SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K -------- CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act March 21, 2006 Date of Report --------------------------------- (Date of Earliest Event Reported) ATLAS MINING COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) 630 EAST MULLAN AVENUE OSBURN, IDAHO 83849 ---------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (208) 556-1181 ------------------------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number) IDAHO 000-31380 82-0096527 -------------------------- -------------- ----------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification No.) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ========================================================================== FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This Form 8-K and other reports filed by Registrant from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively the "Filings") contain or may contain forward looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Registrant's management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Registrant's management. When used in the filings the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "future", "intend", "plan" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to Registrant or Registrant's management identify forward looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Registrant with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors relating to Registrant's industry, Registrant's operations and results of operations and any businesses that may be acquired by Registrant. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Although Registrant believes that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, Registrant cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, Registrant does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT On March 21, 2006, Nano Clay and Technologies, Inc. ("Company"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas mining Company, entered into an Employment Agreement ("Agreement") with Ronald Price, who was earlier appointed a director of Atlas Mining Company on July 12, 2005. Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr. Price shall be employed for three years as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Price will also continue as a member of the Company's and Atlas Mining Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Price shall be paid compensation as follows: (i) for the first year of the term of employment, a salary at the annual rate of $150,000; (ii) for the second year, a salary at the annual rate of $175,000; and (iii) for the third year of the Term of Employment, a salary at the annual rate of $200,000. Mr. Price is also entitled to 20% ownership of any patents filed by him on behalf of the Company. In the event of a consolidation or merger of the Company, or transfer of substantially all of the Company assets, into such another entity ("Successor"), Mr. Price may, within 180 days of such consolidation or merger, deem such a merger or consolidation an involuntary termination of his employment and be paid an amount equal to his annual base salary at the time of termination. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ATLAS MINING COMPANY BY: /s/ WILLIAM T. JACOBSON, PRESIDENT ----------------------------------- WILLIAM T. JACOBSON DATE: March 24, 2006