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LONG-TERM RECLAMATION LIABILITY
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
LONG-TERM RECLAMATION LIABILITY LONG-TERM RECLAMATION LIABILITY
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we have asset retirement obligations of $5,226,505, and $5,445,672. respectively, for our obligation to reclaim our mine facilities based on our most recent reclamation plan, as revised, submitted and approved by the Nevada State Environmental Commission and Division of Environmental Protection. Our total reclamation liability includes cost estimates for our American Flat processing facility, Dayton project and enhanced reclamation obligations in Storey County. Effective January 1, 2021, we updated the expected reclamation commencement date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2025. This resulted in a reduction in the liability of $926,434 at January 1, 2021 which was recorded as a gain in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, we updated our future plans for developing the mining assets as a result of Tonogold defaulting on its option to repurchase the assets (See Note 2, Acquisitions and Investments). The estimated commencement date of reclamation activities changed from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2032. This resulted in a net reduction in the liability of $1,559,559 at December 31, 2022, which $942,167 was recorded as a reduction to our mineral assets retirement cost
on the consolidated balance sheets which resulted in the related mineral asset retirement cost being reduced to zero. The remaining balance of the net reduction of $617,391 was recorded as a gain in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

On March 31, 2022, the Company reacquired the membership interests of Comstock Mining LLC and recognized an asset retirement obligation associated with the Lucerne mine assets of $942,168 (see Note 2 Acquisitions and Investments). To calculate the estimated obligation, we used estimated reclamation costs of $1,159,236, an inflation rate of 2.94%, a credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 8.45% and an estimated reclamation date of December 31, 2025.

During the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, we recognized accretion expense associated with our asset retirement obligation of $398,224 and $317,187, respectively.

Following is a reconciliation of the mining retirement obligation associated with our reclamation plan for the mining projects for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021:
 
 12/31/2212/31/21
Long-term reclamation liability — beginning of year$5,445,672 $6,054,919 
Addition associated with the Lucerne mine942,168 — 
Change in estimate of reclamation costs246,644 — 
Reduction of obligation due to extension of time(1,806,203)(926,434)
Accretion of reclamation liability398,224 317,187 
Long-term reclamation liability — end of year$5,226,505 $5,445,672