10-K 1 v303771_10k.htm ANNUAL REPORT

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

 

oTRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to                

 

Commission file number 001-33894

 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Columbia   98-0459178
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
8310 South Valley Highway, Suite 280   80112
Englewood, Colorado    
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(720) 979-0900

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Common Shares,   NYSE Amex
No par value    
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes   ¨ No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes   £   No  x

 

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

 

 
 

 

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

 

Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

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

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the common stock of Midway Gold Corp. held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was US$195 million based on the closing price of the common stock of US$1.96 as reported on the NYSE Amex.

 

As of March 7, 2012, 113,989,083 common shares of Midway Gold Corp. were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

 

Portions of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended for the registrant’s 2012 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 1
PRELIMINARY NOTES 1
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES 3
GLOSSARY OF MINING TERMS 4
PART I 8
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 8
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS AND UNCERTAINTIES 12
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES 21
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 44
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 44
PART II 45
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 45
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 51
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 51
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. 58
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 58
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 58
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 58
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION 59
PART III 60
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 60
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 60
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 60
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 60
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 60
PART IV 61
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 61
SIGNATURES 62
EXHIBIT INDEX  

 

 
 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Descriptions of agreements or other documents contained in this report are intended as summaries and are not necessarily complete.  Please refer to the agreements or other documents filed or incorporated herein by reference as exhibits.  Please see the exhibit index at the end of this report for a complete list of those exhibits.

 

 
 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE regarding forward-looking statements

 

This annual report or Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  The statements contained in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  When used in this report, the words “plan,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding Midway Gold Corp.’s strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material.  All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to Midway Gold Corp. on the date of this report, and management assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.  Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate.  Midway Gold Corp.’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this report.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors”of this Form 10-K.

 

In addition to the specific factors identified under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report, other uncertainties that could affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements include:

 

·our expected plans of operation to continue as a going concern;
·the establishment and estimates of mineral reserves and resources;
·the grade of mineral reserves and resources;
·anticipated expenditures and costs in our operations;
·planned exploration activities and the anticipated outcome of such exploration activities;
·plans and anticipated timing for obtaining permits and licenses for our properties;
·anticipated closure costs;
·anticipated liquidity to meet expected operating costs and capital requirements;
·estimates of environmental liabilities;
·our ability to obtain financing to fund our estimated expenditure and capital requirements;
·factors expected to impact our results of operations;
·the expected impact of the adoption of new accounting standards; and
 · risks related to development, bonding, permitting, construction, and other activities related to mine development.

 

This list, together with the factors identified under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any forward-looking statements contained in this report.  You should read this report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.  These forward-looking statements represent management’s beliefs, expectations and opinions only as of the date of this report.  We do not intend to update these forward looking statements except as required by law.  We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

PRELIMINARY NOTES

 

Reporting Currency, Financial and Other Information

 

All amounts in this annual report on Form 10-K are expressed in Canadian Dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, the United States Dollar is denoted as “US$.”

 

Financial information is presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“US GAAP”) which do not differ in any material respects from International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) in Canada as applicable to Midway Gold Corp.

 

Information in Part I and II of this report includes data expressed in various measurement units and contains numerous technical terms used in the gold mining industry. To assist readers in understanding this information, a conversion table and glossary are provided below.

 

1
 

 

Exchange Rate Information

 

The table below sets forth the average rate of exchange for the Canadian Dollar at the end of the five most recent calendar years ended December 31.  The table also sets forth the high and low rate of exchange for the Canadian Dollar at the end of the six most recent months.  For purposes of this table, the rate of exchange means the exchange rate as reported by the Bank of Canada on its web site at www.bankofcanada.ca.  The table sets forth the number of Canadian Dollars required under that formula to buy one United States Dollar, rounded to the nearest cent.

 

   2011   2010   2009   2008   2007 
                     
Average for Period  $0.99   $1.03   $1.14   $1.07   $1.07 

 

     Feb
2012
    Jan
2012 
    Dec
2011 
     Nov 
2011
     Oct
2011
    Sept
2011 
 
High for Period   0.99    1.00    1.01    1.02    0.99    1.02 
Low for Period   1.00    1.03    1.04    1.05    1.07    0.95 

 

Metric Conversion Table

 

For ease of reference, the following conversion factors are provided:

 

Metric Unit   U.S. Measure   U.S. Measure   Metric Unit
             
1 hectare   2.471 acres   1 acre   0.4047 hectares
1 metre   3.2881 feet   1 foot   0.3048 metres
1 kilometre   0.621 miles   1 mile   1.609 kilometres
1 gram   0.032 troy oz.   1 troy ounce   31.1 grams
1 kilogram   2.205 pounds   1 pound   0.4541 kilograms
1 tonne   1.102 short tons   1 short ton   0.907 tonnes
1 gram/tonne   0.029 troy ozs./ton   1 troy ounce/ton   34.28 grams/tonne

 

The following abbreviations are used herein:

 

Ag   = silver        
Au   = gold   m(2)   = square meter
Au g/t   = grams of gold per tonne   m(3)   = cubic meter
g   = gram   Ma   = million years
ha   = hectare   Oz   = troy ounce
km   = kilometer   Pb   = lead
km(2)   = square kilometers   T   = tonne
kg   = kilogram   t   = ton
lb   = pound   Zn   = zinc
m   = meter        

 

2
 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES

 

The mineral estimates in this annual report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. The terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

 

In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

 

Accordingly, information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

3
 

 

Glossary of mining terms

 

We estimate and report our resources and we will estimate and report our reserves according to the definitions set forth in NI 43-101. We will modify and reconcile the reserves as appropriate to conform to SEC Industry Guide 7 for reporting in the U.S. The definitions for each reporting standard are presented below with supplementary explanation and descriptions of the parallels and differences.

 

NI 43-101 Definitions:    
     
indicated mineral resource   The term “indicated mineral resource” refers to that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be established with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed.
     
inferred mineral resource   The term “inferred mineral resource” refers to that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
     
measured mineral resource   The term “measured mineral resource” refers to that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity.
     
mineral reserve   The term “mineral reserve” refers to the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. The study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that might occur when the material is mined.

 

mineral resource   The term “mineral resource” refers to a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the Earth’s crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge.
     
opt   Troy ounce per short ton
     
probable mineral reserve   The term “probable mineral reserve” refers to the economically mineable part of an indicated, and in some circumstances a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified.
     
proven mineral reserve1   The term “proven mineral reserve” refers to the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study.

 

4
 

 

qualified person2   The term “qualified person” refers to an individual who is an engineer or geoscientist with at least five years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development, production activities and project assessment, or any combination thereof, including experience relevant to the subject matter of the project or report and is a member in good standing of a self-regulating organization.
     
SEC Industry Guide 7 Definitions:    
     
exploration stage   An “exploration stage” prospect is one which is not in either the development or production stage.
     
development stage   A “development stage” project is one which is undergoing preparation of an established commercially mineable deposit for its extraction but which is not yet in production. This stage occurs after completion of a feasibility study.
     
mineralized material   The term “mineralized material” refers to material that is not included in the reserve as it does not meet all of the criteria for adequate demonstration for economic or legal extraction.
     
probable reserve   The term “probable reserve” refers to reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) 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.
     
production stage   A “production stage” project is actively engaged in the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves to produce a marketable metal or mineral product.
     
proven reserve   The term “proven reserve” refers to reserves for which (a) 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 (b) 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 reserves are well-established.
     
reserve   The term “reserve” refers to that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Reserves must be supported by a feasibility study done to bankable standards that demonstrates the economic extraction. (“Bankable standards” implies that the confidence attached to the costs and achievements developed in the study is sufficient for the project to be eligible for external debt financing.) A reserve includes adjustments to the in-situ tonnes and grade to include diluting materials and allowances for losses that might occur when the material is mined.

 

1 For SEC Industry Guide 7 purposes this study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction is justified.

 

2 SEC Industry Guide 7 does not require designation of a qualified person.

 

5
 

 

Additional definitions for terms used in this Annual Report filed on Form 10-K:

 

argillite   Low grade metamorphic clay rich sedimentary rock (shale, mudstone, siltstone).
     
block model   The representation of geologic units using three-dimensional blocks of predetermined sizes.
     
breccia   A rock in which angular fragments are surrounded by a mass of fine-grained minerals.
     
CIM   Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
     
CSAMT   Controlled source audio magneto telluric survey method.
     
cut off or cut-off grade   When determining economically viable mineral reserves, the lowest grade of mineralized material that qualifies as ore, i.e. that can be mined at a profit.
     
diamond or core drill   A type of rotary drill in which the cutting is done by abrasion rather than by percussion. The drill cuts a core of rock which is recovered in long cylindrical sections.
     
diatreme   Brecciated rock formed by volcanic or hydrothermal eruptive activity, generally in a pipe or funnel like orientation.
     
EM   An instrument that measures the change in electro-magnetic conductivity of different geological units below the surface of the earth.
     
fault   A rock fracture along which there has been displacement.
     
feasibility study   Group of reports that determine the economic viability of a given mineral occurrence.
     
formation   A distinct layer of sedimentary or volcanic rock of similar composition.
     
g/t or gpt   Grams per metric tonne.
     
geophysicist   One who studies the earth; in particular the physics of the solid earth, the atmosphere and the earth’s magnetosphere.
     
geotechnical work   Tasks that provide representative data of the geological rock quality in a known volume.
     
grade   Quantity of metal per unit weight of host rock.
     
gravity   A methodology using instrumentation allowing the accurate measuring of the difference between densities of various geological units in situ.
     
host rock   The rock containing a mineral or an ore body.
     
mapping or geologic mapping   The recording of geologic information such as the distribution and nature of rock units and the occurrence of structural features, mineral deposits, and fossil localities.
     
mineral   A naturally formed chemical element or compound having a definite chemical composition and, usually, a characteristic crystal form.
     
mineralization   A natural occurrence in rocks or soil of one or more metal yielding minerals.
     
mining   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.
     
National Instrument 43-101   NI 43-101 - Canadian standards of disclosure for mineral projects.

 

6
 

 

     
NSR   A net smelter returns royalty, which is customarily calculated by subtracting from gross revenues a deduction for calculated mill recoveries, transport costs of any concentrates to a smelter, treatment and refining charges, and other deductions at the smelter and multiplying that result by the prescribed rate.
     
open pit   Surface mining in which the ore is extracted from a pit or quarry, the geometry of the pit may vary with the characteristics of the ore body.
     
ore   Mineral bearing rock that can be mined and treated profitably under current or immediately foreseeable economic conditions.
     
ore body   A mostly solid and fairly continuous mass of mineralization estimated to be economically mineable.
     
outcrop   That part of a geologic formation or structure that appears at the surface of the earth.
   
preliminary feasibility study     
and pre-feasibility study   As defined in NI 43-101, each mean a comprehensive study of the viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where the mining method, in the case of underground mining, or the pit configuration, in the case of an open pit, has been established and an effective method of mineral processing has been determined, and includes a financial analysis based on reasonable assumptions of technical, engineering, legal, operating, economic, social, and environmental factors and the evaluation of other relevant factors which are sufficient for a qualified person, acting reasonably, to determine if all or part of a mineral resource may be classified as a mineral reserve.
     
porphyry   An igneous rock characterized by visible crystals in a fine–grained matrix.
     
quartz   A mineral composed of silicon dioxide, SiO2 (silica).
     
reclamation   The process by which lands disturbed as a result of mining activity are modified to support beneficial land use. Reclamation activity may include the removal of buildings, equipment, machinery and other physical remnants of mining, closure of tailings storage facilities, leach pads and other mine features, and contouring, covering and re-vegetation of waste rock and other disturbed areas.
     
reverse circulation drilling (RC)   A rotary percussion drill in which the drilling mud and cuttings return to the surface through the interior of the drill pipe.
     
SEC Industry Guide 7   U.S. reporting guidelines that apply to registrants engaged or to be engaged in significant mining operations.
     
sedimentary rock   Rock formed at the earth’s surface from solid particles, whether mineral or organic, which have been moved from their position of origin and re-deposited, or chemically precipitated.
     
strike   The direction, or bearing from true north, of a vein or rock formation measured on a horizontal surface.
     
strip   To remove overburden in order to expose ore.
     
vein   A thin, sheet like crosscutting body of hydrothermal mineralization, principally quartz.

 

7
 

 

PART I

 

As used in this annual report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”), references to “Midway,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” mean Midway Gold Corp., its predecessors and consolidated subsidiaries, or any one or more of them, as the context requires.

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

History and Organization

 

Midway Gold Corp. was incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) on May 14, 1996, under the name Neary Resources Corporation. On October 8, 1999, Midway changed its name to Red Emerald Resource Corp. On July 10, 2002, it changed its name to Midway Gold Corp. Midway became a reporting issuer in the Province of British Columbia upon the issuance of a receipt for a prospectus on May 16, 1997. Midway’s common shares were listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (a predecessor of the TSX Venture Exchange) on May 29, 1997. On July 1, 2001, Midway became a reporting issuer in the Province of Alberta pursuant to Alberta BOR#51-501.  Midway’s shares are currently listed on the NYSE Amex and Tier 1 of the TSX.V under the symbol “MDW.”

 

We are a development stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and, if warranted, development of gold and silver mineral properties in North America. Our mineral properties are located in Nevada and Washington. The Tonopah (formerly referred to as “Midway”), Spring Valley, Gold Rock and Golden Eagle gold properties are exploratory stage projects and have identified gold mineralization and the Burnt Canyon and Thunder Mountain projects are earlier stage gold and silver exploration projects. Our Pan project is in the early development stage. We are working towards transitioning ourselves from a development stage company to a gold production company with plans to advance the Pan gold property located in White Pine County, Nevada through to production by as early as 2013.

 

The corporate organization chart for Midway as of the date of this Annual Report is as follows:

 

 

Our registered office in Canada is located at Suite 1700, Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2X8. Our principal executive and head office in the United States is located at 8310 South Valley Highway, Suite 280, Englewood, Colorado 80112, U.S.A. and our telephone number is (720) 979-0900. We maintain a website at www.midwaygold.com and through a link on our website you can view the periodic filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this report.

 

Financial Information about Segments

 

Segmented information is contained in note 15 of the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in the section titled “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Description of Business

 

We are focused on exploring and, if warranted, developing quality precious metal resources in stable mining areas. Our principal properties are the Pan, Spring Valley, Tonopah (formerly referred to as “Midway”) and Gold Rock gold and silver mineral properties located in Nevada and the Golden Eagle gold mineral property located in Washington. Midway holds certain other, non-material mineral exploration properties located in Nevada.

  

8
 

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors – In this Annual Report, we use the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”, which are geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the CIM Standards in Mineral Resources and Reserve Definition and Guidelines adopted by the CIM. US investors in particular are advised to read carefully the definitions of these terms as well as the “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Resource and Reserve Estimates” above.

 

Pan Gold Property, White Pine County, Nevada

 

The Pan gold property is located at the northern end of the Pancake mountain range in western White Pine County, Nevada, approximately 22 miles southeast of Eureka, Nevada, and 50 miles west of Ely, Nevada. The Pan gold project is a sediment-hosted gold deposit located along the prolific Battle Mountain/Eureka gold trend. Gold mineralization occurs in shallow oxide deposits, along a two-mile strike length of a faulted anticline. We have targeted this project for an open pit, heap leach operation that could be in production by 2013, dependent upon the completion of the permitting process.

 

In October, 2011, the Company reported an updated resource estimate for the Pan project based on results from 2011 drilling received up to the date of the estimate. The updated Measured and Indicated mineral resource estimate exceeds one million ounces of gold.

 

On November, 2011, The Company announced completion of a Feasibility Study showing robust economics for the Pan project. Mineral Reserves were based upon a design pit using Lerchs Grossmann generated pit surfaces that maximize revenue based on a $1,200 per ounce three-year trailing average price of gold. Cutoff grades of 0.21 gpt in the South pit and 0.27 gpt in the North & Central pits produced the project’s highest net present value (“NPV”). The NPV of the project is robust at a range of gold prices, increasing from $123 million at $1,200/oz gold to $344M at $1,900/oz gold. The internal rate of return (“IRR”) grows from 32% to 79% using the same range of gold prices. Both use a 5% discount rate and are after tax figures.

 

The Company completed a 7,200 meter reverse circulation (RC) drilling program in the second quarter of 2011, and reported drill intercepts from 28 RC drill holes, including drill hole PN11-09 which contained the longest and highest grade gold intercept yet encountered at the project.

 

Environmental studies are continuing in support of a mine plan of operations and reclamation plan that has been submitted to management agencies. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) deemed the proposed plan complete, initiating the NEPA permit process.

 

For further information on this project, please see the various NI 43-101 Technical Reports of the Pan Gold Project, White Pine County, Nevada, which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: Please read carefully the section titled “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.

 

See the section titled “Item 2. Description of Properties” below for additional information.

 

Spring Valley Property, Pershing County, Nevada

 

The Spring Valley project is located 20 miles northeast of Lovelock, Nevada. Spring Valley is a diatreme/porphyry hosted gold system covered by gravel. Gold has been intercepted over an area 5,200 feet long by 3,500 feet wide that extended to a depth of 1,400 feet, suggesting the presence of a large mineral system. The Spring Valley project is under an exploration and option to joint venture agreement with Barrick Gold Exploration Inc. ("Barrick"). Barrick is funding 100% of the costs to earn an interest in this project. Barrick has informed Midway that it has expended the 2011 required program of US$7,000,000 to maintain the EDM Agreement.

 

In May, 2011, we announced an updated mineral resource estimate that includes Barrick drilling results from its 2009 and 2010 drill campaigns. The new resource estimate has 2.16 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated categories, consisting of 0.93 million ounces in the Measured category and 1.23 million ounces in the Indicated category at a cut-off grade of 0.14 grams per tonne (g/t). The new drilling also produced an additional Inferred mineral resource of 1.97 million ounces of gold at the same cut-off grade. The Measured resource is contained within 59.0 million tonnes grading 0.49 g/t, the Indicated mineral resource is contained within 85.8 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t and the Inferred mineral resource is contained within 103.9 million tonnes grading 0.59 g/t. The report was prepared by William J. Crowl, Donald E. Hulse, Donald J. Baker, Terre A. Lane, Deepak Malhotra, under the supervision of Gustavson Associates LLC who are “independent” and "qualified persons" under NI 43-101. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Spring Valley Project Pershing County, Nevada" dated effective May 24, 2011, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

 

9
 

 

In 2011, Barrick’s drilling totaled 62,796 feet, 47,435 feet in 32 reverse circulation (RC) holes and, 15,361 feet in 4 core holes. In addition, 10 pre-collared core holes were drilled. Barrick has increased participation of their Project Development group and Mine Site Exploration group as part of the initial stages of transitioning from a pure exploration project to a mine development project. To accommodate a planned increase in operations, Barrick has expanded the project office in Lovelock. Additionally, Barrick has initiated cultural and biological studies to support an environmental assessment for an expanded drilling area.

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: Please read carefully the section titled “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Resource and Reserve Estimates” above.

 

See the section titled “Item 2. Description of Properties” below for additional information.

 

Tonopah Property (formerly referred to as the “Midway Property”), Nye County, Nevada

 

To avoid confusion with the Company’s name, the Midway project was renamed the Tonopah project in December 2011.

 

The Tonopah property is located in Nye County, Nevada, approximately 15 miles northeast of the town of Tonopah and 210 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It is a high-grade epithermal quartz-gold vein system, on the Round Mountain – Goldfield gold trend. A core drilling program was conducted at Tonopah during the third quarter to define the true width and continuity of gold grade in veins and wall rock. A total of 13,000 feet was drilled in 26 holes to test areas of the Discovery, 121, Dauntless, and 63-77 areas.

 

See the section titled “Item 2. Description of Properties” below for additional information.

 

Gold Rock Property, White Pine County, Nevada

 

Gold Rock is a sediment-hosted gold deposit located along the prolific Battle Mountain/Eureka gold trend 8 miles from the Pan project. The property includes the Easy Junior Mine, which reportedly produced approximately 2.9 million tons at a grade of 0.026 opt for 74,945 ounces of gold. We plan on conducting a reverse circulation and core drill program in 2012 to further explore this property.

 

A NI 43-101 Technical Report was completed in the first quarter of 2011 that reviewed drill data from 673 historical drill holes within and surrounding the Easy Junior open pit mine along with a historic resource estimate completed in 1988 prior to mining. These drill results suggest there could be significant unmined gold mineralization along a strike length of over 8,000 feet that may represent a bulk tonnage epithermal gold target. The report was prepared by William J. Crowl, Donald E. Hulse, Donald J. Baker, and Terre A. Lane, under the supervision of Gustavson Associates LLC who are “independent” and "qualified persons" under NI 43-101. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Gold Rock Project White Pine County, Nevada" dated effective March 28, 2011, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

In 2011, the Company drilled 26,125 feet in 25 RC holes and 5,180 feet in 6 core holes. The results of the drill program and the additional analysis of the historic drill results by Gustavson Associates LLC, increased the Indicated mineral resource to 310,000 ounces of gold and the Inferred mineral resource to 331,000 ounces as announced in the February 29, 2012 press release. The gold resource, which appears to be open in all directions, represents a significant increase above the previously reported historic estimate.

 

See the section titled “Item 2. Description of Properties” below for additional information.

 

Golden Eagle Property, Ferry County, Washington

 

Golden Eagle is located on private ground 3 miles from Republic, Washington. Golden Eagle is a volcanic hosted, epithermal gold system with disseminated gold in quartz veins and extensive breccia bodies. Previous operators defined a large area of gold mineralization on the property. The Company has commissioned a preliminary economic assessment to evaluate the economics of different mining options at current higher gold prices. Issues related to processing sulfide mineralization and permitting continue to be assessed.

 

On June 25, 2009, we announced an indicated mineral resource estimate as at May 1, 2009, of 31,400,000 tons at a grade of 0.055 opt containing 1,744,000 ounces of gold. There is an additional inferred mineral resource estimate of 5,100,000 tons at a grade of 0.038 opt containing 192,000 ounces of gold. Both resource estimates made at May 1, 2009, used a cut off grade of 0.02 opt gold and a $750 Lerchs-Grossman shell. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "Golden Eagle Project, Washington State, USA, Technical Report" dated effective July, 2009, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

10
 

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: Please read carefully the section titled “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.

 

See the section titled “Item 2. Description of Properties” below for additional information.

 

Thunder Mountain and Burnt Canyon Properties

 

Thunder Mountain is a gold and silver rich epithermal vein and disseminated gold system hosted in rhyolite tuffs and flow dome complexes located six miles southeast of the Tonopah project. From August 2008 until it was terminated in May 2009, the project was funded by an exploration and option to joint venture agreement with Kinross Gold USA. Kinross conducted a first pass drill program but did not encounter any significant results and dropped the option. The Company is evaluating the property to determine if additional targets may exist that have not been tested to date.

 

Burnt Canyon is a volcanic hosted epithermal system with gold identified in numerous rock and soil samples. The project lies between high grade veins in the Seven Troughs district and the Wildcat disseminated gold deposit to the north. The Company drilled a first pass drill program in 2011 on this project.

 

On December 31, 2011, as part of management’s annual review of mineral property holdings it was determined that Burnt Canyon was impaired and was subsequently written down by the amount of $251,903.

 

See the section titled “Item 2. Description of Properties” below for additional information.

 

Competitive Business Conditions

 

The exploration for, and the acquisition of gold and silver properties, are subject to intense competition.  Due to our limited capital and personnel, we are at a competitive disadvantage compared to many other companies with regard to exploration and, if warranted, development of mining properties.  Our present limited funding means that our ability to compete for properties to be explored and developed is limited.  We believe that competition for acquiring mineral prospects will continue to be intense in the future.

 

The availability of funds for exploration is sometimes limited, and we may find it difficult to compete with larger and more well-known companies for capital.  Our inability to develop our mining properties due to lack of funding, even if warranted, could have a material adverse effect on our operation and financial position.

 

Reclamation

 

We generally are required to mitigate long-term environmental impacts by stabilizing, contouring, re-sloping and re-vegetating various portions of a site after mining and mineral processing operations are completed. These reclamation efforts are conducted in accordance with detailed plans, which must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies.

 

Government Regulation

 

Mining operations and exploration activities are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations in the United States, which govern prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection of the environment, mine safety, hazardous substances and other matters. We have obtained or have pending applications for those licenses, permits or other authorizations currently required in conducting our exploration, development and other programs. We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable mining, health, safety and environmental statutes and the regulations passed thereunder in the United States. There are no current orders or directions relating to us with respect to the foregoing laws and regulations.

 

On lands owned by the United States, mining rights are governed by the General Mining Law of 1872 as amended (“General Mining Law”), which allows the location of mining claims on certain federal lands upon the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit and compliance with location requirements. The exploration of mining properties and development and operation of mines is governed by both federal and state laws. Federal laws that govern mining claim location and maintenance and mining operations on federal lands are generally administered by the BLM. Additional federal laws, governing mine safety and health, also apply. State laws also require various permits and approvals before exploration, development or production operations can begin. Among other things, a reclamation plan must typically be prepared and approved, with bonding in the amount of projected reclamation costs. The bond is used to ensure that proper reclamation takes place, and the bond will not be released until that time. Local jurisdictions may also impose permitting requirements (such as conditional use permits or zoning approvals).

 

11
 

 

For a more detailed discussion of potential negative effects of these laws and regulations please see the section titled "Item 1A.—Risk Factors" below.

 

Environmental Regulation

 

Our mineral projects are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. These laws are continually changing and, in general, are becoming more restrictive. The development, operation, closure, and reclamation of mining projects in the United States requires numerous notifications, permits, authorizations, and public agency decisions. Compliance with environmental and related laws and regulations requires us to obtain permits issued by regulatory agencies, and to file various reports and keep records of our operations. Certain of these permits require periodic renewal or review of their conditions and may be subject to a public review process during which opposition to our proposed operations may be encountered. We are currently operating under various permits for activities connected to mineral exploration, reclamation, and environmental considerations. Our policy is to conduct business in a way that safeguards public health and the environment. We believe that our operations are conducted in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

Changes to current local, state or federal laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate could require additional capital expenditures and increased operating and/or reclamation costs. Although we are unable to predict what additional legislation, if any, might be proposed or enacted, additional regulatory requirements could impact the economics of our projects.

 

During 2011, there were no material environmental incidents or material non-compliance with any applicable environmental regulations. We anticipate that we will not incur material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities during the current fiscal year.

 

Employees

 

We currently have 27 full-time employees, including 15 full-time employees at our principal executive office in Denver, Colorado and 12 full-time employees based in Ely, Nevada. We also engage several financial consultants who provide us their services as necessary to assist with our administrative and financial affairs.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

This Annual Report, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, contains forward-looking statements that may be materially affected by several risk factors, including those summarized below:

 

Risks Relating to Our Company

 

Since we have no operating history, investors have no basis to evaluate our ability to operate profitably. We were organized in 1996 but have had no revenue from operations since our inception. We have no history of producing metals from any of our properties. The majority of our properties are exploration stage properties in various stages of exploration. Our Tonopah (formerly referred to as “Midway”), Spring Valley, Golden Eagle, and Gold Rock properties are exploratory stage exploration projects with identified gold mineralization. Our Pan project is in the early development stage. Advancing properties from exploration into the development stage requires significant capital and time, and successful commercial production from a property, if any, will be subject to completing feasibility studies, permitting and construction of the mine, processing plants, roads, and other related works and infrastructure. As a result, we are subject to all of the risks associated with developing and establishing new mining operations and business enterprises including:

 

·completion of feasibility studies to verify reserves and commercial viability, including the ability to find sufficient gold reserves to support a commercial mining operation;
·the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of further exploration, preparing feasibility studies, permitting and construction of infrastructure, mining and processing facilities;
·the availability and costs of drill equipment, exploration personnel, skilled labor and mining and processing equipment, if required;

·the availability and cost of appropriate smelting and/or refining arrangements, if required;
·compliance with environmental and other governmental approval and permit requirements;
·the availability of funds to finance exploration, development and construction activities, as warranted;

·potential opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, local groups or local inhabitants which may delay or prevent development activities;

·potential increases in exploration, construction and operating costs due to changes in the cost of fuel, power, materials and supplies; and

 

12
 

 

·potential shortages of mineral processing, construction and other facilities related supplies.

 

The costs, timing and complexities of exploration, development and construction activities may be increased by the location of our properties and demand by other mineral exploration and mining companies. It is common in exploration programs to experience unexpected problems and delays during drill programs and, if warranted, development, construction and mine start-up. Accordingly, our activities may not result in profitable mining operations and we may not succeed in establishing mining operations or profitably producing metals at any of our properties.

 

We have a history of losses and expect to continue to incur losses in the future. We have incurred losses since inception and expect to continue to incur losses in the future. We incurred the following losses from operations during each of the following periods:

 

·Approximately $18,615,682 for the year ended December 31, 2011;
·Approximately $6,432,914 for the year ended December 31, 2010; and
·Approximately $3,924,175 for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

We had an accumulated deficit of approximately $77,621,754 as of December 31, 2011. We expect to continue to incur losses unless and until

such time as one of our properties enters into commercial production and generates sufficient revenues to fund continuing operations.

 

Increased costs could affect our financial condition. We anticipate that costs at our projects that we may explore or develop, will frequently be subject to variation from one year to the next due to a number of factors, such as changing ore grade, metallurgy and revisions to mine plans, if any, in response to the physical shape and location of the ore body. In addition, costs are affected by the price of commodities such as fuel, rubber, and electricity. Such commodities are at times subject to volatile price movements, including increases that could make production at certain operations less profitable. A material increase in costs at any significant location could have a significant effect on our profitability.

 

A shortage of equipment and supplies could adversely affect our ability to operate our business. We are dependent on various supplies and equipment to carry out our mining exploration and, if warranted, development operations. The shortage of such supplies, equipment and parts could have a material adverse effect on our ability to carry out our operations and therefore limit or increase the cost of production.

 

The nature of mineral exploration and production activities involves a high degree of risk and the possibility of uninsured losses.  Exploration for and the production of 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.  Our operations are, and any future development or mining operations we may conduct will be, subject to all of the operating hazards and risks normally incident to exploring for and development of mineral properties, such as, but not limited to:

 

·economically insufficient mineralized material;
·fluctuation in production costs that make mining uneconomical;
·labor disputes;
·unanticipated variations in grade and other geologic problems;
·environmental hazards;
·water conditions;
·difficult surface or underground conditions;
·industrial accidents;
·metallurgic 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 the value of mineralized material due to lower gold and silver prices.

 

Any of these risks can materially and adversely affect, among other things, the development of properties, production quantities and rates, costs and expenditures, potential revenues and production dates.  We currently have limited insurance to guard against some 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 writedown of our investment in these interests.  All of these factors may result in losses in relation to amounts spent which are not recoverable, or result in additional expenses.

 

13
 

 

Our mineralization figures are estimates based on interpretation and assumptions and our properties may yield less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently estimated. Unless otherwise indicated, mineralization figures presented in this Annual Report and in our filings with securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time are based upon estimates made by independent geologists and our internal geologists. When making determinations about whether to advance any of our projects to development, we must rely upon such estimated calculations as to the mineral reserves and grades of mineralization on our properties. Until ore is actually mined and processed, mineral reserves and grades of mineralization must be considered as estimates only.

 

Estimates can be imprecise and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. We cannot assure you that:

 

·these estimates will be accurate;
·resource or other mineralization estimates will be accurate; or
·this mineralization can be mined or processed profitably.

 

Any material changes in mineral resource estimates and grades of mineralization will affect the economic viability of placing a property into production and a property’s return on capital. As we have not completed feasibility studies on all of our properties and have not commenced actual production, mineralization resource estimates may require adjustments or downward revisions. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined, if any, may differ from that indicated by our feasibility studies and drill results. Minerals recovered in small scale tests may not be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale.

 

The resource estimates contained in this Annual Report have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades and operating costs that may prove to be inaccurate. Extended declines in market prices for gold, silver or other commodities may render portions of our mineralization and resource estimates uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralization or adversely affect the commercial viability determinations we reach. Any material reductions in estimates of mineralization, or of our ability to extract this mineralization, could have a material adverse effect on our share price and the value of our properties.

 

There are differences in U.S. and Canadian practices for reporting reserves and resources. Our reserve and resource estimates are not directly comparable to those made in filings subject to SEC reporting and disclosure requirements, as we generally report reserves and resources in accordance with Canadian practices. These practices are different from the practices used to report reserve and resource estimates in reports and other materials filed with the SEC. It is Canadian practice to report measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources, which are generally not permitted in disclosure filed with the SEC by United States issuers. In the United States, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves.

 

Further, “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. Disclosure of “contained ounces” is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC only permits issuers to report “resources” as in place, tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

 

Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization, reserves and resources contained in this report, or in the documents incorporated herein by reference, may not be comparable to information made public by other United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.

 

Our exploration activities on our properties may not be commercially successful, which could lead us to abandon our plans to develop our properties and our investments in exploration. Our long-term success depends on our ability to identify mineral deposits on our existing properties and other properties we may acquire, if any, that we can then develop into commercially viable mining operations. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently non-productive. These risks include unusual or unexpected geologic formations, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor. The success of gold, silver and other commodity exploration is determined in part by the following factors:

 

·the identification of potential mineralization based on surficial analysis;
·availability of government-granted exploration permits;
·the quality of our management and our geological and technical expertise; and
·the capital available for exploration and development work.

 

14
 

 

Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal, and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, which include, without limitation, the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices, which fluctuate widely; and government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. We may invest significant capital and resources in exploration activities and abandon such investments if we are unable to identify commercially exploitable mineral reserves. The decision to abandon a project may have an adverse effect on the market value of our securities and the ability to raise future financing.

 

We may encounter archaeological issues and claims relating to our Tonopah and Pan properties, which may delay our ability to conduct further exploration or developmental activities or could affect our ability to place our properties into commercial production, if warranted. Our exploration and development activities may be delayed due to the designation of a portion of the Tonopah and Pan properties as a site of archaeological significance.

 

A cultural inventory of the Tonopah project has identified a prehistoric site associated with a dune field in the Ralston Valley, adjacent to the Tonopah property. An intensive cultural and geomorphologic inspection was conducted of the project area to determine archaeologically significant areas. Techniques and methods used during the inventory were sufficient to identify most cultural resources and features in the area. Should significant surface disturbance be planned at the Tonopah project, a complete archaeological inventory and evaluation would be required, including the possibility of documenting and curating the site.

 

A portion of dirt road currently used to access the Pan project site and traversing the south end of the proposed North Pit may have been an alternative route for the Lincoln Highway from 1913-1916 prior to the development of U.S. Highway 50. This has not been confirmed, but will be investigated when archaeological surveys are conducted. The highway as a whole is not eligible for listing on the National Registers of historic places or landmarks, but impacts to it may need to be mitigated. Carbonari sites, which are burn piles and habitations from Swedish/Italian charcoal producers, have been identified within or near the Pan project area. A survey would need to be conducted to identify, locate and record the findings of Carbonari sites.

 

Our Tonopah property is in close proximity to a municipal water supply, which may delay our ability to conduct further exploration or developmental activities or could affect our ability to place the property into commercial production, if warranted. The Tonopah property lies within a basin from which the town of Tonopah obtains its municipal water supply. To date, Midway's exploration activities have not been restricted due to the proximity of the activities to this basin. As Midway's exploration and development activities expand, there is an increased risk that the activities may interfere with the water supply. As part of the mining development work on the Tonopah property, Midway completed a hydrologic review of the basin and will establish a strategy for preventing exploration and development activities from interfering with the water supply. Any damage to, or contamination of, the water supply caused by Midway's activities could result in Midway incurring significant liability. We cannot predict the magnitude of such liability or the impact of such liability on our business, prospects or financial condition. Midway has applied for water right permits in the Ralston Basin, which is currently under protest by the town of Tonopah. Midway is currently negotiating with the town about any future pumping of water in the basin. Midway is currently reviewing and negotiating dewatering options with the town of Tonopah that would be agreeable and beneficial for both parties. If Midway were not able to secure dewatering rights for the Tonopah project, the project may be restricted and could affect our ability to place the property into commercial production, if warranted.

 

The volatility of the price of gold and silver could adversely affect our future operations and, if warranted, our ability to develop our properties. The potential for profitability of our operations, the value of our properties, the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise funding to conduct continued exploration and development, if warranted, are directly related to the market price of gold, silver and other precious metals. Our decision to put a mine into production and to commit the funds necessary for that purpose must be made long before the first revenue from production would be received. A decrease in the price of gold and silver may prevent our property from being economically mined or result in the writeoff of assets whose value is impaired as a result of lower gold and silver prices. The price of gold and silver is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including inflation, fluctuation of the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, the sale of gold and silver by central banks, and the political and economic conditions of major gold and silver producing countries throughout the world.

 

The volatility in gold and silver prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth, for the periods indicated (calendar year), the average annual market prices in U.S. dollars per ounce of gold and silver, based on the daily London P.M. fix, as shown in the table below:

 

Mineral  2011   2010   2009   2008   2007 
Gold  $1,571.52   $1,224.53   $972.35   $871.96   $695.39 
Silver  $35.12   $20.19   $14.67   $14.99   $13.38 

 

The volatility of mineral prices represents a substantial risk which no amount of planning or technical expertise can fully eliminate. In the event gold prices decline or remain low for prolonged periods of time, we might be unable to develop our properties, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial performance and cash flows.

  

15
 

 

We do not maintain insurance with respect to certain high-risk activities, which exposes us to significant risk of loss. Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk. Hazards such as unusual or unexpected formations or other conditions are often encountered. Midway may become subject to liability for pollution, cave-ins or hazards against which it cannot insure or against which it cannot maintain insurance at commercially reasonable premiums. Any significant claim would have a material adverse effect on Midway's financial position and prospects. Midway is not currently covered by any form of environmental liability insurance, or political risk insurance, since insurance against such risks (including liability for pollution) may be prohibitively expensive. Midway may have to suspend operations or take cost interim compliance measures if Midway is unable to fully fund the cost of remedying an environmental problem, if it occurs.

 

We may not be able to obtain all required permits and licenses to place any of our properties into production. Our current and future operations, including development activities and commencement of production, if warranted, require permits from governmental authorities and such operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. Companies engaged in property exploration and the development or operation of mines and related facilities generally experience increased costs, and delays in production and other schedules as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. We cannot predict if all permits which we may require for continued exploration, development or construction of mining facilities and conduct of mining operations will be obtainable on reasonable terms if at all. Costs related to applying for and obtaining permits and licenses may be prohibitive and could delay our planned exploration and development activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions.

 

Parties engaged in mining operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of mining companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on our operations and cause increases in capital expenditures or production costs or reduction in levels of production at producing properties or require abandonment or delays in development of new mining properties.

 

We are subject to significant governmental regulations, which affect our operations and costs of conducting our business. Our current and future operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations, including:

 

·laws and regulations governing mineral concession acquisition, prospecting, development, mining and production;
·laws and regulations related to exports, taxes and fees;
·labor standards and regulations related to occupational health and mine safety;
·environmental standards and regulations related to waste disposal, toxic substances, land use and environmental protection; and

·other matters.

 

Companies engaged in exploration activities often experience increased costs and delays in production and other schedules as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits may result in enforcement actions, including the forfeiture of claims, orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities requiring operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or costly remedial actions. We may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of our mineral exploration activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of such laws, regulations and permits.

 

Existing and possible future laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of exploration companies, or more stringent implementation, could have a material adverse impact on our business and cause increases in capital expenditures or require abandonment or delays in exploration.

 

Our activities are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may increase our costs of doing business and restrict our operations. All phases of our operations are subject to environmental regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. These laws address emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species and reclamation of lands disturbed by mining operations. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations and future changes in these laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays and may cause material changes or delays in our operations and future activities. It is possible that future changes in these laws or regulations could have a significant adverse impact on our properties or some portion of our business, causing us to re-evaluate those activities at that time.

 

16
 

 

U.S. Federal Laws The Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and comparable state statutes, impose strict, joint and several liability on current and former owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the government to file claims requiring cleanup actions, demands for reimbursement for government-incurred cleanup costs, or natural resource damages, or for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances released into the environment. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and comparable state statutes, govern the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance, as well as requirements for corrective actions. CERCLA, RCRA and comparable state statutes can impose liability for clean-up of sites and disposal of substances found on exploration, mining and processing sites long after activities on such sites have been completed.

 

The Clean Air Act, as amended, restricts the emission of air pollutants from many sources, including mining and processing activities. Our mining operations may produce air emissions, including fugitive dust and other air pollutants from stationary equipment, storage facilities and the use of mobile sources such as trucks and heavy construction equipment, which are subject to review, monitoring and/or control requirements under the Clean Air Act and state air quality laws. New facilities may be required to obtain permits before work can begin, and existing facilities may be required to incur capital costs in order to remain in compliance. In addition, permitting rules may impose limitations on our production levels or result in additional capital expenditures in order to comply with the rules.

 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental considerations into their decision-making processes by evaluating the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, including issuance of permits to mining facilities, and assessing alternatives to those actions. If a proposed action could significantly affect the environment, the agency must prepare a detailed statement known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The United States. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other federal agencies, and any interested third parties will review and comment on the scoping of the EIS and the adequacy of and findings set forth in the draft and final EIS. This process can cause delays in issuance of required permits or result in changes to a project to mitigate its potential environmental impacts, which can in turn impact the economic feasibility of a proposed project.

 

The Clean Water Act (CWA), and comparable state statutes, impose restrictions and controls on the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA or an analogous state agency. The CWA regulates storm water mining facilities and requires a storm water discharge permit for certain activities. Such a permit requires the regulated facility to monitor and sample storm water run-off from its operations. The CWA and regulations implemented thereunder also prohibit discharges of dredged and fill material in wetlands and other waters of the United States unless authorized by an appropriately issued permit. The CWA and comparable state statutes provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges of pollutants and impose liability on parties responsible for those discharges for the costs of cleaning up any environmental damage caused by the release and for natural resource damages resulting from the release.

 

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program promulgated thereunder, regulate the drilling and operation of subsurface injection wells. The EPA directly administers the UIC program in some states and in others the responsibility for the program has been delegated to the state. The program requires that a permit be obtained before drilling a disposal or injection well. Violation of these regulations and/or contamination of groundwater by mining related activities may result in fines, penalties, and remediation costs, among other sanctions and liabilities under the SWDA and state laws. In addition, third party claims may be filed by landowners and other parties claiming damages for alternative water supplies, property damages, and bodily injury.

 

Nevada Laws At the state level, mining operations in Nevada are also regulated by the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Protection. Nevada state law requires mine operators to hold Nevada Water Pollution Control Permits, which dictate operating controls and closure and post-closure requirements directed at protecting surface and ground water. In addition, operators are required to hold Nevada Reclamation Permits. These permits mandate concurrent and post-mining reclamation of mines and require the posting of reclamation bonds sufficient to guarantee the cost of mine reclamation. If we are required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, our financial position could be adversely affected.

 

Other Nevada regulations govern operating and design standards for the construction and operation of any source of air contamination and landfill operations. Any changes to these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our financial performance and results of operations by, for example, requiring changes to operating constraints, technical criteria, fees or surety requirements.

 

17
 

 

Legislation has been proposed that would significantly affect the mining industry. Members of the United States Congress have repeatedly introduced bills which would supplant or alter the provisions of the United States General Mining Law of 1872 (the “General Mining Law”). If enacted, such legislation could change the cost of holding unpatented mining claims and could significantly impact our ability to develop mineralized material on unpatented mining claims. Such bills have proposed, among other things, to either eliminate or greatly limit the right to a mineral patent and to impose a federal royalty on production from unpatented mining claims. Although we cannot predict what legislated royalties might be, the enactment of these proposed bills could adversely affect the potential for development of unpatented mining claims and the economics of existing operating mines on federal unpatented mining claims. Passage of such legislation could adversely affect our financial performance

 

Regulations and pending legislation governing issues involving climate change could result in increased operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. A number of governments or governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes in response to various climate change interest groups and the potential impact of climate change. Legislation and increased regulation regarding climate change could impose significant costs on us, our venture partners and our suppliers, including costs related to increased energy requirements, capital equipment, environmental monitoring and reporting and other costs to comply with such regulations. Any adopted future climate change regulations could also negatively impact our ability to compete with companies situated in areas not subject to such limitations. Given the emotion, political significance and uncertainty around the impact of climate change and how it should be dealt with, we cannot predict how legislation and regulation will affect our financial condition, operating performance and ability to compete. Furthermore, even without such regulation, increased awareness and any adverse publicity in the global marketplace about potential impacts on climate change by us or other companies in our industry could harm our reputation. The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain, and would be particular to the geographic circumstances in areas in which we operate. These may include changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures. These impacts may adversely impact the cost, production and financial performance of our operations.

 

Our business is subject to evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulations that have increased both our compliance costs and the risk of noncompliance, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price. We are subject to changing rules and regulations promulgated by a number of governmental and self-regulated organizations, including the SEC, the NYSE Amex, and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. These rules and regulations continue to evolve in scope and complexity and many new requirements have been created in response to laws enacted by Congress, making compliance more difficult and uncertain. For example, on July 21, 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) with increased disclosure obligations for public companies and mining companies in the United States. Our efforts to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act and other new regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.

 

Land reclamation requirements for our properties may be burdensome and expensive. Although variable depending on location and the governing authority, land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration companies (as well as companies with mining operations) in order to minimize long term effects of land disturbance.

 

Reclamation may include requirements to:

·control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents;
·treat ground and surface water to drinking water standards; and
·reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation.

 

In order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on us in connection with our potential development activities, we must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and development programs. We plan to set up a provision for our reclamation obligations on our properties, as appropriate, but this provision may not be adequate. If we are required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, our financial position could be adversely affected.

 

18
 

 

Competition in the mining industry is intense, and we have limited financial and personnel resources with which to compete.  Competition in the mining industry for desirable properties, investment capital and personnel is intense.  Numerous companies headquartered in the United States, Canada and elsewhere throughout the world compete for properties on a global basis.  We are an insignificant participant in the gold mining industry due to our limited financial and personnel resources.  We presently operate with a limited number of personnel and we anticipate that we will compete with other companies in our industry to hire additional qualified personnel which will be required to successfully operate any potential mine and mill site.  We may be unable to attract the necessary investment capital or personnel to fully explore and if warranted, develop our properties and be unable to acquire other desirable properties.

 

We will require significant additional capital to fund our business plan.  We will be required to expend significant funds to determine if additional proven and probable mineral reserves exist at our properties, to continue exploration and if warranted, develop our existing properties and to identify and acquire additional properties to diversify our property portfolio.  We have spent and will be required to continue to expend significant amounts of capital for drilling, geological and geochemical analysis, assaying and feasibility studies with regard to the results of our exploration.  We may not benefit from some of these investments if we are unable to identify commercially exploitable mineralized material.

 

Our ability to obtain necessary funding for these purposes, in turn, depends upon a number of factors, including the status of the national and worldwide economy and the price of gold and other precious metals.  Capital markets worldwide have been adversely affected by substantial losses by financial institutions, caused by investments in asset-backed securities.  We may not be successful in obtaining the required financing, or if we can obtain such financing, such financing may not be on terms that are favorable to us.  Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further mining operations or exploration and development and the possible partial or total loss of our potential interest in our properties.

 

Joint ventures and other partnerships may expose us to risks. Our Spring Valley property is currently under an option to joint venture and, in the future, we may enter into joint ventures or other partnership arrangements with other parties in relation to the exploration, development and production of certain of the properties in which we have an interest. Joint ventures can often require unanimous approval of the parties to the joint venture or their representatives for certain fundamental decisions such as an increase or reduction of registered capital, merger, division, dissolution, amendments of constating documents, and the pledge of joint venture assets, which means that each joint venture party may have a veto right with respect to such decisions which could lead to a deadlock in the operations of the joint venture or partnership. Further, we may be unable to exert control over strategic decisions made in respect of such properties. Any failure of such other companies to meet their obligations to us or to third parties, or any disputes with respect to the parties’ respective rights and obligations, could have a material adverse effect on the joint ventures or their properties and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial performance, cash flows and the price of our common shares.

 

Our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest as a result of their relationships with other companies. Our directors and officers are also directors, officers or shareholders of other companies that are similarly engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and exploiting natural resource properties. For example, Daniel Wolfus, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director, also serves as a director for Melkior Resources Inc. and EMC Metals Corp. Consequently, there is a possibility that our directors and/or officers may be in a position of conflict in the future.

 

We may experience difficulty attracting and retaining qualified management to meet the needs of our anticipated growth, and the failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. We are dependent on a relatively small number of key employees, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our President and Chief Operating Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. The loss of any officer could have an adverse effect on Midway. We have no life insurance on any individual, and we may be unable to hire a suitable replacement for them on favorable terms, should that become necessary.

 

Our results of operations could be affected by currency fluctuations. Our properties are all located in the United States and most costs associated with these properties are paid in U.S. dollars. There can be significant swings in the exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollar. There are no plans at this time to hedge against any exchange rate fluctuations in currencies.

 

Title to our properties may be subject to other claims, which could affect our property rights and claims. There are risks that title to our properties may be challenged or impugned. Most of our properties are located in Nevada and may be subject to prior unrecorded agreements or transfers or native land claims and title may be affected by undetected defects. There may be valid challenges to the title of our properties which, if successful, could impair development and/or operations. This is particularly the case in respect of those portions of the our properties in which we hold our interest solely through a lease with the claim holders, as such interest is substantially based on contract and has been subject to a number of assignments (as opposed to a direct interest in the property).

 

19
 

 

Several of the mineral rights to our properties consist of "unpatented" mining claims created and maintained in accordance with the General Mining Law. Unpatented mining claims are unique property interests, and are generally considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property interests because the validity of unpatented mining claims is often uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and regulations under the General Mining Law. Also, unpatented mining claims are always subject to possible challenges by third parties or validity contests by the federal government. The validity of an unpatented mining or mill site claim, in terms of both its location and its maintenance, is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of U.S. federal and state statutory and decisional law. In addition, there are few public records that definitively determine the issues of validity and ownership of unpatented mining claims. Should the federal government impose a royalty or additional tax burdens on the properties that lie within public lands, the resulting mining operations could be seriously impacted, depending upon the type and amount of the burden.

 

Our properties and operations may be subject to litigation or other claims. From time to time our properties or operations may be subject to disputes which may result in litigation or other legal claims. We may be required to assert or defend against these claims which will divert resources and management time from operations. The costs of these claims or adverse filings may have a material effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Shares

 

We believe that we may be a “passive foreign investment company” for the current taxable year which would likely result in materially adverse United States federal income tax consequences for United States investors. We generally will be designated as a “passive foreign investment company” under the meaning of Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (a “PFIC”) if, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such year is “passive income” (generally, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of assets producing passive income) or (b) if at least 50% or more of the value of our assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income, based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets.  United States shareholders should be aware that we believe we were classified as a PFIC during our tax year ended December 31, 2011, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, believe that we may be a PFIC for the current and future taxable years.  If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a United States person holds our securities, it would likely result in materially adverse United States federal income tax consequences for such United States person. The potential consequences include, but are not limited to, re-characterization of gain from the sale of our securities as ordinary income and the imposition of an interest charge on such gain and on certain distributions received on our common shares.  Certain elections may be available under U.S. tax rules to mitigate some of the adverse consequences of holding shares in a PFIC.

 

Our share price may be volatile and as a result you could lose all or part of your investment.  In addition to volatility associated with equity securities in general, the value of your investment could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors upon the market price of our common share:

 

·Changes in the worldwide price for gold;
·Disappointing results from our exploration efforts;
·Decline in demand for our common stock;
·Downward revisions in securities analysts' estimates or changes in general market conditions;
·Technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies;
·Investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and
·General economic trends.

 

In the last 12 months, the price of our stock on the TSX.V has ranged from a low of $1.38 to a high of $2.99, and on the NYSE AMEX has ranged from a low of $1.41 to a high of $3.03. In addition, stock markets in general have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities have been highly volatile.  These fluctuations are often unrelated to operating performance and may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.  As a result, you may be unable to resell your shares at a desired price.

 

We have never paid dividends on our common shares. We have not paid dividends on our common shares to date, and we may not be in a position to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ability to successfully develop one or more properties and generate earnings from operations. Further, our initial earnings, if any, will likely be retained to finance our operations. Any future dividends will depend upon our earnings, our then-existing financial requirements and other factors, and will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

 

20
 

 

We are subject to the continued listing criteria of the NYSE Amex and the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX.V”) and our failure to satisfy these criteria may result in delisting of our common shares.  Our common shares are currently listed on the NYSE Amex and the TSX.V.  In order to maintain the listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial, and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of shareholders’ equity and a minimum number of public shareholders.  In addition to objective standards, the NYSE Amex and the TSX.V may delist the securities of any issuer if, in its opinion, the issuer’s financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; if it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the NYSE Amex or TSX.V inadvisable; if the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or ceases to be an operating company; if an issuer fails to comply with the listing requirements of the NYSE Amex or TSX.V; if an issuer’s common shares sell at what the NYSE Amex or the TSX.V considers a “low selling price” and the issuer fails to correct this via a reverse split of shares after notification by the NYSE Amex or TSX.V; or if any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes continued listing on the NYSE Amex or TSX.V, in their opinion, inadvisable.

 

If the NYSE Amex or the TSX.V delists our common shares, investors may face material adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, a lack of trading market for our securities, reduced liquidity, decreased analyst coverage of our securities, and an inability for us to obtain additional financing to fund our operations.

 

If we raise additional funding through equity financings, then our current shareholders will suffer dilution. We believe the only realistic source of future funds presently available to us is through the sale of equity capital. Any sale of equity capital will result in dilution to existing shareholders. The only other alternative for the financing of further exploration would be the offering by us of an interest in our properties to be earned by another party or parties carrying out further exploration thereof.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

Nevada Properties

 

Map of properties

 

The map below shows the location of Midway’s properties located in Nevada, USA. These properties are described in further detail below.

 

21
 

 

MAP OF MIDWAY NEVADA PROPERTIES, 2011

 

 

Source: Midway Gold Corp., 2011

 

22
 

 

Pan Project

 

Location and means of access

 

The Pan property is located at the northern end of the Pancake mountain range in western White Pine County, Nevada, approximately 22 miles southeast of Eureka, Nevada, and 50 miles west of Ely, Nevada.  Access is via a seven mile dirt road running south-southeast from US Highway 50, at a point about 17 miles southeast of Eureka, Nevada. Eureka has a population of about 2,000. Water is readily available from wells west of the property. In March 2011, we contracted a third party vendor to obtain permits to extend power lines to the property.

 

Title

 

Midway has controlled the property since April 2007 through direct ownership of unpatented lode mining claims administered by the BLM and through mining leases. Midway’s land position encompasses a gross area of approximately 9,794.5 acres containing federal lode mining claims.

 

Midway acquired its interest in the January 7, 2003 mineral lease agreement with Newark Valley Mining Corp. (“NVMC”) formerly Gold Standard Royalty Corporation and formerly the Lyle Campbell Trust as a result of its acquisition of Pan-Nevada Gold Corporation on April 13, 2007. On or before January 5 of each year Midway must pay an advance minimum royalty of the greater of US$60,000 or the US dollar equivalent of 174 ounces of gold valued by the average of the London afternoon fixing price for the third calendar quarter preceding January 1 of the year in which the payment is due. The minimum advance royalties will be creditable against a sliding scale NSR production royalty of between 2.5% and 4%. Midway must incur a minimum of US$65,000 a year of work expenditures, including claim maintenance fees, during the term of the mining lease. On January 1, 2011 the Company paid an advance minimum royalty of $213,156 (US$213,455). Subsequent to the year end the Company paid an advance minimum royalty of US$296,169 on January 3, 2012.

 

Midway has staked additional claims adjacent to the Pan property, some of which fall within the one mile area of interest of the NVMC mining lease and will be subject to the NSR royalty to NVMC. Midway has staked additional claims around the project, increasing the total land holdings to over 16 square miles. Midway’s land position encompasses a gross area of approximately 10,372.6 acres containing federal lode and placer mining claims and patented fee properties.

 

The Company has prepared a summary table shown below that identifies the nature of its ownership or interest in the property, describes its interest in the properties, describes the type, names, number, unique identifying numbers and the approximate size in acres of each ownership areas.

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Claims   Land
Type
  Name/Series   Claim
#
  Serial Numbers   Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Leased   1/7/2003, amended 1/1/2009, ratified 10/14/2010   1/7/2023   Newark Valley Mining Corp.   429   Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   119   NMC205565   2.5-4% Gross   8,863.14
          Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   37-38   NMC37169-NMC37170    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   63-69 (odd)   NMC37172-NMC37175    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PE   50-54 (even)   NMC427129-NMC427133 (odd)    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   71-74   NMC57946-NMC57949    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   22-28   NMC61102-NMC61108    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   34-36   NMC61114-NMC61116    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PA   8A, 10, 12-18   NMC630283-NMC630291   2.5-4% Gross + 1% NSR  
          Federal Lode - BLM   PA   49A   NMC630323    
          Federal Lode - BLM   LAT   9-38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48-60, 47, 61-65   NMC815131-NMC815183   2.5-4% Gross  
          Federal Lode - BLM   NC   30-52   NMC958546-NMC958568    
          Federal Lode - BLM   NC   59-72   NMC958575-NMC958588    
          Federal Lode - BLM   NC   94-121, 124-130, 133-139, 142-146, 149-154, 157-162, 165-170   NMC958610-NMC958674    
          Federal Lode - BLM   CT   30-51   NMC980710-NMC980727    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PETER   1-51   NMC980728-NMC980778    
          Federal Lode - BLM   BSW   38-45, 1-37, 46-47   NMC980787-NMC980825    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PA   19, 21, 44, 46, 48   NMC980826-NMC980830    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PE   56   NMC980831    
          Federal Lode - BLM   NP   1-41   NMC980832-NMC980872    
          Federal Lode - BLM   ET   1-41   NMC980873-NMC980913    
          Federal Lode - BLM   GWEN   17-18   NMC984635-NMC984636    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PAN   111-112, 114, 120-122   NMC984637-NMC984642    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PR   1-9   NMC1031802-NMC1031810    
          Federal Lode – BLM   PC   1-18, 20   NMC1057236-NMC1057254    

 

23
 

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Claims   Land
Type
  Name/Series   Claim
#
  Serial Numbers   Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Owned - - Midway Gold US Inc. 121 Federal Lode - BLM NC 1-29 NMC958517-NMC958545 - 2,499.86
Federal Lode - BLM NC 53-58 NMC958569-NMC958574
Federal Lode - BLM NC 73-93 NMC958589-NMC958609
Federal Lode - BLM GWEN 1-10 NMC965337-NMC965346
Federal Lode - BLM GWEN 19-48 NMC984556-NMC984585
Federal Lode - BLM GWEN 49-51 NMC977345-NMC977347
Federal Lode - BLM GWEN 54-55, 58-65 NMC977350-NMC977359
Federal Lode - BLM REE 81-82 NMC973536-NMC973537
          Federal Lode - BLM PC 19, 21-29 NMC1057292-NMC1057301    

 

Mineral Resources

 

In October, 2011, the Company reported an updated resource estimate for the Pan project based on results from 2011 drilling received up to the date of the resource estimate. The updated Measured and Indicated mineral resource estimate exceeds one million ounces of gold. The 1.13 million ounces of gold are contained in 37 million tonnes of 0.49 grams per tonne (gpt) gold in the Measured category and 43 million tonnes of 0.40 gpt gold in the Indicated category using a 0.14 gpt gold cutoff grade. The updated resource was prepared by Gustavson Associates LLC. The mineral resources are summarized below. “NI 43-101 Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pan Gold Project, White Pine County, Nevada, dated November 1, 2011”, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The report was prepared to the standards of National Instrument 43-101 and was filed on SEDAR on November 2, 2011.

 

Updated Resource Estimate, Pan Project, Nevada

Measured Resource
Cutoff (gpt)   Tonnes   Grade (gpt)   Gold ounces
0.27   27,352,000   0.59   520,000
0.21   30,857,000   0.55   547,000
0.14   36,920,000   0.49   579,000
0.07   50,924,000   0.38   622,000
             
Indicated Mineral Resource
Cutoff (gpt)   Tonnes   Grade (gpt)   Gold ounces
0.27   27,126,000   0.52   453,000
0.21   32,652,000   0.47   495,000
0.14   43,118,000   0.40   551,000
0.07   73,925,000   0.27   645,000
             
Measured Plus Indicated Mineral Resource
Cutoff (gpt)   Tonnes   Grade (gpt)   Gold ounces
0.27   54,478,000   0.56   974,000
0.21   63,509,000   0.51   1,042,000
0.14   80,037,000   0.44   1,130,000
0.07   124,849,000   0.32   1,268,000
             
Inferred Mineral Resource
Cutoff (gpt)   Tonnes   Grade (gpt)   Gold ounces
0.27   1,771,000   0.58   33,000
0.21   2,229,000   0.51   37,000
0.14   3,928,000   0.36   45,000
0.07   9,693,000   0.20   63,000

 

Note: The tonnage and total ounces of gold were determined from the statistical block model. Average grades were calculated from the tonnage and total ounces and then rounded to the significant digits shown. Calculations based on this table may differ due to the effect of rounding.

 

On November 15, 2011, the Company announced completion of a Feasibility Study showing robust economics for the Pan project. Mineral Reserves were based upon a design pit using Lerchs Grossmann generated pit surfaces that maximize revenue based on a $1,200 per ounce three-year trailing average price of gold. Cutoff grades of 0.21 gpt in the South pit and 0.27 gpt in the North & Central pits produced the project’s highest NPV. “NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study for the Pan Gold Project, White Pine County, Nevada, dated November 15, 2011”, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The feasibility Study was prepared to the standards of National Instrument 43-101 and was filed on SEDAR on December 21, 2011.

 

24
 

 

Table 2: Total Pan Mineral Reserves, November 2011

Pit
Area
  Cutoff Grade
(grams/tonne)
  Metric Tonnes
(x 1000)
  Gold Grade
(grams/tonne)
  Ounces Gold
(x 1000)
 
Proven
North & Central   0.27   13,085   0.60   251
South   0.21   12,160   0.61   236
All Pits       25,245   0.60   487
                 
Probable
North & Central   0.27   10,994   0.50   178
South   0.21   12,073   0.51   199
All Pits       23,067   0.51   377
                 
Proven plus Probable
North & Central   0.27   24,079   0.55   429
South   0.21   24,233   0.56   435
All Pits       48,311   0.56   864

 

Note: The tonnage and total ounces of gold were determined from the statistical block model. Average grades were calculated from the tonnage and total ounces and then rounded to the significant digits shown. Calculations based on this table may differ due to the effect of rounding.

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors – In this Annual Report we use the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”, which are geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the CIM Standards in Mineral Resources and Reserve Definition and Guidelines adopted by the CIM. Proven and probable reserves used in this Annual Report are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the CIM Standards, Mineral Resources and Reserves Definition and Guidelines adopted by CIM differ from SEC Industry Guide 7 reporting. US investors in particular are advised to read carefully the definitions of these terms as well as the “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.

Geology

 

The Pan project is a sediment-hosted gold deposit on the prolific Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend in Nevada. It is an oxide deposit exposed on the surface. Host rocks are Devonian-Mississippian marine siltstone and limestone of the Pilot Formation and the Devils Gate Formation. Breccias developed along the Pan fault are the primary host of gold mineralization. Argillic alteration and silicification are the dominant alteration types associated with gold. At North Pan gold mineralization is primarily hosted by silicified breccia in the Pilot Formation. At South Pan, gold occurs primarily in argillic altered breccia in the Devils Gate Formation. Gold occurs as stratabound mineralization outside of the breccias particularly in the Wendy zone adjacent to South Pan.

 

Exploration

 

The Pan mineralization was discovered in 1978 and over 860 holes have been drilled by 10 different exploration companies. These include: Amselco, Hecla, Echo Bay, Alta Gold, Pan Nevada Gold, and a number of other junior exploration companies.

 

In 2007, the Company drilled 35,510 feet in 113 exploration holes outside of the known resource. Drill results at Boulders extended gold north for 1,300 feet under volcanic outcrop at North Pan. Drill results at Barite and Wendy extended gold at South Pan by 400 feet south and 300 feet east respectively. The Nana zone, 4,000 feet northwest of North Pan, represents a new exploration opportunity. A large scale soil survey identified four previously unknown gold-arsenic anomalies with no previous exploration drilling.

 

In 2008, Midway completed 26,245 feet of drilling in 49 RC holes. Fourteen new holes in the resource area were drilled to verify results from previous operators. Most intercepted higher grades and greater thicknesses than previously reported (see our Press Release dated July 9, 2008). Preliminary investigations suggest that assay techniques used by a previous operator may have under-estimated gold values in some of the holes. A higher-grade gold zone was found at North Pan with true widths of 10 to 25 feet and grades from 0.07 to 0.51 ounces per tonne (“opt”) gold over 800 feet in length. Additional near surface oxide gold was discovered at South Pan where the Wendy zone was expanded to the east under volcanic cover. Three targets outside the resource were tested with no significant results.

 

25
 

 

In 2009, an internal mineral resource update was completed by Midway and announced in November 2009.

 

In 2010, Midway commissioned a preliminary economic assessment (the “Pan PEA”) that included an independent review of the resource. Results of the Pan PEA encouraged Midway to move the project toward production at an accelerated pace. A total of 5,764 feet of core in 14 holes was completed to obtain samples for additional metallurgical testing, geotechnical studies of potential pit walls, and waste rock characterization studies. The gold grades in these core holes were higher than expected based on previous analyses from nearby holes. Insights into the geology and alteration based on the core holes resulted in reassessing the geological constraints of the deposit. Engineering studies were initiated in support of a pre-feasibility study planned for 2011. Environmental base line studies were initiated to support submitting a mining permit.

 

The Company completed a 7,200 meter reverse circulation (RC) drilling program in the second quarter of 2011, and reported drill intercepts from 28 RC drill holes, including drill hole PN11-09 which contained the longest and highest grade gold intercept yet encountered at the project. The 30 meter intercept of 3.15 grams per tonne (gpt) gold includes a zone of 13.7 meters of 5.79 gpt gold which also includes a 1.5 meter interval of 10.1 gpt gold. As expected, drilling to test for mineralization beneath proposed mine facility sites produced no significant results.

 

The Pan deposit is still open to the North, the South and at depth and the 2011 drilling, including a 600 meter diamond core program to commence in the second half of 2011, was designed to expand the resource by following up on 2010 drilling that identified higher gold grades and a possible new gold zone.

 

In April, 2011, the Company reported the results of a Prefeasibility Study for the Pan project, prepared by Gustavson Associates, LLC. The Prefeasibility Study demonstrated positive economic results and technical favorability of the Pan project and included a new resource estimate. The report was prepared by William J. Crowl, Donald E. Hulse, Donald J. Baker, Terre A. Lane, Deepak Malhotra, under the supervision of Gustavson Associates LLC who are “independent” and "qualified persons" under NI 43-101. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "NI 43-101 Preliminary Feasibility Study of the Pan Gold Project, White Pine County, Nevada" dated effective April 4, 2011, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Prefeasibility Study was prepared to the standards of National Instrument 43-101 and was filed on SEDAR on April 4, 2011.

 

On November 15, 2011, The Company announced completion of a Feasibility Study showing strong economics for the Pan project. The NPV of the project is robust at a range of gold prices, increasing from $123 million at $1,200/oz gold to $344M at $1,900/oz gold. The IRR grows from 32% to 79% using the same range of gold prices. Both use a 5% discount rate and are after tax figures. The capital costs to build the mine are estimated to be $99M which includes $8.2M working capital and a $6.8M contingency. The operating cash cost is projected to be $585/oz which includes royalties, state taxes, and a 5% contingency. The total production cost including capital is projected to be $824/oz. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study for the Pan Gold Project, White Pine County, Nevada, dated November 15, 2011”, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The feasibility Study was prepared to the standards of National Instrument 43-101 and was filed on SEDAR on December 21, 2011.

 

Permits were received for an expanded drilling program. Environmental studies are continuing in support of a mine plan of operations and reclamation plan that has been submitted to management agencies. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the BLM deemed the proposed plan complete, initiating the NEPA permit process.

 

To date Midway has incurred total costs of $13,355,440 relating to the exploration of the Pan project. We have budgeted approximately $3.1 million for the 2012 exploration program.

 

The Pan project has known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7, and the proposed program for the property is developmental in nature.

 

Spring Valley Project

 

Location, means of access and state of property

 

The Spring Valley property is located in the Spring Valley Mining District, Pershing County, Nevada, approximately 20 miles northeast of the town of Lovelock.  The property is accessed from Nevada State Highway 50, which extends eastward from US Interstate 80 and is paved to the Rochester turn-off; thereafter it is a dirt road.  Water for exploration purposes is available from water wells drilled on the property under temporary grant of water rights. Power is accessible from existing power lines, however capacity is unknown and may be limited.

 

26
 

 

Agreement with Barrick Gold

 

On March 10, 2009, Midway, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Midway Gold US Inc. (“MGUSI”) (formerly MGC Resources Inc.), executed an Exploration, Development and Mine Operating Agreement, effective March 9, 2009 (the “EDM Agreement”), with Barrick Gold Exploration Inc. (“Barrick”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation, regarding the exploration, development and possible joint venture of Midway’s Spring Valley Project.

 

Exploration Period

 

Under the terms of the EDM Agreement, MGUSI granted to Barrick the exclusive right to explore and develop the Spring Valley Project. During this exploration period, Barrick has the exclusive right to earn a 60% interest in the Spring Valley Project by spending US$30,000,000 on the property over a five-year period ending December 31, 2013. During this five-year period Barrick has the sole right to determine the nature, scope, extent and method of all operations in relation to the property, without having to consult or gain the approval of the Midway. Barrick is required to provide Midway with certain information and reports and access to the Spring Valley Project to conduct inspections of operations during this period.

 

After vesting at 60%, Barrick may increase its interest by 10% (70% total) by spending an additional US$8,000,000 on or before December 31, 2014. At Midway’s election, Barrick may also earn an additional 5% (75% total) by carrying Midway to a production decision and arranging financing for Midway’s share of mine construction expenses with the carrying and financing costs plus interest to be recouped by Barrick once production has been established.

 

Joint Venture

 

Under the terms of the EDM Agreement, Midway shall have a period of 120 days from the last of the following events to occur to elect to enter into a joint venture agreement with Barrick with respect to the Spring Valley Project: (i) upon receipt of notice from Barrick that it has not elected to earn the additional 10% interest by spending an additional US$8,000,000; (ii) upon receipt of notice from Barrick that it has timely incurred the additional US$8,000,000 expenditure on the Spring Valley Project to earn the additional 10% interest; (iii) upon receipt of notice from Barrick that it has elected but failed to timely incur the additional US$8,000,000 expenditure on the Spring Valley Project. If Midway fails to notify Barrick within the 120-day period, Midway will be deemed to have elected to enter into the joint venture with Barrick.

 

If Midway elects or is deemed to have elected to enter into the joint venture agreement with Barrick, initial capital accounts will be established in accordance with Barrick’s earned interest in the Spring Valley Project and Barrick will be the manager of the joint venture.

 

If Midway elects not to enter into the joint venture, then either: (i) within 365 days of Midway’s notice electing not to enter into the joint venture, Barrick will exercise its option to purchase Midway’s interest in the Spring Valley Project for US$40,000,000 and a 2% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty on production from the Spring Valley Project; or (ii) Barrick will elect not to exercise its option to purchase Midway’s interest in the Spring Valley Project and the joint venture will be formed with Midway being deemed to have elected the carry option and any operations costs incurred by Barrick in the 365-day election period will be treated as Midway’s development costs.

 

The EDM Agreement also provides for the adjustment of a party’s participating interest in the joint venture upon default in making agreed-upon contributions to adopted programs and budgets or upon contributing less to a program and budget than a percentage equal to the party’s participating interest.

 

Further, the EDM Agreement provides that if Midway’s participation interest falls below 10%, Midway shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the joint venture and all of Midway’s participating interests will be assigned to Barrick, with Midway reserving a 2% NSR.

 

Under the EDM Agreement, a party’s whose recalculated participating interest is reduced to 10% shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the joint venture and shall relinquish its entire participating interest. Such relinquished participating interest shall be deemed to have accrued automatically to the other party. The reduced party shall have the right to receive 10% of net proceeds, if any, to a maximum amount of 75% percent of the reduced party’s equity account balance as of the effective date of the withdrawal. Upon receipt of such amount, the reduced party shall thereafter have no further right, title, or interest in the Spring Valley Project or under the EDM Agreement.

 

Barrick conducted and funded exploration in 2009 on the Spring Valley Project at the required level of US$4,000,000 and in 2010 at the required program of US$5,000,000. Barrick has informed Midway that it has expended the 2011 required program of US$7,000,000 to maintain the EDM Agreement.

 

27
 

 

Title

 

Midway has controlled the property since 2003 through direct ownership of unpatented lode mining claims administered by the BLM and through mining leases. Unpatented mining claims are kept active through payment of a maintenance fee due to the BLM and each county the claims are located in, on August 31st of each year.   Certain areas of the Spring Valley project are subject to NSR royalties ranging from 1% to 7% on different claim groups within the project package. Midway’s land position encompasses a gross area of approximately 11,022.5 acres containing federal lode and placer mining claims and patented fee properties.

 

The Company has prepared a summary table shown below that identifies the nature of its ownership or interest in the property, describes its interest in the properties, describes the type, names, number, unique identifying numbers and the approximate size in acres of each ownership areas.

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Claims   Land
Type
  Name/Series   Claim
#
  Serial Numbers   Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Optioned   10/30/2006   10/30/2016   Dale Chabino and Diana Chabino   2   Federal Lode - BLM   FREEDOM   1   NMC785920   3% NSR   41.3
          Federal Placer - BLM   FREEDOM   2   NMC780754    
Optioned   6/10/2007   6/10/2017   George D. Duffy   2   Federal Lode - BLM   DUFFY   1-2   NMC811224-NMC811225   -   41.3
Optioned   4/25/2006   4/25/2016   Lamonte J. Duffy   12   Federal Lode - BLM   SV   315-318   NMC925188-NMC925191   3% NSR   247.9
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   337-340   NMC925210-NMC925213    
          Federal Lode - BLM   DUFFY   5-8   NMC965332-NMC965335    
Optioned   7/17/2006   7/17/2016   David Rowe and Randall Stoeberl   46   Federal Lode - BLM   PS   1-22   NMC930781-NMC930802   3% NSR   950.4
          Federal Lode - BLM   PS   28-32   NMC930808-NMC930812    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PS   34-40   NMC930814-NMC930820    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PS   43-48   NMC930823-NMC930828    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PS   58-63   NMC930838-NMC930843    
Owned   9/10/2003   -   Midway Gold US Inc. (Echo Bay)   28   Federal Lode - BLM   SV   51-54   NMC825454-NMC825457   2% NSR   578.5
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   60-83   NMC832254-NMC832277    
Owned   11/27/2007   -   MGUSI (TGC)   3   Federal Lode - BLM   DRY   1-3   NMC954162-NMC954164   -   62.0
Owned   1/25/2006   -   MGUSI (Coeur)   101   Federal Lode - BLM   HMS   4-6   NMC140862-NMC140864   3% NSR   2,086.8
          Federal Lode - BLM   HMS   84-87   NMC140941-NMC140944    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SDB   1-8   NMC349508-NMC349515    
          Federal Lode - BLM   IDA   12-25   NMC364282-NMC364295    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SHO   3-59   NMC364363-NMC364419    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PORCUPINE   1-11   NMC371072-NMC371082    
          Federal Lode - BLM   CROWN HILLS   7-10   NMC39574-NMC39595    
          Federal Lode - BLM   PORCUPINE   28   NMC662873    

 

28
 

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Claims   Land
Type
  Name/Series   Claim
#
  Serial Numbers   Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [SSV set]   20   Federal Lode - BLM   SSV   142-144, 370-387   NMC954582-NMC954601   -   413.2
Owned   7/3/2003, amended 8/15/2003   -   MGUSI (Schmidt)   44   Federal Lode - BLM   SV   8-20 (even)   NMC748203-748215 (odd)   2-7% NSR; 1% NSR over-ride on claims within 1/2 mile   909.1
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   27   NMC748222    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   29-44   NMC748224-NMC748239    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   1-7, 9-21 (odd), 22-28   NMC817628-817647    
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [SV 45-78 set]   34   Federal Lode - BLM   SV   45-78   NMC860702-NMC860735   -   702.5
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [SV 84-357 set]   249   Federal Lode - BLM   SV   84-99   NMC872357-NMC872372   -   5,144.6
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   100-125   NMC887449-NMC887474    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   126-135   NMC889143-NMC889152    
          Federal Placer - BLM   SV   136-139   NMC906957-NMC906960    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   146-213   NMC925039-NMC925106    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   215-261   NMC925108-NMC925154    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   277-278, 285-314   NMC925156-NMC925187    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   319-336   NMC925192-NMC925209    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   341-357   NMC925214-NMC925230    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   266-276   NMC929379-929389    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   283-284   NMC929394-NMC929395    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   262   NMC954602    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SV   214   NMC977866    
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [SVP set]   40   Federal Placer - BLM   SVP   1-40   NMC906917-NMC906956   -   826.4
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [SVR set]   16   Federal Lode - BLM   SVR   1-16   NMC987526-NMC987541   -   330.6
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [SVB set]   13   Federal Lode - BLM   SVB   13   NMC1011089   -   247.9
          Federal Lode - BLM   SVB   1-12   NMC1023658-NMC1023669   -  
Owned   -   -   MGUSI [2010 set]   8   Federal Lode - BLM   SHO   60-65   NMC1034792-NMC1034797   -   185.9
            SHO   4A-5A   NMC1034798-NMC1034799   -  
            HMS   4A   NMC1034800   -  

 

29
 

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Land   Land
Type
  Name/Lot   Location   Mineral
Survey/Patent
Numbers
  Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Owned   5/5/2006   -   MGUSI (Seymork)   fee   Patented - Fee   E½,
N½NW¼,
SE¼NW¼,
E½NE¼SW¼,


SE¼SW¼
  T 29 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 25   P 203   3% NSR   0/480/360
            SE¼, SE¼SW¼   T 29 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 27   P 203     200.0
            E½NE¼   T 29 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 27   P 203     0/80/60
            W½NW¼,
SE¼NW¼
  T 29 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 35   P 203     120.0
            NE¼NW¼   T 29 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 35   P 203     0/40/30
Owned   9/7/2005   -   MGUSI (NLRC)   fee   Patented – Fee (surface)   Lots 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,
E½ of 15, Lot 16,
NE¼SE¼,
E½NW¼SE¼,
N½SE¼SE¼,
NE¼SW¼SE¼
  T 28 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 3   P 944731,
P 1010632
  -   544.2/0/0
Owned   8/29/2006   -   MGUSI (Sentman)   fee   Patented - Fee   NE¼NW¼   T 29 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 35   P 203   -   40/40/10
Leased   12/2/2010   12/2/2016   Barrick Agreement with Third Party   Fee   Patented – Fee (mineral)  

Lots 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,
E½ of 15, Lot 16,
NE¼SE¼,
E½NW¼SE¼,
N½SE¼SE¼, NE¼SW¼SE¼

 

Lot 1, N½ Lot 8,
W½ Lot 7, Lot 6,
N½ Lot 13

 

T 28 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 3

 

T 28 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec 1

 

P 944731, P 1010632

 

P 944731, P 1010633, P 948967, P997571

  3% NSR  

0/544.2

 

0/0/120.7

Optioned   9/15/2010   9/15/2014   Barrick Agreement with Third Party   Fee   Patented – Fee (surface)   Lots 1, 2   T 28 N, R 34 E, M.D.M., Sec. 3   P 944731   -   76.4/0/0

 

30
 

 

In 2011, Barrick, on behalf of the Company, paid the following lease payments or fulfilled work commitments to maintain certain mineral leases and options for the Spring Valley project:

 

·On March 9, 2011, Barrick paid Midway’s annual payment of US$36,000 to Lamonte J. Duffy to maintain its option to purchase 12 unpatented lode mining claims.  The owner retained a 3% NSR royalty. Alternatively, Midway can purchase these claims for US$600,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total.

 

·On or prior to the first date of each month Barrick paid Midway’s US$1,000 a month option payment totaling US$12,000 to George D. Duffy and the Estate of Margaret Suverkoop Duffy to maintain its option to purchase 2 unpatented lode mining claims.  Alternatively Midway can purchase these claims for US$500,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total.

 

·On June 15, 2011, Barrick paid Midway’s annual payment of US$20,000 to Dave Rowe and Randall Stoeberl to maintain its option to purchase 97 unpatented mining claims.  Alternatively Midway can purchase these claims for US$600,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Stoeberl retained a 3% NSR royalty from commercial production on these claims.

 

·On September 28, 2011, Barrick paid Midway’s annual payment of US$6,000 to Dale and Diana Chabino to maintain its option to purchase 2 unpatented lode mining claims. Alternatively Midway can purchase these claims for US$100,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total. Mr. Chabino and Mrs. Chabino retained a 3% NSR royalty from commercial production on these claims.

 

·On August 10, 2011 Barrick paid an annual payment of US$31,250 to Bert and Jennifer Pincolini to maintain its option to purchase surface and mineral rights. Alternatively Barrick can purchase these properties for US$150,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total.

 

·In 2011, Barrick spent a total of US$3,482,254 in work expenditures to maintain a sub-lease and option agreement with Newmont Mining Company for mineral rights underlying certain surface rights acquired by the Company in 2006. The agreement requires Barrick to spend a cumulative amount of US$2,000,000 in work expenditures on the ground leased over a period of six years, and to make advance royalty payments in the amount of US$100,000 per year thereafter, up to a cap of US$2,500,000. The advance royalty payments may be credited against a 3% NSR royalty payable from production on the area of ground leased.

 

Over the years Midway has staked additional claims and purchased rights to additional claims outright within and adjacent to the Spring Valley property.

 

Geology

 

The Spring Valley gold deposit is hosted in Permo-Triassic Koipato Group rocks made up of rhyolite flows, breccias, and volcaniclastic sediments. These volcanics were intruded by fine grained feldspar porphyry. Hydrothermal alteration includes quartz-sericite + pyrite alteration associated with gold, argillic alteration in hydrothermal breccias, and lesser secondary potassium feldspar, iron carbonate, and hematite-quartz alteration. Gold mineralization occurs in sheeted quartz veins, hydrothermal breccias, and open fractures. The gold is distributed along the top of the intrusion, and in overlying volcanic rocks, commonly at stratigraphic contacts, fracture zones, and in the remains of a diatreme breccia. Gold is found as grains of free gold up to 3 mm across, and has been observed along the edges of sulfide grains, indicating gold deposition is later than the sulfides.

 

Exploration completed by Midway

 

During 2004-2005, Midway evaluated previous drill results by Kennecott Utah Copper and Echo Bay Mines Ltd. to generate new targets. These were subsequently tested by drilling 90 RC holes totaling 44,965 feet and 21 diamond drill holes totaling 10,008.7 feet resulting in discovery of the Porphyry and Sill zones.  At the end of the program, the mineralized zone covered an area 3,200 feet long by 1,600 feet wide with mineralization to a depth of 984 feet.

 

In 2006, Midway completed 66,616 feet of drilling in 90 holes to expand the resource to the north and west, as well as to test a much larger porphyry gold target at depth. At the end of the program, the mineralized zone covered an area 4,500 feet long by 3,000 feet wide that is mineralized to a depth of 1,400 feet.   Surface exploration including a 3,000 soil sample grid survey, gravity and self-potential geophysical surveys, geologic mapping and rock chip sampling over the 17 square miles of claim holdings resulting in the identification of 12 new targets for follow up work.

 

31
 

 

In 2007, the Company drilled 102,000 feet to expand the west and north zones and to test the deep porphyry potential. Limited infill drilling was completed. An additional 10,850 feet was drilled on the Limerick, American Canyon, King David and Golden Gate satellite targets. In August 2007, the Company completed the purchase of the key Schmidt lease in Spring Valley by paying the final US$3,000,000 due.  This payment was the final advance royalty payment for the first 500,000 ounces of gold to be produced from the Schmidt claim package.

 

Based on drilling results through 2007, an updated inferred mineral resource estimate was made by AMEC E&C Services Inc. and reported in January, 2008. The resource model showed a large number of grade blocks outside of the L-G optimization shell that were not included in the resource.

 

In 2008, the Company completed 87 holes including 63,565 feet of RC and 8,985 feet of core drilling. The drilling identified a coherent gold mineralization zone 5,200 feet long by 3,500 feet wide that extended to a depth of 1,400 feet. Two outlying targets, the Fitting and Limerick areas, were tested with a total of 22 exploration drill holes with no significant results.

 

By January 1, 2009, a total of 318,510 feet of drilling from 450 holes has been completed in six drilling campaigns in the Spring Valley resource area. Based on these results, the Company completed an in-house resource update that was reported in March 2009.

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors – In this Annual Report we use the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”, which are geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines adopted by the CIM, as CIM Standards in Mineral Resources and Reserve Definition and Guidelines adopted by the CIM. US investors in particular are advised to read carefully the definitions of these terms as well as the “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.

 

Exploration completed by Barrick

 

In 2009, Barrick drilled 34 holes totaling 29,002 feet of RC drilling and 8,738 feet of core drilling. Barrick’s drilling focused on confirmation of previous drill results, infilling defined mineralized areas and initial metallurgical test work.

 

Barrick completed a scoping level metallurgical study on 13 composites from drill core. Results indicated no significant difference in recovery between oxide and sulfide material. Bottle roll test results ranged from 86% to 98% gold recoveries from oxide, sulfide and transition composites. Column leach tests indicated a 60% to 90% gold recovery over an average 260-day leach period. Gravity separation tests showed gold recoveries of 91% to 50.6% of the calculated head grade. The majority of gravity recoverable gold was released with the coarsest grind and gravity tails were found to be amenable to leaching of the remaining gold.

 

In 2010, Barrick completed 30,565 feet of RC drilling in 15 holes and 20 pre-collars and 21,760 feet of core drilling in 19 holes. A hydrology study to assess de-watering requirements determined that pump rates would be in the 650-1,100 gallon per minute range.

 

2011 Exploration Program

 

In 2011, Barrick drilled 47,435 feet in 32 reverse circulation (RC) holes, 15,361 feet in 4 core holes and 10 pre-collared core holes. The 2011 drilling program commenced in early April with two reverse circulation (RC) rigs and one core rig. Core drilling was completed in September; RC drilling was completed in November.

 

Barrick informed Midway that the 2011 drill plan was focused on expanding the resource and evaluating property

 

acquired near the end of 2010 south of the current resource area. Drill results included holes that tested the northern extent of the known resource and widely spaced reconnaissance drilling south of the current resource. Results reported indicate that the deposit remains open to the north and new gold assays extend the gold zone at least 1.7 kilometers to the southwest of the previously known resource area over a width of approximately 0.5 kilometers.

 

The Company engaged an independent engineer, Gustavson Associates, LLC of Lakewood, Colorado (“Gustavson”) to review the drilling results and provide a new resource update that incorporated all Barrick drilling through May, 2011. As a result of this review, we announced an updated mineral resource estimate that includes Barrick drilling results from its 2009 and 2010 drill campaigns. The new resource estimate has 2.16 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated mineral resource categories, consisting of 0.93 million ounces in the Measured category and 1.23 million ounces in the Indicated category at a cut-off grade of 0.14 grams per tonne (g/t). The new drilling also produced an additional Inferred mineral resource of 1.97 million ounces of gold at the same cut-off grade. The Measured resource is contained within 59.0 million tonnes grading 0.49 g/t, the Indicated mineral resource is contained within 85.8 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t and the Inferred resource is contained within 103.9 million tonnes grading 0.59 g/t. The report was prepared by William J. Crowl, Donald E. Hulse, Donald J. Baker, Terre A. Lane, Deepak Malhotra, under the supervision of Gustavson who are “independent” and "qualified persons" under NI 43-101. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Spring Valley Project Pershing County, Nevada" dated effective May 24, 2011, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

32
 

 

Barrick has increased participation of their Project Development group and Mine Site Exploration group as part of the initial stages of transitioning from a pure exploration project to a mine development project. To accommodate a planned increase in operations, Barrick has expanded the project office in Lovelock. Additionally, Barrick has initiated cultural and biological studies to support an environmental assessment for an expanded drilling area.

 

To date the Company has incurred total costs of $20,357,608 relating to the exploration of the Spring Valley project.

 

The Spring Valley project is without known reserves, as defined under SEC Guide 7, and the proposed program for the property is exploratory in nature.

 

Tonopah (formerly referred to as “Midway”) Project

 

To avoid confusion with the Company’s name, the Midway Project was renamed the Tonopah Project in December 2011.

 

Location and means of access

 

The Tonopah property is located in Nye County, Nevada, approximately 15 miles northeast of the town of Tonopah, 210 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 236 miles southeast of Reno.  The property is over the northeastern flank of the San Antonio Mountains and in the Ralston Valley. Water for exploration purposes is available from water wells drilled on the property under a temporary grant of water rights. Power is accessible from existing power lines crossing the property, however capacity is unknown and may be limited.

 

The Tonopah project is located at the intersection of the well-known Round Mountain/Goldfield trend and the Walker Lane. It is a low-sulfidation epithermal gold system with near-vertical quartz-adularia-gold veins. Bonanza gold veins occur in a series of en echelon vein clusters along a 1.5 mile northwest-trending band of mineralization. The best previously reported gold intercept was 2.5 feet of 119 opt gold in 17 feet that averaged 34.7 opt gold in core hole MW210 from the Midway vein.

 

Title

 

Midway has controlled the property since 2001. Through a series of agreements, amendments and payments the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Tonopah property subject to a sliding scale on NSR royalty from any commercial production of between 2% to 7%, based on changes in gold prices, and the Company must pay an advance minimum royalty, recoverable from commercial production, of US$300,000 per year, payable on August 15.

 

In addition, the surface rights to 560 acres in Section 32 are held by the Town of Tonopah. The remaining 80 acres of surface rights in Section 32 are held as two 40-acre parcels by two owners. We hold federal mineral rights for the entirety of Section 32 in unpatented claims.

 

The Company has prepared a summary table shown below that identifies the nature of its ownership or interest in the property, describes its interest in the properties, describes the type, names, number, unique identifying numbers and the approximate size in acres of each ownership areas. 

 

33
 

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Claims   Land
Type
  Name/Series   Claim
#
  Serial Numbers   Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Owned   7/2/2001, extended 5/31/2002, amended 10/1/2002, amended 11/2/2004, amended 10/1/2009   -   Midway Gold US Inc. (Schmidt/Patton)   228   Federal Lode - BLM   SP   1-9   NMC387816-NMC387824   2-7% NSR   4,382.8
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   11-15 (odd)   NMC387826-NMC387830 (even)    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   17-18   NMC387832-NMC387833    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   21-32   NMC387836-NMC387847    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   65-84   NMC390502-NMC470127    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   95-98   NMC470138-NMC470141    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   105-108   NMC470148-NMC470151    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   115-119   NMC470158-NMC470162    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   123-127   NMC470166-NMC470170    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   281-286   NMC502125-NMC502130    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   300-302   NMC502144-NMC502146    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   320-322   NMC502164-NMC502166    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   340-351   NMC513285-NMC513296    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   358-360   NMC513303-NMC513305    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   366-368   NMC513309-NMC513311    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   374-376   NMC513317-NMC513319    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   382   NMC513325    
          Federal Lode - BLM   SP   4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 280, 352-357   NMC679116-NMC679129    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RV   29-41 (odd)   NMC688327-NMC688339 (odd)    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   08   NMC830749    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   12   NMC830753    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   16   NMC830757    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   20   NMC830761    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   24   NMC830764    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   25-29 (odd)   NMC831839-NMC831843 (odd)    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   50-60 (even)   NMC831864-NMC831874 (even)    
          Federal Lode - BLM   RD   69-84   NMC831883-NMC831898    
  6/8/2004   -   Midway Gold US Inc. (Newmont)     Federal Lode - BLM   MWAY   67-68   NMC835175-NMC835176   -  
          Federal Lode - BLM   MWAY   117-119   NMC835225-NMC835227    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MWAY   147-150   NMC835255-NMC835258    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MWAY   396   NMC835504    
          Federal Lode - BLM   WAY   1-29   NMC838228-NMC838256    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MWAY   649-655 (odd)   NMC845408-NMC845414 (even)    
  7/2/2001 and amended as above   -   Midway Gold US Inc. (Schmidt/Patton)     Federal Lode - BLM   RD   85-100, 103-104, 101-102, 105-106   NMC984613-NMC984634   2-7% NSR  
Owned   -   -   Midway Gold US Inc.   233   Federal Lode - BLM   MW   1-233   NMC1059873-NMC1060105   -   4,813.78

 

34
 

 

Geology

 

The Tonopah project is located at the intersection of the Round Mountain/Goldfield gold trend and the Walker Lane. It is a low-sulfidation epithermal gold system with near-vertical quartz-adularia-gold veins. Host rocks are Ordovician black argillite of the Palmetto Formation and unconformably overlying Tertiary rhyolitic volcanics. Bonanza gold veins occur in a series of en echelon clusters along a 1.5 mile northwest-trending band of mineralization.

 

The veins are best defined in the Discovery zone based on 132 drill holes. The veins occur in sub-parallel clusters, 10 to 20 feet apart, with an average width of 6 feet. Veins hosted in the argillite form well-defined veins and hydrothermal breccias. Where the veins pass upward into the volcanics, they splay out to form numerous thinner sub-parallel veins in a braided stockwork zone. Visible gold is common in the veins with higher-grade gold in an apparent boiling horizon at the unconformity between argillite and volcanics.

 

Exploration

 

Veins in the Discovery zone were discovered by Kennecott Utah Copper in 1992. Prior to this the property was explored by Houston Oil and Minerals, Coeur d’Alene Mines, and Rio Algom. Tombstone Exploration and Golconda Resources explored the property after Kennecott Utah Copper.

 

In 2002, we completed 26,689.5 feet of core drilling in 69 holes. Intercepts such as 2.5 feet of 119 opt gold in 17 feet that averaged 34.7 opt gold in the Midway vein encouraged Newmont Mining Company to enter into a joint venture on the property in September 2002. Newmont Mining Company completed extensive regional exploration programs including airborne magnetic, EM, and radiometric surveys and ground radiometric, gravity and CSAMT surveys. From 2002 to 2003 the Newmont Mining Company/Midway joint venture drilled a total of 67,703.5 feet in 121 holes in the greater Discovery area and other targets.

From 2003 to 2004, the joint venture drilled 10,195 feet in 7 RC holes and 5,847 feet in 16 core holes. Five holes were drilled in the 121 Zone and the others in a largely untested area south of the Discovery zone. Newmont Mining Company terminated the joint venture in June 2004.

 

In 2005, we drilled 8,987 feet in 16 RC holes to test for extensions adjacent to the known resource areas.  The program resulted in the discovery of the Dauntless Zone with hole MW399 which encountered 175 feet of 0.349 opt gold including a vein assaying 15 feet of 3.163 opt gold. An independent resource estimate was completed based on a model of disseminated, strataform mineralization in the Tertiary volcanics using open pit mining methods. The Company no longer believes this business case is optimal for this property and is evaluating a model that would support underground mine development.

 

In 2006, the Company drilled 26,450 feet in 56 holes. The Dauntless zone was extended 650 feet along strike with true width varying from 23 to 66 feet. Grades vary from 0.029 to 1.16 ounces per ton starting within 165 feet of the surface.  Drilling identified 58 veins with at least one intercept greater than 0.15 ounces of gold per ton that are not yet defined. Plans were proposed for a decline that would allow bulk sampling of the Discovery and Dauntless gold zones for metallurgical testing and allow better access for exploration of the gold bearing quartz veins. Fourteen monitor wells were installed to study the dewatering costs for the decline. Four of the monitor holes encountered new gold mineralization.

 

In 2007, pump tests from a 450-foot water well in the Discovery area were conducted to determine dewatering needs for a decline. This program estimated the need to pump 2,000 gallons per minute to dewater the decline and mine workings. Engineering was initiated for a decline to provide access 200 feet below high grade portions of certain veins and to then take a 50,000 ton bulk sample.

 

35
 

 

In 2008, the Company drilled 1,234 feet in 12 RC holes and 2,321 feet in 9 core holes for hydrology and geotechnical testing along the planned route of the decline. Two new vein intercepts were discovered (see our Press Release dated, May 14, 2008). No gold was noted in five holes drilled to test proposed waste rock storage sites. A preliminary mining plan was submitted to the BLM and NDEP for an underground decline.

 

Metallurgical testing by SGS Lakefield Research Limited (Canada) showed up to 94% gold recovery using gravity and cyanide from a 73-lb. composite sample of Discovery vein material grading 0.188 opt gold. Further work by Gekko Systems Metallurgical Laboratory (Australia) showed that gravity and flotation could achieve 86.7% gold recovery and 66.3% silver recovery without using cyanide, based on a 242-lb composite sample, grading 0.662 opt gold and 0.475 opt silver.

 

In 2009, the Company worked with the Town of Tonopah, Nevada to negotiate a plan to properly dispose of mine water to the standards required by the State Water Engineer. In early 2011 we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Tonopah for continued cooperation with regards to development of the Tonopah project nearby to Tonopah’s municipal water well fields. The memorandum of understanding provides for mutual information sharing between the Company and Tonopah’s engineers for baseline studies and designs, development of water rights for the benefit of Tonopah, and cooperation to reduce redundant facilities.

 

2011 Exploration Program

 

In the second quarter, an initial resource estimate was completed on select veins of the Discovery and Dauntless zones that could possibly be developed using underground mining methods. In April, 2011, a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate was completed by Gustavson Associates, LLC to evaluate a limited number of vein-like structures primarily in the Discovery Zone. Mineralization was modeled using Indicator Kriging to analyze zones of potential high grade mineralization. This indicator model was calibrated by comparison with veins modeled on cross sections, and appears to have identified higher grade areas with continuous gold mineralization that could possibly be mined by underground methods.

 

Tonopah Project Initial Inferred Mineral Underground Resource*

Cutoff Grade
(oz/ton)
  Short Tons
(thousands)
  Grade
(oz/ton)
  Ounces
0.1000   114.0   0.3017   34,394
0.0750   127.0   0.2813   35,725
0.0500   130.0   0.2758   35,854
0.0200   131.0   0.2742   35,920

 

* - Inferred mineral resources are estimated pursuant to Canadian industry standards. See “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

 

Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above. The Tonopah Project is without known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7, and the proposed program for the property is exploratory in nature.

 

The report was prepared by William J. Crowl, Donald E. Hulse, Donald J. Baker, and Terre A. Lane, under the supervision of Gustavson who are “independent” and "qualified persons" under NI 43-101. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Tonopah Project Nye County, Nevada" dated effective April 1, 2011, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

A core drilling program was conducted at Tonopah during the third quarter to define the true width and continuity of gold grade in veins and wall rock. A total of 13,000 feet was drilled in 26 holes to test areas of the Discovery, 121, Dauntless, and 63-77 areas. Initial assay results included high grade intercepts such as 0.4 meters of 334.9 grams per tonne (gpt) gold and 1.5 meters of 78.41 gpt gold within a zone of 45.9 meters of 7.68 gpt gold in drill hole MW11-09c as well as lower grade intercepts such as 44.5 meters of 1.13 gpt gold in MW11-06c. See our press release dated December 8, 2011 for full results.

 

To date Midway has incurred total costs of $10,433,982 relating to the exploration of the Tonopah project. We have budgeted approximately $2.2 million for the 2012 exploration program.

 

The Tonopah project is without known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7, and the proposed program for the property is exploratory in nature.

 

36
 

 

Gold Rock Project

 

Location and means of access

 

The Gold Rock property is situated in the eastern Pancake Range in western White Pine County, Nevada. The property is 8 miles southeast of the Company’s Pan project. Access is via the Green Springs road from US Highway 50 approximately 65 miles from Ely, Nevada. Water for exploration purposes is available from wells in the region under temporary grant of water rights. It is anticipated that power will be available from the line being extended to serve the nearby Pan Project.

 

Title

 

Midway has controlled the property since April 13, 2007 through direct ownership of unpatented lode and placer mining claims administered by the BLM and through mining leases. Midway’s land position encompasses a gross area of approximately 11,607.8 acres containing federal lode and placer mining claims.

 

We acquired our interest in the March 20, 2006 mineral lease agreement with NVMC as a result of our acquisition of Pan-Nevada Gold Corporation on April 13, 2007. On or before January 5 of each year Midway must pay an advance minimum royalty of the greater of US$60,000 or the US dollar equivalent of 108.05 ounces of gold valued by the average of the London afternoon fixing price for the third calendar quarter preceding January 1 of the year in which the payment is due. The minimum advance royalties will be creditable against a sliding scale NSR production royalty of between 2.5% and 4%. Midway must incur a minimum of US$75,000 annual work expenditures, including claim maintenance fees, during the term of the mining lease. On January 1, 2011 Midway paid an advance minimum royalty of $132,364.43 (US$132,550). Subsequent to the year end we paid an advance minimum royalty of US$183,914.07 on January 1, 2012.

 

Midway has entered into or acquired four additional agreements for claims adjacent to and contiguous with the NVMC claims:

 

·On or before January 15, 2011, we paid the annual advance royalty payment of US$30,000 to Anchor Minerals, Inc. to maintain its mineral lease for 80 unpatented lode mining claims.  The owner holds a 3.5% gross production royalty.

 

·On or before January 24, 2011, Midway paid the annual option payment of US$50,000 to Brian Peart to maintain its option to purchase 13 unpatented lode and placer mining claims. Alternatively Midway can purchase these claims for US$5,000,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total. Mr. Peart holds a sliding scale NSR royalty of between 2 and 6% from commercial production on these claims.

 

·On or before February 13, 2011, Midway paid the annual option payment of US$7,750 to Jerry Pankow to maintain its option to purchase 2 unpatented lode mining claims. Alternatively we can purchase these claims for US$775,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total. Mr. Pankow holds a sliding scale NSR royalty of between 2 and 5% from commercial production on these claims.

 

·On or before February 15, 2011, Midway paid the annual payment of US$15,000 to Ronald “Ronny” Jordan to maintain its option to purchase 10 unpatented lode mining claims. Alternatively we can purchase these claims for US$2,500,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total. Mr. Jordan holds a 2.5% NSR from commercial production on these claims. The assignor of this lease agreement to Midway also holds a 0.5% NSR royalty.

 

Over the years the Company has staked additional claims outright adjacent to and contiguous with the Gold Rock property, which are outside of any area of interest.

 

The Company has prepared a summary table shown below that identifies the nature of our ownership or interest in the property, describes our interest in the properties, describes the type, names, number, unique identifying numbers and the approximate size in acres of each ownership area.

 

37
 

  

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Expiry   Owner
(source)
  Claims   Land
Type
  Name/Series   Claim
#
  Serial Numbers   Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
Leased   1/15/2007, amended 1/26/2008   1/15/2017   Anchor Minerals, Inc.   80   Federal Lode - BLM   ROC 1-21   1-21   NMC929929-NMC929949   3.5% Gross   1,652.9
          Federal Lode - BLM   ROC 22-45   22-45   NMC950080-NMC950103    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   24-41   NMC977619-NMC977636    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   301-317   NMC984539-NMC984555    
Optioned   1/24/2008   1/14/2023   Brian Peart   13   Federal Lode - BLM   LITTLE RICHARD   1-6, 7, 9-10, 12-13   NMC822700-NMC822710   2-6% NSR   207.3
          Federal Placer - BLM   LITTLE RICHARD   15, 22   NMC822711-NMC822712    
Leased   3/20/2006, amended 1/1/2009   3/20/2016   Newark Valley Mining Corp.   334   Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   1-10   NMC325321-NMC325330   2.5-4% Gross   6,000.44
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   20   NMC325340    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   22-34   NMC325342-NMC325354    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   36-47   NMC325356-NMC325367    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   49-55   NMC325369-NMC325375    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   61-67   NMC325381-NMC325387    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   72-85   NMC325392-NMC325405    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   90-94   NMC325410-NMC325414    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   97   NMC325417    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   98-102   NMC408429-NMC408433    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   137-142   NMC408468-NMC408473    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   144-150   NMC408475-NMC408481    
          Federal Lode - BLM   ECHO   52-55   NMC420382-NMC420385    
          Federal Lode - BLM   ECHO   142   NMC420469    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   160   NMC477661    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   126-200, 202-218, 220-227, 42-90, 94-96, 101-104, 111-124   NMC977427-NMC977594    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   222   NMC977595    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   201-207, 209-212, 215-221   NMC980693-NMC980709    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MONTE   48, 56, 58, 60, 143, 145, 168-173   NMC980914-NMC980925    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   345-351   NMC984643-NMC984649    
          Federal Lode - BLM   GR   1-34, 77-79   NMC1057255-NMC1057291    
Optioned   2/13/2008   2/13/2023   Jerry Pankow   2   Federal Lode - BLM   LITTLE RICHARD   25-26   NMC863772-NMC863773   2-5% NSR   41.3
Owned   -   -   Midway Gold US Inc.   169   Federal Lode - BLM   MT   178, 189, 201, 125   NMC977423-NMC977426   -   3,491.54
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   1-23   NMC977596-NMC977618    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   91-93, 97-100, 100-110   NMC977639-NMC977649    
          Federal Lode - BLM   MT   318-344   NMC984586-NMC984612    
          Federal Lode - BLM   GR   35-76, 80-100, 102, 104, 106-142   NMC1057134-NMC1057235    
Optioned   2/15/2004, assigned to MGUSI 2/13/2008   -   Ronald W. ("Ronny") Jordan   13   Federal Lode - BLM   BIG JR   9-12   NMC826346-NMC826349   2.5% NSR   268.5
          Federal Lode - BLM   JJ NO   1-4   NMC849888-NMC849891    
          Federal Lode - BLM   DG NO   5-6   NMC849892-NMC849893    
          Federal Lode - BLM   GR   101, 103, 105   NMC1057125-NMC1057127    

 

38
 

 

Geology

 

Gold Rock is a sediment-hosted gold system in highly prospective host rocks within a 14 square mile land position along the Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend. Gold was mined at the Easy Junior pit from Mississippian marine siltstone and limestone of the Joanna and Chainman Formations. Additional gold anomalies occur in the Devonian-Mississippian Pilot and Devils Gate Formations, the same host rocks as found at the nearby Pan project. These potential host rocks are exposed for 6 miles of strike length and may have been repeated by east verging thrust faulting. Exposures in the Easy Junior pit wall show mineralization is associated with the crest of a tight anticline cut by a high angle reverse fault. Gold is associated with silicification and argillic alteration of the host rocks along the structure. Historic drill data suggests additional folds and thrust faulting around and along strike of the pit.

 

Exploration

 

The Easy Junior Mine, in the center of the Gold Rock property, reportedly produced 2.9 million tons of 0.026 opt gold (74,945 ounces gold contained) during operations by Alta Gold and the Alta Bay joint venture (Alta Gold-Echo Bay). The mine was shut down in 1994, due to low gold prices. A historic database of 794 holes containing 269,446 feet of drilling was acquired in 2008. Analysis of this drill data by Midway outlined a gold zone in the walls of the pit and along a strike extending south into the Decker Flat area. The gold zone is defined by 300 holes and extends for 9,200 feet along the strike of the Easy Junior anticline. This zone appears to be oxide, above the water table, and open in all directions.

 

Exploration work by Midway to date has primarily been data compilation and surface exploration. Data compilation has included drill hole data, rock and soil geochemical data, geologic mapping, and geophysical surveys generated by previous exploration companies. Midway has generated new geology and alteration mapping and additional rock and soil sampling. A gravity survey was conducted over the property position. The new and old data are being evaluated to generate exploration targets for future drilling.

 

39
 

 

In 2008, Midway drilled 3,525 feet in 11 RC holes on the Anchor target at the south end of the property. The target was gold bearing Pilot shale. Five holes found strongly anomalous gold in the Pilot formation, a regionally favorable host rock. Several targets were not tested due to large voids in the rock above the targets. The drill rig in use at that time was not equipped to get past these areas. Follow up drilling is planned when appropriate equipment is available.

 

2011 Exploration Program

 

A technical report was completed in the first quarter of 2011 by Gustavson Associates, LLC to review geological and historical drill data prior to the planned 2011 drilling program. Historic drill results include 673 drill holes within and surrounding the Easy Junior open pit mine. Review of select drill data confirmed that assays in the database are consistent with original assay certificates. These drill results suggest there could be significant unmined gold mineralization along strike of Easy Junior that may represent a bulk tonnage epithermal gold target. Gustavson Associates LLC reviewed a historic resource estimate that was completed in 1988 prior to mining by International Mining Consultants of Tucson, Arizona (“IMC”) (see table below). During operations, the mine reportedly produced approximately 52,400 ounces of gold. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Gold Rock Project, White Pine County, Nevada" dated effective March 28, 2011, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Gustavson’s initial evaluation confirmed that Gold Rock contains a gold system that warrants additional exploration and evaluation. The lithology, alteration, and mineralization are similar to other sediment hosted Carlin-type systems such as Alligator Ridge, Bald Mountain, Rain, and Midway’s Pan Project, 8 miles to the northwest.

 

A first round of drilling was designed to confirm the historic data, verify locations and grades, and test for expansion potential. The initial drilling program with one reverse circulation drill rig and one core rig was completed during the third quarter of 2011. The Company drilled 26,125 feet in 25 RC holes and 5,180 feet in 6 core holes. Initial drill results reported by the Company included intercepts of 33.5 meters of 2.06 grams per tonne (gpt) gold, including 7.6 meters of 4.18 gpt gold, in drill hole GR11-05. Additional intercepts include 48.8 meters of 0.96 gpt gold in drill hole GR11-07, and 18.3 meters of 0.82 gpt gold in drill hole GR11-03. Initial results were positive; verifying the grade, width, and location of historic results in those areas drilled to date.

 

The results of the 2011 drill program and the additional analysis of the historic drill results by Gustavson, increased the Indicated mineral resource to 310,000 ounces of gold and the Inferred mineral resource to 331,000 ounces as announced in the February 29, 2011 press release. The gold resource, which appears to be open in all directions, represents a significant increase above the previously reported historic estimate. The Indicated mineral resource is contained in 12,968,000 tonnes at a grade of 0.74 grams per tonne (gpt) gold. The Inferred mineral resource is contained in 17,894,000 tonnes at a grade of 0.58 gpt gold. The new resource includes results from 466 verified historic drill holes and 31 Midway verification holes that were drilled in 2011. The resource extends for 2,500 meters north and south from the historic Easy Junior open pit gold mine.

 

Gold Rock Project Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resource*

    Inferred Mineral Resource   Indicated Mineral Resource
Cutoff
(gpt)
  Tonnes   Grade
(gpt)
  Gold
Ounces
  Tonnes   Grade
(gpt)
  Gold
Ounces
0.51   7,866,000   0.83   211,000   7,820,000   0.98   247,000
0.41   10,857,000   0.73   255,000   9,593,000   0.89   273,000
0.27   17,894,000   0.58   331,000   12,968,000   0.74   310,000
0.14   30,460,000   0.42   409,000   18,010,000   0.59   343,000

 

* - Inferred mineral resources are estimated pursuant to Canadian industry standards. See “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.

 

Permitting is underway for a second round of drilling designed to infill the historic drilling and to test for expansion of the resource along strike and at depth. A surface exploration program is on-going to identify additional targets that may be tested in a third round of drilling either in 2012 or 2013.

 

To date Midway has incurred total costs of $2,464,412 relating to the exploration of the Gold Rock project. We have budgeted approximately $8.0 million for the 2012 exploration program.

 

The Gold Rock project is without known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7, and the proposed program for the property is exploratory in nature.

 

40
 

 

Other Nevada Properties

 

The Company’s Thunder Mountain and Burnt Canyon projects are exploration projects that Midway does not consider to be material properties of Midway at this time. The Company abandoned the Roberts Gold property in fiscal 2010. These projects are without known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7.

 

Thunder Mountain is a gold and silver rich epithermal vein and disseminated gold system hosted in rhyolite tuffs and flow dome complexes located six miles southeast of the Midway project in Nye County, Nevada. From August 2008 to May 2009, Kinross Gold USA funded the project under an exploration and option to joint venture agreement. Kinross conducted a first pass drill program but did not encounter any significant results and dropped the option. The Company is evaluating the property to determine if additional targets may exist that have not been tested to date.

 

Burnt Canyon is a volcanic hosted epithermal system with gold identified in numerous rock and soil samples. The project lies between high grade veins in the Seven Troughs district to the south and the Wildcat disseminated gold deposit to the north in Pershing County, Nevada. The Company drilled a first pass drill program that was completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.

 

Washington Property

 

The map below shows the location of Midway’s property located in Washington, USA. This property is described in further detail below.

 

 

Golden Eagle Project

 

Location and means of access

 

The Golden Eagle property is located on private land in the Eureka (Republic) mining district in Ferry County, Washington. The property is two miles northwest of the town of Republic, Washington and is accessed by the Knob Hill county road. Power is available at the nearby (< 1 mile) Knob Hill Mine. Water availability has not yet been determined.

 

Title

 

On August 1, 2008, the Company issued 600,000 common shares at US$2.50 per common share for proceeds of US$1,500,000 by way of a private placement to Kinross Gold USA Inc. (“Kinross”) and concurrently purchased a 75% interest in the Golden Eagle project from Kinross at a cost of US$1,500,000 ($1,537,950). The Company then purchased a 25% interest in the Golden Eagle project from Hecla Limited at a cost of US$483,333 ($500,200). Kinross retained a 2% net smelter returns royalty and was granted a first right of refusal to toll mill ore from the Golden Eagle property at their Kettle River Mill. Midway completed the acquisition of the Golden Eagle property through a wholly-owned subsidiary created to hold the property.

 

41
 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company staked additional claims and purchased two additional blocks of land at a cost of $177,393 to expand its Golden Eagle land property package.

 

Midway’s land position encompasses a gross area of approximately 339.5 acres containing federal lode mining claims and patented lode mining claim and fee properties.

 

The Company has prepared a summary table shown below that identifies the nature of its ownership or interest in the property, describes its interest in the properties, describes the type, names, number, unique identifying numbers and the approximate size in acres of each ownership areas.

 

Ownership   Agreement
Date
  Owner (source)   Land   Land
Type
  Name/Lot   Location   Mineral
Survey/Patent
Numbers
  Gold
Royalty
  Approx.
Acreage*
 Owned    -    Golden Eagle Holding Inc.    3    Federal Lode - BLM    GEH    1-3 ORMC164710-
ORMC164712 
   -   5.4 
Owned   75% - 5/28/2008; 25% - 7/28/2008   Golden Eagle Holding Inc. (Echo Bay/Hecla)   fee   Patented Lode - Fee   Mountain Lion   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   M.S. 402-A   0-0.75% Gross + 2% NSR on 75% of Production   20.7
              Patented Lode - Fee   Flat Iron   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   M.S. 402-A     7.6
              Patented Lode - Fee   Last Chance   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   M.S. 402-A     20.7
              Patented Mill Site - Fee   Mountain Lion   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   M.S. 402-B     5.0
              Patented Lode - Fee   Gopher   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   M.S. 509     19.7
              Patented - Fee   Government Lot 1   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   -     41.1
              Patented - Fee   Government Lot 2   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   -     6.8
              Patented - Fee   Government Lot 3   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   -     0.5
              Patented - Fee   Government Lot 4, less Tax Lot 4   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   -     7.3
              Patented - Fee   N½NE¼, less Tax Lot 12-02   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   -     77.4
    5/26/2009   Golden Eagle Holding Inc. (Vaagen)     Patented - Fee   Government Lot 12   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 27   -   -   8.8
    5/28/2008   Golden Eagle Holding Inc. (Echo Bay)     Patented - Fee   Government Lot 1   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   -   2% NSR   36.0
    4/22/2009   Golden Eagle Holding Inc. (Bowe)     Patented Lode - Fee   South Penn, less Tax Lot 8   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   M.S. 664   -   12.9
          Patented Lode - Fee   South Penn Fraction   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   M.S. 664     3.3
          Patented - Fee   Government Lot 4, less Tax Lot 9   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   -     10.9
    5/26/2009   Golden Eagle Holding Inc. (Vaagen)     Patented - Fee   Tax Lot 5   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   -   -   2.6/0/0
          Patented Lode - Fee   Vulcan No. 2   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   M.S. 606     19.5/0/0
          Patented - Fee   Tax Lot 8   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   -     2.5
          Patented - Fee   Tax Lot 9   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   -     3.3
          Patented Lode - Fee   Mormon Lode   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   M.S. 584     13.4
          Patented - Fee   Government Lot 5   T 37 N, R 32 E, W.M., Sec. 28   -     13.9

 

42
 

 

Mineral Resources

 

On June 25, 2009, the Company announced an indicated mineral resource estimate of 31,400,000 tons at a grade of 0.055 opt containing 1,744,000 ounces of gold based on drilling by previous operators. There is an additional inferred mineral resource estimate of 5,100,000 tons at a grade of 0.038 opt containing 192,000 ounces of gold. Both estimates are reported at a cut off grade of 0.02 opt gold and constrained within a Lerchs-Grossman pit shell using a $750 per ounce gold price and 85% gold recovery. The estimated metal content does not include consideration of any other mining, mineral processing, or metallurgical recoveries. The most likely cut-off grade for this deposit is not known at this time and must be confirmed by the appropriate economic studies. Mineral reserves have not been estimated. For further information on this project, please see the report entitled "Golden Eagle Project, Washington State, USA, Technical Report" dated effective July, 2009, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors – In this Annual Report we use the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”, which are geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines adopted by CIM, as CIM Standards in Mineral Resources and Reserve Definition and Guidelines. US investors in particular are advised to read carefully the definitions of these terms as well as the “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.

 

Geology

 

The Golden Eagle is a volcanic hosted, epithermal gold system with gold in quartz veins and disseminated in extensive breccia bodies. The host rocks are andesite flows and volcaniclastics of the Eocene age Sanpoil Formation along the western margin of the Republic Graben. Gold occurs primarily in silicified and argillized hydrothermal breccia that is 2,500 feet long and 1,000 feet wide. The gold zone is roughly east-west. It is exposed at the surface at the historic Mountain Lion mine to the west and plunges to the northeast. Locally the breccia is cut by quartz veins carrying higher grades of gold. Gold and silver mineralization is often found in solid solution with sulfide minerals and is considered refractory. Historical underground mining extracted gold and silver rich quartz veins adjacent to and beneath Golden Eagle.

 

Exploration

 

Exploration was conducted on the property from 1940 to 2000 by Knob Hill Mining, Day Mines Inc., Hecla Mining Company, Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation, and Echo Bay Mines Ltd. Hecla and Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation defined a large gold resource on the property and conducted pre-feasibility studies including numerous metallurgical tests. After Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation was acquired by Newmont Mining Company, the property was traded to Echo Bay Mines Ltd. during a time of low gold prices. Kinross acquired Echo Bay and focused their efforts elsewhere.

 

In 2008, the Company acquired the Golden Eagle project and began compiling and reviewing the historic database of 835 drill holes containing 165,775 feet of mostly core drilling. Many of the older shallow holes could not be verified, leaving 126,591 feet in 164 holes that could be verified for use in creating a new gold model. Dr Thom Seal was contracted to review the numerous metallurgical reports and summarize the results for the Company. Company geologists mapped the historic pits and sampled pit walls and dumps.

 

2011 Exploration Program

 

The Company has commissioned a preliminary economic assessment to evaluate the economics of different mining options at current higher gold prices. Issues related to processing sulfide mineralization and permitting continue to be assessed.

 

To date Midway has incurred total costs of $480,974 relating to the exploration of the Golden Eagle project. The Company has budgeted approximately $0.9 million for 2012.

 

The Golden Eagle project is without known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7, and the proposed program for the property is exploratory in nature.

 

Office Facilities

 

Effective May 2011, we leased approximately 5,600 square feet of office space with an independent third party. Monthly rent payments under this lease, including parking and operating expenses, will average approximately $9,900 per month through December 31, 2014 when the lease expires. We believe this space is adequate for our needs for the foreseeable future and that substitute space would be readily available, if needed.

 

43
 

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

Other than as set forth in this item, we are not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation or of any proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities which are, or would be, likely to have a material adverse effect upon us or our operations, taken as a whole. There are no material proceedings pursuant to which any of our directors, officers or affiliates or any owner of record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our securities or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us.

 

On January 27, 2011, the Company was delivered a summons that it is being sued in the state of Nevada by Redcor Drilling, Inc. (“Redcor”) for non-payment of the balance of a drilling invoice that is under dispute by the Company. Redcor is demanding the Company pay US$241,477.24 together with interest at the rate of 4% per annum from September 18, 2010. The Company has filed for an extension of time to respond to the summons and intends to continue to protest payment of the amount demanded on the basis of non-performance of services. The Company has recorded the full amount as an accrued liability without accruing interest as the amount of the liability can be estimated and it is likely the Company may be required to pay some portion of the disputed amount.

 

On June 10, 2011, the Company received a check in the amount of $1,105,543 (US$1,144,929), which the Company subsequently negotiated. The check was accompanied with a letter instructing the Company to apply the funds to the payment of certain specified obligations arising out of the May 5, 2006 agreement between Seymork Investments Limited (“Seymork”) and the Company. On August, 23, 2011, the Company was served with a summons that it is being sued in the State of Nevada by Seymork and TGC Holdings Ltd. (“TGC”). Among other relief sought, the complaint seeks a court declaration that the foregoing sum delivered to the Company fully satisfies Seymork’s obligations arising from that May 5, 2006 agreement and two notes executed by Seymork and held by the Company.

 

On March 6, 2012, the Company, Seymork and its principal, and TGC and its parent company entered into a settlement agreement whereby all parties agreed to mutual releases, a joint stipulation for dismissal of the suit and reconveyance of the three deeds of trust securing Seymork’s obligations. As satisfaction for the Company’s participation, the Company retained the US$1,144,929 already received and no further amounts will be due to the Company.

 

Item 4. Mine safety disclosures

 

Mine Safety and Health Administration Regulations

 

We consider health, safety and environmental stewardship to be a core value for the Company.

 

Our exploration properties are subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we had no such specified health and safety violations, orders or citations, related assessments or legal actions, mining-related fatalities, or similar events in relation to our United States operations requiring disclosure pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K.

 

44
 

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Our common shares began trading on the NYSE Amex on January 3, 2008 under the trading symbol “MDW.” Our common shares also trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX.V”) under the trading symbol “MDW.” As of March 7, 2012, 113,989,083 common shares were issued and outstanding, and we had approximately 136 shareholders of record. In many cases, shares are registered through intermediaries, making the precise number of shareholders difficult to obtain.

 

As of March 7, 2012, the closing price per share for our common shares as reported by the NYSE Amex was US$1.64 and as reported by the TSX .V was Cdn.$1.63.

 

The following table sets out the market price range of Midway common shares on the TSX.V for the periods indicated.

 

Period  High Cdn$   Low Cdn$ 
         
2010          
First Quarter  $0.90   $0.60 
Second Quarter  $0.78   $0.49 
Third Quarter  $0.64   $0.41 
Fourth Quarter  $0.93   $0.55 
           
2011          
First Quarter  $2.28   $0.80 
Second Quarter  $2.25   $1.38 
Third Quarter  $2.99   $1.80 
Fourth Quarter  $2.70   $1.87 
           
2012          
First Quarter (through March 7, 2012)  $2.23   $1.57 

 

 

The following table sets out the market price range of Midway common shares on the NYSE Amex for the periods indicated.

 

Period  High US$   Low US$ 
         
2010          
First Quarter  $0.87   $0.59 
Second Quarter  $0.77   $0.46 
Third Quarter  $0.61   $0.40 
Fourth Quarter  $0.91   $0.57 
           
2011          
First Quarter  $2.39   $0.80 
Second Quarter  $2.37   $1.41 
Third Quarter  $3.03   $1.82 
Fourth Quarter  $2.65   $1.75 
           
2012          
First Quarter (through March 7, 2012)  $2.25   $1.57 

 

45
 

 

Dividend Policy

 

We have not declared or paid cash dividends on our common shares since our inception and we expect for the foreseeable future to retain all of our earnings from operations for use in expanding and developing our business. Future dividend decisions will consider our then current business results, cash requirements and financial condition.

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company and Affiliated Purchasers

 

Neither we nor any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18(a)(3), purchased any of our equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

As of December 31, 2011, we had one equity compensation plan under which our common shares have been authorized for issuance to our officers, directors, employees and consultants, namely our Stock Option Plan adopted by the Board of Directors on May 6, 2003 as amended on May 12, 2008 (the “Stock Option Plan”). The Stock Option Plan has been approved by our shareholders.

 

The following summary information is presented for the Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2011.

 

Plan Category   Number of Securities to 
be Issued Upon Exercise 
of Outstanding Options
  Weighted Average 
Exercise Price of 
Outstanding Options,
   Number of Securities 
Remaining Available for 
Future Issuance Under 
Equity Compensation 
Plans (Excluding 
Securities Reflected in 
Column (a) 
 
    (a)  (b)   (c) 
Equity Compensation
Plans Approved By
Security Holders
  8,881,668  $1.36    1,773,282 
Equity Compensation
Plans Not Approved By
Security Holders
  Not Applicable   Not Applicable    Not Applicable 

 

Stock Option Plan Information

 

The following is a summary of important Stock Option Plan provisions. It is not a comprehensive discussion of all of the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan. The information provided below may be modified or altered by some provisions in the Stock Option Plan. Readers are advised to review the full text of the Stock Option Plan to fully understand all terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan.

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders by enhancing the ability of the Company to attract and retain the best available talent and to encourage the highest level of performance by senior officers, key employees, directors and consultants of the Company and of its subsidiaries through ownership of common shares in the Company.

 

46
 

 

Persons Eligible

 

The Stock Option Plan provides for the issuance of stock options to any director, senior officer, employee, company that is wholly-owned by a director, senior officer or, subject to applicable laws and the policies of any exchanges on which the Company’s common shares are listed, a consultant, as the board of directors of the Company may from time to time designate as a participant under the Stock Option Plan (a “Participant”).

 

Administration

 

The Stock Option Plan is administered by the Board which has authority to (a) grant options priced in accordance with the Stock Option Plan; (b) to prescribe the form of certificate evidencing grants of options to participants and any other instruments required under the Stock Option Plan and to change such forms from time to time; (c) subject to the limitations specified in the Stock Option Plan, to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the Stock Option Plan; (d) to interpret and administer the Stock Option Plan and to decide all questions and settle all controversies that may arise in connection with the Stock Option Plan; (e) to determine who is eligible to receive options pursuant to the eligibility criteria set forth in the Stock Option Plan; and (f) to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Stock Option Plan. The grant and exercise of any options under the Stock Option Plan is subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of each stock exchange on which the shares are or become listed and of any governmental authority or regulatory body to which the Company is subject.

 

Shares Available under the Stock Option Plan

 

Options granted under the Stock Option Plan give the holder thereof the right to buy a specified number of common shares at a fixed price before a specified date in the future. Depending upon the successful financial performance of the Company, such common shares will hopefully provide the holder thereof an opportunity to buy common shares at a price below the prevailing market price.

 

Each option granted to participants will be subject to individual terms specified by the Board in the participant’s option agreement.

 

In order to comply with all applicable federal, provincial or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a participant, are withheld or collected from such participant.

 

The Board of Directors amended the Stock Option Plan on May 12, 2008 to add an appendix called the Stock Incentive Plan for United States Resident Employees (the “U.S. Plan”) to supplement and be a part of the Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the U.S. Plan is to enable the Company to grant Incentive Stock Options, as that term is used in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder to qualifying employees who are citizens or residents of the United States of America. This does not change the aggregate number of options that can be granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to allow the Company to grant options to directors, officers, employees and consultants, as additional compensation, and as an opportunity to participate in the success of the Company. The granting of such options is intended to align the interests of such persons and those of the shareholders. Options will be exercisable over periods of up to 10 years as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company and are required to have an exercise price no less than the market price prevailing on the date the option is granted less an applicable discount, if any, permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and approved by the Board of Directors. Market price means the last closing price per share on the TSX Venture Exchange on the trading day immediately precedent the day on which the Company announces the grant of the option or, if the grant is not announced, on the date of grant.

 

Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, the Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the issue of options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries or employees or companies providing management or consulting services to the Company or its subsidiaries. The principal features of the Stock Option Plan are as follows:

 

1.The maximum number of common shares to be issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plan shall not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the stock option grant.

 

2.Subject to adjustment as provided in the U.S. Plan appended to and forming part of the Stock Option Plan, the aggregate number of common shares that may be issued under the U.S. Plan shall be 3,000,000; provided, however, that the aggregate number of common shares authorized under the U.S. Plan for use in granting Incentive Stock Options shall, at all times, be a part of and subject to the limitations set forth in the Stock Option Plan, and shall be adjusted proportionately to reflect any adjustments to the number of shares authorized under the Stock Option Plan.

 

47
 

 

3.The maximum number of shares under option to the benefit of one person under the Stock Option Plan may not exceed 5%, on an annual basis, of the total of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (on an undiluted basis) at the time of grant (in the case of a consultant, the annual maximum is 2%).

 

4.If the holder of the option is engaged in investor relation activities for the Company, the total number of shares under option may not exceed 2% of the total of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company (on an undiluted basis) at the time of grant.

 

5.The options granted will have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant. The option is non-assignable and non-transferable.

 

6.If an optionee ceases to be employed by the Company (other than as a result of termination with cause) or ceases to act as director or officer of the Company, any option held by such optionee may be exercised within 90 days after the date that such optionee ceases to be employed by the Company or ceases to act as director or officer of the Company, as the case may be, or within 30 days if the optionee is engaged in investor relation activities and ceases to be employed to provide investor relation activities.

 

7.In the event of death of an optionee, the optionee's heirs or administrators may exercise any portion of that outstanding option up to a period of one year from the date of the optionee's death for the termination date of the option, whichever is earlier.

 

8.Any common shares subject to an option which for any reason are cancelled or terminated without having been exercised shall again be available for grant under the Stock Option Plan.

 

In the event of a stock split, consolidation or reclassification or other change in the Company’s capital, other than an issue of common shares or by way of stock dividend, the number and exercise price of options will be adjusted by the Board to preserve the rights of the participants substantially proportionate to those existing prior to such event.

 

Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2008.

 

Terms and Conditions of Stock Options

 

Option Agreement. All options shall be granted under the Stock Option Plan by means of an option agreement between the Company and each participant in the form as may be approved by the Board, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by the execution of the option agreement by any one director or officer of the Company.

 

Vesting and Term. Options granted to independent directors vest immediately.  Options granted to employees and consultants vest as to one-third on the date of grant, one-third on the first anniversary date and the final one-third on the second anniversary date and options granted to Investor Relations consultants vest in stages over 12 months with no more than ¼ of the options vesting in any three (3) month period. Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, the term of any option granted shall not exceed ten (10) years.

 

Exercise Price. The exercise price to each participant for each common share shall be as determined by the Board, but shall in no event be less than (a) the last closing price of the shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on the last business day before the date on which the option is granted or, if no common shares are traded on such day, then the minimum exercise price shall be the last closing price prior thereto less (b) a discount, which shall not exceed the amount set forth below, subject to a minimum price of Cdn$0.10:

 

Closing Price  Discount 
up to Cdn$0.50   25%
$0.51 to $2.00   20%
Above $2.00   15%

 

Non-Assignable. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan shall not be transferable or assignable by a participant other than by will or pursuant to the laws of succession.

 

48
 

 

Third Party Transactions. In the event of a consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the surviving company, or in the event its outstanding common shares are converted into securities of another entity or exchanged for other consideration, or in the event of an offer for common shares being made by a third party that constitutes a take-over bid as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British Columbia) or would constitute a take-over bid as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British Columbia) but for the fact that the offeree is not in British Columbia, all outstanding options will immediately vest and all options granted to the participant under the Stock Option Plan and held by the participant will continue to be exercisable after the Company has sent notice to each of the participants to exercise the options only for a period of 30 days from the date of such notice or until the expiration of the option, if earlier. After such time, the options will terminate; provided, however, that if such transaction does not close, all such options will be deemed not to have vested nor expired.

 

Exercise of Stock Options

 

Any exercise of an option must be in writing, signed by the participant and delivered or mailed to the Company with payment in full by cash or certified check, payable to the Company, for the number of common shares for which the option is exercised.

 

Upon any such exercise of an option, the Company shall cause the transfer agent and registrar of the common shares to promptly deliver to such participant or the legal representative of such participant, as the case may be, a share certificate in the name of such participant or the legal representative of such participant, as the case may be, representing the number of common shares specified in the notice.

 

Common shares shall not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of such common shares shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable United States federal or state laws, Canadian laws, and such rules and regulations thereunder as the Company or the Board deems applicable. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body the authority deemed by the Company to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any common shares under the Stock Option Plan, or the unavailability of an exemption from registration for the issuance and sale of any common shares under the Stock Option Plan, shall relieve the Company from any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of such common shares and any purchase price paid to the Company will be returned to the participant.

 

Termination, Retirement, Resignation or Death of Participant

 

If any participant ceases to be eligible for a grant of options under the Stock Option Plan for any reason (a “Termination”), except the death of a participant or by reason of retirement pursuant to an established retirement policy of the Board or dismissal from employment or service for cause, all options granted to the participant under the Stock Option Plan and then held by the participant will, to the extent such options were vested and exercisable immediately prior to Termination, continue to be exercisable by the Participant for a period of 90 days following Termination or until the expiration date of the option if earlier.

 

If Termination is by reason of retirement pursuant to an established retirement policy of the Board, all options held by the retiring participant will become vested and exercisable, to the extent not already vested and exercisable immediately prior to retirement, and they continue to be exercisable until their original expiration date.

 

Any options granted to a participant who is engaged in Investor Relations Activities (as defined in the Stock Option Plan) will expire within 30 days after such participant ceases to be employed to provide Investor Relations Activities (as defined in the Stock Option Plan).

 

In the event of the death of a Participant, all options granted to the participant under the Stock Option Plan and held by the participant immediately before death will, to the extent such options were vested and exercisable at that time, continue to be exercisable by the legal representative of the participant for a period of one (1) year following the death of the participant or until the expiration date of the option if earlier.

 

Amendment of the Plan

 

The Board reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to amend, modify or terminate the Stock Option Plan at any time. The Stock Option Plan and any amendments thereto, are subject to the prior approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the NYSE Amex and any other stock exchange or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the securities of the Company and ratification by the shareholders of the Company at each annual general meeting of the Company.

 

49
 

 

Stock Performance Graph

 

The performance graph below shows Midway Gold Corp.’s cumulative total return based on an initial investment of $100 in Midway common shares, as compared with the NYSE Amex Composite Index and the NYSE Amex Gold Miners Index. The chart shows performance marks as of the last trading day during each of the last five years. This performance chart assumes: (1) $100 was invested on December 31, 2006 in Midway common shares, the NYSE Amex Composite Index and the NYSE Amex Gold Miners Index; and (2) all dividends are reinvested.

 

 

   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011 
Midway Gold Corp.  $100.00   $125.90   $19.34   $26.56   $26.89   $69.84 
NYSE Amex Composite Index  $100.00   $117.17   $67.96   $88.74   $107.39   $110.79 
NYSE Amex Gold Miners Index  $100.00   $116.46   $95.83   $122.69   $162.66   $138.56 

 

Exchange Controls

 

Canada has no system of exchange controls.  There are no Canadian restrictions on the repatriation of capital or earnings of a Canadian public company to non-resident investors.  There are no laws in Canada or exchange restrictions affecting the remittance of dividends, profits, interest, royalties or other payments to non-resident holders of common shares, except as described under “Taxation”.

 

Taxation

 

Dividends paid or credited or deemed under the Income Tax Act (Canada) to be paid or credited by Midway on its common shares to a shareholder that is not resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% of the gross amount of the dividend, subject to any reduction in the rate of withholding to which the shareholder is entitled under any applicable income tax convention between Canada and the country in which such shareholder is resident. For example, where such shareholder is a resident of the United States, is fully entitled to the benefits under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980) and is the beneficial owner of the dividends, the applicable rate of Canadian withholding tax is generally reduced to 15% (or 5% in circumstances where such shareholder is a company that is the beneficial owner of at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company).

 

50
 

 

Transfer Agent

 

We have appointed Computershare Investment Services Inc. as the transfer agent for our common shares. The principal office of Computershare is located at 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B9 and its telephone number is 1 604 661-9415.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following selected financial data sets forth our summary historical financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007. This information was derived from our audited financial statements for each period.  Our selected historical financial data is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. For additional information relating to our operations, see “Item 1. Business” and “Item 2. Properties.”

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009   2008   2007 
Operating Data                         
Loss from operations  $18,615,682   $6,432,914   $3,924,175   $15,982,804   $12,831,122 
Other income (expense)   485,725    (305,058)   798,836    (1,959,590)   1,408,016 
Net loss   15,527,179    5,826,972    2,642,176    16,165,394    10,666,106 
Basic & diluted loss per share  $0.15   $0.07   $0.04   $0.31   $0.24 
Weighted average shares   106,992,452    85,133,343    73,050,522    52,791,751    43,992,302 
                          
Balance Sheet Data                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $10,191,069   $6,062,816   $1,740,322   $2,416,438   $8,325,280 
Total current assets   10,688,543    6,289,507    1,875,145    2,533,466    8,523,106 
Property and equipment, net   1,638,280    197,224    86,985    218,325    237,326 
Land and mineral rights   49,563,134    49,571,061    49,251,838    46,971,127    47,452,905 
Total assets   62,571,952    56,398,566    51,493,094    50,587,304    57,412,576 
                          
Current liabilities   1,188,041    711,091    403,018    1,376,930    518,424 
Long-term obligations   4,103,278    8,514,114    8,331,605    8,093,661    8,201,067 
Shareholders’ equity   57,280,633    47,173,361    42,758,471    41,116,713    48,693,085 

 

See the consolidated financial statements attached hereto under Item 8 for additional information.

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Except for the historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  Our actual results or actions may differ materially from these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above.  Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect.

 

Company Overview

 

Midway is a development stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and, if warranted, development of gold and silver mineral properties in North America. Our mineral properties are located in Nevada and Washington. The Tonopah (formerly referred to as “Midway”), Spring Valley, Gold Rock, and Golden Eagle gold properties are exploratory stage projects and have identified gold mineralization and the Thunder Mountain and Burnt Canyon projects are earlier stage gold and silver exploration projects. Our Pan project is in the early development stage and the Company is currently transitioning itself from an exploration company to a gold production company with plans to advance the Pan gold deposit located in White Pine County, Nevada through to production by as early as 2013.

 

51
 

 

Spring Valley Project

 

Barrick has the exclusive right to earn a 60% interest in the Spring Valley project by spending US$30,000,000 on the property over five years. Barrick may increase its interest by 10% (70% total) by spending an additional US$8,000,000 in the year immediately after vesting at 60%. At the Company’s election, Barrick may also earn an additional 5% (75% total) by carrying the Company to a production decision and arranging financing for the Company’s share of mine construction expenses with the carrying and financing costs plus interest to be recouped by Barrick once production has been established.

 

Barrick has informed the Company that it has conducted and funded exploration in 2011 on the Spring Valley project to meet its minimum level of US$7,000,000.

 

See “Item 2. Description of Properties – Spring Valley Project” for a more detailed description of the agreement with Barrick and the 2011 exploration program.

 

Pan Project

 

During November 2011, the results of a Feasibility Study for the Pan gold project were finalized. The Company has submitted a mine plan of operations to the principal permitting agencies which has initiated the permitting process for the project.

 

See “Item 2. Description of Properties – Pan Project” for a more detailed description of the 2011 exploration program.

 

Tonopah (formerly “Midway”) Project

 

During 2011, multiple high grade intercepts were identified as a result of the 2011 drilling program in the Discovery Zone. The drill program totaled 3,970 meters of core with 1,562 meters in the Discovery zone, 902 meters in the 121 zone, 652 meters in the Dauntless zone, 609 meters in the 63-77 zone, and 245 meters in a geotechnical hole near the site of a possible future mine shaft.

 

See “Item 2. Description of Properties – Midway Project” for a more detailed description of the 2011 exploration program.

 

Gold Rock Project

 

During 2011, efforts were focused on the 2011 drilling program that was designed to confirm historic data and to test for expansion potential. As a result the Company drilled 26,125 feet in 31 holes. The drill results were positive, showing a significant increase above the previously reported historic estimate.

 

See “Item 2. Description of Properties – Gold Rock Project” for a more detailed description of the 2011 exploration program.

 

Golden Eagle Project

 

During 2011, the Company commissioned a preliminary economic assessment to evaluate the economics of different mining options. The Company is continuing to evaluate issues related to processing sulfide mineralization and permitting.

 

See “Item 2. Description of Properties – Golden Eagle Project” for a more detailed description of the 2011 exploration program.

 

Exploration projects:

 

The Company maintained its interests in the Thunder Mountain and Burnt Canyon projects. However, on December 31, 2011, as part of management’s annual review of mineral property holdings it was determined that Burnt Canyon was impaired and was subsequently written down by the amount of $251,903.

 

Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $15,527,179 (2010- $5,826,972; 2009- $2,642,176).

 

Significant differences in costs between the years are as follows:

 

Total Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $18,615,682 (2010- $6,432,914; 2009- $3,924,175.)

 

The increase in expenses is primarily due to increased exploration activities, primarily related to the Pan, Tonopah and Gold Rock projects see below table for details.

 

52
 

 

Consulting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $369,764 (2010- $128,676; 2009- $100,756) which includes non-cash stock based compensation of $217,100 (2010- nil; 2009- nil). Included in consulting fees was $34,500 (2010- $96,750; 2009- $90,000) paid to Golden Oak Corporate Services, a company wholly owned by Doris Meyer, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer and Corporate secretary for financial reporting and corporate compliance services.

 

Legal, audit and accounting fees for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $771,680 (2010- $268,087; 2009- $493,568). During 2011, the Company continued to incur significant legal and auditing fees primarily related to the costs associated with being a public company and the current legal proceedings, see Item 3 “Legal Proceedings”. In 2009, the Company incurred significant legal and auditing costs as it investigated and evaluated business opportunities.

 

Mineral exploration expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $11,019,712 (2010- $3,578,717; 2009- $1,041,425) which includes non-cash stock based compensation of $312,794 (2010- $48,775; 2009- $197,169). The details of the exploration expenses in each year may be found in the schedule of the audited consolidated annual financial statements, but are summarized here:

 

   Fiscal Year 
   2011   2010   2009 
             
Tonopah project  $1,768,215   $187,874   $382,461 
Spring Valley project   285,631    106,253    123,933 
Pan project   6,730,346    3,046,300    196,082 
Burnt Canyon project   269,174    14,480    24,428 
Thunder Mountain project   7,227    2,657    1,863 
Gold Rock project   1,716,882    173,765    103,915 
Golden Eagle project   231,541    44,312    162,099 
Property investigations and abandoned properties   10,696    3,076    46,644 
Total  $11,019,712   $3,578,717   $1,041,425 

 

Exploration levels are determined by the success of previous exploration programs on each project and in part by available cash to fund additional programs. As discussed earlier Barrick has been funding the Spring Valley project since the beginning of 2009 and the expenses reported by the Company related to activities not funded by Barrick.

 

Salaries and benefits charged to administration totalled $4,911,488 (2010- $1,668,094; 2009- $1,693,147) which includes non-cash stock based compensation of $3,096,787 (2010- $789,826; 2009- $955,069). We use an option pricing model to estimate the value of stock options granted to officers, directors, employees and consultants.  It is difficult to estimate the value of options that we grant.  We use the Black-Scholes-Merton model, which requires considerable judgment selecting the subjective assumptions that are critical to the results produced by the model, to calculate the estimated fair value.  We record the estimated fair value as an expense on a pro-rata basis over the vesting period of the options. The increase in the cash component of salaries and benefits is attributable to an increase in the number of employees, 26 as of December 31, 2011 compared to 14 as of December 31, 2010.

 

The income tax recovery of $2,602,778 (2010- $911,000; 2009- $483,163) and an unrealized foreign exchange gain of $245,514 (2010- $469,035; 2009- $1,023,349) which is included within the foreign exchange gain of $542,538 (2010- $320,623; 2009- $832,783) relate to the US dollar denominated future income tax liability recorded upon the acquisition of Pan-Nevada and the Tonopah and Spring Valley projects.

 

US GAAP requires the value of share purchase warrants issued with an exercise price denominated in a currency other than the Company’s Canadian dollar functional currency to be considered as a liability and this liability is stated at fair value for each reporting period. The share purchase warrants included in the public offering of units that closed in November 22, 2010, had an exercise price of US$0.90. At November 22, 2010, the fair value of the warrants and the resulting warrant liability was $918,870 and at December 31, 2010 the fair value of the warrants and the warrant liability was $1,562,544 with the difference of $643,674 recorded as a loss on warrant liability in 2010. Midway subsequently accelerated the expiry date of these warrants and by March 14, 2011, 2,650,000 of the US $0.90 share purchase warrants had been exercised and 680,000 warrants expired unexercised. As a Result, the warrant liability was extinguished in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

As of December 31, 2011, we had working capital of $9,500,502, consisting of current assets of $10,688,543 and current liabilities of $1,188,041. This represents an increase of $3,922,086 from the working capital balance of $5,578,416 as of December 31, 2010 and reflects the proceeds of recently completed equity sales. Our current assets consist primarily of cash, some of which is deposited in short term, interest bearing accounts. Consistent with our plans, we continued to consume working capital to fund our exploration activities and other operating expenses, and we replenished our working capital through the sale of common shares.

 

53
 

 

We have never received revenue from gold or other mineral sales. Any revenue generated from the sale of gold or silver will be used to pay for operating costs first and then to supplement our existing cash for construction, additional exploration and other working capital needs. The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business in the foreseeable future. In addition to the cash balance held as of December 31, 2011, Midway plans to undertake financing in 2012 to fund exploration activities and operations through the next twelve months. The Company’s ability to continue on a going concern basis beyond the next twelve months depends on its ability to successfully raise additional financing for the substantial capital expenditures required to achieve planned principal operations. While the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining financing, there is no assurance that it will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that such financing will be on terms acceptable to the Company.

 

We have historically primarily relied on equity financings to fund our operations. From inception through December 31, 2011, we received $87,821,394 in cash, services, stock options, and other consideration through the issuance of our common shares. As of December 31, 2011, we did not have any outstanding debt. Management will be reviewing cash expenditures on an ongoing basis, and may be seeking to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that management will succeed in obtaining additional financing, now or in the future. The current market conditions could make it difficult or impossible for management to raise necessary funds to meet the Company's capital requirements. Failure to raise additional financing on a timely basis could cause the Company to suspend its operations and  eventually to forfeit  or sell its interest in its  properties. In the past, management has been successful at raising funds to continue work on its mining properties. However, there is no certainty that management will be able to raise additional funding on reasonable terms if at all, in which case the property may be joint ventured, sold or abandoned.

 

The Company’s financial statements do not reflect adjustments that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate.

 

On April 21, 2011, the Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario Securities Commissions issued a final receipt for the Company’s Short Form Prospectus, which along with the Company’s S-3 Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, declared effective by the SEC on February 14, 2011 (jointly the “2011 Prospectus”), allows the Company to offer and sell, from time to time over a twenty-five month period, up to US$60,000,000 of the Company’s common shares, without par value, with or without warrants to purchase common shares, or any combination thereof in one or more transactions under the 2011 Prospectus. The Company may also offer under the 2011 Prospectus any common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants.

 

On June 6, 2011, the Company issued 7,500,000 common shares upon the close of a “bought deal” public offering at a purchase price of US$1.60 per share for gross proceeds to the Company of $11,742,000 (US$12,000,000).

 

On September 23, 2011, the Company announced that it had established an "At-the-Market" ("ATM") issuance program under which it may sell up to a maximum of 6,000,000 of its common shares.  The ATM issuance program is available to the Company on an as needed basis. Subject to market conditions and funding requirements, the Company may, at its discretion, from time to time sell all, some, or none of the reserved shares during the term of the ATM program.  Any common shares issued under the ATM program will be sold through ATM issuances in the United States.  No ATM issuances will be made through the facilities of any Canadian exchange.  Any ATM issuances will be made at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale and, as a result, prices may vary. During 2011, the Company issued 568,626 shares pursuant to the ATM program. Proceeds received on the 568,626 common shares issued totalled $1,518,845.

 

As of March 7, 2012, there are 9,038,335 stock options outstanding at prices ranging from $0.56 to $3.36 and 1,486,375 share purchase warrants at $0.80. While it is probable that some of these options and share purchase warrants will be exercised, it is not possible to predict the timing or the amount of funds which might be received.

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $14,045,550 during the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $5,376,845 during 2010, an increase of $8,668,705.  The significant increase in 2011 is primarily attributable to an increase in our net loss of $9,700,207 and an increase in our future income tax recovery of $1,691,778. This was offset by an increase of non-cash stock compensation of $(2,788,080). Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1,665,648, compared to $609,667 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Although most of our exploration stage expenditures are recorded as an expense rather than an investment, we capitalize the acquisition cost of land and mineral rights and certain equipment that has alternative future uses or significant salvage value, including rolling stock, furniture, and electronics, and the cost of these capitalized assets is reflected in our investing activities.  During 2011, we invested in a residential building, residential land parcels and vehicles.  During 2010, we acquired additional vehicles.

 

54
 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $19,839,451, consisting of net proceeds from the sales of our common shares. During 2010, all of the cash from financing activities related to the sale of our common shares.

 

The balance of cash and equivalents increased to $10,191,069 as of December 31, 2011 from $6,062,816 as of December 31, 2010, a net increase in cash of $4,128,253.

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

There are no off balance sheet arrangements.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The Company has an obligation under an operating lease for its corporate offices in Denver, Colorado until December 2014 as follows. Future minimum lease payments for non-cancellable leases with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year are included.

 

Fiscal
Year
  Operating
Leases
 
2012  $144,159 
2013   135,463 
2014   129,910 
Total  $409,532 

 

Inflation

 

We do not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

Environmental Compliance

 

Our current and future exploration and development activities, as well as our future mining and processing operations, are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations in the countries in which we conduct our activities. These laws and regulations govern the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, production, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. We expect to be able to comply with those laws and do not believe that compliance will have a material adverse effect on our competitive position. We intend to obtain all licenses and permits required by all applicable regulatory agencies in connection with our mining operations and exploration activities. We intend to maintain standards of environmental compliance consistent with regulatory requirements.

 

Midway has an obligation to reclaim its properties after the surface has been disturbed by exploration methods at the site. As of December 31, 2011, we have accrued $7,805 (US$7,675) related to reclamation and other closure requirements at our properties, compared to $41,445 (US$41,670) at December 31, 2010. These liabilities are covered by a combination of surety bonds and restricted cash totaling $603,062 (US$592,981) at December 31, 2011 (2010 - $260,087 (US$261,499)). We have accrued as a current liability what management believes is the present value of our best estimate of the liabilities as of December 31, 2011; however, it is possible that our obligations may change in the near or long term depending on a number of factors.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We believe that application of the following accounting policies, which are critical to our financial position and results of operations, requires significant judgments and estimates on the part of management.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Estimates that are critical to the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the identification and valuation of proven and probable reserves, obligations for environmental, reclamation, and closure matters, estimates related to asset impairments of long lived assets and investments, classification of expenditures as either an asset or an expense, valuation of deferred tax assets, and the likelihood of loss contingencies  Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Estimates and assumptions are revised periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period it is determined to be necessary.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

55
 

 

 

Proven and Probable Reserves

 

The definition of proven and probable reserves is set forth in SEC Industry Guide 7.  Proven reserves are reserves for which (a) 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 (b) 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 reserves are well-established.  Probable reserves are 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.  In addition, reserves cannot be considered proven and probable until they are supported by a feasibility study, indicating that the reserves have had the requisite geologic, technical and economic work performed and are economically and legally extractable at the time of the reserve determination.

 

Mineral Acquisition Costs

 

The costs of acquiring land and mineral rights are considered tangible assets.  Significant acquisition payments are capitalized.  General, administrative and holding costs to maintain an exploration property are expensed as incurred.  If a mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are amortized when production begins using the units-of-production method.  If no mineable ore body is discovered or such rights are otherwise determined to have diminished value, such costs are expensed in the period in which the determination is made.

 

Exploration Costs

 

Exploration costs are charged to expense as incurred.  Costs to identify new mineral resources, to evaluate potential resources, and to convert mineral resources into proven and probable reserves are considered exploration costs.

 

Design, Construction, and Development Costs

 

Certain costs to design and construct mine and processing facilities may be incurred prior to establishing proven and probable reserves.  Under these circumstances, we classify such projects as an exploration stage project and expense substantially all costs, including design, engineering, construction, and installation of equipment.  Certain types of equipment, which have alternative uses or significant salvage value, may be capitalized.  If a project is determined to contain proven and probable reserves, costs incurred in anticipation of production can be capitalized.  Such costs include development drilling to further delineate the ore body, removing overburden during the pre-production phase, building access ways, constructing facilities, and installing equipment.  Interest costs, if any, incurred during the development phase, would be capitalized until the assets are ready for their intended use.  The cost of start-up activities and on-going costs to maintain production are expensed as incurred.  Costs of abandoned projects are charged to operations upon abandonment.

 

If a project commences commercial production and the project is determined to contain proven and probable reserves, amortization and depletion of capitalized costs is computed on a unit-of–production basis over the expected reserves of the project based on estimated recoverable gold equivalent ounces.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment.  If impairment indicators exist, we perform additional analysis to quantify the amount by which capitalized costs exceed recoverable value.  The periodic evaluation of capitalized costs is based upon expected future cash flows, including estimated salvage values.  As of December 31, 2011, some of our mineral resources do not meet the definition of proven or probable reserves or value beyond proven and probable reserves and any potential revenue has been excluded from the cash flow assumptions.  Accordingly, recoverability of capitalized cost is based primarily on estimated salvage values, or alternative future uses.

 

56
 

 

Property and Equipment

 

All items of property and equipment are carried at cost not in excess of their estimated net realizable value.  Normal maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings while expenditures for major maintenance and betterments are capitalized.  Gains or losses on disposition are recognized in operations.

 

Stock Based Compensation

 

We record compensation expense for the fair value of stock options that are granted.  Expense is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the vesting periods, if any, of the options. The fair value of stock options at their grant date is estimated by using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are computed using the liability method.  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting purposes and the effect of net operating loss carry-forwards.  Deferred tax assets are evaluated to determine if it is more likely than not that they will be realized.  Valuation allowances have been established to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets in recognition of significant uncertainties regarding their ultimate realization.  Further, the evaluation has determined that there are no uncertain tax positions required to be disclosed.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

We evaluate the pronouncements of various authoritative accounting organizations, primarily the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the SEC, and the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”), to determine the impact of new pronouncements on US GAAP and the impact on the Company.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

On April 16, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2010-13 Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718: Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in which the Underlying Equity Security Trades. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2010. This ASU added to or amends sections of Accounting Codification Standards (“ACS”) Topic 718. These amendments and additions impact the accounting treatment as follows:

 

a)A share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades shall not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition and, therefore shall not be classified as a liability if it otherwise qualifies for equity classification.

 

b)If an award is indexed to a factor in addition the entity’s share price. If that factor is not a market, performance, or service condition (e.g., indexed to the market price of a commodity such as gold), the award shall be classified as a liability.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04: Fair value measurements update 2011-04

In May 2011, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements as a result of the FASB and the IASB working together to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amendments will add new disclosures, with a particular focus on Level 3 measurements. The objective of these amendments is to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this update are to be applied prospectively. The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application is not permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

57
 

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05: Presentation of Comprehensive Income 2011-05

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05). Under ASU 2011-05, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both options, an entity will be required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, "Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05" (ASU 2011-12), which deferred the requirement to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. The amendments contained in ASU 2011-05 do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The amendments also do not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. ASU 2011-05, as amended by ASU 2011-12, is effective for us on January 1, 2012. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The following Consolidated Financial Statements of Midway Gold Corp., Report of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants are filed as part of this Item 8 and are included in this Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

 

  Page
Reports of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-8
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-9
Schedule of Mineral Exploration Expenditures for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-12
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-15

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

There have been no changes in our accountants during the last two fiscal years, and we have not had any disagreements with our existing accountants during that time.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

(i) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.    As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) of the Exchange Act. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Commission. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011 at the reasonable assurance level.

 

Pursuant to section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have provided certain certifications to the Commission. These certifications accompanied this report when filed with the Commission, but are not set forth herein.

 

58
 

 

(ii) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

(a)    Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting.

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and our directors, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 was conducted. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control–Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

 

(b) Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm.

 

The attestation report of KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K on Page F-2 through F-4 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

 

During the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) or in other factors which have materially affected our internal control over financial reporting, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None

 

59
 

 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our Proxy Statement our the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2012 Proxy Statement”) to be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

The Company has a code of ethics that applies to all of its employees, officers and directors. The code of ethics is available on our website at www.midwaygold.com and we will post any amendments to, or waivers, from, the code of ethics on that website.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our 2012 Proxy Statement.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Related Stockholder Matters

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our 2012 Proxy Statement.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our 2012 Proxy Statement.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our 2012 Proxy Statement.

 

60
 

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

Documents filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference:

 

(1)The consolidated financial statements are listed on the “Index to Financial Statements” on Page 65 to this report.

 

(2)Financial Statement Schedules (omitted because they are either not required, are not applicable, or the required information is disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements or related notes).

 

(3)Reference is made to the Exhibit Index that follows the signature pages on this report.

 

61
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
     
March 9, 2012 By: /s/ Daniel E. Wolfus
    Daniel E. Wolfus
    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name   Title   Date
         
/s/ Daniel E. Wolfus   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director   March 9, 2012
Daniel E. Wolfus   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Kenneth A. Brunk   President, Chief Operating Officer and Director   March 9, 2012
Kenneth A. Brunk        
         
/s/ Fritz K. Schaudies   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and   March 9, 2012
Fritz K. Schaudies   Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Roger Newell   Director   March 9, 2012
Roger Newell        
         
/s/ John Sheridan   Director   March 9, 2012
John Sheridan        
         
/s/   Director  
Frank Yu        

 

62
 

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Page
Reports of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-8
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-9
Schedule of Mineral Exploration Expenditures for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011 F-12
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-15

 

63
 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
2.1   Amended and Restated Arrangement Agreement between Midway Gold Corp. and Pan-Nevada Gold Corporation, dated February 26, 2007, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
3.1   Notice of Articles, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
3.2   Articles, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
4.1   Form of Stock Certificate, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
4.2   Form of Warrant Certificate issued in connection with the November 2006 Private Placement, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
4.3   Form of Subscription Agreement for May 2006 Private Placement, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
4.4   Form of Subscription Agreement for November 2006 Private Placement, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
4.5   Common share purchase warrant indenture providing for the issue of up to 5,539,333 common share purchase warrants dated June 10, 2010 between Midway Gold Corp. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada.
     
4.6   Common share purchase warrant indenture providing for the issue of up to 3,330,000 common share purchase warrants dated November 22, 2010 between Midway Gold Corp. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada.
     
10.1   Mineral Lease Agreement between the Lyle Campbell Trust and Pan-Nevada Gold Corporation dated January 7, 2003, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.2   Stock Option Plan of Midway Gold Corp., previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

64
 

 

10.3   Stock Option Plan of Midway Gold Corp. – Form of Stock Option Agreement, previously filed with Amendment No.1 to the initial registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.4   Contracting Agreement between Doris Meyer, Golden Oak Corporate Services Ltd. and Midway Gold Corp. dated December 1, 2006, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.5   Consulting Agreement between Kelly Hyslop and Midway, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.6   Consulting Agreement between John Watson, previously filed with the initial registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.7   Assignment agreement with Martin H. Webster, Donald H. Jones, Michael C. Agran, Virginia Genest, Wallace Stephens, and Sandra Newmark dated June 25, 2008, previously filed on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2008.
     
10.8   Letter of Intent with Kinross dated May 28, 2008, previously filed on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008
     
10.9   Letter of Intent with Hecla dated May 28, 2008, previously filed on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008
     
10.10   Term Sheet between Midway Gold US Inc. and Barrick Gold dated October 17, 2008, previously filed on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008
     
10.11   2008 Stock Option Plan, previously filed on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2009
     
10.12   Exploration, Development and Mine Operating Agreement dated effective March 10, 2009, previously filed on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2009
     
10.13   Agency Agreement dated June 10, 2010 between the Company and Haywood Securities Inc., previously filed on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2010
     
10.14   Agency Agreement dated November 12, 2010 between the Company and Haywood Securities Inc., previously filed on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2010
     
10.15   Agency Agreement with Haywood Securities Inc. dated May 24, 2011, previously filed on Form 8-K on May 24, 2011
     
10.16    Sales Agreement with MLV dated September 23, 2011, previously filed on Form 8-K on September 23, 2011
     
21*   Subsidiaries of the Company
     
23.1*   Consent of KPMG LLP
     
23.2*   Consent of William Crowl
     
23.3*   Consent of Donald Hulse

 

65
 

 

23.4*   Consent of Terre Lane
     
23.5*   Consent of Gustavson Associates
     
23.6*   Consent of Donald J. Baker
     
23.7*   Consent of Deepak Malhotra
     
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act
     
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act
     
32*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Schema
     
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Calculations
     
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Definitions
     
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Labels
     
101.PRE*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Presentation

 

* filed herewith

 

66
 

 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 

F -1
 

 

 

  KPMG LLP Telephone (604) 691-3000
  Chartered Accountants Fax (604) 691-3031
  PO Box 10426  777 Dunsmuir Street Internet www.kpmg.ca
  Vancouver  BC  V7Y 1K3    
  Canada    

 

report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Midway Gold Corp.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Midway Gold Corp. as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of Midway Gold Corp.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Midway Gold Corp. as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and its consolidated results of operations and its consolidated cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Midway Gold Corp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 7, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Midway Gold Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
   
Chartered Accountants  
Vancouver, Canada  
March 7, 2012  

 

 

KPMG LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership is the Canadian

member firm of KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative.

 

F -2
 

 

 

  KPMG LLP Telephone (604) 691-3000
  Chartered Accountants Fax (604) 691-3031
  PO Box 10426  777 Dunsmuir Street Internet www.kpmg.ca
  Vancouver  BC  V7Y 1K3    
  Canada    

 

report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Midway Gold Corp.

 

We have audited Midway Gold Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Midway Gold Corp.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Midway Gold Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

F -3
 

 

In our opinion, Midway Gold Corp. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Midway Gold Corp. as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated March 7, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

 
   
Chartered Accountants  
Vancouver, Canada  
March 7, 2012  

 

KPMG LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership is the Canadian

member firm of KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative.

 

F -4
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in Canadian dollars, except shares)

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010 
         
Assets          
           
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $10,191,069   $6,062,816 
Amounts receivable (note 6(b))   31,866    91,710 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   465,608    134,981 
    10,688,543    6,289,507 
           
Investments (notes 3 and 4)   78,933    80,687 
Reclamation deposit (note 7)   603,062    260,087 
Property and equipment (note 5)   1,638,280    197,224 
Mineral properties (note 6)   49,563,134    49,571,061 
           
   $62,571,952   $56,398,566 
           
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity          
           
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 11)  $1,188,041   $711,091 
           
Warrant liability (notes 3 and 8)   -    1,562,544 
Future income tax liability (note 14)   4,103,278    6,951,570 
           
Stockholders’ equity (note 8):          
Common stock authorized – unlimited, no par value          
Issued – 113,849,475 (2010 – 96,439,496)   123,925,404    100,062,385 
Additional paid in capital   10,950,108    9,192,426 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   26,875    13,125 
Deficit accumulated during exploration and development stage   (77,621,754)   (62,094,575)
    57,280,633    47,173,361 
           
   $62,571,952   $56,398,566 

 

Commitments (note 6 and 10)

Contingencies (note 9)

Subsequent Events (note 6(b), 9, and 17)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -5
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009
and for the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011

 

               Cumulative 
               period from 
               inception (May 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended   14,1996) to 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009   2011 
               (unaudited) 
Expenses                    
Consulting  $369,764   $128,676   $100,756   $1,122,629 
Depreciation   169,694    79,302    118,916    858,280 
Gain on sale of subsidiary   -    -    -    (2,806,312)
Interest and bank charges   20,451    5,670    28,500    912,204 
Investor relations   143,821    138,257    72,166    1,379,828 
Legal, audit and accounting   771,680    268,087    493,568    3,384,122 
Management fees   (5,818)   (19,141)   (29,271)   210,770 
Mineral exploration expenditures (see schedule)   11,019,712    3,578,717    1,041,425    58,500,650 
Mineral property interests written-off   251,903    119,980    -    4,643,637 
Mineral property interests recovered   -    (60,120)   -    (60,120)
Office and administration   485,707    209,767    203,361    1,998,214 
Salaries and benefits   4,911,488    1,668,094    1,693,147    14,225,552 
Transfer agent and filing fees   246,010    114,536    91,503    845,322 
Travel   231,270    201,089    110,104    1,211,005 
Operating loss   18,615,682    6,432,914    3,924,175    86,425,781 
                     
Other income (expenses):                    
Foreign exchange gain   542,538    320,623    832,783    1,528,531 
Loss on change in fair value of warrant liability   (592,026)   (643,674)   -    (1,235,700)
Interest and investment income   36,319    10,453    15,260    889,644 
Gain (loss)  on disposal of property and equipment   532,052    38    (3,057)   526,149 
Gain on sale of investments (note 4)   -    -    53,850    44,077 
Investment write down (note 4)   -    -    (100,000)   (130,000)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments (note 4)   (15,504)   7,442    -    (600,287)
Other income   (17,654)   60    -    69,627 
    485,725    (305,058)   798,836    1,092,041 
                     
Net loss before income tax   18,129,957    6,737,972    3,125,339    85,333,740 
Income tax recovery (note 14)   2,602,778    911,000    483,163    7,711,986 
                     
Net loss  $15,527,179   $5,826,972   $2,642,176   $77,621,754 
                     
Basic and diluted net loss per share  $0.15   $0.07   $0.04      
                     
Weighted average number of shares outstanding   106,992,452    85,133,343    73,050,522      

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -6
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.

Consolidated Statements of COMPREHENSIVE Loss

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009 
Net loss for the period before other comprehensive loss  $15,527,179   $5,826,972   $2,642,176 
Unrealized (gain) loss on investment (note 4)   (13,750)   (13,125)   (53,850)
Realized gain on sale of investments   -    -    53,850 
Comprehensive loss  $15,513,429   $5,813,847   $2,642,176 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -7
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.

Consolidated statements of cash flows

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

               Cumulative period 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended   from inception (May 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   14,1996) to December 
   2011   2010   2009   31, 2011 
Cash provided by (used in):                    
Operating activities:                    
Net loss  $(15,527,179)  $(5,826,972)  $(2,642,176)  $(77,621,754)
Items not involving cash:                    
Depreciation   169,694    79,302    118,916    858,280 
Stock-based compensation   3,626,681    838,601    1,152,238    10,601,413 
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   (245,514)   (469,035)   (1,023,349)   (1,574,524)
Investment write down   -    -    100,000    130,000 
Unrealized (gain) loss on investment   15,504    (7,442)   -    600,287 
Non-cash interest expense   -    -    -    234,765 
Loss on change in liability of warrants   592,026    643,674    -    1,235,700 
Future income tax recovery   (2,602,778)   (911,000)   (483,163)   (7,711,986)
Gain on sale of subsidiary   -    -    -    (2,806,312)
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment   (532,052)   (38)   3,057    (526,149)
Gain on sale of investments   -    -    (53,850)   (44,077)
Mineral property interests written off   251,903    119,980    -    4,643,637 
Mineral property interest recovery   -    (60,120)   -    (60,120)
Change in non-cash working capital items:                    
Amounts receivable   59,844    29,025    (32,501)   (13,579)
Prepaid expenses   (330,627)   (120,893)   16,489    (485,650)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   476,948    308,073    26,088    1,283,044 
    (14,045,550)   (5,376,845)   (2,818,251)   (71,257,025)
Investment activities:                    
Proceeds on sale of subsidiary   -    -    -    254,366 
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment   -    3,321    17,886    22,820 
Proceeds on disposal of mineral property   1,105,543    -    -    1,339,002 
Proceeds on sale of investments   -    -    300,525    321,852 
Mineral property acquisitions   (817,466)   (439,203)   (926,210)   (22,093,690)
Deferred acquisition costs   -    -    -    (23,316)
Purchase of property and equipment   (1,610,750)   (192,824)   (10,302)   (3,510,569)
Reclamation deposit   (342,975)   19,039    238,585    (1,018,445)
    (1,665,648)   (609,667)   (379,516)   (24,707,980)
Financing activities:                    
Advance from Red Emerald Ltd.   -    -    -    12,010,075 
Common stock issued, net of issue costs   19,839,451    10,309,006    3,521,651    87,821,394 
Promissory note   -    -    -    2,000,000 
Repayment of promissory note   -    -    (1,000,000)   (2,000,000)
Convertible debenture   -    -    -    6,324,605 
    19,839,451    10,309,006    2,521,651    106,156,074 
                     
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   4,128,253    4,322,494    (676,116)   10,191,069 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   6,062,816    1,740,322    2,416,438    - 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $10,191,069   $6,062,816   $1,740,322   $10,191,069 

 

Supplementary information (note 13)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -8
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
For the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011
(Expressed in Canadian dollars, except shares)

 

                   Accumulated     
               Accumulated   deficit during     
               other   the   Total 
   Number of   Common   Additional   comprehensive   development   stockholders’ 
   shares   stock   paid-in capital   loss   stage   equity 
Balance, May 14, 1996 (date of inception)   -   $-   $-   $          -   $-   $- 
Shares issued:                              
Private placements   700,000    168,722                   168,722 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (114,800)   (114,800)
Balance, December 31, 1996   700,000    168,722              (114,800)   53,922 
Shares issued:                              
Initial public offering   2,025,000    590,570    -    -    -    590,570 
Principal shares   750,000    7,500    -    -    -    7,500 
Private placement   1,000,000    1,932,554    321,239    -    -    2,253,793 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   1,000,000    2,803,205    -    -    -    2,803,205 
Acquisition of mineral property interest   1,000,000    2,065,500    -    -    -    2,065,500 
Finder’s fee   150,000    309,825    -    -    -    309,825 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (2,027,672)   (2,027,672)
Balance, December 31, 1997   6,625,000    7,877,876    321,239    -    (2,142,472)   6,056,643 
Shares issued:                              
Exercise of share purchase warrants   100,000    332,124    (32,124)   -    -    300,000 
Acquisition of mineral property interest   200,000    246,000    -    -    -    246,000 
Finder’s fee   150,000    224,250    -    -    -    224,250 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (1,943,674)   (1,943,674)
Balance, December 31, 1998   7,075,000    8,680,250    289,115    -    (4,086,146)   4,883,219 
Consolidation of shares on a two for one basis   (3,537,500)   -    -    -    -    - 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (2,378,063)   (2,378,063)
Balance, December 31, 1999   3,537,500    8,680,250    289,115    -    (6,464,209)   2,505,156 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (4,718,044)   (4,718,044)
Balance, December 31, 2000   3,537,500    8,680,250    289,115    -    (11,182,253)   (2,212,888)
Net earnings   -    -    -    -    2,427,256    2,427,256 
Balance, December 31, 2001   3,537,500    8,680,250    289,115    -    (8,754,997)   214,368 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   4,824,500    2,133,786    246,839    -    -    2,380,625 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   4,028,000    1,007,000    -    -    -    1,007,000 
Exercise of stock options   32,000    12,800    -    -    -    12,800 
Financing shares issued   31,250    35,000    -    -    -    35,000 
Acquisition of mineral property interest   4,500,000    3,600,000    -    -    -    3,600,000 
Share issue costs   -    (544,260)   -    -    -    (544,260)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    27,000    -    -    27,000 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (1,657,651)   (1,657,651)
Balance, December 31, 2002   16,953,250    14,924,576    562,954    -    (10,412,648)   5,074,882 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   700,000    638,838    201,162    -    -    840,000 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   294,500    73,625    -    -    -    73,625 
Share issue costs   -    (19,932)   -    -    -    (19,932)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    531,000    -    -    531,000 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (1,352,679)   (1,352,679)
Balance, December 31, 2003   17,947,750    15,617,107    1,295,116         (11,765,327)   5,146,896 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   2,234,400    2,122,269    175,407    -    -    2,297,676 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   213,500    300,892    (46,267)   -    -    254,625 
Exercise of stock options   250,000    157,000    (27,000)   -    -    130,000 
Share issue costs   -    (183,512)   -    -    -    (183,512)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    941,478    -    -    941,478 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (2,994,702)   (2,994,702)
Balance, December 31, 2004 carried forward   20,645,650    18,013,756    2,338,734    -    (14,760,029)   5,592,461 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -9
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) -Continued
 
For the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011
 (Expressed in Canadian dollars, except shares)

 

                   Accumulated     
               Accumulated   deficit during     
               other   the   Total 
   Number of   Common   Additional   comprehensive   development   stockholders’ 
   shares   stock   paid-in capital   loss   stage   equity 
Balance, December 31, 2004 brought forward   20,645,650   $18,013,756   $2,338,734   $-   $(14,760,029)  $5,592,461 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   4,075,800    3,266,095    773,335    -    -    4,039,430 
Exercise of stock options   165,500    124,364    (31,964)   -    -    92,400 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   1,743,000    1,543,844    (4,844)   -    -    1,539,000 
Share issue costs   -    (184,660)   -    -    -    (184,660)
Stock-based compensation   -    -   488,075    -    -    488,075 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (4,402,715)   (4,402,715)
Balance, December 31, 2005   26,629,950    22,763,399    3,563,336    -    (19,162,744)   7,163,991 
Shares issued:                              
Private placements   5,725,000    10,760,355    944,645    -    -    11,705,000 
Exercise of stock options   306,000    325,530    (111,330)   -    -    214,200 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   3,227,000    4,182,991    (768,491)   -    -    3,414,500 
Acquisition of mineral property interest   40,000    88,000    -    -    -    88,000 
Share issue costs   -    (248,512)   -    -    -    (248,512)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    992,400    -    -    992,400 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (7,241,228)   (7,241,228)
Balance, December 31, 2006   35,927,950    37,871,763    4,620,560    -    (26,403,972)   16,088,351 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   2,000,000    5,400,000    -    -    -    5,400,000 
Pan-Nevada acquisition   7,764,109    25,000,431    2,028,074    -    -    27,028,505 
Exercise of stock options   595,000    1,485,415    (694,515)   -    -    790,900 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   3,395,605    10,777,930    (2,081,407)   -    -    8,696,523 
Share issue costs   -    (28,000)   -    -    -    (28,000)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    1,502,912    -    -    1,502,912 
Unrealized loss on investments   -    -    -    (120,000)   -    (120,000)
Adjustment of future income tax liability to                              
mineral properties   -    -    -    -    (389,955)   (389,955)
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (10,666,106)   (10,666,106)
Balance, December 31, 2007   49,682,664    80,507,539    5,375,624    (120,000)   (37,460,033)   48,303,130 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   14,521,500    6,174,441    956,509    -    -    7,130,950 
Acquisition of mineral property interest   30,000    88,500    -    -    -    88,500 
Exercise of stock options   479,000    1,186,462    (453,212)   -    -    733,250 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   108,500    364,404    (209,405)   -    -    154,999 
Share issue costs   -    (139,705)   -    -    -    (139,705)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    501,028    -    -    501,028 
Unrealized loss on investments   -    -    -    (502,225)   -    (502,225)
Investment write-down   -    -    -    622,225    -    622,225 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (16,165,394)   (16,165,394)
Balance, December 31, 2008   64,821,664    88,181,641    6,170,544    -    (53,625,427)   40,726,758 
Shares issued:                              
Exercise of stock options   33,333    32,815    (11,164)   -    -    21,651 
Exercise of share purchase warrants   12,500,000    4,456,509    (956,509)   -    -    3,500,000 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    1,152,238    -    -    1,152,238 
Unrealized gain on investment   -    -    -    53,850    -    53,850 
Realized gain on sale of investments   -    -    -    (53,850)   -    (53,850)
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (2,642,176)   (2,642,176)
Balance, December 31, 2009, carried forward   77,354,997    92,670,965    6,355,109    -    (56,267,603)   42,758,471 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -10
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) - Continued
 
For the period from Inception (May 14, 1996) to December 31, 2011
(Expressed in Canadian dollars, except shares)

 

                   Accumulated     
               Accumulated   deficit during     
               other   the   Total 
   Number of   Common   Additional   comprehensive   development   stockholders’ 
   shares   stock   paid-in capital   loss   stage   equity 
Balance, December 31, 2009, brought forward   77,354,997   $92,670,965   $6,355,109   $-   $(56,267,603)  $42,758,471 
Shares issued:                              
Private placement   1,333,333    514,365    285,635    -    -    800,000 
Public offerings   17,738,666    8,294,058    1,504,996    -    -    9,799,054 
Share issue costs   -    (1,431,027)   212,109    -    -    (1,218,918)
Exercise of share purchase warrants   12,500    14,024    (4,024)   -    -    10,000 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    838,601    -    -    838,601 
Unrealized gain on investment   -    -    -    13,125    -    13,125 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (5,826,972)   (5,826,972)
Balance, December 31, 2010   96,439,496    100,062,385    9,192,426    13,125    (62,094,575)   47,173,361 
Shares issued:                              
Exercise of share purchase warrants   8,611,356    10,849,874    (1,578,554)   -    -    9,271,320 
Exercise of stock options   729,997    743,200    (290,451)   -    -    452,749 
Bought deal offering   7,500,000    11,742,000    -    -    -    11,742,000 
Share issuance under At-the-Market Program   568,626    1,518,845    -    -    -    1,518,845 
Share issue costs   -    (990,900)   -    -    -    (990,900)
Stock-based compensation   -    -    3,626,687    -    -    3,626,687 
Unrealized gain on investment   -    -    -    13,750    -    13,750 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (15,527,179)   (15,527,179)
Balance, December 31, 2011   113,849,475   $123,925,404   $10,950,108   $26,875   $(77,621,754)  $57,280,633 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -11
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
Schedule of Mineral Exploration EXPENDITURES
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

               Cumulative 
               period from 
               inception (May 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended   14,1996) to 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009   2011 
Exploration costs incurred are summarized as follows:                    
Tonopah project                    
Assays and analysis  $216,849   $(12,412)  $21,386   $532,892 
Communication   -    -    -    9,513 
Drilling   780,865    9,800    2,031    2,834,846 
Engineering and consulting   283,414    54,331    129,768    4,432,855 
Environmental   2,440    7,302    6,239    236,138 
Field office and supplies   30,143    10,859    24,504    266,151 
Legal   17,259    36,398    38,802    165,346 
Property maintenance and taxes   114,403    33,915    43,142    558,809 
Reclamation costs   3,377    4,166    (983)   34,326 
Reproduction and drafting   2,643    -    -    23,446 
Salaries and labor   247,954    32,244    97,328    866,851 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   68,868    11,271    20,244    472,809 
    1,768,215    187,874    382,461    10,433,982 
Spring Valley project                    
Assays and analysis   -    -    -    3,329,900 
Communication   -    -    -    10,307 
Drilling   -    -    (152)   10,261,359 
Engineering and consulting   191,172    62,614    2,396    2,632,451 
Environmental   -    -    -    300,445 
Equipment rental   -    -    -    64,651 
Field office and supplies   255    785    2,387    549,246 
Legal   70,895    8,987    46,744    435,675 
Operator fee   -    -    -    108,339 
Property maintenance and taxes   (144)   10,204    26,764    487,921 
Reclamation costs   127    135    (53,078)   30,873 
Reproduction and drafting   324    -    -    30,048 
Salaries and labor   18,382    19,201    94,755    1,259,668 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   4,620    4,327    4,117    856,725 
    285,631    106,253    123,933    20,357,608 
Pan project                    
Assays and analysis   257,576    96,138    -    928,081 
Drilling   1,338,550    1,181,447    -    3,770,537 
Engineering and consulting   2,453,700    716,530    10,366    3,557,825 
Environmental   533,422    147,874    -    696,156 
Field office and supplies   496,282    94,977    11,835    673,602 
Legal   169,117    125,572    625    304,632 
Property maintenance and taxes   416,807    160,952    88,538    869,604 
Reclamation costs   (85,335)   3,006    -    (14,766)
Reproduction and drafting   66,290    -    -    72,028 
Salaries and labor   887,445    381,766    81,878    2,023,908 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   196,492    138,038    2,840    473,833 
    6,730,346    3,046,300    196,082    13,355,440 
Sub-total balance carried forward  $8,784,192   $3,340,427   $702,476   $44,147,030 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -12
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
Schedule of Mineral Exploration EXPENDITURES - continued
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

               Cumulative 
               period from 
               inception (May 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended   14,1996) to 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009   2011 
Sub-total balance brought forward  $8,784,192   $3,340,427   $702,476   $44,147,030 
Burnt Canyon project                    
Assays and analysis   20,900    -    -    42,821 
Drilling   170,031    -    -    170,031 
Engineering and consulting   33,376    -    971    58,112 
Environmental   -    -    462    462 
Field office and supplies   2,123    37    1,253    3,818 
Legal   1,402    -    614    4,230 
Property maintenance and taxes   13,611    14,443    14,995    63,835 
Reproduction and drafting   -    -    5,036    5,036 
Salaries and labor   15,594    -    -    18,517 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   12,137    -    1,097    16,279 
    269,174    14,480    24,428    383,141 
Thunder Mountain project                    
Assays and analysis   -    -    -    14,568 
Drilling   -    -    -    77,956 
Engineering and consulting   -    -    1    706 
Environmental   -    -    -    1,717 
Field office and supplies   152    -    1,041    1,193 
Property maintenance and taxes   82    2,657    3,776    18,987 
Reclamation costs   5,365    -    (2,955)   4,787 
Salaries and labor   1,628    -    -    3,675 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   -    -    -    55 
    7,227    2,657    1,863    123,644 
Gold Rock project                    
Assays and analysis   130,549    33,864    4,045    190,543 
Drilling   945,484    -    7,137    1,052,385 
Engineering and consulting   106,642    48,490    5,538    270,007 
Environmental   84,666    359    -    85,559 
Field office and supplies   55,010    2,911    5,711    79,763 
Legal   15,826    702    46    28,273 
Property maintenance and taxes   117,658    73,395    78,704    423,695 
Reclamation costs   23,582    866    738    25,186 
Reproduction and drafting   35,077    -    -    35,416 
Salaries and labor   177,044    199    1,303    215,363 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   25,344    12,979    693    58,222 
    1,716,882    173,765    103,915    2,464,412 
Golden Eagle project                    
Assays and analysis   -    -    21,690    21,690 
Drilling   -    -    3,638    3,638 
Engineering and consulting   205,417    34,430    114,500    380,982 
Field office and supplies   80    298    1,627    2,265 
Legal   1,950    -    9,486    21,519 
Property maintenance and taxes   9,750    9,265    2,362    21,377 
Salaries and labor   8,057    319    62    8,438 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   6,287    -    8,734    21,065 
    231,541    44,312    162,099    480,974 
Sub-total balance carried forward  $11,009,016   $3,575,641   $994,781   $47,599,201 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -13
 

 

MIDWAY GOLD CORP.
Schedule of Mineral Exploration EXPENDITURES - continued
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

               Cumulative 
               period from 
               inception (May 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended   14,1996) to 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009   2011 
Sub-total balance brought forward  $11,009,016   $3,575,641   $994,781   $47,599,201 
Abandoned properties                    
Acquisition costs and option payments   -    -    -    40,340 
Assays and analysis   -    -    -    53,791 
Communications   -    -    -    119,734 
Drilling   -    -    3,046    848,921 
Engineering and consulting   -    -    11    3,272,236 
Equipment rental   -    -    -    348,377 
Field office and supplies   -    -    1,276    306,551 
Foreign exchange gain   -    -    -    (38,134)
Freight   -    -    -    234,956 
Geological and geophysical   -    -    -    63,481 
Interest on convertible loans   -    -    -    1,288,897 
Legal and accounting   -    -    4,290    462,534 
Marketing   -    -    -    91,917 
Mining costs   -    -    -    693,985 
Processing and laboratory supplies   -    -    -    941,335 
Property maintenance and taxes   -    -    16,936    447,610 
Reclamation costs   (201)   -    1,695    38,509 
Recoveries   150    -    -    (39,850)
Reproduction and drafting   -    -    -    1,179 
Security   -    -    -    350,584 
Salaries and labor   -    -    -    19,203 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   -    -    490    429,499 
Utilities and water   -    -    -    59,425 
    (51)   -    27,744    10,035,080 
Property investigations                    
Assays and analysis   1,277    2,160    11,190    175,396 
Drilling   -    -    -    169,129 
Engineering and consulting   -    208    -    210,391 
Environmental   -    -    -    22,761 
Field office and supplies   (38)   542    2,018    19,994 
Legal   -    -    -    10,952 
Property maintenance and taxes   -    -    -    123,230 
Reclamation costs   118    117    174    3,048 
Reproduction and drafting   -    -    -    4,942 
Salaries and labor   7,630    -    -    11,304 
Travel, transportation and accommodation   1,760    49    5,518    115,222 
    10,747    3,076    18,900    866,369 
   $11,019,712   $3,578,717   $1,041,425   $58,500,650 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F -14
 

 

1.Nature and continuance of operations

 

Midway Gold Corp. (the “Company” or “Midway”) was incorporated on May 14, 1996 under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and its principal business activities are the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties.

 

The Company has not generated any revenues from operations. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business in the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred losses for the year ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 of $15,527,179, $5,826,972 and $2,642,176, respectively, and since inception of May 14, 1996 to December 31, 2011 resulting in an accumulated deficit of $77,621,754; further losses are anticipated in the development of its business. Management believes that the Company’s cash on hand of $10,191,069 at December 31, 2011 is sufficient to finance exploration activities and operations through at least the next twelve months. Additionally, on April 21, 2011 the Company was issued a final receipt for a Short Form Prospectus by the Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario Securities Commissions and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States to offer up to US$60,000,000 of the Company’s common shares. On June 6, 2011 the company closed on US$12,000,000 of the US$60,000,000 in a bought deal public offering (note 8). Additionally, on September 23, 2011 the Company announced that it had established an “At-the-Market” (“ATM”) issuance program where it may sell up to a maximum of 6,000,000 of its common shares. Through December 31, 2011 the Company has issued 568,626 shares under the program totaling an additional $1,518,845 of the $US60,000,000. The Company’s ability to continue on a going concern basis beyond the next twelve months depends on its ability to successfully raise additional financing for the substantial capital expenditures required to achieve planned principal operations. While the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining financing, there is no assurance that it will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that such financing will be on terms acceptable to the Company.

 

These financial statements do not reflect adjustments that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate.

 

2.Significant accounting policies

 

(a)Basis of presentation

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). There are no major differences between International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and US GAAP, which affect the Company. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

The Company meets the definition of a development stage enterprise under SEC Guide 7. The Company is required to provide additional disclosures from its date of inception, or the date the Company was reactivated to undertake development stage activities; therefore, the statement of operations, stockholder equity and comprehensive loss and cash flows include cumulative amounts from May 14, 1996 to December 31, 2011.

 

(b)Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. To limit its credit risk exposure for amounts in excess of federally insured limits, the Company places its deposits with financial institutions of high credit standing.

 

F -15
 

 

2.Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(c)Property and Equipment

 

All items of property and equipment are carried at cost less depreciation not in excess of their estimated net realizable value.  Normal maintenance and repairs are charged to operations while expenditures for major maintenance and betterments are capitalized.  Gains or losses on disposition are recognized in operations.

 

Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using straight-line methods over the estimated economic lives, as follows:

 

Buildings and leasehold improvements 5 years to 27.5 years
Computer equipment and software 3 years to 5 years
Trucks and autos 3 years
Office equipment 5 years
Field equipment 5 years

 

(d)Mineral properties

 

The Company concluded that mineral rights meet the definition of tangible assets. Accordingly, the Company capitalizes certain costs related to the acquisition of mineral rights.

 

Costs of exploring, carrying and retaining unproven properties are expensed as incurred.

 

(e)Asset retirement obligations

 

The Company records the fair value of the liability for closure and removal costs associated with the legal obligations upon retirement or removal of any tangible long-lived assets. The Company accrues its ongoing surface disturbance asset retirement obligations within accounts payable and accrued liabilities (December 31, 2011 - $7,805; December 31, 2010 - $41,445).

 

(f)Impairment of long-lived assets

 

The Company reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment at each balance sheet date and documents such impairment testing. The tests include an evaluation of the assets and events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable.  Mineral properties in the exploration stage are monitored for impairment based on factors such as the Company's continued right to explore the area, exploration reports, assays, technical reports, drill results and the Company's continued plans to fund exploration programs on the property, whether sufficient work has been performed to indicate that the carrying amount of the mineral property cost carried forward as an asset will not be fully recovered, even though a viable mine has been discovered.

 

The tests for long-lived assets in the exploration, development or producing stage that would have a value beyond proven and probable reserves would be monitored for impairment based on factors such as current market value of the mineral property and results of exploration, future asset utilization, business climate, mineral prices and future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, including evaluating its reserves beyond proven and probable amounts.

 

The Company's policy is to record an impairment loss in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable either due to impairment or by abandonment of the property. The impairment loss is calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. While the Company incurred losses from operations, these losses have not been in excess of planned expenditures on the specific mineral properties in order to ultimately realize their value.

 

F -16
 

 

2.Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(g)Stock-based compensation

 

The Company has a stock option plan.

 

The Company measures and records in the financial statements the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award, recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for such award. Estimates of forfeitures of unvested instruments at the grant date are considered in determining the total compensation to be recognized. Stock based payments to non-employees are measured at the fair value of consideration received or equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliable and are periodically re-measured until counter party performance is complete.

 

The offset to the recorded stock based compensation cost is to additional paid-in capital. Consideration received on the exercise of stock options is recorded as share capital and the related additional paid-in capital is transferred to share capital.

 

(h)Income taxes

 

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method future income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying values of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases (temporary differences), and losses carried forward. Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the temporary differences are likely to reverse. The effect on future income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is included in operations in the period in which the change is enacted. The amount of future income tax assets recognized is limited to the amount of the benefit that is more likely than not to be realized.

 

The Company identifies and applies a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

 

(i)Net loss per share

 

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share takes into consideration shares of common stock outstanding (computed under basic loss per share) and potentially dilutive shares of common stock. Diluted net loss per share is not presented separately from basic net loss per share as the conversion of outstanding stock options and warrants into common shares would be anti-dilutive. At December 31, 2011, the total number of potentially dilutive shares of common stock excluded from basic net loss per share was 2,553,335 (December 31, 2010 – 16,190,673; December 31, 2009 – 3,971,666).

 

F -17
 

 

2.Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(j)Foreign currency translation

 

Transactions and account balances originally stated in currencies other than the Canadian dollar have been translated into Canadian dollars as follows:

 

§Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rate for the quarter in which they are incurred.

 

§Non-monetary assets and liabilities at the rate of exchange in effect on the dates the assets were acquired or the liabilities were incurred.

 

§Monetary assets and liabilities at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date.

 

Exchange gains and losses are recorded in operations in the period in which they occur, except for exchange gains and losses related to translation of monetary assets and liabilities associated with mineral properties, which are deferred and included in mineral properties.

 

(k)Share capital

 

The Company records proceeds from share issuances, net of issue costs. Shares issued for consideration other than cash are valued at the quoted market price on the closing date for business combinations and at the date of issuance for other non-monetary transactions.

 

(l)Warrants

 

The Company accounts for warrants using the fair value method. Under this method, the value of warrants issued is measured at fair value at the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model and recorded as share capital if and when the warrants are exercised.

 

ASC Section 815-40-55 requires the value of share purchase warrants issued with an exercise price denominated in a currency other than the Company’s Canadian dollar functional currency to be considered as a liability and this liability is stated at fair value each reporting period.

 

(m)Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates include the determination of impairment of mineral properties and equipment, useful lives for amortization, valuation allowances for future income tax assets, fair value of non-cash stock-based compensation and reclamation and environmental obligations. Actual results, as determined by future events, may differ from these estimates.

 

(n)Recently adopted accounting standards

 

On April 16, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2010-13 Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718: Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in which the Underlying Equity Security Trades. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2010. This ASU added to or amends sections of Accounting Codification Standards (“ACS”) Topic 718. These amendments and additions impact the accounting treatment as follows:

 

F -18
 

 

2.Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

a) A share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades shall not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition and, therefore shall not be classified as a liability if it otherwise qualifies for equity classification.

 

b) If an award is indexed to a factor in addition the entity’s share price. If that factor is not a market, performance, or service condition (e.g., indexed to the market price of a commodity such as gold), the award shall be classified as a liability.

 

The adoption of this standard had no impact on the financial statements.

 

(o)Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04: Fair value measurements update 2011-04

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements as a result of the FASB and the IASB working together to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amendments will add new disclosures, with a particular focus on Level 3 measurements. The objective of these amendments is to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this update are to be applied prospectively. The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application is not permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05: Presentation of Comprehensive Income 2011-05

 

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05). Under ASU 2011-05, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both options, an entity will be required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, "Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05" (ASU 2011-12), which deferred the requirement to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. The amendments contained in ASU 2011-05 do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The amendments also do not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. ASU 2011-05, as amended by ASU 2011-12, is effective for us on January 1, 2012. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

(p)Comparative figures

 

Certain of the comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in the current year.

 

F -19
 

 

3.Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value measurement establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

The valuation of investments in marketable securities include available for sale securities. The Company’s Level 1 assets include common shares available for sale with no trading restrictions as determined using a market approach based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market. Level 1 assets also include warrants that are considered derivatives and are marked to market each reporting period based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The Company’s Level 2 assets include common shares with trading restrictions that will be removed within one year of the financial period reporting date as determined using a market approach and based upon quoted prices for identical assets in an active market adjusted by a discount to market comparable to the discount allowed by the TSX Venture Exchange for private placements. The Company’s Level 3 assets include warrants with trading restrictions that will be removed within one year of the financial reporting date as determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model and a discount to market comparable to the discount allowed by the TSX Venture Exchange for private placements.

 

The determination of fair value for financial reporting purposes at December 31, 2011 utilizing the applicable framework is as follows:

 

   Quoted
Prices in
             
   Active   Significant         
   Markets for   other   Significant   Total at 
   Identical   observable   unobservable   December 31, 
Financial Instrument  Assets   inputs   inputs   2011 
Available-for-sale securities  $70,000   $-   $        -   $70,000 
Derivatives   -    8,933    -    8,933 
Total  $70,000   $8,933   $-   $78,933 

 

Financial instruments measured at fair value as at December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

   Quoted
Prices in
             
   Active   Significant          
   Markets for    other   Significant   Total at 
   Identical   observable   unobservable   December 31, 
Financial Instrument  Assets   inputs   inputs   2010 
Available-for-sale securities  $     -   $56,250   $-   $56,250 
Derivatives   -    -    24,437    24,437 
Total  $-   $56,250   $24,437   $80,687 
                     
Warrant liability  $-   $1,562,544   $-   $1,562,544 

 

F -20
 

 

3.Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

The table below sets forth a summary of changes to the Company’s level 3 financial assets for year ended December 31, 2011:

 

   Available-for-sale         
   securities   Derivatives   Total Assets 
Balance at beginning of period        -   $24,437   $24,437 
Change in Fair Market Value   -   $(15,504)  $(15,504)
Reclassification to Level 2   -   $(8,933)  $(8,933)
Balance at end of period   -   $-   $- 

 

4.Investments

 

As consideration of certain area of interest obligations of NV Gold Corporation (“NVX”) that apply to the Roberts Gold project, the Company was issued 250,000 common shares of NVX and 250,000 common share purchase warrants (the “NVX Warrants”) on October 26, 2010. The NVX Warrants entitle the Company to purchase one common share of NVX at an exercise price of $0.40 until October 26, 2012. If the volume weighted average price of the common shares of NVX exceeds $0.60 for twenty consecutive trading days, NVX may notify the Company in writing that the NVX Warrants will expire 15 trading days from receipt of such notice unless exercised by the Company before such date. The common shares and the common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of any NVX Warrants were restricted from trading until February 27, 2011. Accordingly the NVX common shares were categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (note 3) and a discount of 25% was applied to the quoted market value on the date of receipt and on December 31, 2010.

 

Subsequent to February 27, 2011, the date trading restrictions were removed, the NVX common shares were reclassified to Level 1 and the 25% discount was not applied to the December 31, 2011 fair value.

 

The NVX Warrants are considered derivatives. At December 31, 2010 they were categorized as Level 3 and were fair valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model and a discount of 25% applied to their fair value on the date of receipt and on December 31, 2010. The following assumptions were used on the date of receipt: expected life of 2 years; volatility of 100%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.42%. The NVX Warrants will be revalued each reporting period with gains or losses recorded in the Statement of Operations. The following assumptions were used on December 31, 2010: expected life of 1.8 years; volatility of 100%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.66%. With the trading restriction expiration on February 27, 2011 the Warrants were reclassified from Level 3 to Level 2. The following Black-Scholes valuation assumptions were used on December 31, 2011: expected life of 0.82 years; volatility of 68%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 0.91%.

 

   December 31, 2011 
   Number of       Accumulated     
   shares or       unrealized     
   warrants   Cost   gains (losses)   Fair Value 
Available for sale – common shares   250,000   $43,125   $26,875   $70,000 
Warrants   250,000    16,995    (8,062)   8,933 
Total investments       $60,120   $18,813   $78,933 

 

   December 31, 2010 
   Number of       Accumulated     
   shares or       unrealized     
   warrants   Cost   gains (losses)   Fair Value 
Available for sale – common shares   250,000   $43,125   $13,125   $56,250 
Warrants   250,000    16,995    7,442    24,437 
Total investments       $60,120   $20,567   $80,687 

 

F -21
 

 

4.Investments (continued)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a net unrealized gain on the common shares of NVX of $13,750 in accumulated other comprehensive income and a net unrealized loss on the NVX Warrants of $15,504 in the Statement of Operations for the difference in the fair value at December 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010 the Company recorded an unrealized gain on the common shares of NVX of $13,125 in accumulated other comprehensive income and an unrealized gain on the NVX Warrants of $7,442 in the Statement of Operations for the difference in the fair value at December 31, 2010 and October 26, 2010.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company realized a gain of $61,620, offset by the $7,770 write-down on Rye Patch Gold Corp. (“Rye Patch”) for the difference in value at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 for a net gain of $53,850. The Company sold all of its 1,844,500 common shares of Rye Patch for proceeds of $300,525. The Company recognized an investment write-down of $100,000 for 1,000,000 share purchase warrants of Rye Patch that expired unexercised on September 28, 2009 in the statement of operations.

 

5.Property and Equipment

 

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

   2011   2010 
         
Land  $536,854   $- 
Buildings and leasehold improvements   434,864    - 
Computer equipment and software   497,317    288,420 
Trucks and autos   293,946    138,853 
Office equipment   133,893    79,049 
Field equipment   247,826    68,953 
Subtotal   2,144,700    575,275 
Accumulated depreciation   (506,420)   (378,051)
Totals  $1,638,280   $197,224 

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $169,694, $79,302 and $118,916, respectively.  The Company evaluates the recoverability of property and equipment when events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired.

 

F -22
 

 

6.Mineral properties

 

The continuity of expenditures on mineral property acquisitions is as follows:

 

   December 31,           December 31, 
Mineral property  2010   Additions   Written off   2011 
Tonopah (formerly Midway)  $7,036,314   $288,272   $-   $7,324,586 
Spring Valley   5,664,517    44,430    (609,788)   5,099,159 
Pan   33,807,508    213,156    -    34,020,664 
Gold Rock   628,324    234,788    -    863,112 
Burnt Canyon   178,785    73,118    (251,903)   - 
Golden Eagle   2,255,613    -    -    2,255,613 
   $49,571,061   $853,764   $(861,691)  $49,563,134 

 

   December 31,           December 31, 
Mineral property  2009   Additions   Written off   2010 
Tonopah  $7,036,314   $-   $-   $7,036,314 
Spring Valley   5,664,517    -    -    5,664,517 
Pan   33,632,806    174,702    -    33,807,508 
Roberts Gold   119,980    -    (119,980)   - 
Gold Rock   422,834    205,490    -    628,324 
Burnt Canyon   119,774    59,011    -    178,785 
Golden Eagle   2,255,613    -    -    2,255,613 
   $49,251,838   $439,203   $(119,980)  $49,571,061 

 

(a)Tonopah property, Nye County, Nevada

 

Through a series of agreements, amendments and payments the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Tonopah property subject only to a sliding scale royalty on Net Smelter Returns (“NSR”) from any commercial production of between 2% to 7%, based on changes in gold prices and an advance minimum royalty, recoverable from commercial production, of $287,670 (US$300,000) per year on each August 15.

 

On September 29, 2009 the optionors agreed to waive the US$300,000 payment that would have otherwise been due on August 15, 2010.

 

On July 1, 2009, and amended on October 14, 2009, the Company agreed with the Town of Tonopah (“Tonopah”) and Lumos & Associates (“Lumos”) to fund a study to identify the best alternatives with which to maximize the treatment and dewatering of water at a possible mine at the Midway Project for possible municipal use and/or re-injection and to minimize the need for redundant facilities for the benefit of the Company and Tonopah. Tonopah contracted with Lumos to prepare a preliminary engineering report to identify the best alternatives to which the Company agreed to fund up to US$105,120 of which $79,120 (US$74,294) had been paid or accrued by December 31, 2009 and the balance funded during the 2010 fiscal year.

 

(b)Spring Valley property, Nevada

 

The Company signed an exploration and option to joint venture agreement (the “Barrick Agreement”) with Barrick Gold Exploration Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation, effective on March 9, 2009, on the Spring Valley gold project that superseded a term sheet executed on October 17, 2008. Barrick is granted the exclusive right to earn a 60% interest in the project by spending US$30,000,000 on the property over five years. Barrick may increase its interest by 10% (70% total) by spending an additional US$8,000,000 in the year immediately after vesting at 60%. At the Company’s election, Barrick may also earn an additional 5% (75% total) by carrying the Company to a production decision and arranging financing for the Company’s share of mine construction expenses with the carrying and financing costs plus interest to be recouped by Barrick once production has been established. The Company will coordinate geologic and administrative activities under the direction of Barrick, billing monthly at cost plus an administrative fee of 5%.

 

F -23
 

 

6.Mineral properties (continued)

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company had an amount receivable of $6,537 (US$6,428) (December 31, 2010: $62,769 (US$63,110) for recoverable salaries and expenses from Barrick pursuant to the Barrick Agreement, which was subsequently paid.

 

Through a series of agreements, amendments and payments the Company has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the property package comprising the Spring Valley project subject to NSR royalties ranging from 1% to 7% on different claim groups within the property package.

 

The Company owns the original core package of 44 unpatented claims (the “Spring Valley Claims”). The vendor retained a NSR royalty from commercial production over 500,000 ounces on a sliding scale increasing from 2% to 7% based on changes in gold prices. In addition, the vendor is entitled to a 1% overriding royalty on NSR from commercial production on all lands owned by the Company or an affiliate and located outside, but within a one half (1/2) mile perimeter of the Spring Valley Claims.

 

In 2009, the Company completed the purchase of 28 claims contiguous to the Spring Valley Claims under the option from September 1, 2003 subject to the vendor’s 2% NSR royalty.

 

On April 25, 2006, the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement and option to purchase 12 unpatented lode mining claims for US$600,000. The Company paid $13,580 (US$12,000) on signing, $26,746 (US$24,000) on April 25, 2007 and $36,587 (US$36,000) on April 25, 2008 and each year thereafter to maintain the option. The April 25, 2009, April 25, 2010, and April 25, 2011 payments of US$36,000 in each year were paid directly by Barrick. The option payments can be credited against the purchase price. The owner retained a 3% NSR royalty.

 

On July 18, 2008, the Company paid its annual payment of $20,836 (US$20,000) to Dave Rowe and Randall Stoeberl to maintain its option to purchase 97 unpatented mining claims. On July 18, 2009 and July 18, 2010 Barrick paid the annual payments of US$20,000 directly. Alternatively Midway can purchase these claims for US$600,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Stoeberl retained a 3% NSR royalty from commercial production on these claims.

 

On October 30, 2006, the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement and option to purchase two (2) unpatented lode mining claims for a series of annual payments as advances upon a 3% NSR royalties payable. The Company paid $2,252 (US$2,000) on execution, $3,812 (US$4,000) on October 30, 2007, $6,090 (US$5,000) on October 30, 2008 and must pay US$6,000 on each October 30 annually thereafter. On October 30, 2009, October 30, 2010 and October 30, 2011 Barrick paid the US$6,000 directly. The Company has the option to purchase each claim for a price of US$100,000. Any advance royalties paid will be credited against the purchase price.

 

On June 1, 2007 the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement and option to purchase two (2) unpatented lode mining claims for US$500,000. To maintain the option the Company must make monthly payments of US$1,000. On June 1, 2009 Barrick paid the one-time payment of US$25,000 due at that time. A further series of one-time payments is due: US$150,000 by June 1, 2012; US$150,000 by June 1, 2014; and US$55,000 by June 1, 2017. All payments shall be credited towards the purchase price.

 

On or prior to the first date of each month Barrick paid Midway’s US$1,000 a month option payment totaling US$12,000 to George D. Duffy and the Estate of Margaret Suverkoop Duffy to maintain its option to purchase 2 unpatented lode mining claims.  Alternatively Midway can purchase these claims for US$500,000 with any payments already paid credited against the total.

 

On May 5, 2006, the Company purchased land and mineral rights of 920 gross acres, 320 acres net surface, 770 acres net mineral, (the “Seymork Parcel”) from Seymork Investments Ltd. (“Seymork”) for $221,400

 

F -24
 

 

6.Mineral properties (continued)

 

(US$200,000), subject to a 3% NSR royalty on any production and sale of metals from the claims. On June 11, 2008 the Court settled a long standing title dispute to this ground validating the Company’s claim to the Seymork Parcel. The settlement allowed the Company to purchase two promissory notes secured against the property for approximately $609,788 (US$598,000) in July 2008.

 

On June 10, 2011, the Company received a check in the amount of $1,105,543 (US$1,144,929), which the Company subsequently negotiated. The check was accompanied with a letter instructing the Company to apply the funds to the payment of certain specified obligations arising out of the May 5, 2006 agreement between Seymork Investments Limited (“Seymork”) and the Company. On August, 23, 2011, the Company was served with a summons that it is being sued in the State of Nevada by Seymork and TGC Holdings Ltd. (“TGC”). Among other relief sought, the complaint seeks a court declaration that the foregoing sum delivered to the Company fully satisfies Seymork’s obligations arising from that May 5, 2006 agreement and two notes executed by Seymork and held by the Company.

 

On March 6, 2012, the Company, Seymork and its principal, and TGC and its parent company entered into a settlement agreement whereby all parties agreed to mutual releases, a joint stipulation for dismissal of the suit and reconveyance of the three deeds of trust securing Seymork’s obligations. As satisfaction for the Company’s participation, the Company retained the US$1,144,929 already received and no further amounts will be due to the Company.

 

In 2010, Barrick, on behalf of the Company, entered into two new agreements within the area of interest of the Barrick Agreement:

 

On September 15, 2010 Barrick signed an option agreement with a third party for surface and mineral rights. Option payments totalling US$150,000 are payable over five years of which Barrick paid the first and last year’s lease payments totaling US$56,250.

 

On December 2, 2010 Barrick entered into a sub-lease and option agreement with a third party for mineral rights underlying the surface rights acquired by the Company in 2006. The agreement requires Barrick to spend a cumulative amount of US$2,000,000 in work expenditures on the ground leased over a period of six years, and to make advance royalty payments in the amount of US$100,000 per year thereafter, up to a cap of US$2,500,000. The advance royalty payments may be credited against a 3% NSR royalty payable from production on the area of ground leased.

 

(c)Pan Property, Nevada

 

The Company assumed the January 7, 2003 mineral lease agreement with Newark Valley Mining Corp. (“NVMC”) (formerly Gold Standard Royalty Corporation (“GSRC”) and earlier the Lyle Campbell Trust) for a 100% interest in the Pan property. On or before January 5 of each year the Company must pay an advance minimum royalty of the greater of US$60,000 or the US dollar equivalent of 174 ounces of gold valued by the average of the London afternoon fixing for the third calendar quarter preceding January 1 of the year in which the payment is due. The minimum advance royalties will be creditable against a sliding scale NSR production royalty of between 2.5% and 4%. The Company must incur a minimum of US$65,000 per year for work expenditures, including claim maintenance fees, during the term of the mining lease. On January 1, 2011 the Company paid $213,156 (US$213,455). Subsequent to the year end the Company paid $299,427 (US$296,169) on January 1, 2012.

 

F -25
 

 

6.Mineral properties (continued)

 

(d)Gold Rock Property, Nevada

 

The Company assumed the March 20, 2006 mineral lease agreement with NVMC (formerly GSRC) for a 100% interest in the Gold Rock property. The Company paid an advance minimum royalty of US$30,000 in 2008 and US$45,000 by January 5, 2009. By January 5, 2010 and annually thereafter the Company must pay an advance minimum royalty of the greater of US$60,000 or the US dollar equivalent of 108.05 ounces of gold valued by the average of the London afternoon fixing for the third calendar quarter preceding January 1 of the year in which the payment is due. The minimum advance royalties will be creditable against a sliding scale NSR production royalty of between 2.5% and 4%. The Company must incur a minimum of US$75,000 per year for work expenditures, including claim maintenance fees, during the term of the mining lease. On January 1, 2011 the Company paid $123,365 (US$132,550). Subsequent to the year end the Company paid $185,937 (US$183,914) on January 1, 2012.

 

On January 15, 2007 the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement with Anchor Mineral, Inc. of Kansas, for unpatented mining claims adjoining the Gold Rock project. To maintain the option the Company paid advance minimum royalty payments creditable against a 3.5% NSR production royalty of $6,007 (US$6,000) on June 1, 2008, $12,453 (US$10,000) by January 15, 2009, $20,917 (US$20,000) by January 15, 2010 and paid $29,955 (US$30,000) on January 15, 2011 and thereafter the greater of US$30,000 or the gold equivalent price which is determined by multiplying US$30,000 by a factor of the closing price of gold on the last business day in December 2011 over the closing price of gold on January 15, 2007. Subsequent to the year end the Company paid $68,218 (US$67,476) on January 1, 2012.

 

On January 24, 2008 the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement with Messrs. Peart and Moyle of Nevada for 13 unpatented mining claims over the Easy Junior deposit area. Subsequently Mr. Peart acquired Mr. Moyle’s interest in the subject claims. The Company paid a first annual minimum royalty of $50,220 (US$50,000) and will be required to make annual minimum royalty payments of US$50,000 for years 2 to 6; US$60,000 for years 7 to 11 and US$75,000 for year 12 and thereafter for the remainder of the fifteen year lease. On January 24, 2009 the Company paid the second annual payment of $60,760 (US$50,000), on January 13, 2010 the Company paid the third annual payment of $52,293 (US$50,000), and on January 1, 2011 the Company paid the fourth annual payment of $49,925 (US$50,000). The minimum advance royalty payments may be creditable against a production NSR sliding scale royalty ranging from 2% to 6% based on the gold price. The Company has an option to outright purchase the claims for US$5,000,000 with any minimum advance royalty payments creditable against the purchase price. Subsequent to the year end the Company paid $50,550 (US$50,000) on January 1, 2012.

 

On February 13, 2008 the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement with Mr. Pankow of Nevada for two (2) unpatented mining claims adjacent to the Gold Rock project. The Company paid a first annual minimum royalty of $7,727 US$7,750 and will be required make annual minimum royalty payments of US$7,750 for years 2 to 6; US$9,250 for years 7 to 11 and US$11,500 for year 12 and thereafter for the remainder of the fifteen year lease. On February 13, 2009 the Company paid the second annual payment of $9,651 (US$7,750),on February 3, 2010 the Company paid the third annual payment of $8,106 (US$7,750), and on February 1, 2011 the Company paid $7,679 (US$7,750). The minimum advance royalty payments may be creditable against a production NSR sliding scale royalty ranging from 2% to 5% based on the gold price. The Company has an option to outright purchase the claims for US$775,000 with any minimum advance royalty payments creditable against the purchase price. Subsequent to the year end the Company paid $7,743 (US$7,750) on February 1, 2012.

 

F -26
 

 

6.Mineral properties (continued)

 

On February 13, 2008 the Company was assigned an existing lease on 10 unpatented claims (the “Claims”) adjoining the Gold Rock property by William Sheriff, a director of the Company at the time, in consideration of 30,000 common shares at a value of $88,500 (US$86,215) issued on March 31, 2008. The Company assumed the obligations of the February 15, 2004 underlying lease with Ronny Jordan and paid Mr. Jordan the first annual lease payment of $10,041 (US$10,000). During the term of the lease annual minimum royalty payments of US$15,000 will be required each February 15 thereafter. On February 15, 2009 the Company paid the year 6 annual payment of $18,680 (US$15,000),on February 1, 2010 paid the year 7 annual payment of $15,688 (US$15,000), and on February 1, 2011 the Company paid the year 8 annual payment of $14,864 (US$15,000). The Company may elect at any time during the life of the agreement to purchase a 50% interest in the Claims for US$1,000,000 and the remaining 50% interest in the Claims may be purchased for another US$1,500,000 with all royalty payments paid prior to the purchase creditable against the purchase price. A 2.5% NSR royalty was retained by Ronny Jordan and a 0.5% NSR royalty was retained by William Sheriff. Subsequent to the year end the Company paid $14,987 (US$15,000) on January 30, 2012.

 

(e)Burnt Canyon Property, Nevada

 

On November 19, 2007, the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement and option to purchase unpatented lode mining claims for a series of annual payments as advances upon a 3% NSR royalty payable. The Company paid $24,618 (US$25,000) on execution, $31,315 (US$25,000) by November 19, 2008, $31,905 (US$30,000) by November 19, 2009, $40,514 (US$40,000) by November 19, 2010 and $50,940 (US$50,000) by November 19, 2011 and each year thereafter. The Company has the option to purchase the claims for a price of US$1,000,000. Any advance royalties paid will be credited against the purchase price.

 

On May 1, 2008, the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement and option to purchase 20 unpatented lode mining claims for a series of annual payments as advances upon the 2% NSR royalty payable. The Company paid $9,899 (US$10,000) on execution, $11,672 (US$10,000) on May 1, 2009, $12,331 (US$12,000) May 1, 2010, $14,463 (US$15,000) on May 1, 2011 and US$20,000 by May 1, 2012 and each year thereafter. The Company has the option to purchase these claims for a total purchase of US$2,500,000. Any advance royalties paid will be credited against the purchase price.

 

On April 7, 2009 the Company entered into a mineral lease agreement with T.W. Properties for four (4) unpatented lode mining claims for a series of annual payments as advances upon the 3% NSR royalty payable. The Company paid $5,835 (US$5,000) on execution, $6,166 (US$6,000) on April 7, 2010 and $7,715 (US$8,000) on April 7, 2011; and further amounts are payable; US$10,000 by April 7, 2012; and US$12,000 by April 7, 2013 and each year thereafter. Any advance royalties paid will be credited against the purchase price.

 

On December 31, 2011, as part of management’s annual review of mineral property holdings it was determined that Burnt Canyon was impaired and was subsequently written down by the amount of $251,903.

 

(f)Golden Eagle, Washington

 

On August 1, 2008 the Company issued 600,000 common shares at US$2.50 per common share for proceeds of US$1,500,000 by way of a private placement to Kinross Gold USA Inc. (“Kinross”); purchased a 75% interest in the Golden Eagle, Washington, project from Kinross at a cost of $1,537,950 (US$1,500,000) and purchased a 25% interest in the Golden Eagle project from Hecla Limited at a cost of $500,200 (US$483,333). Kinross retained a 2% NSR royalty and was granted a first right of refusal to toll mill ore from the Golden Eagle property at their Kettle River Mill.

 

Midway completed the acquisition of the Golden Eagle property through a wholly-owned subsidiary created to hold the property. Title transfer costs were US$32,843 ($40,070).

 

F -27
 

 

6.Mineral properties (continued)

 

In the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company staked additional claims and purchased two additional blocks of land at a cost of $177,393 to expand its Golden Eagle land property package.

 

The following mineral properties were written off in the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

(g)Spring Valley Property, Nevada

 

On June 10, 2011, the Company received a check in the amount of US$1,144,929, which the Company subsequently negotiated. The check was applied as partial payment against two promissory notes that were secured against the Seymork parcels. As a result of the receipt of cash, the property was subsequently written down in the amount of $609,788.

 

(h)Burnt Canyon Property, Nevada

 

On December 31, 2011, as part of management’s annual review of mineral property holdings it was determined that Burnt Canyon was impaired and was subsequently written down by the amount of $251,903.

 

7.Reclamation deposit

 

The Company is required to post bonds with the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) for reclamation of planned mineral exploration programs work associated with the Company’s mineral properties located in the United States. For the Company’s mineral properties that are being actively explored under funding arrangement agreements, the funding partners are responsible for bonding for the surface disturbance created by the exploration programs funded by each of them on those projects.

 

At December 31, 2011 the Company had posted a total of $603,062 (US$592,981) reclamation deposits compared to $260,087 (US$261,499) at December 31, 2010.

 

8.Share capital

 

(a)The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares.

 

(b)Share issuances

 

(i)During 1996, the Company issued 420,000 common shares at $0.25 per share by way of a non-brokered private placement for proceeds of $98,722 net of issue costs. In addition the Company issued 280,000 flow-through common shares at $0.25 per share by way of a non-brokered private placement for proceeds of $70,000.

 

(ii)During 1997, the Company completed an initial public offering of 2,000,000 common shares at $0.35 per share for proceeds of $590,570, net of issue costs. In connection with this offering, the Company’s agent received a selling commission of 10% or $0.035 per share and was issued 25,000 shares as a corporate finance fee.

 

(iii)During 1997, the Company issued 1,000,000 units at $2.50 per unit by way of a private placement for proceeds of $2,253,793 net of issue costs. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase to purchase one additional common share at $3.00 per share until February 14, 1998. The proceeds of the financing of $2,500,000 were allocated $2,178,761 as to the common shares and $321,239 as to the warrants. During 1998 100,000 of the warrants were exercised and 900,000 expired. In connection with this private placement, the Company’s agent received a selling commission of 7.5% of the proceeds of the units sold or $0.1875 per unit and a corporate finance fee of $15,000.

 

F -28
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

(iv)During 1997, the Company issued 750,000 common shares as performance shares for proceeds of $7,500 that were held in escrow in accordance with the rules of the regulatory authorities of British Columbia. The shares were released 25% in each of 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

 

(v)During 1997, pursuant to an equity participation agreement to acquire an interest in Gemstone Mining Inc. (“Gemstone”), a Utah Corporation that by agreement the creditors of Gemstone were issued 1,000,000 units of the Company on conversion of a debt of $2,065,500 (US$1,500,000). Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase to purchase one additional common share at US$2.00 per share that was immediately exercised for proceeds of $2,803,205 (US$2,000,000). The first one-third tranche of a conditional finders’ fee was satisfied by the issue of 150,000 common shares in connection with the acquisition of Gemstone.

 

(vi)During 1998, the Company issued 100,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants for proceeds of $300,000.

 

(vii)During 1998, the Company issued 200,000 common shares in connection with the acquisition of Gemstone as well as the second tranche of finder’s fee in connection with that acquisition. The Company’s option to acquire Gemstone expired on January 31, 1998 and the remaining one-third tranche were not issued.

 

(viii)During 1999, the Company consolidated its issued share capital on a two old for one new basis and changed its name from Neary Resources Corporation to Red Emerald Resource Corp.

 

(ix)During 2002, the Company issued 3,500,000 units at $0.25 per unit for proceeds of $875,000 by way of a short form offering document under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.25 per share until October 19, 2002. The Company also issued 150,000 common shares as a finance fee in connection with this offering, and issued the agent 875,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at $0.25 per share until April 19, 2004. During 2002 the Company issued 1,134,500 special warrants at $1.25 per special warrant for proceeds of $1,418,125. Each Special Warrant automatically converted to a unit comprising one common share and one share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $1.55 per share until November 6, 2003. The proceeds of the financing of $1,418,125 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $1,171,286 to common shares and $246,839 as to the warrants. During 2003 all of the warrants expired unexercised. In connection with the offering the Company paid the agent a 10% commission totaling $113,450, issued the agent 40,000 common shares as a finance fee in connection with this offering, and issued the agent 170,175 share purchase warrant exercisable at $1.55 per share until July 5, 2003.

 

(x)During 2002, the Company issued 4,028,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants for proceeds of $1,007,000.

 

(xi)During 2002, the Company issued 32,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $12,800.

 

(xii)During 2002, the Company issued 31,250 common shares as additional consideration to a director who loaned the Company $780,000 bearing interest at 12% per annum. The loan and interest was repaid prior to December 31, 2002.

 

(xiii)During 2002, the Company acquired Rex Exploration Corp. (“Rex”) in exchange for 4,500,000 common shares of the Company.

 

(xiv)During 2003, the Company issued 700,000 units at $1.20 per unit for proceeds of $840,000 by way of a non-brokered private placement. Each unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $1.50 until May 25, 2004. The proceeds of the financing of $840,000 were allocated $638,838 as to common shares and $201,162 as to the warrants. During 2004 161,000 of the warrants were exercised and 539,000 expired. Share issue expenses were $19,932.

 

F -29
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

(xv)During 2003, the Company issued 294,500 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants for proceeds of $73,625.

 

(xvi)In January 2004, the Company issued 400,000 units at $2.00 per unit for proceeds of $800,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $2.35 per share for a six month period. The proceeds of the financing of $800,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $624,593 to common shares and $175,407 as to the warrants. All of the warrants expired unexercised in 2004. The Company issued 40,000 common shares as a finder’s fee for this private placement.

 

(xvii)In August 2004, the Company issued 1,020,000 units at $0.75 per unit for proceeds of $765,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.80 per share until August 25, 2005. All of the warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company issued 55,650 common shares as a finder’s fee for this private placement.

 

(xviii)In December 2004, the Company issued 700,000 units at $0.85 per unit for proceeds of $595,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $1.00 per share until December 20, 2005. All of the warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company issued 18,750 common shares as a finder’s fee for this private placement.

 

(xix)In February 2005, the Company issued 2,500,000 units at $0.85 per unit for proceeds of $2,125,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $1.00 per share until February 16, 2006. The proceeds of the financing of $2,125,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $1,598,457 to common shares and $526,543 as to warrants. There were 23,000 warrants exercised in fiscal year 2005 and the balance exercised in fiscal year 2006. The Company issued 75,800 common shares for $64,430 and paid $69,700 in cash as a finder’s fee and incurred $26,709 in additional issue costs for this private placement.

 

(xx)In July 2005, the Company issued 1,000,000 units at $1.15 per unit for proceeds of $1,150,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half non-transferable share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $1.15 per share until July 27, 2006. The proceeds of the financing of $1,150,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $995,193 to common shares and $154,807 as to warrants. All of the warrants were exercised in fiscal year 2006. The Company incurred $15,560 in issue costs.

 

(xxi)In August 2005, the Company issued 500,000 units at $1.40 per unit for proceeds of $700,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half nontransferable share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $1.45 per share until August 22, 2006. The proceeds of the financing of $700,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $608,015 to common shares and $91,985 as to warrants. All of the warrants were exercised in fiscal year 2006. The Company incurred $8,261 in issue costs.

 

F -30
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

(xxii)In January 2006, the Company issued 40,000 common shares at a value of $88,000 pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement to purchase mining claims for the Spring Valley project.

 

(xxiii)In May 2006, the Company issued 3,725,000 units at $1.80 per unit for proceeds of $6,705,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half nontransferable share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $2.70 per share until May 16, 2007. The proceeds of the financing of $6,705,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $5,998,846 to common shares and $706,154 as to warrants. The Company incurred $65,216 in issue costs. By May 16, 2007 1,725,000 of the warrants were exercised and 137,500 expired unexercised.

 

(xxiv)In November 2006, the Company issued 2,000,000 units at $2.50 per unit for proceeds of $5,000,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half nontransferable share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at $3.00 per share until November 10, 2007. The proceeds of the financing of $2,000,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $1,761,509 to common shares and $238,491 as to warrants. The Company paid $88,750 in finders’ fees and incurred $94,546 in issue costs for this private placement. By November 10, 2007 908,782 of the warrants were exercised and 91,218 expired unexercised.

 

(xxv)In April 2007, the Company issued 7,764,109 common shares at a value of $25,000,431, 308,000 stock options at a value of $608,020 and 870,323 share purchase warrants at a value of $1,420,054 in connection with the acquisition of Pan-Nevada Gold Corporation. By December 31, 2007, 154,000 of the stock options had been exercised and 761,823 share purchase warrants had been exercised. By December 31, 2008 the remaining 108,500 share purchase warrants were exercised and 84,000 stock options had been exercised. On October 11, 2008 the final 70,000 stock options expired not exercised.

 

(xxvi)In August 2007, the Company issued 2,000,000 common shares at $2.70 per common share for proceeds of $5,400,000 by way of a private placement. The Company incurred $28,000 in share issue costs.

 

(xxvii)In March 2008, the Company issued 30,000 common shares at a value of $88,500 pursuant to a lease assignment of mining claims for the Gold Rock project. The Company incurred $1,489 in share issue costs.

 

(xxviii)In June 2008, the Company issued 1,421,500 common shares at $2.00 per common share for proceeds of $2,843,000 by way of a private placement. The Company incurred $75,371 in share issue costs.

 

(xxix)In August 2008, the Company issued 600,000 common shares at US$2.50 per common share for proceeds of $1,537,950 (US$1,500,000) by way of a private placement with Kinross Gold USA Inc. The Company incurred $39,450 in share issue costs.

 

(xxx)In November 2008, the Company issued 12,500,000 units at $0.22 per unit for proceeds of $2,750,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.28 per share until May 12, 2009. The proceeds of the financing of $2,750,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $1,793,491 to common shares and $956,509 as to warrants. The Company incurred $23,395 in issue costs for this private placement. By May 11, 2009 all of the warrants were exercised. In the year ended December 31, 2009 all of the 12,500,000 warrants were exercised for proceeds of $3,500,000.

 

F -31
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

(xxxi)In addition to the 84,000 stock options reported exercised in paragraph xxv, during 2008, the Company issued a further 395,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $613,250.

 

(xxxii)During 2009, the Company issued 33,333 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $21,651.

 

(xxxiii)In April 2010, the Company issued 1,333,333 units at $0.60 per unit for proceeds of $800,000 by way of a private placement. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share until October 9, 2011 at an exercise price as follows: $0.70 if exercised on or before October 9, 2010; $0.80 if exercised after October 9, 2010 but on or before April 9, 2011; and $0.90 if exercised after April 9, 2011 but on or before October 9, 2011. The proceeds of the financing of $800,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $514,365 to common shares and $285,635 as to warrants. The Company incurred $95,529 in issue costs for this private placement.

 

(xxxiv)In June 2010, the Company issued 11,078,666 units at $0.60 per unit for proceeds of $6,647,199 by way of a brokered public offering in Canada and a non-brokered public offering in the United States. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share until June 16, 2012 at an exercise price of $0.80. The proceeds of the financing of $6,647,199 were allocated on a relative fair value basis as $5,142,202 to common shares and $1,504,997 as to warrants. The Company issued 658,840 agent’s warrants which entitle the holder to purchase one common share until June 16, 2012 at an exercise price of $0.80. These warrants have been recorded at the estimated fair value at the issue date of $212,109. In addition, the Company paid finders’ fees in the amount of $395,304 and incurred other cash share issue costs of $307,553.

 

(xxxv)In September 2010, the Company issued 12,500 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants for proceeds of $10,000.

 

(xxxvi)In November 2010, the Company closed a public offering and the Company issued 6,660,000 units at US$0.60 per unit, each unit comprising one common share and one half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of US$0.90 per share until November 12, 2012, subject to acceleration provisions. The proceeds of the financing of $4,070,725 were allocated first to the fair value of the warrants at $918,870 with the residual amount of $3,151,855 to common shares.

 

The Company incurred $176,288 in issue costs and paid $244,244 to the agent as commission for this public offering. On February 9, 2011, the Company gave notice to the Warrant holders that it accelerated the expiry date of the warrants to March 14, 2011 and by that date 2,650,000 warrants were exercised and 680,000 warrants expired unexercised.

 

At December 31, 2011 the fair value of warrants was nil (2010- $1,562,544).

 

(xxxvii)On June 6, 2011, the Company issued 7,500,000 common shares upon the close of a “bought deal” public offering for US$1.60 per share. Gross proceeds on the purchase were $11,742,000 (US$12,000,000). The Company incurred $151,839 in issue costs and paid the agent $587,100 (US$600,000) as a commission for this public offering.

 

(xxxviii)On September 23, 2011, the Company announced that it had established an "At-the-Market" ("ATM") issuance program under which it may sell up to a maximum of 6,000,000 of its common shares.  The ATM issuance program is available to the Company on an as needed basis. Subject to market conditions and funding requirements, the Company may, at its discretion, from time to time sell all, some, or none of the reserved shares during the term of the ATM program.  Any common shares issued under the ATM program will be sold through ATM issuances in the United States.  No ATM issuances will be made through the facilities of any Canadian exchange.  Any ATM issuances will be made at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale and, as a result, prices may vary. During 2011, the company issued 568,626 shares pursuant to the ATM program. Proceeds received on the 568,626 common shares issued totalled $1,518,845.

 

F -32
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

(xxxix)During 2011 the Company issued 8,611,356 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants. Of the 8,611,356 shares issued, 2,650,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of the warrants which had an accelerated expiry date of March 14, 2011 and a fair value at December 31, 2010 of $1,562,544 as mentioned in xxxvi above. Proceeds received on the 8,611,356 common shares issued totalled $7,116,751.

 

Additionally, during 2011, the Company issued 729,997 common shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options. Proceeds received on the options exercised totalled $452,749.

 

(c)Stock options

 

The Company has an incentive share option plan (the “Plan”) that allows it to grant incentive stock options to its officers, directors, employees and consultants. The Plan was amended on May 12, 2008 to add an appendix called the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan for United States Resident Employees (the “U.S. Plan”) to supplement and be a part of the Plan. The purpose of the U.S. Plan is to enable the Company to grant Incentive Stock Options, as that term is used in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder to qualifying employees who are citizens or residents of the United States of America. This does not change the aggregate number of options that can be granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

The purpose of the Plan permits the Company’s directors to grant incentive stock options for the purchase of shares of the Company to persons in consideration for services. Stock options must be non-transferable and the aggregate number of shares that may be reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options may not exceed 10% of the issued shares of the Company at the time of granting and may not exceed 5% to any individual (maximum of 2% to any consultant). The exercise price of stock options is determined by the board of directors of the Company at the time of grant and may not be less than the closing price of the Company’s shares on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the option is granted and publicly announced, less an applicable discount, and may not otherwise be less than $0.10 per share. Options have a maximum term of ten years and terminate 90 days following the termination of the optionee’s employment, except in the case of death or disability, in which case they terminate one year after the event.

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions which are based on several different criteria. Expected volatility is based on the historical price volatility of the Company’s common stock.  Expected dividend yield is assumed to be nil, as the Company has not paid dividends since inception. Based on historical experience, forfeitures and cancellations are not significant. The expected life is estimated in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” for “plain vanilla” options. Risk free interest rates are based on U.S. government obligations with a term approximating the expected life of the option.

 

The fair value of stock option grants is amortized over the respective vesting period. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures, of $3,626,681 for the year ended December 31, 2011 (2010 - $838,601) for options vesting in that period of which $3,096,787 (2010 - $789,826) was included in salaries and benefits in the statement of operations, $312,794 (2010 - $48,775) was included in salaries and labor in the schedule of mineral exploration expenditures and $217,100 (2010 - $nil) was included in consulting in the statement of operations for non-employee stock-based compensation. The estimated unrecognized compensation cost from unvested options as of December 31, 2011 was approximately $1,973,839, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 2 years.

 

F -33
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted was $1.81, $0.61 and $0.63 per option during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The weighted average grant date fair value of options vested was $1.12, $0.42 and $0.60 per option during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes annual activity for all stock options for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011:

 

       Weighted          
       Average   Aggregate    Number of 
   Number of   Exercise   Intrinsic   Shares 
   Shares   Price   Value   Exercisable 
Outstanding,  January 1, 2009   3,094,167   $2.15   $-    2,774,167 
Granted   2,415,000   $0.63    -    - 
Exercised   (33,333)  $1.79    -    - 
Expired   (974,167)  $2.04    -    - 
Outstanding, December 31, 2009   4,501,667   $1.47   $224,583    3,971,667 
Granted   2,555,000   $0.61    -    - 
Exercised   -    -    -    - 
Expired   (596,667)  $1.84    -    - 
Outstanding, December 31, 2010   6,460,000   $1.05   $652,367    5,341,667 
Granted   3,870,000   $1.80    -    - 
Exercised   (729,997)  $0.62    -    - 
Expired   (718,335)  $2.15    -    - 
Outstanding, December 31, 2011   8,881,668   $1.36   $6,318,733    6,860,000 

 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2011:

 

   Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 
       Remaining    Weighted              
       Contractual   Average           Aggregate  
Exercise  Number of   Life (in   Exercise   Number   Weighted  Average   Intrinsic 
Prices  Shares   years)   Price   Exercisable   Exercise Price   Value 
$0.95- $2.34   3,730,000    4.6   $1.84    2,150,000   $1.73   $855,917 
$0.58 – $0.71   2,291,668    3.5   $0.61    1,850,000   $0.61   $2,817,167 
$0.56 - $0.86   1,845,000    2.4   $0.72    1,845,000   $0.72   $2,596,650 
$2.00 - $3.36   1,015,000    1.4   $2.42    1,015,000   $2.42   $49,000 
    8,881,668        $1.36    6,860,000   $1.26   $6,318,733 

 

(q)Share purchase warrants

 

On November 12, 2008 the Company issued 12,500,000 warrants as part of a unit by way of a private placement. Each warrant entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.28 per share until May 12, 2009. The Company recorded a relative fair value of $956,509 as to warrants. The fair value of each warrant issued was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life of 6 months; volatility of 168%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.84%. All of the warrants were exercised in the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

F -34
 

 

8.Share capital (continued)

 

On April 9, 2010 the Company issued 1,333,333 warrants as part of a unit by way of a private placement. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.80 per share if exercised on or before April 9, 2011 and $0.90 if exercised after April 9, 2011 but on or before they expire on October 9, 2011. The Company recorded a relative fair value of $285,635 as to warrants. The fair value of each warrant issued was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life of 18 months; volatility of 130%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.84%.

 

On June 16, 2010 the Company issued 5,539,333 warrants as part of a unit by way of a public offering as well as 658,840 warrants issued to agents on the same terms as the unit warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.80 per share until June 16, 2012. The Company recorded a relative fair value of $1,504,997 as to warrants and a value of $212,109 for the agents’ warrants. The fair value of each warrant issued was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life of 24 months; volatility of 131%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.82%.

 

On November 22, 2010 the Company issued 3,330,000 warrants as part of a unit by way of a public offering. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at US$0.90 per share until November 22, 2012 subject to acceleration provisions. The Company recorded a fair value of $918,870 to warrant liability. On November 22, 2010 the fair value of each warrant issued was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life of 24 months; volatility of 102%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.57% and an exchange rate of 1.0187. On December 31, 2010 the warrant liability was adjusted to $1,562,544 when they were fair valued with the following assumptions: expected life of 22.7 months; volatility of 118%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 1.70% and an exchange rate of 0.9946.

 

On February 9, 2011, the Company gave notice to the Warrant holders that it accelerated the expiry date of the warrants to March 14, 2011 and by that date 2,650,000 warrants were exercised and 680,000 warrants expired unexercised.

 

A summary of the Company’s stock purchase warrant activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011 is presented below:

 

       Weighted     
       Average   Remaining 
   Number of   Exercise   Contractual 
   Warrants   Price   Life (in years) 
Balance, December 31, 2008   12,500,000   $0.28    0.4 
Issued   -    -    - 
Exercised   (12,500,000)   0.28    - 
Expired   -    -    - 
Balance, December 31, 2009   -   $-    - 
Issued   10,861,506    0.83    - 
Exercised   (12,500)   0.80    - 
Expired        -    - 
Balance, December 31, 2010   10,849,006   $0.83    1.2 
Issued   -    -    - 
Exercised   (8,661,356)   0.76    - 
Expired   (680,000)   0.90    - 
Balance, December 31, 2011   1,557,650   $0.80    0.4 

 

Total outstanding warrants at December 31, 2011 were 1,557,650. The exercise price on all warrants outstanding was $0.80 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance and expire two years from the date of issuance.

 

F -35
 

 

9.Contingencies

 

On January 27, 2011, the Company was delivered a summons that it is being sued in the state of Nevada by Redcor Drilling, Inc. ("Redcor") for non-payment of the balance of a drilling invoice that is under dispute by the Company. Redcor is demanding the Company pay US$241,477.24 together with interest at the rate of 4% per annum from September 18, 2010. On March 10, 2011, the Company responded to the summons and intends to continue to protest payment of the amount demanded on the basis of non-performance of services.  The Company has recorded the full amount as an accrued liability without accruing interest as the amount of the liability can be estimated and it is likely the Company may be required to pay some portion of the disputed amount.

 

Redcor placed a mechanic's lien on a portion of the Pan project that the Company leases from a third party. Subsequently, the Company posted a surety bond for the disputed amount which released the lien from the property. Discovery has recently been undertaken in the suit and is in an early state; no trial date has been set.

 

On June 10, 2011, the Company received a check in the amount of US$1,144,929, which the Company subsequently negotiated. The check was accompanied with a letter instructing the Company to apply the funds to the payment of certain specified obligations arising out of a May 5, 2006 agreement between Seymork Investments Limited (“Seymork”) and the Company.

 

On August, 23, 2011, the Company was served with a summons that it is being sued in the State of Nevada by Seymork and TGC Holdings Ltd. (“TGC”). Among other relief sought, the complaint seeks a court declaration that the foregoing sum delivered to the Company fully satisfies Seymork’s obligations arising from that May 5, 2006 agreement and two notes executed by Seymork and held by the Company. The complaint also seeks the extinguishment of three deeds of trust securing Seymork’s obligations pursuant to the May 5, 2006 agreement and notes held by the Company. The Company responded to the summons and complaint by answer, counterclaims and third party complaint claims denying the claims asserted by Seymork and TGC and seeking affirmative relief from Seymork and its principal and TGC and its parent.

 

On March 6, 2012, the Company, Seymork and its principal, and TGC and its parent company entered into a settlement agreement whereby all parties agreed to mutual releases, a joint stipulation for dismissal of the suit and reconveyance of the three deeds of trust securing Seymork’s obligations. As satisfaction for the Company’s participation, the Company retained the US$1,144,929 already received and no further amounts will be due to the Company.

 

10.Commitment

 

The Company has an obligation under an operating lease for its corporate offices in Denver, Colorado until December 2014 as follows. Future minimum lease payments for non-cancellable leases with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year are included.

 

Fiscal  Operating 
Year  Leases 
2012  $144,159 
2013   135,463 
2014   129,910 
Total  $409,532 

 

F -36
 

 

11.Related party transactions

 

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company paid consulting fees of $34,500 (2010 - $96,750; 2009 - $90,000) to a company controlled by the former Chief Financial Officer of the Company for accounting and corporate compliance services. The Company’s former Chief Financial Officer resigned effective March 18, 2011, but, remained as Corporate Secretary until just prior to the Annual General Meeting on May 5, 2011.

 

Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2011 is $12,761 (2010 - $12,944) payable to directors and officers.

 

These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.

 

12.Financial instruments

 

In all material respects, the carrying amounts for the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short term nature of these instruments. Investments as at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are recorded at fair value (note 4).

 

13.Supplemental disclosure with respect to cash flows

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2011   2010   2009 
             
Interest paid  $-   $-   $- 
Income taxes paid   -    -    - 
Transfer of fair value of share purchase warrants exercised or expired from warrant liability (note 8) to share capital  $2,154,570   $-   $- 

 

14.Income taxes

 

The majority of the difference between the actual tax recovery and the expected B.C. statutory corporate income tax recovery follows:

 

   2011   2010   2009 
Canadian statutory income tax rate  26.5%   28.5%   30.0% 
             
Income tax benefit computed at Canadian Statutory rate  $(4,896,766)  $(1,920,322)  $(937,602)
                
Change in valuation allowance   2,055,052    629,531    (1,133,500)
Permanent differences   716,880    146,563    1,256,739 
Change in enacted tax rates   (652,162)   64,917    (100,766)
Expiration of losses and other   174,218    168,311    431,966 
Income tax recovery  $(2,602,778)  $(911,000)  $(483,163)

 

F -37
 

 

The significant components of the Company’s future income tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:

 

   2011   2010 
Future income tax assets:          
Canada:          
Equipment, mineral properties and other  $359,091   $423,667 
Non-capital losses carried forward   2,294,313    1,772,307 
Capital losses carried forward   869,178    869,178 
United States:          
Equipment, mineral properties and other   8,104,063    7,988,646 
Losses carried forward   3,252,664    1,770,456 
Total future income tax assets   14,879,309    12,824,254 
Valuation allowance   (14,879,309)   (12,824,254)
Future income tax assets, net  $-   $- 
           
Future income tax liabilities:          
United States:          
Mineral properties:   (4,103,278)   (6,951,570)
Future income tax liabilities   (4,103,278)   (6,951,570)
Net future income tax assets (liabilities)  $(4,103,278)  $(6,951,570)

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company has available non-capital losses for tax purposes in Canada and the United States of approximately $7,625,242 (2010- $7,089,000) and $9,565,299 (2010 - $5,206,000), respectively, which can be applied to reduce taxable income until 2031. The Company also has Canadian capital losses of approximately $6,953,000 (2010 - $6,953,000) which are without expiry. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Canada Revenue Agency for years ended December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2011.

 

15.Segment disclosures

 

The Company considers itself to operate in a single segment, being mineral exploration and development. Geographic information is as follows as of December 31:

 

   2011   2010   2009 
Long-lived assets:               
Canada  $-   $-   $- 
United States   51,201,414    49,768,285    49,338,823 
Total  $51,201,414   $49,768,285   $49,338,823 

 

F -38
 

 

16.Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

   2011 
   1st   2nd   3rd   4th 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
Sales of metals concentrate  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Loss from operations   (2,552,780)   (4,022,925)   (4,295,636)   (7,744,341)
Other income   (534,503)   60,944    619,697    339,587 
Net loss  $(2,714,283)  $(3,300,981)  $(3,253,939)  $(6,257,976)
                     
Common Stock Data                    
Basic and Diluted:                    
Net loss per share  $(0.03)  $(0.03)  $(0.03)  $(0.06)
Average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic and Diluted   98,409,788    104,991,087    111,671,380    113,338,591 

 

   2010 
   1st
Quarter
   2nd
Quarter
   3rd
Quarter
   4th
Quarter
 
Sales of metals concentrate  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Loss from operations   (653,795)   (1,555,272)   (2,456,660)   (1,767,187)
Other income   261,575    (355,643)   281,549    (492,539)
Net loss  $(392,220)  $(1,811,915)  $(1,527,111)  $(2,095,726)
                     
Common Stock Data                    
Basic and Diluted:                    
Net loss per share  $(0.01)  $(0.02)  $(0.02)  $(0.02)
Average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic and Diluted   77,354,997    80,514,484    80,769,442    92,675,148 

 

17.Subsequent events

 

On February 28, 2012, John Sheridan was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors and as chairman of the audit committee, member of the compensation committee, and member of the corporate governance and nominating committee. In connection with his appointment, he was granted 250,000 stock options at an exercise price of $1.89 and vesting immediately. The fair value the options issued was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life of 3.6 years; volatility of 103%; no dividend yield; and a risk free interest rate of 0.84%, resulting in a stock-based compensation expense charged to administration, salaries and benefits of $309,393 in the first quarter of 2012.

 

F -39