Item 1. Business
This annual report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled Risk Factors that may cause our or our industrys 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 these forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. 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.
Our financial statements are stated in United States Dollars (US$) and are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
In this annual 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.
As used in this current report and unless otherwise indicated, the terms we, us and our mean Gold and Gemstone Mining Inc., a Nevada corporation, unless otherwise indicated.
General Overview
We were incorporated in the State of Nevada as a for-profit company on March 5, 2008 under the name Global GSM Solutions Inc. We established a fiscal year end of January 31. We do not have revenues, have minimal assets and have incurred losses since inception. Our company was originally formed to develop, manufacture, and distribute our product and services to the gaming and vending industry that allows remote monitoring of amusement and vending devices. Our product was intended to improve security, productivity, and profitability of devices such as arcade games, toy dispensing machines, redemption games and vending machines. We were not able to raise sufficient capital to carry out our business plan and our management changed our focus to acquiring operating assets or businesses. On May 4, 2012 we entered into a collaboration agreement (the JV Agreement) and changed our business to that of mineral exploration.
Our common stock was initially approved for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol GGSM on December 27, 2010. On April 24, 2012, we filed a Certificate of Amendment with the Nevada Secretary of State to change our name from Global GSM Solutions Inc. to Gold and Gemstone Mining Inc. and to increase our authorized capital from 75,000,000 to 400,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001. These amendments became effective on April 30, 2012 upon approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Also effective April 30, 2012, our issued and outstanding shares of common stock increased from 7,350,000 to 330,750,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001, pursuant to a 1 old for 45 new forward split of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. On May 4, 2012 our companys majority shareholders took a number of actions to reconfigure our capital structure. Our former directors and officers, Gennady Fedosov and Anna Ivashenko cancelled an aggregate of 180,000,000 shares of our common stock and transferred an additional 88,000,000 to incoming management. Subsequent to all cancellations and transfers, we had 150,750,000 shares issued and outstanding. Our CUSIP number is 380485102.
On November 1, 2013, Charmaine King has resigned as Director, President and CEO of our company it will remain responsible as Chief Financial officer of the company. On November 1, 2013, Rafael A Pinedo was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer, director and secretary. Gold and Gemstone Mining is a exploration, mining and claims acquisition company based in Dallas, Texas and Mexico D.F, Mexico, the company currently holds mining claims in B.C Canada, and Sinaloa, Mexico for Gold and Rare Earth elements.
Other than as set out in this current report, we have not been involved in any bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings, nor have we been a party to any material reclassification, merger, consolidation or purchase or sale of a significant amount of assets not in the ordinary course of our business.
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Our Current Business
On May 4, 2012, we entered into a collaboration agreement (the JV Agreement) with Ridgeback Mining (Sierra Leone) Limited (RMSL) regarding a joint venture on three prospective diamond and gold properties in Sierra Leone. Pursuant to the JV Agreement, on March 22, 2012 we incorporated of Gold and Gemstone S. L. Limited, a Sierra Leone company (the JV Company). The share capital of the JV Company is distributed equally between our company and the shareholders of RMSL, with our company holding 50%. Profits will be distributed evenly as well. Pursuant to the terms of the JV Agreement, RMSL will transfer the properties into JV Company and we will provide ongoing financing for all joint venture operations. Our investment into the JV Company is required to reach $1,500,000 per concession for an aggregate total of $4,500,000 within the first twelve months of operation. Two of the three concessions (the Sandia Concession and the Nyamundu concession) were assigned in to the JV Company on October 22, 2012. If we do not invest the required $1,500,000 per concession within the first twelve months, each concession for which the requirement was not fulfilled will be returned to the ownership of RMSL. At this time the third concession (the Kambaya Concession) has not been assigned by RMSL in to the JV Company and therefore there is no commitment to raise the $1,500,000 until 12 months after it has been assigned to the JV Company
Also on May 4, 2012, we accepted the resignation from Geoffrey Dart as our sole director and officers and accepted the consents to act of Charmaine King, Timothy Cocker and Tom Tucker. Ms. King was appointed as president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, secretary, treasurer and as a director of our company. Mr. Cocker was appointed as our chief marketing officer and as a member of our board of directors, and Mr. Tucker was appointed as our vice president of African mining operations as well as a member of our board of directors. Mr. Cocker and Mr. Tucker have subsequently resigned from all of their positions on January 16, 2013 and January 17, 2013, respectively.
As of October 22, 2012 RMSL notified both the Nimikoro Chiefdom and the Nimiyama Chiefdom that RMSL has assigned the respective concession in to the JV Company effective October 29, 2012. The notice confirmed that we will have 12 months from the date of the assignment to raise $1,500,000 for each concession in to the JV Company or the concessions will revert back to RMSL.
On November 28, 2012, we entered into two separate agreements for the exploration and development of mineral properties in Africa. The agreements are summarized as follows:
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1.
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Joint venture agreement between our company and TTM Global Enterprises Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the U.K. This agreement relates to the investment by our company into a 30% interest in mining operations in Siguiri, Guinea, Africa. The term of the agreement is 90 days, within which we are required to provide financing of $1,500,000 and take on the financial responsibilities for all administrative fees associated with operations on the property. Of the $1,500,000, $250,000 is a fee to TTM Global for acquiring the 30% interest in the property. The $250,000 is to be delivered to TTM Global within 30 days of signing the TTM Global joint venture agreement and the remaining $1,250,000 must be provided within 90 days.
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2.
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Joint venture agreement between our company and Blue Orange Mining Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Ghana. This agreement relates to the investment by our company into a 50% interest in thirteen gold concessions within the Ashanti-belt in Ghana. The term of the agreement is 90 days, within which we are required to provide financing of $5,000,000 towards the joint venture. Of the $5,000,000, $500,000 is a fee payable to Blue Orange for acquiring the 50% interest in the concessions. The $500,000 is to be delivered to Blue Orange within 30 days of signing the Blue Orange joint venture and the remaining $4,500,000 must be provided within 90 days.
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We were unable to fulfill our payment obligations in respect of the Joint Venture Agreements with TTM Global Enterprises Ltd. and Blue Orange Mining Limited and, consequently, the agreements were terminated as at February 26, 2013.
Effective January 25, 2013, we entered into an investment agreement with Deer Valley Management, LLC whereby Deer Valley Management will provide for a non-brokered financing arrangement of up to $5,000,000. The financing allows, but does not require us to issue and sell up to the number of shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000 to Deer Valley Management. Subject to the terms and conditions of the financing agreement and a registration rights agreement, we may, in our sole discretion, deliver a notice to Deer Valley Management which states the dollar amount which we intend to sell to Deer Valley Management on a certain date. The maximum amount that we shall be entitled to sell to Deer Valley Management shall be equal to 200% of the average daily volume (U.S. market only) of the common stock for the 10 trading days prior to the applicable notice date so long as such amount does not exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of our company. Deer Valley Management will purchase our common stock valued at a 22.5% discount from the weighted average price for the 3 lowest closing bid prices during 10 consecutive trading days or the previous closing bid price, whichever is less, prior to delivery and receipt of our capital request. The shares that we sell to Deer Valley Management must be registered stock, among other conditions of investment.
In connection with the investment agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with Deer Valley Management dated January 25, 2013, whereby we agreed to file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 21 days of the date of the registration rights agreement. As at the date of this annual report we have not complied with our obligation to file a registration statement on Form S-1 pursuant to the registration rights agreement and the investment agreement with Deer Valley Management and we are therefore in default of those Agreements.
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Effective February 8, 2013, our company entered into a collaboration agreement with Tell Mining Group for the exploration and development of mineral properties in Africa. Tell Mining is an active owner and developer of gold mining concessions in Ghana. Each concession constitutes a separate mining project. The agreement contemplates the creation of a joint venture company in Ghana (the Ghana JV Company) for which our company and Tell Mining shall each hold 50% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of the Ghana JV Company. Our company is required to deposit $10,000 cash with Tell Mining prior to commencement of mining along with 15% of net profits once in production, paid quarterly per concession. The term of the agreement is 5 years. As at the date of this annual report no action has been taken in respect of the collaboration agreement with Tell Mining and we have not made any payment pursuant to the agreement.
Effective February 22, 2013, our company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Asher Enterprises, Inc. Under the terms of the Agreement our company issued an 8% convertible promissory note, in the principal amount of $42,500, which note matures on November 26, 2013 and may be converted into shares of our companys common stock at any time after 180 days from February 22, 2013, subject to adjustments as further set out in the Note. The conversion price shall be at a variable conversion rate of 55% multiplied by the market price, being the average of the lowest two trading prices for our companys common stock during the 90 trading day period ending on the last complete trading day prior to the conversion date, subject to adjustments as further set out in the note. Our company received the sum of $42,500 principal under the note on February 22, 2013. The note is issued to Asher pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933 on the basis that they represented to our company that they were an accredited investor as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.
On November 1, 2013, Charmaine King has resigned as Director, President and CEO of our company it will remain responsible as Chief Financial officer of the company. On November 1, 2013, Rafael A Pinedo was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer, director and secretary.
Our Business
Gold and Gemstone Mining is a exploration, mining and claims acquisition company based in Dallas, Texas and Mexico D.F, Mexico, the company currently holds mining claims in B.C Canada, and Sinaloa, Mexico for Gold and Rare Earth elements. We will be shifting our focus on the North West of Mexico as we move forward in 2014. The new corporate strategy is based on identifying potential rare earth sources with long-term supply, developing separation facilities, and building relationships with top tier companies that depend on rare earth elements for their products.
Market, Customers and Distribution Methods
Although future market conditions cannot be predicted, several large and well-capitalized markets for diamonds and gold exist throughout the world. Such markets include a very sophisticated futures market for the pricing and delivery of gold and diamonds. The price for diamonds and gold is affected by a number of global factors, including economic strength and resultant demand for diamonds and gold, fluctuating supplies, mining activities and production by others in the industry, and new and or reduced uses for diamonds and gold.
The mining industry is highly speculative and of a very high-risk nature. As such, mining activities involve a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. Few mining projects actually become operating mines.
The mining industry is subject to a number of factors, including intense industry competition, high susceptibility to economic conditions (such as price, foreign currency exchange rates, and capital and operating costs), and political conditions (which could affect such things as import and export regulations, foreign ownership restrictions). Furthermore, the mining activities are subject to all hazards incidental to mineral exploration, development and production, as well as risk of damage from earthquakes, any of which could result in work stoppages, damage to or loss of property and equipment and possible environmental damage. Hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations and other conditions are also involved in mineral exploration and development.
Rare earth elements are critical to many existing and emerging 21st century applications including clean-energy technologies such as hybrid cars and electric vehicles; high-technology applications including cell phones and digital music players; hard disk drives used in computers; microphones; fiber optics; lasers; and in addition, critical defense applications such as global positioning systems, radar and sonar; and advanced water treatment applications, including those for industrial, military, homeland security, domestic and foreign aid use.
The Government Accountability Office issued a report documenting that China, supplier of 97% of the world's rare earths, dominates the supply of rare earth materials crucial to the U.S. defense, computer and renewable energy sectors. The report, commissioned by Congress, resulted from concerns that China could reduce the rare earth materials supply, curbing U.S. production of guided missiles and other defense weapons as well as commercial products such as computer hard drives, cell phones, MRI machines, hybrid autos and wind turbines, among other sophisticated technologies that employ rare earth materials.
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The Rare Earth Elements
REEs are a moderately abundant group of 15 metallic elements known as the Lanthanide series; cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium (which does not occur naturally), samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium and two elements that have similar chemical properties to the Lanthanide elements; yttrium and scandium. The oxides produced from processing REEs are collectively referred to as rare earth oxides or REOs.
REEs are often classified into two groups: the light REEs ("LREE") and HREEs, according to their atomic weights and location on the periodic table. LREEs and HREEs are contained in all rare earth deposits. Cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, europium, and gadolinium are considered LREEs that are more dominant in bastnasite. Terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and yttrium are considered HREEs and are in higher concentrations in monazite than in bastnasite.
Competition
The diamond and gold exploration industry is highly competitive. We are a new exploration stage company and have a weak competitive position in the industry. We compete with junior and senior exploration companies, independent producers and institutional and individual investors who are actively seeking to acquire mineral exploration properties throughout the world together with the equipment, labor and materials required to operate on those properties. Competition for the acquisition of diamond and gold exploration interests is intense with many exploration leases or concessions available in a competitive bidding process in which we may lack the technological information or expertise available to other bidders.
According to the 2011 Critical Materials Report issued from the U.S. Department of Energy, five of the rare earth elements were found to be critical in terms of supply risk in the short term (present - 2015) and into the medium term (2015-2025). As shown in the criticality matrices below, those elements deemed critical are: Dysprosium, Europium, Neodymium, Terbium, and Yttrium.
Many of the mineral exploration companies with which we compete for financing and for the acquisition of mineral exploration properties have greater financial and technical resources than those available to us. Accordingly, these competitors may be able to spend greater amounts on acquiring mineral exploration interests of merit or on exploring or developing their mineral exploration properties. This advantage could enable our competitors to acquire mineral exploration properties of greater quality and interest to prospective investors who may choose to finance their additional exploration and development. Such competition could adversely impact our ability to attain the financing necessary for us to acquire further mineral exploration interests or explore our current or future mineral exploration properties.
We also compete with other junior mineral exploration companies for financing from a limited number of investors that are prepared to invest in such companies. The presence of competing junior mineral exploration companies may impact our ability to raise additional capital in order to fund our acquisition or exploration programs if investors perceive that investments in our competitors are more attractive based on the merit of their mineral exploration properties or the price of the investment opportunity. In addition, we compete with both junior and senior mineral exploration companies for available resources, including, but not limited to, professional geologists, land specialists, engineers, camp staff, helicopters, float planes, mineral exploration supplies and drill rigs.
General competitive conditions may be substantially affected by various forms of legislation and/or regulation introduced from time to time by the governments of the countries in which we operate, as well as factors beyond our control, including international political conditions, overall levels of supply and demand for mineral exploration.
In the face of competition, we may not be successful in acquiring, exploring or developing profitable mineral properties or interests, and we cannot give any assurance that suitable properties or interests will be available for our acquisition, exploration or development. Despite this, we hope to compete successfully in the mineral exploration industry by:
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keeping our costs low;
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relying on the strength of our management
s contacts; and
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using our size and experience to our advantage by adapting quickly to changing market conditions or responding swiftly to potential opportunities.
Research and Development
During the year ended January 31, 2014 we did not spend any funds on research and development.
Employees
We are an exploration stage company and currently have no employees, other than our one officer and director who provide services on a consulting basis. All the other functions on the finance and engineering area are outsource through third parties.
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Intellectual Property
We own all of the right to the websites, and the content therein, of
www.ggsmining.com
and
www.chancerymining.com
.
Governmental Regulations
The Mining Law or Ley Minera is the section of legislation that governs Mexicos mining sector. The General Directorate of Mines (GDM), under the authority of the General Mining Co-coordinator, has the authority to enforce the Mining Law and its regulations.
Mexican mining law offers the following advantages:
It allows direct foreign investment with up to 100% ownership of the capital stock.
Exploration concessions shall have a not extendible six years life.
Exploitation concessions shall have a term of fifty years. Such concessions may be further extended for the same term.
There are no limits for the mining concession surfaces.
Exploration concessions shall be substituted by one or more exploitation concessions.
It allows private sector participation in minerals previously considered as exclusive for the government (sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, iron ore and coal).
The general guidelines issued by the concession granting bidding for non-incorporated assignations are established. The concept of economic counterproposal is added.
Timing and authority's answers to the cancelling of concessions, or substitutions obtained in a bidding are established, and the same applies to cases when the bidding was declared deserted. At this time, we cannot provide investors with any assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient funding from the sale of our common stock or through a loan from our directors to meet our obligations with regard to the mining concessions, the initial registrations above, or general operations over the next twelve months. We do not have any arrangements in place for any future debt or equity financing.
Environmental Compliance
We are not aware of any material violations of environmental permits, licenses or approvals that have been issued with respect to our operations. We expect to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to our business, and at this time, we do not anticipate incurring any material capital expenditures to comply with any environmental regulations or other requirements.
While our intended projects and business activities do not currently violate any laws, any regulatory changes that impose additional restrictions or requirements on us or on our potential customers could adversely affect us by increasing our operating costs or decreasing demand for our products or services, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Reports to Security Holders
We intend to furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing financial statements audited by our independent auditors and to make available quarterly reports containing unaudited financial statements for each of the first three quarters of each year.
The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is
www.sec.gov
.