Unassociated Document
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Amendment No. 1)
FORM 10-K/A
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 2008
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 0-13078

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

State of Delaware
 
13-31805030
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

76 Beaver Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York
 
10005
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (212) 344-2785

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:   none
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   YES x  NO ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulations S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer" and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
¨ Large accelerated filer             x Accelerated filer
¨ Non-accelerated filer               ¨ Smaller Reporting Company

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity on January 31, 2008 held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the closing price of the issuer’s Common Stock on that date, was $93,983,205 based upon the closing price ($0.70) multiplied by the 134,262,150 shares of the issuer’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates.

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity as of October 24, 2008: 192,974,824.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  None.

 

 

Explanatory Note

Capital Gold Corporation is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008, originally filed on October 29, 2008, to respond to a comment letter issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, in connection with its review of our periodic disclosures.  The following sections of this Form 10-K/A have been amended:
 
Cover page
Filing status
 
We have changed our filing status from “smaller reporting company” to “accelerated filer.”
 
Part I, Item 1
Business
 
We have added a general description of our business and added disclosure regarding ounces of gold sold during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008 and average monthly production.
 
Part I, Item 2
Property
 
We have added additional disclosure regarding our El Chanate property, the equipment used to mine gold, and a summary of cumulative activity with proven and probable mineral reserves.
 
Part II, Item 7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations
 
We have added a summary of results of operations in tabular form, consolidated our equity based compensation expense with general and administrative expense, and enhanced our disclosure regarding debt covenants, ore on leach pads and inventory and revenue recognition.
 
Part II, Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Financial Data
 
We have included an audited statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the year ended July 31. 2006 and expanded the disclosure in the footnotes to the audited financial statements to cover each of the three years ended July 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.  We have also expanded our footnote disclosure regarding accounts receivable, marketable securities, ore on leach pads and inventory, long term debt, revenue recognition, equity based compensation, related party transactions, stockholders’ equity, employee and consulting agreements, sales contracts and financial instruments.  In addition, we made certain reclassifications that management determined were not material.
 
Part II, Item 9A
Controls and Procedures
 
We revised the text regarding our evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  Management of the Company has requested the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to prepare an attestation report regarding internal controls over financial reporting.  When such report is available, the Company will further amend its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.
 
Part III, Item 11
Executive Compensation
 
We have expanded our Compensation Discussion and Analysis to include additional disclosure regarding our compensation consultant, the role of the chief executive officer and other executive officers in making compensation decisions, the factors considered to determine executive bonuses, equity awards granted in fiscal 2008 to officers and directors and executive employment agreements.  We also combined the Summary Compensation Table into one table and added required footnote disclosures.
 
 
 

 

Part III, Item 13
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
 
We have enhanced our disclosure to name all of the parties to the related party transactions.
 
For the convenience of the reader, this amendment includes, in its entirety, those items in our original filing not being amended and restated. This amendment continues to describe conditions as of our original filing, and does not update disclosures contained herein to reflect events that occurred at a later date. Accordingly, this amendment should be read in conjunction with our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the original filing of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.
 
New certifications of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer are included as exhibits to this amendment.
 
 

 

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
Form 10-K/ A
July 31, 2008

Table of Contents
 
Page
Glossary
 
(iii)
 
Part I
 
     
Item 1.
Business.
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
2
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.
9
Item 2.
Property.
9
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
18
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of
 
 
Security Holders.
18
     
 
Part II
 
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related
 
 
Stockholder Matters and Issuer
 
 
Purchases of Equity Securities.
18
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
22
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 
 
Condition and Results of Operations.
23
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
 
 
About Market Risk
39
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
41
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreement with Accountants
 
 
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
41
Item 9A
Controls and Procedures.
41
Item 9B
Other Information.
42
     
 
Part III
 
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
43
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
48
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
 
 
Owners and Management and Related
 
 
Stockholder Matters.
59
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
 
and Director Independence.
62
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
64

 

 

 
Part IV
 
     
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
65
     
Signatures
69 
     
Supplemental Information
70
     
Financial Statements
F-1

 
ii

 

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
 
Reserve:
That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Reserves must be supported by a feasibility study done to bankable standards that demonstrates the economic extraction  ("Bankable standards" implies that the confidence attached to the costs and achievements developed in the study is sufficient for the project to be eligible for external debt financing.) A reserve includes adjustments to the in-situ tonnes and grade to include diluting materials and allowances for losses that might occur when the material is mined.
   
Proven Reserve:
Reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape depth and mineral content of reserves are well-established.
   
Probable Reserve:
Reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.
   
Mineralized Material
The term “mineralized material” refers to material that is not included in the reserve as it does not meet all of the criteria for adequate demonstration for economic or legal extraction.
   
Non-reserves
The term “non-reserves” refers to mineralized material that is not included in the reserve as it does not meet all of the criteria for adequate demonstration for economic or legal extraction.
   
Exploration Stage
An “exploration stage” prospect is one which is not in either the development or production stage.
   
Development Stage
A “development stage” project is one which is undergoing preparation of an established commercially mineable deposit for its extraction but which is not yet in production.  This stage occurs after completion of a feasibility study.
   
Production Stage
A “production stage” project is actively engaged in the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves to produce a marketable metal or mineral product.
 
 
iii

 

ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

Caliche:
Sediment cemented by calcium carbonate near surface.
   
Diorite:
Igneous Rock (Rock formed from magma or molten rock).
   
Dore:
Bars of low purity precious metal (Gold & Silver) which represents final product of a gold mine typically weighing 25 kg per bar.
   
Dikes:
Tabular, vertical bodies of igneous rock.
   
Fissility:
Shattered, broken nature of rock.
   
Fracture Foliations:
Fracture pattern in rock, parallel orientation, resulting from pressure.
   
Heap Leaching:
Broken and crushed ore on a pile subjected to dissolution of metals by leach solution.
   
Hydrometallurgical
 
Plant:
A metallurgical mineral processing plant that uses water to leach or separate and concentrate elements or minerals.
   
Intercalated:
Mixed in.
   
Litho static Pressure:
Pressure brought on by weight of overlaying rocks.
   
Major
 
Intrusive Center:
An area where large bodies of intrusive igneous rock exist and through which large amounts of mineralizing fluids rose.
   
Mesothermal:
A class of hydrothermal ore deposit formed at medium temperatures and a depth over one mile in the earth’s crust.
   
Microporphyritic
 
 Latite:
Extremely fine grained siliceous igneous rock with a distribution of larger crystals within.
   
Mudstone:
Sedimentary bed composed primarily of fine grained material such as clay and silt.
   
PPM:
Part per million.
   
Pyritized:
Partly replaced by the mineral pyrite.
   
Reverse Circulation
 
Drilling (or R.C.
 
Drilling):
Type of drilling using air to recover cuttings for sampling through the middle of the drilling rods rather than the outside of the drill rods, resulting in less contamination of the sampled interval.
 
 
iv

 

Sericitized:
Rocks altered by heat, pressure and solutions resulting in formation of the mineral sericite, a very fine grained mica.
   
Siltstone:
A sedimentary rock composed of clay and silt sized particles.
   
Silicified:
Partly replaced by silica.
   
Stockwork Breccia:
Earth's crust broken by two or more sets of parallel faults converging from different directions.
   
Stockwork:
Ore, when not in strata or in veins but in large masses, so as to be worked in chambers or in large blocks.
   
Surface Mine:
Surface mining by way of an open pit without shafts or underground working.
 
 
v

 

PART I

Item 1.  Business

Capital Gold Corporation is engaged in the mining, exploration and development of gold properties in Mexico.  Our primary focus is on the operation and development of the El Chanate project, and we also conduct gold exploration in other locations in Sonora, Mexico.

Sonora, Mexico Concessions

El Chanate

Through wholly-owned subsidiaries, Capital Gold Corporation owns 100% of 16 mining concessions located in the Municipality of Altar, State of Sonora, Republic of Mexico totaling approximately 3,544 hectares (8,756 acres or 13.7 square miles).  We commenced mining operations on two of these concessions in late March 2007 and achieved gold production and revenue from operations in early August 2007. We sometimes refer to the operations on these two concessions as the El Chanate Project.  Our results of operations differ from preceding periods because we now are realizing revenue from operations.

On August 30, 2007, Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (“IMC”) of Tucson, AZ delivered to us an updated resource block model and an updated mine plan and mine production schedule (the “2007 Report”).  The original feasibility study (the “2003 Study”) on the El Chanate Project was prepared by M3 Engineering of Tucson in August 2003.   M3 updated the 2003 Study in October 2005 (the “2005 Study”).  An August 2006 technical report from SRK Consulting, Denver, Colorado (the “2006 Update”) further updated the feasibility study.

According to the 2007 Report, our proven and probable reserve tonnage increased by approximately 98 percent from 19.9 million to 39.5 million metric tonnes with a gold grade of 0.66 grams per tonne (43.5 million US short tons at 0.019 ounces per ton). The open pit stripping ratio is 0.6:1 (0.6 tonnes of waste to one tonne of ore).  The updated pit design for the revised plan in the 2007 Report is based on a plant recovery of gold that varies by rock types, but is expected to average 66.8%. A gold price of US$550 (three year average as of July 31, 2007 as determined by IMC) per ounce was used to re-estimate the reserves compared with a gold price of $450 per ounce used in the previous estimate.

In September 2008, we initiated a 10 hole deep core drilling campaign at our El Chanate mine consisting of 2,500 meters which will target the southern extremity of the main pit.  Once this data has been compiled and analyzed, it will be combined with results from a previous drilling campaign initiated in December 2007 which consisted of  a 26 reverse circulation holes amounting  to 4,912 meters.  These drill holes were mainly positioned to test the outer limits of the currently known ore zones within the main pit.  All data will be combined with the intention of increasing proven and probable reserves.

We sold 39,102 ounces of gold during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.  Gold production at El Chanate is currently at a level of approximately 4,700 ounces of gold per month. We also produce a limited amount of silver by-product.

For more information on the El Chanate Project, please see  “Item 2. Property; El Chanate Properties – Sonora, Mexico.”
 
 
1

 

Competition

The acquisition of gold properties and their exploration and development are subject to intense competition. Companies with greater financial resources, larger staffs and more equipment for exploration and development may be in a better position than us to compete for such mineral properties.  Our limited financial resources in relation to companies with greater resources may hinder our ability to compete for and acquire additional mineral properties.

Human Resources

As of October 24, 2008, we had 143 full time and 16 temporary employees working at our El Chanate mine in Sonora, Mexico as well as eight full time employees in the US.  We also utilize a mining contractor at the El Chanate mine which had 42 personnel onsite.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this report constitute “forwarding-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Certain, but not necessarily all, of such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties.  All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this report regarding our financial position, business and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements.  Without limiting the broader description of forward-looking statements above, we specifically note that statements regarding exploration and mine development, construction and expansion plans, costs, grade, production and recovery rates, permitting, financing needs, the availability of financing on acceptable terms or other sources of funding, if needed, and the timing of additional tests, feasibility studies and environmental permitting are all forward-looking in nature.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to, the risk factors discussed below in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and other factors referenced in this report.  We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risks described below should not be considered to be comprehensive and all-inclusive.  Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations.  If any events occur that give rise to the following risks, our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, and as a result, the trading price of our Common Stock could be materially and adversely impacted.  These risk factors should be read in conjunction with other information set forth in this report, including our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes.
 
 
2

 

Risks related to our business and operations

If we are unable to sustain sufficient operating revenues, we will not be able to generate profits and our business may fail.

Until this past fiscal year, we had no producing properties and, historically, have operated at a loss. We only commenced gold producing activities and started to generate revenues in August 2007.   Our ultimate success will depend on our ability to continue to generate profits from our properties.   While we have commenced revenue producing mining operations, we cannot assure that revenues will continue to cover cash flow requirements.

While we believe that we will continue to generate positive cash flow and profits from operations, if we encounter unexpected problems, we may need to raise additional capital.   If additional capital is required and we are unable to obtain it from outside sources, we may be forced to reduce or curtail our operations or our anticipated exploration activities.

Prior to the first fiscal quarter of 2008, we were not able to generate cash flow from operations.  While we now are generating positive cash flow and profits, if we encounter unexpected problems and we are unable to continue to generate positive cash flow and profits, we may need to raise additional capital.  We also may need to raise additional capital for property acquisition and new exploration. To the extent that we need to obtain additional capital, management intends to raise such funds through the sale of our securities and/or joint venturing with one or more strategic partners.  We cannot assure that adequate additional funding, if needed, will be available.  This is especially true given the current significant instability in the financial markets.  If we need additional capital and we are unable to obtain it from outside sources, we may be forced to reduce or curtail our operations or our anticipated exploration activities.

Our Credit Facility with Standard Bank plc imposes restrictive covenants on us.

Our Credit Facility with Standard Bank requires us, among other obligations, to meet certain financial covenants including (i) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities at all times greater than or equal to 1.20:1.00, (ii) a quarterly minimum tangible net worth at all times of at least U.S.$15,000,000, and (iii) a quarterly average minimum liquidity of U.S.$500,000. In addition, the Credit Facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, create liens on our property, dispose of any assets, merge with other companies, enter into hedge agreements, organize or invest in subsidiaries or make any investments above a certain dollar limit.  A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the Credit Facility could lead to an event of default thereunder which could result in an acceleration of such indebtedness.
 
Our mining contractor is using reconditioned equipment which could adversely affect our cost assumptions and our ability to economically and successfully mine the project.

Sinergia, our mining contractor, is using equipment that is not new.  Such equipment is subject to the risk of more frequent breakdowns and need for repair than new equipment.  If the equipment that we or Sinergia uses breaks down and needs to be repaired or replaced, we will incur additional costs and operations may be delayed resulting in lower amounts of gold recovered.  In such event, our capital and operating cost assumptions may be inaccurate and our ability to economically and successfully mine the project may be hampered, resulting in decreased revenues and, possibly, a loss from operations.

The gold deposit we have identified at El Chanate is relatively low-grade.  If our estimates and assumptions are inaccurate, our results of operation and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 
3

 

The gold deposit we have identified at our El Chanate Project is relatively low-grade.  If the estimates of ore grade or recovery rates turn out to be lower than the actual ore grade and recovery rates, if costs are higher than expected, or if we experience problems related to the mining, processing, or recovery of gold from ore at the El Chanate Project, our results of operation and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  Moreover, it is possible that actual costs and economic returns may differ materially from our best estimates.  It is not unusual in the mining industry for new mining operations to experience unexpected problems during the initial production phase and to require more capital than anticipated.  There can be no assurance that our operations at El Chanate will continue to be profitable.

We have only one project.  As a result, our chances of conducting viable mining operations are dependent upon the success of that project.

Our only current properties are the El Chanate concessions.  Accordingly, we are dependent upon the success of the El Chanate concessions.

Gold prices can fluctuate on a material and frequent basis due to numerous factors beyond our control.  Our ability to generate profits from operations could be materially and adversely affected by such fluctuating prices.

The profitability of any gold mining operations in which we have an interest will be significantly affected by changes in the market price of gold.  Gold prices fluctuate on a daily basis.  During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, the spot price for gold on the London Exchange has fluctuated between $657.50 and $1,011.30 per ounce.  Gold prices are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:

 
·
the level of interest rates,
 
·
the rate of inflation,
 
·
central bank sales,
 
·
world supply of gold and
 
·
stability of exchange rates.

Each of these factors can cause significant fluctuations in gold prices. Such external factors are in turn influenced by changes in international investment patterns and monetary systems and political developments.  The current significant instability in the financial markets heightens these fluctuations.   The price of gold has historically fluctuated widely and, depending on the price of gold, revenues from mining operations may not be sufficient to offset the costs of such operations.

We may not be successful in hedging against gold price and interest rate fluctuations and may incur mark-to-market losses and lose money through our hedging programs.

We have entered into metals trading transactions to hedge against fluctuations in gold prices, using call option purchases and forward sales, and have entered into various interest rate swap agreements.  The terms of our Credit Facility with Standard Bank require that we utilize various price hedging techniques to hedge a portion of the gold we plan to produce at the El Chanate Project and hedge at least 50% of our outstanding loan balance.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully hedge against gold price and interest rate fluctuations.
 
 
4

 

Further, there can be no assurance that the use of hedging techniques will always be to our benefit.  Hedging instruments that protect against metals market price volatility may prevent us from realizing the full benefit from subsequent increases in market prices with respect to covered production, which would cause us to record a mark-to-market loss, decreasing our profits.  Hedging contracts also are subject to the risk that the other party may be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under these contracts.  Any significant nonperformance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

To date, rather than modifying the original Gold Price Protection agreement with Standard Bank to satisfy these forward sale obligations, we have opted for a net cash settlement between the call option purchase price of $535 and the forward sale price of $500, or $35.00 per oz. As of September 30, 2008, we have paid Standard Bank an aggregate of approximately $1,936,000 on the settlement of 55,325 ounces.  The remaining ounces to settle with regard to this agreement amounted to 66,602 as of September 30, 2008.  We believe we will be able to deliver the quantity of gold required by our forward sales on a going forward basis; however, we may continue to opt to net cash settle these forward sale obligations if it remains the most cost effective option for us.  If we are unable for any reason to produce the quantity of gold required by our forward sales and generate sufficient cash flow to settle these forward sales in gold or cash, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and cash flows.

Our material property interests are in Mexico. Risks of doing business in a foreign country could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We face risks normally associated with any conduct of business in a foreign country with respect to our El Chanate Project in Sonora, Mexico, including various levels of political and economic risk.  The occurrence of one or more of these events could have a material adverse impact on our efforts or operations which, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition.  These risks include the following:

 
·
labor disputes,
 
·
invalidity of governmental orders,
 
·
uncertain or unpredictable political, legal and economic environments,
 
·
war and civil disturbances,
 
·
changes in laws or policies,
 
·
taxation,
 
·
delays in obtaining or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits,
 
·
governmental seizure of land or mining claims,
 
·
limitations on ownership,
 
·
limitations on the repatriation of earnings,
 
·
increased financial costs,
 
·
import and export regulations, including restrictions on the export of gold, and
 
·
foreign exchange controls.

These risks may limit or disrupt the project, restrict the movement of funds or impair contract rights or result in the taking of property by nationalization or expropriation without fair compensation.

We sell gold in U.S. dollars; however, we incur a significant amount of our expenses in Mexican pesos.  If applicable currency exchange rates fluctuate, our revenues and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 
5

 

We sell gold in U.S. dollars.  We incur a significant amount of our expenses in Mexican pesos.  As a result, our financial performance would be affected by fluctuations in the value of the Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar.

Changes in regulatory policy could adversely affect our exploration and future production activities.

Any changes in government policy may result in changes to laws affecting:

 
·
ownership of assets,
 
·
land tenure,
 
·
mining policies,
 
·
monetary policies,
 
·
taxation,
 
·
rates of exchange,
 
·
environmental regulations,
 
·
labor relations,
 
·
repatriation of income and/or
 
·
return of capital.

Any such changes may affect our ability to undertake exploration and development activities in respect of future properties in the manner currently contemplated, as well as our ability to continue to explore, develop and operate those properties in which we have an interest or in respect of which we have obtained exploration and development rights to date. The possibility, particularly in Mexico, that future governments may adopt substantially different policies, which might extend to expropriation of assets, cannot be ruled out.

Compliance with environmental regulations could adversely affect our exploration and future production activities.

With respect to environmental regulation, future environmental legislation could require:

 
·
stricter standards and enforcement,
 
·
increased fines and penalties for non-compliance,
 
·
more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and
 
·
a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees.

There can be no assurance that future changes to environmental legislation and related regulations, if any, will not adversely affect our operations. We could be held liable for environmental hazards that exist on the properties in which we hold interests, whether caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties. Any such liability could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We have insurance against losses or liabilities that could arise from our operations.  If we incur material losses or liabilities in excess of our insurance coverage, our financial position could be materially and adversely affected.

 
6

 

Mining operations involve a number of risks and hazards, including:

 
·
environmental hazards,
 
·
industrial accidents,
 
·
metallurgical and other processing,
 
·
acts of God, and/or
 
·
mechanical equipment and facility performance problems.

Such risks could result in:

 
·
damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities,
 
·
personal injury or death,
 
·
environmental damage,
 
·
delays in mining,
 
·
monetary losses and /or
 
·
possible legal liability.

Industrial accidents could have a material adverse effect on our future business and operations.  We currently maintain general liability, business interruption, auto and property insurance coverage.   We cannot be certain that the insurance we have in place will cover all of the risks associated with mining or that we will be able to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. We also might become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards which we cannot insure against or which we may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from such events may have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Calculation of reserves and metal recovery dedicated to future production is not exact, might not be accurate and might not accurately reflect the economic viability of our properties.

Reserve estimates may not be accurate.  There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the calculation of reserves, resources and corresponding grades being dedicated to future production. Until reserves or resources are actually mined and processed, the quantity of reserves or resources and grades must be considered as estimates only. In addition, the quantity of reserves or resources may vary depending on metal prices. Any material change in the quantity of reserves, resource grade or stripping ratio may affect the economic viability of our properties. In addition, there can be no assurance that mineral recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large tests under on-site conditions or during production.

We are dependent on the efforts of certain key personnel and contractors to develop our El Chanate Project.  If we lose the services of these personnel and contractors and we are unable to replace them, our planned operations at our El Chanate Project may be disrupted and/or materially adversely affected.

We are dependent on a relatively small number of key personnel, including but not limited to John Brownlie, Chief Operating Officer who, among other duties, oversees the El Chanate Project, the loss of any one of whom could have an adverse effect on us.  We are also dependent upon Sinergia to provide mining services.  Sinergia commenced mining operations on March 25, 2007, and transitioned from the pre-production to production phase of the mining contract in July 2007.  Sinergia’s mining fleet is not new.  If we lose the services of our key personnel, or if Sinergia is unable to effectively maintain its fleet, our planned operations at our El Chanate Project may be disrupted and/or materially adversely affected.

 
7

 

There are uncertainties as to title matters in the mining industry.  We believe that we have good title to our properties; however, any defects in such title that cause us to lose our rights in mineral properties could jeopardize our planned business operations.

We have investigated our rights to explore, exploit and develop our concessions in manners consistent with industry practice and, to the best of our knowledge, those rights are in good standing.  However, we cannot assure that the title to or our rights of ownership in the El Chanate concessions will not be challenged by third parties or governmental agencies. In addition, there can be no assurance that the concessions in which we have an interest are not subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and title may be affected by undetected defects.  Any such defects could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our ability to maintain long-term profitability eventually will depend on our ability to find, explore and develop additional properties.  Our ability to acquire such additional properties could be hindered by competition. If we are unable to acquire, develop and economically mine additional properties, we most likely will not be able to be profitable on a long-term basis.

Gold properties are wasting assets.  They eventually become depleted or uneconomical to continue mining.  The acquisition of gold properties and their exploration and development are subject to intense competition. Companies with greater financial resources, larger staffs, more experience and more equipment for exploration and development may be in a better position than us to compete for such mineral properties.  If we are unable to find, develop and economically mine new properties, we most likely will not be able to be profitable on a long-term basis.

Our ability on a going forward basis to discover additional viable and economic mineral reserves is subject to numerous factors, most of which are beyond our control and are not predictable. If we are unable to discover such reserves, we most likely will not be able to be profitable on a long-term basis.

Exploration for gold is speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently unsuccessful. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into commercially producing mines.  As noted above, our long-term profitability will be, in part, directly related to the cost and success of exploration programs.  Any gold exploration program entails risks relating to

 
·
the location of economic ore bodies,
 
·
development of appropriate metallurgical processes,
 
·
receipt of necessary governmental approvals and
 
·
construction of mining and processing facilities at any site chosen for mining.

The commercial viability of a mineral deposit is dependent on a number of factors including:

 
·
the price of gold,
 
·
the particular attributes of the deposit, such as its
 
o
size,
 
o
grade and
 
o
proximity to infrastructure,
 
·
financing costs,

 
8

 

 
·
taxation,
 
·
royalties,
 
·
land tenure,
 
·
land use,
 
·
water use,
 
·
power use,
 
·
importing and exporting gold and
 
·
environmental protection.

The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.

Risks related to ownership of our stock

The market price of our stock may be adversely affected by market volatility  due to the current significant instability in the financial markets.

As a result of the current substantial instability in the financial markets, our stock price has recently fluctuated significantly.  We cannot predict if or when current adverse economic conditions will be resolved and what the affect this instability will continue to have on the price of our stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the near future.

Our Board of Directors determine whether to pay cash dividends on our issued and outstanding shares.  The declaration of dividends would depend upon our future earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition and other relevant factors.  Our board does not intend to declare any dividends on our shares for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to finance the growth of our business and for general corporate purposes.

Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Delaware law could defer a change of our management which could discourage or delay offers to acquire us.

Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Delaware law may make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of us or for our stockholders to remove existing management, and might discourage a third party from offering to acquire us, even if a change in control or in management would be beneficial to our stockholders. For example, our Certificate of Incorporation allows us to issue different series of shares of common stock without any vote or further action by our stockholders and our Board of Directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of such series of common stock. As a result, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of common stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of other common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of other series of our common stock.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.  Property
 
 
9

 

El Chanate Properties – Sonora, Mexico
 
Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Oro de Altar S. de R. L. de C.V. (“Oro”) and Minera Santa Rita S. de R.L. de C.V. (“MSR”), we own 100% of the following 16 mining concessions, all of which are located in the Municipality of Altar, State of Sonora United States of Mexico.

The 16 mining concessions are as follows:

 
Concession Name
 
Title No.
   
Hectares
 
1
San Jose
    200718       96.0000  
2
Las Dos Virgen
    214874       132.2350  
3
Rono I
    206408       82.1902  
4
Rono 3
    214224       197.2180  
5
La Cuchilla
    211987       143.3481  
6
Elsa
    212004       2,035.3997  
7
Elisa
    214223       78.4717  
8
Ena
    217495       190.0000  
9
Eva
    212395       416.8963  
10
Mirsa
    212082       20.5518  
11
Olga
    212081       60.5890  
12
Edna
    212355       24.0431  
13
La Tira
    219624       1.7975  
14
La Tira 1
    219623       18.6087  
15
Los Tres
    223634       8.000  
16
El Charro
    206404       40.0000  
 
Total
            3,543.3491  

At the El Chanate Project we are mining on two concessions, San Jose and Las Dos Virgens.  We are utilizing four other concessions for processing mined ores.  In the future, we plan to explore some or all of these concessions to determine whether or not further activity is warranted.
 


 
10

 
 
Until August 2006,  we were following an August 2003 feasibility study (the “2003 Study”) prepared by M3 Engineering of Tucson, Arizona (“M3”) as updated by M3 in October 2005 (The “2005 Study”).  The 2005 Study  used a base gold price of $375 per ounce.   In view of a significant rise in the gold price, in June 2006, we commissioned SRK Consulting, Denver, Colorado, to prepare an updated Canadian Securities Administration National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report on our El Chanate Project.  SRK completed this  technical report in August 2006 (the “2006 Update”).

In May 2007, we completed an expanded 72-hole reverse circulation drilling campaign to identify additional proven and probable gold reserves at the El Chanate Project. The 72 holes totaled approximately 8,300 meters, and were positioned to fill in gaps in the ore body and test the outer limits of the currently known ore zones.  We turned the assay data over to Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (“IMC”) of Tucson, AZ to update our ore reserve and our mine plan.  On August 30, 2007, IMC delivered to us an updated resource block model and an updated mine plan and mine production schedule (the “2007 Report”).

According to the 2007 Report, our proven and probable reserve tonnage increased by approximately 98 percent from 19.9 million to 39.5 million metric tonnes with a gold grade of 0.66 grams per tonne (43.5 million US short tons at 0.019 ounces per ton). The open pit stripping ratio is 0.6:1 (0.6 tonnes of waste to one tonne of ore).  The updated pit design for the revised plan in the 2007 Report is based on a plant recovery of gold that varies by rock types, but is expected to average 66.8%. A gold price of US$550 (three year average as of July 31, 2007 as determined by IMC) per ounce was used to re-estimate the reserves compared with a gold price of $450 per ounce used in the previous estimate.

El Chanate is an open pit heap leach mining and processing operation.  Ore is hauled by truck from the pits to the processing plant.  The recovery of gold from certain gold oxide ores is achieved through the heap leaching process. Under this method, oxide ore is placed on leach pads where it is treated with a chemical solution, which dissolves the gold contained in the ore. The resulting “pregnant” solution is further processed in a plant where the gold is recovered. The equipment and facility infrastructure that is utilized at the El Chanate mine consists of both new and refurbished items.  Management continuously analyzes production results and considers improvements and modernizations as deemed necessary.

 
11

 

Equipment and facilities include: plant, a fleet of haul trucks, loaders and mining support equipment.  In addition, there are numerous ancillary support facilities including warehouses, maintenance shops, roadways, administrative offices and power and water supply systems.  The equipment and facility infrastructure that is utilized at the El Chanate mine consists of both new and refurbished items.  Management continuously analyzes production results and considers improvements and modernizations as deemed necessary.

In September 2008, we initiated a 10 hole deep core drilling campaign at our El Chanate mine consisting of 2,500 meters which will target the southern extremity of the main pit.  Once this data has been compiled and analyzed, it will be combined with results from a previous drilling campaign initiated in December 2007 which consisted of  a 26 reverse circulation holes amounting  to 4,912 meters.  These drill holes were mainly positioned to test the outer limits of the currently known ore zones within the main pit.  All data will be combined with the intention of increasing proven and probable reserves.

During fiscal 2008, we identified certain restrictions related to our ADR plant capacity which limited the amount of solution that can be processed.  We have addressed these issues by doubling the installed pumping capacity to increase solution flow to the leach pad and added additional carbon capacity to the system.  We also purchased and installed an additional set of carbon columns and a strip vessel to process an additional two tonnes of carbon per strip. The installation and commissioning of these ADR plant upgrades was completed at the end of October 2008.

The following production summary estimate has been extracted from the 2007 Report.  Please note that the reserves as stated are an estimate of what can be economically and legally recovered from the mine and, as such, incorporate losses for dilution and mining recovery.   The 832,280 ounces of contained gold represents ounces of gold contained in ore in the ground, and therefore does not reflect losses in the recovery process.  Total gold produced is estimated to be 555,960 ounces, or approximately 66.8% of the contained gold. The gold recovery rate is expected to average approximately 66.8% for the entire ore body.  Individual portions of the ore body may experience varying recovery rates ranging from about 73% to 48%.  Oxidized and sandstone ore types may have recoveries of about 73%; fault zone ore type recoveries may be about 64%; siltstone ore types recoveries may be about 48% and latite intrusive ore type recoveries may be about 50%.

 
12

 
 
 
Metric
 
U.S.
       
Materials
     
Reserves
     
Proven
26.7 Million Tonnes @   0.68   g/t*
 
29.4 Million Tons @   0.0198 opt*
Probable
12.8 Million Tonnes  @  0.61   g/t*
 
14.1 Million Tons @   0.0179 opt*
Total Reserves
39.5 Million Tonnes  @  0.66   g/t*
 
43.5 Million Tons @   0.0192 opt*
Waste
24.1 Million Tonnes
 
26.6 Million Tons
Total
63.6 Million Tonnes
 
70.1 Million tons
       
Contained Gold
25.89 Million grams
 
832,280  Oz
       
Production
     
Ore Crushed**
2.6 Million Tonnes /Year
 
2.87 Million Tons/Year
 
   7,500 Mt/d
 
   8,267 t/d
       
Operating Days/Year
   365 Days per year
 
   365 Days per year
Gold Plant Average Recovery
   66.8 %
 
   66.8 %
Average Annual Production**
   1.35  Million grams
 
   43,414  Oz
Total Gold Produced
17.29 Million grams
 
  555,960  Oz
 
* “g/t” means grams per metric tonne, “opt” means ounces per ton, “Mt/d” means metric tonnes per day and “t/d” means tons per day. The reserve estimates are based on a recovered gold cutoff grade of 0.17 to 0.21 grams per metric tonne, depending on the operating year, and as described below.
**  Based on mining rate of 7,500 metric tonnes per day of ore.  We are currently in excess of 10,000 metric tonnes per day.

El Chanate Project

Production Summary
 
In the mineral resource block model developed, with blocks 6m (meters) x 6m x 6m high, Measured and Indicated resources (corresponding to Proven and Probable reserves respectively when within the pit design) were classified in accordance with the following scheme:
 
 
·
Blocks with 2 or more drill holes within a search radius of 80m x 70m x 40m and with a relative kriging (a geostatistical calculation technique) standard deviation less than or equal to 0.45 were classified as Measured (corresponding to Proven);
 
 
·
Blocks with 1 hole within the search radius of 80m x 70m x 40m and with a relative kriging standard deviation of 0.60 or less, blocks with 2 holes and a kriging standard deviation of 0.70 or less, blocks with 3 holes and a kriging standard deviation of 0.80 or less, blocks with 4 holes and a relative kriging standard deviation of 0.90 or less and all blocks with 5 or more holes within the search radius were classified as Indicated (corresponding to Probable), unless they met the above criterion for Proven;
 
 
13

 

 
·
Blocks with a grade estimate that did not meet the above criteria  were classified as Inferred (and which was classed as waste material in the mining reserves estimate);
 
 
·
Blocks outside the above search radii or outside suitable geological zones were not assigned a gold grade or a resource classification.

The proven and probable reserve estimates are based on a recovered gold  cutoff grade of 0.17 to 0.21 grams/tonne, depending on the operating year.  The variation is due to balancing the mine and plant production capacities on a year by year basis for the plan.  (A recovered gold cutoff grade was used for reserves calculation as the head gold grade cutoff varies with the different ore types due to their variable gold recoveries.)  The internal (in-pit) and break even cutoff grade calculations are as follows:

Cutoff Grade Calculation
 
Internal Cutoff Grade
 
Break Even Cutoff Grade
Basic Parameters
       
Gold Price
 
US$550/oz
 
US$550/oz
Shipping and Refining
 
US$ 4.14/oz
 
US$ 4.14/oz
Gold Recovery
 
66.8%
 
66.8%
Royalty
 
4% of NSR
 
4% of NSR
         
Operating Costs per Tonne of Ore
 
$ per Tonne of Ore
 
$ per Tonne of Ore
Mining *
 
0.070
 
1.360
Processing/Leach Pad
 
1.980
 
1.980
G&A
 
0.800
 
0.800
Total
 
2.850
 
4.140
         
Internal Cutoff Grade
 
Grams per Tonne
 
Grams per Tonne
Head Grade Cutoff (66.8% recov.)
 
0.25
 
0.37
Recovered Gold Grade Cutoff
 
0.17
 
0.25
 
* The calculation of an internal cutoff grade does not include the basic mining costs (which are considered to be sunk costs for material within the designed pit).  The $0.07 per tonne cost included is the incremental (added) cost of hauling ore over hauling waste, and which is included in the calculation.

We commenced production at the El Chanate property on July 31, 2007.  In the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, we sold 39,102 ounces of gold.  Gold production at El Chanate is currently at a level of approximately 4,700 ounces of gold per month. We have implemented steps necessary to effectively increase production rates to approximately 70,000 ounces per year in 2009.  As of August 31, 2008, we have expended approximately $3,500,000 on the leach pad expansion and ADR plant improvement.  Management has been and anticipates that it will continue to fund these expansion costs with its cash on hand as well as through revenues from gold sales.
 
 
14

 

The following table represents a summary of cumulative activity in connection with our proven and probable mineral reserves:
 
Proven and probable mineral reserve (Ktonnes of ore)
 
July 31,
2008
   
July 31,
2007
   
July 31,
2006
 
Ore
    -       -       -  
Beginning balance (Ktonnes)
    38,785       19,868       19,868  
Additions
    -       19,593       -  
Reductions
    (3,499 )     (676 )     -  
Ending Balance
    35,286       38,785       19,868  
                         
Contained gold
                       
Beginning balance (thousand of ounces)
    814       490       490  
Additions
    -       342       -  
Reductions
    (95 )     (18 )     -  
Ending Balance
    719       814       490  

Surface Property Ownership

Anglo Gold purchased surface property ownership, consisting of 466 Hectares in Altar, Sonora, on January 27, 1998.  The ownership was conveyed to our subsidiary, Oro de Altar S.A. de C.V., in 2002.  MSR, one of our wholly-owned Mexican affiliates, has a lease on the property for the purpose of mining the Chanate gold deposit.  The purchase transaction was recorded as public deed 19,591 granted by Mr. Jose Maria Morera Gonzalez, Notary Public 102 of the Federal District, registered at the Public Registry of Property of Caborca, Sonora, under number 36026, book one, volume 169 of the real estate registry section on May 7, 1998.

General Information and Location

The El Chanate Project is located in the State of Sonora, Mexico, 37 kilometers northeast of the town of Caborca.  It is accessible by paved and all weather dirt roads typically traveled by pickup trucks and similar vehicles.  Driving time from Caborca is approximately 40 minutes.  Access from Caborca to the village of 16 de September is over well maintained National highways. Beyond the 16 de September village, routes to the property are currently over well traveled gravel and sandy desert roads suitable for all types of vehicles. We acquired rights for service road access from the village of 16 de September, and constructed this road.

The project is situated on the Sonora desert in a hot and windy climate, generally devoid of vegetation with the exception of cactus.  The terrain is generally flat with immense, shallow basins, scattered rock outcropping and low rocky hills and ridges.  The desert floor is covered by shallow, fine sediment, gravel and caliche.  The main body of the known surface gold covers an irregularly shaped area of approximately 3,170 feet long by 1,590 feet wide.  Several satellite mineral anomalies exist on surfaces which have not been thoroughly explored.  Assays on chip samples taken from trenches at these locations by us indicate the presence of gold mineralization.
 
 
15

 

In 2005, we acquired 15 year rights of way for the current access road, and we acquired the right to purchase 81 hectares of land near the main highway.  We have use of the land; however, our actual purchase of the land is conditioned upon the Ejido (local cooperative) privatizing the land, before the acquisition is finalized.  We subsequently purchased an extension of our rights-of-way from 15 to 30 years.  In addition to this road, we acquired a water concession, and our water well is located within a large regional aquifer.   The 2005 feasibility study indicated our average life of mine water requirements, for ore processing only, will be about 94.6 million gallons per year (11.4 liters per second).  The amount of water we were permitted to pump for our operations was approximately 71.3 million gallons per year (8.6 liters per second).  In September 2007, and in conjunction with the results of the 2007 Report, we acquired additional water rights which permits us to consume up to 109.1 million gallons per year.  Based on the anticipated water consumption for the life of mine, we believe that we have an allocation to meet our requirements.

In December 2005, MSR entered into a Mining Contract with a Mexican mining contractor, Sinergia Obras Civiles y Mineras, S.A. de C.V. (“Contractor”).  The Mining Contract, as amended, became effective November 1, 2006 and work commenced on or about March 25, 2007 (the “Commencement Date”).  Pursuant to an amendment to the Mining Contract, the mining rates set forth in that contract are subject to adjustment for the rate of inflation between September 23, 2005 and the Commencement Date.  We are currently in negotiations with the Contractor on an adjustment to these rates for the aforementioned period. Pursuant to the Mining Contract, the Contractor, using its own equipment, is supposed to perform all of the mining work (other than crushing) at the El Chanate Project for the life of the mine.  MSR delivered to the Contractor a mobilization payment of $70,000 and the advance payment of $520,000.  The advance payments are recoverable by MSR out of 100% of subsequent payments due to the Contractor under the Mining Contract.  Pursuant to the Mining Contract, upon termination, the Contractor would be obligated to repay any portion of the advance payment that had not yet been recouped. The Contractor’s mining rates are subject to escalation on an annual basis.  This escalation is tied to the percentage escalation in the Contractor’s costs for various parts for its equipment, interest rates and labor.  One of the principals of the Contractor (“FG’s Successor”) is one of the former principals of Grupo Minero FG S.A. de C.V. (“FG”).  FG was our former joint venture partner.  In March 2007, we made a further advance to the Contractor of $319,000 in consideration of FG’s successors transfer to us of his remaining interest in MSR.  As of July 31, 2008, the entire advance has been recovered.

The general El Chanate mine area has been mined for gold since the early 19th century.  A number of old underground workings exist characterized by narrow shafts, to a depth of several tens of feet and connecting drifts and cross cuts.  No information exists regarding the amount of gold taken out; however, indications are that mining was conducted on a small scale.

Geology

The project area is underlain by sedimentary rocks of the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Bisbee Group, and the Late Cretaceous Chanate Group, which locally are overlain by andesites of the Cretaceous El Charro volcanic complex.  The sedimentary strata are locally intruded by andesitic sills and dikes, a microporphyritic latite and by a diorite stock.  The sedimentary strata are comprised of mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, conglomerate, shale and limestone.  Within the drilled resource area, a predecessor exploration company differentiated two units on the basis of their position relative to the Chanate fault.  The upper member is an undifferentiated sequence of sandstone, conglomerate and lesser mudstone that lies above the Chanate fault and it is assigned to the Escalante Formation of the Middle Cretaceous Chanate Group.  The lower member is comprised of mudstone with mixed in sandstone lenses and thin limestone interbreds; it lies below the Chanate fault and is assigned to the Arroyo Sasabe Formation of the Lower Cretaceous Bisbee Group.  The Arroyo Sasabe formation overlies the Morita Formation of the Bisbee Group.  Both the Escalante and Arroyo Sasabe formations are significantly mineralized proximal to the Chanate fault, while the Morita Formation is barren.

 
16

 

The main structural feature of the project area is the Chanate fault, a 7 km long (minimum) northwest-striking, variably southwest-dipping structure that has been interpreted to be a thrust fault.  The Chanate fault is overturned (north-dipping) at surface, and is marked by brittle deformation and shearing which has created a pronounced fracture foliation and fissility in the host rocks.  In drill holes the fault is often marked the presence of an andesite dike.  Reports prepared by a predecessor exploration company describe the fault as consisting of a series of thrust ramps and flats; however, geologic cross sections which we have reviewed but did not prepare may negate this interpretation.

Alteration/Mineralization

A predecessor exploration company has defined a 600 meter long, 300 meter wide, 120 meter thick zone of alteration that is centered about the Chanate fault.  The strata within this zone have been silicified and pyritized to varying degrees.  In surface outcrop the mineralized zone is distinguished by its bleached appearance relative to unmineralized rock.  The mineralized zone contains only single digit ppm (parts per million) levels of gold.  Dense swarms of veinlets form thick, mineralized lenses, within a larger area of sub-economic but anomalous gold concentrations.  Drill hole data indicates that the mineralized lenses are sub-horizontal to gently southwest-dipping and are grossly parallel to the Chanate fault.  The fault zone itself is also weakly mineralized, although strata in the near hanging wall and footwall are appreciably mineralized.

Our Acquisition and Ownership of the El Chanate Project

In June 2001, we purchased 100% of the issued and outstanding stock of Minera Chanate, S.A. de C.V. from AngloGold North America Inc. and AngloGold (Jerritt Canyon) Corp.  Minera Chanate’s assets at the time of the closing of the purchase consisted of 106 exploitation and exploration concessions in the States of Sonora, Chihuahua and Guerrero, Mexico. By June 2002, after property reviews and to minimize tax payments, the 106 had been reduced to 12 concessions.  To cover certain non-critical gaps between concessions, four new concessions were acquired, and the number of concessions is now 16.  These concessions are contiguous, totaling approximately 3,543 hectares (8,756 acres or 13.7 square miles).   Although there are 16 concessions, we are only mining two of these concessions at the present time.  We also own outright 466 hectares (1,151 acres or 1.8 square miles) of surface rights at El Chanate and no third party ownership or leases exist on this fee land or the El Chanate concessions.  In the future, assuming adequate funding is available, we plan on conducting exploration activities on some of the other concessions.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement with Anglo Gold, in December 2001, we made a $50,000 payment to AngloGold.  AngloGold will be entitled to receive the remainder of the purchase price by way of an ongoing percentage of net smelter returns of between 2% and 4% plus a 10% net profits interest (until the total net profits interest payment received by AngloGold equals $1,000,000).  AngloGold's right to a payment of a percentage of net smelter returns and the net profits interest will terminate at such point as they aggregate $18,018,355.  In accordance with the agreement, the foregoing payments are not to be construed as royalty payments. Should the Mexican government or other jurisdiction determine that such payments are royalties, we could be subjected to and would be responsible for any withholding taxes assessed on such payments.   During the first part of 2008, Royal Gold, Inc. acquired from Anglo Gold the right to receive both the net smelter returns of between 2% and 4% plus and the 10% net profits interest which terminates at such point as they aggregate $18,018,355.  As of July 31, 2008, we have incurred approximately $1,272,000  and  $728,000 in expense with regard to both the net smelter return and net profits interest, respectively.

 
17

 

Under the terms of the agreement, we had granted AngloGold the right to designate one of its wholly-owned Mexican subsidiaries to receive a one-time option to purchase 51% of Minera Chanate (or such entity that owns the El Chanate concessions at the time of option exercise).  That option was exercisable over a 180 day period commencing at such time as we notified AngloGold that we had made a good faith determination that we had gold-bearing ore deposits on any one of the identified groups of El Chanate concessions, when aggregated with any ore that we have mined, produced and sold from such concessions, of in excess of 2,000,000 troy ounces of contained gold.  The exercise price would equal twice our project costs on the properties during the period commencing on December 15, 2000 and ending on the date of such notice.  In January 2008, we made a good faith determination and notified AngloGold that the drill indicated resources at the El Chanate gold mine exceeded two million ounces of contained gold. The term "drill indicated resources" is defined in the agreement.  A drill indicated resource number does not rise to the level of, and should not be considered proven and probable reserves as those terms are defined under guidelines of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”).   On July 1, 2008, AngloGold notified us that it would not be exercising its back-in right.

Saric Properties – Sonora, Mexico

We recently leased 12 mining concessions totaling 1,790 hectares located northwest of Saric, Sonora. In addition, we filed and now own a claim for approximately 2,200 additional hectares adjacent to this property. These concessions and this claim are about a sixty mile drive northeast of the El Chanate project. Mineralization is evident throughout and is hosted by shear zones and quartz veins in granite intrusive. A short drill program, along with geochemical work, is currently underway.

We continue to actively investigate other exploration projects in northern Mexico.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

We are not presently a party to any material litigation.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matter was submitted to a vote of our stockholders during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008.

PART II

Item 5.     Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
                 Purchases of Equity Securities.

(a) Marketing Information — The principal U.S. market in which our common shares (all of which are of one class, $.0001 par value Common Stock) are traded or will trade is in the over-the-counter market (Bulletin Board Symbol: "CGLD").  Our stock is not traded or quoted on any Automated Quotation System.

The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing bid quotes of our Common Stock per quarter for the past two fiscal years as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board  (which reflect inter-dealer prices without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessary represent actual transactions).

 
18

 

MARKET PRICE OF COMMON STOCK

Quarter Ending
 
High and Low
 
             
July 31, 2008
    0.70       0.60  
April 30, 2008
    0.78       0.62  
January 31, 2008
    0.81       0.60  
October 31, 2007
    0.63       0.38  
                 
July 31, 2007
    0.47       0.38  
April 30, 2007
    0.47       0.37  
January 31, 2007
    0.41       0.31  
October 31, 2006
    0.33       0.28  

Our Common Stock trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CGC."  The high and low closing prices for our Common stock for the periods indicated below are as follows:

Period Ending
 
High and Low
 
   
US$/CDN$
   
US$/CDN$
 
Quarter ended July 31, 2008
    0.70/0.71       0.61/0.60  
Quarter ended April 30, 2008
    0.83/0.83       0.62/0.62  
Quarter ended January 31, 2008
    0.77/0.76       0.58/0.57  
Quarter ended October 31, 2007
    0.60/0.61       0.39/0.40  
                 
Quarter ended July 31, 2007
    0.50/0.54       0.35/0.37  
Quarter ended April 30, 2007
    0.52/0.60       0.36/0.42  
Quarter ended January 31, 2007
    0.42/0.49       0.27/0.31  
Quarter ended October 31, 2006
    0.36/0.40       0.28/0.32  

 (b)  Holders — The approximate number of record holders of our Common Stock, as of October 24, 2008 amounts to 2,236 inclusive of those brokerage firms and/or clearing houses holding our common shares for their clientele (with each such brokerage house and/or clearing house being considered as one holder).  The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding is 192,974,824 as of October 24, 2008.

(c)  Dividends – We have not paid or declared any cash dividends upon our Common Stock since inception and, by reason of our present financial status and our contemplated financial requirements, do not contemplate or anticipate paying any cash dividends upon our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

On July 17, 2008, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, our executive officers and directors were granted 515,000 shares under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The restricted shares granted vested immediately.  The fair value of the stock was $0.70 on the date of grant resulting in our recording approximately $361,000 in equity based compensation expense within general and administrative expense.

All of the foregoing  issuances were exempt from registration pursuant to the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

 
19

 
 
We did not repurchase any of our securities during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.

The following table gives information about our Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of our equity compensation plans as of July 31, 2008.

   
Number of Securities to 
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options, 
warrants and rights*
 
Weighted-average
Exercise price of
Outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   
Number of securities 
Remaining available for 
future issuance under
equity compensation plans 
(excluding securities 
reflected in column (a))
 
 Plan Category
               
   
(a)
 
(b)
   
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
    4,665,000     $ 0.56       3,225,000  
                         
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:
    900,000     $ 0.58       N/A  
                         
Total
    5,565,000     $ 0.58       3,225,000  

*Does not include the issuance of 2,110,000 shares of restricted stock during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008
 
 
20

 

Performance Graph

   
Total Return To Shareholders
 
   
(Includes reinvestment of dividends)
 
                               
         
   QUARTERLY RETURN
PERCENTAGE
 
               
Quarter Ending
       
                               
Company / Index
       
10/31/07
   
1/31/08
   
4/30/08
   
7/31/08
 
Capital Gold Corporation
          36.07       10.48       -6.61       -0.77  
S&P SmallCap 600 Index
          5.12       -12.65       1.20       -1.48  
Peer Group
          9.32       -20.42       -4.41       17.42  
                                       
                 
INDEXED
RETURNS
         
   
Base
           
Quarter Ending
         
   
Period
                                 
Company / Index
 
8/1/07
   
10/31/07
   
1/31/08
   
4/30/08
   
7/31/08
 
Capital Gold Corporation
    100       136.07       150.32       140.39       139.31  
S&P SmallCap 600 Index
    100       105.12       91.82       92.92       91.55  
Peer Group
    100       109.32       87.00       83.16       97.64  
                                         
Peer Group Companies:
                                       
ALAMOS GOLD INC
                                       
GAMMON GOLD INC
                                       
WESTERN GOLDFIELDS INC
                                       
 
 
21

 


ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data.

The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, and the related notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in this Annual Report.  The statement of operations and balance sheet data presented below for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the five year period ended July 31, 2008 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.  Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.  The Selected Financial Data is in thousands except for share and per share data.

   
Fiscal Year Ended July, 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Statement of Operations data:
                             
Revenues
  $ 33,104     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Net Income (loss)
  $ 6,364     $ (7,472 )   $ (4,805 )   $ (2,006 )   $ (2,939 )
Income (loss) per share – Basic
  $ 0.04     $ (0.05 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.06 )
                                         
Balance Sheet data:
                                       
Total Assets
  $ 48,879     $ 27,551     $ 9,546     $ 5,552     $ 486  
Long-term Debt
  $ 8,375     $ 12,500     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Reclamation and Remediation Liability
  $ 1,666     $ 1,249     $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
 
22

 

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion relates to the three fiscal years ended July 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.  As disclosed in greater detail elsewhere in this report, we commenced mining operations and began to receive operating revenues in August 2007, shortly after the end of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007. (000’s, except where otherwise specifically noted).

Overview

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

Our financial position was as follows:
 
   
For the year
   
For the year
 
    
ended
   
ended
 
    
July 31,
2008
   
July 31,
2007
 
             
Total debt
  $ 12,500     $ 12,500  
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 28,197     $ 11,986  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,992     $ 2,225  
Working capital
  $ 15,825     $ 6,343  
 
During our fiscal year ended July 31, 2008 our debt and liquidity positions were affected by the following:
 
 
·
Net cash provided from continuing operations of $6,318;
 
 
·
Capital expenditures of $5,507;
 
 
·
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon the exercising of warrants of $7,474;
 
Looking Forward
 
Certain key factors will affect our future financial and operating results. These include, but are not limited to, the following (000’s except for ounces and cash cost data):
 
 
·
Fluctuations in gold prices;
 
 
·
We expect  minimum fiscal 2009 gold sales of approximately 55,000 ounces;
 
 
·
Cash costs per ounce sold, excluding royalties, for fiscal 2009 are expected to be approximately $250 to $275 per ounce as the impact of industry-wide cost pressures are expected to be slightly higher;
 
 
·
We anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $5,500 to $6,500 in fiscal 2009 with nearly all being allocated to our El Chanate mine in Sonora, Mexico;

 
23

 
 
 
·
Our fiscal year 2009 expectations, particularly with respect to sales volumes and cash costs per ounce sold, may differ significantly from actual quarter and full fiscal year results due to variations in: ore grades and hardness, metal recoveries, waste removed, commodity input prices, foreign currencies and gold sale prices.
 
Result of Operations

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2008 compared to fiscal year ended July 31, 2007

Net income for the year ended July 31, 2008 was approximately $6,364 compared to a net loss of approximately $7,472 for the year ended July 31, 2007. The principal reason for this transition was our realizing revenue from operations during the year ended July 31, 2008.  Our first gold sale occurred in August 2007.  Net income per common share was $0.04 for the year ended July 31, 2008, on a basic basis and $0.03 on a diluted basis.  The net loss per share for the same period in 2007 was $0.05 on a basic basis. Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Equivalent common shares, consisting of stock options and warrants were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 since their effect was anti-dilutive.

Revenues & Costs Applicable to Sales

Gold revenue for the year ended July 31, 2008 totaled approximately $33,104.  We sold 39,102 ounces at an average realizable price per ounce of approximately $847.  Costs applicable to sales were approximately $10,690 for the current period.  There were no metal sales for the same period in the prior year as we had not yet realized revenue from our operations.  Our cash cost and total cost per ounce sold, excluding Royal Gold’s 10% net profit interest, formally owned by AngloGold, was $257 and $316, respectively, for the year ended July 31, 2008.  If we factor in this net profit interest cost for the same period, our cash cost and total cost per ounce sold would be $276 and $335, respectively.  These costs were slightly higher than previous quarter results primarily due to the accrual of this net profit interest which is capped at $1,000.  As of July 31, 2008, we had approximately $753 accrued towards this net profits interest.  We anticipate accruing the remaining portion of the net profit interest within this calendar year.

Revenues from by-product sales (silver) are credited to Costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit.  Silver sales totaled 40,461 ounces at an average price of $17.48 amounting to approximately $707 for the year ended July 31, 2008.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense during the year ended July 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $3,438 and $891, respectively.  The increase of approximately $2,547 was primarily due to a full year of depreciation and amortization charges related to the El Chanate capital costs being incurred in the current period.  The charges during the same period in the prior year were significantly lower as most of these assets were placed in service in April 2007.  Depreciation and amortization also represents deferred financing costs resulting from the Credit Facility we entered into with Standard Bank.  This accounted for approximately $1,088 and $876 of the amortization expense during the years ended July 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
 
24

 

General and Administration Expense

General and administrative expenses during the year ended July 31, 2008 were approximately $5,586, an increase of approximately $2,693 or 93% from the year ended July 31, 2007.  The increase in general and administrative expenses resulted primarily from: 1) higher salaries and wages for officers and employees including the hiring of a controller and the awarding of cash bonuses of approximately $1,708,  2) the granting of stock options and restricted stock to our officers and employees under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan amounting to approximately $467,  3) higher investor relations fees and travel fees of approximately $221,  4) higher accounting and consulting fees of approximately $419 versus the same period a year earlier, primarily due to the awarding of a cash bonus to one of our officers as well as higher consulting fees related to compliance with internal control over financial reporting, and 5) an increase in insurance costs of approximately $116 versus the same period a year earlier as we were not yet in full production in the prior period.  The above mentioned increases in compensation, cash bonus awards as well as the stock option and restricted stock awards were granted based upon recommendations from an independent report on executive compensation.  This independent report, requested by our Compensation Committee, was obtained in order to assist us in attracting and retaining individuals of experience and ability, to provide incentive to our employees and directors, to encourage employee and director proprietary interests in our company, and to encourage employees to remain in our employ.

Exploration Expense

Exploration expense during the years ended July 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $938 and $1,816, respectively, or a decrease of $878 or 48%.  The primary reason for the decrease in exploration expense was the result of higher engineering and planning costs related to our El Chanate Project being expensed in the prior period as well as the costs incurred from our 72-hole reverse circulation drilling campaign to identify additional proven and probable gold reserves at the El Chanate Project which was completed in May 2007.  The current period includes: 1) costs from our completed 26 hole reverse circulation drilling program in December 2007 amounting to 4,912 meters at El Chanate.  The drill holes were mainly positioned to test the outer limits of the currently known ore zones, and 2) cost associated with our recently leased 12 mining concessions totaling 1,790 hectares located northwest of Saric, Sonora. We initiated a short drill program as well as some geochemical work related to these claims during the current period.  Also, a claim has been filed for approximately 2,200 additional hectares adjacent to this property. These concessions and this claim are about a sixty mile drive northeast of the El Chanate project.  Mineralization is evident throughout and is hosted by shear zones and veins in granite intrusive.

Other Income and Expense

Our loss on the change in fair value of derivative instruments during the year ended July 31, 2008 and 2007, was approximately $1,356 and $1,226, respectively, and was reflected as an other expense. This was primarily due to the change in fair value of our two identically structured derivative contracts with Standard Bank which correlates to fluctuations in the gold price.  These contracts were not designated as hedging derivatives; and therefore, special hedge accounting does not apply.

Interest expense was approximately $1,207 for the year ended July 31, 2008 compared to approximately $792 for the same period a year earlier.  This increase was mainly due to higher interest charges incurred during the current period related to our fully outstanding credit facility with Standard Bank.  As of July 31, 2008 and 2007, there was $12,500 outstanding, respectively, on this credit facility.
 
 
25

 

Income Tax Expense
 
Income tax expense was $3,507 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, compared to $0 in 2007 with an effective tax rate of 35% and 0%, respectively.  The factors that most significantly impact our effective tax rate are valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets offset partially by lower statutory tax rates in Mexico. Current income tax expense and deferred income tax expense amounted to $2,111 and $1,396 as of July 31, 2008, respectively.
 
Mining operations are primarily conducted in Mexico that has tax laws, tax incentives and tax rates that are significantly different than those of the United States.  On October 1, 2007, the Mexican Government enacted legislation which introduced certain tax reforms as well as a new minimum flat tax system.  This new flat tax system integrates with the regular income tax system and is based on cash-basis net income that includes only certain receipts and expenditures.  The flat tax is set at 17.5% of cash-basis net income as determined, with transitional rates of 16.5% and 17.0% in 2008 and 2009, respectively.  If the flat tax is positive, it is reduced by the regular income tax and any excess is paid as a supplement to the regular income tax.  If the flat tax is negative, it may serve to reduce the regular income tax payable in that year or can be carried forward for a period of up to ten years to reduce any future flat tax.  Companies are required to prepay income taxes on a monthly basis based on the greater of the flat tax or regular income tax as calculated for each monthly period.  Annualized income projections indicate that we will not be liable for any excess flat tax for calendar year 2008 and, accordingly, have recorded a Mexican income tax provision as of July 31, 2008.
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The measurement of deferred income tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits, which, on a more than likely than not basis, are not expected to be realized. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that such tax rate changes are enacted.
 
During the fiscal year ended 2008, we completed a reconciliation of our U.S. book and tax basis assets and liabilities as well as a detailed analysis of our income taxes payable.
 
Based on the uncertainty and inherent unpredictability of the factors influencing our effective tax rate and the sensitivity of such factors to gold and other metals prices as discussed above, the effective tax rate is expected to be volatile in future periods.
 
For more information concerning income taxes, please see Note 22 within the consolidated financial statements contained herein.
 
Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

During the year ended July 31, 2008 and 2007, we recorded equity adjustments from foreign currency translations of approximately $622 and $205, respectively.  These translation adjustments are related to changes in the rates of exchange between the Mexican Peso and the US dollar and are included as a component of other comprehensive income.

 
26

 

Summary of Annual Results
(000’s except per share Data and ounces sold)
 
   
For the year
   
For the year
   
For the year
 
    
ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
 
    
July 31,
2008
   
July 31,
2007
   
July 31,
2006
 
Revenues
    33,104       -       -  
Net Income (loss)
    6,364       (7,472 )     (4,805 )
Basic net income (loss) per share
    0.04       (0.05 )     (0.04 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share
    0.03       -       -  
Gold ounces sold
    39,102       -       -  
Average price received
  $ 847       -       -  
Cash cost per ounce sold(1)
  $ 276       -       -  
Total cost per ounce sold(1)
  $ 335       -       -  
 
(1)
 Excluding the net profit interest, cash and total cost per ounce sold were $257 and $316, respectively.

Summary of Results of Operations

   
For the year
ended
   
For the year
ended
   
For the year
ended
 
    
July 31,
2008
   
July 31,
2007(1)
   
July 31,
2006
 
Tonnes of ore mined
    3,498,612       545,089       -  
Tonnes of waste removed
    2,627,318       209,567       -  
Ratio of waste to ore
    0.75       0.38       -  
Tonnes of ore processed
    3,529,699       631,530       -  
Grade (grams/tonne)
    0.85       0.88       -  
Gold (ounces)
                       
-      Produced(2)
    39,242       578       -  
-      Sold
    39,102       -       -  
(1) Commercial production at El Chanate commenced on July 31, 2007 and the operation was still in its ramp up and production results are not comparable.
(2) Gold produced each year does not necessarily correspond to gold sold during the year, as there is a time delay in the actual sale of the gold.

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 compared to fiscal year ended July 31, 2006

Net Loss

Our net loss for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 was approximately $7,472, an increase of approximately $2,667 or 56% from the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006. As discussed below, the primary reasons for the increase in loss during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 were: 1) an increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $668; 2) an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $852; 3) an increase in exploration expenditures of approximately $808; 4) an increase in losses of approximately $644 due to the change in fair value of our derivative instruments; and 5) an increase in interest expense of approximately $792.  These increases in loss were slightly offset by a decrease in mine expenses of approximately $933 due to higher planning and engineering costs being expensed in the prior fiscal year.  Net loss per share was $.05 and $.04 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 
27

 
Revenues

We generated no revenues from mining operations during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 and 2006. There were de minimis non-operating revenues during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 and 2006 of approximately $146 and $184, respectively. These non-operating revenues primarily represent interest income.

General and Administration Expense

General and administrative expenses during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 were $2,893, an increase of approximately $668 or 30% from the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006. The increase in general and administrative expenses resulted primarily from higher salaries and wages, higher professional and consulting fees as well as an increase in insurance costs versus the same period a year earlier.

Exploration Expense

Exploration expense during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $1,816 and $1,941, respectively.  These expenses can be attributed to our 72-hole drilling campaign to determine additional proven and probable gold reserves at the El Chanate Project in 2007, as well as engineering and planning costs related to this project over both periods presented.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $891 and $39, respectively.  The primary reason for the increase was due to amortization charges on deferred financing costs resulting from the Credit Facility entered into in August 2006 with Standard Bank Plc.  This accounted for approximately $876 of the amortization expense during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.

Other Income and Expense

Our loss on the change in fair value of derivative instruments during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 and 2006, was approximately $1,226 and $582, respectively. This was primarily due to us entering into two identically structured derivative contracts with Standard Bank in March 2006.  Each derivative consisted of a series of forward sales of gold and a purchase gold cap.  We agreed to sell a total volume of 121,927 ounces of gold forward to Standard Bank at a price of $500 per ounce on a quarterly basis during the period from March 2007 to September 2010.  We also agreed to a purchase gold cap on a quarterly basis during this same period and at identical volumes covering a total volume of 121,927 ounces of gold at a price of $535 per ounce.  While the period of the derivative contracts has commenced, we do not anticipate any material adverse effect from the fact that we have not commenced to sell gold because the price of gold is substantially above $535 per ounce.  Under FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”), these contracts must be carried on the balance sheet at their fair value, with changes to the fair value of these contracts reflected as Other Income or Expense.  These contracts were not designated as hedging derivatives; and therefore, special hedge accounting does not apply.

The first derivative was entered into on March 1, 2006 for a premium of $550; and the second was entered into on March 30, 2006 for a premium of $250.  The gold price rose sharply in the second quarter 2006, and was the primary reason for the decrease in premium on the derivative contracts.  The change in fair value during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 reduced the carrying value on these derivative contracts by approximately $1,226, and was reflected as an other expense during the 2007 period.

 
28

 

Interest expense was approximately $792 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 compared to $0 for the same period in 2006.  This increase was mainly due to interest expense associated with our outstanding balances on our draw downs associated with the Credit Facility entered into in August 2006 with Standard Bank Plc related to project costs for our El Chanate Project.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Operating activities
 
Cash provided by operating activities during the year ended July 31, 2008 was approximately $6,318, which primarily represents cash flows resulting from our realization of revenue from operations during the year ended July 31, 2008.  Cash used in operating activities for the same period a year ago was $3,663 as we had not yet been realizing revenue from operations.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash used in investing activities during the year ended July31, 2008, amounted to approximately $5,479, primarily from the leach pad expansion and the acquisition of equipment, including additional conveyors and ADR plant equipment, as well as additional water rights related to our El Chanate Project.  Cash used in investing activities for the same period a year ago was approximately $18,425 which directly related to the development of the El Chanate mine.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended July 31, 2008 amounted to approximately $7,306, primarily from the exercising of 22,994,178 warrants for gross proceeds of approximately $7,474. Cash provided by financing activities for the same period a year ago was approximately $21,367 which mostly comprised of the full draw down of our credit facility of $12,500 and proceeds received of approximately $3,486 from the issuance of common stock in private placements and $5,643 from the issuance of common stock upon the exercising of 22,203,909 warrants.
 
Term loan and Revolving Credit Facility
 
On July 17, 2008, we closed in escrow pending execution of Mexican collateral documents and certain other ministerial matters, an Amended And Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) involving our wholly-owned Mexican subsidiaries MSR and Oro, as borrowers (“Borrowers”), us, as guarantor, and Standard Bank PLC (“Standard Bank”), as the lender.  The Mexican collateral documents were executed on September 18, 2008, effectively closing the loan.  The Credit Agreement amends and restates the prior credit agreement between the parties dated August 15, 2006 (the “Original Agreement”). Under the Original Agreement, MSR and Oro could borrow, and did borrow, money in an aggregate principal amount of up to $12,500 (the “Term Loan”) for the purpose of constructing, developing and operating the El Chanate gold mining project in Sonora State, Mexico. We guaranteed the repayment of the Term Loan and the performance of the obligations under the Original Agreement.

 
29

 

The Credit Agreement establishes a new senior secured revolving credit facility that permits Borrowers to borrow up to $5,000 during the one year period after the closing of the Credit Agreement. The Borrowers may request a borrowing of the Revolving Commitment from time to time, provided that the Borrowers are not entitled to request a borrowing more than once in any calendar month (each borrowing a “Revolving Loan”). Repayment of the Revolving Loans will be secured and guaranteed in the same manner as the Term Loan. Term Loan principal shall be repaid quarterly commencing on September 30, 2008 and consisting of four payments in the amount of $1,125, followed by eight payments in the amount of $900 and two final payments in the amount of $400. There is no prepayment fee.  Principal under the Term Loan and the Revolving Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBO Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, for the applicable Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin. An Interest Period can be one, two, three or six months, at the option of the Borrowers. The Applicable Margin for the Term Loan and the Revolving Loans is 2.5% per annum and 2.0% per annum, respectively.  The Borrowers are required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the Revolving Commitment at the rate of 1.5% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Commitment.  Pursuant to the terms of the Original Credit Agreement, Standard Bank exercised significant control over the operating accounts of MSR located in Mexico and in the United States. Standard Bank’s control over the accounts has been lifted significantly under the terms of the Credit Agreement, giving the Borrowers authority to exercise primary day-to-day control over the accounts. However, the accounts remain subject to an account pledge agreement between MSR and Standard Bank.

Debt Covenants

Our Credit Facility with Standard Bank requires us, among other obligations, to meet certain financial covenants including (i) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities at all times greater than or equal to 1.20:1.00, (ii) a quarterly minimum tangible net worth at all times of at least U.S.$15,000,000, and (iii) a quarterly average minimum liquidity of U.S.$500,000. In addition, the Credit Facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, create liens on our property, dispose of any assets, merge with other companies, enter into hedge agreements, organize or invest in subsidiaries or make any investments above a certain dollar limit.  A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the Credit Facility could lead to an event of default thereunder which could result in an acceleration of such indebtedness.

In connection with the refinance proceedings, MSR, as a condition precedent to closing, obtained a waiver letter from the Lender of any default or event of default as a result of not being in compliance with regulations of Mexican federal law with regard to certain filing and environmental bonding issues in connection with the operation of mining the El Chanate concessions as well as certain insurance requirements.  MSR has not yet complied with these regulations due to the absence of professionals in the area qualified to conduct studies to facilitate compliance. MSR believes that the Mexican government is aware of these barriers to compliance and that it has not enforced the Requirements against MSR or other mining companies in Sonora. MSR has agreed to make a commercially reasonable effort to come into compliance with these requirements.  See also “Environmental and Permitting Issues” section below.
 
As of July 31, 2008, except for the aforementioned waiver, we and our related entities were in compliance with all debt covenants and default provisions.  For the purposes of meeting these financial covenants, the accounts of Caborca Industrial are not required to be included in the calculation of these covenants.

 
30

 

Environmental and Permitting Issues

Management does not expect that environmental issues will have an adverse material effect on our liquidity or earnings.  In Mexico, although we must continue to comply with laws, rules and regulations concerning mining, environmental, health, zoning and historical preservation issues, we are not aware of any significant environmental concerns or existing reclamation requirements at the El Chanate concessions.  We received the required Mexican government permits for construction, mining and processing the El Chanate ores in January 2004.  The permits were extended in June 2005.  Pursuant to the extensions, once we file a notice that work has commenced, we have one year to prepare the site and construct the mine and seven years to mine and process ores from the site. We filed the notice on June 1, 2006.  Once we revise our new mine plan based on the 2007 Report, we will work to extend the permits for mining and processing for the new life of mine.  See also “Debt Covenants” above.

We received the renewable explosive permit from the government that expires on December 31, 2008 and is renewable annually.

We do include in all our internal revenue and cost projections a certain amount for environmental and reclamation costs on an ongoing basis.  No assurance can be given that environmental regulations will not be changed in a manner that would adversely affect our planned operations.  We estimated the reclamation costs for the El Chanate site to be approximately $2,300.  Reclamation costs are allocated to expense over the life of the related assets and are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to the estimates of either the timing or amount of the reclamation and closure costs. The asset retirement obligation is based on when the spending for an existing environmental disturbance and activity to date will occur. We review, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the asset retirement obligation at each mine site.  We reviewed the estimated present value of the El Chanate mine reclamation and abandonment costs as of July 31, 2008.  This review resulted in an increase in the Asset Retirement Obligation by approximately $293.  As of July 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately $1,666 and $1,249, respectively, was accrued for reclamation obligations relating to mineral properties in accordance with SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.”

We own properties in Leadville, Colorado for which we have previously recorded an impairment loss.  Part of the Leadville Mining District has been declared a federal Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.  Several mining companies and one individual were declared defendants in a possible lawsuit.  We were not named a defendant or Principal Responsible Party.  We did respond in full detail to a lengthy questionnaire prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") regarding our proposed procedures and past activities in November 1990.  To our knowledge, the EPA has initiated no further comments or questions.  The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety of the State of Colorado (the “Division”) conducted its most recent inspection of our Leadville Mining properties in August 2007.  The Division concluded that based upon 2007 equipment prices and labor costs, an additional $46 was necessary to be bonded with the Division to reclaim the site to achieve the approved post-mining land use.  The total amount of the bond sufficient to perform reclamation as of July31, 2008, is approximately $82. We have met this bonding requirement.  During our 4th fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008, we sold two of the Leadville Mining claims and the mill for gross proceeds of $100 which was recorded within other income and expense.

 
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Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of July 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:
 
   
Payments Due by Period
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than
1 Year
   
1 – 3
Years
   
3 – 5
Years
   
More than
5 Years
 
Debt (1)
  $ 13,500     $ 5,125     $ 8,375     $ -     $ -  
Remediation and reclamation obligations(2)
    3,751       -       -       -       3,751  
Operating leases(3)
    585       132       440       13       -  
Derivative instruments(4)
    2,626       1,177       1,449       -       -  
Minimum royalty payments(5)
    1,000       1,000       -       -       -  
    $ 21,462     $ 7,434     $ 10,264     $ 13     $ 3,751  
   
(1)
Amounts represent principal ($12,500) and estimated interest payments ($1,000) assuming no early extinguishment.
(2)
Mining operations are subject to extensive environmental regulations in the jurisdictions in which they operate. Pursuant to environmental regulations, we are required to close our operations and reclaim and remediate the lands that operations have disturbed. The estimated undiscounted cash outflows of these remediation and reclamation obligations are reflected here. For more information regarding remediation and reclamation liabilities, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3)
Amount represent a non-cancelable operating lease for office space in NYC that commenced on September 1, 2007 and terminates on August 31, 2012. In addition to base rent, the lease calls for payment of utilities and other occupancy costs.
(4)
Amounts represent the net cash settlement of 75,044 ounces of gold at $35 per ounce.
(5)
Amount represents the payment of the 10% net profits interest on the El Chanate mining concessions which is capped at $1,000.  This does not include the net smelter return payments as this payment is linked to the gold price and cannot be reasonable estimated given variable market conditions.

While we believe that our available funds in conjunction with anticipated revenues from gold sales will be adequate to cover capital expenditures, debt service, royalties, net cash settlements on our gold price protection agreement as well as operating activities at El Chanate and corporate general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2009, if we encounter unexpected problems we may need to raise additional capital.  We also may need to raise additional capital for significant property acquisitions and/or exploration activities. To the extent that we need to obtain additional capital, management intends to raise such funds through the sale of our securities and/or joint venturing with one or more strategic partners.  We cannot assure that adequate additional funding, if needed, will be available.  If we need additional capital and we are unable to obtain it from outside sources, we may be forced to reduce or curtail our operations or our anticipated exploration activities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Option

On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This option is available to all entities, including not-for-profit organizations. Most of the provisions in Statement 159 are elective; however, the amendment to FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. Some requirements apply differently to entities that do not report net income. The FASB's stated objective in issuing this standard is as follows: "to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions".

 
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The fair value option established by Statement 159 permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date. A not-for-profit organization will report unrealized gains and losses in its statement of activities or similar statement. The fair value option: (a) may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and (c) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments.

Statement 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  We elected not to adopt the fair value option for any eligible instruments.

Noncontrolling Interests

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - An Amendment of ARB No. 51.” Statement 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, this statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent's equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. Statement 160 clarifies that changes in a parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, this statement requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. Such gain or loss will be measured using the fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment on the deconsolidation date. Statement 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest.

Statement 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited.  We believe adoption of this standard will not have an impact on the financial condition or the results of our operations.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

On April 21, 2008, the FASB posted a revised FASB Statement No. 133 Implementation guidance for Issues I1, Interaction of the Disclosure Requirements of Statement 133 and Statement 47, and K4, Miscellaneous: Income Statement Classification of Hedge Ineffectiveness and the Component of a Derivative's Gain or Loss Excluded from the Assessment of Hedge Effectiveness. The revisions relate to the issuance of FASB Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  We believe adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the financial condition or the results of our operations.

Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

The FASB has issued FASB Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Statement 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for nongovernmental entities. The hierarchy under Statement 162 is as follows:

            * FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards and Interpretations, FASB Statement 133  Implementation Issues, FASB Staff Positions, AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins and Accounting Principles Board Opinions that are not superseded by actions of the FASB, and Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC for SEC registrants.

 
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* FASB Technical Bulletins and, if cleared by the FASB, AICPA Industry Audit and Accounting Guides and Statements of Position.

* AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee Practice Bulletins that have been cleared by the FASB, consensus positions of the EITF, and Appendix D EITF topics.

Statement 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC's approval of the PCAOB amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Since Statement 162 is only effective for nongovernmental entities, the GAAP hierarchy will remain in AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 69, The Meaning of "Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" in the Independent Auditor's Report, for state and local governmental entities and federal governmental entities. We believe the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the financial condition or the results of our operations.

Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts

The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts. This new standard clarifies how FASB Statement No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises, applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises, including the recognition and measurement of premium revenue and claim liabilities. It also requires expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts.

Statement 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and all interim periods within those fiscal years, except for disclosures about the insurance enterprise's risk-management activities, which are effective the first period (including interim periods) beginning after May 23, 2008. Except for the required disclosures, earlier application is not permitted. We believe the adoption of this standard will not have an impact on the financial condition or the results of our operations.

Disclosure About Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements that constitute off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Critical accounting policies for us include inventory, revenue recognition, property, plant and mine development, impairment of long-lived assets, accounting for equity-based compensation, environmental remediation costs and accounting for derivative and hedging activities.
 
Ore on Leach Pads and Inventories (“In-Process Inventory”)
 
Costs that are incurred in or benefit the productive process are accumulated as ore on leach pads and inventories.  Ore on leach pads and inventories are carried at the lower of average cost or market.  The current portion of ore on leach pads and inventories is determined based on the amounts to be processed within the next 12 months. The major classifications are as follows:

 
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Ore on Leach Pads
 
The recovery of gold from certain gold oxide is achieved through the heap leaching process. Under this method, oxide ore is placed on leach pads where it is treated with a chemical solution, which dissolves the gold contained in the ore. The resulting “pregnant” solution is further processed in a plant where the gold is recovered. Costs are added to ore on leach pads based on current mining costs, including applicable depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations. Costs are removed from ore on leach pads as ounces are recovered based on the average cost per estimated recoverable ounce of gold on the leach pad.
 
The estimates of recoverable gold on the leach pads are calculated from the quantities of ore placed on the leach pads (measured tonnes added to the leach pads), the grade of ore placed on the leach pads (based on fire assay data) and a recovery percentage (based on ore type and column testwork). It is estimated that our leach pad at El Chanate will recover all ounces placed within a one year period from date of placement.
 
Although the quantities of recoverable gold placed on the leach pads are reconciled by comparing the grades of ore placed on pads to the quantities of gold actually recovered (metallurgical balancing), the nature of the leaching process inherently limits the ability to precisely monitor inventory levels. As a result, the metallurgical balancing process needs to be constantly monitored and estimates need to be refined based on actual results over time. Our operating results may be impacted by variations between the estimated and actual recoverable quantities of gold on its leach pads.
 
In-process Inventory
 
In-process inventories represent materials that are currently in the process of being converted to a saleable product. Conversion processes vary depending on the nature of the ore and the specific processing facility, but include mill in-circuit, leach in-circuit, flotation and column cells, and carbon in-pulp inventories. In-process material are measured based on assays of the material fed into the process and the projected recoveries of the respective plants. In-process inventories are valued at the average cost of the material fed into the process attributable to the source material coming from the mines, stockpiles and/or leach pads plus the in-process conversion costs, including applicable depreciation relating to the process facilities incurred to that point in the process.
 
 
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Precious Metals Inventory
 
Precious metals inventories include gold doré and/or gold bullion. Precious metals that result from our mining and processing activities are valued at the average cost of the respective in-process inventories incurred prior to the refining process, plus applicable refining costs.
 
Materials and Supplies
 
Materials and supplies are valued at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Cost includes applicable taxes and freight.
 
Property, Plant and Mine Development
 
Expenditures for new facilities or equipment and expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the estimated productive lives, which do not exceed the related estimated mine lives, of such facilities based on proven and probable reserves.
 
Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves, costs incurred prospectively to develop the property will be capitalized as incurred and are amortized using the units-of-production (“UOP”) method over the estimated life of the ore body based on estimated recoverable ounces or pounds in proven and probable reserves.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
We review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the assets, including goodwill, if any. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on discounted estimated future cash flows. Future cash flows are estimated based on quantities of recoverable minerals, expected gold and other commodity prices (considering current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and operating costs of production and capital, all based on life-of-mine plans. Existing proven and probable reserves and value beyond proven and probable reserves, including mineralization other than proven and probable reserves and other material that is not part of the measured, indicated or inferred resource base, are included when determining the fair value of mine site reporting units at acquisition and, subsequently, in determining whether the assets are impaired. The term “recoverable minerals” refers to the estimated amount of gold or other commodities that will be obtained after taking into account losses during ore processing and treatment. Estimates of recoverable minerals from such exploration stage mineral interests are risk adjusted based on management’s relative confidence in such materials. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of future cash flows from other asset groups. Our estimates of future cash flows are based on numerous assumptions and it is possible that actual future cash flows will be significantly different than the estimates, as actual future quantities of recoverable minerals, gold and other commodity prices, production levels and operating costs of production and capital are each subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
 
 
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Reclamation and Remediation Costs (Asset Retirement Obligations)
 
Reclamation costs are allocated to expense over the life of the related assets and are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to the estimates of either the timing or amount of the reclamation and abandonment costs. The asset retirement obligation is based on when the spending for an existing environmental disturbance and activity to date will occur. We review, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the asset retirement obligation at our mine site in accordance with FASB FAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.”

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs which were included in other assets and a component of stockholders’ equity relate to costs incurred in connection with bank borrowings and are amortized over the term of the related borrowings.

Intangible Assets

Purchased intangible assets consisting of rights of way, easements and net profit interests are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the economic lives of the respective assets, generally five years or using the units of production method. It is our policy to assess periodically the carrying amount of our purchased intangible assets to determine if there has been an impairment to their carrying value. Impairments of other intangible assets are determined in accordance with SFAS 144. There was no impairment at July 31, 2008.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, loans receivable and accounts payable approximated fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized from the sale of gold dore when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is determinable, the product has been delivered to the refinery, the title and risk of loss has been transferred to the refiner and collection of the sales price is reasonably assured from the customer.  Sales are calculated based upon assay of the dore’s precious metal content and its weight.  The Company receives 95% of the precious metal content contained within the dore from the refinery based upon the preliminary assay of the Company.  The Company forwards an irrevocable transfer letter to the refinery to authorize the transfer of the precious metal content to the customer.  The sale is recorded by the Company upon the refinery pledging the precious metal content to the customer.  Revenues from by-product sales, which consists of silver, will be credited to Costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit.  By-product sales amounted to $707, $0 and $0 for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 
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Equity Based Compensation

In connection with offers of employment to our executives as well as in consideration for agreements with certain consultants, we issue options and warrants to acquire our common stock. Employee and non-employee awards are made in the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Effective February 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Under FAS 123R, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. We adopted the provisions of FAS 123R using a modified prospective application. Under this method, compensation cost is recognized for all share-based payments granted, modified or settled after the date of adoption, as well as for any unvested awards that were granted prior to the date of adoption. Prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes. Because we previously adopted only the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS 123, we will recognize compensation cost relating to the unvested portion of awards granted prior to the date of adoption, using the same estimate of the grant-date fair value and the same attribution method used to determine the pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123, except that forfeitures rates will be estimated for all options, as required by FAS 123R.

Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We entered into two identically structured derivative contracts with Standard Bank in March 2006.  Each derivative consisted of a series of forward sales of gold and a purchase gold cap.  We agreed to sell a total volume of 121,927 ounces of gold forward to Standard Bank at a price of $500 per ounce on a quarterly basis during the period from March 2007 to September 2010.  We also agreed to a purchase gold cap on a quarterly basis during this same period and at identical volumes covering a total volume of 121,927 ounces of gold at a price of $535 per ounce.  Although these contracts are not designated as hedging derivatives, they serve an economic purpose of protecting us from the effects of a decline in gold prices.  Because they are not designated as hedges, however, special hedge accounting does not apply.  Derivative results are simply marked to market through earnings, with these effects recorded in other income or other expense, as appropriate under FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”).

On October 11, 2006, prior to our initial draw on the Credit Facility, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility, which requires that we hedge at least 50 percent of our outstanding debt under this facility.  The agreements entered into cover $9,375 or 75% of the outstanding debt. Both swaps covered this same notional amount of $9,375 , but over different time horizons.  The first covered the six months that commenced on  October 11, 2006 and terminated on March 31, 2007 and the second covers the period from March 30, 2007 through December 31, 2010. We intend to use discretion in managing this risk as market conditions vary over time, allowing for the possibility of adjusting the degree of hedge coverage as we deem appropriate.  However, any use of interest rate derivatives will be restricted to use for risk management purposes.

We use variable-rate debt to finance a portion of the El Chanate Project. Variable-rate debt obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates.  As a result of these arrangements, we will continuously monitor changes in interest rate exposures and evaluate hedging opportunities. Our risk management policy permits us to use any combination of interest rate swaps, futures, options, caps and similar instruments, for the purpose of fixing interest rates on all or a portion of variable rate debt, establishing caps or maximum effective interest rates, or otherwise constraining interest expenses to minimize the variability of these effects.

 
38

 

The interest rate swap agreements will be accounted for as cash flow hedges, whereby “effective” hedge gains or losses are initially recorded in other comprehensive income and later reclassified to the interest expense component of earnings coincidently with the earnings impact of the interest expenses being hedged. “Ineffective” hedge results are immediately recorded in earnings also under interest expense.  No component of hedge results will be excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

We are exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these interest rate swap agreements, but we do not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. To manage credit risks, we select counterparties based on credit ratings, limit our exposure to a single counterparty under defined guidelines, and monitor the market position with each counterparty as required by SFAS 133.

Item 7A.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Metal Price
 
Changes in the market price of gold significantly affect our profitability and cash flow. Gold prices can fluctuate widely due to numerous factors, such as demand; forward selling by producers; central bank sales, purchases and lending; investor sentiment; the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and global mine production levels.
 
Foreign Currency
 
Changes in the foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar may affect our profitability and cash flow.  Foreign currency exchange rates can fluctuate widely due to numerous factors, such as supply and demand for foreign and U.S. currencies and U.S. and foreign country economic conditions. Most of our assets and operations are solely in Mexico; and therefore, we are more susceptible to fluctuations in the Mexican peso / US dollar exchange. Our Mexico operations sell their metal production based on a U.S. dollar gold price as is the general, world-wide convention. Fluctuations in the local currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar can increase or decrease profit margins to the extent costs are paid in local currency at foreign operations. Foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar have not had a material impact on our determination of proven and probable reserves. However, if a sustained weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Mexican peso that impact our cost structure, were not mitigated by offsetting increases in the U.S. dollar gold price or by other factors, profitability, cash flows and the amount of proven and probable reserves in the applicable foreign country could be reduced. The extent of any such reduction would be dependent on a variety of factors including the length of time of any such weakening of the U.S. dollar, and management’s long-term view of the applicable exchange rate.  We believe, however, that this exchange rate variability has not had a material impact on our financial statements.

Gold Price Protection Agreement

In March 2006, we entered into a gold price protection arrangement with Standard Bank to protect us against future declines in the price of gold.  We agreed to a series of gold forward sales and call option purchases in anticipation of entering into the Credit Facility. Under the price protection agreement, we have agreed to forward sales for a total volume of 121,927 ounces of gold forward to Standard Bank at a price of $500 per ounce.  These forward sales were to be settled quarterly over the period from March 2007 to September 2010. We also purchased call options from Standard Bank enabling the right to purchase gold on the same quarterly basis for the same total volume with a strike price of $535 per ounce.  Together, these forward sales and call options serve to put a floor on our gold sales price and thereby protect us from the effects of the market price falling below $535 per ounce, while allowing us to enjoy the upside of higher gold prices.  To date, the we have net settled these contracts, making cash payments reflecting the difference between the call option purchase price of $535 and the forward sale price of $500, or $35.00 per oz on the volume prescribed by the contracts.

 
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The total contractual ounces to settle and cash payments remaining on the gold price protection agreement are as follows (000’s):

Fiscal year ending:
 
Ounces Remaining
   
Amount
 
             
2009
    33,638     $ 1,177  
2010
    33,176     $ 1,161  
2011
    8,230     $ 288  
Total
    75,044     $ 2,626  

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

On October 11, 2006, prior to our initial draw on the Credit Facility, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility. Although the Credit Facility requires that we hedge at least 50% of our outstanding debt under this facility, we elected to cover $9,375 or 75% of the outstanding debt. The termination date on our existing swap position is December 31, 2010. However, we intend to use discretion in managing this risk as market conditions vary over time, allowing for the possibility of adjusting the degree of hedge coverage as we deem appropriate.  In any case, our use of interest rate derivatives will be restricted to use for risk management purposes.

Market Risk Disclosures
July 31, 2008
(in thousands)

Instruments entered into for hedging purposes -

Type of Derivative
 
Notional Size
     
Fixed Price or
Strike Price
 
Underlying Price
 
Termination or
Expiration
 
Fair Value
 
                           
Interest Rate Swaps
  $ 6,938
(1)
      5.30 %
3 Mo. USD LIBOR
 
12/31/2010
  $ (205 )
Gold Forward Sales (2)
 
8,428 oz./qtr.
(3) 
 
500/oz.
 
Price of gold
 
9/30/2010
  $ (30 ,765 )
Gold Call Options (2)
 
8,428 oz./qtr.
(3) 
 
535/oz.
 
Price of gold
 
9/30/2010
  $ 30,039  

(1) The value shown reflects the notional as of July 31, 2008. Over the term of the swap, the notional amortizes, dropping to approximately $656.
(2) These contracts are used for hedging purposes, but hedge accounting is not applied.
(3) The value shown reflects the current notional, but these contracts amortize down to 8,230 ounces per quarter by the contract termination.

As of July 31, 2008, the dollar value of a basis point for this interest rate swap was slightly less than $900, suggesting that a one-basis point rise (fall) of the yield curve would likely foster an increase (decrease) in the interest rate swaps value by slightly less than $900.   Because hedge accounting is applied, the contract serves to lock in a fixed rate of interest for the portion of the variable rate debt equal to the swap's notional size.  The swap covers only 75 percent of our variable rate exposure.

 
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The combined gold forward sales and long call options serve to synthesize a put option that protects us from the market exposure to gold prices below $535 per ounce on the volume of sales consistent with the notional size of these contracts.  These contracts covered  approximately 90 percent of production during their term ending July 31, 2008.

Item 8.      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

For the Financial Statements required by Item 8 see the Financial Statements included at the end of this Form 10-K starting on page F-1.


Item 9.
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.

There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants with respect to accounting and/or financial disclosure.

Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures.

The term "disclosure controls and procedures" is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed not only to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods but also ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. They have concluded that, as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f), under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and affected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, and to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.

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

Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2008.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the framework established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission Internal Control—Integrated Framework, (COSO).  Based on this assessment, management has not identified any material weaknesses as of July 31, 2008.  A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.

Management has concluded that we did maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2008, based on the criteria set forth in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the COSO.

This Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management has requested that its registered public accounting firm provide such report and, as soon as the attestation report is available, the Company will file an amendment to its Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008 to include such report.

Item 9B.      Other Information.

None.

 
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PART III

Item 10.
 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our directors and executive officers:

         
First
   
         
Became
   
Name
 
Age
   
Director
 
Position
               
Gifford A. Dieterle
  76     9/82  
President, Treasurer
                 
& Chairman of the Board
                   
John Brownlie
  59     2/07  
Chief Operating  Officer, Director
                   
Christopher Chipman
  35          
Chief Financial Officer
                   
Jeffrey W. Pritchard
  50     1/00  
Director, Executive Vice President,
                 
Secretary
                   
Robert Roningen
  73     9/93  
Director, Senior Vice President,
                   
Roger A. Newell
  65     8/00  
Director
                   
J. Scott Hazlitt
  56          
Vice President – Mine Development
                   
Ian A. Shaw
  68     3/06  
Director
                   
John Postle
  67     3/06  
Director
                   
Mark T. Nesbitt
  63     3/06  
Director

Directors are elected at the meeting of shareholders called for that purpose and hold office until the next stockholders meeting called for that purpose or until their resignation or death.  Officers of the corporation are elected by the directors at meetings called by the directors for its purpose.

GIFFORD A. DIETERLE, President, Treasurer  and Chairman of our Board of Directors.  Mr. Dieterle was appointed President in September 1997 and has been an officer and Chairman since 1981.  He has a M.S. in Geology obtained from New York University.  From 1977 until July 1993, he was Chairman, Treasurer, and Executive Vice-President of Franklin Consolidated Mining Company.  From 1965 to 1987, he was lecturer in geology at the City University of N.Y. (Hunter Division).  Mr. Dieterle has been Secretary-Treasurer of  South American Minerals Inc. since 1997 and a director of that company since 1996.

JOHN BROWNLIE, Chief Operating Officer and a Director, has worked for us since May 2006 and is in charge of supervising the construction, start-up and operation of the mine.  Mr. Brownlie provided team management for mining projects requiring technical, administrative, political and cultural experience over his 28 year mining career.  From 2000 to 2006, Mr. Brownlie was a consultant providing mining and mineral related services to various companies including SRK, Oxus Mining plc and Cemco Inc. From 1995 to 2000, he was the General Manager for the Zarafshan-Newmont Joint Venture in Uzbekistan, a one-million tonne per month heap leach plant which produced over 400,000 ounces of gold per year. From 1988 to 1995, Mr. Brownlie served as the Chief Engineer and General Manager for Monarch Resources in Venezuela, at both the El Callao Revemin Mill and La Camorra gold projects. Before that, was a resident of South Africa and associated with numerous mineral projects across Africa. He is also a mechanical engineer and fluent in Spanish.  Mr. Brownlie is also a director of Palladon Ventures, a publicly traded  mineral-related company.

 
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CHRISTOPHER M. CHIPMAN, Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. Chipman has been our Chief Financial Officer since March 1, 2006.  Since November 2000, Mr. Chipman has been a managing member of Chipman & Chipman, LLC, a consulting firm that assists public companies with the preparation of periodic reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.  The firm also provides outsourced financial resources to clients assisting in financial reporting, forecasting and accounting services.  Mr. Chipman is a CPA and, from 1996 to 1998, he was a senior accountant with the accounting firm of Grant Thornton LLP. Mr. Chipman was the Controller of Frontline Solutions, Inc., a software company (March 2000 to November 2000); a Senior Financial Analyst for GlaxoSmithKline (1998-2000); and an Audit Examiner for Wachovia Corporation (1994-1996).  He received a B.A. in Economics from Ursinus College in 1994.  He is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

JEFFREY W. PRITCHARD, Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, has worked for us since 1996.  He has been in the marketing/public relations field since receiving a Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York in 1979.  Mr. Pritchard has served as the Director of Marketing for the New Jersey Devils (1987-1990) and as the Director of Sales for the New York Islanders (1985-1987).  He also was an Executive Vice President with Long Island based Performance Network, a marketing and publishing concern from 1990 through 1995.

J. SCOTT HAZLITT, Vice President – Mine Development, has been in the mining business since 1974. Since 2001, he has focused on development of our El Chanate concessions.  Currently, he is involved in mine expansion plans and corporate development.  He has worked primarily in reserves, feasibility, development and mine operations.  Mr. Hazlitt was a  field geologist for ARCO Syncrude Division at their CB oil Shale project in 1974 and 1975.  He was a contract geologist for Pioneer Uravan and others from 1975 to 1977.  He was a mine geologist for Cotter Corporation in 1978 and 1979, and was a mine geologist for ASARCO from 1979 to 1984.  He served as Vice President of Exploration for Mallon Minerals from 1984 to 1988.  From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Hazlitt was a project geologist and Mine Superintendent for the Lincoln development project.  From 1992 to 1995, he was self-employed as a consulting mining geologist in California and Nevada.   He was Mine Operations Chief Geologist for Getchell Gold from 1995 to 1999.  His work experience has included precious metals, base metals, uranium, and oil shale.  Mr. Hazlitt served as mine manager at our Hopemore Mine in Leadville, Colorado starting in November 1999.  His highest educational degree is Master of Science from Colorado State University.  He is a registered geologist in the state of California.

ROBERT RONINGEN, Senior Vice President and Director, has been engaged in the practice of law as a sole practitioner and is a self-employed consultant geophysicist in Duluth, Minnesota.  Mr. Roningen served as our Secretary until February 2007.  From 1988 to August 1993, he was an officer and director of Franklin Consolidated Mining Company, Inc.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1957 with a B.A. in geology and in 1962 with a degree in Law.

 
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ROGER A. NEWELL, Director, worked for us from 2000 to September 2007.  He was our Vice President – Development until September 2007.  Since October 2007, Mr. Newell has been an Executive Vice President of Kilimanjaro Mining Company Ltd., a private Nevada based company involved in uranium and gold exploration in Tanzania, Africa.  Since June 2008, he has served as the Chairman, CEO and President of Lake Victoria Mining Company, a U.S. public company with exploration property in Tanzania, Africa.  From 1974 through 1977, he was a geologist with Kennecott Copper Corporation.  From 1977 through 1989, he served as Exploration Manager/Senior Geologist for the Newmont Mining Corporation and, from 1989 through 1995, was the Exploration Manager for Gold Fields Mining Company.  He was Vice President Development, for Western Exploration Company from 1997 through 2000.  Since 1995, he has been a senior consultant in the Minerals Advisory Group LLC, Tucson, Arizona, a company that provides technical and engineering advice to clients regarding mineral projects.  He has been self-employed as a geologist since 2001.  He is a Fellow in the Society of Economic Geologists and a Past President of that Society’s Foundation.  .  He has a M.Sc. from the Colorado School of Mines and a Ph.D. in mining and mineral exploration from Stanford University.

IAN A. SHAW is a member of our Board of Directors and the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  Mr. Shaw has over 33 years of experience in the mining industry. He has been Managing Director of Shaw & Associates since 1993.  Shaw & Associates is a corporate services consulting firm specializing in corporate finance, regulatory reporting and compliance with clients that are typically public companies in the resource industry. In the course of providing consulting services he has accepted positions as an officer or director with number of his clients. He recently held the position of Director, since 1994, of Metallica Resources Inc., a TSX listed corporation with a gold mine in Mexico, and exploration properties in Chile and Alaska. Positions he currently holds include Director of Pelangio Exploration, Inc., since 2008, a TSX listed corporation with an interest in gold exploration properties in Canada and Ghana; Director of PDX Resources, Inc. (formerly Pelangio Mines, Inc.), since 2008, a TSX listed company with an investment in a company which holds a gold property in Canada; Vice President, Finance and CFO, since May 2005, of Unor Inc., a TSX listed company with uranium exploration properties in Canada; and Chief Financial Officer, since January 2007, of Olivut Resources Ltd., a TSX listed corporation with diamond exploration properties in Canada. Mr. Shaw is a Chartered Accountant and received a B. Comm. from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 1964.

 JOHN POSTLE is a member of our Board of Directors and the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  He is a Consulting Mining Engineer associated with Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc.  In 1985 he was a founding partner of Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. which later merged with Scott Wilson Group Plc.  Mr. Postle provides mining consulting services to a number of international financial institutions, corporations, utilities and law firms.  He worked for Cominco Ltd (1965-1970), Falconbridge Ltd (1970-1975) and D.S. Robertson and Associates (1976-1985) and has worked at a number of open pit and underground mining operations in both operating and planning capacities.  Mr. Postle is a Past Chairman of the Mineral Economics Committee of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”), and was appointed a Distinguished Lecturer of the CIM in 1991.  In 1997, he was awarded the CIM Robert Elver Mineral Economics Award.  He is currently Chairman of a CIM Standing Committee on Ore Reserve Definitions. Mr. Postle is a director of Strait Gold Corporation, a Canadian publicly traded company, and serves as a member of that company’s audit and disclosure committees.  Mr. Postle has a B.A.Sc. Degree in Mining Engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1965 and a M.Sc. Degree in Earth Sciences from Stanford University in 1968.

 
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MARK T. NESBITT is a member of our Board of Directors and the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  Since 1988, he has been a natural resources attorney in Denver, Colorado specializing in domestic and international mining transactions, agreements, negotiations, title due diligence, corporate and general business counsel.  Mr. Nesbitt has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver School of Law's since 2001, is an active member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, having served as a Trustee from 1987 to 1993, and from 2003 to 2006,  Co-chairman of the Mining Sessions at the Foundation’s international natural resource institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2007, Co-chairman of the Foundation's Mining Law and Investment in Latin America institute in Lima, Peru in 2003, and Chairman of the same institute in 2003, and Chairman of the Foundation's first Land and Permitting Special Institute in 1994.  He also has served continuously over the years on the Foundation's Special Institutes Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, and numerous other committees.    Mr. Nesbitt is a member of the International, American, Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, International Mining Professionals Society (Treasurer since 2000), and the Colorado Mining Association.  He is also a former Director of the Colorado Mining Association and past President of the Rocky Mountain Association of Mineral Landmen. He received a B.S. degree in Geology from Washington State University in 1968 and a J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1975.

Jack V. Everett, resigned as our Vice President of Exploration and a member of our Board of Directors on June 6, 2007.  On September 10, 2007, Roger A. Newell resigned as our Vice President of Development. He continues to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.

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

To our knowledge, during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, based solely on a review of such materials as are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, no officer, director or beneficial holder of more than ten percent of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock failed to timely file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any form or report required to be so filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that Mr. Roningen filed forms 4 late with regard to six transactions, Mr. Brownlie filed forms 4 late with regard to two transactions and Messrs. Dieterle, Pritchard, Chipman, Hazlitt, Shaw, Postle and Nesbit each filed a form 4 late with regard to one transaction.

Meetings And Committees Of The Board

Our Board of Directors is responsible for the management and direction of our company and for establishing broad corporate policies. A primary responsibility of the Board is to provide effective governance over our affairs for the benefit of our stockholders. In all actions taken by the Board, the Directors are expected to exercise their business judgment in what they reasonably believe to be the best interests of our company. In discharging that obligation, Directors may rely on the honesty and integrity of our senior executives and our outside advisors and auditors.

The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of the Board meet periodically throughout the year to receive and discuss operating and financial reports presented by our executive officers as reports by experts and other advisors.  The Board held five meetings during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008 in person and telephonically, and acted by unanimous written consent on three occasions.  All directors attended 90% or more of the aggregate meetings.

In fiscal 2008, the Audit Committee, consisting of all of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors, met on four occasions.  Representatives of our auditor were in attendance at one meeting without management present.

Our Board of Directors has no standing nominating committee because this function is handled by the Board of Directors.  Nominees to the Board of Directors are selected by the Board of Directors based on current business and industry knowledge as well as general business knowledge.

 
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Audit Committee and Audit Committee Expert.

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors consists of Ian A. Shaw, Committee Chairman, John Postle and Mark T. Nesbitt. The Board of Directors has determined that all three members are independent directors as (i) defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(ii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and (ii) under Section 121B(2)(a) of the AMEX Company Guide (although our securities are not listed on the American Stock Exchange or any other national exchange).  The Audit Committee met four times telephonically in fiscal 2008.  All committee members were present at the meetings.

Mr. Shaw serves as the financial expert as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission rules on the committee. We believe Messrs. Shaw, Postle and Nesbitt to be independent of management and free of any relationship that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as members of this committee.  The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to (i) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the annual independent audit of our consolidated financial statements, the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm and the evaluation of the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance  (ii) prepare the reports or statements as may be required by the securities laws, (iii) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the integrity of our financial statements and financial reporting process and our system of internal accounting and financial controls, (iv) discuss the financial statements and reports with management, including any significant adjustments, management judgments and estimates, new accounting policies and disagreements with management, and (vi) review disclosures by independent accountants concerning relationships with us and the performance of our independent accountants.

Compensation Committee.

Our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Shaw, Postle and Nesbitt, our independent directors.  The principal functions of the Compensation Committee are to advise and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding matters relating to the compensation of directors, officers and senior management.  The Compensation Committee met three times telephonically in fiscal 2008.  All committee members were present at the meetings.

Communication with the Board of Directors

Interested parties wishing to contact our Board of Directors may do so by writing to the following address: Board of Directors, 76 Beaver Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Jeffrey W. Pritchard, Secretary.  All letters received will be categorized and processed by Mr. Pritchard and then forwarded to our Board of Directors.

Code of Ethics

We adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our officers, directors and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.  The Code of Ethics is publicly available in the Management section on our Website at www.capitalgoldcorp.com. If we make any substantive amendments to this code of ethics or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code to our chief executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on that Website or in a report on Form 8-K.

 
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Item 11.      Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Objectives and Philosophy of Executive Compensation

The primary objectives of the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation are to attract and retain the most talented and dedicated executives possible, to tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to achievement of measurable performance objectives, and to align executives' incentives with stockholder value creation. To achieve these objectives, the compensation committee expects to implement and maintain compensation plans that tie a substantial portion of executives' overall compensation to the experience level of the executive or employee, the complexity and amount of responsibility of the employee’s job, key strategic financial and operational goals such as the establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships, the development and operation of our mining projects, the identification and possible development of additional mining properties and the performance of our common stock price. The compensation committee evaluates individual executive performance with the goal of setting compensation at levels the compensation committee believes are comparable with executives in other companies of similar size and stage of development operating in the mining industry while taking into account our relative performance and our own strategic goals.  It is our general practice to grant equity-based awards to executives and employees.

The Compensation Committee engaged Mosteller & Associates, Inc. (“Mosteller”), an independent executive compensation consulting firm, to provide advice and assistance in the area of executive and director compensation.  Mosteller conducted a review of the total compensation of the Company’s executive officers and prepared reports for the review of the Compensation Committee that were subsequently used in determining the appropriate levels of compensation for each executive officer.  Specifically, in accordance with the scope directed by the Compensation Committee, Mosteller reviewed the compensation packages paid to the Company’s executives in 2006 and 2007, selected peer sources against which to compare the data and analyzed comparable compensation packages using appropriate regression analyses. 
 
To evaluate the Company’s compensation packages, Mosteller identified four sources of comparison:  (1) mining companies with revenues less than $10 million and less than 100 employees that are headquartered in the northeastern United States; (2) mining and natural resources divisions of utility companies with revenues less than $50 million and less than 100 employees that are headquartered in the States; (3) energy companies with revenues less than $50 million that are headquartered in the United States; and (4) a custom peer group of mining companies that included Golden Star Resources, LTD, Miramar, Northgate, Royal Gold, Inc., Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp., and Meridian Gold.  The Company believes that the companies in this custom peer group provide a good basis of comparison because, similar to the Company, they are operational, are producing product and have sizable assets and revenue streams.

 
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Elements of Executive Compensation

Executive compensation consists of the following elements:

Regular Compensation

Regular compensation for our executives will be established based on the scope of their responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. Generally, we believe that executive base salaries should be targeted near the median of the range of salaries for executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities at comparable companies, in line with our compensation philosophy. Regular compensation will be reviewed annually, and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. This review will occur in the fourth fiscal quarter of each year.

Compensation to new executives is based entirely upon similar factors to those discussed above for regular employees and executives and timing is determined solely by needs of our company, some of which can be completely unforeseen, such as resignations or terminations for cause.

Post-termination compensation is fixed in the employment agreement of each executive, and generally, post-termination payments are not offered to non-executive employees.

The Chief Executive Officer attends the Compensation Committee meetings as management’s representative.  No other executives participate in the compensation process or attend the Compensation Committee meetings.  The CEO evaluates and provides performance assessments and compensation recommendations for each of the executive officers other than himself to the Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee considers these recommendations in its deliberations to set executive compensation.  The Compensation Committee reviews the compensation package of the CEO and determines the compensation package of the CEO in an executive session that the CEO does not attend.  The CEO does not engage in discussions with the Compensation Committee or the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consulting firm regarding his compensation package.

Annual Bonus

Our compensation program includes eligibility for an annual performance-based cash and/or equity- based bonus (See “2006 Equity Incentive Plan” below) in the case of all executives and certain non-executive employees. The amount of the cash and/or equity-based bonus will depend on the level of achievement of the financial and operational goals and for achieving individual annual performance objectives. These objectives will vary depending on the individual executive, but will relate generally to strategic factors such as establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships, the development and operation of our mining projects, the identification and possible development of additional mining properties, and to financial factors such as raising capital and improving our results of operations. Bonuses, if awarded, will generally be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors as recommended by the compensation committee.

The Company did not establish corporate or individual performance targets prior to, or at the beginning of, fiscal year 2008.  At the conclusion of fiscal 2008, the Compensation Committee reviewed the performance of the Company and each executive during fiscal 2008.  The Compensation Committee noted several achievements, including, but not limited to, the increase in ore mined, the increase in ounces produced, the increase in the proceeds from sales of gold and silver, the increase in gold reserves, and the completion of certain capital and plant upgrades.

 
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All employees, whether executives or key employees, as well as administrative staff, will be granted bonus compensation at the same time.  All efforts are made by senior management, the compensation committee and the Board of Directors to avoid issuances of stock as compensation that would create even the appearance of being timed to the release of material non-public information.

2006 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to attract and retain individuals of experience and ability, to provide incentive to our employees, consultants, and non-employee directors, to encourage employee and director proprietary interests in us, and to encourage employees to remain in our employ.

The Plan authorizes the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock awards (each, an “Award”). A maximum of 10,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for potential issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan.  Unless sooner terminated, the Plan will continue in effect for a period of 10 years from its effective date.

The Plan is administered by our Board of Directors which has delegated the administration to our Compensation Committee.  The Plan provides for Awards to be made to such of our employees, directors and consultants and our affiliates as the Board may select.

Stock options awarded under the Plan may vest and be exercisable at such times (not later than 10 years after the date of grant) and at such exercise prices (not less than Fair Market Value at the date of grant) as the Board may determine.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, stock options shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Board may provide for options to become immediately exercisable upon a "change in control," as defined in the Plan.

The exercise price of an option must be paid in cash.  No options may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of its effective date.  Unless the Board determines otherwise, there are certain continuous service requirements and the options are not transferable.

The Plan provides the Board with the general power to amend the Plan, or any portion thereof at any time in any respect without the approval of our stockholders, provided however, that the stockholders must approve any amendment which increases the fixed maximum percentage of shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the Plan, reduces the exercise price of an Award held by a director, officer or ten percent stockholder or extends the term of an Award held by a director, officer or ten percent stockholder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, stockholder approval may still be necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any applicable stock exchange listing requirements. The Board may amend the Plan in any respect it deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.  Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan cannot be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless the Participant consents in writing.  The Board is empowered to amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the rights under any Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless the applicable Participant consents in writing and further provided that the Board cannot amend the exercise price of an option, the Fair Market Value of an Award or extend the term of an option or Award without obtaining the approval of the stockholders if required by the rules of the TSX or any stock exchange upon which the common stock is listed.

 
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Although non-cash compensation is utilized by us to prevent placing strains on liquidity, care is taken by management to avoid materially diluting investors.

On December 20, 2007, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Company’s executive officers, directors and employees were granted 1,095,000 restricted shares under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) as bonus compensation.  The restricted shares were granted as follows:  Gifford Dieterle – 250,000, John Brownlie – 250,000, Jeffrey Pritchard – 250,000, Christopher Chipman – 250,000, Scott Hazlitt – 75,000 and two employees received an aggregate of 20,000 restricted shares.  The fair market value of the restricted stock on the date of grant was $0.63.  The restricted shares granted vest equally over three years from the date of grant. 
 
Also on December 20, 2007, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Company’s executive officers and employees were granted 3,150,000 stock options under our Plan as bonus compensation.  The stock options were granted as follows:  Gifford Dieterle - 500,000 options, John Brownlie – 500,000 options, Christopher Chipman – 500,000 options, Jeffrey Pritchard – 500,000 options, Scott Hazlitt – 350,000 options, Ian Shaw – 150,000 options, John Postle – 150,000 options, Mark Nesbitt – 150,000 options, Roger Newell – 100,000 options, Robert Roningen – 100,000 stock options, and other non-executive employees – 150,000.  The stock options have a term of seven years and vest over five years as follows: 20% vested upon issuance and the balance vest 20% annually thereafter.  The exercise price of the stock options is $0.63 per share (per the Plan, the closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the trading day immediately prior to the day of determination converted to U.S. Dollars).
 
The stock options and restricted stock awarded on December 20, 2007 were granted as a method to provide incentive compensation to the Company’s executive officers, directors and employees.  The Compensation Committee believes that the recipients are motivated by the potential appreciation of the stock price over time and will remain committed to the Company while the grants vest.
 
On July 17, 2008, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Company’s executive officers and directors were granted 515,000 restricted shares under our Plan as bonus compensation for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.  The restricted shares were awarded as follows:  Gifford Dieterle – 100,000, John Brownlie – 100,000, Jeffrey Pritchard – 100,000, Christopher Chipman – 100,000, Scott Hazlitt – 50,000, Ian Shaw – 15,000, John Postle – 15,000, Mark T. Nesbitt – 15,000, Roger Newell -10,000 and Robert Roningen – 10,000.  The Compensation Committee determined that because this grant constituted compensation for services rendered, the restricted shares granted vested immediately.  The fair value of the Company’s stock was $0.70 on the date of grant.  These restricted shares were awarded as part of the Company’s bonus award and were designed to reward the recipients for services rendered.
 
In the event of a termination of continuous service (other than as a result of a change of control, as defined in the Plan), unvested stock options shall terminate and, with regard to vested stock options, the exercise period shall end on the earlier of the original expiration date or one year from the date continuous service terminates. Upon a change of control, all unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock grants immediately vest.

 
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Employment and Engagement Agreements

We entered into employment agreements, effective July 31, 2006, with the following executive officers: Gifford A. Dieterle, President and Treasurer, Roger A. Newell, Vice President of Development, Jack V. Everett, Vice President of Exploration, and Jeffrey W. Pritchard, Vice President of Investor Relations.  On December 5, 2006, effective January 1, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with J. Scott Hazlitt, Vice President of Mine Development.

On June 6, 2007, Jack V. Everett resigned as Vice President of Exploration and a Director of our company and entered into a consulting agreement with us to provide mining and mineral exploration consultation services.

On September 10, 2007, Roger A. Newell resigned as Vice President of Development. He will continue to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.

Mr. Dieterle is entitled to a base annual salary of at least $180,000, Mr. Hazlitt is entitled to a base annual salary of at least $125,000 and each of the other executives is entitled to a base annual salary of at least $120,000.  Each executive is entitled to a bonus or salary increase in the sole discretion of the board of directors.  In addition, Messrs. Dieterle, Newell, Everett and Pritchard each received two year options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.32 per share (the closing price on July 31, 2006).  These options have all been exercised.  As discussed below, these agreements have been amended to provide for salary increases.

We have the right to terminate any executive’s employment for cause or on 30 days’ prior written notice without cause or in the event of the executive’s disability (as defined in the agreements).  The agreements automatically terminate upon an executive’s death.  “Cause” is defined in the agreements as (1) a failure or refusal to perform the services required under the agreement; (2) a material breach by executive of any of the terms of the agreement; or (3) executive’s conviction of a crime that either results in imprisonment or involves embezzlement, dishonesty, or activities injurious to our reputation. In the event that we terminate an executive’s employment without cause or due to the disability of the executive, the executive will be entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to one month’s salary, in the case of termination for disability, and up to 12 month’s salary (depending upon years of service), in the case of termination without cause.

Each executive has the right to terminate his employment agreement on 60 days’ prior written notice or, in the event of a material breach by us of any of the terms of the agreement, upon 30 days’ prior written notice.  In the event of a claim of material breach by us of the agreement, the executive must specify the breach and its failure to either (i) cure or diligently commence to cure the breach within the 30 day notice period, or (ii) dispute in good faith the existence of the material breach.   In the event that an agreement terminates due to our breach, the executive is entitled to severance payments in equal monthly installments beginning in the month following the executive’s termination equal to three month’ salary plus one additional month’s salary for each year of service to us.  Severance payments cannot exceed 12 month’s salary.

 
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In conjunction with the employment agreements, our Board of Directors deeming it essential to the best interests of its stockholders to foster the continuous engagement of key management personnel and recognizing that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, a change of control might occur and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it might raise among management, might result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the company and its stockholders, determined to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of our management to their engagement without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a change in control of the company, it entered into identical agreements regarding change in control with the executives.  Each of the agreements continue through December 31, 2011 and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party provides the other party with written notice of its intent not to renew at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then current term.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a change in control occurs during the term of the agreements, the term of the agreements will continue through the second anniversary of the date on which the change in control occurred.  Each of the agreements entitles the executive to change of control benefits, as defined in the agreements and summarized below, upon his termination of employment with us during a potential change in control, as defined in the agreements, or after a change in control, as defined in the agreements, when his termination is caused (1) by us for any reason other than permanent disability or cause, as defined in the agreement (2) by the executive for good reason as defined in the agreements or, (3) by the executive for any reason during the 30 day period commencing on the first date which is six months after the date of the change in control.  Each executive would receive a lump sum cash payment of three times his base salary and three times his bonus award for the prior year, as well as outplacement benefits.  Each agreement also provides that the executive is entitled to a payment to make him whole for any federal excise tax imposed on change of control or severance payments received by him.

A “Change of Control” is deemed to occur on the earlier of (1) the date any person is or becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing 30% or more of the voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (2) the date on which the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: (i)individuals who, as of the date of the Change of Control Agreement, constitute the Board and (ii) any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the Change of Control Agreement or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; (3) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary with another entity, other than a transaction where the individuals serving on the board of directors constitute at least a majority of the combined entity and the outstanding securities continue to represent at least 50% of the combined voting power of the combined entity or a transaction to effect a recapitalization of the Company where no person is or becomes the holder of securities representing 30% or more of the combined voting power; (4) the approval by the stockholders of the Company or a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (5) the sale or disposition or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition to an entity of which 50% the combined voting power is held by the Company’s stockholders.

However, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur if the record holders of the Company’s stock continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership of the Company following such transaction or series of transactions.

A “Potential Change of Control” occurs when (1) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control; (2) a person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control, which announcement has not been rescinded; (3) a person becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing 20% or more of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or (4) the Board adopts a resolution that a Potential Change of Control exists, which resolution has not been modified.

 
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On September 14, 2007, we entered into a Second Amended Engagement Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Christopher Chipman, our Chief Financial Officer, effective May 1, 2007.  The Agreement supersedes and replaces Mr. Chipman’s prior agreement that expired on August 31, 2007.  He receives a monthly fee of $14,583.  Mr. Chipman can terminate the Agreement on 60 days prior notice.  We can terminate the Agreement without cause on 30 days prior notice and for cause (as defined in the Agreement).  The Agreement also terminates upon Mr. Chipman’s disability (as defined in the Agreement) or death. In the event that we terminate the Agreement without cause, Mr. Chipman will be entitled to a cash termination payment equal to his Annual Fee in effect upon the date of termination, payable in equal monthly installments beginning in the month following his termination.  In the event the Agreement is terminated by Mr. Chipman at his election or due to his death or disability, Mr. Chipman will be entitled to the fees otherwise due and payable to him through the last day of the month in which such termination occurs.  In conjunction with Agreement, we entered into a change of control agreement similar to the agreements entered into with our other executive officers.  In connection with the original engagement agreement with Mr. Chipman in March 2006, Mr. Chipman received a two year option to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $.34 per share. This option has been exercised in full.

On May 12, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with John Brownlie, pursuant to which Mr. Brownlie originally served as Vice President Operations.  Mr. Brownlie became our Chief Operating Officer in February 2007.  Mr. Brownlie serves as Vice President Operations. Mr. Brownlie receives a base annual salary of $150,000 and is entitled to annual bonuses. Upon his employment, he received options to purchase an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $.32 per share. 50,000 options vested immediately and the balance vest upon our achieving "Economic Completion" as that term is defined in the Standard Bank Credit Facility (when we have commenced mining operations and has been operating at anticipated capacity for 60 to 90 days). The term of the options is two years from the date of vesting.  We can terminate the agreement for cause or upon 30 days notice without cause. Mr. Brownlie can terminate the agreement upon 60 days notice without cause or, if there is a breach of the agreement by us that is not timely cured, upon 30 days notice. In the event that we terminates him without cause or he terminates due to our breach, he will be entitled to certain severance payments. We utilized the Black-Scholes method to fair value the 200,000 options received by Mr. Brownlie. We recorded approximately $70,000 as deferred compensation expense as of the date of the agreement and recorded the vested portion or $17,500 as stock based compensation expense for the year ended July 31, 2006.

On August 29, 2007, at the recommendation of the compensation committee, the Board increased the salaries of our executive officers to be commensurate with industry standards and amended their respective agreements accordingly. The new salaries were as follows: Gifford A. Dieterle, President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Board, $250,000; John Brownlie, Chief Operating Officer, $225,000; Christopher Chipman, Chief Financial Officer, $175,000 (consulting fee); Jeffrey W. Pritchard, Vice President - Investor Relations and Secretary, $195,000; Roger A. Newell, Vice President - Development, $135,000; and J. Scott Hazlitt, Vice President - Mine Development, $135,000. The salary increase for Mr. Brownlie and the consulting fee increase for Mr. Chipman were retroactive to May 1, 2007 and the salary increase for Mr. Pritchard is retroactive to August 1, 2007.

On July 17, 2008, at the recommendation of the compensation committee of our Board of Directors, our executive officers were awarded salary increases effective August 1, 2008. The new salaries were as follows: Gifford A. Dieterle, President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Board, $287,500; John Brownlie, Chief Operating Officer, $258,750; Christopher Chipman, Chief Financial Officer, $201,250 (consulting fee); Jeffrey W. Pritchard, Vice President - Investor Relations and Secretary, $224,250; and J. Scott Hazlitt, Vice President - Mine Development, $155,250.

 
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On October 28, 2008, we entered into an Engagement Agreement with John Brownlie, our Chief Operating Officer.  The agreement supersedes a May 12, 2006 employment agreement between us and Mr. Brownlie.  Pursuant to the Engagement Agreement, Mr. Brownlie serves as our Chief Operating Officer and receives a base annual fee of at least $258,750 and is entitled to annual bonuses.  The Engagement Agreement runs through August 31, 2009, and automatically renews thereafter for additional one year periods unless terminated by either party within 30 days of a renewal date. We can terminate the agreement for cause or upon 30 days notice without cause. Mr. Brownlie can terminate the agreement upon 60 days notice without cause or, if there is a breach of the agreement by us that is not timely cured, upon 30 days notice. In the event that we terminate him without cause or he terminates due to our breach, he will be entitled to certain severance payments. We previously entered into a change of control agreement with Mr. Brownlie similar to the agreements entered into with our other executive officers.

Compensation of Directors

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, our Independent Directors each received a fee of $1,000 per month.  Robert Roningen, director, received a fee of $2,000 per month for legal and consulting services during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.  Non-independent directors were not otherwise compensated for acting in their capacity as Directors.  Directors are reimbursed for their accountable expenses incurred in attending meetings and conducting their duties.   On August 29, 2007, we increased directors’ compensation to our independent directors and to Robert Roningen and Roger Newell by $1,000 per month.

On July 17, 2008, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Company’s non-executive directors were granted 65,000 restricted shares under our Plan as bonus compensation for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.  The Compensation Committee determined that this grant constituted compensation for services rendered, the restricted shares granted vested immediately.  Each independent, non-executive director, Ian Shaw, John Postle and Mark T. Nesbitt, received 15,000 restricted shares and each non-executive director, Roger Newell and Robert Roningen, received 10,000 restricted shares. The fair value of the Company’s stock was $0.70 on the date of grant. 
 
On December 20 2007, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Company’s non-executive directors were granted 650,000 stock options under our Plan as bonus compensation. Each independent, non-executive director, Ian Shaw, John Postle and Mark T. Nesbitt, received 150,000 stock options and each non-executive director, Roger Newell and Robert Roningen, received 100,000 stock options. The stock options have a term of seven years and vest as follows: 20% vested upon issuance and the balance vest 20% annually thereafter. The exercise price of the stock options is $0.63 per share (per the Plan, the closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the trading day immediately prior to the day of determination converted to U.S. Dollars).  These stock option grants were issued as incentive based compensationIn the event of a termination of continuous service (other than as a result of a change of control, as defined in the Plan), unvested stock options shall terminate and, with regard to vested stock options, the exercise period shall end on the earlier of the original expiration date or one year from the date continuous service terminates. Upon a change of control, all unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock grants immediately vest.
 
The stock options awarded on December 20, 2007 were granted as a method to provide incentive compensation to the Company’s non-executive directors.  The Compensation Committee believes that the recipients are motivated by the potential appreciation of the stock price over time and will remain committed to the Company while the grants vest.

 
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Conclusion

Our compensation policies are designed to retain and motivate our senior executive officers and to ultimately reward them for outstanding individual and corporate performance.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
The following tables set forth the total compensation paid to or earned by our named executive officers, as that term is defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K  as of our fiscal years ended July 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively (000’s):
 
Name &
Principal
Position
 
Year
 
Salary
($)
   
Bonus
($)
   
Stock
Awards
(2)
   
Option
Awards
(1)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
   
Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
   
All Other
Compen-
sation
($)
   
Total
($)
 
Gifford A. Dieterle,
Director, Chairman, Treasurer  and CEO
 
2008
  $ 244     $ 325     $ 102     $ 60     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 731  
 
2007
  $ 180     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 180  
 
John Brownlie, Director and COO
 
 
2008
  $ 275     $ 318     $ 102     $ 112     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 807  
 
2007
  $ 150     $ -     $ 225     $ 34     $ -     $ -