U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2020.

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _________ TO _________.

 

Commission File Number: 001-33125

 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada 91-1766677
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610

Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1K4

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 604-687-5800

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒  No

 

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

Yes  ☒   No

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

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company ☒
    Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   No  ☒

 

As of March 13, 2020, there were 236,328,214 shares of the registrant’s $0.01 par value common stock outstanding, the registrant’s only outstanding class of voting securities.

 

 
 
 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 3
ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. 18
ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. 25
ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. 25
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 25
ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. 25
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS. 25
ITEM 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS. 26
ITEM 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES. 26
ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES. 26
ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION. 26
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS. 27
SIGNATURES 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The balance of this page has been intentionally left blank.]

 

2 
 
 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   

 

January 31,

2020

 

 

October 31,

2019

      (Unaudited)          
ASSETS                
                 
CURRENT ASSETS                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,594,657     $ 1,431,634  
Value-added tax receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible taxes of $343,441 and $327,624 respectively (Note 6)     268,580       255,847  
Income tax receivables     1,081       784  
Other receivables     12,942       8,543  
Prepaid expenses and deposits     176,595       204,713  
Total Current Assets     2,053,855       1,901,521  
                 
                 
Office and mining equipment, net (Note 7)     217,292       226,413  
Property concessions (Note 8)     5,019,927       5,019,927  
Goodwill (Note 9)     2,058,031       2,058,031  
 TOTAL ASSETS   $ 9,349,105     $ 9,205,892  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
Accounts payable   $ 174,108     $ 328,943  
Accrued liabilities and expenses     258,615       305,446  
Income tax payable     1,250       1,825  
Stock option liability (Note 11)     —         4,803  
Total Current Liabilities     433,973       641,017  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 1 and 14)                
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Notes 4, 10, 11 and 12)                
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized,
236,328,214, and 236,328,214 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    2,363,282       2,363,282  
Additional paid-in capital     136,821,644       135,902,944  
Accumulated deficit     (130,362,042 )     (129,793,599 )
Other comprehensive income     92,248       92,248  
 Total Stockholders’ Equity     8,915,132       8,564,875  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 9,349,105     $ 9,205,892  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3 
 
 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

January 31,

    2020   2019
         
REVENUES   $ —       $ —    
                 
EXPLORATION AND PROPERTY HOLDING COSTS                
Exploration and property holding costs     203,530       458,029  
Depreciation     9,121       7,217  
TOTAL EXPLORATION AND PROPERTY HOLDING
COSTS
    212,651       465,246  
                 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES                
Personnel     156,217       173,207  
Office and administrative     71,428       125,892  
Professional services     80,321       64,881  
Directors’ fees     37,483       54,465  
Provision for uncollectible value-added taxes (Note 6)     10,578       9,316  
TOTAL GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES     356,027       427,761  
                 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS     (568,678 )     (893,007 )
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)                
Interest income     5,480       119  
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain     (4,002 )     5,831  
Change in fair value of stock option liability (Note 11)     —         1,791  
Change in fair value of warrant derivative liability     —         (114,413 )
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)     1,478       (106,672 )
                 
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES     (567,200 )     (999,679 )
                 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE     1,243       1,672  
 NET LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS   $ (568,443 )   $ (1,001,351 )
 BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE   $ —       $ —    
 BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING     236,328,214       234,872,562  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

4 
 
 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

 

 

    Common Stock   Additional       Other   Total
   

Number of

Shares

  Amount  

Paid-in

Capital

 

Accumulated

Deficit

 

Comprehensive

Income

 

Stockholders’

Equity

Three months ended January 31, 2020                        
Balance, October 31, 2019     236,328,214     $ 2,363,282     $ 135,902,944     $ (129,793,599 )   $ 92,248     $ 8,564,875  
Earn-in option agreement (Note 4)     —         —         895,172       —         —         895,172  
Reclassification to additional paid-in capital of stock option liability (Notes 3 and 11)     —         —         4,803       —         —         4,803  
Stock option activity as follows:                                                
- Stock-based compensation for options issued to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Note 11)     —         —         18,725       —         —         18,725  
Net loss for the three month period ended January 31, 2020     —         —         —         (568,443 )     —         (568,443 )
Balance, January 31, 2020     236,328,214     $ 2,363,282     $ 136,821,644     $ (130,362,042 )   $ 92,248     $ 8,915,132  
                                                 

 

 

 

 

    Common Stock   Additional       Other   Total
   

Number of

Shares

  Amount  

Paid-in

Capital

 

Accumulated

Deficit

 

Comprehensive

Income

 

 

Stockholders’

Equity

Three months ended January 31, 2019                        
Balance, October 31, 2018     234,868,214     $ 2,348,682     $ 133,015,768     $ (125,855,030 )   $ 92,248     $ 9,601,668  
Issuance of common stock as follows:                                                
- exercise of warrants at a price of Canadian Dollar (“$CDN”) 0.13 per share less costs of $70 (Note 10)     400,000       4,000       35,348       —         —         39,348  
Earn-in option agreement (Note 4)     —         —         1,046,000       —         —         1,046,000  
Reclassification to additional paid-in capital upon exercise of warrants at price of $CDN 0.13     —         —         3,032       —         —         3,032  
Stock option activity as follows:                                                
- Stock-based compensation for options issued to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Note 11)     —         —         61,911       —         —         61,911  
Net loss for the three month period ended January 31, 2019     —         —         —         (1,001,351 )     —         (1,001,351 )
Balance, January 31, 2019     235,268,214     $ 2,352,682     $ 134,162,059     $ (126,856,381 )   $ 92,248     $ 9,750,608  
                                                 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

5 
 
 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 

         
   

Three Months Ended

January 31,

    2020   2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Net loss   $ (568,443 )   $ (1,001,351 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:                
Depreciation     9,121       7,217  
Provision for uncollectible value-added taxes     10,578       9,316  
Foreign currency transaction gain     (1,514 )     (9,288 )
Change in fair value of warrant derivative liability     —         114,413  
Change in fair value of stock option liability     —         (1,791 )
Stock options issued for compensation     18,725       61,911  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Value-added tax receivable     (18,675 )     (29,068 )
Income tax receivables     (280 )     (181 )
Other receivables     (4,274 )     (6,634 )
Prepaid expenses and deposits     27,733       86,624  
    Accounts payable     (156,374 )     (99,449 )
   Accrued liabilities and expenses     (49,383 )     (235,966 )
Income tax payable     (575 )     (3,200 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (733,361 )     (1,107,447 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Acquisition of property concessions     —         (11,820 )
Net cash used in investing activities     —         (11,820 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Property concessions funding (Note 4)     895,172       1,046,000  
Proceeds from exercise of warrants, net of costs (Note 10)     —         39,348  
Net cash provided by financing activities     895,172       1,085,348  
                 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     1,212       2,277  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     163,023       (31,642 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period     1,431,634       3,025,839  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents end of period   $ 1,594,657     $ 2,994,197  
                 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

6 
 
 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (CONTINUED)

 

   

Three Months Ended

January 31,

    2020   2019
         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:                
                 
Income taxes paid   $ 1,823     $ —    
Interest paid   $ —       $ —    

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

7 
 
 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND GOING CONCERN

Silver Bull Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on November 8, 1993 as the Cadgie Company for the purpose of acquiring and developing mineral properties. The Cadgie Company was a spin-off from its predecessor, Precious Metal Mines, Inc. On June 28, 1996, the Company’s name was changed to Metalline Mining Company. On April 21, 2011, the Company’s name was changed to Silver Bull Resources, Inc. The Company’s fiscal year-end is October 31. The Company has not realized any revenues from its planned operations and is considered an exploration stage company. The Company has not established any reserves with respect to its exploration projects and may never enter into the development stage with respect to any of its projects.

 

The Company engages in the business of mineral exploration. The Company currently owns a number of property concessions in Mexico (collectively known as the “Sierra Mojada Property”). The Company conducts its operations in Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary corporations, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V. (“Minera Metalin”), Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V. (“Contratistas”) and Minas de Coahuila SBR S.A. de C.V.

 

On April 16, 2010, Metalline Mining Delaware, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated in the State of Delaware, was merged with and into Dome Ventures Corporation (“Dome”), a Delaware Corporation. As a result, Dome became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Dome has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Dome Asia Inc. (“Dome Asia”), which is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Dome Asia has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Dome Minerals Nigeria Limited, incorporated in Nigeria.

 

The Company’s efforts and expenditures have been concentrated on the exploration of properties, principally in the Sierra Mojada Property located in Coahuila, Mexico. The Company has not determined whether its exploration properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The ultimate realization of the Company’s investment in exploration properties is dependent upon the success of future property sales, the existence of economically recoverable reserves, and the ability of the Company to obtain financing or make other arrangements for exploration, development, and future profitable production activities. The ultimate realization of the Company’s investment in exploration properties cannot be determined at this time.

 

Going Concern

 

Since its inception in November 1993, the Company has not generated revenue and has incurred an accumulated deficit of $130,362,042. Accordingly, the Company has not generated cash flows from operations, and since inception the Company has relied primarily upon proceeds from private placements and registered direct offerings of the Company’s equity securities and warrant exercises as the primary sources of financing to fund the Company’s operations. As of January 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,594,657. Based on the Company’s limited cash and cash equivalents, and history of losses, there is substantial doubt as to whether the Company’s existing cash resources are sufficient to enable the Company to continue its operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Management plans to pursue possible financing and strategic options including, but not limited to obtaining additional equity financing. Management has successfully pursued these options previously and believes that they alleviate the substantial doubt that the Company can continue its operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. However, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in pursuing these plans. 

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary in the event the Company can no longer continue as a going concern. Such adjustments could be material.

 

NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim reporting. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated during consolidation. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim condensed consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2019 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2019.

All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted.

 

8 
 
 

 

 

 

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements, except as disclosed in Note 3. In the opinion of management, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements furnished herein include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Uncertainties with respect to estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, operating results for the three months ended January 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2020.

NOTE 3 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The significant accounting policies are defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2019 filed on January 13, 2020, except as follows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Three-Month Period Ended January 31, 2020

On November 1, 2019, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB’s”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for nonemployee share-based payments, aligning it more closely with the accounting for employee awards. Under the adoption provisions, equity-classified awards for which a measurement date had already been established as of the adoption date, including the Company’s Earn-In Option Agreement (Note 4), are unaffected by ASU 2018-07. As a result of this adoption, the Company reclassified $4,803 from stock option liability to additional paid-in capital (Note 11).

 

On November 1, 2019, the Company adopted the FASB’s ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” (Topic 842), together with subsequent amendments, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The new standard requires a lessee to recognize on its balance sheet, a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset representing the right to the underlying asset for the lease term and allows companies to elect to apply the standard at the effective date. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which applies to expired or existing leases and allows the Company not to reassess whether a contract contains a lease, the lease classification, and any initial direct costs incurred.

 

The Company also elected a number of optional practical expedients including the following:

 

  • the short-term lease recognition exemption whereby ROU assets and lease liabilities will not be recognized for leasing arrangements with terms less than one year;
  • the land easements practical expedient whereby existing land easements are not reassessed under the new standard;
  • the hindsight practical expedient when determining lease term at transition; and
  • the practical expedient not to apply lease accounting to the intangible right to explore for those natural resources, and rights to use the land in which those natural resources are contained.

The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.

 

 

9 
 
 

 

 

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force) and the SEC did not or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 4 – EARN-IN OPTION AGREEMENT

On June 1, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries Minera Metalin and Contratistas entered into an Earn-In Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with South32 International Investment Holdings Pty Ltd (“South32”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32), whereby South32 is able to obtain an option to purchase 70% of the shares of Minera Metalin and Contratistas (the “Option”). Minera Metalin owns the Sierra Mojada Property located in Coahuila, Mexico (the “Sierra Mojada Project”), and Contratistas supplies labor for the Sierra Mojada Project. Under the Option Agreement, South32 earns into the Option by funding a collaborative exploration program on the Sierra Mojada Project. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Option Agreement, in order for South32 to earn and maintain its four-year Option, South32 must have contributed to Minera Metalin for exploration of the Sierra Mojada Project at least $3 million by the end of Year 1, $6 million by the end of Year 2, $8 million by the end of Year 3 and $10 million by the end of Year 4 (the “Initial Funding”). Funding is made on a quarterly basis based on the subsequent quarter’s exploration budget. South32 may exercise the Option by contributing $100 million to Minera Metalin (the “Subscription Payment”), less the amount of Initial Funding previously contributed by South32. The issuance of shares upon notice of exercise of the Option by South32 is subject to antitrust approval by the Mexican government. If the full amount of the Subscription Payment is advanced by South32 and the Option becomes exercisable and is exercised, the Company and South32 will be obligated to contribute funding to Minera Metalin on a 30/70 pro rata basis. If South32 elects not to continue with the Option during the four-year option period, the Sierra Mojada Project will remain 100% owned by the Company. The exploration program will be initially managed by the Company, with South32 being able to approve the exploration program funded by it. The Company received funding of $3,144,163 from South32 for Year 1 of the Option Agreement. In April 2019, the Company received a notice from South32 to maintain the Option Agreement for Year 2 by providing cumulative funding of $6 million by the end of such period. The Company has received funding of $1,214,602 from South32 for Year 2 of the Option Agreement as of January 31, 2020. In March 2020, the Company received a payment of $147,366 for Year 2 of the Option Agreement from South32.   If the Option Agreement is terminated by South32 without cause or if South32 is unable to obtain antitrust authorization from the Mexican government, the Company is under no obligation to reimburse South32 for amounts contributed under the Option Agreement.

Upon exercise of the Option, Minera Metalin and Contratistas are required to issue common shares to South32. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, following exercise and until a decision has been made by the board of directors of Minera Metalin to develop and construct a mine on the Sierra Mojada Project, each shareholder holding greater than or equal to 10% of the shares may withdraw as an owner in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty on products produced and sold from the Sierra Mojada Project. Any shareholder whose holdings are reduced to less than 10% must surrender its interest in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty.

The Company has determined that Minera Metalin and Contratistas are variable interest entities and that the Option Agreement has not resulted in the transfer of control of the Sierra Mojada Project to South32. The Company has also determined that the Option Agreement represents non-employee share-based compensation associated with the collaborative exploration program undertaken by the parties. The compensation cost is expensed when the associated exploration activity occurs. The share-based payments have been classified as equity instruments and valued based on the fair value of the cash consideration received, as it is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the equity interest. If the Option is exercised and shares are issued prior to a decision to develop a mine, such shares would be classified as temporary equity as they would be contingently redeemable in exchange for a net smelter royalty under circumstances that are not wholly in control of the Company or South32 and are not currently probable.

No portion of the equity value has been classified as temporary equity as the Option has no intrinsic value.

 

On October 11, 2019, the Company and its subsidiary Minera Metalin issued a notice of force majeure to South32 pursuant to the Option Agreement. Due to a blockade by a cooperative of local miners called Sociedad Cooperativa de Exploración Minera Mineros Norteños, S.C.L. (“Mineros Norteños”), the Company has temporarily halted all work on the Sierra Mojada Property. The notice of force majeure was issued because of the blockade’s impact on the ability of the Company and its subsidiary Minera Metalin to perform their obligations under the Option Agreement. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, any time period provided for in the Option Agreement will generally be extended by a period equal to the period of delay caused by the event of force majeure. As of March 13, 2020, the blockade by Mineros Norteños at, on and around the Sierra Mojada Property is ongoing.

 

 

10 
 
 

 

 

The combined approximate carrying amount of the assets and liabilities of Contratistas and Minera Metalin (consolidated with their wholly-owned subsidiary) are as follows at January 31, 2020:

 

 

Assets:   Mexico
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 70,000  
Value-added tax receivable, net     269,000  
Other receivables     8,000  
Income tax receivable     1,000  
Prepaid expenses and deposits     100,000  
Office and mining equipment, net     217,000  
Property concessions     5,020,000  
Total assets   $ 5,685,000  

 

 

Liabilities:    
Accounts payable   $ 54,000  
Accrued liabilities and expenses     148,000  
Payable to Silver Bull Resources, Inc. to be converted to equity upon exercise of the Option     3,464,000  
Total liabilities   $ 3,666,000  
         
Net advances and investment in the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries   $ 2,019,000  

 

In addition, at January 31, 2020, Silver Bull Resources, Inc. held $51,000 of cash received from South32, which is to be contributed to the capital of the Mexican subsidiaries as required for exploration. Cash received from South32 is required to be used to further exploration at the Sierra Mojada Property.

 

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss at January 31, 2020 is $5,483,000, which includes the carrying value of the Mexican subsidiaries’ net assets excluding the payable to Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

 

NOTE 5 – NET LOSS PER SHARE

The Company had stock options and warrants outstanding at January 31, 2020 and 2019 that upon exercise were issuable into 32,152,305 and 54,666,896 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively. They were not included in the calculation of loss per share because they would have been anti-dilutive.

NOTE 6 – VALUE-ADDED TAX RECEIVABLE

Value-added tax (“VAT”) receivable relates to VAT paid in Mexico. The Company estimates that net VAT of $268,580 will be received within 12 months of the balance sheet date. The allowance for uncollectible VAT was estimated by management based upon a number of factors, including the length of time the returns have been outstanding, responses received from tax authorities, general economic conditions in Mexico and estimated net recovery after commissions.

 

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A summary of the changes in the allowance for uncollectible VAT for the three months ended January 31, 2020 is as follows:

 Allowance for uncollectible VAT – October 31, 2019   $ 327,624  
Provision for VAT receivable allowance     10,578  
Foreign currency translation adjustment     5,239  
Allowance for uncollectible VAT – January 31, 2020   $ 343,441  

 

NOTE 7 – OFFICE AND MINING EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of the Company’s office and mining equipment at January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, respectively:

    January 31,   October 31,
    2020   2019
         
Mining equipment   $ 396,152     $ 396,152  
Vehicles     92,873       92,873  
Buildings and structures     185,724       185,724  
Computer equipment and software     74,236       74,236  
Well equipment     39,637       39,637  
Office equipment     47,597       47,597  
      836,219       836,219  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation     (618,927 )     (609,806 )
Office and mining equipment, net   $ 217,292     $ 226,413  

 

NOTE 8 – PROPERTY CONCESSIONS

The following is a summary of the Company’s property concessions for the Sierra Mojada Property as at January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019:

  Property concessions – January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019     $ 5,019,927  

 

 

NOTE 9 – GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess, at the date of acquisition, of the purchase price of the business acquired over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. On April 30, 2019, the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Based on this assessment, management determined it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of April 30th of each fiscal year.

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s goodwill balance as at January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019:

 

  Goodwill – January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019     $ 2,058,031  

 

NOTE 10 – COMMON STOCK

No shares of common stock were issued during the three months ended January 31, 2020.

On January 30, 2019, 400,000 warrants to acquire 400,000 shares of common stock were exercised at an exercise price of $CDN 0.13 per share of common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $39,418 ($CDN 52,000).

The Company incurred costs of $70 related to warrant exercises in the three months ended January 31, 2019.

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NOTE 11 – STOCK OPTIONS

The Company has two stock option plans, the 2010 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan, as amended (the “2010 Plan”) and the 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan (the “2019 Plan”). Under each of the 2010 Plan and the 2019 Plan, the lesser of (i) 30,000,000 shares or (ii) 10% of the total shares outstanding are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options or the grant of stock bonuses. 

 

Options are typically granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant, have a graded vesting schedule over two years and have a contractual term of five years.

 

No options were granted or exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2020 and January 31, 2019.

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended January 31, 2020:

 

Options   Shares   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)   Aggregate Intrinsic Value
                 
  Outstanding at October 31, 2019       16,350,000     $ 0.09       2.83     $ 46,448  
  Outstanding at January 31, 2020       16,350,000     $ 0.09       2.58     $ 15,397  
  Exercisable at January 31, 2020       13,833,333     $ 0.09       2.39     $ 15,397  

 

 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs for stock options of $18,725 and $61,911 for the three months ended January 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of January 31, 2020, there was $43,694 of total unrecognized compensation expense, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.33 years.

Summarized information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2020 is as follows:

Options Outstanding       Options Exercisable  
  Exercise Price      

Number

Outstanding

       Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)     Weighted Average Exercise Price       Number Exercisable      

Weighted Average Exercise

Price

 
$ 0.06       4,075,000       1.06     0.06       4,075,000     $ 0.06  
  0.10       11,625,000       3.12     0.10       9,108,333       0.10  
  0.16       350,000       3.05     0.16       350,000       0.16  
  0.19       300,000       1.51     0.19       300,000       0.19  
$   0.06 – 0.19       16,350,000       2.58     0.09       13,833,333     $ 0.09  
                                           

 

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2018-07 on November 1, 2019, stock options granted to consultants with a $CDN exercise price were classified as a stock option liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets upon vesting. On adoption of ASU 2018-07, the classification of stock options granted to consultants with a $CDN exercise price is only reassessed if the award is modified after it vests and the consultant is no longer providing services, rather than once performance is complete and the award vests. ASU 2018-07 requires liability-classified awards that have not been settled as of the adoption date to be remeasured based on their adoption-date fair value. As a result, the Company reclassified $4,803 from stock option liability to additional paid-in capital on adoption of ASU 2018-07 (Note 3). The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option liability at January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019:

 

Stock option liability at October 31, 2019:     $ 4,803  
Reclassification to additional paid-in capital     (4,803 )
 Stock option liability at January 31, 2020   $ —    

 

 

 

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NOTE 12 WARRANTS

A summary of warrant activity for the three months ended January 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

Warrants   Shares   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)   Aggregate Intrinsic Value
                 
Outstanding and exercisable at October 31, 2019     15,802,305     $ 0.16       0.75     $ —    
Outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2020     15,802,305     $ 0.16       0.50     $ —    

 

 

No warrants were issued or exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2020.

 

No warrants were issued during the three months ended January 31, 2019.

 

Warrants exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2019 are discussed in Note 10.

 

The warrants exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2019 had an intrinsic value of $3,032.

Summarized information about warrants outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

 

  Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable
  Exercise Price      

Number

Outstanding

       Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)       Weighted Average Exercise Price  
$ 0.14       1,231,374       0.49     $ 0.14  
  0.16       14,570,931       0.50       0.16  
$ 0.14 – 0.16       15,802,305       0.50     $ 0.16  

 

 

NOTE 13 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value Measurements

All financial assets and financial liabilities are recorded at fair value on initial recognition. Transaction costs are expensed when they are incurred, unless they are directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or the assumption of liabilities carried at amortized cost, in which case the transaction costs adjust the carrying amount.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

  Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
  Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
  Level 3 Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

Under fair value accounting, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and stock option liability.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate fair value at January 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 due to the short maturities of these financial instruments.

 

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Derivative liability

The Company classified warrants with a $CDN exercise price as a derivative liability, which was fair valued at each reporting period subsequent to the initial issuance as the functional currency of Silver Bull is the U.S. dollar. The Company used the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of these warrants. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of warrants requires considerable judgment. The estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance, and at each subsequent reporting period, was based on the historical volatility adjusted to reflect the implicit discount to historical volatilities observed in the prices of traded warrants. The risk-free interest rate was based on rates published by the government for bonds with a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants at the valuation date. The expected life of the warrants was assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend yield was expected to be none as the Company has not paid dividends nor does the Company anticipate paying a dividend in the foreseeable future. All changes in fair value were recorded in the interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss each reporting period.

 

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the Company by failing to discharge its obligations. To mitigate exposure to credit risk on financial assets, the Company has established policies to ensure liquidity of funds and ensure that counterparties demonstrate acceptable levels of creditworthiness.

The Company maintains its U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar cash and cash equivalents in bank and demand deposit accounts with major financial institutions with high credit standings. Cash deposits held in Canada are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) for up to $CDN 100,000. Certain Canadian bank accounts held by the Company exceed these federally insured limits or are uninsured as they relate to U.S. dollar deposits held in Canadian financial institutions. As of January 31, 2020, and October 31, 2019, the Company’s cash and cash equivalent balances held in Canadian financial institutions included $1,476,124 and $1,296,115, respectively, which was not insured by the CDIC. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts, and management believes that using major financial institutions with high credit ratings mitigates the credit risk to cash and cash equivalents.

The Company also maintains cash in bank accounts in Mexico. These accounts are denominated in the local currency and are considered uninsured. As of January 31, 2020, and October 31, 2019, the U.S. dollar equivalent balance for these accounts was $69,675 and $62,024, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company holds substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents in bank and demand deposit accounts with major financial institutions. The interest rates received on these balances may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions. Based on the average cash and cash equivalent balances during the three months ended January 31, 2020, a 1% decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a reduction of approximately $4,123 in interest income for the period.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company is not subject to any significant market risk related to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

 

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NOTE 14 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Compliance with Environmental Regulations

The Company’s exploration activities are subject to laws and regulations controlling not only the exploration and mining of mineral properties but also the effect of such activities on the environment. Compliance with such laws and regulations may necessitate additional capital outlays or affect the economics of a project, and cause changes or delays in the Company’s activities.

Property Concessions in Mexico

To properly maintain property concessions in Mexico, the Company is required to pay a semi-annual fee to the Mexican government and complete annual assessment work.

Royalty

The Company has agreed to pay a 2% net smelter return royalty on certain property concessions within the Sierra Mojada Property based on the revenue generated from production. Total payments under this royalty are limited to $6.875 million (the “Royalty”). To date, no royalties have been paid.

Litigation and Claims

On May 20, 2014, a cooperative named Sociedad Cooperativa de Exploración Minera Mineros Norteños, S.C.L. (“Mineros Norteños”) filed an action in the Local First Civil Court in the District of Morelos, State of Chihuahua, Mexico, against the Company’s subsidiary, Minera Metalin, claiming that Minera Metalin breached an agreement regarding the development of the Sierra Mojada Property. Mineros Norteños sought payment of the Royalty, including interest at a rate of 6% per annum since August 30, 2004, even though no revenue has been produced from the applicable mining concessions. It also sought payment of wages to the cooperative’s members since August 30, 2004, even though none of the individuals were hired or performed work for Minera Metalin under this agreement and Minera Metalin did not commit to hiring them. On January 19, 2015, the case was moved to the Third District Court (of federal jurisdiction). On October 4, 2017, the court ruled that Mineros Norteños was time barred from bringing the case. On October 19, 2017, Mineros Norteños appealed this ruling. On July 31, 2019, the Federal Appeal Court held the original ruling. This ruling was subsequently challenged by Mineros Norteños and on January 24, 2020, the Federal Circuit Court ruled that the Federal Appeal Court must consider additional factors in its ruling. In March 2020 the Federal Appeals Court held the original ruling after considering these additional factors. Mineros Norteños may challenge this ruling at the Federal Circuit Court. The Company and the Company’s Mexican legal counsel believe that it is unlikely that the court’s ruling will be overturned. The Company has not accrued any amounts in its interim condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to this claim.

From time to time, the Company is involved in other disputes, claims, proceedings and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company intends to vigorously defend all claims against the Company and pursue its full legal rights in cases where the Company has been harmed. Although the ultimate outcome of these proceedings cannot be accurately predicted due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, in the opinion of management, based upon current information, no other currently pending or overtly threatened proceeding is expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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NOTE 15 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company operates in a single reportable segment: the exploration of mineral property interests. The Company has mineral property interests in Sierra Mojada, Mexico.

Geographic information is approximately as follows:

    For the Three Months Ended
    January 31,
    2020   2019
         
Mexico         $ (197,000 )   $ (469,000 )
Canada        (371,000 )     (532,000 )
Net Loss   $ (568,000 )   $ (1,001,000 )

 

The following table details the allocation of assets included in the accompanying balance sheet at January 31, 2020:

    Canada   Mexico   Total
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,525,000     $ 70,000     $ 1,595,000  
Value-added tax receivable, net     —         268,000       268,000  
Other receivables     5,000       9,000       14,000  
Prepaid expenses and deposits     77,000       100,000       177,000  
Office and mining equipment, net     —         217,000       217,000  
Property concessions     —         5,020,000       5,020,000  
Goodwill     —         2,058,000       2,058,000  
    $ 1,607,000     $ 7,742,000     $ 9,349,000  

 

The following table details the allocation of assets included in the accompanying balance sheet at October 31, 2019:

    Canada   Mexico   Total
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,370,000     $ 62,000     $ 1,432,000  
Value-added tax receivable, net     —         256,000       256,000  
Other receivables     4,000       5,000       9,000  
Prepaid expenses and deposits     103,000       102,000       205,000  
Office and mining equipment, net     —         226,000       226,000  
Property concessions     —         5,020,000       5,020,000  
Goodwill     —         2,058,000       2,058,000  
    $ 1,477,000     $ 7,729,000     $ 9,206,000  

 

The Company has significant assets in Coahuila, Mexico. Although Mexico is generally considered economically stable, it is always possible that unanticipated events in Mexico could disrupt the Company’s operations. The Mexican government does not require foreign entities to maintain cash reserves in Mexico.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

When we use the terms “Silver Bull,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we are referring to Silver Bull Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.  We have included technical terms important to an understanding of our business under “Glossary of Common Terms” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. We use words such as “anticipate,” “continue,” “likely,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “projection,” “should,” “believe,” “potential,” “could,” or similar words suggesting future outcomes (including negative and grammatical variations) to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements we make regarding:

  • The sufficiency of our existing cash resources to enable us to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern;
  • Future payments that may be made by South32 under the terms of the Earn-In Option Agreement;
  • Prospects of entering the development or production stage with respect to any of our projects;
  • Our planned activities at the Sierra Mojada Project in 2020 and beyond;

  • Whether any part of the Sierra Mojada Project will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7-compliant “reserves”;
  • The requirement of additional power supplies for the Sierra Mojada Project if a mining operation is determined to be feasible;
  • Our ability to obtain and hold additional concessions in the Sierra Mojada Project area;
  • Whether we will be required to obtain additional surface rights if a mining operation is determined to be feasible;
  • The possible impact on the Company’s operations of the blockade by a cooperative of miners on the Sierra Mojada property;
  • The potential acquisition of additional mineral properties or property concessions;
  • Testing of the impact of the fine bubble flotation test work on the recovery of minerals and initial rough concentrate grade;
  • The impact of recent accounting pronouncements on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures;
  • The impact of changes to current state or federal laws and regulations on estimated capital expenditures, the economics of a particular project and/or our activities;
  • Our ability to raise additional capital and/or pursue additional strategic options, and the potential impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations of doing so or not;
  • The impact of changing foreign currency exchange rates on our financial condition;
  • The period during which unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized;
  • Whether using major financial institutions with high credit ratings mitigates credit risk;
  • The impact of changing economic conditions on interest rates;
  • Our expectations regarding future recovery of value-added taxes (“VAT”) paid in Mexico; and
  • The merits of any claims in connection with, and the expected timing of any, ongoing legal proceedings.

 

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These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and our actual results could differ from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, including without limitation, risks associated with the following:

  • The continued funding by South32 of amounts required under the Earn-In Option Agreement;
  • Our ability to obtain additional financial resources on acceptable terms to (i) conduct our exploration activities and (ii) maintain our general and administrative expenditures at acceptable levels;
  • Our ability to acquire additional mineral properties or property concessions;
  • Results of future exploration at our Sierra Mojada Project;
  • Worldwide economic and political events affecting (i) the market prices for silver, zinc, lead, copper and other minerals that may be found on our exploration properties (ii) interest rates and (iii) foreign currency exchange rates;
  • The amount and nature of future capital and exploration expenditures;
  • Volatility in our stock price;
  • Our inability to obtain required permits;
  • Competitive factors, including exploration-related competition;
  • Timing of receipt and maintenance of government approvals;
  • Unanticipated title issues;
  • Changes in tax laws;
  • Changes in regulatory frameworks or regulations affecting our activities;
  • Our ability to retain key management, consultants and experts necessary to successfully operate and grow our business; and
  • Political and economic instability in Mexico and other countries in which we conduct our business, and future potential actions of the governments in such countries with respect to nationalization of natural resources or other changes in mining or taxation policies.

These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that could affect us.

 

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

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Cautionary Note Regarding Exploration Stage Companies

We are an exploration stage company and do not currently have any known reserves and cannot be expected to have reserves unless and until a feasibility study is completed for the Sierra Mojada concessions that shows proven and probable reserves. There can be no assurance that our concessions contain proven and probable reserves, and investors may lose their entire investment. See the sections titled “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

Business Overview

Silver Bull, incorporated in Nevada, is an exploration stage company, engaged in the business of mineral exploration. Our primary objective is to define sufficient mineral reserves on the Sierra Mojada Property to justify the development of a mechanized mining operation. We conduct our operations in Mexico through our wholly-owned Mexican subsidiaries, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V. (“Minera Metalin”), Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V. (“Contratistas”) and Minas de Coahuila SBR S.A. de C.V. However, as noted above, we have not established any reserves at the Sierra Mojada Property, we are in the exploration stage, and we may never enter the development or production stage.

Our principal office is located at 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610, Vancouver, BC, Canada V7Y 1K4, and our telephone number is 604-687-5800. 

Current Developments

 

South32 Earn-In Option Agreement

 

On June 1, 2018, we and our subsidiaries Minera Metalin and Contratistas entered into an Earn-In Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with South32 International Investment Holdings Pty Ltd (“South32”), a wholly owned subsidiary of South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32), whereby South32 is able to obtain an option to purchase 70% of the shares of Minera Metalin and Contratistas (the “Option”). Minera Metalin owns the Sierra Mojada Property located in Coahuila, Mexico (the “Sierra Mojada Project”) and Contratistas supplies labor for the Sierra Mojada Project. Under the Option Agreement, South32 earns into the option by funding a collaborative exploration program on the Sierra Mojada Project. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Option Agreement, in order for South32 to earn and maintain its four-year Option, South32 must have contributed to Minera Metalin for exploration of the Sierra Mojada Project at least $3 million by the end of Year 1, $6 million by the end of Year 2, $8 million by the end of Year 3 and $10 million by the end of Year 4 (the “Initial Funding”). Funding is made on a quarterly basis based on the subsequent quarter’s exploration budget. South32 may exercise the Option by contributing $100 million to Minera Metalin (the “Subscription Payment”), less the amount of Initial Funding previously contributed by South32. The issuance of shares upon notice of exercise of the Option by South32 is subject to antitrust approval by the Mexican government. If the full amount of the Subscription Payment is advanced by South32 and the Option becomes exercisable and is exercised, we and South32 will be obligated to contribute funding to Minera Metalin on a 30/70 pro rata basis. If South32 elects not to continue with the Option during the four-year option period, the Sierra Mojada Project will remain 100% owned by us. The exploration program will be initially managed by us, with South32 being able to approve the exploration program funded by it. We received funding of $3,144,163 from South32 for Year 1 of the Option Agreement. In April 2019, we received a notice from South32 to maintain the Option Agreement for Year 2 by providing cumulative funding of $6 million by the end of such period. We have received funding of $1,214,602 from South32 for Year 2 of the Option Agreement as of January 31, 2020. In March 2020, we received a payment of $147,366 for Year 2 of the Option Agreement from South32. If the Option Agreement is terminated by South32 without cause or if South32 is unable to obtain antitrust authorization from the Mexican government, we are under no obligation to reimburse South32 for amounts contributed under the Option Agreement.

Upon exercise of the Option, Minera Metalin and Contratistas are required to issue common shares to South32. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, following exercise and until a decision has been made by the board of directors of Minera Metalin to develop and construct a mine on the Sierra Mojada Project, each shareholder holding greater than or equal to 10% of the shares may withdraw as an owner in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty on products produced and sold from the Sierra Mojada Project. Any shareholder whose holdings are reduced to less than 10% must surrender its interest in exchange for a 2% net smelter royalty.

 

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We have determined that Minera Metalin and Contratistas are variable interest entities and that the Option Agreement has not resulted in the transfer of control of the Sierra Mojada Project to South32. We have also determined the Option Agreement represents non-employee share-based compensation associated with the collaborative exploration program undertaken by the parties. The compensation cost is expensed when the associated exploration activity occurs. The share-based payments have been classified as equity instruments and valued based on the fair value of the cash consideration received, as it is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the equity interest. If the Option is exercised and shares are issued prior to a decision to develop a mine, such shares would be classified as temporary equity as they would be contingently redeemable in exchange for a net smelter royalty under circumstances that are not wholly in control of the Company or South32 and are not currently probable.

On October 11, 2019, we and our subsidiary Minera Metalin issued a notice of force majeure to South32 pursuant to the Option Agreement. Due to a blockade by a cooperative of local miners called Sociedad Cooperativa de Exploración Minera Mineros Norteños, S.C.L. (“Mineros Norteños”), the Company has temporarily halted all work on the Sierra Mojada Property. The notice of force majeure was issued because of the blockade’s impact on the ability of the Company and its subsidiary Minera Metalin to perform their obligations under the Option Agreement. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, any time period provided for in the Option Agreement will generally be extended by a period equal to the period of delay caused by the event of force majeure. As of March 13, 2020, the blockade by Mineros Norteños at, on and around the Sierra Mojada Property is ongoing.

Property Concessions and Outlook

Sierra Mojada Property

In January 2020, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.2 million for the period from January 2020 through May 2020 and $1.1 million for general and administrative expenses for calendar year 2020. The focus of the exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property is maintaining our property concessions.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended January 31, 2020 and January 31, 2019

For the three months ended January 31, 2020, we experienced a net loss of $568,000, or approximately $nil per share, compared to a net loss of $1,001,000, or approximately $nil per share, during the comparable period last year. The $433,000 decrease in net loss was primarily due to a $252,000 decrease in exploration and property holding costs, a $72,000 decrease in general and administrative expenses and $1,000 in other income for the three months ended January 31, 2020 compared to $107,000 in other expenses in the comparable period last year as described below.

Exploration and Property Holding Costs

Exploration and property holding costs decreased $252,000 to $213,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020, compared to $465,000 for the comparable period last year. This decrease was mainly due to the blockade discussed in the “Current Developments – South32 Earn-In Option Agreement” above.

General and Administrative Expenses

We recorded general and administrative expenses of $356,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020, as compared to $428,000 for the comparable period last year. The $72,000 decrease was mainly the result of a $17,000 decrease in personnel costs, a $55,000 decrease in office and administrative costs, a $17,000 decrease in directors’ fees, which was partially offset by a $15,000 increase in professional services and a $11,000 provision for uncollectible VAT compared to a $9,000 provision for uncollectible VAT in the comparable period last year as described below.

Personnel costs decreased $17,000 to $156,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020, as compared to $173,000 for the comparable period last year. This decrease was mainly due to a $26,000 decrease in stock-based compensation expense as a result of stock options vesting in the three months ended January 31, 2020 having a lower fair value than stock options vesting in the comparable period last year.

 

 

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Office and administrative costs decreased $55,000 to $71,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020, as compared to $126,000 for the comparable period last year. This decrease was mainly due to decreased investor relations activities.

 

Professional fees increased $15,000 to $80,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020 compared to $65,000 for the comparable period last year. This increase is mainly due to an increase in legal fees.

Directors’ fees decreased $17,000 to $37,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020, as compared to $54,000 for the comparable period last year. This decrease was primarily due to a $17,000 decrease in stock-based compensation as a result of stock options vesting in the three months ended January 31, 2020 having a lower fair value than stock options vesting in the comparable period last year.

We recorded a provision of $11,000 for uncollectible VAT for the three months ended January 31, 2020, as compared to a provision of $9,000 for uncollectible VAT in the comparable period last year. The allowance for uncollectible taxes was estimated by management based upon a number of factors, including the length of time the returns have been outstanding, responses received from tax authorities, general economic conditions in Mexico and estimated net recovery after commissions.

Other Income (Expenses)

We recorded other income of $1,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2020, as compared to other expenses of $107,000 for the comparable period last year. The significant factor contributing to other expense in the three months ended January 31, 2019 was a $114,000 expense from a change in fair value of warrant derivative liability due to an increase in fair value between October 31, 2018 and January 31, 2019 of warrants with a $CDN exercise price.

 

Material Changes in Financial Condition; Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows

During the three months ended January 31, 2020, we primarily utilized cash and cash equivalents to fund exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Property and for general and administrative expenses. Additionally, during the three months ended January 31, 2020, we received $895,000 from South32. As a result of funding from South32, which was partially offset by the exploration activities and general and administrative expenses, cash and cash equivalents increased from $1,432,000 at October 31, 2019 to $1,595,000 at January 31, 2020.

Cash flows used in operating activities for the three months ended January 31, 2020 was $733,000, as compared to $1,107,000 for the comparable period in 2019. This decrease was mainly due to decreased exploration and property holding costs due to the blockade and decreased general and administrative expenses.  

Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2020 was $nil, as compared to $12,000 for the acquisition of property concessions for the comparable period in last year.

Cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2020 was $895,000, as compared to $1,085,000 for the comparable period last year. The cash flow provided by financing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2020 was due to funding from South32. The cash flow provided by financing activities for the comparable period last year was due to warrants exercised and funding from South32.

Capital Resources

As of January 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,595,000, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $1,432,000 as of October 31, 2019. The increase in our liquidity was primarily the result of funding from South32, which was partially offset by the exploration activities at the Sierra Mojada Property and general and administrative expenses.

 

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Since our inception in November 1993, we have not generated revenue and have incurred an accumulative deficit of $130,362,000. Accordingly, we have not generated cash flows from operations, and since inception we have relied primarily upon proceeds from private placements and registered direct offerings of our equity securities, warrant exercises and funding from South32 as the primary sources of financing to fund our operations. As of January 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,595,000. Based on our limited cash and cash equivalents, and history of losses, there is substantial doubt as to whether our existing cash resources are sufficient to enable us to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Management plans to pursue possible financing and strategic options, including but not limited to obtaining additional equity financing. Management has successfully pursued these options previously and believes that they alleviate the substantial doubt that we can continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful in pursuing these plans.

Any future additional financing in the near term will likely be in the form of payments from South32 or proceeds from an issuance of equity securities, which will result in dilution to our existing shareholders. Moreover, we may incur significant fees and expenses in the pursuit of a financing or other strategic transaction, which will increase the rate at which our cash and cash equivalents are depleted.

Capital Requirements and Liquidity; Need for Additional Funding

Our management and board of directors monitor our overall costs, expenses, and financial resources and, if necessary, will adjust our planned operational expenditures in an attempt to ensure that we have sufficient operating capital. We continue to evaluate our costs and planned expenditures, including for our Sierra Mojada Property as discussed below.

The continued exploration of the Sierra Mojada Property will require significant amounts of additional capital. In January 2020, our board of directors approved an exploration budget for the Sierra Mojada Property of $0.2 million for the period from January 2020 through May 2020 and $1.1 million for general and administrative expenses for calendar year 2020. As of February 29, 2020, we had approximately $1.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. We will continue to evaluate our ability to obtain additional financial resources, and we will attempt to reduce expenditures on the Sierra Mojada Property and general and administrative costs if we determine that additional financial resources are unavailable or available on terms that we determine are unacceptable. However, it may not be possible to reduce costs, and even if we are successful in reducing costs, we still may not be able to continue operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. If we are unable to fund future operations by obtaining additional financial resources, including through public or private offerings of equity, we do not expect to have sufficient available cash and cash equivalents to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Equity financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. Equity financing, if available, will likely result in substantial dilution to existing shareholders. Moreover, the continued exploration of the Sierra Mojada Property ultimately will require us to raise additional capital, identify other sources of funding or identify another strategic partner. For information about our current strategic partnership with South32, see Note 4 – Earn-In Option Agreement in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements. If South32 exercises its option to purchase 70% of the equity of Minera Metalin and Contratistas, under the terms of the Option Agreement, we will retain a 30% ownership in Minera Metalin and Contratistas, and be obligated to contribute 30% of subsequent funding toward the development of the Sierra Mojada Project.  If we fail to satisfy our funding commitment, our interest in Minera Metalin and Contratistas will be diluted.  We do not currently have sufficient funds with which to satisfy this future funding commitment, and there is no certainty that we will be able to obtain sufficient future funds on acceptable terms or at all.  If South32 terminates the Option Agreement, our funding obligations for the Sierra Mojada Property would increase, likely resulting in a reduction in exploration work on the Sierra Mojada Property.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to our shareholders.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

The critical accounting policies are defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on January 13, 2020.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Three-Month Period Ended January 31, 2020

On November 1, 2019, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB’s”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for nonemployee share-based payments, aligning it more closely with the accounting for employee awards. Under the adoption provisions, equity-classified awards for which a measurement date had already been established as of the adoption date, including our Earn-In Option Agreement, are unaffected by ASU 2018-07. As a result of this adoption, we reclassified $4,803 from stock option liability to additional paid-in capital.

 

On November 1, 2019, we adopted the FASB’s ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” (Topic 842), together with subsequent amendments, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The new standard requires a lessee to recognize on its balance sheet, a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset representing the right to the underlying asset for the lease term and allows companies to elect to apply the standards at the effective date.  We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which applies to expired or existing leases and allows us not to reassess whether a contract contains a lease, the lease classification, and any initial direct costs incurred.

 

We also elected a number of optional practical expedients including the following:

 

  • the short-term lease recognition exemption whereby ROU assets and lease liabilities will not be recognized for leasing arrangements with terms less than one year;
  • the land easements practical expedient whereby existing land easements are not reassessed under the new standard;
  • the hindsight practical expedient when determining lease term at transition; and
  • the practical expedient not to apply lease accounting to the intangible right to explore for those natural resources, and rights to use the land in which those natural resources are contained.

 

The adoption of this update did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows and disclosures.

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force) and the SEC did not or are not expected to have a material impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of January 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of January 31, 2020.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended January 31, 2020, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

See Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies to our financial statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The risk factor outlined below should be considered along with the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2019.

There is substantial doubt about whether we can continue as a going concern.

To date, we have earned no revenues and have incurred accumulated net losses of $130,362,042. In addition, we have limited financial resources. As of January 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,594,657 and working capital of $1,619,882. Therefore, our continuation as a going concern is dependent upon our achieving a future financing or strategic transaction. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful pursuing a financing or strategic transaction. Accordingly, there is substantial doubt as to whether our existing cash resources and working capital are sufficient to enable us to continue our operations for the next 12 months as a going concern. Ultimately, in the event that we cannot obtain additional financial resources, or achieve profitable operations, we may have to liquidate our business interests and investors may lose their investment. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that our company will continue as a going concern. Continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financial resources or generate profitable operations. Such additional financial resources may not be available or may not be available on reasonable terms. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Such adjustments could be material.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

No sales of unregistered equity securities occurred during the period covered by this report.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company and Affiliated Purchasers

 

No purchases of equity securities were made by or on behalf of Silver Bull or any “affiliated purchaser” within the meaning of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act during the period covered by this report.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
        Incorporated by Reference    
Exhibit Number   Exhibit Description   Form Date Exhibit   Filed/ Furnished Herewith
31.1   Certification of CEO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002           X
                 
31.2   Certification of CFO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002           X
                 
32.1   Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002           XX
                 
32.2   Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002           XX
                 
101.INS*    XBRL Instance Document           X
                 
101.SCH*    XBRL Schema Document          

X

 

101.CAL*    XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document           X

 

101.DEF*

 

 

XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

         

 

X

 

101.LAB*    XBRL Labels Linkbase Document           X

 

101.PRE*    XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document           X
                 
X    Filed herewith            
                 
XX    Furnished herewith            

 

 

 

* The following financial information from Silver Bull Resources, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2020, is formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

  SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
     
Dated:  March 13, 2020 By:   /s/ Timothy Barry
  Timothy Barry
  President and Chief Executive Officer
 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Dated:  March 13, 2020 By:   /s/ Sean Fallis
  Sean Fallis
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

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