Investment in JVs-For JVs where the Company holds more than 50% of the voting interest and has significant influence, the JV is consolidated with the presentation of non-controlling interest. In determining whether significant influence exists, the Company considers its participation in policy-making decisions and its representation on the venture’s management committee.

For JVs in which the Company does not have joint control or significant influence, the cost method is used. For those JVs in which there is joint control between the parties, the equity method is utilized whereby the Company’s share of the ventures’ earnings and losses is included in the statement of operations as earnings in JVs and its investments therein are adjusted by a similar amount. The Company periodically assesses its investments in JVs for impairment. If management determines that a decline in fair value is other than temporary it will write-down the investment and charge the impairment against operations.

Equity Method Investments-Investments in companies and joint ventures in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In determining whether significant influence exists, the Company considers its participation in policy-making decisions and representation on governing bodies. Under the equity method of accounting, our share of the net earnings or losses of the investee are included in net income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. We evaluate equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period. At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company's 37% common stock holding of Buckskin Gold and Silver, Inc. (“Buckskin”) is accounted for using the equity method (Note 11).

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s percentage ownership and method of accounting for each JV and equity method investment is as follows:

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2024 financial statement presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on net loss, stockholders’ equity, or cash flows as previously reported.

Investments in equity securities are generally measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for equity securities resulting from changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings. If an equity security does not have a readily determinable fair value, we may elect to measure the security at its cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment in the same issuer. At the end of each reporting period, we reassess whether an equity investment security without a readily determinable fair value qualifies to be measured at cost less impairment, consider whether impairment indicators exist to evaluate if an equity investment security is impaired and, if so, record an impairment loss. At the end of each reporting period, unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings. Upon sale of an equity security, the realized gain or loss is recognized in current earnings.

The Company holds short term investments in United States Treasury notes and are classified as held to maturity based on management’s intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Such debt securities are stated at cost, adjusted for unamortized purchase premiums and discounts and are amortized using the interest method over the stated terms of the securities. Amortization of the premium or discount is included in interest income on the consolidated statement of operations.

The Company occasionally receives grant income from various government agencies. Government grant income is recognized in earnings on a systematic basis in a manner that mirrors the manner in which the Company recognizes the underlying costs for which the grant is intended to compensate. A grant receivable is recognized for expenses or losses already incurred but for which grant funding has not yet been received. Grant funding received in excess of expenses or losses incurred is recognized as deferred revenue.

In August 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-05, Business Combinations-Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement, which clarifies the business combination accounting for joint venture formations. The amendments in the ASU seek to reduce diversity in practice that has resulted from a lack of authoritative guidance regarding the accounting for the formation of joint ventures in separate financial statements. The amendments also seek to clarify the initial measurement of joint venture net assets, including businesses contributed to a joint venture. The guidance is applicable to all entities involved in the formation of a joint venture. The amendments are effective for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. Early adoption and retrospective application of the amendments are permitted. We continue to evaluate the impact of this update on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures and don’t expect any changes to amounts currently reported.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, amending reportable segment disclosure requirements to include disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis. Among the disclosure enhancements are new disclosures regarding significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision-maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, as well as other segment items bridging segment revenue to each reported measure of segment profit or loss. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and are applied retrospectively. We continue to evaluate the impact of this update on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures and don’t expect any changes to our current reportable segments.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures, amending income tax disclosure requirements for the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and are applied prospectively. Early adoption and retrospective application of the amendments are permitted. We continue to evaluate the impact of this update our consolidated financial statements and don’t expect any changes to amounts currently reported.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.