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3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Principles of Consolidation The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BRZ, USAMSA and AM, all wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant and critical estimates include property, plant and equipment depreciation and impairment, accounts receivable allowance, deferred income taxes, environmental remediation liabilities and asset retirement obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers cash in banks and investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Restricted Cash Restricted cash at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of cash held for reclamation performance bonds, and is held as certificates of deposit with financial institutions. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are stated at the amount that management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides for probable uncollectible amounts through an allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts are based on management’s judgment, considering historical write-offs, collections and current credit conditions. Balances which remain outstanding after management has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts and a credit to the applicable accounts receivable. Payments received on receivables subsequent to being written off are considered a bad debt recovery. Inventories Inventories at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted primarily of finished antimony products, antimony metal, antimony concentrates, antimony ore, and finished zeolite products and are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out weighted average cost or estimated net realizable value. Finished antimony products, antimony metal and finished zeolite products costs include raw materials, direct labor and processing facility overhead costs and freight allocated based on production quantity. Stockpiled ore is carried at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Since the Company's antimony inventory is a commodity with a sales value that is subject to world prices for antimony that are beyond the Company's control, a significant change in the world market price of antimony could have a significant effect on the net realizable value of inventories. The Company periodically reviews its inventories to identify excess and obsolete inventories and to estimate reserves for obsolete inventories as necessary to reflect inventories at net realizable value. Translations of Foreign Currencies All amounts are presented in United States (US) Dollars, and the US Dollar is the functional currency of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. All transactions are carried out in US Dollars, or translated at the time of the transaction. Properties, Plants and Equipment Properties, plants and equipment are stated at historical cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of two to thirty years. Vehicles and office equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to twelve years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Betterments of a major nature are capitalized. Expenditures for new property, plant, equipment, and improvements that extend the useful life or functionality of the asset are capitalized. The Company capitalized $1,901,490 and $3,575,408 in plant construction and other capital costs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts include capitalized interest of $81,703 and $24,395, respectively. When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. Mineral properties are amortized over the estimated economic life of the mineral resource using the straight-line method or the units-of-production method, based upon estimated units of mineral resource. Management of the Company periodically reviews the net carrying value of all of its long-lived assets. These reviews consider the net realizable value of each asset or group to determine whether a permanent impairment in value has occurred and the need for any asset write-down. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest) expected to result from the use of an asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the estimated fair value of the asset if the asset is expected to be held and used. Mineral Rights The cost to obtain the legal right to explore, extract and retain at least a portion of the benefits from mineral deposits are capitalized as mineral rights in the year of acquisition. These capitalized costs will be amortized on the statement of operations using the straight line method over the expected life if the mineral deposit when placed into production. Mineral rights are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances indicate that the potential for impairment exists. No impairment has been indicated for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013 as a result of this assessment. Mineral rights are subject to write down in the period the property is abandoned. Exploration and Development The Company records exploration costs as operating expenses in the period they occur, and capitalizes development costs on discrete mineralized bodies that have proven reserves in compliance with SEC Industry Guide 7, and are in development or production. Asset Retirement Obligations and Reclamation Costs All of the Company's mining operations are subject to reclamation and remediation requirements. Minimum standards for mine reclamation have been established by various governmental agencies. Costs are estimated based primarily upon environmental and regulatory requirements and are accrued. The liability for reclamation is classified as current or noncurrent based on the expected timing of expenditures. Reclamation differs from an asset retirement obligation in that no associated asset is recorded in the case of reclamation liabilities. It is reasonably possible that because of uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental contamination, application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities, and changes in remediation technology, the ultimate cost of remediation and reclamation could change in the future. The Company continually reviews its accrued liabilities for such remediation and reclamation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that its remediation and reclamation liability has changed. The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which the Company incurs a legal obligation for the retirement of long-lived assets, it is probable that such costs will be incurred, and they are reasonably estimable. A corresponding asset is also recorded and depreciated over the life of the assets on a straight line basis. After the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the liability will be adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation. Determination of any amounts included in determination of fair value is based upon numerous estimates and assumptions, including future retirement costs, future inflation rates, and the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates. Revenue Recognition Sales of antimony and zeolite products are recorded upon shipment and when title passes to the customer. Prepayments received from customers prior to the time that products are processed and shipped are recorded as deferred revenue. When the related products are shipped, the amount recorded as deferred revenue is recognized as revenue. The Company's sales agreements do not provide for product returns or allowances. Sales of precious metals are recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is reasonably determinable, the product has been delivered, no obligations remain, and collection is reasonably assured. Common Stock Issued for Consideration Other than Cash All transactions in which goods or services are received for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the common stock issued, whichever is more readily determinable. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax liabilities or assets are determined at the end of each period using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. A valuation allowance is recognized on deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of these deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company applies generally accepted accounting principles for recognition of uncertainty in income taxes and prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Income (Loss) Per Common Share Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents, including warrants to purchase the Company's common stock and convertible preferred stock. Management has determined that the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, does not add any shares to basic weighted average shares. As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, potentially dilutive common stock equivalents not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share are as follows:
|  | December 31, 2014 |  |  | December 31, 2013 |  |  | December 31, 2012 |
Warrants |  |  | 726,917 |  |  |  | 2,489,407 |  |  |  | 1,934,667 |
Convertible preferred stock |  |  | 1,751,005 |  |  |  | 1,751,005 |  |  |  | 1,751,005 |
Total possible dilution |  |  | 2,477,922 |  |  |  | 4,240,412 |  |  |  | 3,685,672 |
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposits, restricted cash, due to factor, and long-term debt. The carrying value of certificates of deposit, restricted cash, due to factor, and long-term debt approximates fair value based on the contractual terms of those instruments. Fair Value Measurements Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs into three levels that may be used to measure fair value. The Company discloses the following information for each class of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value:
1. | the fair value measurement;
2. | the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3);
3. | for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following:
| a. | total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), segregating those gains or losses included in earnings, and a description of where those gains or losses included in earnings are reported in the statement of operations;
| b. | the amount of these gains or losses attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets or liabilities still held at the reporting period date and a description of where those unrealized gains or losses are reported;
| c. | purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net); and
d. | transfers into and/or out of Level 3.
4. | the amount of the total gains or losses for the period included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date and a description of where those unrealized gains or losses are reported in the statement of operations; and
5. | in annual periods only, the valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques, if any, during the period.
The table below sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level that the Company determined applies to each asset category.
|  |  |  |  |  | Input
|  |  |  |  |  | Hierarchy
Assets: |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Level
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 123,683 |  | $ | 20,343 |  | Level 1
Certificates of deposit |  |  | 249,147 |  |  | 246,565 |  | Level 1
Restricted cash |  |  | 75,754 |  |  | 75,501 |  | Level 1
Total |  | $ | 448,584 |  | $ | 342,409 |  |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 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”). ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits related to any disallowed portion of net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards, if they exist. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern.” The provisions of ASU No. 2014-15 require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendments in this ASU are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU No. 2014-15 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements once adopted. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

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