SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Text Block] |
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Generally accepted accounting principles These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America ("US GAAP"). Principles of consolidation These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, XG Exploration (from February 16, 2004) and its 90% owned subsidiary, XG Mining (from December 22, 2004). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant areas requiring the use of estimates include the carrying value and recoverability of mineral properties, inputs used in the calculation of stock-based compensation and warrants, inputs used in the calculation of the asset retirement obligation, and the valuation allowance applied to deferred income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and would impact future results of operations and cash flows. Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash held at financial institutions. The Company has been required by the Ghanaian government to post a bond for environmental reclamation. This cash has been recorded as restricted cash, a non-current asset. Receivables Management has evaluated all receivables and has provided allowances for accounts where it deems collection doubtful. As of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, the Company had not recorded any allowance for doubtful accounts. Inventory Inventories are initially recognized at cost and subsequently stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Company's inventory consists of raw gold recovered from alluvial operations. Costs are determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method and includes expenditures incurred in extracting the raw gold, other costs incurred in bringing them to their existing location and condition, and the cost of reclaiming the disturbed land to a natural state. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Inventories are written down to net realizable value when the cost of inventories is not estimated to be recoverable due to declining selling prices, or other issues related to the sale of gold. Recovery of gold Recovery of gold and other income is recognized when title and the risks and rewards of ownership to delivered bullion and commodities pass to the buyer and collection is reasonably assured. Recovery of gold, net of expenses, is not related to exploration and is not the core business of the Company, so proceeds from gold recovery are recognized as other income. Trading securities The Company's trading securities are reported at fair value, with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Non-Controlling Interest The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of XG Mining (from December 22, 2004). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Company records a non-controlling interest which reflects the 10% portion of the earnings (loss) of XG Mining allocable to the holders of the minority interest. Equipment Equipment is recorded at cost and is being amortized over its estimated useful lives using the declining balance method at the following annual rates:
Mineral properties and exploration and development costs The costs of acquiring mineral rights are capitalized at the date of acquisition. After acquisition, various factors can affect the recoverability of the capitalized costs. If, after review, management concludes that the carrying amount of a mineral property is impaired, it will be written down to estimated fair value. Exploration costs incurred on mineral properties are expensed as incurred. Development costs incurred on proven and probable reserves will be capitalized. Upon commencement of production, capitalized costs will be amortized using the unit-of-production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on proven and probable reserves (which exclude non-recoverable reserves and anticipated processing losses). When the Company receives an option payment related to a property, the proceeds of the payment are applied to reduce the carrying value of the exploration asset. Impairment of non-financial assets At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its non-financial assets with finite lives to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. Where such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated. For the purpose of measuring recoverable amounts, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units or "CGUs"). The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs of disposal and value in use (being the present value of the expected future cash flows of the relevant asset or CGU). An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The Company has assessed the assets of all its operating entities and has determined that no impairment was considered necessary for the Company's non-financial assets as at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. Long-lived assets Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the recoverability test is performed using undiscounted net cash flows related to the long-lived assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Asset retirement obligations The Company records the estimated rehabilitation value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and/or normal use of the long-lived assets. Subsequent to the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the obligation is adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation (asset retirement cost). Stock-based compensation The Company accounts for stock compensation arrangements under ASC 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation" using the fair value based method. Under this method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. This guidance establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges it equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity's equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. We use the fair value method for equity instruments granted to non-employees and use the Black-Scholes model for measuring the fair value of options. The stock based fair value compensation is determined as of the date of the grant (measurement date) and is recognized over the vesting periods. Warrants The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value using the appropriate valuation methodology and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The warrants are presented as a liability because they do not meet the criteria of Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") topic 480 for equity classification. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrants are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. Share repurchases The Company accounts for the repurchase of its common shares as an increase in shares in treasury for the market value of the shares at the time of purchase. When the shares are cancelled, the issued and outstanding shares are reduced by the $0.001 par value and the difference is accounted for as a reduction in additional paid in capital. Share-based payment transactions The fair value is measured at grant date and recognized over the period during which the options vest. The fair value of the options granted is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. At each financial position reporting date, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that are expected to vest. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes (direct employee) or provides services similar to those performed by a direct employee, including directors of the Company. In situations where equity instruments are issued to non-employees and some or all of the goods or services received by the entity as consideration cannot be specifically identified, they are measured at fair value of the share-based payment. Otherwise, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of the goods and services received. Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under the asset and liability method the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be recognized. Income (Loss) per share Basic loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. To calculate diluted loss per share, the Company uses the treasury stock method and if converted method. As of December 31, 2022, there were Nil warrants (December 31, 2021 - Nil, December 31, 2020 - Nil) and 2,586,000 stock options (December 31, 2021 - 2,381,000, December 31, 2020 - 2,636,000). For the year ending December 31, 2022, the fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding would increase to 48,822,024 (December 31, 2021 - 48,925,574, December 31, 2020 - 49,589,430) from the basic weighted average shares outstanding of 46,542,900 (December 31, 2021 - 46,779,574, December 31, 2020 - 46,095,232). This increase did not change the income per share from the basic income per share number. Foreign exchange The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Any monetary assets and liabilities that are in a currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rate prevailing at year end. Revenue and expenses in a foreign currency are translated at rates that approximate those in effect at the time of translation. Gains and losses from translation of foreign currency transactions into U.S. dollars are included in current results of operations. Financial instruments The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, trading securities, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. It is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from its financial instruments. The fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying values unless otherwise noted. Cash in Canada is primarily held in financial institutions. Balances on hand may exceed insured maximums. Cash in Ghana is held in banks with a strong international presence. Ghana does not insure bank balances. Fair value of financial assets and liabilities Our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash equivalents, marketable securities, derivative contracts, and marketable debt securities. Our financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include non-marketable equity securities, which are adjusted to fair value when observable price changes are identified or when the non-marketable equity securities are impaired (referred to as the measurement alternative). Other financial assets and liabilities are carried at cost with fair value disclosed, if required. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured and classified in accordance with a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the observability of the inputs available in the market used to measure fair value: Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 - Inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be derived from observable market data. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates, and credit ratings. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activities. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities We invest all excess cash primarily in time deposits, money market funds, corporate debt securities, equities, limited partnerships, and rights and warrants. We classify all marketable debt securities that have stated maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase as cash equivalents and those with stated maturities of greater than three months as marketable securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We determine the appropriate classification of our investments in marketable debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate such designation at each balance sheet date. We have classified and accounted for our marketable debt securities as trading securities. After consideration of our risk versus reward objectives, as well as our liquidity requirements, we may sell these debt securities prior to their stated maturities. For all of our marketable debt securities we have elected the fair value option, for which changes in fair value are recorded in other income (expense), net. We determine any realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable debt securities on a specific identification method, and we record such gains and losses as a component of other income (expense), net. The following tables summarize our debt securities, at their fair value, by significant investment categories as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are determined through market, observable and corroborated sources. The fair value of the warrant liability was determined through the Black Scholes valuation model. Debt Securities We classify our marketable debt securities, which are accounted for as trading securities, within Level 1 or 2 in the fair value hierarchy because we use quoted market prices to the extent available or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs to determine fair value. Investment in trading securities The following discusses our marketable equity securities, non-marketable equity securities, gains and losses on marketable and non-marketable equity securities, as well as our equity securities accounted for under the equity method. Our marketable equity securities are publicly traded stocks or funds measured at fair value and classified within Level 1 and 2 in the fair value hierarchy because we use quoted prices for identical assets in active markets or inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Our non-marketable equity securities are investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. The carrying value of our non-marketable equity securities is adjusted to fair value for observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer or impairment (referred to as the measurement alternative). Non-marketable equity securities that have been remeasured during the period based on observable transactions are classified within Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy because we estimate the value based on valuation methods which may include a combination of the observable transaction price at the transaction date and other unobservable inputs including volatility, rights, and obligations of the securities we hold. The fair value of non-marketable equity securities that have been remeasured due to impairment are classified within Level 3. Concentration of credit risk The financial instrument which potentially subjects the Company to concentration of credit risk is cash. The Company maintains cash in bank accounts that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2022, the Company held $5,653,644 (December 31, 2021 - $4,578,256, December 31, 2020 - $4,305,287) in low-risk cash and money market funds which are not federally insured. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash in bank accounts. The company has contracted to sell all its recovered gold through a licensed exporter in Ghana. The Company uses one smelter to process its raw gold. Ownership of the gold is transferred to the smelting company at the mine site. The Company has not experienced any losses from this sole sourced smelter and believes it is not exposed to any significant risks on its gold processing. |