Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Statement No. 333–204717
PROSPECTUS
2,747,546 Shares
PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus relates
to the sale by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus of up to 2,747,546 shares of our common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, which includes (i) 1,962,501 shares issued to the selling stockholders and (ii) 785,045 shares issuable
upon exercise of warrants issued to the selling stockholders. The shares offered hereby were issued to or are issuable pursuant
to warrants issued to the selling stockholders in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) completed on April
21, 2015. In the Private Placement we issued 1,962,501 units to certain accredited investors, with each unit consisting of one
common share and a warrant to purchase 0.40 common shares at an exercise price of $0.44 per share.
All of the shares of
common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by the selling stockholders. It is anticipated that the selling stockholders
will sell these shares of common stock from time to time in one or more transactions, in negotiated transactions or otherwise,
at prevailing market prices or at prices otherwise negotiated (see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning
on page 22 of this prospectus). We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares by the selling stockholders.
All expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering are being borne by us, but all selling and other expenses
incurred by the selling stockholders will be borne by the selling stockholders.
Our common stock is
traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “PGLC.” On December 14, 2015, the last reported sales price of
our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market was $3.58 per share.
The securities offered
in this prospectus involve a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the matters set forth in “Risk
Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein in determining whether to purchase
our securities.
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 January 4, 2016.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
As used in this prospectus, the terms “Pershing,”
“we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” may, depending on the context, refer to Pershing Gold
Corporation or to one or more of Pershing Gold Corporation’s consolidated subsidiaries or to Pershing Gold Corporation and
its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only
on the information provided in this prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone
to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information,
you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus, as well as information contained
in a document that we have previously filed or in the future will file with the SEC and incorporate by reference in this prospectus,
is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, or the document containing that information, as the case may be. Our financial
condition or business may have changed since that date.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file and furnish
annual, quarterly and current reports and other information, including proxy statements, with the SEC. You may read and copy any
document we file or furnish with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available
through the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.pershinggold.com.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to
“incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is considered part of this prospectus, and information filed with the SEC subsequent to this prospectus
and prior to the termination of the particular offering referred to in such prospectus supplement will automatically be deemed
to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement
the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed”
for purposes of the Exchange Act):
| · | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014; |
| · | Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September
30, 2015; |
| · | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2015, February 10, 2015,
April 13, 2015, April 27, 2015, June 12, 2015, June 22, 2015, June 29, 2015, September 10, 2015, and November 24,
2015 to the
extent
“filed” and not “furnished” pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act; and |
| · | The description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on
July 1, 2015, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate
by reference all documents we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (including prior to the effectiveness
of the registration statement) and prior to the termination of the offering. Any statement in a document incorporated by reference
in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in this prospectus or any other
subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement.
Unless specifically
stated to the contrary, none of the information that we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 or corresponding information furnished
under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will
be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.
We will provide without
charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Requests should be directed to:
Pershing Gold Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
1658 Cole Boulevard
Building 6 – Suite 210
Lakewood, Colorado 80401
Except as provided
above, no other information, including information on our internet site, is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some information contained
in or incorporated by reference into this registration statement on Form S-3 may contain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements relating
to our plans to complete our thorough economic study of Relief Canyon, advance our 2015 drilling program and further permitting
and mine planning for the Relief Canyon mine, expectations and the timing and budget for exploration and monetization of our Relief
Canyon properties, our planned expenditures for the rest of 2015, our expected cash needs, and statements concerning our financial
condition, business and operating strategies and operating and legal risks.
We use the words “anticipate,”
“continue,” “likely,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “could,”
“will,” “project,” “should,” “believe” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking
statements. Statements that contain these words discuss our future expectations and plans, or state other forward-looking information.
Although we believe the expectations and assumptions reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure
you that these expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed
or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors described in this registration statement on Form S-3,
including:
| · | Risks relating to the 2015 exploration efforts to expand the Relief Canyon deposit, determining
the feasibility and economic viability of commencing mining, our ability to fund future exploration costs or purchase additional
equipment, and our ability to obtain or amend the necessary permits, consents, or authorizations needed to advance expansion of
the deposit; |
| · | Risk relating to our target of commencing gold production following the completion of a thorough
economic study, including the feasibility and economic viability of commencing gold production, our ability to develop an economically
feasible operating plan, our ability to obtain sufficient external funding, and our ability to obtain the necessary permits and
permit amendments; |
| · | Risks related to the Relief Canyon properties other than the Relief Canyon Mine, including our
ability to advance gold exploration, discover any deposits of gold of other minerals which can be mined at a profit, maintain our
unpatented mining claims and millsites, commence mining, obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents, or authorizations
needed to continue exploration, and raise the necessary capital to finance exploration and potential expansion; |
| · | Our ability to acquire additional mineral targets; |
| · | Our ability to obtain additional external funding; |
| · | Our ability to achieve any meaningful revenue; |
| · | Our ability to engage or retain geologists, engineers, consultants and other key management and
mining personnel necessary to successfully operate and grow our business; |
| · | The volatility of the market price of our common stock or our intention not to pay any cash dividends
in the foreseeable future; |
| · | Changes in any federal, state or local laws and regulations or possible challenges by third parties
or contests by the federal government that increase costs of operation or limit our ability to explore on certain portions of our
property; |
| · | Continuing decreases in the market price for gold and economic and political events affecting the
market prices for gold and other minerals which may be found on our exploration properties; and |
The factors set forth
under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this registration statement on Form S-3.
Many of these factors
are beyond our ability to control or predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements
are based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations may prove to be materially incorrect due to known and unknown risk and uncertainties.
You should not unduly rely on any of our forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this registration
statement on Form S-3. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or developments. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to
us and persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and
elsewhere in this registration statement on Form S-3.
OUR
BUSINESS
Overview
We are a gold and precious
metals exploration company pursuing exploration, development and mining opportunities primarily in Nevada. We are currently focused
on exploration at our Relief Canyon properties in Pershing County in northwestern Nevada and, if economically feasible, commencing
mining at the Relief Canyon Mine. None of our properties contain proven and probable reserves, and all of our activities on our
properties are exploratory in nature.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy
is to acquire and advance precious metals exploration properties. We seek properties with known mineralization that are in an advanced
stage of exploration and have previously undergone some drilling but are under-explored, which we believe we can advance quickly
to increase value.
Relief Canyon Mine
Property
Our Relief Canyon property
rights currently total approximately 25,000 acres and are comprised of approximately 948 owned unpatented mining claims, 120 owned
millsite claims, 172 leased unpatented mining claims, and 2,235 acres of leased and 2,770 acres of subleased private lands. As
currently defined by exploration drilling, most of the Relief Canyon deposit is located on property that is subject
to a 2% net smelter return production royalty, with a portion of the deposit located on property subject to net smelter return
production royalties totaling 4.5%. The rest of the property is subject, under varying circumstances, to net smelter return
production royalties ranging from 2% to 5%.
Since acquisition of
the Relief Canyon Mine property, our exploration efforts have been focused primarily on expanding the known Relief Canyon Mine
deposit. Our 2011–2013 exploration drilling programs expanded the deposit. We began a drilling program in 2014 which we completed
in early 2015. In this program, we drilled a total of 134 holes, for approximately 74,000 feet, for the purpose of extending and
upgrading the current deposit. The 2014 drill results, which include some gold intercepts at significantly higher grades than the
average historic grade of the Relief Canyon deposit of approximately one gram per ton, were viewed as positive, and we expect to
expand on these results in our 2015 drilling program. We began our 2015 drilling program in May 2015, which is focused on expanding
the high-grade zones in the North Target Area where high-grade gold intercepts were recently encountered, as well as expanding
the resource to the southwest, northeast, and to the west with step-out drilling from known zones of gold mineralization. Since
we acquired Relief Canyon, we have drilled a total of 490 drill holes comprising approximately 259,000 feet at the Relief Canyon
Mine property.
In July 2015, we reported
the following update of our estimate of mineralized material at the Relief Canyon deposit, calculated at a gold price assumption
of $1,200 per ounce and a cut-off grade of 0.005 ounces of gold per ton.
Tons | | |
Average gold grade (ounces per ton) | |
| 37,335,000 | | |
| 0.020 | |
“Mineralized
material” as used in this registration statement on Form S-3, although permissible under the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC standards. We cannot be certain that
any part of the Relief Canyon deposit will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves.” Investors
are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will be confirmed or converted into reserves or that
mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
We are continuing the
2015 drilling program and plan to incorporate the results of the 2015 drilling program into a further updated mineralized material
estimate. We plan to conduct a thorough economic study on Relief Canyon which should provide estimates of potential production
rates, cash costs, all-in-sustaining costs, mine life and other key factors. We expect to consider a plan to commence mining and
processing based on this economic study.
If we were to decide
to pursue the commencement of production at Relief Canyon, additional external financing would be required. Although the Relief
Canyon Mine currently has an available leach pad and processing facility and we have senior mine and processing personnel in place,
we would be required to obtain mining equipment (which could be through purchase, lease, contract mining or a combination of these),
hire employees for the mine and the processing plant, purchase materials and supplies, commence mining, leaching and processing
activities, and continue these activities as well as the corporate activities currently conducted for a number of months until
sufficient positive cash flow is produced by gold sales to fund all of these ongoing activities. The economic study will include
estimates of the amounts of additional external financing required and the time period required prior to achieving sufficient positive
cash flow, at assumed gold prices and operating parameters, to fund these expenditures and our operations on an ongoing basis.
Additional external
financing could be obtained by the sale of equity or debt securities, asset sales, project or product financing or strategic alternatives,
which could include third party purchasers of an interest in the Relief Canyon Mine or other projects or business combinations
which could include a sale of the mine or the Company. There are no assurances that we will be successful in raising sufficient
financing to commence production at Relief Canyon or to continue our business.
During the remainder
of 2015, we plan to focus primarily on completing an economic study on the proposed mine, advancing our 2015 drilling program,
advancing permit applications related primarily to potential mine expansions and continuing work to develop an economically feasible
mining and processing plan. We estimate that costs for these activities for the remainder of 2015, including general and administrative
costs, will total approximately $2.7 million.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive
offices are located at 1658 Cole Boulevard, Building 6-Suite 210, Lakewood, CO 80401 and our telephone number is 720-974-7254.
We maintain a website at www.pershinggold.com, which contains information about us. Our website and the information contained in
and connected to it are not a part of this prospectus.
THE
OFFERING
Common stock offered by the selling stockholders: |
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2,747,546 shares of common stock, all of which were issued or are issuable to the selling stockholders in the Private Placement. |
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Total shares of common stock assumed outstanding on December 2, 2015: |
|
22,508,094 (1) |
|
|
|
Common stock assumed outstanding after this offering: |
|
22,508,094 (1) |
|
|
|
Use of proceeds: |
|
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in this offering by the selling stockholders. |
|
|
|
Nasdaq: |
|
PGLC |
|
|
|
Risk factors: |
|
You should carefully consider the information set forth in this prospectus and, in particular, the specific factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 6 of this prospectus before deciding whether or not to invest in shares of our common stock. |
(1) The number of outstanding shares
before and after the offering includes the 785,045 shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the selling stockholders
in the Private Placement and excludes the following shares of common stock, none of which are being offered by this prospectus:
| • | 1,841,528 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock; |
| • | 1,811,121 shares of common stock issuable upon the
exercise of outstanding options; |
| • | 2,242,709 shares of common stock issuable upon the
exercise of outstanding warrants; and |
| • | 780,270 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to
restricted stock units. |
RISK
FACTORS
Investing in our common
stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our common stock you should carefully consider the following risks, together
with the financial and other information contained in this prospectus. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business,
prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the value of our common stock
would likely decline and you may lose all or a part of your investment.
Risks Relating to
Our Business
We have no
proven or probable reserves on our properties and we do not know if our properties contain any gold or other minerals that can
be mined at a profit.
The properties on which
we have the right to explore for gold and other minerals do not contain mineral reserves and we do not know if any deposits of
gold or other minerals can be mined at a profit. Whether a gold or other mineral deposit can be mined at a profit depends upon
many factors. Some but not all of these factors include: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity
to infrastructure; operating costs and capital expenditures required to start mining a deposit; the availability and cost of financing;
the price of the gold or other minerals which is highly volatile and cyclical; and government regulations, including regulations
relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. We are also obligated
to pay production royalties on certain of our mineral production, including a net smelter royalty of 2% or 2.5% on production from
most of our Relief Canyon Mine property, which would increase our costs of production and make our ability to operate profitably
more difficult. We are also obligated to pay a net smelter royalty of up to 5% on production from some of our claims and lands.
We are an
exploration stage company and have only recently commenced exploration activities on our claims. We reported a net loss for the
nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, and expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable
future.
Our evaluation of our
Relief Canyon Mine property is primarily based on historical production data and on new exploration data that we have developed
since 2011, supplemented by historical exploration data. Our plans for recommencing mining and processing activities at the Relief
Canyon Mine property are in their early stages and preliminary, as are our exploration programs on the Relief Canyon expansion
properties. Accordingly, we are not yet in a position to estimate expected amounts of minerals, yields or values or evaluate the
likelihood that our business will be successful. We have not earned any revenues from mining operations. The likelihood of success
must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the
exploration of the mineral properties and commencement of mining activities that we plan to undertake. These potential problems
include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates
and the requirement for external funding to continue our business. Prior to completion of our exploration stage, we anticipate
that we will incur increased operating expenses without realizing any revenues. We reported a net loss of approximately $(14.1)
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We reported a net loss of approximately $(16.5) million for the year ended
December 31, 2014. We expect to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. Our monthly burn rate for all costs
during 2014 was approximately $1.1 million, including $575,000 for general and administrative costs (including all employee salaries,
public company expenses, consultants, and land holdings costs) and $525,000 for exploration activities. We expect, based on our
current budget, our monthly burn rate for all costs in 2015 to be approximately $1.1 million (including approximately $500,000
for general and administrative costs and $575,000 for exploration, permitting, and other Relief Canyon Mine activities), which
may increase as our plans develop. We expect to require additional external financing to fund operations by the fourth quarter
of 2016. If we are unable to raise external funding, and eventually generate significant revenues from our claims and properties,
we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. We have no production history upon which to base any assumption as
to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and it is uncertain that we will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve
profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.
Exploring
for gold and other minerals is inherently speculative, involves substantial expenditures, and is frequently non-productive.
Mineral exploration
(currently our only business), and gold exploration in particular, is a business that by its nature is very speculative. We may
not be able to establish mineral reserves on our properties or be able to mine any gold or any other minerals on a profitable basis.
Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Unusual or unexpected geological conditions, fires,
flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor are just
some of the many risks involved in mineral exploration programs and the subsequent development of gold deposits.
The mining
industry is capital intensive and we may be unable to raise necessary funding.
We spent approximately
$13.4 million on our business and exploration during the year ended December 31, 2014 and $17.3 million during the nine months
ended September 30, 2015 (of which $6.0 million was related to the transaction with Newmont USA Limited (“Newmont”),
as discussed below in “Business and Properties – Relief Canyon Property – Property History” and “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Overview”). Our estimated total cost for
2015 for exploration, permitting, landholding and for general and administrative costs is approximately $20.0 million (including
the $6.0 million transaction with Newmont referred to above). If, following the completion of a thorough economic study, we decide
to pursue the commencement of production at Relief Canyon, additional external financing would be required. In addition, even if
we do not decide to pursue the commencement of production at Relief Canyon, we will be required to raise additional funds in order
to finance our operations by the fourth quarter of 2016. We may be unable to secure additional financing on terms acceptable to
us, or at all. Our inability to raise additional funds would prevent us from achieving our business objectives and would have a
negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our securities. If we raise additional
funds by issuing additional equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership of existing stockholders may be diluted and the
securities that we may issue in the future may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the current holders of
our common stock. Such securities may also be issued at a discount to the market price of our common stock, resulting in possible
further dilution to the book value per share of common stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, we could be subject
to debt covenants that could place limitations on our operations and financial flexibility.
If we decide
to pursue the commencement of mining and processing activities at Relief Canyon, unanticipated problems or delays may negatively
affect our business and financial condition.
If we were to decide
to pursue the commencement of mining and processing activities at Relief Canyon, additional external financing would be required.
Although the Relief Canyon Mine currently has an available leach pad and processing facility and we have senior mine and processing
personnel in place, we would be required to obtain mining equipment (which could be through purchase, lease, contract mining or
a combination of these), hire employees for the mine and the processing plant, purchase materials and supplies, commence mining,
leaching and processing activities, and continue these activities as well as the corporate activities currently conducted for a
number of months until sufficient positive cash flow is produced by gold sales to fund all of these ongoing activities. We may
suffer significant delays or cost overruns as a result of a variety of factors, such as increases in the prices of materials, mining
or processing problems, unanticipated variations in mined materials, shortages of workers or materials, transportation constraints,
adverse weather, equipment failures, fires, damage to or destruction of property and equipment, environmental problems, unforeseen
difficulties or labor issues, any of which could delay or prevent us from commencing or ramping up mining and processing. If our
start-up were prolonged or delayed or our costs were higher than anticipated, we could be unable to obtain sufficient funds to
cover the additional costs, and our business could experience a substantial setback. Prolonged problems could have a material adverse
effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations and threaten our viability.
We are a
junior exploration company with no mining activities and we may never have any mining activities in the future.
Our primary business
is exploring for gold and, to a lesser extent, other minerals. If we discover commercially exploitable gold or other deposits,
we will not be able to make any money from mining activities unless the gold or other deposits are actually mined, or we sell our
interest. Accordingly, we will need to seek additional capital through debt or equity financing, find some other entity to mine
our properties or operate our facilities on our behalf, enter into joint venture or other arrangements with a third party, or sell
or lease the property or rights to mine to third parties. Mine development projects typically require a number of years and significant
expenditures during the development phase before production is possible. Such projects could experience unexpected problems and
delays during development, construction and mine start up. Mining operations in the United States are subject to many different
federal, state and local laws and regulations, including stringent environmental, health and safety laws. If and when we assume
operational responsibility for mining on our properties, it is possible that we will be unable to comply with current or future
laws and regulations, which can change at any time. It is possible that changes to these laws will be adverse to any potential
mining operations. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays and require capital outlays in excess of those
anticipated, adversely affecting any potential mining operations. Our future mining operations, if any, may also be subject to
liability for pollution or other environmental damage. It is possible that we will choose to not be insured against this risk because
of high insurance costs or other reasons.
We have a
short operating history, have a history of losses and may never achieve any meaningful revenue.
We acquired all of
our property interests since August 2011. Our operating history consists of our exploration activities. We have no income-producing
activities from mining or exploration, and have a history of losses stemming from the acquisition of the rights to explore on our
property and conducting our exploration activities. Exploring for gold and other minerals or resources is an inherently speculative
activity and there is no assurance we will be able to develop an economically feasible operating plan for the Relief Canyon Mine.
There is a strong possibility that we will not find any other commercially exploitable gold or other deposits on our property.
Because we are an exploration company, we may never achieve any meaningful revenue.
We must make
annual lease payments, advance royalty and royalty payments and claim maintenance payments or we will lose our rights to our property.
We are required under
the terms of the leases covering some of our property interests to make annual lease payments and advance royalty and royalty payments
each year. We are also required to make annual claim maintenance payments to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”)
and pay a fee to Pershing County in order to maintain our rights to explore and, if warranted, to develop our unpatented mining
claims. If we fail to meet these obligations, we will lose the right to explore for gold and other minerals on our property. Our
total annual property maintenance costs payable to the BLM for all of the unpatented mining claims and millsites in the Relief
Canyon area in 2014 were approximately $205,000, and we expect our annual maintenance costs to be approximately $205,000 in 2015.
Our lease payments, advance royalty and royalty payments and claim maintenance payments are described below under “Business
and Properties”.
Our business
is subject to extensive environmental regulations that may make exploring, mining or related activities prohibitively expensive,
and which may change at any time.
All of our operations
are subject to extensive environmental regulations that can substantially delay exploration and make exploration expensive or prohibit
it altogether. We may be subject to potential liabilities associated with the pollution of the environment and the disposal of
waste products that may occur as the result of exploring and other related activities on our properties, including our plan to
process gold at our processing facility. We may have to pay to remedy environmental pollution, which may reduce the amount of money
that we have available to use for exploration or other activities, and adversely affect our financial position. If we are unable
to fully remedy an environmental problem, we might be required to suspend operations or to enter into interim compliance measures
pending the completion of the required remedy. If a decision is made to mine our properties and we retain any operational responsibility
for doing so, our potential exposure for remediation may be significant, and this may have a material adverse effect upon our business
and financial position. We have not purchased insurance for potential environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution
or other hazards associated with the disposal of waste products from our exploration activities) and such insurance may not be
available to us on reasonable terms or at a reasonable price. All of our exploration and, if warranted, development activities
may be subject to regulation under one or more local, state and federal environmental impact analyses and public review processes.
It is possible that future changes in applicable laws, regulations and permits or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation
could have significant impact on some portion of our business, which may require our business to be economically re-evaluated from
time to time. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk that regulatory authorities may increase bonding requirements
beyond our financial capability. Inasmuch as posting of bonding in accordance with regulatory determinations is a condition to
the right to operate under all material operating permits, increases in bonding requirements could prevent operations even if we
are in full compliance with all substantive environmental laws. We have been required to post a substantial bond under various
laws relating to mining and the environment and may in the future be required to post a larger bond to pursue additional activities.
For example, we must provide BLM and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation
(“NDEP”) additional financial assurance (reclamation bonds) to guarantee reclamation of any new surface disturbance
required for drill roads, drill sites, or mine expansion. In March 2015, we increased the amount of our reclamation bond with BLM
and the NDEP to approximately $5.6 million, which is currently approximately $108,000 in excess of the current coverage requirement,
to reclaim land disturbed in our exploration and mining operations. Approximately $5.5 million of our reclamation bond covers both
exploration and mining at the Relief Canyon Mine property, including the three open-pit mines and associated waste rock disposal
areas, the mineral processing facilities, ancillary facilities, and the exploration roads and drill pads, and approximately $12,500
covers exploration on the Relief Canyon expansion properties. The remaining $108,000 of financial assurance can be used to satisfy,
or partially satisfy, future bonding requirements for exploration or mining. Our preliminary estimate of the likely amount of additional
financial assurance for future exploration is approximately $100,000, although we expect periodic increases due to effects of inflation.
Our preliminary estimate of the likely amount of additional financial assurance to recommence mining operations is $600,000, which
may increase as our mining plans are finalized and reviewed by the applicable agencies.
The government
licenses and permits which we need to explore on our property may take too long to acquire or cost too much to enable us to proceed
with exploration. In the event that we conclude that the Relief Canyon Mine deposit can be profitably mined, or discover other
commercially exploitable deposits, we may face substantial delays and costs associated with securing the additional government
licenses and permits that could preclude our ability to develop the mine. For example, we seek to amend the permits for our existing
gold processing facility, which may be delayed.
Exploration activities
usually require the granting of permits from various governmental agencies. For example, exploration drilling on unpatented mining
claims requires a permit to be obtained from the BLM, which may take several months or longer to grant the requested permit. Depending
on the size, location and scope of the exploration program, additional permits may also be required before exploration activities
can be undertaken. Prehistoric or Indian graves, threatened or endangered species, archeological sites or the possibility thereof,
difficult access, excessive dust and important nearby water resources may all result in the need for additional permits before
exploration activities can commence.
In addition, we plan
to seek amendments to our permits for our Relief Canyon gold processing facility to add a gold recovery (stripping) system to the
facility. If we conclude that the Relief Canyon deposit can be profitably mined, we would seek amendments to the BLM Plan of Operations
and the NDEP Reclamation permit to increase the size of the Relief Canyon open pit-mines and waste rock storage areas. If the minable
material exceeds 21 million tons, the current capacity of the leach pad, we would also need to seek an amendment of the processing
facility to expand the capacity of the leach pad and ponds to accommodate additional material. If there are delays in obtaining
the permit to add the gold recovery system, we would sell gold-loaded carbon to another facility that would recover/strip the gold.
We estimate the annual cost of holding these permits will be approximately $35,000, and the cost to amend these permits to authorize
potential future mining including mining beneath the water table will total about $1.2 million, which is based on preliminary estimates
and may increase as our mining plans are finalized. As with all permitting processes, there is substantial uncertainty about when
and if the permits will be issued. There is the risk that unexpected delays and excessive costs may be experienced in obtaining
required permits. The needed permits may not be granted or could be challenged by third parties, which could result in protracted
litigation that could cause substantial delays, or may be granted in an unacceptable timeframe or cost too much. Additionally,
proposed mineral exploration and mining projects can become controversial and be opposed by nearby landowners and communities,
which can substantially delay and interfere with the permitting process. Delays in or inability to obtain necessary permits would
result in unanticipated costs, which may result in serious adverse effects upon our business.
The value
of our property and any other deposits we may seek or locate is subject to volatility in the price of gold.
Our ability to obtain
additional and continuing funding, and our profitability if and when we commence mining or sell our rights to mine, will be significantly
affected by changes in the market price of gold and other mineral deposits. Gold and other minerals prices fluctuate widely and
are affected by numerous factors, all of which are beyond our control. The price of gold may be influenced by:
| · | fluctuation in the supply of, demand and market price for gold; |
| · | mining activities of our competitors; |
| · | sale or purchase of gold by central banks and for investment purposes by individuals and financial
institutions; |
| · | currency exchange rates; |
| · | fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and other currencies; |
| · | global and regional supply and demand, including investment, industrial and jewelry demand; and |
| · | political and economic conditions of major gold or other mineral-producing countries. |
The price of gold and
other minerals have fluctuated widely in recent years, and a decline in the price of gold or other minerals could cause a significant
decrease in the value of our property, limit our ability to raise money, and render continued exploration and development of our
property impracticable. If that happens, then we could lose our rights to our property or be compelled to sell some or all of these
rights. Additionally, the future development of our mining properties beyond the exploration stage is heavily dependent upon gold
prices remaining sufficiently high to make the development of our property economically viable.
Our property
title may be challenged. We are not insured against any challenges, impairments or defects to our mining claims or title to our
other properties.
Our property is comprised
primarily of unpatented lode mining claims and millsites located and maintained in accordance with the federal General Mining Law
of 1872. Unpatented lode mining claims and millsites are unique U.S. property interests and are generally considered to be subject
to greater title risk than other real property interests because the validity of unpatented mining claims and millsites is often
uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and regulations with which the owner of
an unpatented mining claim or millsite must comply in order to locate and maintain a valid claim. Moreover, if we discover mineralization
that is close to the claim boundaries, it is possible that some or all of the mineralization may occur outside the boundaries on
lands that we do not control. In such a case we would not have the right to extract those minerals. We do not have title reports
or opinions covering all of our Relief Canyon properties. The uncertainty resulting from not having title opinions for all of our
Relief Canyon properties or having detailed claim surveys on all of our properties leaves us exposed to potential title defects.
Defending challenges to our property title would be costly, and may divert funds that could otherwise be used for exploration activities
and other purposes.
In addition, unpatented
lode mining claims and millsites are always subject to possible challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government,
which, if successful, may prevent us from exploiting any discovery of commercially extractable gold. Challenges to our title may
increase our costs of operation or limit our ability to explore on certain portions of our property. We are not insured against
challenges, impairments or defects to our property title.
Possible
amendments to the General Mining Law could make it more difficult or impossible for us to execute our business plan.
In recent years, the
U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to the General Mining Law, as well as legislation that would make
comprehensive changes to the law. Although no such legislation has been adopted to date, there can be no assurance that such legislation
will not be adopted in the future. If adopted, such legislation, if it includes concepts that have been part of previous legislative
proposals, could, among other things, (i) adopt the limitation on the number of millsites that a claimant may use, discussed
below, (ii) impose time limits on the effectiveness of plans of operation that may not coincide with mine life, (iii) impose
more stringent environmental compliance and reclamation requirements on activities on unpatented mining claims and millsites, (iv) establish
a mechanism that would allow states, localities and Native American tribes to petition for the withdrawal of identified tracts
of federal land from the operation of the General Mining Law, (v) allow for administrative determinations that mining would
not be allowed in situations where undue degradation of the federal lands in question could not be prevented, (vi) impose
royalties on gold and other mineral production from unpatented mining claims or impose fees on production from patented mining
claims, and (vii) impose a fee on the amount of material displaced at a mine. Further, it could have an adverse impact on earnings
from our operations, could reduce estimates of any reserves we may establish and could curtail our future exploration and development
activity on our unpatented claims.
Our ability to conduct
exploration, development, mining and related activities may also be impacted by administrative actions taken by federal agencies.
With respect to unpatented millsites, for example, the ability to use millsites and their validity has been subject to greater
uncertainty since 1997. In November of 1997, the Secretary of the Interior (appointed by President Clinton) approved a Solicitor’s
Opinion that concluded that the General Mining Law imposed a limitation that only a single five-acre millsite may be claimed or
used in connection with each associated and valid unpatented or patented lode mining claim. Subsequently, however, on November 7,
2003, the new Secretary of the Interior (appointed by President Bush) approved an Opinion by the Deputy Solicitor which concluded
that the mining laws do not impose a limitation that only a single five-acre millsite may be claimed in connection with each associated
unpatented or patented lode mining claim. Current federal regulations do not include the millsite limitation. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Department of the Interior will not seek to re-impose the millsite limitation at some point in the future.
In addition, a consortium
of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit in the United District Court for the District of Columbia against the Department of
the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the BLM, and the USFS, asking the court to order the BLM and USFS to adopt the five-acre
millsite limitation. That lawsuit also asks the court to order the BLM and the USFS to require mining claimants to pay fair market
value for their use of the surface of federal lands where those claimants have not demonstrated the validity of their unpatented
mining claims and millsites. If the plaintiffs in that lawsuit were to prevail, that could have an adverse impact on our ability
to use our unpatented millsites for facilities ancillary to our exploration, development and mining activities, and could significantly
increase the cost of using federal lands at our properties for such ancillary facilities.
Market forces
or unforeseen developments may prevent us from obtaining the supplies and equipment necessary to explore for gold and other minerals.
Gold exploration and
mineral exploration in general, is a very competitive business. Competitive demands for contractors and unforeseen shortages of
supplies and/or equipment could result in the disruption of our planned exploration activities. Current demand for exploration
drilling services, equipment and supplies is robust and could result in suitable equipment and skilled manpower being unavailable
at scheduled times for our exploration program. Fuel prices are extremely volatile as well. We will attempt to locate suitable
equipment, materials, manpower and fuel if sufficient funds are available. If we cannot find the equipment and supplies needed
for our various exploration programs, we may have to suspend some or all of them until equipment, supplies, funds and/or skilled
manpower become available. Any such disruption in our activities may adversely affect our exploration activities and financial
condition.
Our directors
and executive officers lack significant experience or technical training in exploring for precious and base metal deposits and
in developing mines.
Most of our directors
and executive officers lack significant experience or technical training in exploring for precious and base metal deposits and
in developing mines. Accordingly, although our Senior Vice President has significant experience and expertise in environmental
permitting and regulatory matters for developing and operating mines and our Chief Operating Officer has significant experience
with mine operations, our management may not be fully aware of many of the other specific requirements related to working within
this industry. Their decisions and choices may not take into account standard engineering or managerial approaches that mineral
exploration companies commonly use. Consequently, our operations, earnings, and ultimate financial success could suffer irreparable
harm due to some of our management’s lack of experience in the mining industry.
We may not
be able to maintain the infrastructure necessary to conduct exploration activities.
Our exploration activities
depend upon adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important factors that affect
capital and operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance
or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect our exploration activities and financial condition.
Our exploration
activities may be adversely affected by the local climate or seismic events, which could prevent us from gaining access to our
property year-round.
Earthquakes, heavy
rains, snowstorms, and floods could result in serious damage to or the destruction of facilities, equipment or means of access
to our property, or may otherwise prevent us from conducting exploration activities on our property. There may be short periods
of time when the unpaved portion of the access road is impassible in the event of extreme weather conditions or unusually muddy
conditions. During these periods, it may be difficult or impossible for us to access our property, make repairs, or otherwise conduct
exploration activities on them.
Risks Relating to
Our Organization and Common Stock
We have relied
on certain stockholders to provide significant investment capital to fund our operations.
We have in the past
relied on cash infusions primarily from Frost Gamma Investments Trust (“Frost Gamma”) and one of the Company’s
directors, Barry Honig. During the year ended December 31, 2012, Frost Gamma provided approximately $4.6 million in consideration
for the issuance of certain of our securities. In the year ended December 31, 2013, Mr. Honig provided approximately
$5.6 million to us in consideration for the issuance of shares of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock. Additionally,
Mr. Honig and Frost Gamma provided approximately $1.9 million and $150,000, respectively, to us in consideration for the issuance
of shares of common stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock in July 2014 private placements. Mr. Honig also
invested $150,000 in a private placement of our common stock in October 2014 and $2.5 million in the April 2015 Private Placement.
Curtailment of cash investments by Frost Gamma or Barry Honig could detrimentally impact our cash availability and our ability
to fund our operations.
Our principal
stockholders, officers and directors own a substantial interest in our voting securities, and investors may have limited voice
in our management.
Our principal stockholders,
Frost Gamma, Barry Honig and Levon Resources Ltd. (“Levon Resources”), as well as our officers and directors, own,
in the aggregate, approximately 50% of our voting securities, including shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of
our Series E preferred stock. As of December 2, 2015, Frost Gamma owned 3,037,369, or approximately 13%, of our voting securities,
Levon Resources owned 1,954,366, or approximately 8%, of our voting securities, and Mr. Honig, who is a director, owned 5,629,282,
or approximately 24%, of our voting securities. As of that date, our officers and directors, including Mr. Honig, own 6,831,043,
or approximately 29%, of our voting securities. Additionally, the holdings of our officers and directors may increase in the future
upon exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities they may hold or be granted in the future or if they otherwise acquire
additional shares of our common stock, including through grants under our employee benefit plans.
As a result of their
ownership and positions, our principal stockholder, directors and executive officers collectively may be able to influence all
matters requiring stockholder approval, including the following matters:
| · | election of our directors; |
| · | amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws; and |
| · | effecting or preventing a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction. |
In addition, their
stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the
Company, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.
We are subject
to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
and other federal securities laws, and the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The costs of preparing
and filing annual and quarterly reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission and furnishing audited
reports to stockholders will cause our expenses to be higher than they would have been if we were privately held. These costs for
the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 were approximately $900,000 and $900,000, respectively. We expect
these costs and costs associated with our listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market for 2015 to total approximately $1,000,000.
It may be time consuming,
difficult and costly for us to develop, implement and maintain the internal controls and reporting procedures required by the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. We may need to hire additional financial reporting, internal controls and other finance personnel in order to develop and
implement appropriate internal controls and reporting procedures.
If we fail
to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately
or to prevent fraud. Any inability to report and file our financial results accurately and timely could harm our reputation and
adversely impact the trading price of our common stock.
Effective internal
control is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports
or prevent fraud, we may not be able to manage our business as effectively as we would if an effective control environment existed,
and our business and reputation with investors may be harmed. As a result of our small size, any current internal control deficiencies
may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operation and access to capital. At December 31, 2012, management
reported significant deficiencies related to (i) our internal audit functions, and (ii) a lack of segregation of duties
within accounting functions. Although as of December 31, 2014, management has concluded that our internal control over
financial reporting is effective, there can be no assurance that our internal control over financial reporting will remain effective.
Public company
compliance may make it more difficult to attract and retain officers and directors.
The Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission have required changes in corporate governance practices
of public companies. As a public company, our compliance costs increased in 2014 and we expect these rules and regulations
to further increase our compliance costs and to make certain activities more time consuming and costly. As a public company, we
also expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer
liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to
obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve
on our board of directors or as executive officers, and to maintain insurance at reasonable rates, or at all.
Our stock
price may be volatile.
The market price of
our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which
are beyond our control, including the following:
| · | results of our operations and exploration efforts; |
| · | fluctuation in the supply of, demand and market price for gold; |
| · | our ability to obtain additional financing; |
| · | additions or departures of key personnel; |
| · | limited “public float” in the hands of a small number of persons whose sales or lack
of sales could result in positive or negative pricing pressure on the market price for our common stock; |
| · | our ability to execute our business plan; |
| · | sales of our common stock and decline in demand for our common stock; |
| · | regulatory developments; |
| · | economic and other external factors; |
| · | investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and |
| · | period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results. |
In addition, the securities
markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance
of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
As a result, you may be unable to resell your shares at a desired price.
Volatility
in the price of our common stock may subject us to securities litigation.
As discussed above,
the market for our common stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect
that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs
have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of
its securities. We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs
and liabilities and could divert management's attention and resources.
We have not
paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future. Any return on investment may be limited to the
value of our common stock.
We have never paid
cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common
stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as our board
of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your
investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
There is
currently a limited trading market for our common stock and we cannot ensure that one will ever develop or be sustained.
Although the Company’s
common stock is currently quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market, there is limited trading activity. The Company can give
no assurance that an active market will develop, or if developed, that it will be sustained. If an investor acquires
shares of the Company’s common stock, the investor may not be able to liquidate the Company’s shares should there be
a need or desire to do so. Only a small percentage of our common stock is available to be traded and is held by a small number
of holders and the price, if traded, may not reflect our actual or perceived value. There can be no assurance that there will be
an active market for our shares of common stock either now or in the future. The market liquidity of our common stock is limited
and may be dependent on the market perception of our business, among other things. We may, in the future, take certain steps, including
utilizing investor awareness campaigns, press releases, road shows and conferences to increase awareness of our business and any
steps that we might take to bring us to the awareness of investors may require we compensate consultants with cash and/or stock.
There can be no assurance that there will be any awareness generated or the results of any efforts will result in any impact on
our trading volume. Consequently, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment or liquidate it at a price that reflects
the value of the business and trading may be at an inflated price relative to the performance of our Company due to, among other
things, availability of sellers of our shares. If a market should develop, the price may be highly volatile. Because there may
be a low price for our shares of common stock, many brokerage firms or clearing firms may not be willing to effect transactions
in the securities or accept our shares for deposit in an account. Even if an investor finds a broker willing to effect a transaction
in the shares of our common stock, the combination of brokerage commissions, transfer fees, taxes, if any, and any other selling
costs may exceed the selling price. Further, many lending institutions will not permit the use of low priced shares of common stock
as collateral for any loans.
Offers or
availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
If our stockholders
sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or upon the expiration of any statutory holding period, under
Rule 144, or upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, it could create a circumstance commonly referred to as
an “overhang” in anticipation of which the market price of our common stock could decline. The existence of an overhang,
whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through
the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.
Conversion
of preferred stock and exercise of options or warrants may result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.
Conversions of our
Series E Preferred stock presently owned by our principal shareholders and others and exercise of options and warrants would
have a dilutive effect on our common stock. As of December 2, 2015, we have reserved (i) 1,841,528 shares of our common
stock that are issuable upon conversion of our Series E Preferred Stock at a conversion rate of one share of Series E Preferred
Stock for approximately 196.429 shares of common stock, (ii) 1,811,121 shares of our common stock that are issuable upon
exercise of options to purchase our common stock, (iii) 3,027,754 shares of our common stock that are issuable upon exercise
of warrants to purchase our common stock, and (iv) 780,270 shares of our common stock that are issuable upon vesting of restricted
stock units. Further, any additional financing that we secure is likely to require the sale of additional common stock and the
granting of rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common stock and will result in additional dilution of the
existing ownership interests of our common stockholders.
Our issuance
of additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock in exchange for services or to repay debt would
dilute the proportionate ownership and voting rights of existing stockholders and could have a negative impact on the market price
of our common stock.
Our board of directors
may generally issue shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock to pay for debt or services, without further
approval by our stockholders based upon such factors that our board of directors may deem relevant at that time. We have, in the
past, issued securities for debt to reduce our obligations. We have also issued securities as payment for services. It is likely
that we will issue additional securities to pay for services and reduce debt in the future. We cannot give you any assurance that
we will not issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock under circumstances we may deem
appropriate at the time.
Our articles
of incorporation allow for our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which
could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our board of directors
has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our board of directors also has
the authority to issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval. As a result, our board of directors could authorize
the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the
right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of common stock and the right to the redemption
of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common stock. In addition, our board of directors could
authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible
into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing
stockholders.
The elimination
of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our articles of incorporation and the existence of indemnification
rights to our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenditures by our Company and may discourage lawsuits
against our directors, officers and employees.
Our articles of incorporation
contain provisions which eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to our Company and stockholders. Our bylaws
also require us to indemnify our officers and directors. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under our agreements
with our directors, officers and employees. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in our Company incurring substantial
expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors, officers and employees that we may be unable to
recoup. These provisions and resultant costs may also discourage our Company from bringing a lawsuit against directors, officers
and employees for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders
against our directors, officers and employees even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit our Company and
stockholders.
Anti-takeover
provisions may impede the acquisition of our Company.
Certain provisions
of the Nevada General Corporation Law have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination.
These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval
of, our board of directors in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future
acquisition of us, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a
result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The selling stockholders
will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of the shares offered by them under this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds
from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders covered by this prospectus.
SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
Up to 2,747,546 shares
of common stock are being offered by this prospectus, all of which are being registered for sale for the account of the selling
stockholders and all of which were issued to the selling stockholders in the Private Placement. These shares consist of the following:
| · | 1,962,501 shares issued to the selling stockholders in the Private Placement; and |
| · | 785,045 shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the selling stockholders in the
Private Placement. |
Each of the transactions
by which the selling stockholders acquired their securities from us was exempt under the registration provisions of the Securities
Act.
The 2,747,546 shares
of common stock referred to above are being registered to permit public resales of the shares, and the selling stockholders may
offer the shares for resale from time to time pursuant to this prospectus. The selling stockholders may also sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of all or a portion of their shares in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act or pursuant to another effective registration statement covering those shares. We may from time to time include additional
selling stockholders who are transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest to the listed stockholders in supplements or
amendments to this prospectus.
The table below sets
forth certain information regarding the selling stockholders and the shares of our common stock offered by them in this prospectus.
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table below: (i) subject to community property laws where applicable, the
selling stockholders, to our knowledge, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by
them; (ii) none of the selling stockholders are broker-dealers, or are affiliates of a broker-dealer; and (iii) the selling
stockholders have not had a material relationship with us within the past three years.
Beneficial ownership
is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The selling stockholders’ percentage
of ownership of our outstanding shares in the table below is based upon 21,723,049 shares of common stock outstanding as of December
2, 2015.
| |
Ownership Before Offering | |
Ownership After Offering (+) | |
SELLING STOCKHOLDER | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Total number of shares offered | | |
Shares of common stock offered | | |
Shares of warrant shares offered | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Percentage of common stock beneficially owned | |
Akshat Sethi | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Alexander Gerould | |
| 2,334 | | |
| 2,334 | | |
| 1,667 | | |
| 667 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Alok K. Agrawal | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 1,710 | | |
| 684 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Alpha Capital Anstalt (1) | |
| 246,133 | | |
| 143,590 | | |
| 102,564 | | |
| 41,026 | |
| 102,543 | | |
| *% | |
American European Insurance Co. (2) | |
| 19,147 | | |
| 19,147 | | |
| 13,676 | | |
| 5,471 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Anders P. Lindholm | |
| 15,558 | | |
| 15,558 | | |
| 11,112 | | |
| 4,446 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Andrew C. Thomas | |
| 3,352 | | |
| 3,352 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 958 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Anson Investment Master Fund LP (3) | |
| 119,659 | | |
| 119,659 | | |
| 85,471 | | |
| 34,188 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Arthur E. Pereless | |
| 14,360 | | |
| 14,360 | | |
| 10,257 | | |
| 4,103 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
ATG Capital LLC (4) | |
| 45,342 | | |
| 35,899 | | |
| 25,642 | | |
| 10,257 | |
| 9,443 | | |
| *% | |
Barry R. Shaw | |
| 8,137 | | |
| 8,137 | | |
| 5,812 | | |
| 2,325 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Benjamin Hasty | |
| 29,915 | | |
| 29,915 | | |
| 21,368 | | |
| 8,547 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Blowers Farms LLC (5) | |
| 14,360 | | |
| 14,360 | | |
| 10,257 | | |
| 4,103 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Brendan P. O'Grady | |
| 3,829 | | |
| 3,829 | | |
| 2,735 | | |
| 1,094 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Brio Capital Master Fund Ltd. (6) | |
| 47,864 | | |
| 47,864 | | |
| 34,188 | | |
| 13,676 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Bruce G. Krueger | |
| 5,990 | | |
| 5,990 | | |
| 4,278 | | |
| 1,712 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Chris Nigel Ffinch | |
| 5,266 | | |
| 5,266 | | |
| 3,761 | | |
| 1,505 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Colin Phillip Wells | |
| 2,328 | | |
| 2,328 | | |
| 1,663 | | |
| 665 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Daniel Sheppard | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
David A. Kuhar | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Douglas E. Jasek | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Dr. Calvin Simmons | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
| |
Ownership Before Offering | |
Ownership After Offering (+) | |
SELLING STOCKHOLDER | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Total number of shares offered | | |
Shares of common stock offered | | |
Shares of warrant shares offered | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Percentage of common stock beneficially owned | |
Edward E. Miller & Martha Carolina Rojas de Miller JTWROS | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Edward John Mazur | |
| 20,342 | | |
| 20,342 | | |
| 14,530 | | |
| 5,812 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Fabien Debarre | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Fernando Malvido Olascoaga | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Frans Zoetmulder | |
| 4,069 | | |
| 4,069 | | |
| 2,906 | | |
| 1,163 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Gene R. Carlson & Cynthia L. Carlson JTWROS | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
George Diamantopoulos | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Gerard De Jonge | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Graham Lovett | |
| 47,864 | | |
| 47,864 | | |
| 34,188 | | |
| 13,676 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
GRQ Consultants, Inc. 401K (7) | |
| 3,486,828 | | |
| 598,292 | | |
| 427,351 | | |
| 170,941 | |
| 2,888,536 | | |
| 13.3 | % |
Gustavo Dos Reis Vasques | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Guy W. Hartsig | |
| 5,195 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 408 | | |
| *% | |
Harry A. Theochari | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Horberg Enterprises LP (8) | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Howard & Mary Beth Bialick JTWROS | |
| 56,390 | | |
| 56,390 | | |
| 40,278 | | |
| 16,112 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
HSI Partnership (9) | |
| 9,573 | | |
| 9,573 | | |
| 6,838 | | |
| 2,735 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Ian AN Wight | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Intracoastal Capital LLC (10) | |
| 39,166 | | |
| 35,899 | | |
| 25,642 | | |
| 10,257 | |
| 3,267 | | |
| *% | |
Jaime E. Vazquez & Kelly Anne Paiva Alves JTWROS | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
James Kinnell | |
| 29,915 | | |
| 29,915 | | |
| 21,368 | | |
| 8,547 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
James McLaughlin & Teresa W. McLaughlin JTWROS | |
| 10,770 | | |
| 10,770 | | |
| 7,693 | | |
| 3,077 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
James W. Lees | |
| 8,377 | | |
| 8,377 | | |
| 5,983 | | |
| 2,394 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Jason
H. Murray As Trustee For The Golden Pond Super Fund (11) | |
| 13,163 | | |
| 13,163 | | |
| 9,402 | | |
| 3,761 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Jere D. Peak | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 1,945 | | |
| 778 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Joel F. Henning | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John A. Lancione | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John Avon | |
| 5,445 | | |
| 5,445 | | |
| 3,889 | | |
| 1,556 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John Campbell | |
| 9,334 | | |
| 9,334 | | |
| 6,667 | | |
| 2,667 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John Evans | |
| 12,445 | | |
| 12,445 | | |
| 8,889 | | |
| 3,556 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John Malfer & Toni Malfer JTWROS | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John McDermott | |
| 59,829 | | |
| 59,829 | | |
| 42,735 | | |
| 17,094 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
John R. B. Gould | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Jose Maiz Garcia & Maria de Lourdes Domenc II JTWROS | |
| 7,898 | | |
| 7,898 | | |
| 5,641 | | |
| 2,257 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
JPMCC FBO Dennis Flyer IRA R/O (12) | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Kanan HudHud Living Trust, Kanan HudHud and Charito HudHud TTEES (13) | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 1,945 | | |
| 778 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Ken R. Klimitchek | |
| 4,784 | | |
| 4,784 | | |
| 3,417 | | |
| 1,367 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Kenneth G. Williamson | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Kevin Edward Burton & Jennifer Lynn Burton JTWROS | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Kevin Lynch | |
| 3,112 | | |
| 3,112 | | |
| 2,223 | | |
| 889 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
L. Dean Fox | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Lawrence Solomon Revocable Living Trust, Lawrence Solomon TTEE (14) | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Lawrence T. Juette | |
| 2,995 | | |
| 2,995 | | |
| 2,139 | | |
| 856 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Luis Fernando Alves Fonseca | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 1,710 | | |
| 684 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
M S Mughal | |
| 4,069 | | |
| 4,069 | | |
| 2,906 | | |
| 1,163 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Manu Prasad Parikh | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Mark A. Bradley | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 1,710 | | |
| 684 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Mark J. Campbell (15) | |
| 11,010 | | |
| 11,010 | | |
| 7,864 | | |
| 3,146 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Melechdavid Inc. (16) | |
| 102,216 | | |
| 47,864 | | |
| 34,188 | | |
| 13,676 | |
| 54,352 | | |
| *% | |
| |
Ownership Before Offering | |
Ownership After Offering (+) | |
SELLING STOCKHOLDER | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Total number of shares offered | | |
Shares of common stock offered | | |
Shares of warrant shares offered | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Percentage of common stock beneficially owned | |
Michael C. Karsonovich | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Michael Engdall & Susan Engdall JTWROS | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Michael F. Tedesco | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 1,710 | | |
| 684 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Michael Turner | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Moishe Hartstein (17) | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Nachum Stein (18) | |
| 47,865 | | |
| 19,147 | | |
| 13,676 | | |
| 5,471 | |
| 28,718 | | |
| *% | |
Nick Carosi III | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Oliver Schulte | |
| 9,573 | | |
| 9,573 | | |
| 6,838 | | |
| 2,735 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Patrick S. Thomas | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Paul E. Hoffman | |
| 5,990 | | |
| 5,990 | | |
| 4,278 | | |
| 1,712 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Paul J. Oster | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Pedro B. Torres | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Pinnacle Family Office Investments LP (19) | |
| 119,779 | | |
| 119,779 | | |
| 85,556 | | |
| 34,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Point Capital, Inc. (20) | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Principle Financial Holdings LLC (21) | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Rafael Penunuri | |
| 13,163 | | |
| 13,163 | | |
| 9,402 | | |
| 3,761 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Randall L. Payne & Kathy S. Payne JTWROS | |
| 34,942 | | |
| 34,942 | | |
| 24,958 | | |
| 9,984 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Randolph L. Swickle | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 1,945 | | |
| 778 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Richard Molinsky | |
| 18,889 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 11,110 | | |
| *% | |
Robert D. Cole III & Alice R. Cole JTWROS | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Robert J. Gray | |
| 3,590 | | |
| 3,590 | | |
| 2,564 | | |
| 1,026 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Robert R. Hair | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Robert S. Orr | |
| 7,128 | | |
| 7,128 | | |
| 5,091 | | |
| 2,037 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Ronald B. Low | |
| 86,112 | | |
| 38,890 | | |
| 27,778 | | |
| 11,112 | |
| 47,222 | | |
| *% | |
Sandor Capital Master Fund (22) | |
| 173,967 | | |
| 48,821 | | |
| 34,872 | | |
| 13,949 | |
| 125,146 | | |
| *% | |
Sarbjit Johl | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 11,112 | | |
| 4,445 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sean Moore | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Seung Joon Park | |
| 7,181 | | |
| 7,181 | | |
| 5,129 | | |
| 2,052 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Standard Sand & Silica Co. Inc. (23) | |
| 10,121 | | |
| 10,121 | | |
| 7,229 | | |
| 2,892 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Stephen M. Schmitz | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach C/F Richard D. Andersen, Bene Own Adella Nicholas Andersen Decd IRA (24) | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 11,112 | | |
| 4,445 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F David W. Frost IRA (25) | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Donald E. Goodin R/O IRA (26) | |
| 4,548 | | |
| 4,548 | | |
| 3,248 | | |
| 1,300 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Gary A. Robbins IRA (27) | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 2,723 | | |
| 1,945 | | |
| 778 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Gregory Pyszczymuka IRA (28) | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 23,932 | | |
| 17,094 | | |
| 6,838 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F John P. Cotis R/O IRA (29) | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Jonathan Steinhouse R/O IRA (30) | |
| 4,069 | | |
| 4,069 | | |
| 2,906 | | |
| 1,163 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Joseph T. Oppito Bene Owner Patrick Oppito Decd IRA (31) | |
| 9,573 | | |
| 9,573 | | |
| 6,838 | | |
| 2,735 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Mark J. Campbell IRA (32) | |
| 11,488 | | |
| 11,488 | | |
| 8,206 | | |
| 3,282 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Raja M. Appachi R/O IRA (33) | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Richard D. Andersen IRA (34) | |
| 8,400 | | |
| 8,400 | | |
| 6,000 | | |
| 2,400 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne
Agee & Leach Inc. C/F Robert L. Wallerius R/O IRA (35) | |
| 3,352 | | |
| 3,352 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 958 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
| |
Ownership Before Offering | |
Ownership After Offering (+) | |
SELLING STOCKHOLDER | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Total number of shares offered | | |
Shares of common stock offered | | |
Shares of warrant shares offered | |
Number of shares of common stock beneficially owned | | |
Percentage of common stock beneficially owned | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F William Bellinger IRA (36) | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 7,779 | | |
| 5,556 | | |
| 2,223 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. C/F William Hieronymus IRA (37) | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Stetson Capital Investments, Inc. (38) | |
| 210,299 | | |
| 143,591 | | |
| 102,565 | | |
| 41,026 | |
| 66,708 | | |
| *% | |
Steve Octaviano | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Steven A. Hobbs | |
| 17,950 | | |
| 17,950 | | |
| 12,821 | | |
| 5,129 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Steven M. Alford & Laura S. Alford Living Trust, Steven & Laura Alford TTEES (39) | |
| 11,702 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 5,718 | | |
| *% | |
Steven Paul Rodi & Martina Rodi JTWROS | |
| 23,334 | | |
| 23,334 | | |
| 16,667 | | |
| 6,667 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Terrence E. Rusin | |
| 3,290 | | |
| 3,290 | | |
| 2,350 | | |
| 940 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Thomas E. Vandenberg | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Thomas G. Marinaro | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 1,710 | | |
| 684 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Thomas P. Schwan | |
| 5,834 | | |
| 5,834 | | |
| 4,167 | | |
| 1,667 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Thomas R. Kaplan | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Tim Engels | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 2,394 | | |
| 1,710 | | |
| 684 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Tim N. Montgomery | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 11,112 | | |
| 4,445 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Timothy Charles Davis | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 11,966 | | |
| 8,547 | | |
| 3,419 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Vaughn B. Mosher | |
| 7,300 | | |
| 7,300 | | |
| 5,214 | | |
| 2,086 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
W. Garner McNett | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 15,557 | | |
| 11,112 | | |
| 4,445 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Waleed Suhail Al-Nasrawi | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Walter W. Gloyer & Karin H. Gloyer Trust, Walter Gloyer Trustee (40) | |
| 11,633 | | |
| 11,633 | | |
| 8,309 | | |
| 3,324 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Warberg WF III LP (41) | |
| 11,668 | | |
| 11,668 | | |
| 8,334 | | |
| 3,334 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
William Allan Lucier TOD (42) | |
| 7,181 | | |
| 7,181 | | |
| 5,129 | | |
| 2,052 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
William M. Stocker III | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 5,984 | | |
| 4,274 | | |
| 1,710 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Yuyun Li & David Norwood JTWROS | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 4,787 | | |
| 3,419 | | |
| 1,368 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
Zens Family Trust U/A 7/23/2011 Sally Zens TTEE (43) | |
| 5,936 | | |
| 5,936 | | |
| 4,240 | | |
| 1,696 | |
| 0 | | |
| *% | |
TOTAL | |
| — | | |
| 2,747,546 | | |
| 1,962,501 | | |
| 785,045 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
* represents less than 1%.
(+) Represents the amount of shares that
will be held by the selling stockholders after completion of this offering based on the assumptions that (a) all shares registered
for sale by the registration statement of which this prospectus is part will be sold and (b) that no other shares of our common
stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders are acquired or are sold prior to completion of this offering by the selling
stockholders.
(1) |
As the controlling director of Alpha Capital Anstalt, Konrad Ackermann has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(2) |
Nachum Stein has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(3) |
By virtue of M5V Advisors Inc.’s (“M5V”) and Frigate Ventures LP’s (“Frigate”) control, as general partners, of this selling stockholder, and by virtue of Moez Kassam and Adam Spears serving as directors of M5V and Bruce Wilson being the managing member of Admiralty Advisors LLC, which is the general partner of Frigate, Mr. Kassam, Mr. Spears, and Mr. Wilson share voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. Anson Investment Master Fund LP is an affiliate of a FINRA member. Anson Investment Master Fund LP purchased these shares of common stock and warrants in the ordinary course of business, not for resale, and at the time of purchase, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities. |
(4) |
As the managing member of ATG Capital LLC, John O’Rourke has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(5) |
By virtue of being the sole member of Blowers Farms LLC, Dan Blowers has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(6) |
Shayne Hirsch is the sole managing member of Brio Capital Management LLC, which is the sole investment manager of the selling stockholder. As such, Shayne Hirsch has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(7) |
Includes (i) 2,091,868 shares of common stock, (ii) 564,065 warrants to purchase shares of common stock, and (iii) 4,230 shares of Series E Preferred Stock which may be converted in to 830,895 shares of common stock held by GRQ Consultants, Inc. 401K (“GRQ 401K”). Mr. Honig is the trustee of GRQ 401K, and, in such capacity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by such entity. The address for GRQ 401K is 555 S. Federal Highway, #450, Boca Raton, FL 33432. |
(8) |
Howard Todd Horberg is the sole stockholder of Horberg Ventures GP Inc., which is the general partner of the selling stockholder. As such, Howard Todd Horberg has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(9) |
Nachum Stein has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(10) |
Mitchell P. Kopin (“Mr. Kopin”) and Daniel B. Asher (“Mr. Asher”), each of whom are managers of Intracoastal Capital LLC (“Intracoastal”), have shared voting control and investment discretion over the securities reported herein that are held by Intracoastal. As a result, each of Mr. Kopin and Mr. Asher may be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of the securities reported herein that are held by Intracoastal. Cranshire Capital Advisors, LLC (“CCA”) is the investment manager of Cranshire Master Fund, Ltd. (“Cranshire Master Fund”) and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Cranshire Master Fund described below. Mr. Kopin, the president, the sole member and the sole member of the Board of Managers of CCA, has voting control over CCA. As a result, each of Mr. Kopin and CCA may be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of the securities held by Cranshire Master Fund which are described below. In the aggregate, Mr. Kopin may be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 48,971 shares, which consists of (i) 25,642 shares held by Intracoastal, (ii) 13,525 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Intracoastal and (iii) 9,804 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Cranshire Master Fund. Mr. Asher, who is a manager of Intracoastal, is also a control person of a broker-dealer. As a result of such common control, Intracoastal may be deemed to be an affiliate of a broker-dealer. Intracoastal acquired the ordinary shares being registered hereunder in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the acquisition of the ordinary shares and warrants described herein, Intracoastal did not have any arrangements or understandings with any person to distribute such securities. |
(11) |
As trustee, Jason H. Murray has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(12) |
Dennis Flyer has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(13) |
As trustees, Kanan HudHud and Charito HudHud have voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(14) |
As trustee, Lawrence Solomon has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(15) |
Mark J. Campbell is a broker-dealer; however, he received the securities offered hereunder as compensation for investment banking services to the Company. |
(16) |
As president and sole owner of Melechdavid, Inc., Mark Groussman has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. Total beneficial ownership after the offering includes 101 shares of Series E preferred stock, which are convertible into 19,840 shares of common stock; 6,734 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants received in connection with the issuance of the Series E preferred stock; and 27,778 shares of common stock in brokerage accounts. |
(17) |
Moishe Hartstein is an affiliate of a broker-dealer; however, Mr. Hartstein purchased these shares of common stock in the ordinary course of business, not for resale, and, at the time of purchase, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such shares of common stock. |
(18) |
Beneficial ownership for Nachum Stein includes 19,146 shares beneficially owned by American European Insurance Co., 9,572 shares beneficially owned by HSI Partnership Inc., and 19,146 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Stein individually. To avoid duplication, the total number of shares beneficially owned after the offering assumes the sale by Mr. Stein of all shares beneficially owned directly by Mr. Stein, but that the shares owned by American European Insurance Co. and HSI Partnership Inc. have not been sold. |
(19) |
As the manger of Pinnacle Family Office, LLC, which is the general partner of this selling stockholder, Barry M. Kitt has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(20) |
Pursuant to authority granted by the board of directors of Point Capital, Inc., Eric Weisblum and Richard Brand share voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(21) |
By virtue of being the sole member of Principle Financial Holdings LLC, Chad Elms has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(22) |
John S. Lemak is the sole member of Sandor Advisors LLC, which is the general partner of Sandor Capital Management L.P., which is the general partner of Sandor Capital (QP) L.P., which is the general partner of the selling stockholder. As such, John S. Lemak has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(23) |
Lemuel Baylis Carnes III has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(24) |
Richard D. Andersen has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(25) |
David W. Frost has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(26) |
Donald E. Goodin has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(27) |
Gary A. Robbins has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(28) |
Gregory Pyszczymuka has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(29) |
John P. Cotis has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(30) |
Jonathan Steinhouse has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(31) |
Joseph Oppito has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(32) |
Mark J. Campbell has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(33) |
Raja M. Appachi has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(34) |
Richard D. Andersen has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(35) |
Robert L. Wallerius has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(36) |
William Bellinger has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(37) |
William Hieronymus has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(38) |
John Stetson has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(39) |
As trustees, Steven M. Alford and Laura Alford have voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(40) |
Walter Gloyer has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(41) |
Daniel Warsh and Jonathan Blumberg have voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(42) |
William Allan Lucier has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
(43) |
As trustee, Sally Zens has voting and investment power over shares of the Company held by this selling stockholder. |
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus relates
to the sale by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus of up to 2,747,546 shares of our common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share.
Each selling stockholder
of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their
securities covered hereby on the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities
are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A selling stockholder
may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:
| · | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
| · | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities 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 effective date of the registration statement of
which this prospectus is a part; |
| · | in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified
number of such securities at a stipulated price per security; |
| · | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an
options exchange or otherwise; |
| · | a combination of any such methods of sale; or |
| · | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The selling stockholders
may also sell securities under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
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 securities,
from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an
agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2440; and in the case of
a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA IM-2440.
In connection with
the sale of the securities 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 securities in the course of hedging the positions
they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their
short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling
stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one
or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered
by this prospectus, which securities 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 securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within
the meaning of 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 securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts
under the Securities Act. Each selling stockholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral
agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities. In no event shall any broker-dealer
receive fees, commissions and markups which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%).
The Company is required
to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities. The Company
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 including Rule 172 thereunder. 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. The selling stockholders have advised us that there is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting
in connection with the proposed sale of the resale securities by the selling stockholders.
The resale securities
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 securities covered hereby 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 Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage
in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M,
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 securities of the 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 (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
Description of Common
Stock
We are authorized to
issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of December
2, 2015, we have issued and outstanding securities on a fully diluted basis:
| · | 21,723,049 shares of common stock (including 750,115 shares of restricted stock granted under our
equity incentive plans that have not yet vested); |
| · | 9,375 shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, which are convertible into 1,841,528
shares of common stock; |
| · | Warrants to purchase 3,027,754 shares of common stock; |
| · | Options to purchase 1,811,121 shares of common stock; and |
| · | Restricted stock units, which entitle the holders to receive 780,270 shares of common stock upon
vesting and upon the satisfaction of certain specified conditions. |
Common Stock
The holders of our
common stock are entitled to one vote per share. In addition, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive ratably
such dividends, if any, as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds; however, the current policy
of our Board of Directors is to retain earnings, if any, for operations and growth. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up,
the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets that are legally available for distribution. The
holders of our common stock will have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and
privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any
series of preferred stock, which may be designated solely by action of our Board of Directors.
Registration Rights
In connection with
the Private Placement, we entered into registration rights agreements with the selling stockholders dated April 10, 2015 and April
21, 2015 and providing for the registration of the resale of those shares.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent
for our common stock is Action Stock Transfer Corp. located at 2469 E. Fort Union Blvd., Ste 214, Salt Lake City, UT 84121.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Davis Graham &
Stubbs LLP will pass upon the validity of the shares of common stock offered by the selling stockholders under this prospectus.
EXPERTS
The financial statements
included in this reoffer prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of KBL, LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
You should rely only
on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus. We have authorized
no one to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is
not permitted.
2,747,546 Shares
PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
January 4, 2016
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