UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 29, 2014

Pershing Gold Corporation

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (720) 974-7248

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o                  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o                  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o                  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o                  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4 (c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02              Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

On August 29, 2014, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Pershing Gold Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Timothy M. Janke, 62, as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.

Since November 2010, Mr. Janke has been the president of his own consulting business providing mine operating and evaluation services to several mining companies.  Beginning in July 2012, he provided consulting services at the Relief Canyon Project advising the Company on mine start-up plans and related activities.   From June 2010 to August 2014, Mr. Janke served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Gold, Inc. and its predecessor Auex Ventures, Inc.  He was General Manager-Projects for Goldcorp Inc. and its predecessor Glamis Gold, Inc. from July 2009 to July 2010, Vice President and General Manager of the Marigold Mine from February 2006 to June 2009, and its Manager of Technical Services from September 2004 to January 2006.  Mr. Janke has over 39 years of engineering and operational experience in the mining industry.  He has a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from the Mackay School of Mines.

Pursuant to the offer letter between the Company and Mr. Janke (the “Offer Letter”), Mr. Janke will devote approximately half of his time as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and will be paid an annual salary of $100,000.  In addition, Mr. Janke is entitled to participate in the Company’s bonus incentive plans with a target bonus of 80% of Mr. Janke’s base salary.  A copy of the Offer Letter is filed as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)           The following are filed as exhibits to this report on Form 8-K.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  September 4, 2014

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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