GRMC Goldrich Mining Company (CE)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition or Plan of Operation

As used in herein, the terms “Goldrich,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Goldrich Mining Company.

This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Except for historical information, the matters set forth herein, which are forward-looking statements, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, unexpected changes in business and economic conditions; significant increases or decreases in gold prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; unanticipated grade changes; metallurgy, processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies and water; results of current and future exploration and production activities; local and community impacts and issues; timing of receipt and maintenance of government approvals; accidents and labor disputes; environmental costs and risks; competitive factors, including competition for property acquisitions; and availability of external financing at reasonable rates or at all, and those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 30, 2022. Forward- looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continues” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates, and opinions on the date the statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates, and opinions should change, except as required by law.

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis the Company reviews its estimates and assumptions. The estimates were based on historical experience and other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions, but the Company does not believe such differences will materially affect our condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations. Critical accounting policies, the policies the Company believes are most important to the presentation of its condensed consolidated financial statements and require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments are outlined below in “Critical Accounting Policies” and have not changed significantly.

General

Our Chandalar, Alaska gold mining property contains both hard-rock (lode) targets and placer deposits and has seen over a hundred years of intermittent mining exploration and extraction history. There has been extraction of gold from several alluvial, or placer gold streams, and from an array of small quartz veins that dot the property. However, only in very recent times is the primary source of the gold becoming evident. As a result of our exploration, considering structural geology, petrographic, geochemical and geophysical evidence, we have realized that all of the gold is sourced within a system of magmatic hydrothermal alteration features such as small pegmatitic dikes and chloritized schist. We believe these features are common to and link all of the hard-rock (lode) prospects, the weathering of which generated the gold placer deposits, and furthermore are an outlying expression of an underlying gold bearing pluton.

We have defined drilling targets for a hard-rock (lode) gold deposit in an area of interest approximately 1,800 feet wide and over five miles long, possibly underlain by a series of mineralized magmatic intrusions (plutons). Exploration therefore has taken on two directions; one toward defining a low-grade, large tonnage body of mineralization running beneath the headwaters of Little Squaw Creek where dense swarms of gold mineralized pegmatitic dikelets are seen, the other a deeper, larger mineralized plutonic body(ies) from which the district’s mineralizing fluids may have emanated and migrated through Chandalar country rock.

In December 2021, Goldrich submitted a permit application to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) to carry out a multi-year, 25,000-foot diamond core drill program at the Company’s Chandalar Property. The permit was received in February 2022. The target zone of this hard-rock (lode) drill program, located on the Little Squaw Creek (“LSC”) drainage, is immediately above and partially overlapping the LSC placer deposit and mine. The target zone sits at the heart of a zone surrounded by historic placer workings in every creek and four historic hard-rock gold mines. Previous exploration, including drill programs, soil and rock samples, airborne magnetic and radiometric studies, and advanced petrographic studies in addition to the angularity of the placer gold nuggets indicates close proximity to a hard-rock source. Subject to financing, Goldrich plans to commence an initial 12,000-foot program in May 2022.

Although our main focus continues to be the exploration of these hard-rock targets, we also endeavor to develop our placer properties as a source of internal cash to protect us from future market fluctuations and to provide funds for future exploration. In 2012, Goldrich and NyacAU LLC (“NyacAU”) formed Goldrich NyacAU Placer LLC (“GNP”), a 50/50 joint-venture company, managed by NyacAU, to mine Goldrich’s various placer properties at Chandalar.

As shown below, the placer gold extracted by GNP increased each year from 2015 through 2018, trending toward production figures that were anticipated by a preliminary economic assessment authored by qualified geologists for us:

Although GNP’s extraction increased over the years, ultimately the extraction numbers attained over those years fell short of the Minimum Production Requirements required in the GNP Operating Agreement. According to the terms of the agreement, GNP was required to pay a Minimum Production Requirement of 1,100 ounces for 2016, 1,200 ounces for 2017, and 1,300 ounces for 2018 to both Goldrich and NyacAU by October 31, 2018. This payment was not made. Under the joint venture Operating Agreement, GNP would be dissolved if GNP failed to meet the Minimum Production Requirement. On August 20, 2018, we announced the intended dissolution of the GNP joint venture. GNP was formally dissolved in May 2019 and is currently being liquidated with NyacAU managing the process. Goldrich and NyacAU are currently in arbitration as noted above.

Subsequent to 2019, Goldrich commissioned an independent third-party mining engineering firm to complete a mining plan and initial assessment for the Company’s Chandalar Mine. In June, 2021, Goldrich released the results of an independent Initial Assessment Report (the “IA”), prepared in accordance with the new SEC Subpart 1300 property disclosure requirements, for the Company’s Chandalar placer mine. The IA was prepared by Global Resources Engineering (“GRE”), a widely-respected mining engineering firm in Denver, Colorado.

Using a base case gold price of $1,650, the key economic results of the IA with a summarized gold price sensitivity analysis were as follows (A complete copy of the IA may be downloaded at https://www.goldrichmining.com/chandalar-gold-district/technical-reports.html):

The IA also estimated pit-constrained mineral resources for the Little Squaw Creek Placer deposit as follows:

Goldrich will decide if a preliminary feasibility study should also be prepared for the Chandalar Mine. A preliminary feasibility study would allow Goldrich to disclose any reserves of the Chandalar Mine. The Company is encouraged by the results of the IA as it helps establish the value of the placer deposit, shows a large geochemical anomaly indicative of a potential large hard-rock (lode) gold source, and may provide financing opportunities.

Looking forward, our ability to develop either hard-rock (lode) targets or placer deposits is subject to financing. Although we are seeking investors to provide funding to reinstate the placer mining operation, we believe there are investors motivated to provide funding for exploration programs to locate and exploit the hard rock deposits from which the placer mineralization comes. This strategy can be pursued independent of any mining activities.

Joint Venture Agreement

On April 3, 2012, Goldrich Placer, LLC (“GP”), a subsidiary of Goldrich, entered into a term sheet for a joint venture with NyacAU, LLC (“NyacAU”), an Alaskan private company, to bring Goldrich’s Chandalar placer gold properties into production as defined in the joint venture agreement (the “Operating Agreement”), which was subsequently signed and made effective April 2, 2012. In each case as used herein in reference to the JV, ‘production’ is as defined by the JV agreement. As part of the agreement, Goldrich Placer, LLC (“GP”), a subsidiary of Goldrich and NyacAU (together the “Members”) formed a 50:50 joint venture company, Goldrich NyacAU Placer LLC (“GNP”), to operate the Chandalar placer mines, with NyacAU acting as managing partner. Goldrich has no significant control or influence over the JV, and therefore accounts for its investment using the cost less impairment method.

On August 20, 2018, we announced the intended dissolution of the GNP joint venture. According to the terms of the joint venture operating agreement, GNP was required to pay a Minimum Production Requirement of 1,100 ounces for 2016, 1,200 ounces for 2017, and 1,300 ounces for 2018 to both Goldrich and NyacAU by October 31, 2018. This payment was not made. Under the joint venture Operating Agreement, GNP would be dissolved if GNP failed to meet the Minimum Production Requirement. GNP was dissolved in May 2019 and is currently being liquidated with NyacAU managing the process. Goldrich and NyacAU are currently in arbitration as noted above.

Arbitration

In 2017, we, our subsidiary and the joint venture, as claimants, filed an arbitration statement of claim before a three-member Arbitration Panel (“the Panel”), against our JV partner and its affiliates; NyacAU, LLC (“NyacAU”), BEAR Leasing, LLC, and Dr. J. Michael James, as respondents. In 2018, the respondents filed a counter-claim against the Company, its subsidiaries and certain members of our current and former management, the counterclaim respondents. The arbitration claim alleged, amongst other things, claims concerning related-party transactions, accounting issues including capital vs. operating leases, interpretation of the joint venture operating agreement, allocation of tax losses between the joint venture partners, and unpaid amounts due Goldrich relating to the Chandalar Mine.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, the Panel released various awards relating to the allegations of both parties. Some of which have been in favor of our positions and some have been in favor of our JV partner and its affiliates. The arbitration is ongoing and the various parties to the claims and counterclaims continue to disagree on several matters.

On May 25, 2019, the Panel issued an Interim Award, which requested input from the parties on a small number of discrete issues, all input to be supported by references to the arbitration record. On November 30, 2019, the Panel issued the Partial Final Award and concurrently the Second Interim Award regarding Dissolution/Liquidation of GNP and Related Issues (“the Second Interim Award”). On September 4, 2020, the Arbitration Panel (the “Panel”) issued the Final Post Award Orders, wherein the Panel issued rulings on multiple material issues. On December 4, 2020, the Panel issued Supplemental Orders 5-8. On April 7, 2021, the Panel issued Order on Respondents’ Motion to Preserve Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings, wherein the Panel ruled that the Company did not violate confidentiality when it filed the arbitration rulings as exhibits to its public reporting with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On April 7, 2021, the Panel also issued Order on Respondents’ Motion to Confirm Judgment. On August 30, 2021, the Panel also issued Second Partial Final Award and Modified Second Interim Award re Dissolution/Liquidation of GNP and Related Issues. A summary of each award is provided below. Matters of minor significance on which the Panel ruled or waived actions on matters over which the Panel had no jurisdiction are not included in the summary.

The Partial Final Award

A summary of the various matters addressed in the Partial Final Award is as follows:

Capital vs. Operating Leases.

In response to a claim made by Goldrich, the Panel ruled that certain leases were capital leases, rather than operating leases, which increased the basis upon which distributions are made to the JV partners. In addition, the Panel modified the interest rates applicable to the leases, which decreased the profitability of the JV for the change in interest on all leases but only decreased the basis upon which distributions are made to Goldrich for leases that were deemed to be operating leases. The net change had no effect on the Company’s financial statements. The ruling did, however, affect the amount of interim distributions made from GNP to Goldrich for 2016 and 2017 as noted below.

Ownership by GNP of Leased Equipment.

The Panel ruled that certain continuing lease payments made by GNP for equipment treated as operating leases, which were subsequently ruled capital leases, represented buy-out payments at the conclusion of the capital lease. Therefore, ownership of the subject equipment was transferred to GNP. As a result of the ruling, certain leased equipment became the property of GNP, but was subsequently transferred to Bear Leasing to partially satisfy default of other lease agreements when GNP was dissolved.

Lease Charges and Ownership of Arctic Camp Purchased by NyacAU related party from Third-Party. 

The Panel ruled that lease payments made by GNP to Bear Leasing toward rented Arctic camp facilities that had been purchased from an unrelated third-party from 2012 through 2014 represented purchase consideration. As a result, GNP was deemed the beneficial owner of the camp in connection with the dissolution/liquidation process. Further, LOC1 was reduced by lease payments GNP was charged beyond the purchase price for the Arctic camp.

Interim Distributions to Goldrich for 2016 and 2017.

As a result of the awards noted above, the Panel determined that the Company is entitled to an additional $214,797 in distributions for 2016 and an additional $198,644 for 2017, for a total of $413,442. In like manner, the Panel determined that NyacAU is entitled to an additional $413,442 in distributions for these years. As we are uncertain as to the collectability of these distributions, no recognition of these revenues is included in our Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Payment of Interest Earned by LOC1.

The Partial Final Award also addressed our claim for payment of interest earned by LOC1. The Panel determined that NyacAU should pay the Company 50% of the interest earned on LOC1 actually received by NyacAU, or $126,666. NyacAU contested the amount of LOC1 interest paid by GNP to NyacAU. The matter is further discussed below in the summary for the Final Post Award Order and Supplemental Orders.

2012 Reclamation Work

The Panel ruled Goldrich is responsible to pay the full amount charged by NyacAU for the 2012 reclamation work and NyacAU is also entitled to 5% pre-judgement interest on the award from the date the first invoice was sent to Goldrich. Goldrich has accrued a liability for this ruling, however Goldrich has contested the party to whom payment should be made and whether additional amounts not invoiced by GNP should be included in the award.

Allocation of Tax Losses 

From 2012 through 2018, NyacAU, as managers of GNP, had allocated net tax losses from GNP totaling $19,888,374 to NyacAU and $839,537 to Goldrich. Goldrich claimed it had a right to 50% of all tax losses under the GNP Operating Agreement and filed Form 8082 for each year with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to correct the GNP K-1’s filed by NyacAU. Goldrich claimed a total of $9,946,369, 50% of the total GNP losses for the years 2012 through 2018. The Panel generally agreed with that allocation but only during the periods where actual mining operations were being performed, since those rationally are the only periods in which both parties bore a material economic risk, in terms of the impact of mining operations on processed and unprocessed gold. Based on the evidence before the Panel, mining operations were performed in August-September 2013, and 2015-2018.

Prior to Goldrich receiving the award, the IRS had processed and accepted the Forms 8082, corrected GNP K-1’s, and amended tax returns filed by Goldrich for 2012 through 2017. The IRS also notified Goldrich that Goldrich’s 2012 through 2014 tax returns were closed for further changes due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for those years. The IRS also conducted an audit of Goldrich’s 2014 through 2017 tax returns with a ‘no change’ determination. Therefore, although Goldrich was not awarded 50% of all GNP 2012 to 2014 tax losses in the arbitration, Goldrich has been allowed to take the full total of its share of GNP tax losses of $9,946,369, which can be used to offset taxable profits Goldrich generates in future years.

In August 2020, the IRS issued an unfavorable ruling as it affects the Company in regard to the audit of the joint venture which, when the individual partners’ effects are communicated to us by the IRS, is probable to decrease our net federal and state net operating loss carryforwards by $2.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for the years under audit. The JV partners had been instructed by the Panel to take steps to ensure tax loses have been shared equally, as the Operating Agreement requires, but only during the periods where actual mining operations were being performed. In the closing conference, it was evident that GNP had taken positions with the IRS that conflicted with the Panel’s direction. The recourse available to us in regard to the audit ruling is a challenge of the IRS ruling before the tax court, should we determine this to be in our best interests.

Other

The Second Interim Award

The Second Interim Award was necessitated by the fact that the dissolution/liquidation of the joint venture had not yet run its course. A summary of the various matters addressed in the Second Interim Award is as follows:

Transfer of Mining Permits

The Panel ordered that:

Neither order was successfully executed by the parties on the dates specified by the Panel. The Second Interim Award confirmed the dissolution of GNP and noted that “no provision of the Claims Lease or the Operating Agreement speaks directly to the rights or obligations of GNP to transfer its mining permit, which is held in the name of the manager, NyacAU. Although GNP no longer has the right to mine, GNP and specifically NyacAU have the liability of reclamation. Absent a transfer of the Permit, GNP (through NyacAU) would be obligated to complete reclamation, and obtain final approval from appropriate government authorities, as required by the Claims Lease—a process estimated to take several years.”

If NyacAU does not transfer the mining permit to Goldrich as part of the dissolution, they will retain the requirement to reclaim the mine, and Goldrich will be prevented from mining the property, since two mining permits cannot be issued for the same claims. The actual cost of the reclamation will be subject to many variables, not the least of which will be whether the remedial activity is undertaken while the mine is inactive or conversely, when the mine is actively producing gold. If the mining permit were to be transferred to Goldrich or another entity with the reclamation obligation intact, the reclamation activity could be undertaken as a key piece of a mining plan in order to mitigate reclamation costs. If an agreement cannot be reached to transfer the mining permit and the associated reclamation of prior mining activities, Goldrich will be prevented from mining its claims until a new mining permit is acquired after the current mining permit expires in 2027, and will be limited to exploration activities on the hard rock deposits of the Chandalar property.

NyacAU has indicated they will not transfer the permit without also transferring the reclamation obligation, of which they believe to be $3 million. Goldrich has indicated they will not accept transfer of the permit together with the reclamation obligation, which they believe to be substantially greater. Both parties are in discussion to attempt to reach an agreement for the transfer of both the permit and the reclamation obligation, no transfer of either, or some other arrangement.

Balance and payment of LOC1 

The Panel calculated a tentative balance of LOC1 at $16,483,271 as of June 2019. This balance will be adjusted for any additional awards and/or adjustments made by the Panel.

As allowed by the Operating Agreement and a separate Security Agreement between GNP and NyacAU, NyacAU has recorded a security interest in future placer gold production from all current placer claims owned by Goldrich as collateral for repayment of fifty percent (50%) of GNP’s LOC1 to NyacAU. The agreements between GNP and NyacAU are silent concerning what happens if GNP is dissolved and is no longer producing gold, the basis of calculation, timing of remittance and other key factors related to repayment if mining activities were to be undertaken again. If there is no further placer production from these claims, Goldrich does not have a liability to pay LOC1.

The Panel ruled in the Final Post Award, discussed below, that LOC1 cannot be increased for costs incurred after mining operations have ceased, including costs for reclamation. Mining operations ceased on September 21, 2018, but were ruled to have ceased on September 28, 2018 by the Panel. This deprives NyacAU of a security interest in 50% of future placer gold production at the site to repay NyacAU for expenses incurred subsequent to the cessation of mining operations.

If an agreement cannot be reached for the transfer of the mining permit and reclamation liability to Goldrich or an operating company that will harvest the placer gold in the deposit, mining will likely not continue at the mine. Further, in order to operate the mine, Goldrich will be required to raise money to fund replacement equipment, wash plant, infrastructure and initial operating costs to restart the mine, due to the mining assets which have been removed as part of the liquidation of GNP. Goldrich has prepared a new mine plan and an initial assessment to show the mine’s potential, as announced in Goldrich’s news release dated June 11, 2021. Additionally, NyacAU submitted a new reclamation plan which was approved by the Army Corps of Engineers in September 2022. It appears the new reclamation plan may reduce reclamation costs if mining resumes but additional engineering studies are necessary to confirm this. However, at the date of this report, there is no candidate for operating the mine without a settling concession as part of the transfer of the permit and the associated reclamation obligations.

Goldrich may not have a reasonable avenue to pursue in restarting the mine and may be limited to raising investment funds for the sole purpose of exploration of the hard rock deposits.

Right to Offset Damages or Distributions 

The Panel granted the request that any damages awarded to one party can be an offset to distributions (or damages) due to the other party.

Judgements issued by Superior Court

On April 29, 2020, the Superior Court of the State of Alaska issued a judgement in favor of Dr. James, in the total amount of $13,713 (for the 2012 reclamation costs personally incurred, including interest) and $83,588 (for the adjustment to Dr. James’ stock purchase, including interest). On June 9, 2020, and June 20, 2020, the Court awarded additional costs and attorney’s fees. The Court ordered both Goldrich and NyacAU to submit a status report to the Court in September 2020 regarding the Panel’s clarification of the payable for the 2012 reclamation, including interest, and to clarify the party for the award, NyacAU or GNP. The status report has been filed by both parties, and these judgements remain unpaid and in force before the Superior Court. These amounts related to these judgements were accrued for at December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2021, a total amount of $106,810 is included for the judgement and post judgement interest in accounts payable and interest payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, an additional $1,271 was accrued for interest. At March 31, 2022, a total of $108,081 is included in accounts payable and interest payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the judgements.

Final Post Award Orders

On September 4, 2020, the arbitration panel issued Final Post Award Orders, wherein the panel issued rulings on multiple issues, including but not limited to, those discussed below:  

Reclamation 

The Company had previously filed a motion to compel NyacAU to correct accruals for certain expenses including reclamation, demobilization, equipment rental and utilities. Most notably, the Company contended that an accrual for reclamation liability was short of a larger estimate prepared by independent professionals as engaged by Goldrich. The Panel denied the Company’s motion and ruled that Goldrich does not have the authority to compel the establishment of any reserves on the GNP financial records. 

The Company had previously filed a motion to compel NyacAU to reclaim the disturbed acres as required under the Operating Agreement and the mining permit issued to NyacAU in 2013, and to require NyacAU to fund the reclamation reserve from cash that had been distributed to NyacAU. The Panel denied the Company’s motion and ruled that while there was express provision in the Operating Agreement to establish reserves necessary for contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations, which could conceivably include reclamation reserves, the agreement does not impose an express obligation to reclaim the project site. 

Mining Claims

All of the Company’s mining claims remain the property of the Company; however, NyacAU staked several claims contiguous to the claims owned by the Company. The Company had previously filed a motion to compel the transfer NyacAU’s claims from NyacAU to the Company. The motion was granted in part in that the claims held in NyacAU’s name were ruled to be owned by the Company, but would not be transferred immediately. They would remain in the possession of NyacAU as manager of the liquidation until the property covered by the claims was not being used for liquidation activities and could be transferred without disruption to the liquidation activity.

Supplemental Orders 5-8

On December 4, 2020, the arbitration Panel issued Supplemental Orders 5-8, wherein the Panel issued rulings on multiple material issues:

2018 Profitability and 2018 Interim Distributions 

Under the GNP Operating Agreement, Goldrich was entitled to receive certain interim distributions based on GNP’s profitability. Goldrich received such distributions for 2016 and 2017.  Goldrich challenged the Panel’s understanding of facts related to GNP’s profitability for 2018 as presented in the arbitration proceedings and made a motion for GNP to distribute interim distributions for 2018 after applying the arbitration rulings made to date. Goldrich submitted a claim to the arbitration Panel for approximately $680,000 plus prejudgment interest thereon at 5%.  The arbitration Panel denied Goldrich’s claim.  Based on the Panel’s ruling, the paydown by NyacAU, as manager of GNP, of Line of Credit 1 (“LOC1”) with GNP funds, rather than the payment of a 2018 interim distribution to Goldrich, is not considered a misappropriation of funds.  LOC1 is a related party loan between GNP and NyacAU.

The Panel ruled that GNP was dissolved at the end of the 2018 mining season (September 28, 2018) by failing to meet the Minimum Production Requirement of the GNP Operating Agreement rather than May 2019, when NyacAU published a formal notice of dissolution to the State of Alaska and to creditors.  Based on this and other evidence, the Panel found that GNP was dissolved by no later than October 9, 2018, which precedes the date by which any interim distribution would otherwise have been due under the GNP Operating Agreement (October 31 - December 31, 2018).  Accordingly, the Panel ruled that Goldrich is precluded from receiving any interim distributions for 2018 under the GNP Operating Agreement which provides that “[m]embers have a right to Distributions from the Company before the dissolution and winding up of the Company.”

Goldrich’s Portion of Interest Paid on LOC1

Under the GNP Operating Agreement, Goldrich is to receive 50% of any interest on LOC1 paid by GNP to NyacAU. Goldrich made a claim to the Panel that GNP had paid interest to NyacAU and that Goldrich was entitled to 50% of the amount paid. The Panel ruled that NyacAU is obligated to pay Goldrich 50% of $241,797 in interest “received” by NyacAU up to October 2018, when GNP was dissolved and commenced liquidation, in the total principal amount of $120,883. Goldrich is also entitled to recover 5% prejudgment interest on unpaid LOC1 interest as it fell due through October 1, 2018, after which date no interest would be shared with Goldrich. As we are uncertain as to the collectability of these distributions, no recognition of these revenues is included in our Statement of Operations for the period ended March 31, 2022.

Clarification of Award

In the Partial Final Award given in 2019, the arbitration Panel made an award to NyacAU of $377,253 in damages and pre-award interest relating to 2012 reclamation expenses incurred on Goldrich’s behalf.  Goldrich made an “Application for Modification and Correction of Arbitration Award, for Vacation of Award, or for Resubmission to Arbitration Panel for Clarification”, requesting an order from the Alaska court, under the Alaska Arbitration Act, that the damages awarded for unpaid 2012 reclamation expenses were to be paid to GNP, not NyacAU, and that the Panel clarify the appropriate amount of damages and interest to be paid.  The Panel ruled that it will resolve these issues after the parties submit evidence and argument supporting their respective positions on the merits.

On April 7, 2021, the Panel issued two orders:

On August 30, 2021, the Panel issued the Second Partial Final Award and the Modified Second Interim Award re Dissolution/Liquidation of GNP and Related Issues. These Awards were administrative and clarifying in nature, and had no financial effects on the previous rulings.

Finally, if the Superior Court of Alaska determines that GNP or any other entity is the “prevailing party” of the Superior Court proceedings, the Company will likely also be liable for a percentage (most likely 20%) of some or all of the prevailing party’s attorney’s fees for those matters adjudicated before the Court. The likelihood of such a ruling, the amount thereof and the determination of a percentage of the fees cannot be presently estimated.

Estimates of Arbitration

It is possible that there could be either adverse or favorable developments in the arbitration pending with the Company and its JV partner. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending arbitration could encourage the commencement of additional legal action by the affected party.

We record provisions in the condensed consolidated financial statements for pending arbitration results when it determines that an outcome is probable, and the amount of the gain or loss can be reasonably estimated. At the present time, except as stated otherwise, while it is reasonably possible that a favorable or unfavorable outcome in the arbitration may occur, after assessing the information available, management is unable to estimate the possible gain or loss, or range of gains or losses, for the pending arbitration; and accordingly, no estimated gains or losses have been accrued in the condensed consolidated financial statements for favorable or unfavorable outcomes. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We are an exploration stage company and have incurred losses since our inception. We currently do not have sufficient cash to support the Company through 2022 and beyond. We anticipate that we will incur approximately $1,900,000 for general operating expenses and property maintenance, $1,079,825 for related parties, $2,416,126 for interest, $518,143 for payment of the gold notes, $4,064,211 for payment of notes payable to related party, and $1,088,421 for the payment of senior secured loans over the next 12 months as of March 31, 2022. Additional funds will be needed for any exploration expenditures, should any be undertaken. We also anticipate additional unknown and undeterminable costs for arbitration, but a significant portion of this would be recouped if we are successful in the arbitration. We plan to raise the financing through a combination of debt and/or equity placements, sale of mining property interests, and revenue from placer operations.

We have filed an arbitration claim against our joint venture operating partner to challenge certain accounting treatment of capital leases, allocations of tax losses, charges to the JV for funding costs related to the JV manager’s financing, related-party transactions, and other items of dispute. For recent developments in the arbitration proceedings, see the sections titled Joint Venture Agreement and Arbitration above. The arbitration is proceeding on the basis that GNP has been dissolved. As noted above, NyacAU has recorded a secured interest in all placer gold production from certain claims owned by Goldrich as collateral for repayment of fifty percent (50%) of LOC1. Arbitration proceedings may significantly affect the balance of LOC1, the magnitude of which cannot be estimated at the date of this report. The arbitration Panel calculated a tentative balance of LOC1 at $16,483,271 as of June 2019. This balance will be adjusted for any additional awards and/or adjustments made by the arbitration Panel.

The audit opinion and notes that accompany our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, disclose a ‘going concern’ qualification to our ability to continue in business. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. We are an exploration stage company and we have incurred losses since our inception. We do not have sufficient cash to fund normal operations and meet debt obligations for the next 12 months without deferring payment on certain current liabilities and raising additional funds. We believe that the going concern condition cannot be removed with confidence until the Company has entered into a business climate where funding of its activities is more assured.

We currently have only a brief recent history of a recurring source of revenue and in 2016 received our first cash distribution from the joint venture. If we profitably execute a production business plan, our ability to continue as a going concern may improve and become less dependent on our ability to raise capital to fund our future exploration and working capital requirements. Our plans for the long-term include the profitable exploitation of our mining properties and financing our future operations through sales of our common stock and/or debt. Additionally, the current capital markets and general economic conditions in the United States are significant obstacles to raising the required funds. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we completed financings of $103,157, compared to $203,000 net cash for note financings and placements of our securities during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Subsequent to the close of the three months ended March 31, 2022, we borrowed an additional $98,980, net of discounts, of notes payable – related party, bringing the total notes payable – related party obligation as of October 20, 2022, to $4,168,400. Notes payable to third parties totaling $1,088,421 and notes payable – related party, are due on demand.

If we are unable to timely satisfy our obligations under these secured senior notes payable, the notes payable in gold, originally due November 2018 and subsequently amended to on demand, and the interest on both the secured senior note due quarterly and the notes payable in gold, and we are not able to re-negotiate the terms of such agreements, the holders will have rights against us, including potentially seizing or selling our assets. The notes payable in gold are secured against our right to future distributions of gold extracted by our joint venture with NyacAU or subsequent gold production. At March 31, 2022, we had outstanding total notes payable in gold of $518,143, representing 266.789 ounces of fine gold deliverable on demand. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company renegotiated terms with the holders. The Fourth Delayed Delivery Required Quantity shall be delivered to the Purchaser at the Delivery Point on the date that is sixty (60) days after the date that the Purchaser gives notice to the Company. To date, the gold notes have not been paid, the note holders have not demanded payment or delivery of gold and have indicated willingness to work with the Company to extend the due date.

We believe we will be able to secure sufficient financing for further operations and exploration activities of our Company but we cannot give assurance we will be successful in attracting financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Additionally, anticipating continued placer production after dissolution of GNP, we look forward to internal cash flow and additional options for financing. A successful mining operation may provide the long-term financial strength for the Company to remove the going concern condition in future years. To increase its access to financial markets, Goldrich intends to also seek a listing of its shares on a recognized stock exchange in Canada in addition to its listing on the OTCQB in the United States.

The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. If the going concern basis were not appropriate for these financial statements, adjustments would be necessary in the carrying value of assets and liabilities, the reported expenses and the balance sheet classifications used.

Results of Operations

On March 31, 2022, we had total liabilities of $11,402,413 and total assets of $748,816. This compares to total liabilities of $11,055,036 and total assets of $763,073 on December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2022, our liabilities consist of $270,363 for remediation and asset retirement obligations, $518,143 of notes payable in gold, $1,088,421 of notes payable, $4,064,211 of notes payable – related party, $1,894,706 of trade payables and accrued liabilities, $732,519 of accrued interest payable, $1,683,607 of accrued interest payable – related party, $1,079,825 due to related parties, and $30,618 for dividends payable. Of these liabilities, $11,092,050 is due within 12 months. The increase in liabilities compared to December 31, 2021 is due to an increase in trade and related party payables, an increase in interest payable and interest payable – related party and an increase in the notes payable in gold. Total assets and its components did not experience significant changes, with the exception of a decrease in cash and a decrease in prepaid expenses during the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

On March 31, 2022, we had negative working capital of $10,994,662 and a stockholders’ deficit of $10,653,597 compared to negative working capital of $10,634,714 and stockholders’ deficit of $10,291,963 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Working capital decreased during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 due to the accruals of accounts and trade payables that exceeded cash proceeds from Notes payable and Notes payable – related party. Stockholders’ equity decreased due to an operating loss for the period ended March 31, 2022.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we used cash from operating activities of $104,037 compared to $203,981 for the period ended March 31, 2021. Net losses were slightly lower year over year due to an decrease in trade payables and arbitration costs. Net operating losses were $202,357 and $336,660 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively, we used no cash in investing activities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, cash of $103,157 was provided by financing activities, compared to $203,000 provided during the same period of 2021.

Private Placement Offerings

No private placement offerings occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Notes Payable in Gold, Notes Payable & Notes Payable – Related Party

At March 31, 2022, we owed $518,143 for Notes payable in Gold, $1,088,421 for Notes payable and $4,064,211 for Notes payable – related party. Interest payable on these borrowings totaled $2,127,920. These borrowings have matured beyond their original due dates and have been amended to be due upon demand.

During September of 2020 and June 2021, the holders of the Notes payable and Notes payable – related party, received shares in lieu of cash for interest. A total of 14,000,000 common shares with a basis of $0.015 per share, were issued to the lenders, reducing interest payable by $210,000, of which $168,976 was to a related party.

Inter-Creditor Agreement

As a result of an Amended and Restated Loan, Security, and Intercreditor Agreement (the “Amended Agreement”) dated November 1, 2019 and a First Amendment dated August 25, 2021, for each holder of the notes payable, whether or not a related party:

Subsequent Events

On April 13, 2022, the Company repriced certain outstanding comm share purchase warrants of the Company. The Company repriced an aggregate 7,777,778 Class R Warrants, originally priced at $0.045 per share to a new exercise price of $0.03 per share. The Warrants are currently held in the name of Mr. Nicholas Gallagher, a related party. All other terms remained the same.

Subsequent to March 31, 2022, the Company received cash of $30,000 for exercise of 1,000,000 Class R Warrants.

Subsequent to March 31, 2022, the Company received cash of $98,980 of additional Notes payable – related party from Mr. Nicholas Gallagher.

Subsequent to March 31, 2022, the Company received cash of $30,000 in subscription payable for a private placement of common shares priced at $0.01 per share, of which $5,000 was from William Orchow, a related party. Upon closing, the Company will issue 3,000,000 common shares.

Subsequent to March 31, 2022, two holders of Convertible Preferred D shares, converted 60 preferred shares into 2,000,000 common shares of the Company.

Mining Permit and Future Mining Activities

The recent upward movements in the price of gold to a range of $1,700 to $2,000 per ounce or higher during the past few years have created renewed interest in gold mining, gold exploration and investments in companies engaging in those activities, including the junior mining/exploration sector in which we participate. Additionally, the fact that we own a mine that has produced over 40,000 ounces in recent years along an annual increasing trend has caught the interest of placer mining companies and investors who support placer mining operations. We believe we have the fundamentals to raise capital and continue our primary strategy of exploration and secondarily placer mining.

If we can attract the type of investor who is comfortable with reinstating the placer mining operation, we may have a viable and productive path forward toward obtaining financing in the short-term to achieve long-term profitability. To effectively pursue this strategy, (1) the mining permit for the Chandalar mine must be transferred to us from NyacAU, our former JV partner and the current holder of the permit, (2) financial concessions must be made relative to LOC1, which is currently to be satisfied from gold produced from the claims at the Chandalar mine, and (3) reclamation costs for the Chandalar mine that currently are the responsibility of NyacAU must be mitigated by a mining plan that accomplishes much of the reclamation costs as part of the ongoing mining activity. We do not believe an investor or group of investors will be willing to step forward to fund the placer mining activity without these three factors aligning themselves as described.

Additionally, without a profitable mining operation, the ability to pay back the Notes may not be available to us. If that is the case, the payback would require us to raise money from placements of equity instruments to raise the cash to satisfy the obligations. Such a use of funds may present a funding effort that receives tepid or little response in the equity markets.

However, we do believe there are investors motivated to provide funding for exploration programs to locate and exploit the hard rock deposits from which the placer mineralization is coming from. This strategy can be pursued independent of any mining activities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on our condensed consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

Contractual Obligations

See Subsequent Events above.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have identified our critical accounting policies, the application of which may materially affect the financial statements, either because of the significance of the financials statement item to which they relate, or because they require management’s judgment in making estimates and assumptions in measuring, at a specific point in time, events which will be settled in the future. The critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates which management believes have the most significant effect on the financial statements are set forth below: