Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2012 and 2011
(1) ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
Aurum, Inc. ("Aurum” or the “Company") was incorporated in the State of Florida in September 2008. The principal stockholder of Aurum is Golden Target Pty Ltd., an Australian corporation (“Golden”), which owned 96.21% of Aurum as of October 31, 2012.
On January 20, 2010, the Company re-incorporated in the state of Delaware (the “Reincorporation”) through a merger involving Liquid Financial Engines Inc. and Aurum, Inc., a Delaware Corporation that was a wholly owned subsidiary of Liquid. The Reincorporation was effected by merging Liquid with Aurum, with Aurum being the surviving entity. For purposes of the Company’s financial reporting status, Aurum is deemed a successor to Liquid.
In July 2009, Golden acquired a 96% interest in Aurum from certain stockholders. In connection therewith, the Company appointed a new President/Chief Executive Officer/Director and Chief Financial Officer/Secretary. The sole director and stockholder of Golden is also the President of the Company.
Commencing August 2009, the Company decided to focus on mineral exploration for gold and copper in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. The Company’s planned operations have not commenced and are considered to be in the exploration stage.
In December 2010, the Company executed a Management and Shareholders Agreement with Argonaut Overseas Investments Ltd (“AOI”), an indirectly wholly owned Subsidiary of Argonaut Resources N.L., in respect to Argonaut’s 70% held Century Concession in Laos.
The agreement appoints Aurum as the manager of the Century Thrust Joint Venture Agreement (“Joint Venture”) and the Company has the right to earn 72.86% of AOI’s interest in the Joint Venture which is equivalent to a 51% beneficial interest in the Century Concession. In order to acquire this interest, Aurum must spend US$6.5 million on exploration within five years.
On February 10, 2011, the Company entered into a Deed of Agreement with the shareholders of the Lao Inter Mining Options Ltd (“LIMO”) which granted Aurum an option to purchase LIMO’s 20% interest in the Joint Venture (“Option”). This Agreement, in conjunction with the Management and Shareholders Agreement with AOI would have enabled Aurum to acquire, at its option, a 71% beneficial interest in the Century Concession. On October 24, 2011, the Company executed a Deed of Variation of Call Option extending the exercise date of the Option to April 24, 2012, for a consideration of $55,000 for each month extended. (see note 14). The Company decided not to exercise the option to purchase 20% of the Joint Venture.
The Company has funded operations since inception through advances from affiliated entities. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplates continuation of Aurum as a going concern. However, Aurum has limited assets, limited working capital, has not yet commenced revenue producing operations and has sustained recurring losses since inception.
The Company’s ability to continue operations through fiscal 2013 is dependent upon future funding from affiliated entities, capital raisings, or its ability to commence revenue producing operations and positive cash flows.
(2) ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company is an exploration stage company and the following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed in connection with the preparation of the financial statements.
(a)
|
Basis of presentation and use of estimates
|
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure on contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The functional and reporting currency of the Company is the US dollar.
(b)
|
Principles of Consolidation
|
The consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities of the Company and the entities it controlled at the end of the financial period and the results of the Company and the entities it controlled during the year. Where entities are not controlled throughout the entire financial year, the consolidated results include the results of those entities for that part of the period during which control exists. The effect of all transactions between entities in the group and the inter-entity balances are eliminated in full in preparing the consolidated financial statements. The Company has only one controlled entity.
Aurum considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. For the periods presented there were no cash equivalents.
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to ASC Topic 740, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which requires an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. For the period presented, there was no taxable income. There are no deferred income taxes resulting from temporary differences in reporting certain income and expense items for income tax and financial accounting purposes. Aurum at this time is not aware of any net operating losses which are expected to be realised.
The Company is an Australian resident corporation under Australian law and accordingly is subject to Australian income tax on its non-exempt worldwide assessable income (which includes capital gains), less allowable deductions, at the rate of 30%. Foreign tax credits are allowed where tax has been paid on foreign source income, provided the tax credit does not exceed 30% of the foreign source income.
Under the U.S. Australia tax treaty, a U.S. resident corporation such as Aurum is subject to Australian income tax on net profits attributable to the carrying on of a business in Australia through a “permanent establishment” in Australia. A “permanent establishment” is a fixed place of business through which the business of an enterprise is carried on. The treaty limits the Australian tax on interest and royalties paid by an Australian business to a U.S. resident to 10% of the gross interest or royalty income unless it relates to a permanent establishment. Although we consider that we do not have a permanent establishment in Australia, the Company may be deemed to have such an establishment due to the location of its administrative offices in Melbourne. In addition we may receive interest or dividends from time to time.
The Company calculates loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”.
Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net profit (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share has not been presented as all the common stock equivalents are anti-dilutive (see Note 12).
(g)
|
Fair value of Financial Instruments
|
FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, requires the Company to disclose, when reasonably attainable, the fair market values of its assets and liabilities which are deemed to be financial instruments.
(h)
|
Property and Equipment
|
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided for using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets:
|
Depreciable Life
(in years)
|
|
Office equipment
|
1-2
|
|
Computer equipment
|
1-3
|
|
Furniture
|
1-2
|
|
Where necessary, comparative figures have been restated to be consistent with current year presentation.
(j)
|
Mineral Property Acquisition, Exploration Costs and Amortization of Mineral Rights
|
Mineral property acquisition, exploration and development costs are expensed as incurred until such time as economic reserves are quantified. To date, the Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral properties. When it is determined that a mining deposit can be economically and legally extracted or produced based on established proven and probable reserves, further exploration costs and development costs incurred after such determination will be capitalized. The establishment of proven and probable reserves is based on results of final feasibility studies which indicate whether a property is economically feasible. Upon commencement of commercial production, capitalized costs will be transferred to the appropriate asset category and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Capitalized costs, net of salvage values, relating to a deposit which is abandoned or considered uneconomic for the foreseeable future, will be written off.
(3) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect. These pronouncements did not have any material impact on the financial statements unless otherwise disclosed, and the Company does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
(4) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is stated at cost. The Company records depreciation and amortization, when appropriate, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Additions, major renewals and replacements that increase the property’s useful life are capitalized. Property sold or retired, together with the related accumulated depreciation is removed from the appropriate accounts and the resultant gain or loss is included in net income (loss).
|
|
|
|
|
At October 31, 2012
|
|
|
At October 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
Depreciable
Life
(in years)
|
|
|
Cost
$
|
|
|
Accumulated Depreciation
$
|
|
|
Net
Book
Value
$
|
|
|
Cost
$
|
|
|
Accumulated Depreciation
$
|
|
|
Net
Book
Value
$
|
|
Office Equipment
|
|
1-2
|
|
|
|
3,830
|
|
|
|
(3,830
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,830
|
|
|
|
(3,383
|
)
|
|
|
447
|
|
Computer Equipment
|
|
1-3
|
|
|
|
101,975
|
|
|
|
(73,303
|
)
|
|
|
28,672
|
|
|
|
101,975
|
|
|
|
(34,031
|
)
|
|
|
67,944
|
|
Furniture
|
|
1-2
|
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
(481
|
)
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
(155
|
)
|
|
|
495
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,455
|
|
|
|
(77,614
|
)
|
|
|
28,841
|
|
|
|
106,455
|
|
|
|
(37,569
|
)
|
|
|
68,886
|
|
The depreciation expense for fiscal 2012 amounted to $40,044 and for fiscal 2011 amounted to $32,179.
(5) AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
In August 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with AXIS Consultants Pty Ltd to provide geological, management and administration services to the Company. AXIS is affiliated through common management. The Company is one of ten affiliated companies under common management with AXIS. Each of the companies has some common Directors, officers and shareholders. In addition, each of the companies is substantially dependent upon AXIS for its senior management and administration staff. It has been the intention of the affiliated companies and respective Boards of Directors that each of such arrangements or transactions should accommodate the respective interest of the relevant affiliated companies in a manner which is fair to all parties and equitable to the shareholders of each. Currently, there are no material arrangements or planned transactions between the Company and any of the other affiliated companies other than AXIS.
AXIS is paid by each company for the costs incurred by it in carrying out the administration function for each such company. Pursuant to the Service Agreement, AXIS performs such functions as payroll, maintaining employee records required by law and by usual accounting procedures, providing insurance, legal, human resources, company secretarial, land management, certain exploration and mining support, financial, accounting advice and services. AXIS procures items of equipment necessary in the conduct of the business of the Company. AXIS also provides for the Company various services, including but not limited to the making available of office supplies, office facilities and any other services as may be required from time to time by the Company as and when requested by the Company.
The Company is required to reimburse AXIS for any direct costs incurred by AXIS for the Company. In addition, the Company is required to pay a proportion of AXIS’s overhead cost based on AXIS’s management estimate of our utilisation of the facilities and activities of AXIS plus a service fee of not more than 15% of the direct and overhead costs. Amounts invoiced by AXIS are required to be paid by us. The Company is also not permitted to obtain from sources other than AXIS, and we are not permitted to perform or provide ourselves, the services contemplated by the Service Agreement, unless we first request AXIS to provide the service and AXIS fails to provide the service within one month.
The Service Agreement may be terminated by AXIS or us upon 60 days prior notice. If the Service Agreement is terminated by AXIS, the Company would be required to independently provide, or to seek an alternative source of providing, the services currently provided by AXIS. There can be no assurance that the Company could independently provide or find a third party to provide these services on a cost-effective basis or that any transition from receiving services under the Service Agreement will not have a material adverse effect on us. The Company’s inability to provide such services or to find a third party to provide such services may have a material adverse effect on our operations.
In accordance with the Service Agreement AXIS provides the Company with the services of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, geologists and clerical employees, as well as office facilities, equipment, administrative and clerical services. We pay AXIS for the actual costs of such facilities plus a maximum service fee of 15%.
The payable to affiliates at October 31, 2012 in the amount of $6,630,197 (2011: $4,174,304) is primarily due to AXIS. During the year ended October 31, 2012, AXIS provided services in accordance with the services agreement and incurred direct costs on behalf of the Company of $253,294 (2011: $320,051), and advanced the Company $2,029,099 (2011: $2,774,981). During the year ended 31 October 2012, the Manager of the Laos operations advanced the Company $173,500. The Company intends to repay these amounts with funds raised either via additional debt or equity offerings. The affiliates have agreed not to require repayment of these advances prior to October 31, 2013, accordingly, the Company has decided to classify the amounts payable as non-current in the accompanying balance sheets.
(6) INCOME TAXES
Aurum files its income tax returns on an accrual basis.
The Company follows the accounting requirements associated with uncertainty in income taxes using the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC 740, Income Taxes. Using that guidance, tax positions initially need to be recognized in the financial statements when it is more-likely-than-not the positions will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. It also provides guidance for derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. As of October 31, 2012, the Company has no uncertain tax positions that qualify for either recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
The Company is required to file tax returns in the United States. The Company has available net operating losses carry forward aggregating approximately US$1,405,000 which would expire in years 2028 through 2031.
The Company’s tax returns for all years since 2008 remain open to examination by the respective tax authorities. There are currently no tax examinations in progress.
(7) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and advances from affiliate. The carrying amounts of cash approximate their respective fair values because of the short maturities of those instruments. Financial liabilities for which carrying values approximate fair value include accounts payable and accrued expenses. The fair value of advances from affiliate is not readily determinable as no similar market exists for these instruments and it doesn’t have a specified date of repayment.
(8) EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY
The Company is considered an exploration stage company and accordingly reports operations, stockholders deficit and cash flows since inception through the date that revenues are generated from management’s intended operations. Since inception, the Company has incurred an operating loss of $9,379,876. The Company’s working capital has been primarily generated from advances from an affiliated entity as well as through the sales of common stock.
(9) CASH
The Company maintains cash deposits with financial institutions in Australia and in Laos. Cash deposits maintained in Australian dollars are translated into US dollars at the period end exchange rate with the related adjustment recognised in operations.
(10) NET LOSS PER SHARE
Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net profit (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is similarly calculated using the treasury stock method except that the denominator is increased to reflect the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive securities at the end of the applicable period were exercised. Options to acquire 2,166,666 shares of common stock were not included in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding as such effects would be anti-dilutive.
(11) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In September 2008, 96,000,000 shares of common stock were issued to the Company’s founder raising $9,000.
In March 2009, the Company raised $12,000 in a registered public offering of 9,600,000 shares of common stock share pursuant to a prospectus dated January 30, 2009.
On September 29, 2009 the Company’s Board of Directors declared an 8-for-1 stock split in the form of a stock dividend that was payable in October 2009 to stockholders of record as of October 23, 2009.
The Company has accounted for this bonus issue as a stock split and accordingly, all share and per share data has been retroactively restated.
(12) ISSUE OF OPTIONS UNDER EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(i)
|
Effective December 13, 2010, the Company issued 2,500,000 options over shares of Common Stock to employees under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan that has been adopted by the Directors of the Company. The options vested 1/3 on December 13, 2010, 1/3 vested on November 17, 2011 and the balance will vest on November 17, 2012. The exercise price of the options is US$1.00 and the latest exercise date for the options is November 17, 2020.
|
The Company has accounted for all options issued based upon their fair market value using the Binomial pricing model.
An external consultant has calculated the fair value of the 2,500,000 options using the Binomial valuation method using the following inputs:
Grant date
|
Dec 13, 2010
|
Dec 13, 2010
|
Dec 13, 2010
|
Grant date share price
|
US$1.10
|
US$1.10
|
US$1.10
|
Vesting date
|
Dec 13, 2010
|
Nov 17, 2011
|
Nov 17, 2012
|
Expected life in years
|
4.5
|
5.0
|
5.5
|
Risk-free rate
|
1.91%
|
1.91%
|
1.91%
|
Volatility
|
95%
|
95%
|
95%
|
Exercise price
|
US$1.00
|
US$1.00
|
US$1.00
|
Call option value
|
US$0.78
|
US$0.81
|
US$0.83
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Option Price
Per Share
US$
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
US$
|
|
Outstanding at November 1, 2010
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at October 31, 2011
|
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at October 31, 2012
|
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
The exercise price is US$1.00 per option. The weighted average per option fair value of options granted during fiscal 2011 was US$0.81 and the weighted average remaining contractual life of those options is 8 years. There are 1,666,666 options currently exercisable.
The total value of the outstanding unvested options equates to $40,686 and is being amortised over the vesting periods.
For fiscal 2012, the amortization amounted to $425,827.
(ii)
|
In May 2011, the Company issued 750,000 options over shares of Common Stock to employees under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan that has been adopted by the Directors of the Company. The options vested 1/3 upon grant date, 1/3 vested on February 1, 2012 and the balance will vest on February 1, 2013. The exercise price of the options is US$1.00 and the latest exercise date for the options is February 1, 2018.
|
The Company has accounted for all options issued based upon their fair market value using the Binomial pricing model.
An external consultant has calculated the fair value of the 750,000 options using the Binomial valuation method using the following inputs:
Grant date
|
May 1, 2011
|
May 1, 2011
|
May 1, 2011
|
Grant date share price
|
US$1.30
|
US$1.30
|
US$1.30
|
Vesting date
|
May 1, 2011
|
Feb 1, 2012
|
Feb 1, 2013
|
Expected life in years
|
3.5
|
4.0
|
4.5
|
Risk-free rate
|
1.04%
|
2.02%
|
2.02%
|
Volatility
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
Exercise price
|
US$1.00
|
US$1.00
|
US$1.00
|
Call option value
|
US$0.91
|
US$0.95
|
US$0.99
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Option Price
Per Share
US$
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
US$
|
|
Outstanding at November 1, 2010
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at October 31, 2011
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at October 31, 2012
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
The exercise price is US$1.00 per option. The weighted average per option fair value of options granted during fiscal 2011 was US$0.95 and the weighted average remaining contractual life of those options is 51/4 years. There are 500,000 options currently exercisable.
The total value of the outstanding unvested options equates to $35,853 and is being amortised over the vesting periods.
For fiscal 2012, the amortization amounted to $221,125.
(13) COMMITMENTS
Pursuant to the Century Thrust Joint Venture Agreement (Joint Venture), the Company may fund up to $6.5 million in exploration expenditure, of which $3.19 million has already been funded, in order to acquire a 51% beneficial interest in the Joint Venture. Should Aurum wish to execute its rights under the agreement, it may be required to expend up to a further $3.31 million on the Century Thrust Concession (see note 1). All such exploration costs are being expensed as incurred.
(14) OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the LIMO Deed, as amended, the Company has paid Option Fees of $405,000, along with associated costs of $20,000.
The Company had 60 days from the date of the last option payment to exercise the option to purchase 20% of the Joint Venture for $1.35 million, inclusive of the option fees of $405,000. On October 24, 2011, the Company executed a Deed of Variation of Call Option extending the exercise date of Option to April 24, 2012, for a consideration of $55,000 for each month extended. The Company did not exercise the option to purchase 20% of the Joint Venture on April 24, 2012 and accordingly $425,000 prepaid option fees have been expensed (see note 1).
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated the existence of significant events subsequent to the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events or transactions which would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, other than noted herein.
F-15