10-K 1 v433533_10k.htm FORM 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

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

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 000-54710

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

NEVADA		26-0657736
(State of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1658 Cole Boulevard
Building 6 - Suite 210
Lakewood, Colorado		80401
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(720) 974-7254

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

(Nasdaq Global Market)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the 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 o 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 o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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 o

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 o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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. o

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 o	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company x
		(Do not check if a
		smaller reporting company)

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2015 was approximately $66.3 million, based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock of $5.73 per share on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 30, 2015.

The number of shares of common stock outstanding on March 18, 2016 was 24,242,331.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registration’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or amendment to this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference in Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.

References to “the Company,” “our,” “we,” or “us” mean Pershing Gold Corporation and, unless otherwise specified, its subsidiaries. Many of the terms used in our industry are technical in nature. We have included a glossary of some of these terms below.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some information contained in or incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements relating to our plans to complete a third-party economic study of the Relief Canyon Mine, conduct geophysical surveys and determine the scope of our drilling program in 2016, our mineralized material estimate and plans to update the mineralized material estimate, plans to commence our 2016 drilling program, further development efforts required to advance the Relief Canyon Mine to production, further permitting and mine planning for the Relief Canyon Mine, expectations and the timing and budget for exploration and future development of our Relief Canyon properties, our planned expenditures for 2016, our estimates of the cost of future permitting changes and additional bonding requirements, future exploration plans, the estimated preliminary internal economics for the Relief Canyon Mine, our expected cash needs, our ability to fund our business with our current cash reserves based on our currently planned activities and statements concerning our financial condition, business and operating strategies, and operating and legal risks.

We use the words “anticipate,” “continue,” “likely,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “project,” “should,” “believe” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Statements that contain these words discuss our future expectations and plans, or state other forward-looking information. Although we believe the expectations and assumptions reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that these expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors described in this annual report on Form 10-K, including:

Risks relating to the 2016 exploration efforts to expand the Relief Canyon deposit, determining the feasibility and economic viability of commencing mining, our ability to fund future exploration costs or purchase additional equipment, and our ability to obtain or amend the necessary permits, consents, or authorizations needed to advance expansion of the deposit or recommissioning of the gold processing facility;

Risks related to the Relief Canyon properties other than the Relief Canyon Mine, including our ability to advance gold exploration, discover any deposits of gold of other minerals which can be mined at a profit, maintain our unpatented mining claims and millsites, commence mining, obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents, or authorizations needed to continue exploration, and raise the necessary capital to finance exploration and potential expansion;

Our ability to acquire additional mineral targets;

Our ability to obtain additional external funding;

Our ability to achieve any meaningful revenue;

Our ability to engage or retain geologists, engineers, consultants and other key management and mining personnel necessary to successfully operate and grow our business;

The volatility of the market price of our Common Stock or our intention not to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future;

Changes in any federal, state or local laws and regulations or possible challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government that increase costs of operation or limit our ability to explore on certain portions of our property;

Continuing decreases in the market price for gold and economic and political events affecting the market prices for gold and other minerals which may be found on our exploration properties; and

The factors set forth under “ Risk Factors ” in Item 1A of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations may prove to be materially incorrect due to known and unknown risk and uncertainties. You should not unduly rely on any of our forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us and persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED MINING TERMS

The following is a glossary of selected mining terms used in this annual report on Form 10-K that may be technical in nature:

“Base metal” means a classification of metals usually considered to be of low value and higher chemical activity when compared with the precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.). This nonspecific term generally refers to the high-volume, low-value metals copper, lead, tin, and zinc.

“Deposit” means an informal term for an accumulation of mineral ores.

“Doré” means a mixture of gold and silver that is produced from the refinery furnace.

“Exploration stage” means a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission descriptive category applicable to public mining companies engaged in the search for mineral deposits and ore reserves and which are not either in the mineral development or the ore production stage.

“Feasibility study” means an engineering study designed to define the technical, economic, and legal viability of a mining project with a high degree of reliability.

“Formation” means a distinct layer of sedimentary rock of similar composition.

“Grade” means the metal content of ore, usually expressed in troy ounces per ton (2,000 pounds) or in grams per ton or metric tonnes that contain 2,204.6 pounds or 1,000 kilograms.

“Heap leach” means a mineral processing method involving the crushing and stacking of an ore on an impermeable liner upon which solutions are sprayed to dissolve metals, i.e. gold, copper, etc.; the solutions containing the metals are then collected and treated to recover the metals.

“Lode” means a classic vein, ledge, or other rock in place between definite walls.

“Millsite” means a specific location of five acres or less on public lands that are non-mineral in character. Millsites may be located in connection with a placer or lode claim for mining and milling purposes or as an independent/custom mill site that is independent of a mining claim.

“Mineralization” means the concentration of metals within a body of rock.

“Mining” means the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves or mineral deposits to produce a marketable metal or mineral product. Exploration continues during the mining process and, in many cases, mineral reserves or mineral deposits are expanded during the life of the mine operations as the exploration potential of the deposit is realized.

“Mining claim” means a mining interest giving its holder the right to prospect, explore for and exploit minerals within a defined area.

“Net smelter return royalty” means a defined percentage of the gross revenue from a resource extraction operation, less a proportionate share of transportation, insurance, and smelting/refining costs.

“Open pit” means a mine working or excavation open to the surface.

“Ore” means material containing minerals that can be economically extracted.

“Outcrop” means that part of a geologic formation or structure that appears at the surface of the earth.

“Precious metal” means any of several relatively scarce and valuable metals, such as gold, silver, and the platinum-group metals.

“Probable reserves” means reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

“Production stage” means a project that is actively engaged in the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves or mineral deposits to produce a marketable metal or mineral product.

“Proven reserves” means 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.

“Reclamation” means the process of returning land to another use after mining is completed.

“Recovery” means that portion of the metal contained in the ore that is successfully extracted by processing, expressed as a percentage.

“Reserves” means that part of a mineral deposit that could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of reserve determination.

“Sampling” means selecting a fractional part of a mineral deposit for analysis.

“Sediment” means solid fragmental material that originates from weathering of rocks and is transported or deposited by air, water, or ice, or that accumulates by other natural agents, such as chemical precipitation from solution or secretion by organisms, and that forms in layers on the Earth’s surface at ordinary temperatures in a loose, unconsolidated form.

“Sedimentary” means formed by the deposition of sediment.

“Unpatented mining claim” means a mineral claim staked on federal or, in the case of severed mineral rights, private land (where the U.S. government has retained ownership of the locatable minerals) to which a deed from the U.S. government has not been received by the claimant. Unpatented claims give the claimant the exclusive right to explore for and to develop the underlying minerals and the right to use the surface for such purpose. However, the claimant does not own title to either the minerals or the surface, and the claim must include a discovery of valuable minerals to be valid and is subject to the payment of annual claim maintenance fees that are established by the governing authority of the land on which the claim is located.

“Vein” means a fissure, fault or crack in a rock filled by minerals that have traveled upwards from some deep source.

“Waste” means rock lacking sufficient grade and/or other characteristics of ore.

PART I

ITEMS 1 AND 2: BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

Overview

We are a gold and precious metals exploration company pursuing exploration, development and mining opportunities primarily in Nevada. We are currently focused on exploration at our Relief Canyon properties in Pershing County in northwestern Nevada and, if economically feasible, commencing mining at the Relief Canyon Mine. None of our properties contain proven and probable reserves, and all of our activities on all of our properties are exploratory in nature.

Our principal offices are located in Lakewood, Colorado at 1658 Cole Boulevard, Building No. 6, Suite 210, Lakewood, Colorado 80401 and we have an exploration office at 1055 Cornell, Lovelock, Nevada 89419. Our telephone number is 720-974-7254.

Corporate Structure

We were incorporated in Nevada on August 2, 2007 under the name Excel Global, Inc., and we changed our name to Pershing Gold Corporation on February 27, 2012. We operate our business directly and also through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Gold Acquisition Corp., a Nevada corporation. Gold Acquisition Corp. owns and is conducting exploration on the Relief Canyon Mine property in northwestern Nevada. Pershing Gold Corporation owns directly and is conducting exploration on the Relief Canyon expansion properties adjacent to the Relief Canyon Mine property. We also have a subsidiary that holds a royalty interest.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to acquire and advance precious metals exploration properties. We seek properties with known mineralization that are in an advanced stage of exploration and have previously undergone some drilling but are under-explored, which we believe we can advance quickly to increase value. We are currently focused on exploration of the Relief Canyon properties and, if economically feasible, commencing mining at the Relief Canyon Mine. We also are reviewing strategic opportunities, focused primarily in Nevada.

Relief Canyon Mine Property

We acquired the former Relief Canyon Mine property in August 2011. The property then consisted of approximately 1,100 acres of unpatented mining claims and millsites and included three open-pit mines and a processing plant that could be used to process material from the Relief Canyon Mine or from other mining operations. We refer to this property as the Relief Canyon Mine property.

We significantly expanded our Relief Canyon property position in 2012 with the acquisition of approximately 23,000 additional acres of unpatented mining claims and leased and subleased lands around the Relief Canyon Mine and south of the Mine. We refer to our current expanded property position as the “Relief Canyon mine properties.” In early 2015, we acquired 74 mining claims near the mine and on which the processing facilities are located that we had previously leased from Newmont USA Ltd. (“Newmont”), and entered into a new mining lease directly with the owner of approximately 1,600 acres that we had previously subleased from Newmont. See “Relief Canyon Properties – Property History – Title and Ownership Rights” and “–Newmont Leased Property”. Most of the property on which the mine and processing facilities are located is subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty payable to Battle Mountain Gold (now Royal Gold) or Newmont.

Since acquisition of the Relief Canyon Mine property, our exploration efforts have been focused primarily on expanding the known Relief Canyon Mine deposit. Our 2011-2013 exploration drilling programs expanded the deposit. We began a drilling program in 2014 which we completed in early 2015. In this program, we drilled a total of 134 holes, for approximately 74,000 feet, for the purpose of extending and upgrading the current deposit. The 2014 drill results included some gold intercepts at significantly higher grades than the average historic grade of the Relief Canyon deposit of approximately one gram per ton. We conducted a 2015 drilling program from May 2015 through December 2015, which demonstrated that the high-grade zone in the North Target Area has continued south under the North Pit and that the higher-grade L Zone of the Relief Canyon deposit is open to the west, south and southwest. Since we acquired Relief Canyon, we have drilled a total of 465 drill holes comprising approximately 259,000 feet at the Relief Canyon Mine property. During the first-half of 2016 we plan to conduct geophysical surveys over the mine and the covered areas south and southeast of the pits. Drilling for 2016 will be determined based upon the results of these geophysical surveys and available funding.

In July 2015, we reported the following update of our estimate of mineralized material at the Relief Canyon deposit, calculated at a gold price assumption of $1,200 per ounce and a cut-off grade of 0.005 ounces of gold per ton.

Tons				Average gold grade (ounces per ton)
	37,335,000				0.020

“Mineralized material” as used in this annual report on Form 10-K, although permissible under the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the Relief Canyon deposit will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves.” Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.

We completed the 2015 drilling program in December 2015 and plan to incorporate the results of the 2015 drilling program into a further updated mineralized material estimate. We plan to conduct a thorough economic study on Relief Canyon which should provide estimates of potential production rates, cash costs, all-in-sustaining costs, mine life and other key factors. We expect to consider a plan to commence mining and processing based on this economic study.

If we were to decide to pursue the commencement of production at Relief Canyon, additional external financing would be required. Although the Relief Canyon Mine currently has an available leach pad and processing facility and we have senior mine and processing personnel in place, we would be required to obtain mining equipment (which could be through purchase, lease, contract mining or a combination of these), hire employees for the mine and the processing plant, purchase materials and supplies, commence mining, leaching and processing activities, and continue these activities as well as the corporate activities currently conducted for a number of months until sufficient positive cash flow is produced by gold sales to fund all of these ongoing activities. The economic study will include estimates of the amounts of additional external financing required and the time period required prior to achieving sufficient positive cash flow, at assumed gold prices and operating parameters, to fund these expenditures and our operations on an ongoing basis.

Additional external financing could be obtained by the sale of equity or debt securities, asset sales, project or product financing or strategic alternatives, which could include third party purchasers of an interest in the Relief Canyon Mine or other projects or business combinations which could include a sale of the mine or the Company. There are no assurances that we will be successful in raising sufficient financing to commence production at Relief Canyon or to continue our business.

During 2016, we plan to focus primarily on completing an updated mineralized material estimate, an economic study on the proposed mine, commencing a 2016 drilling program, advancing permit applications related primarily to potential mine expansions and continuing work to develop an economically feasible mining and processing plan. We estimate that costs for these activities for 2016, not including general and administrative costs, will total approximately $1.1 million.

Listing on a National Exchange

On July 6, 2015, our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market. Previously, our stock traded on the OTCQB.

Relief Canyon Properties

The Relief Canyon mine properties are currently our primary focus. Our Relief Canyon property rights currently total approximately 25,000 acres and are comprised of approximately 948 owned unpatented mining claims, 120 owned millsite claims, 172 leased unpatented mining claims, and 2,235 acres of leased and 2,770 acres of subleased private lands.

Location, Access and Facilities

The Relief Canyon properties are located about 100 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. The nearest town is Lovelock, Nevada, approximately 15 miles west-southwest of the Relief Canyon Mine property, which can be reached from both Reno and Lovelock on U.S. Interstate 80. The Relief Canyon Mine property is reached from Lovelock by travelling approximately seven miles northeast on I-80 to the Coal Canyon Exit (Exit No. 112), then about 10 miles southeast on Coal Canyon Road (State Route 857, a paved road maintained by Pershing County) to Packard Flat, and then north on a gravel road for two miles. All of the Relief Canyon properties can be accessed by unpaved roads from the Relief Canyon Mine property.

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Gold Acquisition Corp., we own 238 unpatented mining claims and 120 millsite claims, and lease approximately 1,600 acres of fee land, at the Relief Canyon Mine property. The property includes the Relief Canyon Mine and gold processing facility, currently on care and maintenance. The Relief Canyon Mine includes three open pit mines, heap leach pads comprised of six cells, two solution ponds and a cement block constructed adsorption desorption-recovery (ADR) solution processing circuit. The ADR type process plant consists of four carbon columns, acid wash system, stripping vessel, and electrowinning cells. The process facility was completed in 2008 and Firstgold Corp produced gold until 2009. The facilities are generally in good condition.

When it was in production in the late 1980s and early 1990s, previous operators of the Relief Canyon Mine used conventional heap leach processing methods in which ore removed from the open-pit mines was crushed, stacked on heap leach pads and sprinkled with a dilute sodium cyanide solution to dissolve gold and silver from the ore. The “pregnant” gold and silver bearing solution was piped to the gold recovery plant and processed using a conventional ADR gold and silver recovery system. In the ADR system, the pregnant solution flowed through a series of carbon columns where the gold and silver were adsorbed onto activated carbon. The next step in the process involved stripping the gold from the gold-bearing carbon in electrowinning cells and then recovering the gold in an on-site refinery. The resulting gold and silver doré was then sent to a third party facility for further processing into saleable gold and silver products. Following removal of the gold and silver, the cyanide solution was recycled to the heap leach pads in a closed-loop system.

The Company plans to add mercury pollution control equipment to the process plant to allow for onsite stripping of the gold-bearing carbon, which would require additional environmental permits and additional capital. If the Company elects not to add the mercury pollution control equipment, or if there are permitting problems or delays, the Company could ship gold-laden carbon from the carbon columns to a third-party refinery for further processing.

Adequate line power is available to the site to operate the existing process facility and ancillary facilities. There is a backup generator onsite that could provide the required power for the heap leach pumping system in the event of power outages. Another generator will be used to provide power for the crushing and conveying system. Sufficient water rights to operate the facility have been appropriated with two operating and permitted wells.

The map below shows the location of the Relief Canyon properties:

Rock Formation and Mineralization

The Relief Canyon properties are located in Pershing County, Nevada at the southern end of the Humboldt Range. The range is underlain by a sequence of late Paleozoic to Mesozoic aged volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Gold-bearing rocks at the Relief Canyon properties are primarily developed within breccia zones along the contact between the Grass Valley and Cane Springs Formations.

Property History

Gold was first discovered on the property by the Duval Corp. in 1979. Subsequent exploration was performed by various companies including Lacana Mining, Santa Fe Gold Corp., and Pegasus Gold Inc., and gold was produced from the property during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Firstgold Corp. acquired the property in 1995, explored periodically from 1995 until 2009, and produced a small amount of gold in 2009. Firstgold Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2010, and in August 2011, pursuant to an order of the bankruptcy court, the Company (through our wholly owned subsidiary, Gold Acquisition Corp.) purchased 100% of the Relief Canyon Mine property and related assets.

Title and Ownership Rights.

Our Relief Canyon property rights currently total approximately 25,000 acres and are comprised of approximately 948 owned unpatented mining claims, 120 owned millsite claims, 172 leased unpatented mining claims, and 2,235 acres of leased and 2,770 acres of subleased private lands. In January 2015, we acquired certain mining claims from Newmont USA Ltd, entered into a new mining lease on private, or fee, lands previously subleased from Newmont, and amended the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease with Newmont with respect to certain other portions of the Relief Canyon properties. These transactions, which did not increase the size of the Relief Canyon property position, are described below.

In order to maintain ownership of the unpatented mining claims and millsites at the Relief Canyon properties, we are required to make annual claim maintenance payments of $155 per mining claim or millsite to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), and to record in the county records an affidavit of payment of claim maintenance fees and notice of intent to hold and pay county recording fees of $10.50 per claim or millsite. Our total property maintenance costs for all of the unpatented mining claims and millsites for the Relief Canyon properties in 2015 was approximately $224,000, and we expect our costs to be approximately $234,000 in 2016. The BLM is required by statute to adjust the claim maintenance fees for inflation every five years, or more frequently if the Secretary of Interior determines an adjustment to be reasonable. Those fees were most recently adjusted in 2014.

January 2015 Acquisition. In January 2015, we acquired 74 unpatented mining claims totaling approximately 1,300 acres that we had previously leased from Newmont. We also entered into a new mining lease directly with New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC for approximately 1,600 acres of fee, or private, land that we had previously subleased from Newmont. The new lease has a primary term of twenty years that can be extended for so long thereafter as mining, development or processing operations are being conducted on a continuous basis. The lease contains customary terms and conditions, including annual advance royalty payments commencing at $1.00 per acre and increasing after five years by the greater of five percent or an amount determined from the Consumer Price Index, and a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty.

The claims that we acquired from Newmont and the fee land subject to our new lease are located near and include portions of the pit and the land on which the processing facilities are located. These areas are shown in the map above as owned claims and leased fee. These properties also include lands to the south and west of the current mine pits that the Company believes are prospective for potential expansion of the Relief Canyon deposit, and lands that could in the future be used for new or expanded mine support facilities, including potential waste rock storage. As a result of these transactions, the claims we purchased from Newmont and the private lands we leased from New Nevada Resources and New Nevada Lands are no longer subject to Newmont’s joint venture rights discussed below.

Newmont Leased Property. The Newmont Leased property, which we hold pursuant to a 2006 Mineral Lease and Sublease with Newmont consists of 137 unpatented lode mining claims owned by Newmont, comprising approximately 2,435 acres, and approximately 2,770 acres of privately-owned fee minerals leased by Newmont.

Also as part of the January 2015 transactions with Newmont, Newmont and the Company entered into an amendment (the “Third Amendment”) of the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease. The amendment removed from the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease the claims we purchased from Newmont and the private lands we leased directly from New Nevada Resources and New Nevada Lands. Pursuant to the Third Amendment the Company agreed to a $2.6 million work commitment on the properties remaining subject to the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease to be expended by January 2022. As of mid-December 2015, the Company had incurred and can credit approximately $2.6 million in exploration expenditures against the $2.6 million work commitment. Because we have satisfied the work commitment through 2022, we are not required to make annual rental payments for those years. Starting in 2023, if we elect not to or fail to incur at least $0.5 million in exploration expenditures per year, the annual rental payment to Newmont would be approximately $0.1 million. We are also required to reimburse Newmont for advance royalty payments made by Newmont to the lessor each year under Newmont’s underlying lease with New Nevada Resources. The reimbursement amount was approximately $2,500 for each of 2013 through 2015.

In connection with the January 2015 transactions with Newmont, Newmont and New Nevada Resources LLC entered into a new Mining Lease (the “2015 Newmont Lease”) covering about 2,770 acres of private lands included in the Company’s Relief Canyon properties, shown on the map above as subleased fee land. The 2015 Newmont Lease has a primary term of twenty years that can be extended for as long thereafter as mining, development or processing operations are being conducted on a continuous basis. The 2015 Newmont Lease contains customary terms and conditions, including an advance royalty and a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty payable to New Nevada Resources LLC. We continue to hold our rights to the private lands covered by the 2015 Newmont Lease pursuant to our 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease with Newmont.

Newmont Joint Venture Rights. Under the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease, if we decide to commence mine construction activities in anticipation of mining on any portion of the properties covered thereby, we are required to notify Newmont and provide Newmont with a copy of a positive feasibility study covering the property on which we intend to commence production, as well as additional information. Newmont has the right at any time until we deliver a positive feasibility study on the Newmont Leased property that is subject to the Newmont area of interest, as shown on the map above, and for a period of 90 days thereafter either (i) to elect to enter into a joint venture agreement with us covering all of the Newmont Leased properties and governing the development of the Newmont Leased properties going forward, which we refer to as the “Venture Option”, in which case Newmont is required to reimburse us for 250% of the expenditures incurred since March 29, 2006, and with respect to which Newmont would have a 51% participating interest and we would have a 49% participating interest, or (ii) if Newmont does not elect the Venture Option, to convey the Newmont Leased properties to us, reserving the 3% to 5% sliding scale net smelter returns royalty tied to gold price, and to receive a $1.5 million production bonus on the commencement of commercial production. The 5% net smelter royalty would apply if the monthly average gold price is equal to or greater than $400 per ounce. In addition, we would also be required pay a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty to the underlying lessor, New Nevada Resources, LLC on approximately 2,770 acres of the Newmont Leased properties.

Royalties. The map below shows the royalties payable on the properties on which the current Relief Canyon pits and processing facilities are located and the surrounding properties the Company now owns or leases directly from New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC, as the result of the transactions with Newmont described above.

Pershing Pass Property. The Pershing Pass property consists of over 700 unpatented mining claims covering approximately 12,000 acres and a mining lease covering approximately 600 acres. The Pershing Pass property includes approximately 490 unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 9,700 acres that we acquired from Silver Scott Mines in March 2012 and approximately 283 unpatented lode mining claims covering about 5,660 acres owned directly by Victoria Resources (US) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victoria Gold Corp., prior to our purchase. Victoria has reserved a 2% net smelter return production royalty on the 221 claims that are located outside the area of interest related to the Newmont Leased property, discussed above. The Pershing Pass property also includes 17 unpatented mining claims acquired from a third party in April 2012 subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty, 17 unpatented mining claims that we located in mid-2012, and approximately 635 acres of private lands that we leased in January 2013. The primary term of the lease is ten years, which may be extended as long as mineral development work continues on the property. Production from the private lands covered by the lease is subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty on all metals produced other than gold, and to a royalty on gold indexed to the gold price, ranging from 2% at gold prices of less than $500 per ounce to 3.5% at gold prices over $1,500 per ounce. Prior to one year after commencement of commercial production, we can repurchase up to 3% of the royalty on gold production at the rate of $600,000 for each 1%.

In September 2013, we entered into a lease agreement and purchase option for 19 unpatented mining claims (approximately 400 acres) in the Pershing Pass Property. The lease grants us exclusive rights to conduct mineral exploration, development and mining and an exclusive option to purchase the claims. The primary term of the lease is ten years, which may be extended as long as mineral exploration, development, or mining work continues on the property. Production from the lease is subject to a 1% net smelter return royalty on precious metals and a one-half percent net smelter royalty on all other metals produced from the lease. Prior to production, and starting in September 2016, we are required to pay a $10,000 per year advance minimum royalty payment to Wolf Pack Gold. The advance minimum royalty remains at $10,000 per year until September 2023 when the advance royalty payment increases to $12,500 per year. The advance royalty payment increases to $15,000 per year in September 2028 and then $20,000 per year in September 2033. The advance minimum royalty payments are due on or before the anniversary dates of the lease agreement. If we decide to exercise the purchase option, which is exercisable at any time, we can acquire the 19 unpatented mining claims for $250,000.

Environmental Permitting Requirements.

Various levels of governmental controls and regulations address, among other things, the environmental impact of mineral mining and exploration operations and establish requirements for reclamation of mineral mining and exploration properties after exploration operations have ceased. With respect to the regulation of mineral mining and exploration, legislation and regulations in various jurisdictions establish performance standards, air and water quality emission limits and other design or operational requirements for various aspects of the operations, including health and safety standards. Legislation and regulations also establish requirements for reclamation and rehabilitation of mining properties following the cessation of operations and may require that some former mining properties be managed for long periods of time after mining activities have ceased.

Our exploration activities are subject to various levels of federal and state laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment, including requirements for closure and reclamation of mineral exploration properties. Some of the laws and regulations include the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and related state laws in Nevada. Additionally, much of our property is subject to the federal General Mining Law of 1872, which regulates how mining claims on federal lands are located and maintained.

The State of Nevada, where we intend to focus our mineral exploration efforts, requires mining projects to obtain a Nevada State Reclamation Permit pursuant to the Mined Land Reclamation Act (the “Nevada MLR Act”), which establishes reclamation and financial assurance requirements for all mining operations in the state. New and expanding facilities are required to provide a reclamation plan and financial assurance to ensure that the reclamation plan is implemented upon completion of operations. The Nevada MLR Act also requires reclamation plans and permits for exploration projects that will result in more than five acres of surface disturbance on private lands.

We have an approved Plan of Operations from the BLM and a Reclamation Permit from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection/Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (“NDEP”) that authorizes exploration drilling at the Relief Canyon Mine property. These permits also authorize commencement of mining within the existing open pits and in a previously disturbed area around the north end of the pit, and use of the heap leach mineral processing facilities.

Our current reclamation bond with BLM and the NDEP totals approximately $5.6 million, which is currently approximately $108,000 in excess of the current requirement to cover reclamation of land disturbed in our exploration and mining operations. Our surface management surety bond is provided through a third-party insurance underwriter, collateralized by approximately 45% of the original $5 million bond amount, or about $2.5 million.

Approximately $5.26 million of our reclamation bond with BLM and the NDEP covers both exploration and mining at the Relief Canyon Mine property, including the three open-pit mines and associated waste rock disposal areas, the mineral processing facilities, ancillary facilities, and the exploration roads and drill pads, with an additional $12,500 covering generative exploration properties located away from the Mine. The remaining approximately $0.14 million can be used to satisfy, or partially satisfy, future bonding requirements for exploration or mining. Our preliminary estimate of the likely amount of additional financial assurance for future exploration is approximately $0.1 million, although we expect periodic increases due to effects of inflation. Our preliminary estimate of the likely amount of additional financial assurance to recommence mining operations is approximately $0.6 million, which may increase as our mining plans are finalized and reviewed by the applicable agencies.

We have received the final permits required to commence mining at Relief Canyon within the existing open-pit mine and in a small area adjacent to the North Pit. In March 2015, we submitted requests to the BLM and the NDEP to amend the Plan of Operations and the Reclamation Permit to allow us to expand the mine above the water table, which we anticipate will be approved in the second quarter of 2016. We anticipate that the existing permits can be amended to authorize mining above the water table; however, securing the necessary permits may take longer or cost more than anticipated. The BLM is in the process of preparing an Environmental Assessment to evaluate and approve a mine expansion above the water table. We estimate the annual cost of holding these permits to total approximately $35,000 and the 2016 cost to amend these permits to authorize future mining above the water table to total approximately $145,000, which may increase as our mining plans are finalized.

The Relief Canyon heap leach processing facility is fully permitted, however we plan to amend the permits to add a gold recovery circuit and refinery. Additionally, we will be required to provide BLM and NDEP with a larger reclamation bond prior to expanding the mine. Additional permitting would be required in the future to mine below the water table. BLM may require an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the impacts associated with mining below the water table.

As discussed above, we have an authorized Plan of Operations from the BLM and a Reclamation Permit from the NDEP, which authorized mining in the existing pit area, mineral processing, and our 2014 and 2015 drilling program at Relief Canyon. We may need to secure a new or modified NDEP Reclamation Permit in order to conduct exploration activities on some of the private lands leased and subleased from Newmont. We plan to apply for additional required permits to conduct our exploration programs as necessary. These permits would be obtained from either the BLM or the NDEP. Obtaining such permits will require the posting of additional bonds for subsequent reclamation of disturbances caused by exploration. Delays in the granting of permits or permit amendments are not uncommon, and any delays in the granting of permits may adversely affect our exploration activities.

Our current exploration permit costs are minimal, although future exploration activities may require amendments to these permits. We also anticipate that one or more Notices of Intent will be required from BLM for exploration drilling in the future on our unpatented mining claims in the Pershing Pass area of the Relief Canyon expansion properties, located to the south of the Relief Canyon Mine property. A Notice of Intent includes information regarding the company submitting the notice, maps of the proposed disturbance, equipment to be utilized, the general schedule of operations, a calculation of the total disturbance anticipated, and a detailed reclamation plan and budget. A bond in U.S. currency is required to ensure reclamation, and the amount is determined based on the estimated third-party costs to reclaim and re-vegetate the disturbed acreage. BLM approval of the Notice is not required, but the bond calculation is required to be approved in writing by the BLM before work can proceed. It is not necessary to file a Notice of Intent prior to work on private land. The Notice of Intent must be filed with the BLM for all activities involving the disturbance of five acres (two hectares) or less of the surface. Measurement of land disturbance is cumulative, and once five acres total has been disturbed and remains unreclaimed in one project area, a Plan of Operations must be filed and approved by the BLM before additional work can take place, and a Reclamation Permit must be obtained from the NDEP. Both the Plan of Operations and the NDEP Reclamation Permit require a cash bond and a reclamation plan.

We do not anticipate discharging water into active streams, creeks, rivers and lakes because there are no bodies of water near the Relief Canyon project area. We also do not anticipate disturbing any endangered species or archaeological sites or causing damage to our property. Re-contouring and re-vegetation of disturbed surface areas would be completed pursuant to the applicable permits. The cost of reclamation work varies according to the degree of physical disturbance. It is difficult to estimate the future cost of compliance with environmental laws since the full nature and extent of our future activities cannot be determined at this time.

Other Exploration

We conducted generative exploration on the Relief Canyon expansion properties in 2012 and 2013. We did not focus on exploration in the Relief Canyon expansion properties in 2014 and 2015 as we intend to continue to focus our expenditures on the Relief Canyon Mine. Because the Relief Canyon expansion properties are at an early stage of exploration, it would take at least several years to perform sufficient exploration drilling to determine whether these properties contain mineable reserves that could be put into production in the future. Although we are not currently planning to resume exploration efforts with respect to the Relief Canyon expansion properties, we may in the future increase our exploration efforts depending on results and available funding.

We intend to continue to acquire additional mineral targets in Nevada and elsewhere in locations where we believe we have the potential to quickly expand and advance known mineralization and the potential to discover new deposits. If, through our exploration program, we discover an area that may be able to be profitably mined for gold, we would focus on determining whether that is feasible, including further delineation of the location, size and economic feasibility of a potential orebody. We will require external funding to pursue our exploration programs. There is no assurance we will be able to raise capital on acceptable terms or at all.

Employees

We currently have 19 full-time employees and one part-time employee. We believe that our relations with our employees are good. In the future, if our activities grow, we may hire personnel on an as-needed basis. For the foreseeable future, we plan to engage geologists, engineers and other consultants as necessary.

Competition

We compete with other exploration companies for the acquisition of a limited number of exploration rights, and many of the other exploration companies possess greater financial and technical resources than we do. The mineral exploration industry is highly fragmented, and we are a very small participant in this sector. Many of our competitors explore for a variety of minerals and control many different properties around the world. Many of them have been in business longer than we have and have established more strategic partnerships and relationships. We also compete with other exploration companies for the acquisition and retention of skilled technical personnel.

Our competitive position depends upon our ability to acquire and explore new and existing gold properties. However, there is significant competition for properties suitable for gold exploration. Failure to achieve and maintain a competitive position could adversely impact our ability to obtain the financing necessary for us to acquire gold properties. As a result, we may be unable to continue to acquire interests in attractive properties on terms that we consider acceptable. We will be subject to competition and unforeseen limited sources of supplies in the industry in the event spot shortages arise for supplies such as explosives, and certain equipment such as drill rigs, bulldozers and excavators that we will need to conduct exploration. If we are unsuccessful in securing the products, equipment and services we need we may have to suspend our exploration plans until we are able to secure them.

Market for Gold

In the event that gold is produced from our property, we believe that wholesale purchasers for the gold would be readily available. Readily available wholesale purchasers of gold and other precious metals exist in the United States and throughout the world. Among the largest are Handy & Harman, Engelhard Industries and Asahi Refining. Historically, these markets are liquid and volatile. In 2015 and through March 18, 2016, the London Fix AM high and low gold fixes were $1,298 and $1,050.60 per troy ounce, respectively, which represents an approximate 6% decline and 8% decline in gold prices as compared to the high and low gold price in 2014, respectively. Wholesale purchase prices for precious metals can be affected by a number of factors, all of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to:

fluctuation in the supply of, demand and market price for gold;

mining activities of our competitors;

sale or purchase of gold by central banks and for investment purposes by individuals and financial institutions;

interest rates;

currency exchange rates;

inflation or deflation;

fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and other currencies; and

political and economic conditions of major gold or other mineral-producing countries.

Gold ore is typically mined and leached to produce pregnant solutions, which are processed through a series of steps to recover gold and produce doré. Gold doré is then sold to refiners and smelters for the value of the minerals that it contains, less the cost of further refining and smelting. Refiners and smelters then sell the gold on the open market through brokers who work for wholesalers including the major wholesalers listed above.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

Investors in Pershing Gold should consider carefully in addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following risk factors.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have no proven or probable reserves on our properties and we do not know if our properties contain any gold or other minerals that can be mined at a profit.

The properties on which we have the right to explore for gold and other minerals do not contain mineral reserves and we do not know if any deposits of gold or other minerals can be mined at a profit. Whether a gold or other mineral deposit can be mined at a profit depends upon many factors. Some but not all of these factors include: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; operating costs and capital expenditures required to start mining a deposit; the availability and cost of financing; the price of the gold or other minerals which is highly volatile and cyclical; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. We are also obligated to pay production royalties on certain of our mineral production, including a net smelter royalty of 2% or 2.5% on production from most of our Relief Canyon Mine property, which would increase our costs of production and make our ability to operate profitably more difficult. We are also obligated to pay a net smelter royalty of up to 5% on production from some of our claims and lands.

We are an exploration stage company and have only recently commenced exploration activities on our claims. We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2015, and expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future.

Our evaluation of our Relief Canyon Mine property is primarily based on historical production data and on new exploration data that we have developed since 2011, supplemented by historical exploration data. Our plans for recommencing mining and processing activities at the Relief Canyon Mine property are in their early stages and preliminary, as are our exploration programs on the Relief Canyon expansion properties. Accordingly, we are not yet in a position to estimate expected amounts of minerals, yields or values or evaluate the likelihood that our business will be successful. We have not earned any revenues from mining operations. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of the mineral properties and commencement of mining activities that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates and the requirement for external funding to continue our business. Prior to completion of our exploration stage, we anticipate that we will incur increased operating expenses without realizing any revenues. We reported a net loss of approximately $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. We expect to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. Our monthly burn rate for all costs during 2015 was approximately $1.86 million, including $635,000 for general and administrative costs (including all employee salaries, public company expenses, consultants, and land holdings costs), $720,000 for exploration activities, and $510,000 for purchases of mineral rights, property and equipment. We expect, based on our current preliminary budget, our monthly burn rate for all costs in 2016 to be approximately $580,000 (including approximately $490,000 for general and administrative costs and $90,000 for exploration, permitting, and plant recommissioning), which may increase as our plans develop. Based on our current cash position, we expect to require additional external financing to fund operations and exploration by early to mid-2017. If, following the completion of the thorough economic study we decide to pursue a plan to commence mining and processing at Relief Canyon, additional external financing would be required. If we are unable to raise external funding, and eventually generate significant revenues from our claims and properties, we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. We have no production history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and it is uncertain that we will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.

Exploring for gold and other minerals is inherently speculative, involves substantial expenditures, and is frequently non-productive.

Mineral exploration (currently our only business), and gold exploration in particular, is a business that by its nature is very speculative. We may not be able to establish mineral reserves on our properties or be able to mine any gold or any other minerals on a profitable basis. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Unusual or unexpected geological conditions, fires, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor are just some of the many risks involved in mineral exploration programs and the subsequent development of gold deposits.

The mining industry is capital intensive and we may be unable to raise necessary funding.

We spent approximately $22.4 million on our business and exploration during the year ended December 31, 2015 (of which $6.0 million was related to the transaction with Newmont USA Limited (“Newmont”). Our estimated total cost for 2016 for exploration, permitting, landholding, facilities recommissioning and for general and administrative costs is approximately $7.0 million. If, following the completion of a thorough economic study, we decide to pursue the commencement of production at Relief Canyon, additional external financing would be required. In addition, even if we do not decide to pursue the commencement of production at Relief Canyon, we will be required to raise additional funds in order to finance our operations. We may be unable to secure additional financing on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Our inability to raise additional funds would prevent us from achieving our business objectives and would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our securities. If we raise additional funds by issuing additional equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership of existing stockholders may be diluted and the securities that we may issue in the future may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the current holders of our Common Stock. Such securities may also be issued at a discount to the market price of our Common Stock, resulting in possible further dilution to the book value per share of Common Stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, we could be subject to debt covenants that could place limitations on our operations and financial flexibility.

If we decide to pursue the commencement of mining and processing activities at Relief Canyon, unanticipated problems or delays may negatively affect our business and financial condition.

If we were to decide to pursue the commencement of mining and processing activities at Relief Canyon, additional external financing, in excess of any proceeds of this private placement, would be required. Although the Relief Canyon Mine currently has an available leach pad and processing facility and we have senior mine and processing personnel in place, we would be required to obtain mining equipment (which could be through purchase, lease, contract mining or a combination of these), hire employees for the mine and the processing plant, purchase materials and supplies, commence mining, leaching and processing activities, and continue these activities as well as the corporate activities currently conducted for a number of months until sufficient positive cash flow is produced by gold sales to fund all of these ongoing activities. We may suffer significant delays or cost overruns as a result of a variety of factors, such as increases in the prices of materials, mining or processing problems, unanticipated variations in mined materials, shortages of workers or materials, transportation constraints, adverse weather, equipment failures, fires, damage to or destruction of property and equipment, environmental problems, unforeseen difficulties or labor issues, any of which could delay or prevent us from commencing or ramping up mining and processing. If our start-up were prolonged or delayed or our costs were higher than anticipated, we could be unable to obtain sufficient funds to cover the additional costs, and our business could experience a substantial setback. Prolonged problems could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations and threaten our viability.

We are a junior exploration company with no mining activities and we may never have any mining activities in the future.

Our primary business is exploring for gold and, to a lesser extent, other minerals. If we discover commercially exploitable gold or other deposits, we will not be able to make any money from mining activities unless the gold or other deposits are actually mined, or we sell our interest. Accordingly, we will need to seek additional capital through debt or equity financing, find some other entity to mine our properties or operate our facilities on our behalf, enter into joint venture or other arrangements with a third party, or sell or lease the property or rights to mine to third parties. Mine development projects typically require a number of years and significant expenditures during the development phase before production is possible. Such projects could experience unexpected problems and delays during development, construction and mine start up. Mining operations in the United States are subject to many different federal, state and local laws and regulations, including stringent environmental, health and safety laws. If and when we assume operational responsibility for mining on our properties, it is possible that we will be unable to comply with current or future laws and regulations, which can change at any time. It is possible that changes to these laws will be adverse to any potential mining operations. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays and require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, adversely affecting any potential mining operations. Our future mining operations, if any, may also be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damage. It is possible that we will choose to not be insured against this risk because of high insurance costs or other reasons.

We have a short operating history, have a history of losses and may never achieve any meaningful revenue.

We acquired all of our property interests since August 2011. Our operating history consists of our exploration activities. We have no income-producing activities from mining or exploration, and have a history of losses stemming from the acquisition of the rights to explore on our property and conducting our exploration activities. Exploring for gold and other minerals or resources is an inherently speculative activity and there is no assurance we will be able to develop an economically feasible operating plan for the Relief Canyon Mine. There is a strong possibility that we will not find any other commercially exploitable gold or other deposits on our property. Because we are an exploration company, we may never achieve any meaningful revenue.

We must make annual lease payments, advance royalty and royalty payments and claim maintenance payments or we will lose our rights to our property.

We are required under the terms of the leases covering some of our property interests to make annual lease payments and advance royalty and royalty payments each year. We are also required to make annual claim maintenance payments to the BLM and pay a fee to Pershing County in order to maintain our rights to explore and, if warranted, to develop our unpatented mining claims. If we fail to meet these obligations, we will lose the right to explore for gold and other minerals on our property. Our total annual property maintenance costs payable to the BLM and Pershing County for all of the unpatented mining claims and millsites in the Relief Canyon area in 2015 were approximately $224,000, and we expect our annual maintenance costs to be approximately $234,000 in 2016. Our lease payments, advance royalty and royalty payments and claim maintenance payments are described above under “Business and Properties”.

Our business is subject to extensive environmental regulations that may make exploring, mining or related activities prohibitively expensive, and which may change at any time.

All of our operations are subject to extensive environmental regulations that can substantially delay exploration and make exploration expensive or prohibit it altogether. We may be subject to potential liabilities associated with the pollution of the environment and the disposal of waste products that may occur as the result of exploring and other related activities on our properties, including our plan to process gold at our processing facility. We may have to pay to remedy environmental pollution, which may reduce the amount of money that we have available to use for exploration or other activities, and adversely affect our financial position. If we are unable to fully remedy an environmental problem, we might be required to suspend operations or to enter into interim compliance measures pending the completion of the required remedy. If a decision is made to mine our properties and we retain any operational responsibility for doing so, our potential exposure for remediation may be significant, and this may have a material adverse effect upon our business and financial position. We have not purchased insurance for potential environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards associated with the disposal of waste products from our exploration activities) and such insurance may not be available to us on reasonable terms or at a reasonable price. All of our exploration and, if warranted, development activities may be subject to regulation under one or more local, state and federal environmental impact analyses and public review processes. It is possible that future changes in applicable laws, regulations and permits or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could have significant impact on some portion of our business, which may require our business to be economically re-evaluated from time to time. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk that regulatory authorities may increase bonding requirements beyond our financial capability. Inasmuch as posting of bonding in accordance with regulatory determinations is a condition to the right to operate under all material operating permits, increases in bonding requirements could prevent operations even if we are in full compliance with all substantive environmental laws. We have been required to post a substantial bond under various laws relating to mining and the environment and may in the future be required to post a larger bond to pursue additional activities. For example, we must provide BLM and the NDEP additional financial assurance (reclamation bonds) to guarantee reclamation of any new surface disturbance required for drill roads, drill sites, or mine expansion. In March 2015, we increased the amount of our reclamation bond with BLM and the NDEP to approximately $5.6 million, which is currently approximately $108,000 in excess of the current coverage requirement, to reclaim land disturbed in our exploration and mining operations. Approximately $5.5 million of our reclamation bond covers both exploration and mining at the Relief Canyon Mine property, including the three open-pit mines and associated waste rock disposal areas, the mineral processing facilities, ancillary facilities, and the exploration roads and drill pads, and approximately $12,500 covers exploration on the Relief Canyon expansion properties. The remaining $108,000 of financial assurance can be used to satisfy, or partially satisfy, future bonding requirements for exploration or mining. Our preliminary estimate of the likely amount of additional financial assurance for future exploration is approximately $100,000, although we expect periodic increases due to effects of inflation. Our preliminary estimate of the likely amount of additional financial assurance to recommence mining operations is $600,000, which may increase as our mining plans are finalized and reviewed by the applicable agencies.

The government licenses and permits which we need to explore on our property may take too long to acquire or cost too much to enable us to proceed with exploration. In the event that we conclude that the Relief Canyon Mine deposit can be profitably mined, or discover other commercially exploitable deposits, we may face substantial delays and costs associated with securing the additional government licenses and permits that could preclude our ability to develop the mine. For example, we seek to amend the permits for our existing gold processing facility, which may be delayed.

Exploration activities usually require the granting of permits from various governmental agencies. For example, exploration drilling on unpatented mining claims requires a permit to be obtained from the BLM, which may take several months or longer to grant the requested permit. Depending on the size, location and scope of the exploration program, additional permits may also be required before exploration activities can be undertaken. Prehistoric or Indian graves, threatened or endangered species, archeological sites or the possibility thereof, difficult access, excessive dust and important nearby water resources may all result in the need for additional permits before exploration activities can commence.

In addition, we plan to seek amendments to our permits for our Relief Canyon gold processing facility to add a gold recovery (stripping) system to the facility. If we conclude that the Relief Canyon deposit can be profitably mined, we would seek amendments to the BLM Plan of Operations and the NDEP reclamation permit to increase the size of the Relief Canyon open pit-mines and waste rock storage areas. If the minable material exceeds 21 million tons, the current capacity of the leach pad, we would also need to seek an amendment of the processing facility to expand the capacity of the leach pad and ponds to accommodate additional material. If there are delays in obtaining the permit to add the gold recovery system, we would sell gold-loaded carbon to another facility that would recover/strip the gold. We estimate the annual cost of holding these permits will be approximately $35,000, and the cost to amend these permits to authorize potential future mining including mining beneath the water table will total about $1.2 million, which is based on preliminary estimates and may increase as our mining plans are finalized. As with all permitting processes, there is substantial uncertainty about when and if the permits will be issued. There is the risk that unexpected delays and excessive costs may be experienced in obtaining required permits. The needed permits may not be granted or could be challenged by third parties, which could result in protracted litigation that could cause substantial delays, or may be granted in an unacceptable timeframe or cost too much. Additionally, proposed mineral exploration and mining projects can become controversial and be opposed by nearby landowners and communities, which can substantially delay and interfere with the permitting process. Delays in or inability to obtain necessary permits would result in unanticipated costs, which may result in serious adverse effects upon our business.

The value of our property and any other deposits we may seek or locate is subject to volatility in the price of gold.

Our ability to obtain additional and continuing funding, and our profitability if and when we commence mining or sell our rights to mine, will be significantly affected by changes in the market price of gold and other mineral deposits. Gold and other minerals prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors, all of which are beyond our control. The price of gold may be influenced by:

fluctuation in the supply of, demand and market price for gold;

mining activities of our competitors;

sale or purchase of gold by central banks and for investment purposes by individuals and financial institutions;

interest rates;

currency exchange rates;

inflation or deflation;

fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and other currencies;

global and regional supply and demand, including investment, industrial and jewelry demand; and

political and economic conditions of major gold or other mineral-producing countries.

The price of gold and other minerals have fluctuated widely in recent years, and a decline in the price of gold or other minerals could cause a significant decrease in the value of our property, limit our ability to raise money, and render continued exploration and development of our property impracticable. If that happens, then we could lose our rights to our property or be compelled to sell some or all of these rights. Additionally, the future development of our mining properties beyond the exploration stage is heavily dependent upon gold prices remaining sufficiently high to make the development of our property economically viable.

Our property title may be challenged. We are not insured against any challenges, impairments or defects to our mining claims or title to our other properties.

Our property is comprised primarily of unpatented lode mining claims and millsites located and maintained in accordance with the federal General Mining Law of 1872. Unpatented lode mining claims and millsites are unique U.S. 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 and millsites is often uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and regulations with which the owner of an unpatented mining claim or millsite must comply in order to locate and maintain a valid claim. Moreover, if we discover mineralization that is close to the claim boundaries, it is possible that some or all of the mineralization may occur outside the boundaries on lands that we do not control. In such a case we would not have the right to extract those minerals. We do not have title reports or opinions covering all of our Relief Canyon properties. The uncertainty resulting from not having title opinions for all of our Relief Canyon properties or having detailed claim surveys on all of our properties leaves us exposed to potential title defects. Defending challenges to our property title would be costly, and may divert funds that could otherwise be used for exploration activities and other purposes.

In addition, unpatented lode mining claims and millsites are always subject to possible challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government, which, if successful, may prevent us from exploiting any discovery of commercially extractable gold. Challenges to our title may increase our costs of operation or limit our ability to explore on certain portions of our property. We are not insured against challenges, impairments or defects to our property title.

Possible amendments to the General Mining Law could make it more difficult or impossible for us to execute our business plan.

In recent years, the U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to the General Mining Law, as well as legislation that would make comprehensive changes to the law. Although no such legislation has been adopted to date, there can be no assurance that such legislation will not be adopted in the future. If adopted, such legislation, if it includes concepts that have been part of previous legislative proposals, could, among other things, (i) adopt the limitation on the number of millsites that a claimant may use, discussed below, (ii) impose time limits on the effectiveness of plans of operation that may not coincide with mine life, (iii) impose more stringent environmental compliance and reclamation requirements on activities on unpatented mining claims and millsites, (iv) establish a mechanism that would allow states, localities and Native American tribes to petition for the withdrawal of identified tracts of federal land from the operation of the General Mining Law, (v) allow for administrative determinations that mining would not be allowed in situations where undue degradation of the federal lands in question could not be prevented, (vi) impose royalties on gold and other mineral production from unpatented mining claims or impose fees on production from patented mining claims, and (vii) impose a fee on the amount of material displaced at a mine. Further, it could have an adverse impact on earnings from our operations, could reduce estimates of any reserves we may establish and could curtail our future exploration and development activity on our unpatented claims.

Our ability to conduct exploration, development, mining and related activities may also be impacted by administrative actions taken by federal agencies. With respect to unpatented millsites, for example, the ability to use millsites and their validity has been subject to greater uncertainty since 1997. In November of 1997, the Secretary of the Interior (appointed by President Clinton) approved a Solicitor’s Opinion that concluded that the General Mining Law imposed a limitation that only a single five-acre millsite may be claimed or used in connection with each associated and valid unpatented or patented lode mining claim. Subsequently, however, on November 7, 2003, the new Secretary of the Interior (appointed by President Bush) approved an Opinion by the Deputy Solicitor which concluded that the mining laws do not impose a limitation that only a single five-acre millsite may be claimed in connection with each associated unpatented or patented lode mining claim. Current federal regulations do not include the millsite limitation. There can be no assurance, however, that the Department of the Interior will not seek to re-impose the millsite limitation at some point in the future.

In addition, a consortium of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit in the United District Court for the District of Columbia against the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the BLM, and the USFS, asking the court to order the BLM and USFS to adopt the five-acre millsite limitation. That lawsuit also asks the court to order the BLM and the USFS to require mining claimants to pay fair market value for their use of the surface of federal lands where those claimants have not demonstrated the validity of their unpatented mining claims and millsites. If the plaintiffs in that lawsuit were to prevail, that could have an adverse impact on our ability to use our unpatented millsites for facilities ancillary to our exploration, development and mining activities, and could significantly increase the cost of using federal lands at our properties for such ancillary facilities.

Market forces or unforeseen developments may prevent us from obtaining the supplies and equipment necessary to explore for gold and other minerals.

Gold exploration, and mineral exploration in general, is a very competitive business. Competitive demands for contractors and unforeseen shortages of supplies and/or equipment could result in the disruption of our planned exploration activities. Current demand for exploration drilling services, equipment and supplies is robust and could result in suitable equipment and skilled manpower being unavailable at scheduled times for our exploration program. Fuel prices are extremely volatile as well. We will attempt to locate suitable equipment, materials, manpower and fuel if sufficient funds are available. If we cannot find the equipment and supplies needed for our various exploration programs, we may have to suspend some or all of them until equipment, supplies, funds and/or skilled manpower become available. Any such disruption in our activities may adversely affect our exploration activities and financial condition.

Our directors and executive officers lack significant experience or technical training in exploring for precious and base metal deposits and in developing mines.

Most of our directors and executive officers lack significant experience or technical training in exploring for precious and base metal deposits and in developing mines. Accordingly, although our Senior Vice President has significant experience and expertise in environmental permitting and regulatory matters for developing and operating mines and our Chief Operating Officer has significant experience with mine operations, our management may not be fully aware of many of the other specific requirements related to working within this industry. Their decisions and choices may not take into account standard engineering or managerial approaches that mineral exploration companies commonly use. Consequently, our operations, earnings, and ultimate financial success could suffer irreparable harm due to some of our management’s lack of experience in the mining industry.

We may not be able to maintain the infrastructure necessary to conduct exploration activities.

Our exploration activities depend upon adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important factors that affect capital and operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect our exploration activities and financial condition.

Our exploration activities may be adversely affected by the local climate or seismic events, which could prevent us from gaining access to our property year-round.

Earthquakes, heavy rains, snowstorms, and floods could result in serious damage to or the destruction of facilities, equipment or means of access to our property, or may otherwise prevent us from conducting exploration activities on our property. There may be short periods of time when the unpaved portion of the access road is impassible in the event of extreme weather conditions or unusually muddy conditions. During these periods, it may be difficult or impossible for us to access our property, make repairs, or otherwise conduct exploration activities on them.

Risks Relating to Our Organization and Common Stock

We have relied on certain stockholders to provide significant investment capital to fund our operations.

We have in the past relied on cash infusions primarily from Frost Gamma Investments Trust (“Frost Gamma”) and one of the Company’s directors, Barry Honig. During the year ended December 31, 2012, Frost Gamma provided approximately $4.6 million in consideration for the issuance of certain of our securities. In the year ended December 31, 2013, Mr. Honig provided approximately $5.6 million to us in consideration for the issuance of shares of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock. Additionally, Mr. Honig and Frost Gamma provided approximately $1.9 million and $150,000, respectively, to us in consideration for the issuance of shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock in July 2014 private placements. Mr. Honig invested $150,000 in a private placement of our Common Stock in October 2014, $2.5 million in an April 2015 private placement, and $1.25 million in a February 2016 private placement. Curtailment of cash investments by Frost Gamma or Barry Honig could detrimentally impact our cash availability and our ability to fund our operations.

Our principal stockholders, officers and directors own a substantial interest in our voting securities, and investors may have limited voice in our management.

Our principal stockholders, Frost Gamma, Barry Honig and Levon Resources Ltd. (“Levon Resources”), as well as our officers and directors, own, in the aggregate, in excess of approximately 48.5% of our voting securities, including shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of our Series E preferred stock. As of March 18, 2016, Frost Gamma owned 3,037,369, or approximately 11.2%, of our voting securities, Levon Resources owned 1,954,366, or approximately 7.2%, of our voting securities, and Mr. Honig, who is a director, owned 6,911,394, or approximately 25.5%, of our voting securities. As of that date, our officers and directors, including Mr. Honig, own 8,123,974, or approximately 30.0%, of our voting securities. Additionally, the holdings of our officers and directors may increase in the future upon exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities they may hold or be granted in the future or if they otherwise acquire additional shares of our Common Stock, including through grants under our employee benefit plans.

As a result of their ownership and positions, our principal stockholder, directors and executive officers collectively may be able to influence all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the following matters:

election of our directors;

amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws; and

effecting or preventing a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction

In addition, their stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other federal securities laws, as well as the listing rules of the Nasdaq stock market.

The costs of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission and furnishing audited reports to stockholders will cause our expenses to be higher than they would have been if we were privately held. These costs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 were approximately $900,000 and $950,000 respectively. We estimate that these costs will be approximately $950,000 for the year ending 2016.

It may be time consuming, difficult and costly for us to develop, implement and maintain the internal controls and reporting procedures required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). We may need to hire additional financial reporting, internal controls and other finance personnel in order to develop and implement appropriate internal controls and reporting procedures.

If we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately or to prevent fraud. Any inability to report and file our financial results accurately and timely could harm our reputation and adversely impact the trading price of our Common Stock and our ability to file registration statements pursuant to registration rights agreements and other commitments.

Effective internal control is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, we may not be able to manage our business as effectively as we would if an effective control environment existed, and our business and reputation with investors may be harmed. As a result of our small size, any current internal control deficiencies may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operation and access to capital. Although as of December 31, 2015, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, there can be no assurance that our internal control over financial reporting will remain effective.

Public company compliance may make it more difficult to attract and retain officers and directors.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission have required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. As a public company, our compliance costs increased in 2015 and we expect these rules and regulations to further increase our compliance costs and to make certain activities more time consuming and costly. As a public company, we also expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers, and to maintain insurance at reasonable rates, or at all.

Our stock price may be volatile.

The market price of our Common Stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:

results of our operations and exploration efforts;

fluctuation in the supply of, demand and market price for gold;

our ability to obtain working capital financing;

additions or departures of key personnel;

limited “public float” in the hands of a small number of persons whose sales or lack of sales could result in positive or negative pricing pressure on the market price for our Common Stock;

our ability to execute our business plan;

sales of our Common Stock and decline in demand for our Common Stock;

regulatory developments;

economic and other external factors;

investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and

period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results.

In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, you may be unable to resell your shares at a desired price.

Volatility in the price of our Common Stock may subject us to securities litigation.

As discussed above, the market for our Common Stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management's attention and resources.

We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our Common Stock.

We have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our Common Stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as our board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our Common Stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.

There is currently a limited trading market for our Common Stock and we cannot ensure that one will ever develop or be sustained.

Although the Company’s Common Stock is currently quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market, there is limited trading activity. The Company can give no assurance that an active market will develop, or if developed, that it will be sustained. If an investor acquires shares of the Company’s Common Stock, the investor may not be able to liquidate the Company’s shares should there be a need or desire to do so. Only a small percentage of our Common Stock is available to be traded and is held by a small number of holders and the price, if traded, may not reflect our actual or perceived value. There can be no assurance that there will be an active market for our shares of Common Stock either now or in the future. The market liquidity of our Common Stock is limited and may be dependent on the market perception of our business, among other things. We may, in the future, take certain steps, including utilizing investor awareness campaigns, press releases, road shows and conferences to increase awareness of our business and any steps that we might take to bring us to the awareness of investors may require we compensate consultants with cash and/or stock. There can be no assurance that there will be any awareness generated or the results of any efforts will result in any impact on our trading volume. Consequently, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment or liquidate it at a price that reflects the value of the business and trading may be at an inflated price relative to the performance of our Company due to, among other things, availability of sellers of our shares. If a market should develop, the price may be highly volatile. Because there may be a low price for our shares of Common Stock, many brokerage firms or clearing firms may not be willing to effect transactions in the securities or accept our shares for deposit in an account. Even if an investor finds a broker willing to effect a transaction in the shares of our Common Stock, the combination of brokerage commissions, transfer fees, taxes, if any, and any other selling costs may exceed the selling price. Further, many lending institutions will not permit the use of low priced shares of Common Stock as collateral for any loans.

Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock may cause the price of our Common Stock to decline.

If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public market or upon the expiration of any statutory holding period, under Rule 144, or upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, it could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang” in anticipation of which the market price of our Common Stock could decline. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

Conversion of preferred stock and exercise of options or warrants may result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.

Conversions of our Series E Preferred Stock presently owned by our principal shareholders and others and exercise of options and warrants would have a dilutive effect on our Common Stock. As of March 18, 2016, we have reserved (i) 2,825,007 shares of our Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of our Series E Preferred Stock at a conversion rate of one share of Series E Preferred Stock for approximately 304.615 shares of Common Stock (following an adjustment in the conversion ratio effective February 25, 2016), (ii) 1,811,121 shares of our Common Stock that are issuable upon exercise of options to purchase our Common Stock, (iii) 4,132,598 shares of our Common Stock that are issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase our Common Stock, and (iv) 842,770 shares of our Common Stock that are issuable pursuant to restricted stock units upon vesting and/or upon termination of service or in connection with a change of control. Further, any additional financing that we secure is likely to require the sale of additional common stock and the granting of rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our Common Stock and will result in additional dilution of the existing ownership interests of our Common Stockholders.

Our issuance of additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock in exchange for services or to repay debt would dilute the proportionate ownership and voting rights of existing stockholders and could have a negative impact on the market price of our Common Stock.

Our board of directors may generally issue shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock to pay for debt or services, without further approval by our stockholders based upon such factors that our board of directors may deem relevant at that time. We have, in the past, issued securities for debt to reduce our obligations. We have also issued securities as payment for services. It is likely that we will issue additional securities to pay for services and reduce debt in the future. We cannot give you any assurance that we will not issue additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock under circumstances we may deem appropriate at the time.

Our articles of incorporation allow for our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our Common Stock.

Our board of directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our board of directors also has the authority to issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of Common Stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our Common Stock. In addition, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our Common Stock or that is convertible into our Common Stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our Common Stock or result in dilution to our existing stockholders.

The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our articles of incorporation and the existence of indemnification rights to our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenditures by our Company and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.

Our articles of incorporation contain provisions which eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to our Company and stockholders. Our bylaws also require us to indemnify our officers and directors. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under our agreements with our directors, officers and employees. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in our Company incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors, officers and employees that we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and resultant costs may also discourage our Company from bringing a lawsuit against directors, officers and employees for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors, officers and employees even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit our Company and stockholders.

Anti-takeover provisions may impede the acquisition of our Company.

Certain provisions of the Nevada General Corporation Law have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our board of directors in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of us, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.

ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in exhibit 95 to this annual report.

PART II

ITEM 5: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our Common Stock commenced trading on August 20, 2009 and was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol EXCX.OB from June 23, 2009 through May 31, 2011. Prior to August 20, 2009, there was no active market for our Common Stock. Our Common Stock traded under the symbol SAGE.OB from June 1, 2011 until March 26, 2012. On March 26, 2012, our symbol was changed to PGLC.OB. On June 18, 2015 our stock underwent a 1-for-18 reverse stock split. On July 6, 2015, our stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol PGLC. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of 2015 as reported on Nasdaq and the high and low bid prices for all other periods indicated as reported on OTC. Prices for 2014 and through June 18, 2015 have been converted to post-reverse split prices for clarity. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Year Ended December 31, 2014	High		Low
1st Quarter Ended March 31, 2014	$	7.56	$	6.30
2nd Quarter Ended June 30, 2014	$	7.20	$	6.30
3rd Quarter Ended September 30, 2014	$	6.66	$	5.40
4th Quarter Ended December 31, 2014	$	5.94	$	4.86

Year Ended December 31, 2015	High		Low
1st Quarter Ended March 31, 2015	$	7.20	$	5.52
2nd Quarter Ended June 30, 2015	$	7.02	$	5.65
3rd Quarter Ended September 30, 2015	$	5.81	$	3.70
4th Quarter Ended December 31, 2015	$	4.46	$	3.42

The last reported sales price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on March 18, 2016, was $3.78 per share.

As of March 18, 2016, there were 674 holders of record of our Common Stock.

Dividend Policy

In the past, we have not declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock, and we do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our Common Stock. Rather, we intend to retain future earnings (if any) to fund the operation and expansion of our business and for general corporate purposes. Subject to legal and contractual limits, our board of directors will make any decision as to whether to pay dividends in the future.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On December 9, 2015, the Company issued 12,500 restricted stock units to director Edward Karr. For each restricted stock unit, Mr. Karr will be entitled to receive one share of common stock upon the Reporting Person's termination of service on the Issuer's board of directors or in connection with a change of control.

On December 23, 2015, the Company issued 50,000 restricted stock units to certain employees and officers, 18,000 of which were not reported, and were not required to be reported, under the Exchange Act. For each fully vested restricted stock unit, the recipient will be entitled to receive one share of common stock upon termination of employment or in connection with a change of control or under certain other circumstances.

The issuances above were deemed to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. All other Company sales of unregistered securities in 2015 have been previously reported in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 6: SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in this annual report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those set forth under “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements,” and in other parts of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Overview

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we focused primarily on the completion of our 2015 drilling program expanding the Relief Canyon Mine deposit; continued permitting, engineering and other work related to the potential commencement of mining at the Relief Canyon Mine; the up-listing of our Common Stock to the Nasdaq Global Market; and financing activities. An overview of certain significant events follows:

During the year, we completed drilling under our 2015 core-drilling program at our Relief Canyon mine, focused on adding gold ounces to the deposit and mineralized material estimate. We drilled approximately 160 holes over three targets for approximately 105,000 feet under this program. The results of this drilling have identified the extension of high-grade gold mineralization outside of the current mineralized material estimate.

During the year, we continued to advance our Plan of Operations Modification for the Relief Canyon Mine Expansion with the BLM.

In November 2015, we released preliminary internal economics for the Relief Canyon Mine estimating initial capital expenditures of approximately $11 million, cash costs in the range of $695-$745 per ounce of gold produced and all in sustaining costs of approximately $725-$775 per ounce of gold produced.

In early July 2015, we completed an updated estimate of mineralized material at the Relief Canyon Mine totaling 37,335,000 tons of mineralized material at an average grade of 0.020 ounces per ton gold. The Company’s in-house technical staff calculated the estimate in compliance with SEC guidance.

On July 6, 2015, we completed our up-listing to Nasdaq, and our Common Stock began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol PGLC.

In April 2015, we raised approximately $11.5 million in gross proceeds, or approximately $10.5 million net of commissions and legal fees, through a private placement. The private placement involved the issuance to certain accredited investors of 1,962,501 units for $5.85 per unit, with each unit comprised of one share of Common Stock and a 24 month warrant to acquire 0.4 of a share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.92, resulting in the issuance of a total of 1,962,501 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to acquire 785,045 shares of our Common Stock.

In January 2015, we entered into a transaction with Newmont pursuant to which we acquired certain properties and rights to properties that we had previously leased and subleased from Newmont, and improved the arrangements under which we continue to lease and sublease properties from Newmont. These properties and rights are included in the approximately 25,000 acres of Relief Canyon mine properties that the Company has held since April 2012. We paid Newmont $6.0 million in connection with this transaction. For more information, see Items 1 and 2: Business and Properties — Relief Canyon Properties.

In January 2015, we completed a drilling program commenced in 2014 that consisted of 134 holes for a total of approximately 74,000 feet focused on extending and upgrading the current deposit.

In February 2016 we completed two private placements and raised approximately $8.1 million in gross proceeds, or $7.4 million in net proceeds after commissions, expenses and legal fees, through the issuance of a total of 2,488,529 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,322,019 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.06 per share.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

Net Revenues

We are an exploration stage company with no operations, and we generated no revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, were $19.1 million and $16.5 million, respectively. The $2.6 million increase in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 is comprised largely of a $2.7 million increase in exploration expenses on our Relief Canyon mine properties to approximately $8.6 million from $5.9 million in the prior period due to our 2015 core-drilling program, an increase of $0.3 million in general and administrative expenses to approximately $4.6 million from $4.3 million in the prior period, primarily for public company expenses and legal costs related to the Company’s Nasdaq filing offset by a $0.4 million decrease in compensation expense related primarily to lower stock-based compensation expense and fewer shares awarded.

Loss from Operations

We reported loss from operations of $19.1 million and $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increases in operating loss were due primarily to the increases in operating expenses described above.

Other Income (Expenses)

Total other income (expense) was approximately ($2,600) and ($4,000) for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in other income (expense) is primarily attributable to a decrease in interest expense.

Net Loss

As a result of the operating expense and other income (expense) discussed above, we reported a net loss of ($19.1) million for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to a net loss of ($16.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $3.2 million. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased during the year ended December 31, 2015 by $11.9 million from our cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2014 of $15.1 million. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily the result of cash used in operations of $16.2 million that was comprised largely of exploration expenditures, primarily at the Relief Canyon mine focused on increasing and upgrading our current estimate of mineralized material, and general and administrative expenses, including consultant fees, compensation costs, legal fees and public company expenses, and cash used in investing activities of $6.1 million principally for the purchase of mineral rights and property. These expenditures were partly offset by cash provided by financing activities of approximately $10.4 million attributable to a private placement completed in April 2015.

We plan the following expenditures for fiscal year 2016:

$5.9 million on general and administrative expenses (including employee salaries, public company expenses, consultants, land holding costs and annual insurance premium renewals);

$0.6 million on additional permitting and bonding, including an environmental assessment to expand the open-pit mines at the Relief Canyon mine property above the water table and the continuation of studies for expansion below the water table.

$0.5 million on additional work at the Relief Canyon Mine including updated mineralized material estimates, further metallurgy tests, completion of a preliminary economic assessment and geographic surveys.

The actual amount we spend for year 2016 may vary significantly from the amounts specified above and will depend upon several factors, including the results of our 2015 core-drilling program, the results of a preliminary economic assessment of the Relief Canyon Mine, work related to the potential start of mining operations at the Relief Canyon Mine property, the timing of obtaining the necessary permitting approvals and whether we are able to raise additional external financing. We expect to require additional financing to fund operations in early to mid-2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern.” The provisions of ASU No. 2014-15 require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendments in this ASU are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-17, “Business Combinations: Pushdown Accounting”. This ASU amended the Business Combination Accounting Standards Codification to provide guidance on whether and at what threshold an acquired entity that is a business or nonprofit activity can apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements. Our adoption of FASB ASU No. 2013-17 effective November 14, 2014 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and related disclosures.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest” (Subtopic 835-30) which focuses on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. The ASU will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”), which requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies the current guidance in ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We do not expect the impact of ASU 2015-17 to be material on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period and is applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of assessing the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. We do not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions 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. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and present the financial statements of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. In the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the useful life of property and equipment, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities including valuation allowance, amounts and timing of closure obligations, the assumptions used to calculate fair value of restricted stock units, options and warrants granted, stock-based compensation, beneficial conversion on convertible notes payable and preferred stock, capitalized mineral rights, asset valuations, timing of the performance criteria of restricted stock units and the fair value of common stock issued.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. We examine the possibility of decreases in the value of fixed assets when events or changes in circumstances reflect the fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, generally from one to twenty five years.

Mineral Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs

Costs of lease, exploration, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. The Company has chosen to expense all mineral exploration costs as incurred given that it is still in the exploration stage. Once the Company has identified proven and probable reserves in its investigation of its properties and upon development of a plan for operating a mine, it would enter the development stage and capitalize future costs until production is established. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized, using the units-of-production method over proven and probable reserves. When the Company has capitalized mineral properties, these properties will be periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value. To date, the Company has not established the commercial feasibility of any exploration prospects; therefore, all costs are being expensed.

ASC 930-805 states that mineral rights consist of the legal right to explore, extract, and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits. Mining assets include mineral rights. Acquired mineral rights are considered tangible assets under ASC 805. ASC 805 requires that mineral rights be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. As a result, our direct costs to acquire mineral rights are initially capitalized as tangible assets. Mineral rights include costs associated with acquiring patented and unpatented mining claims and mill sites. If proven and probable reserves are established for the property and it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed, costs will be amortized using the units-of-production method over proven and probable reserves. For mineral rights in which proven and probable reserves have not yet been established, we assess the carrying values for impairment at the end of each reporting period and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Long-Lived Assets

We review for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable, pursuant to guidance established in ASC 360-10-35-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. An impairment is considered to exist when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its carrying amount.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations, consisting primarily of estimated mine reclamation and closure costs at the Company’s Relief Canyon property, are recognized in the period incurred and when a reasonable estimate can be made, and recorded as liabilities at fair value. Such obligations, which are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates, are accreted to full value over time through charges to accretion expense. Corresponding asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Asset retirement obligations are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from revisions to the estimated timing or amount of reclamation and closure costs. We review and evaluate the asset retirement obligations annually or more frequently at interim periods if deemed necessary.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Since our inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, including the use of structured finance, special purpose entities or variable interest entities.

Contractual Obligations

Not applicable.

ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements filed as part of this Item 8 are listed under Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” and are contained in this annual report on Form 10-K beginning at page F-1.

ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The management of Pershing Gold Corporation has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015.

Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance have concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), were effective and designed to provide reasonable assurance that (i) information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

The management of Pershing Gold Corporation, including the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. 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, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based upon these criteria.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the three-months ended December 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Incorporated by reference from the information in our proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or amendment to this Form 10-K, which we will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

PART IV

ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)

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

(1)

Our consolidated financial statements are listed on the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on Page F-1 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 financial statements or related notes).

(3)

The following exhibits are filed with this annual report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference.

EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.		Description
2.1		Share Exchange Agreement dated as of September 29, 2010, by and among The Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co., The Empire Sports & Entertainment, Co. and the shareholders of The Empire Sports & Entertainment Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2010)
3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended by certificates of amendment dated May 16, 2011, February 27, 2012, December 11, 2014 and June 17, 2015*
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2010)
3.3		Certificate of Designation for Series E (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2013)
3.4		Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Pershing Gold Corporation, as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on June 17, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2015)
4.1		Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2012)
4.2		Form of Warrant Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2012)

Exhibit No.		Description
4.3		Form of Warrant Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2013)
4.4		Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2014)
4.5		Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2014)
4.6		Form of Investor Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2015)
4.7		Form of Placement Agent Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2015)
4.8		Form of Investor Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2016)
4.9		Form of Placement Agent Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2016)
10.1		The Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2010) +
10.2		Form of 2010 Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2010) +
10.3		Form of 2010 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2010) +
10.4		Employment Agreement with Stephen Alfers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2012) +
10.5		Indemnification Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2012)
10.6		2012 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2012) +
10.7		Consulting Agreement with Barry Honig (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2012)
10.8		Revised Offer Letter, dated November 21, 2012, between the Company and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2012)
10.9		Severance Compensation Agreement, dated November 21, 2012, between the Company and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2012)
10.10		Form of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2013) +
10.11		Form of Indemnification Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2013) +
10.12		Pershing Gold Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2013)
10.13		Form of 2012 Equity Incentive Plan Amended and Restated Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2013)
10.14		Form of 2012 Equity Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2013) +
10.15		Form of 2012 Equity Incentive Plan Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2013) +
10.16		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2013)
10.17		Registration Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2013)
10.18		Form of Subscription Agreement, dated July 2, 2014 and July 18, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2014)

Exhibit No.		Description
10.19		Form of Unit Purchase Agreement, dated July 2, 2014 and July 18, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2014)
10.20		Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 2, 2014 and July 18, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2014)
10.21		Form of Subscription Agreement, dated July 30, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2014)
10.22		Form of Unit Purchase Agreement, dated July 30, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2014)
10.23		Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 30, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2014)
10.24		Offer Letter between the Company and Timothy Janke dated August 27, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2014) +
10.25		Subscription Agreement, dated October 15, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2014)
10.26		Share Purchase Agreement, dated October 15, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2014)
10.27		Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 15, 2014, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2014)
10.28		Asset Purchase Agreement dated effective January 13, 2015 among Newmont USA Limited, Pershing Gold Corporation and Gold Acquisition Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2015)
10.29		Mining Lease dated January 15, 2015, between New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC, as lessor, and Gold Acquisition Corp., as lessee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2015)
10.30		Consulting Agreement, dated February 1, 2015, between the Company and Alex Morrison (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2015) +
10.31		Third Amendment to Restricted Stock Agreement, dated February 5, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Stephen Alfers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +
10.32		Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement, dated February 5, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Stephen Alfers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +
10.33		Third Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 5, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Stephen Alfers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +
10.34		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated February 6, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Alexander Morrison (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +
10.35		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated February 6, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Debra Struhsacker (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +
10.36		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated February 6, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +

Exhibit No.		Description
10.37		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated February 6, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Timothy Janke (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015) +
10.38		Form of Subscription Agreement among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2015)
10.39		Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2015)
10.40		Placement Agency Agreement, dated March 19, 2015, between the Company and Noble Financial Capital Markets (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2015)
10.41		Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Stephen Alfers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2015) +
10.42		Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement, dated June 28, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Stephen Alfers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2015) +
10.43		Form of the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Grant Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2015) +
10.44		Form of 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2015) +
10.45		Offer Letter between the Company and Debra Struhsacker dated September 19, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2015) +
10.46		Severance Compensation Agreement, dated September 19, 2013, between the Company and Debra Struhsacker (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2015) +
10.47		Amended Severance Compensation Agreement, dated November 19, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2015) +
10.48		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.49		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.50		Second Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, as amended, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Eric Alexander (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.51		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Timothy Janke (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.52		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Timothy Janke (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.53		Second Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, as amended, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Timothy Janke (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.54		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Debra Struhsacker (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +

Exhibit No.		Description
10.55		First Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Debra Struhsacker (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.56		Second Amendment to Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, as amended, dated December 10, 2015, between Pershing Gold Corporation and Debra Struhsacker (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2015) +
10.57		Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 4, 2016, among the Company and certain accredited investors*
10.58		Form of Subscription Agreement, dated February 4, 2016, among the Company and certain accredited investors*
10.59		Form of Subscription Agreement, dated February 25, 2016, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2016)
10.60		Form of Unit Purchase Agreement, dated February 25, 2016, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2016)
10.61		Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 25, 2016, among the Company and certain accredited investors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2016)
21.1		List of Subsidiaries (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2015)
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)*
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)*
32.1		Certificate of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)**
95.1		Mine Safety Disclosure *
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document*
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Document*
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document*
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Label Document*
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Document*

* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

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.

March 21, 2016	PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION Registrant

	By:	/s/ Stephen Alfers
		Stephen Alfers Chief Executive Officer and President

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

Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Stephen Alfers	Chief Executive Officer and President
Stephen Alfers	(Principal Executive Officer) and Chairman of the Board of Directors	March 21, 2016

/s/ Eric Alexander	Vice President Finance and Controller	March 21, 2016
Eric Alexander	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Barry Honig	Director	March 21, 2016
Barry Honig

/s/ Edward Karr	Director	March 21, 2016
Edward Karr

/s/ Alex Morrison	Director	March 21, 2016
Alex Morrison

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	F-2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	F-3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	F-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	F-6
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	F-7

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors

Pershing Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pershing Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit 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 financial position of Pershing Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KBL, LLP
New York, New York
March 21, 2016

F-2

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31,
	2015			2014

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,237,384		$	15,147,837
Restricted cash		2,250,000			2,250,000
Other receivables		70,145			-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		899,228			798,633

Total Current Assets		6,456,757			18,196,470

NON - CURRENT ASSETS:
Property and equipment, net		5,321,895			6,398,221
Mineral rights		22,786,912			16,786,912
Reclamation bond deposit		25,000			25,000
Deposit		3,884			-

Total Non - Current Assets		28,137,691			23,210,133

Total Assets	$	34,594,448		$	41,406,603

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	538,161		$	714,291
Note payable - current portion		17,319			24,423
Deferred rent - current portion		5,217			-

Total Current Liabilities		560,697			738,714

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Note payable - long term portion		-			17,319
Deferred rent - long term portion		10,771			-
Asset retirement obligation		783,539			798,605

Total Liabilities		1,355,007			1,554,638

Commitments and Contingencies

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY :
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 authorized
Convertible Series A Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 2,250,000 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014)		-			-
Convertible Series B Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 8,000,000 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014)		-			-
Convertible Series C Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 3,284,396 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014)		-			-
Convertible Series D Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 7,500,000 Shares Authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014)		-			-
Convertible Series E Preferred stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 15,151 Shares Authorized; 9,375 and 9,425 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014)		1			1
Common stock ($0.0001 Par Value; 200,000,000 Shares Authorized; 21,723,049 and 19,745,170 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014)		2,173			1,975
Additional paid-in capital		170,529,953			158,018,742
Accumulated deficit		(137,292,686	)		(118,168,753	)

Total Stockholders' Equity		33,239,441			39,851,965

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	34,594,448		$	41,406,603

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2014

Net revenues	$	-		$	-

Operating expenses:
Compensation and related taxes		4,555,151			4,957,877
Exploration cost		8,618,648			5,894,920
Consulting fees		1,258,458			1,266,820
General and administrative expenses		4,689,033			4,339,556

Total operating expenses		19,121,290			16,459,173

Loss from operations		(19,121,290	)		(16,459,173	)

Other income (expenses):
Interest expense and other finance costs, net of interest income of $730 and $27, respectively		(2,643	)		(4,037	)

Total other income (expenses) - net		(2,643	)		(4,037	)

Loss before provision for income taxes		(19,123,933	)		(16,463,210	)

Provision for income taxes		-			-

Net loss	$	(19,123,933	)	$	(16,463,210	)

Preferred deemed dividend		-			(1,696,030	)

Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(19,123,933	)	$	(18,159,240	)

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.90	)	$	(1.07	)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		21,165,083			16,913,621

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

	Preferred Stock - Series A				Preferred Stock - Series B				Preferred Stock - Series C				Preferred Stock - Series D				Preferred Stock - Series E					Common Stock															Total
	$0.0001 Par Value				$0.0001 Par Value				$0.0001 Par Value				$0.0001 Par Value				$0.0001 Par Value					$0.0001 Par Value						Additional			Treasury			Accumulated			Stockholders'
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares			Amount		Shares			Amount			Paid-in Capital			Stock			Deficit			Equity

Balance, December 31, 2013		-	$	-		-	$	-		-	$	-		-	$	-		11,185		$	1		15,329,114		$	1,533		$	133,227,268		$	(44,455	)	$	(100,009,513	)		33,174,834

Issuance of common stock for cash		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		3,976,030			398			20,817,055			-			-			20,817,453

Issuance of common stock in connection with the conversion of preferred stock		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		(1,760	)		-		293,333			29			(29	)		-			-			-

Repurchase of common stock		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			-			(181,421	)		-			(181,421	)

Stock-based compensation in connection with options granted to employees and consultants		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			92,763			-			-			92,763

Stock-based compensation in connection with vested restricted common stock grants		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			2,431,555			-			-			2,431,555

Issuance of restricted common stock to various officers, directors and employees		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		203,333			20			72,648			-			-			72,668

Reversal of previously recognized compensation for awards that did not vest		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			(92,677	)		-			-			(92,677	)

Cancellation of treasury stock		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		(56,640	)		(5	)		(225,871	)		225,876			-			-

Preferred stock deemed dividend		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			1,696,030			-			(1,696,030	)		-

Net loss		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			-			-			(16,463,210	)		(16,463,210	)

Balance, December 31, 2014		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		9,425			1		19,745,170			1,975			158,018,742			-			(118,168,753	)		39,851,965

Issuance of common stock for cash		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		1,962,501			196			10,461,646			-			-			10,461,842

Issuance of common stock in connection with the conversion of preferred stock		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		(50	)		-		9,822			1			(1	)		-			-			-

Issuance of common stock for vested restricted stock grants		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		5,556			1			(1	)		-			-			-

Stock-based compensation in connection with vested restricted common stock grants		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			2,025,258			-			-			2,025,258

Stock-based compensation in connection with stock warrant grant		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			24,309			-			-			24,309

Net loss		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			-			-			(19,123,933	)		(19,123,933	)

Balance, December 31, 2015		-	$	-		-	$	-		-	$	-		-	$	-		9,375		$	1		21,723,049		$	2,173		$	170,529,953		$	-		$	(137,292,686	)	$	33,239,441

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2014

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net loss	$	(19,123,933	)	$	(16,463,210	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation		1,125,758			1,020,232
Accretion		46,148			11,200
Stock-based compensation		2,049,567			2,504,309

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other receivables		(70,145	)		17,276
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(104,479	)		(212,471	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(176,130	)		89,538
Deferred rent - current portion		5,217			-
Deferred rent - long term portion		10,771			-
Asset retirement obligation settled		(18,737	)		-

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(16,255,963	)		(13,033,126	)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of mineral rights		(6,000,000	)		-
Purchase of property and equipment		(91,909	)		(180,408	)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(6,091,909	)		(180,408	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of issuance costs		10,461,842			20,817,453
Purchase of treasury stock		-			(181,421	)
Payments on notes payable		(24,423	)		(17,768	)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		10,437,419			20,618,264

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(11,910,453	)		7,404,730

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS- beginning of year		15,147,837			7,743,107

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS- end of year	$	3,237,384		$	15,147,837

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest	$	3,373		$	4,064
Income taxes	$	-		$	-

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Preferred stock deemed dividend	$	-		$	1,696,030
Increase (Decrease) in property and equipment as a result of recognition of asset retirement obligation	$	(42,477	)	$	787,405
Cancellation of treasury stock	$	-		$	225,876

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Organization

Pershing Gold Corporation (the “Company”), formerly named Sagebrush Gold Ltd., was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on August 2, 2007. The Company is a gold and precious metals exploration company pursuing exploration and development opportunities primarily in Nevada. The Company is currently focused on exploration of its Relief Canyon properties in Pershing County in northwestern Nevada. None of the Company’s properties contain proven and probable reserves, and all of the Company’s activities on all of its properties are exploratory in nature.

On August 30, 2011, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gold Acquisition Corp. (“Gold Acquisition”), acquired the Relief Canyon Mine property (“Relief Canyon”) located in Pershing County, near Lovelock, Nevada.

A wholly-owned subsidiary, Pershing Royalty Company, a Delaware corporation, was formed on May 17, 2012 to hold royalty interests in two gold exploration properties.

A wholly-owned subsidiary, EXCX Funding Corp., a Nevada corporation, was formed in January 2011 and held a note payable - related party, which was exchanged for the Company’s Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series E Preferred Stock”) and warrants in August 2013 and was cancelled. On April 6, 2014 EXCX Funding Corp. was liquidated and dissolved.

On June 17, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at a ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) which became effective on June 18, 2015. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, with the Nevada Secretary of State to reduce the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue from 800,000,000 to 200,000,000. All share and per share values of the Company’s Common Stock for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the Reverse Stock Split in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 4C: Equity Accounts – Change in Capital Structure (“SAB Topic 4C”).

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principle of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) and present the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015. In the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company, intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the useful life of property and equipment, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, including valuation allowance, amounts and timing of closure obligations, the assumptions used to calculate fair value of restricted stock units, options and warrants granted, stock-based compensation, beneficial conversion on convertible notes payable and preferred stock, capitalized mineral rights, asset valuations, timing of the performance criteria of restricted stock units and the fair value of common stock issued.

F-7

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with a high credit quality financial institution. The Company’s accounts at this institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. At December 31, 2015, the Company had bank balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit on interest bearing accounts. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institution, the Company evaluates at least annually the rating of the financial institution in which it holds deposits.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of cash and investments which are held as collateral under a surface management surety bond issued on the Company’s behalf.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing generally accepted accounting principles that requires the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. The adoption of ASC 820 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results, but did expand certain disclosures.

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

These inputs are prioritized below:

	Level 1:	Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	Level 2:	Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) accounting standard for such instruments. Under this standard, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their estimated fair market values based on the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of the note payable at December 31, 2015 approximates its respective fair value based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets of $899,228 and $798,633 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, consist primarily of costs paid for future services which will occur within a year. Prepaid expenses principally include prepayments for consulting, investor relations and business advisory services, insurance premiums, drilling services, mining claim fees and mineral lease fees which are being amortized over the terms of their respective agreements.

F-8

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Mineral Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs

Costs of lease, exploration, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. The Company expenses all mineral exploration costs as incurred as it is still in the exploration stage. If the Company identifies proven and probable reserves in its investigation of its properties and upon development of a plan for operating a mine, it would enter the development stage and capitalize future costs until production is established.

When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs are amortized using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the proven and probable reserves. If in the future the Company has capitalized mineral properties, these properties will be periodically assessed for impairment.

To date, the Company has not established the commercial feasibility of any exploration prospects; therefore, all exploration costs are being expensed.

ASC 930-805, “Extractive Activities-Mining: Business Combinations” (“ASC 930-805”), states that mineral rights consist of the legal right to explore, extract, and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits. Mining assets include mineral rights. Acquired mineral rights are considered tangible assets under ASC 930-805. ASC 930-805 requires that mineral rights be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. As a result, the direct costs to acquire mineral rights are initially capitalized as tangible assets. Mineral rights include costs associated with acquiring patented and unpatented mining claims.

ASC 930-805-30-1 and 30-2 provides that in fair valuing mineral assets, an acquirer should take into account both:

· The value beyond proven and probable reserves (“VBPP”) to the extent that a market participant would include VBPP in determining the fair value of the assets.

· The effects of anticipated fluctuations in the future market price of minerals in a manner that is consistent with the expectations of market participants.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, generally one to twenty five years.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company accounts for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets according to the ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets, including mineral rights, may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets 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, and 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. The tests for long-lived assets in the exploration stage are monitored for impairment based on factors such as current market value of the long-lived assets 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.

F-9

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

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. When necessary, impaired assets are written down to estimated fair value based on the best information available. Estimated fair value is generally based on either appraised value or measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The Company did not record any impairment of its long-lived assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”), consisting primarily of estimated mine reclamation and closure costs at the Company’s Relief Canyon property, are recognized in the period incurred and when a reasonable estimate can be made, and recorded as liabilities at fair value. Such obligations, which are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates, are accreted to full value over time through charges to accretion expense. Corresponding asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Asset retirement obligations are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from revisions to the estimated timing or amount of reclamation and closure costs. The Company reviews and evaluates its asset retirement obligations annually or more frequently at interim periods if deemed necessary.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”), which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred asset will not be realized.

The Company follows the provision of ASC 740-10 related to Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions. When tax returns are filed, there may be uncertainty about the merits of positions taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions.

Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefit associated with tax positions taken that exceed the amount measured as described above should be reflected as a liability for uncertain tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Company believes its tax positions are all more likely than not to be upheld upon examination. As such, the Company has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax benefits.

F-10

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

The Company has adopted ASC 740-10-25, “Definition of Settlement”, which provides guidance on how an entity should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits and provides that a tax position can be effectively settled upon the completion and examination by a taxing authority without being legally extinguished. For tax positions considered effectively settled, an entity would recognize the full amount of tax benefit, even if the tax position is not considered more likely than not to be sustained based solely on the basis of its technical merits and the statute of limitations remains open. The federal and state income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by the IRS and state taxing authorities, generally for three years after they are filed.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), which requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-employees”, for share-based payments to consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the measurement date. The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date.

Related party transaction

Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal stockholders of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal stockholders of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal where one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. All transactions shall be recorded at fair value of the goods or services exchanged. Property purchased from a related party is recorded at the cost to the related party and any payment to or on behalf of the related party in excess of the cost is reflected as compensation or distribution to related parties depending on the transaction.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern” (“ASU No. 2014-15”). The provisions of ASU No. 2014-15 require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendments in this ASU are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-17, “Business Combinations: Pushdown Accounting” (“ASU No. 2014-17”). This ASU amended the Business Combination Accounting Standards Codification to provide guidance on whether and at what threshold an acquired entity that is a business or nonprofit activity can apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements. The Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2014-17 effective November 14, 2014 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and related disclosures.

F-11

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest” (Subtopic 835-30) which focuses on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. The ASU will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”), which requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies the current guidance in ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not expect the impact of ASU 2015-17 to be material on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period and is applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

NOTE 3 — MINERAL PROPERTIES

The Company’s Relief Canyon property rights currently total approximately 25,000 acres and are comprised of approximately 948 owned unpatented mining claims, 120 owned millsite claims, 172 leased unpatented mining claims, and 2,235 acres of leased and 2,770 acres of subleased private lands. Most of the property on which the Relief Canyon deposit is located is subject to a 2% net smelter return production royalty, with a portion of that property subject to net smelter return production royalties totaling 4.5%. The rest of the property is subject, under varying circumstances, to net smelter return production royalties ranging from 2% to 5%.

Pershing Pass Property

The Pershing Pass property consists of over 700 unpatented mining claims covering approximately 12,000 acres and a mining lease of private lands covering approximately 600 acres. Out of the total unpatented mining claims, 17 unpatented mining claims are subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty and 19 unpatented mining claims are leased with a purchase option.

F-12

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 3 — MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

The primary term of the unpatented mining claim lease referenced above is ten years ending in January 2023, which may be extended as long as mineral exploration, development or mining continue on the property. Production from the lease is subject to a 1% net smelter return royalty on precious metals and a 0.5% net smelter royalty on all other metals produced from the leased property. Prior to production, and starting in September 2016, the Company is required to pay a $10,000 per year advance minimum royalty payment until September 2023. The annual advance minimum royalty increases to $12,500 in September 2023, to $15,000 in September 2028 and to $20,000 in September 2033. The Company has the right to buy the leased claims at any time for $250,000.

The primary term of the private lands lease referenced above is ten years ending in January 2023, and that may be extended as long as mineral development work continues on the property. Production from the lease is subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty on all metals produced other than gold, and to a royalty on gold indexed to the gold price, ranging from 2% at gold prices of less than $500 per ounce to 3.5% at gold prices over $1,500 per ounce.

Prior to one year after commercial production, the Company can repurchase up to 3% of the royalty on gold production at the rate of $600,000 for each 1%.

Newmont Properties

On April 5, 2012, the Company purchased from Victoria Gold Corp. and Victoria Resources (US) Inc. their interest in approximately 13,300 acres of mining claims and private lands adjacent to the Company’s original landholdings at the Relief Canyon Mine in Pershing County, Nevada.

Approximately 8,900 acres of the lands that the Company acquired from Victoria Gold Corporation were a leasehold interest comprised of unpatented mining claims and private lands subject to a 2006 Mineral Lease and Sublease with Newmont USA Ltd. (“Newmont”), which the Company refers to as the Newmont Leased property. At that time, the Newmont Leased property consisted of 155 unpatented lode mining claims owned by Newmont comprising approximately 2,800 acres, approximately 4,900 acres of privately-owned fee minerals leased by Newmont from the owners, and 62 unpatented mining claims that were owned by Victoria within the Newmont Leased property and area of interest.

On January 14, 2015, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Newmont pursuant to which the Company acquired for $6.0 million 74 unpatented mining claims totaling approximately 1,300 acres that the Company had previously leased from Newmont, and entered into a new mining lease directly with New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC for approximately 1,600 acres of fee, or private, land that the Company had previously subleased from Newmont.

New Mining Lease with New Nevada Resources and New Nevada Lands, Replacing Portion of Newmont Sublease

As part of the January 2015 transactions completed pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a Mining Lease (the “2015 Mining Lease”) with New Nevada Resources, LLC and New Nevada Lands, LLC (the “Owners”), covering certain fee lands (the “Leased Properties”) included in the Company’s Relief Canyon properties. The 2015 Mining Lease has a term of twenty years and for as long thereafter as any mining, development or processing operations are being conducted on a continuous basis. The 2015 Mining Lease contains customary terms and conditions, including an advance royalty and a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty on the Leased Properties payable to the Owners.

F-13

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 3 — MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

Newmont Leased Property

As part of the Asset Purchase Agreement transactions, Newmont and the Company entered into an amendment of the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease (the “Third Amendment”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to a $2.6 million work commitment on the properties remaining subject to the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease to be expended by the seventh anniversary of the effective date of the Third Amendment. As of December 2015, the most recent cost reporting date, the Company can credit $2.6 million in exploration expenditures already incurred against the work commitment of $2.6 million.

Also as part of the transactions completed pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, Newmont and the Owners entered into a new Mining Lease (the “2015 Newmont Lease”) covering about 2,770 acres of private lands included in the Company’s Relief Canyon properties (the “Subleased Properties”) and subleased by the Company from Newmont pursuant to the 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease. The 2015 Newmont Lease has a term of twenty years and for as long thereafter as any mining, development or processing operations are being conducted or a continuous basis. The 2015 Newmont Lease contains customary terms and conditions, including an advance royalty and a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty on the Subleased Properties payable to the Owners. The Company continues to hold rights to the Subleased Properties pursuant to its 2006 Minerals Lease and Sublease with Newmont.

General

The Company has posted a statewide surface management surety bond with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) as required by the State of Nevada in an amount of approximately $5.6 million, which is approximately $108,000 in excess of the coverage requirement as of December 31, 2015, to reclaim land disturbed in its exploration and mining operations. The surface management surety bond is provided through a third-party insurance underwriter. When the bond was issued in November 2013, the Company was required to place $2,250,000, or 45% of the original $5.0 million bond, in a collateral account. No further collateral has been required for subsequent increases in the bond amount. The funds deposited in the collateral account are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

As of December 31, 2015, based on management’s review of the carrying value of mineral rights, management determined that there is no evidence that the cost of these acquired mineral rights will not be fully recovered and accordingly, the Company has determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of mineral rights was required. As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, the Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral properties and has incurred only acquisition and exploration costs.

Mineral properties consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Relief Canyon Mine — Gold Acquisition	$	8,501,071	$	8,501,071
Relief Canyon Mine — Newmont Leased Properties		13,709,441		7,709,441
Pershing Pass Property		576,400		576,400

	$	22,786,912	$	16,786,912

F-14

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 4 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	Estimated Life		December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Furniture and fixtures		5 years	$	56,995		$	56,995
Office and computer equipment		1 - 5 years		402,835			402,835
Land		—		358,886			266,977
Building and improvements		5 - 25 years		812,967			817,187
Site costs		10 years		1,400,197			1,407,465
Crushing system		20 years		2,482,976			2,495,865
Process plant and equipment		10 years		3,486,864			3,504,964
Vehicles and mining equipment		5 - 10 years		699,025			699,025
				9,700,745			9,651,313
Less: accumulated depreciation				(4,378,850	)		(3,253,092	)

			$	5,321,895		$	6,398,221

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, depreciation expense amounted to $1,125,758 and $1,020,232 respectively.

NOTE 5 — NOTES PAYABLE

In August 2012, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $92,145 in connection with the acquisition of mining equipment. The note payable bears interest at approximately 7% per annum and is secured by a lien on the mining equipment. The note is payable in 48 equal monthly payments of $2,226. Notes payable — short and long term portion consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Total notes payable	$	17,319		$	41,742
Less: current portion		(17,319	)		(24,423	)
Long term portion	$	-		$	17,319

NOTE 6 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

In conjunction with the permit approval permitting the Company to resume mining in the existing open pits at the Relief Canyon Mine during the third quarter of 2014, the Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation based upon the reclamation plan submitted in connection with the permit.

The following table summarizes activity in the Company’s ARO:

	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Balance, beginning of year	$	798,605		$	-
Accretion expense		46,148			11,200
Reclamation obligations settled		(18,737	)		-
Additions and changes in estimates		(42,477	)		787,405
Balance, end of year	$	783,539		$	798,605

F-15

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On June 17, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) which became effective on June 18, 2015. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, with the Nevada Secretary of State to reduce the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue from 800,000,000 to 200,000,000. All share and per share values of the Company’s Common Stock for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the Reverse Stock Split in accordance with SAB Topic 4C.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized within the limitations and restrictions stated in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to provide by resolution or resolutions for the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share in such series and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as the Company’s Board of Directors establish.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 2,250,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value were authorized with none outstanding.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 8,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value were authorized with none outstanding.

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 3,284,396 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value were authorized with none outstanding.

9% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were 7,500,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock authorized and none outstanding.

Series E Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were 15,151 shares of Series E Preferred Stock authorized and 9,375 and 9,425 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.

During February and March 2014 certain holders of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock converted 1,529 shares into 254,833 shares of common stock of the Company in accordance with the Series E Preferred Stock certificate of designation. The conversion rate applied to these exchanges was 166.667 shares of common stock for each share of Series E Preferred Stock which was equivalent to a conversion price of $5.94 per share of common stock.

During April 2014 a certain holder of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock converted 50 shares into 8,333 shares of common stock of the Company in accordance with the Series E Preferred Stock certificate of designation. The conversion rate applied to these exchanges was 166.667 shares of common stock for each share of Series E Preferred Stock which was equivalent to a conversion price of $5.94 per share of common stock.

F-16

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

During July 2014 certain holders of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock converted 181 shares into 30,167 shares of common stock of the Company in accordance with the Series E Preferred Stock certificate of designation. The conversion rate applied to these exchanges was 166.667 shares of common stock for each share of Series E Preferred Stock which was equivalent to a conversion price of $5.94 per share of common stock.

As a result of the October 2014 private placement, the conversion price for the Series E Preferred Stock was reduced effective October 20, 2014 from $5.94 to $5.04 per share of Series E Preferred Stock. Following this adjustment, each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Series E Original Issue Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designation), of is $990.00, by the adjusted conversion price, resulting in each share of Series E Preferred Stock being convertible into approximately 196.429 shares of Common Stock. The adjusted conversion price generated additional value to the convertibility feature of the Series E Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Company recorded a deemed dividend of approximately $1.7 million for the additional value of the beneficial conversion feature during the year ended December 31, 2014.

As a result of the Reverse Stock Split on June 17, 2015, the conversion price of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock was proportionately adjusted to $5.04, with each share of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into approximately 196.429 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

During September 2015, a certain holder of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock converted 50 shares into 9,822 shares of Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the Series E Preferred Stock certificate of designation.

As a result of the February 4, 2016 private placement (see Note 11), the conversion price for the Series E Preferred Stock was reduced effective February 4, 2016 from $5.04 to $3.40 per share of Series E Preferred Stock. Following this adjustment, each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of common stock obtained by dividing the Series E Original Issue Price, of $990.00, by the adjusted conversion price, resulting in each share of Series E Preferred Stock being convertible into approximately 291.176 shares of common stock. A total of 9,375 shares of Series E Preferred Stock remained outstanding, and as a result of the adjustment, were convertible into approximately 2,729,780 shares of common stock in the aggregate, compared to 1,841,528 shares of Common Stock prior to the adjustment. The adjusted conversion price generated additional value to the convertibility feature of the Series E Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Company will record a preferred deemed dividend of approximately $3.0 million for the additional value of the beneficial conversion feature in February 2016, the period of the adjustment.

During February 2016 a holder of Series E Preferred Stock converted one Series E share into 292 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (see Note 11).

As a result of the February 25, 2016 private placement (see Note 11), the conversion price for the Series E Preferred Stock was reduced effective February 25, 2016 from $3.40 to $3.25 per share of Series E Preferred Stock. Following this adjustment, each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Series E Original Issue Price, of $990.00, by the adjusted conversion price, resulting in each share of Series E Preferred Stock being convertible into approximately 304.615 shares of Common Stock. A total of 9,374 shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding, and as a result of the adjustment, are convertible into approximately 2,855,469 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, compared to 2,729,489 shares of Common Stock prior to the adjustment. The adjusted conversion price generated additional value to the convertibility feature of the Series E Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Company will record an additional preferred deemed dividend of approximately $580,000 for the additional value of the beneficial conversion feature in February 2016, the period of the adjustment.

During March 2016 a holder of Series E Preferred Stock converted 100 Series E share into 30,461 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (see Note 11).

F-17

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

Common Stock

Private Placements

The Company completed two private placements in the third quarter of 2014. In the first private placement, the Company issued 1,476,603 Units on July 2, 2014 and an additional 136,764 Units on July 14, 2014, with each Unit comprised of one share of Common Stock and a 30 month warrant to purchase 0.4 of a share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.10, for a total of 1,613,367 shares of Common Stock and warrants to acquire an additional 645,368 shares of Common Stock, all pursuant to subscription agreements and a unit purchase agreement entered into with accredited investors. The gross proceeds totaled approximately $9.8 million and net proceeds of approximately $8.9 million after commissions and expenses.

The warrants sold as part of the units are exercisable immediately at an exercise price of $8.10 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, recapitalizations or certain other transactions. The warrants will expire on January 2, 2017. Certain FINRA broker-dealers acted on behalf of the Company and were paid aggregate cash commissions of approximately $784,000 and reimbursed for expenses of approximately $136,000 and were issued 30 month warrants to purchase an aggregate of 118,078 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.12.

In the second private placement, the Company issued 378,535 Units on July 30, 2014, with each Unit comprised of one share of Common Stock and a 30 month warrant to purchase 0.4 of a share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.10, for a total of 378,535 shares of Common Stock and warrants to acquire an additional 151,419 shares of Common Stock, all pursuant to subscription agreements and a unit purchase agreement entered into with accredited investors. The gross proceeds totaled approximately $2.3 million and the net proceeds totaled approximately $2.2 million after commissions and expenses.

In connection with this private placement, certain FINRA broker-dealers acted on behalf of the Company and were paid aggregate cash commissions of approximately $100,000 and reimbursed for expenses of approximately $18,000 and were issued 30 month warrants to purchase an aggregate of 19,048 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.12.

Additionally, the Company paid a total of approximately $174,000 of legal fees in connection with the July 2014 private placements thereby resulting in total net proceeds of $10.9 million to the Company.

On October 20, 2014, the Company issued 1,984,128 shares of Common Stock in a private placement with accredited investors. The gross proceeds totaled approximately $10.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $9.9 million after commissions and expenses. The Company paid a total of approximately $102,000 of legal fees in connection with the October 2014 private placements.

In April 2015, the Company raised approximately $11.5 million in gross proceeds through a private placement to certain accredited investors of a total of 1,962,501 Units priced at $5.85 per Unit, with each Unit comprised of one share of the Company’s Common Stock and a 24 month warrant to purchase 0.4 of a share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.92. Net proceeds totaled approximately $10.5 million after commissions and legal fees. A total of 1,962,501 shares of Common Stock and warrants to acquire 785,045 shares of Common Stock were issued in the private placement, with 30 month warrants to acquire an additional 120,187 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.85 issued to broker-dealers acting on behalf of the Company in the placement.

On February 4, 2016, the Company issued 367,647 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The gross proceeds for this issuance totaled approximately $1.25 million. The shares were issued pursuant to subscription agreements entered into on February 4, 2016 between the Company and two accredited investors affiliated with Barry Honig, one of the Company’s directors (see Note 11).

F-18

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

On February 25, 2016, the Company issued 2,120,882 Units, with each Unit comprised of one share of Common Stock and a 30 month warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.06, for a total of 2,120,882 shares of Common Stock and warrants to acquire an additional 1,060,429 shares of Common Stock. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $6.9 million, and net proceeds of approximately $6.1 million after commissions and legal and other fees and expenses. The Company also issued warrants to acquire an aggregate of 261,590 shares of Common Stock to a certain FINRA broker-dealer who acted on behalf of the Company (see Note 11).

Common stock for services

On January 1, 2014, pursuant to an employment agreement, the Company granted 13,889 shares of restricted common stock to an employee of the Company which were valued at fair market value on the date of grant at approximately $6.30 per share. These restricted shares vest one third at the end of each of the first three years from the date of issuance.

On June 11, 2014, the Company and Mr. Steve Alfers, the Company’s CEO, entered into the Second Amendment to the Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Alfers Amendment”) to amend that certain Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2013, and amended by the First Amendment to the Restricted Stock Agreement dated December 23, 2013 by and between the Company and Mr. Alfers. Pursuant to the Alfers Amendment, the vesting of 92,583 restricted shares, of a total of 277,778 restricted shares that were granted on June 18, 2012, was extended from June 18, 2014 to March 14, 2015. 92,583 shares had previously vested in March 2014 and the vesting schedule for the remaining 92,612 shares vesting on June 18, 2015 remains unchanged.

On December 11, 2014, the Company granted an aggregate of 19,157 shares of restricted stock units to the Company’s non-employee members of the board of directors. The fair market value on the date of grant was approximately $99,700 or $5.22 per share. The restricted stock units vested over a one year period and were 100% vested as of December 31, 2015. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one unrestricted share of the Company's common stock upon the holder's termination of service on the Company's board of directors or upon a change in control.

On December 16, 2014, the Company granted an aggregate of 189,444 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees and consultants of the Company, which were valued at fair market value on the date of grant at approximately $954,800 or $5.04 per share. These restricted shares vest one third at the end of each of the first three years from the date of issuance.

Restricted Stock Units

On June 8, 2015 and June 9, 2015, the Company granted an aggregate of 66,668 restricted stock units to certain of the Company’s non-employee members of the board of directors. The fair market value on the date of grant was approximately $406,000. The restricted stock units vest over a three year period. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one unrestricted share of the Company's Common Stock upon the holder's termination of service on the Company's board of directors or upon a change in control. On September 4, 2015, as a result of the death of one of the non-employee members of the board of directors, 5,556 restricted stock units vested in full, and accordingly stock-based compensation was recognized as of December 31, 2015 reflecting the full vesting of the restricted stock units. As a result of the vesting, the Company issued 5,556 shares of Common Stock in September 2015.

F-19

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

On June 28, 2015, the Company granted an aggregate of 700,000 restricted stock units to Mr. Stephen Alfers, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President. Under the terms of the agreement, 300,000 restricted stock units (the “Initial RSUs”) are subject to vesting upon Mr. Alfers’ continuous employment through December 31, 2018, with earlier vesting upon certain events, such as a change in control. The remaining 400,000 restricted stock units (the “Incentive RSUs”) are subject to vesting upon the attainment of certain performance-based milestones set forth in the agreement and become fully vested upon a change in control. For each fully vested restricted stock unit, Mr. Alfers will be entitled to receive one share of Common Stock upon the earlier of December 31, 2018, Mr. Alfers’ separation from service or death, or a change in control. The fair market value on the date of grant of Mr. Alfers’ restricted stock units was approximately $1,755,000 and $2,340,000 for the Initial RSU’s and Incentive RSU’s, respectively. Compensation expense will be recognized on the Incentive RSU’s as the targets are obtained.

On December 9, 2015, the Company granted 12,500 restricted stock units to one of the Company’s non-employee members of the board of directors. The fair market value on the date of grant was approximately $45,750. The restricted stock units vest immediately. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one unrestricted share of the Company's Common Stock upon the holder's termination of service on the Company's board of directors or upon a change in control.

On December 23, 2015, the Company granted an aggregate of 50,000 restricted stock units to employees of the Company. The fair market value on the date of grant was approximately $175,000. The shares granted to employees vest one third on the date of grant and one third at the end of each of the years ending one and two years after the date of issuance. For each vested restricted stock unit, the holder will be entitled to receive one unrestricted share of the Company's Common Stock upon the holder's termination of employment under certain circumstances or upon a change in control.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense in connection with restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards of $2,025,258 and $2,504,223, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reversed $76,007 of previously recognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards that did not vest due to the holder’s termination of employment. At December 31, 2015, there was a total of $4,689,685 unrecognized compensation expense in connection with restricted stock awards.

A summary of the status of the restricted stock units as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and of changes in restricted stock units outstanding during the period, is as follows:

	Restricted Stock Units			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Balance at December 31, 2013		—		$	—
Granted		19,158			5.20
Vested and converted		—			—
Forfeited		—			—
Balance at December 31, 2014		19,158			5.20
Granted		829,168			5.69
Vested and converted		(5,556	)		5.94
Forfeited		—			—
Balance at December 31, 2015		842,770		$	5.60

F-20

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

Common Stock Options

A summary of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and changes during the period are presented below:

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
Balance at December 31, 2013		1,827,778		$	7.56		8.18
Granted		—			—		—
Exercised		—			—		—
Forfeited		(16,657	)		6.12		7.97
Cancelled		—			—		—
Balance at December 31, 2014		1,811,121			7.20		7.15
Granted		—			—		—
Exercised		—			—		—
Forfeited		—			—		—
Cancelled		—			—		—
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2015		1,811,121		$	7.20		6.15
Options exercisable at end of year		1,811,121		$	7.20
Options expected to vest		—
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period				$	—

Common Stock Warrants

A summary of the Company’s outstanding stock warrants as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and changes during the period then ended is as follows:

	Number of Warrants			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
Balance at December 31, 2013		1,458,006		$	8.10		2.22
Granted		933,913			7.74		2,50
Cancelled		(277,731	)		10.80		—
Forfeited		—			—		—
Exercised		—			—		—
Balance at December 31, 2014		2,114,188			7.74		1,83
Granted		913,566			7.62		1.62
Cancelled		—			—		—
Forfeited		(217,175	)		9.00		—
Exercised		—			—		—
Balance at December 31, 2015		2,810,579		$	7.55		1.07
Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2015		2,810,579		$	7.55		1.07
Weighted average fair value of warrants granted during the year ended December 31, 2015				$	7.60

In April 2014, 277,731 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $10.80 per share were forfeited as the warrants were not exercised prior to their expiration date.

F-21

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

The Company completed two private placements in July 2014. In the first private placement, the Company granted 30 month warrants to purchase 645,368 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.10.The warrants were exercisable immediately upon grant and will expire on January 2, 2017. Certain FINRA broker-dealers acted on behalf of the Company and were issued 30 month warrants to purchase an aggregate of 118,078 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.12.

In the second private placement, the Company granted 30 month warrants to purchase 151,419 shares of Common Stock. The warrants were exercisable immediately upon grant and will expire on January 30, 2017. In connection with this private placement, certain FINRA broker-dealers acted on behalf of the Company and were issued 30 month warrants to purchase an aggregate of 19,048 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.12.

On January 28, 2015, the Company issued four-year warrants to purchase 8,334 shares of Common Stock to a consultant. The warrants vested on March 1, 2015 and are exercisable at $5.40 per share. The 8,334 warrants were valued on the grant date at approximately $2.88 per warrant or a total of approximately $24,300 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $5.40 per share (based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant), volatility of 72%, expected term of 4 years, and a risk free interest rate of 1.25%. The Company recognized stock-based consulting expense of approximately $24,300 during the year ended December 31, 2015.

In April 2015, in connection with the private placement, the Company issued 24 month warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.92 per share, for a total of 785,045 shares of Common Stock. The Company also issued 30 month warrants to purchase 120,187 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.85 to broker-dealers acting on behalf of the Company in the private placement.

In December 2015, 217,175 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $9.00 per share were forfeited as the warrants were not exercised prior to their expiration date.

On February 25, 2016, the Company issued 30 month warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.06 per share, for a total of 1,060,429 shares of Common Stock. The warrants are exercisable six months and a day after issuance and will expire on August 25, 2018. The Company also issued warrants to acquire an aggregate of 261,590 shares of common stock to a certain FINRA broker-dealer who acted on behalf of the Company (see Note 11).

Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for treasury stock under the cost method. Between February 2014 and March 2014, the Company reacquired 27,362 shares of its common stock from certain employees of the Company. The reacquisition by the Company of its common stock is the result of certain employees electing to surrender shares in order to satisfy their minimum applicable withholding obligation due to the vesting of restricted stock awards. The Company recorded charges of $181,421 and $0, respectively, in connection with the 2014 and 2015 stock surrenders. In July 2014, 22,222 unvested restricted stock awards were returned to treasury stock as a result of an employee termination. The value of the treasury stock was reflected separately as a deduction from stockholders’ equity. In December 2014, all treasury stock were cancelled and as a result at December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no treasury stock issued and outstanding.

F-22

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 8 — NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Net loss per common share is calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholder, adjusted for preferred dividends, by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net loss per share does not include anti-dilutive Common Stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:

	For the year ended December 31, 2015			For the year ended December 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(19,123,933	)	$	(18,159,240	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share (weighted-average shares)		21,165,083			16,913,621
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.90	)	$	(1.07	)

The following were excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have had an anti-dilutive impact on the Company’s loss from continuing operations and loss from discontinued operations. In periods where the Company has a net loss, all dilutive securities are excluded.

	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Common stock equivalents:
Stock options		1,811,121		1,811,121
Stock warrants		2,810,579		2,114,188
Restricted stock units		842,770		19,158
Convertible preferred stock		1,841,528		1,851,340
Total		7,305,998		5,795,807

NOTE 9 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Leases

The Company leases its corporate facility, and certain office equipment, in Lakewood, Colorado under operating leases with expiration dates through 2018. In April 2015, the Company executed a new operating lease agreement for its corporate facility in Lakewood, Colorado. The new lease is for a period of 39 months commencing in May 2015 and expiring in July 2018. The Company recognized total deferred rent of $15,988 ($5,217 current portion and $10,771 long term portion) in connection with this lease agreement as of December 31, 2015. Rent expense was $62,364 and $47,403 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases are as follows:

2016	$	81,345
2017		83,343
2018		45,455
	$	210,143

F-23

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 9 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

As more fully discussed in Note 5 — Mineral Properties the Company leases certain mineral properties on its Pershing Pass Property. The future minimum lease payments under these mining leases are as follows:

2016	$	20,000
2017		25,000
2018		25,000
2019		25,000
2020		25,000
Thereafter		67,500
	$	187,500

The Company incurred mining lease payments of $10,000 and $10,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC Topic 740: Income Taxes which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax losses and tax credit carryforwards. ASC Topic 740 additionally requires the establishment of a valuation allowance to reflect the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets. The Company has a net operating loss carryforward for tax purposes totaling approximately $55.6 million at December 31, 2015, expiring through the year 2035. Internal Revenue Code Section 382 places a limitation on the amount of taxable income that can be offset by carryforwards after certain ownership shifts

The table below summarizes the differences between the Company’s effective tax rate and the statutory federal rate as follows for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Tax benefit computed at “expected” statutory rate	$	(6,502,139	)	$	(5,596,958	)
State income taxes, net of benefit		—			—
Permanent differences :
Stock based compensation and consulting		18,886			628,292
Prior year true-ups		833,847			1,431,485	))
Other		13,512			9,549
Increase in valuation allowance		5,635,894			3,527,632
Net income tax benefit	$	—		$	—

The table below summarizes the differences between the Company’s effective tax rate and the statutory federal rate as follows for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Computed “expected” tax expense (benefit)		(34.0	)%		(34.0	)%
State income taxes		0	%		0	%
Permanent differences		4.53	%		12.59	%
Change in valuation allowance		29.47	%		21.41	%
Effective tax rate		0.0	%		0.0	%

F-24

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

The Company has a deferred tax asset which is summarized as follows at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

Deferred tax assets:

	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Net operating loss carryover	$	18,920,702		$	12,878,543
Stock based compensation		4,986,677			5,826,392
Depreciable and depletable assets		(367,352	)		(463,793	))
Mining explorations		3,028,546			2,706,134
Capital loss carryforward		1,482,863			1,482,863
Other		27,062			12,465
Less: valuation allowance		(28,078,498	)		(22,442,604	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—

After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, management has recorded a full valuation allowance at December 31, 2015, due to the uncertainty of realizing the deferred income tax assets. The valuation allowance was increased by approximately $5.6 million.

NOTE 11 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

February 4, 2016 Private Placement

On February 4, 2016, the Company issued 367,647 shares of the Company’s common stock. The gross proceeds for this issuance totaled approximately $1.25 million. The shares were issued pursuant to subscription agreements entered into on February 4, 2016 between the Company and two accredited investors affiliated with Barry Honig, one of the Company’s directors.

As a result of the February 4, 2016 private placement, the conversion price for the Series E Preferred Stock has been reduced effective February 4, 2016 from $5.04 to $3.40 per share of Series E Preferred Stock. Following this adjustment, each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Series E Original Issue Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designation), of $990.00, by the adjusted conversion price, resulting in each share of Series E Preferred Stock being convertible into approximately 291.176 shares of Common Stock. A total of 9,375 shares of Series E Preferred Stock remained outstanding, and as a result of the adjustment, were convertible into approximately 2,729,780 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, compared to 1,841,528 shares of Common Stock prior to the adjustment. The adjusted conversion price generated additional value to the convertibility feature of the Series E Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Company will record a deemed dividend of approximately $3.0 million for the additional value of the beneficial conversion feature in February 2016, the period of the adjustment.

Series E Preferred Stock Conversion

During February 2016 a holder of Series E Preferred Stock converted one Series E share into 292 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

During March 2016 a holder of Series E Preferred Stock converted 100 Series E share into 30,461 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

F-25

PERSHING GOLD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2015

NOTE 11 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (continued)

February 25, 2016 Private Placement

The Company also issued warrants to acquire an aggregate of 261,590 shares of Common Stock to a certain FINRA broker-dealer who acted on behalf of the Company.

As a result of the February 25, 2016 private placement, the conversion price for the Series E Preferred Stock has been reduced effective February 25, 2016 from $3.40 to $3.25 per share of Series E Preferred Stock. Following this adjustment, each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Series E Original Issue Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designation), of $990.00, by the adjusted conversion price, resulting in each share of Series E Preferred Stock being convertible into approximately 304.615 shares of Common Stock. A total of 9,374 shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding, and as a result of the adjustment, are convertible into approximately 2,855,469 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, compared to 2,729,489 shares of Common Stock prior to the adjustment. The adjusted conversion price generated additional value to the convertibility feature of the Series E Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Company will record a deemed dividend of approximately $580,000 for the additional value of the beneficial conversion feature in February 2016, the period of the adjustment.

F-26