424B3 1 form424b3.htm PROSPECTUS Ireland Inc. - Form 424B3 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 4 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
To Prospectus dated May 1, 2013 Registration No. 333-186039

PROSPECTUS
 
17,793,802 Shares of Common Stock
 

This Prospectus Supplement supplements the Prospectus dated May 1, 2013 (the “Prospectus”), relating to the offer and sale by the selling security holders identified in the Prospectus of up to 17,793,802 shares of common stock of Ireland Inc. (the “Company”).

This Prospectus Supplement includes the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2013.

The information contained in the report included in this Prospectus Supplement is dated as of the period of such report. This Prospectus Supplement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated May 1, 2013. This Prospectus Supplement is qualified by reference to the Prospectus except to the extent that the information in this Prospectus Supplement updates and supersedes the information contained in the Prospectus dated May 1, 2013.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This Prospectus Supplement No. 4 is Dated November 13, 2013


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

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

For the transition period from ________ to ________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-50033

IRELAND INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEVADA 91-2147049
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
2360 West Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100  
Henderson, Nevada 89052
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(702) 932-0353
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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. 
[X] Yes     [   ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
[X] Yes     [   ] No

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

Large accelerated filer [   ] Accelerated filer [   ]
Non-accelerated filer [   ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company [X]

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
As of November 7, 2013, the Registrant had 146,359,542 shares of common stock outstanding.


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X, and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and stockholders' equity in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.

As used in this Quarterly Report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Ireland,” and the “Company” mean Ireland Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. All dollar amounts in this Quarterly Report are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

2


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    (Unaudited)        
    September 30, 2013     December 31, 2012  
             
ASSETS    
             
Current assets            
   Cash $  1,671,070   $  5,636,638  
   Other receivables   7,552     10,523  
   Prepaid expenses   432,798     335,485  
             
       Total current assets   2,111,420     5,982,646  
             
Property and equipment, net   2,428,122     2,963,625  
Mineral properties   32,128,133     32,128,133  
Restricted investments held for reclamation bonds   1,187,030     1,186,681  
Reclamation bonds   39,719     40,000  
Deposits   12,462     2,200  
             
       Total non-current assets   35,795,466     36,320,639  
             
       Total assets $  37,906,886   $  42,303,285  
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   
             
Current liabilities            
   Accounts payable $  45,233   $  97,568  
   Accounts payable - related party   23,353     48,651  
   Accrued payroll and related taxes   64,667     67,166  
   Due to related party   23,290     23,290  
             
       Total current liabilities   156,543     236,675  
             
Long-term liabilities            
   Asset retirement obligation   672,338     672,338  
   Deferred income taxes   -     616,695  
             
       Total long-term liabilities   672,338     1,289,033  
             
       Total liabilities   828,881     1,525,708  
             
Commitments and contingencies - Note 7   -     -  
             
Stockholders' equity            
   Common stock, $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 shares 
      authorized, 146,359,542 and 146,059,542 
      shares, respectively, issued and outstanding
  146,358     146,058  
   Additional paid-in capital   63,971,905     63,269,641  
   Accumulated other comprehensive income   20,177     20,356  
   Accumulated deficit during exploration stage   (27,060,435 )   (22,658,478 )
             
       Total stockholders' equity   37,078,005     40,777,577  
             
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $  37,906,886   $  42,303,285  

See Accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

F-1


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)

                            For the period from  
                            February 20, 2001  
                            (date of inception)  
    For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended     through  
    September 30, 2013     September 30, 2012     September 30, 2013     September 30, 2012     September 30, 2013  
                               
                               
Revenue $  -   $  -   $  -   $  -   $  -  
                               
Operating expenses                              
 Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses   638,948     753,419     2,022,100     1,881,384     16,647,856  
 Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses - related party   115,732     134,618     338,494     417,455     3,925,453  
 General and administrative   598,087     665,459     1,848,256     1,626,126     12,915,813  
 General and administrative - related party   20,569     34,875     58,819     55,137     156,238  
 Depreciation   233,753     231,331     700,780     668,703     3,042,994  
 Loss on asset disposal   450     -     450     -     12,615  
 Mineral and property holding costs   24,000     24,000     72,000     71,500     715,500  
 Mineral and property holding costs - reimbursed to related party   -     -     -     -     295,000  
 Write-off of mineral rights   -     -     -     -     14,000  
                               
     Total operating expenses   1,631,539     1,843,702     5,040,899     4,720,305     37,725,469  
                               
Loss from operations   (1,631,539 )   (1,843,702 )   (5,040,899 )   (4,720,305 )   (37,725,469 )
                               
Other income (expense)                              
 Interest income   6,313     6,740     21,832     20,143     400,780  
 Rental income   2,819     -     2,819     -     2,819  
 Interest expense   (126 )   (329 )   (2,308 )   (992 )   (10,624 )
                               
     Total other income (expense)   9,006     6,411     22,343     19,151     392,975  
                               
Loss before income taxes   (1,622,533 )   (1,837,291 )   (5,018,556 )   (4,701,154 )   (37,332,494 )
                               
Income tax benefit   2,451     645,983     616,599     1,630,414     10,272,059  
                               
Net loss $  (1,620,082 ) $  (1,191,308 ) $  (4,401,957 ) $  (3,070,740 ) $  (27,060,435 )
                               
                               
Loss per common share - basic and diluted $  (0.01 ) $  (0.01 ) $  (0.03 ) $  (0.02 )      
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding -
  basic and diluted
  146,170,412     137,063,740     146,096,905     134,939,612      
                               
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss                    
                               
Net loss $  (1,620,082 ) $  (1,191,308 ) $  (4,401,957 ) $  (3,070,740 ) $  (27,060,435 )
                               
Other comprehensive loss                              
 Unrealized income (loss) on investments, net of deferred tax   4,550     (515 )   (179 )   (2,542 )   20,177  
                               
Total comprehensive loss $  (1,615,532 ) $  (1,191,823 ) $  (4,402,136 ) $  (3,073,282 ) $  (27,040,258 )

See Accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

F-2


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

                      Accumulated     Accumulated        
                      Other     Deficit During     Total  
    Common Stock     Additional     Comprehensive     Exploration     Stockholders'  
    Shares     Amount     Paid-in Capital     Income (Loss)     Stage     Equity  
Balance, December 31, 2011   127,452,641   $  127,452   $  52,233,054   $  25,173   $  (18,485,711 ) $  33,899,968  
Stock-based compensation   -     -     598,097     -     -     598,097  
Issuance of shares for cash, net   9,710,000     9,710     4,770,524     -     -     4,780,234  
Unrealized loss on investments, net of $1,370 deferred tax   -     -     -     (2,542 )   -     (2,542 )
Net loss, September 30, 2012   -     -     -     -     (3,070,740 )   (3,070,740 )
Balance, September 30, 2012   137,162,641   $  137,162   $  57,601,675   $  22,631   $  (21,556,451 ) $  36,205,017  
Balance, December 31, 2012   146,059,542   $  146,058   $  63,269,641   $  20,356   $  (22,658,478 ) $  40,777,577  
Stock-based compensation   -     -     603,639     -     -     603,639  
Stock -based expenses   -     -     83,925     -     -     83,925  
Issuance of shares for cash, net   300,000     300     14,700                 15,000  
Unrealized gain on investments, net of $96 deferred tax   -     -     -     (179 )   -     (179 )
Net loss, September 30, 2013   -     -     -     -     (4,401,957 )   (4,401,957 )
Balance, September 30, 2013   146,359,542   $  146,358   $  63,971,905   $  20,177   $  (27,060,435 ) $  37,078,005  

See Accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

F-3


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

                For the period from  
                February 20, 2001  
                (date of inception)  
    For the Nine Months Ended     through  
    September 30, 2013     September 30, 2012     September 30, 2013  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                  
   Net loss $  (4,401,957 ) $  (3,070,740 ) $  (27,060,435 )
   Adjustments to reconcile loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities:                    
           Depreciation   700,780     668,703     3,042,994  
           Loss on asset disposal   450     -     12,615  
           Write-off of mineral rights   -     -     14,000  
           Stock-based compensation   603,639     598,097     5,563,848  
           Stock-based expenses   83,925     -     83,925  
           Deferred income taxes   (616,599 )   (1,630,414 )   (10,272,059 )
                   
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                  
           Other receivables   2,971     (3,547 )   (7,552 )
           Prepaid expenses and deposits   (97,313 )   (269,242 )   (827,871 )
           Reclamation bonds and other deposits   (9,982 )   -     (20,922 )
           Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (80,132 )   15,840     29,651  
           Asset retirement obligation   -     50,000     672,338  
                   
 Net cash used in operating activities   (3,814,218 )   (3,641,303 )   (28,769,468 )
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                  
   Purchase of property and equipment, net of refunds   (165,727 )   (245,615 )   (5,112,885 )
   Purchase of mineral claims   -     -     (180,080 )
   Purchase of restricted investments held for reclamation bonds   (623 )   (393 )   (1,155,988 )
                   
   Net cash used in investing activities   (166,350 )   (246,008 )   (6,448,953 )
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                  
   Proceeds from stock issuance   15,000     4,822,500     37,881,205  
   Stock issuance costs   -     (42,266 )   (1,000,004 )
   Proceeds from borrowings - related party   -     -     8,290  
                   
   Net cash provided by financing activities   15,000     4,780,234     36,889,491  
                   
NET CHANGE IN CASH   (3,965,568 )   892,923     1,671,070  
                   
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   5,636,638     521,660     -  
                   
CASH AT END OF PERIOD $  1,671,070   $  1,414,583   $  1,671,070  
    -              
                   
                   
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION                  
                   
Interest paid $  2,308   $  329   $  10,624  
                   
Income taxes paid $  -   $  -   $  -  
                   
Non-cash investing and financing activities:                  
                   
   Assets acquired for common stock and warrants issued for mineral properties $  -   $  -   $  21,584,351  
                   
   Net deferred tax liability assumed $  -   $  -   $  10,261,194  

See Accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

F-4


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES

   

Description of business - Ireland Inc. (the “Company”) is considered an exploration stage company since its formation and the Company has not yet realized any revenues from its planned operations. The Company is primarily focused on the acquisition and exploration of mining properties. Upon identification of commercially minable reserves, the Company expects to actively prepare the site for its extraction and enter the development stage.

   

History - The Company was incorporated on February 20, 2001 under the laws of the State of Nevada under the name Merritt Ventures Corp. On December 19, 2005, the Company changed its name to Ireland Inc.

   

Basis of presentation - The financial statements present the consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for the fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. All such adjustments are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature. The results reported in these interim consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013.

   

Going concern - The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

   

Since its formation, the Company has incurred comprehensive cumulative net losses of $27,040,258 as of September 30, 2013. This amount is comprised of net loss from operations of $27,060,435 and other comprehensive income of $20,177. The Company has not commenced its commercial mining and mineral processing operations; rather, it is still in the exploration stage, raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company will seek additional sources of capital through the issuance of debt or equity financing, but there can be no assurance the Company will be successful in accomplishing its objectives.

   

The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on additional sources of capital and the success of the Company’s plan. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

   

Principles of consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Columbus Minerals Inc. (“CMI”) (including its wholly- owned single-member LLC subsidiary Columbus Salt Marsh LLC (“CSM”)) and Rand Metals LLC (“Rand”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

F-5


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (continued)

   

Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and the effect on the financial statements of changes in such estimates in future periods could be significant. Significant areas requiring management’s estimates and assumptions include the valuation of stock-based compensation, impairment analysis of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations and the realizability of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   

Fair value of financial instruments - Fair value accounting establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of 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).

The Company’s financial instruments consist of restricted investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and certificates of deposit. These investments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as their fair value is determined using quoted prices in active markets. There have been no changes in valuation techniques for these instruments for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 or the year ended December 31, 2012. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no transfers of assets between levels.

Restricted investments held for reclamation bonds - Restricted investments serve as collateral for reclamation bonding. The investments are classified as available for sale and are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices with the unrealized gains and losses reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. Realized gains and losses are determined on a specific identification method and are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

The Company evaluates unrealized losses, if any, in its investment securities for other-than temporary impairment using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. In the event that an investment is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company recognizes the loss in the consolidated statement of operations.

Mineral properties - Costs of acquiring mineral properties are capitalized upon acquisition. Exploration costs and costs to maintain mineral properties are expensed as incurred while the project is in the exploration stage. Development costs and costs to maintain mineral properties are capitalized as incurred while the property is in the development stage. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs are amortized using the units-of-production basis over the proven and probable reserves.

F-6


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (continued)

   

Mineral exploration and development costs - Exploration expenditures incurred prior to entering the development stage are expensed and included in mineral exploration and evaluation expenses.

   

Property and equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 39 years. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for property betterments and renewals are capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition of a depreciable asset, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.

   

Impairment of long-lived assets - The Company reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment at each balance sheet date due to its planned exploration stage losses and documents such impairment testing. Mineral properties in the exploration stage are monitored for impairment based on factors such as the Company’s continued right to explore the property, exploration reports, drill results, technical reports and continued plans to fund exploration programs on the property. To date, no such impairments have been identified.

   

The tests for long-lived assets in the exploration, development or producing stage that have a value beyond proven and probable reserves will be monitored for impairment based on factors such as current market value of the mineral property and results of exploration, future asset utilization, business climate, mineral prices and future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, including evaluating its reserves beyond proven and probable amounts.

   

The Company's policy is to record an impairment loss in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable either by impairment or by abandonment of the property. The impairment loss is calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its fair value. While the Company incurred losses from operations, these losses have not been in excess of planned expenditures on the specific mineral properties in order to ultimately realize their value.

   

Asset Retirement Obligation – Future obligations to retire an asset, including site closure, are recorded as a liability at fair value in the period incurred. The fair value determination is based on estimated future cash flows, the current credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate and an estimated inflation factor. The value of the liability is evaluated at least annually or as new information becomes available. Until such time that a project life is established, the Company records the corresponding cost as an exploration stage expense. As reclamation work is performed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability will be reduced.

   

Future reclamation expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances due to the early stage nature of the exploration project, the uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental disturbance, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities and changes in reclamation technology. Changes in estimates are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in the period an estimate is revised.

F-7


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (continued)

   

Per share amounts - Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. In computing diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares outstanding is adjusted to reflect the effect of potentially dilutive securities, such as stock options and warrants. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation when their inclusion would be anti-dilutive, such as periods when a net loss is reported or when the exercise price of the instrument exceeds its fair market value. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, 59,079,025 and 54,156,154 stock options and warrants were outstanding, respectively, but were not considered in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would be anti- dilutive.

   

Stock-based compensation - Stock-based compensation awards are recognized in the financial statements based on the grant date fair value of the award which is estimated using the Binomial Lattice option pricing model. The Company believes that this model provides the best estimate of fair value due to its ability to incorporate inputs that change over time, such as volatility and interest rates, and to allow for the actual exercise behavior of option holders. The compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period which is generally equal to the vesting period. Upon exercise, shares issued will be newly issued shares from authorized common stock.

   

The fair value of performance-based stock option grants is determined on their grant date through use of the Binomial Lattice option pricing model. The total value of the award is recognized over the requisite service period only if management has determined that achievement of the performance condition is probable. The requisite service period is based on management’s estimate of when the performance condition will be met. Changes in the requisite service period or the estimated probability of achievement can materially affect the amount of stock-based compensation recognized in the financial statements.

   

The fair value of market-based stock option grants is determined on their grant date through use of an option pricing model which uses a combination of Monte Carlo simulation and a Trinomial Lattice function. The requisite service period for market-based awards is derived from the model. Achievement of the market condition earlier than estimated can materially affect the amount of stock- based compensation recognized in the financial statements.

   

Income taxes - The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. This method recognizes certain temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of liabilities and assets and the related income tax basis for such liabilities and assets. This method generates either a net deferred income tax liability or asset as measured by the statutory tax rates in effect. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance against any portion of those deferred income tax assets when it believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized.

   

For acquired properties that do not constitute a business, a deferred income tax liability is recorded on GAAP basis over income tax basis using statutory federal and state rates. The resulting estimated future income tax liability associated with the temporary difference between the acquisition consideration and the tax basis is reflected as an increase in the total purchase price which is then applied to the underlying acquired assets in the absence of there being a goodwill component associated with the acquisition transactions.

F-8


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (continued)

   

Recent accounting standards - From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. The Company has evaluated all the recent accounting pronouncements and unless otherwise discussed, believes they will not have a material effect on the financial statements.

   

In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” to improve the transparency of reporting these reclassifications. This update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Other comprehensive income includes gains and losses that are initially excluded from net income for an accounting period. Those gains and losses are later reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income. The amendments in this ASU do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. All of the information that this ASU requires already is required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements GAAP. The new amendments will require an organization to present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Additionally, the new amendments require cross-referencing to other disclosures currently required under GAAP for other reclassification items (that are not required under GAAP) to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2013. Adoption had no impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operation, or cash flows.

   

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”), which provides guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect ASU 2013-11 to have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operation, or cash flows.

F-9


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

2.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

   

Property and equipment consisted of the following:


      September 30, 2013     December 31, 2012  
            Accumulated     Net book           Accumulated     Net book  
      Cost     depreciation     value     Cost     depreciation     value  
                                       
  Furniture and fixtures $ 47,652   $ (13,033 ) $ 34,619   $ 20,854   $ (10,334 ) $ 10,520  
  Computers and equipment   50,662     (13,961 )   36,701     15,171     (10,129 )   5,042  
  Land   30,000     -     30,000     30,000     -     30,000  
  Site improvements   2,925,731     (1,869,545 )   1,056,186     2,925,731     (1,459,137 )   1,466,594  
  Site equipment   1,838,239     (896,790 )   941,449     1,736,202     (653,759 )   1,082,443  
  Vehicles   23,595     (23,595 )   -     23,595     (21,236 )   2,359  
  Building   500,000     (170,833 )   329,167     500,000     (133,333 )   366,667  
                                       
    $ 5,415,879   $ (2,987,757 ) $ 2,428,122   $ 5,251,553   $ (2,287,928 ) $ 2,963,625  

Depreciation expense was $233,753 and $231,331 for quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively and $700,780 and $668,703 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively.

   
3.

MINERAL PROPERTIES

   

Columbus Project - On February 20, 2008, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CMI, acquired a 100% interest in the Columbus Project, including an option for additional mining claims, by way of merger with the owner of the Columbus Project, Columbus Brine Inc. (“CBI”). Prior to the merger, the Company held a 15% interest in the Columbus Project by satisfying its option agreement requirements. The Company believes that the acquisition of the Columbus Project was beneficial because it provides for 100% ownership of the properties and fosters greater opportunity to finance and further develop the project. This merger was treated as a statutory merger for tax purposes whereby CMI was the surviving merger entity.

   

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 10,440,087 shares of its common stock and 5,220,059 share purchase warrants to the former shareholders of CBI. All of the purchase warrants expired on February 20, 2013.

   

The Company determined that the acquisition of the Columbus Project did not constitute an acquisition of a business and therefore the Company recorded the acquisition as a purchase of assets.

   

The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price allocated to the real properties was based on fair market values determined using an independent real estate appraisal firm (Arden Salvage Company), and the fair value of the remaining assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on management’s best estimates taking into account all available information at the time. The fair value of warrants was calculated using the Binomial Lattice pricing model.

   

Pursuant to the original option assignment agreement, as amended August 8, 2007, the Company granted and continues to have a 5% net smelter return royalty to NMC, one of the principal stockholders of the Company.

F-10


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

3.

MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

   

The following table reflects the recorded purchase consideration for the Columbus Project:


  Purchase price:      
     Common stock issued $ 20,000,000  
     Fair value of warrants issued   1,359,351  
     Acquisition costs   600,000  
         
  Total purchase price   21,959,351  
         
  Net deferred income tax liability assumed   10,261,194  
         
  Total $ 32,220,545  

The following table reflects the components of the Columbus Project:

  Allocation of acquisition cost:      
     Mineral properties (including deferred tax liability assumed of $10,261,194) $ 31,948,053  
     Property, plant and equipment   202,430  
     Deposits   44,720  
     Cash   6,570  
     Prepaid expenses   24,925  
     Accounts payable   (6,153 )
         
  Total $ 32,220,545  

Red Mountain Project – On July 20, 2011, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Option Agreement (the “Amendment”) on the Red Mountain Project. The Amendment acknowledged that the Company had earned an undivided 30.6% interest in the original Red Mountain Claims and amended the terms of the original Letter Agreement as follows:

  a)

To maintain the buyout option, the Company is required to pay $8,000 per month effective July 1, 2011 until December 31, 2016 and spend an aggregate of $600,000 in additional qualifying expenditures by December 31, 2016. For each $2,000 in qualifying expenditures, the Company will earn a 0.1% interest in in the Red Mountain Claims, up to a maximum of an additional 29.4% interest.

     
  b)

The Company may at any time during the life of the Red Mountain Project earn a 100% interest by paying $200,000 and by issuing shares with an aggregate value of $3,800,000. The share price will be equal to the volume weighted average trading price during the 20 trading days immediately prior to the date of the notice of exercise.

Pursuant to the option assignment agreement the Company granted a 5% net smelter return royalty to NMC.

F-11


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

3.

MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

   

DDB Claims - The Company, through its subsidiary CMI, had a lease agreement for mining claims with the DDB Syndicate. Douglas D.G. Birnie, the Company’s CEO, is the indirect owner of a 1/8 interest in the DDB Syndicate, as is Lawrence E. Chizmar, a former member of our Board of Directors and a former director of CBI. The remaining members of the DDB Syndicate are made up of former officers and directors, and relatives of former officers and directors, of CBI, and affiliates of NMC. The DDB Claims were located in 2007, prior to Mr. Birnie’s, NMC’s, or Mr. Chizmar’s involvement with our Company.

   

The mining lease agreement provided the Company with an option to purchase the DDB Claims. On November 20, 2012, the Company exercised their option to purchase the DDB Claims. The total purchase price of $180,080 is included in mineral properties.

   

Reclamation bonds - The Company maintains required reclamation bonding with the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”). Reclamation bonding consists of cash bonding held with the BLM and restricted investments held by the Company. Restricted investments consist of U.S. Treasury Notes and certificates of deposit. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, obligations under cash bonding amounted to $39,719 and $40,000, respectively. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, restricted investments amounted to $1,187,030 and $1,186,681 respectively, and exceeded bonding requirements by $37,030 and $36,681, respectively. The Company anticipates using the excess amount for future collateral requirements.

   

The following is a summary of restricted investments held for reclamation bonds:


                        Aggregate  
      Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Estimated  
      Cost     Gains     Losses     Fair Value  
                           
  September 30, 2013                        
     US Treasury Notes $  879,553   $  31,042   $  -   $  910,595  
     Certificates of deposit   276,435     -     -     276,435  
                           
     Total available-for-sale securities $ 1,155,988   $  31,042   $  -   $ 1,187,030  
                           
  December 31, 2012                        
     US Treasury Notes $  879,553   $  31,317   $  -   $  910,870  
     Certificates of deposit   275,811     -     -     275,811  
                           
     Total available-for-sale securities $ 1,155,364   $  31,317   $  -   $ 1,186,681  

F-12


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

3.

MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued)

   

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included as a component of other comprehensive income. Unrealized gains and losses were $7,001 and $(793) for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively unrealized losses were $(275) and $(3,912) for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

   

The US Treasury Notes mature in July 2015. The Company has two certificates of deposit maturing in April 2016 and June 2014, respectively. Each certificate is set up for automatic renewal for one year periods until the Company or the financial institution elect not to renew.

   

Asset Retirement Obligation – The asset requirement obligation relates to the Columbus Project and amounted to $672,338 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The estimated costs were discounted using a credit adjusted risk-free rate of 4.27% and an inflation rate of 3.78%.

   
4.

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, stockholders’ equity activity consisted of the following:


  1.

On September 9, 2013, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock from the exercise of stock options for gross proceeds of $10,000. The options had an exercise price of $0.05 and an expiration date of March 30, 2017.

     
  2.

On August 1, 2013, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock from the exercise of stock options for gross proceeds of $5,000. The options had an exercise price of $0.05 per share and an expiration date of March 30, 2017.

     
  3.

On May 30, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined, without any negotiations with the warrant holders, to amend 22,572,827 private placement warrants granted in connection with the 2007, 2009 and 2010 private placement offerings, and 4,000,000 additional warrants issued to consultants in 2009 and 2010 (collectively, the “Expiring Warrants”). The expiration date of the warrants was extended from June 30, 2013 to November 30, 2013. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of the Expiring Warrants remain the same. The Company calculated the fair value of the warrants at $83,925 using the Binomial Lattice model with the following assumptions:


Risk-free interest rate 0.07%
Expected volatility 70.33%

The expected life of the warrants, which is an output of the model, was 0.40 years.

F-13


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

4.

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

     

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, stockholders’ equity activity consisted of the following:

     
1.

On September 24, 2012, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock from the exercise of stock options for gross proceeds of $5,000. The options had an exercise price of $0.05 and an expiration date of March 30, 2017.

     
2.

On July 11, 2012, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock from the exercise of stock warrants for gross proceeds of $37,500. The warrants had an exercise price of $0.75 per share and an expiration date of June 30, 2013.

     
3.

On March 15, 2012, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,030,000 units at a price of $0.50 per unit in private placement offerings for aggregate proceeds of $2,015,000. All units were issued to US persons pursuant to the provisions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act. Each unit is comprised of one share of common stock and one share purchase warrant with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.80 per share for a period expiring March 31, 2015. After September 30, 2012, the Company may accelerate the expiration date of the warrants if the volume weighted average price for our common stock exceeds $2.40 per share for 20 consecutive trading days.

     

The Company paid a finder’s fee of $8,000 in cash and 16,000 share purchase warrants related to the private placement. The finder is a registered broker dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     
4.

On February 23, 2012, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,530,000 units at a price of $0.50 per unit in separate concurrent private placement offerings for aggregate proceeds of $2,765,000, as described below. Each unit is comprised of one share of common stock and one share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.80 per share for a period expiring March 31, 2015. After September 30, 2012, the Company may accelerate the expiration date of the warrants if the volume weighted average price for our common stock exceeds $2.40 per share for 20 consecutive trading days.

     

US Private Placement - The Company issued 5,230,000 Units to U.S. persons for gross proceeds of $2,615,000 pursuant to the provisions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Each U.S. subscriber represented that they were an accredited investor as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act.

     

Offshore Private Placement - The Company issued 300,000 Units to non-U.S. persons for gross proceeds of $150,000 pursuant to the provisions of Regulation S of the Securities Act. Each of the subscribers represented that they were not “US persons” as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act and that they were not acquiring the shares for the account or benefit of a US person.

F-14


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

4.

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

   

The Company paid a finder’s fee of $6,000 in cash and 12,000 share purchase warrants related to the Offshore Private Placement. In addition, the Company will pay the finder an additional cash fee of 4% of the exercise price of any warrants exercised by subscribers introduced by the finder. The finder is a registered broker dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. There were no finder’s fees paid in respect of the U.S. Private Placement.

   

Filing and legal fees related to these issuances were $28,266. Total fees, including finder’s fees, filing and legal fees amounted to $42,266.

   

Private Placement Warrants - A summary of investor warrant activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:


                  Weighted  
                  Average  
                  Remaining  
                  Contractual  
      Number of     Exercise     Life  
      Shares     Price     (Years)  
                     
                     
  Outstanding and exercisable, December 31, 2012   49,065,768   $ 0.75 - 2.39     1.47  
  Granted   -     -     -  
  Forfeited/expired   (5,498,940 )   0.75 - 2.39     -  
                     
  Outstanding and exercisable, September 30, 2013   43,566,828   $ 0.75 – 0.95     1.11  

The table above does not include warrants issued to employees, non-employee directors and consultants as they are included under “Stock-Based Compensation” in Note 5.

F-15


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

5.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

   

Stock-based compensation includes grants of stock options and purchase warrants to eligible directors, employees and consultants as determined by the Board of Directors.

   

Stock option plans - On March 27, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Under the terms of the Plan, options to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of the common stock, subject to an increase each quarter equal to 15% of the increase in the total number of outstanding shares during the previous quarter, may be granted to officers, directors, employees and eligible consultants. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had granted 11,966,916 options under the Plan with a weighted average exercise price of $0.52 per option. As of September 30, 2013, 10,712,197 options were outstanding.

   

Stock warrants - Upon approval of the Board of Directors, the Company grants stock warrants to consultants for services performed.

   

Valuation of awards - At September 30, 2013, the Company had options outstanding that vest on three different types of vesting schedules:


  1.

Service-based;

     
  2.

Performance-based; and

     
  3.

Market-based.

For service-based and performance-based stock option grants the Company utilizes the Binomial Lattice pricing model to estimate the fair values of options and warrants granted in exchange for services. For market-based stock option grants the Company utilizes a combination of a Monte Carlo simulation and a Trinomial Lattice function to estimate the fair values of options in exchange for services. The Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair values of the options granted for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013.

Dividend yield -
Expected volatility 71.20% - 78.77%
Risk-free interest rate 0.71% - 2.01%
Expected life (years) 4.25 – 6.84

Inputs used in these models are determined as follows:

  1.

The expected life represents the weighted-average period the awards are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the option pricing models. The expected life is impacted by all of the underlying assumptions and calibration of the Company’s models.

     
  2.

The requisite service period for market-based stock option awards is a derived output of the hybrid Monte Carlo-Trinomial Lattice model.

     
  3.

Volatility is based on the average historical volatility levels of a representative peer group.

F-16


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

5.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

     
4.

The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero- coupon issues over the equivalent contractual lives of the options.

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, the Company stock based awards as follows:

  a)

On April 16, 2013, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to an independent director upon his appointment to the Board of Directors. The options were granted under the Plan for 225,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.41 per option. The options vest 75,000 each on June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest.

     
  b)

On February 15, 2013, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain executive officers under the Plan for an aggregate of 325,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.57 per option. The options vest upon completion of defined events and milestones. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. Each of the options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control.

     
  c)

On February 15, 2013, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain executive officers under the Plan for an aggregate of 325,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.57 per option. The options vest upon the Company’s stock price achieving defined targets. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. Each of the options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control.

     
  d)

On February 15, 2013, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to the Company’s independent director and certain executive officers under the Plan for an aggregate of 950,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.57 per option. The options vest 25% each on March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest. The options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control.

F-17


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

5.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

   

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, the Company granted stock options as follows:


  a)

On April 23, 2012, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain executive officers under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for an aggregate of 800,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.90 per option. The options vest upon completion of defined events and milestones. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. Each of the options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control.

     
  b)

On April 23, 2012, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain executive officers under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for an aggregate of 800,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.90 per option. The options vest upon the Company’s stock price achieving defined targets. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. Each of the options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control.

     
  c)

On April 23, 2012, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to Company’s independent director under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.90 per option. The options vest upon completion of defined events and milestones. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. The options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control.

     
  d)

On April 23, 2012, the Company granted 200,000 options exercisable at $0.90 per share to the Company’s independent director. 25% of the options were immediately vested and the remaining options vest at a rate of 25% per fiscal quarter, beginning June 30, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012. The options expire five years after the date that they vest.

     
  e)

On April 23, 2012, the Company granted 37,500 options exercisable at $0.90 per share to an employee. 25% of the options were immediately vested and the remaining options vest at a rate of 25% per fiscal quarter, beginning June 30, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012. The options expire five years after the date that they vest.

     
  f)

On April 23, 2012, the Company granted 400,000 options and 100,000 options exercisable at $0.90 per share to consultants. 25% of the options were immediately vested and the remaining options vest at a rate of 25% per fiscal quarter, beginning June 30, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012. The options expire five years after the date that they vest.

F-18


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

5.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

   

The total expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 related to the granting, vesting and modification of all stock-based compensation awards was $225,744 and $286,218, respectively and $603,639 and $598,097 for the nine month periods ended, respectively. Such expenses are included in general and administrative expense and mineral exploration and evaluation expense.

   

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013:


                        Weighted        
                        Average        
            Weighted           Remaining        
            Average Grant     Weighted     Contractual     Aggregate  
      Number of     Date Fair     Average     Life     Intrinsic  
      Shares     Value     Exercise Price     (Years)     Value  
                                 
  Outstanding, December 31, 2012   13,987,197   $  0.37   $  0.60     3.58        
  Options/warrants granted   1,825,000     0.22     0.55     6.50        
  Options/warrants exercised   (300,000 )   0.38     0.05     -        
  Options/warrants expired   -     -     -     -        
  Options/warrants cancelled   -     -     -     -        
                                 
  Outstanding, September 30, 2013   15,512,197   $  0.35   $  0.61     3.35   $ 504,000  
                                 
  Exercisable, September 30, 2013   12,049,697   $  0.36   $  0.56     2.28   $ 504,000  

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the value of the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the quarter ended in excess of the weighted-average exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding or exercisable.

The following table summarizes the changes of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards subject to vesting for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013:

            Weighted Average  
      Number of     Grant Date  
      Shares     Fair Value  
               
  Unvested, December 31, 2012   2,600,000   $  0.39  
  Granted   1,825,000     0.22  
  Vested   (962,500 )   0.30  
  Forfeited   -     -  
               
  Unvested, September 30, 2013   3,462,500   $  0.32  

For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the total fair value of shares vested was $286,059 and $298,194, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, there was $302,406 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation awards. The weighted average period over which this cost will be recognized was 0.76 years as of September 30, 2013.

F-19


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

6.

INCOME TAXES

   

The Company is a Nevada corporation and is subject to federal income taxes. Nevada does not impose a corporate income tax.

   

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred income tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:


      September 30,     December 31,  
      2013     2012  
  Deferred income tax assets:            
               
               
     Net operating loss carryforward $  9,747,650   $  8,327,426  
     Option compensation   1,841,414     1,630,140  
     Property, plant & equipment   582,243     423,904  
     Exploration costs   507,952     570,719  
     Asset retirement obligation   235,318     235,318  
               
  Gross deferred income tax assets   12,914,577     11,187,507  
     Less: valuation allowance   (1,836,521 )   (726,050 )
               
         Net deferred income tax assets   11,078,056     10,461,457  
               
  Deferred income tax liabilities:            
               
     Unrealized gain on investments   (10,865 )   (10,961 )
     Acquisition related liabilities   (11,067,191 )   (11,067,191 )
               
         Net deferred income tax liabilities $  -   $  (616,695 )

A valuation allowance was established for deferred tax assets related to certain option compensation, asset retirement obligations and net operating loss carryforwards due to the uncertainty of realizing these deferred tax assets based on conditions existing at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

The realizability of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date. The majority of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities are depletable. Such depletion will begin with the processing of mineralized material once production has commenced. Therefore, the deferred tax liabilities will reverse in similar time periods as the deferred tax assets. The Company assesses both positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that such reversal will occur to realize the deferred tax assets prior to their exploration. The reversal of the deferred tax liabilities is sufficient to support the net deferred tax assets.

The acquisition related liabilities are a result of the estimated future federal income tax liability associated with the temporary difference between the acquisition consideration and the tax basis. The deferred tax liabilities were reflected as an increase to the total purchase price which has been applied to the underlying mineral and Columbus project assets in the absence of there being a goodwill component associated with the acquisition transactions.

F-20


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

6.

INCOME TAXES (continued)

   

A reconciliation of the tax benefit for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 at US federal tax rates to the actual tax provision recorded in the financial statements consisted of the following components:


      September 30,     September 30,  
      2013     2012  
               
  Income tax benefit based on statutory tax rate $  567,887   $  643,052  
               
  Reconciling items:            
       Non-deductible items   -     (44 )
       Change in valuation allowance   (565,436 )   2,975  
               
  Income tax benefit $  2,451   $  645,983  

A reconciliation of the tax benefit for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 at US federal tax rates to the actual tax provision recorded in the financial statements consisted of the following components:

      September 30,     September 30,  
      2013     2012  
               
  Income tax benefit based on statutory tax rate $  1,756,495   $  1,645,404  
               
  Reconciling items:            
       Non-deductible items   (29,425 )   2,510  
     Change in valuation allowance   (1,110,471 )   (17,500 )
               
  Income tax benefit $  616,599     1,630,414  

The Company had cumulative net operating losses of approximately $27,850,431 as of September 30, 2013 for federal income tax purposes. Cumulative net operating losses from December 31, 2006 and previous years are effectively nil due to the annual limitation imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as a result of the ownership percentage change limitations. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2027 and 2033.

The Company and its subsidiary file income tax returns in the United States. These tax returns are subject to examination by taxation authorities provided the years remain open under the relevant statutes of limitations, which may result in the payment of income taxes and/or a decrease in the net operating losses available for carryforwards. The Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by US federal tax authorities for years prior to 2009. While the Company believes that its tax filings do not include uncertain tax positions, the results of potential examinations or the effect of changes in tax law cannot be ascertained at this time. The Company currently has no tax years under examination.

F-21


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

7.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

   

Lease obligations – The Company rents office space under an operating lease agreement. The lease expires in August 2017 and provides for an option to renew the lease for an additional four years. In the normal course of business, it is expected that this lease will be renewed or replaced by a lease of a similar property.

   

The lease provides for increases in future annual rental payments of 4% per year. Under the lease agreement, the Company is also required to pay monthly operating expenses of approximately $748.

   

The Company has a sublease agreement with a related party as further discussed in Note 10. The following table represents future base rent payments, sublease income and the net lease commitment for each of the years ending September 30,


      Minimum              
      Lease     Sublease     Net Lease  
      Commitment     Income     Commitment  
                     
  2014 $  48,308   $ 32,676   $ 15,632  
  2015   50,240     18,337     31,903  
  2016   52,250     -     52,250  
  2017   44,983     -     44,983  
                     
    $ 195,781   $ 51,013   $ 144,768  

Rental expense for office space was $21,444 and $26,175 for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $58,119 and $53,775 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As further discussed in Note 10, rent expense reimbursements were paid to DOSA Consulting, LLC (“DOSA”) which is a consulting firm owned by the Company’s CEO.

Columbus Project – Pursuant to the option assignment agreement dated March 30, 2007, as amended August 8, 2007, the Company granted a 5% net smelter return royalty to NMC, one of the principal stockholders of the Company. The Columbus Project is further discussed in Note 3.

Red Mountain Project – Pursuant to the option assignment agreement the Company granted a 5% net smelter return royalty to NMC, one of the principal stockholders of the Company. The Red Mountain Project is further discussed in Note 3.

Stand-by letter of credit – In June 2011, a financial institution issued a stand-by letter of credit to the BLM for up to $175,000 on behalf of the Company. The stand-by letter of credit was issued to guarantee the Company’s compliance with reclamation bonding requirements. The letter of credit expires on June 24, 2014 and will be automatically renewed for one year periods unless either party elects not to renew. The Company is required to maintain a $175,000 certificate of deposit with the financial institution which is included in “restricted investments held for reclamation bonds” on the balance sheet. The Company is also required to pay an annual fee of 2% of the total value of the letter of credit. As of September 30, 2013, no draws have been made on the letter of credit.

F-22


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

7.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

   

Consultant bonus – In April 2012, the Company entered into an Agreement for Services (the “Agreement”) with a consulting firm. The Company agreed to pay the firm at their standard rates in exchange for services provided. In addition, the Company agreed to pay bonuses to the firm upon completion of milestones as defined in the Agreement. The bonuses consist of cash payments up to $400,000 and issuance of up to 3,000,000 warrants at a price of $0.90 per share and expiring March 31, 2017. The Agreement does not contain any performance commitments; therefore, the fair value of the warrants will be measured and recognized on the dates that the milestones are reached. As of September 30, 2013, no milestones have been reached for which a bonus was due or paid.

   

Registration Rights Agreement - In connection with the November 30, 2012 private placement, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (“RRA”) with the purchasers. Pursuant to the RRA, the Company agreed to certain demand registration rights. These rights include the requirement that the Company file certain registration statements within a specified time period and to have these registration statements declared effective within a specified time period. If the registration statement is not effective six months after the closing date, the warrants may be exercised by means of a cashless exercise. If the Company is not able to comply with these registration requirements, the Company will be required to pay cash penalties equal to 1.0% of the subscription proceeds on the date of such failure, and each month thereafter, up to a maximum of 6% of the subscription proceeds. The maximum penalty amounts to $346,979. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has incurred cumulative penalties of $5,757.

   
8.

CONCENTRATIONS

   

Concentration of credit risk - The Company maintains its cash accounts in financial institutions. Cash accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) for up to $250,000 per financial institution. The Company has never experienced a material loss or lack of access to its cash accounts; however, no assurance can be provided that access to the Company’s cash accounts will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. At September 30, 2013, the Company had $918,245 in excess of FDIC insured limits.

   

Concentration of activity - The Company currently utilizes a metallurgical consulting firm to perform significant portions of its exploration work programs. A change in the lead metallurgical consulting firm could cause a delay in the progress of the Company’s exploration programs and would cause the Company to incur significant transition expense and may affect operating results adversely.

F-23


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

9.

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

   

The tax effects of each component of comprehensive income (loss) for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:


      September 30,     September 30,  
      2013     2012  
               
  Unrealized holding gains (losses) $  7,001   $  (793 )
  Income tax (expense) benefit   (2,451 )   278  
               
  Total unrealized gain (loss), net of tax $  4,550   $  (515 )

The tax effects of each component of comprehensive loss for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

      September 30,     September 30,  
      2013     2012  
               
  Unrealized holding losses $  (275 ) $  (3,912 )
  Income tax benefit   96     1,370  
               
  Total unrealized loss, net of tax $  (179 ) $  (2,542 )

10.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   

DOSA – DOSA is a consulting firm owned by the Company’s CEO. DOSA provides the Company with use of its employees and office space. Services provided by NMC are also at times coordinated for the Company by DOSA. No management fees are billed to the Company for these services. Details of these transactions are provided below. The CEO’s salary and reimbursable expenses are also paid to DOSA.

   

The following table provides details of transactions between the Company and DOSA for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.


      Three Months     Three Months     Nine Months     Nine Months  
      Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
      September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
      2013     2012     2013     2012  
                           
  Wage and rent reimbursements $ 2,750   $ 4,105   $ 11,000   $ 4,105  

No amounts were due to DOSA at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012 for wage or rent reimbursements.

F-24


IRELAND INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

10.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

   

NMC - Pursuant to option assignment agreements related to both the Columbus and Red Mountain projects, the Company granted a 5% net smelter return royalty to NMC. NMC is the Company’s largest shareholder. NMC and its affiliates own approximately 29% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Columbus Project and the Red Mountain Project are further discussed in Note 3.

   

The Company utilizes the services of NMC to provide technical assistance and financing related activities. These services related primarily to the Columbus Project and the Red Mountain Project. In addition to the above services, NMC provided dedicated use of its laboratory, instrumentation, milling equipment and research facilities. NMC provided invoices for these fees plus expenses.

   

The following table provides details of transactions between the Company and NMC for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.


      Three Months     Three Months     Nine Months     Nine Months  
      Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
      September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
      2013     2012     2013     2012  
                           
  Reimbursement of expenses $  10,732   $ 29,618   $  23,494   $  102,455  
  Consulting services provided   105,000     105,000     315,000     315,000  
                           
  Mineral and exploration expense – related party $ 115,732   $ 134,618   $ 338,494   $  417,455  
                           
  Equipment purchases   -     -     25,000     50,000  

For the nine month period ended September 30 2013, all NMC transactions were invoiced by DOSA. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, $134,618 of the NMC fees and reimbursements were invoiced by DOSA. At September 30, 2013, the Company owed DOSA $10,853 for NMC fees and reimbursements. At December 31, 2012, the Company owed DOSA $36,151 for NMC fees and reimbursements.

McNeil Consulting Group, LLC (“MCG”) – MCG is a consulting firm owned by an affiliate of NMC. MGC provides the Company with management advisory services. The Company incurred total fees to MCG of $15,000 and $45,000 during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and of $15,000 and $22,500 during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively. At September 30, 2013, the Company owed MCG $12,500. At December 31, 2012, the Company owed MCG $12,500.

Searchlight Minerals Corp (“SMC”). – The Company leases corporate office space under a sublease agreement to SMC. NMC is a shareholder in both the Company and SMC. Additionally, the Company’s CFO, Treasurer and director is also a director of SMC and one of the Company’s consultants is an officer of SMC. The sublease agreement is for a 2 year period and requires monthly payments of $2,819 for the first year and $1,667 thereafter. Total rent income earned under this sublease agreement was $2,819 for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013. No amounts were due from SMC as of September 30, 2013.

Former Officers - Due to related parties includes amounts due to former officers of the Company. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, the remaining amount of due to related parties was $23,290, respectively.

F-25



ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute "forward-looking statements.” These statements, identified by words such as “plan,” "anticipate,” "believe,” "estimate,” "should,” "expect" and similar expressions include our expectations and objectives regarding our future financial position, operating results and business strategy. These statements reflect the current views of management with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth under the caption "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We advise you to carefully review the reports and documents we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), particularly our periodic reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

OVERVIEW

We were incorporated on February 20, 2001 under the laws of the State of Nevada. We are an exploration stage minerals exploration company focused on the discovery and extraction of precious metals from mineral deposits in the Southwestern United States.

In February 2008, we acquired our lead project, a prospective gold, silver and calcium carbonate property located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, that we call the “Columbus Project.” The Columbus Project consists of 50,538 acres of placer mineral claims, including a 380 acre Permitted Mine Area (60-acre mill site and mill facility, 266-acre mine site with 54 acres defined as “undisturbed area”). Our current permits allow us to mine up to 792,000 tons per year to 40 feet in depth for the purpose of extracting precious metals and calcium carbonate from the Permitted Mine Area. In addition, we own 80 acres of land in the southeast quadrant of the project. Our current exploration efforts are focused on the North and South Sand Zones of the Columbus Project.

In addition to the Columbus Project, we own the right to acquire a prospective gold, silver and tungsten property located in San Bernardino County, California, that we call the “Red Mountain Project.”

The discussion provided in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 15, 2013.

PLAN OF OPERATIONS

Executive Overview

During the next twelve months, we intend to proceed with our exploration program for the Columbus Project, while the Red Mountain Project is not currently active.

The Columbus Project

The technical program for the Columbus Project has two primary objectives: (a) to identify the mineral resources and (b) to determine the feasibility of mining and extracting precious metals from the project.

(a)

Mineralization: Exploration work to date has identified three different host materials (sand, clay, brine) each of which could potentially contain commercial quantities of gold and silver mineralization within the project area. The sand zones outcrop on the western side of the Columbus basin and dip gently eastward. The clay zones also outcrop and overlay the sand zones. The brine zone occurs as an aquifer at some 400 feet depth underlying the sand/clay zones.

3



Our recent exploration efforts have focused on the sand material, specifically in an approximate 2,000 acre area of interest on the west side of our project site. Through three drill programs, we have identified The North Sand Zone and the South Sand Zone. The North Sand Zone has been the site of the source material for our recent extraction tests.

   

To date, 34 holes have been drilled in the 0.67 square mile (429 acres) North Sand Zone, and three holes in the 0.48 square mile (307 acres) South Sand Zone. Drilling has been completed to depths ranging from 165 feet to 400 feet in both sand zones. We have yet to drill through either sand zone with any of our drilling to date.

   

We have been granted the permit for our Phase Four drill program, which will consist of 31 drill holes to a depth of at least 200 feet. The drill program will cover an additional 0.48 square miles adjacent to the southern boundary of the North Sand Zone. The goal of this program is to expand the boundaries and improve the definition of the North Sand Zone. Following completion of the Phase Four drill program, we will re-evaluate the boundaries of the sand zones, the quantity of the tonnage contained therein and the quality of the mineralization estimates within these areas. It is anticipated that additional drill programs will follow.

   
(b)

Mining and Recovery Methodology: We currently have a Water Pollution Control permit for the Columbus Project that allows for the extraction of precious metals and the production of calcium carbonate on the 380-acre site (266-acre mine site, 60-acre mill site, and 54 acres defined as “undisturbed area”) at a mine rate of up to 792,000 tons per year. As previously reported, our current focus is on the extraction of precious metals from the sand zone areas of the Columbus Project – specifically, the North and South Sand Zones.

   

During 2012, we successfully installed all of the gravity concentration equipment and determined the operating parameters for the concentration components of the onsite precious metals extraction circuit. In Q4 2012, we successfully installed equipment for the leaching and metal extraction components of the onsite production circuit. As part of this process of transferring the gold and silver extraction process from the test location at AuRIC’s facility in Salt Lake City to our on-site pilot plant in Nevada, in April 2013, we commenced our first series of multi-ton batch extraction tests. The extraction process consists first of a gravity concentration circuit which processes between two and five tons of head material to generate one ton of concentrates. Next, the concentrates are then leached, the result of which is filtered and then loaded onto resins at the Columbus Project’s pilot plant. The resins are then ashed to determine the quantity of gold and silver recovery.

   

Thus far in our completed tests of the full pilot plant metal extraction circuit, we have recovered gold and silver but at rates below our goal recovery of 0.03 opt AuE after the resin ashing step. We have identified that we are able to leach a sufficient quantity of Au into the pregnant leach solution (PLS) for us to be able to achieve our extraction goals; however, the final stage, the resin extraction and ashing stage, has not yet yielded our goal recovery rate. To correct this final step of the extraction process we are a) analyzing differences between the onsite extraction circuit and the extraction circuit that operated successfully in the laboratory in Salt Lake City that may impact our extraction rates and b) testing alternative methods to remove the gold and silver from the PLS.

   

Additionally, we have been conducting onsite bench scale tests to analyze the effectiveness of various processing adjustments to the pilot plant’s operating parameters. Some of the adjustments tested did yield a grade that exceeded our goal recovery rates of 0.03 opt AuE, while others did not. Based on these positive bench scale results we have commenced testing these operating parameters on a larger scale within the mill site facility. We plan to release results on these larger tests from our pilot plant when we have completed a number of tests that represent a meaningful volume of material processed and show consistent recovery rates, thereby providing initial data from which prefeasibility assessments can made.

As we continue testing, we may modify the operating parameters of any component of the production circuit to improve the precious metals recovery from the circuit, and may upgrade the precious metals processing and extraction equipment as necessary to improve operating efficiencies and circuit capacity. Once batch extraction rates have been completed to our satisfaction, we intend to begin the process of phasing in the operations of the pilot plant on a continuous basis, with a target of processing up to 20 tons of head material per day.

   

We are currently focusing mining and recovery methodology efforts on commencing continuous operations for the pilot plant. This timeline will be dictated by process results, and the availability of personnel and equipment.

4


Readers are cautioned that, although we believe that the results of our exploration activities to date are sufficiently positive to proceed with the installation and operation of a pilot production circuit for the Columbus Project, we have not yet established any proven or probable reserves. There is no assurance that we will be able to establish that any commercially extractable ore reserves exist on the Columbus Project or that we will enter into commercial production.

We anticipate spending approximately $6,108,000 on our exploration program and $200,000 on our capital expenditures for the Columbus Project during the twelve months ending September 30, 2014.

The Red Mountain Project

Sampling and Drilling Program: Our exploration program for the Red Mountain Project currently consists of a Drilling and Sampling program. The Red Mountain Project is not currently active. We have set a budget of $196,000 for property payments and maintenance costs for the Red Mountain Project for the twelve months ending September 30, 2014. We have reallocated certain funds originally budgeted towards the Red Mountain Project in order to provide us with maximum flexibility in achieving our technical milestones at our lead project.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

We have identified certain accounting policies, described below, that are most important to the portrayal of our current financial condition and results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are also disclosed in the notes to our unaudited financial statements for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and the effect on the financial statements of changes in such estimates in future periods could be significant. Significant areas requiring estimates and assumptions include the valuation of stock-based compensation, impairment analysis of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations and realizability of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Mineral Rights - We capitalize acquisition and option costs of mineral property rights. The amount capitalized represents fair value at the time the mineral rights are acquired. We capitalize acquisition and option costs of mineral rights as tangible assets. Upon commencement of commercial production, the mineral rights will be amortized using the unit-of-production method over the life of the mineral rights. If we do not continue with exploration after the completion of a feasibility study, the mineral rights will be expensed at that time.

Mineral Property Acquisition Costs - Costs of acquiring mining properties are capitalized upon acquisition. Mine development costs incurred either to develop new ore deposits, expand the capacity of mines, or to develop mine areas substantially in advance of current production are also capitalized once proven and probable reserves exist and the property is a commercially mineable property. Costs incurred to maintain current production or to maintain assets on a standby basis are charged to operations. Costs of abandoned projects are charged to operations upon abandonment. We evaluate the carrying value of capitalized mining costs and related property and equipment costs to determine if these costs are in excess of their recoverable amount whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The periodic evaluation of carrying value of capitalized costs and any related property and equipment costs are based upon expected future cash flows and/or estimated salvage value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360-10-35-15, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

5


Mineral Exploration and Development Costs - Exploration expenditures incurred prior to entering the development stage are expensed and included in “Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses”.

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is principally provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are generally 3 to 39 years. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for property betterments and renewals are capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition of a depreciable asset, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in other income (expense).

Impairment of long-lived assets – We review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment at each balance sheet date due to our planned exploration stage losses and document such impairment testing. Mineral properties in the exploration stage are monitored for impairment based on factors such as our continued right to explore the property, exploration reports, drill results, technical reports and continued plans to fund exploration programs on the property.

Our policy is to record an impairment loss in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable either by impairment or by abandonment of the property. The impairment loss is calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its fair value. To date, no such impairments have been identified.

Asset Retirement ObligationFuture obligations to retire an asset, including site closure, are recorded as a liability at fair value in the period incurred. The fair value determination is based on estimated future cash flows, the current credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate and an estimated inflation factor. The value of the liability is evaluated at least annually or as new information becomes available. Until such time that a project life is established, we record the corresponding cost as an exploration stage expense. As reclamation work is preformed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability will be reduced.

Future reclamation expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances due to the early stage nature of the exploration project, the uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental disturbance, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities and changes in reclamation technology. Changes in estimates are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in the period an estimate is revised.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our financial position was as follows at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

    September 30,        
    2013     December 31, 2012  
             
Cash $  1,671,070   $  5,636,638  
             
Current liabilities $  156,543   $  236,675  
Asset retirement obligation $  672,338   $  672,338  
Stockholders' equity $  37,078,005   $  40,777,577  

During the nine-month interim period ended September 30, 2013, our liquidity position was affected by the following:

Continued exploration stage losses of $4,401,957 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013.

6



Significant non-cash expenses through this period included depreciation of $700,780, share based compensation of $603,639 and share-based expenses of $83,925.

Significant non-cash income included the income tax benefit of $616,599.

Purchases of new equipment in the amount of $165,727.

Decrease in current liabilities primarily due to the timing of payments out of accounts payable.

Looking Forward

We have budgeted for the following cash expenditures for the twelve months ending September 30, 2014:

Columbus Project      
•          Property Payments $  387,000  
•          Drilling Program and Mineralization Estimates   1,583,000  
•          Pilot Plant / Project Feasibility   1,882,000  
Total for Columbus Project $  3,852,000  
       
Red Mountain Project      
•           Property Acquisition and Maintenance Costs $  196,000  
Total for Red Mountain Project $  196,000  
       
General and Administration      
Total for General and Administration $  2,060,000  
Total Expected Expenses $  6,108,000  
Total Expected Capital Expenditures $  200,000  
Total Expected Cash Expenditures $  6,308,000  

During the next twelve months, we will continue to focus our efforts on developing the Columbus Project, resulting in the following expectations:

  • Our management anticipates that the minimum cash requirements for funding our proposed exploration programs and our continued operations through September 30, 2014 will be approximately $6,308,000. As of September 30, 2013, we had cash reserves in the amount of approximately $1,671,000. Our current financial resources are not expected to be sufficient to allow us to meet the anticipated cash expenditures for the twelve month period ending September 30, 2014. We anticipate that our current financial resources will be sufficient only to pay for the anticipated costs of our exploration activities to January 31, 2014. We will require additional financing to complete our exploration plans. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we will adjust our operating plan depending upon our existing financial resources.

  • Our twelve month budget includes capital expenditures of $200,000; however, we do not have any commitments for capital expenditures.

Certain key factors will affect our future financial and operating results. These include, but are not limited to the following:

  • We have not yet earned any operational revenues since our inception. We may not generate sufficient revenues from our proposed business plan in the future to achieve profitable operations. If we are not able to achieve profitable operations at some point in the future, we eventually may have insufficient working capital to maintain our operations as we presently intend to conduct them or to fund our expansion plans. Our current financial resources may not be sufficient to allow us to meet our anticipated cash expenditures during for the next 12 months and we may require additional financing. We do not currently have any financing arrangements in place, and there are no assurances that we will be able to obtain additional financing in an amount sufficient to meet our needs or on terms that are acceptable to us.

7


  • Obtaining additional financing is subject to a number of factors, including the market prices for base and precious metals, investor interest in our mineral projects, and the performance of equity markets in general. These factors may make the timing, amount, terms or conditions of additional financing unavailable to us. If adequate funds are not available or if they are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund our business plan could be significantly limited and we may be required to suspend our business operations.

For these reasons, our financial statements filed herewith include a statement that these factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern will be dependent on our raising of additional capital and the success of our business plan.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues

We have not earned any operational revenues since our inception and we do not anticipate earning revenues until our mineral properties enter into commercial production, of which there are no assurances. Our pilot production plant at the Columbus Project is currently being operated for pre-feasibility testing purposes only. We are currently in the exploration stage of our business and we can provide no assurances that we will be able to establish the existence of probable or proved mineral reserves on our properties, or if such reserves are established, that we will be able to enter into commercial production.

Operating Expenses

Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Operating Expenses increased by 7% to $5,040,899 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 from $4,720,305 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012. Operating expenses increased primarily as a result of higher mineral exploration and evaluation expenses and higher general and administrative expenses.

Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses increased by 8% to $2,022,100 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $1,881,384 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The variance is due to an increase in mine claim fees effective September 1, 2012 coupled with increases in geologic consulting related to the renewal of the Water Pollution Control Permit and increased site supplies. These amounts were partially offset against a decrease in metallurgical and assaying expenses as these amounts in 2012 included costs related to consulting and engineering fees associated with the pilot circuit development.

Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses – related party decreased 19% to $338,494 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $417,455 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease is due to a reduction in the reimbursable costs paid to Nanominerals Corp including costs related to personnel, travel, and equipment development.

General and administrative expenses increased by 14% to $1,848,256 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $1,626,126 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. General and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of investor relations expense related to the extension of private placement warrants, the addition of a director in April, and an increase in officer salaries in Q1 2013.

General and administrative expenses – related party increased by 7% to $58,819 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $55,137 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was due to having McNeil Consulting Group in place throughout 2013 but only for a portion of 2012.

8


Other Income and Expenses

Total other income and expense increased by 17% to $22,343 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $19,151 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was a result of higher principal balances in interest bearing accounts and a sublease agreement commencing in September for the use of office space for a monthly rent of $2,819.

Income Tax Benefit

Income tax benefit decreased by 62% to $616,599 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $1,630,414 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was due to increasing the valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets.

Net Loss

The aforementioned factors resulted in a net loss of $4,401,957, or $.03 per common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared with a net loss of $3,070,740, or $.02 per common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Three Month Period Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Operating expenses decreased by 12% to $1,631,539 during the three month period ended September 30, 2013 from $1,843,702 during the three month period ended September 30, 2012. Operating expenses decreased primarily as a result of less mineral exploration and evaluation expenses and the general and administrative expenses incurred.

Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses decreased by 15% to $638,948 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $753,419 during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was due to a material Q3 2012 payment made to a consultant related to the establishment of the pilot plant circuit and related testing.

Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses – related party decreased by 14% to $115,732 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $134,618 during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease is due to a reduction in the reimbursable costs paid to Nanominerals Corp.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 10% to $598,087 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $665,459 during the three months ended September 30, 2012. General and administrative expenses decreased due to less stock based compensation and reduced legal fees due to work performed on our registration statement on Form S-3 filed in Q3 2012.

General and administrative expenses – related party decreased by 41% to $20,569 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $34,875 during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was due to a reduction in fees paid to McNeil Consulting Group compared to Q3 2012.

Other Income and Expenses

Total other income and expense increased by 40% to $9,006 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $6,411 during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was a result of a sublease agreement commencing in September for the use of office space for a monthly rent of $2,819.

Income Tax Benefit

Income tax benefit decreased by 99.6% to $2,451 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $645,983 during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was due to increasing the valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets.

9


Net Loss

The aforementioned factors resulted in a net loss of $1,620,082, or $.01 per common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared with a net loss of $1,191,308, or $.01 per common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to stockholders.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) that are adopted by us, as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards did not or will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” to improve the transparency of reporting these reclassifications. This update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Other comprehensive income includes gains and losses that are initially excluded from net income for an accounting period. Those gains and losses are later reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income. The amendments in this ASU do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. All of the information that this ASU requires already is required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements GAAP. The new amendments will require an organization to present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Additionally, the new amendments require cross-referencing to other disclosures currently required under GAAP for other reclassification items (that are not required under GAAP) to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. We adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2013. Adoption had no impact on our financial condition, results of operation, or cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”), which provides guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. We do not expect ASU 2013-11 to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operation, or cash flows.

ITEM 3.              QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 4.              CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

As of September 30, 2013, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. These controls and procedures are based on the definition of disclosure controls and procedures in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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Based on that evaluation as of September 30, 2013, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

Management, including our CEO and CFO, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the controls and procedures will meet their desired control objectives. In designing and evaluating our control system, management recognized that any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any that may affect our operations have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.

During the third quarter ended September 30, 2013, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.              LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

None.

ITEM 1A.           RISK FACTORS.

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information contained in the reports that we file with the SEC before investing in our securities. If any of the following risks occur, our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed. The market price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those of which we are currently unaware or that we deem immaterial, could also affect our business or an investment in our securities.

We will require additional financing to complete our exploration programs for our mineral projects.

We expect to spend approximately $6,308,000 during the twelve months ending September 30, 2014 on the exploration of our Columbus and Red Mountain Projects and the general costs of operating and maintaining our business and mineral properties. We do not currently have sufficient financial resources to pay for our anticipated expenditures for that period. We anticipate that our existing financial resources are sufficient only to pay for the anticipated costs of our exploration programs until January 31, 2014. We will require additional financing to complete our exploration plans. In addition, actual costs of completing our exploration plans could be greater than anticipated and we may need additional financing sooner than anticipated. If we are unable to obtain sufficient financing to complete our exploration plans, we will scale back our plans depending upon our existing financial resources.

Our ability to obtain future financing will be subject to a number of factors, including the variability of market prices for gold and silver, investor interest in our mineral projects, and the performance of equity markets in general. These factors may make the timing, amount, terms or conditions of additional financing unavailable to us. If we are not able to obtain financing when needed or in an amount sufficient to enable us to complete our programs, we may be required to scale back our exploration programs.

If we complete additional financings through the sale of our common stock, our existing stockholders will experience dilution.

The most likely source of future financing presently available to us is through the sale of shares of our common stock. The only other anticipated alternative for the financing of further exploration would be the offering by us of an interest in our mineral properties to be earned by another party or parties carrying out further exploration thereof, which is not presently contemplated. In addition, if our management decides to exercise the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Red Mountain Project, we will be required to issue significantly more shares of our common stock. Issuing shares of our common stock, for financing purposes or otherwise, will dilute the interests of our existing stockholders.

In order to maintain the rights to our mineral properties, we will be required to make annual filings with federal and state regulatory agencies and/or be required to complete assessment work or pay fees in respect of those properties.

In order to maintain the rights to our mineral projects, we will be required to make annual filings and pay fees with federal and state regulatory authorities. On June 16, 2011, the Governor of Nevada approved Senate Bill 493 (SB 493), which repealed a one-time tiered fee hike on mining claims in Nevada. SB 493 also eliminated a number of tax deductions that had previously been available for companies with mining operations in Nevada. We are currently an exploration stage company and do not have significant mineral extraction activities or any revenues from mining operations and do not expect the elimination of these tax deductions to have a significant impact on our current exploration activities or financial prospects. However, if we do, in the future engage in significant mineral extraction operations, of which there is no assurance, the elimination of these tax deductions could affect our future financial results.

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There has been an increase in claim maintenance fees related to association placer claims. Previously, we paid $140 per year per placer claim. Claims can be up to 160 acres in size each. The new regulations require placer claimants to pay a fee of $140 for each twenty acres of a placer claim.

In addition to claim maintenance fees, we may be required by federal and/or state legislation or regulations to complete minimum annual amounts of mineral exploration work on our mineral properties. A failure by us to meet the annual maintenance requirements under federal and state laws could cause our mineral rights to lapse.

Because we are an exploration stage company, we face a high risk of business failure.

To date, our primary business activities have involved the acquisition of mineral claims and the exploration of these claims. We have not earned any revenues as of the date of this report. Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by exploration stage companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of the mineral properties that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration, and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates.

Because we anticipate that our operating expenses will increase prior to earning revenues, we may never achieve profitability.

Prior to exiting the exploration stage, we anticipate that we will incur increased operating expenses without realizing any revenues. We therefore expect to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. We recognize that if we are unable to generate significant revenues from the exploration of our mineral claims and the production of minerals thereon, if any, we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and we may not be able to ever generate any operating revenues or achieve profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.

Because of the inherent dangers involved in mineral exploration, there is a risk that we may incur liability or damages if and when conducting mineral exploration activities.

The search for valuable minerals involves numerous hazards. As a result, when conducting exploration activities we may become subject to liability for such hazards, including pollution, cave-ins and other hazards against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. The payment of such liabilities may have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Because of the speculative nature of exploration of mining properties, there is substantial risk that no commercially exploitable minerals will be found.

We have not yet established proved or probable reserves on the Columbus Project or on our other mineral properties. The search for valuable minerals as a business is extremely risky. Although we have been encouraged by the results of the exploration work conducted by us to date, further exploration work is required before proven or probable reserves can be established, and there are no assurances that we will be able to establish any proven or probable reserves. Exploration for minerals is a speculative venture, necessarily involving substantial risk. The expenditures to be made by us may not result in the discovery of commercial quantities of ore. Problems such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions are involved in mineral exploration and often result in unsuccessful exploration efforts. We intend to report the results of our exploration activities promptly after those results have been received and analysed. However, there is no assurance that the test results reported by us will be indicative of extraction rates throughout our mineral properties.

13


As a result of the public’s lack of familiarity with the assaying methods used by us to analyze samples taken from the sand and clay zones of the Columbus Project, we may occasionally encounter resistance to the reliability of our grade estimates for the Columbus Project. Although we use proven assaying methods, only report extracted and weighed gold and silver and have instituted rigorous testing to ensure the reliability of our exploration results, we may face resistance in the future, which could negatively impact our business, our ability to obtain future financing, and our stock price.

Contrary to popular belief, pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical tests on a rock sample do not determine the amount of gold or silver present in a sample. Instead, these tests report the amount of gold or silver that is extracted from the sample by the analytical method used. We have engaged in extensive research and testing to determine the best pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods for extracting gold and silver from the sands and clays present at the Columbus Project. Our research has indicated that caustic fusion (head ore, concentrates) and thiosulphate or cyanide leaching (concentrates) are the best pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods for extracting gold and silver from the Columbus Project. The pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods that were chosen by us result in the actual physical extraction of gold and silver from the tested samples.

Caustic fusion is a standard pyrometallurgical method that uses fluxes melted at low temperature to dissolve the sample rock and liberate the contained minerals or metals for subsequent extraction and analysis. Caustic fusion was developed in South Africa over 100 years ago and was first used to liberate diamonds from their refractory kimberlites. It has since been used to quantify other minerals/metals in rocks by analyzing the fused product. Caustic fusion has proven to be a very effective method for extracting gold and silver from the refractory minerals (organics, silicates) in the sand and clay at Columbus, and has been confirmed by extracting comparable precious metal values from bulk leach tests (+/- 1 ton samples).

Fire assaying is the most common pyrometallurgical method used for extracting gold and silver from rock. Fire assaying relies on the use of standardized chemical fluxes to reduce the melting point of the minerals entombing the gold and silver so that they can be liberated and then collected in a lead “button” and examined. Although this process works well for extracting gold entombed in sulfides (e.g. pyrite) and silica, such as that found in Carlin-type gold deposits, the chemical fluxes used in fire assaying methods are ineffective at liberating the gold and silver from refractory minerals (organics and silicates (Fe-Mg-Al-Si-Ox)) as are found at the Columbus Project. As a result, in our tests, fire assaying has shown to be ineffective at extracting commercial values of gold and silver from the sand and clay from the Columbus Project. Similarly, aqua regia digestion has also proven to be ineffective at extracting gold and silver from the sands and clays at Columbus.

To ensure the reliability of our results, we have instituted rigorous QA/QC protocols, including blind random sampling, and the inclusion of blanks, standards and duplicates. To further ensure reliability, we measure only the actual amount of gold and silver physically extracted from our test samples when reporting assay results. We also have extracted gold and silver from large samples (+/- 200-3000 lbs.) by thiosulphate leaching, with the extraction results being comparable to caustic fusion assay results on the same samples, thereby confirming the reliability of the caustic fusion process. However, because caustic fusion is not commonly used and understood for gold and silver assaying, and because gold and silver in the sands and clays at Columbus cannot be confirmed by metal-in-hand extraction using fire assay or aqua regia digestion, we may encounter some resistance to our analytical methods and assay results, which could negatively impact our business, our ability to obtain additional financing, and our stock price.

Even if we establish proven or probable reserves on our mineral claims, we may not be able to successfully reach commercial production.

We anticipate using a low cost, high volume surface dredge operation to mine the Columbus Project. Our pre-feasibility program for the Columbus Project is designed to test and optimize our planned mining process for the Columbus Project. There is no assurance that this pre-feasibility program will result in a decision to enter into commercial production.

In addition, expanding our production facilities to accommodate commercial operations is expected to require substantially more financial resources than what we currently have available to us. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain such financing if and when needed.

14


Although we have installed the leach circuit of the onsite pilot production module for the Columbus Project, there is no assurance that this project is commercially feasible.

We have begun testing and optimizing the onsite pilot production module at the Columbus Project. This pilot production module is part of our pre-feasibility study for the Columbus Project and is designed to evaluate the commercial viability of the Columbus Project. There is no assurance that the results of our pre-feasibility program will result in a decision to enter into commercial production.

Even if we can successfully reach commercial production, any change to mining laws or regulations or levy of additional taxes in the future may make our planned production process nonviable economically.

Several bills have been introduced by the US federal government that would levy resource taxes on mineral exploration companies. Any levy of additional taxes would have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, laws and regulations governing the exploration of mineral properties and the mining process are subject to change. Changes to mining laws and regulations that would have the effect of increasing the cost of mineral exploration and mining activities would adversely impact our business.

We are subject to compliance with government regulations. The costs of complying with these regulations may change without notice, and may increase the anticipated cost of our exploration programs.

There are several government regulations that materially restrict the exploration of minerals. We will be required to obtain work permits, post bonds and perform remediation work for any physical disturbance to the land in order to comply with these laws. While our planned exploration program budgets for regulatory compliance, there is a risk that new regulations could increase our costs of doing business and prevent us from carrying out our exploration program.

In addition, if our applications for permits from the relevant regulatory bodies are denied, we may not be able to proceed with our exploration programs.

If we decide to pursue commercial production, we may be subject to an environmental review process that may delay or prohibit commercial production.

Our planned method for mining the Columbus Project is not expected to generate any significant long term environmental impact. However, we have not yet had a comprehensive environmental review conducted on our planned mining operations for the Columbus Project.

Compliance with an environmental review process may be costly and may delay commercial production. Furthermore, there is the possibility that we would not be able to proceed with commercial production upon completion of the environmental review process if government authorities do not approve our mine or if the costs of compliance with government regulation adversely affected the commercial viability of the proposed mine.

The market for our common stock is limited and investors may have difficulty selling their stock.

Our shares are currently traded on the over the counter market, with quotations entered for our common stock on the OTCQB under the symbol “IRLD.” However, the volume of trading in our common stock is currently limited. As a result, holders of our common stock may have difficulty selling their shares.

Because our common stock is a penny stock, stockholders may be further limited in their ability to sell their shares.

Our shares constitute a penny stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are expected to remain classified as a penny stock for the foreseeable future. Classification as a penny stock makes it more difficult for a broker-dealer to sell the stock into a secondary market, which makes it more difficult for a purchaser to liquidate his or her investment. Any broker-dealer engaged by the purchaser for the purpose of selling his or her shares will be subject to Rules 15g-2 through 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. Rather than having to comply with these rules, some broker-dealers will refuse to attempt to sell a penny stock.

15


No assurance that forward looking assessments will be realized.

Our ability to accomplish our objectives and whether or not we are financially successful is dependent upon numerous factors, each of which could have a material effect on the results obtained. Some of these factors are in the discretion and control of management and others are beyond management’s control. The assumptions and hypotheses used in preparing any forward-looking assessments contained herein are considered reasonable by management. There can be no assurance, however, that any projections or assessments contained herein or otherwise made by management will be realized or achieved at any level.

If we are, or were, a U.S. real property holding corporation, non-U.S. holders of our common stock or other security convertible into our common stock could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of such security.

If we are or ever have been a U.S. real property holding corporation (a “USRPHC”) under the Foreign Investment Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended (“FIRPTA”) and applicable United States Treasury regulations (collectively, the “FIRPTA Rules”), unless an exception applies, certain non-U.S. investors in our common stock (or options or warrants for our common stock) would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock (or such options or warrants), and such non-U.S. investor would be required to file a United States federal income tax return. In addition, the purchaser of such common stock, option or warrant would be required to withhold from the purchase price an amount equal to 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

We have not conducted a formal analysis of whether we are or have ever been a USRPHC. However, we believe that we may be a USRPHC. In general, under the FIRPTA Rules, a company is a USRPHC if its interests in U.S. real property comprise at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets. If we are or were a USRPHC, so long as our common stock is “regularly traded on an established securities market” (as defined under the FIRPTA Rules), a non-U.S. holder who, actually or constructively, holds or held no more than 5% of our common stock is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock under FIRPTA. In addition, other interests in equity of a USRPHC may qualify for this exception if, on the date such interest was acquired, such interests had a fair market value no greater than the fair market value on that date of 5% of our common stock. Any of our common stockholders (or owners of options or warrants for our common stock) that are non-U.S. persons should consult their tax advisors to determine the consequences of investing in our common stock (or options or warrants).

We have not held an annual meeting for the election of directors since our incorporation.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the “NRS”), directors are to be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders. Pursuant to the NRS and our bylaws, our board of directors is granted the authority to fix the date, time and place for annual stockholder meetings. We expect to hold an annual stockholder meeting in 2013; however, no date, time or place has yet been fixed by our board for the holding of an annual stockholder meeting. Pursuant to the NRS and our bylaws, each of our directors holds office after the expiration of his term until a successor is elected and qualified, or until the director resigns or is removed. Under the provisions of the NRS, if an election of our directors has not been made by our stockholders within 18 months of the last such election, then an application may be made to the Nevada district court by stockholders holding a minimum of 15% of our outstanding stockholder voting power for an order for the election of directors in the manner provided in the NRS.

FOR ALL OF THE AFORESAID REASONS AND OTHERS SET-FORTH AND NOT SET-FORTH HEREIN, AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A CERTAIN DEGREE OF RISK. ANY PERSON CONSIDERING TO INVEST IN OUR SECURITIES SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE AND OTHER FACTORS SET-FORTH IN THIS REPORT AND IN THE OTHER REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS THAT WE FILE FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE SEC AND SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS/HER LEGAL, TAX AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS PRIOR TO MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES. AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES SHOULD ONLY BE ACQUIRED BY PERSONS WHO CAN AFFORD TO LOSE THEIR TOTAL INVESTMENT.

16


ITEM 2.              UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3.              DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

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 95-1 to this report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 5.              OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6.              EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are either provided with this Quarterly Report or are incorporated herein by reference:

Exhibit    
Number   Description of Exhibit
3.1  

Articles of Incorporation.(1)

3.2  

Certificate of Amendment to Articles - Name Change from Merritt Ventures Corp. to Ireland Inc.(2)

3.3  

Certificate of Change – 4-for-1 Stock Split.(3)

3.4  

Bylaws.(1)

4.1  

Form of Warrant.(15)

10.1  

2007 Stock Incentive Plan.(4)

10.2

Consulting Agreement between the Company and RJ Falkner & Company, Inc., dated for reference as of November 5, 2007.(5)

10.3

Consultant Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the Company and R. Jerry Falkner, dated effective as of November 5, 2007.(5)

10.4

Mining Lease Agreement dated November 30, 2007 between DDB Syndicate and Columbus S.M., LLC.(7)

10.5  

Management Employment Agreement for David Z. Strickler.(14)

10.6  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Douglas D.G. Birnie.(9)

10.7  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Robert D. McDougal.(9)

10.8  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Michael A. Steele.(9)

10.9  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Mark H. Brennan.(9)

10.10  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for David Z. Strickler, Jr.(10)

10.11  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated April 8, 2011 for Mark H. Brennan.(11)

10.12

Amended and Restated Option Agreement dated July 20, 2011 between Sierra Mineral Management Inc. and Ireland Inc.(12)

10.13  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Douglas D.G. Birnie.(13)

10.14  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Robert D. McDougal.(13)

10.15  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for David Z. Strickler, Jr.(13)

17



Exhibit    
Number   Description of Exhibit
10.16   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement.(15)
10.17   Form of Registration Rights Agreement.(15)
10.18  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement effective February 15, 2013 for Douglas D.G. Birnie.(17)

10.19  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement effective February 15, 2013 for Robert D. McDougal.(17)

10.20  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement effective February 15, 2013 for David Z. Strickler, Jr.(17)

10.21  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement effective February 15, 2013 for Mark H. Brennan.(17)

10.22  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement effective April 16, 2013 for Steven A. Klein.(18)

31.1  

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

95.1  

Mine Safety Disclosures.

101.INS  

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

101.CAL  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.

101.DEF  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.

101.LAB  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.

101.PRE  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

Notes:

(1)

Filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 originally filed April 18, 2002, as amended.

(2)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed April 12, 2006.

(3)

Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2007.

(4)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed April 5, 2007.

(5)

Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 9, 2007.

(6)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed September 28, 2004.

(7)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed March 31, 2008.

(8)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed April 15, 2010.

(9)

Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 28, 2010.

(10)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed March 30, 2011.

(11)

Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 13, 2011.

(12)

Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 filed August 19, 2011.

(13)

Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 26, 2011.

(14)

Filed as an exhibit to our original Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed March 30, 2012.

(15)

Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 6, 2012.

(16)

Filed as an exhibit to our Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed January 11, 2013.

(17)

Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed April 15, 2013.

(18)

Filed as an exhibit to our Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-1/A filed April 19, 2013.

18


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.

      IRELAND INC.
       
       
       
Date: November 12, 2013 By: /s/ Douglas D.G. Birnie
      DOUGLAS D.G. BIRNIE
      Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary
      (Principal Executive Officer)
       
       
       
       
Date: November 12, 2013 By: /s/ Robert D. McDougal
      ROBERT D. MCDOUGAL
      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
      (Principal Financial Officer)


CERTIFICATIONS

I, Douglas D.G. Birnie, certify that;

(1)

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ireland Inc.;

   
(2)

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

   
(3)

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

   
(4)

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


  a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     
  b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     
  c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     
  d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


(5)

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


  a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     
  b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 12, 2013  
     
     
     
  /s/ Douglas D.G. Birnie  
By: Douglas D.G. Birnie  
Title: President, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer  


CERTIFICATIONS

I, Robert D. McDougal, certify that;

(1)

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ireland Inc.;

   
(2)

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

   
(3)

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

   
(4)

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


  a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     
  b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     
  c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     
  d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


(5)

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


  a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     
  b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 12, 2013  
     
     
     
  /s/ Robert D. McDougal  
By: Robert D. McDougal  
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


 

I, Douglas D.G. Birnie, the Chief Executive Officer of Ireland Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

  (i)

the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, and to which this certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

     
  (ii)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


  By: /s/ Douglas D.G. Birnie
     
  Name: DOUGLAS D.G. BIRNIE
     
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  Date: November 12, 2013

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


 

I, Robert D. McDougal, the Chief Financial Officer of Ireland Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(i)

the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, and to which this certification is attached as Exhibit 32.2 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

   
(ii)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


  By: /s/ Robert D. McDougal
     
  Name: ROBERT D. MCDOUGAL
     
  Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
     
  Date: November 12, 2013

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.


MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Our activities at the Permitted Mine Area of the Columbus Project are subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). Our wholly owned subsidiary, Columbus S.M., LLC (“Columbus SM”) is the “operator” for our activities at the Permitted Mine Area.

The following disclosure is provided pursuant to Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 104 of Regulation S-K for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Citations, Notices, Orders, Fatalities and Assessments Under the Mine Act

  Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
                  Received
                Received Notice of
  Total # of       Total # of Total $ Value   Notice of Potential
  “Significant Total # of Total # of Total # of Imminent of Proposed Total Patterns of Patterns of
  and Orders Citations Flagrant Danger MSHA Number of Violations Violations
  Substantial” Issued and Orders Violations Orders Assessments Mining Under Under
Mine / MSHA ID Violations Under Under Under Under Under Mine Related s.104(e) s.104(e)
Number Under s.104 s.104(b) s.104(d) s.110(b)(2) s.107(a) Act Fatalities (Yes/No) (Yes/No)
Columbus
Project
(Mine ID:
601674)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No No

Pending Legal Actions Before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the “FMSHRC”)

  Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
  Total # of Legal Total # of Legal Total # of Legal
  Actions Pending as of Actions Instituted Actions Resolved
Mine / MSHA ID Number Last Day of Period During Period During Period
Columbus Project
(Mine ID: 601674)
0 0 0