Gulf Resources : Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 2024 (Form 10-Q)

About this update from Gulf Resources, Inc.

Gulf Resources, Inc. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 Or ☐ 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: 001-34499 GULF RESOURCES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 13-3637458 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Level 11, Vegetable Building , Industrial Park of the East City , Shouguang City , Shandong , China 262700 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) + 86 (536) 567-0008 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Not Applicable. (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol (s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.0005 par value GURE NASDAQ Global Select Market 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 ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☒ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Smaller reporting company ☒ Emerging Growth Company ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ As of March 31, 2024, the registrant had outstanding 10,726,924 shares of common stock, excluding 285,830 shares of treasury stock. Table of Contents Part I - Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements 1 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 27 Item 4. Controls and Procedures 27 Part II - Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings 28 Item 1A. Risk Factors 28 Item 2. Unregistered Shares of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 28 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 28 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure 28 Item 5. Other Information 28 Item 6. Exhibits 28 Signatures 29 PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Expressed in U.S. dollars) March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) December 31, 2023 (Audited) Current Assets Cash $ 70,761,796 $ 72,223,894 Accounts receivable, net 5,260,054 4,865,696 Inventories, net 634,127 577,229 Prepayments and deposits 8,425,376 8,395,290 Other receivable 8,244 7,482 Total Current Assets 85,089,597 86,069,591 Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment, net 117,237,390 122,188,023 Finance lease right-of use assets 81,692 83,115 Operating lease right-of-use assets 6,560,963 6,699,784 Prepaid land leases, net of current portion 9,751,590 9,772,170 Deferred tax assets, net 3,106,183 1,859,025 Total non-current assets 136,737,818 140,602,117 Total Assets $ 221,827,415 $ 226,671,708 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 8,800,428 $ 8,833,936 Taxes payable-current 216,747 475,630 Advance from customer 6,369 42,705 Amount due to related parties 2,584,668 2,586,658 Finance lease liability, current portion 175,208 172,625 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 478,808 473,653 Total Current Liabilities 12,262,228 12,585,207 Non-Current Liabilities Finance lease liability, net of current portion 1,332,594 1,312,950 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 7,370,296 7,525,255 Total Non-Current Liabilities 8,702,890 8,838,205 Total Liabilities $ 20,965,118 $ 21,423,412 Commitment and Loss Contingencies $ - $ - Stockholders' Equity PREFERRED STOCK; $ 0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding $ - $ - COMMON STOCK; $ 0.0005 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 11,012,754 shares issued; and 10,726,924 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 24,623 24,623 Treasury stock; 285,830 shares as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 at cost (1,372,673 ) (1,372,673 ) Additional paid-in capital 101,688,262 101,688,262 Retained earnings unappropriated 92,302,124 96,294,256 Retained earnings appropriated 26,667,097 26,667,097 Accumulated other comprehensive income (18,447,136 ) (18,053,269 ) Total Stockholders' Equity 200,862,297 205,248,296 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 221,827,415 $ 226,671,708 See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 1 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2024 2023 NET REVENUE $ 1,307,062 $ 9,302,007 OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSE Cost of net revenue (2,119,845 ) (6,769,074 ) Sales and marketing expenses (4,491 ) (13,704 ) Direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown (3,734,689 ) (2,408,736 ) General and administrative expenses (717,456 ) (910,051 ) Other operating income - - TOTAL OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSE (6,576,481 ) (10,101,565 ) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (5,269,419 ) (799,558 ) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense (24,830 ) (29,630 ) Interest income 36,060 70,885 Other expense (4,003 ) - LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (5,262,192 ) (758,303 ) INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT 1,270,060 200,556 NET LOSS $ (3,992,132 ) $ (557,747 ) COMPREHENSIVE LOSS: NET LOSS $ (3,992,132 ) $ (557,747 ) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - Foreign currency translation adjustments (393,867 ) 3,779,502 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME $ (4,385,999 ) $ 3,221,755 BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ (0.37 ) $ (0.05 ) BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES: 10,726,924 10,431,924 See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 2 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) Common stock Accumulated Number Number Number Additional Retained Retained other of shares of shares of treasury Treasury paid-in earnings earnings comprehensive issued outstanding stock Amount stock capital unappropriated appropriated Income(loss) Total BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2023 (Audited) 11,012,754 10,726,924 285,830 24,623 (1,372,673 ) 101,688,262 $ 96,294,256 $ 26,667,097 $ (18,053,269 ) $ 205,248,296 Translation adjustment - - - - - - - - (393,867 ) (393,867 ) Net loss for three-month period ended March 31, 2024 - - - - - - (3,992,132 ) - - (3,992,132 ) BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2024(Unaudited) 11,012,754 10,726,924 285,830 24,623 (1,372,673 ) 101,688,262 $ 92,302,124 $ 26,667,097 $ (18,447,136 ) $ 200,862,297 Common stock Accumulated Number Number Number Additional Retained Retained other of shares of shares of treasury Treasury paid-in earnings earnings comprehensive issued outstanding stock Amount stock capital unappropriated appropriated Income(loss) Total BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2022 (Audited) 10,717,754 10,431,924 285,830 24,476 (1,372,673 ) 101,237,059 $ 158,089,535 $ 26,667,097 $ (13,027,289 ) $ 271,618,205 Translation adjustment - - - - - - - - 3,779,502 3,779,502 Net loss for three-month period ended March 31, 2023 - - - - - - (557,747 ) - - (557,747 ) BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2023(Unaudited) 10,717,754 10,431,924 285,830 24,476 (1,372,673 ) 101,237,059 $ 157,531,788 $ 26,667,097 $ (9,247,787 ) $ 274,839,960 See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 3 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2024 2023 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss $ (3,992,132 ) $ (557,747 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Amortization on capital lease 24,830 28,560 Depreciation and amortization 4,733,475 5,360,224 Unrealized translation difference - (32,352 ) Deferred tax asset (1,270,060 ) (200,556 ) Amortization of right-of-use asset 217,345 - Changes in assets and liabilities Accounts receivable (402,545 ) 211,870 Inventories (57,859 ) 1,035,921 Prepayments and deposits (44,903 ) (109,604 ) Advance from customers (36,222 ) - Other receivables (774 ) (527 ) Accounts and Other payable and accrued expenses (17,847 ) (772,506 ) Amount due to related Parties - - Taxes payable (257,766 ) 282,007 Lease liabilities (226,018 ) (413,737 ) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (1,330,476 ) 4,831,553 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of property, plant and equipment - (32,742 ) Net cash used in investing activities - (32,742 ) EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (131,622 ) 2,746,808 NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,462,098 ) 7,545,619 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD 72,223,894 108,226,214 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $ 70,761,796 $ 115,771,833 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) (Expressed in U.S. dollars) Years Ended March 31, 2024 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 for: Paid for taxes $ 481,153 $ 1,670,428 Interest on finance lease obligation $ 24,830 $ 28,560 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 4 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Gulf Resources, Inc. ("Gulf Resources"), a Nevada corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gulf Resources, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Upper Class Group Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which owns 100% of Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong ("HKJI"). HKJI owns 100% of Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") which owns 100% of Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited ("SYCI") ,Daying County Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("DCHC") and Shouguang Hengde Salt Industry Co. Ltd. ("SHSI"). All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. (b) Nature of the Business The Company manufactures and trades bromine through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") ;manufactures and trades crude salt through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SHSI; and manufactures chemical products for use in the oil industry, pesticides, paper manufacturing industry and for human and animal antibiotics through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited ("SYCI") in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). DCHC was established to further explore and develop natural gas and brine resources (including bromine and crude salt) in the PRC. DCHC's business commenced trial operation in January 2019 but suspended production temporarily in May 2019 as required by the government to obtain project approval (see Note 1 (b)(iii)). On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The duration and intensity of the impact of the COVID-19 and resulting disruption to the Company's operations and financial position is uncertain. While our operations are currently not materially affected, it is unknown whether or how they may be affected if such a pandemic persists for an extended period. While not yet quantifiable, the Company believes this situation did not have a material adverse impact on its operating results in the year of 2021 and will continue to assess the financial impact. The virus outbreak slightly delayed the commencement of the operations for Factory No.1, No.4, No.7, No.9. We received approval to open factory No. 8 in 2022. COVID has still delayed the approval for factories N0.2 and No.10. (i) Bromine and Crude Salt Segments In February 2019, the Company received a notification from the local government of Yangkou County that its Factory No. 1, No. 4, No. 7 and No. 9 passed inspection and could resume operations. In April 2019, Factory No.1, and Factory No.7 resumed operation. On November 25, 2019, the government of Shouguang City issued a notice ordering all bromine facilities in Shouguang City, including the Company's bromine facilities, including Factory No. 1 and Factory No. 7, to temporarily stop production from December 16, 2019 to February 10, 2020. Subsequently, due to the coronavirus outbreak in China, the local government ordered those bromine facilities to postpone the commencement of production. Subsequently, the Company received an approval dated February 27, 2020 issued by thelocal governmental authority allowing the Company to resume production after the winter temporary closure. Further, the Company received another approval from the Shouguang Yangkou People's Government dated March 5, 2020 allowing the Company to resume production at its bromine factories No. 1, No. 4, No.7 and No. 9 in order to meet the needs of bromide products for epidemic prevention and control (the "March 2020 Approval"). The Company's Factories No. 1 and No. 7 commenced trial production in mid March 2020 and commercial production on April 3, 2020 and its Factories No. 4 and No. 9 commenced commercial production on May 6, 2020. The Company received verbal notification from the government regarding Factory No. 8, allowing it to recommence production in August 2022. Factory No. 8 began contributing revenue in the fourth quarter 2022. The Company is still waiting for governmental approval for Factories No. 2 and No. 10. To our knowledge, the government is currently completing its planning process for all mining areas including that for prevention of flood. As a result, we may be required to make some modifications to our current wells and aqueducts prior to commencement of operations of these factories to satisfy the local government's requirements. Pursuant to the notification from the government of Shouguang City, all bromine facilities in Shouguang City were temporarily closed from December 10, 2022 until February 1, 2023 8:00 AM China Time. To comply with such notification, the Company had temporarily stopped production at its bromine facilities during the aforesaid period and reopened the operating bromine and crude salt factories in February, 2023 as planned. In April 2022, Shouguang Hengde Salt Industry Co. Ltd, our subsidiary, was incorporated in Shandong Province, China, for crude salt production and trading. This subsidiary was created in response to a new government policy that required bromine and crude salt companies to have separate registrations. The creation of this subsidiary and the separation of bromine and crude salt does not impact sales or overall profits. However, the establishment of this subsidiary has resulting in a reallocation of costs between bromine and crude salt. (ii) Chemical Segment On November 24, 2017, the Company received a letter from the Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City notifying the Company to relocate its two chemical production plants located in the second living area of the Qinghe Oil Extraction to the Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industrial Park ("Bohai Park"). This was because the two plants were located in a residential area and their production activities impacted the living environment of the residents. This was as a result of the country's effort to improve the development of the chemical industry, manage safe production and curb environmental pollution accidents effectively, and ensure the quality of the living environment of residents. All chemical enterprises which did not comply with the requirements of the safety and environmental protection regulations were ordered to shut down. In December 2017, the Company secured from the government the land use rights for its chemical plants located at the Bohai Park and in June 2018, the Company presented a completed construction design draft and other related documents to the local authorities for approval. In January 2020, the Company received the environmental protection approval by the government of Shouguang City, Shandong Province for the proposed Yuxin Chemical factory. The Company began the construction on its new chemical facilities located at Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industrial Park in June 2020 and basically completed the civil works by the end of June 2021. On November 15, 2021, the Company announced that due to the supply chain issues as well as the electric restrictions in China, the delivery of some equipment, the equipment installation and testing and beginning trial production at the chemical factory had been delayed. On February 22, 2022, the Company announced that discussions with the government have convinced management that the electricity restrictions are being eased. Accordingly, the Company has contacted its suppliers and will have the remainder of the equipment produced and delivered, so the Company can complete installation and begin testing and trial production. The COVID restrictions and resulting national and international supply chain issues as well as permitting issues have caused delays in receiving some previously ordered machinery and equipment. The Company is working with its existing suppliers and may identify new suppliers so that it can complete construction of its factory based on accelerated delivery. Currently, the Company can not estimate when construction will be completed and production can begin. The Company estimates this relocation process will cost approximately $ 69 million in total. The Company incurred relocation costs comprising prepaid land lease, professional fees related to the design of the new chemical factory, purchase of plant and equipment and construction costs and installation costs incurred for the new chemical factory in the amount of $ 45,584,344 and $ 45,584,344 , which were recorded in the Property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. (iii) Natural Gas Segment In January 2017, the Company completed the first brine water and natural gas well field construction in Daying located in Sichuan Province, China, and commenced trial production in January 2019. On May 29, 2019, the Company received a verbal notice from the government of Tianbao Town, Daying County, Sichuan Province, whereby the Company is required to obtain project approval for its well located in Daying, including the whole natural gas and brine water project, and approvals for safety production inspection,environmental protection assessment, and to solve the related land issue. Until these approvals have been received, the Company has to temporarily halt trial production at its natural gas well in Daying. In compliance with the Chinese government new policies, the Company is also required to obtain an exploration license and a mining license for bromine and natural gas, respectively. Pursuant to the Opinions of the Ministry of Natural Resources on Several Issues in Promoting the Reform of Mineral Resources Management(Trial) promulgated by the Ministry of Natural Resources of PRC on January 9, 2020, which came into effect on May 1, 2020, privately owned enterprises are allowed to participate in the natural gas production. The Company plans to proceed with its applications for the natural gas and brine project approvals with related government departments until the governmental planning has been finalized. (c) Use of Estimates The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and this requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The most significant accounting estimates with regard to these consolidated financial statements that require the most significant and subjective judgments include, but are not limited to, useful lives of property, plant and equipment,recoverability of long-lived assets, determination of impairment losses, assessment of market value of inventories and provision for inventory obsolescence, allowance for doubtful accounts, recognition and measurement of deferred income taxes, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, and assumptions used for the valuation of share based payments. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. (d) Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Because of short maturity of these investments, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values. (e) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We make estimates of the uncollectibility of accounts receivable, especially analyzing accounts receivable and historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms, when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Credit evaluations are undertaken for all major sale transactions before shipment is authorized. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate aged items in the accounts receivable aging report and provide an allowance in an amount we deem adequate for doubtful accounts. If management were to make different judgments or utilize different estimates, material differences in the amount of our reported operating expenses could result. (f) Concentration of Credit Risk The Company is exposed to credit risk in the normal course of business, primarily related to accounts receivable and cash and cash equivalents. Substantially all of the Company's cash and cash equivalents are maintained with financial institutions in the PRC, namely, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, China Merchants Bank Company Limited and Sichuan Rural Credit Union, which are not insured or otherwise protected. The Company placed $ 70,761,796 and $ 72,223,894 with these institutions as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts in the PRC. 5 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued (g) Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Expenditures for new facilities or equipment, and major expenditures for betterment of existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs less 5% residual value over the estimated productive lives. All other ordinary repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Mineral rights are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Mineral rights are amortized ratably over the term of the lease, or the equivalent term under the units of production method, whichever is shorter. Construction in process primarily represents direct costs of construction of property, plant and equipment. Costs incurred are capitalized and transferred to property, plant and equipment upon completion and depreciation will commence when the completed assets are placed in service. The Company's depreciation and amortization policies on property, plant and equipment, other than mineral rights and construction in process, are as follows: Useful life (in years) Buildings (including salt pans) 8 - 20 Plant and machinery (including protective shells, transmission channels and ducts) 3 - 8 Motor vehicles 5 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 - 8 Property, plant and equipment under the capital lease are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or where shorter, the term of the lease. Producing oil and gas properties are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves. Common facilities that are built specifically to service production directly attributed to designated oil and gas properties are depreciated based on the proved developed reserves of the respective oil and gas properties on a pro-rata basis. Common facilities that are not built specifically to service identified oil and gas properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Costs associated with significant development projects are not depreciated until commercial production commences and the reserves related to those costs are excluded from the calculation of depreciation. (h) Retirement Benefits Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company participates in a defined contribution retirement plan for its employees arranged by a governmental organization. The Company makes contributions to the retirement plan at the applicable rate based on the employees' salaries. The required contributions under the retirement plans are charged to the condensed consolidated statement of income on an accrual basis when they are due. The Company's contributions totaled $ 123,123 and $ 154,184 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. (i) Revenue Recognition Net revenue is net of discount and value added tax and comprises the sale of bromine, crude salt and chemical products. Revenue is recognized when the control of the promised goods is transferred to the customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive from the customers in exchange for those goods. The acknowledgement of receipt of goods by the customers is when control of the product is deemed to be transferred. Invoicing occurs upon acknowledgement of receipt of the goods by the customers. Customers have no rights to return the goods upon acknowledgement of receipt of goods. Revenue from contracts with customers is disaggregated in Note 14. 6 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued (j) Recoverability of Long-lived Assets In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 360-10-35 "Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets" , long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment. The Company determines the existence of such impairment by measuring the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) and comparing such amount to the carrying amount of the assets. An impairment loss, if one exists, is then measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the discounted estimated future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value of such assets less costs to sell. Asset impairment charges are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived asset that will be sold or disposed of to their estimated fair values. Charges for the asset impairment reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived assets to their estimated salvage value in connection with the decision to dispose of such assets. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company determined that there were no events or circumstances indicating possible additional impairment of its long-lived assets. (k) Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share of Common Stock Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share are computed using weighted average number of common shares plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted earnings per share are considered to be anti-dilutive, i.e. the exercise prices of the outstanding stock options were greater than the market price of the common stock. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents which were excluded from the calculation of number of dilutive common stock equivalents amounted to 0 and 0 shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Because the Company reported a net loss for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, common stock equivalents including stock options and warrants were anti-dilutive, therefore the amounts reported for basic and diluted loss per share were the same. 7 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued (l) Reporting Currency and Translation The financial statements of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency, Renminbi ("RMB"), as the functional currency; whereas the functional currency and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar ("USD" or "$"). As such, the Company uses the "current rate method" to translate its PRC operations from RMB into USD, as required under FASB ASC 830 "Foreign Currency Matters". The assets and liabilities of its PRC operations are translated into USD using the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. The capital accounts are translated at the historical rate. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the balance sheets of the Company's PRC subsidiaries are recorded in stockholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. The statement of income and comprehensive income is translated at average rate during the reporting period. Gains or losses resulting from transactions in currencies other than the functional currencies are recognized in net income for the reporting periods as part of general and administrative expense. The statement of cash flows is translated at average rate during the reporting period, with the exception of the consideration paid for the acquisition of business which is translated at historical rates. (m) Foreign Operations All of the Company's operations and assets are located in PRC. The Company may be adversely affected by possible political or economic events in this country. The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted. (n) Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in first-out cost basis, or net realizable value. Costs of work-in-progress and finished goods comprise direct materials, direct labor and an attributable portion of manufacturing overhead. Net realizable value is based on estimated selling price less costs to complete and selling expenses. (o) Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in finance lease ROU assets and finance lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease and finance lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at January 1, 2019 based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term discounted using the rate implicit in the lease. In cases where the implicit rate is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not recognize operating lease ROU assets and liabilities arising from lease arrangements with lease term of twelve months or less. 8 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued (p) Stock-based Compensation Stock-based awards issued to employees are recorded at their fair values estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes model and the portion that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as compensation cost over the requisite service period. Consistent with the accounting requirement for employee stock-based awards, nonemployee stock-based awards are measured at the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that the Company is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. The Company has elected to account for the forfeiture of stock-based awards as they occur. (q) Loss Contingencies The Company accrues for loss contingencies relating to legal matters, including litigation defense costs, claims and other contingent matters, including liquidated damage liabilities, when such liabilities become probable and could be reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management's judgment, as appropriate. Revisions to accruals are reflected in earnings (loss) in the period in which different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the Company's previous assumptions with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Amounts paid upon the ultimate resolution of such liabilities may be materially different from previous estimates . (r) Income Tax The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the Income Taxes Topic of the FASB ASC, which requires the use of the liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts at each period end. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The deferred income tax effects of a change in tax rates are recognized in the period of enactment. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. The guidance also provides criteria for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosures of uncertain tax positions. A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized if it is "more likely than not" that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits. Interests and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are included within the (benefit from) provision for income tax in the consolidated statement of profit (loss). (s) New Accounting Pronouncements Recent accounting pronouncements adopted There were no recent accounting pronouncements adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this Update affect loans, debt securities, trade. 9 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For the Company which is a smaller reporting company, ASU No. 2019-10 extends the effective dates for two years. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosure. (t) Fair Value Measurement The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) on the measurement date in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques, which is based on whether the inputs into the valuation technique are observable or unobservable. The hierarchy is as follows: Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in active markets or in inactive markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments. Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value. The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The Company's financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, amounts due to related parties, accounts payable and other current payables. There were no material unrecognized financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and 2023. NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Accounts receivable $ 5,285,069 $ 4,890,756 Allowance for doubtful debt (25,015 ) (25,060 ) $ 5,260,054 $ 4,865,696 The overall accounts receivable balance as of March 31, 2024 increased by $ 394,358 compared to those of December 31, 2023. We have policies in place to ensure that sales are made to customers with an appropriate credit history. We perform ongoing credit evaluation on the financial condition of our customer. NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES Inventories consist of: March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Raw materials $ 30,829 $ 32,840 Finished goods 862,495 804,046 Less: impairment (259,197 ) (259,657 ) Inventory, net $ 634,127 $ 577,229 As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the reserve for inventory impairment was due to exchange rate changes. NOTE 4 - PREPAID LAND LEASES The Company has the rights to use certain parcels of land located in Shouguang, Shandong , PRC, through lease agreements signed with local townships or the government authority. The production facilities and warehouses of the Company are located on these parcels of land. The lease term ranges from ten to fifty years. Some of the lease contracts were paid in one lump sum upfront and some are paid annually at the beginning of each anniversary date. These leases have no purchase option at the end of the lease term and were classified as operating leases prior to and as of January 1, 2019 when the new lease standard was adopted. Prior to January 2019, the prepaid land lease was amortized on a straight-line basis. As of January 1, 2019, all the leases in which term has commenced and were in use were classified as operating lease right-of-use assets ("ROU"). See Note 6. In December 2017, the Company paid a one lump sum upfront amount of $ 8,962,655 for a 50-year lease of a parcel of land at Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industrial Park ("Bohai") for the new chemical factory under construction. There is no purchase option at the end of the lease term. This was classified as an operating lease prior to and as of January 1, 2019. The land use certificate was issued on October 25, 2019. The lease term expires on August 12, 2069. The amount paid was recorded as prepaid land leases, net of current portion in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31 2024 and December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the prepaid land lease increased to $ 9,325,634 due to an additional amount paid for stamp duty and related land use rights fees. Amortization of this prepaid land lease will commence when the chemical factory is built and placed in service. 10 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 5 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following: March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 At cost: Mineral rights $ 2,718,176 $ 2,722,997 Buildings 29,810,323 29,863,200 Plant and machinery 185,410,025 185,738,906 Furniture, fixtures and office equipment 1,453,968 1,456,547 Motor vehicles 125,849 126,072 Construction in process 10,289,240 10,307,491 Total 229,807,581 230,215,213 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (112,570,191 ) (108,027,190 ) Impairment - - Net book value $ 117,237,390 $ 122,188,023 The Company has certain buildings and salt pans erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, and such parcels of land are collectively owned by local townships or the government authority. The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings and salt pans. The aggregate carrying values of these properties situated on parcels of the land are $ 8,067,740 and $ 8,346,742 as at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $ 4,729,242 , of which $ 3,106,788 , $ 201,504 and $ 1,420,950 were recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown, administrative expenses and cost of net revenue, respectively. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $ 5,358,871 , of which $ 1,949,836 , $ 429,955 and $ 2,979,080 were recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown, administrative expenses and cost of net revenue, respectively. NOTE 6 - FINANCE LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS Property, plant and equipment under finance lease, net consist of the following: March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 At cost: Buildings $ 211,215 $ 211,590 Plant and machinery - - Total 211,215 211,590 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (129,523 ) (128,475 ) Net book value $ 81,692 $ 83,115 The above buildings erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, are collectively owned by local townships. The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings as the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates on the underlying parcels of land. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $ 1,270 , which was recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $ 1,353 , which was recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown. 11 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 7 - OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF USE ASSETS The Company has the rights to use certain parcels of land located in Shouguang, the PRC, through lease agreements signed with local townships or the government authority. For parcels of land that are collectively owned by local townships, the Company cannot obtain land use rights certificates. The parcels of land of which the Company cannot obtain land use rights certificates covers a total of approximately 29.8 square kilometers with an aggregate operating lease right-of-use assets amount of $ 7,821,687 as at March 31 , 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the total operating lease ROU assets was $ 6,560,963 . The total operating lease cost for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $ 217,345 and $ 241,021 . NOTE 8 - PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES Payable and accrued expenses consist of the following: March 31, December 31, 2024 2023 Accounts payable $ 208,416 $ 206,984 Salary payable 215,822 216,253 Social security insurance contribution payable 173,502 172,398 Other payable-related party - 88,086 Accrued expense for construction 5,379,894 5,389,437 Accrued expense-others 2,822,794 2,760,778 Total $ 8,800,428 $ 8,833,936 Accrued expense-others mainly include the quality guarantee of water conservancy projects of $ 2,552,044 and others. 12 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS On September 25, 2012, the Company purchased five floors of a commercial building in the PRC, through SYCI, from Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Seed Industry Group Co., Ltd. (the "Seller") at a cost of approximately $ 5.7 million in cash, of which Mr. Ming Yang, the Chairman of the Company, had a 99 % equity interest in the Seller. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with the Seller, a related party, to provide property management services for an annual amount of approximately $ 87,927 for five years from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2027 . The expense associated with this agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $ 21,982 and $ 22,696 . NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Continued a) Related parties Name of related parties Position Yang Ming Chairman Of the Board Liu XiaoBin Chief Executive Officer Li Min Chief Financial Officer Miao NaiHui Chief Operating Officer b) March 31, December 31, 2024 2023 Amount due to related parties: Yang Ming $ 415,748 $ 416,484 Liu XiaoBin 887,214 887,214 Li Min 640,853 641,480 Miao NaiHui 640,853 641,480 Total $ 2,584,668 $ 2,586,658 Considering that the Company has not performed well in recent years, the Company and its executive officers mutually agreed and to returned all, or a portion of their cash compensation earned for their services with the Company, which may be considered for future compensation should the Company improve its results of operations. NOTE 10 - TAXES PAYABLE March 31, December 31, 2024 2023 Land use tax payable 19,571 24,689 Value added tax and other taxes payable 197,176 450,941 Total $ 216,747 $ 475,630 NOTE 11 - LEASE LIABILITIES-FINANCE AND OPERATING LEASE The components of finance lease liabilities were as follows: Imputed March 31, December 31, Interest rate 2024 2023 Total finance lease liability 6.7 % $ 1,507,802 $ 1,485,575 Less: Current portion (175,208 ) (172,625 ) Finance lease liability, net of current portion $ 1,332,594 $ 1,312,950 Interest expenses from a finance lease liability amounted to $ 24,830 and $ 28,560 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were charged to the condensed consolidated statement of loss. The components of operating lease liabilities as follows: Imputed March 31, December 31, Interest rate 2024 2023 Total operating lease liabilities 4.89 % $ 7,849,104 $ 7,998,908 Less: Current portion (478,808 ) (473,653 ) Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion $ 7,370,296 $ 7,525,255 The weighted average remaining operating lease term at March 31, 2024 was 18 years and the weighted average discounts rate was 4.89 %. This discount rates used are based on the base rate quoted by the People's Bank of China and vary with the remaining term of the lease. Lease payment in the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $ 226,259 and $ 239,898 . Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Financial lease Operating Lease Payable within: the next 12 months $ 264,544 $ 826,748 the next 13 to 24 months 264,544 832,318 the next 25 to 36 months 264,544 838,248 the next 37 to 48 months 264,544 844,217 the next 49 to 60 months 264,544 850,571 thereafter 529,089 9,014,897 Total 1,851,809 13,206,999 Less: Amount representing interest (344,007 ) (5,357,895 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 1,507,802 $ 7,849,104 NOTE 12 - EQUITY Restricted Shares A restricted stock award ("RSA") is an award of common shares that is subject to certain restrictions during a specified period. Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the release of the restrictions. The grantee cannot transfer the shares before the restricted shares vest. Shares of nonvested restricted stock have the same voting rights as common stock, are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions thereon and are considered to be currently issued and outstanding. The Company expenses the cost of the restricted stock awards, which is determined to be the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, straight-line over the period during which the restrictions lapse. For these purposes, the fair market value of the restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date. Retained Earnings - Appropriated In accordance with the relevant PRC regulations and the PRC subsidiaries' Articles of Association, the Company's PRC subsidiaries are required to allocate its profit after tax to the following reserve: Statutory Common Reserve Funds SCHC, SYCI, SHSI and DCHC are required each year to transfer at least 10% of the profit after tax as reported under the PRC statutory financial statements to the Statutory Common Reserve Funds until the balance reaches 50% of the registered share capital. This reserve can be used to make up any loss incurred or to increase share capital. Except for the reduction of losses incurred, any other application should not result in this reserve balance falling below 25% of the registered capital. As at 31 March, 2024, GULF RESOURCES 'statutory provident fund stood at $26.67 million. 13 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 13 - TREASURY STOCK As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the number of treasury stock of the Company was 285,830 and 285,830 , respectively. NOTE 14 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Pursuant to the Company's 2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan adopted and approved in 2019 ("2019 Plan"), awards under the 2019 Plan is limited in the aggregate to 2,068,398 shares of our common stock, inclusive of the awards that were previously issued and outstanding under the Company's 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2007 Plan"). Upon adoption and approval of the 2019 Plan, the 2007 Plan was frozen, no new awards will be granted under the 2007 Plan, and outstanding awards under the 2007 Plan will continue to be governed by the terms and condition of the 2007 Plan and applicable award agreement. As of March 31, 2024, the number of shares of the Company's common stock available for grant of stock options and issuance under the 2019 Plan was 561,801 shares. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk free rate is based on the yield-to-maturity in continuous compounding of the US Government Bonds with the time-to-maturity similar to the expected tenor of the option granted, volatility is based on the annualized historical stock price volatility of the Company, and the expected life is based on the historical option exercise pattern. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, total compensation costs for options issued recorded in the consolidated statement of loss were $ 0 . There were no related tax benefits as a full valuation allowance was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The following table summarizes all Company stock option transactions between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024. Number of Option and Warrants Outstanding and exercisable Weighted- Average Exercise price of Option and Warrants Range of Exercise Price per Common Share Balance, January 1, 2024 - $ - $ - Granted during the period - - - Exercised during the period - - - Expired during the period - $ - $ - Balance, March 31, 2024 - $ - $ - Stock Options and Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Outstanding at March 31, 2024 Range of Exercise Prices Contractual Life (Years) Outstanding and exercisable - - - All options exercisable and outstanding at March 31, 2024 are fully vested. As of March 31, 2024 there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options, The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $ 0 . 14 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 15 - INCOME TAXES The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. (a) United States ("US") Gulf Resources, Inc. may be subject to the United States of America Tax laws at a tax rate of 21 %. No provision for the US federal income taxes has been made as the Company had no US taxable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and management believes that its earnings are permanently invested in the PRC. (b) British Virgin Islands ("BVI") Upper Class Group Limited, a subsidiary of Gulf Resources, Inc., was incorporated in the BVI and, under the current laws of the BVI, it is not subject to tax on income or capital gain in the BVI. Upper Class Group Limited did not generate assessable profit for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. (c) Hong Kong HKJI, a subsidiary of Upper Class Group Limited, was incorporated in Hong Kong and is subject to Hong Kong taxation on its activities conducted in Hong Kong and income arising in or derived from Hong Kong. No provision for income tax has been made as it has no taxable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The applicable statutory tax rates for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are 16.5 %. There is no dividend withholding tax in Hong Kong. (d) PRC Enterprise income tax ("EIT") for SCHC, SYCI, SHSI and DCHC in the PRC is charged at 25 % of the assessable profits. The operating subsidiaries SCHC, SYCI, DCHC, and SHSI are wholly foreign-owned enterprises ("FIE") incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC Local Income Tax Law. The PRC tax losses may be carried forward to be utilized against future taxable profit for ten years for High-tech enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises of science and technology and for five years for other companies. Tax losses of the operating subsidiaries of the Company may be carried forward for five years. On February 22, 2008, the Ministry of Finance ("MOF") and the State Administration of Taxation ("SAT") jointly issued Cai Shui [2008] Circular 1 ("Circular 1"). According to Article 4 of Circular 1, distributions of accumulated profits earned by a FIE prior to January 1, 2008 to foreign investor(s) in 2008 will be exempted from withholding tax ("WHT") while distribution of the profit earned by an FIE after January 1, 2008 to its foreign investor(s) shall be subject to WHT at 5% effective tax rate. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the accumulated distributable earnings under the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP") of PRC that are subject to WHT are $ 81,618,519 and $ 87,160,228 , respectively. Since the Company intends to reinvest its earnings to further expand its businesses in mainland China, its foreign invested enterprises do not intend to declare dividends to their immediate foreign holding companies in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has not recorded any WHT on the cumulative amount of distributable retained earnings of its foreign invested enterprises that are subject to WHT in China. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unrecognized WHT are $ 3,120,996 and $ 3,396,379 , respectively. The Company's income tax returns are subject to the various tax authorities' examination. The federal, state and local authorities of the United States may examine the Company's income tax returns filed in the United States for three years from the date of filing. The Company's US income tax returns since 2017 are currently subject to examination. Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong ("IRD") may examine the Company's income tax returns filed in Hong Kong for seven years from date of filing. For the years 2012 through 2019, HKJI did not report any taxable income. It did not file any income tax returns during these years except for 2014 and 2018. For companies which do not have taxable income, IRD typically issues notification to companies requiring them to file income tax returns once in every four years. The tax returns for 2014 and 2018 are currently subject to examination. The components of the provision for income tax benefit (expense) from continuing operations are: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Current taxes - PRC $ - $ - Deferred tax - PRC entities (1,270,060 ) (200,556 ) Total Income tax (expenses) benefits $ (1,270,060 ) $ (200,556 ) Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows: March 31, December 31, 2024 2023 Deferred tax liabilities $ - $ - Deferred tax assets: Exploration costs 1,754,703 1,757,816 PRC tax losses 13,191,313 11,941,045 US federal net operating loss 1,708,489 1,694,013 Total deferred tax assets 16,654,505 15,392,874 Valuation allowance (13,548,322 ) (13,533,849 ) Net deferred tax asset $ 3,106,183 $ 1,859,025 Deferred tax assets consist of future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and adequate future taxable income, exclusive of reversing deductible temporary differences. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, valuation allowances were mainly provided against deferred tax assets caused by exploration costs and net operating loss where it was determined it was more likely than not that the benefits of the deferred tax assets will not be realized due to their continuous losses. The increase in valuation allowance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 is $ 14,473 . The decrease in valuation allowance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 is $ 206,671 . There were no unrecognized tax benefits and accrual for uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and no amounts accrued for penalties and interest for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. NOTE 16 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS The Company has four reportable segments: bromine, crude salt, chemical products and natural gas. The reportable segments are consistent with how management views the markets served by the Company and the financial information that is reviewed by its chief operating decision maker. An operating segment's performance is primarily evaluated based on segment operating income, which excludes share-based compensation expense, certain corporate costs and other income not associated with the operations of the segment. These corporate costs (income) are separately stated below and also include costs that are related to functional areas such as accounting, treasury, information technology, legal, human resources, and internal audit. The Company believes that segment operating income, as defined above, is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of its segments. All the customers are located in PRC. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2024 Bromine * Crude Salt * Chemical Products Natural Gas Segment Total Corporate Total Net revenue (external customers) $ 1,146,197 $ 116,671 $ - $ 44,194 $ 1,307,062 $ - $ 1,307,062 Net revenue (intersegment) - - - - - - - Loss from operations before income expense (4,782,815 ) (75,092 ) (314,824 ) (27,709 ) (5,200,440 ) (68,979 ) (5,269,419 ) Income tax (expense) benefit 1,198,071 - 71,989 - 1,270,060 - 1,270,060 Loss from operations after income taxes(expense) benefit (3,584,744 ) (75,092 ) (242,835 ) (27,709 ) (3,930,380 ) (68,979 ) (3,999,359 ) Total assets 100,370,933 11,517,576 107,776,242 1,912,377 221,577,128 250,287 221,827,415 Depreciation and amortization 4,449,468 181,891 68,357 33,759 4,733,475 - 4,733,475 Capital expenditures - - - - - - - Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2023 Bromine * Crude Salt * Chemical Products Natural Gas Segment Total Corporate Total Net revenue (external customers) $ 8,470,372 $ 748,681 $ - $ 82,954 $ 9,302,007 $ - $ 9,302,007 Net revenue (intersegment) - - - - - - - Loss from operations before income benefit (409,692 ) 42,930 (417,873 ) 12,685 (771,950 ) (27,608 ) (799,558 ) Income tax benefit 94,593 (11,323 ) 117,286 - 200,556 - 200,556 Loss from operations after income taxes(benefit) (315,099 ) 31,607 (300,587 ) 12,685 (571,394 ) (27,608 ) (599,002 ) Total assets 171,616,991 11,738,247 110,666,925 1,369,522 295,391,685 347,851 295,739,536 Depreciation and amortization 5,065,606 188,687 70,911 35,020 5,360,224 - 5,360,224 Capital expenditures 32,742 - - - 32,742 - 32,742 * Certain common production overheads, operating and administrative expenses and asset items (mainly cash and certain office equipment) of bromine and crude salt segments in SCHC were split by reference to the average selling price and production volume of the respective segment. 15 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 (Expressed in U.S. dollars) (UNAUDITED) NOTE 16 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS - Continued Three-Month Period Ended March 31, Reconciliations 2024 2023 Total segment operating loss $ (5,200,440 ) $ (771,950 ) Corporate costs (68,979 ) (59,960 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on translation of intercompany balance - 32,352 Loss from operations (5,269,419 ) (799,558 ) Other income 11,230 41,255 Other Expenses (4,003 ) - Loss before taxes $ (5,262,192 ) $ (758,303 ) The following table shows the major customers (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. Number Customer Bromine (000's) Crude Salt (000's) Chemical Products (000's) Total Revenue (000's) Percentage of Total Revenue (%) 1 Shandong Morui Chemical Company Limited $ 134 $ 63 $ - $ 197 15.1 % 2 Shouguang Weidong Chemical Company Limited 135 26 - 161 12.3 % 3 Shandong Brother Technology Limited 133 28 - 161 12.3 % 4 Shandong Shouguangshen Runfa Marine Chemical Company Limited $ 135 $ - $ - $ 135 10.3 % The following table shows the major customers (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Number Customer Bromine (000's) Crude Salt (000's) Chemical Products (000's) Total Revenue (000's) Percentage of Total Revenue (%) 1 Shandong Brother Technology Limited $ 1,182 $ 285 $ - $ 1,467 15.9 % 2 Shandong Morui Chemical Company Limited 1,177 260 - 1,437 15.6 % 3 Shouguang Weidong Chemical Company Limited 1,186 202 - 1,388 15.1 % 4 Shandong Shouguangshen Runfa Marine Chemical Company Limited $ 963 $ - $ - $ 963 10.4 % NOTE 17 - CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold 55 % of its products to its top five customers. As of March 31, 2024, amounts due from these customers were $ 2,803,534 . During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold 64 % of its products to its top five customers. As of March 31, 2023, amounts due from these customers were $ 3,492,933 . NOTE 18 - MAJOR SUPPLIERS During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, the Company purchased 100 % of its raw materials from its top three suppliers. As of March 31, 2024, amounts due to those suppliers were $ 207,431 . During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, the Company purchased 100 % of its raw materials from its top three suppliers. As of March 31, 2023, amounts due to those suppliers were $ 411,554 . NOTE 19 - LOSS CONTINGENCIES On or about August 3, 2018, written decisions of administration penalty captioned Shou Guo Tu Zi Fa Gao Zi [2018] No. 291, Shou Guo Tu Zi Fa Gao Zi [2018] No. 292, Shou Guo Tu Zi Fa Gao Zi [2018] No. 293, Shou Guo Tu Zi Fa Gao Zi [2018] No. 294, Shou Guo Tu Zi Fa Gao Zi [2018] No. 295 and Shou Guo Tu Zi Fa Gao Zi [2018] No. 296 (together, the "Written Decisions") were served on Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") by Shouguang City Natural Resources and Planning Bureau (the "Bureau"), naming SCHC as respondent respectively thereof. The Decisions challenged the land use of Factory nos. 2, 9, 7, 4, 8 and 10, respectively, and alleged, among other things, that SCHC had illegally occupied and used the land in the total area of approximately 52,674 square meter, on which Factory nos. 2, 9, 7, 4, 8 and 10 were built, respectively. The Written Decisions ordered SCHC, among other things, to return the land subject to the Written Decisions to its respective legal owner, restore the land to its original state, and demolish or confiscate all the buildings and facilities thereon and pay monetary penalty of approximately RMB 1.3 million ($184,000) in the aggregate. Each of the Written Decisions shall be executed within 15 days upon serving on SCHC. Additional interest penalty shall be imposed at a daily rate of 3% in the event that SCHC does not make the monetary penalty payment in a timely manner. Subsequently, the Bureau filed enforcement actions to the People's Court of Shouguang City, Shandong Province (the "Court"), naming SCHC as enforcement respondent and alleged, among other things, that SCHC failed to perform its obligations under each of the Written Decisions within the specified timeframe. The enforcement proceedings sought court orders to enforce the Written Decisions. On May 5, 2019, written decisions of administrative ruling captioned (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 384, (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 385, (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 389, (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 390, (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 393, and (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 394, respectively (together, the "Court Rulings") were made by the Court in favor of the Bureau. The Court orders, among other relief, to enforce each of the Written Decisions, to return each subject land to its legal owners and demolish or confiscate the buildings and facilities thereon and restore the land to its original state within 10 days from the service of the Court Rulings on SCHC. The Court Rulings became enforceable immediately upon service on SCHC on May 5, 2019. In the last twenty years, to the Company's knowledge, there were no government regulations requiring bromine manufacturers to obtain land use and planning approval document. As such, the Company believes most of the bromine manufacturers in Shouguang City do not have land use and planning approval documents and lease their land parcels from the village associations. They are facing the same issues in connection with land use and planning as the Company. To the Company's knowledge, the local government has submitted its plan to solve the issues to higher authority and are waiting for approval from the higher authority. The Company is in the process of resolving the issues in connection with SCHC's land use and planning diligently. The Company has been in discussions closely with the local government authorities with the help from Shouguang City Bromine Association to seek reliefs and, based on verbal confirmation by local government authorities, believes the administrative penalties imposed by the Bureau according to the Written Decisions are being re-assessed by local government authorities and may be revoked. Pursuant to a Written Application dated October 28, 2019 addressed to the Court by the Bureau, the Bureau withdrew its application for the enforcement proceedings regarding the administrative penalty imposed on Factory No. 7, Factory No. 8 and Factory No.10. Pursuant to a written decisions of administrative ruling captioned (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 389 Zhi Yi, dated November 25, 2020, the Court orders to terminate the enforcement of the case captioned (2019) Lu 0783 Xing Shen No. 389. Production of Factory No. 7 was allowed to resume in April 2019. The Company received a notification from the Shouguang City Government in February 2019 informing the Company that Factory No. 1, No.4, No. 7 and No. 9 have passed inspection and were approved to resume operation In addition, on August 28, 2019, the People's Government of Shandong Province, issued a regulation titled "Investment Project Management Requirements of Chemical Companies in Shandong Province" permitting the construction of facilities on existing sites or infrastructure of bromine manufacturing and other chemical industry-related types of projects (clause 11 of section 3). The Company believes that the goal of the government is to standardize and regulate the industry and not to demolish the facilities or penalize the manufacturers. As of the date of this report, the Company has not been notified by the local government that it will take any measure to enforce the administrative penalties. Based on information known to date, the Company believes that it is remote that the Written Decisions or Court Rulings will be enforced within the expected timeframe and a material penalty or costs and expenses against the Company will result. However, there can be no assurance that there will not be any further enforcement action, the occurrence of which may result in further liabilities, penalties and operational disruption. In view of the above facts and circumstances, the Company believes that it is not necessary to accrue for any estimated losses or impairment as of March 31, 2024. NOTE 20 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT In June 2024, the Company retired some fixed assets including aqueducts and wells for a total amount approximately $ 29,169,008 . This decision was made due to the following reasons: (1) the aqueducts exhibits serious water seepage, posed potential damage, and could lead to environmental pollution; (2) the wells were found to have reduced water flow, low brine content and high energy consumption. In June 2024, SHSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, signed acquisition agreements with each of several sellers. Under these agreements, each seller agrees to transfer to SHSI, and SHSI agrees to purchase from each seller, a parcel of crude salt field located in Shouguang city Yangkou town. The total of aggregate price for these acquisitions is RMB 280,762,000 (approximately US$ 38,619,257 based on the exchange rate on July 3, 2024. Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group Co., Ltd. and Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Seed Group Co., Ltd. owe RMB15.0million (Approximate $2.12 million) and RMB10.0 million (Approximate $1.41 million) to Shandong Deepin City InvestmentEmergency Lending Fund, respectively. A total of nine companies and individuals provided guarantee to these loans, includingShouguang Haoyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. and Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Co., LTD. However, considering the number of guarantors,the total amount of available fund indicated by Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group Co., Ltd. and legal advice, GulfResources believes that this guaranteed loan has limited impact on the company. 16 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The discussion below contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have used words such as "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities and the timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances, or for any other reason. Overview We are a Nevada holding company which conducts operations through our wholly-owned China-based subsidiaries. Our business is conducted and reported in four segments, namely, bromine, crude salt, chemical products and natural gas. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, SCHC, we produce and trade bromine and crude salt. We are one of the largest producers of bromine in China, as measured by production output. Elemental bromine is used to manufacture a wide variety of bromine compounds used in industry and agriculture. Bromine also is used to form intermediary chemical compounds such as Tetramethylbenzidine. Bromine is commonly used in brominated flame retardants, fumigants, water purification compounds, dyes, medicines and disinfectants. Crude salt is the principal material in alkali production as well as chlorine alkali production and is widely used in the chemical, food and beverage, and other industries. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, SYCI, we manufacture and sell chemical products used in oil and gas field exploration, oil and gas distribution, oil field drilling, papermaking chemical agents, inorganic chemicals and materials that are used for human and animal antibiotics. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, DCHC, was established to explore and develop natural gas and brine resources (including bromine and crude salt) in Sichuan Province, China. 17 As disclosed in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 8, 2017, the Company received, on September 1, 2017, letters from the Yangkou County, Shouguang City government addressed to each of its subsidiaries, SCHC and SYCI, which stated that in an effort to improve the safety and environmental protection management level of chemical enterprises, the plants are requested to immediately stop production and perform rectification and improvements in accordance with the country's new safety and environmental protection requirements. In the Company's press release of August 11, 2017 and on its conference call of August 14, 2017, the Company addressed concerns that increased government enforcement of stringent environmental rules that were adopted in early 2017 to insure corporations bring their facilities up to necessary standards so that pollution and other negative environmental issues are limited and remediated, could have an impact on our business in both the short and long-term. The Company also expressed that although it believed its facilities were fully compliant at the time, the Company did not know how its facilities would fare under the new rules. Teams of inspectors from the government were sent to many provinces to inspect all mining and manufacturing facilities. The local government requested that facilities be closed, so that the facilities could undergo the inspection and analysis in the most efficient manner by inspectors' team. As a result, our facilities were closed on September 1, 2017. The Company believes that this is another step by the government to improve the environment. It further believes the goal of the government is not to close all plants, but rather to codify the regulations related to project approval, land use, planning approval and environmental protection assessment approval so that illegal plants are not able to open in the future and so that plants close to population centers do not cause serious environmental damage. In addition, the Company believes that the Shandong provincial government wants to assure that each of its regional and county governments has applied the Notice in a consistent manner. The Shouguang City Bromine Association, on behalf of all the bromine plants in Shouguang, started discussions with the local government agencies. The local governmental agencies confirmed the facts that their initial requirements for the bromine industry did not include the project approval, the planning approval and the land use rights approval and that those three additional approvals were new requirements of the provincial government. The Company understood from the local government that it has been coordinating with several government agencies to solve these three outstanding approval issues in a timely manner and that all the affected bromine plants willnot be allowed to commence production prior to obtaining those approvals. In February 2019, the Company received a notification from the local government of Yangkou County that its Factory No. 1, No.4, No. 7 and No. 9 had passed inspection and could resume operations. In April 2019, Factory No. 1 and No. 7 resumed operations. On February 28, 2020, the Company announced that it received an approval from the government to resume bromine production after winter temporary closure. Subsequently, it received another approval from the Shouguang Yangkou People's Government dated on March 5, 2020 to resume production at its bromine factories No.1, No. 4, No.7 and No. 9 in order to meet the needs of bromide products for epidemic prevention and control. With these two approvals, the Company was allowed to resume production at all four bromine factories. The Company received an oral notification from the government for its Factory No. 8, which permitted Factory No.8 to resume production in August 2022. Factory No.8 started to contribute revenue in the fourth quarter 2022. Pursuant to the notification from the government of Shouguang City, all bromine facilities in Shouguang City were temporarily closed from December 10, 2022 until February 1, 2023 8:00 AM China Time. To comply with such notification, the Company had temporarily stopped production at its bromine facilities during the aforesaid period and reopened the operating bromine and crude salt factories in February, 2023 as planned. The Company is still waiting for governmental approval for factories No.2 and No.10. To its knowledge, the government is currently completing its planning process for all mining areas including that for prevention of flood. As a result, the Company may be required to make some modifications to our current wells and aqueducts prior to commencement of operations of these factories to satisfy the local government's requirements. 18 On November 24, 2017, Gulf Resources received a letter from the People's Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City notifying the Company that due to the new standards and regulations relating to safety production and environmental pollution, from certain local governmental departments, such as the municipal environmental protection department, the security supervision department and the fire department, its chemical enterprises would have to be relocated to a new industrial park called Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industry Park. Although our chemical companies were in compliance with regulations, they were also close to a residential area. As a result, the government determined we should relocate to the Bohai park.Chemical companies that are not being asked to move into the park are being permanently closed. Since our factories closed, the Company has secured from the government the land use rights for its chemical plant. On January 6, 2020, the Company received the environmental protection approval by the government of Shouguang City, Shandong Province for the proposed Yuxin Chemical factory. The Company began the construction on its new chemical facilities located at Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industrial Park in June 2020. The construction was expected to take approximately one year and an additional six months to complete the equipment installation and testing, however due to the COVID epidemic and electrical restrictions, the opening of the chemical factory has been delayed. The Company has received the refrigeration and air compressor units. The rest equipment is expected to be delivered by the second quarter of 2023. The Company intends to start installation of equipment and may start testing andtrial production by the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024. In January 2017, the Company completed the first brine water and natural gas well field construction in Daying located in Sichuan Province and commenced trial production in January 2019. On May 29, 2019, the Company received a verbal notice from the government of Tianbao Town ,Daying County, Sichuan Province, whereby the Company is required to obtain project approval for its well located in Daying, including the whole natural gas and brine water project, and approvals for safety production inspection, environmental protection assessment, and to solve the related land issue. Until these approvals have been received, the Company has to temporarily halt trial production at its natural gas well in Daying. In compliance with the Chinese government new policies, the Company is also required to obtain an exploration license and a mining license for bromine and natural gas, respectively. Pursuant to the Opinions of the Ministry of Natural Resources on Several Issues in Promoting the Reform of Mineral Resources Management (Trial) promulgated by the Ministry of Natural Resources of PRC on January 9, 2020, which came into effect on May 1, 2020, privately owned enterprises are allowed to participate in the natural gas production. The Company plans to proceed with its applications for the natural gas and brine project approvals with related government departments until after the governmental planning has been finalized the land and resource planning for Sichuan Province. In April 2022, Shouguang Hengde Salt Industry Co. Ltd（"SHSI"）, our subsidiary, was incorporated in Shandong Province, China, for crude salt production and trading. On January 28, 2020 we completed a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of our common stock, such that for each five shares outstanding prior to the stock split there was one share outstanding after the reverse stock split. All shares of common stock referenced in this report have been adjusted to reflect the stock split figures. Recent Developments Acquisition Agreements On June 26, 2024, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Shouguang Hengde Salt Industry Co. Ltd ( "SHSI"), entered into a Crude Salt Field Acquisition Agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") with Shouguang Qingshuibo Farm Co., LTD. ("Seller A"), pursuant to which Seller A agrees to transfer to SHSI, and SHSI agrees to purchase, 2,380,000 square meters of crude salt field (including the land lease fee) for RMB54.40 per square meter, with the total transfer price of RMB129,472,000. The term of transfer is from June 29, 2024 to June 28, 2044. 80% of the transfer price shall be paid upon the execution of Acquisition Agreement, and the remaining 20% shall be paid in shares of common stock of the Company within three months from the date of Acquisition Agreement after SHSI has inspected the and accepted the crude salt field in writing. On June 27, 2024, SHSI entered into four Crude Salt Field Acquisition Agreements (the "Agreements") with Shouguang city Yangkou town Dingjia Zhuangzi village stock economic cooperative, Shouguang city Yangkou town Shanjia Zhuangzi village stock economic cooperative, Shouguang City Yangkou town Zhengjia Zhuangzi village stock economic cooperative, and Shouguang city Yangkou town Renjia Zhuangzi village stock economic cooperative (together, "Sellers"), pursuant to which Sellers agree to transfer to SHSI, and SHSI agrees to purchase from Sellers, 750,000, 804,000, 385,000, and 822,000 square meters of crude salt field (including the land lease fee) for RMB54.10, RMB54.90, RMB54.00, and RMB55.70 per square meter, respectively, with the total transfer price of RMB40,575,000, RMB44,139,600, RMB20,790,000, and RMB45,785,400, respectively. The term of transfers is from June 29, 2024 to June 28, 2044. 80% of the transfer price shall be paid upon the execution of Agreements, and the remaining 20% shall be paid in shares of common stock of the Company within three months from the date of Agreements after SHSI has inspected the and accepted the crude salt fields in writing. Nasdaq Compliance The Company received a notice (the "Initial Notice") from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") on April 18, 2024 notifying the Company that due to the Company's failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Form 10-K"), with the SEC, the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the "Rule"), which requires the timely filing of all required periodic reports with the SEC, and the Company subsequently received a notice (the "May Notice") from Nasdaq on May 21, 2024 due to the Company's non-compliance with the Rule as a result of the Company's failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024 (the "Form 10-Q", together with the Form 10-K, the "Delinquent Reports"). The May Notice states that the Company has until June 17, 2024 to submit to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Rule. On June 26, 2024, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq indicating that, based on its further review and the plan of compliance submitted by the Company on June 14, 2024, Nasdaq has determined to grant an exception to enable the Company to regain compliance with the Rule. The terms of the exception are as follows: on or before October 14, 2024, the Company must file the Delinquent Reports, as required by the Rule. In the event the Company does not satisfy the terms, Nasdaq will provide written notification that its securities will be delisted. At that time, the Company may appeal Nasdaq's determination to a hearings panel. Subsequently, on August 20, 2024, the Company received a notice (the "August Notice") from Nasdaq indicating that, because the Company is delinquent in filing its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024, the Company is not in compliance with the Rule. The Notice also indicates that as a result of this additional delinquency, the Company must submit an update to its original plan to regain compliance with respect to the filing requirements. The Company has until September 4, 2024 to submit such update to Nasdaq. The August Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company's common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. While the Company can provide no assurance to the timing, the Company has submitted a letter to Nasdaq confirming that there has been no change to its original plan to regain compliance with respect to the filing requirements, and will continue to work diligently to complete and file its delayed SEC reports. 19 Our current corporate structure chart is set forth in the following diagram: As a result of our acquisitions of SCHC and SYCI, our historical financial statements and the information presented below reflects the accounts of SCHC, SYCI, SHSI and DCHC. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table presents certain information derived from the condensed consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. 20 Comparison of the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2024 Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2023 Percent Change Increase/ (Decrease) Net revenue $ 1,307,062 $ 9,302,007 (86 %) Cost of net revenue $ (2,119,845 ) $ (6,769,074 ) (69 %) Gross profit (loss) $ (812,783 ) $ 2,532,933 (132 %) Sales and marketing expenses $ (4,491 ) $ (13,704 ) (67 %) Direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown $ (3,734,689 ) (2,408,736 ) 55 % General and administrative expenses $ (717,456 ) $ (910,051 ) (21 %) Other Operating Income $ - $ - - Loss from operations $ (5,269,419 ) $ (799,558 ) 559 % Other income, net $ 11,230 $ 41,255 (73 %) Other expense $ (4,003 ) $ - - Loss before taxes $ (5,262,192 ) $ (758,303 ) 594 % Income tax benefit $ 1,270,060 $ 200,556 533 % Net loss $ (3,992,132 ) $ (557,747 ) 616 % Net revenue The table below shows the changes in net revenue in the respective segment of the Company for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023: Net Revenue by Segment Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended Percent Change March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Increase Segment % of total % of total Bromine $ 1,146,197 88 % $ 8,470,372 91 % (86 %) Crude Salt $ 116,671 9 % $ 748,681 8 % (84 %) Chemical Products $ - - $ - - - Natural Gas $ - - $ - - - Total $ 1,262,868 97 % $ 9,219,053 99 % (86 %) Equipment Lease $ 44,194 3 % $ 82,954 1 % (47 %) Total sales $ 1,307,062 100 % $ 9,302,007 100 % (86 %) Three-Month Period Ended Percentage Change Bromine and crude salt segments product sold in tonnes March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Increase Bromine (excluded volume sold to SYCI) 451 2,020 (78 %) Crude Salt 4,071 20,360 (80 %) Bromine segment For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the net revenue for the bromine segment was $1,146,197 and $8,470,372. This decrease was due to the 78% decrease in tonnes sold and a 39% decrease in average selling price. Crude salt segment For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the net revenue for the crude salt was $116,671 and $748,681. This decrease was due to the 80% decrease in tonnes sold and a 22% decrease in average selling price. 21 Chemical products segment For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the net revenue for the chemical products segment was $0 due to the closure of our chemical factories since September 1, 2017. Natural gas segment For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the net revenue for the natural gas production was $0. Equipment Lease For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the net revenue for the equipment lease was $44,194 and $82,954. Cost of Net Revenue Cost of Net Revenue by Segment Percent Change Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended of Cost of March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Net Revenue Segment % of total % of total Bromine $ 2,072,752 97.8 % $ 6,148,443 90.8 % (66 %) Crude Salt $ 46,894 2.2 % $ 620,258 9.2 % (92 %) Chemical Products $ - - $ - - - Natural Gas $ 199 - $ 373 - (47 %) Total $ 2,119,845 100 % $ 6,769,074 100 % (69 %) Costof net revenue reflects mainly the raw materials consumed and the direct salaries and benefits of staff engaged in the production process, electricity, depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery and other manufacturing costs. Our cost of net revenue was $2,119,845 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, an decrease of $4,649,229 (or 69%) as compared to the same period in 2023 due to the decrease of net revenue by 86% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023 . Bromine production capacity and utilization of our factories The table below represents the annual capacity and utilization ratios for all of our bromine producing properties: Annual Production Capacity (in tonnes) Utilization Ratio (i) Three-month period ended March 31, 2023 31,506 - 39 % Three-month period ended March 31, 2024 31,506 - 17 % Variance of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 - (22 %) (i) Utilization ratio is calculated based on the annualized actual production volume in tonnes for the periods divided by the annual production capacity in tonnes. Bromine segment For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 the cost of net revenue for the bromine segment was $2,072,752. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 the cost of net revenue for the bromine segment was $6,148,443. Crude salt segment For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 the cost of net revenue for the crude salt segment was $46,894. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 the cost of net revenue for the crude salt segment was $620,258. 22 Chemical products segment Cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $0. Natural gas segment Cost of net revenue for our natural gas segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $199 and $373. Gross Profit (Loss) Gross loss was $812,783, or 62%, of net revenue for three-month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to $2,532,933, or 27% of net revenue for three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Gross Profit (Loss) by Segment % Point Change Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended of Gross March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Profit (Loss) Margin Segment Gross Profit Margin Gross Profit Margin Bromine $ (926,555 ) (81 %) $ 2,321,929 27 % (108 %) Crude Salt $ 69,777 60 % $ 128,423 17 % (43 %) Chemical Products $ - - $ - - - Natural Gas $ - - $ - - - Equipment Lease $ 43,995 100 % $ 82,581 100 % 0 % Total Gross Profit (Loss) $ (812,783 ) (62 %) $ 2,532,933 27 % (89 %) Bromine segment For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, the gross loss margin for our bromine segment was 81%, compared to 27% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in gross loss margin was primarily attributable to the higher average selling price of bromine of $2,541 per ton in the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to $4,193 per ton in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Bromine tonnes sales also decreased from 2,020 tonnes for the three month period ended March 31, 2023 to 451 tonnes for the three month period ended March 31, 2024. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, the gross profit margin for our bromine segment was 27%. Crude salt segmen t For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, the gross profit margin for our crude salt segment was 60%. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, the gross profit margin for our crude salt segment was 17%. Direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown On September 1, 2017, the Company received notification from the government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City of PRC that stated that production at all its bromine and crude salt and chemical factories should be halted with immediate effect in order for the Company to perform rectification and improvement in accordance with the county's new safety and environmental protection requirements. On November 24, 2017, the Company received a letter from the Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City notifying the Company to relocate its two chemical production plants located in the second living area of the Qinghe Oil Extraction Plant to Bohai Park. As a result, direct labor and factory overhead costs (including depreciation of plant and machinery) in the amount of $3,734,689 and $2,408,736 incurred for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, of factories that have not resumed production were presented as part of the operating expense. 23 General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses were $717,456 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, an decrease of $192,595 (or 21%) as compared to $910,051 for the same period in 2023. Loss from Operations Loss from operations was $5,269,419 the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to loss from operation of $799,558 in the same period in 2023. Loss from Operations by Segment Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2024 Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2023 Segment: % of total % of total Bromine $ (4,782,815 ) 92 % $ (409,692 ) 53 % Crude Salt (75,092 ) 1 % 42,930 (6 %) Chemical Products (314,824 ) 6 % (417,873 ) 54 % Natural Gas (27,709 ) 1 % 12,685 (1 %) Loss from operations before corporate costs (5,200,440 ) 100 % (771,950 ) 100 % Corporate cost (68,979 ) (59,960 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on translation of intercompany balance - 32,352 Loss from operations $ (5,269,419 ) $ (799,558 ) Bromine segment Loss from operations from our bromine segment was $4,782,815 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to loss from operations of $409,692 in the same period in 2023. This decrease was due to the 78% decrease in tonnes sold and a 39% decrease in average selling price. Crude salt segment Loss from operations from our crude salt segment was $75,092 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, compared toincome from operations of $42,930 in the same period in 2023. Chemical products segment Loss from operations from our chemical products segment was $314,824 for the thre...

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