UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] | ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 |
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 1-8641
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Idaho |
82-0109423 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
505 Front Ave., P. O. Box I | |
Coeur dAlene, Idaho |
83816 |
(Address of principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (208) 667-3511
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share | New York Stock Exchange/Toronto Stock Exchange |
1 1/4% Convertible Senior Notes due January 15, 2024 | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes No X
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.[ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
Large accelerated filer |X| Accelerated filer |_| Non-accelerated filer |_|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No X
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
$1,331,909,168
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrants classes of common stock, as of February 16, 2007.
278,030,619 shares of Common Stock, Par Value $1.00
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information called for by Part III of the Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the registrants definitive proxy statement which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I | |
Item 1. | Business |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
Item 2. | Properties |
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
Item 4A. | Executive Officers of the Registrant |
PART II | |
Item 5. | Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases |
of Equity Securities | |
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of |
Operations | |
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial |
Disclosure | |
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures |
Item 9B. | Other Information |
PART III | |
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
Item 11. | Executive Compensation |
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder |
Matters | |
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services |
PART IV | |
Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules |
SIGNATURES |
3
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation is a large primary silver producer located in North America and is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the operation and/or ownership, development and exploration of silver and gold mining properties and companies located primarily within the United States (Nevada and Alaska) South America (Chile, Argentina and Bolivia), Australia (New South Wales) and Africa (Tanzania). Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to collectively as Coeur or the Company.
The Companys most significant operating and development-stage mining properties and interests are:
| The Rochester mine is a silver and gold surface mining operation located in northwestern Nevada and is 100% owned and operated by Coeur. It is one of the largest primary silver mines in the United States. During 1999, the Company acquired the mineral rights to the Nevada Packard property, which is located one and one-half miles south of the Rochester mine, and commenced mining there in the first quarter of 2003. |
| Coeur owns 100% of the Cerro Bayo mine in southern Chile, which comprises a high grade gold and silver underground mine and processing facilities. The Cerro Bayo deposit was discovered during 2000. Initial mining operations commenced in late 2001 and processing started in April 2002. The Company carries on an active exploration program on its 205 square mile property package. |
| Coeur owns 100% of the capital stock of Coeur Argentina S.R.L., which owns and operates the underground high-grade silver Martha mine located in Santa Cruz, Argentina, approximately 270 miles southeast of the Cerro Bayo mine. Mining operations commenced at the Martha mine in June 2002. The Company carries on an active exploration program at its Martha mine and on its other land in Santa Cruz which totals over 600 square miles. |
| The Company acquired, in May 2005, all of the silver production and reserves, up to 20.0 million payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor mine in Australia which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (Cobar), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (CBH) for up to $39.1 million. The Endeavor mine is an underground zinc/lead/silver mine located in New South Wales, Australia which has been in production since 1983. |
| The Company acquired, in September 2005, all of the silver production and reserves, up to 17.2 million payable ounces, contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. (PBH) for $36.7 million. The Broken Hill Mine is located in New South Wales, Australia and is an underground zinc/lead/silver mine. |
| Coeur owns 100% of Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A. (Manquiri), a Bolivian company that controls the mining rights for the San Bartolome project, which is an open pit silver mine in Bolivia where an updated feasibility study was completed in 2004 and construction activities have commenced. The Company expects commercial production from the San Bartolome project to commence in early 2008. |
4
| The Company owns 100% of the Kensington property, located north of Juneau, Alaska, which is a development-stage gold property. An updated feasibility study was completed for the property during 2004 and construction activities commenced in 2005. A lawsuit has been filed in Federal Appellate Court challenging a certain permit necessary for construction of a required tailings facility. The Company is currently conducting construction activities not impacted by the temporary injunction pending appeal. The Company believes production could commence in late 2007, subject to successful and timely resolution of the permitting challenge and pending litigation described above. On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups (Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) seeking to invalidate permits issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Companys Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA. They additionally claim the USFSs approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers. |
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffschallenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006 the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Court) and on August 9, 2006 Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility. The Circuit Court further ordered an expedited briefing schedule on the merits of the legal challenge. On October 13, 2006, the parties filed their briefs in the Circuit Court and subsequently participated in an oral argument on December 4, 2006. There is no indication of when the Circuit Court may rule on the merits on appeal. |
Coeur also has interests in other properties which are subject to silver or gold exploration activities upon which no mineable ore reserves have yet been delineated.
The Company, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns, leases and has interests in certain exploration-stage mining properties located in the United States, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Tanzania. In keeping with its overall efforts to focus its resources, the Company conducted the majority of its exploration activities during 2006 on or near existing properties where infrastructure and production facilities are already in place. During 2007, the Company expects to invest approximately $15.3 million in exploration and reserve development.
The Companys business strategy is to capitalize on the ore reserve/mineralized material bases located at its operating mines and the expertise of its management team to continue as one of the worlds leading primary silver production companies through long-term, cash flow generating growth. The principal elements of the Companys business strategy are to: (i) increase the Companys silver production and reserves; (ii) decrease cash costs and increase production at the Companys existing silver mining operations; (iii) transform development-stage properties into producing mines; (iv) acquire operating mines, mineral interests, exploration and/or development properties with a goal of reducing the Companys overall cash and total costs per ounce of silver produced, providing immediate positive cash flow return and expanding its silver production base and reserves; and (v) continue to explore for new silver and gold discoveries and evaluate new opportunities to expand its production through acquisitions and exploration.
5
The Rochester mine, Cerro Bayo mine and Martha mine, each operated by the Company, and the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines operated by others, constituted the Companys principal sources of mining revenues in 2006. The following table sets forth information regarding the percentage contribution to the Companys total revenues (i.e., revenues from the sale of concentrates and doré) by the sources of those revenues during the past five years:
Mine/Company |
Coeur Percentage Ownership at December 31, 2006 |
Percentage of Total Revenues(2) for the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 | |||||||||
Rochester Mine | 100 | % | 47 | % | 45 | % | 59 | % | 48 | % | 78 | % | |
Cerro Bayo Mine | 100 | 23 | 38 | 32 | 43 | 17 | |||||||
Martha Mine | 100 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 5 | |||||||
Endeavor Mine(1) | 100 | 3 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||
Broken Hill Mine(1) | 100 | 11 | 3 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
(1) | Ownership interest reflects the Companys ownership interest in the propertys silver reserves. Other constituent metals are owned by another non-affiliated entity. |
(2) | On June 1, 2006, the Company completed its sale of Coeur Silver Valley (Galena). The Companys interest in the Galena mine was 100% prior to the sale. Revenues from the Galena mine are reflected in Discontinued Operations. |
The following sets forth definitions of certain important mining terms used in this report.
Ag is the abbreviation for silver.
Au is the abbreviation for gold.
Cash Costs are costs directly related to the physical activities of producing silver and gold, and include mining, processing, transportation and other plant costs, third-party refining and smelting costs, marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to production and other direct costs. Sales of by-product metals, including gold, are deducted from the above in computing cash costs per ounce. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration, interest, and pre-feasibility costs and accruals for mine reclamation. Cash costs are calculated and presented using the Gold Institute Production Cost Standard applied consistently for all periods presented.
Cash Costs per Ounce are calculated by dividing the cash costs computed for each of the Companys mining properties for a specific period by the amount of gold ounces or silver ounces produced by that property during that same period. Management uses cash costs per ounce produced as a key indicator of the profitability of each of its mining properties. Gold and silver are sold and priced in the world financial markets on a US dollar per ounce basis. By calculating the cash costs from each of the Companys mines on the same unit basis, management can easily determine the gross margin that each ounce of gold and silver produced is generating. While this represents a key indicator of the performance of the Companys mining properties you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this single measurement. To fully evaluate a mines performance, management also monitors US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) based profit/(loss), depreciation and amortization expenses and capital expenditures for each mine as presented in Note Q Segment Information in the Notes to the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements. Total cash costs per ounce is a non-GAAP measurement and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it and are urged to read all GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes.
6
Concentrate is a product containing the valuable metal and from which most of the waste material in the ore has been eliminated.
Cut-off Grade is the lowest grade of mineral resource considered economic; used in the calculation of reserves in a given deposit.
Cyanidation is a method of extracting gold or silver by dissolving it in a weak solution of sodium or potassium cyanide.
Dilution is an estimate of the amount of waste or low-grade mineralized rock which will be mined with the ore as part of normal mining practices in extracting an ore body.
Doré is unrefined gold and silver bullion bars which contain gold, silver and minor amounts of impurities which will be further refined to almost pure metal.
Gold is a metallic element with minimum fineness of 999 parts per 1000 parts pure gold.
Heap Leaching Process is a process of extracting gold and silver by placing broken ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained gold and silver, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
Mineralized Material is gold and silver bearing material that has been physically delineated by one or more of a number of methods including drilling, underground work, surface trenching and other types of sampling. This material has been found to contain a sufficient amount of mineralization of an average grade of metal or metals to have economic potential that warrants further exploration evaluation. While this material is not currently or may never be classified as reserves, it is reported as mineralized material only if the potential exists for reclassification into the reserves category. This material cannot be classified in the reserves category until final technical, economic and legal factors have been determined. Under the United States Securities and Exchange Commissions standards, a mineral deposit does not qualify as a reserve unless it can be economically and legally extracted at the time of reserve determination and it constitutes a proven or probable reserve (as defined below).
Non-cash Costs are costs that are typically accounted for ratably over the life of an operation and include depreciation, depletion and amortization of capital assets, accruals for the costs of final reclamation and long-term monitoring and care that are usually incurred at the end of mine life, and the amortization of the cost of property acquisitions.
Ore Reserve is the part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
Probable Reserve is a part of a mineralized deposit which can be extracted or produced economically and legally at the time of the reserve determination. The quantity and grade and/or quality of a probable reserve is computed from information similar to that used for a proven reserve, but the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. Mining dilution, where appropriate, has been factored into the estimation of probable reserves.
7
Proven Reserve is a portion of a mineral deposit which can be extracted or produced economically and legally at the time of the reserve determination. The quantity of a proven reserve is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and the sites for inspections, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of a proven reserve is well-established. Mining dilution, where appropriate, has been factored into the estimation of proven reserves.
Run-of-mine Ore is mined ore which has not been subjected to any pretreatment, such as washing, sorting or crushing prior to processing.
Silver is a metallic element with minimum fineness of 995 parts per 1000 parts pure silver.
Stripping Ratio is the ratio of the number of tons of waste material to the number of tons of ore extracted at an open-pit mine.
Ton means a short ton which is equivalent to 2,000 pounds, unless otherwise specified.
Total costs are the sum of cash costs and non-cash costs.
This report contains numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Companys gold and silver mining business, including estimated production data, expected operating schedules, expected capital costs and other operating data and permit and other regulatory approvals. Such forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as believes, intends, expects, hopes, may, should, plan, projected, contemplates, anticipates or similar words. Actual production, operating schedules, results of operations, ore reserve and resource estimates and other projections and estimates could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include (i) the risk factors set forth below under Item 1A, (ii) the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iii) changes in the market prices of gold and silver, (iv) the uncertainties inherent in the Companys production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays, (v) the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver ore reserves, (vi) changes that could result from the Companys future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, (vii) the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations, and (viii) the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining properties or businesses in foreign countries. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The following information sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Companys business, financial condition or operating results. References to we, our and us in these risk factors refer to the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.
We incurred net losses in the five years prior to 2005 and had losses from continuing operations in each of those prior periods. Factors that significantly contributed to our losses were:
8
| historically low gold and silver market prices during those years; |
| our deliberate pursuit of a growth policy prior to 2003 calling for the acquisition of mining properties and companies and financing such growth principally by incurring convertible indebtedness which had a high coupon rate, thereby resulting in an interest expense of $21.9 million in 2002, $12.9 million in 2003 and $2.8 million in 2004; |
| write-offs for impaired assets and other holding costs in 2002 of $19.0 million; and |
| losses on the early retirement of debt of $19.1 million in 2002, and $41.6 million in 2003. |
If silver and gold prices decline and we are unable to reduce our production costs, our losses may resume. If lower silver and gold prices make mining at our properties uneconomical, we may be required to recognize impairment write-downs, which would increase our operating losses and negatively impact our results of operations.
We have historically financed our operations through the issuance of common stock and convertible debt, and may be required to incur additional indebtedness in the future. During 2004, we commenced construction at the San Bartolome project and in 2005 we commenced construction at Kensington project. Construction of both projects could require a total capital investment of approximately $398.0 million of which approximately $196.4 million will be required in future periods. While we believe that our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments combined with cash flow generated from operations will be sufficient for us to make this level of capital investment, no assurance can be given that additional capital investments will not be required to be made at these or other projects. If we are unable to generate enough cash to finance such additional capital expenditures through operating cash flow and the issuance of common stock, we may be required to issue additional indebtedness. Any additional indebtedness would increase our debt payment obligations, and may negatively impact our results of operations.
As a result of our net losses prior to 2005, our earnings were not adequate to satisfy fixed charges (i.e., interest, preferred stock dividends and that portion of rent deemed representative of interest) in each of those periods prior to 2005. The amounts by which earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges were approximately $80.8 million in 2002, $63.9 million in 2003 and $22.7 million in 2004. Earnings have been sufficient to cover fixed charges subsequent to 2004. We are required to make fixed payments on the $180 million principal amount of our 1¼% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024, requiring annual interest payments of approximately $2.25 million until their maturity.
We expect to satisfy our fixed charges and other expense obligations in the future from cash flow from operations and, if cash flow from operations is insufficient, from working capital, which amounted to approximately $383.1 million at December 31, 2006. Prior to 2005, we experienced negative cash flow from operating activities. The amount of net cash used in our operating activities amounted to approximately $8.5 million in 2002, $5.1 million in 2003 and $18.6 million in 2004. During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, we generated $91.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of operating cash flow. The availability of future cash flow from operations or working capital to fund the payment of interest on the notes and other fixed charges will be dependent upon numerous factors, including our results of operations, silver and gold prices, levels and costs of production at our mining properties and the amount of our capital expenditures and expenditures for acquisitions, developmental and exploratory activities.
9
Silver and gold are commodities. Their prices fluctuate, and are affected by many factors beyond our control, including interest rates, expectations regarding inflation, speculation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional demand and production, political and economic conditions and other factors. Because we currently derive approximately 68% of our revenues from continuing operations from sales of silver, our earnings are primarily related to the price of this metal.
The market prices of silver (Handy & Harman) and gold (London Final) on February 16, 2006 were $13.96 and $665 per ounce, respectively. The prices of silver and gold may decline in the future. Factors that are generally understood to contribute to a decline in the price of silver include sales by private and government holders, and a general global economic slowdown.
If the prices of silver and gold are depressed for a sustained period and our net losses resume, we may be forced to suspend mining at one or more of our properties until the prices increase, and to record additional asset impairment write-downs. Any lost revenues, continued or increased net losses or additional asset impairment write-downs would adversely affect our results of operations.
We may have to record additional write-downs, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS 144) established accounting standards for impairment of the value of long-lived assets such as mining properties. SFAS 144 requires a company to review the recoverability of the cost of its assets by estimating the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment must be recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds these cash flows, and recognizing impairment write-downs could negatively impact our results of operations.
If silver or gold prices decline or we fail to control production costs or realize the mineable ore reserves at our mining properties, we may be required to recognize further asset write-downs. We also may record other types of additional mining property write-downs in the future to the extent a property is sold by us for a price less than the carrying value of the property, or if liability reserves have to be increased in connection with the closure and reclamation of a property. Additional write-downs of mining properties could negatively impact our results of operations.
The Kensington property has been the subject of litigation involving a permit required to complete construction of a required tailings facility. On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups (Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of Engineers) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Companys Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA. They additionally claim the USFSs approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers.
On November 8, 2005, the Corps of Engineers filed a Motion for Voluntary Remand with the court to review the permit issued to the Company under the CWA Section 404 and requested that the court stay the legal proceeding filed by the plaintiffs pending the outcome of review. On November 12, 2005, the Federal District Court in Alaska granted the remand of the permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review. On November 22, 2005, the Corps of Engineers advised the Company that it was suspending the Section 404 permit pursuant to the Courts remand to further review the permit.
10
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated the Companys 404 permit. On April 6, 2006 the lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened, and Coeur Alaska, Inc. filed its answer to the Amended Complaint and Motion to Intervene as a Defendant-Intervenor in the action. Two other parties, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, also filed Motions to Intervene as Defendant-Intervenors as supporters of the Kensington project as permitted. The Company, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. were granted Defendant-Intervenor status and joined the agencies in their defense of the permits as issued.
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006 the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Court) and on August 9, 2006 Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility. The Circuit Court further ordered an expedited briefing schedule on the merits of the legal challenge. On October 13, 2006, the parties filed their briefs in the Circuit Court and subsequently participated in an oral argument on December 4, 2006. There is no indication of when the Circuit Court may rule on the merits on appeal. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation or the impact of the temporary injunction.
This litigation has contributed to an increase in capital costs. While the Company believes it will ultimately prevail in the defense of the awarded permits, in the event that the Company does not prevail, it could be necessary to seek an alternate site for the tailings disposal facility. The Company is not aware of an alternate site that could be permitted or would be economic. Therefore, it is possible that an adverse legal decision could render the project uneconomic and an asset writedown would be necessary. As a result of the increase in capital and operating costs at the Kensington project, an impairment writedown could be necessary should the expectation of the long-term price for gold decrease below approximately $510 per ounce. As of December 31, 2006, the Kensington project has a carrying value of $206 million.
In May and September 2005, we acquired silver production and reserves at the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines in Australia, respectively. These mines are owned and operated by other mining companies. The Companys revenues and income (or loss) from its interest in the silver production at these mines are dependent in part upon the performance of those operators and such mines.
The estimation of ore reserves is imprecise and depends upon subjective factors. Estimated ore reserves may not be realized in actual production. Our operating results may be negatively affected by inaccurate estimates.
The ore reserve figures presented in our public filings are estimates made by our technical personnel. Reserve estimates are a function of geological and engineering analyses that require us to make assumptions about production costs and silver and gold market prices. Reserve estimation is an imprecise and subjective process and the accuracy of such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation, judgment and experience. Assumptions about silver and gold market prices are subject to great uncertainty as those prices have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market prices of silver or gold may render reserves containing relatively lower grades of ore uneconomic to exploit, and we may be required to reduce reserve estimates, discontinue development or mining at one or more of our properties, or write down assets as impaired. Should we encounter mineralization or geologic formations at any of our mines or projects different from those we predicted, we may adjust our reserve estimates and alter our mining plans. Either of these alternatives may adversely affect our actual production and operating results.
We based our ore reserve determinations as of December 31, 2006 on a long-term silver price average of $8.00 per ounce, with the exception of the San Bartolome mine which used $6.00 per ounce, the Endeavor mine which uses $10.00 per ounce and the Broken Hill mine which uses $10.12 per ounce of silver, and a long-term gold price average of $475 per ounce for all properties with the exception of the Kensington property which used a gold price of $550 per ounce. On February 16, 2007 silver and gold prices were $13.96 per ounce and $665 per ounce, respectively.
11
The estimation of the ultimate recovery of metals contained within the heap leach pad inventory is inherently inaccurate and subjective and requires the use of estimation techniques. Actual recoveries can be expected to vary from estimations.
The Rochester mine utilizes the heap leach process to extract silver and gold from ore. The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
The key stages in the conversion of ore into silver and gold are (i) the blasting process in which the ore is broken into large pieces; (ii) the processing of the ore through a crushing facility that breaks it into smaller pieces; (iii) the transportation of the crushed ore to the leach pad where the leaching solution is applied; (iv) the collection of the leach solution; (v) subjecting the leach solution to the precipitation process, in which gold and silver is converted back to a fine solid; (vi) the conversion of the precipitate into doré; and (vii) the conversion by a third party refinery of the doré into refined silver and gold bullion.
We use several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads during the key stages. As the ore body is drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples of the drill residue are assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. We estimate the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. We then process the ore through a crushing facility where the output is again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation is completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous estimates. We then transport the crushed ore to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, we continuously sample for assaying. We measure the quantity of leach solution with flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to doré, which is the final product produced by the mine. We again weigh, sample and assay the doré. Finally, a third party smelter converts the doré and determines final ounces of silver and gold available for sale. We then review this end result and reconcile it to the estimates we developed and used throughout the production process. Based on this review, we adjust our estimation procedures when appropriate.
Our reported inventories include metals estimated to be contained in the ore on the leach pads of $66.7 million as of December 31, 2006. Of this amount, $31.3 million is reported as a current asset and $35.4 million is reported as a noncurrent asset. The distinction between current and noncurrent is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the crushed ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the crushed ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as noncurrent. The ore on leach pad inventory is stated at actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad during the current period, adjusted for the effects on monthly production costs of abnormal production levels.
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time, and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to such twelve month period, requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory test work. Test work consists of 60 day leach columns from which we project metal recoveries into the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over approximately nineteen years of leach pad operation at the Rochester mine. The assumptions we use to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. We periodically review our estimates compared to actual experience and revise our estimates when appropriate. The length of time necessary to achieve our currently estimated ultimate recoveries of between 59% and 61.5% for silver, depending on the area being leached, and 93% for gold is estimated to be between 5 and 10 years. However, the ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease, which is currently estimated for approximately 2011.
12
When we began leach operations in 1986, based solely on laboratory testing, we estimated the ultimate recovery of silver and gold at 50% and 80%, respectively. Since 1986, we have adjusted the expected ultimate recovery three times (once in each of 1989, 1997 and 2003) based upon actual experience gained from leach operations. In 2003, we increased our estimated recoveries for silver and gold, respectively, to between 59% and 61.5%, depending on the area being leached for silver, and 93% for gold. The leach cycle at the Rochester Mine requires leaching to approximately the year 2011 for all recoverable metal to be recovered.
If our estimate of ultimate recovery requires adjustment, the impact upon our inventory valuation and upon our income statement would be as follows:
Positive/Negative Change in Silver Recovery |
Positive/Negative Change in Gold Recovery | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1% |
2% |
3% |
1% |
2% |
3% | |||||||||||||||
Quantity of recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
ounces | 1.7 million | 3.4 million | 5.1 million | 12,900 | 25,800 | 38,700 | ||||||||||||||
Positive impact on | ||||||||||||||||||||
future cost of | ||||||||||||||||||||
production per silver | ||||||||||||||||||||
equivalent ounce for | ||||||||||||||||||||
increases in recovery rates | $1.06 | $1.83 | $2.43 | $0.42 | $0.79 | $1.13 | ||||||||||||||
Negative impact on | ||||||||||||||||||||
future cost of | ||||||||||||||||||||
production per silver | ||||||||||||||||||||
equivalent ounce for | ||||||||||||||||||||
decreases in recovery rates | $1.51 | $3.87 | $8.03 | $0.48 | $1.03 | $1.66 |
Inventories of ore on leach pads are valued based upon actual production costs incurred to produce and place such ore on the leach pad during the current period, adjusted for the effects on monthly production costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process. The costs consist of those production activities occurring at the mine site and include the costs, including depreciation, associated with mining, crushing and precipitation circuits. In addition, refining is provided by a third party refiner to place the metal extracted from the leach pad in a saleable form. These additional costs are considered in the valuation of inventory. Negative changes in our inventory valuations and correspondingly on our income statement would have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We use estimates, based on prior production results and experiences, to determine whether heap leach inventory will be recovered more than one year in the future, and is non-current inventory, or will be recovered within one year, and is current inventory. The estimates involve assumptions that may not prove to be consistent with our actual production and operating results. We cannot determine the amount ultimately recoverable until leaching is completed. If our estimates prove inaccurate, our operating results may be less than anticipated.
Significant investment risks and operational costs are associated with our exploration, development and mining activities, such as San Bartolome and Kensington. These risks and costs may result in lower economic returns and may adversely affect our business.
13
Our ability to sustain or increase our present production levels depends in part on successful exploration and development of new ore bodies and/or expansion of existing mining operations. Mineral exploration, particularly for silver and gold, involves many risks and is frequently unproductive. If mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of favorable feasibility studies, issuance and maintenance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing.
Development projects, such as San Bartolome and Kensington, may have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future operating costs and capital requirements. Development project items such as estimates of reserves, metal recoveries and cash operating costs are to a large extent based upon the interpretation of geologic data obtained from a limited number of drill holes and other sampling techniques and feasibility studies. Estimates of cash operating costs are then derived based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the orebody, expected recovery rates of metals from the ore, comparable facility and equipment costs, anticipated climate conditions and other factors. As a result, actual cash operating costs and economic returns of any and all development projects may materially differ from the costs and returns estimated, and accordingly, our business results of operations may be negatively affected.
The Companys marketing of metals concentrates could be adversely affected if there were to be a significant delay or disruption of purchases by its third party smelter customers. In particular, a significant delay or disruption in our sales of concentrates as a result of the unexpected discontinuation of purchases by our smelter customers could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
The Company currently markets its silver and gold concentrates to third party smelters in Mexico, Japan and Australia. The loss of any one smelter customer could have a material adverse effect on us in the event of the possible unavailability of alternative smelters. No assurance can be given that alternative smelters would be timely available if the need for them were to arise, or that delays or disruptions in sales could not be experienced that would result in a materially adverse effect on our operations and our financial results.
Our future silver and gold production may decline as a result of an exhaustion of reserves and possible closure of mines. It is our business strategy to conduct silver and gold exploratory activities at our existing mining and exploratory properties as well as at new exploratory projects, and to acquire silver and gold mining properties and businesses or reserves that possess mineable ore reserves and are expected to become operational in the near future. We can provide no assurance that our silver and gold production in the future will not decline. Accordingly, our revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, negatively affecting our results of operations.
There are significant hazards associated with our mining activities, not all of which are fully covered by insurance. To the extent we must pay the costs associated with such risks, our business may be negatively affected.
The mining business is subject to risks and hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, the encountering of unusual or unexpected geological formations, cave-ins, flooding, earthquakes and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, reduced production and delays in mining, asset write-downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Although we maintain insurance in an amount that we consider to be adequate, liabilities might exceed policy limits, in which event we could incur significant costs that could adversely affect our results of operation. Insurance fully covering many environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) is not generally available to us or to other companies in the industry. The realization of any significant liabilities in connection with our mining activities as described above could negatively affect our results of operations.
14
Our mining activities are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing environmental protection, natural resources, prospecting, development, production, post-closure reclamation, taxes, labor standards and occupational health and safety laws and regulations including mine safety, toxic substances and other matters related to our business. Although these laws and regulations have never required us to close any mine, the costs associated with compliance with such laws and regulations are substantial. Possible future laws and regulations, or more restrictive interpretations of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of our operations and delays in the development of our properties. Moreover, governmental authorities and private parties may bring lawsuits based upon damage to property and injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health and safety impacts of our past and current operations, which could lead to the imposition of substantial fines, remediation costs, penalties and other civil and criminal sanctions. Substantial costs and liabilities, including for restoring the environment after the closure of mines, are inherent in our operations. Although we believe we are in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that any such law, regulation, enforcement or private claim will not have a negative effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Some of our mining wastes are currently exempt to a limited extent from the extensive set of federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations governing hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). If the EPA designates these wastes as hazardous under RCRA, we would be required to expend additional amounts on the handling of such wastes and to make significant expenditures to construct hazardous waste disposal facilities. In addition, if any of these wastes causes contamination in or damage to the environment at a mining facility, such facility may be designated as a Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Under CERCLA, any owner or operator of a Superfund site since the time of its contamination may be held liable and may be forced to undertake extensive remedial cleanup action or to pay for the governments cleanup efforts. Additional regulations or requirements are also imposed upon our tailings and waste disposal areas in Alaska under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA. Airborne emissions are subject to controls under air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act in Nevada and Alaska. Compliance with CERCLA, the CWA and state environmental laws could entail significant costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
In the context of environmental permits, including the approval of reclamation plans, we must comply with standards and regulations which entail significant costs and can entail significant delays. Such costs and delays could have a dramatic impact on our operations.
We are required to obtain government permits to expand operations or begin new operations. The acquisition of such permits can be materially impacted by third party litigation seeking to prevent the issuance of such permits. The costs and delays associated with such approvals could affect our operations, reduce our revenues, and negatively affect our business as a whole.
15
Mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations such as the Kensington development project. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. The duration and success of permitting efforts are contingent on many factors that are out of our control. The governmental approval process may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted, and could cause us to not proceed with the development of a mine. Accordingly, this approval process could harm our results of operations.
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Companys Kensington mine. On November 8, 2005, the Corps of Engineers filed a Motion for Voluntary Remand with the court to review the permit issued to the Company under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 and requested that the court stay the legal proceeding filed by the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) and the other environmental groups pending the outcome of review. On November 12, 2005, the Federal District Court in Alaska granted the remand of the permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review. On November 22, 2005, the Corps of Engineers advised the Company that it was suspending the Section 404 permit pursuant to the Courts remand to further review the permit which was then re-instated on March 29, 2006. On April 6, 2006 the lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened, and Coeur Alaska, Inc. filed its Answer to the Amended Complaint and Motion to Intervene as a Defendant-Intervenor in the action. That motion was granted on April 25, 2006 and the Company has joined the agencies in their defense of the permits as issued.
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006 the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Court) and on August 9, 2006 Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility. The Circuit Court further ordered an expedited briefing schedule on the merits of the legal challenge. On October 13, 2006, the parties filed their briefs in the Circuit Court and oral argument was heard on December 4, 2006. There is no indication of when the Circuit Court may rule on the merits on appeal and the Company is unable to predict the outcome of this litigation or its impact on the project.
The Company could experience labor disputes, work stoppages or other disruptions in production that could adversely affect us. As of December 31, 2006, unions represented approximately 20% of our worldwide workforce. On that date, the Company had 117 employees at its Cerro Bayo mine and 66 employees at its Martha mine who were working under a collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covering the Cerro Bayo mine expires on December 21, 2007 and a collective bargaining agreement covering the Martha mine expires on June 11, 2008.
Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Australia are the most significant foreign countries in which we directly or indirectly own or operate mining properties or developmental projects. We also conduct exploratory projects in these countries. Argentina and Bolivia, while currently economically and politically stable, have experienced political instability, provincial government pressures on mining operations, currency value fluctuations and changes in banking regulations in recent years. Property ownership in a foreign country is generally subject to the risk of expropriation or nationalization with inadequate compensation. It is uncertain at this time how new policies may affect mining in the country. Any foreign operations or investment may also be adversely affected by exchange controls, currency fluctuations, taxation and laws or policies of particular countries as well as laws and policies of the United States affecting foreign trade investment and taxation. We may enter into agreements which require us to purchase currencies of foreign countries in which we do business in order to ensure fixed exchange rates. In the event that actual exchange rates vary from those set forth in the hedge contracts, we will experience U.S. dollar-denominated currency gains or losses. Future economic or political instabilities or changes in the laws of foreign countries in which we have significant operations or interests and unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could negatively impact our foreign operations and our business as a whole.
16
Any of our future acquisitions may result in significant risks, which may adversely affect our business.
An important element of our business strategy is the opportunistic acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties and businesses or interests therein. While it is our practice to engage independent mining consultants to assist in evaluating and making acquisitions, any mining properties or interests therein we may acquire may not be developed profitably or, if profitable when acquired, that profitability might not be sustained. In connection with any future acquisitions, we may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities, resulting in increased interest expense, or dilution of the percentage ownership of existing shareholders. We intend to seek shareholder approval for any such acquisitions to the extent required by applicable law, regulations or stock exchange rules. We cannot predict the impact of future acquisitions on the price of our business or our common stock. Unprofitable acquisitions, or additional indebtedness or issuances of securities in connection with such acquisitions, may impact the price of our common stock and negatively affect our results of operations.
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable ore reserves, we are continually seeking to replace and expand our ore reserves. Identifying promising mining properties is difficult and speculative. Furthermore, we encounter strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing silver and gold. Many of these companies have greater financial resources than we do. Consequently, we may be unable to replace and expand current ore reserves through the acquisition of new mining properties or interests therein on terms we consider acceptable. As a result, our revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, resulting in lower income and reduced growth.
The validity of unpatented mining claims, which constitute a significant portion of our property holdings in the United States, is often uncertain and may be contested. Although we have attempted to acquire satisfactory title to undeveloped properties, we, in accordance with mining industry practice, do not generally obtain title opinions until a decision is made to develop a property. As a result, some titles, particularly titles to undeveloped properties, may be defective. Defective title to any of our mining claims could result in litigation, insurance claims, and potential losses affecting our business as a whole.
None
17
Rochester Mine
The Rochester Mine is a silver and gold surface mine located in Pershing County, Nevada, which is located approximately 25 road miles northeast of the town of Lovelock. The mine commenced operations in 1986. The Company owns 100% of the Rochester Mine by virtue of its 100% ownership of its subsidiary, Coeur Rochester, Inc. (Coeur Rochester). The property consists of 22 patented and 589 unpatented contiguous mining claims, including 54 mill-site claims and 53 unpatented, leased claims totaling approximately 11,000 acres.
The Company acquired the Rochester property from Asarco Incorporated in 1983 and commenced mining in 1986. No mining or processing was conducted at Rochester by the prior owner. The Company acquired initial interest in the adjacent Nevada Packard property in 1996, completed the full purchase in 1999 and commenced mining in 2003. Very limited mining and processing was conducted at Nevada Packard by the prior owner. Collectively, the Rochester and Nevada Packard properties comprise the Companys Rochester silver and gold mining and processing operation.
Production at the Rochester mine in 2006 was approximately 5.1 million ounces of silver and 71,900 ounces of gold, compared to 5.7 million ounces of silver and 70,298 ounces of gold in 2005. Cash costs per ounce of silver decreased by 42% to $2.80 per ounce in 2006, compared to $4.82 per ounce in 2005, primarily due to increased byproduct credits.
The mine utilizes the heap leaching process to extract both silver and gold from ore mined using conventional open pit methods. Approximately 34,800 tons of ore and waste per day were mined in 2006, compared to 47,300 tons per day in 2005. The average ore to waste strip ratio for the remaining life of the mine will vary based primarily on future gold and silver prices; however, it is anticipated to be less than 1:1. The Company expects to complete mining of the existing ore reserves near the middle of 2007. While mining operations will be discontinued, it is expected that metal production will continue as a result of residual leaching until approximately 2011.
18
Ore is crushed and transported by conveyor to a loadout facility where it is transferred to 150-ton trucks which transport the crushed ore to leach pads where solution is applied via drip irrigation to dissolve the silver and gold contained in the ore. Certain low-grade ores are hauled directly, as run-of-mine, by 100-ton haul trucks to leach pads where solution is applied to dissolve the silver and gold contained in the ore. The solutions containing the dissolved silver and gold are pumped to a processing plant where zinc precipitation is used to recover the silver and gold from solution as doré. The doré is transported to a refinery for final processing after which the silver and gold is sold on established markets through third party broker dealers. The property, plant and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Mining is conducted with open pit methods. Power is provided to the mine and processing facility from the public grid servicing the local communities.
Based upon actual operating experience and certain metallurgical testing, the Company estimates ultimate recovery rates from the crushed ore of between 59% and 61.5% for silver, depending on the area being leached, and 93% for gold. The leach cycle at the Rochester Mine requires leaching to approximately the year 2011 for all recoverable metal to be recovered. A significant proportion of metal recovery occurs after mining is completed.
At the Nevada Packard satellite deposit, located south of the Rochester deposit, the Company commenced mining of silver in the first quarter of 2003. Mining at Nevada Packard is expected to be completed in mid-2007.
The Companys capital expenditures at the Rochester Mine totaled approximately $1.2 million in 2006. The Company plans capital expenditures at the Rochester Mine of $0.3 million in 2007.
Asarco Incorporated (Asarco), the prior owner, had a net smelter royalty interest which is payable only when the market price of silver equals or exceeds $21.34 per ounce up to maximum rate of 5%. No royalties were required to be paid by the Company during the three years ended December 31, 2006.
Silver and gold mineralization is hosted in folded and faulted volcanic rocks of the Rochester Formation and overlying Weaver Formation. Silver and gold, consisting of silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite, argentian tetrahedrite and minor native gold, are contained in zones of multiple quartz veins and veinlets with variable but lesser amounts of pyrite.
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,3,4,5,6) | (1,3,4,5,6) | ||||||
Tons (000s) |
3,720 | 10,168 | 23,998 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 0.66 | 0.86 | 0.86 | ||||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 2,436 | 8,765 | 20,731 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.007 | 0.011 | 0.009 | ||||
Contained ounces of gold | 26,400 | 112,650 | 213,000 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 15,235 | 15,646 | 35,064 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 0.94 | 1.03 | 0.86 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.007 | 0.010 | 0.005 |
19
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2) | |||||||
Production |
|||||||
Tons ore mined (000s) | 9,804 | 9,023 | 10,751 | ||||
Tons crushed/leached (000s) | 10,399 | 9,327 | 8,976 | ||||
Ore grade silver (oz./ton) | 0.74 | 0.91 | 0.74 | ||||
Ore grade gold (oz./ton) | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.009 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz (4) | 65.9 | % | 67.5 | % | 61.5 | % | |
Recovery/Au oz (4) | 68.9 | % | 76.2 | % | 64.2 | % | |
Silver produced (oz.) | 5,113,504 | 5,720,489 | 5,669,074 | ||||
Gold produced (oz.) | 71,891 | 70,298 | 69,456 | ||||
Cost per Ounce of Silver | |||||||
Cash costs (2) | $2.80 | $4.82 | $3.93 | ||||
Non-cash costs | 3.04 | 1.84 | 1.73 | ||||
Total production costs | $5.84 | $6.66 | $5.66 |
(1) | Metal prices used in calculating proven and probable reserves were $8.00 per ounce of silver and $475 per ounce of gold in 2006. |
(2) | Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See Item 7: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
(3) | The ore reserves are open pit minable reserves and include no additional factors for mining dilution or recovery. |
(4) | The leach cycle at Rochester requires 5 to 10 years to recover gold and silver contained in the ore. The Company estimates the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61.5% for silver and 93% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease which is currently estimated for 2011. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Ore on Leach Pad. |
(5) | Reserve estimates were prepared by the Companys technical staff. |
(6) | Ore reserves are defined by a drill grid of at least 65 feet by 140 feet for proven and at least 100 feet by 200 feet for probable and may include open pit mine production sampling information, especially for proven. In practice, ore reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. For proven reserves, the number of composites must be at least 4 at Rochester and 20 at Nevada Packard with a maximum search distance of 75 feet. For probable reserves, the number of composites must be at least 4 at Rochester and 5 at Nevada Packard with a maximum search distance of 150 feet for Rochester and 120 feet at Nevada Packard. Mineralized material is similarly classified. |
Chile Cerro Bayo Mine
The Cerro Bayo District covers about 205 square miles and is located south of Coyhaique, the capital of Region XI in southern Chile, and approximately 17 miles west of the town of Chile Chico. The project lies on the east side of the Andes mountain range at an elevation ranging from 600 to 4,500 feet and is serviced by a gravel road from Chile Chico. The mineral rights for the Cerro Bayo property are fully-owned by Compania Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, encompassing a continuous block of 57,095 acres of mining claims. An additional 11,613 acres of exploration concessions are owned by the Company. These concessions and separate surface use agreements from private owners, cover the reserves of the property as well as the necessary rights to permit mining.
20
The Company acquired the property in 1990 from Freeport Chilean Exploration Company. No mining or processing was conducted by the prior owner. Initial mining and processing commenced by the Company in 1995 at the Laguna Verde area in the western portion of the holdings. Mining and processing temporarily ceased in late 2000 then recommenced in 2002 at the Cerro Bayo area on the east. The entire holdings and infrastructure are now referred to as Cerro Bayo district. Construction of two ramps to intersect the high-grade Lucero Vein in the Cerro Bayo zone on the east side of its holdings, commenced in November 2001. Additional mineralized high-grade gold and silver vein systems were discovered since then from surface and underground exploration.
Production at the Cerro Bayo mine in 2006 was approximately 2.3 million ounces of silver and 40,923 ounces of gold compared to 2.9 million ounces of silver and 61,058 ounces of gold in 2005. Cash costs per ounce of silver produced increased to $3.04 in 2006 from $0.54 in 2005 primarily due to increased production costs and lower production levels.
The ore processing mill for the Cerro Bayo Mine uses a standard flotation process to produce a high grade gold and silver concentrate. During 2006, the concentrate processed at this mill was sold to third-party smelters, primarily in Japan and Mexico. The mill has a design capacity of 1,650 tons per day. During 2006, the Company experienced recovery rates of approximately 94.7% for silver and 92.9% for gold. Electrical power is generated on-site by diesel generators and process water is obtained from a combination of the adjacent General Carrera Lake and from tailings re-circulation. The property, plant and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Mining is conducted utilizing underground methods. Total capital expenditures at the Cerro Bayo property in 2006 were $7.6 million and the Company plans approximately $11.1 million of additional capital expenditures there in 2007.
During 2006, the Company continued its exploration and development program in the district with its efforts concentrated in the Cerro Bayo and Laguna Verde zones in the east and west sections of the Companys land holdings. In 2006, we spent approximately $5.3 million on exploration and mine development for new gold and silver mineralization and reserve definition and completed nearly 232,000 feet of core drilling. The Company plans to continue its extensive exploration and mine development programs in the district in 2007 with a budget of $4.7 million for this work.
Silver and gold mineralization is hosted in epithermal quartz veins and veinlets and lesser amounts of stockworks and breccias within generally sub-horizontal volcanic rocks of the Ibanez Formation. Veins and veinlets occur in sub-parallel clusters largely trending north-northwest and dipping steeply to the west and east. The main ore minerals of silver and gold are silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite and electrum (a naturally-occurring gold and silver alloy). Numerous epithermal veins located within the 205 square mile property package in the Cerro Bayo district offer exploration and development opportunities for us. To date, we have discovered over 100 veins, the majority of which are located within nine miles of our existing ore processing facilities. During 2006, exploration continued to focus on the Marcela Sur and Cascada veins. Marcela Sur, situated about 1,000 meters west of the current mining operations in main Cero Bayo zone, was discovered beneath 50 to 70 meters of post-mineral gravels. Cascada lies south of the Cerro Bayo mining operations.
21
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,3,4,5,6,7) | |||||||
Tons (000s) |
634 | 935 | 862 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 9.69 | 8.00 | 7.09 | ||||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 6,144 | 7,476 | 6,109 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.19 | 0.14 | 0.13 | ||||
Contained ounces of gold | 122,000 | 131,600 | 115,900 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 2,509 | 4,113 | 3,829 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 8.23 | 6.19 | 4.29 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.13 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2) | |||||||
Production |
|||||||
Tons ore milled | 428,346 | 403,695 | 456,941 | ||||
Ore grade silver (oz./ton) | 5.76 | 7.52 | 7.51 | ||||
Ore grade gold (oz./ton) | 0.103 | 0.163 | 0.137 | ||||
Recovery silver (%) | 94.5 | 94.7 | 94.2 | ||||
Recovery gold (%) | 93.0 | 92.8 | 91.8 | ||||
Silver produced (oz.) | 2,331,060 | 2,875,047 | 3,235,192 | ||||
Gold produced (oz.) | 40,923 | 61,058 | 57,558 | ||||
Cash costs (2) | $3.04 | $0.54 | $1.01 | ||||
Non-cash costs | 2.42 | 1.76 | 1.42 | ||||
Total production costs | $5.46 | $2.30 | $2.43 |
(1) | Metal prices used to calculate proven and probable reserves were $8.00/ounce of Ag and $475/ounce of Au. |
(2) | Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S.-GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See Item 7: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
(3) | The ore reserves are minable reserves within underground mine designs and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. |
(4) | Underground mine reserves include dilution of 5% to 25% at zero grade. Mining recovery averages between 90% to 95% for underground reserves. |
(5) | Metallurgical recovery factors of 93.8% and 91.6% should be applied to the in-place silver and gold reserves ounces, respectively. |
(6) | Reserve estimates were prepared by the Companys technical staff. |
(7) | Proven and probable reserves are defined by a drill spacing of no more than 35 meters and may include underground production sampling information, especially for proven. In practice, ore reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. For proven reserves the number of composites must be at least 1 with a maximum search distance of generally 15 meters. For probable, the number of composites must be at least 2 with a maximum search distance of generally 35 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified. |
22
The Martha Mine, owned and operated by Coeur Argentina S.R.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is located in the Santa Cruz Province of southern Argentina. Access to the mine is provided by all-weather gravel roads 30 miles northeast of the town of Gubernador Gregores and approximately 270 miles southeast of Cerro Bayo.
The mineral rights for the Martha property are fully-owned by Coeur Argentina S.R.L., encompassing a continuous block of 137,978 acres of exploration claims, 83,813 acres of discovery claims, and 351 acres of exploitation claims. The concessions cover the reserves of the property as well as the necessary rights to permit mining. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Power is provided by Company-owned diesel generators.
The Company acquired the property in 2002 through the purchase of a subsidiary of Yamana Resources Inc. for $2.5 million. The prior owner conducted minor underground mining on the near-surface portion of the Martha vein from late 2000 to mid 2001. The Company is obligated to pay a 2% net smelter royalty on silver and gold production to Royal Gold Corporation.
We transport ore mined utilizing underground methods at the Martha Mine by truck for processing at the Cerro Bayo mill, which is located 270 miles northwest of the Martha Mine. The transport costs to ship the ore to the Cerro Bayo mill from the Martha Mine have necessitated a focus on the highest grade portions of the veins discovered at the Martha Mine; however, lower grade mineralized material exists, but is not included in reserves. During 2007, the Company plans to complete a feasibility study at the Martha mine which may allow the processing of the lower-grade material.
In June 2002, we commenced shipping of high-grade Martha Mine ore to the Cerro Bayo mill. All of the production came from the Martha vein, which was one of six known veins on the Martha Mine property prior to our acquisition of the property. Also in 2002, exploration discovered both extensions of the Martha Mine vein and the R4 Zone within the vein, which is located 300 feet southwest of the main Martha Mine mining areas.
Production at the Martha mine in 2006 was approximately 2.7 million ounces of silver and 3,440 ounces of gold compared to 2.1 million ounces of silver and 2,589 ounces of gold in 2005. Cash cost per ounce of silver produced was $4.88 in 2006 compared to $4.60 in 2005.
During 2006, we spent $3.6 million on exploration and mine development at the Martha Mine, and at our other properties in the Santa Cruz province, to discover new silver- and gold-bearing veins and define new reserves. During 2007, we expect to spend $4.7 million on exploration for the discovery of new mineralization and reserve development, across our large land holdings in the province of Santa Cruz which totals over 600 square miles. In 2006, exploration defined extensions at depth and on strike on the Martha, R4, Catalina and Francisca ore-bearing structures which were a major focus of the years program. In addition to the effort around the mine this year, the Company added four new exploration properties referred to as the El Aguila, Sol del Mayo, Sascha and Joaquin properties. Silver reserves at December 31, 2006 increased by 50% to 6.1 million ounces from 2005.
Silver and gold mineralization is hosted in epithermal quartz veins and veinlets within, generally sub-horizontal volcanic rocks of the Chon Aike Formation. The veins and veinlets occur as sub-parallel clusters largely trending west-northwest and dipping steeply to the southwest. The main ore minerals of silver and gold are silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite, electrum (a naturally-occurring gold and silver alloy) and native silver.
23
Total capital expenditures at the Martha mine in 2006 were $2.5 million and the Company plans approximately $2.9 million of additional capital expenditures there in 2007.
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,3,4,5,6) | |||||||
Tons (000s) |
99 | 67 | 57 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 61.33 | 60.29 | 68.56 | ||||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 6,084 | 4,054 | 3,930 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.08 | ||||
Contained ounces of gold | 8,800 | 5,400 | 4,600 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 112 | 134 | 74 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 42.91 | 45.37 | 52.75 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2) | |||||||
Production |
|||||||
Tons ore milled | 35,843 | 35,293 | 30,276 | ||||
Ore grade silver (oz./ton) | 79.93 | 62.53 | 59.94 | ||||
Ore grade gold (oz./ton) | 0.104 | 0.079 | 0.084 | ||||
Recovery silver (%) | 94.7 | 94.9 | 94.2 | ||||
Recovery gold (%) | 92.5 | 92.9 | 91.6 | ||||
Silver produced (oz.) | 2,712,846 | 2,093,464 | 1,709,069 | ||||
Gold produced (oz.) | 3,440 | 2,589 | 2,318 | ||||
Cash costs (2) | $4.88 | $4.60 | $4.08 | ||||
Non-cash costs | 0.48 | 0.41 | 0.97 | ||||
Total production costs | $5.36 | $5.01 | $5.05 |
(1) | Metal prices used in calculating proven and probable reserves were $8.00/ounce of Ag and $475/ounce of Au. |
(2) | Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S.-GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See Item 7: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
(3) | The ore reserves are underground minable reserves and include 10 to 25% factors for dilution at zero grade and a mining recovery of 90% to 95%. |
(4) | Metallurgical recovery factors of 91.9% and 89.0% should be applied to the silver and gold reserve ounces, respectively. |
(5) | Reserve estimates were prepared by the Companys technical staff. |
(6) | Proven and probable reserves are defined by a drill spacing of no more than 25 meters and may include underground production sampling information, especially for proven. In practice, ore reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. For proven reserves the number of composites must be at least 2 with a maximum search distance of generally 18 meters. For probable, the number of composites must be at least 2 with a maximum search distance of generally 25 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified. |
24
Australia Endeavor Mine
The Endeavor Mine is located in north central New South Wales, Australia. Access to the mine is by paved roads 30 miles to the northwest from the community of Cobar.
On May 23, 2005, the Company acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum 17.7 million payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor Mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (Cobar), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (CBH), for $39.1 million. The Endeavor Mine is located 720 km northwest of Sydney in New South Wales and has been in production since 1983. Under the terms of the original agreement, CDE Australia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur, paid Cobar $15.4 million of cash at the closing. In addition, CDE Australia will pay Cobar approximately $23.7 million upon the receipt of a report confirming that the reserves at the Endeavor mine are equal to or greater than the reported ore reserves for 2004. In addition to these upfront payments, Coeur originally committed to pay Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus a further increment when the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. This further increment was to have begun on the second anniversary of this agreement and is 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. A cost contribution of $0.25 per ounce is also payable by Coeur in respect of new ounces of proven and probable silver reserves as they are discovered.
On March 28, 2006, CDE Australia Pty, Ltd. (CDE Australia), reached an agreement with CBH Resources Ltd. to modify the terms of the original silver purchase agreement. Under the modified terms, CDE Australia owns all silver production and reserves up to a total of 20.0 million ounces, up from 17.7 million ounces in the original agreement. The Company has received approximately 0.7 million payable ounces to date and the current ore reserve contains approximately 15.3 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the modified contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore reserve will occur as a result of the conversion of portions of the propertys existing inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries. CBH conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and to define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms. The silver price-sharing provision is deferred until such time as Coeur has received approximately 2 million cumulative ounces of silver from the mine or June 2007, whichever is later. In addition, the silver price-sharing threshold increased to US$7.00 per ounce, from the previous level of US$5.23 per ounce.
In connection with the modification of the terms of the agreement, CDE Australia agreed to provide CBH with an advance of up to A$15.0 million of the A$30 million that remains to be paid under the terms of the original agreement. The remaining payment from Coeur to CBH is subject to the Endeavor mine achieving certain operational benchmarks. The advance, in the form of a loan facility, will bear interest at 7.75% per annum once drawn by CBH. The term is for a twelve month period with an option for CBH to extend the term for an additional six months. No advances have been drawn under the facility as of December 31, 2006.
The Endeavor mine is an underground lead/zinc/silver mine. Silver, lead, zinc and lesser amounts of copper mineralization at the Endeavor Mine is contained within sulfide lenses hosted in fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Paleozoic-aged Ampitheatre Group. Sulphide lenses are elliptically-shaped, steeply-dipping to the southwest and strike to the northwest. Principal ore minerals are galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Silver occurs with both lead and zinc rich sulphide zones. The mine employs bulk mining methods and utilizes a conventional flotation mill to produce a concentrate that is sold to a third party smelter. Silver recovery averaged approximately 63.5% in 2006 and 45.0% from May 28, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
25
The reserves at Endeavor are covered by five Consolidated Mining Leases issued by the state of New South Wales to CBH Resource Ltd. The leases form a contiguous block of 10,121 acres in size. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition, by CBH Resources, through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Power to the mine and processing facilities is provided by the grid servicing the local communities. CBH Resources Ltd. conducts regular exploration to define new reserves at the mine from both underground and surface core drilling platforms. For fiscal year 2006/2007 (July June), the 2007 exploration budget at the mine is A$1.7 million (US$1.3 million). The Company is not required to contribute to ongoing capital costs at the mine.
On October 24, 2005, CBH announced that mining operations at the Endeavor mine had been suspended below the No. Four haulage level following an uncontrolled fall of waste ground into the mines 6Z2 crown pillar stope. Limiting production to above this level was done as a safety precaution due to the proximity of the 6Z2 crown pillar stope to the main haulage decline. In late November 2005, CBH announced that mine operations had recommenced below the No. Four haulage level, but at a reduced production rate. Based on the progress made to date in correcting issues related to the ground fall, the Company expects the mine to resume normal operations during 2007.
Production at the Endeavor mine in 2006 was approximately 482,000 ounces of silver compared to 316,000 ounces of silver in 2005. Cash cost per ounce of silver produced was $2.85 in 2006 compared to $2.05 in 2005.
2006 |
2005 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,2,3,4) | |||||
Tons (000s) |
21,385 | 12,125 | |||
Ounces of silver per ton | 1.50 | 1.93 | |||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 31,983 | 23,341 |
2006 |
2005 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 9,370 | 8,488 | |||
Ounces of silver per ton | 3.00 | 2.03 |
2006 |
2005 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2,5) | |||||
Production |
|||||
Tons ore milled | 750,115 | 463,129 | |||
Ore grade silver (oz./ton) | 1.01 | 1.52 | |||
Recovery silver (%) | 63.5 | 45.0 | |||
Silver produced (oz.) | 481,991 | 316,169 | |||
Cash costs (6) | $2.85 | $2.05 | |||
Non-cash costs | 1.02 | 1.30 | |||
Total production costs | $3.87 | $3.35 |
(1) | Ore reserves are reported as of June 30, 2006, which is the end of the most recent fiscal year of the operator, CBH. Metal prices used were $10.00/ounce of silver. |
26
(2) | The ore reserves are underground minable reserves and include an 11% average factor for mining dilution and mining recovery factors ranging from 40% to 100% |
(3) | Metallurgical recovery factor of 55% should be applied to the silver reserve ounces. |
(4) | Classification of reserves is based on spacing from drill hole composites to reserve block centers. For proven reserves the maximum distance is 25 meters and for probable reserves it is greater than 25 meters and less than 40 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified. |
(5) | The Endeavor property was purchased on May 23, 2005. Operating data is presented commencing as of that date. |
(6) | Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S.-GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See Item 7: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
Australia Broken Hill Mine
The Broken Hill Mine is located in western New South Wales, Australia. Access to the mine is by paved roads leading from the adjacent community of Broken Hill.
On September 8, 2005, the Company acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to 17.2 million payable ounces (24.5 million contained ounces), contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. (PBH) for $36.0 million. In addition CDE Australia will pay PBH an operating cost contribution of approximately $2.00 for each ounce of payable silver. Under the terms of the agreement, PBH may earn up to US$6.0 million of additional consideration by meeting certain silver production thresholds over the next eight years. No additional payments were made during 2006.
The Broken Hill mine is an underground lead/zinc/silver mine. Silver, lead and zinc mineralization at Broken Hill is contained within sulfide lenses hosted in metasedimentary and igneous rocks of Precambrian-aged Broken Hill and underlying Thackaringa groups. In general sulphide lenses are tabular in shape steeply dipping to the north-northwest and striking east-northeast. Principal ore minerals are galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Silver occurs with both lead- and zinc-rich sulphide zones but is higher grade in the lead zones. The mine uses bulk mining methods and utilizes a conventional flotation mill to produce a concentrate that is sold to third party smelters in Australia. Silver recovery averaged approximately 74.2% in 2006 and 75.4% from September 8, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
While the Company is entitled to all of the silver production and reserves up to a maximum of 17.2 million payable ounces, to date the Company has received 2.6 million payable ounces and the current ore reserve contains approximately 12.4 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore reserves will occur as a result of conversion of portions of the propertys inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries on the property. Perilya conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms. For its fiscal year 2006/2007 (July/June), Perilya has budgeted A$3.5 million (US$2.7 million) for this work. The Company is not required to contribute to ongoing capital costs at the mine.
The reserves at Broken Hill are covered by nine Consolidated Mining Leases issued by the state of New South Wales to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. The leases form a northeast elongate contiguous block of 18,502 acres in size. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd., through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Power to the mine and processing facilities is provided by the grid servicing the local community. Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. conducts regular exploration to define new reserves, largely from underground core drilling platforms.
27
The Companys share of silver production in 2006 from the Broken Hill mine amounted to approximately 2.2 million ounces of silver compared to 657,093 ounces of silver in 2005. The cash cost per ounce of silver production, which includes the operating cost contribution and smelting, refining and transportation costs, was $3.09 in 2006 compared to $2.72 in 2005.
2006 |
2005 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,2,3,4,5) | |||||
Tons (000s) |
12,908 | 11,519 | |||
Ounces of silver per ton | 1.40 | 1.30 | |||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 18,015 | 14,955 |
2006 |
2005 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 10,872 | 10,825 | |||
Ounces of silver per ton | 3.82 | 1.93 |
2006 |
2005 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2) | (6) | ||||
Production |
|||||
Tons ore milled | 2,288,355 | 667,140 | |||
Ore grade silver (oz./ton) | 1.28 | 1.31 | |||
Recovery (%) | 74.2 | 75.4 | |||
Silver produced (oz.) | 2,174,585 | 657,093 | |||
Cost per Ounce of Silver | |||||
Cash costs(2) | $3.09 | $2.72 | |||
Non-cash costs | 2.35 | 2.75 | |||
Total production costs | $5.44 | $5.47 |
(1) | Ore reserves are effective as of June 30, 2006. Metal prices used were $10.12/ounce of silver. |
(2) | Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S.-GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See Item 7: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
(3) | The ore reserves are underground minable reserves and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. Dilution ranges from 0% to 20% additional tonnage while recovery ranges from 80% to 100% of the diluted tonnage and averages 85%. |
(4) | Metallurgical recovery factor of 74% should be applied to the silver reserve ounces. |
(5) | The proven and probable reserves are a combination of zinc, lead and silver mineralization remnant from historic mining and new parts or extensions of the mine. Proven and probable reserves must be accessible as defined by the site specific conditions of the mine. Furthermore, reserves are defined by definition drilling on a grid of 40 meters horizontally by 20 meters vertically and over 70% of the proven reserves are drilled on a 20 meter by 10 meter grid. |
(6) | The Broken Hill property was purchased on September 8, 2005. Operating data is presented commencing as of that date. |
28
On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary Coeur Silver Valley, Inc. to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash and additional consideration received of $1.1 million for working capital. Coeur Silver Valley was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company which owned and operated the Galena underground silver mine, an operating mine, and the Coeur and Caladay properties, that adjoin to the Galena mine, located in the heart of the Coeur dAlene Mining District. Coeur Silver Valleys property consists of 6,131 acres of Company-owned fee land, patented mining claims and unpatented claims in addition to 4,800 acres of leased claims. Coeur Silver Valleys operations are accessed by paved road from US Interstate 90 south of the town of Wallace, Idaho. Silver Valley recommenced operations at the Coeur mine in June 1996 and continued mining existing reserves there through July 2, 1998 when known reserves were depleted. Silver Valley resumed production at the Galena Mine in May 1997 and operations continued to the date of the sale.
The Galena Mine property is located immediately west of the City of Wallace in Shoshone County in northern Idaho. The property consists of 52 patented mining claims and 25 unpatented mining claims totaling approximately 1,100 acres.
The Galena Mine is an underground silver-copper mine and is served by two vertical shafts. The No. 3 shaft is the primary production shaft and is 5,800 feet deep. The Galena shaft primarily provides utility access for water, electrical power and sand backfill for underground operations down to the 2,400 level.
The mine utilizes conventional and mechanized cut and fill mining methods with sand backfill to extract ore from the high grade silver-copper vein deposits that constitute the majority of the ore reserves. Silver and copper are recovered by a flotation mill that produces a silver rich concentrate which is sold to third-party smelters in Canada. Silver recovery through the mill averaged 96% in 2006, 97% in 2005 and 97% in 2004.
Waste material from the milling process is deposited in a tailings pond located approximately two miles from the minesite. The tailings containment pond, which is expanded on an as needed basis, has capacity for approximately seven additional years at current production rates.
Silver production at the Galena Mine in 2006, up to the date of the sale, was approximately 768,674 ounces of silver versus 2.1 million ounces in 2005. Cash costs for 2006 were $9.75 compared to $8.37 per ounce in 2005. Total capital expenditures by Silver Valley at the Galena Mine in 2006 were $0.6 million.
Silver mineralization at Coeur Silver Valley is hosted in near vertical fracture filling veins that cut through quartzite and argillite of the Upper Revett Formation. Veins consist of siderite with variable amounts of pyrite and quartz. The silver ore minerals are tetrahedrite and argentiferous galena. Lead is contained in galena and copper in tetrahedrite and chalcopyrite.
2005 |
2004 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 444 | 718 | |||
Ounces of silver per ton | 24.50 | 18.84 | |||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 10,879 | 13,518 |
29
2005 |
2004 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 2,580 | 2,169 | |||
Ounces of silver per ton | 11.74 | 10.92 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Production |
|||||||
Tons ore milled | 52,876 | 128,502 | 169,413 | ||||
Ore grade silver (oz./ton) | 15.15 | 16.53 | 21.43 | ||||
Recovery (%) | 96 | 97 | 97 | ||||
Silver produced (oz.) | 768,674 | 2,060,338 | 3,521,813 | ||||
Gold produced (oz.) | 180 | 282 | 354 | ||||
Cost per Ounce of Silver | |||||||
Cash costs(1) | $9.75 | $8.37 | $5.46 | ||||
Non-cash costs | 0.89 | 0.97 | 0.56 | ||||
Total production costs | $10.64 | $9.34 | $6.02 |
(1) | Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S.-GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See Item 7: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
Bolivia San Bartolome Silver Project
The San Bartolome silver development project is located on the flanks of the Cerro Rico mountain near the town of Potosi, Bolivia. Access to the property is by paved and all-weather gravel roads leading south from the adjacent city of Potosi. Coeur acquired 100% of the equity in Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A. (Manquiri) from Asarco on September 9, 1999. Manquiris principal asset is the mining rights to the San Bartolome project, a silver property located near the city of Potosí, Bolivia, on the flanks of the Cerro Rico Mountain. The silver mineralization is hosted in gravel (pallaco) and reworked gravel (sucu) deposits that occur on the flanks of Cerro Rico. Cerro Rico is a prominent mountain in the region that reaches an elevation of over 15,400 feet. It is composed of Tertiary-aged volcanic and intrusive rocks that were emplaced into and over older sedimentary, basement rocks. Silver, along with tin and base metals, is located in multiple veins that occur in a northeast trending belt that transects Cerro Rico. The upper parts of the Cerro Rico mineralized system was subsequently eroded and redeposited into the flanking pallaco and sucu deposits. Silver is hosted in all portions of the pallacos and sucus with the best grades segregated to the coarser-grained silicified fragments. These deposits lend themselves to simple, free digging surface mining techniques and can be extracted without drilling and blasting. Of the several pallaco deposits which are controlled by Coeur and surround Cerro Rico, three are of primary importance and are known as Huacajchi, Diablo (consisting of Diablo Norte, and Diablo Este) and Santa Rita.
30
The mineral rights for the San Bartolome project are held through joint venture and long-term lease agreements with several independent mining cooperatives and the Bolivian State Mining Company (COMIBOL). Manquiri controls 67 square kilometers under lease from COMIBOL and 16,600 acres under lease from the cooperatives at San Bartolome and approximately 17.8 square miles of concessions at the Khori Huasi property, a gold exploration target south of Potosi. The San Bartolome lease agreements are generally subject to a 4% production royalty payable partially to the cooperatives and partially to COMIBOL. During 2003, the Company acquired additional mining rights known as the Plahipo project which includes the mining rights to oxide dumps adjacent to the original property package. The properties are currently subject to annual payments for these mining rights totaling approximately $2.5 million. Power is supplied to the development activities by the local power utility. Power for the future processing facility will be provided from the national grid via a four-mile high tension line.
Silver was first discovered in the area around 1545. Mining of silver and lesser amounts of tin has been conducted nearly continuously since that time from multiple underground mines driven into Cerro Rico. The Company acquired the rights to the San Bartolome project in May 1999 from ASARCO Incorporated. The prior owner did not conduct any mining or processing of the surface ores at San Bartolome.
We completed a preliminary feasibility study in 2000, which concluded that an open pit mine was potentially capable of producing approximately 6 million ounces of silver annually. In 2003, SRK, an independent consulting firm, was retained to review the reserve/resource estimate to include additional sampling data to incorporate additional resources acquired with the Plahipo project at Cerro Rico. During 2003, we retained Fluor Daniel Wright to prepare an updated feasibility study which was completed at the end of the third quarter of 2004. The study provides for the use of a cyanide milling flow sheet with a wet preconcentration screen circuit which will result in the production of a doré that may be treated by a number of refiners under a tolling agreement which results in the return of refined silver to the Company that is readily marketed by metal banks and brokers to the ultimate customer. Based upon the results of the updated feasibility study, we estimated the capital cost of the project to be approximately $135 million. Based on overall inflation impacting capital costs, the Company now estimates the capital cost (excluding political risk insurance premiums and capitalized interest) at San Bartolome to be approximately $174 million. In the second quarter of 2004, we obtained all operating permits. The Company estimates the cash cost of production in the initial four years to average approximately $4.00 per ounce of silver produced.
As a result of political unrest occurring in Bolivia during 2005, the Company reduced capital expenditures. In the second half of 2006, the Company determined conditions had improved to the point that full-scale construction and development were commenced. Based on the current development schedule, the Company believes that commercial production could begin in early 2008.
Coeur expended approximately $14.6 million in 2006 and plans to incur construction costs of approximately $119.4 million in 2007.
The San Bartolome project involves risks that are inherent in any mining venture, as well as particular risks associated with the location of the project. The estimate of mineralized material indicated by the geologic studies performed to date are preliminary in nature and may differ materially after further metallurgical testing is completed. Also, managing mining projects in the altiplano area of Bolivia, where Cerro Rico is located, presents logistical challenges. The political and cultural differences of Bolivia may also present challenges.
We have obtained a political risk insurance policy from the Overseas Private Insurance Corporation (OPIC) and a private insurer. The combined policies are in the amount of $155 million and covers 85% of any loss arising from expropriation, political violence or currency inconvertibility. The policies are expected to cost approximately $3.4 million during the course of construction and $0.21 per ounce of silver produced when the project commences commercial production.
31
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,2,3,4,5) | |||||||
Tons (000s) | 46,176 | 46,176 | 46,176 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 3.29 | 3.29 | 3.29 | ||||
Contained ounces of silver (000s) | 151,882 | 151,882 | 151,882 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 1,166 | 1,166 | 1,166 | ||||
Ounces of silver per ton | 3.44 | 3.44 | 3.44 |
(1) | Metal prices used in calculating proven and probable reserves were $6.00 per ounce of silver. |
(2) | The ore reserves are open pit minable reserves and include an average 10% factor for mining dilution and 97% for mining recovery. |
(3) | An average metallurgical recovery factor of 61.3% should be applied to the mined silver reserve ounces. |
(4) | Reserve estimates were prepared by the Companys technical staff. |
(5) | Proven and probable reserves are defined by surface sampling drill holes or vertical shafts with an average spacing of no more than 70 meters. In practice, ore reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. For probable reserves, the number of composites must be at least 8 with a maximum search distance of less than 275 meters. San Bartolome has only probable reserves. Mineralized material is similarly classified. |
Alaska Kensington Gold Project
The Kensington gold development project, consisting of the Kensington and adjacent Jualin properties, is located on the east side of the Lynn Canal about 45 miles north-northwest of Juneau, Alaska. The mine will be an underground gold mine accessed by a horizontal tunnel and will utilize conventional and mechanized underground mining methods. The ore will be processed in a flotation mill that produces a concentrate which will be sold to third party smelters. Waste material will be deposited in an impoundment facility on the property. Power is supplied to the site by on-site diesel generators. Access to the project is presently by helicopter, float plane or boat from Juneau.
The Kensington property, which contains the projects reserves, consists of over 6,100 acres of patented and unpatented federal mining claims and state claims. The adjacent Jualin property to the south consists of 9,236 acres of patented and unpatented federal mining claims and state claims.
On July 7, 1995, Coeur, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur Alaska, Inc. (Coeur Alaska), acquired the 50% ownership interest of Echo Bay Exploration Inc. (Echo Bay) in the Kensington property from Echo Bay and Echo Bay Alaska, Inc. (collectively the Sellers), giving Coeur 100% ownership of the Kensington property. The Kensington project consists of approximately 6,000 acres, of which approximately 750 acres are patented claims. The property is located on the east side of Lynn Canal between Juneau and Haines, Alaska. Coeur Alaska is obligated to pay Echo Bay a scaled net smelter return royalty on 1.0 million ounces of future gold production after Coeur Alaska recoups the $32.5 million purchase price and its construction and development expenditures incurred after July 7, 1995 in connection with placing the property into commercial production. The royalty ranges from 1% at $400 gold prices to a maximum of 2 ½% at gold prices above $475, with the royalty to be capped at 1.0 million ounces of production.
32
In the second quarter of 2004, we completed an updated feasibility study based on an alternative operating scenario which would eliminate the need for a man camp, simplify operating logistics and focus mining on higher-grade areas of the deposit (thereby reducing significantly the size of the mill facilities). This plan significantly reduced capital and operating costs while preserving the ability to expand production as market conditions warrant. In the second quarter of 2005, the Company received its final construction permits and updated the construction and operating cost estimates set forth in the feasibility study. Due to a general increase in commodity prices impacting the industry in general, the Company retained an independent engineering firm to review its capital cost estimate during the fourth quarter of 2005. As a result of the costs associated with the challenges to the projects permits of $29.8 million and the general increase in labor and commodity prices of $18.6 million, the Company currently estimates the total cost of construction to be approximately $238 million as compared with the previous cost estimate of $190 million. The Company believes that commercial production could commence in late 2007, subject to successful resolution of the permitting and litigation issues described below. The Company expects the per ounce cash cost of production to be approximately $310 in the initial years of operation.
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the U.S. Forest Service issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS). An environmental group, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC), and a group of other community and private environmental groups, appealed the issuance of the ROD. On March 23, 2005, the US Forest Service upheld the decision to approve the FSEIS. On June 28, 2005, the Company received the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. In addition, the Company received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of Engineers) 404 Wetlands Permit, which authorized the construction of a Lower Slate Lake tailings facility, millsite road improvements and a Slate Creek Cove dock facility. All permits were reviewed for consistency by both the Alaska Coastal Management and Department of Governmental Coordination, which issued its final permit certification.
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups (Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of Engineers) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska for the Companys Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA. They additionally claim the USFSs approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers.
On November 8, 2005, the Corps of Engineers filed a Motion for Voluntary Remand with the court to review the permit issued to the Company under the CWA Section 404 and requested that the court stay the legal proceeding filed by the Plaintiffs pending the outcome of review. On November 12, 2005, the Federal District Court in Alaska granted the remand of the permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review. On November 22, 2005, the Corps of Engineers advised the Company that it was suspending the Section 404 permit pursuant to the Courts remand to further review the permit.
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated the Companys 404 permit. On April 6, 2006 the lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened, and Coeur Alaska filed its answer to the Amended Complaint and Motion to Intervene as a Defendant-Intervenor in the action. Two other parties, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, also filed Motions to Intervene as Defendant-Intervenors as supporters of the Kensington project as permitted. The Company, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. were granted Defendant-Intervenor status and joined the agencies in their defense of the permits as issued.
33
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006 the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Court) and on August 9, 2006 Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility. The Circuit Court further ordered an expedited briefing schedule on the merits of the legal challenge. As of October 13, 2006, the parties filed their briefs in the Circuit Court and participated in an oral argument on December 4, 2006. There is no indication of when the Circuit Court may rule on the merits on appeal. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation or the impact of the temporary injunction. The Company cannot predict when the court will rule on the merits on appeal in the Circuit Court or the impact upon the project.
No assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory permits and approvals granted to the Company may be further challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing agencies, or as to whether the Company will place the Kensington project into commercial production.
During 2006, the Company invested $121.6 million in connection with the development of the mine. The Company plans to spend approximately $77.7 million on the project during 2007.
The Kensington ore deposit consists of multiple precious metals bearing mesothermal, quartz, carbonate, pyrite vein swarms and discrete quartz-pyrite veins hosted in the Cretaceous age Jualin diorite. The gold-telluride-mineral calaverite is associated with the pyrite mineralization.
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1,2,3,4,5) | |||||||
Tons (000s) |
4,419 | 4,206 | 4,206 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.31 | 0.25 | 0.25 | ||||
Contained ounces of gold | 1,352,140 | 1,050,000 | 1,050,000 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tons (000s) | 4,320 | 3,116 | 3,116 | ||||
Ounces of gold per ton | 0.20 | 0.27 | 0.27 |
(1) | A gold price of $550 per ounce was used to determine ore reserves. |
(2) | The ore reserves are underground minable reserves and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. An allowance of 25.6% additional tonnage at 0.124 ounce per ton is included for internal dilution. A factor for external dilution, averaging 10.2% at 0.056 ounces per ton, is also included. An average 97% factor for mining recovery is included. |
(3) | Average metallurgical recovery factor of 95.3% should be applied to the contained gold reserve ounces. |
(4) | Reserve estimates were prepared by the Companys technical staff. Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, an independent consultant group, performed an independent review of the Companys updated resource estimate model used to prepare the ore reserve estimates. |
(5) | The Kensington gold development project contains only probable reserves. The reserves are defined with over 408,000 feet of core drilling, largely from underground drilling fans, and 27,000 feet of underground workings. In practice, reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. Probable reserve blocks must at least 2 drill holes spaced not more than 60 feet from the block center. Mineralized material is similarly classified. |
34
Not all Kensington ore zones have been fully delineated internally, or at depth or on strike and several peripheral zones and veins remain to be explored. In 2006, the Company continued the exploration program started in the third quarter of 2005 designed to increase the size and geologic continuity of gold mineralization in its mineralized material inventory and ultimately result in an increase in ore reserves. At Kensington, Coeur Alaska completed 34,035 ft of drilling during the second half of 2005 and an additional 32,249 ft of drilling in 2006. For the year, a total of $1.5 million was spent on this developmental program. As a result of this program, ore reserves increased by approximately 29% to 1.35 million ounces of gold.
Coeur, either directly or through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns, leases and has interests in certain exploration-stage mining properties located in the United States, Chile, Argentina, Tanzania and Bolivia. Exploration and mine development expenditures of approximately $9.5 million, $10.6 million and $8.0 million were incurred by the Company in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
US Kensington/Jualin
The Company possesses the right to develop the Jualin property, an exploratory property located adjacent to the Kensington Property. A combined total of 18,667 feet of exploration drilling was completed in 2005 and 2006 at Jualin. The Company plans for an aggressive drilling program for 2007 to follow up on the encouraging results from these programs. The Companys rights to use and develop the Jualin property are subject to an Amended Lease Agreement dated August 5, 2005 between Hyak Mining Company Inc. as Lessor and Coeur Alaska Inc. as Lessee which expires in August 2020 with provision for lease extension. Approximately $0.9 million was spent in exploration in 2006.
Chile Cerro Bayo Mine
Coeur continued to have exploration success at its 100%-owned Cerro Bayo gold/silver mining operation in southern Chile. Approximately $5.3 million was spent in exploration, of which $2.6 million was capitalized as mine development during 2006. A total of nearly 232,000 feet of core drilling was completed during the year to discover new mineral resources and define new mineral reserves. The majority of this work was devoted to expansion and definition of ore reserves at the recently discovered Marcela Sur and Cascada vein systems.
The Company believes that there is potential to discover additional high grade veins within the entire Cerro Bayo district, which is over 13.6 miles eastwest by 7.5 miles north-south. The exploration budget for 2007 is estimated to be $4.7 million.
Argentina Martha Mine
In 2006, the Companys efforts consisted of mapping, sampling and nearly 87,000 feet of core and reverse circulation drilling for a total expenditure of $3.6 million, of which $0.7 million was capitalized as mine development. An ongoing drill program during 2007 is planned near to the Martha mine totaling approximately $3.0 million to explore for additional high-grade veins.
Argentina Other Properties
The Company also continued reconnaissance in Santa Cruz Province where its activities resulted in identification and acquisition of four new exploration-stage properties believed to be prospective for silver and gold mineralization. These properties consist of the El Aguila, Sol de Mayo (Costa), Sascha and Joaquin. El Aguila and Sol del Mayo are controlled by private Argentine interest. The Company has the right to purchase both properties from the owners, who will retain a production royalty, after completion of staged work and payment obligations. Sascha and Joaquin are controlled by Mirasol Resources Ltd. a publicly-traded, Canadian exploration company. Coeur has the right to earn up to a 71% managing interest in a joint venture with Mirasol in return for staged work and payment obligations. The Company plans to continue to map, sample and drill targets on its new holdings in 2007 and has budgeted $2.6 million for these activities.
35
Tanzania, Africa
During the first quarter of 2004, the Company acquired ten prospecting licenses for properties located in the Lake Victoria Gold Belt of Tanzania, Africa and in 2005 added an eleventh, Saragurwa. Except for Saragurwa, which is owned by a private Tanzanian interest, all properties are held 100% by a Tanzanian subsidiary of the Company via prospecting or primary mining license provisions of the Tanzania Mining Code.
During 2006, initial exploration work consisted of mapping, trenching, sampling and acquisition and interpretation of detailed airborne geophysical data. As a result of this work, a large zone of anomalous gold-in-soil values, measuring over 1.2 miles long in an east-west orientation, by over 0.3 miles wide was defined on the Kiziba Hill property, a 105 square kilometer sized property which lies on the same belt of Archean-aged rocks, commonly termed greenstone, which host the Geita gold mine to the east. Greenstones, a mixture of volcanic, sedimentary and intrusive rocks, are a major host to gold mineralization around the globe. Gold anomalies were also defined on the Bunda 1 property to the northeast of the city of Mwanza.
In 2006, over 44,000 feet of shallow, rotary air blast drilling was conducted over the gold-in-soil anomalies at Kiziba Hill. This work verified the bedrock source of the surface gold anomalies and aided in producing a map of the bedrock beneath the laterite cover, which in places reached over 75 feet in thickness. Basal rotary air blast gold anomalies are spatially coincident with contacts between volcanic rocks and later intrusive rocks of felsic (granitic) composition and along major east-wet shear/fault zones. In December 2006, core drilling commenced on the Saragurwa option property and will continue into 2007.
During 2006, the Company spent $1.4 million on exploration activities in Tanzania and expects to spend approximately $1.8 million in 2007.
The Companys operating results are substantially dependent upon the world market prices of silver and gold. The Company has no control over silver and gold prices, which can fluctuate widely. The volatility of such prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth the high and low prices of silver (as reported by Handy and Harman) and gold (London Final) per ounce during the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||||
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low | ||||||||
Silver | $14.93 | $8.84 | $9.11 | $6.38 | $8.24 | $5.57 | |||||||
Gold | $725.00 | $524.75 | $536.50 | $411.10 | $454.20 | $375.00 | |||||||
The Company markets its metals products and concentrates primarily to bullion trading banks and third party smelters. These customers then sell the metals to end users for use in industry applications such as electronic circuitry, jewelry and silverware production and the manufacture and development of photographic film. Sales of metals to bullion trading banks amounted to approximately 47%, 45% and 59% of total sales of metals in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and sales of metal concentrates to third party smelters amounted to approximately 53%, 55% and 41% of total metal sales in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading bank customer would not adversely affect the Company in view of the liquidity of the product and availability of alternative trading banks. In 2006, the Company had sales of concentrates to two third-party smelters, Met-Mex Penoles and Zinifex, which each constituted 10% or more of the Companys total metal sales. A significant delay or disruption as the result of a disruption in the Companys contracts could have a materially adverse effect on our operations if we were unable to locate an alternate smelter to treat our concentrates.
36
The Company had no future silver or gold production hedged at December 31, 2006 and has no plans to hedge its silver in the future. Coeur has historically sold the gold from its mines both pursuant to forward contracts and at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale. Silver has been sold at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale.
The Companys commitment to environmental responsibility has been recognized in 24 awards received since 1987, which included the Dupont/Conoco Environmental Leadership Award, awarded to the Company on October 1, 1991 by a judging panel that included representatives from environmental organizations and the federal government, the Star award granted on June 23, 1993 by the National Environmental Development Association, and the Environmental Waikato Regional Council award for Golden Cross environmental initiative granted on May 15, 1995 and in March 2004 the Habitat Restoration Award from the Nevada Division of Wildlife for developing habitat at the Rochester mine. In 1994, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and in 1997, the Companys Vice President of Environmental and Governmental Affairs, were awarded the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers Environmental Conservation Distinguished Service Award. In 2006, the Companys Kensington Gold Project was awarded the prestigious 2006 Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award presented by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in recognition of responsible mineral resource development while demonstrating an understanding of sustainable development.
The Companys activities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws governing the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, production, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Although the Company is usually involved in regulatory proceedings for renewal or reissuance of various permits, such regulations have never caused the Company to close any mine. The costs associated with compliance with such regulatory requirements are substantial and possible future legislation and regulations could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the development and continued operation of the Companys properties, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In the context of environmental permitting, including the approval of reclamation plans, the Company must comply with known standards and regulations which may entail significant costs and delays. Although Coeur has been recognized for its commitment to environmental responsibility and believes it is in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, amendments to current laws and regulations, the more stringent implementation thereof through judicial review or administrative action or the adoption of new laws could have a materially adverse effect upon the Company.
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company expended $5.6 million, $4.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, in connection with routine environmental compliance activities at its operating properties and expects to expend approximately $4.0 million for that purpose in 2007. Future environmental expenditures will be determined by governmental regulations and the overall scope of the Companys operating and development activities.
37
Certain mining wastes from extraction and beneficiation of ores are currently exempt from the extensive set of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations governing hazardous waste, although such wastes may be subject to regulation under state law as a solid or hazardous waste. The EPA has worked on a program to regulate these mining wastes pursuant to its solid waste management authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Certain ore processing and other wastes are currently regulated as hazardous wastes by the EPA under RCRA. If the Companys mine wastes were treated as hazardous waste or such wastes resulted in operations being designated as a Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) for cleanup, material expenditures would be required for the construction of additional waste disposal facilities or for other remediation expenditures. Under CERCLA, any present owner or operator of a Superfund site or an owner or operator at the time of its contamination generally may be held liable and may be forced to undertake remedial cleanup action or to pay for the governments cleanup efforts. Additional regulations or requirements may also be imposed upon the Companys tailings and waste disposal in Alaska under the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and state law counterparts, and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA. Air emissions are subject to controls under Nevadas and Alaskas air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act.
Legislation has been introduced regularly in the U.S. Congress over the last decade to change the Mining Law of 1872 as amended under which the Company holds unpatented mining claims on federal lands. A significant portion of the Companys U.S. mining properties are on unpatented mining claims on federal lands. It is possible that the Mining Law may be amended or be replaced by more onerous legislation in the future. Previously proposed legislation contained a production royalty obligation, new environmental standards and conditions, additional reclamation requirements and extensive new procedural steps which would be likely to result in delays in permitting. In addition, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have considered revising regulations governing operations under the Mining Law on federal lands they administer, which, if implemented, may result in additional procedures and environmental conditions and standards on those lands.
Any reform of the Mining Law or Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service regulations thereunder based on these initiatives could increase the costs of mining activities on unpatented mining claims, or could materially impair the ability of the Company to develop or continue operations which derive ore from federal lands, and as a result could have an adverse effect on the Company and its results of operations. Until such time, if any, as new reform legislation or regulations are enacted, the ultimate effects and costs of compliance on the Company cannot be estimated.
The mining properties of the Company that are located in Chile and Argentina are subject to various government laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the air, surface water, ground water and the environment in general, as well as the health of the work force, labor standards and the socioeconomic impacts of mining facilities upon the communities. A recently established State Council for the Environment (CODEMA) has responsibility to define policy, approve plans and programs, control regulatory activities and enforce compliance. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations to which it is subject in Chile and Argentina.
The Republic of Bolivia, where the San Bartolome project is located, has adopted laws and guidelines for environmental permitting that are similar to those in effect in the United States and other South American countries. The permitting process requires a thorough study to determine the baseline condition of the mining site and surrounding area, an environmental impact analysis, and proposed mitigation measures to minimize and offset the environmental impact of mining operations. The Company has received all permits required to build and operate the San Bartolome mine.
38
The Company does not directly hold any interest in mining properties in Australia. However, under the respective Silver Sale Agreements with CBH Resources Limited and Perilya Broken Hill Limited, the Company has purchased the silver reserves and resources in the ground of these mining companies. These two companies are responsible for the mining operation and compliance with government regulations and the Company is not responsible for compliance. The Company is however at risk for any production stoppages resulting from non-compliance. The mining properties of CBH and Perilya are subject to a range of state and federal government laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the air, surface water, ground water, noise, site rehabilitation and the environment in general, as well as the occupational health and safety of the work force, labor standards and the socio-economic impacts of mining facilities among local communities. In addition, the various federal and state native title legislation recognizes and protects the rights and interests in Australia of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in land and waters, according to their traditional laws and customs, and may restrict mining and exploration activity and/or result in additional costs. CBH and Perilya are required to deal with a number of governmental departments in development and exploitation of their respective mining properties. The Company is not aware of any substantial non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations to which its partners are subject in Australia.
United States
At mining properties in the United States, including the Rochester and Kensington mines, operations are conducted in part upon unpatented mining claims, as well as patented mining claims. Pursuant to applicable federal law it is necessary, in order to maintain the unpatented claims, to pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before August 31 of each year, a claim maintenance fee of $125 per claim. This claim maintenance fee is in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law. In addition, in Nevada, holders of unpatented mining claims are required to pay the county recorder of the county in which the claim is situated an annual fee of $3.50 per claim. No maintenance fees are payable for patented claims. Patented claims are similar to land held by an owner who is entitled to the entire interest in the property with unconditional power of disposition.
Chile
In Chile, operations are conducted upon mineral concessions granted by the national government. For exploitation concessions (somewhat similar to a U.S. patented claim), to maintain the concession, an annual tax is payable to the government before March 31 of each year in the approximate amount of $1.14 per hectare. For exploration concessions, to maintain the right, the annual tax is approximately $0.30 per hectare. An exploration concession is valid for a five-year period. It may be renewed for new periods unless a third party claims the right to explore upon the property, in which event the exploration concession must be converted to an exploitation concession in order to maintain the rights to the concession.
Argentina
Minerals are owned by the Argentine government, which allows individual provinces to impose a maximum 3% mine-mouth royalty on mineral production. The first step in acquiring mining rights is filing a cateo, which gives exclusive prospecting rights for the requested area for a period of time, generally up to 3 years. Maximum size of each cateo is 10,000 hectares; a maximum of 20 cateos can be held by a single entity (individual or company) in any one province.
39
The holder of a cateo has exclusive right to establish a Manifestation of Discovery (MD) on that cateo, but MDs can also be set without a cateo on any land not covered by someone elses cateo. MDs are filed as either a vein or disseminated discovery. A square protection zone can be declared around the discovery up to 840 hectares for vein MD or up to 7,000 hectares for a disseminated MD. The protection zone grants the discoverer exclusive rights for an indefinite period, during which the discoverer must provide an annual report presenting a program of exploration work and investments related to the protection zone. A MD can later be upgraded to a Mina (mining claim), which give the holder the right to begin commercial extraction of minerals.
Bolivia
The Bolivian national mining company, Corporacion Minera Bolivia (Comibol), is the underlying owner of all of the mining rights relating to the San Bartolome project, with the exception of the Thuru property, which is owned by the Cooperativa Reserva Fiscal, a local miners cooperative. Comibols ownership derives from the Supreme Decree 3196 in October 1952, when the government nationalized most of the mines in Potosi, except for Thuru. Except for Thuru, Comibol has leased the mining rights for the surface sucu or pallaco gravel deposits to several Potosi cooperatives. The cooperatives in turn have subleased their mining rights to Manquiri through a series of joint venture contracts. In addition to those agreements with the cooperatives, Coeur, through its subsidiary Manquiri, holds additional mining rights under lease agreements. All of Manquiris mining and surface rights collectively constitute the San Bartolome project.
Australia
At mining properties in Australia operated by CBH Resources Limited and Perilya Broken Hill Limited, operations are conducted on designated Mining Leases issued by the relevant state government mining department. Mining Leases are issued for a specific term and include a range of environmental and other conditions including the payment of production royalties, annual lease fees and the use of cash or a bank guarantee as security for reclamation liabilities. The amounts required to be paid to secure reclamation liabilities are determined on a case by case basis. In addition, both CBH Resources Limited and Perilya Broken Hill Limited hold a range of exploration titles permits which are also issued by the respective state government mining departments for specified terms and require payment of annual fees and completion of designated expenditure programs on the leases to maintain title. In Australia, minerals in the ground are owned by the state until severed from the ground through mining operations.
The number of full-time employees at December 31, 2006 of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries was:
United States Corporate Staff and Office | 38 | ||
Rochester Mine | 200 | ||
Kensington Property | 91 | ||
Chilean Corporate Staff and Office | 47 | ||
Cerro Bayo Mine (1) | 360 | ||
Mina Martha/Argentina (1) | 131 | ||
San Bartolome | 64 | ||
Total | 931 | ||
(1) | The Company maintains two labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Syndicato de Trabajadores de Compañía Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. at its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile and with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at its Martha mine in Argentina. The agreement at Cerro Bayo is effective from December 22, 2005 to December 21, 2007 and the agreement at Mina Martha is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 11, 2008. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately 20% of its worldwide labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
40
Federal Natural Resources Action
An action was filed on March 22, 1996 in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho by the United States against various defendants, including the Company, asserting claims under CERCLA and the Clean Water Act for alleged damages to federal natural resources in the Coeur dAlene River Basin of Northern Idaho. The damages are claimed to result from alleged releases of hazardous substances from mining activities conducted in the area since the late 1800s.
The Company and representatives of the U.S. Government, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture, reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit. The terms of settlement are set forth in a Consent Decree issued by the court. Pursuant to the terms of the Consent Decree, dated May 14, 2001, the Company has paid the U.S. Government a total of approximately $3.9 million, of which $3.3 million was paid in May 2001 and the remaining $0.6 million was paid in June 2001. In addition, the Company (i) paid the United States 50% of any future recoveries from insurance companies for claims for defense and indemnification under general liability insurance policies in excess of $0.6 million, (ii) completed certain cleanup work on the Mineral Point property and Caladay property, and (iii) made a conveyance to the U.S. or the State of Idaho of certain real property to possibly be used as a waste repository. Finally, commencing five years after effectiveness of the settlement, the Company is obligated to pay royalties on all of its domestic and foreign operating properties, up to a cumulative maximum of $3.0 million, amounting to a 2% net smelter royalty on silver production if the price of silver exceeds $6.50 per ounce, and a $5.00 per ounce royalty on gold production if the price of gold exceeds $325 per ounce. The royalty payment obligation commenced on May 14, 2006 and expires after May 14, 2021. As of December 31, 2006, $2.4 million of the $3.0 million was paid. It is expected that the remaining $0.5 million will be paid in the first half of 2007.
States of Maine, Idaho and Colorado Superfund Sites Related to Callahan Mining Corporation
During 1991, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Callahan Mining Corporation.
During 2001, the United States Forest Service made a formal request for information regarding the Deadwood Mine Site located in central Idaho. Callahan Mining Corporation had operated at this site during the 1940s. The Forest Service believes that some cleanup action is required at the location. However, Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation did not acquire Callahan until 1991, more than 40 years after Callahan disposed of its interest in the Deadwood property. The Company did not make any decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at the site. Therefore, it is believed that the Company is not liable for any cleanup, and if Callahan might be liable, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy any such liability. To date, no claim has been made by the United States for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
During 2002, the EPA made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Maine. Callahan operated there in the late 1960s, shut the operations down in the early 1970s and disposed of the property. The EPA contends that some cleanup action is warranted at the site, and listed it on the National Priorities List in late 2002. The Company believes that because it made no decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
In January 2003, the U.S. Forest Service made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Colorado known as the Akron Mine Site. Callahan operated there in approximately the late 1930s through the 1940s, and to the Companys knowledge, disposed of the property. The Company is not aware of what, if any, cleanup action the Forest Service is contemplating. However, the Company did not make decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, and therefore believes it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
41
Federal District Court of Alaska Permit Challenge
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups (Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of Engineers) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Companys Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA and is thus illegal. They additionally claim the USFSs approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers.
On November 8, 2005, the Corps of Engineers filed a Motion for Voluntary Remand with the court to review the permit issued to the Company under the CWA Section 404 and requested that the court stay the legal proceeding filed by the plaintiffs pending the outcome of review. On November 12, 2005, the Federal District Court in Alaska granted the remand of the permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review. On November 22, 2005, the Corps of Engineers advised the Company that it was suspending the Section 404 permit pursuant to the Courts remand to further review the permit.
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated the Companys 404 permit. On April 6, 2006 the lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened, and Coeur Alaska, Inc. filed its answer to the Amended Complaint and Motion to Intervene as a Defendant-Intervenor in the action. Two other parties, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, also filed Motions to Intervene as Defendant-Intervenors as supporters of the Kensington project as permitted. The Company, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. were granted Defendant-Intervenor status and joined the agencies in their defense of the permits as issued.
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006 the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Court) and on August 9, 2006 Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility. The Circuit Court further ordered an expedited briefing schedule on the merits of the legal challenge. As of October 13, 2006, the parties filed their briefs in the Circuit Court and participated in an oral argument on December 4, 2006.
There is no indication of when the Circuit Court may rule on the merits on appeal or the impact upon the project. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation or the impact of the temporary injunction.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Companys website is http://www.coeur.com. Coeur makes available free of charge, on or through its website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Forms 3 and 4, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors are available at our website www.coeur.com. Coeur has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. A copy of the code of ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at our website www.coeur.com. Information contained on the Companys website is not a part of this report.
42
The Companys Board of Directors adopted an addendum to its Policies and Procedures Manual to establish a code of ethics for the chief executive and principal financial and accounting officers of the Company. The Company will provide a copy of the code free of charge to any person that requests a copy by writing to the Secretary, Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, 400 Coeur dAlene Mines Building, 505 Front Avenue, Post Office Box I, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83816-0316.
Not applicable.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Companys current executive officers:
Name |
Age |
Positions with Coeur |
Since |
---|---|---|---|
Dennis E. Wheeler |
64 | Chairman of the Board | 1992 |
Chief Executive Officer and President | 1986 | ||
James A. Sabala |
52 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | 2003 |
and Treasurer | |||
Harry F. Cougher |
64 | Senior Vice President, North American Operations | 2005 |
James K. Duff |
62 | President, South American Operations | 2005 |
Donald J. Birak |
53 | Senior Vice President, Exploration | 2004 |
Alan L. Wilder |
58 | Senior Vice President, Project Development | 2004 |
Gary W. Banbury |
54 | Senior Vice President, | 2004 |
Chief Administrative Officer | |||
Richard Weston |
55 | Senior Vice President and Managing Director, | 2006 |
Coeur Australia Pty Limited and Vice President | |||
of South America | |||
Mitchell J. Krebs |
35 | Senior Vice President, Corporate Development | 2003 |
Kelli C. Kast |
40 | Vice President, General Counsel and | 2005 |
Corporate Secretary | |||
W. Scott Lamb |
52 | Vice President, Investor Relations | 2005 |
Luke J. Russell |
50 | Vice President, Environmental Services | 2005 |
Tom T. Angelos |
51 | Vice President, Controller and | 2004 |
Chief Accounting Officer | |||
Carolyn S. Turner |
38 | Assistant Treasurer | 2006 |
Dennis E. Wheeler has been Chairman of the Board of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation since May 1992 and Chief Executive Officer since December 1986. Previously, Mr. Wheeler served as President of Coeur, commencing in December 1980. Mr. Wheeler was our Chief Administrative Officer from December 1980 to December 1986, Secretary from January 1980 to December 1980 and Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1978 to 1980.
43
James A. Sabala was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Coeur in January 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Sabala was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Stillwater Mining Company from 1998 to 2003, and from 1981 to 1998 was employed by Coeur in various capacities, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Harry F. Cougher was appointed Senior Vice President North American Operations in January 2005. Prior to that Mr. Cougher was the Vice President and General Manager of Coeur Silver Valley since 2001. Previous to this Mr. Cougher served as Senior Vice President Mining & Chief Operating Officer for Sunshine Mining Company from 1994 to 2001.
James K. Duff was appointed President South American Operations September of 2005. Prior to that Mr. Duff served as President Empressa Manquiri SA from June 2005 to September 2005. Prior to that he was employed as an independent contractor by Coeur from November 2002 to June 2005 and prior to that he was employed from March 1990 to November 2002 as Vice President Business Development for Coeur dAlene Mines.
Donald J. Birak was appointed as Senior Vice President Exploration of Coeur in January 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Birak was employed with AngloGold North America, Inc. from March 1999 to January 20, 2004, as Vice President Exploration.
Alan L. Wilder was appointed Senior Vice President, Project Development in July 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Wilder was an independent consultant from July 2002 to July 2004 for Glamis Gold and Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation. Prior thereto, he was Project Manager for BHP Tintaya from February 2000 to June 2002 and from 1999 to 2000 he was an independent consultant for the mining industry.
Gary W. Banbury was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer in February 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Banbury served as Vice President, Administration and Human Resources from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Banbury held the position of Vice President, Human Resources of Coeur from 1998 to 2000, and prior thereto he served as Manager of Human Resources with Coeur.
Richard M. Weston was appointed Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia Pty. Limited and Vice President of South American Operations in December 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Weston served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia from February 2006 to December 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Weston was employed with Barrick Australia from January 2003 to February 2006 as General Manager of Cowal Gold Project and Rio Tinto Australia from December 2000 to November 2002 as General Manager of the ERA and Jabiluka mines.
Mitchell J. Krebs was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Development of Coeur in May 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Krebs served as Vice President, Corporate Development of Coeur from February 2003 to May 2006. Mr. Krebs was employed as an independent consultant from September 2001 through January 2003, and from May 2000 through August 2001 was employed as the President of Mine Depot Inc. From August 1999 through April 2000, Mr. Krebs was an associate with Allied Capital Corporation. From August 1995 through November 1997, Mr. Krebs was employed by Coeur as Manager, Acquisition Evaluation.
Kelli C. Kast was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in May 2005. Prior to that Ms. Kast served as Corporate Counsel for HealtheTech. Inc. from April 2004 to April 2005. Prior thereto, she served as Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Global Water Technologies Inc. and Psychrometric Systems, Inc. from December 1997 through February 2003.
W. Scott Lamb was appointed Vice President Investor Relations in August 2005. Prior to that Mr. Lamb was employed with Kaiser Aluminum Corporation from January 1992 to July 2005 and held the position of Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate Communications.
44
Luke J. Russell was appointed Vice President of Environmental Services at Coeur in 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Russell was Coeur dAlene Basin Project Manager for the State of Idahos Department of Environmental Quality. Before that, he held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the management of environmental affairs at major mining companies and was previously Director of Environmental and Government Affairs for Coeur from 1995 to 2000.
Tom T. Angelos was appointed Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in December 2006. Prior to that, he had held the position of Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Coeur since 2004. Mr. Angelos was previously Controller of Stillwater Mining Company from 1998 to 2004, and from 1983 to 1998 was employed by Coeur in various capacities, most recently as Controller.
Carolyn S. Turner was appointed Assistant Treasurer in December 2006. Prior to that Ms. Turner served as Director of Budgeting and Forecasting from 2005 to 2006 and from 1996 to 2005 held various positions at Coeur Silver Valley, most recently as Administrative Manager.
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
The Companys Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices of the Common Stock as reported by the NYSE:
High |
Low | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | |||||
First Quarter | $ 4.37 | $ 3.33 | |||
Second Quarter | $ 3.75 | $ 2.75 | |||
Third Quarter | $ 4.32 | $ 3.36 | |||
Fourth Quarter | $ 4.59 | $ 3.62 | |||
2006 | |||||
First Quarter | $ 6.71 | $ 4.11 | |||
Second Quarter | $ 7.37 | $ 3.95 | |||
Third Quarter | $ 5.75 | $ 4.41 | |||
Fourth Quarter | $ 5.45 | $ 4.35 | |||
2007 | |||||
First Quarter (through February 16, 2007) | $ 4.79 | $ 4.20 |
The Company has not paid per share cash distributions or dividends on its Common Stock since 1996. Future distributions or dividends on the Common Stock, if any, will be determined by the Companys Board of Directors and will depend upon the Companys results of operations, financial conditions, capital requirements and other factors.
At February 15, 2007, there were 4,716 record holders of the Companys outstanding Common Stock.
The Company did not issue any securities without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 during the year ended December 31, 2006.
The Company made no repurchases of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2006.
45
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2006 regarding the Companys equity compensation plans.
Plan category |
Number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||||
Equity compensation | |||||||||||
plans approved by | |||||||||||
security holders | 2,089,650 | $ | 3.56 | 5,361,819 | |||||||
Equity compensation | |||||||||||
plans not approved | |||||||||||
by security holders | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||
Total | 2,089,650 | $ | 3.56 | 5,361,819 | |||||||
46
The following chart compares our cumulative total shareholder return for the five years ended December 31, 2006 with (i) the S&P 500 Index, which is a performance indicator of the overall stock market, and (ii) a peer group determined by us.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, S&P 500, and Coeur dAlene Mines Comparator Group.
Dec. 2001 |
Dec. 2002 |
Dec. 2003 |
Dec. 2004 |
Dec. 2005 |
Dec. 2006 | |
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation Common Stock | 100.00 | 240.03 | 722.58 | 491.30 | 500.09 | 618.85 |
S&P 500 Index | 100.00 | 77.89 | 100.23 | 111.13 | 116.57 | 134.98 |
Peer Group Index** | 100.00 | 168.54 | 195.38 | 197.34 | 239.99 | 336.52 |
Assumes $100 invested on January 1, 2002, in our common stock, S&P 500 Index and the peer group index.
* | Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends. |
** | The issuers of common stock included in the peer group in 2006 are Agnico Eagle Mines, Bema Gold, Ceterra Gold, Goldcorp, Hecla Mining Co., IAM Gold, Kinross Gold Corp., Meridian Gold, Inc., Northgate Minerals, Pan American Silver Corp. and Stillwater Mining Co. (Cambior Inc. and Glamis Gold were dropped due to mergers and acquisitions and Ceterra Gold was added.) The issuers of common stock included in the peer group in 2005 are Agnico Eagle Mines, Bema Gold, Cambior Inc., Ceterra Gold, Glamis Gold, Goldcorp, Hecla Mining Co., Kinross Gold Corp., Meridian Gold, Inc., Northgate Minerals, Pan American Silver Corp. and Stillwater Mining Co. |
47
The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
Income Statement Data: | 2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
|||||||||||||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 216,573 | $ | 156,284 | $ | 109,047 | $ | 93,620 | $ | 67,117 | |||||||
Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
Production costs applicable to sales | 92,378 | 88,232 | 63,715 | 64,970 | 65,654 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and depletion | 26,772 | 18,889 | 16,833 | 15,107 | 10,150 | ||||||||||||
Administrative and general | 19,369 | 20,624 | 17,499 | 12,264 | 8,806 | ||||||||||||
Exploration | 9,474 | 10,553 | 8,031 | 4,277 | 3,849 | ||||||||||||
Pre-development | -- | 6,057 | 11,449 | 1,967 | 2,606 | ||||||||||||
Other holding costs | -- | -- | -- | 4,478 | 3,608 | ||||||||||||
Litigation settlement | 2,365 | 1,600 | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 150,358 | 145,955 | 117,527 | 103,063 | 94,673 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest and other income | 18,654 | 8,385 | 3,165 | 2,064 | 4,080 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (1,224 | ) | (2,485 | ) | (2,831 | ) | (12,851 | ) | (21,948 | ) | |||||||
Merger expenses | -- | -- | (15,675 | ) | -- | -- | |||||||||||
Loss on early retirement of debt | -- | -- | -- | (41,564 | ) | (19,061 | ) | ||||||||||
Total other income (expense) | 17,430 | 5,900 | (15,341 | ) | (52,351 | ) | (36,929 | ) | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before | |||||||||||||||||
income taxes | 83,645 | 16,229 | (23,821 | ) | (61,794 | ) | (64,485 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax (provision) benefit | (8,226 | ) | (1,483 | ) | 5,785 | 7 | -- | ||||||||||
Income(loss) from continuing operations | 75,419 | 14,746 | (18,036 | ) | (61,787 | ) | (64,485 | ) | |||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 1,935 | (4,195 | ) | 1,178 | (2,139 | ) | (16,334 | ) | |||||||||
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operation | 11,132 | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | -- | -- | -- | (2,306 | ) | -- | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 88,486 | $ | 10,551 | $ | (16,858 | ) | $ | (66,232 | ) | $ | (80,819 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 2,391 | 447 | (908 | ) | (556 | ) | (1,470 | ) | |||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 90,877 | $ | 10,998 | $ | (17,766 | ) | $ | (66,788 | ) | $ | (82,289 | ) | ||||
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share Data: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share: | |||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | (0.82 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 0.05 | (0.02 | ) | 0.00 | (0.01 | ) | (0.21 | ) | |||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | -- | -- | -- | (0.01 | ) | -- | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.39 | ) | $ | (1.03 | ) | ||||
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share: | |||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | (0.82 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 0.04 | (0.02 | ) | 0.00 | (0.01 | ) | (0.21 | ) | |||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | -- | -- | -- | (0.01 | ) | -- | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.39 | ) | $ | (1.03 | ) | ||||
Weighted average number of shares of | |||||||||||||||||
common stock | |||||||||||||||||
Basic | 271,357 | 242,915 | 215,969 | 168,186 | 78,193 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 296,082 | 243,683 | 215,969 | 168,186 | 78,193 | ||||||||||||
48
Balance Sheet Data: | 2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 849,626 | $ | 594,816 | $ | 525,777 | $ | 259,467 | $ | 173,491 | |||||||
Working capital | $ | 383,082 | $ | 281,977 | $ | 345,894 | $ | 96,994 | $ | 2,661 | |||||||
Long-term liabilities | $ | 210,117 | $ | 206,921 | $ | 198,873 | $ | 29,461 | $ | 81,200 | |||||||
Shareholders' equity | $ | 580,994 | $ | 341,553 | $ | 293,454 | $ | 197,478 | $ | 47,687 |
The results of the Companys operations are significantly affected by the market prices of gold and silver which fluctuate widely and are affected by many factors beyond the Companys control, including interest rates, expectations regarding inflation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional political and economic conditions, and other factors.
The Companys business strategy is to capitalize on the ore reserve/mineralized material bases located at its operating mines and the expertise of its management team to continue as a leading primary silver production company through long-term, cash flow generating growth. The principal elements of the Companys business strategy are to: (i) increase the Companys silver production and reserves; (ii) decrease cash costs and increase production at the Companys existing silver mining operations; (iii) transform development-stage properties into producing mines; (iv) acquire operating mines, mineral interests, exploration and/or development properties with a view to reducing the Companys cash and total costs, provide short-term positive cash flow return and expand its silver production base and reserves; and (v) continue to explore for new silver and gold discoveries primarily near its existing mine sites and evaluate new opportunities to expand its production through acquisitions and exploration.
The Rochester mine, Cerro Bayo mine and Martha mine, each operated by the Company, and the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines which are operated by others, constituted the Companys principal sources of mining revenues in 2006.
Management considers the following policies to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing the Companys consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Our consolidated financial statements are impacted by the accounting policies used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during their preparation. We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. Managements discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The preparation of these statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base these estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances; however, reported results could differ from those based on the current estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The areas requiring the use of managements estimates and assumptions relate to recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation, depletion and amortization for long lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; the amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; and post-employment and other employee benefit liabilities. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note B in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
49
Revenue Recognition. Revenue includes sales value received for our principal product, silver, and associated by-product revenues from the sale of by-product metals consisting primarily of gold and copper. Revenue is recognized when title to silver and gold passes to the buyer and when collectibility is reasonably assured. The passing of title to the customer is based on terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example the London Bullion Market, an active and freely traded commodity market for both gold and silver in an identical form to the product sold.
Under our concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, final gold and silver prices are set on a specified future quotational period, typically one to three months, after the shipment date based on metal market prices. Revenues are recorded under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. Final settlement is based on the average applicable price for a specified future period, and generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. Final sales are settled using smelter weights, settlement assays (average of assays exchanged and/or umpire assay results) and are priced as specified in the smelter contract. The Companys provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded as a derivative asset in prepaid expenses and other, or a derivative liability in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final gold and silver settlement. The form of the material being sold, after deduction for smelting and refining is in an identical form to that sold on the London Bullion Market. The form of the product is metal in flotation concentrate, which is the final process for which the Company is responsible.
The effects of forward sales contracts are reflected in revenue at the date the related precious metals are delivered or the contracts expire. Third party smelting and refining costs are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $74.5 million consisting of 4.6 million ounces of silver and 29,577 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $75.6 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $45,700 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $29,600. At December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $47.0 million consisting of 3.5 million ounces of silver and 40,000 ounces of gold. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $35,400 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $40,000.
Reserve Estimates. The preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates. The most critical accounting principles upon which the Companys financial status depends are those requiring estimates of recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves and/or assumptions of future commodity prices. There are a number of uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves, including many factors beyond our control. Ore reserve estimates are based upon geologic and engineering evaluations of samplings of drill holes and other openings. These estimates involve assumptions regarding future silver and gold prices, the geology of our mines, the mining methods we use and the related costs we incur to develop and mine our reserves. Changes in these assumptions could result in material adjustments to our reserve estimates. We use reserve estimates in determining the units-of-production depreciation and amortization expense, as well as in evaluating mine asset impairments.
50
We review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We utilize the methodology set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Asset, to evaluate the recoverability of capitalized mineral property costs. An impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows or probability-weighted cash flows on an undiscounted basis is less than the carrying amount of the assets, including property, plant and equipment, mineral property, development property, and any deferred costs such as deferred stripping. The accounting estimates related to impairment are critical accounting estimates because the future cash flows used to determine whether an impairment exists is dependent on reserve estimates and other assumptions including, silver and gold prices, production levels, and capital and reclamation costs, all of which are based on detailed engineering life-of-mine plans. An impairment loss exists when estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Any impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the assets carrying value as compared to its estimated fair value. The Company reviews the carrying value of its assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of its assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company did not record any impairments during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
We depreciate our property, plant and equipment, mining properties and mine development using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on our proven and probable recoverable reserves or on a straight-line basis over the useful life, whichever is shorter. The accounting estimates related to depreciation and amortization are critical accounting estimates because the 1) determination of reserves involves uncertainties with respect to the ultimate geology of our reserves and the assumptions used in determining the economic feasibility of mining those reserves and 2) changes in estimated proven and probable reserves and useful asset lives can have a material impact on net income.
Ore on leach pad. The Rochester Mine utilizes the heap leach process to extract silver and gold from ore. The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
The key stages in the conversion of ore into silver and gold are (i) the blasting process in which the ore is broken into large pieces; (ii) the processing of the ore through a crushing facility that breaks it into smaller pieces; (iii) the transportation of the crushed ore to the leach pad where the leaching solution is applied; (iv) the collection of the leach solution; (v) subjecting the leach solution to the precipitation process, in which gold and silver is converted back to a fine solid; (vi) the conversion of the precipitate into dorè; and (vii) the conversion by a third party refinery of the dorè into refined silver and gold bullion.
We use several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads during the key stages. As the ore body is drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples of the drill residue are assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. We estimate the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. We then process the ore through a crushing facility where the output is again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation is completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous estimates. We then transport the crushed ore to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, we continuously sample for assaying. We measure the quantity of leach solution by flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to dorè, which is the final product produced by the mine. We again sample and assay the dorè. Finally, a third party smelter converts the dorè into refined silver and gold bullion. At this point we are able to determine final ounces of silver and gold available for sale. We then review this end result and reconcile it to the estimates we had used and developed throughout the production process. Based on this review, we adjust our estimation procedures when appropriate.
51
Our reported inventories include metals estimated to be contained in the ore on the leach pads of $66.7 million as of December 31, 2006. Of this amount, $31.3 million is reported as a current asset and $35.4 million is reported as a noncurrent asset. The distinction between current and noncurrent is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the broken ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the broken ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as noncurrent. The ore on leach pad inventory is stated at actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad during the current period, adjusted for the effects on monthly production costs of abnormal production levels.
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time, and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to such twelve month period, requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory testwork. Testwork consists of 60 day leach columns from which we project metal recoveries into the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over approximately nineteen years of leach pad operation at the Rochester Mine. The assumptions we use to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. We periodically review our estimates compared to actual experience and revise our estimates when appropriate. The length of time necessary to achieve our currently estimated ultimate recoveries of 61.5% for silver and 93% for gold is estimated to be between 5 and 10 years. However, the ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease, which is currently estimated for 2011.
When we began operations at the Rochester mine in 1986, based solely on laboratory testing, we estimated the ultimate recovery of silver and gold at 50% and 80%, respectively. Since 1986, we have adjusted the expected ultimate recovery 3 times (once in each of 1989, 1997 and 2003) based upon actual experience gained from leach operations. In 1989, we increased our estimated recoveries for silver and gold to 55% and 85%, respectively. The change was accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate, which had the effect of increasing the estimated recoverable ounces of silver and gold contained in the heap by 1.6 million ounces and 10,000 ounces, respectively. In 1997, we revised our estimated recoveries for silver and gold to 59% and 89%, respectively, which increased the estimated recoverable ounces of silver and gold contained in the heap by 4.7 million ounces and 39,000 ounces, respectively. Finally, in 2003, we revised our estimated recoveries for silver to between 59% and 61.5% depending on the area being leached, and 93% for gold, which increased the estimated recoverable ounces of silver and gold contained in the heap by 1.8 million ounces and 41,000 ounces, respectively. The leach cycle at the Rochester Mine requires leaching to approximately the year 2011 for all recoverable metal to be recovered.
52
If our estimate of ultimate recovery requires adjustment, the impact upon our inventory valuation and upon our income statement would be as follows:
Positive/Negative Change in Silver Recovery |
Positive/Negative Change in Gold Recovery | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1% |
2% |
3% |
1% |
2% |
3% | |||||||||||||||
Quantity of recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
ounces | 1.7 million | 3.4 million | 5.1 million | 12,900 | 25,800 | 38,700 | ||||||||||||||
Positive impact on | ||||||||||||||||||||
future cost of | ||||||||||||||||||||
production per silver | ||||||||||||||||||||
equivalent ounce for | ||||||||||||||||||||
increases in recovery rates | $1.06 | $1.83 | $2.43 | $0.42 | $0.79 | $1.13 | ||||||||||||||
Negative impact on | ||||||||||||||||||||
future cost of | ||||||||||||||||||||
production per silver | ||||||||||||||||||||
equivalent ounce for | ||||||||||||||||||||
decreases in recovery rates | $1.51 | $3.87 | $8.03 | $0.48 | $1.03 | $1.66 |
Inventories of ore on leach pads are valued based upon actual production costs incurred to produce and place such ore on the leach pad, adjusted for the effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process. The costs consist of those production activities occurring at the mine site and include the costs, including depreciation, associated with mining, crushing and precipitation circuits. In addition, refining is provided by a third party refiner to place the metal extracted from the leach pad in a saleable form. These additional costs are considered in the valuation of inventory.
Reclamation and remediation costs. Reclamation and remediation costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation cost for inactive properties. The Company follows SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and normal use of the asset. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. An accretion cost, representing the increase over time in the present value of the liability, is recorded each period in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. As reclamation work is performed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability is reduced.
Future remediation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on managements best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at the site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing care and maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised.
The Companys total production from continuing operations in 2006 was 12.8 million ounces of silver and 116,254 ounces of gold, compared to 11.7 million ounces of silver and 133,945 ounces of gold in 2005. Total estimated proven and probable reserves at December 31, 2006 were approximately 216.5 million ounces of silver and 1.5 million ounces of gold, compared to silver and gold reserves at December 31, 2005 of approximately 221.4 million ounces and 1.3 million ounces, respectively.
53
The following table shows the estimated amounts of proven and probable reserves and mineralized material at the Companys following locations at year-end 2006:
Proven and Probable (1) |
Mineralized Material | ||||||||||||||||
Tons (000s) |
Grade Ag oz/t |
Grade Au oz/t |
Ounces AG (000s) |
Ounces AU (000s) |
Tons
(000s) |
Grade Ag oz/t |
Grade Au oz/t | ||||||||||
Rochester | 3,720 | 0.66 | 0.007 | 2,436 | 26 | 15,235 | 0.94 | 0.007 | |||||||||
Cerro Bayo | 634 | 9.69 | 0.19 | 6,144 | 122 | 2,509 | 8.23 | 0.15 | |||||||||
Mina Martha | 99 | 61.33 | 0.09 | 6,084 | 9 | 112 | 42.91 | 0.05 | |||||||||
San Bartolome | 46,176 | 3.29 | -- | 151,882 | -- | 1,166 | 3.44 | -- | |||||||||
Kensington | 4,419 | -- | 0.31 | -- | 1,352 | 4,320 | -- | 0.20 | |||||||||
Endeavor (2) | 21,385 | 1.50 | -- | 31,983 | -- | 9,370 | 3.00 | -- | |||||||||
Broken Hill (2) | 12,908 | 1.40 | -- | 18,015 | -- | 10,872 | 3.82 | -- | |||||||||
Total tons | 89,341 | 216,544 | 1,509 | ||||||||||||||
Summary by metal: | Total tons (000s) |
Ag oz/t (Wt. Avg.) |
Au oz/t (Wt. Avg.) |
Total tons (000s) |
Ag oz/t (Wt. Avg.) |
Au oz/t (Wt. Avg.) | |||||||||||
Silver | 84,922 | 2.55 | -- | 39,264 | 2.89 | -- | |||||||||||
Gold | 8,872 | -- | 0.17 | 22,176 | -- | 0.06 |
(1) | Reserves using silver price of $8.00 and gold price of $475, except for Endeavor which uses a $10.00 silver price and Broken Hill which uses a $10.12 silver price, San Bartolome which uses a $6.00 silver price and Kensington which uses a gold price of $550. |
(2) | Reserves are provided by the operator as of June 30, 2006, the end of the operators most recent fiscal year. These totals do not include additions or depletions through December 31, 2006. |
The ore reserves at December 31, 2006 may change with fluctuations in the price of gold and silver. The following table shows the estimated changes to ore reserves at mines operated by the Company at different pricing ranges.
Proven and Probable Ore Reserve Sensitivity to Prices
Per ounce Silver Price |
Per ounce Gold Price |
Tons (000s) |
(000s) Ounces AG |
(000s) Ounces AU | |||||||
Rochester | $8.00 | $475 | 3,720 | 2,436 | 26 | ||||||
$9.50 | $510 | 4,229 | 2,972 | 30 | |||||||
$11.25 | $550 | 4,368 | 2,986 | 29 | |||||||
$12.00 | $600 | 4,533 | 3,077 | 30 | |||||||
Cerro Bayo | $8.00 | $475 | 634 | 122 | 6 | ||||||
$9.50 | $510 | 643 | 124 | 6 | |||||||
$11.25 | $550 | 646 | 124 | 6 | |||||||
$12.00 | $600 | 668 | 128 | 6 | |||||||
Mina Martha | $8.00 | $475 | 99 | 9 | 6 | ||||||
$9.50 | $510 | 102 | 9 | 6 | |||||||
$11.25 | $550 | 102 | 9 | 6 | |||||||
$12.00 | $600 | 102 | 9 | 6 | |||||||
Kensington | $475 | 3,710 | 1,220 | ||||||||
$510 | 4,102 | 1,294 | |||||||||
$550 | 4,419 | 1,352 | |||||||||
$600 | 4,594 | 1,380 |
54
The following table presents production information by mine and consolidated sales information for the years ended December 31:
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
Rochester | |||||||
Tons processed | 10,399,416 | 9,327,180 | 12,435,346 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 0.74 | 0.91 | 0.74 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz (A) | 65.9 | % | 67.5 | % | 61.5 | % | |
Recovery/Au oz (A) | 68.9 | % | 76.2 | % | 64.2 | % | |
Silver production ounces | 5,113,504 | 5,720,489 | 5,669,074 | ||||
Gold production ounces | 71,891 | 70,298 | 69,456 | ||||
Cash cost/oz | $2.80 | $4.82 | $3.93 | ||||
Total cost/oz | $5.84 | $6.66 | $5.66 | ||||
Cerro Bayo | |||||||
Tons milled | 428,346 | 403,695 | 456,941 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 5.76 | 7.52 | 7.51 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.14 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz | 94.5 | % | 94.7 | % | 94.2 | % | |
Recovery/Au oz | 93.0 | % | 92.8 | % | 91.8 | % | |
Silver production ounces | 2,331,060 | 2,875,047 | 3,235,192 | ||||
Gold production ounces | 40,923 | 61,058 | 57,558 | ||||
Cash cost/oz | $3.04 | $0.54 | $1.01 | ||||
Total cost/oz | $5.46 | $2.30 | $2.43 | ||||
Martha Mine | |||||||
Tons milled | 35,843 | 35,293 | 30,276 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 79.93 | 62.53 | 59.94 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.08 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz | 94.7 | % | 94.9 | % | 94.2 | % | |
Recovery/Au oz | 92.5 | % | 92.9 | % | 91.6 | % | |
Silver production ounces | 2,712,846 | 2,093,464 | 1,709,069 | ||||
Gold production ounces | 3,440 | 2,589 | 2,318 | ||||
Cash cost/oz | $4.88 | $4.60 | $4.08 | ||||
Total cost/oz | $5.36 | $5.01 | $5.05 | ||||
Endeavor (B) | |||||||
Tons milled | 750,115 | 463,129 | -- | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 1.01 | 1.52 | -- | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz | 63.5 | % | 45.0 | % | -- | ||
Silver production ounces | 481,991 | 316,169 | -- | ||||
Cash cost/oz | $2.85 | $2.05 | -- | ||||
Total cost/oz | $3.87 | $3.35 | -- | ||||
Broken Hill (B) | |||||||
Tons milled | 2,288,355 | 667,140 | -- | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 1.28 | 1.31 | -- | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz | 74.2 | % | 75.4 | % | -- | ||
Silver production ounces | 2,174,585 | 657,093 | -- | ||||
Cash cost/oz | $3.09 | $2.72 | -- | ||||
Total cost/oz | $5.44 | $5.47 | -- | ||||
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TOTALS | |||||||
Silver ounces | 12,813,986 | 11,662,262 | 10,613,335 | ||||
Gold ounces | 116,254 | 133,945 | 129,332 | ||||
Cash cost per oz/silver | $3.33 | $3.53 | $3.06 | ||||
Total cost/oz | $5.53 | $5.13 | $4.58 | ||||
CONSOLIDATED SALES TOTALS (C) | |||||||
Silver ounces sold | 12,841,634 | 12,579,634 | 9,669,283 | ||||
Gold ounces sold | 116,400 | 146,749 | 117,257 | ||||
Realized price per silver ounce | $12.03 | $7.47 | $6.72 | ||||
Realized price per gold ounce | $623 | $452 | $409 |
(A) | The leach cycle at Rochester requires 5 to 10 years to recover gold and silver contained in the ore. The Company estimates the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61.5% for silver and 93% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease which is currently estimated for 2011. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Ore on Leach Pad. |
55
(B) | The Company acquired its interests in the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines in May 2005 and September 2005, respectively. |
(C) | Units sold at realized metal prices will not match reported metal sales due primarily to the effects on revenues of mark-to-market adjustments on embedded derivatives in the Companys provisionally priced sales contracts. |
Cash Costs per Ounce are calculated by dividing the cash costs computed for each of the Companys mining properties for a specified period by the amount of gold ounces or silver ounces produced by that property during that same period. Management uses cash costs per ounce as a key indicator of the profitability of each of its mining properties. Gold and silver are sold and priced in the world financial markets on a US dollar per ounce basis.
Cash Costs are costs directly related to the physical activities of producing silver and gold, and include mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and smelting costs, marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties, in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to production and other direct costs. Sales of by-product metals are deducted from the above in computing cash costs. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, accretion, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration, interest, and pre-feasibility costs. Cash costs are calculated and presented using the Gold Institute Production Cost Standard applied consistently for all periods presented.
Total cash costs per ounce is a non-GAAP measure and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it and are urged to read all GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. In addition, see the reconciliation of cash costs to production costs under Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs set forth below.
The following table presents information for Coeur Silver Valley which was sold on June 1, 2006:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||
Silver Valley/Galena | |||||||
Tons milled | 52,876 | 128,502 | 169,413 | ||||
Ore grade/Silver oz | 15.15 | 16.53 | 21.43 | ||||
Recovery/Silver oz | 96.0 | % | 97.0 | % | 97.0 | % | |
Silver production ounces | 768,674 | 2,060,338 | 3,521,813 | ||||
Cash cost/oz | $9.75 | $8.37 | $5.46 | ||||
Total cost/oz | $10.64 | $9.34 | $6.02 | ||||
Gold production | 180 | 282 | 354 |
The production figures at the Galena mine reflect the five-month period ending May 31, 2006 and therefore are not comparable to the year ended December 31, 2005. Silver production during the period of Coeurs ownership of the Galena mine in 2006 amounted to 768,674 ounces. Silver production for the year ended December 31, 2005 was 2,060,338 ounces. Total cash costs per ounce were $9.75 during the five-month period ending May 31, 2006. Total cash costs per ounce were $8.37 for the year ended December 31, 2005, respectively. The lower production and higher costs per ounce for the periods presented are due to lower than expected production grades as mine operations adjusted to changing geologic ground conditions and the sale of Coeur Silver Valley on June 1, 2006.
The tables below present reconciliations between non-GAAP cash costs per ounce to production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP).
Total cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. Total cash costs are a performance measure and provide management and investors with an indication of net cash flow, after consideration of the realized price received for production sold. Management also uses this measurement for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. Total cash costs per ounce is a measure developed by precious metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard, however, there can be no assurance that our reporting of this non-GAAP measure is similar to that reported by other mining companies.
56
Production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization, is the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP to total cash costs. The sum of the production costs applicable to sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our mines as set forth in the tables below is included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rochester |
Cerro Bayo |
Martha |
Endeavor (1) |
Broken Hill (1) |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Production of silver (ounces) |
5,113,504 | 2,331,060 | 2,712,846 | 481,991 | 2,174,585 | 12,813,986 | ||||||||||||||
Cash costs per ounce | $ | 2.80 | $ | 3.04 | $ | 4.88 | $ | 2.85 | $ | 3.09 | $ | 3.33 | ||||||||
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) | $ | 14,299 | $ | 7,089 | $ | 13,240 | $ | 1,373 | $ | 6,712 | $ | 42,713 | ||||||||
Add/Subtract: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Third party smelting costs | -- | (3,475 | ) | (1,853 | ) | (948 | ) | (2,620 | ) | (8,896 | ) | |||||||||
By-product credit (2) | 43,697 | 24,861 | 2,079 | -- | -- | 70,637 | ||||||||||||||
Other adjustment | 1,803 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,803 | ||||||||||||||
Change in inventory | (12,489 | ) | (1,105 | ) | (518 | ) | (39 | ) | 272 | (13,879 | ) | |||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and | ||||||||||||||||||||
amortization | 15,548 | 5,638 | 1,297 | 490 | 5,120 | 28,093 | ||||||||||||||
Production costs applicable | ||||||||||||||||||||
to sales, including | ||||||||||||||||||||
depreciation, depletion | ||||||||||||||||||||
and amortization (GAAP) | $ | 62,858 | $ | 33,008 | $ | 14,245 | $ | 876 | $ | 9,484 | $ | 120,471 | ||||||||
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rochester |
Cerro Bayo |
Martha |
Endeavor (1) |
Broken Hill (1) |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Production of silver (ounces) |
5,720,489 | 2,875,047 | 2,093,464 | 316,169 | 657,093 | 11,662,262 | ||||||||||||||
Cash costs per ounce | $ | 4.82 | $ | 0.54 | $ | 4.60 | $ | 2.05 | $ | 2.72 | $ | 3.53 | ||||||||
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) | $ | 27,575 | $ | 1,542 | $ | 9,637 | $ | 648 | $ | 1,790 | $ | 41,192 | ||||||||
Add/Subtract: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Third party smelting costs | -- | (2,783 | ) | (1,165 | ) | (370 | ) | (570 | ) | (4,888 | ) | |||||||||
By-product credit (2) | 31,601 | 27,114 | 1,152 | -- | -- | 59,867 | ||||||||||||||
Other adjustment | 140 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 140 | ||||||||||||||
Change in inventory | (14,769 | ) | 7,421 | (328 | ) | -- | (403 | ) | (8,079 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and | ||||||||||||||||||||
amortization | 10,542 | 5,064 | 843 | 411 | 1,807 | 18,667 | ||||||||||||||
Production costs applicable | ||||||||||||||||||||
to sales, including | ||||||||||||||||||||
depreciation, depletion | ||||||||||||||||||||
and amortization (GAAP) | $ | 55,089 | $ | 38,358 | $ | 10,139 | $ | 689 | $ | 2,624 | $ | 106,899 | ||||||||
57
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rochester |
Cerro Bayo |
Martha |
Endeavor (1) |
Broken Hill (1) |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Production of silver (ounces) |
5,669,074 | 3,235,192 | 1,709,069 | -- | -- | 10,613,335 | ||||||||||||||
Cash costs per ounce | $ | 3.93 | $ | 1.01 | $ | 4.08 | -- | -- | $ | 3.06 | ||||||||||
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) | $ | 22,287 | $ | 3,253 | $ | 6,975 | -- | -- | $ | 32,515 | ||||||||||
Add/Subtract: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Third party smelting costs | -- | (4,106 | ) | (887 | ) | -- | -- | (4,993 | ) | |||||||||||
By-product credit (2) | 28,646 | 23,845 | 951 | -- | -- | 53,442 | ||||||||||||||
Other adjustment | (403 | ) | 110 | -- | -- | -- | (293 | ) | ||||||||||||
Change in inventory | (13,380 | ) | (3,212 | ) | (364 | ) | -- | -- | (16,956 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and | ||||||||||||||||||||
amortization | 9,827 | 4,588 | 1,652 | -- | -- | 16,067 | ||||||||||||||
Production costs applicable | ||||||||||||||||||||
to sales, including | ||||||||||||||||||||
depreciation, depletion | ||||||||||||||||||||
and amortization (GAAP) | $ | 46,977 | $ | 24,478 | $ | 8,327 | -- | -- | $ | 79,782 | ||||||||||
The following tables present a reconciliation between non-GAAP cash costs per ounce to GAAP production costs applicable to sales reported in Discontinued Operations (see Note D):
Coeur Silver Valley/Galena | |||||||||||
2006 (3) |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Production of silver (ounces) | 768,674 | 2,060,338 | 3,521,813 | ||||||||
Cash costs per ounce | $ | 9.75 | $ | 8.37 | $ | 5.46 | |||||
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) | $ | 7,498 | $ | 17,248 | $ | 19,231 | |||||
Add/Subtract: | |||||||||||
Third party smelting costs | (1,464 | ) | (3,091 | ) | (5,117 | ) | |||||
By-product credit (2) | 1,473 | 2,722 | 3,766 | ||||||||
Change in inventory | 726 | (181 | ) | 757 | |||||||
Depreciation, depletion and | |||||||||||
amortization | 681 | 1,996 | 1,967 | ||||||||
Production costs applicable to | |||||||||||
sales, including depreciation, | |||||||||||
depletion and amortization (GAAP) | $ | 8,914 | $ | 18,694 | $ | 20,604 | |||||
(1) | The Companys share of silver production at Endeavor and Broken Hill commenced in May 2005 and September 2005, respectively. |
(2) | By-product credits are based upon production units and the periods average metal price for purposes of reporting cash costs per ounce. |
(3) | Amounts represent five months ended May 31, 2006. |
Revenues
Sales of metal from continuing operations in the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $60.3 million, or 39%, over the year ended December 31, 2005 to $216.6 million. The increase in sales of metal was primarily attributable to increased metal prices realized, partially offset by a decrease in the quantity of ounces of gold sold during 2006 as compared to 2005. In 2006, the Company sold 12.8 million ounces of silver and 116,400 ounces of gold, compared to sales of 12.6 million ounces of silver and 146,749 ounces of gold in 2005. In the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company realized average silver and gold prices of $12.03 and $623, respectively, compared with realized average prices of $7.47 and $452, respectively, in the prior year.
58
Included in revenues is the by-product revenue associated with by-product metal sales consisting of gold. In 2006, by-product revenues totaled $68.8 million compared to $64.4 million in 2005. The increase is due to an increase in realized prices for gold. The Company believes, based on the best estimates, that presentation of these revenue streams as by-products from its current operations will continue to be appropriate in the future.
In the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company produced a total of 12.8 million ounces of silver and 116,254 ounces of gold compared to 11.7 million ounces of silver and 133,945 ounces of gold in 2005. The increase in silver production in 2006, as compared to 2005, was primarily due to higher silver production from the Martha mine and the silver production from the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines, in which the Company acquired certain silver production and reserves on May 23, 2005 and September 8, 2005, respectively, offset by decreased silver production at the Rochester and Cerro Bayo mines.
Costs and Expenses
The following table sets forth year 2006 versus year 2005 costs and expenses:
The increase in production costs applicable to sales for the year is primarily the result of production costs associated with the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines, in which the Company acquired the silver production and reserves on May 23, 2005 and September 8, 2005, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization increased in the year ended December 31, 2006 by $7.9 million, or 42%, over the prior year, primarily due to the increase in depletion associated with the newly acquired Endeavor and Broken Hill mines, and at the Rochester mine as a result of changes in its ore reserve estimates.
Administrative and general expenses decreased $1.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 2005 due primarily to a $1.4 million decrease in general corporate services and outside audit services related to financial reporting compliance activities, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in holding costs on inactive properties.
Total exploration expenses decreased $1.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 2005, primarily as a result of lower exploration activities at the Kensington, Cerro Bayo and Martha mines.
Pre-development expense decreased $6.1 million due to the classification of the Kensington project as a development-stage property in third quarter of 2005.
59
Litigation settlement expenses increased by $0.8 million in 2006 to $2.4 million. During 2006, the Company commenced payments pursuant to the Federal Natural Resource Settlement Decree dated May 14, 2001. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company is required to pay royalties on all of its domestic and foreign operating properties, up to a cumulative maximum of $3.0 million, amounting to a 2% net smelter royalty on silver production if the price of silver exceeds $6.50 per ounce, and a $5.00 per ounce royalty on gold production if the price of gold exceeds $325 per ounce. The royalty payment obligation commenced on May 14, 2006 and expires after May 14, 2021. As of December 31, 2006, $2.5 million (including discontinued operations) of the $3.0 million has been paid. It is expected that the remaining $0.5 million will be paid in the first half of 2007.
During 2005, the Company recorded a litigation settlement of $1.6 million related to the Companys settlement of the suit by Credit Suisse First Boston. See Note R Litigation.
Other Income and Expenses
Interest and other income in the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $11.5 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was primarily due to higher levels of invested cash and short-term investments on hand and higher interest rates earned on the Companys cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Interest expense decreased $1.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 2005, due to increased capitalized interest expense associated with the higher capital expenditures at the Kensington and San Bartolome development projects. Capitalized interest was $1.4 million in 2006 compared to $0.2 million in 2005.
Income Taxes
For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an income tax provision of approximately $8.2 million compared to $1.5 million in 2005. The following table summarizes the components regarding the Companys income tax (provision) benefit for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Current: | ||||||||
United States - Alternative minimum tax | $ | (900 | ) | $ | 212 | |||
United States - Foreign withholding | (713 | ) | -- | |||||
Foreign - Argentina | (4,842 | ) | (66 | ) | ||||
Foreign - Australia | (4,673 | ) | -- | |||||
Deferred: | ||||||||
Foreign - Argentina | 65 | 929 | ||||||
Foreign - Australia | (93 | ) | (404 | ) | ||||
Foreign - Chile | 2,930 | (2,154 | ) | |||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | $ | (8,226 | ) | $ | (1,483 | ) | ||
In 2006, due to significantly higher metals prices, additional proven and probable reserves, and a full year of operation in Australia, the Company recognized a current provision in the US and all foreign operating jurisdictions. Further, the Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $0.7 million on interest payable on inter-company loans from the US Parent to the Argentina and Australia subsidiaries. Finally, the Company recognized an additional $2.9 million deferred tax benefit in Chile as anticipated metals prices and projections of future pre-tax income are sufficient to utilize the remaining net operating loss carry-forwards in Chile.
In 2005, the Company recognized a $0.2 million current US benefit from the refund of prior year alternative minimum taxes, an estimated current provision in Argentina, and $0.9 million Argentina deferred tax benefit from the anticipated utilization of other deductible temporary differences. Further, the Company recognized a $0.4 million Australia deferred tax provision on originating temporary differences, and a $2.2 million Chile deferred tax provision related to the utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards for which deferred tax assets were previously recognized.
60
Results of Discontinued Operations
On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of Coeur Silver Valley Inc. to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash. Pursuant to FAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Coeur Silver Valley has been classified as an asset held for sale and reported in discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $11.1 million on the sale in 2006.
The following is a summary of the Companys discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 11,223 | $ | 16,052 | ||||
Production costs applicable to sales | (8,233 | ) | (16,698 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and depletion | (681 | ) | (1,996 | ) | ||||
Mining exploration | (279 | ) | (1,361 | ) | ||||
Other | (95 | ) | (192 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes | 1,935 | (4,195 | ) | |||||
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations | 11,132 | -- | ||||||
Net income (loss) for discontinued operations, net of taxes | $ | 13,067 | $ | (4,195 | ) | |||
Revenues
Sales of metal in the year ended December 31, 2005 increased by $47.2 million, or 43%, over the year ended December 31, 2004 to $156.3 million. The increase in sales was primarily attributable to an increase in the quantity of silver and gold sold during 2005 and increased metal prices realized in 2005 as compared to 2004. In 2005, the Company sold 12.6 million ounces of silver and 146,749 ounces of gold, compared to sales of 9.7 million ounces of silver and 117,257 ounces of gold in 2004. In the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company realized average silver and gold prices of $7.47 and $452, respectively, compared with realized average prices of $6.72 and $409, respectively, in the prior year.
Included in revenues is the by-product revenue associated with by-product metal sales consisting of gold. In 2005, by-product revenues totaled $64.4 million compared to $45.9 million in 2004. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the quantity of gold sold and higher gold prices realized in 2005 compared to 2004. The Company believes, based on the best estimates, that presentation of these revenue streams as by-products from its current operations will continue to be appropriate in the future.
In the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company produced a total of 11.7 million ounces of silver and 133,945 ounces of gold compared to 10.6 million ounces of silver and 129,332 ounces of gold in 2004. The higher silver production in 2005, as compared to 2004, was primarily due higher silver production from the Rochester and Martha mines. In addition, on May 23, 2005, the Company acquired silver production and reserves contained at the Endeavor mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited, a subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. Coeurs share of silver production there amounted to 316,169 ounces. On September 8, 2005, the Company acquired silver production and reserves contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. Coeurs share of silver production at that mine from September 8, 2005 to December 31, 2005 amounted to 657,093 ounces.
61
The following table sets forth year 2005 versus year 2004 costs and expenses:
The increase in production costs applicable to sales for the year is primarily the result of higher diesel, utility and operating materials and supply costs at the Companys mining operations and the Companys operating costs associated with the Companys newly acquired interests in the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines.
Depreciation and amortization increased in the year ended December 31, 2005 by $2.1 million, or 12%, over the prior year, primarily due to the increased depletion associated with the Companys newly acquired interests in the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines.
Administrative and general expenses increased $3.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to 2004 due primarily to higher outside audit services of $1.4 million related to financial reporting compliance activities, higher compensation costs of $0.7 million and $1.0 million in increased other general administration expenses.
Exploration expenses increased $2.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to 2004, due to increased exploration activities at the Kensington, Cerro Bayo and Martha mines.
Pre-development expense decreased $5.4 million due to the classification of the San Bartolome and Kensington projects as development-stage properties in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the third quarter of 2005, respectively.
During 2005, the Company recorded a litigation settlement of $1.6 million related to the Companys settlement of the suit by Credit Suisse First Boston. See Note R Litigation.
Other Income and Expenses
Interest and other income in the year ended December 31, 2005 increased by $5.2 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2004 due to higher interest rates earned on the Companys cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Interest expense decreased $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to 2004, due to the fact that the Company began capitalizing a portion of its interest expense associated with the capitalization of development expenditures at the Kensington and San Bartolome development projects. Capitalized interest was $0.2 million in 2005 compared to $0.1 million in 2004.
62
Expenses of $15.7 million were incurred in 2004 in connection with the Companys tender offer for outstanding shares of Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. That offer expired on September 30, 2004, with Coeur not purchasing any Wheaton shares tendered due to unsatisfied conditions of the offer. No such expenses were incurred in 2005.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded an income tax provision of approximately $1.5 million compared to a tax benefit of approximately $5.8 million in 2004. The following table summarizes the components of the Companys income tax provision (benefit) for the years 2005 and 2004:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2005 |
2004 | |||||||
Current: | ||||||||
United States - Alternative minimum tax | $ | 212 | $ | 1,382 | ||||
Foreign - Argentina | (66 | ) | -- | |||||
Deferred: | ||||||||
Foreign - Argentina | 929 | -- | ||||||
Foreign - Australia | (404 | ) | -- | |||||
Foreign - Chile | (2,154 | ) | 4,403 | |||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | $ | (1,483 | ) | $ | 5,785 | |||
In 2005, the Company recognized a $0.2 million current US benefit from the refund of prior year alternative minimum taxes, an estimated current provision in Argentina, and $0.9 million Argentina deferred tax benefit from the anticipated utilization of other deductible temporary differences. Further, the Company recognized a $0.4 million Australia deferred tax provision on originating temporary differences, and a $2.2 million Chile deferred tax provision related to the utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards for which deferred tax assets were previously recognized.
In 2004, the Company recognized a $1.4 million US current benefit associated with the reversal of a prior year tax accrual and a $4.4 million Chile deferred tax benefit associated with the anticipated utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards.
Results of Discontinued Operations
On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of Coeur Silver Valley Inc. to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash. Pursuant to FAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Coeur Silver Valley has been classified as an asset held for sale and reported in discontinued operations for years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $11.1 million on the sale in 2006.
The following is a summary of the Companys discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2005 |
2004 | |||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 16,052 | $ | 23,759 | ||||
Production costs applicable to sales | (16,698 | ) | (18,637 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and depletion | (1,996 | ) | (1,967 | ) | ||||
Mining exploration | (1,361 | ) | (1,620 | ) | ||||
Other | (192 | ) | (357 | ) | ||||
Net income (loss) for discontinued operations | $ | (4,195 | ) | $ | 1,178 | |||
63
Working Capital; Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Companys working capital at December 31, 2006 was approximately $383.1 million compared to $282.0 million at December 31, 2005. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 7.5 to 1 at December 31, 2006 compared to 7.1 to 1 at December 31, 2005.
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2006 was $91.2 million compared with net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of $6.7 million in 2005 and $(18.6) million in 2004. The changes were primarily a result of the following:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Cash collected from customers |
$ | 212,102 | $ | 136,967 | $ | 109,383 | |||||
Cash paid to suppliers, employees, etc | (139,417 | ) | (134,321 | ) | (135,422 | ) | |||||
Interest received | 17,674 | 9,620 | 4,585 | ||||||||
Interest paid | (921 | ) | (2,186 | ) | (1,507 | ) | |||||
Discontinued operations | 1,792 | (3,404 | ) | 4,379 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 91,230 | $ | 6,676 | $ | (18,582 | ) | ||||
A total of $20.3 million was used in investing activities in 2006 compared to $51.8 million used in 2005. The decrease of $31.5 million is primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures related to the construction activities at the Kensington and San Bartolome projects and the acquisition of silver reserves and production from the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines, partially offset by net proceeds from sales of short-term investments.
Prior to December 31, 2006, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to classify its investments in auction rate securities as short-term investments. Previously such investments had been classified as cash and cash equivalents. Accordingly, we have revised the classification to report these investments as short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. The Company also made corresponding adjustments to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 to reflect the gross purchases and sales of these investments as investing activities rather than as a component of cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, $159.7 million and $207.9 million respectively, of these investments were reclassified from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investment on the consolidated Balance Sheet. This reclassification had no effect on the total current assets, stockholders equity, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, or on cash provided by (used in) operating activities.
The Companys financing activities provided $144.9 million of cash during 2006 compared to $34.8 million in 2005. The increase is primarily due to the sale of 27.6 million shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2006.
The Company believes its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and cash from operations will be adequate to meet its obligations during the next twelve months. Nevertheless, if the Company decides to pursue additional mineral interests or acquisitions, additional equity issuances or financing may be necessary. There can be no assurances that such financing will be available when or if needed.
The Company estimates approximately $235 million will be spent during 2007 on capital expenditures at its operating mines and development-stage properties.
64
Capitalized Expenditures
During 2006, the Company expended $1.2 million at the Rochester mine, $10.0 million for continuing mine development at the Cerro Bayo and Mina Martha properties, $0.6 million at the Galena mine, $0.6 million for corporate and other activities, $14.6 million for the development of the San Bartolome project and $121.5 million for construction and development activities at the Kensington project. During 2007, the Company plans to expend approximately $0.3 million for investment activities at the Rochester mine, $11.1 million at Cerro Bayo, $2.9 million at Martha, $77.7 million at the Kensington development property, $119.4 million at the San Bartolome development property and $1.0 million for corporate and other activities. In addition, the Company expects to spend approximately $22.7 million in 2007, related to the remaining payment for the purchase of the Endeavor silver reserves.
Debt and Capital Resources
A summary of financing transactions for the years 2004 to 2006 is as follows:
2004 Redemption
On February 11, 2004, the Company announced the redemption of the remaining outstanding $9.6 million principal amount of the Companys 7 ¼% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due October 15, 2005. On March 11, 2004, the Company redeemed the remaining outstanding $9.6 million principal amount of the 7 ¼% Debentures.
2004 Issuance of 1 ¼% Convertible Senior Notes
On January 13, 2004 the Company completed its offering of $180 million aggregate principal amount of 1¼% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (1¼% Notes). The 1¼% Notes are convertible into shares of Coeur common stock at a conversion rate of approximately 131.5789 shares of Coeur common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, representing a conversion price of $7.60 per share. Interest on the notes was payable in cash at the rate of 1¼% per annum beginning July 15, 2004. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include the development of its Kensington gold project and its San Bartolome silver project, or the acquisition of precious metals properties or businesses. Construction commenced at the San Bartolome and Kensington projects on October 1, 2004 and July 1, 2005, respectively. The 1¼% Notes are general unsecured obligations, senior in right of payment to Coeurs other indebtedness. The offering was made through an underwriting led by Deutsche Bank Securities. Offering of the 1¼% Notes was made only by means of a prospectus under Coeurs existing shelf registration statement, including the accompanying prospectus supplement relating to the 1¼% Notes.
Issuances of Common Stock
During 2004, the Company completed a public offering of 26.6 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $4.50 per share, which included 1.6 million shares purchased by the underwriter at the offering price to cover over allotment. The Company realized total net proceeds for the offering of $113.1 million after payment of the underwriters discount. Offering costs incurred were $6.7 million.
During 2005, the Company completed a public offering of 9.9 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $3.70 per share. The Company realized total net proceeds for the offering of $35.9 million after payment of the underwriters discount. Offering costs incurred were $0.6 million.
65
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company completed a public offering of 27.6 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $5.60 per share. The Company realized net proceeds of $146.2 million after payment of the underwriters discount and other offering costs. Offering costs incurred were $8.3 million.
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2006 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations |
Total |
Less Than 1 Year |
1-3 Years |
3-5 Years |
More Than 5 Years | ||||||||||||
Convertible debt (1) | $ | 180,000 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 180,000 | |||||||
Interest on convertible debt | 38,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 | 4,500 | 27,000 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease (2) | 380 | 380 | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Capital lease (3) | 916 | 916 | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Kensington Trust (4) | 839 | 345 | 494 | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Hyak Mining Lease | 9,699 | 231 | 462 | 3,462 | 5,544 | ||||||||||||
Phlahipo Lease with Comibol | 15,270 | 2,121 | 9,825 | 3,324 | -- | ||||||||||||
TDA Grant (5) | 546 | 546 | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Reclamation and mine closure (6) | 51,778 | 4,962 | 4,498 | 6,437 | 35,881 | ||||||||||||
Severance(7) | 5,168 | 2,170 | -- | 1,183 | 1,815 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 302,846 | $ | 13,921 | $ | 19,779 | $ | 18,906 | $ | 250,240 | |||||||
(1) | The $180.0 million principal amount of 1 ¼% Debentures due 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2006 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014 and 2019 unless previously redeemed at a conversion rate of approximately 131.5789 shares of Coeur common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, representing a conversion price of $7.60 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events. |
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The Debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Companys common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. The Debentures have no other funding requirements until maturity on January 15, 2024. |
(2) | The Company has entered into various operating lease agreements which expire over a period of one year. |
(3) | The Company has entered into various capital lease agreements for commitments principally over the next year. |
(4) | Purchase obligation for the Kensington property in Alaska. |
(5) | The Company obtained a U.S. government grant to promote development in Bolivia. The amount received is expected to be reimbursed in 2007. |
(6) | Reclamation and mine closure amounts represent the Companys estimate of the discounted cash flows of its legal obligation to reclaim and remediate mining properties. This amount will increase over the passage of time for accretion of the obligation and will decrease as reclamation and remediation work is completed. Amounts shown on table are undiscounted. |
(7) | Severance amounts represent a termination benefit program at the Rochester mine as the mine approaches the end of mine life and accrued benefits for government mandated severance at the Cerro Bayo Mine and San Bartolome project. |
For information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Companys business, securities, financial condition or operating results, reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 1A above. In addition, because the preceding discussion includes numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Company, its results of operations and financial condition and business, reference is made to the information set forth above in Item 1 under the caption Important Factors Relating to Forward-Looking Statements.
66
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, the Company expended $5.6 million, $4.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, in connection with routine environmental compliance activities at its operating properties. Such activities include monitoring, earth moving, water treatment and re-vegetation activities.
The Company estimates that environmental compliance expenditures during 2007 will be approximately $4.0 million to obtain permit modifications and other regulatory authorizations. Future environmental expenditures will be determined by governmental regulations and the overall scope of the Companys operating and development activities. The Company places a very high priority on its compliance with environmental regulations.
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
67
Income Taxes
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (FIN 48) an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the Company recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that tax position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning January 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Currently, the adoption of FIN 48 is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys financial position, results of operations of cash flows.
Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157 Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of FAS 157 are effective for the Companys fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this statement on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations and disclosures.
68
The Company is exposed to various market risks as a part of its operations. In an effort to mitigate losses associated with these risks, the Company may, at times, enter into derivative financial instruments. These may take the form of forward sales contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. The Company does not actively engage in the practice of trading derivative securities for profit. This discussion of the Companys market risk assessments contains forward looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. Actual results and actions could differ materially from those discussed below.
The Companys operating results are substantially dependent upon the world market prices of silver and gold. The Company has no control over silver and gold prices, which can fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors, such as supply and demand and investor sentiment. In order to mitigate some of the risk associated with these fluctuations, the Company will at times, enter into forward sale contracts. The Company continually evaluates the potential benefits of engaging in these strategies based on current market conditions. The Company may be exposed to nonperformance by counterparties as a result of its hedging activities. This exposure would be limited to the amount that the spot price of the metal falls short of the contract price. The Company has historically sold silver and gold produced by our mines pursuant to forward contracts and at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale. Since 1999, the Company has not engaged in any silver hedging activities and is currently not engaged in any gold hedging activities.
The Company enters into concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. The provisionally priced sales contracts contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative, which is the final settlement price based on a future price, does not qualify for hedge accounting. These embedded derivatives are recorded as derivative assets (in Prepaid expenses and other), or derivative liabilities (in Accrued liabilities and other), on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period until the date of final settlement.
At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding receivables for provisionally priced sales of $74.5 million, consisting of 4.6 million ounces of silver and 29,577 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $75.6 million, including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $45,700 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $29,600.
The Company operates, or has mining interests, in several foreign countries, specifically Australia, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, which exposes it to risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange rates of the currencies involved. As part of its program to manage foreign currency risk, the Company enters into, from time to time, foreign currency forward exchange contracts. These contracts enable the Company to purchase a fixed amount of foreign currencies. Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts that are related to firm commitments are designated and effective as hedges and are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related transaction. All other contracts that do not qualify as hedges are marked to market and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in income. The Company continually evaluates the potential benefits of entering into these contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk and proceeds when it believes that the exchange rates are most beneficial. During 2006, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Chilean peso operating costs for 2007 at its Cerro Bayo mine. The contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Chilean pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 531 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2006, the Company had foreign exchange contracts to exchange $4.8 million U.S. dollars for Chilean pesos. At December 31, 2006, the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts was a liability of $0.1 million.
69
All of the Companys long-term debt at December 31, 2006, is fixed-rate based. The fair value of the Companys long-term debt at December 31, 2006 was $163.8 million. The fair value was estimated based upon bond market closing prices near the balance sheet date.
The financial statements required hereunder and contained herein are listed under Item 15(a)(1) below.
Not applicable.
The Companys disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by it in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms. Based on an evaluation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures conducted by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, such officers concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2006.
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 defines internal control over financial reporting in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the companys principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the companys board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
| Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; |
| Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and |
| Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. |
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
70
The Companys management assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, the Companys management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based upon its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2006, the Companys internal control over financial reporting is effective based upon those criteria.
Managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Not applicable.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item regarding directors is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Information regarding our executive officers is set forth under Item 4A of this Form 10-K.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
71
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
(a) | The following financial statements are filed herewith: |
(1) | The following consolidated financial statements of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries are included in Item 8: |
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2006 and 2005. |
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
(b) | Exhibits: The following listed documents are filed as Exhibits to this report: |
3(a) | | Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant and amendments thereto. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.) |
3(b) | | Bylaws of the Registrant and amendments thereto. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 2004.) |
3(c) | | Certificate of Designations, Powers and Preferences of the Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Registrant, as filed with Idaho Secretary of State on May 13, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.) |
3(d) | | Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Idaho effective September 13, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.) |
3(e) | | Amendment to Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.) |
4(a) | | Specimen certificate of the Registrants stock. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 2-84174).) |
72
4(b) | | Indenture dated as of January 13, 2004, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrants 1 ¼% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 7, 2004). |
10(a) | | Agreement, dated January 1, 1994, between Coeur-Rochester, Inc. and Johnson Matthey Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(m) of the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.) |
10(b) | | Master Equipment Lease No. 099-03566-01, dated as of December 28, 1988, between Idaho First National Bank and the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(w) of the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.) |
10(c) | | Master Equipment Lease No. 01893, dated as of December 28, 1988, between Cargill Leasing Corporation and the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(x) of the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.) |
10(d) | | Rights Agreement, dated as of May 11, 1999, between the Registrant and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrants Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Rights on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges.) |
10(e) | | Amended and Restated Profit Sharing Retirement Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ff) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.) * |
10(f) | | 1993 Annual Incentive Plan and Long-Term Performance Share Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(jj) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.)* |
10(g) | | Lease Agreement, dated January 12, 1994, between First Security Bank of Idaho and Coeur Rochester, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(mm) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.) |
10(h) | | 401k Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 (pp) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.)* |
10(i) | | Form of severance/change in control agreements entered into by the Registrant with each of its executive officers (James A. Sabala January 13, 2003). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(hh) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).* |
10(j) | | Employment Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2003, between the Registrant and James A. Sabala. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(jj) to Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002).* |
* Management contract or compensatory plan. |
73
10(k) | | 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Registrants definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 21, 2003.) * |
10(l) | | Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated April 7, 2005, between CDE Australia Pty. Limited and Cobar Operations Pty. Limited. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.) |
10(m) | | 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Registrants proxy statement dated April 5, 2005). |
10(n) | | Amended and restated employment agreement and change in control agreement, effective July 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).* |
10(o) | | Employment Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2002, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).* |
10(p) | | Amended Mining Lease, effective as of August 5, 2005, between Hyak Mining Company, Inc. and Coeur Alaska, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005). |
10(q) | | Silver Sale Agreement, dated September 8, 2005, between the Registrant, Perilya Broken Hill Ltd and CDE Australia Pty. Ltd. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005). |
10(r) | | Employment agreement and change in control agreement, effective October 15, 2005, between the Registrant and James K. Duff. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).* |
10(s) | | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2005).* |
10(t) | | Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2005). |
10(u) | | Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2005).* |
* Management contract or compensatory plan. |
74
10(v) | | First Amendment to Employment to Agreement, effective March 30, 2006, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006).* |
10(w) | | Amended and Restated Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated March 28, 2006, between CDE Australia Pty Limited and Cobar Operations Pty Limited (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006). |
10(x) | | Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Alan L. Wilder. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006).* |
10(y) | | Amendment, dated July 31, 2006, to Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006).* |
10(z) | | Amendment, dated July 31, 2006, to Employment Agreement between the Registrant and James K. Duff. (Filed herewith).* |
21 | | List of subsidiaries of the Registrant. (Filed herewith.) |
23 | | Consent of KPMG LLP (Filed herewith.) |
31.1 | | Certification of the CEO (Filed herewith.) |
31.2 | | Certification of the CFO (Filed herewith.) |
32.1 | | CEO Section 1350 Certification (Filed herewith.) |
32.2 | | CFO Section 1350 Certification (Filed herewith.) |
(c) | Independent auditors reports are included herein as follows: |
Report of KPMG LLP as of December 31, 2006 and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. |
* Management or compensatory plan. |
75
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation | |
(Registrant) | |
Date: February 22, 2007 |
By: /s/ Dennis E. Wheeler |
Dennis E. Wheeler | |
(Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Dennis E. Wheeler | Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer | February 22, 2007 |
Dennis E. Wheeler | and Director | |
/s/ James A. Sabala |
Executive Vice President | February 22, 2007 |
James A. Sabala | and Chief Financial Officer | |
/s/ Tom T. Angelos |
Vice President, Controller | February 22, 2007 |
Tom T. Angelos | and Chief Accounting Officer | |
/s/ Cecil D. Andrus |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
Cecil D. Andrus | ||
/s/ James J. Curran |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
James J. Curran | ||
/s/ Andrew D. Lundquist |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
Andrew D. Lundquist | ||
/s/ Robert E. Mellor |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
Robert E. Mellor | ||
/s/ John H. Robinson |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
John H. Robinson | ||
/s/ J. Kenneth Thompson |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
J. Kenneth Thompson | ||
/s/ Alex Vitale |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
Alex Vitale | ||
/s/ Timothy R. Winterer |
Director | February 22, 2007 |
Timothy R. Winterer |
76
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
COEUR DALENE, IDAHO
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 - F-4 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2006 and 2005 |
F-5 - F-6 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years | |
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 | F-7 |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for | |
the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 | F-8 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended | |
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 | F-9 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-10 |
F-1
The Board of Directors and
Shareholders
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 04-6, Accounting for Stripping Costs Incurred during Production in the Mining Industry, as of January 1, 2006.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 22, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on managements assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
Boise, Idaho
February 22, 2007
F-2
The Board of Directors
and Shareholders
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation:
We have audited management's assessment, included in the accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Coeur dAlene Mines Corporations management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management's assessment that Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
F-3
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, and our report dated February 22, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Boise, Idaho
February 22, 2007
F-4
COEUR DALENE MINES
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
ASSETS | (In Thousands) | |||||||
CURRENT ASSETS |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 270,672 | $ | 54,896 | ||||
Short-term investments | 70,373 | 185,446 | ||||||
Receivables | 43,233 | 27,986 | ||||||
Ore on leach pad | 31,302 | 25,394 | ||||||
Metal and other inventory | 16,341 | 12,807 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | 3,629 | 2,255 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 6,047 | 4,707 | ||||||
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale | -- | 14,828 | ||||||
441,597 | 328,319 | |||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 132,315 | 105,107 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation | (64,206 | ) | (57,929 | ) | ||||
68,109 | 47,178 | |||||||
MINING PROPERTIES | ||||||||
Operational mining properties | 130,447 | 121,441 | ||||||
Less accumulated depletion | (116,361 | ) | (105,486 | ) | ||||
14,086 | 15,955 | |||||||
Mineral interests | 72,201 | 72,201 | ||||||
Less accumulated depletion | (7,828 | ) | (2,218 | ) | ||||
64,373 | 69,983 | |||||||
Non-producing and development properties | 190,988 | 72,488 | ||||||
269,447 | 158,426 | |||||||
OTHER ASSETS | ||||||||
Ore on leach pad, non-current portion | 35,367 | 29,254 | ||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 19,492 | 16,943 | ||||||
Debt issuance costs, net | 5,151 | 5,454 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | 2,544 | 923 | ||||||
Other | 7,919 | 8,319 | ||||||
70,473 | 60,893 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 849,626 | $ | 594,816 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
COEUR DALENE
MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
(In thousands except share data) | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 22,315 | $ | 17,189 | ||||
Accrued liabilities and other | 11,865 | 5,662 | ||||||
Accrued income taxes | 10,317 | 66 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and related benefits | 8,527 | 7,840 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable | 1,031 | 1,031 | ||||||
Current portion of reclamation and mine closure | 4,460 | 1,646 | ||||||
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale | -- | 12,908 | ||||||
58,515 | 46,342 | |||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES | ||||||||
1 1/4% Convertible Senior Notes due January 2024 | 180,000 | 180,000 | ||||||
Reclamation and mine closure | 27,226 | 23,048 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 2,891 | 3,873 | ||||||
210,117 | 206,921 | |||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||||||
(See Notes I, J, L, M, N, O, P and R) | ||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||||
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share; authorized 500,000,000 | ||||||||
shares, issued 279,054,344 and 250,961,353 shares in 2006 and 2005 | ||||||||
(1,059,211 shares held in treasury) | 279,054 | 250,961 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 777,798 | 656,977 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (463,221 | ) | (551,357 | ) | ||||
Shares held in treasury | (13,190 | ) | (13,190 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 553 | (1,838 | ) | |||||
580,994 | 341,553 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | $ | 849,626 | $ | 594,816 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
COEUR DALENE
MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME (LOSS)
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(In Thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||
REVENUES |
|||||||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 216,573 | $ | 156,284 | $ | 109,047 | |||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES | |||||||||||
Production costs applicable to sales | 92,378 | 88,232 | 63,715 | ||||||||
Depreciation and depletion | 26,772 | 18,889 | 16,833 | ||||||||
Administrative and general | 19,369 | 20,624 | 17,499 | ||||||||
Exploration | 9,474 | 10,553 | 8,031 | ||||||||
Pre-development | -- | 6,057 | 11,449 | ||||||||
Litigation settlement | 2,365 | 1,600 | -- | ||||||||
Total cost and expenses | 150,358 | 145,955 | 117,527 | ||||||||
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE | |||||||||||
Interest and other income | 18,654 | 8,385 | 3,165 | ||||||||
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | (1,224 | ) | (2,485 | ) | (2,831 | ) | |||||
Merger expenses | -- | -- | (15,675 | ) | |||||||
Total other income and expense | 17,430 | 5,900 | (15,341 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 83,645 | 16,229 | (23,821 | ) | |||||||
Income tax (provision) benefit | (8,226 | ) | (1,483 | ) | 5,785 | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | 75,419 | 14,746 | (18,036 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | 1,935 | (4,195 | ) | 1,178 | |||||||
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations, net of income | |||||||||||
taxes | 11,132 | -- | -- | ||||||||
NET INCOME (LOSS) | 88,486 | 10,551 | (16,858 | ) | |||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 2,391 | 447 | (908 | ) | |||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | $ | 90,877 | $ | 10,998 | $ | (17,766 | ) | ||||
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE | |||||||||||
Basic income (loss) per share: | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 0.05 | (0.02 | ) | -- | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||
Diluted income (loss) per share: | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 0.04 | (0.02 | ) | -- | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||
Weighted average number of shares of common stock | |||||||||||
Basic | 271,357 | 242,915 | 215,969 | ||||||||
Diluted | 296,082 | 243,683 | 215,969 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
For Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 (In thousands except share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock Shares |
Common Stock $1 Par |
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Shares Held in Treasury |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total | |||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 1, 2004 | 214,195 | $ | 214,195 | $ | 542,900 | $ | (545,050 | ) | $ | (13,190 | ) | $ | (1,377 | ) | $ | 197,478 | |||||||
Net loss | -- | -- | -- | (16,858 | ) | -- | -- | (16,858 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized losses on short-term | |||||||||||||||||||||||
investments and marketable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
securities | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (347 | ) | (347 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
hedging instruments, net of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
settlements | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (130 | ) | (130 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Excess additional pension liability | |||||||||||||||||||||||
over unrecognized prior service cost | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (431 | ) | (431 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock | 26,625 | 26,625 | 86,475 | -- | -- | -- | 113,100 | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued under long-term | |||||||||||||||||||||||
incentive plans | 208 | 208 | 432 | -- | -- | -- | 640 | ||||||||||||||||
Other | -- | -- | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2004 | 241,028 | $ | 241,028 | $ | 629,809 | $ | (561,908 | ) | $ | (13,190 | ) | $ | (2,285 | ) | $ | 293,454 | |||||||
Net income | -- | -- | -- | 10,551 | -- | -- | 10,551 | ||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on short-term | |||||||||||||||||||||||
investments and marketable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
securities | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 853 | 853 | ||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
hedging instruments, net of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
settlements | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (171 | ) | (171 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Excess additional pension liability | |||||||||||||||||||||||
over unrecognized prior service cost | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (237 | ) | (237 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock | 9,863 | 9,863 | 26,351 | -- | -- | -- | 36,214 | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued under long-term | |||||||||||||||||||||||
incentive plans | 70 | 70 | 817 | -- | -- | -- | 887 | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2005 | 250,961 | $ | 250,961 | $ | 656,977 | $ | (551,357 | ) | $ | (13,190 | ) | $ | (1,838 | ) | $ | 341,553 | |||||||
Net income | -- | -- | -- | 88,486 | -- | -- | 88,486 | ||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | -- | -- | -- | (350 | ) | -- | -- | (350 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on short-term | |||||||||||||||||||||||
investments and marketable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
securities | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 63 | 63 | ||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow | |||||||||||||||||||||||
hedging instruments, net of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
settlements | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 111 | 111 | ||||||||||||||||
Elimination of excess additional | |||||||||||||||||||||||
pension liability over unrecognized | |||||||||||||||||||||||
prior service cost attributable to | |||||||||||||||||||||||
discontinued operations | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,219 | 2,219 | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock | 27,600 | 27,600 | 118,631 | -- | -- | -- | 146,231 | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued under long-term | |||||||||||||||||||||||
incentive plans | 493 | 493 | 2,190 | -- | -- | -- | 2,683 | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2006 | 279,054 | $ | 279,054 | $ | 777,798 | $ | (463,221 | ) | $ | (13,190 | ) | $ | 553 | $ | 580,994 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
COEUR DALENE
MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(In Thousands) | |||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 88,486 | $ | 10,551 | $ | (16,858 | ) | ||||
Add (deduct) non-cash items: | |||||||||||
Depreciation and depletion | 26,772 | 18,889 | 16,833 | ||||||||
Deferred taxes | (2,902 | ) | 1,629 | (4,403 | ) | ||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on embedded derivatives | 1,166 | (2,052 | ) | (82 | ) | ||||||
Share-based compensation | 2,218 | 1,237 | 1,137 | ||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 303 | 303 | 408 | ||||||||
Amortization of premium and/or discount on short-term | |||||||||||
investments, net | 24 | 790 | 1,527 | ||||||||
Other non-cash charges | (313 | ) | 250 | (16 | ) | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
Receivables | (14,781 | ) | (19,571 | ) | (2,014 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other | (599 | ) | (183 | ) | (517 | ) | |||||
Inventories | (15,555 | ) | (8,308 | ) | (17,492 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 17,686 | 2,349 | (167 | ) | |||||||
Discontinued operations | (11,275 | ) | 792 | 3,062 | |||||||
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 91,230 | 6,676 | (18,582 | ) | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
Purchases of short-term investments | (317,743 | ) | (212,252 | ) | (343,019 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments | 430,292 | 277,021 | 142,128 | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | (147,998 | ) | (113,290 | ) | (8,363 | ) | |||||
Other | (328 | ) | 103 | 372 | |||||||
Discontinued operations | 15,446 | (3,346 | ) | (2,041 | ) | ||||||
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (20,331 | ) | (51,764 | ) | (210,923 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | -- | -- | (9,561 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 154,560 | 36,493 | 119,803 | ||||||||
Payments of common stock issuance costs | (8,329 | ) | (557 | ) | (6,702 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of notes | -- | -- | 180,000 | ||||||||
Payments of debt issuance costs | -- | -- | (6,089 | ) | |||||||
Borrowings from bank on working capital facility | -- | -- | 6,056 | ||||||||
Payments to bank on working capital facility | -- | -- | (8,422 | ) | |||||||
Other | (1,354 | ) | (1,170 | ) | (2,055 | ) | |||||
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | 144,877 | 34,766 | 273,030 | ||||||||
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 215,776 | (10,322 | ) | 43,525 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 54,896 | 65,218 | 21,693 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 270,672 | $ | 54,896 | $ | 65,218 | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION | |||||||||||
Cash paid for: | |||||||||||
Interest | $ | 2,334 | $ | 2,280 | $ | 1,572 | |||||
Taxes | $ | 814 | -- | -- |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-9
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, Coeur or the Company) is principally engaged in silver and gold mining and related activities including exploration, development, and mining at its properties located in the United States (Nevada and Alaska), South America (Chile, Argentina and Bolivia) and Australia (New South Wales).
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, the most significant of which are Coeur Rochester, Inc., Coeur Silver Valley, Inc., Coeur Alaska, Inc., CDE Cerro Bayo Ltd., Coeur Argentina, CDE Australia and Empressa Minera Manquiri S.A. The consolidated financial statements also include all entities in which voting control of more than 50% is held by the Company. The Company has no investments in entities in which it has greater than 50% ownership interest accounted for using the equity method. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in corporate joint ventures where the Company has ownership of 50% or less and funds its proportionate share of expenses are accounted for under the equity method. The Company has no investments in entities in which it has a greater than 20% ownership interest accounted for using the cost method.
Revenue Recognition: Pursuant to guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, Revenue Recognition for Financial Statements, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, no obligations remain and collectibility is probable. The passing of title to the customer is based on the terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example the London Bullion Market for both gold and silver, in an identical form to the product sold.
Under our concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, final gold and silver prices are set on a specified future quotational period, typically one to three months, after the shipment date based on market metal prices. Revenues are recorded under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. Final settlement is based on the average applicable price for a specified future period, and generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. Final sales are settled using smelter weights, settlement assays (average of assays exchanged and/or umpire assay results) and are priced as specified in the smelter contract. The Companys provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates measured at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded as a derivative asset, in prepaid expenses and other assets or as a derivative liability in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final gold and silver settlement. The form of the material being sold, after deduction for smelting and refining is in an identical form to that sold on the London Bullion Market. The form of the product is metal in flotation concentrate, which is the final process for which the Company is responsible.
F-10
The effects of forward sales contracts are reflected in revenue at the date the related precious metals are delivered or the contracts expire. Third party smelting and refining costs of $9.1 million, $6.1 million and $3.3 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $74.5 million, consisting of 4.6 million ounces of silver and 29,577 ounces of gold. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $45,700 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $29,600. At December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $47.0 million, consisting of 3.5 million ounces of silver and 40,000 ounces of gold. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $35,400 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $40,000.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include all highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. The Company minimizes its credit risk by investing its cash and cash equivalents with major international banks and financial institutions located principally in the United States and Chile with a minimum credit rating of A1 as defined by Standard & Poors. The Companys management believes that no concentration of credit risk exists with respect to the investment of its cash and cash equivalents.
Short-term Investments: Short-term investments principally consist of highly-liquid United States, foreign government and corporate securities and investment-grade auction rate securities, all classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with maturities that could range from three months to forty years. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of shareholders equity. Any decline in market value considered to be other than temporary is recognized in determining net income/loss. Realized gains and losses from the sale of these investments are included in determining net income/loss. The Company maintains a pledge of collateral agreement to reserve $1.0 million against the investment portfolio to cover credit exposure related to ACH transactions.
Prior to December 31, 2006, the Company classified its auction rate securities as cash and cash equivalents because the securities were highly liquid and the periods between interest rate resets generally did not exceed 90 days. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company determined that, pursuant to SFAS 95, Statement of Cash Flows, its auction securities cannot be classified as cash equivalents because their contractual maturities exceed 90 days. The Company classified its auction rate securities as of December 31, 2006 as short term investments.
The Company also corrected the classification in its 2005 and 2004 financial statement presentation by reclassifying $159.7 million and $207.9 million, respectively, of auction rate securities as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investments. As a result, the following table shows the amounts, as originally presented in the Companys Form 10-K, for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and the corrected 2005 and 2004 amounts as presented in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. This reclassification had no effect on total current assets, stockholders equity, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share or on cash provided by operating activities.
For the year ended December 31, 2005 | As Previously Reported |
Adjustment |
Corrected | ||||||||
(In Thousands) | |||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 214,616 | $ | (159,720 | ) | $ | 54,896 | ||||
Short-term Investments | 25,726 | 159,720 | 185,446 | ||||||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | (99,894 | ) | 48,130 | (51,764 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (58,452 | ) | 48,130 | (10,322 | ) |
F-11
For the year ended December 31, 2004 | As Previously Reported |
Adjustment |
Corrected | ||||||||
(In Thousands) | |||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 273,068 | $ | (207,850 | ) | $ | 65,218 | ||||
Short-term Investments | 48,993 | 207,850 | 256,843 | ||||||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | (43,787 | ) | (167,136 | ) | (210,923 | ) | |||||
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 210,661 | (167,136 | ) | 43,525 |
Ore on Leach Pad: The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
The Company uses several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. As the ore body is drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples are taken of the drill residue which is assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. The Company estimates the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. The Company then processes the ore through crushing facilities where the output is again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation is completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous estimates. The crushed ore is then transported to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, it is continuously sampled for assaying. The quantity of leach solution is measured by flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to dorè, which is the final product produced by the mine. The inventory is stated at lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method.
The Company reported ore on the leach pads of $66.7 million as of December 31, 2006. Of this amount, $31.3 million is reported as a current asset and $35.4 million is reported as a non-current asset. The distinction between current and non-current is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the broken ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the broken ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as non-current. Inventories of ore on leach pad are valued based on actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad, adjusted for effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process.
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to the time the leach process occurs requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory testwork. Testwork consists of 60 day leach columns from which the Company projects metal recoveries up to five years in the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over approximately nineteen years of leach pad operations at the Rochester Mine. The assumptions used by the Company to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. The Company periodically reviews its estimates compared to actual experience and revises its estimates when appropriate. The length of time necessary to achieve ultimate recoveries for silver and gold is currently estimated between 5 and 10 years.
F-12
Metal and Other Inventory: Inventories include concentrate ore, dorè, ore in stockpiles and operating materials and supplies. The classification of inventory is determined by the stage at which the ore is in the production process. Inventories of ore in stock piles are sampled for gold and silver content and are valued based on the lower of actual costs incurred or estimated net realizable value based upon the period ending prices of gold and silver. Material that does not contain a minimum quantity of gold and silver to cover estimated processing expense to recover the contained gold and silver is not classified as inventory and is assigned no value. All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method. Concentrate and dorè inventory includes product at the mine site and product held by refineries and are also valued at lower of cost or market value. Metal inventory costs include direct labor, materials, depreciation, depletion and amortization as well as administrative overhead costs relating to mining activities.
Property, Plant, and Equipment: Expenditures for new facilities, capital leases, new assets or expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the shorter of estimated productive lives of such facilities or the useful life of the individual assets. Productive lives range from 7 to 31 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 13 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 7 years for furniture and fixtures. Certain mining equipment is depreciated using the units-of-production method based upon estimated total proven and probable reserves. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Operational Mining Properties and Mine Development: Costs incurred to develop new properties are capitalized as incurred, where it has been determined that the property can be economically developed. At the Companys surface mines, these costs include costs to further delineate the ore body. At the Companys underground mines, these costs include the cost of building access ways, shaft sinking and access, lateral development, drift development, ramps and infrastructure development. All such costs are amortized using the units of production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on recoverable ounces to be mined from proven and probable reserves. Interest expense allocable to the cost of developing mining properties and to construct new facilities is capitalized until assets are ready for their intended use. Gains or losses from sales or retirements of assets are included in other income or expense. Costs incurred during the start-up phase of a mine are expensed as incurred. Ongoing mining expenditures on producing properties are charged against earnings as incurred. Major development expenditures incurred to increase production or extend the life of the mine are capitalized. Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred.
Mineral Interests: Significant payments related to the acquisition of the land and mineral rights are capitalized as incurred. Prior to acquiring such land or mineral rights, the Company generally makes a preliminary evaluation to determine that the property has significant potential to develop an economic ore body. The time between initial acquisition and full evaluation of a propertys potential is variable and is determined by many factors including: location relative to existing infrastructure, the propertys stage of development, geological controls and metal prices. If a mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are amortized when production begins using the units-of-production method based on recoverable ounces to be mined from proven and probable reserves. If no mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are expensed in the period in which it is determined the property has no future economic value.
Asset Impairment: The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, to evaluate the recoverability of its assets. Management reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts of its assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows or probability-weighted cash flows on an undiscounted basis, are less than the carrying amount of the assets, including property plant and equipment, mineral property, development property, and any deferred costs such as deferred stripping. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on the difference between book value and discounted estimated future cash flows or the application of an expected present value technique to estimate fair value in the absence of a market price. Future cash flows include estimates of recoverable ounces, gold and silver prices (considering current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and capital, all based on life-of-mine plans and projections. Assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties. If the assets are impaired, a calculation of fair value is performed and if the fair value is lower than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are reduced to their fair market value. Any differences between significant assumptions and market conditions and/or the Companys operating performance could have a material effect on the Companys determination of ore reserves, or its ability to recover the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets resulting in impairment charges. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other asset groups. Generally, in estimating future cash flows, all assets are grouped at a particular mine for which there is identifiable cash flow.
F-13
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company, under the terms of its lease, self insurance, and bonding agreements with certain banks, lending institutions and regulatory agencies, is required to collateralize certain portions of the Companys obligations. The Company has collateralized these obligations by assigning certificates of deposit that have maturity dates ranging from three months to a year, to the respective institutions or agency. At December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company held certificates of deposit and cash under these agreements of $19.5 million and $16.9 million, respectively, restricted for this purpose. The ultimate timing for the release of the collateralized amounts is dependent on the timing and closure of each mine. In order to release the collateral, the Company must seek approval from certain government agencies responsible for monitoring the mine closure status. Collateral could also be released to the extent the Company was able to secure alternative financial assurance satisfactory to the regulatory agencies. The Company believes there is a reasonable probability that the collateral will remain in place beyond a twelve-month period and has therefore classified these investments as long-term.
Deferred Stripping Costs: Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 04-06, Accounting for Stripping Costs Incurred during Production in the Mining Industry. EITF Issue No. 04-06 addresses the accounting for stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine and refers to these costs as variable production costs that should be included as a component of inventory to be recognized in costs applicable to sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory. The consensus requires application through recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption, with no charge to current earnings for prior periods. The Company recorded a charge of approximately $0.4 million to retained earnings at January 1, 2006 to write off previously capitalized deferred stripping costs, as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting method.
Reclamation and Remediation Costs: The Company follows SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and normal use of the asset. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. An accretion cost, representing the increase over time in the present value of the liability, is recorded each period in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. As reclamation work is performed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability is reduced.
Future remediation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on managements best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at the site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing care and maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised.
F-14
Foreign Currency: Substantially all assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, (as amended by SFAS No. 137) and SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities. These Statements require recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value. Appropriate accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives held is dependent on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as an accounting hedge and on the classification of the hedge transaction.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), and are recognized in the Statement of Consolidated Operations when the hedged item affects net income (loss) for the period. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized currently in earnings. Refer to Note N Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Stock-based Compensation Plans: Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with awards of equity instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for awards of equity instruments according to the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and related interpretations, and therefore no related compensation expense was recorded for awards granted with no intrinsic value. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123(R), and, consequently, has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with awards of equity instruments recognized during 2006 includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all awards granted for the fiscal years 1995 to 2005, based on the grant date fair value, estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation; and 2) amortization related to all equity instrument awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The compensation costs are included in administrative and general expenses, productions costs and the cost of self-constructed property, plant and equipment as deemed appropriate.
The compensation expense recognized in the Companys consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 for awards of equity instruments was $2.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2006, there was $1.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested stock options, restricted stock grants and performance share grants which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 2.0 years.
The Company continues to estimate the fair value of each stock option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company now estimates forfeitures of stock based awards based on historical data and adjusts the forfeiture rate periodically. The adjustment of the forfeiture rate will result in a cumulative adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to reduce compensation expense for forfeited awards.
Income Taxes: The Company computes income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. SFAS No. 109 requires an asset and liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
F-15
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance has been provided for the portion of the Companys net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.
Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) as well as changes in stockholders equity that result from transactions and events other than those with stockholders. Items of comprehensive income (loss) include the following:
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 88,486 | $ | 10,551 | $ | (16,858 | ) | ||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | 63 | 853 | (347 | ) | |||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of | 111 | (169 | ) | (130 | ) | ||||||
settlements | |||||||||||
Minimum pension liabilities | 2,219 | (237 | ) | (431 | ) | ||||||
Other | (2 | ) | -- | -- | |||||||
$ | 90,877 | $ | 10,998 | $ | (17,766 | ) | |||||
Net Income (Loss) Per Share: The Company follows SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share, which requires the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The effect of potentially dilutive stock options and debentures outstanding in the years ending December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2006 |
For the Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
For the Year Ended December 31, 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands except for EPS) | Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per-Share Amount |
Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per-Share Amount |
Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per-Share Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic EPS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
continuing operations | $ | 75,419 | 271,357 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 14,746 | 242,915 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (18,036 | ) | 215,969 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
operations | 13,067 | 271,357 | 0.05 | (4,195 | ) | 242,915 | (0.02 | ) | 1,178 | 215,969 | -- | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 88,486 | 271,357 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 10,551 | 242,915 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (16,858 | ) | 215,969 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||
Effect of Dilutive Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity awards | -- | 1,041 | -- | -- | 768 | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||
1.25% convertible notes | 1,117 | 23,684 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted EPS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
continuing operations | $ | 76,536 | 296,082 | 0.26 | $ | 14,746 | 243,683 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (18,036 | ) | 215,969 | $ | (0.08 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
discontinued operations | 13,067 | 296,082 | 0.04 | (4,195 | ) | 243,683 | (0.02 | ) | 1,178 | 215,969 | -- | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 89,603 | 296,082 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 10,551 | 243,683 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (16,858 | ) | 215,969 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||
The following potentially dilutive shares have been excluded from earnings per share calculation as their effect is antidilutive:
December 31, 2006 |
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 | |||||||||
Stock options | -- | -- | 1,796,908 | ||||||||
1.25% Notes | |||||||||||
Convertible at $7.06 per share | -- | 23,684,211 | 23,684,211 | ||||||||
Total potentially dilutive shares | -- | 23,684,211 | 25,481,119 | ||||||||
F-16
For the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004, options to purchase 322,653, 876,192 and -0- shares of common stock at prices between $6.66 to $15.15 and $3.92 to $17.94, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise price of options was greater than the average market price of the common shares. The options, which expire between 2007 to 2016, are outstanding at December 31, 2006.
Debt Issuance Costs: Costs associated with the issuance of debt are included in other noncurrent assets and are amortized over the term of the related debt.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the Companys consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in their consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The areas requiring the use of managements estimates and assumptions relate to recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation, depletion and amortization of future cash flows for long lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; the amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; and post-employment and other employee benefit liabilities.
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the periods presented. The most significant reclassifications were to reclassify the balance sheet amounts and the income statement results from historical presentation to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and to (loss) income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The consolidated statements of cash flows have been reclassified for discontinued operations for all periods presented. In addition, investments in auction rate securities have been reclassified from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005. We also made corresponding adjustments to the consolidated statements of cash flows for all of the periods presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In November 2004, FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs, which amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This Statement now requires that these items be recognized as current-period expenses regardless of whether they meet the criterion of so abnormal as previously stated in ARB No. 43, Chapter 5, Intangible Assets. In addition, this Statement requires that the allocation of fixed production overhead to costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facility. SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has performed a review of the provisions of the Statement and has determined that its current accounting practice is to recognize the costs attibuted to idle facilities as a current-period expense and, therefore adoption in 2006 did not impact the Companys financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payments, which revised SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and superseded Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and its related implementation guidance. SFAS No. 123(R) requires measurement and recording in the financial statements of the costs of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award, recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for such award. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, using the modified prospective method. Accordingly, compensation expense was recognized for all newly granted awards and awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after January 1, 2006. Compensation cost for the unvested portion of awards that were outstanding, as of January 1, 2006, is recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period. The compensation cost for the unvested portion of awards is based on the fair value at date of grant, adjusted for forfeitures, as determined pursuant to SFAS No. 123. The actual effect on net income and earnings per share in future periods will vary depending upon the number and fair value of options granted in future years compared to prior years. The adoption resulted in a charge to the Companys statement of operations of $1.4 million in 2006 and did not impact the Companys cash flow.
F-17
In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF#148;) Issue No. 04-06, Accounting for Stripping Costs Incurred during Production in the Mining Industry.#148; EITF Issue No. 04-06 addresses the accounting for stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine and refers to these costs as variable production costs that should be included as a component of inventory to be recognized in costs applicable to sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory. The guidance in EITF Issue No. 04-06 was effective for the Company in 2006. The guidance requires application through recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company adopted this pronouncement as of January 1, 2006 and recorded a charge of approximately $0.4 million to write off deferred stripping costs, as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting method.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. SFAS No. 154 established new standards on accounting for changes in accounting principles. SFAS No. 154 requires all such changes to be accounted for by retrospective application to the financial statements of prior periods unless prescribed otherwise or it is impracticable to do so. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and error corrections made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (FIN 48) an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the Company recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that tax position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning January 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Currently, the adoption of FIN 48 is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
F-18
The Company classifies its investment securities as available-for-sale securities. Pursuant to SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, such securities are measured at fair market value in the financial statements with unrealized gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). At the time securities are sold or otherwise disposed of, gains or losses are included in net income (loss). The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities:
Available-For-Sale Securities | ||||||||||||||
Cost |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
As of December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Corporate | $ | 65,372 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 65,372 | ||||||
U.S. Government | 5,000 | -- | 1 | 5,001 | ||||||||||
Total debt securities | 70,372 | -- | 1 | 70,373 | ||||||||||
Equity securities | 99 | 1 | 622 | 720 | ||||||||||
70,471 | 1 | 623 | 71,093 | |||||||||||
As of December 31, 2005 | ||||||||||||||
Auction Rate Securities | $ | 159,720 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 159,720 | ||||||
U.S. Corporate | 23,893 | 51 | -- | 23,842 | ||||||||||
U.S. Government | 1,891 | 7 | -- | 1,884 | ||||||||||
Total debt securities | 185,504 | 58 | -- | 185,446 | ||||||||||
Equity securities | 19 | 4 | 615 | 630 | ||||||||||
$ | 185,523 | $ | 62 | $ | 615 | $ | 186,076 | |||||||
As of December 31, 2004 | ||||||||||||||
Auction Rate Securities | $ | 207,850 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 207,850 | ||||||
U.S. Corporate | 18,964 | 107 | 1 | 18,858 | ||||||||||
U.S. Government | 29,062 | 205 | -- | 28,857 | ||||||||||
State/Municipal | 1,285 | 7 | -- | 1,278 | ||||||||||
Total debt securities | 257,161 | 319 | 1 | 256,843 | ||||||||||
Equity securities | 20 | 3 | 17 | 34 | ||||||||||
$ | 257,181 | $ | 322 | $ | 18 | $ | 256,877 | |||||||
Gross realized gains and losses are based on a carrying value (cost, net of discount or premium) of short-term investments sold or adjusted for other than temporary decline in market value. Short-term investments mature at various dates. There were no realized gains and/or losses for the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Prior to December 31, 2006, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to classify its investments in auction rate securities as short-term investments. Previously such investments had been classified as cash and cash equivalents. Accordingly, the Company revised the classification to report these investments as short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. The Company also made corresponding adjustments to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 to reflect the gross purchases and sales of these investments as investing activities rather than as a component of cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, $159.7 million and $207.9 million respectively, of these investments were reclassified from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investment on the consolidated Balance Sheet. This reclassification had no effect on the total current assets, stockholders equity, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share or cash provided by (used in) operating activities.
F-19
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company committed to a plan to sell Coeur Silver Valley Inc. (CSV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, that owns and operates the Galena underground silver mine and adjoining properties in Northern Idaho. On April 10, 2006, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the shares of CSV to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash. On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of CSV to U.S. Silver Corporation for a total of $15 million in cash plus a post-closing working capital adjustment of $1.1 million. The Company recorded, within discontinued operations, a gain of approximately $11.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. Pursuant to SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, CSV was classified as held for sale and the results of its operations reported in discontinued operations for all prior periods.
The following table details selected financial information included in the income (loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 11,223 | $ | 16,052 | $ | 23,759 | |||||
Production costs applicable to sales | (8,233 | ) | (16,698 | ) | (18,637 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and depletion | (681 | ) | (1,996 | ) | (1,967 | ) | |||||
Mining exploration | (279 | ) | (1,361 | ) | (1,620 | ) | |||||
Other | (95 | ) | (192 | ) | (357 | ) | |||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 1,935 | (4,195 | ) | 1,178 | |||||||
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations | 11,132 | -- | -- | ||||||||
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | 13,067 | $ | (4,195 | ) | $ | 1,178 | ||||
The major classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 is as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2005 | |||||
Assets | |||||
Receivables | $ | 2,036 | |||
Prepaids | 906 | ||||
Inventory | 2,561 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment (net) | 2,016 | ||||
Operational mining properties, net | 6,357 | ||||
Other | 952 | ||||
Total assets of discontinued operations | $ | 14,828 | |||
Liabilities | |||||
Accounts payable | $ | 747 | |||
Accrued liabilities | 166 | ||||
Accrued payroll and related benefits | 578 | ||||
Reclamation and mine closure | 6,905 | ||||
Defined benefit liabilities | 2,588 | ||||
Other non-current liabilities | 1,924 | ||||
Total liabilities of discontinued operations | $ | 12,908 | |||
F-20
Inventories consist of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Concentrate and doré inventory | $ | 9,680 | $ | 7,835 | ||||
Supplies | 6,661 | 4,972 | ||||||
Metal and other inventory | $ | 16,341 | $ | 12,807 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Land | $ | 1,112 | $ | 1,423 | ||||
Building improvements | 51,818 | 40,869 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment | 77,040 | 60,470 | ||||||
Capitalized leases for machinery and | ||||||||
equipment | 2,345 | 2,345 | ||||||
132,315 | 105,107 | |||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (64,206 | ) | (57,929 | ) | ||||
$ | 68,109 | $ | 47,178 | |||||
The Companys capital expenditures were as follows:
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Rochester | $ | 1,225 | $ | 1,197 | $ | 3,548 | |||||
Cerro Bayo | 7,555 | 2,731 | 2,451 | ||||||||
Martha | 2,481 | 2,108 | 689 | ||||||||
San Bartolome | 14,597 | 10,477 | 950 | ||||||||
Kensington | 121,552 | 44,201 | 83 | ||||||||
Endeavor | -- | 15,410 | -- | ||||||||
Broken Hill | -- | 36,667 | -- | ||||||||
Other | 588 | 499 | 642 | ||||||||
Net asset additions | $ | 147,998 | $ | 113,290 | $ | 8,363 | |||||
Discontinued Operations - Coeur Silver Valley | $ | 617 | $ | 3,537 | $ | 2,151 | |||||
At December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, approximately $12.9 million, $9.6 million and $0, respectively, of invoices for capital expenditures remained in accounts payable and for purposes of the consolidated cash flows were treated as non-cash transactions.
F-21
Minimum future lease payments under both capital and operating leases at December 31, 2006 are as follows:
Year Ending December 31, | Capital Leases |
Operating Leases | ||||||
2007 | $ | 916 | $ | 380 | ||||
2008 | -- | -- | ||||||
2009 | -- | -- | ||||||
2010 | -- | -- | ||||||
Thereafter | -- | -- | ||||||
916 | $ | 380 | ||||||
Less: Amount representing interest | 22 | |||||||
$ | 894 | |||||||
The Company has entered into various operating lease agreements which expire over the next year. Total rent expense charged to net income (loss) under these agreements was $2.6 million, $3.5 million and $4.2 million for 2006, 2005, 2004, respectively.
December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Capitalized costs for mining properties, net of accumulated depletion | ||||||||
consist of the following (A): | ||||||||
Operational mining properties: | ||||||||
Rochester Mine | $ | 4,445 | $ | 8,582 | ||||
Cerro Bayo Mine | 8,531 | 6,660 | ||||||
Martha Mine | 1,110 | 713 | ||||||
Total operational mining properties | 14,086 | 15,955 | ||||||
Mineral interests, net of accumulated depletion | ||||||||
Endeavor Mine | 14,508 | 14,998 | ||||||
Broken Hill Mine | 29,740 | 34,860 | ||||||
San Bartolome (B) | 20,125 | 20,125 | ||||||
Total mineral interests | 64,373 | 69,983 | ||||||
Non-producing and developmental properties: | ||||||||
Kensington (C) | 170,458 | 62,517 | ||||||
San Bartolome (D) | 20,388 | 9,829 | ||||||
Other | 142 | 142 | ||||||
Total non-producing and developmental properties | 190,988 | 72,488 | ||||||
Total mining properties | $ | 269,447 | $ | 158,426 | ||||
(A) | On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur Silver Valley Inc., to US Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash and additional consideration received of $1.1 million for working capital. |
(B) | Balance represents acquisition cost of mineral interest. |
(C) | During the third quarter of 2005, the Company commenced construction activities at its Kensington property. The costs incurred subsequent to commencing construction were capitalized as developmental properties. |
(D) | During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company commenced construction activities at its San Bartolome property. The costs incurred subsequent to commencing construction were capitalized as developmental properties. |
F-22
Rochester Mine: The Company has conducted operations at the Rochester Mine, located in Western Nevada, since September 1986. The mine utilizes the heap-leaching process to extract both silver and gold from ore mined using open pit methods. Rochesters primary product is silver with gold produced as a by-product.
Cerro Bayo Mine: The Cerro Bayo Mine is a gold and silver underground mine located in southern Chile. Commercial production commenced on April 18, 2002.
Martha Mine: The Martha Mine is an underground silver mine located in Argentina, approximately 270 miles southeast of Coeurs Cerro Bayo mine. Coeur acquired a 100% interest in the Martha mine in April 2002. In July 2002, Coeur commenced shipment of ore from the Martha mine to the Cerro Bayo facility for processing.
Endeavor Mine: On May 23, 2005, the Company acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum 17.7 million payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor Mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (Cobar), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (CBH), for $39.1 million. The Company is entitled to all of the silver production and reserves up to a maximum of 17.7 million payable ounces. The Endeavor Mine is located 720 km northwest of Sydney in New South Wales and has been in production since 1983. Under the terms of the original agreement, CDE Australia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur, paid Cobar $15.1 million of cash at the closing. In addition, CDE Australia, subject to certain conditions, will pay Cobar approximately $23.7 million upon the receipt of a report confirming that the reserves at the Endeavor mine are equal to or greater than the reported ore reserves for 2004. Payment could occur in 2007. In addition to these upfront payments, pursuant to the original agreement, Coeur pays Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus a further increment which was to begin when the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. This further increment was to begin on the second anniversary of the agreement and would have been 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. A cost contribution of $0.25 per ounce is also payable by Coeur in respect of new ounces of proven and probable silver reserves as they are discovered.
On March 28, 2006, CDE Australia Pty, Ltd. (CDE Australia), reached an agreement with CBH Resources Ltd. to modify the terms of the original silver purchase agreement. Under the modified terms, CDE Australia owns all silver production and reserves up to a total of 20.0 million ounces, up from 17.7 million payable ounces in the original agreement. Based on the most recent ore reserve report, the current ore reserve contains approximately 15.3 million payable ounces. To date, the Company has received 0.7 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the modified contract. The silver price-sharing provision is deferred until such time as Coeur has received approximately 2 million cumulative ounces of silver from the mine or June 2007, whichever is later. In addition, the silver price-sharing threshold increased to US$7.00 per ounce, from the previous level of US$5.23 per ounce.
Broken Hill Mine: On September 8, 2005, the Company acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum of 17.2 million payable ounces, contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. (PBH) for $36.7 million. The Broken Hill Mine is located in New South Wales, Australia and is a zinc/lead/silver ore body. Pursuant to the Agreement, the transaction includes up to a maximum of approximately 24.5 million contained ounces (or 17.2 million payable ounces) of silver to be mined by PBH at Broken Hill on the Companys behalf. In addition, CDE Australia will pay PBH an operating cost contribution of approximately US$2.00 for each ounce of payable silver under the terms of the Agreement and PBH may earn up to US$6.0 million of additional consideration by meeting certain silver production thresholds through 2014. No additional payments were made during 2006 or 2005.
F-23
San Bartolome Project: On September 9, 1999, the Company acquired Empressa Minera Manquiri (Manquiri). Manquiris principal asset is the San Bartolome project, a silver exploration and development property located near the city of Potosi, Bolivia. The San Bartolome project consists of silver-bearing gravel deposits which lend themselves to simple surface mining methods. The mineral rights for the San Bartolome project are held through long-term joint venture/lease agreements with several local independent mining co-operatives and the Bolivian State owned mining company, (COMIBOL). Production from San Bartolome is subject to a royalty of 4% payable to the co-operatives and COMIBOL. During 2004, the Company completed an updated feasibility study, obtained all required permits and commenced construction of the San Bartolome mine. The Company estimates the cost of construction (excluding political risk insurance premiums and capitalized interest) of the San Bartolome mine to be approximately $174 million. During 2006, the Company capitalized $14.6 million in connection with construction activities at San Bartolome.
Kensington Project: Kensington is a gold property located near Juneau, Alaska. The mine will be an underground gold mine accessed by a horizontal tunnel and will utilize conventional and mechanized underground mining methods. The ore will be processed in a flotation mill that produces a concentrate which will be sold to third party smelters. During 2006, the Company capitalized $121.6 million in connection with construction activities at Kensington. The company estimates the total cost of contruction to be approximatly $238 million.
Coeur Silver Valley (Galena) Mine:
On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of its wholly owned subsidiary Coeur Silver Valley, Inc. to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash plus a post-closing working capital adjustment of $1.1 million.
The $180.0 million principal amount of 1 ¼% Debentures due 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2006 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014, and 2019, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion price of $7.60 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments on the debentures. The debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Companys common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. Before January 18, 2011, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus an amount equal to 8.75% of the principal amount of the notes, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the notes on or prior to the redemption date. The debentures have no other funding requirements until their maturity on January 15, 2024.
F-24
The fair value of the debentures is determined by market transactions on or near December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The fair value of the debentures, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, was $163.8 million and $146.7 million, respectively.
Total interest expense on debentures and notes for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was $2.3 million, of which $1.4 million was capitalized as a cost of certain properties under development in 2006, $2.3 million, of which $0.2 million was capitalized as a cost of certain properties under development in 2005, and $2.9 million, of which $0.1 million was capitalized as a cost of certain properties under development in 2004, respectively.
Interest paid was $2.3 million in 2006, $2.3 million in 2005, and $1.6 million in 2004.
Reclamation and remediation costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation costs for inactive properties. The Company uses assumptions about future costs, mineral prices, mineral processing recovery rates, production levels and capital and reclamation costs. Such assumptions are based on the Companys current mining plan and the best available information for making such estimates. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions; however, actual amounts could differ from those based on such estimates and assumptions.
The Asset Retirement Obligation is measured using the following factors: 1) Expected labor costs, 2) Allocated overhead and equipment charges, 3) Contractor markup, 4) Inflation adjustment, and 5) Market risk premium. The sum of all these costs is discounted, using the Companys credit adjusted risk-free interest rate, from the time we expect to pay the retirement obligation to the time we incur the obligation. The measurement objective is to determine the amount a third party would demand to assume the asset retirement obligation.
Upon initial recognition of a liability for an asset retirement obligation, the Company capitalized the asset retirement cost as an increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Company depletes this amount using the units-of-production method. The Company is not required to re-measure the obligation at fair value each period, but the Company is required to evaluate the cash flow estimates at the end of each reporting period to determine whether the estimates continue to be appropriate. Upward revisions in the amount of undiscounted cash flows are discounted using a current credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Downward revisions are discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recorded.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, $29.9 million and $23.5 million, respectively, were accrued for reclamation obligations related to currently producing and developmental mineral properties. In addition, the Company has accrued $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for reclamation obligations associated with former mining activities. These amounts are also included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company reviewed its cash flow estimates for its asset retirement obligations. This resulted in a net increase to the asset retirement obligation of $6.1 million and a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the asset to be retired. For the purpose of consolidated statement of cash flows, these amounts are non-cash transactions. The increase was due to additional reclamation required at the Companys Rochester mine, Kensington and San Bartolome projects. The increase was discounted using the Companys current weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate of 7.6%.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company reviewed its cash flow estimates for its asset retirement obligations. This resulted in a net increase to the asset retirement obligation of $6.4 million and a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the asset to be retired. For the purpose of consolidated statement of cash flows, these amounts are non-cash transactions. The increase was due to additional reclamation required as a result of the expansion of the Companys Cerro Bayo mine and adjustments to future estimated costs at the Companys Rochester mine, Kensington project and San Bartolome project. The increase was discounted using the Companys current weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate of 7.79%.
F-25
The following is a description of the changes to the Companys asset retirement obligations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligation - January 1 | $ | 23,524 | $ | 16,921 | ||||
Accretion | 1,780 | 1,265 | ||||||
Additions | 6,069 | 6,397 | ||||||
Changes in estimates | (507 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||
Settlements | (957 | ) | (985 | ) | ||||
Asset retirement obligation - December 31 | $ | 29,909 | $ | 23,524 | ||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes is as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
United States | $ | 33,252 | $ | (5,576 | ) | $ | (22,281 | ) | |||
Foreign | 50,393 | 21,805 | (1,540 | ) | |||||||
Total | $ | 83,645 | $ | 16,229 | $ | (23,821 | ) | ||||
The components of the consolidated income tax (provision) benefit from continuing operations were as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Current: | |||||||||||
United States - Alternative minimum tax | $ | (900 | ) | $ | 212 | $ | 1,382 | ||||
United States - Foreign withholding | (713 | ) | -- | -- | |||||||
Foreign - Argentina | (4,842 | ) | (66 | ) | -- | ||||||
Foreign - Australia | (4,673 | ) | -- | -- | |||||||
Deferred: | |||||||||||
Foreign - Argentina | 65 | 929 | -- | ||||||||
Foreign - Australia | (93 | ) | (404 | ) | -- | ||||||
Foreign - Chile | 2,930 | (2,154 | ) | 4,403 | |||||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | $ | (8,226 | ) | $ | (1,483 | ) | $ | 5,785 | |||
A reconciliation of the Companys effective tax rate with the federal statutory tax rate for the periods indicated is as follows:
Years Ended December 31 | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations | $ | (29,276 | ) | $ | (5,680 | ) | $ | 8,337 | |||
State tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations | (2,509 | ) | (487 | ) | 715 | ||||||
Excess percentage depletion and related deductions | 6,199 | 4,265 | 3,698 | ||||||||
Change in valuation allowances | 14,778 | (5,555 | ) | (9,474 | ) | ||||||
Effect of foreign earnings | 4,744 | 4,744 | 1,346 | ||||||||
US and foreign non-deductible expenses | (1,059 | ) | 632 | 610 | |||||||
Foreign currency exchange rates | -- | 827 | -- | ||||||||
Other net | (1,103 | ) | (229 | ) | 553 | ||||||
$ | (8,226 | ) | $ | (1,483 | ) | $ | 5,785 | ||||
F-26
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the significant components of the Companys deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||
Property, plant and equipment , net | $ | 7,318 | $ | 7,665 | ||||
Investments in foreign subsidiaries | 9,761 | 471 | ||||||
17,079 | 8,136 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||
Mineral properties | 62,284 | 66,664 | ||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | 68,794 | 88,130 | ||||||
Alternative minimum tax credit | 2,479 | 1,246 | ||||||
carryforwards | ||||||||
Investments in foreign subsidiaries | 8,129 | 404 | ||||||
Capital loss carryforwards | 12,864 | 5,672 | ||||||
Other | 6,197 | 3,173 | ||||||
160,747 | 165,289 | |||||||
Valuation allowance | (137,992 | ) | (154,379 | ) | ||||
22,755 | 10,910 | |||||||
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 5,676 | $ | 2,774 | ||||
The Company has not had a strong earnings history which would be objective evidence as required by generally accepted accounting principles to recognize its net operating less carryforwards and other deductible temporary differences. It is likely that the alternative minimum tax will exceed the regular tax for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $138.0 million as of December 31, 2006, which includes a full valuation allowance against the $2.5 million minimum tax credit carryforward, which is available for an unlimited carryforward period to offset regular federal income tax in excess of the alternative minimum tax. The Company has reviewed its domestic and foreign deferred tax assets and, except for approximately $6.2 million deferred tax assets related to the Companys Cerro Bayo and Martha mines, has not recognized the potential tax benefits in other jurisdictions because at this time management believes that the realization of such benefits in future periods does not meet the more likely than not criteria. The Company has evaluated the amount of taxable income and periods over which it must be earned to allow for realization of its deferred tax assets. Based on this analysis, the Company determined that over the next two years pretax book income in Chile and Argentina where the future tax rate is 17% and 35%, respectively, is sufficient for recognition of $6.2 million of deferred tax assets. The Company monitors the valuation allowance each quarter and makes adjustments to the allowance as appropriate based primarily upon continued development of an earnings history and projected future earnings.
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company incurred another ownership change which generally limits the availability of existing tax attributes, including net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income. The Company will be limited from utilizing tax attributes to reduce future taxable income or tax liabilities. Therefore, the Company has the following tax attribute carryforwards as of December 31, 2006:
U.S. |
Chile |
New Zealand |
Other |
Total | |||||||
Regular net operating losses | $86,004 | $30,464 | $93,267 | $444 | $210,179 | ||||||
Alternative minimum tax net | |||||||||||
operating losses | 53,651 | -- | -- | -- | 53,651 | ||||||
Capital losses | 33,853 | -- | -- | -- | 33,853 | ||||||
Alternative minimum tax credits | 2,180 | -- | -- | -- | 2,180 | ||||||
Foreign tax credits | 299 | -- | -- | -- | 299 |
The U.S. net operating losses expire in 2011 through 2025 while the foreign country net operating losses generally have an indefinite carryforward period. The Companys capital losses expire in 2007 through 2011; alternative minimum tax credits have an indefinite carryforward period and the foreign tax credits generally expire in 2026.
F-27
On May 11, 1999, the Companys shareholders adopted a new shareholder rights plan (the Plan). The Plan entitles each holder of the Companys common stock to one right. Each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of newly authorized Series B Junior Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $100. The rights will not be distributed and become exercisable unless and until ten business days after a person acquires 20% of the outstanding common shares or commences an offer that would result in the ownership of 30% or more of the shares. Each right also carries the right to receive upon exercise that number of Coeur common shares which has a market value equal to two times the exercise price. Each preferred share issued is entitled to receive 100 times the dividend declared per share of common stock and 100 votes for each share of common stock and is entitled to 100 times the liquidation payment made per common share. The Board may elect to redeem the rights prior to their exercisability at a price of $0.01 per right. The new rights will expire on May 24, 2009, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company. Any preferred shares issued are not redeemable. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were a total of 277,995,133 and 249,902,142 rights outstanding, respectively, which was equal to the number of outstanding shares of common stock.
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company completed a public offering of 27.6 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $5.60 per share. The Company realized net proceeds of $146.2 million after payment of the underwriters discount. Offering costs incurred were $8.3 million.
During the third quarter of 2005, the Company completed a public offering of 9.9 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $3.70 per share. The Company realized total net proceeds from the offering, after payment of the underwriters discount, of approximately $35.9 million. Offering costs incurred were $0.6 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company completed a public offering of 26.6 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $4.50 per share, which included 1.6 million shares purchased by the underwriters at the offering price to cover over allotments. The Company realized total net proceeds from the offering, after payment of the underwriters discount, of approximately $113.1 million. Offering costs incurred were $6.7 million.
The Company has an Annual Incentive Plan, a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan) and a Directors Plan (the Directors Plan). Total employee compensation expense charged to operations and capital projects under these Plans was $4.6 million, $3.9 million and $2.8 million for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Annual Incentive Plan
Under the Annual Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors may annually approve cash-based awards to the executive officers and key management employees based on certain Company and employee performance measures. Cash payments for 2006, 2005 and 2004 amounted to $2.2 million, $2.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
F-28
1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Under the 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended by shareholders in 1995, the Company may grant non-qualified and incentive stock options that are exercisable at prices equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and vest cumulatively at an annual rate of one third during the three-year period following the date of grant. In addition to stock options, the Companys 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash based awards, and stock based awards.
The number of shares authorized to be issued under this plan was 2.9 million shares. There were 0.6 million shares reserved for issuance under this plan at December 31, 2006 for stock options previously awarded. No further awards will be made under this plan.
2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan
The 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) was approved by our shareholders on May 20, 2003, and replaced our prior 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Under the plan, we may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-based awards and other stock-based awards to our executive officers.
The number of shares authorized for grant under this plan was 6.8 million shares. There were 6.2 million shares reserved for issuance under this plan at December 31, 2006. Of the 6.2 million shares, 4.9 million shares can be issued for future grants. There are 1.0 million options and 0.2 million performance shares outstanding under these plans.
Directors Plan
On June 3, 2005, the Companys shareholders approved the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan and authorized 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the plan. During 2006 and 2005, 35,042 and 35,996 shares were issued in lieu of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of Directors fees. At December 31, 2006, 0.4 million shares are reserved for issuance under this plan.
Under the previous Directors plan, options were granted only in lieu of annual directors fees. For the year ended December 31, 2004, a total of 40,318 options had been granted in lieu of directors fees of $0.1 million. At December 31, 2006, 0.5 million shares are reserved for issuance under this plan for stock options previously awarded. No further grants will be made under this plan.
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, options to purchase 2,089,650 shares and 2,218,629 shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding under the Long-Term and the Directors Plans described above. The options are exercisable at prices ranging from $0.74 to $17.94 per share.
Stock options granted under the Companys incentive plans vest over three years and are exercisable over a period not to exceed 10 years from the grant date. Exercise prices are equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant. The value of each option award is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Restricted stock is granted at the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant and vest in equal installments annually over three years. Holders of the restricted stock are entitled to vote the shares and to receive any dividends declared on the shares.
Performance shares also are granted at the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. Vesting is contingent on meeting certain performance measures based on relative total shareholder return. The performance shares vest at the end of the three-year service period. Performance shares granted under the plan assume that the performance measure will be achieved. If such performance measures are not met, no further compensation cost is recognized and if determined improbable of achieving the performance measures any previously recognized compensation is reversed.
F-29
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with awards of equity instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for awards of equity instruments according to the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and related interpretations, and therefore no related compensation expense was recorded for awards granted with no intrinsic value. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123(R), and, consequently, has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with awards of equity instruments recognized in 2006 includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all awards granted for the fiscal years 1995 to 2005, based on the grant date fair value, estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation; and 2) amortization related to all equity instruments awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The compensation cost is included in administrative and general expenses, production costs and the cost of self-constructed property, plant and equipment as deemed appropriate.
Prior to the Companys adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), benefits of tax deduction in excess of recognized compensation costs were reported as operating cash flows. SFAS No. 123(R) requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. There were no significant excess tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
The compensation expense recognized in the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 for awards of equity instruments was $2.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2006, there was $1.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested stock options, restricted stock grants and performance share grants which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 2.0 years.
The Company continues to estimate the fair value of each stock option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company now estimates forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical data and adjusts the forfeiture rate periodically. The adjustment of the forfeiture rate will result in a cumulative adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to reduce compensation expense for forfeited awards.
The impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) as of January 1, 2006 resulted in a decrease in net income of $1.4 million, or less than $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2006. The impact of adoption excludes the amortization of restricted stock awards in the amount of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Compensation expense related to the amortization of restricted stock awards was recognized prior to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R). Cash received from share options exercised under the Long-Term Incentive Plan for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $0.8 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and is reflected as an other financing activity in the Companys consolidated statements of cash flows.
The following pro-forma information, as required by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123, is presented for comparative purposes and illustrates the effect on net income per common share for the periods presented as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) to stock-based employee compensation prior to December 31, 2005.
F-30
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2005 |
2004 | |||||||
(in thousands except per share data) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) as reported |
$ | 10,551 | $ | (16,858 | ) | |||
Add: Stock-based employee compensation | ||||||||
expense included in reported net income | 1,237 | 1,137 | ||||||
Less: Stock-based employee compensation | ||||||||
expense determined under fair value for | ||||||||
all awards | (2,316 | ) | (2,017 | ) | ||||
Net income (loss) - Pro forma | $ | 9,472 | $ | (17,738 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) per share: | ||||||||
Basic and diluted - As reported | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.08 | ) | |||
Basic and diluted - Pro forma | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.08 | ) | |||
The weighted average fair value of stock options on the date of grant, and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes option valuation model were as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | ||||||||
Weighted average fair value of options granted | $3.35 | $2.53 | $4.83 | |||||||
Expected volatility | 68.5% | 68.5% | 75.7% | |||||||
Expected life | 6 years | 6 years | 6 years | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 4.6% | 3.9% | 3.3% | |||||||
Expected dividend yield | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
The expected volatility of the option is determined using historical volatilities based on historical stock prices. The Company estimated the expected life of options granted using the midpoint between the vesting date and the original contractual term. The risk free rate was determined using the yield available on U.S. Treasury Zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock since 1996.
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:
Shares |
Weighted Average Exercise Price | ||||
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2003 | 1,650,054 | $2.11 | |||
Granted | 333,250 | $6.95 | |||
Exercised | (169,527 | ) | $1.69 | ||
Canceled/expired | (16,869 | ) | $6.32 | ||
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2004 | 1,796,908 | $3.01 | |||
Granted | 566,149 | $3.92 | |||
Exercised | (52,007 | ) | $1.61 | ||
Canceled/expired | (92,421 | ) | $5.69 | ||
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2005 | 2,218,629 | $3.16 | |||
Granted | 332,169 | $5.14 | |||
Exercised | (395,723 | ) | $1.99 | ||
Canceled/expired | (65,425 | ) | $7.65 | ||
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006 | 2,089,650 | $3.56 | |||
F-31
Options exercisable at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were 1,413,117, 1,562,217, and 1,509,217, respectively, with a weighted average exercise price of $2.95, $2.53 and $2.25, respectively.
The following table summarizes information for options currently outstanding at December 31, 2006:
Options Outstanding |
Options Exercisable | ||||||||||||
Range of Exercise Price |
Number Outstanding |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Number Exercisable |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | |||||||
$0.74 to $1.22 | 442,641 | $0.80 | 4.77 | 442,641 | $0.80 | 4.77 | |||||||
$1.23 to $1.85 | 336,525 | $1.75 | 5.67 | 336,525 | $1.75 | 5.67 | |||||||
$1.86 to $2.63 | 111,502 | $2.10 | 5.90 | 111,502 | $2.10 | 5.90 | |||||||
$2.64 to $3.92 | 537,089 | $3.86 | 7.50 | 248,767 | $3.78 | 6.77 | |||||||
$3.93 to $7.09 | 624,288 | $6.00 | 7.96 | 236,077 | $6.81 | 6.62 | |||||||
$7.10 to $17.94 | 37,605 | $11.68 | 0.57 | 37,605 | $11.68 | 0.57 | |||||||
2,089,650 | $3.56 | 6.55 | 1,413,117 | $2.95 | 5.62 | ||||||||
As of December 31, 2006, the total future compensation cost related to non-vested options not yet recognized in the statement of income was $0.6 million and the weighted average period over which these awards are expected to be recognized was 2 years. The total intrinsic value of share options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $1.6 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2006, the total intrinsic value was $3.8 million and $3.5 million for stock options outstanding and exercisable, respectively.
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:
Number of Shares |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2003 | 1,115,000 | $1.28 | |||
Granted | 236,070 | $6.39 | |||
Vested | (371,673 | ) | $1.28 | ||
Forfeited | (168,399 | ) | $2.09 | ||
Outstanding at December 31, 2004 | 810,998 | $2.60 | |||
Granted | 359,640 | $3.94 | |||
Vested | (433,623 | ) | $2.30 | ||
Forfeited | (75,634 | ) | $4.58 | ||
Outstanding at December 31, 2005 | 661,381 | $3.30 | |||
Granted | 220,894 | $5.14 | |||
Vested | (445,025 | ) | $2.71 | ||
Forfeited | (24,218 | ) | $4.83 | ||
Outstanding at December 31, 2006 | 413,032 | $4.83 | |||
The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing stock price on the grant date. As of December 31, 2006, there was $0.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.
F-32
The following table summarizes performance shares activity during the year ended December 31, 2006:
Number of Shares |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2005 | -- | $-- | |||
Granted | 220,894 | 5.14 | |||
Exercised | -- | -- | |||
Forfeited | (10,449 | ) | 5.14 | ||
Outstanding at December 31, 2006 | 210,445 | $5.14 | |||
The fair value of performance shares is determined based on the closing price on the grant date. As of December 31, 2006, there was $0.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to performance shares to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.
On June 2006 the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of its wholly owned subsidiary Coeur Silver Valley Inc. As a result, the Company no longer maintains the defined benefit plan and post retirement medical benefits plan summarized below.
In connection with the acquisition of Coeur Silver Valley acquired in 1999, the Company was required to maintain non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees. Benefits for salaried plans were based on salary and years of service. Hourly plans were based on negotiated benefits and years of service. The Companys funding policy was to contribute annually the minimum amount prescribed, as specified by applicable regulations. Prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses were amortized over plan participants expected future period of service using the straight-line method.
Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation:
The actuarial present value of our projected benefit obligations was determined using the following assumptions:
Factor | 2005 | 2004 |
Discount Rate for Benefit Obligations | 5.75% | 6.0% |
Expected Return on Plan Assets | 6.0% | 6.0% |
Rate of Compensation Increases | 5.0% | 5.0% |
Expected rate of return on plan assets:
The expected rate of return on plan assets for purposes of the actuarial valuation was assumed to be 6% as of both December 31, 2005 and 2004. The rate of return used was based on the plans experience and asset mix of the portfolio, as well as taking into consideration the fact that no lump sum distributions were paid from the plan. The plan had an expected return on plan assets of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for 2005 and 2004, respectively. The actual return on plan assets was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for 2005 and 2004, respectively. The discount rate was determined based on Moodys Aaa bond rating.
F-33
Plan assets and determination of fair value:
The fair value of plan assets was determined using the market value of the investments held by the plan at December 31 of each year as quoted by public equity and bond markets. The asset mix is in accordance with the plans investment policy which allowed for 60% equity investments, 35% fixed income investments and 5% cash and cash equivalents. The investment portfolio for the funded portion of the obligation is held in a trust. The Companys funding policy was to contribute amounts to the plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements as set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 plus such additional tax deductible amounts as was advisable under the circumstances. The Company had funded $0.4 million through June 1, 2006 (the date of the Coeur Silver Valley sale), and $0.7 million and $0.7 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively, toward the obligation. The plan assets were invested principally in commingled stock funds, mutual funds and securities issued by the United States government.
Pursuant to the plans investment policy, the plan adopts more specific investment directives from time to time. The plans actual portfolio at December 31, 2005 had 60% equity investments and 40% fixed income investments. Since the performance of each asset class of the portfolio within any measurement period impacted its relative weight in the portfolio, the actual percentage of each asset class in the portfolio may not have matched to the current directive.
The expected long-term rates of return for each asset class within the portfolio, and therefore the portfolio weighted average, was based on an estimate of the return for each of the securities within an asset class, currently benchmarked at 10.0% for equity investments, 3.0% for fixed income investments and 2% for cash and cash equivalents. For each type of investment within the Trusts portfolio structure, the Trustees evaluated both returns and the relationship between risk and return. The expectation was that each asset class would produce a superior risk-adjusted return over a market cycle.
The following table shows the expected long term rates of return associated with each asset class:
Asset Class |
Actual Mix |
Target Mix |
Expected Long Term Rates of Return | ||||
Equity investments | 60 | % | 60 | % | 10.00 | % | |
Fixed income investments | 40 | % | 35 | % | 3.00 | % | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | % | 5 | % | 2.00 | % | |
Weighted average | 7.15 | % |
The Trustees evaluated the level of volatility within the total Trust and each of its component investments. The Trustees set maximum volatility thresholds for each class of investment which consisted of 16% for equity investments, 7.25% for fixed income investments and 1% for cash and cash equivalents, with the total portfolio volatility expected to not exceed 11%. The Trustees then compared how these specific investments performed against other indexed funds and other managed portfolios with similar objectives. The specific criteria used to measure the performance was as follows:
1) | A targeted 7-11% average annualized return based on long-term historical market data; |
2) | Expected returns over a market cycle that exceed the total portfolio indexed benchmark; |
3) | Volatility that was not substantially greater than the portfolio indexed benchmark volatility of 11%; and |
4) | Risk adjusted returns that were comparable with indexed benchmarks. |
F-34
The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Assumptions: | |||||||||||
Discount rate | -- | 5.75 | % | 6.0 | % | ||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost: | |||||||||||
Service cost | -- | $ | 309 | $ | 319 | ||||||
Interest cost | -- | 464 | 412 | ||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | -- | (261 | ) | (215 | ) | ||||||
Amortization of prior service cost | -- | 59 | 56 | ||||||||
Recognized actuarial loss | -- | 339 | 327 | ||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | -- | $ | 910 | $ | 899 | ||||||
The change in benefit obligation and plan assets and a reconciliation of funded status were as follows:
At December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
Change in benefit obligation | ||||||||
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 8,405 | $ | 7,494 | ||||
Service cost | -- | 309 | ||||||
Interest cost | -- | 464 | ||||||
Benefits paid | (105 | ) | (217 | ) | ||||
Actuarial loss | -- | 355 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | (8,300 | ) | -- | |||||
Projected benefit obligation at end of year | $ | -- | $ | 8,405 | ||||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | -- | $ | 6,606 | ||||
Change in plan assets | ||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | 4,806 | $ | 4,098 | ||||
Actual return on plan assets | -- | 205 | ||||||
Employer contributions | 360 | 720 | ||||||
Benefits paid | (105 | ) | (217 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations | (5,061 | ) | -- | |||||
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | -- | $ | 4,806 | ||||
Reconciliation of funded status | ||||||||
Funded status | $ | -- | $ | (3,599 | ) | |||
Unrecognized actuarial loss | -- | 3,803 | ||||||
Unrecognized prior service cost | -- | 369 | ||||||
Net asset reflected in the consolidated balance sheet | $ | -- | $ | 573 | ||||
Weighted average assumptions | ||||||||
Discount rate | -- | 5.75 | % | |||||
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets | -- | 6.0 | % | |||||
Rate of compensation increase | -- | 5.0 | % | |||||
In connection with the acquisition of Coeur Silver Valley in 1999, the Company reimbursed Asarco, Inc. (prior owner) for certain healthcare benefits for retired employees and their dependents who retired before September 9, 1999. There were ten active hourly and salaried employees of Coeur Silver Valley and three inactive participants eligible under Asarcos post-retirement medical benefits plan. These post-retirement medical benefits were self-insured by the plans prior sponsor. The actuarial present value of the post retirement benefit obligation is determined as of December 31 for each of the years presented.
F-35
Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation:
The discount rate was determined based on Moodys Aaa Bond Rating as reported on the last business day of the plan year plus 0.50%. The Company amortized its unrecognized, unfunded accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation using a straight-line method over a 3.1-year period. The 3.1-year estimate was based on the average remaining service period of the active participants.
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
No assets are held in a trust for the post retirement health care plan; therefore, there is no expected long-term rate of return assumption. A pay as you go funding method was utilized for this plan. The Company contributed $0.01 million and $0.2 million to the plan as benefit payments for 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The following table sets forth the actuarial present value of postretirement medical benefit obligations and amounts recognized in the Companys financial statements:
At December 31, | ||||||||
2006 |
2005 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Assumptions: |
||||||||
Discount rate | -- | 5.75 | % | |||||
Change in benefit obligation | ||||||||
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 356 | $ | 1,973 | ||||
Service cost | -- | 8 | ||||||
Interest cost | -- | 20 | ||||||
Prior service cost (credit) | -- | (387 | ) | |||||
Actuarial (gain) loss | -- | (1,248 | ) | |||||
Benefits paid | -- | (10 | ) | |||||
Discontinued operations | (356 | ) | -- | |||||
Net benefit obligation at end of year | -- | $ | 356 | |||||
Change in plan assets | ||||||||
Assets at beginning of year | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||
Benefits paid | -- | (10 | ) | |||||
Contributions | -- | 10 | ||||||
Assets at end of year | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||
Reconciliation of funded status | ||||||||
Funded status at end of year | $ | -- | $ | (356 | ) | |||
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss | -- | (815 | ) | |||||
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit) | -- | (262 | ) | |||||
Net amount recognized at end of year (recorded | ||||||||
as accrued benefit cost in the accompanying | ||||||||
balance sheet) | $ | -- | $ | (1,433 | ) | |||
F-36
The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
Assumptions: |
|||||||||||
Discount rate | -- | 6.0 | % | 6.0 | % | ||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost: | |||||||||||
Service cost | -- | $ | 8 | $ | 17 | ||||||
Interest cost | -- | 20 | 116 | ||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost | -- | (125 | ) | -- | |||||||
Amortization of actuarial gain | -- | (372 | ) | -- | |||||||
Net periodic pension cost (benefit) | -- | $ | (469 | ) | $ | 133 | |||||
During 2005, an adjustment was required to reflect a decreased liability of $1.6 million related to a reduction in plan participation. This adjustment resulted in an actuarial gain. The amortization of the prior service cost of $0.4 million and the unrealized actuarial gain of $1.2 million is greater than 10% of the benefit obligation which required the gain to be amortized over the average remaining service period of the active participants, estimated to be approximately 3.1 years. The amortization of the unrealized gain is included as a component on net periodic benefit cost. The Company also amortized the unrecognized actuarial gain over the same period.
A 1% change in assumed medical trend rates would have had the following effects:
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
1% Increase |
1% Decrease | |||||||||||||
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||||
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | $ | 2 | $ | 8 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | (7 | ) | ||||
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation | $ | 22 | $ | 106 | $ | (19 | ) | $ | (91 | ) |
Postretirement benefits included medical benefits for retirees and their dependents.
In December 2003, The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 was enacted. Our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement obligation do not reflect the effects that the requirements of this law since eligibility under this plan ends at age 65.
The Company provides a noncontributory defined contribution retirement plan for all eligible U.S. employees. Total contributions charged to expense were $1.2 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, which is based on a percentage of the salary of eligible employees.
The Company maintains a retirement savings plan (which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue code) covering all eligible U.S. employees. Under the plan, employees may elect to contribute up to 100% of their cash compensation, subject to ERISA limitations. The Company is required to make matching cash contributions equal to 50% of the employees contribution, up to a maximum of 3% of the employees compensation. Contributions to the plan charged to operations were $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
F-37
The Company enters into derivative instruments to manage the Companys exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and market prices associated with changes in gold and silver commodity prices. The Company accounts for its derivative contracts in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses related to the change in fair market value of derivative contracts, which qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges, are recorded as other comprehensive income or loss and such amounts are recognized into earnings as the associated contracts are settled.
During 2006 and 2005, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Chilean peso operating costs for 2007 at its Cerro Bayo mine. The contracts entered into in 2006 require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Chilean pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 531 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company had foreign exchange contracts of $4.8 million and $7.2 million in U.S. dollars, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded a realized gain (loss) of approximately $(0.4) million and $0.1 million, respectively, in connection with its foreign currency hedging program. As of December 31, 2006, the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts was a liability of $0.1 million. Change in gains (losses) accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedging contracts are as follows:
December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | (171 | ) | $ | -- | $ | 131 | ||||
Reclassification to earnings | 379 | (68 | ) | 8 | |||||||
Change in fair value | (268 | ) | (103 | ) | (139 | ) | |||||
Ending balance | $ | (60 | ) | $ | (171 | ) | $ | -- | |||
The Company has occasionally entered into forward metal sales contracts to manage the price risk on a portion of its cash flows against fluctuating gold prices. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had no outstanding forward sales contracts for either gold or silver. For metal delivery contracts, the realized price pursuant to the contract is recognized when physical gold or silver is delivered in satisfaction of the contract. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company incurred realized hedging losses of $1.2 million.
The Company enters into concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices and the provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative, which is the final settlement price based on a future price, does not qualify for hedge accounting. These embedded derivatives are recorded as derivative assets (in Prepaid expenses and other), or derivative liabilities (in Accrued liabilities and other), on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period until the date of final settlement.
F-38
At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding receivables for provisionally priced sales of $74.5 million, consisting of 4.6 million ounces of silver and 29,577 ounces of gold, which had a fair market value of approximately $75.6 million including the embedded derivative.
At December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding receivables for provisionally priced sales of $47.0 million, consisting of 3.5 million ounces of silver and 40,000 ounces of gold, which had a fair market value of approximately $49.3 million including the embedded derivative.
The credit risk exposure related to any potential hedging activities is limited to the unrealized gains, if any, on outstanding contracts based on current market prices. To reduce counter-party credit exposure, the Company deals only with a group of large credit-worthy financial institutions and limits credit exposure to each. The Company does not anticipate non-performance by any of its counter parties. In addition, to allow for situations where positions may need to be revised, the Company deals only in markets that it considers highly liquid.
The Company maintains two labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Syndicato de Trabajadores de Compañía Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. at its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile and with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at its Martha mine in Argentina. The agreement at Cerro Bayo is effective from December 22, 2005 to December 21, 2007 and the agreement at Mina Martha is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 11, 2008. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately 20% of its worldwide labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements.
In September 2005, the Company established a one-time termination benefit program at the Rochester mine as the mine approaches the end of its mine life. The employees will be required to render service until they are terminated in order to be eligible for benefits. Approximately 80% of the workforce is expected to be severed by mid-2007, while the remaining 20% are expected to stay on for residual leaching and reclamation activities. As of December 31, 2006, the total amount expected to be incurred under this plan is approximately $3.4 million. The liability is recognized ratably over the minimum future service period. The amount accrued as of December 31, 2006 was $2.0 million and was charged to production costs. The following is a description of the changes to the Companys termination benefits for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | 542 | $ | -- | $ | -- | |||||
Accruals | 1,803 | 542 | -- | ||||||||
Payments | (386 | ) | -- | -- | |||||||
Ending Balance | $ | 1,959 | $ | 542 | $ | -- | |||||
The Company markets its metals products and concentrates primarily to bullion trading banks and five third party smelters. These customers then sell the metals to end users for use in industry applications such as electronic circuitry, jewelry and silverware production and the manufacture and development of photographic film. Sales of metals to bullion trading banks amounted to approximately 47%, 45% and 59% of total metals sales in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading bank customer would not adversely affect the Company in view of the liquidity of the markets and availability of alternative trading banks.
F-39
The Company currently markets its silver and gold concentrates to third party smelters in Japan, Mexico, Australia and Germany. Sales of metals concentrates to third party smelters amounted to approximately 53%, 55% and 41% of metals sales in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The loss of any one smelter customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company in the event of the possible unavailability of alternative smelters.
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Companys chief operating decision-making group is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President of North American Operations and the President of South American Operations.
The operating segments are managed separately because each segment represents a distinct use of Company resources which contribute to Company cash flows in its respective geographic area. The Companys reportable operating segments include the Rochester, Cerro Bayo, Martha, San Bartolome, Kensington and CDE Australia (Endeavor and Broken Hill) mining properties. All operating segments are engaged in the discovery and/or mining of gold and silver and generate the majority of their revenues from the sale of these precious metal concentrates and/or refined precious metals. The Cerro Bayo and Martha mines sell precious metal concentrates, typically under long-term contracts, to a smelter located in Japan (Dowa Mining Ltd.), Mexico (Met-Mex Penoles) and Germany (Noordeutche). Refined gold and silver produced by the Rochester mine is principally sold on a spot basis to precious metals trading banks such as Standard Bank and Mitsui. Concentrates produced at CDE Australia (Endeavor and Broken Hill mines) are sold to Zinifex, an Australia smelter. The Companys exploration programs are included as other. The other segment also includes the corporate headquarters, elimination of intersegment transactions and other items necessary to reconcile to consolidated amounts. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies above. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unusual and infrequent items, and extraordinary items.
Revenues from silver sales were $147.8 million, $91.9 million and $63.1 million in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Revenues from gold sales were $68.8 million, $64.4 million and $45.9 million in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
Financial information relating to the Companys segments is as follows:
Rochester Mine |
Cerro Bayo Mine |
Martha Mine |
Endeavor Mine |
Broken
Hill Mine |
San Bartolome Project |
Kensington Project |
Other |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales and revenues |
$ | 102,393 | $ | 50,293 | $ | 34,733 | $ | 5,363 | $ | 23,791 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 216,573 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and depletion | $ | 13,745 | $ | 5,795 | $ | 1,313 | $ | 490 | $ | 5,120 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 309 | $ | 26,772 | |||||||||||
Interest income | -- | 663 | 39 | -- | -- | -- | 8 | 17,276 | 17,986 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | -- | 84 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,140 | 1,224 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Litigation settlement | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (2,365 | ) | (2,365 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
provision from | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
continuing operations | -- | (2,930 | ) | 4,689 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6,500 | 8,259 | |||||||||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) | 55,109 | 22,652 | 17,290 | 4,977 | 19,427 | (6 | ) | (1,030 | ) | (4,413 | ) | 114,006 | |||||||||||||||||
Segment assets (A) | 87,423 | 49,428 | 11,596 | 14,508 | 29,740 | 59,080 | 207,745 | 10,326 | 469,846 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 1,225 | 7,555 | 2,481 | -- | -- | 14,597 | 121,552 | 588 | 147,998 |
F-40
Rochester Mine |
Cerro Bayo Mine |
Martha Mine |
Endeavor Mine |
Broken
Hill Mine |
San Bartolome Project |
Kensington Project |
Other |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales and revenues |
$ | 69,636 | $ | 59,624 | $ | 20,606 | $ | 2,148 | $ | 4,270 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 156,284 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and depletion | $ | 10,403 | $ | 5,064 | $ | 860 | $ | 411 | $ | 1,807 | $ | -- | $ | 35 | $ | 309 | $ | 18,889 | |||||||||||
Interest income | -- | 154 | (1 | ) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 9,036 | 9,189 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | -- | 26 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,459 | 2,485 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Litigation settlement | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (1,600 | ) | (1,600 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
provision from | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
continuing operations | -- | 2,154 | (863 | ) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 192 | 1,483 | |||||||||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) | 24,876 | 22,978 | 6,105 | 1,700 | 3,282 | (119 | ) | (7,143 | ) | (12,476 | ) | 39,203 | |||||||||||||||||
Segment assets (A) | 82,806 | 45,474 | 6,291 | 14,999 | 34,860 | 32,687 | 80,653 | 7,982 | 305,752 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 1,197 | 2,731 | 2,108 | 15,410 | 36,667 | 10,477 | 44,201 | 499 | 113,290 |
Rochester Mine |
Cerro Bayo Mine |
Martha Mine |
Endeavor Mine |
Broken
Hill Mine |
San Bartolome Project |
Kensington Project |
Other |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales and revenues |
$ | 64,005 | $ | 35,267 | $ | 9,775 | $ | -- | $ | - | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 109,047 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and depletion | $ | 10,229 | $ | 4,588 | $ | 1,669 | $ | -- | $ | - | $ | 4 | $ | 52 | $ | 291 | $ | 16,833 | |||||||||||
Interest income | -- | 13 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,626 | 3,639 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1 | 123 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,707 | 2,831 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on forward sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
contracts | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (936 | ) | (936 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
provision from continuing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
operations | -- | (4,403 | ) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (1,382 | ) | (5,785 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Merger expenses | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 15,676 | 15,676 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) | 26,784 | 9,638 | (387 | ) | -- | -- | (4,549 | ) | (7,347 | ) | (11,684 | ) | 12,455 | ||||||||||||||||
Segment assets (A) | 75,529 | 30,898 | 3,387 | -- | -- | 21,304 | 25,833 | 5,813 | 162,764 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 3,548 | 2,451 | 689 | -- | -- | 950 | 83 | 642 | 8,363 |
Notes:
(A) | Segment assets consist of receivables, prepaids, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and mining properties. |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||
Income (loss) |
|||||||||||
Total segment profit | $ | 114,006 | $ | 39,203 | $ | 12,455 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | (26,772 | ) | (18,889 | ) | (16,833 | ) | |||||
Interest expense | (1,224 | ) | (2,485 | ) | (2,831 | ) | |||||
Other | (2,365 | ) | (1,600 | ) | (16,612 | ) | |||||
Income (loss) from continuing | |||||||||||
operations before income taxes | $ | 83,645 | $ | 16,229 | $ | (23,821 | ) | ||||
Assets | |||||||||||
Total assets for reportable segments | $ | 469,846 | $ | 305,752 | $ | 162,764 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 270,672 | 54,896 | 65,218 | ||||||||
Short-term investments | 70,373 | 185,446 | 256,843 | ||||||||
Other assets | 38,735 | 33,894 | 28,350 | ||||||||
Assets held for sale | -- | 14,828 | 12,602 | ||||||||
Total consolidated assets | $ | 849,626 | $ | 594,816 | $ | 525,777 | |||||
F-41
Geographic Information | ||||||||
2006 | Revenues |
Long-Lived Assets | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | $ | 102,393 | $ | 218,236 | ||||
Australia | 29,154 | 44,253 | ||||||
Chile | 50,293 | 20,295 | ||||||
Argentina | 34,733 | 3,700 | ||||||
Bolivia | -- | 50,858 | ||||||
Other foreign countries | -- | 214 | ||||||
Total | $ | 216,573 | $ | 337,556 | ||||
2005 | ||||||||
United States | $ | 69,636 | $ | 101,338 | ||||
Australia | 6,418 | 49,860 | ||||||
Chile | 59,624 | 19,407 | ||||||
Argentina | 20,606 | 2,568 | ||||||
Bolivia | -- | 32,194 | ||||||
Other foreign countries | -- | 237 | ||||||
Total | $ | 156,284 | $ | 205,604 | ||||
2004 | ||||||||
United States | $ | 64,005 | $ | 54,306 | ||||
Australia | -- | -- | ||||||
Chile | 35,267 | 15,332 | ||||||
Argentina | 9,775 | 1,050 | ||||||
Bolivia | -- | 21,103 | ||||||
Other foreign countries | -- | 144 | ||||||
Total | $ | 109,047 | $ | 91,935 | ||||
(a) | Includes property, plant and equipment and mineral properties. |
On March 22, 1996, an action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho by the United States against various defendants, including the Company, asserting claims under CERCLA and the Clean Water Act for alleged damages to federal natural resources in the Coeur dAlene River Basin of Northern Idaho. The damages are claimed to result from alleged releases of hazardous substances from mining activities conducted in the area since the late 1800s.
In May 2001, the Company and representatives of the U.S. Government, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture, reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit. The terms of settlement are set forth in a Consent Decree issued by the court. Pursuant to the terms of the Consent Decree, dated May 14, 2001, the Company has paid the U.S. Government a total of approximately $3.9 million, of which $3.3 million was paid in May 2001 and the remaining $0.6 million was paid in June 2001. In addition, the Company will (i) pay the United States 50% of any future recoveries from insurance companies for claims for defense and indemnification under general liability insurance policies in excess of $0.6 million, (ii) accomplish certain cleanup work on the Mineral Point property and Caladay property, and (iii) make a conveyance to the U.S. or the State of Idaho of certain real property to possibly be used as a waste repository. Finally, commencing five years after effectiveness of the settlement, the Company will be obligated to pay royalties on all of its domestic and foreign operating properties, up to a cumulative of $3 million, amounting to a 2% net smelter royalty on silver production if the price of silver exceeds $6.50 per ounce, and a $5.00 per ounce royalty on gold production if the price of gold exceeds $325 per ounce. The royalty payment obligation commenced on May 14, 2006 and expires May 14, 2021. As of December 31, 2006, $2.5 million (including discontinued operations) of the $3.0 million was paid. It is expected that the remaining $0.5 million will be paid in the first half of 2007.
F-42
During 2001, the United States Forest Service made a formal request for information regarding the Deadwood Mine Site located in central Idaho. Callahan Mining Corporation had operated at this site during the 1940s. The Forest Service believes that some cleanup action is required at the location. However, Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation did not acquire Callahan until 1991, more than 40 years after Callahan disposed of its interest in the Deadwood property. The Company did not make any decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at the site. Therefore, it is believed that the Company is not liable for any cleanup, and if Callahan might be liable, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy any such liability. To date no claim has been made by the United States for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
During 2002, the EPA made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Maine. Callahan operated there in the late 1960s, shut the operations down in the early 1970s and disposed of the property. The EPA contends that some cleanup action is warranted at the site, and listed it on the National Priorities List in late 2002. The Company believes that because it made no decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
In January 2003, the U.S. Forest Service made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Colorado known as the Akron Mine Site. Callahan operated there in approximately the late 1930s through the 1940s, and to the Companys knowledge, disposed of the property. The Company is not aware of what, if any, cleanup action the Forest Service is contemplating. However, the Company did not make decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, and therefore believes it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups (Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of Engineers) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Companys Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA and is thus illegal. They additionally claim the USFSs approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers.
On November 8, 2005, the Corps of Engineers filed a Motion for Voluntary Remand with the court to review the permit issued to the Company under the CWA Section 404 and requested that the court stay the legal proceeding filed by the plaintiffs pending the outcome of review. On November 12, 2005, the Federal District Court in Alaska granted the remand of the permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review. On November 22, 2005, the Corps of Engineers advised the Company that it was suspending the Section 404 permit pursuant to the Courts remand to further review the permit.
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated the Companys 404 permit. On April 6, 2006 the lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened, and Coeur Alaska, Inc. filed its answer to the Amended Complaint and Motion to Intervene as a Defendant-Intervenor in the action. Two other parties, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, also filed Motions to Intervene as Defendant-Intervenors as supporters of the Kensington project as permitted. The Company, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. were granted Defendant-Intervenor status and joined the agencies in their defense of the permits as issued.
F-43
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006 the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Court) and on August 9, 2006 Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility. The Circuit Court further ordered an expedited briefing schedule on the merits of the legal challenge. As of October 13, 2006, the parties filed their briefs in the Circuit Court and participated in an oral argument on December 4, 2006. There is no indication of when the Circuit Court may rule on the merits of appeal. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation.
This litigation has contributed to an increase in capital costs. While the Company believes it will ultimately prevail in the defense of the awarded permits, in the event that the Company does not prevail, it could be necessary to seek an alternate site for the tailings disposal facility. The Company is not aware of an alternate site that could be permitted or would be economic. Therefore, it is possible that an adverse legal decision could render the project uneconomic and an asset impairment would be necessary. As a result of the increase in capital and operating costs at the Kensington project, an impairment writedown could be necessary should the expectation of the long-term price for gold decrease below approximately $510 per ounce. As of December 31, 2006, the Kensington project has a carrying value of $206 million.
The following table sets forth a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:
First Quarter |
Second Quarter |
Third Quarter |
Fourth Quarter | |||||||||||
(In Thousands - Except Per Share Data) | ||||||||||||||
2006: |
||||||||||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 44,854 | $ | 54,041 | $ | 50,606 | $ | 67,072 | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 13,726 | $ | 20,132 | $ | 18,378 | $ | 23,183 | ||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 612 | 12,516 | (27 | ) | (33 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 14,338 | $ | 32,648 | $ | 18,351 | $ | 23,150 | ||||||
Basic net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.08 | ||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | -- | 0.05 | -- | -- | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.08 | ||||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.08 | ||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | -- | 0.04 | -- | -- | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.08 |
F-44
First Quarter |
Second Quarter |
Third Quarter |
Fourth Quarter | |||||||||||
(In Thousands - Except Per Share Data) | ||||||||||||||
2005: |
||||||||||||||
Sales of metal | $ | 32,235 | $ | 33,504 | $ | 39,281 | $ | 51,264 | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (784 | ) | $ | (529 | ) | $ | 4,722 | $ | 11,337 | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | (361 | ) | (1,172 | ) | (1,269 | ) | (1,393 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (1,145 | ) | $ | (1,701 | ) | $ | 3,453 | $ | 9,944 | ||||
Basic net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | -- | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.04 | |||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.04 | ||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | -- | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | -- | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.04 |
F-45