves as a director of Denison Mines Corp. Mr. Edgar practiced corporate/securities law in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for 16 years.
Timothy Barry. Mr. Barry has served as a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Bull since March 2011. From August 2010 to March 2011, he served as our Vice President - Exploration. Between 2006 and August 2010, Mr. Barry spent five years working as Chief Geologist in West and Central Africa for Dome. During this time, he managed all aspects of Dome’s exploration programs and oversaw corporate compliance for Dome’s various subsidiaries. Mr. Barry also served on Dome’s board of directors. In 2005, he worked as a project geologist in Mongolia for Entree Gold, a company that has a significant stake in the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. Between 1998 and 2005, Mr. Barry worked as an exploration geologist for Ross River Minerals Inc. on its El Pulpo copper/gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico, for Canabrava Diamonds Corporation on its exploration programs in the James Bay lowlands in Ontario, Canada, and for Homestake Mining Company on its Plutonic Gold Mine in Western Australia. He has also worked as a mapping geologist for the Geological Survey of Canada in the Coast Mountains, and as a research assistant at the University of British Columbia, where he examined the potential of CO2 sequestration in Canada using ultramafic rocks. Mr. Barry received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Otago in Dundein, New Zealand and is a Chartered Professional Geologist (CPAusIMM).
Christopher Richards. Mr. Richards was appointed Chief Officer in September 2020. From June 2018 to February 2020, he served as the Vice President of Finance for Great Panther Mining Limited, a U.S. and Canadian dual-listed gold and silver producer. From January 2017 to May 2018, he was self-employed as a senior financial consultant at various public and private mining companies. Prior to that, Mr. Richards served as the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Secretary (December 2013-December 2016) and Group Controller (April 2009-November 2013) of Kyzyl Gold Ltd., which owned the Kyzyl Gold Mine located in northeastern Kazakhstan. From July 2015 to October 2016, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of TSX Venture Exchange-listed True North Gems Inc. Previously, Mr. Richards served as the Corporate Controller of U.S. and Canadian dual-listed NovaGold Resources Inc. and as a Senior Manager of audit for KPMG LLP. Mr. Richards is a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant, British Columbia), CA, and received a bachelor of business administration degree from Simon Fraser University in 2000 and a certificate in mining studies from the University of British Columbia in 2014.
Competition and Mineral Prices
Mineral Prices
Silver and zinc are commodities, and their prices are volatile. From January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 the price of silver ranged from a low of $12.00 per troy ounce to a high of $28.89 per troy ounce, and from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 the price of zinc ranged from a low of $1,903 per tonne to a high of $2,780 per tonne. Silver and zinc prices are affected by many factors beyond our control, including prevailing interest rates and returns on other asset classes, expectations regarding inflation, speculation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional demand and production, political and economic conditions and other factors. The competitive nature of the business and the risks we face are discussed further in the “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business” section below.
The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, high and low silver and zinc prices on the London Metal Exchange in U.S. dollars per troy ounce and per tonne, respectively. On October 31, 2020, the closing price of silver was $23.63 per troy ounce. On October 31, 2020, the closing price of zinc was $2,441 per tonne.
Silver
(per troy ounce)
Year
High
Low
$32.23
$18.61
$22.05
$15.28
$18.23
$13.71
$20.71
$13.58
$18.56
$15.22
$17.52
$13.97
$19.31
$14.38
$28.89
$12.00
Zinc
(per tonne)
Year
High
Low
$2,129
$1,831
$2,327
$2,008
$2,281
$1,528
$2,566
$1,520
$3,264
$2,573
$3,533
$2,434
$2,932
$2,272
$2,780
$1,903
Competition
Our industry is highly competitive. We compete with other mining and exploration companies in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. There is competition for a limited number of mineral property acquisition opportunities, some of which is with other companies having substantially greater financial resources, staff and facilities than we do. As a result, we may have difficulty acquiring attractive exploration properties, staking claims related to our properties and exploring properties. Our competitive position depends upon our ability to successfully and economically acquire and explore new and existing mineral properties.
Government Regulation
Mineral exploration activities are subject to various national, state/provincial, and local laws and regulations, which govern prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection of the environment, mine safety, hazardous substances and other matters. Similarly, if any of our properties are developed and/or mined, those activities are also subject to significant governmental regulation and oversight. We plan to obtain the licenses, permits and other authorizations currently required to conduct our exploration program. We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable mining, health, safety and environmental statutes and the regulations applicable to the mineral interests we now hold in Mexico.
Environment Regulations
Our activities are subject to various national and local laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. These laws are continually changing and, in general, are becoming more restrictive. We intend to conduct business in a way that safeguards public health and the environment and is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Changes to current state or federal laws and regulations in Mexico or Kazakhstan could, in the future, require additional capital expenditures and increased operating and/or reclamation costs. Although we are unable to predict what additional legislation, if any, might be proposed or enacted, additional regulatory requirements could impact the economics of our projects.
During fiscal year 2020, we had no material environmental incidents or non-compliance with any applicable environmental regulations.
Employees
We have three employees, all of whom work full time. Contratistas, our wholly-owned operating subsidiary in Mexico, currently has one full-time employee. Minera Metalin, our wholly-owned mineral holding company in Mexico, does not have any employees.
Corporate Offices
Our corporate office is located at 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7Y 1K4. Our telephone number is (604) 687-5800, and our fax number is (604) 563-6004.
Available Information
We maintain an internet website at http://www.silverbullresources.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available on or through our website certain reports and amendments to those reports that we file with or furnish to the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act. You may also obtain this information from the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
A purchase of our securities involves a high degree of risk. Our business or operating or financial condition could be harmed due to any of the following risks. Accordingly, investors should carefully consider these risks in making a decision as to whether to purchase, sell or hold our securities. In addition, investors should note that the risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us, or risks that do not seem significant today, may impair our business operations in the future. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference herein, before making a decision to invest in our securities.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS:
There is substantial doubt about whether we can continue as a going concern.
To date, we have earned no revenues and have incurred accumulated net losses of $132,019,148. In addition, we have limited financial resources. As of October 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,862,000 and working capital of $1,828,000. Therefore, our continuation as a going concern is dependent upon our achieving a future financing or strategic transaction. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful pursuing a financing or strategic transaction. Accordingly, there is substantial doubt as to whether our existing cash resources and working capital are sufficient to enable us to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Ultimately, in the event that we cannot obtain additional financial resources, or achieve profitable operations, we may have to liquidate our business interests and investors may lose their investment. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that our company will continue as a going concern. Continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financial resources or generate profitable operations. Such additional financial resources may not be available or may not be available on reasonable terms. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Such adjustments could be material.
If South32 exercises its option to purchase 70% of the equity of Minera Metalin and Contratistas, we will no longer control the development of the Sierra Mojada Project.
On June 1, 2018, we entered into the South32 Option Agreement with South32, a wholly owned subsidiary of South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32), whereby South32 is able to obtain the South32 Option to purchase 70% of the equity of Minera Metalin and Contratistas, and oversee the mineral exploration of the Sierra Mojada Project. If South32 exercises the South32 Option, then we will no longer control the development of the Sierra Mojada Project. South32 would have the ability to control the timing and pace of future development, and its decisions may not be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
If South32 were to exercise its option to purchase 70% of the equity of Minera Metalin and Contratistas, we will be required to contribute 30% of subsequent funding toward development of the Sierra Mojada Project, and we do not currently have sufficient funds to do so.
If South32 exercises its option to purchase 70% of the equity of Minera Metalin and Contratistas, under the terms of the South32 Option Agreement, we will retain a 30% ownership in Minera Metalin and Contratistas, and be obligated to contribute 30% of subsequent funding toward the development of the Sierra Mojada Project. If we fail to satisfy our funding commitment, our interest in Minera Metalin and Contratistas will be diluted. We do not currently have sufficient funds with which to satisfy this future funding commitment, and there is no certainty that we will be able to obtain sufficient future funds on acceptable terms or at all.
We may have difficulty meeting our current and future capital requirements.
Our management and our board of directors monitor our overall costs and expenses and, if necessary, adjust our programs and planned expenditures in an attempt to ensure that we have sufficient operating capital. We continue to evaluate our costs and planned expenditures for our ongoing exploration efforts at our Sierra Mojada Project. As of October 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,862,000. Even with the South32 funds, the continued exploration and possible development of the Sierra Mojada Project will require significant amounts of additional capital. If we are unable to fund future operations by way of financings, including public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, we will need to reorganize or significantly reduce our operations, which may result in an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and exploration activities. We do not have a credit, off-take or other commercial financing arrangement in place that would finance continued evaluation or development of the Sierra Mojada Project, and we believe that securing credit for these projects may be difficult. Moreover, equity financing may not be available on attractive terms and, if available, will likely result in significant dilution to existing stockholders.
We are an exploration stage mining company with no history of operations.
We are an exploration stage enterprise engaged in mineral exploration in Mexico and Kazakhstan. We have a very limited operating history and are subject to all the risks inherent in a new business enterprise. As an exploration stage company, we may never enter the development and production stages. To date, we have had no revenues and have relied upon equity financing and South32 funding to fund our operations. The likelihood of our success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays frequently encountered in connection with an exploration stage business, and the competitive and regulatory environment in which we operate and will operate, such as under-capitalization, personnel limitations, and limited financing sources.
We have no commercially mineable ore body.
No commercially mineable ore body has been delineated on the Sierra Mojada Project or Beskauga Project, nor have our properties been shown to contain proven or probable mineral reserves. Investors should not assume that the projections contained in the Sierra Mojada Report or Beskauga Report will ever be realized. We cannot assure you that any mineral deposits we identify on the Sierra Mojada Project or Beskauga Project will qualify as an ore body that can be legally and economically exploited or that any particular level of recovery of silver, zinc or other minerals from discovered mineralization will in fact be realized. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable ore deposits. Even if the presence of reserves is established at a project, the legal and economic viability of the project may not justify exploitation.
Mineral resource estimates may not be reliable.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of mineralized material such as silver, zinc, lead, and copper, including many factors beyond our control, and no assurance can be given that the recovery of mineralized material will be realized. In general, estimates of mineralized material are based upon a number of factors and assumptions made as of the date on which the estimates were determined, including:
geological and engineering estimates that have inherent uncertainties;
the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies;
the judgment of the engineers preparing the estimate;
estimates of future metals prices and operating costs;
the quality and quantity of available data;
the interpretation of that data; and
the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions, all of which may vary considerably from actual results.
All estimates are, to some degree, uncertain. For these reasons, estimates of the recoverable mineral resources prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers at different times may vary substantially. As such, there is significant uncertainty in any mineralized material estimate, and actual deposits encountered and the economic viability of a deposit may differ materially from our estimates.
Our business plan is highly speculative, and its success largely depends on the successful exploration of our Sierra Mojada and Beskauga concessions.
Our business plan is focused on exploring the Sierra Mojada and Beskauga concessions to identify reserves and, if appropriate, to ultimately develop each property. Although we have reported mineralized material on our Sierra Mojada Project and the Beskauga Project, we have not established any reserves and remain in the exploration stage. We may never enter the development or production stage. Exploration of mineralization and determination of whether the mineralization might be extracted profitably is highly speculative, and it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish reserves, extract metals from ore and construct mining and processing facilities.
Both the Sierra Mojada Project and Beskauga Project are subject to all of the risks inherent in mineral exploration and development. The economic feasibility of any mineral exploration and/or development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of mineral reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), anticipated production rates, capital and operating costs, and metals prices. To advance from an exploration project to a development project, we will need to overcome various hurdles, including completing favorable feasibility studies, securing necessary permits, and raising significant additional capital to fund activities. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in overcoming these hurdles. Because of our focus on the Sierra Mojada Project and the Beskauga Project, the success of our operations and our profitability may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of adverse conditions unique to the Torreon, Mexico and Pavlodar, Kazakhstan regions, as the Sierra Mojada Project and Beskauga Project, respectively, due to their proximity to these locales.
Due to our history of operating losses, we are uncertain that we will be able to maintain sufficient cash to accomplish our business objectives.
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, we suffered net losses of $2,226,000 and $3,939,000 respectively. At October 31, 2020, we had stockholders’ equity of $9,116,000 and cash and cash equivalents of $1,862,000. Significant amounts of capital will be required to continue to explore and potentially develop the Sierra Mojada concessions. We are not engaged in any revenue producing activities, and we do not expect to be in the near future. Currently, our potential sources of funding consist of the sale of additional equity securities, entering into joint venture agreements or selling a portion of our interests in our assets. There is no assurance that any additional capital that we will require will be obtainable on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delays or indefinite postponement of further exploration of our projects. Additional financing, if available, will likely result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.
Our exploration activities require significant amounts of capital that may not be recovered.
Mineral exploration activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that no commercially productive or extractable resources will be encountered. There can be no assurance that our activities will ultimately lead to an economically feasible project or that we will recover all or any portion of our investment. Mineral exploration often involves unprofitable efforts, including drilling operations that ultimately do not further our exploration efforts. The cost of minerals exploration is often uncertain, and cost overruns are common. Our drilling and exploration operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including title problems, weather conditions, protests, compliance with governmental requirements, including permitting issues, and shortages or delays in the delivery of equipment and services.
Our financial condition could be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates, especially between the U.S. dollar and each of the Mexican peso (“$MXN”) and the Kazakh tenge (“$KZT”) and the U.S dollar and the Canadian dollar (“$CDN”) given our focus on the Sierra Mojada Project in Mexico and the Beskauga Project in Kazakhstan, and our corporate office in Vancouver, Canada.
Our financial condition is affected in part by currency exchange rates, as portions of our exploration costs in Mexico and Kazakhstan and general and administration costs in Canada are denominated in the local currency. A weakening U.S. dollar relative to the $MXN, $KZT and $CDN will have the effect of increasing exploration costs and general and administration costs while a strengthening U.S. dollar will have the effect of reducing exploration costs and general and administration costs. The exchange rates between the $CDN and the U.S. dollar and between the $MXN, $KZT and U.S. dollar have fluctuated widely in response to international political conditions, general economic conditions and other factors beyond our control.
Our success depends on developing and maintaining relationships with local communities and other stakeholders.
Our ongoing and future success depends on developing and maintaining productive relationships with the communities surrounding our operations and other stakeholders in our operating locations. We believe that our operations can provide valuable benefits to surrounding communities, in terms of direct employment, training and skills development. In addition, we seek to maintain our partnerships and relationships with local communities and stakeholders in a variety of ways, including in-kind contributions, sponsorships and donations. Notwithstanding our ongoing efforts, local communities and stakeholders can become dissatisfied with our activities or the level of benefits provided, which may result in legal or administrative proceedings, civil unrest, protests, direct action or campaigns against us, such as the recent blockade by Mineros Norteños that caused us to halt all work on the Sierra Mojada Property. Any such occurrences, including the blockade, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our operations may be disrupted, and our financial results may be adversely affected, by global outbreaks of contagious diseases, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Global outbreaks of contagious diseases, including the December 2019 outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), have the potential to significantly and adversely impact our operations and business. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Pandemics or disease outbreaks such as the currently ongoing COVID-19 outbreak may have a variety of adverse effects on our business, including by depressing commodity prices and the market value of our securities and limiting the ability of our management to meet with potential financing sources. The spread of COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, a negative impact on the financial markets, which may impact our ability to obtain additional financing in the near term. A prolonged downturn in the financial markets could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and ability to raise capital.
RISKS RELATING TO THE MINERAL EXPLORATION INDUSTRY:
There are inherent risks in the mineral exploration industry.
We are subject to all of the risks inherent in the minerals exploration industry, including, without limitation, the following:
we are subject to competition from a large number of companies, many of which are significantly larger than we are, in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties;
we might not be able raise enough money to pay the fees and taxes and perform the labor necessary to maintain our concessions in good status;
exploration for minerals is highly speculative, involves substantial risks and is frequently unproductive, even when conducted on properties known to contain significant quantities of mineralization, and our exploration projects may not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore;
the probability of an individual prospect ever having reserves that meet the requirements for reporting under SEC Industry Guide 7 is remote, and any funds spent on exploration may be lost;
our operations are subject to a variety of existing laws and regulations relating to exploration and development, permitting procedures, safety precautions, property reclamation, employee health and safety, air quality standards, pollution and other environmental protection controls, and we may not be able to comply with these regulations and controls; and
a large number of factors beyond our control, including fluctuations in metal prices, inflation, and other economic conditions, will affect the economic feasibility of mining.
Metals prices are subject to extreme fluctuation.
Our activities are influenced by the prices of commodities, including silver, zinc, lead, copper and other metals. These prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including interest rates, expectations for inflation, speculation, currency values (in particular, the strength of the U.S. dollar), global and regional demand, political and economic conditions and production costs in major metal-producing regions of the world.
Our ability to establish reserves through our exploration activities, our future profitability and our long-term viability depend, in large part, on the market prices of silver, zinc, lead, copper and other metals. The market prices for these metals are volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:
global or regional consumption patterns;
supply of, and demand for, silver, zinc, lead, copper and other metals;
speculative activities and producer hedging activities;
expectations for inflation;
political and economic conditions; and
supply of, and demand for, consumables required for production.
Future weakness in the global economy could increase volatility in metals prices or depress metals prices, which could in turn reduce the value of our properties, make it more difficult to raise additional capital, and make it uneconomical for us to continue our exploration activities.
There are inherent risks with foreign operations.
Our business activities are primarily conducted in Mexico and are expected to expand into Kazakhstan, and as such, our activities are exposed to various levels of foreign political, economic and other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, terrorism, hostage taking, military repression, extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, high rates of inflation, labor unrest, war or civil unrest, expropriation and nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits, approvals and contracts, illegal mining, changes in taxation policies, restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation, changing political conditions (including, potential instability if the United States withdraws from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), currency controls and governmental regulations that favor or require the rewarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction.
Changes, if any, in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude in Mexico or Kazakhstan may adversely affect our exploration and possible future development activities. We may also be affected to varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, foreign investment, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety. Failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices relating to mineral right applications and tenure could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of entitlements, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners with carried or other interests.
The occurrence of these various factors and uncertainties cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on our operations. In addition, legislation in the United States, Canada, Kazakhstan or Mexico regulating foreign trade, investment and taxation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our Sierra Mojada Project is located in Mexico and is subject to varying levels of political, economic, legal and other risks.
The Sierra Mojada Project is in Mexico. In the past, Mexico has been subject to political instability, changes and uncertainties that have resulted in changes to existing governmental regulations affecting mineral exploration and mining activities. Mexico’s status as a developing country may make it more difficult for us to obtain any required financing for the Sierra Mojada Project or other projects in Mexico in the future. Our Sierra Mojada Project is also subject to a variety of governmental regulations governing health and worker safety, employment standards, waste disposal, protection of historic and archaeological sites, mine development, protection of endangered and protected species and other matters. Mexican regulators have broad authority to shut down and/or levy fines against facilities that do not comply with regulations or standards.
Our exploration activities in Mexico may be adversely affected to varying degrees by changing government regulations relating to the mining industry or shifts in political conditions that increase the costs related to the Sierra Mojada Project. Changes, if any, in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude may adversely affect our financial condition. Expansion of our activities will be subject to the need to obtain sufficient access to adequate supplies of water and assure the availability of sufficient power and surface rights that could be affected by government policy and competing operations in the area.
We also have litigation risk with respect to our operations. See Part I, Item 3 - Legal Proceedings of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for an explanation of material legal proceedings to which Silver Bull or its subsidiaries have been a party.
The occurrence of these various factors and uncertainties cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition. Future changes in applicable laws and regulations or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could negatively impact current or planned exploration activities with the Sierra Mojada Project or in respect to any other projects in which we become involved in Mexico. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, even if inadvertent, could result in the interruption of exploration operations or material fines, penalties or other liabilities.
Our Beskauga Project is located in Kazakhstan and is subject to varying levels of political, economic, legal and other risks.
The Beskauga Project is in Kazakhstan. As is typical of an emerging market, Kazakhstan’s business, legal and regulatory infrastructure has been subject to substantial political, economic and social change. Our business in Kazakhstan is subject to Kazakhstan-specific laws and regulations, including with respect to tax, anti-corruption, and foreign exchange controls. Such laws are often rapidly changing and are unpredictable. Our failure to manage the risks associated with doing business in Kazakhstan could have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations.
Title to our properties may be challenged or defective.
Our future operations, including our activities at the Sierra Mojada Project and other exploration activities, will require additional permits from various governmental authorities. Our operations are and will continue to be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, mineral exploration, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety, mining royalties and other matters. There can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire all required licenses, permits or property rights on reasonable terms or in a timely manner, or at all, that such terms will not be adversely changed, that required extensions will be granted, or that the issuance of such licenses, permits or property rights will not be challenged by third parties.
We attempt to confirm the validity of our rights of title to, or contract rights with respect to, each mineral property in which we have a material interest. However, we cannot guarantee that title to our properties will not be challenged. The Sierra Mojada Property may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, interests or native land claims, and title may be affected by undetected defects. There may be valid challenges to the title of any of the claims comprising the Sierra Mojada Property that, if successful, could impair possible development and/or operations with respect to such properties in the future. Challenges to permits or property rights (whether successful or unsuccessful), changes to the terms of permits or property rights, or a failure to comply with the terms of any permits or property rights that have been obtained could have a material adverse effect on our business by delaying or preventing or making continued operations economically unfeasible.
A title defect could result in Silver Bull losing all or a portion of its right, title, and interest to and in the properties to which the title defect relates. Title insurance generally is not available, and our ability to ensure that we have obtained secure title to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be severely constrained. In addition, we may be unable to operate our properties as permitted or to enforce our rights with respect to our properties. We annually monitor the official mining records in Mexico City to determine if there are annotations indicating the existence of a legal challenge against the validity of any of our concessions. As of January 2021, and to the best of our knowledge, there are no such annotations, nor are we aware of any challenges from the government or from third parties, except for the Mineros Norteños matter described in Part I, Item 3 - Legal Proceedings.
In addition, in connection with the purchase of certain mining concessions, Silver Bull agreed to pay a net royalty interest on revenue from future mineral sales on certain concessions at the Sierra Mojada Project, including concessions on which a significant portion of our mineralized material is located. The aggregate amount payable under this royalty is capped at $6.875 million (the “Royalty”), an amount that will only be reached if there is significant future production from the concessions. As noted in Part I, Item 3 (Legal Proceedings), this Royalty is currently the subject of a dispute with a local cooperative. In addition, records from prior management indicate that additional royalty interests may have been created, although the continued applicability and scope of these interests are uncertain. The existence of these royalty interests may have a material effect on the economic feasibility of potential future development of the Sierra Mojada Project.
We are subject to complex environmental and other regulatory risks, which could expose us to significant liability and delay and potentially the suspension or termination of our exploration efforts.
Our mineral exploration activities are subject to federal, state and local environmental regulations in the jurisdictions where our mineral properties are located. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. No assurance can be given that environmental standards imposed by these governments will not be changed, thereby possibly materially adversely affecting our proposed activities. Compliance with these environmental requirements may also necessitate significant capital outlays or may materially affect our earning power.
Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. As a result of recent changes in environmental laws in Mexico, for example, more legal actions supported or sponsored by non-governmental groups interested in halting projects may be filed against companies operating in all industrial sectors, including the mining sector. Mexican projects are also subject to the environmental agreements entered into by Mexico, the United States and Canada in connection with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Future changes in environmental regulations in the jurisdictions where our projects are located may adversely affect our exploration activities, make them prohibitively expensive, or prohibit them altogether. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties in which we currently hold interests, such as the Sierra Mojada Project, or may hold interests in the future, that are unknown to us at present and that have been caused by us or previous owners or operators, or that may have occurred naturally. We may be liable for remediating any damage that we may have caused. The liability could include costs for removing or remediating the release and damage to natural resources, including ground water, as well as the payment of fines and penalties.
Our industry is highly competitive, attractive mineral properties and property concessions are scarce, and we may not be able to obtain quality properties or concessions.
We compete with other mining and exploration companies in the acquisition of mineral properties and property concessions. There is competition for a limited number of attractive mineral property acquisition opportunities, some of which is with other companies having substantially greater financial resources, staff and facilities than we do. As a result, we may have difficulty acquiring quality mineral properties or property concessions.
We may face a shortage of water.
Water is essential in all phases of the exploration and development of mineral properties. It is used in such processes as exploration, drilling, leaching, placer mining, dredging, testing, and hydraulic mining. Both the lack of available water and the cost of acquisition may make an otherwise viable project economically impossible to complete. In November 2013, Silver Bull was granted the right to exploit up to 3.5 million cubic meters of water per year from six different well sites by the water regulatory body in Mexico, La Comisión Nacional del Agua, but it has yet to be determined if the six well sites can produce this much water over a sustained period of time.
Our non-operating properties are subject to various hazards.
We are subject to risks and hazards, including environmental hazards, possible encounters with unusual or unexpected geological formations, cave-ins, flooding and earthquakes, and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These occurrences could result in damage to, or the destruction of, mineral properties or future production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in our exploration activities, asset write-downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. We may not be insured against all losses or liabilities, either because such insurance is unavailable or because we have elected not to purchase such insurance due to high premium costs or other reasons. Although we maintain insurance in an amount that we consider to be adequate, liabilities might exceed policy limits, in which event we could incur significant costs that could adversely affect our activities. The realization of any significant liabilities in connection with our activities as described above could negatively affect our activities and the price of our common stock.
We need and rely upon key personnel.
Presently, we employ a limited number of full-time employees, utilize outside consultants, and in large part rely on the efforts of our officers and directors. Our success will depend, in part, upon the ability to attract and retain qualified employees. In particular, we have only three executive officers, Brian Edgar, Timothy Barry and Christopher Richards, and the loss of the services of any of these three would adversely affect our business.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON STOCK:
We will have virtually no shares available for issuance to raise capital to fund our general corporate overhead or cover the costs associated with maintaining our mineral interests unless the number of authorized shares of common stock is increased.
Currently, we have 37,500,000 authorized shares of common stock. As of January 28, 2021, we had 33,484,945 shares of common stock outstanding. After taking into account the 4,015,039 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, we have virtually no shares available for issuance. For all practical purposes, the 37,500,000 authorized shares of our common stock have been fully utilized, restricting our ability to issue any more shares. In December 2020, we solicited the approval of our shareholders to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 300,000,000; however, we did not receive the requisite shareholder approval. If the number of authorized shares of common stock is not increased, we will have virtually no shares available for issuance to raise capital to fund our general corporate overhead or cover the costs associated with maintaining our interests in the Sierra Mojada Project in Mexico or our interests in the Beskauga Project in Kazakhstan. Further delays in securing, or the failure to secure, shareholder approval to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common may prevent us from executing a capital raising transaction, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Further equity financings may lead to the dilution of our common stock.
In order to finance future operations, we may raise funds through the issuance of common stock or the issuance of debt instruments or other securities convertible into common stock. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of common stock or the size and terms of future issuances of debt instruments or other securities convertible into common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of our securities will have on the market price of our common stock. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued shares, or securities convertible into common stock, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective security holders. Demand for equity securities in the mining industry has been weak; therefore, equity financing may not be available on attractive terms and, if available, will likely result in significant dilution to existing shareholders.
No dividends are anticipated.
At the present time, we do not anticipate paying dividends, cash or otherwise, on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Future dividends will depend on our earnings, if any, our financial requirements and other factors. There can be no assurance that we will pay dividends.
Our stock price can be very volatile.
Our common stock is listed on the TSX and trades on the OTCQB. The trading price of our common stock has been, and could continue to be, subject to wide fluctuations in response to announcements of our business developments, results and progress of our exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Project, progress reports on our exploration activities, and other events or factors. In addition, stock markets have experienced significant price volatility in recent months and years. This volatility has had a substantial effect on the share prices of companies, at times for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. These fluctuations could be in response to:
volatility in metal prices;
political developments in the foreign countries in which our properties are located; and
news reports relating to trends in our industry or general economic conditions.
These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.
We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our common stock will be at any time, including as to whether our common stock will achieve or remain at levels at or near its offering price, or as to what effect the sale of shares or the availability of common stock for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On May 20, 2014, Mineros Norteños filed an action in the Local First Civil Court in the District of Morelos, State of Chihuahua, Mexico, against our subsidiary, Minera Metalin, claiming that Minera Metalin breached an agreement regarding the development of the Sierra Mojada Project. Mineros Norteños sought payment of the Royalty, including interest at a rate of 6% per annum since August 30, 2004, even though no revenue has been produced from the applicable mining concessions. It also sought payment of wages to the cooperative’s members since August 30, 2004, even though none of the individuals were ever hired or performed work for Minera Metalin under this agreement and Minera Metalin never committed to hiring them. On January 19, 2015, the case was moved to the Third District Court (of federal jurisdiction). On October 4, 2017, the court ruled that Mineros Norteños was time barred from bringing the case. On October 19, 2017, Mineros Norteños appealed this ruling. On July 31, 2019, the Federal Appeals Court upheld the original ruling. This ruling was subsequently challenged by Mineros Norteños and on January 24, 2020, the Federal Circuit Court ruled that the Federal Appeals Court must consider additional factors in its ruling. In March 2020, the Federal Appeals Court upheld the original ruling after considering these additional factors. In August 2020, Mineros Norteños appealed this ruling, which appeal we timely responded and objected to on October 5, 2020. We and our Mexican legal counsel believe that it is unlikely that the court’s ruling will be overturned. We have not accrued any amounts in our consolidated financial statements with respect to this claim. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements.

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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 STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
From May 2, 2011 to June 28, 2015, our common stock traded on the NYSE MKT (the predecessor stock exchange to the NYSE American) under the symbol “SVBL.” On June 5, 2015, we announced our decision to voluntarily delist our shares of common stock from the NYSE MKT due to costs associated with the continued listing and NYSE MKT exchange rules regarding maintenance of a minimum share price. On June 29, 2015, our shares began trading on the OTCQB marketplace operated by OTC Markets Group. Since August 26, 2010, our common stock has been trading on the TSX under the symbol “SVB.”
The sales prices on the OTCQB reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Holders
As of January 28, 2021, there were 128 holders of record of our common stock. This does not include persons or entities that hold our common stock in brokerage accounts or otherwise in “street name.”
Dividends
We did not declare or pay cash or other dividends on our common stock during the last two fiscal years. We have no plans to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
As of October 31, 2020, we had one formal equity compensation plan under which equity securities were authorized for issuance to our officers, directors, employees and consultants: the 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan was adopted by the board of directors in February 2019 and approved by the shareholders in April 2019. Under the 2019 Plan, the lesser of (i) 3,750,000 shares or (ii) 10% of the total shares outstanding will be reserved to be issued upon the exercise of options or the grant of stock bonuses. As of October 31, 2020, there were 3,316,595 shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan. As of October 31, 2020, options issued under the 2010 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan, as amended (the “2010 Plan”), were outstanding to acquire 2,043,750 shares of common stock. The term of the 2010 Plan expired on or around December 22, 2019. As of October 31, 2020, no additional shares remain available for issuance under the 2010 Plan.
The following table gives information about our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under our compensation plans as of October 31, 2020.
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
and rights
Weighted average exercise
price of outstanding
options and rights
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
2,043,750(1)
$0.72
3,316,595 (2)
Total
2,043,750
$0.72
3,316,595
(1) Includes options to acquire 2,043,750 shares of common stock under the 2010 Plan.
(2) Includes 3,316,595 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2019 Plan.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On October 27, 2020, in the initial tranche of a private placement (the “Private Placement”), we sold 3,623,580 units (each, a “Unit”) at a purchase price of $0.47 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,703,000. On November 9, 2020, in the second tranche of the Private Placement, we sold 319,000 Units at a purchase price of $0.47 per Unit for gross proceeds of $150,000. Each Unit consists of one share of our common stock and one half of one transferable common stock purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one share of our common stock at a price of $0.59 per share until the fifth annual anniversary of the closing of the respective tranche of the Private Placement.
We paid a 4% finder’s fee totaling $26,000 to an agent with respect to certain purchasers who were introduced by the agent.
We relied on the exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 506 of Regulation D, or Regulation S, for purposes of the Private Placement.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company and Affiliated Purchasers
No purchases of equity securities were made by or on behalf of Silver Bull or any “affiliated purchaser” within the meaning of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act during the period covered by this report.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.

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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
Business Overview
Silver Bull, incorporated in Nevada, is an exploration stage company, engaged in the business of mineral exploration. Our primary objective is to define sufficient mineral reserves on the Sierra Mojada Property and the Beskauga Property to justify the development of a mechanized mining operation. We conduct our operations in Mexico through our wholly-owned Mexican subsidiaries, Minera Metalin, Contratistas, and Minas. However, as noted above, we have not established any reserves at the Sierra Mojada Property [or Beskauga Property], are in the exploration stage and may never enter the development or production stage.
Our principal office is located at 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610, Vancouver, BC, Canada V7Y 1K4, and our telephone number is 604-687-5800.
Recent Developments
Reverse Stock Split
On September 18, 2020, we completed a one-for-eight reverse stock split of our shares of common stock. All share and per share information in this annual report on Form 10-K, including references to the number of shares of common stock, stock options and warrants, prices of issued shares, exercise prices of stock options and warrants, and loss per share, have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split.
2020 Private Placement
In October 2020, we raised gross proceeds of $1,703,000 in the initial tranche of a two-tranche private placement (the “Private Placement”). In the initial tranche of the Private Placement, we sold of 3,623,580 units consisting of one share of our common stock and one half of one transferable common stock purchase warrant. For a full description of the two-tranche Private Placement, see the “Material Changes in Financial Condition; Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below.
Beskauga Option Agreement
On August 12, 2020, we entered into an option agreement (the “Beskauga Option Agreement”) with Copperbelt AG, a corporation existing under the laws of Switzerland (“CB Parent”), and Dostyk LLP, an entity existing under the laws of Kazakhstan and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CB Parent (the “CB Sub,” and together with CB Parent, “CB”), pursuant to which we have the exclusive right and option (the “Beskauga Option”) to acquire CB’s right, title and 100% interest in the Beskauga property located in Kazakhstan (the “Beskauga Property”), which consists of the Beskauga Main project (the “Beskauga Main Project”) and the Beskauga South project (the “Beskauga South Project,” and together with the Beskauga Main Project, the “Beskauga Project”). Upon the execution of the Beskauga Option Agreement, we paid CB Parent $30,000. In addition, we paid CB Parent $40,000 after the results of our due diligence was completed on the Beskauga Property to our satisfaction. The transactions contemplated by the Beskauga Option Agreement closed on January 26, 2021.
The Beskauga Option Agreement provides that subject to its terms and conditions, in order to maintain the effectiveness of the Beskauga Option, we must incur $2,000,000 in cumulative exploration expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the first anniversary following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Beskauga Option Agreement (the “Closing Date”), $5,000,000 in cumulative expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the second anniversary following the Closing Date, $10,000,000 in cumulative expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the third anniversary following the Closing Date, and $15,000,000 in cumulative expenditures on the Beskauga Property by the fourth anniversary following the Closing Date (collectively, the “Exploration Expenditures”). The Beskauga Option Agreement also provides that subject to its terms and conditions, after we have incurred the Exploration Expenditures, we may exercise the Beskauga Option and acquire (i) the Beskauga Property by paying CB $15,000,000 in cash, (ii) the Beskauga Main Project only by paying CB $13,500,000 in cash, or (iii) the Beskauga South Project only by paying CB $1,500,000 in cash.
In addition, the Beskauga Option Agreement provides that subject to its terms and conditions, we may be obligated to make the following bonus payments (collectively, the “Bonus Payments”) to CB Parent if the Beskauga Main Project or the Beskauga South Project is the subject of a bankable feasibility study in compliance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 indicating gold equivalent resources in the amounts set forth below, with (i) (A) 20% of the Bonus Payments payable after completion of the bankable feasibility study or after the mineral resource statement is finally determined and (B) the remaining 80% of the Bonus Payments due within 15 business days of commencement of on-site construction of a mine for the Beskauga Main Project or the Beskauga South Project, as applicable, and (ii) up to 50% of the Bonus Payments payable in shares of our common stock to be valued at the 20-day volume-weighted average trading price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange calculated as of the date immediately preceding the date such shares are issued:
Gold equivalent resources Cumulative Bonus Payments
Beskauga Main Project
3,000,000 ounces $ 2,000,000
5,000,000 ounces $ 6,000,000
7,000,000 ounces $ 12,000,000
10,000,000 ounces $ 20,000,000
Beskauga South Project
2,000,000 ounces $ 2,000,000
3,000,000 ounces $ 5,000,000
4,000,000 ounces $ 8,000,000
5,000,000 ounces $ 12,000,000
The Beskauga Option Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including (i) upon the mutual written agreement of us and CB; (ii) upon the delivery of written notice by us, provided that at the time of delivery of such notice, unless there has been a material breach of a representation or warranty given by CB that has not been cured, the Beskauga Property is in good standing; or (iii) if there is a material breach by a party of its obligations under the Beskauga Option Agreement and the other party has provided written notice of such material breach, which is incapable of being cured or remains uncured.
On August 24, 2020, we loaned $360,000 to Ekidos Minerals LLP, an unrelated third-party Kazakh entity, relating to the acquisition of mineral property concessions in Kazakhstan. The loan is interest free and is to be repaid on January 31, 2021.
On December 21, 2020, we loaned an additional $400,000 to Ekidos Minerals LLP. This loan is interest free and is to be repaid by June 30, 2021.
South32 Option Agreement
On June 1, 2018, we and our subsidiaries Minera Metalin and Contratistas entered into the South32 Option Agreement with South32, whereby South32 is able to obtain the South32 Option to purchase 70% of the shares of Minera Metalin and Contratistas. Minera Metalin owns the Sierra Mojada Property located in Coahuila, Mexico, and Contratistas supplies labor for the Sierra Mojada Project. Under the South32 Option Agreement, South32 earns into the South32 Option by funding a collaborative exploration program on the Sierra Mojada Project. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the South32 Option Agreement, in order for South32 to earn and maintain its four-year option, South32 must have contributed to Minera Metalin for exploration of the Sierra Mojada Project at least $3 million by the end of Year 1, $6 million by the end of Year 2, $8 million by the end of Year 3 and $10 million by the end of Year 4. Funding is made on a quarterly basis based on the following quarter’s exploration budget. South32 may exercise the South32 Option by contributing $100 million to Minera Metalin, less the amount of Initial Funding previously contributed by South32. The issuance of shares upon notice of exercise of the South32 Option by South32 is subject to antitrust approval by the Mexican government. If the full amount of the Subscription Payment is advanced by South32 and the South32 Option becomes exercisable and is exercised, we and South32 will be obligated to contribute funding to Minera Metalin on a 30/70 pro rata basis. If South32 elects not to continue with the South32 Option during the four-year option period, the Sierra Mojada Project will remain 100% owned by us. The exploration program will be initially managed by us, with South32 being able to approve the exploration program funded by it. We received funding of $3,144,163 from South32 for Year 1 of the South32 Option Agreement. In April 2019, we received a notice from South32 to maintain the South32 Option Agreement for Year 2 by providing cumulative funding of $6 million by the end of such period. As of October 31, 2020, we had received funding of $1,420,161 from South32 for Year 2 of the South32 Option Agreement, the time period for which has been extended by an event of force majeure described in more detail below. In November 2020, we received a payment of $60,286 for the extended Year 2 time period. If the South32 Option Agreement is terminated by South32 without cause or if South32 is unable to obtain antitrust authorization from the Mexican government, we are under no obligation to reimburse South32 for amounts contributed under the South32 Option Agreement.
Upon exercise of the South32 Option, Minera Metalin and Contratistas are required to issue common shares to South32. Pursuant to the South32 Option Agreement, following exercise and until a decision has been made by the board of directors of Minera Metalin to develop and construct a mine on the Sierra Mojada Project, each shareholder holding greater than or equal to 10% of the shares may withdraw as an owner in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty on products produced and sold from the Sierra Mojada Project. Any shareholder whose holdings are reduced to less than 10% must surrender its interest in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty.
We have determined that Minera Metalin and Contratistas are variable interest entities and that the South32 Option Agreement has not resulted in the transfer of control of the Sierra Mojada Project to South32. We have also determined that the South32 Option Agreement represents non-employee share-based compensation associated with the collaborative exploration program undertaken by the parties. The compensation cost is expensed when the associated exploration activity occurs. The share-based payments have been classified as equity instruments and valued based on the fair value of consideration received, as it is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the equity interest. If the South32 Option is exercised and shares are issued prior to a decision to develop a mine, such shares would be classified as temporary equity as they would be contingently redeemable in exchange for a net smelter royalty under circumstances not wholly in control of us or South32 and which are not currently probable.
On October 11, 2019, we and our subsidiary Minera Metalin issued a notice of force majeure to South32 pursuant to the South32 Option Agreement. Due to a blockade by Mineros Norteños, we have temporarily halted all work on the Sierra Mojada Property. The notice of force majeure was issued because of the blockade’s impact on the ability of us and our subsidiary Minera Metalin to perform their obligations under the South32 Option Agreement. Pursuant to the South32 Option Agreement, any time period provided for in the South32 Option Agreement will generally be extended by a period equal to the period of delay caused by the event of force majeure.
Sierra Mojada Property
In January 2020, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.2 million for the period from January 2020 through May 2020 and $1.1 million for general and administrative expenses for calendar year 2020. In June 2020, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.1 million for the period from June 2020 through December 2020. Due to the blockade by Mineros Norteños previously mentioned under the “Recent Developments - South32 Option Agreement” section of this Form 10-K, we have temporarily halted all exploration work at the Sierra Mojada Property.
2020 Drilling
During the year ended October 31, 2020, we conducted no drilling as we halted the drilling program due to the blockade.
2021 Exploration Program
The focus of our 2021 calendar year exploration program on the Sierra Mojada Property will be to resolve the blockade and to maintain our property concessions in Mexico. Upon resolution of the blockade, we will work with South32 to approve an updated exploration program.
In addition, we anticipate the commencement of an exploration drilling program in the second calendar quarter of 2021 on the Beskauga Property. This will involve a geological mapping and sampling program of key select areas, as well as a diamond drilling program targeting extensions to the known mineralization in the second half of calendar year 2021. The exploration program’s design is being determined based historical geological information in the area and an airborne geophysics program that has recently been completed. The exploration drilling program is subject to obtaining adequate financing.
Management Changes
On September 28, 2020, Christopher Richards was appointed Chief Financial Officer, replacing Sean Fallis who served as Chief Financial Officer until September 25, 2020. Mr. Richards is a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant, British Columbia), CA and was the Vice President of Finance for Great Panther Mining Limited. Prior to Great Panther, he served as a senior financial consultant at various public and private mining companies. Prior to that, he spent seven years as the Vice President Finance and Corporate Secretary of Kazakhstan-focused Kyzyl Gold Ltd., and was Corporate Controller at NovaGold Resources Inc. and a Senior Manager at KPMG LLP.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, we reported a consolidated net loss of $2,226,000 or approximately $0.08 per share, compared to a consolidated net loss of $3,939,000 or approximately $0.13 per share during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The $1,713,000 decrease in the consolidated net loss was primarily due to a $1,873,000 decrease in exploration and property holding costs, a $285,000 decrease in general and administrative expenses, which was partially offset by $15,000 in other expenses in the 2020 fiscal year compared to $428,000 in other income in the 2019 fiscal year as described below.
Exploration and Property Holding Costs
Exploration and property holding costs decreased by $1,873,000 to $680,000 in the 2020 fiscal year from $2,553,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. This decrease was mainly due to the blockade discussed in the “Recent Developments - South32 Option Agreement” section above and the fact that we were drilling and completed an airborne geophysics survey in the 2019 fiscal year.
General and Administrative Costs
General and administrative expenses decreased by $285,000 to $1,523,000 in the 2020 fiscal year from $1,808,000 in the 2019 fiscal year as described below.
Personnel costs decreased by $78,000 to $614,000 in the 2020 fiscal year from $692,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. This decrease was mainly due to a $87,000 decrease in stock-based compensation expense as a result of stock options vesting in the 2020 fiscal year having a lower fair value than stock options vesting in the 2019 fiscal year.
Office and administrative expenses decreased by $130,000 to $317,000 in the 2020 fiscal year from $447,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. This decrease was mainly due to a decrease in investor relations activities.
Professional services increased by $152,000 to $398,000 in the 2020 fiscal year from $246,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. This increase was mainly due to a $177,000 increase in legal fees, which was partially offset by a $35,000 decrease in accounting fees.
Directors’ fees decreased by $57,000 to $144,000 in the 2020 fiscal year as compared to $201,000 for the 2019 fiscal year. This decrease was primarily due to a $56,000 decrease in stock-based compensation expense as a result of stock options vesting in the 2020 fiscal year having a lower fair value than stock options vesting in the 2019 fiscal year.
We recorded a $50,000 provision for uncollectible VAT for the 2020 fiscal year as compared to a $222,000 provision for uncollectible VAT in the 2019 fiscal year. The decrease was mainly due to increased exploration activity at the Sierra Mojada Property and a reduction in the probability of collecting outstanding in the 2019 fiscal year VAT. The allowance for uncollectible taxes in Mexico was estimated by management based upon a number of factors, including the length of time the returns have been outstanding, responses received from tax authorities, general economic conditions in Mexico and estimated net recovery after commissions.
Other (Expenses) Income
We recorded other expense of $15,000 in the 2020 fiscal year as compared to other income of $428,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. The significant factor contributing to other expenses in the 2020 fiscal year was a $22,000 foreign currency transaction loss. The significant factor contributing to other income in the 2019 fiscal year was $393,000 in income from a change in the fair value of the warrant derivative liability that was due to a decrease in the fair value of warrants with $CDN exercise prices from October 31, 2018 to October 31, 2019.
Material Changes in Financial Condition; Liquidity and Capital Resources
2020 Private Placement
On October 27, 2020, in the initial tranche of the Private Placement, we sold 3,623,580 Units at a purchase price of $0.47 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,703,000. On November 9, 2020, in the second tranche of the Private Placement, we sold 319,000 Units at a purchase price of $0.47 per Unit for gross proceeds of $150,000. Each Unit consists of one share of our common stock and one half of one transferable common stock purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one share of our common stock at a price of $0.59 until the fifth annual anniversary of the closing of the respective tranche of the Private Placement.
We paid a finder’s fee totaling $26,000 to an agent with respect to certain purchasers who were introduced by the agent. We incurred other offering costs associated with the Private Placement of $98,456.
Cash Flows
During the 2020 fiscal year, we primarily utilized cash and cash equivalents to fund (i) exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Property, (ii) project evaluation, (iii) a loan to a Kazakh entity with respects to the acquisition of mineral concessions located in Kazakhstan, and (iv) general and administrative expenses. In addition, we received $1,101,000 from South32, net proceeds of $1,669,000 from the first tranche of the Private Placement, and a Canada Emergency Business Account (“CEBA”) loan for $30,000. As a result of net cash proceeds received from the Private Placement, funding from South32 and the CEBA loan, which was partially offset by exploration activities and general and administrative expenses, cash and cash equivalents increased from $1,432,000 at October 31, 2019 to $1,862,000 at October 31, 2020.
Cash flows used in operations for the 2020 fiscal year was $1,958,000 as compared to $4,209,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. This decrease was mainly due to decreased exploration and property holding costs due to the blockade and decreased general and administrative expenses.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the 2020 fiscal year was $408,000 for (i) acquisition of property concessions, (ii) a loan to a Kazakh entity, and (iii) purchases of equipment. Cash flows used in investing activities in the 2019 fiscal year was $69,000 for the acquisition of property concessions and purchases of equipment.
Cash flows provided by financing activities for the 2020 fiscal year was $2,799,000 as compared to $2,684,000 in the 2019 fiscal year. The cash flows provided by financing activities in the 2020 fiscal year was due to the Private Placement, funding from South32 and the CEBA loan. The cash flows provided by financing activities in the 2019 fiscal year was due to funding from South32 and the exercise of certain warrants.
Capital Resources
As of October 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,862,000 as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $1,432,000 as of October 31, 2019. The increase in our liquidity was primarily the result of the Private Placement, funding from South32 and the CEBA loan, which was partially offset by the exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Property and general and administrative expenses.
Since our inception in November 1993, we have not generated revenue and have incurred an accumulated deficit of $132,019,000. Accordingly, we have not generated cash flows from operations, and since inception we have relied primarily upon proceeds from private placements and registered direct offerings of our equity securities, warrant exercises and funding from South32 as the primary sources of financing to fund our operations. We anticipate that we will continue to rely on sales of our securities in order to continue to fund our business operations. The issuance of additional shares will result in dilution to our existing stockholders. There is no assurance that we will be able to complete any additional sales of our equity securities or that we will be able to arrange for other financing to fund our planned business activities.
Any future additional financing in the near term will likely be in the form of payments from South32 or an issuance of equity interests, which will result in dilution to our existing shareholders. Moreover, we may incur significant fees and expenses in the pursuit of a financing or other strategic transaction, which will increase the rate at which our cash and cash equivalents are depleted.
Capital Requirements and Liquidity; Need for Additional Funding
Our management and board of directors monitor our overall costs, expenses, and financial resources and, if necessary, will adjust our planned operational expenditures in an attempt to ensure that we have sufficient operating capital. We continue to evaluate our costs and planned expenditures, including for our Sierra Mojada Property and Beskauga Property as discussed below.
The continued exploration of the Sierra Mojada Property and the Beskauga Property will require significant amounts of additional capital. In January 2021, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.2 million, an exploration budget for the Beskauga Property of $8.6 million subject to completion of due diligence and $1.4 million for general and administrative expenses for calendar year 2021. As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $1.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and a loan receivable of $0.8 million as described in the “Recent Developments - Beskauga Option Agreement” section above. The continued exploration of the Sierra Mojada Property and Beskauga Property ultimately will require us to raise additional capital, identify other sources of funding or identify another strategic partner. For information about our current strategic partnership with South32, see Note 3 - South32 Option Agreement in our financial statements. If South32 exercises its option to purchase 70% of the equity of Minera Metalin and Contratistas, under the terms of the South32 Option Agreement, we will retain a 30% ownership in Minera Metalin and Contratistas, and be obligated to contribute 30% of subsequent funding toward the development of the Sierra Mojada Project. If we fail to satisfy our funding commitment, our interest in Minera Metalin and Contratistas will be diluted. We do not currently have sufficient funds with which to satisfy this future funding commitment, and there is no certainty that we will be able to obtain sufficient future funds on acceptable terms or at all. If South32 terminates the South32 Option Agreement, our funding obligations for the Sierra Mojada Property would increase, likely resulting in a reduction in exploration work on the Sierra Mojada Property. We will continue to evaluate our ability to obtain additional financial resources, and we will attempt to reduce or limit expenditures on the Sierra Mojada Property and Beskauga Property as well as general and administrative costs if we determine that additional financial resources are unavailable or available on terms that we determine are unacceptable. However, it may not be possible to reduce costs, and even if we are successful in reducing costs, we still may not be able to continue operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. If we are unable to fund future operations by obtaining additional financial resources, including through public or private offerings of equity, we do not expect to have sufficient available cash and cash equivalents to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Debt or equity financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. Equity financing, if available, may result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders. If we are unable to fund future operations by way of financings, including public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely impacted. Our limited ability to issue shares to raise capital without an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock is discussed further in the “Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Business” section above.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to our shareholders.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020
On November 1, 2019, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB’s”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for nonemployee share-based payments, aligning it more closely with the accounting for employee awards. Under the adoption provisions, equity-classified awards for which a measurement date had already been established as of the adoption date, including our South32 Option Agreement (Note 3), are unaffected by ASU 2018-07. As a result of this adoption, we reclassified $4,803 from stock option liability to additional paid-in capital (Note 11).
On November 1, 2019, we adopted the FASB’s ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” together with subsequent amendments, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The new standard requires a lessee to recognize on its balance sheet, a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset representing the right to the underlying asset for the lease term and allows companies to elect to apply the standard at the effective date. We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which applies to expired or existing leases and allows us not to reassess whether a contract contains a lease, the lease classification, and any initial direct costs incurred.
We also elected a number of optional practical expedients including the following:
the short-term lease recognition exemption whereby ROU assets and lease liabilities will not be recognized for leasing arrangements with terms less than one year;
the land easements practical expedient whereby existing land easements are not reassessed under the new standard;
the hindsight practical expedient when determining lease term at transition; and
the practical expedient not to apply lease accounting to the intangible right to explore for those natural resources, and rights to use the land in which those natural resources are contained.
The adoption of this update did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740),” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. At this time, we do not expect this standard to affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force) and the SEC did not or are not expected to have a material impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to establish accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. These consolidated financial statements include some estimates and assumptions that are based on informed judgments and estimates of management. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis and discuss the development, selection and disclosure of critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and as such requires the use of judgment. Our consolidated financial statements may differ based upon different estimates and assumptions.
We discuss our significant accounting policies in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are subject to judgments and uncertainties that affect the application of such policies. We believe that these consolidated financial statements include the most likely outcomes with regard to amounts that are based on our judgment and estimates. Our consolidated financial position and results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of such policies. If estimates or assumptions prove to be different from the actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. We believe that the following accounting policies are critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements due to the estimation process and business judgment involved in their application:
Principles of Consolidation - South32 Option Agreement
We consolidate entities in which we have a controlling financial interest based on either the variable interest entity (VIE) or voting interest model. Generally, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is a reporting entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Currently, we manage the mineral exploration program in the property concessions in Mexico through our wholly-owned subsidiary corporations Minera Metalin and Contratistas.
We have determined Minera Metalin and Contratistas are variable interest entities and we are the primary beneficiary.
We have applied judgment in reaching our conclusion with respect to accounting for the South32 Option Agreement with South32, described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. Under the South32 Option Agreement, South32 is able to obtain an option to purchase 70% of the shares of Minera Metalin and Contratistas (the “South32 Option”). We have determined that the South32 Option Agreement has not resulted in the transfer of control of the Sierra Mojada Project to South32 and that the South32 Option Agreement represents non-employee share-based compensation associated with the collaborative exploration program undertaken by the parties. The compensation cost is expensed when the associated exploration activity occurs. The share-based payments have been classified as equity instruments and valued based on the fair value of consideration received, as it is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the equity interest. In the event the South32 Option is exercised and shares are issued prior to a decision to develop a mine, such shares would be classified as temporary equity as they would be contingently redeemable in exchange for a net smelter royalty under circumstances not wholly in control of us or South32 and which are not currently probable. No portion of the equity value has been classified as temporary equity as the South32 Option has no intrinsic value.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates based on assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant under the circumstances. Revisions to estimates and assumptions are accounted for prospectively.
Significant areas involving the use of estimates include determining the allowance for uncollectible taxes, evaluating recoverability of property concessions, evaluating impairment of long-lived assets, evaluating impairment of goodwill, establishing a valuation allowance on future use of deferred tax assets, calculating a valuation for stock option liability, calculating a valuation for warrant derivative liability and calculating stock-based compensation.
Property Concessions
Property concession acquisition costs are capitalized when incurred and will be amortized using the units of production method following the commencement of production. If a property concession is subsequently abandoned or impaired, any capitalized costs will be expensed in the period of abandonment or impairment. To date, no property concessions have reached the production stage.
Acquisition costs include cash consideration and the fair market value of shares issued on the acquisition of property concessions.
Exploration Costs
Exploration costs incurred are expensed to the date of establishing that costs incurred are economically recoverable. Exploration expenditures incurred subsequent to the establishment of economic recoverability are capitalized and included in the carrying amount of the related property. To date, we have not established the economic recoverability of our exploration prospects; therefore, all exploration costs are being expensed.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts of our assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is considered to exist if the future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on the difference between book value and fair value of the asset group. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other asset groups. In estimating future cash flows, we estimate the price that would be received to sell an asset group in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Significant factors that impact this price include the price of silver and zinc, and general market conditions for exploration companies, among other factors.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the purchase premium after adjusting for the fair value of net assets acquired. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. Goodwill impairment tests require judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. We perform our annual goodwill impairment tests on April 30th of each fiscal year.
Income Taxes
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The law includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system, including a federal corporate rate reduction from 35% to 21%, limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and executive compensation, and the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system. The law did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.
We follow the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the tax basis and accounting basis of the assets and liabilities measured using tax rates enacted at the balance sheet date. We recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least “more likely than not” that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. This accounting standard also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if management does not believe that we have met the “more likely than not” standard imposed by this guidance to allow recognition of such an asset. Management recorded a full valuation allowance at October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 against the deferred tax assets as it determined that future realization would not meet the “more likely than not” criteria.
Warrant Derivative Liability
We classified warrants with a $CDN exercise price on our balance sheet as a derivative liability that is fair valued at each reporting period subsequent to the initial issuance as our functional currency is the U.S. dollar and the exercise price of the warrants is the $CDN. We have used the Black-Scholes pricing model to value the warrants that do not have an acceleration feature and have used the Monte Carlo valuation model to value the warrants that do have an acceleration feature. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of warrants requires considerable judgment. Any change in the estimates used may cause the value to be higher or lower than that reported. The estimated volatility of our common stock at the date of issuance, and at each subsequent reporting period, is based on our historical volatility adjusted to reflect the implicit discount to historical volatilities observed in the prices of traded warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on rates published by the government for bonds with a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants at the valuation date. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend yield is expected to be none as we have not paid dividends nor do we anticipate paying any dividend in the foreseeable future.
The derivatives warrants are not traded in an active market and the fair value is determined using valuation techniques. The estimates may be significantly different from those recorded in the consolidated financial statements because of the use of judgment and the inherent uncertainty in estimating the fair value of these instruments that are not quoted in an active market. All changes in the fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss each reporting period.
Stock-Based Compensation
We use the Black-Scholes pricing model as a method for determining the estimated fair value for all stock options awarded to employees, officers, directors and consultants. The expected term of the options is based upon an evaluation of historical and expected future exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on rates published by the government for bonds with a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the options at the valuation date. Volatility is determined based upon historical volatility of our stock and adjusted if future volatility is expected to vary from historical experience. The dividend yield is assumed to be none as we have not paid dividends nor do we anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. We use the graded vesting attribution method to recognize compensation costs over the requisite service period. Stock options granted to consultants when the exercise price is in $CDN are classified as stock option liability on our consolidated balance sheets upon vesting.
We classify cumulative compensation cost associated with options on subsidiary equity as additional paid-in capital until exercise.
Foreign Currency Translation
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the functional currency of Silver Bull Resources, Inc. and our subsidiaries was the U.S. dollar.
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, our Mexican operations’ monetary assets and liabilities with foreign source currencies were translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate, and non-monetary assets and liabilities with foreign source currencies were translated using the historical exchange rate. Our Mexican operations’ revenue and expenses were translated at the average exchange rate during the period except for depreciation of office and mining equipment, costs of office and mining equipment sold and impairment of property concessions, all of which are translated using the historical exchange rate. Foreign currency translation gains and losses of our Mexican operations are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
Accounting for Loss Contingencies and Legal Costs
From time to time, we are named as a defendant in legal actions arising from our normal business activities. We record an accrual for the estimated loss from a loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of our financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure of a loss contingency is made by Silver Bull Resources, Inc. if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred, and either an accrual has not been made or an exposure to loss exists in excess of the amount accrued. In cases where only disclosure of the loss contingency is required, either the estimated loss or a range of estimated loss is disclosed or it is stated that an estimate cannot be made. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are considered period costs and accordingly are expensed in the period services are provided.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” following the signature page of 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
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of October 31, 2020, we have carried out an evaluation under the supervision of, and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation as of October 31, 2020, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective.
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, we assessed, as of October 31, 2020, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment was based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment using those criteria, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020 was effective.
Internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and that our 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.
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any internal control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.
(c) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART III

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
For information regarding our executive officers, see “Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties - Executive Officers of Silver Bull Resources.”
Information relating to this item will be included in an amendment to this report or in the proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated by reference in this report.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our directors and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and those of our officers performing similar functions. The full text of our Code of Ethics can be found on the Corporate Governance page of our website - at http://www.silverbullresources.com/corporate/corporate-governance/. If our board of directors approves an amendment to or waiver from any provision of our Code of Ethics, we will disclose the required information pertaining to such amendment or waiver on our website.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information relating to this item will be included in an amendment to this report or in the proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF Certain BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information relating to this item will be included in an amendment to this report or in the proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information relating to this item will be included in an amendment to this report or in the proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTing FEES AND SERVICES
Information relating to this item will be included in an amendment to this report or in the proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated by reference in this report.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
See “Index to Consolidated financial statements” on page.
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
Form
Date Filed
Exhibit
Filed Herewith
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation
10-K
1/14/2011
3.1.1
3.1.1
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
8-K
4/26/2011
3.1
3.1.2
Certificate of Change to Restated Articles of Incorporation, as Amended
8-K
9/18/2020
3.1
3.2
Bylaws
10-K
1/14/2011
3.1.2
4.1
Description of Capital Stock
X
4.2
Form of Warrant Certificate
8-K
11/2/2020
10.2
10.1
Option Agreement, by and among the Company, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V., Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V., and South32 International Investment Holdings Pty Ltd, dated as of June 1, 2018
8-K
6/7/2018
10.1
10.1.1
Amending Agreement No. 1, dated as of April 4, 2019 and effective as March 20, 2019, to the South32 Option Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and among the Company, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V., Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V. and South32 International Investment Holding Pty Ltd
8-K
4/5/2019
10.1
10.2
Option Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2020, by and among the Company, Copperbelt AG, and Dostyk LLP
8-K/A
11/5/2020
10.1
10.3
Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2020, by and between the Company and Copperbelt AG
X
10.4
Form of Subscription Agreement
8-K
11/2/2020
10.1
10.5+
Silver Bull Resources, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan and Stock Bonus Plan, as amended
10-Q
6/14/2016
10.3
10.6+
Silver Bull Resources, Inc. 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan
10-Q
6/14/2019
10.2
10.7+
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2013, by and between the Company and Timothy Barry
8-K
3/1/2013
10.1
10.7.1+
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2016, by and between the Company and Timothy Barry
8-K
2/26/2016
10.1
10.7.2+
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2016, by and between the Company and Timothy Barry
8-K
6/28/2016
10.2
10.7.3+
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2018, by and between the Company and Timothy Barry
8-K
8/29/2018
10.2
10.8+
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2013, by and between the CompanyI have all and Brian Edgar
8-K
3/1/2013
10.3
10.8.1+
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2016, by and between the Company and Brian Edgar
8-K
2/26/2016
10.3
10.8.2+
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2016, by and between the Company and Brian Edgar
8-K
6/28/2016
10.1
10.8.3+
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2018, by and between the Company and Brian Edgar
8-K
8/29/2018
10.1
10.9+
Form of Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2015, by and between the Company and each of Timothy Barry and Brian Edgar
8-K
6/8/2015
10.1
10.10+
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2020, by and between the Company and Christopher Richards
8-K
9/25/2020
10.1
10.11+
Consulting Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2020, by and between the Company and Sean Fallis
X
10.12+
Form of Indemnification Agreement (Directors and Officers)
10-K
1/13/2020
10.10
14.1
Code of Ethics
8-K
11/7/2019
14.1
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
X
23.1
Consent of Smythe LLP
X
23.2
Consent of Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited
X
23.3
Consent of CSA Global Consultants Canada Ltd
X
31.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
31.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
32.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
32.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
X
101.SCH*
XBRL Schema Document
X
101.CAL*
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
X
101.DEF*
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
X
101.LAB*
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
X
101.PRE*
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
X
99.1†
Sierra Mojada location map
X
99.2†
Beskauga location map
X
* The following financial information from Silver Bull Resources, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
† Filed herewith under Items 1 and 2 - Business and Properties.