The consolidated financial statements and summaries of financial information contained in this document are reported in U.S. dollars (“$”) unless otherwise stated. All such consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been audited by Sadler Gibb & Associates, LLC, 2455 East Parleys Way, Suite 320, Salt Lake City, UT 84109. The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 have been audited by Anton & Chia LLP, 3501 Jamboree Rd., Newport Beach, CA 92660.
ITEM 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
The following tables set forth the data of our fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2018. We derived all figures from our financial statements as prepared by our management, approved by our audit committee and audited by our independent auditor. This information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements included in this annual report.
Our financial statements included in this Report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted (“GAAP”) in the United States (“US”). All amounts are expressed in United States dollars.
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
2012
(1)
$
|
2013
(1)
$
|
2014
(1)
$
|
2015
(1)
$
|
2016
(1)
$
|
2017
(1)
$
|
2018
(1)
$
|
|
OPERATING DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Gross Profit
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Net Income (Loss)
|
(368,707)
|
(523,784)
|
(808,710)
|
(716,943)
|
(1,169,425)
|
(931,290)
|
(558,974)
|
|
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
|
(0.00)
|
(0.00)
|
(0.00)
|
(0.00)
|
(0.00)
|
(0.00)
|
(0.00)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
578
|
43,560
|
3,363
|
164,808
|
17,063
|
51,311
|
39,858
|
|
Total Assets
|
15,713
|
60,552
|
13,689
|
168,899
|
17,063
|
51,311
|
39,858
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
192,017
|
380,587
|
304,714
|
438,685
|
244,257
|
372,452
|
515,381
|
|
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
|
(176,304)
|
(320,035)
|
(291,025)
|
(269,786)
|
(227,194)
|
(321,141)
|
(475,523)
|
|
|
(1)
|
As of December 31 of the respective fiscal year.
|
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not required.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not required.
6
D. Risk Factors
This Report contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or our future performance, including our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, or “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks enumerated in this section entitled “Risk Factors”, that may cause our Company’s or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this Report. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
An investment in our common stock involves a number of very significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties in addition to other information in this Report in evaluating our Company and our business before purchasing shares of our Company’s common stock. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed due to any of the following risks. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our Company. Additional risks not presently known to us may also impair our business operations. You could lose all or part of your investment due to any of these risks.
Risks Associated with Mining
Our mining properties are in the exploration stage. There is no assurance that our properties contain any mineral resources in commercially exploitable quantities. If we do not discover any mineral resource in a commercially exploitable quantity, our business will fail and investors may lose all of their investment in our Company.
Despite our acquisition of mineral claims and rights, and continuous search to develop those claims, we have not established that any of them contain any commercially exploitable mineral reserves, nor can there be any assurance that we will ever find commercially exploitable mineral reserves. The probability of an individual prospect ever having a commercially exploitable mineral reserve is extremely remote; in all probability, our mineral resource claims do not contain any reserves and any funds that we spend on exploration will probably be lost. The search for valuable minerals as a business is extremely risky. We can provide investors with no assurance that any exploration on our properties will establish that commercially exploitable reserves of minerals exist on our mining claims. Additional potential problems that may prevent us from discovering any reserves of minerals on our properties include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. Most of these factors are beyond our control, and any of them could increase costs and make extraction of any identified mineral resource unprofitable.
If we are unable to establish the presence of commercially exploitable reserves of minerals on our properties, our ability to fund future exploration activities will be impeded, we will not be able to operate profitably and investors may lose all of their investment in our Company.
We face intense competition in the mineral exploration and exploitation industry and we compete with our competitors for financing, for new mineral resource properties and for qualified managerial and technical employees.
Our competition includes large established mining companies with substantial capabilities and with greater financial and technical resources than those available to us. As a result of this competition, we may have to compete for financing and be unable to acquire financing on terms we consider acceptable. This competition could adversely affect our ability to acquire suitable prospects for exploration in the future. We may also have to compete with other mining companies in the recruitment and retention of qualified managerial and technical employees. If we are unable to successfully compete for financing or for qualified employees, our exploration programs may be slowed down or suspended. If we are unable to successfully compete for the acquisition of suitable prospects for exploration in the future, there can be no assurance that we will acquire any interest in additional mineral resource properties. The occurrence of any of these things may cause us to cease operations as a company.
Because of the inherent dangers involved in mineral exploration and exploitation, there is a risk that we may incur liability or damages as we conduct our business.
The search for valuable minerals involves numerous hazards that may subject us to liability including pollution, cave-ins and other hazards against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. At the present time we have no coverage to insure against these hazards. The payment of such liabilities may have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
7
Title to our resource properties may be challenged by third parties which could result in the loss of substantial amounts of money and resources and could cause our interests in our properties to expire or be forfeit.
We have investigated the status of our titles to our mineral resource properties and we are satisfied that the title to these properties is properly registered in the name of our Company, but we cannot guarantee that the rights to explore our claims will not be revoked or altered to our detriment. The ownership and validity of mining claims and concessions are often uncertain and may be contested. Should such a challenge to the boundaries or registration of ownership arise, the resolution of disputes or the process of clarifying the accuracy of our mining license registration could take substantial time and money. Further, the preservation of our title to our mineral claims requires that we continue to expend money or work the claims. If we fail to expend the necessary amount of money or if we fail to work our mineral claims, then our title to our mineral claims could expire or be forfeited.
Mineral prices are subject to dramatic and unpredictable fluctuations.
The market price of precious metals and other minerals is volatile and has fluctuated widely, particularly in recent years. The prices of various metals are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates and global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities and increased production due to improved mining and production methods. The supply of and demand for metals are affected by various factors, including political events, economic conditions and production casts in major mineral producing regions. Variations in the market prices of metals may have an impact on our ability to raise funding to continue exploration of our claims. In addition, any significant fluctuations in metal prices will impact our decision to accelerate or reduce our exploration activities. If the price of precious metals and other minerals should drop significantly, the cost of mineral extraction may be higher than is economically feasible. The marketability of minerals is also affected by numerous other factors beyond our control, including government regulations relating to royalties, allowable production and importing and exporting of minerals, the effect of which cannot be accurately predicted.
Mineral operations are subject to government regulations which could have the effect of reducing or preventing us from exploiting any possible mineral reserves on our claims.
Exploration activities are subject to national and local laws and regulations governing prospects, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and others which may in the future have a substantial adverse impact on our Company’s prospects. In order to comply with applicable laws, we may be required to make capital expenditures until a particular problem is remedied. Existing and possible future environmental legislation, regulation and action could cause additional expense, capital expenditure, restriction and delay in the activities of our Company, the extent of which cannot be reasonably predicted. If we violate any applicable law or regulation, we could be forced to stop work and we could be fined. If we are forced to suspend our activities or if we are required to pay a large fine for a violation of these applicable laws and regulations, our business could be adversely affected.
Our operations may be subject to environmental regulations which may result in the imposition of fines and penalties.
Our operations may be subject to environmental regulations promulgated by government agencies from time to time. Environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry operations, such as seepage from tailings disposal areas, which would result in environmental pollution. A breach of such legislation may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which means stricter standards, and enforcement; fines and penalties for non-compliance are more stringent. Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and directors, officers and employees. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has a potential to reduce the profitability of operations.
Risks Related to Our Company
The fact that we have not generated any operating revenues for the last ten years raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We have not generated any operating revenues for the last ten years and we will, in all likelihood, continue to incur operating expenses without revenues until our mining claims are fully developed and in commercial production. As a result, we need to generate significant revenues from our operations or obtain financing. We cannot assure that we will be able to successfully explore and develop our mining claims or assure that viable reserves exist on the claims for extraction. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. It is unlikely that we will generate any funds internally until we discover commercially viable quantities of precious metals and other minerals. If we are unable to generate revenue from our business in the next twelve months, we may be forced to delay, scale back, or eliminate our exploration activities. If any of these actions were to become necessary, we may not be able to continue to explore our properties or operate our business and if either of those events happen, then there is a substantial risk our business would fail.
8
We have a limited operating history on which to base an evaluation of our business and prospects.
As of the date of this Report, we have not yet located any mineral reserve. As a result, we have never had any revenues from our operations. In addition, we have no operating history related to the acquisition and exploration of our mineral properties. We have no way to evaluate the likelihood of whether our mineral claims contain any mineral reserve or, if they do that we will be able to build or operate a mine successfully. We anticipate that we will continue to incur operating costs without realizing any revenues during the period when we are exploring our claims. We expect to continue to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. We recognize that if we are unable to generate significant revenues from mining operations and any dispositions of our claims, we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. At this stage of our operation in this industry, we also expect to face the risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies at the start up stage of their business development. We cannot be sure that we will be successful in addressing these risks and uncertainties and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful and we can provide investors with no assurance that we will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations.
We have not generated any revenue from our business and we may need to raise additional funds in the near future. If we are not able to obtain future financing when required, we might be forced to discontinue our business.
Because we have not generated any revenue from our business and we cannot anticipate when we will be able to generate revenue from our business, we will need to raise additional funds for the further exploration and future development of our mining claims and to respond to unanticipated requirements or expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received $165,500 in financing and for year ended December 31, 2017 we received $415,000 in financing. However, if our expenses exceed these funds, we will need to secure additional financing for further exploration and development of our projects or to fulfill our obligations under any applicable agreements. Although we have been successful in the past in obtaining financing, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that the terms of such financing will be favorable. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in a delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development of our projects with the possible loss of such properties.
Canada Business Corporations Act provides for the indemnification of our officers and directors against all costs, charges and expenses incurred by them in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding.
The Canada Business Corporations Act contains provisions limiting the liability of our officers and directors for their acts and failures to act and for any loss, damage or expense incurred by our Company which shall happen in the execution of their duties of such officers or directors, unless the officers or directors did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our Company. Such limitations on liability may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors and may discourage or deter our shareholders from suing our officers and directors based upon breaches of their duties to our Company, though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit our Company and our shareholders.
Risks Relating to our Securities
Investors’ interests in our Company will be diluted and investors may suffer dilution in their net book value per share if we issue additional shares or raise funds through the sale of equity securities.
We are currently without a source of revenue and will most likely be required to issue additional shares to finance our operations and, depending on the outcome of our exploration programs, may issue additional shares to finance additional exploration programs of any or all of our projects or to acquire additional properties. If we are required to issue additional shares to raise financing, your interests in our Company will be diluted and you may suffer dilution in your net book value per share depending on the price at which such securities are sold. Further, if we issue any share purchase warrants or share purchase options, and they are exercised, there will be a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other shareholders. The dilution may result in a decline in the market price of our common shares.
Investors’ interests in our Company will be diluted and investors will suffer dilution in their net book value per share if we issue employee/director/consultant options.
We may in the future grant to some or all of our directors, officers, insiders, and key employees, options to purchase our common shares as non-cash incentives to those persons. Such options may be granted at exercise prices equal to market prices, or at such other price as may be permitted under the policies of any stock exchange upon which our securities are traded (currently, our common shares are listed for trading on the OTCPK), when the public market is depressed. The issuance of additional shares will cause our existing shareholders to experience dilution of their ownership interests.
9
We do not plan to pay any Dividends in the foreseeable future.
The Company has never paid a dividend and it is unlikely that the Company will declare or pay a dividend until warranted based on the factors outlined below. The declaration, amount and date of distribution of any dividends in the future will be decided by the Board of Directors from time-to-time, based upon, and subject to, the Company’s earnings, financial requirements and other conditions prevailing at the time.
In the event that key employees leave the Company, the Company would be harmed since we are heavily dependent upon them for all aspects of our activities.
The Company is heavily dependent on our officers and directors, key employees and contractors, the loss of whom could have, in the short-term, a negative impact on our ability to conduct our activities and could cause a decline in profitability of our properties or additional costs from a delay in development or exploration of properties. The Company has consulting agreements with key employees and contractors, and an employment agreement with our President.
We face exposure to fluctuations in the price of our common stock due to the very limited cash resources we have.
The Company has very limited resources to pay its professionals. If we are unable to pay professionals in order to perform various professional services for the Company, it may be difficult, if not impossible, for the Company to maintain its reporting status under the Exchange Act. In 2018, when preparing to audit its financials for the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company’s prior auditor shut down their practice as the result of certain litigation against them. This caused a financial hardship to the Company delaying its annual report filing. If the Company felt that it was likely that it would not be able to maintain its reporting status, it would make a disclosure by filing a Form 6-K with the SEC. In any case, if the Company was not able to maintain its reporting status, it would become “delisted” and this would potentially cause an investor or an existing shareholder to lose all or part of his investment.
The Company does not anticipate any contingency upon which it would voluntarily cease filing reports with the SEC, even though it may cease to be required to do so.
It is in the compelling interest of the Company to report its affairs annually and currently, as the case may be, generally to provide accessible public information to interested parties, and also specifically to maintain its qualification for the OTCPK, if and when the Company’s intended application for submission is effective.
The success of the Company will depend on the developments of an active trading market.
While the Company's common shares are included on Over the Counter Markets (OTCPK), there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the common shares will develop. In the absence of such a market, investors may be unable to readily liquidate their investment in the common shares. The market for equity securities in general has been volatile and the trading price of the common shares could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to general market trends, changes in general conditions in the economy, the financial markets and other factors that may be unrelated to the Company's performance.
Low-Priced Stocks are subject to greater Disclosure Requirements.
The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules (“Penny Stock Rules”) that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. The common shares of the Company fall within the Commission's definition of a penny stock. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current prices and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The Penny Stock Rules require a broker-dealer, prior to effecting a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the Penny Stock Rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such rules, the broker-dealer must receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that is subject to the Penny Stock Rules. At any time when the Company's common stock is subject to the Penny Stock Rules, shareholders may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
10
ITEM 4. Information on the Company
A. History and Development of the Company
The Company was incorporated as a federal company pursuant to the laws of Canada under the
Canada Business Corporations Act
(the “Act”) on October 30, 1997, under the name 3430502 Canada Ltd. In December 1997, the Company changed its name to Four Crown Foods Inc. At the time, the Company was involved in the food and beverage retail business. Then in June, 2000, the Company changed its name to Universal Domains Incorporated and operated in the domain registration business upon the acquisition of the license rights to a domain registration agreement for the “.cc” internet registration domain.
In November 2003, the Company ceased all operations and in September, 2004, the Company changed its name to Pure Capital Incorporated. From that time until November 1, 2006, the Company’s goals were to continue to reduce the liabilities of the Company in an effort to obtain additional financing and explore the possibilities of starting a new operating business, and/or merge with or become acquired by another company or entity.
On November 27, 2006, the Company acquired full rights and title to certain mining and exploration claims located in the State of Arizona along with other equipment and properties from Redhawk Exploration & Development, Inc., a Texas corporation.
Then on February 6, 2007, the Company changed its name to Tombstone Exploration Corporation to reflect its current operations in the mining and exploration industry. Since that time we have been operating in the mineral resource business and the primary focus of operations has been to generate revenue from the production of silver and gold, as well as additional base minerals such as copper, lead and zinc. The goal is to produce metals and minerals at or below standard industry costs. The historical nature of mining activities of our present holdings and the acceptance of governmental agencies will enable easier startup here than in non-mining oriented locations.
Following identification of suitable areas during our drilling programs, which we anticipate will continue in the future, the Company may initiate mineral extraction if sufficient funding and permitting are secured. These efforts will provide an operating financial base from which to expand. Continuing geological research, testing and drilling is planned based on the initial geological report. This will assist in the identification of key target areas, as well as establish reserve categories.
Discussions with precious metal processing and consulting companies to assist in the design of the overall operation of our mining claims have been initiated. Relationships have already been established with refineries, assay companies and engineering firms supporting worldwide mineral processing operations.
The Stardust Mine, Yuma County Arizona, Eagletail Mining District
The Company holds the mineral rights to approximately 400 acres of BLM lode claims which includes the Stardust Mine in Yuma County Arizona, the Eagletail Mining District. Exploration work began on the property starting in October 1, 2015. The Stardust Mine is a disseminated Gold Property.
Tombstone holds US Federal unpatented lode claims over the Stardust project area. Tombstone has staked these claims by locations.
Stardust Project, Yuma Co AZ: 100% interest in 20 unpatented federal lode claims found within Sections 1,2, T2S,R11W, Yuma County, Arizona, USA.
Stardust claims acquired by staking of lode claims. Surface and mineral rights are authorized under United States locatable mining rights - The General Mining Law of 1872. An annual Maintenance fee system under which federal claims are held is established by section 314 of the FLPMA (43 USC 1744 and 43 CFR 3833).
The current lode claims “Star1 – Star20” held from dates:
•
Location date of Claims Star1 thru Star4 - located Star4 May 19, 2015 to Sept 1 2019.
•
Location of Claims Star5 thru Star20 - located Sept 12th,2015 to Sept 1st 2019.
•
Stardust claims (Star1 –Star20) are United States federal unpatented lode claims.
•
Stardust project is an Exploration project.
•
Project name: Stardust
•
Claim names: Star1 through Star20
•
List of claims at Stardust project included in below compiled listing of Stardust project claims:
11
These claims can be found recorded in the Phoenix BLM system and accessed through the online LR2000 system found at: https://www.blm.gov/lr2000/
|
AMC Number
|
Name
|
Loc Date
|
Maintenance Paid to
|
Type
|
Surface Owner
|
Mineral Owner
|
|
AMC433664
|
Star1
|
5/19/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433665
|
Star2
|
5/19/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433666
|
Star3
|
5/19/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433667
|
Star4
|
5/19/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433914
|
Star5
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433915
|
Star6
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433916
|
Star7
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433917
|
Star8
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433918
|
Star9
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433919
|
Star10
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433920
|
Star11
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433921
|
Star12
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433922
|
Star13
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433923
|
Star14
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433924
|
Star15
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433925
|
Star16
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433926
|
Star17
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433927
|
Star18
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433928
|
Star19
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
|
AMC433928
|
Star20
|
9/12/2015
|
1-Sep-19
|
Lode
|
BLM
|
BLM
|
•
A yearly maintenance payment is due prior to Sept 1st of each year.
•
Tombstone Exploration Corporation responsible for paying fees.
•
Mr. Alan Brown, President and CEO.
•
Stardust project currently has area of approximately 413.2 acres.
•
Stardust Project / property: A block of continuous claims (a claim block) of 20 claims called Star claims (Star1 – Star20).
•
The Star claims are found within Sections 1 & 2, T2S,R11W, Gila and Salt Base and Meridian, Yuma County, Arizona, USA.
See attached Stardust Project maps:
•
A State scale map titled “Tombstone Exploration Corporation, State Index map & location of Stardust project.” – This map shows an inset US map, as well as a larger scale Arizona map showing relative position of the Stardust project area within the State.
12
13
•
A regional scale map titled:
“Regional Access Map – Stardust Project – Tombstone Exploration Corp.” with the Stardust claims, county, Interstate, and regional urban areas displayed, as well as 100k scale USGS topographic background.
14
•
A project scale map plotted at 1” = 1000’ - Map Titled “
Tombstone Exploration, Stardust claims, Yuma Co.”
shows the Stardust project area and lode claims held by Tombstone Exploration Corporation. Additionally, a USGS quadrangle 7.5 minute background image is present within the map showing planimetric, topographic features, and roads within and outside the project area.
An Application to conduct exploration trenching and drilling on the Stardust Claim block was received by the Bureau of Land Management on March 18, 2016. This work program started mid 2017 subsequent to the Company’s Reclamation Bond’s acceptance by the US Bureau of Land Management on May 17, 2017. Prior to May 2017, the Company’s Notice Application to conduct exploration drilling plan was accepted. The Company has engaged Harris Exploration Drilling and Associates, Inc., a Nevada company, to commence drilling on the Stardust Claim.
This property lies along the northern flanks of the Gila Bend Mountains, which are underlain by Precambrian schist and granitic rocks of probable Cretaceous age, uncomformably overlying and intruding the older rocks are Tertiary volcanic rocks.
The geology of the Stardust claims is dominated by three types or phases of granitic rocks. The age of the intrusive rocks is probably Cretaceous, but they could be Precambrian or mid-Tertiary; we currently believe they are most likely to be Cretaceous. Ninety-five percent of the mapped area is encompassed by granitic rocks. The other five percent is divided evenly between Precambrian chlorite schist and mid-Tertiary andesite dikes.
The granitics are subdivided into three units. They may all be related to the same magma or be of different ages or a combination of the two. All three are easily identifiable in the field bases on their megascopic characteristics. The first and most abundant unit is leucocratic granite. It is white in color, fine to medium-grained, and does not contain mafic minerals. The presence of chlorite is almost ubiquitous in the leuco-granite, and occurs mainly along fracture surfaces. Chlorite is probably an alteration product associated with fracturing and/or mineralization. The second granitic unit is quartz monzonite. It forms the main portion of South Hill (see Plate 1). It is equigranular and contains hornblende and biotite. Narrow (1-3) silicified and brecciated zones are hosted by this unit; and are commonly anomalous in gold. The third unit is also quartz monzonite in composition, but contains anhedral pink feldspars which distinguish it from the other two units. Alteration and mineralization are completely lacking in this unit.
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Chlorite schist crops out at three localities which average about 50-75 feet in width and 300 feet in length. The schist unit is a roof pendant and probably continues at depth for only a few hundred feet. The age of the chlorite schist is probably Precambrian, based on its resemblance to other Precambrian schist units in western Arizona. Mineralization does occur within the schist, generally near andesite dikes.
The andesite dikes crop out as narrow (5-10 feet), sinuous bodies and crosscut the leucogranite and chlorite schist. Intrusion of the dikes is tentatively dated as Oligocene to early-Miocene. In the north-central position of the mapped area, the andesite seems to “blossom” into a stock-like body with minimum dimensions of 100 feet by 400 feet; see section B-B’, Plate 3 for configuration. Strike direction of the dikes varies from east-west to N70 degrees West and dips average 70 degrees to the North. Alteration of the andesite consists of silicification, brecciation, and iron-oxides; however, some andesite is devoid of alteration, especially in the eastern portion of mapped area.
Due to the paucity of outcrop on the property, structures were difficult to define. In a broad sense, the entire mapped area has been intensely fractured along an east-west structure, this fracturing is at least a ½ mile in length and 300-500 feet in width. The zone could be much wider, but colluvium to the north covers any extension.
Gold and silver mineralization with copper occurs along an east-west trend and is spatially related to an andesite dike. The dike is variably silicified and iron-stained. Silicification consists of silica replacement and drusy quart crystals in open-space veins. Hematite staining and vein fillings are commonly associated with gold.
On November 25, 2015, Zonge International completed ground geophysics across the 400 Acre claim block owned by Tombstone in the Eagletail Mining District, Yuma County, Arizona. Zonge has been well respected for geophysical data acquisition in the minerals industry since 1970. They are an industry leader in methods such as IP (induced polarization) and CSEM/AMT, as well as SP, seismic, and gravity/magnetic data acquisition.
Zonge has performed a ground magnetic survey across the claim block to determine the extent of the Stardust Fault. Previous reports state that the two shafts on the property were sunk along a high angled structure which trends E-NE across the area of outcrop. This structure is thought to be the ‘feeder’ for the Gold Silver mineralization in the project area. Several reports reference ‘free milling gold’ from drifts along this fault. Abundant dump material contains anomalous gold and silver values as well as visible copper oxides. Due to the extensive surface disturbance in this area, performing a ground magnetic survey will give a better understanding of the subsurface character of the fault. This method details changes in density in the subsurface and is used to define faults, fractures, and changes in rock types. As a result, this geophysical data will be used to better define the Phase I scope of work, which will involve detailed surface mapping, rock/soil sampling, and delineation of drill targets.
The Stardust property has two shafts on this property that are secured with wire fencing. We have not entered either of these shafts at this time. There has been minimal surface disturbance on this property and we are not aware of any trenching, mine dumps, ponds or any contaminations released by former processing or assay/testing activities.
The encouraging results from the rock sampling program over the Stardust project indicate the presence of a high angle detachment related precious metals vein system. The mineralization present at the Stardust project appears to be located within detachment related veins & locally intensively chloritic and hematitic host rocks. The vein system has been sampled over a strike of approximately 3,200 feet (975 meters). These veins appear to be a feeder system of an extensive partially eroded low angle fault system over the Stardust.
The results of the latest tranche of rock samples combined with field observations, and existing data, appear to fit the USGS detachment fault model of USGS Bulletin 2004 by Long, K.R.: Preliminary Descriptive Deposit Model for Detachment-Fault-Related Mineralization. Other productive detachment fault related precious and base metal systems occur through the Basin and Range areas of Southern California, Western Arizona, and Southern Nevada. An example in Arizona includes the Copperstone Mine, previously mined by Cypress which produced one half million ounces of gold by open pit methods from 1987-1993. Copperstone is currently being evaluated for additional resources.
Quartz veins are present in outcrop, subcrop, float, & in historical mining dumps. In addition to these strong precious metal values found in samples, additional observations at Stardust include:
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The presence of chalcedonic quartz veins.
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Crushed veins & and multi-phase cemented - banded silica veins, & silicification.
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Abundant drusy textures (boiling level and vapor phase)
Footwall host rocks are a metasediment matrix with strong hematite & intensive chloritic alteration + copper oxides.
The Property is without known Reserves and the property is exploratory in nature based on prior work on this property over many years.
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The current service on this claim block has disturbances of which has been identified in our exploration plan previously filed with the BLM. Any further surface disturbance from the result of our Exploration Work that has been filed with the Bureau of Land Management will be required to be remediated.
Stardust Mine Events for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:
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As announced on May 30, 2017, the Company’s Reclamation Bond was accepted on May 17, 2017, by the BLM, and prior to this, the Notice Application to conduct exploration drilling plan was accepted. The Company has engaged Harris Exploration Drilling and Associates Inc. (Harris Drilling), a Nevada company to commence drilling on the Stardust property the first week of June. Harris Drilling has been in business for over fifty years and has worked for many of the top mining and exploration companies in the world. This first phase drilling program is designed to establish strike length and test grades over a large enough width within the defined chlorite hematite hosted vein system. The drilling will attempt to define structural continuity (vein continuity along strike), grade of veins and hosting chl-hem zone, and find the width of structures. The program, as designed, should also demonstrate grade at reasonably shallow depths. The lowest drilling angle -45 degrees is envisioned for this program. This phase will include approximately 3000 ft of drilling. The mineralization present at the Stardust Project appears to be located within detachment related veins hosted by intensively chloritic and hematitic host rocks. The vein system has been sampled over a strike of approximately 3200 feet (975 meters). These veins appear to be a feeder system of an extensive partially eroded low angle fault system regionally present.
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As announced on July 5, 2017, the first two holes Core(HQ) of drilling were completed. The first hole (SDD1) was completed at a depth of 350 ft and the second hole (SDD2) was completed at 290ft at the 100% owned Stardust claim block located in Yuma County, Arizona. This first drill program is expected to drill 6–8 holes totaling 3000 ft. The Stardust drilling campaign is targeting an epithermal precious metals (gold, silver ) system. Harris Exploration Drilling and Associates Inc. (Harris Drilling), a Nevada company, commenced drilling on June 10th. The core samples from the first two holes were delivered to Skyline Assayers and Laboratories in Tucson, Arizona on July 3rd. The samples will be crushed and pulverized with standard steel and then proceed to be fire assayed for Gold and a 24 multi-element Geochemistry for Silver and multiple other trace elements. This first phase drilling program is designed to establish strike length and test grades over a large enough width within the defined chlorite hematite hosted vein system. The drilling will attempt to define structural continuity (vein continuity along strike), grade of veins and hosting chl-hem zone, and find the width of structures. The program, as designed, should also demonstrate grade at reasonably shallow depths. The lowest drilling angle -45 degrees is envisioned for this program.
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As announced on August 30, 2017, the third and fourth holes Core(HQ) of drilling were completed by Harris Drilling and Associates Inc. on July 26, 2017. The third hole (SDD3) was completed at a depth of 175 ft and the fourth hole (SDD4) was completed at 293 ft at the 100% owned Stardust claim block located in Yuma County, Arizona. Phase 2 drilling is scheduled for September. The Stardust drilling campaign is targeting an epithermal precious metals (gold, silver) system. The core samples from the third and fourth holes were delivered to Skyline Assayers and Laboratories in Tucson, Arizona, on July 28th. The samples will be crushed and pulverized with standard steel and then proceed to be fire assayed for gold and a 24 multi-element Geochemistry for silver and multiple other trace elements.
This first phase drilling program is designed to establish strike length and test grades over a large enough width within the defined chlorite hematite hosted vein system. The drilling will attempt to define structural continuity (vein continuity along strike), grade of veins and hosting chl-hem zone, and find the width of structures. The program, as designed, should also demonstrate grade at reasonably shallow depths. The lowest drilling angle -45 degrees is envisioned for this program.
Holes 3 and 4 are designed to test projection of gold mineralization in outcrop veins and silicification found just NE of one of the original shafts on the property. We look forwarding to receiving and reviewing the assay results and sharing with our shareholders, as there have been multiple locations of veins throughout the core that we have sent for assay.”
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As announced on December 5, 2017, Nine RC drill holes totaling 5000’ were completed at the Stardust project in November. Drilling focused mostly on the western half of the property with -45 degree inclined holes. The main Stardust Mine structure, which strikes just north of due east, and secondary NE fault splays on its north side were primary targets. Drill holes across these structures consistently intercepted intervals of quartz veining, strong silicification, and associated iron oxide minerals, all prospective for gold-silver mineralization. Wall rocks to the veins included propylitically altered monzonite intrusive, meta-volcanic, and meta-sedimentary rocks. Most of the 2017 drilling occurred in an area of thin (25-90’) gravel cover created by downward offset on the N and NW sides of E-W and NE structures. Blind structural drill targets were partly resolved with the 2015 Zonge Engineering ground magnetic data, and partly discernible from detailed air photos and geologic mapping. Though the gravel contains angular fragments of gold-silver bearing, banded epithermal quartz vein material, it hindered historic development work at Stardust during the 1920’s, by obscuring in place quartz veins.
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The overall Stardust epithermal system appears differentially eroded from east to west. East of the historic mine shafts, exposures are good. Rock chip gold-silver results improve nearer to the historic Stardust mine shafts, which are located in a central corridor where the precious metals zone is better preserved from erosion, but incompletely covered by gravel. Drill holes SDR 5 and 6 tested this corridor. Drill holes SDR 7 through SDR 13 targeted quartz veins beneath gravel cover up to 300’ north and 1500’ west of the historic shafts. These holes encountered the strongest quartz vein intervals, up to 55’ thick. Quartz vein intervals were encountered through a depth range from just below the gravel cover to downhole depths up to 615’, suggesting good preservation of the precious metals zone at depth. About 1300’ west of the Stardust shaft, a prominent NE structure further down-drops tertiary volcanic rocks into fault contact with older intrusive and metamorphic rocks that host the known quartz veins. SDR 12 was collared in the hanging wall of this structure and encountered a thicker gravel sequence, tertiary volcanic rocks, and quartz veining at the fault contact between the tertiary volcanic rocks and pre-tertiary basement rocks, as well as additional quartz veins and silicification in the basement rocks. Strong alteration and structurally-controlled quartz veining continue to the western extent of the 2017 drilling, leaving the Stardust epithermal system open to the west and potentially still strengthening to the west. This drill program clearly shows the Stardust project contains an epithermal alteration system much larger and stronger than indicated by the restricted historic workings and surface exposures and requires further drilling to determine its size. The strength and extent of quartz veining and silicification observed during the drill program suggest excellent potential for significant gold and silver results. All 1000 samples are presently at Skyline Assayers and Laboratories in Tucson, Arizona. Results are expected in 4-6 weeks.
In summary, the recently completed 9-hole drill program at Stardust has successfully confirmed the presence of quartz veins outside of previously tested areas at the Stardust property. The drilling identified strong quartz vein structures along the trend for over 1500 feet west of the historic Stardust shafts. Drilling encountered quartz veins and metallic mineralization in the area outside the historic underground workings. This suggests that there could be additional precious metal resources in known structures west of the historic mines.
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As announced on February 8, 2018, the Company announced the results from the phase two drill on the Stardust Gold Project as follows. Tombstone Exploration completed 13 holes totaling 6200’ at the Stardust project in 2017. Drilling focused mostly on the western half of the property with -45degree inclined holes. The main Stardust Mine structure, which strikes just north of due east, and secondary NE fault splays on its north side were primary targets. Drill holes across these structures consistently intercepted intervals of quartz veining, strong silicification, and associated iron oxide minerals, all prospective for gold-silver mineralization. Wall rocks to the veins included propylitically altered monzonite intrusive, meta-volcanic, and meta-sedimentary rocks. Most of the 2017 drilling occurred in an area of thin (25-90’) gravel cover created by downward offset on the N and NW sides of E-W and NE structures.
The overall Stardust epithermal system appears differentially eroded from east to west. East of the historic mine shafts, exposures are good. Rock chip gold-silver results improve nearer to the historic Stardust mine shafts, which are located in a central corridor where the precious metals zone is better preserved from erosion, but incompletely covered by gravel. Drill holes SDR 5 and 6 tested this corridor. Drill holes SDR 7 through SDR 13 targeted quartz veins beneath gravel cover up to 300’ north and 1500’ west of the historic shafts. These holes encountered the strongest quartz vein intervals, up to 55’ thick. Quartz vein intervals were encountered through a depth range from just below the gravel cover to downhole depths up to 615’, suggesting good preservation of the precious metals zone at depth. About 1300’ west of the Stardust shaft, a prominent NE structure further down-drops tertiary volcanic rocks into fault contact with older intrusive and metamorphic rocks that host the known quartz veins. SDR 12 was collared in the hanging wall of this structure and encountered a thicker gravel sequence, tertiary volcanic rocks, and quartz veining at the fault contact between the tertiary volcanic rocks and pre-tertiary basement rocks, as well as additional quartz veins and silicification in the basement rocks. Strong alteration and structurally-controlled quartz veining continue to the western extent of the 2017 drilling, leaving the Stardust epithermal system open to the west and potentially still strengthening to the west. To date all drill results had lower grade gold than expected on this small area of drilling. Tombstone has drilled through incredible large quartz vein intercepts with this drill campaign and nearly every section sent for assay carried gold, leaving Tombstone highly optimistic on identifying greater quantities on the remaining 396 acres of the Stardust Property.
In addition to the gold assays Tombstone also had its lab prepare Analysis of 29 additional elements which included lithium. There were interesting lithium numbers in all the drill holes of which we did not expect. Although the lithium numbers are also considered low grade it will now be added to our exploration plan. Lithium is hosted in a pregmatite composition that is similar to granite with abundant quartz. The third phase drill area has a number of pregmatite outcrops of which we will be included in our next drill targets.
The first two phases of drilling were designed to establish strike length and test grades over a large enough width within the defined chlorite hematite hosted vein system. The drilling was to define structural continuity (vein continuity along strike), grade of veins and hosting chl-hem zone, and find the width of structures.
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The State of Main Mine and others as well as Section 16 of the Tombstone Mining District Copper Exploration, Cochise Count, Tombstone Arizona
The Property is without known Reserves and the State of Main Mine is exploratory in nature based on prior work completed on this property over many years. There are multiple areas that were worked on the State of Maine Mine from the 1930’s, they have been described in many reports that previous geologists have rendered that are historic in nature. Most of this work was completed underground and access was through mine shafts and decline entrance ways. We have not completed any work in the interior of this property. We have not encountered any previous contamination on these properties related to former processing or assay testing activities.
The Company holds the mineral rights to approximately 640 acres in the historical western Tombstone silver mining district. Our property area lies within the historic Tombstone Mining District Cochise County, Arizona. The town of Tombstone, Arizona is approximately 70 miles (miles, 110 kilometers (km)) southeast of Tucson and 24 miles (40 km) northwest of Bisbee, Arizona. The San Pedro River lies about 2 miles (3 km) west of the property’s westernmost boundary.
The Tombstone mining district is one of 12 mining districts in Cochise County, Arizona. Copper, lead, zinc, silver, and gold were the principal metals produced from the different mines in the County. Management has structured and positioned the Company to capitalize on today's increasing demand and prices for precious metals and base metals such as copper, lead and zinc.
The Tombstone property is composed of three non-contiguous parcels totaling approximately 640 acres. The parcels consist of 8 patented lode claims totaling 145.6 acres (58.9 ha), and 1 Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) exploration permits totaling 495 acres. The Company owns the mineral rights to the patented claims; the surface rights are owned by various individuals. The Arizona state trust lands exploration permits grant the Company the exclusive exploration rights for up to 5 years from the date the exploration applications were filed. Surface and mineral rights are variously owned by the U.S. federal government, the State of Arizona, and individual persons.
In addition to continuing to explore our current mineral rights, we will seek out and attempt to acquire new properties.
B. Business Overview
This business generally consists of three stages: exploration, development and production. We are a mineral resource company in the exploration stage because we have not yet found mineral resources in commercially exploitable quantities, and are engaged in exploring land in an effort to discover them. Mineral resource companies that have located a mineral resource in commercially exploitable quantities and are preparing to extract that resource are in the development stage, while those engaged in the extraction of a known mineral resource are in the production stage.
Mineral resource exploration can consist of several stages. The earliest stage usually consists of the identification of a potential prospect through either the discovery of a mineralized showing on that property or as the result of a property being in proximity to another property on which exploitable resources have been identified, whether or not they are or have in the past been extracted.
After the identification of a property as a potential prospect, the next stage would usually be the acquisition of a right to explore the area for mineral resources. This can consist of the outright acquisition of the land or the acquisition of specific, but limited, rights to the land (e.g., a license, lease or concession). After acquisition, exploration would probably begin with a surface examination by a prospector or professional geologist with the aim of identifying areas of potential mineralization, followed by detailed geological sampling and mapping of this showing with possible geophysical and geochemical grid surveys to establish whether a known trend of mineralization continues underground, possibly trenching in these covered areas to allow sampling of the underlying rock. Exploration also commonly includes systematic regularly spaced drilling in order to determine the extent and grade of the mineralized system at depth and over a given area, as well as gaining underground access by ramping or shafting in order to obtain bulk samples that would allow one to determine the ability to recover various commodities from the rock. If minerals are found, exploration might culminate in a feasibility study to ascertain if the mining of the minerals would be economic. A feasibility study is a study that reaches a conclusion with respect to the economics of bringing a mineral resource to the production stage.
Operations
The Company has conducted several drilling programs on the Tombstone property, as described in greater detail below.
2007 Drilling Program
In early March 2007, we commenced our reverse circulation (RC) drill program. On or about March 21, 2007, we completed the first reverse circulation drill hole (RT-1) to a depth of 500 feet and intercepted silver/gold mineralization when it hit its target at the Tombstone property.
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The 2007 Drill Program consisted of distinct drill sites that were designed to intercept extensions of the State of Maine mine, Merrimac zone, Bonanza-Solstice mines and the Ace-in-the-Hole-Black Horse mine sub-parallel trends. These zones are north-easterly trending. Core holes were HQ size and were drilled using triple tube core technology to assure that the most complete core recovery was achieved. Drill hole spacing was approximately 100 meters between drill hole sites. The four mineralized zones were tested over strike lengths ranging from 200 meters to 500 meters. All available historical data indicates that there were no historical mining activities conducted below the water level in the areas covered by the 2007 Drill Program.
Following the 2007 Drill Program, in January 2008, the Company received assay results for 115 samples taken from its Tombstone Project property within T20S R22E Sections 16 and 17. It was determined that more detailed sampling would be required to further assess the Santa Ana Mine workings.
2008 Drill Program – Phase 1
On or about April 1, 2008, the Company began to conduct geological mapping and sampling that, combined with historical data, provided the basis for the 2008 core drilling program.
On May 29, 2008, the Company engaged Layne Christensen Company (NASDAQ: LAYN) of Mission Woods, Kansas to conduct its 2008 drilling program, which commenced on June 17, 2008 and continued through September 2008.
On October 9, 2008, the Company announced the completion of its 2008 Drill Program which consisted of 2,593 feet of core drilling at its silver project in Tombstone. Six diamond drill holes (DDH) were drilled, TEMC 101,102,103,104,105 and 106, to test the extension of the mineralization zones of the Bonanza and Santa Ana structures, both of which possess historical data from within the mining district. Both structures exhibit open ends at the south and north, as well down dip.
Holes were drilled as HQ diameter and using triple-tube technology, yielding a recovery over 90% in most instances. RQD is estimated at 45%, average.
Five out of the six DD holes intersected the projected targets at different levels at the south, central and north of the structures, while DDH TEMC 101 provided a great deal of information regarding the Bonanza structure which seems to be bent in an opposite direction in depth. This particular piece of information has been physically confirmed in the Bonanza mine workings where the structure becoming sub-vertical at 200 feet approximately, and then switches the dip to east, rather than dipping west as observed at the upper sectors of the shafts.
The 2008 Drill Program revealed a new mineralized structural corridor between the State of Maine and Merrimac veins at the southern portion of the property. The corridor extends for over one mile, and locally exhibits 80-100' width with some feldspar porphyry dikes in between.
The results of this Phase 1 drill program have resulted in identifying a mineral zone that the Company’s management believes is a significant precious metals and base metals discovery. The Company intends to carry out an aggressive exploration and comprehensive drilling program.
Following the completion of the Phase 1 Drill Program in 2008, the Company received
assay results from rock chip samples on its Tombstone properties. Outcrop samples taken from horizontal projections of mineralized structures away from historical mine workings indicate continuity of silver, gold, lead, zinc, copper and manganese minerals along these structural corridors through the property package. Samples from two structures were collected and taken to Copper States Analytical Lab in Prescott, Arizona for gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper and manganese assays.
2008 Technical Report
In May 2008, we filed our initial Technical Report regarding the Tombstone property. SRK Consulting (“SRK”) of Tucson, Arizona completed the Technical Report. SRK is an independent, international consulting group, employing leading specialists in environmental science and mineral engineering. Its seamless integration of services, and global base, has made the company a significant international practice in due diligence, feasibility studies and confidential internal reviews. SRK's global experience and reputation for excellence is widely recognized among the major financial institutions and are repeatedly called upon to advise on and evaluate projects for all types of market transactions. Formed in 1974, SRK employs more than 600 professionals internationally in 31 permanent offices on 6 continents.
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SRK made the following recommendations:
An extended program of vertical and inclined core drilling was recommended for the Tombstone Property. Drilling would be aimed at determining mineralization grades and fissure vein characteristics such as horizontal and vertical extent, relationships to other veins, widths and depths below the water table. It would also provide geotechnical information, samples for bulk density measurements, and samples for preliminary metallurgical testing. It is difficult to say how many drill holes would be indicated. A program is suggested that would include a minimum of five 1000-foot core holes along existing mineralized structural zones to define depth potential below the water table. A program of twenty 500-ft drill holes (RC) can be used to explore along strike of mapped extensions to known structures.
1.
Conduct additional inclined and vertical drilling for the following purposes:
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Evaluate the width of structural targets such as dikes, fissures, and veins;
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Confirm silver mineralization across the targets;
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Evaluate potential mineralization below the water table in the target areas;
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Provide fresh samples for mineralogical and metallurgical testing; and,
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Conduct in-fill and/or extension drilling where necessary.
Any additional drilling should be by the core drilling methods with HQ size core. The drilling should include some oriented drillcore, targeting the northeast-trending fissures, to intercept the greatest possible thickness and depth of mineralized rock. Additional drilling should be directed toward evaluating mineralization below the water table.
The recommended drilling will provide additional structural and assay information to allow for possible delineation of mineralized zones, and will provide additional geotechnical information. Closer spaced drillhole definition of higher grade and thicker mineralization should be the goal.
2.
Conduct down-hole surveys to measure drill-hole deviation, particularly for drill holes in excess of 100 m.
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Devise a suitable numerical drill log that will allow inclusion of detailed lithology, alteration and mineralization information, in numeric form, in addition to assay data, to allow for digital drill logs.
4.
Convert historical hard copy drill logs to digital format logs.
2009/2010 Drill Program - Phase II
In February 2009, the Company extracted six additional samples from the Tombstone property which were sent to Copper State Analytical for assay for gold, silver, manganese, copper, lead and zinc. Three of the samples were taken from the State of Maine Mine and three from Randolph Mine, both located on the Tombstone property. The Company suspended the 2009 Drill Program due to general economic factors leading to difficulty in obtaining the requisite financing to fund the program.
In April 2010, the Company resumed the 2009 Drill Program, with the two targets drilled and both having intersected mineralized zones. The Company utilized a portable x-ray diffraction (XRF) machine to get on-site reading of metal levels in the drill cuttings. The results helped the exploration team manage the drilling program. Tombstone's property is underlain by Uncle Sam porphyry and units of the Bisbee Group. Mineralized fissures strike consistently northeast, and many of the fissures exhibit consistent orientation for hundreds of feet along strike. Many fissures have parallel orientations, forming fissure sets. The main mines in this area occur along these northeast-striking fissures. The State of Maine mine occurs in fissures that cut both Bisbee sediments and Uncle Sam porphyry. These structural mineralized fissures are the primary focus of the current exploration program.
As of June 30, 2010, 4,080 feet of drilling had been completed. Also, during this period, additional geologist investigation was undertaken to further assess the potential for porphyry copper exploration targets on the Tombstone property. The Company has been in contact with geophysical contractors to develop a plan, budget and timeline for this phase of the project. Planning is on-going and work may include geochemical surveys as well.
The Company has not conducted further drilling on the Tombstone Property since June 2010. The State of Main mine is without known Reserves and the property is exploratory in nature based on prior work on this property over many years.
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2010 Report on a Helicopter-Borne Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic (ZTEM) and Aero Magnetic Geophysical Survey
From June 29, 2010 to July 4, 2010, Geotech Ltd. carried out a helicopter-borne geophysical survey for the Company over the Tombstone project area. Principal geophysical sensors included a Z-Axis Tipper electromagnetic (ZTEM) system, and a caesium magnetometer. Ancillary equipment included a GPS navigation system and a radar altimeter. ZTEM was selected for its ability to achieve unparalleled resolution and depth of investigation. The system is well suited to imaging buried porphyry deposits and is capable of gathering data over 6,000 feet (1.25 miles) below ground surface.
The airborne ZTEM survey covered over 200 line miles and most of the Tombstone Mining District. A total of 373.5 line kilometers of geophysical data were acquired during the survey. In a ZTEM survey, a single vertical-dipole air-core receiver coil is flown over the survey area in a grid pattern, similar to regional airborne EM surveys. Two orthogonal, air-core horizontal axis coils are placed close to the survey site to measure the horizontal EM reference fields. Data from the three coils are used to obtain the Z/X and Z/Y Tipper (Vozoff, 1972) components at six frequencies in the 30 to 720 Hz band. The ZTEM was used to map geology using resistivity contrasts and magnetometer data were also collected to help map geology using magnetic susceptibility contrasts.
The crew was based in Tombstone, Arizona for the acquisition phase of the survey. Survey flying started on June 29, 2010 and was completed on July 4, 2010. Data quality control and quality assurance, and preliminary data processing were carried out on a daily basis during the acquisition phase of the project. Final reporting, data presentation and archiving were completed from the Aurora office of Geotech Ltd. in October, 2010. A quality control step consisted of re-examining all data in order to validate the preliminary data processing and to allow for final adjustments to the data. Attitude corrections were re-evaluated, and re-applied, on component by component, flight by flight, and frequency by frequency bases. Any remaining line to line system noise was removed by applying a mild additional levelling correction.
As a result of the survey, Geotech identified a number of conductive structures across the property that resemble known porphyry deposits and reported that the magnetic results also contained worthwhile information in support of exploration targets of interest. Based on the geophysical results obtained, Geotech recommended a more detailed interpretation of the available geophysical data, including Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic survey (VTEM), in conjunction with the geology, prior to ground follow up and drill testing.
In November 2010, upon review of the ZTEM data, at least four to five porphyry targets were identified on the Company's Tombstone property, and there is still a very large land position to review. Of the targets that have been identified so far, two have precious metal (gold and silver) occurrences as "halos" around the properties, which are significant characteristics of porphyry systems. One identified structure has been compared by Geotech to the Mount Milligan deposits that were sold and have total measured and indicated resources of 417.1 million tons grading 0.21% copper, 0.41 g/t gold for 1,934 million pounds copper and 5.5 million ounces gold. Three of the identified targets have coincident magnetic and resistivity high which are very promising geophysical signatures. One target is adjacent to a porphyry system that was drilled by a major international mining company. As of the date of this Report, the Company is continuing to work with the geophysical data acquired from the ZTEM survey of the Tombstone Project.
2012 Technical Report
In January 2012, SRK completed a Technical Report on the Tombstone property.
SRK made the following conclusions in the Report:
The Tombstone property represents a beginning exploration project with a limited amount of historical and current data. The data are insufficient to take the property to resource classification by current industry standards at this time.
The historic silver deposits in the central mining district are well documented through various reports in the literature and several master- and doctoral-level theses. Although west of the largest historical ore deposits, the Tombstone West Area property nonetheless represents an opportunity to target a resource by current methodologies of mapping, drilling, and geophysical surveys that may be successfully extracted with present-day mining techniques. In light of silver commodity price increases in recent years, the recent emphasis on potential porphyry copper and gold targets in the Tombstone area, and recent gold and copper commodity prices, the Tombstone Project warrants a current evaluation.
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SRK made the following recommendations in the Report:
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Compile and analyze all available district-wide data and use that analysis to define and prioritize future targets.
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Convert historical and current drill logs to digital format logs, re-logging holes that have incomplete logs.
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Digitize all geochemical data.
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Use industry-standard software for mapping and record-keeping.
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Conduct surface geophysical surveys over targets identified by the ZTEM airborne survey.
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Compile all data in a GIS database, and analyze coincident anomalies to define drill targets.
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Define a drill program and budget.
2017 drill program
The Company completed 13 holes totaling 6200’ at the Stardust project in 2017. Drilling focused mostly on the western half of the property with -45 degree inclined holes. The main Stardust Mine structure, which strikes just north of due east, and secondary NE fault splays on its north side were primary targets. Drill holes across these structures consistently intercepted intervals of quartz veining, strong silicification, and associated iron oxide minerals, all prospective for gold-silver mineralization. Wall rocks to the veins included propylitically altered monzonite intrusive, meta-volcanic, and meta-sedimentary rocks. Most of the 2017 drilling occurred in an area of thin (25-90’) gravel cover created by downward offset on the N and NW sides of E-W and NE structures.
The overall Stardust epithermal system appears differentially eroded from east to west. East of the historic mine shafts, exposures are good. Rock chip gold-silver results improve nearer to the historic Stardust mine shafts, which are located in a central corridor where the precious metals zone is better preserved from erosion, but incompletely covered by gravel. Drill holes SDR 5 and 6 tested this corridor. Drill holes SDR 7 through SDR 13 targeted quartz veins beneath gravel cover up to 300’ north and 1500’ west of the historic shafts. These holes encountered the strongest quartz vein intervals, up to 55’ thick. Quartz vein intervals were encountered through a depth range from just below the gravel cover to downhole depths up to 615’, suggesting good preservation of the precious metals zone at depth. About 1300’ west of the Stardust shaft, a prominent NE structure further down-drops tertiary volcanic rocks into fault contact with older intrusive and metamorphic rocks that host the known quartz veins. SDR 12 was collared in the hanging wall of this structure and encountered a thicker gravel sequence, tertiary volcanic rocks, and quartz veining at the fault contact between the tertiary volcanic rocks and pre-tertiary basement rocks, as well as additional quartz veins and silicification in the basement rocks. Strong alteration and structurally-controlled quartz veining continue to the western extent of the 2017 drilling, leaving the Stardust epithermal system open to the west and potentially still strengthening to the west. To date all drill results had lower grade gold than expected on this small area of drilling. Tombstone has drilled through incredible large quartz vein intercepts with this drill campaign and nearly every section sent for assay carried gold, leaving Tombstone highly optimistic on identifying greater quantities on the remaining 396 acres of the Stardust Property.
In additition to the gold assays Tombstone also had its lab prepare Analysis of 29 additional elements which included lithium. There were interesting lithium numbers in all the drill holes of which we did not expect. Although the lithium numbers are also considered low grade it will now be added to our exploration plan. Lithium is hosted in a pregmatite composition that is similar to granite with abundant quartz. The third phase drill area has a number of pregmatite outcrops of which we will be included in our next drill targets.
The first two phases of drilling were designed to establish strike length and test grades over a large enough width within the defined chlorite hematite hosted vein system. The drilling was to define structural continuity (vein continuity along strike), grade of veins and hosting chl-hem zone, and find the width of structures.
23
Summary of Exploration Activities
|
SUMMARY OF EXPLORATION HISTORY AND FUTURE EXPLORATION PLANS FOR TOMBSTONE PROPERTY
|
|
|
|
Year
|
Expenditures/ Budget
|
Source of Funding
|
Exploration Activities
|
Persons Conducting Exploration and Qualifications
|
|
2007
|
$1.4 million
|
Private Placement Agreement with Eurogas, Inc. and other private investors
|
Geological prospecting
R/C Drilling Program
Completed 5000 feet of R/C drilling
|
Dennis Dalton
Chief Geologist
Mr. Dalton received a B.S. in Geology from the University of California Long Beach and a M.S. in Mining Engineering from McKay School of Mines at the University of Nevada. Dating back to 1976, Mr. Dalton has widespread experience in mining geology. Mr. Dalton was an environmental engineer prior.
|
|
2008
|
$1.2 million
|
Private Placement with Haywood Securities, Cannacord Capital and other private investors
|
Geological prospecting
Assaying and evaluation of information
Core Drill Program
Completed 5000 feet of core drilling
|
Francisco P. Montecinos
Former VP of Exploration
Francisco has worked as an exploration geologist for over 40 years in some 20 countries. Of these, the last 25 years has been spent throughout North and Central America as project manager and regional exploration manager for a number of multi-national mining companies. He has degrees from and has also completed studies at numerous universities including Harvard, University of Chile, California-Berkeley and Colorado School of Mines.
|
|
2009
|
$500,000
|
Private Placements with private investors
|
Mapping of historical zones
Reviewing core samples from prior years
Reviewing historical data and drillings from prior years
|
Lane A. Griffin
Mr. Griffin has more than 30 years experience as a geological consultant exploring for precious metals and uranium. He spent 4 years in the Army as an officer in the Corps of Engineers. He is currently the President of Diversified Development Company, the operator of the Lone Jack Gold Mine in Bellingham, Washington. He received a B.S. in Geology from Washington State University as well as a B.A. in Zoology and D.D.S. from the University of Washington.
|
24
|
2010
|
$500,000
|
Private Placement Agreement with Eurogas, Inc. and other private investors
|
Mapping of historical zones
Reviewing core samples from prior years
Reviewing historical data and drillings from prior years
ZTem Geophysical Program conducted and completed by Geotech Inc.
|
Steve Radvak, P.E.
Mr. Radvak, P.E., P.Eng., has a B.A.Sc. in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He is a Director and the Vice President of Exploration of the Company. He has been the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Compliance Management Inc., an environmental service company, since its inception in 1998. Mr. Radvak is also a managing member of RM Fencing, LLC (“RM Fencing”), a company that offers professional installation of fences, gates and other products throughout Arizona. Mr. Radvak has extensive experience in managing mineral exploration projects in the United States, Canada, Africa and Europe and will be a valuable asset to the Company.
|
|
2011
|
$700,000
|
Private Placement Agreements with private investors.
|
Began exploration activities in April 2011 and continued such activities until December 2011 including:
Geophysical and gravity survey
Review of core samples from prior years
Review of historical data and drillings from prior years
Review and follow-up of ZTEM Geophysical Program conducted and completed by Geotech Inc.
Execute core drilling program
Update SRK Technical Report
|
Various Professional Engineers and Geologists from the State of Arizona
|
25
|
2012/13
|
$2,000,000
|
Private Placement Agreements with private investors.
|
Continue review of geophysical data and ZTEM Report.
Compile and analyze all available district-wide data and use that analysis to define and prioritize future targets.
Convert historical and current drill logs to digital format logs, re-logging holes that have incomplete logs.
Digitize all geochemical data.
Use industry-standard software for mapping and record-keeping.
Conduct surface geophysical surveys over targets identified by the ZTEM airborne survey.
Compile all data in a GIS database, and analyze coincident anomalies to define drill
Define a drill program and budget.
|
Steve Radvak, P.E. (see qualifications above)
Various Professional Engineers and Geologists from the State of Arizona
|
|
2014/15
|
$2,000,000
(1)(3)
|
Private Placement Agreement with Eurogas AG, Asher Enterprises, and other private investors (2)
|
Continue review of geophysical data and ZTEM Report.
Compile and analyze all available district-wide data and use that analysis to define and prioritize future targets.
Convert historical and current drill logs to digital format logs, re-logging holes that have incomplete logs.
Digitize all geochemical data.
Use industry-standard software for mapping and record-keeping.
Zonge International conducted surface geophysical surveys over targets.
Compile all data in a GIS database, and analyze coincident anomalies to define drill
Define a drill program and budget.
|
Steve Radvak, P.E. (see qualifications above)
Various Professional Engineers and Geologists from the State of Arizona
|
26
|
2016-17
|
$1,425,000
|
Private Placement/
Private Investors
|
Staking of Mining Claims at Stardust Mine
Geophysical Mapping & Sampling
Additional Sampling and Trenching of properties
Drilling
Assays
|
Professional Geologists sampling of Stardust
Various Professional Engineers and Geologists from the State of Arizona
|
|
2017-18
|
$1,425,000
|
Private Placement/
Private Investors
|
Staking of Mining Claims at Stardust Mine; drilling and bond reclamation
Geophysical Mapping & Sampling
Additional Sampling and Trenching of properties
Drilling
Assays
|
Professional Geologists sampling of Stardust
Various Professional Engineers and Geologists from the State of Arizona
Harris Exploration Drilling and Associates, Inc. (Drilling on Stardust Property May 2017)
|
|
2019-2020
|
$4,000,000
(1)(3)
|
Private Placement/
Private Investors
|
Staking of Mining Claims at Stardust Mine; drilling and bond reclamation
Geophysical Mapping & Sampling
Additional Sampling and Trenching of properties
Drilling
Assays
Strategic joint ventures
|
Professional Geologists sampling of Stardust
Various Professional Engineers and Geologists from the State of Arizona
|
(1)
Our budget for 2019-2020 consists of the following expenses for a total of $4,000,000:
•
Strategic Joint Ventures $3,560,000;
•
Additional Exploration work on Stardust Property; $100,000
•
Management, Office and Employee Expenses: $180,000;
•
Professional Service Expenses: Legal, Accounting, Audits: $60,000;
•
BLM Claims and Permit Expenses: $80,000
(2)
On December 10, 2013, the Company announced a Strategic Corporate and Financing Investment that includes the acquisition of a 26% interest in EuroGas AG of Zurich, Switzerland, an international Natural Resources Holding Company with European assets in industrial minerals, oil and gas interests as well as base metal and precious metal assets located in the USA. Under the Strategic Corporate and Financing Investment in EuroGas AG, the Company will also receive from EuroGas Inc., a US company, a committed financing in the amount of $5 million USD for extensive drilling of the Tombstone property. On January 14, 2014, the Company announced the receipt of an entitlement of a 20% direct interest in EuroGas Inc.’s potential award from its pending damage lawsuit against the Slovak Republic. This is in addition to the 26% direct interest in EuroGas AG.
(3)
We raised $165,500 during the year ended December 31, 2018 to cover the operating expenses of the Company and require an additional ~$3.22M for our proposed 2019 activities. To date in 2019, we have raised $785,000 to fund our operations, which included $350,000 in non-recourse promissory notes which are secured against the future revenues of the Company, bears interest at 15% per annum, and is due in quarterly payments commencing April 30, 2019 through to January 31, 2021, and $435,000 of share subscriptions for the issuance of 145,000,000 common shares of the Company at $0.003 per share. As of the date of this filing, the common shares have not been issued.
27
Revenues
To date we have not generated any revenues from the Tombstone Property.
Principal Market
We do not currently have any market, as we have not yet identified any mineral resource on the Tombstone Property that is of a commercially exploitable quantity. If we succeed in identifying a mineral resource in commercially exploitable quantities, our principal markets should consist of metal refineries and base metal traders and dealers.
Seasonality of our Business
Our mineral exploration activities are not subject to extreme seasonal variation since the Tombstone Property is located in Arizona. Field work, however, is best carried out in temperatures averaging 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Our other operations, such as metallurgical review and analysis of geochemical survey results, can be carried out all year round.
Local Resources
Tombstone, Arizona is the nearest town to the Tombstone Project. Services at Tombstone are marginally adequate to support the requirements of a mining exploration and development project, but other nearby towns (Wilcox, Benson, Bisbee, and Sierra Vista) have services such as drilling contractors, equipment rental and services, engineering services, and a labor force that are more able to support our drilling program. Sierra Vista is about 18 miles from the project area. The nearest large city, Tucson—located 70 miles northwest of Tombstone along Interstate 10—has a population of more than 526,116 (2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimate) and has company, service, and contractor resources that may not be available locally. Other cities at a greater distance (Phoenix, Arizona; Las Cruces and Albuquerque, New Mexico) also are able to provide services to support exploration and mining in the area.
Surface water is scarce and groundwater supplies are somewhat limited. Walnut Gulch to the north is an ephemeral stream, as is the San Pedro River to the west. In 1882 a pipeline was constructed to bring drinking water to Tombstone from the Huachuca Mountains, 27 miles to the west. The town has municipal wells that supply the needs of the town population. Ranchers in outlying areas obtain domestic and stock water from private wells. Water supplies for development and mining would come from groundwater sources in the area. Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) well records for the area indicate the water table is generally shallow, 200 to 400 feet below ground surface.
Telephone and electric power are available to the area, providing service to local ranchers and small service companies located outside of the town. Telephone service is provided by Qwest. Internet and television services also are available locally. Electric power is supplied through Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, with 440V, three-phase lines nearby. One-ten and 220 power lines cross the property. Postal services are available by post office boxes and ground delivery. UPS, DHL, and Federal Express also are available locally.
Gas and diesel stations are 2 miles from the property, and major fuel supply stations are 15 miles away in Sierra Vista. El Paso Gas has a gas line that crosses the northeast corner of Sec. 7, T20S-R22E. Section 7 is held by Arizona State Exploration Permit 08-111864. The Southern Pacific railroad line parallels the San Pedro River.
Patents and Licenses; Industrial, Commercial and Financial Contracts; and New Manufacturing Processes
In conducting our business operations, we are not dependent on any patented or licensed processes, technology, industrial, commercial or financial contract or new manufacturing processes.
Competitive Conditions
We compete with other mining companies, some of which have greater financial resources and technical facilities, for the acquisition of mineral interests, as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees.
The mineral property exploration business, in general, is intensely competitive and there is not any assurance that even if commercial quantities of ore are discovered, a ready market will exist for sale of the same. Numerous factors beyond our control may affect the marketability of any substances discovered. These factors include market fluctuations; the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of mineral and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may make it difficult for us to receive an adequate return on investment.
28
We compete with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities for the acquisition of mineral concessions, claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees. Low metal prices and an instable market, even among competition, leads us to assume that we will not face any difficulties retaining geologists or other consultants compared to our competition.
Competition in the usual context, and as experienced by manufacturers of automobiles, durable goods, clothing, electronics, and the providers of most services simply is not a factor in the minerals market. The demand for minerals always exceeds supply, and historically prices have consistently risen. The only major factor for competition is the cost of production.
Although competition over cost of production exists, there is little competition in the marketplace for the Company’s products. The market absorbs all precious metals and most base metals produced at prevailing prices. Larger producers can hedge future production to enable easier management of expected revenue in times of price fluctuation, whereas junior companies usually sell at market prices. In today’s market larger producers have pulled back from hedging.
The primary competition in the precious metals market is for talent in the workforce. As prices have risen many new companies have started operations or are in the midst of exploration and proving of reserves. It is in this area that competition exists for experienced geologists, project managers, and mining executives. In many areas there also is a shortage of mining labor.
The Company believes it can overcome this competition due to its location in a historical mining area, year-round working conditions and nearness to major population centers of Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. Additionally, experienced mining professionals have assisted in developing the corporation and have many contacts in the industry.
Environmental Regulations
Mineral property exploration in Arizona is governed by the State of Arizona Office of Mine Inspector as well as Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations, both seek to regulate and promote the development of safe and environmentally conscious mining operations. To date, our compliance with these regulations has had no material effect on our operations, capital, earnings, or competitive position, and the cost of such compliance has not been material. We are unable to assess or predict at this time what effect additional regulations or legislation could have on our activities.
Governmental Regulations
Mining operations are subject to a wide range of government regulations such as restrictions on production, price controls, tax increases, expropriation of property, environmental protection, protection of agricultural territory or changes in conditions under which minerals may be marketed. Mining operations may also be affected by claims of native peoples, any of which could have the effect of reducing or preventing us from exploiting any of our properties. We will be required to comply with all regulations, rules and directives of governmental authorities and agencies applicable to the exploration of minerals in the State of Arizona and in the United States generally. Our mineral claims entitle our Company to continue exploration activities on our properties, subject to our compliance with various United States federal and state laws governing land use, the protection of the environment and related matters.
To maintain state mineral exploration permits in good standing, the permit holder must renew each permit annually (up to four times, for 5 years total) for a fee of $500.00 per application for renewal. A maximum of 640 acres or one whole section is allowed per application. Additionally, an initial rental fee of $2.00 per acre is due within thirty days upon notification of the intent to issue the permit. The $2.00 rental fee is for the first and second year of the permit. However, although the rent is prepaid for the second year, the permit must still be renewed for that year. Rental fees for years three thru five are $10.00 per acre per year and due annually when the permit is renewed. A bond (typically in the amount of $3,000 for a single permit or a blanket bond of $15,000 for five or more permits held by an individual or company) is also due within thirty days upon notification of the intent to issue the permit. Bond amounts may be increased during the life of the permit as determined by the Arizona State Land Department (“ASLD”) upon review of the proposed exploration activities as detailed in the Exploration Plan of Operation that must be submitted and approved by the ASLD prior to the startup of any exploration activities.
The state lands are covered by Arizona State Mineral Exploration Permits, which are administered by the ASLD. Permits to conduct drilling in Arizona are administered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Permits to conduct exploration drilling on BLM lands require either a Notice of Intent or a Plan of Operations, depending upon the amount of new surface disturbance that is planned. A Notice of Intent is for planned surface activities that anticipate less than 5.0 acres of surface disturbance, and usually can be obtained within a 30 to 60 day time period. A Plan of Operations will be required if there is greater than 5.0 acres of new surface disturbance involved with the planned exploration work. A Plan of Operations can take several months to be approved, depending on the nature of the intended work, the level of reclamation bonding required, the need for archeological surveys, and other factors as may be determined by the BLM. No other permits are required for exploration drilling.
29
The Company has a Notice of Intent – Mineral Exploration Drilling AZA33591 to conduct drilling on BLM claims in Secs. 9 and 10, T20S-R22E. The permitted drilling was partially completed in 2007 with the drilling of holes TEM 1, TEM 2, and TEM 3. The Company also has received conditional approval, upon completion of archaeological and cultural resource surveys, to drill in Sec. 16, T20SR22E under Arizona State Exploration Permit 08-111868.
Quality Control Procedures (QA/QC)
Bagged and sealed sample splits from the RC drill holes are transported to a secure storage shed at the office site by Company employees. The dry samples are further reduced by crushing them to 3/4 inch-minus with a “chipmunk” jaw crusher and splitting the crushed sample with a riffle splitter. The crusher and the splitter are then both cleaned with a brush and compressed air after preparation of each sample. The sample splits for the laboratory are reduced to approximately 10 lbs or less prior to submission to the laboratory. The prepared samples are bagged, labeled, and sealed and taken to the analytical laboratory, Mountains States R&D International, Inc. (MSRDI), an Arizona certified assay laboratory, in Vail, Arizona for analyses by fire assay (gold and silver) and by atomic absorption (AA) (all other analyses). The splits that are not shipped for assay are reduced to approximately 1 lb to be retained for reference at the project site and they are stored in a secure steel shipping storage container.
Laboratory rejects are discarded during the process of reducing sample splits to approximately 1 lb samples for retention. The retained sample splits are derived from the original samples and kept in storage while another split is sent for analysis. The pulps are retained and stored in a locked onsite office building.
Samples collected from other locations in the project area (surface outcrops, mine dumps, trenches, and underground workings) are collected, bagged, labeled, sealed, logged, and transported. The samples are prepared for storage or for shipment to the analytical laboratory in the following manner: Dry samples are reduced by first crushing them to 3/4 inch-minus with a “chipmunk” jaw crusher and then splitting the crushed sample using a riffle splitter. The crusher and splitter are then both cleaned with a brush and compressed air after preparation of each sample. Wet samples are dried and then processed in the same manner. The prepared samples are bagged, labeled, and sealed and taken to MSRDI for analysis. The splits that are not shipped for assay are retained for reference at the project site in a secure storage container.
All sampling and sample preparation of coarse crushed (3/4 inch-minus) are conducted by the Company’s employees. Sample pulp preparation is conducted at MSRDI. All samples are shipped to MSRDI. All gold and silver analyses are obtained by fire assay. All other analyses (Cu, Pb, and Zn) are obtained by atomic absorption (AA) with standard digestion.
Samples collected from surface sites, trenches, underground workings, and the 2007 drilling program (prior to November 2007) did not include blanks, duplicates, reference standards, or other industry standard QA/QC procedures.
Quality control procedures began at the Tombstone Project approximately November 2007. Ten samples collected underground from the Santa Ana mine (NE¼ NE¼ Sec. 16, T20S-R22E) on October 30, 2007 were submitted to the laboratory (MSRDI) with blanks and reference standards. The reference samples were obtained from Minerals Exploration and Environmental Chemistry, Reno, Nevada. Blanks were prepared by crushing and bagging cinder blocks. Results received for these samples are used to assess the accuracy of the MSRDI analyses. Check samples on the order of 5 to 10 percent of the number of samples were sent to ALS Chemex, Reno, Nevada and from there were forwarded to their laboratory in Canada for analysis. The pulps that were returned from the primary laboratory were used as the check-sample materials.
Samples are stored at the Company office site in a secure storage container or in the Company laboratory, which is locked during nonworking hours.
As of the date of our Technical Report, April 18, 2008, SRK concluded that the sampling procedures were acceptable and within industry standards with the exception of initial sample preparation by the Company. Coarse crushed sample preparation onsite by the property owner is not common industry standard practice unless logistics and distance from the labs are a major factor. It may be acceptable going forward, if the newly implemented QA/QC procedures incorporate sufficient checks to demonstrate that the initial sample preparation imparts no contamination or bias.
C. Organizational Structure
We have one wholly owned subsidiary, Tombstone Exploration and Mining Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“TEMC”) that is qualified to do business in the State of Arizona. All of our operations are conducted through TEMC.
30
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Our principal executive office is located at 6529 E. Friess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Additionally, we share this space with our wholly owned subsidiary, TEMC. Pursuant to our lease executed January 1, 2016, we rent both office and storage space for $1,000 per month for a 5 year term. We believe that this existing space is adequate for our current needs. Should we require additional space, we believe that such space can be secured on commercially reasonable terms.
The Company has the mineral rights to approximately 640 acres of historical mining land in areas around Tombstone, Arizona. The Tombstone Project is located on patented mining claims, unpatented mining claims and state lands administered by the ASLD.
Our Properties
|
SUMMARY OF THE COMPANY’S MINING CLAIMS
|
|
Number /
Type of
Claims
|
Ownership /
Interest in
Property
|
Duration of
Interest
|
Location
|
Acreage
|
Agreements /
Royalties
|
Annual Fees /
Maintenance /
Permits
|
|
8 Patented Lode Claims
|
Undivided 100 percent mineral interest in the claims as both the record mineral owner and the assessed mineral owner
No surface rights
|
Claims are valid as long as the Company continues to hold title.
|
Private Land
|
145.58 acres
|
-
|
None
|
|
1 State of Arizona Mineral Exploration Permits
|
Exclusive right to explore for and develop minerals on the lands.
State of Arizona is the record surface and mineral owner of land.
Company is the record permittee of the state lands.
|
These permits are valid and each must be renewed every year.
|
Arizona state lands
|
450 acres
|
State mineral exploration permits, if converted to mining leases, will have royalties assigned to them by the State of Arizona.
|
Must be renewed each year, for up to 5 years, for a fee of $500.00 / permit. Additionally, an initial rental fee of $2.00 / acre is due within 30 days upon notification of the intent to issue the permit, for the 1st and 2nd year. Rental fees for the 3rd thru 5th years are $10.00/acre/year and due annually when the permit is renewed. A bond (typically $3,000 for a single permit or a blanket bond of $15,000 for 5 or more permits) is due within 30 days upon notification of the intent to issue the permit.
|
|
20 Unpatented Lode Claims
|
Fully controlled by the Company.
Company has the right to enter for exploration purposes.
No surface rights.
|
These claims are valid and each must be renewed each year.
|
U.S. federal lands administered by U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
|
400 acres
|
No royalty agreements on federal mining claims.
|
Annual maintenance fees for the claims, as follows: $155 for claim annual maintenance renewal fee to the BLM, in lieu of annual assessment work.
|
31
|
THE COMPANY’S PATENTED MINING CLAIMS
|
|
CLAIM NAME
|
MINERAL SURVEY NO.
|
CLAIM ACREAGE
|
|
Maine
|
M.S. # 579
|
18.33
|
|
Merrimac
|
M.S. # 175
|
20.61
|
|
Clipper
|
M.S. # 273
|
13.41
|
|
Triple X
|
M.S. # 577
|
15.27
|
|
Brother Jonathan
|
M.S. # 578
|
17.28
|
|
Lowell
|
M.S. # 797
|
20.59
|
|
May
|
M.S. # 317
|
19.43
|
|
Red Top
|
M.S. # 190
|
20.66
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ACREAGE OF PATENTED MINING CLAIMS:
|
145.58
|
Industry of Interest
The precious metals and base metals industry produces over $100B in metal production per year. The industry is essentially two sectors: the major producers and the junior exploration and mining companies.
The major producers such as Freeport McMoran, Rio Tinto, and BHP Billiton produce the majority of precious and base metals from large scale, geologically scattered operations. Property expansion by the majors typically comes from joint venture, consolidation or acquisition with junior exploration and mining companies. This occurs usually because a junior finds it difficult to initiate full scale operations due to the significant front end development costs. The majors can absorb and develop the newly discovered fields with little impact to overhead operations and can fund direct operations through forward sale of metals.
Juniors typically spend the majority of their money locating new potential areas, proving up a portion of reserves through geological studies, analyses and drilling, and then initialing small scale operations. During that period most successful juniors draw the attention of and team up in some way with a major producer.
Cost of operations/production is the driver in the industry. All product produced, particularly in the precious metals industry, is absorbed by the market. Demand exceeds supply. The most profitable companies have the lowest per ounce/pound cost of production. The highest return to investors, however, comes from junior companies, when successful, where per share prices are lower until a viable project is proven. Risk, though, is often higher with junior companies, unless and until they locate and acquire viable projects and adequate funding.
The prime customers for the precious metals sector of the industry are the refiners such as Englehart, Johnson Maffey, etc. These companies serve as the distributor of product between the producers and the consumers. The majority of precious metals produced are utilized by the industrial and electronics industry, the automotive industry, the jewelry industry and the investment community.
As metal prices have risen, so too has the interest in new areas for exploration and eventual production. The past two decades have seen a significant expansion of interest into Central and South America, as well as developing third world countries. Today’s price levels combined with the political uncertainties of many foreign projects, and the inability for year-round operations in portions of Alaska and northern Canada, have produced a resurgence of junior companies in the mainland United States. However, many juniors target only one or two categories of metals. This model of operation limits their chance of success for production or buyout.
The keys to success for today’s junior exploration and mining companies are four: 1. Property holdings and potential; 2. location; 3. metal diversity; and 4. cost of development and operation.
The Tombstone Property
Most of the historic mines in the Tombstone Mining District were polymetallic, with the principal ores produced being silver from bonanza grade deposits. However, anomalous copper, lead, zinc, manganese, and gold have been identified, and some of these metals have been produced from different mines in Cochise County (i.e., copper from Bisbee, lead from the Charleston Mining District, and silver and manganese from the Tombstone Mining District).
The principal exploration concept pursued by the Company since 2010 is for low-grade, large tonnage porphyry copper mineralization, largely buried beneath basin fill. The concept is based upon the regional geology that includes the Tombstone caldera complex with related intrusives and complex fault systems; porphyry copper mineralization intersected at depths greater than 3,000 ft by Asarco and other major mining companies that drilled the area in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s; and geochemically anomalous values and zoning patterns of Cu, Ag, Pb, and Zn ratios in rock chip samples from mine dumps in the western part of the district that broadly coincide with the Lowell and Guilbert (1970) porphyry copper model.
32
Silver mineralization also is an exploration target, in particular in the western area of the Company’s landholdings. The silver exploration concept is seeking to tie together the northeast-striking mineralized fissures into silver deposits that are projected to connect historic deposits and prospects along strike and to extend the depths of mineralization to perhaps hundreds of feet beneath the water table; the exploration potential below the water table was minimally explored and/or mined in the past. The horizontal and vertical extensions of the fissure veins are expected to be more definable by current exploration methods and would be amenable to underground or open pit mining methods.
Gold exploration is a concept based upon historic geochemical and geophysical exploration, shallow drilling, and reported gold grades in the Stardust area from the 1900s intermittently through the 1990s.
Stratigraphy
Rocks in the Tombstone area range from Precambrian to Quaternary in age. The oldest rock is fine- grained, grayish Precambrian Pinal schist, intruded by Precambrian granitic and porphyritic rocks, and unconformably overlain by a thick sequence of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that change from mainly limestone to mainly sandstone and shale. The uppermost unit, the Naco limestone is an erosion surface unconformably overlain by the Mesozoic Bisbee group, a series of conglomerate, sandstone, quartzite, shale, and limestone with two or three lenses of soft, bluish-gray limestone.
The deposition of the Mesozoic sedimentary rocks was followed by a period of deformation and igneous activity. Late Cretaceous time was marked by eruptive and intrusive activity associated with the Tombstone volcanic center that probably formed within a continental-margin arc. The Tombstone volcanic center erupted the Uncle Sam Tuff at 73.5 +/- 2.8 Ma, and an irregularly shaped caldera formed as a consequence of collapse into the evacuated magma chamber. These events were accompanied by emplacement of the Schieffelin granodiorite, diorite stocks and plugs, and andesite dikes. Silver mineralization is directly associated with the folding, faulting, igneous intrusions, and fissuring of this period: north-south (dike) fissures, faults, anticlines and rolls, and—in the western area in particular—with the north-south trending dikes and cross-cutting northeast-trending fissures. Most of the silver deposits are associated with at least two structural features, often at their intersection. Rocks of the Tombstone volcanic center postdate Laramide thrust faulting and are little deformed.
The Basin and Range province was formed during the Cenozoic Era when east-west crustal extension resulted in vertical movement on generally north-south trending faults. Extension gave rise to the emplacement of extensive granitic stocks and batholiths with associated volcanic activity. Locally steep tilting and minor normal faulting occurred during Basin and Range block faulting.
Bromeyerite is the main supergene silver mineral; the main hypogene silver-bearing minerals are hessite, tetrahedrite, and galena. Base metal mineralization, often oxidized, occurs in fault and fracture zones in Laramide volcanics and the Uncle Sam tuff. The most common base minerals are sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is widespread, most commonly as exsolution blebs in sphalerite. Manganese mineralization is widespread throughout the Tombstone district and has occurred in various amounts with most of the oxidized silver-lead mineralization. The manganiferous mineralization exists as replacements in limestone.
Development Strategy & Plan of Operations for the Next Twelve Months
The Company’s development strategy is to focus on the fundamental keys to success for a junior exploration and mining concern. These keys were identified in the Industry discussion.
Property holdings and potential.
Plan: Continue geological analyses including mapping, and identification of drill targets. Focus on these targets for drilling, sampling and identifying potential reserves. Expand target areas as drilling progresses and studies expand knowledge of properties.
1.
Location
Plan: The Company’s Tombstone property is located in a known metal and mineral area with easy access, historical production, mining friendly community and ease of permitting puts the Company in a position for success. The Company will continue to identify areas on the properties for mill site operation, improve off-road access and work closely with the community at large to offer employment opportunities. The Company will also interface with the state level in Arizona to establish itself as a significant contributor to the state economy.
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2.
Metal diversity
Plan: A significant number of metals and minerals have already been identified on the Tombstone property including silver and gold. The Company, with the help of consulting organizations, will further explore the range of metals and minerals, and the ability to extract/produce product for market. In the non-precious metals areas, the Company will likely seek joint venture partners who will add to the success and financial returns for our shareholders.
3.
Cost of development and operation
Plan: The Company may establish a small production operation, subject to permitting, financing and sufficient resources, to begin silver and gold production with material from existing known sites. As drill targets identify key areas for drilling, the operation will be expanded to two large scale mill sites. The Company firmly believes from the sampling and historical production in the area, that a low cost / high profit operation will be developed.
ITEM 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
Not Applicable.
B. Articles of Incorporation & By-Laws
Directors
A director who is, in any way, directly or indirectly interested in a proposed contract or transaction, shall disclose the nature and extent of his interest at a meeting of the directors in accordance with the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act (“CBCA”). A director shall not vote in respect of any contract or transaction with our Company in which he is interested, and any such proposed contract or transaction shall be referred to the Board of Directors or shareholders for approval even if such contract or transaction is one that the ordinary course of the Company's business would not require approval by the Board of Directors or shareholders.
(1)
Subject to the provisions of any unanimous shareholder agreement, the remuneration of the directors may from time to time be determined by the directors themselves, and such remuneration may be in addition to any reimbursement for travel and other expenses.
(2)
The directors may, at their discretion and subject to the provisions of any unanimous shareholder agreement or By-Laws or the CBCA, authorize the Company to borrow any sum of money or incur indebtedness for the purpose of the Company and may raise or secure the repayment of such sum of money in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the directors think fit.
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(3)
There are no provisions with respect to the retirement of a director or the non-retirement of a director under an age requirement.
(4)
A director is not required to hold a share in the capital of our Company as qualification for his office.
With respect to the above noted matters, there are generally no significant differences between Canadian and U.S. law.
Objects and Purposes of the Company
Our Certificate of Incorporation places no restrictions upon our objects and purposes.
Rights, Preference and Restrictions
Common Shares
All of the authorized common shares of the Company, once issued, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote for each common share held of record on all matters to be acted upon by the shareholders. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefore. The Company's By-Laws do not provide for cumulative voting.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of common shares are entitled to receive pro rata our assets, if any, remaining after payments of all debts and liabilities. No common shares have been issued subject to call or assessment. There are no pre-emptive or conversion rights and no provisions for redemption or purchase for cancellation, surrender, or sinking or purchase funds. There are no restrictions on the repurchase or redemption of common shares by our Company while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments.
With respect to the rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to the Company's common shares, there are generally no significant differences between Canadian and United States law as the board of directors, or the applicable corporate statute, will determine the rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of a Company's shares.
Changes to Common Shares
Provisions as to the modification, amendment or variation of the rights attaching to the common shares are contained in the CBCA. The CBCA requires approval by a special resolution (i.e. approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders of our Company or consented to in writing by each of our shareholders) of our Company's shareholders in order to effect any of the following changes:
(1)
change any maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue;
(2)
create new classes of shares;
(3)
reduce or increase its stated capital, if its stated capital is set out in the articles;
(4)
change the designation of all or any of its shares and add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including rights to accrued dividends, in respect of all or any of its shares, whether issued or unissued;
(5)
change the shares of any class or series, whether issued or unissued, into a different number of shares of the same class or series or into the same or a different number of shares of other classes or series;
(6)
divide a class of shares, whether issued or unissued, into series and fix the number of shares in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof;
(7)
authorize the directors to divide any class of unissued shares into series and fix the number of shares in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof;
(8)
authorize the directors to change the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to unissued shares of any series;
(9)
revoke, diminish or enlarge any authority conferred under paragraphs (7) and (8); and,
(10)
add, change or remove restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares.
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Generally, there are no significant differences between Canadian and United States law with respect to changing the rights of shareholders as most state corporation statutes require shareholder approval (usually a majority) for any such changes that affect the rights of shareholders.
Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings
Annual General Meetings (an “AGM”) must be held once every fiscal year, within 15 months of the previous AGM. If the Company fails to hold an AGM, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may, on the application of a director or shareholder of the Company, call or direct an AGM. Under the CBCA, we must give our shareholders written notice of an AGM not less than 21 days before the AGM is to be held.
Our directors may, whenever they think fit, convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (an “EGM”).
An AGM or EGM may also be requisitioned by one or more shareholders of our Company so long as such shareholders own not less than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares at the date such shareholders requisition an EGM. After receiving such requisition, our directors must within 21 days call the meeting.
All shareholders entitled to attend and vote at an AGM or an EGM will be admitted to the meeting.
Most state corporation statutes require a public company to hold an annual meeting for the election of directors and for the consideration of other appropriate matters. The state statutes also include general provisions relating to shareholder voting and meetings. Apart from the timing of when an AGM must be held and the percentage of shareholders required to call a AGM or EGM, there are generally no material differences between Canadian and United States law respecting AGMs and EGMs.
Rights to Own Securities
There are no limitations on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights.
Except as provided in the Investment Canada Act, there are no limitations under the applicable laws of Canada or by the Company's charter or other constituent documents of the Company on the right of foreigners to hold or vote common shares or other securities of the Company.
The Investment Canada Act will prohibit implementation, or if necessary, require divestiture of an investment deemed “reviewable” under the Investment Canada Act by an investor that is not a “Canadian” as defined in the Investment Canada Act (a “non-Canadian”), unless after review the Minister responsible for the Investment Canada Act (“the Minister”) is satisfied that the “reviewable” investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in our common shares by a non-Canadian would be reviewable under the Investment Canada Act if it was an investment to acquire control of our Company and the value of our assets was $5 million or more. A non-Canadian would be deemed to acquire control of our Company for the purposes of the Investment Canada Act if the non-Canadian acquired a majority of our outstanding common shares (or less than a majority but controlled our Company in fact through the ownership of one-third or more of our outstanding common shares) unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, our Company was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of such common shares. Certain transactions in relation to our common shares would be exempt from review under the Investment Canada Act, including, among others, the following:
(1)
acquisition of common shares by a person in the ordinary course of that person's business as a trader or dealer in securities;
(2)
acquisition of control of our Company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Canada Act; and
(3)
acquisition of control of our Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control of our Company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged.
The Investment Canada Act was amended with the World Trade Organization Agreement to provide for special review thresholds for “WTO Investors” of countries belonging to the World Trade Organization, among others, nationals and permanent residents (including “WTO Investor controlled entities” as defined in the Investment Canada Act). Under the Investment Canada Act, as amended, an investment in our common shares by WTO Investors would be reviewable only if it was an investment to acquire control of our Company and the value of our assets was equal to or greater than a specified amount (the “Review Threshold”), which published by the Minister after its determination for any particular year. The Review Threshold for Private sector WTO investments as of 2015 is $600 million in enterprise value. Beginning April 24, 2017, the review threshold will be $800 million in enterprise value.
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Change in Control
There are no provisions in the Company's By-Laws that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our Company, and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company.
The CBCA does not contain any provisions that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company. Generally, there are no significant differences between Canadian and United States law in this regard, as many state corporation statutes also do not contain such provisions and only empower a company's board of directors to adopt such provisions.
Ownership Threshold
There are no provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or in the CBCA governing the threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. The Securities Act (British Columbia) requires that the Company disclose, in its annual general meeting proxy statement, holders who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares. Most state corporation statutes do not contain provisions governing the threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. United States federal securities laws require a company to disclose, in its Annual Report on Form 20-F, holders who own more than 5% of a company's issued and outstanding shares.
Changes in the Capital of our Company
There are no conditions imposed by our By-Laws which are more stringent than those required by the CBCA.
C. Material Contracts
With the exception of the contracts listed below, or those described elsewhere in this Form 20-F or in the Company’s Form 6-K filings, we have not entered into any material contracts during the last twenty-four months other than those in the ordinary course of business.
D. Exchange Controls
Except as discussed in Item E below, the Company is not aware of any Canadian federal or provincial laws, decrees, or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls, or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-Canadian holders of common shares. The Company is not aware of any limitations on the right of non-Canadian owners to hold or vote common shares imposed by Canadian federal or provincial law or by the Company.
The
Investment Canada Act
(the “Act”) governs acquisitions of Canadian business by a non-Canadian person or entity. The Act provides, among other things, for a review of an investment in the event of acquisition of control in certain Canadian businesses in the following circumstances:
(1)
if the investor is a non-Canadian and is not a resident of a World Trade Organization (“WTO”) country, any direct acquisition having an asset value exceeding $5,000,000 and any indirect acquisition having an asset value exceeding $50,000,000;
(2)
if the investor is a non-Canadian and is a resident of a WTO member, any direct acquisition having an asset value exceeding $344,000,000, unless the business is involved in uranium production, financial services, transportation services or a cultural business.
An indirect acquisition of control by an investor who is a resident of a WTO country is not reviewable unless the value of the assets of the business located in Canada represents more than 50% of the asset value of the transaction, or the business is involved in uranium production, financial services, transportation services or a cultural business. The United States has been a member of the WTO since January 1, 1995.
The Act provides that a non-Canadian investor can hold up to 1/3 of the issued and outstanding capital of a Canadian corporation without being deemed a “control person”, and that a non-Canadian investor holding greater than 1/3 but less than 2 of the issued and outstanding capital of a Canadian corporation is deemed to be a control person subject to a reputable presumption to the contrary (i.e. providing evidence of another control person or control group holding a greater number of shares).
The Act requires notification where a non-Canadian acquires control, directly or indirectly, of a Canadian business with assets under the thresholds for reviewable transaction. The notification process consists of filing a notification within 30 days following the implementation of an investment.
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E. Taxation
Canadian Federal Income Taxation
We consider that the following summary fairly describes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to a holder of our common shares who at all material times deals at arm’s length with our Company, who holds all common shares as capital property, who is resident in the United States, who is not a resident of Canada and who does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, his common shares of our Company in connection with carrying on a business in Canada (a “non-resident holder”). It is assumed that the common shares will at all material times be listed on a stock exchange that is prescribed for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ITA”) and regulations thereunder. Investors should be aware that the Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to holders of our common shares will change if, for any reason, we cease to be listed on a prescribed stock exchange. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences of them purchasing, owing and disposing of our common shares should we cease to be listed on a prescribed stock exchange.
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the ITA, the regulations thereunder, the Canada-United States Tax Convention as amended by the Protocols thereto (the “Treaty”) as at the date of this Report and the currently publicly announced administrative and assessing policies of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (the “CCRA”). This summary does not take into account Canadian provincial income tax consequences. This description is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax consequences and does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action. This summary does, however, take into account all specific proposals to amend the ITA and regulations thereunder, publicly announced by the Government of Canada to the date hereof.
This summary does not address potential tax effects relevant to our Company or those tax considerations that depend upon circumstances specific to each investor. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares in our Company.
Dividends
The ITA provides that dividends and other distributions deemed to be dividends paid or deemed to be paid by a Canadian resident corporation (such as our Company) to a non-resident of Canada shall be subject to a non-resident withholding tax equal to 25% of the gross amount of the dividend of deemed dividend. Provisions in the ITA relating to dividend and deemed dividend payments to and gains realized by non-residents of Canada, who are residents of the United States, are subject to the Treaty. The Treaty may reduce the withholding tax rate on dividends as discussed below.
Article X of the Treaty as amended by the US-Canada Protocol ratified on November 9, 1995 provides a 5% withholding tax on gross dividends or deemed dividends paid to a United States corporation which beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the company paying the dividend. In cases where dividends or deemed dividends are paid to a United States resident (other than a corporation) or a United States corporation which beneficially owns less than 10% of the voting stock of a company, a withholding tax of 15% is imposed on the gross amount of the dividend or deemed dividend paid. We would be required to withhold any such tax from the dividend and remit the tax directly to CCRA for the account of the investor.
The reduction in withholding tax from 25%, pursuant to the Treaty, will not be available:
(a)
if the shares in respect of which the dividends are paid formed part of the business property or were otherwise effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base that the holder has or had in Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition, or
(b)
the holder is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
The Treaty generally exempts from Canadian income tax dividends paid to a religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organization or to an organization exclusively administering a pension, retirement or employee benefit fund or plan, if the organization is resident in the U.S. and is exempt from income tax under the laws of the U.S.
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Capital Gains
A non-resident holder is not subject to tax under the ITA in respect of a capital gain realized upon the disposition of one of our shares unless the share represents “taxable Canadian property” to the holder thereof. Our common shares will be considered taxable Canadian property to a non-resident holder only if:
(a)
the non-resident holder;
(b)
persons with whom the non-resident holder did not deal at arm’s length; or
(c)
the non-resident holder and persons with whom he did not deal at arm’s length,
owned not less than 25% of the issued shares of any class or series of our Company at any time during the five year period preceding the disposition. In the case of a non-resident holder to whom shares of our Company represent taxable Canadian property and who is resident in the United States, no Canadian taxes will generally be payable on a capital gain realized on such shares by reason of the Treaty unless:
(a)
the value of such shares is derived principally from real property (including resource property) situated in Canada,
(b)
the holder was resident in Canada for 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years preceding, and at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding, the disposition and the shares were owned by him when he ceased to be a resident of Canada,
(c)
they formed part of the business property or were otherwise effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base that the holder has or bad in Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition, or
(d)
the holder is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
If subject to Canadian tax on such a disposition, the taxpayer’s capital gain (or capital loss) from a disposition is the amount by which the taxpayer’s proceeds of disposition exceed (or are exceeded by) the aggregate of the taxpayer’s adjusted cost base of the shares and reasonable expenses of disposition. For Canadian income tax purposes, the “taxable capital gain” is equal to one-half of the capital gain.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following is a discussion of the material United States Federal income tax consequences, under current law, applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of our common shares who holds such shares as capital assets. This discussion does not address all potentially relevant Federal income tax matters and it does not address consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of Federal income tax law, such as those described below as excluded from the definition of a U.S. Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. (See “Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” above.)
The following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. In addition, this discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, of any recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
The discussion below does not address potential tax effects relevant to our Company or those tax considerations that depend upon circumstances specific to each investor. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular investors subject to special treatment under certain U.S. Federal income tax laws, such as, dealers in securities, tax-exempt entities, banks, insurance companies and non-U.S. Holders. Purchasers of the common stock should therefore satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of their ownership of the common stock, including the State, local and foreign tax consequences thereof (which are not reviewed herein), and should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
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U.S. Holders
As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” includes a beneficial holder of common shares of our Company who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, any trust if a US court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more US persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, any entity created or organized in the United States which is taxable as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes and any other person or entity whose ownership of common shares of our Company is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A U.S. Holder does not include persons subject to special provisions of Federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals or foreign corporations whose ownership of our common shares is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and shareholders who acquired their shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.
Dividend Distribution on Shares of our Company
U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to the common shares of our Company are required to include in gross income for United States Federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be deducted or may be credited against actual tax payable, subject to certain limitations and other complex rules, against the U.S. Holder’s United States Federal taxable income. See “Foreign Tax Credit” below. To the extent that distributions exceed our current or accumulated earnings and profits, they will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in the common shares of our Company and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares of our Company. Preferential tax rates for net long term capital gains may be applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust.
In general, dividends paid on our common shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from certain United States corporations.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (or who has had withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of our common shares may be entitled, at the election of the U.S. Holder, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and generally applies to all foreign income taxes paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during that year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder’s United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holder’s foreign source income bears to his or its world-wide taxable income. In determining the application of this limitation, the various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern income such as “passive income”, “high withholding tax interest”, “financial services income”, “shipping income” and certain other classifications of income. A U.S. Holder who is treated as a domestic U.S. corporation owning 10% or more of our voting stock is also entitled to a deemed paid foreign tax credit in certain circumstances for the underlying foreign tax of our Company related to dividends received or Subpart F income received from us. (See the discussion below of Controlled Foreign Corporations). The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the foreign tax credit are fact specific and holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.
Disposition of Common Shares
If a “U.S. Holder” is holding shares as a capital asset, a gain or loss realized on a sale of our common shares will generally be a capital gain or loss, and will be long-term if the shareholder has a holding period of more than one year. However, gains realized upon sale of our common shares may, under certain circumstances, be treated as ordinary income, if we were determined to be a “collapsible corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 341 based on the facts in existence on the date of the sale (See below for definition of “collapsible corporation”). The amount of gain or loss recognized by a selling U.S. Holder will be measured by the difference between (i) the amount realized on the sale and (ii) his tax basis in our common shares. Capital losses are deductible only to the extent of capital gains. However, in the case of taxpayers other than corporations (U.S.) $3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals filing separately) of capital losses are deductible against ordinary income annually. Losses in excess of this limit can be carried forward to later years to reduce capital gains or ordinary income until the balance of these losses is used up. In the case of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers, capital losses that are not currently deductible may be carried forward to other years. In the case of corporations, capital losses that are not currently deductible are carried back to each of the three years preceding the loss year and forward to each of the five years succeeding the loss year.
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A “collapsible corporation” is a corporation that is formed or availed principally to manufacture, construct, produce, or purchase prescribed types of property that the corporation holds for less than three years and that generally would produce ordinary income on its disposition, with a view to the stockholders selling or exchanging their stock and thus realizing gain before the corporation realizes two thirds of the taxable income to be derived from prescribed property. Prescribed property includes: stock in trade and inventory; property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business; unrealized receivables or fees, consisting of rights to payment for noncapital assets delivered or to be delivered, or services rendered or to be rendered to the extent not previously included in income, but excluding receivables from selling property that is not prescribed; and property gain on the sale of which is subject to the capital gain/ordinary loss rule. Generally, a shareholder who owns directly or indirectly 5 percent or less of the outstanding stock of the corporation may treat gain on the sale of his shares as capital gain.
Other Considerations for U.S. Holders
In the following circumstances, the above sections of this discussion may not describe the United States Federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and disposition of common shares of the Company. Our management is of the opinion that there is little, if not, any likelihood that we will be deemed a “Foreign Personal Holding Company”, a “Foreign Investment Company” or a “Controlled Foreign Corporation” (each as defined below) under current and anticipated conditions.
Foreign Personal Holding Company
If at any time during a taxable year more than 50% of the total combined voting power or the total value of our outstanding shares is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States and 60% or more of our gross income for such year was derived from certain passive sources (e.g., from dividends received from its subsidiaries), we would be treated as a “foreign personal holding company.” In that event, U.S. Holders that hold common shares in our capital would be required to include in income for such year their allocable portion of our passive income which would have been treated as a dividend had that passive income actually been distributed.
Foreign Investment Company
If 50% or more of the combined voting power or total value of our outstanding shares are held, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships or corporations, or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(31)), and we are found to be engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, commodities, or any interest therein, it is possible that we might be treated as a “foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1246 of the Code, causing all or part of any gain realized by a U.S. Holder selling or exchanging our common shares to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains.
Controlled Foreign Corporation Status
If more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of stock or the total value of the stock of our Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by U.S. Holders, each of whom own after applying rules of attribution 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of our Company, we would be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” or “CFC” under Subpart F of the Code. This classification would bring into effect many complex results including the required inclusion by such 10% U.S. Holders in income of their pro rata shares of “Subpart F income” (as defined by the Code) of our Company and our earnings invested in “U.S. property” (as defined by Section 956 of the Code). In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code if we are considered a CFC at any time during the five year period ending with the sale or exchange of its stock, gain from the sale or exchange of common shares of our Company by such a 10% U.S. Holder of our common stock at any time during the five year period ending with the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our earnings and profits attributable to the stock sold or exchanged. Because of the complexity of Subpart F, and because we may never be a CFC, a more detailed review of these rules is beyond of the scope of this discussion.
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING THE COMMON SHARES OF OUR COMPANY.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not required.
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G. Statement By Experts
The financial statements of our Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 included in this report has been audited by
Sadler,
Gibb
& Associates, LLC,
as stated in the reports appearing in this filing and have been so included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of our Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 included in this report has been audited by Anton & Chia LLP, as stated in the reports appearing in this filing and have been so included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
H. Documents on Display
We are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
, as amended, and, as such, we file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any of our reports and other information at, and obtain copies upon payment of
prescribed fees from, the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You can also access these reports and other filings electronically on the SEC’s web site, www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this report (not including exhibits to such incorporated
information that are not specifically incorporated by reference into such information). Requests for such copies should be directed to us in writing at our address.
I. Subsidiary Information
We conduct all operations through our wholly owned subsidiary, Tombstone Exploration and Mining Corporation, a Nevada corporation.