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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x       ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

o          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to                 

Commission file number:  001-32986

GENERAL MOLY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 928-8599

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes o No x

As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $104,337,705 based on the closing price as reported on the NYSE Amex.

As of March 1, 2010, 72,547,538 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value of $0.001 per share, were outstanding.

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14, of this report on Form 10-K.

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PART I

ITEMS 1 & 2.                     BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

The Company

References made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “we”, “our”, “us”, “GMI” and the “Company” refer to General Moly, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary Eureka Moly, LLC.

We are a development stage company in the business of the exploration, development and mining of properties primarily containing molybdenum.  Our primary asset is an 80% interest in the Mt. Hope Project (“Mt. Hope Project”), a primary molybdenum property, located in Eureka County, Nevada.  The Mt. Hope Project has contained proven and probable molybdenum reserves totaling 1.3 billion pounds (1.1 billion pounds owned by GMI) of which 1.1 billion pounds (0.9 billion pounds owned by GMI) are estimated to be recoverable.  In 2006, we acquired a second significant molybdenum project, the Liberty Property (“Liberty Property”), located in Nye County, Nevada which we own 100%.  The Liberty Property is anticipated to become our second molybdenum operation, after completion of the Mt. Hope Project, with initial production dependent on market conditions.  In addition, we own other non-core properties and mineral rights on which we may conduct mineral exploration and evaluation or offer for sale.

Mt. Hope Project.  In August, 2007, we completed a Bankable Feasibility Study (“Bankable Feasibility Study” or “BFS”) that provided data on the viability, expected economics, and production and cost estimates of the project.  On October 4, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the development of the Mt. Hope Project as contemplated in our BFS.  During the year ended December 31, 2008 we completed basic engineering of the Mt. Hope Project and developed more optimized mine plans and updated the BFS cost estimates (“2008 Estimates”) based upon having completed 30% of the detailed engineering.  In the third quarter 2009 we reviewed the 2008 Estimates based on completing 60% of the engineering, and confirmed the 2008 Estimates for the Mt. Hope Project capital cost requirements and found the revised estimate of the Mt. Hope Project operating costs to be in line with our previous estimates.   Our current estimates for the Mt. Hope Project capital cost requirements will hereinafter be referred to as the “Project Capital Estimate” and our current estimates for the Mt. Hope Project operating costs will hereinafter be referred to as the “Project Operating Cost Estimate”.

Our estimated costs for construction, equipment, owners cost, pre-stripping and contingency are estimated at $1,039.3 million.  Additionally, financial assurance and pre-paid items are estimated at $114.6 million resulting in a total Project Capital Estimate of $1,153.9 million.  These amounts do not include financing costs or amounts necessary to fund operating working capital.  Through December 31, 2009 we have made deposits of $42.6 million on $113.2 million in equipment orders, have spent approximately $83.2 million for the development of the Mt. Hope Project and have pre-paid $12.3 million into an escrow arrangement for electricity transmission services.

Our Project Operating Cost Estimate projects (on a 100% basis) molybdenum production of approximately 40 million pounds per year for the first five years of operations at projected average direct operating costs of $5.29 per pound, based on $80 per barrel oil equivalent energy prices.  The Costs Applicable to Sales (“CAS”) per pound, including anticipated royalties and Nevada net proceeds tax calculated at a market price of $15 per pound molybdenum, are anticipated to average $6.38 per pound.  We currently estimate that, for each $10 per barrel change in oil-equivalent energy costs, the Mt. Hope Project’s direct operating costs will change by approximately $0.10 per pound.

Processed ore grades are expected to average 0.103% over the first five years.  The mine is anticipated to have a 44-year life with 32 years of open pit mining and processing operations followed by 12 years of processing lower grade stockpiled ore.

In March 2009, given continued uncertainty in the project finance market, low molybdenum prices of approximately $8 per pound and a longer than expected timeframe to receive the federal permits required to construct and operate the Mt. Hope Project, we implemented a cash conservation plan to reduce expenditures and conserve cash in order to maximize financial flexibility. With our December 31, 2009 cash balance of $48.6 million, we have the capacity to continue our current level of permitting efforts, maintain efforts to secure project financing, and secure and hold critical long lead equipment for the ultimate construction of the Mt. Hope Project through the end of 2010 without accessing new sources of financing while maintaining the current cash conservation strategy.

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We anticipate receiving the permits to construct and operate the Mt. Hope Project late in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early in the first quarter of 2011.  We do not expect to generate revenues from operations before production of molybdenum begins at the Mt. Hope Project.  Once financing is obtained and we have received the major operating permits and the Record of Decision (“ROD”) from the United States Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), it is expected that Mt. Hope can be constructed and in production within 20 months.

From October 2005 to January 2008, we owned the rights to 100% of the Mt. Hope Project.  Effective as of January 1, 2008, we contributed all of our interest in the assets related to the Mt. Hope Project, including our lease of the Mt. Hope Project into a newly formed entity, Eureka Moly, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LLC”), and in February 2008 (“Closing Date”) entered into an agreement (“LLC Agreement”) for the development and operation of the Mt. Hope Project with POS-Minerals Corporation (“POS-Minerals”) an affiliate of POSCO, a large Korean steel company.  Under the LLC Agreement, POS-Minerals owns a 20% interest in the LLC and General Moly, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns an 80% interest.  These ownership interests and/or required contributions under the LLC Agreement can change as discussed below.

Pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, POS-Minerals made its first and second cash contributions to the LLC totaling $100.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 (“Initial Contributions”).  Additional amounts will be due from POS-Minerals within 15 days after the date (“ROD Contribution Date”) that specified conditions (“ROD Contribution Conditions”) have been satisfied.  The ROD Contribution Conditions are the receipt of major operating permits for the project, that the ROD from the BLM for the Project has become effective, and any administrative or judicial appeals with respect thereto are final.  We are currently targeting the effectiveness of the ROD and the satisfaction of the ROD Contribution Conditions to occur late in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early in the first quarter of 2011, but circumstances beyond our control, including reviewing agency delays or requests for additional information or studies, and requests for review or appeals of the BLM decision, could cause the effectiveness of the ROD and/or the satisfaction of the ROD Contribution Conditions to be delayed.

As a result of the ROD Contribution Date not occurring on or before December 31, 2009, the LLC Agreement allows POS-Minerals to elect (“Ownership Election”) to either retain its 20% share by contributing an additional $56.0 million plus its 20% share of all Project costs incurred from the Closing Date to the ROD Contribution Date or reduce its ownership interest to 13% and fund its remaining 13% share of all Project costs incurred from the Closing Date to the ROD Contribution Date.  While the original LLC Agreement required the Ownership Election to be made prior to January 31, 2010, the Company and POS-Minerals have mutually agreed to extend the time required for the Ownership Election by 90 days to May 1, 2010.

In addition, if commercial production at the Mt. Hope Project is not achieved by December 31, 2011 for reasons other than a force majeure event, the LLC may be required to return to POS-Minerals a portion of its contributions to the LLC, with no corresponding reduction in POS-Minerals’ ownership percentage, based on its election made for the Ownership Election.  Based on our current plan and expected timetable, the Mt. Hope Project will not achieve commercial production by December 31, 2011.  If POS-Minerals elects to retain its 20% interest and makes its additional $56.0 million contribution, the return of contributions will be $36.0 million.  If POS-Minerals elects to retain its 20% interest but does not make its additional $56.0 million contribution when due on the ROD Contribution Date, its interest will be reduced to 10% and the return of contributions will be zero. If POS-Minerals elects to reduce its ownership interest to 13%, the return of contributions will be $33.0 million.  Such return of contributions is required to be made on or prior to January 27, 2012.  Our subsidiary that holds our interest in the LLC is obligated under the terms of the LLC Agreement to make capital contributions to fund the return of contributions to POS-Minerals, if required.  If our subsidiary does not make these capital contributions, POS-Minerals has an election to either take a secured interest in the LLC via a loan, or receive an additional interest in the LLC of approximately 5%.  In the latter case, our interest in the LLC is subject to dilution by a percentage equal to the ratio of 1.5 times the amount of the unpaid contributions over the aggregate amount of deemed capital contributions (as determined under the LLC Agreement) of both parties to the LLC (“Dilution Formula”).  At December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of deemed capital contributions of both parties was $880.0 million.

Furthermore, a provision in the LLC Agreement permits POS-Minerals the option to put its interest in the LLC to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and 80% owner of the LLC, Nevada Moly (“Nevada Moly”), upon  a change of control of the Company, as defined in the LLC Agreement, followed by (i) failure to begin full construction at the LLC by the Company or the surviving entity before December 31, 2010, or (ii) failure to use standard mining industry practice in connection with development and operation of the Project as contemplated by the parties for a period of twelve months after December 31, 2010.  If POS-Minerals puts its interest, Nevada Moly would be required to purchase the interest for 120% of POS-Minerals contributions to the LLC plus 10% interest.

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The Initial Contributions of $100.0 million that were made by POS-Minerals during 2008 were expended by the second quarter of 2009 in accordance with the program and budget requirements of the Mt. Hope Project.  We are required, pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, to advance funds required to pay costs for the development of the Mt. Hope Project that exceed the Initial Contributions until the ROD Contribution Date, at which point the contributions described above to be made by POS-Minerals will be applied to reimburse us for POS-Minerals’ share of such development costs.  All costs incurred after the ROD Contribution Date will be allocated and funded pro rata based on each party’s ownership interest.  The interest of a party in the LLC that does not make its pro rata capital contributions to fund costs incurred after the ROD Contribution Date is subject to dilution based on the Dilution Formula.

Liberty Property.  In March 2006, we purchased the Liberty Property in Nye County, Nevada, including water rights, mineral and surface rights, buildings and certain equipment, from High Desert Winds LLC.  The Liberty Property includes the former Hall molybdenum and copper deposit that was mined by open pit methods between 1982 and 1985 by the Anaconda Minerals Company (“Anaconda”) and, between 1988 and 1991, by Cyprus Metals Company (“Cyprus”).  In addition, Equatorial Tonopah, Inc. mined copper from 1999 to 2000 on this property, although their operations were in a separate open pit.  Much of the molybdenum deposit was drilled but not developed or mined by these previous owners.

In January 2007, we purchased the corporation that owned a 12% net smelter royalty on the Liberty Property, effectively eliminating all third party royalties on the property.  Additionally in 2007, we purchased all outstanding mineral claims associated with this property that were not previously owned by us, thus giving us control over all mineral rights within the boundary of the Liberty Property.

Since purchasing the Liberty Property, we completed two drilling programs that, combined with previous evaluation work performed by former owners, identified mineralization totaling 433 million tons averaging 0.071% molybdenum and 0.07% copper.  In April 2008 we completed a pre-feasibility study outlining project viability, expected economics, and production and cost estimates.

Other Properties.  We currently own or control several other small non-core properties located in the western United States.  These properties include additional molybdenum deposits as well as copper, silver and gold deposits.

Corporate Information

The Company was initially incorporated in Idaho under the name “General Mines Corporation” in 1925.  We have gone through a couple of name changes and on October 5, 2007, we reincorporated the Company in the State of Delaware (“Reincorporation”) through a merger of Idaho General Mines, Inc. with and into General Moly, Inc., a Delaware corporation that was a wholly owned subsidiary of Idaho General Mines, Inc. with General Moly being the surviving entity.  In connection with the Reincorporation, all of the outstanding securities of Idaho General Mines, Inc. were converted into securities of General Moly on a one-for-one basis.  For purposes of the Company’s reporting status with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), General Moly is deemed a successor to Idaho General Mines, Inc. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE Amex (successor to the American Stock Exchange) under the symbol “GMO” and, in February 2008, the Company began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the same symbol.  Our registered and principal executive office is located at 1726 Cole Blvd., Suite 115, Lakewood, Colorado 80401 and the phone number for that office is (303) 928-8599.

We maintain a website at www.generalmoly.com, on which we will post free of charge our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports under the heading “Investors” as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.  We also routinely post important information about the Company on our website under the heading “Investors.”  We do not incorporate the information on our website into this document and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this document.  You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the Securities and Exchange Commission Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE Washington, DC 20549.  The SEC also maintains a website that contains our reports and other information at www.sec.gov.

Corporate Strategy and Objective

Our corporate strategy is to acquire and develop highly profitable advanced stage mineral deposits.  Our near-term corporate objective is to profitably develop and operate the Mt. Hope Project and to continue our evaluation of the Liberty Property.  In the short-term, we are focused on raising additional capital sufficient to complete the development of the Mt. Hope Project based on our current schedule, while at the same time conserving our cash resources until such additional capital can be raised.

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We believe we have the following business strengths that will enable us to achieve our objectives:

·                                          A strong, proven management team with experience in mine development, project financing, and operations.

·                                          The Mt. Hope Project, of which we own 80%, currently in the permitting and development stage, is anticipated to be one of largest and lowest cost primary molybdenum projects in the world, driven, in part, by high ore grades that will be processed early in the mine life.

·                                          Our Liberty Property has the potential to become a second, significant, molybdenum operation and is wholly-owned by the Company and royalty-free.

·                                          The Mt. Hope Project and the Liberty Property are located in Nevada, which is geopolitically stable and has a long and ongoing history of large-scale, open pit mining operations.

·                                          Both the Mt. Hope Project and the Liberty Property have near-by infrastructure for power, access roads, and water and have an environmentally friendly design.

·                                          We have strong international support from the steel industry.

·                                          We anticipate favorable long-term market fundamentals for molybdenum.

Products

We do not currently produce any products.  We are in the process of developing the Mt. Hope Project, of which we own 80%.  When in production, we expect the Mt. Hope Project to produce (on a 100% basis) an average of 40 million pounds of molybdenum per year over the first five years of production and approximately 1.1 billion pounds of molybdenum over the expected 44-year life of the project.  The Mt. Hope Project will primarily focus on producing Technical Grade Molybdenum Oxide (“TMO”), which is widely utilized by the steel industry.  In the future, we may also consider producing FerroMolybdenum (“FeMo”), and have designed the Mt. Hope Project plant to accommodate this process, which is also used by the steel industry and would make the Company a more complete supplier to the steelmaking industry.  We may also ultimately produce Ammonium Dimolybdate (“ADM”), which is a chemical used in the manufacture of desulfurizing catalysts for use in petroleum refining.

Molybdenum is a refractory metal with very unique properties.  Approximately 70% to 80% of molybdenum applications are in steel making.  Molybdenum, when added to plain carbon and low alloy steels, increases strength, corrosion resistance and high temperature properties of the alloy.  The major applications of molybdenum containing plain and low alloy steels are automotive body panels, construction steel and oil and gas pipelines.  When added to stainless steels, molybdenum imparts specialized corrosion resistance in severe corrosive environments while improving strength.  The major applications of stainless steels are in industrial chemical process plants, desalinization plants, nuclear reactor cooling systems and environmental pollution abatement.  When added to super alloy steels, molybdenum dramatically improves high temperature strength, creep resistance and resistance to oxidation in such applications as advanced aerospace engine components.  The effects of molybdenum additions to steels are not readily duplicated by other elements and as such are not significantly impacted by substitution of other materials.

Other significant molybdenum applications include lubrication, catalytic sulfur reduction in petrochemicals, lighting, LCD activation screens, x-ray generation, high temperature heat dissipation and high temperature conductivity.  These areas represent the highest technical and value-added applications of molybdenum, but are also the most readily replaceable in times of technical or economic downturns.

Competitive Conditions

The molybdenum exploration, development and production business is a competitive business.  We currently compete with numerous companies for the capital required to develop the Mt. Hope Project and anticipate competing with numerous producing companies once the Mt. Hope Project achieves initial production.  Our ability to attract capital sufficient to develop the Mt. Hope Project is a function of the relative attractiveness of our assets relative to our competitors.

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The supply of molybdenum comes from both primary molybdenum mines, such as our proposed Mt. Hope Project, and as a byproduct of porphyry copper production.  Each source of supply represents approximately 50% of the global 430 million pounds of molybdenum produced annually.  Although many companies produce molybdenum, many of which also mine other minerals, approximately two-thirds of global production is concentrated among ten companies.

After we commence production at both our Mt. Hope Project and Liberty Property, we estimate that General Moly would rank as one of the largest producers in the world.  Our competitive position will be based on the quality and grade of our ore bodies and our ability to manage costs compared with other producers.  Our costs are driven by the grade and nature of our ore bodies as well as input costs, including energy, labor and equipment.  Our ability to have a competitive position over the long-term will be based on, among other things, our ability to successfully finance and develop the Mt. Hope Project and Liberty Property, acquire additional quality deposits, hire and retain a skilled workforce, and manage our costs.

Employees

The Company had a total of 34 employees, including 30 exempt and 4 hourly employees, as of December 31, 2009.

Description of the Mt. Hope Project

Overview

Effective as of January 1, 2008, we contributed all of our interest in the assets related to the Mt. Hope Project, including our lease of the Mt. Hope Project into the LLC, and on the Closing Date entered into the LLC Agreement for the development and operation of the Mt. Hope Project with POS-Minerals.  Under the LLC Agreement, POS-Minerals owns a 20% interest in the LLC and General Moly, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns an 80% interest.  The discussion in this section “Description of the Mt. Hope Project” is based on the entire project, of which we own an 80% interest.

The LLC is proceeding with the permitting and development of the Mt. Hope Project.  The Project will include the development of an open pit mine, construction of a concentrator and a roaster, and construction of all related infrastructure to produce TMO, the most widely marketed molybdenum product.

From November 2004 through August 2007 we conducted numerous exploration, drilling and evaluation studies, culminating in the BFS for the Mt. Hope Project.  In 2005, we initiated the baseline studies necessary for development of an Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”).  We completed an initial Plan of Operations (“POO”) which the BLM accepted in September 2006.  In December 2006, the BLM selected an environmental firm to complete the EIS for the Mt. Hope Project.  Two key hydrology baseline reports, the Regional Hydrology Assessment Report and the Pit Lake Geochemistry Report were submitted to the BLM for review in the fourth quarter of 2009.  Revisions to these reports are being made to accommodate review comments and approval of the reports is anticipated in first quarter of 2010.  The Air Dispersion modeling report was submitted to BLM in November, 2009, but based on a recent court decision for Barrick Gold Corporation’s Cortez Hills Project, the LLC re-ran the dispersion model  to include modeling of PM 2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter).   The revised Air Dispersion modeling report was submitted in January 2010 and BLM acceptance of the report for use in the EIS is anticipated in first quarter of 2010.   We anticipate that the Preliminary Draft EIS will be submitted to the BLM in the first quarter of 2010, and the Draft EIS will be published in mid-2010.  The current schedule for the development of the Mt. Hope Project estimates the ROD will be effective late in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early in the first quarter of 2011.

In addition to working to complete the EIS, the LLC is working to resolve appeals related to the transfer of water rights to mining use.  In October of 2008, we completed a water rights hearing in Reno, Nevada and in March 2009 we were granted our water rights in a ruling by the State Engineer.  Subsequent to that ruling, two appeals were filed to challenge the State Engineer’s decision (see “Permitting-Mt. Hope Permitting Requirements-Water Appropriation Permits-Nevada Division of Water Resources” below).  We expect a favorable decision in Nevada District Court on the appeals in the first quarter of 2010.

In addition to the ROD and the water rights, three state-issued permits are viewed as major environmental permits.  These are the WPC Permit, the Air Quality Permit and the Reclamation Permit.  The LLC continues to develop the applications and supporting information for these permits.   These permits are anticipated to be received on or before the date that the ROD is received (see “Permitting- Mt Hope Permitting Requirements” below).

On October 4, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the development of the Mt. Hope Project as contemplated in our BFS.  Development continued as planned, adjusting for known changes in schedules, until March 2009. In March 2009,

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given continued uncertainty in the project finance market, low molybdenum prices of approximately $8 per pound and a longer than expected timeframe to receive the federal permits required to construct and operate the Mt. Hope Project, we implemented a cash conservation plan to reduce expenditures and conserve cash in order to maximize financial flexibility. Under this plan, we are continuing our permitting processes, our efforts to secure full project financing and our efforts to secure critical long lead capital items for the ultimate construction of the Mt. Hope Project.

Once financing is obtained and we have received the major operating permits and the ROD from the BLM, it is expected that the Mt. Hope Project can be constructed and in production within 20 months.

The Mt. Hope Project — the LLC

The Mt. Hope Project is owned and will be operated by the LLC under the LLC Agreement.  The LLC currently has a 30-year renewable lease with Mount Hope Mines, Inc. (“MHMI”) for the Mt. Hope Project (“Mt. Hope Lease”).  Located in Eureka County, Nevada, the Mt. Hope Project consists of 13 patented lode claims and one millsite claim, which are owned by MHMI and leased to the LLC, and 1,521 unpatented lode claims, including 109 unpatented lode claims owned by MHMI and leased to the LLC and 1,412 unpatented lode claims owned by the LLC.

The Mt. Hope Lease is subject to the payment of certain royalties.  See “Business—Description of the Mt. Hope Project—Royalties, Agreement and Encumbrances” below.  In addition to the royalty payments, the LLC is obligated to maintain the property and its associated water rights, including the payment of all property taxes and claim maintenance fees.  The LLC must also indemnify MHMI against any and all losses incurred as a result of any breach or failure to satisfy any of the terms of the Mt. Hope Lease or any activities or operations on the Mt. Hope property.

The LLC is not permitted to assign or otherwise convey its obligations under the Mt. Hope Lease to a third party without the prior written consent of MHMI, which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion.  If, however, the assignment takes the form of a pledge of our interest in the Mt. Hope Project for the purpose of obtaining financing, MHMI’s consent may not be unreasonably withheld.  The Mt. Hope Lease further requires the LLC to keep the property free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims, charges and burdens on production except as allowed for a project financing.

The Mt. Hope Lease requires that the terms of any project financing must provide that: (i) any principal amount of debt can only be repaid after payment of the periodic payments as set out in the Mt. Hope Lease; (ii) the lenders may not prohibit or interfere with any advance royalty payments due to MHMI under the Mt. Hope Lease; and (iii) no cash sweeps or payments of excess cash flow may be made to the lenders in priority of such advance royalty payments.

The Mt. Hope Lease also contains an after acquired property clause, which requires that any property acquired by the LLC within two miles of the boundary of the Mt. Hope Project be conveyed to MHMI if requested within a certain time period following notification of such acquisition.  MHMI has requested that we maintain ownership of all new claims filed by the LLC, which now includes 1,412 unpatented lode claims.

The Mt. Hope Lease may be terminated upon the expiration of its 30-year term, earlier at the election of the LLC, or upon a material breach and failure to cure such breach.  If the LLC terminates the lease, the termination is effective 30 days after receipt by MHMI of written notice to terminate the Mt. Hope Lease.  If MHMI terminates the lease, termination is effective upon receipt of a notice of termination of a material breach, representation, warranty, covenant or term contained in the Mt. Hope Lease and followed by failure to cure such breach within 90 days of receipt of a notice of default.  MHMI may also elect to terminate the Mt. Hope Lease if the LLC has not cured the non-payment of obligations under the lease within 10 days of receipt of a notice of default.  The term of the lease can be extended beyond 30 years if the Mt. Hope Project is in production or intends to resume production (and has provided notice accordingly).

The Mt. Hope Project — Restructuring and Suspension of Project Development

As discussed above, in March 2009, given continued uncertainty in the project finance market, low molybdenum prices and a longer than expected timeframe to receive the federal permits required to construct and operate the Mt. Hope Project, we implemented a cash conservation plan to reduce expenditures and conserve cash in order to maximize financial flexibility.  Engineering efforts, approximately 60% complete, have been largely suspended pending the completion of financing.  Some engineering that is critical for permitting or project restart readiness has continued at a slower pace.

The LLC issued purchase orders for two types of equipment — milling process equipment and mining equipment.  Most equipment orders for the custom-built grinding and other milling process equipment will be completed by the manufacturers and stored.  The grinding and milling process equipment require the longest lead times and maintaining these

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orders is critical to the Company’s ability to re-start the development of Mt. Hope rapidly.  Fabrication of less critical equipment has been suspended with some manufacturers. With respect to the remaining milling process equipment, where schedule is not critical, the manufacturers have agreed to suspend fabrication of the equipment.  The Company has substantially completed negotiation with other equipment manufacturers to suspend or terminate fabrication of other milling equipment and to determine the equipment fabrication costs incurred to date, storage costs, and the expected timing of restarting fabrication.  As additional financing is secured and equipment procurement is restarted, agreements that were suspended or terminated will be renegotiated under the then current market terms and conditions, as necessary.

The drills and loaders for the mine operation have been cancelled, and discussions for the purchase of the electric shovels are complete and this order was amended and remains in effect.  An agreement has been reached with a truck manufacturer to hold production slots for timely delivery.  The manufacturing times have shortened and pricing associated with many of these items have declined from 2007 levels.  Once financing is secured, the Company anticipates placing orders for the cancelled mining equipment again.  The Company will continue to evaluate all options to decrease Mt. Hope’s initial capital requirement and facilitate a timely re-start of the project development.

Property Description and Location

The Mt. Hope Project is located on the eastern flank of Mt. Hope approximately 21 miles north of Eureka, Nevada.  The Mt. Hope Project is located at the southern end of the northwest-trending Battle Mountain-Eureka mineral belt.  Mt. Hope is approximately 2.6 miles due west of State Route 278, and the Mt. Hope Project centers in sections 1 and 12, T22N-R51E and sections 12 and 13, T22N-R511/2E.

Nature and Extent of the LLC’s Title

The land package for the Mt. Hope Project contains 13 patented lode claims, one patented mill site, and 1,521 unpatented lode claims.  The total surface area covered by the Mt. Hope Project land package is 18,066 acres.  MHMI owns all of the patented claims and 109 of the unpatented lode claims.  These claims are the subject of the Mt. Hope Lease.  The LLC owns the remaining 1,412 unpatented lode claims.  The patented claims and unpatented claims comprising the Mt. Hope Project are listed by number and ownership in the BFS.  Patented claims are owned real property and unpatented claims are held subject to the paramount title of the United States and remain valid for as long as the claim contains a discovery of valuable minerals as defined by law and the holder pays the applicable fees.

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Royalties, Agreements and Encumbrances

Advance Royalty

The Mt. Hope Lease may be terminated upon the expiration of its 30-year term, earlier at the election of the LLC, or upon a material breach of the agreement and failure to cure such breach.  If the LLC terminates the lease, termination is effective 30 days after receipt by MHMI of written notice to terminate the Mt. Hope Lease and no further payments would be due to MHMI.  In order to maintain the lease, the LLC must pay certain deferral fees, advance royalties and production royalties as discussed below.

The Mt. Hope Lease Agreement requires a royalty advance (“Construction Royalty Advance”) of 3% of certain construction capital costs, as defined in the Mt. Hope Lease.  The LLC is obligated to pay a portion of the Construction Royalty Advance each time capital is raised for the Mt. Hope Project based on 3% of the expected capital to be used for those certain construction capital costs defined in the lease.  Through December 31, 2009, we have paid $3.3 million of the total Construction Royalty Advance.  Based on our Project Capital Estimate we estimate that $22.2 million remains unpaid related to the Construction Royalty Advance.  Based on the current estimate of raising capital and developing and operating the mine, we believe the LLC’s remaining Construction Royalty Advance will be paid in the year ended December 31, 2010, however, as discussed above, this would only be paid if sufficient capital is raised.  In the event there are any remaining unpaid Construction Royalty Advance amounts on October 19, 2011 due to a delay in achieving expected project financing, the remainder must be paid 50% on October 19, 2011 and 50% on October 19, 2012.

Once the Construction Royalty Advance has been paid in full, the LLC is obligated to pay an advance royalty (“Annual Advance Royalty”) each October 19 thereafter in the amount of $500,000 per year.  The Construction Royalty Advance and the Annual Advance Royalty are collectively referred to as the “Advance Royalties.”  All Advance Royalties are credited against the MHMI Production Royalties (as hereinafter defined) once the mine has achieved commercial production.  After the mine begins production, the LLC estimates that the Production Royalties will be in excess of the Annual Advance Royalties for the life of the project and, further, the Construction Royalty Advance will be fully recovered (credited against MHMI Production Royalties) by the end of 2014.

Production Royalty

Following commencement of commercial production, the LLC will be required to pay a production royalty to MHMI and Exxon Corporation (“Exxon”) as follows:

(a)          MHMI Production Royalty

After commencement of commercial production at the Mt. Hope Project, the LLC will be required to pay to MHMI a production royalty equal to the greater of: (i) $0.25 per pound of molybdenum metal (or the equivalent of some other product) sold or deemed to be sold from the Mt. Hope Project; or (ii) 3.5% of net returns (“Base Percentage”), if the average gross value of products sold is equal or lower than $12.00 per pound, or the Base Percentage plus 1% of net returns if the average gross value of products sold is higher than $12.00 per pound but equal or lower than $15.00 per pound, or the Base Percentage plus 1.5% of net returns if the average gross value of products sold is higher than $15.00 per pound (“MHMI Production Royalties”).  As used in this paragraph, the term “products” refers to ores, concentrates, minerals or other material removed and sold (or deemed to be sold) from the Mt. Hope Project; the term “gross value” refers generally to proceeds received by us or our affiliates for the products sold (or deemed to be sold); and the term “net returns” refers to the gross value of all products, less certain direct out of pocket costs, charges and expenses actually paid or incurred by us in producing the products.

(b)          Exxon Production Royalty

Exxon will receive a perpetual 1% royalty interest in and to all ores, metals, minerals and metallic substances mineable or recoverable from the Mt. Hope Project, equal to 1% of the total amount of gross payments received from the purchaser of ores mined/removed/sold from property net of certain deductions.

Environmental Regulations and Permits

The Mt. Hope Project is subject to numerous state and federal environmental regulations and permitting processes.  See “Applicable Mining Laws” and “Permitting” below for a detailed description of these requirements.

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Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography

Access

The Mt. Hope Project has year-round access from Nevada State Route 278.  The land package includes the land between the project site and State Route 278 making the project accessible from existing roads.

Climate

Climate in the area is moderate, with average highs in July of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in January of about 17 degrees Fahrenheit.  Precipitation in the area is relatively low with annual precipitation averages of about 12 inches.  Operations at the site are planned to continue year-round.

Local Resources and Infrastructure

The town of Eureka, Nevada is approximately 21 miles to the south of the Mt. Hope Project, via State Route 278.  The infrastructure requirements to support the mine and concentrator consist of bringing power and water to the property,  commensurate with the operational requirements, including developing a water well field within the Kobeh Valley, constructing site access roads, and constructing maintenance shops for the mine and plant administrative offices.  A 230kV power line is expected to be developed from the Machacek substation near the town of Eureka to the mine site.

Water Rights and Surface Rights

Planned water wells, located approximately 6 miles to the west of the planned operating facilities, are anticipated to supply approximately 7,000 gallons per minute (“gpm”) to the Mt. Hope Project.  Exploration for water is sufficiently advanced to identify the source of water that will be used for all project water needs, with final fresh water development to occur during the construction of the project.  (See “Permitting — Mt. Hope Permitting Requirements — Water Appropriation Permits-Nevada Division of Water Resources” below for a discussion of the current status of our applications for water rights for use in the Mt. Hope Project.)

Surface rights on the Mt. Hope Project include BLM open range grazing rights and stock water rights.  Two power line easements cross within the property boundaries.  An existing easement for a 345 kV transmission line runs north-south on the western edge of the property and the other existing easement is a medium-voltage power line that runs from the old mill facilities east along the main existing access road that connects to State Route 278 to the eastern property boundary.

Physiography

The Mt. Hope area lies within an area of north-south trending mountains separated by alluvial valleys.  The primary mountain ranges in the Mt. Hope area include the Roberts Mountains, Sulphur Spring Range, Diamond Mountains, Simpson Park Range and the Cortez Mountains.  Elevations of the mountains range from over 10,000 feet for the Roberts Mountains to approximately 6,800 feet for the crests of the Sulphur Spring range.

The major valleys in the Mt. Hope region are Diamond Valley to the east, Pine Valley to the north, and Kobeh Valley to the west.  Diamond and Garden Valleys are elongated in a north-south direction.  Kobeh Valley is located to the west and southwest of Mt. Hope.

The upper portions of the valleys are similar in nature and are characterized by slightly incised stream channels with no significant associated floodplain.  The uplands and mountains have slopes ranging from moderate to steep (over 30 percent) with shallow to deep, moderately alkaline to medium acidic soils.  Bedrock is often within 0.5 meters of the surface, particularly on the steep upland slopes.

Lake sediments make up the largest areas in the valleys.  The slopes range from smooth to rolling (0 to 15 percent), and the soils vary from shallow to deep and mildly to strongly alkaline.  The surface textures range from silty clay loams to gravelly sandy loams and local sand.  The permeability of these soils ranges from slow to rapid.

The natural vegetation of the region consists of pinion juniper and sagebrush with grass.  The pinion juniper occupies the higher elevations of the mountain slopes, with the lower areas in the valley covered predominantly with sagebrush and shrubs with perennial bunchgrasses.

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Mt. Hope, located in the lower foothills of the southeast flank of the Roberts Mountains, stands approximately 8,400 feet in elevation.  Areas to the east and southeast slope gently to elevations from 6,400 to 7,900 feet.  Diamond Valley, situated to the south and east, is approximately 6,000 feet in elevation.

History

Prior Ownership and Results of Exploration Work Ownership

Lead-zinc ores were discovered at Mt. Hope in 1870, and small scale mining was carried out sporadically until the 1970s.  Zinc and adjacent copper mineralization were the focus of drilling activities by Phillips Petroleum in the early 1970s and by ASARCO and Gulf (“ASARCO”) in the mid-1970s which outlined further zinc mineralization.  The last drill hole of this series encountered significant molybdenum mineralization at depth west of the zinc deposits.  The significance of this mineralization was first recognized by ASARCO in 1976, but ASARCO did not reach an agreement with MHMI to test this potential.

Exxon recognized molybdenum potential at Mt. Hope in 1978 and acquired an option on the property from MHMI.  By 1982, Exxon had completed 69 holes, which partially defined a major molybdenum deposit underlying the east flank of the Mt. Hope property.  Exxon conducted a +/-25% feasibility study of the Mt. Hope project in 1982.  The Exxon study focused on an ore production rate of 27,500 tons per day (“tpd”) starting in 1985.  In December 1983, Exxon completed an optimization study, which generally involved a reduced capital and operating cost estimate based on more aggressive project parameters.  An extensive environmental database of multiple assessments by consultants formed the basis of the Environmental Assessment (“EA”) and was utilized in the Exxon permitting process for their intended BLM land exchange.  The Exxon feasibility study calculated a sizable molybdenum deposit.  A draft EIS was completed on the project and public hearings were held in early 1985.  Exxon drilled an additional 60 holes on the property between 1983 and 1988 but did not update their deposit block model with data from the post 1982 holes.  Cyprus drilled four holes on the property in 1989-90 under an agreement with Exxon but did not pursue the project.

We established an agreement with MHMI in 2004 pursuant to which we obtained access to the work completed by previous companies that had evaluated the property, including drill core and drill data.  We used this data as the basis for developing an evaluation of the Mt. Hope deposit.  The evaluation provided the basic engineering, plant design and other aspects of analysis of the Mt. Hope Project and outlined a positive operating process, waste disposal, mine design and plan, preliminary EA, permitting plan, operating and capital cost estimates, and the corresponding estimates of mineralized material.

Geology

Mt. Hope is located in north-central Nevada on the eastern edge of a mineral belt linking ore deposits of diverse ages. The Battle Mountain-Eureka mineral belt, a northwest-southeast trending corridor about 250 miles long, has localized major deposits of gold, silver, copper, and molybdenum.

The Mt. Hope molybdenum ore deposit occurs in an area of about two square miles of elevated igneous rocks.  The mineralized complex includes a variety of igneous rocks derived from a common volcanic source.  Quartz porphyry, the primary molybdenum host rock, is commonly veined with molybdenite.  Subordinate molybdenum mineralization also occurs in hornfels. The known orebody occurs in two zones of the quartz porphyry stock and hornfels wallrocks.

The ore deposit is a molybdenum porphyry, which is classified as a “Climax —type” deposit.  This type of deposit has well zoned molybdenum mineralization.  The molybdenum mineral content, termed grade zoning, surrounds the central area of the deposit and forms geometries that are circular in plan and arch shaped in section. The mineral zones or “shells” consist of quartz porphyry and hornfels cross-cut by quartz stockwork veining containing molybdenite.  Drilling has proven strong ore grades near the surface and indications of deeper ore grade zones.

Mineralization

The main form of molybdenum mineralization that occurs within the orebody is molybdenite (MoS2 - molybdenum disulfide).   Much of the known molybdenite is distributed around two lobes and apophyses of the main quartz porphyry stock and within two separate mineralized zones.  A concentration of higher grade mineralization, averaging 0.15% molybdenum, is present between the eastern and western mineral zones.  Referred to as the Mt. Hope Fault Zone, this area is approximately 1,300 feet in diameter and varies from 325 to 985 feet deep.  This zone is the target of open pit mining in the

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first 32 years.  Lower grade ore will also be mined and stockpiled during the first 32 years and will be processed in the succeeding 12 years.

Exploration

Since acquiring access to the Mt. Hope Project, we have completed additional exploration drilling for molybdenum for the purposes of supporting our BFS and obtaining engineering information for items such as geotechnical design, hydrology, and condemnation for waste dumps and tailing ponds as well as infill drilling for ore calculation purposes.

The Mt. Hope property has been extensively drilled and all core and assay results are available.  Accordingly, this data has been used to analyze and quantify the mineral resource based on an extensive high quality database.  The drilling at the Mt. Hope Project has been predominately performed by utilizing diamond core methods, and some reverse circulation (“RC”) in areas of condemnation and water well drilling.  To date, 267 holes have been drilled into the property for a total of 324,210 feet of drilling; 230,192 feet of which is core, the remaining 94,018 feet is RC.

Ore to Be Mined

The table below summarizes the ore and head grades we expect to be milled under our BFS mine plans for Mt. Hope.

Mill Feed Ore Statistics

The modeled pit, including the above mineralized material and waste, contains an estimated 2.7 billion tons of total material.  From the inception of production through year 32, the mill will process 702,953 thousand tons of ore at an average head grade of 0.078%.  During this time period low grade ore totaling 262,973 thousand tons with an average head grade of 0.042% will be stockpiled for later feed into the mill from years 32 through 44.  Waste material totaling 1,741,815 thousand tons will also be mined and disposed of on site.  The total production is based on a life of mine and has a 0.034% Mo cutoff grade.

Mining

The Mt. Hope Project is planned for production by conventional large-scale, hard-rock, open-pit mining methods.  The current mine plan provides for primary loading with an initial fleet of four hydraulic shovels followed by two electric cable shovels and two front-end loaders.  The mine fleet is expected to include 24 240-ton trucks by the end of the first full year of production, 18 of which will be used for the pre-stripping period.

Ore will be hauled directly to the crusher at the southeast side of the pit.  Waste will be delivered to one of four waste sites located around the mine.  One low grade stockpile will be located to the east of the pit.  The low grade material will be re-handled and processed through the plant following the initial 32 years of mining.  The planned storage of low-grade ores is 263 million tons at a grade of 0.042% Mo.

Process Overview

The process circuit will include:

·                                          Primary Crusher & Coarse Ore Stockpile—The primary crusher (60x89 superior gyratory) will be located adjacent to the pit and crushed ore will be fed to a 70,000 ton live capacity stockpile.

·                                          SAG & Ball Mill Circuit—Ore will be reclaimed from the stockpile from one of four feeders and fed by conveyor to the SAG mill.  The design will allow for the addition of a pebble crusher.  Following the SAG

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mill, the ore will be ground to 80% passing 150 microns in the two ball mills at an average daily processing rate of 60,625 tons.

·                                          Flotation Circuit—Following the grinding circuit, the ore will be processed in a conventional flotation plant.  The molybdenum ore will be treated through two banks of rougher/scavenger flotation, one stage of first cleaners followed by regrind, and four additional stages of cleaner flotation.  Some molybdenum concentrates with higher levels of contaminant metals will be treated through a concentrate leach facility to produce the final molybdenum concentrate.  Metallurgical results indicated that an estimated mill recovery of approximately 85.8% is achievable across grades ranging from 0.04% through 0.1% Mo with final concentrate grades of approximately 54% to 56% Mo.  The initial 32 years of higher-grade ores will achieve recoveries of about 87%.

·                                          Roaster Circuit—Molybdenum concentrate will be further processed in two multi-hearth roasters to produce technical grade molybdenum trioxide product.  The roasting facility will provide a fully integrated process.

Tailing Facility

The proposed mining and processing operation is expected to produce approximately 22 million tons of tailing (including SO2 scrubber residue) per year.  Approximately 966 million tons of tailing will be produced under the current mine plan.  The Tailing Storage Facility (“TSF”) layout provides for the construction of one tailing impoundment that will contain the first 30 plus years of operations.  A second facility is planned for the remaining years of the mine life.  The tailing impoundments will be constructed with HDPE plastic liners for groundwater protection.

Bankable Feasibility Study and Subsequent Revisions

On August 30, 2007, we completed the BFS which established proven reserves totaling 189,675 thousand tons of ore at an average grade of 0.083% molybdenum sulfide and probable reserves totaling 776,251 thousand tons of ore at an average grade of 0.065% molybdenum sulfide summarized as follows.

Statement of Reserves and Mineralized Material

Units = Short Tons

Reserves

Additional Mineralized Material

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Footnotes to Statements of Reserves and Mineralized Material

The cutoff grades are determined by optimizing the net present value based on process costs combined with throughput estimates of recoverable molybdenum included in each phase of the mining and milling processes.  The derived income, based on assumed molybdenum prices, net of processing costs is calculated on a per ton basis and on a per hour milled basis and is expressed in units of thousands of dollars (“K$Net/hr”).

Mineralized material is tabulated at the cutoff grade of 0.024% Mo.  Breakeven cutoff covers the cost to mine and process the material.  The Moly cutoff grades in sulfide form are close approximations to K$Net/hr.

The final reserve pit design was based on a molybdenum price of $10/lb molybdenum in the saleable form of moly tri-oxide.  The base case financial analysis for the Mt. Hope Feasibility Study utilized molybdenum prices that ranged from $28.00 to $13.50.

As of December 31, 2009, the approximate three year backward average price for molybdenum was $23.73/lb.  The spot price for molybdenum on the same date was approximately $11.83/lb.  The pit design price and the financial analysis price assumptions are both conservative relative to the 3 year backward average.

The reserve at Mt. Hope is based on a block model that utilized the statistical process of Ordinary Linear Kriging constrained by appropriate rock type and grade boundaries.  Base metal models that utilize these common techniques generally account for mining dilution and recovery so that additional factors are not required to be applied to the block model.

The metallurgical recovery applied to the determination of reserves was 90% in the flotation mill and 99.2% in the molybdenum roaster.  More detailed process testing and design work later in the feasibility study resulted in a revised average flotation recovery estimate of 85.8%.  This recovery difference is not material because the final open pit design is a practical plan with access roads and mine equipment working room.  The final design is consequently a conservative representation of the mathematical economic pit that was guided by the initial estimates.

Capital Cost Estimates

The BFS included an estimate of the initial capital for the Mt. Hope Project (including the roaster) which was updated in 2008 and re-reviewed in 2009.  Our current estimate of the initial capital is $1,039 million.  In addition to the $1,039 million in initial capital required, approximately $65 million in cash financial assurance requirements, $26 million in Advance Royalty Payments, $24 million in pre-payments for electrical transmission and energy and insurance are expected to result in a total of $1,154 million.  Ongoing replacement and sustaining mine equipment and process plant capital over the expected 44-year operating life plus the three-year reclamation period is currently estimated to be approximately $642 million.  These amounts do not include financing costs or amounts necessary to fund operating working capital.  These cost estimates are based on 2009 constant dollars and will be subject to cost inflation or deflation.  We expect that these cost estimates will continue to evolve over time based on changes in the industry-wide cost structure as well as changes in our operating strategies and initiatives for the project.  The Mt. Hope project’s anticipated capital requirements are broken down in the following table.

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During its review in 2009, the Company identified potential opportunities to reduce initial capital if the project were to be constructed then, primarily consisting of lower construction material costs, reductions to contingency on already committed equipment, and lower mining equipment costs.  However, given our expectation to construct the project in a healthier economic environment beginning in late 2010, we elected to maintain our current capital guidance, which includes $86 million of contingency.  The Company will strive to ultimately capture these identified potential cost saving opportunities along with continually evaluating other cost saving opportunities.

Pricing

The worldwide molybdenum price has fluctuated between $5.33 per pound in 2003 to over $40.00 per pound in 2005.  In 2009, molybdenum prices averaged $11.12 per pound.  Molybdenum prices fell substantially between October 2008 and April 2009 from approximately $33.50 per pound to $7.70 per pound.  The fall was primarily caused by a combination of tightening credit conditions on molybdenum trading companies, forcing them to liquidate inventories, and a severe steel production reaction to deteriorating economic conditions, causing steel producers to reduce purchases of raw materials, including molybdenum, in an effort to rapidly decrease production.  Following April, prices slowly rose to a 2009 high of over $18.00 per pound in August before retreating to $11.00 per pound in October and then rising to finish 2009 at approximately $12.00 per pound.  During early 2010, molybdenum prices have generally traded up, and averaged approximately $15.08 per pound through February 28, 2010.

Price fluctuations are primarily related to global steel markets.  While steel production outside of China slowly recovered after falling more than 50% from 2007 levels, Chinese production levels continued to set records throughout the year and were key to supporting moly prices throughout 2009.  Additionally, slowly improving market fundamentals for stainless steel and oil-related steel products provided additional support for molybdenum prices, primarily in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.

In our feasibility study and for a portion of our financial evaluations, we use molybdenum prices prepared by an independent commodities research company, CPM Group.  Their research is a comprehensive look at both the supply and demand side of the molybdenum market.  Through their research, they forecast global growth rates for molybdenum for both supply and demand.  Despite current low molybdenum price levels, CPM Group continues to forecast substantially higher prices in the future.  In September 2009, CPM Group forecast that molybdenum prices would average $24.00 in 2012; $18.50 in 2013; $13.00 in 2014; $13.75 in 2015; $14.50 in 2016, $15.00 in 2017 and $16.50 thereafter.

Production

Production over the life of the project is estimated to be 1.1 billion pounds of saleable molybdenum.  Production over the first full five years is estimated to average approximately 40 million pounds of molybdenum.  Direct operating costs for the Mt. Hope project over the first full five years of operation are anticipated to average $5.29 per pound, using $80 per barrel oil equivalent energy costs, and CAS per pound over the first full five years of operation, including anticipated royalties and Nevada net proceeds tax calculated at $15 per pound molybdenum, are anticipated to average $6.38 per pound.  For each $10 change in per barrel oil costs, Mt. Hope’s anticipated direct operating cost change approximately $0.10 per pound.  Life of mine CAS are estimated to be approximately $8.24 per pound of molybdenum at $80 per barrel oil, inclusive of anticipated royalty payments and Nevada net proceeds tax calculated at $15 per pound molybdenum.

Reconciliation between CAS, an accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) measure, and Direct Operating Costs, a non-GAAP measure, is provided in the table below.

(1)          Royalty payments are a function of assumed molybdenum prices realized.

(2)          Nevada net proceeds taxes are a function of assumed profitability, which are a function of assumed molybdenum prices, among many other factors.

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Description of the Liberty Property

On March 17, 2006, we purchased the Liberty Property, an approximately ten square mile property in Nye County, Nevada, including water rights, mineral and surface rights, buildings and certain equipment from High Desert Winds LLC (“High Desert”), pursuant to an option granted to us by High Desert in February 2005.  The property includes the former Hall molybdenum and copper deposit that was mined for molybdenum by open pit methods between 1982 and 1985 by Anaconda and between 1988 and 1991 by Cyprus.  Equatorial Tonopah, Inc. mined copper from 1999 to 2000 on this property, although their operations were in a separate open pit also located on the property.  Much of the molybdenum deposit was drilled but not developed or mined by these previous owners.  At closing, we paid High Desert a cash payment of $4.5 million for a portion of the property, and in November 2006, made an additional payment of $1.0 million for the remainder of the property.

On January 30, 2007, we purchased Equatorial Mining North America, Inc. and its two subsidiaries, which owned a 12% net smelter returns (“NSR”) royalty on the Liberty Property, from Equatorial Mining Pty.  Limited, which effectively eliminated all third party royalties on the property.  The consideration paid for the Equatorial acquisition was $4.8 million with an additional deferred payment of $6 million due upon commencement of commercial operation of the property.  In connection with the transaction, we acquired $1.2 million in cash accounts and assumed certain environmental liabilities on the reclaimed site.  Additionally in 2007, we purchased all outstanding mineral claims associated with this property that were not previously owned by us thus giving the Company 100% control over all mineral rights within the boundary of the property.  Additionally, we hold claims on BLM property adjacent to the patented grounds.

Since purchasing the Liberty Property, we have completed two drilling programs that, together with historical drilling, identified mineralization totaling 433 million tons averaging 0.071% molybdenum and 0.07% copper.

We completed a pre-feasibility study on the Liberty Property in April 2008 that detailed initial capital and operating costs, anticipated mining and milling rates and permitting requirements.  The Liberty Property is a follow-on project to the Mt. Hope Project that we intend to actively pursue following a project financing of the Mt. Hope Project, and dependent on market conditions.

History

In 1955, Anaconda leased and optioned the Liberty molybdenum prospect and mine in order to evaluate extensive molybdenum and copper occurrences.  From 1956 through 1966, Anaconda explored or delineated molybdenum mineralization over an approximate one mile square area.  Drilling indicated extensive mineralization from the surface to a depth of approximately 2,000 feet.  Drilling delineated approximately 200 million tons of mineralization grading 0.091 percent molybdenum which was included in a long term mining plan.  Mine construction began in 1979 with production from the Hall Mine starting in 1981.  Anaconda ceased operations in 1985 due to low metal prices.  Between 1982 and 1991, Anaconda and successor operator Cyprus Minerals mined a total of 50 million tons of ore grading 0.11 percent molybdenum.  No further molybdenum mining took place after 1991, leaving an estimated 150 million tons of un-mined ore at a grade of 0.09 percent molybdenum.

A 100 million ton copper zone independent of the molybdenum was the subject of a copper leach operation by Equatorial between 1995 and 2002.  Approximately 10 million tons were mined before operations ceased in 2002.  The copper zone is not currently being evaluated.

The molybdenum mine open pit remains easily accessible for mining.  Various facilities and improvements continue to exist on the property that may be of future use for molybdenum operations including a power supply, water rights, water and well system, office and truck and vehicle shops, thickening tanks, water and fuel tanks, roads and other structures.  All of the mobile equipment was removed from the property.  Much of the plant area was reclaimed after the 2002 closure with most of the crushing, conveying, grinding, concentrator equipment and other milling equipment being removed from the property.

Our combined purchases of the assets and mineral rights at the Liberty Property included all of the lands required for future operations and all of the mineral rights without reservations or royalties.  The initial years for a new molybdenum operation and mine on this property will be entirely on fee lands owned by us.  As a result, permitting will be through state agencies, including the Nevada Department of Environmental Quality (“NDEP”).  There are minor BLM landholdings in the footprint of planned waste stockpiles and at some future time we will purchase these lands, exchange them for other lands of BLM interest, or perform Federal National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) evaluations to permit use of these lands. 

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Based on this and because we will be seeking to permit what has been a previous mining operation, we expect to have an expedited permitting schedule as compared to other greenfield start-up projects, such as Mt. Hope.

Geology

The ore body at the Liberty Property is geometrically displayed as a cylinder, roughly coincident with and draped across, the igneous contact of a Cretaceous quartz porphyry stock and the metamorphosed volcanic host rock.  The cylinder plunges -35(o) to the southeast.  Molybdenite occurs as selvages on stockwork quartz veins and on bedding planes and tensional shears in the country rock with the majority of the molybdenum resource located in the intrusive.  Current estimated contained resource is 433 million tons of 0.071% molybdenum.

Host rocks consist of fine grained volcaniclastic rocks, formerly identified as schists and quartzites, intruded by Cretaceous coarse grained quartz-feldspar porphyry.  These are overlain by Tertiary volcanic rocks varying from rhyolitic welded ash-flow tuffs to dacitic and basaltic lava flows.  Tertiary andesite dikes intrude the welded tuffs.

The Cretaceous quartz-feldspar porphyry is extensively altered by quartz-muscovite and K-spar flooding.  Internal textures are often obscured by overprinting alteration.

The deposit is cross-cut and offset by a number of post mineral faults.  Major structural trends are north-south and east by northeast-west by southwest.

Molybdenum mineralization is concentrated in molybdenite, molybdenum di-sulfide, with lesser amounts of molybdenum oxide.  Copper is concentrated in a blanket of chalcocite above the oxidation boundary and in chalcopyrite below the oxide zone.  Pyrite is a common constituent of most of the ore body.

Other Properties

We currently own several other, small, non-core, properties located in the western United States.  These properties include additional molybdenum deposits as well as copper, silver and gold deposits.  Although, we may conduct mineral exploration and evaluation on these properties in the future for determining economic viability for further development or sale we have no active work ongoing at this time.

Environmental Investigation - Shoshone County, Idaho

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), imposes strict, joint, and several liability on parties associated with releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances.  Liable parties include, among others, the current owners and operators of facilities at which hazardous substances were disposed or released into the environment and past owners and operators of properties who owned such properties at the time of such disposal or release.  This liability could include response costs for removing or remediating the release and damages to natural resources.  We are unaware of any reason why our undeveloped properties would currently give rise to any potential CERCLA liability.  We cannot predict the likelihood of future CERCLA liability with respect to our properties, or to surrounding areas that have been affected by historic mining operations.

Our mineral property holdings in Shoshone County, Idaho include lands contained in mining districts that have been designated as “Superfund” sites pursuant to CERCLA.  This “Superfund Site” was established to investigate and remediate primarily the Bunker Hill properties of Smelterville, Idaho, a small portion of Shoshone County where a large smelter was located.  However, because of the extent of environmental impact caused by the historical mining in the mining districts, the Superfund Site covers the majority of Shoshone County including our Chicago-London and Little Pine Creek properties (which are distant from the original smelter location) as well as many small towns located in Northern Idaho.  We have conducted a property environmental investigation of these properties which revealed no evidence of material adverse environmental effects at either property.  We are unaware of any pending action or proceeding relating to any regulatory matters that would affect our financial position due to these inactive mining claims in Shoshone County.

Applicable Mining Laws

Mining in the State of Nevada is subject to federal, state and local law.  Three types of laws are of particular importance to the Mt. Hope Project: those affecting land ownership and mining rights; those regulating mining operations; and those dealing with the environment.

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The Mt. Hope Project is situated on lands owned by the United States (“Federal Lands”).  The LLC, as the owner or holder of the unpatented mining claims, has the right to conduct mining operations on the lands subject to the required operating permits and approvals, compliance with the terms and conditions of the Mt. Hope Lease, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances.  On Federal Lands, mining rights are governed by the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended, 30 U.S.C. UU 21-161 (various sections), which allows for the location of mining claims on certain Federal Lands upon the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit and on proper compliance with claim location requirements.  Historically, the holder of an unpatented mining claim could, upon strict compliance with legal requirements, file a patent application to obtain a full fee title to the surface and mineral rights within the claim; however, continuing Congressional moratoriums have precluded new mining claim patent applications since 1993.

Aside from environmental regulations, the operation of mines is governed by both federal and state regulatory programs.  The predominant non-environmental Federal regulatory program affecting operation of the Mt. Hope Project is the mine safety regulations administered by Mine Safety and Health Administration.  Additional federal laws, such as those governing the purchase, transport, storage or usage of explosives, and those governing communications systems, labor and taxes also apply.  State non-environmental regulatory programs affecting operations include the permitting programs for drinking water systems, sewage and septic systems, water rights appropriations, Department of Transportation, and dam safety (engineering design and monitoring).

Environmental regulations require various permits or approvals before any mining operations on the Mt. Hope Project can begin.  Federal environmental regulations are administered primarily by the BLM.  The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has delegated authority for the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act to the State of Nevada.  The NDEP, therefore, has primacy for these programs and is responsible for administering the associated permits for the Mt. Hope Project.  The Bureau of Mining Regulations and Reclamation (“BMRR”) within NDEP administers the WPC and Reclamation permits.  The Bureau of Air Pollution Control (“BAPC”) within NDEP administers the Air Quality Permit.  The NDEP also administers the permit program for onsite landfills.  The Nevada Division of Wildlife administers the artificial industrial pond permit program.  Local laws and ordinances may also apply to such activities as waste disposal, road use and noise levels.

Permitting

Permit Acquisition and Fundamental Environmental Permitting Considerations

We have initiated a plan to obtain the required principal environmental operating permits for the Mt. Hope Project in anticipation of a possible construction start upon receipt of the permits and completion of our financing for the project.  A staged permit acquisition program is in progress.  Baseline studies and data acquisition to support permitting were initiated in the fourth quarter of 2005.  Facility designs and operational plans have been refined as data was collected and reviewed to minimize environmental impacts and facilitate the permitting process.  The planned mining and processing operations are consistent with numerous other permitted projects in Nevada, in terms of methods, facility design, equipment, and related engineering plans.

Permitting Process Overview

The development, operation, closure and reclamation of mining projects in the United States require numerous notifications, permits, authorizations and public agency decisions.  This section does not attempt to exhaustively identify all of the permits and authorizations that need to be granted, but instead focuses on those that are considered to be critical for project start-up.

Environmental Inventories

There are certain environmental evaluations that routinely must be completed in order to provide the information against which project impacts are measured.  Both the BLM and the NDEP have requirements to profile existing conditions and to evaluate what effects will result from implementing the Mt. Hope Project.

Background information on geology, air quality, soils, biology, water resources, wildlife, vegetation, noise, visual resources, social and economic conditions, and cultural resources have been assembled and have been submitted to the appropriate regulatory agencies.

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Mt. Hope Permitting Requirements

The Mt. Hope Project will require both Federal and State permits before it can commence construction and operations.  Major permits required for the Mt. Hope Project include the ROD, a BLM issued permit, water appropriation permits from the Nevada Division of Water Resources, the WPC permit and reclamation permit from the NDEP—BMRR, and an air quality permit from the NDEP— BAPC.  Applications for other time-critical State permits have been submitted for agency review and approval at the time of this filing.  The LLC continues to develop and evolve the information supporting these permits based on agency review and feedback.  We believe these other major operating permits will be received on or prior to the effective date of the ROD.

Although we currently are targeting the effectiveness of the ROD and the receipt of all major operating permits to occur late in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early in the first quarter of 2011, circumstances beyond our control, including reviewing agency delays or requests for additional information or studies, and appeals of the BLM decision, could cause the effectiveness of the ROD to be delayed.  The occurrence of any or a combination of these adverse circumstances may increase the estimated costs of development, require us to obtain additional interim financing, and / or delay our ability to consummate project financing or other significant financing.  A delay in the ROD or the receipt of major operating permits also affects the satisfaction of the ROD Contribution Conditions.

Plan of Operations Approval—Bureau of Land Management

The BLM is preparing an EIS analyzing the environmental impacts of the Mt. Hope Project and alternatives in accordance with the NEPA.  Upon completion and approval of the EIS, the BLM will issue the ROD for the Mt. Hope Project.  The ROD will be effective on the date the BLM has recorded its decision to approve the EIS and POO for the Mt. Hope Project.  We currently expect to receive the ROD late in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early in the first quarter of 2011.  In September 2006, the BLM determined that the POO met the regulatory requirements with respect to completeness and comprehensiveness.  Since that time, baseline technical reports have been submitted and approved by the BLM and POO updates have been submitted to accommodate additional detail based on progression of project design.  Two hydrology baseline reports remain to be approved by BLM prior to finalization of the Draft EIS.  The LLC anticipates receiving BLM approval for these two hydrology reports in the first quarter of 2010.  We revised the Air Dispersion modeling report to include modeling of PM 2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter) based on a recent court decision for Barrick Gold, and re-submitted the report in January 2010.  We anticipate this report will be accepted in the first quarter of 2010.  All other technical reports that form the basis of the EIS have been submitted to the BLM and approved at the time of this filing.  Final approval by the BLM of the outstanding technical reports will allow the completion of a draft EIS, which will then be open to public review and comment.  Public comment will then be considered and, if warranted by the BLM, will be incorporated into the draft for publication of a Final EIS.

Potential environmental issues associated with the proposed operations have been identified and mitigation measures have been developed to minimize potential impacts.  These actions are anticipated to support permitting efforts and to reduce potential environmental liability.

Issues of concern are primarily related to geochemistry and the associated potential for acid generation from waste rock, the water quality in the post-mining pit lake, and the potential mobilization of constituents in the tailings.  Other significant potential impacts include effects of groundwater pumping on existing water rights and/or surface water flows, air emissions, reduction of wildlife habitat, including a federally listed sensitive species, and the socioeconomic impact to the community of Eureka.  Extensive laboratory testing has been conducted to fully evaluate the geochemistry of all material types that will be mined.  The waste rock disposal facilities and tailing impoundment designs incorporate components to minimize potential impacts, consistent with accepted and demonstrated industry practices.  State of the art hydrological and geochemical computer modeling predicts that the post-mining pit lake water quality will not pose a threat to wildlife and will therefore not require treatment. Air emissions will be reduced by using state-of-the-art control technology and leading industry practices.  A detailed reclamation plan has been developed to re-establish post-mining land uses, including wildlife habitat.  Other resource-specific mitigation plans have been developed, including those for wild horses and burros, cultural resources, the Pony Express Trail, sage grouse habitat, water resources, bats, and fugitive dust.  The LLC is working with Eureka County to identify opportunities to mitigate socioeconomic impacts.

Environmental regulations related to reclamation require that the cost for a third party contractor to perform reclamation activities on the mine site be estimated.  This reclamation cost estimate, once approved by BLM and the NDEP will become the basis for the required financial assurance amount.  The LLC will be required to post a financial instrument upon receiving the ROD to provide a guarantee that this amount will be available to BLM and NDEP for use in conducting reclamation should we become insolvent or default on our reclamation obligations.  Although the Reclamation Permit is

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administered by the NDEP-BMRR, BLM review is required and the reclamation cost estimate must be approved in conjunction with approval of the POO.  To accommodate this process, the reclamation permit application and reclamation cost estimate is included as part of the POO submittal.

Although the POO describes anticipated activities at the mine for the entire mine life, the LLC intends to phase the reclamation disturbance activities to reduce financial assurance maintenance costs.  The phased reclamation cost estimate will address the anticipated activities for a three-year period from the point of POO approval.  The financial assurance estimate must then be recalculated every three years to include the current activities and those activities anticipated to be completed during the subsequent three-year period.  It is estimated, based on project assumptions that the project reclamation financial assurance requirements during the first three-year period will be approximately $65 million.  The estimated cost of reclamation will increase with every three-year update in conjunction with the growth of the waste rock pile and the tailing impoundments.  It is estimated that financial assurance requirements could reach $125 million at the anticipated end of the project (year 44).

Water Appropriation Permits—Nevada Division of Water Resources

The Mt. Hope Project is primarily centered between two water basins: the Kobeh Valley Basin and the Diamond Valley Basin.  Operation of the Mt. Hope Project is expected to require 7,000 gpm of fresh water that will be sourced from wells located in Kobeh Valley, west of the Mt. Hope Project.  The Company has purchased from existing water rights holders essentially all available water rights in the Kobeh Valley Basin, totaling more than 16,000 acre feet annually.  The Company believes it has sufficient water rights for its planned mining and milling operations.

On March 26, 2009, the Nevada State Engineer approved the Company’s previously filed water applications that requested mining and milling use of 11,300 acre feet annually of water to be drawn from a well field near the Mt. Hope project in Kobeh Valley.  This ruling, combined with actual pump tests conducted in late 2008 that confirmed well pumping rates in Kobeh Valley, is anticipated to meet the Mt. Hope project’s life-of-mine water requirements of approximately 7,000 gpm.

Subsequent to that ruling and the Company’s announcement thereof, two appeals were filed with the Seventh Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada to challenge the State Engineer’s decision.  A successful appeal could have a material negative impact on the Mt. Hope project.  In September 2009, the appellants filed their opening briefs.  We have submitted our Answering Brief, the appellants have submitted their final briefs, and the District Judge has heard Oral Arguments.  We anticipate that the appeal will be ruled upon by the District Judge in the first quarter of 2010.  The appellants maintain the right to advance the appeal to the State of Nevada Supreme Court.

Although the water application approvals are under appeal, the State Engineer issued the Company all water permits on July 21, 2009, providing the legal and regulatory authority to the use of the 11,300 acre feet annually of water for our mining operations.

Water Pollution Control Permit—Nevada Division of Environmental Protection—Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation

The BMRR administers the programs for the Water Pollution Control (“WPC”) Permit and the Reclamation Permit, both of which are required for the Mt. Hope Project.  The WPC Permit program specifies design criteria for containment of process fluids and mandates development of monitoring, operational and closure plans.  We believe that the standards for facility design are well-defined and we do not anticipate that the WPC permitting process will be delayed by technical issues.  In addition, the permit review process is well-defined, including timelines, and is codified in regulation.  The permit application was originally submitted in the third quarter of 2008.  We anticipate receiving the WPC Permit in the second half of 2010.

Air Quality Permit—Nevada Division of Environmental Protection—Bureau of Air Quality

Prior to the commencement of construction activities and in conjunction with facility operations, an air quality permit will be necessary.  The Nevada Bureau of Air Quality (“BAQ”) regulations categorize permit types as Class 1 or Class 2, based on the estimated emissions amounts.  The Mt. Hope Project is subject to a Class 2 permit (smaller emissions) based on preliminary emissions estimates.  The permit application included an emissions inventory and dispersion modeling to demonstrate that emissions from the project will not exceed established air quality standards.  Emissions are primarily associated with the crush/grind circuit (particulate matter) and the roaster (sulfur oxides).  Roaster emissions will be

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controlled with a 99.7% estimated removal efficiency for sulfur oxides. The permit application was originally submitted in the third quarter of 2008.  We anticipate receiving the permit in the second half of 2010.

Liberty Property Permitting Requirements

We anticipate that the permitting schedule for the Liberty Property will be shorter than for the Mt. Hope Project, due to a relatively shorter permitting process under Nevada State regulations as opposed to the Federal NEPA process.  We control over 14,000 acres, including 5,054 acres of fee land, 946 acres of patented lode claims, 63 acres of patented mill site claims and 7,984 acres of unpatented lode claims.  Our ownership of the assets and mineral rights at the Liberty Property include most of the lands required for future operations and all of the mineral rights without reservations or royalties.  The initial years for a new molybdenum operation and mine on this property will be entirely on fee lands owned by us.  As a result, permitting will be through state agencies, including the NDEP.  There are minor BLM landholdings in the footprint of planned waste stockpiles and at some future time we will purchase these lands, exchange them for other lands of BLM interest, or perform NEPA evaluations to permit use of these lands.  Other permits including the water pollution and control, reclamation and air quality as described in previous sections would be required for the Liberty Property site and the level of analysis and time required is anticipated to be consistent with those described for Mt. Hope Project.

In addition to land ownership, two other factors distinguish this property from Mt. Hope with respect to environmental permitting.  First, water consumption is not as significant an issue at Liberty.  Unlike Mt. Hope, the areas surrounding Liberty are not extensively irrigated.  In addition, we own significant water rights at the Liberty site and have water wells in place.  Second, the area has been mined previously which has resulted in significant surface disturbance.  By conducting exploration drilling on pre-existing disturbance to the extent possible, the amount of disturbance created by exploration drilling is greatly reduced, and permitting requirements to support exploration are reduced.  Furthermore, there is extensive environmental information developed to support permitting of the previous mine operation.  We anticipate that this information can be used to streamline the permitting process for us by reducing the amount of baseline studies and other technical information that must be developed.

Other United States Regulatory Matters

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and related state laws regulate generation, transportation, treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous or solid wastes associated with certain mining-related activities.  RCRA also includes corrective action provisions and enforcement mechanisms, including inspections and fines for non-compliance.

Mining operations may produce air emissions, including fugitive dust and other air pollutants, from stationary equipment, such as crushers and storage facilities, and from mobile sources such as trucks and heavy construction equipment.  All of these sources are subject to review, monitoring, permitting, and/or control requirements under the federal Clean Air Act and related state air quality laws.  Air quality permitting rules may impose limitations on our production levels or create additional capital expenditures in order to comply with the permitting conditions.

Under the federal Clean Water Act and delegated state water-quality programs, point-source discharges into “Waters of the State” are regulated by the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) program, while Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredge and fill material into “Waters of the United States,” including wetlands.  Stormwater discharges also are regulated and permitted under that statute.  All of those programs may impose permitting and other requirements on our operations.

NEPA requires an assessment of the environmental impacts of “major” federal actions.  The “federal action” requirement can be satisfied if the project involves federal land or if the federal government provides financing or permitting approvals.  NEPA does not establish any substantive standards; it merely requires the analysis of any potential impact.  The scope of the assessment process depends on the size of the project.  An EA may be adequate for smaller projects.  An EIS, which is much more detailed and broader in scope than an EA, is required for larger projects.  NEPA compliance requirements for any of our proposed projects could result in additional costs or delays.

The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) is administered by the U.S. Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”).  The purpose of the ESA is to conserve and recover listed endangered and threatened species and their habitat.  Under the ESA, “endangered” means that a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  “Threatened” means that a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.  Under the ESA, it is unlawful to “take” a listed species, which can include harassing or harming members of such species or significantly modifying their habitat.  We conduct wildlife and plant inventories as required as part of the EA prior to initiating exploration projects.  We currently are unaware of any endangered species issues at any of our projects.  A threatened species occurs in limited segments of two creeks approximately 10 miles to the north of the proposed well field for the Mt. Hope Project.  Although hydrologic modeling predicts no impacts to these stream segments, consultation with the USFWS will be required.  Future identification of endangered species or habitat in our project areas may delay or adversely affect our operations.

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We are committed to fulfilling our requirements under applicable environmental laws and regulations.  These laws and regulations are continually changing and, as a general matter, are becoming more restrictive.  Our policy is to conduct our business in a manner that strives to safeguard public health and mitigates the environmental effects of our business activities.  To comply with these laws and regulations, we have made, and in the future may be required to make, capital and operating expenditures.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below and elsewhere in this report, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.  If any of the following risks actually occurs, the market price of our common stock would likely decline.  The risks and uncertainties we have described below, however, are not the only ones we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.

Our investors may lose their entire investment in our securities

An investment in our securities is speculative and the price of our securities has been and will continue to be volatile.  Only investors who are experienced in high risk investments and who can afford to lose their entire investment should consider an investment in our securities.

The disruptions of 2008 and 2009 in the overall economy and financial markets have and may continue to adversely impact our business

Many industries, including mining companies, have been affected by current economic factors, including the significant deterioration of global economic conditions and declines in the availability of financing through credit and capital markets.  The disruptions in the overall economy and volatility in the financial markets over the last two years have greatly reduced, and may continue to reduce, the demand for steel and other products utilizing molybdenum.  Such disruptions have caused and may continue to cause steel producers to reduce purchases of raw materials and molybdenum trading companies to liquidate inventories, depressing molybdenum prices, which fell substantially from approximately $33.50 per pound in October 2008 to less than $8.00 per pound in April 2009, although prices in 2010 through February 28, 2010 averaged $15.08 per pound.  These disruptions, as well as economic disruptions in the banking industry and the capital markets, including the restructuring of various commercial and investment banking organizations, have made it more difficult and could continue to adversely affect our ability to access the credit markets for capital needed to develop the Mt. Hope Project and satisfy our contribution obligations under the LLC Agreement.  The price of molybdenum may fall from current levels, and financial and credit markets may not improve to permit us to obtain financing for the Mt. Hope Project on our current schedule, or at all.  Government responses to the disruptions in the financial markets may not succeed in restoring consumer confidence, stabilizing the markets, or increasing liquidity and the availability of credit.

Our profitability depends largely on the success of the Mt. Hope Project, the failure of which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition

We are focused primarily on the development of the Mt. Hope Project.  Accordingly, our profitability depends largely upon the successful development and operation of this project.  We are currently incurring losses and we expect to continue to incur losses until sometime after molybdenum production begins at the Mt. Hope Project.  The LLC may never achieve production at the Mt. Hope Project and may never be profitable even if production is achieved.  The failure to successfully develop the Mt. Hope Project would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  Even if the LLC is successful in achieving production, an interruption in operations at the Mt. Hope Project that prevents the LLC from extracting ore from the Mt. Hope Project for any reason would have a material adverse impact on our business.

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We require and may not be able to obtain substantial additional financing in order to fund the operations of the Company and the LLC and if we are successful in raising additional capital, it may have dilutive and other adverse effects on our shareholders

We will require substantial additional capital to contribute the required capital to the LLC to develop the Mt. Hope Project and to construct the mining and processing facilities at any site chosen for mining.  As set forth in the BFS and subsequently updated documents, following the completion of permitting and engineering at the Mt. Hope Project, the current initial capital cost estimates for the development of the Mt. Hope Project are $1,039 million, including contingencies, but excluding working capital, reclamation financial assurance requirements, Advance Royalty Payments, inflation, interest and other financing costs.  These estimates are likely to change as detailed engineering continues.  We have limited financial resources, do not generate operating revenue, and must contribute to the financing of the Mt. Hope Project development costs by other means.  We or the LLC may not be able to obtain the necessary financing for the Mt. Hope Project on favorable terms or at all.  Additionally, if the actual costs to complete the development of the Mt. Hope Project are significantly higher than we expect, we may not have enough funds to cover these costs and we may not be able to obtain other sources of financing.  The failure to obtain all necessary financing would prevent the LLC from achieving production at the Mt. Hope Project and impede our ability to become profitable.

We continue to review the technical merits of the Liberty Property which will also require significant additional capital to permit and/or commence mining activities at this property.  We may not be able to obtain the financing necessary to develop the Liberty Property should we decide to do so.

If additional financing is not available, or available only on terms that are not acceptable to us, we may be unable to fund the development and expansion of our business, attract qualified personnel, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures.  Any of these events may harm our business.  Also, if we raise funds by issuing additional shares of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities convertible into preferred or common stock, or a sale of additional minority interests in our assets, our existing shareholders will experience dilution, which may be significant, to their ownership interest in us or our assets.  If we raise funds by issuing shares of a different class of stock other than our common stock or by issuing debt, the holders of such different classes of stock or debt securities may have rights senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock.

We may not be successful in renegotiating or delaying equipment progress payments necessary for us to conserve existing cash until additional financing can be obtained

As a continuing part of the development of the Mt. Hope Project, the LLC has placed orders for mining and milling equipment that must be built to specifications and require a long lead time for engineering and manufacturing.  Some of the LLC’s contractual commitments for long lead items require progress payments during the engineering and construction of the equipment and have cancellation penalties.  Our existing cash reserves are not sufficient to permit the LLC to meet all of its existing contractual commitments under these equipment contracts without either additional financing or restructuring or delaying progress payment requirements under these contractual commitments.  We are actively pursuing interim financing pending the effectiveness of the ROD and the receipt of additional capital contributions from POS-Minerals to the LLC or a project financing to permit the LLC to meet its existing contractual commitments, while at the same time negotiating with suppliers to restructure or delay progress and other payment requirements under purchase contracts, to the extent possible, in a manner that will permit the LLC to continue development of the Mt. Hope project consistent with our revised timetable.  Although the LLC has successfully renegotiated or extended the payments terms of certain of its existing equipment contracts in the past, there is no guarantee that it will be able to successfully renegotiate or extend a sufficient number of equipment contracts to continue to be able to develop the Mt. Hope Project in the event we need to further revise our timetable, or that suppliers that could refuse to renegotiate or extend payment terms will not make claims under the terms of existing equipment contracts.

Our inability to satisfy certain conditions under the LLC Agreement required to be satisfied by December 31, 2009 will allow our LLC partner, POS-Minerals, to reduce or forego scheduled contribution payments to the LLC

The ROD Contribution Conditions under the LLC Agreement were not satisfied by December 31, 2009.  Our LLC Agreement with POS-Minerals provides POS-Minerals the right to elect to either (1) not make the required ROD Contribution Installment due on the ROD Contribution Date and to reduce its equity ownership stake in the LLC to 13.0% or (2) reduce the amount of its ROD Contribution Installment due on the ROD Contribution Date to $56.0 million with no reduction in its ownership.  In addition, if commercial production at the Mt. Hope Project is delayed beyond December 31, 2011 for reasons other than a force majeure event, the LLC Agreement with POS-Minerals requires the LLC to make a distribution to POS-Minerals of up to $36.0 million, depending on its Ownership Election, on or prior to January 27, 2012 as

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a penalty (“Penalty”) for the delay in commencement of production, with no corresponding reduction in POS-Minerals’ ownership interest in the LLC.

The LLC may not be able to satisfy the ROD Contribution Conditions at all.  The satisfaction of the ROD Contribution Conditions are subject to a number of factors that are beyond our control, including the issuance of the ROD by the BLM and the ability of third parties to initiate administrative or judicial appeals after the issuance of the ROD.  In addition, the Mt. Hope Project will not achieve commercial production by December 31, 2011, based on our current plan and expected timetable, or may not achieve commercial production at all.  As a result, we expect that we will be required to pay the Penalty.

If POS-Minerals elects to reduce its capital contributions to the LLC and we are required to make the Penalty payment as expected to POS-Minerals, we may not be able to provide sufficient funding to the LLC to develop the Mt. Hope Project, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, in such cases we may be required to seek additional capital which may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.  Any such additional financing could dilute or otherwise adversely impact the rights of our existing shareholders.

The LLC Agreement gives POS-Minerals the right to approve certain major decisions regarding the Mt. Hope Project

The LLC Agreement requires unanimous approval of the members for certain major decisions regarding the Mt. Hope Project.  This effectively provides either member with a veto right over the specified decisions.  These decisions include:

·                  Approval of the operations to be conducted and objectives to be accomplished by the Mt. Hope Project (“Program and Budget”);

·                  Approval of the budget for costs to be incurred by the LLC and the schedule of cash capital contributions to be made to the LLC (“Budget”);

·                  Approval of cost overruns in excess of 15% of an approved Program and Budget;

·                  Approval of an expansion or contraction of the average tpd planned of 20% or more from the relevant tpd throughput schedule in the BFS;

·                  Approval of the LLC’s acquisition or disposition of significant real property, water rights or real estate assets;

·                  Approval of the incurrence of indebtedness by the LLC that requires (1) an asset of the LLC to be pledged as security, (2) the pledge of a membership interest in the LLC or (3) a guaranty by either the Company or POS-Minerals, other than in each instance a purchase money security interest or other security interest in the LLC to finance the acquisition or lease of equipment; and

·                  Approval of the issuance by the LLC of an ownership interest to any person other than the Company or POS-Minerals.

The requirement that certain decisions be approved by POS-Minerals may make it more difficult for our stockholders to benefit from certain decisions or transactions that we would otherwise cause the LLC to make if they are opposed by POS-Minerals.

POS-Minerals’ failure to make contributions to the LLC pursuant to the LLC Agreement could have a material adverse impact on our ability to develop the Mt. Hope Project

Additional amounts will be due from POS-Minerals within 15 days after the ROD Contribution Date.  As a result of the ROD Contribution Date not occurring on or before December 31, 2009, the LLC Agreement allows POS-Minerals to elect (“Ownership Election”) to either retain its 20% share by contributing an additional $56.0 million plus its 20% share of all Project costs incurred from the Closing Date to the ROD Contribution Date or reduce its ownership interest to 13% and fund its remaining 13% share of all Project costs incurred from the Closing Date to the ROD Contribution Date.  While the original LLC Agreement required the Ownership Election to be made prior to January 31, 2010, the Company and POS-Minerals have mutually agreed to extend the time required for the Ownership Election by 90 days to May 1, 2010.

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If POS-Minerals for any reason does not fund its proportionate share of Project costs or make its required ROD Contribution Installment, if applicable, we may not be able to provide sufficient funding to the LLC to develop the Mt. Hope Project, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, in such case we may be required to seek additional capital that may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.  Any such additional financing could dilute or otherwise adversely impact the rights of our existing shareholders.

Fluctuations in the market price of molybdenum and other metals could adversely affect the value of our company and our securities

The profitability of our mining operations will be influenced by the market price of the metals we mine.  The market prices of specialty, base and precious metals such as molybdenum, copper, gold and silver fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control of any mining company.  These factors include fluctuations with respect to the rate of inflation, the exchange rates of the U.S. dollar and other currencies, interest rates, global or regional political and economic conditions and banking crises, global and regional demand, production costs in major molybdenum producing areas and a number of other factors.  Sustained periods of low molybdenum prices would adversely impact our revenues, profits and cash flows.  In particular, a sustained low molybdenum price could:

·                  cause a continued delay and suspension of our development activities and, ultimately, mining operations at our Mt. Hope Project, if such operations become uneconomic at the then-prevailing molybdenum price;

·                  prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our agreements or under our permits and licenses which could cause us to lose our interests in, or be forced to sell our properties; and

·                  have a continued negative impact on the availability of financing to us.

Furthermore, the need to reassess the feasibility of any of our projects if molybdenum prices were to significantly decline could cause substantial delays.  Mineral reserve calculations and life-of-mine plans using lower molybdenum prices could result in reduced estimates of mineral reserves and in material write-downs of our investment in mining properties and increased amortization, reclamation and closure charges.

The volatility in metals prices is illustrated by the quarterly average price range from January 2002 through February 2010 for molybdenum: (lb) $2.73 - $35.37.  Average molybdenum prices are quoted in Platt’s Metals Week.  After a period of high sustained molybdenum prices in 2004 through September 2008, where the price of molybdenum averaged $27.34 per pound, the price of molybdenum fell to approximately $7.70 per pound in April 2009.  Although we estimate the Mt. Hope Project’s average cost of production over the first five years to be less than 40% of current molybdenum prices, a sustained period of lower molybdenum prices would have material negative impacts on the Company’s profitability.

Our profitability is subject to demand for molybdenum, and any decrease in that demand, or increase in the world’s supply, could adversely affect our results of operations

Molybdenum is used primarily in the steel industry.  The demand for molybdenum from the steel industry and other industries was extremely robust through the third quarter of 2008, with demand growth averaging nearly 7% annually.  The robustness of the expansion in demand for metals such as molybdenum was primarily fueled by growth in Asia and other developing countries.  In the fourth quarter of 2008, faced with a slowdown in global growth, steel companies substantially reduced their production levels with a corresponding reduction in the consumption of molybdenum which contributed to the decline in the price of molybdenum.  Current forecasts anticipate a substantial rebound in demand growth for molybdenum in 2010 from 2007 levels as global Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growth re-emerges.  However, sustained low molybdenum demand resulting from a prolonged global economic distress may cause prolonged periods of low molybdenum prices ultimately resulting in a continued suspension of our development or, in the future a suspension of our mining operations at our Mt. Hope Project.

A sustained significant increase in molybdenum supply could also adversely affect our results.  The CPM Group estimate that during the next five years a total of 168.4 million annual pounds of production could be added to the supply of molybdenum (including 40 million of supply from our Mt. Hope Project).  In the event demand for molybdenum does not increase to consume the potential additional production, the price for molybdenum may be adversely affected.

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We are exposed to counter party risk, which may adversely affect our results of operations

The off-take agreements the Company has completed including contracts with ArcelorMittal, SeAH Besteel, and Sojitz, contain provisions allowing for the sale of molybdenum at certain floor prices, or higher, over the life of the five year agreements.  During the past 18 months there have been periods where the spot molybdenum prices fell below the floor prices in the contracts.  During these time periods all three contracts would have provided for the company to sell molybdenum at above-spot prices.  In the event that our contract parties choose not to honor their contractual obligations, our profitability may be adversely impacted.

We may not be able to obtain or renew licenses, rights and permits required to develop or operate our mines, or we may encounter environmental conditions or requirements that would adversely affect our business

In the ordinary course of business, mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations.  In addition to requiring permits for the development of our mines, we will need to obtain various mining and environmental permits during the life of each project.  Obtaining and renewing the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings on our part.  The duration and success of our efforts to obtain or renew permits will be contingent upon many variables, some of which are not within our control, including the environmental conditions at the location of the Mt. Hope Project.  Obtaining or renewing environmental protection permits, including the approval of reclamation plans, may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted and the interpretation of applicable requirements implemented by the permitting authority.  The LLC will be required to obtain approval from the BLM for the Mt. Hope Project POO.  This approval can be obtained only after successful completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process of review and public scrutiny.  The LLC will also need to obtain various state and federal permits including water protection, air quality, water rights and reclamation permits before the LLC can mine and produce molybdenum products at our Mt. Hope Project.  All necessary permits may not be obtained and, if obtained, may not be renewed, or the costs involved in each case may exceed those that we previously estimated.  It is possible that the costs and delays associated with compliance with such standards and regulations could become such that we would not proceed with the development or operation of a mine or mines.

The development of the Mt. Hope Project may be delayed, which could result in increased costs or an inability to complete the development of the Mt. Hope Project

The LLC may experience delays in developing the Mt. Hope Project.  These could increase its development costs, affect its economic viability, or prevent us from completing its development.  The timing of development of the Mt. Hope Project depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our and the LLC’s control, including:

·                  timely issuance of permits and licenses;

·                  procurement of additional financing;

·                  timely availability of equipment;

·                  sustained low prices for molybdenum;

·                  acquisition of surface land and easement rights required to develop and operate the project;

·                  completion of advanced engineering; and

·                  construction of the project.

In addition, factors such as sustained low prices of molybdenum and volatility in foreign exchange or interest rates, as well as international political unrest, could adversely affect our ability to obtain adequate financing to fund the development of the project on a timely basis.  Any delays caused by our inability to raise capital when needed may lead to the cancellation or extension of, or defaults under, agreements with equipment manufacturers or a need to sell equipment already purchased, any of which may adversely impact the Mt. Hope project timeline.  Additionally, delays to the Mt. Hope Project schedule have consequences with regard to our LLC agreement with POS-Minerals, including potential claims by POS-Minerals, which may serve to increase our capital obligations and further enhance this risk factor.

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Our mineralization and reserve estimates are uncertain, and any material inaccuracies in those estimates could adversely affect the value of our mineral reserves

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating mineralization and reserves, including many factors beyond our control.  The estimation of mineralization and reserves is a subjective process and the accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment.  Results of drilling, metallurgical testing, production, and the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimate may justify revision of such estimates.  The volume and grade of mineralization and reserves recovered and rates of production may be less than anticipated.  Assumptions about prices are subject to greater uncertainty and metals prices have fluctuated widely in the past.  Further declines in the market price of molybdenum and copper may render mineralization and reserves containing relatively lower grades of ore uneconomic to exploit, which may materially and adversely impact our reserve and mineralization estimates at our projects.  Changes in operating and capital costs and other factors including, but not limited to, short-term operating factors such as the need for sequential development of ore bodies and the processing of new or different ore grades, may also materially and adversely affect mineralization and reserves.

Any material inaccuracies in our production estimates could adversely affect our results of operations

We have prepared estimates of future molybdenum production.  We or the LLC may never achieve these production estimates or any production at all.  Our production estimates depend on, among other things:

·                  the accuracy of our mineralization and reserves estimates;

·                  the accuracy of assumptions regarding ore grades and recovery rates;

·                  ground conditions and physical characteristics of the mineralization, such as hardness and the presence or absence of particular metallurgical characteristics;

·                  the accuracy of estimated rates and costs of mining and processing;

·                  the availability of financing at economically feasible cost; and

·                  the ability to obtain all permits and construct a processing facility at Mt. Hope.

Our actual production may vary from our estimates if any of our assumptions prove to be incorrect.  With respect to the Mt. Hope Project, we do not have the benefit of actual mining and production experience in verifying our estimates, which increases the likelihood that actual production results will vary from the estimates.

Mining is inherently dangerous and subject to conditions or events beyond our control, and any operating hazards could have a material adverse effect on our business

Mining at the Mt. Hope Project will involve various types of risks and hazards, including: environmental hazards, industrial accidents, metallurgical and other processing problems, unusual or unexpected rock formations, structure cave-in or slides, flooding, fires and interruption due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions.

These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties, production facilities or other properties, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, increased production costs, monetary losses and possible legal liability.  We may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums and some types of insurance may be unavailable or too expensive to maintain.  We may suffer a material adverse effect on our business and the value of our securities may decline if we incur losses related to any significant events that are not covered by our insurance policies.

Our operations make us susceptible to environmental liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on us

Mining is subject to potential risks and liabilities associated with the potential pollution of the environment and the necessary disposal of mining waste products occurring as a result of mineral exploration and production.  Insurance against environmental risk (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) is not generally available to us or the LLC (or to other companies in the minerals industry) at a reasonable price.  To the extent that we become subject to environmental liabilities, the satisfaction of any such

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liabilities would reduce funds otherwise available to us and could have a material adverse effect on us.  Laws and regulations intended to ensure the protection of the environment are constantly changing, and are generally becoming more restrictive.

Legal title to the properties in which we have an interest may be challenged, which could result in the loss of our rights in those properties

The ownership and validity, or title, of unpatented mining claims are often uncertain and may be contested.  A successful claim contesting our title or interest to a property or, in the case of the Mt. Hope Project, the land-owner’s title or interest to such property could cause us and/or the LLC to lose the rights to mine that property.  In addition, the success of such a claimant could result in our not being compensated for our prior expenditures relating to the property.

Climate change and climate change legislation or regulations may adversely impact General Moly’s planned future operations

Energy is anticipated to be a significant input in General Moly’s operations.  A number of governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating legislative and regulatory change in response to the possible impacts of climate change including pending U.S. legislation that if enacted, may limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a “cap and trade” system of allowances and credits, among other provisions. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency has for the first time required large emitters of greenhouse gases to collect and report data with respect to their greenhouse gas emissions. Such legislation and regulation, if enacted, could negatively impact future profitability at General Moly’s assets. These regulatory mechanisms may be either voluntary or legislated and may impact General Moly’s planned future operations directly or indirectly through customers or our supply chain. Assessments of the possible impact of future climate change legislation, regulation and international treaties and accords are uncertain. The company may realize increased capital expenditures resulting from required compliance with revised or new legislation or regulations, costs to purchase or profits from sales of, allowances or credits under a “cap and trade” system, increased insurance premiums and deductibles as new actuarial tables are developed to reshape coverage, a change in competitive position relative to industry peers and changes to profit or loss arising from increased or decreased demand for goods produced by the company and indirectly, from changes in costs of goods sold.

The possible physical impacts of climate change on the company’s planned future operations are highly uncertain. These may include changes in rainfall patterns, shortages of water or other natural resources, changing sea levels, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperature levels. These effects may adversely impact the cost, production and financial performance of General Moly’s planned future operations.

Mineral exploration and mining activities require compliance with a broad range of laws and regulations, and compliance with or violation of these laws and regulations may be costly

Mining operations and exploration activities are subject to national and local laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health and safety, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, reclamation obligations and mine safety.  In order to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we may be required to make capital and operating expenditures or to close an operation until a particular problem is remedied.  In addition, if our activities violate any such laws and regulations, we may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage, and may be fined if convicted of an offense under such legislation.  We may also incur additional expenses and our projects may be delayed as a result of changes and amendments to such laws and regulations, including changes in local, state, and federal taxation.

Land reclamation requirements for exploration properties may be burdensome, may divert funds from our exploration programs and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition

Although variable, depending on location and the governing authority, land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration companies, as well as companies with mining operations, in order to minimize long term effects of land disturbance.  Reclamation may include requirements to control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents and to reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation.  In order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on us in connection with our mineral exploration, we and the LLC must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration programs.  Such costs could also have an adverse affect on our financial condition.

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Non-compliance with our Mt. Hope Lease could result in loss of the LLC’s rights to develop the Mt. Hope Project and may adversely affect our business

The LLC leases the Mt. Hope Project from MHMI under the Mt. Hope Lease.  Failure to comply with the terms of the Mt. Hope Lease (which principally require us to make prescribed payments on or before certain prescribed dates) could result in loss of the LLC’s rights to develop the Mt. Hope Project.  Any loss of rights under the Mt. Hope Lease would have a material adverse effect on us and our ability to generate revenues.

Our ability to operate our company effectively could be impaired if we lose key personnel or if we are not able to attract and retain the additional personnel we will need to develop any of our projects, including the Mt. Hope Project

We are a small company with a limited operating history and relatively few employees.  The development of any of our proposed projects, including the Mt. Hope Project, will place substantial demands on us.  We depend on the services of key executives and a small number of personnel, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Engineering and Construction, Vice President Business Development and Marketing, Mt. Hope General Manager, Controller and Treasurer, and Director of Environmental and Permitting.  We will be required to recruit additional personnel and to train, motivate and manage these new employees.  The number of persons skilled in the development and operation of mining properties is limited and significant competition exists for these individuals.  We may not be able to employ key personnel or to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future.  We do not maintain “key person” life insurance to cover our executive officers.  Due to the relatively small size of our company, the loss of any of our key employees or our failure to attract and retain key personnel may delay or otherwise adversely affect the development of the Mt. Hope Project, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on independent contractors and experts and technical and operational service providers over whom we may have limited control

Because we are a small development stage company, we rely on independent contractors to assist us with technical assistance and services, contracting and procurement and other matters, including the services of geologists, attorneys, engineers and others.  Our limited control over the activities and business practices of these service providers or any inability on our part to maintain satisfactory commercial relationships with them may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Changes to the General Mining Law of 1872 and related Federal legislation that impact unpatented mining claims could adversely impact the Mt. Hope Project

The Mt. Hope Project is located substantially on unpatented mining claims administered by the BLM.  Mining on unpatented mining claims is conducted pursuant to the General Mining Law of 1872 and amendments thereto.  Legislation for the amendment of the mining laws applicable to mining property has been considered by the United States Congress which may include imposition of a governmental royalty and new permitting and environmental rules.  Amendments to the mining laws could cause delays, increase the costs and have an adverse effect on the returns anticipated from the Mt. Hope Project.

Increased costs could affect our ability to become profitable

Costs at any particular mining location frequently are subject to variation due to a number of factors, such as changing ore grade, changing metallurgy and revisions to mine plans in response to the physical shape and location of the ore body.  In addition, costs are affected by the price of commodities, such as fuel, electricity and labor.  Commodity costs are at times subject to volatile price movements, including increases that could make production at our projects less profitable or uneconomic.

We anticipate significant capital expenditures over the next several years in connection with the development of the Mt. Hope Project.  In the past several years, costs associated with capital expenditures have escalated on an industry-wide basis as a result of major factors beyond our control, including the prices of oil, steel and other commodities.  Increased costs for capital expenditures have an adverse effect on the returns anticipated from the Mt. Hope Project.  Such cost pressures have recently subsided, although they could return within the Mt. Hope or Liberty project development horizon.

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Shortages of critical parts, equipment and skilled labor may adversely affect our development projects

The industry has been impacted at times by increased worldwide demand for critical resources such as input commodities, drilling equipment, tires and skilled labor.  Shortages may cause unanticipated cost increases and delays in delivery times, potentially impacting operating costs, capital expenditures and production schedules.

Costs estimates and timing of new projects are uncertain

The capital expenditures and time required to develop new mines or other projects are considerable and changes in costs or construction schedules can affect project economics.  There are a number of factors that can affect costs and construction schedules, including, among others:

·      availability of labor, power, transportation, commodities and infrastructure;

·      increases in input commodity prices and labor costs;

·      fluctuations in exchange rates;

·      availability of financing;

·      difficulty of estimating construction costs over a period of years; and

·      delays in obtaining environmental or other government permits.

Legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make it difficult for us to retain or attract officers and directors and increase the costs of doing business which could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations

We may be unable to attract and retain qualified officers, directors and members of board committees required to provide for our effective management as a result of the recent changes and currently proposed changes in the rules and regulations which govern publicly-held companies.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has resulted in a series of rules and regulations by the SEC that increase responsibilities and liabilities of directors and executive officers.  We are a small company with a limited operating history and no revenues or profits, which may influence the decisions of potential candidates we may recruit as directors or officers.  The real and perceived increased personal risk associated with these requirements may deter qualified individuals from accepting these roles.  In addition, costs of compliance with such legislation could have a significant impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Any adverse results from evaluation of our internal controls under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required on an annual basis to furnish a report by management on our internal controls over financial reporting.  Our report contains, among other matters, an assessment by our senior management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting identified by our management.  Beginning with the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, we include a statement that our auditors have issued an attestation report on our management’s assessment of such internal controls.  Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 5 provides the professional standards and related performance guidance for auditors to attest to, and report on, our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404.

We are required to assemble the system and processing documentation and perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404, which is both costly and challenging.  We cannot be certain that we will be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion in future years.  During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that such internal control is effective.  If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of any future period (or, if our auditors are unable to attest that our management’s report is fairly stated or they

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are unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls), we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Failure to comply with the internal control rules may also make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage and/or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage.  The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, on committees of our board of directors, or as executive officers.

Our common stock has a limited public market, which may adversely affect the market price of our shares and make it difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares

Our shares are currently listed and traded on the NYSE Amex Exchange and the TSX.  We may not be able to meet the continued listing criteria for either such exchange or an active and liquid trading market may not be maintained for our common stock.  Such a failure may have a material adverse impact on the market price of our shares and a shareholder’s ability to dispose of our common stock in a timely manner or at all.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future

We do not plan to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.  The payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business opportunities and conditions, and other factors.

Provisions of Delaware law and our charter and bylaws may delay or prevent transactions that would benefit stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the company.  These provisions, among other things:

·      provide for staggering the terms of directors by dividing the total number of directors into three groups;

·      authorize our board of directors to set the terms of preferred stock;

·      restrict our ability to engage in transactions with stockholders with 15% or more of outstanding voting stock;

·      authorize the calling of special meetings of stockholders only by the board of directors, not by the stockholders;

·      limit the business transacted at any meeting of stockholders to those purposes specifically stated in the notice of the meeting; and

·      prohibit stockholder action by written consent without a meeting and provide that directors may be removed only at a meeting of stockholders.

Because of these provisions, persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals may be more likely to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts.  As a result, these provisions may make it more difficult for our stockholders to benefit from transactions that are opposed by an incumbent board of directors.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of our company, the Mt. Hope Project and our other projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  We use the words “may”, “will”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “future”, “plan”, “estimate”, “potential” and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the following:

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·      the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory and permitting matters;

·      the parameters and design of our planned initial mining facilities at the Mt. Hope Project;

·      future financial or operating performances of our company and our projects;

·      the estimation and realization of mineralization, if any;

·      the timing of exploration, development and production activities and estimated future production, if any;

·      estimates related to costs of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures;

·      requirements for additional capital and our ability to obtain additional capital in a timely manner and on acceptable terms;

·      our ability to renegotiate, restructure, suspend, cancel or extend payment terms of contracts as necessary or appropriate in order to conserve cash;

·      government regulation of mining operations, environmental conditions and risks, reclamation and rehabilitation expenses;

·      title disputes or claims;

·      limitations of insurance coverage; and

·      the future price of molybdenum, gold, silver or other metals.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those identified under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, and any events anticipated in the forward-looking statements may not actually occur.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 3.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Mt. Hope Project is primarily centered between two water basins: the Kobeh Valley Basin and the Diamond Valley Basin.  Operation of the Mt. Hope Project is expected to require 7,000 gpm of fresh water that will be sourced from wells located in Kobeh Valley, west of the Mt. Hope Project.  The Company has purchased from existing water rights holders essentially all available water rights in the Kobeh Valley Basin, totaling more than 16,000 acre feet annually.  The Company believes it has sufficient water rights for its planned mining and milling operations.

On March 26, 2009, the Nevada State Engineer approved the Company’s previously filed water applications that requested mining and milling use of 11,300 acre feet annually of water to be drawn from a well field near the Mt. Hope project in Kobeh Valley.  This ruling, combined with actual pump tests conducted in late 2008 that confirmed well pumping rates in Kobeh Valley, is anticipated to meet the Mt. Hope project’s life-of-mine water requirements of approximately 7,000 gpm.

Subsequent to that ruling and the Company’s announcement thereof, two appeals were filed with the Seventh Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada to challenge the State Engineer’s decision.  A successful appeal could have a material negative impact on the Mt. Hope project.  In September 2009, the appellants filed their opening briefs.  We have submitted our Answering Brief, the appellants have submitted their final briefs and the District Judge has heard Oral Arguments.  We anticipate that the appeal will be ruled upon by the District Judge in the first quarter of 2010.  The appellants maintain the right to advance the appeal to the State of Nevada Supreme Court.

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Although the water application approvals are under appeal, the State Engineer issued the Company all water permits on July 21, 2009, providing the legal and regulatory authority to the use of the 11,300 acre feet annually of water for our mining operations.

ITEM 4.       [RESERVED]

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PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

On August 16, 2006 our common stock began trading on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) (now the NYSE Amex) under the symbol “GMO”.  On February 14, 2008 our common stock began trading on the TSX, also under the symbol “GMO”.

The following table sets forth for our common stock closing price as reported on the NYSE Amex.

Holders

As of March 1, 2010, there were approximately 710 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.  We will pay dividends on our common stock only if and when declared by our board of directors.  Our board’s ability to declare a dividend is subject to limits imposed by Delaware corporate law.  In determining whether to declare dividends, the board will consider these limits, our financial condition, results of operations, working capital requirements, future prospects and other factors it considers relevant.

See Note 7 to the Financial Statements herein for information relating to our equity compensation plans.

Stock Performance Graph

The performance graph covers the period from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009.  The graph compares the total return of our common stock (GMO) to the Dow Jones US Mining Index, the AMEX Russell 2000 Index and selected competitors in our industry, assuming an initial investment of $100 (in the case of Moly Mines assumes an investment of $100.00 on October 27, 2006, their first day of trading).

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ITEM 6.       SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

ITEM 7.     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations constitutes management’s review of the factors that affected our financial and operating performance for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report.

Overview

We are a development stage company and began the development of the Mt. Hope Project on October 4, 2007.  During the year ended December 31, 2008 we also completed work on a pre-feasibility study of our Liberty Property.  We continue to approach the Liberty Property in a care and maintenance mode, and do not expect to spend appreciable amounts of capital on the Liberty Property until market conditions warrant its development.

The development of the Mt. Hope Project has a Project Capital Estimate of $1,153.9 million including development costs of approximately $1,039.3 million (in 2008 dollars) and $114.6 million in cash financial assurance requirements and pre-payments.  These amounts do not include financing costs or amounts necessary to fund operating working capital.  Through the year ended December 31, 2009, we have spent approximately $138.1 million and have $48.6 million remaining cash on hand for use in the development of the Mt. Hope Project and other cash requirements.

Given the continued uncertainty in the project finance market, low molybdenum prices of approximately $8 per pound at the time, and a longer than expected timeframe to receive the federal permits to begin construction at the Mt. Hope project, on March 26, 2009, we implemented a cash conservation plan to reduce expenditures and conserve cash for 2009 and 2010 in order to maximize financial flexibility.  In addition to conserving cash, the plans implemented seek to retain critical employees, and will retain the ability to start construction at the Mt. Hope project pending continued improvements in the molybdenum and capital markets.  With our December 31, 2009 consolidated cash balance of $48.6 million, we have the capacity to continue our current level of permitting efforts, maintain efforts to secure project financing, and secure the most critical long lead equipment for the ultimate construction of the Mt. Hope project without accessing new sources of financing through the end of 2010 while maintaining the current cash conservation strategy.

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Once financing is obtained and we have received the major operating permits and the ROD from the BLM, it is expected that Mt. Hope can be constructed and in production within 20 months.  In the interim, our permitting efforts are continuing full-time.  The Company has maintained its orders for grinding, milling, and other specialty long lead equipment, although other engineering, administrative and third-party work has been slowed or suspended.

We will continue to work with Credit Suisse and Barclays to seek project financing.   During the second quarter of 2009, the Company engaged Cutfield Freeman & Co., a London-based financial advisory firm, to assist the Company in primarily seeking bi-lateral agency and off-take supported financing to potentially augment the projected bank financing.  We will continue evaluating all sources of capital, including equity partners at the corporate or asset level and vendor financing.  Given our strong off-take agreements and other preparatory work completed, we believe the Company is well positioned to execute a project finance facility upon the receipt of the ROD, and as credit conditions and the molybdenum price continue to improve.

The worldwide molybdenum price has fluctuated between $5.33 per pound in 2003 to over $40.00 per pound in 2005.  In 2009, molybdenum prices averaged $11.12 per pound.  Molybdenum prices fell substantially between October 2008 and April 2009 from approximately $33.50 per pound to $7.70 per pound.  Following April, prices slowly rose to a 2009 high of over $18.00 per pound in August before retreating to $11.00 per pound in October and then rising to finish 2009 at approximately $12.00 per pound.  This year, molybdenum prices have generally traded up, and were approximately $16.00 per pound in February 2010.

Restructuring and Suspension of Project Development

As discussed above, we implemented a cash conservation plan whereby total cash utilization other than equipment purchases has declined to approximately $1 million per month.  Based on our current cash on hand and our cash conservation plan, the Company expects it will have adequate liquidity for operations, as modified, through the end of 2010 without accessing new sources of financing.  Engineering efforts, approximately 60% complete, have been largely suspended pending the completion of financing.  Some engineering that is critical for permitting or project restart readiness, has continued at a slower pace.

The Company issued purchase orders for two types of equipment — milling process equipment and mining equipment.  Most equipment orders for the custom-built grinding and other milling process equipment will be completed by the manufacturers and stored.  The grinding and milling process equipment require the longest lead times and maintaining these orders is critical to the Company’s ability to re-start the development of Mt. Hope rapidly.  Fabrication of less critical equipment has been suspended with some manufacturers. With respect to the remaining milling process equipment, where schedule is not critical, the manufacturers have agreed to suspend fabrication of the equipment.  The Company has substantially completed negotiation with other equipment manufacturers to suspend or terminate fabrication of other milling equipment and to determine the equipment fabrication costs incurred to date, storage costs, and the expected timing of restarting fabrication.

Based on our current plan, expected timetable, and the results of such negotiations, we expect to make additional payments towards purchase of this equipment of approximately $26.0 million under milling process equipment orders through the end of 2010, with the majority of such spending concentrated in the first half of the year, and $12.8 million in 2011.  As additional financing is secured and equipment procurement is restarted, agreements that were suspended or terminated will be renegotiated under the then current market terms and conditions, as necessary.

The drills and loaders for the mine operation have been cancelled, and discussions for the purchase of the electric shovels are complete and this order was amended and remains in effect.  An agreement has been reached with a truck manufacturer to hold production slots for timely delivery.  The lead times and pricing associated with many of these items have declined from 2007 levels.  Once financing is secured, the Company anticipates placing orders for this mining equipment again.  The Company will continue to evaluate all options to decrease Mt. Hope’s initial capital requirement and facilitate a timely re-start of the project development.

The cash conservation plan also impacted General Moly employees and contractor support.  In March 2009, the Company initiated plans to reduce administrative expenses by $5 million per year through a combination of compensation restructuring and position eliminations.

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The Mt. Hope LLC Agreement

Effective as of January 1, 2008, we contributed all of our interest in the assets related to the Mt. Hope Project, including the Mt. Hope Lease, to the LLC, and in February 2008 entered into the LLC Agreement with POS-Minerals.  Under the terms of the LLC Agreement, POS-Minerals owns a 20% interest in the LLC, and General Moly, through a subsidiary, owns an 80% interest. These ownership interests and/or the required contributions under the LLC Agreement can change as discussed below.

Pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, POS-Minerals made its Initial Contributions to the LLC totaling $100.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2008.  Additional amounts will be due from POS-Minerals within 15 days after the date the ROD Contribution Conditions have been satisfied.  The ROD Contribution Conditions are the receipt of major operating permits for the project, the ROD has become effective, and any administrative or judicial appeals with respect thereto are final.  See “—Permitting Update” above for a discussion of the status of permitting.

As a result of the ROD Contribution Date not occurring on or before December 31, 2009, the LLC Agreement allows POS-Minerals to elect (“Ownership Election”) to either retain its 20% share by contributing an additional $56.0 million plus its 20% share of all Project costs incurred from the Closing Date to the ROD Contribution Date or reduce its ownership interest to 13% and fund its remaining 13% share of all Project costs incurred from the Closing Date to the ROD Contribution Date.  While the original LLC Agreement required the Ownership Election to be made prior to January 31, 2010, the Company and POS-Minerals have mutually agreed to extend the time required for the Ownership Election by 90 days to May 1, 2010.

In addition, if commercial production at the Mt. Hope Project is not achieved by December 31, 2011 for reasons other than a force majeure event, the LLC may be required to return to POS-Minerals a portion of its contributions to the LLC, with no corresponding reduction in POS-Minerals’ ownership percentage, based on its election made for the Ownership Election.  Based on our current plan and expected timetable, the Mt. Hope Project will not achieve commercial production by December 31, 2011.  If POS-Minerals elects to retain its 20% interest and makes its additional $56.0 million contribution, the return of contributions will be $36.0 million.  If POS-Minerals elects to retain its 20% interest but does not make its additional $56.0 million contribution when due on the ROD Contribution Date, its interest will be reduced to 10% and the return of contributions will be zero. If POS-Minerals elects to reduce its ownership interest to 13%, the return of contributions will be $33.0 million.  Such return of contributions is required to be made on or prior to January 27, 2012.  Our subsidiary that holds our interest in the LLC is obligated under the terms of the LLC Agreement to make capital contributions to fund the return of contributions to POS-Minerals, if required.  If our subsidiary does not make these capital contributions, POS-Minerals has an election to either take a secured interest in the LLC via a loan, or receive an additional interest in the LLC of approximately 5%.  In the latter case, our interest in the LLC is subject to dilution based on the Dilution Formula, calculated as a percentage equal to the ratio of 1.5 times the amount of such unpaid contributions, over the aggregate amount of deemed capital contributions (as determined under the LLC Agreement) of both parties to the LLC.  At December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of deemed capital contributions of both parties was $880.0 million.

Furthermore, a provision in the LLC Agreement permits POS-Minerals the option to put its interest in the LLC to the Company’s subsidiary, Nevada Moly, upon  a change of control of the Company, as defined in the LLC agreement, followed by (i) failure to begin full construction at the LLC by the Company or the surviving entity before December 31, 2010, or (ii) failure to use standard mining industry practice in connection with development and operation of the project as contemplated by the parties for a period of twelve months after December 31, 2010.  If POS-Minerals put its interest, Nevada Moly would be required to purchase the interest for 120 percent of POS Minerals contributions to the LLC plus 10 percent interest.

The Initial Contributions of $100.0 million that were made by POS-Minerals during 2008 were expended by the second quarter of 2009 in accordance with the program and budget requirements of the Mt. Hope Project.  We are required, pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, to advance funds required to pay costs for the development of the Mt. Hope Project that exceed the Initial Contributions until the ROD Contribution Date, at which point the contributions described above to be made by POS-Minerals will be applied to reimburse us for POS-Minerals’ share of such development costs.  All costs incurred after the ROD Contribution Date will be allocated and funded pro rata based on each party’s ownership interest.  The interest of a party in the LLC that does not make its pro rata capital contributions to fund costs incurred after the ROD Contribution Date is subject to dilution based on the Dilution Formula.

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Liquidity, Capital Resources and Capital Requirements

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008

Our total consolidated cash balance at December 31, 2009 was $48.6 million compared to $92.4 million at December 31, 2008.  The decrease in our cash balances for the year ended December 31, 2009 was due primarily to development costs incurred of $20.9 million, deposits on property plant and equipment totaling $11.5 million, and general and administrative costs of $9.7 million.  Deposits on property, plant and equipment relate primarily to scheduled payments for long lead time equipment for the Mt. Hope Project.  See “— Contractual Obligations” below.

Total assets as of December 31, 2009 decreased to $209.6 million compared to $220.9 million as of December 31, 2008 primarily as a result the cash portion of the net loss for the year.

As discussed above under “— Permitting and Water Rights Update”, we currently anticipate the effectiveness of the ROD and the satisfaction of the ROD Contribution Conditions to occur late in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early in the first quarter of 2011, but circumstances beyond our control could cause the effectiveness of the ROD and / or the satisfaction of the ROD Contribution Conditions to be delayed.

As discussed above under “— Restructuring and Suspension of Project Development”, we have suspended engineering efforts and mining and most milling process equipment purchases for the Mt. Hope Project until such time as we can obtain additional financing.  We are continuing to evaluate a number of potential sources for capital, including the possibility of a sale of additional minority interest in the Mt. Hope Project, additional support from current strategic partners, off-take related debt, and debt from private investment groups, as well as the capital markets.

With our cash conservation plan, our non-equipment related cash requirements have declined to approximately $1 million per month.  Based on our current plan and expected timetable, we expect to make additional payments of approximately $26.0 million under milling process equipment orders through the end of 2010, with the majority of such spending concentrated in the first half of the year, and $12.8 million in 2011.  As additional financing is secured and equipment procurement is restarted, agreements that were suspended or terminated will be renegotiated under current market terms and conditions, as necessary.  Accordingly, based on our current cash on hand and our cash conservation plan, the Company expects it will have adequate liquidity for operations through the year ended December 31, 2010 without accessing new sources of financing while maintaining the current cash conservation strategy.

Once the ROD is effective, additional capital will be required through the commencement of commercial production at the Mt. Hope Project.  Our ability to develop the project is dependent on, among other things, our ability to raise the necessary capital to fund the Mt. Hope Project both in sufficient amount and in a timely manner.  Additionally, if the currently estimated costs of the Mt. Hope Project are exceeded we will need to raise additional capital to fund such overruns.  The Company is currently, and will on an ongoing basis be, pursuing the most efficient sources of funding for the project including, but not limited to, the equity markets, the bank project finance markets and the high yield capital debt markets.

The cash needs for the development of the Mt. Hope Project require that we or the LLC obtain project financing or other significant financing in addition to the capital contributions anticipated to be received from POS-Minerals.  The aggregate amount of additional financing required for the development of the Mt. Hope Project, minus the amounts anticipated to be received from POS-Minerals on the ROD Contribution Date is anticipated to range between $725 million and $860 million depending on the election made by POS-Minerals concerning its future contributions.  These amounts do not include financing costs or amounts necessary to fund operating working capital.  During 2008, we engaged Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC to assist in our efforts to pursue project financing for the Mt. Hope Project.  In the second quarter of 2009, the Company engaged Cutfield Freeman & Co., a London-based financial advisory firm, to assist the Company in primarily seeking bi-lateral agency and off-take financing to potentially augment the projected bank financing.  Our ability to obtain such project and / or agency financing depends on the effectiveness and the timing of the ROD, the anticipated price of molybdenum, our projected operating costs and the overall state of the economy and the credit markets.

The 2008 and 2009 disruptions in national and international credit markets have led to volatile conditions.  There is a scarcity of credit and lenders are imposing tighter lending standards and higher interest costs for loans.  Our ability to obtain the necessary funding for the Mt. Hope Project as well as the terms for such funding may be adversely affected by these disruptions in the credit markets.  We may not be able to obtain the necessary financing for the Mt. Hope Project in a timely manner, on customary or favorable terms, or at all.

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We also require additional capital to maintain our mining claims and other rights related to the Liberty Property, as well as continue payment of ongoing general and administrative costs associated with supporting our planned operations.

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007

Our cash balance at December 31, 2008 was $78.5 million compared to $78.4 million at December 31, 2007.  Additionally we had $13.9 million of restricted cash that represented the unspent amount of the Initial Contributions from POS-Minerals that was available for the continuing development of the Mt. Hope Project.  Our total consolidated cash balance at December 31, 2008 was $92.4 million.  The increase in our cash balances was due primarily to the receipt of the $100.0 million in contributions from POS-Minerals during 2008 and net proceeds from exercises of warrants and options of $20.6 million, less development costs incurred during 2008 of $47.4 million, deposits on property plant and equipment totaling $31.0 million, general and administrative costs incurred during 2008 of $8.0 and expense items of $5.7 million incurred for continuing exploration and evaluation of our Liberty Property.  Deposits on property, plant and equipment relate primarily to scheduled payments for long-lead time equipment for the Mt. Hope Project.  See “— Contractual Obligations” below.

Total assets as of December 31, 2008 increased to $220.9 million compared to $110.3 million as of December 31, 2007 primarily as a result of the changes discussed in the preceding paragraph.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008

For the year ended December 31, 2009 we had a consolidated net loss of $10.5 million compared with a net loss of $14.4 million in the same period for 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, exploration and evaluation expenses were $0.8 million and $5.7 million, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2008 we incurred exploration and evaluation costs on the Liberty Property as we completed a pre-feasibility study on the Liberty Property in April 2008.  For the year ended December 31, 2009 the Liberty Property has been on a care and maintenance status, and, accordingly, the resulting exploration and evaluation expenses are considerably lower for the period.

For the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, general and administrative expenses were $9.7 million and $10.4 million, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2009 restructuring costs resulting from the implementation of our cash conservation plan are included in general and administrative expenses.  In March 2009 we incurred costs related to one-time employee termination benefits totaling $0.8 million.

We also incurred approximately $0.7 million in equipment contract cancellation costs for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Such costs were a combination of deposits forfeited and costs to cancel contracts.

Interest income was nil for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with $1.7 million in 2008 as a result of substantially lower interest rates and lower cash balances in 2009 compared with the corresponding periods in 2008.

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007

For the year ended December 31, 2008 we had a net loss of $14.4 million compared with a net loss of $37.7 million in the same period for 2007.

For the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, exploration and evaluation expenses were $5.7 million and $20.7 million, respectively.  During the entire nine months ended September 30, 2007 both our Mt. Hope Project and our Liberty Property were in the exploration and evaluation stage.  In October 2007 the Mt. Hope Project advanced to the development stage.  For the year ended December 31, 2008 we incurred exploration and evaluation costs on the Liberty Property as we completed a pre-feasibility study on the Liberty Property in April 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, general and administrative expenses were $10.4 million and $18.3 million, respectively.  During the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 we incurred $2.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively in non-cash equity compensation for management and directors included in the general and administrative expenses above.  The amounts in 2007 were significantly higher than in 2008 as a greater amount of equity compensation

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was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2007 as we added new management personnel and directors as part of a reorganization and expansion of the executive team compared with the same period in 2008.  The cash portion of our general and administrative expense was approximately the same in both periods.

Interest income was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared with $1.3 million in 2007 as a result of higher cash balances in 2008 compared with the corresponding periods in 2007.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 were as follows:

(1)          Assumes that full project financing is obtained during 2010

At December 31, 2009, we have contracts to purchase mining equipment comprised of two electric shovels and have cancelled orders for mine drills and loaders.  We have a non-binding letter of agreement on 24 haul trucks that establishes our priority for delivery and provides for the then current pricing using market indices upon initiation of an order.  We have active orders with varying stages of fabrication on milling process equipment comprised of two 230kV primary transformers and substation, a primary crusher, a semi-autogenous mill, two ball mills, and various motors for the mills.  We have suspended fabrication on 16 flotation cells, lime slaking equipment, hydrocyclones, and other smaller milling process equipment with the ability to re-initiate fabrication at any time.  We have completed negotiations with the manufacturer of two multi-hearth molybdenum roasters to terminate its fabrication of this equipment and receive finished goods of the partially completed order.  We plan to re-establish a new purchase order with this manufacturer as additional financing is secured and equipment procurement is restarted under then current market terms and conditions.

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The following table sets forth the LLC’s remaining cash commitments under purchase contracts at December 31, 2009, resulting from the re-negotiation and cancelation of certain Purchase Contracts as discussed above (in millions).

Cash commitments under purchase contracts are inclusive of $38.8 million under milling process equipment orders (approximately $26.0 million due through the end of 2010, and $12.8 million in 2011), and $31.8 million in mining equipment orders.

We also incurred approximately $0.7 million in equipment contract cancellation costs during the year ended December 31, 2009.  Such costs were a combination of deposits forfeited and costs to cancel contracts.  We also estimate that we will be required to pay approximately $0.7 million in additional insurance and handling costs, related to the custom-build grinding and other milling process equipment.  Based on our current plan, expected timetable, and the results of such negotiations, we expect to make additional payments of approximately $26.0 million under these milling process equipment orders through the end of 2010, and $12.8 million in 2011.  As additional financing is secured and equipment procurement is restarted, agreements that were suspended or terminated will be renegotiated under the then current market terms and conditions, as necessary.

If the LLC does not make payments required under the purchase contracts, it could be subject to claims for breach of contract or to cancellation of the purchase contract.  In addition, we may proceed to selectively suspend, cancel or attempt to renegotiate additional purchase contracts if we are forced to further conserve cash.  See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.  If we cancel or breach any contracts, we will take all appropriate action to minimize any losses, but could be subject to claims or penalties under the contracts or applicable law.  The cancellation of certain key contracts would cause a delay in the commencement of operations, have ramifications under the LLC Agreement with POS-Minerals and would add to the cost to develop our interest in the Mt. Hope Project.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Estimates

The process of preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions regarding certain types of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses.  Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the financial statements.  Accordingly, upon settlement, actual results may differ from estimated amounts.

Provision for Taxes

Income taxes are provided based upon the liability method of accounting pursuant to authoritative guidance for Accounting for Income Taxes.  Under this approach, deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end.  A valuation allowance is recorded against the deferred tax asset if management does not believe the Company has met the “more likely than not” standard to allow recognition of such an asset.

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Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable.  If the sum of estimated future net cash flows on an undiscounted basis is less than the carrying amount of the related asset grouping, asset impairment is considered to exist.  The related impairment loss is measured by comparing estimated future net cash flows on a discounted basis to the carrying amount of the asset.  Changes in significant assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates may have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.  To date no such impairments have been identified.  Property and equipment are being depreciated over useful lives of three to seven years using straight-line depreciation.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with authoritative guidance for Share-Based Payments.  Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period.  Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating expected dividends.  In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the amount of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited.  If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted.

Contingently Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

On January 1, 2009, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance related to Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, the provisions of which, among others, require the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (previously referred to as minority interest), as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity for all periods presented. In addition, the amount of net income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest is included in consolidated net income or loss on the face of the consolidated statement of operations.    Under GAAP, certain noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities meet the definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments if the ability to redeem the interest is outside of the control of the consolidating entity.  As described in Note 1, the LLC Agreement permits POS-Minerals the option to put its interest in the LLC to Nevada Moly upon a change of control, as defined in the LLC Agreement, followed by (i) failure to begin full construction at the LLC by the Company or the surviving entity before December 31, 2010, or (ii) failure to use standard mining industry practice in connection with development and operation of the project as contemplated by the parties for a period of twelve months after December 31, 2010.  As such, the contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest has continued to be shown as a separate caption between liabilities and equity (mezzanine section).  The carrying value of the contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest reflects the investment of the noncontrolling interest, less losses attributable to the interest.

ITEM 7A.           QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Commodity Price Risk

We are a development stage company in the business of the exploration, development and mining of properties primarily containing molybdenum.  As a result, upon commencement of production, our financial performance could be materially affected by fluctuations in the market price of molybdenum and other metals we may mine.  The market prices of metals can fluctuate widely due to a number of factors.  These factors include fluctuations with respect to the rate of inflation, the exchange rates of the U.S. dollar and other currencies, interest rates, global or regional political and economic conditions, banking environment, global and regional demand, production costs, and investor sentiment.

In order to better manage commodity price risk and to seek to reduce the negative impact of fluctuations in prices, we will seek to enter into long term supply contracts.  On December 28, 2007, we entered into a molybdenum supply agreement with ArcelorMittal that provides for ArcelorMittal to purchase 6.5 million pounds of molybdenum per year, plus or minus 10%, once the Mt. Hope Project commences commercial operations at minimum specified levels. The supply agreement provides for a floor price along with a discount for spot prices above the floor price and expires five years after the commencement of commercial production at the Mt. Hope Project.  Both the floor and threshold levels at which the percentage discounts change are indexed to a producer price index.

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Additionally, on May 14, 2008, we entered into a molybdenum supply agreement with SeAH Besteel Corporation (“SeAH Besteel”), Korea’s largest manufacturer of specialty steels, which provides for SeAH Besteel to purchase 4.0 million pounds of molybdenum per year, plus or minus 10%, once the Mt. Hope Project commences commercial operations at minimum specified levels. Like the ArcelorMittal supply agreement, the supply agreement with SeAH Besteel provides for a floor price along with staged discounts for spot prices above the floor price and expires five years from the date of first supply under the agreement.  Both the floor and threshold levels at which the percentage discounts change are indexed to a producer price index.

On August 8, 2008, the Company entered into a molybdenum supply agreement (“Sojitz Agreement”) with Sojitz Corporation.  The Sojitz Agreement provides for the supply of 5.0 million pounds per year of molybdenum for five years, beginning once the Mt. Hope Project reaches certain minimum commercial production levels.  One million annual pounds sold under the Sojitz Agreement will be subject to a per-pound molybdenum floor price and is offset by a flat discount to spot moly prices above the floor.  The remaining 4.0 million annual pounds sold under the Sojitz Agreement will be sold with reference to spot moly prices without regard to a floor price.  The Sojitz Agreement includes a provision for cancellation in the event that supply from the Mt. Hope Project has not begun by January 1, 2013.

All three long term supply agreements provide for supply only after commercial production levels are achieved, and no provisions require the Company to deliver product or make any payments if commercial production is never achieved, or declines in later periods.  The agreements require that monthly shortfalls be made up only if the Company’s portion of Mt. Hope production is available for delivery, after POS-Minerals has taken its share.  In no event do these requirements to make up monthly shortfalls become obligations of the Company if production does not meet targeted levels.

Furthermore, each of the agreements have take-or-pay provisions that require the buyers to either take delivery of product made available by the Company, or to pay as though they had taken delivery pursuant to the term of the agreements.

While we have not used derivative financial instruments in the past, we may elect to enter into derivative financial instruments to manage commodity price risk.  We have not entered into any market risk sensitive instruments for trading or speculative purposes and do not expect to enter into derivative or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

As of December 31, 2009, we had a balance of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $48.6 million.  Interest rates on short term, highly liquid investments have not changed materially since December 31, 2008 and continue to be 1% or less on an annualized basis. If and to the extent that these funds were invested in interest bearing instruments during the entire year ended December 31, 2009, a hypothetical 1% point decrease in the rate of interest earned on these funds would reduce interest income to nil for the year ended December 31, 2009.

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ITEM 8.                    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENERAL MOLY, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2009

CONTENTS

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of General Moly, Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of General Moly, Inc. and its subsidiaries (a development stage company) at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and, cumulatively, for the period from January 1, 2002 (date of inception) to December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits (which were integrated audits in 2009 and 2008).  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Denver, Colorado

March 5, 2010

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GENERAL MOLY, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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GENERAL MOLY, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)