Attached files

file filename
EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION - Santa Fe Gold CORPexhibit32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION - Santa Fe Gold CORPexhibit31-1.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to_______

Commission file number 001-12974

SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 84-1094315
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
1128 Pennsylvania NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87110
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(505) 255-4852
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common stock, $.002 par value
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [X]    No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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 checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

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                  [X]
Non-accelerated filer   [   ] Smaller reporting company [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [  ]    No [X]

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of Santa Fe Gold Corporation held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $84,745,941.

As of September 27, 2010, there were 93,062,510 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Page
     
  PART I  
     
ITEM 1: BUSINESS 4
ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS 7
ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 13
ITEM 2: PROPERTIES 13
ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 34
ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS 35
     
  PART II  
     
ITEM 5: MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 35
ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 37
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION 37
ITEM 7A: QUANITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 46
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 47
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 47
ITEM 9A(T): CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 47
ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION 47
     
  PART III  
     
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 48
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION 51
ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 53
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 55
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 56
     
  PART IV  
     
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 57
     
SIGNATURES   62

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         Descriptions of agreements or other documents contained in this report are intended as summaries and are not necessarily complete. Please refer to the agreements or other documents filed or incorporated herein by reference as exhibits. Please see the exhibit index at the end of this report for a complete list of those exhibits.

2


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

          This annual report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference may contain certain “forward-looking” statements as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases, which represent the registrant’s expectations or beliefs, including but not limited to, statements concerning the registrant’s operations, economic performance, financial condition, growth and acquisition strategies, investments, and future operational plans. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intent,” “could,” “estimate,” “might,” “plan,” “predict” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. This information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

          This annual report contains forward-looking statements, many assuming that the Company secures adequate financing and is able to continue as a going concern, including statements regarding, among other things, (a) our projected sales and profitability, (b) our growth strategies, (c) anticipated trends in our industry, (d) our future financing plans, (e) our anticipated needs for working capital, (f) unfavorable weather conditions, (g) the lack of commercial acceptance of our product or by-products, (h) changes in environmental laws, (i) problems regarding availability of materials and equipment, (j) failure of equipment to process or operate in accordance with specifications, including expected throughput, which could prevent the production of commercially viable output, (k) our lack of necessary financial resources to complete development of our projects, successfully market our products and fund our other capital commitments and (l) our ability to seek out and acquire high quality gold, silver and/or copper properties. These statements may be found under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations” and “Business,” as well as in this annual report generally. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” and matters described in this annual report generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report will in fact occur. In addition to the information expressly required to be included in this annual report, we will provide such further material information, if any, as may be necessary to make the required statements, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

          These risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors”. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

          Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

3


PART I

ITEM 1.        BUSINESS

History and Organization

          Santa Fe Gold Corporation (“the Company”, “our” or “we”) is a U.S. mining company, incorporated in 1991 in the state of Delaware. Our general business strategy is to acquire and develop mining properties amenable to low cost production. Presently, we have four projects: Our Summit silver-gold and Ortiz gold projects located in New Mexico; and our Black Canyon mica and Planet micaceous iron oxide projects located in Arizona. See “Item 2. Properties” for more information about our properties. We have constructed a mill and are developing an underground mine at our Summit silver-gold project, which successfully started up in 2010. We expect commercial production to be achieved in 2011. Information about the Company, including a link to our most recent financial reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), can be viewed on our website at www.santafegoldcorp.com.

          From July 1, 2006 through the current date, we completed private placements of our common stock, and notes convertible into our common stock, for amounts aggregating $2,856,757. Additionally, in December 2007, we raised capital pursuant to a private placement of convertible debentures aggregating $13,500,000. In September 2009, we entered into a gold sale agreement with an investor that included an upfront payment of $4,000,000. In January 2010, we raised $10,000,000 through a registered direct offering pursuant to an S-3 Registration Statement. We used the majority of the funds raised to acquire and construct the Summit mine and Banner mill and for working capital. We anticipate using the remainder of the $10 million raised in January 2010 to continue these efforts. See” Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” for more information.

          Construction of the Summit mine and related Banner mill was the focus of our activities in 2010. In April 2007, we received results of a preliminary feasibility study carried out by an independent geological engineering firm that concluded that development of the Summit deposit would be economically viable. Capital cost was estimated as $13.4 million and the construction schedule was estimated to require 12 months. In December 2007, we arranged a financing of $13.5 million by way of a private placement of senior secured convertible debentures. We began construction activities during the first quarter of 2008, including development of the Summit mine and construction of the Banner mill. Underground mine development is on-going. Construction of the Banner mill was completed in Q2 2009 except for the tailings disposal impoundment, for which in October 2009 we received a conditional permit that allowed construction to proceed. Construction of the tailings disposal impoundment was completed in Q1 2010. Commencement of processing operations at the Banner mill began on March 25, 2010. Commissioning of the mill proceeded satisfactorily and in July 2010, we expanded mill operations to two shifts per day, five days a week. Sales of ore as silica flux commenced in Q2 2010 and sales of precious metals flotation concentrates began in Q3 2010. We plan to ramp up production from the Summit mine and increase throughput at the Banner mill, and expect the Summit project to achieve commercial production in 2011. As of June 30, 2010, we have approximately $48.4 million in federal tax loss carry-forwards to shelter federal income tax otherwise payable.

          Our principal executive offices are located at 1128 Pennsylvania NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, and our telephone number is (505) 255-4852. Our Summit operations in southwestern New Mexico are conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, The Lordsburg Mining Company. Our mica operations in Arizona are conducted through our wholly- owned subsidiary, Azco Mica Inc. Our activity in Mexico is conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Minera Sandia, S.A. de C.V. Administration of the September 2009 gold sale agreement is conducted through our wholly-owned Barbados subsidiary, Santa Fe Gold (Barbados) Corporation.

          Please refer to page 30 of this report for a glossary of certain terms used herein.

Recent Developments

          On September 24, 2010, we entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Columbus Silver Corporation (TSXV: CSC) (“Columbus Silver”) pursuant to which we will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Columbus Silver in exchange for shares of our common stock. The contemplated exchange ratio is one share of our common stock for every 5.82515 shares of Columbus Silver’s common stock. It is contemplated that we will issue a total of 8,787,527 shares in the transaction, which is valued at approximately $9.93 million. Following completion of the transaction, it is estimated that we will be owned 91.37% by current Company shareholders and 8.63% by Columbus Silver shareholders. The combination with Columbus Silver is a notable step forward in our objective to become a significant North American precious metals producer.

          The Memorandum of Understanding contemplates a business combination by way of a Plan of Arrangement, which is subject to Canadian court approval. In addition, the proposed transactions are subject to the final approval of the boards of directors of Santa Fe Gold and Columbus Silver, stock exchange and regulatory approvals, and Columbus Silver shareholder approval. On September 27, 2010, in relation to the transaction with Columbus Silver, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K

4


          On September 13, 2010, we announced the Company has shipped an initial 20 tons of precious metals concentrate to a European smelter. At current metal prices, the shipment contains approximately $425,000 in gold and silver. We will be paid for the gold and silver less customary smelter charges.

          On September 1, 2010, we announced the Company will supply an additional 3,000 to 6,000 tons of trial siliceous flux material to a smelter in Arizona. We previously provided the smelter with 3,000 tons of similar material earlier in the year. The flux material will be processed for precious metals recovery. We will be paid for the contained silver and gold less customary charges. The siliceous flux constitutes ore from the Summit mine upgraded in silica and precious metals contents through crushing and screening.

          On August 26, 2010, we announced the Company has contracted with another Arizona smelter to supply a trial shipment of 1,000 tons of siliceous flux material. The flux material will be processed for precious metals recovery. We will be paid for the contained silver and gold less customary charges. The siliceous flux constitutes a beneficiated product of ore from the Summit mine upgraded in silica and precious metals contents through crushing and screening.

          On January 20, 2010 we entered into definitive agreements with 23 institutional investors to purchase $10 million of securities in a registered direct offering. We received net proceeds of $9,375,000 after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The securities were offered pursuant to an effective S-3 Registration Statement. The company sold to the investors an aggregate of 7,692,310 shares of its common stock, and warrants to purchase up to 3,846,155 additional shares of common stock. Each unit, consisting of one share of common stock and one-half of a warrant to purchase a share of common stock, was sold for a purchase price of $1.30. The warrants to purchase additional shares are exercisable at an exercise price of $1.70 per share and have a term of 5 years.

           On September 11, 2009, we entered into a definitive gold sale agreement with Sandstorm Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SSL) (“Sandstorm”) to sell a portion of the life-of-mine gold production (but not silver production) from our Summit silver-gold mine. Under the agreement we received an upfront cash deposit of $4.0 million, plus we will receive ongoing production payments equal to the lesser of $400 per ounce or the prevailing market price, for each ounce of gold delivered pursuant to the agreement for the life of the mine. Gold production subject to the agreement includes 50% of the first 10,000 ounces of gold produced, and 22% of the gold thereafter. The amount of payable gold can be reduced from 22% to 15% provided that within 36 months the Summit mine reaches certain performance levels in any consecutive 12 month period, in compliance with prefeasibility estimates, including 1) the rate of ore mined and processed must average 400 tons per day or more, and 2) payable gold production must exceed 11,500 ounces during such consecutive 12 month period. Sandstorm made an initial payment of $500,000 and on October 7, 2009 paid the remaining $3,500,000 balance of the upfront cash deposit. We will receive credit against the $4,000.000 upfront cash deposit for the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for those gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeds $400 per ounce. These credits will be recognized as revenue, in addition to the ongoing production payments received for gold delivered pursuant to the agreement. In certain circumstances, including failure to meet minimum production rates, interruption in production due to permitting issues and customary events of default, the agreement may be terminated. In such event, we may be required to return to Sandstorm the upfront cash deposit of $4.0 million less a credit for gold delivered up to the date of that event, which is determined using the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeded $400 per ounce.

          On December 21, 2007, we entered into a definitive agreement for the placement with a single investor of senior secured convertible debentures in the amount of $13,500,000. Proceeds from the debentures were used primarily for the development of the Summit project. The debentures were issued in accordance with a pre-determined funding schedule. The term of the debentures is 60 months. In fiscal 2008, we received advances aggregating $5,350,000 under the agreement, and in fiscal 2009 received advances aggregating $8,150,000, bringing the total received to $13,500,000.

          Effective June 30, 2009, we agreed with the investor to convert the aggregate accrued interest of $974,360 due June 30, 2009 under the convertible debentures, into 974,360 shares of the Company’s common stock. We also agreed that aggregate accrued interest on the outstanding principal amounts of the debentures for the quarters ending September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, shall be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, to be valued at one dollar ($1.00) per share at the time of payment and issuance. Beginning in 2010, we have paid accrued quarterly interest in cash.

          On June 13, 2009, we entered into a purchase option contract on the Pilar gold property consisting of two mineral exploitation concessions covering 240 acres located 165 kilometers east-southeast of Hermosillo, State of Sonora, Mexico. In March 2010, we relinquished our interest in this property before the March 13, 2010 payments were due, after receiving disappointing results from an extensive program of trenching and surface sampling. Our wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, Minera Sandia S.A. de C.V., entered into the purchase option contract with Minera de Suaqui Grande, S. de R.L. de C.V.

5


The contract provided for option payments of $1,000 upon signing, $99,000 on March 13, 2010, and $125,000 on March 13, 2011. The last payment of $1,307,000 was due March 13, 2012, and would have completed the purchase. In connection with the acquisition, we agreed to issue 117,000 restricted shares of common stock to Minera de Suaqui Grande, S. de R.L. de C.V. under the terms of a consulting agreement, and agreed to pay creditors $11,150 in cash and 17,400 shares of restricted common stock valued at $19,836. We also agreed to pay finder’s fees of $15,000 in cash and 25,000 shares of restricted common stock valued at $28,500, and to match option and purchase payments when they became due by payments either in cash or in restricted common stock. We were not required to pay a production royalty under the agreements.

Competitive Business Conditions

          Many companies are engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties. We are at a disadvantage with respect to those competitors whose technical staff and financial resources exceed our own. Our lack of revenues and limited financial resources further hinder our ability to acquire and develop mineral interests.

Government Regulations and Permits

          In connection with mining, milling and exploration activities, we are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment, including laws and regulations relating to protection of air and water quality, hazardous waste management and mine reclamation as well as the protection of endangered or threatened species.

          At the Summit mine and Banner mill, we are continuing permitting activities as construction and development progress. On October 2, 2009 we received a Permit to Construct and Operate the Banner Mill Tailings Dam from the NM Office of the State Engineer (OSE). This permit allowed us to construct a tailings disposal impoundment and commence discharge of mill tailings.

          Concurrent with the tailings disposal permit, New Mexico requires a Discharge Permit from the NM Environmental Department and a Reclamation Permit from Mining and Minerals Division under the NM Mining Act of 1993. Both of these permits have been issued, and financial assurance for future reclamation has been established.

          Safety of our employees is regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), a federal agency, and by the NM Office of the State Mine Inspector. We are continuing development of the Summit underground mine, and regulation require secondary escape routes, exhaust ventilation, wireless communications, and underground refuge and emergency rescue capabilities. Work on these issues is underway and is being coordinated with the regulatory agencies.

          With respect to the permits required for the Summit project mentioned above, as well as permits for the Ortiz project and for our other projects, we may be unable to obtain such permits in a timely manner, on reasonable terms, or at all. If we cannot obtain or maintain the necessary permits, or if there is a delay in receiving such permits, our timetable and business plan for development and mining of these properties could be adversely affected. See Item IA. “Risk Factors” for more information.

Employees

          We currently have 36 full-time employees, including our executive officer, head office support staff and Lordsburg management and operating personnel. We also engage consultants and independent contractors in connection with financial accounting, construction, and exploration and development of our mining properties.

Office Facilities

          Our corporate offices are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We lease offices at 1128 Pennsylvania NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, totaling approximately 2,300 square feet. We believe this space is adequate for our needs for the foreseeable future.

6


ITEM 1A.      RISK FACTORS

          This report, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, contains forward looking statements that may be materially affected by numerous risk factors, including those summarized below:

Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Operations

          We are dependent upon production of precious metals and industrial minerals from a limited number of properties, have incurred substantial losses since our inception in 1991, and may never be profitable.

          Since our inception in 1991, we have not been profitable. As of June 30, 2010, our total accumulated deficit was approximately $55.1 million. To become profitable, we must identify mineralization and establish reserves, and then either develop properties ourselves or locate and enter into agreements with third party operators. It could be years before we receive significant revenues from industrial mineral or precious metals production. We may suffer significant additional losses in the future and may never be profitable. There can be no assurance we will receive significant revenue from operations in the foreseeable future, if at all. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.

          We ceased mining operations at our Black Canyon mica property in 2002 after unsuccessful attempts to begin profitable operations. We have established only limited probable reserves at our Summit silver-gold property, and have not established proven or probable reserves at our Ortiz gold property or at our Planet micaceous iron property. If we are unable to economically produce silver or gold from our Summit or Ortiz properties, we will be forced to identify and invest substantial sums in one or more additional properties. Such properties may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with exploration and development of mining properties, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if at all.

          We will require significant additional capital to continue our exploration activities, and, if warranted, to develop mining operations.

          We will require significant additional funding for geological and geochemical analysis, metallurgical testing, and, if warranted, feasibility studies with regard to the results of our exploration. We may not benefit from such investments if we are unable to identify a commercial ore deposit. If we are successful in identifying reserves, we will require significant additional capital to establish a mine and construct a mill and other facilities necessary to mine those reserves. That funding, in turn, will depend upon a number of factors, including the state of the national and worldwide economy and the price of gold and other metals. We may not be successful in obtaining the required financing for these or other purposes, which would adversely affect our ability to continue operating. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and the possible, partial or total loss of our potential interest in certain properties.

          Our industry is highly competitive, attractive mineral lands are scarce, and we may not be able to obtain quality properties.

           We compete with many companies in the mining business, including large, established mining companies with substantial capabilities, personnel and financial resources far greater than our own. In addition, there is a limited supply of desirable mineral properties available for acquisition in the United States and in other areas where we may conduct exploration activities. For these reasons, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in acquiring mineral properties. Competition in the industry is not limited to the acquisition of mineral properties but also extends to the technical expertise to operate such properties and the financial ability to fund such properties. Our inability to compete with other companies in these areas could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and business.

7


          The feasibility of mining our Summit silver-gold property or our Ortiz gold property has not been established, meaning that we have not completed engineering, permitting or other work necessary to determine if it is commercially feasible to develop these properties.

          We currently have established only limited probable reserves on the Summit silver-gold property and have not established proven or probable reserves on the Ortiz gold property. A “reserve,” as defined by regulation of the SEC, is that part of a mineral deposit that can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. A reserve requires a feasibility study demonstrating with reasonable certainty that the deposit can be economically and legally extracted and produced. We have not received feasibility studies nor obtained necessary operating permits with regard to the Ortiz gold property. As a result, we have no reserves at the Ortiz gold property.

          At the Summit silver-gold property, a qualified independent engineering firm has completed a pre-feasibility study that concluded there would be minimal risk in proceeding to development and mining on the basis of estimates of mineralized material. Subsequently, we have established probable reserves. However, the pre-feasibility stage estimate carries significant risks associated with factors including but not limited to the following:

  • The limited amount of drilling completed to date. The Summit deposit is defined by only 78,000 feet of drilling in 88 drill holes. These holes are spaced to intersect the mineralized zone up to 200 feet apart, a drilling density insufficient for detailed mine planning in this style of epithermal precious metals deposit. As a result, mine plans are preliminary in nature and details must be developed in conjunction with underground development.

  • Process and metallurgical testing has been limited to small pilot plant and bench scale testing. This causes uncertainty in metallurgical recovery and operating factors when scaling up to the full sized commercial plant. Although operating results to date at the Banner mill indicate that the mill will perform satisfactorily, additional fine tuning is necessary in order to optimize recovery of precious metals.

  • Samples collected for metallurgical testing were selected from drill core from various parts of the Summit deposit and from samples taken from old underground workings located in the upper part of the deposit. Because of the small number and size of samples available for metallurgical testing, metallurgical results may not accurately characterize the deposit as a whole.

  • The project has no significant operating history upon which to base estimates of operating costs and capital requirements. As a result, estimations of mineralized material, mining and process recoveries and operating costs have been based to a large extent upon the interpretation of geologic data from drill holes, and upon pre-feasibility estimates that derive forecasts of operating costs from anticipated tonnages and grades of mineralized material to be mined and processed, the configuration of the deposit, expected recovery rates of gold and silver from the mineralized material, comparable facility and equipment costs, and climatic conditions and other factors. Estimates of operating costs and capital requirements are preliminary estimates only.

  • Commonly in new projects, actual construction costs, operating costs and economic returns differ materially from those initially estimated. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Summit mine or Banner mill can be brought into operation within the time frame or at the cost anticipated by the Company, or that the forecasted operating results can be achieved.

          Although preliminary feasibility studies carried out on the Summit silver-gold and Ortiz gold properties have yielded promising results with respect to potential economic viability, substantial additional feasibility work and expenditures are required to demonstrate economic viability. The mineralized materials identified to date on these properties have not and may never demonstrate economic viability. The feasibility of mining has not been, and may never be, established. Whether a mineral deposit can be commercially viable depends upon a number of factors, including the particular attributes of the deposit, including size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices, which can be highly variable; and government regulations, including environmental and reclamation obligations. If we are unable to establish some or all of our mineralized material as proven or probable reserves in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations, we may not be able to raise sufficient capital to develop a mine. If we are unable to establish such reserves, the market value of our securities may decline.

8


          Fluctuating gold and silver prices could negatively impact our business plan.

           The potential for profitability of gold and silver mining operations at our Summit silver-gold property and at our Ortiz gold property and the values of these properties are directly related to the market prices of gold and silver. The prices of gold and silver may also have a significant influence on the market price of our common stock. In the event that we obtain positive feasibility results and progress to a point where a commercial production decision can be made, our decision to put a mine into production and to commit the funds necessary for that purpose must be made long before any revenue from production would be received. A decrease in the price of gold or silver at any time during future development or mining may prevent our properties from being economically mined or result in the impairment of assets as a result of lower gold or silver prices. The prices of gold and silver are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including inflation, fluctuation of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, the purchase or sale of gold by central banks, and the political and economic conditions of major gold producing countries throughout the world. During the last five years, the average annual market price of gold has progressively increased from $445 per ounce to $972 per ounce, as shown in the table below:

Average Annual Market Price of Gold, 2005-2009
2005   2006   2007   2008   2009
$ 445   $603   $695   $872   $972

          Although it may be possible for us to protect against future gold and silver price fluctuations through hedging programs, the volatility of metal prices represents a substantial risk that is impossible to completely eliminate by planning or technical expertise. In the event gold or silver prices decline and remain low for prolonged periods of time, we might be unable to continue with development of our Summit silver-gold property or to develop our Ortiz gold property or produce any significant revenue.

          Any proposal for commercial mining operations at our Summit silver-gold property or at our Ortiz gold property would be subject to permitting requirements that could cause us to delay, suspend or terminate our development plans.

          Mining and processing operations at the Summit silver-gold property or at the Ortiz gold property would require permits from the state and federal governments. We may be unable to obtain such permits in a timely manner, on reasonable terms, or at all. If we cannot obtain or maintain the necessary permits, or if there is a delay in receiving such permits, our timetable and business plan for development and mining of one or both of these properties could be adversely affected.

          We may not be able to obtain an adequate supply of water to complete desired development and mining of our Summit silver-gold property or of our Ortiz gold property.

          For successful development, we will need to obtain the rights for a sufficient amount of water to service the mining and processing operation. Our lease with Ortiz Mines, Inc. gives us all rights that Ortiz Mines, Inc. may have to initiate and use water and water rights in connection with the property, including among others the right to drill, pump, divert, transport and use water from wells, containment areas and drainages. However there can be no assurance we will be able to exercise our rights under the lease agreement or obtain access to the amount of water needed to operate a mine at the property. For our Summit silver-gold property, this risk is mitigated in that sufficient water for mining purposes can be purchased and trucked to the Summit property; and sufficient water is available for processing purposes on our Lordsburg mill site property, for which water we have usage rights.

          We may be at risk of losing title to our Ortiz gold property lease if we fail to perform our obligations.

          Under the terms of our lease with Ortiz Mines, Inc., we are required to meet certain obligations as is common in a mineral lease of this type. Among other requirements, we must begin mineral production by February 2015 (February 2022 in certain circumstances), make annual payments, pay a sliding-scale production royalty based on the price of gold and comply with all governmental permitting and other regulations. If we fail to make payments in a timely manner or to perform our other obligations as required under the lease, we are at risk that the lease could be cancelled.

9


          The reserve estimations at our Summit property are imprecise.

          Although we have relied on expert independent consultants to calculate the reserve estimations disclosed in our reports, such estimations are necessarily imprecise because they depend upon the judgment of the individuals who review the geological and engineering information and upon statistical inferences drawn from only limited drilling and sampling. If the Summit mining operation were to encounter mineralization or geologic conditions different from those predicted, reserve estimations might have to be adjusted and mining plans altered. Changes to the planned operations could adversely affect forecast costs and profitability.

          The future prices of mica and feldspathic sand are uncertain.

          According to published information, mica prices have varied over the past several years, and the outlook for future mica prices is unclear. Manufactured sand prices in the Phoenix area generally have fluctuated over the past several years, with demand driven by the state of the housing, construction, and recreational markets, which in recent years has undergone a dramatic decline. There are numerous factors beyond our control that could affect markets for both mica and feldspathic sand. No assurance can be given as to future prices or demand for products, if any, that could be produced from our Black Canyon mica project. Any decline in prices could have a material adverse effect on project economics.

          Titles to unpatented claims can be uncertain, and we are at risk of loss of ownership of our Black Canyon mica property and a portion of our Summit and Lordsburg properties.

          Our property holdings at the Black Canyon mica property and a portion of our holdings at our Summit and Lordsburg properties consist of unpatented mining claims and unpatented mill site claims located on public land and held pursuant to the General Mining Law of 1872. The validity of such unpatented mining claims may be subject to title defects and may be contested. Because a substantial portion of all mineral exploration, development and mining in the United States occurs on unpatented mining claims, this uncertainty is inherent in the mining industry. We have not obtained a title opinion on our entire property, with the attendant risk that title to some claims, particularly title to undeveloped property, may be defective. Although we believe that our claims are in good standing and held according to industry practice, we remain at risk that the mining claims may be forfeited either to the United States or to rival private claimants due to failure to comply with statutory requirements as to location and maintenance of the claims or challenges as to whether a discovery of a valuable mineral exists on every claim.

          In recent years the United States Congress has considered amendments to the General Mining Law of 1872, some of which would lower the value of unpatented mining claims by restricting activities and imposing additional user fees or production royalties. If enacted, these legislative changes could have an adverse impact on our operations.

          The development and completion of our properties entail significant risks.

           The development of mineral deposits involves significant risks that even the best evaluation, experience and knowledge cannot eliminate. The economic feasibility of our mining properties is based upon a number of factors, including estimations of reserves and mineralized material, extraction and process recoveries, engineering, capital and operating costs, future production rates and future prices of gold, silver, copper, mica, feldspathic sand and micaceous iron oxide.

          Our properties have no significant operating history upon which to base estimates of operating costs and capital requirements.

          As a result, estimations of mineralized material and reserves, mining and process recoveries and operating costs must be based to a large extent upon the interpretation of geologic data obtained from drill holes, and upon scoping and feasibility estimates that derive forecasts of operating costs from anticipated tonnages and grades of mineralized material and reserves to be mined and processed, the configuration of the mineralized deposits, expected recovery rates of minerals, comparable facility and equipment costs, and climatic conditions and other factors. Commonly in new projects, actual construction costs, operating costs and economic returns differ materially from those initially estimated. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our properties can be developed within the time frames or at the costs anticipated, or that any forecasted operating results can be achieved.

10


          The nature of mineral exploration and production activities involves a high degree of risk and the possibility of uninsured losses that could materially and adversely affect our operations.

          Exploration for minerals is highly speculative and involves greater risk than many other businesses. Most exploration programs fail to result in the discovery of economic mineralization. Our exploration and mining efforts are subject to the operating hazards and risks common to the industry, such as:

  • economically insufficient mineralized materials;
  • decrease in reserves due to lower metal prices;
  • fluctuations in production cost that may make mining uneconomical;
  • unanticipated variations in grade and other geologic problems;
  • unusual or unexpected formations;
  • difficult surface or underground conditions;
  • failure of pit walls or dams;
  • metallurgical and other processing problems;
  • environmental hazards;
  • water conditions;
  • mechanical and equipment performance problems;
  • industrial accidents;
  • personal injury, fire, flooding, cave-ins and landslides;
  • labor disputes; and
  • governmental regulations.

          Any of these risks can adversely affect the feasibility of development of our properties, production quantities and rates, and costs and expenditures. We currently have no insurance to guard against any of these risks. If we determine that capitalized costs associated with any of our mineral properties are likely not to be recovered, a write-down of our investment would be necessary. All of these factors may result in unrecoverable losses or cause us to incur potential liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

          Our ongoing operations, including past mining activities, are subject to environmental risks that could expose us to significant liability and delay, suspension or termination of our operations.

          All phases of our operations will be subject to federal, state and local environmental regulations. 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. 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. Future changes in environmental regulation, if any, may adversely affect our operations, make our operations prohibitively expensive, or prohibit them altogether. Environmental hazards may exist on the Black Canyon mica property, the Summit silver-gold property, the Lordsburg property, the Ortiz gold property, and the Planet micaceous iron oxide property and on properties in which we may hold interests in the future that are unknown to us at the present. Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities, causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions.

          Production, if any, at our projects may involve the use of hazardous materials.

          Should these materials leak or otherwise be discharged from their containment systems, then we may become subject to liability for hazards. We have not purchased insurance for environmental risks including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production, as it is not generally available at a reasonable price.

11


          In addition to environmental regulations, we are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations directly and indirectly relating to mining that often change and could adversely affect our business.

          We are subject to extensive United States federal, state and local laws and regulations related to mine prospecting, development, transportation, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health and safety, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, mine safety, hazardous materials, toxic substances and other matters. These laws and regulation frequently change. New laws and regulations or more stringent enforcement of existing ones could have a material adverse impact on us, causing a delay or reduction in production, increasing costs and preventing an expansion of mining activities.

          We depend on a limited number of personnel and the loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business.

          We are highly dependent on seven persons, namely Mr. Olson, our chairman; Mr. Pierce Carson, our president and chief executive officer and principal financial officer; Mr. Martinez, our controller; Mr. Ryan Carson, manager of legal affairs; Mr. Moore, general manager of our Summit project; Mr. Freeman, senior consultant; and Mr. Floyd, mill superintendent. We rely heavily on these seven individuals for the conduct of our business, and the loss of any of them could significantly and adversely affect our business. In that event, we would be forced to identify and retain a suitable replacement, which we may not be able to accomplish on terms acceptable to us. We have no life insurance on the life of any officer.

          Our Chief Executive Officer may face a conflict of interest relating to the acquisition of mineral properties by the Company.

          We have an agreement with Mr. Carson, which pre-dates his joining the Company as an officer and director, under which he identified properties that constitute potential acquisition targets. Although Mr. Carson has no pre-existing interest in the targeted properties, under the agreement he stands to gain if we acquire an identified property and either place it into production or sell it. This arrangement gives rise to potential conflicts of interest with regard to whether or not we should acquire a targeted property and the price we agree to pay for the property. While we have sought to mitigate the risk inherent in the arrangement with Mr. Carson by careful evaluation by the Board of Directors of any proposed transaction, this step may not be sufficient to eliminate the risk entirely. Acquisitions of the Summit silver-gold property and Ortiz gold property are subject to the property identification agreement with Mr. Carson.

          Delaware law and our Articles of Incorporation may protect our directors from certain types of lawsuits. Delaware law provides that our directors will not be liable to our stockholders or to us for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as directors of the Company.

          Our Articles of Incorporation permit us to indemnify our directors and officers against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. The exculpation provisions may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our directors caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances. The indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our directors and officers against claims, including claims arising out of their negligence, poor judgment, or other circumstances.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

           The sale of our common stock by selling stockholders may depress the price of our common stock due to the limited trading market that exists.

          Due to a number of factors, including the lack of listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange, the trading volume in our common stock has historically been limited. Trading volume over the last 3 months has averaged approximately 55,000 shares per day. As a result, the sale of a significant amount of common stock by selling shareholders may depress the price of our common stock and the price of our common stock may decline.

          Completion of one or more new acquisitions could result in the issuance of a significant amount of additional common stock, which may depress the trading price of our common stock.

          Acquisition of one or more additional mineral properties, conceptually, could result in the issuance of a significant amount of common stock. Such issuance could depress the trading price of our common stock.

12


          Our stock price may be volatile and as a result you could lose all or part of your investment.

          In addition to volatility associated with OTC securities in general, the value of your investment could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors upon the market price of our common stock:

  • changes in the worldwide prices for gold or silver;
  • disappointing results from our exploration or development efforts;
  • failure to meet our revenue or profit goals or operating budget;
  • decline in demand for our common stock;
  • downward revisions in securities analysts’ estimates or changes in general market conditions;
  • technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies;
  • investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and
  • general economic trends.

          In addition, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities generally have been highly volatile. These fluctuations commonly are unrelated to operating performance of a company and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, investors may be unable to resell their shares at a fair price.

          A small number of existing shareholders own a significant portion of our common stock, which could limit your ability to influence the outcome of any shareholder vote.

          Our executive officers and directors, together with our two largest shareholders, beneficially own approximately 40% of our common stock as of the date of this report. Under our Articles of Incorporation and Delaware law, the vote of a majority of the shares outstanding is generally required to approve most shareholder action. As a result, these individuals and entities will be able to influence the outcome of shareholder votes for the foreseeable future, including votes concerning the election of directors, amendments to our Articles of Incorporation or proposed mergers or other significant corporate transactions.

          We have never paid dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying any in the foreseeable future.

          We have not paid dividends on our common stock to date, and we may not be in a position to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ability to successfully develop one or more properties and generate revenue from operations. Further, our initial earnings, if any, will likely be retained to finance our growth. Any future dividends will depend upon our earnings, our then-existing financial requirements and other factors and will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

ITEM 1B.      UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.        PROPERTIES

Summit Silver-Gold Project

          Overview

          In May 2006, for cash consideration of $1,300,000, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of the Lordsburg Mining Company (“Lordsburg Mining”), a New Mexico corporation, from Imagin Minerals Inc., a privately-held industrial minerals company. We own and operate Lordsburg Mining as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Lordsburg Mining’s primary assets are the underground Summit silver-gold mine and related property consisting of 117 acres of patented mining claims and 740 acres of unpatented mining claims in Grant County, southwestern New Mexico; and the Banner mill, including mineral processing equipment consisting of a crushing and screening plant, a ball mill and a 400 ton-per-day flotation plant, and related property consisting of approximately 1,500 acres of wholly owned and leased patented and unpatented mining claims, located approximately 57 miles south of the Summit mine near Lordsburg, Hidalgo County, New Mexico;

13


          Our strategic objective is to develop the Summit project. In April 2007, we received results of an engineering study that concluded the Summit deposit would form the basis of an economically viable underground mining operation. On the basis of the results of the study, we determined to proceed to secure the capital necessary for development, and in December 2007 arranged for financing of $13.5 million by way of a private placement of senior secured convertible debentures. In September 2009, we entered into a gold sale agreement with an investor that included an upfront payment of $4,000,000 in return for sale of a portion of future gold production at a preferential price. In January 2010, we raised $10 million through a registered direct offering pursuant to an S-3 Registration Statement. We used the majority of the funds raised to acquire and construct the Summit mine and Banner mill and for working capital.

          Construction of the Banner mill and development of the Summit mine were initiated in Q1 2008, with an anticipated construction period of a minimum of twelve months. The Summit mine development is on-going. Construction of the Banner mill was completed in Q2 2009, except for the tailings dam and impoundment, for which in October 2009 we received a conditional permit allowing construction to proceed. Construction of the tailings disposal impoundment was completed in Q1 2010. We commenced processing operations at the Banner mill on March 25, 2010, and in July 2010 expanded milling operations to two shifts per day, five days per week. Sales of ore as silica flux commenced in Q2 2010 and sales of precious metals flotation concentrates began in Q3 2010. We plan to ramp up production from the Summit mine during the remainder of 2010 and expect to achieve commercial production in 2011.

          The Summit mining and processing operation involves underground mining of silver and gold ore from the Summit mine and trucking of the ore 57 miles to the Banner mill site where metallurgical processing takes place. At full production, mining is planned to be carried out at a rate of 400 tons per day (120,000 tons per year). At the Banner site, processing is accomplished through conventional crushing, grinding and selective flotation to yield a bulk sulfide concentrate containing the recoverable precious metals. This concentrate is planned to be marketed to a smelter or to a third-party precious metals processing plant.

          Since start-up in March 2010, the mill has demonstrated the ability to produce a high value silver-gold concentrate that averages around 600 ounces per ton silver and 10 ounces per ton gold. We have established trial sales of the concentrate to one smelter and plan to sell concentrate to other smelters as well. We also have shipped trial quantities of beneficiated Summit ore to two Arizona smelters as siliceous flux material, with the objective of reaching agreements on long term contracts. Any sales of siliceous flux material will be in addition to sales of concentrate produced at the Banner mill.

          Location and Access

          The Summit silver-gold property is located in a rugged and isolated setting in Grant County, southwestern New Mexico, near the Arizona state line. The property lies within the Steeple Rock Mining District, which has recorded notable historic production of gold, silver, base metals and fluorspar from several mines, currently inoperative, including Carlisle, East Camp and Norman King.

          The property is accessible by paved and gravel road approximately 15 miles northeast from Arizona State Highway 75 N and the town of Duncan, Arizona. Electric power is not available on or near the property and is generated on-site in connection with the Summit mining operation. Water for limited usage is available on and near the property.

          The terrain of the property is rugged, with steep canyons and ridges. Elevations range from 4,500 feet to 6,200 feet above sea level. The Summit siliceous mineralized structure forms a prominent northwesterly trending ridge.

          The Banner mill site lies 57 miles to the south of the Summit property near the town of Lordsburg, Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Lordsburg is connected to Duncan, Arizona via US Highway 70. The Banner mill site is accessible from Lordsburg by a 4-mile paved road. Utilities on site include water and electric power. The Lordsburg area is well supported by transportation services including trucking and rail services, and by a wide range of fabrication, construction and other support services. The labor force required for the plant operation can be sourced locally.

14


Figure X.1

Claim Boundary Map
[click for larger version]


15


          Mineral Title

          Our holdings at the Summit silver-gold property in Grant County, New Mexico consist of 10 patented federal mining claims totaling approximately 117 acres and 62 unpatented federal mining claims totaling approximately 740 acres. Our holdings at and adjacent to the Banner mill site in Hidalgo County, New Mexico consist of 86 wholly-owned patented federal mining claims, 5 wholly-owned unpatented mining claims, 17 leased patented mining claims and 6 leased unpatented mining claims, aggregating approximately 1,500 acres. All wholly-owned claims are held in the name of Lordsburg Mining. The unpatented mining claims are located on public land and held pursuant to the General Mining Law of 1872. We fully own the mining rights and believe the claims are in good standing in accordance with the mining laws of the United States.

          In order to maintain our claims in good standing, for our patented mining claims we must pay annual property taxes to Grant and Hidalgo Counties, and for our unpatented mining claims we must pay annual assessment fees to the Bureau of Land Management and record the payment of rental fees with Grant and Hidalgo Counties. We are current on property taxes related to our patented claims. Annual assessment and recording costs for our unpatented claims total approximately $10,500. We have paid the required fees for the 2010 and 2011 assessment years (September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2011).

          The Summit property is subject to underlying net smelter return royalties capped at $4,000,000 and to a net-proceeds interest on sales of unbeneficiated mineralized rock with an end price of $2,400,000. The Summit acquisition is subject to a property identification agreement between us and our President and Chief Executive Officer. See Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”.

          History of Mining and Exploration

          The Summit silver-gold property lies within the Steeple Rock district, which is one of the historic mining areas in the southwest United States. The former mines produced gold, silver and base metals from underground mining of epithermal vein systems. Prospecting activity dates back to before 1860. The first recorded production was from the Carlisle property, which operated from 1880-1897. A number of other mines including the Norman King and Billali also opened up during the 1880’s but ceased operation by the turn of the century. Following this early production, the district was largely dormant until the 1930’s-mid 1940’s when several mines operated. Subsequently sporadic small-scale operations continued until the 1990’s on various deposits including the Summit, Center, Mount Royal and Carlisle deposits.

          The US Bureau of Mines estimated that between 1880 and 1986 the Steeple Rock district produced at least 148,000 ounces of gold, 3.3 million ounces of silver, 1.2 million pounds of copper, and 5 million pounds of lead and 4 million pounds of zinc. In addition, there was unrecorded precious and base metal production as part of silica flux shipments. Some 6,500 tons of fluorspar also were produced.

          In the late 1970’s, Summit Minerals Inc. is reported to have shipped about 30,000 tons of mineralized material from the Summit property to ASARCO’s El Paso smelter as direct shipping silica flux grading 0.102 ounces per ton gold and 4.95 ounces per ton silver.

          Exploration work estimated to have cost in excess of $8.0 million was carried out on the Summit silver-gold property from 1984-1992. This work included drilling totaling 104,700 feet on the Summit and adjacent structures, of which 78,000 feet was directed to the Summit structure. In 1984-85, Inspiration Mines Inc. reportedly spent about $1.5 million conducting underground development, shallow core drilling and sampling and mapping. In 1988-89, Novagold Resources Inc. reportedly expended approximately $2 million in surface and airborne geophysical surveys, underground mapping and sampling, and core drilling. Novagold’s drilling identified a significant block of mineralized material in the Summit vein. From 1989-1992, Biron Bay Resources Ltd., in joint venture with Novagold, conducted extensive exploration, drilled 88 core holes, and reportedly spent over $5.0 million extending and improving the level of confidence in the mineralized material at the Summit vein and in defining exploration potential in adjacent and outlying vein structures.

16


          Geology and Mineralization

          The Steeple Rock district contains numerous structurally controlled epithermal vein systems. The veins are controlled by conjugate fault systems that cut a thick pile of Tertiary volcanic rocks of intermediate composition. The deposits are localized along structurally controlled, hydrothermally altered zones cutting the volcanic host rocks. The dominant structures trend northwesterly and dip steeply. Secondary veins trend easterly and north-northwesterly. The veins can be traced for distances of up to several miles along strike and have widths that range up to 100 feet or more.

          The epithermal veins have formed as open-space filling by a mixture of quartz, carbonate minerals and wallrock fragments and show evidence of multiple episodes of brecciation and re-cementation. Gold occurs as fine free grains or as electrum. Silver is found as argentite or in sulfosalts. Base metal sulfides including chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena are common in certain deposits but rare in others. Gangue minerals usually consist of quartz, pyrite, calcite, barite and fluorite. Alteration of the volcanic country rocks adjacent to the veins commonly consists of sericitization, argillization and silicification.

          The principal vein structure on the Summit silver-gold property is the Summit structure, which can be traced for 3,000 feet from southeast to northwest. The Billali structure forms a farther 2,000 foot continuation of the Summit structure in a northwesterly direction across an east-west fault. The Summit and Billali structures dip steeply to the northeast. These structures form segments of the East Camp Fault, which constitutes the main ore control in this part of the Steeple Rock district. The core drilling carried out from 1984-1992 tested both the Summit and Billali vein structures. Of the two, results from the Summit structure were the more promising with respect to vein continuity and economic potential.

          The Summit mineralized vein occurs within a wide, structurally controlled zone of hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks. Silver and gold mineralization is epithermal in style and consists of silver sulfides and electrum or native gold along with lesser pyrite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Precious metals contents, which are relatively low at the surface, increase significantly with depth for several hundred feet, apparently a reflection of vertical mineral zoning within the deposit. Below 1,000-1,500 feet, the precious metals contents appear to decrease although little deeper drilling was carried out. The main block of mineralized material, which occurs along the footwall of the structure, has been shown by extensive drilling to trend northwesterly about 1,500 feet in strike length and to extend 1,000 feet down dip. The true width of mineralization across the footwall mineralized zone ranges from 6 feet to over 50 feet and averages 10-15 feet.

          Ore Reserve

          In October 2009, Chapman, Wood and Griswold, Inc. (“CWG”), an independent geological engineering firm, completed a Technical Report on the Summit project compliant with Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Based on the work carried out for that report, in February 2010, CWG concluded that a portion of the mineralization in the footwall zone could be classified as a Probable Reserve under the SEC’s Industry Guide 7, as follows:

    Probable Reserve (Footwall Zone)  
                               
    Tons     Grade (oz/ton)(1)     Contained ounces  
          Au     Ag     Au     Ag  
                               
Inplace, diluted(2)(3)   686,750     0.143     10.78     98,205     7,403,165  
Minable @ 90% extraction   618,075     0.143     10.78     88,385     6,662,848  
Ounces in conc. at 80% rec.                     70,708     5,330,279  

(1)

Assays cut to 0.45 oz Au/t and 45.0 oz Ag/ton

(2)

Diluted with 1.0 foot at grade on each wall. Minimum 6.0-foot horizontal width.

(3)

Cutoff grade 0.16 oz Au equivalent per ton, using a 60:1 gold-silver price ratio and equivalent recoveries for gold and silver.

17


          Mineralized Material

          During the evaluation of the Summit Mine mineral resource base, CWG noted significant quantities of mineralized material that cannot be classified as Reserves, as follows:

        Tons     Grade (oz/ton)  
              Au     Ag  
                       
1. Single-hole, isolated blocks within the footwall zone; inplace, diluted.     71,380     0.144     5.44  
2. Mineralization peripheral to the Probable Reserve in the footwall zone; inplace, diluted.     370,000     0.067     4.19  
3. Mineralization in a hangingwall section of the structure; inplace, undiluted at a 5-foot minimum horizontal width.     196,000     0.092     3.80  

          CWG stated this mineralized material has the potential to be upgraded to Reserve status at current metal prices (approximately $1000 and $16 per ounce for gold and silver, respectively) following further definition by drilling and/or underground development.

          Project Economic Estimate

          Using capital and operating costs from CWG’s October 2009 Technical Report, and based on the Probable Reserves stated above, three-year (2007-2009) historic average gold and silver prices respectively of $846.57 and $14.34 per ounce, metallurgical recovery of 85 percent, and after payment of royalties and allowing for payments under a gold sale agreement, estimated Summit revenues over a six year mine life would total approximately $146 million and pre-tax net income would total approximately $77 million. Payback of capital would be achieved in 19 months after the commencement of production. The Company has approximately $48.4 million in federal tax loss carry-forwards to shelter federal income tax otherwise payable. Direct operating costs were estimated as $84.50 per ton of ore milled. The capital cost to bring the mine into production was estimated as $15.1 million, inclusive of mine development, mill construction, bonding requirements, and project management and working capital.

          Metallurgical Testing

          Conventional processing including crushing, grinding and milling of Summit mineralized material to produce a bulk sulfide flotation concentrate containing the recoverable precious metals has been evaluated and tested at bench scale. Based upon preliminary bench scale flotation tests, we believe that a precious metals recovery of approximately 80-86% with a concentration ratio of 70 to 1 is reasonably achievable. We believe that the concentrate could be treated to produce a dore product or alternatively, it could be marketed to a smelter or to a third-party precious metals processing operation for final extraction of gold and silver.

          Mineral Processing Equipment

          With the purchase of Lordsburg Mining in May 2006, we acquired an inactive 400 ton-per-day flotation plant, including ball mill and ancillary equipment. Subsequently, in June 2008, we purchased crushing, screening and conveying equipment. In order to utilize the flotation plant for mineral processing, we transported it from its previous location near Winston, Sierra County, New Mexico, refurbished it as necessary and erected it at the Banner mill site in Hidalgo County. In addition to the processing equipment acquired in 2006, we also acquired and installed other necessary equipment.

          Permits

          With the purchase of Lordsburg Mining in 2006, we acquired existing operating permits for the Summit property and the Banner mill site. The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division issued these permits to Lordsburg Mining pursuant to the New Mexico Mining Act. We have modified and revised these permits as necessary to begin operations as necessary to facilitate the commencement of mining at the Summit property and resumption of mineral processing operations at the Banner mill site.

18


          Permit No. GR001ME at the Summit mine allows operation of a “minimal impact mine”. As surface disturbance expands, it will be necessary to modify the permit and to post financial assurance for reclamation. Pursuant to the current permit, we have begun underground mining operations.

          Permit No. H1001RE at the Banner mill site is for an “existing mining operation” and authorizes us to conduct mining and reclamation operations according to the conditions stipulated in the permit. All proposed mining disturbances are required to be addressed under a closeout plan and to be secured by financial assurance. Our modification and revision of the permit allows resumption of flotation milling, construction of a tailings impoundment and discharge of tailings. We also have obtained or will apply for other necessary permits, including air quality permits for the Banner mill and Summit mine. The major permits required to begin operations have been granted, however we anticipate that other permits for which we may apply will require a minimum of several months to obtain, and there can be no assurance that approval will be obtained in a timely manner, if at all.

          Preliminary Feasibility Study

          In April 2007, we received results of an engineering study carried out by the independent geological engineering firm of Chapman, Wood and Griswold, Inc., of Albuquerque, New Mexico. CWG concluded that the Summit deposit would form the basis of an economically viable underground mining operation.

          CWG used an estimation of minable mineralized material for their study of 758,000 tons grading 10.28 ounces of silver per ton and 0.143 ounces of gold per ton in the main footwall zone. This estimation was adopted from a previous estimation carried out by St. Cloud Mining Co., and represents in-place, diluted, minable mineralization with a minimum six-foot horizontal width, based on results of assays from core holes and samples of underground workings. All high assay values were cut to 45.0 ounces of silver and 0.45 ounces of gold per ton. The CWG 2007 report was prepared in accordance with standards different than those prescribed by rules of the SEC. The SEC only permits the disclosure of proven or probable reserves.

          The Summit mining and processing operation is planned to involve underground mining of mineralized material from the Summit property at a rate of 400 tons per day (120,000 tons per year) and trucking of the mined material 57 miles to the Banner mill site where metallurgical processing will take place. At the Banner site processing will be accomplished through conventional crushing, grinding and selective flotation to yield a high-grade bulk sulfide concentrate containing the recoverable precious metals. The concentrate will be marketed to one of the area’s copper smelters or to a third-party precious metals processing plant.

          CWG prepared a mine design that employs rubber-tired equipment to gain access to the minable mineralization through two declines, one on each end of the deposit, which would be driven from existing headings to and along the mineralized structure to a connecting point in the central part of the deposit. Further development of the deposit would continue by extending a decline to the lower limits of mineralization. Sufficient longhole drilling and trial extraction methods would be done to further plan the operation.

          Potential Expansion of Proposed Initial Operation

          Establishment of the proposed mining operation at Summit potentially would allow the Company to further expand the current base of mineralized material at the Summit deposit and to develop other properties in the Steeple Rock mining district. The Banner flotation mill at Lordsburg also might generate mining and processing opportunities from our ground holdings adjacent to the Banner mill site in the Virginia mining district and/or from surrounding mining districts, several of which historically have yielded substantial production of base and precious metals.

          Development Activities

          In December 2007 we arranged for the $13.5 million in capital necessary for project development. We began construction activities in Q1 2008 and estimated a minimum of 12 months would be required for construction and execution of the major elements of the mining and processing plan described above.

19


          At the Summit mine, a seven hundred foot long 12’ x 12’ decline ramp intersected the predicted mineralized body in February 2009. Since then, we have proceeded to drive two development headings in the main mineralized structure, one an incline to the southeast planned to intersect old workings and to serve as a secondary escape and a source of additional ventilation, and the other a decline to the northwest toward additional mineralized bodies identified in previous drilling. The southeastern heading achieved its objectives in October 2009. The northwestern heading encountered the southern extensions of the predicted mineralized bodies in August 2009. Several thousand feet of underground development has been accomplished and work is proceeding on several headings. Stope development and test mining of ore bodies is underway, with the objective of ramping up production to the full production rate of 400 tons per day during 2011. Assays of mineralized bodies encountered to date show variable silver and gold values, with occasional very high grades encountered, as is to be expected from this style of epithermal mineralization. Assay results when averaged are consistent with the grades expected from previous estimates. The better grade material encountered in mine development activities is segregated at the mine and trucked to the Lordsburg mill site. Development operations are proceeding on the basis of two 10-hour shifts five days a week.

          At the Banner mill, construction was essentially completed in Q2 2009, except for the tailings disposal impoundment. We experienced a delay in obtaining a permit necessary for construction of the tailings disposal impoundment. In October 2009 we obtained a conditional permit allowing us to begin construction of the tailings disposal impoundment. Construction of the impoundment was completed in Q1 2010. Processing operations at the Banner mill commenced on March 25, 2010. Commissioning of the mill proceeded satisfactorily and operations were expanded to two shifts per day, five days per week beginning in July 2010. Sales of ore as silica flux commenced in Q2 2010 and sales of precious metals flotation concentrates began in Q3 2010. Ramp-up of mill throughput is planned to occur over a period of the next several months in conjunction with increased output from the Summit mine. We expect that the Summit project will achieve commercial production in 2011.

Ortiz Gold Project

          Overview

          In August 2004, we acquired exclusive rights for exploration, development and mining of gold and other minerals on 57,267 acres (approximately 90 square miles) of the Ortiz Mine Grant in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. In November 2007, we relinquished 14,970 acres and retained under lease 42,297 acres (66 square miles). In December 2005, we received the results of an independent scoping study of the Carache and Lucas gold deposits. The study assessed various processing options for development and provided estimations of capital and operating costs for each option. The report concluded that the financial results indicate a favorable gold project employing high pressure grinding rolls with gravity recovery and contract mining. The report also stated that considerable upside exists in estimations of mineralized material in both contained ounces and grade.

          Based on these results, we are proceeding to further examine mining and processing options and plan to continue this work over the next 12 months. We also intend to conduct an assessment of permitting and environmental issues. We have budgeted $500,000 for the planned work. We currently have not established proven or probable reserves on the Ortiz gold property.

          Location and Access

          The Ortiz Mine Grant, over which we hold a lease on the mineral estate underlying 42,297 acres (66 square miles) of segregated surface estate, is located 30 miles by road northeast of Albuquerque, in Townships 12, 13 and 14 North, Ranges 7 and 8 East, N.M.P.M., Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The villages of Golden, Madrid and Cerrillos, with a combined population of less than 1,000 people, lie in and adjacent to the Grant. Paved New Mexico Highway 14 traverses the western portion of the Grant. The main line of the Santa Fe Railway crosses the northeastern corner of the Grant. A network of unimproved ranch roads provides access to the various land holdings. High-voltage electric power lines cross the southern part of the Grant.

          Terrain in the Grant is hilly to mountainous, with elevations ranging from 6,000 feet in the valleys to nearly 9,000 feet in the Ortiz Mountains. Annual participation averages 12 inches. Vegetation is sparse but varied as is typical of the high deserts of the Southwest.

20


          The Grant is largely undeveloped and population is sparse. The land is utilized mainly for cattle grazing. Other activities include limited subdivision development in the northern part of the Grant, and mine reclamation work at the former Gold Field Ortiz (Cunningham Hill) mine site.

Figure X.2

Claim Boundary Map
[click for larger version]

21


          Mineral Title

          On August 1, 2004, we entered into an option and lease agreement with Ortiz Mines, Inc., a New Mexico corporation, whereby we acquired exclusive rights for exploration, development and mining of gold, silver, copper and other minerals on 57,267 acres (approximately 90 square miles) of the Ortiz Mine Grant in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. In November 2007, we relinquished 14,970 acres and retained under lease 42,297 acres (66 square miles). We paid an initial sum of $20,000 for a six-month option, and on February 1, 2005, paid the additional sum of $30,000 in order to exercise the option and enter into the lease and also to satisfy the obligation of the first year’s lease payment. Since February 1, 2006, we have paid annual lease payments, the last payment of $126,891 in January 2010 satisfying the lease payment through January 31, 2011. On May 1, 2010, we agreed with Ortiz Mines, Inc., to amend the terms of the lease. Under the amended terms, the lease provides for an extension of the initial term from seven to ten years (17 years in certain circumstances), continuing year-to-year thereafter for so long as we are producing gold or other leased minerals in commercial quantities and otherwise are performing our obligations under the lease. Among other terms, the amended lease provides for annual lease payments of $130,000; a sliding-scale production royalty varying from 3% to 5% depending on the price of gold; the requirement that we comply with governmental permitting and other regulations; and other terms common in mining leases of this type. The Ortiz gold project is subject to a property identification agreement between us and our President and Chief Executive Officer. See Item 13. “ Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”.

          History of Mining and Exploration

           Prospecting and mining of gold and silver in the Ortiz area dates to the arrival of the first European (Spanish) settlers in 1598. Significant gold production from Ortiz placers dates to 1821. By 1832 several veins and low-grade gold deposits had been discovered. In 1833 the Ortiz Land Grant, an area about 10.7 miles square centered on the Ortiz gold vein, was registered and possession given by the First Alcade of the City of Santa Fe. By the early 1840’s, mining at the small underground Ortiz Mine had ceased. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, sporadic attempts at commercial mining of lode and placer gold deposits were unsuccessful due to lack of water and/or low grades. Total pre-1980 mine production has been estimated as about 100,000 ounces of gold.

          The entire Grant was validated by the United States in 1860 under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The owners received fee simple title to the surface and minerals and the area became known as the Ortiz Mine Grant. Subsequently the Grant changed hands and the surface was sold subject to reservation of the mineral estate. In 1959 the mineral-interest owners and associates formed Ortiz Mines, Inc. for the purpose of promoting and marketing the mineral estate.

          In 1973, Consolidated Gold Fields leased the eastern portion of the Grant from Ortiz Mines, Inc. and developed and mined the Cunningham Hill deposit (Ortiz Mine). In the period 1980-1986, Gold Fields produced approximately 250,000 ounces of gold from an open-pit, heap-leach operation.

          From 1972 through the early 1990’s, several companies operating under lease with Ortiz Mines, Inc. carried out exploration and pre-development activities in the western portion of the Grant. These companies included Conoco, Inc., LAC Minerals (USA), Inc. and the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture. Expenditures by these groups are estimated to have exceeded $40 million. Drilling resulted in the identification of gold mineralization in several deposits.

          The LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture carried out the majority of the work in the western portion of the Grant, from 1989-1992. The Joint Venture focused on gold mineralization in two deposits in the southwestern part of the Grant, namely the Carache Canyon (“Carache”) and Lucas Canyon (“Lucas”) deposits. These two deposits were the subject of 386,000 feet of core and reverse-circulation drilling, metallurgical testing and pre-feasibility studies carried out by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture and by consulting firms and contractors engaged by the Joint Venture.

          Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (“IMC”), an independent geological engineering firm, was engaged by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture to audit estimations of the quantities and grades of in-place mineralized material at the Carache and Lucas deposits and to prepare conceptual open pit mine plans. In 1992, IMC estimated the Carache gold deposit, within the boundaries of a conceptual open pit, to contain mineralized material of 11.8 million tons grading 0.060 ounces of gold per ton. IMC estimated the Lucas gold-copper deposit, within the boundaries of a conceptual open pit, to contain mineralized material of 7.6 million tons grading 0.043 ounces of gold per ton and 0.22% copper.

22


          In 1989, the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture started a decline adit into the Carache deposit for the purpose of bulk sampling and to provide drilling access for shallow and deep exploration targets. However, after advancing 1719 feet the decline was halted due to a temporary water inflow coupled with regulatory issues. In the face of a declining gold price, mining development of the Carache or Lucas deposits did not proceed, and the project ultimately was cancelled and the lease returned to Ortiz Mines, Inc. Subsequently, no additional exploration was carried out and the property remained dormant until we leased it in August 2004.

          Geology and Mineralization

          The Ortiz Mine Grant is underlain by mid-Tertiary monzonite and latite porphyry stocks, plugs, dikes and sills that have intruded Paleozoic to early-Tertiary sedimentary rocks. The intrusive rocks are part of the Ortiz Porphyry Belt, which comprises from north to south, the Cerrillos Hills, the Ortiz Mountains, the San Pedro Mountains, and South Mountain. Structurally, the Grant straddles the Tijeras-Canoncito fault system, a northeast trending zone of fault-bounded horsts and grabens. This fault zone is a segment of a deep-seated crustal break that has been active intermittently since Precambrian time and has provided a zone of weakness for the emplacement of granitic magmas and associated mineralization. Late-stage volcanism resulted in the formation of breccia pipes and zones of intense fracturing that provided access for hydrothermal fluids carrying gold, silver, tungsten, molybdenum and base metals.

          The Ortiz Porphyry Belt exhibits a number of styles of mineralization that occur in a variety of geologic settings:

  • Gold-tungsten mineralization in a breccia pipe at Cunningham Hill adjacent to a volcanic vent, the Ortiz diatreme.
  • Gold mineralization associated with a collapse breccia at Carache Canyon.
  • Copper and gold disseminated in stockworks and fractures in monzonite at the Cunningham Gulch (gold) and Cerrillos (copper-gold) deposits (bulk tonnage low-grade “porphyry”-type deposits).
  • Copper – gold skarns in calcareous rocks at Lucas Canyon and San Pedro.
  • Lead – zinc – silver veins at the Cash Entry and other old mines north of Cerrillos.
  • Lead – zinc – silver pipe-like mantos in limestone at the Carnahan mine, San Pedro area.
  • Molybdenite in stockworks and fractures in the San Lazarus monzonite stock, San Pedro area.
  • Placer gold deposits on Cunningham Mesa, on the northern pediment of the San Pedro Mountains, and in most of the arroyos draining the Ortiz and San Pedro Mountains.

          At the Carache gold deposit, relatively coarse-grained free gold is contained in open space fractures developed in four gently dipping andesite porphyry sills and a sandstone unit around the collapsed margins of a breccia pipe. At the Lucas gold-copper deposit, mineralization occurs in garnet skarn developed in a limestone unit, the outcropping portion of which forms a dip slope at the surface.

          We believe the Ortiz Mine Grant holds significant potential for additional discoveries, and several partially tested prospects have been identified, three of which have been shown by drilling to contain mineralized material. About half the Ortiz Mine Grant is covered by Quaternary gravels derived from the outwash of adjacent mountains. Exploration targets may also exist beneath the gravel cover.

          Scoping Study of the Carache and Lucas Gold Deposits

          In October 2005, we commissioned Mineral Advisory Group, LLC (“MAG”) of Tucson, Arizona, an independent geological engineering firm, to carry out an engineering review and scoping study of the Carache and Lucas gold deposits, utilizing as a technical base the information generated by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture in 1989-1991. MAG’s study, which was completed in December 2005, assessed various processing options for development and provided estimations of capital and operating costs for each option. The MAG report was prepared in accordance with different standards than those prescribed by rules of the SEC. The SEC only permits the disclosure of proven or probable reserves, which in turn, require the preparation of a feasibility study demonstrating the economic feasibility of mining and processing the mineralized material. We have not received a feasibility study with regard to our Ortiz property. We currently have not established proven or probable reserves on the Ortiz property.

23


          The processing options MAG analyzed included heap leaching, ball milling/gravity concentration, and high pressure grinding rolls/gravity concentration (“HPGR option”). The optimum processing route was identified as the HPGR option. The HPGR option was estimated to be able to achieve gold recovery employing simple gravity concentration while minimizing capital and operating costs. As compared to heap leaching (the processing route previously advanced by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture), the HPGR option also potentially would have advantages with respect to environmental disturbance and permitting in that the area of surface disturbance would be smaller, chemicals would not be required in processing and there would be less water usage.

          Based on pre-1990 drilling estimations by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture, mineralized material from the two deposits totals 29.1 million tons averaging 0.035 ounces of gold per ton at a cut-off grade of 0.01 ounces per ton, within the boundaries of two conceptual pits previously designed by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture. MAG’s scoping study assumed this material would be mined at the rate of 3 million tons per year. The average stripping ratio (waste-to-mineralized material) was calculated as 2.6: 1.

          MAG’s report concluded, “The financial conclusions drawn from this study indicate a very favorable project employing High Pressure Grinding Rolls with gravity recovery and contract mining.” The report also stated that upside exists in estimations of mineralized material in both contained ounces of gold and grade, as had been concluded previously by the LAC-Pegasus Joint Venture.

          Permitting

          Mining and processing operations at the Ortiz gold property would require permits from the state and federal governments and also would be subject to county regulations. We have not applied for or obtained such permits. We may be unable to obtain such permits in a timely manner, on reasonable terms, or at all. If we cannot obtain or maintain the necessary permits, or if there is a delay in receiving such permits, any timetable and business plan for development and mining of the Ortiz gold property could be adversely affected.

          Work Program

          Over the next 12 months, we plan to continue assessment of mining and processing options for the Carache and Lucas deposits with the objective of formulating an optimized development and operating plan. We also intend to begin an assessment of permitting and environmental issues, which will be important for successful mining development. We expect this work to form a sound position upon which to formulate plans and budgets for advancement of the Carache and Lucas gold deposits.

          We also plan to continue evaluation of the large 66 square mile area under lease for its exploration potential for new discoveries of gold and copper deposits. In this regard, we will continue to utilize the large quantity of existing geological, geochemical, geophysical and drilling data.

          We have budgeted $500,000 for the work to be carried out over the next 12 months.

Black Canyon Mica Project

          Overview

          In 1999 we acquired the Black Canyon mica project from Arizona Mica Properties, Inc., a private Arizona corporation. In 2001 and 2002, we began construction of a crushing and concentrating plant at the Black Canyon mine site north of Phoenix, Arizona, and a mica grinding and processing facility in Glendale, Arizona. In 2002, we commissioned the processing facilities at the mine site and in Glendale, operated for several months on a test basis and achieved limited production and commercial sales. However, design capacity of the processing facilities was not achieved due to undercapitalization. In November 2002, after unsuccessful attempts to raise the additional capital necessary to expand plant capacity in order to reach design capacity and to provide working capital, we suspended crushing and concentrating activities at the Black Canyon mica mine. After the suspension of operations, limited production, marketing and sales continued through 2005 at the Glendale mica processing facility using inventoried mica. In November 2006, we sold all of our ownership interests in our Glendale, Arizona location.

24


The sale included approximately five acres of land, a 5,000 sq. ft. office building and an 18,000 sq. ft. mill building. Under the terms of the sale, we retained ownership of the mica processing equipment installed in the mill building. In January 2007, we removed the mica processing equipment from the Glendale plant and placed it into storage. In the first half of 2008, we disassembled the crushing and concentrating plant at the Black Canyon mine and placed the major items of equipment into storage. We intend to seek a joint venture partner to contribute the approximately $10.0 million estimated to be required to fund an updated feasibility study, re-establishment of the mining operation, relocation of the mica processing equipment and re-opening and enhancement of the Black Canyon mica project, or alternatively, intend to divest of the project.

          Location and Access

          The Black Canyon mine is located 30 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, and 3.5 miles west-southwest of Black Canyon City. It can be reached via U.S. Interstate 17, which connects Phoenix with Flagstaff, and by a connecting dirt road for the last eight miles. The Glendale processing plant was located in an industrial area on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona, 47 miles to the south of the mine site.

Figure X.3

Claim Boundary Map
[click for larger version]

25


          Mineral Title

          Our property holdings at and around the Black Canyon mine consist of 67 federal unpatented mining claims in Yavapai County, Arizona and 9 federal unpatented mill site claims in Maricopa County, Arizona, which in total cover approximately 1,385 acres. The claims are located on public land and held pursuant to the General Mining Law of 1872. We fully own the mining rights and believe the claims are in good standing in accordance with the mining laws of the United States.

          Additional details of our claims are as follows: In Yavapai County, the claims are Spencer Nos. 1-43, 77, 79, 122-127, 146-153, 155, 157, 184, and 186-190, located in Sections 12, 13, 14, 23 and 24, Township 8N Range 1E and Sections 6, 7 and 8, T8N R2E, and recorded by the Bureau of Land Management on 2/25/1999 and by Yavapai County on 2/26/1999. In Maricopa County, the claims are Mica Mill Site Nos. 12, 14, 16, and 19-24, located in Sections 27 and 28, T8N R2E, and recorded by the Bureau of Land Management on 9/17/1999 and by Maricopa County on 9/20/1999.

          In order to maintain our claims in good standing, we must pay annual assessment fees to the Bureau of Land Management and record the payment of rental fees with Yavapai and Maricopa Counties. Annual assessment and recording costs total approximately $11,000. We have paid the required fees for the 2010 and 2011 assessment years (September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2011).

          Mining and Processing Facilities

          The Black Canyon project formerly consisted of two integrated operating facilities. The mine site west-southwest of Black Canyon City contains the mineralized material. The crusher, the concentrator and the feldspathic sand plant were located at the mine site. These facilities depended on diesel generators for power. Our plans called for mining to be carried out by conventional open pit methods. The mineralized material would be trucked from the pit and delivered to a nearby stockpile located adjacent to the crusher and concentrator. Mica flakes would be separated from the pegmatite host rock in a process that involves multi-stage crushing and screening to -3/16” size. Mica would be concentrated from the crushed material utilizing air classifiers. The resulting concentrate, containing 95% mica, would be trucked to the processing plant for further processing.

          In the mica concentrating process at the mine site, the majority of the crushed host rock, which otherwise would be discarded as waste, would be converted into feldspathic sand for sale into the local Phoenix market. Processing of the feldspathic sand would involve screening and magnetic separation to yield sand fractions of various sizes. The sand products would be either bagged for shipment or trucked in bulk to customers.

          During 2002-2004, we processed mica concentrate at the 5-acre Glendale plant and office site on the west side of Phoenix. The processing was designed to achieve the desired product sizes and meet the quality requirements of the market place. The plant was housed in an 18,000 square foot steel framed building, where equipment was installed for wet grinding, dewatering, drying, and air classification and bagging. The final products were placed into 50-pound bags or into 1000-pound supersacks ready for shipment to customers.

          Operations at the mine site were suspended in November 2002 due to undercapitalization. The mica processing equipment was removed from the Glendale plant in January 2007, and the crushing and concentrating equipment was removed from the Black Canyon mine in June 2008. We are seeking a joint venture partner to contribute new funding in the amount of $10.0 million estimated to be required to fund an updated feasibility study, re-establish the crushing and concentrating facilities at the Black Canyon mine site, install the mica processing equipment at a new location and upgrade and expand the mining and processing facilities in order to reach planned capacity, and to provide working capital. These expansions are required in order to achieve the higher throughput necessary for sustained economic operation. Alternatively, we are seeking to sell the project.

          Permits

          In 1999, we obtained approval for the Black Canyon Plan of Operations from the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Arizona. An Environmental Assessment, Clean Water Act Permit and Air Quality Procedures were all approved. An Aquifer Protection Permit was not required because processing operations at the mine site did not propose the use of water. These permits are no longer in current standing and would have to be renewed or new permits obtained in order for the project to resume production.

26


          Geology and Mineralization

          The mica deposits occur as pegmatite dikes cutting Precambrian schist and granite. These dikes are steeply dipping tabular bodies, continuous along strike and with depth. The main pegmatite dikes are hosted by the schist and have a northeasterly trend parallel to the structural grain of the schist. Because the light colored pegmatite dikes are more resistant to weathering than is the enclosing schist, the dikes stand out at the surface as elongated light colored ridges relatively easy to discern and to map geologically.

          In the area of the drilled mineralization, a concentration of pegmatite occurs as a dike swarm and as massive irregular bodies of pegmatite. An associated major structure, the Central Pit fault, appears to have created a zone of dilation that provided open space for intrusion of the pegmatite. Drilling has identified seven individual dikes that range from approximately 4 feet to over 20 feet in thickness. At the surface, massive pegmatite crops out over a width exceeding 50 feet.

          The minerals of potential economic value are all found associated with the pegmatite dikes, and consist of muscovite mica, feldspar and silica. Muscovite mica, the principal commodity, constitutes a major accessory mineral of the pegmatite dikes and is ubiquitous in the pegmatite. Based on visual estimates of drill core, the content of muscovite in the pegmatite ranges from 5% to 35%. The muscovite is light to whitish green in color and occurs as discrete, coarse-grained inclusions as well as fine-grained disseminations in the pegmatite. Feldspar and silica, by-products of the proposed mining operation, make up most of the remaining component minerals of the pegmatite on about a 1:1 ratio.

          Estimation of Mineralized Material

          In 1998 and 1999, we drilled 41 inclined core holes and collected 59 samples of pegmatite exposed on the surface, at two central locations. The drill holes and surface samples were spaced approximately 50 feet apart. The holes ranged from 200 to 600 feet in length, and drilling totaled 13,070 feet. The drilling covered only a small portion of the zones of outcropping mica-bearing rocks mapped on our mining claims.

          Mintec Inc., an independent geological engineering firm, analyzed our drilling and sampling results, designed the mining plan and calculated an estimation of mineralized material. In-place mineralized material for the pit design was calculated as 2,399,500 tons of material grading 7.54% mica and 1,527,200 tons of additional material grading 7.37% mica, for total mineralized material of 3,926,680 tons grading 7.48% mica, at a cutoff grade of 2.47% mica. Approximately 60% of the mica contained in this mineralized material is expected to be recoverable after losses due to mining and beneficiation.

          Mica

          Our mineralized material contains high quality muscovite or “white mica”. Mica is a mineral characterized by crystals that can be easily split into thin elastic sheets and is valued for its unique combination of chemical, physical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. Muscovite exhibits perfect cleavage, flexibility and elasticity, infusibility, low thermal and electrical conductivity, high dielectric strength, light weight, good insulating characteristics, and is stable when exposed to moisture, light and high temperatures. Because of these properties, muscovite has found widespread application in plastics, automotive coatings, cosmetics, paints, catalysis and composite formulations. We believe, once adequate financing is obtained, that the project has the potential to produce 10,000 tons (20 million pounds) annually of premium wet-ground mica. For the project to be successful, we would need to penetrate existing markets and to establish our own markets in plastics, cosmetics and ultra-micronized applications.

          We have had no mica sales since 2007, when sales totaled $7,201. Previously, we sold mica, on a limited basis, to customers in the plastics and cosmetics industries and for other specialized applications. In addition, other potential consumers conducted trial tests of our mica products. Our inventory was largely depleted in fiscal 2006.

27


          Feldspathic Sand

          Our feldspathic sand was produced as a by-product of mica concentration and was screened and sized for sale into the Phoenix construction and recreational markets. Products included golf course bunker sand and sand used in stucco, mortar and other specialized construction applications. Once joint venture financing is obtained, we believe the project could produce 180,000 tons of feldspathic sand products annually.

          Sand producers in California and Nevada supply sand to the Phoenix manufactured sand market. Because the material has to be trucked long distances in order to reach Phoenix, trucking costs are significant and constitute a substantial proportion of the final selling price. We believe that the location of our Black Canyon mine only 30 miles from Phoenix may provide us with a transportation cost advantage over competitors who import sand into Arizona.

          We have sold no feldspathic sand since 2003, when we sold our inventory to customers in the Phoenix area.

          Work Program

          Over the next 12 months, we plan to seek a joint venture partner to contribute the estimated $10.0 million in new funding necessary to advance the Black Canyon mica project to full production. The new funding would be used to fund an updated feasibility study, re-establish crushing and concentrating facilities at the Black Canyon mine, install the mica processing equipment at a new location and upgrade and expand the mining and processing facilities in order to reach planned capacity and to provide working capital. These expansions are required in order to achieve the higher throughput necessary for sustained economic operation. As an alternative to arranging the $10.0 million of new funding required for production, we are seeking to divest of the project.

Planet Micaceous Iron Oxide (“MIO”) Project

          Overview

          The Planet property consists of thirty-one patented mining claims totaling 523 acres located in western Arizona. In September 2002, we leased the Planet property for its potential to produce micaceous iron oxide (“MIO”), and in June 2008 exercised our option to purchase the property. MIO is an uncommon flake-like form of crystalline hematite (Fe2O3) valued for the anti-corrosive properties it contributes to coatings formulated to protect structural steelwork.

          We believe the results of work to date indicate the Planet property contains a MIO deposit significant in grade and tonnage. The deposit appears to have characteristics favorable for the production of MIO from open pit mining. Preliminary metallurgical work suggests that with upgrading, a quality MIO product can be produced. For these reasons, we believe the project appears to exhibit potential for eventual production. As is characteristic of industrial mineral operations, marketing would play a critical role in the success of any new MIO operation. We plan to continue pre-feasibility assessment of the Planet project.

          Location and Access

          The Planet property is located in the northwest corner of La Paz County, west central Arizona. It lies just south of the Bill Williams River twelve miles above its junction with the Colorado River. The property is reached by road, either via the Swansea gravel road, twenty-eight miles north from the town of Bouse; or via the Osborne Well paved and gravel road, twenty-five miles east from the town of Parker.

          The topography of the property is rugged, with hills 100 to 500 feet high cut by numerous steep-sided canyons. Average elevation is 800 feet. The desert climate is typical of western Arizona, hot and dry in summer but mild in winter. Vegetation is sparse and confined mainly to the bottoms of the larger drainages.

          The project is well served by existing infrastructure for both construction and operation. All-weather roads connect the Planet property to the town of Parker, situated on the Colorado River with a population of about 4,000. Highways connect Parker to two east-west interstate trucking routes, I-10 and I-40, respectively 35 miles to the south and 60 miles to the north. Parker also is served by the Arizona & California Railroad, which is part of the national rail system.

28


          Electric power, water and other infrastructure are readily available at industrial sites in Parker. Fabrication and construction services, and a wide range of commercial and support services also are available in Parker and other nearby communities. We believe the labor force required for any plant operation could be sourced locally.

Figure X.4

Claim Boundary Map
[click for larger version]

29


          Mineral Title

          The property consists of thirty-one patented mining claims totaling 523 acres, comprising an area 3,600 feet wide by 8,000 feet long. We leased the property in September 2000 from the underlying owner, New Planet Copper Mining Company, for its potential to produce MIO. The lease gave us exclusive rights for a period of 20 years to explore, develop and mine MIO, copper, gold and other minerals. Terms of the lease included monthly payments of $1,500; an option to purchase the property for $250,000; and a production royalty of 5%.

          In March 2007, we commenced an action in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona against New Planet Copper Mining Company, seeking to confirm that our lease remained in good standing. On June 5, 2008, we reached a settlement agreement and agreed to exercise our option to purchase the property. The purchase price of $250,000, as specified under the terms of the 2000 lease agreement, may be paid with interest over a term of four years. We paid an initial purchase payment of $50,000 in August 2008, a payment of $69,650 in September 2009 and a payment of $63,094 in August 2010. There also is provision for a 5% royalty to be paid on any future production.

          History of Mining and Exploration

          The Planet deposit was worked for its copper value from 1863 until l884, and then intermittently through the early 1900’s. Several shafts were sunk and 8,000 feet of underground workings were developed. High-grade copper ore was extracted and shipped to Swansea, Wales, and to San Francisco. The last mining activity took place between 1915 and 1918 when all remaining high-grade ore was mined and shipped. In total, the property produced approximately 50,000 tons of ore grading 10% copper.

          Between 1942 and 1944, the U. S. Bureau of Mines investigated the quantity and quality of mineralized material containing iron oxide at the Planet deposit. This work was conducted as part of the wartime evaluation of potential domestic sources of strategic minerals, including sources of iron ore for the steel industry. The Bureau carried out geologic mapping and sampling, and conducted drilling programs utilizing both churn and diamond drilling methods. The information that resulted from this work was compiled and recorded in Report of Investigations 3982, “Exploration of the New Planet Iron Deposit”. We believe that the information is reliable and of good quality. In 1945, it was used by the Bureau to calculate the tonnage and grade of mineralized material containing iron oxide at the Planet deposit.

          Work Program

          Work we completed included recovery and surveying of the U. S. Bureau of Mines drill holes from 1942-1944; aerial photography and production of orthophotographs and topographic base maps; compilation of a comprehensive digital database and construction of a computerized block model incorporating all geological, geochemical and assay data; estimations of tonnage and grades of mineralized material containing iron oxide; design of conceptual open pits; preliminary metallurgical testing of MIO material; studies of MIO markets; and conduct of scoping studies to assess the project’s potential for production.

          We plan to continue pre-feasibility assessment of the Planet project.

          Geology and Mineralization

          At the Planet deposit, MIO deposits associated with a mid-Tertiary, flat-lying, regional detachment fault are found in the Triassic Buckskin Formation. Rocks in the upper plate above the fault are composed of schist, limestone, hydrothermal carbonate and quartzite. Lower-plate rocks are gneisses. The upper and lower plates are separated by fault breccias up to 60 feet thick. The main mineralized bodies at the Planet deposit are found in the lower part of the upper plate, adjacent to and above the detachment fault. They occur as tabular replacements of hydrothermal carbonate, limestone and schist. The overall trend of the mineralized bodies is north fifty-five degrees east, and the plunge is eight to nine degrees to the southwest. Individual bodies dip ten to twenty degrees to the northwest.

          The mineralized bodies form discontinuous lenses, irregular bodies and veins that individually are as much as 700 feet long, 250 feet wide, and 50 feet thick. Mineralized material consists dominantly of specularite and massive hematite with some limonite, malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, and minor pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, gold, and silver. Associated minerals include quartz and calcite. The mineralized material is silicified and very hard at the surface and to a depth of ten feet, but underground it is soft and powdery.

30


          The U. S. Bureau of Mines and the Company each has estimated the quantities and grades of mineralized material containing iron oxide at the Planet deposit. In 1945, the Bureau of Mines estimated the deposit contained 1.4 million tons averaging 60 percent iron (85.8% Fe2O3). The Bureau based this estimation on work it had carried out during 1942-1944, including drilling of twelve churn holes aggregating 3,742 feet, and ten diamond holes totaling 569 feet; and mapping, surveying, and sampling of surface outcrops and underground workings.

          Our new, more detailed estimations employed computerized analytical methods and construction of a block model. We estimated that a total of 1.4 million tons of mineralized material grading 44.4% iron would be contained in three conceptually designed open pits. In carrying out our study, we compiled a comprehensive digital database incorporating relevant information from all sources. The database relied heavily on the information available from the Bureau of Mines, including geologic and assay data from drill holes, and results of surface and underground channel sampling. The database contained new survey information that tied the locations of drill holes and underground workings to accurate topographic maps generated from aerial photographs.

          The SEC only permits the disclosure of proven or probable reserves, which in turn, require the preparation of a feasibility study demonstrating the economic feasibility of mining and processing the mineralized material. We have not received a feasibility study with regard to our Planet property. We currently have not established proven or probable reserves on the Planet property.

          Conceptual Mining and Processing Plan

          As presently conceived, the Planet mining and processing operation would involve open-pit mining of MIO mineralized material, primary crushing of the material at the mine site, and trucking of the crushed material twenty-five miles to a processing plant to be located at an industrial site near Parker. At the plant site, metallurgical processing would be straightforward, and based on results from preliminarily metallurgical testing, would include grinding, classification, selective flotation or other method of separating the MIO, and filtration and drying to yield recovery of MIO and red iron oxide, a secondary product. A stockpile of mineralized material sufficient for plant operation would be maintained at the plant site. Because only small tonnages of material would need to be mined during the early years of operation, we believe mining and related activities would be carried out most efficiently on a periodic, campaign basis utilizing outside contractors. The project is well situated with respect to development infrastructure and transportation networks. MIO mineralized material is non-toxic and we see no significant environmental issues that would hinder development.

          Micaceous Iron Oxide

          MIO is an uncommon flake-like form of crystalline hematite (Fe2O3) valued for the anti-corrosive properties it contributes to coatings formulated to protect structural steelwork. MIO improves UV stability, adhesion, surface tolerance and abrasion resistance, and significantly increases coating life. It also has the advantage of being non-toxic to the environment. In Europe and Asia, MIO is the most important barrier pigment used to protect structural steelwork from corrosion. For many years it has been employed with outstanding success on bridges, oilrigs, transmission towers, pipelines, storage tanks, industrial plants and structural steelwork of all descriptions. The Eiffel Tower and Sydney Harbor Bridge are two examples.

          Based on limited available market data, world production of MIO is estimated to be 20,000-30,000 tons (40-60 million lbs) annually, of which Europe and Asia consume over eighty percent. Prices are quoted in the range $0.40 -$.60 per pound for top quality material. Commercial deposits of high quality MIO are geologically rare. One supplier from underground mines in Austria has dominated the world market for many years; however, production from that source has been declining. Elsewhere around the world, production comes from only a handful of suppliers, operating on a small scale and, we believe, at high production costs.

          The United States uses only a relatively small amount of MIO pigment as compared to other regions of the world. We believe that lack of a domestic source of MIO has forced U. S. paint manufacturers to depend on imports and has restricted market expansion. The Planet project, if developed, would establish a domestic source of MIO pigment.

31


          Lordsburg Exploration Project

          In June 2010 we commenced an exploration program on our extensive ground holdings in the Lordsburg (Virginia) Mining District, where we control approximately 1,500 acres of prospective ground, the majority of which is comprised of patented mining claims that we own, and the remainder patented and unpatented mining claims that we lease. To date we have completed an aerial mapping survey covering 30 square miles and are carrying out data compilation and detailed geologic mapping and sampling. We plan to follow these activities by geophysical surveys and drilling of prospective targets. The work already has been successful in identifying several attractive exploration targets, and more are expected. Recorded historic production from the Lordsburg Mining District, at today’s metal prices, has exceeded $1.0 billion in gold, silver and copper. The majority of this historic production came from mines on ground that we now control. We are conducting the Lordsburg exploration program pursuant to our long term strategy of finding sources of ore to augment ore from the Summit silver-gold mine, in order to fully utilize the excess capacity of the Banner mill.

Pilar Gold Project

          In June 2009, we entered into a purchase option contract on the Pilar gold property consisting of two mineral exploitation concessions located 165 kilometers east-southeast of Hermosillo, State of Sonora, Mexico. In February, 2010, we received disappointing results from an extensive trenching and sampling program on the property. On the basis of the results, we determined to relinquish our interest in the property and did so prior to the option payments otherwise due March 13, 2010.

          Minera Sandia S.A. de C.V., the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into the option purchase contract with Minera de Suaqui Grande, S. de R.L. de C.V. The Pilar property consists of the La Sonora and Guadalupana exploitation concessions, which cover 100 hectares (240 acres). The contract provided for option payments of $1,000 upon signing, $99,000 on March 13, 2010, and $125,000 on March 13, 2011. The last payment of $1,307,000, to complete the purchase, was due March 13, 2012. In connection with the acquisition, we entered into a consulting agreement with Minera de Sauqui Grande, S. de R.L. de C.V. wherein we agreed to issue 117,000 restricted shares of common stock. We also entered into a finders agreement wherein we agreed to pay creditors $11,150 in cash and 17,400 in restricted common stock. We also agreed to pay finder’s fees of $15,000 in cash and 25,000 in restricted common stock, and to match option and purchase payments when they became due by payments either in cash or in restricted common stock. We were not required to pay a production royalty under the agreements.

Glossary

Alluvium

Unconsolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay deposited by streams.

   
Andesite

A common fine-grained continental lava containing sodium feldspar, no quartz and associated with mountain-making processes.

   
Argentite

Silver sulfide mineral, a common source of silver.

   
Argillization

Alteration of feldspars to form clay minerals, especially in wall rocks adjacent to mineral veins.

   
Azurite

Blue hydrous copper carbonate mineral formed in oxide zone of copper deposit.

   
Barite

Barium sulfate mineral, the main source of barium.

   
Bornite

Copper-iron sulfide mineral, an important source of copper.

   
Breccia

Rock composed of broken rock fragments, found in sedimentary or volcanic environments.

   
Calcite

Calcium carbonate mineral, the main constituent of limestone and marble.

   
Chalcopyrite

Copper-iron sulfide mineral, an important source of copper.

   
Diatreme

Volcanic pipe containing milled breccia that was formed by explosive gaseous venting and upward transport of material.

32



Dike Tabular discordant intrusive rock.
   
Dip

Acute vertical angle that a rock surface makes with a horizontal plane. Direction of dip is always perpendicular to strike.

   
Electrum

Alloy of silver and gold.

   
Epithermal

Refers to hydrothermal mineral deposit formed within a few thousand feet of surface at relatively low temperature and pressure, commonly a vein.

   
Fault

A break in the rocks along which movement has occurred.

   
Feldspar

Common alumino-silicate mineral containing sodium, potassium and/or calcium, formed in igneous environment and constituting over 60% of the Earth’s crust.

   
Feldspathic sand

Sand containing feldspar and quartz.

   
Flotation

Metallurgical process that begins concentration of economic minerals from gangue.

   
Fluorite

Calcium fluoride mineral, also called fluorspar.

   
Galena

Lead sulfide mineral, the main source of lead.

   
Gangue

Valueless material accompanying economic minerals in a mineral deposit.

   
Garnet

Silicate mineral formed at high temperature and found in metamorphic rock and in skarn near the contact zone of igneous intrusive rocks.

   
Gneiss

Metamorphic rock exhibiting compositional banding formed at depth in a high temperature and pressure environment.

   
Granite

Common coarse-grained igneous rock composed of light colored minerals including quartz and feldspar.

   
Heap leaching

A process used for the recovery of precious metals and copper from low-grade ores. Crushed material is laid on an impervious pad and uniformly leached by the percolation of the leach liquor trickling through the beds by gravity to ponds. The metals are recovered by conventional methods from the solution.

   
Hematite

Iron (ferrous) oxide mineral.

   
Hydrothermal

Relating to or produced by extremely hot water.

   
Igneous

Refers to a rock or mineral that solidified from magma, i.e., molten material.

   
Lava

Rock formed as a result of cooling and solidification of magma (molten rock) poured out on the earth’s surface.

   
Malachite

Green hydrous copper carbonate mineral formed in the oxide zone of copper deposit.

   
Manto

Tabular or pipe-like mineral deposit formed by selective replacement commonly of limestone beds by mineralizing solutions introduced along faults.

   
Metamorphic

Refers to rock changed in texture and composition by high temperature and/or pressure deep beneath the surface.

   
Mica

Group of phyllosilicate minerals, common variety muscovite, with perfect basal (micaceous) cleavage yielding tough, elastic flakes and sheets; colorless, white, yellow, green, brown, or black; common in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

   
Micaceous Iron Oxide
(“MIO”)

Platy variety of specularite used in coatings to protect structural steelwork from corrosion.

   
Mineralized

Material added by hydrothermal solutions, principally in the form of mineral deposits. Often refers to the presence of a mineral of economic interest in the rock.

   
Molybdenite

Molydenum sulfide mineral, the main source of molybdenum

   
Monzonite

Coarse-grained igneous rock containing quartz and composed of approximately equal amounts of sodium and potassium feldspars.

33



Net Smelter Return

An interest in a mining property held by the vendor on the net revenues generated from the sale of metal produced from the mine.

   
Ore

Mineral of economic value that can be extracted profitably and legally.

   
Oxidation

The conversion of sulfide minerals to oxide minerals through weathering at or near the earth’s surface.

   
Paleozoic

The era of geologic time when fish, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and land plants first appeared, about 600 million to 230 million years ago.

   
Pegmatite

Very coarse-grained igneous rock containing quartz, feldspar and mica, usually found as irregular dikes, lenses or veins, esp. at the margins of granites.

   
Placer

Deposit of sand or gravel containing concentrations of valuable minerals, typically gold.

   
Plunge

The vertical angle between a horizontal plane and the line of maximum elongation of a linear geologic feature.

   
Porphyry

Igneous rock exhibiting a characteristic texture reflecting relatively large feldspar phenocrysts in a fine-grained groundmass.

   
Precambrian

All geologic time before the beginning of the Paleozoic. It encompasses about 90% of geologic time (…4600-590 million years ago).

   
Pyrite

Iron sulfide mineral.

   
Quaternary

A period of geologic time from about 2 million years ago until the present.

   
Schist

Metamorphic rock exhibiting strong cleavage due to alignment of fibrous or platy minerals.

   
Sericitization

Replacement of rock by sericitic muscovite due to hydrothermal activity.

   
Silicification

Introduction of or replacement by silica.

   
Skarn

Characteristic high-temperature calc-silicate mineral assemblage formed in calcareous rocks near the contact zone of igneous intrusion.

   
Sphalerite

Zinc sulfide mineral, the main source of zinc.

   
Specularite

Crystalline form of hematite.

   
Stratigraphy

The study of rock strata, especially of their distribution, deposition, and age.

   
Strike

Direction of line formed by intersection of a rock surface with a horizontal plane. Strike is always perpendicular to direction of dip.

   
Sulfide

A mineral compound containing sulfur but no oxygen.

   
Tailings

Waste product from ground ore.

   
Tertiary

The first period of the Cenozoic era during which mammals became dominant and modern plants evolved, 65 million to 1.6 million years ago.

   
Vein

A mineral filling of a fault or other fracture in a host rock, in tabular or sheetlike form, commonly with associated replacement of the host rock; a mineral deposit of this form and origin.

   
Volcanism

Volcanic activity, including the eruption of lava and rock fragments and gas explosions.

   
Quartz

A silicate mineral composed of silicon and oxygen.

   
Quartzite

Metamorphic rock composed of quartz.

ITEM 3.      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

          We are not currently subject to any legal proceedings, and to the best of our knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened, the results of which would have a material impact on our properties, results of operation, or financial condition. Nor, to the best of our knowledge, are any of our officers or directors involved in any legal proceedings in which we are an adverse party.

34


ITEM 4.        SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

          None.

PART II

ITEM 5.        MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

          Our common stock trades over-the-counter and is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “SFEG.” The table below sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock as reflected on the OTC Bulletin Board for the last two fiscal years. Quotations represent prices between dealers, do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions, and do not necessarily represent prices at which actual transactions were effected.

Quarter ended OTCBB
  (U.S. $)
2008 HIGH LOW
09/30/08 $0.87 $0.56
12/31/08 $0.77 $0.54
     
2009 HIGH LOW
3/31/09 $1.34 $0.60
6/30/09 1.35 1.00
9/30/09 1.30 0.90
12/31/09 $1.74 $1.07
     
2010 HIGH LOW
3/31/10 $1.70 $0.91
6/30/10 $1.08 $0.77

Holders of Common Equity

          As of September 27, 2010, there were 93,062,510 common shares outstanding, the high and low sales prices of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board were $1.19 and $0.80, respectively, and we had 787 holders of record of our common stock.

Penny Stock Rules

          Due to the price of our common stock, as well as the fact that we are not listed on Nasdaq or a national securities exchange, our stock is characterized as a “penny stock” under applicable securities regulations. Our stock therefore is subject to rules adopted by the SEC regulating broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. The broker or dealer proposing to effect a transaction in a penny stock must furnish his customer a document containing information prescribed by the SEC and obtain from the customer an executed acknowledgment of receipt of that document. The broker or dealer must also provide the customer with pricing information regarding the security prior to the transaction and with the written confirmation of the transaction. The broker or dealer must also disclose the aggregate amount of any compensation received or receivable by him in connection with such transaction prior to consummating the transaction and with the written confirmation of the trade. The broker or dealer must also send an account statement to each customer for which he has executed a transaction in a penny stock each month in which such security is held for the customer’s account. The existence of these rules may have an effect on the price of our stock, and the willingness of certain brokers to effect transactions in our stock.

35


Transfer Agent

           Colonial Stock Transfer Co. is the transfer agent for our common stock. The principal office of Colonial Stock Transfer Co. is located at 66 Exchange Place, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 and its telephone number is (801) 355-5740.

Dividend Policy

          We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including the terms of any credit arrangements, our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion.

Performance Graph

          The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “solicting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in such filing.

          The following graph compares the performance of Santa Fe Gold Corporation with the performance of the S&P BMI Gold & Precious Metal Index, and a Peer Group of companies with comparable market capitalizations. The graph represents monthly index levels derived from compounded daily returns that include all dividends. The indexes are reweighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day. The index level for all series was set to $100.00 on June 30. 2005.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

          On July 27, 2009, the Company issued 94,339 shares of common stock at $1.06 per share in connection with a private placement. As part of the private placement the Company also issued 47,169 warrants with an exercise price of $1.06 per share and an expiration of 5 years.

36


          On August 6, 2009, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock at $1.06 per share in connection with a private placement. As part of the private placement the Company also issued 50,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.06 and an expiration of 5 years.

          On August 17, 2009, the Company issued 18,868 shares of common stock at $1.06 per share in connection with a private placement. As part of the private placement the Company also issued 9,434 warrants with an exercise price of $1.06 per share and an expiration of 5 years.

ITEM 6.      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

          The following selected financial data sets forth our summary historical financial data as of and for the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006. This information was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for each period. Our selected historical financial data is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. For additional information relating to our operations, see “Item 1. Business” and “Item 2. Properties.”

    Year Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
Operating Data                              
Net loss from operations $  (3,366,420 ) $  (3,620,726 ) $  (1,975,968 ) $  (1,786,492 ) $  (3,607,923 )
Other income   2,157,066     (1,914,870 )   (2,447,624 )   2,132,471     (1,775,445 )
Net income (loss)   (1,209,354 )   (5,535,596 )   (4,423,592 )   345,979     (5,383,368 )
Basic & diluted income (loss) per share $  (0.01 ) $  (0.07 ) $  (0.06 ) $  0.01   $  (0.09 )
Diluted income per share $  --   $  --   $  --   $ 0.02   $  --  
Weighted average shares - basic   87,639,127     76,989,929     74,260,393     67,441,641     60,304,242  
Weighted average shares - diluted   87,639,127     76,989,929     74,260,393     75,243,252     60,304,242  
                               
Balance Sheet Data                              
Cash and cash equivalents $  5,540,130   $  509,846   $  3,255,754   $  639,852   $  1,265,392  
Total current assets   5,807,338     660,097     3,358,281     846,066     1,607,398  
Property and equipment, net   3,790,215     3,848,292     1,915,151     1,320,463     1,753,259  
Other assets & mineral properties   17,803,281     12,262,914     3,571,765     1,725,341     1,867,658  
Total assets $  27,400,834   $  16,771,303   $  8,845,197   $  3,891,870   $  5,228,315  
                               
Current liabilities $  11,213,275   $  4,512,400   $  4,080,786   $  3,780,006   $  7,146,212  
Long-term obligations   14,249,216     15,144,800     5,995,212     75,309     3,605,874  
Shareholders’ equity (deficit)   1,938,343     (2,885,897 )   (1,230,801 )   36,555     (5,523,771 )
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit) $  27,400,834   $  16,771,303   $  8,845,197   $  3,891,870   $  5,228,315  

ITEM 7.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

          Except for the historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that the following discussion contains certain forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the “Cautionary Statement On Forward-Looking Statements” appearing at the beginning of this Annual Report. We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Our actual results or actions may differ materially from these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Company and notes thereto included elsewhere in the Annual Report. See “Financial Statements”. Our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect.

37


Overview

          We have received no substantial revenue from the production of gold or other metals since our inception, and historically have relied on equity and debt financings to finance our ongoing operations. Our operations generated a net loss of $1,209,354 for the year ended June 30, 2010, and net losses of 5,535,596 and $4,423,592 for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In order to fund operations in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2010 , 2009 and 2008, we relied on proceeds from the sale of equipment aggregating $99,584 for the three years, private placement sales of convertible notes in October 2007 and February 2008 aggregating $687,143, proceeds from the exercise of Additional Investment Rights in January, April and June 2008 aggregating $643,614, the private placement sale in December 2007 of senior secured convertible debentures of $13,500,000, the private placement sale in June 2009 of common stock of $300,000, financing of $4,000,000 in September 2009 relating to a gold sale agreement, and a registered direct sale of equity of $10,000,000 in January 2010.

          The net proceeds of the private placement of senior secured convertible debentures completed in December 2007 were used primarily to fund the development of the Summit mine and processing facilities. The remainder of the proceeds of the 2009 and 2008 financings was utilized as general working capital.

          In September 2009, we entered into a sale agreement for a portion of our gold production from the Summit mine. The agreement provided for an upfront cash payment of $4.0 million and ongoing production payments equal to the lesser of $400 per ounce and the prevailing market price, for each ounce of gold delivered pursuant to the agreement. Proceeds were used for on-going development of the Summit mine, completion of construction of the Banner mill processing facilities and working capital.

          In January 2010 we sold $10 million of securities to institutional investors in a registered direct offering pursuant to an S-3 Registration Statement. We received net proceeds of $9,375,000 after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. Proceeds are being used for on-going development of the Summit mine, acquisition of additional feed sources for expansion of the Lordsburg mill, advancement of the Ortiz gold project, exploration in the Lordsburg area and pursuit of acquisition opportunities.

          The results of operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 reflect under-capitalization of our Summit silver-gold project which requires additional funding to be able to achieve production and profitability. We expect results of operations similar to those in 2010 and 2009 to continue in the foreseeable future, and do not expect them to change significantly until such time as profitable production is achieved at our Summit mine and/or additional capital and/or debt facilities are secured. There is significant uncertainty in our Summit estimates of both future costs and future revenues, and we may require additional capital resources to complete our plans.

          We are dependent on additional financing to continue our exploration efforts in the future and if warranted, to develop and commence mining operations. While we have no current plans or arrangements for this additional capital requirement, we anticipate that we will be seeking additional equity financings in the future.

          We anticipate a need for at least $5.0 million over the next 12 months, and $12.0 million over the next 36 months in order to satisfy past commitments, pay corporate overhead costs, complete Summit development, and fund feasibility studies and exploration programs as discussed under the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this report. If we fail to procure adequate funding on acceptable terms, we may be required to reduce or eliminate substantially all business activities until such time as funding can be secured on a basis acceptable to us.

          The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. Should we be unable to continue as a going concern, we may be unable to realize the carrying value of our assets and to meet our obligations as they become due.

          We have a total accumulated deficit of $55,129,450 at June 30, 2010. To continue as a going concern, we are dependent on continued fund raising. However, we have no commitment from any party to provide additional capital and there is no assurance that such funding will be available when needed, or if available, that its terms will be favorable or acceptable to us.

38


Liquidity and Capital Resources; Plan of Operation

          As of June 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $5,540,130 as compared to $509,846 at June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2010, we had a working capital deficit of $5,405,937, which is attributable to the current portion of our non-cash derivative instrument liabilities of $9,843,041.

          On January 20, 2010 we entered into definitive agreements with 23 institutional investors to purchase $10 million of securities in a registered direct offering. We received net proceeds of $9,375,000 after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The securities were offered pursuant to an effective S-3 Registration Statement. The Company sold to the investors an aggregate of 7,692,310 shares of its common stock, and warrants to purchase up to 3,846,155 additional shares of common stock. Each unit, consisting of one share of common stock and one-half of a warrant to purchase a share of common stock, was sold for a purchase price of $1.30. The warrants to purchase additional shares are exercisable at an exercise price of $1.70 per share and have a term of 5 years.

          On September 11, 2009, we entered into a definitive gold sale agreement with Sandstorm Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SSL) (“Sandstorm”) to sell a portion of the life-of-mine gold production (but not silver production) from our Summit silver-gold mine. Under the agreement we received an upfront cash deposit of $4.0 million, plus we will receive ongoing production payments equal to the lesser of $400 per ounce or the prevailing market price, for each ounce of gold delivered pursuant to the agreement for the life of the mine. Gold production subject to the agreement includes 50% of the first 10,000 ounces of gold produced, and 22% of the gold thereafter. The amount of payable gold can be reduced from 22% to 15% provided that within 36 months the Summit mine reaches certain performance levels in any consecutive 12 month period, in compliance with prefeasibility estimates, including 1) the rate of ore mined and processed must average 400 tons per day or more, and 2) payable gold production must exceed 11,500 ounces during such consecutive 12 month period. Sandstorm made an initial payment of $500,000 and on October 7, 2009 paid the remaining $3,500,000 balance of the upfront cash deposit. We will receive credit against the $4,000.000 upfront cash deposit for the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for those gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeds $400 per ounce. These credits will be recognized as revenue, in addition to the ongoing production payments received for gold delivered pursuant to the agreement. In certain circumstances, including failure to meet minimum production rates, interruption in production due to permitting issues and customary events of default, the agreement may be terminated. In such event, we may be required to return to Sandstorm the upfront cash deposit of $4.0 million less a credit for gold delivered up to the date of that event, which is determined using the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeded $400 per ounce.

          On December 21, 2007, we entered into a definitive agreement for the placement with a single investor of senior secured convertible debentures in the amount of $13,500,000. Proceeds from the debentures were used primarily for the development of the Summit project. The debentures were issued in accordance with a pre-determined funding schedule and the term of the debentures is 60 months. In fiscal 2008, we received advances aggregating $5,350,000 under the agreement, and in fiscal 2009 received advances aggregating $8,150,000, bringing the total received to $13,500,000.

          Effective June 30, 2009, we agreed with the investor to convert the aggregate accrued interest of $974,360 due June 30, 2009, under the convertible debentures, into 974,360 shares of the Company’s common stock. We also agreed that aggregate accrued interest on the outstanding principal amounts of the debentures for the quarters ending September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, shall be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, to be valued at one dollar ($1.00) per share at the time of payment and issuance. Accordingly the Company issued 483,000 shares of its common stock in payment of $483,000 of aggregate accrued interest for the combined quarters ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

          In fiscal 2008, we completed the placement of Additional Investment Rights aggregating $643,614 with two institutional investors, and completed the sale of convertible notes totaling $687,143 to four accredited investors.

          In recent years we have not generated any significant revenues from operations and have incurred significant operating losses. At June 30, 2010, we have an accumulated (deficit) of $55,129,450. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Our primary source of funds provided during our fiscal year 2010 was from the sale of equity and from a gold sale agreement. We anticipate that our operations through fiscal 2011 will be funded from the balance of proceeds from these financings; sale of our securities; exercise of certain options and warrants; and/or through project related debt or equity financings or advanced sale of our products. While we believe we will be able to finance our continuing activities, there is no assurance of success in this regard or in our ability to obtain continued financing through capital markets, joint ventures, or other acceptable arrangements. If our plans are not successful, operations and liquidity may be adversely impacted. In the event that we are unable to obtain additional required capital, we may be forced to reduce our exploration and operating expenditures or to cease development operations altogether.

39


          We have developed a plan to maintain the Company on a strong financial footing. Important elements of the plan include continued raising of interim funding to provide for deployment of operations on our various property sites, and final stage development of our Summit property and the commencement of profitable production. During the quarters ended December 31, 2007, September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2010, we secured a substantial portion of the funding necessary to place our Summit property into production. If we are able to secure additional required financing on acceptable terms, we believe we will be in a position to deploy our business plan and to achieve commercial production in 2011.

          We are continuing to seek funding to advance our business plan and strategies. We require funds to meet our corporate commitments, to complete Summit development, to continue feasibility studies on our mineral properties, to initiate exploration programs, and to arrange a joint venture for restart of our Black Canyon mica mine. We project the need for a minimum of $5.0 million over the next 12 months, and $12.0 million working capital during the next 36 months, estimated as follows:

    Next 12 Months     Next 36 Months  
Completion of Summit development $  3,000,000   $  4,000,000  
Exploration programs and feasibility studies   1,000,000     5,000,000  
Corporate overhead and related expenses   1,000,000     3,000,000  
Total funding requirements $  5,000,000   $  12,000,000  

          This projection assumes that we will be able to service our current debt and lease commitments whereby interest, principal and lease payments will be paid from future project revenues or with equity financial instruments.

          With respect to the issuance of unregistered securities referenced above, all transactions were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), and Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act. In each instance, the purchaser had access to sufficient information regarding the Company so as to make an informed investment decision. More specifically, we had a reasonable basis to believe that each purchaser was an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D of the 1933 Act and otherwise had the requisite sophistication to make an investment in our securities.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2009

          Sales

          Sales increased to $320,145 in fiscal year 2010 from $72,624 in fiscal year 2009, an increase of $247,521. The increase in sales was comprised of trial flux shipments of $305,930 and was offset by a decrease in sales of aggregate product of $58,409.

          Exploration and Mine and Mill Start Up Costs

          Exploration and mine and mill start up costs increased in fiscal year 2010 to $1,004,256 from $641,230 in fiscal year 2009 as the Summit Project, consisting of the construction of the Banner mill site and development of the Summit mine, continued to increase activity. The difference of $363,026 in fiscal 2010 is attributable to increased non-capitalized costs incurred on the Summit project. Major components of increased costs were labor burden of $91,806; operating supplies and general expenses of $143,923; utilities of $41,706; repairs and maintenance of $74,162; property casualty and liability insurance of $48,200; property taxes of $28,156; and exploration costs of $48,428. Significant decreased expense components offsetting these increases were relocation costs of $80,027 and leased equipment of $43,819.

40


          General and Administrative

          General and administrative decreased to $2,204,549 in fiscal year 2010, from $2,737,671 for fiscal year 2009, a decrease of $533,122. Major components of the decreased costs consist of labor burden of $14,282; employee stock compensation of $415,074; investor relations of $135,682; costs associated with options of $135,428 and finance costs of $214,135. Major components of increased costs were office operating costs of $18,052; auditing and related compliance fees of $84,067; legal costs of $117,116 and consulting fees of $148,948. The increased auditing and related compliance fees are comprised of approximately $19,000 of prior year audit fees recognized in fiscal 2010, professional fees approximating $21,000 relating to derivative work and the implementation of SOX requirements, and increased audit and 10-K accrued fees of $40,000 due to increased SEC audit requirements referencing internal control procedures. The increase in legal fees is a result of multiple financing agreements, including a private placement of common stock. Consulting fees increased in fiscal 2010 due to the recognition of the remaining consulting fees in the current year on the abandoned Pilar Project, aggregating $131,359.

          Stock-Based Compensation

          Stock-based compensation included in General and Administrative in fiscal year 2010 decreased to $717,547 from $1,347,585 in fiscal year 2009, a decrease of $630,038. The decrease in the current fiscal year is attributable to decreased costs of stock grants to employees of $415,074; amortized costs associated with options of $135,428 and amortized costs associated with stock issued for services aggregating $79,536.

          Depreciation and Amortization

          Depreciation and amortization during the current fiscal year 2010 increased to $477,760 as compared to $279,012 for the comparable fiscal year 2009, an increase of $198,748. The increase is directly attributable to the deployment of the Summit mine project and Banner mill project and related capitalized equipment costs put into service during fiscal year 2010 and 2009.

          Other Income and Expense

          Other income and (expense) for fiscal year 2010 were $2,157,066 as compared to $(1,914,870) for fiscal 2009, an increase of $4,071,936. The increase in other income incurred in the current fiscal year is mainly attributable to decreases in expenses relating to interest expense of $113,204; accretion of discounts on notes payable of $376,840 and increased gain on derivative instruments liability of $3,810,303. These increases in other income were offset by a reduction in relief of debt of $90,967; and a decrease in interest and miscellaneous income aggregating $127,208.

          Gain (loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments

          We recognized a gain on derivative instruments liabilities of $3,295,947 for fiscal year 2010, as compared to a loss of $514,356 for the prior fiscal comparable year 2009. The non-cash gain arose from adjustments to record the derivative financial instruments at fair values in accordance with current accounting standards. The derivative financial instruments arose in connection with senior secured convertible notes. Otherwise, we generally do not use derivative financial instruments for other purposes, such as hedging cash flow or fair-value risks. The increase in the derivative gain in fiscal 2010 is mainly attributable to changes in the market price of our common stock, which is a component of the calculation model, and to the issuance of additional warrants resulting in derivative treatment. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of these derivatives. Because Black-Scholes uses the Company’s stock price, changes in the stock price will result in volatility in the earnings in future periods as the Company continues to reflect the derivative financial instruments at fair values.

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2009, Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2008

          Sales

          Sales increased to $72,624 in fiscal 2009 from $-0- in fiscal 2008. Sales were generated from the limited sales of aggregate product which occurred in the third and fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009.

41


          Exploration and Mine and Mill Start Up Costs

          Exploration and mining costs increased in fiscal 2009 to $641,230 from $245,621 in fiscal 2008 as the Summit project, consisting of the construction of the Banner mill site and development of the Summit mine, was active for the entire twelve month period for fiscal 2009. Activity previously commenced in the second half of fiscal 2008. The difference of $395,609 in fiscal year 2009 is attributable to increased non-capitalized costs incurred on the Summit project. The increased costs resulted from increases on land leases of $9,371; leased equipment of $42,720; repairs and maintenance of $40,864; compensation and payroll burden of $81,155; vehicle operating costs of $37,378; supplies and general operating costs of $92,023; insurance of $47,474; relocation costs of $80,027; and fuel of $16,370. These increases were offset by decreases consulting fees and related costs aggregating $50,659.

          In January 2008 upon completion of the engineering study for the Summit property, and placement of the financing of the projects, we deployed our plan for the development of the Summit mine and Banner mill near Lordsburg, New Mexico. Upon implementation of the projects, we started capitalizing all qualified costs into construction in process.

          General and Administrative

          General and administrative increased to $2,737,671 for the fiscal year 2009, from $1,720,793 for the fiscal year 2008, an increase of $1,016,878. The increase in the 2009 fiscal year was mainly attributable to increases in rent expense of $7,472; compensation and payroll burden of $192,007; property taxes of $28,058; travel and entertainment of $15,413; financing costs of $139,454; recognized stock-based compensation of $963,672; and office operating costs of $31,002. These increases were mainly offset by decreases in the 2009 fiscal year in non-recurring dismantling and relocation costs of the Black Canyon mica plant aggregating $282,335 and accounting and legal costs of $93,805.

          General and Administrative Stock Compensation

          Stock-based compensation included in General and Administrative in fiscal year 2009 increased to $1,347,585 from $383,913 for the comparative fiscal year ended 2008, an increase of $963,672. The increase was attributable mainly to amortized costs associated with deferred stock compensation for an officer and another key employee aggregating $448,000; amortized incentive stock options costs associated with options issued to numerous employees of $270,342; and amortized costs associated with stock issued for services aggregating $245,330.

          Depreciation and Amortization

          Depreciation and amortization during the fiscal year 2009 increased to $279,012 as compared to $4,554 for the comparable fiscal year 2008, an increase of $274,458. The increase was directly attributable to the deployment of the Summit mine project and Banner mill project and related capitalized equipment costs put into service aggregating approximately $2,100,000 during the 2009 fiscal year.

          Other Income and Expense

          Other income and (expense) for fiscal year 2009 were $(1,914,870) as compared to $(2,447,624) for fiscal 2008, a decrease of $532,754. The decrease in other expenses incurred in the 2009fiscal year was mainly attributable to decreases in expenses relating to interest of $799,514, of which $777,682 represented capitalized interest on our projects in the 2009 fiscal year; a loss on disposal of assets of $123,522; increases relating to interest and miscellaneous income aggregating $107,855; and relief of debt of $66,905. These decreases were offset by increased expenses relating to accretion of discounts on notes payable of $336,569 and an increase in loss on derivative instruments liability of $241,938.

42


          Gain (loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments

          We recognized a loss on derivative instruments liability of $514,356 for fiscal year 2009, as compared to a loss of $272,418 for the prior fiscal comparable year 2008. The non-cash loss arose from adjustments to record the derivative financial instruments at fair values in accordance with current accounting standards. The derivative financial instruments arose in connection with senior secured convertible notes. Otherwise, we generally do not use derivative financial instruments for other purposes, such as hedging cash flow or fair-value risks. The increase in the derivative loss in fiscal 2009 was mainly attributable to changes in the market price of our common stock, which is a component of the calculation model, and to the issuance of additional warrants resulting in derivative treatment. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of these derivatives. Because Black-Scholes uses the Company’s stock price, changes in the stock price will result in volatility in the earnings in future periods as the Company continues to reflect the derivative financial instruments at fair values.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

          As of and subsequent to June 30, 2010, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

          Our discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations is based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses for each period. Critical accounting policies are defined, as policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. These policies may require us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments, commonly about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

          Our significant accounting policies are described in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in NOTE 2. We believe our most critical accounting policies relate to asset retirement obligations, estimates utilized, impairment of assets, depreciation of plant and equipment, and derivative instrument liabilities.

          Reclamation Costs

          The Company follows ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, which requires that an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset be recognized as a liability in the period in which it is incurred and becomes determinable, with an offsetting increase in the carrying amount of the associated asset. The cost of the tangible asset, including the initially recognized ARO, is depleted, such that the cost of the ARO is recognized over the useful life of the asset. The ARO is recorded at fair value, and accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. The fair value of the ARO is measured using expected future cash flow, discounted at the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. To date, no significant asset retirement obligation is provided for on the Summit mine site as to the early stage of production status.

          As of June 30, 2010, the Company has accrued $84,059 for reclamation on the ground site work at the Black Canyon Mica project. The asset retirement obligation associated with the Mica project consists of reclamation of disturbed property. The Company estimates the costs will not exceed the amounts accrued. As of June 30, 2010, the Company, pursuant to regulatory requirements, maintained the following restricted assets associated with reclamation costs for the Black Canyon property: $50,000 held on deposit on behalf of the Arizona State Treasurer in a one-year automatically renewable short-term investment; and $128,658 held on deposit on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. A roll forward of our asset retirement obligation through June 30, 2010, is as follows:

Balance at June 30, 2007 $ 75,309  
Accretion for the year ended June 30, 2008   5,000  
Accretion for the year ended June 30, 2009   3,750  
Accretion for the year ended June 30, 2010   --  
Balance, June 30, 2010 $ 84,059  

43


          Additionally as of June 30, 2010, the Company maintained restricted assets of $230,716 held on deposit on behalf of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department associated with reclamation costs for the Summit property.

          For each of these properties the amounts will be held until all conditions of the corresponding reclamation agreement have been fulfilled.

          Estimates

          The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

          Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

          The Company reviews and evaluates long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The assets are subject to impairment consideration under ASC 360-10-35-17, Measurement of an Impairment Loss, if events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount might not be recoverable. As of June 30, 2010, exploration progress is on target with the Company’s exploration and evaluation plan and no events or circumstances have happened to indicate the related carrying values of the properties may not be recoverable. When the Company determines that an impairment analysis should be done, the analysis will be performed using the rules of ASC 930-360-35, Asset Impairment, and 360-10-15-3 through 15-5, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

          An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. When impairment is identified, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Assets to be disposed of are recorded at the lower of net book value or fair market value less cost to sell at the date management commits to a plan of disposal.

          Revenue Recognition

          We recognize the sale of product when an agreement of sale exists, product delivery has occurred, title has transferred to the customer and collection is reasonably assured. The price received is based upon terms of the contract.

          Depreciation

          Land, buildings, plant, equipment and vehicles are carried at cost. Replacements, maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized. Upon retirement, sale or other disposition, the cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the gain or loss is included in other income or expense on the statement of operations.

          We expense exploration costs as incurred, but capitalize costs directly attributable to the acquisition of mineral properties, pending determination as to their commercial feasibility.

          Derivative Instruments

          We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks.

          We review the terms of convertible debt, equity instruments and other financing arrangements to determine whether there are embedded derivative instruments, including embedded conversion options that are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as a derivative financial instrument. Also, in connection with the issuance of financing instruments, we may issue freestanding options or warrants that may, depending on their terms, be accounted for as derivative instrument liabilities, rather than as equity. We may also issue options or warrants to non-employees in connection with consulting or other services.

44


          Derivative financial instruments are initially measured at their fair value. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported as charges or credits to income. For warrant-based derivative financial instruments, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value the derivative instruments. To the extent that the initial fair values of the freestanding and/or bifurcated derivative instrument liabilities exceed the total proceeds received, an immediate charge to income is recognized, in order to initially record the derivative instrument liabilities at their fair value.

          The discount from the face value of the convertible debt or equity instruments resulting from allocating some or all of the proceeds to the derivative instruments, together with the stated interest on the instrument, is amortized over the life of the instrument through periodic charges to income, usually using the effective interest method.

          The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is reassessed at the end of each reporting period. If reclassification is required, the fair value of the derivative instrument, as of the determination date, is reclassified. Any previous charges or credits to income for changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are not reversed. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

          In February 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events: Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements, (“ASU 2010-09”) which amends Accounting Standards Codification Topic 855 (“ASC 855”) to address certain implementation issues related to an entity's requirement to perform and disclose subsequent events procedures. The amendments in ASU 2010-09 remove the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose a date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. The new guidance became effective for the Company on February 16, 2010 and did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or results of operations.

          In January 2010, the ASC guidance for fair value measurements and disclosure was updated to require additional disclosures related to: i) transfers in and out of level 1 and 2 fair value measurements and ii) enhanced detail in the level 3 reconciliation. The guidance was amended to provide clarity about: i) the level of disaggregation required for assets and liabilities and ii) the disclosures required for inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring measurements that fall in either level 2 or level 3. The updated guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, with the exception of the level 3 disaggregation, which is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

          Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105-10, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – Overall (“ASC 105-10”). ASC 105-10 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. The Codification superseded all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification is non-authoritative. The FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts.

45


Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU’s”). The FASB will not consider ASU’s as authoritative in their own right. ASU’s will serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the bases for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. References made to FASB guidance throughout this document have been updated for the Codification. The adoption of SFAS 168 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

          In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board ("APB") 14-1 "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" ("FSP APB 14-1"). FSP APB 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (or other assets) on conversion to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer's non-convertible debt borrowing rate. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 on a retroactive basis. The Company adoption of FSP APB 14-1 had no impact of the on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

          In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, the goodwill acquired, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. This statement also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The Company adoption of SFAS 141(R) had no effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

          Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

          Our exposure to market risks includes, but is not limited to, the following risks: changes in interest rates and equity price risks. We do not use derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage market risk.

Interest Rate Risk

          We had $14.5 million and $14.6 million of indebtedness under our credit facilities at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The annual interest rates on our credit facilities for our outstanding senior secured convertible notes is 7.0% on $13.5 million and 10.0% on $450,000. Interest rates on capital leases and other notes payable range from 5.34 to 10.0% . Additionally, we do not have any investment in debt instruments other than highly liquid cash equivalents. Accordingly, we consider our interest rate risk exposure to be insignificant at this time.

Equity Price Risk

          We have in the past sought and will likely in the future seek to acquire additional funding by sale of common stock and other equity instruments. Movements in the price of our common stock have been volatile in the past and may also be volatile in the future. As a result, there is a risk that we may not be able to sell common stock or other equity at an acceptable price to meet future funding requirements.

Commodity Price Risk

          We currently have only limited production but expect to produce increasing amounts of gold and silver in the future. If we increase production and sales, changes in the price of gold and other minerals could significantly affect our results of operations and cash flows. We do not presently expect to hedge the sale of any of our anticipated production.

46


ITEM 8.        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Financial Statements: F-1
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
   
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting F-3
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2009 and 2008 F-4
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 F-5
   
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 F-6
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 F-7
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9– F-35

ITEM 9.        CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

          None.

ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

          We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting management on a timely basis to material information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports. Under the supervision of, and the participation of our management, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, has conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2010. This evaluation included certain areas in which we have made, and are continuing to make, changes to improve and enhance controls. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required, and are effective in alerting management on a timely basis to material information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports.

          During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.      OTHER INFORMATION

          None.

47


 

 

 

SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of June 30, 2010 and for the Years Ended
June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 



SANTE FE GOLD CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM F-2
   
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING F-3
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  
   
         Consolidated Balance Sheet  F-4
   
         Consolidated Statements of Operations F-5
   
         Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity F-6
   
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  F-7
   
         Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9 - F-35

 

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Santa Fe Gold Corporation
Denver, Colorado

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Santa Fe Gold Corporation as of June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended June 30, 2010.  We also have audited Santa Fe Gold Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Santa Fe Gold Corporation’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, including in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, has no current significant source of operating revenues, has a working capital deficit and needs to secure financing to remain a going concern. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Santa Fe Gold Corporation as of June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended June 30, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, Santa Fe Gold Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).


Denver, Colorado
September 27, 2010

F-2


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

     Management of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     Our internal controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance as to (i) the reliability of our financial reporting; (ii) the reliability of the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States; and (iii) the safeguarding of assets from unauthorized use or disposition.

     We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2010 based on Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Through this evaluation, we did not identify any material weaknesses in our internal controls. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting; however, based on our evaluation, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at a reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2010.

The operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2010 has been audited by Stark Schenkein, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.

 

Date: September 27, 2010

By: /s/ W. Pierce Carson                                                     
W. Pierce Carson
President, Chief Executive Officer,
and Chief Financial Officer

 

F-3


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    June 30,  
  2010     2009  
ASSETS  
CURRENT ASSETS:            
       Cash and cash equivalents $  5,540,130   $  509,846  
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets   267,208     150,251  
                           Total Current Assets   5,807,338     660,097  
MINERAL PROPERTIES   579,000     579,000  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net   3,790,215     3,848,292  
OTHER ASSETS:            
       Construction in process   15,177,362     9,800,997  
       Idle equipment, net   1,223,528     1,258,500  
       Restricted cash   410,374     410,374  
       Deferred financing costs   413,017     214,043  
                           Total Other Assets   17,224,281     11,683,914  
       Total Assets $  27,400,834   $ 16,771,303  
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)   
CURRENT LIABILITIES:            
       Accounts payable $  458,098   $  1,245,303  
       Accrued liabilities   320,566     383,352  
       Derivative instrument liabilities   9,894,041     2,643,500  
       Current portion, notes payable   138,821     74,430  
       Current portion, capital leases   138,117     130,806  
       Current portion senior secured convertible notes payable, net 
              of discount of $-0- and $8,027, respectively
  -     10,192  
       Deferred revenue, current portion   243,107     -  
       Accrued interest payable   20,525     24,817  
                           Total Current Liabilities   11,213,275     4,512,400  
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:            
       Senior secured convertible notes payable, net of discount of 
              $3,793,560 and $4,514,554, respectively
  10,156,440     9,435,446  
       Derivative instrument liabilities   -     5,162,176  
       Notes payable, net of current portion   122,915     196,088  
       Capital leases, net of current portion   128,909     267,031  
       Deferred revenue, net of current portion   3,756,893     -  
       Asset retirement obligation   84,059     84,059  
                           Total Liabilities   25,462,491     19,657,200  
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):            
       Common stock, $.002 par value, 200,000,000 shares 
              authorized; 93,059,568 and 82,316,112 shares 
              issued and outstanding, respectively; Includes 
              non-vested shares of 765,000 and -0-, respectively
  184,590     164,632  
       Additional paid in capital   56,883,203     49,926,931  
       Accumulated (deficit)   (55,129,450 )   (52,977,460 )
                           Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)   1,938,343     (2,885,897 )
  $  27,400,834   $ 16,771,303  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-4


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

    For the Years Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2008  
                (Restated)  
SALES $  320,145   $  72,624   $  -  
                   
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:                  
       Costs applicable to sales   -     31,687     -  
       Exploration and mine and mill start up costs   1,004,256     641,230     245,621  
       General and administrative   2,204,549     2,737,671     1,720,793  
       Depreciation and amortization   477,760     279,012     4,554  
       Accretion of asset retirement obligation   -     3,750     5,000  
    3,686,565     3,693,350     1,975,968  
                   
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS   (3,366,420 )   (3,620,726 )   (1,975,968 )
                   
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                  
       (Loss) on disposal of assets   (3,572 )   (3,978 )   (127,500 )
       Interest income   16,410     85,178     28,886  
       Miscellaneous income   4,278     62,718     11,155  
       Foreign currency translation gain (loss)   (175 )   10,467     (2,998 )
       Gain (loss) on derivative instrument liabilities   3,295,947     (514,356 )   (272,418 )
       Relief of debt   -     90,967     24,062  
       Accretion of discounts on notes payable   (1,052,160 )   (1,429,000 )   (1,092,431 )
       Interest expense   (103,662 )   (216,866 )   (1,016,380 )
    2,157,066     (1,914,870 )   (2,447,624 )
                   
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES   (1,209,354 )   (5,535,596 )   (4,423,592 )
                   
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES   -     -     -  
                   
NET LOSS $  (1,209,354 ) $  (5,535,596 ) $  (4,423,592 )
                   
Basic and Diluted Per Share data                  
       Net Loss - basic and diluted $  (0.01 ) $  (0.07 ) $  (0.06 )
                   
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:                  
       Basic and diluted   87,639,127     76,989,929     74,260,393  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010, 2009 AND 2008

                Additional              
    Common Stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     (Deficit)     Total  
                               
Balance, June 30, 2007 - Restated   71,082,286   $  142,165   $  42,912,662   $  (43,018,272 ) $  36,555  
Shares issued for senior secured notes payable principal conversion   945,420     1,890     943,530     -     945,420  
Shares issued for senior secured notes payable interest conversion   2,745,804     5,493     971,673     -     977,166  
Recognized deferred warrant compensation   -     -     17,692     -     17,692  
Costs associated with issuance of options for services   -     -     198,721     -     198,721  
Beneficial conversion feature on senior secured notes payable   -     -     849,737     -     849,737  
Issuance of stock grants   700,000     1,400     (1,400 )   -     -  
Contribution to capital   -     -     167,500     -     167,500  
Net loss   -     -     -     (4,423,592 )   (4,423,592 )
                               
Balance, June 30, 2008   75,473,510     150,948     46,060,115     (47,441,864 )   (1,230,801 )
                               
Shares issued for senior secured notes payable principal conversion   570,339     1,140     616,628     -     617,768  
Shares issued for senior secured notes payable interest conversion   1,018,938     2,038     1,023,588     -     1,025,626  
Shares issued for services   789,400     1,578     605,958     -     607,536  
Shares issued for cashless exercise of options   4,180,906     8,362     (8,362 )   -     -  
Shares issued for subscription agreements   283,019     566     299,434     -     300,000  
Recognized deferred stock compensation   -     -     474,986     -     474,986  
Costs associated with issuance of options   -     -     469,063     -     469,063  
Beneficial conversion feature on senior secured notes payable   -     -     589,521     -     589,521  
Stock-based compensation for services reference shareholder stock loan allocated to prior periods           (204,000 )   -     (204,000 )
Net loss   -     -     -     (5,535,596 )   (5,535,596 )
                               
Balance, June 30, 2009   82,316,112     164,632     49,926,931     (52,977,460 )   (2,885,897 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting on derivative financial instruments   -     -     (1,439,258 )   (942,636 )   (2,381,894 )
Balance, June 30, 2009 - Restated   82,316,112     164,632     48,487,673     (53,920,096 )   (5,267,791 )
Shares issued for settlement of accrued liability   1,162,500     2,325     197,675     -     200,000  
Shares issued for cashless exercise of options and warrants   317,877     636     (636 )   -     -  
Shares issued for services and commissions   31,343     63     41,435     -     41,498  
Shares issued for cash exercise of warrants   60,000     120     74,880     -     75,000  
Shares issued for cash proceeds   7,905,517     15,812     10,210,191     -     10,226,003  
Shares issued for conversion of note payable   18,219     36     18,183     -     18,219  
Shares issued for conversion of accrued interest   483,000     966     482,034     -     483,000  
Fees attributable to private placement   -     -     (625,000 )   -     (625,000 )
Private placement proceeds allocated to warrant derivative liability   -     -     (3,275,067 )   -     (3,275,067 )
Stock sale proceeds allocated to warrant derivative liability   -     -     (192,507 )   -     (192,507 )
Derivative instrument liability at exercise date   -     -     788,293     -     788,293  
Recognized deferred stock compensation   -     -     342,415     -     342,415  
Issuance of non-vested stock grants   765,000     -     -     -     -  
Costs associated with issuance of options   -     -     333,634     -     333,634  
Net loss   -     -     -     (1,209,354 )   (1,209,354 )
                               
Balance, June 30, 2009   93,059,568   $  184,590   $  56,883,203   $  (55,129,450 ) $  1,938,343  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-6


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

    For the Years Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2008  
                (Restated)  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                  
     Net loss $ (1,209,354 ) $ (5,535,596 ) $ (4,423,592 )
                   
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used
    in operating activities:
           
                 Depreciation   477,760     279,012     4,554  
                 Stock-based compensation   717,547     1,347,585     383,913  
                 Stock issued for interest expense   -     890,400     948,389  
                 Accretion of discount on notes payable   1,052,160     1,429,000     1,092,431  
                 Accretion of asset retirement obligation   -     3,750     5,000  
                 Relief of debt   -     (90,968 )   (24,062 )
                 Foreign currency translation (gain) loss   -     (10,467 )   2,998  
                 (Gain) Loss on derivative instrument liabilities   (3,295,949 )   514,356     272,418  
                 Gain on disposal of assets   3,572     3,978     127,500  
                 Amortization of deferred financing costs   89,026     61,154     103,172  
     Net change in operating assets and liabilities:                  
                 Interest receivable   -     1,424     (1,424 )
                 Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (116,957 )   (47,806 )   (3,258 )
                 Deposits   -     -     1,341  
                 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (649,991 )   760,483     580,020  
                 Accrued interest payable   (4,292 )   5,377     154,666  
                                 Net Cash Used in Operating Activities   (2,936,478 )   (388,318 )   (775,934 )
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                  
     Increase to restricted cash   -     (227,826 )   (3,890 )
     Proceeds from disposal of assets   31,400     68,184     -  
     Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (402,858 )   (2,433,639 )   (716,432 )
     Construction in progress   (4,893,365 )   (7,801,137 )   (1,118,988 )
     Purchase of mineral property   -     -     (210,000 )
                                 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities   (5,264,823 )   (10,394,418 )   (2,049,310 )
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                  
     Proceeds from convertible notes payable   -     8,150,000     6,680,757  
     Proceeds from issuance of stock   10,301,003     300,000     -  
     Proceeds from notes payable   212,762     -     -  
     Proceeds from deferred revenue   4,000,000     -     -  
     Payment of private placement fees   (625,000 )   -     -  
     Payments on notes payable   (238,369 )   (74,095 )   -  
     Payments on capital leases   (130,811 )   (82,907 )   -  
     Payments on line of credit   -     (11,400 )   (24,200 )
     Payments on convertible debenture notes   -     (244,770 )   (945,411 )
     Payment of financing costs   (288,000 )   -     (270,000 )
                                 Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities   13,231,585     8,036,828     5,441,146  
                   
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   5,030,284     (2,745,908 )   2,615,902  
                   
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR   509,846     3,255,754     639,852  
                   
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $  5,540,130   $  509,846   $  3,255,754  

F-7


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Continued)

    For the Years Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2008  
                   
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:               (Restated)  
                   
     Cash paid for interest $  521,642   $  95,573   $  67,991  
                   
     Cash paid for income taxes $  -   $  -   $  -  
                   
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:            
                   
     Stock issued for conversion of accrued interest $  483,000   $  1,025,626   $  28,777  
                   
     Stock issued for conversion of senior secured convertible notes $  -   $  617,768   $  945,420  
                   
     Stock issued for conversion of accrued liability $  200,000   $  -   $  -  
                   
     Stock issued for conversion of note payable $  18,219   $  -   $  -  
                   
     Equipment purchased with note payable $  16,825   $  94,613   $  -  
                   
     Equipment purchased with capital leases $  -   $  480,744   $  -  
                   
     Mineral property purchased with note payable $  -   $  -   $  250,000  
                   
     Stock grants issued $  765,000   $  308,130   $  448,000  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-8


SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2010

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS

     Santa Fe Gold Corporation (the Company) is a U.S. mining company incorporated in Delaware in August 1991. Its general business strategy is to acquire, explore and develop mineral properties. The Company’s principal assets are the 100% owned Summit silver-gold property located in New Mexico, the leased Ortiz gold project in New Mexico and the 100% owned Black Canyon mica project in Arizona.

     In November 2002, the Company ceased crushing and concentration activities at its Black Canyon project due to economic constraints. Limited marketing and sales continued during 2003-2005 at its Glendale mica processing facility. The Company is continuing to seek a joint-venture partner to help finance and operate the project or to sell the project in its entirety.

     In May 2006, for a cash price of $1.3 million, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of The Lordsburg Mining Company (Lordsburg Mining), a New Mexico corporation. With the acquisition of Lordsburg Mining, the Company acquired the Summit project, consisting of approximately 117.6 acres of patented and approximately 520 acres of unpatented mining claims in Grant County, New Mexico; approximately 257 acres of patented mining claims in Hidalgo County, New Mexico; and milling equipment including a ball mill and floatation plant in Sierra County, New Mexico.

     On June 30, 2008, Lordsburg Mining purchased from St. Cloud Mining Company, a New Mexico corporation, for a price of $841,500, mineral processing equipment and real property situated adjacent to the Banner mill site located south of Lordsburg, New Mexico. The equipment included in the purchase constitutes important components for the Banner mill processing facility, notably a portable crushing and screening plant and a feeding and conveying system. The real property included in the purchase consists of 70 patented and 5 unpatented mining claims, and assignments of mineral leases covering 17 patented and 6 unpatented mining claims. These mining claims and mineral leases, together with the patented mining claims Lordsburg Mining already owned in the area of the Banner mill site, cover approximately 1,500 acres (2.3 square miles) and comprise the core of the Virginia Mining District. Historical production of copper, gold and silver from the district has been substantial. Lordsburg Mining assumed certain potential environmental obligations in connection with the real property, including those related to reclamation of old workings, should such obligations arise in the future. The purchase price of $841,500 was allocated as to $631,500 for the equipment and $210,000 for the patented and unpatented mining claims and leases. The funds for the purchase were sourced from the $13.5 million financing completed in December 2007.

     The Company commenced processing operations at the Banner Mill in March 2010. Commissioning of the mill proceeded satisfactorily and in July 2010, mill operations were expanded to two shifts per day, five days a week. The Company plans to ramp up production from the Summit mine and increase throughput at the Banner mill, and expect the Summit project will achieve commercial production in 2011.

     In June 2009, the Company formed a wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, Minera Sandia S.A. de C.V, in order to conduct business legally within the country of Mexico, including entering into contracts such as the option purchase contract on the Pilar Gold Property described below.

     On June 13, 2009, the Company’s wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, Minera Sandia S.A. de C.V, entered into an option purchase contract on the Pilar Gold Property consisting of two mineral exploitation concessions located 165 kilometers east-southeast of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. In March 2010, the company relinquished its interest in this property before the March 13, 2010 payments were due, after receiving disappointing results from an extensive program of trenching and surface sampling. The option contract provided for option payments of $1,000 upon signing, $99,000 on March 13, 2010, and $125,000 on March 13, 2011. The final payment of $1,307,000 is due March 13, 2012, and would complete the purchase. In connection with the acquisition, the Company has also agreed to issue 117,000 restricted shares of its common stock and within 60 days paid creditors $11,500 in cash and $17,400 in restricted common stock. The Company also agreed to pay finder’s fees of $15,000 in cash and 25,000 in restricted common stock, and to match option and purchase payments when they become due by payments in either cash or in restricted common stock. The Company is not required to pay any residual royalty payments under the agreements.

F-9


NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Going Concern

     The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. Should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern, it may be unable to realize the carrying value of its assets and to meet its liabilities as they become due.

     The Company has incurred an operational loss of $(1,209,354) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, and has a total accumulated deficit of $(55,129,450) and a working capital deficit of $(5,405,937) at June 30, 2010, which includes non-cash derivative instrument liabilities aggregating $9,894,041. Currently, the Company has no significant revenue-generating operations. To continue as a going concern, the Company is dependent on continued fund raising for project development and payment of general and administration expenses until production at the Summit mine site ramps up to full production and profitable operations are achieved. The Company has no commitment from any party to provide additional working capital and there is no assurance that such funding will be available if needed, or if available, that its terms will be favorable or acceptable to the Company.

     The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustment relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.

Principles of Consolidation

     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Azco Mica, Inc., a Delaware corporation, The Lordsburg Mining Company, a New Mexico corporation, Minera Sandia, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican corporation and Santa Fe Gold Barbados Corporation, a Barbados corporation.. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Restatement and Reclassifications

     The June 30, 2008, financial statements have been restated to reflect the correction of an error for expenses paid by a shareholder on the Company’s behalf. The result of this correction was an increase in general and administrative expenses and net loss in the amount of $167,500 for the year ended June 30, 2008, and an increase in additional paid in capital and accumulated deficit of $204,000 at June 30, 2008. There was no effect on earnings per share. During the year ended June 30, 2009, the Company repaid the shareholder in full with the issuance of 380,000 shares of restricted common stock and a fair market value of $442,700. The difference between the value of stock issued and amounts expensed for the transactions in prior years totaling $238,700 was expensed to investor relations during the year ended June 30, 2009.

     Certain items in these consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Estimates

     The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

F-10


     Significant estimates are used when accounting for the Company’s carrying value of mineral properties, fixed assets, depreciation, accruals, taxes and contingencies, which are discussed in the respective notes to the financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

     The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximated their related fair values as of June 30, 2010, due to the relatively short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s convertible debentures approximates the fair value based on the terms at which the Company could obtain similar financing and the short term nature of these instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     The Company considers all liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash balances. Restricted cash is excluded from cash and cash equivalents and is included in other assets.

Property, Plant and Equipment

     Land, buildings, plant and vehicles are carried at cost. Replacements, maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized. Upon retirement, sale or other disposition, the cost and accumulated amortization are eliminated and the gain or loss is included in operations. Property and equipment consists of land, mining equipment and buildings, which are recorded at cost. Depreciation is taken over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which may be limited to correspond with the life of the mine. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over a period not to extend beyond 2016, the current estimated useful life of the mine. Equipment is also depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 2 to 7 years. Vehicles are depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 5 years.

Idle Equipment

     As of June 30, 2007, the Company obtained an independent appraisal of certain equipment. The appraisal indicated a net realizable value of approximately $1,541,500. During the year ended June 30, 2008, the Company transferred idle equipment at an appraisal value of $105,000 to the Banner mill site and upon the dismantling of the Black Canyon mica site, wrote off idle equipment aggregating a net book value of $125,000. During the year ended June 30, 2009, the Company sold related equipment with an appraised value of $53,000 for $45,000 in cash, realizing a loss on disposition of $8,000. During the year ended June 30, 2010, the Company sold related equipment with an appraised value of $34,972 for $31,400 in cash, realizing a loss on disposition of $3,572.

Mineral Exploration Costs

     Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When it is determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing reserves, subsequent costs incurred prospectively to develop the property are capitalized as incurred and are amortized using the “Units of Production” method over the estimated life of the ore body based on estimated recoverable ounces in proven and probable reserves.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     The Company reviews and evaluates long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The assets are subject to impairment consideration under ASC 360-10-35-17, Measurement of an Impairment Loss, if events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount might not be recoverable. As of June 30, 2010, exploration progress is on target with the Company’s exploration and evaluation plan and no events or circumstances have happened to indicate the related carrying values of the properties may not be recoverable. When the Company determines that an impairment analysis should be done, the analysis will be performed using the rules of ASC 930-360-35, Asset Impairment, and 360-10-15-3 through 15-5, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

F-11


     An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. When impairment is identified, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Assets to be disposed of are recorded at the lower of net book value or fair market value less cost to sell at the date management commits to a plan of disposal.

Restricted Cash

     Restricted cash of $410,374 is maintained in connection with requirements for reclamation of projects as well as weighmaster activities. As part of the reclamation deposits, the Company has restricted cash of $409,374, comprised of $50,000 held on deposit for the Arizona State Treasurer in a one-year automatically renewable short-term investment; $128,658 held as collateral against an irrevocable letter of credit of the same amount to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM); and $230,716 posted as a financial guarantee with the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The Company also maintains a certificate of deposit in the amount of $1,000 for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture in accordance with bonding requirements for a weighmaster.

Derivative Financial Instruments

     The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks.

     The Company reviews the terms of convertible debt, equity instruments and other financing arrangements to determine whether there are embedded derivative instruments, including embedded conversion options that are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as a derivative financial instrument. Also, in connection with the issuance of financing instruments, the Company may issue freestanding options or warrants that may, depending on their terms, be accounted for as derivative instrument liabilities, rather than as equity. The Company may also issue options or warrants to non-employees in connection with consulting or other services.

     Derivative financial instruments are initially measured at their fair value. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported as charges or credits to income. For warrant-based derivative financial instruments, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value the derivative instruments. To the extent that the initial fair values of the freestanding and/or bifurcated derivative instrument liabilities exceed the total proceeds received, an immediate charge to income is recognized, in order to initially record the derivative instrument liabilities at their fair value.

     The discount from the face value of the convertible debt or equity instruments resulting from allocating some or all of the proceeds to the derivative instruments, together with the stated interest on the instrument, is amortized over the life of the instrument through periodic charges to income, usually using the effective interest method.

     The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is reassessed at the end of each reporting period. If reclassification is required, the fair value of the derivative instrument, as of the determination date, is reclassified. Any previous charges or credits to income for changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are not reversed. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

Reclamation Costs

     The Company follows ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, which requires that an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset be recognized as a liability in the period in which it is incurred and becomes determinable, with an offsetting increase in the carrying amount of the associated asset. The cost of the tangible asset, including the initially recognized ARO, is depleted, such that the cost of the ARO is recognized over the useful life of the asset. The ARO is recorded at fair value, and accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. The fair value of the ARO is measured using expected future cash flow, discounted at the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. To date, no significant asset retirement obligation is provided for on the Summit mine site as to the early stage of production status.

F-12


     As of June 30, 2010, the Company has accrued $84,059 for reclamation on the ground site work at the Mica project. The asset retirement obligation associated with the Mica project consists of reclamation of disturbed property. The Company estimates the costs will not exceed the amounts accrued.

     The Company’s asset retirement obligation through June 30, 2010, is as follows:

Balance at June 30, 2007 $ 75,309  
Accretion expense for the year ended June 30, 2008   5,000  
Accretion expense for the year ended June 30, 2009   3,750  
Accretion expense for the year ended June 30, 2010   -  
Balance at June 30, 2010 $ 84,059  

Revenue Recognition

     The Company recognizes the sale of the product when an agreement of sale exists, product delivery has occurred, title has transferred to the customer and collectibility is reasonably assured. The price received is based upon terms of the contract.

Deferred Revenue

     Deferred revenue represents a cash advance made under a definitive gold sale agreement to sell a portion of the life-of-mine gold production only, not silver production, from our Summit silver-gold mine. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received an upfront cash deposit of $4 million, plus it will receive ongoing production payments equal to the lesser of $400 per ounce or the prevailing market price, for each ounce of gold delivered pursuant to the agreement for the life of the mine. The upfront cash advance will be amortized by the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for those gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeds $400 per ounce. The Company will also recognize the on-going production payments as revenue for gold delivered pursuant to the agreement. Deferred revenue on the Company’s balance sheet is categorized as current if the Company expects to recognize such revenue within the following twelve months. Current and long-term deferred revenue amounted to $243,107 and $3,756,893, respectively at June 30, 2010.

Income Taxes

     The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, (“ASC 740”) using the asset and liability approach, which requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of such assets and liabilities. This method utilizes enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse and gives immediate effect to changes in income tax rates upon enactment. Deferred tax assets are recognized, net of any valuation allowance, for temporary differences, net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred income tax expense represents the change in net deferred assets and liability balances. Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities recognized for differences between the financial statement and tax basis thereon and for the expected future tax benefits to be derived from net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be unrealizable in future periods. As of June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the full amount of its net deferred tax assets. The inability to foresee taxable income in future years makes it more likely than not that the Company will not realize its recorded deferred tax assets in future periods.

Net (Loss) Per Share

     The Company calculates net income (loss) per share as required by Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 260-10, Earnings per Share (ASC 260-10”). Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding. During the periods when they are anti-dilutive, common stock equivalents, if any, are not considered in the computation. For the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the impact of outstanding stock equivalents has not been included as they would be anti-dilutive.

F-13


Stock-Based Compensation

     In connection with terms of employment with the Company’s executives and employees, the Company issues options to acquire its common stock. Employee and non-employee awards are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Such options may be exercisable at varying exercise prices and generally vest over a period of six months to a year.

     The Company accounts for share based payments in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on the grant date fair value of the award. In accordance with ASC 718-10-30-9, Measurement Objective – Fair Value at Grant Date, the Company estimates the fair value of the award using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for valuation of the share-based payments. The Company believes this model provides the best estimate of fair value due to its ability to incorporate inputs that change over time, such as volatility and interest rates, and to allow for actual exercise behavior of option holders. The compensation cost is recognized ratably using the straight-line method over the expected vesting period. .

     Stock-based compensation costs recognized for the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $717,547, $944,049 and $216,413, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In February 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events: Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements, (“ASU 2010-09”) which amends Accounting Standards Codification Topic 855 (“ASC 855”) to address certain implementation issues related to an entity's requirement to perform and disclose subsequent events procedures. The amendments in ASU 2010-09 remove the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose a date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. The new guidance became effective for the Company on February 16, 2010 and did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or results of operations.

     In January 2010, the ASC guidance for fair value measurements and disclosure was updated to require additional disclosures related to: i) transfers in and out of level 1 and 2 fair value measurements and ii) enhanced detail in the level 3 reconciliation. The guidance was amended to provide clarity about: i) the level of disaggregation required for assets and liabilities and ii) the disclosures required for inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring measurements that fall in either level 2 or level 3. The updated guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, with the exception of the level 3 disaggregation, which is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

     Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105-10, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – Overall (“ASC 105-10”). ASC 105-10 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. The Codification superseded all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification is non-authoritative. The FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU’s”). The FASB will not consider ASU’s as authoritative in their own right. ASU’s will serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the bases for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. References made to FASB guidance throughout this document have been updated for the Codification. The adoption of SFAS 168 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

F-14


     In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board ("APB") 14-1 "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" ("FSP APB 14-1"). FSP APB 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (or other assets) on conversion to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer's non-convertible debt borrowing rate. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 on a retroactive basis. The Company adoption of FSP APB 14-1 had no impact of the on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, the goodwill acquired, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. This statement also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The Company adoption of SFAS 141(R) had no effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

     Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 – ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING POLICY

     In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 07-5 (EITF 07-5), “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”. EITF 07-5, which is now included in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification at ASC 815-40-15-5, requires entities to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock by assessing the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions and settlement provisions. Instruments not indexed to their own stock fail to meet the scope exception of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, paragraph 11(a), now included in the FASB Codification at ASC 815-10-15-74(a), and should be classified as a liability and marked-to-market. ASC 815-40-15-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 (effective as of July 1, 2009 for the Company) and is to be applied to outstanding instruments upon adoption with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings or other appropriate components of equity.

     The Company has various warrants outstanding which it has previously accounted for as derivative instrument liabilities and the accounting for those warrants is not changed by the adoption of ASC 815-40-15-5. However, prior to July 1, 2009, the conversion option embedded in the Company’s $13,500,000 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures was not separately accounted for as a derivative instrument liability. Effective July 1, 2009, the conversion option met the criteria of a derivative instrument liability because the terms of the Senior Secured Convertible Debentures require that the conversion price be adjusted in certain circumstances that do not meet the “fixed-for-fixed’ criteria in ASC 815-40-15-5. As a result, the Company is now required to separately account for the embedded conversion option as a derivative instrument liability, carried at fair value and marked-to-market each period, with changes in the fair value each period charged or credited to income.

     The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle of $2,381,894 has been recognized as a reduction of the opening balances of retained earnings and of additional paid-in capital as of July 1, 2009 of $942,636 and $1,439,258, respectively, with corresponding adjustments at July 1, 2009 to decrease the carrying value of the Convertible Debentures by $323,137 and the recognition of a derivative liability of $2,705,031. The cumulative effect adjustment is the difference between the amounts previously recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2009 and the amounts that would have been recognized if the conversion option in the Convertible Debentures had been accounted for as a derivative instrument liability from the issuance date.

     In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2009-05, Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value (“ASU 2009-05”). ASU 2009-05 provides guidance on measuring the fair values of liabilities under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASU 2009-05 describes various valuation methods that can be applied to estimating the fair value of liabilities, requires the use of observable inputs, and minimizes the use of unobservable valuation inputs. ASU 2009-05 was effective for the Company’s interim reporting period beginning October 1, 2009.

F-15


NOTE 4 – MINERAL PROPERTIES

     Mineral properties were comprised of acquisition costs related to the properties in New Mexico and Arizona, as shown below as of June 30, 2010 and 2009:

    2010     2009  
Summit property, Grant County, NM $  119,000   $  119,000  
Banner property, Hidalgo County, NM   210,000     210,000  
New Planet property, La Paz County, AZ   250,000     250,000  
  $  579,000   $  579,000  

NOTE 5 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment consist of the following at June 30, 2010 and 2009:

    2010     2009  
Leasehold improvements $  1,645   $  1,645  
Office furniture and equipment   37,779     37,779  
Land   163,000     163,000  
Mine processing equipment and buildings   4,087,855     3,668,876  
Automotive   179,868     179,164  
Software   87,848     87,848  
    4,557,995     4,138,312  
Less: Accumulated depreciation   (767,780 )   (290,020 )
  $  3,790,215   $  3,848,292  

     Depreciation expense for the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $477,760, $279,012 and $4,554, respectively.

     Construction in progress consists of the following at June 30, 2010 and 2009:

    2010     2009  
Banner mill site $  9,153,131   $  6,939,767  
Summit mine site   4,195,194     1,988,358  
Capitalized interest expense   1,829,037     872,872  
  $  15,177,362   $  9,800,997  

     The following table shows the carrying value of idle equipment at June 30, 2010 and 2009. The carrying value is based upon a third party appraisal obtained as of the year ended June 30, 2007:

    2010     2009  
Mica processing equipment $  1,616,367   $  1,651,339  
Black Canyon mine equipment   2,192,090     2,192,090  
    3,808,457     3,843,429  
Less: Allowance for impairment and depreciation   (2,584,929 )   (2,584,929 )
  $  1,223,528   $  1,258,500  

NOTE 6 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

      U.S. accounting standards require disclosure of a fair-value hierarchy of inputs the Company uses to value an asset or a liability. In September 2006, the FASB issued new accounting guidance, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company previously partially adopted this guidance for all instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company adopted the remaining provisions of the guidance for all non-financial assets and liabilities that are not re-measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The adoption of these provisions did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

F-16


     Fair value standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, the standards establish a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires that the Company maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair-value hierarchy are described as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. For the Company, Level 1 inputs include quoted prices on the Company’s securities that are actively traded.

Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 that is observable, either directly or indirectly. For the Company, Level 2 inputs include assumptions such as estimated life, risk free rate and volatility estimates used in determining the fair values of the Company’s option and warrant securities issued derivative financial instruments.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little of no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flows methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

     The Company measures financial instruments that it considers to be derivatives at fair value on a recurring basis which consist of certain embedded features contained within its debt instruments and certain warrant contracts. The derivatives are measured on their respective origination dates, at the end of each reporting period and at other points in time when necessary, such as modifications, using Level 3 inputs in accordance with GAAP. The Company does not report any financial assets or liabilities that it measures using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. The derivatives and their respective derivative values measured using Level 3 inputs as of June 30, 2010 are as follows:

              June 30,
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   2010
Other Assets:              
       Idle equipment, net ---   ---   1,223,528   1,223,528
               
Value of derivative instruments liability ---   ---   9,894,041   9,894,041

     Idle equipment includes equipment associated with the mica project which the Company ceased operations and are classified as Level 3. The fair value of the idle equipment was determined based upon an independent third party appraisal. The appraised value was established based upon comparable sales of similar assets and certain assumptions regarding market demand for these assets. As this valuation was based upon unobservable inputs, we classified the idle equipment as Level 3. There was no change in the carrying valuation of the idle equipment during the year ended June 30, 2010, and the reduction of $34,972 during the year resulted from the sale of equipment.

NOTE 7 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT LIABILITIES

     On March 20, 2006, the Company completed a private placement of senior secured convertible notes, additional investment rights and warrants to institutional investors for an aggregate purchase price of $2,500,000. These notes were evaluated using Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issue No. 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock (“EITF 00-19”)” and it was determined that the warrants, embedded conversion and interest components and additional investment rights should be accounted for as derivative instrument liabilities. Accordingly, they are to be marked to market each reporting period, with the corresponding non-cash gain or loss reflected in the Company’s current period statement of operations.

     On September 6, 2006, the Company amended the terms of the private placement of the senior secured convertible notes that were issued on March 20, 2006. The common stock warrants and additional investment rights held by the investors were also amended. In connection with the amendment, the investors agreed to purchase in the aggregate an additional $1,000,000 of notes under the amended terms, bringing the total outstanding principal, including interest and liquidated damages, due under the notes to $3,781,662. This principal amount plus interest was repaid in full in December 2007.

F-17


     On February 23, 2007, the Company agreed with the institutional investors to amend the terms of the private placement of senior secured convertible notes, additional investment rights and warrants issued March 20, 2006 and September 6, 2006. Under terms of this Amendment 2, the date by which the Company was required to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission was extended from November 5, 2006, until April 30, 2007 (subsequently filed March 23, 2007), and the date by which such registration statement was required to be declared effective, was extended from February 4, 2007, until July 31, 2007. The investors agreed to forgo all liquidated damages and penalties related to the previous deadlines. The Company agreed to seek stockholder approval for an increase in the Company’s authorized capital, from the authorized limit of 100 million shares, to 200 million shares, and, if necessary, to file additional registration statements. In connection with the amendment, the Company issued 1,750,000 warrants, giving note holders the right to purchase common stock at a price of $1.25 per share for a period of five years. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value options, warrants, imbedded conversion option components and additional investment rights that are recorded as derivative liabilities. The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants at the time of issuance was determined to be $1,773,013 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 4.67%, (2) remaining contractual life of 5 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 116%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     On December 21, 2007, the warrant exercise price of $1.25 per share on the 1,750,000 warrants was reduced to $1.00 under the terms and conditions of the warrant with the reduction resulting from the placement of a 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture with attached warrants at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The original warrant also contained an anti-dilution provision and the warrants were increased by 437,500 to 2,187,500. The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants was recalculated at the time of the price reduction and warrant increase which is further described below.

     On October 30, 2007, the Company completed the placement of 10% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes in the amount of $450,000. The notes were placed with three accredited investors in the amount of $150,000 each. The notes have a term of 60 months and bear interest at 10% per annum. In connection with the transaction, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.50 invested, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase common stock at a price of $1.25 per share. An aggregate of 180,000 warrants were issued under the notes.

     On December 21, 2007, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for the placement with a single investor of a 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture in the amount of $13,500,000. Proceeds from the debenture were issued in accordance with a pre-determined funding schedule and the term of the debenture is 60 months. In connection with the transaction, for every $2.00 of the original principal amount of the debenture, the investor received a warrant to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010, to December 31, 2014. On December 27, 2007, the Company received the initial advance under the agreement of $350,000 and issued 175,000 warrants relating to the advance.

     The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants issued under the placements at the time of issuance in the October 2007, and December 2007, transactions was determined to be $163,627 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 3.50% to 4.05%, (2) remaining contractual life of 5 and 7 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 114% to 118%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. This derivative instruments liability was recorded as a discount to the convertible notes at the time of the transaction.

     On January 9, 2008 and January 10, 2008, the Company completed the placement of Additional Investment Rights aggregating $225,000 with two institutional investors. The notes have a term of 17 months and bear interest at 7% per annum. In connection with the transaction, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.00 invested, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. An aggregate of 112,500 warrants were issued under the notes. The notes also have an embedded convertible option for principal and interest.

      On January 15, 2008, the Company received the second advance of $1,500,000 and issued 750,000 warrants relating to the advance as provided for under the terms and conditions of the $13,500,000 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture entered into on December 21, 2007.

F-18


     On February 1, 2008, the Company completed the private placement of a 10% Convertible Senior subordinated Note of $237,143 with an accredited investor and issued a note and related warrants under terms and conditions the same as for the private placements completed October 31, 2007. In connection with the transaction, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.50 invested, for a total of 94,858 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.25 per share.

     The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants and embedded convertible options issued under the placements at the time of issuance in the January 2008, and February 2008, transactions was determined to be $771,323 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 2.46% to 3.3%, (2) remaining contractual life of 1.5 and 7 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 112% to 113%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. This derivative instruments liability was recorded as a discount to the convertible notes at the time of the transaction.

     On April 15, 2008, the Company received the third advance of $3,500,000 and issued 1,750,000 warrants relating to the advance as provided for under the terms and conditions of the $13,500,000 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture entered into on December 21, 2007.

     On April 30, 2008, and June 2, 2008, the Company completed the placement of Additional Investment Rights aggregating $418,614 with an institutional investor. The notes have a term of 17 months and bear interest at 7% per annum. In connection with the transaction, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.00 invested, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. An aggregate of 209,307 warrants were issued under the notes. The notes also have an embedded convertible option for principal and interest.

     The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants and embedded convertible options issued under the placements at the time of issuance in the April 2008 and June 2008 transactions was determined to be $1,447,716 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 2.29% to 3.28%, (2) remaining contractual life of 1.42 to 6.72 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 106% to 107%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. This derivative instruments liability was recorded as a discount to the convertible notes at the time of the transaction.

     On July 15, 2008, under the terms of 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture dated December 21, 2007, the Company received the fourth advance under the agreement of $3,500,000 and issued 1,750,000 warrants relating to the advance. The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants issued under the placements at the time of issuance was determined to be $1,184,521 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 3.43%, (2) an expected life of 6.5 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 104%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     The convertible debenture was determined to have a beneficial conversion feature of $589,521 based upon the effective computed conversion price, which was charged to the note discount and credited to Additional Paid in Capital. The beneficial conversion feature in conjunction with the derivative instruments liability for the warrants resulted in an aggregated note discount of $1,774,042.

     On October 15, 2008, under the terms of the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture dated December 21, 2007; the Company received the fifth advance under the agreement for $3,500,000 and issued 1,750,000 warrants relating to the advance. The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants issued under the placements at the time of issuance was determined to be $811,917 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 2.98%, (2) an expected life of 6.2 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 92%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     On December 22, 2008, under the terms of the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture dated December 21, 2007; the Company received the sixth and final advance under the agreement for $1,150,000 and issued 575,000 warrants relating to the advance. The fair value of the derivative instruments liability for these warrants issued under the placements at the time of issuance was determined to be $236,828 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 1.55%, (2) an expected life of 6.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 89%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

F-19


      On July 27, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 94,339 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 47,169 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $35,017 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.63%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 87.31%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. The private placement was subject to a sales commission and an additional 4,716 five year warrants were issued as a commission on the transaction. The fair market value of the commission warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $3,501 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.63%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 87.31%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     On August 6, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 50,000 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $35,579 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.73%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 86.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     On August 17, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 18,868 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 9,434 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $6,769 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.43%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 86.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. The private placement was subject to a sales commission and an additional 944 warrants were issued as a commission on the transaction. The fair market value of the commission warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $677 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.43%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 86.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     On January 20, 2010, in connection with the registered direct offering for 7,692,310 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 3,846,155 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.70 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately after issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $2,921,877 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.45%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 85.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. The private placement was subject to the issuance of 461,539 warrants to placement agents, exercisable at $1.625 per share and has an exercise period of approximately 4.9 years. The warrants vest six months from the date of issuance. The fair market value of the placement agent warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $353,190 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.45%, (2) an expected life of 4.94 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 85.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

     In total the fair market value of the derivative instruments liability at June 30, 2009, was determined to be $7,805,676 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 0.19% to 2.54%, (2) remaining contractual life between 0 .42 to 5.51 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 59%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. In total the fair market value of the derivative instruments liability at June 30, 2010, was determined to be $9,894,041 with the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 0.38% to 1.62%, (2) remaining contractual life between 1.20 to 4.56 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 84.8%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. Based upon the change in fair value, the Company has recorded a non-cash gain on derivative instruments for the year ended June 30, 2010, of $3,295,947 and a corresponding decrease in the derivative instruments liability. The impact of EITF 00-19 on the financial statements as of and through June 30, 2010, was as follows:

    Derivative     Derivative     Derivative Gain  
    Liability as of     Liability as of     (Loss) Through  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2010     June 30, 2010  
Convertible Debentures:                  
   Compound Embedded Derivatives $  4,907   $  -   $  4,907  
   Purchase Agreement Warrants   6,543,873     6,585,752     (41,879 )
   Amendment # 2 Warrants   1,256,896     637,296     619,600  
   Embedded Conversion Option   --     2,670,993     (2,670,993 )
 Totals $  7,805,676   $  9,894,041     (2,088,365 )

F-20


 

Derivative liability at the time of warrant exercise applied to additional paid in capital   (788,293 )
Amount at adoption of accounting change on July 1, 2009   2,705,031  
Amount allocated to warrants at transaction inception   3,467,574  
$ 3,295,947  

The derivative liability is comprised of the following as of:

    June 30,     June 30,  
    2010     2009  
Current portion of derivative instruments liability $  9,894,041   $  2,643,500  
Long-term portion of derivative instruments liability   -     5,162,176  
  $  9,894,041   $  7,805,676  

     The entire amount of derivative instrument liabilities are classified as current due to the fact that settlement of the derivative instruments could be required within twelve months of the balance sheet date.

NOTE 8 – SENIOR SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE AND DEBENTURES

Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes

      On October 30, 2007, the Company completed the placement of 10% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes of $450,000. The notes were placed with three accredited investors for $150,000 each. The notes have a term of 60 months, and at such time all remaining principal and interest shall be due. The notes bear interest at 10% per annum. Interest will accrue for 18 months from the date of closing. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will then be payable in quarterly installments commencing on the first day of the 19th month following closing. In connection with the transaction, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.50 invested, for a total of 180,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.25 per share. At the option of the holders of the convertible notes, the outstanding principal and interest is convertible at any time into shares of the Company’s common stock at conversion price of $1.25 per share. The notes will be automatically converted into common stock if the weighted average closing sales price of the stock exceeds $2.50 per share for ten consecutive trading days. The shares underlying the notes and warrants will be registered on request of the note holders, provided the weighted average closing price of the stock exceeds $1.50 per share for ten consecutive trading days.

Senior Secured Convertible Debenture

     On December 21, 2007, the Company entered into definitive agreements for the placement with a single investor of a 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture in the amount of $13,500,000. Proceeds from the debenture were issued in accordance with a pre-determined funding schedule related to the Summit project’s anticipated construction requirements. The term of the debenture is 60 months, at the end of which time all remaining principal and interest shall be due. The debenture bears interest at the rate of 7% per annum. Interest on the outstanding principal balance is payable in quarterly installments, commencing on July 1, 2009. Interest may be paid in cash or stock at the investor’s election. If paid in stock, the number of shares will be calculated using the average of the daily volume weighted average sales prices of the common stock for the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the payment date. The entire amount of principal and any unpaid interest will be due December 31, 2012, subject to the investor’s right to require the Company after 36 and 48 months to apply up to 30% of the Summit project’s positive cash flow toward retirement of the debenture. The debenture is secured by a mortgage on the Summit real property and a security interest in Summit personal property. The investor may at any time convert unpaid principal and interest into shares of our common stock at the rate of $1.00 per share. The debenture will be automatically converted into common stock if the weighted average closing sales price of the stock exceeds $2.50 per share for 10 consecutive trading days. Beginning January 1, 2011, the Company may redeem the entire outstanding amount of the debenture, including principal and outstanding interest, subject to the investor’s right to convert the debenture into shares of common stock. In connection with the transaction, for every $2.00 of the original principal amount of the debenture, the investor will receive a warrant to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014. The Company has received the total advances under the agreement of $13,500,000, and the Company has issued an aggregate of 6,750,000 warrants under the debenture advances.

F-21


      On June 30, 2009, the Company entered into Amendment 2 on the Senior Secured Convertible Debenture dated December 21, 2007. Pursuant to the amendment, all the accrued interest on the debentures due June 30, 2009, in the collective aggregate amount of $974,360, was automatically converted into 974,360 shares of the Company’s common stock effective as of June 30, 2009. The amendment also provided that the accrued interest for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009 shall be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, to be valued at $1.00 per share at the time of payment and issuance. Accordingly the Company issued 483,000 shares of its common stock for payment of $483,000 of aggregate accrued interest for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Additionally the amendment provided that on March 31, 2010, the note holder shall have the option to make a six-month election, by providing written notice of its election thirty days prior to March 31, 2010, to have the March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010 quarterly interest payments paid in shares of the Company’s common stock. The note holder has chosen not to make the election, and consequently the accrued interest relating to the debentures, totaling $475,125 for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010 was paid in cash during the year. Commencing September 30, 2010, the note holder shall have the option to make an annual election, by providing 30 days prior written notice of its election, to have the subsequent four quarterly interest payments paid in shares of the Company’s common stock. Valuation of the common stock shall be based upon the Market Price of the stock for the 30 trading days immediately preceding the payment due date.

     The components of the senior secured convertible notes payable are as follows as of June 30, 2010 and 2009:

  June 30, 2010:   Principal     Unamortized        
      Amount     Discount     Net  
  Current portion $  -   $  -   $ -  
  Long-term portion, net of current   13,950,000     (3,793,560 )   10,156,440  
                     
    $  13,950,000   $  (3,793,560 ) $ 10,156,440  
                     
  June 30, 2009:   Principal     Unamortized        
      Amount     Discount     Net  
  Current portion $  18,219   $  (8,027 ) $ 10,192  
  Long-term portion, net of current   13,950,000     (4,514,554 )   9,435,446  
                     
    $  13,968,219   $  (4,522,581 ) $ 9,445,638  

     Aggregate yearly maturities on the senior secured convertible notes based upon payment terms at June 30, 2010, are as follows:

           2010 $  -  
           2011   -  
           2012   13,950,000  
       
Subtotal   13,950,000  
       
Less: unamortized original discount   (3,793,560 )
  $  10,156,440  

     As of June 30, 2010 and 2009, accrued interest payable on the senior secured convertible notes aggregated $6,334 and $6,734, respectively.

NOTE 9 – NOTES PAYABLE

     On June 5, 2008, the Company agreed to exercise the option to purchase the Planet MIO property, consisting of thirty-one patented mining claims totaling 523 acres in La Paz County, Arizona. The Company originally leased the property in 2000 from New Planet Copper Mining Company under the terms of a Lease with Option to Purchase. The Company agreed to exercise the purchase option in connection with settlement of an action the Company commenced in March 2007 seeking to confirm that the lease remained in good standing. The purchase price was $250,000.

F-22


The Company signed a promissory note for $200,000 with interest payable at 10% per annum from the date of closing of the transaction. The original provisions of the note called for a $50,000 payment at the signing of the note, which occurred in August 2008, and four subsequent principal payments of $50,000 plus interest due each anniversary date of the agreement. In August 2009, the amortization schedule of the note was amended to reflect four equal annual payments of principal and interest of $63,094. The due date for the first annual payment was extended with the interest rate increased to 20% per annum during the extension period. The Company also agreed to pay an additional $2,000 in legal and miscellaneous fees to document the amendment. All other provisions of the original agreement remain unchanged including the provision for a 5% royalty to be paid on any future production from the property.

     On July 25, 2008, the Company entered into an installment sales contract for $94,613 to purchase certain equipment. The term of the agreement is for 36 months at an interest rate of 6.75%, with the equipment securing the loan.

     On September 30, 2009, the Company entered into an installment sales contract for $16,825 to purchase certain equipment. The term of the agreement is for 36 months at an interest rate of 9.25%, with the equipment securing the loan.

     On October 1, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to finance insurance premiums in the amount of $72,906 at an interest rate of 6.99% with equal payments due monthly beginning November 1, 2009 and continuing until September 1, 2010.

     On November 1, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to finance insurance premiums in the amount of $139,856 at an interest rate of 5.99% with equal payments due monthly beginning December 10, 2009 and continuing until October 10, 2010.

     The following summarizes notes payable at June 30, 2010 and 2009:

    June 30, 2010     June 30, 2009  
             
Note payable for mineral property, 
             interest at 10%, payable in 4 annual installments 
             of $63,094, including interest through August 2012
$  156,906   $  200,000  
             
Installment sales contract on equipment, 
             interest at 6.75%, payable in 36 monthly installments 
             of $2,911, including interest through September 2011
  39,180     70,518  
             
Installment sales contract on equipment, 
             interest at 9.25%, payable in 36 monthly installments 
             of $537, including interest through October 2012
  13,141     -  
             
Financing contract on insurance premiums 
             interest at 6.99%, payable in 11 monthly installments 
             of $6,862, including interest through September 2010
  13,604     -  
             
Financing contract on insurance premiums 
             interest at 5.99%, payable in 11 monthly installments 
             of $13,098, including interest through October 2010
  38,905     -  
Total Outstanding Notes Payable   261,736     270,518  
Less: Current maturities   (138,821 )   (74,430 )
Obligations of notes payable due after one year $  122,915   $  196,088  

The aggregate maturities of notes payable as of June 30, 2010, is as follows:

Year ending June 30,      
                                           2011 $  138,821  
                                           2012   63,958  
                                           2013   58,957  

Total Outstanding Notes Payable

$  261,736   

F-23


NOTE 10 – CAPITAL LEASES

     During the year ended June 30, 2010, the Company utilized capital leases aggregating $480,744 for the purchase of equipment. Lease terms and interest rates for the equipment are 60 months at 6.25%, 36 months at 5.34%, and 36 months at 5.78% . The assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the asset. The assets are amortized or depreciated over the lower of their related lease terms or their estimated productive lives.

     Minimum future lease payments under capital leases, as of June 30, 2010, for each of the following years and in aggregate, are as follows:

Year ended June 30,      
                                                                     2011 $  149,563  
                                                                     2012   88,405  
                                                                     2013   43,041  
                                                                     2014   3,586  
Total minimum lease payments   284,595  
Amount representing interest   (17,569 )
Present value of future minimum lease payments   267,026  
Current portion of capital lease obligations   (138,117 )
Obligations of capital leases due after one year $  128,909  

The total amount of equipment and related accumulated depreciation related to equipment purchased with capital leases is as follows:

    June 30, 2010     June 30, 2010  
Equipment $  576,061   $  576,061  
Accumulated depreciation   (138,986 )   (56,691 )
Net equipment under capital lease $  437,075   $  519,370  

NOTE 11 - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

Office and Real Property Leases

     On March 1, 2007, the Company entered into a lease for office space located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a period of three years. Effective March 1, 2010 the lease has been extended for an additional period of three years.

     In September 2009, the Company retroactively renewed its lease to be effective March 1, 2009 for real property located in Glendale, Arizona for a period of one year. Effective March 1, 2010 the lease has been extended for an additional period of one year.

     Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are $46,497, $35,531, and $24,157 for the years ended June 30, 2011, 2012, 2013, respectively. Total rental expense was $52,155, $51,492 and $44,020 for the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Employment Agreements

     On October 7, 2003, the Company entered into employment and change of control agreements with its President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement describes, among other things, the officer’s duties, compensation levels and benefits. The agreement provided for annual salary of $180,000 adjusted by the CPI. The term of the agreement is from October 16, 2003, through and including October 15, 2006, and then automatically extends through October 15, 2008, and thereafter on a yearly basis unless terminated on 90 days prior notice.

F-24


The change of control agreement provides that if there is a change of control of the Company and the officer leaves the employment of the Company, for reason other than discharge for cause, death, or disability, within six months after such change of control, the officer shall receive a lump sum cash payment of 299% of the base amount as defined in IRC Section 280G (b) (3), subject to certain limitations of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the officer will continue to be covered by the Company’s medical, health, life and dental plans for 24 months after such cessation of employment.

          On May 19, 2009, the Company entered into change of control agreements with two of its employees, the manager of legal affairs, who is also the son of the current president, and the Company controller. The change of control agreements provide that if there is a change of control of the Company and the individual leaves the employment of the Company, for reason other than discharge for cause, death, or disability, within six months after such change of control, the employee shall receive a lump sum cash payment of 100% of the base salary in effect at the time of change of control. In addition, the employee will continue to be covered by the Company’s medical, health, life and dental plans for 24 months after such cessation of employment.

Property Identification Agreement

     On October 6, 2003, the Company entered into a confidential property identification agreement with its current President and Chief Executive Officer, prior to his becoming an officer and director of the Company. Under terms of the agreement, the current officer, on the basis of his prior knowledge, provided a list of 24 specific mineral properties with potential for exploration and development that might represent attractive acquisition opportunities for the Company. The Company agreed to pay compensation to the current officer in the form of a royalty of 1.0% of the value of future production, if any, derived from identified properties that the Company acquires. In the event an identified property is acquired and subsequently sold, the Company agreed to pay the current officer an amount equal to 10.0% of the value of the sale. The Ortiz gold property that was acquired in August 2004 and the Summit silver-gold project are two of the 24 properties identified and are subject to the property identification agreement.

New Planet Project Royalty Agreement

     Under the June 5, 2008, exercise of the option to purchase the Planet MIO property, as part of the agreement, the Company is obligated to pay a 5% royalty on any future production from the property.

Ortiz Gold Project

     On August 1, 2004, the Company entered into an option and lease agreement with Ortiz Mines, Inc., a New Mexico corporation, whereby the Company acquired exclusive rights for exploration, development and mining of gold and other minerals on 57,267 acres (approximately 90 square miles) of the Ortiz Mine Grant in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. On November 1, 2007, the Company relinquished 14,970 acres and retained under lease 42,297 acres (66 square miles). The Company paid an initial sum of $20,000 for a six-month option, and on February 1, 2005, paid the additional sum of $30,000 in order to exercise the option and enter into the lease and also to satisfy the obligation of the first year’s lease payment. On February 1, 2006, the Company paid $71,184 for the second year’s lease payment (through January 31, 2007). On February 1, 2007, the Company paid the amount due of $100,218 through January 31, 2008. On January 25, 2008, the Company paid the amount due of $126,891 through January 2009. In February of 2009 the Company paid the amount due of $148,040 through January 31, 2010. In January of 2010 the Company paid the amount due of $126,891 through January 31, 2011. On May 1, 2010, we agreed with Ortiz Mines, Inc., to amend the terms of the lease. Under the amended terms, the lease provides for an extension of the initial term from seven to ten years (17 years in certain circumstances), continuing year-to-year thereafter for so long as we are producing gold or other leased minerals in commercial quantities and otherwise are performing our obligations under the lease. Among other terms, the amended lease provides for annual lease payments of $130,000; a sliding-scale production royalty varying from 3% to 5% depending on the price of gold; the requirement that we comply with governmental permitting and other regulations; and other terms common in mining leases of this type. The Ortiz gold project is subject to a property identification agreement between us and our President and Chief Executive Officer.

     The minimum and maximum future payments due on this lease are as follows for the next five years and thereafter:

F-25



 Payment Due Date Minimum Due  Maximum  Due
  ($) ($) 
     
February 1, 2011 130,000 130,000
February 1, 2012 130,000 130,000
February 1, 2013 130,000 130,000
February 1, 2014 and forward 130,000 260,000

Summit Silver-Gold Project

     The Summit project is subject to two underlying royalties and a net proceeds interest as follows: (1) a 7.5% royalty on net smelter returns toward an end price of $1,250,000; (2) a 5% royalty on net smelter returns toward an end price of $4,000,000 less any amount paid under the royalty described in (1); and (3) a net proceeds interest of 5% of net proceeds from sales of unbeneficiated mineralized rock until such time as the royalties described in (1) and (2) have been satisfied, and 10% of such net proceeds thereafter toward an end price of $2,400,000. The Company is obligated to pay quarterly minimum royalty payments aggregating $1,808 under the aforementioned (1) underlying royalty agreement.

Title to Mineral Properties

     Although the Company has taken steps, consistent with industry standards, to verify title to mineral properties in which it has an interest, these procedures do not guarantee the Company’s title. Such properties may be subject to prior agreements or transfers and title may be affected by undetected defects.

Commitments

     On September 11, 2009, we entered into a definitive gold sale agreement with Sandstorm Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SSL) (“Sandstorm”) to sell a portion of the life-of-mine gold production (but not silver production) from our Summit silver-gold mine. Under the agreement we received an upfront cash deposit of $4.0 million, plus we will receive ongoing production payments equal to the lesser of $400 per ounce or the prevailing market price, for each ounce of gold delivered pursuant to the agreement for the life of the mine. Gold production subject to the agreement includes 50% of the first 10,000 ounces of gold produced, and 22% of the gold thereafter. The amount of payable gold can be reduced from 22% to 15% provided that within 36 months the Summit mine reaches certain performance levels in any consecutive 12 month period, in compliance with prefeasibility estimates, including 1) the rate of ore mined and processed must average 400 tons per day or more, and 2) payable gold production must exceed 11,500 ounces during such consecutive 12 month period. Sandstorm made an initial payment of $500,000 and on October 7, 2009 paid the remaining $3,500,000 balance of the upfront cash deposit. We will receive credit against the $4,000.000 upfront cash deposit for the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for those gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeds $400 per ounce. These credits will be recognized as revenue, in addition to the ongoing production payments received for gold delivered pursuant to the agreement. In certain circumstances, including failure to meet minimum production rates, interruption in production due to permitting issues and customary events of default, the agreement may be terminated. In such event, we may be required to return to Sandstorm the upfront cash deposit of $4.0 million less a credit for gold delivered up to the date of that event, which is determined using the difference between the market price and $400 per ounce for gold deliveries where the prevailing market price exceeded $400 per ounce.

     On April 6, 2010, the Company issued a purchase order for the purchase of a mining truck for the Summit project for an aggregate purchase price of $220,000. The Company has made a down payment on the truck of $53,750 and anticipated delivery should occur in 4-5 months.

     On May 1, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement for investor relations services. The agreement covers a period of six months with monthly payments of $15,000, for a total payment of $90,000, and a monthly payment of 15,000 restricted shares of the Company’s stock. Additionally, the Company has issued a three year option to purchase 125,000 shares of the Company’s stock with an exercise price of $1.30 and issued a three year option to purchase 125,000 shares, and an exercise price of $1.70. Each of the option issuances vests 50% on August 1, 2010, and 50% on November 1, 2010.

     On May 19, 2010, the Company issued a purchase order for the purchase of liners and a discharge grate for the ball mill for an aggregate purchase price of $64,920. Delivery of the items is anticipated to occur in October 2010.

NOTE 12 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Issuances of Common Stock

     During the period July 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007, the Company paid on the senior secured convertible notes, principal installments aggregating $945,420 with the issuance of 945,420 shares of the Company’s common stock, and interest payments aggregating $977,166 with the issuance of 2,745,804 shares of the Company’s common stock.

F-26


     On June 25, 2008, the board of directors granted stock awards of 500,000 shares of restricted stock to an officer and 200,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee. The shares were subject to forfeiture contingent on attainment of certain performance objectives related to construction of the Summit project. The shares were valued at $0.64 per share, the closing price on the date of the grants, and the aggregate value of $448,000 was capitalized as deferred stock compensation during the year ended June 30 2008. The shares vested on December 31, 2008, and the aggregate value of $448,000 was recognized as general and administrative compensation expense during the year ended June 30, 2009.

     On September 30, 2008, a director exercised an option to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock at $0.11 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 431,250 shares were issued. On March 31, 2009, an officer exercised an option to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 3,701,494 shares were issued. On April 17, 2009, a warrant holder exercised 25,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 per share to purchase shares of the Company’s stock on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis, 4,766 shares were issued. On June 9, 2009, an individual exercised an option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 43,396 shares were issued. The aggregate amount of shares issued on a cashless basis during the year ended June 30, 2009 was 4,180,906.

     During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $380,625 of note principal into 380,625 shares of the Company’s common stock. On April 6, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $237,143 of note principal into 189,714 shares of the Company’s common stock. The aggregate value of debentures converted to stock was $617,768 during the year ended June 30 2009.

     On May 19, 2009, the Company issued 480,000 shares of the Company’s stock for services related to investor relations, including 380,000 shares issued to a shareholder who paid for expenses on the Company's behalf in prior years totaling $204,000. The shares were valued at $1.165 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. On June 15, 2009, the Company issued 42,400 shares of the Company’s stock for consulting services. The shares were valued at $1.14 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. The aggregate value of these transactions expensed to general and administrative expense was $403,536 during the year ended June 30, 2009, which includes $238,700 related to the shareholder capital contribution.

     On May 19, 2009, the Company issued 150,000 shares of the Company’s stock for services related to investor relations. The shares were valued at $1.165 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. On June 15, 2009, the Company issued 117,000 shares of the Company’s stock for consulting services. The shares were valued at $1.14 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. The aggregate value for both transactions of $308,130 was classified as deferred stock compensation on the date of issue. During the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, general and administrative stock compensation expense of $281,144 and $26,986 was recognized relating to these transactions, respectively.

     On June 22, 2009, the Company issued 283,019 shares of the Company’s stock in a private placement. The shares were valued at $1.06 per share for total proceeds of $300,000.

     On April 6, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $28,391 of accrued interest into 24,687 shares of the Company’s common stock. On April 30, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $22,875 of accrued interest into 19,891 shares of the Company’s stock. On June 30, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $974,360 of accrued interest into 974,360 shares of the Company’s stock. The aggregate amount of accrued interest converted totals $1,025,626, of which $890,400 was recorded as interest expense during the year ended June 30, 2009.

     On July 17, 2009, a director exercised options to purchase 1,150,000 shares of common stock as follows: 1,000,000 shares at $0.10 per share, 75,000 shares at $0.55 per share, and 75,000 shares at $0.60 per share. The total purchase price for the exercise of the options was $186,250. The director utilized proceeds from the Agreement to Sell Royalty dated May 19, 2009. At that time the director also utilized the remaining $13,750 from the Agreement to Sell Royalty to purchase an additional 12,500 shares at $1.10 per share, the market closing price on July 17, 2009. Under the Agreement to Sell Royalty, the entire $200,000 has been utilized and no further amounts are due to the director under the agreement.

     On July 20, 2009, an individual exercised an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 8,991 shares were issued. On August 13, 2009, an individual exercised an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 8,679 shares were issued. On August 25, 2009, an individual exercised an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 4,286 shares were issued. On November 10, 2009, a warrant holder exercised 239,989 warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 per share to purchase shares of the Company’s stock on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis, 67,335 shares were issued. On December 11, 2009, a warrant holder exercised 651,945 warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 per share to purchase shares of the Company’s stock on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis, 207,235 shares were issued. On December 29, 2009, an option holder exercised 10,000 options with an exercise price of $0.60 per share to purchase shares of the Company’s stock on a cashless basis.

F-27


Under the cashless basis, 5,522 shares were issued. On March 22, 2010, an option holder exercised 20,000 options with an exercise price of $0.60 per share to purchase shares of the Company’s stock on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis, 8,680 shares were issued. On April 16, 2010, an individual exercised an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 3,815 shares were issued. On June 30, 2010, an individual exercised an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 3,334 shares were issued. The aggregate amount of shares issued on a cashless basis for the exercise of options and warrants during the year ended June 30, 2010, was 317,877.

     On July 27, 2009, the Company issued 94,339 shares of common stock at $1.06 per share in connection with a private placement. As part of the private placement the Company also issued 47,169 warrants with an exercise price of $1.06 per share and an expiration of 5 years. The warrants were valued as a derivative instrument liability and recorded separately at fair value at the time of issuance, reducing the value of the equity recorded by the same amount. The private placement was subject to a sales commission and an additional 9,433 shares of common stock were issued as a commission on the transaction at the fair market value of $10,093.

     On August 6, 2009, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock at $1.06 per share in connection with a private placement. As part of the private placement the Company also issued 50,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.06 and an expiration of 5 years. The warrants were valued as a derivative instrument liability and recorded separately at fair value at the time of issuance, reducing the value of the equity recorded by the same amount.

     On August 17, 2009, the Company issued 18,868 shares of common stock at $1.06 per share in connection with a private placement. As part of the private placement the Company also issued 9,434 warrants with an exercise price of $1.06 per share and an expiration of 5 years. The warrants were valued as a derivative instrument liability and recorded separately at fair value at the time of issuance, reducing the value of the equity recorded by the same amount. The private placement was subject to a sales commission and an additional 1,910 shares of common stock were issued as a commission on the transaction at the fair market value of $1,981.

     On September 30, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $241,500 of accrued interest into 241,500 shares of the Company’s stock. The aggregate amount of accrued interest converted was recorded as capitalized interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2009. On December 31, 2009, a convertible debenture holder converted $241,500 of accrued interest into 241,500 shares of the Company’s stock. The aggregate amount of accrued interest converted was recorded as capitalized interest expense during the three months ended December 31, 2009. The aggregate amount of accrued interest converted totals $483,00, and this amount was recorded as capitalized interest during the year ended June 30, 2010.

     On November 18, 2009, 18,219 shares of common stock were issued to a convertible debenture holder for conversion of $18,219 of note principal at $1.00 per share in accordance with the debenture terms.

     On December 7, 2009, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock at a market value of $29,400 for investor relations services. This amount was expensed as stock-based compensation expense during the year ended June 30, 2010.

     On January 15, 2010, a warrant holder exercised 60,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.25 per share to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and the Company received cash proceeds of $75,000 .

     On January 20, 2010, the Company closed a registered direct offering with 23 institutional investors and issued 7,692,310 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 3,846,155 shares of common stock. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $9,375,000, after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The securities were issued pursuant to the Company's effective S-3 Registration Statement under which the securities are registered. The units, including the Shares and Warrants (including the Placement Agent warrants) and shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants were issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated as of January 20, 2010, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in connection with a takedown from Santa Fe's shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which became effective on December 29, 2009, and the base prospectus contained in such registration statement. From the date of the transaction, the Company has agreed that it will not issue additional common stock or securities convertible into common stock for a period of 90 days. The Company also agreed that in any subsequent financings completed within six months of the closing, except for an underwritten public offering, that the Purchasers shall have the right to participate up to 25% in the subsequent financings.

F-28


In any registered public offering, the Purchasers shall have the right to participate, but no Purchaser shall have the right to purchase any particular amount of such underwritten public offering.

     On May 1, 2010, the Company issued 90,000 unvested shares of the Company’s stock for services related to investor relations. The shares have a vesting period of six months. The shares were valued at $0.95 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. The aggregate value of the transaction of $85,500 was classified as deferred stock compensation on the date of issue. During the year ended June 30, 2010, stock compensation expense issued for services of $28,345 was recognized relating to the transaction and $57,155 deferred stock compensation will be reported over the remaining vesting periods.

           On June 8, 2010, the Company granted and issued 575,000 unvested shares of the Company’s stock to employees and 100,000 unvested shares to outside Board of Directors for services. The shares have a vesting period of two years for the employee share grant and six months for the outside Board of Directors grant. The shares were valued at $0.86 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. The aggregate value of the transaction of $580,500 was classified as deferred stock compensation on the date of issue. During the year ended June 30, 2010, stock compensation expense of $32,926 was recognized relating to the transaction and $547,574 deferred stock compensation will be reported over the remaining vesting periods.

Issuance of Warrants

     On October 31, 2007, in connection with the issuance of 10% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes aggregating $450,000, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.50 invested, for a total of 180,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.25 per share.

     On December 21, 2007, the warrant exercise price of $1.25 per share on 1,750,000 warrants was reduced to $1.00 under the terms and conditions of the warrant with the reduction resulting from the placement of a 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture with attached warrants at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The original warrant contained an anti-dilution provision and the warrants were increased by 437,500 to 2,187,500.

     On December 21, 2007, in connection with a scheduled advance of $350,000 on the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture, the Company issued 175,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

     On January 9, 2008, and January 10, 2008, in connection with the exercise of Additional Investment Rights, the Company issued 112,500 five year warrants giving the right to purchase common stock at a price of $1.00 per share.

      On January 15, 2008, in connection with a scheduled advance of $1,500,000 on the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture, the Company issued 750,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

     On February 1, 2008, in connection with the issuance of a 10% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note for $237,143, the Company issued a five year warrant for each $2.50 invested, for a total of 94,858 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.25 per share.

     On April 15, 2008, in connection with a scheduled advance of $3,500,000 on the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture, the Company issued 1,750,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

     On April 30, 2008, and June 2, 2008, in connection with the exercise of Additional Investment Rights, the Company issued 209,307 five year warrants giving the right to purchase common stock at a price of $1.00 per share.

     On July 15, 2008, in connection with a scheduled advance of $3,500,000 under the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture, the Company issued 1,750,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

F-29


     On October 15, 2008, in connection with a scheduled advance of $3,500,000 under the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture, the Company issued 1,750,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

     On December 22, 2008, in connection with a scheduled advance of $1,150,000 under the 7% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture, the Company issued 575,000 warrants, each warrant giving the note holder the right to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

     On June 22, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 283,019 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 141,510 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share.

          On July 27, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 94,339 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 47,169 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $35,017 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.63%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 87.31%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. The private placement was subject to a sales commission and an additional 4,716 five year warrants were issued as a commission on the transaction. The fair market value of the commission warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $3,501 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.63%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 87.31%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

          On August 6, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 50,000 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $35,579 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.73%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 86.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

          On August 17, 2009, in connection with a private placement for 18,868 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 9,434 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.06 per share. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $6,769 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.43%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 86.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. The private placement was subject to a sales commission and an additional 944 warrants were issued as a commission on the transaction. The fair market value of the commission warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $677 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.43%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 86.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

          On January 20, 2010, in connection with the registered direct offering for 7,692,310 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company issued 3,846,155 five year warrants giving the holder the right to purchase common stock at $1.70 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately after issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The fair market value of the warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $2,921,877 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.45%, (2) an expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 85.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. The private placement was subject to the issuance of 461,539 warrants to placement agents, exercisable at $1.625 per share and has an exercise period of approximately 4.9 years. The warrants vest six months from the date of issuance. The fair market value of the placement agent warrants under the placement at the time of issuance was determined to be $353,190 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 2.45%, (2) an expected life of 4.94 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 85.19%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero.

          In connection with the private placement of the senior secured convertible notes on March 20, 2006, the Company issued warrants for 75,001 shares of common stock as part of the financial advisory fee associated with the transaction. The warrants had an exercise price of $1.58 and an initial term of term of three years. On September 6, 2006, the warrant expiration date was amended to September 6, 2009. The warrants were not exercised and expired on September 6, 2009.

F-30


Stock Options and the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan

     At the Company’s Annual Meeting on July 24, 2007, the stockholders approved the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan ("2007 EIP"). The 2007 EIP became effective on July 25, 2007, and will terminate on July 24, 2017. A maximum of 8,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards and other stock awards under the 2007 EIP. The 2007 EIP replaces the Company’s 1989 Stock Option Plan, which terminated on April 30, 2007.

     The purpose of the 2007 EIP is to provide the employees, non-employee directors, and consultants who are selected for participation in the 2007 EIP with added incentives to continue in the long-term service of the Company and to create in such persons a more direct interest in the future success of the Company’s operations by relating increases in compensation to increases in stockholder value, so that the income of the participants in the 2007 EIP is more closely aligned with the financial interests of the Company’s stockholders. The 2007 EIP is also intended to provide a financial incentive that will enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate the most qualified directors, employees, and consultants.

     On July 25, 2007, the Company granted a five (5) year option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to a director. The option exercise price is $0.46 per share, the closing price on the date of grant and the options have a vesting period of one year from the date of grant. The options were valued at $38,003 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and will be expensed over the vesting period. The options were valued using a volatility of 115%, a risk free interest rate of 4.8%, an expected life of 5.0 years and zero quarterly dividends. During the year ended June 30, 2008, the $37,849 was recognized as general and administrative stock compensation expense.

     On December 13, 2007, the Board of Directors granted pursuant to the Company’s compensation policy pertaining to outside directors, five year options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock to each of two directors, and also granted 100,000 five year options to an employee who is the son the President and Chief Executive Officer. The options are exercisable at $0.55, the closing price on the date of the grant and vest on June 30, 2008. The options were valued at $111,619 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 113%, a risk free interest rate of 3.45%, an expected life of 5.0 years and zero. General and administrative stock compensation expense was recorded for the year ended June 30, 2008, amounting to $111,619.

     On June 25, 2008, the Board of Directors granted awards of 500,000 shares of restricted stock to an officer and 200,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee. The shares will vest on December 31, 2008, and are subject to forfeiture contingent on attainment of certain performance objectives related to construction of the Summit project. The stock grants were valued at $448,000 using the closing price on the date of the grant of $0.64 per share. The grant amount was recorded as deferred stock compensation at June, 30, 2008. General and administrative stock compensation expense of $448,000 was recognized for the year ended June 30, 2009.

     On December 3, 2008, the Company cancelled and re-issued several outstanding options to four employees. The new options grant each employee a five (5) year option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an option exercise price of $0.60 per share, the closing price on the date of grant, and the options will vest on June 30, 2009. Each option was valued at $30,101 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 80%, a risk free interest rate of 0.76%, an expected life of 2.8 years and zero quarterly dividends. General and administrative stock compensation aggregating $107,358 for the four employees was recorded during the year ended June 30, 2009. The following describes the options that were cancelled:

  • On May 2, 2006, the Company granted a non-plan five (5) year option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock to an employee, who is the son of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in connection with an employment agreement. The option exercise price is $1.24 per share, the closing price on the date of grant and the options vested on the date of grant. The options were valued at $50,971 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. On December 3, 2008, the options were cancelled and re-issued. The options were fully vested and amortized at the time of cancellation

F-31


  • On April 25, 2007, the Company granted non-plan a five (5) year option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock to an employee, who is the son of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The option exercise price is $0.74 per share, the closing price on the date of grant and the options vested on the date of grant. The options were valued at $30,505 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and are expensed in the period granted. On December 3, 2008, the options were cancelled and re-issued. The options were fully vested and amortized at the time of cancellation.

  • On March 24, 2008, the Company granted a five (5) year option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to an employee. The option exercise price is $0.73 per share, the closing price on the date of grant, and the options have a vesting period of six months from the date of grant. The options were valued at $57,048 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. On December 3, 2008 the options were cancelled and re- issued. The options were fully vested and amortized at the time of the cancellation. General and administrative stock compensation expense of $28,524 was recorded during the year ended June 30, 2009.

  • On May 1, 2008, the Company granted a five (5) year option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to an employee. The option exercise price is $0.79 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. The options were valued at $61,724 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. On December 3, 2008, the options were cancelled and re-issued. The options were fully vested and amortized at the time of the cancellation. General and administrative stock compensation expense of $41,149 was recorded during the year ended June 30, 2009.

  • On July 22, 2008, the Company granted a five (5) year option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to an employee. The option exercise price is $0.83 per share, the closing price on the date of grant and the options have a vesting period of six months from the date of grant. The options were valued at $64,247 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 104%, a risk free interest rate of 3.48%, an expected life of 5.0 years and zero quarterly dividends. On December 3, 2008, the options were cancelled and re- issued, with any further amortization of the options ceasing on that date. Stock-based compensation of $42,832 was recorded during the year ended June 30, 2009.

     On December 3, 2008, the Company granted a five (5) year option to twenty-three employees and two board members to purchase 830,000 shares of common stock at an option exercise price of $0.60 per share, the closing price on the date of grant, and the options will vest on June 30, 2009. The options were valued at $249,838 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 80%, a risk free interest rate of 0.76%, an expected life of 2.8 years and zero quarterly dividends. During the year ended June 30, 2009, stock- based compensation of $238,688 was recorded.

     On May 19, 2009, the Company granted a five (5) year option to eight employees to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock at an option exercise price of $1.165 per share, the closing price on the date of grant, and the options will vest on December 31, 2009. The options were valued at $73,581 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 84%, a risk free interest rate of 0.91%, an expected life of 2.8 years and zero quarterly dividends. During the year ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, stock- based compensation of $36,392 and $10,512 was recorded, respectively.

     On July 13, 2009, the Company granted a five (5) year option to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock to an employee under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The option exercise price is $1.00 per share, the closing price on the date of grant, and the options have a vesting period of six months from the date of grant. The fair market value of the options at the time of issuance was determined to be $103,123 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 0.92%, (2) an expected life of 2.75 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 83.13%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. Stock-based compensation expense of $103,123 was recognized during the year ended June 30, 2010.

     On January 1, 2010, the Company issued 75,000 five year options with an exercise of $1.38, the market price on the date of the grant, to each of the two outside directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The options have a vesting period of six months from the date of grant. The fair market value of the options at the time of issuance was determined to be $114,640 with the following assumptions: (1) risk-free rate of interest of 1.70%, (2) an expected life of 3.0 years, (3) expected stock price volatility of 85.14%, and (4) expected dividend yield of zero. Stock-based compensation expense of $114,640 was recognized during the year ended June 30, 2010.

F-32


     On May 1, 2010, the Company granted to an investor relations firm a three (3) year option to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at an option exercise price of $1.30 per share and a three (3) year option to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at an option exercise price of $1.70. Each of the option grants vest 50% on August 1, 2010, and 50% on November 1, 2010. The options were valued at $85,209 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 71.55%, a risk free interest rate of 1.56%, an expected life of 3.0 years and zero quarterly dividends. Stock-based compensation expense of $28,403 was recorded during the year ended June 30, 2010 and $56,806 deferred stock-based compensation will be reported over the remaining vesting periods.

     On June 8, 2010, the Company granted a five (5) year option to thirty-five employees and two board members to purchase 1,095,000 shares of common stock at an option exercise price of $0.86 per share, the closing price on the date of grant, and 1,055,000 options will vest on December 31, 2010 and 40,000 options will vest on June 30, 2011. The options were valued at $342,869 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options were valued using a volatility of 55.2%, a risk free interest rate of 1.11 to 1.16%, an expected life of 2.78 to 2.88 years and zero quarterly dividends. Stock-based compensation expense of $36,872 was recorded during the year ended June 30, 2010 and $305,997 deferred stock-based compensation will be reported over the remaining vesting periods.

     In addition to options under the 1989 Stock Option Plan and 2007 EIP, the Company previously issued non-plan options outside of these plans, exercisable over various terms up to a maximum of ten years.

     Stock option and warrant activity, both within the 1989 Stock Option Plan and 2007 EIP and outside of these plans, for the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

      Stock Options     Stock Warrants  
          Weighted         Weighted  
          Average         Exercise  
      Shares   Price     Shares   Price  
                       
  Outstanding at June 30, 2007   9,600,000   $ 0.11     3,715,831   $ 1.12  
     Granted   550,000   $ 0.61     3,709,165   $ 1.02  
     Canceled   ---   ---     ---   ---  
     Expired   ---   ---     ---   ---  
     Exercised   ---   ---     ---   ---  
  Outstanding at June 30, 2008   10,150,000   $ 0.14     7,424,996   $ 1.02  
                       
     Granted   1,450,000   $ 0.66     4,216,510   $ 1.00  
     Canceled   (610,000 ) $ 0.75     ---   ---  
     Expired   ---   ---     ---   ---  
     Exercised   (4,600,000 ) $ 0.11     (25,000 ) $ 1.00  
  Outstanding at June 30, 2009   6,390,000   $ 0.22     11,616,506   $ 1.01  
                       
     Granted   1,695,000   $ 1.02     4,419,957   $1.68  
     Canceled   (130,0000 ) $ 0.99     ---      
     Expired   ---   ---     (75,001 ) $ 1.58  
     Exercised   (1,250,000 ) $0.20     (951,934 ) $ 1.02  
                       
  Outstanding at June 30, 2010   6,705,000   $ 0.41     15,009,528   $ 1.20  

     Stock options and warrants outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2010, are as follows:

F-33



 Outstanding and Exercisable Options   Outstanding and Exercisable Warrants
        Weighted            Weighted    
       Average           Average    
      Contractual  Weighted         Contractual Weighted  
Exercise     Remaining Average   Exercise     Remaining Average
Price Outstanding Exercisable   Life Exercise   Price Outstanding Exercisable   Life Exercise
Range Number Number (in Years) Price   Range Number Number (in Years) Price
$0.11 4,000,000 4,000,000 3.27 $0.11   $1.00 3,483,203 3,483,203 1.58 $1.00
$0.46 100,000 100,000 2.07 $0.46   $1.00 6,750,000 - 4.51 $1.00
$0.55 175,000 175,000 2.51 $0.55   $1.06 253,773 253,773 4.03 $1.06
$0.60 705,000 705,000 3.43 $0.60   $1.25 214,858 214,858 2.45 $1.25
$0.86 1,095,000 - 4.94 $0.86   $1.625 461,539 - 4.50 $1.625
$1.00 200,000 200,000 4.04 $1.00   $1.70 3,846,155 3,846,155 4.56 $1.70
$1.165 30,000 30,000 3.89 $1.165            
$1.30 125,000 - 2.84 $1.30            
$1.38 150,000 150,000 4.51 $1.38            
$1.70 125,000 - 2.84 $1.70            
  6,705,000 5,360,000         15,009,528 7,797,989    
                     
Outstanding Options 3.56 $0.41   Outstanding Warrants 3.80 $1.20
Exercisable Options 3.31 $0.27   Exercisable Warrants 3.15 $1.35

     As of June 30, 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of all stock options and warrants vested and expected to vest was approximately $3,520,550 and the aggregate intrinsic value of currently exercisable stock options and warrants was approximately $3,476,750. The intrinsic value of each option share is the difference between the fair market value of the common stock and the exercise price of such option or warrant share to the extent it is "in-the-money". Aggregate intrinsic value represents the value that would have been received by the holders of in-the-money options had they exercised their options on the last trading day of the quarter and sold the underlying shares at the closing stock price on such day. The intrinsic value calculation is based on the $0.90 closing stock price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2010. The total number of in-the-money options and warrants vested and exercisable as of June 30, 2010, was 4,980,000.

     The total intrinsic value of options and warrants exercised during the year ended June 30, 2010, was approximately $1,560,679. Intrinsic value of exercised shares is the total value of such shares on the date of exercise less the cash received from the option or warrant holder to exercise the options. The total cash proceeds received from the exercise of stock options and warrants was $75,000.

     The total fair value of options and warrants granted during the year ended June 30, 2010, was approximately $4,002,452. The total grant-date fair value of option and warrant shares vested during the year ended June 30, 2010, was approximately $3,257,974.

NOTE 13 – PENSION PLAN

     During the year ended June 30, 2009, the Company adopted a 401(K) plan, which covers substantially all employees. Under the terms of the plan, the Company matches employee salary deferrals dollar for dollar up to a maximum of 5% of compensation. For the year ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $31,363 and $44,021, respectively, in expenses related to the plan.

NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES

     The income tax benefit differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to net (loss) before taxes for the fiscal years ended June 30:

      2010     2009     2008  
  Tax (expense) benefit at the federal statutory rate $ 411,180   $  1,951,463   $  1,446,918  
  State tax(expense) benefit   66,514     315,678     296,533  
  Expiration of state operating losses   (111,229 )   (544,184 )   (541,596 )
  Change in state tax rate   ---     (62,296 )   ---  
  Decrease (increase) in valuation allowance   (366,465 )   (1,660,661 )   (1,201,855 )
  Income tax expense $  ---   $  ---   $  ---  

F-34


     The components of the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability at June 30, 2010 are as follows:

Deferred Tax Asset      
   Federal net operating loss carry forwards $ 16,441,573  
   State net operating loss carry forwards   967,282  
   Valuation allowance   (17,408,855 )
   Net deferred tax asset $  ---  

     At June 30, 2010, the Company had financial statement net operating loss carry forwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $16.2 million. Net operating losses for state income tax purposes may be carried forward for five years. These losses expire in varying amounts from June 30, 2011 to 2015.

     At June 30, 2010, the Company had financial statement net operating loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $48.4 million. Net operating losses for federal income tax purposes may be carried back for two years and forward for twenty years. The net operating losses expire in varying amounts from June 30, 2019 to 2030.

NOTE 15 - RELIEF OF DEBT

     The Company recognized relief of debt totaling $90,967 from two separate events during the year ended June 30, 2009. In one event during September of 2008, the Company negotiated a settlement with a government agency on outstanding amounts owed for property taxes and made a payment in cash to settle the account in full and recognized $48,872 as relief of debt. In a separate event, the Company wrote off $19,940 of notes payable and related accrued interest of $22,155 that extended beyond the Statute of Limitations for collectability. During the year ended June 30, 2008, the Company wrote off accounts payable resulting in relief of debt of $24,062.

NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

     The Company has evaluated events and transactions that occurred subsequent to June 30, 2010 for possible disclosure or recognition in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has determined that there were no such events or transactions that warrant disclosure or recognition in the consolidated financial statements except as noted below.

     On August 26, 2010, the Company announced it has contracted with an Arizona smelter to supply a trial shipment of 1,000 tons of siliceous flux material. The flux material will be processed for precious metals recovery. The Company will be paid for the contained silver and gold less customary charges. The siliceous flux constitutes a beneficiated product of ore from the Summit mine upgraded in silica and precious metals contents through crushing and screening.

     On August 31, 2010, an individual exercised an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share on a cashless basis. Under the cashless basis exercise, 2,942 shares were issued.

     On September 1, 2010, the Company announced it will supply an additional 3,000 to 6,000 tons of trial siliceous flux material to a separate smelter in Arizona. The Company previously provided the smelter with 3,000 tons of similar material in earlier in the year. The flux material will be processed for precious metals recovery. The Company will be paid for the contained silver and gold less customary charges. The siliceous flux constitutes ore from the Summit mine upgraded in silica and precious metals contents through crushing and screening.

     On September 13, 2010, the Company announced it has shipped an initial 20 tons of precious metals concentrate to a European smelter. At current metal prices, the shipment contains approximately $425,000 in gold and silver. The Company will be paid for the gold and silver less customary smelter charges.

     On September 24, 2010, the Company entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Columbus Silver Corporation (TSXV: CSC) (“Columbus Silver”) pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Columbus Silver in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. The contemplated exchange ratio is one share of the Company’s common stock for every 5.82515 shares of Columbus Silver’s common stock. It is contemplated that the Company will issue a total of 8,787,527 shares in the transaction, which is valued at approximately $9.93 million. Following completion of the transaction, it is estimated that the Company will be owned 91.37% by current Company shareholders and 8.63% by Columbus Silver shareholders. The combination with Columbus Silver is a notable step forward in the Company’s objective to become a significant North American precious metals producer.

     The Memorandum of Understanding contemplates a business combination by way of a Plan of Arrangement, which is subject to Canadian court approval. In addition, the proposed transactions are subject to the final approval of the boards of directors of the Company and Columbus Silver, stock exchange and regulatory approvals, and Columbus Silver shareholder approval. On September 27, 2010, in relation to the transaction with Columbus Silver, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K.

F-35


PART III

ITEM 10.      DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

          The Company’s present directors and officers as well as those who served during fiscal 2008 are as follows:

Name   Age   Position   Date Elected
             
Lawrence G. Olson 72 Chairman of the Board Former President and Chief Executive Officer 1999 / served as President and Chief Executive Officer from October 2000 to October 7, 2003
             
W. Pierce Carson 67 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director October 7, 2003
             
John E. Frost   86   Director   May 7, 2007

          The directors and officers have held their principal occupations as set out above during at least the last five years, except as described below:

          Lawrence G. Olson, age 72, Chairman, became a director in March 1999 in connection with the acquisition of Arizona Mica. He has held the position of Chairman since October 2000, and also formerly held the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer from October 2000 until October 2003. Mr. Olson has owned and operated his own business, Olson Precast of Arizona Inc., since 1973. Mr. Olson received a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California.

          W. Pierce Carson, age 67, was named President and Chief Executive Officer and a director in October 2003, following a consulting assignment with us. Dr. Carson has 40 years of international mining experience and has managed the discovery, financing, development and operation of precious metals, base metals and industrial mineral properties in the United States, Australia and other countries. From 1981 to 2000, he worked for Nord Pacific Limited and Nord Resources Corporation in senior management capacities, including president and chief executive officer. Prior to 1981, he managed exploration programs for Exxon Minerals Company and Kennecott Copper Company. Dr. Carson holds a Bachelors Degree in Geology from Princeton University and MS and PhD Degrees in Economic Geology from Stanford University.

          John E. (Jack) Frost, age 86, joined our board of directors in May 2007. Dr. Frost has over 50 years of international mining experience in a wide range of metallic and non-metallic minerals and has been closely involved in the discovery and/or acquisition of more than 40 mineral deposits. Since 1986, Dr. Frost has served as principal of Frost Minerals International, Inc., a provider of management and consulting services to the mining industry. From 1967 until 1986, he worked for Exxon Minerals Company and its affiliates in a number of senior management capacities, including president of Exxon Minerals International. His responsibilities at Exxon Minerals included establishing and managing Exxon Minerals’ domestic and international minerals exploration programs. Prior to 1967, he managed exploration and mining activities for Duval Corporation and Philippine Iron Mines. Dr. Frost holds a B.S. Degree in Mining Engineering, an M.S. Degree in Geology and a Ph.D. in Geology, all from Stanford University.

Board Meetings and Committees

          During fiscal 2010, our board met once and took action by unanimous consent three times. All of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of our board and its assigned committees during 2010. We strongly encourage our directors to attend annual meetings, but we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance.

          Our entire board considers all major decisions concerning our business. Our board has also established committees so that certain matters can be addressed in more depth than may be possible at a full board meeting. Our board’s current standing committees are as follows, with the “X” denoting the members of the committee:

48



  Nominating and    
  Corporate    
  Governance Audit Compensation
Name Committee Committee Committee
Employee Director:      
W. Pierce Carson X(1)    
Non-Employee Directors:
Lawrence G. Olson X X(1) X
John E. Frost X X X(1)

_______________
(1) Chairman

          Our board has adopted a charter for each committee. The charters are available on our website at www.santafegoldcorp.com. The information contained on our website is not, and should not be considered, a part of this financial statement. The information below sets out the current members of each of our board committees and summarizes the functions of each of the committees.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

          The primary purposes of the committee are:

  • identifying individuals qualified to become directors;

  • monitoring the implementation of our corporate governance guidelines; and

  • overseeing the evaluation of our management and our board.

          The committee currently consists of Messrs. Carson, Olson and Frost, with Mr. Carson serving as chairman. We do not anticipate any significant change in the composition of the committee prior to our next annual meeting of stockholders.

          The committee was constituted in May 2007, and did not meet during fiscal 2010.

          The committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become directors and for evaluating potential or suggested director nominees.

          The committee plans to perform a preliminary evaluation of potential candidates primarily based on the need to fill any vacancies on our board, the need to expand the size of our board and the need to obtain representation in key market areas. Once a potential candidate is identified that fills a specific need, the committee plans to perform a full evaluation of the potential candidate. This evaluation will include reviewing the potential candidate’s background information, relevant experience, willingness to serve, independence and integrity. In connection with this evaluation, the committee may interview the candidate in person or by telephone. After completing its evaluation, the committee will make a recommendation to the full board as to the persons who should be nominated by our board. Our board determines the nominees after considering the recommendations and a report of the committee.

          To date, the committee has not paid a fee to any third party to assist in the process of identifying or evaluating director candidates.

Audit Committee

          The primary purposes of the committee are:

  • assisting our board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information to be provided to stockholders and others;

  • overseeing and evaluating our system of internal controls established by management; and

49


  • supervising the audit and financial reporting process (including direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the independent auditors engaged to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews with respect to our financial statements).

          The committee will also prepare a report each year in conformity with the rules of the SEC for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.

          The committee currently consists of Messrs. Olson and Frost, with Mr. Olson serving as chairman. We do not anticipate any significant change in the composition of the committee prior to our next annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Frost is “independent” under the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Mr. Frost may not be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules promulgated by the SEC. Mr. Olson may not meet prescribed independence standards nor satisfy the criteria for an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each Audit Committee member is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including our consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of operations and consolidated statement of cash flows.

          The Audit Committee met once during fiscal 2010.

Compensation Committee

          The primary purposes of the committee are:

  • reviewing and approving annually the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our chief executive officer, other executive officers and our board;

  • evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer, other executive officers and our board in light of these goals and objectives; and

  • recommending the compensation levels for our chief executive officer, other executive officers and our board.

          The committee also prepares a report each year in conformity with the rules of the SEC for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.

          The committee currently consists of Messrs. Olson and Frost, with Mr. Frost serving as chairman. We do not anticipate any significant change in the composition of the committee prior to our next annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Frost is “independent” under the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Mr. Olson may not meet prescribed independence standards

          The committee was constituted in May 2007, and met once during fiscal 2010.

          The committee has the sole authority to oversee the administration of compensation programs applicable to our executive officers and directors. Executive compensation will be reviewed at least annually by the committee. Director compensation is reviewed periodically by the committee as its members deem appropriate. The committee may delegate some or all of its authority to subcommittees when it deems appropriate.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

          None of the members of our Compensation Committee is an officer or employee of the Company. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or Compensation Committee.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

          Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms we received, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all applicable filing requirements.

50


Code of Business Conduct

           Our board has adopted a code of business conduct that is applicable to all members of our board, our executive officers and our employees. We have posted our code of business conduct on our website at www.santafegoldcorp.com.

Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers

          Effective June 15, 2006, we adopted a Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers that applies to our CEO and all officers. This code was filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2006. The code summarizes the legal, ethical and regulatory standards that we must follow and is a reminder to our directors and officers of the seriousness of that commitment. Compliance with this code and high standards of business conduct is mandatory for each of our officers. As adopted, our Code of Ethics sets forth written standards that are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

  1)

Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

     
  2)

compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

     
  3)

the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Ethics; and

     
  4)

accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics.

          We will provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any person without charge, upon request. Requests can be sent to: Santa Fe Gold Corporation, 1128 Pennsylvania NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

ITEM 11.      EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

          The following table summarizes the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid during the last three fiscal years to Named Executive Officers, including (a) our principal executive officer; (b) each of our Company’s two most highly compensated executive officers, other than the principal executive officer, who were serving as executive officers at the end of the financial year ended June 30, 2010, and whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 per year; and (c) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of our Company at the end of the year ended June 30, 2010:

Summary Compensation Table





Name and
Principal
Position






Year





Salary
($)





Bonus
($)




Stock
Awards
($)




Option
Awards
($)
Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)
Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)



All Other
Compen-
sation
($)





Total
($)
W. PierceCarson
President & CEO
2010
2009
2008
227,837
222,413
207,125
-
-
-
172,000(2)
-
320,000(1)
62,543(2)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
462,380
222,413
527,125

  (1)

On June 25, 2008, the board of directors granted to Mr. Carson an award of 500,000 shares of restricted common stock under our 2007 EIP. The shares vested on December 31, 2008. The closing price of our common stock was $0.64 on the date of grant. The dollar value recognized for financial statement reporting purposes was calculated in accordance with FAS 123R.

     
  (2)

On June 8, 2010, the board of directors granted Mr. Carson an award of 200,000 shares of restricted common stock and 200,000 options under our 2007 EIP. The shares vest 50% after 12 months with the remaining 50% vesting after 24 months. The options have a vest date of December 31, 2010. The exercise price of the options is $0.86 per share, the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The dollar value recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for both the grant of stock and options was calculated in accordance with FAS 123R.

51


Outstanding Equity Awards as of June 30, 2010

          The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards as of June 30, 2010, for each of our named executive officers:

Outstanding Equity Awards as of June 30, 2010

  Option Awards Stock Awards















Name









Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable









Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable





Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)












Option
Exercise
Price
($)













Option
Expiration
Date






Number
of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)



Market
Value
of
Shares
or
Units
of
Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
($)
W. Pierce Carson 4,000,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
200,000
0.11
0.86
10/16/2013
6/08/2015
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
200,000
N/A
172,000

Compensation of Directors

          The following table summarizes the compensation of our Company’s directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010:

Compensation of Directors






Name(1)


Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
($)



Stock
Awards
($)



Option
Awards
($)(2)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)
Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)


All Other
Compen-
sation
($)




Total
($)
Lawrence G. Olson 8,500 43,000 72,957 - - - 124,457
John E. Frost 8,500 43,000 72,957 - - - 124,457

(1)    W. Pierce Carson, a member of our board of directors, is a Named Executive Officer and did not receive any compensation as a director that has not been disclosed in the summary compensation table above.

(2)    This column represents the fair value of the options awarded in fiscal 2010 in accordance with FAS 123R.

52


          Effective May 2007, we adopted a new policy for compensation of non-employee independent directors. Each of our non-employee independent directors receives a $2,000 quarterly retainer, plus $1,000 for each full-day board meeting, and $500 for each telephonic meeting, committee meeting or less than full day meeting attended. In addition, upon first being appointed or elected to the board, each independent director receives a grant of options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock which vest twelve months after the date of grant, and on January 1st of each year, each independent director receives a grant of options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock which vest six months after the date of grant. All options are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. All options granted to non-employee independent directors, unless earlier terminated, or exercised, expire five years after the grant date. All directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at board meetings and committee meetings.

          Effective July 1, 2010, we adopted an increase in the annual non-employee independent director fee to $25,000 per year and an increase in annual committee fees to $4,000 per committee membership and $2,000 per committee chairmanship, to be paid quarterly.

          During fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, non-officer directors received no consulting fees separate and distinct from directors’ fees as a result of actual services rendered above and beyond those typical of a non-officer director. Total director fees were $17,000 for the year ended June 30, 2010.

Employment Agreements

          In October 2003, we entered into employment and change of control agreements with our President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement describes among other things the officer’s duties, compensation levels and benefits. The agreement provides for annual salary of $180,000 adjusted by the CPI. The term of the agreement is from October 16, 2003, through and including October 15, 2006, and then automatically extends through October 15, 2008, and thereafter year to year unless terminated on 90 days prior notice. The change of control agreement provides that if there is a change of control of the Company and the officer leaves the employment of the Company, for whatever reason (other than discharge for cause, death, or disability) within six months after such change of control, the officer shall receive a lump sum cash payment of 299% of the base amount as defined in IRC Section 280G (b) (3), subject to certain limitations of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the officer will continue to be covered by our medical, health, life and dental plans for 24 months after such cessation of employment. In connection with the employment agreement, we granted 4,000,000 options at an exercise price of $0.11 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. The options vested as to 1,000,000 shares on October 16, 2003, and as to additional 1,000,000 share increments over successive six-monthly periods.

           In December 1999, we entered into a change of control agreement with our Chairman. The agreement provides for a lump sum cash payment in the amount not to exceed $100,000 in the event of change in control and resignation from the Board.

          In May 2009, we entered into change of control agreements with two key employees, our manager of legal affairs, who also is the son of our current president, and our controller. The change of control agreements provide that if there is a change of control of the Company and the individual leaves the employment of the Company, for reason other than discharge for cause, death, or disability, within six months after such change of control, the employee shall receive a lump sum cash payment of 100% of the base salary in effect at the time of change of control. In addition, the employee will continue to be covered by our medical, health, life and dental plans for 24 months after such cessation of employment.

ITEM 12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

          The following table sets forth, as of September 10, 2010, certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock by: (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock; (ii) each director and director-nominee; (iii) each named executive officer; and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group.

53



            Common Stock Beneficially Owned  
                  Percent of  
  Name and Address Of Beneficial Owner   Title of Class     Number of Shares     Class(6)  
                     
  Christian Mustad
Bodmenstrasse, Chalet Corcovado
3778 Schoenried
Switzerland



Common Stock








5,195,000








5.6%





                     
  Sulane Holdings, Inc.
P.O. Box 414
CH-1630 Bulle
Switzerland



Common Stock








10,307,360


(1)





10.1%





                     
  Lawrence G. Olson
3045 S. 35th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009


Common Stock





7,552,450

(2)



8.1%



                     
  W. Pierce Carson
33 Camino de Avila
Tijeras, NM 87059


Common Stock





12,951,494

(3)



13.3%



                     
  John E. Frost
602 Sandy Port
Houston, TX 77079


Common Stock





360,000

(4)



0.4%



                     
  Officers and Directors As a Group (3 Persons)   Common Stock     20,863,944 (5)   21.4%  

(1)

Includes shares issuable under December 2007 convertible debenture financing authorizing Sulane to convert outstanding debt at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. Also includes an aggregate of 1,457,360 shares that were issued for conversion of accrued interest due June 30, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

(2)

Includes options issued under the 2007 EIP to acquire 75,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.38 per share.

(3)

Includes non- plan options to acquire 4,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.11 per share.

(4)

Includes options issued under the 2007 EIP to acquire 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.46 per share, 75,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.55 per share, 75,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.60 per share, and 75,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.38 per share.

(5)

Includes options to acquire an aggregate of 4,400,000 shares.

(6)

Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 93,062,510 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 27, 2010, together with securities exercisable or convertible into shares of common stock within 60 days of September 27, 2010, for each stockholder. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to securities exercisable or convertible into shares of common stock that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of September 27, 2010, are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Equity Compensation Plans

          The following table contains information regarding our Equity Compensation Plans as of June 30, 2010:








Plan Category

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(a)



Weighted average exercise
price of outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(b)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

(c)

2007 Equity Incentive Plan
approved by security holders

2,705,000

$0.86

3,820,000
Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders(1) 4,250,000 $0.19 N/A

54



(1)      Includes certain options granted to an executive officer pursuant to an employment agreement described in more detail under the caption “Employment Agreements”, prior to the adoption of the 2007 EIP. Also includes options granted to an investor relations consultant.

2007 Equity Incentive Plan

          At our Annual Meeting on July 24, 2007, the stockholders approved the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan ("2007 EIP"). The 2007 EIP became effective on July 25, 2007, and will terminate on July 24, 2017. A maximum of 8,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards and other stock awards under the 2007 EIP. The 2007 EIP replaced our 1989 Stock Option Plan, which terminated on April 30, 2007. The full text of the 2007 EIP is included in our definitive proxy statement DEF14A filed with the SEC on May 23, 2007.

          The purpose of the 2007 EIP is to provide the employees, non-employee directors, and consultants who are selected for participation in the 2007 EIP with added incentives to continue in the long-term service of the Company and to create in such persons a more direct interest in the future success of our operations by relating increases in compensation to increases in stockholder value, so that the income of the participants in the 2007 EIP is more closely aligned with the financial interests of our stockholders. The 2007 EIP is also intended to provide a financial incentive that will enable us to attract, retain and motivate the most qualified directors, employees, and consultants. As of September 27, 2010, one executive officer, two non-employee independent board members and approximately thirty-six other employees and consultants are eligible to receive grants under the 2007 EIP.

          The Compensation Committee of the board administers the 2007 EIP with respect to grants to employees, consultants, and non-employee directors. The Committee has sole discretion to establish rules and procedures for the administration of the 2007 EIP, select the participants from among the eligible employees, non-employee directors, and consultants, determine the types of awards to be granted and the number of shares of common stock subject to each award, and set the terms and conditions of the awards.

ITEM 13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

          In October 2003, prior to his becoming an officer and director of the Company, we entered into a confidential property identification agreement with W. Pierce Carson, our current President and Chief Executive Officer. Under terms of the agreement, Mr. Carson, on the basis of his prior knowledge, provided a list of 24 specific mineral properties with potential for exploration and development that might represent attractive acquisition opportunities for us. We agreed to pay compensation to Mr. Carson in the form of a royalty of 1.0% of the value of future production, if any, derived from identified properties that we acquire. In the event an identified property is acquired and subsequently sold, we agreed to pay Mr. Carson an amount equal to 10.0% of the value of the sale. The Ortiz gold property acquired in August 2004 and the Summit silver-gold property acquired in May 2006 are two of the 24 properties identified and are subject to the property identification agreement (See NOTE 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

          On August 12, 2003, we assigned, for the sum of $5,000, our right, title and interest in and to our lease with New Planet Copper Mining Company to Metallica Ventures, LLC, a corporation controlled by Mr. Carson, who at the time of the assignment was a consultant to us. We retained an option to purchase 25% of the New Planet lease for an amount equal to 25% of the expenditures on the property from the date of assignment through the date of the exercise of the option. On September 22, 2005, Metallica Ventures LLC reassigned to us, for consideration of $10,000 and the issue of 2,000,000 unregistered shares of our common stock, its right, title and interest in and to the lease with New Planet Copper Mining Company.

55


          On September 15, 2005, we entered into a consulting agreement with Ryan P. Carson, an attorney who is the son of our President and Chief Executive Officer. Terms of the contract provided for compensation of $4,000 per month and payment of certain expenses for an initial three-month period. On November 28, 2005, the contract was extended for a six-month period, after which the contract extended on a month-to-month basis until terminated by either party. We issued a bonus of 50,000 unregistered shares of common stock in consideration for the contract extension. On May 2, 2006, the individual was offered and accepted employment at a salary of $5,000 per month. In connection with employment, we granted 50,000 stock options at an exercise price of $1.24 per share, which was the closing price on May 2, 2006. On April 25, 2007, we granted the individual 50,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.74 per share, and on December 13, 2007, we granted the individual 100,000 options at an exercise price of $0.55 per share, which were the closing prices on the dates granted. On December 3, 2008, we granted the individual 100,000 options and also cancelled and reissued the options previously granted on May 2, 2006 and April 25, 2007, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share, which was the closing price on December 3, 2008. On June 8, 2010, we granted the individual 100,000 options at an exercise price of $0.86 per share, the closing price on the date of grant. Additionally, on June 8, 2010 we granted the individual 100.000 shares of restricted stock. The shares were valued at $0.86 per share, the closing price on the date of grant.

          In March 2001, Lawrence G. Olson, our current Chairman and former President and CEO, jointly with his wife, made an unsecured loan to us in the amount of $800,000 at an interest rate equal to the prime rate of interest plus one percentage point. In connection with the loan, Mr. Olson received 5-year warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.70 per share. In October 2001, we restructured the $800,000 loan agreement with Mr. Olson and the interest rate payable on the loan was adjusted to 12% annually. In June 2002, the loan was extended an additional year and we entered into a security agreement with Mr. Olson, whereby our assets secured the loan. The note became payable in March 2004 after which time it was in default. On March 15, 2006, Mr. Olson exercised warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.70 per share in exchange for a reduction of accrued interest and principal on the note payable to him, aggregating $210,000. Mr. Olson agreed to reduce the principal by $50,000 and to extend the $750,000 note payable for a period of 18 months, until September 15, 2007.

          On November 15, 2006, Mr. Olson exercised stock options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share and 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.11 per share, in exchange for payment of accrued interest owed and reduction of principal on the note payable, aggregating $210,000. In addition, Mr. Olson agreed to contribute to capital the remaining unpaid principal on the note of $600,000. In connection with the contribution to capital, we granted a 25% net proceeds royalty in the Black Canyon mica claims, toward an end settlement of $600,000. On May 19, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Olson to purchase the royalty for $200,000. On July 17, 2009, the $200,000 owed to Mr. Olson was satisfied by applying credit of $186,250 for payment of the exercise price of stock options exercised on that date, including 1,000,000 options at an exercise price of $0.10 per share, 75,000 options at $0.55 per share and 75,000 options at $0.60 per share, and by satisfying the remaining amount of $13,750 by the issuance of 12,500 shares of stock at a price of $1.10 per share, the closing price on July 17, 2009.

ITEM 14.      PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICE

          The following table discloses the fees for professional services provided by Stark Winter Schenkein & Co., LLP for the 2009 and 2008 fiscal years respectively:

    2010     2009  
Audit Fees (1) $ 81,595   $ 68,270  
Tax Fees (2)   -0-     -0-  
  $ 81,595   $ 68,270  

(1)

Includes services rendered for audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, review of quarterly financial information, and assistance and issuance of consents associated with SEC filings.

   
(2)

Relates to services rendered for tax advice and compliance services.

56


PART IV

ITEM 15.      EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Exhibit No. Description Location
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger of Arizona Mica Properties, Inc. into Sanchez Mining, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Registrant, dated as of March 9, 1999 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated March 9, 1999, as filed with the SEC on March 24, 1999
     
3.1 Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation dated August 8, 1991 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-45162)
     
3.2 Articles of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation dated December 5, 1991 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-45162)
     
3.3 Registrant’s Amended By-laws Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-45162)
     
4.1 Specimen stock certificate Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on July 21, 1992
     
4.2 Rights Agreement dated July 19, 1995 between the Registrant and Montreal Trust Company of Canada Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995
     
10.1 Agreements for Piedras Verdes property Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-45162)
     
10.2 Purchase Agreement dated July 27, 1995 between the Registrant, Sanchez and Phelps Dodge Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10- K/A for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995
     
10.3 Memorandum of Agreement dated June 7, 1996, by and among West Africa Gold & Exploration Ltd., Eagle River International Limited, Lion Mining Finance Limited and the Registrant Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1996
     
10.4 Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Registrant’s DEF 14A as filed with the SEC on March 5, 1997
     
10.5 Memorandum of Agreement/Eagle River International Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997, as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1997
     
10.6 Management Agreements dated February 1, 1998 between the Registrant, Alan Lindsay and Associates, Ltd. and ARH Management Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1998
     
10.7 Management Agreements dated August 15, 1994, by and between the Registrant and both of Alan P. Lindsay, Anthony R. Harvey; Management Agreement dated November 19, 1996, by and between the Registrant and Ryan A. Modesto Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1998

57



10.8 Director’s Agreement dated August 15, 1994, by and between the Registrant and Paul A. Hodges Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1998
     
10.9 Shareholders & Operator’s Agreement dated December 19, 1995, by and among PD Cobre Del Mayo, Inc., the Registrant and Cobre Del Mayo, SA de CV Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1998
     
10.10 Right of First Refusal Agreement dated June 18, 1998 by and among the Registrant, Seville Mineral Developments SA de CV and Minera Cortez Resources Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1998
     
10.11 Mineral Property Option Agreement dated July, 1998, by and between the Registrant and Minera Cortez Resources Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the SEC on September 30, 1998
     
10.12 Shareholders’ Agreement by and among Registrant, Sanou Mining Corporation, West African Gold & Exploration, S.A. and Randgold Resources Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 as filed with the SEC on September 29, 1999
     
10.13 Mineral Property Option Agreement dated May 20, 1999, by and between the Registrant and Minera Cortez Resources Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 as filed with the SEC on September 29, 1999
     
10.14 Agreement in Principal dated August 9, 1999 between the Registrant, Thomas Ford and Calgem, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 as filed with the SEC on September 29, 1999
     
10.15 Non-Revolving Credit Line Agreement dated March 14, 2001, by and between the Registrant and Lawrence G. Olson Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on October 15, 2001
     
10.16 Settlement Agreement and Release by and among the Registrant, Anthony Harvey, ARH Management, Ltd., Alan Lindsay and Alan Lindsay and Associates, Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to the Registrant’s 8-K as filed with the SEC on July 25, 2002
     
10.17 $5,000,000 Equity Line of Credit Agreement, by and between the Registrant and Cornell Capital Partners, LP dated June 19, 2002 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.18 Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Registrant and Cornell Capital Partners, LP dated June 19, 2000 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.19 Escrow Agreement by and among the Registrant, Cornell Capital Partners, LP, Wachovia, NA and Butler Gonzales LLP, dated June 19, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.20 Placement Agent Agreement by and between the Registrant and Westrock Advisors, Inc. dated June 19, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.21 $150,000 Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Floyd R. Bleak dated August 13, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002

58



10.22 300,000 share Stock Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Floyd R. Bleak dated October 11, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.23 $200,000 Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Patty J. Ryan dated August 27, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.24 $200,000 Loan agreement between the Registrant and Luis Barrenchea dated September 4, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.25 Amendment to March 15, 2001 $800,000 Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Lawrence G. Olson dated October 12. 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.26 $100,000 Loan agreement between the Registrant and Luis Barrenchea dated October 19, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.27 $100,000 Loan agreement between the Registrant and Luis Barrenchea dated December 4, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.28 $3,000,000 Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Muzz Investments, LLC dated January 17, 2002 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.29 Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Muzz Investments, LLC dated January 17, 2002 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.30 Amendment No. 2 to Loan Agreement dated March 15, 2001 for $800,000 between the Registrant and Lawrence G. Olson dated June 28, 2002 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.31 Director’s Agreements dated April 26, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Stanley A. Ratzlaff and M. William Lightner Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Registrant’s 10-K as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2002
     
10.32 Settlement Agreement dated July 9, 2002 by and between the Registrant and Anthony Harvey and Alan Lindsay Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated July 11, 2002, as filed with the SEC on July 25, 2002
     
10.34 Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 10, 2003 by and between the Registrant and Frontera Cobre del Mayo, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated April 10, 2003, as filed with the SEC on April 25, 2003
     
10.35 Settlement Agreement dated June 22, 2003 by and between the Registrant and Anthony Harvey and Alan Lindsay Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Registrant’s 10-K/A as filed with the SEC on May 18, 2005
     
10.36 Amendment to $200,000 Loan agreement between the Registrant and Luis Barrenchea dated September 4, 2002 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Registrant’s 10-K/A as filed with the SEC on May 18, 2005
     
10.37 Amendment to $100,000 Loan agreement between the Registrant and Luis Barrenchea dated October 19, 2002 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Registrant’s 10-K/A as filed with the SEC on May 18, 2005
     
10.38 Amendment to $100,000 Loan agreement between the Registrant and Luis Barrenchea dated December 3, 2003 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to Registrant’s 10-K/A as filed with the SEC on May 18, 2005

59



10.39 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W. Pierce Carson dated October 7, 2003 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.40 Change of Control Agreement between the Registrant and W. Pierce Carson dated October 7, 2003 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.41 Property Identification Agreement between the Registrant and W. Pierce Carson dated October 6, 2003 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.42 Assignment and Assumption of Planet Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Metallica Ventures LLC dated August 12, 2003 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.43 Option Agreement between the Registrant and Metallica Ventures LLC dated August 12, 2003 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.44 Assignment and Assumption of Planet Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Metallica Ventures LLC dated September 22, 2005 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.45 Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Metallica Ventures LLC dated September 22, 2005 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Registrant’s 10-KSB as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2005
     
10.46 Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 21, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Purchasers Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.5 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated March 21, 2006, as filed with the SEC on March 23, 2006
     
10.47 Share Sale Agreement dated May 4, 2006, by and between the Registrant and Imagin Minerals, Inc. and St. Cloud Mining Company Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated May 4, 2006, as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2006
     
10.48 Amended Securities Purchase Agreement dated September 6, 2006, by and between the Registrant and Purchasers Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.4 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated September 6, 2006, as filed with the SEC on September 8, 2006, and amended on September 15, 2006
     
10.49 Real Property Purchase Agreement effective October 31, 2006, by and between Registrant and Muzz Investments, LLC Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated November 3, 2006, as filed with the SEC on November 6, 2006
     
10.50 Amended Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 23, 2007, by and between the Registrant and Purchasers Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.3 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated February 23, 2007, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2007
     
10.51 Registrant’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, effective July 25, 2007, approved by security holders on July 24, 2007 Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s DEF14Adated June 18, 2007, as filed with the SEC on May 23, 2007
     
10.52 Senior subordinated Promissory Note dated October 31, 2007, by and between Registrant and Purchasers Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.3 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated October 31, 2007, as filed with the SEC on November 1, 2007

60



10.53 Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 21, 2007, by and between Registrant and Purchaser Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.5 and Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated December 21, 2007, as filed with the SEC on December 26, 2007
     
10.54 Settlement Agreement dated June 5, 2008, by and between Registrant and New Planet Copper Mining Company Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated June 5, 2008 , as filed with the SEC on June 10, 2008
     
10.55 Purchase and Sale Agreement dated June 30, 2008, by and between Registrant and St. Cloud Mining Company Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.55 and 99.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated June 30, 2008, as filed with the SEC on July 1, 2008
     
10.56 Change of Control Agreement between the Registrant and Ryan P. Carson dated May 19, 2009 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 in Registrant’s 10-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009
     
10.57 Change of Control Agreement between the Registrant and Michael P. Martinez dated May 19, 2009 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 in Registrant’s 10-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009
     
10.58 Purchase option dated June 13, 2009, by and between Registrant’s subsidiary Minera Sandia S.A. de C.V. and Mineral de Suaqui Grande S. de R.L. de C.V. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.58 in Registrant’s 10-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009
     
10.59 Agreement dated June 13, 2009, by and between Registrant and Minera de Suaqui Grande S. de R.L. de C.V. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 in Registrant’s 10-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009
     
10.60 Finders Agreement dated June 13, 2009, by and between Registrant and Finder Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 in Registrant’s 10-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009
     
10.61 Amendment No. 2 dated June 30, 2009, to Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 21, 2007, by and between Registrant and Purchaser Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on August 25, 2009
     
10.62 Gold Sale Agreement dated September 11, 2009, by and between Registrant and Purchaser Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 99.1- 99.2 to Registrant’s 8-K dated September 11, 2009, as filed with the SEC on September 17, 2009
     
10.63 Placement Agreement dated January 7, 2010, by and between Registrant and Placement Agent Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated January 14, 2010, as filed with the SEC on January 20, 2010.
     
10.64 Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 14, 2010, by and between Registrant and Purchasers Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s 8-K dated January 14, 2010, as filed with the SEC on January 20, 2010.
     
14.1 Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers adopted June 15, 2006 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Registrants 10-KSB for the period ending June 30, 2006, dated February 14, 2007, as filed with the SEC on February 16, 2007
     
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 in Registrant’s 10-K dated June 30, 2009, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009
     
31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Provided herewith
     
32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Provided herewith

61


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, on September 27, 2010.

SANTA FE GOLD CORPORATION

By: /s/ W. Pierce Carson                    
Name:  W. Pierce Carson
Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated on September 27, 2010.

SIGNATURE TITLE
   
/s/ Lawrence G. Olson         Chairman of the Board
Lawrence G. Olson  
   
/s/ W. Pierce Carson           President and Chief Executive Officer
W. Pierce Carson (Principal Executive Officer)
   
/s/ W. Pierce Carson          Chief Financial Officer
W. Pierce Carson (Principal Financial Officer)
   
/s/ John E. Frost                 Director
John E. Frost  

62