3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BRZ, USAMSA and AM, all wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make 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 reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant and critical estimates include property, plant and equipment depreciation and potential impairment, metal content of mineral resources, accounts receivable allowance for uncollectible accounts, deferred income taxes, income taxes payable, environmental remediation liabilities and asset retirement obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers cash in banks and investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consists of cash held for reclamation performance bonds, and is held in certificates of deposit with financial institutions.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount that management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides for probable uncollectible amounts through an allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts are based on management’s judgment, considering historical write-offs, collections and current credit conditions. Balances which remain outstanding after management has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts and a credit to the applicable accounts receivable. Payments received on receivables subsequent to being written off are considered a bad debt recovery.

Inventories

Inventories at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of finished antimony products, antimony metal, antimony concentrates, antimony ore, and finished zeolite products, and are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out weighted average cost or estimated net realizable value. Finished antimony products, antimony metal and finished zeolite products costs include raw materials, direct labor and processing facility overhead costs and freight allocated based on production quantity. Stockpiled ore is carried at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Since the Company's antimony inventory is a commodity with a sales value that is subject to world prices for antimony that are beyond the Company's control, a significant change in the world market price of antimony could have a significant effect on the net realizable value of inventories. The Company periodically reviews its inventories to identify excess and obsolete inventories and to estimate reserves for obsolete inventories as necessary to reflect inventories at net realizable value.

Translations of Foreign Currencies

All amounts in the financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency for all of our operations. Foreign translation gains and losses relating to our Mexican subsidiaries are recognized as foreign exchange gain or loss in our consolidated statement of operations.

Going Concern Consideration

At December 31, 2017, the Company’s financial statements show negative working capital of approximately $2.4 million and accumulated deficit of approximately $26.5 million.  In addition, the Company has incurred losses for the prior three years.  These factors indicate that there may be doubt regarding the ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months. 

The continuing losses are principally a result of the Company’s antimony operations and in particular to the production costs incurred in Mexico. The other two operating divisions, precious metals and zeolite, had gross profits of $310,373 and $408,403, respectively, in 2017.

Regarding the antimony division, in 2016 the Company endured some of the lowest prices for antimony in the past seven years, with an average sales price of only $2.98 per pound of metal contained.  Prices improved during 2017 with an average sale price of $4.01. Through March 2018, the average sale price for antimony is approximately $4.10 per pound. Additionally in November 2017, the Company renegotiated its domestic sodium antimonite supply agreement resulting in a lower cost per antimony per pound of approximately $0.44. With the new supply agreement in place, most of the market increase in antimony prices will result in increased Company cash flow in 2018 from its antimony division.

In 2017, the Company reduced costs for labor at the Mexico locations which has resulted in a lower overall production costs in Mexico which will continue through 2018. The reduction was due to a large reduction in the work force at the Madero smelter because of the decrease in antimony concentrate from Hillgrove (see Note 10). In the fourth quarter 2017, the Company also adjusted operating approaches at Madero that will likely result in a decrease in operating costs for fuel, natural gas, electricity, and reagents. Although total production activity in Mexico decreased in 2017 due to the lack of Hillgrove concentrates, the Company’s 2018 plan involves ramping up production at its own antimony properties in Mexico. In addition, a new leach circuit expected to come on line during 2018 in Mexico will result in more extraction of precious metals.

In 2017, management implemented wage and other cost reductions at the corporate level that will keep administrative costs stable in 2018. The Company expects to continue paying a low cost for propane in Montana, which in years past has been a major operating cost.

Over the past several years, the Company has been able to make required principal payments on its debt from cash generated from operations without the need for additional borrowings or selling shares of its common stock. The Company plans to continue keeping current on its debt payments in 2018 through cash flows from operations.

Management believes that the current circumstances and cost reduction actions taken will enable the Company to be actively operating for the next twelve months.

Mineral Rights

The costs to obtain the legal right to explore, extract and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits are capitalized as mineral rights in the year of acquisition. These capitalized costs are amortized on the statement of operations using the straight line method over the expected life of the mineral deposit when placed into production. Mineral rights are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances indicate that the potential for impairment exists. No impairment has been indicated for the years ended December 31, 2017 or 2016 as a result of this assessment. Mineral rights are subject to write down in the period the property is abandoned.

Properties, Plants and Equipment

Properties, plants and equipment are stated at historical cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of two to thirty years. Vehicles and office equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to twelve years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Betterments of a major nature are capitalized. Expenditures for new property, plant, equipment, and improvements that extend the useful life or functionality of the asset are capitalized. The Company capitalized $405,819 and $665,370 in plant construction and other capital costs for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts include capitalized interest of $0 and $35,305, respectively. When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

Mineral properties are amortized over the estimated economic life of the mineral resource using the straight-line method, based upon estimated lives of the properties, or the units-of-production method, based upon estimated units of mineral resource.

Management of the Company periodically reviews the net carrying value of all of its long-lived assets. These reviews consider the net realizable value of each asset or group to determine whether a permanent impairment in value has occurred and the need for any asset write-down. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest) expected to result from the use of an asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the estimated fair value of the asset if the asset is expected to be held and used.

Exploration and Development

The Company records exploration costs as operating expenses in the period they occur, and capitalizes development costs on discrete mineralized bodies that have proven reserves in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7, and are in development or production.

Asset Retirement Obligations and Reclamation Costs

All of the Company's mining operations are subject to reclamation and remediation requirements. Minimum standards for mine reclamation have been established by various governmental agencies. Costs are estimated based primarily upon environmental and regulatory requirements and are accrued. The liability for reclamation is classified as current or noncurrent based on the expected timing of expenditures. Reclamation differs from an asset retirement obligation in that no associated asset is recorded in the case of reclamation liabilities.

It is reasonably possible that because of uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental contamination, application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities, and changes in remediation technology, the ultimate cost of remediation and reclamation could change in the future. The Company continually reviews its accrued liabilities for such remediation and reclamation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that its remediation and reclamation liability has changed.

The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which the Company incurs a legal obligation for the retirement of long-lived assets if it is probable that such costs will be incurred and they are reasonably estimable. A corresponding asset is also recorded and depreciated over the life of the assets on a straight line basis. After the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the liability will be adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation. Determination of any amounts included in determination of fair value is based upon numerous estimates and assumptions, including future retirement costs, future inflation rates, and the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of antimony and zeolite products are recorded either upon shipment or delivery dependent on the term, and when title passes to the customer. The Company's sales agreements do not provide for product returns or allowances. Prepayments, which are not common, received from customers prior to the time that products are processed and shipped, are recorded as deferred revenue. When the related products are shipped, the amount recorded as deferred revenue is recognized as revenue.

Sales of precious metals are recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is reasonably determinable, the product has been delivered, no obligations remain, and collection is reasonably assured.

Common Stock Issued for Consideration Other than Cash

All transactions in which goods or services are received for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the common stock issued, whichever is more readily determinable.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax liabilities or assets are determined at the end of each period using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. A valuation allowance is recognized on deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of these deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company applies generally accepted accounting principles for recognition of uncertainty in income taxes and prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents, including stock options, warrants to purchase the Company's common stock and convertible preferred stock. Management has determined that the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, does not add any shares to basic weighted average shares.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, potentially dilutive common stock equivalents not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share are as follows:

	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Warrants		250,000		250,000
Convertible preferred stock		1,751,005		1,751,005
Total possible dilution		2,001,005		2,001,005

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposits, restricted cash, due to factor, and long-term debt. The carrying value of these instruments approximates fair value based on their contractual terms.

Fair Value Measurements

When required to measure assets or liabilities at fair value, the Company uses a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used. The Company determines the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall. The categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Level 1 uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, Level 2 uses significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 uses significant unobservable inputs. The amount of the total gains or losses for the period are included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date. The Company has no financial assets or liabilities that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09 Revenue Recognition, replacing guidance currently codified in Subtopic 605-10 Revenue Recognition-Overall with various SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins providing interpretive guidance. The new ASU establishes a new five step principles-based framework in an effort to significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU No. 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 until annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has performed an assessment of the impact of implementation of ASU No. 2014-09, and concluded it will not change the timing of revenue recognition or amounts of revenue recognized compared to how revenue is recognized under current policies. ASU No. 2014-09 will require additional disclosures, where applicable, on (i) contracts with customers, (ii) significant judgments and changes in judgments in determining the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and the transaction price, and (iii) assets recognized for costs to obtain or fulfill contracts.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The update modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update provides guidance on classification for cash receipts and payments related to eight specific issues. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of implementing this update on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The update requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this update to have a material impact on the consolidation financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will apply the provisions of the update to potential future acquisitions occurring after the effective date.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior year’s data to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported operations, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.