UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM  i 10-Q

 i ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended  i September 30,  i 2022 / 

OR

 i ☐ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition from _______to_______

Commission file number  i 000-14319

 i AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in its Charter)

 i 611 Walnut Street,  i Gadsden,  i Alabama  i 35901 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 i (888)  i 960-7347

(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Standard Metals Processing, Inc.

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, If Changed Since Last Report)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) 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 issuer was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☐   i 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 fi les).).  i 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. (Check one):

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act: ☐

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

As of November 7, 2022, there were  i 2,674,530 shares of common stock outstanding which is the Registrant’s only class of voting stock. 

Documents incorporated by reference: none

AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC. 

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains certain statements which are forward-looking in nature and are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management, general trends in our operations or financial results, plans, expectations, estimates and beliefs. In addition, when used in this Form 10-Q, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to us or our management, may identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our judgment as of the date of this Form 10-Q with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to risks. We have attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors that we believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from our current expectations, which may have a significant impact on our business, operating results, financial condition or your investment in our common stock, as described in Part II, Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 14, 2022.

Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent periodic reports filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

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

AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED Consolidated STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

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

AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED Consolidated STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

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

AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE Nine MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 AND 2021

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

AMERICAN CLEAN RESOURCES GROUP, INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

(unaudited)

American Clean Resources Group, Inc. (f/k/a Standard Metals Processing, Inc.) (“we,” “us,” “our,” “American Clean Resources” or the “Company”) is an exploration stage company, incorporated in Nevada having offices in Gadsden, Alabama and through its subsidiary, a property in Tonopah, Nevada. The business plan is to purchase and install the equipment necessary to complete a facility on the Tonopah property to serve as a permitted custom processing toll mill (which includes an analytical lab, pyrometallurgical plant, and hydrometallurgical recovery plant).

The Company plans to perform permitted custom processing toll milling which is a process whereby mined material is crushed and ground into fine particles to ease the extraction of any precious minerals contained therein, such as minerals in the gold, silver, and platinum metal groups. Custom milling and refining can include many different processes that are designed specifically for each ore load and to maximize the extraction of precious metals from carbon or concentrates. These toll processing services also distill, dry, mix, or mill chemicals and bulk materials on a contractual basis and provide a chemical production outsourcing option for industrial companies, which lack the expertise, capacity, or regulatory permits for in-house production.

We are required to obtain several permits before we can begin construction of a small-scale mineral processing facility to conduct permitted processing toll milling activities and construction of the required additional buildings and well relocation necessary for us to commence operations.

Going Concern 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, assuming we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company had a net loss of $ i 998,631. At September 30, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ i 106,476,487 and a working capital deficit of $ i 12,296,039. Additionally, all of the Company’s assets are under lien pursuant to a First Deed of Trust and UCC filings; and  i 100% of the common stock of the Company’s subsidiary Aurielle Enterprises, Inc. (“AE”), and that of its wholly owned subsidiaries Tonopah Custom Processing, Inc., (“TCP”) and Tonopah Resources, Inc. (“TR”) have been pledged in favor of Granite Peak Resources, LLC (“GPR”), a related party, whose secured Note is in default. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to raise the required additional capital or debt financing to meet short and long-term operating requirements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, $ i 395,496 was advanced from the convertible note line of credit GPR established for the Company in 2020 (See Note 4).

Management believes that private placements of equity capital and/or additional debt financing will be needed to fund our long-term operating requirements. The Company may also encounter business endeavors that require significant cash commitments or unanticipated problems or expenses that could result in a requirement for additional cash. If the Company raises additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our current shareholders would likely be reduced, and such securities might have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to our common stock. Additional financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company may not be able to take advantage of prospective business endeavors or opportunities, which could significantly and materially restrict our operations. We are continuing to pursue external financing alternatives to improve our working capital position, however, if the Company is unable to obtain the necessary capital, the Company may have to cease operations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Clean Resources Group, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Aurielle Enterprises Inc. (“AE”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tonopah Custom Processing, Inc., (“TCP”) and Tonopah Resources, Inc. (“TR”). All significant intercompany transactions, accounts and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed April 14, 2022. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments unless otherwise indicated) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year as a whole.

Mineral property acquisition costs are recorded at cost and are deferred until the viability of the property is determined. No properties have produced operating revenues at this time. Exploration, mineral property evaluation, option payments, related acquisition costs for mineral properties acquired under an option agreement, general overhead, administrative and holding costs to maintain a property on a care and maintenance basis are expensed in the period they are incurred. When reserves are determined for a property and a bankable feasibility study is completed, subsequent exploration and development costs on the property would be capitalized. If a project were to be put into production, capitalized costs would be amortized on the unit of production basis.

Management reviews the net carrying value of each mineral property as changes may materialize with a property or at a minimum, on an annual basis. Where information and conditions suggest impairment, estimated future net cash flows from each property are calculated using estimated future prices, proven and probable reserves and value beyond proven and probable reserves, and operating, capital and reclamation costs on an undiscounted basis. If it is determined that the future cash flows are less than the carrying value, a write-down to the estimated fair value is made with a charge to loss for the period. Where estimates of future net cash flows are not available and where other conditions suggest impairment, management assesses if the carrying value can be recovered.

Management’s estimates of gold prices, recoverable reserves, probable outcomes, operating capital, and reclamation costs are subject to risks and uncertainties that may affect the recoverability of mineral property costs.  

The Company does not own any mining claims. It owns tailings located on the Tonopah property and the rights to certain tailings located in Manhattan, Nevada. The Company has not disturbed or processed any of this material, but recently authorized GPR to examine the economic feasibility of processing the tailings to reclaim their residual content of valuable metals in exchange for the exclusive right to process the tailings should their economic assessment prove positive. The terms of such processing to be mutually agreed upon between GPR and the Company in the future based on the results of the assessment.  In addition, the Company and Sustainable Metal Solutions, LLC (“SMS”), an affiliate of GPR, agreed to form a joint venture into which the Company will contribute the solar energy rights attributable to its  i 1,086 acres in exchange for SMS’s agreement to develop, manage and underwrite the venture.  

The Company will periodically evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, including but not limited to, mineral properties, mine tailings, mine dumps, capital assets and intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review and at least annually. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except fair values are reduced for the cost of disposition.

Preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company has not recognized any revenues from permitted custom processing toll milling. If we achieve revenue generation, the Company plans to report such revenues consistent with ASC Topic 606.

Income taxes are accounted for based upon an asset and liability approach. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from the difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the financial statements. Deferred tax amounts are determined using the tax rates expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received, as provided under currently enacted tax law. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense or benefit is the tax payable or refundable, respectively, for the period plus or minus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.

Accounting guidance requires the recognition of a financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than  i fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company believes its income tax filing positions and deductions will be sustained upon examination and accordingly, no reserves, or related accruals for interest and penalties have been recorded at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The Company recognizes interest and penalties due on unrecognized tax benefits as well as interest receivable from favorable tax settlements within income tax expense.

During the period ended September 30, 2022, and through the date of this filing, there were several new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not believe the adoption of any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company is preparing the Tonopah property site for the construction of a permitted custom processing toll milling facility including grading the land, installing fencing, and working with contractors for our planned  i 21,875 square foot building and servicing and drilling various wells for our future operations.

The Company has continued to assess the realizability of its mining and mineral rights. During 2021, the Company completed substantially all the engineering, test drilling, and independent lab analysis to characterize mineral content of the Company’s tailings which cover approximately  i 30% of its  i 1,184 acres. During 2022 the Company’s engineering staff has added to the feasibility study given the value of our water rights and historic use of our property. Based on its continuing assessment of the Company’s property, the Company believes the carrying value of its combined mining and mineral rights, land and water rights of $ i 3,883,524 is fairly stated and not exposed to impairment.

 i On March 16, 2020, the Company executed a Line of Credit (“LOC”) with Granite Peak Resources, LLC (“GPR”), a related party, evidenced by a convertible promissory note. The LOC is for up to $2,500,000, matures over three years and may be increased by up to another $1,000,000 and extended an additional two years at GPR’s sole option. The LOC is for funding operating expenses critical to the Company’s basic operations and redirection and all requests for funds may be approved or disapproved in GPR’s sole discretion. The LOC bears interest at 10% per annum, is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share price of $1.65 and is secured by the real and personal property of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the subsidiaries’ stock GPR already has under lien (See Note 7). During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and year ended December 31, 2021, GPR advanced $ i 395,496 and $ i 665,497, respectively, pursuant to the LOC in direct payments on the Company’s behalf, to fund certain operating expenses and reduce certain accounts payable. At September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the balance due GPR under the LOC is $ i 1,280,590 and $ i 885,094 principal and $ i 151,374 and $ i 77,172 accrued interest, respectively.

Advances by GPR to pay directly certain operating expenses and reduce certain accounts payable on the Company’s behalf have been included in the convertible promissory issued by the Company in connection with the LOC and classified accordingly in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.

Including the foregoing advances under the LOC, there was $ i 100,000 of principal and $ i 84,382 of accrued interest outstanding on convertible debentures at September 30, 2022. Included in the foregoing year-end balances was a pre-existing convertible note in default held by a non-affiliate third party with a principal balance of $ i 100,000 and accrued interest which GPR purchased in September 2021.

Common Stock - Option Grants

The Company recorded no compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. As of September 30, 2022, there was $ i 0 in unrecognized compensation expense.

The Company did not grant any options during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, none expired, and none were cancelled. There are no unvested options as of September 30, 2022. 

For warrants granted to non-employees in exchange for services, the Company recorded the fair value of the equity instrument using the Black-Scholes pricing model unless the value of the services is more reliably measurable.

The Company did not grant any warrants during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and no warrants were exercised,  i 5000 expired, and none were cancelled. At September 30, 2022, there were  i 5,000 warrants outstanding, with a weighted exercise price of $ i 56.00 and a weighted remaining contractual life of  i 0.3 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value of the  i 5,000 outstanding and exercisable warrants at September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021 was $ i 0. The intrinsic value is the difference between the closing stock price on September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money warrants had all warrant holders exercised their warrants on September 30, 2022, or December 31, 2021. 

Legal Matters

Stephen E. Flechner v. Standard Metals Processing, Inc.

On April 29, 2014, Stephen E. Flechner filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against Standard Metals Processing, Inc. alleging that the Company had refused to allow him to exercise stock options granted to him pursuant to certain Stock Option Agreements. On August 28, 2015, an amended final judgment was ordered in adjudication of the Complaint by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Court”) in favor of Flechner in the amount of $ i 2,157,000, plus interest through the date of judgment of $ i 235,246, plus interest of  i $472.76/day from August 28, 2015, until paid in full. The Company, in good faith anticipation of a settlement did not appeal the judgment and therefore, the Company’s notice of appeal was dismissed on November 17, 2015. This judgment is now non-appealable. The Company has recognized the daily interest due from the date of the August 28, 2015, judgment through September 30, 2022, totaling $ i 1,392,257 resulting in a total amount of $ i 3,679,588 being included in the Accrual for settlement of lawsuits relating to this matter in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2022.

On November 29, 2021, the Company was notified that its majority shareholder, Granite Peak Resources, LLC, had executed definitive documents with Stephen Flechner to acquire his judgment against the Company. Documents have been filed with the Court to reflect this acquisition. As GPR now owns Mr. Flechner’s claim, the Company’s Accrual for Settlement of Lawsuits, and the interest relating thereto, have been reflected as a related party transaction.

During March 2019, the Company was informed that a change of control of the Company had occurred. Granite Peak Resources, LLC, through its members, including Pure Path Capital Management LLC (“GPR”) acquired  i 1,389,289 shares of common stock (including  i 90,000 warrants to purchase common stock). The members transferred their shares of common stock of the Company in exchange for a pro-rata ownership interest in GPR and are listed in the Schedule 13D filed by GPR on March 29, 2019. Since March 2019, through September 30, 2022, GPR and its members, through several unsolicited transactions purchased another  i 43,206 shares of common stock. GPR has not communicated to the Company any plans to change any of the current officers or directors or governing documents. GPR has expressed the purpose of its investment is to assist the Company in resolving its current obligations and claims, as a critical step in determining its future business plans.

GPR also acquired the senior secured creditor position previously held by Pure Path Capital Group LLC (the “Secured Note”), which includes a $ i 2,500,000 first deed of trust on the Tonopah property and an outstanding promissory note with a principal balance of $ i  i 2,229,187 /  as of both September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, and related accrued interest of $ i 1,644,781 and $ i 1,509,542, respectively. The Secured Note is securitized by all the Company’s tangible or intangible assets, already or hereinafter acquired, including but not limited to machinery, inventory, accounts receivable, cash, computers, hardware, land, mineral, and water rights, etc., and all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s subsidiary AE and its subsidiaries TCP and TR which are held in Pledge by GPR’s Nevada counsel. The outstanding principal balance on the Secured Note of $ i 2,229,187 together with related accrued interest of $ i 1,644,781 at September 30, 2022, are in default.

As further detailed in Note 4, in March 2020, the Company executed a Line of Credit (“LOC”) with GPR, a related party, evidenced by a  i 10% convertible promissory note. The LOC is for up to $ i 2,500,000, matures over  i three years and may be increased by up to another $ i 1,000,000 and extended an additional  i two years, respectively at GPR’s sole option. The LOC, like the Secured Note, is secured by all the Company’s assets including a pledge of  i 100% of its subsidiaries’ stock. As such, the LOC’s outstanding balance and accrued interest increase the amount of secured debt owned by GPR.

On February 11, 2015,  i the Company issued an unsecured promissory note (the “TG Note”) to Tina Gregerson Family Properties, LLC, an entity controlled by a former director of the Company. The TG Note for up to $750,000 was provided in tranches. Maturity of each tranche is one year from the date of receipt. Interest accrues at 8% per annum on each tranche. Under the terms of the TG Note, the Company received $477,500. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, accrued interest on the Note is $289,455 and $258,588, respectively. The TG Note is in default and was purchased from Ms. Gregerson by Granite Peak Resources, LLC, the Company’s majority shareholder in September 2021.

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted net loss per common share is determined using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, consisting of shares that might be issued upon exercise of options, warrants and conversion of convertible debt. In periods where losses are reported, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

At both September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the share equivalent of the assumed exercise of stock options or warrants outstanding was  i  i 5,000 /  shares. At September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the share equivalent of the assumed conversion of our convertible notes and accrued interest was  i 875,232 and  i 590,387 shares, respectively, The foregoing share equivalents were excluded from the diluted weighted average common share calculation due to the antidilutive effect such shares would have on net loss per common share.

The Company previously disclosed its execution of a definitive agreement on January 10, 2022 to acquire Sustainable Metal Solutions, LLC, a related party, and its subsidiaries (the “SMS Group”). The SMS Group is active in the exploration and advancement of mining rights to metals and minerals that may be refined and marketed using the most efficient and sustainable sources of clean energy and operating methods to promote clean land, clean water, and clean air conservation. The SMS Group is working with technologies to extract valuable metals and minerals efficiently and responsibly, both by mining them from their original underground state and by processing them from historically abandoned mine tailings containing substantial amounts of valuable metals and minerals.

The SMS Group brings the capital and management experience necessary to not only commence the processing of the vast amount of mine tailings located on the Company’s Nevada property but also develop the Company’s property for utilization of its location in and geographically strategic access to the Solar Energy Zone, as well as optimizing the value of the water rights controlled by the Company.

As previously disclosed in connection with the acquisition of the SMS Group, the Company changed its name to American Clean Resources Group, Inc., and its OTCQB Symbol to ACRG. As a condition to close, ACRG will need to apply to and be accepted to trade on NASDAQ Capitals markets (f/k/a NASDAQ Small Cap) as soon as its audit for the year ended 12/31/22 is completed.  i ACRG will issue one share of ACRG Commons Stock for each membership unit of SMS Group acquired, and in anticipation of accessing the capital it will need to support its current and future business initiatives, the Company increased its authorized Shares of Preferred Stock and Common Stock from 50,000,000 to 110,000,000 and 500,000,000 to 1,000,000,000, respectively.

As of November 4, 2022, the Company is still actively engaged in its due diligence relating to its acquisition of the SMS Group. Due to the complexity of the industry, the auditing and due diligence process is extensive. Additionally, the compliance requirements for companies in the mining industry have expanded. In connection with the acquisition of the SMS Group, the Company must comply with these requirements. Among other items, the Company will need to file S-K 1300 Report(s) with the SEC which discloses information related to mineral resources and reserves and includes a technical report summary that must be prepared by a qualified person. This Report must be filed for each material property. As part of the due diligence process, the Company is readying itself for the increased compliance requirements.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in connection with the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on April 14, 2022.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Readers are cautioned that the following discussion contains certain forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing at the beginning of this Quarterly Report.

The information contained in this Item 2 contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results may materially differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties set forth in this report. Although management believes that the assumptions made and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that the underlying assumptions will, in fact, prove to be correct or that actual results will not be different from expectations expressed in this report.

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to American Clean Resources Group, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Aurielle Enterprises Inc. (“AE”), and AE’s wholly owned subsidiaries Tonopah Custom Processing, Inc. (“TCP”) and Tonopah Resources, Inc. (“TR”). Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars.  

Corporate History

We were incorporated in the State of Colorado on July 10, 1985, and re-domiciled in Nevada in March 2013. In 2011, we closed a series of transactions, whereby we acquired certain assets of Shea Mining & Milling, LLC, which assets include land, buildings, a dormant milling facility, abandoned milling equipment, water permits, mine tailings, mine dumps and the assignment of a note payable, a lease and a contract agreement with permits. We completed the Shea Exchange Agreement to offer toll milling services of precious minerals. Toll milling is a process whereby mined material is crushed and ground into fine particles to ease the extraction of any precious minerals contained therein, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals. Custom milling and refining can include many different processes to extract precious metals from carbon or concentrates. These toll-processing services also distill, dry, mix, or mill chemicals and bulk materials on a contractual basis and provide a chemical production outsourcing option for industrial companies which lack the expertise, capacity, or regulatory permits for in-house production. Effective June 17, 2022, the Company’s name was changed from Standard Metals Processing, Inc. to American Clean Resources Group, Inc., the number of authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company was increased to one billion shares (1,000,000,000) and the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock of the Company was increased to one hundred ten million (110,000,000) of which ninety million (90,000,000) will be classified as “blank check preferred” (the “Authorized Increase”). For additional information see the Form DEF 14C filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2022.

Overview of the Company

We have an office in Gadsden, Alabama and, through a subsidiary, a property in Tonopah, Nevada. Our business plan is to purchase equipment and build a facility on the Tonopah property to serve as a permitted custom processing toll milling facility which includes an analytical lab, pyrometallurgical plant, and hydrometallurgical recovery plant. We are required to obtain several permits before we can begin construction of a small-scale mineral processing facility and the required additional buildings to conduct permitted processing toll milling activities and commence operations.

Water Pollution Control Permit with Nevada Department of Environmental Protection

Through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, TCP, a Water Pollution Control Permit (“WPCP”) Application was filed with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) Bureau of Mines and Mining Reclamation (“BMMR”) for the approval of the permits necessary for a small-scale mineral processing facility planned for the Tonopah property. The plant will perform laboratory testing, pilot testing, and custom processing of precious metal ores and concentrates from mining industry clients. Processing of ore materials will employ standard mineral processing techniques including gravity concentration, froth flotation and chemical leaching and carbon stripping. The WPCP must be approved prior to commencing the planned construction of our processing plant in Tonopah, Nevada.  

In connection with our WPCP application, NDEP suggested that we take the following actions: (i) retain a Nevada Certified Environmental Manager (“CEM”), (ii) perform Meteoric Profile II water testing on ground water directly below the mill as well as surrounding wells located off site, and (iii) determine baseline values of water using the Meteoric Profile II results. NDEP regulations require that the Company delay any new construction planned for “metal extraction” until after the permits are in place.

Advanced Surveying & Professional Services, a Professional Land Surveyor (“PLS”), completed surveys and testing of the Tonopah property required for the application of our required permits. After completion of the survey, it was determined the property is 1,186 acres. The scope of work the PLS completed includes: (i) setting a total of 19 permanent monuments at angle points along lines, (ii) setting eight permanent monuments locating US Hwy 95, (iii) recording a professional map indicating longitude and latitude for all corners, and (iv) providing a digital map accessible in Auto Cad software.

Site Preparation

We have completed the initial grading of specific designated areas on the 40 undisturbed acres of land including clearing all vegetation, removing of all scrap metal, and the excavation of the building pad for preparation of our planned new 21,875 square foot processing plant and have completed the removal of all the extra and unnecessary materials and old equipment that has accumulated on the land. We have also refurbished a trailer that will act as our construction office.

Business Plan

The Company is reexamining its next steps for developing a processing facility.  In an effort to move the Company’s business plan forward, the Company may evaluate opportunities to acquire, license, or joint venture with other parties involved in toll milling, processing, or mining related activities, which may include GPR and its affiliated entities including, but not limited to, Sustainable Metal Solutions, LLC (“SMS”), Remedy Environmental LLC, and Black Bear Natural Resources, LTD.

The Company owns certain tailings located on the Tonopah property and the rights to some tailings located in Manhattan, Nevada. The Company has not disturbed or processed any of this material, but recently authorized GPR to examine the economic feasibility of processing the tailings to reclaim their residual content of valuable metals in exchange for the exclusive right to process the tailings should their economic assessment prove positive. The terms of such processing to be mutually agreed upon between GPR and the Company in the future based on the results of the assessment.  In addition, the Company and Sustainable Metal Solutions, LLC (“SMS”), an affiliate of GPR, agreed to form a joint venture into which the Company will contribute the solar energy rights attributable to its 1,086 acres in exchange for SMS’s agreement to develop, manage and underwrite the venture.  

Products and Services

We plan to establish ourselves as a custom processing and permitted toll milling service provider. Our business plan is to build a facility on our Tonopah property, which includes an analytical lab, pyrometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical recovery plant.

The Company’s intention is to become a full service permitted custom toll milling and processing company that facilitates the extraction of precious and strategic minerals from mined material. The Company is in the process of obtaining the permits needed for construction and operation of our permitted custom processing toll milling facility with state-of-the-art equipment capable of processing gold, silver, and platinum metal groups. Many junior miners do not have the capital or the ability to obtain a permit for a processing facility, yet they have a large supply of mined material that requires milling be performed. It is often cost prohibitive or impractical for these mine operators to send their materials to processing mills owned by the large mining companies, or to other customers sorely needing milling and processing services.

While Nevada has a historic role as a mining center with good proximate geology and ample mined product, very little custom processing toll milling capacity remains in the state. During the last several decades, other processing facilities have been shuttered due to high costs of regulations and the vertical integration of milling within large mining companies leaving junior miners with few options for local milling services. As a result, we will be in a unique position among processing facilities because we plan to be capable of true permitted custom processing. We have the only ball mill located within a custom toll milling facility within 300 miles allowing us to serve miners in the western United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America.

Many junior miners are undercapitalized, have limited access to capital markets and have a large supply of mined material that requires milling be performed. Many large mining companies reserve their milling capacity for their inventory, which does not make providing third party services worthwhile. This provides the Company with an opportunity to provide these potential customers with dearly needed milling and processing services. Some of our mining customers will be able to take their tailings (the material left over after the initial processing extracts most minerals) from the material they deposited with the Company for secondary recovery and return those tailings to the same mines the tailings originally came from. Thereby eliminating the need for the Company to store or dispose of their voluminous remains.

Results of Operation

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022, to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

Revenues

We had no revenues from any operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021. Furthermore, we do not anticipate any significant future revenue until we have sufficiently funded construction and begin operations.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $462,061 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to $595,415 for the same period in 2021. During 2021, the $595,415 represented the Company’s completion of substantially all the engineering, test drilling, and independent lab analysis to characterize mineral content on the Company’s tailings which cover approximately 30% of its 1,184 acres. The $462,061 during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was principally a result of a reduction in engineering and development expenses necessary in evaluating the future uses of the Company’s property as much of that evaluation was completed in the prior year.

Other Income and Expenses

We receive monthly lease payments of from American Tower Corporation for a cellular tower located on our Tonopah land. As such Other Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $6,296 compared to $6,296 for the respective period in 2021. Additionally, gain on derecognition of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $15,138 compared to $29,353 for the respective period in 2021.

Interest expense for the nine ended September 30, 2022, was $558,004 compared to $509,449 for the same period in 2021. The increase of $48,555 in the current period was consistent with the balances of debt between periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of an entity’s ability to secure enough cash to meet its contractual and operating needs as they arise. We have funded our operations and satisfied our capital requirements through increases in convertible debt pursuant to our LOC during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021. We do not anticipate generating sufficient net positive cash flows from our operations to fund the next twelve months. We had a working capital deficit of $12,296,039 at September 30, 2022. Cash was $849 at September 30, 2022, as compared to cash of $2,363 at December 31, 2021.

Our cash reserves will not be sufficient to meet our operational needs and thus, we need to raise additional capital to pay for our operational expenses and provide for capital expenditures. Our basic operational expenses are currently estimated at approximately $50,000 per month. Above the basic operational expenses, we estimate that we need approximately $15,000,000 to begin limited toll milling operations. If we are not able to raise additional working capital, we may have to cease operations altogether.

Recent Financings  

On March 16, 2020, the Company executed a Line of Credit (“LOC”) with GPR, a related party, evidenced by a convertible promissory note. The LOC is for up to $2,500,000, matures over three years, bears interest at 10% per annum, is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share price of $1.65, and is secured by the real and personal property of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the pledged securities GPR already has under lien. The LOC is for funding operating expenses critical to the Company’s basic operations and redirection, and all requests for funds may be approved or disapproved in GPR’s sole discretion.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, GPR advanced $395,496 to pay directly on the Company’s behalf, certain administrative costs as well as engineering and development expenses to assess the future uses of the Company’s real property. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021. GPR advanced $580,828 which it used to pay directly certain of the Company’s providers of administrative expenses. The advances were made by GPR, a related party, pursuant to the terms of our LOC.

Going Concern

The condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has accumulated losses from inception through the period ended September 30, 2022, of $106,476,487 and a working capital deficit of $12,296,039, as well as negative cash flows from operating activities. Presently, the Company does not have sufficient cash resources to meet its debt obligations in the twelve months following the date of this filing. In addition, virtually all of the Company’s assets are encumbered or pledged under senior secured debts that are in default. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management is in the process of evaluating various financing alternatives to fund its capital requirements, as well as for general and administrative expenses. These alternatives include raising funds through public or private equity markets and either through institutional or retail investors. Although there is no assurance that the Company will be successful with its fund-raising initiatives, management believes that the Company will be able to secure the necessary financing providing it is successful in resolving its liabilities and other claims with its unsecured creditors and GPR’s assistance.

The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company’s continuation as a going concern is dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing as may be required and ultimately to attain profitability. If the Company raises additional funds through the issuance of equity, the percentage ownership of current shareholders would likely be reduced, and such securities might have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights, preferences, and privileges of the Company’s common stock. Additional financing may not be available upon acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company may not be able to take advantage of prospective business endeavors or opportunities, which would significantly and materially restrict its future. If the Company is unable to resolve the claims of its unsecured creditors, the Company may have to cease operations.

The balance and components of current assets are consistent between periods. The increase in current liabilities is primarily due to accrual of interest on settlement of lawsuits, creditor claims, and notes due related parties.

Cash Flows 

Operating Activities

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities was $(1,514) and $921 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The level of cash during both periods was primarily related to payments advanced under the LOC for operating expenses.

Financing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $0. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was also $0.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in item 303(a)(4) of the SEC’s Regulation S-K.

Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our business, revenues or operating results during the periods presented.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our consolidated condensed financial statements included herein for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed April 14, 2022. We believe that the accounting policies below are critical for one to fully understand and evaluate our financial condition and results of operations.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We review our property and its mining, mineral, and water rights subject to amortization and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset class may not be recoverable. Indicators of potential impairment include: an adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of the asset; an adverse change in the extent or manner in which the asset is used or is expected to be used, or in its physical condition; and current or forecasted operating or cash flow losses that demonstrate continuing losses associated with the use of the asset. If indicators of impairment are present, the asset is tested for recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the related estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset. If the expected cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, the asset is considered to be impaired and its carrying value is written down to fair value, based on the related estimated discounted cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we combined the carrying value of our real property, mining, mineral and water rights as they are inseparable and depend upon each other in value creation. See Note 3. There were no impairment charges in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Recent Accounting Standards

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and through the date of this filing, there were several new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not believe the adoption of any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not Applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (who is our Principal Executive Officer) and our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (who is our Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer), of the effectiveness of the design of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) as of September 30, 2022 pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2022, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. This conclusion is based on findings that constituted material weaknesses. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

In performing the above-referenced assessment, management identified the following deficiencies in the design or operation of our internal controls and procedures, which management considers to be material weaknesses:

(i) Lack of Formal Policies and Procedures. We utilize a third-party independent contractor for the preparation of our financial statements. Although the financial statements and footnotes are reviewed by our management, we do not have a formal policy to review significant accounting transactions and the accounting treatment of such transactions. The third-party independent contractor is not involved in the day to day operations of the Company and may not be provided information from management on a timely basis to allow for adequate reporting/consideration of certain transactions.

(ii) Audit Committee and Financial Expert. We do not have a formal audit committee with a financial expert, and thus we lack the board oversight role within the financial reporting process.

(iii) Insufficient Resources. We have insufficient quantity of dedicated resources and experienced personnel involved in reviewing and designing internal controls. As a result, a material misstatement of the interim and annual financial statements could occur and not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

(iv) Entity Level Risk Assessment. We did not perform an entity level risk assessment to evaluate the implication of relevant risks on financial reporting, including the impact of potential fraud related risks and the risks related to non-routine transactions, if any, on internal control over financial reporting. Lack of an entity-level risk assessment constituted an internal control design deficiency which resulted in more than a remote likelihood that a material error would not have been prevented or detected and constituted a material weakness.

Our management feels the weaknesses identified above have not had any material effect on our financial results. However, we are currently reviewing our disclosure controls and procedures related to these material weaknesses, and expect to implement changes in the near term, as resources permit, to address these material weaknesses. Our management will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and is committed to taking further action and implementing additional enhancements or improvements, as necessary and as funds permit.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 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

Stephen E. Flechner v. Standard Metals Processing, Inc.

On April 29, 2014, Stephen E. Flechner filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against Standard Metals Processing, Inc. alleging that the Company had refused to allow him to exercise stock options granted to him pursuant to certain Stock Option Agreements. On August 28, 2015, an amended final judgment was ordered in adjudication of the Complaint by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Court”) in favor of Flechner in the amount of $2,157,000, plus interest through the date of judgment of $235,246, plus interest of $472.76/day from August 28, 2015, until paid in full. The Company, in good faith anticipation of a settlement did not appeal the judgment and therefore, the Company’s notice of appeal was dismissed on November 17, 2015. This judgment is now non-appealable. The Company has recognized the daily interest due from the date of the August 28, 2015 judgment through September 30, 2022, totaling $1,392,257 resulting in a total amount of $3,679,588 being included in the Accrual for settlement of lawsuits relating to this matter in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2022.

On November 29, 2021, the Company was notified that its majority shareholder, Granite Peak Resources, LLC, had executed definitive documents with Stephen Flechner to acquire his judgment against the Company. Documents have been filed with the Court to reflect this acquisition. As GPR now owns Mr. Flechner’s claim, the Company’s Accrual for Settlement of Lawsuits, and the interest relating thereto, have been reflected as a related party transaction.

ITEM 1. RISK FACTORS

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item. We note, however, that an investment in our common stock involves a number of very significant risks. Investors should carefully consider the risk factors included in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with SEC on April 14, 2022, in addition to other information contained in such Annual Report and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in evaluating the Company and our business before purchasing shares of our common stock. The Company’s business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected due to any of those risks.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

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