AMERALIA INC - FORM 10-Q - February 16, 2010

Attached files

file	filename
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - AMERALIA INC	ex32_1.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - AMERALIA INC	ex31_1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - AMERALIA INC	ex32_2.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - AMERALIA INC	ex31_2.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2009

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 0-15474

AMERALIA, INC.

(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)

Utah	87-0403973
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3200 County Road 31, Rifle, CO 81650

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Company's telephone number, including area code:	(720) 876-2373
Company’s Web Page:	www.ameralia.com

Check whether issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company’ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by a check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No x

As of February 12, 2010, the number of shares outstanding of the Company's $.01 par value common stock was 66,293,696.

AMERALIA, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page
PART I:	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 1:	Financial Statements
	Balance Sheets – December 31, 2009 (unaudited) and June 30, 2009	1
	Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	2
	Statements of Operations for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	3
	Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)	4
	Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	5
	Notes to the Financial Statements (unaudited)	6
Item 2:	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	11

Item 4T:	Controls and Procedures	16

PART II:	OTHER INFORMATION	17

Item 1:	Legal Proceedings	17
Item 2:	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	17
Item 6:	Exhibits	17

	SIGNATURES	17

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Balance Sheets

	December 31, 2009				June 30, 2009
	(Unaudited)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash		$	2,781,110			$	4,346,065
Related party receivable			8,362				-
Prepaid expenses			34,767				-
Total Current Assets			2,824,239				4,346,065

OTHER ASSETS
Investment in Natural Soda Holdings, Inc.			6,969,958				5,805,793
Total Other Assets			6,969,958				5,805,793

TOTAL ASSETS		$	9,794,197			$	10,151,858


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable		$	328,162			$	357,042
Royalties payable			975,000				975,000
Accrued expenses			-				44,211
Accrued expenses due to related parties			43,102				71,401
Total Current Liabilities			1,346,264				1,447,654

TOTAL LIABILITIES			1,346,264				1,447,654

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.05 par value; 1,000,000 authorized;82 issued and outstanding			4				4
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 66,293,696 issued and outstanding			662,937				662,937
Additional paid-in capital			119,311,867				119,221,803
Accumulated deficit			(111,526,875	)			(111,180,540	)
Total Stockholders' Equity			8,447,933				8,704,204

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	9,794,197			$	10,151,858

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months ended December 31,
	2009			2008

REVENUES	$	-		$	1,675,506

COST OF GOODS SOLD		-			1,405,633

GROSS PROFIT		-			269,873

EXPENSES
General and administrative		254,242			285,571
Depreciation and amortization expense		-			187,395

Total Expenses		254,242			472,966

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS		(254,242	)		(203,093	)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Loss on settlement of debt		-			(340,718	)
Interest income		-			273
Other income		-			389,089
Interest expense		-			(1,684,814	)

Total Other Income (Expense)		-			(1,636,170	)

NET LOSS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST AND INCOME TAX EXPENSE		(254,242	)		(1,839,263	)

Minority interest in net income of subsidiary		-			(22,050	)
Net income from equity investment		29,512			41,761

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE		(224,730	)		(1,819,552	)

Income tax expense		-			-

NET LOSS	$	(224,730	)	$	(1,819,552	)

BASIC LOSS PER SHARE	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.04	)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING		66,293,696			42,178,819

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

	For the Six Months ended December 31,
	2009			2008

REVENUES	$	-		$	6,526,895

COST OF GOODS SOLD		-			5,206,712

GROSS PROFIT		-			1,320,183

EXPENSES
General and administrative		520,500			572,006
Depreciation and amortization expense		-			867,710

Total Expenses		520,500			1,439,716

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS		(520,500	)		(119,533	)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Gain on settlement of debt		-			1,250,932
Interest income		-			1,067
Other income		-			400,114
Other financing costs		-			(209,449	)
Interest expense		-			(6,722,363	)

Total Other Income (Expense)		-			(5,279,699	)

LOSS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST AND INCOME TAX EXPENSE		(520,500	)		(5,399,232	)

Minority interest in net income of subsidiary		-			(168,274	)
Net income from equity investment		174,165			41,761

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE		(346,335	)		(5,525,745	)

Income tax expense		-			-

NET LOSS	$	(346,335	)	$	(5,525,745	)

BASIC LOSS PER SHARE	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.19	)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING		66,293,696			29,837,731

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Statement of Stockholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

	Preferred Stock				Common Stock				Additional Paid-In		Accumulated
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital		Deficit			Total

Balance, June 30, 2009		82	$	4		66,293,696	$	662,937	$	119,221,803	$	(111,180,540	)	$	8,704,204

Fair value of options granted		-		-		-		-		90,064		-			90,064

Net loss		-		-		-		-		-		(346,335	)		(346,335	)

Balance, December 31, 2009		82	$	4		66,293,696	$	662,937	$	119,311,867	$	(111,526,875	)	$	8,447,933,

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

	For the Six Months ended December 31,
	2009			2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net loss	$	(346,335	)	$	(5,525,745	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Fair value of options granted		90,064			138,285
Depreciation and amortization		-			867,710
Amortization of debt discount		-			209,449
Gain on settlement of debt		-			(1,250,932	)
Minority interest in net income		-			168,274
Net income from equity investment		(174,165	)		(41,761	)
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
Accounts receivable		-			(46,614	)
Related party receivable		(8,362	)		-
Inventory		-			(54,370	)
Prepaid expenses		(34,767	)		155,647
Accounts and royalties payable		(28,880	)		(1,105,900	)
Accrued expenses due to related parties		(28,299	)		5,255,880
Accrued expenses		(44,211	)		(1,009,093	)
Interest payable		-			(378,494	)

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities		(574,955	)		(2,617,664	)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investments in, and advances to, Natural Soda Holdings, Inc.		(990,000	)		-
Cavities and well development		-			(122,380	)
Purchase of property and equipment		-			(26,743	)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		(990,000	)		(149,123	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Payments on bank overdraft		-			(54,331	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		-			9,873,866
Payments on capital leases		-			(29,125	)
Payments on debt		-			(1,444,150	)
Payments on related party debt		-			(980,000	)
Proceeds from related party notes payable		-			260,000

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities		-			7,626,260

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH		(1,564,955	)		4,859,473
NET CASH OF DECONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY		-			(17,460	)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		4,346,065			43,374

CASH AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,781,110		$	4,885,387

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Income taxes	$	-		$	-
Interest	$	-		$	1,203,990

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 -

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

AmerAlia, Inc. (“AmerAlia”) was originally incorporated as Computer Learning Software, Inc. under the laws of the State of Utah on June 7, 1983 and renamed AmerAlia, Inc. in January 1984. Until October 31, 2008, AmerAlia owned 100% of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. (“NSHI”) and NSHI owned 46.5% of Natural Soda, Inc. (“NSI”). On October 31, 2008 AmerAlia completed a restructuring agreement wherein AmerAlia and NSHI issued new equity in exchange for cash and settlement of various debt obligations. As of October 31, 2008, AmerAlia owns 18% of the equity of NSHI which now owns 100% of the equity of NSI. Previously, the financial position, operations and cash flows of NSI have been included in the consolidated financial statements primarily because NSI represented AmerAlia’s principal business activity. The “Minority Interest” ownership of the Sentient Entities in NSI was reflected separately in the consolidated balance sheets along with its “Minority Interest” share of income and loss from operations. All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation accounts.

As a result of the restructuring, AmerAlia no longer has a controlling interest in NSHI or its direct subsidiary, NSI. Consequently, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, AmerAlia’s financial statements reflect AmerAlia’s results on a consolidated basis through October 31, 2008. After October 31, 2008 AmerAlia’s financial statements reflect AmerAlia’s investment in NSHI using the equity method of accounting. Nevertheless, AmerAlia’s participation in the management and development of NSHI and NSI remains its principal business activity. NSI uses solution mining to recover sodium bicarbonate for sale to the animal feed, human food, pharmaceutical, personal products and industrial uses including for flue gas desulfurization.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared by AmerAlia pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted in accordance with such rules and regulations. The information furnished in the interim condensed financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Although management believes the disclosures and information presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, these interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with AmerAlia's most recent audited financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2009. Operating results for the six months ended December 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2010.

AmerAlia has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were available to be issued, February 12, 2010.

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 2 -

OUTSTANDING STOCK OPTIONS AND PURCHASE WARRANTS

During the six months ended December 31, 2009, AmerAlia granted options to purchase 187,500 shares of its common stock. Under the shareholder approved 2001 Directors’ Incentive Plan, each director (who is not an employee or officer) is granted an option to purchase 75,000 shares of AmerAlia common stock when joining the Board of Directors. In addition, options to purchase 37,500 shares of AmerAlia common stock are granted to each such director sitting at July 1 of each year. The exercise price for these options is the average market price during the month preceding each grant date and the options have a three-year term. All options under this plan are exercisable six months after the date of grant.

AmerAlia recorded an expense of $90,064 for the six months ended December 31, 2009 in relation to the stock options granted to board members. This expense is included in the general and administrative amount of the statement of operations. AmerAlia estimates the fair value of each stock option award at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants: dividend yield of zero percent for all years; expected volatility of 223%, risk-free interest rate of 1.50 percent and expected life of 3.0 years. A summary of the status of AmerAlia’s stock options and warrants as of December 31, 2009 and changes during the six months ended December 31, 2009 is presented below:

	Options, Warrants and SARs		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding June 30, 2009		375,000	$	0.64
Granted		187,500	$	0.29
Expired/Cancelled		-		-
Exercised		-		-
Outstanding December 31, 2009		562,500	$	0.52
Vested, December 31, 2009		375,000	$	0.64

The following summarizes the exercise price per share and expiration date of AmerAlia’s outstanding options and warrants to purchase AmerAlia common stock at December 31, 2009:

Expiration Date	Price		Number

June 30, 2010	$	0.40		187,500
June 30, 2011	$	0.88		187,500
June 30, 2012	$	0.29		187,500
				562,500

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 3 -

INVESTMENT IN NATURAL SODA HOLDINGS, INC.

Under the equity method of accounting, only AmerAlia’s investment in and amounts due to and from NSHI and its direct subsidiary, NSI, have been included in AmerAlia’s balance sheet. As a result, AmerAlia records an asset in its balance sheet related to AmerAlia’s investment interest in NSHI. The following are the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2009 and the consolidated balance sheet for NSHI and NSI as of December 31, 2009:

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2009
ASSETS
Cash	$	3,319,324
Accounts receivable		3,649,412
Inventories		1,139,852
Prepaid expenses		81,600
Total Current Assets		8,190,188
Property, plant and equipment, net		9,442,504
Cavities and well development, net		10,718,429
Mineral leases		4,167,471
Total Fixed Assets		24,328,404
Water rights		3,150,582
Patents, net		21,211
Equipment held and not yet in service		3,197,842
Well and well development, RSL		595,000
Acquisition costs, net		712,350
Rock School Lease and reserves		3,300,000
Deposits, prepayments and bonds		233,500
Restricted funds		1,267,480
Total Other Assets		12,477,965
TOTAL ASSETS	$	44,996,557

LIABILITIES
Accounts and royalties payable	$	2,357,863
Accrued expenses		436,531
Notes payable, current		2,315,450
Capital leases, current portion		8,843
Total Current Liabilities		5,118,687
Notes payable, long term		21,881
Capital leases, non-current portion		6,094
Asset retirement obligations		1,127,902
Total Long Term Liabilities		1,155,877
TOTAL LIABILITIES		6,274,564

EQUITY
Common stock		10,000
Additional paid in capital		123,201,031
Accumulated deficit		(84,489,038	)
TOTAL EQUITY		38,721,993
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	44,996,557

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 3 -

INVESTMENT IN NATURAL SODA HOLDINGS, INC. (CONTINUED)

Consolidated Statements of Operations
	For Six Months ended December 31, 2009			For Three Months ended December 31, 2009
Revenues	$	10,428,949		$	5,323,258
Cost of sales		(6,998,815	)		(3,500,318	)
Gross profit		3,430,134			1,822,940

General and administrative expenses		1,127,239			1,015,608
Depreciation and amortization expense		1,226,148			602,557
Total expenses		2,353,387			1,618,165

Income from operations		1,076,747			204,775

Interest expense		(109,756	)		(41,117	)
Interest income		590			294
Total other income (expense)		(109,166	)		(40,823	)

Net income	$	967,581		$	163,952

NOTE 4 -

LIQUIDITY

As a result of the recent restructuring, AmerAlia holds an investment in NSHI which is unlikely to produce sufficient distributions of income to meet AmerAlia’s overhead expenses in the short term. As the effect of the restructuring has been to repay nearly all of AmerAlia’s obligations, AmerAlia expects that the operating costs of AmerAlia will be reduced to approximately $1,000,000 annually. In addition, NSHI may call on its shareholders for additional capital. Of the $2,781,110 held as cash at December 31, 2009, AmerAlia has reserved $1,440,000 to meet anticipated capital calls. The remaining cash reserves are required to sustain AmerAlia’s operations and repay obligations.

Under the Restructuring Agreement, Sentient has the right to purchase up to a total of 5,500,000 additional shares of AmerAlia’s common stock at $0.36 per share until October 31, 2011. This right can only be exercised to resolve obligations of AmerAlia that existed at October 31, 2008 and have not been discharged, and only then if the holders of the unpaid obligations pursue or threaten to pursue claims against AmerAlia or AmerAlia’s affiliates.

In view of these conditions, AmerAlia’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain additional financing or capital to meet its ongoing obligations. AmerAlia’s ability to obtain further financing through the offer and sale of AmerAlia’s securities is subject to market conditions and other factors beyond AmerAlia’s control. There is no assurance AmerAlia will be able to obtain financing on favourable terms or at all. AmerAlia’s business operations could be adversely affected if cash is insufficient to fund them.

NOTE 5 –

RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLES

We provide our executive officers with company credit cards for the purpose of paying company expenses incurred while travelling. These charges are recorded as advances until claims for expenses are approved.

Index

AMERALIA, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 6 –

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

NSHI paid Sentient $790,846 for reimbursement of certain expenses and for providing management consultancy services related to NSHI’s business development activities in December 2009. NSHI has no remaining obligations to Sentient for outstanding obligations but for an estimated $85,000 for reimbursement of expenses incurred since December 2009. NSHI has agreed to pay Sentient $110,000 annually for staff support.

Index

ITEM 2:

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us, our directors or our officers. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" or "continue", the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should consider various factors, including the risks we outline from time to time in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) including our Annual Report on Form 10-K. These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update these statements, or disclose any difference between our actual results and those reflected in these statements. The information constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Our business is to identify and develop natural resource assets. AmerAlia actively participates in the management and development of the natural sodium bicarbonate resources and water rights owned by Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. (“NSHI”) and NSHI’s wholly-owned subsidiary Natural Soda, Inc. (“NSI”).

NSI owns various water rights in the Piceance Creek Basin in northwest Colorado, a part of the Colorado River drainage system. These various rights allow NSI to draw up to a maximum of 108,812 acre feet (35.46 million gallons) annually and to store up to 7,980 acre feet of water.

NSHI and NSI also own BLM leases in the Piceance Creek Basin covering very large deposits of naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate called nahcolite. NSI’s business is to produce and sell natural sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, for use in a wide variety of products and activities. NSI’s immediate objectives are to profitably utilize its water assets and to be a low cost producer of sodium bicarbonate while leveraging that low cost advantage to achieve superior profit margins.

Deposits of oil shale lie below, above and are interspersed within the nahcolite contained within the sodium leases. We do not have any rights to recover oil shale but NSHI has applied for a research, development and demonstration lease to access all or part of this oil shale pursuant to a new program announced by the U.S. Department of Interior in October 2009. Shell Frontier Oil & Gas Co. (“Shell”) has three research, development and demonstration leases adjacent to NSI’s sodium leases. A Shell fact sheet, “Shell Exploration & Production Technology - to secure our energy future – Mahogany Research Project” reports an estimated potential recovery rate of up to one million barrels of oil per surface acre. If we obtain the right to exploit all or part of this oil shale, we plan to independently determine possible recovery rates and attempt to develop an economically feasible plan to recover oil from the oil shale resource contained in the area where NSHI’s and NSI’s sodium leases are located.

Currently, we own 18% of NSHI. We are attempting to acquire some or all of the outstanding shares of NSHI we do not own from Sentient so that we can secure majority ownership. If we can successfully acquire more of NSHI to increase our ownership to at least 50% in exchange for an issue of new shares we shall, as we discuss below, consolidate at least 50% of NSHI’s and NSI’s assets and liabilities to our balance sheet and consolidate at least 50% of NSHI’s and NSI’s income and expenses to our income statement. If we cannot achieve this objective we shall likely have to register as an investment company or seek alternative means of complying with the Investment Company Act. We have been discussing this issue with Sentient and the SEC. We are also considering the possible benefits of acquiring other natural resource assets.

Index

Sales and Revenue Performance of NSHI and NSI

Fiscal year 2004 was the first complete fiscal year of NSI’s ownership of its processing plant. NSI’s annual sales in tonnages and gross revenues are shown in the following tables:


Fiscal	Sales (tons)		% Change
Year			on prior FY
2004		84,103
2005		85,038		+1.1
2006		88,910		+ 4.6
2007		101,970		+14.7
2008		101,614		- 0.4
2009		97,729		-3.8

Fiscal	Gross Revenues		% Change
Year	($)		on prior FY
2004		12,609,041
2005		14,141,500		+12.2
2006		15,293,688		+8.1
2007		16,951,997		+10.8
2008		17,947,800		+5.9
2009		19,835,160		+10.5

During calendar year 2009, sales were constrained by the general downturn in economic activity. The following table presents comparative consolidated income statements of NSHI and NSI:

	For the six months ended December 31,						% Change on
	2009			2008			prior period
Tonnage sold		49,151			51,265			-4.1	%
Revenues	$	10,428,949		$	9,849,766			+5.9	%
Cost of Sales		6,998,815			7,746,605			-9.7	%
Gross Profit		3,430,134			2,103,161			+63.1	%
General and administrative expenses		1,127,239			148,977			+656.7	%
Depreciation & amortization		1,226,148			1,315,267			-6.8	%
Total expenses		2,353,387			1,464,244			+60.7	%
Income from operations		1,076,747			638,917			+68.5	%
Other income (expense)
Interest and other income		590			12,840
Interest expense		(109,756	)		(7,017,725	)
Total other income (expense)		(109,166	)		(7,004,885	)
Net income (loss) before minority interest		967,581			(6,365,968	)
Minority income (loss)		-			(168,274	)
Net income (loss)	$	967,581		$	(6,534,242	)

This table shows NSI sold 49,151 tons of product during the six months ended December 31, 2009; 2,114 tons or 4.1% less than that sold during the comparable period last year. However, revenues increased by 5.9% which reflects an increase of 10% in revenue per ton due to increased selling prices. Meanwhile, the total cost of sales was 9.7% lower than for the same period last year, equivalent to a reduction of 5.8% on a cost per ton basis. This reduced cost was primarily due to lower energy costs. The resulting gross profit of $3,430,134 was 63% higher than the same period last year or an increase of 70% per ton.

General & administrative expenses increased to $1,127,239 from $148,977, an increase of 656.7% because NSHI has engaged geologists and other consultants to examine further the geology and natural resources of its lease areas and for advice developing its water assets and developing its research lease application. These expenses include $790,847 NSHI paid Sentient for providing management consultancy services related to NSHI’s business development activities and to reimburse Sentient for additional technical and legal services and for travel expenses. NSHI has no remaining obligations to Sentient for outstanding obligations except for an estimated $85,000 for reimbursement of expenses incurred since December 2009. NSHI has agreed to pay Sentient $110,000 annually for staff support. Depreciation and amortization expense was 6.8% lower this year than the comparable period last year and 2.8% lower on a per ton basis.

Index

The resulting income from operations was $1,076,747, a 68.5% increase on the comparable period last year. A consequence of the restructuring completed in October 2008 is that debt has been almost entirely replaced by equity so that interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2009 was $109,756 compared with $7,017,725 incurred in the comparable period last year. The net income for the six months ended December 31, 2009 was $967,581 compared with the loss of $6,534,242 in the comparable period last year, a result that also included a loss of $168,274 attributable to the minority interest in NSI at that time. The following table presents the consolidated balance sheets for NSHI and NSI as at end December and June 2009:

Natural Soda Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
							Change
	As of Dec. 31,			As of June 30,			Since June 30,
	2009			2009			2009
ASSETS
Cash	$	3,319,324		$	156,139
Accounts receivable		3,649,412			3,723,426
Inventories		1,139,852			930,349
Prepaid expenses		81,600			325,942
Total Current Assets		8,190,188			5,135,856			3,054,332
Property, plant & equipment, net		9,442,504			9,462,474			(19,970	)
Cavities & well development, net		10,718.429			6,130,745			4,587,684
Mineral leases		4,167,471			4,167,471
Total Fixed Assets		24,328,404			19,760,690			4,567,714
Water rights		3,150,582			3,150,582
Equipment held and not yet in service		3,197,842			3,197,842
Rock School lease & reserves		3,300,000			3,300,000
Well & well development, RSL		595,000			595,000
Deferred financing & acquisition costs, net		712,350			731,848
Deposits, prepayments & bonds		233,500			8,000
Restricted funds		1,267,480			1,267,480
Patents, net		21,211			22,886
Total Other Assets		12,477,965			12,273,638			204,327
TOTAL ASSETS	$	44,996,557		$	37,170,184			7,826,373

LIABILITIES
Accounts & royalties payable	$	2,357,863		$	1,848,778
Accrued expenses		436,531			434,590
Notes payable, current		2,315,450			1,612,741
Capital leases, current		8,843			10,983
Total Current Liabilities		5,118,687			3,907,092			1,211,595
Notes payable, long term		21,881			29,784
Capital leases, noncurrent portion		6,094			11,071
Asset retirement obligations		1,127,902			967,825
Total Non Current Liabilities		1,155,877			1,008,680			147,197
TOTAL LIABILITIES		6,274,564			4,915,772			1,358,792

EQUITY
Common stock	$	10,000		$	10,000
Additional paid in capital		123,201,031			117,701,031			5,500,000
Accumulated deficit		(84,489,038	)		(85,456,619	)		967,581
TOTAL EQUITY		38,721,993			32,254,412
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	44,996,557		$	37,170,184

Index

This data shows that during the six months ended December 31, 2009, NSHI and NSI earned $967,581 in net income, received $5,500,000 in equity contributions from its shareholders and received $1,211,595 through trade credit during the quarter. The companies invested $4,587,684 in well field expansion and reduced machinery and equipment investment by $19,970. NSI expects that its new cavities will improve production and supply capability. At December 31, 2009 NSHI and NSI held $3,319,324 in cash.

AmerAlia

Our restructuring in 2008 has substantially altered AmerAlia’s income and cost structure. Whereas we previously reported revenues from operations and cost of sales for the six months ended December 31, 2008 as shown in our income statement, we now report the net income from our equity investment in NSHI which was $174,165 for the six months. This reflects our 18% ownership of NSHI and our 18% share of NSHI’s net income of $967,581 for the six months discussed above. Otherwise, our general and administrative expenses were $520,500 a 9% reduction on these costs for the same period last year. The resulting net loss was $346,335 for the six months compared with $5,525,745 for the same period last year.

For the three month period ended December 31, 2009 our 18% share of NSHI’s consolidated income was $29,512 compared with $41,761 for the comparable period in the prior year. Our general and administrative expenses were $254,242 an 11% reduction on these costs for the same period last year. There was no depreciation and amortization expense compared with $187,395 for the comparable period last year. Similarly, there was no interest income or other income compared with $273 and $389,089 respectively for the prior period. The prior period also recorded a loss on settlement of debt of $340,718 and interest expense of $1,684,814 but there were no similar expenses in the current three months ended December 31, 2009. The resulting net loss was $224,730 for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with $1,819,552 for the same period last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

NSHI and NSI

Since the acquisition of its properties in 2003 up to June 30, 2009, NSI has invested $6,566,202 developing the well field and its cavities. In recent times sodium bicarbonate has been recovered from three cavities denominated as 5H, 6H and 7H from which the BLM had authorized NSI to recover nearly 230,000 tons of sodium bicarbonate under an approved mine plan as at June 30, 2009. In early September 2009, NSI completed a new cavity, 10H, at a cost of approximately $2,750,000 that increased NSI’s authorized recovery by 308,000 tons. Since then NSI has completed another cavity, 11H, at a cost of approximately $2,245,000 that increased NSI’s authorized recovery by 408,760 tons. Consequently, at the end of December, 2009 NSI’s authorized recovery was 894,865 tons and NSI has now ensured a reliable supply of feed liquor to its plant for several years. Along with these wells, NSI has installed an additional pipeline to carry the recovered liquor to the plant at a cost of approximately $715,000. This pipeline will support three cavities.

These activities are part of an exploration and production cavity installation program which is expected to cost approximately $9 million over time. While NSI is generating sufficient free cash flow to provide for most of this expenditure, NSI needed additional financing to fund the initial investment. Consequently, AmerAlia and Sentient completed a Contribution Agreement in July 2009 and we advanced $450,000 as our share of $2,500,000 NSHI raised from ourselves and Sentient. Again, in December 2009 we completed a second contribution agreement and we advanced $540,000 as our share of a further $3,000,000 in new equity we and Sentient contributed to NSHI.

AmerAlia

During the six months ended December 31, 2009, we contributed $990,000 in additional equity to NSHI as discussed above; we increased prepaid expenses by a net $34,767, reduced accounts and royalties payable by $28,880 and reduced accrued expenses by $72,510. Consequently, we have used $1,564,955 of our cash during the six months leaving a balance of $2,781,110 at December 31, 2009. Of this balance $1,440,000 is reserved for further capital calls that will likely be made by NSHI.

Index

Our remaining cash reserves are required to sustain AmerAlia’s operations and repay obligations. We expect the operating costs of AmerAlia will be approximately $1,000,000 annually.

AmerAlia now holds an investment in NSHI which we expected will require additional capital to expand its operations and will, as a result, be unlikely to produce sufficient distributions of income to meet AmerAlia’s overhead expenses in the short term.

Under the Restructuring Agreement completed in 2008, Sentient has the right to purchase up to a total of 5,500,000 additional shares of AmerAlia’s common stock at $0.36 per share until October 31, 2011. This right can only be exercised to resolve obligations of AmerAlia that existed at October 31, 2008 and have not been discharged, and only then if the holders of the unpaid obligations pursue or threaten to pursue claims against AmerAlia or AmerAlia’s affiliates.

In view of these conditions, AmerAlia’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain additional financing or capital. AmerAlia’s ability to obtain further financing through the offer and sale of AmerAlia’s securities is subject to market conditions and other factors beyond AmerAlia’s control. There is no assurance AmerAlia will be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all. If cash is insufficient to fund its business operations, they could be adversely affected. Insufficient funds may require delay, scaling back or eliminating expenses and/or employees.

Effect of Potential Acquisition of Additional NSHI Shares

Nevertheless, we may acquire some or all the outstanding equity in NSHI and are investigating acquiring other businesses. If we could acquire all the shares of NSHI we currently do not own in exchange for an issue of our shares, then, on the basis of the December 31, 2009 financial data, we would have total assets of approximately $48 million and total liabilities of approximately $8 million. We would own all of the operating assets of NSHI and NSI and have access to their surplus cash flow. We would also assume responsibility for the further development of the business. We expect that NSHI will have development capital requirements in addition to those needs discussed above. Hence we intend to seek additional capital during the forthcoming year although we may not be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

While we are having discussions with Sentient about our need to either comply with the obligations of the Investment Company Act or else take other action so that we do not have to register as an investment company, we may not reach an agreement with Sentient that achieves these objectives.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements for either AmerAlia, NSHI or NSI that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors. NSI sometimes enters into forward purchases of natural gas in order to secure supplies at fixed prices for up to 75% of anticipated requirements.

Index

ITEM 4T:

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Item 307 of Regulation S-K we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures during the six months ended December 31, 2009. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer who concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

As defined in Rule 13a-15(e), disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that 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 Securities and Exchange Commission’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 management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the six months ended December 31, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Index

PART II:

OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 1:

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

AmerAlia is not subject to any legal proceeding.

NSI owns water rights located in the Piceance Creek, Yellow Creek and White River basins within Colorado. NSI is involved in several cases pending in the District Court in and for Water Division No. 5 (“Water Court”). The proceedings in Water Court pertain to applications for water rights filed by NSI and objections to water rights applications by third parties. In addition, under Colorado law, the owner of conditional water rights must periodically file an application for determination of reasonable diligence in the development of the conditional water rights. The proceedings pertaining to the conditional water right must be filed within six years following the determination by the Court regarding the prior proceeding, or the water right is considered abandoned.

NSI is the applicant in the following cases: 1998CW315, 2005CW41, 2006CW135, 2006CW136 and 2007CW91.

NSI has filed a statement of opposition in the following cases: 2003CW82–Exxon Mobil Corporation, 2003CW309–Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc., 2003CW318–Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc., 2004CW110–Shell Frontier Oil & Gas, Inc., 2005CW285–Exxon Mobil Corporation, 2005CW294–Exxon Mobil Corporation, 2006CW263–Exxon Mobil Corporation, 2006CW265–Exxon Mobil Corporation, 2007CW242–Puckett Land Company, 2007CW253–XTO Energy Inc. and 2007CW254–Williams Production RMT Company.

Of the cases in which NSI has filed a statement of opposition the principal one is the objection to Shell Frontier Oil & Gas, Inc.’s application to move a water right from a tributary of the White River to a point on the White River lower down river than the off take point for NSI’s White River direct pumping right. If Shell were to be successful in their application it might adversely impact the value of our White River rights. We intend to vigorously oppose this move.

ITEM 2:

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

On July 1, 2009 we granted options to acquire 187,500 shares of our common stock at $0.29 per share to our non-executive directors in accordance with the requirements of the Non-Executive Directors Option Plan. The options vest on January 2, 2010 and expire on June 30, 2012.

ITEM 6:

EXHIBITS

(a)

Exhibits

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (filed herewith).

32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (filed herewith).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: February 12, 2010	AMERALIA, INC.


	By:	/s/ Robert van Mourik
		Robert van Mourik
		Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Attached files

AMERALIA INC Reports

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