fc_424b3-71217.htm
PROSPECTUS
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
20,635,588 Shares
of Common Stock
This
prospectus relates to the disposition by certain selling stockholders identified
in this prospectus (the “Selling Stockholders”) of up to an aggregate of
20,635,588 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”)
which includes (i) up to 10,969,973 shares of common stock; (ii) up to
1,868,
810 shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debentures and any
accrued interest; and (iii) 7,796,805 shares issuable upon the exercise
of
warrants. All of such shares of Common Stock are being offered for
resale by the Selling Stockholders.
The
prices at which the Selling Stockholders may sell shares will be determined
by
the prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated
transactions. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale
of these shares by the Selling Stockholders. However, we will receive
proceeds from the exercise of warrants if exercised by the Selling
Stockholder.
We
will
bear all costs relating to the registration of the Common Stock, other than
any
Selling Stockholder’s legal or accounting costs or commissions.
Our
Common Stock is quoted on the Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) bulletin board under the
symbol “FGOC”. On October 24, 2007, the closing price of our Common
Stock on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board was $0.60 per share.
Our
principal executive offices are located at 3108 Ponte Morino Drive,
Suite 210, Cameron Park, CA 95682 and our telephone number is (530)
677-5974.
INVESTING
IN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREIN INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF
RISK. YOU SHOULD PURCHASE SHARES ONLY IF YOU CAN AFFORD A COMPLETE
LOSS OF YOUR INVESTMENT. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE “RISK
FACTORS” CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.
NEITHER
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
HAS
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS
IS
TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The
date of this prospectus is December
13, 2007.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS |
2
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SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
2
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY |
3
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RISK
FACTORS |
4
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TRANSACTION
WITH CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. AND
OTHER CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE HOLDERS |
11
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USE
OF PROCEEDS |
20
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MARKET
FOR FIRSTGOLD COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
20
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BUSINESS |
22
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DESCRIPTION
OF PROPERTY |
33
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MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATIONS |
34
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LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS |
48
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MANAGEMENT |
49
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EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION |
52
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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56
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CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
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58
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DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES |
59
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SELLING
SECURITY HOLDERS |
60
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METHOD
OF DISTRIBUTION |
66
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DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION OF INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITIES |
68
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LEGAL
MATTERS |
68
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EXPERTS |
68
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CHANGE
OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS |
69
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
69
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FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS |
70
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
We
have
not authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained
in
this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it
seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer
or
sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus
is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time
of
delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the Common Stock. In
this prospectus, references to “Firstgold,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”
refer to Firstgold Corp., a Delaware corporation.
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some
of the statements in this
prospectus and in any prospectus supplement we may file relate to future
events concerning our business and to our future revenues, operating results,
and financial condition. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,”
“expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,”
“predict,” “propose,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of those terms
or other comparable terminology.
Any
forward looking statements
contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are only estimates
or
predictions of future events based on information currently available to our
management and management’s current beliefs about the potential outcome of
future events. Whether these future events will occur as management anticipates,
whether we will achieve our business objectives, and whether our revenues,
operating results, or financial condition will improve in future periods are
subject to numerous risks. The section of this prospectus captioned “Risk
Factors,” beginning on page 4, provides a summary of the various risks that
could cause our actual results or future financial condition to differ
materially from forward-looking statements made in this prospectus. The factors
discussed in this section are not intended to represent a complete list of
all
the factors that could adversely affect our business, revenues, operating
results, or financial condition. Other factors that we have not considered
may
also have an adverse effect on our business, revenues, operating results, or
financial condition, and the factors we have identified could affect us to
a
greater extent than we currently anticipate. Before making any investment in
our
securities, we encourage you to carefully read the information contained under
the caption “Risk Factors,” as well the other information contained in this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement we may file.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
The
following summary is qualified in its entirety by the information contained
elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus,
including “Risk Factors” and the financial statements before making an
investment decision.
Issuer:
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Firstgold
Corp.
3108 Ponte
Morino Drive, Suite 210
Cameron
Park, CA 95682
(530)
677-5974
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Description
of Business:
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Firstgold’s
business is the acquisition, exploration and, if warranted, development
of
various mining properties located in the state of Nevada with the
objective of identifying, mining and processing gold and silver
ore
deposits. Firstgold plans to carryout comprehensive exploration
and development programs on its properties which currently consists
of
various mineral leases associated with the Relief Canyon Mine located
near
Lovelock, Nevada. A description of our business begins on page
22 of this prospectus.
On
January 25, 2006, Firstgold entered into a joint venture with ASDi
LLC
with the purpose to explore and, if warranted, develop additional
mining
properties located in Nevada. A description of this joint
venture begins on page 27 of this Prospectus.
On
October 24, 2006 Firstgold entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement
to
explore and, if warranted, develop up to 25,000 acres of property
located
in Elko County, Nevada.
On
July 9, 2007 Firstgold completed staking claims on approximately
4,200
acres in the Horse Creek area of Nevada.
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The
Offering:
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This
offering relates to the resale of shares of our Common Stock that
may be
acquired from time to time upon conversion of an outstanding Secured
Convertible Debentures and upon exercise of outstanding
warrants. The selling stockholders and the number of shares
that may be sold by each are set forth beginning on page 60 of this
prospectus.
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Shares:
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20,635,588
shares of our Common Stock. A description of our Common Stock
is set forth on page 59 of this prospectus.
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Manner
of Sale:
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The
shares of our Common Stock may be sold from time to time by the selling
stockholders in open market or negotiated transactions at prices
determined from time to time by the selling stockholders. A
description of the manner in which sales may be made is set forth
in this
prospectus beginning on page 66 of this prospectus.
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Use
of Proceeds:
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We
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our Common
Stock by
the Selling Stockholders. However, we will receive proceeds
from the exercise of warrants.
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Risk
Factors:
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The
securities offered hereby involve a high degree of risk and will
result in
immediate and substantial dilution. A discussion of additional
risk factors relating to our stock, our business and this offering
begins
on page 4 of this prospectus.
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RISK
FACTORS
Please
carefully consider the specific factors set forth below as well as the other
information contained in this prospectus before purchasing shares of our Common
Stock. This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly
from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
have a limited operating history and have not generated a profit since we
recommenced operations, consequently our long term viability cannot be
assured.
We
were
inactive from July 2001 to February 2003 at which time we resumed our mining
related activities and have incurred losses in each reporting period since
recommencing operations.
Our
prospects for financial success are difficult to forecast because we have a
relatively limited operating history and have not yet commenced exploration
at
two of our mining properties and have conducted limited exploration at the
Relief Canyon mining property. Our prospects for financial success
must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently
encountered by exploration stage mining companies initiating exploration of
unproven properties. Our business could be subject to any or all of
the problems, expenses, delays and risks inherent in the establishment of a
gold
and silver exploration enterprise, including limited capital resources, possible
delays in mining explorations and development, failure to identify commercially
viable gold or silver deposits, possible cost overruns due to price and cost
increases in exploration and ore processing, uncertain gold and silver market
prices, inability to accurately predict mining results and attract and retain
qualified employees. Therefore, there can be no assurance that our
exploration or mining will be successful, that we will be able to achieve or
maintain profitable operations or that we will not encounter unforeseen
difficulties that may deplete our capital resources more rapidly than
anticipated.
We
may need additional financing to expand our business
plan.
We
had
cash in the amount of $8,466,770 and working capital of $6,549,519 as of
July
31, 2007. We currently do not generate revenues from our
operations. Our business plan calls for substantial investment and
cost in connection with the acquisition and exploration of our mineral
properties owned or currently under lease. While we believe we have
sufficient funds to carry out our current plans at Relief Canyon, unforeseen
expenses, an expanded exploration plan or establishing future mining operations
could require additional operating capital. We do not currently have
any arrangements for additional financing and we can provide no assurance
to
investors that we will be able to find additional financing if
required. Obtaining additional financing would be subject to a number
of factors, including market prices for minerals, investor acceptance of
our
properties, and investor sentiment. These factors may make the
timing, amount, terms or conditions of additional financing unfavorable to
us. The most likely source of future funds would most likely be
through the sale of additional equity capital and loans. Any sale of
additional shares will result in dilution to existing stockholders while
incurring additional debt will result in encumbrances on our property and
future
cash flows.
Because
there is no assurance when we will generate revenues, we may deplete our cash
reserves and not have sufficient outside sources of capital to complete our
exploration or mining programs.
We
have
not earned any revenues as of the date of this prospectus and have never
been
profitable. To date we have been involved primarily in financing
activities and limited exploration activities. We do not have an
interest in any revenue generating properties. Prior to our being
able to generate revenues, we will incur substantial operating and exploration
expenditures without realizing any revenues. We therefore expect to
incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. Our net loss
for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 was $4,728,070 and our net loss
for
the six months ended July 31, 2007 was $3,819,642.
Due
to
our continuing losses from business operations, our most recent independent
auditor’s report dated May 16, 2007, includes a “going concern” explanation
relating to the fact that our continued operations are dependent upon obtaining
additional working capital either through significantly increasing revenues
or
through outside financing. While we are currently operating with
working capital of approximately $6,500,000 we have not yet generated any
operating revenues. Our cash reserves will be used to primarily fund
ongoing plans at Relief Canyon. However, our inability to
generate revenues could eventually inhibit our ability to continue in business
or achieve our business objectives.
Because
of the speculative nature of exploration of natural resource properties, there
is substantial risk that we will not find commercially viable gold or silver
ore
deposits which would reduce our realization of
revenues.
There
is
no assurance that any of the claims we explore or acquire will contain
commercially exploitable reserves of gold or silver
minerals. Exploration for natural resources is a speculative venture
involving substantial risk. Hazards such as unusual or unexpected
geological formations and other conditions often result in unsuccessful
exploration efforts. Success in exploration is dependent upon a
number of factors including, but not limited to, quality of management, quality
and availability of geological expertise and availability of exploration
capital. Due to these and other factors, no assurance can be given
that our exploration programs will result in the discovery of new mineral
reserves or resources.
We
may not have access to all of the supplies and materials we need for
exploration, which could cause us to delay or suspend
operations.
Demand
for drilling equipment and limited industry suppliers may result in occasional
shortages of supplies, and certain equipment such as drilling rigs that we
need
to conduct exploration activities. While we have acquired a used
mobile drilling rig, we have not negotiated any long term contracts with any
suppliers of products, equipment or services. If we cannot find the
trained employees and equipment when required, we will have to suspend or
curtail our exploration plans until such services and equipment can be
obtained.
We
have no known ore reserves and we cannot predict when and if we will find
commercial quantities of mineral ore deposits. The failure to
identify and extract commercially viable mineral ore deposits will affect
our
ability to generate revenues.
We
have
no known ore reserves and there can be no assurance that any of the mineral
claims we are exploring contain commercial quantities of gold or
silver. Even if we identify commercial reserves, we cannot predict
whether we will be able to mine the reserves on a profitable basis, if at
all.
We
have entered into one joint venture in which our joint venture partner is an
affiliate and we initially own a minority interest. Consequently, we
may be unable to influence or prevent actions pertaining to the joint venture
which we disagree with.
We
have
entered into a joint venture with ASDi LLC whose sole manager and majority
member is A. Scott Dockter, President and CEO of Firstgold for the purpose
of
exploring certain mining properties. Consequently, Mr. Dockter has a
conflict of interest in this joint venture. Furthermore, ASDi LLC
currently holds a 77.78% interest in a Nevada LLC called Crescent Red Caps
LLC
through which the joint venture is intended to be operated. While
Firstgold will be the sole manager of the Nevada LLC, Mr. Dockter will be
able to control the joint venture activities through his position with the
Manager (Firstgold) and through his ownership and control of the majority
member
(ASDi LLC). Consequently, for the foreseeable future, Firstgold will
hold a minority interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC and will, therefore,
have
only limited ability to influence or object to actions taken by the Nevada
LLC
in exploring, developing and capital spending on any future joint venture
properties.
The
property leases that were intended to be explored by the Crescent Red Caps
LLC
are subject to litigation.
The
lessors of the Crescent Valley and Red Caps properties have given notices
of termination of the leases covering the two proposed joint venture properties
claiming that the contribution of the leases by ASDi LLC to the joint venture
was a breach of the leases. The matter is currently in
litigation. Firstgold and Crescent Red Caps LLC do not claim any
interest in the two leases or in the mining claims covered by the two leases
and
will not make any such claim until the pending litigation is resolved, see
discussion at “Legal Proceedings” at page 48. Should the lease
terminations be held valid, we would lose the opportunity to explore and
possibly develop these two properties in the future.
If
we are unable to hire and retain key personnel, we may not be able to implement
our business plan.
Firstgold
is substantially dependent upon the continued services of A. Scott Dockter,
its
President and James Kluber, its Chief Financial Officer. We have an
employment agreement with Mr. Dockter and Mr. Kluber, but do not have either
key
person life insurance or disability insurance on them. While both Mr.
Dockter and Mr. Kluber expect to spend the majority of their time assisting
Firstgold and its business, there can be no assurance that their services
will
remain available to Firstgold. If either Mr. Dockter’s or Mr.
Kluber’s services are not available to Firstgold, Firstgold will be materially
and adversely affected. While both Mr. Dockter and Mr. Kluber have
three year employment agreements, through 2009, and both Mr. Dockter and
Mr.
Kluber have been significant stockholders of Firstgold and each considers
his
investment of time and money in Firstgold of significant personal value,
there
is no assurance that both men will remain employed through the end of their
current employment contract. Our success is also largely
dependent on our ability to hire highly qualified personnel. This is
particularly true in the highly technical business such as mineral
exploration. These individuals are in high demand and we may not be
able to retain the personnel we need.
In
addition, we may not be able to afford the high salaries and fees demanded
by
qualified personnel, or may lose such employees after they are
hired. Failure to hire key personnel when needed, or on acceptable
terms, to carryout our exploration and mining programs would have a significant
negative effect on our business.
Because
the probability of many of the individual mining prospects explored will not
show commercially viable amounts of gold or silver ore deposits, substantial
amounts of funds spent on exploration will not result in identifiable
reserves.
The
probability of our exploration program identifying individual prospects having
commercially significant reserves cannot be predicted. It is likely
that many of the properties explored will not contain any commercially
significant reserves. As such substantial funds will be spent on
exploration which may identify only a few, if any, claims having commercial
development potential.
Our
mining claims could be contested which would add significant costs and delays
to
our exploration programs.
Our
mining property rights currently consist of 146 mill site and unpatented mining
claims at the Relief Canyon Mine and recently staked claims on approximately
4,200 acres of land in the Horse Creek area of Nevada. The validity of
unpatented mining claims and staked claims are often uncertain and are always
subject to contest. Unpatented mining claims are generally considered
subject to greater title risk than patented mining claims, or real property
interests that are owned in fee simple. If our claims on a particular property
are successfully challenged, we may not be able to develop or retain our
interests on that property, which could reduce our future revenues.
Mining
operations are subject to extensive federal and state regulation which increases
the costs of compliance and possible liability for
non-compliance.
Mining
is
subject to extensive regulation by state and federal regulatory
authorities. State and federal statutes regulate environmental
quality, safety, exploration procedures, reclamation, employees’ health and
safety, use of explosives, air quality standards, pollution of stream and fresh
water sources, noxious odors, noise, dust, and other environmental protection
controls as well as the rights of adjoining property owners. We
believe that we are currently operating in compliance with all known safety
and
environmental standards and regulations applicable to our Nevada properties
or
are in the process of remediating our property to be
compliant. However, there can be no assurance that our compliance
could be challenged or that future changes in federal or Nevada laws,
regulations or interpretations thereof will not have a material adverse affect
on our ability to resume and sustain exploration operations.
Mining
operations are subject to various risks and hazards which could result in
significant costs or hinder ongoing operations.
The
business of gold mining is subject to certain types of risks, including
environmental hazards, industrial accidents, and theft. We expect to
secure insurance against certain property damage loss (including business
interruption) and comprehensive general liability insurance. While we
will maintain insurance consistent with industry practice, it is not possible
to
insure against all risks associated with the mining business, or prudent to
assume that insurance will continue to be available at a reasonable
cost.
We
have
not obtained environmental liability insurance because such coverage is not
considered by management to be cost effective. We currently carry no
insurance on any of our properties due to the current lack of any mine
operations.
Compliance
with corporate governance and public disclosure regulations may result in
additional expenses.
Changing
laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public
disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and new regulations issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, are creating uncertainty for
companies, which could result in compliance deficiencies. In order to comply
with these regulations, we may need to invest substantial resources to comply
with evolving standards, and this investment would result in increased general
and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention
from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Our
officers and directors have limited liability and have indemnification
rights
Our
Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws provide that we will indemnify our
officers and directors against losses sustained or liabilities incurred which
arise from any transaction in that officer’s or director’s respective managerial
capacity unless that officer or director violates a duty of loyalty, did not
act
in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated the
law,
approved an improper dividend, or derived an improper benefit from the
transaction.
Risks
Related to Our Stock
Our
Stock Price is Volatile.
The
market price of a share of our Common Stock has fluctuated significantly in
the
past and may continue to fluctuate significantly in the
future. During the fiscal year 2007, ended January 31, 2007, the high
and low sales prices of a share of Firstgold common stock were $0.53 and $0.14
respectively. During fiscal year 2006, through January 31, 2006, the
high and low sales prices of a share of Firstgold Common Stock were $0.34 and
$0.10, respectively. The market price of a share of our Common Stock
may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of factors,
including:
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results
of our exploration program;
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fluctuations
in our quarterly or annual operating
results;
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fluctuations
in the market price of gold and
silver;
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the
loss of services of one or more of our executive officers or other
key
employees;
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adverse
effects to our operating results due to unforeseen difficulties
affecting
our exploration program; and
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general
economic and market conditions.
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We
may need to raise funds through debt or equity financings in the future, which
would dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders and possibly subordinate
certain of their rights to the rights of new investors or
creditors.
We
may
choose to raise additional funds in debt or equity financings if they are
available to us on terms we believe reasonable to increase our working capital,
strengthen our financial position or to make acquisitions. Any sales
of additional equity or convertible debt securities would result in dilution
of
the equity interests of our existing stockholders, which could be substantial.
Additionally, if we issue shares of preferred stock or convertible debt to
raise
funds, the holders of those securities might be entitled to various preferential
rights over the holders of our Common Stock, including repayment of their
investment, and possibly additional amounts, before any payments could be made
to holders of our Common Stock in connection with an acquisition of the
Company. Such additional debt, if authorized, would create rights and
preferences that would be senior to, or otherwise adversely affect, the rights
and the value of our Common Stock. Also, new investors may require that we
and
certain of our stockholders enter into voting arrangements that give them
additional voting control or representation on our board of
directors.
Inadequate
market liquidity may make it difficult to sell our
stock.
There
is
currently a public market for our Common Stock, but we can give no assurance
that there will always be such a market. Only a limited number of
shares of our Common Stock are actively traded in the public market and we
cannot give assurance that the market for our stock will develop sufficiently
to
create significant market liquidity. An investor may find it
difficult or impossible to sell shares of our Common Stock in the public market
because of the limited number of potential buyers at any time. In
addition, the shares of our Common Stock are not eligible as a margin security
and lending institutions may not accept our Common Stock as collateral for
a
loan.
The
application of the “penny stock regulation” could adversely affect the market
price of our Common Stock
Penny
stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 per
share
other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or
quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market, provided that current price and volume
information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by
the
exchange or system. Our securities may be subject to “penny stock
rules” that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who
sell such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited
investors (generally those with assets in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income
exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together with their spouse). For
transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special
suitability determination for the purchase of such securities and have received
the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the
purchase. Consequently, the “penny stock rules” may restrict the
ability of broker-dealers to buy and sell our securities and may have the effect
of reducing the level of trading activity of our Common Stock in the secondary
market.
We
may engage in future acquisitions that dilute our stockholders and cause us
to
incur debt or assume contingent liabilities.
As
part
of our strategy, we expect to review opportunities to acquire or participate
in
the exploration of other mining properties that would complement our current
exploration or mining program, or that may otherwise offer growth opportunities.
In the event of any future acquisitions, we could:
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issue
stock that would dilute current stockholders' percentage
ownership;
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These
acquisitions also involve numerous risks, including:
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problems
combining additional exploration or mining opportunities with current
business operations:
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holding
a minority interest in other joint ventures or
partnerships;
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possible
financial commitments to fund future
development;
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risks
associated with exploring new property with negative results;
and
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possible
shared control with other persons or
entities.
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Risks
Relating to Our Current Financing Arrangement
We
have significant "equity overhang" which could adversely affect the market
price
of our Common Stock and impair our ability to raise additional capital through
the sale of equity securities.
As
of
October 31, 2007, Firstgold had approximately 112,601,370 shares of Common
Stock outstanding and convertible debentures which are convertible into up
to
1,868,810
shares of our Common Stock. Additionally, warrants to purchase a
total of 39,726,132 shares and options to purchase 3,850,000 shares of
our Common Stock were outstanding as of October 31, 2007. The
possibility that substantial amounts of our outstanding Common Stock may
be sold
by investors or the perception that such sales could occur, often called
"equity
overhang," could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and
could
impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity
securities in the future.
If
an event of default occurs under the Securities Purchase Agreement dated
September 26, 2006, Secured Convertible Debenture or the Security Agreement,
the
Debenture Holders could take possession of all our mining rights held in the
Relief Canyon property.
In
connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2006,
as
amended, we executed a Security Agreement in favor of Cornell Capital Partners
granting them a first priority security interest in all of our leasehold
interests and mining rights to the Relief Canyon property as well as any
equipment or improvements located on such property. The Security Agreement
states that if an event of default occurs under the Securities Purchase
Agreement, Secured Convertible Debenture or Security Agreement, Cornell Capital
Partners have the right to take possession of the collateral, to operate our
business using the collateral, and have the right to assign, sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of and deliver all or part of the collateral, at public or
private sale or otherwise to satisfy our obligations under these
agreements.
We
may not be able to pay our debt and other obligations and our assets may be
seized as a result.
We
have
not established a sinking fund nor do we intend to set aside sufficient
funds to
repay our outstanding debt, including certain Debentures, at
maturity. Consequently, we may not generate the cash flow required or
have sufficient funds available to pay our liabilities as they become
due. We may not have sufficient cash reserves to repay the Debentures
at such time, which would cause an event of default under the Debentures
and may
force us to declare bankruptcy. If we raise additional funds to repay
the Debentures by selling equity securities, the relative equity ownership
of
our existing investors could be diluted and new investors could obtain
terms
more favorable than previous investors.
TRANSACTION
WITH CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. AND OTHER CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE
HOLDERS
On
September 26, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Cornell
Capital Partners, LP (“Cornell Capital”), which Agreement was later amended on
November 1, 2006 pursuant to which we agreed to issue up to an aggregate
principal amount of $3,000,000 of convertible secured debentures to be issued
and funded in three separate issuances of $1,000,000 each and documented in
three convertible secured debentures. In October 2006 we issued three debentures
in the aggregate principal amount of $650,000 to other
investors (collectively, the “Debentures”).
Each
Debenture has a term of three years during which time we intend to commence
production at the Relief Canyon Mine. The anticipated resources from
any such future production is planned to enable us to repay these amounts
within the repayment period. In the event that we were unsuccessful
in commencing operations at the Relief Canyon Mine or any of our other mining
properties, or if revenues from any such future production was less than
anticipated, then it would be unclear whether cash flow from operations would
be
sufficient to repay these amounts.
It
has
been represented to us that none of the Selling Security Holders have an
existing short position in our common stock.
Prior
Transaction with Selling
Security Holders
Prior
to
the September 26, 2006 financing transaction, on January 27, 2006, we
entered
into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Cornell Capital pursuant to
which we
agreed to issue up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 of
convertible
secured debentures to be issued and funded in three separate issuances
of
$600,000, $200,000 and $200,000 with each disbursement documented by
a
convertible secured debenture. Convertible debentures were issued on
January 27, 2006 ($600,000 principal amount); March 9, 2006 ($200,000
principal
amount); and July 17, 2006 ($200,000 principal amount). By September
15, 2006, Cornell Capital had converted all three convertible debentures
and
$30,947.95 of accrued interest into a total of 4,040,168 shares of our
restricted common stock.
Cornell
Capital was also issued warrants exercisable into 2,500,000 shares of
Firstgold
common stock. 1,250,000 warrants are exercisable at $0.20 per share
and 1,250,000 warrants are exercisable at $0.30 per share. The
warrants expire on January 27, 2010. In October 2006 Cornell Capital
assigned
125,000 of its warrants exercisable at $0.20 and 125,000 of its warrants
exercisable at $0.30 to an unrelated third party. On March 6, 2007
Cornell Capital exercised its warrants as to 1,125,000 shares at an exercise
price of $0.20 per share for total proceeds to Firstgold of $225,000.
On March
30, 2007 Cornell Capital assigned its warrants with an exercise price
of $0.30
for the remaining 1,125,000 shares to an unrelated third party. All of
the
Firstgold shares acquired by Cornell Capital through the conversion of
its
convertible debentures and exercise of 1,125,000 warrants were resold
pursuant
to a previous registration statement by March 31, 2007.
We
had no
prior relationship or arrangement with any of the other convertible debenture
investors other than Cornell Capital.
Current
Convertible Debentures
The
first
$1,000,000 convertible secured debenture in the most recent financing (the
“Closing Debenture”) has been issued and was funded on September 26,
2006.
The
second $1,000,000 convertible debenture (the “Filing Debenture”) was issued and
funded on December 1, 2006 upon the filing a previous registration statement
(the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) registering shares of common stock pursuant to a Registration
Rights Agreement between us and Cornell Capital dated September 26, 2006 (the
“Rights Agreement”). The third $1,000,000 convertible secured
debenture (the “Final Debenture”) was issued and funded on March 16,
2007.
As
of the
date of this prospectus, all of Cornell Capital’s Debentures have been fully
converted with accrued interest at the Fixed Conversion Price into 7,080,450
shares of Firstgold common stock.
In
addition to the convertible debentures issued to Cornell Capital, Firstgold
issued an additional $650,000 principal amount of convertible debentures
to a
limited number of other investors. These latter debentures have
similar terms and conditions as those issued to the Cornell Capital except
the
conversion provision is only at the Fixed Conversion Rate of $0.45 per
share. The Cornell Capital debentures and the other three debentures
are collectively referred to as the “Debentures.”
Based
on
the foregoing, the remaining $650,000 of Debentures will be convertible
at the
option of holder at any time up to maturity at a conversion price equal
to
$0.45. The Debentures have a three-year term and accrue interest at 8%
per year
payable in cash or our common stock. If paid in stock, the stock will
be valued at the rate equal to the conversion price of the Debentures in
effect
at the time of payment. Interest and principal payments on the
Debentures accrue until converted or, if not converted, are due on the
maturity
date of each Debenture.
The
following table summarizes the value of our common stock underlying the
Debentures and potential discount to market price that Cornell Capital may
receive. For purposes of this table, it is assumed that $1,000,000
principal amount Debenture was issued and sold on September 26, 2006; $1,000,000
principal amount Debenture was issued and sold on December 1, 2006; and
$1,000,000 principal amount Debenture was issued and sold on March 16,
2007. The table also includes $650,000 principal amount of Debentures
assumed to have been issued and sold on October 10, 2006, to investors other
than Cornell Capital.
Market
Price (1)
|
|
|
Conversion
Price (2)
|
|
|
Total
Shares
Underlying
Debentures (3)
|
|
|
Total
Value of
Shares
at Market Price (4)
|
|
|
Total
Value of
Shares
at Conversion Price (5)
|
|
|
Total
Possible
Discount
to Market Price (6)
|
|
9/26/06 |
|
$ |
0.39
|
|
|
$ |
0.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
10/10/06 |
|
$ |
0.39
|
|
|
$ |
0.45
|
|
|
|
1,444,444
|
|
|
$ |
563,333
|
|
|
$ |
650,000
|
|
|
$ |
0
|
|
12/01/06 |
|
$ |
0.34
|
|
|
$ |
0.30
|
|
|
|
3,333,333
|
|
|
$ |
1,133,333
|
|
|
$ |
1,000,000
|
|
|
$ |
133,333
|
|
3/16/07 |
|
$ |
0.53
|
|
|
$ |
0.45
|
|
|
|
2,222,222
|
|
|
$ |
1,177,778
|
|
|
$ |
1,000,000
|
|
|
$ |
177,778
|
|
4/12/07 |
|
$ |
0.61
|
|
|
$ |
0.45
|
|
|
|
5,673,110
|
|
|
$ |
3,460,597
|
|
|
$ |
2,552,900
|
|
|
$ |
907,697
|
|
_________________________
(1)
|
Closing
market price per share of our common stock on the assumed conversion
date
of September 26, 2006, October 10, 2006, December 1, 2006 and March
16,
2007.
|
(2)
|
Conversion
price per share of our common stock underlying the Debentures
on the
assumed date of the conversion of the Debentures. Pursuant to
the terms of the Debentures issued to Cornell Capital on 9/26/06,
12/1/06
and 3/16/07, the conversion price was equal to the lesser of
the fixed
conversion price of $0.45, or the market conversion price, defined
as
95% of the lowest daily volume weighted average trading prices per
share of our common stock during the thirty trading days immediately
preceding the conversion date, as quoted by Bloomberg,
LP. Cornell Capital has subsequently converted all of its
debentures at a price of $0.45. For the 4/12/07 transaction,
this column equates to the issuance price of the
Units.
|
(3)
|
Total
number of shares of common stock underlying the Debentures
assuming full
conversion as of the assumed date of the conversion of the
Debentures. Since the actual conversion price of the Debentures
can decrease as the market price decreases, the actual number
of shares
underlying the Debentures can also fluctuate. Prior to
conversion, if the market price for our common stock had decreased
below
$0.45 per share, the number of shares issuable upon conversion
of the
Debentures increases. See the section “Shares Issuable Upon
Conversion of Convertible Debenture” at page 22. For the
4/12/07 transaction, this column equates to the number of shares
issued in
the Units.
|
(4)
|
Total
market value of shares of common stock underlying the Debentures
assuming
full conversion as of the assumed date of the sale of the Debentures
and
based on the market price of the common stock on the assumed date
of the
sale of the Debentures.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Total
value of shares of common stock underlying the Debentures assuming
full
conversion of the Debentures as of the assumed date of the conversion
of
the Debentures and based on the conversion price. For the
4/12/07 transaction, the column equates to the value of the shares
issued
in the Units.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Discount
to market price calculated by subtracting the result in footnote
(5) from
the result in footnote (4).
|
Warrants
On
September 26, 2006, as amended on November 1, 2006, we also issued to Cornell
Capital two warrants for a total of 3,500,000 shares of our common stock (each
a
“Warrant” and collectively the “Warrants”) with the aggregate exercise price of
$1,575,000 if exercised on a cash basis and if we are not in default on any
of
the Debentures. The “A Warrant” is exercisable for 2,000,000 shares
of our common stock at $0.45 per share, expiring November 1,
2010. The
“B
Warrant” was originally exercisable for 1,500,000 shares of our common stock at
$0.60 per share, expiring four years after the issuance date of the
Warrants. However, on March 16, 2007 an Amended and Restated “B
Warrant” was issued covering 1,500,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.45 per
share, expiring on November 1, 2010.
If
the
Warrants are exercised on a cashless basis, we would receive no proceeds from
their exercise by Cornell Capital.
The
other
selling stockholders hold warrants to purchase up to 4,296,805 shares of
Firstgold common stock at an exercise price $0.65 per share. These warrants
include 271,156 penalty warrants issued on October 16, 2007. The warrants
are
exercisable for a period of 18 months after the issuance date of April 12,
2007.
The
following table summarizes the value of each of the Warrants assuming the
holders exercise them on a cash basis and we are not in default the
Debentures.
Warrant
|
Market
Price
on
Date of Conversion (1)
|
Conversion
Price
on
Date of Sale (2)
|
Total
Shares Underlying the Warrant (3)
|
Total
Value of Shares
at
Market Price (4)
|
Total
Value of Shares
at
Exercise Price (5)
|
Total
Possible Discount to Market Price
(6)
|
A
Warrant
|
$0.36
|
$0.45
|
2,000,000
|
$720,000
|
$900,000
|
$0
|
B
Warrant
|
$0.36
|
$0.45
|
1,500,000
|
$540,000
|
$675,000
|
$0
|
Other
Selling Shareholders
|
$0.57
|
$0.45
|
4,296,805
|
$2,449,179
|
$1,933,562
|
$515,617
|
_________________
(1)
|
Closing
market price per share of our common stock on the assumed date
of the
exercise of the Warrants which is the date the securities were
issued.
|
(2)
|
Exercise
price per share of our common stock on the date of the exercise and
issuance of the Warrants. The exercise price of the Warrants is
fixed pursuant to the terms of each of the Warrants except that each
of
the Warrants contain anti-dilution protections which in certain
circumstances, may result in a reduction to the exercise
price.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Total
number of shares of common stock underlying each Warrant assuming
full
conversion as of the assumed date of the conversion of the
Warrants. Upon certain anti-dilution adjustments of the
exercise price of the Warrants, the number of shares underlying the
Warrants may also be adjusted such that the proceeds to be received
by us
would remain constant.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Total
market value of the shares of common stock underlying each Warrant
assuming full exercise of each Warrant as of the assumed date of
the
exercise of the Warrants (9/21/07) based on the market price of the
common stock on the date of the exercise of the
Warrants.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Total
value of shares of common stock underlying each Warrant assuming
full
exercise of each Warrant as of the assumed date of the conversion
of the
Warrants and based on the conversion price.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Discount
to market price calculated by subtracting the result in footnote
(5) from
the result in footnote (4).
|
Registration
Rights Agreement
Pursuant
to the Amended Registration Rights Agreement with Cornell Capital, we
agreed to
register for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up
to
18,750,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
and
upon exercise of the Warrants, and to file such Registration Statement
within
thirty (30) days after November 1, 2006. We were also required to
register up to 2,191,227 shares on behalf of the other convertible
debenture/warrant holders. We filed a Registration Statement with the
SEC on December 1, 2006. We were also required to use our reasonable
best efforts to have that Registration Statement declared effective by
February
28, 2007. However, for administrative reasons we withdrew that prior
Registration on May 18, 2007. In addition, due to certain subsequent
amendments to the Cornell Capital investment and subsequent private sales,
we
are now only required to register 8,504,553 shares of common stock issued
upon
conversion of the Debentures including accrued interest on such
Debentures prior to conversion and upon exercise of the Warrants. The
value of the total number of shares of common stock that we are required
to
register pursuant to the Amended Registration Rights Agreement with Cornell
Capital, based on the market price of our common stock on September 21,
2007
($0.62) was approximately $5,273,000.
There
is
no guarantee that the SEC will declare this Registration Statement effective.
In
the event that the Registration Statement is not declared effective by the
SEC,
then Cornell Capital may claim we are in default on these agreements, and
we may
face certain liquidated damages in addition to other rights that Cornell
Capital
may have. The liquidated damages, at Cornell Capital’s option,
include demand for a cash amount payable within three business days equal
to 1%
of the liquidated value of the Debentures then outstanding for each thirty
(30)
day period after the required filing deadline or the required effective date.,
as the case may be. However, the liquidated damages would be payable for
no more
than fifteen months, and no liquidated damages would be owed if Cornell Capital
fails to provide timely information or if we are actively engaged in the
comment
process with the SEC. Furthermore, we also agreed to pay structuring
fees to Yorkville Advisors, LLC (“Yorkville”), the manager of Cornell
Capital, of $20,000, and a due diligence fee of $5,000. We
also agreed to pay Cornell Capital a fee of 9% of the aggregate principal
amount
of Debentures then issued and outstanding.
We
made
no payments in conjunction with the sale of convertible debentures to other
investors.
Payments
and Premiums to Debenture Holders
Line
1 of
the following table summarizes the potential payments we would have been
required to pay to Cornell Capital and affiliates of Cornell Capital without
giving effect to the conversions of $450,000 on July 13, 2007, and $1,000,000
on
September 13, 2007. For purposes of this table, we have assumed that
the entire $3,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Debentures were
issued
and sold on September 26, 2006. Line 2 of the following table
summarizes the potential payments to other Debenture holders.
Maximum
Commitment Fee (1)
|
|
|
Structuring
and Due Diligence Fees (2)
|
|
|
Maximum
Interest Payments (3)
|
|
|
Maximum
Redemption Premiums (4)
|
|
|
Maximum
Liquidated Damages (5)
|
|
|
Total
Maximum Payments (6)
|
|
|
Total
Net Proceeds to Company (7)
|
|
$ |
270,000
|
|
|
$ |
25,000
|
|
|
$ |
720,000
|
|
|
$ |
372,000
|
|
|
$ |
450,000
|
|
|
$ |
1,837,000
|
|
|
$ |
1,985,000
|
|
$ |
0
|
|
|
$ |
0
|
|
|
$ |
156,000
|
|
|
$ |
80,600
|
|
|
$ |
97,500
|
|
|
$ |
334,100
|
|
|
$ |
494,000
|
|
________________________
(1)
|
We
agreed to pay Cornell Capital a commitment fee equal to 9% of the
$3,000,000 purchase price of the Debentures issued pursuant to the
Agreement on a pro rata basis as the Debentures were issued. As
of the filing of this Registration Statement, $3,000,000 of the Debentures
have been issued and we paid Cornell Capital $270,000 in commitment
fees.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Pursuant
to the Agreement, we paid Yorkville an aggregate of $20,000 in structuring
and $5,000 in due diligence fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Maximum
amount of interest that can accrue assuming all the Debentures remaining
outstanding until the maturity date. We may pay accrued interest
in either
cash or, at our option, in shares of our common stock.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Under
certain circumstances we have the right to redeem the full principal
amount of the Debentures prior to the maturity date by repaying the
principal and accrued interest plus a redemption premium of 10% of
such
principal and accrued interest. This represents the maximum
redemption premium we would pay assuming we redeem all of the Debentures
prior to maturity with the redemption
premium.
|
(5)
|
Maximum
amount of liquidated damages we may be required to pay for the twelve
months following the sale of all the Debentures.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Total
maximum payments that we may be required to make for the twelve months
following the sale of all the Debentures and assuming that we made
all of
the payments described in footnotes 1 through 5.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Total
net proceeds to us assuming that we were not required to make any
payments
as described in footnotes 4 and 5.
|
Security
Agreement
The
Debentures are secured by a Security Agreement with Cornell
Capital. The obligation is secured by all our property and mining
rights held in the Relief Canyon Mine property, as affirmed by an Amended
Memorandum of Security Agreement as filed with the County Recorder of Pershing
County, Nevada.
Pledge
and Lock-Up Agreements
The
Debentures, prior to conversion, were also secured by a pledge of 10,000,000
of
the shares of our common stock which comprises approximately 9.5% of our
currently issued and outstanding common stock.
Use
of Proceeds
We
plan
to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes and for working
capital. We sold $650,000 principal amount of debentures to three
investors without fees or deductions. The following table summarizes the
potential proceeds available to us pursuant to the latest financing with
Cornell
Capital and three additional investors. For purposes of this table, we
have
assumed that all of the $3,000,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible
secured debentures were issued and sold on September 26, 2006 and that
Cornell
Capital exercises all of the Warrants on a cash basis.
Total
Gross
Proceeds
Payable to
Company
|
|
|
Total
Maximum
Payments
by
Company
(1)
|
|
|
Net
Proceeds to
Company
(2)
|
|
|
Total
Possible
Profit
to Debenture Holders(3)
|
|
|
Percentage
of Return on Investment
(Payments
+ Discounts) ÷ Net Proceeds (4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,561,052
|
|
|
$ |
2,171,100
|
|
|
$ |
3,389,952
|
|
|
$ |
1,121,954
|
|
|
|
97% |
|
_________________________
(1)
|
Total
gross proceeds payable to us.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Total
net proceeds to us calculated by subtracting the result in column
(2) from
the result in column (1).
|
|
|
(3)
|
Total
possible profit to Debenture Holders based on the aggregate discount
to
market price of the conversion of the Debentures and
Warrants.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Percentage
equal to the total amount of possible payments to Debenture Holders
under
the Debentures ($2,171,100) plus total possible discount to the
market
price of the shares underlying the Debentures ($1,121,954) divided
by the
net proceeds to us resulting from the sale of the Debentures
($3,389,952).
|
Effect
on Shares Outstanding
Firstgold
transacted one prior financing with Cornell Capital effective as of January
27,
2006. The table below summarizes the number of shares originally
registered in the prior transaction.
Number
of Shares Outstanding Prior to Current
Transaction
|
Number
of Shares Outstanding Prior to 2006
Transaction
held by non-affiliates (1)
|
Number
of Previously Registered Shares on Behalf of all Selling
Stockholders(2)
|
Number
of Shares Registered on Behalf of all Selling
Stockholders
|
Percentage
of Public Float (1)
|
Number
of Shares Still Held on Behalf of Selling Stockholders
|
Number
of Shares Sold in Registered Resale Transactions by Selling
Stockholders
|
Number
of Shares Registered for Resale of Selling Stockholder in the
Current
Transaction(3)
|
Per
Share Market price of Firstgold stock on January 26, 2006
|
Per
Share market price of Firstgold common stock on Sept. 21,
2007
|
63,104,072
|
52,240,675
|
7,000,000
|
33,550,025
|
64.2%
|
7,000,000
|
5,165,168
|
20,635,588
|
$0.21
|
$0.62
|
___________________
(1)
|
Represents
the number of shares of common stock of the Company issued and outstanding
as of January 27, 2006 (prior to the transaction with Cornell) held
by
persons other than Cornell, affiliates of Cornell and affiliates
of the
Company.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the total number of shares of common stock of the Company previously
registered on behalf of Cornell and/or Cornell’s affiliates prior to this
registration statement being filed. on behalf of Cornell
Capital.
|
(3)
|
Includes
8,504,553 shares of common stock of the Company registered in the
current
registration statement filed on behalf of Cornell
Capital.
|
The
following table summarizes the number of shares being registered in the current
transaction with Cornell Capital.
Number
of Shares Outstanding Prior to Current Transactions Held by Non-Affiliates
(1)
|
Number
of Previously Registered Shares on Behalf of Selling Stockholders
(2)
|
Number
of Shares Still Held on Behalf of Selling Stockholders (3)
|
Number
of Shares Sold in Registered Resale Transactions by Selling
Stockholders
|
Percentage
of Public Float(4)
|
Number
of Shares Registered for Resale of Selling Stockholder in the Current
Transaction
|
59,104,675
|
6,540,168
|
24,880,569
|
5,165,168
|
23%
|
|
___________________
(1)
|
Represents
the number of shares of common stock of the Company issued and outstanding
as of September 26, 2006 (prior to the transaction with Cornell)
held by
persons other than Cornell, affiliates of Cornell and affiliates
of the
Company.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the total number of shares of common stock of the Company previously
registered on behalf of Cornell and/or Cornell’s affiliates prior to this
registration statement and reflects the deregistration of 20,009,857
shares on behalf of Cornell.
|
(3)
|
Represents
the total number of shares of common stock of the Company held
by Selling Security Holders.
|
(4)
|
Percentage
based upon 96,842,019 shares held by non-affiliates as of September
21,2007.
|
Copies
of Agreements
Incorporated
by reference to the Registration Statement to which this prospectus relates
(see
“Exhibits” below) are copies of all agreements between us and:
·
|
Cornell
Capital Partners, L.P. and
other Selling Stockholders;
|
·
|
any
affiliates of Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. and other
Selling Stockholders; and
|
·
|
any
person with whom Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. has a contractual
relationship regarding the transaction in connection with the sale
of the
convertible debentures and attached
warrants.
|
These
documents include the following, which have been filed with the SEC as
indicated:
(1)
|
· Securities
Purchase Agreement between Firstgold Corp. and Cornell Capital Partners
LP
|
(2)
|
· Amendment
to Securities Purchase Agreement
|
(1)
|
· Secured
Convertible Debenture for 1,000,000 (“Closing
Debenture”)
|
(3)
|
· Secured
Convertible Debentures for $1,000,000 (“Filing
Debenture”)
|
(4)
|
· Secured
Convertible Debenture for $1,000,000 (“Final
Debenture”)
|
(1)
|
· Registration
Rights Agreement between Firstgold Corp. and Cornell Capital Partners
LP
|
(2)
|
· Amendment
to Registration Rights Agreement
|
(3)
|
· Pledge
and Escrow Agreement with Cornell Capital and Amendment
|
(5)
|
· Transfer
Agent Instruction
|
(1)
|
· “A
Warrant” Agreement between Firstgold Corp. and Cornell Capital Partners
LP
|
(1)
|
· “B”
Warrant Agreement between Firstgold Corp. and Cornell Capital Partners
LP
|
(4)
|
· Amended
and Restated “B” Warrant Agreement between Firstgold Corp. and Cornell
Capital Partners LP
|
(3)
|
· Amendments
to A and B Warrants
|
(3)
|
· Amended
Memorandum of Security Agreement
|
(6)
|
· Amendment
to Investor Registration Agreement
|
(7) |
· Warrants
dated April 17, 2007
|
(8) |
· Form
of Subscription Agreement for Regulation S offering in April
2007
|
________________________________________
(1)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29,
2006
|
(2)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Amended Report on Form 8-K filed on November 24,
2006
|
(3)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2,
#333.139052filed on February 8,
2007
|
(4)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22,
2007
|
(5)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2,
#333.139052, filed April 16, 2007.
|
(6)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 #333-145016 filed
August
1, 2007.
|
(7)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 11,
2007.
|
(8)
|
Filed
as exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to Form SB-2 #333-145016
filed November 7,
2007.
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The
Shares offered by this prospectus are being registered for the account of the
selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of Common Stock by the selling stockholders or the conversion of the Convertible
Debentures. Proceeds from the exercise of warrants will be used for working
capital.
MARKET
FOR FIRSTGOLD COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market
for Our Common Stock
In
July
1997, our Common Stock was approved for quotation on the National Association
of
Securities Dealers’ Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) Bulletin Board where it traded
under the symbol “NGLD” until June 2001. In June 2001, our Common
Stock was moved to the “Pink Sheets” published by the Pink Sheets LLC
(previously National Quotation Bureau, LLC). On June 7, 2005, our
Common Stock was again approved for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board with
its
symbol of “NGLD.” Due to our name change to Firstgold Corp.,
effective December 1, 2006 our trading symbol was changed to “FGOC”. As
of
October 24, 2007 the closing price of our Common Stock was $0.60 per
share.
Price
Range of Our Common Stock
A
public
trading market having the characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness
depends upon the existence of market makers as well as the presence of willing
buyers and sellers, which are circumstances over which we do not have
control. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices
reported by the OTC Bulletin Board for our Common Stock in the periods
indicated. The quotations below reflect inter-dealer prices, without
retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not represent actual
transactions.
FIRSTGOLD
CORP. COMMON STOCK
|
Low
|
High
|
|
|
|
Year
Ending January 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second
quarter (May-July)
|
$0.56
|
$0.72
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter (February – April)
|
$0.33
|
$0.73
|
|
|
|
Year
Ending January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter (November-January)
|
$0.255
|
$0.39
|
|
|
|
Third
Quarter (August-October)
|
$0.30
|
$0.47
|
|
|
|
Second
Quarter (May-July)
|
$0.19
|
$0.53
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter (February-April)
|
$0.14
|
$0.245
|
|
|
|
Year
Ending January 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter (November-January)
|
$0.12
|
$0.225
|
|
|
|
Third
Quarter (August-October)
|
$0.10
|
$0.29
|
|
|
|
Second
Quarter (May-July)
|
$0.20
|
$0.34
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter (February-April)
|
$0.15
|
$0.33
|
Stockholders
As
of
July 31, 2007, there were approximately 1,134 holders of record of our Common
Stock. This amount does not include stockholders whose shares are
held in street name.
Dividend
Policy
We
have
never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We
currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings for the expansion
and operation of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in
the
foreseeable future.
Securities
Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
On
July
26, 2006, our Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option
Plan. The 2006 Plan was submitted to and approved by stockholders at
the 2006 annual stockholders meeting held on November 17, 2006. Under the
terms of the 2006 Plan, we may grant options to purchase up to 5,000,000
shares
of our common stock which can include Incentive Stock Options issued to
employees and Nonstatutory Stock Options issuable to employees or consultants
providing services to Firstgold on such terms as are determined by our board
of
directors. The Compensation Committee of our Board administers the 2006
Plan. Under the 2006 Plan, options vest not less than 20% per year
and have 10-year terms (except with respect to 10% stockholders which have
five-year terms).
If
an
option holder terminates his/her employment with us or becomes disabled or
dies,
the option holder or his/her representative will have a certain number of
months
to exercise any outstanding options. If we sell substantially all of
our assets or are a party to a merger or consolidation in which we are not
the
surviving corporation, then we have the right to accelerate unvested options
and
will give the option holder written notice of the exercisability and specify
a
time period in which the option may be exercised.
All
options will terminate in their entirety to the extent not exercised on or
prior
to the date specified in the written notice unless an agreement governing
any
change of control provides otherwise. As of July 31, 2007, options to
purchase 3,850,000 shares of common stock had been issued as
follows: 500,000 options issued to A. Scott Dockter; 400,000 options
issued to James Kluber; 750,000 options issued to each of Terrence Lynch
and
Stephen Akerfeldt; 500,000 options issued to each of Donald Heimler and
Fraser Berill; and 450,000 options issued to other employees for the purchase
of
Firstgold restricted common stock. At the 2007 Annual Stockholders
Meeting held on September 20, 2007, stockholders approved an increase in
the
shares issuable under the 2006 Plan to 10,000,000 shares.
Shares
Issuable Upon Conversion of Convertible Debentures
Of
the
original $3,000,000 principal amount of Convertible Debentures held by
Cornell
Capital all of this amount, with accrued interest, was converted between
July
13, 2007 and October 31, 2007 into 7,080,450 shares of the Registrant’s common
stock. This amount represents 6,666,667 shares issued upon conversion
of the
Debenture principal and 413,783 shares issued for accrued interest on
such
Debentures. Debentures in the principal amount of $650,000 remain
outstanding.
BUSINESS
General
Firstgold
Corp. (“we,” “us,” “our” or “Firstgold”) has embarked on a business strategy
whereby it will invest in, explore and if warranted, conduct mining operations
of its current mining properties and other mineral producing
properties. Firstgold is a public company that in the past has been
engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold-bearing properties in
the
continental United States. Currently,
Firstgold’s principal assets include various mineral leases associated with the
Relief Canyon Mine located near Lovelock, Nevada along with various items
of
mining equipment and improvements located at that site. Firstgold has
also entered into a joint venture intended to explore additional mining
properties known as the Red Caps Project and Crescent Valley Project, both
of
which are located in Lander County, Nevada. Firstgold has also
secured rights to explore approximately 35,000 acres of property located
in Elko
County, Nevada.
From
1995
until the beginning of 2000, Firstgold had followed the above described business
activity focusing on the exploration and mining of gold and silver ore
deposits. At the beginning of 2000, Firstgold’s business strategy
became focused on investing in Internet start-up companies. That
strategy was not successful and by mid-2001 Firstgold had abandoned such
investments. From approximately July 2001 until February 2003
Firstgold had been inactive. During the period of inactivity, ASDi
LLC, an entity controlled by A. Scott Dockter who is also the President and
CEO of Firstgold, has made the necessary expenditures to maintain the current
status of the Relief Canyon mining claims. In February 2003,
Firstgold resumed its business of acquiring, exploring and if warranted
developing its mining properties.
Firstgold's
mailing address is 3108 Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210, Cameron Park,
CA 95682 and its telephone number is (530) 677-5974.
The
Company
Firstgold
Corp., a Delaware corporation, has been engaged in the acquisition and
exploration of gold-bearing properties in the continental United States since
1995. In fiscal 1999 Firstgold placed its only remaining property,
the Relief Canyon Mine, located in Pershing County, Nevada, on a care and
maintenance status. During fiscal 2000, Firstgold executed a contract
to sell the Relief Canyon Mine to A. Scott Dockter, then Chairman of Firstgold;
however the sale was never completed and the asset remains the property of
Firstgold. It is now Firstgold’s intention to resume mining at the
Relief Canyon Mine. See “Business” below for further
detail.
Firstgold’s
independent accountants have included a “going concern” explanatory paragraph in
their report dated May 16, 2007 on Firstgold’s financial statements for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 2007, indicating substantial doubt about
Firstgold’s ability to continue as a going concern (See Note 2 of Financial
Footnotes). If Firstgold’s exploration program is not successful or
if insufficient funds are available to carry out Firstgold’s business plans,
then Firstgold will not be able to execute its business plan.
For
financial information regarding Firstgold, see “Financial
Statements.”
Business
Firstgold
is an “exploration stage” company engaged in the search and/or verification of
ore deposits (reserves) in its property. Our business will be to
acquire, explore and, if warranted, develop various mining properties
located in
the state of Nevada. We plan to carryout comprehensive exploration
and, if warranted, development programs on our properties. While we
currently plan to fund and conduct these activities ourselves, we may
in the
future outsource some of these activities through the use of various
joint
venture, royalty or partnership arrangements pursuant to which other
companies
would agree to finance and carryout the exploration and possible future
development programs on our mining properties. Our current plan will
require the hiring of various mining employees to perform exploration
and mining
activities for our various mining properties.
Properties
Relief
Canyon Mine
The
Relief Canyon Mine is an open-pit, heap leaching operation located approximately
110 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. Firstgold held 50 unpatented
mining claims covering approximately 1000 acres until October 2004 at which
time
Firstgold completed re-staking the Relief Canyon mill site and lode
claims. Firstgold currently holds a total of 146 claims including 120
mill site claims and 26 unpatented mining claims. The annual payments
to maintain these claims are approximately $15,600. The mine is
readily accessible by improved roads. Water for mining and processing
operations is provided by two wells located on the property in close proximity
to the mine and processing facilities. Power is provided by a local
rural electric association and phone lines are present at the mine
site.
Relief
Canyon is located in the Humboldt Range, a mining district in Pershing County,
Nevada.
Background
and History
On
January 10, 1995, Firstgold purchased the Relief Canyon mine from J.D. Welsh
& Associates for $500,000. The mine at that time consisted of 39
unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 780 acres and a lease
for
access to an additional 800 acres contiguous to the 39 claims located on
Firstgold’s property. Located on the property are, a building
containing five carbon tanks and a boiler for carbon strip solution, four
detoxified leach pads, a preg pond for gold bearing solution, a barren pond
for
solution from which gold had been removed, water rights, and various
permits. From acquisition through November 1997, Firstgold
refurbished the processing facilities by the purchase and installation of all
equipment required to process the gold bearing leach solution when the mine
was
returned to production in 1997. During 1997, Firstgold staked an
additional 402 claims. However, subsequent to January 31, 1998,
Firstgold reduced the total claims to 50 (covering approximately 1,000
acres). In 1999 Firstgold placed the mine in a care and maintenance
status.
If
mining
operations are not resumed at the Relief Canyon mine, it is possible Firstgold
may be required to reclaim the mine. Reclamation consists of
recontouring the four heaps to a 3:1 slope, sale and removal of the building
and
its contents, evaporation of all water in both ponds and burial of the building
foundation and floor within the ponds' liners under the soil contained in the
pond berms. Finally, native vegetation must be re-established in all
areas of disturbance.
During
1996, Repadre Capital Corporation (“Repadre”) purchased for $500,000 a net
smelter return royalty (Repadre Royalty). Repadre was to receive a 1.5% royalty
from production at each of the Relief Canyon Mine and Mission Mines. In July
1997, an additional $300,000 was paid by Repadre for an additional 1% royalty
from the Relief Canyon Mine. In October, 1997, when the Mission Mine lease
was
terminated, Repadre exercised its option to transfer the Repadre Royalty solely
to the Relief Canyon Mine resulting in a total 4% royalty. The total amount
received of $800,000 has been recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying
financial statements.
Plan
for Relief Canyon
Based
on
past exploration by us and work done by others, we believe the Relief Canyon
Mine presents the potential for gold bearing ore deposits which will hopefully
be validated through further exploration of additional mining
claims.
The
Relief Canyon properties include 146 millsite claims and unpatented mining
claims contained in about 1,000 acres.
Firstgold’s
operating plan is to place the most promising mining targets into production
during the 2008 calendar year, and use the net proceeds from these operations,
if any, to fund expanded exploration and, if warranted, development of its
entire property holdings. By this means, Firstgold intends to
progressively enlarge the scope and scale of the mining and processing
operations, thereby increasing Firstgold’s annual revenues and eventually its
net profits.
Firstgold’s
goals for environmental protection and reclamation are for minimal environmental
disturbance during mining, and reclamation and/or restoration of the disturbed
area after mining ceases. The economics of Firstgold’s operations
will permit this environmentally responsible plan of operations.
We
will
initially focus on exploring the North Relief Canyon mining
property. We recently posted a $613,500 reclamation bond with the
Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulations and Reclamation (“BMRR”) which allows us to
apply for new permits for mining and processing on the
property. Posting the reclamation bond completes the Activities of
Compliance mandated by the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) and Nevada
Department of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) before any work can
commence. We have completed approximately 75% of all the
environmental work required by NDEP in the Administrative Order of Consent
issued May 2005 (the AOC). The purpose of the AOC is to bring the
Relief Canyon mine up to current environmental compliance.
On
September 25, 2006 we submitted our “Plan of Operations” for the Relief Canyon
Mining Project to the NDEP. The Plan contains extensive details on
how the mine will operate if and when production is achieved. The
Plan includes an intention to reprocess the existing heaps containing
approximately 8 million tons of ore and the construction of a new heap leach
pad. The Plan also includes facilities and processes which are
compliant with our “Green Initiative” to construct and operate an
environmentally conscience project.
On
October 19, 2006 we received notice from the NDEP that we would be allowed
to
attach our current Plan of Operations as an amendment to a previous Plan of
Operations submitted in 1996. This consolidation of Plans is expected
to significantly reduce the processing time and documentation necessary to
secure our production permit from the NDEP which will allow us to commence
processing ore at the Relief Canyon Mining Project. On April 9, 2007
we received notice from the NDEP that Firstgold’s Plan of Operation had been
reinstated. With this approval, Firstgold is allowed to proceed at
Relief Canyon with onsite construction, drilling, operations and, if deemed
appropriate, production, subject to final determination and posting of
reclamation bonds.
To
assist
us in this effort, we have retained Dyer Engineering Consultants, Inc. as our
lead engineering firm for the permitting and compliance engineering work at
the
Relief Canyon and other exploration projects in Nevada.
Once
we
have achieved environmental compliance, we can proceed with the permits to
commence full scale exploration and mining activities. The estimated
time for completing the permitting process is between six months to nine
months. However, upon posting the reclamation bond, we are able to
carry on limited operations pending full permitting for full mining
operations.
Description
of Past Exploration and Existing Exploration Efforts
Over
400
reverse circulation holes have been drilled at the Relief Canyon
project. Of the 400 holes drilled, 106 had intercepts of gold bearing
ore structures of 0.1 gold/ton content. Additionally there are
numerous holes with several feet of 0.09 - 0.099 gold/ton content.
The
mineral zone of Relief Canyon is open ended on three sides. It is
projected that additional drilling will increase the size of possible
reserves. Most of the drilling to date was targeted for open pit
mining, resulting in shallow holes which did not test for possible deeper ore
deposits. A significant number of deep holes with 0.3 gold/ton and
better were drilled on the North end of the property. This
area
is targeted for initial underground mining development. Additional
exploration holes will be drilled when underground mining commences throughout
the various ore zones to determine future development. Firstgold has
acquired one mobile drilling rig to conduct this drilling program and is seeking
to acquire or rent a second drilling rig.
Typically,
grade values of the Relief Canyon drill holes are reduced as a result of finds
being lost down the hole or vented out as dust. Actual mining and
recovery of gold in the milling process will determine the loss if any which
could be as much as 30%.
In
late
May 2007 we completed 57 drill holes at Relief Canyon using sonic drilling.
The
patented sonic drill head works by sending high frequency resonant vibrations
down the drill string of the drill bit while the operator controls the
frequencies to suit the specific conditions of the soil/rock geology. This
current round of drilling is intended to improve our understanding of the
mineral content in the existing heap leach pads. We have also
completed 58 of a planned 120 reverse circulation drill holes in the existing
pit area. Fire assays have been returned on the first 34 of these holes which
are designed to evaluate three specific exploration target areas.
We
have
retained SRK Engineering to perform a resource evaluation of the Relief
Canyon
Property.
Possible
Underground Mining Efforts
We
will
pursue exploration drilling to further identify areas of possible gold-bearing
ore deposits. Results of this additional drilling will allow us to
better evaluate whether eventual underground mining efforts may be justified
particularly at the North end of the property. Future development of
our underground mining activity will also be dependent on the availability
of
adequate capital to initiate and sustain this effort. Underground
mining is very expensive costing in the range of $600 to $1,000 per linear
foot
of underground development.
Ore
Processing Facilities
In
October 2006, we commenced revitalization of our process solution
ponds. The existing Pregnant and Barren ponds, which manage the
process solutions, have been cleaned and relined with the latest technology
of
fluid containment. In keeping with our “Green Initiative,” this will
include new leak detection equipment and protocols. In addition, a
new solution transmission channel will be constructed between the site
of the
proposed heap leach pad and the existing solution ponds. Upon
completion, we plan to process approximately 8 million metric tons of existing
lower grade oxide ores by heap leaching. Heap leaching consists of
stacking crushed or run-of-mine ore in impermeable ponds, where a weak
cyanide
solution is applied to the top surface of the heaps to dissolve the
gold.
Higher-grade
oxide ores are processed through mills, where the ore is ground into a fine
powder and mixed with water in slurry, which then passes through a cyanide
leaching circuit. In both cases, the gold-bearing solution is then
collected and pumped to facilities to remove the gold by collection on carbon
or
by zinc precipitation directly from leach solutions.
Some
gold-bearing sulfide ores may be processed through a flotation
plant. In flotation, ore is finely ground, turned into slurry, then
placed in a tank known as a flotation cell. Chemicals are added to
the slurry causing the gold-containing sulfides to float in air bubbles to
the
top of the tank, where they can be separated from waste particles that sink
to
the bottom.
The
sulfides are removed from the cell and converted into a concentrate that can
then be processed in an autoclave or roaster to recover the gold. The
ore is then processed through an oxide mill.
A
350 ton
per day ore processing facility is presently under construction at the property
site. We have also contracted to purchase a new jaw crushing unit to
crush ore materials.
Crescent
Red Caps LLC
Overview
We
are
interested in acquiring exploration rights to certain properties which
consist
of two leases of unpatented mining claims for which ASDi LLC is the
lessee however we do not currently own any interest in the properties. ASDi
LLC and Firstgold are the only parties to an Operating Agreement for and
the
only members of the Crescent Red Caps LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
(“Crescent Red Caps LLC”) formed for the intended purpose of exploring the
properties. The terms of the Operating Agreement for Crescent Red Caps
LLC
provided for Firstgold to own an initial 22.22% interest in the LLC and
be the
Manager and the remaining 77.78% interest to be held by ASDi LLC, a California
limited liability company owned by A. Scott Dockter, President and
CEO of Firstgold. Additionally, by the terms of the Operating
Agreement, Firstgold, by making expenditures over three years (January
2006 -
January 2009) aggregating $2,700,000, can acquire a 66.66% overall interest
in
the Crescent Red Caps LLC. Firstgold would then have the opportunity
to purchase the remaining Crescent Red Caps LLC interest held by ASDi LLC
based
on the results of the exploration work contemplated by these additional
expenditures.
The
properties intended to be explored by the Crescent Red Caps LLC are located
in
northeastern Nevada, approximately 60 miles southwest of Elko, Nevada in
Lander
County. The properties are accessed via Nevada State Highway 306,
which extends southward from U.S. Interstate 80, both of which are paved
roads.
On
October 13, 2006 and November 1, 2006 the lessors gave notices of termination
of
the two leases. The
lessors are claiming that the assignment of the leases by ASDi LLC to Crescent
Red Caps LLC was either ineffective or in breach of the leases. While
ASDi LLC disputes the lease terminations, the matter has yet to be
resolved. On February 8, 2007, the lessors filed a lawsuit seeking to
terminate the leases (see the section “Legal Proceedings” below). As a result of
this litigation neither Firstgold nor Crescent Red Caps LLC claim any interest
in the above leases or properties and will not expend funds on its exploration
program on the properties unless and until this lease dispute is
resolved.
Antelope
Peak
On
October 24, 2006, we entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement with the owners
of
approximately 25,000 acres of property located in Elko County, Nevada (the
“Antelope Peak” property). The Lease allows Firstgold the exclusive
right to explore for and, if warranted, develop gold, silver and barite
minerals
on the leased property. The Lease has an initial term of five (5)
years; however the term can be automatically extended thereafter for so
long as
Firstgold is engaged in mining operations.
To
date
we have performed an Aerial Ground Magnetic Survey which allows our geologists
to identify targets for more detailed exploration. We have also
conducted extensive ground sampling on the property.
Horse
Creek
On
July
9, 2007, we completed staking claims on approximately 4,200 acres of potentially
mineralized ground in the Horse Creek area of Nevada. We have
conducted preliminary sampling of the area. During the course of the
property evaluation, rock chip samples were collected. This sampling has shown
the potential presence of intrusion-related gold systems. The next phase of
this
project will be to conduct extensive mapping of the area’s bedrock
geology. Additionally, we plan to conduct an airborne geophysical
survey to map the magnetic character of the rocks. Geochemical
exploration efforts will continue with more rock chip sampling as well as an
in-depth soil sampling survey.
Industry
Overview
The
gold
mining and exploration industry has experienced several factors recently that
are favorable to Firstgold as described below.
The
spot
market price of an ounce of gold has increased from a low of $253 in February
2001 to a high of $739 in September 2007. The price was $731 as of
September 21, 2007. This current price level has made it economically
more feasible to produce gold as well as made gold a more attractive investment
for many. Firstgold is projecting a cash cost per ounce of gold
produced in a range of $170 to $225.
Accordingly,
the gross margin per ounce of gold produced per the historical spot market
price
range above provides significant profit potential if we are successful in
identifying and mining gold at Relief Canyon mine.
By
industry standards, there are generally four types of mining
companies. Firstgold is considered an “exploration stage”
company. Typically, an exploration stage mining company is focused on
exploration to identify new, commercially viable gold
deposits. “Junior mining companies” typically have proven and
probable reserves of less then one million ounces of gold, generally produces
less then 100,000 ounces of gold annually and / or are in the process of trying
to raise enough capital to fund the remainder of the steps required to move
from
a staked claim to production. “Mid-tier” and large mining (“senior”)
companies may have several projects in production plus several million ounces
of
gold in reserve.
Generally
gold reserves have been declining for a number of years for the following
reasons:
·
|
The
extended period of low gold prices from 1996 to 2001 made it economically
unfeasible to explore for new deposits for most mining
companies.
|
·
|
The
demand for and production of gold products have exceeded the amount
of new
reserves added over the last several consecutive
years.
|
Reversing
the decline in lower gold reserves is a long term process. Due to the
extended time frame it takes to explore, develop and bring new production on
line, the large mining companies are facing an extended period of lower gold
reserves. Accordingly, junior companies that are able to increase
their gold reserves more quickly should directly benefit with an increased
valuation.
Additional
factors causing higher gold prices over the past two years have come from a
weakened United States dollar. Reasons for the lower dollar compared
to other currencies include the historically low US interest rates, the
increasing US budget and trade deficits and the general worldwide political
instability caused by the war on terrorism.
Competition
Of
the
four types of mining companies, we believe junior companies represent the
largest group of gold companies in the public stock market. All four
types of mining companies may have projects located in any of the gold producing
continents of the world and many have projects located near the Relief Canyon
mine in Nevada. Many of our competitors have greater exploration,
production, and capital resources than we do, and may be able to compete more
effectively in any of these areas. Firstgold’s inability to secure
capital to fund exploration and possible future production capacity, would
establish a competitive cost disadvantage in the marketplace which would have
a
material adverse effect on its operations and potential
profitability.
We
also
compete in the hiring and retention of experienced
employees. Consequently, we may not be able to hire qualified miners
or operators in the numbers or at the times desired.
Employees
As
of
August 31, 2007, we had 21 full-time employees and one part-time
employee. Employees include a Mine Manager, Chief Geologist and
Senior Geologist, a Lead Driller and a Plant Metallurgist. We anticipate hiring
additional employees during the current year to work on the mining sites in
Nevada as our exploration program is initiated. While skilled
equipment and operations personnel are in demand, we believe we will be able
to
hire the necessary workers to implement our exploration program. Our
employees are not expected to be subject to a labor contract or collective
bargaining agreement. We consider our employee relations to be
good.
Consulting
services, relating primarily to geologic and geophysical interpretations, and
relating to such metallurgical, engineering, and other technical matters as
may
be deemed useful in the operation of our exploration activities, will be
provided by independent contractors.
Government
Controls and Regulations
Our
exploration, mining and processing operations are subject to various federal,
state and local laws and regulations governing prospecting, exploration,
development, production, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety,
control of toxic substances, and other matters involving environmental
protection and employment. United
States environmental protection laws address the maintenance of air and water
quality standards, the preservation of threatened and endangered species of
wildlife and vegetation, the preservation of certain archaeological sites,
reclamation, and limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and
disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, among other
things.
There
can
be no assurance that all the required permits and governmental approvals
necessary for any mining project with which we may be associated can be obtained
on a timely basis, or maintained. Delays in obtaining or failure to
obtain government permits and approvals may adversely impact our
operations. The regulatory environment in which we operate could
change in ways that would substantially increase costs to achieve
compliance. In addition, significant changes in regulation could have
a material adverse effect on our operations or financial position.
Outlined
below are some of the more significant aspects of governmental controls and
regulations which materially affect our interests in the Relief Canyon and
Antelope Peak properties.
Regulation
of Mining Activity
Firstgold’s
mining activities, including care and maintenance, exploration, and possible
future development and production activities are subject to environmental
laws,
policies and regulations. These laws, policies and regulations
regulate, among other matters, emissions to the air, discharges to water,
management of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural
resources, protection of endangered species, protection of antiquities and
reclamation of land. The mines are also subject to numerous other
federal, state and local laws and regulations. At the federal level,
the mines are subject to inspection and regulation by the Division of Mine
Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor (“MSHA”) under
provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The
Occupation and Safety Health Administration (“OSHA”) also has jurisdiction over
certain safety and health standards not covered by MSHA. Mining
operations and all future exploration and development will require a variety
of
permits.
Although
we believe the permits can be obtained in a timely fashion, permitting
procedures are complex, costly, time consuming and subject to potential
regulatory delay. We do not believe that existing permitting
requirements or other environmental protection laws and regulations would have
a
material adverse effect on our ability to explore and eventually operate the
mines. However, we cannot be certain that future changes in laws and
regulations would not result in significant additional expenses, capital
expenditures, restrictions or delays associated with the operation of our
properties. We cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain new
permits or whether material changes in permit conditions will be
imposed. Granting new permits or the imposition of additional
conditions could have a material adverse effect on our ability to explore and
operate the mining properties in which we have an interest.
On
June
9, 2005, we received permission from the NDEP to commence designated
environmental activities previously requested by us. In January 2006,
we made a cash deposit of $243,204 to cover future reclamation costs as required
by the NDEP for the Relief Canyon Mine.
As
indicated previously, in September 2006 we submitted our Application for Water
Pollution Control Permit and Design Report for the Relief Canyon
project. We are now moving forward with the permitting process that
will allow us to perform additional exploration
activities.
In
September 2006, we submitted our “Application for Water Pollution Control Permit
and Design Report” with the NDEP. This document provides the BLM and
NDEP with information regarding the characteristics of the site, proposed
management of process fluids, monitoring and tentative plans for the eventual
closure of operations. In addition, this fulfills Nevada state
requirements and illustrates the plan to prevent undue degradation of public
lands while the Relief Canyon Mining Project is in operation.
On
October 19, 2006 we received notice from the NDEP that we would be allowed
to
attach our current Plan of Operations for Relief Canyon submitted on September
15, 2006 as an amendment to the previous Plan of Operations submitted in
1996. This consolidation of Plans is expected to significantly reduce
the processing time and documentation necessary to secure our production permit
from the NDEP for the Relief Canyon project. We are also required to
increase the reclamation cost deposit from $243,204 to $613,500 which will
be
placed in a blocked account with our bank in Sacramento,
California. The increased deposit was made in March
2007. On April 9, 2007 we received notice from the NDEP that
Firstgold’s Plan of Operation has been reinstated. With this
approval, Firstgold is allowed to commence onsite operations subject to final
determination and posting of reclamation bonds.
On
November 16, 2006, the NDEP notified Firstgold of certain violations that
had
occurred pertaining to the unauthorized release of water from one of the
preg
ponds at the Relief Canyon mining site in early November 2006. On August
14,
2007, Firstgold was notified that a fine of $9,000 had been assessed for
these
violations. Firstgold paid the fine in full on August 21, 2007. Such
violation and fine is not expected to affect the permitting process or
exploration program at the Relief Canyon Mine site.
Legislation
has been introduced in prior sessions of the U.S. Congress to make significant
revisions to the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872 that would affect our
unpatented mining claims on federal lands, including a royalty on gold
production. It cannot be predicted whether any of these proposals
will become law. Any levy of the type proposed would only apply to
unpatented federal lands and accordingly could adversely affect the
profitability of portions of any future gold production from the Relief Canyon
mine.
The
State
of Nevada, where our mine properties are located, adopted the Mined Land
Reclamation Act (the “Nevada Act”) in 1989 which established design, operation,
monitoring and closure requirements for all mining facilities. The
Nevada Act has increased the cost of designing, operating, monitoring and
closing mining facilities and could affect the cost of operating, monitoring
and
closing existing mine facilities. The State of Nevada also has
adopted reclamation regulations pursuant to which reclamation plans must be
prepared and financial assurances established for existing
facilities. The financial assurances can be in the form of cash
placed on deposit with the State or reclamation bonds underwritten by insurance
companies.
The
State
of Nevada has requested financial assurances from or a posting of a bond by
us
in the amount of $464,000. We prepared a specific reclamation plan of
the Relief Canyon Mine and began implementation of the plan in April
2005. This work was completed in the summer of 2005. As a
result of completing the work, the State of Nevada reduced the financial
assurance amount to $243,204 which we have deposited in a blocked account with
our bank in Sacramento, California. In March 2007, we increased the
reclamation cost deposit to $613,500. We have now completed the
Activities of Compliance required by BLM and NDEP which was a prerequisite
to
the issuance of mining permits. Our
ability to commence full mining operations at the Relief Canyon Mine is subject
to our obtaining all necessary mining permits.
Environmental
Regulations
Legislation
and implementation of regulations adopted or proposed by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the BLM and by comparable agencies in
various states directly and indirectly affect the mining industry in the United
States. These laws and regulations address the environmental impact
of mining and mineral processing, including potential contamination of soil
and
water from tailings discharges and other wastes generated by mining
companies. In particular, legislation such as the Clean Water Act,
the Clean Air Act, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”),
the Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and the National
Environmental Policy Act require analysis and/or impose effluent standards,
new
source performance standards, air quality standards and other design or
operational requirements for various components of mining and mineral
processing, including gold-ore mining and processing. Such statutes
also may impose liability on us for remediation of waste we have
created.
Gold
mining and processing operations by an entity would generate large quantities
of
solid waste which is subject to regulation under the RCRA and similar state
laws. The majority of the waste which is produced by such operations
is “extraction” waste that EPA has determined not to regulate under RCRA's
"hazardous waste" program. Instead, the EPA is developing a solid
waste regulatory program specific to mining operations under the
RCRA. Of particular concern to the mining industry is a proposal by
the EPA entitled “Recommendation for a Regulatory Program for Mining Waste and
Materials Under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act”
(“Strawman II”) which, if implemented, would create a system of comprehensive
Federal regulation of the entire mine site.
Many
of
these requirements would be duplicates of existing state
regulations. Strawman II as currently proposed would regulate not
only mine and mill wastes but also numerous production facilities and processes
which could limit internal flexibility in operating a mine. To
implement Strawman II the EPA must seek additional statutory authority, which
is
expected to be requested in connection with Congress' reauthorization of
RCRA.
We
also
are subject to regulations under (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA" or “Superfund”) which regulates
and establishes liability for the release of hazardous substances and (ii)
the
Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) which identifies endangered species of plants and
animals and regulates activities to protect these species and their
habitats. Revisions to “CERCLA” and “ESA” are being considered by
Congress; however, the impact of these potential revisions on us is not clear
at
this time.
The
Clean
Air Act, as amended, mandates the establishment of a Federal air permitting
program, identifies a list of hazardous air pollutants, including various metals
and cyanide, and establishes new enforcement authority. The EPA has
published final regulations establishing the minimum elements of state operating
permit programs. Firstgold will be required to comply with these EPA
standards to extent adopted by the State of Nevada.
In
addition, we are required to mitigate long-term environmental impacts by
stabilizing, contouring, resloping, and revegetating various portions of a
site. While a portion of the required work was performed concurrently
with prior operations, completion of the environmental mitigation occurs once
removal of all facilities has been completed. These
reclamation efforts are conducted in accordance with detailed plans which have
been reviewed and approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies. We
have made the necessary cash deposits and we made provision to cover the
estimated costs of such reclamation as required by permit.
We
believe that our care and maintenance operation at the Relief Canyon Mine,
as it
exists today, is in substantial compliance with federal and state regulations
and is consistent with our Green Initiative approach to environmental impact
and
that no further significant capital expenditures for environmental control
facilities will be required unless and until production resumes at the
site.
DESCRIPTION
OF PROPERTY
Firstgold’s
executive office is located at 3108 Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210,
Cameron Park, California 95682. Firstgold also owns and maintains an
office at 1055 Cornell Avenue, Lovelock, Nevada 89419.
Mining
Property Rights
Relief
Canyon Property
Our
mining property rights are represented by 146 unpatented mill site and mining
lode claims which were re-staked in October 2004 and June
2006. Unpatented mining claims are generally considered subject to
greater title risks than patented mining claims or real property interests
that
are owned in fee simple. To remain valid, such unpatented claims are
subject to annual maintenance fees. As of July 31, 2007, we were
current in the payment of such maintenance fees.
In
connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2006,
we
executed a Security Agreement in favor of Cornell Capital Partners granting
them
a first priority security interest in all of our leasehold interests and mining
rights to the Relief Canyon property as well as any equipment or improvements
located in such property. Cornell Capital Partners also holds a
security interest in all of Firstgold’s other assets. The Security
Agreement and UCC filing state that if an event of default occurs under the
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Convertible Debentures or Security
Agreement, Cornell Capital Partners have the right to take possession of the
collateral, to operate our business using the collateral, and have the right
to
assign, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of and deliver all or part of the
collateral, at public or private sale or otherwise to satisfy our obligations
under these agreements.
Dalton
Livestock and Winchell Ranch Mineral Lease
On
October 24, 2006, we entered into a Mineral Lease Agreement with the owners
of
approximately 35,000 acres of property located in Elko County, Nevada (the
“Antelope Peak” property). The
Lease
allows Firstgold the exclusive right to explore for and, if warranted, develop
gold, silver and barite minerals on the leased property. The Lease
includes exploration, mining and access rights, deposit of waste material,
mineral processing and water rights. The Lease has an initial term of
five (5) years; however the term can be automatically extended thereafter for
so
long as Firstgold is engaged in mining operations.
Firstgold
paid $20,000 upon the signing of the Lease and is required to pay rent of
$50,000 per year. Firstgold is required to expend the following sums
for exploration work on the premises: first year - $150,000; second year -
$450,000; third year - $1,000,000; fourth year - $1,500,000; and fifth year
-
$2,000,000. In addition, should mining operations be commenced, the
Lessors would be entitled to a percentage of net smelter returns ranging from
2%
to 5% depending on the price of gold. A finder’s fee of 2,000,000 common shares
and 2,000,000 warrants to purchase common shares at a price of $0.50 per common
share were issued to an unrelated third party at the date of signing the
Lease. The warrants have a term of three years.
Horse
Creek Property
On July
9, 2007, we completed staking claims on approximately 4,200 acres of ground
in
the Horse Creek area located approximately 100 miles Northeast of Reno,
Nevada. These claims are staked claims on property owned by the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”). Such staking of claims is
permitted on U.S. Government property; however such claims must be filed with
the BLM and any significant drilling or development activity will be subject
to
the review and approval of the BLM and NDEP.
Upon
conclusion of all mineral exploration and mining operations, if any, Firstgold
is required to restore the property.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATIONS
Caution
About Forward-Looking Statements
This
prospectus includes “forward-looking” statements about future financial results,
future business changes and other events that haven’t yet
occurred. For example, statements like we “expect,” “anticipate” or
“believe” are forward-looking statements. Investors should be aware
that actual results may differ materially from our expressed expectations
because of risks and uncertainties about the future. We do not
undertake to update the information in this prospectus if any forward looking
statement later turns out to be inaccurate. Details about risks
affecting various aspects of our business are discussed throughout this
prospectus and should be considered carefully.
Plan
of Operation for the Next Twelve Months
Certain
key factors that have affected our financial and operating results in the past
will affect our future financial and operating results. These
include, but are not limited to the following:
·
|
Gold
prices, and to a lesser extent, silver
prices.
|
·
|
Current
mineralization at the Relief Canyon Mine are estimated by us (based
on
past exploration by Firstgold and work done by
others).
|
·
|
Our
proposed exploration of properties now include 146 millsite and
unpatented
mining claims contained in about 1000 acres of the Relief Canyon
Property;
and the 25,000 acre Antelope Peak property and approximately 4,200
acres
in the Horse Creek area of Nevada.
|
·
|
Our
operating plan is to commence exploration work on the Relief Canyon
property during 2007. We expect this exploration program to
continue through the end of 2007. During 2008, we plan to
resume heap leaching at the Relief Canyon mine and we anticipate
realizing
production revenue from the Relief Canyon mine
thereafter. Through the sale of additional securities and/or
the use of joint ventures, royalty arrangements and partnerships,
we
intend to progressively enlarge the scope and scale of our exploration,
mining and processing operations, thereby potentially increasing
our
chances of locating commercially viable ore deposits which could
increase
both our annual revenues and ultimately our net profits. Our
objective is to achieve annual growth rates in revenue and net
profits for
the foreseeable future.
|
·
|
We
expect to make capital expenditures in calendar years 2006, 2007
and 2008
totaling between $15 million and $20 million, including costs related
to
the exploration, development and operation of the Relief Canyon
mining
property. We will have to raise additional outside capital to
pay for these activities and the resumption of exploration activities
and
possible future production at the Relief Canyon
mine.
|
·
|
Additional
funding or the utilization of other venture partners will be required
to
fund exploration, research, development and operating expenses at
the
Horse Creek and Antelope Peak properties when and if such activity
is
commenced at these properties. In the past we have been
dependent on funding from the private placement of our securities
as well
as loans from related and third parties as the sole sources of capital
to
fund operations.
|
Results
of Operation
Our
current business strategy is to invest in, explore and if warranted, conduct
mining operations of our current mining properties and other mineral producing
properties. Firstgold is a public company that in the past has been
engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold-bearing properties in
the
continental United States. Currently, our principal assets include
various mineral leases associated with the Relief Canyon Mine located near
Lovelock, Nevada along with various items of mining equipment and improvements
located at that site. We have also entered into (i) a joint venture
intended to allow exploration of additional mining properties located in
Lander
County, Nevada (and currently subject to litigation) and (ii) a mineral lease
to
explore approximately 25,000 acres of property located in Elko County,
Nevada.
Operating
Results for the Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2007 and
2006
Although
we commenced efforts to re-establish our mining business early in fiscal year
2004, no mining operations have commenced and no revenues have been recognized
during the fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. We have
granted a 4% net smelting return royalty to a third party related to the Relief
Canyon mining property which has been recorded as an $800,000 deferred option
income.
During
the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 we spent $1,591,497on exploration,
reclamation and maintenance expenses related to our mining
properties. Exploration, reclamation and maintenance expenses
expended during the year ended January 31, 2006 were $132,166. These
expenses relate primarily to maintenance and retention costs required to
maintain our mining claims. We incurred operating expenses of
$1,955,816 during the year ended January 31, 2007. Of this amount, $850,869
reflects director, officer and staff compensation and related payroll taxes
during the year, $445,940 reflect fees for outside professional services, and
$396,361 for promotional expense. A large portion of the outside
professional services reflects legal and accounting work pertaining to our
annual and quarterly reporting on Form 10-KSB and preparation of two SB-2
registration statements occurring in fiscal year 2007. During the
year ended January 31, 2006 we incurred operating expenses of $674,778 of which
$374,000 represents officer compensation and related payroll taxes, and $157,446
reflect fees for outside professional services. It is anticipated
that both mining costs and operating expenses will increase significantly as
we
resume our exploration program and mining operations.
We
incurred interest expense of $596,975 during the year ended January 31, 2007
which compares to interest expenses of $941,347 incurred during the year ended
January 31, 2006. The
amount of loans outstanding during fiscal year 2007 increased by $1,722,615
compared to fiscal year 2006, which was primarily the result of the increase
in
convertible debentures of $2,050,000 during fiscal 2007. The higher
interest expense during fiscal year 2006 was primarily due to the increase
in
accretion of warrants issued in October 2004 as a debt discount.
In
conjunction with the Convertible Debentures issued during fiscal 2007, we
allocated the proceeds received between convertible debt and the detachable
warrants based upon the relative fair market values on the date the proceeds
were received. Subsequent to the initial recording, the change in the
fair value of the detachable warrants, determined under the Black-Scholes option
pricing formula, and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative
in
the conversion feature of the convertible debentures are recorded as adjustments
to the liabilities at January 31, 2007 and 2006. This resulted in
$616,493 of expense relating to the change in the fair value of Firstgold’s
stock reflected in the change in the fair value of the warrants and derivatives
(noted above) and is included as other income (expense). This expense
was $37,418 for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2006.
Due
to
the fact that the joint venture with ASDi LLC was a related party transaction
with no independent appraisal as to value, the joint venture was assigned a
zero
value for accounting purposes and the $859,522 of securities paid by Firstgold
during fiscal year 2006 was recorded as a loss for accounting
purposes.
Our
total
net loss for the year ended January 31, 2007 increased to $4,728,070 compared
to
a net loss of $2,645,231 incurred for the fiscal year ended January 31,
2006. The larger net loss in fiscal year 2007 reflects the
substantial increase in operating expenses as we reactivate our mining
activities, the increase in operating expense from additional staffing levels
as
well as costs associated with capital raising activities, and a continued lack
of revenues recognized during fiscal year 2007.
Operating
Results for the Fiscal Quarter Ended July 31, 2007
and 2006
Although
we commenced efforts to re-establish our mining business early in fiscal year
2004, no mining operations have commenced and no revenues have been recognized
during the quarters ended July 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We
have granted a 4% net smelting return royalty to a third party related to the
Relief Canyon mining property which has been recorded as an $800,000 deferred
option income.
During
the quarter ended July 31, 2007 we spent $337,134 for exploration, reclamation
and maintenance expenses related to our mining
properties. Reclamation and maintenance expenses expended during the
same quarter ended July 31, 2006 were $102,620. These expenses relate
primarily to maintenance and retention costs required to maintain our mining
claims. The increase in costs was due to extensive building and
facility expansion at the Relief Canyon mine and the resumption of exploration
drilling. We incurred operating expenses of $1,225,917 during the
quarter ended July 31, 2007. Of this amount, $197,140 reflects
outside director compensation expense related to the stock options issued,
$113,882 reflects promotion expense, $93,500 reflects officer compensation
and
related payroll taxes during the quarter and $224,717 reflect fees for outside
professional services. A large portion of the outside professional
services reflects legal and accounting work pertaining to our annual and
quarterly reporting on Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB occurring in fiscal year
2008
as well as our recently filed Form SB-2.
During
the quarter ended July 31, 2006 we incurred operating expenses of $295,365
of
which $93,500 represented officer compensation and related payroll taxes,
$68,020 reflected outside director compensation related to the stock options
issued, and $63,997 reflected fees for outside professional
services. It is anticipated that both mining costs and operating
expenses will increase significantly as we resume our exploration program and
prepare for mining operations.
We
incurred interest expense of $275,580 during the quarter ended July 31, 2007
which compares to interest expenses of $145,502 incurred during the quarter
ended July 31, 2006. The principal balance of loans outstanding
during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 increased by $2,538,703 compared
to second quarter of fiscal year 2007, which was primarily the result of an
increase in convertible debentures. The increase in additional
interest expense during the quarter ended July 31, 2007 was primarily due to
the
increase in the principal balance of loans outstanding.
In
conjunction with the Convertible Debentures issued during September 2006,
December 2006 and March 2007, we allocated the proceeds received between
convertible debt and the detachable warrants based upon the relative fair market
values on the date the proceeds were received. Subsequent to the
initial recording, the change in the fair value of the detachable warrants,
determined under the Black-Scholes option pricing formula, and the change in
the
fair value of the embedded derivative in the conversion feature of the
convertible debentures are recorded as adjustments to the liabilities at July
31, 2007.
This
resulted in $919,263 of income relating to the change in the fair value of
Firstgold’s stock reflected in the change in the fair value of the warrants and
derivatives (noted above) and is included as other income
(expense).
Our
total
net loss for the quarter ended July 31, 2007 increased to $842,028 compared
to a
net loss of $914,464 incurred for the same quarter ended July 31,
2006. The smaller net loss in the second quarter of fiscal 2008
reflects the income effect of the adjustment to fair value of derivatives which
is partially offset by the higher interest expense as well as the increase
in
operating expenses as we reactivate our exploration activities and a continued
lack of revenues recognized during the quarter.
Operation
Results for the Six Months Ended July 31, 2007 and 2006
During
the six months ended July 31, 2007, we spent $463,815 on exploration,
reclamation and building and facilities expansion expenses related to our mining
properties. Reclamation and maintenance expenses expended during the
six months ended July 31, 2006, were $172,130. These expenses relate
primarily to repairing and upgrading costs required to resume exploration
drilling of our Relief Canyon mining claims. We incurred operating
expenses of $2,211,602 during the six months ended July 31, 2007. Of
this amount, $420,073 reflects outside director compensation expense related
to
the stock options issued, $302,651 reflects promotion expense, $187,000 reflects
officer compensation and related payroll taxes during the quarter and $349,249
reflect fees for outside professional services. A large portion of
the outside and professional services reflects legal and accounting work
pertaining to our annual and quarterly reporting on Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB,
as well as our recently filed Form SB-2. During the six months ended
July 31, 2006, we incurred operating expenses of $543,093, of which $187,500
represented officer compensation and related payroll taxes, and $187,861
reflected fees for outside professional services.
It
is
anticipated that both mining costs and operation costs will increase
significantly as we resume our exploration program and initiate mining
operations.
We
incurred interest expense of $523,539 during the six months ended July 31,
2007,
which compares to interest expenses of $231,492 incurred during the same six
months of 2006. The principal balance of loans outstanding during the
first six months of the fiscal year 2008 increased by $2,538,703, compared
to
the same six months for fiscal year 2007, which was primarily the result of
the
increase in Convertible Debentures. The increase in additional interest expense
during the six months ended July 31, 2007, was primarily due to the increase
in
outstanding Convertible Debentures.
In
conjunction with the Convertible Debentures issued during September 2006,
December 2006 and March 2007, we allocated the proceeds received between
convertible debt and the detachable warrants based upon the relative fair market
values on the date the proceeds were received. Subsequent to the
initial recording, the change in the fair value of the detachable warrants,
determined under the Black-Scholes option pricing formula, and the change in
the
fair value of the embedded derivative in the conversion feature of the
convertible debentures are recorded as adjustments to the liabilities at July
31, 2007.
This
resulted in $703,992 of expense relating to the change in the fair value of
Firstgold’s stock reflected in the change in the fair value of the warrants and
derivatives (noted above) and is included as other income (expense). Our
total net loss for the six months ended July 31, 2007, increased to $3,819,642
compared to a net loss of $1,608,539 incurred for the same six months ended
July
31, 2006. The higher net loss in the first six months of fiscal 2008
reflects the increase in exploration, maintenance, and operating expenses as
we
reactivate our exploration activities and a continued lack of revenues
recognized during the first six months of fiscal 2008.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We
have
incurred significant operating losses since inception and during the six months
ended July 31, 2007 which has resulted in an accumulated deficit of $27,579,556
as of July 31, 2007. At July 31, 2007, we had cash and other current
assets of $8,722,515 compared to $412,752 at January 31, 2007 and net working
capital of $6,549,519. Since the resumption of our business in
February 2003, we have been dependent on borrowed or invested funds in order
to
finance our ongoing operations. As of July 31, 2007, we had
outstanding debentures and notes payable in the gross principal amount of
$3,371,492 (net balance of $4,738,773 after $(1,868,149) of note payable
discount and deferred financing costs and $3,235,430 of derivative liabilities)
which reflects an increase in the gross principal balance of $2,538,704 compared
to notes payable in the gross principal amount of $832,788, (net balance of
$1,605,647 after $(422,697) of note payable discount and deferred financing
costs and $1,195,556 of derivative liabilities) as of July 31,
2006.
In
January 2006 we made a cash deposit of $243,204 in a blocked account to cover
future reclamation costs as required by the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection for the Relief Canyon Mine. On March 28, 2007 we provided
the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management with
a
letter of credit which is secured by a certificate of deposit in the amount
of
$613,500. On
April
12, 2007 the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection returned the $243,204
previously held in the blocked account.
On
January 25, 2006, Firstgold entered into a joint venture with ASDi, LLC with
the
intent to explore two Nevada mining properties. Pursuant to the
Operating Agreement for the Crescent Red Caps LLC, ASDi LLC was to contribute
various Nevada mining properties to the Crescent Red Caps LLC in exchange
for
Firstgold issuing 2.5 million shares of its common stock and warrants to
purchase 2.5 million shares of Firstgold common stock at an exercise price
of
$0.40 per share for a term of three years to ASDi LLC. Pursuant to
the joint venture, Firstgold will initially own a 22.22% interest in the
Crescent Red Caps LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and ASDi LLC will
hold
a 77.78% interest. By expending up to $1,350,000 on each project over
the next three years, Firstgold can increase its interest in the Crescent
Red
Caps LLC to 66.66%. Thereafter, Firstgold has the right to purchase
the remaining interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC held by ASDi LLC at a
price
to be determined by the results of the exploration work conducted. These
two properties are subject to litigation as described in the section "Legal
Proceedings".
Our
primary sources of operating capital have been debt and equity financings.
In
January, 2006 we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement which resulted
in
proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures as follows: $600,000
on
January 27, 2006; $200,000 on March 12, 2006; and $200,000 on July 18,
2006.
On
September 26, 2006 we entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement which
resulted in proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures as follows:
$1,000,000 on September 26, 2006; $1,000,000 on December 1, 2006; and $1,000,000
on March 16, 2007.
On
October 10, 2006 we issued convertible debentures raising proceeds of
$650,000.
On
April
12, 2007 we received net proceeds of $2,374,200 from the sale of Units in
Canada.
On
May 18, 2007 we received gross proceeds of
$337,500 upon the issuance of units consisting of Firstgold common stock
and
warrants.
On
June 22, 2007 we received net proceeds of
$7,885,972 upon the issuance of units consisting for Firstgold common stock
and
warrants sold in Canada.
By
attempting to resume mining operations, we will require approximately
$15
million to $20 million in working capital above the amounts realized
from the
convertible debentures to bring the Relief Canyon Mine into full production
and
carry out planned exploration on our other properties. We believe we
have sufficient working capital to fund our current business plan for
Relief
Canyon. However, should additional funds become necessary, our
intention would be to pursue several possible funding opportunities including
the sale of additional securities, entering into joint venture arrangements,
or
incurring additional debt.
Due
to
our continuing losses from business operations, the independent auditor’s report
dated May 16, 2007, includes a “going concern” explanation relating to the fact
that Firstgold’s continuation is dependent upon obtaining additional working
capital either through significantly increasing revenues or through outside
financing. As of January 31, 2007, Firstgold’s principal commitments
included its obligation to pay ongoing maintenance fees on 146 unpatented
mining
claims, the funding arrangement pursuant to the joint venture with ASDi,
LLC and
the annual minimum rent due on the Winchell Ranch mineral lease.
It
is
likely that we will need to raise additional capital to fund the long-term
or
expanded development, promotion and conduct of our mineral
exploration. Due to our limited cash flow, operating losses and
limited assets, it is unlikely that we could obtain financing through
commercial
or banking sources. Consequently, any future capital requirements
will be dependent on cash infusions from our major stockholders or other
outside
sources in order to fund our future operations. Prior to the
transactions with Cornell Capital Partners, Firstgold’s president had paid a
substantial portion of Firstgold’s expenses since restarting its business in
February 2003. Although we believe that our creditors and investors
would continue to fund Firstgold’s expenses if such became necessary based upon
their significant debt and/or equity interest in Firstgold, there is
no
assurance that such investors would continue to pay our expenses in the
future. If adequate funds are not available in the future, through
public or private financing as well as borrowing from other sources,
Firstgold
might not be able to establish or sustain its mineral exploration or
mining
program.
Recent
Financing Transaction
On
January 27, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and
Convertible Debentures in the principal amount of $1,000,000 and bearing
interest at 8% per annum. The Debentures were funded $600,000 on
January 27, 2006, $200,000 on March 2, 2006 upon the filing of a resale
registration statement with the SEC and a final $200,000 on July 18,
2006. In addition, we issued warrants to purchase 1,250,000 shares of
our common stock at $0.20 per share and 1,250,000 shares of our common stock
at
an exercise price of $0.30 per share. On
June
29, 2006 $500,000 of the Debenture dated January 27, 2006 was converted into
1,904,037 shares of Firstgold restricted Common Stock and $100,000 of the
Debenture dated March 9, 2006 was converted into 495,050 shares of Firstgold
restricted Common Stock. On September 15, 2006, the remaining
$400,000 of principal Debentures were converted into 1,523,229 shares of
Firstgold restricted Common Stock and accrued interest of $30,948 was converted
into 117,852 shares of Firstgold restricted Common Stock. As of March
30, 2007, all 2,500,000 of the Warrants had been exercised upon payment of
the
exercise price aggregating $625,000.
On
September 26, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”) and other agreements, which were amended on November 1,
2006, with Cornell Capital Partners LP in connection with the private placement
of convertible debentures, in the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000
and
bearing interest at 8% per annum (the “Debentures”). The Debentures
were issued for $1,000,000 on September 26, 2006, $1,000,000 on December
1,
2006, and $1,000,000 on March 16, 2007. Each Debenture had a three
(3) year term from the date of issue unless they were converted into shares
of
Firstgold Common Stock or were repaid prior to the expiration
dates. The conversion rate was adjustable and at any conversion date,
would be the lower of $0.4735 per share (and subsequently reduced to $0.45
per
share) or 95% of the Market Conversion Price. Consequently, the
number of shares of Firstgold Common Stock into which the Debentures could
have been converted would never be less than 6,666,666 shares but could
have been substantially more if the average market price of Firstgold’s Common
Stock fell below $0.45. On July 13, 2007, Cornell Capital converted
$450,000 principal amount of the third Debenture at the Fixed Conversion
Rate of
$0.45 per share into 1,000,000 shares of Firstgold common stock. On
September 13, 2007, Cornell Capital converted the first $1,000,000 Debenture
at
the Fixed Conversion Rate of $0.45 per share into 2,222,222 shares of Firstgold
common stock. As
of
October 31, 2007, Cornell Capital had converted the balance of its Debentures
with accrued interest at the Fixed Conversion Rate of $0.45 per share into
3,858,228 shares of Firstgold Common Stock.
Firstgold
paid a Commitment Fee to Cornell Capital Partners, LP of 9% of gross proceeds
or
a total of $270,000. Firstgold also paid Yorkshire Advisors, LLC (an
affiliate of Cornell Capital Partners) a due diligence fee of $5,000 and
a
Structuring Fee of $20,000. Net proceeds to Firstgold from this
financing were approximately $2,705,000.
In
conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we entered into an Investor
Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights
Agreement”). The Registration Rights Agreement requires us to
register at least 18,750,000 shares of our Common Stock to cover the conversion
of the Debentures (assuming conversion prices substantially below $0.4735)
and
3,500,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon conversion of warrants
(the
“Warrants”) granted to the Debenture holder.
We
are
required to keep this Registration Statement effective until the Debentures
have
been fully converted, repaid, or becomes due and the Warrants have been fully
exercised or expire. Both the Debentures and the Warrants are
currently convertible or exercisable, respectively.
In
conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we entered into a Security Agreement
(the “Security Agreement”). The Security Agreement creates a secured
interest in favor of the Debenture holder in our mining interest and assets
in
the Relief Canyon Mine property. This security interest was created
by recordation of an Amended Memorandum of Security Agreement filed in Pershing
County, Nevada on November 15, 2006. Consequently, if a default would
occur under the Debenture, the Debenture holder could take over or sell all
of
our interests, business and assets associated with the Relief Canyon
Mine.
In
conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we granted warrants to purchase
2,000,000 shares of Firstgold Common Stock exercisable at $0.45 per share
and
1,500,000 shares exercisable at $0.60 per share. However, on March
16, 2007, the exercise price of the $0.60 per share warrants was changed
to an
exercise price of $0.45 per share. The Warrants have a term of four
years. The exercise price may be reduced if shares of Firstgold’s
Common Stock are sold at a price below the Warrant exercise price.
Lastly,
in conjunction with the Purchase Agreement, we entered into a Pledge and
Escrow
Agreement whereby up to an additional 10,000,000 shares of Firstgold Common
Stock could be issued to the Debenture holder in the event of a default relating
to the Debenture. The precise amount of shares that would be required
to be issued to the Debenture holder would depend on the amount of principal
and
interest outstanding under the Debentures at the time a default was
declared.
Pursuant
to the Purchase Agreement, for so long as at least $200,000 of principal
remains
outstanding under the Debentures, the Debenture holder will have approval
rights
over any major transaction (i.e., merger, stock splits, sale of assets) or
any
issuance of common or preferred stock by Firstgold with certain
exceptions. The Debenture holder will also have a right for a period
of 18 months to participate in any additional capital sought to be raised
by
Firstgold.
On
October 10, 2006 we received $650,000 upon the issuance of Convertible
Debentures with certain investors which bear interest at 8% per annum and
are
convertible into shares of Firstgold common stock at the Fixed Conversion
Price
of $0.4735 per share (and subsequently reduced to $0.45 per share) which
would
equal approximately 1,372,756 if the entire principal were converted into
Firstgold common stock.
In
conjunction with the Convertible Debentures, we granted 746,843 warrants
to
purchase shares of Firstgold Common Stock, 426,767 exercisable at $0.45 per
share and 320,076 exercisable at $0.60 per share. The Warrants have a
term of four years.
On
April
12, 2007 we received gross proceeds of $2,552,900 upon the issuance of
Units
consisting of 5,673,110 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase
2,836,555 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per
share.
The warrants have a term of 18 months. Due to the fact that these Units
were not
registered in an effective resale prospectus by October 15, 2007, an additional
542,310 “penalty shares” and 271,156 “penalty warrants” were issued to these
investors and included in this prospectus.
On
May
18, 2007 we received gross proceeds of $337,500 upon the issuance of Units
consisting of 749,998 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase
375,002 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per
share. The warrants have a term of 18 months.
On
June
22, 2007, we received gross proceeds of $8,479,539.45 upon the issuance
of Units
consisting of 18,843,421 shares of our common stock and Warrants to purchase
9,421,711 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per
share.
The warrants have a term of 18 months. Due to the fact that these Units
were not
registered in an effective resale prospectus by November 15, 2007, an additional
1,884,342 “penalty shares” and 942,171 “penalty warrants” were issued to these
investors.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
During
the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2007, Firstgold did not engage in any
off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(c) of the SEC’s Regulation
S-B.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation
are
based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance
with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The
preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and
disclosures on the date of the financial statements. On an on-going
basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related
to revenue recognition. We use authoritative pronouncements,
historical experience and other assumptions as the basis for making
judgments.
Actual
results could differ from those estimates. We believe that the
following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments
and
estimates in the preparation of our financial statements.
Exploration
Stage Company
Effective
January 1, 1995 (date of inception), Firstgold is considered an exploration
stage company as defined in SFAS No. 7. Firstgold’s exploration stage
activities consist of the exploration and evaluation of several mining
properties located in Nevada. Sources of financing for these
exploration stage activities have been primarily debt and equity
financing. Firstgold has, at the present time, not paid any dividends
and any dividends that may be paid in the future will depend upon the financial
requirements of Firstgold and other relevant factors.
Valuation
of long-lived assets
Long-lived
assets, consisting primarily of property and equipment, patents and trademarks,
and goodwill, comprise a significant portion of our total
assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be
recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured by a comparison of
the carrying value of an asset to the future net cash flows expected to be
generated by those assets. The cash flow projections are based on
historical experience, management’s view of growth rates within the industry,
and the anticipated future economic environment.
Factors
we consider important that could trigger a review for impairment include the
following:
|
(a)
|
significant
underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future
operating results,
|
|
(b)
|
significant
changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy
of
our overall business, and
|
|
(c)
|
significant
negative industry or economic
trends.
|
When
we
determine that the carrying value of long-lived assets and related goodwill
and
enterprise-level goodwill may not be recoverable based upon the existence of
one
or more of the above indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment based
on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined
by
our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business
model.
Deferred
Reclamation Costs
In
August
2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations,” which established a uniform methodology for accounting
for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. The statement was
adopted February 1, 2003. The reclamation costs will be allocated to
expense over the life of the related assets and will be adjusted for changes
resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount
of the original present value estimate.
Prior
to
adoption of SFAS No. 143, estimated future reclamation costs were based
principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Such costs related
to active mines were accrued and charged over the expected operating lives
of
the mines using the units of production method based on proven and probable
reserves. Future remediation costs for inactive mines were accrued
based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the
undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost
estimates included, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring
costs. Changes in estimates at inactive mines were reflected in
earnings in the period an estimate was revised.
Exploration
Costs
Exploration
costs are expensed as incurred. All costs related to property
acquisitions are capitalized.
Mine
Development Costs
Mine
development costs consist of all costs associated with bringing mines into
production, to develop new ore bodies and to develop mine areas substantially
in
advance of current production.
The
decision to develop a mine is based on assessment of the commercial viability
of
the property and the availability of financing. Once the decision to proceed
to
development is made, development and other expenditures relating to the project
will be deferred and carried at cost with the intention that these will be
depleted by charges against earnings from future mining operations.
No
depreciation will be charged against the property until commercial production
commences. After a mine has been brought into commercial production, any
additional work on that property will be expensed as incurred, except for large
development programs, which will be deferred and depleted.
Reclamation
Costs
Reclamation
costs and related accrued liabilities, which are based on our interpretation
of
current environmental and regulatory requirements, are accrued and expensed,
upon determination.
Based
on
current environmental regulations and known reclamation requirements, management
has included its best estimates of these obligations in its reclamation
accruals. However, it is reasonably possible that our best estimates
of our ultimate reclamation liabilities could change as a result of changes
in
regulations or cost estimates.
Valuation
of Derivative Instruments
FAS
No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities" requires bifurcation of embedded derivative instruments and
measurement of their fair value for accounting purposes. In determining the
appropriate fair value, the Company uses the Black Scholes model as a valuation
technique. Derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value
at each period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being
recorded in results of operations as Adjustments to Fair Value of Derivatives.
In addition, the fair values of freestanding derivative instruments such as
warrants are valued using Black Scholes models.
Stock-Based
Compensation
We
currently account for the issuance of stock options to employees using the
fair
market value method according to SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based
Payment.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid
Financial Instruments”, which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives
Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of
Liabilities”. SFAS No. 155 amends SFAS No. 133 to narrow the scope
exception for interest-only and principal-only strips on debt instruments to
include only such strips representing rights to receive a specified portion
of
the contractual interest or principle cash flows. SFAS
No.
155 also amends SFAS No. 140 to allow qualifying special-purpose entities to
hold a passive derivative financial instrument pertaining to beneficial
interests that itself is a derivative instrument. Firstgold is
currently evaluating the impact of this new Standard but believes that it will
not have a material impact on Firstgold’s financial position, results of
operations, or cash flows.
In
March
2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets” which provides an approach to simplify efforts to obtain hedge-like
(offset) accounting. This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 140,
“Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities”, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. The
Statement (1) requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or servicing
liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset
by
entering into a servicing contract in certain situations; (2) requires that
a
separately recognized servicing asset or servicing liability be initially
measured at fair value, if practicable; (3) permits an entity to choose either
the amortization method or the fair value method for subsequent measurement
for
each class of separately recognized servicing assets or servicing liabilities;
(4) permits at initial adoption a one-time reclassification of
available-for-sale securities to trading securities by an entity with recognized
servicing rights, provided the securities reclassified offset the entity’s
exposure to changes in the fair value of the servicing assets or liabilities;
and (5) requires separate presentation of servicing assets and servicing
liabilities subsequently measured at fair value in the balance sheet and
additional disclosures for all separately recognized servicing assets and
servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 is effective for all separately
recognized servicing assets and liabilities as of the beginning of an entity’s
fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, with earlier adoption
permitted in certain circumstances. The Statement also describes the
manner in which it should be initially applied. Firstgold does not
believe that SFAS No. 156 will have a material impact on its financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
In
July 2006, the FASB released FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting and reporting
for uncertainties in income tax law. This interpretation prescribes a
comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement,
presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to
be
taken in income tax returns. This statement is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is
currently in the process of evaluating the expected effect of FIN 48 on its
results of operations and financial position.
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Issues No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”),
which defines the fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. Early adoption is encouraged, provided that the Company has
not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including any
financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year.
The
Company is currently evaluating the impact SFAS 157 may have on its financial
condition or results of operations.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans.” SFAS No. 158 requires
employers to recognize in its statement of financial position an asset or
liability based on the retirement plans over or under funded status. SFAS
No. 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15,
2006.
The
Company is currently evaluating the effect that the application of SFAS No.
158
will have on its results of operations and financial condition.
In
September 2006, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year
Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial
Statements” (“SAB 108”). This SAB provides guidance on the
consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current
year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108
establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement
errors based on the effects on each of the company’s balance sheets, statements
of operations and related financial statement disclosures. The SAB
permits existing public companies to record the cumulative effect of initially
applying this approach in the first year ending after November 15, 2006 by
recording the necessary correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets
and liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment
recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Additionally,
the use of the cumulative effect transition method requires detailed disclosure
of the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected through the
cumulative adjustment and how and when it arose. The Company is
currently evaluating the impact SAB 108 may have on its results of operations
and financial condition.
In
October 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF 06-3, “How
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should
Be Presented in the Income Statement (That is, Gross versus Net Presentation)”
to clarify diversity in practice on the presentation of different types of
taxes
in the financial statements. The Task Force concluded that, for taxes
within the scope of the issue, a company may adopt a policy of presenting taxes
either gross within revenue or net. That is, it may include charges to
customers for taxes within revenues and the charge for the taxes from the taxing
authority within cost of sales, or, alternatively, it may net the charge to
the
customer and the charge from the taxing authority. If taxes subject to
EITF 06-3 are significant, a company is required to disclose its accounting
policy for presenting taxes and the amounts of such taxes that are recognized
on
a gross basis. The guidance in this consensus is effective for the first
interim reporting period beginning after December 15, 2006 (the first quarter
of
our fiscal year 2007). We do not expect the adoption of EITF 06-3 will
have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or
cash
flow.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159). Under the provisions of
SFAS 159, companies may choose to account for eligible financial instruments,
warranties and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract
basis. Changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings each
reporting period. SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within
those
fiscal years.
Firstgold
is required to and plans to adopt the provisions of SFAS 159 beginning in the
first quarter of 2008. Firstgold is currently assessing the impact of
the adoption of SFAS 159.
On
February 4, 2000, a complaint was filed against Firstgold by Sun G. Wong in
the
Superior Court of Sacramento County, California (Case No.
00AS00690). In the complaint, Mr. Wong claimed that he was held
liable as a guarantor of Firstgold in a claim brought by Don Christianson
in a breach of contract action against Firstgold. Despite the fact
that Firstgold settled the action with Mr. Christianson through the issuance
of
350,000 shares of Firstgold Common Stock, Mr. Wong, nevertheless, paid
$60,000 to a third party claiming to hold Mr. Christianson’s judgment
pursuant to Mr. Wong’s guaranty agreement. Similarly,
Mr. Wong alleged that he was held liable as a guarantor for a debt of $200,000
owed by Firstgold to Roger Primm with regard to money borrowed by
Firstgold. Mr. Primm filed suit against Firstgold which was settled
through the issuance of 300,000 shares of Firstgold Common
Stock. Nevertheless, Mr. Wong alleges that he remains liable to a
third party claiming to hold Mr. Primm’s judgment for approximately
$200,000 pursuant to his guaranty of such debt of Mr. Primm. On
December 29, 2000, the superior court entered a default judgment against
Firstgold in the amount of $400,553 with regard to the Christianson judgment
and
an additional $212,500 in regard to the Primm judgment against Mr.
Wong. Firstgold believed that Mr. Wong was not obligated to pay any
sums pursuant to his guarantees with regard to the Christianson and Primm
judgments against Firstgold. On September 26, 2006, the parties
signed a Settlement Agreement to resolve this lawsuit. Pursuant to
the Settlement Agreement, Firstgold paid Mr. Wong $125,000 and issued him
100,000 shares of restricted common stock on October 4,
2006. Firstgold also made a final payment of $50,000 to Mr. Wong on
January 3, 2007. An Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment was
filed by Mr. Wong on January 9, 2007.
On
February 8, 2007, a complaint was filed against ASDi, LLC, Crescent Red
Caps
LLC, Firstgold, and Scott Dockter by the Lessors of the Crescent Valley
and Red
Caps mining properties. The complaint was filed in the Sixth Judicial
District Court of Lander County, Nevada (Case No. 9661). In the
complaint the plaintiffs allege that ASDi, LLC wrongfully assigned its
lessee
rights in the Crescent Valley and Red Caps mining properties to Crescent
Red
Caps LLC (of which Firstgold is the Managing Member). The complaint
seeks the termination of the leasehold rights granted to ASDi, LLC and
quiet
title and punitive damages. The complaint also sought an order
against Firstgold restricting public claims of ownership or control of
the
mining properties. ASDi, LLC and Firstgold believe the leases were not
assigned
and that any transfer of the leases or mining claims was not wrongful
nor
required the Lessors’ consent. Consequently, ASDi, LLC and Firstgold plan to
vigorously defend this action. On April 3, 2007, a preliminary
hearing was held in which the defendants sought a Summary Judgment to
have the
leasehold termination notices declared void. The Court did not grant
the defendants’ motion thus requiring the matter to proceed to trial on the
merits. In addition, on May 11, 2007, the Court entered a preliminary
injunction
against public claims of ownership of any interest in the leases or the
mining
property by defendants. On June 7, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a Motion
For Order
to Show Cause claiming that defendants had violated the injunction based
upon
certain statements made on Firstgold’s website and certain disclosures made in
Firstgold’s annual report on Form 10-KSB. ASDi LLC, Firstgold and the other
defendants intend to vigorously oppose this Motion. A hearing on the
Motion to
Show Cause was held on November 20, 2007. The defendants are also
seeking to have the injunction overturned.
On
September 24, 2007, a complaint was served on Firstgold by Swartz Private
Equity, LLC. The complaint was filed in the District Court for the
Western District of New York (Case No. 07CV6447). In
the
complaint, plaintiff alleges that pursuant to an Investment Agreement dated
October 4, 2000, and entered into with Firstgold’s former management, it is
entitled to the exercise of certain warrants in the amount of 1,911,106
shares
of Firstgold common stock or the equivalent cash value of $0.69 per share
and a
termination fee of $200,000. While Firstgold has not yet fully
evaluated this lawsuit, it expects to vigorously defend this
action.
MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information about the directors and executive
officers of Firstgold together with the principal positions and offices with
Firstgold held by each:
Name
of Person
|
Age
|
Position
and Office Presently Held With Firstgold
|
Director
Since
|
|
|
|
|
A.
Scott Dockter
|
51
|
CEO
and President
|
1996
|
James
W. Kluber
|
57
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary
|
2000
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
47
|
Director
|
2006
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
62
|
Director
and Chairman
|
2006
|
Donald
Heimler
|
65
|
Director
|
2007
|
Fraser
Berrill
|
58
|
Director
|
2007
|
Biographical
information for directors and executive officers:
A.
Scott Dockter has been the Chief Executive Officer since December 2000
and Chairman from December 2000 until June 2007, assuming such positions upon
the resignation of James Cutburth. Mr. Dockter had previously served
as Firstgold’s CEO and President from November 1996 until February 2000 at which
time Mr. Cutburth assumed such positions. Mr. Dockter has been
self-employed in the business sector since 1978 and currently operates his
business through ASD CORP and ASDi LLC. He has held a Class A General
Engineering and Contracting License for more than 20 years, operating his
businesses in California, Nevada and Montana, specializing in earth moving,
mining, pipeline projects, structures, dams, industrial parks and sub
divisions. Mr. Dockter has directed his companies in large landfill
operations, underground concrete structures projects, large excavations,
reclamation projects and others, which include state and local municipal
projects. Mr. Dockter has also been a real estate developer, worked
on oil & gas projects and has spent 15 years in the mining
industry. He has personally owned mines, operated mines, constructed
mine infrastructures (physical, production and process) and produced precious
metals
James
W. Kluber has been the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of
Firstgold since February 2000 and a director from April 2000 to June
2007. Mr. Kluber has served as a senior financial consultant in
a variety of service and technology environments with special focus on high
growth companies and restructuring operations. He has successfully
raised capital for companies in a variety of markets, utilizing public and
private equity as well as securitized and unsecured debt to accomplish funding
requirements. From
December 2001 to September 2003, Mr. Kluber was the CFO and until October 2005
was the interim CFO of NutraCea a public company involved in the development
and
distribution of products based on the use of stabilized rice
bran. During 2004, Mr. Kluber served as interim CFO for M&A
Medical Holdings, Inc. a manufacturer of medical
devices.
Additionally,
he was the Senior Vice President and CFO from 1996 to 1999 for RealPage, Inc.
a
leading provider of software and services to the real estate
industry. From 1993 to 1996 he served as Vice President of Financial
Operations for two New York Stock Exchange listed companies sponsored by
Security Capital Group, ProLogis Trust and Archstone Communities.
Terrence
Lynch was appointed to the Board of Directors in July
2006. Since December 2006 he has been president of Resort Owners
Group which specializes in resort home sales. Since October 2005,
Mr. Lynch has been a partner with Kingsmill Capital Partners, a financial
advisory firm specializing in advising both public and private early stage
growth companies. Prior to joining Kingsmill Capital he spent fifteen
years operating start up companies in Industrial Products, Oil & Gas, and
Media. Experienced in developing the necessary financial structure to
maximize a company’s ability to secure growth capital, Mr. Lynch has raised
corporate capital via debentures, limited partnerships, and royalty financing
in
addition to conventional equity placements. From August 2004 to March
2006, Mr. Lynch served as CEO of Star Digital, a media and internet development
firm. From September 2001 to August 2004, Mr. Lynch served as CEO of
Probrandz Media, a media and internet development firm. Mr. Lynch
graduated in 1981 from St. Francis Xavier University with a joint honors degree
in Economics and a BBA.
Stephen
Akerfeldt was appointed to the Board of Directors on September 12, 2006
and became Chairman in June 2007. Mr. Akerfeldt is currently a member of
the board of Jura Energy Corporation which is an oil and gas exploration company
based in Calgary, Canada. In 1998 he became part owner and currently
serves as a director and president of Ritz Plastics Inc. which produces plastic
injection molded parts used primarily in the automotive industry. In
1991, Mr. Akerfeldt and certain partners acquired two major chains of dry
cleaning operations in the Toronto, Ontario marketplace which were then
sold in 2003. Mr. Akerfeldt has worked as a business consultant to
various companies and entrepreneurs since the mid-1990’s. From 1987
to 1990 Mr. Akerfeldt was Vice-Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Magna
International Inc. a multi-billion dollar public company auto parts
manufacturer. Mr. Akerfeldt joined the accounting firm of Coopers and
Lybrand in 1965 and from 1974 through 1987 he was a partner in the firm’s
Toronto office. His accounting practice included a broad range of
clients including investment dealers, public mining companies, insurance
companies, public oil and gas producers and manufacturing companies, both public
and private. Mr. Akerfeldt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the
University of Waterloo and became a chartered accountant with the Institute
of
Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1970.
Donald
Heimler was appointed to the Board on January 9, 2007. His career
spanned 29 years with Scotia Capital Inc. (Scotia McLeod, McLeod Young Weir),
as
Director, Institutional Equities where he successfully managed several of the
firm’s largest clients by the time he retired in October
2006. Previous to that he was the chief accountant of a chain of
optical stores under the corporate umbrella of Imperial Optical. He
attended the University of Western Ontario, enrolled in the Certified General
Accounting program and has successfully completed many investment industry
accredited courses.
Fraser
Berrill was appointed to the Board on June 26, 2007. Mr. Berrill is
currently the CEO and President of Renasant Financial Partners, which is a
publicly held financial services and technology trading
organization.
He
also
serves as a Trustee of Vicwest Income Fund and a number of private
companies. From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Berrill was Senior Vice-President,
Corporate Development of publicly held Acklands Limited, which sold its
industrial distribution and auto parts assets to WW Grainger and Carquest
transforming into Morguard Corporation. Positions held prior to that
included Vice-President, Corporate Development for the Paja Group and President
of the Sherman group of companies. In addition, Mr. Berrill was a
member of litigation team for Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP from 1975 to
1981.
The
current Directors will serve and hold office until the next annual stockholders'
meeting or until their respective successors have been duly elected and
qualified. Firstgold’s executive officers are appointed by the Board
of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board.
Corporate
Governance
Our
board
of directors has five directors and has established an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, and a Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee as
its standing committees. Our board does not have an executive
committee or any committee performing similar functions. We are not
currently listed on a national securities exchange or on an inter-dealer
quotation system that has requirements that a majority of the board of directors
be independent, however, the board has determined that all of our directors,
other than Scott Dockter, are “independent” under the definition set forth in
the listings of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., which is the definition our
board
has chosen to use for the purposes of determining independence. In
addition, our board has determined that all members of its Audit Committee,
in
addition to meeting the standards for independence set forth in the listing
standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., also meet the criteria for
independence for audit committee members set forth in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Board
Meetings and Committees
Our
Board
of Directors held 5 meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007
and
acted by unanimous written consent on 5 occasions. Each director
during fiscal 2007 participated in at least 75% or more of the aggregate
number
of the meetings of the Board held during the time that person was a director
and
any committee on which he served.
On
October 21, 2006, the Board created an Audit Committee and appointed Stephen
Akerfeldt as our Audit Committee financial expert and to be chairman of
the
Audit Committee. The Board also appointed Terry Lynch to the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee held 2 meetings in fiscal year
2007. The Board has determined that the chairman of the Audit
Committee, Mr. Akerfeldt, meets the Securities and Exchange Commission's
definition of audit committee financial expert. The Audit Committee
has a written charter.
On
January 31, 2007, the Board voted to create a Compensation Committee and a
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. The Compensation
Committee consists of Terry Lynch, chairman, Stephen Akerfeldt, and Donald
Heimler. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists
of Donald Heimler, Chairman, Terry Lynch and Stephen Akerfeldt. Charters for
those committees are currently under review by the Board. During
fiscal year 2007 the entire Board of Directors acted to provide equivalent
functions that would be provided by these committees.
We
currently have five directors, one of which is also an officer of
Firstgold. We plan to appoint additional directors to our Board who
will be independent directors during the current year.
Stockholder
Communication Policy
Stockholders
may send communications to the Board or individual members of the Board by
writing to them, care of Secretary, Firstgold Corp., 3108 Ponte Morino Drive,
Suite 210, Cameron Park, California 95682, who will forward the communication
to
the intended director or directors. If the stockholder wishes the
communication to be confidential, then the communication should be provided
in a
form that will maintain confidentiality.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
The
Board
has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors,
officers and employees of Firstgold. Firstgold will provide any
person, without charge, a copy of this Code. Requests for a copy of
the Code may be made by writing to Firstgold at 3108 Ponte Morino Drive, Suite
210, Cameron Park, California 95682. Attention:
Secretary.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth the compensation of our chief executive officer
during the last two complete fiscal years and each officer who received annual
compensation in excess of $100,000 during the last two completed fiscal
years.
SUMMARY
COMPENATION TABLE
|
Name
& Position
|
Fiscal
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Stock
Awards
$
|
Option
Awards
$
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
(CEO)
|
2007
|
180,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
12,000(4)
(5)
|
192,000
|
|
2006
|
180,000(1)
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jim
Kluber
(CFO)
|
2007
|
160,000
|
-0-
|
(2)
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
6,000(3)
|
166,000
|
|
2006
|
160,000(2)
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
6,000(3)
|
166,000
|
(1)
|
Of
the amounts shown, the following amounts have been
deferred: 2006 -
$75,000.
|
(2)
|
Of
the amounts shown, the following amounts have been
deferred: 2006 -
$11,057.
|
(3)
|
Amount
reflects a home office allowance.
|
(4)
|
Amount
reflects a $1,000 per month car
allowance.
|
(5)
|
The
Firstgold Board, with Mr. Dockter abstaining, approved the extension
of
the expiration date from January 31, 2007 to April 15, 2007 of certain
warrants to acquire 2,000,000 shares of Firstgold common stock held
by Mr.
Dockter. On April 15, 2007, Mr. Dockter exercised these
warrants with a cash payment.
|
2006
Stock Option Plan
Our
Board
of Directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan on July 26, 2006. The
2006 Plan was submitted to and approved by stockholders at the 2006 annual
stockholders meeting held on November 17, 2006. Under the terms of
the 2006 Plan, we may grant up to 5,000,000 options which can include Incentive
Stock Options issued to employees and Nonstatutory Stock Options issuable
to
employees or consultants providing services to Firstgold on such terms as
are
determined by our board of directors. Our Board administers the 2006
Plan. Under the 2006 Plan, options vest not less than 20% per year
and have 10-year terms (except with respect to 10% stockholders which have
five-year terms). If an option holder terminates his/her employment
with us or becomes disabled or dies, the option holder or his/her representative
will have a certain number of months to exercise any outstanding vested
options. If we sell substantially all of our assets, are a party to a
merger or consolidation in which we are not the surviving corporation, then
we
have the right to accelerate unvested options and will give the option holder
written notice of the exercisability and specify a time period in which the
options may be exercised. All options will terminate in their
entirety to the extent not exercised on or prior to the date specified in
the
written notice unless an agreement governing any change of control provides
otherwise. Stockholders voting at the 2007 Annual Stockholders meeting held
on
September 20, 2007 approved an increase in the shares issuable under the
2006
Plan to a total of 10,000,000.
Options/SAR
Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to options or SAR
grants of Common Stock during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 to the
Named Executive Officers.
Name
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Options Granted
|
Percent
of Total Options Granted to Employees at January 31, 2007
|
Exercise
or Base Price
($
Per Share)
|
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
Dockter
|
500,000
|
25%
|
$0.50
|
July
27, 2011
|
James
Kluber
|
400,000
|
20%
|
$0.50
|
July
27, 2016
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
500,000
|
25%
|
$0.50
|
July
30, 2016
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
250,000
|
12.5%
|
$0.50
|
September
11, 2016
|
Donald
Heimler
|
250,000
|
12.5%
|
$0.50
|
January
8, 2017
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table provides information on all restricted stock and stock option
awards held by our named executive officers as of January 31, 2007. All
outstanding equity awards are in shares of our common stock.
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercis-able
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options
(#)
|
|
Option
Exercise Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other
Rights
That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares,
Units or
Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
Scott
Dockter
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
375,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
July,
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
Kluber
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
July,
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
|
375,000
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
July,
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
Sept,
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald
Heimler
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$0.50
|
|
|
Jan.,
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment
Agreements
On
February 1, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with A. Scott Dockter
to serve as our chief executive officer for Firstgold, Inc. Pursuant
to the agreement, Mr. Dockter will receive an annual salary of $180,000 and
an
automobile expense allowance of $1,000 per month. In addition, Mr.
Dockter will be eligible to participate in any discretionary bonuses or employee
stock option plans which may be adopted in the future. The employment
agreement has a term of three years.
On
February 1, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with James W. Kluber
to serve as our chief financial officer of Firstgold, Inc. Pursuant
to the agreement, Mr. Kluber will receive an annual salary of $160,000 and
an
office expense allowance of $500 per month. In addition,
Mr. Kluber will be eligible to participate in any future discretionary
bonuses or employee stock option plans which may be adopted in the
future. The employment agreement has a term of three
years.
Employee
Pension, Profit Sharing or Other Retirement Plans
We
do not
have a defined benefit pension plan or profit sharing or other retirement
plan.
Compensation
of Directors
The
following table sets forth the compensation of Firstgold’s Directors paid during
fiscal year 2007 for services as a Director.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
|
Name
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
(a) |
(b)
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
(e)
|
(f)
|
(g)
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
Dockter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
Kluber
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terrence
Lynch
|
$22,000(1)
|
|
$141,311
|
|
|
|
$163,311
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
|
$22,000(1)
|
|
$80,167
|
|
|
|
$102,167
|
Donald
Heimler
|
$
1,500(1)
|
|
$51,690
|
|
|
|
$ 53,190
|
(1)
|
Outside
directors receive annual compensation of $10,000 per year and $1,500
for
each Board and/or Committee meeting
attended.
|
Limitation
of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Firstgold’s
bylaws provide that it will indemnify its officers and directors, employees
and
agents and former officers, directors, employees and agents unless their conduct
is finally adjudged as grossly negligent or to be willful
misconduct. This indemnification includes expenses (including
attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by these individuals in connection with such action, suit,
or proceeding, including any appeal thereof, subject to the qualifications
contained in Delaware law as it now exists. Expenses (including
attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or
proceeding will be paid by Firstgold in advance of the final disposition of
such
action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of
the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount, unless it shall
ultimately be determined that he or she is entitled to be indemnified by
Firstgold as authorized in the bylaws. This indemnification will
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee
or
agent, and will benefit their heirs, executors, and
administrators. These indemnification rights are not deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which any such person may otherwise be entitled apart
from the bylaws. Delaware law generally provides that a corporation
shall have the power to indemnify persons if they acted in good faith in a
manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests
of
the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
no
reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. In the event
any such person is judged liable for negligence or misconduct, this
indemnification will apply only if approved by the court in which the action
was
pending.
Any
other
indemnification shall be made only after the determination by Firstgold’s Board
of Directors (excluding any directors who were party to such action), by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or by a majority vote of
stockholders (excluding any stockholders who were parties to such action) to
provide such indemnification. Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933
(the
“1933Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
Firstgold pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Firstgold has
been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore, enforceable.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth the number of shares of Firstgold’s Common Stock
beneficially owned as of October 31, 2007 by, (i) each executive officer and
director of Firstgold; (ii) all executive officers and directors of Firstgold
as
a group; and (iii) owners of more than 5% of Firstgold’s Common
Stock.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Position
|
Number
of Shares Beneficially Owned
|
Percent
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
|
A.
Scott Dockter
3108
Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210
Sacramento,
CA 95814
|
CEO
and President
|
|
16.7%
|
|
|
|
|
James
Kluber
169
Elliott Road
Centerville,
MA 02632
|
CFO,
Executive Vice President, and Secretary
|
|
2.7%
|
|
|
|
|
Terrence
Lynch
1130
Morrison Heights
Oakville,
Ontario Canada L6J 4J1
|
Director
|
|
*%
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Akerfeldt
93
Sheppard Avenue East
North
York, Ontario, Canada M2N3A3
|
Director
|
590,000(4)
|
*%
|
|
|
|
|
Donald
Heimler
75
Airdrie Road
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
M4G
1M1
|
Director
|
547,500(5)
|
*%
|
|
|
|
|
Fraser
Berrill
3672
County Road #8
Picton,
Ontario, Canada
K0K
2T0
|
Director
|
715,000(6)
|
*%
|
|
|
|
|
All
officers and directors as a group (6 individuals)
|
|
25,081,904
|
|
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Position
|
Number
of Shares Beneficially Owned
|
Percent
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders
owning 5% or more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cornell
Capital Partners, LP
101
Hudson Street Ste. 3700
Jersey
City, NJ 07303
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1346049
Ontario LTD
22
St. Clair Avenue East
18th
Floor
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M4T 2S3
|
|
13,332,132
(8)
|
12.4%
|
*
Represents
less
than 1%.
|
(1)
|
Amount
includes 900,000 shares owned by ASDi LLC, 6,401,946 shares issuable
under
stock warrants and options exercisable within 60 days of October
31, 2007
and 2,500,000 warrants held by ASDi LLC (of which Mr. Dockter is
the
Manager Member) exercisable within 60 days of October 31,
2007. Amount excludes options to purchase 250,000 shares which
have not vested within 60 days of October 31,
2007.
|
|
(2)
|
Amount
includes 1,595,007 shares issuable under stock warrants and options
exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007. Amount excludes
options to purchase 200,000 shares which have not vested within
60 days of
October 31, 2007.
|
|
(3)
|
Amount
includes 500,000
of shares issuable under
options granted to Mr. Lynch since he became a director of Firstgold.
Amount excludes 250,000 shares which vests on the first anniversary
date. Amount also includes 96,000 shares of common stock held
jointly with Mr. Lynch’s
wife.
|
|
(4)
|
Amount
includes 375,000 shares issuable under options to purchase 750,000
shares
granted at the time the person became a director of Firstgold.
50% of the
options are exercisable immediately while the balance vests on
the first
anniversary date. Amount includes 55,000 shares issuable under
stock warrants exercisable within 60 days of October 31,
2007.
|
|
(5)
|
Amount
includes 250,000 shares issuable under options to purchase 500,000
shares
granted at the time the person became a director of Firstgold.
50% of the
options are exercisable immediately while the balance vests on
the first
anniversary date. Amount also includes 87,500 shares issuable
under stock warrants exercisable within 60 days of October 31,
2007
|
|
(6)
|
Amount
includes 250,000 shares issuable under options to purchase 500,000
shares
granted at the time the person became a director of Firstgold.
50% of the
options are exercisable immediately while the balance vests on
the first
anniversary date. Amount also includes 150,000 shares issuable
under stock warrants exercisable within 60 days of October 31,
2007
|
|
(7)
|
Amount
includes 3,500,000 shares issuable under stock warrants exercisable
within
60 days of October 31, 2007. However, Cornell Capital will not
own, at any one time, shares representing more than 4.99% of
Firstgold’s
outstanding common stock.
|
|
(8)
|
Amount
includes 4,444,044 shares issuable under stock warrants exercisable
within
60 days of October 31, 2007. The 1346049 Ontario LTD holdings
include stock and warrants held by Trapeze Capital Corp. and Trapeze
Asset
Management Inc. The responsible executive officer for each entity
is
Randall Abramson.
|
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
Plan
Category
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights as of July 31, 2007
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and right
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
|
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
3,850,000
|
$ 0.56
|
1,150,000
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
N/A
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
3,850,000
|
$ 0.56
|
1,150,000
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During
the 2006 fiscal year, the president of Firstgold, Scott Dockter, had loaned
Firstgold an aggregate of $5,000. In July 2005 a convertible
promissory note with a balance of $1,402,742 and additional accrued interest
of
$446,193 due to Mr. Dockter was converted into 12,326,231 shares of Firstgold
common stock. As of January 31, 2005, Mr. Dockter had loaned
Firstgold a total of $24,845 and accrued interest of $32,023. In
addition to the outstanding note payable, Mr. Dockter has been issued Warrants
to purchase up to 12,157,909 shares of Firstgold’s Common Stock at exercise
prices ranging from $0.15/share to $0.40/share. As of January 31,
2007, Firstgold had an advance receivable from Mr. Dockter in the amount of
$100,000. The advance receivable was repaid in full by April 30,
2007.
On
January 25, 2006, Firstgold entered into a joint venture with ASDi, LLC to
explore various Nevada mining properties. ASDi LLC is owned and managed by
A.
Scott Dockter, President and CEO of Firstgold. The joint venture will
be operated through a newly formed Nevada limited liability company called
Crescent Red Caps, LLC. The terms of the Operating Agreement provide
for ASDi LLC to contribute various mining properties located in Nevada in
exchange for Firstgold issuing 2.5 million shares of its Common Stock and
warrants to purchase 2.5 million shares of Firstgold Common Stock at an exercise
price of $0.40 per share for a term of three years to ASDi,
LLC. Firstgold will initially own a 22.22% interest in the Crescent
Red Caps LLC and ASDi, LLC will hold a 77.78% interest. By expending
up to $1,350,000 on each project over the next three years, Firstgold can
increase its interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC to
66.66%. Thereafter, Firstgold has the right to purchase the remaining
interest in the Crescent Red Caps LLC held by ASDi, LLC at a price to be
determined by the results of the exploration work
conducted. Firstgold will be the Manager of the Crescent Red Caps
LLC.
On
December 1, 2006, Firstgold entered into an Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement
(the
“Agreement”) with its CEO and President A. Scott Dockter. Pursuant to
the Agreement, Mr. Dockter will make his private airplane available for use
by
Firstgold at a rental rate of $200 per hour plus designated
expenses.
The
Agreement has a term of 10 years. Firstgold made an advance payment
under the Agreement of $120,000 on December 9, 2006. The rental rate being
charged is deemed to be significantly less then the rates obtainable from an
unaffiliated third party. The Agreement and advance payment were
approved by the Firstgold Board with Mr. Dockter abstaining.
On
January 31, 2007 the Chief Financial Officer, James Kluber, converted his
convertible note payable from Firstgold and accrued interest payable into
1,630,918 shares of restricted common stock of Firstgold.
In
April
2007, Kingsmill Capital Partners assisted Firstgold in a private placement
which
was conducted in Canada and raised gross proceeds of $2,552,900. For
Kingsmill’s participation as a selling agent in the private placement, it
received selling commissions of $178,703. Terrence Lynch, a director
of Firstgold, is an officer of Kingsmill but did not receive any compensation
as
such from this completed Firstgold private placement. However, CBKT
Media is Mr. Lynch’s family owned entity which in turn owns a 25% interest in
Kingsmill. Consequently, CBKT Media may receive some portion of the
selling commissions paid by Firstgold to the extent net profits of Kingsmill
are
distributed to its partners. The amount of any such distribution
cannot be determined at this time, but is expected to be less than
$45,000.
Should
a
transaction, proposed transaction, or series of transactions involve one of
our
officers or directors or a related entity or an affiliate of a related entity,
or holders of stock representing 5% or more of the voting power (a “related
entity”) of our then outstanding voting stock, the transactions must be approved
by the unanimous consent of our board of directors. In the event a
member of the board of directors is a related party, that member will abstain
from the vote
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
We
are
authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value
per
share. We are not authorized to issue any preferred stock
currently. We had 112,601,370 shares of our Common Stock and no
shares of preferred stock outstanding as of October 31,
2007.
Common
Stock
The
holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
out of assets or funds legally available for the payment of dividends at such
times and in such amounts as the board from time to time may determine.
The Common Stock is not entitled to pre-emptive rights and is not subject
to conversion or redemption. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of our business, the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders
are distributable ratably among the holders of the Common Stock after payment
of
liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding preferred or Common Stock
or
other claims of creditors. Each outstanding share of Common Stock is duly
and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The
holders of Firstgold Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held
on all matters submitted to a vote of Firstgold stockholders. Under
certain circumstances, California law permits the holders of Firstgold Common
Stock to assert their right to cumulate their votes for the election of
directors, in which case holders of less than a majority of the outstanding
shares of Firstgold Common Stock could elect one or more of Firstgold’s
directors.
Holders
of Firstgold Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription, or redemption
rights.
Securities
Convertible into Common Stock
Firstgold
has issued convertible debentures, in the aggregate principal amount of
$3,650,000 and bearing interest at 8% per annum (the
“Debentures”). Each Debenture has a three (3) year term from the date
of issue unless they are converted into shares of Firstgold Common Stock
or are
repaid prior to the expiration dates. The conversion rate was
adjustable and at any conversion date, would be the lower of $0.45 per
share or
95% of the Market Conversion Price. However $3,000,000 of Debentures
have been converted at $0.45 with the remaining Debentures all convertible
at
$0.45. As of October 31, 2007 only $650,000 in principal amount of
Debentures remained outstanding. Accrued interest may also be converted
into
shares of Firstgold Common Stock.
Warrants
to Purchase Common Stock
As
of
October 31, 2007, Firstgold had 39,726,132 warrants outstanding issued
in
conjunction with various financing transactions. The warrants have
exercise terms of 18-months to five years and are exercisable at prices
ranging
from $0.15 to $0.65 per share.
Transfer
Agent
Transfer
Online, Inc., Portland Oregon, serves as a transfer agent for the shares of
Firstgold Common Stock.
SELLING
SECURITY HOLDERS
The
selling stockholders and the shares of Firstgold common stock being registered
represent (i) shares underlying convertible debentures and shares underlying
warrants issued pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated September
26,
2006 between Firstgold and Cornell Capital Partners and Securities Purchase
Agreements dated October 10, 2006 with three other investors and (ii)
shares and
shares underlying warrants issued in the April 2007 private placement
of Units,
each Unit comprised of one share of Firstgold Common Stock and one-half
warrant
to purchase an additional share of Firstgold Common Stock. Each of
these transactions included Registration Rights for the investors.
Prior
relationship and/or arrangements between Firstgold and any selling stockholder
are as follows:
Cornell
Capital Partners, L.P.– Firstgold had previously issued an aggregate of
$1,000,000 principal amount of convertible debentures and warrants pursuant
to a
January 2006 securities transaction. Also, as a result of the
September 2006 securities transaction, Cornell Capital has the right
(i) to
participate in any future financing transactions up to $5,000,000 for
a period
of 18 months after the September 26, 2006; and (so long as at least $200,000
of
convertible debentures remain outstanding) (ii) approve any offering
of
securities at a price below the then quoted bid price for that security
on a
trading market; and (iii) approve any merger, reorganization or sale
of
Firstgold.
Terrence
Lynch– Terrence Lynch has been a director of Firstgold since September,
2006 and is a member of a company which holds an interest in Kingsmill
Capital
Partners. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” at
page 59 above.
Douglas
McLellan– Mr. McLellan is the president of McLellan Group which has
provided certain video production and website content services to
Firstgold. All services were rendered at standard market
rates.
The
table
below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by each of the selling
stockholders. The first column lists the name of each selling
stockholder. The second column lists the number of shares of Common
Stock beneficially owned by each selling stockholder as of October 31, 2007.
The
third column lists the number of shares of Common Stock that may be resold
under
this prospectus. The fourth and fifth columns list the number of shares of
Common Stock owned and the percentage of Common Stock owned after the resale
of
the Common Stock registered under this prospectus. No selling
stockholder has, or has had within the past three years, any position, office,
or other material relationship with Firstgold other than their status of
creditors and/or stockholders of Firstgold. All of the shares being
registered represent shares underlying convertible debentures or warrants which
were sold to a small number of investors pursuant to the private placement
exemption provided by Sections 4(2) or Section 4(6) of the Securities Act of
1933 or sold outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the
Securities Act of 1933. Beneficial ownership is determined in
accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
includes voting and investment power with respect to such shares. Shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a convertible debenture and shares
of
Common Stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable
or
exercisable within 60 days after October 31, 2007 are deemed to be beneficially
owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of such person but are not treated as outstanding for
the
purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other
stockholder.
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
Offered
by this
|
Beneficially
Owned
|
Name
of Selling Stockholder
|
Prior
to Offering
|
Prospectus
|
After
Offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
Cornell
Capital Partners, LP
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maxim
Nudelmann
|
|
|
|
|
|
----
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.
Bruce McFarlane
|
|
201,199(3)
|
|
201,199
|
|
----
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EFG
Bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
----
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kingsmill
Capital Partners Inc
|
|
567,311
|
|
567,311
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
David
Mitchell, President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter
Beck
18
Brooke Avenue
Toronto,
Ontario
M5M
2J6
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glenn
J. Briggs
7196
McNiven Road
RR3
Campbellville,
Ontario
L0P
1B0
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary
Carter
1452
Spring Road
Mississauga,
Ontario
L5J
1M9
|
|
49,500
|
|
49,500
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guy
A Daniel
314
– 7500 Minonu Boulevard
Richmond,
B.C.
V6Y
3J6
|
|
16,500
|
|
16,500
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack
Frymer
136
Rose Green Drive
Thornhill,
Ontario
L4A
7X5
|
|
363,000
|
|
363,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
*
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
Offered
by this
|
Beneficially
Owned
|
Name
of Selling Stockholder
|
Prior
to Offering
|
Prospectus
|
After
Offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hamilton
Resources Limited
16
Lobraico Lane
Stouffville,
Ontario
L4A
7X5
ATTN:
Al Hamilton, President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lankdark
Corporation Ltd.
1211
– 77 Harbour Square
Toronto,
Ontario
M5J
2S2
ATTN:
Richard Cuttai, President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred
Leith
702
– 2662 Bloor Street West
Toronto,
Ontario
M5X
2Z7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew
Libera
425
– 115 First Street
Collingwood,
Ontario
L9Y
4W3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve
Lynch
841
Porter Street
Coquittam,
B.C.
V3J
5B9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas
McLellan
1
Governor’s Road
Toronto,
Ontario
M4W
2E9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shawn
Pardy
324
Cundles Road East
Barrie,
Ontario
L4M
7E5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DGY
Management Inc.
64
Millwick Drive
Toronto,
Ontario
M9L
1Y3
ATTN: David
Younan, President
|
|
|
|
82,500
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
Offered
by this
|
Beneficially
Owned
|
Name
of Selling Stockholder
|
Prior
to Offering
|
Prospectus
|
After
Offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quinn
Capital Corporation
209
– 637 Lakeshore Boulevard
Toronto,
Ontario
M5V
3J6
ATTN:
Timothy A. Quinn, President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
Shearer
2811
West 6th
Avenue
Vancouver,
M.C.
V6K
1X2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tom
Siklos
22
Baby Point Road
Toronto,
Ontario
W6S
2E9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew
Stanimir
2585
West 8th
Avenue
Vancouver,
B.C.
V6K
2B3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
Stanimir
4672
Cloverlly Walk
West
Vancouver, B.C.
V7W
1V5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel
Stern
269
Kingsdale Avenue
Toronto,
Ontario
M2N
3X5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stillbridge
Ventures Inc.
1668
Wedmore Way
Mississauga,
Ontario
L5J
2J8
ATTN:
David Mitchell, President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tor
Williams
22
Glenvale Boulevard
East
York, Ontario
M4G
2V1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
Offered
by this
|
Beneficially
Owned
|
Name
of Selling Stockholder
|
Prior
to Offering
|
Prospectus
|
After
Offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ziata
Moneta Il finencna druzba d.d.
Svetozarenvska
Ulica 12
2000
Marlbor
Slovenya
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julian
Baldry in Trust
708
– 2111 Lakeshore Blvd. West
Toronto,
Ontario
ATTN:
Julian Baldry, Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter
M. Haw
99
O’Brien Avenue
Stouffville,
Ontario
L4A
4J8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michel
Stannard
910
– Dallas Road
Victornia,
b.C.
V8V
4Z9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,063,000
|
|
2.8
|
|
*
Represents holdings of less than one
percent
|
(1)
|
Amount
includes 3,500,000 shares of common stock underlying warrants immediately
exercisable. Yorkville Advisors, LLC, which is the investment
advisor and general partner of Cornell Capital Partners, has sole
dispositive, investment and voting power for all the
shares. Pursuant to the Convertible Debenture, Cornell Capital
Partners will not own more than 4.99% of our then outstanding common
stock
at any time. The address for Cornell Capital Partners is 101
Hudson Street, Suite 3700, Jersey City, New Jersey 07303. The
general partner of Cornell Capital Partners is Yorkville Advisors,
LLC. The President of Yorkville Advisors, LLC is Mark Angelo
who exercises voting and disposition power with respect to these
shares.
|
(2)
|
Amount
includes 1,150,000 shares which is the estimated maximum number
of shares
of common stock issuable upon conversion of a Convertible Debentures
and
accrued interest beneficially owned by Mr. Nudelmann, and 459,596
shares
of common stock underlying warrants which are immediately
exercisable. The address for Maxim Nudelmann is Keithstr. 31,
Berlin, Germany 10787.
|
(3)
|
Estimated
maximum number of shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of a Convertible Debenture and accrued interest (143,750
shares) beneficially owned by Mr. McFarlane, and 57,449 shares
of common
stock underlying warrants which are immediately
exercisable. The address for R. Bruce McFarlane is 2020
Pumphill Way, Calgary, Alberta
Canada.
|
(4)
|
Amount
includes 575,000 shares which is the estimated maximum number
of shares of
common stock issuable upon conversion of a Convertible Debenture
and
accrued interest beneficially owned by EFG Bank, and 229,798 shares
of common stock underlying warrants which are immediately
exercisable. The address for EFG Bank is Quar de Seujet 24,
P.O. Box 2391, 1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland. The First Vice
President of EFG Bank is Herve Siegrist who exercises voting
and
dispositive power with respect to shares held by EFG
Bank.
|
(5)
|
In
addition to the shares being offered in this Prospectus, an
additional
1,125,000 shares have been registered on Mr. Sterns’ behalf in another
registration statement filed by
Firstgold.
|
METHOD OF
DISTRIBUTION
Each
of
the selling stockholders, and any of their donees, pledgees, transferees or
other successors-in-interest selling shares of Firstgold Common Stock or
interests in shares of Firstgold Common Stock received after the date of this
prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership
distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of Common Stock or interests
in
shares of Common Stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on
which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These
dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time
of
sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices
determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. A selling
stockholder will act independently of Firstgold in making decisions with respect
to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
Each
of
the selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when
selling shares:
·
|
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
·
|
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares
as agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
|
·
|
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for
its
account;
|
·
|
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
·
|
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
·
|
settlement
of short sales entered into after the date of this
prospectus;
|
·
|
broker-dealers
may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number
of such
shares at a stipulated price per
share;
|
·
|
a
combination of any such methods of
sale;
|
·
|
through
the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
or
|
·
|
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
|
Broker-dealers
engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or
discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent
for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated. Each selling stockholder does not expect these
commissions and discounts relating to its sales of shares to exceed what are
customary in the types of transactions involved.
In
connection with the sale of our Common Stock or interests therein, the selling
stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Common
Stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling
stockholders may also sell shares of our Common Stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the Common
Stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The
selling stockholders may also enter into options or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
The
selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) in connection with such
sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers
or agents and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may
be
deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities
Act. Discounts, concessions, commissions and similar selling
expenses, if any, that can be attributed to the sale of securities will be
paid
by the selling stockholders and/or the purchasers. Each selling
stockholder has informed Firstgold that it does not have any agreement or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common
Stock.
Firstgold
is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by it incident to the
registration of the shares. Firstgold has agreed to indemnify the
selling stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Because
selling stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of
the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this
prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act
may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. Each
selling stockholder has advised us that they have not entered into any
agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriter or broker-dealer
regarding the sale of the shares. There is no underwriter or
coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the shares
by
the selling stockholders.
We
agreed
to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) September 26, 2009
(ii) the date on which the shares may be resold by the selling stockholders
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar
effect or (iii) all of the shares have been sold pursuant to the prospectus
or
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The
resale shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers if required under applicable state securities laws.
In
addition, in certain states, the resale shares may not be sold unless they
have
been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption
from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied
with.
Under
applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), any person engaged in the distribution of the
shares may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect
to
our Common Stock for a period of two business days prior to the commencement
of
the distribution. In addition, the selling stockholders will be
subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing
of
purchases and sales of shares of our Common Stock by the selling stockholders
or
any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to
the selling stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy
of
this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the
sale.
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION OF INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITIES
Our
Bylaws, subject to the provisions of Delaware Corporation Law, contain
provisions which allow the corporation to indemnify any person against
liabilities and other expenses incurred as the result of defending or
administering any pending or anticipated legal issue in connection with service
to us if it is determined that person acted in good faith and in a manner which
he reasonably believed was in the best interest of the corporation.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons,
we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the shares offered under this registration statement is being passed
upon by Cota Duncan & Cole, Roseville, California.
EXPERTS
Our
financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 included
in this
prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Singer Lewak
Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP independent registered public accounting firm,
given on that firm's authority as experts in auditing and
accounting.
Our
financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 included
in this
prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Hunter, Flemmer
Renfro & Whitaker, LLP independent registered public accounting firm, given
on that firm's authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
CHANGE
OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
On
December 16, 2006, we received notification from our then current independent
registered public accountants, Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP
(“SLGG”), Certified Public Accountants, that SLGG was resigning as our
independent public accountants. On January 5, 2007, Firstgold’s Audit
Committee took action to appoint the accounting firm of Hunter Flemmer Renfro
& Whitaker LLP (“HFRW”) as our new independent accountants and HFRW accepted
the appointment on January 16, 2007. HFRW’s address is 455 Capitol
Mall, Suite 235, Sacramento, CA 95814.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We
have
filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form SB-2 (File Number
333-145016) under the Securities Act of 1933 regarding the shares of Common
Stock offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information found in the registration statement, portions of which are omitted
as permitted under the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further
information regarding us and the securities offered by this prospectus, please
refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits and
schedules. Statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents
of any contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement are summaries of the terms of those
documents. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms
a part, including its exhibits and schedules, may be inspected and copied at
the
public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of
the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The
SEC
maintains a web site on the Internet at www.sec.gov. Our registration
statement and other information that we file with the SEC are available at
the
SEC’s website.
We
intend
to make available to our stockholders annual reports (on Form 10-KSB) containing
our audited consolidated financial statements and make available quarterly
reports (on Form 10-QSB) containing our unaudited interim consolidated financial
information for the first three fiscal quarters of each of our fiscal
years.
If
you
are a stockholder, you may request a copy of these filings at no cost by
contacting us at:
Firstgold
Corp.
3108
Ponte Morino Drive, Suite 210
Cameron
Park, CA 95682
(530)
677-5974
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
FIRSTGOLD,
INC.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2007 and 2006
|
|
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
|
F-1
|
|
|
Balance
Sheet
|
F-3
|
|
|
Statements
of
Operations
|
F-4
|
|
|
Statements
of Comprehensive
Loss
|
F-5
|
|
|
Statements
of Shareholders’
Deficit
|
F-6
|
|
|
Statements
of Cash
Flows
|
F-10
|
|
|
Notes
to Financial
Statements
|
F-14
|
|
|
FOR
THE QUARTERS ENDED JULY 31, 2007 and 2006
|
|
|
|
Condensed
Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2006 (Unaudited) and as of
|
|
January
31, 2007 (Audited)
|
F-37
|
|
|
Condensed
Statements of
Operations for the three and six months
|
|
ended
July 31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)
|
F-39
|
|
|
Condensed
Statements of Cash
Flows for the three and six months
|
|
ended
July 31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)
|
F-40
|
|
|
Notes
to Unaudited Financial
Statements
|
F-44
|
REPORT
OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of
Directors and Shareholders
Firstgold
Corp.
We
have
audited the balance sheet of Firstgold Corp. (a development stage
company) (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2007, and the related statements of
operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders' deficit, and cash flows for each
of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2007 and the period from
January 1, 1995 to January 31, 2007. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The
Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of
its
internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration
of
internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose
of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit
also
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Firstgold Corp. as of January
31,
2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
two
years in the period ended January 31, 2007, and the period from January 1,
1995
to January 31, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the
financial statements, the Company has incurred a net loss of $4,728,073 and
had
negative cash flow from operations of 2,655,050. In addition, the
Company had an accumulated deficit of $23,758,605 and a shareholders’ deficit of
$4,245,793 at January 31, 2007. These factors, among others, as
discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, raise substantial doubt about
the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's
plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from
the
outcome of this uncertainty.
HUNTER,
FLEMMER, RENFRO & WHITAKER, LLP
Sacramento,
California
May
16,
2007
REPORT
OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of
Directors and Shareholders
Firstgold
Corp
We
have
audited the balance sheet of Firstgold Corp. (formerly Newgold, Inc.) (a
development stage company) (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2006, and the
related statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ deficit and
cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provided a
reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In
our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Firstgold Corp. as of January
31,
2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended
in
conformity with accounting principles accepted in the United States of
America.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial
statements, the Company has incurred a net loss of $2,645,231 and had negative
cash flow from operations of $899,807. In addition, the Company had
an accumulated deficit of $19,030,535 and a shareholders’ deficit of $2,960,365
at January 31, 2006. These factors, among others, as discussed in Note 2
to the
financial statements, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability
to
continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters
are
also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
SINGER
LEWAK GREENBAUM & GOLDSTEIN LLP
Los
Angeles, California
April
26,
2006
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
(AN
EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
BALANCE
SHEET
|
|
January
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
150,647
|
|
|
$ |
700,224
|
|
Travel
advance
|
|
|
114,737
|
|
|
|
1,322
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
7,368
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Prepaid
expense
|
|
|
140,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
412,752
|
|
|
|
701,546
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
of $20,850 and $0 at January 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively
|
|
|
928,029
|
|
|
|
19,199
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
250,981
|
|
|
|
243,204
|
|
Deferred
reclamation costs
|
|
|
641,026
|
|
|
|
270,736
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
other assets
|
|
|
892,007
|
|
|
|
513,940
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
2,232,788
|
|
|
$ |
1,234,685
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$ |
598,788
|
|
|
$ |
798,233
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
1,198,174
|
|
|
|
1,305,790
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
130,249
|
|
|
|
457,634
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,927,211
|
|
|
|
2,561,657
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
debenture and related derivative liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
net
of unamortized discount of $402,135 and $597,260 and
deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
financing
costs of $1,382,642 and $77,500 at January 31, 2007 and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006,
respectively
|
|
|
3,110,344
|
|
|
|
562,657
|
|
Accrued
reclamation costs
|
|
|
641,026
|
|
|
|
270,236
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
long-term liabilities
|
|
|
4,551,370
|
|
|
|
1,632,893
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
6,478,581
|
|
|
|
4,195,050
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
FIRSTGOLD
CORP.
(AN
EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
BALANC