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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024

or

     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: 333-249533

Fortitude Gold Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado

85-2602691

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

2886 Carriage Manor Point

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(719) 717 9825

(Registrant’s telephone number)

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

Title of Each Class

Trading symbol

Name of Exchange on which registered

N/A

N/A

N/A

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).   Yes      No  

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

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

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

As of November 4, 2024, the registrant had 24,173,209 outstanding shares of common stock.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    

    

Page

Part I

Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023

1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)

2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)

4

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

5

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

12

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

20

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

20

Part II

Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

20

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

20

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

20

Item 5.

Other Information

21

Item 6.

Exhibits

22

Signatures

23

Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

September 30, 

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

(Unaudited)

  

ASSETS

  

  

Current assets:

  

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

30,316

$

48,678

Gold and silver rounds/bullion

1,960

1,532

Accounts receivable

 

 

42

Inventories

 

11,974

 

23,848

Prepaid taxes

387

355

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

805

 

811

Total current assets

 

45,442

 

75,266

Property, plant and mine development, net

 

26,815

 

25,365

Operating lease assets, net

 

 

631

Deferred tax assets

3,338

2,860

Leach pad inventories

51,164

30,533

Other non-current assets

 

386

 

344

Total assets

$

127,145

$

134,999

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts payable

$

2,832

$

3,881

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

 

631

Mining taxes payable

 

376

 

2,309

Other current liabilities

 

703

 

1,133

Total current liabilities

 

3,911

 

7,954

Asset retirement obligations

 

9,798

 

6,500

Total liabilities

 

13,709

 

14,454

Shareholders' equity:

 

  

 

  

Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

Common stock - $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized and 24,173,209 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 24,084,542 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023

 

242

 

241

Additional paid-in capital

 

104,801

 

104,020

Retained earnings

 

8,393

 

16,284

Total shareholders' equity

 

113,436

 

120,545

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

127,145

$

134,999

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

1

Table of Contents

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

    

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Sales, net

$

10,229

$

21,268

$

27,964

$

62,027

Mine cost of sales:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Production costs

 

3,784

 

5,992

 

9,491

 

16,665

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,597

 

3,349

 

4,535

 

9,733

Reclamation and remediation

 

69

 

91

 

176

 

231

Total mine cost of sales

 

5,450

 

9,432

 

14,202

 

26,629

Mine gross profit

 

4,779

 

11,836

 

13,762

 

35,398

Costs and expenses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

General and administrative expenses

 

1,739

 

1,335

 

4,150

 

3,481

Exploration expenses

 

2,731

 

3,833

 

10,621

 

13,582

Other (income), net

 

(520)

 

(491)

 

(1,680)

 

(1,252)

Total costs and expenses

 

3,950

 

4,677

 

13,091

 

15,811

Income before income and mining taxes

 

829

 

7,159

 

671

 

19,587

Mining and income tax (benefit) expense

 

(117)

 

1,437

 

(135)

 

3,893

Net income

$

946

$

5,722

$

806

$

15,694

Net income per common share:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

0.04

$

0.24

$

0.03

$

0.65

Diluted

$

0.04

$

0.24

$

0.03

$

0.65

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic

24,173,209

24,084,542

24,156,816

24,077,772

Diluted

 

24,261,954

 

24,212,436

 

24,242,708

 

24,217,420

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

2

Table of Contents

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(U.S. Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

     

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Par

Number of

Value of

Total

Common

Common

Additional Paid-

Retained

Shareholders'

     

Shares

     

Shares

     

in Capital

     

Earnings

     

Equity

Balance, June 30, 2023

24,084,542

$

241

$

103,893

$

15,019

$

119,153

Stock-based compensation

68

 

 

68

Dividends

 

(2,890)

 

(2,890)

Net income

5,722

5,722

Balance, September 30, 2023

24,084,542

$

241

$

103,961

$

17,851

$

122,053

Balance, June 30, 2024

24,173,209

$

242

$

104,396

$

10,348

$

114,986

Stock-based compensation

 

 

405

 

 

405

Dividends

 

 

 

(2,901)

 

(2,901)

Net income

 

 

 

946

 

946

Balance, September 30, 2024

24,173,209

$

242

$

104,801

$

8,393

$

113,436

     

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Par

Number of

Value of

Total

Common

Common

Additional Paid-

Retained

Shareholders'

     

Shares

     

Shares

     

in Capital

     

Earnings

     

Equity

Balance, December 31, 2022

24,024,542

$

240

$

103,731

$

11,788

$

115,759

Stock-based compensation

 

 

171

 

 

171

Dividends

(9,631)

(9,631)

Stock options exercised

60,000

1

59

60

Net income

15,694

15,694

Balance, September 30, 2023

24,084,542

$

241

$

103,961

$

17,851

$

122,053

Balance, December 31, 2023

24,084,542

$

241

$

104,020

$

16,284

$

120,545

Stock-based compensation

 

 

705

 

 

705

Dividends

 

 

 

(8,697)

 

(8,697)

Stock options exercised

76,667

1

76

77

Common stock issued for vested restricted stock units

12,000

Net income

 

 

 

806

 

806

Balance, September 30, 2024

24,173,209

$

242

$

104,801

$

8,393

$

113,436

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

3

Table of Contents

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(U.S. Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Nine months ended

September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

806

$

15,694

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,668

 

9,804

Stock-based compensation

705

171

Deferred taxes

(478)

(607)

Reclamation and remediation accretion

176

231

Reclamation payments

(83)

Unrealized (gain) loss on gold and silver rounds/bullion

(428)

33

Other operating adjustments

 

 

(55)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts receivable

 

42

 

Inventories

 

(8,434)

 

(3,016)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

6

 

(292)

Other non-current assets

 

(42)

 

(19)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

(1,407)

 

347

Income and mining taxes payable

 

(1,965)

 

325

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(6,434)

 

22,616

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

  

 

  

Capital expenditures

 

(3,305)

 

(5,047)

Purchase of gold and silver rounds/bullion

(978)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,305)

 

(6,025)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Dividends paid

(8,697)

(9,631)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

77

60

Repayment of loans payable

 

(3)

 

(30)

Repayment of capital leases

 

 

(9)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(8,623)

 

(9,610)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(18,362)

 

6,981

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

48,678

 

45,054

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

30,316

$

52,035

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

  

 

  

Income and mining taxes paid

$

2,309

$

4,174

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable

$

(69)

$

15

Change in estimate for asset retirement costs

$

2,937

$

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

4

Table of Contents

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation of Financial Statements

These interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“interim financial statements”) of Fortitude Gold Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures required by United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules, although the Company believes that the disclosures included are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The interim financial statements included herein are expressed in United States dollars and in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation. The results reported in these interim financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. The year-end balance sheet data were derived from the audited financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, there have been no material changes to the footnotes from the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain items in the prior period’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements included in the Company’s 10-K report for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a description of our Significant Accounting Policies.

2. Revenue

The following table presents the Company’s net sales:

    

Three months ended

    

Nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Sales, net

  

  

  

  

Gold sales

$

10,251

$

21,316

$

28,128

$

62,212

Less: Refining charges

 

(22)

 

(48)

 

(164)

 

(185)

Total sales, net

$

10,229

$

21,268

$

27,964

$

62,027

5

Table of Contents

3. Gold and Silver Rounds/Bullion

The Company periodically purchases gold and silver rounds/bullion on the open market for treasury diversification and investment purposes.

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s holdings of rounds/bullion, using quoted market prices, consisted of the following:

September 30, 

    

December 31, 

2024

    

2023

Ounces

Per Ounce

Amount

Ounces

Per Ounce

Amount

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Gold

628

$

2,629

$

1,652

628

$

2,062

$

1,296

Silver

9,897

$

31.08

$

308

9,931

$

23.79

$

236

Total holdings

$

1,960

$

1,532

4. Inventories

On September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, current inventories consisted of the following:

    

September 30, 

    

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

Stockpiles

$

3,028

$

3,874

Leach pad

 

8,562

 

19,579

Doré

 

34

 

22

Subtotal - product inventories

 

11,624

 

23,475

Materials and supplies

 

350

 

373

Total

$

11,974

$

23,848

In addition to the inventories above, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $51.2 million and $30.5 million, respectively, of non-current leach pad inventory.

5. Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), on a tax jurisdictional basis.  The Company files a consolidated U.S. income tax return and at the federal level its income and losses are taxed at 21%.  In addition, a 5% Net Proceeds of Minerals tax applies to the Company’s operations in Nevada, and such tax is recorded as an income tax.  The Company recorded a mining and income tax benefit of $0.1 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a mining and income tax expense of $1.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. In accordance with ASC 740, the interim provision for taxes was calculated by using the annual effective tax rate.  This rate is applied to the year-to-date income before income and mining taxes to determine the income tax expense for the period.

The Company evaluates the evidence available to determine whether a valuation allowance is required on the deferred tax assets. The Company determined that its deferred tax assets were “more likely than not” to be realized as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, thus no valuation allowance was determined to be necessary.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company believes that it has no liability for uncertain tax positions.

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6. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

    

September 30, 

    

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

Contractor advances

$

25

$

100

Prepaid insurance

397

208

Interest receivable

 

214

 

355

Other current assets

 

169

 

148

Total

$

805

$

811

7. Property, Plant and Mine Development, net

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, property, plant and mine development consisted of the following:

    

September 30, 

    

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

Asset retirement costs

$

8,425

$

5,488

Construction-in-progress

 

14,739

 

13,615

Furniture and office equipment

 

781

 

654

Leach pad and ponds

 

3,732

 

3,732

Land

 

71

 

41

Light vehicles and other mobile equipment

 

558

 

558

Machinery and equipment

 

17,119

 

16,547

Process facilities and infrastructure

 

8,994

 

8,913

Mineral interests and mineral rights

 

19,703

 

18,968

Mine development

 

24,365

 

24,365

Software and licenses

 

346

 

105

Subtotal (1)

 

98,833

 

92,986

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(72,018)

 

(67,621)

Total

$

26,815

$

25,365

(1)Includes capital expenditures in accounts payable of $0.7 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of $1.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of $4.7 million and $9.8 million, respectively.

8. Other Current Liabilities

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, other current liabilities consisted of the following:

    

September 30, 

    

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

Accrued royalty payments

$

317

$

333

Accrued property and excise taxes

 

386

 

798

Other accrued expenses

2

Total

$

703

$

1,133

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9. Asset Retirement Obligation

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s asset retirement obligation for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023:

    

September 30, 

    

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

Asset retirement obligation – balance at beginning of period

$

6,500

$

5,863

Changes in estimate

 

2,937

 

317

Payments

(83)

(194)

Accretion

 

444

 

514

Asset retirement obligation – balance at end of period

$

9,798

$

6,500

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had a $16.5 million off-balance sheet arrangement for a surety bond. This bond is offset by a $9.8 million asset retirement obligation for future reclamation at the Company’s Isabella Pearl Mine. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a $12.5 million off-balance sheet arrangement for a surety bond. This bond was offset by a $6.5 million asset retirement obligation for future reclamation at the Company’s Isabella Pearl Mine. The Company’s asset retirement obligations were discounted using a credit adjusted risk-free rate of 11%.

10. Leases

Operating Leases

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company recognizes lease expense for these leases as incurred over the lease term. The Company accounts for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent, real estate taxes and insurance costs) separately from the non-lease components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs).

The Company had an embedded lease in its Contract Mining Agreement with its previous mining contractor. In November 2022, the Company extended the Contract Mining Agreement for a twelve-month term resulting in the recognition of a $3.8 million right-of-use asset and corresponding $3.8 million operating lease liability. In December 2023, the Company extended the Contract Mining Agreement for a three-month term resulting in the recognition of a $0.6 million right-of-use asset and corresponding $0.6 million operating lease liability. In April 2024, the Company extended the Contract Mining Agreement for a three-month term resulting in the recognition of a $0.7 million right-of-use asset and corresponding $0.7 million operating lease liability. On May 31, 2024, the Contract Mining Agreement was terminated. The Company’s lease payments for its mining equipment embedded lease were determined by tonnage hauled. This embedded lease was within a Contract Mining Agreement entered into for the mining activities at the Company’s Isabella Pearl Mine. The payments, amortization of the right-of-use asset, and interest vary immaterially from forecasted amounts due to variable conditions at the mine. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company capitalized variable lease costs of nil and $0.9 million, respectively, to Inventory. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company capitalized variable lease costs of $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, to Inventory.

On June 1, 2024, the Company entered into the 2024 Contract Mining agreement for a term of three-months.  On September 1, 2024, the 2024 Contract Mining agreement auto-renewed for a period of one-month and is therefore not recognized as an operating lease.

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Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company’s operating lease is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

    

Nine months ended

September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

  

  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

$

1,170

$

2,863

11. Other (Income), Net

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, other income, net consisted of the following:

    

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

2024

    

2023

    

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Interest (income)

$

(373)

$

(549)

$

(1,349)

$

(1,380)

Charitable contributions

14

41

60

114

Unrealized (gain) loss from gold and silver rounds/bullion (1)

(204)

19

(428)

33

Other expense (income)

43

(2)

37

(19)

Total other (income)

$

(520)

$

(491)

$

(1,680)

$

(1,252)

(1)Gains and losses due to changes in fair value are non-cash in nature until such time that they are realized through cash transactions. For additional information regarding the Company’s fair value measurements and investments, please see Note 13.

12. Net Income per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated based on the assumption that stock options and other dilutive securities outstanding, which have an exercise price less than the average market price of the Company’s common shares during the period, would have been exercised on the later of the beginning of the period or the date granted and that the funds obtained from the exercise were used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.

The effect of the Company’s dilutive securities is calculated using the treasury stock method and only those instruments that result in a reduction in net income per common share are included in the calculation. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, potentially dilutive securities representing 100,000 shares and 66,000 shares, respectively, of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.

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Basic and diluted net income per common share is calculated as follows:

    

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

2024

    

2023

Net income (in thousands)

$

946

$

5,722

$

806

$

15,694

Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

24,173,209

24,084,542

24,156,816

24,077,772

Diluted effect of share-based awards

88,745

127,894

85,892

139,648

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

24,261,954

24,212,436

24,242,708

24,217,420

Net income per share:

Basic

$

0.04

$

0.24

$

0.03

$

0.65

Diluted

$

0.04

$

0.24

$

0.03

$

0.65

13. Fair Value Measurement

Fair value accounting establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2

Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3

Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

As required by accounting guidance, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth certain of the Company’s assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

    

September 30, 

December 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

Input Hierarchy Level

    

(in thousands)

    

Cash and cash equivalents

$

30,316

$

48,678

Level 1

Gold and silver rounds/bullion

1,960

1,532

Level 1

Accounts receivable

 

 

42

Level 2

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash deposits with an original maturity of 3 months or less and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Gold and silver rounds/bullion consist of precious metals used for investment purposes which are valued using quoted market prices. Please see Note 3 for additional information. Accounts receivable includes amounts due to the Company for deliveries of doré sold to customers, which approximates fair value.

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Gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of these financial instruments were included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as shown in the following table:

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

Statement of

2024

    

2023

2024

    

2023

Operations Classification

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Unrealized (gain) loss from gold and silver rounds/bullion

$

(204)

$

19

$

(428)

$

33

Other income, net

14. Stock-Based Compensation

The Fortitude Gold Corporation 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) allows for the issuance of up to 5 million shares of common stock in the form of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock grants, and stock units. The Company utilizes this Incentive Plan to attract, retain and incentivize staff.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted RSUs of 1,100,000 to employeesThe RSU’s vest over a period of three years and were issued with a weighted average fair value of $4.59 per share. No RSU’s were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company granted RSUs of 36,000 to employeesThe RSU’s vest over a period of three years and were issued with a weighted average fair value of $7 per share. No RSU’s were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a total of 12,000 RSUs vested, and shares were issued with an intrinsic value of $0.1 million, and a fair value of $0.1 million.  No RSUs vested during the three months ended September 30, 2024. No RSUs vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 76,667 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.00 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.00 per share. No stock options were exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Stock-based compensation is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options and RSUs is as follows:

Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Stock options

$

7

$

48

$

49

$

144

Restricted stock units

398

20

656

27

Total

$

405

$

68

$

705

$

171

15. Shareholders’ Equity

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company declared and paid dividends of $2.9 million or $0.12 per share and $8.7 million or $0.36 per share, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 the Company declared and paid dividends of $2.9 million or $0.12 per share and $9.6 million or $0.40 per share, respectively. 

See Note 14 for information concerning shares and options granted pursuant to the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We are a Colorado corporation and our subsidiaries are GRC Nevada Inc. (“GRCN”), Walker Lane Minerals Corp. (“WLMC”), County Line Holdings Inc. (“CLH”), County Line Minerals Corp. (“CLMC”), and Golden Mile Minerals Corp. (“GMMC”).  WLMC, CLH, CLMC and GMMC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of GRCN. We are a mining company which pursues gold and silver projects that are expected to have both low operating costs and high returns on capital. We are presently focused on mineral production from our Isabella Pearl Mine in Nevada. The ore mined at Isabella Pearl is processed on site at our processing facilities and sold to a refiner as doré, which contains precious metals of gold and silver. We also continue exploration and evaluation work on our portfolio of other precious metal properties in Nevada and continue to evaluate other properties for possible acquisition.

In February 2021, we began trading on the OTC Market “pink sheets” operated by the OTC Markets Group and subsequently up listed to the OTCQB on March 5, 2021 with a symbol change to “FTCO”.

The following discussion summarizes our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. It also analyzes our financial condition at September 30, 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the management’s discussion and analysis and the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2023 contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The discussion also presents certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“Non-GAAP”) but which are important to management in its evaluation of our operating results and are used by management to compare our performance with what we perceive to be peer group mining companies and are relied on as part of management’s decision-making process. Management believes these measures may also be important to investors in evaluating our performance. For a detailed description of each of the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the discussion below under Non-GAAP Measures.

See Forward-Looking Statements at the end of this Item 2 for important information regarding statements contained herein.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Highlights

$10.2 million net sales
$30.3 million cash balance on September 30, 2024
4,220 gold ounces produced
$41.5 million working capital at September 30, 2024
$4.8 million mine gross profit
$2.7 million exploration expenditures
$906 total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold
$990 per ounce total all-in sustaining cost
$2.9 million dividends paid

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Operating Data: The following tables summarize certain information about our operations at our Isabella Pearl Mine for the periods indicated:

    

    

Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Ore mined

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Ore (tonnes)

 

149,259

 

110,456

 

336,025

 

329,765

Gold grade (g/t)

 

0.66

 

2.04

 

0.62

 

3.07

Low-grade stockpile

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Ore (tonnes)

 

 

 

 

2,118

Gold grade (g/t)

 

 

 

 

0.46

Waste (tonnes)

 

208,176

 

434,571

 

1,008,173

 

965,312

Metal production (before payable metal deductions)(1)

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

Gold (ozs.)

 

4,220

 

11,122

 

12,353

 

32,293

Silver (ozs.)

 

11,488

 

25,012

 

48,781

 

56,272

(1)The difference between what we report as “metal production” and “metal sold” is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the doré we produce versus the portion of those metals for which we received payment according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades and recoveries which impact the amounts of metals contained in doré produced and sold.

During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we produced 4,220 and 11,122 ounces of gold, respectively. The decreased production in 2024 is primarily due to lower leach pad recoveries due to overall lower-grade ore mined and delays in permitting our next targeted mine build at County Line. Mining and placement of ore on the heap leach pad continued to be limited to lower grade ore being mined from the Civit Cat area of the Isabella Pearl deposit and the utilization of the low-grade ore stockpile prior to receiving permit approval to mine deeper in the Pearl pit on September 18, 2024.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we produced 12,353 and 32,293 ounces of gold, respectively. The decreased production in 2024 is primarily due to lower leach pad recoveries due to overall lower-grade ore mined and delays in permitting our next targeted mine build at County Line. Mining and placement of ore on the heap leach pad continued to be limited to lower grade ore being mined from the Civit Cat area of the Isabella Pearl deposit and the utilization of the low-grade ore stockpile prior to receiving permit approval to mine deeper in the Pearl pit on September 18, 2024.

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Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Metal sold

  

  

  

  

Gold (ozs.)

4,199

 

11,042

12,292

 

32,173

Silver (ozs.)

11,380

 

24,694

48,052

 

55,638

Average metal prices realized (1)

  

 

  

  

 

  

Gold ($per oz.)

2,441

 

1,931

2,288

 

1,934

Silver ($per oz.)

29.07

 

23.54

26.57

 

23.51

Precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold

Gold Ounces

4,199

11,042

12,292

32,173

Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver

136

301

558

676

4,335

11,343

12,850

32,849

Total cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold

$

985

$

600

$

889

$

564

Total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold

$

906

$

547

$

785

$

523

Total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold

$

990

$

651

$

929

$

633

(1)Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases.

Cash cost after by-product credit increased due mainly to lower sales volumes.

Consolidated Results of Operations – Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Sales, net. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, consolidated sales, net were $10.2 million as compared to $21.3 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease is attributable to lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher average sales price.  Third quarter 2024 gold sales volumes decreased 62%, while the average realized price for gold increased 26%, from the same period in 2023.

Lower sales volumes during the three months ended September 30, 2024 were the result of decreased production which was primarily due to lower leach pad recoveries due to overall lower-grade ore mined, and delays in permitting our next targeted mine build at County Line. Mining and placement of ore on the heap leach pad continued to be limited to lower grade ore being mined from the Civit Cat area of the Isabella Pearl deposit and the utilization of the low-grade ore stockpile prior to receiving permit approval to mine deeper in the Pearl pit on September 18, 2024.

Mine gross profit. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded $4.8 million mine gross profit compared to $11.8 million mine gross profit for the same period in 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower sales, as discussed above, and increased cost per ounce due to lower-grade ore mined.

General and administrative. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $1.7 million as compared to $1.3 million in the same period in 2023. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation.

Exploration expenses. For the three months ending September 30, 2024, property exploration expenses of $2.7 million as compared to $3.8 million for the same period of 2023. The decrease is primarily due to decreased exploration spending to preserve capital due to permit delays of our next targeted mine build at County Line. Exploration spending in the third quarter of 2024 primarily related to exploration, hydrogeological investigations, and permitting studies at East Camp Douglas, County Line and the Isabella Pearl trend properties.

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 Other income, net. For the three months ending September 30, 2024, other income totaling $0.5 million did not materially change from $0.5 million in the same period in 2023.

Mining and income tax (benefit) expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, mining and income tax benefit was $0.1 million as compared to mining and income tax expense of $1.4 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease is the result of our lower income before income and mining taxes. See Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Net income. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded net income of $0.9 million as compared to $5.7 million in the corresponding period for 2023. The decrease is due to lower sales volumes during the three months ended September 30, 2024 resulting from decreased production. 

Consolidated Results of Operations – Nine months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine months Ended September 30, 2023

Sales, net. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, consolidated sales, net were $28.0 million as compared to $62.0 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease is attributable to lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher average sales price. For the nine months ending September 30, 2024, gold sales volumes decreased 62% in 2024, while the average realized price for gold increased 18%, from the same period in 2023.

Lower sales volumes during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were the result of decreased production which was primarily due to lower leach pad recoveries due to overall lower-grade ore mined, and delays in permitting our next targeted mine build at County Line. Mining and placement of ore on the heap leach pad continued to be limited to lower grade ore being mined from the Civit Cat area of the Isabella Pearl deposit and the utilization of the low-grade ore stockpile prior to receiving permit approval to mine deeper in the Pearl pit on September 18, 2024.

Mine gross profit. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded $13.8 million mine gross profit compared to $35.4 million mine gross profit for the same period in 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower sales, as discussed above, and increased cost per ounce due to lower-grade ore mined.

General and administrative. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $4.2 million compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2023. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation.

Exploration expenses. For the nine months ending September 30, 2024, property exploration expenses were $10.6 million as compared to $13.6 million for the same period of 2023. The decrease is primarily due to decreased exploration spending to preserve capital due to permit delays of our next targeted mine build at County Line. Exploration spending in 2024 primarily related to the East Camp Douglas, County Line and the Isabella Pearl trend Scarlet target properties.

 Other income, net. For the nine months ending September 30, 2024, other income totaled $1.7 million as compared to $1.3 million for the same period of 2023. The change is due to an increase in unrealized gains on our gold and silver bullion/rounds as a result of increasing gold and silver prices and an increase in interest income.

Mining and income tax (benefit) expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, mining and income tax benefit was $0.1 million as compared to mining and income tax expense of $3.9 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease is the result of our lower income before income and mining taxes. See Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a net income of $0.8 million as compared to $15.7 million in the corresponding period for 2023. The decrease is due to lower sales volumes during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 resulting from decreased production. 

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Non-GAAP Measures

Throughout this report, we have provided information prepared or calculated according to U.S. GAAP and have referenced some non-GAAP performance measures which we believe will assist with understanding the performance of our business. These measures are based on precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold and include cash cost before by-product credits per ounce, total cash cost after by-product credits per ounce, and total all-in sustaining cost per ounce (“AISC”). Because the non-GAAP performance measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP.

Revenue generated from the sale of silver is considered a by-product of our gold production for the purpose of our total cash cost after by-product credits for our Isabella Pearl Mine. We periodically review our revenues to ensure that our reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because we consider silver to be a by-product of our gold production, the value of silver continues to be applied as a reduction to total cash costs in our calculation of total cash cost after by-product credits per precious metal gold equivalent ounce sold. Likewise, we believe the identification of silver as by-product credits is appropriate because of its lower individual economic value compared to gold and since gold is the primary product we produce.

Total cash cost, after by-product credits, is a measure developed by the World Gold Institute to provide a uniform standard for comparison purposes. AISC is calculated based on the current guidance from the World Gold Council.

Total cash cost before by-product credits includes all direct and indirect production costs related to our production of metals (including mining, crushing and conveying and other plant facility costs, royalties, and site general and administrative costs) plus treatment and refining costs.

Total cash cost after by-product credits includes total cash cost before by-product credits less by-product credits, or revenues earned from silver.

AISC includes total cash cost after by-product credits plus other costs related to sustaining production, including sustaining allocated general and administrative expenses and sustaining capital expenditures. We determined sustaining capital expenditures as those capital expenditures that are necessary to maintain current production and execute the current mine plan.

Cash cost before by-product credits per ounce, total cash cost after by-product credits per ounce and AISC are calculated by dividing the relevant costs, as determined using the cost elements noted above, by gold ounces sold for the periods presented.

Reconciliations to U.S. GAAP

The following table provides a reconciliation of total cash cost after by-product credits to total mine cost of sales (a U.S. GAAP measure) as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

2024

    

2023

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Total cash cost after by-product credits

$

3,806

$

6,040

$

9,655

$

16,850

Treatment and refining charges

  

(22)

(48)

  

(164)

(185)

Depreciation and amortization

  

1,597

3,349

  

4,535

9,733

Reclamation and remediation

69

91

176

231

Total consolidated mine cost of sales

$

5,450

$

9,432

$

14,202

$

26,629

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The following table presents the non-GAAP measures of total cash cost and AISC:

Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

2024

    

2023

(in thousands, except ounces sold and cost per gold ounce sold)

Total cash cost before by-product credits (1)

$

4,137

$

6,621

$

10,932

$

18,158

By-product credits (2)

  

(331)

(581)

  

(1,277)

(1,308)

Total cash cost after by-product credits

$

3,806

$

6,040

$

9,655

$

16,850

Sustaining capital expenditures

48

530

500

1,152

Sustaining exploration expenses

305

622

1,267

2,386

Total all-in sustaining cost

$

4,159

$

7,192

$

11,422

$

20,388

Gold ounces sold

  

4,199

11,042

  

12,292

32,173

Total cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold

$

985

$

600

$

889

$

564

By-product credits per gold ounce sold (2)

(79)

(53)

(104)

(41)

Total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold

906

547

785

523

Other sustaining expenditures per gold ounce sold (3)

84

104

144

110

Total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold

$

990

$

651

$

929

$

633

(1)Production cost plus treatment and refining charges.
(2)Please see the tables below for a summary of our by-product revenue and by-product credit per precious metal equivalent ounces sold.
(3)Sustaining capital expenditures and sustaining exploration expenses divided by gold ounces sold.

The following tables summarize our by-product revenue and by-product credit gold ounce sold:

Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

By-product credits by dollar value:

  

  

Silver sales

$

331

$

581

$

1,277

$

1,308

Total sales from by-products

$

331

$

581

$

1,277

$

1,308

Three months ended September 30, 

Nine months ended September 30, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

By-product credits per gold pounce sold:

  

  

Silver sales

$

79

$

53

$

104

$

41

Total by-product credits per gold ounce sold

$

79

$

53

$

104

$

41

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, we had a cash position of $30.3 million compared to $48.7 million at December 31, 2023. The change is primarily due to decreased cash from operations, exploration spending and dividends paid.

 

As of September 30, 2024, we had working capital of $41.5 million compared to $67.3 million at December 31, 2023. Our working capital balance fluctuates as we use cash to fund our operations, financing and investing activities, including exploration, mine development and income taxes. With our working capital balance as of September 30, 2024, we believe that our liquidity and capital resources are adequate to fund our operations, exploration, capital, and corporate activities for the next twelve months.

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $6.4 million, compared to $22.6 million net cash provided by operating activities for nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease is

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primarily due to lower net income and changes in inventory, depreciation and amortization, income and mining taxes payable and accounts payable.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $3.3 million compared to $6.0 million during the same period in 2023. The decrease is primarily due to less capital expenditures.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $8.6 million compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower dividends due to the special dividend paid in May 2023.

Development and Exploration Activities

Isabella Pearl Mine: During the third quarter, operations continued at the Isabella Pearl (“IP”) Mine open-pit and heap leach operations. Piezometer installations were completed at the Isabella Pearl Mine to monitor groundwater levels. Mapping and sampling campaigns continued to the northwest of the Isabella Pearl Mine to further understand the gold-bearing structures that are exposed on surface, and to identify optimal areas to drill along the IP mineralized structural corridor.  Analysis of final phase mining along the south rim of the pit and possible opportunities to extract the mineralized access ramp once the oxide mineralization deep is exhausted. In September 2024, we received permit approval to mine deeper in the Isabella Pearl pit.

County Line property: Permitting activities continued with regulatory authorities relating to the development of the County Line mine. A piezometer installation program was planned to test the groundwater in the vicinity of the County Line and East pits; the program is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024. This water level information will be used to plan the optimal location and depth of an additional water well once operations start. Geochemical studies of the rock units, in and around the historic pits, continued in the third quarter to determine the neutralizing potential of the units during mining. Internal geological and resource estimation modeling on the property continued during the third quarter. This information, in addition to other supportive datasets, is being used to plan another resource drill program on the property for the modified Notice of Intent (“NOI”).

Golden Mile property: Permitting activities for development of the Golden Mile mine continued during the quarter. A land reclamation and reseeding program of disturbed U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) land on the property began in the third quarter. Once growth is established and accepted by the BLM to be reclaimed sufficiently, the BLM may release this land and allow for more drilling to be completed on the property, if required.

East Camp Douglas property: Reverse circulation drilling continued in the project’s northern White Rock Springs area. Sampling and mapping campaigns advanced in the project’s southern Lithocap area. Cultural resource and biological surveys continued in the third quarter, as these studies are the main baseline studies required to establish the existing conditions for the pending Plan of Operations application and are the primary references to evaluate potential effects of the proposed exploration activities during analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Intrepid property: A NOI was submitted and approved by the BLM in the third quarter. Construction of roads into the newly approved drilling areas commenced.

Accounting Developments

Recently issued accounting pronouncements have been evaluated and do not presently impact our financial statements and supplemental data.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements,” as that term is used in federal securities laws, about our financial condition, results of operations and business. These statements include, among others:

statements about our future exploration, permitting, production, development, and plans for development of our properties

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statements concerning the benefits that we expect will result from our business activities and certain transactions that we contemplate or have completed, such as receipt of proceeds, decreased expenses and prevented expenses and expenditures
statements of our expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, our targets, exploration activities, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts

These statements may be made expressly in this document or may be incorporated by reference from other documents that we will file with the SEC. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “believes,” “expects,” “targets,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “proposes,” or similar expressions used in this report or incorporated by reference in this report.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in those statements. Because the statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. We caution you not to put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Further, the information contained in this document or incorporated herein by reference, is a statement of our present intention and is based on present facts and assumptions, which may change at any time and without notice, based on changes in such facts or assumptions.

Risk Factors Impacting Forward-Looking Statements

The important factors that could prevent us from achieving our stated goals and objectives include, but are not limited to, those set forth in other reports we have filed with the SEC, including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the following:

The Biden/Harris administration’s stance on mining and mine development
The BLM and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection staffing shortages and permit review timelines
Changes in the worldwide price for gold and/or silver
Inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions, with particular consideration on the outlook for increased costs specific to labor, materials, consumables and fuel and energy on operations
Government freezes on issuing resource permits
Political and regulatory risks
Untimely permit issuance
Volatility in the equities markets
Adverse results from our exploration or production efforts
Producing at rates lower than those targeted
Global pandemics such as COVID-19 and governmental responses designed to control the pandemic
Weather conditions, including unusually heavy rains
Earthquakes or other unforeseen ground movements impacting mining or processing
Failure to meet our revenue or profit goals or operating budget
Technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies
Cybersecurity threats
Investor perception of our industry or our prospects
Lawsuits
General economic trends

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Smaller Reporting Companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

As required by Rule 15d-15 under the 1934 Act, as of September 30, 2024, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer). Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.

 

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

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the 1934 Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Smaller Reporting Companies are not required to provide the information for this item.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

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

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Item 5. Other Information

None of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K) during the quarterly period ending September 30, 2024.

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Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith.

Exhibit Number

    

Description

3.1

Articles of Incorporation (1)

3.2

Bylaws of the Company (1)

4.1.1

Equity Incentive Plan (1)

4.1.2

Form of Stock Option Award Agreement (1)

4.1.3

Form of RSU Award Agreement (1)

4.2

Shareholder Rights Agreement (1)

10.3

Reserved

10.5

Employment Agreement with Jason D. Reid (2)

10.6

Employment Agreement with Gregory A. Patterson (2)

10.9

Employment Agreement with Allan Turner (4)

10.10

Employment Agreement with Janet Turner (4)

14

Code of Ethics (1)

21

Subsidiaries (3)

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e)

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) 

32*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

95*

Mine Safety Disclosures

101*

Financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Fortitude Gold Corporation for the three  months ended September 30, 2024, formatted in inline XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the XBRL document)

(1)   Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit filed with the Company's registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-249533).

(2) Incorporated by reference to same exhibit filed with the Company's 8-K report dated March 1, 2021 (File No. 333-249533).

(3) Incorporated by reference to same exhibit filed with the Company's 10-K/A report dated December 15, 2022 (File No. 333-249533).

(4)

Incorporated by reference to same exhibit filed with the Company's 8-K report dated June 3, 2024 (File No. 333-249533).

*Filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on November 5, 2024.

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION

By:

/s/ Jason D. Reid

Name:

Jason D. Reid

Title:

Chief Executive Officer and President

By:

/s/ Janet H.N. Turner

Name:

Janet H.N. Turner

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

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