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

FORM 10-Q

x  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2009

OR

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from               to

Commission File Number:  0-13078

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
 
13-3180530
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

76 Beaver Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10005
(Address of principal executive offices)

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

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   x          No   ¨

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

Yes   ¨          No   ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  
¨
Accelerated filer   x
       
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company  
¨
(do not check if 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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity as of the latest practicable date.

Class
 
Outstanding at June  1, 2009
     
Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share
 
193,399,826
 
 
 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The accompanying financial statements are unaudited for the interim periods, but include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments), which we consider necessary for the fair presentation of results for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009.

Moreover, these financial statements do not purport to contain complete disclosure in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements at, and for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.

The results reflected for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending July 31, 2009.

 
-2-

 

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   
April 30,
2009
(unaudited)
   
July 31,
2008
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 7,187     $ 10,992  
Accounts Receivable
    2,004       1,477  
Stockpiles and Ore on Leach Pads (Note 4)
    16,208       12,176  
Material and Supply Inventories
    1,326       937  
Deposits
    83       9  
Marketable Securities  (Note 3)
    70       65  
Prepaid Expenses
    312       219  
Loans Receivable – Affiliate (Note 9 and13)
    34       39  
Other Current Assets (Note 5)
    451       490  
Total Current Assets
    27,675       26,404  
                 
Mining Concessions (Note 8)
    52       59  
Property & Equipment – net (Note 6)
    22,886       20,918  
Intangible Assets – net (Note 7)
    329       181  
Other Assets:
               
Deferred Financing Costs
    470       599  
Mining Reclamation Bonds
    82       82  
Deferred Tax Asset (Note 17)
    797       573  
Security Deposits
    100       63  
Total Other Assets
    1,449       1,317  
Total Assets
  $ 52,391     $ 48,879  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts Payable
  $ 969     $ 789  
Accrued Expenses (Note 10)
    3,869       2,673  
Derivative Contracts (Note 16)
    228       930  
Deferred Tax Liability (Note 17)
    2,586       2,063  
Current Portion of Long-term Debt (Note 15)
    3,825       4,125  
Total Current Liabilities
    11,477       10,580  
                 
Reclamation and Remediation Liabilities (Note 11)
    1,268       1,666  
Other liabilities
    45       62  
Long-term Debt (Note 15)
    5,300       8,375  
Total Long-term Liabilities
    6,613       10,103  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
    -       -  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Common Stock, Par Value $.0001 Per Share; Authorized 300,000,000 shares; Issued and Outstanding 193,399,826 and 192,777,326 shares, respectively
    19       19  
Additional Paid-In Capital
    63,844       63,074  
Accumulated Deficit
    (24,810 )     (32,497 )
Deferred Financing Costs
    (2,008 )     (2,611 )
Deferred Compensation
    (377 )     (549 )
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Note 12)
    (2,367 )     760  
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    34,301       28,196  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 52,391     $ 48,879  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
-3-

 

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   
For The Three Months Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues
           
Sales – Gold, net
  $ 12,395     $ 8,730  
Costs and Expenses:
               
Costs Applicable to Sales
    3,698       2,717  
Depreciation and Amortization
    811       800  
General and Administrative
    1,361       1,086  
Exploration
    329       19  
Total Costs and Expenses
    6,199       4,622  
Income (Loss) from Operations
    6,196       4,108  
                 
Other Income (Expense):
               
Interest Income
    7       12  
Interest Expense
    (103 )     (377 )
Other Income (Expense)
    (40 )     (25 )
Loss on change in fair value of derivative
    (1,391 )     (337 )
Total Other Expense
    (1,527 )     (727 )
                 
Income before Income Taxes
    4,669       3,381  
                 
Income Tax Expense
    (2,115 )     (641 )
                 
Net Income
  $ 2,554     $ 2,740  
                 
Income Per Common Share
               
Basic
  $ 0.01     $ 0.02  
Diluted
  $ 0.01     $ 0.01  
                 
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    193,362,747       175,645,465  
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    200,826,903       197,238,688  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
-4-

 
 
CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   
For The Nine Months Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues
           
Sales – Gold, net
  $ 32,939     $ 23,299  
Costs and Expenses:
               
Costs Applicable to Sales
    10,395       7,343  
Depreciation and Amortization
    2,269       2,630  
General and Administrative
    3,800       3,308  
Exploration
    1,224       650  
Total Costs and Expenses
    17,688       13,931  
Income from Operations
    15,251       9,368  
                 
Other Income (Expense):
               
Interest Income
    32       63  
Interest Expense
    (530 )     (945 )
Other Expense
    (273 )     (30 )
Loss on change in fair value of derivative
    (1,969 )     (1,037 )
Total Other Expense
    (2,740 )     (1,949 )
                 
Income before Income Taxes
    12,511       7,419  
                 
Income Tax Expense
    (4,824 )     (806 )
                 
Net Income
  $ 7,687     $ 6,613  
                 
Income Per Common Share
               
Basic
  $ 0.04     $ 0.04  
Diluted
  $ 0.04     $ 0.03  
                 
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    193,131,703       173,722,564  
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    199,207,507       194,869,746  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
-5-

 

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

                           
Accumulated
                   
               
Additional
         
Other
   
Deferred
         
Total
 
   
Common Stock
   
paid-in-
   
Accumulated
   
Comprehensive
   
Financing
   
Deferred
   
Stockholders’
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
capital
   
Deficit
   
Income/(Loss)
   
Costs
   
Compensation
   
Equity
 
                                                                 
Balance at July 31, 2008
    192,777,326     $ 19     $ 63,074     $ (32,497 )   $ 760     $ (2,611 )   $ (549 )   $ 28,196  
Amortization of deferred finance costs
    -       -       -       -       -       603       -       603  
Equity based compensation
    -       -       512       -       -       -       172       684  
Common stock issued upon the exercising of options and warrants
    400,000       -       144                               -       144  
Issuance of restricted common stock
    222,500       -       114                               -       114  
Net income for the nine months ended April 30, 2009
    -       -       -       7,687       -               -       7,687  
Change in fair value on interest rate swaps
    -       -       -       -       (12 )     -       -       (12 )
Unrealized loss on marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       5       -       -       5  
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation
    -       -       -       -       (3,120 )     -       -       (3,120 )
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       4,560  
Balance at April 30, 2009
    193,399,826     $ 19     $ 63,844     $ (24,810 )   $ (2,367 )   $ (2,008 )   $ (377 )   $ 34,301  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
-6-

 

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   
For The
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash Flow From Operating Activities:
           
Net Income
  $ 7,687     $ 6,613  
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
               
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities:
               
Depreciation and Amortization
    2,269       2,611  
Accretion of Reclamation and Remediation
    113       121  
Loss on change in fair value of derivative
    1,969       1,040  
Equity Based Compensation
    798       535  
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
               
Increase in Accounts Receivable
    (527 )     (1,143 )
Increase in Prepaid Expenses
    (93 )     (937 )
Increase in Inventory
    (3,298 )     (6,309 )
Decrease in Other Current Assets
    40       434  
(Increase) Decrease in Other Deposits
    (74 )     832  
Increase in Mining Reclamation Bond
    -       (46 )
Increase in Security Deposits
    (36 )     -  
Increase in Deferred Tax Asset
    (224 )     -  
(Decrease) Increase in Accounts Payable
    180       (8 )
Decrease in Derivative Liability
    (2,684 )     (869 )
Decrease in Other Liability
    (17 )     -  
Decrease in Reclamation and Remediation
    (511 )     -  
Increase in Deferred Tax Liability
    523       -  
Increase in Accrued Expenses
    1,196       1,944  
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
    7,311       4,818  
                 
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
               
Purchase of Mining, Milling and Other Property and Equipment
    (4,590 )     (4,601 )
Purchase of Intangibles
    (180 )     (90 )
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (4,770 )     (4,691 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 
7

 

CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS – CONTINUED
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   
For The
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
           
Repayments from Affiliate, net
    5       7  
Repayments on Notes Payable
    (3,375 )     -  
Proceeds From Issuance of Common Stock
    144       2,277  
Net Cash (Used in) Provided By Financing Activities
    (3,226 )     2,284  
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes
    (3,120 )     300  
(Decrease) Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (3,805 )     2,711  
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning
    10,992       2,225  
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Ending
  $ 7,187     $ 4,936  
                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash Paid For Interest
  $ 465     $ 973  
Cash Paid For Income Taxes
  $ 2,572     $ 806  
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
               
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instrument
  $ 12     $ 209  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

8


CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except for per share and ounce amounts)

NOTE 1 - Basis of Presentation

Capital Gold Corporation ("Capital Gold", the “Company", "we" or "us") owns rights to property located in the State of Sonora, Mexico. The Company is engaged in the production of gold and other minerals from its properties in Mexico as well as exploration for additional mineral properties. All of the Company's mining activities are being performed in Mexico.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. They include the accounts of Capital Gold Corporation and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries, Leadville Mining and Milling Holding Corporation, Minera Santa Rita, S.A de R.L. de C.V.(“MSR”) and Oro de Altar S. de R. L. de C.V. (“Oro”) as well as the accounts within Caborca Industrial S.A. de C.V. (“Caborca Industrial”), a Mexican corporation that is 100% owned by two of the Company’s officers and directors for mining support services. These services include, but are not limited to, the payment of mining salaries and related costs. Caborca Industrial bills the Company for these services at slightly above cost.  This entity is considered a variable interest entity under accounting rules provided under FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.  Certain items in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

The notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended July 31, 2008 should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.  Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.

NOTE 2 - Equity Based Compensation

In connection with offers of employment to the Company’s executives as well as in consideration for agreements with certain consultants, the Company issues options and warrants to acquire its common stock. Employee and non-employee awards are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Such options and warrants may be exercisable at varying exercise prices currently ranging from $0.35 to $0.85 per share of common stock with certain of these grants becoming exercisable immediately upon grant. Certain grants have vested or are vesting over a period of five years.

 
9

 

The Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(revised 2004) “Share Based Payments” (“SFAS 123R”). Under SFAS 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. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 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 the Company previously adopted only the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS 123R, it 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 SFAS 123R.

The cumulative effect of applying the forfeiture rates is not material. SFAS 123R requires that excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises be reflected as financing cash inflows instead of operating cash inflows.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the price of the Company stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option. The Company uses historical data to estimate expected dividend yield, expected life and forfeiture rates. The estimated per share weighted average grant-date fair values of stock options and warrants granted during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 were $0.28 and $0.31, respectively. The fair values of the options and warrants granted were estimated based on the following weighted average assumptions:

   
Nine months ended April 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Expected volatility
   
69.98 – 79.72%
     
47.60 – 58.69%
 
Risk-free interest rate
   
0.86 – 1.56%
     
3.74%
 
Expected dividend yield
   
-
     
-
 
Expected life
 
2.0 – 5.0 years
   
6.3 years
 

Stock option activity for employees during the year ended July 31, 2008, and nine months ended April 30, 2009 is as follows (all tables in thousands, except for option, price and term data):

 
10

 
 
   
Number of
Options
   
Weighted
Average
exercise
price
   
Weighted
average
remaining
contracted
term (years)
   
Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 
                         
Options outstanding at July 31, 2007
    2,500,000     $ .34       1.20     $ 255  
Granted
    2,500,000       .63                  
Exercised
    (1,450,000 )     .32       -       -  
Expired
    -       -       -       -  
Options outstanding at July 31, 2008
    3,550,000     $ .55       4.00     $ 334  
                                 
Granted
    1,000,000     $ .49       -       -  
Exercised
    ( 250,000 )     .34       -       -  
                                 
Expired
    ( 300,000 )     .35       -       -  
Options outstanding at April 30, 2009
    4,000,000     $ .56       4.90     $ -  
Options exercisable at April 30, 2009
    2,041,630     $ .54       2.20     $ -  
 
Unvested stock option balances for employees at April 30, 2009 are as follows:

   
Number of
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
price
   
Weighted
average
remaining
contracted
term (years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic value
 
                         
Unvested options outstanding at July 31, 2007
    150,000     $ .32       0.67     $ 18  
Granted
    2,500,000     $ .63       -       -  
Vested
    (900,000 )   $ .58       -       -  
                                 
Unvested Options outstanding at July 31, 2008
    1,750,000     $ .63       4.49     $ 8  
                                 
Granted
    1,000,000     $ .49       -       -  
Vested
    (791,630 )     .56       -       -  
Unvested Options outstanding at April 30, 2009
    1,958,370     $ .59       5.52     $ -  
 
 
11

 
 
Stock option and warrant activity for non-employees during the year ended July 31, 2008, and  nine months ended April 30, 2009 is as follows:

   
Number of Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
price
   
Weighted
average
remaining
contracted
term (years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
value
 
                         
Warrants and options outstanding at July 31, 2007
    22,535,542     $ .33       1.48     $ 2,578  
Granted
    1,715,000       .66       -       -  
Exercised
    (21,555,542 )     .33       -       -  
Expired
    ( 680,000 )     .30       -       -  
Warrants and options outstanding at July 31, 2008
    2,015,000     $ .62       3.54     $ 54  
                                 
Granted
    1,400,000     $ .50       -       -  
Exercised
    (150,000 )     .39       -       -  
Expired
    (150,000 )     .39       -           
Warrants and options outstanding at April 30, 2009
    3,115,000     $ .59       3.89     $ -  
Warrants and options exercisable at April 30, 2009
    2,013,703     $ .61       1.84     $ -  
 
Unvested stock option balances for non-employees at April 30, 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Number of
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
price
   
Weighted
average
remaining
contracted
term (years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
value
 
                         
Unvested stock options outstanding at July 31, 2007
    -       -       -       -  
Granted
    650,000     $ .63       -       -  
Vested
    (195,000 )   $ .63       -       -  
Unvested Options outstanding at July 31, 2008
    455,000     $ .63       4.49     $ 3  
                                 
Options granted
    1,275,000     $ .49       -       -  
Options vested
    (628,703 )     .51       -       -  
Unvested Options outstanding at April 30, 2009
    1,101,297     $ .54       5.13     $ 5  
 
 
12

 
 
The impact on the Company’s results of operations of recording equity based compensation for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 for employees and non-employees was approximately $798 and $535 and reduced earnings per share by $0.00 and $0.00 per basic and diluted share, respectively.
 
As of April 30, 2009, there was approximately $830 of unrecognized equity based compensation cost related to options granted to executives and employees which have not yet vested.

NOTE 3 - Marketable Securities

Marketable securities are classified as current assets and are summarized as follows:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
Marketable equity securities, at cost
  $ 50     $ 50  
Marketable equity securities, at fair value (See Notes 9 & 13)
  $ 70     $ 65  
 
NOTE 4 - Ore on Leach Pads and Inventories (“In-Process Inventory”)

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
Ore on leach pads
  $ 16,208     $ 12,176  
Total
  $ 16,208     $ 12,176  
 
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.

NOTE 5 – Other Current Assets

Other current assets consist of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
Value added tax to be refunded                                                                    
  $ 449     $ 425  
Other
    2       65  
Total Other Current Assets
  $ 451     $ 490  
 
 
13

 

NOTE 6 – Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment consist of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
Process equipment and facilities
  $ 25,015     $ 21,693  
Mining equipment
    2,248       974  
Mineral properties
    141       141  
Construction in progress
    1,193       1,277  
Computer and office equipment
    355       316  
Improvements
    16       16  
Furniture
    47       38  
Total
    29,015       24,455  
Less: accumulated depreciation
    (6,129 )     (3,537 )
Property and equipment, net
  $ 22,886     $ 20,918  
 
Expenditures for new facilities or equipment and expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the Units of Production (“UOP”) and 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 are capitalized as incurred and are amortized using the UOP method over the estimated life of the ore body based on estimated recoverable ounces or pounds in proven and probable reserves.

The Company paid $674 towards the procurement of new secondary crusher for the El Chanate mine.  The total cost for this piece of equipment is approximately $1,012 (See Note 19).

Depreciation expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $2,269 and $2,630, respectively.

NOTE 7 - Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
Repurchase of Net Profits Interest
  $ 500     $ 500  
Water Rights
    241       134  
Mobilization Payment to Mineral Contractor
    70       70  
Reforestation fee
    73       -  
Investment in Right of Way
    18       18  
Total
    902       722  
Accumulated Amortization
    (573 )     (541 )
Intangible assets, net
  $ 329     $ 181  
 
 
14

 

Purchased intangible assets consisting of rights of way, water rights, 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 UOP method.  It is the Company’s policy to assess periodically the carrying amount of its 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 April 30, 2009.

Amortization expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $33 and $521, respectively.  The Repurchase of Net Profits Interest was fully amortized as of April 30, 2008.

NOTE 8 - Mining Concessions

Mining concessions consist of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
El Chanate
  $ 45     $ 45  
El Charro                            
    25       25  
Total
    70       70  
Less: accumulated amortization
    (18 )     (11 )
Total
  $ 52     $ 59  

The El Chanate concessions are carried at historical cost and are being amortized using the UOP method. They were acquired in connection with the purchase of the stock of Minera Chanate.

MSR acquired an additional mining concession, El Charro, in 2005. El Charro lies within the current El Chanate property boundaries. MSR is required to pay 1.5% net smelter royalty in connection with the El Charro concession.

Amortization expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $6 and $6, respectively.

NOTE 9 - Loans Receivable - Affiliate

Loans receivable - affiliate consist of expense reimbursements due from a publicly owned corporation in which the Company has an investment.  The Company's president and chairman of the board of directors was an officer and director of that corporation until March 10, 2008.  These loans are non-interest bearing and due on demand (see Notes 3 & 13).

 
15

 
 
NOTE 10 – Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
             
Net profit interest
  $ -     $ 753  
Net smelter return
    240       189  
Mining contractor
    183       193  
Income tax payable
    2,246       777  
Utilities
    102       110  
Interest
    28       72  
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    907       334  
Other liabilities
    163       245  
    $ 3,869     $ 2,673  
 
NOTE 11 - Reclamations and Remediation Liabilities (“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 closure costs.  The Asset Retirement Obligation is based on when the spending for the reclamation for an existing environmental disturbance and activity to date will occur. The Company reviews, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the Asset Retirement Obligation at each mine site.  The Company reviewed the estimated present value of the El Chanate mine reclamation and closure costs as of July 31, 2008.  This review resulted in an increase in the Asset Retirement Obligation by approximately $293.  As of April 30, 2009, approximately $1,331 was accrued for reclamation obligations relating to mineral properties in accordance with SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” For the nine months ended April 30, 2009, the Company reclaimed certain areas at its El Chanate mine representing approximately $54.  Accretion expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $113 and $121, respectively.
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Balance as of July 31, 2008
  $ 1,666  
Additions, changes in estimates and other (foreign currency translation adjustment)
    (457 )
Liabilities settled
    (54 )
Accretion expense
    113  
Balance as of April 30, 2009
  $ 1,268  
 
16

 
NOTE 12 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign translation gains and losses, unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and fair value changes on derivative instruments and is summarized as follows:

   
Foreign 
currency items
   
Unrealized gain
(loss) on securities
   
Change in fair
value on interest
rate swaps
   
Accumulated other
comprehensive
income
 
                                 
Balance as of July 31, 2008
  $ 681     $ 15     $ 64     $ 760  
Income (loss)
    (3,120 )     5       (12 )     (3,127 )
Balance as of April 30, 2009
  $ (2,439 )   $ 20     $ 52     $ (2,367 )

The Company has not recognized any income tax benefit or expense associated with other comprehensive income items for the year ended July 31, 2008 and the nine months ended April 30, 2009.

NOTE 13 - Related Party Transactions

In August 2002, the Company purchased marketable equity securities of a related company. The Company also recorded approximately $5 and $5 in net expense reimbursements including office rent from this entity for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively (see Notes 3 and 9).

The Company utilizes Caborca Industrial, a Mexican corporation that is 100% owned by Gifford A. Dieterle, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Jeffrey W. Pritchard, the Company’s Executive Vice President, for mining support services. These services include but are not limited to the payment of mining salaries and related costs. Caborca Industrial bills the Company for these services at slightly above cost. Mining expenses charged by Caborca Industrial and eliminated upon consolidation amounted to approximately $3,561 and $2,525 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Company incurred approximately $15 during the nine months ended April 30, 2009, for services provided related to marketing materials.  The firm providing the services is owned and operated by relatives of the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, John Brownlie.

At the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and upon approval by the Board of Directors, on January 20, 2009, effective as of January 1, 2009, the Company entered into (i) amended and restated employment agreements with Gifford Dieterle, President and Treasurer, and Jeffrey Pritchard, Executive Vice President and (ii) amended and restated engagement agreements with Christopher Chipman, Chief Financial Officer, John Brownlie, Chief Operating Officer, and Scott Hazlitt, Vice President of Mine Development (collectively, the “Amended Agreements”).

Each of the Amended Agreements modify the previous employment agreement or engagement agreement in three ways.  First, the Company removed a provision from the Agreement Regarding Change in Control, which is attached as an exhibit to each of the Amended Agreements, that provided that, upon a change in control of the Company, the exercise price of all issued and outstanding options would decrease to $0.01. Second, the Company made the terms of each of the Amended Agreements consistent so that each Amended Agreement expires on December 31, 2011.  Finally, the Amended Agreements incorporate amendments made in December 2008 to the employment agreements and engagement agreements to bring such agreements into documentary compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
17

 
NOTE 14 - Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock

At various stages in the Company’s development, shares of the Company’s common stock have been issued at fair market value in exchange for services or property received with a corresponding charge to operations, property and equipment or additional paid-in capital depending on the nature of services provided or property received.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2009, the Company issued 222,500 restricted shares to employees  under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The restricted shares granted vested immediately.  The fair value of the Company’s stock ranged from $0.34 to $0.52 on the date of grant resulting in the Company recording approximately $113 in equity compensation expense.

The Company received proceeds of approximately $144 during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 from the exercising of an aggregate of 400,000 options issued to officers and directors.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded approximately $675 and $569 in equity compensation expense related to the vesting of restricted stock grants and stock options, respectively.

2006 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), approved by stockholders on February 21, 2007, is intended to attract and retain individuals of experience and ability, to provide incentive to the Company’s employees, consultants, and non-employee directors, to encourage employee and director proprietary interests in the Company, and to encourage employees to remain in the Company’s 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 ten years from its effective date.

The Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors which has delegated the administration to the Company’s Compensation Committee.  The Plan provides for Awards to be made to  the Company’s employees, directors and consultants and its 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.
 
18

 
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 the Company’s 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 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.

On November 1, 2008, the Company issued stock options with a two year term to purchase the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share to an investor relations firm for services provided.  These options are for the purchase of 100,000 shares.  The Company utilized the Black-Scholes Method to fair value the 100,000 options received by this firm and recorded approximately $6 as equity based compensation expense.  The grant date fair value of each stock option was $0.06.

On December 3, 2008, the Company issued stock options with a two year term to purchase the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.35 per share to its then SEC counsel.  These options are for the purchase of 25,000 shares.  The Company utilized the Black-Scholes Method to fair value the 25,000 options received by these individuals and recorded approximately $4 as equity based compensation expense.  The grant date fair value of each stock option was $0.16.

On January 20, 2009, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and on the approval by the Board of Directors, the Company’s executive officers and directors were granted 2,275,000 stock options under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as incentive compensation. The stock options were awarded as follows:  Gifford Dieterle – 500,000, John Brownlie – 500,000, Jeffrey Pritchard – 500,000, Christopher Chipman – 250,000, Scott Hazlitt – 250,000, Ian Shaw – 75,000, John Postle – 50,000, Mark T. Nesbitt – 50,000, Roger Newell -50,000 and Robert Roningen – 50,000.  The stock options have a term of five years and vest as follows: one-third vested upon issuance and the balance vest on a one-third basis annually thereafter. The exercise price of the stock options is $0.49 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). 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 be the lesser of the original expiration date or one year from the date continuous service terminates. Upon the happening of a change of control, all unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock grants immediately vest.  The Company utilized the Black-Scholes method to fair value the 2,275,000 options received by these individuals totaling $647.  The grant date fair value of each stock option was $0.29.

19


NOTE 15 - Debt

Long term debt consists of the following:
 
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
July 31,
2008
 
             
Total debt
  $ 9,125     $ 12,500  
                 
Less current portion
    3,825       4,125  
                 
Long-term debt
  $ 5,300     $ 8,375  

In September 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) involving our wholly owned Mexican subsidiaries MSR and Oro, as borrowers (“Borrowers”), the Company, as guarantor, and Standard Bank PLC (“Standard Bank”), as the lender. 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 borrowed money in an aggregate principal amount of up to US$12,500 (the “Term Loan”) for the purpose of constructing, developing and operating the El Chanate gold mining project in Sonora State, Mexico.  The Company guaranteed the repayment of the Term Loan and the performance of the obligations under the Credit Agreement.  As of April 30, 2009, the outstanding amount on the term note was $9,125 and accrued interest on this facility was approximately $28.

The Credit Agreement also established a new senior secured revolving credit facility that permits the Borrowers to borrow up to $5,000 during the one year period after the closing of the Credit Agreement.  Term Loan principal shall be repaid quarterly commencing on September 30, 2008 and consists 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.  There was no amount outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of April 30, 2009.  Principal under the Term Loan and the credit facility shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBO Rate plus 2.5% and 2.0% per annum, respectively.

The Credit Facility contains covenants customary for a term note, including but not limited to restrictions (subject to certain exceptions) on incurring additional debt, creating liens on its property, disposing of any assets, merging with other companies and making any investments.  The Company is required to meet and maintain 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, and (iii) a quarterly average minimum liquidity of U.S.$500.

In connection with the amendment of the Company’s credit arrangement proceedings in September 2008, MSR, as a condition precedent to closing, obtained a six month 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 is currently compliant with these regulations.

As of April 30, 2009, the Company and its related entities were in compliance with all debt covenants and default provisions.

The Term Loan and credit facility is secured by all of the tangible and intangible assets and property owned by MSR and Oro.  As additional collateral for the Loan, the Company, together with its subsidiary, Leadville Mining & Milling Holding Corporation, has pledged all of its ownership interest in MSR and Oro.
 
20

 
In March 2006, the Company entered into a gold price protection arrangement to protect it against future fluctuations in the price of gold and interest rate swap agreements in October 2006 in accordance with the terms of the credit arrangements with Standard Bank (See Note 16 for more details on these transactions).
 
NOTE 16 - Sales Contracts, Commodity and Financial Instruments

Gold Price Protection Agreement

In March 2006, in conjunction with the Company’s credit facility, the Company entered into two identically structured derivative contracts with Standard Bank (See Note 15).  Both derivatives consisted of a series of forward sales of gold and a purchase gold cap.  Under these contracts, the Company 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.  The Company also agreed to purchase gold caps.  The caps allow the Company to buy gold at a price of $535 per ounce covering the same volume and horizon as the forward sales.  This combination of forward sales with purchased call options synthesizes a put position, which, in turn, serves to put a floor on the Company’s sales price.

On February 24, 2009, the Company settled with Standard Bank, Plc., the remaining 58,233 ounces of gold under the original Gold Price Protection arrangements entered into in March 2006. The purpose of these arrangements at the time was to protect the Company in the event the gold price dropped below $500 per ounce. Total remuneration to unwind these arrangements was approximately $1,906. In conjunction with the settlement of the gold price protection agreement, the Company incurred an Other Expense of approximately $1,391 during the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009.

The volume of these derivative positions represented about 66% and 90% of sales during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, such that these derivative positions mitigate the Company’s gold price risk, rather than eliminate or reverse the natural exposure of the Company.

Under FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"), these contracts must be carried on the balance sheet at their fair value.  The Company records these changes in fair value and any cash settlements within Other Income or Expense. The contracts were not designated as hedging derivatives, and therefore special hedge accounting is not applied.

Since inception, the Company has paid Standard Bank an aggregate of approximately $4,135 on the full settlement of 121,927 ounces.  These expenses were incurred concurrently with sales revenues that reflected actual sales of physical gold at market prices well above the option strike price of $535 per ounce.

Rather than modifying the original Gold Price Protection agreement with Standard Bank to satisfy these forward sale obligations, the Company 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.
 
21


Interest Rate Swap Agreement

On October 11, 2006, prior to our initial draw on the Credit Facility, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement covering about 75% of the expected variable rate debt exposure.  Only 50% coverage is required under the Credit Facility.  The termination date on this swap position is December 31, 2010.  However, the Company intends 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 it deems appropriate.  In any case, the Company’s use of interest rate derivatives will be restricted to use for risk management purposes.
 
The Company uses variable-rate debt to finance a portion of the El Chanate Project.  Variable-rate debt obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates.  As a result of these arrangements, the Company will continuously monitor changes in interest rate exposures and evaluate hedging opportunities.  The Company’s risk management policy permits it 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.
 
The interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges, whereby “effective” hedge gains or losses are initially recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) 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.  The amount expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income to earnings during the year ending July 31, 2009 from these two swaps was determined to be immaterial.

The following is a reconciliation of the derivative contract regarding the Company’s Interest Rate Swap agreement:
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Liability balance as of July 31, 2008
  $ 192  
Change in fair value of derivative
    111  
Interest expense (income)
    50  
Net cash settlements
    (125 )
Liability balance as of April 30, 2009
  $ 228  
 
The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these interest rate swap agreements, but the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. To manage credit risks, the Company selects counterparties based on credit ratings, limits its exposure to a single counterparty under defined guidelines, and monitors the market position with each counterparty as required by SFAS 133.
 
22

 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Financial Performance (in thousands):
 
Quarter
Ended
 
Derivatives in Cash
Flow Hedging
Relationships
 
Effective
Results
Recognized
in OCI
 
Location of Results
Reclassified from AOCI
to Earnings
 
Amount
Reclassified
from AOCI
to Income
   
Ineffective
Results
Recognized
in Earnings
   
Location
of
Ineffective
Results
 
7/31/08
 
Interest Rate contracts
  $ 19  
Interest Income (Expense)
    (49 )     -       N/A  
10/31/08
 
Interest Rate contracts
  $ (38 )
Interest Income (Expense)
    (38 )     -       N/A  
1/31/09
 
Interest Rate contracts
  $ (95 )
Interest Income (Expense)
    (35 )     -       N/A  
4/30/09
 
Interest Rate contracts
  $ (16 )
Interest Income (Expense)
    (55 )     -       N/A  
 
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in a Statement of Financial Position and the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Financial Performance (in thousands):
 
   
Liability Derivatives
 
July 31, 2008
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Values
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
         
Interest rate derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 192  
Derivatives designated as non-hedging instruments
           
Gold derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 738  
             
   
Liability Derivatives
 
October 31, 2008
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Values
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
           
Interest rate derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 199  
Derivatives designated as non-hedging instruments
           
Gold derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 734  
             
   
Liability Derivatives
 
January 31, 2009
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Values
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
           
Interest rate derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 268  
Derivatives designated as non-hedging instruments
           
Gold derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 719  
             
   
Liability Derivatives
 
April 30, 2009
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Values
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
           
Interest rate derivatives
 
Current Liabilities
  $ 228  

23

 
NOTE 17 – Income Taxes

The Company’s Income tax (expense) benefit for the nine months ended consisted of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
April 30,
2008
 
Current:
           
    United States
  $ -     $ -  
    Foreign
    (4,078 )     (806 )
      (4,078 )     (806 )
Deferred:
               
    United States
    -       -  
    Foreign
    (746 )     -  
      (746     -  
Total
  $ (4,824 )   $ (806 )

The Company’s Income (loss) from operations before income tax for the nine months ended consisted of the following:

   
(in thousands)
 
   
April 30,
2009
   
April 30,
2008
 
             
    United States
  $ (4,602 )   $ (3,790 )
    Foreign
    17,113       11,209  
Total
  $ 12,511     $ 7,419  

The Company’s current intent is to permanently reinvest its foreign affiliate’s earnings; accordingly, no U.S. income taxes have been provided for the unremitted earnings of the Company’s foreign affiliate.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48") effective January 1, 2007.  The purpose of FIN 48 is to clarify and set forth consistent rules for accounting for uncertain tax positions in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes".  The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this interpretation are required to be reported separately as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption.  The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the financial condition or the results of the Company’s operations.
 
On October 1, 2007, the Mexican Government enacted legislation which introduces 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.  There is the possibility of implementation amendments by the Mexican Government and the estimated future income tax liability recorded at the balance sheet date may change.
 
24

 
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 are, on a more likely than not basis, not expected to be realized. Net deferred tax benefits related to the U.S. operations have been fully reserved. 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.

NOTE 18 – Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Accounting

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of FAS 157 were adopted January 1, 2009. In February 2008, the FASB staff issued FSP No. 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”). FSP FAS 157-2 delayed the effective date of FAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of FSP FAS 157-2 are effective for Companies beginning January 1, 2009, and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”), which clarifies the application of FAS 157 in an inactive market. The intent of this FSP is to provide guidance on how the fair value of a financial asset is to be determined when the market for that financial asset is inactive. FSP FAS 157-3 states that determining fair value in an inactive market depends on the facts and circumstances, requires the use of significant judgment and in some cases, observable inputs may require significant adjustment based on unobservable data. Regardless of the valuation technique used, an entity must include appropriate risk adjustments that market participants would make for nonperformance and liquidity risks when determining fair value of an asset in an inactive market. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance. The Company has incorporated the principles of FSP FAS 157-3 in determining the fair value of financial assets when the market for those assets is not active.

FAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FAS 157 are described below:
 
 
Level 1     
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
     
 
Level 2     
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
     
 
Level 3     
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
 
25

 
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by FAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

   
Fair Value at April 30, 2009
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets:
                               
Cash equivalents
  $ 3,838     $ 3,838     $ -     $ -  
Marketable securities
    70       70       -       -  
    $ 3,908     $ 3,908     $ -     $ -  
Liabilities:
                               
Interest rate swap
    228       -       228       -  
    $ 228     $ -     $ 228     $ -  
 
The Company’s cash equivalent instruments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The cash instruments that are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets are primarily money market securities.
 
The Company’s marketable equity securities are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the marketable equity securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.

The Company has an interest rate swap contract to hedge a portion of the interest rate risk exposure on its outstanding loan balance. The hedged portion of the Company’s debt is valued using pricing models which require inputs, including risk-free interest rates and credit spreads. Because the inputs are derived from observable market data, the hedged portion of the debt is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP FAS 157-4”), which provides additional guidance on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate when a transaction is not orderly. In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2”), which: 1) clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other than temporarily impaired, 2) provides guidance on the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings and other comprehensive income and 3) expands the disclosures required for other-than-temporary impairments for debt and equity securities. Also in April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”), which requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. Adoption of these Staff Positions is required for the Company’s interim reporting period beginning April 1, 2009 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP FAS 157-4, FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, and FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 for the interim period ended April 30, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the financial condition or the results of the Company’s operations.
 
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Fair Value Option

In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with the objective of improving financial reporting by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The provisions of FAS 159 were adopted January 1, 2009. The Company did not elect the Fair Value Option for any of its financial assets or liabilities, and therefore, the adoption of FAS 159 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Derivative Instruments

In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“FAS 161”) which provides revised guidance for enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and the related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133, and how derivative instruments and the related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective and was adopted for the Company’s fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.

Accounting for the Useful Life of Intangibles
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”) which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”).  The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141”). FSP 142-3 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning August 1, 2009 and will be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP 142-3 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Business Combinations

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 141(R)-1, “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies” (“FSP FAS 141(R)-1”), which amends and clarifies FAS 141(R). The intent of FSP FAS 141(R)-1 is to address application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. This FSP is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The Company will apply the provisions of FSP FAS 141(R)-1 to all future business combinations.

Equity Method Investment
 
In November 2008, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached consensus on Issue No. 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations” (“EITF 08-6”), which clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. The intent of EITF 08-6 is to provide guidance on (i) determining the initial measurement of an equity method investment, (ii) recognizing other-than-temporary impairments of an equity method investment and (iii) accounting for an equity method investee’s issuance of shares. EITF 08-6 was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning August 1, 2009 and has been applied prospectively. The adoption of EITF 08-6 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
27

 
Equity-linked Financial Instruments
 
In June 2008, the EITF reached consensus on Issue No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 clarifies the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception under FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”). EITF 07-5 was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning August 1, 2009. The adoption of EITF 07-5 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 19 – Subsequent Events

The Company completed the procurement and installation of its new secondary crusher and tunnel conveyor in May 2009.  The total capital expenditure for this equipment was approximately $1,012.

Item 2.                      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(in thousands, except for per share and ounce amounts)

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, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Certain 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, costs, grade, production and recovery rates, permitting, financing needs and the availability of financing on acceptable terms or other sources of funding 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 factors discussed below in Part II; 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.
 
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We utilize certain Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios in managing the business and may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to, the reported operating results or cash flow from operations or any other measure of performance prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In addition, the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures other companies use.

General

Through wholly owned subsidiaries, Capital Gold Corporation (the “Company” or “we”) 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.

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”).  According to the 2007 Report, our proven and probable reserve tonnage increased by approximately 98% 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.

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 represent ounces of gold contained in ore in the ground, and therefore do 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 type recoveries may be about 48% and latite intrusive ore type recoveries may be about 50%.
 
29

 
   
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 Tons0.0179 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.  It does not take into account the anticipated increase of 10,000 metric tonnes per day or more.

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;
 
 
·
Blocks with a grade estimate that did not meet the above criteria  were classified as Inferred (and were classified as waste material in the mining reserves estimate);
 
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·
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.  For the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, we sold 38,037 and 28,210 ounces of gold, respectively, an increase of 35%.  Gold production at El Chanate is currently at a level of approximately 5,000 ounces of gold per month. We completed the procurement and installation of our new secondary crusher and tunnel conveyor in May 2009.  The total capital expenditure for this equipment was approximately $1,012.  We completed the leach pad expansion and ADR plant improvements in January 2009.  We believe that these steps that we initiated and completed during this fiscal year will effectively increase annualized production rates to approximately 70,000 ounces per year in 2009.  Management has been able and anticipates that it will continue to, fund expansion costs with its cash on hand as well as through revenues from gold sales.
 
 
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The following table represents a summary of our proven and probable mineral reserves.

 
Proven and probable mineral reserve (Ktonnes of ore)
 
April 30, 
2009
   
July 31, 
2008
 
Ore
    -       -  
Beginning balance (Ktonnes)
    35,286       38,785  
Additions
    -       -  
Reductions
    (2,771 )     (3,499 )
Ending Balance
    32,515       35,286  
                 
Contained gold
               
Beginning balance (thousand of ounces)
    719       814  
Additions
    -       -  
Reductions
    (75 )     (95 )
Ending Balance
    644       719  

In September 2008, we initiated a 10 hole, deep core drilling campaign at our El Chanate mine consisting of 2,500 meters, which targeted 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 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 2007 and 2008, we conducted exploration activities in the El Chanate pit area including, a ground magnetic survey and two drilling campaigns totaling 4,912 meters of reverse circulation drilling and 2,891 meters of core drilling, to evaluate the ongoing potential for expanding its reserves.  The knowledge obtained about the geology of the deposit during mining, combined with the assays from the samples from this exploration drilling, was used to expand the information in our mine database.  We have used this data to re-estimate El Chanate’s mineral reserves. The table below shows the updated Proven and Probable reserves at El Chanate as of May 2009:

Mineral Reserve Class
 
Ore (tonnes)
   
Grade (g/t)
   
Contained Gold (oz.)
 
                   
Proven Mineral Reserve
    20,896,000       0.772       519,000  
                         
Probable Mineral Reserve
    14,926,000       0.702       337,000  
                         
Low Grade Stockpile (Probable)
    7,318,000       0.246       58,000  
                         
Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve
    43,140,000       0.659       913,000  

The new mineral reserves are based on an updated resource block model and an updated mine plan and mine production schedule developed by Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (IMC) of Tucson, Arizona, an independent consulting firm. The updated pit design for the revised plan is based on a plant recovery of gold that varies by rock types, but is expected to average 64.2%.  A gold price of $750 (SEC three year average as of March 20, 2009) per ounce was used to estimate the reserves.  The stated proven and probable mineral reserves have been prepared in accordance with CIM Definitions.  A technical report supporting this estimate is being finalized that complies with Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and will be filed on SEDAR shortly. These reserves are equivalent to proven and probable reserves as defined by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Industry Guide 7.

 
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We recently leased 12 mining concessions totaling 1,790 hectares located northwest of Saric, Sonora. In addition, we own a claim for approximately 2,200 additional hectares adjacent to this property. These concessions and this claim are about 60 miles 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, remains underway.

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

Results of Operations

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

Three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to three months ended April 30, 2008

Net income for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $2,554 and $2,740, respectively, representing a decrease of approximately 7% over the prior period. Net income decreased primarily as a result of the settlement, on February 24, 2009, with Standard Bank, Plc., the remaining 58,233 ounces of gold under the original Gold Price Protection arrangements entered into in March 2006. The purpose of these arrangements at the time was to protect the Company in the event the gold price dropped below $500 per ounce. Total remuneration to unwind these arrangements was approximately $1,906. In conjunction with the settlement of the gold price protection agreement, we incurred an Other Expense of approximately $1,391 during the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009.

Net income per common share was $0.01 for the three months ended April 30, 2009 on both a basic and diluted basis and $0.02 and $0.01 for the three months ended April 30, 2008 on a basic and diluted basis, respectively.

Revenues & Costs Applicable to Sales

Gold sales in the current period totaled approximately $12,395 as compared to $8,730 in the prior period representing an increase of approximately $3,665 or 42%.  We sold 13,347 ounces at an average realizable price per ounce of approximately $929 in the current period.  We sold 9,466 ounces at an average realizable price per ounce of $922 during the same period last year.

Costs applicable to sales were approximately $3,698 and $2,717, respectively, for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, an increase of approximately $981 or 36%, which increased in conjunction with our increase in revenues.    Cash costs of $263 per ounce of gold sold for the three months ended April 30, 2009 was 7% below the $283 reported in the same period in fiscal 2008. Total costs of $305 per ounce of gold sold for the three months ended April 30, 2009, was 9% lower than the $337 in our fiscal third quarter of 2008.  Our increased production and cost efficiencies contributed to a lower cash and total cost per ounce sold during the current period.

Revenues from by-product sales (silver) are credited to Costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit.  Silver sales totaled 22,991 ounces at an average price of $12.94 amounting to approximately $298 during the three months ended April 30, 2009.   Silver sales totaled 10,190 ounces at a price of $19.73 amounting to approximately $201 for the three months ended April 30, 2008.

 
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Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense during the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $811 and $800, respectively, an increase of $11 or 1% over the prior period.  The primary reason for the increase in units-of-production depreciation and amortization was mainly attributable to additional ounces being produced in the current period versus the same period in the prior year of approximately $183.  This was offset by amortization charges incurred in the prior year of approximately $122 related to the repurchase of the 5% net profit interest acquired in 2006 for $500.  This was fully amortized during the quarterly period ended April 30, 2008.  Depreciation and amortization also includes deferred financing costs resulting from the credit arrangements entered into with Standard Bank Plc.  This accounted for approximately $233 and $272 of depreciation and amortization expense during the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

General and Administration Expense

General and administrative expenses during the three months ended April 30, 2009 were approximately $1,361, an increase of approximately $275 or 25% from the three months ended April 30, 2008. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the current period was primarily due to: 1) higher legal and financial advisor fees incurred as a result of the proposed transaction with Gammon Gold of approximately $380, and  2) higher audit  fees of approximately $92 associated with the  attestation report issued on the effectiveness of our internal controls as well as fees incurred with the response to our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission comment letter received during the current period.  These increases were slightly offset by reductions in consulting and professional fees of approximately $175 as compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008.

Exploration Expense

Exploration expense during the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $329 and $19, respectively, or an increase of $310.  Exploration costs during the current period mainly consisted of on-going exploration, drilling and geochemical work being conducted on our leased concessions located northwest of Saric, Sonora.  Exploration expense in the prior period was minimal as the drilling campaign which consisted of 26 reverse circulation holes amounting to 4,912 meters concluded during the second fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008.

Other Income and Expense

Our loss on the change in fair value of derivative instruments during the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, was approximately $1,391 and $337, respectively, and was reflected as Other Expense. The primary reason for the increase can be attributed to the settlement, on February 24, 2009, with Standard Bank, Plc., the remaining 58,233 ounces of gold under the original Gold Price Protection arrangements entered into in March 2006. The purpose of these arrangements at the time was to protect the Company in the event the gold price dropped below $500 per ounce. Total remuneration to unwind these arrangements was approximately $1,906. In conjunction with the settlement of the gold price protection agreement, we incurred an Other Expense of approximately $1,391 during the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009.  These contracts were not designated as hedging derivatives; and therefore, special hedge accounting does not apply.

 
34

 

Interest expense was approximately $103 for the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to approximately $377 for the same period a year earlier.  This decrease was mainly due to lower interest charges incurred during the current period related to our credit arrangements with Standard Bank.  As of April 30, 2009, there was $9,125 outstanding on our term note.

Nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to nine months ended April 30, 2008

Net income for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $7,687 and $6,613, respectively, representing an increase of approximately 16% over the prior period.  Net income before income taxes was $12,511 and $7,419 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which represented an increase of 69%.  Net income and net income before tax increased primarily as a result of higher revenues from more ounces being sold during the nine months ended April 30, 2009, as compared to the same period a year ago. Income tax expense in the prior period was lower due to two factors:  1) net income before tax was below that of the current period due to lower ounces being sold and, 2) a net operating loss carryforward within our wholly-owned subsidiary, MSR, that offset tax that would otherwise have been due in the prior period.  This loss carry-forward was fully utilized as of December 31, 2007.

Net income per common share was $0.04 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 on both a basic and diluted basis and $0.04 and $0.03 for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 on a basic and diluted basis, respectively.

Revenues & Costs Applicable to Sales

Gold sales in the current period totaled approximately $32,939 as compared to $23,299 in the prior period representing an increase of approximately $9,640 or 41%.  We sold 38,037 ounces at an average realizable price per ounce of approximately $866 in the current period.  We sold 28,210 ounces at an average realizable price per ounce of $826 during the same period last year.

Costs applicable to sales were approximately $10,395 and $7,343, respectively, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, an increase of approximately $3,052 or 42%, which increased in conjunction with our increase in revenues.  Cash costs of $261 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 was 1% higher than the $258 for the nine months ended April 30, 2008. We have been able to maintain our cash costs as we have increased production.  Total costs of $301 per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended April 30, 2009, was 6% lower than the $321.  The primary reason for this decrease in total costs was attributed to higher amortization charges recorded in the prior period related to the repurchase of the 5% net profit interest acquired in 2006 for $500.

Revenues from by-product sales, which consist of silver, are credited to Costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit. By-product sales amounted to $809 and $347 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, on silver ounces sold of 68,325 and 20,190, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $2,269 and $2,630, respectively.  The primary reason for the decrease of approximately $361, or 14%, was due to amortization charges recorded in the prior period related to the repurchase of the 5% net profit interest acquired in 2006 for $500.  The $500 was fully amortized during the quarterly period ended April 30, 2008.  This was slightly offset by an increase in Units-of-Production depreciation and amortization mainly attributable to additional ounces being produced in the current period versus the same period in the prior year.  Depreciation and amortization also includes deferred financing costs resulting from the credit arrangements entered into with Standard Bank Plc.  This accounted for approximately $700 and $816 of depreciation and amortization expense during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
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General and Administration Expense

General and administrative expenses during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 were approximately $3,800, an increase of approximately $492, or 15%, from the nine months ended April 30, 2008. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the current period was primarily due to: 1) higher legal and financial advisor fees incurred as a result of the proposed transaction with Gammon Gold of approximately $380, and  2) higher audit  fees of approximately $92 associated with the  attestation report issued on the effectiveness of our internal controls as well as fees incurred with the response to our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission comment letter received during the current period.  

Exploration Expense

Exploration expense during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $1,224 and $650, respectively, or an increase of $574, or 88%.  The primary reason for the increase can be attributed to increased activity during the current period associated with on-going exploration, drilling and geochemical work being conducted on our leased concessions located northwest of Saric, Sonora.  Exploration expense for the current period also included costs incurred from a 10 hole, deep core drilling campaign at our El Chanate mine totaling 2,500 meters, which targeted the southern extremity of the main pit.  Exploration expense in the prior period included a drilling campaign initiated in December 2007 which consisted of 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 was combined with the intention of increasing proven and probable reserves.

Other Income and Expense

Our loss on the change in fair value of derivative instruments during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, was approximately $1,969 and $1,037, respectively, and was reflected as Other Expense. The primary reason for the increase can be attributed to the settlement, on February 24, 2009, with Standard Bank, Plc., the remaining 58,233 ounces of gold under the original Gold Price Protection arrangements entered into in March 2006. The purpose of these arrangements at the time was to protect the Company in the event the gold price dropped below $500 per ounce. Total remuneration to unwind these arrangements was approximately $1,906. In conjunction with the settlement of the gold price protection agreement, we incurred an Other Expense of approximately $1,391 during the nine months ended April 30, 2009.  These contracts were not designated as hedging derivatives; and therefore, special hedge accounting does not apply.

Interest expense was approximately $530 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to approximately $945 for the same period a year earlier.  This decrease was mainly due to lower interest charges incurred during the current period related to our credit arrangements with Standard Bank.  As of April 30, 2009, there was $9,125 outstanding on our term note.
 
Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, we recorded equity adjustments from foreign currency translations of approximately $3,120 and $300, respectively.  These translation adjustments are related to changes in the rates of exchange between the Mexican Peso and the U.S. dollar and are included as a component of other comprehensive income.  The Mexican Peso and the U.S. dollar exchange rate as of April 30, 2009 was 13.7645.  As of July 31, 2008, such exchange rate was 10.0483.

 
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Summary of Quarterly Results
(000’s except per share Data)

   
For the three
   
For the three
   
For the nine
   
For the nine
 
   
months ended
   
months ended
   
months ended
   
months ended
 
   
April 30, 
2009
   
April 30, 
2008
   
April 30, 
2009
   
April 30, 
2008
 
                         
Revenues
    12,395       8,730       32,939       23,299  
Net Income
    2,554       2,740       7,687       6,613  
Basic net income per share
    0.01       0.02       0.04       0.04  
Diluted net income per share
    0.01       0.01       0.04       0.03  
Gold ounces sold
    13,347       9,466       38,037       28,210  
Average price received
  $ 929     $ 922     $ 866     $ 826  
Cash cost per ounce sold(1)
  $ 263     $ 283     $ 261     $ 258  
Total cost per ounce sold(1)
  $ 305     $ 337     $ 301     $ 321  
(1)
"Cash costs per ounce sold" is a non-GAAP measure which includes all direct mining costs, refining and transportation costs and by-product credits as well as royalties as reported in the Company's financial statements.  “Total cost per ounce sold” is a non-GAAP measure which includes “cash costs per ounce sold” as well as depreciation and amortization as reported in the Company's financial statements.

Summary of Results of Operations

   
For the three
   
For the three
   
For the nine
   
For the nine
 
   
months ended
   
months ended
   
months ended
   
months ended
 
   
April 30, 
2009
   
April 30, 
2008
   
April 30, 
2009
   
April 30, 
2008
 
                         
Tonnes of ore mined
    866,604       979,370       2,771,284       2,796,210  
Tonnes of waste removed
    890,241       748,510       3,144,623       1,656,115  
Ratio of waste to ore
    1.03       0.76       1.13       0.59  
Tonnes of ore processed
    938,469       1,060,428       2,892,595       2,800,859  
Grade (grams/tonne)
    0.68       0.91       0.82       0.82  
Gold (ounces)
                               
-  Produced(1)
    13,460       9,341       38,994       28,196  
-  Sold
    13,347       9,466       38,037       28,210  
(1)
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.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Operating activities
 
Cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 was $7,311 as compared to Cash provided by operating activities of $4,818 during the nine months ended April 30, 2008.   The increase period-to-period was mainly due to higher net income during the nine months ended April 30, 2009, as well as deductions to in-process inventory offset by the payment to Standard Bank for the close out of the Gold Price Protection Agreement.

 
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Investing Activities
 
Cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2009, amounted to approximately $4,770, primarily from the acquisition of an additional secondary crusher and tunnel conveyor, mobile equipment, conveyors, ADR plant equipment, and a carbon regeneration kiln.  Cash used in investing activities for the same period a year ago was approximately $4,691 which was due to costs incurred for leach pad expansion, conveyors, additional water rights, and original ADR plant equipment for the El Chanate mine.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 amounted to approximately $3,226, primarily from the repayment of the note payable in the amount of $3,375.  Cash provided by financing activities for the same period a year ago was approximately $2,284 which mostly was comprised of proceeds received of approximately $2,277 from the issuance of common stock upon the exercising of 6,646,750 warrants.
 
Term loan and Revolving Credit Facility

In September 2008, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) involving our wholly owned Mexican subsidiaries MSR and Oro, as borrowers (“Borrowers”), the Company, as guarantor, and Standard Bank PLC (“Standard Bank”), as the lender.  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 borrowed 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 Credit Agreement.  As of April 30, 2009, the outstanding amount on the Term Loan was $9,125 and accrued interest on this facility was approximately $28.

The Credit Agreement also established a new senior secured revolving credit facility that permits the 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.  There was no amount outstanding on the revolving credit facility as of April 30, 2009.  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 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.

 
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The term loan and credit facility is secured by all of the tangible and intangible assets and property owned by MSR and Oro.  As additional collateral for the Loan, the Company, together with its subsidiary, Leadville Mining & Milling Holding Corporation, pledged all of its ownership interest in MSR and Oro.

Debt Covenants

Our Credit Agreement 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 $15,000, and (iii) a quarterly average minimum liquidity of $500. In addition, the Credit Agreement 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 Agreement could lead to an event of default thereunder which could result in an acceleration of such indebtedness.

In connection with the amendment of our credit arrangement proceedings in September 2008, MSR, as a condition precedent to closing, obtained a six month 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 is currently compliant with these regulations.

As of April 30, 2009, the Company and its related entities were in compliance with all debt covenants and default provisions.
 
As of April 30, 2009, 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.

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 have received the required Mexican government permits and extensions for construction, mining and processing the El Chanate ores.  Once we revise our new mine plan, we may need 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, 2009 and is renewable annually.

 
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We include environmental and reclamation costs on an ongoing basis, in our internal revenue and cost projections.  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 $2,900.  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 closure costs as of July 31, 2008.  This review resulted in an increase in the Asset Retirement Obligation by approximately $293 to approximately $1,666 as of July 31, 2008.  As of April 30, 2009, approximately $1,268 was accrued for reclamation obligations relating to mineral properties in accordance with SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.”

We owned 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 April 30, 2009, was approximately $82.  We have met this bonding requirement.  During our fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, we sold two of the Leadville Mining claims and the mill for gross proceeds of $100.  In May 2009, we received our bond back from the Division.

To date, we have not been adversely affected by the recent volatility in the global credit and foreign exchange markets.  To a minor degree we have benefited from the devaluation of the Mexican peso compared to the U.S. dollar.  We will continue to assess the evolution of our business and the impact of the global credit crisis.

While we believe that our available funds in conjunction with anticipated revenues from gold sales will be adequate to cover capital expenditures, debt service, net smelter return, 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 entering into a joint venture 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 Accounting

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of FAS 157 were adopted January 1, 2009. In February 2008, the FASB staff issued FSP No. 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”). FSP FAS 157-2 delayed the effective date of FAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of FSP FAS 157-2 are effective for Companies beginning January 1, 2009, and are not expected to have a significant impact on us.

 
40

 

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”), which clarifies the application of FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”) in an inactive market. The intent of this FSP is to provide guidance on how the fair value of a financial asset is to be determined when the market for that financial asset is inactive. FSP FAS 157-3 states that determining fair value in an inactive market depends on the facts and circumstances, requires the use of significant judgment and in some cases, observable inputs may require significant adjustment based on unobservable data. Regardless of the valuation technique used, an entity must include appropriate risk adjustments that market participants would make for nonperformance and liquidity risks when determining fair value of an asset in an inactive market. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance. We incorporated the principles of FSP FAS 157-3 in determining the fair value of financial assets when the market for those assets is not active.

FAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FAS 157 are described below:
 
 
Level 1     
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
     
 
Level 2     
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
     
 
Level 3     
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
 
The following table sets forth our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by FAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

   
Fair Value at April 30, 2009
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets: 
                       
  Cash equivalents
  $ 3,838     $ 3,838     $ -     $ -  
  Marketable securities
    70       70       -       -  
    $ 3,908     $ 3,908     $ -     $ -  
Liabilities:
                               
  Interest rate swap
    228       -       228       -  
    $ 228     $ -     $ 228     $ -  

Our cash equivalent instruments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The cash instruments that are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets are primarily money market securities.
 
Our marketable equity securities are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the marketable equity securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by us.

 
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We have an interest rate swap contract to hedge a portion of the interest rate risk exposure on its outstanding loan balance. The hedged portion of our debt is valued using pricing models which require inputs, including risk-free interest rates and credit spreads. Because the inputs are derived from observable market data, the hedged portion of the debt is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP FAS 157-4”), which provides additional guidance on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate when a transaction is not orderly. In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2”), which: 1) clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other than temporarily impaired, 2) provides guidance on the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings and other comprehensive income and 3) expands the disclosures required for other-than-temporary impairments for debt and equity securities. Also in April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”), which requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. Adoption of these Staff Positions is required for our interim reporting period beginning April 1, 2009 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP FAS 157-4, FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, and FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 for the interim period ended April 30, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the financial condition or the results of our operations.

See also Note 18 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1. Financial Statements above.

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 for interim financial information, in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q.  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.

 
42

 
 
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:
 
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 estimated recoverable 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 could 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.
 
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.

 
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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 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.
 
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.”

 
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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 April 30, 2009.

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.  We forward an irrevocable transfer letter to the refinery to authorize the transfer of the precious metal content to the customer.  The sale is recorded by us upon the refinery pledging the precious metal content to the customer.  Revenues from by-product sales, which consist of silver, will be credited to Costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit. By-product sales amounted to $809 and $347 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Income Taxes
 
We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48") effective January 1, 2007.  The purpose of FIN 48 is to clarify and set forth consistent rules for accounting for uncertain tax positions in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" (“SFAS 109”).  The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this interpretation are required to be reported separately as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the financial condition or the results of our operations.

 
45

 
 
On October 1, 2007, the Mexican Government enacted legislation which introduces 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. As the new legislation was recently enacted, it remains subject to ongoing varying interpretations.  There is the possibility of implementation amendments by the Mexican Government and the estimated future income tax liability recorded at the balance sheet date may change.
 
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 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.

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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) “Shared Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”). Under SFAS 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 SFAS 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 123R, except that forfeitures rates will be estimated for all options, as required by SFAS 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”).
 
 
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On February 24, 2009, we settled with Standard Bank, Plc., the remaining 58,233 ounces of gold under the original Gold Price Protection arrangements entered into in March 2006. The purpose of these arrangements at the time was to protect the Company in the event the gold price dropped below $500 per ounce. Total remuneration to unwind these arrangements was approximately $1,906.

On October 11, 2006, prior to our initial draw on the Credit Agreement, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, 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.

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 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. (in thousands, except for per share and ounce amounts)
 
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.

 
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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 in Mexico; therefore, we are more susceptible to fluctuations in the Mexican peso / U.S. 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 impacts our cost structure was not mitigated by offsetting increases in the U.S. dollar gold price or by other factors, then 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

On February 24, 2009, we settled with Standard Bank, Plc., the remaining 58,233 ounces of gold under the original Gold Price Protection arrangements entered into in March 2006. The purpose of these arrangements at the time was to protect the Company in the event the gold price dropped below $500 per ounce. Total remuneration to unwind these arrangements was approximately $1,906.

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

On October 11, 2006, prior to our initial draw on the Credit Agreement, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.  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
April 30, 2009
(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
  $ 5,250
(1)
    5.30
3 Mo. USD LIBOR
 
12/31/2010
  $ (228 )

(1) The value shown reflects the notional as of April 30, 2009. Over the term of the swap, the notional amortizes, dropping to approximately $656.

As of April 30, 2009, the dollar value of a basis point for this interest rate swap was approximately $463, 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 approximately $463.  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% of our variable rate exposure.
 
 
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The combined gold forward sales and long call options served 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 75% of production during the nine months ended April 30, 2009.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure 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 to 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.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management of the Company recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  They have concluded that, as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                  Legal Proceedings.

None.

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.

 
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Risks related to our business and operations

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 by forming a joint venture 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 Agreement with Standard Bank plc imposes restrictive covenants on us.

Our Credit Agreement 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, and (iii) a quarterly average minimum liquidity of U.S.$500. In addition, the Credit Agreement 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 Agreement 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 may 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.

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.
 
 
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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 operating 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 twelve months ended April 30, 2009, the spot price for gold on the London Exchange has fluctuated between $712.50 and $989.00 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 interest rate fluctuations and may incur mark-to-market losses and lose money through our hedging programs.

We have entered into interest rate swap agreements.  The terms of our Credit Facility with Standard Bank required that we hedge at least 50% of our outstanding loan balance.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully hedge against interest rate fluctuations.
 
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.
 
 
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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.

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,

 
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·
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.

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.
 
 
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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’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.

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.
 
 
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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,
 
·
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 determines 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.
 
 
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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 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

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

None.

Item 5.
Other Information.

None.

Item 6.
Exhibits.
 
 
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 from the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
 
31.2
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 from the Company's Chief Financial Officer.
 
32.1
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 from the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
 
32.2
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 from the Company's Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
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SIGNATURES

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

 
CAPITAL GOLD CORPORATION
 
Registrant
   
By:
/s/ Gifford A. Dieterle                          
 
Gifford A.  Dieterle
 
Chief Executive Officer, President and Treasurer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer)
   
By:
/s/ Christopher M. Chipman                 
 
Christopher M. Chipman
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
Date:  June 9, 2009
 
 
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