Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

OR

 

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

Commission File Number 000-52646

 

 

LOGO

GEOVIC MINING CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   20-5919886

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1200 Seventeenth St., Suite 980

Denver, Colorado 80202

(Address of principal executive offices)

(303) 476-6455

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):    ¨  Yes    x  No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

103,724,508 Shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, were outstanding at May 11, 2010

 

 

 


Geovic Mining Corp.

(an exploration stage company)

FORM 10-Q

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

INDEX

 

   PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)    3
ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    13
ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    17
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    17
   PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS    17
ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS    17
ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS    17
ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES    17
ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS    17
ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION    17
ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS    18
   SIGNATURES    19

 

2


Part I - Financial Information

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Geovic Mining Corp.

(an exploration stage company)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     Unaudited
March 31,

2010
    December 31,
2009
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 45,921      $ 49,153   

Prepaid expenses

     350        462   

Other

     190        197   
                

Total current assets

     46,461        49,812   

Property, plant and equipment, net [note 6]

     4,162        4,298   

Deposits

     15        19   
                

Total assets

   $ 50,638      $ 54,129   
                
LIABILITIES     

Current liabilities:

    

Accrued liabilities and other payables

   $ 3,564      $ 3,423   
                

Total current liabilities

     3,564        3,423   

Other liabilities

     538        682   

Related party payable

     82        328   

Share-based payment liability [note 8]

     519        791   
                

Total liabilities

     4,703        5,224   
                
EQUITY     

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, par value of $0.0001, 200 million shares authorized and 103.7 and 103.1 million shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

     10        10   

Additional paid-in capital

     108,106        107,625   

Stock purchase warrants

     1,078        1,078   

Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage

     (73,226     (69,673
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     35,968        39,040   

Noncontrolling interest [note 11]

     9,967        9,865   
                

Total equity

     45,935        48,905   
                

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 50,638      $ 54,129   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

3


Geovic Mining Corp.

(an exploration stage company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Three months ended March 31,     Unaudited Period
from November 16, 1994
(inception) to

March 31, 2010
 
   2010     2009    

Expenses (Income)

      

Exploration costs [note 5]

   $ 2,513      $ 2,927      $ 64,373   

General and administrative

     1,725        2,053        25,219   

Stock-based compensation [notes 7 and 8]

     437        230        17,510   

Change in fair value of warrants [note 8]

     (272     (121     (156

Interest and bank charges

     12        15        306   

Depreciation

     224        128        1,982   

Mineral property impairment

     —          —          3,244   
                        

Total expenses

     4,639        5,232        112,478   

Interest income

     (1     (40     (4,791
                        

Net loss before income taxes

     (4,638     (5,192     (107,687

Income tax expense (benefit) [note 12]

     —          —          (65
                        

Consolidated net loss

   $ (4,638   $ (5,192     (107,622
                        

Less: Net loss attributed to the noncontrolling interest

     (1,085     (1,215     (20,401
                        

Net loss attributed to Geovic

   $ (3,553   $ (3,977   $ (87,221
                        

Net loss per share

   $ (0.03   $ (0.04  
                  

Weighted average shares outstanding

     103,395,831        102,947,526     
                  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

4


Geovic Mining Corp.

(an exploration stage company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Common Stock    Additional
paid-in capital
   Stock
Purchase
Warrants
                   
     Shares    Amount         Deficit     Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2008

   102,943,446    $ 10    $ 106,648    $ 15,748      $ (67,377   $ 9,144      $ 64,173   
                                                   

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 815-40 [note 8]

   —        —        —        (14,670     13,995        —          (675

Stock options exercised [note 7]

   130,600      —        6      —          —          —          6   

Stock-based compensation [note 7]

   —        —        971      —          —          —          971   

Noncontrolling interest contribution

   —        —        —        —          —          5,322        5,322   

Net loss for year

   —        —        —        —          (16,291     (4,601     (20,892
                                                   

Balance, December 31, 2009

   103,074,046    $ 10    $ 107,625    $ 1,078      $ (69,673   $ 9,865      $ 48,905   
                                                   

Stock options exercised [note 7]

   650,462      —        44      —          —          —          44   

Stock-based compensation [note7]

   —        —        437      —          —          —          437   

Noncontrolling interest contribution

   —        —        —        —          —          1,187        1,187   

Net loss

   —        —        —        —          (3,553     (1,085     (4,638
                                                   

Balance, March 31, 2010

   103,724,508    $ 10    $ 108,106    $ 1,078      $ (73,226   $ 9,967      $ 45,935   
                                                   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

5


Geovic Mining Corp.

(an exploration stage company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
    Unaudited Period
from November 16, 1994
(inception) to

March 31, 2010
 
     2010     2009    

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Consolidated net loss

   $ (4,638   $ (5,192   $ (107,622

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

      

Depreciation expense

     224        128        1,982   

Stock-based compensation expense

     437        230        17,510   

Change in fair value of warrants

     (272     (121     (156

Writeoff of mineral properties

     —          —          3,244   

Changes in non-cash operating working capital:

      

Decrease in income tax receivable

     —          104        —     

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses

     112        50        (350

Decrease (increase) in other assets

     7        361        (81

Decrease (increase) in deposits

     4        —          (124

Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities and other payables

     141        (1,956     3,564   

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

     (144     9        538   

Increase (decrease) in related party payable

     (246     160        82   
                        

Cash used in operating activities

     (4,375     (6,227     (81,413

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (88     (6     (6,145

Acquisition of mineral leases

     —          —          (3,244
                        

Cash used in investing activities

     (88     (6     (9,389

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Noncontrolling interest contribution

     1,187        1,438        30,368   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and preferred stock

     —          —          95,589   

Cash paid to rescind exercise of stock options

     —          —          (15

Proceeds from issuance of stock warrants

     —          —          16,168   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

     44        1        2,358   

Stock issue costs

     —          —          (7,745
                        

Cash provided by financing activities

     1,231        1,439        136,723   

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     (3,232     (4,794     45,921   

Cash, beginning of period

     49,153        64,184        —     
                        

Cash, end of period

   $ 45,921      $ 59,390      $ 45,921   
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

6


Geovic Mining Corp.

(an exploration stage company)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS

Geovic Mining Corp. (the “Company”) is incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Company owns 100% of the shares of Geovic, Ltd. (“Geovic”), a company that has been in the mining exploratory stage since its inception on November 16, 1994. The Company is an exploration stage company in the process of planning to develop its mineral properties through its subsidiaries.

Geovic is engaged in the business of exploring for cobalt, nickel and related minerals directly in the United States and through its majority-owned (60%) subsidiary, Geovic Cameroon, PLC (“GeoCam”), a financially dependent public limited company duly organized and incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Cameroon.

In 2007, the Company incorporated a new subsidiary, Geovic Energy Corp., under the laws of the State of Colorado and Geovic Energy Corp. formed a new subsidiary, Pawnee Drilling, LLC, under the laws of the State of Colorado. As of March 31, 2010, Pawnee Drilling, LLC was inactive. In 2008, the Company formed Geovic France SAS under the laws of France and in February 2009 formed Geovic Mineral Sands Corp. under the laws of the State of Colorado to be the parent corporation of Geovic France. In March 2009, Geovic France formed a new subsidiary, Geovic Nouvelle-Calédonie SAS, under the laws of New Caledonia.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and accordingly do not include all disclosures required for annual financial statements.

These interim consolidated financial statements follow the same significant accounting policies and methods of application as the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements as included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “Annual Financial Statements”). The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Financial Statements.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the result that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2010.

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the disclosure requirements within new authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) which require additional disclosure and clarifies existing disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The adoption of the disclosure requirements have been incorporated into this Form 10-Q, but did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

4. LOSS PER SHARE

Basic loss per share has been computed by dividing the net loss applicable to the Company’s common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted loss per share is computed by including the dilutive effect of common stock that would be issued assuming exercise of the outstanding stock options and stock purchase warrants. Excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are shares underlying all outstanding options and warrants because the effect would have been anti-dilutive as the Company incurred losses from continuing operations in each of these periods.

5. EXPLORATION COSTS

GeoCam gained exclusive rights to exploitation of certain cobalt and nickel deposits in Cameroon with the granting of a Mining Convention by the government of Cameroon on August 1, 2002. The Mining Convention grants GeoCam the exclusive rights to mine, process, and export cobalt, nickel and related substances from lands subject to a Mining Permit, which was granted by decree on April 11, 2003. The Mining Convention, which has a primary term of 25 years, sets forth all legal and fiscal provisions governing the mining operation. It is renewable under certain conditions in 10-year increments for the life of the resource.

 

7


5. EXPLORATION COSTS (continued)

The following is a summary of the exploration costs incurred by the Company for the periods presented (in thousands).

 

     Three Months Ended    Unaudited Period
from November 16, 1994
(inception) to

March 31, 2010
     March 31,
2010
   March 31,
2009
  

Cameroon, Africa:

        

Property evaluation

   $ 1,391    $ 1,602    $ 39,894

Exploration office costs

     858      1,211      21,165
                    
     2,249      2,813      61,059
                    

Other projects:

        

Colorado/Wyoming

     34      17      1,759

Arizona

     137      85      552

Other

     93      12      1,003
                    
     264      114      3,314
                    

Total Exploration Costs

   $ 2,513    $ 2,927    $ 64,373
                    

6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Machinery and equipment

   $ 3,151      $ 3,143   

Vehicles

     680        680   

Buildings

     413        412   

Furniture and equipment

     1,109        1,049   

Other

     73        73   

Equipment in transit

     160        141   
                
     5,586        5,498   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,424     (1,200
                
   $ 4,162      $ 4,298   
                

7. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

Stock options

The Company adopted a stock option plan which was amended in June 2007, June 2008 and June 2009 (the “Company Option Plan”) under which 18,700,000 Company shares, were reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under the Company Option Plan.

The Company Option Plan is intended to provide a means whereby the Company and its subsidiaries can attract, motivate and retain key employees, consultants, and service providers who can contribute materially to the Company’s growth and success, and to facilitate the acquisition of shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company Option Plan provides for incentive stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and nonqualified stock options that do not meet the requirements for incentive stock options. The Company Option Plan requires the option exercise price per share purchasable under the option to be equal to the greater of the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange the day before or date of grant for all nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options. The Company has historically issued new shares when share-based awards are exercised.

 

8


7. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

The following table and related information summarizes the Company’s stock options at March 31, 2010 and the stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010:

 

     Options Outstanding    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   Average
Intrinsic
Value
(000’s)
     Options
Available
for Grant
    Number
Outstanding
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
per Share*
     

Available and outstanding at December 31, 2009

   3,626,682      15,073,318      $ 0.74      

Granted

   (1,525,000   1,525,000      $ 0.87      

Exercised

   650,462      (650,462   $ 0.07      

Forfeited

   —        —        $ —        

Expired

   14,000      (14,000   $ 1.68      
                    

Available and outstanding at March 31, 2010

   2,766,144      15,933,856      $ 0.78    6.73    $ 3,993
                    

Exercisable at March 31, 2010

     14,262,356      $ 0.75    6.07    $ 3,949
                

Vested or expected to vest at March 31, 2010

     15,880,233      $ 0.78    6.72    $ 3,992
                

 

* Some of the options are granted with Cdn$ exercise prices, and the weighted average prices reflect the U.S. dollar equivalent prices.

The following stock option grants were issued by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively:

 

   

The Company granted 1,525,000 options under the Company Option Plan [2009 – 300,000]. In accordance with SFAS 123(R), the Company recorded compensation expense of $437 relating to vesting of the grants [2009 - $230]. The options vest 40% upon grant and 30% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. As of March 31, 2010, there was $462 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock based compensation granted under the Company Option Plan which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

 

   

The weighted-average fair value per share of options granted under the Company’s Options Plan during 2010 was $0.50 [2009 - $0.34]. The total intrinsic value of share options exercised was $491 [2009-$10]. The total cash received from the exercise of stock options was $44 [2009-$1].

The fair value of all stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

     2010     2009  

Expected dividend

   0.00   0.00

Risk-free interest rate

   2.57   1.88

Expected volatility*

   69.74   69.18

Expected life (in years)

   5.5      5.5   

 

* For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, volatility was estimated based on combining the Company’s historical volatility with the historical volatilities of certain other comparable exploration stage mining companies. Prior to 2009, volatility was estimated based on the volatility of certain other comparable exploration stage mining companies.

Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, particularly as to the expected price volatility of the market value of the underlying stock. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and therefore it is management’s view that the existing models do not necessarily provide a single reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s equity instruments.

 

9


8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock

The Company is authorized to issue 50 million shares of preferred stock, of which 6 million are designated as Series A convertible preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001. There are no shares of Series A preferred stock or other preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2010.

Stock Purchase Warrants

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC 815-40, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock, to its outstanding stock purchase warrants, which resulted in a $14,670 reduction in stock purchase warrants offset by a $13,995 reduction in the deficit and established a share-based payment liability of $675. The Company is required to adjust the share-based payment liability to the fair value each reporting period. The fair value adjustment for the stock purchase warrants did not materially affect net loss or loss per share in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009

The following table and related information summarizes the Company’s stock purchase warrants at March 31, 2010 and the stock purchase warrant activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010:

 

     Number
Outstanding
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

per Share

Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2009

   21,067,339      $ 2.99

Granted

   —          —  

Exercised

   —          —  

Expired

   (350,243     2.25
            

Warrants outstanding at March 31, 2010

   20,717,096      $ 3.00
            

The Company recorded compensation expense of $0 relating to vesting of grants [2009 - $0]. The Company also recorded ($272) in 2010 [2009 - $121] for the change in the fair value of the warrants that have exercise prices that are denominated in Canadian dollars. As of March 31, 2010, all outstanding warrants were fully amortized.

9. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

As part of the provisions of ASC 815-40 the Company determined that the stock purchase warrants denominated in Canadian dollars are not indexed to its stock, and therefore the value was recorded as a liability.

The Company recorded the following cumulative effect of change in accounting principle:

 

     Increase/(Decrease)  
     Share-Based
Payment Liability
   Stock
Purchase
Warrants
    Deficit  

Balance as of December 31, 2008

   $ —      $ 15,748      $ (67,377

Record January 1, 2009, stock purchase warrants liability fair value

     675      —          (675

Reclassification of accumulated stock purchase warrant expense

     —        (14,670     14,670   
                       

Cumulative Change in Balances as of January 1, 2009

   $ 675    $ 1,078      $ (53,382
                       

Derivative Liabilities

The Company currently does not have derivative instruments to manage its exposures to commodity prices. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. All derivative financial instruments are recognized in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings if they are not eligible for hedge accounting or other comprehensive income if they qualify for cash flow hedge accounting.

 

10


9. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (continued)

A Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to obtain the fair value of the Company’s stock purchase warrants using the assumptions described in footnote 8 at March 31, 2010. The fair value of outstanding derivative instruments not designed as hedging instruments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet were as follows (in thousands):

 

Derivative Instruments

   Balance Sheet Location    March 31,
2010
   December 31,
2009

Stock purchase warrants

   Share-based payment liability    $ 519    $ 791

The effect of derivative instruments not designed as hedging instruments on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations was immaterial for the three-month period March 31, 2010.

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as 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. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

 

   

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

 

   

Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The fair value of the share-based payment liability, is based on unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists included the fair value of the Company’s stock purchase warrants as described in footnote 9, therefore it is classified as Level 3. The following table summarizes the change in the fair values of the share-based payment liability categorized as level 3 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 791   

Change in fair value

     (272
        

Balance at March 31, 2010

   $ 519   
        

11. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

From the inception of the Cameroon project through December 31, 2006, Geovic advanced all operating expenditures on behalf of GeoCam and all such expenditures were consolidated in the accounts of the Company. On April 12, 2007, GeoCam shareholders approved a GeoCam capital increase for 2007 equivalent to approximately $13.5 million. By May 12, 2007 all of the capital increase had been paid by or for the accounts of the stockholders of GeoCam, including Geovic, in their respective ownership interests prior to the capital increase.

On September 2, 2008, GeoCam shareholders approved a GeoCam capital increase for 2008 of CFA francs 30.34 billion equivalent to approximately $67 million, to be issued in multiple cash calls made by the GeoCam Board of Directors. The capital increase was based on GeoCam’s 2008 budget and Geovic’s pre-2007 capital advances made for GeoCam.

During the three months ended March 31, 2010 GeoCam completed the final cash call of the 2008 capital increase equivalent to approximately $3 million. In the cash call Geovic paid approximately $1.8 million, representing 60.5% of the cash calls, and the other minority shareholders paid cash of approximately $1.2 million.

At March 31, 2010 all of the 2008 capital increase had been paid by or for the accounts of the stockholders of GeoCam, including Geovic, in their respective ownership interests prior to the capital increase.

 

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11. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (continued)

The noncontrolling interest balance of approximately $10 million at March 31, 2010 represents the balance from the capital increases contributed by the other minority shareholders as described above. The difference between the original amounts contributed and the balance at March 31, 2010 represents the noncontrolling interests share of the actual expenditures from January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2010.

On May 6, 2010 a capital increase equivalent to approximately $11 million was approved for 2010.

12. INCOME TAXES

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2010 or unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective rate. The Company does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, Cameroon, France, New Caledonia and Colorado. The Company has open tax years for the U.S. federal return from 2000 forward with respect to its net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, where the IRS may not raise tax for these years, but can reduce NOLs. Otherwise, with few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state, or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2005.

The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company recognized no potential interest or penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits.

There was no benefit from income taxes in the first quarter of 2010 and during the same period in 2009. The effective tax rate was 0% for the first quarter of 2010 and for the same period in 2009. Our effective rates differ from the statutory federal rate of 35% for certain items, such as state and local taxes, non-deductible expenses, change in valuation allowance offsetting foreign and domestic operating losses and foreign taxes at rates other than 35%.

13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

[a] On June 15, 2009, Geovic, Ltd., entered into an agreement with Mineral Services, LLC which was amended effective December 31, 2009, related to project development, technical, financing, and marketing services. Mineral Services, LLC is owned by Michael Mason, a director of the Company. Total fees expensed under the agreement during the three-months ended March 31, 2010 were $28 [2009 - $10].

 

[b] Geovic holds an option to acquire the 0.5% ownership interest in GeoCam held by William A. Buckovic, an officer and director of the Company and Geovic. Under the option agreement, Geovic is obligated to pay all GeoCam capital increases on behalf of Mr. Buckovic to maintain his ownership interest in GeoCam. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, Geovic paid approximately $15 [2009 - $20] in the cash calls as required under the option agreement (see note 11).

 

[c] GeoCam entered into annual professional and management services contracts with Société Nationale d’Investissement du Cameroon (“S.N.I.”), the holder of 20% of GeoCam and representative of other holders of an additional 19.5% of the outstanding shares of GeoCam. The services are for government relations and administrative matters related to project development. GeoCam has expensed $82 during 2010 for these services [2009 - $160].

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

[a] In 2007 the Company engaged a supplier for services in regards to the Nkamouna project. The Company recorded and subsequently disputed approximately $721 of the charges. In April of 2010 the dispute was settled for approximately $213 resulting in a credit to the statement of operations of $508.

 

[b] In November 2009, five management level consultants or employees of GeoCam filed litigation in Cameroon, claiming approximately $2.2 million as compensation and damages as a result of termination of their services by GeoCam in connection with a reduction in workforce in February and March 2009. In April 2010 the case was dismissed.

 

[c] In December 2009, GeoCam appointed Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd as the engineering contractor to update the Nkamouna feasibility optimization study. The study commenced in January 2010 and is expected to be completed late third quarter of 2010. The Company expects to incur approximately $1.5 million to complete this study, however, the contract can be terminated with appropriate notice.

 

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14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

[d] In December 2009 the Company engaged Standard Chartered Bank of London, UK, as its advisor in connection with the further development and financing of the Nkamouna project. The Company agreed to pay a fixed retainer fee of $50 per month and a $0.8 million success fee upon completion. The terms of the agreement are based on the assumption that the completion will occur by December 2010. The agreement can be terminated upon appropriate notice.

 

[e] On November 8, 2006, Geovic entered into a patent license agreement with Inco Limited (“Inco”) with respect to certain technological processes and equipment related to processing nickel and cobalt. As partial consideration for the agreement, Geovic paid Inco an initial payment of $20. Geovic agreed to pay Inco a royalty based on the net selling price of production, as defined, up to maximum of $0.4 million during each 12 month period subject to a total maximum consideration (exclusive of the initial payment) equal to $2 million.

 

[f] GeoCam is obligated under its mining permit to provide persons living in the region of the permitted area with social, sports, education and health infra-structure to promote their well being. In 2010 and 2009 this obligation was met by contracting with GeoAid International Inc. (“GeoAid”), a non-profit international humanitarian organization, with an affiliate in Cameroon. In 2010 the Company contributed $45 to GeoAid. While the Company is not legally obligated to contribute a specific amount, the Company in 2010 and 2009 was the sole financial contributor to GeoAid.

 

[g] The Company’s 60% owned subsidiary, GeoCam, entered into purchase orders for mining equipment in 2008 for obligations totaling €615 and deposited €99 toward the purchases. In 2009, GeoCam requested to delay the delivery of the equipment to 2010 or thereafter. The sellers indicated a willingness to accept the delay and GeoCam would pay 6% per annum on a portion of the unpaid purchase price of the equipment delayed for delivery. No formal agreement to delay delivery has been completed. No liabilities were accrued in 2009 or 2010 for these commitments.

 

[h] GeoCam received a letter from the Minister of Industry, Mines and Technological Development of the Republic of Cameroon on March 20, 2006 requesting payment of surface area taxes of approximately $500 and a penalty of the same amount for the period from 2003 to 2005. GeoCam has disputed this amount based on its interpretation of the Mining Convention signed on July 31, 2002 that GeoCam is only committed to pay this surface area tax once commercial exploitation begins.

GeoCam has further disputed the amount of surface area subject to tax which reduces the estimated liability to approximately $470.

GeoCam deposited with the Cameroon tax authority approximately $100 on September 30, 2006 corresponding to the surface area tax for 2003. On November 30, 2006, GeoCam deposited with the Cameroon tax authority a further $300 corresponding to the surface area tax for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

GeoCam believes, based on discussions with the litigation department of the Directorate of Taxation, that the litigation procedure whereby GeoCam contests the penalties related to the surface area will be a productive approach to resolve this matter. On January 17, 2007, GeoCam paid $57, representing approximately 10% of the total contested amount to be paid according to the provisions of the fiscal procedures in force in order to proceed with the litigation procedure.

 

[i] During the year ended December 31, 2003, Geovic received a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). The grant reimburses Geovic for 50% of the cost of a feasibility study for GeoCam’s Cameroon mining project. The grant specifies that, if the project is successful, all grant reimbursement proceeds received by Geovic must be paid back to the USTDA. The proceeds would be paid back once project financing is acquired. If the project is unsuccessful, the reimbursement proceeds would be considered a grant and Geovic would not be required to pay back the USTDA. As of March 31, 2010, Geovic has received $330 in grant reimbursement proceeds from the USTDA. The Company has recorded a liability for this obligation as of March 31, 2010 and 2009.

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all events occurring after March 31, 2010 balance sheet date through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements for necessary subsequent event disclosures. No items meet the requirements for subsequent event disclosures other than those previously described in these footnotes.

 

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 as well as with the financial and related notes and the other information appearing elsewhere in this report. As used in this report, unless the context otherwise indicates, references to “we”, “our”, “ours” and “us” refer to Geovic Mining Corp. and its subsidiaries collectively.

 

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Overview

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to provide an analysis of our capital resources and liquidity at March 31, 2010 and financial results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the prior year period. All amounts are presented in U.S. dollars unless indicated otherwise. Reference should also be made to the financial statements filed with this report and the Company’s other disclosure materials filed from time to time on www.sec.gov or the Company’s website at www.geovic.net.

Business

We are engaged in the business of exploring and developing a cobalt, nickel, and manganese mining project in Cameroon through our majority-owned (60%) subsidiary, Geovic Cameroon, PLC (“GeoCam”), a financially dependent public limited company duly organized and incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Cameroon. We also engage in other exploration, land acquisitions and investments in other minerals that we believe would provide high-quality diversification opportunities.

Our future success will be largely dependent on our ability to finalize, and secure financing for, a development plan to mine and process the mineralization in GeoCam’s Nkamouna and Mada deposits (together, the “Nkanouna Project”), the first of several deposits we have located on the Cameroon Properties. A feasibility study on development of a cobalt-nickel mine and mineral processing facility, delivered in November 2007, estimated that total capital, pre-opening and initial operating expenses for the Nkamouna Project in Cameroon would be approximately $397 million. An optimization study by other outside consultants to review and improve the efficiencies was completed in September 2008 (“2008 OS”) and estimated total capital construction costs (exclusive of escalation) and pre-production operating expenses at approximately $379 million including additional processing equipment required to recover manganese carbonate. In addition, working capital required during startup and commissioning was estimated at $38 million.

The Company and noncontrolling interests of GeoCam concluded in the fourth quarter of 2008 that debt and equity financing and commencement of construction at the Nkamouna Project would be delayed indefinitely due to worldwide financial turmoil. While delaying the construction and financing process, we have undertaken to review technical and metallurgical aspects of planned metal processing at the Nkamouna Project in an effort to facilitate financing by improving process efficacy and projected profitability and reducing capital costs and process risk. In December 2009 GeoCam engaged a third consulting firm to prepare a Feasibility Study Update (“FSU”) which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010. In addition, we reduced the level of pre-construction activity in Cameroon, including reduction of GeoCam staffing during 2009 and into 2010 continued generally limiting activities to those expected to enhance the value and ultimate development of the Nkamouna Project. We took these actions because we concluded that the operating results forecast in the 2008 OS would not support financing, particularly under the turbulent late-2008 economic conditions. Such conditions have historically been accompanied by lower demand and falling prices for certain commodities. Significant declines in prices for cobalt, nickel and manganese which began in mid-2008 could also impair the availability of and completion of project debt and equity financing. Cobalt prices rose moderately from late 2009 through the first quarter 2010.

We plan to continue this cautious approach until we are reasonably satisfied that Nkamouna Project debt and equity financing in required amounts can be completed and that world-wide financial and commodities markets have improved.

We had consolidated cash and cash equivalents of approximately $45.9 million at March 31, 2010, of which $41.7 million was held in the U.S. Due to the delay of commencement of construction at Nkamouna and the current level of planned and committed expenditures for 2010, we do not plan to raise debt or equity capital until late 2010 at the earliest.

Securing required financing to develop the Nkamouna Project will be dependent on numerous additional factors affecting the expected economics of the Nkamouna Project, including: completion of the FSU with conclusions that Nkamouna is feasible and would support project debt financing incurred to develop the mine and processing facilities, our success in raising our portion of required equity for project financing, availability and cost of capital, market conditions and demand for the metal products to be produced, satisfying lenders that mineral processing and the financial returns forecast in the development plan will be achievable from a technical standpoint, arrangement of metal sales agreements and the pricing and terms of such agreements, cost trends and availability of mining and processing equipment as well as operating materials and services necessary to develop and operate the properties, existing environmental and reclamation commitments, compliance with any additional government requirements or approvals associated with project development and operation, political unrest, geopolitical developments, and the relative competitive position of existing and prospective cobalt and nickel projects worldwide. Other significant factors affecting development of the Nkamouna Project include operating the Nkamouna Project through GeoCam as a separate Cameroonian entity, GeoCam’s ability to recruit, train and retain a stable local workforce and qualified mining professionals manage mine development, construction and operation, and the logistical challenges of operating the project in a relatively undeveloped, remote area in Cameroon.

 

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We are the majority shareholder of GeoCam; however, as a matter of policy, we do not take major strategic actions at GeoCam without general concurrence by the noncontrolling interests. We view a good working relationship with the noncontrolling interests of GeoCam as imperative to the future success of the Nkamouna Project. Two of five GeoCam directors are appointed by the noncontrolling interests.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

At March 31, 2010 we had approximately $45.9 million of cash and cash equivalents on a consolidated basis, a decrease of approximately $3.2 million from December 31, 2009. Approximately $1.2 million in additional capital was paid to GeoCam by the noncontrolling interest in the first quarter of 2010. Our cash is invested in U.S. dollar (“US$”) deposits and highly liquid money market funds, and GeoCam’s funds are held in the Cameroon branch of a large international bank. The money market funds in which we invested have not experienced losses during the recent financial crisis.

We do not anticipate generating revenue until operations at the Nkamouna Project begin. We believe that our cash resources will satisfy our capital and liquidity requirements at least through 2010 or longer, depending on GeoCam’s level of activity. We will be obligated to fund 60.5% of the future GeoCam operating cash requirements as specified in the GeoCam shareholder agreement.

The GeoCam capital increases are funded by the shareholders of GeoCam in accordance with the respective ownership interests prior to the capital increase. By year-end 2009, all but approximately $3 million of the 2008 capital increase of approximately $67 million (which included certain historic amounts) had been called, and the balance was called in February 2010, of which we paid approximately $1.8 million. We will be obligated to fund 60.5% of all future GeoCam capital increases when cash calls are made, and the noncontrolling shareholders will be obligated to fund the balance. The total GeoCam 2010 budget is approximately $17.4 million of which approximately $11 million is subject to further capital increases which were approved by shareholders in May 2010 and will be funded as called by the GeoCam board. The budget reflects the increased technical evaluation and pilot testing and related expenses, and costs associated with the FSU, all currently underway and aimed at reducing technical risk, improving estimated economic performance and establishing feasibility of the Nkamouna Project.

Any future project debt financing for the Nkamouna Project will likely require GeoCam and its shareholders to furnish at least 40% of the total estimated capital, cost overruns and initial operating costs. Accordingly if the Nkamouna Project is to be developed, we expect to be obligated to contribute our proportionate share of capital prior to funding of project debt financing. Based on the current capital cost estimates for the Nkamouna Project, we do not expect to have sufficient cash available to satisfy this obligation at the time it will be required. Our ability to raise required additional capital for this purpose will depend on a number of factors that are partly or wholly outside of our control, including the status of world-wide financial, commodity and other markets after the market disruptions in 2008 and 2009, which could make it difficult for the Company or the noncontrolling interests to obtain the required equity and any related debt financing. Terms of such financing, if available, may be dilutive to present stockholders.

In December 2009, we engaged Standard Chartered Bank as the Company’s financial advisor in connection with preparing and planning for project financing, reviewing documentation, considering early-stage efforts to locate potential strategic investors and product purchasers, and related activities. During early 2010 we met with various large international businesses that have indicated an interest in the future off-take from the Nkamouna Project.

We expect our 2010 general and administrative expenses in the United States to total approximately $7 million, including up to $3.5 million amounts for acquisition and exploration of mineral properties, or investment in other resource entities, in the United States and elsewhere in 2010. We expect that a significant portion of our cash resources will be expended or committed for these purposes through 2010 or later and that our cash balances will continue to decrease from quarter to quarter.

Based on our current planned 2010 expenditures, we anticipate that our year-end cash and cash equivalents will be approximately $27 to $28 million.

Neither the Company nor GeoCam has any material debt or other similar obligations or commitments, except as disclosed, and we believe that our present capital resources will be sufficient to satisfy the capital and liquidity requirements described above through at least the end of 2010. We have no standby financing arrangements currently in place.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009:

The Company had no revenue and incurred losses from operations during the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, and has had no revenue from operations since inception. The net loss attributed to the Company decreased approximately $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter 2009. Exploration expenses decreased by $0.4 million in the quarter compared to the year earlier period, of which $0.6 million represents a decrease in exploration costs in Cameroon (including consulting activity on the Nkamouna Project conducted in the United States) and an increase of $0.2 million in exploration expense in other Company projects. Exploration office costs of GeoCam decreased $0.4 million in 2010, reflecting the scaling back of activities. Property evaluation expenses decreased $0.2 million in the quarter. In 2010 a disputed supplier account was settled, resulting in the reversal of approximately $0.5 million of accruals from prior years which reduced the quarterly loss. Excluding the reversal of accruals, property evaluation costs increased in Cameroon by $0.3 million mainly due to the feasibility study work, pilot process testing and related costs.

Stock compensation expense increased approximately $0.2 million. During the first quarter of 2010 we made the annual grants of options under the Stock Option Plan to officers, directors and employees. In 2009 the annual grant was not made until June, resulting in lower expense in 2009.

General and administrative expenses in the United States decreased $0.3 million in the quarter, when compared to the first quarter of 2009. The decrease is mainly due to $0.5 million lower accounting related costs and additional staff and consultants engaged in 2009. In 2010 legal fees have increased $0.1 million and financial advising fees have increased $0.2 million.

As an exploration stage company, we have charged our exploration and pre-construction expenses incurred for GeoCam to operations in the periods incurred and no such expenditures have been capitalized. We expect to continue this practice until a final development and mining plan is adopted and project financing is committed. Once we begin to capitalize expenditures at the Nkamouna Project, our results of operations for financial reporting purposes during periods before mining and processing activities begin, may be affected.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

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

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained in this report (including information incorporated by reference) are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under these sections. Our forward-looking statements include, without limitation statements with respect to the expected completion of the feasibility study update for the Nkamouna Project; our expectations regarding capital required prior to production at the Nkamouna Project; requirements for additional capital; anticipated terms and requirements under future project debt financing arrangements; anticipated expenditures in 2010; our anticipated cash position at the end of 2010; and our plans with respect to future debt and equity financing.

Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by those forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements (“cautionary statements”) are disclosed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and include the results of the feasibility study update; the availability of financing on acceptable terms or at all; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations in ore reserves, grades, or recovery rates; labor disputes, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or changes in governmental laws and regulations; delays in the completion of development or construction activities and other factors as described herein. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not required.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Geovic maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer participated with our management in evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010.

Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2010 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, whether any changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our last fiscal quarter which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, management concluded that there were no such changes to our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

None

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

There are no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

 

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

(a) Exhibits.

 

31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

  GEOVIC MINING CORP.
  Registrant
May 11, 2010   By:  

/s/ John E. Sherborne

    John E. Sherborne
    Chief Executive Officer
May 11, 2010   By:  

/s/ Greg Hill

    Greg Hill
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002

 

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