UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

OR

o                                 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 0-11226

GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado

 

84-0630963

State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

Suite 201, 1515 South Tejon,

 

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

80906

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (719) 471-9013

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

(Title of Each Class)

 

(Name of Each Exchange on which registered)

Common Stock, No Par Value

 

NYSE Arca

 

Securities Registered Pursuant To Section 12 (b) 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.  o Yes   x No

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

Indicate by checkmark 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.  x Yes   o No

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.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “Accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:  $47,720,240.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of March 23, 2007 was 9,744,250.

DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting to be held in June 2007, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company’s Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2006.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of certain factors, described elsewhere herein, including but not limited to fluctuations in the market price of gold and uncertainties regarding the ability of the Joint Venture (as defined below) to operate profitably.

 




PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Golden Cycle Gold Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado on May 19, 1972 for the purpose of acquiring and developing the mining properties (the “Mining Properties”) of the Golden Cycle Corporation, located in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Registrant” and “Company” as well as “we”, “us” and “our”, mean Golden Cycle Gold Corporation.

The primary business of the Company has been its participation in the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company (“CC&V”), a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) with AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp., formerly Pikes Peak Mining Company, (“AngloGold”).  The Joint Venture engages in gold mining activity in the Cripple Creek area of Colorado.

In addition to its Joint Venture activities, the Company incorporated Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. (“GCPI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, under the laws of the Philippines on November 12, 1996.  GCPI entered into an agreement with Benguet Corporation, a Philippine mining company, providing for their joint participation in the exploration, development and production of mining properties in certain areas of the Philippines.  All GCPI exploration work has been placed on a standby basis until a Mineral Profits Sharing Agreement (“MPSA”) is awarded to the claim owner of the Sagittarius Alpha Realty (“SAR”) claims.  See “Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc.” for further information regarding the proposed activities of GCPI in the Philippines.

During January 2002, the Company incorporated Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to conduct exploration activities for the Company.  As of this date the Company has not funded Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc.

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As of December 31, 2006, the Company had 2 employees.

Description of Mining Joint Venture

The Company’s interest in the Joint Venture was received in exchange for the Company’s rights to gold mining properties in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado.  The rights and obligations of the parties are covered by an Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) dated and effective as of January 1, 1991, between AngloGold and the Company.  The Joint Venture engages in gold mining activity in the Cripple Creek area of Colorado and the Company’s participation in the Joint Venture constitutes its primary business activity.  AngloGold serves as the manager (the “Manager”) of the Joint Venture.  The Joint Venture’s principal mining operations are conducted at the Cresson mine, where commercial production was commenced in the first half of 1995.

The Joint Venture Agreement defines an Initial Phase that will end when (i) the Initial Loans (defined below) have been repaid (ii) a cash reserve has been established to fund accrued reclamation and severance tax obligations, plus an amount approximating nine months of estimated operating costs, plus an amount approximating twelve months of estimated capital costs, and (iii) Net Proceeds (defined in the Joint Venture Agreement generally as gross revenues less costs) in the amount of $58 million have been distributed as follows: 80% to AngloGold and 20% to the Company.  After the Initial Phase, the Joint Venture will distribute metal in kind in the proportion of 67% to AngloGold and 33% to the Company.  In addition, the Company will generally be entitled to receive, in each year during the Initial Phase or until the mining of ore by the Joint Venture ceases due to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, whichever occurs first, an annual minimum distribution of $250,000 (a “Minimum Annual Distribution”).  The first three Minimum Annual Distributions in 1991, 1992 and 1993 were not deemed to be a distribution of Net Proceeds to the Company and were not applied against the Company’s share of any Net Proceeds.  The Minimum Annual Distributions received on January 15, 1994 and thereafter constitute an advance on Net Proceeds and will be recouped against future shares of Net Proceeds to the Company.

The Joint Venture Agreement provides that, during the period from January 1, 1991 until the end of the Initial Phase, all funds required for operations and mine development by the Joint Venture will be loaned (the “Initial Loans”) to the Joint Venture by either AngloGold or, if such loans are available at a lower cost than from AngloGold, financial institutions.  Except for the Minimum Annual Distributions, the Initial Loans and interest thereon must be repaid prior to distributions of Net Proceeds to the Joint Venturers.  The audited Joint Venture financial statements reported that as of December 31, 2006, the Joint Venture had $333.8 million in Initial Loans payable to AngloGold.  After the Initial Phase, the Joint Venturers will contribute funds in proportion to their respective distributive shares.

The Joint Venture recorded net income of $38.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to net income of $9.5 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.  There is no assurance that the Joint Venture will be able to achieve profitability in any subsequent period or to sustain profitability for an extended period.  The ability of the Joint Venture to sustain profitability is dependent upon a number of factors beyond the control of the Joint Venture, including without limitation, the market price of gold, which is volatile and subject to speculative movement, and the extent of mineralization in the area controlled by the Joint Venture and the efficiency of its mining operations.

Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans, complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income cannot be assured.

The Joint Venture completed construction of the required infrastructure for the Cresson Mine and began mining operations in 1995, with the first Cresson Mine gold pour occurring on February 14, 1995.  In 1996, the Joint Venture completed its first full year of Cresson Mine operations.  The development of the East and North Cresson mines began during the second quarter of 1999.  The Joint Venture began construction of expanded facilities during early 2002, completing the new truck shop, crushing facility, expanded process facility, and expanded valley leach facility by September 2003.  The last step in the mine expansion, a $15.5 million expansion of the valley fill leach facility, was completed during the fall of 2004.

3




2006 Operational Highlights

As the Joint Venture’s Manager, AngloGold provides the Company with detailed information on the activities and operations of the Joint Venture.  The following description of the Joint Venture’s operation is derived from reports made available by the Manager, upon whom reliance is placed.

Production

The 2006 Joint Venture gold production was 283,486 troy ounces compared to 329,625 troy ounces of gold produced during 2005.  CC&V experienced a prolonged drought over the fourteen months leading into June 2006.  The drought caused reduced pregnant pond levels within Valley Leach Facility (“VLF”), which caused CC&V to reduce the flow rates through the gold recovery circuit, which in turn resulted in reduced fluid movement through the leach facility, and ultimately reduced daily gold recoveries.  In recent months the leach facility has received precipitation at more normal rates.  The precipitation has worked its way into the leach facility and recovery systems, which combined with CC&V’s addition of significant quantities of water to the barren solution raised pond levels to normal and permitted CC&V to restore solution flow levels to planned flows of 14,000 gallons per minute.  The increased flows through the leach facility have increased daily gold recoveries from a June 2006 low of 580 troy ounces per day to approximately 900 troy ounces per day during December 2006.

CC&V has had improved success in its mining operations in the past few months.  Higher grade ores were mined in the upper benches of the South Cresson and the third and final mining area in the southern portion of the East Cresson.  This success translated into higher than planned recoverable ounce placement on the VLF during the following recent months:  June 2006, 35,302 troy ounces (109% of plan); July 2006, 39,541 troy ounces (133% of plan); August 2006, 37,075 troy ounces (152% of plan); September 2006, 36,499 troy ounces (112% of plan); October 2006, 29,119 troy ounces (115% of plan); and November 2006, 28,723 troy ounces (119% of plan) and December 2006; 26,285 (103% of plan).  The mining and crushing operations are performing at a 22 million ore ton per year pace in spite of numerous truck and shovel maintenance challenges.  Variable mining costs continue to escalate, in part due to increased mining volumes; however mine personnel are aggressively seeking to manage costs to minimize the impact upon cost per ounce.

As of December 31, 2006, the inventory of recoverable gold within the VLF is estimated to be 551,340 troy ounces.  Management believes the increased inventory of gold within the leach facility is primarily caused by three factors: what we perceive to be a normal inventory increase related to the growth of the VLF in size, the reduced number of gold ounces produced from the leach facility in the earlier months of the year due to reduced fluid flows, and the increased recoverable gold ounces placed, discussed above.  Management believes this inventory may continue to increase, although not as rapidly as it has during 2006, until ore ceases to be loaded on the VLF and CC&V begins the final leaching stages of the leach facility, which is expected to take several years.

CC&V appears to have overcome its truck capacity problems, chiefly through improved maintenance.  CC&V mined 59.2 million tons of material during the year, including 22.4 million tons of ore, 1 million tons of run-of-mine ore (ore which was sufficiently fine after blasting and mining and therefore not sent through the crusher circuit) and 35.8 million tons of waste.  CC&V also moved 1 million tons of stockpiled ore to the crusher for a total of 53.9 million tons moved.

The crushing facility operated at above plant design capacity (20 million tons/year) during the year, crushing 23.0 million tons during the year.  Ore placed on the valley leach facility averaged 0.024 contained troy ounces per ton, containing an estimated 570,792 troy ounces of gold (an estimated 383,697 recoverable ounces of gold).

Revenue and Costs

During 2006, the Joint Venture sold 286,637 troy ounces of gold at an average price of $603 per ounce producing total gold sale revenues of approximately $172.8 million.  The Joint Venture cash production costs for 2006 were approximately $246 per troy ounce compared to $232 per troy ounce during 2005 and a budget of $240 per troy ounce.  The main reason for the higher cost per ounce in 2006 compared to the budgeted cost per ounce was the decrease in troy ounces of gold produced in 2006.  The Joint Venture had total operating costs of $98.3 million, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expenses of $26.5 million and accretion expense of $1.4 million for the year.  This compares to $106.9 million, $30.1 million and $1.1 million for the year ended 2005.

4




Interest expense on the Initial Loans was approximately $34.4 million ($29.2 and $23.8 million in the years 2005 and 2004 respectively).  The Company received the Minimum Annual Distribution of $250,000 which will be recouped from future shares of Net Proceeds to the Company.

Ore Reserves and Non-reserve Mineralization

The Joint Venture focused on development, exploration and engineering feasibility work concerning future operations.  The main objective of CC&V’s continuing exploration program for 2006 was to expand information on the gold mineralization in two areas of the Wild Horse Extension, area with particular emphasis on metallurgical data, and to further increase the drill information available within areas which have previously indicated existing mineralization.

CC&V currently controls over 85% of the patented claims within the district and 100% of the land within the year-end 2006 Total Mineral Resource.  All gold ore reserves and mineral resources are stated at 100% ownership basis, although portions of the ore reserves are subject to third party royalties which vary according to individual agreements with the underlying property owner.

Each year CC&V models its gold ore reserves to incorporate the results of its exploration program, new geologic information, revised metallurgical recoveries, revised gold price, new geotechnical data, new pit designs, new operating costs and/or allowances for 2006 depletion.  All ore reserves for 2006 were modeled using a $550 gold price, an increase from the $400 gold price used to model the reserves shown for 2005.  The cutoff grade for reserves remained unchanged from 2005 at a recoverable cutoff of 0.007 ounces per ton.

The year end district wide central drill hole database contains 8,496 drill holes (6% core and 94% reverse circulation rotary) with a total footage of 4,757,499 feet.  Samples are collected from the reverse circulation drills at five foot intervals and split with a rotary, wet splitter.  Coarse exploration drill samples are collected as two splits.  One split (analytical sample) is sent for analysis, and the second split is kept as a coarse replicate (metallurgical sample).  Individual samples are dried, split into one 300 gram sample, pulverized to 95% minus 150 mesh, blended and fire assayed (FA) using a one assay-ton charge.  Prior to 1996, all samples greater than 0.010 opt FA were also analyzed for cyanide soluble gold using a shake leach method (SL).  Commencing 1996, all samples are analyzed using both FA and SL assay methods.  The procedure for collecting drill samples within and adjacent to the existing reserve pits was modified in 2003 to collecting samples on ten foot intervals to minimize costs without losing any critical data.  In 2005, the central drill database was audited by Barnes Engineering Services, Inc.  Any material errors or other issues identified were corrected prior to the start of 2005 ore reserve modeling.

Resource shells were changed to a $650 Lerchs-Grossman envelope around the reserve pits for 2006 resource estimates from the $475 price of gold used in 2005 ore resource estimates.  The geostatistical modeling procedures used by the Manager in computing the ore reserves have been reviewed by independent consultants (Independent Mining Consultants, Inc., Mine Reserve Associates, Inc., Mineral Resource Development Associates, Inc., and Mine Development Associates, Inc.) over previous years, and conform to industry standards.  The ore reserves are shown on the table below:

5




Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining District

Unaudited CC&V Ore Reserve Estimate as of December 31, 2006*

 

 

Ore

 

Gold

 

Contained

 

Estimated

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Tons

 

Ounces

 

Gold

 

Recovery

 

Recoverable

 

 

 

(000’S)

 

Per Ton

 

Ounces

 

(Percent)

 

Ounces **

 

Proven

 

102,995

 

0.027

 

2,797,639

 

60.96

%

1,705,496

 

Probable

 

39,237

 

0.027

 

1,044,836

 

59.76

%

624,347

 

Total Reserves, 2006

 

142,232

 

0.027

 

3,842,475

 

60.63

%

2,329,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from 2005

 

10,918

 

 

 

539,040

 

 

 

271,831

 

 

Unaudited CC&V Ore Reserve Estimate as of December 31, 2005*

 

 

Ore

 

Gold

 

Contained

 

Estimated

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Tons

 

Ounces

 

Gold

 

Recovery

 

Recoverable

 

 

 

(000’S)

 

Per Ton

 

Ounces

 

(Percent)

 

Ounces **

 

Proven

 

96,313

 

0.025

 

2,423,049

 

63.13

%

1,529,684

 

Probable

 

35,001

 

0.025

 

880,386

 

60.01

%

528,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Reserves, 2005

 

131,314

 

0.025

 

3,303,435

 

62.30

%

2,058,012

 

 

Note:  The tonnage is shown in short tons.

*    These gold reserve figures were estimated based on a $550 per troy ounce gold price for all district deposits for the 2006 estimates and a $400 per troy ounce gold price for the 2005 estimates, and are subject to various royalties.  There can be no assurance, however, that the Joint Venture can earn a profit when the market price of gold equals or exceeds the gold price used in estimating those reserves.

**  Recoverability of contained ounces is based on heap leaching and metallurgical testing.  Recoverability rates vary by ore type.  The recoverable ounces shown are an estimate of the ounces of gold which can be economically and legally recovered based on weight proportion metallurgical averages for all deposits and do not incorporate potential losses from dilution and mining recovery.

The above estimates are based upon drill data and are a combination of “proven” and “probable” reserves.  The classifications of “proven” and “probable” are taken from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Industry Guide 7, which defines the terms as follows.

Proven (Measured) Reserves.  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 the size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established.

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

The ore reserve figures set forth above are estimates and no assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery of gold from ore reserves will in fact be realized.

The increase in the December 31, 2006 ore reserves (an estimated 539,040 contained troy ounces of gold, with an estimated 271,831 recoverable troy ounces of gold) is primarily a result of higher gold bullion prices and

6




additional exploration drill results used in the 2006 ore reserve model.

The focus of the Joint Venture’s 2007 exploration program is to expand existing ore reserves, particularly in the west high wall of the East Cresson mine, and develop additional metallurgical information in mineral resource areas to enable it to change the classification of a portion of its non-reserve mineral resources to mineral reserve ounces of gold.  It expects to achieve this goal through additional infill drilling, geotech and metallurgical drilling and studies and mining studies.  Further, the Joint Venture is conducting exploration drilling in additional areas on a widely- spaced drill hole basis with the objective of defining a mineral resource in the area.

The dominant trend our industry has been facing is increasing gold prices.  The increasing gold price trend has been interrupted periodically by corrections of varying magnitude.  It appears to management that the various national and international economic trends such as increasing demand for gold, decreasing mine production of gold, weakness in the US dollar and instability in various countries around the world will continue for the immediate future.  Management believes the long term trend of increasing gold prices will continue to favorably impact the economics of its Joint Venture’s operations.  The industry has been impacted by increasing costs such as diesel and natural gas fuels.  Management expects continued cost pressures over time.

Environmental Reclamation

CC&V has developed an effective environmental protection and reclamation plan for this high-altitude, semiarid, cold-weather, year-round leaching environment.  Reclamation has continued since 1992 to support post mining land use for wildlife, including elk.  Further, CC&V completed its voluntary reclamation of the Portland surface mine during 2005.  The Joint Venture has secured financial warranties of approximately $45 million to insure its success in completing the final reclamation of the entire property.  Ongoing compliance with federal and state regulations includes seismic, fugitive dust, and noise monitoring for the operation’s meeting applicable standards for ground and surface water; monitoring rain and snow fall, water and air emissions.

Employment

AngloGold provides the work force required by the Joint Venture, which has no employees.  AngloGold employment related to the Joint Venture increased to 327 at December 31, 2006, from 307 at December 31, 2005.

Governmental Regulation

Like all mining operations in the United States, the Joint Venture is subject to a multitude of environmental laws and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local governments including, but not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”);  the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act.  The Joint Venture’s operations are subject to comprehensive regulation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration and other state and local agencies.  Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits can result in injunctive action, damages and civil and criminal penalties.  If the Joint Venture expands or changes its existing operations or proposes new operations, it may be required to obtain additional or amended permits or authorizations.  In particular, CERCLA, commonly called the “Superfund Act”, contains stringent reporting requirements for the release or disposal of hazardous substances, with substantial fines for noncompliance.

Certain solid and hazardous wastes from mining and mineral processing operations are temporarily exempt from regulation under RCRA.  The EPA is currently considering the promulgation of a special set of rules to regulate mining wastes under RCRA, but those may be delayed pending anticipated Congressional re-authorization and revision of RCRA.  The effect of any future regulation on the Joint Venture’s operations cannot be determined until the legislative process is completed and new rules are issued.  However, it is assumed that regulations may have a significant impact on operations of all mining companies and increase the costs of those operations.

Although the Manager expects that compliance with federal, state and local environmental and land use laws and regulations will continue to require significant future outlays of resources, it is not possible to state with any certainty what impact such compliance may have on the Joint Venture’s future capital expenditures or earnings.

Distribution of Proceeds and Other Financial Aspects

The Joint Venture made payments of the Minimum Annual Distribution of $250,000 to the Company on June 13, 1991, January 15, 1992, and January 15 of each subsequent year, to and including January 15, 2007.  Subsequent payments of the same amount are scheduled to be made on January 15th of each year until the conclusion of the Initial Phase, as defined in the Joint Venture Agreement, or until the completion of mining.  The payments made on January

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15, 1994 and subsequent annual payments of $250,000 constitute an advance on Net Proceeds and will be recouped by the Manager against future distributions of net proceeds.  After recovery by the Manager of these advances, if the Company’s share (20% in the Initial Phase) of Net Proceeds exceeds the applicable Minimum Annual Distribution after recouping any advanced distributions, the larger amount will be distributed to the Company.  The Joint Venture recorded net income of $38.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method.  Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as income.  During 1992, the Company’s share of Joint Venture losses exceeded the remaining carrying value of the investment and, accordingly, the investment was reduced to zero.  The Company does not record its share of Joint Venture losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of its investment balance to zero.  The Company believes that its liability for loss is limited to its loss of its equity in the Joint Venture.  To the extent the Joint Venture is subsequently profitable, the Company will not record its share of equity income until the cumulative amount of previously unrecorded Joint Venture losses has been recouped.

As a result of the reduction of the Joint Venture investment carrying value to zero during 1992, the Company has not recorded its share of the Joint Venture net income for the 2006 period, $7.7 million, nor its share of the Joint Venture’s net income of $1,892,000 for the 2005 period, $1,538,400 for the 2004 period or its share of the Joint Venture’s net loss of $93,800 for the 2003 period.  The Company will not record its share of any future Joint Venture net income unless and until the balance of the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture ($7,910,000 as of December 31, 2006) are recovered.

GOLDEN CYCLE PHILIPPINES, INC. (GCPI)

GCPI and its exploration activities were placed into a standby status in January 1999 for the reasons stated below.

GCPI Background

In January 1997, GCPI signed a comprehensive exploration agreement (the “BGA Agreement”) with Benguet Corporation (“Benguet”), which provided that all costs and participation will be shared 50/50 by the parties.  In October 1997, the two companies signed the First Supplemental Agreement to the BGA Agreement, which added 1,050 acres of mineral claims held by Benguet to the BGA.  Under the terms of this supplemental agreement, GCPI will earn a 50% interest in these claims in exchange for funding the first $250,000 (about 10 million Philippine pesos) of exploration work.  The claim area lies immediately south of the historic Masara and Hijo gold mines in the Philippines and just north of Benguet’s Kingking copper/gold deposit.

First Supplemental Agreement to the BGA

Phase I of the exploration effort on the five Sagittarius Alpha Realty (“SAR”) claims was completed in May 1998.  This effort consisted of geological mapping, grid soil sampling and analysis, and stream sediment and water analysis.  This work indicates the presence of sizable areas interpreted to be anomalous gold concentrations.  These must be further tested through trenching, tunneling and drilling to properly evaluate the gold potential.  The Phase II exploration could not be carried out as the old leased claims have not as of this date been awarded a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (“MPSA”) as required by the 1995 Philippine Mining Law. Thus, all work on this project has been placed on a standby basis until the MPSA is awarded to Benguet, as claim owner.  Benguet has not applied for an MPSA as of March 2007.  The Company expects to expend approximately $6,000 during 2007 to maintain GCPI on a standby status.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

During 2001, the Company acquired two claim groups in Nevada: the Table Top and the Illipah gold prospects.  During first quarter of 2002, the Company incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc. (“GCX”), to independently direct the exploration efforts for these claim groups.  As of this report, the Company has not yet funded GCX.  Finally, the Company has an on-going exploration program in southwest Colorado.

 

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Table Top

To drive to the Table Top claims from Winnemucca, Nevada, travel north on US Highway 95 for approximately one mile.  Turn west, to the left, on Highway 49 towards Jungo, NV, a ghost town.  At approximately 4 miles turn left towards an industrial plant and proceed to the railroad tracks.  Turn right on the road that parallels the railroad and travel approximately 6 miles.  At a culvert under the railroad tracks, turn right to the project area, see adjacent map.

The Table Top claim group consists of 38 wholly owned Federal mineral claims, controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), and lies within the Basin and Range province of north-central Nevada, which over the past forty years has become one of the world’s premier gold producing regions.  The Table Top claims are subject to an Exploration Right with Option to Purchase agreement requiring the Company to pay the annual assessment fees to the BLM and Humboldt County and five percent of all expenditures on the property up to a maximum amount of $500,000 to Mr. Wendt, from whom the claims were originally purchased.  At present, the Company has paid Mr. Wendt approximately $7,500.  The Table Top property can be interpreted to lie within the “Midas” gold bearing zone striking northeast across Nevada, and also as a part of a north-south trend containing the Sleeper Mine, Sandman, Florida Canyon, Rochester and Relief Canyon.  The property is located ten miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada.

The Table Top claims cover brecciated and silicified sediment that is poorly exposed and has only been unsystematically explored and partially drill tested in the past.  The key gold mineralized feature on the property is a hydrothermal breccia, which contains anomalous gold, arsenic, antimony and mercury.  Goldfields Mining Corporation first staked the Table Top property in 1986 while conducting surface exploration for an open pit type operation.  A limited rock chip sampling and reverse circulation drilling program indicated the presence of a gold mineralized system.

The Table Top claims do not have a readily available source of power, contain no known mineral reserve or resource, and are exploratory in nature.  The Company’s intended exploration target will be the discovery of a high grade mineralized gold vein system at depth, to be developed by a phased exploration program.  The Company does not anticipate additional exploration activity on this property during 2007.

9




Illipah

The Company entered into an agreement, effective August 23, 2006, with Tornado Gold International Corporation (TOGI-Q) (“Tornado”) pursuant to which Tornado acquired certain mining claims referred to as the Illipah claims.  Tornado paid the Company US$50,000 upon execution of the agreement.  Under the agreement Tornado paid the Company an additional US$50,000 and 50,000 shares of Tornado common stock which was due within ninety days of the date of the agreement, and an additional 100,000 shares of Tornado common stock which was due within one hundred eighty days of the date of the agreement.  An additional 200,000 shares of Tornado common stock is due to be paid to the Company within one year of the signing of the agreement (due August 23, 2007).  Upon execution of the agreement, Tornado assumed Golden Cycle’s obligations in an underlying exploration and mining lease agreement on the claims, and granted to Golden Cycle a production royalty of two percent of net smelter returns on all rents and mineral production from the property.  Tornado has the option, exercisable at any time prior to commercial production on any of the Illipah claims, to reduce Golden Cycle production royalties from two percent to one percent by paying Golden Cycle, at Golden Cycle’s option, either US$1 million, or its equivalent in gold bullion at the August 23, 2006 closing price of gold on the New York Commodity Exchange.  Tornado also agreed to undertake an exploration program on the Illipah property and related area of interest, and incur exploration and development expenditures of at US$750,000 within two years, of which US$250,000 must be expended during the first year of the agreement.  In the event of a default under the agreement by Tornado, Golden Cycle may reacquire the Illipah claims under certain circumstances, such as default by Tornado.

The Illipah project area can be reached by car from Ely, Nevada.  From Ely travel west on US Highway 50 for approximately 33 miles.  You will pass the turnoff for Illipah Reservoir to your left.  Continue west on US Highway 50 for another 5 miles.  Turn right, to the north on a gravel road.  There is a stop sign at this intersection.  Travel north for 6 miles to the project site, see adjacent map.

This gold project is situated in eastern Nevada at the southern extension of the Carlin Trend that contains the largest accumulation of gold deposits in North America.  The Illipah claims consist of 191 unpatented Federal BLM lode mining claims (approximately 3,800 acres) over a six-mile strike length that contains favorable stratigraphic and structural environments for the discovery of a significant gold deposit.  The property is subject to advance royalty payments and a 2% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty on all mineral production.  An NSR is a royalty, usually a percent, of smelter production less certain allowable costs such as smelting and transportation to the smelter.  The NSR royalty is reduced to 1% if $2,000,000 in advance royalties is paid.

Past production from the immediate area of Illipah is 37,000 ounces of gold from an open pit mined in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.  The ore was processed using heap leach technology.  This gold mineralization is envisioned as a surface gold anomaly that indicates there is a strong possibility of high-grade gold mineralization at depth near favorable stratigraphic contacts and structures.  The geological similarities between Illipah and Newmont’s

10




Rain Deposit (the “Rain Deposit”) located 65 miles north-northwest are striking.  The Rain Deposit originally was mined as an open-pit, but is currently being mined underground.  The reported resource potential is 2 million ounces of gold and the average grade 0.40 oz/troy Au.

The Illipah claims contain no known mineral reserve or resource and are exploratory in nature.  Past exploration on the property largely focused on its near surface mineral potential, though some deeper exploration drilling was completed by two companies.  The Company used generator power for its 2005 exploration program.  Power is available just outside the property’s boundary should Tornado or the Company elect to pay the cost to bring it on to the property for future operations.

Colorado

The Company’s continuing exploration effort in the Company’s home state of Colorado was largely placed on hold during 2005 and 2006 while the Company focused on its exploration priority at that time, the Illipah exploration project until Tornado acquired the Illipah claims.  The Company has developed a geologic concept indicating the possibility of an exploration target which meets the Company’s criterion in southwest Colorado.  During 2007, the Company plans to complete a regional study of the target area, including satellite imagery which it began in 2004, with the objective of narrowing the target area.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves risks and uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical results or the results contemplated by any forward-looking statement contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or that we make in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or in other public statements.  You should consider the following factors carefully, in addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, before deciding to purchase, sell or hold our securities.

Risks Relating to Our Company and Industry

The exploration of mineral properties is highly speculative in nature and is frequently unproductive. We cannot be certain that our acquisition, exploration, and development activities will be commercially successful.

Other than our interest in CC&V, we do not have any properties with current or planned gold production. Exploration for minerals is highly speculative. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of mineable deposits of ore. Moreover, any mineralization discovery may not be of sufficient quantity or quality to be mined profitably. We use the evaluation work of professional geologists, geophysicists, and engineers for estimates in determining whether to commence or continue mining. These estimates generally rely on scientific and economic assumptions, which may not be correct. As a result of these uncertainties, we may expend substantial amounts of funds on exploration or mining projects that may ultimately result in failure to locate gold minerals sufficient to justify commercial mining operations.

Due to the nature of mining activities, we face risks of delays and increased costs resulting from environmental, technical, and geological factors.

Mining activities are subject to substantial operating hazards, including weather, environmental conditions, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations, equipment breakdowns or malfunctions and work interruptions.  There may also be limited availability of water, which is essential to milling operations. The occurrence of any of these events could delay or interrupt production, increase production costs, or result in liability for us. Our results of operation could therefore be adversely affected as well.

We face strong competition in our industry and may not be able to compete effectively.

Our industry consists of numerous companies which compete in the acquisition and development of mining properties. Many of these companies are significantly larger than us or CC&V. They may also enjoy access to more capital resources than we do. Our competitors may be able to engage in more exploration activities, acquire rights to more properties with potential quantities of gold, and more easily obtain the funds necessary to conduct production activities. Accordingly, we may not be able to compete effectively with these companies.

11




The mining and mineral processing industries are subject to extensive governmental regulations which can impose significant costs and burdens.

Our mining activities, including those of CC&V, are subject to extensive federal, state, and local regulations governing air and water quality, mine reclamation, solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal, and occupational safety. Although we are not aware of any circumstances which would cause CC&V or any of our other properties to be in violation of any of these regulations, there can be no assurance that we and CC&V will be able to be in compliance with such regulations in the future. Factors that may lead to our inability to comply with regulations include, for example, future changes in regulations, increased cost of compliance, and our financial condition in the future. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in injunctive action, damages, and civil and criminal penalties, all of which could adversely affect our business.

In addition, as of December 31, 2006, CC&V had posted a bond of approximately $45 million with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board to secure reclamation of mining disturbances arising from the CC&V Joint Venture’s mining activities, and will likely be required to post additional sums to accommodate further mining at the Cresson site.

Further, on November 27, 2000 and on November 30, 2001, the Sierra Club and Mineral Policy Center filed two lawsuits against CC&V, AngloGold (and one of its affiliates) and the Company (the Defendants), alleging various past and ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act at the Cresson Project near Victor, Colorado.  (See Item 3, Legal Proceedings, for additional information).

We are subject to risks related to our Philippine activities.

We have entered into an agreement with a Philippine mining company, Benquet Corporation. The operating agreement stipulates that our Philippine subsidiary, Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc., would manage the exploration, development and/or mining of certain designated properties in the Philippines. We have never before engaged in mining activities in the Philippines. Moreover, since our inception in 1972, we have never served as manager of any mining project in the United States or any foreign country. Consequently, we will, in connection with activities in the Philippines, be subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in any new business enterprise, such as the ability to hire and retain qualified personnel and to raise sufficient capital.  Further, we may also be subject to certain risks of doing business in foreign countries, such as political instability, unfamiliarity with local laws, and currency exchange risk.  Currently all the activities of the Philippines subsidiary are on hold pending approval of a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement by the Philippine government.  The Company wrote off the remaining value of its investment in the Philippine subsidiary during 2006.  If opportunities to economically pursue activities in the Philippines are available, and if we elect to pursue them, additional capital may be required.  There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain the additional capital, if required, or that such capital would be available to us on terms which would be acceptable.

We are dependent on the efforts of key personnel and may be harmed if we are unable to retain these individuals.

The success of our business depends, in large part, upon the skills and efforts of a small group of key personnel, including R. Herbert Hampton, our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer. If we are not successful in retaining such key personnel, or attracting similarly qualified individuals, our business may be harmed. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our key personnel.  Therefore, the loss of our key personnel could adversely impact our ability to execute our business plan, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

We could be deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  This would impose significant restrictions on us and would be likely to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our principal assets include our equity interest and participation in the Joint Venture.  Our interest in the Joint Venture could be deemed an “investment security” for purposes of the Investment Company Act.  In the event that such interest is determined to have a value that comprises 40% or more of our total assets, we could be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless an exemption from registration were available or we were to obtain an order of the SEC excluding or exempting us from registration under the Investment Company Act.

If anything were to happen which would cause us to be deemed an investment company, the Investment Company Act would impose significant restrictions on us, including severe limitations on our ability to borrow money,

12




to issue additional capital stock and to transact business with affiliates.  In addition, because our operations are very different from those of the typical registered investment company, regulation under the Investment Company Act could affect us in other ways that are extremely difficult to predict.  In sum, if we were deemed to be an investment company it could become impractical for us to continue our business as currently conducted and our financial condition and results of operations could suffer materially.

Risks Relating to the Cripple Creek Joint Venture

Because we rely on CC&V for substantially all of our revenues and cash flow, our business will be harmed if CC&V’s operation is negatively impacted.

Our participation in CC&V constitutes our primary business. Gold production at CC&V accounted for all of our total gold production in fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005. Substantially all of our revenues and cash flow are derived from this gold production. Our results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected if production at the Cresson mine is disrupted due to labor interruptions, technical problems, or environmental factors, such as seismic events, or other unforeseeable events.

In addition, AngloGold has the ability to reduce CC&V’s gold production, even without our consent.  AngloGold, as the manager of the CC&V Joint Venture, develops, revises and implements budget and plans for the Joint Venture.  As the 67% majority shareholder in the Joint Venture, AngloGold can adopt or change any plan or budget for the Joint Venture.  We cannot assure you that AngloGold will not reduce CC&V’s planned gold production in the future which will materially and adversely affect our profitability.

CC&V is substantially dependent on AngloGold for its operating funds and may not be able to continue operations if such funds are no longer available.

The exploration and development of CC&V’s properties are governed by the terms of the Joint Venture agreement, which grants operational responsibility and management authority in the Joint Venture to AngloGold. If AngloGold, whose proportionate share of the Joint Venture’s costs is much larger than ours, is not in a position to furnish (or otherwise chooses not to furnish) any operating funds required by the Joint Venture, it is unlikely that the Joint Venture would continue in operation. Because CC&V constitutes our primary operating asset, such an event would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.  Should AngloGold withdraw from the CC&V Joint Venture, our primary source of annual operating revenues would cease and, unless we find a new Joint Venture partner, our ability to continue as a going concern would be severely impaired.  It is uncertain that we would be able to find a new Joint Venture partner, or that terms satisfactory to us could be negotiated with the new partner.

CC&V has had a history of losses prior to 2004.  Because CC&V’s profitability depends on the price of gold, it may incur losses again in the future.

During fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 the CC&V Joint Venture recorded net income of $38.4 million, $9.460 million, and $7.692 million respectively.  However, in previous years, CC&V incurred substantial losses during each year of operation except 1996.  There is no assurance that CC&V will be able to achieve profitability in any subsequent period or to sustain profitability for an extended period. The ability of CC&V to operate on a profitable basis depends, to a large degree, on the market price for gold. The market price of gold is volatile, subject to speculative movement and is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international, economic and political conditions, levels of supply and demand, the inventory levels maintained by gold producers and others and, to a lesser degree, inventory carrying costs (primarily interest charges) and international exchange rates. Whether gold prices will maintain a level that will enable CC&V to operate profitability on a continuing basis cannot be assured.

It is unlikely that we will receive net proceeds from CC&V in the foreseeable future.

Based on the amount of the Initial Loans payable by CC&V to AngloGold ($333.8 million as of December 31, 2006) which must be repaid prior to the distribution of any net proceeds to us, and the amount of income which the Joint Venture can reasonably be expected to generate over the next several years, we believe that, absent a significant and sustained increase in the price of gold and an improvement in the efficiency of the operations of the Joint Venture, it is unlikely that we will receive more than the minimum annual distributions from CC&V for the foreseeable future based on the current terms of the Joint Venture agreement. Therefore, even if CC&V achieves profitability for a sustained period, it is unlikely that this would have any impact on our cash flow for the foreseeable future.

13




CC&V’s gold ore reserve figures are estimated based on a number of assumptions and may yield less gold under actual production conditions than the Joint Venture currently estimates.

CC&V has prepared gold ore reserve estimates in accordance with industry practice and SEC Industry Guide Number 7. Ore reserve estimates are based on prepared mining plans; however actual reserves and/or production may vary from the estimates.  Key assumptions used in the estimation may prove to be inaccurate (such as future gold prices, gold recovery rates, cut-off grades and operating costs). Reserve estimates require revision based on actual experience or new information. Experience may require changes or adjustments to the mining plans in a way which adversely impacts the ore reserve estimates. Future gold prices may decline, operating costs may increase, gold recoveries may decrease to a point which would make mining of lower grade mineralization uneconomical.

Risks Relating to the Market

Our stock price has been and could continue to be volatile.

The market price of our Common Stock has been subject to significant fluctuations. The securities markets have experienced, and are likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations which could negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock without regard to our actual operating performance. In addition, the trading price of our Common Stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to:

·                  actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;

·                  public announcements by us or other industry participants;

·                  factors affecting the gold market;

·                  changes in national or regional economic conditions; and

·                  general market conditions.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED SEC STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

MINING, OIL AND GAS RIGHTS

Mining Properties

The Joint Venture mining properties consist of owned, leased and optioned mining claims and other land covering more than 4,800 acres of patented mining claims in and around the Cripple Creek Mining District of Teller County, Colorado and include most of the principal formerly-producing mines of the Cripple Creek district.  The majority of the above acreage was contributed by the Company to the Joint Venture.  Subsequently, the Joint Venture has purchased, leased and optioned additional acreage, and continues to do so as opportunity arises to complete the consolidation of the district.

The Joint Venture mining properties are situated on the west flank of Pikes Peak, about 20 air miles west of

14




Colorado Springs and 65 air miles south of Denver.  The area is accessible by paved highway and supplied by requisite utilities.  The elevation of the properties averages slightly over 10,000 feet above sea level.  Snow accumulations are generally light and do not materially interfere with access to the property.

To a great extent, the Joint Venture mining properties lie within the boundary of a geological entity known as a caldera or “volcanic subsidence basin” (the “Basin”).  The Basin is of rudimentary elliptical outline, with its long axis trending in a northwesterly direction.  It has a length of about 4-1/2 miles and a width of about 2-1/2 miles, covering some 5,000 acres at the ground surface.  The area of the Basin gradually narrows with depth.  The bulk of the historical Cripple Creek gold production was from the underground mines within the Basin, with the major mines located in the southern portion of the Basin.

To drive to the mine from Colorado Springs, Colorado, travel west on East Pikes Peak Avenue toward North Nevada Avenue / I-25 BR / US-87 / US-85 for less than 1 mile. Turn left onto S. Nevada Avenue / I-25 BR S / US-87 S / US-85 S at a half mile. Turn right onto E Cimarron Street for 3 miles. E Cimarron Street becomes US-24 W for 22 miles.  Turn left onto CO-67 for 18.7 miles. Turn left onto CO-67 / S 2ND ST. Continue to follow CO-67 for 5 miles. Stay straight to go onto Victor Avenue for less than 1 mile. Turn right onto 2nd Street into Victor, CO.

The dominant geologic feature of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District is a 32-28 Ma diatreme-intrusive complex hosted in Precambrian rocks located between the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado.  The diatreme-intrusive complex is 6.4 km long, 3.2 km wide and consists of diatremal breccia that has been intruded by stocks, dikes and discordant breccias.  Diatremal breccia lithologies include breccias composed exclusively of volcanic, Precambrian or sedimentary material to any combination of the three.  Early intrusions are predominantly within the alkaline phonolite-phonotephrite petrographic series and were followed by later lamprophyres.  All rocks have undergone a long history or structural and hydrothermal activity.  Gold mineralization occurs in all rock types as disseminated and/or structurally-controlled orebodies.  Primary ore minerals include microscopic native gold and gold tellurides.  Silver is present but is economically unimportant.

From the inception of production in 1891 until the suspension of operations in 1960, the Cripple Creek Mining District was the major gold mining district in the United States.  It is estimated that approximately 21 million ounces of gold were produced in this period, principally from mines later contributed to the Joint Venture by Golden Cycle Gold Corporation.  The Joint Venture, including a number of Joint Venture partners, has added about 3.1 million troy ounces of gold production to this total during the period 1985 through 2006.  The Joint Venture mining properties include most of the principal formerly producing mines in the Cripple Creek district, including the Ajax, Cresson, Portland, Independence, Vindicator and Golden Cycle.  Because of the age of many of the mines and the fact that mining operations throughout the Basin declined and were suspended more than thirty years ago, the existing

15




mine shafts and workings are unsuitable for current operation without substantial rehabilitation.  The Joint Venture is not currently and does not anticipate, operating underground.

Oil and Gas Mineral Rights

The oil and gas properties of the Company are comprised of approximately 7,300 acres of mineral rights in the Penrose Area of Fremont County, Colorado.  There is no evidence of successful oil and gas development nearby, with the exception of the Florence, Colorado area.  Florence was the site of the first producing wells in Colorado in the 1860’s and the area is still producing on a limited scale today.  Several years ago, interest was shown in leasing very large acreages of state land about 50 to70 miles east of the Company’s land.  No development of that area is visible at this time, nor is it expected in the foreseeable future.  The oil and gas properties have no carrying value for balance sheet purposes.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As previously reported, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado ruled on April 13, 2006, against the plaintiffs and for the defendants, including the Company and Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Company (“CC&V”), our Joint Venture, on all causes of action asserted in two law suits consolidated for trial, in which the Sierra Club and Mineral Policy Center filed complaints against CC&V and its Joint Venture partners including the Company, alleging certain violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act.  The Court also allowed the defendants to apply for an award of their attorneys’ fees and costs.  The defendants did so and, notwithstanding the plaintiffs’ objections thereto, the Court ruled on December 20, 2006 that the defendants are entitled to recover such fees and costs incurred after November 16, 2005, the date when it became clear to the Court that the plaintiffs’ “dogged pursuit of factually unsupported claims” was unreasonable.  The plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s judgment dismissing the consolidated cases and from its award to each defendant of approximately one-fifth of its attorneys’ fees incurred over the last six years.  Whether such an appeal will be successful in whole or in part cannot be predicted at this early juncture.

The first ten Causes of Action in the first of these two cases, Civil Action No. 00-MK-2325, alleged unpermitted discharges of pollutants into Fourmile Creek and from the Roosevelt Tunnel into Cripple Creek, and discharges of pollutants exceeding permitted amounts from the Carlton Tunnel and Arequa Gulch outfalls.  The eleventh and twelfth causes of action in that case concerned a discharge permit issued by the Colorado Water Quality Control Division in 1996 for an outfall in Arequa Gulch.  Plaintiffs asserted, and the defendants denied, that there are, among other things, any ongoing violations of the federal Act.

The second of these two cases, Civil Action No. 01-MK-2307, related to seeps asserted to be point-source discharges of Cresson Project drainage from the Moffat Tunnel Cribbing Wall and the Squaw Gulch Pond to Cripple Creek and a tributary thereto in Squaw Gulch.  The Company has not recorded a receivable for the court costs awarded by the Court, approximately $28,000, and will not do so at least until the award is affirmed and no more appeals can be initiated or objections thereto interposed.  Management is coordinating its own efforts in these cases with those of the owner and operator, CC&V, and the majority owners thereof, AngloGold North America, Inc., and AngloGold (Colorado) Corp., now AngloGold Ashanti North America, Inc., and AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp., respectively.  The Company is neither the owner nor the operator and its interest is limited to its minority interest in CC&V.  The ultimate outcome to the Company in these continuing proceedings cannot be predicted.

The Company expended approximately $86,000, $12,000 and $17,000 during the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, defending against these suits.

16




ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2006.

PART II

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

Market Information

As of March 6, 2006 the Company’s listing was moved to the NYSE-Arca.  The Company’s trading symbol is GCGC on the NYSE-Arca Exchange.  The following table shows the high and low bid price per share on the Pacific Exchange, NYSE-Arca or the Over the Counter market, for each calendar quarter since January 1, 2005.

Price Range For:

 

HIGH

 

LOW

 

Quarter ended December 31, 2006

 

$

7.90

 

$

6.30

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 

8.50

 

5.25

 

Quarter ended June 30, 2006

 

11.00

 

3.65

 

Quarter ended March 31, 2006

 

4.20

 

3.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended December 31, 2005

 

$

4.10

 

$

3.25

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2005

 

3.55

 

2.00

 

Quarter ended June 30, 2005

 

3.30

 

1.90

 

Quarter ended March 31, 2005

 

3.12

 

2.00

 

 

Bid prices are between dealers and do not include mark-ups, markdowns, or commissions, nor do they necessarily represent actual transactions.

Holders of the Company’s Common Stock

The number of holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock as of March 21, 2007 was 684.  The number of beneficial owners for whom shares are held in “street name” as of March 21, 2007 is believed to be more than 500.

Dividends

The Company has not paid any dividends.  The Company effected a five-for-one stock split effective July 2004 following shareholder approval of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 3.5 million to 100 million at the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.  The Company does not have plans to pay any dividends.

Equity Compensation Plans

The following table shows information for all equity compensation plans:

17




 

Plan Category

 

Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(excluding securities
referenced in column a)

 

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
the First Column)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

 

510,000

 

$

3.69

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

 

 

 

 

Total

 

510,000

 

$

3.69

 

100,000

 

 

There were no sales of unregistered securities or stock repurchases by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2006.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues (1)

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

166,000

 

61,000

 

30,000

 

581,000

 

30,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

1,513,000

 

913,000

 

602,000

 

607,000

 

503,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of Mining Joint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venture Losses (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (Loss)

 

(1,097,000

)

(602,000

)

(322,000

)

224,000

 

(223,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share

 

(0.11

)

(0.06

)

(0.03

)

0.02

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

803,000

 

1,125,000

 

1,647,000

 

1,872,000

 

1,417,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long term obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)  Revenues are comprised of the Minimum Annual Distribution.  See Management’s Discussion and Analysis below, and Notes to the consolidated financial statements for a description of the accounting for the Minimum Annual Distribution.

 (2)  The Joint Venture recorded net income of $38.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, net income of $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, net income of $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, and net loss of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.  The Company has not recorded its share of the Joint Venture net income for the 2006 period ($7.7 million) nor its share of the Joint Venture’s net income for the

18




2005 ($1.9 million) or 2004 ($1.5 million) periods nor its share of the Joint Venture’s net loss for the 2003 period ($93,800) because its Joint Venture investment balance was reduced to zero in 1992.  The Company will not record its share of any future Joint Venture net income until and unless the balance of the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture ($7,910,000 as of December 31, 2006) are recovered.  See Management’s Discussion and Analysis below, and Notes to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Our financial statements consolidate the operations of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc., with those of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation.  Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. has minimal costs and assets and Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc. had no operations or assets during the year ended December 31, 2006.

Currently, our primary mining investment and source of cash flows is our 33% interest in the CC&V Joint Venture.  The Joint Venture engages in gold mining activity in the Cripple Creek area of Colorado.  The Company’s Joint Venture co-venturer is AngloGold.  In addition to our interest in the Joint Venture, we own two gold mineral prospects which we are not actively exploring at present.

Our rights and obligations relating to our Joint Venture interest are governed by the Joint Venture Agreement.  The Joint Venture is currently, and for the foreseeable future will be, operating in the Initial Phase, as defined in the Joint Venture Agreement.  In accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement, AngloGold manages the Joint Venture and is required to finance all operations and capital expenditures during the Initial Phase.  See “Description of Mining Joint Venture” above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital was $785,000 at December 31, 2006 compared to $1,053,000 at December 31, 2005.  Cash used in operations was $362,000 in 2006 compared to $639,000 during 2005.  Working capital decreased by approximately $268,000 at December 31, 2006 compared to December 31, 2005 primarily due to net losses in the 2006 period.  The decrease in cash used in operations during 2006 was primarily due to revenue from the sale of the Company’s Illipah gold prospect in Nevada ($100,000), elimination of the holding costs of the Illipah gold prospect in Nevada ($50,000) elimination of the exploration expenses associated with the Illipah drilling program ($255,000) in the 2005 period, offset by increased legal costs within general and administrative expenses ($192,000) during the 2006 period.

We believe that the Company’s working capital, augmented by the Minimum Annual Distribution from the Joint Venture, is adequate to support operations at the current level for the coming year, barring unforeseen events.  We anticipate that our Philippine subsidiary will hold all work on a standby basis until the MPSA is awarded to the claim owner.  If opportunities to economically pursue or expand Philippine, Nevada, Colorado operations, or any other opportunity discussed above (see Item 1, Other Opportunities) are available, and we elect to pursue them, additional working capital may also be required.  There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such additional capital, if required, or that such capital would be available to the Company on terms that would be acceptable.  Furthermore, if we were to commence such operations, it is not presently known when or if a positive cash flow could be derived from the operations.  The Company is considering financing up to 33% of CC&V’s initial loan ($333.8 million at December 31, 2006).  To finance its portion of CC&V’s initial loan the Company would have to raise additional capital in some form of debt and/or equity issue and obtain the agreement of AngloGold.  There is no

19




assurance the Company could raise these funds, or, if possible, obtain acceptable terms on the financing. Such financing would likely result in a substantial dilution of the Company’s current equity holders.

Results of Operations

2006 vs 2005

We recorded net loss of approximately $1,183,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to a net loss of approximately $602,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase in net loss during the 2006 period was primarily due to stock-based compensation expense of $791,597 recorded upon the June 5, 2006 automatic grant of stock options in accordance with the Company’s Stockholder approved plan.   The net loss for 2006 excluding the above stock- based compensation expense would have been approximately $391,000.  The decreased loss during 2006 represented by the $391,000 was largely due to decreased exploration expenses associated with the Illipah exploration drilling program of approximately $255,000, increased revenue of $100,000 from the Illipah gold prospect sale, elimination of holding costs of $50,000 on the Illipah gold prospect, and increased administrative costs, specifically legal fees.

2005 vs 2004

We recorded net loss of $602,025 for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to a net loss of $322,582 for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase in net loss during the 2005 period was primarily due to increased exploration expenses associated with the Illipah (which was sold during August 2006) exploration drilling program of approximately $255,000 and increased administrative costs, specifically legal fees.  The cost of compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 continues to significantly increase the Company’s administrative costs, particularly its legal expenses.  Compliance costs will further increase in 2006 to complete the required internal control reviews.

We account for our investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method.  Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as revenue, as we are not required to finance the Joint Venture’s operating losses or capital expenditures.  Correspondingly, we have not recorded our share of Joint Venture income or losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of the Company’s Joint Venture investment balance to zero in 1992.  We will not record our share of equity income until the cumulative amount of previously unrecorded Joint Venture losses has been recouped.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture are $7,910,000.  At the current prevailing price of gold we do not expect distributions from the Joint Venture in excess of the Minimum Annual Distribution ($250,000 per year) for several years.

The Joint Venture recorded net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 of approximately $38.4 million compared to net income of $9.5 and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 respectively.  The primary reason for the Joint Venture’s improved performance in both 2006 and 2005 over the previous years’ performance was the increase in the prevailing price for gold bullion during each year.  The Joint Venture’s average gold bullion sales prices per troy ounce were:  $603 during 2006, $445 during 2005 and $410 during 2004.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s current contractual obligations.

20




 

 

 

 

 

Payment due by period

 

 

 

 

 

Less than

 

1-3

 

3-5

 

More than

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

1 year

 

years

 

years

 

5 years

 

Long-Term Debt Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Lease Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Long-Term Liabilities

 

$

178,250

 

$

111,550

 

$

66,700

 

 

 

Total

 

$

178,250

 

$

111,550

 

$

66,700

 

 

 

 

ITEM 7A.               QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We do not hedge, sell forward or otherwise commit any asset on a contingency basis.  We do not normally commit to multi-year contracts other than employment agreements and office space rental (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies).  The Joint Venture, in the course of normal business, periodically executes long term supply contracts to limit its exposure to various supply risks.  The Joint Venture has not previously hedged or sold forward gold or other assets for the joint account.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and supplementary data required by this item are included herein in Item 15.

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

During fiscal years 2006 and 2005, we have had no disagreements with our independent auditors regarding accounting or financial disclosure matters.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure controls and procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is also our Company’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our principal financial officer, concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries that is required to be included in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

21




Internal control over financial reporting

Internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our principal financial officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, through our audit committee, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These include procedures that (i) pertain to maintenance of records in reasonable detail to accurately reflect the our transactions and disposition of assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

We are not required to report management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and we have not undertaken the kind of review of such controls that we would have been required to undertake if we were required to make such a report. We have planned and scheduled a review of our internal controls by an outside contractor which we expect will be completed by June 2007.  However, in connection with our review of disclosure controls and procedures now in place, above, we have noted certain areas in our systems of internal control which, if left unresolved or unaddressed, could result in material deficiencies and weaknesses in our internal control.  These areas include, lack of segregation of duties due to limited personnel, limited capability due to the size of our Company to interpret and apply United States generally accepted accounting standards, lack of adequate documentation of our system of internal controls, lack of formal accounting policy and procedures and related documentation, and lack of a formal budgeting process. Although, we have not instituted new internal control processes related to these identified areas, as has been characteristic of companies that have completed their review of internal controls and have had to report on the effect of such review, we are considering what appropriate remedial actions, if any, are necessary to improve our systems of internal controls.  In conjunction with our outside audit for the year ended December 31, 2005, we determined that we had a significant deficiency in our accounts payable accruals at year end.  The deficiency could have resulted in under accruals of approximately $18,000 at year end, which would have understated the net loss for the year by a comparable amount.  Management has instituted a policy requiring review of subsequent period invoices to address this deficiency.

Within the year ended December 31, 2006, there were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely, or are reasonably likely, to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days following the end of the fiscal year.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days following the end of the fiscal year.

22




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

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days following the end of the fiscal year.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days following the end of the fiscal year.

 ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days following the end of the fiscal year.

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

(1) Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm,
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman, P.C.

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

(2) Financial Statement Schedules. Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

Exhibit Index

  2.1.  Letter Agreement dated August 23, 2006, between Golden Cycle Gold Corporation and Tornado Gold International Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 23, 2006)

23




  3.1.  Articles of Incorporation, as amended, effective June 15, 2004, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006)

  3.2  Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 12, 2006).

  3.3.  By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Form 10 dated May 19, 1983).

10.1.  Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement between AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Inc. and the Company dated as of January 1, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 1991).

10.2  1997 Officers’ & Directors’ Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 30, 1997).

10.3  2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 27, 2001).

10.5 Employment Agreement dated December 2, 2004 with R. Herbert Hampton (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 3, 2004).

21.1. Subsidiary of the Company:  Golden Cycle Philippines Inc. incorporated in the Republic of the Philippines.

21.2. Subsidiary of the Company:  Golden Cycle Gold Exploration Inc. incorporated in the state of Nevada.

23.1 Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman P.C.

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 302.

31.2 Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 302.

24




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, thereto duly authorized.

 

/s/ R. Herbert Hampton

 

 

R. Herbert Hampton, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: March 27, 2007

 

 

 

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 in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ R. Herbert Hampton

 

March 27, 2007

 

R. Herbert Hampton, President, Chief

 

Date

 

Executive Officer, and Treasurer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer, Principal

 

 

 

Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting

 

 

 

Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ James C. Ruder

 

March 27, 2007

 

James C. Ruder, Director

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert T. Thul

 

March 27, 2007

 

Robert T. Thul, Director

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Taki N. Anagnoston

 

March 27, 2007

 

Dr. Taki N. Anagnoston, Director

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Donald L. Gustafson

 

March 27, 2007

 

Donald L. Gustafson, Director

 

Date

 

 

25




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Golden Cycle Gold Corporation

Colorado Springs, Colorado

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Golden Cycle Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries (a Colorado Corporation) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.  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 consolidated 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 audit 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.  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 Golden Cycle Gold Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 in conformity with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman P.C.

 

March 29, 2007

Denver, Colorado

 

26




GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

53,142

 

$

167,169

 

Short-term investments (note 2)

 

677,944

 

888,627

 

Interest receivable and other current assets

 

19,168

 

15,753

 

Prepaid insurance

 

25,203

 

24,827

 

Total current assets

 

775,457

 

1,096,376

 

Property and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

2,025

 

2,025

 

Mineral claims

 

20,657

 

20,657

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

9,354

 

10,064

 

Machinery and equipment

 

21,516

 

33,013

 

 

 

53,551

 

65,759

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(26,130

)

(37,224

)

 

 

27,421

 

28,535

 

Total assets

 

$

802,878

 

$

1,124,911

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

18,373

 

43,808

 

Total current liabilities

 

18,373

 

43,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity (note 5):

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,744,250 shares in 2006 and 2005

 

7,499,429

 

7,499,429

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,728,273

 

1,927,736

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(9,411,686

)

(8,314,551

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(31,511

)

(31,511

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

784,505

 

1,081,103

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

802,878

 

$

1,124,911

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

27




GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions from mining joint venture in excess of carrying value (note 3)

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense *

 

1,502,938

 

603,044

 

542,510

 

Depreciation expense

 

2,224

 

3,973

 

5,286

 

Exploration expense

 

8,410

 

305,661

 

54,372

 

 

 

1,513,572

 

912,678

 

602,168

 

Operating loss

 

(1,263,572

)

(662,678

)

(352,168

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income

 

30,787

 

35,667

 

21,545

 

Gold bullion mark to market

 

35,650

 

24,986

 

8,041

 

Gain on assets sold (net)

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

166,437

 

60,653

 

29,586

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,097,135

)

$

(602,025

)

$

(322,582

)

Basic loss per share

 

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.06

)

$

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted loss per share

 

(0.11

)

(0.06

)

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

9,744,250

 

9,738,086

 

9,597,231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

9,744,250

 

9,738,086

 

9,597,231

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

28




GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the Years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

loss — foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

currency

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

translation

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

capital

 

deficit

 

adjustment

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

9,542,250

 

$

7,307,854

 

$

1,927,736

 

$

(7,389,944

)

$

(31,741

)

$

1,813,905

 

Stock options exercised

 

127,000

 

98,463

 

 

 

 

98,463

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(322,582

)

 

(322,582

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

(72

)

(72

)

Comprehensive net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(322,654

)

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

9,669,250

 

7,406,317

 

1,927,736

 

(7,712,526

)

(31,813

)

1,589,714

 

Stock options exercised

 

75,000

 

93,112

 

 

 

 

93,112

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(602,025

)

 

(602,025

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

302

 

302

 

Comprehensive net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(601,723

)

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

9,744,250

 

7,499,429

 

1,927,736

 

(8,314,551

)

(31,511

)

1,081,103

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(1,097,135

)

 

(1,097,135

)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

 

791,597

 

 

 

791,597

 

Non-cash compensation liability accrual reclassified to contributed capital

 

 

 

8,940

 

 

 

8,940

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

9,744,250

 

$

7,499,429

 

$

2,728,273

 

$

(9,411,686

)

$

(31,511

)

$

784,505

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

29




GOLDEN CYCLE GOLD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,097,135

)

$

(602,025

)

$

(322,582

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

2,224

 

3,973

 

5,286

 

Increase in market value of gold asset

 

(35,650

)

(24,986

)

(8,041

)

Stock based compensation expense

 

791,597

 

 

 

Non-cash Compensation liability accrual reclassified to contributed capital

 

8,940

 

 

 

Write-down of investment in subsidiary

 

(2,964

)

 

 

Increase in interest receivable and other current assets

 

(3,415

)

(2,229

)

(6,510

)

Decrease (increase) in prepaid insurance

 

(376

)

(447

)

200

 

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(25,435

)

(13,060

)

(1,611

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(362,214

)

(638,774

)

(333,258

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in short-term investments, net

 

249,297

 

256,632

 

(188,563

)

Proceeds from account receivable on sale of water rights

 

 

 

679,098

 

Purchases of property and equipment, net

 

(1,110

)

(1,103

)

(767

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

248,187

 

255,529

 

489,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by financing activity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds on exercise of stock options

 

 

93,112

 

98,463

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

93,112

 

98,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

302

 

(72

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(114,027

)

(289,831

)

254,901

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

167,169

 

457,000

 

202,099

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

53,142

 

$

167,169

 

$

457,000

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:

During 2004, 77,900 shares were surrendered in cashless exercise of stock options.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

30




(1)                     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Golden Cycle Gold Corporation (the Company), a Colorado corporation, acquires and explores mining properties in Colorado, Nevada, and the Republic of the Philippines. The Company’s principal investment consists of its joint venture participation in the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Company (the Joint Venture), a precious metals mining company in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Teller County, Colorado. In addition, during 1997 the Company established Golden Cycle Philippines, Inc. (GCPI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in the Republic of the Philippines in order to participate in potential mining opportunities.  In January 2002, the Company established Golden Cycle Gold Exploration, Inc. (GCGE), a wholly owned subsidiary, to conduct exploration activities for the Company.

(a)                      Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make various estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses for each period presented, and in the disclosure of commitments and contingencies. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Changes in these estimates and assumptions will occur based on the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.

(b)                      Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

(c)                      Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalent.

(d)                      Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments consist primarily of certificates of deposit.  Short-term investments also include 310 troy ounces of gold bullion purchased by the Company in 2002.  Interest revenue and the increase or decrease in the value of the gold bullion is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

(e)                       Investment in Mining Joint Venture

The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture on the equity method. In prior years, the Company’s share of Joint Venture losses exceeded the remaining carrying value of the investment and, accordingly, the investment was reduced to zero. Joint Venture distributions in excess of the investment carrying value are recorded as income. The Company does not record its share of Joint Venture losses incurred subsequent to the reduction of its investment balance to zero, as the Company has no obligation to fund operating losses. To the extent the Joint Venture is profitable, the Company does not record its share of equity income until the cumulative amount of previously unrecorded Joint Venture losses have been recouped.

(f)                         Mineral Exploration and Development Costs

Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. Mineral property development costs are capitalized and depleted based upon estimated proven and probable recoverable

31




reserves. The Company has no capitalized mineral property development costs at December 31, 2006 or December 31, 2005.

The Company assesses the carrying value of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in facts or circumstances indicate that they may be impaired.  Potential impairment is estimated by comparing estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from such assets with their net book value. If net book value exceeds estimated cash flows, the asset is written down to fair value.  The Company recorded impairment costs in its GCPI operations at December 31, 2006 of $2,964.  The Company did not record impairment costs during the year ended December 31, 2005.

(g)                      Property and Equipment

Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years.

(h)                      Foreign Currency Translation

The GCPI operations’ functional currency is the local currency and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of its Philippines operations are translated into their United States dollar equivalent at rates of exchange prevailing at each balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the periods in which such items are recognized in operations.

Gains and losses arising from translation of the consolidated financial statements of GCPI operations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. Amounts in this account are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the related net foreign investment is reduced. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company has impaired 100% of its GCPI investment and therefore has not recorded comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2006.

(i)                         Stock Options

On January 1, 2006 the Company adopted the revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”).  SFAS No. 123R requires public entities to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based upon the grant-date fair value of the award and requires that the cost be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period.  The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments will be measured using option-pricing models adjusted for any unique characteristics of those instruments.  The Company computes the fair value of each option on the date of grant based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  This model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected term based upon historical data of past exercises of option awards and expected stock-price volatility based upon the historical quoted market prices of the Company’s common stock as well as an estimate of forfeitures.  These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment.  As a result, if other assumptions had been used, the Company’s recorded and pro-forma stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from that reported.

The Company determined the fair value of the options granted in 2006 was $791,597 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, for a weighted average fair value of $6.33 per share.  In determining the fair value, the Company used the following assumptions:

32




 

 

Dividend
yield

 

Expected
volatility

 

Risk-free
interest
rate

 

Expected
life (in years)

 

Weighted
average
fair value
of option

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options granted in 2004

 

0

%

55

%

4.77

%

10

 

$

1.82

 

Options granted in 2005

 

0

%

70

%

4.05

%

10

 

$

1.95

 

Options granted in 2006

 

0

%

61

%

5.03

%

10

 

$

6.33

 

 

Accordingly, the Company recognized option compensation expense of $791,597 for the year ended December 31, 2006.  This option compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2006, there are no unvested stock options outstanding and accordingly, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options.

The Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method.  Under this method, compensation cost recognized in the year ended December 31, 2006 includes: a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.  The results for prior periods have not been restated and accordingly, there was no stock option related compensation expense recorded during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.

Prior to adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company accounted for stock-based employee compensation under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”).  The following illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value recognition provision of SFAS No. 123R had been applied to the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

(602,025

)

(322,582

)

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense, determined under fair value based method for all awards

 

(244,360

)

(182,398

)

Pro forma

 

(846,385

)

(504,980

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

(0.06

)

(0.03

)

Pro forma

 

(0.09

)

(0.05

)

 

The following summarizes the activity of the Company’s stock options for the year ended December 31, 2006:

33




 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)

 

Number of shares under option:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2006

 

385,000

 

$

2.13

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

125,000

 

8.50

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled or expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

510,000

 

$

3.69

 

6.81

 

$

1,688,100

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2006

 

510,000

 

$

3.69

 

6.81

 

$

1,688,100

 


(1) The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock ($7.00 per share) exceeds the exercise price of the option.

(j)                         Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Changes in tax rates are recognized in the period of the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized unless tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.

(k)                      Comprehensive Income

In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income.  SFAS No. 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss), including net income (loss), be reported in the financial statements in the period they are recognized.  Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.  Net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), including foreign currency translation adjustments, shall be reported, net of their related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive income (loss).  We have disclosed comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated financial statements accordingly.

(l)                         Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue as Minimum Annual Distributions from the Joint Venture are received as all services necessary for revenue recognition have been previously provided to the Joint Venture by the Company.  The Joint Venture Agreement, as amended, provides for the Company to receive a minimum annual distribution of $250,000 during the Initial Phase (see Note 3).  Beginning in 1994, such Minimum Annual Distributions are potentially recoupable against the Company’s future share of Net Proceeds, if any.  Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans (see Note 3), complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income from which Minimum Annual Distributions can be recouped, cannot be assured due to uncertainties inherent within any mining operation.  Based on the amount of Initial Loans payable to the Manager and the uncertainty of future operating revenues, there is no assurance that the

34




Company will receive more than the Minimum Annual Distribution from the Joint Venture in the foreseeable future.

(m)                   Per Share Information

Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share are computed as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares, using the treasury stock method, outstanding during the period.

(2)                     Short-Term Investments

The Company held certificates of deposit of approximately $380,000 and $677,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. All certificates of deposit held at December 31, 2006 mature within one year. Short-term investments also include 310 troy ounces of gold bullion purchased by the Company in 2002 at a cost of $102,859 and is carried at market value of $195,765 at December 31, 2006.  The Company has reflected unrealized gains of $35,650, $24,986 and $8,041 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(3)                     Investment in Mining Joint Venture

The Company owns an interest in the Joint Venture with AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp. (AngloGold). AngloGold manages the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture conducts exploration, development, and mining of certain properties in the Cripple Creek Mining District, Teller County, Colorado. The Joint Venture owns or controls surface and/or mineral rights in the Cripple Creek Mining District, certain portions of which are being actively explored and developed.

The Joint Venture Agreement, as amended, generally requires AngloGold to finance operations and capital expenditures of the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture is currently operating in an Initial Phase that will end when (i) the Initial Loans (defined below) have been repaid and (ii) Net Proceeds (defined in the Joint Venture Agreement generally as gross revenues less costs) in the amount of $58 million have been distributed to the joint venturers in the proportion of 80% to AngloGold and 20% to the Company.  The Joint Venture Agreement provides that, during the period from January 1, 1991 until the end of the Initial Phase, all funds required for operations and mine development by the Joint Venture will be loaned (the “Initial Loans”) to the Joint Venture by either AngloGold or, if such loans are available at a lower cost than from AngloGold, financial institutions.  As of December 31, 2006, Initial Loans were approximately $333.8 million and no Net Proceeds have been distributed. Initial Loans must be repaid prior to Net Proceeds being distributed to the venturers. After the Initial Phase, the Joint Venture will distribute metal in kind, 67% to AngloGold and 33% to the Company. The Agreement also provides for the Company to receive a minimum annual distribution of $250,000 during the Initial Phase. Beginning in 1994, such minimum annual distributions are recoupable against the Company’s future share of Net Proceeds, if any.

Whether future gold prices and the results of the Joint Venture’s operations will reach and maintain a level necessary to repay the Initial Loans, complete the Initial Phase, and thereafter generate net income cannot be assured due to uncertainties inherent within any mining operation. Based on the amount of Initial Loans payable to the manager and the uncertainty of future operating revenues, there is no assurance that the Company will receive more than the Minimum Annual Distribution from the Joint Venture in the foreseeable future.

The Company’s share of 2006 Joint Venture net income, which has not been recorded in its consolidated financial statements, is approximately $7.7 million. The Company’s share of the 2005 and 2004 Joint Venture net income, $1.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, also were

35




not recorded in its consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s accumulated unrecorded losses from the Joint Venture are approximately $7,910,000.

The condensed balance sheets of the Joint Venture as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory

 

$

42,615

 

40,474

 

Other current assets

 

1,038

 

558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

43,653

 

41,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets and mine development costs, net

 

176,107

 

197,600

 

Inventories

 

148,761

 

111,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

368,521

 

350,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Venturers’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

15,288

 

16,218

 

Payable to AngloGold

 

333,843

 

353,589

 

Capital lease obligations

 

5,168

 

7,902

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

24,029

 

20,512

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

1,867

 

2,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

380,195

 

400,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venturers’ deficit

 

(11,674

)

(49,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and Venturers’ deficit

 

$

368,521

 

350,422

 

 

The condensed statements of operations of the Joint Venture for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006 are summarized as follows:

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

172,827

 

$

145,347

 

$

135,673

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs

 

70,437

 

75,662

 

72,239

 

Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and reclamation

 

26,454

 

30,151

 

29,769

 

Accretion expense

 

1,398

 

1,113

 

947

 

 

 

98,289

 

106,926

 

102,955

 

Mineral exploration expense

 

 

17

 

1,401

 

Total operating costs

 

98,289

 

106,943

 

104,356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

74,538

 

38,404

 

31,317

 

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(34,408

)

(29,243

)

(23,813

)

Other income (expense)

 

(1,738

)

299

 

188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

38,392

 

$

9,460

 

$

7,692

 

 

36




(4)                     Income Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are presented below:

 

2006

 

2005

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

967,000

 

918,000

 

Exploration expenditures

 

145,000

 

163,000

 

FAS 123R non-qualified stock options

 

293,000

 

 

Other

 

1,000

 

4,000

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

1,406,000

 

1,085,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

Gold bullion mark to market

 

(73,000

)

(59,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

1,333,000

 

1,026,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance

 

(1,333,000

)

(1,026,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:

 

2006

 

2005

 

Statutory federal income tax rate

 

34.0

%

34.0

%

Effect of:

 

 

 

 

 

State and local income taxes

 

3.05

 

3.05

 

Other - net

 

(0.10

)

(0.10

)

Change in valuation allowance

 

(36.95

)

(36.95

)

Effective tax rate

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

 

At December 31, 2006, the Company has net operating loss carry forwards for income tax purposes of approximately $2,610,000 which expire beginning in 2007 through 2026.

The Company has not recorded an income tax benefit in 2006 or 2005 as it does not believe it is more likely than not that the benefit of the deferred tax assets will be realized in the future.

(5)                     Common Stock Options

During 1992, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the Directors’ Plan) and a 1992 Stock Option Plan (the 1992 Plan).  All options available under the Directors’ Plan were granted prior to December 31, 1994.  During 1997, shareholders approved the 1997 Officers’ and Directors’ Stock Option Plan, and during 2002, shareholders approved the 2002 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which 1,000,000 and 625,000 shares, respectively, of the Corporation’s common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to options to be granted.

37




The 1992 Plan provided for the grant of options on a discretionary basis to certain employees and consultants.  Under each plan, the exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant.  The expiration of the options is ten years from the date of the grant.

The Company granted 125,000, 125,000 and 100,000 options to directors of the Corporation during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Changes in stock options for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

Shares

 

Option price
per share

 

Weighted
average
exercise price

 

Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2003

 

835,000

 

1.04 - 2.60

 

$

1.46

 

Granted

 

100,000

 

2.60

 

2.60

 

Exercised

 

(204,900

)

1.33 - 1.80

 

1.44

 

Expired

 

(320,100

)

1.04 - 2.33

 

1.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2004

 

410,000

 

1.04 - 2.60

 

1.92

 

Granted

 

125,000

 

2.50

 

2.50

 

Exercised

 

(75,000

)

1.04 - 1.50

 

1.24

 

Expired

 

(75,000

)

2.33 - 2.60

 

2.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2005

 

385,000

 

$

1.04 - 2.60

 

2.13

 

Granted

 

125,000

 

8.50

 

8.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2006

 

510,000

 

$

1.04 - 8.50

 

$

3.69

 

 

The weighted average remaining term of options outstanding was 6.81, 6.94 and 6.81 years at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 respectively.

(6)                     Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards:

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (“FIN 48”) an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  The Interpretation requires that the entities recognize in the financial statements, the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position.  FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure.  The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning January 1, 2007 with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and has

38




not yet determined what effect if any, the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108). SAB 108 was issued to provide interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The provisions of SAB 108 are effective for Golden Cycle Gold Corporation for its December 31, 2006 year end. The adoption of SAB 108 had no impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operation or cash flows.

In September 2006, the Board issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. The Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged, provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. Golden Cycle Gold Corporation will adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 in its fiscal year commencing January 1, 2008. Management currently believes that adoption of the provisions of SFAS 157 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

(7)                     Commitments and Contingencies:

As previously reported, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado ruled on April 13, 2006, against the plaintiffs and for the defendants, including the Company and Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Company (“CC&V”), our Joint Venture, on all causes of action asserted in two law suits consolidated for trial, in which the Sierra Club and Mineral Policy Center filed complaints against CC&V and its Joint Venture partners including the Company, alleging certain violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act.  The Court also allowed the defendants to apply for an award of their attorneys’ fees and costs.  The defendants did so and, notwithstanding the plaintiffs’ objections thereto, the Court ruled on December 20, 2006 that the defendants are entitled to recover such fees and costs incurred after November 16, 2005, the date when it became clear to the Court that the plaintiffs’ “dogged pursuit of factually unsupported claims” was unreasonable.  The plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s judgment dismissing the consolidated cases and from its award to each defendant of approximately one-fifth of its attorneys’ fees incurred over the last six years.  Whether such an appeal will be successful in whole or in part cannot be predicted at this early juncture.

The first ten Causes of Action in the first of these two cases, Civil Action No. 00-MK-2325, alleged unpermitted discharges of pollutants into Fourmile Creek and from the Roosevelt Tunnel into Cripple Creek, and discharges of pollutants exceeding permitted amounts from the Carlton Tunnel and Arequa Gulch outfalls.  The eleventh and twelfth causes of action in that case concerned a discharge permit issued by the Colorado Water Quality Control Division in 1996 for an outfall in Arequa Gulch.  Plaintiffs asserted, and the defendants denied, that there are, among other things, any ongoing violations of the federal Act.

The second of these two cases, Civil Action No. 01-MK-2307, related to seeps asserted

39




to be point-source discharges of Cresson Project drainage from the Moffat Tunnel Cribbing Wall and the Squaw Gulch Pond to Cripple Creek and a tributary thereto in Squaw Gulch.

The Company has not recorded a receivable for the court costs awarded by the Court, approximately $28,000, and will not do so at least until the award is affirmed and no more appeals can be initiated or objections thereto interposed.  Management is coordinating its own efforts in these cases with those of the owner and operator, CC&V, and the majority owners thereof, AngloGold North America, Inc., and AngloGold (Colorado) Corp., now AngloGold Ashanti North America, Inc., and AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp.  The Company is neither the owner nor the operator and its interest is limited to its minority interest in CC&V.  The ultimate outcome to the Company in these continuing proceedings cannot be predicted.

The Company expended approximately $86,000, $12,000 and $17,000 during the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, defending against these suits.

(8)                     Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited)

 

2006

 

 

 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 

 

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Distributions from mining joint venture in excess of carrying value (note 4)

 

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

40,243

 

(1,071,681

)

(82,557

)

(149,577

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

66,701

 

(1,053,636

)

(77,874

)

(32,326

)

Net income (loss) per share

 

0.01

 

(0.11

)

(0.01

)

(0.00

)

Pro forma net income (loss) per share

 

0.01

 

(0.11

)

(0.01

)

(0.00

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 

 

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Distributions from mining joint venture in excess of carrying value (note 4)

 

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

138,885

 

(164,566

)

(322,861

)

(314,136

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

146,486

 

(154,505

)

(313,041

)

(280,965

)

Net income (loss) per share

 

0.02

 

(0.02

)

(0.03

)

(0.03

)

Pro forma net income (loss) per share

 

0.02

 

(0.04

)

(0.03

)

(0.03

)

 

40