ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
THE COMPANY AND OUR BUSINESS
Plan of Operation
Sonora Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Sonora Resources") was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on December 3, 2007. We are a mining exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of prospective silver and gold opportunities in Mexico. On July 12, 2011, we established a 100% owned subsidiary, Finder Plata S.A. de C.V. ("Finder Plata") for the development of our exploration business in Mexico.
The worldwide silver market has experienced a strong decline in the prices during 2013. As a result, we made the decision in September 2013 to focus on the Los Amoles Property in 2014 and the Jalisco Properties in 2015, each as further described below. As of November 30, 2013, we had cash of $19,000 and working capital deficit of $167,000 as compared to cash of $293,000 and a working capital of $347,000 as of November 30, 2012. This decrease in our working capital is primarily due to operating losses. We have incurred operating losses since inception, and this is likely to continue. We expect to cancel the Mining Option Agreement for the Ayones Property and have cancelled the Mining Option Agreement for the Corazon Property. We recorded an impairment expense of $445,000 related to the Ayones and Corazon Properties as of November 30, 2013. The Joint Venture and Benefits Agreement in Liz, Mexico expired on December 15, 2013.
We require funds to enable us to address our minimum current and ongoing expenses. Presently, we do not generate any revenue and expect to incur significant operating and capital expenses. Management projects that we may require an additional approximately $133,000 to fund our operating expenditures for the next twelve month period for the exploration of the Los Amoles Property. The exploration of the Jalisco Properties is scheduled for 2015.
On March 15, 2013, we closed the Asset Purchase Agreement with Yale Resources Ltd to purchase all of the rights, title and interest in and to the Los Amoles 2 and Los Amoles 3 Fracc.1 properties, consisting of 2,166 hectares located in the State of Sonora Mexico (the “Los Amoles Property”). We purchased the Los Amoles Property from Yale by issuing 1,000,000 of restricted SURE common shares and paying $200,000 in cash. We have commenced an underground work program at the Los Amoles Property and completed a geologic report to define the potential vein structure and outcroppings and prepare for a planned drilling program in 2014.
We also have an Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., an existing shareholder and creditor of the Company for the Jalisco Group of Properties (“Jalisco Properties”). The Jalisco Properties consist of mining claims totaling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. As of February 21, 2014, we have has not spent any funds on the properties. We are required to spend $3,000,000 by April 15, 2014 to earn 50% interest in the Jalisco Properties and an additional $2,000,000 to earn an additional 20% interest by April 15, 2016 on exploration expenses. An additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties can be earned by completing a bankable feasibility study no later than the seventh anniversary of the Agreement. We expect to amend the Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic and delay our required expenditures.
Our principal executive office is located at Cerro del Padre # 11 Rinconada de los Pirules, Guadalupe, Zacatecas Mexico, 98619. Our US mailing address is PO Box 12616, Seattle, WA 98111 and our telephone number is 1-877-513-7873.
We are currently in the exploration stage as defined in ASC 915 "Accounting and Reporting for Development Stage Enterprises" and have minimal operations.
We have incurred a cumulative net loss since inception on December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013 of $3,027,000 and have no source of operating revenue. While our management believes that the we will be successful in its planned operating activities under our business plan and capital raising activities, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the mining development and exploration business or the raising of sufficient capital such that it will generate adequate revenues to earn a profit or sustain its operations. These and other factors raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplates our continuation as a going concern. We have not established a source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs, and as such, have incurred an operating loss since inception. Further, as of November 30, 2013, we have a working capital deficit of $167,000. These and other factors raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in the State of Nevada on December 3, 2007. Our principal executive office is located at Cerro del Padre # 11 Rinconada de los Pirules, Guadalupe, Zacatecas Mexico, 98619. Our US mailing address is PO Box 12616, Seattle, WA 98111 and our telephone number is 1-877-513-7873. Our principal website address is located at www.sonoraresources.com. The information on our website is not incorporated as a part of this Form 10-K.
The Company’s Common Stock
Our common stock currently trades on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “SURE.”
Key Market Priorities
Our primary key market priority will be to explore our Los Amoles and Jalisco Properties in order to determine whether they possess commercially exploitable quantities of gold, silver, and other metals. We cannot guarantee that the Los Amoles or Jalisco Properties will be successful or that any project that we embark upon will be successful. Our goal is to build our Company into a successful mineral exploration and development company.
Primary Market Risks
We are exposed to various risks related to our need for additional financing, the volatility of the price of silver, our reserve estimates, operating as a going concern, unique difficulties and uncertainties in mining exploration ventures, and a volatile market price for our common stock. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail below in this item.
Employees
As of November 30, 2013, we had two part-time employees. The Chief Executive Officer is based out of Guadalupe, Zacatecas Mexico. The Chief Financial Officer is based out of Seattle, WA and Atlanta, GA.
Website Access to United States Securities and Exchange Commission Reports
We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information concerning filers. We also maintain a web site at http://www.sonoraresources.com that provides additional information about our Company and links to documents we file with the SEC. The Company's charters for the Compensation Committee and the Code of Conduct & Ethics are also available on our website. The Company does not have an Auditing or Nominations Committee at this time. The information on our website is not part of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The most significant risks and uncertainties known and identified by our management are described below; however, they are not the only risks that we face. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects for growth could be materially adversely affected, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. You should acquire shares of our Common Stock only if you can afford to lose your entire investment. We make various statements in this section that constitute “forward-looking statements”. See “Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 5 of this report.
Risks Related to Our Company
Our future is dependent upon our ability to obtain financing. If we do not obtain such financing, we may have to cease our exploration activities, lose our properties, divest the company and investors could lose their entire investment.
There is no assurance that we will operate profitably or generate positive cash flow in the future. We will require additional financing in order to proceed with our exploration program of the Los Amoles and Jalisco Properties. We will also require additional financing for the fees we must pay to maintain our mining option agreements and to pay the fees and expenses necessary to become and operate as a public company. We will also need more funds if the costs of the exploration of our existing projects are greater than we have anticipated. We will also require additional financing to sustain our business operations if we are not successful in earning revenues. We may not be able to obtain financing on commercially reasonable terms or terms that are acceptable to us when it is required. Our future is dependent upon our ability to obtain financing. If we do not obtain such financing, our business could fail or we could divest the company and investors could lose their entire investment.
We have a limited operating history on which to base an evaluation of our business and prospects.
We have been in the business of exploring mineral resource properties since November 2010. We have never had any revenues from our mining operations. In addition, our operating history has been restricted to the acquisition and exploration of our mineral properties, and this does not provide a meaningful basis for an evaluation of our prospects if we ever determine that we have a mineral reserve and commence the construction and operation of a mine. We have no way to evaluate the likelihood of whether our mineral properties contain any mineral reserves or, if they do, that we will be able to build or operate a mine successfully. We anticipate that we will continue to incur operating costs without realizing any revenues during the period when we are exploring our properties. We therefore expect to continue to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. We recognize that if we are unable to generate significant revenues from mining operations and any dispositions of our properties, we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. At this early stage of our operation, we also expect to face the risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies at the start up stage of their business development. We cannot be sure that we will be successful in addressing these risks and uncertainties, and our failure to do so could have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition. There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and we can provide investors with no assurance that we will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations.
The fact that we have not earned any operating revenues since our incorporation raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue to explore our mineral properties as a going concern.
We have not generated any revenue from operations since our incorporation, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur operating expenses without revenues unless and until we are able to identify a mineral resource in a commercially exploitable quantity on one or more of our mineral properties and we build and operate a mine. At November 30, 2013, we had working capital deficit of $167,000 and a net loss of $3,027,000 since inception. We will require additional financing to sustain our business operations if we are not successful in earning revenues once exploration is complete. If our exploration programs are successful in discovering sufficient reserves, we will require significant additional funds in order to place our properties into commercial production. Should the results of our planned exploration require us to increase our current operating budget, we may have to raise additional funds to meet our currently budgeted operating requirements for the next 12 months. As we cannot assure a lender that we will be able to successfully explore and develop our mineral properties, we will probably find it difficult to raise debt financing from traditional lending sources. We have traditionally raised our operating capital from sales of equity and debt securities, but there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so. If we cannot raise the money that we need to continue exploration of our mineral properties, we may be forced to delay, scale back, or eliminate our exploration activities. If any of these were to occur, there is a substantial risk that our business would fail. These circumstances led our independent registered public accounting firm, in their report dated February 21, 2014 relative to our audited financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2013, to comment about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. When an auditor issues a going concern opinion, the auditor has substantial doubt that the Company will continue to operate indefinitely and not go out of business and liquidate its assets. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts of and classification of liabilities that might be necessary in the event our Company cannot continue in existence. We continue to experience net operating losses.
Our management and First Majestic have substantial influence over our company.
As of November 30, 2013, Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez, our CEO, either directly or indirectly, owns or controls 4.6 million shares or approximately 4.9% as of the filing date of our issued and outstanding common stock including stock option grants totaling 625,000 shares that Mr. Gutiérrez has the right to acquire in sixty days.
First Majestic owns or controls 13.8 million shares as of the filing date or approximately 14.8% of our issued and outstanding common stock as of the filing date of our issued and outstanding common stock. In addition, First Majestic is a major creditor of the Company, which gives First Majestic additional influence and control over the Company.
Mr. Gutiérrez and First Majestic, in combination with other large shareholders, could cause a change of control of our board of directors, approve or disapprove any matter requiring stockholder approval, cause, delay or prevent a change in control or sale of the Company, which in turn could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Economic and political developments in Mexico may adversely affect our business.
All of our operations and assets are located in Mexico. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and business may be affected by and are subject to the general condition of the Mexican economy, the devaluation of the Mexican peso as compared to the U.S. Dollar, Mexican inflation, interest rates, regulation, taxation, social instability and other political, social and economic developments in or affecting Mexico, including changes in the laws and policies that govern foreign investment, as well as changes in United States laws and regulations relating to foreign trade and investment, over which we have no control. There can be no assurance as to the future effect of any such changes on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
Fluctuations in foreign currency rates, in particular the Mexican peso, may materially affect our results of operations.
The Company carries on its primary business activity outside of the United States. Accordingly, it is subject to the risks associated with fluctuation of the rate of exchange of other foreign currencies, in particular the Mexican peso, the currency in which much of the Company's costs are paid, and the United States dollar, the currency for calculating the Company's sales of gold and silver based on the world's commodity markets. Such currency fluctuations may materially affect the Company's financial position and results of operations.
All of our assets, our sole director and our Chief Executive Officer are outside the United States, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or our directors and officers.
All of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, our sole director and Chief Executive Officer is a national and resident of a country other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of his assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or our director and officers, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, investors may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies under United States federal and state securities laws against us or our directors and officers.
We are subject to corporate governance and internal control reporting requirements, and our costs related to compliance with, or our failure to comply with existing and future requirements, could adversely affect our business.
We must comply with corporate governance requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as additional rules and regulations currently in place and that may be subsequently adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. These laws, rules, and regulations continue to evolve and may become increasingly stringent in the future. We are required to include management’s report on internal controls as part of our annual report pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We strive to continuously evaluate and improve our control structure to help ensure that we comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The financial cost of compliance with these laws, rules, and regulations is expected to remain substantial.
Our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the presence of the following material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting:
We do not have an audit committee. An audit committee would improve oversight in the establishment and monitoring of required internal controls and procedures.
Management anticipates that such disclosure controls and procedures will not be effective until the material weaknesses are remediated. We cannot assure you that we will be able to fully comply with these laws, rules, and regulations that address corporate governance, internal control reporting, and similar matters. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition, and the value of our securities.
Our business is dependent on key executives and the loss of any of our key executives could adversely affect our business, future operations and financial condition.
We are dependent on the services of key executives, including our officers, Mark Scott and Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez, and our sole director Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez. Mr. Gutierrez has many years of experience and an extensive background in the mining industry in general. We may not be able to replace that experience and knowledge with other individuals. We do not have “Key-Man” life insurance policies on our key executives. Both executives work the hours required to support the Company, which has been negatively impacted as worldwide silver market has experienced a strong decline in the prices during 2013. The loss of our key executives or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees may adversely affect our business, future operations, and financial condition.
We have limited insurance.
We have limited director and officer insurance and commercial insurance policies. Any significant insurance claims would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Associated with Mining
Our Mining Operation Agreements are critical to our operations and are subject to cancellation and additional payments.
We have an Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., an existing shareholder and creditor of the Company for the Jalisco Properties. As of February 21, 2014, we have has not spent any funds on the properties. We are required to spend $3,000,000 by April 15, 2014 to earn 50% interest in the Jalisco Properties and an additional $2,000,000 to earn an additional 20% interest by April 15, 2016 on exploration expenses. An additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties can be earned by completing a bankable feasibility study no later than the seventh anniversary of the Agreement. We expect to amend the Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic and delay our required expenditures.
We expect to cancel the Mining Option Agreement for the Ayones Property. We did not pay the $175,000 due February 10, 2013 and August 10, 2013 payment of $175,000 to IMMSA Grupo México under the August 10, 2011 Mining Option Agreement.
The failure to operate in accordance with the mining option agreements could result in the agreements being terminated or require additional payments.
Our business is extremely dependent on gold, silver, commodity prices, and currency exchange rates over which we have no control.
Our operations will be significantly affected by changes in the market price of gold, silver and other commodities since the evaluation of whether a mineral deposit is commercially viable is heavily dependent upon the market price of gold, silver and other commodities. The price of commodities also affects the value of exploration projects we own or may wish to acquire. These prices of commodities fluctuate on a daily basis and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. The supply and demand for gold, silver and other commodities, the level of interest rates, the rate of inflation, investment decisions by large holders of these commodities, including governmental reserves, and stability of exchange rates can all cause significant fluctuations in prices. Such external economic factors are in turn influenced by changes in international investment patterns and monetary systems and political developments. The prices of commodities have fluctuated widely and future serious price declines could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Because of the unique difficulties and uncertainties inherent in mineral exploration ventures, we face a high risk of business failure.
Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new mineral exploration companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of the mineral properties that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, environmental permitting difficulties and delays, and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. The expenditures to be made by us in the exploration of the mineral claim may not result in the discovery of mineable mineral deposits. Problems such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions are involved in mineral exploration and often result in unsuccessful exploration efforts. If the results of our exploration do not reveal viable commercial mineralization, we may decide to abandon our claims. If this happens, our business will likely fail. All of our mineral properties to which we have rights are in the exploration stage. There is no assurance that we can establish the existence of any mineral resource on any of these properties in commercially exploitable quantities. Until we can do so, we cannot earn any revenues from operations and if we do not do so we will lose all of the funds that we expend on exploration. If we do not discover any mineral resource in a commercially exploitable quantity, our business could fail.
Because of the speculative nature of exploration of mineral properties, we may never discover a commercially exploitable quantity of minerals, our business may fail and investors may lose their entire investment.
We plan to conduct mineral exploration on certain mineral properties. The search for valuable minerals as a business is extremely risky. We can provide investors with no assurance that additional exploration on these properties will establish that commercially exploitable reserves of minerals exist on these properties. Additional potential problems that may prevent us from discovering any reserves of minerals on these properties include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, environmental permitting difficulties and delays, and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. If we are unable to establish the presence of commercially exploitable reserves of minerals on these properties, our ability to fund future exploration activities will be impeded, we will not be able to operate profitably, and investors may lose all of their investment in our Company.
The nature of mineral exploration activities involves a high degree of risk and the possibility of uninsured losses that could materially and adversely affect our operations.
Exploration for minerals is highly speculative and involves greater risk than many other businesses. Many exploration programs do not result in the discovery of mineralization and any mineralization discovered may not be of sufficient quantity or quality to be profitably mined. Few properties that are explored are ultimately advanced to the stage of producing mines. Our current exploration efforts are, and any future exploration, development or mining operations we may elect to conduct will be, subject to all of the operating hazards and risks normally incident to exploring for and developing mineral properties, such as, but not limited to:
●
economically insufficient mineralized material;
●
fluctuations in production costs that may make mining uneconomical;
●
labor disputes;
●
unanticipated variations in grade and other geologic problems;
●
environmental hazards;
●
water conditions;
●
difficult surface or underground conditions;
●
industrial accidents;
●
metallurgical and other processing problems;
●
mechanical and equipment performance problems;
●
failure of pit walls or dams;
●
unusual or unexpected rock formations;
●
personal injury, fire, flooding, cave-ins, and landslides; and
●
decrease in revenues due to lower mineral prices.
Any of these risks can materially and adversely affect, among other things, the exploration of properties, production quantities and rates, costs and expenditures, and production commencement dates. We currently have no insurance to guard against any of these risks. If we determine that capitalized costs associated with any of our mineral interests are not likely to be recovered, we would incur a write-down of our investment in these interests. All of these factors may result in losses in relation to amounts spent which are not recoverable.
The potential profitability of mineral ventures depends in part upon factors beyond the control of our Company, and even if we discover and exploit mineral deposits, we may never become commercially viable and we may be forced to cease operations.
The commercial feasibility of mineral properties is dependent upon many factors beyond our control, including the existence and size of mineral deposits in the properties we explore, the proximity and capacity of processing equipment, market fluctuations of prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, allowable production, and environmental regulation. These factors cannot be accurately predicted and any one or a combination of these factors may result in our Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital. These factors may have material and negative effects on our financial performance and our ability to continue operations.
Mineralized material is based on interpretation and assumptions and may yield less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently estimated.
Unless otherwise indicated, mineralized material presented in our filings with securities regulatory authorities, including the SEC, press releases, and other public statements that may be made from time to time are based upon estimates made by our consultants. When making determinations about whether to advance any of our projects to development, we must rely upon such estimated calculations as to the mineralized material on our properties. Until mineralized material is actually mined and processed, it must be considered an estimate only. These estimates are imprecise and depend on geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. We cannot assure you that these mineralized material estimates will be accurate or that this mineralized material can be mined or processed profitably. Any material changes in estimates of mineralized material will affect the economic viability of placing a property into production and such property's return on capital. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale tests will be recovered at production scale. The mineralized material estimates have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades, and operating costs that may prove inaccurate. Extended declines in market prices for gold and silver may render portions of our mineralized material uneconomic and adversely affect the commercial viability of one or more of our properties and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
The construction of mines is subject to all of the risks inherent in construction.
These risks include potential delays, cost overruns, shortages of material or labor, construction defects, and injuries to persons and property. While we anticipate taking all measures which we deem reasonable and prudent in connection with the construction, there is no assurance that the risks described above will not cause delays or cost overruns in connection with such construction. Any delay would postpone our anticipated receipt of revenue and adversely affect our operations. Cost overruns would likely require that we obtain additional capital in order to commence production. Any of these occurrences may adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and the price of our stock.
An adequate supply of water may not be available to undertake mining and production at our properties.
The amount of water that we are entitled to use from wells must be determined by the appropriate regulatory authorities. A determination of these rights is dependent in part on our ability to demonstrate a beneficial use for the amount of water that we intend to use. Unless we are successful in developing a property to a point where it can commence commercial production of silver, gold or other precious metals, we may not be able to demonstrate such beneficial use. Accordingly, there is no assurance that we will have access to the amount of water needed to operate a mine at our properties.
Exploration and exploitation activities are subject to comprehensive regulation which may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated causing an adverse effect on our Company.
Exploration and exploitation activities are subject to federal, state, and local, and in some cases, foreign laws, regulations, and policies, including laws regulating the removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Exploration and exploitation activities are also subject to federal, state, and local, and in some cases, foreign laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of drilling methods and equipment.
Various permits from government bodies are required for drilling operations to be conducted, and no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. Environmental and other legal standards imposed by federal, state, or local authorities may be changed and any such changes may prevent us from conducting planned activities or increase our costs of doing so, which would have material adverse effects on our business. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, thus causing an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damages which we may not be able to or elect not to insure against due to prohibitive premium costs and other reasons. Any laws, regulations, or policies of any government body or regulatory agency may be changed, applied, or interpreted in a manner which will alter and negatively affect our ability to carry on our business.
As we face intense competition in the mineral exploration industry, we will have to compete with our competitors for financing and for qualified managerial and technical employees.
Our mineral properties are in Mexico and our competition there includes large, established mining companies with substantial capabilities and with greater financial and technical resources than we have. As a result of this competition, we may have to compete for financing and we may be unable to acquire financing on terms we consider acceptable. We may also have to compete with the other mining companies in the recruitment and retention of qualified managerial and technical employees. If we are unable to successfully compete for financing or qualified employees, our exploration programs may be slowed down or suspended, which may cause us to cease operations as a Company.
Government regulation may adversely affect our business and planned operations.
Mineral exploration and development activities are subject to various Mexican laws governing prospecting, development, taxes, labor standards and occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances, land use, water use, land claims of local people, and other matters. We cannot assure you that new rules and regulations will not be enacted or that existing rules and regulations will not be applied in a manner which could limit or curtail our exploration or development of our properties.
The Company's mining, exploration and development projects could be adversely affected by amendments to such laws and regulations, by future laws and regulations, by more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations, by changes in policies of México and the United States affecting foreign trade, investment, mining and repatriation of financial assets, by shifts in political attitudes in México and by exchange controls and currency fluctuations. The effect, if any, of these factors cannot be accurately predicted. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration, development and mining operations at its projects.
Our operating costs could be adversely affected by inflationary pressures especially to labor, equipment, and fuel costs.
The global economy is currently experiencing a period of high commodity prices and as a result, the mining industry is attempting to increase production at new and existing projects, while also seeking to discover, explore and develop new projects. This has caused significant upward price pressures in the costs of mineral exploration companies, especially in the areas of skilled labor and drilling equipment, both of which are in tight supply and whose costs are increasing. Continued upward price pressures in our exploration costs may have an adverse impact to our business.
We may not have sufficient funding for exploration which may impair our profitability and growth.
The capital required for exploration of mineral properties is substantial. From time to time, we will need to raise additional cash, or enter into joint venture arrangements, in order to fund the exploration activities required to determine whether mineral deposits on our projects are commercially viable. New financing or acceptable joint venture partners may or may not be available on a basis that is acceptable to us. Inability to obtain new financing or joint venture partners on acceptable terms may prohibit us from continued exploration of such mineral properties. Without successful sale or future development of our mineral properties through joint venture, we will not be able to realize any profit from our interests in such properties, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
We have no reported mineral reserves and if we are unsuccessful in identifying mineral reserves in the future, we may not be able to realize any profit from our property interests.
We are an exploration stage company and have no reported mineral reserves. Any mineral reserves will only come from extensive additional exploration, engineering, and evaluation of existing or future mineral properties. The lack of reserves on our mineral properties could prohibit us from sale or joint venture of our mineral properties. If we are unable to sell or joint venture for development our mineral properties, we will not be able to realize any profit from our interests in such mineral properties, which could materially adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. Additionally, if we or partners to whom we may joint venture our mineral properties are unable to develop reserves on our mineral properties, we may be unable to realize any profit from our interests in such properties, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Severe weather or violent storms could materially affect our operations due to damage or delays caused by such weather.
Our exploration activities are subject to normal seasonal weather conditions that often hamper and may temporarily prevent exploration activities. There is a risk that unexpectedly harsh weather or violent storms could affect areas where we conduct exploration activities. Delays or damage caused by severe weather could materially affect our operations or our financial position.
Estimates of mineralized materials are subject to geologic uncertainty and inherent sample variability.
Although the estimated resources at our existing properties will be delineated with appropriately spaced drilling, there is inherent variability between duplicate samples taken adjacent to each other and between sampling points that cannot be reasonably eliminated. There also may be unknown geologic details that have not been identified or correctly appreciated at the proposed level of delineation. This results in uncertainties that cannot be reasonably eliminated from the estimation process. Some of the resulting variances can have a positive effect and others can have a negative effect on mining and processing operations. Acceptance of these uncertainties is part of any mining operation.
If we establish the existence of a mineral resource on any of our properties in a commercially exploitable quantity, we will require additional capital in order to explore and develop the property into a producing mine. If we cannot raise this additional capital, we will not be able to exploit the resource, and our business could fail.
If we do discover mineral resources in commercially exploitable quantities on any of our properties, we will be required to expend substantial sums of money to establish the extent of the resource, develop processes to extract it and develop extraction and processing facilities and infrastructure. Although we may derive substantial benefits from the discovery of a major deposit, there can be no assurance that such a resource will be large enough to justify commercial operations, nor can there be any assurance that we will be able to raise the funds required for development on a timely basis. If we cannot raise the necessary capital or complete the necessary facilities and infrastructure, our business may fail.
Mineral exploration and development is subject to extraordinary operating risks. We do not currently insure against these risks. In the event of a cave-in or similar occurrence, our liability may exceed our resources, which would have an adverse impact on our Company.
Mineral exploration, development and production involve many risks which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. Our operations will be subject to all the hazards and risks inherent in the exploration for mineral resources and, if we discover a mineral resource in commercially exploitable quantity, our operations could be subject to all of the hazards and risks inherent in the development and production of resources, including liability for pollution, cave-ins or similar hazards against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. Any such event could result in work stoppages and damage to property, including damage to the environment. We do not currently maintain any insurance coverage against these operating hazards. The payment of any liabilities that arise from any such occurrence would have a material adverse impact on our Company.
If our costs of exploration are greater than anticipated, then we may not be able to complete the exploration program for our properties without additional financing, of which there is no assurance that we would be able to obtain.
We expect to proceed with the initial stages of exploration on our Los Amoles Property in 2014 and the properties in Jalisco, Mexico in 2015. Our exploration program outlines a budget for completion of the program. However, there is no assurance that our actual costs will not exceed the budgeted costs. Factors that could cause actual costs to exceed budgeted costs include increased prices due to competition for personnel and supplies during the exploration season, unanticipated problems in completing the exploration program and delays experienced in completing the exploration program. Increases in exploration costs could result in our not being able to carry out our exploration program without additional financing. There is no assurance that we would be able to obtain additional financing in this event.
Because of the speculative nature of exploration of mining properties, there is substantial risk that no commercially exploitable minerals will be found and our business will fail.
We have not commenced the initial stage of exploration of our mineral property, and thus have no way to evaluate the likelihood that we will be successful in establishing commercially exploitable reserves of gold, silver or other valuable minerals on our Los Amoles Property or properties in Jalisco, Mexico. The search for valuable minerals as a business is extremely risky. We may not find commercially exploitable reserves of gold, silver or other valuable minerals in our mineral property. Exploration for minerals is a speculative venture necessarily involving substantial risk. The expenditures to be made by us on our exploration program may not result in the discovery of commercial quantities of ore. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of the mineral properties that we plan to undertake. Problems such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions are involved in mineral exploration and often result in unsuccessful exploration efforts. In such a case, we would be unable to complete our business plan.
As we undertake exploration of our mineral property, we will be subject to compliance with government regulation that may increase the anticipated time and cost of our exploration program, which could increase our expenses.
We will be subject to the mining laws and regulations in Mexico as we carry out our exploration program. We will be required to pay mining taxes to the Mexican government. We will be required to prove our compliance with relevant Mexican environmental and workplace safety laws, regulations and standards by submitting receipts showing the purchase of equipment used for workplace safety or the prevention of pollution or the undertaking of environmental remediation projects before we are able to obtain drilling permits. If our exploration activities lead us to make a decision to go into mining production, before we initiate a major drilling program, we will have to obtain an environmental impact statement authorization. This could potentially take more than 10 months to obtain and could potentially be refused. New regulations, if any, could increase our time and costs of doing business and prevent us from carrying out our exploration program. These factors could prevent us from becoming profitable.
Because our executive officers and directors have other business interests, they may not be able or willing to devote a sufficient amount of time to our business operations, causing our business to fail.
Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez, our Chief Executive Officer and sole director of our Company, and Mark Scott, our Chief Financial Officer, each devote approximately less than full time on providing management services to us. If the demands on our executive officers and sole director from their other obligations increase, they may no longer be able to devote sufficient time to the management of our business. This could negatively impact our business development.
Because we have limited staff, we need to utilize outside parties in our business operations, which could cause our business to fail.
Our President & CEO Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez holds an MBA in P.Eng., Mining and Metallurgical. He has worked for twenty years in management and on projects at Peñoles, the largest mining operation in Mexico.
Because of our limited staff, we rely on outside parties in our business operations. This could negatively impact our business development.
The Company does not have a full time Chief Financial Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer has commitments to other companies.
The Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mark Scott, also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of two other companies. At this time, the Company does not require a full-time Chief Financial Officer but as the Company’s operations increase, it will consider retaining a full-time CFO.
Mr. Scott serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Visualant, Inc. as well as a consulting CFO for U.S. Rare Earths, Inc. The latter company does not require any specific time commitment from Mr. Scott, and his work for this company is sporadic and on an as-needed basis. All companies are aware of Mr. Scott’s employment by the Company and these other companies do not rely on Mr. Scott to identify or secure funding sources for their operations. If, however, the needs of the Company or any of the other two companies should change in the future requiring Mr. Scott to devote more time and/or requiring him to assist with identifying or securing funding sources, it could create material conflicts regarding the decisions he must make in allocating his time and the funding sources he might identify among the companies who employ him, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
“Base Metal” means a classification of metals usually considered to be of low value and higher chemical activity when compared with the precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.). This nonspecific term generally refers to the high-volume, low-value metals copper, lead, tin, and zinc.
“Claim” means a mining interest giving its holder the right to prospect, explore for and exploit minerals within a defined area.
“Diamond Core” means a rotary type of rock drill that cuts a core of rock and is recovered in long cylindrical sections, two centimeters or more in diameter.
“Deposit” means an informal term for an accumulation of mineral ores.
“Exploration Stage” means a prospect that is not yet in either the development or production stage
“Feasibility Study” means an engineering study designed to define the technical, economic, and legal viability of a mining project with a high degree of reliability.
“Grade” means the metal content of ore, usually expressed in troy ounces per ton (2,000 pounds) or in grams per ton or metric tons which contain 2,204.6 pounds or 1,000 kilograms.
“Mineralization” means the concentration of metals within a body of rock.
“Mining” means the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves to produce a marketable metal or mineral product. Exploration continues during the mining process and, in many cases, mineral reserves are expanded during the life of the mine operations as the exploration potential of the deposit is realized.
“Underground” means a mine working or excavation closed to the surface.
“Ore” means material containing minerals that can be economically extracted.
“Precious Metals” means any of several relatively scarce and valuable metals, such as gold, silver, and the platinum-group metals.
“Probable Reserves” means reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for Proven 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 Reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.
“Proven Reserves” means reserves for which 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 the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of the reserves are well-established.
“Production Stage” means a project that is actively engaged in the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves to produce a marketable metal or mineral product.
“Reclamation” means the process of returning land to another use after mining is completed.
“Recovery” means that portion of the metal contained in the ore that is successfully extracted by processing, expressed as a percentage.
“Reserves” means that part of a mineral deposit that could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of reserve determination.
“Sampling” means selecting a fractional, but representative, pare of a mineral deposit for analysis.
“Vein” means a fissure, faults or crack in the rock filled by minerals that have traveled upward from some deep source.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Other than our mining claims, leases, and other real property interests specifically related to mining, we do not own real estate nor have plans to acquire any real estate.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no pending legal proceedings against us that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Common Stock
Our common stock is $.001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized and as of February 21, 2014, we had 92,855,861 issued and outstanding, held by 17 shareholders of record. The number of stockholders, including beneficial owners holding shares through nominee names is approximately 400. Each share of Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders for a vote, and no cumulative voting for directors is permitted. Stockholders do not have any preemptive rights to acquire additional securities issued by the Company. As of February 21, 2014, we had 1,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants.
Nevada Agency and Transfer Company is the transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock.
Stock Incentive Plan
On December 21, 2010, the Company adopted its 2010 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which it may grant stock options to acquire up to a total of 8,500,000 shares of its common stock. The Board of Directors currently acts as the plan administrator of this plan. On January 21, 2011, 1,400,000 options were granted pursuant to the plan.
On September 25, 2013, the Company filed Form S-8/A Post Effective Amendment 1 related to the 2010 Stock Option Plan.
Change in Control Provisions
Our articles of incorporation provide for a maximum of nine directors. There is no provision for classification or staggered terms for the members of the Board of Directors.
Our articles of incorporation also provide that except to the extent the provisions of Nevada General Corporation Law require a greater voting requirement, any action, including the amendment of the Company’s articles or bylaws, the approval of a plan of merger or share exchange, the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s property other than in the usual and regular course of business, shall be authorized if approved by a simple majority of stockholders, and if a separate voting group is required or entitled to vote thereon, by a simple majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by that voting group.
Our bylaws provide that only the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors may call a special meeting. The bylaws do not permit the stockholders of the Company to call a special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose.
Amendment of Bylaws
Our Board of Directors has the authority to amend our bylaws; however, the stockholders, under the provisions of our articles of incorporation as well as our bylaws, have the concurrent power to amend the bylaws.
Market Price of and Dividends on Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Our common stock currently trades on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “SURE.” The following table sets forth the range of the high and low sale prices of the common stock for the periods indicated:
Dividend Policy
We have never paid any cash dividends and intend, for the foreseeable future, to retain any future earnings for the development of our business. Our future dividend policy will be determined by the board of directors on the basis of various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and investment opportunities.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
During the three months ended November 30, 2013, there were no sales of unregistered equity securities.
Performance Graph
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
Among Sonora Resources Corp, Global X Silver Miners ETF and iShares Silver Trust ETF
11/30/09 11/30/10 11/30/11 11/30/12 11/30/13
Sonora Resources Corp
Global X Silver Miners ETF
iShares Silver Trust ETF
The above assumes that $100 was invested in the common stock and each index on November 30, 2009. Although the company has not declared a dividend on its common stock, the total return for each index assumes the reinvestment of dividends. Stockholder returns over the periods presented should not be considered indicative of future returns. The foregoing table shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference the Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the acts.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of November 30, 2013 related to the equity compensation plan in effect at that time.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
In the following table, we provide you with our selected consolidated historical financial and other data. We have prepared the consolidated selected financial information using our consolidated financial statements for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012. When you read this selected consolidated historical financial and other data, it is important that you read along with it the historical financial statements and related notes in our consolidated financial statements included in this report, as well as Item 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks.
This report contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are projections of events, revenues, income, future economic performance or management’s plans and objectives for future operations. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements made in this report include statements about:
●
our plan of operations;
●
our future exploration programs and results;
●
our expectations regarding the impact of various accounting policies;
●
our future capital expenditures; and
●
our future investments in and acquisitions of mineral resource properties.
These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including:
●
risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of sampling results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits;
●
risks and uncertainties that results of initial sampling and mapping will not be consistent with our expectations;
●
mining and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in production;
●
the potential for delays in exploration activities; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses;
●
risks related to commodity price fluctuations;
●
the uncertainty of profitability based upon our limited history;
●
risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms for our planned exploration project;
●
risks related to environmental regulation and liability;
●
risks that the amounts reserved or allocated for environmental compliance, reclamation, post- closure control measures, monitoring and on-going maintenance may not be sufficient to cover such costs;
●
risks related to tax assessments;
●
political and regulatory risks associated with mining development and exploration; and
●
the risks in the section entitled “Risk Factors”.
Any of these risks could cause our Company’s or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report.
While these forward-looking statements and any assumptions upon which they are based are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
In this report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars and all references to “common shares” refer to the common shares in our capital stock.
Plan of Operation
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on December 3, 2007. We are a mining exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of prospective silver and gold opportunities in Mexico. On July 12, 2011, we established a 100% owned subsidiary, Finder Plata S.A. de C.V. ("Finder Plata") for the development of our exploration business in Mexico.
The worldwide silver market has experienced a strong decline in the prices during 2013. As a result, we made the decision in September 2013 to focus on the Los Amoles Property in 2014 and the Jalisco Properties in 2015, each as further described below. As of November 30, 2013, we had cash of $19,000 and working capital deficit of $167,000 as compared to cash of $293,000 and a working capital of $347,000 as of November 30, 2012. This decrease in our working capital is primarily due to operating losses. We have incurred operating losses since inception, and this is likely to continue. We expect to cancel the Mining Option Agreement for the Ayones Property and have cancelled the Mining Option Agreement for the Corazon Property. We recorded an impairment expense of $445,000 related to the Ayones and Corazon Properties as of November 30, 2013. The Joint Venture and Benefits Agreement in Liz, Mexico expired on December 15, 2013.
We require funds to enable us to address our minimum current and ongoing expenses. Presently, we do not generate any revenue and expect to incur significant operating and capital expenses. Management projects that we may require an additional approximately $133,000 to fund our operating expenditures for the next twelve month period for the exploration of the Los Amoles Property. The exploration of the Jalisco Properties is scheduled for 2015.
On March 15, 2013, we closed the Asset Purchase Agreement with Yale Resources to purchase all of the rights, title and interest in and to the Los Amoles 2 and Los Amoles 3 Fracc.1 properties, consisting of 2,166 hectares located in the State of Sonora Mexico (the “Los Amoles Property”). We purchased the Los Amoles Property from Yale by issuing 1,000,000 of restricted SURE common shares and paying $200,000 in cash. We have commenced an underground work program at the Los Amoles Property and completed a geologic report to define the potential vein structure and outcroppings and prepare for a planned drilling program in 2014.
We also have an Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic, an existing shareholder and creditor of the Company for the Jalisco Properties. The Jalisco Properties consist of mining claims totaling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. As of February 21, 2014, we have has not spent any funds on the properties. We are required to spend $3,000,000 by April 15, 2014 to earn 50% interest in the Jalisco Properties and an additional $2,000,000 to earn an additional 20% interest by April 15, 2016 on exploration expenses. An additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties can be earned by completing a bankable feasibility study no later than the seventh anniversary of the Agreement. We expect to amend the Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic and delay our required expenditures.
Our principal executive office is located at Cerro del Padre # 11 Rinconada de los Pirules, Guadalupe, Zacatecas Mexico, 98619. Our US mailing address is PO Box 12616, Seattle, WA 98111 and our telephone number is 1-877-513-7873.
We are currently in the exploration stage as defined in ASC 915 "Accounting and Reporting for Development Stage Enterprises" and have minimal operations.
We have incurred a cumulative net loss since inception on December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013 of $3,027,000 and have no source of operating revenue. While our management believes that the we will be successful in its planned operating activities under our business plan and capital raising activities, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the mining development and exploration business or the raising of sufficient capital such that it will generate adequate revenues to earn a profit or sustain its operations. These and other factors raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplates our continuation as a going concern. We have not established a source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs, and as such, have incurred an operating loss since inception. Further, as of November 30, 2013, we have a working capital deficit of $167,000. These and other factors raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
We also have an Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., an existing shareholder and creditor of the Company for the Jalisco Group of Properties (“Jalisco Properties”). The Jalisco properties consist of mining claims totaling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. As of February 21, 2014, we have has not spent any funds on the properties. We are required to spend $3,000,000 by April 15, 2014 to earn 50% interest in the Jalisco Properties and an additional $2,000,000 to earn an additional 20% interest by April 15, 2016 on exploration expenses. An additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties can be earned by completing a bankable feasibility study no later than the seventh anniversary of the Agreement. We expect to amend the Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic and delay our required expenditures.
Our principal executive office is located at Cerro del Padre # 11 Rinconada de los Pirules, Guadalupe, Zacatecas Mexico, 98619. Our US mailing address is PO Box 12616, Seattle, WA 98111 and our telephone number is 1-877-513-7873.
We are currently in the exploration stage as defined in ASC 915 "Accounting and Reporting for Development Stage Enterprises" and have minimal operations.
We have incurred a cumulative net loss since inception on December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013 of $3,027,000 and have no source of operating revenue. While our management believes that the we will be successful in its planned operating activities under our business plan and capital raising activities, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the mining development and exploration business or the raising of sufficient capital such that it will generate adequate revenues to earn a profit or sustain its operations. These and other factors raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplates our continuation as a going concern. We have not established a source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs, and as such, have incurred an operating loss since inception. Further, as of November 30, 2013, we have a working capital deficit of $167,000. These and other factors raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
Results of Operations
The following table presents certain consolidated statement of operations information and presentation of that data as a percentage of change from period-to-period.
(dollars in thousands)
For the year ended November 30, 2013 compared to the year ended November 30, 2012
We have not generated any revenues during the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012. The worldwide silver market has experienced a strong decline in the prices during 2013. As a result, we made the decision in September 2013 to focus on the Los Amoles Property in 2014 and the Jalisco Properties in 2015.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended November 30, 2013 increased $88,000 to $365,000 as compared to $277,000 for the year ended November 30, 2012. This increase related to increased stock based compensation expense of $79,000 and other general and administrative expense of $9,000.
Exploration expenses for the year ended November 30, 2013 decreased $502,000 to $18,000 as compared to $520,000 for the year ended November 30, 2012. This decrease related to reduced exploration activities during the year ended November 30, 2013.
We expect to cancel the Mining Option Agreement for the Ayones Property and have cancelled the Mining Option Agreement for the Corazon Property. We recorded an impairment expense of $445,000 related to the Ayones and Corazon properties as of November 30, 2013.
The net loss for the year ended November 30, 2013 was $830,000 as compared to a net loss of $935,000 for the year ended November 30, 2012.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of November 30, 2013, we had cash of $19,000 and working capital deficit of $167,000 as compared to cash of $293,000 and a working capital of $347,000 as of November 30, 2012. This decrease in our working capital is primarily due to operating losses. We have incurred operating losses since inception, and this is likely to continue. We expect to cancel the Mining Option Agreement for the Ayones Property and have cancelled the Mining Option Agreement for the Corazon Property. We recorded an impairment expense of $445,000 related to the Ayones and Corazon properties as of November 30, 2013. The Joint Venture and Benefits Agreement in Liz, Mexico expired on December 15, 2013.
We require funds to enable us to address our minimum current and ongoing expenses. Presently, we do not generate any revenue and expect to incur significant operating and capital expenses. Management projects that we may require an additional approximately $433,000 to fund our operating expenditures for the next twelve month period for the Los Amoles Property. The exploration of the Jalisco Properties is scheduled for 2015.
Details are as follows:
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended November 30, 2013 was $267,000, compared with net cash used of $476,000 for the year ended November 30, 2013. This amount was primarily related to a net loss of $830,000, offset by non-cash expenses of $524,000.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended November 30, 2013 was $200,000. This related to a $200,000 payment related to the acquisition of the Los Amoles Property which closed March 15, 2013.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended November 30, 2013 was $200,000. This is due to the issuance of demand promissory notes for $200,000 for the acquisition of the Los Amoles Property which closed March 15, 2013.
We must raise additional funds or achieve profitable operations in order to continue as a going concern. We may not be successful in our efforts to raise additional funds. Even if we are able to raise additional funds through the sale of our securities or through the issuance of debt securities, or loans from our director or financial institutions, our cash needs could be greater than anticipated in which case we could be forced to raise additional capital. At the present time, we have no commitments for any additional financing, and there can be no assurance that, if needed, additional capital will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms or at all.
These conditions raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern, which may make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital when needed. If we cannot get the needed capital, we may have to curtail or cease our operations.
Our unaudited contractual cash obligations as of November 30, 2013 are summarized in the table below:
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to stockholders.
Critical Accounting Policies
The application of GAAP involves the exercise of varying degrees of judgment. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that of our significant accounting policies (see summary of significant accounting policies more fully described in Note 2 to the financial statements set forth in this report), the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and/or complexity:
Foreign Currency Translation
We maintain our accounting records in U.S. Dollars. Our Finder Plata records are maintained in Mexican Pesos. At the transaction date, each asset, liability, revenue and expense involving foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars by the use of the exchange rate in effect at that date. At the period end, monetary assets and liabilities involving foreign currencies are re-measured by using the exchange rate in effect at that date. The resulting foreign exchange gains and losses are included in operations. Our currency exposure is insignificant and immaterial and we do not use derivative instruments to reduce our potential exposure to foreign currency risk.
Mineral Properties
Costs of acquiring mineral properties are capitalized by project area upon purchase of the associated claims. Costs to maintain the mineral rights and leases and explore are expensed as incurred. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized, using the units of production method on the basis of periodic estimates of ore reserves.
Mineral properties are periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company adopted ASC 718, Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation, to account for its stock options and similar equity instruments issued. Accordingly, compensation costs attributable to stock options or similar equity instruments granted are measured at the fair value at the grant date, and expensed over the expected vesting period. ASC 718 requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with FASB ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. Under FASB ASC 360, these assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount, if any, when the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value. As of November 30, 2013, no events or circumstances occurred for which an evaluation of the recoverability of long-lived assets was required.
Going Concern
Due to the uncertainty of our ability to meet our current operating and capital expenses, in their report on the annual financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2013, our independent auditors included an explanatory paragraph regarding concerns about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements contain additional note disclosures describing the circumstances that lead to this disclosure by our independent auditors.
There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as the continuation of our business is dependent upon obtaining further financing. The issuance of additional equity securities by us could result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of our current stockholders. Commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, will increase our liabilities and future cash commitments.
There are no assurances that we will be able to obtain further funds required for our continued operations or for our entry into the mining exploration and development industry. We are pursuing various financing alternatives to meet our immediate and long-term financial requirements. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to us when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will not be able to meet our other obligations as they become due.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We have no investments in any market risk sensitive instruments either held for trading purposes or entered into for other than trading purposes.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Reference is made to our consolidated financial statements beginning on page of this report.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of November 30, 2013. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as (“Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports it files or submits 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. Disclosure controls and procedures also include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded as of November 30, 2013 that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting discussed immediately below.
Identified Material Weakness
A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
Management identified the following material weakness during its assessment of internal controls over financial reporting:
Audit Committee: We have a board which consists of the Chief Executive Officer and we do not have an audit committee. An audit committee would improve oversight in the establishment and monitoring of required internal controls and procedures. We expect to expand the board and establish an audit committee during 2014.
b) Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended November 30, 2013, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during this fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to have a materially affect, on our internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report based on the framework in "Internal Control-Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting were not effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2013 has not been audited by PMB Helin Donovan, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.
/s/ Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
/s/ Mark Scott
Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
Mark Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following table sets forth, as of November 30, 2013, the name, age, and position of each executive officer and director and the term of office of each director of the Company, as well as certain biographical information, is set forth below.
Business Experience Descriptions
Set forth below is certain biographical information regarding each of the Company's executive officers and directors.
Our directors and executive officers, their ages, their respective offices and positions, and their respective dates of election or appointment are as follows:
Our Management Director
Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
Mr. Gutiérrez is a seasoned mining professional and metallurgical engineer who resides in Mexico. In 2004, he was the 4th person hired by First Majestic (Durango, Mexico) and helped build that company from a junior mining exploration company on the TSXV to a major global silver producer (7.5m oz Ag in 2011). He first served with the company in the capacity of general manager of each of the three mining units, and then moved to the position of manager for new business initiatives and strategic planning. He left First Majestic in January 2011 to begin working with Sonora yet maintains strong contacts with them. Mr. Gutiérrez graduated with a degree in engineering from the University of Chihuahua in Mexico, specializing in mining and metallurgical studies and a diploma in management projects. His twenty-seven year career is characterized by an array of appointments related to underground mining and exploration. His vocational experience has provided him with vast abilities to manage distinct and detailed mining projects while also focusing on the identification and successful negotiation of strategic corporate initiatives.
Mr. Gutiérrez was appointed to the Board on January 21, 2011 when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
Other Executive Officers
Mark Scott
Mr. Scott has significant financial, capital market and relations experience in public microcap gold, silver and technology companies. Mr. Scott currently serves as (i) Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Visualant, Inc., a position he has held since May 2010; (ii) Chief Financial Officer of Sonora Resources Corp., a consulting position he has held since June 2011; and (iii) Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Rare Earths, Inc. a consulting position he has held since December 2011.
Mr. Scott previously served as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of WestMountain Gold from February 28, 2011 and as a consultant from December 2010 until his resignation on December 31, 2013. Mr. Scott also previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of IA Global, Inc. from October 2003 to June 2011. Previously, he held executive financial positions with Digital Lightwave; Network Access Solutions; and Teltronics, Inc. He has also held senior financial positions at Protel, Inc., Crystals International, Inc., Ranks Hovis McDougall, LLP and Brittania Sportswear, and worked at Arthur Andersen. Mr. Scott is also a certified public accountant and received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Washington.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:
●
Had any petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law filed by or against, or had a receiver, fiscal agent, or similar officer appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he was an executive officer at or within two years before the
time of such filing;
●
Been convicted in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
●
Been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:
●
Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;
●
Engaging in any type of business practice; or
●
Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state securities laws or federal commodities laws;
●
Been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring, suspending, or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity described in (i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
●
Been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any federal or state securities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated; or
●
Been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated.
Committees of the Board of Directors
There were no Compensation, Audit or Nominating Committees in 2013. The Board plans to form committees during 2014. However, that is subject to the Company being able to recruit qualified individuals to serve as Directors of the Company. We will be seeking independent directors in 2014, but no assurance can be given that we will be able to attract qualified individuals who will be willing and able to serve as independent directors.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted conduct and ethics standards titled the Code of Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”), which are available at www.sonoraresources.com. These standards were adopted by the Board to promote transparency and integrity. The standards apply to the Board, executives and employees. Waivers of the requirements of the Code of Conduct or associated polices with respect to members of the Board or executive officers are subject to approval of the full Board.
Our Code of Conduct includes the following:
- promotes honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;- promotes the full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure of the our financial results in accordance with applicable disclosure standards, including, where appropriate, standards of materiality;
- promotes compliance with applicable SEC and governmental laws, rules and regulations;
- deters wrongdoing; and
- requires prompt internal reporting of breaches of, and accountability for adherence to, the Code of Conduct.
On an annual basis, each director and executive officer is obligated to complete a Director and Officer Questionnaire which requires disclosure of any transactions with the Company in which the director or executive officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest. Pursuant to the Code of Conduct, the Board is charged with resolving any conflict of interest involving management, the Board and employees on an ongoing basis.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of our named executive officers who served during the year that ended on November 30, 2013. This compensation discussion primarily focuses on the information contained in the following tables and related footnotes and narrative for the last completed fiscal year. We also describe compensation actions taken after the last completed fiscal year to the extent that it enhances the understanding of our executive compensation disclosure.
The Board has responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving executive compensation and benefit programs.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The major compensation objectives for named executive officers are as follows:
●
to attract and retain highly qualified individuals capable of making significant contributions to the long-term
success of the Company;
●
to motivate and reward named executive officers whose knowledge, skills, and performance are critical to the
Company’s success;
●
to closely align the interests of the Company’s named executive officers and other key employees with
those of its shareholders; and
●
to utilize incentive based compensation to reinforce performance objectives and reward superior performance.
Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions
The Board approves all compensation for the chief executive officer. Currently, the Board consists of the Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez, the Chief Executive Officer. We will be seeking independent directors in 2014, but no assurance can be given that we will be able to attract qualified individuals who will be willing and able to serve as independent directors.
The Board makes recommendations on the compensation for the chief executive officer and approves all compensation decisions, including equity awards, for the named executive officers of the Company. Our chief executive officer makes recommendations regarding the base salary and non-equity compensation of other named executive officers that are approved by the Board in its discretion.
Setting Executive Compensation
The Board believes that compensation for named executive officers must be managed to what we can afford and in a way that allows us to meet our goals for overall performance. During 2012, the Board compensated our Chief Executive Officer with a monthly consulting fee of $5,000, and our Chief Financial Officer with a $4,000 monthly consulting fee and $3,000 of our restricted common stock. This compensation reflected our financial condition. The Board does not use a peer group of publicly-traded and privately-held companies in structuring the compensation packages.
Executive Compensation Components for the Year Ended November 30, 2013
The Board did not use a formula for allocating compensation among the elements of total compensation during the fiscal year that ended on November 30, 2013. The Board believes that in order to attract and retain highly effective people it must maintain a flexible compensation structure. For fiscal 2013, the principal components of compensation for named executive officers were consulting fees.
Consulting Fees
Consulting fees are intended to ensure that our management is fairly and equitably compensated. Generally, base salary is used to appropriately recognize and reward the experience and skills that the consultants bring to the Company and provides motivation for career development and enhancement. Base salary ensures that all employees continue to receive a basic level of compensation that reflects any acquired skills which are competently demonstrated and are consistently used at work.
Consulting fees for our named executive officers are initially established based on their prior experience, the scope of their responsibilities and the applicable competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. During 2012, the Board compensated our Chief Executive Officer with a monthly consulting fee of $5,000 and our Chief Financial Officer with a $4,000 monthly consulting fee and $3,000 of our restricted common stock. This compensation reflected our financial condition. The Board does not use a peer group of publicly-traded and privately-held companies in structuring the compensation packages.
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
The Board believes incentive compensation reinforces performance objectives, rewards superior performance and is consistent with the enhancement of stockholder value. All of our named executive officers are eligible to receive performance-based incentive compensation. The Board did not recommend or approve payment of any performance-based incentive compensation to the named executive officers during 2013 based on our financial condition.
Ownership Guidelines
The Board does not require our named executive officers to hold a minimum number of our shares. However, to directly align the interests of executive officers with the interests of the stockholders, the Board encourages each named executive officer to maintain an ownership interest in the Company.
Stock Option Program
Stock options are an integral part of our executive compensation program. They are intended to encourage ownership and retention of the Company’s common stock by named executive officers and employees, as well as non-employee members of the Board. Through stock options, the objective of aligning employees’ long-term interest with those of stockholders may be met by providing employees with the opportunity to build a meaningful stake in the Company.
The Stock Option Program assists us by:
- enhancing the link between the creation of stockholder value and long-term executive incentive compensation;
- providing an opportunity for increased equity ownership by executive officers; and
- maintaining competitive levels of total compensation.
Stock option award levels are determined by the Board and vary among participants’ positions within the Company. Newly hired executive officers or promoted executive officers are generally awarded stock options, at the discretion of the Board, at the next regularly scheduled Board Committee meeting on or following their hire or promotion date. In addition, such executives are eligible to receive additional stock option on a discretionary basis after performance criteria are achieved.
Options are awarded at our closing price of the common stock on the date of the grant or last trading day prior to the date of the grant. The Board policy is not to grant options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date.
Generally, the majority of the options granted by the Board vest quarterly over two to three years or annually over five years of the 5-10-year option term. Vesting and exercise rights cease upon termination of employment and/or service, except in the case of death (subject to a one year limitation), disability or retirement. Stock options vest immediately upon termination of employment without cause or an involuntary termination following a change of control. Prior to the exercise of an option, the holder has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents.
Mr. Gutiérrez, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Scott, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, did not receive a stock option grant during the year ended November 30, 2013.
Retirement and Other Benefits
We have no other retirement, savings, long-term stock award or other type of plans for the named executive officers.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We have no perquisites or other personal benefits for the named executive officers. The Board expects to review the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits to be provided to named executive officers.
Currently, we have Consulting Agreements with Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez and Mark Scott which are discussed at page 34. The Consulting Agreements do not contain potential payments upon termination.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as (the "Code") generally denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to its chief executive officer and its three other highest paid executive officers (other than the principal financial officer) to the extent that any such individual's compensation exceeds $1 million. “performance-based compensation” (as defined for purposes of Section 162(m)) is not taken into account for purposes of calculating the $1 million compensation limit, provided certain disclosure, shareholder approval and other requirements are met. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section 162(m) and may structure the performance-based portion of our executive compensation to comply with certain exceptions to Section 162(m). However, we may authorize compensation payments that do not comply with the exceptions to Section 162(m) when we believe that such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of the stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business conditions or the officer's performance.
Section 409A is a relatively recent provision of the Code. If an executive is entitled to nonqualified deferred compensation benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, and such benefits do not comply with Section 409A of the Code, the executive would be subject to adverse tax treatment, including accelerated income recognition (in the first year that benefits are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture) and an additional income tax of 20% of the amount so recognized.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Beginning on January 1, 2006, we began accounting for stock-based payments including its Stock Option Program in accordance with the requirements of ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.”
REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides information concerning remuneration of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer for the fiscal years then ended November 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
(1) The 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounts for Mr. Gutiérrez include consulting fees paid from January 21, 2011 to November 30, 2013. The Board compensated Mr. Gutiérrez with a monthly consulting fee of $5,000. The 2011 stock option grant amount reflects 1,000,000 shares issued by us on January 21, 2011 at the grant date market value of $0.14 per share.
(2) The 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounts for Mr. Scott include consulting fees paid from June 15, 2011 to November 30, 2013. The 2011 stock award amount for Mr. Scott reflects 14,600 shares of restricted common stock issued by the Company on September 15, 2011 at the average close price of $0.616 per share. The 2012 stock award amount for Mr. Scott reflects (i) 33,237 shares of restricted common stock issued by the Company on January 16, 2012 at the average close price of $0.361 per share; and (ii) 37,285 shares of restricted common stock issued by the Company on April 30, 2012 at the average close price of $0.282 per share. The 2013 stock award amount for Mr. Scott reflects 170,979 shares of restricted common stock issued by the Company on January 3, 2013 at the average close price of $0.14 per share. The other compensation reflects the Restricted Stock Award Agreement with Mr. Scott whereby he receives shares of Company common stock equaling US $3,000 per month.
(3) These amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by Regulation S-K Item 402(r)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
Grants of Stock Based Awards in Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2013
The Board did not provide performance-based incentive compensation paid to the named executive officers during 2013 based on our financial condition.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2013
There were the following outstanding equity awards as of November 30, 2013:
(1)
Mr. Gutiérrez’s stock option grant vests at 125,000 shares every six months.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
Our named executive officers did not exercise any stock options during the year ended November 30, 2013.
Pension Benefits
We do not provide any pension benefits.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not have a nonqualified deferral program.
CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
On January 21, 2011, we entered into a consulting agreement with Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez whereby Mr. Gutiérrez was appointed Chief Executive Officer at $5,000 per month for a term of indefinite period unless terminated by either party with sixty days advance written notice to the other party.
On June 15, 2011, we entered into Consulting and Restricted Stock Award Agreements whereby Mr. Scott was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Scott Agreements”). Pursuant to the Scott Agreements, Mr. Scott receives: (i) US $4,000 cash per month and (ii) shares of Company common stock equaling US $3,000 per month. As of November 30, 2013, the Company accrued compensation of $33,000 related to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement with Mr. Scott.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The Consulting Agreements with the named executive officers have no provisions providing for severance payments.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of November 30, 2013 by:
●
each director and nominee for director;
●
each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our common stock;
●
each officer named in the summary compensation table elsewhere in this report; and
●
all directors and executive officers as a group.
The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest.
Unless otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner named in the table has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner of more than 5% of common stock is Sonora Resources Corp at Cerro del Padre #11, Rinconada de los Pirules, Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico 98619.
(1) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez, including stock option grants totaling 625,000 shares that Mr. Gutiérrez has the right to acquire in sixty days.
(2) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Mark Scott.
(3) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by First Majestic as stated in a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on May 15, 2012, and which has subsequently confirmed the ownership.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related Party Transactions
Related party transactions for the year ended November 30, 2013 are detailed in Note 3 to the Company’s Financial Statements filed with this Form 10-K.
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
We have operated under a Code of Conduct since 2011. Our Code of Conduct requires all employees, officers and directors, without exception, to avoid the engagement in activities or relationships that conflict, or would be perceived to conflict, with our interests or adversely affect its reputation. It is understood, however, that certain relationships or transactions may arise that would be deemed acceptable and appropriate upon full disclosure of the transaction, following review and approval to ensure there is a legitimate business reason for the transaction and that the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to us than could be obtained from an unrelated person.
The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving all transactions with related persons. We have not adopted a written policy for reviewing related person transactions. The Board reviews all relationships and transactions in which the Company and our directors and executive officers or their immediate family members are participants to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest. As required under SEC rules, transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the Company or a related person are disclosed.
Director Independence
The Board does not have an independent director. We will be seeking independent directors in 2014 but no assurance can be given that we will be able to attract qualified individuals who will be willing and able to serve as independent directors.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Board has established a pre-approval policy and procedures for audit, audit-related and tax services that can be performed by the independent auditors without specific authorization from the Board subject to certain restrictions. The policy sets out the specific services pre-approved by the Board and the applicable limitations, while ensuring the independence of the independent auditors to audit our financial statements is not impaired. The pre-approval policy does not include a delegation to management of the Board’s responsibilities under the Exchange Act. During fiscal year ended November 30, 2013, the Board pre-approved all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent auditors.
Service Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We engaged PMB Helin Donovan LLP to perform an annual audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012. The following is the breakdown of aggregate fees paid to the auditors for the Company for the last three fiscal years:
“Audit Fees” are fees paid to PMB for professional services for the audit of our financial statements.
- “Audit-Related fees” are fees billed by PMB to us for services not included in the first category, specifically, SAS 100 reviews, SEC filings and consents, and accounting consultations on matters addressed during the audit or interim reviews, and review work related to quarterly filings.
- “Tax Fees” are fees primarily for tax compliance in connection with filing US income tax returns. PMB does not provide tax compliance services.
- “There were no all other fees.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Our executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Copies of these reports must also be furnished to the Company.
Based solely on a review of copies of reports furnished to us, or written representations that no reports were required, we believe that during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 its executive officers, directors and 10% holders complied with all filing requirements.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Our financial statements, as indicated by the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth below, begin on page of this Form 10-K, and are hereby incorporated by reference. Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 and the period from inception of December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013 (unaudited)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(b) EXHIBITS:
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
(1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Sonora Resources Corp.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sonora Resources Corp. (the “Company”) (an exploration stage company) as of November 30, 2013 and 2012 and the related statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012. The cumulative period from inception (December 3, 2007) through November 30, 2013 is presented as unaudited. Sonora Resources Corp. management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 audits 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 consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Sonora Resources Corp. as of November 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has sustained a net loss from operations and has an accumulated deficit during the exploration stage. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in this regard are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
PMB Helin Donovan, LLP
/s/ PMB Helin Donovan, LLP
February 21, 2014
Seattle, Washington
SONORA RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SONORA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SONORA RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SONORA RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SONORA RESOURCES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of Operations and Going Concern
Sonora Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Sonora Resources") was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on December 3, 2007. The Company is a mining exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of prospective silver and gold opportunities in Mexico. On July 12, 2011, the Company established a 100% owned subsidiary, Finder Plata S.A. de C.V. ("Finder Plata") for the development of its exploration business in Mexico.
The worldwide silver market has experienced a strong decline in the prices during 2013. As a result, we made the decision in September 2013 to focus on the Los Amoles Property in 2014 and the Jalisco Properties in 2015, each as further described below.
On March 15, 2013, the Company closed the Asset Purchase Agreement with Yale Resources Ltd to purchase all of the rights, title and interest in and to the Los Amoles 2 and Los Amoles 3 Fracc.1 properties, consisting of 2,166 hectares located in the State of Sonora Mexico (the “Los Amoles Property”). The Company purchased the Los Amoles Property from Yale by issuing 1,000,000 of restricted SURE common shares and paying $200,000 in cash. The Company commenced an underground work program at the Los Amoles Property and completed a geologic report to define the potential vein structure and outcroppings and prepare for a planned drilling program in 2014.
The Company also has an Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., an existing shareholder and creditor of the Company for the Jalisco Group of Properties (“Jalisco Properties”). The Jalisco Properties consist of mining claims totaling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. As of February 21, 2014, the Company has not spent any funds on the properties. The Company is required to spend $3,000,000 by April 15, 2014 to earn 50% interest in the Jalisco Properties and an additional $2,000,000 to earn an additional 20% interest by April 15, 2016 on exploration expenses. An additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties can be earned by completing a bankable feasibility study no later than the seventh anniversary of the Agreement. The Company expects to amend the Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic and delay our required expenditures.
The Company’s principal executive office is located at Cerro del Padre # 11 Rinconada de los Pirules, Guadalupe, Zacatecas Mexico, 98619. The Company’s US mailing address is PO Box 12616, Seattle, WA 98111 and our telephone number is 1-877-513-7873.
The Company is currently in the exploration stage as defined in ASC 915 "Accounting and Reporting for Development Stage Enterprises" and has minimal operations.
The Company has incurred a cumulative net loss since inception on December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013 of $3,027,424 and has no source of operating revenue. While the Company’s management believes that the Company will be successful in its planned operating activities under our business plan and capital raising activities, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the mining development and exploration business or the raising of sufficient capital such that it will generate adequate revenues to earn a profit or sustain its operations. These and other factors raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments or classifications that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Exploration Stage Enterprise
Since the Company is in the exploration stage of operation, the Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with the provisions of ASC 915 Development Stage Enterprises, as it devotes substantially all of its efforts to acquiring and exploring mining interests that management believes should eventually provide sufficient net profits to sustain the Company’s existence. Until such interests are engaged in commercial production, the Company will continue to prepare its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with this standard.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Principles of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include our consolidated balance sheets, results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company classifies highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash equivalents.
The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. In Mexico, the Company's cash balances are currently fully insured by the Institute for the Protection of Bank Savings.
The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk for cash on deposit. As of November 30, 2013, the Company had no deposits in excess of $250,000.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company maintains its accounting records in U.S. Dollars. The Company's Finder Plata records are maintained in Mexican Pesos. At the transaction date, each asset, liability, revenue and expense involves foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars by the use of the exchange rate in effect at that date. At the period end, monetary assets and liabilities involving foreign currencies are remeasured by using the exchange rate in effect at that date. The resulting foreign exchange gains and losses are included in operations. The Company's currency exposure is insignificant and immaterial and we do not use derivative instruments to reduce our potential exposure to foreign currency risk.
Mineral Properties
Costs of acquiring mineral properties are capitalized by project area upon purchase of the associated claims. Costs to maintain the mineral rights and leases and explore are expensed as incurred. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized, using the units of production method on the basis of periodic estimates of ore reserves.
Mineral properties are periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels as follows:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:
● Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
● Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in nonactive markets;
● Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
● Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis.
The Company accounts for fair value measurements in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measurement and expands disclosure about fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with FASB ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. Under FASB ASC 360, these assets are tested for recoverability annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount, if any, when the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value. The Company expects to cancel the Mining Option Agreement for the Ayones Property and has cancelled the Mining Option Agreement for the Corazon Property. The Company recorded an impairment expense of $445,000 related to the Ayones and Corazon Properties as of November 30, 2013.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company applies ASC 410, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations which requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred. ASC 410 requires the Company to record a liability for the present value using a credit-adjusted risk free interest rate, of the estimated site restoration costs with a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets. The liability is accreted until it has been fully incurred and the asset is amortized over the life of the related assets. Adjustments are made for changes resulting from the passage of time and changes to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate underlying the obligation will be made. As of November 30, 2013, the Company does not have any asset retirement obligations.
Comprehensive Loss
The Company applies ASC 220, Comprehensive Income. ASC 220 establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income or loss, requiring its components to be reported in a financial statement. For the year ended November 30, 2013, our only component of comprehensive income (loss) was foreign currency translation.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company adopted ASC 718, Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation, to account for its stock options and similar equity instruments issued. Accordingly, compensation costs attributable to stock options or similar equity instruments granted are measured at the fair value at the grant date, and expensed over the expected vesting period. ASC 718 requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.
Loss per Common Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to the common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods. Diluted loss per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. As of November 30, 2013 and 2012, there were options outstanding for the purchase of 1,400,000 common shares and warrants for the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of common stock which could potentially dilute future earnings per share.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under FASB ASC 740-10-25, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the bases of certain assets and liabilities for income tax and financial reporting purposes. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified according to the financial statement classification of the assets and liabilities generating the differences.
The Company maintains a valuation allowance with respect to deferred tax assets. The Company establishes a valuation allowance based upon the potential likelihood of realizing the deferred tax asset and taking into consideration the Company's financial position and results of operations for the current period. Future realization of the deferred tax benefit depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period under the federal tax laws.
Changes in circumstances, such as the Company generating taxable income, could cause a change in judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset. Any change in the valuation allowance will be included in income in the year of the change in estimate.
New Accounting Pronouncements
A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under study by standard setting organizations and various regulatory agencies. Due to the tentative and preliminary nature of those proposed standards, management has not determined whether implementation of such proposed standards would be material to our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405), which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. ASU 2013-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, which is effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2013-04 will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires disclosure of the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net earnings during the reporting period and is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2013−02 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 will have a material impact on the measurement of net earnings or other comprehensive income.
3. Agreements
Summary
The worldwide silver market has experienced a strong decline in the prices during 2013. As a result, he Company made the decision in September 2013 to focus on the Los Amoles and Jalisco Properties in 2014.
Our President & CEO Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez holds an MBA in P.Eng., Mining and Metallurgical. He has worked for twenty years in management and on projects at Peñoles, the largest mining operation in Mexico. Mr. Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez was the fourth employee at First Majestic Silver Corp. (“First Majestic” or “FMSC”) and helped build that company from a junior mining exploration company on the TSXV and NYSE to a major global silver producer. Mr. Gutierrez held the General Manager position at four of the First Majestic mining units in Mexico.
Because of limited staff, the Company relies on outside parties, including geologists, surveyors, laboratories, etc. in our business operations. The Company has historical data on mining operations at the properties listed below. Mr. Gutiérrez has visited each property twice a year, with each visit being approximately one week.
All properties are accessible by vehicles. There is currently no infrastructure, property and equipment, power, buildings or water on the properties. No equipment or improvements exist on the properties. During the Company’s exploration stage and future exploration work on the mining claims, the Company expects to use contractors and equipment and diamond drill machines that use diesel hydraulic sources and diesel electric generators as a source of power. The Company expects to transport water from nearby communities in tanker trucks.
The Company’s understanding is that surface exploration activities which have a very low environmental impact, such as drilling/sampling, and conform to the NOM-120-SEMARNAT-1997 (Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-120-SEMARNAT, 1997 [1998]) do not require environmental permits. The Company does not have any permits at this time. The Company expects to acquire any permits, if any, are required on the Corazon and Liz projects related to the tailings projects. Should a permit be required, this permit process requires approximately ninety days for NOM 120 and over 180 days for an environmental impact study.
The Company’s properties do not have any known reserves and the Company’s proposed activities are exploratory in nature. The Company expects to finance its plan through investors and First Majestic.
Mineral exploration and mining in Mexico are regulated by the Mining Law of 1992, which establishes that all minerals found in Mexican territory are owned by the Mexican nation, and that private parties may exploit such minerals (except oil and nuclear fuel minerals) through mining licenses, or concessions, granted by the federal government of Mexico. Under the terms of the original law, exploration concessions were granted for a period of six years and exploitation concessions for a period of fifty years. There was no provision to extend the term of the exploration concession but exploitation concessions were renewable once for an additional term of fifty years. On April 29, 2005 the Mexican Congress published several amendments to the Mining Law of 1992. According to these amendments, a single concession type - the ‘mining concession’ - that gives the holder both exploration and exploitation rights subject to the payment of relevant taxes, replaced old exploration and exploitation. Old exploration and exploitation concessions were automatically transformed into mining concessions with a single term of 50 years from the date the concession was first registered at the Public Registry of Mines. Accordingly, exploration concessions that were originally issued for a term of 6 years now have a term of 50 years from the date the exploration concession was originally registered. Under the new amendments, the concession holder has all the rights previously granted for an exploitation concession under the old law. Concessions may be granted to (or acquired by, since they are freely transferable) Mexican individuals, local communities with collective ownership of the land known as ‘ejidos’ and companies incorporated pursuant to Mexican law, with no foreign ownership restrictions for such companies. While the Constitution makes it possible for foreign individuals to hold mining concessions, the Mining Law does not allow it. This means that foreigners wishing to engage in mining in Mexico must establish a Mexican corporation for that purpose, or enter into joint ventures with Mexican individuals or corporations.
Maintenance obligations which arise from a mining concession, and which must be kept current to avoid its cancellation are the performance of assessment work, the payment of mining taxes and the compliance with environmental laws. The Regulations of the Mining Law establish minimum amount of assessment work that must be performed during the exploration in the case of exploration concessions, or exploration and/or exploitation work, in the case of exploitation concessions.
Year (Pesos per hectare)
1-2 years 5.70
3-4 years 8.52
5-6 years 17.62
7-8 years 35.45
9-10 years 70.88
After 10 years 124.74
The Company expects to prepare detailed project budgets for the Los Amoles and Jalisco Properties during 2014, subject to the availability to cash.
Mining Option Agreement - Los Amoles, Mexico Property (unaudited)
On November 26, 2010, the Company entered into the definitive Option Agreement with Yale Resources Ltd (“Yale Resources”), a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, to acquire a 70% interest in its wholly owned Los Amoles property located 150 kilometers from Villa Hidalgo, Sonora State, Mexico. The Los Amoles Property consists of Los Amoles 2 “Title 236113” and “Los Amoles 3 Fracc. I” Title 238 claims covering a total of 1,630 hectares. Yale Resources subsidiary Minera Alta Vista S.A. de C.V was granted a mining concession for the above properties. The Los Amoles Property is accessible by truck. It is our understanding that no government permits or reclamation requirements are expected during 2014. The Company is responsible for all maintenance obligation and other expenses related to the properties. The maintenance obligations are paid on a semiannual basis. Expenditures were $14,594 for 2013.
On March 15, 2013, the Company closed the Asset Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Yale to purchase all of the right, title and interest in and to the Los Amoles 2 and Los Amoles 3 Fracc.1 properties, consisting of 2,166 hectares located in the State of Sonora Mexico (the “Los Amoles Property”). The Company purchased the Property from Yale by issuing 1,000,000 of restricted SURE common shares and paying $200,000 in cash.
The Company acquired a 100% interest in the Los Amoles Property from Yale and canceled the Option Agreement dated November 26, 2010. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Sonora would have been required to incur the remaining exploration expenditures and to issue the remaining 200,000 common shares to acquire a 70% undivided beneficial and legal interest in the Los Amoles Property.
The geology of the area of is composed mainly of extrusive and intrusive rocks believed to be of Tertiary age. These rocks are then covered by alluvium and conglomerates. In the State of Sonora and nearby Los Amoles there are several operating open pit, bulk tonnage mines in production; one of them is La Caridad open pit copper porphyry complex owned by Southern Copper-Grupo Mexico. To date it is believed that several geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys have been conducted on and around the Los Amoles Property area.
The Company has commenced an underground work program using the Yale geologists and completed a partial “geophisic IP” in the area, a geologic report by an independent geologist to define the potential vein structure and outcroppings and prepare for a planned drilling program in 2014. The Company spent a total of $14,594 during 2013 to maintain and explore the Los Amoles Property.
The sampling work program involved independent geologists collecting samples from outcrops, old dumps and old tailings. The samples were submitted for assaying to Inspectorate, an accredited laboratory.
The sacks of samples are delivered to the preparation laboratory of Inspectorate. From this point onward, the external laboratory crushes and pulverizes the samples. The pulverized pulp is placed in kraft sample bags and the un-pulverized portions are returned to the original sample bags. Batches of the sample pulps are shipped by couriers to the Inspectorate Richmond, BC Canada laboratories "Pulverize pulp samples rejects" are taken back to the project for storage. The sample rejects are thus available for re-testing when required. In Richmond, BC, the sample pulps are analyzed by inductively coupled plasma for 30 elements. Gold is tested by fire assay and silver is tested by atomic absorption spectrometry. Each method has a lower and upper calibration range for which the results are accurately determined. The laboratories also perform a duplicate analysis on every twelfth sample, insuring that there is at least one duplicate run with every batch.
The Company commenced an underground work program at the Los Amoles Property in 2012 and completed a geologic report to define the potential vein structure and outcroppings.
The Company expects to spend $123,000 during 2014 to explore the properties.
The Los Amoles Property does not have any known reserves and the Company’s proposed activities are exploratory in nature. All costs related to the Agreement have been recorded as exploration expenses.
Mining Option Agreement- Jalisco, Mexico Property
On April 15, 2011, the Company entered into an Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE:AG and TSX:FR, “First Majestic”) and Minera El Pilon S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of First Majestic, whereby the Company has been granted an option (the “Option”) to acquire up to a 90% interest in the following certain mineral properties wholly owned by First Majestic located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico (the “Jalisco Properties”).
The Jalisco Properties are accessible by truck. It is our understanding that no government permits or reclamation requirements are expected during 2013. First Majestic has paid for all maintenance obligation and other expenses related to the properties. The maintenance obligations are paid on a semiannual basis.
The geology of the area of the Jalisco Properties lies at the southern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental province, which is the largest physiographic province in México. This belt of rocks is 200 to 300 km wide, and extends for 1,200 km in a southeast direction parallel to the Gulf of California from the US and Mexican frontier into central México. It forms a dissected plateau with maximum elevation in excess of 3,000 m. Lithological units within this area comprise a lower volcanic sequence approximately 1 km thick of andesitic composition and of late Cretaceous to mid Tertiary age overlying folded Mesozoic or late Paleozoic strata. Local geology consists predominately of Tertiary age felsic tuff and related rocks. Elsewhere in the immediate district there are localized but significant areas of volcanic breccia, basalt and andesite also of Tertiary age. The ore deposits are considered as epitermal type with characteristics of low to intermediate sulphidation (Au-Ag+Pb-Zn-Cu). The mineralized structures occur as veins, stockworks and some disseminated bodies with ore-shoot along their outcrops To date it is believed that several geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys have been conducted on and around the Jalisco Properties areas.
In consideration for the Option, the Company agreed to:
(a)
issue an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $0.34 per common share to First Majestic upon execution of the agreement (issued);
(b)
incur an aggregate of $3,000,000 over the first three years to earn a 50% interest in the Jalisco Properties (the “First Option”);
(c)
upon the exercise of the First Option, the Company will have the sole and exclusive option (the “Second Option”) to acquire an additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties by incurring an additional $2,000,000 no later than the fifth anniversary of the Agreement; and
(d)
upon the exercise of the Second Option, the Company will have the sole and exclusive option to acquire an additional 20% interest in and to the Jalisco Properties by completing a bankable feasibility study no later than the seventh anniversary of the Agreement.
First Majestic will retain a 10% free carried interest and a 2.375% net smelter return.
The Company agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission qualifying the shares and to maintain the registration statement effective for a period of not less than two years. If a registration statement has not been filed and declared effective within twelve months from the date of the Agreement or if the Company fails to maintain the registration statement effective for a period of two years, it has agreed to issue an additional 2,000,000 shares to First Majestic. On April 30, 2012, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock to First Majestic which were valued at $0.20 per share or $400,000. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on June 7, 2012 with regard to these stock issuances.
Upon the fulfillment of the above conditions, the Company would own an undivided 50% to 90% interest in the Jalisco Properties as tenants in common, with a 50% to 10% participating interest to be retained by First Majestic.
As of November 30, 2013, the Company has not spent any funds on the Jalisco Properties. The Company is required to spend $3,000,000 by April 15, 2014 and an additional $2,000,000 by April 15, 2016 to explore the properties. The Company expects to amend the Mining Option Agreement with First Majestic and delay our required expenditures.
This Jalisco Properties does not have any known reserves and the Company’s proposed activities are exploratory in nature. Any costs related to the Agreement will be recorded as exploration expenses. As of November 30, 2013, the Company has not earned its 50% interest and does not control the Jalisco Properties.
Mining Option Agreement- Ayones, Mexico Property (unaudited)
On August 10, 2011, the Company entered into a Mining Option Agreement (“Grupo Agreement”) with IMMSA Grupo México. Under the terms of the Grupo Agreement, they granted the Company an option to acquire a 100% interest in certain mining properties representing the Ayones Property (“Ayones Property”) located 15 kilometers from the municipality of Etzatlan, Jalisco State, Mexico. The Ayones Property consists of “Ayones” Title. 195743, surface 19.0932 hectares and “Ayones 4” Title. 184155 surface 28.7280 hectares. The Ayones Property is accessible by truck. It is the Company’s understanding that no government permits or reclamation requirements are expected during 2013. The Company is responsible for all maintenance obligation and other expenses related to the properties. The maintenance obligations are paid on a semiannual basis.
The geology of the area of the Ayones Property lies at the southern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental province, which is the largest physiographic province in México. This belt of rocks is 200 to 300 km wide, and extends for 1,200 km in a southeast direction parallel to the Gulf of California from the US and Mexican frontier into central México. It forms a dissected plateau with maximum elevation in excess of 3,000 m. Lithological units within this area comprise a lower volcanic sequence approximately 1 km thick of andesitic composition and of late Cretaceous to mid Tertiary age overlying folded Mesozoic or late Paleozoic strata. Local geology consists predominately of Tertiary age felsic tuff and related rocks. Elsewhere in the immediate district there are localized but significant areas of volcanic breccia, basalt and andesite also of Tertiary age. The ore deposits are considered as epitermal type with characteristics of low to intermediate sulphidation (Au-Ag+Pb-Zn-Cu). The mineralized structures occur as veins, stockworks and some disseminated bodies with ore-shoot along their outcrops. To date that several geological, mapping and sampling of old workings and old ore shoots, diamond drill hole campaign and surveying have been conducted on and around the Property area by Grupo Mexico in 1987-1988. Historic production on the Ayones Property by the Amparo Mining company in the Mazata Mine yielded over 700,000 tons with grade over 3-5 g/ton gold and 500 g/t silver in ephitermal veins. The Mazata mine mineralization has been characterized as deep epithermal or mesothermal and could have significant extent down dip and along strike. Furthermore, there is potential to develop a number of continuous high-grade veins forming a highly attractive mining silver and gold target.
Ayones location.
Under the terms of the Grupo Agreement between Sonora’s wholly owned Mexican subsidiary Finder Plata and Grupo Mexico subsidiary, Industrial Minera Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (“Grupo Mexico”), Finder Plata has the right to purchase 100% of two mining concessions on 48 hectares, the old La Mazata Mine, the data of past diamond drill programs, studies and maps as well as the assets located within the mine areas in exchange for payments over three years. The Grupo Agreement requires a Net Smelter Royalty (“NSR”) payment of 2.0% by Finder Plata with Finder Plata having a first option to purchase the NSR for $ 1 million.
Under the terms of the Grupo Agreement, Finder Plata is required to pay the following cash payments totaling $1 million to exercise the option:
(a)
A payment of US $100,000 with the execution of the Grupo Agreement (paid);
(b)
A payment of US $100,000 within six months of execution of the Grupo Agreement (paid);
(c)
A payment of US $100,000 within twelve months of execution of the Grupo Agreement (paid);
(d)
A payment of US $175,000 within eighteen months of execution of the Grupo Agreement;
(e)
A payment of US $175,000 within twenty-four months of execution of the Grupo Agreement;
(f)
A payment of US $175,000 within thirty months of execution of the Grupo Agreement; and,
(g)
A payment of US $175,000 within thirty-six months of execution of the Grupo Agreement.
The Company did not pay the $175,000 due February 10, 2013 and August 10, 2013 payment of $175,000 to IMMSA Grupo México under the August 10, 2011 Mining Option Agreement.
In addition, Finder Plata is required to spend a total of $1 million in exploration expenditures on the Ayones Property as follows:
$200,000 within twelve months of execution of the Grupo Agreement ($12,818 was spent); an additional $300,000 on or before the second anniversary of execution of the Grupo Agreement ($1,612 as spent); and an additional $500,000 on or before the third anniversary of execution of the Grupo Agreement.
On August 2, 2012, the parties signed an Additional Agreement extending the remaining $187,182 of the $200,000 of exploration expenditures due within twelve months of execution of the Grupo Agreement to the second anniversary of the execution of the Grupo Agreement. The Company did not spent the $500,000 in exploration expenditures under the Agreement.
Closing of the transactions contemplated in the Grupo Agreement on or before the third anniversary of execution requires the parties to enter into a Definitive Agreement. The Definitive Agreement would require Finder Plata to begin commercial production thirty months after the execution of the Definitive Agreement. If commercial production is not started in the thirty month period, Finder Plata is required to pay 15% NSR over the future capacity of the mine as established in a feasibility study completed by Finder Plata.
The Ayones Property does not have any known reserves. All costs related to the Agreement have been recorded as exploration expenses. The Company intends to terminate the 2011 Mining Option Agreement with IMMSA Grupo México and return the properties; however, the results of such negotiations and an outcome in the Company’s favor cannot be assured. As of November 30, 2013, the Company has not earned its 100% interest and does not control the Ayones Property. The Company recorded an impairment of $235,000 related to the Ayones Property as of November 30, 2013.
Mining Option Agreement- Corazon, Mexico Property
On September 5, 2011, the Company entered into Mining Option Agreements (“Corazon Agreements”) with eight Mexican citizens. Under the terms of the Corazon Agreements, the Company was granted an option to acquire a 100% interest in certain mining properties of the Corazon group of claims located in the municipality of Etzatlan, Jalisco State, Mexico.
Under the terms of the agreement between Sonora's wholly owned Mexican subsidiary Finder Plata S.A. de C.V. (“Finder Plata”) and the eight Mexican Citizen owners (“Corazon Owner’s”), Finder Plata has the right to purchase 100.0% for five mining concessions on 721 hectares surrounding the old La Mazata Mine and Ayones claims and prospect recently acquired by Finder Plata in the Mexican state of Jalisco on August 10, 2011. The Company terminated the Corazon Agreements on November 25, 2013, with execution dated January 4, 2014. The Company recorded an impairment of $210,373 related to the Corazon Property as of November 30, 2013.
Joint Venture and Benefits Agreement- Liz, Mexico Property
On May 17, 2012, Finder Plata entered into a Joint Venture and Benefits Agreement (“Liz Agreement”) with Mr. Ramiro Romero Aguirre, a Mexican citizen. Under the terms of the Liz Agreement, Finder Plata was granted the rights to acquire, process on sight and sale the mineral products obtained from the old dumps located on which are expected to contain silver and gold contents in Liz mining claim title 216028 and on surface of land owned by Mr. Romero. The Liz project located in the municipality of Ayutla, Jalisco State, Mexico. The mining properties are next to the Jalisco Properties and contain silver and gold tailings. The Liz Agreement expired on December 15, 2013.
4. Demand Promissory Notes
First Majestic, an existing shareholder, loaned the Company US$30,000 pursuant to a Demand Promissory Note dated February 19, 2013. The Company agreed to pay interest at a rate 1 Year LIBOR plus 3.5% per annum for a maximum of six (6) months. As of November 30, 2013, the Company owes accrued interest of $910.
First Majestic, an existing shareholder, loaned the Company US$170,000 pursuant to a Demand Promissory Note dated March 15, 2013. The Company agreed to pay interest at a rate 1 Year LIBOR plus 3.5% per annum until the Demand Promissory Note is repaid. As of November 30, 2013, the Company owes accrued interest of $4,723.
5. Capital Stock
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the following sales or issuances of Company securities were conducted under the exemption from registration as provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (and also qualified for exemption under 4(5), formerly 4(6) of the Securities Act of 1933, except as noted below). All of the shares issued were issued in transactions not involving a public offering, are considered to be restricted stock as defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 and stock certificates issued with respect thereto bear legends to that effect.
Except as indicated, the following transactions were to accredited investors. All issuances to accredited and non-accredited investors were structured to comply with the requirements of the safe harbor afforded by Rule 506 of Regulation D.
The Company had the following equity transactions during the year ended November 30, 2012.
On January 16, 2012, the Company issued 33,237 shares of restricted common stock at in accordance with the Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated June 15, 2011 at $0.361 per share for a total value of $12,000 to Mark Scott, our CFO, related to his June 15, 2011 Consulting Agreement. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on January 24, 2012 with regard to this stock issuance.
On April 19, 2012, Coventry converted $605,000 of Convertible Demand Promissory Notes plus accrued interest of $32,440 into 2,549,760 shares of restricted common stock at $.25 per share. The Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature of $94,729 as a result of the conversion. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on June 7, 2012 with regard to these stock issuances.
On April 30, 2012, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock to First Majestic which were valued at $0.20 per share or $400,000. The shares were recorded as exploration expense. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on June 7, 2012 with regard to this stock issuance.
On April 30, 2012, the Company issued 3,700,000 shares of restricted common stock to five accredited investors valued at $0.20 per share for $740,000. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on June 7, 2012 with regard to this stock issuance.
On April 30, 2012, the Company cancelled 13,500,000 shares of common stock returned by Robbie Manis, an existing shareholder.
On April 30, 2012, the Company issued 37,285 shares of restricted common stock at $0.282 per share for a total value of $10,500 related to Mr. Scott's June 15, 2011 Consulting Agreement. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on June 7, 2012 with regard to this stock issuance.
On November 16, 2012, the Company issued 200,000 shares to Yale Resources, a non-accredited investor, pursuant to the Mining Option Agreement at the market value of $0.08 per share for a total value of $16,000. The shares do not have registration rights.
The Company had the following equity transactions during the year ended November 30, 2013.
On January 3, 2013, the Company issued 170,979 shares of restricted common stock at $0.14 per share for a total value of $24,000 related to Mr. Scott's June 15, 2011 Consulting Agreement. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on January 4, 2013 with regard to this stock issuance.
On March 15, 2013, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of restricted common stock to Yale Resources, a non-accredited investor, related to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 15, 2013. The stock was valued at $0.14 per share for a total value of $140,000. The shares do not have registration rights. A notice filing under Regulation D was filed with the SEC on April 4, 2013 with regard to this stock issuance.
A summary of the warrants issued as of November 30, 2013 was as follows:
A summary of the status of the warrants outstanding as of November 30, 2013 was as follows:
As of November 30, 2013, vested warrants of 1,000,000 had no aggregate intrinsic value.
6. Stock Options
On December 21, 2010, the Company adopted its 2010 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which it may grant stock options to acquire up to a total of 8,500,000 shares of its common stock. The Board of Directors currently acts as the plan administrator of this plan. On January 21, 2011, 1,400,000 options were granted pursuant to the plan with 400,000 such options granted to consultants with an exercise of $0.20 per share, vested over 2 years and mature on January 19, 2014 and 1,000,000 such options granted to the president of the Company with an exercise price of $0.20 per share, vested over 5 years and mature on January 21, 2016. During the year ended November 30, 2013, the Company recorded stock based compensation of $54,668 in connection with the stock options granted during the period.
On September 25, 2013, the Company filed Form S-8/A Post Effective Amendment 1 related to the 2010 Stock Option Plan.
Effective December 1, 2012, the Company changed its estimates of the vesting period of certain stock option awards. The vesting period previously averaged two years was increased to an average of five years. The Company made these changes to better reflect the estimated periods during which these options will be expensed. This change had the effect of reducing 2012 compensation expense by $82,000 and decreasing stockholders equity by the same amount.
A summary of the changes in stock options for the period ended November 30, 2013 is presented below:
The fair value of each option granted has been estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
A summary of weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the period ended November 30, 2013 as follows:
The Company has the following options outstanding and exercisable:
There is no aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable options as of November 30, 2013. As of November 30, 2013, the total compensation of $62,833 for unvested shares is to be recognized over the next 1.26 years.
7. Related Party Transactions
Related party transactions, including transactions with First Majestic, are discussed in other Notes.
8. Commitments, Contingencies and Legal Proceedings
There are no pending legal proceedings against the Company that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.
On January 21, 2011, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez whereby Mr. Gutiérrez was appointed Chief Executive Officer at $5,000 per month for a term of indefinite period unless terminated by either party with sixty days advance written notice to the other party.
On January 18, 2011, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Corcom, Inc., pursuant to which Corcom is to provide certain administrative and related services including, but not limited to, accounting, coordination of annual audits and quarterly reviews, management and review of legal documentation and ensuring timely fulfillment of all regulatory filings. As consideration for the performance of the consulting services under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay Corcom the sum of US$2,000 per month for the duration of the agreement, exclusive of any applicable sales tax. The agreement is for an indefinite period unless terminated by either party with sixty days advance written notice to the other party. As of November 30, 2013, the Company recorded $44,000 related to accounts payable to Corcom.
On June 15, 2011, the Company entered into Consulting and Restricted Stock Award Agreements whereby Mr. Scott was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the Scott Agreements, Mr. Scott receives: (i) US $4,000 cash per month and (ii) shares of Company common stock equaling US $3,000 per month. As of November 30, 2013, the Company accrued compensation of $33,000 related to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement with Mr. Scott.
9. Income Taxes
The Company has incurred losses since inception, which have generated net operating loss carryforwards. The net operating loss carryforwards arise from both United States and Mexican sources.
Pretax losses arising from domestic operations (United States) were approximately 757,000 for the year ended November 30, 2013. Pretax losses arising from foreign operations (Mexico) were approximately $13,000, for the year ended November 30, 2013.
Pretax losses arising from domestic operations (United States) were approximately $1,623,000 for the period of inceptions from December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013. Pretax losses arising from foreign operations (Mexico) were approximately $246,000, for the period of inceptions from December 3, 2007 to November 30, 2013.
The Company has US net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $552,000, which expire in 2019-2032and Mexico net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $74,000 which expire in 2019-2032. Because it is not more likely than not that sufficient tax earnings will be generated to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards, a corresponding valuation allowance of approximately $626,000 and $364,000 was established as of November 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively. Additionally, under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the amounts of, and benefits from, net operating losses may be limited in certain circumstances, including a change in control.
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be used to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone significant changes in its stock ownership. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to utilize any net operating loss carryforwards in the future.
For the year ended November 30, 2013, the Company’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate principally due to net operating losses and warrants issued for services.
The principal components of the Company’s deferred tax assets at November 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
A reconciliation of the United States Federal Statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
The Company has a consumption tax receivable in the amount of $84,702 which is expected to be refunded during early 2014.
10. Subsequent Events
The Company evaluates subsequent events, for the purpose of adjustment or disclosure, up through the date the financial statements are available.
First Majestic, an existing shareholder and creditor, loaned the Company US$100,000 pursuant to a Loan Agreement and Promissory Note and dated February 5, 2014. The Company agreed to pay interest at a rate of 9% per annum until the on demand Promissory Note is repaid.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sonora Resources Corp. (the "Registrant") has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SONORA RESOURCES CORP.
(Registrant)
Date: February 21, 2014
By:
/s/ Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
Chief Executive Officer, President, Management Director and Secretary
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 21, 2014
By:
/s/ Mark Scott
Mark Scott
Chief Financial Officer
( Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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 and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Date: February 21, 2014
By:
/s/ Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
Juan Miguel Ríos Gutiérrez
Chief Executive Officer, President, Management Director and Secretary
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 21, 2014
By:
/s/ Mark Scott
Mark Scott
Chief Financial Officer
( Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)