c. Mineral rights, property and acquisition costs
The Company has been in the exploration stage since its formation on February 20, 2007 and has not yet realized any revenues from its planned operations. It is primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mining properties.
The Company capitalizes 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 the Company does not continue with exploration after the completion of the feasibility study, the mineral rights will be expensed at that time.
The costs of acquiring mining properties are capitalized upon acquisition. Mine development costs incurred to develop and expand the capacity of mines, or to develop mine areas in advance of production are also capitalized once proven and probable reserves exist and the property is a commercially mineable property. Costs incurred to maintain current exploration or to maintain assets on a standby basis are charged to operations. Costs of abandoned projects are charged to operations upon abandonment. The Company evaluates 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. Evaluation of the 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.