UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

x

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

OR

o

 

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

For the transition period from              to


          

Commission file number: 001-09385

 

 



GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Colorado

 

84-0630963

(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

Suite 201, 1515 South Tejon

 

 

Colorado Springs, Colorado

 

80906

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(719) 471-9013

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 


 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

 

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, No Par Value

NYSE Arca

 


SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No x


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes o  

Nox


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

 

Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K. o


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


 

Large Accelerated Filer o

Accelerated Filer o

 

Non-Accelerated Filer x

Smaller Reporting Company o

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $42,292,153

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of March 14, 2008 was 9,769,250.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item of Form 10-K

   Page

Part I

        
   1.   

Business

   1
   1A.   

Risk Factors

   11
   1B.   

Unresolved Staff Comments

   14
   2.   

Properties

   14
   3.   

Legal Proceedings

   16
   4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   16

Part II

        
   5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   17
   6.   

Selected Financial Data

   20
   7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   20
   7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   25
   8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   25
   9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

   25
   9A.   

Controls and Procedures

   26
   9B.   

Other Information

   26

Part III

        
   10.   

Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   27
   11.   

Executive Compensation

   29
   12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   32
   13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

   36
   14.   

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

   38

Part IV

        
   15.   

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   38
     

Exhibit Index

  

39

     

Signatures

  

40



 

i

 




FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This annual report on Form 10-K and the exhibits attached hereto contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements concern the Company’s anticipated results and developments in the Company’s operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

 

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under Item 1 “Description of the Business,” Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” of this annual report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report by the foregoing cautionary statements.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Golden Cycle Gold Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado on May 19, 1972 for the purpose of acquiring and developing the mining properties (the “Mining Properties”) of the Golden Cycle Corporation, located in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Registrant” and “Company” as well as “we”, “us” and “our”, mean Golden Cycle Gold Corporation.

 

The primary business of the Company has been its participation in the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company (“CC&V”), a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) with AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp., formerly Pikes Peak Mining Company, (“AngloGold”). The Joint Venture engages in gold mining activity in the Cripple Creek area of Colorado.

 

In addition to its Joint Venture activities, the Company incorporated Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. (“GCPI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, under the laws of the Philippines on November 12, 1996. GCPI entered into an agreement with Benguet Corporation, a Philippine mining company, providing for their joint participation in the exploration, development and production of mining properties in certain areas of the Philippines. All GCPI exploration work has been placed on a standby basis until a Mineral Profits Sharing Agreement (“MPSA”) is awarded to the claim owner of the Sagittarius Alpha Realty (“SAR”) claims. See the section below entitled “Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc.” for further information regarding the proposed activities of GCPI in the Philippines.

 

During January 2002, the Company incorporated Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to conduct exploration activities for the Company. As of this date the Company has not funded Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc.

 

 

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had 2 employees.

 

 




Agreement and Plan of Merger with AngloGold Ashanti Limited

 

On January 11, 2008, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and GCGC LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company agreed to be acquired by AngloGold Ashanti through a transaction in which the Company’s shareholders will receive consideration consisting of 0.29 American Depositary Shares of AngloGold Ashanti Limited for each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, rounded up to the next whole ADS, each whole ADS representing one ordinary share, par value 25 South African cents per share, of AngloGold Ashanti Limited. The Agreement is subject to the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote.

 

For a description of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the merger, see the disclosure under Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters – Changes in Control.”

 

Description of Mining Joint Venture

 

The Company’s interest in the Joint Venture was received in exchange for the Company’s rights to gold mining properties in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado. The rights and obligations of the parties are covered by an Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) dated and effective as of January 1, 1991, between AngloGold and the Company. The Joint Venture engages in gold mining activity in the Cripple Creek area of Colorado and the Company’s participation in the Joint Venture constitutes its primary business activity. AngloGold serves as the manager (the “Manager”) of the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture’s principal mining operations are conducted at the Cresson mine, where commercial production was commenced in the first half of 1995.

 

The Joint Venture completed construction of the required infrastructure for the Cresson Mine and began mining operations in 1995, with the first Cresson Mine gold pour occurring on February 14, 1995. In 1996, the Joint Venture completed its first full year of Cresson Mine operations. The development of the East and North Cresson mines began during the second quarter of 1999. The Joint Venture began construction of expanded facilities during early 2002, completing the new truck shop, crushing facility, expanded process facility, and expanded valley leach facility by September 2003. The last step in the mine expansion, a $15.5 million expansion of the valley fill leach facility, was completed during the fall of 2004. The East Cresson surface mine (Altman) completed mining in the fourth quarter 2007. The North Cresson (Wildhorse) mine began operations in first quarter 2007.

 

The Joint Venture is currently operating under what is termed in the Joint Venture Agreement as the “Initial Phase.” The Joint Venture Agreement states that the Initial Phase will end when: (i) the Initial Loans (as defined below) have been repaid, (ii) a cash reserve has been established to fund accrued reclamation and severance tax obligations, plus an amount approximating nine months of estimated operating costs, plus an amount approximating twelve months of estimated capital costs, and (iii) Net Proceeds (defined in the Joint Venture Agreement generally as gross revenues less costs) in the amount of $58 million have been distributed as follows: 80% to AngloGold and 20% to the Company.

 

In each year during the Initial Phase or until the mining of ore by the Joint Venture ceases due to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, whichever occurs first, the Company is generally entitled to receive an annual minimum distribution of $250,000 (a “Minimum Annual Distribution”) from the Joint Venture. The first three Minimum Annual Distributions in 1991, 1992 and 1993 were not deemed to be a distribution of Net Proceeds to the Company and were not applied against the Company’s share of any Net Proceeds. The Minimum Annual Distributions received on January 15, 1994 and thereafter constitute an advance on Net Proceeds and will be recouped against future shares of Net Proceeds to the Company.

 

After the Initial Phase, the Joint Venture will distribute metal in kind in the proportion of 67% to AngloGold and 33% to the Company.

 

2






The Joint Venture Agreement provides that, during the period from January 1, 1991 until the end of the Initial Phase, all funds required for operations and mine development by the Joint Venture will be loaned (the “Initial Loans”) to the Joint Venture by either AngloGold or, if such loans are available at a lower cost than from AngloGold, financial institutions. Except for the Minimum Annual Distributions, the Initial Loans and interest thereon must be repaid prior to distributions of Net Proceeds to the Joint Venturers. The audited Joint Venture financial statements reported that as of December 31, 2007, the Joint Venture had $310.8 million in Initial Loans payable to AngloGold. After the Initial Phase, the Joint Venturers will contribute funds in proportion to their respective distributive shares.

 

The Joint Venture recorded net income of $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to net income of $38.4 and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. There is no assurance that the Joint Venture will be able to achieve profitability in any subsequent period or to sustain profitability for an extended period. The ability of the Joint Venture to sustain profitability is dependent upon a number of factors beyond the control of the Joint Venture, including without limitation, the market price of gold, which is volatile and subject to speculative movement, and the extent of mineralization in the area controlled by the Joint Venture and the efficiency of its mining operations. For further discussion of these and other risks affecting profitability, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” below.

 

Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans, complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income cannot be assured.

 

2007 Operational Highlights

 

As the Joint Venture’s Manager, AngloGold provides the Company with detailed information on the activities and operations of the Joint Venture. The following description of the Joint Venture’s operation is derived from reports made available by the Manager, upon whom reliance is placed.

 

Production

 

In 2007, Joint Venture gold production was 281,822 troy ounces compared to 283,486 troy ounces of gold produced during 2006. CC&V experienced a prolonged drought over the fourteen months leading into June 2006. The drought caused reduced pregnant pond levels within the Valley Leach Facility (“VLF”), which caused CC&V to reduce the flow rates through the gold recovery circuit, which in turn resulted in reduced fluid movement through the leach facility, and ultimately reduced daily gold recoveries. During 2007, CC&V addressed the water shortage by approximately doubling the amount of water available to the mine, from 1,000 gallons per minute to 2,000 gallons per minute. Further, the mine received precipitation at more historically average rates during 2007. Nonetheless, the inventory of recoverable gold ounces in inventory on the VLF grew during the year (+76,427 troy ounces), ending at 627,767 recoverable troy ounces of gold.

 

During 2007, CC&V mined 22,811,308 tons of ore, including 491,596 tons run of mine ore (ore which was sufficiently fine after blasting and mining and therefore not sent through the crusher circuit), containing an estimated 559,783 troy ounces of gold of which 358,249 are estimated to be recoverable. The average recoverable ore grade mined during 2007 was 0.025 troy ounces per ton of ore. The average strip ratio overburden to ore mine was 1.35. The mining and crushing operations are performing at a 22 million ore ton per year pace in spite of numerous truck and shovel maintenance challenges. Variable mining costs continue to escalate, in part due to increased mining volumes; however, commodity costs are the primary driver of increased costs at CC&V. Commodity costs have been increasing, and continue to increase, resulting in higher overall costs per troy ounce of gold produced. Mine personnel continue to seek efficiencies and to manage costs to minimize the impact upon cost per ounce. CC&V mined a total of 53.5 million tons of material during the year.  The crushing facility operated at above plant design capacity (20 million tons/year) during the year, crushing 22.3 million tons during the year.

 

Revenue and Costs

 

During 2007, the Joint Venture sold 279,458 troy ounces of gold at an average price of $697 per ounce producing total gold sale revenues of approximately $194.8 million. The Joint Venture cash production costs for 2007 were approximately $269 per troy ounce compared to $246 per troy ounce during 2006 and a budget of $270 per troy ounce. The main reason for the higher cost per ounce in 2007 compared to the cost per ounce during 2006 was the increase in the price of commodities consumed in operations during 2007. The Joint Venture had total operating costs of $103 million, including depreciation, depletion, amortization and reclamation expenses of $25.4 million and

 

3






accretion expense of $1.8 million for the year. This compares to $98.3 million, $26.5 million and $1.4 million for the year ended 2006.

 

Interest expense on the Initial Loans was approximately $32.8 million (compared to $34.4 and $29.2 million in the years 2006 and 2005, respectively). In 2007, the Company received its Minimum Annual Distribution of $250,000 which will be recouped from future shares of Net Proceeds to the Company.

 

Ore Reserves and Non-reserve Mineralization

 

The Joint Venture focused on development, exploration and engineering feasibility work concerning future operations. The main objective of CC&V’s continuing exploration program for 2007 was to drill the west wall of the East Cresson (Altman) to determine the feasibility of expanding the mine in that direction, to continue the expansion of the Control Point and Schist Island mineral deposits and to expand information on the gold mineralization in the Globe Hill area with particular emphasis on metallurgical and geotechnical data, and to further increase the drill information available within areas which have previously indicated existing mineralization.

 

CC&V currently controls over 85% of the patented claims within the district and 100% of the land within the year-end 2007 total mineral resource. All gold ore reserves and mineral resources are stated at 100% ownership basis, although portions of the ore reserves are co-tenant claims and portions are subject to third party royalties which vary according to individual agreements with the underlying property owner.

 

Each year CC&V models its gold ore reserves to incorporate the results of its exploration program, new geologic information, revised metallurgical recoveries, revised gold price, new geotechnical data, new pit designs, new operating costs and/or allowances for depletion. All ore reserves for 2007 were modeled using a $550 gold price, the same gold price that was used to model the reserves shown for 2006. The cutoff grade for reserves remained unchanged from 2006 at a recoverable cutoff of 0.007 ounces per ton.

 

The year-end, district-wide, central drill hole database contains 8,924 drill holes (6% core and 94% reverse circulation rotary) with a total footage of 5,049,895 feet. Samples are collected from the reverse circulation drills at five foot intervals and split with a rotary, wet splitter. Coarse exploration drill samples are collected as two splits. One split (analytical sample) is sent for analysis, and the second split is kept as a coarse replicate (metallurgical sample). Individual samples are dried, split into one 300 gram sample, pulverized to 95% minus 150 mesh, blended and fire assayed (FA) using a one assay-ton charge. Prior to 1996, all samples greater than 0.010 opt FA were also analyzed for cyanide soluble gold using a shake leach method (SL). As of 1996, all samples are analyzed using both FA and SL assay methods.

 

Resource shells were changed to a $700 Lerchs-Grossman envelope around the reserve pits for 2007 resource estimates from the $650 price of gold used in 2006 ore resource estimates. The geostatistical modeling procedures used by the Manager in computing the ore reserves have been reviewed by independent consultants (AMEC, Inc., Independent Mining Consultants, Inc., Mine Reserve Associates, Inc., Mineral Resource Development Associates, Inc., and Mine Development Associates, Inc.) over previous years, and conform to industry standards. The ore reserves are shown on the table below:

 

4






Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining District

Unaudited CC&V Ore Reserve Estimate as of December 31, 2007*

 

Ore
Tons
(000's)
Gold
Ounces
Per Ton
Contained
Gold
Ounces



Proven   118,904   0.028   3,338,792  
Probable   52,455   0.027   1,414,237  

 
Total Reserves, 2007   171,359   0.028   4,753,029  

 
Change from 2006   29,127     910,554

 


Unaudited CC&V Ore Reserve Estimate as of December 31, 2006*


 

Ore
Tons
(000's)
Gold
Ounces
Per Ton
Contained
Gold
Ounces



Proven   102,995   0.027   2,797,639  
Probable   39,237   0.027   1,044,836  



Total Reserves, 2007   142,232   0.027   3,842,475  



 


 

Note: The tonnage is shown in short tons.

 

*          These gold reserve figures were estimated based on a $550 per troy ounce gold price for all district deposits for the 2007 estimates and a $550 per troy ounce gold price for the 2006 estimates, and are subject to various royalties. There can be no assurance, however, that the Joint Venture can earn a profit when the market price of gold equals or exceeds the gold price used in estimating those reserves.

 

**        Recoverability of contained ounces is based on heap leaching and metallurgical testing. Recoverability rates vary by ore type. The recoverable ounces shown are an estimate of the ounces of gold which can be economically and legally recovered based on weight-proportion metallurgical averages for all deposits and do not incorporate potential losses from dilution and mining recovery.

 

The above estimates are based upon drill data and are a combination of “proven” and “probable” reserves. The classifications of “proven” and “probable” are taken from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Industry Guide 7, which defines the terms as follows.

 

Proven (Measured) Reserves. Reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that the size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established.

 

Probable (Indicated) Reserves. Reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven (measured) reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

 

The ore reserve figures set forth above are estimates and no assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery of gold from ore reserves will in fact be realized.

 

5






The increase in the December 31, 2007 ore reserves (an estimated 1,471,007 contained troy ounces of gold, with an estimated 779,316 recoverable troy ounces of gold) is primarily a result of additional exploration drill results used in the 2007 ore reserve model.

 

2008 Exploration Program

 

The focus of the Joint Venture’s 2008 exploration program is to expand existing ore reserves, particularly in the Schist Island, Control Point and Globe Hill areas, and develop additional metallurgical information in mineral resource areas to enable it to change the classification of a portion of its non-reserve mineral resources to mineral reserve ounces of gold. It expects to achieve this goal through additional infill drilling, geotechnical drilling, and metallurgical drilling. Further, the Joint Venture is conducting exploration drilling in additional areas on a widely- spaced drill hole basis with the objective of defining additional mineral resources in the area.

 

Industry Trends

 

The dominant trend our industry has been facing is increasing gold prices. The increasing gold price trend has been interrupted periodically by corrections of varying magnitude. It appears to Company management that the various national and international economic trends such as increasing demand for gold, decreasing mine production of gold, weakness in the US dollar and instability in various countries around the world will continue for the immediate future. Company management believes the long term trend of increasing gold prices will continue to favorably impact the economics of its Joint Venture’s operations. The industry continues to be impacted by increasing costs such as diesel and natural gas. Company management expects continued cost pressures over time.

 

Environmental Reclamation

 

CC&V has developed an effective environmental protection and reclamation plan for this high-altitude, semiarid, cold-weather, year-round leaching environment. Reclamation has continued since 1992 to support post mining land use for wildlife, including elk. The Joint Venture has secured financial warranties of approximately $45 million with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board to secure reclamation of mining disturbances arising from the CC&V Joint Venture’s mining activities, and will likely be required to post additional sums to accommodate further mining at the Cresson site. Ongoing compliance with federal and state regulations includes seismic, fugitive dust, noise ground and surface water; as well as monitoring rain and snow fall, water and air emissions.

 

Employment

 

AngloGold provides the work force required by the Joint Venture, which has no employees. The number of AngloGold employees provided to the Joint Venture increased to 345 at December 31, 2007, from 327 at December 31, 2006.

 

Governmental Regulation

 

Like all mining operations in the United States, the Joint Venture is subject to a multitude of environmental laws and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local governments including, but not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”); the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act. The Joint Venture’s operations are subject to comprehensive regulation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration and other state and local agencies. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits can result in injunctive action, damages and civil and criminal penalties. If the Joint Venture expands or changes its existing operations or proposes new operations, it may be required to obtain additional or amended permits or authorizations. In particular, CERCLA, commonly called the “Superfund Act”, contains stringent reporting requirements for the release or disposal of hazardous substances, with substantial fines for noncompliance.

 

Certain solid and hazardous wastes from mining and mineral processing operations are temporarily exempt from regulation under RCRA. The EPA is currently considering the promulgation of a special set of rules to regulate mining wastes under RCRA, but those may be delayed pending anticipated Congressional re-authorization and revision of RCRA. The effect of any future regulation on the Joint Venture’s operations cannot be determined until



6






the legislative process is completed and new rules are issued. However, it is assumed that regulations may have a significant impact on operations of all mining companies and increase the costs of those operations.

 

Although the Manager expects that compliance with federal, state and local environmental and land use laws and regulations will continue to require significant future outlays of resources, it is not possible to state with any certainty what impact such compliance may have on the Joint Venture’s future capital expenditures or earnings.

 

Distribution of Proceeds and Other Financial Aspects

 

The Joint Venture made payments of the Minimum Annual Distribution of $250,000 to the Company on June 13, 1991, January 15, 1992, and January 15 of each subsequent year, to and including January 15, 2008. Subsequent payments of the same amount are scheduled to be made on January 15th of each year until the conclusion of the Initial Phase, as defined in the Joint Venture Agreement, or until the completion of mining, whichever occurs first. The payments made on January 15, 1994 and subsequent annual payments of $250,000 constitute an advance on Net Proceeds and will be recouped by the Manager against future distributions of Net Proceeds. After recovery by the Manager of these advances, if the Company’s share (20% in the Initial Phase) of Net Proceeds exceeds the applicable Minimum Annual Distribution after recouping any advanced distributions, the larger amount will be distributed to the Company. The Joint Venture recorded net income of $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method. Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as income. During 1992, the Company’s share of Joint Venture losses exceeded the remaining carrying value of the investment and, accordingly, the investment was reduced to zero. The Company does not record its share of Joint Venture losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of its investment balance to zero. The Company believes that its liability for loss is limited to its loss of its equity in the Joint Venture. To the extent the Joint Venture is subsequently profitable, the Company will not record its share of equity income until the likelihood of receiving cash with the income is more certain. The likelihood of receiving cash distributions is impacted by numerous variables, including the market price of gold bullion, the efficiency of CC&V’s operations, and costs of commodities. Based on the amount of the Initial Loans repayable to AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp., the Company is not likely to receive distributions in excess of the Minimum Annual Payment in the foreseeable future.

 

The Company’s share of the Joint Venture net income, which has not been recorded in its consolidated financial statements, is approximately $11.8 million, $7.7 million and $1.9 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were $7.9 million as of December 31, 2006. As such, as of December 31, 2007, the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were eliminated and the Company recorded Joint Venture equity of $3.9 million. As of December 31, 2007 the receipt of cash distributions from the Joint Venture is highly uncertain as the Joint Venture’s Initial Loans totaling $310,823,000 have not been repaid nor is it anticipated they will be repaid in the foreseeable future based on anticipated future cash flows from the Joint Venture’s operations.

 

As a result, the Company has accounted for this uncertainty by creating a 100% valuation allowance against the Joint Venture equity interest of $3.9 million. It is anticipated by management that this valuation allowance against the Joint Venture equity will remain until it is determined by management that the collectibility of the investment in the form of future cash distributions becomes probable.

 

Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. (GCPI)

 

GCPI and its exploration activities were placed into a standby status in January 1999 for the reasons stated below.  

 

GCPI Background

 

In January 1997, GCPI signed a comprehensive exploration agreement (the “BGA Agreement”) with Benguet Corporation (“Benguet”), which provided that all costs and participation will be shared 50/50 by the parties. In October 1997, the two companies signed the First Supplemental Agreement to the BGA Agreement, which added 1,050 acres of mineral claims held by Benguet to the BGA. Under the terms of this supplemental agreement, GCPI will earn a 50% interest in these claims in exchange for funding the first $250,000 (about 10 million Philippine pesos)



7






of exploration work. The claim area lies immediately south of the historic Masara and Hijo gold mines in the Philippines and just north of Benguet’s Kingking copper/gold deposit.

 

First Supplemental Agreement to the BGA

 

Phase I of the exploration effort on the five Sagittarius Alpha Realty (“SAR”) claims was completed in May 1998. This effort consisted of geological mapping, grid soil sampling and analysis, and stream sediment and water analysis. This work indicates the presence of sizable areas interpreted to be anomalous gold concentrations. These must be further tested through trenching, tunneling and drilling to properly evaluate the gold potential. The Phase II exploration could not be carried out as the old leased claims have not as of this date been awarded a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (“MPSA”) as required by the 1995 Philippine Mining Law. Thus, all work on this project has been placed on a standby basis until the MPSA is awarded to Benguet, as claim owner. Benguet has not applied for an MPSA as of January 2008. The Company expects to expend approximately $6,000 during 2008 to maintain GCPI on a standby status.

 

Other Opportunities

 

During 2001, the Company acquired two claim groups in Nevada: the Table Top and the Illipah gold prospects. During first quarter of 2002, the Company incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc. (“GCX”), to independently direct the exploration efforts for these claim groups. As of this report, the Company has not yet funded GCX. Finally, the Company has an on-going exploration program in southwest Colorado.

 

Table Top

 

To drive to the Table Top claims from Winnemucca, Nevada, travel north on US Highway 95 for approximately one mile. Turn west, to the left, on Highway 49 towards Jungo, NV, a ghost town. At approximately 4 miles turn left towards an industrial plant and proceed to the railroad tracks. Turn right on the road that parallels the railroad and travel approximately 6 miles. At a culvert under the railroad tracks, turn right to the project area, see adjacent map.

 



 

The Table Top claim group consists of 38 wholly owned Federal mineral claims, controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), and lies within the Basin and Range province of north-central Nevada, which over the past forty years has become one of the world’s premier gold producing regions. The Table Top claims are subject to an Exploration Right with Option to Purchase agreement requiring the Company to pay the annual assessment fees to the BLM and Humboldt County and five percent of all expenditures on the property up to a maximum amount of


 

8






$500,000 to Mr. Wendt, from whom the claims were originally purchased. At present, the Company has paid Mr. Wendt approximately $8,000. The Table Top property can be interpreted to lie within the “Midas” gold bearing zone striking northeast across Nevada, and also as a part of a north-south trend containing the Sleeper Mine, Sandman, Florida Canyon, Rochester and Relief Canyon. The property is located ten miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada.

 

The Table Top claims cover brecciated and silicified sediment that is poorly exposed and has only been unsystematically explored and partially drill tested in the past. The key gold mineralized feature on the property is a hydrothermal breccia, which contains anomalous gold, arsenic, antimony and mercury. Goldfields Mining Corporation first staked the Table Top property in 1986 while conducting surface exploration for an open pit type operation. A limited rock chip sampling and reverse circulation drilling program indicated the presence of a gold mineralized system.

 

The Table Top claims do not have a readily available source of power, contain no known mineral reserve or resource, and are exploratory in nature. The Company’s intended exploration target will be the discovery of a high grade mineralized gold vein system at depth, to be developed by a phased exploration program. The Company does not anticipate additional exploration activity on this property during 2008.

 

Illipah

 

The Company entered into an agreement, effective August 23, 2006, with Tornado Gold International Corporation (TOGI-Q) (“Tornado”) pursuant to which Tornado acquired certain mining claims referred to as the Illipah claims. Tornado paid the Company $50,000 upon execution of the agreement. Under the agreement Tornado paid the Company an additional $50,000 and 50,000 shares of Tornado common stock which was due within ninety days of the date of the agreement, an additional 100,000 shares of Tornado common stock which was due within one hundred eighty days of the date of the agreement and (in March 2008) an additional 200,000 shares which were due within one year of the date of the agreement. Upon execution of the agreement, Tornado assumed Golden Cycle’s obligations in an underlying exploration and mining lease agreement on the claims, and granted to Golden Cycle a production royalty of two percent of net smelter returns on all rents and mineral production from the property. Tornado has the option, exercisable at any time prior to commercial production on any of the Illipah claims, to reduce Golden Cycle production royalties from two percent to one percent by paying Golden Cycle, at Golden Cycle’s option, either $1 million, or its equivalent in gold bullion at the August 23, 2006 closing price of gold on the New York Commodity Exchange. Tornado also agreed to undertake an exploration program on the Illipah property and related area of interest, and incur exploration and development expenditures of at least $750,000 within two years, of which $250,000 must be expended during the first year of the agreement. In the event of a default under the agreement by Tornado, Golden Cycle may reacquire the Illipah claims under certain circumstances.

 

The Illipah project area can be reached by car from Ely, Nevada. From Ely travel west on US Highway 50 for approximately 33 miles. You will pass the turnoff for Illipah Reservoir to your left. Continue west on US Highway 50 for another 5 miles. Turn right, to the north on a gravel road. There is a stop sign at this intersection. Travel north for 6 miles to the project site, see adjacent map.

 

The Illipah project area can be reached by car from Ely, Nevada. From Ely travel west on US Highway 50 for approximately 33 miles. You will pass the turnoff for Illipah Reservoir to your left. Continue west on US Highway 50 for another 5 miles. Turn right, to the north on a gravel road. There is a stop sign at this intersection. Travel north for 6 miles to the project site, see adjacent map.

 

9







 


This gold project is situated in eastern Nevada at the southern extension of the Carlin Trend that contains the largest accumulation of gold deposits in North America. The Illipah claims consist of 191 unpatented Federal BLM lode mining claims (approximately 3,800 acres) over a six-mile strike length that contains favorable stratigraphic and structural environments for the discovery of a significant gold deposit. The property is subject to advance royalty payments and a 2% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty on all mineral production. An NSR is a royalty, usually a percent, of smelter production less certain allowable costs such as smelting and transportation to the smelter. The NSR royalty is reduced to 1% if $2,000,000 in advance royalties is paid.

 

Past production from the immediate area of Illipah is 37,000 ounces of gold from an open pit mined in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The ore was processed using heap leach technology. This gold mineralization is envisioned as a surface gold anomaly that indicates there is a strong possibility of high-grade gold mineralization at depth near favorable stratigraphic contacts and structures. The geological similarities between Illipah and Newmont’s Rain Deposit (the “Rain Deposit”) located 65 miles north-northwest are striking. The Rain Deposit originally was mined as an open-pit, but is currently being mined underground. The reported resource potential is 2 million ounces of gold and the average grade 0.40 oz/troy Au.

 

The Illipah claims contain no known mineral reserve or resource and are exploratory in nature. Past exploration on the property largely focused on its near surface mineral potential, though some deeper exploration drilling was completed by two companies. The Company used generator power for its 2005 exploration program. Power is available just outside the property’s boundary should Tornado or the Company elect to pay the cost to bring it on to the property for future operations.

 

Colorado

 

The Company’s continuing exploration effort in the Company’s home state of Colorado was largely placed on hold during 2006 and 2005 while the Company focused on its exploration priority at that time, the Illipah exploration project until Tornado acquired the Illipah claims. The Company has developed a geologic concept indicating the possibility of an exploration target which meets the Company’s criterion in southwest Colorado. During 2007 the Company completed a regional study of the target area, including satellite imagery which it began in 2004, with the objective of narrowing the target area to two or three definable locations in which initial mineral sampling could be initiated.

 


10








ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical results or the results contemplated by any forward-looking statement contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or that we make in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or in other public statements. You should consider the following factors carefully, in addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, before deciding to purchase, sell or hold our securities.

 

Risks Relating to Our Company and Industry

 

The exploration of mineral properties is highly speculative in nature and is frequently unproductive. We cannot be certain that our acquisition, exploration, and development activities will be commercially successful.

 

Other than our interest in CC&V, we do not have any properties with current or planned gold production. Exploration for minerals is highly speculative. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of mineable deposits of ore. Moreover, any mineralization discovery may not be of sufficient quantity or quality to be mined profitably. We use the evaluation work of professional geologists, geophysicists, and engineers for estimates in determining whether to commence or continue mining. These estimates generally rely on scientific and economic assumptions, which may not be correct. As a result of these uncertainties, we may expend substantial amounts of funds on exploration or mining projects that may ultimately result in failure to locate gold minerals sufficient to justify commercial mining operations.

 

Due to the nature of mining activities, we face risks of delays and increased costs resulting from environmental, technical, and geological factors.

 

Mining activities are subject to substantial operating hazards, including weather, environmental conditions, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations, equipment breakdowns or malfunctions and work interruptions. There may also be limited availability of water, which is essential to milling operations. The occurrence of any of these events could delay or interrupt production, increase production costs, or result in liability for us. Our results of operation could therefore be adversely affected as well.

 

We face strong competition in our industry and may not be able to compete effectively.

Our industry consists of numerous companies which compete in the acquisition and development of mining properties. Many of these companies are significantly larger than us or CC&V. They may also enjoy access to more capital resources than we do. Our competitors may be able to engage in more exploration activities, acquire rights to more properties with potential quantities of gold, and more easily obtain the funds necessary to conduct production activities. Accordingly, we may not be able to compete effectively with these companies.

The mining and mineral processing industries are subject to extensive governmental regulations which can impose significant costs and burdens.

Our mining activities, including those of CC&V, are subject to extensive federal, state, and local regulations governing air and water quality, mine reclamation, solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal, and occupational safety. Although we are not aware of any circumstances which would cause CC&V or any of our other properties to be in violation of any of these regulations, there can be no assurance that we and CC&V will be able to be in compliance with such regulations in the future. Factors that may lead to our inability to comply with regulations include, for example, future changes in regulations, increased cost of compliance, and our financial condition in the future. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in injunctive action, damages, and civil and criminal penalties, all of which could adversely affect our business.

 

In addition, as of December 31, 2007, CC&V had posted a bond of approximately $45 million with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board to secure reclamation of mining disturbances arising from the CC&V Joint Venture’s mining activities, and will likely be required to post additional sums to accommodate further mining at the Cresson site.

 

11






We are subject to risks related to our Philippine activities.

We have entered into an agreement with a Philippine mining company, Benguet Corporation. The operating agreement stipulates that our Philippine subsidiary, Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc., would manage the exploration, development and/or mining of certain designated properties in the Philippines. We have never before engaged in mining activities in the Philippines. Moreover, since our inception in 1972, we have never served as manager of any mining project in the United States or any foreign country. Consequently, we will, in connection with activities in the Philippines, be subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in any new business enterprise, such as the ability to hire and retain qualified personnel and to raise sufficient capital. Further, we may also be subject to certain risks of doing business in foreign countries, such as political instability, unfamiliarity with local laws, and currency exchange risk. Currently all the activities of the Philippines subsidiary are on hold pending approval of a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement by the Philippine government. The Company wrote off the remaining value of its investment in the Philippine subsidiary during 2006. If opportunities to economically pursue activities in the Philippines are available, and if we elect to pursue them, additional capital may be required. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain the additional capital, if required, or that such capital would be available to us on terms which would be acceptable.

 

We are dependent on the efforts of key personnel and may be harmed if we are unable to retain these individuals.

The success of our business depends, in large part, upon the skills and efforts of a small group of key personnel, including R. Herbert Hampton, our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer. If we are not successful in retaining such key personnel, or attracting similarly qualified individuals, our business may be harmed. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our key personnel. Therefore, the loss of our key personnel could adversely impact our ability to execute our business plan, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We could be deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This would impose significant restrictions on us and would be likely to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our principal assets include our equity interest and participation in the Joint Venture. Our interest in the Joint Venture could be deemed an “investment security” for purposes of the Investment Company Act. In the event that such interest is determined to have a value that comprises 40% or more of our total assets, we could be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless an exemption from registration were available or we were to obtain an order of the SEC excluding or exempting us from registration under the Investment Company Act.

 

If anything were to happen which would cause us to be deemed an investment company, the Investment Company Act would impose significant restrictions on us, including severe limitations on our ability to borrow money, to issue additional capital stock and to transact business with affiliates. In addition, because our operations are very different from those of the typical registered investment company, regulation under the Investment Company Act could affect us in other ways that are extremely difficult to predict. In sum, if we were deemed to be an investment company it could become impractical for us to continue our business as currently conducted and our financial condition and results of operations could suffer materially.

 

Risks Relating to the Cripple Creek Joint Venture

Because we rely on CC&V for substantially all of our revenues and cash flow, our business will be harmed if CC&V’s operation is negatively impacted.

Our participation in CC&V constitutes our primary business. Gold production at CC&V accounted for all of our total gold production in fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Substantially all of our revenues and cash flow are derived from this gold production. Our results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected if production at the Cresson mine is disrupted due to unforseeable events such as labor interruptions, technical problems, or environmental factors, such as seismic events.

 

In addition, AngloGold has the ability to reduce CC&V’s gold production, even without our consent. AngloGold, as the manager of the CC&V Joint Venture, develops, revises and implements budget and plans for the Joint Venture. As the 67% majority shareholder in the Joint Venture, AngloGold can adopt or change any plan or budget for the Joint Venture. We cannot assure you that AngloGold will not reduce CC&V’s planned gold production in the future which will materially and adversely affect our profitability.

 

12






CC&V is substantially dependent on AngloGold for its operating funds and may not be able to continue operations if such funds are no longer available.

The exploration and development of CC&V’s properties are governed by the terms of the Joint Venture agreement, which grants operational responsibility and management authority in the Joint Venture to AngloGold. If AngloGold, whose proportionate share of the Joint Venture’s costs is much larger than ours, is not in a position to furnish (or otherwise chooses not to furnish) any operating funds required by the Joint Venture, it is unlikely that the Joint Venture would continue in operation. Because CC&V constitutes our primary operating asset, such an event would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Should AngloGold withdraw from the CC&V Joint Venture, our primary source of annual operating revenues would cease and, unless we find a new Joint Venture partner, our ability to continue as a going concern would be severely impaired. It is uncertain that we would be able to find a new Joint Venture partner, or that terms satisfactory to us could be negotiated with the new partner.

 

CC&V has had a history of losses prior to 2004. Because CC&V’s profitability depends on the price of gold, it may incur losses again in the future.

During fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 the CC&V Joint Venture recorded net income of $58.9 million, $38.4 million, and $9.5 million respectively. However, in previous years, CC&V incurred substantial losses during each year of operation except 1996. There is no assurance that CC&V will be able to achieve profitability in any subsequent period or to sustain profitability for an extended period. The ability of CC&V to operate on a profitable basis depends, to a large degree, on the market price for gold. The market price of gold is volatile, subject to speculative movement and is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international, economic and political conditions, levels of supply and demand, the inventory levels maintained by gold producers and others and, to a lesser degree, inventory carrying costs (primarily interest charges) and international exchange rates. Whether gold prices will maintain a level that will enable CC&V to operate profitability on a continuing basis cannot be assured.

 

It is unlikely that we will receive Net Proceeds from CC&V in the foreseeable future.

Based on the amount of the Initial Loans payable by CC&V to AngloGold ($310.8 million as of December 31, 2007) which must be repaid prior to the distribution of any Net Proceeds to us, and the amount of income which the Joint Venture can reasonably be expected to generate over the next several years, we believe that, absent a significant and sustained increase in the price of gold and an improvement in the efficiency of the operations of the Joint Venture, it is unlikely that we will receive more than the Minimum Annual Distributions from CC&V for the foreseeable future based on the current terms of the Joint Venture Agreement. Therefore, even if CC&V achieves profitability for a sustained period, it is unlikely that this would have any impact on our cash flow for the foreseeable future.

 

CC&V’s gold ore reserve figures are estimated based on a number of assumptions and may yield less gold under actual production conditions than the Joint Venture currently estimates.

CC&V has prepared gold ore reserve estimates in accordance with industry practice and SEC Industry Guide Number 7. Ore reserve estimates are based on prepared mining plans; however actual reserves and/or production may vary from the estimates. Key assumptions used in the estimation may prove to be inaccurate (such as future gold prices, gold recovery rates, cut-off grades and operating costs). Reserve estimates require revision based on actual experience or new information. Experience may require changes or adjustments to the mining plans in a way which adversely impacts the ore reserve estimates. Future gold prices may decline, operating costs may increase, gold recoveries may decrease to a point which would make mining of lower grade mineralization uneconomical.

Risks Relating to the Market

 

Our stock price has been and could continue to be volatile.

The market price of our Common Stock has been subject to significant fluctuations. The securities markets have experienced, and are likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations which could negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock without regard to our actual operating performance. In addition, the trading price of our Common Stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to:

 

 

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

public announcements by us or other industry participants;

 

factors affecting the gold market;

 

13






 

changes in national or regional economic conditions; and

 

general market conditions.

 

Other Risks

 

The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with AngloGold Ashanti Limited.

 

On January 11, 2008, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement and Plan of Merger”) with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and GCGC LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company agreed to be acquired by AngloGold Ashanti Limited through a transaction in which the Company’s shareholders will receive consideration consisting of 0.29 American Depositary Shares of AngloGold Ashanti Limited for each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, rounded up to the next whole ADS, each whole ADS representing one ordinary share, par value 25 South African cents per share, of AngloGold Ashanti Limited. The transaction is subject to mutual customary conditions to closing, including approval of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote.

 

Because the Agreement and Plan of Merger is subject to a number of closing conditions, many of which are beyond its control, the Company cannot guarantee that the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the merger will be consummated as anticipated, if at all. In addition, the Agreement and Plan of Merger allows for both parties to terminate the Agreement and Plan of Merger upon the occurrence of certain events, including, in the case of AngloGold Ashanti, upon the occurrence of a “material adverse effect” (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger) with respect to the Company. The Company cannot guarantee that these events will not occur and that either the Company or AngloGold Ashanti Limited will not terminate the Agreement and Plan of Merger. While termination by AngloGold Ashanti Limited under certain circumstances may entitle the Company to a termination fee of $1,440,000, AngloGold Ashanti is entitled to terminate under conditions that do not trigger the termination fee. Additionally, termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by the Company under certain conditions will require the Company to reimburse AngloGold Ashanti Limited for its transaction expenses up to ($500,000) and will require the Company to pay a $5,760,000 termination fee to AngloGold Ashanti.

 

If the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the transaction fail to close or close under different terms and conditions than currently contemplated, a shareholder in the Company’s common stock may not realize the full, anticipated benefits of the transaction, if at all.

 

If the Agreement and Plan of Merger is terminated and the merger is not consummated, the Company may be unable to pay the costs and expenses of negotiating and documenting the Agreement and Plan of Merger, including administrative, accounting, and legal expenses, and the Company may be unable to pay ongoing general and administrative expenses without raising additional capital through debt or equity financings, which could potentially dilute shareholder interests. If the Company terminates the Agreement and Plan of Merger and is forced to pay the $5,760,000 termination fee, the Company may be unable to meet its ongoing liabilities and the Company would likely be required to raise additional capital. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise such additional capital, if required, or that such capital would be available to the Company on terms that would be acceptable.

 

For a description of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the merger, see the disclosure under Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters – Changes in Control.”

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED SEC STAFF COMMENTS

 

 

None.


 

14






 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Mining, Oil And Gas Rights

 

Mining Properties

 

The Joint Venture mining properties consist of owned, leased and optioned mining claims and other land covering more than 4,800 acres of patented mining claims in and around the Cripple Creek Mining District of Teller County, Colorado and include most of the principal formerly-producing mines of the Cripple Creek district. The majority of the above acreage was contributed by the Company to the Joint Venture. Subsequently, the Joint Venture has purchased, leased and optioned additional acreage, and continues to do so as opportunity arises to complete the consolidation of the district.

 

The Joint Venture mining properties are situated on the west flank of Pikes Peak, about 20 air miles west of Colorado Springs and 65 air miles south of Denver. The area is accessible by paved highway and supplied by requisite utilities. The elevation of the properties averages slightly over 10,000 feet above sea level. Snow accumulations are generally light and do not materially interfere with access to the property.

 

To a great extent, the Joint Venture mining properties lie within the boundary of a geological entity known as a caldera or “volcanic subsidence basin” (the “Basin”). The Basin is of rudimentary elliptical outline, with its long axis trending in a northwesterly direction. It has a length of about 4-1/2 miles and a width of about 2-1/2 miles, covering some 5,000 acres at the ground surface. The area of the Basin gradually narrows with depth. The bulk of the historical Cripple Creek gold production was from the underground mines within the Basin, with the major mines located in the southern portion of the Basin.

 


 

To drive to the mine from Colorado Springs, Colorado, travel west on East Pikes Peak Avenue toward North Nevada Avenue / I-25 BR / US-87 / US-85 for less than 1 mile. Turn left onto S. Nevada Avenue / I-25 BR S / US-87 S / US-85 S at a half mile. Turn right onto E Cimarron Street for 3 miles. E Cimarron Street becomes US-24 W for 22 miles. Turn left onto CO-67 for 18.7 miles. Turn left onto CO-67 / S 2ND ST. Continue to follow CO-67 for 5 miles. Stay straight to go onto Victor Avenue for less than 1 mile. Turn right onto 2nd Street into Victor, CO.

 

The dominant geologic feature of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District is a 32-28 Ma diatreme-intrusive complex hosted in Precambrian rocks located between the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado. The diatreme-intrusive complex is 6.4 km long, 3.2 km wide and consists of diatremal breccia that has been intruded by stocks, dikes and discordant breccias. Diatremal breccia lithologies include breccias composed exclusively of volcanic, Precambrian or sedimentary material to any combination of the three. Early intrusions are predominantly within the alkaline phonolite-phonotephrite petrographic series and were followed by later lamprophyres. All rocks have undergone a long history or structural and hydrothermal activity. Gold mineralization occurs in all rock types as disseminated and/or structurally-controlled orebodies. Primary ore minerals include microscopic native gold and gold tellurides. Silver is present but is economically unimportant.

 

 

15






From the inception of production in 1891 until the suspension of operations in 1960, the Cripple Creek Mining District was the major gold mining district in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 21 million ounces of gold were produced in this period, principally from mines later contributed to the Joint Venture by Golden Cycle Gold Corporation. The Joint Venture, including a number of Joint Venture partners, has added about 3.4 million troy ounces of gold production to this total during the period 1985 through 2007. The Joint Venture mining properties include most of the principal formerly producing mines in the Cripple Creek district, including the Ajax, Cresson, Portland, Independence, Vindicator and Golden Cycle. Because of the age of many of the mines and the fact that mining operations throughout the Basin declined and were suspended more than thirty years ago, the existing mine shafts and workings are unsuitable for current operation without substantial rehabilitation. The Joint Venture is not currently and does not anticipate, operating underground.

 

Oil and Gas Mineral Rights

 

The oil and gas properties of the Company are comprised of approximately 7,300 acres of mineral rights in the Penrose Area of Fremont County, Colorado. There is no evidence of successful oil and gas development nearby, with the exception of the Florence, Colorado area. Florence was the site of the first producing wells in Colorado in the 1860’s and the area is still producing on a limited scale today. Several years ago, interest was shown in leasing very large acreages of state land about 50 to70 miles east of the Company’s land. No development of that area is visible at this time, nor is it expected in the foreseeable future. The oil and gas properties have no carrying value for balance sheet purposes.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company, owner of a 33% interest in Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Company (“CC&V”), and the owner of the other 67% interest therein, AngloGold (Colorado) Corp., now AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp., and its direct parent AngloGold North America Inc., now AngloGold Ashanti North America Inc., were sued together with CC&V, the owner and operator of the Cresson Project, by the Sierra Club and Mineral Policy Center in 2001. The Plaintiffs asserted numerous violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act which went to trial in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado early in 2006, resulting in a judgment in favor of all Defendants and against all Plaintiffs on all claims, as well as an award of costs and attorneys fees incurred after the point in time at which the Plaintiffs knew or should have known that their “dogged pursuit of factually unsupported claims” was unreasonable.

The Plaintiffs appealed both the judgment and the fee award to the United States Court of Appeals in Denver. Briefs were timely filed by the Plaintiffs in that court, but the parties reached an agreement to settle all disputes before the Defendants commenced briefing, and the cases have been dismissed. The settlement preserved the Defendants’ complete success on all of the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, and left each of the parties responsible for their own fees and costs. So long as judicial review of the judgment and the monetary award remained possible, the Company did not record a receivable for any of its costs, then approximately $130,000.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

 

The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

16






PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information

 

The Company’s Common Stock was listed and traded on the Pacific Exchange since 1987 (except during the period from July 6, 1994 to August 30, 1994), and from July 1, 1983 until June 30, 1992 was quoted on NASDAQ. As of March 6, 2006 the Company’s listing was moved to the NYSE-Arca, upon the acquisition of the Pacific Exchange by the NYSE. The Company’s trading symbol is GCGC on the NYSE-Arca. The following table shows the high and low bid price per share on the Pacific Exchange, NYSE-Arca Exchange, or the Over the Counter market, for each calendar quarter since January 1, 2006.

 

Price Range For: HIGH LOW

Quarter ended December 31, 2007   $14.97   $7.10  
Quarter ended September 30, 2007   8.15   5.95  
Quarter ended June 30, 2007   7.35   5.48  
Quarter ended March 31, 2007   7.35   5.00  
 
Quarter ended December 31, 2007   $  7.90   $6.30  
Quarter ended September 30, 2007   8.50   5.25  
Quarter ended June 30, 2007   11.00   3.65  
Quarter ended March 31, 2007   4.20   3.40  

 

Bid prices are between dealers and do not include mark-ups, markdowns, or commissions, nor do they necessarily represent actual transactions. On March 5, 2008, our common stock closed at $10.60 per share as quoted on the NYSE-Arca Exchange.

 

Holders of the Company’s Common Stock

 

The number of holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock as of March 13, 2008 was 676. The number of beneficial owners for whom shares are held in “street name” as of March 13, 2008 is believed to be more than 500.

 

Dividends

 

The Company has not paid any dividends. The Company effected a five-for-one stock split effective July 2004 following shareholder approval of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 3.5 million to 100 million at the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders. The Company does not have plans to pay any dividends.

 

17






Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table shows information for all equity compensation plans:

 

Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(excluding securities
referenced in column a)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Referenced in
the First Column

Plan Category  
   
Equity Compensation        
Plans Approved by  
Security Holders   585,000   $4.55    
   
Equity Compensation  
Plans Not Approved by  
Security Holders        
 


Total   585,000   $4.55    
 


 

During 1992, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the Directors’ Plan) and a 1992 Stock Option Plan (the 1992 Plan). All options available under the Directors’ Plan were granted prior to December 31, 1994. During 1997, shareholders approved the 1997 Officers’ and Directors’ Stock Option Plan, and during 2002, shareholders approved the 2002 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which 1,000,000 and 625,000 shares, respectively, of the Corporation’s common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to options to be granted. The 1992 Plan provided for the grant of options on a discretionary basis to certain employees and consultants. Under each plan, the exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. The expiration of the options is ten years from the date of the grant.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

There were no sales of unregistered securities or stock repurchases by the Company or any affiliated purchasers during the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

18






Performance Graph

 




19






ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
 




Revenues(1)   $    250,000   $    250,000   $    250,000   $    250,000   $   250,000  
Other income   166,000   166,000   61,000   30,000   581,000  
Expenses   1,005,000   1,513,000   913,000   602,000   607,000  
Share of Mining Joint  
     Venture Losses(2)            
Net income (Loss)   (588,000 ) (1,097,000 ) (602,000 ) (322,000 ) 224,000  
Net income (Loss)  
     Per Share   (0.06 ) (0.11 ) (0.06 ) (0.03 ) 0.02  
Total Assets   767,000   803,000   1,125,000   1,647,000   1,872,000  
Long term obligations            

 

(1)        Revenues are comprised of the Minimum Annual Distribution. See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” below, and Notes to the consolidated financial statements for a description of the accounting for the Minimum Annual Distribution.

 

(2)        The Joint Venture recorded net income of $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, net income of $38.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, and net income of $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The Company’s share of the Joint Venture net income, which has not been recorded in its consolidated financial statements, is approximately $11.8 million, $7.7 million and $1.9 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were $7.9 million as of December 31, 2006. As such, as of December 31, 2007, the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were eliminated and the Company recorded Joint Venture equity of $3.9 million. As of December 31, 2007 the receipt of cash distributions from the Joint Venture is highly uncertain as the Joint Venture’s Initial Loans totaling $310,823,000 have not been repaid nor is it anticipated they will be repaid in the foreseeable future based on anticipated future cash flows from the Joint Venture’s operations.

 

As a result, the Company has accounted for this uncertainty by creating a 100% valuation allowance against the Joint Venture equity interest of $3.9 million. It is anticipated by management that this valuation allowance against the Joint Venture equity will remain until it is determined by management that the collectibility of the investment in the form of future cash distributions becomes probable.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

Our financial statements consolidate the operations of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc., with those of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation. Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. has minimal costs and assets and Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc. had no operations or assets during the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

20






 

Currently, our primary mining investment and source of cash flows is our 33% interest in the CC&V Joint Venture. The Joint Venture engages in gold mining activity in the Cripple Creek area of Colorado. The Company’s Joint Venture co-venturer is AngloGold. In addition to our interest in the Joint Venture, we own two gold mineral prospects which we are not actively exploring at present.

 

Our rights and obligations relating to our Joint Venture interest are governed by the Joint Venture Agreement. The Joint Venture is currently, and for the foreseeable future will be, operating in the Initial Phase, as defined in the Joint Venture Agreement. In accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement, AngloGold manages the Joint Venture and is required to finance all operations and capital expenditures during the Initial Phase. See “Description of Mining Joint Venture” above.

 

On January 11, 2008, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement and Plan of Merger”) with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and GCGC LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company agreed to be acquired by AngloGold Ashanti through a transaction in which the Company’s shareholders will receive consideration consisting of 0.29 American Depositary Shares of AngloGold Ashanti Limited for each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, rounded up to the next whole ADS, each whole ADS representing one ordinary share, par value 25 South African cents per share, of AngloGold Ashanti Limited. The Agreement is subject to the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote.

 

For a description of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the merger, see the disclosure under Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters – Changes in Control.”          

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our working capital was $648,000 at December 31, 2007 compared to $757,000 at December 31, 2006. Cash used in operations was $171,000 in 2007 compared to $362,000 during 2006. Working capital decreased by approximately $109,000 at December 31, 2007 compared to December 31, 2006 primarily due to net losses in the 2007 period. The decrease in cash used in operations during 2007 was primarily due to decreased net loss during the 2007 period.

 

We believe that the Company’s working capital, augmented by the Minimum Annual Distribution of $250,000 from the Joint Venture, is adequate to support operations at the current level for the coming year, barring unforeseen events. We anticipate that our Philippine subsidiary will hold all work on a standby basis until the MPSA is awarded to the claim owner. If opportunities to economically pursue or expand Philippine, Nevada, Colorado operations, or any other opportunity discussed above (see Item 1, Other Opportunities) are available, and we elect to pursue them, additional working capital may also be required.

 

If the Agreement and Plan of Merger is terminated and the merger is not consummated as is currently contemplated, the Company may be unable to pay the costs and expenses of negotiating and documenting the Agreement, including administrative, accounting, and legal expenses, and the Company may be unable to pay ongoing general and administrative expenses without raising more capital through debt or equity financings, which could potentially dilute shareholder interests. If the Company terminates the Agreement and is forced to pay the $5,760,000 termination fee under certain circumstances, the Company may be unable to meet its ongoing liabilities and the Company would likely be required to raise additional capital.

 

There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such additional capital, if required, or that such capital would be available to the Company on terms that would be acceptable. Furthermore, if we were to commence such operations, it is not presently known when or if a positive cash flow could be derived from the operations.

 

21






Results of Operations

 

Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006

 

We recorded net loss of approximately $588,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to a net loss of approximately $1,097,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in net loss during the 2007 period was primarily due to the decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $462,000 for 2007 compared to $792,000 recorded upon the June 5, 2006 automatic grant of stock options in accordance with the Company’s Stockholder approved plan. The net loss for 2007 excluding the above stock-based compensation expense would have been approximately $127,000 compared to $305,000 for the year 2006. The approximately $178,000 decreased loss during 2007 compared to 2006, excluding the impact of the above stock based compensation, was primarily a result of decreased salaries ($26,000), decreased legal fees ($157,000), and increased gold bullion appreciation ($27,000) during the 2007 period, partially offset by increased revenue ($23,500) in the 2006 period, compared to the 2007 period, from the sale of the Company’s Illipah gold prospect.

 

The Joint Venture recorded net income for the year ended December 31, 2007 of approximately $58.9 million compared to net income of $38.4 and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 respectively. The primary reason for the Joint Venture’s improved performance in both 2007 and 2006 over the previous years’ performance was the increase in the prevailing price for gold bullion during each year. The Joint Venture’s average gold bullion sales prices per troy ounce were: $691 during 2007, $603 during 2006 and $445 during 2005.

 

Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

We recorded net loss of approximately $1,097,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to a net loss of approximately $602,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in net loss during the 2006 period was primarily due to stock-based compensation expense of $792,000 recorded upon the June 5, 2006 automatic grant of stock options in accordance with the Company’s Stockholder approved plan. The net loss for 2006 excluding the above stock- based compensation expense would have been approximately $305,000. The decreased loss during 2006 represented by the $305,000 was largely due to decreased exploration expenses associated with the Illipah exploration drilling program of approximately $255,000, increased revenue of $100,000 from the Illipah gold prospect sale, elimination of holding costs of $50,000 on the Illipah gold prospect, and increased administrative costs, specifically legal fees.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We account for our investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method. Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as revenue, as we are not required to finance the Joint Venture’s operating losses or capital expenditures. Correspondingly, we have not recorded our share of Joint Venture income or losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of the Company’s Joint Venture investment balance to zero in 1992. The Company has not recorded its share of the Joint Venture net income for the 2007 period ($11.8 million) nor its share of the Joint Venture’s net income for the 2006 ($7.7 million) or 2005 ($1.9 million) periods due to an accumulation of unrecorded losses attributable to its share of the Joint Venture ($7,910,000 as of December 31, 2006) operations. As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were reduced to zero. The Company did not record as income its share of Joint Venture net income in excess of its accumulated unrecorded losses due to the uncertainty of receiving matching cash distributions, and the fact that if such cash distributions were received, they would likely be in the distant future. As of December 31, 2007, the Company recorded Joint Venture equity of $3,868,400 which has a 100% valuation allowance against it. At the current prevailing price of gold we do not expect receiving cash distributions from the Joint Venture in excess of the Minimum Annual Distribution ($250,000 per year) for the foreseeable future.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make various estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses for each period presented, and in the disclosure of

 

22






commitments and contingencies. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Changes in these estimates and assumptions will occur based on the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalent.

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Short-term investments consist primarily of certificates of deposit. Short-term investments also include 310 troy ounces of gold bullion purchased by the Company in 2002. Interest revenue and the increase or decrease in the value of the gold bullion is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, which is based upon quoted prices of the securities owned. The cost of marketable equity securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. Changes in market value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, unless a decline in market value is considered other than temporary, in which case the decline is recognized as a loss in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company had marketable equity securities with fair values of $16,500 and $0 respectively, and cost of $58,500 and $0, respectively, at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Golden Cycle has accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized holding losses of $42,000 and $0 at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, related to our marketable equity securities.

 

Investment in Mining Joint Venture

 

The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method. In prior years, the Company’s share of Joint Venture losses exceeded the remaining carrying value of the investment and, accordingly, the investment was reduced to zero. Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as income. The Company has not recorded its share of Joint Venture losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of its investment balance to zero, as the Company has no obligation to fund operating losses. To the extent the Joint Venture is profitable, the Company records its share of equity income. However, the Company currently offsets the Joint Venture equity income with an allowance account due to the uncertainty that the actual receipt of cash distributions by the Company attributable to current year increases in joint venture equity will occur given that those cash distributions are far in the future due to the necessity of repaying the Joint Venture’s Initial Loans.

 

Mineral Exploration and Development Costs

 

Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. Mineral property development costs are capitalized and depleted based upon estimated proven and probable recoverable reserves. The Company has no capitalized mineral property development costs at December 31, 2007 or December 31, 2006.

 

The Company assesses the carrying value of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in facts or circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. Potential impairment is estimated by comparing estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from such assets with their net book value. If net book value exceeds estimated cash flows, the asset is written down to fair value. The Company has not recorded impairment costs at December 31, 2007 or December 31, 2006.

 

23






Property and Equipment

 

Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The GCPI operations’ functional currency is the local currency and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of its Philippines operations are translated into their United States dollar equivalent at rates of exchange prevailing at each balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the periods in which such items are recognized in operations.

 

Gains and losses arising from translation of the consolidated financial statements of GCPI operations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. Amounts in this account are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the related net foreign investment is reduced. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Stock Options

 

The Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method. Under this method, compensation cost recognized in the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 include: a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. The results for prior periods have not been restated.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Changes in tax rates are recognized in the period of the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized unless tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. Golden Cycle adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and it has not had an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For more information see Notes to the Financial Statements, note 6, “Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards”.

Comprehensive Income

 

In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS No. 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss), including net income (loss), be reported in the financial statements in the period they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), including foreign currency translation adjustments, shall be reported, net of their related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive income (loss). We have recorded a ($42,000) mark to market on the decrease in the market value of Tornado common stock and disclosed comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated financial statements accordingly.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue as Minimum Annual Distributions from the Joint Venture are received as all services necessary for revenue recognition have been previously provided to the Joint Venture by the Company. The Joint Venture Agreement, as amended, provides for the Company to receive a minimum annual distribution of $250,000 during the Initial Phase. Beginning in 1994, such Minimum Annual Distributions are recoupable against the Company’s future share of Net Proceeds, if any. Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans (see Note 3), complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income from which Minimum Annual Distributions can be recouped, cannot be assured due to uncertainties inherent within any mining operation. Based on the amount of Initial Loans payable to

 

24






the Manager and the uncertainty of future operating revenues, there is no assurance that the Company will receive more than the Minimum Annual Distribution from the Joint Venture in the foreseeable future.

 

Per Share Information

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share are computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares, using the treasury stock method, outstanding during the period.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company does not have any 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 is material to investors.

 

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s current contractual obligations.

 

Payment due by period
 
Contractual Obligations Total Less than
1 year
1-3
years
3-5
years
More than
5 years





Long-Term Debt Obligations            
Capital Lease Obligations            
Operating Lease Obligations            
Purchase obligations            
Other Long-Term Liabilities   $71,164   $71,164        





     Total   $71,164   $71,164        






 

The total contractual obligation of the Company is its Employment Agreement with Mr. Hampton which expires in August 2008.

 

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We do not hedge, sell forward or otherwise commit any asset on a contingency basis. We do not normally commit to multi-year contracts other than employment agreements and office space rental (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies). The Joint Venture, in the course of normal business, periodically executes long term supply contracts to limit its exposure to various supply risks. The Joint Venture has not previously hedged or sold forward gold or other assets for the joint account.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

 

The financial statements and supplementary data required by this item are included herein in Item 15.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

During fiscal years 2007 and 2006, we have had no disagreements with our independent auditors regarding accounting or financial disclosure matters.

 

25






ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’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 the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

At the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(e) and Rule 15d – 15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequately designed and effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, for the Company. In fulfilling this responsibility, estimates and judgments by management are required to assess the expected benefits and related costs of control procedures. The objectives of internal control include providing management with reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, and that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and recorded properly to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Financial management has documented and evaluated the effectiveness of the internal control of the Company as of December 31, 2007 pertaining to financial reporting in accordance with the framework and criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As a result of the evaluation, management concluded that as of December 31, 2007, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our management reviewed the results of their assessment with the Audit Committee.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Within the year ended December 31, 2007, there were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely, or are reasonably likely, to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

None.


26






 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The Company’s directors hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

The following table and information that follows sets forth, as of December 31, 2007,the names, and positions of the Company’s directors and executive officers:

 

 

 

 

 

Name

Current Office with
Company

Principal Occupation
Last Five Years

Director Since





Taki N. Anagnoston, M.D.

Director

Private security analyst and investor, real estate investor and developer, medical doctor in private practice for more than forty years.

2004

 

 

 

 

Donald L. Gustafson

Director

Vice President, Exploration of the Corporation from Aug 1, 2004 to Nov 31, 2006; Consulting Economic Geologist from 1998 and consultant to the Corporation through June

2004; Director of Gold Summit Exploration since 2001; Director of Green River Geology Co PTY LTD since 2004;               President and Chief Operating Officer, Quest International Minerals, 1996-1998; Homestake Mining Company from 1975-1990 and Vice President Exploration of Homestake International Minerals, 1985-1990

2004

 

 

 

 

R. Herbert Hampton

President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer

President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation since April 1999; Vice President, Finance From August 1, 1993 to April 1999; Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation from May 1994 to April 1999; and an employee of the Corporation since October 1, 1992.

1999

 

 

 

 

James C. Ruder

Chairman of the Board, Director

Chairman of Board of the Corporation since June 2003 and of Golden Cycle Exploration since June 2002; Private security analyst and investor, primarily in gold and gold mining equities for more than twenty years.

2003

Robert T. Thul

Director

Independent Certified Public Accountant from 1985 to present. Treasurer of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation from 1973 to 1983.

2003

 

The following is a description of the business background of the directors and executive officers of the Company.

 

27






R. Herbert Hampton (61) – Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer

 

Mr. Hampton has been an employee of the Company since October 1, 1992. Mr. Hampton was Secretary and Treasurer to the Company from May 1994 to April 1999 and Vice President, Finance from August 1, 1993 to April 1999. Since April 1999, Mr. Hampton has been the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Hampton received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University in 1972 and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Utah in 1980.

 

James C. Ruder (78) – Chairman of the Board, Director

 

Mr. Ruder has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since June 2003. Mr. Ruder has been Chairman of the Board to Golden Cycle Exploration since June 2002. Mr. Ruder has been a private security analyst and investor, primarily in gold and gold mining equities, for the past twenty years. Mr. Ruder received Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University in 1951 and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1953.

 

Robert T. Thul (62) – Director

 

Mr. Thul was the Treasurer of Golden Cycle from 1973 to 1983. Mr. Thul has been a self-employed independent certified public accountant from 1985 to the present. Mr. Thul received Bachelor of Arts from Saint Norbert College in 1969 and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Colorado in 1990.

 

Donald L. Gustafson (69) – Director

 

Mr. Gustafson is a self-employed geologic consultant since December 2006. Mr. Gustafson was the vice president, exploration of the Company from August 1, 2004 to November 31,2006. Mr. Gustafson was a consulting economic geologist from 1998 and consultant to the Company through June 2004. Mr. Gustafson has been a director of Gold Summit Exploration since 2001 and a director of Green River Geology Co PTY LTD since 2004. He was president and chief operating officer of Quest International minerals from 1996-1998. Mr. Gustafson was vice president exploration of Homestake International Minerals from 1985-1990. Mr. Gustafson received a Bachelors of Arts in Geology and Mineralology in 1963 and a Masters of Science in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1965.

 

Taki N. Anagnoston, M.D. (76) – Director

 

Mr. Anagnoston has been a medical doctor in solo private practice since 1965. Mr. Anagnoston is also a private security analyst and investor and real estate investor and developer. Mr. Anagnoston received a Bachelor of Science from Otterbein College in 1954 and MD Universtity of Cincinatti 1958 became OBGYN Specialist 1962.

 

Legal Proceedings

None of the Corporation’s directors, officers, or affiliates, or any beneficial owner of record of more than 5% of the Corporation’s common stock, or any associate of such persons, is a party adverse to the Corporation or has a material adverse interest to the Corporation.

Family Relationships

 

None of our Directors are related by blood, marriage, or adoption to any other Director, executive officer, or other key employees. To our knowledge, there are no arrangements or understandings between any of our officers and any other person, including Directors, pursuant to which the officer was selected to serve as an officer.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules issued thereunder, the Corporation’s directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE-Arca reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Corporation’s Common Stock. Copies of such forms are required to be furnished to the Corporation. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports, or written representations that no reports were required, the Corporation believes that during the fiscal

 

28






year ended December 31, 2007, its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders complied with the Section 16(a) requirements.

Audit Committee

Pursuant to Paragraph 16 of the Corporation’s By-Laws, the Board of Directors has created a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A). The Committee is comprised of Messrs. Robert T. Thul (Chairman), James C. Ruder, and Dr. Taki N. Anagnoston, and is empowered to supervise the auditing of the accounts of the Corporation. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to:  monitor the integrity of the Corporation’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance; monitor the independence and performance of the Corporation’s independent auditors; provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management and the Board of Directors; and performing other duties and functions deemed appropriate by the Board. The Corporation’s Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Robert T. Thul is a “financial expert” as defined by the NYSE-Arca and the SEC. The Audit Committee charter is available on the Corporation’s website, www.goldencycle.com. The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

Code of Ethics

The Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its management (including its Chief Executive Officer and any other accounting officer, controller or persons performing similar functions) and its directors. The Code of Ethics is also available on the Corporation’s website, www.goldencycle.com. In the event that we amend our Code of Ethics or grant a waiver from its restrictions to a person covered by the Code of Ethics, we intend to provide this information on our website.

Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors

Historically, the Corporation has not adopted a formal process for stockholder communications with the Board. Nevertheless, every effort has been made to ensure that the views of stockholders are heard by the Board, or individual directors as applicable, and that appropriate responses are provided to the stockholder in a timely manner. Stockholders wishing to communicate at any time with the Board of Directors, or a specific member of the Board, may do so by writing the Board or a specific member of the Board by delivering correspondence in person or by mail to:  The Board of Directors, c/o Wilma L. Delacruz, Corporate Secretary, 1515 South Tejon, Suite 201, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906. Communication(s) directed to the Board or a specific Board member will be relayed to the intended Board member(s).

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information on the compensation earned by Mr. R. Herbert Hampton, the current Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is the highest paid officer of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change  in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value  and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

Qualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Option

 

Plan

 

Compensation

 

All  Other

 

 

Name

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Awards

 

Awards

 

Compensation

 

Earnings

 

Compensation

 

Total

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

R. Herbert Hampton
Principal Executive Officer

 

2007

 

$

98,823

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

  

 

$

 

$

98,823

 

 

2006

 

$

95,375

 

$

 

$

 

$

158,250

 

$

 

$

  

 

$

 

$

253,625

 

 

29






 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Contract with R. Herbert Hampton

Compensation for R. Herbert Hampton is currently provided pursuant to a three-year contract with Mr. Hampton, which terminates on August 1, 2008. Mr. Hampton’s current compensation consists of base salary payments of approximately $95,375 per year. Salary compensation is paid for executive services rendered by Mr. Hampton for the Corporation. Mr. Hampton serves as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer. Stock option based compensation was granted to Mr. Hampton in his capacity as a Director of the Company. The Compensation Committee will review Mr. Hampton’s compensation next year in anticipation of the expiration of the current contract. Mr. Hampton’s compensation is based on the types and levels of services provided, noting that he is responsible for all the functions of the Company. Mr. Hampton’s compensation has been adjusted annually only for a cost of living allowance computed in accordance with the US Government’s published CPI for the past six years. The Compensation committee recognizes the Company’s limited resources, and has therefore limited salary increases.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The Company did not grant options to Mr. Hampton during fiscal 2007.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

 

Option  Awards

 

Stock  Awards

 

Name

 

Number  of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

 

Number  of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number  of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)

 

Option
Exercise
Price  ($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number
of  Shares
or  Units
of  Stock
Held  That
Have  Not
Vested
(#)

 

Market
Value  of
Shares  or
Units  of
Stock  That
Have  Not
Vested
($)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number  of
Unearned
Shares,
Units  or
Other
Rights  That
Have  Not
Vested
(#)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market  or
Payout
Value  of
Unearned
Shares,
Units  or
Other  Rights
That  Have
Not  Vested
($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

R. Herbert Hampton
Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of stock options held by Mr. R. Herbert Hampton at fiscal year end.

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number  of
Shares  Acquired
on  Exercise
(#)

 

Value  Realized
on  Exercise  ($)

 

Number  of
Shares  Acquired
on  Vesting
(#)

 

Value  Realized
on  Vesting  ($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

R. Herbert Hampton
Principal Executive Officer

 

25,000

 

$

125,000

 

 

$

 

 




 

(1)

Mr. Hampton holds options entitling him to purchase 225,000 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock.



30






Pension Benefits

The Corporation does not have a pension benefit plan.

Pursuant to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Hampton severance following the closing of the proposed merger with AngloGold Ashanti in a lump sum amount equal to $8,404 per month from the closing of the merger through August 1, 2008. For a description of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the contemplated transaction, see the disclosure under Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters – Changes in Control.”

 

Deferred Compensation

 

The Corporation does not have deferred compensation.

 

Director Compensation

 

Name

 

Fees
Earned  or
Paid  in
Cash
($)

 

Stock
Awards
($)

 

Option
Awards
($)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive  Plan
Compensation
($)

 

Change  in
Pension  Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

 

All  Other
Compensation
($)

 

Total
($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

James C. Ruder

 

$

10,400

 

$

 

$

115,500

 

$

 

$

 

 

$

125,900

 

Taki N. Anagnoston

 

7,400

 

 

115,500

 

 

 

 

122,900

 

Robert T. Thul

 

10,400

 

 

115,500

 

 

 

 

125,900

 

Donald L. Gustafson

 

6,000

 

 

115,500

 

 

 

 

121,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The compensation payable to directors is established periodically by the Board. During 2007, each non- management member of the Board was paid a fee of $3,000 for each meeting attended (telephonic meetings excluded) with the Chairman of the Board entitled to an additional fee of $3,000 per year. Directors are also entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with such attendance. Members of the Audit Committee are entitled to a fee of $350 for each formal committee meeting with the Chairman of the Audit Committee entitled to an additional fee of $3,000 per year.

Under the terms of the 2002 Stock Option Plan, on June 5th of each year, each director of the Corporation will automatically receive an option to purchase 25,000 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of such stock on such date, until such director or executive officer has received options to purchase an aggregate of 125,000 shares of Common Stock under such plan. To date, options to purchase 625,000 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock have been granted under the plan, of which 585,000 are currently outstanding. During 2007, with the exception of Mr. R. Herbert Hampton, all directors received options under the plan. The 2002 Stock Option Plan was completed with the June 2007 stock option grants. No further stock option grants are available under the plan.

Employment Contracts

The Corporation has a three-year employment contract with its President, Mr. R. Herbert Hampton, which pays an annual salary of $85,000, adjusted annually by the consumer price index, ($100,848 annual rate as of March 2008) and expires on August 1, 2008.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No person who served as a member of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2007 was a current or former officer or employee of the Corporation or engaged in certain transactions with the Corporation required to be disclosed by regulations of the SEC. Additionally, there were no compensation committee “interlocks” during 2007, which generally means that no executive officer of the Corporation served as a director or member of the

 

31






compensation committee of another entity, which had an executive officer serving as a director or member of the Corporation’s Compensation Committee.

Compensation Committee Report

The Golden Cycle Gold Corporation Compensation Committee oversees the Corporation’s compensation reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Committee has three members, each of whom is “independent” as defined by applicable SEC, NYSE-Arca and auditing standards. The Committee operates under a written charter, adopted by the Board in April 2004 and revised by the Board in October of 2007.

The Committee assists the Board of Directors by overseeing the (1) annual review of director and executive officer compensation policies and goals, (2) determining the compensation of directors and executive officers, (3) and providing accurate public disclosure of the Corporation’s compensation.

In the course of providing its oversight responsibilities regarding the Corporation’s compensation of directors and executive officers in 2007, the Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this annual report.

Based on the Committee’s review of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussions with the Board of Directors and the Corporation’s management, the Committee recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual report.

Submitted by the following members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

Robert T. Thul

Dr. Taki N. Anagnoston

James C. Ruder

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

The following table sets forth the number and percentage of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned as of March 18, 2008 by:

 

  

• 

each director and named executive officer of the Company;

 

 

 

 

• 

all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group; and

 

 

 

 

• 

beneficial owners of 5 percent or more of the Company’s common stock.

 

As of March 18, 2008, 9,769,250 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

For purposes of the following table a person or group of persons is deemed to have beneficial ownership of any shares of the Company’s common stock as of a given date which such person or group of persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 18, 2008 upon exercise of vested portions of stock options.

 

32






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

 

 

Beneficial Owner

 

Beneficially Owned

 

 

Percentage of Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIDAS Fund, Inc.(1)

 

 

1,964,500

 

 

 

20.1%

 

11 Hanover Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New York, NY 10005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David W. Tice & Associates, LLC(2)

 

 

1,298,265

 

 

 

13.2%

 

Prudent Bear Funds, Inc.
8140 Walnut Hill Lane, Ste 300
Dallas, Texas 75231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Herbert Hampton(3)

 

 

338,510

 

 

 

3.3%

 

Donald L. Gustafson(4)

 

 

85,000

 

 

 

0.9%

 

James Ruder(5)

 

 

101,000

 

 

 

1.0%

 

Dr. Taki Anagnoston(6)

 

 

559,280

 

 

 

5.7%

 

Robert Thul(7)

 

 

100,125

 

 

 

1.0%

 

Directors and Officers as a Group

 

 

1,183,915

 

 

 

11.43%

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

MIDAS Fund, Inc. is a registered, open-end, investment company and is an advisory client of Midas Management Corporation (MMC). Mr. Thomas B. Winmill, a former director of Golden Cycle, is President of MIDAS Fund, Inc., and its investment manager. MMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winmill & Co. Incorporated (Winco). Mr. Bassett S. Winmill owns 100% of the outstanding voting stock of Winco and is the principal shareholder of Winco. MMC, Winco and Mr. Bassett S. Winmill each disclaim any economic interest or beneficial ownership in the securities shown above owned by advisory clients of Winco subsidiaries.

 

 

 

(2)

 

David W. Tice & Associates, LLC is a registered investment advisor and Prudent Bear Funds, Inc. is a registered investment company. Prudent Bear Funds, Inc. includes two operating portfolios, Prudent Bear Fund and Prudent Global Income Fund. David W. Tice and Associates, LLC is the investment adviser to Prudent Bear Funds, Inc.

 

 

 

(3)

 

R. Herbert Hampton is an officer and director of Golden Cycle. Beneficial ownership includes 56,110 shares of common stock and 225,000 stock options exercisable to acquire common stock. 57,400 shares of common stock beneficially owned by R. Herbert Hampton and his siblings are held by the Estate of Rex H. Hampton.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Donald L. Gustafson is a director of Golden Cycle. Beneficial ownership includes 85,000 stock options exercisable to acquire common stock.

 

 

 

(5)

 

James Ruder is a director of Golden Cycle. Beneficial ownership includes 1,000 shares of common stock and 100,000 stock options exercisable to acquire common stock.

 

 

 

(6)

 

Dr. Taki Anagnoston is a director of Golden Cycle. Beneficial ownership includes 484,280 shares of the common stock and 75,000 stock options exercisable to acquire common stock.

 

 

 

(7)

 

Robert Thul is a director of Golden Cycle. Beneficial ownership includes 125 shares of common stock and 100,000 stock options exercisable to acquire common stock.

 

Changes in Control

 

On January 11, 2008, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Agreement and Plan of Merger”) with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa (the “Parent”), AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and GCGC LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated (collectively, “AngloGold Ashanti”).

 

Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company agreed to be acquired by AngloGold Ashanti through a transaction in which the Company’s shareholders will receive consideration consisting of American Depositary Shares (each, an “ADS”) of Parent under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Transaction”).

 

The Board of Directors of the Company, upon determination of the fairness from a financial point of view of the Transaction by PI Financial (US) Corp., has determined that the Transaction is fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and has recommended that the Company’s shareholders approve the Transaction.

 

Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, it is proposed that the Transaction will be implemented as a statutory merger under Colorado law, pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into GCGC LLC with GCGC LLC continuing as the surviving entity in the merger.


33






 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger (a) each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s common stock shall be automatically converted into the right to receive 0.29 (the “Exchange Ratio”) ADSs rounded up to the next whole ADS, with each whole ADS representing one ordinary share, par value 25 South African cents per share, of Parent; and (b) each unexpired and unexercised option to purchase the Company’s common stock granted under the Company’s stock option plans, whether vested or unvested, to be automatically converted into an option to purchase a number of ADSs equal to the number of the Company’s shares that could have been purchased (assuming full vesting) under such option multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of ADSs) at a price per ADS equal to the per-share option exercise price specified in the Company option divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent). Such substituted option shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as the option to purchase the Company’s shares that it was issued in respect of.

 

Each of the Company and AngloGold Ashanti has made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Agreement and Plan of Merger.

 

The Transaction is subject to mutual customary conditions to closing, including: (i) the Company obtaining approval of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote; (ii) no governmental action, suit or proceeding that would prohibit, restrain, enjoin or restrict the consummation of the Transaction; (iii) a Form F-4 registration statement registering the ADSs to be issued in the Transaction with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (iv) ADSs to be issued in the Transaction shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange; and (v) all necessary governmental approvals shall have been obtained or applicable waiting periods shall have expired (including the approval of the South African Reserve Bank).

 

AngloGold Ashanti’s obligation to close the Transaction is subject to the additional customary conditions to closing, including: (i) no breach of a representation or warranty by the Company that would give rise, in aggregate to a “material adverse effect” (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger); (ii) no material adverse effect shall have occurred to the Company (not caused by or within the control of AngloGold Ashanti); (iii) the Company shall have performed or complied in all material respects with each of its obligations under the Agreement and Plan of Merger; (iv) delivery of tax representations and opinions, auditor comfort letters and officers’ certificates; and (v) evidence reasonably satisfactory to AngloGold Ashanti that the aggregate amount of all unpaid costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the Transactions at closing is not in excess of $200,000. The Company’s obligation to close the Transaction is subject to the additional customary conditions to closing, including: (i) no breach of a representation or warrant by AngloGold Ashanti that would give rise in the aggregate to a material adverse effect; (ii) AngloGold Ashanti shall have performed or complied in all material respects with each of its obligations under the Agreement and Plan of Merger; and (iii) delivery of tax representations and opinions, auditor comfort letters and officers’ certificates.

 

The Agreement and Plan of Merger contains a “no shop” restriction on the Company’s ability to solicit third party proposals, provide information to and engage in discussions and negotiations with third parties. The no shop provision is subject to a “fiduciary out” provision that allows the Company, under certain circumstances and in compliance with certain obligations, to provide information and participate in discussions and negotiations with respect to written third party acquisition proposals submitted after the date of the Agreement and Plan of Merger that the Board of Directors believes in good faith to be bona fide and determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside counsel and receipt of the written opinion of an independent investment bank that the third party acquisition proposal constitutes a “superior proposal” (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger), constitutes a “superior proposal”.

 

As noted above, the Company’s board of directors unanimously recommended that the Company’s shareholders approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger. Subject to limited exceptions, the Agreement and Plan of Merger prohibits the Company’s board of directors from withdrawing or amending in a manner adverse to AngloGold Ashanti its recommendation. However, under limited circumstances and subject to certain conditions, the Company may make an “adverse recommendation change” (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger) if: (i) the Company receives a bona fide written acquisition proposal from a third party (and such acquisition proposal was not initiated, solicited or knowingly encouraged or facilitated in violation of the Agreement and Plan of Merger), (ii) the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside counsel and receipt of the written opinion of an independent investment bank that the third party acquisition proposal constitutes a “superior



34






proposal” and (iii) the Company provides written notice to AngloGold Ashanti advising that it is contemplating making such an adverse recommendation change and specifying the material facts and information constituting the basis for such contemplated determination; provided that prior to making an adverse recommendation change, at the request of AngloGold Ashanti, during a four business day period, the Company shall negotiate in good faith with respect to any changes or modifications to the Agreement and Plan of Merger which would allow the Board of Directors of the Company not to make such adverse recommendation change consistent with its fiduciary duties. Notwithstanding an adverse recommendation change, the Company shall submit the Agreement and Plan of Merger to its shareholders at the shareholder meeting for the purpose of adopting the Agreement and Plan of Merger, with such disclosures as shall be required by applicable law.

 

Either party may terminate the Agreement and Plan of Merger (i) by mutual agreement, (ii) if the Transaction has not closed on or before June 30, 2008, provided that such party has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement and Plan of Merger; (iii) any governmental action, suit or proceeding would prohibit, restrain, enjoin or restrict the consummation of the Transaction; or (iv) the Company shareholders fail to approve the Transaction. In addition, AngloGold Ashanti may terminate the Agreement and Plan of Merger under certain circumstances, including if: (i) the Company’s Board of Directors makes an “adverse recommendation change”; (ii) the Company breaches its “no shop” obligations; (iii) the Company breaches a representation or warranty giving rise to a “ material adverse effect”; (iv) a “material adverse effect” occurs with respect to the Company (not caused by or within the control of AngloGold Ashanti); and (v) the Company fails to satisfy its conditions to closing. The Company may terminate the Agreement and Plan of Merger under certain circumstances, including if: (i) AngloGold Ashanti breaches a representation or warranty giving rise to a “material adverse effect”; or (ii) the Company accepts a “superior proposal” and pays the break fee described below.

 

In connection with a termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, (a) the Company may be required to pay a fee of $5,760,000 to AngloGold Ashanti if: (i) the Transaction has not closed on or before June 30, 2008, provided that AngloGold Ashanti has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement and Plan of Merger and is prepared to close; (ii) the Company has breached its no-shop covenants or obligation to hold a shareholder meeting; (iii) the Company terminates to accept a “superior proposal”; (iv) the Company’s board of directors make an “adverse recommendation change”, the Company shareholders fail to approve the Transaction or the Transaction has not closed before June 30, 2008 and, in each case, an acquisition transaction with respect to the Company is closed within 18 months of the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger; or (v) the Company breaches a representation or warranty giving rise to a “material adverse effect” or fails to comply in all material respects with its covenants and agreements in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, or (b) AngloGold Ashanti may be required to pay a fee of $1,440,000 to the Company if: (i) the Transaction has not closed on or before June 30, 2008, provided that the Company has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement and Plan of Merger and is prepared to close or (ii) AngloGold Ashanti breaches a representation or warranty giving rise to a “material adverse effect” or fails to comply in all material respects with its covenants and agreements in the Agreement and Plan of Merger. In addition, the Company shall pay AngloGold Ashanti the reasonable, documented costs and expenses incurred by AngloGold Ashanti in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the Transaction up to an amount equal to $500,000 in the event that AngloGold Ashanti terminates the Agreement and Plan of Merger as the result of an Adverse Recommendation Change, which amount shall be credited towards any termination fee payable to AngloGold Ashanti in connection with such termination.

 

The foregoing description of the Agreement and Plan of Merger does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement and Plan of Merger. The Agreement and Plan of Merger is filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2008. The Agreement and Plan of Merger contains representations and warranties that the parties to the Agreement and Plan of Merger made to and solely for the benefit of each other, and the assertions embodied in such representations and warranties are qualified by information contained in confidential disclosure schedules that the parties exchanged in connection with execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger. Accordingly, investors and stockholders should not rely on such representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts or circumstances, since they were only made as of the date of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and are modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules.

 

Additionally, on January 11, 2008, AngloGold Ashanti entered into shareholder support agreements with each of the following shareholders:

 


35






 

1.

David W. Tice & Associates, Inc.

 

 

2.

OCM Gold Fund

 

 

3.

Rex H. Hampton Jr.

 

 

4.

Estate of Rex H. Hampton

 

5.

Dr. Taki N. Anagnoston

 

 

6.

James C. Ruder

 

 

7.

Robert T. Thul

 

 

8.

Donald L. Gustafson

 

 

9.

Midas Fund, Inc./Midas Management Corporation

 

The aforementioned shareholders represent an aggregate of approximately 44.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Each of aforementioned shareholders has agreed, in their capacities as stockholders, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in their respective shareholder support agreements, to vote all shares of common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder in accordance with the terms of such shareholder support agreements, as terms principally stating that all shares of common stock beneficially owned will be voted in favor of the Agreement and Plan of Merger.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Except as disclosed below, none of our directors, named executive officers or more-than-five-percent shareholders, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing, have any interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction, during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2007, or in any proposed transactions which has materially affected or will materially affect us.

 

Certain members of the Company’s board of directors and executive officers of the Company have interests in the proposed Agreement and Plan of Merger with AngloGold Ashanti that differ from, or are in addition to, their interests as shareholders of the Company. The Company’s board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the Agreement and Plan of Merger. These interests are described below.

 

Shareholder Support Agreements

 

As described above under Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters – Change in Control,” in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, AngloGold Ashanti required that each of Messrs. Hampton, Anagnoston, Ruder, Thul and Gustafson and their respective affiliates enter into shareholder support agreements in which, among other things, they each severally agree to grant an irrevocable proxy to AngloGold Ashanti to vote their shares of the Company’s common stock:

 

 

• 

in favor of (i) the merger, the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the approval of its terms and each of the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger and (ii) any other matter necessary to the consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger;

 

 

 

 

 

36






 

 

• 

against any other merger agreement or merger (other than the Agreement and Plan of Merger with AngloGold Ashanti and the merger with an indirect subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti), consolidation, combination, sale of substantial assets, reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of or by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other acquisition proposal;

 

 

 

 

• 

against any amendment of the Company’s articles of incorporation or by-laws or other proposal or transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which amendment or other proposal or transaction would in any manner impede, frustrate, prevent or nullify the merger with an indirect subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti, the merger agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger or change in any manner the voting rights of any class of capital stock of the Company; and

 

 

 

 

• 

against any action that would result in a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by the Company in the Agreement and Plan of Merger.

 

Messrs. Hampton, Anagnoston, Ruder, Thul and Gustafson and their respective affiliates beneficially owned approximately 0.6 percent, 5.0 percent, less than 0.1 percent, less than 0.1 percent and zero percent, respectively, of the shares of Golden Cycle common stock outstanding as of March 18, 2008 (excluding shares of the Company’s common stock which such person had the right to acquire as of such date upon exercise of stock options).

 

Indemnification and Insurance of the Company’s Directors and Officers

 

The Agreement and Plan of Merger requires the surviving company in the merger to indemnify the Company’s directors and officers and to honor all rights to indemnification and exculpation existing in favor of a director or officer of the Company and its subsidiaries under the Company’s articles of incorporation and by-laws as in effect on the date of the Agreement and Plan of Merger for a period of six years after the effective time of the merger and to maintain for a period of three years after the closing date of the merger director and officer liability insurance for the benefit of the Company’s officers and directors with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to the closing date.

 

Stock Options

 

In connection with the merger, each unexpired and unexercised option to purchase the Company’s common stock granted under the Company’s stock option plans, whether vested or unvested, will be automatically converted into an option to purchase a number of AngloGold Ashanti ADSs equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that could have been purchased (assuming full vesting) under such option multiplied by the exchange ratio of 0.29 (rounded down to the nearest whole number of AngloGold Ashanti ADSs) at a price per AngloGold Ashanti ADS equal to the per share option exercise price specified in the Company option divided by the exchange ratio of 0.29 (rounded up to the nearest whole cent). Each substituted option shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as the option to purchase the Company’s common stock that it was issued in respect of. Prior to the closing of the merger, each director and officer of the Company will voluntarily tender his resignation and, under the terms of the option plans pursuant to which the Company’s stock options were issued, each substituted option will therefore expire six months following the closing of the merger.

 

Severance Pay

 

Pursuant to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Hampton severance following the closing of the merger in a lump sum amount equal to $8,404 per month from the closing of the merger through August 31, 2008.

 

37






ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Audit Fees

 

The fees paid by the Corporation to Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman (“EKS&H”) for services provided:

 

2007 2006
1)  Audit fees, including audits of our annual financial statements,   $22,500(a) $21,100  
    review of our quarterly financial statements and statutory audits  
    of our foreign subsidiaries.  
2)  Audit-related fees   7,500(b) 6,900  
3)  Tax fees (including tax compliance and advice)     4,400  
4)  All other fees   293(c) ( 6,629 *
 

(a) Represents billing of $22,500 for the 2006 audit

(b) Includes billings related to the first, second and third quarter reviews

(c) represents $293 of out-of-pocket expenses

 

* Includes $3,850 related to assistance with a potential merger with Fronteer Development Group, Inc., $1,500 related to research of potential phantom income, $800 related to the Illipah sale and $479 of out-of-pocket expenses.

 

The Audit Committee determined that the provision of tax preparation services by EKS&H is compatible with maintaining the independence of EKS&H, however, decided to engage the services of Stockman Kast Ryan & Co, LLP for the preparation of the Company’s 2006 and 2007 State and Federal income tax returns.

 

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditor

 

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit IT-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally granted for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service and generally subject to a specific budget. The independent auditors and management are required to report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. During 2007 and 2006, the Audit Committee pre-approved the EKS&H audit services for quarterly review of four quarterly periods.

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

Documents Filed as Part of This Report

 

Documents Filed as Part of This Report

Financial Statements Page
(a)   Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm,    
  Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman, P.C.   41  
(b)   Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2007 and 2006   42  
(c)   Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years    
  Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005   43  
(d)   Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years    
  Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005   44  
(e)   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years    
  Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005   45  

 



38






(f)   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   46  

Financial Statement Schedules

        Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Exhibit Index

3.1.   Articles of Incorporation, as amended, effective June 15, 2004, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006)

3.2   Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 12, 2006.

3.3.   By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Form 10 dated May 19, 1983).

10.1.   Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement between AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Inc. and the Company dated as of January 1, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 1991).

10.2   1997 Officers’ & Directors’ Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 30, 1997).

10.3   2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 27, 2001).

10.5   Employment Agreement dated December 2, 2004 with R. Herbert Hampton (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 3, 2004).

10.6   Agreement of Plan of Merger dated January 11, 2008 by and between the Company and AngloGold Ashanti Limited (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K dated January 15, 2008).

10.7   Form of Shareholder Agreement between AngloGold Ashanti and principal shareholders of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K dated January 15, 2008).

10.8   Engagement Letter dated December 18, 2007, by and between the Company and PI Financial (USA) Corp. (incorporate by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K dated January 15, 2008).

21.1.   Subsidiary of the Company: Golden Cycle Philippines Inc. incorporated in the Republic of the Philippines.

21.2.   Subsidiary of the Company: Golden Cycle Gold Exploration Inc. incorporated in the state of Nevada.

23.1   Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman P.C.

31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 302

32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer aaaa pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 906.



39






SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

\s\ R. Herbert Hampton____________________

R. Herbert Hampton, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Date:   March 18, 2008

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

\s\ R. Herbert Hampton
___________________________________

March 18, 2008

R. Herbert Hampton, President, Chief

Date

Executive Officer, and Treasurer

(Principal Executive Officer, Principal

Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting

Officer)

 

\s\ James C. Ruder
___________________________________

March 18, 2008

James C. Ruder, Director

Date

 

 

\s\ Robert T. Thul
___________________________________

March 18, 2008

Robert T. Thul, Director

Date

 

 

\s\ Dr. Taki N. Anagnoston
___________________________________

March 18, 2008

Dr. Taki N. Anagnoston, Director

Date

 

 

\s\ Donald L. Gustafson
___________________________________

March 18, 2008

Donald L. Gustafson, Director

Date

 

 

 

40

 






REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Golden Cycle Gold Corporation

Colorado Springs, Colorado

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries (a Colorado Corporation) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 in conformity with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

 

/s/ Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman P.C.

 

 

March 18, 2008

Denver, Colorado

 

 

 

 

41

 


 

GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

Assets

 

2007

 

2006

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

25,617

$

53,142

Short-term investments (note 2)

 

658,514

 

677,944

Interest receivable and other current assets

 

48,677

 

19,168

Prepaid insurance

 

21,597

 

25,203

Total current assets

 

754,405

 

775,457

Property and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

Land

 

2,025

 

2,025

Mineral claims

 

8,657

 

20,657

Furniture and fixtures

 

9,354

 

9,354

Machinery and equipment

 

21,516

 

21,516

 

 

41,552

 

53,552

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(28,491)

 

(26,131)

 

 

13,061

 

27,421

Total assets

$

767,466

$

802,878

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

106,835

 

18,373

Total current liabilities

 

106,835

 

18,373

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (note 7)

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity (note 5):

 

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,769,250 shares in 2007 and 9,744,250 shares in 2006

 

7,544,429

 

7,499,429

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,189,799

 

2,728,273

Accumulated deficit

 

(10,000,086)

 

(9,411,686)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(73,511)

 

(31,511)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

660,631

 

784,505

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

767,466

$

802,878

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

42

 


GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions from mining joint venture in excess of carrying value (note 3)

$

250,000

$

250,000

$

250,000

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

 

992,963

 

1,502,938

 

603,044

Depreciation expense

 

2,360

 

2,224

 

3,973

Exploration expense

 

9,259

 

8,410

 

305,661

 

 

1,004,582

 

1,513,572

 

912,678

Operating loss

 

(754,582)

 

(1,263,572)

 

(662,678)

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income

 

27,107

 

30,787

 

35,667

Gold bullion mark to market

 

62,575

 

35,650

 

24,986

Gain on assets sold (net)

 

76,500

 

100,000

 

 

 

166,182

 

166,437

 

60,653

Net loss

$

(588,400)

$

(1,097,135)

$

(602,025)

Basic loss per share

$

(0.06)

$

(0.11)

$

(0.06)

Diluted loss per share

$

(0.06)

$

(0.11)

$

(0.06)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

9,760,346

 

9,744,250

 

9,738,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

9,760,346

 

9,744,250

 

9,738,086

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

43

 


GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Common stock

 

Additional

paid-in

capital

 

Accumulated

deficit

 

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

loss–foreign

currency

translation

adjustment

 

Total

Shares

 

Amount

Balance at December 31, 2004

9,669,250

$

7,406,317

$

1,927,736

$

(7,712,526)

$

(31,813)

$

1,589,714

Stock options exercised

75,000

 

93,112

 

 

 

 

93,112

Net loss

 

 

 

(602,025)

 

 

(602,025)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

302

 

302

Comprehensive net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(601,723)

Balance at December 31, 2005

9,744,250

 

7,499,429

 

1,927,736

 

(8,314,551)

 

(31,511)

 

1,081,103

Net loss

 

 

 

(1,097,135)

 

 

(1,097,135)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

791,597

 

 

 

791,597

Non-cash compensation liability accrual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassified to contributed capital

 

 

8,940

 

 

 

8,940

Balance at December 31, 2006

9,744,250

 

7,499,429

 

2,728,273

 

(9,411,686)

 

(31,511)

 

784,505

Stock options exercised

25,000

 

45,000

 

 

 

 

45,000

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

461,526

 

 

 

461,526

Net loss

 

 

 

(588,400)

 

 

(588,400)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

(42,000)

 

(42,000)

Comprehensive net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(630,400)

Balance at December 31, 2007

9,769,250

$

7,544,429

$

3,189,799

$

(10,000,086)

$

(73,511)

$

660,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

44

 


GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows



 
 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(588,400)

$

(1,097,135)

$

(602,025)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

2,360

 

2,224

 

3,973

Gain on sale of Illipah

 

(76,500)

 

 

Increase in market value of gold asset

 

(62,575)

 

(35,650)

 

(24,986)

Stock based compensation expense

 

461,526

 

791,597

 

Non-cash Compensation liability accrual reclassified to contributed capital

 

 

8,940

 

Write-down of investment in subsidiary

 

 

(2,964)

 

Decrease (increase) in interest receivable and other current assets

 

491

 

(3,415)

 

(2,229)

Decrease (increase) in prepaid insurance

 

3,606

 

(376)

 

(447)

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

88,462

 

(25,435)

 

(13,060)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(171,030)

 

(362,214)

 

(638,774)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in short-term investments, net

 

98,505

 

249,297

 

256,632

Purchases of property and equipment, net

 

 

(1,110)

 

(1,103)

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

98,505

 

248,187

 

255,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by financing activity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds on exercise of stock options

 

45,000

 

 

93,112

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

45,000

 

 

93,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(27,525)

 

(114,027)

 

(289,831)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

53,142

 

167,169

 

457,000

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

25,617

$

53,142

$

167,169

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

45

 




GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Golden Cycle Gold Corporation (the Company), a Colorado corporation, acquires and explores mining properties in Colorado, Nevada, and the Republic of the Philippines. The Company’s principal investment consists of its joint venture participation in the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Company (the Joint Venture), a precious metals mining company in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Teller County, Colorado. In addition, during 1997 the Company established Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. (GCPI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in the Republic of the Philippines in order to participate in potential mining opportunities. In January 2002, the Company established Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc. (GCGE), a wholly owned subsidiary, to conduct exploration activities for the Company.

 

(a)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make various estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses for each period presented, and in the disclosure of commitments and contingencies. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Changes in these estimates and assumptions will occur based on the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.

 

(b)

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(c)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalent.

 

(d)

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments consist primarily of certificates of deposit. Short-term investments also include 310 troy ounces of gold bullion purchased by the Company in 2002. Interest revenue and the increase or decrease in the value of the gold bullion is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

(e)

Marketable Equity Securities

The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, which is based upon quoted prices of the securities owned. The cost of marketable equity securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. Changes in market value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, unless a decline in market value is considered other than temporary, in which case the decline is recognized as a loss in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company had marketable equity securities with fair values of $16,500 and $0 respectively, and cost of $58,500 and $0, respectively, at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Golden Cycle has accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized holding losses of $42,000 and $0 at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, related to our marketable equity securities.

 

46


 

(f)

Investment in Mining Joint Venture

The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method. In prior years, the Company’s share of Joint Venture losses exceeded the remaining carrying value of the investment and, accordingly, the investment was reduced to zero. Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as income. The Company has not recorded its share of Joint Venture losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of its investment balance to zero, as the Company has no obligation to fund operating losses. To the extent the Joint Venture is profitable, the Company records its share of equity income. However, the Company currently offsets the Joint Venture equity income with an allowance account due to the uncertainty that the actual receipt of cash distributions by the Company attributable to current year increases in joint venture equity will occur given that those cash distributions are far in the future due to the necessity of repaying the Joint Venture’s Initial Loans.

 

(g)

Mineral Exploration and Development Costs

Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. Mineral property development costs are capitalized and depleted based upon estimated proven and probable recoverable reserves. The Company has no capitalized mineral property development costs at December 31, 2007 or December 31, 2006.

The Company assesses the carrying value of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in facts or circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. Potential impairment is estimated by comparing estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from such assets with their net book value. If net book value exceeds estimated cash flows, the asset is written down to fair value. The Company has not recorded impairment costs at December 31, 2007 or December 31, 2006.

 

(h)

Property and Equipment

Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years.

 

(i)

Foreign Currency Translation

The GCPI operations’ functional currency is the local currency and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of its Philippines operations are translated into their United States dollar equivalent at rates of exchange prevailing at each balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the periods in which such items are recognized in operations.

Gains and losses arising from translation of the consolidated financial statements of GCPI operations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. Amounts in this account are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the related net foreign investment is reduced. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

(j)

Stock Options

On June 5, 2007, the Company’s one active stock-based compensation plan was completed and closed with the issue of 100,000 stock options to four directors. Four of the Company’s directors were granted 25,000 stock options each on June 5, 2007 at the prevailing market price of $6.25 per share. One director exercised options for 25,000 shares of the Company’s stock May 10, 2007 for proceeds to the Company of $45,000. There were no stock options exercised during the 2006 period. The Company accounts for stock option grants in accordance with FASB Statement 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Compensation costs related to share-based payments in the amount of $461,526

 

47


and $791,597 were recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 respectively.

 

The Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method. Under this method, compensation cost recognized in the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 include: a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. The results for prior periods have not been restated.

 

The adoption of SFAS 123R increased the Company’s net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 by $461,525 and $791,597 respectively. This expense increased the basic and diluted loss per share by $0.05 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and $0.08 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006. The Company did not recognize a tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense because the Company considers it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets, which have been reduced by a full valuation allowance, will not be realized.

 

The following illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value based method had been applied to the prior comparable period.

 

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

 

 

2005

 

 

 

Reported net loss

$

(602,025)

Stock-based employee compensation under the fair value based method prior to adoption of SFAS 123R, net of related tax effects

 

(244,360)

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss

$

(846,385)

 

 

 

Loss per share:

 

 

Basic – as reported

$

(0.06)

Basic – pro forma

$

(0.09)

Diluted – as reported

$

(0.06)

Diluted – pro forma

$

(0.09)

 

The Company recognized compensation expense of $461,525 and $791,597 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 respectively for employee stock options that prior to January 1, 2006 would not have been recognized under APB 25. The following summarizes the activity of the Company’s stock options for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007:

 

48


 

 

       

Weighted

   

 

 

   

Weighted

 

Average

   

 

 

   

Average

 

Remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

   

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Intrinsic

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Term

 

Value (1)

Number of shares under option:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2006

 

510,000

$

3.69

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

100,000

 

6.25

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(25,000)

 

1.80

 

 

 

 

Canceled or expired

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

 

635,000

$

4.55

 

6.65

$

3,129,750

Exercisable at December 31, 2007

 

585,000

$

4.55

 

6.65

$

3,129,750


 

(1)

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

 

As of December 31, 2007, there are no unvested stock options outstanding. As of December 31, 2007, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options.

 

The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for options granted:

 

 

Dividend

yield

 

Expected

volatility

 

Risk-free

interest

rate

 

Expected

life (in

years)

 

Weighted-

average

fair value

of option

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options granted in 2005

 

0%

 

70%

 

4.05%

 

10

 

$1.95

Options granted in 2006

 

0%

 

61%

 

5.03%

 

10

 

$6.33

Options granted in 2007

 

0%

 

61%

 

4.75%

 

10

 

$4.62


 

(k)

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Changes in tax rates are recognized in the period of the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized unless tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. Golden Cycle adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and it has not had an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For more information see Notes to the Financial Statements, note 6, “Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards”.

 

(l)

Comprehensive Income

In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS No. 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss), including net income (loss), be reported in the financial statements in the period they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net income

 

49

 


(loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), including foreign currency translation adjustments, shall be reported, net of their related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive income (loss). We have recorded a ($42,000) decrease in the fair market value of Tornado common stock and disclosed comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2007.

 

(m)

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue as Minimum Annual Distributions from the Joint Venture are received as all services necessary for revenue recognition have been previously provided to the Joint Venture by the Company. The Joint Venture Agreement, as amended, provides for the Company to receive a minimum annual distribution of $250,000 during the Initial Phase (see Note 3). Beginning in 1994, such Minimum Annual Distributions are recoupable against the Company’s future share of Net Proceeds, if any. Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans (see Note 3), complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income from which Minimum Annual Distributions can be recouped, cannot be assured due to uncertainties inherent within any mining operation. Based on the amount of Initial Loans payable to the Manager and the uncertainty of future operating revenues, there is no assurance that the Company will receive more than the Minimum Annual Distribution from the Joint Venture in the foreseeable future.

 

(n)

Per Share Information

Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share are computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares, using the treasury stock method, outstanding during the period.

(2)

Short-Term Investments

The Company held certificates of deposit of approximately $285,000 and $380,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. All certificates of deposit held at December 31, 2007 mature within one year. Short-term investments also include 310 troy ounces of gold bullion purchased by the Company in 2002 at a cost of $102,859 and is carried at market value of $258,340 at December 31, 2007. The Company has reflected unrealized gains of $62,575, $35,650, and $24,986 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, in the consolidated statement of operations.

(3)

Investment in Mining Joint Venture

The Company owns an interest in the Joint Venture with AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp. (AngloGold). AngloGold manages the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture conducts exploration, development, and mining of certain properties in the Cripple Creek Mining District, Teller County, Colorado. The Joint Venture owns or controls surface and/or mineral rights in the Cripple Creek Mining District, certain portions of which are being actively explored and developed.

The Joint Venture Agreement, as amended, generally requires AngloGold to finance operations and capital expenditures of the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture is currently operating in an Initial Phase. The Joint Venture Agreement defines an Initial Phase that will end when (i) the Initial Loans (defined below) have been repaid (ii) a cash reserve has been established to fund accrued reclamation and severance tax obligations, plus an amount approximating nine months of estimated operating costs, plus an amount approximating twelve months of estimated capital costs, and (iii) Net Proceeds (defined in the Joint Venture Agreement generally as gross revenues less costs) in the amount of $58 million have been distributed as follows: 80% to

 

50


AngloGold and 20% to the Company. After the Initial Phase, the Joint Venture will distribute metal in kind in the proportion of 67% to AngloGold and 33% to the Company. In addition, the Company will generally be entitled to receive, in each year during the Initial Phase or until the mining of ore by the Joint Venture ceases due to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, whichever occurs first, an annual minimum distribution of $250,000 (a "Minimum Annual Distribution"). The first three Minimum Annual Distributions in 1991, 1992 and 1993 were not deemed to be a distribution of Net Proceeds to the Company and were not applied against the Company's share of any Net Proceeds. The Minimum Annual Distributions received on January 15, 1994 and thereafter constitute an advance on Net Proceeds and will be recouped against future shares of Net Proceeds to the Company. As of December 31, 2007, Initial Loans were approximately $310.8 million and no Net Proceeds have been distributed.

Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans, complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income cannot be assured due to uncertainties inherent within any mining operation. Based on the amount of Initial Loans payable to the manager and the uncertainty of future operating revenues, there is no assurance that the Company will receive more than the Minimum Annual Distribution from the Joint Venture in the foreseeable future.

The Company’s share of the Joint Venture net income, which has not been recorded in its consolidated financial statements, is approximately $11.8 million, $7.7 million and $1.9 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were $7.9 million as of December 31, 2006. As such, as of December 31, 2007, the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture were eliminated and the Company recorded Joint Venture equity of $3.9 million. As of December 31, 2007 the receipt of cash distributions from the Joint Venture is highly uncertain as the Joint Venture’s Initial Loans totaling $310,823,000 have not been repaid nor is it anticipated they will be repaid in the foreseeable future based on anticipated future cash flows from the Joint Venture’s operations.

 

As a result, the Company has accounted for this uncertainty by creating a 100% valuation allowance against the Joint Venture equity interest of $3.9 million. It is anticipated by management that this valuation allowance against the Joint Venture equity will remain until it is determined by management that the collectibility of the investment in the form of future cash distributions becomes probable.

 

51


The condensed balance sheets of the Joint Venture as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 are summarized as follows:

 

 

Assets

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1

$

1

 

Inventory

 

46,360

 

42,615

 

Other current assets

 

-

 

1,037

 

Prepaid expenses

 

766

 

-

Total current assets

 

47,127

 

43,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Land and mineral properties

 

19,085

 

27,768

 

Mine development not currently being depleted

 

9,854

 

-

 

Structures and equipment

 

461,469

 

438,378

 

Construction - work-in-progress

 

595

 

2,112

 

 

 

491,003

 

468,258

 

Accumulated depreciation, depletion,

 

 

 

 

 

and amortization

 

(319,676)

 

(292,151)

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

171,327

 

176,107

Inventories

 

187,986

 

148,761

Total assets

$

406,440

$

368,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

9,951

$

9,060

 

Accrued liabilities

 

3,841

 

3,494

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

2,670

 

2,734

Total current liabilities

 

16,462

 

15,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans payable to AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp.

 

310,823

 

333,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease obligations

 

2,498

 

5,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

29,681

 

24,029

Other long-term liabilities

 

8

 

1,867

Venturers' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Venturers' investments

 

60,062

 

60,062

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(13,094)

 

(71,736)

Total venturers' equity (deficit)

 

46,968

 

(11,674)

Total liabilities and venturers' equity

$

406,440

$

368,521

 

 

52


 

The condensed statements of operations of the Joint Venture for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 are summarized as follows:

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

194,848

$

172,827

$

145,347

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Production costs

 

75,805

 

70,437

 

75,662

  Depreciation, depletion, amortization,

 

 

 

 

 

 

     and reclamation

 

25,418

 

26,454

 

30,151

  Accretion expense

 

1,769

 

1,398

 

1,113

 

 

102,992

 

98,289

 

106,926

Mineral exploration expense

 

-

 

-

 

17

Total operating costs

 

102,992

 

98,289

 

106,943

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

91,856

 

74,538

 

38,404

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest expense

 

(32,757)

 

(34,408)

 

(29,243)

  Other income (expense)

 

(207)

 

(1,738)

 

299

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

58,892

$

38,392

$

9,460

 

(4)

Income Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

1,113,000

 

 

967,000

 

Exploration expenditures

 

 

11,000

 

 

145,000

 

FAS 123R non-qualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stock options

 

 

464,000

 

 

293,000

 

Other

 

 

-

 

 

1,000

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

1,588,000

 

 

1,406,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold bullion mark to market

 

 

(96,000)

 

 

(73,000)

 

Tornado Stock- Mark to Market

 

 

37,000

 

 

-

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

1,529,000

 

 

1,333,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(1,529,000)

 

 

(1,333,000)

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

-

 

 

-


 

 

53


A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

Statutory federal

 

 

 

 

income tax rate

34.00%

 

34.00%

 

Effect of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and local

 

 

 

 

 

 

income taxes

3.05%

 

3.05%

 

 

Other - net

0.21%

 

0.10%

 

 

Change in valuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

allowance

36.84%

 

36.95%

Effective tax rate

0.00%

 

0.00%

At December 31, 2007, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes of approximately $3,003,379 which expire beginning in 2008 through 2027.

The Company has not recorded an income tax benefit in 2007 or 2006 as it does not believe it is more likely than not that the benefit of the deferred tax assets will be realized in the future.

 

(5)

Common Stock Options

During 1992, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the Directors’ Plan) and a 1992 Stock Option Plan (the 1992 Plan). All options available under the Directors’ Plan were granted prior to December 31, 1994. During 1997, shareholders approved the 1997 Officers’ and Directors’ Stock Option Plan, and during 2002, shareholders approved the 2002 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which 1,000,000 and 625,000 shares, respectively, of the Corporation’s common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to options to be granted. The 1992 Plan provided for the grant of options on a discretionary basis to certain employees and consultants. Under each plan, the exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. The expiration of the options is ten years from the date of the grant.

During 2007, the Company granted 100,000 options to directors of the Corporation, and during 2006 and 2005 the Company granted 125,000 options each year to directors of the Corporation under the above plans.

Changes in stock options for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

54


 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Option price

per share

 

Weighted

average

exercise price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2004

 

410,000

$

1.04 - 2.60

 

$1.92

 

 

Granted

 

125,000

 

2.50

 

2.50

 

 

Exercised

 

(75,000)

 

1.04 - 1.50

 

1.24

 

 

Expired

 

(75,000)

 

2.33 - 2.60

 

2.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

385,000

$

1.04 - 2.60

 

2.13

 

 

Granted

 

125,000

 

8.50

 

8.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

510,000

$

1.04 - 8.50

 

3.69

 

 

Granted

 

100,000

 

6.25

 

6.25

 

 

Exercised

 

(25,000)

 

1.80

 

1.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

585,000

$

1.04 - 8.50

 

$4.55

 

The weighted average remaining term of options outstanding was 6.65 and 6.81 years at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(6)

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards:

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141R”), which replaces FASB Statement No. 141. SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any non controlling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired, and establishes that acquisition costs will be generally expensed as incurred. This statement also establishes disclosure requirements which will enable users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008, which will be the Company’s year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 141R on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statement-amendments of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 160 states that accounting and reporting for minority interests will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. The SFAS No. 160 also establishes reporting requirements that provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008, which corresponds to the Company’s year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 160 on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, “The Fair Value Option For Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The provisions of SFAS No. 159 are effective for Golden Cycle as of January 1, 2008. Golden Cycle has not yet determined

 

55


the impact of adopting SFAS No. 159 on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 clarifies that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability is a hypothetical transaction at a measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability. SFAS No. 157 states that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity specific measurement and that market assumptions should be based upon independent observations of the reporting entity over a reporting entity’s observations about market participant assumptions. SFAS No. 157 states that market participant assumptions should include risk, restrictions on asset sales, non-performance risk, but that quoted market prices for financial instruments should not be adjusted for the size of a position relative to trading volume (block discounts). SFAS No. 157 expands disclosures about, among other things, the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual periods, including the use of unobservable inputs, and the effect of fair value on earnings and changes in net assets. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Golden Cycle adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2007 and it has not had an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (“FIN 48”) an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation requires that the entities recognize in the financial statements, the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning January 1, 2007 with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Golden Cycle adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and it has not had an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments-an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (SFAS No. 155”). SFAS No. 155 resolves issues addressed in SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets.” SFAS No. 155 became effective January 1, 2007 and is applicable based upon the nature and extent of any new derivatives entered into after that date. Golden Cycle adopted SFAS No. 155 on January 1, 2007 and it has not had an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

(7)

Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a)

Litigation

The Company, owner of a 33% interest in Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Company ("CC&V"), and the owner of the other 67% interest therein, AngloGold (Colorado) Corp., now AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp., and its direct parent AngloGold North America Inc., now AngloGold Ashanti North America Inc., were sued together with CC&V, the owner and operator of the Cresson Project, by the Sierra Club and Mineral Policy Center in 2001. The Plaintiffs asserted numerous violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act which went to trial in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado early in 2006, resulting in a judgment in favor of all Defendants and against all Plaintiffs on all claims, as well as an award of costs and attorneys

 

56


fees incurred after the point in time at which the Plaintiffs knew or should have known that their "dogged pursuit of factually unsupported claims" was unreasonable.

The Plaintiffs appealed both the judgment and the fee award to the United States Court of Appeals in Denver. Briefs were timely filed by the Plaintiffs in that court, but the parties reached an agreement to settle all disputes before the Defendants commenced briefing, and the cases have been dismissed. The settlement preserved the Defendants' complete success on all of the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, and left each of the parties responsible for their own fees. So long as judicial review of the judgment and the monetary award remained possible, the Company did not record a receivable for any of its own fees, then approximately $130,000. The settlement eliminated the possibility of recovering any of the Company’s fees or costs.

 

(b)

Illipah sale contingency

Should Tornado Gold International Inc. (“Tornado Gold”) fail to complete the conditions of its purchase of the Illipah property, Golden Cycle may be entitled to full possession of the property and later market the property again. Tornado Gold is required to provide Golden Cycle a report of the completion of its first year’s (ending August 23, 2007) exploration program totaling more than $250,000 in exploration and development expenses. During the second twelve months of the contract which concludes August 23, 2008, Tornado is responsible for the minimum annual royalty payment and the Bureau of Land Management and County claim maintenance fees which it paid. Further, Tornado is required to expend an additional $500,000 in exploration and developments expenses on the Illipah property bringing the total required exploration and development expenditures to a total of $750,000 during the first two years. Tornado has not yet expended the required exploration funds in compliance with the agreement.

 

 

(8)

Subsequent Events

 

On January 11, 2008, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 11, 2008 (the “Agreement and Plan of Merger”), with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and GCGC LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti USA Incorporated. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company agreed to be acquired by AngloGold Ashanti through a transaction in which the Company’s shareholders will receive consideration consisting of 0.29 American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) of AngloGold Ashanti Limited for each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, rounded up to the next whole ADS, each whole ADS representing one ordinary share, par value 25 South African cents per share, of AngloGold Ashanti Limited. The Agreement is subject to the approval of two-thirds of the Company’s shareholders entitled to vote.

 

For a description of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the contemplated transaction, see the disclosure under Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters – Changes in Control.”

 

57


(9)  Selected quarterly financial data

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

First

Quarter

 

Second

Quarter

 

Third

Quarter

 

Fourth

Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions from mining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

joint venture in excess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of carrying value (note 4)

$

250,000

$

-

$

-

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

130,877

 

(605,471)

 

(86,419)

 

(193,569)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

73,758

 

4,796

 

33,488

 

54,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

204,635

 

(600,675)

 

(52,931)

 

(139,429)

Net income (loss) per share

 

0.02

 

(0.06)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.01)

Pro forma net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

per share

 

0.02

 

(0.06)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.01)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

First

Quarter

 

Second

Quarter

 

Third

Quarter

 

Fourth

Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions from mining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

joint venture in excess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of carrying value (note 4)

$

250,000

$

-

$

-

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

40,243

 

(1,071,681)

 

(82,557)

 

(149,577)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

66,701

 

(1,053,636)

 

(77,874)

 

(32,326)

Net income (loss) per share

 

0.01

 

(0.11)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.00)

Pro forma net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

per share

 

0.01

 

(0.11)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

First

Quarter

 

Second

Quarter

 

Third

Quarter

 

Fourth

Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions from mining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

joint venture in excess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of carrying value (note 4)

$

250,000

$

-

$

-

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

138,885

 

(164,566)

 

(322,861)

 

(314,136)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

146,486

 

(154,505)

 

(313,041)

 

(280,965)

Net income (loss) per share

 

0.02

 

(0.02)

 

(0.03)

 

(0.03)

Pro forma net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

per share

 

0.02

 

(0.04)

 

(0.03)

 

(0.03)

 

 

58