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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2023:

  Fair Value Measurements at 
March 31, 2023
TotalQuoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)		Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Liabilities:
Ionic convertible debenture derivative$(24,000)$— $— $(24,000)
LINICO related derivative(5,468,162)— (5,468,162)— 
Haywood derivative(1,190,000)— (1,190,000)— 
GenMat derivative(5,234,043)— (5,234,043)— 
Total liabilities measured at fair value$(11,916,205)$— $(11,892,205)$(24,000)
The following table presents our assets and liabilities at December 31, 2022, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
  Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2022
TotalQuoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)		Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Liabilities:
Ionic convertible debenture derivative$(420,000)$— $— $(420,000)
LINICO related derivative (6,053,162)— (6,053,162)— 
Haywood derivative(1,480,000)— (1,480,000)— 
GenMat derivative(6,592,638)— (6,592,638)— 
Total liabilities measured at fair value$(14,545,800)$— $(14,125,800)$(420,000)

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized a loss of $605,000 in the fair value measurement of the Tonogold note receivable and a $6,650,000 exchange of the note receivable associated with the Tonogold agreement. As of March 31, 2022, the ending balance of investments measured at fair value was $0 using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized a gain of $240,000 for the change in fair value of the derivative and $156,000 of the derivative liability was converted. As of March 31, 2023, the ending balance of the derivative liability measured at fair value was $24,000 using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

VALUATION METHODOLOGIES

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company's financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Ionic Ventures, LLC Conversion Option

On December 16, 2022, we recorded a derivative liability on the consolidated balance sheets in connection with the Ionic 2022 Convertible Note. On that date, the $420,000 fair value of the derivative liability was determined based on bifurcation of the derivative liability from the convertible note. On April 6, 2023, Ionic Ventures, LLC returned to the Company 327,549 excess shares from equity conversions in the first quarter 2023. The conversion terms require a measurement period of five days within which the number of shares initially converted are adjusted for changes in trading volume during the period. Under this provision, on April 6, 2023, Ionic returned 327,529 excess shares of its common stock held in treasury shares in anticipation of future debt to equity conversions. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded a gain of $240,000 and $0, respectively, for the change in fair value of the derivative. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of the derivative liability was $24,000 and $420,000, respectively. At December 31, 2022, the derivative was valued using a Monte Carlo valuation model with a conversion price equal to 90% of the average price capped at $0.50, discount rate of 35%, risk free rate of 4.40%, and volatility of 60.0%. At March 31, 2023, the derivative was valued using a Monte Carlo valuation model with a conversion price equal to 90% of the average price capped at $0.50, discount rate of 35%, risk free rate of 4.56%, and volatility of 85.0%. The derivative liability is classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

LINICO Derivative Instrument

On December 30, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire 3,129,081 LINICO common shares from its former chief executive officer and director in exchange for 3,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock ("Comstock Shares"). If and to the extent that the sale of the Company's shares results in net proceeds greater than $7,258,162, then the former chief executive officer is required to pay all of such excess proceeds to the Company. If and to the extent that the sale of the Comstock Shares results in net proceeds less than $7,258,162, then the Company is required to pay the former chief executive officer equal to such shortfall. The fair value of the shares was based on the closing price per share of our common stock of $0.34 and $0.28 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In 2022, the Company paid the former chief executive officer $225,000 representing a decrease in contractual stock consideration. For the first three months of 2023, the Company paid the former chief executive officer $375,000 also representing a decrease in contractual stock consideration. We
recorded an unrealized gain on the change in fair value of the derivative liability of $210,000 and $1,330,000 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The derivative liability is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Haywood Derivative Instrument

On April 7, 2022, we recorded a derivative asset on the consolidated balance sheets in connection with the Haywood acquisition and lease from Decommissioning Services (see Note 7, Leases). On that date, the $245,000 fair value of the derivative asset was determined based on the excess of the fair value of 1,500,000 shares of our common stock issued to and held by Decommissioning Services and a deposit of $50,000 over the $2,100,000 contractual stock consideration required under the agreement. During the three month period ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid Decommissioning Services $200,000 and $150,000, respectively, which resulted in a decrease in contractual stock consideration. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of the shares was based on the closing price per share of our common stock of $0.34 and $0.28, respectively. We recorded an unrealized gain on the change in fair value of the derivative liability of $90,000 and $0, respectively in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The derivative liability is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

GenMat Derivative Instrument

On June 24, 2021, we recorded a derivative asset on the consolidated balance sheets in connection with the GenMat Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (see Note 2, Investments). On that date, the $530,000 fair value of the derivative asset was determined based on the excess of the fair value of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock issued to and held by GenMat over the $10,000,000 contractual stock consideration required under the agreement. The value of the shares was based on the $3.51 closing price per share of our common stock on that date. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of the shares was based on the closing price per share of our common stock of $0.34 and $0.28. During the three month period ended March 31, 2023, the Company paid GenMat $1,200,000 against the existing derivative liability, representing a payment toward the Company’s investment obligation. In 2022, the Company paid GenMat $2,450,000 against the existing derivative liability, representing a payment toward the Company’s investment obligation. We recorded an unrealized gain on the change in fair value of the derivative liability of $158,595 and $1,140,000 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The derivative liability is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Tonogold Common Shares

The fair value of our investment in common shares of Tonogold was based on its closing price per share. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company owns 606,061 shares of Tonogold. In 2022, the Company wrote off the remaining investment balance of $30,303 due to lack of marketability. We recorded a gain of $0 and $415,205 on this investment in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Tonogold Note Receivable

On March 31, 2022, the Company amended an Option Agreement with Tonogold (the “Lucerne Option”). Tonogold re-conveyed 100% of the previously sold membership interests of Comstock Mining LLC, the entity that owns the Lucerne mine, to the Company, in exchange for the Company exchanging Tonogold’s payment obligations under a secured note in the principal amount owed of $6,650,000 to the Company. The Company recorded a loss of $605,000 for the change in fair value in other expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

LPB Derivative Instrument

On July 23, 2021, we recorded a derivative asset on the consolidated balance sheets in connection with the LPB Contribution Agreement. On that date, the $6,642,000 fair value of the derivative asset was determined based on the excess of the fair value of 3,500,000 shares of our common stock issued to and held by LPB over the $4,173,000 fair value of our contractual consideration under the LPB Partnership Interest Purchase Agreement. The value of the shares was based on the $3.09 closing price per share of our common stock on that date. On February 28, 2022, the Company and the other parties to the LPB transactions mutually agreed to terminate the transaction documents. Prior to settlement, the fair value of the shares was based on the closing price per share of our common stock of $1.46, and we recorded a gain on the change in fair value of the derivative liability of $595,000 in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The fair value of the derivative as of the settlement date of $937,000 was derecognized, along with the value of the investment in
LPB, and the fair value of the 3,500,000 shares was $5,110,000 and was recognized as a decrease first to the par value of the common stock returned, and the remainder as a reduction to additional paid in capital.

Other Financial Instruments

At March 31, 2023, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable and debt carried at amortized costs, approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.