Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
o No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14(a)-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
þ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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(1) |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation |
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(2) |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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260,976,363 shares of common stock |
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4,049,000 options to purchase
shares of common stock |
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(3) |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 011 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined): |
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The maximum aggregate value was determined based upon the sum of (A) 260,976,363 shares of
common stock multiplied by $3.41 per share; (B) options to purchase 4,049,000 shares of common
stock multiplied by $3.01 (which is the difference between $3.41 and the weighted average exercise
price of such options of $0.40 per share) and (C) $1,052,000 in cash that is
payable in the transaction. In accordance with Section 14(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, the filing fee was determined by multiplying 0.00003070 by the sum calculated in
the preceding sentence. |
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(4) |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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$903,168,888.30 |
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(5) |
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Total fee paid: |
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$27,727.28 |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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(1) |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2) |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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(3) |
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Filing Party: |
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(4) |
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Date Filed: |
COEUR DALENE MINES
CORPORATION
505 Front Avenue
Post Office Box I
Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
October 19,
2007
Dear Coeur Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of
shareholders of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, to be held
at The Coeur dAlene Resort and Conference Center, Second
Street and Front Avenue, Coeur dAlene, Idaho at
9:30 am, local time, on December 3, 2007 to consider
matters relating to the proposed acquisitions of Bolnisi Gold NL
and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (the
Transactions), as described in the attached proxy
statement. Coeurs Board of Directors unanimously believes
that the Transactions are in the best interests of Coeur and its
shareholders, because the combined company will be:
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The worlds leading primary silver company in terms of:
annual silver production and low production costs (once the
Palmarejo Project commences operations), expected growth rate of
production over the next two years, and exploration potential,
along with a leading silver resource base;
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Diversified geographically, with mining operations in North
America, South America and Australia, ranging from exploration
stage properties to development and operating properties;
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Highly leveraged to commodity prices with unhedged production;
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One of the worlds most liquid publicly-traded silver
mining companies with listings on the NYSE and the Toronto Stock
Exchange and an expected listing on the ASX in the form of CHESS
Depositary Interests; and
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Financially flexible with a large cash position, balance sheet
strength, and enhanced access to capital markets.
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At the special meeting, Coeur shareholders will be asked to vote
on:
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Proposal 1 an amendment to Coeurs
articles of incorporation to increase the authorized number of
shares of Coeur common stock from 500,000,000 to 750,000,000;
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Proposal 2 the issuance of shares of Coeur
common stock in the Transactions;
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Proposal 3 authorization to adjourn or postpone
the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional votes to approve Proposals 1 and 2; and
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such other matters as may be properly brought before the special
meeting.
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Coeurs Board of Directors has unanimously approved the
Transactions and the issuance of Coeur common stock in the
Transactions. Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously
recommends that Coeur shareholders vote FOR Proposals 1, 2
and 3.
The effectiveness of Proposals 1 and 2 is conditioned upon
the approval of both proposals. Coeur shareholders can cast
separate votes on each proposal, but unless the Coeur
shareholders approve both proposals, neither will take effect.
There are certain risks associated with the Transactions, which
are described in the attached proxy statement under the heading
Risk Factors, beginning on page 31.
The Board of Directors hopes that you will attend the special
meeting. However, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting,
please sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card in the
enclosed postage paid pre-addressed envelope, or otherwise
return your proxy in a manner described in the accompanying
proxy card, as soon as possible. Your vote is important,
regardless of the number of shares you own, so please return
your proxy card TODAY.
Sincerely,
DENNIS E. WHEELER
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
The proxy statement and accompanying proxy card are dated
October 19, 2007, and are first being mailed or given to
Coeur shareholders on or about October 23, 2007.
The Transactions described in the attached proxy statement have
not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any other securities commission or authority, nor
has any such commission or authority passed upon the fairness or
merits of the Transactions or upon the accuracy or adequacy of
the information contained in the attached proxy statement. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION
505 Front Avenue
Post Office Box I
Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 3,
2007
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
To the Shareholders of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation:
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of shareholders of
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, an Idaho corporation
(Coeur), will be held on December 3, 2007 at
9:30 am, local time at The Coeur dAlene Resort and
Conference Center located at Second Street and Front Avenue,
Coeur dAlene, Idaho, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend and
restate Coeurs articles of incorporation to increase the
authorized number of shares of Coeur common stock from
500,000,000 to 750,000,000.
2. To consider and vote on the proposed issuance of new
shares of Coeur common stock, par value $1.00 per share, to
Bolnisi Gold NL (Bolnisi) shareholders in connection
with the combination of Bolnisi with Coeur and the proposed
issuance of new shares of Coeur common stock to Palmarejo Silver
and Gold Corporation (Palmarejo) shareholders in
connection with the combination of Palmarejo and Coeur. The
final number of new shares issued in connection with the
combination will depend on whether existing Palmarejo options
and warrants are exercised.
3. To approve the adjournment or postponement of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time
of the special meeting to adopt any of the foregoing proposals.
4. To consider and vote upon any other matters that
properly come before the special meeting.
Only holders of record of Coeur common stock at the close of
business on October 19, 2007, the record date of the
special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
special meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the
special meeting.
By Order of our Board of Directors,
KELLI C. KAST
Secretary
Your Vote Is Important
Your vote is important. Accordingly, please complete, sign
and return the enclosed proxy card or submit your proxy by
telephone or over the Internet following the instructions on the
proxy card. If you have any questions or need assistance, please
call D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is
assisting Coeur, toll-free at
1-800-901-0068.
Proxy
Statement
Table
of Contents
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Page
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1
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2
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5
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9
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9
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9
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9
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9
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9
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10
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10
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11
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13
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15
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16
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28
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30
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31
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31
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32
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44
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44
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45
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45
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57
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65
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66
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66
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66
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67
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67
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i
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Page
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67
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68
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69
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69
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75
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76
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82
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109
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141
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172
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Annex A-1
Bolnisi Merger Implementation Agreement
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A-1-1
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Annex A-2
Amending Agreement to Bolnisi Merger Implementation Agreement
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A-2-1
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Annex A-3
Second Amending Agreement to Bolnisi Merger Implementation
Agreement
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A-3-1
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Annex A-4
Conditional Extension to Bolnisi Merger Implementation Agreement
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A-4-1
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Annex B-1
Palmarejo Merger Implementation Agreement
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B-1-1
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Annex B-2
Extension to Palmarejo Merger Implementation Agreement
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B-2-1
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Annex C Historical Consolidated Financial Statements of
Coeur
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C-1
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Annex D Historical Consolidated Financial Statements of
Bolnisi
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D-1
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Annex E Historical Consolidated Financial Statements of
Palmarejo
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E-1
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Annex F-1 May 2,
2007 Opinion of CIBC World Markets
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F-1-1
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Annex F-2 July 2,
2007 Opinion of CIBC World Markets
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F-2-1
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Annex G Bolnisi Scheme of Arrangement
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G-1
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Annex H Palmarejo Plan of Arrangement
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H-1
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Annex I Form of Amendment to Restated and Amended Articles
of Incorporation
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I-1
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Annex J Certain Information Regarding Properties of Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
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J-1
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Annex K Certain Information Regarding Properties of
Palmarejo and Bolnisi
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K-1
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iii
The functional currency of Coeur is the U.S. dollar. Unless
otherwise specified, all references to dollars,
$, or US$ shall mean United States
dollars. Bolnisi and Palmarejo use the Australian dollar
(A$) and Canadian dollar (C$),
respectively, as their functional currency.
1
This summary term sheet highlights selected information
contained in this proxy statement and may not contain all of the
information that is important to you. You are urged to read this
entire proxy statement carefully, including the annexes. In
addition, we incorporate by reference important business and
financial information about us in this proxy statement. You may
obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement without charge by following the instructions in the
section entitled Where Shareholders Can Find More
Information About Coeur. In this proxy statement, the
terms we, us, our,
Coeur and the Company refer to Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation. In this proxy statement, we
refer to Bolnisi Gold NL as Bolnisi, Palmarejo
Silver and Gold Corporation as Palmarejo, Coeur Sub
Two, Inc. as Coeur Sub Two, and Coeur dAlene
Mines Australia Pty Ltd as Australian Bidco.
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The Companies. Coeur dAlene Mines
Corporation is one of the worlds leading primary silver
producers and a growing gold producer. Coeur has mining
interests in Alaska, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile,
Nevada, and Tanzania. Bolnisi Gold NL is an Australia-based
company listed on the Australian stock exchange under the symbol
BSG and whose principal asset is its indirect 72.8%
(as of August 23, 2007) shareholding in outstanding common
shares of Palmarejo. Palmarejo is a Canadian company listed on
the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PJO.
Palmarejo is engaged in the exploration and development of
silver and gold properties located in the state of Chihuahua, in
northern Mexico. Through its indirectly owned Mexican
subsidiary, Palmarejo owns or has entered into agreements to
acquire concessions comprising the Palmarejo-Trogan project.
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The Proposed Transactions. Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo are proposing to combine the three companies in a
series of mergers. Coeur will indirectly acquire all the shares
of Bolnisi pursuant to a scheme of arrangement and Coeur will
indirectly acquire all the shares of Palmarejo pursuant to a
plan of arrangement, each in exchange for Coeur common stock and
cash. On May 3, 2007, Coeur, Coeur Sub Two, Australian
Bidco and Bolnisi entered into a merger implementation
agreement, or MIA, for Coeur to acquire the outstanding shares
of Bolnisi in accordance with a scheme of arrangement to be
submitted for approval by the Federal Court of Australia. On the
same day, Coeur and Palmarejo entered into a merger
implementation agreement for Coeur to acquire the outstanding
shares of Palmarejo not indirectly owned by Bolnisi in
accordance with a plan of arrangement to be submitted for
approval by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
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Consideration to be Paid. Coeur has agreed to
issue 0.682 shares of Coeur common stock (or, at the
election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests
representing Coeur shares) and A$0.004 in cash (or approximately
US$0.9 million in aggregate) for each Bolnisi ordinary
share held on or about 5 days after the effective date of
the scheme of arrangement. Coeur has agreed to issue
2.715 shares of Coeur common stock and C$0.004 in cash (or
approximately US$0.2 million in aggregate) for each
Palmarejo common share held immediately prior to the
consummation of the combination excluding shares held by
Bolnisi. Palmarejo will also issue new options to purchase Coeur
shares that will be exchanged for all outstanding options to
purchase Palmarejo shares. It is anticipated that this will
result in Coeur issuing a total of approximately
261.0 million new shares, which excludes up to
11.0 million new shares that will be issuable upon the
exercise of existing Palmarejo options and assumes that none of
the existing Palmarejo warrants will be exercised before their
expiration on October 19, 2007.
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Purpose of Coeur Shareholder
Vote. Coeurs shareholders are being asked
to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend our articles of
incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Coeur common
stock and to issue shares of common stock to shareholders of
Bolnisi and Palmarejo. See The Special Meeting of Coeur
Shareholders beginning on page 44.
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Coeurs Special Meeting. The Coeur
shareholders vote will take place at a special meeting to
be held at 9:30 am local time on December 3, 2007, at
The Coeur dAlene Resort and Conference Center located at
Second Street and Front Avenue, Coeur dAlene, Idaho.
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Required Vote of Coeurs
Shareholders. The proposals must be adopted by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Coeur common
stock that are present or represented by proxy at the
shareholder meeting. In addition, the total votes cast on the
proposal to authorize the issuance of shares of Coeur common
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stock to shareholders of Bolnisi and Palmarejo must represent a
majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the date
of the special meeting.
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Record Date for Coeurs Shareholders. You
are entitled to vote at the special meeting if you owned shares
of Coeur common stock at the close of business on
October 19, 2007.
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Coeur Voting Information. You will have one
vote for each share of Coeur common stock that you owned at the
close of business on the record date. If your shares are held in
street name by a broker, you will need to provide
your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares. Before
voting your shares of Coeur common stock you should read this
proxy statement in its entirety, including its annexes, and
carefully consider how the Transactions affect you. Then, mail
your completed, dated and signed proxy card in the enclosed
return envelope or submit your proxy by telephone or over the
Internet as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at
the special meeting. For more information on how to vote your
shares, please refer to The Special Meeting of Coeur
Shareholders beginning on page 44.
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Coeurs Board
Recommendation. Coeurs board of directors
unanimously recommends that Coeurs shareholders vote FOR
the amendment to Coeurs articles of incorporation and the
issuance of Coeur shares necessary to implement the Transactions.
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Opinions of Coeurs Financial Advisor. On
May 2, 2007 and July 2, 2007 Coeurs board of
directors received a written opinion from CIBC World Markets
Inc. each to the effect that, as of May 2, 2007 and
July 2, 2007, respectively, and based upon and subject to
the factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set
forth in such opinion, the consideration to be paid by Coeur
pursuant to the Transactions was fair, from a financial point of
view, to Coeur.
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Regulatory Approvals. Under the Corporations
Act of 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), the
Bolnisi Transaction requires court approval before it can become
effective. The Corporations Act expressly prevents the Federal
Court of Australia from granting approval unless: (1) a
statement from the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission (ASIC) that it has no objection to the
Bolnisi Transaction is produced to the court; or (2) it is
satisfied that the arrangement has not been proposed for the
purpose of enabling any person to avoid the operation of any of
the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act (which
relates to takeovers). Bolnisi intends to apply to ASIC for a
statement that it has no objection to the Bolnisi Transaction
and such no objection statement would be expected to be received
on or about the Second Court Date, which we expect to occur on
or about December 5, 2007. In addition to court approval,
approval is also required from a majority of shareholders in
each class of shares that are present and voting as well as 75%
of the shareholders of Bolnisi present and voting. This meeting
of Bolnisi shareholders is scheduled to occur on or about
December 4, 2007. The Treasurer of the Commonwealth of
Australia must also either issue a notice stating that the
Commonwealth Government does not object to Coeur entering into
and completing the Bolnisi Transaction or becomes, or be,
precluded (any time before the Bolnisi Transaction becomes
effective) from making an order in respect of the entry into or
completion by Coeur of the Bolnisi Transaction under the Foreign
Acquisition and Takeovers Act of 1975. In addition, permission
must be obtained for the admission of Coeur Shares in the form
of CDIs to quotation on the Australian Securities Exchange
(ASX) by 8:00 am on the Second Court Date which is
the day on which an application made to the Federal Court of
Australia for orders under section 411(4)(b) of the
Corporations Act approving the scheme of arrangement is heard.
Any such approval may be subject to customary conditions and to
the Scheme becoming Effective. Coeur also intends applying to
ASX for a waiver of certain ASX Listing Rules.
|
Under the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Palmarejo
Transaction requires court and shareholder approval. Palmarejo
is expected to obtain an interim order from the Ontario Superior
Court of Justice providing for the calling and holding of the
Palmarejo special meeting and other procedural matters. Subject
to the approval of the Palmarejo Transaction by two-thirds of
the votes cast by Palmarejo shareholders represented in person
or by proxy and by a majority of minority Palmarejo shareholders
(being those shareholders other than Fairview (a wholly owned
subsidiary of Bolnisi) and its affiliates and interested
parties) at the Palmarejo special meeting and the approval of
the Coeur share issuance and Coeur amendment to the articles of
incorporation by the Coeur shareholders at the Coeur special
meeting, the
3
hearing in respect of a final order from the Ontario Superior
Court of Justice is expected to take place on or about
December 6, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
Anticipated Closing of the
Transactions. Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo will
complete the Transactions when all of the conditions to
completion of the Transactions have been satisfied or waived.
The parties are working toward satisfying these conditions and
completing the Transactions as quickly as possible. The parties
currently plan to complete the Transactions in the fourth
quarter of 2007.
|
|
|
|
Additional Information. You can find more
information about Coeur in the periodic reports and other
information Coeur files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC). This information is available
at the SECs public reference facilities and at the website
maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. For a more detailed
description of the additional information available, see the
section entitled Where Shareholders Can Find More
Information About Coeur beginning on page 199. For a
detailed description of the additional information available
about Bolnisi, see the section entitled Where Shareholders
Can Find More Information About Bolnisi beginning on
page 200. Palmarejo files reports and other information
with Canadian provincial securities commissions. These reports
and information are available to the public free of charge on
the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval of the
Canadian Securities Administrators (SEDAR) at
www.sedar.com.
|
4
Questions
and Answers about the Transactions and the Special
Meeting
The following questions and answers are for your convenience
only, and briefly address some commonly asked questions about
the Transactions and the special meeting. You should still
carefully read this entire proxy statement, including the
attached Annexes.
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What are Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo proposing? |
|
A: |
|
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo are proposing to combine the three
companies in a series of mergers. Coeur will acquire all the
shares of Bolnisi pursuant to a scheme of arrangement and Coeur
will acquire all the shares of Palmarejo pursuant to a plan of
arrangement, each in exchange for Coeur common stock and cash.
On May 3, 2007, Coeur, Coeur Sub Two, Australian Bidco and
Bolnisi entered into a merger implementation agreement for Coeur
to acquire the outstanding shares of Bolnisi in accordance with
a scheme of arrangement to be submitted for approval by the
Federal Court of Australia. On the same day, Coeur and Palmarejo
entered into a merger implementation agreement for Coeur to
acquire the outstanding shares of Palmarejo not indirectly owned
by Bolnisi in accordance with a plan of arrangement to be
submitted for approval by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Under the terms of the Bolnisi Transaction, Bolnisi shareholders
will receive 0.682 Coeur shares (or, at the election of the
Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests representing
Coeur shares) and a cash payment equal to A$0.004 (or
approximately US$0.9 million in aggregate) for each Bolnisi
ordinary share they own. In addition, new Palmarejo options to
purchase Coeur shares will be exchanged for all outstanding
options to purchase Palmarejo shares. Under the terms of the
Palmarejo Transaction, Palmarejo shareholders will receive 2.715
Coeur shares and a cash payment equal to C$0.004 (or
approximately US$0.2 million in aggregate) for each
Palmarejo common share they own. It is anticipated that this
will result in Coeur issuing a total of approximately
261.0 million new shares, which excludes up to
11.0 million new shares that will be issuable upon the
exercise of existing Palmarejo options and assumes that none of
the existing Palmarejo warrants will be exercised before their
expiration on October 19, 2007. |
|
Q: |
|
How does the board of directors recommend that I vote? |
|
A: |
|
Coeurs board of directors unanimously recommends that
Coeurs shareholders vote FOR the amendment to
Coeurs articles of incorporation and the issuance of Coeur
shares necessary to implement the Transactions. |
|
Q: |
|
Why are Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo proposing to combine? |
|
A: |
|
We believe that following commencement of production at the
Palmarejo Project the combination of Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo will create the worlds leading primary silver
company in terms of growth rate, production costs, exploration
potential, and silver resources. Once production commences for
the Palmarejo Project, the combined company expects to become
the largest primary silver producer in the world. The combined
company is expected to be diversified geographically, with
mining operations in North America, South America and Australia,
ranging from exploration stage properties to development and
operating properties, and will be highly leveraged to commodity
prices with unhedged production. The combined company is
expected to be one of the worlds most liquid
publicly-traded silver mining companies with listings on the
NYSE and the Toronto Stock Exchange and an expected listing on
the ASX in the form of CHESS Depositary Interests. The combined
company is expected to be financially flexible with a large cash
position, balance sheet strength, and enhanced access to capital
markets. Following the Transactions, the combined company is
expected to have the scope, scale and financial strength to more
efficiently develop existing opportunities and assets and to
capitalize quickly on new growth and other opportunities within
the mining industry. |
|
Q: |
|
Are there risks I should consider in deciding whether to vote
for the proposed Transactions? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. The proposed transactions are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties. Coeur may not realize the benefits it
currently anticipates due to the challenges associated with
integrating the companies and other risks inherent in its mining
business. See Risk Factors beginning on page 31. |
|
Q: |
|
How does Coeur intend to finance the Transactions? |
|
A: |
|
Coeur has agreed to issue 0.682 shares of Coeur common
stock (or, at the election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS
Depositary Interests representing Coeur shares) and A$0.004 (or
US$0.9 million in aggregate) in cash for each |
5
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|
|
|
|
Bolnisi ordinary share held immediately prior to the
consummation of the combination. Coeur has agreed to issue
2.715 shares of Coeur common stock and C$0.004 (or
US$0.2 million in aggregate) in cash for each Palmarejo
common share held immediately prior to the consummation of the
combination. It is anticipated that this will result in Coeur
issuing a total of approximately 261.0 million new shares,
which excludes up to 11.0 million new shares that will be
issuable upon the exercise of existing Palmarejo options and
assumes that none of the existing Palmarejo warrants will be
exercised before their expiration on October 19, 2007. |
|
Q: |
|
When do Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo expect to complete the
Transactions? |
|
A: |
|
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo will complete the Transactions when
all of the conditions to completion of the Transactions have
been satisfied or waived. The parties are working toward
satisfying these conditions and completing the Transactions as
quickly as possible. The parties currently plan to complete the
Transactions in the fourth quarter of 2007. |
|
Q: |
|
What will the share ownership, board of directors and
management of Coeur look like after the combination? |
|
A: |
|
We estimate that upon completion of the Transactions, former
shareholders of Bolnisi and Palmarejo will own approximately
48.29% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company.
Assuming that all existing Palmarejo options are exercised
before or after the consummation of the Transactions, former
shareholders of Bolnisi and Palmarejo will own approximately
49.32% of the outstanding stock of the combined company. We do
not expect any change in our board of directors or management
following completion of the Transactions. |
|
Q: |
|
Why am I receiving this proxy statement? |
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A: |
|
You are receiving this proxy statement and enclosed proxy card
because, as of October 19, 2007, the record date for the
special meeting, you owned shares of Coeur common stock. Only
holders of record of shares of Coeur common stock as of the
close of business on October 19, 2007, will be entitled to
vote those shares at the special meeting. Our Board of Directors
is providing these proxy materials to give you information to
determine how to vote in connection with the special meeting of
our shareholders. |
|
|
|
This proxy statement describes the issues on which we would like
you, as a shareholder, to vote. It also provides you with
important information about these issues to enable you to make
an informed decision as to whether to vote your shares of Coeur
common stock for the matters described herein. |
|
|
|
As more fully described herein, Coeur has agreed to acquire
Bolnisi pursuant to a merger implementation agreement, made and
entered into as of May 3, 2007, between Coeur, Coeur
dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and
Bolnisi and Coeur has agreed to acquire Palmarejo pursuant to a
merger implementation agreement, made and entered into as of
May 3, 2007, between Coeur and Palmarejo. |
|
|
|
We are holding a special meeting of shareholders in order to
obtain the shareholder approval necessary to amend our articles
of incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Coeur
common stock and to issue shares of our common stock to
shareholders of Bolnisi and Palmarejo. We will be unable to
complete the Transactions unless the shareholders approve the
proposals described in this proxy statement at the special
meeting. We have included in this proxy statement important
information about the Transactions and the special meeting. You
should read this information carefully and in its entirety. We
have attached a copy of the Bolnisi merger implementation
agreement and the Palmarejo merger implementation agreement to
this proxy statement as Annex A-1 and Annex B-1,
respectively. The enclosed voting materials allow you to vote
your shares without attending the special meeting. |
|
|
|
Your vote is very important and we encourage you to complete,
sign, date and mail your proxy card, as soon as possible,
whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting.
Convenient telephone and Internet voting options also are
available. This proxy statement describes the issues on which we
would like you, as a shareholder to vote. |
|
Q: |
|
When and where is the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
The special meeting will be held at The Coeur dAlene
Resort and Conference Center, Second Street and Front Avenue,
Coeur dAlene, Idaho at 9:30 am, local time, on
December 3, 2007. |
6
|
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|
Q: |
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Who is entitled to vote at the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
Holders of Coeur common stock at the close of business on
October 19, 2007, the record date for the special meeting,
may vote in person or by proxy at the special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
What am I being asked to vote upon? |
|
A: |
|
You are being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to
increase the authorized shares of Coeur common stock from
500,000,000 to 750,000,000 in order to provide sufficient shares
to issue to Bolnisi and Palmarejo shareholders in the
Transactions and a proposal to authorize the issuance of shares
of Coeur common stock to Bolnisi and Palmarejos
shareholders. You are also being asked to consider and vote upon
a proposal to approve the adjournment or postponement of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time
of the special meeting to adopt such proposals. None of the
proposed amendment to the existing articles of incorporation or
the proposed share issuance will be implemented unless all are
approved and the Transactions are completed. |
|
Q: |
|
What vote is required to approve the proposals? |
|
A: |
|
The proposals must be adopted by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Coeur common stock that are present or
represented by proxy at the shareholder meeting. In addition,
the total votes cast on Proposal 2 must represent a
majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the date
of the special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
How many votes do I have? |
|
A: |
|
You have one vote for each share of Coeur common stock that you
own as of the record date. |
|
Q: |
|
How are votes counted? |
|
A: |
|
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for
the special meeting, who will separately count FOR
and Against votes, abstentions and broker non-votes.
A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding
shares for a beneficial owner does not receive instructions with
respect to the proposals from the beneficial owner. |
|
Q: |
|
How do I vote my Coeur common stock? |
|
A: |
|
Before you vote, you should read this proxy statement in its
entirety, including its Annexes, and carefully consider how the
Transactions affect you. Then, mail your completed, dated and
signed proxy card in the enclosed return envelope or submit your
proxy by telephone or over the Internet as soon as possible so
that your shares can be voted at the special meeting. For more
information on how to vote your shares, see the section entitled
The Special Meeting Record Date and Voting
Information. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I do not vote? |
|
A: |
|
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares
of common stock outstanding on the date of the special meeting
is necessary to constitute a quorum at the special meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of
determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but will not be
counted as present for purposes of determining whether a
proposal has been approved. In addition, the total votes cast on
Proposal 2 must represent a majority of the shares of
common stock outstanding on the date of the special meeting. If
you do not vote, your shares will not be counted towards the
approval requirement. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I dont indicate how to vote on my
proxy? |
|
A: |
|
If you are a record holder of Coeur common stock and sign and
send in your proxy card, but do not include instructions on how
to vote, your shares will be voted FOR approval of the
Coeur articles of incorporation amendment and the Coeur share
issuance. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I sell my shares of Coeur common stock before
the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
The record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the special
meeting is earlier than the expected date of the mergers. If you
transfer your shares of Coeur common stock after the record date
but before the special meeting you will, unless special
arrangements are made, retain your right to vote at the special
meeting. |
7
|
|
|
Q: |
|
If my shares are held in street name by my
broker, will my broker vote my shares for me? |
|
A: |
|
Your broker will vote your shares only if you provide
instructions to your broker on how to vote. You should instruct
your broker to vote your shares by following the directions
provided to you by your broker. |
|
Q: |
|
Will my shares held in street name or another
form of record ownership be combined for voting purposes with
shares I hold of record? |
|
A: |
|
No. Because any shares you may hold in street
name will be deemed to be held by a different shareholder
than any shares you hold of record, any shares so held will not
be combined for voting purposes with shares you hold of record.
Similarly, if you own shares in various registered forms, such
as jointly with your spouse, as trustee of a trust or as
custodian for a minor, you will receive, and will need to sign
and return, a separate proxy card for those shares because they
are held in a different form of record ownership. Shares held by
a corporation or business entity must be voted by an authorized
officer of the entity. Shares held in an IRA must be voted under
the rules governing the account. |
|
Q: |
|
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of
materials? |
|
A: |
|
This means you own shares of Coeur common stock that are
registered under different names. For example, you may own some
shares directly as a shareholder of record and other shares
through a broker or you may own shares through more than one
broker. In these situations, you will receive multiple sets of
proxy materials. You must vote, sign and return all of the proxy
cards or follow the instructions for any alternative voting
procedure on each of the proxy cards that you receive in order
to vote all of the shares you own. Each proxy card you receive
comes with its own prepaid return envelope. If you vote by mail,
make sure you return each proxy card in the return envelope that
accompanies that proxy card. |
|
Q: |
|
What if I fail to instruct my broker? |
|
A: |
|
Without instructions, your broker will not vote any of your
shares held in street name. Broker non-votes will be
counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum, but will not be counted as present for purposes of
determining whether a proposal has been approved. |
|
Q: |
|
May I vote in person? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. You may attend the special meeting and vote your shares in
person whether or not you sign and return your proxy card. If
your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other
nominee and you wish to vote in person at the special meeting,
you must contact your broker or bank and obtain a
legal proxy from the record holder. |
|
Q: |
|
May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy
card? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. You may revoke and change your vote at any time before your
proxy card is voted at the special meeting. You can do this in
one of three ways: |
|
|
|
First, you can send a written notice to the Coeur
corporate secretary stating that you would like to revoke your
proxy;
|
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|
|
Second, you can complete and submit a new proxy in
writing, by telephone or over the Internet; or
|
|
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|
Third, you can attend the meeting and vote in
person. Your attendance alone will not revoke your proxy.
|
|
|
|
If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must
follow directions received from your broker to change those
instructions. |
|
Q: |
|
Who can help answer my questions? |
|
A: |
|
If you have questions about the Transactions and the special
meeting, including the procedures for voting your shares, you
should contact our proxy solicitor D.F. King & Co., Inc.
toll-free at 1-800-901-0068 (banks and brokers may call collect
at (212) 269-5550). |
8
This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are
being furnished to Coeur shareholders in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by Coeurs Board of Directors for
use at the special meeting to be held at The Coeur dAlene
Resort and Conference Center located at Second Street and Front
Avenue, Coeur dAlene, Idaho, on December 3, 2007 at
9:30 am local time.
You are being asked to vote upon a proposal to increase the
authorized shares of Coeur common stock from 500,000,000 to
750,000,000 in order to provide sufficient shares to issue to
Bolnisi and Palmarejo shareholders in the Transactions and a
proposal to authorize the issuance of shares of Coeur common
stock to Bolnisi and Palmarejos shareholders.
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation is one of the worlds
leading primary silver producers and a growing gold producer.
Coeur has mining interests in Alaska, Argentina, Australia,
Bolivia, Chile, Nevada, and Tanzania.
Additional information about Coeurs business is set forth
in Coeurs Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, which is
available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. See
Where Shareholders Can Find More Information About
Coeur on page 199.
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
Coeur
dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, an Australian
corporation (Australian Bidco), was formed solely
for the purpose of acquiring Bolnisi. Australian Bidco is a
wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Coeur Sub Two and a
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Coeur and has not engaged in
any business except in anticipation of the Bolnisi Transaction.
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
c/o CDE
Australia Pty Ltd
Suite 1003
3 Spring Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Coeur Sub Two, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed solely
for the purpose of acquiring Bolnisi. Coeur Sub Two is a
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Coeur and has not engaged in
any business except in anticipation of the Bolnisi Transaction.
Coeur Sub Two, Inc.
c/o Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
Bolnisi Gold NL is an Australia-based company listed on the
Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol BSG and
who is engaged in mining and exploration for gold and silver.
Bolnisis principal asset is its indirect 72.8% (as of
August 23, 2007) shareholding in the outstanding common
shares of Palmarejo. Bolnisi also has a
9
portfolio of Mexican-based exploration projects, which include
the Yecora Gold-Silver project, Sonora, and the El Realito
Gold-Silver project, Chihuahua.
Bolnisi Gold NL
Level 8
261 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Palmarejo
Silver and Gold Corporation
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation is engaged in the
exploration and development of silver and gold projects, and is
listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol
PJO. Through its indirectly owned Mexican
subsidiary, Palmarejo owns or has entered into agreements to
acquire concessions comprising the Palmarejo-Trogan project.
Additional information about Palmarejos business is set
forth in Palmarejos Annual Information Form dated
October 12, 2006, which is available under Palmarejos
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
199 Bay Street, Suite 5300
Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9
Canada
Cautionary
Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Information
This proxy statement contains numerous forward-looking
statements relating to Coeurs, Bolnisis and
Palmarejos gold and silver mining business, including
estimated production data, expected operating schedules,
expected operating and 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 Risk Factors,
(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 Coeurs, Bolnisis and Palmarejos
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 Coeurs
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. Coeur disclaims any
intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to Coeur or persons acting on Coeurs behalf
are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary
statements contained throughout this proxy statement.
All information contained in this proxy statement concerning
Bolnisi has been supplied by Bolnisi and all information
contained in this proxy statement concerning Palmarejo has been
supplied by Palmarejo and in neither case has been independently
verified by Coeur.
10
Selected
Historical Financial Data of Coeur
The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated
financial data with respect to Coeur and its subsidiaries and
should be read in conjunction with Coeurs historical
consolidated financial statements and related notes attached as
Annex C to this proxy statement.
Shareholders also should read this summary data with the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
beginning on page 16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Income Statement Data:
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
$
|
98,895
|
|
|
$
|
216,573
|
|
|
$
|
156,284
|
|
|
$
|
109,047
|
|
|
$
|
93,620
|
|
|
$
|
67,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
47,760
|
|
|
|
41,687
|
|
|
|
92,378
|
|
|
|
88,232
|
|
|
|
63,715
|
|
|
|
64,970
|
|
|
|
65,654
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
|
|
13,307
|
|
|
|
26,772
|
|
|
|
18,889
|
|
|
|
16,833
|
|
|
|
15,107
|
|
|
|
10,150
|
|
Administrative and general
|
|
|
11,884
|
|
|
|
9,618
|
|
|
|
19,369
|
|
|
|
20,624
|
|
|
|
17,499
|
|
|
|
12,264
|
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
5,430
|
|
|
|
3,901
|
|
|
|
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 settlements
|
|
|
507
|
|
|
|
469
|
|
|
|
2,365
|
|
|
|
1,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
78,355
|
|
|
|
68,982
|
|
|
|
150,358
|
|
|
|
145,955
|
|
|
|
117,527
|
|
|
|
103,063
|
|
|
|
94,673
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
8,866
|
|
|
|
7,314
|
|
|
|
18,654
|
|
|
|
8,385
|
|
|
|
3,165
|
|
|
|
2,064
|
|
|
|
4,080
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
|
(888
|
)
|
|
|
(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)
|
|
|
8,696
|
|
|
|
6,426
|
|
|
|
17,430
|
|
|
|
5,900
|
|
|
|
(15,341
|
)
|
|
|
(52,351
|
)
|
|
|
(36,929
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
32,865
|
|
|
|
36,339
|
|
|
|
83,645
|
|
|
|
16,229
|
|
|
|
(23,821
|
)
|
|
|
(61,794
|
)
|
|
|
(64,485
|
)
|
Income tax (provision) benefit
|
|
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
|
|
(8,226
|
)
|
|
|
(1,483
|
)
|
|
|
5,785
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
25,937
|
|
|
|
33,858
|
|
|
|
75,419
|
|
|
|
14,746
|
|
|
|
(18,036
|
)
|
|
|
(61,787
|
)
|
|
|
(64,485
|
)
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,968
|
|
|
|
1,935
|
|
|
|
(4,195
|
)
|
|
|
1,178
|
|
|
|
(2,139
|
)
|
|
|
(16,334
|
)
|
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
|
11,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,306
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
25,937
|
|
|
$
|
46,985
|
|
|
$
|
88,486
|
|
|
$
|
10,551
|
|
|
$
|
(16,858
|
)
|
|
$
|
(66,232
|
)
|
|
$
|
(80,819
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
516
|
|
|
|
1,740
|
|
|
|
2,391
|
|
|
|
447
|
|
|
|
(908
|
)
|
|
|
(556
|
)
|
|
|
(1,470
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
$
|
26,453
|
|
|
$
|
48,725
|
|
|
$
|
90,877
|
|
|
$
|
10,998
|
|
|
$
|
(17,766
|
)
|
|
$
|
(66,788
|
)
|
|
$
|
(82,289
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Income Statement Data:
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
$
|
0.28
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.37
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.82
|
)
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.21
|
)
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
$
|
0.33
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.03
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.37
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.82
|
)
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.21
|
)
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.03
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
277,720
|
|
|
|
265,049
|
|
|
|
271,357
|
|
|
|
242,915
|
|
|
|
215,969
|
|
|
|
168,186
|
|
|
|
78,193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
302,205
|
|
|
|
289,832
|
|
|
|
296,082
|
|
|
|
243,683
|
|
|
|
215,969
|
|
|
|
168,186
|
|
|
|
78,193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
794,083
|
|
|
$
|
849,626
|
|
|
$
|
594,816
|
|
|
$
|
525,777
|
|
|
$
|
259,467
|
|
|
$
|
173,491
|
|
Working capital
|
|
$
|
311,379
|
|
|
$
|
425,626
|
|
|
$
|
383,082
|
|
|
$
|
281,977
|
|
|
$
|
345,894
|
|
|
$
|
96,994
|
|
|
$
|
2,661
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
9,563
|
|
|
$
|
66,797
|
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
$
|
211,844
|
|
|
$
|
207,955
|
|
|
$
|
210,117
|
|
|
$
|
206,921
|
|
|
$
|
198,873
|
|
|
$
|
29,461
|
|
|
$
|
81,200
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
609,163
|
|
|
$
|
537,290
|
|
|
$
|
580,994
|
|
|
$
|
341,553
|
|
|
$
|
293,454
|
|
|
$
|
197,478
|
|
|
$
|
47,687
|
|
12
Selected
Historical Financial Data of Bolnisi
The following selected historical financial data of Bolnisi is
derived from Bolnisis audited financial statements for
each of the years in the five year period ended June 30,
2007. As of August 23, 2007 Bolnisi owns approximately
72.8% of Palmarejo whose separate selected financial data is
shown separately hereafter. The consolidated amounts shown below
include the accounts of Palmarejo. This summary data should be
read together with Bolnisis financial statements and the
accompanying notes, included in Annex D to this proxy
statement. Bolnisis financial statements are prepared in
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards
(AASBS), which differs from US GAAP in certain
respects. A discussion of these differences is presented in the
notes to Bolnisis financial statements contained in
Annex D to this proxy statement. Selected historical
financial data presented under US GAAP is also shown below.
The following selected financial data is presented in Australian
dollars. Historical results are not indicative of the results to
be expected in the future.
Shareholders also should read this summary data with the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
beginning on page 16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
Australian Accounting Standards(1)
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Australian $ in thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenue from sale of gold and silver
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
24,446
|
|
|
$
|
49,487
|
|
mining and treatment costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,173
|
)
|
|
|
(22,494
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit from the sale of gold and silver
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,273
|
|
|
|
26,993
|
|
Other revenues from ordinary activities
|
|
|
2,458
|
|
|
|
3,253
|
|
|
|
809
|
|
|
|
6,834
|
|
|
|
126
|
|
Expenses from ordinary activities
|
|
|
7,124
|
|
|
|
6,452
|
|
|
|
3,824
|
|
|
|
10,623
|
|
|
|
6,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit from ordinary activities before related income tax
expense
|
|
|
(4,666
|
)
|
|
|
(3,199
|
)
|
|
|
(3,015
|
)
|
|
|
6,484
|
|
|
|
20,780
|
|
Income tax (expense)/benefit related to ordinary activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(420
|
)
|
|
|
(493
|
)
|
|
|
(2,424
|
)
|
|
|
(6,380
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) after tax but before profit and loss of
discontinued operation and gain on sale of discontinued
operation
|
|
|
(4,666
|
)
|
|
|
(3,619
|
)
|
|
|
(3,508
|
)
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
|
14,400
|
|
Profit and loss from discontinued operations and gain on sale of
discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,693
|
|
|
|
6,423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year
|
|
$
|
(4,666
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,074
|
|
|
$
|
2,915
|
|
|
$
|
4,060
|
|
|
$
|
14,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profit (loss) attributable to outside equity interests
|
|
$
|
(300
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,209
|
|
|
$
|
574
|
|
|
$
|
(3,449
|
)
|
|
$
|
(7,824
|
)
|
Net profit (loss) attributable to members of the parent
entity
|
|
$
|
(4,366
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,865
|
|
|
$
|
2,341
|
|
|
$
|
611
|
|
|
$
|
6,576
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(.016
|
)
|
|
$
|
(.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
.013
|
|
|
$
|
.004
|
|
|
$
|
.04
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(.016
|
)
|
|
$
|
(.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
.013
|
|
|
$
|
.004
|
|
|
$
|
.04
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Australian $ in thousands)
|
|
|
Balance sheet data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
137,999
|
|
|
$
|
144,111
|
|
|
$
|
88,246
|
|
|
$
|
50,886
|
|
|
$
|
44,599
|
|
Working capital
|
|
|
16,056
|
|
|
|
91,387
|
|
|
|
45,015
|
|
|
|
21,869
|
|
|
|
19,355
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
9,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,196
|
|
|
|
9,588
|
|
|
|
9,525
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
119,335
|
|
|
|
138,170
|
|
|
|
66,932
|
|
|
|
33,226
|
|
|
|
29,622
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
US GAAP
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Australian $ in thousands
|
|
|
|
except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenue from sale of gold and silver
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
mining and treatment costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit from the sale of gold and silver
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other revenues from ordinary activities
|
|
|
2,458
|
|
|
|
3,253
|
|
|
|
809
|
|
Expenses from ordinary activities:
|
|
|
7,124
|
|
|
|
6,452
|
|
|
|
3,824
|
|
Exploration and predevelopment
|
|
|
18,328
|
|
|
|
21,636
|
|
|
|
12,776
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit from ordinary activities before related income tax
expense
|
|
|
(22,994
|
)
|
|
|
(24,835
|
)
|
|
|
(15,791
|
)
|
Income tax (expense)/benefit related to ordinary activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(420
|
)
|
|
|
(493
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) after tax but before profit and loss of
discontinued operation and gain on sale of discontinued
operation
|
|
|
(22,994
|
)
|
|
|
(25,255
|
)
|
|
|
(16,284
|
)
|
Profit and loss from discontinued operations and gain on sale of
discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,693
|
|
|
|
6,423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year before outside equity interests
|
|
|
(22,994
|
)
|
|
|
(14,562
|
)
|
|
|
(9,861
|
)
|
Net profit (loss) attributable to outside equity interests
|
|
|
5,292
|
|
|
|
1,945
|
|
|
|
8,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profit (loss) attributable to members of the parent
entity
|
|
$
|
(17,702
|
)
|
|
$
|
(12,617
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,764
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(.063
|
)
|
|
$
|
(.046
|
)
|
|
$
|
(.008
|
)
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(.063
|
)
|
|
$
|
(.046
|
)
|
|
$
|
(.008
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Australian $ in thousands)
|
|
|
Balance sheet data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
100,152
|
|
|
$
|
114,410
|
|
|
$
|
74,979
|
|
Working capital
|
|
|
16,056
|
|
|
|
91,387
|
|
|
|
45,015
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
9,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,196
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
181,488
|
|
|
|
108,469
|
|
|
|
53,664
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended
June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are general purpose financial
statements which have been prepared in accordance Australian
equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards
(AIFRS), comprising Australian Accounting Standards
(AASBs) (including Australian Accounting
Interpretations) adopted by the Australian Accounting Standards
Board (AASB) and the Corporations Act 2001. These
consolidated financial statements of Bolnisi comply with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
and interpretations adopted by the International Accounting
Standards Board. For the years ended June 30, 2004 and
2003, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with Accounting Standards, Urgent Issues Group
Consensus Views, other authoritative pronouncements of the
Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act
2001. |
14
Selected
Historical Financial Data of Palmarejo
The following selected historical financial data of Palmarejo is
derived from Palmarejos audited financial statements for
the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and for the
248-day
period from Palmarejos inception to June 30, 2005.
This summary data should be read together with Palmarejos
financial statements and the accompanying notes, included in
Annex E to this proxy statement. Palmarejos financial
statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which
differs from US GAAP in certain respects. A discussion of these
differences is presented in the notes to Palmarejos
financial statements contained in Annex E to this proxy
statement. Selected historical financial data presented under
US GAAP is also shown below. The following selected
historical financial data is presented in Canadian dollars.
Historical results are not indicative of the results to be
expected in the future.
Shareholders also should read this summary data with the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
beginning on page 16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
Canadian GAAP
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005(1)
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
Operating data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
1,805
|
|
|
$
|
700
|
|
|
$
|
73
|
|
Expenses and other
|
|
|
2,340
|
|
|
|
1,781
|
|
|
|
4,338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss)
|
|
$
|
(535
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,081
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,265
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.14
|
)
|
Weighted average shares basic and diluted
|
|
|
90,739
|
|
|
|
75,403
|
|
|
|
31,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Balance sheet data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
129,674
|
|
|
$
|
104,350
|
|
|
$
|
15,493
|
|
Working capital
|
|
|
5,116
|
|
|
|
67,059
|
|
|
|
(1,603
|
)
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
8,918
|
|
|
|
752
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
104,061
|
|
|
|
103,097
|
|
|
|
11,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
US GAAP
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005(1)
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
Operating data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
1,805
|
|
|
$
|
700
|
|
|
$
|
73
|
|
Expenses and other
|
|
|
19,072
|
|
|
|
20,771
|
|
|
|
9,050
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss)
|
|
$
|
(17,267
|
)
|
|
$
|
(20,071
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,977
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.29
|
)
|
Weighted average shares basic and diluted
|
|
|
90,739
|
|
|
|
75,403
|
|
|
|
31,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Balance sheet data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
81,694
|
|
|
$
|
73,414
|
|
|
$
|
10,781
|
|
Working capital
|
|
|
5,116
|
|
|
|
67,059
|
|
|
|
(1,603
|
)
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
8,918
|
|
|
|
752
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
56,081
|
|
|
|
72,161
|
|
|
|
6,496
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The Company commenced operations during the year ended
June 30, 2005. Operating data is provided for the
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005. |
15
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
On May 3, 2007, Coeur, Coeur Sub Two, Australian Bidco and
Bolnisi entered into a merger implementation agreement for Coeur
to acquire all of the shares of Bolnisi in accordance with a
scheme of arrangement to be submitted for approval by the
Federal Court of Australia. On the same day, Coeur and Palmarejo
entered into a merger implementation agreement for Coeur to
acquire the outstanding shares of Palmarejo not directly owned
by Bolnisi in accordance with a plan of arrangement to be
submitted for approval by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Pursuant to these agreements, Coeur will indirectly acquire all
the shares of Bolnisi pursuant to a scheme of arrangement and
Coeur will indirectly acquire all the shares of Palmarejo
pursuant to a plan of arrangement, each in exchange for Coeur
common stock and cash.
Under the terms of the Transactions, Bolnisi shareholders will
receive 0.682 Coeur shares for each Bolnisi share they own (or,
at the election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary
Interests representing Coeur shares), and Palmarejo shareholders
will receive 2.715 Coeur shares for each Palmarejo share they
own. It is anticipated that this will result in Coeur issuing a
total of approximately 261.0 million new shares, which
excludes up to 11.0 million shares that are issuable in
exchange for Palmarejo shares that may be issued upon the
exercise of outstanding Palmarejo options. Upon closing, all
unexercised Palmarejo options will be exchanged for options to
acquire Coeur shares. In addition, Bolnisi and Palmarejo
shareholders will receive a nominal cash payment equal to
A$0.004/US$0.003 per Bolnisi share (or approximately
US$0.9 million in aggregate) and C$0.004/US$0.003 per
Palmarejo share (or approximately US$0.2 million in
aggregate), respectively.
All holders of Palmarejo options will receive Palmarejo
Replacement Options (as defined below) under the plan of
arrangement. A Palmarejo Replacement Option will
entitle the holder thereof to acquire the number of Coeur shares
equal to the product of (i) the number of Palmarejo shares
subject to the Palmarejo option immediately prior to the
consummation of the Transactions, and (ii) 2.715 Coeur
shares plus the portion of a Coeur share that, immediately prior
to the consummation of the Transactions, has a fair market value
equal to C$0.004 for each Palmarejo share that the holder was
entitled to receive, provided that if the foregoing would result
in the issuance of a fraction of a Coeur share, then the number
of Coeur shares otherwise issued shall be rounded down to the
nearest whole number of Coeur shares. The exercise price per
Coeur share subject to any such Palmarejo Replacement Option
shall be an amount (rounded up to the nearest one-hundredth of a
cent) equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per
Palmarejo share subject to such Palmarejo Option immediately
before the consummation of the Transactions divided by
(B) 2.715 plus such portion of a Coeur share that,
immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, has a
fair market value equal to C$0.004 cash (provided that the
aggregate exercise price payable on any particular exercise of
Palmarejo Replacement Options shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole cent). Except as set out above, the terms of each
Palmarejo Replacement Option shall be the same as the terms of
the Palmarejo option exchanged therefor pursuant to the
Palmarejo Share Option Plan in the plan of arrangement and any
agreement evidencing the grant thereof prior to the consummation
of the Transactions.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements and notes have been prepared based on Coeurs,
Bolnisis and Palmarejos historical financial
statements to assist shareholders in analyzing the potential
financial results of the combined company. The Transactions are
accounted for as purchases of assets and not as business
combinations since Bolnisi and Palmarejo are considered to be in
the development stage. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements are prepared on that basis, and
are presented to give effect to the following two alternative
scenarios: (i) the acquisition of Bolnisi and Palmarejo by
Coeur and (ii) the acquisition of Bolnisi only (and not
Palmarejo) by Coeur. For each of the alternative scenarios, the
following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements represent the combined companys unaudited pro
forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2007,
and unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for
the six months ended June 30, 2007 and the year ended
December 31, 2006. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined balance sheet gives effect to the acquisition(s) as if
they occurred on the date of such balance sheet. The
accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined income
statements give effect to the acquisition(s) as if they occurred
on January 1, 2006, the first day of Coeurs year
ended December 31, 2006.
Coeurs historical information has been derived from its
historical financial statements which were prepared and
presented in accordance with
U.S. GAAP. Bolnisis historical
consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian
dollars and were prepared in accordance with AIFRS, which
differs in certain respects from
16
U.S. GAAP. As described in the notes to Bolnisis
financial statements included in Annex D to this proxy
statement and the notes to these unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements, Bolnisis historical
consolidated financial statements were adjusted to be presented
under U.S. GAAP and were translated from A$ to US$. As
presented in the notes to Palmarejos financial statements
included in Annex E to this proxy statement and the notes
to these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements, pro forma adjustments have been made to the
consolidated financial statements of Bolnisi (including
Palmarejo) to conform with Coeurs presentation under
U.S. GAAP.
The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information
and assumptions that management of Coeur believes are
reasonable. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and are
based on the estimates and assumptions set forth in the notes
accompanying those statements. The companies might have
performed differently had they always been combined. You should
not rely on this information as being indicative of the
historical results that would have been achieved had the
companies always been combined or the future results that the
combined company will experience after the combination. The
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the historical financial
statements of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the related notes
included as annexes to this proxy statement.
17
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
June 30, 2007
(Bolnisi and Palmarejo) (Note 1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Coeur
|
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
236,232
|
|
|
$
|
16,646
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
$
|
(11,600
|
)
|
|
$
|
240,226
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
(1,052
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
36,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,270
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
38,732
|
|
|
|
4,393
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,125
|
|
Ore on leach pad
|
|
|
32,729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,729
|
|
Metal and other inventory
|
|
|
18,353
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,353
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
3,872
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,872
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
8,096
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
374,284
|
|
|
|
21,087
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,652
|
)
|
|
|
382,719
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant & equipment, net
|
|
|
98,497
|
|
|
|
52,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MINING PROPERTIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operational mining properties, net
|
|
|
13,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,098
|
|
Mineral interests, net
|
|
|
64,891
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,891
|
|
Non producing and development properties
|
|
|
258,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
|
1,483,371
|
|
|
|
1,729,294
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
|
(13,056
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
435,465
|
|
|
|
52,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,470,315
|
|
|
|
1,958,732
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore on leach pad, non current portion
|
|
|
37,374
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,374
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
21,652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,652
|
|
Debt issuance costs, net
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
1,389
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,389
|
|
Other
|
|
|
8,749
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,749
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
|
74,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
74,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,457,663
|
|
|
$
|
2,415,614
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
35,967
|
|
|
$
|
5,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
41,327
|
|
Accrued liabilities and other
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
|
|
5,363
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,363
|
|
Accrued payroll and related benefits
|
|
|
7,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,005
|
|
Accrued interest payable
|
|
|
1,031
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,031
|
|
Current portion of reclamation and mine closure
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
Current portion of capital leases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
62,905
|
|
|
|
7,458
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,363
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/4% Convertible
senior Notes due 2024
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
Reclamation and mine closure
|
|
|
27,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,579
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
|
453,701
|
|
|
|
440,645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
|
(13,056
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
4,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
|
211,844
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
440,645
|
|
|
|
660,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
279,507
|
|
|
|
47,751
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
(47,751
|
)
|
|
|
540,483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
260,976
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid in capital
|
|
|
779,062
|
|
|
|
(6,730
|
)
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
6,730
|
|
|
|
1,593,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
782,930
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
|
31,309
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
|
|
3,997
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
(3,997
|
)
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
Shares held in treasury
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,179
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
(13,179
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
609,163
|
|
|
|
58,197
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,017,018
|
|
|
|
1,684,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
74,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,457,663
|
|
|
$
|
2,415,614
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to these pro forma financial statements.
18
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Income Statement for the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(Bolnisi and Palmarejo) (Note 1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Coeur
|
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of metals
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
47,760
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,760
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
Administrative and general
|
|
|
11,884
|
|
|
|
1,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,692
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
5,430
|
|
|
|
9,695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,125
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
507
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
507
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
78,355
|
|
|
|
13,366
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91,721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
24,169
|
|
|
|
(13,366
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other
|
|
|
8,866
|
|
|
|
654
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,520
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income and expenses
|
|
|
8,696
|
|
|
|
654
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,350
|
|
Income (loss) before taxes
|
|
|
32,865
|
|
|
|
(12,712
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,153
|
|
Income tax (provision) benefit
|
|
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
$
|
25,937
|
|
|
$
|
(12,712
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
13,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares of common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
277,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
260,976
|
|
|
|
536,696
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
302,205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
260,976
|
|
|
|
563,181
|
|
See accompanying notes to these pro forma financial statements.
19
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Income Statement for the Year Ended
December 31, 2006
(Bolnisi and Palmarejo) (Note 1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi and
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Coeur
|
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of metals
|
|
$
|
216,573
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
216,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
92,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,378
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
26,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,772
|
|
Administrative and general
|
|
|
19,369
|
|
|
|
3,155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,524
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
9,474
|
|
|
|
15,013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,487
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
2,365
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,365
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
538
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
538
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
150,358
|
|
|
|
18,706
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
66,215
|
|
|
|
(18,706
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,509
|
|
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other
|
|
|
18,654
|
|
|
|
1,957
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,611
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
(1,224
|
)
|
|
|
(440
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,664
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income and expenses
|
|
|
17,430
|
|
|
|
1,517
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,947
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
|
|
|
83,645
|
|
|
|
(17,189
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,456
|
|
Income tax (provision) benefit
|
|
|
(8,226
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,226
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
|
|
$
|
75,419
|
|
|
$
|
(17,189
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
58,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares of common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
271,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
260,976
|
|
|
|
532,333
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
296,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
260,976
|
|
|
|
557,058
|
|
See accompanying notes to these pro forma financial statements.
20
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
June 30, 2007
(Bolnisi Only (and not Palmarejo)) (Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Coeur
|
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
236,232
|
|
|
$
|
16,646
|
|
|
|
(d
|
)
|
|
$
|
(11,600
|
)
|
|
$
|
240,309
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e
|
)
|
|
|
(969
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
36,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,270
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
38,732
|
|
|
|
4,393
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,125
|
|
Ore on leach pad
|
|
|
32,729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,729
|
|
Metal and other inventory
|
|
|
18,353
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,353
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
3,872
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,872
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
8,096
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
374,284
|
|
|
|
21,087
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,569
|
)
|
|
|
382,802
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant & equipment, net
|
|
|
98,497
|
|
|
|
52,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MINING PROPERTIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operational mining properties, net
|
|
|
13,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,098
|
|
Mineral interests, net
|
|
|
64,891
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,891
|
|
Non producing and development properties
|
|
|
258,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c
|
)
|
|
|
1,115,684
|
|
|
|
1,361,607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f
|
)
|
|
|
(13,056
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
435,465
|
|
|
|
52,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,102,628
|
|
|
|
1,591,045
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore on leach pad, non current portion
|
|
|
37,374
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,374
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
21,652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,652
|
|
Debt issuance costs, net
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
1,389
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,389
|
|
Other
|
|
|
8,749
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,749
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
|
74,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
74,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,090,059
|
|
|
$
|
2,048,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
35,967
|
|
|
$
|
5,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
41,327
|
|
Accrued liabilities and other
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
|
|
5,363
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,363
|
|
Accrued payroll and related benefits
|
|
|
7,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,005
|
|
Accrued interest payable
|
|
|
1,031
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,031
|
|
Current portion of reclamation and mine closure
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
Current portion of capital leases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
62,905
|
|
|
|
7,458
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,363
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/4% Convertible
senior Notes due 2024
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
Long-Term Debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
Reclamation and mine closure
|
|
|
27,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,579
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c
|
)
|
|
|
366,846
|
|
|
|
353,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f
|
)
|
|
|
(13,056
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
4,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
|
211,844
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
353,790
|
|
|
|
574,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(g
|
)
|
|
|
13,179
|
|
|
|
13,179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
279,507
|
|
|
|
47,751
|
|
|
|
(a
|
)
|
|
|
(47,751
|
)
|
|
|
474,247
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
194,740
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital surplus
|
|
|
779,062
|
|
|
|
(6,730
|
)
|
|
|
(a
|
)
|
|
|
6,730
|
|
|
|
1,365,609
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
586,547
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
|
|
3,997
|
|
|
|
(a
|
)
|
|
|
(3,997
|
)
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
Shares held in treasury
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,179
|
|
|
|
(g
|
)
|
|
|
(13,179
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
609,163
|
|
|
|
58,197
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
723,090
|
|
|
|
1,390,450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
74,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,090,059
|
|
|
$
|
2,048,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to these pro forma financial statements.
21
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Income Statement for the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(Bolnisi only (and not Palmarejo)) (Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Coeur
|
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of metals
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
47,760
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,760
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
Administrative and general
|
|
|
11,884
|
|
|
|
1,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,692
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
5,430
|
|
|
|
9,695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,125
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
507
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
507
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
78,355
|
|
|
|
13,366
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91,721
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
24,169
|
|
|
|
(13,366
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other
|
|
|
8,866
|
|
|
|
654
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,520
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income and expenses
|
|
|
8,696
|
|
|
|
4,260
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,956
|
|
Income (loss) before taxes
|
|
|
32,865
|
|
|
|
(9,106
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,759
|
|
Income tax (provision) benefit
|
|
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
$
|
25,937
|
|
|
$
|
(9,106
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
16,831
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
277,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
194,740
|
|
|
|
472,460
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
302,205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
194,740
|
|
|
|
496,945
|
|
See accompanying notes to these pro forma financial statements.
22
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Income Statement for the Year Ended
December 31, 2006
(Bolnisi only (and not Palmarejo)) (Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Coeur
|
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of metals
|
|
$
|
216,573
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
216,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
92,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,378
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
26,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,772
|
|
Administrative and general
|
|
|
19,369
|
|
|
|
3,155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,524
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
9,474
|
|
|
|
15,013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,487
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
2,365
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,365
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
538
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
538
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
150,358
|
|
|
|
18,706
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169,064
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
66,215
|
|
|
|
(18,706
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,509
|
|
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other
|
|
|
18,654
|
|
|
|
1,957
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,611
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
(1,224
|
)
|
|
|
(440
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,664
|
)
|
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income and expenses
|
|
|
17,430
|
|
|
|
4,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,364
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
|
|
|
83,645
|
|
|
|
(13,772
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,873
|
|
Income tax (provision) benefit
|
|
|
(8,226
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,226
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
|
|
$
|
75,419
|
|
|
$
|
(13,772
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
61,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
271,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
194,740
|
|
|
|
466,097
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
296,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
194,740
|
|
|
|
490,822
|
|
See accompanying notes to these pro forma financial statements.
23
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements
|
|
Note 1.
|
Pro Forma
transaction adjustments for the acquisition of Bolnisi and
Palmarejo as of June 30, 2007.
|
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
contained herein assume that the merger transaction had been
completed on January 1, 2007 (for income statement
purposes) and on June 30, 2007 (for balance sheet purposes).
The existing Coeur shareholders will hold the majority of the
voting stock of the combined company. The existing members of
the Coeur board of directors will be retained as directors of
the combined company. Thereafter, the directors will be elected
annually by the holders of the combined companys
shareholders. The composition of the senior management of the
combined company will consist of existing Coeur senior
management. Accordingly, Coeur is deemed to be the accounting
acquiror. As a result, Bolnisis and Palmarejos
assets and liabilities are recorded at their estimated fair
values. The purchase price is based upon Coeur issuing a total
of 261.0 million new shares. The number of Coeur shares to
be issued is determined by multiplying the outstanding shares of
Bolnisi ordinary shares at June 30, 2007 of 285,542,321 by
the Bolnisi conversion ratio of 0.682, and multiplying the
outstanding shares of Palmarejo common stock at June 30,
2007 of 91,251,738, less the 66,855,237 Palmarejo shares held by
Bolnisi, by the Palmarejo conversion ratio of 2.715. In
addition, the purchase price includes the fair value of new
Palmarejo options to purchase Coeur shares that will be
exchanged for the outstanding vested options to purchase
Palmarejo shares of $31.3 million, cash payments totaling
$1.1 million and estimated transaction costs of
approximately $11.6 million, resulting in total
consideration of approximately $1.1 billion. The estimated
Coeur share price of $4.00 on May 3, 2007, the date the
merger was agreed to and announced, was used to estimate the
fair value of the Coeur shares to be issued in the Transactions.
The exact market price of Coeur common stock on the date of
closing will be used to ultimately determine the fair value of
the Coeur shares issued in the Transactions.
For purposes of preparing the unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements for the merger transactions,
management has made certain assumptions. The book value of
Bolnisis and Palmarejos assets and liabilities,
excluding development properties, at June 30, 2007 are
assumed to approximate fair value and, as such, the excess
purchase price, including the impact of deferred income taxes,
has been allocated to mining properties.
The following represents the preliminary allocation of the
purchase price if the Bolnisi and Palmarejo transactions had
occurred on June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Consideration:
|
|
|
|
|
Coeur stock issued (260,976,363 shares at $4.00)
|
|
$
|
1,043,905
|
|
Fair value of options issued
|
|
|
31,308
|
|
Cash payments
|
|
|
1,052
|
|
Transaction advisory fee and other transaction costs
|
|
|
11,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$
|
1,087,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of net assets acquired:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
16,646
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
4,393
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
52,952
|
|
Non producing and development properties
|
|
|
1,470,315
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,544,352
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
7,458
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
440,645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
456,487
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$
|
1,087,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements (Continued)
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
for the Transactions include the following adjustments:
(a) To eliminate the Bolnisis historical
stockholders equity accounts.
(b) To record the issuance of an estimated
260,976,363 shares of Coeur common stock to be issued to
Bolnisi and Palmarejo shareholders based on the outstanding
shares of Bolnisi ordinary shares at June 30, 2007 of
285,542,321 multiplied by the exchange ratio of 0.682 and the
estimated outstanding shares of Palmarejo common stock of
91,251,738, less the 66,855,237 Palmarejo shares held by
Bolnisi, multiplied by the exchange ratio of 2.715.
(c) To record the portion of the purchase price allocated
to Bolnisis mining properties. In addition, deferred
income taxes are recognized for the difference between the
revised carrying amounts of Bolnisis assets and their
associated income tax bases which will not change as a result of
the Transactions.
This allocation is preliminary and is subject to change due to
several factors including: changes in the fair values of
Bolnisis assets and liabilities up to the closing date of
the transaction; the actual merger costs incurred, the number of
Palmarejo stock options outstanding at the closing date;
valuations of assets and liabilities that may be required which
have not been completed as of the date of this proxy statement.
These changes will not be known until after the closing date of
the merger transaction.
(d) To record the transaction advisory fees and estimated
transaction costs to be incurred by Coeur as a result of the
Bolnisi/Palmarejo-Coeur combination as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
$
|
5,425
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
2,750
|
|
Other
|
|
|
3,425
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) To record the distribution of the cash consideration to
be paid to Bolnisi and Palmarejo shareholders in the
Transactions of $1,052,000.
(f) To record a deferred tax asset related to net operating
losses in Mexico acquired in the transactions.
(g) To record the fair value attributable to Coeur share
options to be issued in exchange for vested Palmarejo options.
|
|
Note 2.
|
Pro Forma
transaction adjustments for the acquisition of Bolnisi only (and
not Palmarejo) as of June 30, 2007.
|
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
contained herein assume that the Bolnisi merger transaction had
been completed on January 1, 2007 (for income statement
purposes) and on June 30, 2007 (for balance sheet purposes).
The existing Coeur shareholders will hold the majority of the
voting stock of the combined company. The existing members of
the Coeur board of directors will be retained as directors of
the combined company. Thereafter, the directors will be elected
annually by the holders of the combined companys
shareholders. The composition of the senior management of the
combined company will consist of existing Coeur senior
management. Accordingly, Coeur is deemed to be the accounting
acquiror. As a result, Bolnisis assets and liabilities are
recorded at their estimated fair values. The purchase price is
based upon Coeur issuing a total of 261.0 million new
shares. The number of Coeur shares to be issued is determined by
multiplying the outstanding shares of Bolnisi ordinary shares at
June 30, 2007 of 285,542,321 by the conversion ratio of
0.682, and cash payments totaling $1.0 million and
estimated transaction costs of approximately $11.6 million,
resulting in total consideration of approximately
$791.5 million. The estimated Coeur share price of $4.00 on
May 3, 2007, the date the merger was agreed to and
25
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements (Continued)
announced, was used to estimate the fair value of the Coeur
shares to be issued in the Transactions. The exact market price
of Coeurs common stock on the date of closing will be used
to ultimately determine the fair value of Coeur shares issued in
the Transactions.
For purposes of preparing the unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements for the Bolnisi Transaction,
management has made certain assumptions. The book value of
Bolnisis assets and liabilities, excluding development
properties, at June 30, 2007 are assumed to approximate
fair value and, as such, the excess purchase price, including
the impact of deferred income taxes, has been allocated to
mining properties.
The following represents the preliminary allocation of the
purchase price if the Bolnisi transaction had occurred on
June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Consideration:
|
|
|
|
|
Coeur stock issued (194,739,863 shares at $4.00)
|
|
$
|
778,959
|
|
Cash payments
|
|
|
970
|
|
Transaction advisory fee and other transaction costs
|
|
|
11,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$
|
791,529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of net assets acquired:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
12,304
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
3,301
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
38,817
|
|
Non producing and development properties
|
|
|
1,102,628
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,157,050
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
5,589
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
6,142
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
353,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
365,521
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$
|
791,529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
for the Transactions include the following adjustments:
(a) To eliminate the components of Bolnisis
historical stockholders equity accounts.
(b) To record the issuance of an estimated
194,739,863 shares of Coeur common stock to be issued to
Bolnisi shareholders based on the outstanding shares of Bolnisi
ordinary shares at June 30, 2007 of 285,542,321 multiplied
by the exchange rate of 0.682.
(c) To record the portion of the purchase price allocable
to Bolnisis mining properties. In addition, deferred
income taxes are recognized for the difference between the
revised carrying amounts of Bolnisis assets and their
associated tax bases which will not change as a result of the
Transactions.
This allocation is preliminary and is subject to change due to
several factors including: changes in the fair values of
Bolnisis assets and liabilities up to the closing date of
the transaction; the actual merger costs incurred; valuations of
assets and liabilities that may be required which have not been
completed as of the date of these adjustments. These changes
will not be known until after the closing date of the
Transactions.
26
(d) To record the transaction advisory fees and estimated
transaction costs to be incurred by Coeur as a result of the
Bolnisi/Coeur combination as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
$
|
5,425
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
2,750
|
|
Other
|
|
|
3,425
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) To record the distribution of the cash consideration to
be paid to Bolnisi shareholders in the Transaction of $969,000.
(f) To record a deferred tax asset related to net operating
losses in Mexico acquired in the transaction.
(g) To record reclassification of minority interest balance
to comply with US GAAP presentation.
|
|
Note 3.
|
Non
recurring charges resulting directly from the
transaction.
|
The company expects to recognize compensation expense of
approximately $14 million within the 12 months
following consummation of the transaction. This expense is as a
result of the conversion of options to purchase Palmarejo shares
into options to purchase Coeur shares.
|
|
Note 4.
|
Bolnisi
and Bolnisi and Palmarejo Balances.
|
The Bolnisi and the Bolnisi and Palmarejo balances presented in
the pro forma financial statements have been adjusted to reflect
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to
present the balances in U.S. dollars. The balances were
translated to U.S. dollars at foreign exchange rates
applicable for each of the periods presented. The balance sheets
were translated using a rate of .8488 in effect at the balance
sheet date as of June 30, 2007. Revenues and expenses
reflected in the income statements were translated at an average
exchange rate of .8488 for the six month period ended
June 30, 2007 and .7893 for the year ended
December 31, 2006, which rates approximate the average
foreign exchange rates for these periods.
27
Comparative
Per Share Information
The following table summarizes unaudited per share information
for Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo separately on a historical
basis and on an equivalent unaudited pro forma condensed
combined basis. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined
information is presented for illustrative purposes only. The
companies might have performed differently had they always been
combined. You should not rely on this information as being
indicative of the historical results that would have been
achieved had the companies always been combined or the future
results that the combined company will experience after the
combination. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
historical financial statements of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo
and the related notes included as annexes to this proxy
statement as well as the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements and the related notes beginning on
page 16. The historical book value per share is computed by
dividing total shareholders equity by the average number
of shares outstanding during the applicable period. The
unaudited pro forma condensed combined income per share is
computed by dividing the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
income from continuing operations available to holders of common
stock by the unaudited pro forma condensed combined weighted
average number of shares outstanding. The unaudited pro forma
condensed combined book value per share is computed by dividing
total unaudited pro forma condensed combined shareholders
equity by the unaudited pro forma condensed combined average
number of shares outstanding during the applicable period. The
historical per share information of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo
was derived from the historical financial statements of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the related notes included as annexes
to this proxy statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Coeur - Historical
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
Historical per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per basic share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.28
|
|
Income per diluted share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
Dividends declared
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
$
|
2.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi - Historical (Australian Accounting
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Standards) (in Australian dollars)
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
Historical per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) per basic share
|
|
A$
|
(0.016
|
)
|
(Loss) per diluted share
|
|
A$
|
(0.016
|
)
|
Dividends declared
|
|
A$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
A$
|
0.418
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Bolnisi (US GAAP)
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
(in Australian dollars)
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
Historical per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) per basic share
|
|
A$
|
(0.063
|
)
|
(Loss) per diluted share
|
|
A$
|
(0.063
|
)
|
Dividends declared
|
|
A$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
A$
|
0.186
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo - Historical (Canadian GAAP)
|
|
|
|
(in Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
Historical per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) per basic share
|
|
C$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
(Loss) per diluted share
|
|
C$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Dividends declared
|
|
C$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
C$
|
1.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Palmarejo (US GAAP)
|
|
|
|
(in Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
Historical per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) per basic share
|
|
C$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
(Loss) per diluted share
|
|
C$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
Dividends declared
|
|
C$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
C$
|
0.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined (Bolnisi and Palmarejo)
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
(US GAAP)
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
Unaudited pro forma condensed combined per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per basic share
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
Income per diluted share
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
Dividends declared
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
$
|
3.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined (Bolnisi Only (and not Palmarejo))
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
(US GAAP)
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
Unaudited pro forma condensed combined per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per basic share
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
Income per diluted share
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
Dividends declared
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
$
|
2.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
Consolidated
Capitalization
The following table shows: Coeurs capitalization on
June 30, 2007 and Coeurs pro forma capitalization as
of June 30, 2007, assuming the completion of the Bolnisi
Transaction and assuming completion of the Bolnisi and Palmarejo
Transactions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
for the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for the
|
|
|
Bolnisi and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
Transaction
|
|
|
Transactions
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except for per share data)
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments
|
|
$
|
272,502
|
|
|
$
|
276,579
|
|
|
$
|
276,496
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/4%
convertible senior notes due January 2024
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
|
$
|
180,000
|
|
Other long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
188,384
|
|
|
|
188,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,179
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock; par value $1.00 per share; 500,000,000 shares
authorized and 279,506,709 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; 750,000,000 shares authorized and
474,247,000 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma for
the Bolnisi Transaction and 750,000,000 shares authorized
and 540,483,000 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as
adjusted for the Bolnisi and Palmarejo Transactions(1)(2)
|
|
|
279,507
|
|
|
|
474,247
|
|
|
|
540,483
|
|
Additional paid in capital
|
|
|
779,062
|
|
|
|
1,365,609
|
|
|
|
1,593,301
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
Shares held in treasury
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
609,163
|
|
|
|
1,390,450
|
|
|
|
1,684,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$
|
789,163
|
|
|
$
|
1,592,013
|
|
|
$
|
1,872,762
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The number of shares of common stock as reflected in the table
above does not include: |
|
|
|
23,684,211 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance upon conversion of Coeurs
11/4%
convertible senior notes due January 2024 at the conversion
price of $7.60,
|
|
|
|
5,780,157 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance under Coeurs 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan,
|
|
|
|
575,282 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance under Coeurs 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan,
|
|
|
|
369,486 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance under Coeurs 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity
Incentive Plan, and
|
|
|
|
465,787 shares of common stock reserved for the
issuance under Coeurs prior Non-Employee Directors Equity
Incentive Plan.
|
|
(2) |
|
The number of pro forma shares issued and outstanding for the
Bolnisi and Palmarejo transactions do not include up to
10,993,035 shares to be issued in exchange for Palmarejo
shares that may be issued upon the exercise of outstanding
Palmarejo options or shares reserved for issuance upon the
exchange of Palmarejo options into new Palmarejo options to
purchase Coeur shares upon closing, and assumes that none of the
existing Palmarejo warrants will be exercised before their
expiration on October 19, 2007. |
30
You should carefully consider the following risk factors
related to the Transactions and the anticipated business of
Coeur after the closing of the Transactions, as well as the
other information contained in this proxy statement, including
the attached annexes, in evaluating whether to approve the
shareholder proposals.
Risks
Related to the Transactions
Coeur
may not realize the cost savings and other benefits it currently
anticipates due to challenges associated with integrating
operations, personnel and other aspects of the companies and due
to liabilities that may exist at Bolnisi and
Palmarejo.
The Transactions are being entered into with the expectation
that their successful completion will result in increased metal
production, earnings and cash flow for the combined company.
These anticipated increases will depend in part on whether
Coeurs, Bolnisis and Palmarejos operations can
be integrated in an efficient and effective manner, and whether
the project development in fact produces the benefits
anticipated. Most operational and strategic decisions, and
certain staffing decisions, with respect to the combined company
have not yet been made and may not have been fully identified.
These decisions and the integration of the three companies will
present significant challenges to management, including the
integration of systems and personnel of the three companies, and
special risks, including possible unanticipated liabilities,
significant one-time write-offs or restructuring charges,
unanticipated costs, and the loss of key employees. There can be
no assurance that there will be operational or other synergies
realized by the combined company, or that the integration of the
three companies operations, management and cultures will
be timely or effectively accomplished, or ultimately will be
successful in increasing earnings and reducing costs. In
addition, the integration of Bolnisi and Palmarejo may subject
Coeur to liabilities existing at one or both of Bolnisi and
Palmarejo, some of which may be unknown. While Coeur has
conducted due diligence on the operations of Bolnisi and
Palmarejo, there can be no guarantee that Coeur is aware of any
and all liabilities of Bolnisi and Palmarejo. These liabilities,
and any additional risks and uncertainties related to the
Transactions not currently known to Coeur or that Coeur may
currently deem immaterial, could negatively impact Coeurs
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Coeur
will incur significant transaction, combination-related and
restructuring costs in connection with the
Transactions.
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo will be obligated to pay
transaction fees and other expenses related to the Transactions
of approximately $11.6 million, including financial
advisors fees, filing fees, legal and accounting fees,
soliciting fees, regulatory fees and mailing costs. Furthermore,
Coeur expects to incur significant costs associated with
combining the operations of the three companies. However, it is
difficult to predict the amount of these costs before Coeur
begins the integration process. The combined company may incur
additional unanticipated costs as a consequence of difficulties
arising from efforts to integrate the operations of the three
companies. Although Coeur expects that the elimination of
duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other
efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, can
offset incremental transaction, combination-related and
restructuring costs over time, Coeur cannot give any assurance
that this net benefit will be achieved in the near term, or at
all.
Coeur
shareholders will suffer immediate and substantial dilution to
their equity and voting interests as a result of the issuance of
Coeur common stock to the Bolnisi and Palmarejo
shareholders.
In connection with the Transactions, Coeur will issue
approximately 261.0 million shares of common stock, which
excludes up to 11.0 million new shares that will be
issuable upon the exercise of existing Palmarejo options and
assumes that none of the existing Palmarejo warrants will be
exercised before their expiration on October 19, 2007.
Bolnisi and Palmarejo shareholders will own approximately 48.35%
of the total number of shares of Coeurs outstanding common
stock following the completion of the Transactions. Assuming
that all existing Palmarejo options are exercised before or
after the consummation of the Transactions, former shareholders
of Bolnisi and Palmarejo will own approximately 49.32% of the
outstanding stock of the combined company. Accordingly, the
issuance of Coeur common stock to the Bolnisi and Palmarejo
shareholders will have the effect of reducing the percentage of
equity and voting interest held by each of Coeurs current
shareholders. Furthermore, some Bolnisi
31
and Palmarejo shareholders may not intend to hold shares of
Coeur common stock. If a significant number of Bolnisi and
Palmarejo shareholders seek to sell their shares of Coeur common
stock, this may adversely affect the trading price of Coeur
common stock.
Risks
Relating to the Businesses of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and
the Combined Company
After the completion of the Transactions, the business of the
combined company, as well as the price of Coeur common stock,
will be subject to numerous risks currently affecting the
businesses of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo.
Palmarejo
has incurred losses and Coeur expects to continue incurring
losses related to the Palmarejo Project and other
properties.
There can be no assurance that significant losses will not occur
at the Palmarejo Project in the near future or that the
Palmarejo Project will be profitable in the future. Coeurs
operating expenses and capital expenditures may increase in
subsequent years as needed consultants, personnel and equipment
associated with advancing exploration, development and
commercial production of the Palmarejo Project and any other
properties Coeur may acquire are added. The amounts and timing
of expenditures will depend on the progress of ongoing
exploration and development, the results of consultants
analyses and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses
are incurred, and Coeurs acquisition of additional
properties and other factors, many of which are beyond
Coeurs control. While Coeur expects production at the
Palmarejo Project to commence in 2009, there can be no assurance
that this timetable will be met and Coeur expects to incur
losses related to the Palmarejo Project until such time as the
Palmarejo Project and any other properties Coeur may acquire
enter into commercial production and generate sufficient
revenues to fund its continuing operations. The development of
the Palmarejo Project and any other properties Coeur may acquire
will require the commitment of substantial resources to conduct
the time-consuming exploration and development of properties.
There can be no assurance that Coeur will generate any revenues
or achieve profitability at the Palmarejo Project and any other
properties Coeur may acquire.
Recently
discovered settlement and subsidence issues at the Palmarejo
Project may increase development costs and delay the start of
production.
In early August 2007, Coeur representatives observed previously
unnoticed ground settlement and subsidence in three main areas:
the lower plant site, the upper plant site, and the site where
the power plant is to be located. The initial engineering review
conducted by Coeur technical personnel as well as third party
engineering consultants concluded that the settlement and
subsidence was occurring primarily due to issues with the
original compaction and placement of fill material. This
settlement became visible once heavy rainfall was experienced.
Since that time, Coeurs third party engineering
consultants have conducted more extensive
on-site
analysis and have provided Coeur with a detailed report based on
its review, which recommends specific remedial actions that
should be initiated. Coeur estimates that these remedial actions
may cost up to $15 million, which is an estimate endorsed
by Coeurs third party engineering consultants. Coeur
anticipates production from the Palmarejo Project to commence in
the first quarter of 2009, which takes into account the
estimated time to complete these remedial activities. There can
be no assurance that these preliminary estimates will prove
accurate, and any inaccuracy in such estimates could materially
adversely impact the development of the Palmarejo Project and
Coeurs financial condition and results of operations.
Coeur
may be required to incur additional indebtedness to
fund Coeurs capital expenditures.
Coeur has historically financed its operations through the
issuance of common stock and convertible debt, and may be
required to incur additional indebtedness in the future. During
2004, Coeur commenced construction at the San Bartolome
project and in 2005 Coeur commenced construction at the
Kensington project. Construction of both projects could require
a total capital investment of approximately $412 million of
which approximately $142.0 million will be required in
future periods. In addition, Coeur expects that the Palmarejo
Project will require a total capital investment of approximately
$1.3 billion of which approximately $200 million will
be required in future periods. While Coeur believes that its
cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments combined with
cash flow generated from operations will be sufficient for it to
make this level of capital investment, no assurance can be given
32
that additional capital investments will not be required to be
made at these or other projects. If Coeur is unable to generate
enough cash to finance such additional capital expenditures
through operating cash flow and the issuance of common stock,
Coeur may be required to issue additional indebtedness. Any
additional indebtedness would increase Coeurs debt payment
obligations, and may negatively impact its results of operations.
Prior
to 2005, Coeur did not have sufficient earnings to cover fixed
charges, which deficiency could occur in future
periods.
As a result of Coeurs net losses prior to 2005, its
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 the three years
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. In addition, Coeur is required to make annual interest
payments of approximately $2.25 million on the
$180 million principal amount of its
11/4% Senior
Convertible Notes due 2024 until their maturity.
Coeur expects to satisfy its fixed charges and other obligations
in the future from cash flow from operations and, if cash flow
from operations is insufficient, from working capital, which
amounted to approximately $311.4 million at June 30,
2007. Prior to 2005, Coeur experienced negative cash flow from
operating activities. The amount of net cash used in
Coeurs 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, Coeur 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 Coeurs results of operations,
silver and gold prices, levels and costs of production at
Coeurs mining properties and the amount of Coeurs
capital expenditures and expenditures for acquisitions,
developmental and exploratory activities.
The
market prices of silver and gold are volatile. If silver and
gold prices decline, Coeur may experience a decrease in
revenues, a decrease in net income or an increase in losses, and
a negative affect on its business.
Silver and gold are commodities. Their prices fluctuate and are
affected by many factors beyond Coeurs 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 Coeur currently derives approximately 69% of its
revenues from continuing operations from sales of silver,
Coeurs earnings are primarily related to the price of this
metal.
The market prices of silver (Handy & Harman) and gold
(London Final) on September 19, 2007 were $12.98 and $725
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 Coeurs net losses resume, Coeur may be forced
to suspend mining at one or more of its 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 Coeurs results of operations.
Coeur may also suffer from declines in mineral prices. Since
1999, Coeur has not engaged in any silver hedging activities and
is currently not engaged in any gold hedging activities.
Accordingly, Coeur has no protection from declines in mineral
prices or currency fluctuations.
Coeur
may have to record additional write-downs, which could
negatively impact its 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
33
must be recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds
these cash flows, and recognizing impairment write-downs could
negatively impact Coeurs results of operations.
If silver or gold prices decline or Coeur fails to control
production costs or realize the mineable ore reserves at its
mining properties, Coeur may be required to recognize further
asset write-downs. Coeur 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 Coeurs 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
Coeurs 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 Coeur 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 Coeur that it was
suspending the CWA Section 404 permit pursuant to the
Courts remand to further review the permit.
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated
Coeurs CWA Section 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. Coeur, 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 CWA
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 the 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.
On March 7, 2007, the Department of Justice
(DOJ), on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, filed a
motion for authorization under injunction pending appeal to
permit construction of a western interception ditch which
related to site stabilization due to spring snowmelt. On
March 16, 2007, the Circuit Court panel issued an Order
which denied the western interception ditch work plan. This
Order further announced that the Circuit Court intended to
reverse the District Courts upholding of the CWA
Section 404 permit, vacate the permit authorizing the lake
tailings facility and remand the order to the District Court
with instructions to enter summary judgments in favor of the
Plaintiffs. The Court stated that it planned to publish an
opinion in the case that would explain the reasons for its
holding in greater detail and directed that all tailings pond
construction-related activities cease. On May 22, 2007, the
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District
Courts August 4, 2006 decision which had upheld
Coeurs 404 permit and issued its opinion that remanded the
case to the District Court with instructions to vacate
Coeurs 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of Decision
approving the general tailings disposal plan as well as the
Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine
Facility. The DOJ, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the
USFS, filed for an extension of time to file a Petition for
Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit. The extension was granted on
June 29, 2007. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska filed
a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The
Department of Justice, acting on behalf of
34
the federal agencies USFS, EPA and Corps of Engineers,
additionally filed a limited Petition for Rehearing with the
Ninth Circuit panel seeking reconsideration of the mandate of
the May 22, 2007 panel. The Court ordered a reply briefing
by the plaintiffs which were filed on October 11, 2007. The
petitions are currently pending. Coeur cannot now predict the
potential for obtaining an appeal or if it will prevail upon
appeal if one is granted.
This litigation has contributed to an increase in capital costs.
While Coeur believes it will ultimately prevail in the defense
of the awarded permits, in the event that Coeur does not
prevail, it could be necessary to seek an alternate site for the
tailings disposal facility. Coeur is not aware of an alternate
site that could be permitted or would be economic. Therefore, it
is possible that the failure to obtain reversal upon appeal
could render the project uneconomic and an asset impairment
would be necessary. Based upon Coeurs estimates, an
impairment writedown could be necessary should the expectation
of the long-term price for gold decrease below approximately
$535 per ounce. As of June 30, 2007, the carrying value of
the long-lived assets associated with the Kensington project was
$231 million.
Additionally, the value allocated to Bolnisis long-lived
assets will be subject to assessments of recoverability under
SFAS 144 and these assessments could result in writedowns
of carrying values in future periods.
Coeurs
revenues and income (or loss) from its interest in the Endeavor
and Broken Hill mines are dependent in part upon the performance
of the operators of the mine.
In May and September 2005, Coeur 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. Coeurs revenues and income (or loss) from its
interest in the silver production at these mines are dependent
in part upon the performance of the operators of these mines. If
the operators of these mines are not able to produce silver at
the same rate as they have in the past, Coeurs revenues
and income could decrease.
The
estimation of ore reserves is imprecise and depends upon
subjective factors. Estimated ore reserves may not be realized
in actual production. Coeurs reported reserves and
operating results may be negatively affected by inaccurate
estimates.
The ore reserve figures presented in Coeurs public filings
are estimates made by Coeurs technical personnel. Reserve
estimates are a function of geological and engineering analyses
that require Coeur to make assumptions about production costs
and future silver and gold 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 Coeur may be required to reduce
reserve estimates, discontinue development or mining at one or
more of its properties, or write down assets as impaired. Should
Coeur encounter mineralization or geologic formations at any of
its mines or projects different from those Coeur predicted,
Coeur may adjust its reserve estimates and alter its mining
plans. Either of these situations may adversely affect
Coeurs actual production and its operating results.
Coeur based its 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
September 19, 2007 silver and gold prices were $12.98 per
ounce and $725 per ounce, respectively.
The
estimation of the ultimate recovery of metals contained within
the Rochester 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
35
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.
Coeur uses 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. Coeur
estimates the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning
satellite survey techniques. Coeur then processes 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. Coeur then
transports the crushed ore to the leach pad for application of
the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from
the leach pads, Coeur continuously samples for assaying. Coeur
measures 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. Coeur again weighs,
samples and assays the doré. Finally, a third party smelter
converts the doré and determines final ounces of silver and
gold available for sale. Coeur then reviews this end result and
reconcile it to the estimates Coeur developed and used
throughout the production process. Based on this review, Coeur
adjusts its estimation procedures when appropriate.
Coeurs reported inventories include metals estimated to be
contained in the ore on the leach pads of $70.1 million as
of June 30, 2007. Of this amount, $32.7 million is
reported as a current asset and $37.4 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 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
non-current. The inventory of ore on the leach pads is stated at
actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the
leach pads 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 Coeur projects 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 Coeur uses to
measure metal content during each stage of the inventory
conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on
laboratory testing and assaying. Coeur periodically reviews its
estimates compared to actual experience and revises its
estimates when appropriate. The length of time necessary to
achieve Coeurs 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.
When Coeur began leach operations in 1986, based solely on
laboratory testing, Coeur estimated the ultimate recovery of
silver and gold at 50% and 80%, respectively. Since 1986, Coeur
has 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, Coeur increased its
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.
36
If Coeurs estimate of ultimate recovery requires
adjustment, the impact upon its inventory valuation and upon its
income statement would be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Positive/Negative
|
|
Positive/Negative
|
|
|
|
Change in Silver Recovery
|
|
Change in Gold Recovery
|
|
|
|
1%
|
|
2%
|
|
3%
|
|
1%
|
|
|
2%
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
Quantity of recoverable ounces
|
|
|
1.7 million
|
|
|
|
3.5 million
|
|
|
|
5.2 million
|
|
|
|
13,214
|
|
|
|
26,428
|
|
|
|
39,642
|
|
Positive impact on future cost of production per silver
equivalent ounce for increases in recovery rates
|
|
|
$1.28
|
|
|
|
$2.20
|
|
|
|
$2.90
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
|
$
|
1.01
|
|
|
$
|
1.43
|
|
Negative impact on future cost of production per silver
equivalent ounce for decreases in recovery rates
|
|
|
$1.90
|
|
|
|
$4.99
|
|
|
|
$10.98
|
|
|
$
|
0.63
|
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
|
$
|
2.24
|
|
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 Coeurs inventory valuations and
correspondingly on Coeurs income statement would have an
adverse impact on Coeurs results of operations.
Coeurs
estimates of current and non-current inventories may not be
realized in actual production and operating results, which may
negatively affect Coeurs business.
Coeur uses 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 Coeurs actual production and
operating results. Coeur cannot determine the amount ultimately
recoverable until leaching is completed. If Coeurs
estimates prove inaccurate, Coeurs operating results may
be less than anticipated.
Silver
mining involves significant production and operational risks.
Coeur may suffer from the failure to efficiently operate its
mining projects.
Silver mining involves significant degrees of risk, including
those related to mineral exploration success, unexpected
geological or mining conditions, the development of new
deposits, climatic conditions, equipment
and/or
service failures, compliance with current or new governmental
requirements, current availability of or delays in installing
and commissioning plant and equipment, import or customs delays
and other general operating risks. Problems may also arise due
to the quality or failure of locally obtained equipment or
interruptions to services (such as power, water, fuel or
transport or processing capacity) or technical support, which
results in the failure to achieve expected target dates for
exploration or production activities
and/or
result in a requirement for greater expenditure. The right to
export silver and gold may depend on obtaining certain licenses
and quotas, the granting of which may be at the discretion of
the relevant regulatory authorities. There may be delays in
obtaining such licenses and quotas leading to the income
receivable by Coeur being adversely affected, and it is possible
that from time to time export licenses may be refused. Many of
these risks are outside of the ability of Coeurs
management to control and may result in a materially adverse
effect on Coeurs operations and Coeurs financial
results.
Mineral
exploration and development inherently involves significant and
irreducible financial risks. Coeur may suffer from the failure
to find and develop profitable mines.
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves
significant financial risks, which even a combination of careful
evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate.
Unprofitable efforts may result
37
from the failure to discover mineral deposits. Even if mineral
deposits are found, such deposits may be insufficient in
quantity and quality to return a profit from production, or it
may take a number of years until production is possible, during
which time the economic viability of the project may change. Few
properties which are explored are ultimately developed into
producing mines. Mining companies rely on consultants and others
for exploration, development, construction and operating
expertise.
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.
Once a mineral deposit is developed, whether it will be
commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including:
the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade
and proximity to infrastructure; government regulations
including taxes, royalties, land tenure; land use, importing and
exporting of minerals and environmental protection; and mineral
prices. Factors that affect adequacy of infrastructure include:
reliability of roads, bridges, power sources and water supply;
unusual or infrequent weather phenomena; sabotage; and
government or other interference in the maintenance or provision
of such infrastructure. All of these factors are highly
cyclical. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately
predicted, but the combination may result in not receiving an
adequate return on invested capital.
Significant
investment risks and operational costs are associated with
Coeurs exploration, development and mining activities,
such as San Bartolome, Kensington and the Palmarejo
Project. These risks and costs may result in lower economic
returns and may adversely affect Coeurs
business.
Coeurs ability to sustain or increase its present
production levels depends in part on successful exploration and
development of new ore bodies
and/or
expansion of existing mining operations.
Development projects, such as San Bartolome, Kensington and
the Palmarejo Project, 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, Coeurs business results of operations may be
negatively affected.
Coeurs
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 Coeurs sales of
concentrates as a result of the unexpected discontinuation of
purchases by Coeurs smelter customers could have a
material adverse effect on Coeurs
operations.
Coeur 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
Coeur 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 would not be experienced
that would result in a materially adverse effect on Coeurs
operations and Coeurs financial results. Furthermore, the
marketing of metals is dependent on market fluctuations and the
availability of processing facilities and storage and
transportation infrastructure at economic tariff rates over
which Coeur may have limited or no control.
38
Coeurs
silver and gold production may decline, reducing its revenues
and negatively impacting its business.
Coeurs future silver and gold production may decline as a
result of an exhaustion of reserves and possible closure of
mines. It is Coeurs business strategy to conduct silver
and gold exploratory activities at its 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. Coeur can provide no
assurance that its silver and gold production in the future will
not decline. Accordingly, Coeurs revenues from the sale of
silver and gold may decline, negatively affecting its results of
operations.
There
are significant hazards associated with Coeurs mining
activities, not all of which are fully covered by insurance. To
the extent Coeur must pay the costs associated with such risks,
its 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 Coeur
maintains insurance in an amount that Coeur considers to be
adequate, liabilities might exceed policy limits, in which event
Coeur could incur significant costs that could adversely affect
its 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 Coeur or to other companies in the industry. The
realization of any significant liabilities in connection with
Coeurs mining activities as described above could
negatively affect Coeurs results of operations.
Coeur
is subject to significant governmental regulations, and its
related costs and delays may negatively affect Coeurs
business.
Coeurs 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 Coeurs business. Although these laws
and regulations have never required Coeur 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 Coeurs
operations and delays in the development of its properties.
In addition, government approvals, approval of aboriginal people
and permits are currently and may in the future be required in
connection with the Palmarejo Project. To the extent such
approvals are required and not obtained, Coeur may be curtailed
or prohibited from planned mining operations or continuing its
planned exploration or development of mineral properties at the
Palmarejo Project.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and
permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions
thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial
authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may
include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures,
installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions.
Parties engaged in mining operations or in the exploration or
development of mineral properties may be required to compensate
those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining
activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties
imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
Compliance
with environmental regulations and litigation based on
environmental regulations could require significant
expenditures.
Environmental regulations mandate, among other things, the
maintenance of air and water quality standards and land
reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation,
transportation, storage and disposal of solid
39
and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a
manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement,
increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent
environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened
degree of responsibility for companies and their officers,
directors and employees.
To the extent Coeur is subject to environmental liabilities, the
payment of such liabilities or the costs that it may incur to
remedy environmental pollution would reduce funds otherwise
available to it and could have a material adverse effect on the
combined company. If Coeur is unable to fully remedy an
environmental problem, it might be required to suspend
operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending
completion of the required remedy. The potential exposure may be
significant and could have a material adverse effect.
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
Coeurs 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 Coeurs
operations. Although Coeur believes that it is in substantial
compliance with applicable laws and regulations, Coeur cannot
assure you that any such law, regulation, enforcement or private
claim will not have a negative effect on its business, financial
condition or results of operations.
Some of Coeurs 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, Coeur 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 Coeurs
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
Coeurs operations.
In the context of environmental permits, including the approval
of reclamation plans, Coeur 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 Coeurs operations. There is no assurance that
future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not
adversely affect Coeurs operations. Coeur intends to fully
comply with all applicable environmental regulations.
Mining
companies are required to obtain government permits to expand
operations or begin new operations. The costs and delays
associated with such approvals could affect Coeurs
operations, reduce Coeurs revenues, and negatively affect
the combined companys business as a whole.
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 and the
Palmarejo 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 Coeurs control.
The governmental approval process may increase costs and cause
delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted,
and could cause Coeur to not proceed with the development of a
mine. Accordingly, this approval process could harm Coeurs
results of operations.
Reference is made to the discussion of the current litigation
regarding the validity of the mine tailings permit at the
Kensington property in Alaska that is set forth under the above
risk factor entitled Coeur may have to record additional
write-downs, which could negatively impact its results of
operations.
40
Meanwhile, although Palmarejo currently holds all consents that
it requires in order to carry out its current drilling and
development program on the Palmarejo Project, Coeur cannot be
certain that it will receive the necessary permits on acceptable
terms to conduct further exploration and to develop the
Palmarejo Project in accordance with its pre-feasibility study.
The failure to obtain such permits, or delays in obtaining such
permits, could increase costs and delay activities, and could
adversely affect the Palmarejo Project.
Coeurs
business depends on good relations with its employees and key
personnel.
Coeur could experience labor disputes, work stoppages or other
disruptions in production that could adversely affect Coeur. As
of June 30, 2007, unions represented approximately 22% of
Coeurs worldwide workforce. On that date, Coeur had
135 employees at its Cerro Bayo mine and 96 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. Additionally, Coeur relies on its management team, and the
loss of a key individual or Coeurs inability to attract
qualified personnel in the future may adversely impact its
business.
Coeur
is an international company and is exposed to risks in the
countries in which it has significant operations or interests.
Foreign instability or variances in foreign currencies may cause
unforeseen losses, which may affect Coeurs
business.
Any foreign operations or investment is subject to political and
economic risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties
may include exchange controls; extreme fluctuations in currency
exchange rates; high rates of inflation; labor unrest; civil
unrest; military repression; expropriation and nationalization;
renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions,
licenses, permits and contracts; illegal mining; changes in
taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and
repatriation, and laws or policies in the U.S. affecting
foreign trade investment and taxation. Further, foreign
operations or investment is subject to changes in government
regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on
production, price controls, export controls, currency
remittance, income taxes, expropriation of property, foreign
investment, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation,
land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety.
Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Australia are the most significant
foreign countries in which Coeur now directly or indirectly owns
or operates mining properties or developmental projects. Coeur
also conducts exploratory projects in these countries. With the
acquisition of Palmarejo and Bolnisi, Coeur would also own a
major mining operation in Mexico. Argentina, Bolivia, and
Mexico, 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. It is uncertain
at this time how new mining or investment policies or shifts in
political attitude may affect mining in these countries.
Coeur may enter into agreements which require Coeur to purchase
currencies of foreign countries in which Coeur does business in
order to ensure fixed exchange rates. In the event that actual
exchange rates vary from those set forth in the hedge contracts,
Coeur 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 Coeur has
significant operations or interests and unfavorable fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates could negatively impact its
foreign operations and its business as a whole. Further,
property ownership in a foreign country is generally subject to
the risk of expropriation or nationalization with inadequate
compensation.
Coeur
is exposed to risks with respect to the legal systems in the
countries in which it has significant operations or interests,
and resolutions of any disputes may adversely affect its
business.
Some of the jurisdictions in which Coeur currently and may in
the future operate have less developed legal systems than would
be found in more established economies like the United States.
This may result in risks such as potential difficulties in
obtaining effective legal redress in the courts of such
jurisdictions, whether in respect of a breach of law or
regulation, or in an ownership dispute; a higher degree of
discretion on the part of governmental authorities; the lack of
judicial or administrative guidance on interpreting applicable
rules and regulations;
41
inconsistencies or conflicts between and within various laws,
regulations, decrees, orders and resolutions; or relative
inexperience of the judiciary and courts in such matters.
In certain jurisdictions the commitment of local business
people, government officials and agencies and the judicial
system to abide by legal requirements and negotiated agreements
may be uncertain, creating particular concerns with respect to
licenses and agreements for business. These may be susceptible
to revision or cancellation and legal redress may be uncertain
or delayed. There can be no assurance that joint ventures,
licenses, license applications or other legal arrangements will
not be adversely affected by the actions of government
authorities or others and the effectiveness of and enforcement
of such arrangements in these jurisdictions cannot be assured.
Any of
Coeurs future acquisitions may result in significant
risks, which may adversely affect its business.
An important element of Coeurs business strategy is the
opportunistic acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties
and businesses or interests therein. While it is Coeurs
practice to engage independent mining consultants to assist in
evaluating and making acquisitions, any mining properties or
interests Coeur may acquire may not be developed profitably or,
if profitable when acquired, that profitability might not be
sustained. In connection with any future acquisitions, Coeur may
incur indebtedness or issue equity securities, resulting in
increased interest expense, or dilution of the percentage
ownership of existing shareholders. Coeur intends to seek
shareholder approval for any such acquisitions to the extent
required by applicable law, regulations or stock exchange rules.
Coeur cannot predict the impact of future acquisitions on its
business or the price of its common stock. Unprofitable
acquisitions, or additional indebtedness or issuances of
securities in connection with such acquisitions, may impact the
price of Coeurs common stock and negatively affect
Coeurs results of operations.
Coeur
is continuously considering possible acquisitions of additional
mining properties or interests therein that are located in other
countries, and could be exposed to significant risks associated
with any such acquisitions.
In the ordinary course of Coeurs business, Coeur is
continuously considering the possible acquisition of additional
significant mining properties or interests therein that may be
located in countries other than those in which Coeur now has
operations or interests. Consequently, in addition to the risks
inherent in the valuation and acquisition of such mining
properties, as well as the subsequent development, operation or
ownership thereof, Coeur could be subject to additional risks in
such countries as a result of governmental policies, economic
instability, currency value fluctuations and other risks
associated with the development, operation or ownership of
mining properties or interests therein. Such risks could
adversely affect Coeurs results of operations.
Coeurs
ability to find and acquire new mineral properties is uncertain.
Accordingly, Coeurs prospects are uncertain for the future
growth of its business.
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable
ore reserves, Coeur is continually seeking to replace and expand
its ore reserves. Identifying promising mining properties is
difficult and speculative. Furthermore, Coeur encounters strong
competition from other mining companies in connection with the
acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing
silver and gold. Competition in the precious metals mining
industry is primarily for mineral rich properties which can be
developed and can produce economically; the technical expertise
to find, develop, and operate such properties; the labor to
operate the properties; and the capital for the purpose of
funding such properties. Many companies have greater financial
resources than Coeur does. Consequently, Coeur may be unable to
replace and expand current ore reserves through the acquisition
of new mining properties or interests therein on terms Coeur
considers acceptable. As a result, Coeurs revenues from
the sale of silver and gold may decline, resulting in lower
income and reduced growth.
Third
parties may dispute Coeurs unpatented mining claims, which
could result in the discovery of defective titles and losses
affecting its business.
The validity of unpatented mining claims, which constitute a
significant portion of Coeurs property holdings in the
United States, is often uncertain and may be contested. Although
Coeur has attempted to acquire satisfactory title to undeveloped
properties, Coeur, in accordance with mining industry practice,
does not generally obtain title
42
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
Coeurs mining claims could result in litigation, insurance
claims, and potential losses affecting its business as a whole.
The acquisition of title to concessions and similar property
interests is a detailed and time consuming process. Title to,
and the area of, concessions and similar property interests may
be disputed.
No assurances can be given that title defects to the Palmarejo
Project do not exist. The Palmarejo Project may be subject to
prior unregistered agreements, interests or native land claims
and title may be affected by undetected defects. There may be
valid challenges to the title of any of the claims comprising
the Palmarejo Project that, if successful, could impair
development
and/or
operations. A defect could result in Coeur losing all or a
portion of its right, title, estate and interest in and to the
properties to which the title defect relates. Also, while Coeur
believes that the registration defects relating to certain
non-material properties as described herein will be remedied;
there can be no assurance as to timing or successful completion.
Coeur
will not own all of the concessions comprising the Palmarejo
Project, and Coeurs failure to comply with its contractual
commitments on such properties may result in their
loss.
Planet Gold, S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of
Palmarejo, is the registered owner of most but not all of the
concessions comprising the Palmarejo Project. If Coeur fails to
meet payments or work commitments on these properties, Coeur may
lose its interests in a portion of the Palmarejo Project or
forfeit some of the concessions.
43
The
Special Meeting of Coeur Shareholders
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of Coeurs Board
of Directors for use at a special meeting of Coeurs
shareholders to be held on December 3, 2007, at
9:30 am local time, or at any adjournments or postponements
thereof, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and
in the accompanying notice of special meeting. The special
meeting will be held at The Coeur dAlene Resort and
Conference Center, Second Street and Front Avenue, Coeur
dAlene, Idaho. Coeur intends to commence mailing of this
proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card to Coeurs
shareholders on or about October 23, 2007.
At the special meeting, Coeurs shareholders are being
asked to consider and vote on:
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Proposal 1 an amendment to Coeurs
articles of incorporation to increase the authorized number of
shares of Coeur common stock from 500,000,000 to 750,000,000;
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Proposal 2 the issuance of shares of Coeur
common stock in the Transactions; and
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Proposal 3 adjourn or postpone the special
meeting to solicit additional votes to approve Proposals 1
and 2.
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Coeur does not expect a vote to be taken on any other matters at
the special meeting. If any other matters are properly presented
at the special meeting for consideration, however, the holders
of the proxies, if properly authorized, will have discretion to
vote on these matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Coeurs Board of Directors has unanimously approved the
Transactions, the amendment to Coeurs articles of
incorporation and the issuance of Coeur common stock in the
Transactions. Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously
recommends that Coeur shareholders vote FOR Proposals 1, 2,
and 3.
The effectiveness of Proposals 1 and 2 is conditioned upon
the approval of both proposals. Coeur shareholders can cast
separate votes on each proposal, but unless the Coeur
shareholders approve both proposals, neither will take effect.
There are certain risks associated with the Transactions, which
are described under the heading Risk Factors,
beginning on page 31.
Record
Date and Voting Information
Only holders of record of Coeur common stock at the close of
business on October 19, 2007 are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the special meeting. At the close of business on
October 15, 2007, 278,465,840 shares of Coeur common
stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. A list of
Coeurs shareholders will be available for review at
Coeurs executive offices during regular business hours
after the date of this proxy statement and through the date of
the special meeting. Each holder of record of Coeur common stock
on the record date will be entitled to one vote for each share
held. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Coeur common stock
entitled to vote at the special meeting is necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the
special meeting.
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election
appointed for the special meeting, who will separately tabulate
affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes. If a shareholders shares are held of record by
a broker, bank or other nominee and the shareholder wishes to
vote in person at the special meeting, the shareholder must
contact his or her broker or bank and obtain from the record
holder a legal proxy issued in the
shareholders name. Brokers who hold shares in street
name for clients typically have the authority to vote on
routine proposals when they have not received
instructions from beneficial owners. Absent specific
instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, brokers
are not allowed to exercise their voting discretion with respect
to the approval of non-routine matters, such as
Proposals 1, 2, and 3. Proxies submitted without a vote by
brokers on these matters are referred to as broker
non-votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted
for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the
special meeting.
Proxies received at any time before the special meeting and not
revoked or superseded before being voted will be voted at the
special meeting. If the proxy indicates a specification, it will
be voted in accordance with the specification. If no
specification is indicated, the proxy will be voted
FOR the adoption of the amendment to Coeurs
articles of incorporation, FOR the issuance of
shares of Coeur common stock in the Transactions,
FOR
44
the approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if
there are not sufficient votes to adopt Proposals 1 and 2,
and, in the discretion of the persons named in the proxy with
respect to any other business that may properly come before the
special meeting or any adjournment of the special meeting. You
may also vote in person by ballot at the special meeting.
The proposals must be adopted by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Coeur common stock that are present or
represented by proxy at the shareholder meeting. In addition,
the total votes cast on Proposal 2 must represent a
majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the date
of the special meeting.
The approval of Proposal 3 to adjourn the special meeting
if there are not sufficient votes to adopt Proposals 1 and
2 requires the affirmative vote of shareholders holding a
majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the
special meeting. The persons named as proxies may propose and
vote for one or more adjournments of the special meeting,
including adjournments to permit further solicitations of
proxies. No proxy voted against Proposal 1 or 2 will be
voted in favor of any adjournment of the special meeting.
Each share of Coeur common stock outstanding on October 19,
2007, the record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the
special meeting, is entitled to vote at the special meeting.
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote your shares in
any of the following ways:
Voting by mail. If you choose to vote by mail,
simply mark your proxy, date and sign it, and return it in the
postage-paid envelope provided.
Voting by telephone. You can vote your proxy
by telephone by calling the toll free number 1-888-693-8683. You
will then be prompted to enter the control number printed on
your proxy card and to follow the subsequent instructions.
Voting by telephone is also available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, until 6:00 a.m. EDT on the morning of the special
meeting. If you vote by telephone, do not return your proxy
card(s).
Voting by Internet. You can also vote your
proxy via the Internet. The website for Internet voting is
www.cesvote.com, and voting is also available 24 hours per
day, seven days a week, until 6:00 a.m. EDT on the morning
of the special meeting. If you vote via the Internet, you should
not return your proxy card(s). Instructions on how to vote via
the Internet are located on the proxy card enclosed with this
proxy statement. Have a your proxy card in hand when you access
the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records
and create an electronic voting form.
Voting in Person. You can also vote by
appearing and voting in person at the special meeting.
If your stock is held in street name by a bank or
broker, please follow the instruction provided by your bank or
broker.
If you vote your shares of Coeur common stock by submitting a
proxy, your shares will be voted at the special meeting as you
indicated on your proxy card, or Internet or telephone proxy. If
no instructions are indicated on your signed proxy card, all of
your shares of Coeur common stock will be voted FOR
the adoption of the amendment to Coeurs articles of
incorporation, the issuance of shares of Coeur common stock in
the Transactions, and the approval of any proposal to adjourn
the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies
in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of
the special meeting to adopt the proposals. You should return a
proxy by mail, by telephone, or via the Internet even if you
plan to attend the special meeting in person.
Any person giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has the
power to revoke and change it anytime before it is voted. It may
be revoked
and/or
changed at any time before it is voted at the special meeting by:
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giving written notice of revocation to Coeurs Corporate
Secretary;
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submitting another proper proxy via the Internet, by telephone,
or a later-dated written proxy; or
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attending the special meeting and voting by paper ballot in
person. Your attendance at the special meeting alone will not
revoke your proxy.
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If your Coeur shares are held in the name of a bank, broker,
trustee or other holder of record, including the trustee or
other fiduciary of an employee benefit plan, you must contact
your bank or broker and obtain a legal proxy,
executed in your favor from the holder of record to be able to
vote in person at the special meeting.
Expenses
of Proxy Solicitation
Coeur will pay the costs of soliciting proxies for the special
meeting. Officers, directors and employees of Coeur may solicit
proxies by telephone, mail, the Internet or in person. However,
they will not be paid for soliciting proxies. Coeur will also
request that individuals and entities holding shares in their
names, or in the names of their nominees, that are beneficially
owned by others, send proxy materials to and obtain proxies
from, those beneficial owners, and will reimburse those holders
for their reasonable expenses in performing those services. D.F.
King has been retained by Coeur to assist it in the solicitation
of proxies, using the means referred to above, and will receive
a fee estimated not to exceed $125,000, plus reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses.
Although it is not expected, the special meeting may be
adjourned for any reason by either the Chairman of the meeting
or the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock
entitled to vote at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to
another time or place, notice need not be provided of the place
(if any), date and time, and the means of remote communications
(if any) for shareholders and proxy holders to be deemed present
in person and vote at such adjourned meeting if the adjournment
is announced at the meeting. If, however, the date of the
adjourned meeting is more than 30 days after the date for
which the special meeting was originally called, or if a new
record date is fixed, notice of place (if any), date and time,
and the means of remote communications (if any) must be
provided. Such notice will be mailed to you or transmitted
electronically to you and will be provided not less than
10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the
adjourned meeting and will set forth the purpose of the meeting.
Coeurs Board of Directors is not aware of any business to
be brought before the special meeting other than that described
in this proxy statement.
Representatives of KPMG LLP, Coeurs independent registered
public accountants, are expected to attend the Coeur special
meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they
desire to do so. Such representatives are also expected to be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
Description
of the Transactions
On May 3, 2007, Coeur, Coeur Sub Two, Australian Bidco and
Bolnisi entered into a merger implementation agreement for Coeur
to acquire all of the shares of Bolnisi in accordance with a
scheme of arrangement to be submitted for approval by the
shareholders of Bolnisi and, if approved, the Federal Court of
Australia. On the same day, Coeur and Palmarejo entered into a
merger implementation agreement for Coeur to acquire the
outstanding shares of Palmarejo not indirectly owned by Bolnisi
in accordance with a plan of arrangement to be submitted for
approval by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Under the
terms of the Bolnisi Transaction, Bolnisi shareholders will
receive 0.682 Coeur shares (or, at the election of the Bolnisi
shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests representing Coeur
shares) and a cash payment equal to A$0.004 (or
US$0.9 million in aggregate) for each Bolnisi share they
own. Under the terms of the Palmarejo Transaction, Palmarejo
shareholders will receive 2.715 Coeur shares and a cash payment
equal to C$0.004 (or US$0.2 million in aggregate) for each
Palmarejo share they own. It is anticipated that this will
result in Coeur issuing a total of approximately
261.0 million new shares excludes up to 11.0 million
new shares that will be issuable upon the exercise of existing
Palmarejo options and assumes that none of the existing
Palmarejo warrants will be exercised before their expiration on
October 19, 2007.
46
Background
of the Transactions
Coeur regularly reviews, as part of its strategic planning
process, the acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties
and businesses or interests therein in order to enhance
shareholder value and its competitive and financial position.
Coeurs criteria for identifying these acquisition
opportunities include: significant production profile, low-cost
production, highly-prospective land position that can lead to
new discoveries and additions to resources and reserves, and the
location of the asset in an attractive mining jurisdiction.
Mr. Dennis Wheeler, Coeurs chairman, president and
chief executive officer, originally met with Mr. Norman
Seckold, chairman of Bolnisi and Palmarejo, on October 10,
2005 to express Coeurs potential interest in acquiring the
Palmarejo Project. No agreement of any type was reached between
Coeur and Bolnisi at that time.
In September 2006, Coeur approached CIBC World Markets Inc.
(CIBC World Markets), through its affiliate CIBC
Australia Limited, to assist it in identifying and evaluating
various strategic or financial alternatives relating to Bolnisi
and/or
Palmarejo. Coeur selected CIBC World Markets for this assignment
based on CIBC World Markets qualifications, experience and
reputation, its familiarity with Coeur and Coeurs business
and the significance of the proposed transaction for Coeur.
Coeur requested that CIBC World Markets approach
Mr. Seckold to establish whether, and under what
circumstances, Bolnisi
and/or
Palmarejo might be receptive to a transaction proposal from
Coeur.
Representatives of CIBC World Markets met with Mr. Seckold
on September 20, 2006. Mr. Seckold indicated that
Bolnisi and Palmarejo would be receptive to a potential proposal
from Coeur.
On November 17, 2006, Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo executed
a confidentiality agreement. From November 17, 2006 to and
including the date that the definitive agreements were signed
and thereafter as provided by the terms of the definitive
agreements, Coeur conducted a due diligence review of public and
non-public materials provided by Bolnisi and Palmarejo, met with
certain members of Bolnisi and Palmarejo management and visited
the Palmarejo Project site in Mexico.
Representatives of Coeur completed an initial due diligence
visit to the Palmarejo Project site from December 7, 2006
to December 10, 2006. Representatives of Coeur completed a
more detailed
follow-up
due diligence visit to the Palmarejo Project site as well as to
the offices of Palmarejos technical consultants, Mine
Development Associates, between January 22, 2007 and
January 26, 2007. During February 2007, Mr. Wheeler
was briefed on the findings from the Palmarejo Project site
visits by the Coeur due diligence team.
On March 1, 2007, Coeur formally appointed CIBC World
Markets as its financial advisor.
On March 20, 2007, in connection with a regularly scheduled
board of directors meeting, the Coeur board of directors
discussed the possibility of a transaction involving Bolnisi and
Palmarejo. Representatives of CIBC World Markets attended this
meeting. Coeur management provided their preliminary
perspectives with respect to a possible combination of Coeur
with Bolnisi and Palmarejo. At this meeting, after discussion of
the merits and risks of the transaction, the board of directors
authorized senior management of Coeur to continue discussions
with Bolnisi and Palmarejo regarding a possible combination.
On March 23, 2007, Mr. Wheeler called Mr. Seckold
to schedule a meeting in Sydney. Mr. Wheeler and
Mr. Seckold met in Sydney on April 3, 2007 to discuss
the basis on which Bolnisi and Palmarejo would be receptive to
discussions in respect of a transaction with Coeur and
discussions continued.
On April 3, 2007, Coeur authorized its legal advisors to
prepare and commence negotiation of the forms of definitive
transaction documents.
On April 6, 2007, the parties ceased discussions based on
an inability to move negotiations forward. On April 12,
2007, the parties agreed to resume discussions. Thereafter, the
parties and their financial advisors also had further
discussions regarding the appropriate method for determining the
exchange ratios and other terms for the proposed transaction,
and Mr. Wheeler periodically provided the Coeur board of
directors with telephonic updates on the status of discussions
with Bolnisi and Palmarejo and discussed with members of the
Coeur board of directors potential benefits and risks of the
proposed transaction.
On April 15, 2007, Bolnisi formally engaged Cormark
Securities Inc. as its financial advisor.
47
On April 16, 2007, a special meeting was held by the
Palmarejo board of directors. The Palmarejo board of directors
approved the creation of a special committee comprised of three
independent directors. The special committee of the Palmarejo
board of directors was to consider a potential transaction with
Coeur as well as investigate other strategic alternatives, among
other things. The engagement of Dundee Securities Corporation
(Dundee) as financial advisor to the Palmarejo
special committee was discussed and a draft engagement letter
was presented to the Palmarejo board of directors.
At an April 19, 2007 meeting of the Palmarejo special
committee, following a discussion of the scope of the Dundee
engagement and the services to be provided, the Palmarejo
special committee formally appointed Dundee to act as its
financial advisor in connection with the potential transaction
with Coeur. In addition, subsequently in April 2007, the
Palmarejo special committee retained the services of Westwind
Partners Inc., to provide a separate and independent valuation
required under Canadian securities laws.
At meetings in Sydney from April 23 25, 2007,
Mr. Wheeler met with both Mr. Seckold and
Mr. James Crombie, Palmarejos president and chief
executive officer, during which certain preliminary indicative
terms of the transaction were discussed, subject to resolution
of a number of material issues.
Between April 25, 2007 and April 27, 2007, senior
technical management of Coeur conducted an additional due
diligence site visit to the Palmarejo Project.
Between April 25, 2007 and May 2, 2007, Bolnisis
and Palmarejos legal and financial advisors conducted due
diligence on Coeur and its business, including reviewing public
and non-public documents, meeting with various members of Coeur
management, visiting Coeurs offices in Santiago, Chile,
visiting Coeurs Rochester Mine in Nevada and visiting
Coeurs headquarters in Coeur dAlene, Idaho.
On May 2, 2007, at a special meeting of the Coeur board of
directors, Mr. Wheeler reviewed for the board the status of
negotiations and updated the board with the developments since
his last communications and the last meeting. Coeurs legal
advisors presented the final terms of the proposed Transactions
and responded to questions by the board of directors members.
The board discussed and reviewed with Coeurs advisors the
post-signing diligence period and termination right. Members of
Coeurs management provided a detailed summary of the
results to that date of the technical diligence and of
Coeurs plans with respect to the mine. In addition, CIBC
World Markets provided the Coeur board of directors with its
opinion to the effect that, as of May 2, 2007, and based
upon and subject to the factors, assumptions, qualifications and
limitations set forth in its opinion, the consideration to be
paid by Coeur pursuant to the Transactions was fair, from a
financial point of view, to Coeur. After discussion and
deliberation of the merits and risks of the transaction, the
Coeur board of directors unanimously approved the form of
definitive agreements and the transactions contemplated by those
agreements and authorized Coeurs management to finalize
and execute the definitive agreements and other related
agreements, subject to continuation of the due diligence as
provided for in the definitive agreements.
On May 2, 2007 at a meeting of Palmarejos special
committee, Palmarejos special committee financial advisor,
Dundee Securities Corporation, reviewed with the Palmarejo
special committee its financial analysis of the 2.715 exchange
ratio provided for in the Palmarejo Transaction and delivered an
opinion to the Palmarejo special committee to the effect that,
as of May 2, 2007 and based on and subject to the matters
described in its opinion, the 2.715 exchange ratio was fair,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of Palmarejo
shares. The special committees separate and independent
financial advisor, Westwind Partners Inc., also made a
presentation to the special committee of its valuation report.
Palmarejos legal advisors presented the final terms of the
proposed Transactions and responded to questions by the special
committee members. After these presentations and further
discussion, the Palmarejo special committee voted unanimously to
approve the Palmarejo Transaction and the execution of the
definitive agreement. The Palmarejo special committee
subsequently recommended that the full Palmarejo board of
directors approve the Palmarejo Transaction.
On May 2, 2007 at a meeting of Palmarejos board of
directors, held immediately after the meeting of the Palmarejo
special committee, the chairman of the Palmarejo special
committee reported on the opinion received from Dundee, on the
recommendation of the Palmarejo special committee and on the
reasons for its recommendation. Presentations were made by
Dundee Securities Corporation and Westwind Partners Inc. The
full Palmarejo
48
board of directors voted unanimously to approve the Palmarejo
Transaction and the execution of the definitive agreement.
On May 3, 2007 at a meeting of Bolnisis board of
directors held in Australia, Bolnisis legal advisors
presented the final terms of the proposed transaction and
responded to questions by the board of directors members. After
this presentation and further discussion, the Bolnisi board of
directors voted unanimously to approve the Bolnisi Transaction
and to authorize the execution of the definitive agreements and
other related agreements.
The definitive agreements were thereafter executed on behalf of
each of the companies, and each of Bolnisis directors
entered into the call option agreements contemplated by the
Bolnisi Transaction. See The Transactions
Option Deeds. The Transactions were publicly announced
on May 3, 2007.
The Merger Implementation Agreement with Bolnisi initially
entitled Coeur to conduct additional diligence with respect to
Bolnisi until June 8, 2007. From the period from
May 3, 2007 through June 8, 2007, Coeur and its
representatives conducted additional due diligence on Bolnisi
and the Palmarejo Project. On June 8, 2007, Coeur and
Bolnisi agreed to extend Coeurs additional due diligence
period by 14 days, to June 22, 2007 to give Coeur
further time to complete its review of Bolnisi and the Palmarejo
Project. On June 22, 2007, Coeur and Bolnisi again agreed
to extend Coeurs additional due diligence period for an
additional period until July 3, 2007.
On June 29, 2007, representatives of Bolnisi and Bolnisi
management and representatives of Coeur and Coeur management met
in Sydney to discuss their due diligence findings and outlook
for the Palmarejo Project, which included, without limitation,
revisions to the operational and financial projections for the
Palmarejo Project. On July 2, 2007, Coeurs board of
directors met to discuss the results of the due diligence review
and the outcome of the meeting between Coeurs management
and representatives and Bolnisi. At this meeting, CIBC World
Markets delivered an opinion, which was subsequently confirmed
in writing, to the effect that, as of July 2, 2007, and
based upon and subject to the factors, assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion,
the consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to the
Transactions was fair, from a financial point of view, to Coeur.
At the meeting, the Coeur board determined to proceed with the
Transactions. Thereafter, upon the expiration of the additional
due diligence period, Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo announced
that Coeur had completed its due diligence investigation
pursuant to the Bolnisi Merger Implementation Agreement.
Coeurs
Reasons for the Transactions; Recommendation of Coeurs
Board of Directors
Coeur regularly reviews, as part of its strategic planning
process, the acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties
and businesses or interests therein in order to enhance
shareholder value and its competitive and financial position.
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable
ore reserves, Coeur is continually seeking to replace and expand
its ore reserves.
On May 2, 2007 and on July 2, 2007, following
completion of due diligence, Coeurs board of directors,
after an extensive review and thorough discussion of all facts
and issues it considered relevant with respect to the proposed
transactions, concluded unanimously that the Transactions are
fair to, and in the best interests of, the shareholders of
Coeur, and authorized Coeurs executive officers to enter
into the definitive agreements and recommend to shareholders of
Coeur that they vote in favor of the shareholder proposals
contained herein.
The key strategic benefits identified by Coeurs board of
directors for entering into the Transactions are summarized
below:
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upon completion of the Transactions and following commencement
of production at the Palmarejo Project, Coeur is expected to be
positioned as the worlds leading primary silver producer
in terms of annual silver production;
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Coeur expects to possess one of the largest silver resource
bases among its peers, providing Coeur with the opportunity to
convert these resource ounces into reserves over time and create
a substantial production profile for many years;
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the addition of the Palmarejo Project to Coeurs existing
pipeline of new projects that are currently under construction
is expected to result in a dominant production growth rate among
its peers;
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the Palmarejo Projects anticipated low operating costs are
expected to materially reduce Coeurs overall cash costs
per ounce of silver produced, making Coeur one of the lowest
cost producers in its sector;
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the addition of the Palmarejo Project to Coeurs portfolio
will geographically diversify Coeurs asset mix and provide
entry into a prolific mining area of Mexico, which is the
worlds second largest silver producing country;
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the combination of Coeurs prospective exploration
portfolio and the Palmarejo properties is expected to provide
considerable exploration upside potential for Coeurs
shareholders; and
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Coeur expects to remain one of the worlds most liquid
publicly-traded silver mining companies based on average daily
historical trading volume. Coeur is currently listed on both the
NYSE and TSX, and, in connection with the Transactions, Coeur
intends to seek listing of its shares on the ASX in the form of
CHESS Depositary Interests.
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In reaching their conclusion and making their recommendation,
the members of Coeurs board of directors relied on their
knowledge of Coeur and the industry in which it is involved, on
the information provided by Coeur and its advisors and on the
advice of its legal and financial advisors. The Coeur board of
directors considered numerous other factors to be in favor of
the Transactions, including among other things, the following:
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the fairness opinion provided by CIBC World Markets on
May 2, 2007, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the
effect that, as of May 2, 2007, and based upon and subject
to the factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set
forth in such opinion, the consideration to be paid by Coeur
pursuant to the Transactions was fair, from a financial point of
view, to Coeur;
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the fairness opinion provided by CIBC World Markets on
July 2, 2007, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the
effect that, as of July 2, 2007, and based upon and subject
to the factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set
forth in such opinion, the consideration to be paid by Coeur
pursuant to the Transactions was fair, from a financial point of
view, to Coeur;
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each of the directors of Bolnisi had agreed to enter into a call
option deed, which, between them, would grant Coeur the right
under certain circumstances to acquire up to 19.9% of
Bolnisis outstanding shares held by the directors at the
same price as that offered by Coeur to other Bolnisi
shareholders under the Bolnisi Transaction;
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the current economic, industry and market trends affecting
Coeur; and
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the current and historical trading prices of Coeurs shares
and shares of its peer companies and the anticipated market
reaction to the announcement of the Transactions.
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The members of Coeurs board of directors also considered
adverse factors associated with the Transactions, including
among other things, the following:
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the fact that there was inherent uncertainty about the estimates
of the future development costs that would need to be incurred
at the Palmarejo Project;
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the fact that there was inherent uncertainty about the quality
and ultimate recoverability of the ore body at the Palmarejo
Project;
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the fact that Coeur may be obligated to pay a termination fee
under certain circumstances;
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the fact that if the Transactions are not completed, Coeur may
be adversely affected due to potential disruptions in its
operations and market perceptions;
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the fact that the completion of the Transactions would be
subject to satisfaction of various conditions, including, but
not limited to, completion of additional diligence to be
conducted by Coeur, the requirement that Bolnisi obtain the
report of an independent expert as to whether the proposed
scheme is in the best interests of Bolnisis shareholders
and receipt of Federal Court of Australia approval of the
Bolnisi Transaction and the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice
approval of the Palmarejo Transaction; and
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the fact that Coeur would agree to a no shop clause
for the duration of the Transactions.
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50
This discussion of the information and factors considered by the
Coeur board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive but
addresses the major information and factors considered by the
Coeur board of directors in its consideration of the
Transactions. In reaching its conclusion, the Coeur board of
directors did not find it practical to assign, and did not
assign, any relative or specific weight to the different factors
that were considered, and individual members of the Coeur board
of directors may have given different weight to different
factors.
May 2,
2007 Opinion of CIBC World Markets (Coeurs Financial
Advisor)
Coeur retained CIBC Australia Limited to act as its financial
advisor and to render opinions, through its affiliate, CIBC
World Markets in connection with the Transactions. At the
special meeting of the Coeur board of directors on May 2,
2007, CIBC World Markets rendered its oral opinion to the Coeur
board of directors, which was subsequently confirmed by a
written opinion to the Coeur board of directors dated
May 2, 2007, to the effect that, as of that date and based
upon and subject to the factors, assumptions, qualifications and
limitations set forth in such opinion, the consideration to be
paid by Coeur pursuant to the Transactions was fair, from a
financial point of view, to Coeur.
The full text of the opinion of CIBC World Markets dated
May 2, 2007, which sets forth, among other things, the
assumptions made, the procedures followed, matters considered
and qualifications and limitations of the review undertaken by
CIBC World Markets in rendering its opinion, is attached as
Annex F-1
to this document. The summary of the CIBC World Markets opinion
set forth herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the full text of the opinion. Coeur shareholders should read
this opinion carefully and in its entirety. CIBC World Markets
provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the
Coeur board of directors in connection with its consideration of
the Transactions, and the opinion related only to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid
by Coeur pursuant to the Transactions. The CIBC World Markets
opinion did not express an opinion as to any other aspect or
implication of the Transactions or related transactions, the
terms of the merger implementation agreements (and the exhibits
thereto) or any agreement, arrangement or undertaking entered
into in connection with such transactions, the fairness of the
Transactions (or the merger consideration) to, or any other
consideration of, the holders of any class of securities,
creditors or other constituencies of Coeur, or as to the
underlying decision by Coeur to engage in the Transactions. The
CIBC World Markets opinion is not a recommendation to any Coeur
shareholder as to how it should vote or act on any matter
relating to the Transactions and should not be relied upon by
any Coeur shareholder as such.
In preparing its opinion, CIBC World Markets reviewed the merger
implementation agreements, as well as certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to Coeur, Bolnisi
and Palmarejo, all as noted in the CIBC World Markets opinion
under the heading Scope of Review. CIBC World
Markets reviewed certain other information relating to Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo, including certain information prepared by
and provided to CIBC World Markets by the managements of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo regarding their respective businesses and
prospects and certain publicly available estimates and forecasts
relating to the business and prospects of each of Coeur, Bolnisi
and Palmarejo prepared by certain research analysts and met with
the managements of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo to discuss the
business and prospects of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo,
respectively. CIBC World Markets also considered certain
financial and stock market data of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo,
and CIBC World Markets compared that data with similar data for
other publicly held companies in businesses CIBC World Markets
deemed similar to those of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, and
CIBC World Markets considered, to the extent publicly available,
the financial terms of certain other business combinations and
other transactions that have been effected or announced. CIBC
World Markets also considered such other information, financial
studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria that CIBC World Markets deemed relevant.
In connection with its review, CIBC World Markets did not assume
any responsibility for independent verification of any of the
foregoing information and, as permitted under the terms of its
engagement agreements with Coeur, CIBC World Markets relied on
such information being complete and accurate in all material
respects without any independent verification. CIBC World
Markets was not requested to conduct, and did not conduct any
valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (contingent
or otherwise) of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo (nor was it
furnished with any valuations or appraisals), nor did it
evaluate the solvency or fair value of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo under any state or federal laws relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. CIBC World
51
Markets did not assume any obligation to conduct any physical
inspection of the properties or facilities of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo, did not meet with independent auditors of Coeur,
Bolnisi or Palmarejo and relied upon and assumed the accuracy
and fair presentation of the audited financial statements of
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the reports of the auditors
thereon. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided
to or discussed with it by Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, CIBC
World Markets assumed that they had been reasonably prepared and
reflect the best currently available estimates and judgment by
Coeurs, Bolnisis or Palmarejos management as
to the expected future results of operations and financial
condition of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo, as the case may be.
CIBC World Markets expressed no view as to such analyses or
forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. CIBC
World Markets also assumed that the Transactions will have the
tax consequences described in discussions with, and materials
furnished to it by, representatives of Coeur, that, in all
respects material to its analysis, the other transactions
contemplated by the merger implementation agreements will be
consummated as described in the respective merger implementation
agreements and that the final forms of the merger implementation
agreements would be substantially similar to the last draft
thereof reviewed by it, without waiver, modification or
amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof.
CIBC World Markets also assumed that the representations and
warranties made by Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo in the merger
implementation agreements were and will be true and correct in
all respects material and that the Transactions will be
completed substantially in accordance with the merger
implementation agreements and all applicable laws and that this
document will satisfy all applicable legal requirements. CIBC
World Markets is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and
relied on the assessments made by advisors to Coeur with respect
to such issues. CIBC World Markets further assumed that all
governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals
(contractual or otherwise) necessary for the consummation of the
Transactions will be obtained without any material adverse
effect on Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo or on the contemplated
benefits of the Transactions.
The CIBC World Markets opinion was necessarily based on
financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed
and could be evaluated on, and the information made available to
it as of, the date of its opinion. Subsequent developments may
affect its opinion, and CIBC World Markets does not have any
obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm its opinion. The CIBC
World Markets opinion was provided to the Coeur board of
directors in connection with and for the sole purposes of its
evaluation of the Transactions. The CIBC World Markets opinion
is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of
the consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to the
Transactions and CIBC World Markets is expressing no opinion as
to the fairness of the Transactions (or the merger
consideration) to, or any other consideration of, the holders of
any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of
Coeur or as to the underlying decision by Coeur to engage in the
Transactions. The opinion of CIBC World Markets did not address
the relative merits of the Transactions as compared to
alternative transactions or strategies that might be available
to Coeur, nor did it address Coeurs underlying business
decision to effect the Transactions. CIBC World Markets was not
requested to, and did not, solicit third party indications of
interest in acquiring all or any part of Coeur. CIBC World
Markets is expressing no opinion as to the price or value of the
Coeur common stock or Bolnisi ordinary shares or Palmarejo
common shares at any time. The CIBC World Markets opinion does
not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Coeur as
to how such shareholder should vote or act on any matter
relating to the Transactions or any other matter.
Financial
Analyses of Coeurs Financial Advisors
In preparing its opinion, CIBC World Markets performed a variety
of generally accepted financial and comparative analyses,
including those described below. The preparation of a fairness
opinion is a complex process and is not susceptible to partial
analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion,
CIBC World Markets considered the results of all of its analyses
as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any
analysis or factor considered by it, but rather made its
determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and
professional judgment after considering the results of all of
its analyses. CIBC World Markets believes that the summary
provided and the analyses described herein must be considered as
a whole and that selecting any portion of its analyses, without
considering all analyses and factors, would create an incomplete
view of the process underlying its analysis and opinion. As a
result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular
analysis or combination of analyses described herein were merely
utilized to create points of reference for analytical purposes
and should not be taken to be the view of CIBC World Markets
with respect to the actual value of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo.
52
In performing its analysis, CIBC World Markets made, and was
provided by Coeur management with, numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, general business, market,
financial and economic conditions and other matters, many of
which are beyond the control of CIBC World Markets and Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo. Analyses based on estimates or forecasts
of future results are not necessarily indicative of future
results or actual values, which may be significantly more or
less favourable than those suggested by such analyses. The
analysis does not purport to be an appraisal or to reflect the
prices at which Coeur common stock will trade following the
announcement or consummation of the Transactions. Because such
analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon
numerous factors or events beyond the control of Coeur, Bolnisi,
Palmarejo or their respective advisors, none of Coeur, Bolnisi,
Palmarejo or CIBC World Markets, nor any other person assumes
responsibility if future results or actual values are materially
different from these forecasts or assumptions.
CIBC World Markets was not requested to, and it did not,
recommend the specific form or amount of consideration offered
by Coeur pursuant to the Transactions, which consideration was
determined through negotiations between Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo. The decision to enter into the Transactions and
related transactions was solely that of the Coeur board of
directors, Bolnisi and Palmarejo. The opinion of CIBC World
Markets and CIBC World Markets related financial analyses
were among many factors considered by the Coeur board of
directors in its evaluation of the Transactions and should not
be viewed as determinative of the views of the Coeur board of
directors or Coeurs management with respect to the
Transactions or the consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant
to the Transactions.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses
performed by CIBC World Markets in connection with rendering its
opinion. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses
include information presented in tabular format. In order to
fully understand CIBC World Markets financial analyses,
the tables must be read together with the text of each summary.
The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of
CIBC World Markets financial analyses. Considering the
data in the tables below without considering the full narrative
descriptions of the financial analyses, including the
methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could
create a misleading or incomplete view of CIBC World
Markets analyses and opinion.
CIBC World Markets performed its analyses with respect to each
of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo on a stand-alone and a pro-forma
basis based on:
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Consensus analyst estimates, derived as the average of a range
of market analysts estimates. The estimates selected
represented the most recent publications of those analysts
covering the relevant company, with a specific cut-off date for
Bolnisi and Palmarejo coverage of November 2006 to ensure that
reports reflected the most recent drilling updates from the
Palmarejo Project.
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Coeur managements production and cost projections for each
of Coeur and the Palmarejo Project, overlaid with consensus
equity analyst projections of future commodity prices
(Internal Estimates). CIBC World Markets derived a
net asset value per share for Palmarejo based on the discounted
cashflow value of the Palmarejo Project adjusted for net cash
and other long term liabilities. Since the only currently
measurable assets of Bolnisi are its investment in Palmarejo and
net cash, the net asset value of Bolnisi was derived by
multiplying the derived value per share of Palmarejo by the
number of shares owned by Bolnisi, plus net cash held by Bolnisi.
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For the purpose of performing many of its analyses, CIBC World
Markets concluded that it was appropriate to look only at the
relative financial metrics of the Palmarejo Project rather than
aggregating 100% of the relevant Bolnisi financial metric with
the minority share of the Palmarejo financial metric. This
approach was selected as it most accurately reflects the
substance of the Transactions which is that Coeur will own 100%
of the Palmarejo Project as a result of the Transactions and so
will have full ownership and access to the earnings and
cashflows of the Palmarejo Project.
All market data used by CIBC World Markets was as of
April 25, 2007, on which day Coeurs closing price on
the NYSE was $4.03.
53
Implied
Valuation Analyses
CIBC World Markets performed various implied valuation analyses
of the ordinary shares of Coeur, Palmarejo shares and Bolnisi
ordinary shares, as described below. For purposes of the implied
valuation analyses, diluted shares of Palmarejo were calculated
assuming that outstanding options and warrants are to be
acquired based on a Black Scholes valuation as at the date of
the Transactions.
Net Asset Value (NAV) Analysis. CIBC World
Markets analysed implied exchange ratios based on two separate
methodologies for calculating the NAV (defined as the discounted
cash flow value of operating assets plus fair value of
non-operating assets such as cash less fair value of
non-operating liabilities such as debt) of each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo:
1. Analyst consensus figures for each company.
2. Discounted cashflow analysis of each company based on
Coeur management estimates.
Comparing analyst consensus NAVs for Bolnisi and Palmarejo to
that of Coeur implied exchange ratios of 0.709 and 2.870
respectively.
A discounted cash flow analysis is a method of evaluating an
asset using estimates of the future unlevered free cash flows
generated by assets and taking into consideration the time value
of money with respect to those future cash flows by calculating
their present value. Present value
refers to the current value of one or more future cash payments
from the asset, which we refer to as that assets cash
flows, and is obtained by discounting those cash flows back to
the present using a discount rate that takes into account
macro-economic assumptions and estimates of risk, the
opportunity cost of capital, capitalized returns and other
appropriate factors.
In selecting appropriate discount rates to employ, CIBC World
Markets gave consideration to the discount rates employed by
analysts covering the three companies. It was noted that the
average discount rate employed by analysts covering Coeur was
5.9% while the average for both Bolnisi and Palmarejo was 5%.
These discount rates are in line with standard market practice
amongst precious metals analysts who generally employ 5% as a
base discount rate for all companies, adjusted,
where necessary, for company specific risk factors.
Based on these analyst consensus discount rates and risk
factors, CIBC World Markets employed a range of 5%
7% for discount rates to be applied to each company. The implied
exchange ratios derived from this analysis are set out in the
table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount
|
|
|
Palmarejo Project
|
|
|
rate
|
|
|
5%
|
|
6%
|
|
7%
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.825
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.776
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
3.366
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
3.161
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
2.964
|
Coeur
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.943
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.887
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.837
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
3.847
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
3.612
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
3.388
|
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
1.074
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
1.010
|
|
Bolnisi
|
|
0.953
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
4.384
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
4.116
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
3.860
|
Comparable Companies Analysis. CIBC World
Markets calculated implied exchange ratios on a price to NAV,
price to cashflow and price to earnings basis for each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo. Calculations were effected by deriving a
per share value for each company based on analyst consensus NAV,
cashflow and earnings figures multiplied by the relevant average
multiple for appropriate comparable trading companies.
For cashflow and earnings, estimates for 2009 were employed as
this is expected to be the first full year of production at the
Palmarejo Project and so is the most appropriate period to use.
54
Based on its experience with companies in the mining industry,
CIBC World Markets selected the following companies as being
potentially relevant to an evaluation of the per share value of
Coeur:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P/2009E
|
|
|
P/2009E
|
|
|
|
P/NAV
|
|
|
Cashflow
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Coeur comparable company set(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hecla Mining
|
|
|
1.85x
|
|
|
|
10.2x
|
|
|
|
14.9x
|
|
Gammon Lake
|
|
|
1.37x
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
Pan American Silver
|
|
|
1.62x
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
14.0x
|
|
Apex Silver
|
|
|
0.92x
|
|
|
|
2.6x
|
|
|
|
4.9x
|
|
Silver Wheaton
|
|
|
1.61x
|
|
|
|
19.3x
|
|
|
|
17.8x
|
|
Average
|
|
|
1.47x
|
|
|
|
10.7x
|
|
|
|
12.9x
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Calculated based on last price on April 25, 2007 |
Similarly, the following companies were selected as being
potentially relevant to an evaluation of the per share value of
Bolnisi and Palmarejo:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P/2009E
|
|
|
P/2009E
|
|
|
|
P/NAV
|
|
|
Cashflow
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Bolnisi and Palmarejo comparable company set(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Endeavour Silver
|
|
|
0.95x
|
|
|
|
8.1x
|
|
|
|
14.5x
|
|
First Majestic
|
|
|
1.18x
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
Fortuna Silver Mines
|
|
|
1.21x
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
Minefinders
|
|
|
1.30x
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
Scorpio Mining
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
8.9x
|
|
|
|
10.3x
|
|
Silver Standard
|
|
|
2.51x
|
|
|
|
25.6x
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
Average
|
|
|
1.43x
|
|
|
|
14.19x
|
|
|
|
12.40x
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Calculated based on last price on April 25, 2007 |
Applying each of these multiples to consensus analyst estimates
of NAV, 2009 cashflow and 2009 earnings for each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo, the following implied exchange ratios
were calculated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P/2009E
|
|
|
P/2009E
|
|
|
|
P/NAV
|
|
|
Cashflow
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Bolnisi/Coeur
|
|
|
0.709
|
|
|
|
0.696
|
|
|
|
0.480
|
|
Palmarejo/Coeur
|
|
|
2.87
|
|
|
|
2.756
|
|
|
|
2.560
|
|
Precedent Transactions Analysis. In
identifying an appropriate universe of precedent transactions,
CIBC World Markets gave consideration to the fact that there are
a very limited number of silver corporate transactions due to
the lack of listed pure silver companies. Furthermore, there are
even fewer examples of asset transactions, with many silver
transactions being acquisitions of silver streams and therefore
not directly comparable.
Hence, CIBC World Markets elected to employ gold industry
corporate transactions as a proxy due to the similar valuation
methodologies employed and the fact that silver is often a
by-product of gold production (and vice-versa).
55
Using company filings, company presentations and information
from Bloomberg and Thomson, CIBC World Markets examined a total
of 26 global corporate gold transactions since 2001:
|
|
|
|
|
Target
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
Date
|
|
Cumberland Resources Ltd.
|
|
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
|
|
February 2007
|
Bema Gold Corp.
|
|
Kinross Gold Corp.
|
|
November 2006
|
Cambior Inc.
|
|
IAMGold Corp.
|
|
September 2006
|
Western Areas Ltd.
|
|
Gold Fields Ltd.
|
|
September 2006
|
Glamis Gold Ltd.
|
|
Goldcorp Inc.
|
|
August 2006
|
Viceroy Exploration Ltd.
|
|
Yamana Gold Inc.
|
|
August 2006
|
Desert Sun Mining Corp.
|
|
Yamana Gold Inc.
|
|
February 2006
|
Gallery Gold Ltd.
|
|
IAMGold Corp.
|
|
December 2005
|
Bolivar Gold Corp.
|
|
Gold Fields Ltd.
|
|
November 2005
|
Placer Dome Inc.
|
|
Barrick Gold Corp.
|
|
October 2005
|
Young-Davidson Mines Ltd.
|
|
Northgate Minerals Corp.
|
|
September 2005
|
Afcan Mining Corp.
|
|
Eldorado Gold Corp.
|
|
May 2005
|
Riddarhyttan Resources AB
|
|
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
|
|
May 2005
|
Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.
|
|
Goldcorp Inc.
|
|
December 2004
|
Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd.
|
|
AngloGold Limited
|
|
May 2003
|
Repadre Capital Corp.
|
|
IAMGold Corp.
|
|
October 2002
|
TVX Gold Inc.
|
|
Kinross Gold Corp.
|
|
June 2002
|
Echo Bay Mines Ltd.
|
|
Kinross Gold Corp.
|
|
June 2002
|
AurionGold Ltd.
|
|
Placer Dome Inc.
|
|
May 2002
|
Brancote Holdings Plc
|
|
Meridian Gold Inc.
|
|
April 2002
|
Francisco Gold Corp.
|
|
Glamis Gold Ltd.
|
|
March 2002
|
Hill 50 Ltd.
|
|
Harmony Gold Mining Co Ltd.
|
|
October 2001
|
Normandy Mining Ltd.
|
|
Newmont Mining Corp.
|
|
September 2001
|
Delta Gold Ltd.
|
|
Goldfields Ltd.
|
|
September 2001
|
PacMin Mining Corp Ltd.
|
|
Sons of Gwalia Ltd.
|
|
August 2001
|
Homestake Mining Company
|
|
Barrick Gold Corp.
|
|
June 2001
|
In each case, two key metrics were evaluated:
1. Price to NAV
2. Total Acquisition Cost (TAC) per ounce of
recoverable gold as a percentage of the spot gold price at the
date of announcement.
Price to
NAV
Price to NAV is calculated as the equity value of a transaction
divided by the analyst consensus NAV of the company being
acquired. For the 26 precedent transactions, the lowest price to
NAV was 0.80x, the highest was 4.06x and the average was 1.73x.
Based on market prices as at April 25, 2007 and the
consensus analyst estimate of the Palmarejo Project NAV, the
calculated price to NAV of the proposed Transactions was 1.31x.
56
Total
Acquisition Cost
TAC is a recognized market methodology for assessing precious
metals transactions and is arrived at by aggregating:
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated cash operating cost per recovered reserve ounce
(typically approximated by proven and probable reserves
multiplied by the expected recovery factor);
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditure per recovered reserve ounce; and
|
|
|
|
Enterprise value of offer per recovered reserve ounce.
|
This TAC per ounce is then expressed as a percentage of the gold
spot price at the date of the transaction.
Due to the lack of a formal reserve estimate at the Palmarejo
Project, Coeur managements base case estimate
of life of mine production was employed as a proxy for
recoverable ounces. To ensure consistency of source, Coeur
managements estimates of cash operating cost and capital
costs were also employed.
For the 26 precedent transactions, the lowest TAC percentage was
66% and the highest was 146%, with an average of 104%. This
compares to the calculated TAC percentage for the proposed
Transactions of 105%.
Historical Exchange Ratios. CIBC World Markets
calculated the implied exchange ratio for Bolnisi/Coeur and
Palmarejo/Coeur based on each companys volume weighted
average share price for each trading day for the two years prior
to April 20, 2007. This analysis showed that while the
implied exchange ratios on the first day of analysis were 0.105
and 0.658 for Bolnisi and Palmarejo respectively, the
appreciation in the price of both companies has resulted in
implied exchange ratios at April 20, 2007 of 0.639 and
2.471.
Other
Relative Financial Contribution Analysis. CIBC
World Markets calculated the relative financial contributions of
Coeur and the Palmarejo Project to the combined estimated NAV
(derived from both analyst consensus estimates and Internal
Estimates), market capitalization and target market
capitalization (calculated as average analyst target price for
each company multiplied by shares issued and outstanding) and
2009 earnings and cashflow of the companies, based on analyst
estimates. Such analysis indicated that Coeur would have
contributed 52% of the combined estimated analysts NAV,
48% of combined management estimated NAV, 54% of combined market
capitalization, 57% of combined target market capitalization,
55% of the combined estimated 2009 earnings and 60% of the
combined 2009 estimated cashflow.
Pro-forma Accretion/Dilution Analysis. CIBC
World Markets prepared an analysis of cashflow per share
(defined as cashflow from operations), earnings per share and
NAV per share potential accretion/dilution for Coeur pro-forma
for the Transactions. Cashflow per share and earnings per share
were based on 2009 analyst estimates while NAV was assessed on
both an analyst estimate basis and using NAVs calculated by CIBC
World Markets financial models employing Internal Estimates.
The Transactions were found to be 6% accretive on Internal
Estimates and 2% dilutive on analyst NAV as well as 10% dilutive
on 2009 earnings per share and 15% dilutive on 2009 cashflow per
share.
Implied Transactions Multiples. CIBC World
Markets calculated the implied transaction multiple based on a
deal value of $1.1 billion (based on Coeurs closing
price on April 25, 2007). Based on analyst estimates of
NAV, 2009 earnings and 2009 cashflow, implied transaction
multiples were derived and compared to the comparable company
multiples employed in the Comparable Companies Analysis
(described above). For each metric, the implied transaction
multiple was in line with or below those of the comparable
companies.
July 2,
2007 Opinion of CIBC World Markets (Coeurs Financial
Advisor)
At the special meeting of the Coeur board of directors on
July 2, 2007, CIBC World Markets rendered its oral opinion
to the Coeur board of directors, which was subsequently
confirmed by a written opinion to the Coeur board of directors
dated July 2, 2007, to the effect that, as of that date and
based upon and subject to the factors,
57
assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in such
opinion, the consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to the
Transaction was fair, from a financial point of view, to Coeur.
The full text of the opinion of CIBC World Markets dated
July 2, 2007, which sets forth, among other things, the
assumptions made, the procedures followed, matters considered
and qualifications and limitations of the review undertaken by
CIBC World Markets in rendering its opinion, is attached as
Annex F-2
to this document. The summary of the CIBC World Markets opinion
set forth herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the full text of the opinion. Coeur shareholders should read
this opinion carefully and in its entirety. CIBC World Markets
provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the
Coeur board of directors in connection with its consideration of
the Transactions, and the opinion related only to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid
by Coeur pursuant to the Transactions. The CIBC World Markets
opinion did not express an opinion as to any other aspect or
implication of the Transactions or related transactions, the
terms of the merger implementation agreements (and the exhibits
thereto) or any agreement, arrangement or undertaking entered
into in connection with such transactions, the fairness of the
Transactions (or the merger consideration) to, or any other
consideration of, the holders of any class of securities,
creditors or other constituencies of Coeur, or as to the
underlying decision by Coeur to engage in the Transactions. The
CIBC World Markets opinion is not a recommendation to any Coeur
shareholder as to how it should vote or act on any matter
relating to the Transactions and should not be relied upon by
any Coeur shareholder as such.
In preparing its opinion, CIBC World Markets reviewed the merger
implementation agreements, as well as certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to Coeur, Bolnisi
and Palmarejo, all as noted in the CIBC World Markets opinion
under the heading Scope of Review. CIBC World
Markets reviewed certain other information relating to Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo, including certain information prepared by
and provided to CIBC World Markets by the managements of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo regarding their respective businesses and
prospects, including operational and financial projections
prepared by Coeur incorporating the findings of Coeurs
post-announcement due diligence on the Palmarejo Project, and
certain publicly available estimates and forecasts relating to
the business and prospects of each of Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo prepared by certain research analysts and met with the
managements of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo to discuss the
business and prospects of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo,
respectively. CIBC World Markets also considered certain
financial and stock market data of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo,
and CIBC World Markets compared that data with similar data for
other publicly held companies in businesses CIBC World Markets
deemed similar to those of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, and
CIBC World Markets considered, to the extent publicly available,
the financial terms of certain other business combinations and
other transactions that have been effected or announced. CIBC
World Markets also considered such other information, financial
studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria that CIBC World Markets deemed relevant.
In connection with its review, CIBC World Markets did not assume
any responsibility for independent verification of any of the
foregoing information and, as permitted under the terms of its
engagement agreements with Coeur, CIBC World Markets relied on
such information being complete and accurate in all material
respects without any independent verification. CIBC World
Markets was not requested to conduct, and did not conduct any
valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (contingent
or otherwise) of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo (nor was it
furnished with any valuations or appraisals), nor did it
evaluate the solvency or fair value of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo under any state or federal laws relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. CIBC World Markets
did not assume any obligation to conduct any physical inspection
of the properties or facilities of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo,
did not meet with independent auditors of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo and relied upon and assumed the accuracy and fair
presentation of the audited financial statements of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the reports of the auditors thereon.
In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to or
discussed with it by Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, CIBC World
Markets assumed that they had been reasonably prepared and
reflect the best currently available estimates and judgment by
Coeurs, Bolnisis or Palmarejos management as
to the expected future results of operations and financial
condition of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo, as the case may be.
CIBC World Markets expressed no view as to such analyses or
forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. CIBC
World Markets also assumed that the Transactions will have the
tax consequences described in discussions with, and materials
furnished to it by, representatives of Coeur and that, in all
respects material to its analysis, the other
58
transactions contemplated by the merger implementation
agreements will be consummated as described in the respective
merger implementation agreements. CIBC World Markets also
assumed that the representations and warranties made by Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo in the merger implementation agreements
were and will be true and correct in all respects material and
that the Transactions will be completed substantially in
accordance with the merger implementation agreements and all
applicable laws and that this document will satisfy all
applicable legal requirements. CIBC World Markets is not a
legal, regulatory or tax expert and relied on the assessments
made by advisors to Coeur with respect to such issues. CIBC
World Markets further assumed that all governmental, regulatory
or other consents and approvals (contractual or otherwise)
necessary for the consummation of the Transactions will be
obtained without any material adverse effect on Coeur, Bolnisi
and Palmarejo or on the contemplated benefits of the
Transactions.
The CIBC World Markets opinion was necessarily based on
financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed
and could be evaluated on, and the information made available to
it as of, the date of its opinion. Subsequent developments may
affect its opinion, and CIBC World Markets does not have any
obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm its opinion. The CIBC
World Markets opinion was provided to the Coeur board of
directors in connection with and for the sole purposes of its
evaluation of the Transactions. The CIBC World Markets opinion
is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of
the consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to the
Transactions and CIBC World Markets is expressing no opinion as
to the fairness of the Transactions (or the merger
consideration) to, or any consideration of, the holders of any
class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Coeur
or as to the underlying decision by Coeur to engage in the
Transactions. The opinion of CIBC World Markets did not address
the relative merits of the Transactions as compared to
alternative transactions or strategies that might be available
to Coeur, nor did it address Coeurs underlying business
decision to effect the Transactions. CIBC World Markets was not
requested to, and did not, solicit third party indications of
interest in acquiring all or any part of Coeur. CIBC World
Markets is expressing no opinion as to the price or value of the
Coeur common stock or Bolnisi ordinary shares or Palmarejo
common shares at any time. The CIBC World Markets opinion does
not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Coeur as
to how such shareholder should vote or act on any matter
relating to the Transactions or any other matter.
Financial
Analyses of Coeurs Financial Advisors
In preparing its opinion, CIBC World Markets performed a variety
of generally accepted financial and comparative analyses,
including those described below. The preparation of a fairness
opinion is a complex process and is not susceptible to partial
analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion,
CIBC World Markets considered the results of all of its analyses
as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any
analysis or factor considered by it, but rather made its
determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and
professional judgment after considering the results of all of
its analyses. CIBC World Markets believes that the summary
provided and the analyses described herein must be considered as
a whole and that selecting any portion of its analyses, without
considering all analyses and factors, would create an incomplete
view of the process underlying its analysis and opinion. As a
result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular
analysis or combination of analyses described herein were merely
utilized to create points of reference for analytical purposes
and should not be taken to be the view of CIBC World Markets
with respect to the actual value of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo.
In performing its analysis, CIBC World Markets made and was
provided by Coeur management with numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, general business, market,
financial and economic conditions and other matters, many of
which are beyond the control of CIBC World Markets and Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo. Analyses based on estimates or forecasts
of future results are not necessarily indicative of future
results or actual values, which may be significantly more or
less favourable than those suggested by such analyses. The
analysis does not purport to be an appraisal or to reflect the
prices at which Coeur common stock will trade following the
announcement or consummation of the Transactions. Because such
analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon
numerous factors or events beyond the control of Coeur, Bolnisi,
Palmarejo or their respective advisors, none of Coeur, Bolnisi,
Palmarejo or CIBC World Markets, nor any other person assumes
responsibility if future results or actual values are materially
different from these forecasts or assumptions.
59
CIBC World Markets was not requested to, and it did not,
recommend the specific form or amount of consideration offered
by Coeur pursuant to the Transactions, which consideration was
determined through negotiations between Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo. The decision to enter into the Transactions and
related transactions was solely that of the Coeur board of
directors, Bolnisi and Palmarejo. The opinion of CIBC World
Markets and CIBC World Markets related financial analyses
were among many factors considered by the Coeur board of
directors in its evaluation of the Transactions and should not
be viewed as determinative of the views of the Coeur board of
directors or Coeurs management with respect to the
Transactions or the consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant
to the Transactions.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses
performed by CIBC World Markets in connection with rendering its
opinion. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses
include information presented in tabular format. In order to
fully understand CIBC World Markets financial analyses,
the tables must be read together with the text of each summary.
The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of
CIBC World Markets financial analyses. Considering the
data in the tables below without considering the full narrative
descriptions of the financial analyses, including the
methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could
create a misleading or incomplete view of CIBC World
Markets analyses and opinion.
CIBC World Markets performed its analyses with respect to each
of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo on a stand-alone and a pro-forma
basis based on:
|
|
|
|
|
Consensus analyst estimates, derived as the average of a range
of market analysts estimates. The estimates selected
represented the most recent publications of those analysts
covering the relevant company, with a specific cut-off date for
Bolnisi and Palmarejo coverage of November 2006 to ensure that
reports reflected the most recent drilling updates from the
Palmarejo Project.
|
|
|
|
Coeur managements production and cost projections for each
of Coeur and the Palmarejo Project, in the latter case including
operational and financial projections prepared by Coeur
incorporating the findings of Coeurs post-announcement due
diligence on the Palmarejo Project, overlaid with consensus
equity analyst projections of future commodity prices
(Internal Estimates). CIBC World Markets derived a
net asset value per share for Palmarejo based on the discounted
cashflow value of the Palmarejo Project adjusted for net cash
and other long term liabilities. Since the only currently
measurable assets of Bolnisi are its investment in Palmarejo and
net cash, the net asset value of Bolnisi was derived by
multiplying the derived value per share of Palmarejo by the
number of shares owned by Bolnisi, plus net cash held by Bolnisi.
|
For the purpose of performing many of its analyses, CIBC World
Markets concluded that it was appropriate to look only at the
relative financial metrics of the Palmarejo Project rather than
aggregating 100% of the relevant Bolnisi financial metric with
the minority share of the Palmarejo financial metric. This
approach was selected as it most accurately reflects the
substance of the Transactions which is that Coeur will own 100%
of the Palmarejo Project as a result of the Transactions and so
will have full ownership and access to the earnings and
cashflows of the Palmarejo Project.
For the purpose of performing many of its analyses, CIBC World
Markets used an unaffected share price for each of
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo. CIBC World Markets concluded that
it was appropriate to use an unaffected share price
for each of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, where necessary, in
its analyses, derived by averaging the outcomes of the following
two analyses:
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Adjusting the pre-announcement share price of each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo as at May 2, 2007 by reference to the
movement in the silver price since the public announcement of
the Transaction on May 3, 2007 until June 27, 2007
(adjusted for each companys respective historical beta to
such silver price); and
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Adjusting the pre-announcement share price of each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo as at May 2, 2007 by reference to the
movement in the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold &
Silver Index since the date of the public announcement of the
Transaction on May 3, 2007 until June 27, 2007
(adjusted for each companys respective historical beta to
such index). The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold &
Silver Index was chosen as it is comprised of both U.S. and
Canadian gold and silver producers and explorers.
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60
Implied
Valuation Analyses
CIBC World Markets performed various implied valuation analyses
of the ordinary shares of Coeur, Palmarejo and Bolnisi common
shares, as described below. For purposes of the implied
valuation analyses, diluted shares of Palmarejo were calculated
assuming that outstanding options and warrants are to be
acquired based on a Black Scholes valuation as at the date of
the Transactions.
Net Asset Value (NAV) Analysis. CIBC World
Markets analysed implied exchange ratios based on two separate
methodologies for calculating the NAV (defined as the discounted
cash flow value of operating assets plus fair value of
non-operating assets such as cash less fair value of
non-operating liabilities such as debt) of each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo:
1. Analyst consensus figures for each company
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2.
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Discounted cash flow analysis of each company based on Coeur
management estimates including operational and financial
projections prepared by Coeur incorporating the findings of
Coeurs post-announcement due diligence on the Palmarejo
Project.
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Comparing analyst consensus NAVs for Bolnisi and Palmarejo to
that of Coeur implied exchange ratios of 0.742 and 2.902
respectively.
A discounted cash flow analysis is a method of evaluating an
asset using estimates of the future unlevered free cash flows
generated by assets and taking into consideration the time value
of money with respect to those future cash flows by calculating
their present value. Present value
refers to the current value of one or more future cash payments
from the asset, which we refer to as that assets cash
flows, and is obtained by discounting those cash flows back to
the present using a discount rate that takes into account
macro-economic assumptions and estimates of risk, the
opportunity cost of capital, capitalized returns and other
appropriate factors.
In selecting appropriate discount rates to employ, CIBC World
Markets gave consideration to the discount rates employed by
analysts covering the three companies. It was noted that the
average discount rate employed by analysts covering Coeur was
5.9% while the average for both Bolnisi and Palmarejo was 5%.
These discount rates are in line with standard market practice
amongst precious metals analysts who generally employ 5% as a
base discount rate for all companies, adjusted,
where necessary, for company specific risk factors.
Based on these analyst consensus discount rates for each
company, the implied exchange ratios derived from this analysis
were 0.694 per Bolnisi share and 2.955 per Palmarejo share.
Comparable Companies Analysis. CIBC World
Markets calculated implied exchange ratios on a price to NAV,
price to cashflow and price to earnings basis for each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo. Calculations were effected by deriving a
per share value for each company based on analyst consensus NAV,
cashflow and earnings figures multiplied by the relevant average
multiple for appropriate comparable trading companies.
For cashflow and earnings, estimates for 2009 were employed as
this is expected to be the first full year of production at the
Palmarejo Project and so is the most appropriate period to use.
Based on its experience with companies in the mining industry,
CIBC World Markets selected the following companies as being
potentially relevant to an evaluation of the per share value of
Coeur:
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P/2009E
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P/2009E
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Coeur Comparable Company Set(1)
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P/NAV
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Cashflow
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Earnings
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Hecla Mining
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1.56
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x
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10.5
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x
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14.8
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x
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Gammon Gold
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1.62
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x
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8.7
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x
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12.4
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x
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Pan American Silver
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1.53
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x
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11.2
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x
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16.1
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x
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Apex Silver
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n/a
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8.5
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x
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12.6
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x
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Silver Wheaton
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1.48
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x
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14.0
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x
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15.4
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x
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Average
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1.47
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x
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9.7
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x
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13.1
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x
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(1) |
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Calculated based on last price on June 27, 2007 |
61
Similarly, the following companies were selected as being
potentially relevant to an evaluation of the per share value of
Bolnisi and Palmarejo:
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P/2009E
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P/2009E
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Bolnisi and Palmarejo Comparable Company Set(1)
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P/NAV
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Cashflow
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Earnings
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Endeavour Silver
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1.63
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x
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12.6
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x
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22.7
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x
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First Majestic
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1.04
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x
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n/a
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n/a
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Minefinders
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1.01
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x
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4.4
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x
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5.0
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x
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Scorpio Mining
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n/a
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5.6
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x
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4.9
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x
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Silver Standard
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1.38
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x
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n/a
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n/a
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Average
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1.27
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x
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7.5
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x
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10.9
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x
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(1) |
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Calculated based on last price on June 27, 2007 |
Applying each of these multiples to consensus analyst estimates
of NAV, 2009 cashflow and 2009 earnings for each of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo, the following implied exchange ratios
were calculated:
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P/2009E
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P/2009E
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P/NAV
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Cashflow
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Earnings
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Bolnisi/Coeur
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0.640
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0.455
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0.451
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Palmarejo/Coeur
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2.516
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1.741
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2.344
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Precedent Transactions Analysis. In
identifying an appropriate universe of precedent transactions,
CIBC World Markets gave consideration to the fact that there are
a very limited number of silver corporate transactions due to
the lack of listed pure silver companies. Furthermore, there are
even fewer examples of asset transactions, with many silver
transactions being acquisitions of silver streams and therefore
not directly comparable.
Hence, CIBC World Markets elected to employ gold industry
corporate transactions as a proxy due to the similar valuation
methodologies employed and the fact that silver is often a
by-product of gold production (and vice-versa).
62
Using company filings, company presentations and information
from Bloomberg and Thomson, CIBC World Markets examined a total
of 26 global corporate gold transactions since 2001:
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Target
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Acquiror
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Date
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Cumberland Resources Ltd.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
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February 2007
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Bema Gold Corp.
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Kinross Gold Corp.
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November 2006
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Cambior Inc.
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IAMGold Corp.
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September 2006
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Western Areas Ltd.
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Gold Fields Ltd.
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September 2006
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Glamis Gold Ltd.
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Goldcorp Inc.
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August 2006
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Viceroy Exploration Ltd.
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Yamana Gold Inc.
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August 2006
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Desert Sun Mining Corp.
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Yamana Gold Inc.
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February 2006
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Gallery Gold Ltd.
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IAMGold Corp.
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December 2005
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Bolivar Gold Corp.
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Gold Fields Ltd.
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November 2005
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Placer Dome Inc.
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Barrick Gold Corp.
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October 2005
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Young-Davidson Mines Ltd.
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Northgate Minerals Corp.
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September 2005
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Afcan Mining Corp.
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Eldorado Gold Corp.
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May 2005
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Riddarhyttan Resources AB
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
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May 2005
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Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.
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Goldcorp Inc.
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December 2004
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Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd.
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AngloGold Limited
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May 2003
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Repadre Capital Corp.
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IAMGold Corp.
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October 2002
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TVX Gold Inc.
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Kinross Gold Corp.
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June 2002
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Echo Bay Mines Ltd.
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Kinross Gold Corp.
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June 2002
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AurionGold Ltd.
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Placer Dome Inc.
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May 2002
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Brancote Holdings Plc
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Meridian Gold Inc.
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April 2002
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Francisco Gold Corp.
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Glamis Gold Ltd.
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March 2002
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Hill 50 Ltd.
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Harmony Gold Mining Co Ltd.
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October 2001
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Normandy Mining Ltd.
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Newmont Mining Corp.
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September 2001
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Delta Gold Ltd.
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Goldfields Ltd.
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September 2001
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PacMin Mining Corp Ltd.
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Sons of Gwalia Ltd.
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August 2001
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Homestake Mining Company
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Barrick Gold Corp.
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June 2001
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In each case, two key metrics were evaluated
(a) Price to NAV
(b) Total Acquisition Cost (TAC) per ounce of
recoverable gold as a percentage of the spot gold price at the
date of announcement.
Price to
NAV
Price to NAV is calculated as the equity value of a transaction
divided by the analyst consensus NAV of the company being
acquired. For the 26 precedent transactions, the lowest price to
NAV was 0.80x, the highest was 4.06x and the average was 1.73x.
Based on the unaffected share price and the
consensus analyst estimate of the Palmarejo Project NAV, the
calculated price to NAV of the proposed Transactions was 1.25x.
63
Total
Acquisition Cost
TAC is a recognized market methodology for assessing precious
metals transactions and is arrived at by aggregating:
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Estimated cash operating cost per recovered reserve ounce
(typically approximated by proven and probable reserves
multiplied by the expected recovery factor);
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Capital expenditure per recovered reserve ounce; and
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Enterprise value of offer per recovered reserve ounce.
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This TAC per ounce is then expressed as a percentage of the gold
spot price at the date of the transaction.
Due to the lack of a formal reserve estimate at the Palmarejo
Project, Coeur managements base case estimate
of life of mine production, incorporating the findings of
Coeurs post-announcement due diligence on the Palmarejo
Project, was employed as a proxy for recoverable ounces. To
ensure consistency of source, Coeur managements estimates
of cash operating cost and capital costs were also employed,
incorporating the findings of Coeurs post-announcement due
diligence on the Palmarejo Project.
For the 26 precedent transactions, the lowest TAC percentage was
66% and the highest was 146%, with an average of 104%. This
compares to the calculated TAC percentage for the proposed
Transactions of 92%.
Historical Exchange Ratios. CIBC World Markets
calculated the implied exchange ratio for Bolnisi/Coeur and
Palmarejo/Coeur based on each companys volume weighted
average share price for each trading day for the two years prior
to April 20, 2007. This analysis showed that while the
implied exchange ratios on the first day of analysis were 0.105
and 0.658 for Bolnisi and Palmarejo respectively, the
appreciation in the price of both companies has resulted in
implied exchange ratios at April 20, 2007 of 0.639 and
2.471.
Other
Relative Financial Contribution Analysis. CIBC
World Markets calculated the relative financial contributions of
Coeur and the Palmarejo Project to the combined estimated NAV
(derived from both analyst consensus estimates and Internal
Estimates), market capitalization and target market
capitalization (calculated as average analyst target price for
each company multiplied by shares issued and outstanding) and
2009 earnings and cashflow of the companies, based on analyst
estimates. Such analysis indicated that Coeur would have
contributed 51% of the combined estimated analysts NAV,
52% of combined management estimated NAV, 54% of combined market
capitalization (based on the unaffected share prices
for each of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo), 56% of combined
target market capitalization, 52% of the combined estimated 2009
earnings and 58% of the combined 2009 estimated cash flow.
Pro-forma Accretion/Dilution Analysis. CIBC
World Markets prepared an analysis of cashflow per share
(defined as cashflow from operations), earnings per share and
NAV per share potential accretion/dilution for Coeur pro-forma
for the Transactions. Cashflow per share and earnings per share
were based on 2009 analyst estimates while NAV was assessed on
both an analyst estimate basis and using NAVs calculated by CIBC
World Markets financial models employing Internal Estimates.
The Transactions were found to be 2% dilutive on Internal
Estimates and 1% dilutive on analyst NAV as well as 4% dilutive
on 2009 earnings per share and 12% dilutive on 2009 cashflow per
share.
Implied Transactions Multiples. CIBC World
Markets calculated the implied transaction multiple based on a
deal value of $1.05 billion (based on Coeurs
unaffected share price). Based on analyst estimates
of NAV, 2009 earnings and 2009 cash flow, implied transaction
multiples were derived and compared to the comparable company
multiples employed in the Comparable Companies Analysis
(described above). For each metric, the implied transaction
multiple was in line with or below those of the comparable
companies.
64
Miscellaneous
Coeur selected CIBC World Markets based on CIBC World
Markets qualifications, experience and reputation, and its
familiarity with Coeur and its business. CIBC World Markets is
one of Canadas largest investment banking firms with
operations in all facets of corporate and government finance,
mergers and acquisitions, equity and fixed income sales and
trading and investment research. The CIBC World Markets opinions
were approved for delivery to the Coeur board by a committee of
CIBC World Markets managing directors and internal
counsel, each of whom is experienced in merger, acquisition,
divestiture and valuation matters.
CIBC World Markets is a full service securities firm engaged in
securities trading and brokerage activities and provides
investment banking advice and other financial services. In the
ordinary course of its business, CIBC World Markets and its
affiliates may acquire, hold or sell, for its and its affiliates
own accounts and the accounts of customers, debt, equity and
other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans
and other obligations) of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo. CIBC
World Markets and its affiliates have, from time to time,
provided investment banking and other financial services to
Coeur, and may in the future provide such services to Coeur, for
which CIBC World Markets and its affiliates have received, and
would expect to receive, compensation. Neither CIBC World
Markets nor its affiliates are currently providing any
investment banking or other financial services to Bolnisi,
Palmarejo or any of their affiliates in connection with the
Transactions. Coeur has agreed to pay CIBC Australia Limited a
fee of approximately US$5 million for its financial
advisory services in connection with the Transactions, a
significant portion of which is contingent upon the successful
completion of the Transactions, and a fee of US$750,000 for the
delivery of the CIBC World Markets opinion on May 2, 2007.
In addition, Coeur paid a fee of US$250,000 for the delivery of
the CIBC World Markets opinion on July 2, 2007, which
amount will be deducted from the amount described above which is
payable to CIBC World Markets for financial advisory services
upon the successful completion of the Transactions. Coeur has
also agreed to reimburse CIBC Australia for its reasonable
expenses and to indemnify CIBC Australia Limited and its related
parties from and against certain liabilities arising out of its
engagement.
Under the Corporations Act, the Bolnisi Transaction requires
court approval before it can become effective. The Corporations
Act expressly prevents the Federal Court of Australia from
granting approval unless: (1) a statement from ASIC that it
has no objection to the Bolnisi Transaction is produced to the
court; or (2) it is satisfied that the arrangement has not
been proposed for the purpose of enabling any person to avoid
the operation of any of the provisions of Chapter 6 of the
Corporations Act (which relates to takeovers). Bolnisi intends
to apply to ASIC for a statement that it has no objection to the
Bolnisi Transaction and such no objection statement would be
expected to be received on or about the Second Court Date, which
is expected to occur on or about December 5. In addition to
court approval, approval is also required from a majority of
shareholders in each class of shares that are present and voting
as well as 75% of the shareholders of Bolnisi present and
voting. This meeting of Bolnisi shareholders is scheduled to
occur on or about December 4. 2007. The Treasurer of the
Commonwealth of Australia must also either issue a notice
stating that the Commonwealth Government does not object to
Coeur entering into and completing the Bolnisi Transaction or
becomes, or be, precluded (any time before the Bolnisi
Transaction becomes effective) from making an order in respect
of the entry into or completion by Coeur of the Bolnisi
Transaction under the Foreign Acquisition and Takeovers Act of
1975. In addition, permission must be obtained for the admission
of Coeur Shares in the form of CDIs to quotation on the ASX by
8:00 a.m. on the Second Court Date (which is the day on
which an application made to the Federal Court of Australia for
orders under Section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act
approving the scheme of arrangement is heard). Any such approval
may be subject to customary conditions and to the Scheme
becoming Effective. Coeur also intents applying to ASX for a
waiver of certain ASX Listing Rules.
Under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA),
the Palmarejo Transaction requires court and shareholder
approval. Palmarejo is expected to obtain an interim order from
the Ontario Superior Court of Justice providing for the calling
and holding of the Palmarejo special meeting and other
procedural matters. Subject to the approval of the Palmarejo
Transaction by two-thirds of the votes cast by Palmarejo
shareholders represented in person or by proxy and by a majority
of minority Palmarejo shareholders (being those shareholders
other than Fairview (a wholly owned subsidiary of Bolnisi) and
its affiliates and interested parties) at the Palmarejo special
65
meeting and the approval of the Coeur share issuance and Coeur
amendment to the articles of incorporation by the Coeur
shareholders at the Coeur special meeting, the hearing in
respect of a final order from the Ontario Superior Court of
Justice is expected to take place on or about December 6,
2007.
Canadian
Securities Law Matters
Ontario Securities Comission
Rule 61-501
Insider Bids, Issuer Bids, Business Combination and Related
Party Transactions
(Rule 61-501)
is intended to regulate certain transactions to ensure the
protection and fair treatment of minority securityholders.
The Palmarejo Transaction is a business combination
under
Rule 61-501
because it involves a transaction that would result in Coeur,
indirectly owning all the equity securities of Palmarejo.
Rule 61-501
provides that, unless exempted, a corporation proposing to carry
out a business combination or a going private transaction,
respectively, is required to obtain a formal valuation of the
affected securities from a qualified and independent valuator
and to provide the holders of the affected securities with a
summary of such valuation.
Rule 61-501
also requires that, in addition to any other required
securityholder approval, in order to complete a business
combination or a going private transaction, respectively, the
approval of a simple majority of the votes cast by
minority shareholders of each class of affected
securities, voting separately as a class, must be obtained. In
relation to the Palmarejo Transaction and for purposes of proxy
statement, the Minority Shareholders of Palmarejo
are all Palmarejo Shareholders other than:
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interested parties, including Coeur, Bolnisi, Fairview and their
respective directors and senior officers and any other
interested party to the Transaction within the meaning of OSC
Rule 61-501,
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any other related party of Coeur, Bolnisi or Fairview or of an
interested party within the meaning of
Rule 61-501,
subject to the exceptions set out therein, and
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any person that is a joint actor with any of the foregoing for
the purposes of OSC
Rule 61-501.
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Judicial
Developments
Prior to the adoption of
Rule 61-501,
Canadian courts had, in few instances, granted preliminary
injunctions to prohibit transactions that constituted
going-private transactions (as defined in the CBCA) or business
combinations within the meaning of
Rule 61-501.
The trend both in legislation, including the CBCA, and in
Canadian judicial decisions has been towards permitting
going-private transactions and business combinations to proceed
subject to compliance with requirements designed to ensure
procedural and substantive fairness to the minority
shareholders. Shareholders should consult their legal advisors
for a determination of their legal rights.
Interests
of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo Directors and Officers in the
Transactions
As described below under The Transactions
Description of Bolnisi MIA Option Deeds, each
of the directors of Bolnisi,
and/or an
associate(s) of each such director, entered into an Option Deed
with Coeur on May 3, 2007.
No director or officer of Palmarejo had any substantial interest
in the Transactions, direct or indirect, at any time during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
Treatment
of Palmarejo Warrants and Options
Palmarejo
Options
All holders of Palmarejo options will receive Palmarejo
Replacement Options (as defined below) under the plan of
arrangement. A Palmarejo Replacement Option will
entitle the holder thereof to acquire the number of Coeur shares
equal to the product of (i) the number of Palmarejo shares
subject to the Palmarejo option immediately prior to the
consummation of the Transactions, and (ii) 2.715 Coeur
shares plus the portion of a Coeur share that, immediately prior
to the consummation of the Transactions, has a fair market value
equal to C$0.004 for each Palmarejo share that the holder was
entitled to receive, provided that if the foregoing would result
in the issuance of a fraction of a Coeur share, then the number
of Coeur shares otherwise issued shall be rounded down to the
nearest whole number of Coeur shares. The exercise price per
Coeur share subject to any such Palmarejo Replacement Option
shall be an amount (rounded up to the nearest one-hundredth of a
cent) equal to the quotient of (A) the
66
exercise price per Palmarejo share subject to such Palmarejo
Option immediately before the consummation of the Transactions
divided by (B) 2.715 plus such portion of a Coeur share
that, immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions,
has a fair market value equal to C$0.004 cash (provided that the
aggregate exercise price payable on any particular exercise of
Palmarejo Replacement Options shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole cent). Except as set out above, the terms of each
Palmarejo Replacement Option shall be the same as the terms of
the Palmarejo option exchanged therefor pursuant to the
Palmarejo Share Option Plan in the plan of arrangement and any
agreement evidencing the grant thereof prior to the consummation
of the Transactions.
Coeur intends to file a registration statement on
Form S-3
to register the re-sale of Coeur shares to be issued upon
exercise of the existing Palmarejo options.
Palmarejo
Warrants
Upon completion of the plan of arrangement, and in accordance
with the terms of the Palmarejo warrants, each holder of a
Palmarejo warrant outstanding immediately prior to the
consummation of the Transactions will receive upon the
subsequent exercise or conversion of such holders
Palmarejo warrant in accordance with its terms, and will accept
in lieu of each Palmarejo share to which such holder was
theretofore entitled upon such exercise or conversion but for
the same aggregate consideration payable therefor,
2.715 shares of Coeur stock, plus C$0.004. Coeur intends to
file a shelf registration statement on
Form S-3
to register the Coeur shares to be issued upon exercise of the
existing Palmarejo warrants.
Pro
Forma Economic Ownership of Coeur
Upon the completion of the Transactions, we estimate that
Coeurs current shareholders will own approximately 51.65%
of the outstanding economic interest in the combined company,
and that Bolnisi and Palmarejos former shareholders will
own approximately 48.35% of the outstanding economic interest in
the combined company. Assuming that all existing Palmarejo
options are exercised before or after the consummation of the
Transactions, former shareholders of Bolnisi and Palmarejo will
own approximately 49.32% of the outstanding stock of the
combined company, while the current Coeur shareholders will own
approximately 50.68%.
Coeur will account for the Transactions as an asset acquisition
under US GAAP. The purchase price will be allocated to
Bolnisis and Palmarejos identifiable assets and
liabilities based on their estimated fair market values at the
date of the completion of the Transactions, and any excess of
the purchase price over those fair market values will be
allocated to mining properties. Final valuations of property,
plant and equipment, and intangible and other assets have not
yet been completed as management is still reviewing the
existence, characteristics and useful lives of Bolnisis
and Palmarejos intangible assets. The completion of the
valuation work could result in significantly different
amortization expenses and balance sheet classifications. After
completion of the Transactions, the results of operations of
Bolnisi and Palmarejo will be included in the consolidated
financial statements of Coeur.
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
There are no material U.S. federal income tax consequences
to Coeurs current shareholders that will result from the
issuance of Coeur shares in the Transactions.
ASX
Listing of CHESS Depositary Interests; Supplemental Listings on
NYSE and TSX
In connection with the Bolnisi Transaction, Coeur has agreed to
seek listing of its shares on the ASX in the form of CHESS
Depositary Interests. Coeurs Australian legal advisers are
liaising with ASX in relation to the waivers that Coeur may be
able to obtain from certain of the ASX Listing Rules. A formal
application for listing of the CHESS Depositary Interests will
be made once this process is complete. Permission must be
obtained for the admission of Coeur Shares in the form of CDIs
to quotation on the ASX by 8:00 a.m. on the Second Court
Date (any such approval may be subject to customary conditions
and to the Scheme becoming Effective).
In connection with the Transactions, Coeur has agreed to obtain
supplemental listing approval from the NYSE and the TSX for the
Coeur shares that will be issued in the Transactions.
67
Issuance
and Resale of Coeur Shares
The Coeur shares to be issued pursuant to the Transactions have
not been, and will not be registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
1933 Act) or the securities laws of any other
jurisdiction. The Coeur shares to be issued in the Transactions
will be issued pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus
requirements of Canadian securities law and from the
registration requirements provided by Section 3(a)(10) of
the 1933 Act based on the approval of the plan of
arrangement and scheme of arrangement by the Ontario Superior
Court of Justice and the Federal Court of Australia,
respectively. In the event that the exemption from registration
under Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act is not
available for any reason to exempt the issuance of the Coeur
shares in the Transactions from the registration requirements of
the 1933 Act, then Coeur has agreed to take all necessary
action to file a registration statement on
Form S-4
(or on such other form that may be available to Coeur) in order
to register such Coeur shares and all commercially reasonable
efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective
prior to the closing of the Transactions.
Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act exempts securities
issued in exchange for one or more bona fide outstanding
securities from the general requirement of registration where
the fairness of the terms and conditions of the issuance and
exchange of the securities have been approved by any court or
authorized governmental entity, after a hearing upon the
fairness of the terms and conditions of exchange at which all
persons to whom the securities will be issued have the right to
appear and to whom adequate notice of the hearing has been
given. If the Federal Court of Australia and the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice approve the scheme of arrangement and
plan of arrangement, respectively, their approval will
constitute the basis for the Coeur shares to be issued without
registration under the 1933 Act in reliance on the
exemption from the registration requirements of the
1933 Act by Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act.
We expect the Federal Court of Australia to issue an order on
October 25, 2007 to convene a meeting of the Bolnisi
shareholders to consider the resolution to approve the scheme of
arrangement and, subject to the approval of the scheme of
arrangement by the Bolnisi shareholders and the approval of the
Coeur articles of incorporation amendment and the Coeur share
issuance by the Coeur shareholders, a hearing for the Federal
Court of Australias order in respect of approval of the
scheme of arrangement is expected to be held on or about
December 5, 2007.
We expect the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to issue the
interim order on October 29, 2007 and, subject to the
approval of the plan of arrangement by the Palmarejo
shareholders and the approval of the Coeur articles of
incorporation amendment and the Coeur share issuance by the
Coeur shareholders, a hearing for the Ontario Superior Court of
Justices final order on the fairness of the arrangement is
expected to be held on or about December 6, 2007.
The shares of Coeur common stock issued in the Transactions will
be freely transferable under U.S. federal securities laws,
except by persons who are deemed to be affiliates
(as that term is defined under the 1933 Act) of Bolnisi or
Palmarejo prior to the Transactions or persons who are
affiliates of Coeur after the Transactions. Shares held by
Bolnisi, Palmarejo or Coeur affiliates may be resold only in
transactions permitted by Rule 901 in combination with
Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S under the
1933 Act, the resale provisions of Rule 145(d)(1),
(2) or (3) under the 1933 Act or as otherwise
permitted under the 1933 Act. Rule 145(d)(1) generally
provides that affiliates of Bolnisi and Palmarejo
may not sell securities of Coeur received in the Transactions
unless the sale is effected by use of an effective registration
statement or in compliance with the volume, current public
information, manner of sale and timing limitations set forth in
paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (g) of Rule 144
under the 1933 Act. These limitations generally permit
sales made by an affiliate in any three-month period that do not
exceed the greater of 1% of the outstanding shares of Coeur
common stock or the average weekly reported trading volume in
such securities over the four calendar weeks preceding the
placement of the sell order, provided the sales are made in
unsolicited, open market broker transactions and
that current public information on Coeur is available. Persons
who may be deemed to be affiliates of an issuer generally
include individuals or entities that directly or indirectly
control, are controlled by, or are under common control with,
that issuer and may include officers and directors of the issuer
as well as beneficial owners of 10% or more of any class of
capital stock of the issuer. Rules 145(d)(2) and
(3) generally provide that these limitations lapse for
non-affiliates of Coeur (who were affiliates of Bolnisi or
Palmarejo prior to exchange of shares in the Transactions) after
a period of one or two years, respectively, from the date of
share issuances, depending upon whether specified currently
available information continues to be publicly available with
respect to Coeur.
68
This section of this proxy statement describes material aspects
of the proposed Transactions. Although we believe that the
description covers the material terms of the Transactions, this
summary may not contain all of the information that is important
to you. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the complete text of the merger implementation agreements,
which are attached as Annex A-1 and B-1 to this proxy
statement and incorporated into this proxy statement by
reference. You should carefully read this entire proxy statement
and the other documents we refer you to for a more complete
understanding of the Transactions. In addition, we incorporate
important business and financial information into this proxy
statement by reference. You may obtain the information
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement without
charge by following the instructions in the section entitled
Where Shareholders Can Find More Information About
Coeur that begins on page 199 of this proxy statement.
Description
of Bolnisi MIA
This section of the proxy statement summarizes some of the
material provisions of the Bolnisi merger implementation
agreement (Bolnisi MIA), but is not intended to be
an exhaustive discussion of the Bolnisi MIA. The following
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
complete text of the Bolnisi MIA, which is attached as
Annex A-1 to this proxy statement and incorporated into
this proxy statement by reference. The rights and obligations of
the parties are governed by the express terms and conditions of
the Bolnisi MIA and not the summary set forth in this section or
any other information contained in this proxy statement. We urge
you to read the Bolnisi MIA carefully and in its entirety.
Capitalized terms in this section which are not otherwise
defined in this proxy statement have the meaning set out in the
Bolnisi MIA.
The summary of the Bolnisi MIA in this proxy statement has
been included to provide you with information regarding some of
its material provisions. The Bolnisi MIA contains
representations and warranties made by and to the parties
thereto as of specific dates. The statements embodied in those
representations and warranties were made for purposes of that
contract between the parties and are subject to qualifications
and limitations agreed by the parties in connection with
negotiating the terms of that contract. In addition, certain
representations and warranties made as of a specified date, may
be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different
from those generally applicable to public disclosures to
shareholders, or may have been used for the purpose of
allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing
matters as facts.
On May 3, 2007, Coeur, Coeur dAlene Mines Australia
Pty Ltd (Coeur Australia), Coeur Sub Two, Inc., and
Bolnisi entered in the Bolnisi MIA, under which it was agreed
that, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Bolnisi MIA, Coeur Australia would acquire all of the Bolnisi
Shares for a price equal to A$0.004 in cash and 0.682 Coeur
shares (or, at the election of the Bolnisi Shareholder, CHESS
Depositary Interests (CDIs) representing Coeur
Shares) per Bolnisi share pursuant to a scheme of arrangement
(the Scheme).
Amendment
to Bolnisi MIA
On September 23, 2007, the parties agreed to an amendment
of the Bolnisi MIA which addressed three principal issues.
First, the parties agreed to a conditional extension to the
Bolnisi MIA which allows for SEC review timing. This conditional
amendment provides that if any SEC review is not complete in
time for the transaction to complete by December 3,
2007 the current scheduled End Date in the Bolnisi
MIA, then such End Date will be extended to 45 days from
completion of the SEC review. If that date falls in the
Australian Court vacation period, it will be extended instead to
February 15, 2008, and any extension under this is subject
to a final End Date of February 15, 2008. As used herein,
Revised End Date means the End Date as so extended.
Second, the Option Deeds, granted to Coeur by the Bolnisi
directors at the time the Bolnisi MIA was executed, have
conditionally been extended so that if the End Date of the
Bolnisi MIA is extended to the Revised End Date due to SEC
review timing, there is a corresponding extension of the Option
Deeds.
Third, in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Bolnisi
MIA, Coeur, Coeur Australia and Coeur Sub Two, Inc. have
consented to Bolnisi and or Palmarejo entering into a letter of
intent with Macquarie Bank Limited for a $20.0 million
credit facility to fund ongoing development of the Palmarejo
Project. Under the terms of Coeurs
69
consent, Coeur is permitted to repay any amounts due by Bolnisi
or Palmarejo to avoid Macquarie taking possession of any
collateral under the bridge facility.
Conditions
Precedent to the Scheme of Arrangement
The Bolnisi MIA provides that the obligations of the parties to
complete the transactions contemplated by the Bolnisi MIA are
subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions
precedent to the extent and in the manner set out in the Bolnisi
MIA:
(a) the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia either
issues a notice stating that the Commonwealth Government does
not object to Coeur entering into and completing the Bolnisi MIA
or become, or be, precluded (at the date of the Bolnisi MIA or
at any time before the Transaction becomes Effective) from
making an order in respect of the entry into or completion by
Coeur of the Bolnisi MIA under the Foreign Acquisitions and
Takeovers Act 1975 (the FATA);
(b) all applicable waiting periods under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and any other applicable
antitrust legislation shall have expired or been otherwise
terminated in respect of the Scheme;
(c) ASIC and ASX issue or provide any consents or approvals
or do other acts necessary to implement the transactions
contemplated by the Scheme;
(d) Bolnisi Shareholders:
i. pass a resolution by the requisite majority to change
the status of Bolnisi from a public company to a proprietary
company limited by shares conditional upon the Federal Court of
Australia approving the Scheme either unconditionally or on
conditions that are customary or usual and the Scheme becoming
Effective; and
ii. approve the Scheme at the meeting of Bolnisi
Shareholders convened by the Federal Court of Australia by the
requisite majorities;
(e) permission for the additional listing of Coeurs
shares on the TSX and NYSE to be issued as part of the Scheme
consideration shall have been granted by 8:00 a.m. on the
second court date which is the first day on which an application
made to the Federal Court of Australia for orders under
section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the
Act) approving the Scheme is heard (the Second
Court Date) (any such approval may be subject to customary
conditions and the Scheme becoming Effective);
(f) permission for the listing of Coeurs shares in
the form of CDIs to quotation on ASX is granted by
8:00 a.m. on the Second Court Date (any such approval may
be subject to customary conditions and the Scheme becoming
Effective);
(g) the Federal Court of Australia approves the Scheme in
accordance with Section 411(4)(b) of the Act either
unconditionally or on conditions that are customary or usual;
(h) no temporary restraining order, preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
preventing the Transaction be in effect at 5:00 p.m. on the
day before the Second Court Date;
(i) before the meeting of Bolnisi Shareholders to consider
the scheme, the Coeur Shareholders shall pass all resolutions
necessary in respect of the application for quotation of the
Coeur shares in the form of CDIs on ASX, to increase the number
of authorized shares of Common Stock of Coeur and to issue such
number of Coeur shares required to pay the Scheme Consideration
at a meeting of Coeur Shareholders by the requisite majorities
under the laws and regulations of the state of Idaho and the
NYSE; and
(j) any required licenses, approvals, waivers, consents,
permits, orders, business conditions or change of control
consents in relation to the Scheme are obtained.
Each of the conditions set out in paragraphs (a), (b), (d),
(g) and (i) may not be waived, whereas the conditions
set out in paragraphs (c), (e), (f), (h) and (j) may
only be waived by agreement in writing between the parties.
70
The Scheme is subject to and conditional upon the Palmarejo
Transaction becoming effective under Canadian law unless Coeur
in its sole discretion waives this condition within five
Business Days of the meeting of Bolnisi Shareholders to consider
the Scheme taking place.
Additional
conditions precedent to the obligations of Coeur
The Bolnisi MIA provides that the obligations of the parties to
complete the transactions contemplated by the Bolnisi MIA are
also subject to the fulfillment of each of the following
conditions precedent, each of which may be waived by Coeur:
(a) no Bolnisi Material Adverse Change is in existence at
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Second Court Date;
(b) no Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence has occurred as at
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Scheme Meeting and at
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Second Court Date;
(c) no representation given by Bolnisi under
clause 7.3 of the Bolnisi MIA has become materially
incorrect before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the Second
Court Date;
(d) between the date of the Bolnisi MIA and 5:00 p.m.
on the day before the Second Court Date, Coeur does not become
aware of any matter, event, action or circumstance:
(i) which is materially adverse in that it would result in
a decline of 5% or more in the consolidated net assets of
Bolnisi for the financial year ended 30 June 2006 in
relation to Bolnisi or its Related Bodies Corporate;
(ii) in respect of which Bolnisi has not complied with its
disclosure obligations under ASX Listing Rule 3.1 at any
time; and
(iii) which was not previously disclosed to Coeur;
(e) between the date of the Bolnisi MIA and the Scheme
Meeting, no director of Bolnisi changes or withdraws his
recommendation to Bolnisi shareholders to vote in favor of the
Scheme; and
(f) completion by Coeur of satisfactory due diligence on
Bolnisi.
Additional
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Bolnisi
The obligations of the parties to complete the transaction as
contemplated by the Bolnisi MIA are also subject to the
following conditions precedent, each of which may be waived by
Bolnisi:
(a) no Coeur Material Adverse Change is in existence at
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Second Court Date;
(b) no Coeur Prescribed Occurrence has occurred as at
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Scheme Meeting and at
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Second Court Date;
(c) no representation given by Coeur under clause 7.1
of the Bolnisi MIA has become materially incorrect before
5:00 p.m. on the day before the Second Court Date; and
(d) between the date of the Bolnisi MIA and 5:00 p.m.
on the day before the Second Court Date, Bolnisi does not become
aware of any matter, event, action or circumstance:
(i) which is materially adverse in that it would result in
a decline of 5% or more in the consolidated net assets of Coeur
for the financial year ended 31 December 2006 in relation
to Coeur or its Related Bodies Corporate;
(ii) in respect of which Coeur has not complied with its
continuous disclosure obligations under applicable Canadian or
United States securities legislation; and
(iii) which was not previously disclosed to Bolnisi.
71
Consultation
on Failure of Condition Precedent
If any event occurs which would prevent any of the conditions
precedent from being satisfied, or there is an occurrence that
is reasonably likely to prevent the condition precedent being
satisfied by the date specified in the Bolnisi MIA for its
satisfaction or the Scheme has not become effective by the
Revised End Date, the parties agree to consult in good faith to
determine whether the Transaction may proceed by way of
alternative means or methods, change the date of the application
made to the Federal Court of Australia for an order under
Section 411(4)(b) of the Act approving the Scheme or
adjourning that application (as applicable) to another date
agreed between Coeur and Bolnisi (being a date no later than
five Business Days before the Revised End Date) or extend the
relevant date or Revised End Date. If the parties are unable to
reach such agreement within five Business Days of becoming aware
of the relevant occurrence or relevant date or by the Revised
End Date, then unless that condition precedent is waived as
provided in the Bolnisi MIA, either party may terminate the
Bolnisi MIA without, except as otherwise provided in the Bolnisi
MIA, any liability to the other party because of that
termination, unless the relevant occurrence or the failure of
the condition precedent to be satisfied, or of the Scheme to
become Effective, arises out of a breach by the terminating
party of provisions of the Bolnisi MIA relating to the
conditions precedent or obligations contained in the
Bolnisi MIA.
Representations
and Warranties
The Bolnisi MIA contains representations and warranties on the
part of Bolnisi relating to the following matters, among others:
execution, delivery and performance of the Bolnisi MIA, the
valid incorporation and organization of Bolnisi, Bolnisi having
good title to relevant property owned by it, and Bolnisis
books and records accurately, fairly and reasonably reflecting
the transactions, disposals, assets of and results of operations
of Bolnisi and its subsidiaries.
The Bolnisi MIA also contains representations and warranties of
Coeur, relating to the following matters, among others:
execution, delivery and performance of the Bolnisi MIA, the due
organization and good standing of Coeur, Coeur having good title
to relevant property owned by it, Coeurs books and records
accurately, fairly and reasonably reflecting the transactions,
disposals/assets of and results of operations of Coeur and its
subsidiaries, the Transaction not constituting a change of
control under certain plans and agreements and Coeur taking all
action so that the transactions contemplated by the Bolnisi MIA
do not result in the grant of rights to any person under a
Rights Agreement entered into by Coeur and Chase Mellon
Shareholder Services, LLC on May 11, 1999.
Obligations
By
Bolnisi
Bolnisi must execute all documents and do all acts and things
within its power as may be necessary or desirable for the
implementation and performance of the Scheme on a basis
consistent with the Bolnisi MIA. In particular, Bolnisi must
(amongst other things) from the date of the Bolnisi MIA up to
and including the Implementation Date, conduct, and ensure that
each of its subsidiaries conducts, their respective businesses
in the ordinary and proper course of business, which will be
limited solely to the operation of the matters set out in the
Project Plan Description (as defined in the Bolnisi MIA) and
make all reasonable efforts to keep available the services of
their officers and employees and preserve their relationships
with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees and others
having business dealings with Bolnisi and any subsidiary of
Bolnisi.
The Bolnisi board of directors must unanimously recommend to
Bolnisi shareholders that (1) the Scheme is in the best
interests of Bolnisi and Bolnisi shareholders, (2) Bolnisi
shareholders vote in favor of all the resolutions to be proposed
at the Scheme Meeting or approve the Scheme and (3) the
Bolnisi shareholders vote in favor of the Change of Status
Resolution (as defined in the Bolnisi MIA) subject to the
Independent Expert opining that the Scheme is in the best
interests of Ordinary Shareholders and no superior proposal
emerging (whether by way of scheme or bid). In addition, Bolnisi
must ensure, among other things: the preparation of materials
related to the Scheme Meeting, the calling and holding of the
Scheme Meeting, the applications for orders of the Court, and
the provision of information and assistance to Coeur.
72
By
Coeur
Coeur, Coeur Australia and Coeur Sub Two must execute all
documents and do all acts and things within its power as may be
necessary or desirable for the implementation and performance of
the scheme of arrangement.
Coeur must also ensure that it, Coeur Australia and Coeur Sub
Two, Inc, conduct their respective businesses in the ordinary
and proper course of business, which requires that Coeur not
make any acquisitions, disposals or capital expenditures or
incur any indebtedness, in excess of US$200,000,000 and make all
reasonable efforts to keep available the services of their
officers and employees and preserve their relationships with
customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees and others having
business dealings with Coeur and any subsidiary of Coeur.
Coeur must also ensure, among other things: that the Treasurer
of Australia is notified of the Scheme as soon as practicable
after the date of the Bolnisi MIA, the provision of information
and assistance to Bolnisi, the convening of a meeting of the
Coeur Board (or sub-committee of it) to approve the Bolnisi
scheme booklet, that it uses its best endeavors to procure that
the Coeur Shares are approved for listing on the TSX and NYSE
and that the Coeur Shares in the form of CDIs are approved for
listing on ASX (subject to the condition that the shares and
CDIs are issued, with effect from the Business Day following the
Effective Date of the Scheme), and that Bolnisi is provided with
reasonable access to information for the purpose of
implementation the Transaction.
Termination
Either
Party
Either Party may terminate the Bolnisi MIA by written notice to
the other at any time before 8:00 a.m. on the Second Court
Date if:
(a) the other party is in material breach of any provision
of the Bolnisi MIA, provided that the party wishing to terminate
has given written notice to the other setting out the relevant
circumstances and stating an intention to terminate, and the
relevant circumstances have continued to exist for 10 Business
Days (or any shorter period ending at 5:00 p.m. on the day
before the Second Court Date) from the time the notice is given;
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or
Australian) or a Regulatory Authority has taken any action
permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
Transaction, or has refused to do anything necessary to permit
the Transaction, and the action or refusal has become final and
cannot be appealed;
(c) the other party breaches its obligations under the
exclusivity provisions in the Bolnisi MIA; or
(d) the Break Fee is paid.
If any event occurs which would prevent any of the conditions
precedent being satisfied or there is an occurrence that is
reasonably likely to prevent the conditions precedent being
satisfied by the date specified in the Bolnisi MIA for its
satisfaction or the Scheme has not become Effective by the
Revised End Date and the parties after consulting in good faith,
are unable to reach agreement within 5 Business Days of
becoming aware of the relevant occurrence or relevant date or by
the Revised End Date, then unless that condition precedent is
waived as provided in the Bolnisi MIA, either party may
terminate the Bolnisi MIA without any liability to the other
party because of that termination except as otherwise provided
in the Bolnisi MIA, unless the relevant occurrence or the
failure of the condition precedent to be satisfied, or of the
Scheme to become Effective, arises out of a breach by the
terminating party of their obligations regarding implementation
or the requirements of the provisions relating to the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent.
By
Coeur
Coeur may terminate the Bolnisi MIA by written notice to Bolnisi
at any time before 8:00 a.m. on the Second Court Date if:
(a) at the Scheme Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement of it at which the Scheme is voted on, the Scheme
is not approved before the Revised End Date by the requisite
majorities of the Bolnisi shareholders required under the Act;
73
(b) any member of the Bolnisi Board withdraws or changes
his recommendation in relation to the Scheme for any
reason; or
(c) a Bolnisi Material Adverse Change or a Bolnisi
Prescribed Occurrence takes place.
By
Bolnisi
Bolnisi may terminate the Bolnisi MIA by written notice to Coeur
at any time before 8:00 a.m. on the Second Court Date if a
Coeur Material Adverse Change or a Coeur Prescribed Occurrence
takes place.
Exclusivity
During the period from the date of the Bolnisi MIA until the
earlier of its termination or the Revised End Date, Bolnisi and
Coeur must not, and must ensure that their Representatives do
not, except with the prior consent of the other party:
(a) directly or indirectly solicit, encourage, initiate or
invite any inquiries, discussions or proposals in relation to,
or which may reasonably be expected to lead to, a Third Party
Proposal for that party;
(b) initiate or participate in any discussions or
negotiations in relation to, or which may reasonably be expected
to lead to, a Third Party Proposal for that party; or
(c) communicate to any person an intention to do any of the
things referred to in (a) or (b) above.
In connection therewith, Bolnisi or Coeur must notify the other
party if it receives:
(a) any approach, inquiry or proposal made to, and any
attempt or intention on the part of any person to initiate or
continue any negotiations or discussions with, Bolnisi or Coeur
or any of their Representatives with respect to, or that could
reasonably be expected to lead to, any Third Party Proposal,
whether unsolicited or otherwise; or
(b) any request for information relating to Bolnisi or
Coeur or any of their subsidiaries or any of its businesses or
operations or any request for access to the books or records of
Bolnisi or Coeur or any of their subsidiaries, which Bolnisi or
Coeur (as applicable) has reasonable grounds to suspect may
relate to a current or future Third Party Proposal.
In addition, each must notify the other party if there is a
breach of the exclusivity provisions of the Bolnisi MIA or if
its Representatives provide any information relating to Bolnisi
or Coeur (as the case may be) or any of their subsidiaries or
any of their businesses or operations to any person in
connection with or for the purpose of a current or future Third
Party Proposal. Such notice must be accompanied by all relevant
details of the relevant event, including the identity of the
person or persons taking any action referred to in (a) and
(b) above and the terms and conditions of any Third Party
Proposal or any proposed Third Party Proposal (to the extent
known). Bolnisi or Coeur (as applicable) must give notice of
these matters at least 48 hours before the Bolnisi Board or
Coeur Board (as applicable) recommends acceptance by its
shareholders of an offer for their shares under a Third Party
Proposal, or otherwise recommends that shareholders approve the
Third Party Proposal.
The exclusivity provisions set out in the Bolnisi MIA do not
require Bolnisi or Coeur or any of their respective directors to
do or refrain from doing anything with respect to a Third Party
Proposal (which was not solicited by the party in breach of the
exclusivity provisions and in respect of which the notice
provisions were complied with), provided that the Bolnisi Board
or Coeur Board (as applicable) has determined in good faith and
acting reasonably after consultation with its financial advisors
and receiving legal advice from external legal advisors that
failing to respond to such Third Party Proposal would be likely
to constitute a breach of the directors fiduciary or
statutory obligations.
74
Payment
of Costs
Break
Fee
Each of Bolnisi and Coeur have agreed to pay to the other the
Break Fee equal to US$7.78 million in certain
circumstances. Bolnisi must pay to Coeur the Break Fee if the
Bolnisi MIA is terminated or the Scheme is not implemented as a
result of:
(a) the non-satisfaction of any conditions precedent
relating to Bolnisi Shareholder approvals, a Bolnisi Material
Adverse Change, a Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence, the Bolnisi
representations or the Bolnisi continuous disclosure, provided
that, immediately before the termination or, if the Bolnisi MIA
has not been terminated, when Court approval was due to be
sought, no matter has occurred which would prevent the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent clauses relating to
Regulatory Approvals, the listing of Coeur Shares, Restraints, a
Coeur Material Adverse Change, a Coeur Prescribed Occurrence, or
Coeur representations from being satisfied;
(b) Bolnisi not using its best endeavors to cause the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent regarding Bolnisi
Shareholder approval or Court approval to be satisfied, provided
that all other conditions precedent have been or are reasonably
likely to be satisfied;
(c) any Bolnisi Board member withdrawing or changing his
recommendation or supporting a Third Party Proposal for Bolnisi;
(d) a Third Party Proposal for Bolnisi being announced or
made before the Second Court Date and, by the Revised End Date,
the person making the Third Party Proposal for Bolnisi acquiring
voting power of 50% or more in Bolnisi; or
(e) Bolnisi breaching its obligations under the exclusivity
provisions in the Bolnisi MIA.
Coeur must pay to Bolnisi the Break Fee if the Bolnisi MIA is
terminated or the Scheme is not implemented as a result of:
(a) the non-satisfaction of any conditions precedent
relating to permission for listing of Coeur Shares on the TSX
and NYSE, a Coeur Material Adverse Change, a Coeur Prescribed
Occurrence, the Coeur representations, Coeur Shareholder
approval or the Coeur continuous disclosure, provided that,
immediately before the termination or, if the Bolnisi MIA has
not been terminated, when Court approval was due to be sought,
no matter has occurred which would prevent the satisfaction of
the condition precedent clauses relating to Regulatory
Approvals, Restraints, a Bolnisi Material Adverse Change, a
Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence, or the Bolnisi representations
from being satisfied;
(b) Coeur not using its best endeavors to cause the
satisfaction of the condition precedent regarding Coeur
Shareholder approval to be satisfied, provided that all other
conditions precedent have been or are reasonably likely to be
satisfied; or
(c) Coeur breaching its obligations under the exclusivity
provisions in the Bolnisi MIA.
Costs and
Expenses
Except as otherwise provided in the Bolnisi MIA, each party must
pay its own costs and expenses in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of the
Bolnisi MIA and the proposed, attempted or actual implementation
of the Scheme.
Each of the Directors of Bolnisi,
and/or an
affiliate of each such Director, entered into an Option Deed on
May 3, 2007 with Coeur. These Option Deeds give Coeur the
option to call for the transfer to it of an aggregate of 19.9%
of all shares in Bolnisi from the shares in Bolnisi held by the
Directors
and/or their
affiliates. The options are exercisable from the earlier of
November 3, 2007 and the date which it becomes likely that
the Scheme will not become effective by November 3, 2007.
The options expire the earlier of December 3, 2007 and the
date of the
75
implementation of the Scheme, which is expected to be on or
about December 20, 2007. Once the option to acquire the
shares in Bolnisi is exercised, the transfer of the shares in
Bolnisi is to be completed in 10 business days after the option
notice is given and the exercise price payable by Coeur is the
same as the purchase price to be paid by Coeur for each Bolnisi
Share in the Transactions, being a price equal to A$0.004 in
cash and 0.682 Coeur shares per Bolnisi share.
The grantors of the options have agreed to a conditional
extension of the options granted under the Option Deeds so that
if the End Date of the MIA is extended to the Revised End Date
due to SEC review timing, there is a corresponding extension of
the options.
Description
of Palmarejo Merger Implementation Agreement (MIA)
The following is a summary of certain material terms of the
Palmarejo MIA, a copy of which is attached as
Annex B-1
to this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of
the information about the Palmarejo MIA. Therefore, you should
read the Palmarejo MIA carefully and in its entirety, as the
rights and obligations of the parties are governed by the
express terms of the Palmarejo MIA and not by this summary or
any other information contained in this proxy statement.
The Palmarejo MIA contains representations and warranties made
by the parties thereto. These representations and warranties,
which are set forth in the Palmarejo MIA, were made by and to
the parties thereto for the purposes of the Palmarejo MIA and
are subject to qualifications and limitations agreed by the
parties in connection with negotiating and entering into the
Palmarejo MIA. In addition, these representations and warranties
were made of specified dates, may be subject to a contractual
standard of materiality different from what may be viewed as
material to Coeur shareholders, or may have been used for the
purpose of allocating risk between the parties instead of
establishing such matters as facts. Moreover, information
concerning the subject matter of the representations and
warranties, which do not purport to be accurate as of the date
of this proxy statement, may have changed since the date of the
Palmarejo MIA.
On May 3, 2007, Coeur and Palmarejo entered in the
Palmarejo MIA, under which it was agreed that, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Palmarejo MIA, Coeur would
acquire, indirectly, all of the Palmarejo Shares for a price
equal to C$0.004 in cash and 2.715 Coeur shares per Palmarejo
share pursuant to a plan of arrangement, subject to applicable
withholding taxes (other than Palmarejo shares held by Fairview
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Bolnisi) or its subsidiaries,
which will be acquired indirectly by Coeur pursuant to the
Bolnisi Transaction).
Amendment
to Palmarejo MIA
On September 23, 2007, the parties agreed to an amendment
of the Palmarejo MIA, which amendment is similar to the
amendment to the Bolnisi MIA. Under the Palmarejo amendment, the
parties agreed to a conditional extension to the Palmarejo MIA
which allows for SEC review timing. This conditional amendment
provides that if any SEC review is not complete in time for the
transaction to complete by December 3, 2007 the
current scheduled End Date in the Palmarejo MIA, then such End
Date will be extended to 45 days from completion of the SEC
review. If that date falls in the Australian Court vacation
period, it will be extended instead to February 15, 2008,
and any extension under this is subject to a final End Date of
February 15, 2008. As noted above, as used herein,
Revised End Date means the End Date as so extended.
Conditions
Precedent to the Arrangement
Mutual
Conditions Precedent
The Palmarejo MIA provides that the obligations of the parties
to complete the transactions contemplated by the Palmarejo MIA
are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following
conditions precedent to the extent and in the manner set out in
the Palmarejo MIA:
(a) all regulatory approvals shall have been issued or
provided or, in the case of waiting or suspensory periods,
expired or terminated before the effective date of the plan of
arrangement;
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(b) the plan of arrangement shall have received the
necessary approvals of the Palmarejo shareholders under the
CBCA, and in accordance with applicable law;
(c) permission for the additional listing of Coeurs
shares on the TSX and NYSE to be issued as part of the plan of
arrangement consideration shall have been granted by
8:00 a.m. on the effective date of the plan of arrangement
(any such approval may be subject to customary conditions and to
the plan of arrangement becoming effective);
(d) the necessary court approvals shall have been obtained
either unconditionally or on conditions that are customary or
usual;
(e) no temporary restraining order, preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
preventing the transaction be in effect at the effective time of
the plan of arrangement;
(f) the Coeur shareholders shall have approved the
proposals set forth in this proxy statement by the requisite
majorities under applicable law and the rules and regulations of
the NYSE and TSX;
(g) any required licenses, approvals, waivers, consents,
permits, orders, business conditions or change of control
consents in relation to the plan of arrangement are obtained or
the expiry of all applicable waiting periods; and
(h) the proposed Bolnisi Transaction becoming effective
under Australian law.
Each of the conditions set out in paragraphs (a) to
(e) may not be waived, whereas the conditions set out in
paragraphs (g) and (h) may only be waived by agreement
in writing between the parties.
Additional
conditions precedent to the obligations of Coeur
The Palmarejo MIA provides that the obligations of Coeur to
complete the transactions contemplated by the Palmarejo MIA are
also subject to the fulfillment of each of the following
conditions precedent, each of which may be waived by Coeur:
(a) no Palmarejo Material Adverse Change has occurred and
is continuing at the effective time of the plan of arrangement;
(b) no Palmarejo Prescribed Occurrence has occurred prior
to the effective time of the plan of arrangement;
(c) no representation given by Palmarejo has become
materially incorrect at the effective time of the plan of
arrangement;
(d) between the date of the Palmarejo MIA and the effective
time of the plan of arrangement, Coeur has not become aware of
any matter, event, action or circumstance:
(i) that would be a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change;
(ii) in respect of which Palmarejo has not complied with
its continuous disclosure obligations under applicable Law at
any time; and
(iii) which was not previously disclosed to Coeur;
(e) between the date of the Palmarejo MIA and the plan of
arrangement Meeting, no director of Palmarejo changes or
withdraws his recommendation to Palmarejo Shareholders to vote
in favor of the plan of arrangement; and
(f) the aggregate number of Palmarejo Shares in respect of
which dissent rights shall have been properly exercised in
connection with the plan of arrangement shall not exceed 10% of
the outstanding Palmarejo Shares.
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Additional
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Palmarejo
The obligations of Palmarejo to complete the transaction as
contemplated by the Palmarejo MIA are also subject to the
following conditions precedent, each of which may be waived by
Palmarejo:
(a) no Coeur Material Adverse Change has occurred and is
continuing at the effective time of the plan of arrangement;
(b) no Coeur Prescribed Occurrence has occurred prior to
the effective time of the plan of arrangement;
(c) no representation given by Coeur has become materially
incorrect at the effective time of the plan of arrangement;
(d) between the date of the Palmarejo MIA and the Effective
Date, Palmarejo does not become aware of any matter, event,
action or circumstance:
(i) that would be a Coeur Material Adverse Change;
(ii) in respect of which Coeur has not complied with its
continuous disclosure obligations under applicable Law at any
time; and
(iii) which was not previously disclosed to
Palmarejo; and
(e) between the date of the Palmarejo MIA and the Coeur
Meeting, the Coeur Board shall have not changed or withdrawn its
recommendation to Coeur Shareholders to vote in favor of the
Coeur Resolutions.
Consultation
on Failure of Condition Precedent
If any event occurs which would prevent any of the conditions
precedent from being satisfied, or there is an occurrence that
is reasonably likely to prevent the condition precedent being
satisfied by the date specified in the Palmarejo MIA for its
satisfaction or the plan of arrangement has not become effective
by the Revised End Date, the parties agreed to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate and to take all
actions proper and advisable under applicable Law to consummate
the Transaction on terms consistent with the Palmarejo MIA. If
the parties are unable to reach such agreement within five
Business Days of becoming aware of the relevant occurrence or
relevant date or by the Revised End Date, then unless that
condition precedent is waived as provided in the Palmarejo MIA,
either party may terminate the agreement without, except as
otherwise provided in the agreement, any liability to the other
party because of that termination, unless the relevant
occurrence or the failure of the condition precedent to be
satisfied, or of the plan of arrangement to become effective,
arises out of a breach by the terminating party of its
conditions precedent or obligations.
Representations
and Warranties
The Palmarejo MIA contains customary representations and
warranties on the part of Palmarejo relating to the following
matters, among others: organization and qualification, ownership
of subsidiaries, capitalization, authority relative to the
Palmarejo MIA, no violations, publicly filed documents and
undisclosed liabilities, absence of certain changes, disclosure
and information supplied, compliance, restrictions on business
activities, contracts, tax matters, title and environmental
matters, employment matters, books and records, insurance,
litigation, board approval, brokers and expenses, financial
advisors opinion, dispositions of property, absence of
reduction of resources, disclosure controls and procedures,
internal control over financial reporting, upwards reporting,
stock exchange compliance, personal loans, reporting status and
cease trade orders.
The Palmarejo MIA also contains customary representations and
warranties of Coeur, relating to matters that include:
organization and qualification, ownership of subsidiaries,
capitalization, authority relative to the Palmarejo MIA,
publicly filed documents and undisclosed liabilities, the
information supplied by Coeur, absence of certain changes, lack
of restrictions on business activities, title, insurance,
litigation, board approval, brokers, compliance with laws, stock
option pricing, reserves, disclosure controls and procedures,
absence of rights agreements and compliance with Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act.
78
Covenants
Conduct
of Businesses
In the Palmarejo MIA, Palmarejo agreed to certain customary
negative and affirmative covenants relating to the operation of
its business between the date of execution of the Palmarejo MIA
and the Effective Date, including that Palmarejo shall conduct
and ensure that each of its subsidiaries conducts, their
respective businesses in the ordinary and proper course of
business consistent with past practice, which will be limited in
all material respects to the operation of the matters set out in
the Project plan of arrangement Description, and make all
reasonable efforts to keep available the services of their
officers and employees and preserve their relationships with
customers, suppliers, licensers, licensees and others having
business dealings with Palmarejo and any subsidiary of Palmarejo.
Similarly, Coeur has also agreed to conduct, and ensure that
each of its subsidiaries conducts, their respective businesses
in the ordinary and proper course of business, which requires
that Coeur not make any acquisitions, disposals or capital
expenditures or incur any indebtedness, in excess of
US$200,000,000 and make all reasonable efforts to keep available
the services of their offices and employees and preserve their
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensers, licensees
and others having business dealings with Coeur and any
subsidiary of Coeur.
Other
Covenants of Palmarejo
In addition, Palmarejo agreed to execute all documents and do
all acts and things within its power as may be necessary or
desirable for the implementation and performance of the plan of
arrangement on a basis consistent with the Palmarejo MIA,
including matters relating to: the continuing recommendation of
the Palmarejo Board that Palmarejo Shareholders vote in favor of
the plan of arrangement, the preparation of materials related to
the plan of arrangement Meeting, the calling and holding of the
plan of arrangement Meeting, the applications for the Interim
and Final Orders of the Court, providing information and
assistance to Coeur, and other matters related to the completion
of the Transaction.
Other
Covenants of Coeur
In the Palmarejo MIA, Coeur agreed to execute all documents and
do all acts and things within its power as may be necessary or
desirable for the implementation and performance of the plan of
arrangement on a basis consistent with the Palmarejo MIA,
including matters relating to: the continuing recommendation of
the Coeur Board that Coeur Shareholders vote in favor of the
Coeur Resolutions, the preparation of materials related to the
Coeur Meeting, the calling and holding of the Coeur Meeting, the
listing on the NYSE and TSX of the Coeur Shares to be issued as
part of the plan of arrangement Consideration, providing
information and assistance to Palmarejo, and other matters
related to the completion of the Transaction.
Termination
Either
Party
Either Party may terminate the Palmarejo MIA by written notice
to the other at any time before the effective time of the plan
of arrangement if:
(a) the other party is in material breach of any provision
of the Palmarejo MIA, provided that the party wishing to
terminate has given written notice to the other setting out the
relevant circumstances and stating an intention to terminate,
and the relevant circumstances have continued to exist for 10
Business Days (or any shorter period ending at the effective
time of the plan of arrangement) from the time the notice is
given;
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or
Canadian) or a Regulatory Authority has taken any action
permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
Transaction, or has refused to do anything necessary to permit
the Transaction, and the action or refusal has become final and
cannot be appealed;
(c) the other party breaches its obligations under the
exclusivity provisions in the Palmarejo MIA; or
(d) if any of the events for which the Break Fee is payable
occurs, then upon payment of the Break Fee.
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By
Coeur
Coeur may terminate the Palmarejo MIA by written notice to
Palmarejo at any time before the effective time of the plan of
arrangement if:
(a) at the plan of arrangement Meeting or any adjournment
or postponement of it at which the plan of arrangement is voted
on, the plan of arrangement is not approved before the Revised
End Date by the requisite majorities of the Palmarejo
Shareholders required under the CBCA and applicable Law;
(b) any member of the Palmarejo Board withdraws or changes
his recommendation in relation to the plan of arrangement for
any reason; or
(c) a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change or a Palmarejo
Prescribed Occurrence takes place.
By
Palmarejo
Palmarejo may terminate the Palmarejo MIA by written notice to
Coeur at any time before the effective time of the plan of
arrangement if:
(a) at the Coeur Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
of it at which the Coeur Resolutions are voted on, the Coeur
Resolutions are not approved before the Revised End Date by the
requisite majority of the Coeur Shareholders required under
applicable Law;
(b) the Coeur Board withdraws or changes its recommendation
in relation to the Coeur Resolutions for any reason; or
(c) a Coeur Material Adverse Change or a Coeur Prescribed
Occurrence takes place.
Exclusivity
During the period from execution of the Palmarejo MIA until its
termination or the Revised End Date, Palmarejo and Coeur must
not, and must ensure that their Representatives do not, except
with the prior consent of the other party:
(a) directly or indirectly solicit, encourage, initiate or
invite any inquiries, discussions or proposals in relation to,
or which may reasonably be expected to lead to, a Third Party
Proposal for that party;
(b) initiate or participate in any discussions or
negotiations in relation to, or which may reasonably be expected
to lead to, a Third Party Proposal for that party; or
(c) communicate to any person an intention to do any of the
things referred to in (a) or (b) above.
In connection therewith, Palmarejo or Coeur must notify the
other party if it receives:
(a) any approach, inquiry or proposal made to, and any
attempt or intention on the part of any person to initiate or
continue any negotiations or discussions with, Palmarejo or
Coeur or any of their Representatives with respect to, or that
could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Third Party
Proposal, whether unsolicited or otherwise; or
(b) any request for information relating to Palmarejo or
Coeur or any of their subsidiaries or any of its businesses or
operations or any request for access to the books or records of
Palmarejo or Coeur or any of their subsidiaries, which Palmarejo
or Coeur (as applicable) has reasonable grounds to suspect may
relate to a current or future Third Party Proposal.
In addition, each must notify the other party if there is a
breach of the exclusivity provisions of the Palmarejo MIA or if
its Representatives provide any information relating to
Palmarejo or Coeur (as the case may be) or any of their
subsidiaries or any of their businesses or operations to any
person in connection with or for the purpose of a current or
future Third Party Proposal. Such notice must be accompanied by
all relevant details of the relevant event, including the
identity of the person or persons taking any action referred to
and the terms and conditions of any Third Party Proposal or any
proposed Third Party Proposal (to the extent known). In
addition, Palmarejo or Coeur (as applicable) must give notice of
these matters at least 48 hours before the Palmarejo Board
or Coeur Board (as
80
applicable) recommends acceptance by its shareholders of an
offer for their shares under a Third Party Proposal, or
otherwise recommends that shareholders approve the Third Party
Proposal.
The exclusivity provisions set out in the Palmarejo MIA do not
require Palmarejo or Coeur or any of their respective directors
to do or refrain from doing anything with respect to a Third
Party Proposal (which was not solicited by the party in breach
of the exclusivity provisions and in respect of which the notice
provisions were complied with), provided that the Palmarejo
Board or Coeur Board (as applicable) has determined in good
faith and acting reasonably after taking into account the extent
considered appropriate by such board, all financial, legal,
regulatory and other aspects of such proposal and the person
making such proposal and after consultation with its financial
advisors and external legal counsel that (A) such Third
Party Proposal (i) is reasonably capable of being completed
without undue delay, (ii) is on terms and conditions more
favorable from a financial point of view to the Palmarejo or
Coeur Shareholders (as applicable) than those contemplated by
the Palmarejo MIA, and (iii) has committed financing, to
the extent required, and (B) failing to take or refrain
from taking the proposed action in respect of that Third Party
Proposal would likely constitute a breach of the directors
fiduciary or statutory obligations.
Payment
of Costs
Break
Fee
The parties have agreed to pay to the other the Break Fee equal
to US$3.07 million in certain circumstances. Palmarejo must
pay to Coeur the Break Fee if the Palmarejo MIA is terminated or
the plan of arrangement is not implemented as a result of:
(a) the non-satisfaction of any conditions precedent
relating to Palmarejo Shareholder approvals, a Palmarejo
Material Adverse Change, a Palmarejo Prescribed Occurrence, the
Palmarejo representations and the Palmarejo continuous
disclosure, provided that, immediately before the termination
or, if the agreement has not been terminated, when court
approval was due to be sought, no matter has occurred which
would prevent the satisfaction of the condition precedent
clauses relating to Regulatory Approvals, the listing of Coeur
Shares, no restraints, a Coeur Material Adverse Change, a Coeur
Prescribed Occurrence, Coeur representations or the Coeur
Shareholder approval;
(b) Palmarejo not using all commercially reasonable
endeavors to cause the satisfaction of the conditions precedent
regarding Palmarejo Shareholder approval and Court approval to
be satisfied, provided that all other conditions precedent have
been or are reasonably likely to be satisfied;
(c) any Palmarejo Board member withdrawing or changing his
recommendation or supporting a Third Party Proposal for
Palmarejo;
(d) a Third Party Proposal for Palmarejo being announced or
made before the effective date of the plan of arrangement and,
within seven months of the date of the Palmarejo MIA, the person
making the Third Party Proposal for Palmarejo acquiring voting
power of 50% or more in Palmarejo (other than an acquisition
effected only as a result of a change in ownership of
Bolnisi); or
(e) Palmarejo breaching its obligations under the
exclusivity provisions in the Palmarejo MIA.
Coeur must pay to Palmarejo the Break Fee if the Palmarejo MIA
is terminated or the plan of arrangement is not implemented as a
result of:
(a) the non-satisfaction of any conditions precedent
relating to permission for listing of Coeur Shares on the TSX
and NYSE, a Coeur Material Adverse Change, a Coeur Prescribed
Occurrence, the Coeur representations, Coeur Shareholder
approval and the Coeur continuous disclosure, provided that,
immediately before the termination or, if the agreement has not
been terminated, when Court approval was due to be sought, no
matter has occurred which would prevent the satisfaction of the
condition precedent clauses relating to Regulatory Approvals, no
restraints, a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change, a Palmarejo
Prescribed Occurrence, or the Palmarejo representations;
81
(b) Coeur not using all commercially reasonable endeavors
to cause the satisfaction of the condition precedent regarding
Coeur Shareholder approval to be satisfied, provided that all
other conditions precedent have been or are reasonably likely to
be satisfied; or
(c) Coeur breaching certain of its obligations under the
exclusivity provisions in the Palmarejo MIA.
Costs and
Expenses
Except as otherwise provided in the Palmarejo MIA, each party
must pay its own costs and expenses in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of the
Palmarejo MIA and the proposed, attempted or actual
implementation of the plan of arrangement.
Description
of Palmarejo Plan of Arrangement
The following is a summary of certain material terms of the
Palmarejo plan of arrangement, a copy of which is attached as
Annex E to this proxy statement. This summary and certain
capitalized terms referred to in this summary do not contain all
the information about the plan of arrangement. Therefore, you
should read the plan of arrangement carefully and in its
entirety.
Upon the arrangement becoming effective, the following
transactions will occur and will be deemed to occur in the order
and at the times set out in the plan of arrangement:
(a) the Palmarejo shares held by any dissenting holders
shall be deemed to have been transferred without any act or
formality to Canadian Bidco (as defined in the plan of
arrangement) (free and clear of any liens) in exchange for:
$0.004 in cash; and
2.715 Coeur Shares;
(the Consideration)
(b) each Palmarejo share outstanding at the effective time
of the plan of arrangement and held by a Palmarejo shareholder
other than (i) a dissenting holder who is ultimately
entitled to be paid the fair value of the Palmarejo shares held
by such dissenting holder or (ii) Coeur, Canadian Bidco or
any Affiliate (as defined in the plan of arrangement) thereof,
which, for greater certainty, includes Fairview (which shall not
be exchanged under the plan of arrangement and shall remain
outstanding as a Palmarejo share held by Coeur, Canadian Bidco
or any Affiliate thereof), shall be transferred without any
further act or formality by the holder to Canadian Bidco in
exchange for the Consideration;
(c) with respect to each Palmarejo Share transferred
pursuant to (a) and (b), (i) the holder of each such
Palmarejo share shall cease to be the holder of that Palmarejo
share and the name of such holder shall be removed from the
applicable registers as the holder of Palmarejo shares, and
(ii) Canadian Bidco shall be recorded as the registered
holder of the Palmarejo shares so acquired and shall be deemed
the legal and beneficial owner thereof (free and clear of any
liens and encumbrances);
(d) each Palmarejo option outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the plan of arrangement shall be exchanged
for a new option granted by Palmarejo (a Palmarejo
Replacement Option) to acquire 2.715 Coeur shares for each
Palmarejo share that such holder was entitled to receive under
its Palmarejo option, provided that if the foregoing would
result in the issuance of a fraction of a Coeur share, then the
number of Coeur shares otherwise issued shall be rounded down to
the nearest whole number of Coeur shares. The exercise price per
Coeur share subject to any such Palmarejo Replacement Option
shall be an amount (rounded up to the nearest one-hundredth of a
cent) equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per
Palmarejo share subject to such Palmarejo Option immediately
before the consummation of the Transactions divided by
(B) 2.715 plus such portion of a Coeur share that,
immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, has a
fair market value equal to C$0.004 cash (provided that the
aggregate exercise price payable on any particular exercise of
Palmarejo Replacement Options shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole cent). Except as set out above, the terms of each
Palmarejo Replacement Option shall be the same as the terms of
the
82
Palmarejo option exchanged therefor pursuant to the Palmarejo
Option Plan (as defined in the plan of arrangement) and any
agreement evidencing the grant thereof prior to the effective
time of the plan of arrangement; and
(e) Palmarejo may file an election with the CRA upon the
consummation of the Transactions, to be effective on such date
and prior to the steps contemplated below, to cease to be a
public corporation for the purposes of the ITA.
In accordance with the terms of the Palmarejo warrants, each
holder of a Palmarejo warrant outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the plan of arrangement shall receive upon
the subsequent exercise of such holders Palmarejo warrant,
in accordance with its terms, and shall accept in lieu of each
Palmarejo share to which such holder was theretofore entitled
upon such exercise but for the same aggregate consideration
payable therefor, the Consideration.
Exchange
of Certificates for Consideration
At or before the time of filing of the Articles of Arrangement,
Canadian Bidco shall deposit the aggregate Consideration with
the Depositary in escrow for the benefit of Palmarejo
shareholders.
After the effective time of the plan of arrangement, upon
surrender to the Depositary for cancellation of a certificate
that immediately prior to the effective time of the plan of
arrangement represented outstanding Palmarejo shares, together
with a duly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal and
such additional documents and instruments as the Depositary may
reasonably require, the Palmarejo shareholder of such
surrendered certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor, and Coeur shall cause the Depositary to deliver to
such Palmarejo shareholder, the Consideration that such
Palmarejo shareholder has the right to receive under the plan of
arrangement (less any withholding amounts) and any certificate
so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. Until surrendered,
each certificate which immediately prior to the effective time
of the plan of arrangement represented Palmarejo shares shall be
deemed after the effective time of the plan of arrangement to
represent only the right to receive upon surrender, the
Consideration in lieu of such certificate (less any withholding
amounts).
Cancellation
of Rights after Six Years
Any certificate formerly representing Palmarejo shares not duly
surrendered on or before the sixth anniversary of the
consummation of the Transactions shall cease to represent a
claim by or interest of any former Palmarejo shareholder of any
kind or nature against or in Palmarejo, Coeur or Canadian Bidco.
On such date, all Palmarejo shares to which the former holder of
such certificate was entitled shall be deemed to have been
surrendered to Canadian Bidco and consideration to which such
former holder was entitled shall be deemed to have been
surrendered to Coeur. Accordingly, persons who tender
certificates for Palmarejo shares after the sixth anniversary of
the consummation of the Transactions will not receive Coeur
shares, will not own any interest in Coeur and will not be paid
any cash or other compensation.
Lost
Certificates
If a certificate which immediately prior to the time of the
consummation of the Transactions represented Palmarejo shares is
lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of
that fact by the Palmarejo shareholder so claiming, the
Depository will issue the Consideration payable to such
Palmarejo shareholder deliverable in accordance with the
Palmarejo shareholders affidavit of loss.
Withholding
Rights
Palmarejo, Canadian Bidco, Coeur and the Depositary shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration otherwise
payable to any Palmarejo shareholder such amounts as they are
required or permitted to deduct and withhold with respect to
such payment under applicable tax law and treat the amounts
withheld and remitted to the appropriate taxing authority as
having been paid to the Palmarejo shareholder.
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Ineligible
Overseas Shareholders
Where a Palmarejo shareholder is an Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder (as defined in the plan of arrangement), the number
of Coeur shares to which the Palmarejo shareholder would
otherwise have been entitled will be issued to a nominee who
will sell those Coeur shares as soon as practicable and in any
event not more than 28 days after the date of the
consummation of the Transactions and remit to the Palmarejo
shareholder the net proceeds in full satisfaction of that
Palmarejo shareholders rights in relation to Coeur shares
under the plan of arrangement.
Effective
Time of Transactions
The closing of the Transactions will take place following the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions described below under
Description of the Bolnisi MIA Conditions
Precedent to the Arrangement and Description of the
Palmarejo MIA Conditions Precedent to the
Arrangement, unless Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo agree in
writing to another time. The parties intend to complete the
Transactions as soon as practicable following the adoption of
the Bolnisi MIA by Bolnisis shareholders, the adoption of
the Palmarejo MIA by the Palmarejo shareholders and the approval
by Coeurs shareholders of the proposals set forth in this
proxy and the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to
closing of the Transactions set forth in the Bolnisi MIA and
Palmarejo MIA. The parties to the Transactions expect to
complete the merger in the fourth quarter of 2007. Because the
Transactions are subject to a number of conditions, the exact
timing of the Transactions cannot be determined.
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
Coeurs Board of Directors has unanimously adopted a
resolution approving, declaring advisable and recommending to
shareholders for their approval an amendment to Article II
of Coeurs Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation
increasing the total number of shares of its authorized common
stock from 500 million shares to 750 million shares.
The form of the proposed amendment to Coeurs Restated and
Amended Articles of Incorporation is attached as Annex I to
this proxy statement. The proposed amendment will become
effective upon the filing of the amendment with the Idaho
Secretary of State, which Coeur plans to do immediately prior to
the closing of the Transactions.
Reasons
for the Proposed Amendment
Coeurs Board of Directors recommends approval of the
proposed amendment so that it will be able to have sufficient
authorized but unissued and unreserved shares to issue the
shares pursuant to the Transactions and to permit the pursuit
and effectuation of corporate transactions requiring the
issuance of common stock in the future. Those transactions
include:
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the issuance of common stock in connection with the growth and
expansion of Coeurs business, including acquisition of
mining properties or other companies engaged in the mining
business;
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the issuance of common stock or securities convertible into
common stock in connection with financing and recapitalization
transactions;
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the future authorization of additional shares of common stock
for issuance under Coeurs executive compensation program
and Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan; and
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the issuance of common stock in connection with other corporate
transactions that implement proper business purposes determined
by the Board of Directors to be in the best interests of Coeur
and its shareholders.
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As explained below, only 189,616,131 shares of unissued,
unreserved common stock remain available for future issuance.
84
Coeur needs to increase the number of its presently authorized
shares in order to issue the number of shares required by the
Transactions. In addition, the Board of Directors believes that
additional authorized shares should be available in the future
in order to permit Coeur to pursue the various transactions
described above and to provide for its growth and financial
stability. Many of the above transactions arise under
circumstances requiring prompt action and do not allow the
necessary time to seek shareholder approval to authorize
additional shares. The Board of Directors believes that it is
very important for it to have the flexibility to be able to act
promptly in the best interests of Coeur and its shareholders
when circumstances such as those described above arise.
Coeur plans to pursue the acquisition from time to time of other
mining companies, mining properties or interests in mining
properties in the future. In the event the proposed increase in
authorized shares of common stock is approved by shareholders,
such future acquisitions may be effected for a consideration
that includes the issuance of shares of Coeur common stock, or
other securities convertible into Coeur common stock, in partial
or full payment of the purchase price. Coeur anticipates that
the terms of any acquisitions in which it issue shares will be
determined through direct negotiations with the securities
holders or controlling persons of the entities or properties
being acquired. Factors taken into account in determining the
terms may include cash flow, reserves and mineralized material,
earnings power, quality of management, properties, market
location and position and growth potential. Other than with
respect to the Transactions, Coeur has not entered into any
agreements nor made any decisions with respect to the issuance
of any shares in connection with any future acquisitions. If
Coeur determines to issue shares of common stock in connection
with future acquisitions, Coeur will not seek shareholder
approval of such issuance unless required as discussed below
under Future Shareholder Approval of Common Stock
Issuances. The issuance of any such shares of common stock
will have no effect on the rights of existing shareholders.
Currently
Authorized Common Stock
Of the 500 million currently authorized shares of Coeur
common stock, 278,465,840 shares were outstanding and
1,059,211 shares were held as treasury stock at
October 15, 2007. In addition, as of that date, a total of
30,858,818 shares of common stock had been reserved for
possible issuance in the future for the following purposes:
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23,684,211 shares were reserved for issuance upon the
conversion of Coeurs $180 million principal amount of
outstanding 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024;
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5,780,157 shares of common stock reserved for issuance
under Coeurs 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan,
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559,177 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
Coeurs 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan,
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369,486 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
Coeurs 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive
Plan, and
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465,787 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
Coeurs prior Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan.
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In view of the fact that a total of 310,383,869 shares of
Coeur common stock are either outstanding, held as treasury
stock or reserved for future issuance as described above, there
remains only 189,616,131 shares of unissued, unreserved
shares available for future issuance and Coeur expects that it
will issue approximately 261.0 million shares in the
Transactions, which excludes up to 11.0 million new shares
that will be issuable upon the exercise of existing Palmarejo
options and assumes that none of the existing Palmarejo warrants
will be exercised before their expiration on October 19,
2007.
Future
Shareholder Approval of Common Stock Issuances
The additional shares of common stock sought by the proposed
amendment would be available for future issuance without future
action by shareholders, unless such action would be required by
applicable law or the rules of the NYSE. Generally, NYSE rules
require shareholder approval of proposed issuances of additional
shares that would result in an increase of 20% or more in the
total number of shares of common stock outstanding before any
such proposed issuance, subject to exemptions for certain public
and private offerings for cash and an exception
85
where the delay in securing shareholder approval would seriously
jeopardize Coeurs financial viability and where
Coeurs reliance on such exception is expressly approved by
the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Shareholder
approval also is required under NYSE rules prior to an issuance
of common stock that would result in a change of control of
Coeur. Furthermore, NYSE rules require shareholder approval
under certain circumstances with respect to certain stock option
or purchase plans and with respect to proposed issuances of
common stock, or of securities convertible into or exercisable
for common stock, to directors, officers or substantial
shareholders of Coeur or its affiliates.
Potential
for Anti-Takeover Effect
Although the Board of Directors purpose for seeking an
increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock
is not intended for anti-takeover purposes, it should be noted
that authorized but unissued shares of common stock, if issued,
could be used by incumbent management to make more difficult and
thereby discourage an attempt to acquire control of Coeur even
though its shareholders might deem such an acquisition
desirable. For example, the shares could be privately placed
with purchasers who might support the Board of Directors in
opposing a hostile take-over bid. The issuance of the new shares
could also be used to dilute the stock ownership and voting
power of a third party seeking to remove directors, replace
incumbent directors, accomplish certain business transactions or
alter or amend provisions of Coeurs Restated and Amended
Articles of Incorporation. To the extent that it would impede
any such attempts, the issuance of additional shares of common
stock following effectiveness of the proposed amendment to
Coeurs Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation
could potentially serve to perpetuate the existing management.
Required
Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
In order to become effective, the proposed amendment must be
approved by the holders of a majority of the shares of common
stock that are present or represented by proxy at the special
meeting, assuming a quorum is present.
YOUR BOARD
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR
PROPOSAL 1 AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION
Issuance
of Coeur Common Stock
Purpose
and Effect of Proposed Issuance of Stock
Coeur is seeking your approval of the proposed issuance of Coeur
common stock to Bolnisis shareholders in connection with
the Bolnisi Transaction and to Palmarejos shareholders in
connection with the Palmarejo Transaction.
The proposed issuance of Coeur common stock will result in
dilution in the percentage ownership interest of Coeurs
existing shareholders. The exact amount of such dilution cannot
be determined until the time of issuance; however, if Coeur had
issued, as of June 30, 2007 the estimated number of shares
of Coeurs common stock contemplated by the Transactions,
which would aggregate approximately 261.0 million shares,
which excludes up to 11.0 million new shares that will be
issuable upon the exercise of existing Palmarejo options and
assumes that none of the existing Palmarejo warrants will be
exercised before their expiration on October 19, 2007, then
based upon approximately 279.5 million shares of
Coeurs common stock outstanding as of that date, the
shares of Coeurs common stock outstanding would have
increased by approximately 93.4%.
86
Requirement
for Shareholder Approval
Coeurs listing application with the NYSE requires
shareholder approval for the issuance of Coeur common stock that
represents in the aggregate more than 20% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Coeur common stock.
As of October 15, 2007, 278,465,840 shares of Coeur
common stock were issued and outstanding and
1,059,211 shares were held as treasury stock. Upon the
consummation of the Bolnisi Transaction and the Palmarejo
Transaction, Bolnisis shareholders and Palmarejos
shareholders will acquire an aggregate of up to approximately
279.8 million shares of Coeur common stock, which
represents more than 20% of the shares of Coeur common stock
issued and outstanding prior to the consummation of the
Transactions.
Required
Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
In order to become effective, the proposed amendment must be
approved by the holders of a majority of the shares of common
stock that are present or represented by proxy at the special
meeting, assuming a quorum is present. In addition, NYSE rules
require that the number of votes cast on the proposal must
represent over 50% in interest of all securities entitled to
vote on the proposal.
YOUR BOARD
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR
PROPOSAL 2 ISSUANCE OF COEUR COMMON STOCK
Authorization
to Adjourn or Postpone Special Meeting
Coeur may ask its shareholders to vote on a proposal to adjourn
the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies
if there are insufficient votes at the time of the meeting to
approve the proposal to amend Coeurs articles of
incorporation or the proposal to approve the issuance of shares
of Coeur common stock in the Transactions. Coeur does not
currently intend to propose adjournment at the special meeting
if there are sufficient votes to approve these proposals at the
date the special meeting is initially convened. If the proposal
to adjourn the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting
additional proxies for either proposal or both proposals, if
necessary, is submitted to Coeurs shareholders for
approval, the approval requires a majority of the shares
represented at the meeting to be cast in favor of adjournment.
Information
Concerning Coeur
Introduction
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).
Overview
of Mining Properties and Interests
Coeurs most significant operating and development-stage
mining properties and interests are:
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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, Coeur 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.
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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
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mining operations commenced in late 2001 and processing started
in April 2002. Coeur carries on an active exploration program on
its 205 square mile property package.
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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.
Coeur carries on an active exploration program at its Martha
mine and on its other land in Santa Cruz which totals over
600 square miles.
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Coeur 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.
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Coeur 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
$36.0 million. The Broken Hill Mine is located in New South
Wales, Australia and is an underground zinc/lead/silver mine.
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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. Coeur expects commercial production
from the San Bartolome project to commence in early 2008.
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Coeur 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. Coeur is currently conducting construction activities
not impacted by the temporary injunction pending appeal. Coeur
believes production could commence in late 2007, subject to
successful and timely resolution of the permitting challenge and
pending litigation described below. On September 12, 2005
three environmental groups (Plaintiffs) filed a
lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the Corps of
Engineers and the USFS seeking to invalidate permits issued to
Coeur Alaska, Inc. for Coeurs Kensington mine. The
Plaintiffs claim the 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.
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On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska
dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the CWA
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. On March 7, 2007, the Department
of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the Corps of
Engineers, filed a motion for authorization under injunction
pending appeal to permit construction of a western interception
ditch which related to site stabilization due to spring
snowmelt. On March 16, 2007, the Circuit Court panel issued
an Order which denied the western interception ditch work plan.
On May 22, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
reversed the District Courts August 4, 2006 decision
which had upheld Coeurs 404 permit and issued its opinion
that remanded the case to the District Court with instructions
to vacate Coeurs 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of
Decision approving the general tailings disposal plan as well as
the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine
Facility. The DOJ, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the
USFS, filed for an extension of time to file a Petition for
Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit. The extension was granted on
June 29, 2007. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska filed
a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals, as did the State of
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Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The Department of Justice, acting on
behalf of the federal agencies USFS, EPA and Corps of Engineers,
additionally filed a limited Petition for Rehearing with the
Ninth Circuit panel seeking reconsideration of the mandate of
the May 22, 2007 panel. The Court ordered reply briefing by
the Plaintiffs which were filed on October 11, 2007. The
petitions are currently pending. Coeur cannot now predict the
potential for obtaining an appeal or if it will prevail upon
appeal if one is granted.
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.
Exploration
Stage Mining Properties
Coeur, 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, Coeur 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, Coeur expects to invest
approximately $15.3 million in exploration and reserve
development.
Business
Strategy
Coeurs 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 Coeurs business strategy are to:
(i) increase Coeurs silver production and reserves;
(ii) decrease cash costs and increase production at
Coeurs 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 Coeurs
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.
Sources
of Revenue
The Rochester mine, Cerro Bayo mine and Martha mine, each
operated by Coeur, and the Endeavor mine and Broken Hill mine
operated by others, constituted Coeurs principal sources
of mining revenues in 2006. The following table sets forth
information regarding the percentage contribution to
Coeurs total revenues (i.e., revenues from the sale of
concentrates and doré) by the sources of those revenues
during the past five years:
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Coeur Percentage
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Ownership at
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Percentage of Total Revenues(2) for the
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December 31,
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Years Ended December 31,
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Mine/Company
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2006
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2006
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2005
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2004
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2003
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2002
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Rochester Mine
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100
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%
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47
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%
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45
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%
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59
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48
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%
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78
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Cerro Bayo Mine
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100
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23
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38
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32
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43
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17
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Martha Mine
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100
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16
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13
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9
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9
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5
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Endeavor Mine(1)
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100
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3
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1
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Broken Hill Mine(1)
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100
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11
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3
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100
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%
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100
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%
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100
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%
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100
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%
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100
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%
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(1) |
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Ownership interest reflects Coeurs ownership interest in
the propertys silver reserves. Other constituent metals
are owned by another non-affiliated entity. |
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(2) |
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On June 1, 2006, Coeur completed its sale of Coeur Silver
Valley (Galena). Coeurs 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 proxy statement.
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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 Coeurs 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
U.S. dollar per ounce basis. By calculating the cash costs
from each of Coeurs 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 Coeurs mining
properties you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this
single measurement. To fully evaluate a mines performance,
management also monitors U.S. 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 Coeurs 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.
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
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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.
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.
Silver
and Gold Mining Properties
North
America
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. Coeur owns 100% of the Rochester mine by
virtue of its 100% ownership of its subsidiary, Coeur Rochester,
Inc. (Coeur
91
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.
Coeur 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. Coeur 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 Coeurs 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.
At the Rochester mine, silver production was 1,182,796 ounces
and gold production was 14,289 ounces during the first quarter
of 2007 compared to 1,148,363 ounces of silver and 16,117 ounces
of gold in the first quarter of 2006. Total Cash Costs per Ounce
increased to $4.92 from $4.32 in the first quarter of 2006. The
increase in Cash Costs per Ounce was primarily due to decreased
by-product credits and higher operating costs.
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. Mining of the
existing Ore Reserves was completed in 2007. While mining
operations have been discontinued, it is expected that metal
production will continue as a result of residual leaching until
approximately 2011.
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, Coeur 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, Coeur commenced mining of silver in the first
quarter of 2003. Mining at Nevada Packard was completed in
mid-2007.
Coeurs capital expenditures at the Rochester mine totaled
approximately $1.2 million in 2006. Coeur 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
Coeur 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.
92
Year-end
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves Rochester
Mine
(includes Nevada Packard)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Year-end
Mineralized Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Operating
Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Reserves 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-GAAP
measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
performance of its mining operations. See
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. Coeur 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 Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Ore on
Leach Pad. |
93
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Reserve estimates were prepared by Coeurs 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
Reserves. 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. |
South
America
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 Cerro Bayo mine 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 Coeur, encompassing a continuous block of
57,095 acres of mining claims. An additional
11,613 acres of exploration concessions are owned by Coeur.
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.
Coeur 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
Coeur 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 the 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.
At the Cerro Bayo mine in Southern Chile, silver production was
351,948 ounces and 9,428 ounces of gold in the first quarter of
2007 compared to 515,822 ounces of silver and 8,794 ounces of
gold in the first quarter of 2006. The decline in silver
production was primarily due to a 41.7% decrease in tons mined
as a result of Coeur transitioning its mining activities to
higher-grade areas of the mine. Total Cash Costs per Ounce in
the first quarter of 2007 was $1.21 per ounce compared to $3.46
per ounce in 2006. The decrease in Cash Costs per Ounce is
primarily due to lower overall operating costs primarily
attributed to lower tons mined and higher grades.
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, Coeur 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 Coeur plans approximately
$11.1 million of additional capital expenditures there in
2007.
During 2006, Coeur 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 Coeurs land holdings. In 2006, Coeur spent
approximately $5.3 million on exploration and mine
development for new gold and silver mineralization and
94
reserve definition and completed nearly 232,000 feet of
core drilling. Coeur 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 Coeur. To date, Coeur has discovered over 100
veins, the majority of which are located within nine miles of
its 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.
Year-end
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves Cerro Bayo
Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Year-end
Mineralized Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Operating
Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Reserves 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-GAAP
measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
performance of its mining operations. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
95
|
|
|
(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 Coeurs technical staff. |
|
(7) |
|
Proven Reserves 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 Reserves.
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
Reserves, the number of composites must be at least 2 with a
maximum search distance of generally 35 meters. Mineralized
material is similarly classified. |
Annex J (Certain Information Regarding Properties of
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation) contains more recent
estimated amounts of Proven Reserves and Probable Reserves and
mineralized material at the Cerro Bayo mine.
Argentina
Martha Mine
The Martha mine, owned and operated by Coeur Argentina S.R.L., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur, 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.
Coeur 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. Coeur is obligated to pay a 2% net smelter royalty on
silver and gold production to Royal Gold Corporation.
Coeur transports 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, Coeur began construction of a milling
facility at the Martha mine, which is expected to reduce
operating costs and may allow the process of lower grade ore.
The mill is expected to cost $13.9 million and is expected
to be completed in late-2007.
In June 2002, Coeur 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 Coeurs 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 Costs per Ounce of silver produced was
$4.88 in 2006 compared to $4.60 in 2005. At the Martha mine in
Southern Argentina, silver production was 623,098 ounces in the
first quarter of 2007 compared to 543,486 ounces in the first
quarter of 2006. The increase in silver production was primarily
due to higher silver and gold grades partially offset by lower
tons mined. Total Cash Costs per Ounce in the first quarter of
2007 were $6.11 per ounce compared to $4.93 per ounce in
96
2006. The increase in total Cash Costs per Ounce was primarily
due to higher costs of labor and taxes, including increased
royalties resulting from higher realized metal prices in the
first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006.
During 2006, Coeur spent $3.6 million on exploration and
mine development at the Martha mine, and at Coeurs other
properties in the Santa Cruz province, to discover new silver-
and gold-bearing veins and define new reserves. During 2007,
Coeur expects to spend $4.7 million on exploration for the
discovery of new mineralization and reserve development, across
its 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
Martha mine this year, Coeur 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.
Total capital expenditures at the Martha mine in 2006 were
$2.5 million and Coeur plans approximately
$2.9 million of additional capital expenditures there in
2007.
Year-end
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves Martha
Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Year-end
Mineralized Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Operating
Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
97
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Metal prices used in calculating Proven Reserves 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-GAAP
measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
performance of its mining operations. See
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 Coeurs technical staff. |
|
(6) |
|
Proven Reserves 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 Reserves.
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
Reserves, the number of composites must be at least 2 with a
maximum search distance of generally 25 meters. Mineralized
material is similarly classified. |
Annex J (Certain Information Regarding Properties of
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation) contains more recent
estimated amounts of Proven Reserves and Probable Reserves and
mineralized material at the Martha mine.
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, Coeur 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 silver Proven Reserves and Probable 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. Coeur has
received approximately 0.7 million payable ounces through
June 30, 2007 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 of 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
98
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.
The reserves at the Endeavor mine 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). Coeur 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,
Coeur expects the Endeavor 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 Costs per Ounce of silver produced was $2.85 in 2006
compared to $2.05 in 2005. Production at the Endeavor mine in
the first quarter of 2007 was 160,277 ounces of silver compared
to 84,280 ounces of silver in the first quarter of 2006. Total
Cash Costs per Ounce of silver produced was $3.19 in the first
quarter of 2007 compared to $2.13 in the first quarter of 2006.
Proven
and Probable Ore Reserves Endeavor Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Mineralized
Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Tons (000s)
|
|
|
9,370
|
|
|
|
8,488
|
|
Ounces of silver per ton
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
2.03
|
|
99
Operating
Data (Coeurs Share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
(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-GAAP
measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
performance of its mining operations. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
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, Coeur 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-rich 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 Coeur is entitled to all of the silver production and
reserves up to a maximum of 17.2 million payable ounces, as
of June 30,2007 Coeur has received 3,345,822 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
100
set forth in the contract. It is expected that future expansion
of 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.
Coeur 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.
Coeurs 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
Costs 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. Production at the Broken Hill Mine in the first quarter of
2007 was 302,848 ounces compared to 557,311 ounces in the first
quarter of 2006. The decrease in silver production is primarily
due to a 43% decrease in tons mined as a result of a mine
fatality which temporarily halted certain operating activities.
Normal production levels have resumed. Total Cash Costs per
Ounce of silver production was $3.16 in the first quarter of
2007 compared to $2.89 in the first quarter of 2006.
Proven
and Probable Ore Reserves Broken Hill Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Mineralized
Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Tons (000s)
|
|
|
10,872
|
|
|
|
10,825
|
|
Ounces of silver per ton
|
|
|
3.82
|
|
|
|
1.93
|
|
Operating
Data (Coeurs share) (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
101
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Cash Costs per Ounce of silver or gold represent a non-GAAP
measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
performance of its mining operations. See
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 Reserves 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 Reserves
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. |
Discontinued
Operation Coeur Silver Valley
On June 1, 2006, Coeur 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 Coeur 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
U.S. 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 per Ounce for 2006
were $9.75 compared to $8.37 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.
102
Year-end
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves Galena
Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Tons (000s)
|
|
|
444
|
|
|
|
718
|
|
Ounces of silver per ton
|
|
|
24.50
|
|
|
|
18.84
|
|
Contained ounces of silver (000s)
|
|
|
10,879
|
|
|
|
13,518
|
|
Year-end
Mineralized Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Tons (000s)
|
|
|
2,580
|
|
|
|
2,169
|
|
Ounces of silver per ton
|
|
|
11.74
|
|
|
|
10.92
|
|
Operating
Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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-GAAP
measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
performance of its mining operations. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs. |
Silver
and Gold Development Properties
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.
103
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, Coeur 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. Coeur 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.
Coeur 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,
Coeur 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 Coeur that is readily
marketed by metal banks and brokers to the ultimate customer.
Coeur 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, Coeur obtained all operating permits.
Coeur estimates the cash cost of production in the initial four
years to average approximately $4.00 per ounce of silver
produced.
Based on the current development schedule, Coeur 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.
Coeur has 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.
Probable
Ore Reserves San Bartolome Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(1,2,3,4,5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons (000s)
|
|
|
46,068
|
|
|
|
46,176
|
|
|
|
46,176
|
|
|
|
46,176
|
|
Ounces of silver per ton
|
|
|
3.37
|
|
|
|
3.29
|
|
|
|
3.29
|
|
|
|
3.29
|
|
Contained ounces of silver (000s)
|
|
|
155,389
|
|
|
|
151,882
|
|
|
|
151,882
|
|
|
|
151,882
|
|
104
Mineralized
Material San Bartolome Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
Tons (000s)
|
|
|
12,143
|
|
|
|
1,166
|
|
|
|
1,166
|
|
|
|
1,166
|
|
Ounces of silver per ton
|
|
|
2.70
|
|
|
|
3.44
|
|
|
|
3.44
|
|
|
|
3.44
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Metal prices used in calculating Proven Reserves and Probable
Reserves were $8.00 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 Coeurs technical staff. |
|
(5) |
|
Proven Reserves 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
21/2%
at gold prices above $475, with the royalty to be capped at
1.0 million ounces of production.
In the second quarter of 2004, Coeur 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, Coeur received its final construction permits and
updated the construction and operating cost estimates set forth
in the feasibility study. As of December 31, 2006, Coeur
estimated the total cost of construction to be approximately
$238 million as compared with the previous cost estimate of
$190 million. Coeur expects the Cash Costs per Ounce 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 USFS upheld the decision to approve the
FSEIS. On June 28, 2005, Coeur received the EPAs
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Permit. In addition, Coeur
105
received its CWA Section 404 permit from the Corps of
Engineers, 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 Corps of Engineers and the USFS
seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska for
Coeurs Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the 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 CWA
Section 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 Coeur under the CWA Section 404 permit 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 Coeur
that it was suspending the CWA Section 404 permit pursuant
to the Courts remand to further review the permit.
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated
Coeurs CWA Section 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. Coeur, 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 CWA
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.
On March 7, 2007, the Department of Justice
(DOJ), on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, filed a
motion for authorization under injunction pending appeal to
permit construction of a western interception ditch which
related to site stabilization due to spring snowmelt. On
March 16, 2007, the Circuit Court panel issued an Order
which denied the western interception ditch work plan. On
May 22, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed
the District Courts August 4, 2006 decision which had
upheld Coeurs 404 permit and issued its opinion that
remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to
vacate Coeurs 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of
Decision approving the general tailings disposal plan as well as
the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine
Facility. The DOJ, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the
USFS, filed for an extension of time to file a Petition for
Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit. The extension was granted on
June 29, 2007. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska filed
a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The
Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the federal agencies
USFS, EPA and Corps of Engineers, additionally filed a limited
Petition for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit panel seeking
reconsideration of the mandate of the May 22, 2007 panel.
The Court ordered reply briefing by the Plaintiffs on
August 27, 2007 which were filed on October 11, 2007.
The petitions are currently pending. Coeur cannot now predict
the potential for obtaining an appeal or if it will prevail upon
appeal if one is granted.
No assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory
permits and approvals granted to Coeur may be further
challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing
agencies, or as to whether Coeur will place the Kensington
project into commercial production.
During 2006, Coeur invested $121.6 million in connection
with the development of the mine. Coeur plans to spend
approximately $70 million on the project during 2007.
106
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.
Year-end
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves Kensington
Property
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Year-end
Mineralized Material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Coeurs technical staff.
Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, an independent consultant
group, performed an independent review of Coeurs 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. |
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, Coeur 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.
Exploration
and Development Activity
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 Coeur
in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
US
Kensington/Jualin
Coeur 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. Coeur plans
for an aggressive drilling program for 2007 to follow up on the
encouraging results from these
107
programs. Coeurs 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.
Coeur believes that there is potential to discover additional
high grade veins within the entire Cerro Bayo district, which is
over 13.6 miles east west by 7.5 miles
north-south. The exploration budget for 2007 is estimated to be
$4.7 million.
Argentina
Martha Mine
In 2006, Coeurs 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
Coeur 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. Coeur 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.
Coeur plans to continue to map, sample and drill targets on its
new holdings in 2007 and has budgeted $2.6 million for
these activities.
Tanzania,
Africa
During the first quarter of 2004, Coeur 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 Coeur 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 bedrocks
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.
108
During 2006, Coeur spent $1.4 million on exploration
activities in Tanzania and expects to spend approximately
$1.8 million in 2007.
Certain scientific and technical information with respect to
each of Coeurs properties is disclosed in Annex J
(Certain Information Regarding Properties of Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation).
Coeur is one of the worlds leading primary silver
producers. Coeur produced 13.6 million ounces of silver in
2006 and had silver reserves of 216.5 million ounces as of
January 1, 2007. Coeur also has a presence in the gold
market, having produced more than 116,000 ounces of gold in 2006
with gold reserves of 1.5 million ounces as of
January 1, 2007.
Silver
Market Overview
According to the World Silver Survey 2007 (the Silver
Survey) which is an annual survey of the world silver
market that compiles estimates of the world supply and demand,
the average annual price of silver in 2006 was $11.55 per ounce,
which not only represented a 58% increase over the prior year
but also a
26-year
high. In addition, the volatility of silver price almost doubled
to 45% and the trading range jumped to 53% in 2006. Silver was
the leader in price increase compared to gold (36% increase) and
platinum (27% increase). The primary factor driving the increase
was the continued strength in investment demand, which gained
momentum in 2005 and remained resilient throughout 2006. Much of
the demand last year was due to the successful launch of
Barclays Global Investors iShares Silver
Trust Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) in April 2006.
Since the ETF-driven peak of almost $15 in May 2006, the price
of silver has been sustained at high, double-digit levels. The
ETF currently holds over 135 million ounces of silver.
Demand
Despite higher and more volatile silver prices, global silver
fabrication declined by less than 1% in 2006 to
840.5 million ounces. Industrial applications, which
comprised more than 50% of total fabrication in 2006,
experienced a 6% gain to 430.0 million ounces and achieved
its fifth consecutive year of growth. This category is a key
component of demand and is generally driven by external factors,
such as technology and the level of industrial production,
rather than price. The largest segment of industrial demand is
electrical and electronics fabrication, which benefited from
higher sales into consumer electronics, the automobile sector,
and the photo voltaic industry. On a regional basis, industrial
growth was driven by gains of 10.4% from China and 10% from
Japan. In addition, the United States achieved a record level of
industrial silver use in 2006, with a 6% increase to
106.8 million ounces. Although industrial applications have
experienced strong overall growth, it represents the largest
share of total fabrication and as a result, may render silver
vulnerable to major setbacks in global industrial production.
Offsetting the gains in industrial application were losses in
jewelry, silverware and photography fabrication. Jewelry
fabrication experienced a 4.6% decline in 2006 to
165.8 million ounces, mostly due to higher prices that
generated a 28% slump in India. However, Indonesian and Chinese
jewelry fabrication grew by 18% and 16%, respectively. Also,
silver jewelry has become more popular with younger consumers
and sales have been drifting toward more well-known brands.
Silverware demand experienced a 11.3% decline in 2006 to
59.1 million ounces, caused by lower fabrication in price
sensitive countries and structural taste shifts. India was
responsible for about 60% of the silverware decline. According
to the Silver Survey, despite these losses, both jewelry and
silverware are expected to remain fairly robust in 2007 as long
as prices remain steady.
Photographic demand continued to fall, decreasing by 10.1% in
2006 to 145.8 million ounces. The losses resulted from
lower consumer film demand in response to the growth of digital
imaging technology. The Silver Survey predicts that photographic
demand will continue to fall in 2007 but the decline in volume
should moderate. And finally, global silver coin fabrication
fell below 40 million ounces for the first time in three
years in 2006.
109
The following table provides a summary of global silver demand:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
(In million ounces)
|
|
|
DEMAND:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fabrication
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industrial Applications
|
|
|
405.8
|
|
|
|
430.0
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
Photography
|
|
|
162.1
|
|
|
|
145.8
|
|
|
|
(10.1
|
)%
|
Jewelry
|
|
|
173.8
|
|
|
|
165.8
|
|
|
|
(4.6
|
)%
|
Silverware
|
|
|
66.6
|
|
|
|
59.1
|
|
|
|
(11.3
|
)%
|
Coins & Medals
|
|
|
40.0
|
|
|
|
39.8
|
|
|
|
(0.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fabrication
|
|
|
848.3
|
|
|
|
840.5
|
|
|
|
(0.9
|
)%
|
Net Government Purchases
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Producer De-hedging
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Implied Net Investment
|
|
|
77.2
|
|
|
|
64.5
|
|
|
|
(16.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Demand
|
|
|
925.5
|
|
|
|
911.8
|
|
|
|
(1.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supply
Sources of global silver supply can be divided into two main
categories: supply from mine production and supply from
above-ground stocks. Supply from above-ground stocks consists of
scrapped fabricated products and the release of metal from
private and government-owned silver bullion stocks. In 2006,
global silver supply declined by 1.5%.
Global mine production, which accounted for approximately 77% of
total supply in 2006, increased only marginally to
646.1 million ounces. Although notable gains occurred in
Peru, Mexico and China, Australian output decreased by 28% as
production declined 21.7 million ounces in response to
events at BHP Billitons Cannington mine in Queensland,
formerly the worlds largest silver operation.
Additionally, the decline of the ore grade at the Eskay Creek
gold mine in Canada, which is planned for closure next year,
accounted for a significant portion of Canadas overall
silver production losses. More than 70% of silver output is a
by-product of mining other metals. Silver generated at primary
mines, which accounts for 25% of total production, declined 10%
to 161.4 million ounces. Cash costs at primary silver mines
fell 16% to an average of $2.74 per ounce.
The top five silver producing nations in 2006 were Peru, Mexico,
China, Australia, and Chile. The top five silver producing
companies were Mexicos Industrias Peñoles with
46.9 million ounces, Polands KGHM Polska Miedz (a
copper company) with 39.9 million ounces, Australias
BHP Billiton with 37 million ounces, Kazakhstans
Kazakhmys with 21.5 million ounces and Russias
Polymetal with 17.3 million ounces. The Silver Survey
forecasts an uninterrupted increase in global mine supply
through 2008, with a 3% increase occurring in 2007. The Silver
Survey further predicts that Australian silver production will
recover and new mine supply in South America and Mexico will
come on line.
Silver from above-ground stocks on a net basis dropped by 4% in
2006 to 194.4 million ounces in response to a shift of net
producer hedging to the demand side. Scrap supply increased by
less than 1% to 188.0 million ounces while net government
sales increased by 17.9% to 77.7 million ounces. The large
increase in government sales was due to significant increases in
Russian sales along with ongoing sales from Indian government
silver stocks, though a decline in Chinese sales had an
offsetting effect. The delta-adjusted silver hedge book at
year-end 2006 was reported at 82 million ounces, an 8%
decline from the 2005 year-end position. And finally,
implied net investment decreased by 17% to 64.5 million
ounces in 2006.
110
The following table provides a summary of the world silver
supply:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
(In million ounces)
|
|
|
SUPPLY:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine Production
|
|
|
645.7
|
|
|
|
646.1
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
Net Government Sales
|
|
|
65.9
|
|
|
|
77.7
|
|
|
|
17.9
|
%
|
Old Silver Scrap
|
|
|
186.4
|
|
|
|
188.0
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
Producer Hedging
|
|
|
27.6
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Implied Net Disinvestment
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Supply
|
|
|
925.6
|
|
|
|
911.8
|
|
|
|
(1.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold
Market Overview
The annual average price of gold was approximately $604 per
ounce in 2006, which represented a 36% increase over the prior
year. According to the Gold Survey 2007 (the Gold
Survey) which is an annual survey of the world silver
market that compiles estimates of the world supply and demand,
the annual average price in 2007 is expected to break the record
of $614.50 set in 1980, as high oil prices and inflation trigger
speculative investment demand.
Demand
Jewelry fabrication fell by 16% in 2006, with a 30% decline
occurring in the first half of the year followed by a rebound
during the second half. Some of the largest losses occurred in
the Middle East and in East Asia, though China experienced a
slight growth while Indias decline was comparatively
muted. Heavy western trade destocking resulted in significant
fabrication losses in Italy and a drop in U.S. imports.
However, other fabrication grew by just over 10% in 2006, with
strong gains in electronics, official coins and imitation coins
and only small losses in dental.
Implied net investment fell by almost 20% in 2006 to a little
under 400 tons. The decline was caused by a swing from a buy
side dominated market to a more two-way market with activity on
both the buy and sell sides. In contrast, other institutional
and high net worth arenas such as the OTC market, experienced
higher levels of investor interest. More retail focused areas of
investment remained relatively quiet while (non-western) bar
hoarding declined by 14% in 2006.
Producer de-hedging more than quadrupled in 2006 to just over
370 tons. Corporate activity had a strong impact on the first
half, whose volumes were almost three times those of the second
half. At the end of 2006, the combined producer hedge book
recorded levels that were last observed in 1994.
Supply
Global gold production fell to a
10-year low
in 2006, when output declined by 3% or 79 tonnes. The largest
losses occurred in Asia, despite Chinas 8% gain, and in
North America, Africa and Oceania. Africa actually experienced
modest gains from new mines but they were offset by losses from
South Africa, whose production declined by 7.5% to an
84-year low.
Latin America, the only region to experience any notable growth,
increased output by 7%. Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil,
Bolivia, Colombia and Chile contributed to the production
increase, despite the fact that the worlds largest mine,
Yanacocha in northern Peru, recorded a sharp 22% drop in output.
Global cash costs increased by $45 per ounce in 2006 as a result
of inflated energy, consumables and labor costs.
Net official sector sales decreased by more than 50% in 2006 to
reach their lowest level since 1997. The decrease was caused by
a fall in Central Bank Gold Agreement sales and a shift to small
scale net purchases by other countries. Scrap surged to record
levels of just over 1,100 tons. With the exception of India,
most of the scrap gains occurred in countries that have
traditionally been price sensitive. Industrialized countries
also experienced strong growth in volume.
111
According to the CPM Groups Gold Yearbook 2007, both
global supply and mine production are expected to increase in
2007, as additional output is generated from new mines and old
expanded mines. CPM also found that more money was being spent
on mine exploration and development than ever before. Global
exploration expenditure increased from an estimated
$5 billion in 2005 to $7 billion in 2006. Roughly 50
mines with a combined annual capacity of 14.5 million
ounces are being developed in Indonesia, South Africa, Australia
and Canada with scheduled startup dates occurring between 2007
and 2011.
Coeurs operating results are substantially dependent upon
the world market prices of silver and gold. Coeur 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:
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Coeur 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 Coeur in view of the
liquidity of the product and availability of alternative trading
banks. In 2006, Coeur had sales of concentrates to two third
party smelters, Met-Mex Penoles and Zinifex, which each
constituted 10% or more of Coeurs total metal sales. A
significant delay or disruption as the result of a disruption in
Coeurs contracts could have a materially adverse effect on
Coeurs operations if it were unable to locate an alternate
smelter to treat its concentrates.
Coeur 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.
General
Coeurs commitment to environmental responsibility has been
recognized in 24 awards received since 1987, which included the
Dupont/Conoco Environmental Leadership Award, awarded to Coeur
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, Coeurs Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, and in 1997, Coeurs 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, Coeurs 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.
112
Coeurs 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 Coeur is usually involved in regulatory
proceedings for renewal or reissuance of various permits, such
regulations have never caused Coeur 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 Coeurs properties, the extent of which cannot
be predicted. In the context of environmental permitting,
including the approval of reclamation plans, Coeur 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 Coeur.
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, Coeur
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
Coeurs operating and development activities.
Federal
Environmental Laws
Certain mining wastes from extraction and beneficiation of ores
are currently exempt from the extensive set of 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 RCRA.
Certain ore processing and other wastes are currently regulated
as hazardous wastes by the EPA under the RCRA. If Coeurs
mine wastes were treated as hazardous waste or such wastes
resulted in operations being designated as a
Superfund site under CERCLA 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 Coeurs tailings and
waste disposal in Alaska under the 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.
Proposed
Mining Legislation
Legislation has been introduced regularly in the
U.S. Congress over the last decade to change the Mining Law
of 1872 as amended (Mining Law) under which Coeur
holds unpatented mining claims on federal lands. A significant
portion of Coeurs 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 Coeur
to develop or continue operations which derive ore from federal
lands, and as a result could have an adverse effect on Coeur 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 Coeur cannot be estimated.
Foreign
Government Regulations
The mining properties of Coeur 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
113
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. Coeur 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. Coeur has received all permits required to build and
operate the San Bartolome mine.
Coeur 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, Coeur 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 Coeur is not responsible for
compliance. Coeur 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. Coeur 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 three
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.
114
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 August 1, 2007 of
Coeur and its subsidiaries was:
|
|
|
|
|
United States Corporate Staff and Office
|
|
|
37
|
|
Rochester Mine
|
|
|
145
|
|
Kensington Property
|
|
|
71
|
|
South America Corporate Staff and Office
|
|
|
65
|
|
Cerro Bayo Mine(1)
|
|
|
481
|
|
Martha mine/Argentina(1)
|
|
|
141
|
|
San Bartolome
|
|
|
72
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
2
|
|
Tanzania
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Coeur 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 the Martha mine is effective from
June 12, 2006 to June 11, 2008. As of August 1,
2007, Coeur had approximately 34% of its worldwide labor force
covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
115
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations includes references to total Cash
Costs per Ounce of silver produced both on an individual mine
basis and on a consolidated basis. Total Cash Costs per Ounce
represent a non-GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor
and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. A
reconciliation of total cash costs per ounce to GAAP
Production Expenses is also provided herein and
should be referred to when reading the total cash costs per
ounce measurement.
General
The results of Coeurs operations are significantly
affected by the market prices of silver and gold which may
fluctuate widely and are affected by many factors beyond
Coeurs control, including, without limitation, 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.
Coeurs 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
Coeurs business strategy are to: (i) increase
Coeurs silver production and reserves; (ii) decrease
Cash Costs and increase production at Coeurs 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 Coeurs Cash
Costs 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 average price of silver (Handy & Harman) and gold
(London Final) for the first six months of 2007 was $13.33 and
$658 per ounce, respectively. The market price of silver and
gold on August 6, 2007 was $12.98 per ounce and $672 per
ounce, respectively.
Coeurs operating mines are the Rochester mine in Nevada,
the Cerro Bayo mine in Chile and the Martha mine in Argentina.
In addition, Coeur owns all of the silver production and
reserves, up to certain limits, at the Endeavor and Broken Hill
mines in Australia, which are owned and operated by other
companies. As of June 1, 2006, Coeur completed the sale of
Coeur Silver Valley to U.S. Silver Corporation for
$15 million in cash plus an estimated $1.1 million
working capital adjustment.
The
Bolnisi and Palmarejo Transactions
On May 3, 2007, Coeur entered into definitive agreements
with Bolnisi and Palmarejo to combine the three companies.
Bolnisi is the majority shareholder of Palmarejo, holding 73.6%
of its outstanding shares. Under the terms of the agreements,
Bolnisi shareholders will receive 0.682 Coeur shares for each
Bolnisi share they own (or, at the election of the Bolnisi
shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests representing Coeur
shares), and Palmarejo shareholders (other than Bolnisi) will
receive 2.715 Coeur shares for each Palmarejo share they own. It
is anticipated that this will result in Coeur issuing a total of
approximately 261.0 million new shares, which excludes up
to 11.0 million new shares that will be issuable upon the
exercise of existing Palmarejo options and assumes that none of
the existing Palmarejo warrants will be exercised before their
expiration on October 19, 2007. In addition, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo shareholders will receive a cash payment equal to
A$0.004 per Bolnisi share and C$0.004 per Palmarejo share.
The Transactions are subject to approval by the shareholders of
Coeur (solely with respect to the proposals set forth in this
proxy statement), Bolnisi and Palmarejo, and the satisfaction of
customary closing conditions (including completion of regulatory
reviews and receipt of regulatory approvals, including those of
antitrust agencies). The consummation of each of the Bolnisi
Transaction and the Palmarejo Transaction is also conditioned
upon the consummation of the other transaction, although Coeur
has the right to waive this condition if the Palmarejo
Transaction does not proceed, and still proceed with the Bolnisi
Transaction. Both arrangements require approval by the
applicable courts in Canada and Australia. Assuming timely
completion of the required regulatory processes and receipt of
the required shareholder and Court approvals, Coeur expects the
Transactions to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007.
116
Operating
Statistics From Continuing Operations
The following table presents information by mine and
consolidated sales information for the six-month periods ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons processed
|
|
|
4,148,753
|
|
|
|
5,269,447
|
|
|
|
10,399,416
|
|
|
|
9,327,180
|
|
|
|
12,435,346
|
|
Ore grade/Ag oz
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
|
0.74
|
|
|
|
0.91
|
|
|
|
0.74
|
|
Ore grade/Au oz
|
|
|
.007
|
|
|
|
.011
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
Recovery/Ag oz(A)
|
|
|
86.2
|
%
|
|
|
60.9
|
%
|
|
|
65.9
|
%
|
|
|
67.5
|
%
|
|
|
61.5
|
%
|
Recovery/Au oz(A)
|
|
|
103.6
|
%
|
|
|
58.3
|
%
|
|
|
68.9
|
%
|
|
|
76.2
|
%
|
|
|
64.2
|
%
|
Silver production ounces
|
|
|
2,410,029
|
|
|
|
2,301,658
|
|
|
|
5,113,504
|
|
|
|
5,720,489
|
|
|
|
5,669,074
|
|
Gold production ounces
|
|
|
28,435
|
|
|
|
34,382
|
|
|
|
71,891
|
|
|
|
70,298
|
|
|
|
69,456
|
|
Cash cost/oz
|
|
$
|
3.71
|
|
|
$
|
3.46
|
|
|
$
|
2.80
|
|
|
$
|
4.82
|
|
|
$
|
3.93
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
$
|
6.96
|
|
|
$
|
6.70
|
|
|
$
|
5.84
|
|
|
$
|
6.66
|
|
|
$
|
5.66
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled
|
|
|
157,545
|
|
|
|
215,636
|
|
|
|
428,346
|
|
|
|
403,695
|
|
|
|
456,941
|
|
Ore grade/Ag oz
|
|
|
4.82
|
|
|
|
6.43
|
|
|
|
5.76
|
|
|
|
7.52
|
|
|
|
7.51
|
|
Ore grade/Au oz
|
|
|
.133
|
|
|
|
.094
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
Recovery/Ag oz
|
|
|
95.0
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
94.5
|
%
|
|
|
94.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
Recovery/Au oz
|
|
|
93.7
|
%
|
|
|
92.1
|
%
|
|
|
93.0
|
%
|
|
|
92.8
|
%
|
|
|
91.8
|
%
|
Silver production ounces
|
|
|
721,448
|
|
|
|
1,305,568
|
|
|
|
2,331,060
|
|
|
|
2,875,047
|
|
|
|
3,235,192
|
|
Gold production ounces
|
|
|
19,646
|
|
|
|
18,729
|
|
|
|
40,923
|
|
|
|
61,058
|
|
|
|
57,558
|
|
Cash cost/oz
|
|
$
|
4.26
|
|
|
$
|
2.47
|
|
|
$
|
3.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
|
$
|
1.01
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
$
|
8.07
|
|
|
$
|
4.63
|
|
|
$
|
5.46
|
|
|
$
|
2.30
|
|
|
$
|
2.43
|
|
Martha Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled
|
|
|
17,864
|
|
|
|
15,666
|
|
|
|
35,843
|
|
|
|
35,293
|
|
|
|
30,276
|
|
Ore grade/Ag oz
|
|
|
84.77
|
|
|
|
79.75
|
|
|
|
79.93
|
|
|
|
62.53
|
|
|
|
59.94
|
|
Ore grade/Au oz
|
|
|
.115
|
|
|
|
.105
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
Recovery/Ag oz
|
|
|
94.6
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
94.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.9
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
Recovery/Au oz
|
|
|
93.3
|
%
|
|
|
92.0
|
%
|
|
|
92.5
|
%
|
|
|
92.9
|
%
|
|
|
91.6
|
%
|
Silver production ounces
|
|
|
1,432,124
|
|
|
|
1,176,500
|
|
|
|
2,712,846
|
|
|
|
2,093,464
|
|
|
|
1,709,069
|
|
Gold production ounces
|
|
|
1,924
|
|
|
|
1,509
|
|
|
|
3,440
|
|
|
|
2,589
|
|
|
|
2,318
|
|
Cash cost/oz
|
|
$
|
5.59
|
|
|
$
|
5.04
|
|
|
$
|
4.88
|
|
|
$
|
4.60
|
|
|
$
|
4.08
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
$
|
6.00
|
|
|
$
|
5.50
|
|
|
$
|
5.36
|
|
|
$
|
5.01
|
|
|
$
|
5.05
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled
|
|
|
537,865
|
|
|
|
221,778
|
|
|
|
750,115
|
|
|
|
463,129
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore grade/Ag oz
|
|
|
0.96
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
|
1.01
|
|
|
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recovery/Ag oz
|
|
|
55.1
|
%
|
|
|
62.1
|
%
|
|
|
63.5
|
%
|
|
|
45.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Silver production ounces
|
|
|
284,718
|
|
|
|
165,170
|
|
|
|
481,991
|
|
|
|
316,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost/oz
|
|
$
|
3.06
|
|
|
$
|
2.45
|
|
|
$
|
2.85
|
|
|
$
|
2.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
$
|
4.04
|
|
|
$
|
3.75
|
|
|
$
|
3.87
|
|
|
$
|
3.35
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled
|
|
|
749,388
|
|
|
|
1,106,911
|
|
|
|
2,288,355
|
|
|
|
667,140
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore grade/Ag oz
|
|
|
1.22
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
1.28
|
|
|
|
1.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recovery/Ag oz
|
|
|
85.0
|
%
|
|
|
72.2
|
%
|
|
|
74.2
|
%
|
|
|
75.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Silver production ounces
|
|
|
779,342
|
|
|
|
1,085,353
|
|
|
|
2,174,585
|
|
|
|
657,093
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost/oz
|
|
$
|
3.19
|
|
|
$
|
3.07
|
|
|
$
|
3.09
|
|
|
$
|
2.72
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
$
|
5.15
|
|
|
$
|
5.82
|
|
|
$
|
5.44
|
|
|
$
|
5.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Silver ounces
|
|
|
5,627,661
|
|
|
|
6,034,249
|
|
|
|
12,813,986
|
|
|
|
11,662,262
|
|
|
|
10,613,335
|
|
Gold ounces
|
|
|
50,005
|
|
|
|
54,620
|
|
|
|
116,254
|
|
|
|
133,945
|
|
|
|
129,332
|
|
Cash cost per oz/silver
|
|
$
|
4.15
|
|
|
$
|
3.46
|
|
|
$
|
3.33
|
|
|
$
|
3.53
|
|
|
$
|
3.06
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
$
|
6.45
|
|
|
$
|
5.78
|
|
|
$
|
5.53
|
|
|
$
|
5.13
|
|
|
$
|
4.58
|
|
CONSOLIDATED SALES TOTALS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Silver ounces sold
|
|
|
5,481,913
|
|
|
|
6,127,744
|
|
|
|
12,841,634
|
|
|
|
12,579,634
|
|
|
|
9,669,283
|
|
Gold ounces sold
|
|
|
50,152
|
|
|
|
54,891
|
|
|
|
116,400
|
|
|
|
146,749
|
|
|
|
117,257
|
|
Realized price per silver ounce
|
|
$
|
13.60
|
|
|
$
|
11.82
|
|
|
$
|
12.03
|
|
|
$
|
7.47
|
|
|
$
|
6.72
|
|
Realized price per gold ounce
|
|
$
|
655
|
|
|
$
|
620
|
|
|
$
|
623
|
|
|
$
|
452
|
|
|
$
|
409
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
The leach cycle at Rochester requires an extended period to
recover gold and silver contained in the ore. Coeur estimates
the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61.5% for silver and
93% for gold. However, ultimate |
117
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
Total Cash Costs per Ounce is a non-US-GAAP measurement and
investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it and
are urged to read all US-GAAP accounting disclosures presented
in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying
footnotes. In addition, see the reconciliation of Cash Costs to
production costs set forth below.
Operating
Statistics and Reserve Estimates
Coeurs 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.
The following table shows the estimated amounts of Proven
Reserves and Probable Reserves and mineralized material at
Coeurs following mine locations at year-end 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven and Probable(1)
|
|
|
Mineralized Material
|
|
|
|
Tons
|
|
|
Grade
|
|
|
Grade
|
|
|
Ounces AG
|
|
|
Ounces AU
|
|
|
Tons
|
|
|
Grade
|
|
|
Grade
|
|
|
|
(000s)
|
|
|
Ag oz/t
|
|
|
Au oz/t
|
|
|
(000s)
|
|
|
(000s)
|
|
|
(000s)
|
|
|
Ag oz/t
|
|
|
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
|
|
Martha mine
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
|
61.33
|
|
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
6,084
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
|
42.91
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
San Bartolome
|
|
|
46,176
|
|
|
|
3.29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151,882
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,143
|
|
|
|
2.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tons
|
|
|
Ag oz/t
|
|
|
Au oz/t
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tons
|
|
|
Ag oz/t
|
|
|
Au oz/t
|
|
|
|
(000s)
|
|
|
(Wt. Avg.)
|
|
|
(Wt. Avg.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(000s)
|
|
|
(Wt. Avg.)
|
|
|
(Wt. Avg.)
|
|
|
Summary by metal:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 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. |
Annex J (Certain Information Regarding Properties of
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation) contains more recent
estimated amounts of Proven Reserves and Probable Reserves and
mineralized material at Coeurs mines.
118
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 Coeur at different pricing ranges.
Proven
and Probable Ore Reserve Sensitivity to Prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Ounce
|
|
Per Ounce
|
|
Tons
|
|
Ounces AG
|
|
Ounces AU
|
|
|
Silver Price
|
|
Gold Price
|
|
(000s)
|
|
(000s)
|
|
(000s)
|
|
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
|
|
Martha mine
|
|
$
|
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
|
|
Operating
Statistics From Discontinued Operation
The following table presents information for Coeur Silver Valley
which was sold on June 1, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Silver Valley/Galena
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,876
|
|
|
|
52,876
|
|
|
|
128,502
|
|
|
|
169,413
|
|
Ore grade/Silver oz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.15
|
|
|
|
15.15
|
|
|
|
16.53
|
|
|
|
21.43
|
|
Recovery/Silver oz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96.0
|
%
|
|
|
96.0
|
%
|
|
|
97.0
|
%
|
|
|
97.0
|
%
|
Silver production ounces
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
768,674
|
|
|
|
768,674
|
|
|
|
2,060,338
|
|
|
|
3,521,813
|
|
Cash cost/oz
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
8.37
|
|
|
$
|
5.46
|
|
Total cost/oz
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.64
|
|
|
$
|
10.64
|
|
|
$
|
9.34
|
|
|
$
|
6.02
|
|
Gold production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
180
|
|
|
|
180
|
|
|
|
282
|
|
|
|
354
|
|
Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production
Costs
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 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
119
mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective.
Total cash cost 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.
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 Coeurs
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
|
|
|
Production of Silver (ounces)
|
|
|
2,410,029
|
|
|
|
721,448
|
|
|
|
1,432,124
|
|
|
|
284,718
|
|
|
|
779,342
|
|
|
|
5,627,661
|
|
Cash Costs per ounce
|
|
$
|
3.71
|
|
|
$
|
4.26
|
|
|
$
|
5.59
|
|
|
$
|
3.06
|
|
|
$
|
3.19
|
|
|
$
|
4.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
|
8,934
|
|
|
$
|
3,071
|
|
|
$
|
7,999
|
|
|
$
|
873
|
|
|
$
|
2,483
|
|
|
$
|
23,360
|
|
Add/Subtract:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third party smelting costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,452
|
)
|
|
|
(982
|
)
|
|
|
(616
|
)
|
|
|
(968
|
)
|
|
|
(4,018
|
)
|
By-product credit(1)
|
|
|
18,696
|
|
|
|
12,914
|
|
|
|
1,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,881
|
|
Other adjustments
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
650
|
|
Change in inventory
|
|
|
(3,276
|
)
|
|
|
(2,333
|
)
|
|
|
518
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
|
(5,113
|
)
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
7,181
|
|
|
|
2,749
|
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
|
1,528
|
|
|
|
12,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation,
depletion and amortization (GAAP)
|
|
$
|
32,185
|
|
|
$
|
14,949
|
|
|
$
|
9,390
|
|
|
$
|
568
|
|
|
$
|
2,989
|
|
|
$
|
60,081
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
|
|
|
Production of Silver (ounces)
|
|
|
2,301,658
|
|
|
|
1,305,568
|
|
|
|
1,176,500
|
|
|
|
165,170
|
|
|
|
1,085,353
|
|
|
|
6,034,249
|
|
Cash Costs per ounce
|
|
$
|
3.46
|
|
|
$
|
2.47
|
|
|
$
|
5.04
|
|
|
$
|
2.45
|
|
|
$
|
3.07
|
|
|
$
|
3.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
|
7,972
|
|
|
$
|
3,222
|
|
|
$
|
5,932
|
|
|
$
|
405
|
|
|
$
|
3,336
|
|
|
$
|
20,867
|
|
Add/Subtract:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third party smelting costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,792
|
)
|
|
|
(781
|
)
|
|
|
(257
|
)
|
|
|
(1,334
|
)
|
|
|
(4,164
|
)
|
By-product credit(1)
|
|
|
20,476
|
|
|
|
11,171
|
|
|
|
893
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,540
|
|
Other adjustments
|
|
|
936
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
936
|
|
Change in inventory
|
|
|
(7,022
|
)
|
|
|
(1,596
|
)
|
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
|
403
|
|
|
|
(8,492
|
)
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
6,518
|
|
|
|
2,820
|
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
|
|
13,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation,
depletion and amortization (GAAP)
|
|
$
|
28,880
|
|
|
$
|
13,825
|
|
|
$
|
6,361
|
|
|
$
|
308
|
|
|
$
|
5,390
|
|
|
$
|
54,764
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
Year
Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor(1)
|
|
|
Broken Hill(1)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor(1)
|
|
|
Broken Hill(1)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121
Year
Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
|
|
|
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(1)
|
|
|
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 to
Coeurs historical consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C
to this proxy statement):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Coeur Silver Valley/Galena
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006(2)
|
|
|
2006(2)
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
|
|
|
Production of Silver (ounces)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
768,674
|
|
|
|
768,674
|
|
|
|
2,060,338
|
|
|
|
3,521,813
|
|
Cash Costs per ounce
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
8.37
|
|
|
$
|
5.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,498
|
|
|
$
|
7,498
|
|
|
$
|
17,248
|
|
|
$
|
19,231
|
|
Add/Subtract:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third party smelting costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,464
|
)
|
|
|
(1,464
|
)
|
|
|
(3,091
|
)
|
|
|
(5,117
|
)
|
By-product credit(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,473
|
|
|
|
1,473
|
|
|
|
2,722
|
|
|
|
3,766
|
|
Change in inventory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
726
|
|
|
|
726
|
|
|
|
(181
|
)
|
|
|
757
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
|
1,996
|
|
|
|
1,967
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation,
depletion and amortization (GAAP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,914
|
|
|
$
|
8,914
|
|
|
$
|
18,694
|
|
|
$
|
20,604
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
By-product credits are based upon production units and the
periods average metal price for the purposes of reporting
cash costs per ounce. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts represent two and five months ended May 31, 2006,
respectively. |
Exploration
Activity
Cerro
Bayo Mine (Chile)
Exploration at Cerro Bayo during the second quarter of 2007
focused on reserve development/delineation drilling and
discovery of new mineralization. Approximately 17,100 meters
(56,200 feet) were drilled in the two programs. The
majority of the drilling (56%) was devoted to definition of new
reserves around the current mine operations areas. During the
quarter, this work resulted in the discovery of three new veins
known as the Dagny, Fabiola and Coyita veins. Drilling commenced
on the Dagny vein in the quarter. Results from both programs are
122
expected to produce additional reserves and mineralized material
though the impact of the new drilling will not be fully
evaluated until the program is completed.
Martha
Mine (Argentina)
At Martha, a total of approximately 4,000 meters
(13,000 feet) of drilling was completed during the second
quarter to expand reserves and discover new mineralization. The
majority of this drilling (76%) was devoted to discovery of new
mineralization. Results obtained from drilling R4 Deep,
Francisca and Catalina continues to expand the strike and depth
of the mineralization in those veins, which were discovered in
2004. Drilling will continue throughout the year on these and
other targets in the Martha mine district.
In addition to its exploration program near the Martha mine,
Coeur also conducts exploration in other parts of the Santa Cruz
province of Argentina. In the first half of 2007, Coeur focused
this effort on the Sascha and Sol de Mayo properties. Sascha is
one of two properties on which Coeur has an option to earn up to
a 71% interest in a joint venture with Mirasol Resources Ltd.
During the quarter, Coeur drilled approximately 2,300 meters
(7,500 feet) of core at both Sascha and Sol de Mayo.
Tanzania
(Africa)
In the second quarter, Coeur continued exploration on its
properties in the Lake Victoria Goldfields District of northern
Tanzania. Core and reverse circulation drilling was conducted on
the Saragurwa and Kiziba Hill properties in the quarter and
total 3,571 meters (11,716 feet).
Puchuldiza,
Chile
Puchuldiza is a large, epithermal, hot spring deposit in a
setting very similar to other such gold deposits in the USA, New
Zealand and Japan. Gold mineralization can be found throughout
the property in systems of veins, veinlets and stockworks
developed in explosion breccias and silicified zones.
On November 28, 2001, Coeur signed an agreement with
Barrick Gold Corporation relating to Coeurs Puchuldiza
gold property located approximately 250 kms northeast of the
port city of Iquique in northern Chile. Under the terms of the
agreement, Barrick can earn a 75% interest in the property in
return for exploration expenditures of $2.25 million over
the next five years (the initial period). For an additional
$5.8 million in exploration spending, Barrick can increase
its property interest to 85%. Coeur, however, can recover its
full 25% interest by making a cash payment to Barrick equivalent
to 25% of Barricks additional expenditure of
$5.8 million, plus a 50% penalty.
Since 2001, Barrick has spent approximately $1.95 million
on geologic mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and
drilling on the Puchuldiza property. A total of 4,375 meters
(14,350 feet) of drilling in 17 core holes has been
completed. Results of their work have been encouraging enough
for Barrick to plan
follow-up
work. Coeur granted to Barrick a
24-month
extension of the initial period and Barrick must spend a
cumulative total of $2.45 million by the end of the initial
period to earn a 75% interest.
Development
Projects:
San Bartolome
(Bolivia)
During 2004, Coeur completed an updated feasibility study,
obtained all required permits and commenced construction of the
San Bartolome mine. Coeur estimates the direct capital cost
of the project, excluding political risk insurance premiums and
capitalized interest, to be approximately $174 million, and
the annual production to be approximately 6 to 9 million
ounces of silver over a mine life of approximately 14 years.
During the first six months of 2007, construction work activity
has increased in all project areas including the process plant
and tailings facility. Current work includes concrete foundation
work in the crusher, stockpile and mill areas, tank installation
in the leach and Counter Current Decantation thickener areas and
continued work at the tailings facility. Detailed engineering
and procurement activities were completed in June with any
remaining activities to be performed at site. All of the major
construction contracts have been committed for the project. As
of
123
June 30, 2007, seven major contractors were employed on
site with a total employment of approximately 950 workers, most
of whom are Bolivian, and the project has recorded
1 million
man-hours
without a lost time accident. At the end of July, Coeur began
stockpiling oxide dump material adjacent to the plant site in
anticipation of the mill start up.
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, Coeur expended
approximately $27.7 million and plans to incur additional
engineering, procurement and construction costs of approximately
$120.7 million in 2007. Coeur plans to complete
construction activities toward the end of 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.
Coeur has obtained a political risk insurance policy from the
Overseas Private Insurance Corporation (OPIC) and
another private insurer. The policy is in the amount of
$155 million and covers 85% of any loss arising from
expropriation, political violence or currency inconvertibility.
The policy is 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.
Coeur updated its ore reserves for San Bartolome in the
second quarter of 2007 using additional sampling, revised
operating and capital costs and silver price.
Kensington
(Alaska)
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
21/2%
at gold prices above $475, with the royalty to be capped at
1.0 million ounces of production.
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the USFS issued its ROD for
the FSEIS. On June 28, 2005, Coeur received the EPAs
NPDES Permit. In addition, Coeur received its CWA
Section 404 permit from the Corps of Engineers, 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 ACMP permit certification.
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups
(Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District
Court in Alaska against the Corps of Engineers and the USFS
seeking to invalidate permits issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for
Coeurs Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the 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 CWA Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers.
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska
dismissed the Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the CWA
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 the 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
in December 2006.
On March 7, 2007, the Department of Justice
(DOJ), on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, filed a
motion for authorization under injunction pending appeal to
permit construction of a western interception ditch which
related
124
to site stabilization due to spring snowmelt. On March 16,
2007, the Circuit Court panel issued an Order which denied the
western interception ditch work plan. On May 22, 2007, the
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District
Courts August 4, 2006 decision which had upheld
Coeurs 404 permit and issued its opinion that remanded the
case to the District Court with instructions to vacate
Coeurs 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of Decision
approving the general tailings disposal plan as well as the
Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine
Facility. The DOJ, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the
USFS, filed for an extension of time to file a Petition for
Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit. The extension was granted on
June 29, 2007. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska filed
a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The
Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the federal agencies
USFS, EPA and Corps of Engineers, additionally filed a limited
Petition for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit panel seeking
reconsideration of the mandate of the May 22, 2007 panel.
The Court ordered reply briefing by the Plaintiffs on
August 27, 2007 which were filed on October 11, 2007.
The petitions are currently pending. Coeur cannot now predict
the potential for obtaining an appeal or if it will prevail upon
appeal if one is granted.
Coeur is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation or the
impact of the temporary injunction. Coeur is continuing to move
forward with all construction activities at the mine not related
to the temporarily enjoined lake tailings facility area
activities.
No assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory
permits and approvals granted to Coeur may be further
challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing
agencies, or as to whether Coeur will place the Kensington
project into commercial production. Coeur currently estimates
the total cost of construction to be approximately
$238 million. The date of commencement of production is
uncertain and dependent upon the outcome of the legal challenge.
Total expenditures by Coeur at the Kensington property in the
six months ended June 30, 2007 were $58.6 million.
Such expenditures were used to continue the permitting and
development activities. Coeur plans to incur additional
construction cost of approximately $10 million during the
remainder of 2007, subject to the ultimate outcomes of the
litigation appeal process.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Coeurs management considers the following policies to be
most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved
in preparing Coeurs consolidated financial statements and
the uncertainties that could impact its results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows. Coeurs consolidated
financial statements are impacted by the accounting policies
used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during
their preparation. Coeur has identified the policies below as
critical to its business operations and the understanding of its
results of operations. Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are based on
Coeurs consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these
statements requires that Coeurs management make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of its financial statements, and the reported amounts
of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Coeur
management bases these estimates on historical experience and on
assumptions that it considers 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 Coeurs 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, amortization
and accretion of future cash flows for long lived assets;
estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach
pad; 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 to Coeurs historical consolidated financial
statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.
125
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue includes sales value received for Coeurs 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
for both gold and silver, in an identical form to the product
sold.
Under Coeurs 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. Coeurs 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 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 Coeur 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 June 30, 2007, Coeur had outstanding provisionally
priced sales of $73.1 million consisting of
3.8 million ounces of silver and 34,159 ounces of gold. For
each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue
would vary (plus or minus) approximately $38,300; and for each
one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue
would vary (plus or minus) approximately $34,200. At
December 31, 2006, Coeur 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, Coeur
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.
Estimates
The preparation of its financial statements requires Coeur to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount
of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of Coeurs 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 Coeurs 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 Coeurs control. Ore Reserve
estimates are based upon engineering evaluations of samplings of
drill holes and other openings. These estimates involve
assumptions regarding future silver and gold prices, the geology
of Coeurs mines, the mining methods Coeur uses and the
related costs Coeur incur to develop and mine Coeurs
reserves. Changes in these assumptions could result in material
adjustments to Coeurs reserve estimates. Coeur uses
reserve estimates in determining the units-of-production
depreciation and amortization expense, as well as in evaluating
mine asset impairments.
126
Coeur reviews and evaluate Coeurs long-lived assets for
impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Coeur
utilizes the methodology set forth in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, 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. 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. Coeur 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. During the
first quarter of 2007, Coeur performed an asset impairment
assessment on the Kensington project as a result of a triggering
event. Coeur did not record any write-downs during the periods
ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. Coeur did not record any
impairments during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004.
Coeur depreciates its 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
Coeurs 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
(1) the determination of reserves involves uncertainties
with respect to the ultimate geology of Coeurs 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.
Coeur uses 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. Coeur
estimates the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning
satellite survey techniques. Coeur then processes 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. Coeur then
transports the crushed ore to the leach pad for application of
the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from
the leach pads, Coeur continuously samples for assaying. Coeur
measures 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. Coeur again samples and
assay the dorè. Finally, a third party smelter converts the
dorè into refined silver and gold bullion. At this point
Coeur is able to determine final ounces of silver and gold
available for sale. Coeur then review this end result and
reconcile it to the estimates Coeur had used and developed
throughout the production process. Based on this review, Coeur
adjusts its estimation procedures when appropriate.
127
Coeurs inventories include metals estimated to be
contained in the ore on leach pad of $70.1 million as of
June 30, 2007. Of this amount, $32.7 million is
reported as a current asset and $37.4 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 Coeur
projects 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
twenty years of leach pad operation at the Rochester Mine. The
assumptions Coeur uses to measure metal content during each
stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated
recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. Coeur
periodically reviews its estimates compared to actual experience
and revises its estimates when appropriate. The length of time
necessary to achieve Coeurs 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 Coeur began operations at the Rochester mine in 1986, based
solely on laboratory testing, Coeur estimated the ultimate
recovery of silver and gold at 50% and 80%, respectively. Since
1986, Coeur has 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, Coeur
increased its 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, Coeur revised its 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, Coeur revised its
estimated recoveries for silver and gold to 61.5% and 93%,
respectively, which increased the estimated recoverable ounces
of silver and gold contained in the heap by 1.8 million
ounces and 41,000 ounces, respectively.
If Coeurs estimate of ultimate recovery requires
adjustment, the impact upon Coeurs inventory valuation and
upon Coeurs income statement would be as follows:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Positive/Negative
|
|
Positive/Negative
|
|
|
|
Change in Silver Recovery
|
|
Change in Gold Recovery
|
|
|
|
1%
|
|
2%
|
|
3%
|
|
1%
|
|
|
2%
|
|
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3%
|
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|
Quantity of recoverable ounces
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1.7 million
|
|
|
|
3.5 million
|
|
|
|
5.2 million
|
|
|
|
13,214
|
|
|
|
26,428
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|
|
|
39,642
|
|
Positive impact on future cost of production per silver
equivalent ounce for increases in recovery rates
|
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$1.28
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|
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$2.20
|
|
|
|
$2.90
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
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|
|
$
|
1.01
|
|
|
$
|
1.43
|
|
Negative impact on future cost of production per silver
equivalent ounce for decreases in recovery rates
|
|
|
$1.90
|
|
|
|
$4.99
|
|
|
|
$10.98
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|
|
$
|
0.63
|
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
|
$
|
2.24
|
|
Inventories of ore on the leach pads are valued based upon
actual production costs incurred to produce and place such ore
on the leach pads during the current period, 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
128
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. Such costs related to
active mines are accrued and charged over the expected operating
lives of the mines using the units-of-production method.
The estimated undiscounted cash flows generated by Coeurs
assets and the estimated liabilities for reclamation and
remediation are determined using Coeurs assumptions about
future costs, mineral prices, mineral processing recovery rates,
production levels and capital and reclamation costs. Such
assumptions are based on Coeurs 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.
Income
Taxes
Coeur 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.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets,
Coeurs management considers whether it is more likely than
not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not
be realized. Coeurs 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
Coeurs net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely
than not that they will not be realized.
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended
June 30, 2006
Revenues. Sales of metal from continuing
operations in the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased
by $3.6 million, or 3.7%, over the same period of 2006 to
$102.5 million. The increase in product sales of metal was
primarily attributable to higher realized metal prices,
partially offset by a decrease in the quantity of ounces sold
during the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the
same period in 2006. In the six months ended June 30, 2007,
Coeur sold 5.5 million ounces of silver and 50,200 ounces
of gold compared to 6.1 million ounces of silver and 54,900
ounces of gold for the same period in 2006. Realized silver and
gold prices were $13.60 and $655 per ounce, respectively, in the
six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $11.82 and $620,
respectively, in the comparable period of 2006.
Included in revenues is the by-product revenue associated with
by-product metal sales consisting of gold. In the six months
ended June 30, 2007, by-product revenues totaled
$33.3 million compared to $33.4 million for the same
period of 2006. The decrease in by-product revenues is primarily
due to a decrease in the number of gold ounces sold offset by an
increase in the realized prices for gold. Coeur believes, based
on best estimates, that presentation of these revenue streams as
by-products will continue to be appropriate in the future.
In the six months ended June 30, 2007, Coeurs
continuing operations produced a total of 5,627,661 ounces of
silver and 50,005 ounces of gold, compared to 6,034,249 ounces
of silver and 54,620 ounces of gold in the same period of 2006.
The decrease in silver production is primarily due to decreased
production from the Cerro Bayo and Broken Hill mines, offset by
increased production from the Rochester, Martha and Endeavor
mines.
129
Costs and Expenses. Production costs
applicable to sales from continuing operations in the six months
ended June 30, 2007 increased by $6.1 million, or
14.6%, from the same period of 2006 to $47.8 million. The
increase in the six months ended June 30, 2007 is primarily
due to higher costs of labor, fuel, power and other consumables.
Depreciation and depletion decreased by $0.5 million, or
4%, for the first six months of 2007 compared to the first six
months of 2006 primarily due to lower depletion expense from the
Rochester mine.
Administrative and general expenses increased by
$2.3 million, or 24%, in the six months ended June 30,
2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due to business
development activities primarily related to the proposed Bolnisi
and Palmarejo merger.
Exploration expenses increased by $1.5 million in the six
months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same period in
2006 as a result of increased exploration activity.
Litigation settlement expense increased slightly in the first
six months of 2007 to $0.5 million as a result of accruals
pursuant to the Federal Natural Resource settlement decree dated
May 14, 2001. Under the terms of the settlement, Coeur is
required to pay a net smelter royalty on all of its domestic and
foreign operations until the earlier of May 14, 2021 or
once the cumulative amount of $3.0 million has been paid.
Coeur has made its final payment to the U.S. government
called for under the May 2001 settlement agreement.
Other Income and Expenses. Interest and other
income in the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased by
$1.6 million to $8.9 million compared with the same
period of 2006. The increase was primarily due to higher levels
of invested cash and short-term investments on hand during the
six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same period
in 2006.
Interest expense was $0.2 million in the six months ended
June 30, 2007 compared to $0.9 million in the six
months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease in interest
expense is due to an increase in the amounts of interest expense
capitalized as a result of higher capital expenditures at the
Kensington and San Bartolome development projects.
Capitalized interest was $1.1 million in the six months
ended June 30, 2007 compared to $0.4 million in the
same period of 2006.
Income Taxes. For the six months ended
June 30, 2007, Coeur reported an income tax provision of
approximately $6.9 million compared to an income tax
provision of $2.5 million in the same period of 2006. The
following table summarizes the components of Coeurs income
tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and
2006.
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Six Months Ended
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June 30,
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2007
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2006
|
|
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Current:
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|
|
|
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|
United States Alternative minimum tax
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|
$
|
(309
|
)
|
|
$
|
(469
|
)
|
United States Foreign withholding
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|
|
(666
|
)
|
|
|
(492
|
)
|
Foreign Argentina
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|
|
(2,906
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)
|
|
|
(2,511
|
)
|
Foreign Australia
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|
|
(1,773
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)
|
|
|
(2,141
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)
|
Deferred:
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|
|
|
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Foreign Argentina
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(174
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)
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|
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492
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|
Foreign Australia
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|
|
(361
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)
|
|
|
199
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|
Foreign Chile
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|
|
(739
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)
|
|
|
2,441
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax provision
|
|
$
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,481
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)
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, due to higher
metals prices, Coeur recognized a current provision in the
U.S. and certain foreign operating jurisdictions. Further,
Coeur accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately
$0.7 million on inter-company transactions from the
U.S. parent to the Argentina and Australia subsidiaries.
Finally, Coeur recognized a $1.3 million deferred tax
provision in foreign jurisdictions from utilization of tax loss
carryforwards in Chile and the recognition of taxable temporary
differences in Argentina and Australia.
130
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, Coeur recorded
$0.5 million in income tax provision resulting from its
assessment of prior period tax contingencies across its various
tax jurisdictions.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, due to
significantly higher metals prices, Coeur recognized a current
provision in the U.S. and certain foreign operating
jurisdictions. Further, Coeur recognized a $2.4 million
deferred tax benefit in Chile related to the release of
valuation allowance on net operating loss carryforwards due to
significantly higher metal prices and additional proven and
probable reserves.
Results of Discontinued Operations. On
June 1, 2006, Coeur completed the sale of 100% of the
shares of 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. Pursuant to
FAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets, Coeur Silver Valley was classified as an
asset held for sale and the results of operations reported in
discontinued operations for all periods presented. Coeur
recognized a gain of approximately $11.2 million on the
sale in the six months ended June 30, 2006.
The following is a summary of Coeurs discontinued
operations included in the consolidated statements of operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2006 (in thousands):
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|
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|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
$
|
11,223
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
(8,233
|
)
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
(681
|
)
|
Mining exploration
|
|
|
(279
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
1,968
|
|
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
13,127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2005
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,
Coeur 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, Coeur 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.
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. Coeur 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, Coeur 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 Coeur 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.
131
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 Coeur 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.
Litigation settlement expenses increased by $0.8 million in
2006 to $2.4 million. During 2006, Coeur commenced payments
pursuant to the Federal Natural Resource Settlement Decree dated
May 14, 2001. Under the terms of the settlement, Coeur 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, Coeur recorded a litigation settlement of
$1.6 million related to Coeurs settlement of the suit
by Credit Suisse First Boston. See Note R to Coeurs
historical consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C to this proxy
statement.
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 Coeurs 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.
132
Income Taxes. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, Coeur recorded an income tax provision
of approximately $8.2 million compared to $1.5 million
in 2005. The following table summarizes the components regarding
Coeurs 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, Coeur recognized a current provision in the
U.S. and all foreign operating jurisdictions. Further,
Coeur accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately
$0.7 million on interest payable on inter-company loans
from the U.S. Parent to the Argentina and Australia
subsidiaries. Finally, Coeur 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, Coeur recognized a $0.2 million current
U.S. 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, Coeur 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.
Results of Discontinued Operations. On
June 1, 2006, Coeur 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. Coeur
recognized a gain of approximately $11.1 million on the
sale in 2006.
The following is a summary of Coeurs 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 sales of net assets of discontinued operations
|
|
|
11,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) for discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
$
|
13,067
|
|
|
|
(4,195
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
133
Year
Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2004
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, Coeur 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, Coeur 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. Coeur 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, Coeur 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, Coeur 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, Coeur
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.
Costs and Expenses. 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 Coeurs mining
operations and Coeurs operating costs associated with
Coeurs 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 Coeurs 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.
134
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, Coeur recorded a litigation settlement of
$1.6 million related to Coeurs settlement of the suit
by Credit Suisse First Boston. See Note T to Coeurs
historical consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C to this proxy
statement.
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 Coeurs 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 Coeur 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.
Expenses of $15.7 million were incurred in 2004 in
connection with Coeurs 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.
Income Taxes. For the year ended
December 31, 2005, Coeur 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 Coeurs 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, Coeur recognized a $0.2 million current
U.S. 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, Coeur 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, Coeur recognized a $1.4 million U.S. 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, Coeur 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. Coeur recognized a
gain of approximately $11.1 million on the sale in 2006.
135
The following is a summary of Coeurs 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
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
(4,195
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Working
Capital; Cash and Cash Equivalents
Coeurs working capital at June 30, 2007, decreased by
$71.7 million to approximately $311.4 million compared
to $383.1 million at December 31, 2006. The decrease
in working capital was primarily attributed to decreased cash
flow and increased capital spending related to the Kensington
and San Bartolome projects. The ratio of current assets to
current liabilities was 5.9 to 1 at June 30, 2007, compared
to 7.5 to 1 at December 31, 2006.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter
of 2007 was $11.5 million compared to net cash provided by
operating activities of $32.0 million in the second quarter
of 2006. The decrease of $20.5 million in cash flow from
operations is primarily due to the change in net income. Net
cash used in investing activities in the second quarter of 2007
was $52.9 million compared to net cash used in investing
activities of $6.2 million in the prior years
comparable period. The decrease of $46.7 million in cash
used in investing activities is due to an increase in purchases
of short-term investments and an increase in capital
expenditures related to construction activities at the
Kensington and San Bartolome projects. Net cash used in
financing activities was $0.4 million in the second quarter
of 2007, compared to $0.1 million used in the second
quarter of 2006. As a result of the above, cash and cash
equivalents decreased by $41.8 million in the second
quarter of 2007 compared to an increase of $25.7 million
for the comparable period in 2006.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the six months
ended June 30, 2007 was $34.2 million compared to net
cash provided by operating activities of $49.2 million in
the six months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease of
$15.0 million in cash flow from operations is primarily due
to the change in net income. Net cash used in investing
activities in the first six months of 2006 was
$67.6 million compared to net cash used in investing
activities of $35.8 million in the prior years
comparable period. The increase of $31.8 million in cash
used in investing activities is due to an increase in capital
expenditures related to construction activities at the
Kensington and San Bartolome projects and due to the fact
$14.4 million was provided by the sale of discontinued
operations in 2006. Net cash used in financing activities was
$1.1 million in the first six months of 2007, compared to
$145.4 million provided by financing activities in the
first six months of 2006. The decrease was primarily due to the
receipt of proceeds from the issuance of common stock which was
completed in the first quarter of 2006. As a result of the
above, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $34.4 million
in the first six months of 2007 compared to an increase of
$158.8 million for the comparable period in 2006.
136
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, Coeur 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, Coeur 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. Coeur 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, shareholders equity, net income (loss), net income
(loss) per share, or on cash provided by (used in) operating
activities.
Coeurs 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.
Coeur 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
Coeur 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.
Coeur estimates approximately $235 million will be spent
during 2007 on capital expenditures at its operating mines and
development-stage properties.
Capitalized
Expenditures
During 2006, Coeur expended $1.2 million at the Rochester
mine, $10.0 million for continuing mine development at the
Cerro Bayo and Martha mine 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, Coeur 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, Coeur expects to spend
approximately $22.7 million in 2007, related to the
remaining payment for the purchase of the Endeavor silver
reserves.
137
Debt and
Capital Resources
At June 30, 2007, Coeur had $272.5 million of cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments. Coeurs
management therefore believes that its existing and available
cash and cash flow from operations will allow it to meet its
obligations for the next twelve months. Coeur estimates
approximately $185.1 million will be spent in the remainder
of 2007 on capital expenditures at its operating mines and
development-stage properties.
A summary of financing transactions for the years 2004 to 2006
is as follows:
2004 Redemption. On February 11, 2004,
Coeur announced the redemption of the remaining outstanding
$9.6 million principal amount of Coeurs
71/4% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures due October 15, 2005. On
March 11, 2004, Coeur redeemed the remaining outstanding
$9.6 million principal amount of the
71/4% Debentures.
2004 Issuance of
11/4% Convertible
Senior Notes. On January 13, 2004 Coeur
completed its offering of $180 million aggregate principal
amount of
11/4% Convertible
Senior Notes due 2024
(11/4% Notes).
The
11/4% 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
11/4%
per annum beginning July 15, 2004. Coeur 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
11/4% 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
11/4% Notes
was made only by means of a prospectus under Coeurs
existing shelf registration statement, including the
accompanying prospectus supplement relating to the
11/4% Notes.
Issuances of Common Stock. During 2004, Coeur
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. Coeur
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, Coeur completed a public offering of
9.9 million shares of common stock at a public offering
price of $3.70 per share. Coeur realized total net proceeds for
the offering of $35.9 million after payment of the
underwriters discount. Offering costs incurred were
$0.6 million.
During the first quarter of 2006, Coeur completed a public
offering of 27.6 million shares of common stock at a public
offering price of $5.60 per share. Coeur realized net proceeds
of $146.2 million after payment of the underwriters
discount and other offering costs. Offering costs incurred were
$8.3 million.
138
Contractual
Obligations
The following table summarizes Coeurs contractual
obligations at December 31, 2006 and the effect such
obligations are expected to have on Coeurs liquidity and
cash flow in future periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Than
|
|
|
1-3
|
|
|
3-5
|
|
|
More Than
|
|
Contractual Obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
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
1/4% 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. |
|
|
|
Coeur is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The
Debentures are redeemable at the option of Coeur before
January 18, 2011, if the closing price of Coeurs
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) |
|
Coeur has entered into various operating lease agreements which
expire over a period of one year. |
|
(3) |
|
Coeur has entered into various capital lease agreements for
commitments principally over the next year. |
|
(4) |
|
Purchase obligation for the Kensington property in Alaska. |
|
(5) |
|
Coeur 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 Coeurs
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. |
Environmental
Compliance Expenditures
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004,
Coeur 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.
Coeur 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 Coeurs operating and
development activities. Coeur places a very high priority on its
compliance with environmental regulations.
139
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
Coeur has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements with Delayed Effective
Dates
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 Coeur 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 were 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. Coeur adopted FIN 48 on its
effective date.
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 Coeurs fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008. Coeur is currently evaluating the impact
of the adoption of this statement on Coeurs consolidated
financial position, results of operations and disclosures.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Coeur is exposed to various market risks as a part of its
operations. In an effort to mitigate losses associated with
these risks, Coeur 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. Coeur does not actively engage in the practice of trading
derivative securities for profit. This discussion of
Coeurs market risk assessments contains forward
looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties.
Actual results and actions could differ materially from those
discussed below.
Coeurs operating results are substantially dependent upon
the world market prices of silver and gold. Coeur 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, Coeur will at times, enter
into forward sale contracts. Coeur continually evaluates the
potential benefits of engaging in these strategies based on
current market conditions. Coeur may be exposed to
nonperformance by counterparties as a result of its hedging
activities. This exposure would be limited to the amount that
the market price of the metal falls short of the contract price.
Coeur has historically sold silver and gold produced by
Coeurs mines pursuant to forward contracts and at spot
prices prevailing at the time of sale. Since 1999, Coeur has not
engaged in any silver hedging activities and is currently not
engaged in any gold hedging activities.
Coeur 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.
At June 30, 2007, Coeur had outstanding provisionally
priced sales of $73.1 million, consisting of
3.8 million ounces of silver and 34,159 ounces of gold,
which had a fair value of approximately $73.1 million
including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce
change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or
140
minus) approximately $38,300; and for each one dollar per ounce
change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or
minus) approximately $34,200.
Coeur operates in several foreign countries, specifically
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, from time to time, Coeur enters into foreign
currency forward exchange contracts. These contracts enable
Coeur 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. Coeur 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 the first quarter of 2006,
Coeur entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts
to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted
Chilean peso operating costs for 2006 at its Cerro Bayo mine.
The contracts require Coeur to exchange U.S. dollars for
Chilean pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 535 pesos
to each U.S. dollar. At June 30, 2007, Coeur had
foreign exchange contracts of $3.9 million in
U.S. dollars which settle monthly through the remainder of
2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, Coeur
recorded a realized gain of approximately $27,000 in connection
with its foreign currency hedging program. As of June 30,
2007, the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts was an
asset of $0.3 million.
All of Coeurs long-term debt at June 30, 2007, is
fixed-rate based. The fair value of Coeurs long-term debt
at June 30, 2007 was $159.5 million. The fair value
was estimated based upon bond market closing prices at
June 30, 2007.
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 Coeur, asserting claims
under CERCLA and the CWA 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, Coeur and representatives of the
U.S. Government, including the EPA, the Department of
Interior and the Department of Agriculture, reached an agreement
to settle the lawsuit. The terms of settlement, which have been
fully satisfied by Coeur as of June 30, 2007, are set forth
in a Consent Decree issued by the court. Pursuant to the terms
of the Consent Decree, dated May 14, 2001, Coeur 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, Coeur (i) will pay the U.S. 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) has
accomplished certain cleanup work on the Mineral Point property
and Caladay property, and (iii) has made a conveyance to
the U.S. of certain real property to be used as a waste
repository. Finally, commencing five years after effectiveness
of the settlement, Coeur is obligated to pay royalties on all of
its domestic and foreign operating properties, up to a
cumulative 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
was to expire after May 14, 2021. As of June 30, 2007,
the entire $3.0 million has been paid. Coeur does not
anticipate that there will be any future recoveries from
insurance companies. Therefore, the terms of settlement have
been fully satisfied.
States
of Maine, Idaho and Colorado Superfund Sites Related to Callahan
Mining Corporation
During 2001, the USFS 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. Coeur did not make any decisions with respect
to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at the
site.
141
Therefore, it is believed that Coeur 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 U.S. for any cleanup costs
against either Coeur 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. Coeur
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 Coeur or Callahan.
In January 2003, the USFS 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 Coeurs knowledge,
disposed of the property. Coeur is not aware of what, if any,
cleanup action the Forest Service is contemplating. However,
Coeur 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 Coeur or Callahan.
Kensington
Project Permit Challenge
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups
(Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District
Court in Alaska against the Corps of Engineers and the USFS
seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc.
for Coeurs Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the 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 CWA Section 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 Coeur 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 of Alaska (District Court) granted
the remand of the permit to the Corps of Engineers for further
review. On November 22, 2005, the Corps of Engineers
advised Coeur that it was suspending the CWA Section 404
permit pursuant to the Courts remand to further review the
permit.
On March 29, 2006, the Corps of Engineers reinstated
Coeurs CWA Section 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. Coeur, the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc., were
granted Defendant-Intervenors status and joined the agencies in
their defense of the permits as issued.
On August 4, 2006, the District Court dismissed the
Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the CWA 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.
On March 7, 2007, the Department of Justice
(DOJ), on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, filed a
motion for authorization under injunction pending appeal to
permit construction of a western interception ditch which
related to site stabilization due to spring snowmelt. On
March 16, 2007, the Circuit Court panel issued an Order
which denied the western interception ditch work plan. On
May 22, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed
the District Courts August 4, 2006 decision which had
upheld Coeurs 404 permit and issued its opinion that
remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to
vacate Coeurs 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of
Decision approving the general tailings disposal plan as well as
the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point
142
Marine Facility. The DOJ, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers
and the USFS, filed for an extension of time to file a Petition
for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit. The extension was granted
on June 29, 2007. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska
filed a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc.
The Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the federal
agencies USFS, EPA and Corps of Engineers, additionally filed a
limited Petition for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit panel
seeking reconsideration of the mandate of the May 22, 2007
panel. The Court ordered reply briefing by the Plaintiffs on
August 27, 2007 which were filed on October 11, 2007.
The petitions are currently pending. Coeur cannot now predict
the potential for obtaining an appeal or if it will prevail upon
appeal if one is granted.
This litigation has contributed to an increase in capital costs.
While Coeur believes it will ultimately prevail in the defense
of the awarded permits, in the event that Coeur does not
prevail, it could be necessary to seek an alternate site for the
tailings disposal facility. Coeur is not aware of an alternate
site that could be permitted or would be economic. Therefore, it
is possible that the failure to obtain reversal upon appeal
could render the project uneconomic and an asset impairment
would be necessary. Based upon Coeurs estimates, an
impairment writedown could be necessary should the expectation
of the long-term price for gold decrease below approximately
$535 per ounce. As of June 30, 2007, the Kensington project
had a carrying value of its long-lived assets of
$231 million.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
Coeurs current executive officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions with Coeur
|
|
Since
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
|
1992
1986
|
|
James A. Sabala
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
|
|
2003
|
|
Richard Weston
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Operations
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Donald J. Birak
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Exploration
|
|
|
2004
|
|
James K. Duff
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
President, South American Operations
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Alan L. Wilder
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Project Development
|
|
|
2004
|
|
Mitchell J. Krebs
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
|
|
|
2003
|
|
Kelli C. Kast
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Luke J. Russell
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
Vice President, Environmental Services
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Tom T. Angelos
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
|
|
|
2004
|
|
Carolyn S. Turner
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
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.
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.
Richard M. Weston was appointed Senior Vice President
Operations in May 2007. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice
President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia Pty. Limited
and Vice President of South American Operations from December
2006 to May 2007 and also served as Senior Vice President and
Managing Director of Coeur Australia and Vice President of South
American Operations. Mr. Weston was employed with Barrick
Australia, as General Manager of Cowal Gold Project, and Rio
Tinto Australia as General Manager of the ERA, Ranger, and
Jabiluka mines.
143
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.
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 employed from March
1990 to November 2002 as Vice President Business Development for
Coeur dAlene Mines.
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.
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 by the
company from May 2000 through January 2003. From August 1999
through April 2000, Mr. Krebs was an associate with Allied
Capital Corporation, a private equity firm. From August 1995
through November 1997, Mr. Krebs was employed by Coeur as
Manager, Acquisition Evaluation. Mr. Krebs was an analyst
for the mergers and acquisitions group at PaineWebber Inc. from
August 1993 to August 1995.
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.
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 2004 to 2005
and 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.
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.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
Coeurs current directors:
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|
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|
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|
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Name
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|
Age
|
|
Positions with Coeur
|
|
Since
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
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|
|
1992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and President
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|
|
1986
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1978
|
|
James J. Curran
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1989
|
|
John H. Robinson
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1998
|
|
Robert E. Mellor
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1998
|
|
Timothy R. Winterer
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1998
|
|
J. Kenneth Thompson
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|
|
55
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2002
|
|
Andrew Lundquist
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Alex Vitale
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Sebastian Edwards
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2007
|
|
144
Dennis E. Wheeler is the Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur dAlene Mines
Corporation. Previously he served as Chairman of the Board and
President from May 1992 to September 2002; President from
December 1980 to September 2002 and January 2005 to present;
Chief Executive Officer since December 1986.
James J. Curran served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of First Interstate Bank, Northwest Region
(Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) from October
1991 to April 1996. Prior to that, he was Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of First Interstate Bank of Oregon,
N.A. from February 1991 to October 1991. Between March 1990 and
January 1991, Mr. Curran was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of First Interstate Bank of Denver, N.A. Prior thereto
he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
First Interstate Bank of Idaho, N.A. from July 1984 to March
1990.
John H. Robinson has been Chairman of Hamilton Ventures
LLC (consulting and investment) since founding the firm in 2006.
Previously he served as Vice Chairman of Olsson Associates
(engineering consultants) from 2004 to 2005; Chairman of
EPCglobal Ltd. (professional engineering staffing) from 2003 to
2004; Executive Director of Amey plc (business process
outsourcing and construction) from 2000 to 2002; and Managing
Partner and Vice Chairman of Black & Veatch Inc
(engineering and construction) from 1989 to 2000. He currently
serves as a Director of Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC
(coal mining); Olsson Associates; Federal Home Loan Bank of Des
Moines; and COMARK Building Systems Inc (modular building
systems).
Robert E. Mellor has been Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President of Building Materials Holding Corporation
(distribution, manufacturing and sales of building materials and
component products) since 1997 and director since 1991. He is a
member of the Board of Directors of The Ryland Group (national
residential home builder) and Monro Muffler Brake.
Mr. Mellor will not stand for re-election to the Board of
Monro Muffler Brake in 2007.
Timothy R. Winterer was President, Chief Operating
Officer and Director of Western Oil Sands from January 2000 to
December 2001. Previously he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of BHP World Minerals Corporation
(international resources company) from 1997 to 1998. Previously
he served as Senior Vice President and Group General Manager of
BHP World Minerals
(1992-1996)
and Senior Vice President, Operations International Minerals of
BHP Minerals
(1985-1992);
Prior thereto, he served as Executive Vice President, Utah
Development Company
(1981-1985).
J. Kenneth Thompson has been President and CEO of
Pacific Star Energy LLC (private energy investment firm in
Alaska) since September 2000 and the Managing Director of Alaska
Venture Capital Group LLC, a private oil and gas exploration
company from since December 2004. He served as Executive Vice
President of ARCOs Asia Pacific oil and gas operating
companies in Alaska, California, Indonesia, China and Singapore
from 1998 to 2000. Prior to that he was President and CEO of
ARCO Alaska, Inc., the parent companys oil and gas
producing division based in Anchorage from June 1994 to January
1998. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Horizon Air
and Alaska Air Group, Inc., the parent corporation of Alaska
Airlines and Horizon Air and is also a member of the Board of
Directors of Tetra Tech, Inc., an engineering consulting firm.
Andrew Lundquist has been Managing Partner of BlueWater
Strategies LLC, a business and government relations consulting
and project management firm since he founded the firm in 2002
and Director of Pioneer Natural Resources Company, an oil and
gas company. Previously served as a Director of Evergreen
Resources, a natural gas exploration and production company
based in Denver
(2002-2004).
Prior to that he was Director of the National Energy Policy
Development Group and senior energy advisor to the President and
Vice-President
(2001-2002),
Majority Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
(1998-2001),
Chief of Staff for Senator Frank Murkowski
(1996-1998)
and counsel for the Senate Energy Committee
(1995-1996).
Alex Vitale has been Managing Director of Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. since April 2001. Previously he served as
Director of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
(1997-2001),
Managing Director of Vitale Borghesi & Co. Inc.
(1995-1997),
and Vice President of Kidder, Peabody & Co.
(1993-1994).
Sebastian Edwards has been Henry Ford II Professor
of International Business Economics at the Anderson Graduate
School of Management at the University of California, Los
Angeles (UCLA) since 1996 and Chairman of the Inter American
Seminar on Economics since 1987. He has been a member of the
Scientific Advisory Council of
145
the Kiel Institute of World Economics in Germany since 2002 and
research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research
since 1981. Previously Mr. Edwards served as President of
the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association
(2001-2003)
and as Chief Economist for the World Bank Group for the Latin
America and Caribbean Region
(1993-1996).
He taught at IAE Universidad Austral in Argentina and at the
Kiel Institute
(2000-2004).
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Overview
Coeur is one of the worlds largest publicly-traded primary
producers of silver, and has a strong presence in gold. Coeur is
engaged in the development, exploration and operation of silver
and gold mining properties and companies, with operations in six
countries. In 2006, Coeur had sales of $216.6 million, with
approximately 68.3% of revenues from sales of silver.
Coeurs primary business objectives are to increase
production levels and reserves, decrease cash-production costs,
and increase cash flows and earnings. Coeur aims to meet these
objectives through cost-competitive operations, internal
development projects, exploration and acquisitions.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Committee) acts on behalf of the Board to establish
and oversee Coeurs executive compensation program in a
manner that supports Coeurs business strategy. Since
November, 2005, Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc.
(Mercer), an outside consulting firm, has been
retained to advise the Committee regarding Coeurs
executive compensation program. The Committee works with Mercer
and the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of
Coeur to assure that the program adheres to the principles and
policies described below. The Committee formulates an annual
calendar for its activity that is designed to cover necessary
regular approvals as well as special topics. The Committee meets
at least two times annually, or more frequently as circumstances
dictate, in order to set executive compensation for the year,
review recommendations of the outside consultant, and recommend
compensation changes to the Board of Directors. The independent
members of the Board of Directors, including the members of the
Committee, are responsible for determining and approving the
compensation of Coeurs Chief Executive Officer. The
Committee is responsible for determining and approving non-CEO
executive officer compensation. The Committee does not delegate
its responsibilities to others. The Committee also monitors
incentive and equity-based compensation plans, and makes
recommendations regarding plan design and performance goals to
the Board of Directors. The selection of non-CEO executive
officers receiving grants of stock options, restricted shares,
performance shares or other awards under the program, and
decisions concerning the timing, pricing and amount of such
grants and awards and such executives salaries, are made
by the Committee, upon recommendation of the Chairman,
President, and Chief Executive Officer. Grants and awards to the
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer are recommended
and approved by the independent members of the Board, including
the members of the Committee.
The decisions made by the Committee are the responsibility of
the Committee and may reflect factors and considerations other
than the information and recommendations provided by Mercer.
Further, the compensation and benefit amounts presented herein
reflect the decisions of the Committee taking into account many
factors and considerations (as described in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis) and may or may not be consistent with
recommendations made by Mercer or any other advisor to the
Committee.
Attraction and retention of executive talent is a key objective
of Coeurs executive compensation program. Coeur operates
in a highly competitive market for executive talent. Coeur
competes with other mining companies to attract and retain
executives and other employees with technical skills and
experience in the mining industry. Due to the closure of several
mining schools within the last five years and the migration of
talent to foreign countries, there is a shortage of industry
talent in the United States. More recently, Coeur has
experienced competition for talent not only with other precious
metals mining companies but with base metal and industrial
mineral companies as well.
Coeur operates in a commodity business that is dependent on the
realized prices of silver and gold, which are affected by many
factors that are beyond Coeurs control. As a result,
Coeurs earnings, cash flow and, ultimately, share price
performance, are also affected by many factors that are beyond
Coeurs control. Therefore, in order to maintain a
performance-based executive compensation program, Coeur has
designed the annual incentive
146
component to reward for financial performance by measuring the
performance goal after adjusting for the impact of changing
metal prices. Also, a portion of the long-term incentive plan
rewards for performance relative to peers. This mitigates the
impact of metal prices on the ultimate award value, as
Coeurs peers face the same metal price issues. Finally, in
addition to short-term fluctuations, the realized prices of
silver and gold also exhibit a long-term cyclicality. Therefore,
Coeur has designed its incentive programs for executives to
focus on both short-term and long-term performance.
Executive
Compensation Philosophy and Principles
Coeurs executive compensation programs are designed to
attract, motivate and retain key executives who directly affect
Coeurs long-term success and the creation of shareholder
value. The Committee relies on the following key principles to
guide the design and governance of Coeurs compensation
programs for its named executive officers (Named Executive
Officers), expressing the Committees view that
compensation at Coeur should be:
Performance-based. Reward for Company-wide
results in addition to recognizing individual performance,
focusing on objectives that are directly under the control of
executives
Market-competitive. Compared to mining
industry peers, target total compensation at the market
75th percentile level in order to attract, motivate and
retain high caliber talent
Aligned with shareholders. Provide a
significant portion of incentive compensation to executives in
the form of equity-based awards. Award values fluctuate based on
share value thus aligning officer and shareholder interests.
Transparent. Clearly communicate both the
desired results and the incentive pay programs used to reward
the achievement of these results
Compensation
Policies
Coeurs compensation principles are supported through
several policies.
To provide a competitive overall compensation and benefits
package that is tied to creating shareholder value and supports
the achievement of business objectives, Coeur uses a variety of
components. These components include base salary, short and
long-term incentives, and various benefits and perquisites. In
determining the mix of components and the value of each
component, the Committee takes into account the executives
role, the competitive market, individual and Company
performance, and internal equity. Amounts realized or realizable
from prior compensation awards are not considered in setting
other elements of compensation. Details of the various programs
and how they support the overall business strategy are outlined
below in Compensation Components.
Coeurs executive compensation program emphasizes variable
compensation components, including annual cash incentives, stock
options, restricted stock and performance shares. As a result,
executive compensation at Coeur is dependent on both individual
and company performance, including stock price performance.
Annual cash incentives are determined by Company performance
relative to predetermined financial and operational goals
established by the Committee, and by the individual
executives performance relative to individual
predetermined goals. Individual goals for the Chief Executive
Officer are set and reviewed by the Compensation Committee
together with the other independent members of the Board of
Directors. Individual goals for other executives are set by the
Chief Executive Officer and reviewed by the Compensation
Committee.
Under the executive compensation program, base salary and annual
incentives are targeted, in consideration of several factors
including performance and levels of responsibility and
experience, between the 50th and
147
75th percentile of that reported for similar companies in
the mining industry. The total compensation opportunity
(including long-term incentives) is targeted at the
75th percentile. The Committee has established this
positioning approach based on both industry experience and the
continued expectation that above-market positioning is necessary
in order to attract and retain experienced and high caliber
executive talent in the highly competitive mining talent market.
Competitive
Market Assessments
Compensation of our executive officers is reviewed annually by
the Committee. Market competitiveness is one factor that the
Committee considers each year in determining an individual Named
Executive Officers salary, incentive opportunity, and
long-term equity award mix. The Committee relies on mining
industry market studies to evaluate the market competitiveness
of each pay element, including publicly-disclosed data from a
peer group of companies (see discussion below) and survey data
(from both published and proprietary sources) from metal and
mineral mining companies and from a broader set of general
industry companies. The Committee weighs the peer group and
published survey data equally in developing a market composite
for each Named Executive Officer position. The peer group proxy
statement disclosure provides detailed pay data for the top five
positions for a select group of competitors talent. The
surveys provide compensation information from a broader group of
companies from which job descriptions are matched based on
specific job scope and responsibilities.
As a member of the precious metals mining industry, Coeur
competes for executive talent with other precious metals mining
companies as well with base metal and mineral mining companies.
As such, the Committee uses a peer group of companies comprised
primarily of precious metals mining companies of a comparable
size and scope of operations to Coeur. The Committee uses the
peer group as a market comparison for Named Executive Officer
pay levels (as described above). The peer group used for 2006
consists of the following companies: Agnico Eagle Mines, Bema
Gold, Cambior, Centerra Gold, Glamis Gold, Goldcorp, Hecla
Mining, Kinross Gold, Meridian Gold, Northgate Minerals, Pan
American Silver and Stillwater Mining. The Committee revisits
the peer group each year to determine its continued validity as
a source of competitive compensation data and adds or removes
companies as appropriate.
Consistent with a performance-based philosophy, Coeurs
compensation program for Named Executive Officers emphasizes pay
at risk. The percentage of a Named Executive Officers
compensation opportunity that is at risk or variable instead of
fixed is based primarily on his or her role in Coeur. Named
Executive Officers with greater responsibility and more direct
ability to influence overall company performance have a greater
portion of their pay at risk through short and long-term
incentive programs. For the CEO, the targeted pay mix for 2006
was approximately 50% of the total compensation opportunity from
long-term incentives, approximately 20% from short-term
incentives, and the remaining 30% from base salary. For the
other Named Executive Officers, the target pay mix was
approximately 40% base salary, 20% short-term incentives, and
40% long-term incentives. As mentioned earlier, long-term
performance is emphasized over short-term performance in order
to match the cyclical nature of the precious metals mining
industry.
Forms
and Mix of Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Coeur currently uses three forms of equity for long-term
incentive compensation: stock options, service-vesting
restricted stock and performance shares (see Long-Term
Incentive Plan below for more of the specific features of
each form). In 2006, Coeurs Named Executive Officers
received one-third of their long-term incentive value in each of
the three forms of equity. This mix provides a strong emphasis
on alignment with shareholder interests, balances incentive and
retention needs, and minimizes share dilution. Stock options
provide alignment with shareholders by focusing the Named
Executive Officers on creating shareholder value over the
long-term via share price appreciation. Service-vesting
restricted stock is used for retention purposes while also
providing alignment with shareholders via actual share
ownership. Performance shares are earned based on performance
relative to peers.
148
Compensation
Components
To achieve the principles described above, Coeur uses several
components in its executive compensation program.
The annual base compensation for Coeurs Named Executive
Officers is structured to ensure that Coeur is able to attract
and retain high caliber executives capable of achieving
Coeurs strategic and business objectives. As described
above, Coeur targets base salaries between the 50th and
75th percentile levels of the competitive market. The
Committee reviews Named Executive Officer salaries annually as
part of its overall Competitive Market Assessment and makes
adjustments based on the actual positioning relative to market,
the individuals role and responsibility level, tenure and
experience, education and expected future contribution.
Annual
Incentive Plan (AIP)
The AIP is an annual cash incentive plan that rewards Named
Executive Officers (and other employees) for achieving annual
financial and operational results. To promote collaboration
among Coeurs senior leadership, 50% of the target AIP
award is based on Company performance against predetermined
financial and operational goals established by the Committee. To
promote personal accountability, the remaining 50% of the target
AIP award is based on the individual executives
performance relative to predetermined individual and group
objectives. The percentages allocated to Coeur and individual
components may vary from year to year based on Committee
approval.
Under the AIP, each Named Executive Officer has a target award
opportunity expressed as a percentage of base salary established
at the beginning of each annual performance period, along with
threshold and maximum award levels. The target award
opportunities are determined based on the competitive market and
the desired market positioning, the individual executives
role, level of responsibility and impact on overall Company
performance, and internal equity. The target opportunity for the
CEO is 65% of his base salary. The target opportunity for the
CFO is 45% of his base salary, and the target opportunity for
the other Named Executive Officers is 40% of their respective
base salaries. Actual awards are paid after the end of each
annual performance period, and range from 0% to 200% of the
target awards based on actual performance versus Coeur and
individual goals. If target performance is achieved, the annual
incentive award is 100% of the target. If threshold performance
is achieved, the annual incentive award is 50% of the target. If
threshold performance is not achieved, no award is paid. If
maximum performance is achieved, the annual incentive award is
200% of the target. Awards are interpolated for performance
between threshold and target and between target and maximum.
AIP
Performance Measures and Target Setting
For 2006, Company performance was measured against predetermined
goals established by the Committee for the following four
metrics: metal production, cash operating cost per ounce of
silver produced, operating net income (before extraordinary
charges and adjusted for price impact) and cash flow return on
investment (CFROI). The four measures were weighted
equally in determining overall Company performance. The
Committee chose these metrics and weights for the following
reasons:
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Provides alignment with Coeurs business objectives and
strategic priorities
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Provides transparency to investors and executives
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|
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Balances growth and profitability
|
|
|
|
Balances financial and operational performance
|
Coeur management develops proposed targets and performance
ranges for each Company performance measure based on a variety
of factors, including historical Company performance, internal
budgets and forecasts, peer performance, and industry and market
expectations. The Committee reviews the targets and ranges,
adjusts
149
them as necessary, and grants its approval. For 2006, the
targets for the AIP measures, based upon budgeted metals prices
of $7.25 per ounce of silver and $450.00 per ounce of gold, were
as follows:
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|
|
|
|
Silver production of 16,429,872 million ounces and gold
production of 128,994 ounces
|
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|
Silver cash cost per ounce of $3.81 after adjustment for
by-product credits
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|
|
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Operating net income (before extraordinary charges) of
$20,010,000
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|
|
|
Cash flow return on investment of 6.76% (including adjustment
for scale)
|
For 2006, the plan measured performance based on a range for
each of the targets. The threshold to maximum performance range
for production, cost and net income goals was
90-110% of
target performance, while the CFROI goal was 80% to 120% of
target performance. This corresponds to a payout of 0-200% of
target for each measure, as described above.
Once the plan metrics, weights, and performance targets and
ranges are set, they are generally not subject to change for
that plan year without Board approval. However, following the
end of each year, the Committee does adjust the operating net
income and CFROI targets for actual metal price experience over
the year that differed from the assumptions that went into
setting these targets. This is done in order to make the targets
neutral to fluctuations in the market prices of silver and gold,
which are beyond the control of Coeur and its executives.
Following the end of each year, the Committee reviews
Coeurs actual performance and determines the extent of
achievement based on actual results.
In addition to Company measures, specific individual and group
objectives are developed for each Named Executive Officer at the
beginning of the year. Objectives for Named Executive Officers
other than the CEO are established for each individual Named
Executive Officer by the CEO, and reviewed by the Compensation
Committee. Individual objectives for the CEO are established by
the Committee and are reviewed with the Board of Directors.
These objectives can be grouped into broad categories such as
major project execution, department goals, safety and
environmental compliance, personal development and other
measures. The specific objectives for each Named Executive
Officer are chosen to reflect each Named Executive
Officers responsibilities. To the extent possible,
objective and quantifiable targets are set for the individual
objectives in order to promote personal accountability and to
support broader unit and corporate goals.
Following the end of each year, the CEO reviews the performance
of the other Named Executive Officers on their individual
objectives and determines the extent of achievement for each
Named Executive Officer, which includes a significant
discretionary assessment. The members of the Committee, together
with the other independent members of the Board of Directors,
review the performance of the CEO on his individual objectives
and determines the extent of achievement, which also includes a
significant discretionary assessment. AIP payouts for individual
performance range from 200% of target for performance well above
expectations, to 0% for performance well below expectations.
AIP awards are normally paid in cash no later than March 15
following the end of the AIP plan year, and include withholding
of applicable taxes.
Long-Term
Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The primary purpose of Coeurs long-term incentive plan is
to align the interests of the Named Executive Officers with
those of the shareholders by rewarding the Named Executive
Officers for creating shareholder value over the long-term. The
LTIP is also an attractive vehicle for attracting and retaining
executive talent in the highly competitive mining market.
Coeurs 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for the
award of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock and restricted stock units, performance shares and
performance units, and cash-based awards (see Forms and
Mix of Long-Term Incentive Compensation). Currently Coeur
only uses stock options, restricted stock, and performance
shares in the LTIP.
The Committee has established levels of long-term incentive
awards for each Named Executive Officer expressed as a
percentage of base salary. The levels are determined based on
the competitive market and the desired market positioning, the
individual executives role, level of responsibility and
impact on overall Company
150
performance, and internal equity. LTIP grants are made on an
annual basis. This enables the Committee to adjust the levels,
forms, and mix of long-term incentive awards, as appropriate, to
respond to changes in the metal mining industry and the broader
market, as well as to respond to Company-specific changes and
issues. The Committee does not take into account prior equity
awards when making annual equity awards to Named Executive
Officers. For 2006, the target long-term incentive values (as a%
of base salary) for the Named Executive Officers were as follows:
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CEO:
|
|
|
175
|
%
|
CFO:
|
|
|
120
|
%
|
Other Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
The Committee makes annual long-term incentive grants to Named
Executive Officers at its regular first quarter meeting
(historically January to mid-March), which takes place after
Coeurs annual financial statements have been completed.
Grants to the CEO are approved by the independent members of the
Board, including the members of the Committee. The Committee
meeting date or next business day is the effective grant date
for equity grants to the Named Executive Officers. The exercise
price for stock options and the grant price for restricted stock
and performance shares is the closing price of the stock on the
day of grant or the day after the grant day if the grant day
falls on a weekend or non-market day. For Named Executive
Officers who are hired during the year, the Committee recommends
compensation levels to the Board in connection with the
Boards appointment of the executive and approves equity
grants for the executive that are effective upon grant date. The
Committee does not coordinate the timing of equity awards with
the release of material, non-public information.
Stock options represent one-third of the LTIP value granted to
Coeurs Named Executive Officers in 2006. The number of
options granted is determined by dividing the total option grant
value by the Black-Scholes value of a single option. The
Committee believes that options provide an incentive for
executives to drive long-term share price appreciation through
the development and execution of effective long-term business
strategies. Stock options are issued at 100% of the fair market
value to assure that executives will receive a benefit only when
the stock price increases. Stock options are therefore aligned
with shareholder interests. Option awards generally have value
for the executive only if the executive remains employed for the
period required for the options to vest. Stock options therefore
provide retention value. Options granted in 2006 vest at a rate
of
331/3%
per year and expire at the end of ten years (or earlier in the
case of termination of employment). The specific term of stock
options granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2006 are
disclosed in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table included in
this proxy statement.
Restricted stock represents one-third of the LTIP value granted
to Coeurs Named Executive Officers in 2006. The number of
restricted shares granted is determined by dividing the total
restricted stock grant value by the grant price, as defined
above. The Committee believes that restricted stock provides
alignment with shareholders via actual share ownership while
also providing retention value and provides for continuity in
the senior leadership team. Restricted stock also balances the
more volatile rewards associated with stock options. Restricted
stock granted in 2006 vests at a rate of
331/3%
per year based on continued employment with Coeur. There are no
company based performance restrictions associated with the
grants of restricted stock. The Committee may grant restricted
stock with alternative vesting schedules or with performance
restrictions as deemed necessary to achieve desired business
goals. The specific terms of the restricted stock granted to the
Named Executive Officers in 2006 are disclosed in the Grants of
Plan-Based Awards table included in this proxy statement.
Performance shares represent one-third of the LTIP value granted
to Coeurs Named Executive Officers in 2006. The target
number of performance shares granted is determined by dividing
the total performance share grant value by the grant price, as
defined above. Performance is measured over a three-year period
in comparison to the peer group described above. The performance
shares are earned at the end of the three-year period based on
actual performance results based on total shareholder return
(TSR). This measure is intended to focus the Named
151
Executive Officers on creating shareholder value, while
providing alignment with shareholders via the use of equity
shares. Performance is measured relative to peers in order to
mitigate the impact of metal prices on the ultimate award value,
as the share prices of Coeurs peers are similarly under
the influence of realized metal prices. Measuring TSR relative
to peers also provides alignment with shareholders by rewarding
for the creation of shareholder value in excess of what Coeur
shareholders could realize by investing in other companies in
the same industry. The actual number of performance shares
earned is based on Coeurs TSR performance relative to the
peers over the three-year period. Threshold performance is the
25th percentile of peers, which equates to a payout of 25%
of the target number of shares. A participant earns no
performance shares if Coeurs performance is below the
threshold. Median performance compared to Coeurs peers
earns the target number of shares, with a maximum earned
opportunity of twice the target grant for upper quartile
performance. As performance shares are earned, shares of Coeur
common stock are issued to the participant. The specific term of
the performance shares granted to the Named Executive Officers
in 2006 are disclosed in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table
set forth in this proxy statement.
Benefits
and Perquisites
The primary purpose of providing benefits and limited
perquisites to Named Executive Officers is to attract and retain
the talent to manage Coeur. The Committee intends the type and
value of benefits and perquisites offered to be competitive with
overall market practices. Coeurs primary benefits for
Named Executive Officers include participation in Coeurs
broad-based plans: the Defined Contribution and 401(k)
Retirement Plan (which includes matching Company contributions)
(the Retirement Plan), health and dental coverage,
various company-paid insurance plans including disability and
life insurance, paid time off and paid holidays.
With respect to perquisites, Coeur prefers to take a minimalist
approach. In general, Coeur will provide Named Executive
Officers with a specific perquisite only when the perquisite
provides competitive value and promotes retention of executives,
or when the perquisite provides shareholder value, such as
ensuring the health of the CEO and other Named Executive
Officers. In addition, perquisites that promote efficient
performance of the Named Executive Officers are also considered.
Coeur provides the CEO and all Named Executive Officers with
certain limited perquisites. These may include automobile
allowance or company vehicle and fuel allowance, club
membership, physical exam, and home office expense. Details of
the individual Named Executive Officers benefits and
perquisites are disclosed in the All Other Compensation column
of the Summary Compensation Table set forth in this proxy
statement.
Employment
Agreements
Coeur has an employment agreement with Dennis E. Wheeler,
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer,
which provides for a term of employment until Coeurs
annual shareholder meeting in May 2010 unless terminated or
modified by us by written notice, subject to the terms and
conditions of the agreement. Mr. Wheelers employment
agreement, which calls for a base salary of $559,650 plus annual
incentive compensation, includes the same
change-in-control
provisions as those included in the executive
change-in-control
agreements described below, and in the event of his death, his
employment agreement provides for the lump sum payment to his
estate of an amount equal to his annual base salary and eligible
annual incentive plan payment at the time of his death.
Coeur entered into an employment agreement on January 13,
2003, with James A. Sabala, pursuant to which he was employed as
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for a
two-year term commencing January 27, 2003, through
January 27, 2005, in connection with the signing of which
Mr. Sabala received $100,000. The agreement is renewed from
day to day so that Coeur and Employee are at all times bound to
the agreement for a period of two years. His agreement calls for
a base salary of $279,450 plus annual incentive compensation.
Mr. Sabalas employment agreement includes the same
change of control provisions as those included in the executive
change-in-control
agreements described below.
Coeur entered into an employment agreement on July 31, 2006
with Alan L. Wilder, pursuant to which he was employed as Senior
Vice President, Project Development for a two-year term
commencing July 31, 2006, through June 30, 2008. His
agreement calls for a base salary of $248,000 plus annual
incentive compensation. Mr. Wilders
152
employment agreement includes the same change of control
provisions as those included in the executive
change-in-control
agreements described below.
Coeur entered into an employment agreement on July 31, 2006
with James K. Duff, pursuant to which he was employed as
President, South America operations for a two-year term
commencing July 31, 2006, through June 30, 2008. His
agreement calls for a base salary of $277,173 plus annual
incentive compensation. Mr. Duffs employment
agreement includes the same change of control provisions as
those included in the executive
change-in-control
agreements described below.
Effective July 1, 2006, Coeur entered into an amendment to
its employment agreement with Donald J. Birak, pursuant to which
he was employed as Senior Vice President, Exploration, to extend
the term through June 30, 2008. His agreement calls for a
base salary of $242,000 plus annual incentive compensation.
Mr. Biraks employment agreement includes the same
change of control provisions as those included in the executive
change-in-control
agreements described below.
During 2006, and continuing from year-to-year thereafter unless
terminated by Coeur by written notice, the executive
change-in-control
agreements with a total of 15 executive officers provide that
certain benefits will be payable to the executives in the event
of a
change-in-control
of Coeur and the termination of the executives employment
within two years after such
change-in-control
for any reason other than for cause, disability, death, normal
retirement or early retirement. The term
change-in-control
for purposes of the executive
change-in-control
agreements has the same meaning as that discussed below under
Change-in-Control
Agreements.
Termination
of Employment/Severance Arrangements
Coeur has employment and severance agreements with each of its
Named Executive Officers. The Committee believes that such
agreements benefit Coeur by clarifying the terms of employment
and ensuring Coeur is protected by noncompete and nondisclosure
provisions. The Committee also believes that severance
agreements are an essential component of the executive
compensation program and are necessary to attract and retain
senior talent in a highly competitive market.
The benefits payable to an executive in the event of a
qualifying termination of employment include payments for the
remaining duration of the agreement at the following levels:
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The continued payment of the executives full base salary
for the term;
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Short-term and long-term bonuses at 100% of the target levels
under the AIP and LTIP provided at the time of the
termination; and
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The continued participation in Coeurs welfare benefits
plans to include health, dental, disability, and life insurance
for the term.
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The severance agreements were developed by Coeur and the
Committee based on market and industry competitive practice.
Coeur and the Committee periodically review the benefits
provided under the agreements to ensure that they serve
Coeurs interests in retaining these key executives, are
consistent with market and industry practice, and are reasonable.
Change-in-Control
Agreements
Coeur provides
change-in-control
protection to each of the named executives through various
agreements. In total, 15 executives are covered by
change-in-control
agreements. The Committee believes that these agreements are
important to provide reasonable compensation opportunities in
the unique circumstances of a
change-in-control
that are not provided by Coeurs other compensation
programs. The Committee believes that
change-in-control
benefits, if structured appropriately, serve to minimize the
distraction caused by a potential transaction and reduce the
risk that key talent would leave Coeur before a transaction
closes. The Committee also believes that these agreements
motivate the executives to make decisions that are in the best
interests of the shareholders should a transaction take place.
They do this by providing executives with the necessary job
stability and financial security during a
change-in-control
transaction (and the subsequent period of uncertainty) to help
them stay focused on managing Coeur rather than on their own
personal employment situation. The Committee believes that all
of these
153
objectives serve the shareholders interests. The Committee
also believes that
change-in-control
agreements are an essential component of the executive
compensation program and are necessary to attract and retain
senior talent in a highly competitive market.
The following benefits are payable to an executive in the event
of a
change-in-control
and a subsequent qualifying termination of employment within two
years following the
change-in-control
include payments for two years (three years for the CEO):
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The continued payment of the executives full base salary;
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Short-term and long-term bonuses at 100% of the target levels
provided at the time of the termination under the AIP and LTIP;
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The continued payment of all medical, dental and long-term
disability benefits or costs of benefits;
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Acceleration of the exercise date and vesting of all outstanding
stock options, restricted stock, performance plan awards and
performance shares granted by Coeur under the executive
compensation programs described above; and
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The granting to the executive of continued vesting credit for
purposes of determining the executives retirement benefits
under Coeurs Retirement Plan.
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For all of the covered executives except the CEO, the agreements
provide for special circumstances in the event the payment
provided would constitute parachute payments under
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In this case,
the payment will be reduced to the amount that will result in no
portion being subject to the excise tax. This clause limits the
exposure of Coeur and of the executives to the parachute payment
rules. Because of the critical nature of his position, the
change-in-control
agreement for the CEO provides that for any payment that
qualifies as an excess parachute payment, Coeur will
pay an additional amount in cash so that the net amount retained
by him after the deduction of all applicable taxes will be equal
to the initial
change-in-control
payment.
The
change-in-control
clauses and provisions were developed by Coeur and the Committee
based on market and industry competitive practice. Coeur and the
Committee periodically review the benefits provided under the
agreements to ensure that they serve Coeurs interests in
retaining these key executives, are consistent with market and
industry practice, and are reasonable.
Supplementary
Compensation Policies
The Committee has established additional policies to ensure that
the overall compensation structure is responsive to shareholder
interests and competitive with the market. Specific policies
include:
Limitations
on Deductibility of Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally
limits the tax deductibility of compensation paid by a public
company to its CEO and the next four most highly compensated
executive officers to $1 million in the year the
compensation becomes taxable to the executive. There is an
exception to the limit on deductibility for performance-based
compensation that meets certain requirements.
The Committee believes that the stock options and performance
shares granted to the Named Executive Officers under
Coeurs LTIP qualify under Section 162(m) as
performance-based compensation. It also believes that the
portion of the AIP which makes up 50% of the potential payout,
based on corporate goals, qualifies under Section 162(m).
Grants of service-vesting restricted stock are not
performance-based, and therefore are potentially not deductible.
However, deductibility is not the sole factor used by the
Committee in ascertaining appropriate levels or manner of
compensation. The Committee believes that it is important to
preserve flexibility in administering compensation programs in a
manner designed to attract, retain and reward high-performing
executives, and to promote business objectives that may not
necessarily align with the requirements for full deductibility
under Section 162(m). Consequently, the Committee has not
adopted a policy that all compensation must qualify as
deductible under Section 162(m), and Coeur may enter into
compensation arrangements under which payments are not
deductible under Section 162(m).
154
Individual
Tax Treatment
For individual tax purposes, Coeur typically withholds common
shares to cover income taxes resulting from the vesting of
restricted stock, or payment of common stock earned upon
satisfaction of performance share targets.
Summary
Compensation Table
Set forth below is information regarding compensation earned by
or paid or awarded to the following executive officers of Coeur
during the year ended December 31, 2006: (i) Dennis E.
Wheeler, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive
Officer; (ii) James A. Sabala, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer; and (iii) James K. Duff, President
South American Operations, Alan L. Wilder, Senior Vice President
Project Development and Donald J. Birak, Senior Vice President
Exploration, which persons are the three most highly compensated
executive officers whose total compensation exceeded $100,000.
The identification of such Named Executive Officers is
determined based on the individuals total compensation for
the year ended December 31, 2006, as reported below.
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Change in
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Pension Value
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and
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Nonqualified
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Non-Equity
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Deferred
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Stock
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Option
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Incentive Plan
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Compensation
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All Other
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Salary
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Bonus
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Awards
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Awards
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Compensation
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Earnings
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Compensation
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Total
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Name and Principal Position
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Year
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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(d)
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(e)
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(f)
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Dennis E. Wheeler,
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
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2006
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$
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539,438
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$
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518,943
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$
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426,619
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$
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335,790
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$
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77,156
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$
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1,897,946
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James A. Sabala,
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
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2006
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$
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268,333
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$
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146,559
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$
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125,003
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$
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114,600
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$
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36,539
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$
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691,034
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James K. Duff,
President South American Operations
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2006
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$
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267,150
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$
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144,839
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$
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41,388
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$
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96,708
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$
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17,600
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$
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567,685
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Alan L. Wilder,
Senior Vice President Project Development
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2006
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$
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226,050
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$
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50,000
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$
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82,017
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$
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70,251
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$
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79,150
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$
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31,451
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$
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538,919
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Donald J. Birak,
Senior Vice President Exploration
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2006
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$
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220,912
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$
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89,997
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$
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81,624
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$
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86,387
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$
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32,361
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$
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511,281
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Explanatory Notes:
(a) The dollar value of bonus earned during the fiscal
year. Mr. Wilder received a $50,000 cash bonus related to
the execution of a new employment agreement.
(b) The portion of the fair value of stock awards, as
calculated in accordance with FAS 123R, that represent
earned compensation cost recognized for the year as reflected in
Coeurs historical consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C
to this proxy statement, including both amounts recorded as
compensation expense in the income statement and amounts earned
during the period that are capitalized on the balance sheet. For
additional information see Note L to Coeurs
historical consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C to this proxy
statement.
(c) The portion of the fair value of option awards, as
calculated in accordance with FAS 123R, that represent
earned compensation cost recognized for the year as reflected in
Coeurs historical consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C
to this proxy statement, including both amounts recorded as
compensation expense in the income statement and amounts earned
during the period that are capitalized on the balance sheet. For
additional information see Note L to Coeurs
historical
155
consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2006 attached as Annex C to this proxy
statement.
(d) The dollar value of all earnings for services performed
during the fiscal year pursuant to awards under non-equity
incentive plans (i.e., amounts earned, not paid out) and all
earnings on any outstanding awards. The values are AIP awards
made on February 1, 2007, for non-CEO Executive Officers
and March 20, 2007 for the CEO, for performance during
2006. The criteria for such awards is described in detail in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
(e) Coeur does not maintain a defined benefit pension plan
or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
(f) All other compensation, including perquisites,
gross-ups,
and amounts paid or accrued under termination or
change-in-control
arrangements. Mr. Wheelers total includes $19,600 per
year in executive physicals for himself and his spouse and
$1,500 representing the personal portion of the use of a company
provided automobile. Messrs. Sabala, Wilder, and Birak each
receive $11,089 as a personal vehicle allowance for company use.
Mr. Duff is an expatriate who does not receive benefits in
the United States. Also includes contributions to the Retirement
Plan and amounts credited to our Non-Qualified Supplemental
Retirement Plan (the Supplemental Plan) prior to its
termination and for cash payments in lieu of contributions to
the Supplemental Plan thereafter. All employees are eligible to
participate in the Retirement Plan. The amount of our annual
contribution is determined annually by the Board of Directors
and may not exceed 15% of the participants aggregate
compensation. For the year 2006, the contribution was 5%. In
addition, the Retirement Plan provides for an Employee Savings
Plan which allows each employee to contribute up to 100%
compensation, subject to a maximum contribution of $15,000 and
an additional $5,000
catch-up if
age 50 or over. Coeur contributes an amount equal to 50% of
the first 6% of an employees contribution. Accrued
benefits under the Retirement Plan are fully vested after six
years of employment on the defined contribution portion and the
401 (k) vests immediately. Retirement benefits under the
Retirement Plan are based on a participants investment
fund account upon retirement. In 2006, each of
Messrs. Wheeler, Sabala, Duff, Wilder, and Birak were
credited with a Company contribution of $17,600 under the
Retirement Plan. In 2006, each of Messrs. Wheeler, Sabala,
Duff, Wilder, and Birak were credited with an additional
contribution based on 5% of their income in excess of the
above-referenced Retirement Plan limit of $38,685, $9,702,
$2,625, $8,022, and $5,558, respectively.
156
Set forth below is information regarding compensation earned by
or paid or awarded to the following executive officers of Coeur
during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:
(i) Dennis E. Wheeler, Chairman of the Board, President,
and Chief Executive Officer (ii) James A. Sabala, Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and (iii) Alan
L. Wilder, Senior Vice President Project Development, Mitchell
J. Krebs, Vice President, Corporate Development and Donald J.
Birak, Senior Vice President Exploration, which persons are the
three most highly compensated executive officers whose total
compensation exceeded $100,000. The identification of such Named
Executive Officers is determined based on the individuals
total compensation for the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2004, as reported below.
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Long Term Compensation
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Annual Compensation
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Awards
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Payouts
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Other
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Restricted
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Shares
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Annual
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Stock
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Underlying
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Payouts
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All Other
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Salary
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Bonus
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Compensation
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Awards
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Options
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LTIP
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Compensation
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Name and Principal Position
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Year
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($)
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($)
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($)
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($)(3)
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(#Sh)
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Payouts ($)
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($)
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(1)
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(2)
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(3)
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(4)
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(5)
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Dennis E. Wheeler,
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2005
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$
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525,000
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$
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455,569
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$
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427,562
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207,237
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$
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51,770
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Chairman, President &
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2004
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503,935
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384,394
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406,534
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109,971
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55,400
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Chief Executive Officer
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James A. Sabala,
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2005
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$
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250,000
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$
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147,375
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$
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122,159
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59,211
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$
|
24,650
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Executive Vice
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2004
|
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244,411
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|
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117,000
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121,962
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32,991
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86,516
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(6)
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President & Chief Financial Officer
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Alan L. Wilder,
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2005
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$
|
220,000
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$
|
104,940
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$
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89,583
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43,421
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$
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19,562
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Senior Vice President
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2004
|
|
|
|
89,041
|
|
|
|
45,238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,507
|
|
Project Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mitchell J. Krebs
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
$
|
216,000
|
|
|
$
|
111,024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
58,635
|
|
|
|
28,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,154
|
|
Vice President,
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
212,397
|
|
|
|
85,536
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,542
|
|
|
|
15,836
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,622
|
|
Corporate Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald J. Birak(7),
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
$
|
211,667
|
|
|
$
|
110,794
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
83,476
|
|
|
|
40,461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
53,186
|
(8)
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
193,531
|
|
|
|
71,067
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,343
|
|
|
|
22,544
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,672
|
(9)
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Annual incentive payments under the AIP are paid in cash and
based on target award levels established by the Compensation
Committee at the beginning of each annual performance period and
vary depending upon each participants responsibilities and
base salary. Awards under the AIP are paid after the annual
performance period and vary from 0% to 200% of the targets based
on actual performance. During 2004 and 2005, 50% of the award
value was based on our Companys overall financial
performance and 50% was based on the participants
individual performance. Financial objectives underlying the
measurement of our Companys performance are based on
certain performance data relating to production, cash costs, net
income, reserves and cash flow return on investment performance.
The amounts reported above for 2004, and 2005 were paid in the
first quarter of 2005 and 2006, respectively. |
|
(2) |
|
Does not report perquisites amounting to less than the lesser of
$50,000 or 10% of total salary and bonus. |
|
(3) |
|
On February 16, 2005, the Board of Directors awarded a
total of 297,794 restricted shares, of which 109,072 shares
were issued to Mr. Wheeler, 31,163 shares were issued
to Mr. Sabala, 22,853 shares were issued to
Mr. Wilder, 14,958 shares were issued to
Mr. Krebs, 21,295 shares were issued to Mr. Birak
and between 5,402 and 28,566 shares were issued to each of
our 13 other executive officers. The aggregate number and market
value (based on the $4.00 per share closing price of the shares
on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31,
2005) of the restricted shares of common stock granted and
held by the above executive officers at December 31, 2005,
were as follows: Dennis E. Wheeler
314,199 shares ($1,256,796), James A. Sabala
-129,212 shares ($516,848), Alan L. Wilder
22,853 shares ($91,412), Mitchell J. Krebs
70,727 shares ($282,908), and Donald J. Birak
31,708 shares ($126,832). |
|
(4) |
|
Reports the number of shares underlying nonqualified stock
options and incentive stock options granted under the LTIP with
respect to each of the respective years. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes contributions to the Defined Contribution and 401(k)
Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan) and amounts
credited to our Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement and
Deferred Compensation Plan (the Supplemental Plan)
prior to its termination and for cash payments in lieu of
contributions to the Supplemental |
157
|
|
|
|
|
Plan thereafter. All employees are eligible to participate in
the Retirement Plan. The amount of our annual contribution is
determined annually by the Board of Directors and may not exceed
15% of the participants aggregate compensation. However,
for the years 2004 and 2005, the contribution was 5%. In
addition, the Retirement Plan provides for an Employee Savings
Plan which allows each employee to contribute up to 100% of
compensation, subject to a maximum contribution of $14,000 and
an additional $4,000
catch-up if
age 50 or over. We contribute an amount equal to 50% of the
first 6% of any such contributed amount. Accrued benefits under
the Retirement Plan are fully vested after five years of
employment on the Defined Contribution and the 401(k) vests
immediately. Retirement benefits under the Retirement Plan are
based on a participants investment fund account upon
retirement. In 2005, each of Messrs. Wheeler, Sabala,
Wilder, Krebs and Birak were credited with Company contributions
of $16,800, $16,800, $16,800, $16,577, and $16,800,
respectively, under the Retirement Plan. In 2005, each of
Messrs. Wheeler, Sabala, Wilder, Krebs and Birak were
credited with additional contribution based on 5% of their
income in excess of the above referenced retirement plan limit,
of $34,970, $7,850, $2,762, $4,577, and $3,671, respectively. |
|
(6) |
|
This amount includes reimbursable moving expenses of $58,916. |
|
(7) |
|
Mr. Birak commenced his employment with us on
February 1, 2004 as Senior Vice President, Exploration. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes $31,194 of reimbursable moving expenses. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes $63,988 of reimbursable moving expenses. |
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information regarding all
incentive plan awards that were made to the Named Executive
Officers during 2006, including incentive plan awards
(equity-based and non-equity based) and other planned-based
awards. Disclosure on a separate line item is provided for each
grant of an award made to a named executive officer during the
year. The information supplements the dollar value disclosure of
stock, option and non-stock awards in the Summary Compensation
Table by providing additional details about such awards. Equity
incentive-based awards are subject to a performance condition or
a market condition as those terms are defined by
FAS 123(R). Non-equity incentive plan awards are awards
that are not subject to FAS 123(R) and are intended to
serve as an incentive for performance to occur over a specified
period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
or Base
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Price of
|
|
|
Stock and
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
Threshold
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Threshold
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Award
|
|
Name
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(#)(d)
|
|
|
(#)(e)
|
|
|
($/Sh)(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler,
|
|
|
2/20/2006
|
|
|
$
|
170,625
|
|
|
$
|
341,250
|
|
|
$
|
682,500
|
|
|
|
15,342
|
|
|
|
61,369
|
|
|
|
122,738
|
|
|
|
61,369
|
|
|
|
92,284
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
$
|
630,863
|
|
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James A. Sabala,
|
|
|
2/20/2006
|
|
|
$
|
56,250
|
|
|
$
|
112,500
|
|
|
$
|
225,000
|
|
|
|
5,253
|
|
|
|
21,012
|
|
|
|
42,024
|
|
|
|
21,012
|
|
|
|
31,597
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
$
|
216,000
|
|
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James K. Duff,
|
|
|
2/20/2006
|
|
|
$
|
52,000
|
|
|
$
|
104,000
|
|
|
$
|
208,000
|
|
|
|
3,908
|
|
|
|
15,630
|
|
|
|
31,260
|
|
|
|
15,630
|
|
|
|
23,504
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
$
|
160,675
|
|
President, South American Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan L. Wilder,
|
|
|
2/20/2006
|
|
|
$
|
44,000
|
|
|
$
|
88,000
|
|
|
$
|
176,000
|
|
|
|
3,307
|
|
|
|
13,226
|
|
|
|
26,452
|
|
|
|
13,226
|
|
|
|
19,888
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
$
|
135,959
|
|
Senior Vice President Project Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald J. Birak,
|
|
|
2/20/2006
|
|
|
$
|
43,000
|
|
|
$
|
86,000
|
|
|
$
|
172,000
|
|
|
|
3,231
|
|
|
|
12,925
|
|
|
|
25,850
|
|
|
|
12,925
|
|
|
|
19,436
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
$
|
132,867
|
|
Senior Vice President Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explanatory Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Date of Grants for 2006 under the LTIP. |
158
|
|
|
(b) |
|
The dollar value of the estimated future payout upon
satisfaction of the conditions in question under non-equity
incentive plan awards granted in the fiscal year, or the
applicable range of estimated payouts denominated in dollars
(threshold, target, and maximum amount). |
|
(c) |
|
The number of performance shares of stock, to be paid out or
vested upon satisfaction of the conditions in question, or the
applicable range of estimated payouts denominated in the number
of shares of stock, or the number of shares of underlying
options under the award (threshold at 25%, target at 100%, and
maximum amount at 200%). Determined by comparison of
Coeurs total shareholder returns to its peers. In
addition, refer to the discussion in the LTIP Section of the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis. |
|
(d) |
|
The number of shares of stock (e.g. restricted stock) granted in
the fiscal year that are not required to be disclosed in the
table under Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards. |
|
(e) |
|
The number of shares underlying options granted in the fiscal
year that are not required to be disclosed in the table under
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards. |
|
(f) |
|
The per-share exercise or base price of the options granted in
the fiscal year. |
|
(g) |
|
Fair Market Value of stocks and options granted on the award
date. |
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information on outstanding option
and stock awards held by the Named Executive Officers at
December 31, 2006, including the number of shares
underlying both exercisable and unexercisable portions of each
stock option as well as the exercise price and expiration date
of each outstanding option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
Market or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Payout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
Shares or
|
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
Units of
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
that have
|
|
|
that
|
|
|
that
|
|
|
that
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
have
|
|
|
have Not
|
|
|
have Not
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler,
|
|
|
26,820
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.56
|
|
|
|
3/21/2010
|
|
|
|
153,196
|
|
|
$
|
735,987
|
|
|
|
61,369
|
|
|
$
|
315,437
|
|
Chairman, President &
|
|
|
218,586
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
.74
|
|
|
|
12/17/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive
|
|
|
27,712
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.23
|
|
|
|
3/19/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer
|
|
|
223,506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.85
|
|
|
|
9/17/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,553
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
10/2/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,314
|
|
|
|
36,657
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.09
|
|
|
|
2/19/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,080
|
|
|
|
138,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.92
|
|
|
|
2/16/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,284
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
|
2/20/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James A. Sabala,
|
|
|
21,994
|
|
|
|
10,997
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.09
|
|
|
|
2/19/2014
|
|
|
|
47,521
|
|
|
$
|
230,094
|
|
|
|
21,012
|
|
|
$
|
108,002
|
|
Executive Vice
|
|
|
19,738
|
|
|
|
39,473
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.92
|
|
|
|
2/16/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President & Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
|
2/20/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James K. Duff,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,504
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
|
2/20/2016
|
|
|
|
15,630
|
|
|
$
|
80,338
|
|
|
|
15,630
|
|
|
$
|
80,338
|
|
President, South American Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan L. Wilder,
|
|
|
14,474
|
|
|
|
28,947
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.92
|
|
|
|
2/16/2015
|
|
|
|
28,461
|
|
|
$
|
127,703
|
|
|
|
13,226
|
|
|
$
|
67,982
|
|
Senior Vice President Project Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
|
2/20/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald J. Birak,
|
|
|
15,030
|
|
|
|
7,514
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.09
|
|
|
|
2/19/2014
|
|
|
|
31,039
|
|
|
$
|
149,862
|
|
|
|
12,925
|
|
|
$
|
66,435
|
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
13,488
|
|
|
|
26,973
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.92
|
|
|
|
2/16/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,436
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
|
2/20/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159
Explanatory Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The total number of stock options unvested. For Mr. Wheeler
36,657 vests 02/19/07; 69,079 vests 02/16/07; 69,078 vests
02/16/08; 30,762 vests 02/20/07; 30,761 vests 02/20/08; and
30,761 vests 02/20/09. For Mr. Sabala 10,997 vests
02/19/07; 19,737 vests 02/16/07; 19,736 vests 02/16/08; 10,533
vests 02/20/07; 10,532 vests 02/20/08; and 10,532 vests
02/20/09. For Mr. Duff 7,835 vests 02/20/07; 7,835 vests
02/20/08; and 7,834 vests 02/20/09. For Mr. Wilder 14,474
vests 02/16/07; 14,473 vests 02/16/08; 6,630 vests 02/20/07;
6,629 vests 02/20/08; and 6,629 vests 02/20/09. For
Mr. Birak 7,514 vests 02/19/07; 13,487 vests 02/16/07;
13,486 vests 02/16/08; 6,479 vests 02/20/07; 6,479 vests
02/20/08; and 6,478 vests 02/20/09. |
|
(b) |
|
The total number of shares of stock granted and unvested. For
Mr. Wheeler 19,113 vests 02/19/07; 36,357 vests 02/16/07;
20,457 vests 02/20/07; 36,357 vests 02/16/08; 20,456 vests
02/20/08; and 20,456 vests 02/20/09. For Mr. Sabala 5,734
vests 02/19/07; 10,388 vests 02/16/07; 7,004 vests 02/20/07;
10,387 vests 02/16/08; 7,004 vests 02/20/08; and 7,004 vests
02/20/09. For Mr. Duff 5,210 vests 02/20/07; 5,210 vests
02/20/08; and 5,210 vests 02/20/09. For Mr. Wilder 7,618
vests 02/16/07; 4,409 vests 02/20/07; 7,617 vests 02/16/08;
4,409 vests 02/20/08; and 4,408 vests 02/20/09. For
Mr. Birak 3,918 vests 02/19/07; 7,098 vests 02/16/07; 4,309
vests 02/20/07; 7,098 vests 02/16/08; 4,308 vests 02/20/08; and
4,308 vests 02/20/09. |
|
(c) |
|
The total number of performance shares which do not vest until
three years from date of grant. |
|
(d) |
|
The total value having fair market value at close of business on
date of grant. |
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth information regarding each
exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock during
2006 for each of the Named Executive Officers on an aggregated
basis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Value Realized
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on
|
|
|
on Exercise
|
|
|
Acquired on Vesting
|
|
|
Value Realized on
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercise (#)
|
|
|
($)(a)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
Vesting (#)(b)
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler,
|
|
|
140,348
|
|
|
$
|
628,866
|
|
|
|
122,137
|
|
|
$
|
659,603
|
|
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James A. Sabala,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,788
|
|
|
$
|
319,014
|
|
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James K. Duff,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,666
|
|
|
$
|
237,913
|
|
President, South American Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan L. Wilder,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,618
|
|
|
$
|
37,861
|
|
Senior Vice President Project Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald J. Birak,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,017
|
|
|
$
|
55,421
|
|
Senior Vice President Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explanatory Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The aggregate dollar value realized upon exercise of options
(i.e., the difference between the market price of the underlying
shares at exercise and the exercise price), or upon the transfer
of an award for value. |
|
(b) |
|
The aggregate dollar value realized upon vesting of stock (i.e.,
the number of shares times the market price of the underlying
shares on the vesting date), or upon the transfer of an award
for value. |
160
Pension
Benefits and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Coeur does not maintain a defined benefit pension program nor
does it provide a non-qualified deferred compensation program.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control
The following table describes the potential payments and
benefits under Coeurs compensation and benefit plans and
arrangements to which the Named Executive Officers would be
entitled upon termination of employment or
change-in-control
assuming the triggering event took place on December 29,
2006 (i.e., the last business day of 2006) and the price
per share of Coeurs shares is the closing market price as
of that date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acceleration and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuation of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
Incremental
|
|
|
Continuation of
|
|
|
(Unamortized
|
|
|
Excise
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance
|
|
|
Pension
|
|
|
Medical/Welfare
|
|
|
Expenses as of
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
Benefit
|
|
|
Benefits
|
|
|
12/31/06)
|
|
|
Gross-up
|
|
|
Termination
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(Present Value)
|
|
|
(Present Value)(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
Benefits
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler,
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Not for cause-involuntary
|
|
|
5,515,653
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,336
|
|
|
|
541,584
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,115,573
|
|
Death & Disability
|
|
|
892,238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
892,238
|
|
Not for cause-voluntary under age 65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination subsequent to a
Change-in-Control
|
|
|
5,515,653
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,336
|
|
|
|
541,584
|
|
|
|
2,633,696
|
|
|
|
8,749,269
|
|
James A. Sabala,
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Not for cause-involuntary
|
|
|
1,453,166
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,436
|
|
|
|
202,504
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,679,106
|
|
Death & Disability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not for cause-voluntary under age 65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination subsequent to a
Change-in-Control
|
|
|
1,453,166
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,924
|
|
|
|
202,504
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,680,594
|
|
James K. Duff,
President South American Operations
Not for cause-involuntary
|
|
|
922,710
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,475
|
|
|
|
117,739
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,057,924
|
|
Death & Disability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not for cause-voluntary under age 65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination subsequent to a
Change-in-Control(e)
|
|
|
481,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,789
|
|
|
|
117,739
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
623,928
|
|
Alan L. Wilder,
Senior Vice President Project Development
Not for cause-involuntary
|
|
|
798,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,172
|
|
|
|
128,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
944,428
|
|
Death & Disability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not for cause-voluntary under age 65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination subsequent to a
Change-in-Control(e)
|
|
|
550,769
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,384
|
|
|
|
128,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
704,075
|
|
Donald J. Birak,
Senior Vice President Exploration
Not for cause-involuntary
|
|
|
780,626
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,333
|
|
|
|
127,582
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
925,541
|
|
Death & Disability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not for cause-voluntary under age 65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination subsequent to a
Change-in-Control(e)
|
|
|
779,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,599
|
|
|
|
127,582
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
931,878
|
|
Explanatory Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Cash severance payments consist of base salary, annual incentive
plan at target, and cash value of long-term incentive plan at
target, multiplied by the contract life. In the case of
Mr. Wheeler, contract term for
change-in-control
and employment agreement is three years; for Mr. Sabala,
contract term for |
161
|
|
|
|
|
change-in-control
and employment agreement is two years; for the other Named
Executive Officers, contract term is two years for
change-in-control
and 18 months for employment agreements. |
|
(b) |
|
Represents the net present value of medical, life, accidental
death, and disability for the term of the contract. |
|
(c) |
|
Represents any unvested stock options, restricted stock, or
other equity awards remaining to be expensed. |
|
(d) |
|
Upon
change-in-control,
Mr. Wheeler is entitled to be reimbursed for the excise
taxes as a result of Section 280 (G) excise tax
rules. |
|
(e) |
|
Messrs. Duff, Wilder, and Birak would be limited by Golden
Parachute requirements which cap benefits. |
Director
Compensation
Pursuant to our 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity
Incentive Plan, outside directors were required in and prior to
2006 to receive at least $10,000 of their annual director fees
in the form of common stock in lieu of $10,000 of cash
compensation and are able to elect to receive additional common
stock in lieu of cash fees for up to the $60,000 total of their
annual director fees. The directors of Coeur are encouraged to
hold common stock in Coeur, therefore aligning their interests
with those of the shareholders. In 2005 and 2006, outside
directors received an annual retainer of $60,000. In addition to
the annual board of directors retainer, Committee chairmen
received an additional retainer of $5,000. In 2006 the chairman
fee for the Audit Committee was raised to $10,000 per year. In
2007, the Committee chairmen fees for the Compensation Committee
and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were
raised to $7,500. Committee members and chairmen receive $1,500
for each Committee meeting attended. Beginning in 2007, outside
directors will receive an annual retainer of $70,000, of which
they must take a minimum of $20,000 of their annual fees in the
form of common stock in lieu of $20,000 of their cash
compensation and may elect to receive common stock in lieu of
cash for up to the $70,000 total compensation of their retainer.
The following table sets forth information regarding the
compensation received by each of Coeurs directors during
the year ended December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in Pension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in Cash
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Name
|
|
($) (a)
|
|
|
($) (b)
|
|
|
($) (c)
|
|
|
($) (d)
|
|
|
($) (e)
|
|
|
($) (f)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Cecil D. Andrus
|
|
$
|
60,503
|
|
|
$
|
9,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
70,501
|
|
James J. Curran
|
|
$
|
69,253
|
|
|
$
|
9,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
79,251
|
|
Andrew Lundquist
|
|
$
|
27,319
|
|
|
$
|
39,997
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
67,316
|
|
Robert E. Mellor
|
|
$
|
65,503
|
|
|
$
|
9,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
75,501
|
|
John H. Robinson
|
|
$
|
56,504
|
|
|
$
|
19,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
76,500
|
|
Timothy R. Winterer
|
|
$
|
53,754
|
|
|
$
|
19,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
73,750
|
|
J. Kenneth Thompson
|
|
$
|
56,001
|
|
|
$
|
29,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
86,000
|
|
Alex Vitale
|
|
$
|
45,516
|
|
|
$
|
9,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
55,514
|
|
Explanatory Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned or paid in cash
for services as a director, including annual retainer fees,
committee and/or chairmanship fees, and meeting fees. |
|
(b) |
|
Each director must receive no less than $10,000 of the annual
directors fee in common stock. Stock is granted in full
shares which may not equal exactly $10,000. The total number of
shares held under outstanding stock awards by each director as
of December 31, 2006, is as follows: Cecil D.
Andrus 5,102, James J. Curran 5,102,
Andrew Lundquist 12,011, Robert E.
Mellor 5,102, John H. Robinson 10,105,
J. Kenneth Thompson 25,009, Alex Vitale
7,669, and Timothy R. Winterer 12,338. |
|
(c) |
|
For awards of stock options, the aggregate grant date fair value
computed in accordance with FAS 123(R). The aggregate
number of shares subject to outstanding options held by each
director as of December 31, 2006, is as |
162
|
|
|
|
|
follows: Cecil D. Andrus 13,359, James J.
Curran 177,513, Andrew Lundquist 0,
Robert E. Mellor 33,545, John H.
Robinson 49,325, J. Kenneth Thompson
66,349, Alex Vitale 0, and
Timothy R. Winterer 68,968. |
|
(d) |
|
Coeur does not have non-equity incentive plans for directors. |
|
(e) |
|
Coeur does not maintain a defined benefit plan for directors. |
|
(f) |
|
Coeur has no other compensation plan for directors other than
those addressed in columns (b) and (c). |
Compensation
Committee Report
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has
reviewed and discussed the above Compensation
Discussion & Analysis with management and, based on
such review and discussion, has recommended to the board of
directors that the Compensation Discussion & Analysis
be included in Coeurs proxy statement.
J. Kenneth Thompson,
Chairman
Robert E. Mellor
John H. Robinson
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information, as of
October 15, 2007, concerning the beneficial ownership of
Coeur common stock by each of the directors, each of the
executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table set
forth below, and by all of Coeurs directors and executive
officers as a group. No shareholder is known by Coeur to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of
common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially
|
|
|
Percent of
|
|
|
|
Owned
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
James J. Curran
|
|
|
184,702
|
(1)(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Sebastian Edwards
|
|
|
8,767
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Andrew Lundquist
|
|
|
22,703
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Robert E. Mellor
|
|
|
40,734
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
John H. Robinson
|
|
|
65,997
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
J. Kenneth Thompson
|
|
|
98,792
|
(1)(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Alex Vitale
|
|
|
12,098
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
|
|
|
1,471,160
|
(1)(2)
|
|
|
.53
|
|
Timothy R. Winterer
|
|
|
89,656
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Donald J. Birak
|
|
|
123,487
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
James K. Duff
|
|
|
87,821
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
James A. Sabala
|
|
|
193,524
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Alan L. Wilder
|
|
|
93,955
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (18 persons)
|
|
|
2,800,197
|
(2)
|
|
|
1.01
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
Holding constitutes less than 0.1% of the outstanding shares. |
|
(1) |
|
Individual shares investment and voting powers over certain of
his shares with his wife. The other directors have sole
investment and voting power over their shares. |
|
(2) |
|
Holding includes the following shares which may be acquired upon
the exercise of exercisable options outstanding under the
1989/2003 Long-Term Incentive Plans and the 2005 Non-Employee
Directors Stock Option Plan: James J. Curran
177,513 shares; Sebastian Edwards
0 shares; Andrew Lundquist 0 shares;
Robert E. Mellor 33,545 shares; John H.
Robinson 49,375 shares; J. Kenneth
Thompson 66,349 shares; Alex Vitale
0 shares; Dennis E. Wheeler
838,069 shares; Timothy R. Winterer
68,968 shares; Donald J. Birak
55,998 shares; James K. Duff 7,835 shares;
James A. Sabala |
163
|
|
|
|
|
82,999 shares; Alan Wilder 35,578 shares;
and all directors and executive officers as a group
1,478,587 shares. |
Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Coeurs policies and procedures for the review, approval or
ratification of related person transactions are set forth in its
Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Person Transactions,
which was previously filed with the SEC as Appendix C to
Coeurs proxy statement for its 2007 annual shareholder
meeting. As more fully explained therein, a related person
transaction is a consummated or currently proposed transaction
in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount
involved exceeds $120,000, and in which a related person (i.e.,
any director or executive officer or nominee for director, or
any member of the immediate family of such person) has or will
have a direct or indirect material interest.
During 2006, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., an investment
banking firm of which Alex Vitale, a member of our Board of
Directors, is a Managing Director, was paid a total of
approximately $3,091,200 by us for investment banking services
in connection with its engagement as underwriters for an equity
offering.
During 2006, we paid the firm BlueWater Strategies LLC, a
business and government relations consulting and project
managing firm of which Andrew Lundquist, a member of our Board
of Directors, is Managing Partner, a total of approximately
$120,000 in connection with government relations consulting
services relating to our Kensington gold production project in
Alaska.
Information
Concerning Bolnisi and Palmarejo
Bolnisi
Bolnisi is an Australian public company headquartered in Sydney,
Australia that is engaged in mining and exploration for silver
and minerals. It was incorporated in September 1983 and was
listed on ASX in July 1984. Bolnisis current mining and
exploration activities are all Mexican precious metals
operations and its existing portfolio of projects include the
Palmarejo Project (including the Trogan license area) in
Chihuahua, the Yecora Gold-Silver project in Sonora and the El
Realito Gold-Silver project in Chihuahua.
Bolnisi controls its interest in the Palmarejo Project and the
Trogan license area through its ownership and control of
approximately 73% of Palmarejo. For a description of
Palmarejos business, see below under the heading
Palmarejo. Bolnisi controls the Yecora
Gold-Silver project and the El Realito Gold-Silver project
through its wholly-owned Mexican subsidiaries.
Palmarejo
Palmarejo is engaged in the exploration and development of
silver and gold properties in the state of Chihuahua, in
northern Mexico. Palmarejo has, through its 100% indirectly
owned subsidiary Planet Gold, S.A. de C.V. (Planet
Gold), acquired a number of mining concessions, entered
into acquisition agreements over a number of mining concessions
and has been granted a number of exploration licenses which all
collectively comprise the Palmarejo Project and surrounding
Trogan license area. Palmarejos principal asset is its
interest in the area covered by the historic Palmarejo mine
concessions comprising the Palmarejo Project. Palmarejo also has
an extensive land position surrounding the Palmarejo Project
comprising the Trogan license area. Prospects currently under
investigation by Palmarejos exploration teams in the
Trogan license area include Guadalupe/Las Animas,
La Patria, Todos Santos, Maclovia, Los Hundidos,
San Juan de Dios, Victoria and Guerra Al Tirano district.
Palmarejos business objective is to continue exploration
and development at the Palmarejo Project and the Trogan license
area through the pre-feasibility and feasibility study stages
and, following the definition of ore reserves and completion of
a feasibility study, to construct and develop an operating mine
in the Palmarejo Project area, with additional exploration of
other geological targets within the Trogan license area.
Palmarejo may stake or acquire other lands or mineral properties
as such opportunities arise.
164
Development
of the Palmarejo Project
As of April 1, 2005, Palmarejo, through Planet Gold,
entered into an agreement with Intermet Engineering Pty Ltd.
(Intermet) under which Intermet shall provide all
personnel, equipment and materials required for the design,
engineering and supervision of the construction and
commissioning of a 2,000,000 tonne per annum flotation plant and
associated infrastructure at the Palmarejo Project. Under this
agreement, Planet Gold is responsible for obtaining all
approvals required for completion of the work at the site as
well as work permits for expatriate staff. The estimated cost of
the contract is A$3,060,500. If Planet Gold terminates the
contract where there has been no default or insolvency of
Intermet, Intermet is entitled to receive 20% of the outstanding
estimated cost to complete the project in addition to the costs
already incurred by Intermet.
On September 19, 2005, Planet Gold entered into an asset
sale agreement with A.M. King Industries Inc.
(A.M. King Industries) to purchase two
autogenous mill circuits, certain spares and flotation cells
located at the Los Frailes mine in Aznalcollar, Spain on an
as is, where is for a purchase price of US$4,700,000
(the King Industries Agreement). Under the terms of
this agreement, Planet Gold has agreed to indemnify
A.M. King Industries against any claims, losses or damage
arising from any act or failure to act on the part of Planet
Gold in respect of the purchase and sale of the assets after
October 20, 2005. Planet Gold shall also hold
A.M. King Industries harmless for its failure to inspect,
repair or otherwise make the assets safe. Planet Gold also
undertook responsibility for all costs associated with the
relocation of the assets to Mexico, including
clean-up at
the former site. Furthermore, Planet Gold assumed all risks
associated with the removal of the assets from the former site.
In June 2006, Planet Gold entered into an agreement for the
upgrade of a 100 kilometer section of the road between
San Rafael and Palmarejo, and the majority of the road
upgrade has been completed.
Construction of processing facilities and camp buildings has
commenced and continued. Concrete foundations at the lower plant
site are well advanced and the erection of steel leach tanks has
commenced. Purchase orders and commitments have been issued in
respect of plant (including lime staking and instrumentation)
and assay laboratory facilities. A leasing arrangement for
mining equipment has been entered into. Mill modification work
has been completed and the shell sections of the mill have been
shipped to and arrived in Mexico.
Permits
for the Palmarejo Project
In January 2006, a permit known as Pitex (Program for Temporary
Imports to produce Exports) was granted to Planet Gold. This
Pitex permit allows the importation of equipment, machinery and
consumables to create a product that will subsequently be
re-exported without paying import duties. In August 2006, a
permit known as Prosec (Sectoral Promotion Programs) was granted
to Planet Gold. This permit provides preferential import duties
for equipment originating from non-NAFTA countries.
In May 2006, the environmental permit for the Palmarejo Project
was approved by SEMARNAT (the Mexican Government environmental
authority, Secretariat of Environmental and Natural Resources).
The permit approves mining activities for a
10-year
period, plus 3 years for reclamation, based on the
Palmarejo Project mine plan as submitted by Palmarejo to
SEMARNAT. If Palmarejos mine plan changes, Palmarejo can
apply to SEMARNAT for an extension of the environmental permit.
In August 2006, the Change of Use of Surface Permit for the
Palmarejo Project was approved by SEMARNAT. This permit allows
Palmarejo to use the Palmarejo Project land for mining purposes
rather than its previous use as forest land. It also specifies
that the restoration, replanting, rehabilitation and upkeep
requirements for the Palmarejo Project site will be undertaken
by the Mexican National Forest Commission in return for a single
environmental compensation payment by Palmarejo in the amount of
C$750,000 which amount has been paid.
Environmental
Protection
Palmarejo is committed to comply with all environmental
statutes, laws, regulations and orders applicable to its
operations. To ensure such compliance, Palmarejo has established
an environmental auditing program to detect and remediate any
violations of environmental laws. To date, Palmarejo management
believes that it is in material compliance with applicable
environmental legislation and regulations.
165
Employees
Palmarejo conducts its operations from offices in Temoris,
Chihuahua, Mexico. Planet Gold has retained a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fairview and indirect subsidiary of Bolnisi, to
provide technical services in exchange for which Planet Gold has
agreed to pay the actual cost of providing such technical
services, plus applicable taxes (Technical Services
Agreement).
Pursuant to the Technical Services Agreement, there are
approximately 65 employees and consultants providing
technical and administrative services for the Palmarejo Project
and the Trogan license area. Planet Gold does not employ anyone
directly.
Palmarejo has retained Reunion Gold Corporation (Reunion
Gold) to provide all corporate management services as may
be required from time to time in order to operate the business
of Palmarejo including financial and accounting services, legal
services, corporate secretarial services and corporate income
tax matters. The fees charged for such management services
represents a portion of the salary and benefits costs of five
(5) employees and a portion of the costs for office space,
communication and equipment. Other expenses incurred for the
benefit of Palmarejo are charged at cost (the Management
Services Agreement). The office of Reunion Gold is in
Longueuil, Québec. During the year ended June 30,
2007, an amount of C$460,000 was charged by Reunion Gold under
the Management Services Agreement. Palmarejo also directly
employs two persons, who do not fall under the agreement with
Reunion Gold. In addition, Palmarejo entered into a professional
services agreement with Mr. Alain Krushnisky to act as
Palmarejos Chief Financial Officer.
Cycles
Palmarejos success is ultimately dependent upon the
ability of Palmarejo to continue finding additional mineral
resources on its current and future landholding and developing
such mineral resources. In addition, fluctuations in commodity
prices, primarily gold and silver and currency exchange rates
and other unforeseeable events impact Palmarejos ability
to continue to finance and develop its projects. Commodity price
fluctuations are affected by numerous factors beyond
Palmarejos control.
Competitive
Conditions
The precious and base metal mineral exploration and mining
business is a competitive business. Palmarejo competes with
numerous other companies and individuals in the search for and
the acquisition of attractive precious and base metal mineral
properties. The ability of Palmarejo to acquire precious and
base metal mineral properties in the future will depend not only
on its ability to develop its present properties, but also on
its ability to select and acquire suitable producing properties
or prospects for precious metal development or mineral
exploration.
Bolnisi
Bolnisi has the following exploration projects in Mexico:
|
|
|
|
|
the Palmarejo Project (including the Trogan license area),
Chihuahua;
|
|
|
|
the Yecora Gold-Silver project, Sonora (on the Chihuahua
border); and
|
|
|
|
the El Realito Gold-Silver project, Chihuahua.
|
The Palmarejo and El Realito projects are located in the state
of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico, approximately
15 kilometers northwest and southeast respectively of the
township of Temoris, where Bolnisi has established field
headquarters. Temoris is approximately 240 kilometers from
Chihuahua, the state capital, where Bolnisi has established its
Mexican headquarters. The Yecora project is located in Sonora,
on the border with Chihuahua. Due to the focus of activities on
the Palmarejo project and Trogan mine concession, no field work
was undertaken at the Yecora or El Realito projects during the
year ended June 30, 2007.
The Palmarejo Project and Trogan license area contain a number
of mineralized properties of interest which are under
investigation by Bolnisi. The most important of these to date is
the Palmarejo Project in the Chinipas
166
municipality in the far north of the area of interest which
covers the old Palmarejo gold-silver mine based on the
La Prieta and La Blanca gold-silver bearing
structures. In addition to the Palmarejo Project, mineralized
vein and alteration systems in the Trogan license area have been
identified on four other strongly mineralized corridors
including the Guadalupe-Las Animas trend; Todos
Santos-La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia; the Guerra al
Tirano trend; and the Los Hundidos trend; and prospects are
currently under investigation by Bolnisis exploration
teams in these areas.
Most activity to date has been carried out at Guadalupe-Las
Animas with increasing activity at Todos
Santos-La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia. For a detailed
description of the Palmarejo Project, see below under the
heading Palmarejo.
Bolnisi previously had interests in the Quartzite Gold Mine and
Trans Georgian Resources which are both located in the former
Soviet Republic of Georgia however it sold these interests in
December 2005.
Palmarejo
Property
Description and Location
The Palmarejo Project and the Trogan license area (collectively,
the Palmarejo-Trogan Project) are located in the
state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, 420 km by road southwest
of the city of Chihuahua, the state capital. The
Palmarejo-Trogan Project lies in the Temoris mining district,
part of the gold-silver belt of the Sierra Madre Occidental,
about 15 km northwest of the town of Temoris.
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project is located on the Instituto de
Nacional de Estadistica Geographica e Informatica
(INEGI) Ciudad Obregon geological sheet and the
INEGI Chinipas de Almada topographic map and is centered on
coordinates 27°23 Longitude and 108°26
Latitude. The coordinate system used for all maps and sections
in the technical report is the Universal Transverse Mercator
(WGS 84) Zone 12 (Northern Hemisphere).
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project consists of approximately 12,115
hectares covered by mining concessions, of which about 11,817
hectares are owned outright by Planet Gold, with an additional
226 hectares held by means of leases and options to purchase,
which agreements are summarized below. In addition, Planet Gold
has obtained the rights to, but has not yet made all payments to
complete, the purchase of 72 additional hectares.
The Chihuahua Informe Pericial (Mines Department) administers
the lands in the Palmarejo-Trogan Project area. The claim
boundaries are surveyed as part of the process of obtaining
mining concessions in Mexico.
Technical
Report and Qualified Persons
The following descriptions and summaries of the Palmarejo-Trogan
Project are taken from the report entitled Updated
Technical Report Palmarejo-Trogan Project,
Chihuahua, Mexico (the Technical Report)
prepared by Michael M. Gustin, P.Geo. and Neil B. Prenn, P.Eng.
of Mine Development Associates Inc. (MDA) dated
September 17, 2007. A copy of the Technical Report has been
filed by Palmarejo on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Mr. Gustin
and Mr. Prenn are qualified persons as defined
in National Instrument
43-101
(NI
43-101),
are independent of Palmarejo and have reviewed and verified the
scientific and technical mining disclosure with respect to the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project contained in this proxy statement.
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
Access
Access to Palmarejo from Chihuahua is via paved Highway 127, a
two-lane
road, to the town of San Rafael and then by gravel road to
Temoris and finally Palmarejo. The Chihuahua-Pacifico rail
service operates between Chihuahua and Los Mochis on the
southwest coast of Mexico. Two passenger trains and one freight
train operate daily from Chihuahua. Access from the rail station
at the town of Temoris to Palmarejo is along 35 km of
government-maintained gravel road, which is the extension of
Highway 127, that continues on through to Chinipas.
167
Climate
The climate of the area is moderate. Average maximum temperature
is about 34°C, with an average minimum temperature of about
5°C. Rainfall occurs mainly during the summer months, with
average annual precipitation of about 800 mm. The elevation of
Palmarejo is about 1,150 m above sea level. All anticipated
exploration work can be conducted year round.
Local
Resources and Infrastructure
The Palmarejo-Trogan area has moderately well developed
infrastructure and a local work force familiar with mining
operations. There are approximately four to five thousand
inhabitants within about a
one-hour
drive of the Palmarejo-Trogan Project. Chinipas and Temoris are
the two nearest towns of any size, both with an estimated
population of approximately 1,500 inhabitants. The small village
of Palmarejo lies immediately northwest of the Palmarejo Mine
area and has an estimated population of 200.
A 33,000 volt power line has recently been constructed from
Temoris to Chinipas by the Comision Federal Electricidad, the
Mexican federal power authority. The line passes directly
through the Palmarejo area, but is inadequate to supply the
electricity requirements of mining and processing operations at
Palmarejo without installation of a parallel line.
There are a number of potential sources of water in the area,
including groundwater and local streams that drain the project
area, as well as the Chinipas River, which is located 12 km west
of the Palmarejo-Trogan Project.
The Chihuahua-Pacifico railway connects Chihuahua with Los
Mochis, located on Mexicos western coast in the state of
Sinaloa. Daily passenger and freight trains pass Temoris along
this railway. The rail station at Temoris is 35 km by gravel
road from Palmarejo. Airstrips for light aircraft are located at
Temoris and Chinipas.
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project area is characterized by
steep-sided hills and V-shaped valleys, although sites for
mining infrastructure such as a mill should not pose a
significant problem. Dumps and tailings will likely need to be
placed within the upper reaches of drainage valleys, which would
require the construction of a retention dam(s).
Physiography
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project is located on the western flank of
the Sierra Madre Occidental, a mountain range that comprises the
central spine of northern Mexico. The north-northwest-trending
Sierra Madre Occidental is composed of a relatively flat-lying
sequence of Tertiary volcanic rocks that forms a volcanic
plateau. This volcanic plateau is deeply incised in the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project area, locally forming steep-walled
canyons. The Sierra Madre Occidental gives way to the west to an
extensional terrain that represents the southward continuation
of the Basin and Range Province of the western United States,
and then to the coastal plain of western Mexico. The property
lies at the boundary of the volcanic plateau and Mexican Basin
and Range Province.
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project area is hilly to mountainous, with
densely vegetated, steep-sided slopes with local stands of
cacti. Conifers occur at high elevations, while oak trees, cacti
and thorny shrubs dominate the vegetation at low elevations.
Local ranchers and farmers graze cattle and grow corn and other
vegetables on small-scale plots.
Certain scientific and technical information with respect to the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project is disclosed in Annex K
(Certain Information Regarding Mining Properties of
Palmarejo and Bolnisi).
Information
Concerning Bolnisi
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
Principal
activities
Bolnisi is an Australian public company headquartered in Sydney,
Australia that is engaged in mining and exploration for silver
and minerals. It was incorporated in September 1983 and was
listed on ASX in July 1984. Bolnisis current mining and
exploration activities are all Mexican precious metals
operations and its existing
168
portfolio of projects include the Palmarejo Project (including
the Trogan license area) in Chihuahua, the Yecora Gold-Silver
project in Sonora and the El Realito Gold-Silver project in
Chihuahua. No significant change in the nature of those mining
and exploration activities has occurred during the year.
Bolnisi controls its interest in the Palmarejo Project and the
Trogan license area through its ownership and control of
approximately 73% of Palmarejo. For a detailed description of
the Palmarejo Project, see Information Concerning Bolnisi
and Palmarejo Properties Palmarejo.
With respect to the El Realito project, due to the focus of
activities on the Palmarejo Project and Trogan tenements, no
field work was undertaken during the year ended June 30,
2007. Bolnisi plans to undertake some metallurgical testwork and
prepare an initial resource estimate for the El Realito project.
With respect to the Yecora Gold-Silver project, apart from
limited drilling, trenching and prospecting on a single
tenement, there has been no modern exploration undertaken within
the license area. Due to the focus of activities on the
Palmarejo Project and Trogan tenements, no drilling was
undertaken during the year ended June 30, 2007. Data
assessment and field reconnaissance work is ongoing. Drilling is
planned to be undertaken in the future when the landowner
agreements over the two tenements surrounding Bolnisis
tenements which are not controlled by Bolnisi are finalized.
Financial
results
The consolidated loss after income tax attributable to members
of Bolnisi for the year ended June 30, 2007 was
(A$4,366,657) (2006 profit of A$3,864,860).
Currently, Bolnisi is not involved in and, to the best of its
knowledge, is not a party to, any material litigation.
The names of directors of Bolnisi holding office at any time
during or since the financial year ended June 30, 2007 are:
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold (Chairman)
|
|
Director since February 1, 1994
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
Director since March 26, 1998
|
Peter J. Nightingale (Director and Company Secretary)
|
|
Director since March 4, 2004
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
Director since February 1, 1994
|
P. Martin Holt (alternate for Peter J. Nightingale)
|
|
Director since September 9, 2005
|
Anthony J. McClure (alternate for Kenneth M. Phillips)
|
|
Director since November 26, 2003
|
Norman
Alfred Seckold Executive Chairman
Norman Seckold graduated with a Bachelor of Economics degree
from the University of Sydney in 1970. He has spent more than
28 years in the full time management of natural resource
companies, both in Australia and overseas.
Mr. Seckold has been the Chairman of a number of publicly
listed companies including Moruya Gold Mines (1983) N.L.,
which acquired the Golden Reward heap leach gold deposit in
South Dakota, USA, Pangea Resources Limited, which acquired and
developed the Paupers Dream gold mine in Montana, USA,
Timberline Minerals, Inc. which acquired and completed a
feasibility study for the development of the MacArthur copper
deposit in Nevada, USA, Perseverance Corporation Limited, which
discovered and developed the Nagambie gold mine in Victoria,
Valdora Minerals N.L., which developed the Rustlers Roost
gold mine in the Northern Territory and the Ballarat East Gold
Mine in Victoria, Viking Gold Corporation, which discovered a
high grade gold deposit in northern Sweden and Mogul Mining
N.L., which drilled out the Magistral and Ocampo gold deposits
in Mexico.
Mr. Seckold is currently a director of Cockatoo Coal
Limited, an Australian coal exploration and project development
company, Kings Minerals N.L., a company exploring for precious
and base metals in Australia and its
169
Canadian listed subsidiary San Anton Resources Inc which is
exploring for precious and base metals in Mexico, Planet Gas
Limited, a coalbed methane gas exploration and production
company operating in Australia and the USA and Bolnisis
partly owned Canadian listed subsidiary, Palmarejo Silver and
Gold Corporation.
Dudley
Roy Leitch Non-executive Director
Dudley Leitch is a graduate in Science, majoring in geology and
mineralogy from the University of Queensland. He has over
31 years experience in mineral and petroleum
exploration and development.
Mr. Leitch was Managing Director of Valdora Minerals N.L.
and a director of Perseverance Corporation Limited and Mogul
Mining N.L. He was responsible for the development of the
Nagambie gold mine from exploration to production in less than
two years. He is a director of a private company which has made
investments in the resources sector and has identified
significant resources projects, including the large coalbed
methane reserves of the Northern Bowen Basin which are currently
being advanced by several large listed companies.
Mr. Leitch is also the Managing Director of Kings Minerals
N.L. and a director of Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation.
Peter
James Nightingale Executive Director and Company
Secretary
Mr. Nightingale graduated with a Bachelor of Economics
degree from the University of Sydney and is a member of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. He has worked
as a chartered accountant in both Australia and the USA.
Mr. Nightingale has, for the past 21 years, been a
director or company secretary of a number of private and
publicly listed companies in Australia, the USA and Europe.
Mr. Nightingale has been responsible for the financial
control, administration, secretarial and in-house legal
functions of these companies. He is currently a director or
company secretary of Biotron Limited, Cockatoo Coal Limited, IMD
Group Limited, Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation and Planet
Gas Limited.
Kenneth
Macdonald Phillips Executive Director
Kenneth Phillips studied geology at Victoria University,
Wellington, New Zealand and is a member of the Australasian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Phillips has
enjoyed a career in mining and exploration worldwide since 1952,
and has been a Sydney, Australia, based mining company executive
and consultant since 1984. Prior to this, Mr. Phillips held
executive and corporate positions with several major mining
corporations. Mr. Phillips was responsible for the
discovery and exploration of the Bougainville copper-gold
deposit (1964 1967) and managed the exploration
of the Ok Tedi gold-copper mine (1969 1970) in
Papua New Guinea.
Mr. Phillips was also a director of Valdora Minerals N.L.
and is presently a director and the principal of VOP Mining
Services Pty Limited and a director of Palmarejo Silver and Gold
Corporation.
Philip
Martin Holt Independent and Non-executive Alternate
Director for Peter J. Nightingale
Martin Holt graduated with a Bachelor of Economics degree from
the University of Lancaster, UK, and is a member of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. For the past
22 years Mr. Holt has worked in the corporate finance
sector, covering a range of activities including mergers and
acquisitions, valuations, fund raising, loss assessments and
litigation support. He also served for three years as a director
of a private equity company. Mr. Holt is currently a
director of the specialist valuation firm Lonergan
Edwards & Associates Limited.
Anthony
John McClure Independent and Non-executive Alternate
Director for Kenneth M. Phillips
Anthony McClure graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Geology)
degree from Macquarie University in 1986. Mr. McClure has
22 years of technical, management and financial experience
in the resource sector within Australia, Africa and the Americas
in project management and executive development roles. He has
worked in the financial services sector and stockbroking,
primarily as a resource analyst covering both mineral and energy
sectors. Mr. McClure is currently a director of European
Gas Limited, Planet Gas Limited and Verus Investments Limited.
170
The number of directors meetings held, including meetings
held by telephone and by circulation of resolutions, and the
number of those meetings attended by each of the directors of
Bolnisi, while a director, during the financial year are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board Meetings
|
|
|
Audit Committee Meetings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Meetings
|
|
|
|
Meetings Held
|
|
|
Meetings Attended
|
|
|
Meetings Held
|
|
|
Attended
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Martin Holt (alternate)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Anthony J. McClure (alternate)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Bolnisis remuneration policy is to ensure the remuneration
package properly reflects the persons duties and
responsibilities, and that remuneration is competitive in
attracting, retaining and motivating people of the highest
quality.
The directors are not employed directly by Bolnisi. Their
services are provided by way of arrangements with related
parties. The remuneration disclosed below represent the cost to
Bolnisi and its subsidiaries for the services provided under
these arrangements.
No directors or executives receive performance related
remuneration, and there are no service contracts.
Details of the nature and amount of each major element of the
remuneration of each director of Bolnisi and each of the named
executive officers of Bolnisi are summarized in the Table below.
Summary
Compensation Table(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
(A$)
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Executive Director
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
117,279
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,279
|
|
Executive Director
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
124,071
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124,071
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
119,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119,360
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
Non-Executive Director
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
22,917
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,917
|
|
P. Martin Holt,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
Alternate director for
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. McClure,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
23,833
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,833
|
|
Alternate director for
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
73,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,000
|
|
171
|
|
|
(a) |
|
There are no key management personnel of Bolnisi or its
subsidiaries that are not directors and no options or bonuses
were granted to directors or executive officers as part of their
remuneration. |
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information, as of June 30,
2007, concerning the beneficial ownership of Bolnisi
shareholdings by each of the directors and key management
personnel and as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned
|
|
|
Percent of Outstanding
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
38,602,799
|
|
|
|
13.5
|
%
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
31,185,700
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
%
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
3,075,000
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
P. Martin Holt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. McClure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and key management personnel as a group
(6 persons)
|
|
|
82,863,499
|
|
|
|
29.0
|
%
|
No shares were granted to key management personnel during the
reporting period as compensation in 2006 or 2007.
Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Directors
During the year ended June 30, 2007, Norman A. Seckold and
Peter J. Nightingale had an interest in an entity, Mining
Services Trust, which provided full administrative services,
including rental accommodation, administrative staff, services
and supplies, to Bolnisi. Fees paid to Mining Services Trust
during the year, which were in the ordinary course of business
and on normal terms and conditions, amounted to A$1,101,658
(2006 A$1,185,972). Amounts unpaid at June 30,
2007 were A$142,074 (2006 A$188,934).
During the year ended June 30, 2007, Kenneth M. Phillips,
had an interest in an entity, VOP Mining Services Pty Ltd, which
rendered administrative, geological and exploration services to
Bolnisi. Fees paid to VOP Mining Services Pty Ltd during the
year, which were in the ordinary course of business and on
normal commercial terms and conditions, amounted to A$140,882
(2006 A$159,643). Of this figure A$117,279
(2006 A$124,071) is included in directors
remuneration. Amounts unpaid at June 30, 2007 were A$11,483
(2006 A$30,878).
Apart from the details disclosed above, no director has entered
into a material contract with Bolnisi since the end of the
previous financial year and there were no material contracts
involving directors interests subsisting at year end.
Controlled
entities
At June 30,2007, Bolnisi had amounts receivable from,
Fairview Gold Pty Limited of A$57,016,176
(2006 A$38,743,396), and Ensign Energy Pty
Limited of A$751,963 (2006 A$701,963). These amounts
are classed as investments as they are interest free, unsecured,
there is no fixed term of repayment, and they are repayable out
of profits.
At June 30, 2007, Bolnisi had an amount payable to Bolnisi
Mining Operations Pty Limited of A$119,784
(2006 nil).
During the year ended June 30, 2007, an amount of A$250,091
was charged by Servicios Auxiliares de Mineria, SA de CV to
Planet Gold, SA de CV for management services related to
exploration and development activities (2006 nil),
there were no amounts outstanding at year end. During the year
an amount of A$1,000,615
172
was charged by Servicios Administrativos Palmarejo, SA de CV to
Planet Gold, SA de CV for personnel expenses (2006
nil). Amounts unpaid at year end were A$72,111 (2006
nil).
During the year ended June 30, 2006, Bolnisi Mining
Operations Pty Limited paid a dividend of A$8,985,069 to
Bolnisi. No dividend was paid during the year ended
June 30, 2007.
Information
Concerning Palmarejo
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
The following managements discussion and analysis of
financial condition and results of operations is dated as of
August 23, 2007, and was filed with the Canadian Securities
Administrators on www.sedar.com.
Technical information in respect of the Palmarejo-Trogan
Project in this section is dated as of a date that precedes the
current technical information, derived from the Technical
Report. For current technical information about Palmarejo,
please see Annex K to this Proxy Statement. The Technical
Report is a publicly-filed document available for review at
www.sedar.com.
Scope
of managements financial analysis
The following managements discussion and analysis
(MD&A) of the operations, results, and
financial position of Palmarejo covers the years ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005 and should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements
and related notes for the periods ended June 30, 2007, 2006
and 2005 (the June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005
consolidated financial statements).
The June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian
GAAP).
All financial results are expressed in Canadian dollars unless
otherwise indicated.
Palmarejo is engaged in the exploration and development of
silver-gold projects located in the Temoris District of
Chihuahua, Mexico. Palmarejo, through its 100%-indirectly owned
subsidiary Planet Gold SA de CV (Planet Gold), owns
or has entered into agreements to acquire a number of
exploration and exploitation concessions, which all collectively
comprise the Palmarejo Project and surrounding Trogan licence
area. The Palmarejo Project and Trogan license area are located
some 15 kilometres northwest of the town of Temoris in Chihuahua
State and extend some 16 kilometres from Tres de Mayo in the
south-southeast to beyond Palmarejo in the north-northwest
covering 12,115 hectares.
The Palmarejo Project and the Trogan license area contain a
number of mineralized properties of interest which are under
investigation by Palmarejo. The most important of these to date
is the Palmarejo mine property in the municipality of Chinipas
in the far north of the area of interest which covers the old
Palmarejo silver-gold mine based on the La Prieta and
La Blanca silver-gold bearing structures.
Palmarejo has not yet determined whether its properties contain
ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The recovery of
costs incurred on these properties is subject to the discovery
of economic ore deposits and the ability to secure appropriate
financing to place these properties into production. Palmarejo
will periodically have to raise additional funds to continue
operations, and while it has been successful in doing so in the
past, there can be no assurance it will be able to do so in the
future.
Although Palmarejo has taken steps to verify title to the
mineral claims in which it has an interest, in accordance with
industry standards for the current stage of exploration of such
properties, these procedures do not guarantee Palmarejos
title. Property title may be subject to unregistered prior
agreements and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
173
Proposed
Merger Agreement
On May 3, 2007, Palmarejo and Coeur entered into a Merger
Implementation Agreement. Concurrently, Coeur entered into a
Merger Implementation Agreement with Bolnisi, Palmarejos
majority shareholder. Under the terms of the Palmarejo Merger
Implementation Agreement, Palmarejo shareholders, other than
Bolnisi, will receive 2.715 Coeur shares for each Palmarejo
share they own and a nominal cash payment equal to C$0.004 per
Palmarejo share pursuant to a plan of arrangement. Under the
terms of the Bolnisi Merger Implementation Agreement, Bolnisi
shareholders will receive 0.682 Coeur shares for each Bolnisi
share they own and a nominal cash payment equal to A$0.004 per
Bolnisi share pursuant to a scheme of arrangement.
The Transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of
Palmarejo, Coeur and Bolnisi and satisfaction of customary
closing conditions (including completion of regulatory reviews
and receipt of regulatory approvals). The consummation of each
of the Palmarejo transaction and the Bolnisi transaction is also
conditional upon the completion of the other transaction,
although Coeur has the right to waive this condition, if the
Palmarejo transaction does not proceed, and still proceed with
the Bolnisi transaction. The Bolnisi transaction was subject to
the completion of satisfactory due diligence by Coeur (which
process was completed on July 3, 2007).
The Palmarejo plan of arrangement must be approved by two-thirds
(2/3) of the votes cast by shareholders present and voting at a
special meeting of shareholders called to consider the
transaction, as well as a simple majority of the votes cast by
such shareholders (excluding interested parties). The Bolnisi
scheme of arrangement requires the approval of three-fourths
(3/4) of the total shares voted, plus half of the shareholders
present and voting at the meeting, either in person or by proxy.
Both arrangements require approval by the applicable courts in
Canada and Australia.
In connection with the Bolnisi transaction, each of the
directors of Bolnisi has entered into a call option deed, which,
between them, grants Coeur the right to acquire up to 19.9% of
Bolnisis outstanding shares held by the directors at the
same price as that offered by Coeur to other Bolnisi
shareholders under the Bolnisi scheme of arrangement.
The parties have also agreed to give each other exclusivity,
subject to certain exceptions, and to a reciprocal break fee of
1% payable in certain circumstances.
A special committee of independent directors of Palmarejo
completed a review of the transaction, including seeking advice
from financial advisors and legal counsel, and the special
committee received a fairness opinion from the financial
advisor. The special committee also retained a separate
independent financial advisor to complete a formal valuation in
connection with the transaction as contemplated by Canadian
securities laws. After consideration, the special committee
unanimously recommended approving the transaction to the
Palmarejo board of directors, which subsequently approved and
authorized Palmarejo to enter into the agreement. Furthermore,
the Palmarejo board, on recommendation of the special committee,
has authorized the submission of the transaction to its
shareholders for approval at a special meeting of shareholders
and the Palmarejo board has unanimously recommended that
Palmarejo shareholders vote in favour of the transaction.
Assuming timely completion of the required regulatory processes
and receipt of the required shareholder and court approvals, the
companies expect the transactions to be completed in the fourth
quarter of calendar year 2007. There can be no assurance that
the transactions will be completed as proposed or at all.
Formation
of Joint Management Committee
On May 15, 2007, Palmarejo, Coeur and Bolnisi jointly
announced that, in connection with their agreements to merge,
they have formed a Joint Management Committee (the
Committee) to oversee the management of the
Palmarejo Project through the close of the transaction.
The Committee, which is authorized to ensure the continued
progress at the Palmarejo Project until the completion of the
merger, is comprised of three senior management and operating
personnel from each of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo (including
the chairman of the special committee of the Palmarejo Board of
directors). Coeurs Senior Vice president
Operations, serves as Chairman of the Committee.
174
The Committee has identified the following initial priorities:
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Establishing Coeurs
on-site
presence at the Palmarejo Project and facilitating the
integration of Coeur personnel with the Bolnisi and Palmarejo
teams already in place;
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Completing an assessment of the present status of construction
activity at the Palmarejo Project;
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Investigating the development of a combined open pit and
underground mine plan and completing an initial estimate of
proven and probable reserves at the Palmarejo Project; and
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Continuing exploration initiatives at Palmarejo and formulating
a strategy for future exploration activities.
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Acquisition
of the Palmarejo Project
Palmarejo, formerly named Bonita Capital Corporation
(Bonita), was incorporated under the Alberta
Business Corporations Act on May 11, 2004 and was continued
as Palmarejo Gold Corporation under the Canada Business
Corporations Act (CBCA) on March 21, 2005. On
December 15, 2005 Palmarejo changed its name from Palmarejo
Gold Corporation to Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation.
Palmarejo Acquisition Corporation (Palmarejo
Acquisition) was incorporated under the CBCA on
October 25, 2004 in order to facilitate and effect the
financing, the acquisition, and the business combination
described below.
On March 21, 2005, the Business Combination Transaction was
completed involving: (1) the acquisition by Palmarejo
Acquisition from Bolnisi of 100% of Bolnisis interest in
the Palmarejo silver-gold project (the Palmarejo
Project) in consideration of 52,250,000 Palmarejo
Acquisition common shares and 12,500,000 Palmarejo Acquisition
warrants; and (2) the amalgamation of Palmarejo Acquisition
with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bonita (the
Amalgamation), pursuant to which holders of common
shares, options and warrants of Palmarejo Acquisition received,
in exchange, one Palmarejo common share in exchange for each
Palmarejo Acquisition common share, one Palmarejo warrant in
exchange for each Palmarejo Acquisition warrant and one
Palmarejo option in exchange for each Palmarejo Acquisition
option.
Under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, this
Business Combination was a reverse takeover. Palmarejo
Acquisition was deemed to be the purchaser and consequently the
June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 consolidated financial
statements reflect the accounts of Palmarejo since the
incorporation of Palmarejo Acquisition on October 25, 2004
and the accounts of Bonita Capital Corporation since its
acquisition on March 21, 2005.
Exploration
and Project Development Activities
During the year ended June 30, 2007, Palmarejo incurred
total exploration expenditures of $16,732,000 ($18,990,000 in
2006 and $4,712,000 during the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005), including $9,346,000 for
drilling activities, $771,000 for tenement payments and
$6,434,000 for various technical services.
Capital assets totalled $54,132,000 for the year, including
$14,619,000 for equipment under capital lease (power station and
mobile equipment) and the balance represented by the various
construction and engineering activities, including road upgrade,
earthworks, camp construction, fabrication and assembly of
various mill components and modification of the ball and SAG
mills.
Palmarejo
Exploration
Drilling at the Palmarejo project during the year was carried
out with a single RC rig. The drilling has focused on testing
the potential of nearby prospects at Palmarejo Norte,
San Juan de Dios and Cerro de Los Hilos Southeast. A short
(limited by the capacity of the drill rig) six hole RC program
was drilled along the southeastern margin of the Rosario clavo
along the La Blanca structure to evaluate the potential of
additional mineralization between the Rosario and the 076 clavos.
Palmarejo Norte, located 1.0 kilometre north of Palmarejo, is
the continuation of the main Palmarejo structure extending from
the Rosario clavo where the La Blanca and La Prieta
structures come together. Seven RC holes were
175
drilled at Palmarejo Norte. The drilling intersected the main
structure but did not encounter mineralized quartz. No further
work is programmed at Palmarejo Norte at this time.
The Cerro de Los Hilos Southeast prospect is located along the
southeastern extension of the Los Hundidos structure, 3.0
kilometres south of Palmarejo. The prospect is characterised by
a strong colour oxidation and clay alteration zone. The first
two holes of a 10 hole, 2,000 metre program were completed in
May 2007. The first hole intersected sulphide bearing veinlets
in a rhyolite porphyry, interpreted to have intruded the Los
Hundidos fault. These veinlets yielded low grade mineralisation
over a narrow interval. The remaining holes in the program are
currently being drilled with the objective of crossing the
structure 150 metres beneath the barren clay alteration on
surface. Results to date are incomplete but have not been
particularly encouraging. The Los Hundidos structure has not
been exhaustively tested as yet particularly in depth but is
thought to be fairly deep in the epithermal profile.
Five RC holes were drilled between the proposed North (Rosario)
and South (076/108 clavos) pits at Palmarejo. The holes were
drilled to assess the potential for further resources along the
La Blanca structure that could connect the Rosario and 076
clavos and possibly reduce the waste tonnes in the shoulder
separating the two clavos. The first three holes were drilled
within an area of low grade inferred resource extrapolated at
the southern margin of the Rosario pit. All three holes yielded
high grade mineralisation over four to seven metres true width.
The fourth and fifth holes were drilled below the limit of the
inferred resource intersecting moderate widths of medium grade
mineralization between Rosario and the 076 clavo. These results
suggest ore grade material may exist between Rosario and 076
requiring further investigation to evaluate their significance.
Since exploration drilling began at the Palmarejo project in
November 2003, a total of 568 RC holes, 119 core holes and 86
core continuations of RC pre-collars were completed for 97,485
metres of RC and 36,801 metres of diamond core drilling.
Details of the location of drill holes and assay results have
been reported in full by Palmarejo and are included on
Palmarejos website.
Trogan
Exploration
In addition to the Palmarejo Project, four strongly mineralized
corridors have been identified in the Trogan license area as
follows:
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the Guadalupe-Las Animas trend;
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Todos Santos-La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia trend;
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the Guerra al Tirano trend; and
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the Los Hundidos trend.
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Drill rig availability has limited the ability to fully explore
each of these targets, with most activity to date having been
carried out at Guadalupe-Las Animas and Todos
Santos-La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia.
The Guadalupe project is located within the Trogan tenements,
approximately 7.0 kilometres southeast of the Palmarejo project.
The Guadalupe project is located on the greater than 2.5
kilometre-long Guadalupe fault system. Silver-gold
mineralization is hosted by northeast dipping quartz breccia
veins and an associated quartz stockwork envelope. There are
three main prospects located along the Guadalupe structure known
from north to south as Guadalupe Norte, Guadalupe and Las
Animas. A fourth prospect, El Salto, has been identified by
surface mapping as a link structure between Las Animas and
Guadalupe. El Salto has only been tested by near surface
drilling.
Three high grade clavos (G1, G2 and G3), defined by the 50 gram
metre AuEq accumulation contour, were recently identified
between Guadalupe and Guadalupe Norte. The top of the well
mineralized part of the epithermal profile occurs at 1,300
metres elevation, up to 300 metres below the surface at
Guadalupe Norte. The top of the profile is only 100 metres below
surface at Las Animas where the topographic surface is 100 to
200 metres lower than that at Guadalupe Norte. The clavos have
been drilled to the 1,100 metre level and remain open at depth.
176
Nine RC and three core holes have been drilled at Las Animas
since drilling resumed at this prospect in May 2007. Most of the
drilling has targeted the extension of the Las Animas clavo
southeast of the wide, high grade intercept (29.50 metres @ 2.98
g/t Au and 195 g/t Ag). Results from five holes all yielded
wide, significantly mineralized intervals across the main
Guadalupe vein and have expanded the Las Animas clavo down dip
and to the southeast.
Since exploration drilling began at the Guadalupe-Las Animas
project in June 2005, a total of 71 RC holes, and 84 diamond
core holes and 8 diamond core continuations have been drilled
for 15,821 RC metres and 29,545 diamond core metres.
Details of the location of drill holes and assay results have
been reported in full by Palmarejo and are included on
Palmarejos website.
The Guadalupe resource estimate (see below for details) is
currently being updated and results should be released shortly.
Todos
Santos-La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia
The La Patria to Maclovia structure (known as
La Patria) occupies 1.7 kilometres of a greater
than
4.0-kilometre
extent of the Todos Santos to Maclovia mineralized corridor and
is located 6.5 kilometres south-southeast of the Palmarejo
project and 4 kilometres southwest of the Guadalupe project.
Since exploration drilling began at the La Patria project
in early 2006, a total of 78 RC holes and 43 diamond core holes
have been drilled for 13,853 RC metres and 22,210 diamond core
metres.
The La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia drilling has been
completed for the time being. The diamond core drills which were
located on this structure were relocated to Guadalupe in June
2007 to allow Palmarejo to focus its efforts on extending and
infilling the Guadalupe resource.
An update to the January 2007 La Patria resource estimate
(see below for details) will commence following completion of
the new Guadalupe resource estimate, currently underway.
Details of the location of drill holes and assay results have
been reported in full by Palmarejo and are included on
Palmarejos website.
During the year, the Palmarejo resource estimate has been
updated and initial resource statements have been completed for
the Guadalupe-Las Animas project and the
La Patria-La Virginia-Maclovia section of the Todos
Santos to Maclovia mineralized corridor.
Palmarejo
Project Resource Update
In October 2006, Palmarejo announced an updated resource
estimate for the Palmarejo Project. The updated resource
estimate has a Measured and Indicated mineral resource of 0.97 M
oz (million ounces) of gold and 89.26 M oz of silver. Of the
total resource tonnes, 78.4% are now in the Measured and
Indicated categories. The inferred mineral resource contains
169,000 oz of gold and 17.93 M oz of silver. Drill results up to
and including PMDH632, completed in June 2006, are included in
this estimate. No further drilling has been completed at
Palmarejo since PMDH632.
PALMAREJO
RESOURCE STATEMENT OCTOBER 2006
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Tonnes
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AuEq
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AuEq
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Resource Category
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(Millions)
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Au (g/t)
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Ag (g/t)
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(g/t)
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Au(oz)
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Ag (Moz)
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(Moz)
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Measured
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5.4
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2.22
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200
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5.86
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384,000
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34.60
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1.01
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Indicated
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9.1
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2.00
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186
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5.38
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587,000
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54.66
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1.58
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Inferred
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4.0
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1.31
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138
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3.82
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169,000
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17.93
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0.50
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177
A 0.8 g/t AuEq cutoff has been applied to Palmarejo and only
those blocks with higher interpolated grade than this cutoff
have been included in the resource statement. Gold equivalent
grades and ounces were calculated using a gold to silver ratio
of 1:55 based on recent gold to silver ratios and projected
metallurgical recoveries. This updated resource estimate was
prepared in accordance with requirements of NI
43-101 by
Michael M. Gustin of Mine Development Associates
(MDA) (Reno, Nevada) who is a Registered Geologist
in the States of Utah and Washington and a Qualified Person by
Canadian NI
43-101
standards and by Kenneth M. Phillips, geologist of VOP Mining
Services Pty Ltd. and a Director of Palmarejo and of Bolnisi. An
updated technical report was prepared by MDA and filed with the
Canadian securities regulators in early December 2006.
The majority of assessments and studies required in connection
with Palmarejos work toward completion of a feasibility
study for the Palmarejo Project have been completed, including
assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal,
environmental, social and government factors. A mining plan and
schedule is being undertaken by MDA as part of a feasibility
study for the Palmarejo Project.
Guadalupe
Resource
In October 2006, Palmarejo also announced a first inferred
resource estimate for the Guadalupe Las Animas
mineralization. The Guadalupe resource is in the early stages of
definition with the bulk of the resource so far relating to the
upper silver-rich epithermal zone comparable in grade and
silver-gold ratio to the top one-third of the Palmarejo profile.
GUADALUPE
RESOURCE STATEMENT OCTOBER 2006
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Tonnes
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AuEq
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AuEq
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Resource Category
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(Millions)
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Au (g/t)
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Ag (g/t)
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(g/t)
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Au(Oz)
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Ag (Moz)
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(Moz)
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Inferred
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5.7
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0.83
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106
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2.76
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155,000
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19.57
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0.51
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A 0.8 g/t AuEq cutoff has been applied to Guadalupe above the
1,300 m elevation. A 3 g/t AuEq cutoff has been applied to
Guadalupe below the 1,300 m elevation to reflect the probable
necessity for underground access to mineralization below that
level. Only those blocks with higher interpolated grade than
this cutoff have been included in the resource statement above.
Gold equivalent grades and ounces are calculated using a gold to
silver ratio of 1:55 based on recent gold to silver ratios and
projected metallurgical recoveries. This resource estimate was
also prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI
43-101 by
Michael M. Gustin of MDA and by Kenneth M. Phillips. A technical
report was prepared by MDA and filed with the Canadian
securities regulators in early December 2006.
La Patria
Resource
In January 2007, Palmarejo announced La Patrias
initial inferred resource which is estimated to be 171,000
ounces of gold and 4.03 million ounces of silver, or
244,300 ounces of gold equivalent using a 0.8 g/t AuEq cutoff
and a gold to silver price ratio of 1:55.
LA PATRIA
RESOURCE STATEMENT JANUARY 2007
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Tonnes
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AuEq
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AuEq
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Resource Category
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(Millions)
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Au (g/t)
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Ag (g/t)
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(g/t)
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Au(Oz)
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Ag (Moz)
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(Moz)
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Inferred
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3.6
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1.49
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35
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2.13
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171,000
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4.03
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0.24
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This estimate is based on results from drill holes LPDH001 to
LPDH061 (excluding LPDH 060) and does not include the
remaining holes drilled in 2006 (LPDH060 and LPDH062 to LPDH074)
and in 2007 for which results were not available for inclusion
in this estimate. Some impressive down hole assay intercepts
were received from these remaining holes, which results have
been reported by Palmarejo in previous press releases and are
available on Palmarejos website.
This resource estimate was also prepared in accordance with the
requirements of NI
43-101 by
Michael M. Gustin of MDA and by Kenneth M. Phillips.
178
Palmarejo
Project Development
Engineering,
Procurement, Design and Construction Management
Steel tank erection work at the lower plant site was well
advanced by the end of June 2007 and concrete foundation work at
the upper plant site for the crushing plant has commenced. Upper
plant site earthwork continues; however, delays in the earthwork
have been experienced due to the slow progress of the
contractor. Work is ongoing to ensure that the work is completed.
Site work by the leach tank erection subcontractors was
temporarily suspended in June 2007 due to safety and quality
concerns. These issues are being addressed by the main
contractor to enable work to recommence at the required level of
safety and quality performance.
Site delivery of structural steel sections for the lower plant
and thickeners commenced.
The mill modification work in South Africa was successfully
completed. The cut and flanged sections (to enable
transportation of smaller mill shell sections to the site)
underwent a successful trial assembly and the shell sections are
ready for shipment to Mexico.
Infrastructure
The widening and the modification of the 100 kilometre section
of road between San Rafael and Palmarejo is well advanced
with just a few sections near Palmarejo to be completed. Long
term maintenance work and solutions for long term surface
stability are being evaluated.
An updated cost for the construction of the high-voltage power
line has been completed with the Mexican electricity commission.
The cost for the line is quoted at US$8.5 million, an
increase of US$1.0 million from the 2005 quote.
Construction work for the 18 megawatt diesel power station has
commenced and the generators are currently in Chihuahua.
Mining
Mine Development Associates in Reno, Nevada have completed most
elements of the mining study. Additional support work including
a follow-up
geotechnical review was complete as at June 30, 2007, to
enable a mining resource to be published.
Proposals for contract mining were received and these are being
reviewed in line with mine planning work in conjunction with
work being performed by Coeur and its consultants.
Power
Generation Agreement
In December 2006, Planet Gold reached an agreement with
Caterpillar Arrendadora Financiera, SA de CV
(Caterpillar), a Mexican subsidiary of the
Caterpillar Group, to provide on a turn-key basis, for the
supply, installation and lease financing of diesel generators
and high voltage equipment, which have the capacity to provide
the full power requirements for the Palmarejo Project processing
facility.
The power station consists of 8 generators, being 2 x 3 megawatt
generators and 6 x 2 megawatt generators, a transformer,
switching and control/synchronisation equipment allowing full
automated interfacing with the main power supply from the
Mexican electricity grid.
Caterpillar agreed to provide 80% of the US$6.9 million
power station value by-way of a
2-year lease
financing.
Mining
Equipment Agreement
In June 2007, Planet Gold entered into a US$30.6 million
finance lease agreement with Caterpillar for the supply of all
mining equipment and the mobile fleet required for the Palmarejo
project. Palmarejo is currently waiting for receipt of the
finance lease agreements to be executed by Caterpillar.
179
The Caterpillar finance lease represents 95% of the total cost
of equipment and extends for a period of 5 years. Palmarejo
has paid the 5% balance of the capital cost of the equipment and
delivery of some of the main components of the mining fleet,
including some of the 5 out of 11 haul trucks, two shovels,
bulldozers and drills, occurred in June 2007.
Permits
In 2006, the environmental permit for the Palmarejo Project was
approved by SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environmental and Natural
Resources, the Mexican Government environmental authority). The
permit approves mining activities for a 10 year period,
plus 3 years for reclamation, based on the Palmarejo
Project mine plan as submitted by Palmarejo to SEMARNAT. If
Palmarejos mine plan changes, Palmarejo can apply to
SEMARNAT for an extension of the environmental permit. An
application for extension of an existing operation is generally
viewed favourably and is less onerous than a new application.
This permit enabled Palmarejo to commence earthworks for plant
construction, and facilitated the commencement of infrastructure
(access road) upgrade and the mobilization of the process plant
and equipment for mine development.
A Pitex permit, for the importation of equipment, machinery and
consumables to produce a product that will be exported (silver
and gold) has also been received for the Palmarejo Project.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), there are no Mexican import duties on
equipment originating from the USA or Canada. A second permit,
known as Prosec, which provides preferential import duties for
equipment originating from non-NAFTA countries, has also been
received, thereby commercially facilitating the import of the
equipment which Palmarejo has already purchased in non-NAFTA
countries.
Surface
Use Agreements
In 2006, agreements were reached with all landowning communities
(ejidos) which are affected by Palmarejos
Palmarejo Project development plan. These agreements secure
surface use rights and a temporary occupation agreement over 958
hectares identified by Palmarejo as being required to facilitate
the development, construction and mining of the Palmarejo
silver-gold Project. Palmarejo has secured surface use and
temporary occupation rights for 15 years, with a right to
renew for a further 15 years, for annual payments totalling
US$46,000 (US$48 per hectare).
Other
Other studies and administrative requirements, including
metallurgical test work, geotechnical studies, securing change
of soil permits, have been completed, thereby facilitating the
development of the Palmarejo Project.
The technical information contained in this managements
discussion and analysis was reviewed by a competent person who
is a corporate member of the Australasian Institute of Mining
and Metallurgy. The competent person is Kenneth M. Phillips,
geologist of VOP Mining Services Pty Ltd who is also a director
of Bolnisi, Palmarejos majority shareholder.
Mr. Phillips is a qualified person under Canadian
Securities Administrators National Instrument
43-101.
The terms Measured, Indicated and
Inferred resources are used in this proxy statement
when discussing the Palmarejo Project. U.S. investors are
advised that while such terms are recognized and required by
Canadian regulations, the Securities and Exchange Commission
does not recognize them. Inferred Resources have a
great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to
their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that
all or any part of an inferred resource will ever be upgraded to
a higher category.
180
Selected
Consolidated Financial Information
(all amounts are in thousands of dollars except per share
data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Balance Sheet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and short-term investments
|
|
|
17,275,400
|
|
|
|
57,346,800
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
59,883,200
|
|
|
|
5,541,600
|
|
Exploration projects
|
|
|
47,979,900
|
|
|
|
31,248,400
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
129,674,300
|
|
|
|
104,350,700
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
104,061,100
|
|
|
|
103,097,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
1,805,500
|
|
|
|
700,300
|
|
|
|
73,300
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administration
|
|
|
1,311,000
|
|
|
|
1,101,400
|
|
|
|
266,900
|
|
Merger-related expenses
|
|
|
1,538,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
304,300
|
|
|
|
1,216,200
|
|
|
|
2,488,000
|
|
Share issuance and transaction costs in excess of cash acquired
at reverse takeover date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,624,400
|
|
Gain on foreign exchange
|
|
|
(813,500
|
)
|
|
|
(536,400
|
)
|
|
|
(41,300
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,340,500
|
|
|
|
1,781,200
|
|
|
|
4,338,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(535,000
|
)
|
|
|
(1,080,900
|
)
|
|
|
(4,264,700
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
|
(1,132,900
|
)
|
|
|
(468,500
|
)
|
|
|
(1,902,300
|
)
|
Investments in capital assets and exploration projects
|
|
|
(54,184,300
|
)
|
|
|
(25,093,200
|
)
|
|
|
(3,772,900
|
)
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
(1,684,400
|
)
|
|
|
79,254,100
|
|
|
|
8,559,800
|
|
Since its incorporation, Palmarejo has not paid any cash
dividends on its outstanding common shares. Any future dividend
payment will depend on Palmarejos financial needs to fund
its exploration programs and any other factor that the board may
deem necessary to consider. It is highly unlikely that any
dividends will be paid in the near future.
For the year ended June 30, 2007, Palmarejo incurred a net
loss of $535,000 or $0.01 per share compared to a net loss of
$1,080,900 or $0.01 per share in 2006. Higher interest income in
2007 combined with lower stock-based compensation costs and a
higher gain on foreign exchange were partially offset by higher
administrative expenses and by merger-related expenses.
The loss for the year ended June 30, 2006 compared
favourably to the net loss of $4,264,700 or $0.14 per share for
the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005. The loss for the comparative
period included expenses of $1,624,400 incurred as a result of
the March 21, 2005 Business Combination Transaction
(described under the
181
caption Acquisition of the Palmarejo Project) and stock-based
compensation costs of $2,488,000 related to the grant of
5,530,000 options in December 2004.
Interest income totaled $1,805,500 in 2007, compared to $700,300
in 2006 and to $73,300 during the initial
248-day
period. The increase from 2006 to 2007 and from 2005 to 2006 is
attributable to the significant increase in Palmarejos
cash and short-term investments position following the private
placement (for net proceeds of $71,362,000) completed in June
2006, which proceeds had been received in April 2006. This
private placement is more fully described in the section
entitled Liquidities and Capital Resources.
Administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2007
and 2006 and the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005 are summarized as follows (in
thousands of dollars):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Remuneration
|
|
|
512,200
|
|
|
|
462,200
|
|
|
|
118,700
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
183,000
|
|
|
|
128,600
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
Investor relations and travel
|
|
|
290,500
|
|
|
|
271,800
|
|
|
|
74,000
|
|
Stock exchange and transfer agent fees
|
|
|
92,000
|
|
|
|
77,700
|
|
|
|
7,400
|
|
Capital tax
|
|
|
45,700
|
|
|
|
51,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
Others
|
|
|
187,600
|
|
|
|
109,400
|
|
|
|
26,800
|
|
|
|
|
1,311,000
|
|
|
|
1,101,400
|
|
|
|
266,900
|
|
Expenses of $266,900 in the initial
248-day
period reflect the fact that activities of Palmarejo only
started once the Business Combination Transaction was completed
in March 2005.
Palmarejo incurred merger-related expenses of $1,538, 700 as at
June 30, 2007, which include legal, financial advisory and
accounting fees.
Stock-based compensation related to options granted in December
2004 and April and December 2005 to purchase common shares of
Palmarejo amounted to $304,300 for the year, $1,216,200 in 2006
and $2,488,000 for the initial
248-day
period. The contributed surplus was increased by the same
amount. At June 30, 2007 an amount of $26,200 related to
these stock options remains to be expensed.
The gain on foreign exchange for the year amounted to $813,500
compared to $536,400 in 2006 and to $41,300 for the initial
248-day
period in 2005 and resulted mostly from timing differences
between the date where investments denominated in US dollars
were made and the exchange rate with the Canadian dollar at
period-end, and from differences in rates between the beginning
and the end of the periods applied to monetary items denominated
in US dollars.
The following table presents revenues, net profit (loss) and
earnings (loss) per share for the last eight quarters:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Profit
|
|
|
Net profit
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
(loss)
|
|
|
(loss) per share
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
($000)
|
|
|
($000)
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
|
(322
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
March 31, 2007
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
|
(151
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2006
|
|
|
571
|
|
|
|
(546
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Sept 30, 2006
|
|
|
595
|
|
|
|
484
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
582
|
|
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
March 31, 2006
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
(340
|
)
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
Dec 31, 2005
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
(709
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Sept 30, 2005
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
182
During the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2007, Palmarejo
incurred a net loss of $322,000 compared to a net loss of
$92,000 during the corresponding period ended June 30,
2006. The increased loss during the fourth quarter of 2007 is
attributable to lower interest income and to merger-related
expenses, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation
costs and a higher gain on foreign exchange.
During the fourth quarter ended June 2007, Palmarejo invested a
total of $10,490,000 on its exploration projects compared to
$6,131,000 during the corresponding quarter in 2006.
Palmarejo received proceeds of $309,000 during the quarter ended
June 30, 2007 from the exercise of warrants and options,
compared to $457,000 in 2006. Palmarejo also made capital lease
repayments of $1,714,000 during the quarter ended June 30,
2007.
Liquidities
and Capital Resources
At June 30, 2007, the working capital amounted to
$5,116,000 compared to $67,059,000 at June 30, 2006. The
significant variation in the working capital position is
attributable to the investments made at the Palmarejo project
during the year ended June 30, 2007.
Palmarejos cash position stands at approximately
$8.5 million on August 23, 2007, of which an amount of
$6.9 million was invested in Canadian Asset-Backed
Commercial Paper (ABCP). The remaining
$1.6 million is held in cash.
Palmarejos portfolio of short-term investments meets the
criteria of its investment policy and was invested on the basis
of professional advice from a major financial institution.
Palmarejo invested $6.4 million in Apsley Trust E and
$0.5 million in Aurora Trust E. Each of these
instruments has matured, but following recent disruptions in
global credit markets, these maturities were not met and they
remain outstanding.
Palmarejos ABCP investments were all rated R1-High by the
Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) at the time they
were purchased. While the DBRS announced last week that the
investments are under review, the DBRS has rated the above
trusts and their underlying assets as R1-High.
A consortium representing banks, asset providers and major
investors have agreed in principle to take significant steps to
re-establish normal operations in the market for Canadian
asset-backed securities. These steps include all investors in
such ABCP issuers to exchange their holding in each issuer for
long-term note on an individual issuer and series basis. The
term of the note would match the term of the assets within that
ABCP issuer and series. Palmarejo continues to monitor these
developments.
Palmarejo is in the process of securing a temporary financing
with the National Bank of Canada in the amount of
$2.0 million. Such financing which would expire on
September 30, 2007 or at a date when the liquidity crisis
is resolved, would bear interest at the prime rate less 1.50%
and be secured by the investment accounts held at National Bank
Trust.
Palmarejo, together with its controlling shareholder, will
evaluate the various financing options to pursue exploration and
development and construction activities of the Palmarejo
Project. However, there can be no assurance that Palmarejo will
be successful in securing such financing, in the event that it
becomes necessary.
In order to maintain current its rights of tenure to certain
exploration tenements, Palmarejo is required to make the
following payments as specified by tenement licences. These
obligations, which total US $786,000 at June 30, 2007 are
payable within the next 12 months. At June 30, 2007,
Palmarejo also has purchase commitments in respect of
construction and development activities of $9,093,000 which
total amount will be settled within the next 12 months.
Fairview Gold Pty Limited (Fairview), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Bolnisi advanced a total amount of $17,682,000
during the year ended June 30, 2007 ($1,079,500 in 2006 and
a reimbursement of $545,000 during the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005). See Related Party Transactions
section below.
During the year, a total of 1,030,999 options were exercised for
cash proceeds of $1,194,500.
183
On April 19, 2006, Palmarejo completed a private placement
financing of 7,894,737 special warrants at a price of $9.50 per
special warrant for total gross proceeds of $75,000,000. On
June 19, 2006, each holder of special warrants received,
without further consideration, one common share and one-half
common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable
at a price of $12.50 at any time prior to October 19, 2007.
Net proceeds from this offering totalled $71,362,000.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, a total of 4,231,000
warrants issued pursuant to the financing of the Business
Combination Transaction were exercised (following
Palmarejos decision to call for their exercise) for total
cash proceeds of $6,347,000 (287,500 of such warrants were
exercised during the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005 for cash proceeds of $74,000).
The 6,500 unexercised financing warrants expired on
November 22, 2005.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, a total of 752,575
brokers warrants were exercised for cash proceeds of
$842,000 (224,925 brokers warrants were exercised in the
initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005 for cash proceeds of $216,000).
In November 2005, Bolnisi exercised its 12,500,000 warrants,
each warrant exercised for one common share of Palmarejo, at a
price of $1.00 per share. The proceeds were applied to reimburse
a portion of the loan from Fairview.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, a total of 685,002
options (5,000 during the initial
248-day
period) were exercised for cash proceeds of $704,000 ($5,000
during the initial
248-day
period).
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2007 and 2006, Palmarejo had no off-balance
sheet arrangements.
Related
Party Transactions
Fairview settles all exploration and project development
expenditures on behalf of Palmarejo. Periodically, Palmarejo
reimburses Fairview for such expenditures and on occasions,
Palmarejo will advance funds to Fairview in anticipation of such
exploration and development expenditures. At June 30, 2007,
Palmarejo had an amount due to Fairview of $9,259,000 (an amount
receivable from Fairview of $8,182,000 at June 30, 2006).
The loan to (from) Fairview is interest free and repayable on
demand. Also, an amount of $220,790 was charged during the year
($Nil in 2006 and 2005) by a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Fairview, for management services related to exploration and
development activities.
During the year, an amount of $460,400 ($522,000 during the year
ended June 30, 2006 and $203,900 during the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005) was charged by Reunion
Gold Corporation (a company under common management) for
management services, concluded in the normal course of business.
Palmarejo and Reunion Gold entered into a Management Services
Agreement on April 1, 2005 under which Reunion Gold agreed
to provide corporate-related services to Palmarejo to include,
without limitation, executive and management services,
financial, accounting, legal and corporate secretarial services.
Book
value of Mining Properties
At the end of each period, work performed on exploration
projects is reviewed to evaluate its potential. Following this
analysis, a write-down is recorded, if required. Palmarejo has
established that no write-down was required at June 30,
2007 and 2006.
Changes
in Accounting Policies
There were no changes made to accounting policies during the
years ended June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Palmarejos financial instruments consist of cash and cash
equivalents, short-term investments, sales taxes receivable,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities, amounts receivable
(due to) related parties and capital leases. The fair market
value of these instruments approximates their carrying value.
184
Common Shares and convertible securities outstanding at
August 23, 2007 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Common shares
|
|
|
n / a
|
|
|
|
n / a
|
|
|
|
91,876,738
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
October 19, 2007
|
|
|
|
$12.50
|
|
|
|
3,947,368
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Up to December 2010
|
|
|
|
$1.00 to $3.90
|
|
|
|
3,424,000
|
|
If all warrants and options were exercised, total shares
outstanding would be 99,248,106 shares. As at
August 23, 2007, Bolnisi owns 66,855,237 common shares,
representing 72.8% of the total number of issued and outstanding
common shares of Palmarejo. Bolnisi also holds 1,052,618
warrants acquired from their participation in the June 2006
private placement.
Disclosure
Controls and Internal Controls over Financial
Reporting
Palmarejos Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer (the Certifying Officers) are responsible
for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures ( the Procedures) which provide
reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed
by Palmarejo under the various Canadian securities legislation
(the Required Filings) is reported within the time
periods specified.
The Certifying Officers have evaluated the effectiveness of
Palmarejos Procedures and have concluded that the
Procedures in place as of the end of the period covered by the
Required Filings are effective in providing reasonable assurance
that material information relating to Palmarejo is accumulated
and communicated to management and reported within the time
periods specified.
Palmarejos Certifying Officers are also responsible for
establishing internal controls over financial reporting
(ICFR) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
There was no material change in Palmarejos ICFR during the
period from April 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007.
Exploration
and mine development risks
Resource exploration, development, and operations are highly
speculative, characterized by a number of significant risks,
which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and
knowledge may not eliminate. Palmarejos actual exploration
results may be very different from those currently expected. The
future profitability of Palmarejo depends on the successful
exploration and development of the Palmarejo Project. There is
no assurance that additional resources, or probable or proven
reserves will be defined at the Palmarejo Project. The
successful exploration and development of the Palmarejo Project
will depend on such factors as the successful completion of a
feasibility study, substantial additional financing to pursue
its exploration and development programs, unpredictable
fluctuations in the price of silver and gold and currency
exchange rates and the additional risks and information
described in detail in Palmarejos Annual Information Form.
Palmarejo seeks to minimize these risks through: a) careful
planning, construction and operation of its facilities;
b) the hiring of competent personnel and development of
their skills through training programs; c) conducting
independent audits and reviews; and d) transferring some
risks through purchase of insurance (if economically feasible
and coverage availability).
Financial
risk
Palmarejo has no history of earnings. Palmarejos prospect
is in the exploration stage only. Palmarejo does not expect to
receive revenues from operations in the foreseeable future, if
at all. Palmarejo expects to incur losses until such time as its
prospect or any other properties Palmarejo may acquire enter
into commercial production and generate sufficient revenues to
fund its continuing operations. Given the nature of capital
market demand for
185
speculative investment opportunities, there is no assurance that
additional financing will be available in the appropriate amount
when required.
Foreign
exchange risk
Some of Palmarejos expenditures are in US dollars, Mexican
pesos or Australian dollars. Movement in the Canadian dollar
against these currencies therefore has a direct impact on
Palmarejos cost base. Palmarejo does not use derivative
instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign exchange risks.
Risk
on uncertainty of title
Although Palmarejo has taken steps to verify title to the
mineral properties in which it has an interest, in accordance
with industry standards for the current stage of exploration of
such properties, these procedures do not guarantee
Palmarejos title. Property title may be subject to
unregistered prior agreements and non-compliance with regulatory
requirements.
Environmental
risk
Palmarejo is subject to various environmental incidents that can
occur during exploration work. Palmarejo maintains an
environmental management system including operational plans and
practices.
Political
Stability and Government Regulation risks
The operations of Palmarejo are currently conducted in Mexico
and, as such, the operations of Palmarejo are exposed to various
levels of political, economic and other risks and uncertainties.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, high rates of
inflation, labor unrest, war or civil unrest, expropriation and
nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing
concessions, permits and contracts, illegal mining, changes in
taxation policies, restrictions on foreign exchange and
repatriation and changing political conditions.
Gold
and Silver Price Volatility
The market price of Palmarejos common shares, its
financial results and its exploration, development and mining
activities may in the future be significantly and adversely
affected by declines in the price of gold and silver. Gold and
silver prices are volatile, can fluctuate widely and are
affected by numerous factors beyond the control of Palmarejo
such as industrial and jewellery demand, forward sales by
producers, the sale or purchase of gold and silver by central
banks and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange
rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the
United States dollar and other foreign currencies, and global or
regional political and economic conditions.
The price of gold and silver has fluctuated widely in the past
and future price declines in the market value of gold and silver
could cause continued exploration, development of and commercial
production from Palmarejos properties to be impracticable.
Competition
and Agreements with Other Parties
The mining industry is intensely competitive in all of its
phases, and Palmarejo competes with many companies possessing
greater financial resources and technical facilities than
itself. Competition in the precious metals mining industry is
primarily for mineral rich properties which can be developed and
can produce economically. Such competition may result in
Palmarejo being unable to acquire desired properties, to recruit
or retain qualified employees or to acquire the capital
necessary to develop its properties. Palmarejos inability
to compete with other mining companies for these resources would
have a material adverse effect on Palmarejos results of
operation and business.
186
Conflicts
of Interest
Certain directors of Palmarejo are also directors, officers or
shareholders of other natural resource companies. Situations may
arise where the directors of Palmarejo may be in competition
with Palmarejo. Any conflicts of interest will be subject to and
governed by the law applicable to directors conflicts of
interest. In the event that such a conflict of interest arises
at a meeting of Palmarejos directors, a director who has
such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the
approval of such participation or such terms. In accordance with
applicable laws, the directors and officers of Palmarejo are
required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best
interests of Palmarejo. In determining whether or not Palmarejo
will participate in a particular program and the interest
therein to be acquired by it, the directors will primarily
consider the degree of risk to which Palmarejo may be exposed
and its financial position at that time.
For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors,
reference is made to Palmarejos most recent Annual
Information Form on file with the Canadian regulatory
authorities and available on Sedar (www.sedar.com).
Forward
Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this MD&A may contain
forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not
historical facts and are subject to a number of known and
unknown risks and uncertainties beyond Palmarejos control.
Uncertainties relate to raising sufficient financing to fund the
planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; the
possibility that required permits may not be obtained in a
timely manner or at all; changes in planned work resulting from
weather, logistical, technical or other factors; potential
resources, exploration results, costs and supply of material
relevant to the mining industry; and future plans and objectives
of Palmarejo. These statements may cause the actual results,
levels of activity, performance or achievement of Palmarejo to
be materially different from any future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievement expressed or implied by
these forward looking statements.
Statements relating to the effects and impacts of the market
disruption are forward-looking information within the meaning of
Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are
subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual events or results to differ materially from those
reflected in the forward looking statements, including, ABCP
market conditions, additional defaults under ABCP, the ability
of ABCP funds to obtain funding from liquidity facilities
supporting the ABCP, and other risks and uncertainties,
including those described in this MD&A.
Additional
Information and Continuous Disclosure
This MD&A has been prepared as at August 23,
2007. Additional information on Palmarejo is
available through regular filings of press releases and
financial statements on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on
Palmarejos web site (www.palmarejogold.com).
Palmarejo is not aware of any legal proceedings, existing or
contemplated, to which it is a party or of which its property is
the subject.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
Palmarejos current executive officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions with Palmarejo
|
|
Since
|
|
James Crombie
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
Alain Krushnisky, CA
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
December 2005
|
|
Carole Plante
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
James Crombie has been President and Chief Executive
Officer of Palmarejo since March 2005. Mr. Crombie has
served as a director since January 2005.
Alain Krushnisky has been Chief Financial Officer of
Palmarejo since December 2005.
187
Carole Plante has been Legal Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of Palmarejo since March 2005.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
Palmarejos current directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions with Palmarejo
|
|
Since
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
David A. Fennell
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
January 2005
|
|
D. Bruce McLeod
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
January 2005
|
|
Peter Nightingale
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
Anthony P. Walsh
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
March 2005
|
|
James Crombie
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
January 2005
|
|
Biographies
of Palmarejo Directors
Norman
A. Seckold
Mr. Seckold resides in Linley Point, New South Wales,
Australia. He has been a director since March 2005 and is
currently Chairman of the Board. Mr. Seckold serves on the
Environmental and Health and Safety Committee. During the past
five years, Mr. Seckold has also served as Chairman of
Bolnisi and director of Kings Minerals NL, Cockatoo Coal Limited
and Planet Gas Limited, all of which are listed on the ASX.
David
A. Fennell
Mr. Fennell resides in Nassau, Bahamas. He has been a
director since January 2005. Mr. Fennell serves as Chairman
of the Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee, and of
the Environmental and Health and Safety Committee. Since May
2002, Mr. Fennell has served as the Executive Vice-Chairman
of Miramar Mining Corporation (Miramar), a
corporation listed on the TSX and (since March 2004) Chairman of
Reunion Gold Corporation (Reunion Gold), a
corporation listed on TSXV. He is also a director of the
following TSX listed company: Major Drilling Group International
Ltd. and the following TSXV listed companies: Queensland
Minerals Ltd. and Maximus Ventures Ltd.
D.
Bruce McLeod
Mr. McLeod resides in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He
has been a director since January 2005, and also serves on the
Audit Committee. Mr. McLeod serves as a Principal of the
Northair Group, a group of associated public companies providing
management and technical services to exploration and development
companies. He is also Senior Officer and Director of the
following listed mining companies: Sherwood, Troon Ventures
Ltd., Stornoway Diamond Corporation (Stornoway),
International Northair Mines Ltd., Tenajon Resources Corp., New
Dimension Resources Ltd., Reunion Gold, and Full Metal Minerals
Ltd.
Peter
Nightingale
Mr. Nightingale graduated with a Bachelor of Economics
degree from the University of Sydney and is a member of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. He has worked
as a chartered accountant in both Australia and the USA.
Mr. Nightingale has, for the past 21 years, been a
director or company secretary of a number of private and
publicly listed companies in Australia, the USA and Europe.
Mr. Nightingale has been responsible for the financial
control, administration, secretarial and in-house legal
functions of these companies. He is currently a director or
company secretary of Biotron Limited, Cockatoo Coal Limited, IMD
Group Limited, Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation and Planet
Gas Limited.
188
Dudley
R. Leitch
Mr. Leitch resides in MacGregor Queensland, Australia. He
has been a director since March 2005 and also serves on the
Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee. Mr. Leitch
is also a director of Bolnisi and King Minerals NL, a mining
company listed on the ASX.
Kenneth
M. Phillips
Mr. Phillips resides in Mosman, New South Wales, Australia.
He has been a director since March 2005 and also serves on the
Environmental and Health and Safety Committee. Mr. Phillips
has served as Managing Director of VOP Mining Services Pty Ltd.
for the past ten years, as well as a director of Bolnisi and
V-Fund Investment Ltd. (V-Fund, a private
Canadian company).
Anthony
Walsh
Mr. Walsh resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Mr. Walsh joined Miramar Mining Corporation in 1995 first
serving as Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
He now acts as President, CEO and director of Miramar.
Mr. Walsh has been involved in the mining business for over
17 years. Prior to joining Miramar, he was the
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Finance of
International Corona Mines Ltd., a major North American
gold producer, from 1989 to 1992. From 1985 - 1989, he was
Vice President, Finance of International Corona Mines Ltd.
Mr. Walsh is a Chartered Accountant and has held various
positions at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells for
12 years.
James
Crombie
Mr. Crombie resides in Nassau, Bahamas. Mr. Crombie
has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
of Palmarejo since January 2005. He also acts as President,
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Reunion Gold since
March 2004. He is also the Chief Executive Officer, Executive
Vice-Chairman and a Director of Queensland Minerals Ltd.
Mr. Crombie is a mining engineer who earned a Bachelor of
Science Degree, with Honours, from the Royal School of Mines,
Imperial College, University of London in 1980. Mr. Crombie
was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ariane Gold
Corp., from May 2001 to November 2003 and was the Vice President
of Corporate Development for Hope Bay Gold Corporations Inc.
from March 1998 through May 2001. Prior to that,
Mr. Crombie was a Mining Analyst/Corporate Finance Director
with Yorkton Securities Inc. at its London office in the United
Kingdom from September 1991 to March 1999. Mr. Crombie is
also a director of Sherwood Copper Corporation and Arian Silver
Corporation.
The following table sets forth the annual and long-term
compensation for services in all capacities to Palmarejo or its
subsidiaries paid to, or earned by, the President and Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Palmarejo
during the three most recently completed financial years. No
other executive officer of Palmarejo had a total compensation
exceeding $150,000 during the most recently completed financial
year. The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer are herein collectively referred to the
Named Executive Officers or the NEO.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Option
|
|
Plan
|
|
Compensation
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Awards
|
|
Awards
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
James Crombie,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
141,118
|
(1)
|
|
|
27,965
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169,083
|
|
President & Chief
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
145,782
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
145,782
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
36,671
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
789,838
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
826,509
|
|
Alain Krushnisky,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
61,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,625
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
29,688
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
356,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
385,713
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
189
|
|
Note: |
There are no long-term compensation programs other than the
grant of options pursuant to Palmarejos Stock Option Plan.
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Paid to Reunion Gold Corporation pursuant to a management
services agreement. The amount paid in 2005 is for the period
from March 21, 2005 to June 30, 2005. See
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions for
more information. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Krushnisky was appointed Chief Financial Officer of
Palmarejo on December 8, 2005. He received this amount
under the terms of a consulting agreement with Palmarejo for
services rendered from December 8, 2005 to June 30,
2006. |
Long
Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Awards
Palmarejo does not have a LTIP. No LTIP award was paid to the
Named Executive Officers during the most recently completed
financial year.
Stock
Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth information concerning the
aggregated option exercises during the year ended July 30,
2007 by the Named Executive Officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards*
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired
|
|
Value Realized
|
|
Shares Acquired
|
|
Value Realized
|
Name
|
|
on Exercise (#)
|
|
on Exercise ($)
|
|
on Vesting (#)
|
|
on Vesting (#)
|
|
James Crombie,
President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
1,618,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alain Krushnisky,
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
370,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
At fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, Mr. Crombie had
1,050,000 exercisable options and 0 unexercisable options.
Mr. Krushnisky had 60,000 exercisable options and 50,000
unexercisable options. |
Termination
of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment
Contracts
Palmarejo has no employment agreements with its executive
officers.
Mr. Crombie is President and CEO of Palmarejo and of
Reunion Gold Corporation (Reunion Gold). He has an
employment agreement with Reunion Gold. Half of his salary and
benefits are charged to Palmarejo pursuant to a management
services agreement (the MSA) with Reunion Gold (see
Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions). Reunion Gold agreed to provide services to
Palmarejo such as executive and management services, financial
and accounting services, legal services, corporate secretarial
services and corporate income tax matters. In the event of a
change of control of Palmarejo, Reunion Gold may, at its sole
discretion, elect to terminate the MSA, in which case Palmarejo
will have to pay to Reunion Gold, for the benefit of
Mr. Crombie, an amount equal to his annual salary at the
time of the Change of Control. If, when the Change of Control
occurs, Mr. Crombie holds options to purchase common shares
of Palmarejo under Palmarejos Stock Option Plan, all such
options so held shall, notwithstanding the terms of the Stock
Option Plan or any other agreement relating to such options but
subject to any required regulatory or shareholder approvals,
(i) immediately vest to the extent that they have not
already vested at such date and (ii) remain exercisable
until their original expiry date under the same terms and
conditions.
Mr. Krushnisky entered into a consulting agreement with
Palmarejo on December 5, 2005. Under the agreement,
Mr. Krushnisky agreed to act as Chief Financial Officer of
Palmarejo and to manage all accounting, financial reporting,
financial planning and internal control matters of Palmarejo.
Mr. Krushnisky invoices Palmarejo based on the number of
hours actually worked. The agreement can be terminated by either
party with a prior written notice of 90 days. It can also
be terminated by Palmarejo for cause. If, when the Change of
Control occurs, Mr. Krushnisky holds options to purchase
common shares of Palmarejo under Palmarejos Stock Option
190
Plan, all such options so held shall, notwithstanding the terms
of the Stock Option Plan or any other agreement relating to such
options but subject to any required regulatory or shareholder
approvals, (i) immediately vest to the extent that they
have not already vested at such date and (ii) remain
exercisable until their original expiry date under the same
terms and conditions.
Compensation
of Directors
During the financial year ended June 30, 2007, non-employee
directors received an annual retainer fee of US $6,000. In
addition, each director chairing a committee of the Board
received US $1,500. The Chairman of the Board received an
additional fee of US $3,000. Palmarejo reimbursed directors for
out-of-pocket expenses related to their attendance to meetings.
Non-employee directors are entitled to participate in the Option
Plan. No options were granted to non-employee directors during
the financial year ended June 30, 2007.
Options to purchase 100,000 common shares of Palmarejo were
exercised by the non-employee directors during the financial
year ended June 30, 2007.
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information, as of
August 28, 2007, concerning the beneficial ownership of
Palmarejo common shares by each of the directors, each of the
executive officers, and by all of Palmarejos directors and
executive officers as a group. Other than as set forth below, no
shareholder is known by Palmarejo to be the beneficial owner of
more than 5% of Palmarejos outstanding shares of common
stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially
|
|
|
Percent of
|
|
|
|
Owned(1)
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Bolnisi Gold NL, Sydney, Australia
|
|
|
66,855,237
|
|
|
|
72.8
|
%
|
James A. Crombie
|
|
|
1,562,500
|
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
David A. Fennell
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Bruce McLeod
|
|
|
220,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Norman Seckold
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Anthony P. Walsh
|
|
|
207,500
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Alain Krushnisky
|
|
|
61,800
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Carole Plante
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)
|
|
|
4,312,800
|
|
|
|
4.54
|
%
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
Holding constitutes less than 1% of the outstanding shares. |
|
(1) |
|
Includes the number of shares that could be purchased by
exercise of options available within 60 days of
August 28, 2007. |
Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Certain directors of Palmarejo are also directors, officers or
shareholders of other natural resource companies. Situations may
arise where the directors of Palmarejo may be in competition
with Palmarejo. Any conflicts of interest will be subject to and
governed by the law applicable to directors conflicts of
interest. In the event that such a conflict of interest arises
at a meeting of Palmarejos directors, a director who has
such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the
approval of such participation or such terms. In accordance with
applicable laws, the directors and officers of Palmarejo are
required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best
interests of Palmarejo. In determining whether or not Palmarejo
will participate in a particular program and the interest
therein to be
191
acquired by it, the directors will primarily consider the degree
of risk to which Palmarejo may be exposed and its financial
position at that time.
Messrs. Crombie (the President, Chief Executive Officer and
a director), Fennell (a director), and McLeod (a director) while
serving as officers
and/or
directors of Palmarejo also serve, in the case of
Messrs. Crombie (as President and Chief Executive Officer),
Fennell (as Chair) and McLeod (as director) of Reunion Gold.
Mr. Krushnisky (Chief Financial Officer) and
Ms. Plante (Corporate Secretary) also serve, respectively,
as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Reunion
Gold. Reunion Gold and Palmarejo have entered into the
Management Services Agreement, which is more fully described
above See Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
Related Party Transactions. During the period ended
June 30, 2007, an amount of $460,400 was charged by Reunion
Gold for management services, concluded in the normal course of
business. Palmarejo and Reunion Gold entered into a Management
Services Agreement on April 1, 2005 under which Reunion
Gold agreed to provide corporate-related services to Palmarejo
to include, without limitation, executive and management
services, financial, accounting, legal and corporate secretarial
services.
Fairview settles all exploration and project development
expenditures on behalf of Palmarejo. Periodically, Palmarejo
reimburses Fairview for such expenditures and on occasions,
Palmarejo will advance funds to Fairview in anticipation of such
exploration and development expenditures. At June 30, 2007,
Palmarejo had an amount due to Fairview of $9,259,000 (an amount
receivable from Fairview of $8,182,000 at June 30, 2006).
The loan to (from) Fairview is interest free and repayable on
demand. Also, an amount of $220,790 was charged during the year
ended June 30, 2007 ($0 in 2006 and 2005) by a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairview, for management services
related to exploration and development activities.
Information
Concerning the Combined Company
After the consummation of the Transactions, Coeur will continue
to remain focused on its principal objective of remaining the
worlds leading primary silver production company by
pursuing a strategy of long-term, cash flow generating growth.
The primary components of Coeurs strategy and goals
include:
(i) Increasing Coeurs silver and gold production by
commencing production at its 100%-owned San Bartolome
silver mine located in Bolivia, currently scheduled in early
2008, completing construction and beginning production of silver
and gold at the Palmarejo Project, and placing Coeurs
Kensington gold mine located in Alaska into production, assuming
satisfactory resolution of the tailings disposal matter;
(ii) Remaining committed to funding exploration at its
existing operations, including the Palmarejo Project with goals
of increasing resources and reserves in a cost-effective manner
and extending the expected mine life at Coeurs mines;
(iii) Leveraging management and production expertise to
decrease cash costs at its existing operations;
(iv) Acquiring operating mines, mineral interests,
exploration
and/or
development properties that are intended to reduce Coeurs
overall cash production costs per ounce of silver, provide
near-term positive cash flow returns and/or increase
Coeurs silver production base and silver reserves and
resources.
We expect the Palmarejo Project to contribute significantly to
Coeurs future growth and the Transactions are expected to
result in a significant increase in Coeurs overall silver
and gold production profile. Once in production, which Coeur
expects to commence in the first quarter of 2009, the Palmarejo
Project is expected to be Coeurs largest and lowest-cost
silver mine and generate the majority of Coeurs cash flow.
Geographically, Mexico will become a leading contributor to
Coeurs overall silver and gold mineralized material. In
the future, Coeur intends to focus on leveraging this
newly-created platform to pursue other growth opportunities in
Mexico, which is the worlds second largest silver
producing country.
Coeur has had an
on-site
presence in Chihuahua, Mexico and at the Palmarejo Project since
May. During the second quarter of this year, Coeur, Palmarejo
and Bolnisi announced the formation of a Project Development
Committee, which will remain responsible for the daily
management of the Palmarejo Project until the completion
192
of the proposed transactions. During this time, the Project
Development Committee is focused on the development of the mine,
specifically the Rosario deposit, using open pit methods, as
well as overall construction of the surface facilities and other
management responsibilities in the areas of health, safety,
environment, community relations,
on-site
accommodations, and earthworks. Coeur believes that its project
development and underground and open-pit mining expertise will
allow for the Palmarejo Project to be built and operated in the
most optimal and efficient fashion, which will benefit
shareholders of the combined company.
As outlined in Palmarejos NI
43-101
Technical Report dated
August 20th,
2007 filed on SEDAR, the current estimated capital costs to
bring the Palmarejo Project into production is approximately
US$200 million. This estimate, as well as the more detailed
cost estimates presented in the table below, do not reflect the
impact of any costs or delays related to remediation actions for
the recently identified settlement and subsidence issues
discussed under Risk FactorsRisks Relating to the
Businesses of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the Combined
CompanyRecently discovered settlement and subsidence
issues at the Palmarejo Project may increase development costs
and delay the start of production above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Life of Mine
|
|
Item
|
|
$000s
|
|
|
$000s
|
|
|
$000s
|
|
|
Process and Ancillary Facilities
|
|
$
|
43,400
|
|
|
$
|
23,600
|
|
|
$
|
67,000
|
|
Water Supply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tailings Dam
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
32,000
|
|
Environmental Dam and Diversions
|
|
|
1,600
|
|
|
|
6,400
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
Workforce Camp
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
|
|
4,800
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
Line Power
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
Power Station and Distribution Owners Costs
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
Open Pit Mine Capital Costs
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
19,700
|
|
|
|
25,700
|
|
Underground Mine Capital Costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,890
|
|
|
|
61,000
|
|
Contingency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
$
|
66,200
|
|
|
$
|
136,390
|
|
|
$
|
253,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative Totals
|
|
$
|
66,200
|
|
|
$
|
202,590
|
|
|
$
|
253,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coeur and Palmarejo filed a NI
43-101
Updated and Amended Technical Report dated August 30, 2007
on SEDAR, which provides details of a scoping study completed by
Coeur that assumes mining at the Palmarejo Project takes place
by both open pit and underground mining methods.
During the initial five years of operations, production is
expected to average approximately 10.4 million ounces of
recovered silver and 115,000 ounces of recovered gold with
average cash operating costs of negative $0.41 per ounce of
silver after gold by-product credits (assuming a $550 per ounce
gold price).
When combined with projected 2009 production estimates from
Coeurs other operations of 17.7 million ounces of
silver and 83,000 ounces of gold, Coeur expects the combined
companys 2009 silver production to reach nearly
29 million ounces, making it the worlds largest
primary silver producer. Coeur also expects the combined company
to produce nearly 200,000 ounces of gold in 2009. Based on these
expected production rates from the Palmarejo Project, Coeur
anticipates the combined companys silver and gold
production levels to increase 142% and 65%, respectively.
In addition, once the Palmarejo Project commences production,
Coeur believes the combined company will be the lowest-cost
primary silver producer. As the following chart illustrates,
Coeur expects to reduce its companywide cash costs by over 50%
from over $3.50 per ounce of silver to less than $1.75 per ounce
of silver due to the low-cost nature of the production from the
Palmarejo Project.
193
The Palmarejo Projects estimated silver and gold
mineralized material are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contained Ounces
|
|
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
|
Au (g/t)
|
|
|
Ag (g/t)
|
|
|
Gold
|
|
|
Silver
|
|
|
Palmarejo(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured Resources
|
|
|
5,100,000
|
|
|
|
2.22
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
367,000
|
|
|
|
32,520,000
|
|
Indicated Resources
|
|
|
8,800,000
|
|
|
|
2.01
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
571,000
|
|
|
|
52,390,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
13,900,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
938,000
|
|
|
|
84,910,000
|
|
Inferred Resources
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
203,000
|
|
|
|
17,930,000
|
|
Guadalupe(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated Resources
|
|
|
710,000
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
|
|
|
166
|
|
|
|
49,000
|
|
|
|
3,790,000
|
|
Inferred Resources
|
|
|
8,000,000
|
|
|
|
1.34
|
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
|
345,000
|
|
|
|
35,120,000
|
|
La Patria(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inferred Resources
|
|
|
3,600,000
|
|
|
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
171,000
|
|
|
|
4,030,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
0.8 g/t Au equivalent cut-off applied from surface to
150m depth and 2.5 g/t Au equivalent below 150m from
surface. Source: Updated Technical Report dated
September 17, 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
0.8 g/t Au equivalent cut-off applied from surface to
150m depth and 2.5 g/t Au equivalent below 150m from
surface. Source: Updated Technical Report dated
September 17, 2007. |
|
(3) |
|
0.8 g/t Au equivalent cut-off. Source: Updated Technical Report
dated September 17, 2007. |
|
(4) |
|
An equivalent/tonne = Au grade + Ag grade / 55. Gold equivalent
grades are calculated using a gold to silver ratio of 1:55,
based on a review of historic gold and silver price ratios as
well as projected metallurgical recoveries. |
Subsequent to the closing of the Transactions, Coeur intends to
embark on a strategy with the goals of (i) converting
ounces of mineralized material into proven and probable
reserves; and (ii) continuing to grow the size of the
overall Palmarejo Project through ongoing exploration drilling
in several areas contained within the overall concession.
The existing officers and directors of Coeur will continue to
serve as such after the consummation of the transactions. Coeur
anticipates merging any Australian-related administrative
functions required by this transaction into its existing
Australian office and infrastructure. Coeur plans to integrate
all Canadian functions into its existing headquarters in Coeur
dAlene, Idaho or into the infrastructure being developed
on-site in
Mexico. Coeur expects to retain several employees currently
working
on-site at
the Palmarejo project. The individuals are primarily exploration
geologists.
Description
of Coeur Capital Stock
The following description of the terms of the capital stock of
Coeur is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference
to Coeurs restated and amended articles of incorporation
and the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 11, 1999, between
Coeur and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as rights
agent.
Common
Stock
Coeur is authorized to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $1.00 per share. Coeurs common
stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
CDE, and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol CRM. As of October 15, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
278,465,840 shares were outstanding and
1,059,211 shares were held as treasury stock;
|
|
|
|
23,684,211 shares were reserved for issuance upon the
conversion of Coeurs $180 million principal amount of
outstanding 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024;
|
194
|
|
|
|
|
5,780,157 shares of common stock reserved for issuance
under Coeurs 2003 LTIP,
|
|
|
|
559,177 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
Coeurs 1989 LTIP,
|
|
|
|
369,486 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
Coeurs 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive
Plan, and
|
|
|
|
465,787 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
Coeurs prior Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan.
|
The holders of Coeurs common stock are entitled to one
vote for each share held of record on each matter submitted to a
vote of shareholders. Holders may not cumulate their votes in
elections of directors. Subject to preferences that may be
applicable to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the
time, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably
such dividends as may be declared by the Coeur Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefor and, in the
event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, are
entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment
of liabilities. Holders of common stock have no preemptive
rights and have no rights to convert their common stock into any
other security. The outstanding common stock is fully-paid and
non-assessable.
Coeurs restated and amended articles of incorporation
include in effect a fair price provision, applicable to some
business combination transactions in which we may be involved.
The provision requires that an interested shareholder (defined
to mean a beneficial holder of 10% or more of Coeurs
outstanding shares of common stock) not engage in specified
transactions (e.g., mergers, sales of assets, dissolution and
liquidation) unless one of three conditions is met:
|
|
|
|
|
a majority of the directors who are unaffiliated with the
interested shareholder and were directors before the interested
shareholder became an interested shareholder approve the
transaction;
|
|
|
|
holders of 80% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock
approve the transaction; or
|
|
|
|
the shareholders are all paid a fair price, i.e.,
generally the higher of the fair market value of the shares or
the same price as the price paid to shareholders in the
transaction in which the interested shareholder acquired its
block.
|
By discouraging some types of hostile takeover bids, the fair
price provision may tend to insulate Coeurs current
management against the possibility of removal. We are not aware
of any person or entity proposing or contemplating such a
transaction.
Preferred
Stock
Coeur is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, no shares of which
are outstanding. Coeurs Board of Directors has the
authority to determine the dividend rights, dividend rates,
conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption
and liquidation preferences, redemption prices, sinking fund
terms on any series of preferred stock, the number of shares
constituting any such series and the designation thereof.
Holders of preferred stock have no preemptive rights. Coeur
reserves for issuance a sufficient number of Series B
Preferred Stock for operation of its rights plan, as described
below.
On May 11, 1999, the Board of Directors of Coeur declared a
dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of
our common stock. Each right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from Coeur one one-hundredth of a share of
Series B Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $100 in
cash, subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the
rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of
May 11, 1999, between us and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as rights agent. The rights are not
exercisable or detachable from the common stock until ten days
after any person or group acquires 20% or more (or commences a
tender offer for 30% or more) of Coeur common stock. If any
person or group acquires 30% or more of Coeurs common
stock or acquires Coeur in a merger or other business
combination, each right (other than those held by the acquiring
person) will entitle the holder to purchase preferred stock of
Coeur or common stock of the acquiring company having a market
value of approximately two times the $100 exercise price. The
rights expire on May 24, 2009, and can be
195
redeemed by Coeur at any time prior to their becoming
exercisable. Shares of common stock issued prior to the
expiration date of the rights upon conversion of Coeurs
debentures will be accompanied by rights.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for Coeur common stock is
Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C., Jersey City, N.J.
Coeur
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends
Shares of Coeur common stock are listed and traded on the NYSE
under the symbol CDE, and on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol CDM. The following table
shows, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sale
prices per share on the NYSE for Coeur common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 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
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 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
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
4.80
|
|
|
|
3.95
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
3.46
|
|
|
|
4.43
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
|
|
2.98
|
|
On October 18, 2007, the last trading day for which
information was available prior to the date of this proxy
statement, the high and low sale prices for Coeur common stock
as reported on the NYSE were $3.80 and $3.73 per share,
respectively, and the closing sale price on that date was $3.77.
Coeurs shareholders should obtain a current market
quotation for Coeur common stock before making any decision with
respect to the shareholder proposals. On October 12, 2007,
there were approximately 4,582 holders of record of Coeur
common stock.
Coeur does not plan to pay any cash dividends on its common
stock in the foreseeable future. Loan covenants contained in
Coeurs senior notes indenture limits Coeurs ability
to pay dividends on its common stock. In addition, under the
merger implementation agreements, Coeur has agreed not to pay
any dividends on its common stock before the closing of the
Transactions.
196
Bolnisi
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends
Shares of Bolnisi ordinary shares are listed and traded on the
ASX under the symbol BSG. The following table shows,
for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sale prices
in Australian Dollars per share on the ASX for BSG ordinary
shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
0.64
|
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
|
|
0.59
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
2.60
|
|
|
|
1.38
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
2.96
|
|
|
|
2.02
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
3.43
|
|
|
|
2.36
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
2.51
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
3.31
|
|
|
|
2.55
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
3.10
|
|
|
|
2.41
|
|
On October 18, 2007, the last trading day for which
information was available prior to the date of this proxy
statement, the high and low sale prices for Bolnisi ordinary
shares as reported on the ASX were A$2.82 and A$2.76 per share,
respectively, and the closing sale price on that date was
A$2.78. Coeurs shareholders should obtain a current market
quotation for Bolnisi ordinary shares before making any decision
with respect to the shareholder proposals. On September 28,
2007, there were approximately 3,162 holders of record of
Bolnisi ordinary shares.
On April 12, 2006, Bolnisi paid an interim dividend on its
ordinary shares for the year ended December 31, 2006 in an
amount of A$0.0075 per share, or an aggregate of A$2,074,407. On
October 14, 2005, Bolnisi paid a final dividend on its
ordinary shares for the year ended December 31, 2005 in an
amount of A$0.0075 per share, or an aggregate of A$2,074,407.
197
Palmarejo
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends
Shares of Palmarejo common stock are listed and traded on the
TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PJO. The
following table shows, for the periods indicated, the reported
high and low sale prices in Canadian Dollars per share on the
TSX Venture Exchange for PJO common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter (commenced April 14, 2005)
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
Year Ended June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
2.05
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
5.50
|
|
|
|
2.55
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
10.45
|
|
|
|
5.30
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
|
|
6.27
|
|
Year Ended June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
8.80
|
|
|
|
6.85
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
9.75
|
|
|
|
6.41
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
9.75
|
|
|
|
8.23
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
|
8.55
|
|
Year Ended June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
11.00
|
|
|
|
7.63
|
|
On October 18, 2007, the last trading day for which
information was available prior to the date of this proxy
statement, the high and low sale prices for Palmarejo common
stock as reported on the TSX were C$9.50 and C$9.50 per share,
respectively, and the closing sale price on that date was
C$9.50. Coeurs shareholders should obtain a current market
quotation for Palmarejo common stock before making any decision
with respect to the shareholder proposals. On October 15,
2007, there were approximately 30 holders of record of
Palmarejo common stock.
Since its incorporation, Palmarejo has not paid any cash
dividends on its outstanding common shares. Any future dividend
payment will depend on Palmarejos financial needs to fund
its exploration programs and any other factor that the board may
deem necessary to consider. It is highly unlikely that any
dividends will be paid in the near future.
Future
Shareholder Proposals
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 2008
Annual Meeting must be received by our Secretary, 505 Front
Avenue, Post Office Box I, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
no later than December 8, 2007, (i.e., approximately
120 days prior to April 6, 2008, which is the
presently expected approximate date of mailing of the proxy
statement relating to next years annual meeting), in order
for them to be considered for inclusion in the 2008 Proxy
Statement. A shareholder desiring to submit a proposal to be
voted on at next years Annual Meeting, but not desiring to
have such proposal included in next years proxy statement
relating to that meeting, should submit such proposal to us by
February 21, 2008, (i.e., at least 45 days prior to
April 6, 2008, which is the presently expected approximate
date of the mailing of the proxy statement relating to next
years annual meeting). Failure to comply with that advance
notice requirement will permit management to use its
discretionary voting authority if and when the proposal is
raised at the Annual Meeting without having had a discussion of
the proposal in the proxy statement.
Delivery
of Documents to Shareholders Sharing an Address
Shareholders who share a single address will receive only one
proxy statement at that address unless we have received
instructions to the contrary from any shareholder at that
address. This practice, known as householding, is
designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a
shareholder of record residing at such an address wishes to
receive a separate copy of this proxy statement or of future
proxy statements (if applicable), he or she may contact Coeur
505 Front Avenue, Post Office Box I, Coeur dAlene,
Idaho 83814, Attention: Secretary. We will deliver separate
copies of this proxy statement promptly upon written or oral
request. If you are a shareholder of record receiving multiple
copies of this proxy statement, you can request householding by
contacting us in the same manner. If you own your shares of
Coeur common stock through a bank, broker or other shareholder
of record, you can request additional copies of this proxy
statement or request householding by contacting the shareholder
of record.
198
Coeur has retained CIBC World Markets Inc. to provide various
financial advisory services to Coeur in connection with the
Transactions. CIBC World Markets Inc. will receive customary
compensation for its services in connection with the
Transactions and will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses,
including reasonable expenses of counsel and other advisors.
Coeur has agreed to indemnify CIBC World Markets Inc. and its
respective affiliates against various liabilities and expenses
in connection with its services in connection with the
Transactions, including various liabilities and expenses under
securities laws. From time to time, CIBC World Markets Inc. and
its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities
of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo for their own account or for the
accounts of customers and, accordingly, may hold a long or short
position in those securities. CIBC World Markets Inc. has in the
past performed various investment banking and financial advisory
services for Coeur for which it has received customary
compensation.
Coeur has retained D.F. King as proxy solicitor in connection
with the Transactions. The proxy solicitor may contact holders
of Coeur common stock by mail, telephone, telex, telegraph and
personal interview and may request brokers, dealers and other
nominee shareholders to forward material relating to the Coeur
shareholder proposals to beneficial owners of Coeur common
stock. Coeur will pay the proxy solicitor reasonable and
customary compensation for these services in addition to
reimbursing the proxy solicitor for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses. Coeur has agreed to indemnify the proxy solicitor
against various liabilities and expenses in connection with the
Coeur shareholder proposals, including various liabilities under
the U.S. federal securities laws.
In addition, Coeur has retained Mellon Investor Services as the
exchange agent. Coeur will pay the exchange agent reasonable and
customary compensation for its services in connection with the
Transactions, and will indemnify the exchange agent against
various liabilities and expenses.
Other than as set forth above, Coeur will not pay any fees or
commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting
proxies pursuant to the Transactions. Coeur will reimburse
brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies and other
nominees, upon request, for customary clerical and mailing
expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy materials to their
customers.
Where
Shareholders Can Find More Information About Coeur
Coeur files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document Coeur
files at the Securities and Exchange Commissions Public
Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
Coeurs Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also
available to the public at the Securities and Exchange
Commissions website at
http://www.sec.gov
or at Coeurs website at
http://www.coeur.com.
Unless otherwise provided below, the information provided in
Coeurs SEC filings (or available on Coeurs website)
is not part of this proxy statement and is not incorporated by
reference. Copies of documents filed by Coeur with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are also available at the
offices of The New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005.
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows Coeur to
incorporate by reference into this document, documents it files
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This means that, if
you are a Coeur shareholder, Coeur can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents.
The information filed by Coeur and incorporated by reference is
considered to be a part of this document, and later information
that Coeur files with the Securities and Exchange Commission
will update and supersede that information. Statements contained
in this document, or in any document incorporated in this
document by reference, regarding the contents of any contract or
other document are not necessarily complete and each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
contract or other document filed as an exhibit with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Coeur incorporates by
reference the documents listed below and any documents filed by
Coeur pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (File
No. 001-14829),
after the date of this document and before the date of the
special meeting:
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006;
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Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2007;
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199
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Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed on March 20, 2007, May 4, 2007, May 7,
2007, May 9, 2007, May 23, 2007, June 8, 2007,
June 22, 2007, July 3, 2007, July 27, 2007,
August 10, 2007 and September 25, 2007; and
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Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders held on May 8, 2007.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, information furnished under
Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on From
8-K,
including the related exhibits, is not incorporated by reference
in this proxy statement.
Coeur undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this proxy statement has been delivered, upon
request, by first class mail or other equally prompt means,
within one business day of receipt of the request, a copy of any
or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this
proxy statement, other than the exhibits to these documents,
unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
into the information that this proxy statement incorporates.
Requests for copies of Coeur filings should be directed to Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation, Secretary, 505 Front Avenue,
Post Office Box I, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814.
Document requests from Coeur should be made by November 28,
2007 in order to receive them before the special meeting.
The proxy statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the
solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any
person to whom it is not lawful to make any offer or
solicitation in that jurisdiction. The delivery of this proxy
statement should not create an implication that there has been
no change in the affairs of Coeur since the date of this proxy
statement or that the information herein is correct as of any
later date.
Shareholders should not rely on information other than that
contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.
Coeur has not authorized anyone to provide information that is
different from that contained in this proxy statement. This
proxy statement is dated October 19, 2007. No assumption
should be made that the information contained in this proxy
statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, and
the mailing of this proxy statement will not create any
implication to the contrary.
If you have questions about the special meeting or the merger
after reading this proxy, or if you would like additional copies
of this proxy statement or the proxy card, you should contact
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, Secretary, 505 Front
Avenue, Post Office Box I, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814.
Coeur also files reports and other information with Canadian
provincial securities commissions. These reports and information
are available to the public free of charge on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com under Coeurs profile. The information
provided in Coeurs filings on SEDAR is not part of this
proxy statement and is not incorporated by reference.
Where
Shareholders Can Find More Information About Bolnisi
Bolnisi is listed on ASX and, as such, Bolnisi is a disclosing
entity for the purposes of the Corporations Act and is subject
to regular reporting and disclosure obligations. As a company
listed on ASX, Bolnisi is subject to the Listing Rules which,
subject to certain exceptions, require immediate disclosure to
the market of any information of which Bolnisi is aware which a
reasonable person would expect to have a material impact on the
price or value of its securities.
ASIC also maintains records of documents lodged with it by
Bolnisi, and these may be obtained from or inspected at any
office of ASIC.
Information is also available on Bolnisis website at
www.bolnisigold.com.au. The information provided on
Bolnisis website is not part of this proxy statement and
is not incorporated by reference.
Where
Shareholders Can Find More Information About Palmarejo
Palmarejo files reports and other information with Canadian
provincial securities commissions. These reports and information
are available to the public free of charge on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com under Palmarejos profile. The information
provided in Palmarejos filings is not part of this proxy
statement and is not incorporated by reference.
200
Annex A-1
Merger Implementation
Agreement
Coeur d Alene Mines Corporation
Coeur d Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
ACN 125 204 775
Coeur Sub Two, Inc
and
Bolnisi Gold NL
ACN 008 587 086
A-1-1
Table of
contents
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Contents
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The agreement
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A-1-4
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Operative part
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A-1-5
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1
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Definitions and interpretation
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A-1-5
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1.1
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Definitions
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A-1-5
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1.2
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Interpretation
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A-1-14
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1.3
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Business Day
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A-1-15
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2
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Agreement to proceed with the Transaction
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A-1-15
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3
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Conditions precedent and pre-implementation steps
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A-1-15
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3.1
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Conditions precedent
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A-1-15
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3.2
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Inter-conditionality of Scheme and Palmarejo Plan
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A-1-17
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3.3
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Best endeavours
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A-1-17
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3.4
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Waiver of conditions precedent
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A-1-17
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3.5
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Consultation on failure of condition precedent
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A-1-17
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3.6
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Certain notices
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A-1-18
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3.7
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Regulatory approval
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A-1-18
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4
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Scheme
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A-1-19
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4.1
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Scheme
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A-1-19
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4.2
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Scheme consideration
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A-1-19
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4.3
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Status of Coeur Shares
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A-1-19
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4.4
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Dividends
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A-1-19
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5
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Steps for implementation
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A-1-20
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5.1
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Obligations of both parties
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A-1-20
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5.2
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Bolnisis obligations
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A-1-20
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5.3
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Coeurs obligations
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A-1-22
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5.4
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Disagreement on content of Scheme Booklet and Disclosure Document
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A-1-23
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5.5
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Appointment of directors
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A-1-24
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5.6
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Deeds of access, indemnity and insurance
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A-1-24
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6
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Termination
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A-1-24
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6.1
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Termination
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A-1-24
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6.2
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Effect of termination
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A-1-25
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6.3
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Breach of representations and warranties
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A-1-25
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7
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Representations, warranties and undertakings
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A-1-25
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7.1
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Coeurs representations, warranties and undertakings
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A-1-25
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7.2
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Coeurs indemnity
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A-1-26
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7.3
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Bolnisis representations, warranties and undertakings
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A-1-26
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7.4
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Bolnisis indemnity
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A-1-27
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7.5
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Survival of representations, warranties and undertakings
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A-1-27
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7.6
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Survival of indemnities
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A-1-27
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7.7
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Release of officers and directors
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A-1-27
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8
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Due Diligence
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A-1-29
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8.1
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Availability of information
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A-1-29
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8.2
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Third party rights
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A-1-29
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8.3
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Due diligence termination
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A-1-29
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A-1-2
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Contents
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9
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Due diligence undertaken by Bolnisi
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A-1-29
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9.1
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Bolnisi Due Diligence
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A-1-29
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10
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Public announcement
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A-1-29
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10.1
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Announcement of Scheme
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A-1-29
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10.2
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Public announcement and submissions
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A-1-29
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10.3
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Required disclosure
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A-1-30
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11
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Confidentiality
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A-1-30
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11.1
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Confidentiality obligations
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A-1-30
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11.2
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No breach
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A-1-30
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11.3
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Termination of previous confidentiality agreement
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A-1-31
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11.4
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Survival of obligations
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A-1-31
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12
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Exclusivity
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A-1-31
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12.1
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Exclusivity
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A-1-31
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12.2
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Notification of approaches
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A-1-31
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12.3
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Equal access to information
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A-1-31
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12.4
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Normal provision of information
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A-1-32
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12.5
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Fiduciary carve-out
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A-1-32
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12.6
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No current discussions
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A-1-32
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13
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Payment of costs
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A-1-32
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13.1
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Background
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A-1-32
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13.2
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Payment of costs
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A-1-32
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13.3
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Exceptions
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A-1-33
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13.4
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Compliance with law
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A-1-33
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13.5
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Limitation of liability
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A-1-34
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14
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Conduct of Court proceedings
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A-1-34
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15
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Duty, costs and expenses
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A-1-34
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15.1
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Stamp duty
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A-1-34
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15.2
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Costs and expenses
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A-1-34
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16
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GST
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A-1-34
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17
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General
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A-1-35
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17.1
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No representation or reliance
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A-1-35
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17.2
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No merger
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A-1-35
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17.3
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Consents
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A-1-35
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17.4
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Notices
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A-1-35
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17.5
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Governing law and jurisdiction
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A-1-36
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17.6
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Waivers
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A-1-36
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17.7
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Variation
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A-1-36
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17.8
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Assignment
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A-1-36
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17.9
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Further action
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A-1-36
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17.10
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Entire agreement
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A-1-36
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17.11
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Counterparts
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A-1-36
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Timetable
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A-1-37
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Signing page
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A-1-39
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A-1-3
The
agreement
Implementation
agreement for merger by scheme of arrangement
Date 3 May 2007
Between the parties
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Coeur d Alene Mines Corporation
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of 505 Front Ave, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
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(Coeur)
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Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd ACN 125 204 775
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of Suite 1003, 3 Spring Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
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(Coeur Australia)
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Coeur Sub Two, Inc
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of 505 Front Ave, Coeur, Idaho 083814
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(Coeur Sub)
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Bolnisi Gold NL
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ACN 008 587 086
of
Level 8, 261 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (Bolnisi)
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Background
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1 Bolnisi and Coeur have agreed to merge by means of a
scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act.
The Scheme will involve Bolnisi and its Ordinary Shareholders.
Pursuant to the Scheme, Coeur Australia will acquire all of the
Scheme Shares.
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2 Bolnisi and Coeur have agreed in good faith to implement
the Scheme on the terms of this agreement.
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The parties agree
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as set out in the Operative part of this agreement, in
consideration of, among other things, the mutual promises
contained in this agreement.
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A-1-4
Operative
part
1 Definitions
and interpretation
1.1 Definitions
The meanings of the terms used in this document are set out
below.
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Term
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Meaning
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ASIC
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the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
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Associates
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has the meaning given in section 9 of the Corporations Act.
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ASX
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ASX Limited.
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Bolnisi Board
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the board of directors of Bolnisi.
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Bolnisi Due Diligence
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the enquiries Bolnisi has made in relation to Coeur including in
relation to tax, legal, technical, operational, environmental
and accounting matters.
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Bolnisi Information
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information regarding Bolnisi and its subsidiaries provided by
Bolnisi to Coeur in writing for inclusion in the Disclosure
Document, being information that is within the knowledge of the
Bolnisi Board, to be provided by or on behalf of Bolnisi to
Coeur to enable a Disclosure Document to be prepared and
completed in compliance with all applicable laws or information
that is identified in the Disclosure Document as Bolnisi
Information.
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Bolnisi Material Adverse Change
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matters, events or circumstances other than:
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1 those required to be done or procured by Bolnisi pursuant
to this agreement;
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2 those which Bolnisi and Coeur agree in writing are not a
Bolnisi Material Adverse Change; or
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3 those fairly disclosed by Bolnisi in writing to ASX prior
to the date of this agreement,
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which individually have or are reasonably likely to have, or
when aggregated with all other such matters, events or
circumstances, have or are reasonably likely to have, a
materially adverse impact, namely a decline of 5% or more in the
consolidated net assets of Bolnisi from the level as at the
financial year ended 30 June 2006.
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Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence
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(other than as required by this agreement or the Scheme, with
the consent of Coeur or as fairly disclosed to ASX prior to the
date of this agreement) the occurrence of any of the following:
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1 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi converting all or any
of its shares into a larger or smaller number of shares;
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2 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi resolving to reduce
its share capital in any way or reclassifying, combining,
splitting or redeeming or repurchasing directly or indirectly
any of its shares;
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3 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi:
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entering into a buy-back agreement; or
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A-1-5
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Term
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Meaning
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resolving to approve the terms of a
buy-back agreement under the Corporations Act;
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4 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi declaring, paying or
distributing any dividend, bonus or other share of its profits
or assets;
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5 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi issuing shares (other
than pursuant to the exercise of existing options or existing
convertible securities which are exchangeable, exercisable or
convertible into shares of Palmarejo), or granting an option
over its shares, or agreeing to make such an issue or grant such
an option;
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6 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi issuing or agreeing to
issue, securities convertible into shares or debt securities
other than as set out in the Project Plan Description;
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7 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi making any change to
its constitution;
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8 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi:
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acquiring or disposing of;
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agreeing to acquire or dispose of; or
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offering, proposing, announcing a bid or
tendering for,
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any business, assets, entity or undertaking, the value of which
exceeds $50 million, individually or in aggregate, or that
otherwise constitutes a Bolnisi Material Adverse Change;
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9 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi incurring any
indebtedness or issuing any indebtedness or debt securities by
way of borrowings, loans or advances for amounts in aggregate in
excess of $10 million other than as set out in the Project Plan
Description;
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10 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi making, individually
or in aggregate, capital expenditure in excess of $10 million
other than as set out in the Project Plan Description;
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11 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi being notified of
Material Proceedings against Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi;
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12 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi creating, or agreeing
to create, any mortgage, charge, lien or other encumbrance over
the whole, or a substantial part, of its business or property
otherwise than:
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as set out in the Project Plan
Description; and
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a lien or other encumbrance which arises
by operation of law or legislation securing an obligation that
is not yet due;
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13 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi resolving that it be
wound up;
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14 a liquidator or provisional liquidator of Bolnisi or of
a subsidiary of Bolnisi being appointed;
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15 a court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or
Australian) making an order for the winding up of Bolnisi or of
a subsidiary of Bolnisi;
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A-1-6
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Term
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Meaning
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16 an administrator of Bolnisi or of a subsidiary of
Bolnisi being appointed under the Corporations Act;
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17 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi being deregistered as
a company or otherwise dissolved;
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18 Bolnisi or a subsidiary of Bolnisi executing an
agreement of company arrangement;
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19 a receiver, or a receiver and manager, being appointed
in relation to the whole, or a substantial part, of the property
of Bolnisi or of a subsidiary of Bolnisi; or
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20 Bolnisi ceases or threatens to cease to carry on the
business conducted by Bolnisi and its subsidiaries as at the
date of this agreement.
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For the purposes of this subclause, a reference to any of the
above includes a reference to anything analogous, or having
substantially similar effect, in any jurisdiction under or in
respect of any existing or future law.
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Bolnisi Shareholders
|
|
each person who is a member of Bolnisi.
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Break Fee
|
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US$7.78 million.
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Business Day
|
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has the meaning given in the Listing Rules.
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CDIs
|
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CHESS Depositary Interests which are units of beneficial
ownership in Coeur Shares registered in the name of CDN.
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CDN
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CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Limited ACN 071 346 506.
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Change of Status Resolution
|
|
A resolution of Bolnisi Shareholders to change the status of
Bolnisi from a public company to a proprietary company limited
by shares conditional upon:
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1 the Court approving the Scheme in accordance with section
411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act either unconditionally or on
conditions that are customary or usual; and
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2 the Scheme becoming Effective.
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CHESS
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Clearing House Electronic Subregister System.
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Coeur Australia
|
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a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Coeur incorporated in
Australia.
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Coeur Board
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the board of directors of Coeur.
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Coeur Group
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Coeur and each of its Related Bodies Corporate.
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Coeur Information
|
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information regarding Coeur and its subsidiaries provided by
Coeur to Bolnisi in writing for inclusion in the Scheme Booklet;
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1 that is material to the making of a decision by Ordinary
Shareholders whether to vote in favour of the Scheme, being
information that is within the knowledge of the Coeur Board and
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2 would be required to be included in the Scheme Booklet in
accordance with PS 60 in relation to an offer of Coeur Shares;
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A-1-7
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Term
|
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Meaning
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to be provided by or on behalf of Coeur to Bolnisi to enable to
Scheme Booklet to be prepared and completed in compliance with
all applicable laws or information that is identified in the
Scheme Booklet as Coeur Information.
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Coeur Material Adverse Change
|
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matters, events or circumstances other than:
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1 those required to be done or procured by Coeur pursuant
to this agreement;
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2 those which Bolnisi and Coeur agree in writing are not a
Coeur Material Adverse Change; or
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3 those fairly disclosed by Coeur in writing to NYSE, TSX,
SEC or any Canadian regulatory authority prior to the date of
this agreement,
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which individually have or are reasonably likely to have, or
when aggregated with all other such matters, events or
circumstances, have or are reasonably likely to have, a
materially adverse impact, namely a decline of 5% or more in the
consolidated net assets of Coeur from the level as at
31 December 2006.
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Coeur Prescribed Occurrence
|
|
(other than as required by this agreement or the Scheme, with
the consent of Bolnisi or as fairly disclosed to the NYSE, TSX
or SEC prior to the date of this agreement) the occurrence of
any of the following:
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1 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur converting all or any of
its shares into a larger or smaller number of shares;
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2 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur resolving to reduce its
share capital in any way or reclassifying, combining, splitting
or redeeming or repurchasing directly or indirectly any of its
shares;
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3 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur:
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entering into a buy-back agreement with
its shareholders; or
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resolving to approve the terms of a
buy-back agreement with its shareholders;
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4 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur declaring, paying or
distributing any dividend, bonus or other share of its profits
or assets;
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5 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur issuing shares (other than
pursuant to the exercise of existing options under its equity
compensation plans and the conversion of existing notes), or
granting an option over its shares, or agreeing to make such an
issue or grant such an option;
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6 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur issuing or agreeing to
issue more than US$200 million in securities convertible into
shares or debt securities;
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7 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur making any change to its
articles of incorporation, or bylaws or similar organisational
documents;
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8 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur:
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acquiring or disposing of;
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A-1-8
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Term
|
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Meaning
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agreeing to acquire or
dispose of; or
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offering, proposing,
announcing a bid or tendering for,
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any business, assets, entity or
undertaking the value of which exceeds US$200 million,
individually or in aggregate, or that otherwise constitutes a
Coeur Material Adverse Change;
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9 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur incurring any
indebtedness of debt securities by way of borrowings, loans or
advances for amounts in aggregate in excess of US$200 million;
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10 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur making individually or in
aggregate, capital expenditure in excess of US$200 million;
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11 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur being notified of
Material Proceedings against Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur;
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12 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur creating, or agreeing to
create, any mortgage, charge, lien or other encumbrance over the
whole, or a substantial part, of its business or property
otherwise than:
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in the ordinary course of
business, which requires that Coeur not make any acquisitions,
disposals or capital expenditure, or incur any indebtedness in
excess of US$200 million; and
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a lien or other encumbrance
which arises by operation of law or legislation securing an
obligation that is not yet due;
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13 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur commencing any case,
proceeding or other action under any existing or future law of
any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganisation or relief of debtors, seeking to have
an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to
adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganisation,
arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution,
composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or
seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial part of its assets, or making a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors;
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14 a commencement against Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur of
any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in
subsection 13 above that results in the entry of an order for
relief or any such adjudication or appointment or remains
undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of
60 days;
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15 a commencement against Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur of
any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a
warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process
against all or any substantial part of its assets that results
in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have
been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal
within 60 days from the entry thereof; or
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A-1-9
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Term
|
|
Meaning
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16 a receiver, or a receiver and manager, being appointed
in relation to the whole, or a substantial part, of the property
of Coeur or a Coeur Group member.
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17 Coeur ceases or threatens to cease to carry on the
business conducted by Coeur and its subsidiaries as at the date
of this agreement;
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18 Coeur being the subject of a Third Party Proposal that
is implemented or is likely to be implemented, and which is not
reasonably acceptable to Bolnisi; or
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19 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur being dissolved.
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|
For the purposes of this subclause, a reference to any of the
above includes a reference to anything analogous, or having
substantially similar effect, in any jurisdiction under or in
respect of any existing or future law.
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|
Coeur Share
|
|
a share of common stock of Coeur, par value US$1.00 per share.
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|
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Coeur Shareholders
|
|
each person who is a holder of record of Coeur Shares.
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Coeur Sub Two, Inc
|
|
the sole member of Coeur Australia.
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Confidential Information
|
|
all information which:
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|
|
1 is disclosed to a party (the Recipient) or any of
it its Related Persons (whether before or after the date of this
agreement) by or on behalf of the other party (the
Discloser), or which is acquired directly or indirectly
by the Recipient or any of its Related Persons from the
Discloser or any adviser engaged by the Discloser;
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2 relates directly or indirectly to the Transaction, the
Discloser or its Related Bodies Corporate, or the past, existing
or future business, operations, administration or strategic
plans of the Discloser; and
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|
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|
|
3 is in oral or visual form, or is recorded or stored in a
document (whether printed, electronic or otherwise), and
includes but is not limited to all compilations, analyses,
extracts, summaries or other documents prepared by the Recipient
or its Related Persons which reflect, utilise or relate to any
of the information referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
definition.
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|
and includes but is not limited to all compilations, analyses,
extracts, summaries or other documents prepared by the Recipient
or its Related Persons which reflect, utilise or relate to any
of the information referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
definition.
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Corporations Act
|
|
the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
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|
Court
|
|
the Federal Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction
under the Corporations Act agreed in writing by Coeur and
Bolnisi.
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|
Deed Poll
|
|
deed under which Coeur covenants in favour of Ordinary
Shareholders to perform its obligations under this agreement and
described in the Scheme to be executed by Coeur in substantially
the form set out in Annexure 2 with such amendments as Bolnisi
and Coeur may agree.
|
A-1-10
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
|
|
|
Disclosure Document
|
|
the information memorandum or other document required in
connection with the quotation of Coeur Shares in the form of
CDIs on the ASX.
|
|
|
|
Due Diligence
|
|
the enquiries a party is permitted to make under clause 8,
including but not limited to enquiries relating to tax, legal,
technical, operational, environmental and accounting matters.
|
|
|
|
Due Diligence Period
|
|
the period commencing on the day after the date of this
agreement and ending 30 days after the date of this
agreement, unless extended by agreement between the parties.
|
|
|
|
Effective
|
|
the coming into effect, under section 411(10) of the
Corporations Act, of the order of the Court made under section
411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act in relation to the Scheme.
|
|
|
|
End Date
|
|
the date which is seven months after execution of this agreement.
|
|
|
|
Excluded Shares
|
|
any Ordinary Shares held by Coeur or its subsidiaries.
|
|
|
|
Exclusivity Period
|
|
the period from and including the date of this agreement to the
earlier of:
|
|
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|
|
|
1 the termination of this agreement in accordance with its
terms; and
|
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|
|
2 the End Date.
|
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|
|
FATA
|
|
the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth).
|
|
|
|
HSR Act
|
|
means the United States, Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
|
|
|
|
Implementation Date
|
|
the fifth Business Day after the Transaction Record Date.
|
|
|
|
Independent Expert
|
|
the independent expert in respect of the Scheme appointed by
Bolnisi in accordance with clause 5.2(c).
|
|
|
|
Ineligible Overseas Shareholder
|
|
an Ordinary Shareholder whose address as shown in the Bolnisi
register of members at the Transaction Record Date is in a
jurisdiction other than Australia and its external territories,
New Zealand or the United States, except where Coeur
and Bolnisi are reasonably satisfied that the issue of Coeur
Shares (or CDIs representing Coeur Shares) to the Ordinary
Shareholder is not prohibited, not unduly onerous and not unduly
impracticable in that jurisdiction.
|
|
|
|
Listing Rules
|
|
means the official listing rules of the ASX.
|
|
|
|
Material Proceedings
|
|
initiation of a regulatory inquiry or investigation, prosecution
or litigation after the date hereof which is not withdrawn or
discontinued within 14 days of proceedings being filed,
involving a claim, in the case of Bolnisi, in excess of $50
million and in the case of Coeur, in excess of $100 million.
|
|
|
|
NYSE
|
|
New York Stock Exchange.
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shareholders
|
|
each person who is registered as the holder of Ordinary Shares.
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares
|
|
fully paid ordinary shares of Bolnisi.
|
A-1-11
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo
|
|
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation, a Canadian corporation
having its registered office at 5300 Commerce Court-West,
199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9.
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo Plan
|
|
the plan of arrangement under Canadian law involving Palmarejo
in respect of the shares in Palmarejo not held by Bolnisi or its
Related Bodies Corporate.
|
|
|
|
Project Plan Description
|
|
the development plan in respect of the Palmarejo project set out
in Annexure 3.
|
|
|
|
PS 60
|
|
Policy Statement 60 issued by ASIC on 4 August 1999 (as
amended).
|
|
|
|
PS 142
|
|
Policy Statement 142 issued by ASIC on 4 August 1999 (as
amended).
|
|
|
|
Regulatory Approvals
|
|
has the meaning given to that term in clause 3.1(a).
|
|
|
|
Regulatory Authority
|
|
means an Australian or foreign government or a governmental,
semi-governmental, administrative, fiscal, legislative,
executive or judicial body, authority, department, commission,
authority, tribunal, agency, entity or office or any minister of
the Crown in right of the Commonwealth of Australia or any state
or a delegate of any government. It includes a self-regulatory
organisation established under statute or a stock exchange,
ASIC, ASX, the TSX, the NYSE and the SEC.
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|
|
|
Related Body Corporate
|
|
has the meaning given in section 9 of the Corporations Act.
|
|
|
|
Related Persons
|
|
in relation to a party, its subsidiaries, officers, employees,
contractors, representatives, agents, advisers, financiers and
any person who has an agreement or understanding with the party
in relation to the Transaction.
|
|
|
|
Relevant Interest
|
|
has the meaning given in sections 608 and 609 of the
Corporations Act as though a reference to company in
those sections included any corporation.
|
|
|
|
Representative
|
|
in relation to a party:
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|
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|
|
1 each of the partys subsidiaries; and
|
|
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|
|
2 each of the directors, officers, employees and advisers
of the party or of any of its subsidiaries.
|
|
|
|
Scheme
|
|
the scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act
between Bolnisi and the Scheme Shareholders in respect of all
the Ordinary Shares in substantially the form of Annexure 1 with
such amendments as Bolnisi and Coeur may agree.
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|
|
|
Scheme Booklet
|
|
the information described in clause 5.2(b) to be approved by the
Court and despatched to Ordinary Shareholders and which must
include the Scheme, an explanatory statement complying with the
requirements of the Corporations Act, an independent
experts report, notices of meeting and proxy and election
forms.
|
A-1-12
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
|
|
|
Scheme Consideration
|
|
the consideration to be provided by Coeur to Scheme Shareholders
for the transfer to Coeur Australia of each Scheme Share in
accordance with the Scheme, being:
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.004 in cash; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.682 Coeur Shares or CDIs representing
Coeur Shares, at the election of the Scheme Shareholder.
|
|
|
|
Scheme Meeting
|
|
The meeting or meetings of Ordinary Shareholders ordered by the
Court to be convened under section 411(1) of the Corporations
Act.
|
|
|
|
Scheme Shareholders
|
|
Ordinary Shareholders, other than a holder of Excluded Shares,
as at the Transaction Record Date.
|
|
|
|
Scheme Shares
|
|
the Ordinary Shares on issue at the Transaction Record Date,
other than the Excluded Shares.
|
|
|
|
Second Court Date
|
|
the first day on which an application made to the Court for
orders under section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act approving
the Scheme is heard.
|
|
|
|
SEC
|
|
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
|
|
subsidiary
|
|
a body corporate (called the first body), is a subsidiary of
another body corporate if:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) the other body:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) controls the composition of the first bodys
board; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) is in a position to cast, or control the casting of,
more than one-half of the maximum number of votes that might be
cast at a general meeting of the first body; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii) holds more than one-half of the issued share capital
of the first body (excluding any part of that issued share
capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified
amount in a distribution of either profits or capital); or
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) the first body is a subsidiary of a subsidiary of the
other body.
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the avoidance of doubt, in this agreement, subsidiaries of
Bolnisi include each of Palmarejo, Fairview Gold Pty Ltd, Ocampo
Resources, Inc., Ocampo Services, Inc. and Planet Gold, S.A. de
C.V.
|
|
|
|
Takeovers Panel
|
|
the Takeovers Panel created in accordance with the provisions of
the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001
(Cth).
|
|
|
|
Third Party Proposal
|
|
In relation to a party, any expression of interest, proposal or
offer in relation to a bid, scheme, joint venture, dual listed
company structure, purchase of a main undertaking, share issue
or other similar reorganisation (other than as contemplated by
this agreement) by any person or persons under which:
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 a person (together with the persons Associates) may
acquire a Relevant Interest in more than 10% of one or more
classes of securities of the party;
|
A-1-13
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 a person may acquire voting power (as defined in Chapter
6 of the Corporations Act) of more than 10% in the party;
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 a person may acquire, directly or indirectly any interest
(including legal, equitable or economic) in all or a material
part of the business or assets (on a consolidated basis) of the
party; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 a person may otherwise merge or amalgamate with the party.
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the purposes of paragraph (3), the acquisition of an
interest in a part of the business or assets (on a consolidated
basis) of a party will be material if:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) the relevant business or businesses contribute 10% or
more of the consolidated net profit after tax of the party; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) the assets represent 5% or more of the total
consolidated assets of the party.
|
|
|
|
Timetable
|
|
the timetable set out in schedule 1 or such other timetable as
may be agreed in writing by the parties.
|
|
|
|
Transaction
|
|
the acquisition by Coeur Australia of all the Scheme Shares
through implementation of the Scheme in accordance with the
terms of this agreement.
|
|
|
|
Transaction Documents
|
|
this agreement, the Deed Poll, the Scheme and the Scheme Booklet.
|
|
|
|
Transaction Record Date
|
|
5.00pm (Sydney time), on the fifth Business Day after the date
on which the Scheme, if approved, becomes Effective.
|
|
|
|
TSX
|
|
Toronto Stock Exchange.
|
1.2 Interpretation
In this agreement, headings are for convenience only and do not
affect interpretation and, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) words importing the singular include the plural and
vice versa;
(b) words importing a gender include any gender;
(c) other parts of speech and grammatical forms of a word
or phrase defined in this agreement have a corresponding meaning;
(d) a reference to a person includes an individual, the
estate of an individual, a corporation, an authority, an
association or a joint venture, a partnership, a trust and any
Regulatory Authority;
(e) a reference to a clause, party, attachment, exhibit or
schedule is a reference to a clause of, and a party, attachment,
exhibit and schedule to this agreement, and a reference to this
agreement includes any attachment, exhibit and schedule;
(f) a reference to a statute, regulation, proclamation,
ordinance or by law includes all statutes, regulations,
proclamations ordinances or by laws amending, consolidating or
replacing it, whether passed by the same or another Regulatory
Authority with legal power to do so, and a reference to a
statute includes all regulations, proclamations, ordinances and
by laws issued under that statute;
(g) a reference to any document (including this agreement)
is to that document as varied, amended or restated, novated,
ratified or replaced from time to time;
(h) the word includes in any form is not a word
of limitation;
A-1-14
(i) a reference to $ or dollar is
to Australian currency;
(j) a reference to any time is a reference to that time in
Sydney, New South Wales;
(k) a term defined in or for the purposes of the
Corporations Act has the same meaning when used in this
agreement; and
(l) a reference to the Listing Rules includes any
variation, consolidation or replacement of these rules and is to
be taken to be subject to any waiver or exemption granted to the
compliance of those rules by a party.
1.3 Business
Day
Where the day on or by which any thing is to be done is not a
Business Day, that thing must be done on or by the next Business
Day.
2 Agreement
to proceed with the Transaction
Bolnisi agrees to propose, and the parties agree to implement,
the Transaction on the terms of this agreement.
3 Conditions
precedent and pre-implementation steps
3.1 Conditions
precedent
Subject to this clause 3, the obligations of the parties
under clause 4 are subject to the satisfaction of each of the
following conditions precedent to the extent and in the manner
set out in clauses 3.4 and 3.5.
(a) Regulatory Approvals: Subject to
clause 3.7:
(1) ASIC and ASX issue or provide any consents or approvals
or do other acts necessary to implement the transactions
contemplated by clause 4;
(2) the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia either
issues a notice stating that the Commonwealth Government does
not object to Coeur entering into and completing this agreement
or becomes, or is, precluded (at the date of this agreement or
at any time before the Transaction becomes Effective) from
making an order in respect of the entry into or completion by
Coeur of this agreement under the FATA; and
(3) all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and
any other applicable antitrust legislation shall have expired or
been otherwise terminated in respect of this Scheme;
(together Regulatory Approvals) before 5.00pm on the day
before the Second Court Date.
(b) Shareholder approval: The Bolnisi
Shareholders approve the Change of Status Resolution by the
requisite majorities under the Corporations Act and Ordinary
Shareholders approve the Scheme at the Scheme Meeting (or any
adjournment or postponement of it at which the Scheme is voted
on) by the requisite majorities under the Corporations Act.
(c) Listing of Coeur Shares: permission
for listing of the Coeur Shares on the TSX and NYSE being
granted by 8.00am on the Second Court Date (any such approval
may be subject to customary conditions and to the Scheme
becoming Effective).
(d) Listing of CDIs: permission for
admission of the Coeur Shares in the form of CDIs to quotation
on ASX is granted by 8.00am on the Second Court Date (any such
approval may be subject to customary conditions and to the
Scheme becoming Effective).
(e) Court approval: The Court approves
the Scheme in accordance with section 411(4)(b) of the
Corporations Act either unconditionally or on conditions that
are customary or usual.
(f) Restraints: No temporary restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued
by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint
or prohibition preventing the Transaction is in effect at 5.00pm
on the day before the Second Court Date.
A-1-15
(g) Coeur Material Adverse Change: No
Coeur Material Adverse Change is in existence at 5.00pm on the
day before the Second Court Date.
(h) Bolnisi Material Adverse Change: No
Bolnisi Material Adverse Change is in existence at 5.00pm on the
day before the Second Court Date.
(i) Coeur Prescribed Occurrence: No Coeur
Prescribed Occurrence has occurred as at 5.00pm on the day
before the Scheme Meeting and at 5.00pm on the day before the
Second Court Date.
(j) Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence: No
Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence has occurred as at 5.00pm on the
day before the Scheme Meeting and at 5.00pm on the day before
the Second Court Date.
(k) Coeur representations: No
representation given by Coeur under clause 7.1 has become
materially incorrect before 5.00pm on the day before the Second
Court Date.
(l) Bolnisi representations: No
representation given by Bolnisi under clause 7.3 has become
materially incorrect before 5.00pm on the day before the Second
Court Date.
(m) Coeur Shareholder approval: Before
the Scheme Meeting the Coeur Shareholders pass all resolutions
necessary in respect of the application for quotation of the
Coeur Shares in the form of CDIs on the ASX, to increase the
number of authorised shares of common stock of Coeur and to
issue such number of Coeur Shares as required to pay the Scheme
Consideration, at a meeting of Coeur Shareholders (or any
adjournment or postponement of) by the requisite majorities
under the laws and regulations of the state of Idaho and the
NYSE.
(n) Continuous disclosure by
Bolnisi: Between the date of this agreement and
5.00pm on the day before the Second Court Date, Coeur does not
become aware of any matter, event, action or circumstance:
(1) which is materially adverse in that it would result in
a decline of 5% or more in the consolidated net assets of
Bolnisi for the financial year ended 30 June 2006 in
relation to Bolnisi or its Related Bodies Corporate;
(2) in respect of which Bolnisi has not complied with its
disclosure obligations under Listing Rule 3.1 at any time;
and
(3) which was not previously disclosed to Coeur.
(o) Continuous disclosure by
Coeur: Between the date of this agreement and
5.00pm on the day before the Second Court Date, Bolnisi does not
become aware of any matter, event, action or circumstance:
(1) which is materially adverse in that it would result in
a decline of 5% or more in the consolidated net assets of Coeur
for the financial year ended 31 December 2006 in relation
to Coeur or its Related Bodies Corporate;
(2) in respect of which Coeur has not complied with its
disclosure obligations under applicable Canadian or United
States securities legislation; and
(3) which was not previously disclosed to Bolnisi.
(p) Directors
recommendation: Between the date of this
agreement and the Scheme Meeting, no director of Bolnisi changes
or withdraws his recommendation to Ordinary Shareholders to vote
in favour of the Scheme.
(q) Due diligence by Coeur: Completion by
Coeur of satisfactory due diligence on Bolnisi, including no
discovery by Coeur of any event or events which would be
reasonably likely to give rise to (i) a Bolnisi Material
Adverse Change or (ii) a liability or liabilities
(including those of a contingent nature) of Bolnisi or any of
its subsidiaries of $50 million or more, whether
individually or in aggregate.
(r) Approvals and consents: any required
licences, approvals, waivers, consents, permits, orders,
business conditions or change of control consents in relation to
the Scheme are obtained.
A-1-16
3.2 Inter-conditionality
of Scheme and Palmarejo Plan
The parties acknowledge and agree that:
(a) the Scheme will be subject to and conditional upon the
Palmarejo Plan becoming effective under Canadian law; and
(b) Coeur may in its sole discretion waive in writing the
condition in clause 3.2(a) within 5 Business Days of the
Scheme Meeting taking place.
3.3 Best
endeavours
Bolnisi and Coeur must each use its best endeavours to procure
that:
(a) each of the conditions precedent in clause 3.1 is
satisfied as soon as practicable after the date of this
agreement;
(b) there is no occurrence within the control of Bolnisi or
Coeur or their subsidiaries that would prevent the conditions
precedent in clause 3.1 being satisfied (as the context
requires); and
(c) each of Bolnisi and Coeur give a certificate to the
Court by 8.00am on the Second Court Date evidencing which
conditions precedent in clause 3.1 have been satisfied or waived.
A draft of such certificate shall be provided by each party to
the other party by 5.00pm on the Business Day prior to the
Second Court Date.
3.4 Waiver
of conditions precedent
(a) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(h),
3.1(j), 3.1(l), 3.1(n), 3.1(p) and 3.1(q) may only be waived by
Coeur in writing.
(b) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(g),
3.1(i), 3.1(k) and 3.1(o) may only be waived by Bolnisi in
writing.
(c) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(a)(1),
3.1(c), 3.1(d), 3.1(f) and 3.1(r) are for the benefit of each
party and any breach or non-fulfilment of any of those
conditions precedent may only be waived by agreement in writing
between the parties.
(d) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(a)(2),
3.1(a)(3), 3.1(b), 3.1(e) and 3.1(m) cannot be waived.
(e) If under this clause, a party waives the breach or
non-fulfilment of any of the conditions precedent in
clause 3.1, that waiver does not prevent it from suing the
other party for any breach of this agreement that resulted in
the breach or non-fulfilment of the condition precedent.
3.5 Consultation
on failure of condition precedent
(a) Consultation: If:
(1) any event occurs which would prevent any of the
conditions precedent in clause 3.1 being satisfied, or
there is an occurrence that is reasonably likely to prevent the
condition precedent being satisfied by the date specified in
this agreement for its satisfaction; or
(2) the Scheme has not become Effective by the End Date,
the parties must consult in good faith to:
(3) determine whether the Transaction may proceed by way of
alternative means or methods;
(4) change the date of the application made to the Court
for an order under section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations
Act approving the Scheme or adjourning that application (as
applicable) to another date agreed by Bolnisi and Coeur (being a
date no later than 5 Business Days before the End Date); or
(5) extend the relevant date or End Date.
A-1-17
(b) Termination: If the parties are
unable to reach agreement under clause 3.5(a) within 5 Business
Days of becoming aware of the relevant occurrence or relevant
date or by the End Date, then unless that condition precedent is
waived as provided in clause 3.4, either party may
terminate this agreement without, any liability to the other
party because of that termination except as otherwise provided
in this agreement, unless the relevant occurrence or the failure
of the condition precedent to be satisfied, or of the Scheme to
become Effective, arises out of a breach by the terminating
party of clause 5 or this clause 3.
3.6 Certain
notices
(a) Notice of failure of condition precedent:
(1) If, before the time specified for satisfaction of a
condition precedent, any event that will prevent that condition
precedent being satisfied occurs, the party with knowledge of
that event must immediately give the other party written notice
of that event.
(2) If the notice in clause 3.6(a)(1) relates to a
condition precedent in clauses 3.1(h), 3.1(j), 3.1(l),
3.1(n), 3.1(p) or 3.1(q), Coeur must give written notice to
Bolnisi as soon as possible (and in any event no later than
5 Business Days) after giving or receiving notice of the
relevant event, as to whether or not it waives the breach or
non-fulfilment of any condition precedent resulting from the
occurrence of that event, specifying the condition in question.
(3) If the notice in clause 3.6(a)(1) relates to a
condition precedent in clauses 3.1(g), 3.1(i) or 3.1(k) and
3.1(o) Bolnisi must give written notice to Coeur as soon as
possible (and in any event no later than 5 Business Days) after
giving or receiving notice of the relevant event, as to whether
or not it waives the breach or non-fulfilment of any condition
precedent resulting from the occurrence of that event,
specifying the condition in question.
(b) Waiver: A waiver of a breach or
non-fulfilment in respect of one condition precedent does not
constitute:
(1) a waiver of breach or non-fulfilment of any other
condition precedent resulting from the same event; or
(2) a waiver of breach or non-fulfilment of that condition
precedent resulting from any other event.
(c) Notice of changes: Bolnisi and Coeur
must promptly advise each other orally and in writing of any
change or event causing, or which, so far as can reasonably be
foreseen, would cause:
(1) a representation or warranty provided in this agreement
to be false;
(2) a breach or non-fulfilment of any of the conditions
precedent; or
(3) a material breach of this agreement.
3.7 Regulatory
approval
For the purposes of clause 3.1(a), a Regulatory Approval
will be regarded as having been obtained even though a condition
has been attached to that Regulatory Approval, if the parties
agree to treat the approval as having been obtained.
3.8 Change
of status
The parties agree that a general meeting of Bolnisi Shareholders
to consider the Change of Status Resolution will be held on the
same date that the meeting of Ordinary Shareholders to consider
the Scheme is held and that the Scheme will be conditional upon
the passing of the Change of Status Resolution by the requisite
majorities required under the Corporations Act.
A-1-18
4 Scheme
4.1 Scheme
Bolnisi must propose a scheme of arrangement under which all of
the Ordinary Shares will be transferred to Coeur Australia and
the Scheme Shareholders will be entitled to receive the Scheme
Consideration.
4.2 Scheme
consideration
(a) Subject to this clause 4.2, Coeur undertakes and
warrants to Bolnisi (in Bolnisis own right and separately
as trustee or nominee for each of the Scheme Shareholders) that
in consideration of the transfer to Coeur Australia of each
Scheme Share under the terms of the Scheme, Coeur will accept
such transfer and provide the Scheme Consideration to the Scheme
Shareholders in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.
(b) Subject to customary provisions which address share
splitting or division in an attempt to obtain advantage by
reference to rounding, any fractional entitlement of an Ordinary
Shareholder to a Coeur Share will be rounded up in the case of
any entitlement to half of a Coeur Share or otherwise rounded up
or down to the nearest whole number of Coeur Shares.
(c) Where an Ordinary Shareholder is an Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder in relation to the issue of Coeur Shares, the number
of Coeur Shares (or, at the election of the nominee, CDIs
representing Coeur Shares) to which the Ordinary Shareholder
would otherwise be entitled under the Scheme will be issued to a
nominee appointed by agreement between Bolnisi and Coeur who
will sell those Coeur Shares or CDIs representing Coeur Shares
as soon as practicable and in any event not more than
28 days after the Implementation Date (at the risk of that
Ineligible Overseas Shareholder) and remit to Bolnisi the
proceeds received, after deducting any applicable brokerage,
costs, taxes and charges, to that Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder in full satisfaction of that Ineligible Overseas
Shareholders rights in relation to Coeur Shares or CDIs
representing Coeur Shares under the Scheme.
4.3 Status
of Coeur Shares
(a) The Coeur Shares to be issued by Coeur as part of the
Scheme Consideration will rank pari passu with all existing
Coeur Shares then outstanding and will be fully paid and issued
free from any mortgage, charge, lien, encumbrance or other
security interest.
(b) The Coeur Shares will be issued pursuant to an
exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) of
the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
1933 Act). In the event that the exemption from
registration under Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act is
not available for any reason to exempt the issuance of the Coeur
Shares in accordance with the Scheme from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act, then Coeur shall take all
necessary action to file a registration statement on
Form S-4
(or on such other form that may be available to Coeur) in order
to register such Coeur Shares and shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective
at or prior to the Implementation Date. Bolnisi acknowledges
that the Coeur Shares issued to affiliates (as
defined under Rule 144 of the 1933 Act) of Bolnisi may
be resold in the manner permitted by Rules 145(c) and
(d) of the 1933 Act.
4.4 Dividends
Between the date of this agreement and the Implementation Date,
Bolnisi may not without the prior written consent of Coeur, pay
or declare any dividends.
4.5 Withholding
rights
Coeur, Coeur Sub, Coeur Australia, and Bolnisi shall each be
entitled to deduct and withhold from any Scheme Consideration
otherwise payable pursuant to the terms of this agreement and
the Scheme such amounts as it is required or permitted to deduct
and withhold with respect to such payment under the tax laws of
any jurisdiction. To the extent that amounts are so withheld,
such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes hereof
as having been paid to the holder of the Ordinary Shares in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made,
provided that such withheld amounts are actually remitted to the
appropriate taxing authority.
A-1-19
5 Steps
for implementation
5.1 Obligations
of both parties
Without limiting the general nature of clauses 3.1 to 3.5,
each party must:
(a) Regulatory Approvals:
(1) promptly apply for all relevant Regulatory Approvals
specified in clause 3.1(a) and provide to the other a copy
of all those applications;
(2) take all steps it is responsible for as part of the
approval process, including responding to requests for
information at the earliest practicable time and taking or
agreeing to take any action or agreeing to any
limitation; and
(3) provide the other party with all information reasonably
requested in connection with the applications for Regulatory
Approval,
but neither party is required to take any action which would
require the divestiture of material assets of Bolnisi or Coeur
and their subsidiaries.
(b) Timing: consult with each other
regularly in relation to:
(1) the schedule for performing their respective
obligations within the overall framework set by the
Timetable; and
(2) the need to adjust the Timetable.
5.2 Bolnisis
obligations
Bolnisi must execute all documents and do all acts and things
within its power as may be necessary or desirable for the
implementation and performance of the Scheme on a basis
consistent with this agreement, substantially in accordance with
the Timetable, and in particular, but not limited to the
foregoing, Bolnisi must:
(a) Recommendation of the Scheme: state
when the Transaction is announced (on the basis of statements
made to it by each of the directors of Bolnisi) that the Bolnisi
Board unanimously recommends to Ordinary Shareholders that:
(1) the Scheme is in the best interests of Bolnisi and
Ordinary Shareholders;
(2) Ordinary Shareholders vote in favour of all resolutions
to be proposed at the Scheme Meeting or approve the
Scheme; and
(3) the Bolnisi Shareholders vote in favour of the Change
of Status Resolution,
subject to the Independent Expert opining that the Scheme is in
the best interests of Ordinary Shareholders and no superior
proposal emerging (whether by way of scheme or bid); and
(b) Preparation of Scheme Booklet: as
soon as practicable after the date of this agreement, prepare
the Scheme Booklet in accordance with all applicable laws and in
particular with the Corporations Act, PS 142 and the Listing
Rules, in consultation with Coeur as to the content and
presentation of the Scheme Booklet. This consultation must
include obtaining Coeurs consent to the inclusion of the
Coeur Information, and is subject to clause 5.4.
(c) Independent Expert: promptly appoint
an independent expert to provide a report to be included in the
Scheme Booklet stating whether, in the opinion of the expert,
the Scheme is in the best interests of Shareholders, and provide
all assistance and information reasonably requested by the
Independent Expert to enable it to prepare that report on a
timely basis.
(d) Bolnisi to provide Scheme Booklet: As
soon as practicable after Bolnisi has completed the preparation
of the final form of the Scheme Booklet, forward a copy to Coeur.
A-1-20
(e) Meeting of directors of Bolnisi: as
soon as practicable after preparation of the final form of the
Scheme Booklet, convene a meeting of the Bolnisi Board (or a
sub-committee of it) for the purpose of approving the Scheme
Booklet.
(f) Section 411(17)(b)
statement: apply to ASIC for the production of a
statement under section 411(17)(b) of the Corporations Act
stating that ASIC has no objection to the Scheme.
(g) Court direction: apply to the Court
for orders directing Bolnisi to convene the Scheme Meeting.
(h) Scheme Meeting: convene the Scheme
Meeting to approve the Scheme.
(i) Bolnisi Ordinary Shareholder
approval: seek the approval of Ordinary
Shareholders for the Scheme.
(j) Court approval: apply to the Court
for orders approving the Scheme as approved by the Ordinary
Shareholders at the Scheme Meeting.
(k) Lodge copy of Court order: lodge with
ASIC office copies of the Court orders approving the Scheme as
approved by the Ordinary Shareholders at the Scheme Meeting.
(l) Registration of explanatory
statement: use its best endeavours to cause ASIC
to register the explanatory statement included in the Scheme
Booklet in relation to the Scheme in accordance with section
412(6) of the Corporations Act.
(m) Registration: register all transfers
of Ordinary Shares on or as soon as practicable after the
Implementation Date.
(n) Access to information: provide to
Coeur and its authorised representatives reasonable access to
employees, offices and other facilities, and to the books and
records, of Bolnisi and its subsidiaries for the purpose of
implementing the Transaction.
(o) Palmarejo Plan: to procure that
Fairview Gold Pty Ltd takes all actions necessary to support the
Palmarejo Plan, including voting all of its shares in Palmarejo
in favour of the Palmarejo Plan.
(p) Bolnisi Prescribed
Occurrence: between the date of this agreement
and Implementation Date, ensure that a Bolnisi Prescribed
Occurrence does not occur.
(q) Conduct of business: from the date of
this agreement up to and including the Implementation Date,
conduct, and ensure that each of its subsidiaries conducts,
their respective businesses in the ordinary and proper course of
business, which will be limited solely to the operation of the
matters set out in the Project Plan Description, and make all
reasonable efforts to:
(1) keep available the services of their officers and
employees; and
(2) preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees and others having business dealings with
Bolnisi and any subsidiary of Bolnisi.
(r) Consultation: during the period from
the date of this agreement to the Implementation Date:
(1) promptly provide to Coeur a copy of the Bolnisi share
register as requested by Coeur from time to time; and
(2) hold regular meetings at the request of Coeur between
representatives of Bolnisi and Coeur to discuss material matters
relating to Bolnisi and its subsidiaries including, without
limitation:
(i) business performance (including updates as to any
material variances in relation to forecasts);
(ii) issues relating to or arising from any matter set out
in the Project Plan Description;
(iii) key personnel issues;
(iv) risk management and compliance;
A-1-21
(v) major business developments;
(vi) exploration or resource estimate updates;
(vii) environmental and permit matters; and
(viii) community relations.
(s) Release of third party
obligations: ensure, and use its best endeavours
to procure that Palmarejo ensures, that no third parties are
released from any obligations (including but not limited to any
standstill obligations) contained in any confidentiality
agreement(s) between Bolnisi, Palmarejo and such third parties
and that Bolnisi and Palmarejo shall use all reasonable
endeavours to enforce their rights against third parties under
such agreements.
(t) Assistance: provide any assistance or
information reasonably requested by Coeur in connection with the
preparation of the Disclosure Document and any other document
required in order to facilitate the Scheme.
(u) Bolnisi Information: prepare and
provide to Coeur in reasonable time the Bolnisi Information for
inclusion in the Disclosure Document, updated by all such
further or new information which may arise after the Disclosure
Document has been issued until the date of the Scheme Meeting
which is necessary to ensure that it is not misleading or
deceptive in any material respect (whether by omission or
otherwise).
(v) Bolnisi Shareholder approval: seek
the approval of Bolnisi Shareholders for the Change of Status
Resolution.
5.3 Coeurs
obligations
Coeur, Coeur Australia and Coeur Sub must execute all documents
and do all acts and things within its power as may be necessary
or desirable for the implementation and performance of the
Scheme on a basis consistent with this agreement, substantially
in accordance with the Timetable, and in particular Coeur, Coeur
Australia and Coeur Sub must:
(a) FIRB: as soon as practicable after
the date of this agreement, notify the Treasurer of the Scheme
for the purposes of the FATA.
(b) Coeur Information: prepare and
provide to Bolnisi in reasonable time the Coeur Information in
writing for inclusion in the Scheme Booklet including all
information relating to Coeur and its subsidiaries and the Coeur
Shares required by the Corporations Act, the Listing Rules, PS
60 and PS 142, which information must:
(1) contain all information necessary to ensure that the
Scheme Booklet complies with the requirements of
section 411(3) of the Corporations Act and PS60 in respect
of that information; and
(2) be updated by all such further or new information which
may arise after the Scheme Booklet has been dispatched until the
date of the Scheme Meeting which is necessary to ensure that it
is not misleading or deceptive in any material respect (whether
by omission or otherwise);
(c) Independent Experts
report: provide any assistance or information
reasonably requested by Bolnisi or by the Independent Expert in
connection with the preparation of the Independent Experts
report to be included with the Scheme Booklet.
(d) Assistance: provide any assistance or
information reasonably requested by Bolnisi in connection with
the preparation of the Scheme Booklet and any other document to
be sent to Ordinary Shareholders in order to facilitate
shareholder approval of the Scheme.
(e) Meeting of directors of Coeur: as
soon as practicable after the preparation of the final form of
the Scheme Booklet, convene a meeting of the Coeur Board (or a
sub-committee of it) for the purpose of approving those sections
that comprise the Coeur Information.
(f) Deed Poll: prior to the dispatch of
the Scheme Booklet, execute the Deed Poll.
A-1-22
(g) Listing of Coeur Shares: use its best
endeavours to procure that the Coeur Shares are approved for
listing on the TSX and NYSE and that the Coeur Shares in the
form of CDIs are approved for listing on the ASX, subject to the
condition that the shares and CDIs are issued, with effect from
the Business Day following the Effective Date.
(h) Access to information: provide to
Bolnisi and its authorised representatives reasonable access to
employees, offices and other facilities, and to the books and
records, of Coeur and its subsidiaries for the purpose of
implementing the Transaction.
(i) Coeur Prescribed Occurrence: between
the date of this agreement and the Implementation Date, ensure
that a Coeur Prescribed Occurrence does not occur.
(j) Conduct of business: from the date of
this agreement up to and including the Implementation Date,
conduct, and ensure that each of its subsidiaries conducts,
their respective businesses in the ordinary and proper course of
business, which requires that Coeur does not make any
acquisitions, disposals or capital expenditure, or incur any
indebtedness, in excess of US$200 million, and make all
reasonable efforts to:
(1) keep available the services of their officers and
employees; and
(2) preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees and others having business dealings with
Coeur and any subsidiary of Coeur.
(k) Representation: procure that it is
represented by counsel at the Court hearings convened for the
purpose of section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act, at
which through its counsel Coeur will undertake (if requested by
the Court) to do all such things and take all such reasonable
steps within its power as are necessary in order to ensure the
fulfilment of its obligations under this agreement and the
Scheme.
(l) Accuracy of Coeur
Information: confirm to Bolnisi the accuracy of
the Coeur Information in the Scheme Booklet.
(m) Review of Scheme Booklet: as soon as
practicable after delivery, review the drafts of the Scheme
Booklet prepared by Bolnisi and provide comments in good faith.
(n) Approval of Scheme Booklet: as soon
as practicable after the conclusion of the review by ASIC of the
Scheme Booklet, procure that a meeting of the Coeur Board (or a
subcommittee of it) is convened to consider approving those
sections of the Scheme Booklet that relate to Coeur as being in
a form appropriate for despatch to the Ordinary Shareholders,
subject to the approval of the Court.
(o) Share transfer: if the Scheme becomes
Effective, Coeur Australia shall accept a transfer of the
Bolnisi shares as contemplated by clause 4.2(a).
(p) Scheme Consideration: if the Scheme
becomes Effective, pay the Scheme Consideration in the manner
and amount contemplated by clause 4 on the Implementation
Date.
(q) Preparation of Disclosure
Document: as soon as practicable after the date
of this agreement, prepare the Disclosure Document in accordance
with all applicable laws, in consultation with Bolnisi as to the
content and presentation of the Disclosure Document. This
consultation must include obtaining Bolnisis consent to
the inclusion of the Bolnisi Information, and is subject to
clause 5.4.
5.4 Disagreement
on content of Scheme Booklet and Disclosure
Document
If the parties disagree on the form or content of the Scheme
Booklet or the Disclosure Document, as applicable:
(a) they must consult in good faith to try to settle an
agreed form of the Scheme Booklet or the Disclosure Document, as
applicable; and
(b) failing agreement within 5 Business Days, the dispute
must be referred to chairmen of Bolnisi and Coeur. If within 5
Business Days of the referral to the managing directors there is
still no agreement between the parties:
(1) Bolnisi will determine the final form and content of
the Scheme Booklet; and
A-1-23
(2) Coeur will determine the final form and content of the
Disclosure Document.
5.5 Appointment
of directors
(a) Bolnisi must, as soon as practicable:
(1) after the Second Court Date, take all actions necessary
to cause the appointment of that number of nominees of Coeur to
the Bolnisi Board which gives those nominees acting together
control of the Bolnisi Board; and
(2) after the Scheme Consideration has been paid, ensure
that all directors on the Bolnisi Board, other than the Coeur
nominees, resign.
5.6 Deeds
of access, indemnity and insurance
(a) Subject to the Scheme being Effective, Coeur undertakes
to Bolnisi that it will procure that Bolnisi and its
subsidiaries:
(1) comply with the deeds of indemnity, access and
insurance made by them in favour of their respective directors
and officers from time to time; and
(2) do not take any action which would prejudice or
adversely affect any directors and officers run-off
insurance cover taken out prior to the Implementation Date.
(b) The undertakings contained in this clause 5.6 are
subject to any restrictions under the Corporations Act or any
other applicable law and will be read down accordingly. Bolnisi
receives and holds the benefit of this clause 5.6, to the
extent it relates to the directors and officers of Bolnisi and
its subsidiaries, as trustee for them.
6 Termination
6.1 Termination
Without prejudice to any other rights of termination under this
agreement:
(a) either party may terminate this agreement by written
notice to the other party at any time before 8.00am on Second
Court Date if:
(1) the other party is in material breach of any provision
of this agreement, the party wishing to terminate has given
written notice to the other party setting out the relevant
circumstances and stating an intention to terminate, and the
relevant circumstances continue to exist 10 Business Days (or
any shorter period ending at 5.00pm on the day before the Second
Court Date) from the time the notice is given;
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or
Australian) or Regulatory Authority has taken any action
permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
Transaction, or has refused to do any thing necessary to permit
the Transaction, and the action or refusal has become final and
cannot be appealed;
(3) if the other party breaches its obligations under
clause 12.
(4) if the Break Fee is paid.
(b) Coeur may terminate this agreement by written notice to
Bolnisi:
(1) at any time before 8.00am on Second Court Date if:
(A) at the Scheme Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement of it at which the Scheme is voted on, the Scheme
is not approved by 16 November 2007 by the requisite
majority of Ordinary Shareholders required under the
Corporations Act;
(B) any member of the Bolnisi Board withdraws or changes
his recommendation in relation to the Scheme for any reason; or.
A-1-24
(C) a Bolnisi Material Adverse Change or a Bolnisi
Prescribed Occurrence takes place; or
(2) under clause 8.3.
(c) Bolnisi may terminate this agreement by written notice
to Coeur at any time before 8.00am on Second Court Date if a
Coeur Material Adverse Change or a Coeur Prescribed Occurrence
takes place.
6.2 Effect
of termination
If this agreement is terminated by either Bolnisi or Coeur under
clause 3 or this clause 6, except to the extent that
the termination results from a breach by either party of its
obligations under this agreement, this agreement will become
void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on
the part of Bolnisi or Coeur, other than the provisions of
clauses 7.9, 7.10, 11, 13, 15 and 17.5, which will remain
in force after termination.
6.3 Breach
of representations and warranties
Despite any other provision of this agreement, a breach of the
representations, warranties and undertakings given by Coeur in
clause 7.1 or given by Bolnisi in clause 7.3 will not
entitle Coeur or Bolnisi (as the case may be) to terminate this
agreement unless such breach results in or discloses anything
which could amount to a Coeur Material Adverse Change or a
Bolnisi Material Adverse Change (as the case may be) or which
could lead to criminal liability or material civil liability
under Australian or United States laws or regulations.
7 Representations,
warranties and undertakings
7.1 Coeurs
representations, warranties and undertakings
(a) Coeur represents and warrants to Bolnisi (in its own
right and separately as trustee or nominee for each of
Bolnisis directors and officers) that:
(1) the execution and delivery of this agreement has been
properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of Coeur;
(2) Coeur has full corporate power and lawful authority to
execute, deliver and perform or cause to be performed its
obligations under this agreement;
(3) except in respect of the documents listed in
Schedule 2, this agreement does not conflict with or result
in the breach of or default under Coeurs articles of
incorporation or bylaws or any other material term or provision
of any agreement or any writ, order or injunction, judgment,
law, rule or regulation to which it is party or by which it is
bound;
(4) Coeur is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization;
(5) Coeur has good and marketable title in fee simple to
all real property owned by it, and good and marketable title to
all other property owned by it;
(6) the books, records and accounts of Coeur and its
subsidiaries accurately, fairly and reasonably reflect, the
transactions in, and dispositions of, the assets of, and the
results of operations of, Coeur and its subsidiaries.
(b) Coeur undertakes to Bolnisi (in its own right and
separately as trustee or nominee for each of Bolnisis
directors and officers) that:
(1) the Coeur Information provided to Bolnisi will be
provided in good faith and on the understanding that Bolnisi and
its directors and officers will rely on that information to
prepare the Scheme Booklet and to propose and implement the
Scheme in accordance with the Corporations Act;
(2) the Coeur Information as at the date the Scheme Booklet
is despatched to Ordinary Shareholders, will not contain any
statement which is materially misleading or deceptive including
by way of omission from that statement; and
A-1-25
(3) it will, as a continuing obligation, provide to Bolnisi
all further or new information which arises after the Scheme
Booklet has been despatched until the date of the Scheme Meeting
which is necessary to ensure that there would be no breach of
clause 7.1(b)(2) if it applied as at the date on which that
information arose.
7.2 Coeurs
indemnity
Coeur agrees with Bolnisi (in its own right and separately as
trustee or nominee for each of Bolnisis directors and
officers) to indemnify Bolnisi and its directors and officers
against any claim, action, damage, loss, liability, cost,
expense or payment of whatever nature and however arising which
Bolnisi or any of its directors or officers suffers, incurs or
is liable for arising out of any breach of any of the
representations, warranties and undertakings in clause 7.1.
7.3 Bolnisis
representations, warranties and undertakings
(a) Bolnisi represents and warrants to Coeur and its
directors and officers (in its own right and separately as
trustee or nominee for each of Coeurs directors and
officers) that:
(1) the execution and delivery of this agreement has been
properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of Bolnisi;
(2) Bolnisi has full corporate power and lawful authority
to execute and deliver this agreement and to perform or cause to
be performed its obligations under this agreement;
(3) this agreement does not conflict with or result in the
breach of or default under any provision of Bolnisis
constitution or any material term or provision of any agreement
or any writ, order or injunction, judgment, law, rule or
regulation to which it is party or subject or by which it is
bound;
(4) Bolnisi is validly incorporated, organised and
subsisting in accordance with the laws of its place of
incorporation;
(5) Bolnisi has good and marketable title in fee simple to
all real property, and good and marketable title to all other
property, owned by it; and
(6) the books, records and accounts of Bolnisi and its
subsidiaries accurately, fairly and reasonably reflect, the
transactions in, and dispositions of, the assets of, and the
results of operations of, Bolnisi and its subsidiaries;
(7) to the extent applicable, the Board of Directors of
Coeur has unanimously determined that the Transaction will not
constitute a change of control within the meaning of any
compensatory or benefit plan, arrangement or agreement provided
or maintained by Coeur or any of its subsidiaries for the
benefit of present or former employees, officers, directors or
consultants of Coeur or its subsidiaries;
(8) Coeur has taken all action so that the entering into of
this agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not result in the grant of
any rights to any person under Coeurs rights agreement
described in Item 1 of Schedule 2 or enable or require
any rights issued pursuant to such agreement to be exercised,
distributed or triggered except for such rights to be provided
as part of the Scheme Consideration.
(b) Bolnisi undertakes to Coeur and its directors and
officers (in its own right and separately as trustee or nominee
for each of Coeurs directors and officers) that:
(1) the Scheme Booklet will not contain any statement which
is materially misleading or deceptive, including by way of
omission from that statement, save that this undertaking will
not apply to the Coeur Information contained in the Scheme
Booklet; and
(2) the Bolnisi Information provided to Coeur and to be
included in the Scheme Booklet or the Disclosure Document, as
applicable, will be provided in good faith and on the
understanding that Coeur and its directors and officers will
rely on that information in relation to the Scheme Booklet or
the Disclosure Document, as applicable, and the proposal and
implementation of the Scheme in accordance with the Corporations
Act;
A-1-26
(3) the Bolnisi Information provided to Coeur and to be
included in the Disclosure Document, will not contain any
statement which is materially misleading or deceptive including
by way of omission from that statement; and
(4) it will, as a continuing obligation, provide to Coeur
all further or new information which arises after the Disclosure
Document has been issued until the date of the Scheme Meeting
which is necessary to ensure that there would be no breach of
clause 7.3(b)(3) if it applied as at the date on which that
information arose.
7.4 Bolnisis
indemnity
Bolnisi agrees with Coeur (in its own right and separately as
trustee or nominee for each of Coeurs directors and
officers) to indemnify Coeur and Coeur Australia and its
directors and officers from any claim, action, damage, loss,
liability, cost, expense or payment of whatever nature and
however arising which Coeur or any of its directors or officers
suffers, incurs or is liable for arising out of any breach of
any of the representations, warranties and indemnities in
clause 7.3.
7.5 Coeur
Australias representations and warranties
(a) Coeur Australia represents and warrants to Bolnisi (in
its own right and separately as trustee or nominee for each of
Bolnisis directors and officers) that:
(1) the execution and delivery of this agreement has been
properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of Coeur
Australia ;
(2) Coeur has full corporate power and lawful authority to
execute, deliver and perform or cause to be performed its
obligations under this agreement;
(3) this agreement does not conflict with or result in the
breach of or default under Coeur Australias articles of
incorporation or bylaws or any other material term or provision
of any agreement or any writ, order or injunction, judgment,
law, rule or regulation to which it is party or by which it is
bound;
(4) Coeur Australia is duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization;
(5) Coeur Australia has good and marketable title in fee
simple to all real property owned by it, and good and marketable
title to all other property owned by it;
(6) the books, records and accounts of Coeur Australia and
its subsidiaries accurately, fairly and reasonably reflect, the
transactions in, and dispositions of, the assets of, and the
results of operations of, Coeur Australia and its subsidiaries.
7.6 Coeur
Australias indemnity
Coeur Australia agrees with Bolnisi (in its own right and
separately as trustee or nominee for each of Bolnisis
directors and officers) to indemnify Bolnisi and its directors
and officers against any claim, action, damage, loss, liability,
cost, expense or payment of whatever nature and however arising
which Bolnisi or any of its directors or officers suffers,
incurs or is liable for arising out of any breach of any of the
representations and warranties in clause 7.5.
7.7 Coeur
Subs representations and warranties
(a) Coeur Sub represents and warrants to Bolnisi (in its
own right and separately as trustee or nominee for each of
Bolnisis directors and officers) that:
(1) the execution and delivery of this agreement has been
properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of Coeur
Sub;
(2) Coeur Sub has full corporate power and lawful authority
to execute, deliver and perform or cause to be performed its
obligations under this agreement;
A-1-27
(3) this agreement does not conflict with or result in the
breach of or default under Coeur Subs articles of
incorporation or bylaws or any other material term or provision
of any agreement or any writ, order or injunction, judgment,
law, rule or regulation to which it is party or by which it is
bound;
(4) Coeur Sub is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization;
(5) Coeur Sub has good and marketable title in fee simple
to all real property owned by it, and good and marketable title
to all other property owned by it;
(6) the books, records and accounts of Coeur Sub and its
subsidiaries accurately, fairly and reasonably reflect, the
transactions in, and dispositions of, the assets of, and the
results of operations of, Coeur Sub and its subsidiaries.
7.8 Coeur
Subs indemnity
Coeur Sub agrees with Bolnisi (in its own right and separately
as trustee or nominee for each of Bolnisis directors and
officers) to indemnify Bolnisi and its directors and officers
against any claim, action, damage, loss, liability, cost,
expense or payment of whatever nature and however arising which
Bolnisi or any of its directors or officers suffers, incurs or
is liable for arising out of any breach of any of the
representations and warranties in clause 7.7.
7.9 Survival
of representations, warranties and undertakings
Each representation, warranty and undertaking in
clauses 7.1, 7.3, 7.5 and 7.7:
(a) is severable;
(b) survives the termination of this agreement; and
(c) is given with the intention that liability under it is
not confined to breaches which are discovered before the date of
termination of this agreement.
7.10 Survival
of indemnities
Each indemnity in this agreement (including those in
clauses 7.2, 7.4, 7.6 and 7.8):
(a) is severable;
(b) is a continuing obligation;
(c) constitutes a separate and independent obligation of
the party giving the indemnity from any other obligations of
that party under this agreement; and
(d) survives the termination of this agreement.
7.11 Release
of officers and directors
(a) Subject to the Corporations Act, none of the officers,
employees and directors of Bolnisi will be liable for anything
done or purported to be done in connection with the Scheme or
any transaction contemplated by this agreement (including any
breach of it or any of the representations or warranties herein)
in good faith, but nothing in this clause shall exclude any
liability that may arise from wilful misconduct or bad faith on
the part of such a person. Bolnisi receives and holds the
benefit of this release, as agent for its directors, officers
and employees.
(b) Subject to the Idaho Business Corporation Act, none of
the officers, employees and directors of Coeur will be liable
for anything done or purported to be done in connection with the
Scheme or any transaction contemplated by this agreement
(including any breach of it or any of the representations or
warranties herein) in good faith, but nothing in this clause
shall exclude any liability that may arise from wilful
misconduct or bad faith on the part of such a person. Coeur
receives and holds the benefit of this release, as agent for its
directors, officers and employees.
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8 Due
Diligence
8.1 Availability
of information
(a) Bolnisi will, and will use its best endeavours to
procure that Palmarejo will, during the Due Diligence Period
make available promptly to Coeur all information reasonably
requested by Coeur in order that Coeur can conduct Due Diligence
and will provide access to Coeur and its advisers who reasonably
require access to that information for the purposes of the Due
Diligence provided that nothing in this clause 8.1 requires
Bolnisi to provide to Coeur information:
(i) concerning Bolnisis consideration of the
Transaction;
(ii) concerning Bolnisis assessment of Coeur;
(iii) which the law prohibits Bolnisi from
disclosing; or
(iv) which is the subject of confidentiality obligations
owed by Bolnisi to third parties.
(b) The Due Diligence will comprise reasonable inquiries,
including management interviews and the review of management
papers and documents.
8.2 Third
party rights
(a) If clause 8.1(a)(iv) applies to particular
information, Bolnisi must use reasonable endeavours to obtain
any necessary third party consents to enable the information to
be disclosed to the other party.
(b) Coeur will give any reasonable undertakings as to
confidentiality which are required in order to facilitate the
obtaining of consents as contemplated by clause 8.2(a).
8.3 Due
diligence termination
Coeur may terminate this agreement by notice in writing to
Bolnisi if it becomes aware, prior to the end of the Due
Diligence Period of any event or events that would be reasonably
likely to give rise to:
(a) a Bolnisi Material Adverse Change; or
(b) a liability or liabilities (including those of a
contingent nature) of Bolnisi or any of its subsidiaries of
$50 million or more, whether individually or in aggregate,
such notice to be given no later than 5 Business Days after the
end of the Due Diligence Period.
9 Due
diligence undertaken by Bolnisi
9.1 Bolnisi
Due Diligence
The parties acknowledge that Bolnisi has undertaken the Bolnisi
Due Diligence.
10 Public
announcement
10.1 Announcement
of Scheme
As soon as practicable after the execution of this agreement,
Bolnisi and Coeur must issue public announcements including a
unanimous recommendation by the directors of Bolnisi to Ordinary
Shareholders that the Scheme be approved, subject to an
independent expert opining that the Scheme is in the best
interests of Ordinary Shareholders and there being no superior
proposal relating to all Ordinary Shares.
10.2 Public
announcement and submissions
(a) Subject to clause 10.3, no public announcement in
connection with any Transaction Document or the Scheme may be
made other than in a form approved by both parties.
A-1-29
(b) No submission for any Regulatory Approval under this
agreement may be made by one party without reasonable
consultation with the other party.
(c) Each party must use all reasonable endeavours to
provide the approval and constructively participate in the
consultation contemplated by clauses 10.2(a) and
(b) as soon as practicable.
10.3 Required
disclosure
If a party is required by law, regulatory rule or policy, or the
Listing Rules to make any announcement or disclosure relating to
matters the subject of a Transaction Document, prior notice must
be given to the other party and the party must consult to the
fullest extent possible with the other party regarding the form
and content of the announcement or disclosure.
11 Confidentiality
11.1 Confidentiality
obligations
Subject to clause 11.2, each party:
(a) acknowledges that the Confidential Information is
secret, confidential and valuable to the other party;
(b) must not, without the other partys prior written
consent, directly or indirectly, disclose or publish the
Confidential Information otherwise than in accordance with the
terms of this agreement;
(c) must not at any time use the Confidential Information
other than for the purposes of this agreement, and must not
permit, assist or allow a third party to use the Confidential
Information;
(d) must do all things reasonably necessary to safeguard
the confidentiality of the Confidential Information from
unauthorised use, access or copying;
(e) may only disclose the Confidential Information to its
Related Persons who:
(1) have a specific need to have access to the Confidential
Information for the purpose of enabling the party to perform its
obligations under this agreement; and
(2) are made aware of the confidential nature of the
Confidential Information and the existence and terms of this
clause; and
(f) must, on request of the other party, return any
Confidential Information provided by that party except for any
Confidential Information forming part of the minutes or board
records of the party receiving the Confidential Information.
11.2 No
breach
(a) A party is not liable for breaching its confidentiality
obligations in this agreement if:
(1) it complies with a court order or other legal
requirement to disclose any of the Confidential Information;
(2) the Confidential Information is in the public domain
other than as a result of a breach of this agreement by the
party;
(3) the Confidential Information is rightfully known to or
in the possession or control of a party and not subject to an
obligation of confidentiality on that party; or
(4) the Confidential Information is independently developed
by a party.
(b) Where disclosure is required by court order or other
legal requirement, the disclosing party must:
(1) disclose only the minimum Confidential Information
required to comply with that requirement; and
(2) give the other party prompt written notice of that
disclosure requirement to enable the other party to take
appropriate steps to safeguard its interests.
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11.3 Termination
of previous confidentiality agreement
Each party agrees that the other party is irrevocably released
from all obligations and liabilities owed to the first party
under the confidentiality agreement between each of the parties
and Palmarejo dated 17 November 2006.
11.4 Survival
of obligations
The rights and obligations of the parties under this
clause 11 survive termination of this agreement.
12 Exclusivity
12.1 Exclusivity
Subject to the remainder of this clause, during the Exclusivity
Period, Bolnisi and Coeur must not, and must ensure that their
Representatives do not, except with the prior consent of the
other party:
(a) directly or indirectly solicit, encourage, initiate or
invite any enquiries, discussions or proposals in relation to,
or which may reasonably be expected to lead to, a Third Party
Proposal for that party;
(b) initiate or participate in any discussions or
negotiations in relation to, or which may reasonably be expected
to lead to, a Third Party Proposal for that party; or
(c) communicate to any person an intention to do any of the
things referred to in clauses 12.1(a) or (b).
12.2 Notification
of approaches
(a) Subject to the remainder of this clause, during the
Exclusivity Period, Bolnisi or Coeur must notify the other party
if:
(1) it receives:
(A) any approach, inquiry or proposal made to, and any
attempt or any intention on the part of any person to initiate
or continue any negotiations or discussions with, Bolnisi or
Coeur or any of their Representatives with respect to, or that
could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Third Party
Proposal, whether unsolicited or otherwise;
(B) any request for information relating to Bolnisi or
Coeur or any of their subsidiaries or any of its businesses or
operations or any request for access to the books or records of
Bolnisi or Coeur or any of their subsidiaries, which Bolnisi or
Coeur (as applicable) has reasonable grounds to suspect may
relate to a current or future Third Party Proposal;
(2) any breach of this clause 12; or
(3) its Representatives provides any information relating
to Bolnisi or Coeur (as the case may be) or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their businesses or operations to any
person in connection with or for the purposes of a current or
future Third Party Proposal.
(b) A notice given under this clause 12.2 must be
accompanied by all relevant details of the relevant event,
including the identity of the person or persons taking any
action referred to in clause 12.2(a)(1), and the terms and
conditions of any Third Party Proposal or any proposed Third
Party Proposal (to the extent known).
(c) Without limiting the obligations under
clauses 12.2(a) and (b), Bolnisi or Coeur (as applicable)
must give notice of the matters set out in clause (b) at
least 48 hours before the Bolnisi Board or Coeur Board (as
applicable) recommends acceptance by its shareholders of an
offer for their shares under a Third Party Proposal, or
otherwise recommends that shareholders approve a Third Party
Proposal.
12.3 Equal
access to information
Where Bolnisi or Coeur or any of the Representatives provides
any information relating to Bolnisi or Coeur any of their
subsidiaries or any of its businesses or operations to any
person in connection with or for the purposes of
A-1-31
a current or future Third Party Proposal, it must promptly
provide Coeur or Bolnisi a complete copy of that information.
12.4 Normal
provision of information
Nothing in this clause 12 prevents a party or its
Representatives from:
(a) providing information to its Representatives;
(b) providing information required to be provided by law, a
court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or Australian)
or any Regulatory Authority; or
(c) making presentations to brokers, portfolio investors
and analysts in the ordinary and usual course of business.
12.5 Fiduciary
carve-out
Clauses 12.1(b), 12.1(c), 12.2(a) and 12.2(b) do not
require Bolnisi or Coeur any of their respective directors to do
or refrain from doing any thing with respect to a Third Party
Proposal (which was not solicited by the party in breach of
clause 12.1(a)), provided that the Bolnisi or Coeur Board
(as applicable) has determined in good faith and acting
reasonably after consultation with its financial advisers and
receiving written legal advice from external legal advisers,
that failing to respond to such Third Party Proposal would be
likely to constitute a breach of the directors fiduciary
or statutory obligations.
12.6 No
current discussions
Each party represents and warrants to the other that, as at the
date of this agreement, neither it or any of its Representatives:
(a) is participating, directly or indirectly, in any
discussions or negotiations with a third party that concern, or
that could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Third Party
Proposal; or
(b) is a party to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding with a third party in relation to a Third Party
Proposal for it or a possible Third Party Proposal that would
prevent it entering into this agreement or complying with its
obligations under this agreement.
13 Payment
of costs
13.1 Background
(a) Each party acknowledges that, if Bolnisi and Coeur
enter into this agreement and the Scheme is subsequently not
implemented, they will both incur significant costs.
(b) Each party has requested that provision be made for the
payments outlined in clauses 13.2 and 13.4, without which
they would not have entered into this agreement.
(c) Each party considers that this clause is fair and
reasonable and that it is appropriate to agree to the payments
referred to in this clause 13 in order to secure the significant
benefits to it (and its shareholders) resulting from the
Transaction.
13.2 Payment
of costs
(a) If this agreement is terminated or the Scheme is not
implemented as a result of:
(1) the non-satisfaction of any conditions precedent in
clauses 3.1(b), 3.1(h), 3.1(j), 3.1(l) or 3.1(n) provided
that, immediately before the termination or, if the agreement
has not been terminated, when Court approval was due to be
sought, no matter has occurred which would prevent
clauses 3.1(a), 3.1(c), 3.1(f), 3.1(g), 3.1(i) or 3.1(k)
from being satisfied;
A-1-32
(2) Bolnisi not using its best endeavours to cause
clauses 3.1(b) or 3.1(e) to be satisfied, provided that all
other conditions precedent have been or are reasonably likely to
be satisfied;
(3) any Bolnisi Board member withdrawing or changing his
recommendation or supporting a Third Party Proposal for Bolnisi;
(4) a Third Party Proposal for Bolnisi being announced or
made before the Second Court Date and, within 7 months of
the date of this agreement, the person making the Third Party
Proposal for Bolnisi acquiring voting power of 50% or more in
Bolnisi; or
(5) Bolnisi breaching its obligations under clause 12,
Bolnisi must pay to Coeur the Break Fee to compensate Coeur for
the costs and disbursements incurred by Coeur and the time
invested by the management and board of Coeur.
(b) If this agreement is terminated or the Scheme is not
implemented as a result of:
(1) the non-satisfaction of the conditions precedent in
clauses 3.1(c), 3.1(g), 3.1(i) 3.1(k), 3.1(m) or 3.1(o)
provided that, immediately before the termination or, if the
agreement has not been terminated when Court approval was due to
be sought, no matter has occurred which would prevent
clauses 3.1(a), 3.1(f), 3.1(h), 3.1(j) or 3.1(l) from being
satisfied; or
(2) Coeur not using its best endeavours to cause
clause 3.1(m) to be satisfied, provided that all other
conditions precedent have been or are reasonably likely to be
satisfied;
(3) Coeur breaching its obligations under clause 12,
Coeur must pay to Bolnisi the Break Fee to compensate Bolnisi
for the costs and disbursements incurred by Bolnisi and the time
invested by the management and board of Bolnisi.
(c) Since the loss which would actually be incurred by the
parties of the kinds referred to in clauses 13.2(a) to
13.2(b) are of such nature that they cannot accurately be
ascertained in advance, the Break Fee has been agreed as a
genuine and reasonable pre-estimate of the loss which may be
suffered by Bolnisi and Coeur respectively.
(d) Bolnisi must pay Coeur the Break Fee claimed under
clause 13.2(a) within 10 Business Days of receipt by
Bolnisi of a demand for payment of the Break Fee from Coeur.
(e) Coeur must pay Bolnisi the Break Fee claimed under
clause 13.2(b) within 10 Business Days of receipt by Coeur
of a demand for payment of the Break Fee from Bolnisi.
13.3 Exceptions
Neither party will have an obligation to pay the Break Fee under
clause 13.2(a) or 13.2(b) if:
(a) this agreement is terminated pursuant to
clause 8.3; or
(b) the Independent Expert determines in its report that
the Scheme is not in the best interests of the Ordinary
Shareholders, unless such determination is as a result of a
Third Party Proposal for Bolnisi.
13.4 Compliance
with law
This clause 13 imposes obligations on Bolnisi only to the
extent that the performance of those obligations would not:
(a) involve a breach of the fiduciary duties owed by any
Bolnisi director; or
(b) breach an order of the Takeovers Panel; or
(c) otherwise be unlawful or contravene any court or
regulatory order.
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13.5 Limitation
of liability
Notwithstanding any other provision in this agreement:
(a) a payment under this clause 13 represents the sole
and absolute liability of the parties under or in connection
with the occurrence of any of the events or circumstances
referred to in clauses 13.2(a) to 13.2(b) and no further
claims for damages, fees, expenses or reimbursements of any kind
will be payable by a party which has paid the Break Fee in
connection with the occurrence of any such events or
circumstances; and
(b) the sum of the Break Fee represents the maximum
liability of each party to the other under or in connection with
this agreement, including any breach by it or the
representations and warranties herein.
14 Conduct
of Court proceedings
(a) Bolnisi and Coeur are entitled to separate
representation at all Court proceedings affecting the
Transaction.
(b) This agreement does not give Bolnisi or Coeur any right
or power to give undertakings to the Court for or on behalf of
the other party without that partys consent.
(c) Bolnisi and Coeur must give all undertakings to the
Court in all Court proceedings which are reasonably required to
obtain Court approval and confirmation of the Transaction as
contemplated by this agreement.
15 Duty,
costs and expenses
15.1 Stamp
duty
Coeur must:
(a) pay all stamp duties and any fines and penalties with
respect to stamp duty in respect of this agreement or the Scheme
or the steps to be taken under this agreement or the
Scheme; and
(b) indemnify Bolnisi against any liability arising from
failure to comply with clause 15.1(a).
15.2 Costs
and expenses
Except as otherwise provided in this agreement, each party must
pay its own costs and expenses in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this
agreement and the proposed, attempted or actual implementation
of this agreement, the Scheme and the Transaction Documents.
16 GST
(a) In this clause 16, a word or expression defined in
the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999
(Cth) has the meaning given to it in that Act.
(b) If a party makes a supply under or in connection with
this agreement in respect of which GST is payable, the
consideration for the supply but for the application of this
clause (b) (GST exclusive consideration) is increased by an
amount equal to the GST exclusive consideration multiplied by
the rate of GST prevailing at the time the supply is made.
(c) If a party must reimburse or indemnify another party
for a loss, cost or expense, the amount to be reimbursed or
indemnified is first reduced by any input tax credit the other
party is entitled to for the loss, cost or expense, and then
increased in accordance with clause 16(b).
(d) A party need not make a payment for a taxable supply
made under or in connection with this agreement until it
receives a tax invoice for the supply to which the payment
relates.
A-1-34
17 General
17.1 No
representation or reliance
(a) Each party acknowledges that no party (nor any person
acting on its behalf) has made any representation or other
inducement to it to enter into this agreement, except for
representations or inducements expressly set out in this
agreement.
(b) Each party acknowledges and confirms that it does not
enter into this agreement in reliance on any representation or
other inducement by or on behalf of any other party, except for
any representation or inducement expressly set out in this
agreement.
(c) Each party acknowledges and confirms that
clauses 17.1(a) and (b) do not prejudice any rights a
party may have in relation to information which has been filed
by the other party with the ASIC, ASX, NYSE, TSX, SEC or
Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
17.2 No
merger
The rights and obligations of the parties do not merge on
completion of the Transaction. They survive the execution and
delivery of any assignment or other document entered into for
the purpose of implementing the Transaction.
17.3 Consents
Any consent referred to in, or required under, this agreement
from any party may not be unreasonably withheld, unless this
agreement expressly provides for that consent to be given in
that partys absolute discretion.
17.4 Notices
Any communication under or in connection with this agreement:
(a) must be in writing;
(b) must be addressed as shown below:
Bolnisi
Name: Peter Nightingale
Address: Level 8, 261 George Street, Sydney
NSW 2000
Fax no: +61 (2) 9247
3932
Coeur
Name: Company Secretary
Address: 505 Front Ave, Coeur
dAlene, Idaho 83814
Fax no: +1 (208) 667
2213
(or as otherwise notified by that party to the other party from
time to time);
(c) must be signed by the party making the communication or
by a person duly authorised by that party;
(d) must be delivered or posted by prepaid post to the
address, or sent by fax to the number, of the addressee, in
accordance with clause 17.4(b); and
(e) is regarded as received by the addressee:
(1) if sent by prepaid post, on the third Business Day
after the date of posting to an address within Australia, and on
the fifth Business Day after the date of posting to an address
outside Australia;
A-1-35
(2) if sent by fax, at the local time (in the place of
receipt of that fax) which then equates to the time at which
that fax is sent as shown on the transmission report which is
produced by the machine from which that fax is sent and which
confirms transmission of that fax in its entirety, unless that
local time is not a Business Day, or is after 5.00pm on a
Business Day, when that communication will be regarded as
received at 9.00am on the next Business Day; and
(3) if delivered by hand, on delivery at the address of the
addressee as provided in clause 17.4(b), unless delivery is
not made on a Business Day, or after 5.00pm on a Business Day,
when that communication will be regarded as received at 9.00am
on the next Business Day.
17.5 Governing
law and jurisdiction
(a) This agreement is governed by the laws of New South
Wales.
(b) Each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales and courts
competent to hear appeals from those courts.
17.6 Waivers
(a) Failure to exercise or enforce, a delay in exercising
or enforcing, or the partial exercise or enforcement of any
right, power or remedy provided by law or under this agreement
by any party does not in any way preclude, or operate as a
waiver of, any exercise or enforcement, or further exercise or
enforcement, of that or any other right, power or remedy
provided by law or under this agreement.
(b) Any waiver or consent given by any party under this
agreement is only effective and binding on that party if it is
given or confirmed in writing by that party.
(c) No waiver of a breach of any term of this agreement
operates as a waiver of another breach of that term or of a
breach of any other term of this agreement.
17.7 Variation
This agreement may only be varied by a document signed by or on
behalf of each of the parties.
17.8 Assignment
A party may not assign, novate or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations under this agreement without the prior
written consent of the other party.
17.9 Further
action
Each party will do all things and execute all further documents
necessary to give full effect to this agreement.
17.10 Entire
agreement
This agreement together with any agreement in respect of the
Palmarejo Plan supersedes all previous agreements, including (in
respect of the obligations owed by the parties to each other)
the confidentiality agreement between each of the parties and
Palmarejo dated 17 November 2006 in respect of its subject
matter and embodies the entire agreement between the parties.
17.11 Counterparts
(a) This agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts.
(b) All counterparts, taken together, constitute one
instrument.
(c) A party may execute this agreement by signing any
counterpart.
A-1-36
Schedule 1
Timetable
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
|
Action
|
|
Comment
|
|
3 May 2007
|
|
Sign Merger Implementation Agreement
|
|
|
31 May 2007
|
|
Draft Scheme Booklet to ASIC (and ASX) and provide notice of
first court hearing date to ASIC
|
|
ASIC must be given at least 14 days to review the scheme
documentation Corporations Act s411(2).
|
18 June 2007
|
|
First Court hearing to convene scheme meetings and approve
Scheme Booklet for dispatch
|
|
|
25 June 2007
|
|
Dispatch notice of meeting and Scheme Booklet
|
|
Must allow 29 clear days (28 clear days + 1 day per
Constitution) after notice of meeting dispatched. We have
allowed for additional time given the need to obtain Regulatory
Approvals. Meeting date to be brought forward if it is clear, by
the time of the first Court hearing, that Regulatory Approvals
will be obtained earlier (unlikely).
|
24 July 2007
|
|
Shareholders meeting to approve Scheme
|
|
|
3 August 2007
|
|
Second Court hearing
|
|
|
3 August 2007
|
|
Announce to ASX intention to lodge Court order on following
business day
|
|
LR Appendix 7A, item 6
|
6 August 2007
|
|
Lodge Court order approving Scheme with ASIC and announcement
made to ASX
|
|
Scheme becomes effective on lodgement with ASIC.
|
6 August 2007
|
|
Scheme becomes effective
|
|
|
13 August 2007
|
|
Record Date for Scheme participation
|
|
Record Date for a scheme is ordinarily 5 business days after the
scheme has become effective: LR Appendix 7A, item 6.
|
20 August 2007
|
|
Implementation Date
|
|
|
A-1-37
Schedule 2
Documents
requiring consent
1 Rights Agreement, dated as of May 11, 1999, by and
among Coeur DAlene Mines Corporation and ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as rights agent
2 Employment Agreement, dated as of September 17,
2002, by and among Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation and
Dennis E. Wheeler
3 1993 Annual Incentive Plan
4 1993 Long-Term Performance Share Plan
5 Contract of Insurance against Inconvertibility;
Expropriation; Political Violence, dated as of December 17,
2004, by and among Overseas Private Investment Corporation and
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
A-1-38
Signing
page
Executed as a agreement:
Signed by
Coeur d Alene Mines Corporation
by
|
|
|
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
print name
|
Dennis E.
Wheeler
|
Signed by
Bolnisi Gold NL
by
|
|
|
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Norman
Seckold
|
Company Secretary/Director
|
|
|
|
print name
|
Norman
Seckold
|
|
|
|
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Kenneth
Phillips
|
Director
|
|
|
|
print name
|
Kenneth
Phillips
|
A-1-39
Signed by
Coeur Sub Two, Inc.
by
|
|
|
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
|
President
|
|
|
|
print name
|
Dennis E.
Wheeler
|
Signed by
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
by
|
|
|
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
|
Director
|
|
|
|
print name
|
Dennis E.
Wheeler
|
|
|
|
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Mitchell
Krebs
|
Director
|
|
|
|
print name
|
Mitchell
Krebs
|
A-1-40
Annex A-2
Date: 8 June 2007
Amending Agreement
relating to Merger Implementation Agreement
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
Coeur Sub Two, Inc
Bolnisi Gold NL
MinterEllison
LAWYERS
AURORA PLACE, 88 PHILLIP STREET,
SYDNEY NSW 2000, DX 117 SYDNEY
TEL: +61 2 9921 8888 FAX: +61 2 9921 8123
www.minterellison.com
A-2-1
Amending
Agreement
relating to Merger Implementation Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Details
|
|
|
A-2-3
|
|
Agreed terms
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
1.
|
|
Defined terms & interpretation
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
Defined terms
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
Interpretation
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
2.
|
|
Amendments
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Amendments to MIA
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
Single document
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
Confirmation and acknowledgment
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
3.
|
|
General
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Governing law and jurisdiction
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Confidentiality
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
Counterparts
|
|
|
A-2-4
|
|
Signing page
|
|
|
A-2-5
|
|
A-2-2
Details
|
|
|
Date |
|
June 2007 |
|
Parties |
|
|
|
Name |
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation |
|
Short form name |
|
Coeur |
|
Incorporated |
|
Idaho, USA |
|
Notice details |
|
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene
Idaho 83814
USA
Facsimile: +1 208 667 2213
Attention: Company Secretary |
|
Name |
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd |
|
Short form name |
|
Coeur Australia |
|
ACN |
|
125 204 775 |
|
Notice details |
|
Suite 1003
3 Spring Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Facsimile:
Attention: |
|
Name |
|
Coeur Sub Two, Inc |
|
Short form name |
|
Coeur Sub Two |
|
Incorporated |
|
Delaware, USA |
|
Notice details |
|
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene
Idaho 83814
USA
Facsimile: +1 208 667 2213
Attention: Company Secretary |
|
Name |
|
Bolnisi Gold NL |
|
Short form name |
|
Bolnisi |
|
ACN |
|
008 587 086 |
|
Notice details |
|
Level 8
261 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Facsimile: +61 2 9247 3932
Attention: Peter Nightingale |
Background
A
The parties entered into the Merger Implementation Agreement
(MIA) on 3 May 2007.
B
The parties wish to amend the MIA as set out in this document.
A-2-3
Agreed
terms
|
|
1.
|
Defined
terms & interpretation
|
Capitalised terms used in this agreement and not otherwise
defined have the meanings given to them in the MIA.
Clauses 1.2 and 1.3 of the MIA apply to this document as if
set out in full in this clause 1.2.
The parties agree that the MIA is amended as follows: In
clause 1.1 in the definition of Due Diligence
Period, replace 30 with 44.
The MIA as amended by this document is to be read as a single
integrated document incorporating the amendments effected by
this document.
|
|
2.3
|
Confirmation
and acknowledgment
|
Each party confirms that the MIA, as amended by clause 2.1,
remains in full force and effect.
|
|
3.1
|
Governing
law and jurisdiction
|
This agreement is governed by the law of New South Wales,
Australia and each party irrevocably and unconditionally submits
to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South
Wales, Australia.
Clause 11 of the MIA applies to this document as if set out
in full in this clause 3.2.
This document may be executed in counterparts. All executed
counterparts constitute one agreement.
A-2-4
Signing
page
EXECUTED as an agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signed for Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
Signature
of officer
|
|
◄
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of officer (print)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office held
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executed by Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty
Ltd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
Signature
of director
|
|
◄
|
|
/s/ Mitchell
J. Krebs
Signature
of director
|
|
◄
|
|
|
|
|
(Please delete as applicable)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
Name
of director (print)
|
|
|
|
Mitchell J. Krebs
Name
of director (print)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signed for Coeur Sub Two, Inc by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
Signature
of officer
|
|
◄
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
Name
of officer (print)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
Office
held
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executed by Bolnisi Gold NL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Norman
A. Seckold
Signature
of director
|
|
◄
|
|
/s/ Peter
J. Nightingale
Signature
of director/company secretary
|
|
◄
|
|
|
|
|
(Please delete as applicable)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
Name
of director (print)
|
|
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
Name
of director/company secretary (print)
|
|
|
A-2-5
Annex A-3
Agreement
22 June
2007
Project Arizona
Second Amending
Agreement relating to
Merger Implementation
Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MLC Centre Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
|
|
Telephone +61 2 9225 5000 Facsimile +61 2 9322 4000
|
GPO Box 4227 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia
|
|
www.freehills.com DX 361 Sydney
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sydney Melbourne Perth Brisbane Singapore
|
|
Correspondent offices in Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Jakarta
|
A-3-1
Parties
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
Coeur Sub Two, Inc
Bolnisi Gold NL
A-3-2
Contents
Table of
contents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The agreement
|
|
|
A-3-4
|
|
Operative part
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
1
|
|
Defined terms and interpretation
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
Defined terms
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
Interpretation
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
2
|
|
Amendments
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Amendments to MIA
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
Single document
|
|
|
A-3-6
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
Confirmation and acknowledgment
|
|
|
A-3-7
|
|
3
|
|
General
|
|
|
A-3-7
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Governing law and jurisdiction
|
|
|
A-3-7
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Confidentiality
|
|
|
A-3-7
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
Counterparts
|
|
|
A-3-7
|
|
Signing page
|
|
|
A-3-8
|
|
A-3-3
The agreement
Second
Amending Agreement relating to Merger
Implementation Agreement
Date 22 June 2007
Between
the parties
|
|
|
Name |
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation |
|
Short form name |
|
Coeur |
|
Incorporated |
|
Idaho, USA |
|
Notice details |
|
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene
Idaho 83814
USA
Facsimile: +1 208 667 2213
Attention: Company Secretary |
|
Name |
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd |
|
Short form name |
|
Coeur Australia |
|
ACN |
|
125 204 775 |
|
Notice details |
|
Suite 1003
3 Spring Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Attention: Company Secretary |
|
Name |
|
Coeur Sub Two, Inc |
|
Short form name |
|
Coeur Sub Two |
|
Incorporated |
|
Delaware, USA |
|
Notice details |
|
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene
Idaho 83814
USA
Facsimile: +1 208 667 2213
Attention: Company Secretary |
A-3-4
|
|
|
Name |
|
Bolnisi Gold NL |
|
Short form name |
|
Bolnisi |
|
ACN |
|
008 587 086 |
|
Notice details |
|
Level 8
261 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Facsimile: +61 2 9247 3932
Attention: Peter Nightingale |
|
Background |
|
The parties entered into the Merger Implementation Agreement on
3 May 2007 which was amended by an Amending Agreement dated
8 June 2007 (together the MIA). |
|
|
|
The parties wish to amend the MIA as set out in this document. |
|
The parties agree |
|
as set out in the Operative part of this agreement, in
consideration of, among other things, the mutual promises
contained in this agreement. |
A-3-5
Operative
part
1 Defined
terms and interpretation
1.1 Defined
terms
Capitalised terms used in this agreement and not otherwise
defined have the meanings given to them in the MIA.
1.2 Interpretation
Clauses 1.2 and 1.3 of the MIA apply to this document
as if set out in full in this clause 1.2.
2 Amendments
2.1 Amendments
to MIA
The parties agree that the MIA is amended as follows:
(1) In clause 1.1 in the definition of Due
Diligence Period, replace 44 with
58.
(2) In clause 8.3 delete the words 5 Business
Days after the end of the Due Diligence Period and replace
them with the words:
3 July 2007, 5pm Idaho (United States of America)
time.
For the purpose of this clause 8.3 only, the notice
provisions in clause 17.4(e) do not apply and instead the
following applies:
Any communication under or in connection with clause 8.3 of
this agreement is regarded as received by the addressee:
(a) if sent by fax, at the local time in the State of Idaho
which then equates to the time at which that fax is sent as
shown on the transmission report which is produced by the
machine from which that fax is sent and which confirms
transmission of that fax in its entirety; and
(b) if delivered by hand, on delivery at the address of the
addressee as provided in clause 17.4(b).
2.2 Single
document
The MIA as amended by this document is to be read as a single
integrated document incorporating the amendments effected by
this document.
A-3-6
2.3 Confirmation
and acknowledgment
Each party confirms that the MIA, as amended by clause 2.1,
remains in full force and effect.
3 General
3.1 Governing
law and jurisdiction
This agreement is governed by the law of New South Wales,
Australia and each party irrevocably and unconditionally submits
to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South
Wales, Australia.
3.2 Confidentiality
Clause 11 of the MIA applies to this document as if set out
in full in this clause 3.2.
3.3 Counterparts
This document may be executed in counterparts. All executed
counterparts constitute one agreement.
A-3-7
Signing
page
Executed as
an agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signed for Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
Signature
of officer
|
|
◄
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis E. Wheeler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of officer (print)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office held
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Executed by Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
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/s/ Mitchell
J. Krebs
Signature
of director
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◄
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/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
Signature
of director/company secretary
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◄
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(Please delete as applicable)
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Mitchell J. Krebs
Name
of director (print)
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Dennis E. Wheeler
Name
of director/company secretary (print)
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Signed for Coeur Sub Two, Inc by
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/s/ Dennis
E. Wheeler
Signature
of officer
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◄
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Dennis E. Wheeler
Name
of officer (print)
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Chairman
Office
held
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Executed by Bolnisi Gold NL
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/s/ Norman
A. Seckold
Signature
of director
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◄
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/s/ Peter
J. Nightingale
Signature
of director/company secretary
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◄
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(Please delete as applicable)
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Norman A. Seckold
Name
of director (print)
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Peter J. Nightingale
Name
of director/company secretary (print)
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A-3-8
Annex A-4
Confirmation
of agreement to extension of MIA and other
consents/amendments
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Bolnisi Gold
NL
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24 September
2007
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261 George Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Attention: Peter Nightingale
Dear Sir
Conditional
extension to Merger Implementation Agreement and other
consents/amendments
This is to confirm our agreement in relation to the Merger
Implementation Agreement entered into on 3 May 2007, as
follows:
1 Coeur agrees to lodge the proxy statement with the SEC,
in the form Coeur provided to Bolnisi on 24 September
2007 within 24 hours of the execution of this letter.
2 Subject to paragraph 4 below, the End Date will be
amended to the earlier of:
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the day 45 days after the date the SEC confirms in writing
that it has no further comments on the proxy statement, or if
that date is between 22 December 2007 and 3 February
2008 (the Courts summer recess) to 15 February
2008, and
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15 February 2008,
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(Revised End Date).
3 Subject to paragraph 4 below,
clause 6.1(b)(1)(A) is amended by deleting the words
by 16 November 2007, and the reference in
clause 13.2(a)(4) to within 7 months of the date
of this agreement, is amended to before the End
Date.
4 There will be no change to the End Date or the clauses
referred to in paragraph 3 above if:
(a) within 10 days of filing the proxy statement, the
SEC confirms it will not review Coeurs proxy
statement; or
(b) the SEC completes its review and confirms in writing
that it has no further comments by 19 October 2007.
5 Coeur consents for the purposes of the definition of
Bolnisi Prescribed Occurrence to Bolnisi entering
into and the drawdown of funds under the Macquarie Bank bridging
debt finance facility in the form initialled by the parties for
identification on the date of this agreement (Facility),
waives any potential breach or non-fulfilment of the Conditions
Precedent in clause 3.1(j) constituted by Bolnisi entering into
the Facility, and the parties agree that entry into, and the
drawdown of funds under, that Facility will not be taken to be a
Bolnisi Material Adverse Change or a breach of the Merger
Implementation Agreement, provided that Bolnisi must not draw
down under the Facility unless and until:
(a) Bolnisi has delivered to Coeur executed extensions of
the options granted by each of the persons which granted options
over Bolnisi shares to Coeur on 3 May 2007, in the form
agreed between Coeur and Bolnisi on 24 September
2007; and
(b) the definitive documentation for the Facility includes
a clause to the following effect:
Bolnisi shall, concurrently with any notice to MBL of any
default, pending or possible default, or event or condition
which could reasonably be expected to result in such a default,
provide a copy of any such notice to Coeur. In addition, MBL
shall, concurrently with any notice to Bolnisi of any default,
pending or possible default, or event or condition which could
reasonably be expected to result in such a default,
A-4-1
provide a copy of any such notice to Coeur. MBL and Bolnisi
agree that Coeur has the right, but not the obligation, to cure
any such default on behalf of Bolnisi before MBL exercises any
default remedies. In the event Coeur does so elect to cure any
such default, Coeur will notify MBL and Bolnisi of such
election, and MBL will, in exchange for the cure of any such
default, assign its rights against Bolnisi in respect of such
default to Coeur, and Coeur shall succeed to the interests of
MBL in respect of such default.
6 Bolnisi agrees, upon lodgement of the proxy statement
with the SEC, to lodge with the Australian Securities Exchange
an announcement in the form attached. Coeur agrees, upon
lodgement of the proxy statement with the SEC, to file a current
report on
Form 8-K
with the SEC attaching the announcement in the form attached.
This amendment does not otherwise amend or affect the validity
or enforceability of the Merger Implementation Agreement.
Defined terms in this letter have the meaning given to them in
the Merger Implementation Agreement, and clause references in
this letter are to clauses of the Merger Implementation
Agreement.
This letter may be signed in any number of counterparts and by
the parties on separate counterparts.
Signed by
Coeur d Alene Mines Corporation
by
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sign here:
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/s/ Mitchell
Krebs
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Officer
print name Mitchell Krebs
A-4-2
Signed by
Coeur Sub Two, Inc.
by
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sign here:
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/s/ Mitchell
Krebs
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Officer
print name Mitchell Krebs
Signed by
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd
by
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sign here:
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/s/ Mitchell
Krebs
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Company Secretary/Director
print name Mitchell Krebs
AGREED
Signed by
Bolnisi Gold NL
by
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sign here:
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/s/ Peter
J. Nightingale
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Company Secretary/Director
print name Peter J. Nightingale
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sign here:
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/s/ Norman
Seckold
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Director
print name Norman Seckold
A-4-3
Annex B-1
Merger
Implementation
Agreement
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
and
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
B-1-1
Table of
contents
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Contents
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The agreement
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B-1-4
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Operative part
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B-1-5
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1
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Definitions and interpretation
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B-1-5
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1.1
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Definitions
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B-1-5
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1.2
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Interpretation
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B-1-14
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1.3
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Business Day
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B-1-14
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2
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Agreement to proceed with the Transaction
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B-1-14
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3
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Conditions precedent and pre-implementation steps
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B-1-14
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3.1
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Conditions precedent
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B-1-14
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3.2
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Inter-conditionality of Plan and Bolnisi Scheme
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B-1-16
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3.3
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Commercially reasonable endeavours
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B-1-16
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3.4
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Waiver of conditions precedent
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B-1-16
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3.5
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Consultation on failure of condition precedent
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B-1-16
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3.6
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Certain notices
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B-1-17
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3.7
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Regulatory approval
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B-1-17
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3.8
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Tax Matters
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B-1-17
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4
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Plan
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B-1-18
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4.1
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Plan
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B-1-18
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4.2
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Plan consideration
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B-1-18
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4.3
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Status of Coeur Shares
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B-1-18
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4.4
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Withholding Rights
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B-1-18
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5
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Steps for implementation
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B-1-19
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5.1
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Obligations of both parties
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B-1-19
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5.2
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Palmarejos obligations
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B-1-19
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5.3
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Coeurs obligations
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B-1-21
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5.4
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Disagreement on content of Plan Circular and/or Coeur Proxy
Statement
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B-1-22
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5.5
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Appointment of directors
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B-1-22
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5.6
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Insurance and Indemnification
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B-1-23
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6
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Termination
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B-1-23
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6.1
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Termination
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B-1-23
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6.2
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Effect of termination
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B-1-24
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6.3
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Breach of representations and warranties
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B-1-24
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7
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Representations, warranties and undertakings
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B-1-24
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7.1
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Coeurs representations and warranties
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B-1-24
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7.2
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Coeurs indemnity
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B-1-24
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7.3
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Palmarejos representations and warranties
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B-1-24
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7.4
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Palmarejos indemnity
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B-1-24
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7.5
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Survival of representations, warranties and undertakings
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B-1-25
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7.6
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Survival of indemnities
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B-1-25
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8
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Palmarejo Information
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B-1-25
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8.1
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Availability of information
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B-1-25
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8.2
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Third party rights
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B-1-25
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B-1-2
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Contents
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9
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Public announcement
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B-1-25
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9.1
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Announcement of Plan
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B-1-25
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9.2
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Public announcement and submissions
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B-1-26
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9.3
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Required disclosure
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B-1-26
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10
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Confidentiality
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B-1-26
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10.1
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Confidentiality obligations
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B-1-26
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10.2
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No breach
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B-1-26
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10.3
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Termination of previous confidentiality agreement
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B-1-27
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10.4
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Survival of obligations
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B-1-27
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11
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Exclusivity
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B-1-27
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11.1
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Exclusivity
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B-1-27
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11.2
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Notification of approaches
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B-1-27
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11.3
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Equal access to information
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B-1-28
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11.4
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Normal provision of information
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B-1-28
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11.5
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Fiduciary carve-out
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B-1-28
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11.6
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No current discussions
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B-1-28
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12
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Payment of costs
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B-1-28
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12.1
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Background
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B-1-28
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12.2
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Payment of costs
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B-1-29
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12.3
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Compliance with law
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B-1-30
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12.4
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Limitation of liability
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B-1-30
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13
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Conduct of Court proceedings
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B-1-30
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14
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Costs and expenses
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B-1-30
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14.1
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Costs and expenses
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B-1-30
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15
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General
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B-1-30
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15.1
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No representation or reliance
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B-1-30
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15.2
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No merger
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B-1-30
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15.3
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Consents
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B-1-31
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15.4
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Notices
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B-1-31
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15.5
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Governing law and jurisdiction
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B-1-31
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15.6
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Waivers
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B-1-31
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15.7
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Variation
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B-1-32
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15.8
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Assignment
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B-1-32
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15.9
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Further action
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B-1-32
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15.10
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Entire agreement
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B-1-32
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15.11
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Counterparts
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B-1-32
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Schedule 1
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B-1-33
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Schedule 2
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B-1-34
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Schedule 3
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B-1-43
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Signing page
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B-1-47
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B-1-3
The
agreement
Implementation
agreement for merger by plan of arrangement
Date ►
May 3, 2007
Between the parties
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Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
of 505 Front Ave, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
(Coeur) |
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Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
of 5300 Commerce Court West,
199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9
(Palmarejo) |
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Background |
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1 The authorized capital of Palmarejo consists of an
unlimited number of common shares (Palmarejo Shares)
and an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in
series, of which there are 91,085,738 Palmarejo Shares and no
preference shares issued and outstanding as fully paid and
non-assessable.
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2 In addition, there are outstanding warrants to acquire
3,947,368 Palmarejo Shares and outstanding options to acquire
4,215,000 Palmarejo Shares.
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3 Coeur proposes to acquire, indirectly through Fairview,
all of the Palmarejo Shares pursuant to the Plan as provided for
in this agreement.
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4 The Board of Directors of Palmarejo, after receiving the
Fairness Opinion and the Formal Valuation and legal advice and
after considering other factors, has determined unanimously that
the Plan is fair to Palmarejo Shareholders (other than Fairview)
and that it would be advisable and in the best interests of
Palmarejo and the Palmarejo Shareholders for Palmarejo to enter
into this agreement, to support and implement the transactions
and to recommend that Palmarejo Sharehold ers vote in favour of
the Plan.
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The parties agree |
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as set out in the Operative part of this agreement, in
consideration of, among other things, the mutual promises
contained in this agreement. |
B-1-4
Operative
part
1 Definitions
and interpretation
1.1 Definitions
The meanings of the terms used in this document are set out
below.
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Term
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Meaning
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Affiliated Body Corporate
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means any corporation related to another pursuant to Section
2(2) of the Corporations Act.
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Associates
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has the meaning given in the Corporations Act.
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Authorized Capital
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has the meaning set out in §(c) of Schedule 2.
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Bolnisi
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Bolnisi Gold NL (ACN 008 587 086), of Level 8, 261 George
Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
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Break Fee
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US$3.07 million.
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Business Day
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means any day on which the TSXV is open for trading.
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Business Personnel
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has the meaning set out in §(n)(ii) of Schedule 2.
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Canadian Bidco
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a wholly owned subsidiary of Fairview to be incorporated in
Alberta.
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Coeur Board
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the board of directors of Coeur.
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Coeur Filings
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has the meaning set out in §(f) of Schedule 2.
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Coeur Group
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Coeur and each of its Affiliated Bodies Corporate
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Coeur Information
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information regarding Coeur and its subsidiaries provided by
Coeur to Palmarejo in writing for inclusion in the Plan Circular
that is material to the making of a decision by Palmarejo
Shareholders whether to vote in favour of the Plan, being
information that is within the knowledge of the Coeur Board, to
be provided by or on behalf of Coeur to Palmarejo to enable to
the Plan Circular to be prepared and completed in compliance
with all applicable laws or information that is identified in
the Plan Circular as Coeur Information.
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Coeur Material Adverse Change
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matters, events or circumstances other than:
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1 those required to be done or procured by Coeur pursuant
to this agreement;
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2 those which Palmarejo and Coeur agree in writing are not
a Coeur Material Adverse Change; or
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3 those fairly disclosed by Coeur publicly and in writing
to Regulatory Authorities prior to the date of this agreement,
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which individually have or are reasonably likely to have, or
when aggregated with all other such matters, events or
circumstances, have or are reasonably likely to have, a
materially adverse impact, namely, a decline of 5% or more in
the consolidated net assets of Coeur from the net assets
reported in the audited financial statements of Coeur for the
financial year ended 31 December 2006.
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Coeur Meeting
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The meeting or meetings of Coeur Shareholders to consider the
Coeur Resolutions.
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B-1-5
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Term
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Meaning
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Coeur Prescribed Occurrence
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(other than as required by this agreement or the Plan, with the
consent of Palmarejo or as fairly disclosed publicly and in
writing to Regulatory Authorities prior to the date of this
agreement) the occurrence of any of the following:
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1 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur converting all or any of
its shares into a larger or smaller number of shares;
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2 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur resolving to reduce its
share capital in any way or reclassifying, combining, splitting
or redeeming or repurchasing directly or indirectly any of its
shares;
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3 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur:
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entering into a buy-back
agreement with its shareholders; or
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resolving to approve the terms of
a buy-back agreement with its shareholders;
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4 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur declaring, paying or
distributing any dividend, bonus or other share of its profits
or assets;
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5 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur issuing shares (other than
pursuant to the exercise of existing options under its equity
compensation plans and the conversion of existing notes), or
granting an option over its shares, or agreeing to make such an
issue or grant such an option;
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6 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur issuing or agreeing to
issue more than US $200 million in securities convertible into
shares or debt securities;
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7 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur making any change to its
articles of incorporation, or bylaws or similar organisational
documents;
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8 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur:
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acquiring or disposing of;
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agreeing to acquire or dispose
of; or
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offering, proposing, announcing a
bid or tendering for,
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any business, assets, entity or undertaking, the
value of which exceeds US$200 million, individually or in
aggregate, or that otherwise constitutes a Coeur Material
Adverse Change;
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9 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur incurring any indebtedness
of debt securities by way of borrowings, loans or advances for
amounts in aggregate in excess of US$200 million;
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10 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur making individually or in
aggregate, capital expenditure in excess of US$200 million;
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11 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur being notified of
Material Proceedings against Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur;
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12 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur creating, or agreeing to
create, any mortgage, charge, lien or other encumbrance over the
whole, or a substantial part, of its business or property
otherwise than:
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B-1-6
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Term
|
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Meaning
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in the ordinary
course of business, which requires that Coeur not make any
acquisitions, disposals or capital expenditure, or incur any
indebtedness in excess of US$200 million; and
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a lien or other
encumbrance which arises by operation of law or legislation
securing an obligation that is not yet due;
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13 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur commencing any case,
proceeding or other action under any existing or future law of
any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganisation or relief of debtors, seeking to have
an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to
adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganisation,
arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution,
composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or
seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial part of its assets, or making a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors;
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14 a commencement against Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur of
any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in
subsection 10 above that results in the entry of an order for
relief or any such adjudication or appointment or remains
undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of
60 days;
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15 a commencement against Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur of
any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a
warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process
against all or any substantial part of its assets that results
in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have
been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal
within 60 days from the entry thereof;
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16 a receiver, or a receiver and manager, being appointed
in relation to the whole, or a substantial part, of the property
of Coeur or a Coeur Group member;
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17 Coeur ceases or threatens to cease to carry on the
business conducted by Coeur and its subsidiaries as at the date
of this agreement;
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18 Coeur being the subject of a Third Party Proposal that
is implemented or is likely to be implemented and which is not
reasonably acceptable to Palmarejo; or
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19 Coeur or a subsidiary of Coeur being dissolved.
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For the purposes of this subclause, a reference to any of the
above includes a reference to anything analogous, or having
substantially similar effect, in any jurisdiction under or in
respect of any existing or future law.
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Coeur Proxy Statement
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|
The proxy statement to be dispatched to Coeur Shareholders in
accordance with applicable Law in connection with the Coeur
Meeting.
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B-1-7
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Term
|
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Meaning
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Coeur Resolutions
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The resolutions to be considered by the Coeur Shareholders at
the Coeur Meeting to increase the number of authorized shares of
common stock of Coeur and to issue such number of Coeur Shares
as required to pay the Plan Consideration.
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Coeur Share
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a share of common stock of Coeur, par value, US$1.00 per share.
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Coeur Shareholders
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each person who is a holder of record of Coeur Shares.
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Confidential Information
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all information which:
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1 is disclosed to a party (the Recipient) or any of
it its Related Persons (whether before or after the date of this
agreement) by or on behalf of the other party (the
Discloser), or which is acquired directly or indirectly
by the Recipient or any of its Related Persons from the
Discloser or any adviser engaged by the Discloser;
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2 relates directly or indirectly to the Transaction, the
Discloser or its Affiliated Bodies Corporate, or the past,
existing or future business, operations, administration or
strategic plans of the Discloser; and
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3 is in oral or visual form, or is recorded or stored in a
document (whether printed, electronic or otherwise),
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and includes but is not limited to all compilations, analyses,
extracts, summaries or other documents prepared by the Recipient
or its Related Persons which reflect, utilise or relate to any
of the information referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
definition.
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Contract
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has the meaning set out in §(d) of Schedule 2.
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Corporations Act
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the Canada Business Corporations Act, as amended.
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Court
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the Ontario Superior Court of Justice or any other court of
competent jurisdiction under the Corporations Act agreed in
writing by Coeur and Palmarejo.
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CSA
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the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
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Disclosure Statement
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|
the statement delivered by Palmarejo to Coeur concurrently with
the execution of this agreement.
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Effective Date
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|
the date on which the Plan becomes effective in accordance with
the Corporations Act and the Final Order.
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Effective Time
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|
means the time on the Effective Date when the Plan becomes
effective in accordance with its terms.
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End Date
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|
the date which is seven months after execution of this agreement.
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Excluded Shares
|
|
any Palmarejo Shares held by Fairview or its subsidiaries.
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Exclusivity Period
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the period from and including the date of this agreement to the
earlier of:
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1 the termination of this agreement in accordance with its
terms; and
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2 the End Date.
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B-1-8
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Term
|
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Meaning
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Fairness Opinion
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|
means the opinion of Dundee Securities Inc. to the Palmarejo
Board to the effect that, as of the date of the opinion, the
Plan Consideration is fair to the Plan Shareholders from a
financial point of view.
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Fairview
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Fairview Gold Pty Ltd., currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Bolnisi that, immediately prior to and following the Effective
Time, will be a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Coeur.
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Final Order
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the final order of the Court approving the Plan, as such order
may be amended by the Court at any time before the Effective
Date, or if appealed, unless the appeal is withdrawn or denied,
as affirmed or amended on appeal.
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Formal Valuation
|
|
means the formal valuation prepared by Westwind Partners Inc. in
accordance with Ontario Securities Commission Rule
61-501 Insider Bids, Issuer Bids, Business
Combination and Related Party Transactions.
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GAAP
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means, with respect to Palmarejo and its subsidiaries, Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles as set forth in the
Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, as
amended from time to time, and, with respect to Coeur and its
subsidiaries, United States generally accepted accounting
principles.
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HSR Act
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means the United States, Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
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Ineligible Overseas Shareholder
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|
a Palmarejo Shareholder whose address as shown in the Palmarejo
register of shareholders at the Effective Date is in a
jurisdiction other than Canada or the United States, except
where Coeur and Palmarejo are reasonably satisfied that the
issue of Coeur Shares to the Palmarejo Shareholder is not
prohibited, not unduly onerous and not unduly impracticable in
that jurisdiction.
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Law
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means all laws, statutes, by-laws, rules, regulations, orders,
decrees, ordinances, protocols, codes, guidelines, policies,
notices, directions, judgments and other requirements, in each
case, of any Regulatory Authority.
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Liens
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has the meaning set out in §(b) of Schedule 2.
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Material Proceedings
|
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initiation of a regulatory inquiry or investigation, prosecution
or litigation after the date hereof which is not withdrawn or
discontinued within 14 days of proceedings being filed,
involving a claim, in the case of Palmarejo, in excess of $46.8
million and in the case of Coeur, in excess of $93.6 million.
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NYSE
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New York Stock Exchange
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Options
|
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means outstanding stock options granted pursuant to the 2005
Stock Option Plan of Palmarejo.
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Palmarejo Board
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the board of directors of Palmarejo.
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Palmarejo Group
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Palmarejo and each of its Affiliated Bodies Corporate.
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B-1-9
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|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
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|
Palmarejo Information
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|
Information regarding Palmarejo and its subsidiaries provided by
Palmarejo to Coeur in writing for inclusion in any public
disclosure materials, being information that is within the
knowledge of the Palmarejo Board, to be provided by or on behalf
of Palmarejo to Coeur to enable such public disclosure materials
to be prepared and completed in compliance with all applicable
laws or information that is identified in such documents as
Palmarejo Information.
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Palmarejo Material Adverse Change
|
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matters, events or circumstances other than:
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1 those required to be done or procured by Palmarejo
pursuant to this agreement;
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2 those which Palmarejo and Coeur agree in writing are not
a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change; or
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3 those fairly disclosed by Palmarejo publicly and in
writing to Regulatory Authorities prior to the date of this
agreement,
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which individually have or are reasonably likely to have, or
when aggregated with all other such matters, events or
circumstances, have or are reasonably likely to have, a
materially adverse impact, namely, a decline of 5% or more in
the consolidated net assets of Palmarejo from the net assets
reported in the audited financial statements of Palmarejo for
the financial year ended 30 June 2006.
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Palmarejo Prescribed Occurrence
|
|
(other than as required by this agreement or the Plan, with the
consent of Coeur or as fairly disclosed publicly and in writing
to Regulatory Authorities prior to the date of this agreement)
the occurrence of any of the following:
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1 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo converting all or
any of its shares into a larger or smaller number of shares;
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2 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo resolving to
reduce its share capital in any way or reclassifying, combining,
splitting or redeeming or repurchasing directly or indirectly
any of its shares;
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3 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo:
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entering into a buy-back agreement; or
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|
resolving to approve the terms of a
buy-back agreement under the Corporations Act;
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4 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo declaring, paying
or distributing any dividend, bonus or other share of its
profits or assets;
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5 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo issuing shares
(other than pursuant to the exercise of existing options or
existing convertible securities which are exchangeable,
exercisable or convertible into Palmarejo Shares), or granting
an option over its shares, or agreeing to make such an issue or
grant such an option;
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6 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo issuing or
agreeing to issue, securities convertible into shares or debt
securities other than as set out in the Project Plan Description;
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B-1-10
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
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|
|
7 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo making any change
to its constating documents;
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8 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo:
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acquiring or disposing of;
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agreeing to acquire or dispose of; or
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|
offering, proposing, announcing a bid or
tendering for,
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|
any business, assets, entity or undertaking, the value of which
exceeds $46.8 million, individually or in aggregate, or that
otherwise constitutes a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change;
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9 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo incurring any
indebtedness or issuing any indebtedness or debt securities by
way of borrowings, loans or advances for amounts in aggregate in
excess of $9.36 million other than as set out in the Project
Plan Description;
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10 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo making,
individually or in aggregate, capital expenditure in excess of
$9.36 million other than as set out in the Project Plan
Description;
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11 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo being notified of
Material Proceedings against Palmarejo or a subsidiary of
Palmarejo;
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12 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo creating, or
agreeing to create, any mortgage, charge, lien or other
encumbrance over the whole, or a substantial part, of its
business or property otherwise than:
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|
|
as set out in the Project
Plan Description; and
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|
|
a lien or other encumbrance
which arises by operation of law or legislation securing an
obligation that is not yet due;
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13 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo resolving that it
be wound up;
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14 a liquidator of Palmarejo or of a subsidiary of
Palmarejo being appointed;
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|
15 a court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or
Canadian) making an order for the winding up of Palmarejo or of
a subsidiary of Palmarejo;
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16 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo being dissolved;
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|
17 Palmarejo or a subsidiary of Palmarejo executing an
agreement of arrangement or amalgamation;
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|
18 a receiver, or a receiver and manager, being appointed
in relation to the whole, or a substantial part, of the property
of Palmarejo or of a subsidiary of Palmarejo; or
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|
19 Palmarejo ceases or threatens to cease to carry on
business conducted by Palmarejo and its subsidiaries as at the
date of this agreement.
|
B-1-11
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the purposes of this subclause, a reference to any of the
above includes a reference to anything analogous, or having
substantially similar effect, in any jurisdiction under or in
respect of any existing or future law.
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|
Palmarejo Shares
|
|
the common shares of Palmarejo.
|
|
|
|
Palmarejo Shareholders
|
|
each person who is registered as the holder of Palmarejo Shares.
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Permits
|
|
has the meaning set out in §(d) of Schedule 2.
|
|
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|
Plan
|
|
the plan of arrangement under Section 192 of the Corporations
Act in respect of all the Plan Shares in substantially the form
of Annexure 1 with such amendments as Palmarejo and Coeur may
agree.
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|
Plan Circular
|
|
the notice of the Plan Meeting and accompanying Palmarejo
management information circular, including all schedules,
appendices and exhibits, to be sent to the Palmarejo
Shareholders in connection with the Plan Meeting, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified to be approved by the Court
and despatched to Palmarejo Shareholders in accordance with
applicable Law.
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|
|
|
Plan Consideration
|
|
the consideration to be provided indirectly by Coeur to Plan
Shareholders for the transfer to Canadian Bidco of each Plan
Share in accordance with the Plan, being:
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.004 in cash; and
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|
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|
|
|
2.715 Coeur Shares.
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|
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|
Plan Meeting
|
|
the meeting or meetings of Palmarejo Shareholders to consider
the Plan, pursuant to the Corporations Act.
|
|
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|
Plan Shareholders
|
|
Palmarejo Shareholders, other than holders of Excluded Shares,
as at the Effective Date.
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|
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|
Plan Shares
|
|
the Palmarejo Shares on issue at the Effective Date, other than
the Excluded Shares.
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|
|
|
Project Plan Description
|
|
the development plan in respect of the Palmarejo project set out
in Annexure 2.
|
|
|
|
Properties
|
|
the properties described in the Public Disclosure Documents.
|
|
|
|
Public Disclosure Documents
|
|
has the meaning set out in §(e) of Schedule 2.
|
|
|
|
Regulatory Approvals
|
|
has the meaning given to that term in clause 3.1(a).
|
|
|
|
Regulatory Authority
|
|
means a Canadian or foreign government or a governmental,
semi-governmental, administrative, fiscal, legislative,
executive or judicial body, authority, department, commission,
authority, tribunal, agency, entity or office or any minister of
the Crown or any state or a delegate of any government. It
includes a self-regulatory organisation established under
statute or a stock exchange, the TSX, the TSXV, the CSA, the
NYSE and the SEC.
|
|
|
|
Related Persons
|
|
in relation to a party, its subsidiaries, directors, officers,
employees, contractors, representatives, agents, advisers,
financiers and any person who has an agreement or understanding
with the party in relation to the Transaction.
|
B-1-12
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
|
|
|
Representative
|
|
in relation to a party:
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 each of the partys subsidiaries; and
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|
|
2 each of the directors, officers, employees and advisers
of the party or of any of its subsidiaries.
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|
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|
SEC
|
|
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
|
|
subsidiary
|
|
has the meaning given to it in the Corporations Act. For the
avoidance of doubt, in this agreement, subsidiaries of Palmarejo
include each of Ocampo Resources, Inc., Ocampo Services, Inc.
and Planet Gold, S.A. de C.V.
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|
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|
third party
|
|
any person or entity (including a Regulatory Authority) other
than a Palmarejo Group member or a Coeur Group member.
|
|
|
|
Third Party Proposal
|
|
in relation to a party, any expression of interest, proposal or
offer in relation to a bid, Plan, joint venture, dual listed
company structure, purchase of a main undertaking, share issue
or other similar reorganisation (other than as contemplated by
this agreement) by any person or persons under which:
|
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|
|
1 a person (together with the persons Associates) may
acquire an interest in more than 10% of one or more classes of
securities of the party;
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|
2 a person may acquire voting control of more than 10% in
the party;
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|
|
3 a person may acquire, directly or indirectly any interest
(including legal, equitable or economic) in all or a material
part of the business or assets (on a consolidated basis) of the
party; or
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|
|
4 a person may otherwise merge or amalgamate with the party.
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|
|
|
|
|
For the purposes of paragraph (3), the acquisition of an
interest in a part of the business or assets (on a consolidated
basis) of a party will be material if:
|
|
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|
|
(a) the relevant business or businesses contribute
10% or more of the consolidated net profit after tax of the
party; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) The assets represent 5% or more of the total
consolidated assets of the party.
|
|
|
|
Timetable
|
|
the timetable set out in Schedule 1 or such other timetable as
may be agreed in writing by the parties.
|
|
|
|
Transaction
|
|
the acquisition by Canadian Bidco of all the Plan Shares through
implementation of the Plan in accordance with the terms of this
agreement and in accordance with applicable Law.
|
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|
TSX
|
|
Toronto Stock Exchange
|
|
|
|
TSXV
|
|
TSX Venture Exchange
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
means outstanding warrants issued pursuant to the warrant
indenture dated April 19, 2006 between Palmarejo and Olympia
Trust Company.
|
B-1-13
1.2 Interpretation
In this agreement, headings are for convenience only and do not
affect interpretation and, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) words importing the singular include the plural and
vice versa;
(b) words importing a gender include any gender;
(c) other parts of speech and grammatical forms of a word
or phrase defined in this agreement have a corresponding meaning;
(d) a reference to a person includes an individual, the
estate of an individual, a corporation, an authority, an
association or a joint venture, a partnership, a trust and any
Regulatory Authority;
(e) a reference to a clause, party, attachment, exhibit or
schedule is a reference to a clause of, and a party, attachment,
exhibit and schedule to this agreement, and a reference to this
agreement includes any attachment, exhibit and schedule;
(f) a reference to a statute, regulation, proclamation,
ordinance or by law includes all statutes, regulations,
proclamations ordinances or by laws amending, consolidating or
replacing it, whether passed by the same or another Regulatory
Authority with legal power to do so, and a reference to a
statute includes all regulations, proclamations, ordinances and
by laws issued under that statute;
(g) a reference to any document (including this agreement)
is to that document as varied, amended or restated, novated,
ratified or replaced from time to time;
(h) the word includes in any form is not a word
of limitation;
(i) a reference to $ or dollar is
to Canadian currency;
(j) a reference to any time is a reference to that time in
Toronto, Ontario; and;
(k) a term defined in or for the purposes of the
Corporations Act has the same meaning when used in this
agreement.
Where the day on or by which any thing is to be done is not a
Business Day, that thing must be done on or by the next Business
Day.
|
|
2
|
Agreement
to proceed with the Transaction
|
The parties agree to implement, the Transaction in accordance
with and subject to the terms of this agreement.
|
|
3
|
Conditions
precedent and pre-implementation steps
|
Subject to this clause 3, the obligations of the parties
under clause 4 are subject to the satisfaction of each of the
following conditions precedent to the extent and in the manner
set out in clauses 3.4 and 3.5.
(a) Regulatory Approvals: Subject to
clause 3.7:
(1) TSX, TSXV, NYSE, SEC and the CSA issue or provide any
consents or approvals or do other acts necessary to implement
the Transactions; and
(2) all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and
any other applicable antitrust legislation in Canada, the United
States or in any other country shall have expired or been
otherwise terminated in respect of this Plan;
(together Regulatory Approvals) before the Effective Date.
B-1-14
(b) Shareholder approval: the Plan at the
Plan Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement of it at which
the Plan is voted on) receive the necessary approvals under the
Corporations Act and in accordance with applicable Law.
(c) Listing of Coeur Shares: permission
for listing of Coeur Shares on the TSX and NYSE to be issued as
part of the Plan Consideration, being granted by 8.00 am on the
Effective Date (any such approval may be subject to customary
conditions and to the Plan becoming Effective).
(d) Court approval: The Court approves
the Plan in accordance with the Corporations Act either
unconditionally or on conditions that are customary or usual.
(e) Restraints: No temporary restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued
by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint
or prohibition preventing the Transaction is in effect at the
Effective Time.
(f) Coeur Material Adverse Change: No
Coeur Material Adverse Change has occurred after the date hereof
and is continuing at the Effective Time.
(g) Palmarejo Material Adverse Change: No
Palmarejo Material Adverse Change has occurred after the date
hereof and is continuing at the Effective Time.
(h) Coeur Prescribed Occurrence: No Coeur
Prescribed Occurrence has occurred after that date hereof and
prior to the Effective Time.
(i) Palmarejo Prescribed Occurrence: No
Palmarejo Prescribed Occurrence has occurred after the date
hereof and prior to the Effective Time.
(j) Coeur representations: No
representation given by Coeur under clause 7.1 has become
materially incorrect at the Effective Time.
(k) Palmarejo representations: No
representation given by Palmarejo under clause 7.3 has
become materially incorrect at the Effective Time.
(l) Coeur Shareholder approval: Before
the Plan Meeting, the Coeur Shareholders shall have passed the
Coeur Resolutions at the Coeur Meeting by the requisite
majorities under applicable Law and the rules and regulations of
the NYSE and the TSX.
(m) Continuous disclosure by
Palmarejo: Between the date of this agreement and
the Effective Time, Coeur does not become aware of any matter,
event, action or circumstance:
(1) that would be a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change;
(2) in respect of which Palmarejo has not complied with its
continuous disclosure obligations under applicable Law at any
time; and
(3) which was not previously disclosed to Coeur.
(n) Continuous disclosure by
Coeur: Between the date of this agreement and the
Effective Date, Palmarejo does not become aware of any matter,
event, action or circumstance:
(1) that would be a Coeur Material Adverse Change;
(2) in respect of which Coeur has not complied with its
continuous disclosure obligations under applicable Law at any
time; and
(3) which was not previously disclosed to Palmarejo.
(o) Palmarejo Directors
recommendation: Between the date of this
agreement and the Plan Meeting, no director of Palmarejo changes
or withdraws his recommendation to Palmarejo Shareholders to
vote in favour of the Plan.
B-1-15
(p) Coeur Directors
recommendation: Between the date of this
agreement and the Coeur Meeting, the Coeur Board shall not
change or withdraw its recommendation to Coeur Shareholders to
vote in favour of the Coeur Resolutions.
(q) Approvals and consents: any required
licences, approvals, waivers, consents, permits, orders,
business conditions or change of control consents in relation to
the Plan are obtained or the expiry of all applicable waiting
periods.
(r) Dissent rights: the aggregate number
of Palmarejo Shares in respect of which dissent rights shall
have been properly exercised in connection with the Plan shall
not exceed 10% of the outstanding Palmarejo Shares.
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3.2
|
Inter-conditionality
of Plan and Bolnisi Scheme
|
The parties acknowledge and agree that the Plan will be subject
to and conditional upon the proposed scheme of arrangement
involving Bolnisi becoming effective under Australian law.
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3.3
|
Commercially
reasonable endeavours
|
Palmarejo and Coeur must each use all commercially reasonable
endeavours to procure that:
(a) each of the conditions precedent in clause 3.1 is
satisfied as soon as practicable after the date of this
agreement;
(b) there is no occurrence within the control of Palmarejo
or Coeur or their subsidiaries that would prevent the conditions
precedent in clause 3.1 being satisfied (as the context
requires); and
(c) each of Palmarejo and Coeur give a certificate to the
other at the Effective Time evidencing which conditions
precedent in clause 3.1 have been satisfied or waived.
A draft of such certificate shall be provided by each party to
the other party by 5:00 p.m. on the Business Day prior to
the Effective Date.
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3.4
|
Waiver
of conditions precedent
|
(a) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(g),
3.1(i), 3.1(k), 3.1(m), 3.1(o) and 3.1(r) may only be waived by
Coeur in writing.
(b) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(f),
3.1(h), 3.1(j), 3.1(n) and 3.1(p) may only be waived by
Palmarejo in writing.
(c) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(q) and 3.2
are for the benefit of each party and any breach or
non-fulfilment of any of those conditions precedent may only be
waived by agreement in writing between the parties.
(d) The conditions precedent in clauses 3.1(a),
3.1(b), 3.1(c), 3.1(d), 3.1(e) and 3.1(l) cannot be waived.
(e) If under this clause, a party waives the breach or
non-fulfilment of any of the conditions precedent in
clause 3.1, that waiver does not prevent it from suing the
other party for any breach of this agreement that resulted in
the breach or non-fulfilment of the condition precedent.
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3.5
|
Consultation
on failure of condition precedent
|
(a) Consultation: If:
(1) any event occurs which would prevent any of the
conditions precedent in clause 3.1 or 3.2 being satisfied,
or there is an occurrence that is reasonably likely to prevent
the condition precedent being satisfied by the date specified in
this agreement for its satisfaction; or
(2) the Plan has not become Effective by the End Date,
B-1-16
the parties agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts to
co-operate and to take all actions proper and advisable under
applicable Law to consummate the Transaction on the terms
consistent with this agreement.
(b) Termination: If the parties are
unable to reach agreement under clause 3.5(a) within 5 Business
Days of becoming aware of the relevant occurrence or relevant
date or by the End Date, then unless that condition precedent is
waived as provided in clause 3.4, either party may
terminate this agreement without, except as otherwise provided
in this agreement, any liability to the other party because of
that termination, unless the relevant occurrence or the failure
of the condition precedent to be satisfied, or of the Plan to
become Effective, arises out of a breach by the terminating
party of clause 5 or this clause 3.
(a) Notice of failure of condition precedent:
(1) If, before the time specified for satisfaction of a
condition precedent, any event that will prevent that condition
precedent being satisfied occurs, the party with knowledge of
that event must immediately give the other party written notice
of that event.
(2) If the notice in clause 3.6(a)(1), relates to a
condition precedent in clauses 3.1(g), 3.1(i), 3.1(k),
3.1(m) or 3.1(o), Coeur must give written notice to Palmarejo as
soon as possible (and in any event no later than 5 Business
Days) after giving or receiving notice of the relevant event, as
to whether or not it waives the breach or non-fulfilment of any
condition precedent resulting from the occurrence of that event,
specifying the condition in question.
(3) If the notice in clause 3.6(a)(1) relates to a
condition precedent in clauses 3.1(f), 3.1(h)or 3.1(j),
3.1(n) or 3.1(p) Palmarejo must give written notice to Coeur as
soon as possible (and in any event no later than 5 Business
Days) after giving or receiving notice of the relevant event, as
to whether or not it waives the breach or non-fulfilment of any
condition precedent resulting from the occurrence of that event,
specifying the condition in question.
(b) Waiver: A waiver of a breach or
non-fulfilment in respect of one condition precedent does not
constitute:
(1) a waiver of breach or non-fulfilment of any other
condition precedent resulting from the same event; or
(2) a waiver of breach or non-fulfilment of that condition
precedent resulting from any other event.
(c) Notice of changes: Palmarejo and
Coeur must promptly advise each other orally and in writing of
any change or event causing, or which, so far as can reasonably
be foreseen, would cause:
(1) a representation or warranty provided in this agreement
to be false;
(2) a breach or non-fulfilment of any of the conditions
precedent; or
(3) a material breach of this agreement.
For the purposes of clause 3.1(a), a Regulatory Approval
will be regarded as having been obtained, even though a
condition has been attached to that Regulatory Approval, if the
parties agree in writing to treat the approval as having been
obtained.
The parties intend that the Transaction shall constitute a
qualified stock purchase within the meaning of section 338
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
B-1-17
Palmarejo covenants to pursue the Plan, under which all of the
Palmarejo Shares (other than the Excluded Shares) will be
transferred to Canadian Bidco in consideration for the Plan
Consideration and otherwise in accordance with the Plan, and
under which holders of Warrants and Options will, in accordance
with their terms, be entitled to receive upon the exercise of
such securities, in lieu of each Palmarejo Share to which such
holders would have been entitled upon such exercise, the Plan
Consideration.
(a) Subject to this clause 4.2, Coeur covenants to
Palmarejo that in consideration of the transfer to Canadian
Bidco of each Plan Share under the terms of the Plan, Coeur will
cause Canadian Bidco to accept such transfer and provide the
Plan Consideration to the Plan Shareholders in accordance with
the terms of the Plan.
(b) Subject to customary provisions which address share
splitting or division in an attempt to obtain advantage by
reference to rounding, any fractional entitlement of a Palmarejo
Shareholder to a Coeur Share as part of the Plan Consideration
will be rounded up in the case of any entitlement to half or
more of a Coeur Share or otherwise rounded up or down to the
nearest whole number of Coeur Shares. Any fractional entitlement
of a Palmarejo Shareholder to a cent will be rounded up in the
case of any entitlement to half of a cent or otherwise rounded
up or down to the nearest cent; provided that if a Palmarejo
Shareholder is entitled to less than one cent, such Palmarejo
Shareholder shall be entitled to receive one cent.
(c) Where a Palmarejo Shareholder is an Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder in relation to the issue of Coeur Shares, the number
of Coeur Shares to which the Palmarejo Shareholder would
otherwise be entitled under the Plan will be issued to a nominee
appointed by agreement between Palmarejo and Coeur who will sell
those Coeur Shares as soon as practicable and in any event not
more than 28 days after the Effective Date (at the risk of
that Ineligible Overseas Shareholder) and remit to Palmarejo the
proceeds received, after deducting any applicable brokerage,
costs, taxes and charges, to that Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder in full satisfaction of that Ineligible Overseas
Shareholders rights in relation to Coeur Shares under the
Plan.
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4.3
|
Status
of Coeur Shares
|
The Coeur Shares to be issued by Coeur as part of the Plan
Consideration will rank pari passu with all existing Coeur
Shares then outstanding and will be fully-paid and issued free
from any mortgage, charge, lien, encumbrance or other security
interest.
The Coeur Shares will be issued pursuant to an exemption from
the prospectus requirements of Canadian securities Law and from
the registration requirements provided by Section 3(a)(10)
of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
1933 Act). In the event that the exemption from
registration under Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act is
not available for any reason to exempt the issuance of the Coeur
Shares in accordance with the Plan from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act, then Coeur shall take all
necessary action to file a registration statement on
Form S-4
(or on such other form that may be available to Coeur) in order
to register such Coeur Shares and shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to
become effective at or prior to the Effective Date. Palmarejo
acknowledges that the Coeur Shares issued to
affiliates (as defined under Rule 144 of the
1993 Act) of Palmarejo may be resold in the manner permitted
under Rules 145(c) and (d) and Regulation S of
the 1933 Act.
Coeur and Palmarejo shall each be entitled to deduct and
withhold from any Plan Consideration otherwise payable pursuant
to the terms of this agreement and the Plan such amounts as it
is required or permitted to deduct and withhold with respect to
such payment under the tax Laws of any jurisdiction in
accordance with the Plan.
B-1-18
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5
|
Steps for
implementation
|
|
|
5.1
|
Obligations
of both parties
|
Without limiting the general nature of clauses 3.1 to 3.5,
each party covenants to:
(a) Regulatory Approvals:
(1) promptly apply for all relevant Regulatory Approvals
specified in clause 3.1(a) and provide to the other a copy
of all those applications;
(2) take all steps it is responsible for as part of the
approval process, including responding to requests for
information at the earliest practicable time and taking or
agreeing to take any action or agreeing to any
limitation; and
(3) provide the other party with all information reasonably
requested in connection with the applications for Regulatory
Approval,
but neither party is required to take any action which would
require the divestiture of material assets of Palmarejo or Coeur
and their subsidiaries.
(b) Timing: consult with each other
regularly in relation to:
(1) the schedule for performing their respective
obligations within the overall framework set by the
Timetable; and
(2) the need to adjust the Timetable.
(c) Warrants and Options:
(1) negotiate in good faith and use all commercially
reasonable efforts to implement arrangements to afford holders
of Options and Warrants the benefits similar to those to which
they are currently entitled in a manner that would be
tax-efficient for all the holders thereof and no less beneficial
to Coeur and Palmarejo from a tax perspective or otherwise,
provided that the implementation of such arrangements does not
result in incremental costs to Coeur (other than professional
fees and similar costs associated with the implementation of the
arrangements) or delay the Transaction, and provided further
that the Options and Warrants will not represent a right to
receive shares in the capital of Palmarejo after consummation of
the Transaction; and
(2) negotiate in good faith to determine the manner in
which to ensure that the Coeur Shares issuable upon exercise of
the Options and Warrants are not restricted
securities, as defined under Rule 144 of the 1933 Act
and comparable Canadian securities laws; but subject to the
restrictions imposed by Rule 145 of the 1933 Act.
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5.2
|
Palmarejos
obligations
|
Palmarejo covenants to execute all documents and do all acts and
things within its power as may be necessary or desirable for the
implementation and performance of the Plan on a basis consistent
with this agreement, substantially in accordance with the
Timetable, and in particular, but not limited to the foregoing,
Palmarejo covenants to:
(a) Recommendation of the Plan: state
when the Transaction is announced that, as of that date
(i) the Special Committee of Palmarejo, after consultation
with its financial and legal advisors, has unanimously
recommended that the Palmarejo Board approve the Transaction and
recommend that Palmarejo Shareholders vote in favour of the
Plan, and (ii) as of that date, the Palmarejo Board, after
consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has
determined unanimously that the Transaction is fair from a
financial point of view to the Plan Shareholders and is in the
best interests of Palmarejo and has resolved unanimously to
recommend to the Palmarejo Shareholders that they vote their
Palmarejo Shares in favour of the Plan;
(b) Preparation of Plan Circular: as soon
as reasonably practicable after the date of this agreement,
prepare the Plan Circular in accordance with all applicable Law
(and in particular with the Corporations Act),
B-1-19
in consultation with Coeur as to the content and presentation of
the Plan Circular. This consultation must include obtaining
Coeurs consent, acting reasonably, to the inclusion of the
Coeur Information, and is subject to clause 5.4.
(c) Palmarejo to provide Plan
Circular: as soon as reasonably practicable after
Palmarejo has completed the preparation of the final form of the
Plan Circular, forward a copy to Coeur.
(d) Palmarejo Information: prepare and
provide to Coeur in reasonable time the Palmarejo Information
for inclusion in the Coeur Proxy Statement, updated by all such
further or new information which may arise after the Coeur Proxy
Statement has been dispatched until the date of the Coeur
Meeting which is necessary to ensure that the Palmarejo
Information is not misleading or deceptive in any material
respect (whether by omission or otherwise) and otherwise
complies with applicable Law.
(e) Meeting of directors of Palmarejo: as
soon as reasonably practicable after preparation of the final
form of the Plan Circular, convene a meeting of the Palmarejo
Board (or a sub-committee of it) for the purpose of approving
the Plan Circular and the mailing thereof.
(f) Court direction: apply to the Court
for an interim order providing for, among other things,
(i) the persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect
of the Plan and the Plan Meeting and the manner in which such
notice is to be provided, (ii) subject to approval of the
Court, the requisite approval for the resolution approving the
Plan shall be
662/3%
of the votes cast on that resolution by Palmarejo Shareholders
present in person or represented by proxy at the Plan Meeting
and a majority of the votes cast on that resolution by Plan
Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the
Plan Meeting, (iii) for the grant of dissent rights on the
terms provided in clause 3.1 of the Plan, and (iv) for
the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the
application to the Court for a Final Order.
(g) Plan Meeting: convene the Plan
Meeting to approve the Plan.
(h) Palmarejo Shareholder
approval: recommend and seek the required
approvals of Palmarejo Shareholders for the Plan.
(i) Court approval: apply to the Court
for the Final Order.
(j) Articles of Arrangement: provided the
Final Order is approved, file articles of arrangement and such
other documents as may be required under the Corporations Act to
give effect to the Plan.
(k) Access to information: provide to
Coeur and its authorised representatives reasonable access to
employees, offices and other facilities, and to the books and
records, of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries for the purpose of
implementing the Transaction.
(l) Palmarejo Prescribed
Occurrence: between the date of this agreement
and Effective Time, ensure, to the extent that it is within
Palmarejos control, that a Palmarejo Prescribed Occurrence
does not occur.
(m) Conduct of business: from the date of
this agreement up to and including the Effective Date, conduct,
and ensure that each of its subsidiaries conducts, their
respective businesses in the ordinary and proper course of
business consistent with past practice, which will be limited in
all material respects to the operation of the matters set out in
the Project Plan Description, and make all reasonable efforts to:
(1) keep available the services of their officers and
employees; and
(2) preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees and others having business dealings with
Palmarejo and any subsidiary of Palmarejo.
(n) Consultation: during the period from
the date of this agreement to the Effective Date:
(1) promptly provide to Coeur a copy of the Palmarejo share
register as requested by Coeur from time to time; and
B-1-20
(2) hold regular meetings at the request of Coeur between
representatives of Palmarejo and Coeur to discuss material
matters relating to Palmarejo and its subsidiaries including,
without limitation:
(i) business performance (including updates as to any
material variances in relation to forecasts);
(ii) issues relating to or arising from any matter set out
in Project Plan Description;
(iii) key personnel issues;
(iv) risk management and compliance;
(v) major business developments;
(vi) exploration or resource estimate updates;
(vii) environmental and permit matters; and
(viii) community relations.
(o) Release of third party
obligations: ensure, and use its best efforts to
procure that Palmarejo and its subsidiaries ensure, that no
third parties are released from any obligations (including but
not limited to any standstill obligations) contained in any
confidentiality agreement(s) between Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries and such third parties and that Palmarejo and its
subsidiaries shall use all reasonable endeavours to enforce
their rights against third parties under such agreements.
(p) Assistance: provide any assistance or
information reasonably requested by Coeur in connection with the
preparation of any document required in order to facilitate the
Plan and any reorganization or other transaction involving
Palmarejo
and/or any
of its subsidiaries that Coeur may choose to implement on or
after the Effective Time.
(q) Review of Coeur Proxy Statement: as
soon as practicable after delivery, review the drafts of the
Coeur Proxy Statement prepared by Coeur and provide comments in
good faith.
Coeur covenants to execute all documents and do all acts and
things within its power as may be necessary or desirable for the
implementation and performance of the Plan on a basis consistent
with this agreement, substantially in accordance with the
Timetable, and in particular Coeur must:
(a) Recommendation of the Plan: state
when the Transaction is announced that, as of that date the
Coeur Board, after consultation with its financial and legal
advisors, has unanimously approved the Transaction and
recommends that Coeur Shareholders vote in favour of the Coeur
Resolutions.
(b) Preparation of Coeur Proxy
Statement: as soon as reasonably practicable
after the date of this agreement, prepare the Coeur Proxy
Statement in accordance with all applicable Law, in consultation
with Palmarejo as to the content and presentation of the Coeur
Proxy Statement. This consultation must include obtaining
Palmarejos consent, acting reasonably, to the inclusion of
the Palmarejo Information, and is subject to clause 5.4.
(c) Coeur to provide Coeur Proxy
Statement: as soon as reasonably practicable
after Coeur has completed the preparation of the final form of
the Coeur Proxy Statement, forward a copy to Palmarejo.
(d) Coeur Meeting: convene the Coeur
Meeting to approve the Coeur Resolutions.
(e) Coeur Shareholder approval: recommend
and seek the required approval of Coeur Shareholders for the
Coeur Resolutions.
(f) Coeur Information: prepare and
provide to Palmarejo in reasonable time the Coeur Information
for inclusion in the Plan Circular, updated by all such further
or new information which may arise after the Plan Circular has
been dispatched until the date of the Plan Meeting which is
necessary to ensure that the Coeur
B-1-21
Information is not misleading or deceptive in any material
respect (whether by omission or otherwise) and otherwise
complies with applicable Law.
(g) Assistance: provide any assistance or
information reasonably requested by Palmarejo in connection with
the preparation of the Plan Circular and any other document to
be sent to Palmarejo Shareholders in order to facilitate
shareholder approval of the Plan.
(h) Meeting of directors of Coeur: as
soon as reasonably practicable after the preparation of the
final form of the Plan Circular, convene a meeting of the Coeur
Board (or a sub-committee of it) for the purpose of approving
those sections that comprise the Coeur Information.
(i) Listing of Coeur Shares: use all
commercially reasonable endeavours to procure that the Coeur
Shares to be issued as part of the Plan Consideration are
approved for listing on the TSX and NYSE, subject to the
condition that the shares are issued, with effect from the
Business Day following the Effective Date.
(j) Access to information: provide to
Palmarejo and its authorised representatives reasonable access
to employees, offices and other facilities, and to the books and
records, of Coeur and its subsidiaries for the purpose of
implementing the Transaction.
(k) Coeur Prescribed Occurrence: between
the date of this agreement and the Effective Time, ensure to the
extent that it is within Coeurs control, that a Coeur
Prescribed Occurrence does not occur.
(l) Conduct of business: from the date of
this agreement up to and including the Effective Date, conduct,
and ensure that each of its subsidiaries conducts, their
respective businesses in the ordinary and proper course of
business, which requires that Coeur does not make any
acquisitions, disposals or capital expenditure or incur any
indebtedness, in excess of US$200 million, and make all
reasonable efforts to:
(1) keep available the services of their officers and
employees; and
(2) preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees and others having business dealings with
Coeur and any subsidiary of Coeur.
(m) Review of Plan Circular: as soon as
reasonably practicable after delivery, review the drafts of the
Plan Circular prepared by Palmarejo and provide comments in good
faith.
(n) Plan Consideration: if the Plan
becomes effective, cause the payment of the Plan Consideration
in the manner and amount contemplated by clause 4 on the
Effective Date.
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5.4
|
Disagreement
on content of Plan Circular and/or Coeur Proxy
Statement
|
If the parties disagree on the form or content of the Plan
Circular or Coeur Proxy Statement (as applicable):
(a) they will consult in good faith to try to settle an
agreed form of the Plan Circular or Coeur Proxy Statement (as
applicable); and
(b) failing agreement within 5 Business Days, the dispute
will be referred to the chair of the Special Committee of
Palmarejo and the chief executive officer of Coeur. If within
5 Business Days of such referral there is still no
agreement between the parties, Palmarejo will determine the
final form and content of the Plan Circular and Coeur will
determine the final form and content of the Coeur Proxy
Statement.
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5.5
|
Appointment
of directors
|
On the Effective Date, and from time to time thereafter, Coeur
shall be entitled to designate the persons comprising the
Palmarejo Board, and any committees thereof, and Palmarejo
covenants to cooperate with Coeur, subject to applicable Laws,
and to exercise all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
the resignation of any then incumbent directors effective on the
Effective Date and facilitate Coeurs designees to be
appointed to the Palmarejo Board.
B-1-22
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5.6
|
Insurance
and Indemnification
|
For the period from the Effective Time until six years after the
Effective Date, Coeur will cause to be maintained for the
benefit of directors and officers of Palmarejo at or prior to
the Effective Date, directors and officers insurance
covering claims made prior to or within six years after the
Effective Date on terms not materially less favourable to those
directors and officers as the policy maintained at the date of
this agreement by Palmarejo; provided that neither Coeur nor
Palmarejo will be required, in order to maintain such insurance,
to pay an annual premium in excess of 250% of the existing
policies on the date hereof and, if equivalent coverage cannot
be obtained or can be obtained only by paying an annual premium
in excess of 250% of the annual premiums on the date hereof,
only as much coverage as can be obtained for premiums equal to
250% of the annual premiums on the date hereof need be put in
place. Coeurs obligation to maintain such insurance shall
be subject to the condition that it remains available to
Palmarejo or a successor on commercially reasonable terms.
Alternatively, Coeur may purchase or cause to be purchased, as
an extension to Palmarejos current insurance policies,
pre-paid non-cancellable run-off directors and
officers liability insurance providing coverage on terms
that are comparable to Palmarejos current policies for the
persons covered by such policies (and such policy as may be
obtained for premiums not exceeding 250% of the premiums of the
policies maintained by Palmarejo on the date hereof). From and
after the Effective Date, Coeur shall, and shall cause Palmarejo
or its successor to, indemnify the current and former directors
and officers of Palmarejo to the fullest extent to which it is
permitted to do so under its constating documents, applicable
Laws and contracts of indemnity.
Without prejudice to any other rights of termination under this
agreement:
(a) either party may terminate this agreement by written
notice to the other party at any time before the Effective Time
if:
(1) the other party is in material breach of any provision
of this agreement, the party wishing to terminate has given
written notice to the other party setting out the relevant
circumstances and stating an intention to terminate, and the
relevant circumstances continue to exist 10 Business Days (or
any shorter period ending at the Effective Time) from the time
the notice is given;
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or
Canadian ) or Regulatory Authority has taken any action
permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
Transaction, or has refused to do any thing necessary to permit
the Transaction, and the action or refusal has become final and
cannot be appealed;
(3) the other party breaches its obligations under
clause 11; or
(4) if any of the events for which the Break Fee is payable
occurs, then upon payment of the Break Fee.
(b) Coeur may terminate this agreement by written notice to
Palmarejo at any time before the Effective Time if:
(A) at the Plan Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
of it at which the Plan is voted on, the Plan is not approved by
10 Business Days before the End Date by the requisite majorities
of Palmarejo Shareholders required under the Corporations Act
and applicable Law;
(B) any member of the Palmarejo Board withdraws or changes
his recommendation in relation to the Plan for any
reason; or
(C) a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change or a Palmarejo
Prescribed Occurrence takes place.
B-1-23
(c) Palmarejo may terminate this agreement by written
notice to Coeur at any time before the Effective Time if:
(A) at the Coeur Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
of it at which the Coeur Resolutions are voted on, the Coeur
Resolutions are not approved by 15 Business Days before the End
Date by the requisite majorities of Coeur Shareholders required
under applicable Law;
(B) the Coeur Board withdraws or changes its recommendation
in relation to the Coeur Resolutions for any reason; or
(C) a Coeur Material Adverse Change or a Coeur Prescribed
Occurrence takes place.
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6.2
|
Effect
of termination
|
If this agreement is terminated by either Palmarejo or Coeur
under clause 3 or this clause 6, except to the extent
that the termination results from a breach by either party of
its obligations under this agreement, this agreement will become
void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on
the part of Palmarejo or Coeur, other than the provisions of
clauses 7.5, 7.6, 10, 12, 14 and 15.5, which will remain in
force after termination.
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6.3
|
Breach
of representations and warranties
|
Despite any other provision of this agreement, a breach of the
representations, warranties and undertakings given by Coeur in
clause 7.1 or given by Palmarejo in clause 7.3 will not
entitle Coeur or Palmarejo (as the case may be) to terminate
this agreement unless such breach results in or discloses
anything which could amount to a Coeur Material Adverse Change
or a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change (as the case may be) or
which could lead to criminal liability or material civil
liability under Canadian or United States laws or regulations.
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7
|
Representations
and warranties
|
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|
7.1
|
Coeurs
representations and warranties
|
Coeur represents and warrants to Palmarejo each of the matters
set out in Schedule 3 (and acknowledges that Palmarejo is
relying on such representations and warranties in entering into
this agreement and completing the Transaction).
Coeur agrees with Palmarejo to indemnify Palmarejo and its
directors, officers and Representatives against any claim,
action, damage, loss, liability, cost, expense or payment of
whatever nature and however arising which
Palmarejo
or any of its directors, officers or Representatives suffers,
incurs or is liable for arising out of any breach of any of the
representations, warranties and undertakings in clause 7.1.
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|
7.3
|
Palmarejos
representations and warranties
|
Palmarejo represents and warrants to Coeur each of the matters
set out in Schedule 2 (and acknowledges that Coeur is
relying on such representations and warranties in entering into
this agreement and completing the Transaction).
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|
7.4
|
Palmarejos
indemnity
|
Palmarejo agrees with Coeur to indemnify Coeur, Fairview and
Canadian Bidco and their directors, officers and Representatives
from any claim, action, damage, loss, liability, cost, expense
or payment of whatever nature and however arising which Coeur,
Fairview or Canadian Bidco or any of their directors, officers
or Representatives suffers, incurs or is liable for arising out
of any breach of any of the representations, warranties and
undertakings in clause 7.3.
B-1-24
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7.5
|
Survival
of representations and warranties
|
Each representation, warranty and undertaking in
clauses 7.1 and 7.3:
(a) is severable;
(b) survives the termination of this agreement; and
(c) is given with the intention that liability under it is
not confined to breaches which are discovered before the date of
termination of this agreement.
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7.6
|
Survival
of indemnities
|
Each indemnity in this agreement (including those in
clauses 7.2 and 7.4):
(a) is severable;
(b) is a continuing obligation;
(c) constitutes a separate and independent obligation of
the party giving the indemnity from any other obligations of
that party under this agreement; and
(d) survives the termination of this agreement.
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8.1
|
Availability
of information
|
(a) Palmarejo will make available promptly to Coeur all
information reasonably requested by Coeur and will provide
access to Coeur and its advisers who reasonably require access
to that information provided that nothing in this
clause 8.1 requires Palmarejo to provide to Coeur
information:
(i) concerning Palmarejos consideration of the
Transaction;
(ii) concerning Palmarejos assessment of Coeur;
(iii) which the law prohibits Palmarejo from
disclosing; or
(iv) which is the subject of confidentiality obligations
owed by
Palmarejo to third parties.
(b) Palmarejo will respond to all reasonable Coeur
inquiries, including management interviews and the review of
management papers and documents.
(a) If clause 8.1(a)(iv) applies to particular
information, Palmarejo must use reasonable endeavours to obtain
any necessary third party consents to enable the information to
be disclosed to Coeur and its advisors.
(b) Coeur will give any reasonable undertakings as to
confidentiality which are required in order to facilitate the
obtaining of consents as contemplated by clause 8.2(a).
9.1
Announcement of Plan
As soon as practicable after the execution of this agreement,
Palmarejo and Coeur must issue public announcements including a
unanimous recommendation by the directors of Palmarejo to
Palmarejo Shareholders that the Plan be approved, and including
a unanimous recommendation by the directors of Coeur to the
Coeur Shareholders that the Coeur Resolutions be approved.
B-1-25
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|
9.2
|
Public
announcement and submissions
|
(a) Subject to clause 9.3 no public announcement in
connection with any Transaction Document or the Plan may be made
other than in a form approved by both parties.
(b) No submission for any Regulatory Approval under this
agreement may be made by one party without reasonable
consultation with the other party.
(c) Each party must use all reasonable endeavours to
provide the approval and constructively participate in the
consultation contemplated by clauses 9.2(a) and (b) as
soon as practicable.
If a party is required by Law to make any announcement or
disclosure relating to matters the subject of this agreement
prior notice must be given to the other party and the party must
consult to the fullest extent reasonably practical with the
other party regarding the form and content of the announcement
or disclosure.
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|
10.1
|
Confidentiality
obligations
|
Subject to clause 10.2, each party:
(a) acknowledges that the Confidential Information is
secret, confidential and valuable to the other party;
(b) must not, without the other partys prior written
consent, directly or indirectly, disclose or publish the
Confidential Information otherwise than in accordance with the
terms of this agreement;
(c) must not at any time use the Confidential Information
other than for the purposes of this agreement, and must not
permit, assist or allow a third party to use the Confidential
Information;
(d) must do all things reasonably necessary to safeguard
the confidentiality of the Confidential Information from
unauthorised use, access or copying;
(e) may only disclose the Confidential Information to its
Related Persons who:
(1) have a specific need to have access to the Confidential
Information for the purpose of enabling the party to perform its
obligations under this agreement; and
(2) are made aware of the confidential nature of the
Confidential Information and the existence and terms of this
clause; and
(f) must, on request of the other party, return any
Confidential Information provided by that party except for any
Confidential Information forming part of the minutes or board
records of the party receiving the Confidential Information.
(a) A party is not liable for breaching its confidentiality
obligations in this agreement if:
(1) it complies with a court order or other legal
requirement to disclose any of the Confidential Information;
(2) the Confidential Information is in the public domain
other than as a result of a breach of this agreement by the
party;
(3) the Confidential Information is rightfully known to or
in the possession or control of a party and not subject to an
obligation of confidentiality on that party; or
(4) the Confidential Information is independently developed
by a party.
B-1-26
(b) Where disclosure is required by court order or other
legal requirement, the disclosing party must:
(1) disclose only the minimum Confidential Information
required to comply with that requirement; and
(2) give the other party prompt written notice of that
disclosure requirement to enable the other party to take
appropriate steps to safeguard its interests.
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10.3
|
Termination
of previous confidentiality agreement
|
Each party agrees that the other party is irrevocably released
from all obligations and liabilities owed to the first party
under the confidentiality agreement between each of the parties
and Bolnisi dated 17 November 2006.
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10.4
|
Survival
of obligations
|
The rights and obligations of the parties under this
clause 10 survive termination of this agreement.
Subject to the remainder of this clause, during the Exclusivity
Period, Palmarejo and Coeur must not, and must ensure that their
Representatives do not, except with the prior consent of the
other party:
(a) directly or indirectly solicit, encourage, initiate or
invite any enquiries, discussions or proposals in relation to,
or which may reasonably be expected to lead to, a Third Party
Proposal for that party;
(b) initiate or participate in any discussions or
negotiations in relation to, or which may reasonably be expected
to lead to, a Third Party Proposal for that party; or
(c) communicate to any person an intention to do any of the
things referred to in clauses 11.1(a) or (b).
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|
11.2
|
Notification
of approaches
|
(a) Subject to the remainder of this clause, during the
Exclusivity Period, Palmarejo or Coeur must notify the other
party if:
(1) it receives:
(A) any approach, inquiry or proposal made to, and any
attempt or any intention on the part of any person to initiate
or continue any negotiations or discussions with, Palmarejo or
Coeur or any of their Representatives with respect to, or that
could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Third Party
Proposal, whether unsolicited or otherwise; or
(B) any request for information relating to Palmarejo or
Coeur or any of their subsidiaries or any of its businesses or
operations or any request for access to the books or records of
Palmarejo or Coeur or any of their subsidiaries, which Palmarejo
or Coeur (as applicable) has reasonable grounds to suspect may
relate to a current or future Third Party Proposal;
(2) any breach of this clause 11; or
(3) its Representatives provide any information relating to
Palmarejo or Coeur (as the case may be) or any of their
subsidiaries or any of their businesses or operations to any
person in connection with or for the purposes of a current or
future Third Party Proposal.
(b) A notice given under this clause 11.2 must be
accompanied by all relevant details of the relevant event,
including the identity of the person or persons taking any
action referred to in clause (a)(1)(B), and the terms and
conditions of any Third Party Proposal or any proposed Third
Party Proposal (to the extent known).
(c) Without limiting the obligations under
clauses 11.2(a) and (b), Palmarejo or Coeur (as applicable)
must give notice of the matters set out in clause (b) at
least 48 hours before the Palmarejo Board or Coeur Board
B-1-27
(as applicable) recommends acceptance by its shareholders of an
offer for their shares under a Third Party Proposal, or
otherwise recommends that shareholders approve a Third Party
Proposal.
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11.3
|
Equal
access to information
|
Where Palmarejo or Coeur or any of the Representatives provides
any information relating to Palmarejo or Coeur any of their
subsidiaries or any of its businesses or operations to any
person in connection with or for the purposes of a current or
future Third Party Proposal, it must promptly provide Coeur or
Palmarejo a complete copy of that information.
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11.4
|
Normal
provision of information
|
Nothing in this clause 11 prevents a party or its
Representatives from:
(a) providing information to its Representatives;
(b) providing information required to be provided by law, a
court of competent jurisdiction (whether foreign or Canadian) or
any Regulatory Authority; or
(c) making presentations to brokers, portfolio investors
and analysts in the ordinary and usual course of business.
Notwithstanding this clause 11, a party may provide a copy
of the joint news release disclosing this agreement to persons
to whom it may be required to provide notice of the transaction
contemplated by this agreement.
Clauses 5.2(o), 11.1(b), 11.1(c), 11.2(a) and 11.2(b) do
not require Palmarejo or Coeur any of their respective directors
to do or refrain from doing any thing with respect to a Third
Party Proposal (which was not solicited by the party in breach
of clause 11.1 and in respect of which clauses 11.2
and 11.3 were complied with), provided that the Palmarejo Board
or Coeur Board (as applicable) has determined in good faith and
acting reasonably after taking into account to the extent
considered appropriate by such Board, all financial, legal,
regulatory and other aspects of such proposal and the person
making such proposal and after consultation with its financial
advisors and external legal counsel that (A) that such
Third Party Proposal (i) is reasonably capable of being
completed without undue delay, (ii) is on terms and
conditions more favourable from a financial point of view to the
Palmarejo or Coeur Shareholders (as applicable) than those
contemplated by this agreement, and (iii) has committed
financing, to the extent required, and (B) failing to take
or refrain from taking the proposed action in respect of that
Third Party Proposal would likely constitute a breach of the
directors fiduciary or statutory obligations.
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11.6
|
No
current discussions
|
Each party represents and warrants to the other that, as at the
date of this agreement, neither it or any of its Representatives:
(a) is participating, directly or indirectly, in any
discussions or negotiations with a third party that concern, or
that could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Third Party
Proposal; or
(b) is a party to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding with a third party in relation to a Third Party
Proposal for it or a possible Third Party Proposal that would
prevent it entering into this agreement or complying with its
obligations under this agreement.
(a) Each party acknowledges that, if Palmarejo and Coeur
enter into this agreement and the Plan is subsequently not
implemented, they will both incur significant costs.
B-1-28
(b) Each party has requested that provision be made for the
payments outlined in clauses 12.2 and 12.3, without which
they would not have entered into this agreement.
(c) Each party considers that this clause is fair and
reasonable and that it is appropriate to agree to the payments
referred to in this clause 12 in order to secure the significant
benefits to it (and its shareholders) resulting from the
Transaction.
(a) If this agreement is terminated or the Plan is not
implemented as a result of:
(1) the non-satisfaction of any conditions precedent in
clauses 3.1(b), 3.1(g), 3.1(i), or 3.1(k) or 3.1(m)
provided that, immediately before the termination or, if the
agreement has not been terminated, when Court approval was due
to be sought, no matter has occurred which would prevent
clauses 3.1(a), 3.1(c), 3.1(e), 3.1(f), 3.1(h), 3.1(j), or
3.1(l) being satisfied;
(2) Palmarejo not using all commercially reasonable
endeavours to cause clauses 3.1(b) or 3.1(d) to be
satisfied, provided that all other conditions precedent have
been or are reasonably likely to be satisfied;
(3) any Palmarejo Board member withdrawing or changing his
recommendation or supporting a Third Party Proposal for
Palmarejo;
(4) a Third Party Proposal for Palmarejo being announced or
made before the Effective Date and, within 7 months of the
date of this agreement, the person making the Third Party
Proposal for Palmarejo acquiring voting power of 50% or more in
Palmarejo (other than any such acquisition effected only as a
result of a change in ownership of Bolnisi); or
(5) Palmarejo breaching its obligations under
clause 11;
Palmarejo must pay to Coeur the Break Fee to compensate Coeur
for the costs and disbursements incurred by Coeur and the time
invested by the management and board of Coeur.
(b) If this agreement is terminated or the Plan is not
implemented as a result of:
(1) the non-satisfaction of the conditions precedent in
clauses 3.1(c), 3.1(f), 3.1(h), 3.1(j), 3.1(l) or 3.1(n)
provided that, immediately before the termination or, if the
agreement has not been terminated when Court approval was due to
be sought, no matter has occurred which would prevent
clauses 3.1(a), 3.1(e), 3.1(g), 3.1(i) or 3.1(k) from being
satisfied;
(2) Coeur not using all commercially reasonable endeavours
to cause clause 3.1(l) to be satisfied, provided that all other
conditions precedent have been or are reasonably likely to be
satisfied; or
(3) Coeur breaching its obligations under clause 11.1
or 11.2.
Coeur must pay to Palmarejo the Break Fee to compensate
Palmarejo for the costs and disbursements incurred by Palmarejo
and the time invested by the management and board of Palmarejo.
(c) Since the loss which would actually be incurred by the
parties of the kinds referred to in clauses 12.2(a) to
12.2(b) are of such nature that they cannot accurately be
ascertained in advance, the Break Fee has been agreed as a
genuine and reasonable pre-estimate of the loss which may be
suffered by Palmarejo and Coeur respectively.
(d) Palmarejo must pay Coeur the Break Fee claimed under
clause 12.2(a) within 10 Business Days of receipt by
Palmarejo of a demand for payment of the Break Fee from Coeur.
(e) Coeur must pay Palmarejo the Break Fee claimed under
clause 12.2(b) within 10 Business Days of receipt by Coeur
of a demand for payment of the Break Fee from Palmarejo.
B-1-29
This clause 12 imposes obligations on Palmarejo only to the
extent that the performance of those obligations would not:
(a) involve a breach of the fiduciary duties owed by any
Palmarejo director; or
(b) otherwise be unlawful or contravene any court or
regulatory order.
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12.4
|
Limitation
of liability
|
Notwithstanding any other provision in this agreement:
(a) a payment under this clause 12 represents the sole
and absolute liability of the parties under or in connection
with the occurrence of any of the events or circumstances
referred to in clauses 12.2(a) to 12.2(b) and no further
claims for damages, fees, expenses or reimbursements of any kind
will be payable by a party which has paid the Break Fee in
connection with the occurrence of any such events or
circumstances; and
(b) the sum of the Break Fee represents the maximum
liability of each party to the other under or in connection with
this agreement, including any breach of it or the
representations and warranties herein.
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13
|
Conduct
of Court proceedings
|
(a) Palmarejo and Coeur are entitled to separate
representation at all Court proceedings affecting the
Transaction.
(b) This agreement does not give Palmarejo or Coeur any
right or power to give undertakings to the Court for or on
behalf of the other party without that partys consent.
(c) Palmarejo and Coeur must give all undertakings to the
Court in all Court proceedings which are reasonably required to
obtain Court approval and confirmation of the Transaction as
contemplated by this agreement.
Except as otherwise provided in this agreement, each party must
pay its own costs and expenses in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this
agreement and the proposed, attempted or actual implementation
of this agreement and the Plan.
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15.1
|
No
representation or reliance
|
(a) Each party acknowledges that no party (nor any person
acting on its behalf) has made any representation or other
inducement to it to enter into this agreement, except for
representations or inducements expressly set out in this
agreement.
(b) Each party acknowledges and confirms that it does not
enter into this agreement in reliance on any representation or
other inducement by or on behalf of any other party, except for
any representation or inducement expressly set out in this
agreement.
(c) Each party acknowledges and confirms that
clauses 15.1(a) and (b) do not prejudice any rights a
party may have in relation to information which has been filed
by the other party with the ASIC, ASX, NYSE, TSX, TSXV, SEC or
the CSA
The rights and obligations of the parties do not merge on
completion of the Transaction. They survive the execution and
delivery of any assignment or other document entered into for
the purpose of implementing the Transaction.
B-1-30
Any consent referred to in, or required under, this agreement
from any party may not be unreasonably withheld, unless this
agreement expressly provides for that consent to be given in
that partys absolute discretion.
Any communication under or in connection with this agreement:
(a) must be in writing;
(b) must be addressed as shown below:
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Palmarejo
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Name:
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James Crombie
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|
Address:
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5300 Commerce Court West,
199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9
|
Fax no:
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450-677-2601
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Coeur
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Name:
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Company Secretary
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Address:
|
|
505 Front Ave, Coeur dAlene, Idaho 83814
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Fax no:
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+ 1 (208) 667 2213
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(or as otherwise notified by that party to the other party from
time to time);
(c) must be signed by the party making the communication or
by a person duly authorised by that party;
(d) must be delivered or posted by prepaid post to the
address, or sent by fax to the number, of the addressee, in
accordance with clause 15.4(b); and
(e) is regarded as received by the addressee:
(1) if sent by prepaid post, on the third Business Day
after the date of posting to an address within Canada, and on
the fifth Business Day after the date of posting to an address
outside Canada;
(2) if sent by fax, at the local time (in the place of
receipt of that fax) which then equates to the time at which
that fax is sent as shown on the transmission report which is
produced by the machine from which that fax is sent and which
confirms transmission of that fax in its entirety, unless that
local time is not a Business Day, or is after 5.00pm on a
Business Day, when that communication will be regarded as
received at 9.00am on the next Business Day; and
(3) if delivered by hand, on delivery at the address of the
addressee as provided in clause 15.4(b), unless delivery is
not made on a Business Day, or after 5.00pm on a Business Day,
when that communication will be regarded as received at 9.00am
on the next Business Day.
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15.5
|
Governing
law and jurisdiction
|
(a) This agreement is governed by the laws of the Province
of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
(b) Each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario and courts competent to
hear appeals from those courts.
(a) Failure to exercise or enforce, a delay in exercising
or enforcing, or the partial exercise or enforcement of any
right, power or remedy provided by law or under this agreement
by any party does not in any way preclude, or
B-1-31
operate as a waiver of, any exercise or enforcement, or further
exercise or enforcement, of that or any other right, power or
remedy provided by law or under this agreement.
(b) Any waiver or consent given by any party under this
agreement is only effective and binding on that party if it is
given or confirmed in writing by that party.
(c) No waiver of a breach of any term of this agreement
operates as a waiver of another breach of that term or of a
breach of any other term of this agreement.
This agreement may only be varied by a document signed by or on
behalf of each of the parties.
A party may not assign, novate or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations under this agreement without the prior
written consent of the other party.
Each party will do all things and execute all further documents
necessary to give full effect to this agreement.
This agreement supersedes all previous agreements, including (in
respect of the obligations owed by the parties to each other)
the confidentiality agreement between each of the parties and
Bolnisi dated 17 November 2006 in respect of its subject
matter and embodies the entire agreement between the parties.
(a) This agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts.
(b) All counterparts, taken together, constitute one
instrument.
(c) A party may execute this agreement by signing any
counterpart.
B-1-32
Schedule 1
Timetable
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Date
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Action
|
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Comment
|
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May 3
|
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Sign Merger Implementation Agreement
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June 18, 2007
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First Court hearing for interim order
|
|
Concurrent with first Bolnisi court hearing
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June 25, 2007
|
|
Mail and file notice of meeting and Plan Circular
|
|
Concurrent with Bolnisi mailing
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|
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July 25, 2007
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|
Plan Meeting to approve Plan
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|
Concurrent with Bolnisi meeting
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August 15, 2007
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|
Second Court hearing for final order
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August 20, 2007
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File Articles of Arrangement
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|
Articles to be filed to be effective immediately after Bolnisi
scheme becoming effective
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August 20, 2007
|
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Plan becomes effective
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B-1-33
Schedule 2
Except as disclosed in the Public Disclosure Documents filed
prior to the date hereof:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate
Power. Each of Palmarejo and each of its
subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or other legal entity
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the
requisite power and authority to own its assets and conduct its
business as currently owned and conducted. Each of Palmarejo and
each of its subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its
properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary.
Palmarejo has filed on SEDAR complete and correct copies of its
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and the certificates of
incorporation and by-laws or comparable organization documents
of the subsidiaries of Palmarejo, in each case as amended to the
date of this agreement. Palmarejo is not in violation of any
provision of its Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, and no
Subsidiary of Palmarejo is in violation of any provisions of its
certificate of incorporation, by-laws or comparable
organizational documents.
(b) Palmarejo Subsidiaries. Each
Subsidiary of Palmarejo and the ownership or interest therein of
Palmarejo is set forth in the Public Disclosure Documents. All
the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such Subsidiary
have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable
and are owned by Palmarejo, by another Subsidiary of Palmarejo
or by Palmarejo and another Subsidiary of Palmarejo, free and
clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, mortgages, deeds
of trust, net profit interests, net smelter returns, royalties,
overriding royalty interests, other payments out of production,
other burdens, security interests and other encumbrances of any
kind or nature whatsoever held by third parties (collectively,
Liens). Except for the capital stock of the
subsidiaries of Palmarejo, Palmarejo does not own, directly or
indirectly, any capital stock or other ownership interest in any
person.
(c) Capitalization. The authorized
capital (the Authorized Capital) and issued
capital of Palmarejo is as set out in the recitals to this
agreement. Except as set forth in the recitals, there are no
shares of capital stock or other voting securities of Palmarejo
issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. There are not any
bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Palmarejo
having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable
for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on
which shareholders of Palmarejo must vote. Except as set forth
above, as of the date of this agreement, there are not any
options, warrants, puts, calls, rights, commitments, agreements,
arrangements or undertakings of any kind (collectively,
Options) to which Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound
relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of Palmarejo or
any of its subsidiaries, or obligating Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries to issue, transfer, grant, sell or pay for or
repurchase any shares of capital stock or other equity interests
in, or securities convertible or exchangeable for any capital
stock or other equity interests in, Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries or obligating Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries
to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such Options. All
shares of Palmarejos capital stock that are subject to
issuance as aforesaid, upon issuance on the terms and conditions
specified in the instrument pursuant to which they are issuable,
will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. The issuance and sale of all of the shares of
capital stock described in this §(c) have been in
compliance with all Laws. A schedule setting forth the names of,
and the number of Palmarejo Options (including the number of
shares issuable upon exercise of Palmarejo Options and the
exercise price and vesting schedule with respect thereto) and
the number of options held by, all holders of Palmarejo Options.
The average exercise price for outstanding Palmarejo Options is
indicated in the Palmarejo financial statements for the year
ended June 30, 2006.
Palmarejo has not agreed to register any securities under any
securities Laws or granted registration rights to any person or
entity. As of the date of this agreement, there are not any
outstanding contractual obligations or other requirements of
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of Palmarejo or
any of its subsidiaries, or provide funds to or make any
investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or
otherwise) in, any Subsidiary of Palmarejo or any other person.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, there are no
stock appreciation rights, phantom equity or similar rights,
agreements, arrangements or commitments based upon the book
value, income or any other attribute of Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries.
B-1-34
(d) Authority;
Non-Contravention. Palmarejo has all requisite
corporate power and corporate authority to enter into this
agreement and, subject to the Shareholder Approval, to
consummate the Transaction and to perform its obligations under
this agreement. The Palmarejo Board, upon the recommendation of
the Special Committee of the Palmarejo Board (comprised of the
independent directors), has approved this agreement and the
Transaction and has resolved to recommend to the Palmarejo
Shareholders that the Palmarejo Shareholders give the
Shareholder Approval. The execution and delivery of this
agreement by Palmarejo and the consummation by Palmarejo of the
Transaction have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of Palmarejo, subject to the Shareholder
Approval. No other corporate proceedings on the part of
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries are necessary to authorize
this agreement and, subject to the Shareholder Approval, the
Transaction. This agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by Palmarejo and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Palmarejo, enforceable by Coeur against Palmarejo in accordance
with its terms, subject to the availability of equitable
remedies and the enforcement of creditors rights
generally. The execution and delivery of this agreement does
not, and the consummation of the Transaction and compliance with
the provisions of this agreement will not, conflict with, or
result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice
or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of
consent, termination, purchase, cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or to loss of any property, rights or benefits
under, or result in the imposition of any additional obligation
under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
properties or assets of Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries
under, (i) the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of
Palmarejo or the comparable organization documents of any of its
subsidiaries; (ii) any contract, instrument, permit,
concession, franchise, license, loan or credit agreement, note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other property agreement,
partnership or joint venture agreement or other legally binding
agreement, arrangement or understanding whether oral or written
(a Contract), to which Palmarejo or any of
its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or their
respective properties or assets is bound or affected, or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters
referred to in the following sentence, any Law applicable to
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries or their respective
properties or assets. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with,
any Regulatory Authority, is required by or with respect to
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this agreement by Palmarejo or the
consummation by Palmarejo of the Transaction, except for
(i) the filing with the applicable securities Regulatory
Authorities of the Plan Circular, (ii) any approvals
required by the Interim Order and the Final Order,
(iii) filings with the Director under the Corporations Act,
and (iv) such other consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as are
set forth in §(d) of the Disclosure Statement. Each of
Palmarejo and its subsidiaries possesses all certificates,
franchises, licenses, permits, grants, easements, covenants,
certificates, orders, authorizations and approvals issued to or
granted by Regulatory Authorities or other third parties
(collectively, Permits), including pursuant
to any Environmental Law, necessary to own, lease
and/or
operate its properties and to conduct its business as such
business is currently conducted or is expected to be conducted
immediately following completion of the Transaction.
(i) All such Permits are validly held by Palmarejo or its
subsidiaries, and Palmarejo and its subsidiaries have complied
in all material respects with all terms and conditions thereof,
(ii) none of such Permits will be subject to suspension,
modification, revocation or non-renewal as a result of the
execution and delivery of this agreement or the consummation of
the Transaction, and (iii) since June 30, 2006,
neither Palmarejo nor any of its subsidiaries has received any
written notice, notice of violation or probable violation,
notice of revocation, or other written communication from or on
behalf of any Regulatory Authority, alleging (A) any
violation of such Permit, or (B) that Palmarejo or any of
its subsidiaries requires any Permit required for its business
as such business is currently conducted, that is not currently
held by it.
(e) Publicly Filed Documents; Undisclosed
Liabilities. Palmarejo has filed all required
reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
(including documents incorporated by reference) with the
applicable securities Regulatory Authorities since June 30,
2005 (the Public Disclosure Documents). As of
its date, each Public Disclosure Document complied in all
material respects with the requirements of all applicable
securities Laws. None of the Public Disclosure Documents, as of
their respective dates, contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except to the extent that such statements
have been modified or superseded by a later-filed
B-1-35
Public Disclosure Document. The consolidated financial
statements of Palmarejo included in the Public Disclosure
Documents comply as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and
regulations of the applicable securities Regulatory Authorities
with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly
present the consolidated financial position of Palmarejo as of
the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations
and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case
of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).
Except (i) as and to the extent disclosed, reflected or
reserved against on the balance sheet or the notes thereto of
Palmarejo as of June 30, 2006 included in the Filed
Palmarejo Public Disclosure Documents, or (ii) as incurred
after the date thereof in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and not prohibited by this
agreement, Palmarejo does not have any liabilities or
obligations of any nature, whether known or unknown, absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become
due, that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to be a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change. None of
Palmarejos subsidiaries is subject to the informational
reporting requirements of, or required to file any form or other
document with, any securities Regulatory Authority (including
any stock exchange).
(f) Information Supplied. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by Palmarejo or its
subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Plan Circular or any other filings relating to the Transaction
made by Coeur pursuant to the Securities Act or the Securities
Exchange Act (collectively, the Coeur
Filings) will, at the date the Plan Circular is first
mailed to Palmarejo Shareholders, the Coeur Filings are filed,
the Coeur Proxy Statement is first mailed to Coeur Shareholders
or at the time of the Coeur Meeting or at the time of the Plan
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The
Plan Circular and Coeur Filings will comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of applicable securities
Laws, except that no representation or warranty is made by
Palmarejo with respect to statements made or incorporated by
reference therein based on information supplied by Coeur or
Bolnisi for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Plan
Circular or the Coeur Filings.
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Except as disclosed in the Public
Disclosure Documents filed and publicly available prior to the
date of this agreement (the Filed Palmarejo Public
Disclosure Documents), since June 30, 2006,
Palmarejo has conducted, and caused each of its subsidiaries to
conduct, its business only in the ordinary course and:
(i) there has not been any event, change, effect or
development (including any decision to implement such a change
made by the Palmarejo Board or any of its subsidiaries in
respect of which senior management believes that confirmation of
the board of directors is probable), which, individually or in
the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be a Palmarejo
Material Adverse Change;
(ii) there has not been, except as provided for in this
agreement, any split, combination or reclassification of any
Authorized Capital of Palmarejo or any issuance or the
authorization of any issuance of any other securities in
exchange or in substitution for shares of Authorized Capital of
Palmarejo;
(iii) there has not been (A) any granting by Palmarejo
or any of its subsidiaries to any officer of Palmarejo or any of
its subsidiaries of any increase in or acceleration of
compensation, except as was required under employment agreements
in effect as of the date of the most recent audited financial
statements included in the Filed Palmarejo Public Disclosure
Documents, (B) any granting by Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries to any such officer of any increase in severance or
termination pay, except as was required under any employment,
severance or termination agreements in effect as of the date of
the most recent audited financial statements included in the
Filed Palmarejo Public Disclosure Documents, or (C) any
entry by Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries into any
employment, severance of termination agreement with any such
officer;
(iv) there has not been any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices by Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries
materially affecting its assets, liabilities or business, except
insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP;
B-1-36
(v) neither Palmarejo nor any of its subsidiaries has
engaged in any action which, if done after the date of this
agreement, would violate §3.1(i) of this agreement; and
(vi) no liability or obligation of any nature (whether
absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) that is a Palmarejo
Material Adverse Change, has been incurred other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
(h) Disclosure. Palmarejo has not failed
to disclose to Coeur in writing any information known to
Palmarejo regarding any event, circumstance or action taken or
failed to be taken that is a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) except as provided to Coeur, there are no severance and
employment agreements with respect to current or former
employees of Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries or any bonus
or incentive arrangements with respect to such employees that
may require payments as a result of the Transaction;
(ii) except as disclosed in the financial statements
contained in the Filed Palmarejo Public Disclosure Documents,
Palmarejo and its subsidiaries do not have liabilities or
obligations in excess of the liabilities or obligations
reflected or reserved against in those financial statements
that, either individually or in the aggregate, are a Palmarejo
Material Adverse Change;
(iii) none of Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries or any
of their properties is the subject to a judgement, order or
decree that is a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change; and
(iv) the data or information made available to Coeur in
respect of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries, was complete and, to
the knowledge of Palmarejo, correct in all material respects
and, did not, at the time it was made available and for the
period of and matter to which it relates, and to the knowledge
of Palmarejo, contain any untrue statement of material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained therein not misleading in the circumstances.
(i) Compliance. Except for any conflicts,
defaults or violations that could not, individually or in the
aggregate (taking into account the impact of any
cross-defaults), reasonably be expected to result in a Palmarejo
Material Adverse Change, each of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries
has complied with, and is not in conflict with, or in default
(including cross defaults) under or in violation of:
(i) its articles or other organizational documents or
by-laws;
(ii) any Law or Permit applicable to it, its business or
operations or by which any of its properties or assets is bound
or affected; or
(iii) any agreement, arrangement or understanding to which
it, its business or operations or by which any of its properties
or assets is bound or affected.
As of the Effective Date, each of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries
has or will have complied with each of its covenants and
obligations under this agreement.
(j) Restrictions on Business
Activities. There is no agreement, judgement,
injunction, order or decree binding upon Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries that has, or could reasonably be expected to have,
the effect of prohibiting, restricting or impairing any business
practice of Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries, any
acquisition of property by Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries
or the conduct of business by any of them as currently conducted
(including following the Transaction) other than such
agreements, judgements, injunctions, orders or decrees which are
not, individually or in the aggregate, a Palmarejo Material
Adverse Change.
(k) Contracts. All material contracts to
which Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries is a party are
disclosed in the Public Disclosure Documents. All material
contracts are valid and binding obligations of Palmarejo or any
of its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Palmarejo, the
valid and binding obligation of each other party thereto except
for such contracts which if not so valid and binding would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Palmarejo Material
Adverse Change. Neither Palmarejo nor, to the knowledge of
Palmarejo, any other party thereto is in violation of or in
default in respect of, nor has there occurred an event or
condition which with the passage of time or giving of notice (or
both) would constitute a default under or entitle any party to
terminate, accelerate, modify or
B-1-37
call a default under, or trigger any pre-emptive rights or
rights of first refusal under, any such Contract except such
violations or defaults under such contracts, which, individually
or in the aggregate, would not be a Palmarejo Material Adverse
Change. No approval or consent of any person is needed in order
that such Contracts continue in full force and effect following
the consummation of the Transaction.
(l) Tax Matters.
(i) Palmarejo and each of its subsidiaries has duly filed
on a timely basis with the appropriate Regulatory Authorities,
all Tax Returns required to be filed for taxable periods ending
on or before the Effective Date. All such Tax Returns are true,
correct and complete in all material respects. To the best of
Palmarejos knowledge, no such Tax Return contains any
misstatement or omits any statement that should have been
included therein. No Tax Return has been amended.
(ii) The tax liability of Palmarejo and each of its
subsidiaries for previous taxation periods is as indicated in
its Tax Returns. All Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns or
otherwise due or claimed to be due by any Regulatory Authority
have been paid. All instalments, assessments and reassessments
of which Palmarejo and each of its subsidiaries are aware of or
has received notice of and all other Taxes which are due and
payable by them, have been paid in full. Reserves and provisions
for Taxes accrued but not yet due on or before the Effective
Date as reflected in Palmarejos consolidated financial
statements are adequate as of the date of Palmarejos most
recent consolidated financial statements, in accordance with
GAAP. No deficiencies for Taxes have been proposed, asserted or
assessed against Palmarejo that are not adequately reserved
against.
(iii) No claim has ever been made by or is expected from
any Regulatory Authority in a jurisdiction in which Palmarejo or
any of its subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that it is or
may be subject to taxation in that jurisdiction.
(iv) No unresolved assessments, reassessments, audits (to
the knowledge of Palmarejo), claims, actions, suits,
proceedings, or investigations exist or have been initiated with
regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries. To the knowledge of Palmarejo and each of its
subsidiaries, no assessment, reassessment, audit or
investigation by any Regulatory Authority is underway,
threatened or imminent with respect to Taxes for which Palmarejo
or any of its subsidiaries may be liable, in whole or part.
(v) The Tax Returns of Palmarejo and each of its
subsidiaries have been assessed by applicable Regulatory
Authorities for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2006.
(vi) No election, consent for extension, nor any waiver
that extends any applicable statute of limitations relating to
the determination of a Tax liability of Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries has been filed or entered into and is still
effective.
(vii) There are no Liens for Taxes on the assets of
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries (other than statutory liens
for taxes not yet due and payable).
(viii) Neither Palmarejo nor any of its subsidiaries is a
party to, is bound by, or has any obligation under, any tax
sharing agreement, tax indemnification agreement or similar
contract or arrangement.
(ix) Palmarejo and each of its subsidiaries have properly
withheld and remitted all amounts required to be withheld or
remitted (including without limitation, income tax, non-resident
withholding tax, Canadian Pension Plan contributions,
Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation premiums)
and has paid such amounts due to the Regulatory Authority on a
timely basis and in the form required under the appropriate
legislation.
(x) Palmarejo has not been and currently is not required to
file any Tax Returns in any jurisdiction outside of Canada.
(xi) None of Palmarejos subsidiaries are resident in
Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
(xii) Neither Palmarejo nor any of its subsidiaries has
claimed a deduction with respect to an outlay or expense that is
unreasonable under the circumstances.
B-1-38
(xiii) Palmarejo is a registrant for the purposes of the
Excise Tax Act (Canada) having registration number
846560878ET0001, and is not a financial institution within the
meaning of the Excise Tax Act (Canada). Palmarejo has not
made any election under Section 150 of the Excise Tax
Act (Canada).
(xiv) As used in this agreement, the following terms shall
have the meaning specified:
Tax or Taxes shall mean
all federal, provincial, municipal, state, local, foreign and
other duties, levies, taxes, assessments, reassessments or other
government charges of any nature whatsoever, including, without
limitation, income, estimated income, capital, land transfer,
value-added, business, occupation, franchise, tax under
Part III.1 of the Income Tax Act (Canada), property,
sales, transfer, use, employment, wage, payroll, commercial rent
or withholding taxes, workers compensation levies, customs
excise duties, social security and unemployment insurance
charges and retirement contributions, including interest,
penalties, fines and additions in connection therewith for which
Palmarejo may be liable.
Tax Return means any return, report,
information return, election, designation or other document
(including any related or supporting information and any
attached schedule) with respect to Taxes.
(m) Title and Environmental Matters.
(i) With respect to all Properties that are held by
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries in fee simple
(collectively, the Palmarejo Owned
Properties), Palmarejo and its subsidiaries are in
exclusive possession thereof and have good and sufficient title
to the property interests, leases, easements, rights of way,
permits or licences from land owners or authorities permitting
the use of land by it necessary to permit the operation of its
business as presently conducted, except for failures of title
that would individually or in the aggregate not be a Palmarejo
Material Adverse Change.
(ii) With respect to any Properties: (i) Palmarejo,
together with its subsidiaries, is in exclusive possession of
such properties; (ii) Palmarejo, together with its
subsidiaries, has not received any notice of default of any of
the terms or provisions of such leases or other contracts;
(iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this
agreement by Palmarejo, and the consummation of the Transaction
will not cause a default or termination, or give rise to the
right of termination, or rights of first refusal or other
pre-emptive rights under any such leases or contracts;
(iv) such leases and other contracts are valid and are in
good standing; (v) Palmarejo has no knowledge of any act or
omission or any condition on such properties which could be
considered or construed as a default under any such lease or
other contract; (vi) none of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries
is a party to, or under any agreement to become a party to, any
lease with respect to real property, which, if terminated, could
reasonably be expected to be a Palmarejo Material Adverse
Change; and (vii) such property covered thereby is free and
clear of all Liens or material defects in title except for those
specifically identified in the Public Disclosure Documents.
(iii) With respect to any exploration or mining concessions
or like interest granted by any Regulatory Authority, located by
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries that are included within
any real property owned, leased or used by Palmarejo or any of
its subsidiaries or in which Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries otherwise has an interest, except as provided in
the Public Disclosure Documents:
(A) Palmarejo has valid title, and has maintained valid
title, to such unpatented mining claims and millsites and any
other exploration or mining concessions or like interest granted
by any Regulatory Authority;
(B) the claims are free and clear of Liens or defects in
title; and
(C) Palmarejo has no knowledge of conflicting mining claims.
(iv) Palmarejo has not received inquiry from or notice of a
pending investigation from any Regulatory Authority or of any
administrative or judicial proceeding concerning the violation
of any applicable Laws or any Environmental Liabilities.
(v) Palmarejo has made available to Coeur, copies of all
third party and internal environmental or other reports prepared
by or for Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries with respect to
any real property owned, leased or used by Palmarejo or any of
its subsidiaries or in which Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries otherwise has an interest.
B-1-39
(vi) As used in this agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings specified:
Environmental Laws means applicable Laws
aimed at reclamation or restoration of the real properties
owned, leased or used by Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries in
which Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries otherwise has an
interest, abatement of pollution; protection of the environment;
protection of wildlife, including endangered species; ensuring
public safety from environmental hazards; protection of cultural
or historic resources; management, storage or control of
hazardous materials and substances; releases or threatened
releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial,
toxic or hazardous substances as wastes into the environment,
including ambient air, surface water and groundwater; and all
other applicable Laws relating to the manufacturing, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, handling or
transport of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial,
toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.
Environmental Liabilities means any and all
claims, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, liabilities,
obligations, penalties, judgments, amounts paid in settlement,
assessments, costs, disbursements, or expenses (including
attorneys fees and costs, experts fees and costs,
and consultants fees and costs) of any kind or of any
nature whatsoever that are asserted by any person or entity
(including any Regulatory Authority) other than Palmarejo,
alleging liability (including liability for studies, testing or
investigatory costs, cleanup costs, response costs, removal
costs, remediation costs, containment costs, restoration costs,
corrective action costs, closure costs, reclamation costs,
natural resource damages, property damages, business losses,
personal injuries, penalties or fines) arising out of, based on
or resulting from (i) the presence, release, threatened
release, discharge or emission into the environment of any
hazardous materials or substances existing or arising on,
beneath or above the real properties owned, leased or used by
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries or in which Palmarejo or
any of its subsidiaries otherwise has an interest
and/or
emanating or migrating
and/or
threatening to emanate or migrate from such properties to
off-site properties, (ii) physical disturbance of the
environment, or (iii) the violation or alleged violation or
any Environmental Laws.
Existing Data means maps, drill logs and
other drilling data, core tests, pulps, reports, surveys,
assays, analyses, production reports, operations, technical,
accounting and financial records, and other material information
developed in operations on the real properties owned, leased or
used by Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries or in which
Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries otherwise has or had an
interest prior to the date of this agreement.
(n) Employment Matters.
(i) Except as provided to Coeur, none of Palmarejo or its
subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, obligation or
understanding providing for severance or termination payments
to, or any employment agreement with, any director, consultant,
employee or officer, other than any obligations of reasonable
notice of termination or pay in lieu thereof under applicable
law and any statutory obligations.
(ii) None of Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries had or
has any labour contracts, collective bargaining agreements (the
Business Personnel). Neither Palmarejo nor
any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any unfair labour
practice with respect to the Business Personnel since
June 30, 2005 and there is no unfair labour practice
complaint pending or, to the knowledge of Palmarejo, threatened,
against Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the
Business Personnel. There is no labour strike, dispute, slowdown
or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of Palmarejo,
threatened against Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries, and
neither Palmarejo nor any of its subsidiaries has experienced
any labour strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage or other labour
difficulty involving the Business Personnel since June 30,
2005.
(iii) None of Palmarejo or its subsidiaries is subject to
any litigation, actual or, to the knowledge of Palmarejo,
threatened, relating to employment or termination of employment
of employees or independent contractors, other than those claims
or litigation as would, individually or in the aggregate, not be
a Palmarejo Material Adverse Change.
(iv) Palmarejo and each of its subsidiaries has in all
material respects operated in accordance with all applicable
Laws with respect to employment and labour, including employment
and labour standards, occupational health and safety, employment
equity, pay equity, workers compensation, human rights and
labour relations and
B-1-40
there are no current, pending or, to the knowledge of Palmarejo,
threatened proceedings before any Regulatory Authority with
respect to any of the above.
(o) Books and Records. The financial
books, records and accounts of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries in
all material respects, (i) have been maintained in
accordance with GAAP on a basis consistent with prior years,
(ii) are stated in reasonable detail and accurately and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets
of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries and (iii) accurately and
fairly reflect the basis for Palmarejo consolidated financial
statements.
(p) Insurance. Palmarejo and its
subsidiaries are covered by insurance coverage with reputable
insurers in such amounts and covering such risks as are in
accordance with normal industry practice for companies engaged
in businesses similar to that of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries.
(q) Litigation. There is no suit, action
or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Palmarejo,
threatened against Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries that,
individually or in the aggregate, if adversely determined, would
reasonably be expected to be a Palmarejo Material Adverse
Change, and there is not any judgment, decree, injunction, rule
or order of any Regulatory Authority or arbitrator outstanding
against Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries having, or which
would reasonably be expected to have, a Palmarejo Material
Adverse Change. As of the date of this agreement, there is no
suit, action, proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of
Palmarejo, threatened, against Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, if
adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to prevent or
delay in any material respect the consummation of the
Transaction.
(r) Determination by the Board and Voting
Requirements. The Palmarejo Board (after
receiving financial advice including the Fairness Opinion, legal
advice and after considering other factors), by the unanimous
vote of its independent directors, has determined and resolved
at its meeting held on May 2, 2007:
(i) that the entering into of this agreement, the
performance by Palmarejo of its obligations hereunder and the
Transaction are in the best interests of Palmarejo and its
shareholders;
(ii) the Transaction is fair to Plan Shareholders;
(iii) to approve the Transaction and this
agreement; and
(iv) to recommend that Plan Shareholders approve the
Transaction.
To the knowledge of Palmarejo, after consultation with outside
legal counsel,
Rule 61-501
of the Ontario Securities Commission applies or purports to
apply to this agreement and to the Transaction.
The approval and adoption of this agreement by the affirmative
vote of
66%2/3
of the votes attaching to the Palmarejo Shares, and by the
affirmative vote of more than 50% of the votes attaching to the
Plan Shares, cast at the Plan Meeting are the only votes of the
holders of any class or series of Authorized Capital of
Palmarejo necessary to approve this agreement and the Plan.
(s) Brokers; Schedule of Fees and
Expenses. Except as set forth in §(t) of the
Disclosure Statement, no broker, investment banker, financial
advisors or other person is entitled to any brokers,
finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or
commission in connection with the Transaction based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of Palmarejo. Palmarejo has
made available to Coeur true and complete copies of all
agreements that are referred to in §(t) of the Disclosure
Statement and all indemnification and other agreements related
to the engagement of the persons so listed.
(t) Opinion of Financial
Advisors. Palmarejo has received an oral opinion
from the financial advisor to the effect that, as of such date,
the Plan Consideration to be received pursuant to the
Transaction by Plan Shareholders is fair to the Plan
Shareholders from a financial point of view, a copy of which
opinion will be promptly delivered to Coeur.
(u) Dispositions of Property. Except as
described in the Filed Palmarejo Public Disclosure Documents,
since June 30, 2005 neither Palmarejo nor any of its
subsidiaries has sold or disposed of or ceased to hold or own
any personal property, real property, any interest or rights
with respect to real property (including exploration or
production rights), any interest in a joint venture or other
assets of properties of Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries
(Palmarejo Property), other than sales and
dispositions of raw materials, obsolete equipment, mine output
and
B-1-41
other inventories, and any interest or rights with respect to
real property having an individual fair market value of less
than $46.8 million, in each case in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practice. No Palmarejo Property,
the fair market value of which on the date of this agreement is
greater than $46.8 million, is subject to any pending sale
or disposition transaction.
(v) Absence of Reduction in
Resources. There has been no material reduction
in the aggregate amount of resources of Palmarejo and its
subsidiaries from the amounts set forth in Palmarejos
annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005,
except for such reductions into different categories that have
resulted from reclassifications into different categories.
(w) Disclosure Controls and
Procedures. Palmarejo has devised and maintained
a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by Palmarejo
under applicable Law is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the applicable
Law. Such disclosure controls and procedures include, without
limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by Palmarejo in
Palmarejos reports and other filings under applicable Law
is accumulated and communicated to the Palmarejo management,
including its principal executive and principal financial
officers, or persons performing similar functions, as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
(x) Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting. Palmarejo maintains internal control
over financial reporting. Such internal control over financial
reporting is effective in providing reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP and includes policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that accurately
and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the
assets of Palmarejo and its subsidiaries; (ii) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
GAAP and that receipts and expenditures of Palmarejo and its
subsidiaries are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of Palmarejo and its
subsidiaries; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use of disposition of the Palmarejos and its
subsidiaries assets that could have a material effect on
its financial statements. There are no significant deficiencies
in the design or operation of, or material weaknesses in,
Palmarejos internal controls over financial reporting that
are reasonably likely to adversely affect its ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information, and there
is no known fraud that involves management or other employees
who have a significant role in the Palmarejos internal
control over financial reporting. Since June 30, 2005,
Palmarejo has received no (x) material complaints from any
source regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or
auditing matters or (y) expressions of concern from
employees of Palmarejo regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters.
(y) Up-the-Ladder Reporting. No attorney
representing Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries, whether or
not employed by Palmarejo or any of its subsidiaries, has
reported evidence of a violation of any Law, breach of fiduciary
duty or similar violation by Palmarejo or any of its
subsidiaries or their respective officers, directors, employees
or agents to Palmarejos chief legal officer, audit
committee (or other committee designated for the purpose) of the
board of directors or the board of directors.
(z) Stock Exchange Compliance. Palmarejo
is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable
listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the
TSXV and each other stock exchange or market on which the
Palmarejo Shares are listed or posted for trading.
(aa) No Prohibited Personal
Loans. Neither Palmarejo nor any of its
subsidiaries has made, arranged or modified (in any material
way) any extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan or
otherwise, to any executive officer or director of Palmarejo or
any of its subsidiaries.
(bb) Reporting Status. Palmarejo is a
reporting issuer or its equivalent in each of Ontario, British
Columbia and Alberta. The Palmarejo Shares are listed on the
TSXV.
(cc) No Cease Trade. Palmarejo is not
subject to any cease trade or other order of any applicable
stock exchange or securities Regulatory Authority and, to the
knowledge of Palmarejo, no investigation or other proceedings
involving Palmarejo that may operate to prevent or restrict
trading of any securities of Palmarejo are currently in progress
or pending before any applicable stock exchange or securities
Regulatory Authority.
B-1-42
Schedule 3
Except as disclosed in Coeurs filings made with the SEC
prior to the date hereof:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate
Power. Each of Coeur and each of its and its
significant subsidiaries, as such term is defined in Rule 1-02
of
Regulation S-X
of the 1933 Act is a corporation, partnership or other
legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
organized and has the requisite power and authority to own its
assets and conduct its business as currently owned and
conducted. Each of Coeur and each of its subsidiaries is duly
qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in
each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, except for such jurisdictions where the
failure to so qualify individually or in the aggregate has not
and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Coeur
Material Adverse Change. Coeur has made available for review to
Palmarejo complete and correct copies of its constating
documents and comparable organization documents of the
subsidiaries of Coeur, in each case as amended to the date of
this agreement. Coeur is not in violation of any provision of
its constating documents, and no subsidiary of Coeur is in
violation of any provisions of its comparable organizational
documents.
(b) Coeur Subsidiaries. All the
outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of Coeur
have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
(c) Capitalization. The authorized share
capital of Coeur consists of 500,000,000 Coeur Shares and
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per
share (Preferred Stock). At the close of business on
December 31, 2006: (i) 279,054,344 Coeur Shares and no
shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding. As of
December 31, 2006, there were options outstanding for
2,089,650 Coeur Shares and $180 million principal amount of
11/4% Convertible
Senior Notes due 2024 that are convertible into Coeur Shares.
Except as set forth above, there are no shares of capital stock
or other voting securities of Coeur issued or outstanding.
Except as set forth above, as of December 31, 2006, there
are not any options to which Coeur or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which any of them is bound relating to the issued
or unissued capital stock of Coeur or any of its subsidiaries,
or obligating Coeur or any of its subsidiaries to issue,
transfer, grant, sell or pay for or repurchase any shares of
capital stock or other equity interests in, or securities
convertible or exchangeable for any capital stock or other
equity interests in, Coeur or any of its subsidiaries or
obligating Coeur or any of its subsidiaries to issue, grant,
extend or enter into any such options. All shares of
Coeurs capital stock that are subject to issuance as
aforesaid, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified
in the instrument pursuant to which they are issuable, will be
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The issuance and sale of all of the shares of capital stock
described in this §(c) have been in compliance with all
Laws. The weighted average exercise price for outstanding Coeur
stock options at December 31, 2006 is $3.56. Coeur has not
agreed to register any securities under any securities Laws or
granted registration rights to any person or entity. As of the
date of this agreement, there are not any outstanding
contractual obligations or other requirements of Coeur or any of
its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
shares of capital stock of Coeur or any of its subsidiaries, or
provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan,
capital contribution or otherwise) in, any subsidiary of Coeur
or any other person. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, there are no stock appreciation rights, phantom
equity or similar rights, agreements, arrangements or
commitments based upon the book value, income or any other
attribute of Coeur or any of its subsidiaries.
(d) Authority; Non-Contravention. Coeur
has all requisite corporate power and corporate authority to
enter into this agreement and to consummate the Transaction and
to perform its obligations under this agreement. The Coeur Board
has unanimously approved this agreement and the Transaction.
Except for the approval of the Coeur Resolutions by the Coeur
Shareholders at the Coeur Meeting, the execution and delivery of
this agreement by Coeur and the consummation by Coeur of the
Transaction have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of Coeur. No other corporate proceedings on
the part of Coeur or any of its subsidiaries are necessary to
authorize this agreement and the Transaction. This agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by Coeur and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of Coeur, enforceable by Palmarejo
against Coeur in accordance with its terms, subject to the
availability of equitable remedies and the enforcement of
creditors rights generally. Except as set forth in
§(d) of the Coeur Disclosure Statement, the
B-1-43
execution and delivery of this agreement does not, and the
consummation of the Transaction and compliance with the
provisions of this agreement will not, conflict with, or result
in any violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse
of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of consent,
termination, purchase, cancellation or acceleration of any
obligation or to loss of any property, rights or benefits under,
or result in the imposition of any additional obligation under,
or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties
or assets of Coeur or any of its subsidiaries under,
(i) the constating documents of Coeur or the comparable
organization documents of any of its subsidiaries; (ii) any
Contract to which Coeur or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
by which any of them or their respective properties or assets is
bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence,
any Law applicable to Coeur or any of its subsidiaries or their
respective properties or assets, except in the case of
clauses (ii) or (iii), as would not reasonably be expected
to result in a Coeur Material Adverse Change. No consent,
approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any Regulatory Authority, is
required by or with respect to Coeur or any of its subsidiaries
in connection with the execution and delivery of this agreement
by Coeur or the consummation by Coeur of the Transaction, except
for (i) any approvals required by the Interim Order or the
Final Order, and (ii) the other consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations or filings
set out in this agreement. To the extent applicable, the Coeur
Board has unanimously determined that the Transaction will not
constitute a change of control within the meaning of any
compensatory or benefit plan, arrangement or agreement provided
or maintained by Coeur or any of its subsidiaries for the
benefit of present or former employees, officers, directors or
consultants of Coeur or its subsidiaries.
(e) Publicly Filed Documents; Undisclosed
Liabilities. Coeur has filed all required
reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
(including documents incorporated by reference) with the
applicable security Regulatory Authorities since
December 31, 2006 (the Coeur Public Disclosure
Documents). As of its date, each Coeur Public
Disclosure Document complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act, or the Securities Exchange
Act or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or 2002, as applicable, and the
rules and regulations thereunder applicable to such Coeur Public
Disclosure Document. None of the Coeur Public Disclosure
Documents, as of their respective dates, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, except to the extent that such
statements have been modified or superseded by a later-filed
Coeur Public Disclosure Document. The consolidated financial
statements of Coeur included in the Coeur Public Disclosure
Documents comply as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared
in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto) and fairly present the consolidated financial position
of Coeur as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of
its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments). Except (i) as and to the
extent disclosed, reflected or reserved against on the balance
sheet or the notes thereto of Coeur as of December 31, 2006
included in the Coeur Public Disclosure Documents, (ii) as
incurred after the date thereof in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and not prohibited by
this agreement, or (iii) Coeur does not have any
liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether known or
unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether
due or to become due, that, individually or in the aggregate,
have had or would reasonably be expected to be a Coeur Material
Adverse Change. The books and records of Coeur and its
subsidiaries have been, and are being, maintained in all
material respects in accordance with applicable legal and
accounting requirements.
(f) Information Supplied. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by Coeur or its
subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Coeur Proxy Statement or any Coeur Information will, at the date
the Proxy Statement is first mailed to Coeur Shareholders or the
Coeur Information is included in the Plan Circular, as the case
may be, or at the time of the Coeur Meeting or Plan Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading. The Coeur Information
will comply as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of applicable securities Laws, except that no
representation or warranty is made by Coeur with respect to
statements made or
B-1-44
incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied
by Palmarejo or Bolnisi for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Proxy Statement or the Coeur Information.
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since December 31, 2006 Coeur has
conducted, and caused each of its subsidiaries to conduct, its
business only in the ordinary course, and:
(i) there has not been any event, change, effect or
development (including any decision to implement such a change
made by the board of directors of Coeur or any of its
subsidiaries), which, individually or in the aggregate, has been
or would reasonably be expected to be a Coeur Material Adverse
Change;
(ii) there has not been any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash,
stock or property) with respect to any Coeur Shares;
(iii) there has not been, except as provided for in this
agreement, any split, combination or reclassification of any
Coeur Shares or any issuance or the authorization of any
issuance of any other securities in exchange or in substitution
for Coeur Shares; and
(iv) there has not been any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices by Coeur or any of its subsidiaries
materially affecting its assets, liabilities or business, except
insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP.
(h) Restrictions on Business
Activities. There is no agreement, judgement,
injunction, order or decree binding upon Coeur or any of its
subsidiaries that has, or could reasonably be expected to have,
the effect of prohibiting, restricting or impairing any business
practice of Coeur or any of its subsidiaries, any acquisition of
property by Coeur or any of its subsidiaries or the conduct of
business by any of them as currently conducted (including
following the Plan) other than such agreements, judgements,
injunctions, orders or decrees which are not, individually or in
the aggregate, a Coeur Material Adverse Change.
(i) Title. To the knowledge of Coeur,
Coeur has adequate title to its real property interests, except
for failures of title that would individually or in the
aggregate not be a Coeur Material Adverse Change.
(j) Insurance. Coeur and its subsidiaries
maintain insurance coverage with reputable insurers in such
amounts and covering such risks as are in accordance with normal
industry practice for companies engaged in businesses similar to
that of Coeur and its subsidiaries.
(k) Litigation. There is no suit, action
or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Coeur, threatened
against Coeur or any of its subsidiaries that, individually or
in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be a Coeur
Material Adverse Change, and there is not any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any Regulatory Authority
outstanding against Coeur or any of its subsidiaries being, or
which would reasonably be expected to be, a Coeur Material
Adverse Change. As of the date of this agreement, there is no
suit, action or proceeding pending, or, to the knowledge of
Coeur, threatened, against Coeur or any of its subsidiaries
that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to prevent or delay in any material respect the
consummation of the Transaction.
(l) Determination by the Board. The board
of directors of Coeur has unanimously determined and resolved at
its meeting held on May 2, 2007:
(i) that the entering into of this agreement and the
performance by Coeur of its obligations hereunder and the
Transaction are in the best interests of Coeur and its
shareholders;
(ii) to approve the Transaction and this agreement; and
(iii) to recommend that Coeur Shareholders approve the
Coeur Resolutions at the Coeur Meeting.
(m) Brokers. Except for CIBC World
Markets, no broker, investment banker, financial advisors or
other person is entitled to any brokers, finders,
financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in
connection with the Transaction based upon arrangements made by
or on behalf of Coeur.
(n) Compliance. Except for any conflicts,
defaults or violations that could not, individually or in the
aggregate (taking into account the impact of any
cross-defaults), reasonably be expected to result in a Coeur
B-1-45
Material Adverse Change, Coeur has complied with, and is not in
conflict with, or in default (including cross defaults) under or
in violation of any Law applicable to its business or operations.
(o) Stock Option Pricing. Since
January 1, 2000, (A) the exercise price of each stock
option issued by Coeur has been granted at the Fair Market Value
(as defined under the terms of the respective stock incentive
plan under which such option was granted) of a Coeur Share as
determined on the date of grant of such option, and (B) all
grants of such options were validly issued and properly approved
by the Coeur Board (or a duly authorized committee or
subcommittee thereof) in material compliance with applicable Law
and recorded in Coeurs financial statements referred to in
§(e) in accordance with GAAP, and no such grants involved
any back dating, forward dating or
similar practices with respect to the effective date of grant.
(p) Reserves. Coeur filed with SEDAR on
February 22, 2007 at www.sedar.com Technical Reports for
each of the Rochester, Cerro Bayo, Martha, Kensington, Endeavor
and Broken Hill projects (the Coeur Reserve
Reports). The factual, non-interpretive data relating to
the properties of Coeur and its subsidiaries on which the Coeur
Reserve Reports were based for purposes of estimating the
reserves set forth therein, to the knowledge of Coeur, was
accurate in all material respects at the time such data was
provided to the reserve engineers for the Coeur Reserve Reports.
The Coeur Reserve Report conforms to the guidelines with respect
thereto of Canadian National Instrument
43-101.
(q) Disclosure Controls and
Procedures. Coeur has established and maintains
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules
13a-14(c)
and
15d-14(c) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
1934 Act)) to provide reasonable assurance to
ensure that the information required to be disclosed by Coeur in
the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that all
such information is accumulated and communicated to Coeurs
management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure and to make the certifications of the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Coeur required
under the 1934 Act with respect to such reports. Neither
Coeur nor its independent auditors have identified any
significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in Coeurs or any of its
subsidiaries internal controls as contemplated under
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(r) Rights Agreement. Coeur has taken all
action so that the entering into of this agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and
will not result in the grant of any rights to any person under
Coeurs rights agreement or enable or require any rights
issued pursuant to such agreement to be exercised, distributed
or triggered except for such rights to be provided as part of
the Plan Consideration.
(s) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, To
Coeurs knowledge, neither Coeur nor any of its
subsidiaries (nor any person representing Coeur or any of its
subsidiaries) has at any time during the last five years while
acting on behalf of Coeur or its subsidiaries (a) made any
payment in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or
similar laws of other countries where Coeur engages in business,
or (b) made any payment to any foreign, federal or state
governmental officer or official, or other person charged with
similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments
required or permitted by the laws of the United States or any
jurisdiction thereof.
B-1-46
Signing
page
Executed as an agreement:
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Signed by
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Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
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by
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sign here ►
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/s/ Dennis
Wheeler
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Chief Executive Officer
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print name
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Dennis Wheeler
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Signed by
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Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
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by
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sign here ►
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/s/ J.A.
Crombie
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Officer
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print name
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J.A. Crombie
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sign here ►
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print name
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B-1-47
Annex B-2
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
5300 Commerce Court West
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199 Bay
Street, Toronto, ON M5L 1B9
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24 September
2007
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Attention: James Crombie
Dear Sir
Extension
to Merger Implementation Agreement
This is to confirm our agreement in relation to the Merger
Implementation Agreement entered into on 3 May 2007, as
follows:
1 Coeur agrees to file the proxy statement with the SEC, in
the form Coeur provided to Palmarejo on 24 September,
2007 within 24 hours of the execution of this letter.
2 Subject to paragraph 4 below, the End Date will be
amended to the earlier of:
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the day 45 days after the date the SEC confirms in writing
that it has no further comments on the proxy statement, or if
that date is between 22 December 2007 and 3 February
2008, to 15 February 2008, and
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15 February, 2008
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3 Clause 6.1(b)(A) is amended by deleting the words
10 Business Days before and clause 6.1(c)(A) is
amended by deleting the words 15 Business Days
before.
4 There will be no change to the End Date or the clauses
referred to in paragraph 3 above if:
(a) within 20 days of filing the proxy statement, the
SEC confirms it will not review Coeurs proxy
statement; or
(b) the SEC completes its review and confirms in writing
that it has no further comments by 19 October, 2007.
5 Palmarejo agrees, upon filing of the proxy statement with
the SEC, to jointly issue an announcement in the form attached.
Coeur agrees, upon filing of the proxy statement with the SEC,
to file a current report on
Form 8-K
with the SEC attaching the announcement in the form attached.
This amendment does not otherwise amend or affect the validity
or enforceability of the Merger Implementation Agreement.
Defined terms in this letter have the meaning given to them in
the Merger Implementation Agreement, and clause references in
this letter are to clauses of the Merger Implementation
Agreement.
B-2-1
This letter may be signed in any number of counterparts and by
the parties on separate counterparts.
Yours sincerely
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Signed by
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Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
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by
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sign here ►
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/s/ Mitchell
Krebs
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Officer
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print name
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Mitchell Krebs
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AGREED
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Signed by
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Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
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by
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sign here ►
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/s/ Alain
Krushnisky
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Authorized Officer
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print name
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Alain Krushnisky
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B-2-2
Annex
C
Coeur
Financial Statements
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C-2 - C-3
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C-4
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C-5
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C-6
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C-27 - C-28
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C-29 - C-30
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C-31
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C-32
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C-33
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C-34
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C-1
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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June 30,
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December 31,
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2007
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2006
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(In thousands)
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(Unaudited)
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ASSETS
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CURRENT ASSETS
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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236,232
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$
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270,672
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Short-term investments
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36,270
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70,373
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Receivables
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38,732
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43,233
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Ore on leach pad
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32,729
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31,302
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Metal and other inventory
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18,353
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16,341
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Deferred tax assets
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3,872
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3,629
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Prepaid expenses and other
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8,096
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6,047
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374,284
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441,597
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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
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Property, plant and equipment
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166,368
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132,315
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Less accumulated depreciation
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(67,871
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)
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(64,206
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)
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98,497
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68,109
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MINING PROPERTIES
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Operational mining properties
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135,381
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130,447
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Less accumulated depletion
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|
|
(122,283
|
)
|
|
|
(116,361
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,098
|
|
|
|
14,086
|
|
Mineral interests
|
|
|
74,526
|
|
|
|
72,201
|
|
Less accumulated depletion
|
|
|
(9,635
|
)
|
|
|
(7,828
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,891
|
|
|
|
64,373
|
|
Non-producing and development properties
|
|
|
258,979
|
|
|
|
190,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
336,968
|
|
|
|
269,447
|
|
OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore on leach pad, non-current portion
|
|
|
37,374
|
|
|
|
35,367
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
21,652
|
|
|
|
19,492
|
|
Debt issuance costs, net
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
|
|
5,151
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
1,389
|
|
|
|
2,544
|
|
Other
|
|
|
8,749
|
|
|
|
7,919
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,163
|
|
|
|
70,473
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
849,626
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
C-2
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except
|
|
|
|
share data)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
35,967
|
|
|
$
|
22,315
|
|
Accrued liabilities and other
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
|
|
11,865
|
|
Accrued income taxes
|
|
|
5,363
|
|
|
|
10,317
|
|
Accrued payroll and related benefits
|
|
|
7,005
|
|
|
|
8,527
|
|
Accrued interest payable
|
|
|
1,031
|
|
|
|
1,031
|
|
Current portion of reclamation and mine closure
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
|
|
4,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,905
|
|
|
|
58,515
|
|
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/4% Convertible
Senior Notes due January 2024
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
Reclamation and mine closure
|
|
|
27,579
|
|
|
|
27,226
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
4,265
|
|
|
|
2,891
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
211,844
|
|
|
|
210,117
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(See Notes H, I, J, L, M and N)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share; authorized
500,000,000 shares, issued 279,526,451 and
279,054,344 shares in 2007 and 2006 (1,059,211 shares
held in treasury)
|
|
|
279,507
|
|
|
|
279,054
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
779,062
|
|
|
|
777,798
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(437,285
|
)
|
|
|
(463,221
|
)
|
Shares held in treasury
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
|
|
(13,190
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
553
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
609,163
|
|
|
|
580,994
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
849,626
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
C-3
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
(In thousand except per share data)
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
$
|
51,664
|
|
|
$
|
54,041
|
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
$
|
98,895
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
26,740
|
|
|
|
21,587
|
|
|
|
47,760
|
|
|
|
41,687
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
5,753
|
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
|
|
13,307
|
|
Administrative and general
|
|
|
5,710
|
|
|
|
4,528
|
|
|
|
11,884
|
|
|
|
9,618
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
2,549
|
|
|
|
1,934
|
|
|
|
5,430
|
|
|
|
3,901
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
469
|
|
|
|
507
|
|
|
|
469
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost and expenses
|
|
|
40,752
|
|
|
|
35,507
|
|
|
|
78,355
|
|
|
|
68,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
4,316
|
|
|
|
4,794
|
|
|
|
8,866
|
|
|
|
7,314
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
(83
|
)
|
|
|
(367
|
)
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
|
(888
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income and expense
|
|
|
4,233
|
|
|
|
4,427
|
|
|
|
8,696
|
|
|
|
6,426
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
15,145
|
|
|
|
22,961
|
|
|
|
32,865
|
|
|
|
36,339
|
|
Income tax benefit (provision)
|
|
|
(3,227
|
)
|
|
|
(2,829
|
)
|
|
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
|
|
|
11,918
|
|
|
|
20,132
|
|
|
|
25,937
|
|
|
|
33,858
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,968
|
|
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
|
|
11,918
|
|
|
|
32,648
|
|
|
|
25,937
|
|
|
|
46,985
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
|
1,736
|
|
|
|
516
|
|
|
|
1,740
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
$
|
12,606
|
|
|
$
|
34,384
|
|
|
$
|
26,453
|
|
|
$
|
48,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
277,763
|
|
|
|
277,474
|
|
|
|
277,720
|
|
|
|
265,049
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
302,240
|
|
|
|
302,188
|
|
|
|
302,205
|
|
|
|
289,832
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
C-4
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In Thousands)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
11,918
|
|
|
$
|
32,648
|
|
|
$
|
25,937
|
|
|
$
|
46,985
|
|
Add (deduct) non-cash items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
5,753
|
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
|
|
13,307
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
901
|
|
|
|
(1,058
|
)
|
|
|
1,274
|
|
|
|
(3,131
|
)
|
Unrealized loss on embedded derivative, net
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
4,760
|
|
|
|
1,090
|
|
|
|
3,201
|
|
Share based compensation
|
|
|
1,044
|
|
|
|
538
|
|
|
|
1,606
|
|
|
|
1,164
|
|
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations and other,
net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,306
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,322
|
)
|
Other charges (credits))
|
|
|
(252
|
)
|
|
|
175
|
|
|
|
(231
|
)
|
|
|
692
|
|
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
(1,780
|
)
|
|
|
(4,020
|
)
|
|
|
5,784
|
|
|
|
810
|
|
Prepaid and other current assets
|
|
|
(3,004
|
)
|
|
|
(1,362
|
)
|
|
|
(3,160
|
)
|
|
|
(1,025
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(404
|
)
|
|
|
(4,355
|
)
|
|
|
(5,446
|
)
|
|
|
(8,945
|
)
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(3,757
|
)
|
|
|
8,554
|
|
|
|
(5,417
|
)
|
|
|
7,636
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
469
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(176
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
11,544
|
|
|
|
32,032
|
|
|
|
34,211
|
|
|
|
49,196
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
(57,701
|
)
|
|
|
(25,677
|
)
|
|
|
(99,704
|
)
|
|
|
(53,484
|
)
|
Purchases of short-term investments
|
|
|
(17,267
|
)
|
|
|
(80,527
|
)
|
|
|
(50,578
|
)
|
|
|
(224,148
|
)
|
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments
|
|
|
22,101
|
|
|
|
62,890
|
|
|
|
82,261
|
|
|
|
101,106
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
|
(202
|
)
|
|
|
427
|
|
|
|
(443
|
)
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,862
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,365
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
(52,908
|
)
|
|
|
(28,654
|
)
|
|
|
(67,594
|
)
|
|
|
(162,604
|
)
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement of long-term debt and capital leases
|
|
|
(392
|
)
|
|
|
(352
|
)
|
|
|
(778
|
)
|
|
|
(689
|
)
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
154,560
|
|
Payment of public offering costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,388
|
)
|
Common stock repurchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(277
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
(74
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
(392
|
)
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
(1,057
|
)
|
|
|
145,409
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
(41,756
|
)
|
|
|
3,306
|
|
|
|
(34,440
|
)
|
|
|
32,001
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
277,988
|
|
|
|
83,591
|
|
|
|
270,672
|
|
|
|
54,896
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
236,232
|
|
|
$
|
86,897
|
|
|
$
|
236,232
|
|
|
$
|
86,897
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
C-5
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
|
|
NOTE A
|
BASIS OF
PRESENTATION
|
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America for interim
financial information and the instructions for
Form 10-Q
and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all the information and
footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating
results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30,
2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the year ending December 31, 2007. The balance
sheet at December 31, 2006 has been derived from the
audited financial statements at that date. For further
information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and
footnotes thereto included in the Coeur dAlene Mines
Corporation (Coeur or the Company)
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ending December 31, 2006.
|
|
NOTE B
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
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 Alaska, Inc., Compania Minera CDE
Cerro Bayo Ltd., Coeur Argentina, CDE Australia Pty Ltd. 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.
C-6
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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
$2.0 million, $2.6 million, $3.7 million and
$4.3 million during the three and six months ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are recorded as a
reduction of revenue.
At June 30, 2007, the Company had outstanding provisionally
priced sales of $73.1 million, consisting of
3.8 million ounces of silver and 34,159 ounces of gold. For
each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue
would vary (plus or minus) approximately $38,300; and for each
one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue
would vary (plus or minus) approximately $34,200. At
June 30, 2006, the Company had outstanding provisionally
priced sales of $43.9 million, consisting of
2.9 million ounces of silver and 16,719 ounces of gold. For
each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue
would vary (plus or minus) approximately $28,600; and for each
one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue
would vary (plus or minus) approximately $16,700.
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 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 should not have been 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 corrected the classification in its cash flow
statement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006
by reclassifying $22.4 million and $126.8 million of
auction rate securities from net changes in cash and cash
equivalents to net changes from purchases
and/or sales
of short-term investments. As a result, the following table
shows the amounts, as originally presented in the Companys
Form 10-Q,
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and the
corrected 2006 amounts as presented in its
Form 10-Q
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Previously
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Corrected
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
$
|
373,392
|
|
|
$
|
(286,495
|
)
|
|
$
|
86,897
|
|
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
|
|
|
(6,219
|
)
|
|
|
(22,435
|
)
|
|
|
(28,654
|
)
|
Increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
|
25,741
|
|
|
|
(22,435
|
)
|
|
|
3,306
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Previously
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Corrected
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
$
|
373,392
|
|
|
$
|
(286,495
|
)
|
|
$
|
86,897
|
|
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
|
|
|
(35,829
|
)
|
|
|
(126,775
|
)
|
|
|
(162,604
|
)
|
Increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
|
158,776
|
|
|
|
(126,775
|
)
|
|
|
32,001
|
|
C-7
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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 leach pad of $70.1 million as
of June 30, 2007. Of this amount, $32.7 million is
reported as a current asset and $37.4 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 twenty 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.
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
C-8
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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. 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.
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 June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, the Company held certificates of deposit
and cash under these agreements of $21.7 million and
$19.5 million, respectively, restricted for this purpose.
The ultimate timing for the
C-9
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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.
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.
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, 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 and derivative instruments that
are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in
earnings. Refer to Note I 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
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, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, 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 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
C-10
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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, production costs
applicable to sales 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 three and six months
ended June 30, 2007 for awards of equity instruments was
$1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of which
$0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, was
capitalized as part of the mine construction activities. As of
June 30, 2007, there was $3.6 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 2.4 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 estimated forfeiture
rate will result in a cumulative adjustment in the period the
forfeiture estimate is changed.
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.
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: Comprehensive
income 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 include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
11,918
|
|
|
$
|
32,648
|
|
|
$
|
25,937
|
|
|
$
|
46,985
|
|
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
161
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of settlements
|
|
|
622
|
|
|
|
(503
|
)
|
|
|
349
|
|
|
|
(598
|
)
|
Minimum pension liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,219
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,606
|
|
|
$
|
34,384
|
|
|
$
|
26,453
|
|
|
$
|
48,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-11
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Net Income 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 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 convertible senior notes
outstanding in the three and six months ended June 30, 2007
and 2006 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except for EPS)
|
|
|
Basic EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
11,918
|
|
|
|
277,763
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
25,937
|
|
|
|
277,720
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
Effect of Dilutive Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
793
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
801
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.25% Convertible Notes
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
23,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
148
|
|
|
|
23,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
11,992
|
|
|
|
302,240
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
26,085
|
|
|
|
302,205
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except for EPS)
|
|
|
Basic EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
20,132
|
|
|
|
277,474
|
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
|
$
|
33,858
|
|
|
|
265,049
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
12,516
|
|
|
|
277,474
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
$
|
13,127
|
|
|
|
265,049
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
$
|
32,648
|
|
|
|
277,474
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
|
$
|
46,985
|
|
|
|
265,049
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
Effect of Dilutive Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,099
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.25% Convertible Notes
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
23,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
822
|
|
|
|
23,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
20,470
|
|
|
|
302,188
|
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
|
$
|
34,680
|
|
|
|
289,832
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
12,516
|
|
|
|
302,188
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
13,127
|
|
|
|
289,832
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
$
|
32,986
|
|
|
|
302,188
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
$
|
47,807
|
|
|
|
289,832
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, options
to purchase 1,502,448 shares of common stock at prices
between $3.92 and $8.94 and options to purchase
626,284 shares of common stock at prices between $4.81 to
$8.94, respectively, were not included in the computation of
diluted EPS because the exercise price of the options was
greater than the average market price of the common shares. The
options which expire between 2007 to 2017 are outstanding at
June 30, 2007.
C-12
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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; estimates 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.
Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassifications: Certain prior years
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 investments in auction rate
securities from cash and cash equivalents to short-term
investments and corresponding adjustments to the consolidated
statements of cash flows for the periods ended June 30,
2006.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In
February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities (FAS 159). FAS 159
permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value, with the objective of
improving financial reporting by mitigating volatility in
reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge
accounting provisions. The provisions of FAS 159 are
effective for the Companys fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact that the adoption of this statement will have on the
Companys consolidated financial position, results of
operations and disclosures.
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.
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 effective 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 were
adopted beginning January 1, 2007. The adoption of
FIN 48 did not have a material effect on the Companys
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to
U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple
state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially
concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years
through 1999. Federal income tax returns for 2000 through 2005
are subject to examination. The Companys continuing
practice is to recognize interest
and/or
penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
There were no significant accrued interest or penalties at
June 30, 2007.
C-13
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
NOTE C
|
METAL AND
OTHER INVENTORIES
|
Inventories consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Concentrate and dore inventory
|
|
$
|
11,371
|
|
|
$
|
9,680
|
|
Supplies
|
|
|
6,982
|
|
|
|
6,661
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metal and other inventories
|
|
$
|
18,353
|
|
|
$
|
16,341
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE D
|
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
|
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 $11.2 million in the quarter ended
June 30, 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 the period ended June 30, 2006.
The following table details selected financial information
included in income from discontinued operations in the
consolidated statements of operations for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2006 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
$
|
5,513
|
|
|
$
|
11,223
|
|
Production costs applicable to sales
|
|
|
(3,973
|
)
|
|
|
(8,233
|
)
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
(86
|
)
|
|
|
(681
|
)
|
Mining exploration
|
|
|
(69
|
)
|
|
|
(279
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
1,357
|
|
|
$
|
1,968
|
|
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
12,516
|
|
|
$
|
13,127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE E
|
STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION PLANS
|
The Company has an Annual Incentive Plan, a Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan) and the
2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan
(2005 Non-Employee Directors Plan). Total
employee compensation expense charged to operations and capital
projects under these Plans was $1.7 million,
$3.1 million, $1.2 million and $2.3 million for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
Annual
Incentive Plan
Under the Annual Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors may
annually approve cash-based awards to the executive officers and
salaried employees based on certain Company and employee
performance measures. Cash payments for the six months ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006, amounted to $2.2 million and
$2.7 million, respectively.
C-14
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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 5.8 million shares
reserved for issuance under this plan at June 30, 2007. Of
the 5.8 million shares, 3.9 million shares can be
issued for future grants. There are 1.4 million options and
0.5 million performance shares outstanding under this plan.
Under the previous long-term incentive plan, the number of
shares authorized to be issued was 2.9 million. There were
0.6 million shares reserved for issuance at June 30,
2007 for stock options previously awarded. No further awards
will be made under this plan.
Non-Employee
Directors Equity Incentive 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 the six months ended June 30, 2007
and 2006, 59,476 and 35,042 shares were issued in lieu of
$0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of
Directors fees. At June 30, 2007, 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. At June 30, 2007,
0.5 million shares are reserved for issuance under this
plan for stock options previously awarded. No further grants of
options will be made under this plan.
As of June 30, 2007 and 2006, options to purchase
2,467,561 shares and 2,186,264 shares of common stock,
respectively, were outstanding under the LTIP and the
Directors Plans described above. The options are
exercisable at prices ranging from $0.74 to $8.94 per share.
Stock options granted under the Companys incentive plans
vest over three years and are exercisable over a period not to
exceed ten 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 grants are based on 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 share grants are based on 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 share
grants under the plan initially 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.
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 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,
C-15
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
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 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
The compensation expense recognized in the Companys
consolidated financial statements for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2007 for awards of equity instruments was
$1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of which
$0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, was
capitalized as part of the mine construction activities. As of
June 30, 2007, there was $3.6 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 2.4 years.
The impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) as of
January 1, 2006 resulted in a decrease in net income of
$0.3 million, or less than $0.01 per basic and diluted
share, for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The impact
of adoption excludes the amortization of restricted stock awards
in the amount of $0.6 million for the six months ended
June 30, 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 LTIP for the six months
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0 and $0.6 million,
respectively, and is reflected as an other financing activity in
the Companys consolidated statements of cash flows.
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value of options granted
|
|
|
$2.35
|
|
|
|
$3.35
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
58.9
|
%
|
|
|
68.5
|
%
|
Expected life
|
|
|
6 years
|
|
|
|
6 years
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
six months ended June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
2,089,650
|
|
|
$
|
3.56
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
462,015
|
|
|
|
3.99
|
|
Canceled/expired
|
|
|
(84,104
|
)
|
|
|
6.45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2007
|
|
|
2,467,561
|
|
|
$
|
3.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-16
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Options exercisable at June 30, 2007, were 1,705,171 with a
weighted average exercise price of $3.21. At June 30, 2007,
the total intrinsic value was $2.0 million for stock
options outstanding and exercisable.
As of June 30, 2007, the total future compensation cost
related to non-vested options not yet recognized in the
statement of income was $0.9 million and the weighted
average period over which these awards are expected to be
recognized was 2.3 years.
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during
the six months ended June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
413,032
|
|
|
$
|
4.83
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
497,990
|
|
|
|
3.99
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(190,156
|
)
|
|
|
4.99
|
|
Canceled/Expired
|
|
|
(43,732
|
)
|
|
|
4.32
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at June 30, 2007
|
|
|
677,134
|
|
|
$
|
4.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the
closing stock price on the grant date. As of June 30, 2007,
there was $1.5 million of total unrecognized compensation
cost related to restricted awards to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of 2.5 years.
The following table summarizes performance shares activity
during the six months ended June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
210,445
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
306,852
|
|
|
|
3.99
|
|
Canceled/Expired
|
|
|
(45,783
|
)
|
|
|
4.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at June 30, 2007
|
|
|
471,514
|
|
|
$
|
4.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of performance shares is determined based on the
closing price on the grant date. As of June 30, 2007, there
was $1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost
related to performance shares to be recognized over a weighted
average period of 2.3 years.
NOTE F 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 of temporary
differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of
those assets and liabilities, as well as net operating loss and
tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates in effect in
the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The
Company has U.S. net operating loss carryforwards which
expire in 2008 through 2025. Net operating losses in foreign
countries have an indefinite carryforward period.
C-17
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company
reported an income tax provision of approximately
$6.9 million compared to an income tax provision of
$2.5 million at June 30, 2006. The following table
summarizes the components of the Companys income tax
provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007
and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States Alternative minimum tax
|
|
$
|
(76
|
)
|
|
$
|
(369
|
)
|
|
$
|
(309
|
)
|
|
$
|
(469
|
)
|
United States Foreign withholding
|
|
|
(283
|
)
|
|
|
(169
|
)
|
|
|
(666
|
)
|
|
|
(492
|
)
|
Foreign Argentina
|
|
|
(1,308
|
)
|
|
|
(1,900
|
)
|
|
|
(2,906
|
)
|
|
|
(2,511
|
)
|
Foreign Australia
|
|
|
(659
|
)
|
|
|
(1,449
|
)
|
|
|
(1,773
|
)
|
|
|
(2,141
|
)
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Argentina
|
|
|
(349
|
)
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
|
(174
|
)
|
|
|
492
|
|
Foreign Australia
|
|
|
(461
|
)
|
|
|
425
|
|
|
|
(361
|
)
|
|
|
199
|
|
Foreign Chile
|
|
|
(91
|
)
|
|
|
354
|
|
|
|
(739
|
)
|
|
|
2,441
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax provision
|
|
$
|
(3,227
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,829
|
)
|
|
$
|
(6,928
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,481
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The income tax provision for the six months ended June 30,
2007 and 2006 varies from the statutory rate primarily because
of differences in tax rates for the Companys foreign
operations and changes in valuation allowances for net deferred
tax assets. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the
Company recorded $0.5 million in additional income tax
provision resulting from its assessment of prior period tax
contingencies across its various tax jurisdictions.
NOTE G SEGMENT
REPORTING
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. On June 1, 2006, the Company completed its sale
of Coeur Silver Valley (Galena). For the period ending
June 30, 2006, CSV was reported in discontinued operations
(see Note D). 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 smelters located in Japan (Sumitomo Corporation
and Dowa Mining Ltd.), Mexico (Met-Mex Penoles) and Germany
(Nordeutsche). 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 by the mines operators to Zinifex, an Australia
smelter. The Companys exploration programs are reported
under the other segment. 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.
C-18
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Segment operating results and capital expenditures for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2007 and segment assets as of
June 30, 2007 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Reporting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broken
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
|
24,835
|
|
|
|
9,987
|
|
|
|
10,053
|
|
|
|
1,495
|
|
|
|
5,294
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,664
|
|
Segment profit (loss)
|
|
|
11,660
|
|
|
|
1,188
|
|
|
|
5,042
|
|
|
|
1,363
|
|
|
|
4,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
|
(2,654
|
)
|
|
|
20,981
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
2,764
|
|
|
|
1,411
|
|
|
|
401
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
|
934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
|
5,753
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,878
|
|
|
|
4,199
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
83
|
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
|
1,665
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
|
1,481
|
|
|
|
3,227
|
|
Segment assets(A)
|
|
|
85,035
|
|
|
|
49,464
|
|
|
|
13,250
|
|
|
|
16,341
|
|
|
|
28,425
|
|
|
|
98,353
|
|
|
|
266,582
|
|
|
|
13,298
|
|
|
|
570,748
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
|
3,815
|
|
|
|
3,001
|
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
|
16,406
|
|
|
|
33,713
|
|
|
|
368
|
|
|
|
57,701
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broken
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
$
|
25,613
|
|
|
$
|
11,560
|
|
|
$
|
9,804
|
|
|
$
|
770
|
|
|
$
|
6,294
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
54,041
|
|
Segment profit (loss)
|
|
|
15,136
|
|
|
|
5,279
|
|
|
|
5,292
|
|
|
|
734
|
|
|
|
5,484
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(83
|
)
|
|
|
(1,056
|
)
|
|
|
30,786
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
3,480
|
|
|
|
1,580
|
|
|
|
306
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
1,452
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,614
|
|
|
|
4,737
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(354
|
)
|
|
|
1,592
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,591
|
|
|
|
2,829
|
|
Segment assets(A)
|
|
|
84,549
|
|
|
|
42,871
|
|
|
|
11,447
|
|
|
|
15,316
|
|
|
|
34,059
|
|
|
|
37,280
|
|
|
|
129,883
|
|
|
|
7,331
|
|
|
|
362,736
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
|
1,814
|
|
|
|
694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,521
|
|
|
|
20,928
|
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
|
25,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broken
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
|
52,279
|
|
|
|
19,768
|
|
|
|
18,065
|
|
|
|
3,374
|
|
|
|
9,020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102,524
|
|
Segment profit (loss)
|
|
|
27,419
|
|
|
|
6,283
|
|
|
|
7,403
|
|
|
|
3,086
|
|
|
|
7,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(196
|
)
|
|
|
(5,238
|
)
|
|
|
46,316
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
7,180
|
|
|
|
2,802
|
|
|
|
751
|
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
|
1,528
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
12,774
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
588
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,051
|
|
|
|
8,653
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
|
170
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(507
|
)
|
|
|
(507
|
)
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
739
|
|
|
|
3,161
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
3,018
|
|
|
|
6,928
|
|
Segment assets(A)
|
|
|
85,035
|
|
|
|
49,464
|
|
|
|
13,250
|
|
|
|
16,341
|
|
|
|
28,425
|
|
|
|
98,353
|
|
|
|
266,582
|
|
|
|
13,298
|
|
|
|
570,748
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
1,105
|
|
|
|
5,758
|
|
|
|
3,630
|
|
|
|
2,112
|
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
|
27,704
|
|
|
|
58,631
|
|
|
|
552
|
|
|
|
99,704
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro Bayo
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broken
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Sales of metal
|
|
$
|
47,817
|
|
|
$
|
22,274
|
|
|
$
|
15,231
|
|
|
$
|
1,336
|
|
|
$
|
12,237
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
98,895
|
|
Segment profit (loss)
|
|
|
25,596
|
|
|
|
10,601
|
|
|
|
7,269
|
|
|
|
1,242
|
|
|
|
9,832
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
(90
|
)
|
|
|
(3,444
|
)
|
|
|
51,003
|
|
Depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
6,518
|
|
|
|
2,902
|
|
|
|
548
|
|
|
|
215
|
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
13,307
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,506
|
|
|
|
7,681
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
839
|
|
|
|
888
|
|
Litigation settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,441
|
)
|
|
|
2,083
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,839
|
|
|
|
2,481
|
|
Segment assets(A)
|
|
|
84,549
|
|
|
|
42,871
|
|
|
|
11,447
|
|
|
|
15,316
|
|
|
|
34,059
|
|
|
|
37,280
|
|
|
|
129,883
|
|
|
|
7,331
|
|
|
|
362,736
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
743
|
|
|
|
2,914
|
|
|
|
1,377
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,465
|
|
|
|
44,680
|
|
|
|
305
|
|
|
|
53,484
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
Segment assets consist of receivables, prepaids, inventories,
property, plant and equipment, and mining properties |
C-19
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
The following tables reconcile total segment profit and segment
assets to those presented in the Companys consolidated
financial statements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total segment profit
|
|
$
|
20,981
|
|
|
$
|
30,786
|
|
|
$
|
46,316
|
|
|
$
|
51,003
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(5,753
|
)
|
|
|
(6,989
|
)
|
|
|
(12,774
|
)
|
|
|
(13,307
|
)
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(83
|
)
|
|
|
(367
|
)
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
|
(888
|
)
|
Litigation settlements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
|
|
(507
|
)
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
$
|
15,145
|
|
|
$
|
22,961
|
|
|
$
|
32,865
|
|
|
$
|
36,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets for reportable segments
|
|
$
|
570,748
|
|
|
$
|
362,736
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
236,232
|
|
|
|
373,392
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
36,270
|
|
|
|
19,896
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
40,662
|
|
|
|
38,059
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated assets
|
|
$
|
883,912
|
|
|
$
|
794,083
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geographic
Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
24,835
|
|
|
$
|
271,737
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
6,789
|
|
|
|
44,774
|
|
Chile
|
|
|
9,987
|
|
|
|
23,546
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
10,053
|
|
|
|
6,575
|
|
Bolivia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,636
|
|
Other Foreign Countries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
51,664
|
|
|
$
|
435,465
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
25,613
|
|
|
$
|
144,640
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
7,064
|
|
|
|
46,665
|
|
Chile
|
|
|
11,560
|
|
|
|
19,688
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
9,804
|
|
|
|
3,402
|
|
Bolivia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,538
|
|
Other Foreign Countries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
54,041
|
|
|
$
|
251,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-20
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
52,297
|
|
|
$
|
271,737
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
12,394
|
|
|
|
44,774
|
|
Chile
|
|
|
19,768
|
|
|
|
23,546
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
18,065
|
|
|
|
6,575
|
|
Bolivia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,636
|
|
Other Foreign Countries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
102,524
|
|
|
$
|
435,465
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
47,817
|
|
|
$
|
144,640
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
13,573
|
|
|
|
46,665
|
|
Chile
|
|
|
22,274
|
|
|
|
19,689
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
15,231
|
|
|
|
3,402
|
|
Bolivia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,538
|
|
Other Foreign Countries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
98,895
|
|
|
$
|
251,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE H RECLAMATION
AND REMEDIATION
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 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.
Changes to the Companys asset retirement obligations are
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
30,168
|
|
|
$
|
23,800
|
|
|
$
|
29,909
|
|
|
$
|
23,524
|
|
Accretion
|
|
|
565
|
|
|
|
445
|
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
|
890
|
|
Settlements
|
|
|
(86
|
)
|
|
|
(388
|
)
|
|
|
(392
|
)
|
|
|
(537
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
30,647
|
|
|
$
|
23,877
|
|
|
$
|
30,647
|
|
|
$
|
23,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, the Company has accrued $1.6 million and
$0.9 million as of June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively, for reclamation liabilities related to former
mining activities. These amounts are also included in
reclamation and mine closure liabilities.
C-21
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
NOTE I
|
DERIVATIVE
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
|
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, as amended. 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 in earnings as the associated contracts
are settled.
Forward
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Company, from time to time, enters 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 535 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At
June 30, 2007, the Company had foreign exchange contracts
covering $3.9 million U.S. dollars which settles
monthly throughout the remainder of 2007. For the six months
ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006, the Company
recorded a realized (gain) loss of approximately ($26,000) and
$149,000, respectively in connection with its foreign currency
hedging program. As of June 30, 2007, the fair value of the
foreign exchange contracts was an asset of $0.3 million.
Change in gains (losses) accumulated in other comprehensive
income (loss) for cash flow hedging contracts are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Six Months
|
|
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
(333
|
)
|
|
$
|
(267
|
)
|
|
$
|
(60
|
)
|
|
$
|
(171
|
)
|
Reclassification to earnings
|
|
|
(49
|
)
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
|
149
|
|
Change in fair value
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
|
(598
|
)
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
|
(747
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
289
|
|
|
$
|
(769
|
)
|
|
$
|
289
|
|
|
$
|
(769
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
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 June 30, 2007,
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.
Concentrate
Sales Contracts
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 other current liabilities), on the balance sheet
and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period
until the date of final settlement.
C-22
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
At June 30, 2007 the Company had outstanding receivables
for provisionally priced sales of $73.1 million, consisting
of 3.8 million ounces of silver and 34,159 ounces of gold,
which had a fair value of approximately $73.1 million,
including the embedded derivative.
NOTE J LONG-TERM
DEBT
1
1/4% Senior
Convertible Notes
The $180.0 million principal amount of
11/4% Senior
Convertible Notes due January 2024 outstanding at June 30,
2007 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.
The Senior Convertible Notes 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 Senior Convertible Notes are
due at maturity on January 15, 2024.
The fair value of the Senior Convertible Notes is determined by
market transactions on or near June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, respectively. The fair value of the
Senior Convertible Notes as of June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006 was $159.5 million and
$163.8 million, respectively.
NOTE K DEFINED
CONTRIBUTION, 401(k), DEFINED BENEFIT AND POST-RETIREMENT
MEDICAL PLANS
Defined
Contribution Plan and 401(k) Plan
The Company provides a noncontributory defined contribution
retirement plan for all eligible U.S. employees. Total plan
expenses recognized in the Companys consolidated financial
statements were $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the
three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively,
and plan expenses charged to operations for the six months ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006 were $0.5 million and
$0.6 million, respectively.
The Company maintains a 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 to a maximum of 3% of the
employees compensation. Employees have the option of
investing in thirteen different types of investment funds. Total
plan expenses recognized in the Companys consolidated
financial statements were $0.1 million and
$0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007
and 2006, respectively, and plan expenses charged to operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 were
$0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
As a result of the sale of Coeur Silver Valley, the Company no
longer maintains a post-retirement medical or defined benefit
pension plans.
NOTE L COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
Labor
Union Contracts
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 11,
2007
C-23
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
to June 10, 2008. As of June 30, 2007, the Company had
approximately 22% of its worldwide labor force covered by
collective bargaining agreements.
Termination
Benefits
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 the third quarter of 2007, while the
remaining 20% are expected to stay on for residual leaching and
reclamation activities. As of June 30, 2007, the total
amount expected to be incurred under this plan is approximately
$3.2 million. The liability is recognized ratably over the
minimum future service period with a corresponding charge to
production expense. The amount accrued as of June 30, 2007
was $2.2 million.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Beginning Balance
|
|
$
|
2,009
|
|
|
$
|
986
|
|
|
$
|
1,959
|
|
|
$
|
542
|
|
Accruals
|
|
|
502
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
641
|
|
|
|
936
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
(330
|
)
|
|
|
(64
|
)
|
|
|
(419
|
)
|
|
|
(359
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending Balance
|
|
$
|
2,181
|
|
|
$
|
1,119
|
|
|
$
|
2,181
|
|
|
$
|
1,119
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE M SIGNIFICANT
CUSTOMERS
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 51.0% and 48.4% of total
metals sales for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and
2006, 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.
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 49.0% and 51.6% of metals sales for the six months
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The loss of any
one smelter customer could have a material adverse effect in the
event of the possible unavailability of alternative smelters.
NOTE N LITIGATION
AND OTHER EVENTS
Federal
Natural Resources Action
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, which have been fully satisfied by the
Company as of June 30, 2007, 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 paid the
U.S. Government a total of approximately $3.9 million
in 2001. In addition, the Company (i) will pay the United
States 50% of any future recoveries from insurance companies for
claims for defense and
C-24
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
indemnification under general liability insurance policies in
excess of $0.6 million, (ii) has accomplished certain
cleanup work on the Mineral Point property and Caladay property,
and (iii) has made a conveyance to the U.S. of certain
real property to be used as a waste repository. Finally,
commencing five years after effectiveness of the settlement (or
May 14, 2006), the Company was 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
was to expire May 14, 2021. A total of $0.5 million
and $2.5 million was paid in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
As of June 30, 2007, the entire $3.0 million has been
paid. The Company does not anticipate that there will be any
future recoveries from insurance companies. Therefore, the terms
of settlement have been fully satisfied.
States
of Maine, Idaho And Colorado Superfund Sites Related to Callahan
Mining Corporation
During 2001, the United States Forest Service (USFS)
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 USFS
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 USFS 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 USFS 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.
Federal
District Court of Alaska Permit Challenge
On September 12, 2005 three environmental groups
(Plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit in Federal District
Court in Alaska the (District Court) against the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of
Engineers) and the 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.
Following District Courts remand of the Section 404
permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review, the Corps
reinstated the Companys permit on March 29, 2006. The
lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened on April 6,
2006; Coeur filed its answer to the Amended Complaint; and
Coeur, the State of Alaska, and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native
corporation, were granted Defendant-Intervenor status to join
the agencies in their defense of the
C-25
Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) (Continued)
permit. On August 4, 2006, the District Court dismissed the
Plaintiffs challenge and upheld the Section 404
permit. Plaintiffs appealed that decision to the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals (the Circuit Court), and on
August 24, 2006, the Circuit Court granted a temporary
injunction pending appeal enjoining certain activities relating
to the Lake Tailings facility.
On March 7, 2007, the Department of Justice
(DOJ), on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, filed a
motion for authorization under injunction pending appeal to
permit construction of a western interception ditch which
related to site stabilization due to spring snowmelt. On
March 16, 2007, the Circuit Court panel issued an Order
which denied the western interception ditch work plan. On
May 22, 2007 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed
the District Courts August 4, 2006 decision which had
upheld the Companys 404 permit and issued its opinion that
remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to
vacate the Companys 404 permit as well as the USFS Record
of Decision approving the general tailings disposal plan as well
as the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine
Facility. The DOJ, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers and the
USFS, filed for an extension of time to file a Petition for
Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit. The extension was granted on
June 29, 2007. The deadline for filing a Petition for
Rehearing to the Ninth Circuit is August 20, 2007. The
Company intends to seek an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court.
This litigation has contributed to an increase in capital costs.
While the Company cannot now predict with certainty the outcome
of this litigation, it believes it should ultimately prevail. 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 the failure to obtain reversal upon appeal could
render the project uneconomic and an asset impairment would be
necessary. In addition, based upon the Companys current
estimates, an impairment writedown could be necessary should the
expectation of the long-term price for gold decrease below
approximately $540 per ounce. As of June 30, 2007, the
Kensington project has a carrying value of its long-lived assets
of $264 million. 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. During the first and second quarters of 2007, the
Company performed an asset impairment assessment on the
Kensington project as a result of a triggering event. The
Company did not record any write-downs during the period ended
June 30, 2007.
|
|
NOTE O
|
PROPOSED
TRANSACTION
|
On May 3, 2007, the Company entered into definitive
agreements with Bolnisi Gold NL (Bolnisi) and
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (Palmarejo) to
combine the three companies. Bolnisi is the majority shareholder
of Palmarejo, holding 73.6% of its outstanding shares. Under the
terms of the agreements, Bolnisi shareholders will receive 0.682
Coeur shares for each Bolnisi share they own (or, at the
election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests
representing Coeur shares), and Palmarejo shareholders (other
than Bolnisi) will receive 2.715 Coeur shares for each Palmarejo
share they own. It is anticipated that this will result in Coeur
issuing a total of approximately 271.3 million new shares.
In addition, Bolnisi and Palmarejo shareholders will receive a
nominal cash payment equal to A$0.004 (US$0.003) per Bolnisi
share and C$0.004 (US$0.003) per Palmarejo share. The actual
amount of consideration paid will be dependent upon the average
Coeur stock price and the number of outstanding Bolnisi and
Palmarejo shares at the time the acquisition becomes effective
and could be more or less than $1.1 billion.
The transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, the completion of satisfactory due
diligence by Coeur (which was completed on July 3,
2007) and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions
(including completion of regulatory reviews and receipt of
regulatory approvals, including those of antitrust agencies).
The consummation of each of the Bolnisi transaction and the
Palmarejo transaction is also conditioned upon the consummation
of the other transaction, although Coeur has the right to waive
this condition if the Palmarejo transaction does not proceed,
and still proceed with the Bolnisi transaction. Both
arrangements require approval by the applicable courts in Canada
and Australia. Assuming timely completion of the required
regulatory processes and receipt of the required shareholder and
Court approvals, the Company expects the transaction to be
completed in the fourth quarter of 2007.
C-26
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Boise, Idaho
February 22, 2007
C-27
Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of
Directors and Shareholders
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation:
We have audited managements 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 companys 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, managements 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).
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.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Boise, Idaho
February 22, 2007
C-28
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
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.
C-29
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/4% 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.
C-30
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.
C-31
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Paid-In
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Held in
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
$1 Par
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except share data)
|
|
|
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.
C-32
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.
C-33
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
NOTE A
BUSINESS OF COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
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).
NOTE B
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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.
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
C-34
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Previously
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
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
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Previously
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
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.
C-35
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
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.
C-36
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
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
C-37
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
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
C-38
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
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 settlements
|
|
|
111
|
|
|
|
(169
|
)
|
|
|
(130
|
)
|
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
C-39
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
(Numerator)
|
|
|
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except for EPS)
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
C-40
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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 attributed 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.
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
C-41
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
NOTE C
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES
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).
C-42
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
The following is a summary of
available-for-sale
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-For-Sale Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Estimated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
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.
C-43
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
NOTE D
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR
SALE
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-44
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE E
METAL AND OTHER INVENTORIES
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE F
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-45
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
Minimum future lease payments under both capital and operating
leases at December 31, 2006 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Operating
|
|
Year Ending December 31,
|
|
Leases
|
|
|
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.
C-46
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
NOTE G
MINING PROPERTIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
Operational
Mining Properties
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.
C-47
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
Mineral
Interests
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.
Non-Producing
and Development Properties
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.
C-48
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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 construction to be approximately
$238 million.
Discontinued
Operations
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.
NOTE H
LONG-TERM DEBT
11/4% Debentures
The $180.0 million principal amount of
11/4% 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.
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.
NOTE I
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 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
C-49
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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%.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-50
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
NOTE J
INCOME TAXES
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-51
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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 carryforwards
|
|
|
2,479
|
|
|
|
1,246
|
|
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.
C-52
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
NOTE K
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
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.
Stock
Issues During 2006
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.
Stock
Issues During 2005
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.
Stock
Issues During 2004
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.
C-53
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
NOTE L
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
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.
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.
C-54
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
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
C-55
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
$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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
C-56
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the
years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
Range of Exercise Price
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Life (Years)
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
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.
C-57
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during
the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Grant Date Fair
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
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.
The following table summarizes performance shares activity
during the year ended December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Grant Date Fair
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
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.
NOTE M
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION, POST-RETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFIT,
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND 401(k) PLANS
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.
Defined
Benefit Plan
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
C-58
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
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.
C-59
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
The following table shows the expected long term rates of return
associated with each asset class:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected Long
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Rates of
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Actual Mix
|
|
|
Target Mix
|
|
|
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.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-60
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post
Retirement Medical Benefits
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.
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.
C-61
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-62
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1% Increase
|
|
|
1% Decrease
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
|
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.
Defined
Contribution Plan
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.
401(k)
Plan
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.
C-63
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
NOTE N
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
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.
Forward
Foreign Exchange Contracts
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
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
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.
Concentrate
Sales Contracts
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.
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.
C-64
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
NOTE O
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Labor
Union Contract
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.
Termination
Benefits
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
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE P
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
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.
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%
C-65
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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.
NOTE Q
SEGMENT INFORMATION
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Bayo Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Project
|
|
|
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
|
|
C-66
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Bayo Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Project
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rochester
|
|
|
Cerro
|
|
|
Martha
|
|
|
Endeavor
|
|
|
Broken Hill
|
|
|
Bartolome
|
|
|
Kensington
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Bayo Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Mine
|
|
|
Project
|
|
|
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. |
C-67
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-68
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
Geographic
Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
NOTE R
LITIGATION
Federal
Natural Resources Action
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,
C-69
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(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.
States
of Maine, Idaho And Colorado Superfund Sites Related to 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.
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
C-70
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
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 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.
C-71
COEUR
DALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
NOTE S
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following table sets forth a summary of the quarterly
results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006
and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
|
|
|
Second
|
|
|
Third
|
|
|
Fourth
|
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
C-72
Annex D
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
30 JUNE 2007, 2006 and 2005
(With Independent Auditors Report Thereon)
D-1
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
D-3
|
|
|
D-4
|
|
|
D-5
|
|
|
D-6
|
|
|
D-7
|
|
|
D-8 - D-45
|
D-2
Independent
Auditors Report
The Board of Directors
Bolnisi Gold NL
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Bolnisi Gold NL and its controlled entities as of 30 June
2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated income statements,
consolidated statements of recognised income and expense and
consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the years in
the three year period ended 30 June 2007. 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 auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, 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 Bolnisi Gold NL and its controlled entities at
30 June 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the years in the three year
period ended 30 June 2007 in conformity with Australian
equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards.
Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting
Standards vary in certain significant respects from
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Information
relating to the nature and effect of such differences is
presented in Note 31 to the consolidated financial
statements.
KPMG
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
21 SEPTEMBER 2007
D-3
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED 30 JUNE 2007, 2006 AND 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
96,071
|
|
|
|
1,612,872
|
|
|
|
11,729
|
|
Administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,528,772
|
)
|
|
|
(3,797,499
|
)
|
|
|
(2,860,095
|
)
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
(2,504,594
|
)
|
|
|
(1,397,210
|
)
|
|
|
(528,668
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,937,295
|
)
|
|
|
(3,581,837
|
)
|
|
|
(3,377,034
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial income
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
2,361,755
|
|
|
|
1,639,911
|
|
|
|
797,396
|
|
Financial expenses
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
(90,117
|
)
|
|
|
(1,257,451
|
)
|
|
|
(435,018
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net financing income/(costs)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,271,638
|
|
|
|
382,460
|
|
|
|
362,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
(3,199,377
|
)
|
|
|
(3,014,656
|
)
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(419,371
|
)
|
|
|
(493,723
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) after tax but before profit and loss of
discontinued operation and gain on sale of discontinued
operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
(3,618,748
|
)
|
|
|
(3,508,379
|
)
|
Profit and loss from discontinued operations and gain on sale of
discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,692,878
|
|
|
|
6,423,552
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
7,074,130
|
|
|
|
2,915,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,366,053
|
)
|
|
|
3,864,860
|
|
|
|
2,340,537
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(299,604
|
)
|
|
|
3,209,270
|
|
|
|
574,636
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
7,074,130
|
|
|
|
2,915,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share for profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary
equity holders of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share from continuing operations
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
(1.6) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.0) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.3) cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
(1.6) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.0) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.3) cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5 cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
D-4
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RECOGNISED INCOME
AND EXPENSE
YEARS ENDED 30 JUNE 2007, 2006 AND 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Foreign exchange translation differences
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
(18,323,945
|
)
|
|
|
4,559,999
|
|
|
|
(1,255,512
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,323,945
|
)
|
|
|
4,559,999
|
|
|
|
(1,255,512
|
)
|
Profit/(loss) for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
7,074,130
|
|
|
|
2,915,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total recognised income and expense for the year
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
(22,989,602
|
)
|
|
|
11,634,129
|
|
|
|
1,659,661
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,030,525
|
)
|
|
|
7,125,322
|
|
|
|
1,436,468
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,959,077
|
)
|
|
|
4,508,807
|
|
|
|
223,193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total recognised income and expense for the year
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
(22,989,602
|
)
|
|
|
11,634,129
|
|
|
|
1,659,661
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other movements in equity arising from transactions with owners
as owners are set out in note 19.
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
D-5
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS AT 30 JUNE 2007 AND 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
10
|
(a)
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
Short term investments
|
|
|
10
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
5,176,085
|
|
|
|
3,902,881
|
|
Other
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
55,983
|
|
|
|
143,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,842,973
|
|
|
|
97,328,399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
62,384,353
|
|
|
|
7,774,359
|
|
Exploration and evaluation expenditure
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
11,354,362
|
|
|
|
39,008,722
|
|
Development expenditure
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
39,417,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
113,155,832
|
|
|
|
46,783,081
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137,998,805
|
|
|
|
144,111,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
6,314,678
|
|
|
|
2,021,906
|
|
Interest bearing liabilities
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
2,472,064
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
919,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,786,742
|
|
|
|
5,941,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest bearing liabilities
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
9,877,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,877,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,664,150
|
|
|
|
5,941,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119,334,655
|
|
|
|
138,170,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued Capital
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
56,256,621
|
|
|
|
53,767,131
|
|
Reserves
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
(11,303,733
|
)
|
|
|
3,668,574
|
|
Retained profits
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
45,930,375
|
|
|
|
48,761,347
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total parent entity interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,883,263
|
|
|
|
106,197,052
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
28,451,392
|
|
|
|
31,973,178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119,334,655
|
|
|
|
138,170,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
D-6
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED 30 JUNE 2007, 2006 AND 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash receipts in the course of operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,325,652
|
|
|
|
30,302,667
|
|
Cash payments in the course of operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,548,638
|
)
|
|
|
(15,630,126
|
)
|
|
|
(23,390,689
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,548,638
|
)
|
|
|
8,695,526
|
|
|
|
6,911,978
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,537,843
|
)
|
|
|
(7,935,861
|
)
|
Interest received
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
2,361,755
|
|
|
|
1,639,911
|
|
|
|
797,396
|
|
Payments for exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
(7,674,694
|
)
|
|
|
(18,622,403
|
)
|
|
|
(10,408,031
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
(13,861,577
|
)
|
|
|
(11,824,809
|
)
|
|
|
(10,634,518
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash acquired from acquisition of controlled entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,717,924
|
|
Deposits to short term investments
|
|
|
10
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(60,465,174
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption of short term investments
|
|
|
10
|
(b)
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
924,247
|
|
|
|
273,527
|
|
|
|
76,876
|
|
Payments for property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
(45,950,247
|
)
|
|
|
(6,790,671
|
)
|
|
|
(655,990
|
)
|
Payments for acquisition of exploration projects
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
(499,905
|
)
|
|
|
(1,268,091
|
)
|
|
|
(1,061,504
|
)
|
Payments for mine development
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
(13,402,926
|
)
|
|
|
(568,781
|
)
|
|
|
(206,535
|
)
|
Proceeds from disposal of controlled entity, net of cash
disposed of
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,837,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,536,343
|
|
|
|
(57,981,460
|
)
|
|
|
6,870,771
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issue of shares and options
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
2,489,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,872,607
|
|
Proceeds from issues of shares and other equity securities by a
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
controlled entity to minority interest
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
1,313,144
|
|
|
|
70,402,022
|
|
|
|
256,449
|
|
Payment of transaction costs
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(697,995
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
(3,000,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
(42,461
|
)
|
|
|
(213,310
|
)
|
|
|
(246,883
|
)
|
Payment of finance lease liabilities
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
(1,541,190
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to shareholders
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,148,814
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid by a controlled entity to minority interest
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,193,715
|
)
|
|
|
(5,063,903
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(781,017
|
)
|
|
|
61,148,188
|
|
|
|
33,818,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,106,251
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658,081
|
)
|
|
|
30,054,523
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
|
|
39,790,167
|
|
|
|
10,219,086
|
|
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the cash held
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(99,298
|
)
|
|
|
1,684,368
|
|
|
|
(483,442
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
|
|
39,790,167
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
D-7
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
NOTE 1
|
REPORTING
ENTITY
|
Bolnisi Gold NL (the Company) is a company domiciled
in Australia. The consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the year ended 30 June 2007 comprises the
Company and its controlled entities (together referred to as the
Group).
|
|
NOTE 2
|
BASIS OF
PREPARATION
|
|
|
(a)
|
Statement
of Compliance
|
The consolidated financial statements are a general purpose
financial report which has been prepared in accordance
Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting
Standards (AIFRS), comprising Australian Accounting
Standards (AASBs) (including Australian Accounting
Interpretations) adopted by the Australian Accounting Standards
Board (AASB) and the Corporations Act 2001. The
consolidated financial statements of the Group comply with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
and interpretations adopted by the International Accounting
Standards Board.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the
historical cost basis.
|
|
(c)
|
Functional
and Presentation Currency
|
These financial statements are presented in Australian dollars,
which is the Companys functional currency.
|
|
(d)
|
Use of
Estimates and Judgements
|
The preparation of financial statements requires management to
make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may
differ from these estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing
basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the
period in which the estimate is revised and in any future
periods affected.
In particular, information about significant areas of estimation
uncertainty and critical judgements in applying accounting
policies that have the most significant effect on the amount
recognised in the financial statements are described in the
following notes:
|
|
|
|
|
Note 8 utilisation of tax losses
|
|
|
NOTE 3
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
The accounting policies set out below have been applied
consistently to all periods presented in the consolidated
financial statements and have been applied consistently by all
entities in the Group.
The entity has elected to early adopt the following accounting
standards and amendments:
|
|
|
|
|
AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements (October 2006)
|
|
|
|
2007-4
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from ED
151 and Other Amendments.
|
D-8
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Basis
of Consolidation
Controlled
Entities
Controlled entities are entities controlled by the Company.
Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or
indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an
entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In
assessing control, potential voting rights that presently are
exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The financial
statements of controlled entities are included in the
consolidated financial statements from the date that control
commences until the date that control ceases.
Transactions
Eliminated and Consolidation
Intragroup balances and any unrealised gains and losses or
income and expenses arising from intragroup transactions, are
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Where a controlled entity issues shares to minority interests
which does not result in loss of control by the Group, any gain
or loss arising on the Groups interest in the controlled
entity is recognised directly in equity.
Foreign
Currency
Foreign
Currency Transactions
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign
exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the
balance sheet date are translated to Australian dollars at the
foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange
differences arising on translation are recognised in the income
statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured
in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated
using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies that are stated at fair value are translated to
Australian dollars at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates
the fair value was determined.
Financial
Statements of Foreign Operations
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including
goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation,
are translated to Australian dollars at foreign exchange rates
ruling at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of
foreign operations are translated to Australian dollars at rates
approximating to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates
of the transactions. Foreign exchange differences arising on
retranslation are recognised directly in a separate component of
equity.
Net
Investment in Foreign Operations
Exchange differences arising from the translation of the net
investment in foreign operations are released into the income
statement upon disposal.
Property,
Plant and Equipment
Owned
Assets
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation (see below) and impairment losses (see
below accounting policy Impairment). The cost of
self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials, direct
labour, and an appropriate proportion of production overheads.
D-9
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Depreciation
Depreciation is charged to the income statement using either a
reducing balance method from the date of acquisition, or in
respect of constructed assets, from the time the asset is
completed and held ready for use.
The plant and equipment depreciation rate is applied on the
basis of units of production over the life of the economically
recoverable reserves. Office equipment is depreciated at rates
between 40% and 60% and motor vehicles are depreciated at a rate
of 22.5%.
Exploration
and Evaluation Expenditure
Exploration and evaluation expenditure, including the costs of
acquiring licences, are capitalised as intangible exploration
and evaluation assets on an area of interest basis. Costs
incurred before the Group has obtained the legal rights to
explore an area are recognised in the income statement.
Exploration and evaluation assets are only recognised if the
rights of the area of interest are current and either:
|
|
|
|
|
the expenditures are expected to be recouped through successful
development and exploitation of the area of interest; or
|
|
|
|
activities in the area of interest have not at the reporting
date, reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of
the existence or other-wise of economically recoverable reserves
and active and significant operations in, or in relation to, the
area of interest are continuing.
|
Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if
sufficient data exists to determine technical feasibility and
commercial viability and facts and circumstances suggest that
the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. For the
purposes of impairment testing, exploration and evaluation
assets are allocated to cash-generating units to which the
exploration activity relates. The cash generating unit shall not
be larger than the area of interest.
Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the
extraction of mineral resources in an area of interest are
demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to
that area of interest are first tested for impairment and then
reclassified from exploration and evaluation expenditure to
development expenditure.
Development
Expenditure
Development expenditure represent the accumulation of all
exploration and evaluation expenditure and development
expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the entity in relation
to its area of interest.
When further development expenditure is incurred in respect of a
mine property after the commencement of production, such
expenditure is carried forward as part of the cost of that mine
property only when substantial future economic benefits are
established, otherwise such expenditure is expensed.
Amortisation is not charged on costs carried forward in respect
of areas of interest in the development phase until commercial
production commences.
Trade
and Other Receivables
Trade and other receivables are stated at their amortised cost
less impairment losses.
Inventories
Work in progress is valued at the lower of average cost and net
realisable value. Costs of production include fixed and variable
costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed overheads. Stores
are valued at average cost.
D-10
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call
deposits.
Short-term
Investments
The Groups short term investments in debt securities with
original maturities greater than three months have been
designated as available for sale securities. Subsequent to
initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes
therein are recognized as a separate component in equity. When
an investment is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss is
transferred to profit and loss.
Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Groups assets, other than
exploration and evaluation expenditure and deferred tax assets,
are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether
there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication
exists, the assets recoverable amount is estimated.
An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of
an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable
amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income
statement, unless an asset has previously been revalued, in
which case the impairment loss is recognised as a reversal to
the extent of that previous revaluation with any excess
recognised through profit or loss.
Calculation
of Recoverable Amount
The recoverable amount of assets is the greater of their fair
value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in
use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their
present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects
current market assessments of the time value of money and the
risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate
largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is
determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset
belongs.
Reversals
of Impairment
An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the
assets carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount
that would have been determined, net of depreciation or
amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.
Share
Capital
Transaction
Costs
Transaction costs of an equity transaction are accounted for as
a deduction from equity, net of any related income tax benefit.
Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which
they are declared.
Options
The fair value of the options granted is measured using
Black-Scholes formula, taking into account the terms and
conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount
recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual
number of options that vest except where forfeiture is only due
to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.
D-11
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Interest
Bearing Borrowings
Interest bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair
value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial
recognition, interest bearing borrowings are stated at amortised
cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being
recognised in the income statement over the period of the
borrowings on an effective interest basis.
Share
Based Payment Transactions
The Companys Canadian controlled entity, Palmarejo Silver
and Gold Corporation (PJO) has a Stock Option Plan
which allows directors, officers and consultants of PJO the
opportunity to acquire options over unissued shares in PJO. The
fair value of options granted is measured at grant date and
recognised as an expense over the period during which the
directors, officers and consultants of PJO become
unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the
options granted is measured using Black-Scholes formula, taking
into account the terms and conditions upon which the options
were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to
reflect the actual number of options that vest.
Rehabilitation
Costs
In accordance with applicable legal requirements, a provision
for the estimated cost of rehabilitation has been made for all
areas disturbed during operations based on the current estimates
of costs to rehabilitate such areas, discounted to their present
value. Significant uncertainty exists as to the amount of
rehabilitation obligation which will be incurred due to the
impact of changes in environmental legislation.
The provision is recognised as a liability with the
corresponding asset included in exploration and evaluation
expenditure or development expenditure.
The amount of the provision relating to rehabilitation is
recognised at the commencement of the development project where
a legal or constructive obligation exists at that time. At each
reporting date, the rehabilitation liability is remeasured and
changes in the liability are added to or deducted from the
related asset.
The amount of the provision relating to rehabilitation of
disturbance caused by production activities is recognised in the
income statement as incurred. Changes in the liability are
charged to the income statement as rehabilitation expense.
Trade
and Other Payables
Trade and other payables are stated at their amortised cost.
Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled
on 30-day
terms.
Revenue
Sales revenue is recognised in the income statement when the
significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred
to the buyer.
Expenses
Net
Financing Costs
Net financing costs comprise interest payable on borrowings
calculated using the effective interest method, and interest
earned.
D-12
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Interest income is recognised in the income statement as it
accrues, using the effective interest method. Dividend income is
recognised in the income statement on the date the entitys
right to receive payments is established.
Borrowing costs are expenses as incurred.
Income
Tax
Income tax on the income statement for the year comprises
current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income
statement except to the extent that it relates to items
recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in
equity.
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income
for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted
at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in
respect of previous years.
Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability
method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The
following temporary differences are not provided for: the
initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither
accounting nor taxable profit, and differences relating to
investments in controlled entities to the extent that they will
probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of
deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of
realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and
liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at
the balance sheet date.
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is
probably that future taxable profits will be available against
which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced
to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax
benefit will be realised.
Additional income taxes that arise from the distribution of
dividends are recognised at the same time as the liability to
pay the related dividend.
Tax
Consolidation
The Company and its wholly owned Australian resident entities
have formed a tax consolidated group with effect from
1 July 2003 and are therefore taxed as a single entity from
that date. The head entity within the tax consolidated group is
Bolnisi Gold NL.
Current tax expense/income, deferred tax liabilities and
deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences of the
members of the tax consolidated group are recognised in the
separate financial statements of the members of the tax
consolidated group using the group allocation method
approach by reference to the carrying amounts in the separate
financial statements of each entity and the tax values applying
under tax consolidation.
Current tax liabilities and assets and deferred tax assets
arising from unused tax losses and tax credits of the members of
the tax-consolidated group are recognised by the Company (as
head entity in the tax consolidated group). Deferred tax assets
and deferred tax liabilities are measured by reference to the
carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities in the
Companys balance sheet and their tax values applying under
tax consolidation.
Any current tax liabilities (or assets) and deferred tax assets
arising from unused tax losses assumed by the head entity from
the controlled entities in the tax consolidated group are
recognised as amounts receivable or payable to other entities in
the tax consolidated group in conjunction with any tax funding
arrangement amounts (refer below). Any difference between these
amounts is recognised by the Company as an equity contribution
to or distribution from the controlled entity. Distributions
firstly reduce the carrying amount of the investment in the
controlled entity and are then recognised as revenue.
D-13
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company recognises deferred tax assets arising from unused
tax losses of the tax consolidated group to the extent that it
is probable that future taxable profits of the tax consolidated
group will be available against which the asset can be utilised.
Any subsequent period adjustments to deferred tax assets arising
from unused tax losses assumed from controlled entities are
recognised by the head entity only.
Nature of
Tax Funding Arrangements and Tax Sharing Agreements
The members of the tax consolidated group have entered into a
tax funding arrangement which sets out the funding obligations
of members of the tax-consolidated group in respect of tax
amounts. The tax funding arrangements require payments to/from
the head entity equal to the current tax liability (asset)
assumed by the head entity and any tax loss deferred tax asset
assumed by the head entity, resulting in the head entity
recognising an inter-entity receivables (payables) in the
separate financial statements of the members of the tax
consolidated groups equal in amount to the tax liability (asset)
assumed.
The head entity recognises the assumed current tax amounts as
current tax liabilities (assets), adding to its own current tax
amounts, since they are also due to or from the same taxation
authority. The current tax liabilities (assets) are equivalent
to the tax balances generated by external transactions entered
into by the tax consolidated group. Contributions to fund the
current tax liabilities are payable as per the tax funding
arrangement and reflect the timing of the head entitys
obligation to make payments for tax liabilities to the relevant
tax authorities.
The members of the tax consolidated group have also entered into
a tax sharing agreement. The tax sharing agreement provides for
the determination of the allocation of income tax liabilities
between the entities should the head entity default on its tax
payment obligations. No amounts have been recognised in the
financial statements in respect of this agreement as payment of
any amounts under the tax sharing agreement is considered remote.
Segment
Reporting
Segment information is presented in respect of the Groups
business and geographical segments. The primary format,
geographical segments, is based on the Groups management
and internal reporting structure.
Management believes that inter-segment pricing is determined on
an arms length basis.
Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly
attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated
on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly
income-earning assets and revenue, interest-bearing loans,
borrowings and expenses, and corporate assets and expenses.
Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during
the period to acquire segment assets that are expected to be
used for more than one period.
Non
Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued
Operations
Immediately before classification as held for sale, the
measurement of the assets (and all assets and liabilities in a
disposal group) is brought up to date in accordance with
applicable AIFRS. Then, on initial classification as held for
sale, non current assets and disposal groups are recognised at
the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.
Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale are
included in profit or loss, even when there is a revaluation.
The same applies to gains and losses on subsequent remeasurement.
A discontinued operation is a component of the Groups
business that represents a separate major line of business or
geographical area of operations or is a controlled entity
acquired exclusively with a view to resale.
D-14
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Classification as a discontinued operation occurs upon disposal
or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as
held for sale, if earlier. A disposal group that is to be
abandoned also may qualify.
Goods
and Services Tax
Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of
goods and services tax (GST), except where the amount of GST
incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority. In
these circumstances, the GST is recognised as part of the cost
of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST
included. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to,
the ATO is included as a current asset or liability in the
statement of financial position.
Cash flows are included in the statement of cash flows on a
gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from
investing and financing activities which are recoverable from,
or payable to, the ATO are classified as operating cash flows.
Earnings
per Share
The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS)
data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated by
dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary
shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is
determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to
ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive
potential ordinary shares.
Determination
of Fair Values
A number of the Groups accounting policies and disclosures
require the determination of fair value, for both financial and
non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values have been
determined for measurement
and/or
disclosure purposes based on the following methods. Where
applicable, further information about the assumptions made in
determining fair values is disclosed in the notes specific to
that asset or liability.
Trade and
Other Receivables
The fair value of trade and other receivables, excluding
construction work in progress, is estimated as the present value
of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest
at the reporting date.
Non-Derivative
Financial Liabilities
Fair value, which is determined for disclosure purposes, is
calculated based on the present value of future principal and
interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest
at the reporting date. For finance leases the market rate of
interest is determined by reference to similar lease agreements.
New
Standards and Interpretations Not Yet Adopted
The following standards, amendments to standards and
interpretations have been identified as those which may impact
the entity in the period of initial application. They are
available for early adoption at 30 June 2007, but have not
been applied in preparing this financial report:
|
|
|
|
|
AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures
(August 2005) replaces the presentation requirements of
financial instruments in AASB 132. AASB 7 is applicable for
annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January
2007, and will require extensive additional disclosures with
respect to the Groups financial instruments and share
capital.
|
D-15
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
AASB 2005-10
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards (September
2005) makes consequential amendments to AASB 132 Financial
Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation, AASB 101 Presentation
of Financial Statements, AASB 114 Segment Reporting, AASB 117
Leases, AASB 133 Earnings Per Share, AASB 139 Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, AASB 1 First time
Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial
Reporting Standards, AASB 4 Insurance Contracts, AASB 1023
General Insurance Contracts and AASB 1038 Life Insurance
Contracts arising from the release of AASB 7. AASB
2005-10 is
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2007 and is expected to only impact disclosures
contained within the consolidated financial report.
|
|
|
|
AASB 8 Operating Segments replaces the presentation requirements
of segment reporting in AASB 114 Segment Reporting. AASB 8 is
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2009 and is not expected to have an impact on the
financial results of the Company and the Group as the standard
is only concerned with disclosures.
|
|
|
|
AASB 2007-2
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB
Interpretation 12 makes amendments to AASB 1 First-time Adoption
of Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting
Standards, AASB 117 Leases, AASB 118 Revenue, AASB 120
Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosures of Government
Assistance, AASB 121 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange
Rates, AASB 127 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statement,
AASB 131 Interest in Joint Ventures, and AASB 139 Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. AASB
2007-2 is
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2008 and must be applied at the same time as
Interpretation 12 Service Concession Arrangements.
|
|
|
|
AASB 2007-3
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB
8 makes amendments to AASB 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale
and Discontinued Operations, AASB 6 Exploration for and
Evaluation of Mineral Resources, AASB 107 Cash Flow Statements,
AASB 119 Employee Benefits, AASB 127 Consolidated and Separate
Financial Statements, AASB 134 Interim Financial Reporting, AASB
136 Impairment Assets. AASB
2007-3 is
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2009 and must be adopted in conjunction with AASB
8 Operating Segments. This standard is only expected to impact
disclosures contained within the financial report.
|
|
|
|
Interpretation 10 Interim Financial Reporting and Impairment
prohibits the reversal of an impairment loss recognised in a
previous interim period in respect of goodwill, an investment in
an equity instrument or a financial asset carried at cost.
Interpretation 10 will become mandatory for the Groups
2008 financial statements, and will apply to goodwill,
investments in equity instruments, and financial assets carried
at cost prospectively from the date that the Group first applied
the measurement criteria of AASB 136 and AASB 139 respectively
(i.e. 1 July 2004 and 1 July 2005, respectively). The
potential impact on the Company and the consolidated financial
report has not yet been determined.
|
|
|
|
AASB 2007-6
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB
123 [AASB 1, AASB 101, AASB 107, AASB 111, AASB 116 and AASB 138
and Interpretations 1 and 12],. AASB
2007-3 is
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2009 and must be adopted in conjunction with AASB
123 Borrowing Costs. The potential impact on the Company and the
consolidated financial report has not yet been determined.
|
|
|
|
AASB 2007-7
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASB 1, AASB 2,
AASB 4, AASB 5, AASB 107 and AASB 128] is applicable for annual
reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009 and
must be adopted in conjunction with AASB 123 Borrowing Costs.
The potential impact on the Company and the consolidated
financial report has not yet been determined.
|
|
|
|
AASB 123 Borrowing Costs (revised March 2007) requires the
capitalisation of all borrowing costs directly attributable to
the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying
asset. Qualifying assets are assets
|
D-16
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready
for their intended use. All other borrowing costs are
immediately recognised as expenses. AASB 123 is applicable for
annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January
2009. The potential impact on the Company and the consolidated
financial report has not yet been determined.
|
Reclassification
of cash to short-term investments
In its annual financial statements for the year ended
30 June 2006, the Group classified certain short-term
deposits as cash and cash equivalents because the securities
were highly liquid and there was an insignificant risk of
changes in value. Subsequent to the completion of the
30 June 2007 financial statements, the Group determined
that, pursuant to AASB 107 Cash Flow Statements,
certain short term deposits cannot be classified as cash and
cash equivalents because their maturity dates exceed
3 months.
The Group has corrected the classification in its financial
statement presentation by reclassifying $60,465,174 of short
term deposits held at 30 June 2006 from cash and cash
equivalents to available for sale short-term investments. The
following table shows the amounts as originally presented in the
Groups financial statements for the years ended
30 June 2006 and 30 June 2007, and the amounts
following reclassification. The reclassification had no effect
on total current assets, total assets, net assets, total equity,
loss for the year or loss per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
previously
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reported
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Corrected
|
|
|
Year Ended 30 June 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
93,281,628
|
|
|
|
(60,465,174
|
)
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
Short term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
Net cash from investing activities
|
|
|
2,483,714
|
|
|
|
(60,465,174
|
)
|
|
|
(57,981,460
|
)
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
51,807,093
|
|
|
|
(60,465,174
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658,081
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 30 June 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash from investing activities
|
|
|
(58,928,831
|
)
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
|
|
1,536,343
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(73,571,425
|
)
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
|
|
(13,106,251
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 4 OTHER INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
95,985
|
|
|
|
11,729
|
|
Net foreign exchange gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,071
|
|
|
|
1,516,887
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,071
|
|
|
|
1,612,872
|
|
|
|
11,729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 5 OTHER EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share based remuneration
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
326,229
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
|
|
243,520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net foreign exchange loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
285,148
|
|
Merger related expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,178,365
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,504,594
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
|
|
526,668
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger related expenses are expenses associated with the
completion of the Merger Implementation Agreement between the
Company and Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation announced on
4 May 2007.
D-17
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 6 AUDITORS REMUNERATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auditors of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KPMG Australia:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit and review of financial reports
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,970
|
|
|
|
91,367
|
|
|
|
48,250
|
|
Overseas KPMG Firms:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit and review of financial reports
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,113
|
|
|
|
72,088
|
|
|
|
42,517
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159,083
|
|
|
|
163,455
|
|
|
|
90,767
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auditors of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KPMG Australia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assurance services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
4,741
|
|
|
|
17,744
|
|
Taxation services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overseas KPMG Firms:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assurance services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,769
|
|
|
|
83,447
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
786
|
|
|
|
8,884
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,555
|
|
|
|
104,572
|
|
|
|
17,744
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 7 NET FINANCING COSTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,361,755
|
)
|
|
|
(1,639,911
|
)
|
|
|
(797,396
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,361,755
|
)
|
|
|
(1,639,911
|
)
|
|
|
(797,396
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing costs other parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
interest paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,461
|
|
|
|
213,310
|
|
|
|
171,324
|
|
recognition of fair value of options granted over
facility term
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,656
|
|
|
|
1,044,141
|
|
|
|
263,694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,117
|
|
|
|
1,257,451
|
|
|
|
435,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net financing costs/(income)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,271,638
|
)
|
|
|
(382,460
|
)
|
|
|
(362,378
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-18
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 8 INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,357,258
|
|
|
|
8,860,629
|
|
Deferred tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,390,888
|
|
|
|
(7,844,593
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income tax expense in income statement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,478,146
|
|
|
|
1,016,036
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
419,371
|
|
|
|
493,723
|
|
Discontinuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,058,775
|
|
|
|
522,313
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,478,146
|
|
|
|
1,016,036
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie
tax payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
(3,199,377
|
)
|
|
|
(3,014,656
|
)
|
Profit/(loss) before tax discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,751,653
|
|
|
|
6,945,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
9,552,276
|
|
|
|
3,931,209
|
|
Prima facie income tax expense/(benefit) at the Australian tax
rate of 30% (2006 and 2005 30)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,399,697
|
)
|
|
|
2,865,683
|
|
|
|
1,179,363
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in income tax expense/(benefit) due to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
different tax regimes of overseas controlled entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(532,500
|
)
|
|
|
(117,913
|
)
|
disposal of controlled entity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,266,023
|
)
|
non-deductible expenses, net of non assessable items
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
955,549
|
|
|
|
27,724
|
|
|
|
(7,869
|
)
|
effect of net deferred tax assets not brought to account
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
444,148
|
|
|
|
117,239
|
|
|
|
1,228,478
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,478,146
|
|
|
|
1,016,036
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The disposal of the Georgian interest (see
note 21) during the year ending 30 June 2006
resulted in a decrease to the current tax liability of
$3,930,062 and deferred tax liability of $1,655,213.
Unrecognised
Deferred Tax Assets
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the
following items (tax effected at 30%):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax capital losses
|
|
|
3,320,473
|
|
|
|
162,788
|
|
|
|
162,788
|
|
Tax losses
|
|
|
14,779,843
|
|
|
|
12,607,003
|
|
|
|
4,698,958
|
|
Net deductible temporary differences
|
|
|
(13,361,216
|
)
|
|
|
(11,426,813
|
)
|
|
|
(4,241,460
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential tax benefit
|
|
|
4,739,100
|
|
|
|
1,342,978
|
|
|
|
620,286
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Australian deductible temporary differences and tax losses
do not expire under current tax legislation. Mexican tax losses
expire after 10 years pursuant to current tax legislation.
Deferred tax assets have not been
D-19
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
recognised in respect of these items because it is not probable
that future taxable profit will be available against which the
Group can utilise the benefits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 9 EARNINGS PER SHARE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated
using:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year from continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,366,053
|
)
|
|
|
(2,895,444
|
)
|
|
|
(2,996,620
|
)
|
Net profit for the year from discontinuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,760,304
|
|
|
|
5,337,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the
parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,366,053
|
)
|
|
|
3,864,860
|
|
|
|
2,340,537
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued ordinary shares at beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
172,002,460
|
|
Effect of shares issued on exercise of options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,857,781
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,149,164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281,445,102
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
224,151,624
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
(diluted)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares at end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281,445,102
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
224,151,624
|
|
Effect of share options on issue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,678,972
|
|
|
|
8,955,000
|
|
|
|
7,155,822
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) at the end
of the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
285,124,074
|
|
|
|
285,542,321
|
|
|
|
231,307,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share for profit attributable to ordinary equity
holders of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.6) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.0) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.3) cents
|
|
From discontinuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4 cents
|
|
|
|
2.4 cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.6) cents
|
|
|
|
1.4 cents
|
|
|
|
1.1 cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.6) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.0) cents
|
|
|
|
(1.3) cents
|
|
From discontinuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4 cents
|
|
|
|
2.3 cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.6) cents
|
|
|
|
1.4 cents
|
|
|
|
1.0 cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-20
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 10(a) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank balances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,467,992
|
|
|
|
23,312,957
|
|
Call deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,142,913
|
|
|
|
9,503,497
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 10(b) SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale short-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the financial year ended 30 June 2006, available for
sale short-term investments had interest rates of 4.05 to 4.10%
with initial maturities of more than three months but less than
six months.
|
NOTE 11 TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other debtors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,176,085
|
|
|
|
3,902,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 12 OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepayments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,983
|
|
|
|
143,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 13
|
PROPERTY,
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
During the year the Group disposed of property, plant and
equipment for a consideration of $36,777 (2006
$1,160,997), resulting in a loss on sale of $11,197
(2006 gain of $91,118). There was nil amount
outstanding at year end in relation to this disposal
(2006 $887,470).
Leased
Plant and Equipment
The Group has entered into finance lease agreements to purchase
mining development equipment. The leased equipment secures lease
obligations (see note 18). At 30 June 2007, the net
carrying amount of leased plant and machinery was $12,349,472
(2006 nil).
D-21
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Plant and equipment cost
|
|
|
62,099,668
|
|
|
|
7,709,431
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(14,280
|
)
|
|
|
(124,930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
62,085,388
|
|
|
|
7,584,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office equipment cost
|
|
|
96,226
|
|
|
|
205,986
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(69,153
|
)
|
|
|
(127,671
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
27,073
|
|
|
|
78,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Motor vehicles cost
|
|
|
334,566
|
|
|
|
238,872
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(62,674
|
)
|
|
|
(127,329
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
271,892
|
|
|
|
111,543
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
62,384,353
|
|
|
|
7,774,359
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliations of the carrying amounts for each class of plant
and equipment are set out below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount at beginning of year
|
|
|
7,584,501
|
|
|
|
2,122,034
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
57,571,187
|
|
|
|
6,516,569
|
|
Reclassification from exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
3,385,153
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
(1,060,883
|
)
|
|
|
(1,056,185
|
)
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(9,791
|
)
|
|
|
(214,329
|
)
|
Net foreign currency adjustment on translation
|
|
|
(5,384,779
|
)
|
|
|
216,412
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
62,085,388
|
|
|
|
7,584,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount at beginning of year
|
|
|
78,315
|
|
|
|
248,510
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
61,743
|
|
|
|
87,483
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
(73,744
|
)
|
|
|
(958
|
)
|
Disposals discontinuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(130,530
|
)
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(31,544
|
)
|
|
|
(135,038
|
)
|
Net foreign currency adjustment on translation
|
|
|
(7,697
|
)
|
|
|
8,848
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
27,073
|
|
|
|
78,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Motor vehicles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount at beginning of year
|
|
|
111,543
|
|
|
|
447,483
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
345,569
|
|
|
|
186,619
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
(86,060
|
)
|
|
|
(12,738
|
)
|
Disposals discontinuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(435,278
|
)
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(69,862
|
)
|
|
|
(96,780
|
)
|
Net foreign currency adjustment on translation
|
|
|
(29,298
|
)
|
|
|
22,237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
271,892
|
|
|
|
111,543
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-22
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 14
|
EXPLORATION
AND EVALUATION EXPENDITURE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Opening balance
|
|
|
39,008,722
|
|
|
|
14,138,199
|
|
Additions made during the year
|
|
|
9,224,660
|
|
|
|
21,635,773
|
|
Reclassification to development expenditure
|
|
|
(29,965,354
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification to property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(3,385,153
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Net foreign currency adjustment on translation
|
|
|
(3,528,513
|
)
|
|
|
3,234,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing balance
|
|
|
11,354,362
|
|
|
|
39,008,722
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The ultimate recoupment of costs carried forward for exploration
and evaluation assets is dependent on the successful development
and commercial exploitation or sale of the respective areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 15 DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening balance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions made during the year
|
|
|
12,488,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification from exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
29,965,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net foreign currency adjustment on translation
|
|
|
(3,036,306
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing balance
|
|
|
39,417,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditure in respect of exploration and evaluation expenditure
that was transferred to development expenditure during the year
was subject to impairment testing to ensure the carrying value
is not in excess of the present value of estimated future cash
flows. Key assumptions when conducting the impairment testing
were recoverable reserves which are based on third party
estimates, a discount rate of 10%, gold and silver prices of
US$550 and US$10 per ounce respectively based on an estimate of
the maintainable open market price and an exchange rate of
A$1.00 = US$0.7468 based on the expected spot rate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 16 TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
6,314,678
|
|
|
|
2,021,906
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 17 INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance facility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
Finance lease liabilities
|
|
|
2,472,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,472,064
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance lease liabilities
|
|
|
9,877,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,877,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-23
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
During the financial year ending 30 June 2007, Macquarie
Bank Limited exercised 8,955,000 unlisted options, each
exercisable at 27.8 cents at any time up to 10 August 2008
to convert to 1 fully paid ordinary share. Proceeds from the
exercise of these options have been used to repay the finance
facility.
Terms
and Debt Repayment Schedule
Terms and conditions of outstanding interest bearing liabilities
were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Year of
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
Currency
|
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Finance lease liabilities
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
6.60
|
%
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
6,963,404
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance lease liabilities
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
8.97
|
%
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
5,386,068
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,349,472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance
Lease Liabilities
Finance lease liabilities of the Group are payable as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Principal
|
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Principal
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Less than one year
|
|
|
3,092,052
|
|
|
|
619,988
|
|
|
|
2,472,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between one and five years
|
|
|
10,952,070
|
|
|
|
1,185,561
|
|
|
|
9,766,509
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More than five years
|
|
|
111,728
|
|
|
|
829
|
|
|
|
110,899
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,155,850
|
|
|
|
1,806,378
|
|
|
|
12,349,472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
NOTE 18 PROVISIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rehabilitation provision
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
919,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rehabilitation provision
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening balance
|
|
|
919,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision made during the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
919,344
|
|
Payments made during the year
|
|
|
(919,344
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing balance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
919,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company recorded a rehabilitation provision of $919,344
(US$751,839) at June 30, 2006 equivalent to the amount to
be paid to the National Forestry Commission of Mexico to enable
the rehabilitation of specified disturbed land. This obligation
was determined by the Mexican authorities based on the number of
hectares deemed to be disturbed and a fixed amount of
rehabilitation per hectare. During the year ended June 30,
2007, the Company paid this obligation with related future
rehabilitation work to be undertaken by the National Forestry
Commission of Mexico.
The basis for accounting for rehabilitation costs is set out in
the significant accounting policies note 3.
D-24
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 19
|
CAPITAL
AND RESERVES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Share capital
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
On issue at 1 July
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
172,002,460
|
|
Exercise of options
|
|
|
8,955,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,584,861
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares on issue at 30 June fully paid
|
|
|
285,542,321
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
276,587,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as
declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per
share at shareholders meetings. The Company does not have
authorised capital or par value in respect of its issued shares.
In the event of winding up of the Company, ordinary shareholders
rank after creditors and are fully entitled to any proceeds of
liquidation.
Options
During the year ended 30 June 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
There were no options granted or lapsed unexercised during the
financial year.
|
|
|
|
Macquarie Bank Limited exercised 8,955,000 unlisted options,
each exercisable at 27.8 cents at any time up to 10 August
2008 to convert to 1 fully paid ordinary share per option.
Proceeds from the exercise of these options have been used
towards repayment of the finance facility.
|
During the year ended 30 June 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
There were no options granted, exercised or lapsed unexercised
during the financial year.
|
During the year ended 30 June 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
The Company drew down $3.0 million of the $5.0 million
Project Feasibility Finance Facility with Macquarie Bank Limited
resulting in the granting of 8,955,000 unlisted options each
exercisable to acquire one fully paid ordinary share in the
Company at 27.8 cents at any time before 5:00 pm on
10 August 2008.
|
|
|
|
2,533,969 options lapsed, each exercisable at 34.3 cents for one
fully paid ordinary shares at any time up to 31 December
2004 lapsed unexercised.
|
Nature
and Purpose of Reserves
Capital
Profits
Upon disposal of revalued assets, any related revaluation
increments standing to the credit of the asset revaluation
reserve is transferred to the capital profits reserve.
Option
Premium Reserve
During the year ended 30 June 2007, there were no options
granted by the Company (June 2006 nil). The
issue of Company options in the year ended 30 June 2005 for
no consideration with a fair value of $1,307,835 resulting in a
credit of $1,307,835 to the option premium reserve.
The exercise of Company options results in a debit to the option
premium reserve. During the year ended 30 June 2007 there
were 8,955,000 options, with a fair value of $1,307,835,
exercised resulting in a transfer of $1,307,835 to retained
profits (June 2006 and June 2005 nil).
D-25
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Foreign
Currency Translation Reserve
The foreign currency translation reserve records the foreign
currency differences arising from the translation of the
financial statements of foreign operations where their
functional currency is different to the presentation currency of
the reporting entity.
Dividends
Dividends paid or declared by the Company are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cents per Share
|
|
|
Total Amount $
|
|
|
Date of Payment
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no dividends paid or declared during the financial
year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interim dividend on ordinary shares
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
2,074,407
|
|
|
|
12 April 2006
|
|
Final 2005 dividend on ordinary shares
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
2,074,407
|
|
|
|
14 October 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no dividends paid or declared during the financial
year ended 30 June 2005
|
The dividends are unfranked.
Reconciliation
of Movement in Capital and Reserves Attributable to Equity
Holders of the Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
|
|
|
Profits
|
|
|
Premium
|
|
|
Translation
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Profits
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Balance at 1 July 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,674,524
|
|
|
|
4,346
|
|
|
|
24,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,942,516
|
)
|
|
|
25,760,524
|
|
|
|
7,237,593
|
|
|
|
32,998,117
|
|
31 December 2004 options, lapsed unexercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24,170
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total recognised income and expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(904,069
|
)
|
|
|
2,340,537
|
|
|
|
1,436,468
|
|
|
|
223,193
|
|
|
|
1,659,661
|
|
Shares issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,872,607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,872,607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,872,607
|
|
Disposal of controlled entities return of capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,780,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,780,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,780,000
|
)
|
Options issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
Minority interest on partial sale of controlled entity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,837,007
|
|
|
|
7,837,007
|
|
Shares issued by controlled entity to minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
312,892
|
|
|
|
312,892
|
|
Dividends paid to minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,063,903
|
)
|
|
|
(5,063,903
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 30 June 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,767,131
|
|
|
|
4,346
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
(904,069
|
)
|
|
|
422,191
|
|
|
|
54,597,434
|
|
|
|
10,546,782
|
|
|
|
65,144,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 July 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,767,131
|
|
|
|
4,346
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
(904,069
|
)
|
|
|
422,191
|
|
|
|
54,597,434
|
|
|
|
10,546,782
|
|
|
|
65,144,216
|
|
Total recognised income and expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,260,462
|
|
|
|
3,864,860
|
|
|
|
7,125,322
|
|
|
|
4,508,807
|
|
|
|
11,634,129
|
|
Dividends to shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,148,814
|
)
|
|
|
(4,148,814
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,148,814
|
)
|
Interest in reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
Shares issued by controlled entity to minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,402,022
|
|
|
|
70,402,022
|
|
Dividends paid to minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,193,715
|
)
|
|
|
(4,193,715
|
)
|
Disposal of controlled entities
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,064,818
|
)
|
|
|
(2,064,818
|
)
|
Gain/(loss) on dilution of interest in controlled entity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,623,110
|
|
|
|
48,623,110
|
|
|
|
(48,623,110
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 30 June 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,767,131
|
|
|
|
4,346
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
2,356,393
|
|
|
|
48,761,347
|
|
|
|
106,197,052
|
|
|
|
31,973,178
|
|
|
|
138,170,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-26
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
|
|
|
Profits
|
|
|
Premium
|
|
|
Translation
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Profits
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Balance at 1 July 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,767,131
|
|
|
|
4,346
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
2,356,393
|
|
|
|
48,761,347
|
|
|
|
106,197,052
|
|
|
|
31,973,178
|
|
|
|
138,170,230
|
|
Total recognised income and expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,664,472
|
)
|
|
|
(4,366,053
|
)
|
|
|
(18,030,525
|
)
|
|
|
(4,959,077
|
)
|
|
|
(22,989,602
|
)
|
Shares issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,489,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,489,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,489,490
|
|
Options exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,307,835
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,307,835
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued by controlled entity to minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,664,537
|
|
|
|
1,664,537
|
|
Gain/(loss) on dilution of interest in controlled entity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
227,246
|
|
|
|
227,246
|
|
|
|
(227,246
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 30 June 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,256,621
|
|
|
|
4,346
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,308,079
|
)
|
|
|
45,930,375
|
|
|
|
90,883,263
|
|
|
|
28,451,392
|
|
|
|
119,334,655
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 20
CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
Particulars
in Relation to Controlled Entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Share Consolidated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entity Interest
|
|
Name
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
Parent entity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi Gold NL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlled entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolnisi Mining Operations Pty Limited
|
|
|
(i
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Cropwood Limited
|
|
|
(ii
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Fairview Gold Pty Limited
|
|
|
(i
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Mexco Resources, LLC
|
|
|
(iii
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Mexco Services, LLC
|
|
|
(iii
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Darbazi, SA de CV
|
|
|
(iv
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Minera Bolnisi, SA de CV
|
|
|
(iv
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Recursos Mineros de Ocampo, SA de CV
|
|
|
(iv
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Servicios Auxiliares de Mineria, SA de CV
|
|
|
(iv
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Servicios Administrativos Palmarejo, SA de CV
|
|
|
(iv
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wyalong, SA de CV
|
|
|
(iv
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
|
|
|
(vi
|
)
|
|
|
73.3
|
|
|
|
74.1
|
|
Ocampo Resources, Inc
|
|
|
(vi
|
)
|
|
|
73.3
|
|
|
|
74.1
|
|
Ocampo Services, Inc
|
|
|
(vi
|
)
|
|
|
73.3
|
|
|
|
74.1
|
|
Planet Gold, SA de CV
|
|
|
(vii
|
)
|
|
|
73.3
|
|
|
|
74.1
|
|
Ensign Energy Pty Limited
|
|
|
(i
|
)
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
|
Bolnisi Mining Operations Pty Limited, Fairview Gold Pty Limited
and Ensign Energy Pty Limited, Australian controlled entities,
are small proprietary companies as determined by the
Corporations Act 2001 and are not required to be audited for
statutory purposes. |
|
(ii) |
|
Cropwood Limited, incorporated in Hong Kong, is a wholly owned
controlled entity of Bolnisi Mining Operations Pty Limited. |
D-27
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
(iii) |
|
Mexco Resources, LLC and Mexco Services, LLC are incorporated in
the USA and are owned by Fairview Gold Pty Limited. |
|
(iv) |
|
Darbazi, SA de CV, Minera Bolnisi, SA de CV, Recursos Mineros de
Ocampo, SA de CV, Servicios Auxiliares de Mineria, SA de CV,
Servicios Administrativos Palmarejo, SA de CV and Wyalong, SA de
CV are incorporated in Mexico and are owned by Mexco Resources,
LLC and Mexco Services, LLC. |
|
(v) |
|
Fairview Gold Pty Limited holds an 73.3% interest in Palmarejo
Gold Corporation, which is incorporated in Canada and listed on
the TSX-Venture Exchange. |
|
(vi) |
|
Ocampo Resources, Inc and Ocampo Services, Inc are incorporated
in the USA and are wholly owned by Palmarejo Silver and Gold
Corporation. |
|
(vii) |
|
Planet Gold, SA de CV is incorporated in Mexico and is wholly
owned by Ocampo Resources, Inc and Ocampo Services, Inc. |
Acquisition
of Controlled Entities
Servicios Administrativos Palmarejo, SA de CV was acquired on
30 September 2006 for $6,079 representing net assets at
date of acquisition and the operating results from that date
have been included in the consolidated operating profit.
There were no acquisitions made during the years ended
30 June 2006.
|
|
NOTE 21
|
DISCONTINUED
OPERATION
|
There were no discontinued operations during the financial year
ending 30 June 2007.
During the financial year ended 30 June 2006, the Group
completed the sale of the consolidated entitys 50%
interests in Quartzite Ltd (Quartzite) and Trans
Georgian Resources Ltd (TGR) and the related loans
to Quartzite and TGR (Georgian Interests) for
US$10.0 million cash. The Georgian Interests had cash
inflows from operating activities of $8,615,544, cash outflows
from investing activities of $971,736 and cash outflows from
financing activities of $4,193,715.
During the financial year ended 30 June 2005, the Company
completed the sale of 100% of its interest in Bolnisi Logistics
Pty Limited, the Companys wholly owned subsidiary which
held the Companys 50% joint venture interest in the Roseby
Copper Project, to Universal Resources Limited
(Universal), the holder of the other 50% joint
venture interest in the Roseby Copper Project. The Roseby Copper
Project had cash outflows from operating activities of $56,347,
cash outflows from investing activities of nil and cash outflows
from financing activities of nil.
Analysis of profit and loss of the discontinued operations,
gain on sale of discontinued operations and related income tax
expense
D-28
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Revenue from sale of gold and silver
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,325,652
|
|
|
|
30,302,667
|
|
Cost of product sold:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
mining and treatment costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,002,437
|
)
|
|
|
(22,021,816
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit from the sale of gold and silver
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,323,305
|
|
|
|
8,280,851
|
|
Other expenses from ordinary activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,867
|
)
|
|
|
(13,472
|
)
|
depreciation and amortisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(668,236
|
)
|
|
|
(444,099
|
)
|
foreign exchange loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
|
|
(564,190
|
)
|
mineral tenements written off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,825,263
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before financing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,649,993
|
|
|
|
2,433,827
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(75,559
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net financing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(75,559
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,649,993
|
|
|
|
2,358,268
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,058,775
|
)
|
|
|
(522,313
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit after tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,591,218
|
|
|
|
1,835,955
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,101,660
|
|
|
|
4,587,597
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operation after tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,101,660
|
|
|
|
4,587,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit and loss of discontinued operations and gain on sale
of discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,692,878
|
|
|
|
6,423,552
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-29
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Effect
of the Disposal on Individual Assets and Liabilities of the
Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,518,469
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
971,502
|
|
|
|
106,662
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,041,507
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
565,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation expenditure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,085,741
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,790,500
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Current tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,120,012
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,046,101
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,404,395
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net identifiable assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,736,278
|
|
|
|
5,192,403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consideration received, satisfied in cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,637,125
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash disposed of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,799,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (inflow)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,837,938
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Consideration received, non cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,780,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,101,660
|
|
|
|
4,587,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-30
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 22
|
STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
|
Reconciliation
of Profit for the Year to Net Cash from Operating
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Profit for the year
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
7,074,130
|
|
|
|
2,915,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items classified as investing/financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing costs interest paid
|
|
|
42,461
|
|
|
|
213,310
|
|
|
|
246,883
|
|
Non-cash items
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing costs recognition of fair value of options
granted over facility term
|
|
|
47,656
|
|
|
|
1,044,141
|
|
|
|
263,694
|
|
Amortisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
350,032
|
|
|
|
206,535
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
17,316
|
|
|
|
318,204
|
|
|
|
237,564
|
|
Foreign exchange loss/(gain) on cash
|
|
|
99,298
|
|
|
|
(1,684,160
|
)
|
|
|
483,442
|
|
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
11,197
|
|
|
|
(91,118
|
)
|
|
|
11,730
|
|
Exploration and evaluation expenditure written off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,825,263
|
|
Share based payment expense
|
|
|
326,229
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
|
|
243,520
|
|
Property, plant and equipment written off
|
|
|
80,515
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,101,660
|
)
|
|
|
(4,587,597
|
)
|
Changes in assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
(2,698,474
|
)
|
|
|
(3,340,562
|
)
|
|
|
(2,144,848
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,998,827
|
|
|
|
5,593
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
3,912
|
|
|
|
104,291
|
|
|
|
(2,110,150
|
)
|
Mineral tenements
|
|
|
(7,674,694
|
)
|
|
|
(17,307,957
|
)
|
|
|
(10,431,350
|
)
|
Payables
|
|
|
548,664
|
|
|
|
619,664
|
|
|
|
6,092,590
|
|
Tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(419,161
|
)
|
|
|
(6,892,560
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net used in operating activities
|
|
|
(13,861,577
|
)
|
|
|
(11,824,809
|
)
|
|
|
(10,634,518
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation
of Cash
For the purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, cash includes
cash on hand and at bank and cash on deposit, net of bank
overdrafts and excluding security deposits. Cash as at the end
of the financial year as shown in the Statements of Cash Flows
is reconciled to the related items in the Balance Sheets as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
|
|
39,790,167
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-31
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 23
|
FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS DISCLOSURE
|
Exposure to interest rate, credit, commodity price and currency
risks arise in the normal course of the Groups business.
The Group does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge
its exposure to financial risks.
Interest
Rate Risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk. The effective
weighted average interest rate for classes of financial assets
and financial liabilities is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective
|
|
|
Floating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
10
|
(a)
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,176,085
|
|
Other
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,610,905
|
|
|
|
24,842,973
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,314,678
|
|
Interest bearing liabilities
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
|
|
12,349,472
|
|
|
|
12,349,472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,349,472
|
|
|
|
18,664,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
10
|
(a)
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
|
|
32,816,454
|
|
Short term investments
|
|
|
10
|
(b)
|
|
|
4.05-4.10
|
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
|
|
60,465,174
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,902,881
|
|
Other
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
143,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93,281,628
|
|
|
|
97,328,399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,021,906
|
|
Interest bearing liabilities
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
5,021,906
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit
Risk Exposure
The credit risk exposure on financial assets, excluding
investments, of the Group which have been recognised on Balance
Sheet, is the carrying amount, net of any impairment losses.
The Group mitigates credit risk by dealing with regulated banks
in western countries.
D-32
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Net
Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities
approximate their net fair values given the short time frames to
maturity
and/or
variable interest rates.
Foreign
Exchange Risk
The Group has not entered into derivative financial instruments
to hedge purchases and sales denominated in foreign currencies.
|
|
NOTE 24
|
KEY
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURES
|
Directors
Remuneration
The broad remuneration policy is to ensure the remuneration
package properly reflects the persons duties and
responsibilities, and that remuneration is competitive in
attracting, retaining and motivating people of the highest
quality.
The directors are not employed directly by the Company. Their
services are provided by way of arrangements with related
parties which provide financial, administrative, geological and
exploration services. No options, other benefits or bonuses were
granted to directors or executives as part of their
remuneration. No directors or executives receive performance
related remuneration, and there are no service contracts.
Details of the nature and amount of each major element of the
remuneration of each director of the Company and Group are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short Term
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Executive directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
(Chairman)
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
117,279
|
|
|
|
117,279
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
124,071
|
|
|
|
124,071
|
|
Non-executive directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
P. Martin Holt
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
(Alternate director for Peter J. Nightingale)
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
Anthony J. McClure
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
23,833
|
|
|
|
23,833
|
|
(Alternate director for Kenneth M. Phillips)
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
Total compensation: key management personnel (consolidated)
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
485,112
|
|
|
|
485,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
588,071
|
|
|
|
588,071
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total compensation: key management personnel (Company)
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
485,112
|
|
|
|
485,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
588,071
|
|
|
|
588,071
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-33
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Key
Management Personnel
There are no key management personnel of the Company or Group
that are not directors.
Equity
Holdings and Transactions
The movement during the reporting period in the number of
ordinary shares in the Company held directly, indirectly or
beneficially, by each specified director, including their
personally-related entities, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Received on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Held at
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Held at
|
|
Directors
|
|
1 July 2006
|
|
|
Purchased
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
30 June 2007
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
38,602,799
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,602,799
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
31,185,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,185,700
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
2,575,000
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,075,000
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
P. Martin Holt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. McClure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Received on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Held at
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Held at
|
|
Directors
|
|
1 July 2005
|
|
|
Purchased
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
30 June 2006
|
|
|
Norman A. Seckold
|
|
|
38,602,799
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,602,799
|
|
Dudley R. Leitch
|
|
|
31,185,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,185,700
|
|
Peter J. Nightingale
|
|
|
2,575,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,575,000
|
|
Kenneth M. Phillips
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
P. Martin Holt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. McClure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 25
|
RELATED
PARTY INFORMATION
|
Directors
The names of persons who held office as directors of the Company
during the year ended 30 June 2007 are Norman A. Seckold,
Dudley R. Leitch, Peter J. Nightingale, Kenneth M. Phillips, P.
Martin Holt and Anthony J. McClure. Details of directors
remuneration are set out in the Key Management Personnel
disclosures above.
During the year ended 30 June 2007, Norman A. Seckold and
Peter J. Nightingale had an interest in an entity, Mining
Services Trust, which provided full administrative services,
including rental accommodation, administrative staff, services
and supplies, to the Group. Fees paid to Mining Services Trust
during the year, which were in the ordinary course of business
and on normal terms and conditions, amounted to $1,101,658
(2006 $1,185,972). Amounts unpaid at 30 June
2007 were $142,074 (2006 $188,934).
During the year ended 30 June 2007, Kenneth M. Phillips,
had an interest in an entity, VOP Mining Services Pty Ltd which
rendered administrative, geological and exploration services to
the Group. Fees paid to VOP Mining Services Pty Ltd during the
year, which were in the ordinary course of business and on
normal commercial terms and conditions, amounted to $140,882
(2006 $159,643). Of this figure $117,279
(2006 $124,071) is included in directors
remuneration. Amounts unpaid at 30 June 2007 were $11,483
(2006 $30,878)
Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no director has
entered into a material contract with the Company or the Group
since the end of the previous financial year and there were no
material contracts involving directors interests
subsisting at year end.
D-34
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 26
|
SHARE
BASED PAYMENTS
|
Stock
Option Plan
The Companys Canadian controlled entity, Palmarejo Silver
and Gold Corporation (PJO) has a Stock Option Plan
which allows directors, officers and consultants of PJO the
opportunity to acquire options over unissued shares in PJO.
These options are governed by the terms of PJO stock option plan.
Options are granted under the plan for no consideration and are
granted for a five year period. Options granted under the plan
carry no dividend or voting rights. The exercise price of the
options is determined by PJO board of directors, subject to
applicable exchange approval, at the time any option is granted.
Set out below are summaries of the options granted under the
plan:
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
Balance at
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
Balance at
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
Start of the
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
End of the
|
|
|
at End of the
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Date
|
|
Expiry Date
|
|
CDN$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
23 December 2004
|
|
23 December 2009
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,833,332
|
|
|
|
(940,999
|
)
|
|
|
(33,333
|
)
|
|
|
3,859,000
|
|
|
|
3,859,000
|
|
5 April 2005
|
|
5 April 2010
|
|
$
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
(50,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
8 December 2005
|
|
8 December 2010
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
(40,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,113,332
|
|
|
|
(1,030,999
|
)
|
|
|
(33,333
|
)
|
|
|
4,049,000
|
|
|
|
3,999,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average exercise price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.11
|
|
|
$
|
1.16
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.10
|
|
|
$
|
1.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options
outstanding at the end of the period was 2.5 years
(2006 3.9 years).
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
Balance at
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
Balance at
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
Start of the
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
End of the
|
|
|
at End of
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
the Year
|
|
Date
|
|
Expiry Date
|
|
CDN$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
23 December 2004
|
|
23 December 2009
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,525,000
|
|
|
|
(691,668
|
)
|
|
|
(26,000
|
)
|
|
|
4,833,332
|
|
|
|
4,833,332
|
|
5 April 2005
|
|
5 April 2010
|
|
$
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
(20,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
8 December 2005
|
|
8 December 2010
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
5,675,000
|
|
|
|
(711,668
|
)
|
|
|
(26,000
|
)
|
|
|
5,113,332
|
|
|
|
4,963,332
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average exercise price
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
|
$
|
1.03
|
|
|
$
|
1.03
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.11
|
|
|
$
|
1.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options
outstanding at the end of the period was 3.9 years
(2005 4.6 years).
Fair
Value of Options
The fair value of options granted is measured at grant date and
recognised as an expense over the period during which the
directors, officers and consultants of PJO become
unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the
options granted is measured using Black-Scholes formula, taking
into account the terms and conditions upon which the options
were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to
reflect the actual number of options that vest.
There were no options granted during the financial year ending
30 June 2007. The fair value of the options granted during
the year ended 30 June 2006 was $356,025.
D-35
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Expenses
Arising from Share-Based Payment Transactions
Total expenses arising from share based payment transactions
recognized during the period as part of share based remuneration
expense were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
Options issued under PJO stock option plan
|
|
|
326,229
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
Expenditure Commitments
In order to maintain current rights of tenure to exploration
tenements, the Group is required to perform minimum exploration
work to meet the minimum expenditure requirements specified by
tenement licences and acquisition agreements. These obligations
are subject to renegotiation when application for a mining lease
is made and at other times. These obligations are not provided
for in the financial report and are payable:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Not later than one year
|
|
|
1,547,008
|
|
|
|
1,051,458
|
|
Later than one year but not later than two years
|
|
|
820,576
|
|
|
|
1,626,683
|
|
Later than two years but not later than five years
|
|
|
890,547
|
|
|
|
1,799,251
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,258,132
|
|
|
|
4,477,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
Expenditure Commitments
Contracted
but not provided for and payable:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Within one year
|
|
|
3,219,093
|
|
|
|
4,579,752
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger
Implementation Agreement
On 4 May 2007, the Company announced that Coeur
dAlene Mines Corporation (Coeur), Bolnisi and
Bolnisis 74% owned Canadian controlled entity Palmarejo
Silver and Gold Corporation (Palmarejo) had entered
into agreements pursuant to which Coeur will acquire all of the
shares of Bolnisi, and all of the shares of Palmarejo not owned
by Bolnisi, in a transaction valued at approximately
US$1.1 billion (the Transaction).
Under the terms of the Transaction, Bolnisi shareholders will
receive 0.682 Coeur shares for each Bolnisi share they own (or,
at the election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary
Interests representing Coeur shares) under a Court approved
Scheme of Arrangement pursuant to Australian law, and Palmarejo
shareholders will receive 2.715 Coeur shares for each Palmarejo
share they own under a Court approved Plan of Arrangement
pursuant to Canadian law. In addition, Bolnisi and Palmarejo
shareholders will receive a nominal cash payment equal to $0.004
(US$0.003) per Bolnisi share and C$0.004 (US$0.003) per
Palmarejo share.
Under the terms of the Transaction, the Company, Palmarejo and
Coeur have agreed to give each other exclusivity, subject to
certain exceptions and have agreed to a reciprocal break fee
payable in certain circumstances equivalent to 1% of the
transaction value. The Companys break fee payable to Coeur
is approximately $9.17 million (US$7.78 million) and
Palmarejos break fee payable to Coeur amounts to
approximately $3.77 million (US$3.20 million).
D-36
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 29
|
SUBSEQUENT
EVENT
|
Merger
Implementation Agreement
Subsequent to the end of the financial year, Coeur completed its
due diligence under the terms of the Merger Implementation
Agreement with the Company. The companies expect to begin
mailing information to Bolnisi, Palmarejo and Coeur shareholders
in September 2007. All three companies shareholder
meetings are expected to be held in October 2007. Assuming
timely completion of the required regulatory processes and
receipt of the required shareholder and court approvals, the
companies expect the Transaction to be completed in the fourth
quarter of 2007.
Canadian
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper
Bolnisi has, through its Canadian subsidiary company, Palmarejo,
an amount of C$6.9 million (A$7.7 million) invested in
Canadian Asset-Backed Commercial Paper (ABCP), being
C$6.4 million (A$7.1 million) in Apsley Trust E
and C$0.5 million (A$0.6 million) in Aurora
Trust E. These ABCP investments were all rated R1-High
(highest rating available for short-term commercial paper) by
the Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) at the time
they were purchased.
Each of these instruments matured on 23 August 2007, but
their maturities were not met by the issuers and as at the date
of this report they remain outstanding.
A consortium representing banks, asset providers and major
investors have agreed in principle to take steps to re-establish
normal operations in the market for Canadian asset-backed
securities. These steps include the proposal that all investors
in such ABCP issuers exchange their holding in each issuer for
long-term note on an individual issuer and series basis.
D-37
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
NOTE 30
|
FINANCIAL
REPORTING BY SEGMENTS
|
The Group operates wholly within the mining industry in
Australia and Mexico.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia
|
|
|
North
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
Geographical Segments
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
(Discontinued)
|
|
|
America
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unallocated revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,361,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,361,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Result
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment result
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,751,506
|
)
|
|
|
(3,751,506
|
)
|
Tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unallocated corporate income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(914,151
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Profit/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,665,657
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-cash expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share based remuneration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
326,229
|
|
|
|
326,229
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137,369,106
|
|
|
|
137,369,106
|
|
Unallocated corporate assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
629,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137,998,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-current assets acquired during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,922,654
|
|
|
|
9,922,654
|
|
Mine development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,488,069
|
|
|
|
12,488,069
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,886,302
|
|
|
|
56,886,302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,297,025
|
|
|
|
79,297,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Liabilities
|
|
|
588,883
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,075,267
|
|
|
|
18,664,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-38
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia
|
|
|
North
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
Geographical Segments
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
(Discontinued)
|
|
|
America
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External segment revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,325,652
|
|
|
|
95,985
|
|
|
|
24,421,637
|
|
Unallocated revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,156,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,578,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Result
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment result
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,649,993
|
|
|
|
(2,756,315
|
)
|
|
|
7,893,678
|
|
Tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,478,146
|
)
|
Unallocated corporate income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,658,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Profit/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,074,130
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-cash expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation and depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
668,236
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
668,236
|
|
Share based remuneration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
|
|
1,397,210
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,012,771
|
|
|
|
121,012,771
|
|
Unallocated corporate assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,098,709
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144,111,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-current assets acquired during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,890,494
|
|
|
|
19,890,494
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,383,922
|
|
|
|
6,383,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,274,416
|
|
|
|
26,274,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Liabilities
|
|
|
4,383,424
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,557,826
|
|
|
|
5,941,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-39
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia
|
|
|
North
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
Geographical Segments
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
(Discontinued)
|
|
|
America
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External segment revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,302,667
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,302,667
|
|
Unallocated revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
797,396
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,100,063
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Result
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment result
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,358,268
|
|
|
|
(779,751
|
)
|
|
|
1,578,517
|
|
Tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,016,036
|
)
|
Unallocated corporate income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,352,692
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Profit/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,915,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-cash expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation and depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
444,099
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
444,099
|
|
Share based remuneration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243,520
|
|
|
|
243,520
|
|
Mineral tenements written off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,825,263
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,825,263
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,018,115
|
|
|
|
18,397,116
|
|
|
|
54,415,231
|
|
Unallocated corporate assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,507,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85,922,234
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-current assets acquired during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
163,009
|
|
|
|
17,887
|
|
|
|
11,288,639
|
|
|
|
11,469,535
|
|
Mine development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
206,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
206,535
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
497,940
|
|
|
|
158,050
|
|
|
|
655,990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
163,009
|
|
|
|
722,362
|
|
|
|
11,446,689
|
|
|
|
12,332,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Liabilities
|
|
|
4,274,455
|
|
|
|
16,283,535
|
|
|
|
220,028
|
|
|
|
20,778,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-40
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Division of the Groups results and assets into
geographical segments has been ascertained by direct location of
assets. There are no intersegment revenue transactions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
Exploration and
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
Business Segments
|
|
(Discontinued)
|
|
|
Development
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unallocated revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,361,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,361,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137,369,106
|
|
|
|
137,369,106
|
|
Unallocated corporate assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
629,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137,998,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-current assets acquired during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,922,654
|
|
|
|
9,922,654
|
|
Mine development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,488,069
|
|
|
|
12,488,069
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,886,302
|
|
|
|
56,886,302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,297,025
|
|
|
|
79,297,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External segment revenue
|
|
|
24,325,652
|
|
|
|
95,985
|
|
|
|
24,421,637
|
|
Unallocated revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,156,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,578,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,012,771
|
|
|
|
121,012,771
|
|
Unallocated corporate assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,098,709
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144,111,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-current assets acquired during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,890,494
|
|
|
|
19,890,494
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,383,922
|
|
|
|
6,383,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,274,416
|
|
|
|
26,274,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-41
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
Exploration and
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
Business Segments
|
|
(Discontinued)
|
|
|
Development
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External segment revenue
|
|
|
30,302,667
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,302,667
|
|
Unallocated revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
797,396
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,100,063
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
36,018,115
|
|
|
|
18,397,116
|
|
|
|
54,415,231
|
|
Unallocated corporate assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,507,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85,922,234
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Including non-current assets acquired during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,469,535
|
|
|
|
11,469,535
|
|
Mine development
|
|
|
206,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
206,535
|
|
Plant and equipment
|
|
|
497,940
|
|
|
|
158,080
|
|
|
|
655,990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
704,475
|
|
|
|
11,627,585
|
|
|
|
12,332,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All sales revenue during the prior period was to customers in
the United Kingdom
|
|
NOTE 31
|
US
GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES DISCLOSURES
|
The Groups financial statements are prepared in accordance
with AIFRS. The financial information and reconciliations
presented in this note set forth certain financial information
that would have been presented if US Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (US GAAP) had been applied instead of
AIFRS.
D-42
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Reconciliation
to US GAAP
The following is a summary of the adjustments to profit (loss)
for the years ended 30 June 2007, 2006 and 2005 that would
be required if US GAAP had been applied instead of AIFRS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Reconciliation of net profit/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of
the Parent as reported under AIFRS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,366,053
|
)
|
|
|
3,864,860
|
|
|
|
2,340,537
|
|
Add/(deduct)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation expenditure
|
|
|
(a
|
)
|
|
|
(9,224,660
|
)
|
|
|
(21,635,773
|
)
|
|
|
(2,758,818
|
)
|
Exploration and evaluation reclassified to Property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
(a
|
)
|
|
|
3,385,153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development expenditure
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
(12,488,069
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest effect of above adjustments
|
|
|
(c
|
)
|
|
|
4,991,185
|
|
|
|
5,154,102
|
|
|
|
(1,345,818
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,336,391
|
)
|
|
|
(16,481,671
|
)
|
|
|
(4,104,636
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of
the Parent as reported under US GAAP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,702,444
|
)
|
|
|
(12,616,811
|
)
|
|
|
(1,764,099
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) per share for profit/(loss) attributable to
ordinary equity holders of the Parent measured under
US GAAP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6.3
|
) cents
|
|
|
(4.6
|
) cents
|
|
|
(0.8
|
) cents
|
Diluted loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6.3
|
) cents
|
|
|
(4.6
|
) cents
|
|
|
(0.8
|
) cents
|
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operation
attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Parent measured
under US GAAP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
cents
|
|
|
4.6
|
cents
|
Diluted loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
cents
|
|
|
4.6
|
cents
|
The following is a summary of the adjustments to total parent
entity interest in equity for the years ended 30 June 2007,
2006 and 2005 that would be required if US GAAP had been applied
instead of AIFRS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of shareholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total parent entity interest as reported under AIFRS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,883,263
|
|
|
|
106,197,052
|
|
|
|
54,597,434
|
|
Add/(deduct)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and evaluation expenditure
|
|
|
(a
|
)
|
|
|
(11,354,362
|
)
|
|
|
(39,008,722
|
)
|
|
|
(14,138,199
|
)
|
Development expenditure
|
|
|
(b
|
)
|
|
|
(39,417,117
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest effect of above adjustment
|
|
|
(c
|
)
|
|
|
12,924,962
|
|
|
|
9,307,778
|
|
|
|
870,210
|
|
Total Adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(37,846,517
|
)
|
|
|
(29,700,944
|
)
|
|
|
(13,267,989
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total parent entity interest in equity under US GAAP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,036,746
|
|
|
|
76,496,108
|
|
|
|
41,329,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D-43
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Basis
of preparation under US GAAP
Consolidated
Cash Flow Statement
The consolidated cash flow statement prepared under AIFRS (in
accordance with AASB 107 Cash Flow Statements)
presents substantially the same information that is required
under US GAAP. However, under AIFRS interest paid has been
classified as financing cash flow. Under US GAAP, it should be
classified as operating cash flow.
US
GAAP adjustments
An explanation of the adjustments from AIFRS to US GAAP are as
follows:
|
|
(a)
|
Exploration
and Evaluation Expenditure and Acquisition of Exploration
Properties
|
Under AIFRS the Group follows the area of interest
method in accounting for exploration and evaluation. This method
differs from the successful efforts method adopted
in this reconciliation to US GAAP, in that it permits certain
exploration costs in defined areas of interest to be capitalised.
Under US GAAP exploration costs are charged to expense. In
subsequent financial periods, amortisation or write-offs of
expenditure previously capitalised under AIFRS, which would have
been expensed for US GAAP purposes, is added back when
determining the net loss according to US GAAP.
|
|
(b)
|
Development
Expenditure
|
Under AIFRS, the Group reclassifies its capitalised exploration
and expenditure to development expenditure once the technical
feasibility and commercial viability of the extraction of
mineral resources are demonstrable. Further development
expenditure is capitalised when substantial future economic
benefits are established. For US GAAP purposes, the Group
expenses as incurred expenditure relating to a mine property
until it has been determined that the property can be
economically developed, as evidenced when proven and probable
reserves are determined.
|
|
(c)
|
Minority
Interest Effect of Above Adjustment
|
Adjustments to AIFRS profit/(loss) for the year and total parent
entity interest in equity are disclosed before minority
interest. This adjustment reflects the impact on minority
interests. The adjustment also considers the impact on minority
interests of adjustments to equity.
The Group adopted the fair value recognition provisions of
AASB 2 Share-based Payments with effect from
1 July 2005, including the retrospective restatement of
comparative periods. Under US GAAP, the Group has applied the
fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123) to all
awards granted after 1 July 1995. In the current period,
the Group adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004)
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
(SFAS 123R) on a modified prospective basis.
However, as the Group has fully applied the fair value
recognition provisions of SFAS 123, there are no additional
adjustments required in the current period.
|
|
(e)
|
Capital
Profits Reserve
|
The Company has recorded in its capital profits reserve an
amount of $4,346 relating to the carrying amount of the
revaluation reserve of a fixed asset disposed of pre 1 July
2004. When the asset was sold, the gain or loss was recorded
based on the revalued amount of the asset, and the revaluation
reserve transferred to capital profits reserve.
D-44
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For US GAAP purposes, long-lived assets are required to be
recorded on a depreciable cost basis, and no revaluations of
assets are permitted. Thus the amount reflected in the capital
profits reserve would have been reflected as part of the gain or
loss on disposal for US GAAP purposes. As the revaluation
occurred pre 1 July 2004, there is no adjustment required
in the US GAAP income or equity reconciliation for the periods
presented.
The Group recognises deferred income taxes on temporary
differences between the carrying amount of assets and
liabilities in the balance sheet and their tax bases and on tax
losses. The existing policies for providing for deferred taxes
are consistent with the US GAAP pronouncement,
SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes,
except that under AIFRS, deferred tax assets are recognised only
to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be
available against which the deductible temporary difference can
be utilised, whereas SFAS No. 109 requires deferred
tax assets to be recognized in full, but reduced by a valuation
allowance to an amount that is more likely than not to be
realized.
The Group has recognized deferred tax assets in respect of
income tax losses of $13,361,216 at 30 June 2007,
$11,426,813 at 30 June 2006 and $4,241,460 at 30 June
2005 on the basis that deferred tax liabilities of the same
amounts relating to net taxable temporary differences are
expected to reverse in similar periods in future. In accordance
with the requirements of AIFRS, these have offset by the Group
in its balance sheet.
The Group however has not recognized deferred tax assets in
respect of the remaining income tax capital losses and income
losses of $4,739,100 as at 30 June 2007, $1,342,978 as at
30 June 2006 and $620,286 as at 30 June 2005 due to
the uncertainties involving their realization.
For U.S. GAAP purposes, the amounts not recognized
represent the valuation allowances that would have been recorded
in each year under U.S. GAAP. As the difference between
AIFRS and US GAAP relating to recognition of deferred tax assets
does not affect either net profit/(loss) or shareholders equity,
no adjustments have been recorded in the US GAAP reconciliation.
|
|
(g)
|
Income
Taxes Effect of Other Adjustments
|
Adjustments to the AIFRS net profit/(loss) and
shareholders equity are disclosed on a before tax basis.
No adjustments relating to income tax have been recorded on the
following basis:
i) Exploration and evaluation expenditure
The writing off of capitalised exploration and evaluation
expenditure of $11,354,362 at 30 June 2007, $39,008,722 at
30 June 2006 and $14,138,199 at 30 June 2005 results
in a reduction in the respective deferred tax liabilities for US
GAAP purposes of $3,406,308, $11,702,616 and $4,241,459. However
the reduction in these deferred tax liabilities is offset by an
increase in the valuation allowance for US GAAP purposes, on the
basis that the respective income tax losses will no longer be
able to offset against taxable temporary differences that were
expected to reverse in similar periods in the future. As the net
impact between AIFRS and US GAAP relating to recognition of
deferred tax assets does not affect either net profit/(loss) or
shareholders equity, no adjustments for the income tax
effect of these adjustments have been recorded in the US GAAP
reconciliation.
ii) Development expenditure
The writing off of development expenditure of $39,417,117 at
30 June 2007 results in a reduction in the deferred tax
liabilities for US GAAP purposes of $11,825,135. However the
reduction in the deferred tax liabilities is offset by an
increase in the valuation allowance for US GAAP purposes, on the
basis that the income tax loss will no longer be able to offset
against taxable temporary differences that were expected to
reverse in similar periods in the future. As the net impact
between AIFRS and US GAAP relating to
D-45
BOLNISI
GOLD NL
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
recognition of deferred tax assets does not affect either net
profit/(loss) or shareholders equity, no adjustments for
the income tax effect of these adjustments have been recorded in
the US GAAP reconciliation.
|
|
(h)
|
Impact of
New US GAAP Accounting Standards
|
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, that clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an
enterprises financial statements and prescribes a
threshold of more-likely-than-not for recognition of tax
benefits of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be
taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides related
guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest
and penalties, and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48
will be effective for the Group beginning 1 July 2007, with
any cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle
recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The
Group is in the process of assessing the impact of adopting
FIN 48 on its results of operations and financial position.
In September 2006, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 157 Fair value
measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a
framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures
about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under
other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair
value measurements, the FASB Board having previously concluded
in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the
relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does
not require any new fair value measurements. This Statement will
be effective for the Group from 1 July 2008. The Group
believes that such pronouncement will not have a material impact
on the Groups financial position or results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159 The Fair
Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities. SFAS 159, that permits the measurement
of certain financial instruments at fair value. Entities may
choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified
election dates, reporting unrealized gains and losses on such
items at each subsequent reporting period. SFAS 159 will be
effective for the Group from 1 July 2008. The Group is
currently evaluating the potential impact of the fair value
option but it is not expected to have a significant effect on
reported financial position or results of operations.
D-46
Annex
E
Consolidated Financial Statements of
PALMAREJO SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
Years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the initial
248-day
period ended
June 30, 2005 and cumulative from October 25, 2004 to
June 30, 2007
E-1
INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS REPORT
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Palmarejo
Silver and Gold Corporation (a development stage company) and
its subsidiaries as at June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the
consolidated statements of operations, deficit, contributed
surplus and cash flows for the years ended June 30, 2007
and 2006, the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005 and cumulative from
October 25, 2004 to June 30, 2007. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companys
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America. Those
standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain
reasonable assurance 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, these consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company and its subsidiaries as at June 30, 2007 and 2006
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005 and cumulative from
October 25, 2004 to June 30, 2007 in conformity with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared
assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As
discussed in note 1 to the financial statements, the
Company is in a development stage where activities consist of
mining exploration and development. The Company will
periodically have to raise additional funds to continue
operations, and while it has been successful in doing so in the
past, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so in
the future. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles vary in
certain significant respects from accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. Information
relating to the nature and effect of such differences is
presented in note 16 to the financial statements.
Chartered Accountants
Montréal, Canada
August 2, 2007, except for note 17 which is as of
August 23, 2007
KPMG LLP is a Canadian limited
liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of
independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a
Swiss cooperative.
KPMG Canada provides services to
KPMG LLP.
E-2
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(A development stage company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents (note 4)
|
|
|
17,275,387
|
|
|
|
7,898,399
|
|
Short-term investments (note 4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,448,419
|
|
Due from Fairview Gold Pty Limited (note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,182,030
|
|
Sales taxes receivable (note 5)
|
|
|
4,241,556
|
|
|
|
1,935,432
|
|
Prepaid expenses and deposits
|
|
|
294,193
|
|
|
|
96,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,811,136
|
|
|
|
67,560,740
|
|
Capital assets (note 6)
|
|
|
59,883,241
|
|
|
|
5,541,631
|
|
Exploration projects
|
|
|
47,979,917
|
|
|
|
31,248,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129,674,294
|
|
|
|
104,350,733
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
5,163,666
|
|
|
|
455,231
|
|
Due to Reunion Gold Corporation (note 13)
|
|
|
40,199
|
|
|
|
46,372
|
|
Due to Fairview Gold Pty Limited (note 13)
|
|
|
9,258,976
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of capital lease (note 7)
|
|
|
2,232,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,694,868
|
|
|
|
501,603
|
|
Capital lease (note 7)
|
|
|
8,918,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset retirement obligation (note 8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
751,839
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,613,180
|
|
|
|
1,253,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
Capital stock (note 9)
|
|
|
98,639,299
|
|
|
|
96,693,693
|
|
Warrants (note 9)
|
|
|
12,357,630
|
|
|
|
12,357,630
|
|
Contributed surplus
|
|
|
2,818,399
|
|
|
|
3,265,156
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
(9,754,214
|
)
|
|
|
(9,219,188
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,061,114
|
|
|
|
103,097,291
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129,674,294
|
|
|
|
104,350,733
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments (note 10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed Merger Agreement (note 15)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subsequent events (note 17)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
On behalf of the Board,
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bruce McLeod
|
|
/s/ Anthony Walsh
|
|
|
|
Bruce McLeod, Director
|
|
Anthony Walsh, Director
|
E-3
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(A development stage company)
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
October 25,
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
to June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
1,805,482
|
|
|
|
700,285
|
|
|
|
73,307
|
|
|
|
2,579,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administration
|
|
|
1,311,011
|
|
|
|
1,101,437
|
|
|
|
266,885
|
|
|
|
2,679,333
|
|
Merger-related expenses (note 15)
|
|
|
1,538,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,538,682
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
304,350
|
|
|
|
1,216,213
|
|
|
|
2,488,008
|
|
|
|
4,008,571
|
|
Share issuance and transaction costs in excess of cash acquired
at reverse takeover date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,624,362
|
|
|
|
1,624,362
|
|
Gain on foreign exchange
|
|
|
(813,535
|
)
|
|
|
(536,415
|
)
|
|
|
(41,290
|
)
|
|
|
(1,391,240
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,340,508
|
|
|
|
1,781,235
|
|
|
|
4,337,965
|
|
|
|
8,459,708
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS
|
|
|
(535,026
|
)
|
|
|
(1,080,950
|
)
|
|
|
(4,264,658
|
)
|
|
|
(5,880,634
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per common share (note 9)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares
outstanding (note 9)
|
|
|
90,738,999
|
|
|
|
75,403,248
|
|
|
|
31,052,292
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
E-4
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(A development stage company)
CONSOLIDATED
DEFICIT AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
Cumulative from
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
October 25, 2004
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
|
to June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
|
(9,219,188
|
)
|
|
|
(4,499,978
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(535,026
|
)
|
|
|
(1,080,950
|
)
|
|
|
(4,264,658
|
)
|
|
|
(5,880,634
|
)
|
Common share issue expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,638,260
|
)
|
|
|
(235,320
|
)
|
|
|
(3,873,580
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
|
(9,754,214
|
)
|
|
|
(9,219,188
|
)
|
|
|
(4,499,978
|
)
|
|
|
(9,754,214
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
|
3,265,156
|
|
|
|
2,669,659
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
304,350
|
|
|
|
1,216,213
|
|
|
|
2,488,008
|
|
|
|
4,008,571
|
|
Warrants and options exercised
|
|
|
(751,107
|
)
|
|
|
(620,716
|
)
|
|
|
(48,349
|
)
|
|
|
(1,420,172
|
)
|
Stock-based transaction and common share issue expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
|
2,818,399
|
|
|
|
3,265,156
|
|
|
|
2,669,659
|
|
|
|
2,818,399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
E-5
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(A development stage company)
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
October 25,
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
to June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(535,026
|
)
|
|
|
(1,080,950
|
)
|
|
|
(4,264,658
|
)
|
|
|
(5,880,634
|
)
|
Non-cash items
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
304,350
|
|
|
|
1,216,213
|
|
|
|
2,488,008
|
|
|
|
4,008,571
|
|
Common share issue expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Gain on foreign exchange and other
|
|
|
(831,351
|
)
|
|
|
(840,229
|
)
|
|
|
(84,935
|
)
|
|
|
(1,756,515
|
)
|
Changes in non-cash working capital items
|
|
|
(70,915
|
)
|
|
|
236,558
|
|
|
|
(290,722
|
)
|
|
|
(125,079
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,132,942
|
)
|
|
|
(468,408
|
)
|
|
|
(1,902,307
|
)
|
|
|
(3,503,657
|
)
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
49,448,419
|
|
|
|
(49,448,419
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash from reverse takeover
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
235,320
|
|
|
|
235,320
|
|
Capital assets and exploration projects
|
|
|
(54,184,280
|
)
|
|
|
(25,093,177
|
)
|
|
|
(3,772,949
|
)
|
|
|
(83,050,406
|
)
|
Asset retirement obligation
|
|
|
(751,839
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(751,839
|
)
|
Advances from (to) Fairview Gold Pty Limited
|
|
|
17,681,997
|
|
|
|
1,079,500
|
|
|
|
(545,084
|
)
|
|
|
18,216,413
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,194,297
|
|
|
|
(73,462,096
|
)
|
|
|
(4,082,713
|
)
|
|
|
(65,350,512
|
)
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of capital lease obligation
|
|
|
(2,878,867
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,878,867
|
)
|
Common shares and warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000,000
|
|
|
|
8,500,000
|
|
|
|
83,500,000
|
|
Common share issue expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,638,260
|
)
|
|
|
(235,320
|
)
|
|
|
(3,873,580
|
)
|
Exercise of warrants and options
|
|
|
1,194,500
|
|
|
|
7,892,391
|
|
|
|
295,112
|
|
|
|
9,382,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,684,367
|
)
|
|
|
79,254,131
|
|
|
|
8,559,792
|
|
|
|
86,129,556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
9,376,988
|
|
|
|
5,323,627
|
|
|
|
2,574,772
|
|
|
|
17,275,387
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
7,898,399
|
|
|
|
2,574,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
|
|
|
17,275,387
|
|
|
|
7,898,399
|
|
|
|
2,574,772
|
|
|
|
17,275,387
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in other non-cash items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales taxes receivable and deposits related to exploration
projects
|
|
|
(2,415,736
|
)
|
|
|
(1,313,215
|
)
|
|
|
(553,363
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable related to exploration projects
|
|
|
4,685,056
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
305,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment under capital lease
|
|
|
14,619,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of shares for the reverse takeover
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
255,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of shares for the acquisition of a mining project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,939,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of warrants and options
|
|
|
751,106
|
|
|
|
620,716
|
|
|
|
48,349
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of warrants applied as a reduction of Due to (from)
Fairview Gold Pty Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
E-6
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(A development stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED EXPENDITURES ON EXPLORATION PROJECTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative from
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
Acquisition
|
|
|
October 25, 2004
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
|
(Note 3)
|
|
|
to June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
|
31,248,362
|
|
|
|
12,258,192
|
|
|
|
7,546,139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geology
|
|
|
75,613
|
|
|
|
83,146
|
|
|
|
108,556
|
|
|
|
721,919
|
|
|
|
989,234
|
|
Drilling and assaying
|
|
|
9,346,493
|
|
|
|
10,432,327
|
|
|
|
2,515,469
|
|
|
|
4,356,784
|
|
|
|
26,651,073
|
|
Tenement payments
|
|
|
771,044
|
|
|
|
855,032
|
|
|
|
648,462
|
|
|
|
421,786
|
|
|
|
2,696,324
|
|
Land disturbance rehabilitation
|
|
|
104,875
|
|
|
|
752,645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
857,520
|
|
Technical services and others
|
|
|
6,433,530
|
|
|
|
6,867,020
|
|
|
|
1,439,566
|
|
|
|
2,045,650
|
|
|
|
16,785,766
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,731,555
|
|
|
|
18,990,170
|
|
|
|
4,712,053
|
|
|
|
7,546,139
|
|
|
|
47,979,917
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
|
47,979,917
|
|
|
|
31,248,362
|
|
|
|
12,258,192
|
|
|
|
7,546,139
|
|
|
|
47,979,917
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
E-7
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2007
|
|
1.
|
GOVERNING
STATUTES AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
|
The Company was incorporated under the Alberta Business
Corporations Act on May 11, 2004 and was continued under
the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) on
March 21, 2005 following the completion of a reverse
takeover (see note 3).
The Company holds a 100% interest in a group of silver and gold
mineral concessions covering 12,115 hectares in the Temoris
District of Chihuahua, Mexico (the Palmarejo
Project).
At June 30, 2007, Bolnisi Gold NL (Bolnisi), an
Australian-listed public company, owns 73.3% of the share
capital of the Company.
The Company is in a development stage where its activities
consist of the exploration and development of the Palmarejo
Project. The Company may also stake or acquire other lands or
mineral properties as such opportunities arise.
The Company has not yet determined whether its properties
contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The
recovery of costs incurred on these properties is subject to the
discovery of economic ore deposits and the ability to secure
appropriate financing to place these properties into production.
The Company will periodically have to raise additional funds to
continue operations, and while it has been successful in doing
so in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be able
to do so in the future.
Although the Company has taken steps to verify title to the
mineral claims in which it has an interest, in accordance with
industry standards for the current stage of exploration of such
properties, these procedures do not guarantee the Companys
title. Property title may be subject to unregistered prior
agreements and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with Canadian generally accounting principles (Canadian
GAAP). As described in note 16, these principles
differ in certain material respects from the principles that the
Company would have followed had its consolidated financial
statements been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States (US
GAAP). The significant accounting policies followed by the
Company are as follows:
Accounting
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with
Canadian GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts recorded in the financial
statements and notes to financial statements. These estimates
and assumptions are based on managements best knowledge of
current events and current plans of actions that the Company may
undertake in the future. Actual results may differ from those
estimates. Significant areas where management judgement is
applied are the carrying value of capital assets and exploration
projects, asset retirement obligation and stock-based
compensation.
Principles
of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include bank balances and short-term
investments in money market instruments with an original term of
less than three months that are carried at the lower of cost and
fair value.
E-8
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Short-term
Investments
Short-term investments consist of investments in money market
instruments with an original term of three months or more, but
less than one year, that are carried at the lower of cost and
fair value.
Capital
Assets
Capital assets, accounted for at cost, include plant, equipment
and development costs. If commercial production is achieved,
these assets will be depreciated over the useful life of the
related mining property or on their anticipated useful life, if
the useful life of the assets is less than the life of the mine.
If the related mining property is abandoned, these assets will
be written down to their net realizable value.
Exploration
Projects
Acquisition costs and expenditures on mineral exploration
programs are deferred until the commercial viability of the
property is determined. If commercial production is achieved,
the capitalized costs are amortized over the estimated useful
life of the mine or on their anticipated useful life, if the
useful life of the asset is less than the life of the mine. If a
property is abandoned or the costs to date are determined to be
unrecoverable, the accumulated acquisition and exploration
expenditures are charged to operations in the year in which the
determination is made.
Asset
Retirement Obligation
The Company recognizes the fair value of an estimated liability
for the future closure and reclamation costs with a
corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related
long-lived asset. The Company defers the amount added to the
asset until the commercial viability of the property is
determined. If commercial production is achieved, the Company
amortizes the amount added on the same basis as the depreciation
method established for the related asset. An accretion expense
in relation with the discounted liability over the estimated
life of the property is accounted for as an expense and added to
the asset retirement obligation. The liability is adjusted at
the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and
changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the
obligation.
Income
Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting
for income taxes. Under this method, future income tax assets
and liabilities are determined according to differences between
the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and
liabilities. They are measured by applying enacted or
substantively enacted tax rates and laws at the date of the
financial statements for the years in which temporary
differences are expected to reverse. The Company establishes a
valuation allowance against future tax assets if, based on
available information, it is more unlikely than not that some or
all of the future tax assets will be realized.
Foreign
Currency Translation
Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company and of its
integrated subsidiaries are translated into Canadian dollars at
the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, whereas
non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the
exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Revenues and
expenses are translated at the average rate in effect during the
year with the exception of depreciation and depletion that is
translated at the historical rate. Gains and losses on exchange
arising from translation are recorded in operations for the year.
Loss
per Share
Loss per share is the result of net loss divided by the average
outstanding number of shares during the period. Diluted loss per
share is determined taking into account the dilutive effect of
arrangements to issue common shares
E-9
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
as if these arrangements were exercised at the beginning of the
year or at the grant date. Diluted earnings per share are
determined using the treasury-stock method. This method assumes
that the proceeds from the exercise of stock options are used to
redeem common shares at the average trade price during the
period.
In the Companys case, diluted loss per share is the same
as basic loss per share as the effect of any of the outstanding
options and warrants would be anti-dilutive.
Stock
Option Plan
The Company measures the compensation cost of stock options
issued under employee and non-employee compensation plans using
a fair value-based method. Compensation costs are measured at
the grant date based on the fair value of the award using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model and are recognized over the
related vesting period as an expense with a corresponding
increase to contributed surplus.
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model used to calculate option
values, as well as other currently accepted option valuation
models, were developed to estimate the fair value of freely
tradeable, fully transferable options without vesting
restrictions, which significantly differ from the Companys
stock option awards. The models also require highly subjective
assumptions, including future stock price volatility and
expected time until exercise, which greatly affect the
calculated values.
Acquisition
of the Palmarejo Project
On October 25, 2004, Palmarejo Acquisition Corporation
(Palmarejo Acquisition) was incorporated under the
CBCA to facilitate and effect the Business Combination
Transaction, the acquisition and the financing described in the
following paragraphs.
On March 21, 2005, the Business Combination Transaction was
completed involving: (1) the acquisition by Palmarejo
Acquisition from Fairview Gold Pty Limited
(Fairview), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bolnisi, of
all of the issued and outstanding shares of Ocampo Services,
Inc. and Ocampo Resources Inc. (the
U.S. Entities) for 52,250,000 Palmarejo
Acquisition common shares and 12,500,000 Palmarejo Acquisition
warrants; and (2) the amalgamation of Palmarejo Acquisition
with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Palmarejo Silver and Gold
Corporation (the Amalgamation), pursuant to which
holders of common shares, warrants and options of Palmarejo
Acquisition received, in exchange, one Palmarejo Silver and Gold
common share in exchange for each Palmarejo Acquisition common
share, one Palmarejo Silver and Gold warrant in exchange for
each Palmarejo Acquisition warrant and one Palmarejo Silver and
Gold option in exchange for each Palmarejo Acquisition option.
The U.S. Entities own all of the issued and outstanding
securities of Planet Gold SA de CV (Planet Gold),
which held all of Bolnisis interests in the Palmarejo
Project. Palmarejo Acquisition agreed to reimburse Bolnisi for
all exploration expenses incurred at the Palmarejo Project from
November 23, 2004, the date of a letter of intent
(LOI) between Bolnisi, Palmarejo Acquisition and
Bonita Capital Corporation (Bonita), to the closing
of the Business Combination. These exploration expenses were
reimbursed on April 13, 2005.
The value of the net assets acquired had been established as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
$
|
162,911
|
|
Exploration projects
|
|
|
7,546,139
|
|
Due to Fairview Gold Pty Limited
|
|
|
(3,769,615
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets acquired at fair value
|
|
$
|
3,939,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-10
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Financing
In conjunction with the Business Combination Transaction,
Palmarejo Acquisition completed, in December 2004, a financing
through the issuance of 8,500,000 Subscription Receipts at a
price of $1.00 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross
proceeds of $8,500,000. Each Subscription Receipt entitled the
holder thereof, upon exchange or deemed exchange, to receive one
Palmarejo Acquisition Share and one half of one Financing
Warrant. The Subscription Receipts were deemed to be exchanged
immediately prior to the Business Combination. Each whole
Financing Warrant entitled the holder thereof to purchase one
Palmarejo Acquisition Share at a price of $1.50 for a period of
24 months following the closing of the Financing.
Commencing 180 days after the closing of the Business
Combination, the Company had the right to accelerate the
exercise of all outstanding Financing Warrants if the closing
price of the Companys shares was above $1.75 for 20
consecutive trading days. The Company exercised its call right
on September 21, 2005.
In consideration of the services provided by the Agents in
connection with the Financing, the Agents received a cash
commission equal to 7% of the gross proceeds raised under the
Financing and the Palmarejo Acquisition Agents
Compensation Options to acquire up to 7% of the total number of
Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the Financing, each
exercisable for one Palmarejo Acquisition Share and one half of
one Financing Warrant at a price of $1.00, for a period of
24 months after completion of the Financing.
Reverse
Takeover of Bonita Capital Corporation
On March 21, 2005, Bonita completed a business combination
pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bonita, 6332625
Canada Ltd., amalgamated with Palmarejo Acquisition and Bonita
issued to each Palmarejo Acquisition shareholder one common
share in its capital (under the name of Palmarejo Silver and
Gold Corporation), for each outstanding Palmarejo Acquisition
common share as proposed in Bonitas filing statement dated
March 14, 2005. After the business combination, the
shareholders of Palmarejo Acquisition controlled Bonita and
consequently the business combination was accounted for as a
reverse takeover. These financial statements reflect the
accounts of Palmarejo Acquistion at book value since it is
deemed to be the purchaser.
In accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants (EIC-10), as Bonita did not meet the
definition of a business, this reverse takeover did not
constitute a business combination but a capital transaction in
substance. The activities of Bonita have been accounted for in
the results of the Company since the date of completion of the
business combination. The fair value of the net assets acquired,
which consisted of cash, was established at $235,320.
|
|
4.
|
CASH AND
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
3,602,851
|
|
|
$
|
126,440
|
|
Short-term investments with initial maturities of less than
three months, bearing interest at rates varying from 4.40% to
4.53% (4.42% to 4.52% in 2006)
|
|
|
13,672,536
|
|
|
|
7,771,959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,275,387
|
|
|
$
|
7,898,399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments with initial maturities of more than
three months but less than six months, bearing interest at rates
varying from 4.05% to 4.10% in 2006
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
49,448,419
|
|
E-11
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
5.
|
SALES
TAXES RECEIVABLE
|
The sales taxes receivable consist mostly of amounts paid on the
purchase of goods and services in Mexico. In the event that
sales taxes claimed are not deemed reimbursable by the Mexican
authorities, such amount will be reclassified to Capital assets
and/or
Exploration projects.
Capital assets are comprised as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Net Book Value
|
|
|
Net Book Value
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
Vehicle and office equipment
|
|
$
|
231,399
|
|
|
$
|
21,446
|
|
|
$
|
209,953
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Equipment under capital lease
|
|
|
14,619,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,619,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
45,053,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,053,951
|
|
|
|
5,541,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
59,904,687
|
|
|
$
|
21,446
|
|
|
$
|
59,883,241
|
|
|
$
|
5,541,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital lease obligations are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Total future lease payments
|
|
$
|
12,781,318
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Less: interest
|
|
|
1,630,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,150,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: current portion
|
|
|
2,232,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term portion of capital lease
|
|
$
|
8,918,312
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In December 2006, the Company entered into a
2-year lease
agreement for a power station. Under the terms of the agreement,
with amendment dated January 2007, the Company will pay a fixed
monthly amount of US $263,148, including interest calculated at
the rate of LIBOR plus 1.25%. The Company has the option at the
end of the agreement to purchase the asset by paying a nominal
amount.
In June 2007, the Company entered into a
5-year lease
agreement for a total amount of US $30,561,508, for mining
equipment to be delivered to the Company as the equipment
becomes available from the supplier. Under the terms of the
agreement for the
1st delivery
of such mining equipment, in the amount of US $4,564,559, the
Company will pay a fixed monthly amount of US $94,686, including
interest calculated at the rate of LIBOR plus 3.65%. The Company
has the option at the end of the agreement to purchase the
equipment by paying a nominal amount.
The estimated future minimum payments under the leases are: US
$2,095,000 in 2008, US $3,771,200 in 2009, US $2,447,800 in
2010, US $983,000 in 2011, US $1,074,900 in 2012 and US $94,000
in 2013.
|
|
8.
|
ASSET
RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
|
The Company recorded an asset retirement obligation of $751,839
at June 30, 2006 equivalent to the amount to be paid to the
National Forestry Commission of Mexico to enable the
rehabilitation of specified disturbed land. This obligation was
determined by the Mexican authorities based on the number of
hectares deemed to be disturbed and a fixed amount of
rehabilitation per hectare. During the year ended June 30,
2007, the Company paid this obligation with related future
rehabilitation work to be undertaken by the National Forestry
Commission of Mexico.
E-12
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Unlimited number of common shares, issuable in series.
Unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. The
preferred shares are issuable from time to time in one or more
series in such numbers and with such attributes as the directors
may determine by resolution.
The preferred shares of each series shall, with respect to the
payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of
capital in the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up
of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, rank on a
parity with the preferred shares of every other series and be
entitled to a preference and priority over the common shares and
over any other shares of the Company ranking junior to the
preferred shares.
Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions
that may be attached to a particular series of preferred shares
by the directors of the Company in accordance with the
conditions attached to the preferred shares, in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up
of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or upon
another return of capital or distribution of the assets of the
Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its
affairs, the holders of the preferred shares shall be entitled
to receive, before any distribution of any part of the assets of
the Company among the holders of any other shares, for each
preferred share, an amount equal to the redemption price of such
share and any dividends declared thereon and unpaid and no more.
Issued
and Fully Paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, 2007
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Common shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of year
|
|
|
90,220,739
|
|
|
$
|
96,693,693
|
|
|
|
64,157,425
|
|
|
$
|
11,512,716
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private placement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,894,737
|
|
|
|
62,642,370
|
|
Exercise of warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,483,575
|
|
|
|
21,398,169
|
|
Exercise of stock options
|
|
|
1,030,999
|
|
|
|
1,945,606
|
|
|
|
685,002
|
|
|
|
1,140,438
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
|
91,251,738
|
|
|
$
|
98,639,299
|
|
|
|
90,220,739
|
|
|
$
|
96,693,693
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June
2006 Financing
On April 19, 2006, the Company completed a private
placement of 7,894,737 special warrants at a price of $9.50 per
special warrant for total gross proceeds of $75,000,000. On
June 19, 2006, each holder of special warrants received,
without further consideration, one common share and one-half
common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable
at a price of $12.50 at any time prior to October 19, 2007.
The value of the common share purchase warrants, estimated at
$12,357,630 was presented separately on the consolidated balance
sheets. Share issue expenses of $3,638,260, attributable to the
June 2006 financing, were presented as part of the deficit.
E-13
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Warrants
The outstanding number of warrants exercisable into common
shares are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
and June 30,
|
|
Number of Warrants
|
|
2005
|
|
|
(Exercised)
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Pursuant to the acquisition(1)
|
|
|
12,500,000
|
|
|
|
(12,500,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the December 2004 financing(2)
|
|
|
4,237,500
|
|
|
|
(4,231,000
|
)
|
|
|
(6,500
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Brokers warrants 2004 financing(3)
|
|
|
404,950
|
|
|
|
(404,950
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokers underlying warrants 2004 financing(3)
|
|
|
282,625
|
|
|
|
(282,625
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokers warrants Bonita IPO(3)
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
(65,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the June 2006 financing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,947,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,947,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,490,075
|
|
|
|
(13,536,207
|
)
|
|
|
(6,500
|
)
|
|
|
3,947,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants issued as part of the December 2004 financing and the
June 2006 financing were measured at the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes pricing model. Values of $0.36 and $3.13,
respectively, per warrant, were attributed based on the
following weighted average assumptions and presented separately
on the consolidated balance sheets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2006
|
|
|
December 2004
|
|
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
Expected stock price volatility
|
|
|
79.10
|
%
|
|
|
85.00
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.09
|
%
|
|
|
3.44
|
%
|
Expected life of warrants
|
|
|
18 months
|
|
|
|
2 years
|
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
On November 25, 2005, Bolnisi exercised its 12,500,000
warrants. Each warrant was exercised for one common share of the
Company at a price of $1 per share. The amount was applied as a
reduction of a portion of the debt due to Fairview. |
|
(2) |
|
Following the Companys decision to call all of the
warrants issued pursuant to the financing described in
note 3, a total of 4,231,000 warrants were exercised in
2006 (12,500 in 2005), with each warrant exercised for one
common share of the Company at a price of $1.50 per share. The
remaining 6,500 unexercised warrants expired. |
|
(3) |
|
Brokers warrants, issued following the private placement
and the IPO described in note 3, were exercised, with each
warrant exercised for one common share of the Company. A total
of 404,950 warrants were exercised in 2006 at a price of $1 per
share (190,050 of such warrants exercised in 2005), a total of
282,625 warrants were exercised in 2006 at a price of $1.50 per
share (14,875 of such warrants exercised in 2005) and a
total of 65,000 warrants were exercised in 2006 at a price of
$0.20 per share (20,000 of such warrants exercised in 2005). |
E-14
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Stock
Option Plan
The Company has granted stock options to its directors, officers
and consultants. These options are governed by the terms of the
Company stock option plan and are exercisable for a period of
five years following their issuance. Options granted are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
December 8, 2005
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
April 5, 2005
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
December 23, 2004
|
|
|
5,530,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
The Company accounts for all stock-based compensation
arrangements using the fair value method, under which a
compensation expense is recorded based on the estimated fair
value of the options as determined at the time of the grant.
Consideration received on the exercise of stock options under
the stock option plan is recorded to share capital.
The fair value of the options was estimated using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model. Calculations were based on a
market price of $3.90 on December 8, 2005, $1.95 on
April 5, 2005 and $1.00 on December 23, 2004, an
expected volatility of 80% to 85%, a risk-free interest rate
ranging from 3.44% to 3.86%, an expected life of 4 years
and a 0% expected dividend. The theoretical fair value of the
options granted is $2.37 on December 8, 2005, $1.23 on
April 5, 2005 and $0.63 on December 23, 2004 per
option, according to this method. The compensation expense
accrues over the vesting period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of year
|
|
|
4,833,332
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
5,525,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(940,999
|
)
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
(665,002
|
)
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
(50,000
|
)
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
(20,000
|
)
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
|
(40,000
|
)
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(33,333
|
)
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
(26,666
|
)
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
|
3,859,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
4,833,332
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,049,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,113,332
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-15
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at June 30, 2007, the outstanding options have the
following features:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Exercisable
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
2.50 years
|
|
|
3,859,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
3,859,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
2.75 years
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
|
3.50 years
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,049,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,999,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
per Common Share
Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per
share as the effect of any of the outstanding options and
warrants would be anti-dilutive.
In order to maintain current its rights of tenure to exploration
tenements, the Company is required to make the following
payments as specified by tenement licenses. These obligations,
which total US $786,000 at June 30, 2007, are payable
within the next 12 months.
At June 30, 2007, the Company had purchase commitments in
respect of construction and development activities of $9,093,000
in addition to the purchase of mining equipment under capital
lease described in note 7.
|
|
11.
|
FAIR
VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
|
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated
fair values of the Companys financial instruments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
17,275,387
|
|
|
$
|
17,275,387
|
|
|
$
|
7,898,399
|
|
|
$
|
7,902,264
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,448,419
|
|
|
|
49,757,020
|
|
Due from (due to) Fairview Gold Pty Limited
|
|
|
(9,258,976
|
)
|
|
|
(9,258,976
|
)
|
|
|
8,182,030
|
|
|
|
8,182,030
|
|
Sales taxes receivable
|
|
|
4,241,556
|
|
|
|
4,241,556
|
|
|
|
1,935,432
|
|
|
|
1,935,432
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(5,163,666
|
)
|
|
|
(5,163,666
|
)
|
|
|
(455,231
|
)
|
|
|
(455,231
|
)
|
Due to Reunion Gold Corporation
|
|
|
(40,199
|
)
|
|
|
(40,199
|
)
|
|
|
(46,372
|
)
|
|
|
(46,372
|
)
|
Capital lease
|
|
|
(11,150,339
|
)
|
|
|
(11,150,339
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
Currency Risk
As all exploration expenses are incurred in a foreign currency
(United States dollars, Australian dollars or Mexican pesos),
the Company is exposed to currency risk. The Company does not
use derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign
exchange risks. Financial instruments denominated in foreign
currencies consist of the amount due to Fairview, sales taxes
receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and capital
lease.
E-16
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The income tax provision differs from the amount resulting from
the application of the Canadian statutory income tax rate as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Net loss before income taxes
|
|
$
|
(535,026
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,080,950
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit at combined Canadian statutory rate
|
|
$
|
(171,315
|
)
|
|
$
|
(346,120
|
)
|
Non taxable items
|
|
|
(175,356
|
)
|
|
|
(171,279
|
)
|
Unrecognized tax benefit
|
|
|
346,671
|
|
|
|
517,399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax recovery
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007, the future income tax assets were
detailed as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Financing fee carryforwards
|
|
$
|
1,011,790
|
|
|
$
|
1,413,520
|
|
Losses carryforward
|
|
|
1,280,206
|
|
|
|
1,056,169
|
|
Cumulative eligible capital deduction
|
|
|
467,737
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration projects
|
|
|
1,393
|
|
|
|
1,394
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,761,126
|
|
|
|
2,471,083
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(2,761,126
|
)
|
|
|
(2,471,083
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future income tax assets
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses carried forward as at June 30, 2007 will expire as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
12,968
|
|
2013
|
|
|
324,168
|
|
2014
|
|
|
721,824
|
|
2015
|
|
|
1,231,880
|
|
2026
|
|
|
1,287,667
|
|
2027
|
|
|
632,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,211,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.
|
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
Fairview settles all exploration and project development
expenditures on behalf of the Company. Periodically, the Company
reimburses Fairview for such expenditures and on occasions, the
Company will advance funds to Fairview in anticipation of such
exploration and development expenditures. At June 30, 2007,
the Company had an amount payable of $9,258,976 to Fairview
($8,182,030 receivable from Fairview at June 30, 2006). The
loan to (from) Fairview is interest free and repayable on
demand. Also, an amount of $220,790 was charged during the year
($Nil in 2006) by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairview,
for management services related to exploration and development
activities.
E-17
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
During the year, an amount of $460,400 ($521,600 during the year
ended June 30, 2006 and $203,900 during the initial
248-day
period ended June 30, 2005) was charged by Reunion
Gold Corporation (a company under common management) for
management services which represent related party transactions
concluded in the normal course of business. These transactions
were measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount agreed
upon by the parties.
|
|
14.
|
SEGMENTED
INFORMATION
|
The Company operates in only one reportable sector of activity:
mining exploration. The financial information by geographic
sector is as follows:
Identifiable assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Mexico
|
|
$
|
114,241,927
|
|
|
$
|
38,631,667
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
14,073,657
|
|
|
|
65,719,066
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
1,358,710
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
129,674,294
|
|
|
$
|
104,350,733
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.
|
PROPOSED
MERGER AGREEMENT
|
On May 3, 2007, the Company (Palmarejo) and
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation (Coeur) entered
into a Merger Implementation Agreement (the Palmarejo
MIA). Concurrently, Coeur entered into a Merger
Implementation Agreement (the Bolnisi MIA) with
Bolnisi Gold NL (Bolnisi), Palmarejos majority
shareholder. Under the terms of the Palmarejo MIA, Palmarejo
shareholders, other than Bolnisi, will receive 2.715 Coeur
shares for each Palmarejo share they own and a nominal cash
payment equal to C$0.004 per Palmarejo share pursuant to a plan
of arrangement. Under the terms of the Bolnisi MIA, Bolnisi
shareholders will receive 0.682 Coeur shares for each Bolnisi
share they own and a nominal cash payment equal to A$0.004 per
Bolnisi share pursuant to a scheme of arrangement.
The Transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of
Palmarejo, Coeur and Bolnisi and satisfaction of customary
closing conditions (including completion of regulatory reviews
and receipt of regulatory approvals). The consummation of each
of the Palmarejo transaction and the Bolnisi transaction is also
conditional upon the completion of the other transaction,
although Coeur has the right to waive this condition, if the
Palmarejo transaction does not proceed, and still proceed with
the Bolnisi transaction. The Bolnisi transaction was subject to
the completion of satisfactory due diligence by Coeur (which
process was completed on July 3, 2007).
The Palmarejo plan of arrangement must be approved by two-thirds
(2/3) of the votes cast by shareholders present and voting at a
special meeting of shareholders called to consider the
transaction, as well as a simple majority of the votes cast by
such shareholders (excluding interested parties). The Bolnisi
scheme of arrangement requires the approval of three-fourths
(3/4) of the total shares voted, plus half of the shareholders
present and voting at the meeting, either in person or by proxy.
Both arrangements require approval by the applicable courts in
Canada and Australia.
In connection with the Bolnisi transaction, each of the
directors of Bolnisi has entered into a call option deed, which,
between them, grants Coeur the right to acquire up to 19.9% of
Bolnisis outstanding shares held by the directors at the
same price as that offered by Coeur to other Bolnisi
shareholders under the Bolnisi scheme of arrangement.
E-18
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The parties have also agreed to give each other exclusivity,
subject to certain exceptions, and to a reciprocal break fee of
1% payable in certain circumstances.
Assuming timely completion of the required regulatory processes
and receipt of the required shareholder and court approvals, the
companies expect the transactions to be completed in the fourth
quarter of calendar year 2007.
A special committee of independent directors of Palmarejo
completed a review of the transaction, including seeking advice
from financial advisors and legal counsel, and the special
committee received a fairness opinion from the financial
advisor. The special committee also retained a separate
independent financial advisor to complete a formal valuation in
connection with the transaction as contemplated by Canadian
securities laws. After consideration, the special committee
unanimously recommended approving the transaction to the
Palmarejo board of directors, which subsequently approved and
authorized Palmarejo to enter into the agreement. Furthermore,
the Palmarejo board, on recommendation of the special committee,
has authorized the submission of the transaction to its
shareholders for approval at a special meeting of shareholders
and the Palmarejo board has unanimously recommended that
Palmarejo shareholders vote in favour of the transaction.
Merger-related expenses incurred by the Company, which have been
estimated at $1,538,682 at June 30, 2007, have been
presented separately on the consolidated statement of
operations. These expenses include legal, financial advisory and
accounting fees.
|
|
16.
|
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN CANADIAN AND US GAAP
|
The effect of the material measurement differences between
Canadian and US GAAP on the Companys balance sheet items,
consolidated operations and shareholders equity is
summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Exploration projects reported under Canadian GAAP
|
|
$
|
47,979,917
|
|
|
$
|
31,248,362
|
|
Expenditures on Exploration Projects(d)
|
|
|
(47,979,917
|
)
|
|
|
(31,248,362
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration projects reported under US GAAP
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Shareholders equity reported under Canadian GAAP
|
|
$
|
104,061,114
|
|
|
$
|
103,097,291
|
|
Expenditures on Exploration Projects(d)
|
|
|
(47,979,917
|
)
|
|
|
(31,248,362
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
312,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity reported under US GAAP
|
|
$
|
56,081,197
|
|
|
$
|
72,161,395
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-19
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
(c)
|
Consolidated
Operations and Other Comprehensive Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial 248-Day
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Period Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Net loss reported under Canadian GAAP
|
|
$
|
(535,026
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,080,950
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,264,658
|
)
|
Add (deduct)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures on Exploration Projects(d)
|
|
|
(16,731,555
|
)
|
|
|
(18,990,170
|
)
|
|
|
(4,712,053
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss reported under US GAAP, before comprehensive income
adjustments
|
|
$
|
(17,266,581
|
)
|
|
$
|
(20,071,120
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,976,711
|
)
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add (deduct)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains on short-term investments(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
312,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
(17,266,581
|
)
|
|
|
(19,758,654
|
)
|
|
|
(8,976,711
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share reported under US GAAP,
before comprehensive income adjustments
|
|
$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
Expenditures
on Exploration Projects
|
Under Canadian GAAP, expenditures on exploration projects are
deferred until the commercial viability of the property is
determined. For US GAAP purposes, the Company expenses as
incurred exploration expenditures relating to unproven mineral
properties. When proven and probable reserves are determined for
a property, subsequent exploration and development costs of the
property are capitalized.
Under US GAAP, comprehensive income is recognized and measured
in accordance with FASB Statement No. 130
Reporting Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes
all changes in equity other than those resulting from
investments by owners and distribution to owners. Comprehensive
income includes net earnings and other comprehensive income.
Other comprehensive income items include unrealized gains
(losses) on investments. A standard for comprehensive income and
other comprehensive income is effective under Canadian GAAP on
July 1, 2007.
For US GAAP purposes, certain of the Companys short-term
investments are considered as available-for-sale instruments.
Available-for-sale instruments are carried at fair value with
unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income
until realized or until an other-than-temporary decline occurs.
|
|
(f)
|
Stock-based
Compensation
|
Under Canadian GAAP, the Company measures the compensation cost
of stock options issued under its employee and non-employee
compensation plans using a fair value based method.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company has applied the fair
value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 123 Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123). No
differences exist between the accounting for stock-based
compensation in 2006 and 2007 between Canadian and US GAAP.
E-20
PALMAREJO
SILVER AND GOLD CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
At August 23, 2007, the Company had an amount of
$6.9 million invested in Canadian Asset-Backed Commercial
Paper (ABCP) which maturities were not met. The
instruments remain outstanding. A consortium representing banks,
asset providers and major investors are taking steps to
re-establish normal operations for Canadian ABCP. The
Companys ABCP investments were all rated R1-High by the
Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) at the time they
were purchased.
The Company is also in the process of securing a temporary
financing with the National Bank of Canada in the amount of
$2.0 million. Such financing which would expire on
September 30, 2007 or at a date when the liquidity crisis
is resolved, would bear interest at the prime rate less 1.50%
and be secured by the investment accounts held at National Bank
Trust.
E-21
Annex F-1
May 2, 2007
The Board of Directors
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene, Idaho, 83814
United States of America
To the Board of Directors:
We understand that Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
(Coeur) is proposing to enter into (i) a Merger
Implementation Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2007 (the
Bolnisi Merger Agreement) with Bolnisi Gold NL
(Bolnisi), pursuant to which, among other things,
Coeur will acquire all of the ordinary shares on issue of
Bolnisi for consideration of 0.682 shares of Coeur plus
A$0.004 per Bolnisi share (the Bolnisi
Consideration), and (ii) a Merger Implementation
Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2007 (the Palmarejo
Merger Agreement, and together with the Bolnisi Merger
Agreement, the Merger Agreements) with Palmarejo
Silver and Gold Corporation (Palmarejo), pursuant to
which, among other things, Coeur will acquire all of the common
shares on issue of Palmarejo not already owned by Bolnisi for
consideration of 2.715 shares of Coeur plus
C$0.004 per Palmarejo share (the Palmarejo
Consideration and, together with the Bolnisi
Consideration, the Consideration). The acquisition
of the ordinary shares of Bolnisi pursuant to the Bolnisi Merger
Agreement (the Bolnisi Acquisition) and the
acquisition of the common shares of Palmarejo not already owned
by Bolnisi pursuant to the Palmarejo Merger Agreement (the
Palmarejo Acquisition), are collectively referred to
herein as the Transaction. It is our understanding
that each of the Bolnisi Acquisition and the Palmarejo
Acquisition is conditioned upon consummation of the other.
Engagement
of CIBC World Markets
By letter agreements dated March 1, 2007 and April 26,
2007 (collectively, the Engagement Agreement), Coeur
retained CIBC Australia Limited (CIBC Australia) as
its financial advisor and to render an opinion in connection
with the Transaction. Pursuant to the Engagement Agreement,
Coeur has requested CIBC Australia, through its affiliate, CIBC
World Markets Inc. (CIBC World Markets), to prepare
and deliver a written opinion (the Opinion) to the
board of directors of Coeur (the Board of Directors)
as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to the Transaction.
CIBC Australia will be paid a fee for rendering the Opinion and
will be paid an additional fee contingent upon the successful
completion of the Transaction. Coeur has also agreed to
reimburse CIBC Australia for reasonable
out-of-pocket
expenses and to indemnify CIBC Australia, including its
affiliates, in respect of certain liabilities that might arise
out of the engagement.
Credentials
of CIBC World Markets
CIBC World Markets is one of Canadas largest investment
banking firms with operations in all facets of corporate and
government finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity and fixed
income sales and trading and investment research. The Opinion
expressed herein is the opinion of CIBC World Markets and the
form and content herein have been approved for release by a
committee of its managing directors and internal counsel, each
of whom is experienced in merger, acquisition, divestiture and
valuation matters.
F-1-1
Scope of
Review
In connection with rendering our Opinion, we have reviewed and
relied upon, among other things, the following:
i) Drafts of the Merger Agreements, dated Wednesday,
April 25, 2007;
ii) The draft Call Option Deeds between Coeur and each of
the directors of Bolnisi, dated Wednesday, April 25, 2007;
iii) The annual reports for Coeur for the years ended
December 31, 2004 to 2006;
iv) The annual reports for Bolnisi for the years ended
June 30, 2004 to 2006;
v) The annual reports for Palmarejo, together with its
Annual Information Form, for the years ended June 30, 2005
to 2006;
vi) The unaudited half-yearly reports for the periods
ending December 31, 2004 to 2006 for Bolnisi;
vii) The unaudited quarterly reports for the periods ending
September 30, 2005 to December 31, 2006 for Palmarejo;
viii) The quarterly activities reports for the periods
ending September 30, 2004 to December 31, 2006 for
Bolnisi;
ix) The National Instrument
43-101
compliant technical report prepared for Palmarejo dated
October 1, 2006;
x) The Palmarejo Prospectus dated June 15, 2006
relating to a C$75 million special warrant fundraising;
xi) Resource estimates for the Palmarejo-Trogan project
announced by Bolnisi on October 25, 2006 and
January 16, 2007; and
xii) The Palmarejo investor fact sheet dated March 27,
2007
xiii) Publicly available research, stock market, financial
and other data pertaining to Coeur, Bolnisi, Palmarejo and other
silver and gold companies which we believe to be comparable to
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo;
xiv) The financial terms of certain recent business
combinations in the mining industry specifically and in other
industries generally;
xv) Discussions with the senior management of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo regarding their assessment of the
strategic rationale for, and the potential benefits of, the
Transaction, and the current operations, financial condition and
future prospects of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, respectively,
and the proposed combined entity;
xvi) Certain confidential information provided by Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo including corporate production and
financial forecasts for Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, material
contracts and agreements, executive compensation, taxation and
provisioning for potential or contingent liabilities;
xvii) Certain discussions and negotiations among the
representatives of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and their
respective legal advisors; and
xviii) Such other financial studies and analyses and
performed such other investigations and taken into account such
other matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate.
Assumptions
and Limitations
Our Opinion is subject to the assumptions, explanations and
limitations set forth below.
We have not been asked to prepare and have not prepared a formal
valuation or appraisal of any of the assets or securities of
Coeur, Bolnisi, Palmarejo or any of their respective affiliates
and our Opinion should not be construed
F-1-2
as such, nor have we been requested to identify, solicit,
consider or develop any potential alternatives to the
Transaction.
We have relied upon, and have assumed the completeness, accuracy
and fair presentation of all financial, engineering, geological
and other information, data, advice, opinions and
representations obtained by us from public sources, or provided
to us by Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo and their respective
representatives or advisors or otherwise obtained by us pursuant
to our engagement, and our Opinion is conditional upon such
completeness, accuracy and fair presentation. We have not been
requested to or attempted to verify independently the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of presentation of any such
information, data, advice, opinions and representations. Without
limiting the foregoing, we have not met with the independent
auditors of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo and we have relied upon
and assumed the accuracy and fair presentation of the audited
financial statements of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the
reports of the auditors thereon.
With respect to the financial data, operating and financial
forecasts and budgets provided to us by Coeur concerning Coeur,
Bolnisi, Palmarejo or the proposed combined entity and relied
upon in our analysis, we have assumed (subject to the exercise
of our professional judgment) that they have been reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the most reasonable assumptions,
estimates and judgements of Coeurs management, having
regard to their respective business, financial condition, plans
and prospects. We have relied upon, without independent
verification, Coeurs estimates of the reserve base,
production profile and cash and total cost estimates of each of
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo. We have not made an independent
evaluation, appraisal or geological or technical assessment of
the assets or liabilities (including any contingent, derivative
or off-balance-sheet assets or liabilities) of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo, nor, except for the estimates referred to above, have
we been furnished with any such evaluations, appraisals or
assessments. In addition, we have not assumed any obligation to
conduct, nor have we conducted, any physical inspection of the
properties or facilities of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo.
We have also assumed that all of the representations and
warranties contained in the draft Merger Agreements referred to
under the heading Scope of Review are correct as of
the date hereof, that the Transaction will be completed
substantially in accordance with the terms of the Merger
Agreements and all applicable laws and that Coeurs
management information circulars relating to the Transaction
will disclose all material facts relating to the Transaction and
will satisfy all applicable legal requirements.
Coeur has represented to us, in a certificate of two senior
officers of Coeur delivered as at the date hereof, among other
things, that the information, data and other material (financial
or otherwise) provided to us by or on behalf of Coeur, including
the written information and discussions concerning Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo and referred to above under the heading
Scope of Review (collectively, the
Information) are complete and correct at the date
the Information was provided to us and that, since the date of
the Information, there has been no material change, financial or
otherwise, in the financial condition, assets, liabilities
(contingent or otherwise), business, operations or prospects of
Coeur or any of its subsidiaries and no material change has
occurred in the Information or any part thereof which would have
or which would reasonably be expected to have a material effect
on the Opinion.
We are not legal, tax or accounting experts and make no
representation as to the adequacy or the appropriateness of this
Opinion for your purposes and we express no view concerning any
legal, tax or accounting matters concerning the Transaction or
the sufficiency of this letter for your purposes. We do not
express any opinion with respect to the underlying valuation,
future performance or long-term viability of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo or the trading price or value of the securities of
Coeur, Bolnisis or Palmarejo following the announcement or
completion of the Transaction.
We express no view as to, and our Opinion does not address, any
terms or other aspects of the Transaction (other than the
Bolnisi Consideration and the Palmarejo Consideration to the
extent expressly specified herein) or any aspect or implication
of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered
into in connection with the Transaction or otherwise. In
addition, we express no view as to, and our Opinion does not
address, the underlying business decision of Coeur to proceed
with or effect the Transaction nor does our Opinion address the
relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for Coeur or
the effect of any other transaction in which Coeur might engage.
F-1-3
Our Opinion is rendered on the basis of securities markets,
economic and general business and financial conditions
prevailing as at the date hereof and the conditions and
prospects, financial and otherwise, of Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo as they are reflected in the Information and as they
were represented to us in our discussions with management of
Coeur and its representatives and advisors. In our analyses and
in connection with the preparation of our Opinion, we made
numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance,
general business, markets and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of any party
involved in the Transaction.
The Opinion has been provided to the Board of Directors for its
exclusive use only and may not be published, disclosed to any
other person, relied upon by any other person, or used by the
Board of Directors for any other purpose, without the prior
written consent of CIBC World Markets. Our Opinion is not to be
construed as a recommendation to any person as to how to vote at
any meeting of securityholders of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo.
The Opinion is given as of the date hereof and, although we
reserve the right to change or withdraw the Opinion if we learn
that any of the information that we relied upon in preparing the
Opinion was inaccurate, incomplete or misleading in any material
respect, we disclaim any obligation to change or withdraw the
Opinion, to advise any person of any change that may come to our
attention or to update the Opinion after the date of this
Opinion.
Opinion
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and such other matters
as we considered relevant, it is our opinion, as of the date
hereof, that the Consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to
the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to
Coeur.
Yours very truly,
/s/ CIBC World Markets
Inc.
CIBC World Markets Inc.
F-1-4
Annex F-2
2 July, 2007
The Board of Directors
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
505 Front Avenue
Coeur dAlene, Idaho, 83814
United States of America
To the Board of Directors:
We understand that Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
(Coeur) has entered into (i) a Merger
Implementation Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2007 (the
Bolnisi Merger Agreement) with Bolnisi Gold NL
(Bolnisi), pursuant to which, among other things,
Coeur will acquire all of the ordinary shares on issue of
Bolnisi for consideration of 0.682 shares of Coeur plus
A$0.004 per Bolnisi share (the Bolnisi
Consideration), and (ii) a Merger Implementation
Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2007 (the Palmarejo
Merger Agreement, and together with the Bolnisi Merger
Agreement, the Merger Agreements) with Palmarejo
Silver and Gold Corporation (Palmarejo), pursuant to
which, among other things, Coeur will acquire all of the common
shares on issue of Palmarejo not already owned by Bolnisi for
consideration of 2.715 shares of Coeur plus C$0.004 per
Palmarejo share (the Palmarejo Consideration and,
together with the Bolnisi Consideration, the
Consideration). The acquisition of the ordinary
shares of Bolnisi pursuant to the Bolnisi Merger Agreement (the
Bolnisi Acquisition) and the acquisition of the
common shares of Palmarejo not already owned by Bolnisi pursuant
to the Palmarejo Merger Agreement (the Palmarejo
Acquisition), are collectively referred to herein as the
Transaction. It is our understanding that each of
the Bolnisi Acquisition and the Palmarejo Acquisition is
conditioned upon consummation of the other.
Engagement
of CIBC World Markets
By letter agreements dated March 1, 2007 and April 26,
2007 (collectively, the Engagement Agreement), Coeur
retained CIBC Australia Limited (CIBC Australia) as
its financial advisor and to render an opinion in connection
with the Transaction. Pursuant to the Engagement Agreement,
Coeur has requested CIBC Australia, through its affiliate, CIBC
World Markets Inc. (CIBC World Markets), to prepare
and deliver a written opinion (the Opinion) to the
board of directors of Coeur (the Board of Directors)
as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to the Transaction.
CIBC Australia will be paid a fee for rendering the Opinion and
will be paid an additional fee contingent upon the successful
completion of the Transaction. Coeur has also agreed to
reimburse CIBC Australia for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
and to indemnify CIBC Australia, including its affiliates, in
respect of certain liabilities that might arise out of the
engagement.
Credentials
of CIBC World Markets
CIBC World Markets is one of Canadas largest investment
banking firms with operations in all facets of corporate and
government finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity and fixed
income sales and trading and investment research. The Opinion
expressed herein is the opinion of CIBC World Markets and the
form and content herein have been approved for release by a
committee of its managing directors and internal counsel, each
of whom is experienced in merger, acquisition, divestiture and
valuation matters.
F-2-1
Scope of
Review
In connection with rendering our Opinion, we have reviewed and
relied upon, among other things, the following:
i) The Merger Agreements;
ii) The Call Option Deeds between Coeur and each of the
directors of Bolnisi;
iii) The annual reports for Coeur for the years ended
December 31, 2004 to 2006;
iv) The annual reports for Bolnisi for the years ended
June 30, 2004 to 2006;
v) The annual reports for Palmarejo, together with its
Annual Information Form, for the years ended June 30, 2005
to 2006;
vi) The unaudited half-yearly reports for the periods
ending December 31, 2004 to 2006 for Bolnisi;
vii) The unaudited quarterly reports for the periods ending
September 30, 2005 to December 31, 2006 for Palmarejo;
viii) The quarterly activities reports for the periods
ending September 30, 2004 to December 31, 2006 for
Bolnisi;
ix) The National Instrument
43-101
compliant technical report prepared for Palmarejo dated
October 1, 2006;
x) The Palmarejo Prospectus dated June 15, 2006
relating to a C$75 million special warrant fundraising;
xi) Resource estimates for the Palmarejo-Trogan project
announced by Bolnisi on October 25, 2006 and
January 16, 2007;
xii) The Palmarejo investor fact sheet dated March 27,
2007;
xiii) Publicly available research, stock market, financial
and other data pertaining to Coeur, Bolnisi, Palmarejo and other
silver and gold companies which we believe to be comparable to
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo;
xiv) The financial terms of certain recent business
combinations in the mining industry specifically and in other
industries generally;
xv) Discussions with the senior management of Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo regarding their assessment of the
strategic rationale for, and the potential benefits of, the
Transaction, and the current operations, financial condition and
future prospects of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, respectively,
and the proposed combined entity;
xvi) Certain confidential information provided by Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo including corporate production and
financial forecasts for Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo, material
contracts and agreements, executive compensation, taxation and
provisioning for potential or contingent liabilities;
xvii) Production and financial forecasts for the Palmarejo
project prepared by Coeur having taken into account additional
due diligence performed following announcement of the
Transaction;
xviii) Certain discussions and negotiations among the
representatives of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and their
respective legal advisors; and
xix) Such other financial studies and analyses and
performed such other investigations and taken into account such
other matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate.
F-2-2
Assumptions
and Limitations
Our Opinion is subject to the assumptions, explanations and
limitations set forth below.
We have not been asked to prepare and have not prepared a formal
valuation or appraisal of any of the assets or securities of
Coeur, Bolnisi, Palmarejo or any of their respective affiliates
and our Opinion should not be construed as such, nor have we
been requested to identify, solicit, consider or develop any
potential alternatives to the Transaction.
We have relied upon, and have assumed the completeness, accuracy
and fair presentation of all financial, engineering, geological
and other information, data, advice, opinions and
representations obtained by us from public sources, or provided
to us by Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo and their respective
representatives or advisors or otherwise obtained by us pursuant
to our engagement, and our Opinion is conditional upon such
completeness, accuracy and fair presentation. We have not been
requested to or attempted to verify independently the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of presentation of any such
information, data, advice, opinions and representations. Without
limiting the foregoing, we have not met with the independent
auditors of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo and we have relied upon
and assumed the accuracy and fair presentation of the audited
financial statements of Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo and the
reports of the auditors thereon.
With respect to the financial data, operating and financial
forecasts and budgets provided to us by Coeur concerning Coeur,
Bolnisi, Palmarejo or the proposed combined entity and relied
upon in our analysis, we have assumed (subject to the exercise
of our professional judgment) that they have been reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the most reasonable assumptions,
estimates and judgements of Coeurs management, having
regard to their respective business, financial condition, plans
and prospects. We have relied upon, without independent
verification, Coeurs estimates of the reserve base,
production profile and cash and total cost estimates of each of
Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo. We have not made an independent
evaluation, appraisal or geological or technical assessment of
the assets or liabilities (including any contingent, derivative
or off-balance-sheet assets or liabilities) of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo, nor, except for the estimates referred to above, have
we been furnished with any such evaluations, appraisals or
assessments. In addition, we have not assumed any obligation to
conduct, nor have we conducted, any physical inspection of the
properties or facilities of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo.
We have also assumed that all of the representations and
warranties contained in the Merger Agreements referred to under
the heading Scope of Review are correct as of the
date hereof, that the Transaction will be completed
substantially in accordance with the terms of the Merger
Agreements and all applicable laws and that Coeurs
management information circulars relating to the Transaction
will disclose all material facts relating to the Transaction and
will satisfy all applicable legal requirements.
Coeur has represented to us, in a certificate of two senior
officers of Coeur delivered as at the date hereof, among other
things, that the information, data and other material (financial
or otherwise) provided to us by or on behalf of Coeur, including
the written information and discussions concerning Coeur,
Bolnisi and Palmarejo and referred to above under the heading
Scope of Review (collectively, the
Information) are complete and correct at the date
the Information was provided to us and that, since the date of
the Information, there has been no material change, financial or
otherwise, in the financial condition, assets, liabilities
(contingent or otherwise), business, operations or prospects of
Coeur or any of its subsidiaries and no material change has
occurred in the Information or any part thereof which would have
or which would reasonably be expected to have a material effect
on the Opinion.
We are not legal, tax or accounting experts and make no
representation as to the adequacy or the appropriateness of this
Opinion for your purposes and we express no view concerning any
legal, tax or accounting matters concerning the Transaction or
the sufficiency of this letter for your purposes. We do not
express any opinion with respect to the underlying valuation,
future performance or long-term viability of Coeur, Bolnisi or
Palmarejo or the trading price or value of the securities of
Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo following the announcement or
completion of the Transaction.
We express no view as to, and our Opinion does not address, any
terms or other aspects of the Transaction (other than the
Bolnisi Consideration and the Palmarejo Consideration to the
extent expressly specified herein) or any aspect or implication
of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered
into in connection with the Transaction or otherwise. In
addition, we express no view as to, and our Opinion does not
address, the underlying
F-2-3
business decision of Coeur to proceed with or effect the
Transaction nor does our Opinion address the relative merits of
the Transaction as compared to any alternative business
strategies that might exist for Coeur or the effect of any other
transaction in which Coeur might engage.
Our Opinion is rendered on the basis of securities markets,
economic and general business and financial conditions
prevailing as at the date hereof and the conditions and
prospects, financial and otherwise, of Coeur, Bolnisi and
Palmarejo as they are reflected in the Information and as they
were represented to us in our discussions with management of
Coeur and its representatives and advisors. In our analyses and
in connection with the preparation of our Opinion, we made
numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance,
general business, markets and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of any party
involved in the Transaction.
The Opinion has been provided to the Board of Directors for its
exclusive use only and may not be published, disclosed to any
other person, relied upon by any other person, or used by the
Board of Directors for any other purpose, without the prior
written consent of CIBC World Markets. Our Opinion is not to be
construed as a recommendation to any person as to how to vote at
any meeting of securityholders of Coeur, Bolnisi or Palmarejo.
The Opinion is given as of the date hereof and, although we
reserve the right to change or withdraw the Opinion if we learn
that any of the information that we relied upon in preparing the
Opinion was inaccurate, incomplete or misleading in any material
respect, we disclaim any obligation to change or withdraw the
Opinion, to advise any person of any change that may come to our
attention or to update the Opinion after the date of this
Opinion.
Opinion
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and such other matters
as we considered relevant, it is our opinion, as of the date
hereof, that the Consideration to be paid by Coeur pursuant to
the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to
Coeur.
Yours very truly,
/s/ CIBC World Markets
Inc.
CIBC World Markets Inc.
F-2-4
Annex G
Bolnisi
Scheme
Bolnisi
Gold NL
ACN 008 587 086
and
Scheme Shareholders
Scheme
This scheme of arrangement is made under section 411 of the
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
|
|
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Between the parties |
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Bolnisi |
|
Bolnisi Gold NL ACN 008 587 086 of Level 8, 261
George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (Bolnisi) |
|
Scheme Shareholders |
|
The holders of fully paid ordinary shares in Bolnisi, other than
holders of Excluded Shares, at the Transaction Record Date. |
|
|
1
|
Definitions
and interpretation
|
1.1 Definitions
The meanings of the terms used in the Scheme are set out below.
|
|
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Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
ASIC
|
|
the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
|
ASX
|
|
ASX Limited.
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Business Day
|
|
has the meaning given in the Listing Rules.
|
CDIs
|
|
CHESS Depositary Interests which are units of beneficial
ownership in Coeur Shares registered in the name of CDN.
|
CDN
|
|
CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Limited ACN 071 346 506.
|
CHESS
|
|
the clearing house electronic sub-register system of share
transfers operated by ASX Settlement and Transfer Corporation
Pty Ltd.
|
Coeur
|
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation of 505 Front Avenue, Coeur
dAlene, Idaho 83814.
|
Coeur Australia
|
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Australia Pty Ltd ACN 125 204 775 a
wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Coeur.
|
Coeur Share
|
|
a share of common stock of Coeur, par value US$1.00 per
share.
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Corporations Act
|
|
the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
|
Court
|
|
the Federal Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction
under the Corporations Act agreed in writing by Coeur and
Bolnisi.
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Deed Poll
|
|
the deed poll dated [insert date] executed by Coeur under
which Coeur covenants in favour of the Scheme Shareholders to
perform its obligations under the Merger Implementation
Agreement and the Scheme.
|
Effective
|
|
the coming into effect, under section 411(10) of the
Corporations Act, of the Court order made under
section 411(4)(b) in relation to the Scheme.
|
Election Date
|
|
7.00pm on [insert date] .
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End Date
|
|
the date which is seven months after execution of the Merger
Implementation Agreement.
|
Excluded Shares
|
|
any Ordinary Shares held by Coeur or any of its subsidiaries.
|
Implementation Date
|
|
the fifth Business Day after the Transaction Record Date.
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Ineligible Overseas Holder
|
|
an Ordinary Shareholder whose address as shown in the Register
at the Transaction Record Date is in a jurisdiction other than
Australia and its external territories, New Zealand or the
United States, except where Coeur and Bolnisi are reasonably
satisfied that the issue of Coeur Shares (or CDIs representing
Coeur Shares) to the Ordinary Shareholder is not prohibited, not
unduly onerous and not unduly impracticable in that jurisdiction.
|
Listing Rules
|
|
means the official listing rules of the ASX.
|
G-1
|
|
|
Term
|
|
Meaning
|
|
Merger Implementation Agreement
|
|
the implementation agreement dated 3 May 2007 between Bolnisi
and Coeur relating to the implementation of the Scheme.
|
Ordinary Share
|
|
a fully paid ordinary share in Bolnisi.
|
Ordinary Shareholder
|
|
each person who is registered as the holder of Ordinary Shares.
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Register
|
|
the register of members of Bolnisi.
|
Registrar
|
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Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited.
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Regulatory Authority
|
|
means an Australian or foreign government or a governmental,
semi-governmental, administrative, fiscal, legislative,
executive or judicial body, authority, department, commission,
authority, tribunal, agency, entity or office or any minister of
the Crown in right of the Commonwealth of Australia or any state
or a delegate of any government. It includes a self-regulatory
organisation established under statute or a stock exchange,
ASIC, ASX, the TSX, the NYSE and the SEC.
|
Sale Agent
|
|
such person or persons appointed by agreement between Bolnisi
and Coeur to sell the Coeur Shares that are attributable to
Ineligible Overseas Holders under the terms of the Scheme.
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Scheme
|
|
the scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the
Corporations Act between Bolnisi and the Scheme Shareholders as
described in the Merger Implementation Agreement.
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Scheme Consideration
|
|
the consideration to be provided to Scheme Shareholders for the
transfer of each Scheme Share in accordance with the Scheme,
being:
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a$0.004 in cash; and
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|
0.682 Coeur Shares or CDIs representing Coeur
Shares, at the election of the Scheme Shareholder.
|
Scheme Meeting
|
|
the meeting of Ordinary Shareholders ordered by the Court to be
convened under section 411(1) of the Corporations Act.
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Scheme Shareholder
|
|
an Ordinary Shareholder, other than a holder of Excluded Shares,
as at the Transaction Record Date.
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Scheme Shares
|
|
the Ordinary Shares on issue at the Transaction Record Date.
|
Scheme Transfer
|
|
for each Scheme Shareholder, a duly completed and executed
instrument of transfer of the Ordinary Shares for the purposes
of section 1071B of the Corporations Act, which may be a
master transfer of all the Ordinary Shares.
|
Second Court Date
|
|
the first day on which an application made to the Court for an
order under section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act
approving the Scheme is heard.
|
Transaction Record Date
|
|
5.00pm (Sydney time), on the fifth Business Day after the date
on which the Scheme, if approved, becomes Effective.
|
Transfer Agent
|
|
Mellon Investor Services, LLC, the transfer agent for the Coeur
Shares.
|
1.2 Interpretation
In this Scheme, headings and bold type are for convenience only
and do not affect interpretation and, unless the context
requires otherwise:
(a) words importing the singular include the plural and
vice versa;
(b) other parts of speech and grammatical forms of a word
or phrase defined in this agreement have a corresponding meaning;
G-2
(c) a reference to a person includes an individual, the
estate of an individual, a corporation, an authority, an
association or a joint venture, a partnership, a trust and any
Regulatory Authority;
(d) a reference to a clause, party, attachment, exhibit or
schedule is a reference to a clause of, and a party, attachment,
exhibit and schedule to this agreement, and a reference to this
agreement includes any attachment, exhibit and schedule;
(e) a reference to a statute, regulation, proclamation,
ordinance or by law includes all statutes, regulations,
proclamations ordinances or by laws amending, consolidating or
replacing it, whether passed by the same or another Regulatory
Authority with legal power to do so, and a reference to a
statute includes all regulations, proclamations, ordinances and
by laws issued under that statute;
(f) a reference to any document (including this agreement)
is to that document as varied, novated, ratified or replaced
from time to time;
(g) a reference to $ or dollar is
to Australian currency;
(h) a reference to any time is a reference to that time in
Sydney, New South Wales;
(i) a term defined in or for the purposes of the
Corporations Act has the same meaning when used in this
agreement; and
(j) a reference to the Listing Rules includes any
variation, consolidation or replacement of these rules and is to
be taken to be subject to any waiver or exemption granted to the
compliance of those rules by a party.
1.3 Business
Day
Where the day on or by which any thing is to be done is not a
Business Day, that thing must be done on or by the next Business
Day.
(a) Bolnisi is a public company registered in the
Australian Capital Territory and is a no liability company.
(b) At [date of scheme booklet]:
(1) 285,542,321 Ordinary Shares; and
(2) no options over Ordinary Shares,
were on issue.
(c) Coeur is a corporation organised under the laws of the
State of Idaho.
(d) If the Scheme becomes Effective:
(1) Coeur will provide or procure the provision of the
Scheme Consideration to Scheme Shareholders in accordance with
the Scheme; and
(2) all the Scheme Shares, and all the rights and
entitlements attaching to them as at the Implementation Date,
will be transferred to Coeur Australia and Bolnisi will enter
the name of Coeur Australia in the Register in respect of the
Bolnisi Scheme Shares.
(e) Bolnisi and Coeur have agreed, by executing the Merger
Implementation Agreement, to implement the Scheme.
(f) Coeur has executed the Deed Poll, pursuant to which it
has covenanted to perform its obligations under this Scheme,
including the obligation to provide or procure the provision of
the Scheme Consideration to the Scheme Shareholders.
G-3
|
|
3
|
Conditions
to the Scheme
|
(a) The Scheme is conditional on:
(1) all the conditions in clause 3.1 of the Merger
Implementation Agreement having been satisfied or waived in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Implementation Agreement
by 5.00pm on the day before the Second Court Date;
(2) approval of the Scheme by the Court pursuant to
section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act;
(3) the Merger Implementation Agreement not having been
terminated by either party to that agreement before 8.00am on
Second Court Date.
(b) The satisfaction of the conditions precedent in
clause 3(a) is a condition precedent to the operation of
clause 4.2.
(c) The Scheme will lapse and be of no further force or
effect if the Scheme does not become Effective on or before the
End Date or any later date Bolnisi and Coeur agree.
4.1 Lodgement
of Court orders
Bolnisi will lodge with ASIC office copies of the Court orders
under section 411 of the Corporations Act approving the
Scheme by 5.00pm on the first Business Day after the day on
which the Court approves the Scheme.
4.2 Transfer
of Scheme Shares
(a) Coeur will provide or procure the provision of the
Scheme Consideration to each Scheme Shareholder in accordance
with clause 5 of this Scheme.
(b) On the Implementation Date and subject to Coeur having
complied with clause 4.2(a) of this Scheme, the Scheme
Shares, together with all rights and entitlements attaching to
them as at the Implementation Date, will be transferred to Coeur
Australia by:
(1) Bolnisi delivering to Coeur Australia the Scheme
Transfer to transfer all Scheme Shares to Coeur Australia,
without the need for any further act by any Scheme
Shareholders; and
(2) Coeur Australia duly executing the Scheme Transfer,
attending to the stamping of the Scheme Transfer (if required)
and delivering it to Bolnisi for registration.
(c) Promptly upon receipt of the Scheme Transfer, Bolnisi
will enter the name of Coeur Australia in the Register in
respect of the Scheme Shares subject to the Scheme Transfer.
|
|
5
|
Provision
of Scheme Consideration
|
5.1 Election
Mechanism
Bolnisi must ensure that:
(a) the Scheme Booklet sent to Scheme Shareholders is
accompanied by a form of election under which each Scheme
Shareholder is requested to elect to receive either:
(1) A$0.004 in cash and 0.682 Coeur Shares; or
(2) A$0.004 in cash and CDIs representing the same number
of Coeur Shares, at the election of the Scheme Shareholder (made
in accordance with the terms of the Scheme in respect of all of
their Scheme Shares);
G-4
(b) the Scheme Booklet sent to Scheme Shareholders is
accompanied by a form of election under which each Scheme
Shareholder who elects to receive CDIs must elect to either:
(1) hold their CDIs on the CHESS subregister; or
(2) hold their CDIs on the issuer-sponsored subregister
rather than the CHESS subregister.
(c) the form of election provides that:
(1) any such elections will apply to all of the Scheme
Shares held by a Scheme Shareholder;
(2) a valid election may be made, and once made, varied by
a Scheme Shareholder by returning the election form before
7.00pm on the Election Date in writing to an address to be
specified by Bolnisi in the Scheme Booklet;
(3) if valid elections is not made by a Scheme Shareholder
in relation to all of the Scheme Shares held by that shareholder
prior to the Election Date, then that Scheme Shareholder will be
deemed to have elected to receive A$0.004 in cash and CDIs
representing Coeur Shares for every Scheme Share in respect of
all that Scheme Shareholders Scheme Shares; and
(4) in the manner considered appropriate by Bolnisi (acting
reasonably), a Scheme Shareholder who holds one or more parcels
of Ordinary Shares as trustee or nominee for, or otherwise on
account of, another person, may make separate elections in
relation to each of those parcels of Ordinary Shares; and
(d) to the extent practicable, Scheme Shareholders who have
acquired Ordinary Shares after the date of dispatch of the
Scheme Booklet and election form can receive an election form on
request to Bolnisi before the Election Date.
5.2 Payment
of the cash component of the Scheme Consideration
(a) On the Business Day prior to the Implementation Date,
Bolnisi must procure that Coeur, deposits or procures the
deposit in cleared funds of an amount equal to the aggregate
amount of the cash component of the Scheme Consideration payable
to Scheme Shareholders, into an Australian dollar denominated
trust account, operated by Bolnisi as trustee for those Scheme
Shareholders, to be held on trust for those Scheme Shareholders,
except that any interest on the amounts deposited (less bank
fees and other charges) shall be to Coeurs account.
(b) On the Implementation Date and subject to Coeur having
complied with clause 5.2(a), Bolnisi must pay or procure
the payment of the cash component of the Scheme Consideration to
each Scheme Shareholder from the account referred to in
clause 5.2(a).
(c) The obligations of Bolnisi under clause 5.2(b)
shall be satisfied by Bolnisi on the Implementation Date,
dispatching, or procuring the dispatch of, a cheque to the
Scheme Shareholder by prepaid post to their address recorded in
the Register as at the Transaction Record Date, such cheque
being drawn in the name of the Scheme Shareholder (or, in the
case of joint holders, in accordance with the procedure set out
in clause 5.2(e)) for the relevant amount, with that amount
being denominated in Australian dollars.
(d) To the extent that there is a surplus in the amount
held in the trust account, that surplus must be paid by Bolnisi
to Coeur following the satisfaction of Bolnisis
obligations under clause 5.2(c).
(e) In the case of joint holders of Scheme Shares, any
cheque will be forwarded to the holder whose name appears first
in the Register on the Transaction Record Date.
G-5
5.3 Payment
of the scrip component of the Scheme Consideration
(a) Subject to clauses 5.3(b), 5.5 and 5.6, the
obligation of Coeur to provide or procure the provision of the
scrip component of the Scheme Consideration will be satisfied:
(1) in the case where shareholders elect to receive Coeur
Shares, by Coeur:
(A) on the Implementation Date, procuring the Transfer
Agent to entering in the shareholder register of Coeur the name
and address of each such Scheme Shareholder and the number of
Coeur Shares issued to them in accordance with the Scheme;
(B) on the Implementation Date (but in any event within 5
Business Days after the Implementation Date), procuring the
Transfer Agent to dispatch to each such Scheme Shareholder by
pre-paid post to his or her address recorded in the Register at
the Transaction Record Date, uncertificated holding statements,
in the name of the Scheme Shareholder representing the total
number of Coeur Shares issued to that shareholder.
(2) in the case where shareholders elect to receive Coeur
Shares in the form of CDIs, by Coeur on the Implementation Date:
(A) issuing to CDN to be held on trust that number of Coeur
Shares that will enable CDN to issue CDIs in accordance with
paragraphs (B) and (C);
(B) procuring CDN to issue to each relevant Scheme
Shareholder the number of CDIs calculated in accordance with the
Scheme;
(C) procuring CDN to issue to the Sale Agent the number of
CDIs calculated in accordance with the Scheme and the Sale Agent
will become the legal and beneficial owner of the CDIs issued to
it without the need for any further acts by the relevant
Ineligible Overseas Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, the Sale
Agent will not be acting as a trustee, custodian, nominee or
agent in respect of those CDIs, whether for the purpose of
distributions to be paid on those CDIs, or any sale or transfer
of those CDIs or otherwise;
(D) causing CDNs name to be entered on the list of
shareholders maintained by the Transfer Agent as the holder of
the Coeur Shares issued to CDN;
(E) procuring the Transfer Agent to dispatch to CDN of a
certificate in the name of CDN representing the Coeur Shares
issued to CDN;
(F) procuring the name of each relevant Scheme Shareholder
to be entered on the records maintained by CDN as the holder of
the CDIs issued to that Scheme Shareholder; and
(G) procuring the name of the Sale Agent to be entered on
the records maintained by CDN as the holder of the CDIs issued
to the Sale Agent.
(3) in the case of Scheme Shareholders (or the Sale Agent)
who elect to hold their CDIs on the CHESS subregister, by Coeur
procuring the issue of an allotment advice that sets out the
number of CDIs allotted and at the end of the month of
allotment, ASX Settlement and Transfer Corporation Pty Ltd
(acting on behalf of Coeur) will provide a CDI holding
statement, which confirms the number of CDIs held on the CHESS
subregister; and
(4) in the case of Scheme Shareholders (or the Sale Agent)
who elect to hold their CDIs on the issuer-sponsored subregister
rather than the CHESS subregister, by Coeur procuring the issue
of a CDI holding statement which sets out the number of CDIs
held on the issuer-sponsored subregister.
(b) In the case of joint holders of Scheme Shares, any
uncertificated holding statements, share certificates or
equivalent documentation for Coeur Shares (or CDIs representing
Coeur Shares) will be issued in the names of the joint holders
and forwarded to the holder whose name appears first in the
Register at the Transaction Record Date.
(c) Each Scheme Shareholder to whom Coeur Shares are to be
issued under this Scheme agrees:
(1) to become a shareholder of Coeur;
G-6
(2) to have their name and address entered in the Coeur
shareholder register; and
(3) to be bound by the articles of incorporation and bylaws
of Coeur as in force from time to time in respect of the Coeur
Shares.
(d) Each Scheme Shareholder to whom CDIs representing Coeur
Shares are to be issued under this Scheme agrees:
(1) to become a holder of CDIs representing Coeur Shares;
(2) to have their name and address entered in the CDI
holders register; and
(3) to be bound by the articles of incorporation and bylaws
of Coeur as in force from time to time in respect of the Coeur
Shares.
5.4 Binding
instructions
Any binding instructions between a Scheme Shareholder and
Bolnisi relating to Ordinary Shares (including, without
limitation, any instructions relating to payment of dividends or
to communications from Bolnisi) will from the Implementation
Date be deemed, by reason of the Scheme, to be a similarly
binding instruction to and accepted by Coeur in respect of Coeur
Shares or Coeur Shares in the form of CDIs issued to Scheme
Shareholders until that instruction is revoked or amended in
writing addressed to Coeur at its share registry.
5.5 Ineligible
Overseas Holders
Coeur will be under no obligation to issue, and will not issue,
any Coeur Shares (or CDIs representing Coeur Shares) to an
Ineligible Overseas Holder, and instead:
(a) the Coeur Shares (or, at the election of the Sale
Agent, CDIs representing Coeur Shares) which would otherwise be
required to be issued to the Ineligible Overseas Holders under
the Scheme will be issued to the Sale Agent (and/or to a nominee
or nominees of the Sale Agent);
(b) Bolnisi will procure that, as soon as reasonably
practicable (and in any event not more than 28 days after
the Implementation Date), the Sale Agent, in consultation with
Bolnisi and Coeur, sells or procures the sale of all of the
Coeur Shares (or CDIs representing Coeur Shares) issued to the
Sale Agent (and/or its nominees) pursuant to clause 5.5(a)
in such manner, at such price and on such other terms as the
Sale Agent determines in good faith (and at the risk of the
Ineligible Overseas Holders), and remit to Bolnisi the proceeds
of sale (after deduction of any applicable brokerage, costs,
taxes and charges) (the Proceeds). To the extent that the
Proceeds received by the Sale Agent are in a currency other than
Australian dollars, the Sale Agent shall remit the Proceeds to
Bolnisi in Australian dollars converted at the exchange rate
prevailing 2 Business Days prior to remittance; and
(c) Bolnisi will pay or procure the payment to each
Ineligible Overseas Holder, in full satisfaction of Coeurs
obligation to that Ineligible Overseas Holder described in the
Scheme in respect of the scrip component of the Scheme
Consideration, the amount A calculated in accordance
with the following formula and rounded to the nearest cent:
A = (B/C) x D
where:
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B =
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the number of Coeur Shares (or CDIs) that would have been issued
to that Ineligible Overseas Holder had it not been an Ineligible
Overseas Holder;
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C =
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the total number of Coeur Shares (or CDIs) which would otherwise
have been issued to all Ineligible Overseas Holders and which
are issued to the Sale Agent (and/or its nominees); and
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D =
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the Proceeds (as defined in clause 5.5(b) above) or
equivalent amount in Australian dollars (as determined in
accordance with clause 5.5(b)).
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(d) None of Bolnisi, Coeur or the Sale Agent gives any
assurance as to the price that will be achieved for the sale of
Coeur Shares (or CDIs) described above.
5.6 Fractional
entitlements and splitting
(a) Subject to clause 5.6(b), where the calculation of
the number of Coeur Shares (or CDIs) to be issued to a
particular Scheme Shareholder would result in the issue of a
fraction of a Coeur Share (or CDI), the fractional entitlement
will, after aggregating all holdings of the Scheme Shareholder,
be rounded up in the case of an entitlement to half of a Coeur
Share (or CDI), or otherwise rounded up or down to the nearest
whole number of Coeur Shares (or CDIs).
(b) If Coeur reasonably forms the opinion that 2 or more
Scheme Shareholders, each of whom holds a number of Scheme
Shares which results in rounding in accordance with
clause 5.6(a) have, before the Transaction Record Date,
been party to shareholding splitting or division in an attempt
to obtain advantage by reference to such rounding, Coeur may
send a notice to those Scheme Shareholders stating that opinion
and attributing to one of them specifically identified in the
notice (the Deemed Holder) all of the Scheme Shares held
by all of them, upon which, for the purposes of the Scheme:
(1) the Deemed Holder will be taken to hold all the Scheme
Shares referred to in the notice; and
(2) each of the other Scheme Shareholders whose names are
set out in the notice, will be taken not to hold any of the
Scheme Shares, and by complying with this clause 5.6(b),
Coeur will be taken to have satisfied and discharged its
obligations under the terms of the Scheme to all the Scheme
Shareholders named in the notice.
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Dealings
in Ordinary Shares
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(a) To establish the identity of the Scheme Shareholders,
dealings in Ordinary Shares will only be recognised if:
(1) in the case of dealings of the type to be effected
using CHESS, the transferee is registered in the Register as the
holder of the relevant Ordinary Shares by the Transaction Record
Date; and
(2) in all other cases, registrable transmission
applications or transfers in respect of those dealings are
received on or before the Transaction Record Date at the place
where the Register is kept.
(b) Bolnisi must register registrable transmission
applications or transfers of the kind referred to in
clause 6(a)(2) by the Transaction Record Date.
(c) If the Scheme becomes Effective, a holder of Scheme
Shares (and any person claiming through that holder) must not
dispose of or purport or agree to dispose of any Scheme Shares
or any interest in them after the Transaction Record Date.
(d) Bolnisi will not accept for registration or recognise
for any purpose any transmission application or transfer in
respect of Ordinary Shares received after the Transaction Record
Date.
(e) For the purpose of determining entitlements to the
Scheme Consideration, Bolnisi must maintain the Register in
accordance with the provisions of this clause 6 until the
Scheme Consideration has been paid to the Scheme Shareholders.
The Register in this form will solely determine entitlements to
the Scheme Consideration.
(f) All statements of holding for Ordinary Shares will
cease to have effect from the Transaction Record Date as
documents of title in respect of those shares and, as from that
date, each entry current at that date on the Register will cease
to have effect except as evidence of entitlement to the Scheme
Consideration in respect of the Ordinary Shares relating to that
entry.
(g) As soon as possible on or after the Transaction Record
Date, Bolnisi will ensure that details of the names, registered
addresses and holdings of Ordinary Shares for each Scheme
Shareholder are available to Coeur in the form Coeur
reasonably requires.
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Quotation
of Ordinary Shares
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(a) Bolnisi will apply to ASX to suspend trading on ASX in
Ordinary Shares from the close of trading on the day Bolnisi
notifies ASX that the Court has approved the Scheme under
section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act.
(b) On a date after the Implementation Date to be
determined by Coeur, Bolnisi will apply:
(1) for termination of the official quotation of Ordinary
Shares on ASX; and
(2) to have itself removed from the official list of ASX.
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8
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General
Scheme provisions
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8.1 Consent
to Scheme amendments
If the Court proposes to approve the Scheme subject to any
alterations or conditions, Bolnisi may by its counsel consent on
behalf of all persons concerned to those alterations or
conditions to which Coeur has consented.
8.2 Scheme
Shareholders agreements and representations
(a) The Scheme Shareholders agree to the transfer of their
Ordinary Shares in accordance with the Scheme.
(b) To the extent permitted by law, the Scheme Shareholders
are taken to have warranted to Coeur and Bolnisi on its own
behalf and on behalf of Coeur that all their Ordinary Shares
(including any rights attaching to those shares) which are
transferred under the Scheme will, at the date of transfer, be
fully paid and free from all mortgages, charges, liens,
encumbrances and interests of third parties of any kind, whether
legal or otherwise, and restrictions on transfer of any kind,
and that they have full power and capacity to transfer their
Ordinary Shares together with any rights attaching to those
shares.
8.3 Title
to and rights in Scheme Shares
(a) The Scheme Shareholders (and not Coeur Australia) shall
be entitled to any dividends and other distributions declared or
paid on the Ordinary Shares in accordance with the Merger
Implementation Agreement prior to the Implementation Date.
(b) Coeur Australia will be beneficially entitled to the
Ordinary Shares transferred to it under the Scheme pending
registration by Bolnisi of Coeur Australia in the Register as
the holder of the Ordinary Shares.
8.4 Appointment
of Coeur or Coeur Australia as proxy
Upon the Scheme becoming Effective, and until Bolnisi registers
Coeur Australia as the holder of all Scheme Shares in the
Register, each Scheme Shareholder:
(a) is deemed to have appointed Coeur and Coeur Australia
severally as attorney and agent (and directed Coeur and Coeur
Australia in such capacity) to appoint a director of Coeur or
Coeur Australia as its sole proxy and, where applicable,
corporate representative to attend shareholders meetings,
exercise the votes attaching to the Scheme Shares registered in
their name and sign any shareholders resolution at the
discretion of Coeur or Coeur Australia, and no Scheme
Shareholder may itself attend or vote at any of those meetings
or sign any resolutions, whether in person, by proxy or by
corporate representative (other than pursuant to this
clause 8.4(a)); and
(b) must take all other actions in the capacity of a
registered holder of Scheme Shares as Coeur or Coeur Australia
reasonably directs.
8.5 Effect
of the Scheme
The Scheme binds Bolnisi and all Shareholders from time to time
(including those who do not attend the Scheme Meeting, those who
do not vote at that meeting and those who vote against this
Scheme at that meeting) and, to the extent of any inconsistency
and to the extent permitted by law, overrides the constitution
of Bolnisi.
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8.6 Enforcement
of Deed Poll
Bolnisi undertakes in favour of each Scheme Shareholder to
enforce the Deed Poll against Coeur on behalf of and as agent
and attorney for the Scheme Shareholders.
(a) Scheme Shareholders will be deemed to have authorised
Bolnisi to do and execute all acts, matters, things and
documents on the part of each Scheme Shareholder necessary to
implement the Scheme, including (without limitation) executing,
as agent and attorney of each Scheme Shareholder, a share
transfer or transfers in relation to Scheme Shares as
contemplated by clause 9(b).
(b) Each Scheme Shareholder, without the need for any
further act, irrevocably appoints Bolnisi and all its directors
and officers (jointly and severally) as its attorney and agent
for the purpose of executing any document necessary to give
effect to this Scheme including a proper instrument of transfer
of its Ordinary Shares for the purposes of section 1071B of
the Corporations Act, which may be a master transfer of all the
Scheme Shares.
10.1 Stamp
duty
Coeur will pay all stamp duty payable in connection with the
transfer of Ordinary Shares to Coeur Australia.
10.2 Consent
The Scheme Shareholders consent to Bolnisi doing all things
necessary or incidental to the implementation of the Scheme.
10.3 Notices
If a notice, transfer, transmission application, direction or
other communication referred to in the Scheme is sent by post to
Bolnisi, it will not be taken to be received in the ordinary
course of post or on a date and time other than the date and
time (if any) on which it is actually received at Bolnisis
registered office or at the office of the Registrar.
10.4 Governing
law
(a) The Scheme is governed by the laws of New South Wales.
(b) Each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of courts exercising jurisdiction in New South
Wales and courts of appeal from them in respect of any
proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Scheme.
10.5 Further
action to be taken at Bolnisi expense
Bolnisi must, at its own expense, do all things and execute all
documents necessary to give full effect to this agreement and
the transactions contemplated by it.
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Annex H
PLAN OF
ARRANGEMENT
UNDER SECTION 192
OF THE CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
In this Plan of Arrangement, unless there is something in the
subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, the following
terms shall have the respective meanings set out below and
grammatical variations of such terms shall have corresponding
meanings:
(a) Affiliate has the meaning ascribed
thereto in the Corporations Act;
(b) Arrangement means the arrangement
under section 192 of the Corporations Act on the terms and
subject to the conditions set out in this Plan of Arrangement,
subject to any amendments or variations thereto made in
accordance with Merger Implementation Agreement or
Article 5 hereof;
(c) Arrangement Resolution means the
special resolution passed by the Palmarejo Shareholders at the
Plan Meeting (voting together as a single class) approving the
Arrangement;
(d) Articles of Arrangement means the
articles of arrangement of Palmarejo in respect of the
Arrangement that are required by the Corporations Act to be sent
to the Director after the Final Order is made;
(e) Bolnisi means Bolnisi Gold NL (ACN
008 587 086), of Level 8, 261 George Street, Sydney NSW
2000;
(f) Business Day means any day on which
the TSX Venture Exchange is open for trading;
(g) Canadian Bidco means a wholly owned
subsidiary of Fairview to be incorporated in Alberta;
(h) Certificate of Arrangement means the
certificate of arrangement issued by the Director pursuant to
subsection 192(7) of the Corporations Act in respect of the
Articles of Arrangement;
(i) Coeur means Coeur DAlene Mines
Corporation, a corporation existing under the laws of the State
of Idaho;
(j) Coeur Share a share of common stock
of Coeur, par value, US$1.00 per share;
(k) Corporations Act means the Canada
Business Corporations Act, as amended;
(l) Court means the Ontario Superior
Court of Justice;
(m) CRA means the Canada Revenue Agency;
(n) Depositary means Olympia Trust
Company at its offices set out in the Letter of Transmittal;
(o) Dissent Rights means the rights of
dissent in respect of the Arrangement described in
section 3.1;
(p) Dissenting Holder means any
Palmarejo Shareholder who has duly exercised its Dissent Rights
and has not withdrawn or been deemed to have withdrawn such
Dissent Rights;
(q) Effective Date means the date shown
on the Certificate of Arrangement giving effect to the
Arrangement;
(r) Effective Time means the time
specified in writing by Palmarejo and Canadian Bidco on the
Effective Date;
(s) Fairview means Fairview Gold Pty
Ltd., currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bolnisi that,
immediately prior to and following the Effective Time, will be a
wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Coeur;
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(t) Final Order means the order of the
Court approving the Arrangement as such order may be amended at
any time prior to the Effective Date or, if appealed, then,
unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or as
amended on appeal;
(u) Ineligible Overseas Shareholder
means a Palmarejo Shareholder whose address as shown in the
Palmarejo register of shareholders at the Effective Date is in a
jurisdiction other than Canada or the United States, except
where Coeur and Palmarejo are reasonably satisfied that the
issue of Coeur Shares to the Palmarejo Shareholder is not
prohibited, not unduly onerous and not unduly impracticable in
that jurisdiction
(v) Interim Order means the interim
order of the Court providing for, among other things, the
calling and holding of the Plan Meeting, as such order may be
amended;
(w) ITA means the Income Tax Act
(Canada), as amended;
(x) Letter of Transmittal means the
letter of transmittal forwarded by Palmarejo to Palmarejo
Shareholders in connection with the Arrangement, in the form
accompanying the Plan Circular;
(y) Merger Implementation Agreement
means the agreement dated May 3, 2007 among Coeur and
Palmarejo, as amended in accordance thereof, providing for,
among other things, the Arrangement;
(z) Palmarejo means Palmarejo Silver and
Gold Corporation, a corporation existing under the Corporations
Act;
(aa) Palmarejo Shares means the common
shares in the capital of Palmarejo;
(bb) Palmarejo Shareholders means the
holders of Palmarejo Shares whose names appear in the register
of holders of Palmarejo Shares maintained by or on behalf of
Palmarejo and, where the context so provides, includes joint
holders of such Palmarejo Shares;
(cc) Person means an individual,
corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, estate, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity of any kind or
nature;
(dd) Plan Circular means the notice of
the Plan Meeting and accompanying Palmarejo management
information circular, including all schedules, appendices and
exhibits, to be sent to the Palmarejo Shareholders in connection
with the Plan Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified to be approved by the Court and despatched to Palmarejo
Shareholders in accordance with applicable Law;
(ee) Plan Meeting means the special
meeting of Palmarejo Shareholders to be held to consider the
Arrangement Resolution, including any adjournment or
postponement thereof, to be called and held in accordance with
the Interim Order; and
(ff) Regulatory Authority means a
Canadian or foreign government or a governmental,
semi-governmental, administrative, fiscal, legislative,
executive or judicial body, authority, department, commission,
authority, tribunal, agency, entity or office or any minister of
the Crown or any state or a delegate of any government.
1.2 Interpretation Not Affected by Headings,
Etc.
The division of this Plan of Arrangement into articles, sections
and other portions and the insertion of headings are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect the interpretation
of this Plan of Arrangement. Unless otherwise indicated, any
reference in this Plan of Arrangement to
Article or section
followed by a number refers to the specified Article or section
of this Plan of Arrangement. The terms this Plan of
Arrangement, hereof,
herein, hereunder and
similar expressions refer to this Plan of Arrangement, including
any appendices hereto, and any amendments, variations or
supplements hereto made in accordance with the terms hereof or
the Merger Implementation Agreement or made at the direction of
the Court in the Final Order and do not refer to any particular
Article, section or other portion of this Plan of Arrangement.
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1.3 Rules of Construction
In this Plan of Arrangement, unless the context otherwise
requires, (a) words importing the singular number include
the plural and vice versa, (b) words importing any gender
include all genders, and (c) include,
includes and including
shall be deemed to be followed by the words without
limitation.
1.4 Date of Any Action
In the event that any date on which any action is required to be
taken hereunder by any of the parties hereto is not a Business
Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day.
1.5 Time
Time shall be of the essence in every matter or action
contemplated hereunder. All times expressed herein or in the
Letter of Transmittal are local time (Toronto, Ontario) unless
otherwise stipulated herein or therein.
1.6 Currency
Unless otherwise stated, all references in this Plan of
Arrangement to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of
Canada.
1.7 Statutes
Any reference to a statute includes all rules and regulations
made pursuant to such statute and, unless otherwise specified,
the provisions of any statute or regulations or rule which
amends, supplements or supersedes any such statute, regulation
or rule.
ARTICLE 2
ARRANGEMENT
2.1 Merger Implementation Agreement
This Plan of Arrangement is made pursuant to, is subject to the
provisions of, and forms part of the Merger Implementation
Agreement and constitutes an arrangement as referred to in
section 192 of the Corporations Act.
2.2 Binding Effect
This Plan of Arrangement will become effective at, and be
binding at and after, the Effective Time on (i) Palmarejo,
(ii) Coeur and Canadian Bidco, (iii) all Palmarejo
Shareholders and beneficial owners of Palmarejo Shares,
(iv) all registered and beneficial owners of Warrants; and
(v) all registered and beneficial owners of Options.
2.3 Arrangement
Commencing at the Effective Time, the following shall occur and
shall be deemed to occur in the following order without any
further act or formality, in each case effective at the
Effective Time:
(a) the Palmarejo Shares held by any Dissenting Holders
shall be deemed to have been transferred without any act or
formality to Canadian Bidco (free and clear of any liens) in
exchange for:
(i) $0.004 in cash; and
(ii) 2.715 Coeur Shares;
(b) each Palmarejo Share outstanding at the Effective Time
and held by a Palmarejo Shareholder other than (i) a
Dissenting Holder who is ultimately entitled to be paid the fair
value of the Palmarejo Shares held by such Dissenting Holder or
(ii) Coeur, Canadian Bidco or any Affiliate thereof, which,
for greater certainty, includes Fairview (which shall not be
exchanged under the Arrangement and shall remain outstanding as
a Palmarejo Share held by Coeur, Canadian Bidco or any Affiliate
thereof), shall be transferred without any further act or
formality by the holder to Canadian Bidco in exchange for:
(i) $0.004 in cash; and
(ii) 2.715 Coeur Shares;
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(c) with respect to each Palmarejo Share transferred
pursuant to 2.3(a) and 2.3(b), (i) the holder of each such
Palmarejo Share shall cease to be the holder of that Palmarejo
Share and the name of such holder shall be removed from the
applicable registers as the holder of Palmarejo Shares, and
(ii) Canadian Bidco shall be recorded as the registered
holder of the Palmarejo Shares so acquired and shall be deemed
the legal and beneficial owner thereof (free and clear of any
liens and encumbrances); and
(d) The Corporation may file an election with the CRA on
the Effective Date, to be effective on the Effective Date and
prior to the steps contemplated below, to cease to be a public
corporation for the purposes of the ITA.
ARTICLE 3
RIGHTS OF
DISSENT
3.1 Rights of Dissent
Palmarejo Shareholders may exercise dissent rights
(Dissent Rights) in connection with the
Arrangement in accordance with Section 190 of the
Corporations Act, the Interim Order and this Section 3.1;
provided that, notwithstanding Subsection 190(5) of the
Corporations Act, the written objection to the Arrangement
Resolution referred to in Subsection 190(5) of the
Corporations Act must be received by Palmarejo not later than
5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the Business Day immediately
preceding the date of the Plan Meeting. Dissenting Holders shall
be deemed to have transferred Palmarejo Shares held by them to
Canadian Bidco, as provided in Section 2.3(c), and if
ultimately determined not to be entitled, for any reason, to be
paid fair value for their Palmarejo Shares shall be deemed to
have participated in the Arrangement on the same basis as a
non-dissenting holder of Palmarejo Shares. In no case shall
Coeur, Palmarejo or any other person be required to recognize
such holders as holders of Palmarejo Shares after the completion
of the step contemplated by Section 2.3(c).
ARTICLE 4
CERTIFICATES
AND PAYMENTS
4.1 Exchange of Certificates for Consideration
(a) At or before the time of filing of the Articles of
Arrangement, Canadian Bidco shall deposit with the Depositary in
escrow for the benefit of Palmarejo Shareholders, cash and Coeur
Shares in the aggregate amounts equal to the consideration
contemplated by section 2.3(a). Upon surrender to the
Depositary for cancellation of a certificate which immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Palmarejo
Shares that were exchanged for consideration, together with a
duly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal and such
additional documents and instruments as the Depositary may
reasonably require, the Palmarejo Shareholder of such
surrendered certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor, and the Coeur shall cause the Depositary to deliver to
such Palmarejo Shareholder, the consideration which such
Palmarejo Shareholder has the right to receive under the
Arrangement for such Palmarejo Shares, less any amounts withheld
pursuant to section 4.3 and any certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. The cash deposited with the
Depositary shall be held in an interest-bearing account, and any
interest earned on such funds shall be for the account of
Canadian Bidco.
(b) Until surrendered as contemplated by this
section 4.1, each certificate which immediately prior to
the Effective Time represented Palmarejo Shares shall be deemed
after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive
upon such surrender the consideration in lieu of such
certificate as contemplated in this section 4.1, less any
amounts withheld pursuant to section 4.3. Any such
certificate formerly representing Palmarejo Shares not duly
surrendered on or before the sixth anniversary of the Effective
Date shall cease to represent a claim by or interest of any
former Palmarejo Shareholder of any kind or nature against or in
Palmarejo, Coeur or Canadian Bidco. On such date, all Palmarejo
Shares to which the former holder of such certificate was
entitled shall be deemed to have been surrendered to Canadian
Bidco and consideration to which such former holder was entitled
shall be deemed to have been surrendered to Coeur.
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(c) Any payment made by way of cheque by the Depositary on
behalf of Canadian Bidco or Palmarejo that has not been
deposited or has been returned to the Depositary or that
otherwise remains unclaimed, in each case, on or before the
sixth anniversary of the Effective Date, shall cease to
represent a right or claim of any kind or nature and the right
of the holder to receive the consideration for Palmarejo Shares
pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall terminate and be
deemed to be surrendered and forfeited to Canadian Bidco or
Palmarejo, as applicable.
4.2 Lost Certificates
In the event any certificate which immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Palmarejo
Shares that were exchanged pursuant to section 2.3 shall
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such certificate
to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Depositary will issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate,
consideration deliverable in accordance with such holders
Letter of Transmittal. When authorizing such payment in exchange
for any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Person to
whom such consideration is to be delivered shall as a condition
precedent to the delivery of such consideration, give a bond
satisfactory to Canadian Bidco and the Depositary in such sum as
Canadian Bidco may direct, or otherwise indemnify Canadian Bidco
and Palmarejo in a manner satisfactory to Canadian Bidco and
Palmarejo, against any claim that may be made against Canadian
Bidco and Palmarejo with respect to the certificate alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
4.3 Withholding Rights
Palmarejo, Canadian Bidco, Coeur and the Depositary shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration otherwise
payable to any Palmarejo Shareholder such amounts as Palmarejo,
Canadian Bidco, Coeur or the Depositary is required or permitted
to deduct and withhold with respect to such payment under the
ITA, the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or
any provision of federal, provincial, state, local or foreign
tax law, in each case, as amended. To the extent that amounts
are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all
purposes hereof as having been paid to the holder of the
Palmarejo Shares in respect of which such deduction and
withholding was made, provided that such withheld amounts are
actually remitted to the appropriate taxing authority.
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4.4
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Ineligible Overseas Shareholders
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Where a Palmarejo Shareholder is an Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder in relation to the issue of Coeur Shares, the number
of Coeur Shares to which the Palmarejo Shareholder would
otherwise be entitled under the Plan will be issued to a nominee
appointed by agreement between Palmarejo and Coeur who will sell
those Coeur Shares as soon as practicable and in any event not
more than 28 days after the Effective Date (at the risk of
that Ineligible Overseas Shareholder) and remit to Palmarejo the
proceeds received, after deducting any applicable brokerage,
costs, taxes and charges, to that Ineligible Overseas
Shareholder in full satisfaction of that Ineligible Overseas
Shareholders rights in relation to Coeur Shares under the
Plan.
ARTICLE 5
AMENDMENTS
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5.1
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Amendments to Plan of Arrangement
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(a) Palmarejo may amend, modify
and/or
supplement this Plan of Arrangement at any time and from time to
time prior to the Effective Date, provided that each such
amendment, modification
and/or
supplement must (i) be set out in writing, (ii) be
approved by Coeur and Canadian Bidco, (iii) filed with the
Court and, if made following the Plan Meeting, approved by the
Court, and (iv) communicated to Palmarejo Shareholders if
and as required by the Court.
(b) Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan
of Arrangement may be proposed by Palmarejo at any time prior to
the Plan Meeting (provided that Coeur and Canadian Bidco shall
have consented thereto) with or without any other prior notice
or communication, and if so proposed and accepted by the Persons
voting at the Plan Meeting (other than as may be required under
the Interim Order), shall become part of this Plan of
Arrangement for all purposes.
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(c) Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan
of Arrangement that is approved or directed by the Court
following the Plan Meeting shall be effective only if
(i) it is consented to by each of Palmarejo, Coeur and
Canadian Bidco (in each case, acting reasonably) and
(ii) if required by the Court, it is consented to by
Palmarejo Shareholders voting in the manner directed by the
Court.
(d) Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan
of Arrangement may be made following the Effective Date
unilaterally by Coeur, provided that it concerns a matter which,
in the reasonable opinion of Coeur, is of an administrative
nature required to better give effect to the implementation of
this Plan of Arrangement and is not adverse to the economic
interest of any former Palmarejo Shareholder.
(e) This Plan of Arrangement may be withdrawn prior to the
occurrence of any of the events in section 2.3 in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Implementation Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
FURTHER ASSURANCES
Notwithstanding that the transactions and events set out herein
shall occur and be deemed to occur in the order set out in this
Plan of Arrangement without any further act or formality, each
of the parties to the Merger Implementation Agreement shall
make, do and execute, or cause to be made, done and executed,
all such further acts, deeds, agreements, transfers, assurances,
instruments or documents as may reasonably be required by any of
them in order further to document or evidence any of the
transactions or events set out herein.
H-6
Annex I
ARTICLES OF
AMENDMENT
TO THE RESTATED AND
AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
Pursuant to Title 30, Chapter 1, Idaho Code, the
undersigned corporation amends its articles of incorporation as
follows:
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1.
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The name of the corporation is: Coeur dAlene Mines
Corporation.
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2.
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The text of the amendment is as follows:
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Article II is amended by replacing paragraph (a) of
Article II with the following:
(a) The corporation is authorized to issue two classes of
shares of capital stock to be designated, respectively,
common stock and preferred stock. The
total number of such shares which the corporation shall have the
authority to issue shall be 760 million. The total number
of shares of common stock authorized to be issued shall be
750 million shares, $1.00 par value per share, and the
total number of shares of preferred stock authorized to be
issued shall be 10 million, $1.00 par value per share.
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3.
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The date of adoption of the amendment(s)
was: .
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4.
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Manner of adoption:
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The amendment consists exclusively of matters which do not
require shareholder action pursuant to
section 30-1-1002,
Idaho Code, and was, therefore, adopted by the board of directors
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o
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None of the corporations shares have been issued and was,
therefore, adopted by the
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o incorporator o board
of directors.
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The number of shares outstanding and entitled to vote
was .
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The number of shares cast for and against each amendment was:
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Amended article
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Shares for
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Shares against
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Article II
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Dated: , 2007
Name: Dennis E. Wheeler
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Capacity:
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Chairman of the Board and
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Chief Executive Officer
I-1
ANNEX J
CERTAIN
INFORMATION REGARDING MINING PROPERTIES OF
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
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Definitions and Interpretation
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J-2
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Rochester Mine
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J-6
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Cerro Bayo Mine
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J-12
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Martha Mine
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J-20
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Endeavor Mine
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J-27
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Broken Hill Mine
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J-32
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San Bartolomé Silver Project
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J-37
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Kensington Gold Project
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J-46
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Other Properties
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J-55
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Project
Description and Location
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
History
Geologic Setting
Exploration
Mineralization
Sampling and Analysis
Security of Samples
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Mining Operations
Exploration and Development
J-1
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
Conversion
Table
In this Annex J, imperial measures and metric units are
used. Conversion rates from imperial measures to metric units
and from metric units to imperial measures are provided in the
table set out below.
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Imperial Measure
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=
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Metric Unit
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Metric Unit
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=
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Imperial Measure
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2.47 acres
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1 hectare
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0.4047 hectares
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1 acre
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3.28 feet
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1 meter
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0.3048 meters
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1 foot
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0.62 miles
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1 kilometer
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1.609 kilometers
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1 mile
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0.032 ounces (troy)
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1 gram
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31.1 grams
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1 ounce
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1.102 tons (short)
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1 tonne
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0.907 tonnes
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1 ton
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0.029 ounces (troy)/ton
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1 gram/tonne
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34.28 grams/tonne
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1 ounce (troy)/ton
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Glossary
of Terms
adit horizontal, or nearly
horizontal, passage driven from the surface, for the working of
a mine.
Ag silver, a metallic element
with minimum fineness of 995 parts per 1000 parts pure silver.
andesite a dark-colored,
fine-grained extrusive rock that, when porphyritic, contains
phenocrysts composed primarily of zoned sodic plagioclase (esp.
andesine) and one or more of the mafic minerals (e.g. biotite,
hornblende, pyroxene), with a ground-mass composed generally of
the same minerals as the phenocrysts; the extrusive equivalent
of diorite.
assay the chemical analysis of an
ore, mineral or concentrate of metal to determine the amount of
valuable species.
Au gold, a metallic element with
minimum fineness of 999 parts per 1000 parts pure gold.
basalt dark-colored igneous rock,
commonly extrusive, composed primarily of calcic plagioclase and
pyroxene.
breccia, brecciation
a rock composed of large, angular fragments cemented together in
a finer-grained matrix. Brecciation is the process of producing
a breccia by geologic processes.
chalcopyrite a bright
brass-yellow tetragonal mineral with the formula
CuFeS2;
constitutes an important ore of copper.
CIM Standards CIM Definition
Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing
Committee on Reserve Definitions and approved by the CIM Council
of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum in
December 2005.
cm centimeters.
concentrate a product derived
from separation of the valuable metal from most of the waste
material in the ore.
Cu copper, a ductile, malleable
reddish-brown metallic element.
cut-off grade the lowest grade of
mineral resource considered economic; used in the calculation of
reserves and resources in a given deposit.
cyanidation a method of
extracting gold or silver by dissolving it in a weak solution of
sodium or potassium cyanide.
dacite a fine-grained extrusive
rock with the same general composition as andesite, but having
less calcic plagioclase and more quartz.
J-2
diamond drill a type of drill in
which the rock cutting is done by abrasion, with a diamond
impregnated bit, rather than by percussion. The drill cuts a
core of rock which is recovered in long cylindrical sections.
Syn: core drill.
dilution 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.
dip the angle between a
horizontal plan and an inclined surface such as a rock
formation, fault or vein.
doré gold and silver bullion
bars which contain gold, silver and minor amounts of impurities
which will be further refined to almost pure metal.
drift horizontal passage
underground that follows along the length of a vein of rock
formation.
eq or EQ equivalent.
epithermal formed by
low-temperature
(50o
200o
C) hydrothermal processes.
fault a fracture in a rock where
there has been displacement of the two sides.
flotation a milling process by
which some mineral particles are induced to become attached to
bubbles of froth and float, and others to sink, so that the
valuable minerals are concentrated and separated from the waste
or gangue material.
fracture breaks in a rock,
usually due to intensive folding or faulting.
galena a mineral with the
chemical formula PbS and an important source of lead, often
found with in veins with sphalerite.
gangue that part of an ore
deposit from which a metal or metals is not extracted.
g grams
g/t grams per tonne (metric).
ha hectares; 10,000 square
meters.
heap leaching process 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.
indicated mineral resource the
part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality,
densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated
with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate
application of technical and economic parameters, to support
mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the
deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable
exploration and test information gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for
geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed.
inferred mineral resource the
part of a mineral resource for which the quantity, grade or
quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and
limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified,
geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on
limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes.
kg kilogram
km kilometer.
km2 square kilometer.
lb pound.
load haul dump or LHD
a piece of mechanical mining equipment used in an underground
mine to load, transport (haul) and dump material from the mining
face to the surface.
m meters.
J-3
measured mineral resource the
part of a mineral resources for which quantity, grade or
quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are so
well established that they can be estimated with confidence
sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and
economic parameters, to support production planning and
evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The
estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling
and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques
from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and
drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both
geological and grade continuity.
mineral reserve the economically
mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource
demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This
study must include adequate information on mining, processing,
metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that
demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction
can be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials
and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is
mined.
mineral resource a concentration
or occurrence of diamonds, natural solid inorganic material or
natural solid fossilized organic material including base and
precious metals, coal and industrial minerals in or on the
Earths crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade
or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic
extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological
characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are known,
estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and
knowledge.
mm millimeter.
NI43-101 National Instrument
43-101
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, promulgated by the
Canadian Securities Administrators effective as of
December 30, 2005.
open pit a surface working open
to daylight, such as a quarry.
ore naturally occurring material
from which a valuable mineral(s) can be economically extracted.
ore shoot a pipe-like,
ribbon-like or chimney-like mass of ore within a deposit
(usually a vein), representing the more valuable part of a
deposit. Syn; clavo.
oz ounce (troy). 1 troy ounce =
1.097 avoirdupois ounce.
oz/ton troy ounces per short ton.
Pb lead, a soft bluish-white,
dense metallic element.
porphyry an igneous rock of any
composition that contains conspicuous, large mineral grains
(phenocrysts) in a fine-grained matrix.
preliminary feasibility study a
comprehensive study of the viability of a mineral project that
has advanced to a stage where the mining method, in the case of
underground mining, or the pit configuration, in the case of an
open pit, has been established and an effective method of
mineral processing has been determined, and includes a financial
analysis based on reasonable assumptions of technical,
engineering, legal, operating, economic, social, and
environmental factors and the evaluation of other relevant
factors which are sufficient for a qualified person, acting
reasonably, to determine if all or part of the mineral resource
may be classified as a mineral reserve.
probable mineral reserves the
economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some
circumstances, a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at
least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include
adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical,
economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the
time of reporting, that economic extraction is justified.
proven mineral reserves the
economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource
demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This
study must include adequate information on mining, processing,
metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that
demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction
can be justified.
pyrite a mineral with the
chemical formula
FeS2.
J-4
pyroclastic rock formed by the
mechanical combination of volcanic fragments.
qualified person for the purposes
of NI
43-101, an
individual who is an engineer or geoscientist with at least five
years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development or
operation or mineral project assessment, or any combination of
these; and has experience relevant to the subject matter of the
mineral project; and who is a member in good standing of a
recognized self-regulatory organization of engineers or
geoscientists.
reverse circulation a rotary,
percussion drilling method in which rock specimens are broken
into small pieces, cuttings, and brought to surface by high
pressure air passing in the annulus between an inner and outer
drill casing. Abbreviation is RC.
rock quality designation or
RQD the cumulative length of drill
core pieces longer than a certain, predetermined length in a run
divided by the total length of the drill core run.
run-of-mine ore mined ore which
has not been subjected to any pre-treatment, such as washing,
sorting or crushing prior to metallurgical processing.
shrinkage stoping a method of
stoping which utilizes part of the broken ore as a working
platform and as support for the walls.
silicified a rock altered by a
silica-bearing hydrothermal solution.
sphalerite the main zinc ore,
with the chemical formula (Zn,Fe)S, often found in veins with
galena.
split a vein or seam that is
separated from the main vein or seam. Syn; loop.
Sn tin, a soft metal extracted
from cassiterite.
stope an excavation in an
underground mine from which ore is being or has been extracted.
strike the trend or direction of
the intersection of a dipping a layer of rock, fault, vein or
other geologic feature with a horizontal surface.
tailings material rejected after
recoverable valuable minerals have been extracted from the ore
or concentrate.
ton 2,000 pounds. Syn; short ton.
tonne 1,000 kilograms.
tuff a general term for all
consolidated pyroclastic rocks derived from solid volcanic
material which has been blown into the atmosphere by explosive
activity. Adj: tuffaceous.
vein an epigenetic mineral
filling of a fault or other fracture, in tabular or sheet-like
form, often with associated replacement of the host rock; a
mineral deposit of this form and origin.
Classification
of Mineral Reserves and Resources
Definitions of proven and probable mineral reserves and
measured, indicated and inferred resources are those prescribed
by NI 43-101
and conform to the CIM Standards.
Technical
Reports
The scientific and technical information in this Annex J,
relating to the Rochester Mine in Nevada, the Cerro Bayo Mine in
Chile, the Martha Mine in Argentina, the Endeavor and Broken
Hill mines in New South Wales, Australia and the
San Bartolomé silver project in Bolivia and Kensington
gold project in Alaska, is based on current technical reports in
respect of these properties filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) in
accordance with the requirements of NI43-101. Each of these
reports was prepared by, or under the supervision of, Donald
Birak, Coeurs Senior Vice-President of Exploration.
Mr. Birak is a qualified person under NI
43-101.
J-5
ROCHESTER
MINE, NEVADA
Property
Description and Location
The Rochester Mine, an open-pit silver mine that also produces
significant gold, is owned and operated by Coeur Rochester,
Incorporated (CRI), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation (Coeur). The
Rochester Mine is located in the Humboldt Range of northwestern
Nevada, 13 miles east of US Interstate 80 from the Oreana
exit, which is 12 miles north of the town of Lovelock.
The Rochester Mine controls 541 US Federal unpatented mining
claims, 54 US Federal mill-site claims, 23 patented claims,
and several leases which cover an additional 53 unpatented
claims. All parcels are contiguous with one another. The
unpatented lode and mill site claims are on public ground
administered by the US Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) for the State of Nevada. Mineral rights at the
Rochester Mine are 100% controlled by CRI. Lease payments are
paid annually to four private parties: 1) Nevada Land
Resources for utilities right-of-way; 2) the Ruddock Family
who staked unpatented mining claims adjacent to the Nevada
Packard Pit; 3) Newmont USA Ltd. for land containing two
monitor wells; and 4) Sun Alternate Energy Corp. for
unpatented mining claims adjacent to the Rochester Pit. All
leases are in good standing. Asarco Incorporated
(Asarco), the prior lessee, has a net smelter
royalty interest, which is payable only when the market price of
silver equals or exceeds $20.64/oz., up to a maximum rate of 5%.
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
Lovelock, Nevada is the closest population centre to the
Rochester Mine. Lovelock is a rural town in Pershing County,
with a population of approximately 2000 people and is
located approximately 90 miles east of Reno. Pershing
County is entirely within the basin and range physiographic
province bound to the west and east by northward trending
mountain ranges which are separated by alluvial valleys. Access
to the Rochester Mine site is via a two lane paved road
intersected by US Interstate 80 highway.
The mine is located within the Humboldt mountain range at an
elevation of 7,000 feet. The range contains steep slopes
and vegetation is typical high desert with sage brush and
mountain juniper as the dominant vegetation. The area typically
has four seasons with snowfall occurring sporadically from
October to June and warmer dry weather from June to October.
Operations are conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year with minor delays due to poor visibility during winter. The
mine is fully supported with electricity, telephone and radio
communications, production water wells, office facilities,
maintenance and warehouse facilities, two open pit mining areas,
crushing and conveying facilities, three heap leach pads, and a
process facility. The Rochester Mine has local electrical power
supplied by Sierra Pacific Power Company. Additionally, there
are three 14 to 22 production wells on site that
supply the process and production water. Telephone and radio
communications are also available at the mine site.
History
Pershing County has a long history of mining. During the period
from 1856 to 1970, 46 mining districts within the county
produced ore at a value of $167 million. In addition to
precious metals, the county hosts significant deposits of
tungsten, antimony, iron, gypsum, copper and diatomite.
Mines in the Humboldt Range began to appear in the early
1860s, when several high-grade silver and gold mines were
discovered. The first recorded mining activity in the Humboldt
Range occurred about 1860 on the northwest side of Star Peak.
The first shipments of silver ore from Nenzel Hill (at the
northern end of the current Rochester pit) occurred in 1909.
Approximately 8.7 million ounces of silver and 76,000
ounces of gold were extracted from the property during the early
1900s. Underground operations mined silver and gold veins
that averaged 6 feet in width and averaged 12 ounces of
silver and 0.1 ounces of gold per ton of ore. These operations
ended in 1935.
Rochester
Pit
CRI began open pit mining of the current Rochester Pit in 1986.
Large scale development drilling between 1989 and 1992 provided
the necessary data and geologic information to construct a solid
geologic model and
J-6
mineral resource. Another extensive drill program between 1999
and 2001 provided additional information confirming the
necessity to relocate the original tertiary crushing system and
expand the pit boundaries.
Nevada
Packard Pit
The original group of Packard claims was staked in
1912. In 1915, a 100-ton, cyanidation mill was built and later
increased to 175 tons per day. Approximately $2,000,000 in gold
and silver was extracted from the underground mines from 1913 to
1923. Several companies initiated exploration activities in the
Nevada Packard area between 1969 and 1995. In 1996, CRI entered
into lease agreements with Packard Mining, Inc., Frank Margrave
Jr. and Wilton Margrave, who then controlled the surface and
mineral rights. In 1999, CRI bought out the former owners and
became the owner of the Nevada Packard property. Mining of the
current Nevada Packard Pit began in December, 2002.
From 1986 through 2006, CRI has mined over 156,000,000 tons of
ore recovering over 116,000,000 ounces of silver and over
1,300,000 ounce of gold, making it one of the largest primary
surface silver mines in the world.
Geological
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Rochester Mine site is located in the southern Humboldt
Range, within the Great Basin of the Basin and Range
physiographic province. The Humboldt Range is a north-trending
horst block, bounded on the east and west by Tertiary-aged
normal faults. Folding in the Cretaceous, accompanied by
granodioritic intrusive events, resulted in a
northerly-trending, south plunging anticline that bisects the
Rochester Mine property.
The oldest rocks in the range are the Permian- to Triassic-aged
Koipato Group mafic to siliceous volcanic, sedimentary and
intrusive rocks and underlie the Rochester District. After
episodes of erosion, the Koipato Group was followed by
deposition of the Star Peak Group, which consists of
Triassic-aged sediments. The Triassic-aged sedimentary rocks
that flank the Humboldt Range partly define the antiform located
in the Rochester District. Late Cretaceous plutonism caused
extensive contact hydrothermal alteration and much of Koipato
rhyolites are altered to a quartz-sericite-pyrite assemblage.
Local
and Property Geology
The Rochester ore deposit, and Nevada Packard deposit, located
near the nose of this regional antiformal feature, occur in the
volcanic and epiclastic Permian-Triassic Koipato Group. The
Koipato Group comprises (in ascending order) the Limerick
Greenstone, Rochester Rhyolite, and Weaver Rhyolite
stratigraphic units. The Koipato Group is overlain by a
Mesozoic-aged marine-carbonate sequence of the Star Peak Group,
which is exposed on the western flank of the Rochester Mine.
Several intrusive stocks occur in the southern end of the range,
including a late Permian leucogranite, which is exposed within a
mile northeast of Packard. In addition, lower Triassic Rhyolite
porphyry intrusive dikes and small stocks dot the region. A
Cretaceous-aged granodiorite stock is exposed to the northwest
at Rocky Canyon.
The Rochester and Weaver formations are the only mineralized
rocks at the mine. Precious metals mineralization at Rochester
is believed to have accompanied the Cretaceous intrusive event
and has been grouped into three assemblages; silver-bearing
quartz tourmaline veins, silver-bearing quartz veins without
tourmaline and gold-bearing quartz tourmaline veins.
Silicification is the most pronounced alteration in the
Rochester Mine host rocks, postdating an early phyllic
alteration, and consists of quartz veins, quartz veinlet
stockwork and silica flooded breccia. The quartz veins and
veinlets typically exhibit several parallel and crosscutting
stages of deposition. Milky white quartz typically is
overprinted by gray to tan cryptocrystalline quartz veins and
veinlets. Silica alteration was recognized early in the
Rochester Mine life as an excellent guide to mineralization.
The Rochester and Nevada Packard mineralization, which are
hydrothermal systems, are located within the north-south shear
corridor bound by north-south wrench faults. The mine geology is
characterized by penetrative thrust faults overprinted by a
complex structural system of high-angle fault and fracture sets.
Although there is
J-7
evidence for compressional tectonism at Rochester, the majority
of structures appear to have been reactivated by the most recent
basin and range tectonic event.
Mineralization
Most of the gold and silver mineralization is oxidized and
generally disseminated within the host Weaver and Rochester
Formations. The upper Weaver units (spheroidal rhyolites and
shale) do not host mineralization in the Rochester Pit, but
provide an important cap-rock to the rising
hydrothermal fluids. The upper Weaver unit (spheroidal
quartz-feldspar porphyry, crystal tuffs) at Nevada Packard hosts
the majority of the mineralization. This is the uppermost
stratigraphic unit exposed in the Nevada Packard area.
Mineralization occurs along quartz veins and veinlets occupying
predominantly high and low angle
north/northeast
and just west of north fault systems. These veins are
discontinuous and are often displaced by crosscutting post
mineral faults. The bulk of the mineralization occurs in a
complex vein array system enveloping the fault zones that range
in size up to several hundred feet both along strike and down
dip. Mineralization is most dominant along multiple structural
intersections in both rhyolite formations and locally in
structurally prepared zones along the Rochester/Weaver contact.
As well, major mineralized and post mineral fault systems cut
the Weaver/Rochester contact. High and low angle post mineral
faulting identified from pit mapping disrupted ore trends with
offsets predominantly to the east and southeast.
Fine-grained silver-bearing quartz veins were the principal ore
host in the early days
(1912-1926).
Finely disseminated argentite and cerargyrite were the most
common ore minerals. A fairly narrow (10 to 100 feet)
quartz stockwork zone surrounds the principal quartz veins, and
is the focus of the modern exploration efforts. Silver
sulfosalts, finely disseminated argentite, and minor native gold
are believed to be the principal ore minerals in the stockwork
zones. Fine-grained pyrite, minor sphalerite, and trace galena
are the primary sulfide minerals present.
Exploration
The Rochester Mine has had extensive exploration programs from
1985 to the present. Many of the programs were comprised of
reverse circulation drilling programs designed to test
mineralized targets at the Rochester/Weaver contact and other
targets identified from mapping and from geochemical trends.
Most recent exploration by Coeur staff includes field mapping
and resource development drilling. In 2006, a modest drilling
campaign was begun at Nevada Packard with hopes of converting
resources to reserves around the active mining pits. 27 holes
were drilled totaling 5,080 feet.
Drilling
Through 2006, over 876,000 feet in 1,971, exploration holes
have been drilled in and adjacent to the Rochester deposit, and
over 125,000 feet in 483 exploration holes in the Nevada
Packard deposit. Exploration holes are logged for lithological,
mineralogical, structural, and metal grade information. This
information is used in the creation of both the geologic and
grade models. Drill hole cross sections are compiled on 100-foot
centers in north-south and N35W orientations. These sections
include drill hole assay data, rock type and alteration and are
used to define new targets, geologic continuity and development
of the geologic model.
Drilling to-date has been designed to drill every 200 feet
along strike (NE) by 100 feet across strike of major
mineralized trends. Favorable results are followed up by
additional drilling to provide tighter, local control to a
spacing of 100 by 100 feet. Approximately 70% of the holes
drilled to-date are vertical, reverse circulation holes.
Sampling
and Analysis
Sampling is performed on ten-foot increments in reverse
circulation drilling under strict geologic supervision. CRI
geologists or contract geologists trained by CRI geologists
perform the supervision and logging of the drill samples. When
drilling core, interval size varies from a minimum of 1 foot to
a maximum of 10 feet based on geologic similarities. The
geologist records detailed sample descriptions on drill logs.
Reverse circulation (RC) samples are collected by using a Gilson
dry splitter and a wet rotary cyclone splitter. Dry samples are
split to 15 to 50 pound samples and wet samples were collected
in a plastic bag and bucket to obtain adequate
J-8
samples. Duplicate field samples were collected every
100 feet to confirm drill results. Samples are submitted to
the mine analytical lab by the geologist. All sampling
procedures are completed according to industry standards.
Core samples are treated the same as reverse circulation
samples. After splitting, one quarter of a core sample is
submitted for assay, one quarter is metallurgicaly tested, and
half is retained for future test work or further
descriptive/mineralogical
work. Photos are taken of the core prior to splitting to keep
permanent records. Drill cutting and residual core samples are
maintained in boxes, vials or chip trays and stored at the
Rochester Mine site. Additionally, coarse reject samples and 90%
of the 1 pound pulps are collected and stored on site for review
or re-sample.
Drill hole deviation measurements have been common practice
since 1996 for holes drilled over 400 feet. Although a
majority of holes drilled prior to 1996 were vertical, it was
determined that better control was necessary for resource
estimation. Hole deviations were surveyed with gyroscopic
instrumentation. The results of the deviations show an absolute
(x, y and z) displacement of 20 feet for the total
depths. The deviation ranges from
5-70 feet
with a mean deviation of approximately 5 feet for every
100 feet measured.
In addition to the exploration drilling, blasthole drilling is
performed daily. Blasthole patterns are laid out on a pattern of
14 feet by 14 feet. Drill cuttings are sampled
continuously during blasthole drilling to the normal depth
25 feet. The samples are collected by drillers and labeled
according to the blasthole pattern laid out by the mine
surveyors. The mine surveyors collect each bag sample, confirm
appropriate sample number and deliver the samples to the
on-site
laboratory.
Additional checks and balances for the sample program consist of
face sampling and re-sampling the blasthole drill cone. This
method requires the use of a Jones dry splitter on the drill
pattern and the drill cutting cone to be split to a 10 pound
sample and submitted to CRI lab for assay. The split samples are
compared to the raw assay and evaluated for continuity.
Exploration and development drill samples have been analyzed by
Inspectorate America Laboratory and American Assay Laboratories,
both of which are governed by Independent Standard Organization
(ISO 9000 2), and by CRIs on site laboratory. ISO is a
certifying organization that oversees quality control and
standards for analytical labs. All pulps and ore grade coarse
rejects have been retained and are assessable for verification.
Numerous check assay programs have taken place from 1986 to
present. Samples were collected at the drill location with the
supervision of a CRI geologist. In addition, the qualified
person has reviewed the sampling, sample preparation, security
and analytical procedures and has verified the data disclosed.
The on site laboratory prepares samples that are roll-crushed
then split to approximately 150 grams and oven-dried. The entire
150-gram sample is pulverized using a ring and puck pulverizer.
The pulverizer produces a minus 100-mesh product (pulp) for
assay. The pulverized sample is weighed and rolled to ensure
homogenization. The sample is then fire assayed and followed
with an atomic absorption spectrophotometry assay.
Security
of Samples
Samples that were submitted to the CRI lab are collected by CRI
employees and hand delivered to the lab. CRI lab personnel
verify sample hole number, assay interval and store samples
inside the lab. Samples sent to outside laboratories are
collected on site by the outside lab and the CRI geologist
provides a written chain of custody for the samples with
signature of the commercial lab technician. The chain of custody
is secure and directly traceable from the field to the
commercial lab.
In addition to the assay pulps and ore grade coarse rejects
being retained, other quality control programs have been in
place for drill samples. Barren samples were inserted into each
development drill sample lot on a regular basis to monitor
potential sample contamination during preparation. The barren
sample was collected off site and assayed by several different
labs to confirm a very low or non detectable concentration of
gold and silver. Attempts are made to collect a barren sample
that resembles the color of drill samples.
Every month, the CRI lab randomly selects samples to be sent to
reputable commercial labs for check assaying. The results are
used to compare against precision and quality of the CRI lab.
Development drill hole samples (pulps) will be re-run and if
necessary the coarse rejects will be re-processed and assayed.
Blasthole samples that can not be reconciled will be thrown out.
J-9
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Reserve and resource estimates for the Rochester Mine are
normally calculated annually to semi-annually. Factors that
affect reserve and resource estimates on an ongoing basis
include production, metal prices, capital and operating costs,
grade model updates and mine planning and pit design changes.
The criteria used to categorize the following mineral resource
and mineral reserve estimates are those prescribed by the CIM
Standards. Historical extraction of silver and gold since
start-up of
the Rochester Mine demonstrates that the mine is a viable
operation.
Economic, metallurgical, environmental, and governmental factors
have all been considered. At present there are no issues
regarding these factors that would affect the reserve and
resource estimates. At the Rochester Mine, all reserves and
resources consider the combined economic weight of both silver
and gold. In this manner, all reserves and resources are
quantified on an equivalent silver basis; however, metal grades
are broken out into their respective silver and gold components
for reporting purposes.
Rochester
Mineral Reserves at December 31, 2006
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Au Grade
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Au Ounces
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Ag Grade
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Ag Ounces
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Category
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Tons (short)
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(oz/ton)
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(Contained)
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(oz/ton)
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(Contained)
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Proven
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3,720,288
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.0071
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26,400
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0.655
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2,436,498
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Probable
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Total
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3,720,288
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.0071
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26,400
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0.655
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2,436,498
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Rochester
Mineral Resources at December 31, 2006
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Au Grade
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Au Ounces
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Ag Grade
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Ag Ounces
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Category
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Tons (short)
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(oz/ton)
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(Contained)
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(oz/ton)
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(Contained)
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Measured
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12,304,000
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.0071
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87,700
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0.943
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11,597,900
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Indicated
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2,931,000
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.0072
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21,100
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0.923
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2,705,200
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Subtotal
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15,235,000
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.0071
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108,800
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0.939
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14,303,100
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Inferred
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Metal prices used were $475 Au and $8.00 Ag
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do not
have demonstrated economic value.
Cut-off grades (COG) are as follows.
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Rochester pit
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Crusher COG
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0.77 Eq Ag oz/ton
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Run-of-mine COG
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0.81 Eq Ag oz/ton
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Crusher COG sulfide
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0.82 Eq Ag oz/ton
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Nevada Packard pit
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Crusher COG
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0.96 Eq Ag oz/ton
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The Rochester Mine uses a gold multiplier to convert
gold assays to an equivalent silver grade before the cut-off is
utilized to determine quantities. The gold multiplier
calculation is shown below with the calculation to combine the
gold and silver grades to an equivalent silver grade.
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(gold price/oz − refining cost/oz) × % gold
recovery
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Gold multiplier
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=
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(silver price/oz − refining cost/oz) × % silver
recovery
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Equivalent Silver (Eq Ag opt) = (Au opt * multiplier) + Ag opt
Refining cost was $0.15/ounce. Recoveries were 92% for Au and
55% for Ag.
J-10
Confidence parameters for resource classification were
established from univariate statistics and normal histograms for
each specific model (samples used & actual distance).
This evaluation was completed for both silver and gold grade
estimation. Levels of confidence were assigned to each block in
the model based on the number of samples used to estimate each
block and the actual distance to the nearest sample. The
classifications are based on the silver evaluation because of
the complexity of the model and manipulation of the blocks to
establish silver equivalence. Upon extensive review of the
classification categories the gold blocks mimic the silver
blocks. In addition, the mineral reserve model is regularly
reconciled against mine production data.
Mining
Operations
Open
Pits
There are two active open pit mining areas at the Rochester
Mine, the Rochester Pit and Nevada Packard Pit. The Rochester
Pit is a series of mining phases and setbacks, which are mined
progressively in accordance with the mine plan. The second open
pit area is Nevada Packard which is located approximately
1.5 miles southwest of the Rochester Pit. Like Rochester,
Nevada Packard ore is truck hauled to the existing primary
crusher. Each mining area has its own waste dump facilities and
access roads.
Mining is completed by using two 85-ton capacity 777C, and eight
100-ton 777D Caterpillar haul trucks with two 992D and two 992G
Caterpillar front-end loaders. Blastholes are drilled with one
Ingersoll-Rand DM45, and three Ingersoll-Rand DML track-mounted
drill rigs. Blastholes are drilled to 28-foot depths, including
a 3-foot sub-drill. The holes are 6.75 inches in diameter
and on a 14 x 14-foot grid spacing. The blastholes are loaded
with a mixture of Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil (ANFO) and emulsion
and stemmed with crushed low-grade.
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
The Rochester Mine uses cyanide extraction and heap leaching
following 3 stages of crushing of the mined ore. A closed
circuit tertiary crushing system, in place from 1986 to 2003 was
replaced with two Nordberg MP800 crushers in open circuit
configuration. Construction of the new tertiary system began in
April 2003.
Ore from the pit is dumped into a hopper at the primary crushing
unit and fed into a jaw crusher, which crushes the rock to a
nominal 8 size. The jaw crusher product is conveyed to a
coarse ore stockpile which feeds the tertiary crushing system. A
belt feeder is used to reclaim ore from the coarse ore
stockpile. This material is conveyed to a vibrating screen and
screened at 3/8. The screen oversize is crushed in one of
two cone crushers operating in parallel. The cone crusher
product is combined with the screen undersize, three pounds per
ton of lime is added, and the material is conveyed across an
overland conveyor to the leach pads.
There are three large, dedicated leach pad facilities at the
Rochester Mine, each constructed with a double-lined system that
is checked for compliance with construction specifications. The
double-lined system consists of a one-foot layer of compacted,
low permeability clay with a primary high density polyethylene
liner as the final layer. Two of the three heap leach
facilities, Stages I and II, are located at the southeast end of
the property. Stage I is currently being reclaimed.
Stage II is currently under leach and receives mainly
run-of-mine ore, which has been treated with lime. The majority
of crushed ore is sent to the Stage IV pad, which is
located at the north end of the property. Sodium cyanide
solution is applied, via drip tube, and is allowed to filter
down through the pad, leaching the precious metals in the
process. This pregnant solution is then collected
and pumped to the process plant.
The processing facility is a Merrill-Crowe plant. Clarifiers
clean and filter solids such as dirt out of the solution as it
enters the plant. After oxygen removal, zinc is added to the
solution, which complexes with the cyanide and precipitates the
precious metals. The metal is extracted using plate and frame
filter presses. The media gathered off the press plates is
retorted to extract mercury and then melted in a propane-fired
furnace. The final product is poured out of the furnace into
half-round, twenty-five inch bars.
Project-to-date metallurgical recoveries calculated from
contained ounces delivered to the pads and actual recovered
ounces are 86% for gold and 55% for silver through
December 31, 2006.
J-11
Mine
Life
Mining of in-situ reserves is expected to be completed in 2007
while leaching of ore will continue to recover silver and gold
through 2011.
Markets
The final product shipped from the Rochester mine consists of
doré silver and gold (98% Ag, 1.5% Au, 0.5% other material)
bars weighing 350 pounds each. The bars are delivered to
contracted refiner, Johnson Matthey Inc.. The refined silver and
gold are sold by Johnson Matthey to a variety of buyers.
Taxes
The Rochester mine pays a state of Nevada Net Proceeds Tax. The
annual tax is paid only after a $2 million (US) minimum
profit level is achieved.
Permitting
CRI has obtained all necessary environmental permits and
licenses from the appropriate state and federal agencies for the
Rochester Mine and supporting facilities to operate. Operational
standards and best management practices have been established to
maintain compliance with these permits at all times.
Under the currently approved Reclamation Plan, the Rochester Pit
is permitted for 1,704 acres of disturbance within the
permit boundary. The Reclamation Plan is reviewed and approved
jointly by the BLM and the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection Bureau of Mining Regulation and
Reclamation (BMRR). Over 500 acres of the
disturbance have already been reclaimed as part of CRIs
concurrent reclamation program. The BLM and BMRR have granted a
partial bond release on 192 of these acres.
The Nevada Packard Pit permit boundary covers 605 acres and
includes 49 unpatented lode and 7 patented lode claims. The
unpatented lode claims are on public ground administered by the
BLMs Winnemucca District office. The unpatented claims and
mill sites are maintained yearly by way of lease agreements with
the BLM and Pershing County.
Permitting for the Nevada Packard Pit was completed in 2002 with
minor changes made in 2003. Coeur has permitted 200 acres
of disturbance for the mining of the Nevada Packard Pit. This
disturbance includes a small open pit, waste rock facilities,
haul roads, and associated ancillary facilities.
Exploration
and Development
Most recent exploration by Coeur staff includes field mapping
and resource development drilling. This program continues in
2007 to identify new targets which may be drilled in 2007 and
later years.
CERRO
BAYO MINE, CHILE
Property
Description and Location
The Cerro Bayo property is located in the Region XI, Chile,
approximately 130 km south of Coyhaique, the capital of the
region and 25 km west of the town of Chile Chico and is operated
by Compañia Minera Cerro Bayo (CMCB) a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation.
Region XI is an emerging precious metals province in the
sparsely populated southern Aysén region of southern Chile.
Besides Cerro Bayo, there are several exploration projects being
operated by various companies in the area and across the border
in Argentina. The region offers no impediments to exploration
and mining. Year-round access is available to highways, ocean
ports, and energy. Industrial services are readily available.
The 27,806 hectare (Ha) Cerro Bayo property is flanked on the
north by the large Lago General Carrera (called Lake Buenos
Aires in Argentina) and is accessed by a well-maintained public
gravel road. The project lies on the east side of the Andes
mountain range at moderate elevations ranging from 220 to 1,400
meters.
J-12
The mineral rights for the Cerro Bayo property are fully owned
by CMCB. The land position of CMCB is extensive in the area,
covering a continuous block formed by 23,106 Ha of patented
mining claims (Concesiones de Explotacion or Mensuras) and an
additional 4,700 Ha of Exploration Concessions (Pedimentos).
There are several other exploration concessions located on the
southeast margins of the concessions owned by CMCB.
CMCB fully owns 23,106 Ha of exploitation concessions
(Concesiones de Explotacion or Mensuras) and 4,700 Ha of
exploration concessions (Pedimentos).
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
The closest town to Cerro Bayo is Chile Chico (population 4,000)
which is accessible by paved and all-weather gravel roads,
charter air service from Balmaceda, and barge service from
Puerto Ibáñez on the northern side of Lago General
Carrera.
The project lies on the east side of the Andes and the climate
in the vicinity of Cerro Bayo can be characterized as
sub-Mediterranean. Although the area is known for its strong
westerly winds (sometimes exceeding 70 km/hr), the operations
have rarely been impacted as a result. The elevation of the
Cerro Bayo underground mines are approximately 400 to 800 meters.
Infrastructure includes typical requirements for underground and
open pit mining and processing using a standard flotation
circuit and includes a standard flotation mill, crushing plant,
tailings dam, office complex, warehouse facility, assay
laboratory, and power generation facility. In addition, Cerro
Bayo has received 5 authorizations for obtaining the use of
water on the concessions. A total of 600 liters per second from
Lago General Carrera has been authorized.
History
Gold and silver mineralization was discovered in the western
part of the Cerro Bayo District, an area named Laguna Verde, in
the summer of 1984 by Freeport Chilean Exploration company
(FCEC). Drilling of veins and potential bulk-minable
stockworks commenced in 1985 and continued until August 1989.
Exploration activities were discontinued, due to Freeports
decision to terminate its Chilean investments and in early 1990,
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation acquired FCEC, including
extensive exploration concessions at Laguna Verde and other
parts of Chile.
Coeur South America (formerly CDE Chilean Mining Corporation), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur dAlene Mines, resumed
evaluation of the area in the second quarter of 1990. In-fill
and step-out drilling and tunneling carried out in the
1990-1993
span delineated an open pit and underground mineral reserve,
which led to a feasibility study and a production decision in
mid 1994.
Construction of standard flotation mill installations started in
1994 west of Laguna Verde in the western part of the District,
and production started in October 1995. Full production started
in January 1996. Due to declining metal prices and depletion of
reserves the mine operation was suspended in November 2000.
Exploration conducted in 2000, before mine suspension,
discovered a new high-grade vein system near the Cerro Bayo
dacite dome located near the eastern part of the District, 12 km
east of the mill. Coeur spent most of 2001 conducting
exploration, engineering and economic evaluations of this new
area. Two ramps, or declines, were driven toward the main Lucero
vein starting in November 2001. Mine development pursued and the
Laguna Verde processing plant was re-started in April 2002.
Through 2006, over 450,000 ounces of gold and 25,000,000 ounces
of silver have been mined from the various deposits in the Cerro
Bayo District.
Geological
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Cerro Bayo District is situated within a
250-km long
north-south Mesozoic volcanic belt that lies near the boundary
between an eastern craton (Patagonian Plateau) and a western
magmatic arc (Patagonian Cordillera). Vast amounts of silicic to
intermediate calc-alkaline volcanics were erupted during
Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous time in a sub-aerial, intra-arc to
back-arc environment and deposited over a Late Paleozoic
accretionary basement prism.
J-13
The volcanic pile contains large volumes of rhyolitic to dacitic
ash flow tuffs and pyroclastic rocks interpreted to be
associated with large volcanic structures. Marine sedimentary
horizons deposited during restricted transgressions that
occurred in the Neocomian are interbeded in places with the
volcanics. The belt is unconformably overlain by plateau basalts
that range in age from Early to Late Tertiary.
Local
and Property Geology
The rocks exposed in the Cerro Bayo District are part of a thick
pile of silicic volcanics assigned to the Ibañez Formation
and are believed to represent a more or less continuous series
of Jurassic to Cretaceous volcanism. The Paleozoic basement that
regionally underlies the Mesozoic volcanics is not exposed in
the district at least to a depth of 370 meters from the surface.
Nevertheless fragments of the metamorphic rocks are contained in
the overlying volcanics all over the district. The sequence is
overlain by Tertiary basaltic rocks and minor volcanoclastics.
Intrusive rocks are mainly exposed west from Cerro Bayo. They
form the Patagonian Batholith, core of the Andes in the region,
and intrude Late Paleozoic fore-arc assemblages. The batholith
is composed of a variety of granitoids that range in age from
Jurassic to Miocene though most were emplaced in the Early to
Middle Cretaceous. Restricted intrusive bodies have been
identified east of the Andes and are represented by coeval
fine-grained porphyries, Cretaceous rhyolitic and dacitic domes
(such as the Cerro Bayo and Mallines domes), and Tertiary
basaltic porphyries and plugs.
Four main district-scale structural orientations have been
identified in the Cerro Bayo area. A regional structural study,
shows that district-scale structures form parts of
regional-scale structures with the same orientations. These
trends correspond to arc-parallel (N-S), arc normal
(E-W) and
conjugate transfer structures (NE-SW and NW-SE).
Arc-parallel structures are part of a north-south oriented,
deep-seated regional fault system that controls the emplacement
of the Cerro Bayo dome and other domes in the area as well as
some veins at Mallines, Meseta, and Brillantes areas. At Laguna
Verde, a NS to NNE arcuate fault system assumed to be related to
the arc-parallel structures contains brecciated veins and
breccias with silver-gold-molybdenum-lead-zinc mineralization.
Arc-normal
structures are oriented EW and are the least frequent in number.
They form faults with very large displacements in the district.
Two main sets of structures are grouped within the conjugate
transfer structures. The most important is the NW-SE fracture
system that controls the majority of the main stage precious
metal epithermal veins such as Lucero, Javiera, the Guanaco
system, and the Temer, Condor and Tranque veins near Laguna
Verde.
Mineralization
Gold and silver mineralization at Cerro Bayo is contained in
veins, stockworks (sheeted zones), and breccias. The deposits
show multiple stages of mineralization and display banding,
open-space filling, and mineral assemblages typical of low
sulfidation style of epithermal mineralization.
Over 50 major veins, and related splays or loops, have been
identified to date within the property. Vein mineralogy consists
of predominantly quartz with a minor but complex sulfide suite
and accessory gangue minerals. The veins pinch and swell
following pre-mineral faults and fractures. The main veins,
veinlets and stockwork systems trend N15-35°W, vary in dip
from vertical to 75° NW and SE, and are exposed for strike
lengths of up to 2,200 meters. Widths are highly variable along
strike and down dip, varying from a few centimeters up to 5
meters.
The control of mineralization is considered to be mostly
structural, with mineralizing fluids channeled along pre-mineral
faults. Lithology plays an important role in terms of the
brittleness and ductility (plasticity) of the host rock; more
brittle rocks host wide and more continuous veins.
Gold and silver occur as complex suites of minerals. Gold may be
found as inclusions in pyrite, filling cavities or on irregular
surfaces and less commonly in electrum and within galena and
sphalerite. Silver occurs mostly commonly as silver sulfosalt
minerals and less commonly in electrum. Base metal sulfides are
common though not abundant in the district. These include mostly
sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite; forming irregular
aggregates, stringers, and in some cases, massive veinlets.
Tetrahedrite occurs occasionally, as well as bornite and
famatinite. Supergene base metal products are rare in the area,
with the exception of local covellite, chalcocite (digenite,
idaite), cerussite, smithsonite and minor hydrohetaerolite.
Molybdenum mineralization is common in veins and
J-14
breccias in the Laguna Verde area and consists of specs and fine
disseminations of molybdenite accompanied by tungsten and zinc
rich wulfenite and jordisite. Quartz is the main gangue and
occurs in a variety of grain sizes and textures.
Hydrothermal alteration is subtle. Glacial erosion removed the
acid leach zone of the system preserving at the present surface
a level that was under the water table at the time of
mineralization. The most pervasive alteration is silicification,
which appears to have affected the host rocks over the life of
the hydrothermal system. Pyritization is widespread in the
district, mostly as an early stage of alteration with medium
grained quartz.
Trace element geochemistry studies suggests that for the two
first stages of mineral deposition the signature of
mineralization in the district is best defined by gold and
silver in the main stage of mineralization and also by high
concentrations of zinc and molybdenum in the previous silver
rich and base metal stage. The clearest enrichment in trace
elements is evidenced in hydrothermal and tectonic breccias,
which are enriched in lead, zinc and molybdenum. Silver values
tend to be more consistent and relate to other trace elements in
these bodies, though crosscutting quartz veinlets carrying gold
complicate the analysis. The best correlations are between base
metals, silver and molybdenum, and silver and zinc. Stockworks
(sheeted zones) are enriched in gold, molybdenum and zinc,
particularly where close to major brecciated structures. A
lesser enrichment in silver and lead is also evident. Veins are
enriched in gold, silver, and zinc and to a lesser degree in
lead.
Exploration
Mineral exploration activities have been carried out
continuously in the district since 1984. Activities were
originally conducted by FCEC and since 1990 by Coeurs
wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur South America. They have included
as a first pass structural and alteration interpretation using
satellite imagery, reconnaissance mapping at 1:5,000-1:25,000
scales and chip sampling of most promising outcrops. Selected
targets have been the subject of detailed geological mapping at
1:500-1:1,000 scales, systematic trenching and channel sampling
of outcrops every 5-25 meters, deep trenching of stockwork
zones, thin and polished section studies, partial ICP studies of
trace elements, and geophysical surveys
(IP / resistivity, magnetics, CSAMT).
Core drilling has been the main means of testing targets and
defining mineral resources and reserves. Restricted reverse
circulation (RC) drilling has been locally used attempting to
define bulk tonnage targets. Trenching and channel sampling is
also used to evaluate exposed veins, stockworks or breccias.
Exploratory tunnels were driven in the past into the most
promising underground vein targets. The area hosts numerous
exploration targets with gold and silver mineralization,
distributed in different mineralized sectors (zones).
The area hosts numerous exploration targets with gold and silver
mineralization, distributed in three main mineralized zones:
Cerro Bayo-Guanaco-Cascada (the later being a zone with newly
discovered high-grade silver and gold mineralization) and Laguna
Verde. Less known mineralization, which has been the subject of
preliminary work, is found in other areas: Meseta, Horquetas and
Brillantes. Mining was initially concentrated in Laguna Verde,
where several deposits were mined (Taitao 1, Temer 1-3, Condor
1-3, Tranque, Juncos, Breccia, NE Stockwork, etc.) by open pit
and underground methods. Since early 2002 the focus of mining
has concentrated on several vein deposits at Cerro Bayo (Lucero,
Luz Eliana, Javiera, Celia, etc.) and Cascada.
Drilling
Cerro Bayos current mineral resources and mineral reserves
are based on data generated from 3,551 core holes totaling
360,772 meters, 666 reverse circulation holes totaling 57,271
meters, and 25,222 underground and surface channel samples
totaling 66,831 meters. To date, a combined total of 484,874
meters in core drilling, RC drilling, and channel sampling has
been done at Cerro Bayo.
The majority of the core holes have been drilled with BQ (from
surface and underground) and the remaining with HQ (surface), NQ
(surface), Drilling has been carried out by contractors and by
CMCB and Coeur South America; the later two using
company-owned rigs (Diamec 252 and Diamec 262 type drills). True
widths vary for much of the drilling due to mineralized
stockworks and haloes associated with the veins as well as zones
of splits and intersections of veins. Horizontal widths for
every intercept are known, being calculated on the basis of a
J-15
formula that relates vein strike and dip with drill hole azimuth
and inclination and checked against underground exposures when
appropriate. Horizontal widths are utilized in modeling.
Twin core drilling is employed infrequently to check specific
mineralized structure. A total of 10 core holes have been
twinned by a second core hole to date in the Cerro Bayo area.
Twinning includes two holes in the Celia vein; five holes in the
Lucero vein; two holes in Luz Eliana; and one hole in Andrea
Norte. Holes were selected to be representative of the different
domains and grades in each of the veins. A total of 728.5 meters
were drilled for this purpose with BQ (3 holes) and NQ (7 holes)
core sizes. Core was split in half and assayed at ALS-Chemex
laboratory in Santiago. Six blanks and seven standards were
included for laboratory check.
Coordinates for drill hole collars are surveyed with industry
standard survey techniques using both in-house and contract
surveyors. Results are reproducible to within a few centimeters.
Coordinates are checked and verified prior to use in modeling
work. Sperry-sun down hole surveys have been taken on the
majority of the core holes. Results from Sperry-sun surveys show
slightly less than
4o
horizontal and
1.5o
vertical deviations per 100 meters. This is based on 481
surveyed core holes totaling 45,719 meters of drilling. A
multi-shot down-hole
(Reflextm)
survey instrument was purchased in 2004 and has been utilized
since for down-hole surveying every 3 meters along the holes.
The surveying information is incorporated in the 3D geological
modeling of mineral resources.
Sampling
and Analysis
Sampling of core drilling is performed under strict geological
criteria. Geologic and geotechnical logging are performed on the
core. Core recoveries are consistently high, averaging over 90%.
Mineralized intervals are selected for assaying for gold and
silver content. In cases where the holes are aimed for a
specific target, sampling is carried out only in selected
intervals of geological interest (veins, veinlets or
stockworks), as well as in the adjacent footwall and
hanging-wall host rock. Sampling interval size varies from a
minimum of 0.15 meter to a maximum of 2.0 meters. The mean
length is 0.50 meters. Due to the small core size (BQ), the
entire core is consumed in the assaying process. Digital
photographs are taken of the core to keep a permanent record.
Intervals that are not assayed are in storage at the mine site.
Each sample is assayed in-house at the CMCB laboratory on site.
Coarse rejects and pulps are retained for future test work or
further mineralogical and metallurgical works.
RC drilling was carried out at the Laguna Verde area in the very
early stage of exploration in the district; between 1990 and
1992, and was recently reassumed at Laguna Verde starting in
November 2003. Recent RC drilling was drilled using contracted
services using 5.5 inch bit. Sampling was performed on 1.0
meter increments with a targeted total sample size of
40-45kg. The
drill hole cuttings are logged by the geologists for
lithological, structural, and mineralogical information. Boxes
with cuttings of the sampled intervals are stored. The reject
material for any area is bagged and stored until the drilling
campaign, interpretation and modeling are complete for that
area, in order to review or resample if needed.
In addition to the drilling data, nearly channel sampling
totaling over with a total of over 66,000 meters are included in
the data base. Channel sampling is done with a jack hammer in
both open pits and underground. Samples are taken perpendicular
to the mineralized structures. The minimum sample length is 0.30
m and the maximum length is 1.00 m. The overall length, number
of individual samples and weight of the channel sample(s) is
determined by the width of the mineralized structure and
associated stockwork.
Stockpiles are routinely collected and analyzed at CMCBs
on-site
laboratory.
There is a complete assay laboratory located at site. This lab
contains all the facilities for sample preparation, fire, wet
and atomic absorption assays, as well as offices, washrooms,
reagents and general storage. Both mine and exploration samples
are assayed in this facility. Outside consultants have set up
the testing procedures in accordance with industry standards.
A rigorous QA/QC program is performed in-house at the Cerro Bayo
lab and consists of running 5% of the sample pulps in duplicate.
In addition, all concentrate assays also have duplicate checks.
Duplicate assays should fall within 10 percent of the
original assay value. When duplicate assays do not meet these
requirements, the duplicate sample, as well as the previous and
following samples are rerun and checked against the first
duplicate and the original assay. Based on the duplicate
assaying results, the laboratory shows good precision levels for
both gold and silver assaying.
J-16
In addition to duplicate assaying, CMCB uses several standard
samples, compiled from individual samples from Cerro Bayo veins,
to further analyze quality assurance and control. The statistics
for standards show acceptable relative errors in gold and silver
for all standards. Based on the results of standard assaying,
the CMCB lab produces acceptable accuracy for both gold and
silver in all grade ranges. Selected duplicate sample pulps and
standards are also sent to an external laboratory for
verification on a regular basis and show acceptable precision
between the two laboratories.
Security
of Samples
Each sample delivered to the mine laboratory is identified with
a unique sample number that is tracked throughout the assaying
process. The assay information comes directly from the lab in an
electronic format and is merged into the database using sample
numbers or IDs. Once the lab has finalized assays they are put
into a dedicated directory on the network. The database
automatically detects new assay files and options exist for
selecting those files (or assays) to be imported into the
database. This import process automatically checks for
duplicates, missing sample IDs, or any other non-conforming
assays (NCs) for investigation.
Checks are complete for any non-conforming assay information
such as duplicate samples and missing sample IDs. The database
also has built in features such as automatically calculating
sample lengths that minimize possible error generators. Security
features on the database include back-end lock-out and history
tracking. This ensures that no one can alter the data, tables,
or forms of the database from the back-end. The database tracks
each and every change made to the database and tags who and when
made the change. This includes any new data entry or any change
to previously entered data.
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the Cerro
Bayo mine are normally calculated on an annual or semi-annual
basis. Factors that affect reserve and resource estimates on an
ongoing basis include production, metals prices, capital and
operating costs, grade model updates and mine planning and pit
design changes.
The criteria used to categorize the following mineral resource
and mineral reserve estimates are those prescribed by the CIM
Standards. Economic, metallurgical, environmental, and
governmental factors have all been considered. At present there
are no issues regarding these factors that would affect the
reserve and resource estimates. All reserves and resources
consider the combined economic weight of both silver and gold.
In this manner, all reserves and resources are quantified on an
equivalent gold basis; however, metal grades are broken out into
their respective silver and gold components for reporting
purposes.
Confidence parameters for resource classification were
established from univariate statistics and spatial relationship
(samples used & anisotropic distance). This evaluation
was completed for gold grade estimation only. Classifications
were assigned to each block in the model based on the number of
samples used to estimate each block and the anisotropic distance
to the nearest sample.
Two distinct grade models may be created for veins with Gemcom
software: the
2-D model,
and the 3-D
model. Each series involves estimating silver and gold models
and then creating an equivalent gold grade model through simple
calculations involving the silver and gold models. Both
3-D and
2-D models
were utilized for reporting resources. To eliminate possible
duplication of reserve volume and grades, the mining design
solids were used to select and initialize to zero blocks that
fell within the solid. Remaining blocks were used to report
resources.
Mining solids or excavation solids were created utilizing the
geologic solids, drill hole information, block grades, and
operational issues such as minimum mining widths and mining
methods. Stope outlines (3D rings) are constructed on both plan
and vertical sections. Solids are created using the 2 sets of 3D
rings (same as geologic solid creation). Reserves were reported
using the mine design solids for volumetric and grade
calculations. Reserves include dilution and mining loss
considerations.
J-17
Cerro
Bayo Mineral Reserves at June 30, 2007
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Au Grade
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Au Ounces
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Ag Grade
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Ag Ounces
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Category
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Tonnes
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(g/t)
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(Contained)
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(g/t)
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(Contained)
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Proven
|
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543,000
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4.74
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83,000
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|
287
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5,017,000
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Probable
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501,000
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|
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4.63
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|
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|
74,000
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|
|
|
265
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|
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4,275,000
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Total
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1,044,000
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4.69
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157,000
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277
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9,292,000
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Cerro
Bayo Mineral Resources at June 30, 2007
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Au Grade
|
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Au Ounces
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Ag Grade
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Ag Ounces
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Category
|
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Tonnes
|
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(g/t)
|
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(Contained)
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(g/t)
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(Contained)
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Measured
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416,000
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5.19
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69,500
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304
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4,070,000
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Indicated
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658,000
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4.78
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101,000
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|
198
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4,195,000
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Subtotal
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1,074,000
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4.94
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170,500
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239
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8,265,000
|
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Inferred
|
|
|
1,039,000
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|
5.32
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|
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|
177,500
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|
288
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|
|
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9,606,000
|
|
Metal prices used were $550 Au and $10 Ag
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do not
have demonstrated economic value.
Cut-off grades (COG) vary between 4.46 and 5.26 Au Eq g/t.
A silver divisor is used to convert silver assays to
an equivalent gold grade. This calculation is shown below.
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(Gold price/oz) * (Au Recovery, 91%)
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Silver Divisor
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=
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(Silver price/oz) * (Ag Recovery, 92%)
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This divisor is used to create the equivalent gold grade model
with the following equation:
Equivalent Gold (Au Eq g/t) = Gold (Au g/t) + (Silver
g/t / Divisor).
Mining
Operations
The current mining activities of CMCB, all of which are
currently conducted by underground methods, are centered at the
Cerro Bayo and Laguna Verde areas.
Underground
Mining
Mining methods utilized or to be utilized for extracting the
mineral reserve include open pit and three types of underground
mining techniques; shrinkage stoping, cut and fill stoping and,
long hole stoping.
Shrinkage stoping methods have been used very
successfully at Cerro Bayo and normally 100% extraction of the
stope is achievable. This is the method utilized in the larger,
more continuous veins such as Javiera. Dilution added to the
shrinkage reserves include 100% of low grade within the mine
solid plus and additional 10% to 25% of the total volume at zero
grade. The dilution depends on the vein width in the stope.
Losses of 5% are considered.
Cut and fill stoping methods have been
successfully used at Cerro Bayo on very narrow veins that will
not support shrinkage stoping due to extreme amounts of dilution
associated with 1.20 meter minimum mining widths. Since a very
narrow (0.50 meter) cut is achievable, dilution is significantly
less than shrinkage stoping. Dilution added to the cut and fill
reserves include 0.20 meters in width at zero grade. Losses of
5% are considered.
Long hole stoping is a new method of ore
extraction at Cerro Bayo and is most appropriate on the widest
and steepest veins. It is being used on Cascada and will be part
of the mining plan for Marcela Sur. This method will permit
faster extraction and cheaper mining costs.
J-18
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
The Laguna Verde mineral processing plant comprises a crushing,
grinding and flotation facility with a design capacity of
approximately 1,500 mtpd. The plant produces a bulk sulphide
concentrate containing gold and silver which is sold to third
party smelters.
Ore is received from various mining areas in the district and as
such may respond differently during processing. Therefore,
blending of the mineral is important to maintain maximum milling
efficiencies and an active stockpile is maintained. The mine
provides ore to the mill in trucks dumping to a set of
stockpiles at the mill where the ore is crushed, in a 1,070 mm x
1,220 mm (42 x 48) jaw crusher, then ground in a
semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill (5.5 m x 2.8
m) with a 1,000 kW drive. The unit is equipped with an
internal re-circulating trommel to return the oversize material
to the SAG mill.
Following grinding, the ore is processed in a series of
industry-standard flotation cells first being a flash flotation
cell followed by a rougher/scavenger flotation cell
configuration. The flash cell recovers 45 to 65% of the total
floatable gold and 40 to 50% floatable silver. After the
rougher/scavenger circuit concentrate is processed by
regrinding, further treatment in a column cell, and finished
with two more stages of cleaner flotation.
The concentrate dewatering circuit consists of a 9 m diameter
thickener, a 4 m diameter x 4 m high agitated stock tank and two
Larox pressure filters. Typically only one filter is required,
while the second one is on standby. The filtered concentrate
drops from the filters into the concentrate load out area.
Actual mill production records for 2006 show the following
recoveries for gold and silver.
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Ore
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Au Recovery
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Ag Recovery
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Cerro Bayo Average
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91.6
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%
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93.8
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%
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Martha Average
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91.0
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%
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95.0
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%
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Mine
Life
The base case life-of-mine plan consists of only proven and
probable reserves and extends through 2009. Martha Mine ores
purchased is also included in the plan.
Markets
Concentrates are sold under contract to private refiners.
Current contracts are with DOWA Mining Company, Ltd. located in
Japan and Met-Mex Peñoles SA de CV Mexico located in
Mexico. The awarding of the contract is done under corporate
bidding procedures and controls. The actual contract is within
normal market parameters for concentrate sales.
Taxes
As of June 30, 2007, CMCB has an accumulated tax loss of
US$27,202,195. CMCB will not be paying any taxes on profits
until this loss is completely offset. CMCB has entered into an
agreement under Chilean law D.L. No. 600 where by
CMCBs profits can be taxed at the agreed rate of 42% at
its maximum, once the loss is exhausted.
CMCB pays a value added tax of 19% on all equipment, supplies,
parts and services. These taxes are exempt for the production of
export products. CMCB exports 100% of its production and
therefore receives a refund for practically all of the tax
payments.
CMCB pays between 2.4 and 3% on gross salaries up to a taxable
wage maximum of 90 UF (unidad de fomento) per each employee.
Each UF equals 18,336 on current Chilean pesos. CMCB incurs a
cost of approximately US$160,000 per year on this tax.
CMCB retains 10% and forwards to the Chilean IRS 10% on all
services rendered by outside professionals.
J-19
Permitting
All the mining operations of CMCB are fully protected by the
mining concessions owned by the CMCB. CMCB has an obligation to
post a bond for tailings dam reclamation and remediation. The
cost of the bond is $15,000 per year plus a negotiable letter of
credit for $1,200,000. CMCB has all environmental permits
required for current operations. The recent ABA analysis and wet
cell test that have been conducted illustrated that there is a
potential for acid rock drainage (ARD). ARD potential is
manageable but increases the closure cost and makes it necessary
to take operational measures to control or avoid ARD.
Hazardous substances such as diesel fuel and oil are handled on
a daily basis. These substances can contaminate the superficial
or underground water supplies if spilled. Waste oils are
collected, treated, and disposed of by a licensed third party.
Airborne particles from the tailings dam could rise above
required standards and force expenditures to correct the
problem. The underground mines occasionally encounter areas of
perched water that requires management and mitigation on a case
by case basis.
The tailings dam has a maximum of three years of capacity
remaining, sufficient to process all the current mineral
reserves. Alternative areas are being reviewed for dam
construction.
Exploration
and Development
Exploration is underway to 1) discover and define new gold
and silver mineral resources and 2) develop mineral
resources to mineral reserve status. Exploration at Cerro Bayo
has been very successful for Coeur. Since 2001, Exploration has
consistently replaced reserves at a rate that exceeds annual
mine production depletion. For 2007 the exploration program will
total over 28,800 meters of core drilling to discover new
mineral resources and an additional 30,000 meters planned to
define resources to mineral reserves.
MARTHA
MINE, ARGENTINA
Property
Description and Location
The Martha Mine is owned and operated by Coeur Argentina S.R.L.
(CA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur dAlene Mines
Corporation (Coeur) of Coeur dAlene, Idaho. The mine is
located in the Santa Cruz Province (the Province)
near the town of Gobernador Gregores in southern Argentina.
Martha is an underground high-grade silver mine that also
produces minor amounts of gold. Santa Cruz is an emerging
precious metals province in the sparsely populated southern
Patagonia region of southern Argentina. Martha, San Jose
and Cerro Vanguardia are the most prominent mines in the area.
Several advanced exploration projects are being operated by
various companies.
The Province offers no impediments to exploration and mining.
Year-round access is available to highways, ocean ports, and
energy. A prolific oil industry supports the local economies and
infrastructure. Industrial services are readily available.
Minerals are owned by the Provincial government. Individual
provinces are allowed to impose a maximum 3% mine royalty on
mineral production. Exploration rights are acquired by filing a
cateo, which gives exclusive prospecting rights for an
area for a period of time, generally 3 years with the
Provincial mining authorities. The holder of a cateo has
exclusive right to establish a Manifestation of Discovery
(MD) on that cateo. 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 a disseminated
discovery. A square protection zone can be declared around the
discovery of up to 840 hectares for a vein MD or 7,000 hectares
for a disseminated MD. The protection zone grants the holder
exclusive rights for an indefinite period, during which the
holder must provide an annual report presenting a program of
exploration work and investments related to the protection zone.
An MD can later be upgraded to a Mina (exploitation
claim), which gives the holder the right to begin commercial
extraction of minerals.
The mineral rights in the area are fully owned by CA. The land
position of CA is extensive in the area; totaling 54,158 Ha of
exploration claims, 35,599 Ha of discovery claims and 142 Ha of
exploitation claims for a total of 89,898 Ha. Martha is
centered on the exploitation claims, which fully cover the area
where reserves and
J-20
resources are being reported. The exploration and mining claims
have been legally surveyed. Surface rights covering the Martha
Deposit are controlled by the 35,705-hectare Cerro
1o
de Abril Estancia which is owned by CA.
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
Martha is located 50 km northeast of Gobernador Gregores and 173
km northwest of Puerto San Julian, which are both active
population centers. Access is by public gravel roads comprised
of national routes 25 (east/west) and 12 (north/south).
The topography of the area is in general smooth with rounded
hills with an average altitude of
300-400 m
above sea level. Access is good, through unpaved main roads and
local trails. The area is fully accessible to four-wheel-drive
vehicles.
The climate is harsh in wintertime with frequent snowfalls and
strong winds. The winter conditions can affect production by
temporarily closing the road used in transporting material to
CMCB. Temporary closures are normally two or three days.
Surface water is available from ponds and springs and
underground water resources may be found in some extensive
gravel flats. Water is also available from de-watering
activities at both the Martha and R4 underground operations.
Sufficient water for all operational aspects is available from
these sources.
Infrastructure includes a man-camp, main shop and warehouse,
assay lab, diesel storage, diesel power generation, and an
office complex located on the Cerro
1o
de Abril Estancia. Mine site infrastructure includes diesel
storage, diesel power generation, explosive storage facilities,
crushing plant, shop and warehouse, lunch room, and container
type operations offices are sufficient for all foreseen mining
activities.
History
Martha was discovered in 1997 by Yamana Resources Inc.
(Yamana) Drilling was initiated on the property in
January 1998 when shallow reverse circulation holes were
drilled, returning precious metals values of interest in
oxidized ores along the Martha Mine vein system and defined a
mineral resource. The mineral resource was evaluated late in
1999 and a mine plan was produced in February 2000. The mineral
rights were transferred to Campania Minera Polimet S.A.
(Polimet) a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamana in Argentina.
On April 3, 2002, Coeur purchased 100 percent interest
of Polimet for total cash consideration of US$2.5 million.
With this purchase, Coeur acquired the Martha high-grade
underground silver mine in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina.
In addition to the Martha mine, Coeur received a highly
prospective land package in the immediate area of 65,000
hectares. The acquisition of the Martha mine was a strategic
move for Coeur because of the availability of the CMCB mill
located near Chile Chico, XI Region, Chile. The mineral was high
enough grade to justify transportation to the facilities at
CMCB. A mineral purchase agreement between Polimet and CMCB was
approved and transportation of mineral began in late June, 2002.
Geological
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Martha District is located in the Deseado Massif, an
extensive volcanic field of Jurassic age, which hosts several
precious metal deposits and occurrences. The Deseado Massif is
characterized by a rigid positive behavior, which contrasts with
a marked subsidence to the north and southwest, which generated
the well-defined pericratonic basins that contain the oilfields
of Southern Argentina.
Large amounts of silicic to intermediate volcanics were erupted
in the area in Jurassic times in a sub-aerial, cratonic
(back-arc), tensional environment, over-imposed on a Paleozoic
basement. The volcanic pile is mainly composed of rhyolitic to
dacitic flows. Two main lithologic units are distinguished in
the region: a basal sequence of more intermediate to basic
volcanics that includes andesites, basalts and agglomerates; and
an extensive upper acidic unit formed by rhyolitic welded
ignimbrites, tuffs, ash fall tuffs, and agglomerates with
interbeded dacites.
J-21
Several small basins were developed in the area after the main
volcanic episodes, a consequence of intense block faulting.
Continental sediments were deposited in the Upper Jurassic to
Lower Cretaceous in those basins, represented by tuffaceous
sandstones, tuffites, limestones, conglomerates, and shales.
Basaltic plateau volcanism was dominant during the Tertiary span
coupled with minor marine ingressions that produced the
deposition of sandstones, shales and fossiliferous limestones.
Local
and Deposit Geology
The rocks exposed in the Martha District are part of a thick
pile of acidic volcanics assigned to the Jurassic-aged Chon Aike
Formation. The Paleozoic basement and the basal andesitic unit
of the Mesozoic pile are not exposed in the area. The acidic
sequence is overlain mainly by Tertiary basaltic flows and
Cretaceous sediments.
Intrusive rocks are scarce in the area. They are represented by
irregular bodies of rhyolitic porphyries that intrude the main
silicic volcanic units, and by basaltic plugs that pierce the
whole sequence.
Because of the extensive cover, structure is not evident in the
field. From a structural point of view the area is characterized
mainly by block faulting as a response to two main fracturing
systems that trend northwest. Movements are in general left
lateral along the main faults. Several main structural patterns
are recognized in the District; the most significant trending
E-W, N60W
and N30W. A N-S trend has also been recognized. The first two
systems host mineralized veins, and the last system produces
left lateral displacement of the mineral bodies. Some arcuate
features are recognized north of Martha, possibly representing
fractures related to the margins of a caldera.
Mineralization
Silver-gold mineralization at the Martha District is contained
in veins, veinlet systems (sheeted zones or stockworks), and
subordinate breccias hosted preferentially in WNW trending
faults. The deposits display multiple stages of mineralization,
displaying open-space filling and banding. The epithermal nature
of mineralization is evident with local bonanza grades.
Over 20 veins have been identified in the district. Veins pinch
and swell following pre-mineral faults and fractures. The veins
present massive textures with intergrowths of quartz and
adularia crystals up to 2 cm in diameter, ocherous textures
where the silver-gold ores are normally deposited, banded
textures with alternating bands of quartz-adularia and silver
sulphosalts, and brecciated textures with siliceous cement
associated to pyrite disseminations.
The stockworks are developed in silicified and argillized zones.
They are made of gray silica with fine-grained pyrite in their
margins. Veinlet systems consist of gray silica veinlets with
fine disseminations of pyrite or barren white quartz veinlets.
The geometry of the mineralized bodies, their mineralogy, and
the spatial relation between different mineralized phases
suggests that WNW and ENE fractures with open spaces were
generated as an initial stage of development. The first
mineralizing pulse produced intense pyritization along the main
faults. A second pulse produced the development of
quartz-adularia-copper-lead-zinc veins and veinlets. Cross
cutting faults were generated following a N30W preferential
direction. A third pulse introduced the main precious metals
mineralization as systems of quartz-pyrargyrite veinlets that
are oblique to the main quartz veins and also cross haloes with
disseminations of pyrite. The gold/silver ratio in the main ore
bodies approaches 1:1,000.
Hydrothermal alteration is, in general, weak in the district. A
moderate to weak silico-argillic alteration coupled with weak
silicification and hematization is identified in the vicinities
of the main mineralized structures, grading inwards into a
moderate to strong silicification restricted to a few meters in
both walls of the veins. A weak propylitic alteration is
evidenced as a regional geologic feature.
Ore mineralogy is complex, particularly in the upper oxidized
zone. Primary ores are composed of silver sulphosalts (mainly
pyrargyrite), native silver, electrum, chalcopyrite, galena, and
sphalerite, in a gangue of quartz, adularia, pyrite and some
clays. Oxidized ores are composed of native silver, limonite,
hematite, jarosite, clays, and a suite of silver, copper and
lead oxides (mainly boleite, azurite, and plumbojarosite).
J-22
Exploration
The exploration targets at Martha include veins, veinlet systems
and stockworks (sheeted zones) hosted in moderately welded
Mesozoic rhyolites. The main mineralized systems trend
N30-70°W, vary in dip from vertical to 65°S, and are
exposed over strike lengths of 50 to 1,200 meters. Widths are
highly variable along strike and down dip, varying from a few
centimeters up to 3 meters.
Exploration activities have been carried out in the area since
1995. Activities have included structural and alteration
interpretation using satellite imagery, geophysical surveys,
reconnaissance mapping at 1:5,000-1:25,000 scales and chip
sampling of most promising outcrops. Selected targets have been
the subject of detailed geological mapping at 1:250-1:2,000
scales, systematic channel sampling of outcrops every 5-25
meters, deep trenching of veins and stockwork zones, thin and
polished section studies, partial ICP studies of trace elements
and local geophysical surveys (airborne magnetics and
radiometric, and ground IP/resistivity, magnetics and CSAMT).
Core drilling has been the main means of evaluating resources.
Reverse circulation (RC) drilling has been used as an
exploration tool to define the surface mineral indications along
strike and down dip. Resources have been defined from geological
models prepared on cross sectional and plan views. 2D and 3D
block models prepared using geostatistical parameters have been
used since 2002 to produce resource estimates.
The substantial exploration activities have resulted in a large
database of drill hole and channel sample information that is
currently maintained as an Access database, with plans to
migrate the data to a new, Acquire database in 2007 and 2008.
The database has been updated and verified by Coeur staff
regularly.
Drilling
The Martha Mine mineral resources and reserves are based on data
generated from; 708 core holes totaling 72,347 meters, 321 RC
holes totaling 15,483 meters, and 1,646 channel samples totaling
3,100 meters. Three sizes of core have been drilled at Martha;
NQ core drilled from surface and underground, HQ core drilled
from surface; and IEW (25mm) core drilled from underground with
a packsack drill. The surface core is drilled using contract
drilling.
The drilled core is put into core boxes and transported to the
camp/office complex where it is logged by the geologist for
lithological, structural, and mineralogical information.
Mineralized intervals are selected for assaying for gold and
silver content. Sample interval size varies from a minimum of
0.15 meters to a maximum of 1.5 meters based on geologic
features. These intervals are cut in half with a diamond core
saw. One half of the core is sent to the lab for assaying and
the remainder retained for future use. All unused core is in
storage at the mine site and is available for viewing.
The underground core is drilled using CA personnel. The drilled
core is put into core boxes and transported to the camp/office
complex where it is logged by the geologist for lithological,
structural, and mineralogical information. Mineralized intervals
are selected for assaying for gold and silver content. Sample
interval size varies from a minimum of 0.15 meters to a maximum
of 1.5 meters based on geologic features. Due to the small core
size, the entire core is consumed in the assaying process.
Intervals that are not assayed are in storage at the mine site.
Core recovery is calculated on the basis of actual versus
theoretical meterage. RQD is measured as a proportion of core
longer than 0.1 m to the full drilled length per core round.
Core recoveries are good in the district; varying from 68% in
few areas of low welding to 99% in welded rhyolites, with an
average of
92-93%. RQD
measurements vary from 16% to 79% and average 50.5%.
RC drilling was performed up to 2006 by CA exploration personnel
using a track mounted EXPLORER reverse circulation drill that
drills a 5 inch hole. Sampling is performed on 0.50 or 1.0
meter increments with a targeted sample size of 7-10 kg. The
sample collected in the cyclone is split in half if the sample
interval is 1.0 m. If the sample interval is 0.50 m, the entire
sample is sent to the lab. The drill hole cuttings are logged by
the geologist for lithological and mineralogical information. If
considered appropriate, boxes with cuttings from selected
intervals are stored. The reject material for an area is bagged
and maintained in the field until the interpretation and
modeling processes are complete for an area in order to review
or resample.
J-23
In addition to the drilling, over 1,646 channels with a total of
3,100 meters are included in the data base. Most of the channels
are back channels cut into the vein in underground workings,
with the remaining cut into the vein on surface. A normal
channel is cut (chiseled) 0.1m wide by 0.1m deep and normally
would completely cross the mineralized structure. On surface, a
zone around the area to be sampled is carefully cleaned followed
by placing a clean sample collection cloth before chiseling the
sample. Beginning and ending locations of each channel are
surveyed to locate the channel in true
3-D space.
Coordinates for drill hole collars are surveyed with industry
standard survey techniques using both in-house and contract
surveyors. Results are reproducible to within a few centimeters.
Coordinates are checked and verified prior to use in modeling
work. Tropari down-hole surveys were done on drilling completed
prior to July 1, 2003. Surveys showed large changes in
direction, mainly in the azimuth, in many of the holes. The
Tropari results were interpreted as not being reliable and so
were not utilized in the deposit modeling. After July 1,
2003 Sperry-Sun down-hole survey techniques have been utilized.
No Sperry-sun down hole surveys have been done on any reverse
circulation drilling. A multi-shot, down-hole
Reflextm
instrument was purchased in 2004 and has been utilized since for
surveys every 3 meters down hole. The survey data is
incorporated into the estimation of mineral resources.
Sampling
and Analysis
Each core and RC drill sample is identified with a unique sample
number that is tracked throughout the assaying process. The
samples are first dried then the sample is jaw crushed, roll
crushed then split to approximately 1.50 kg. This 1.50 kg sample
is pulverized using a plate pulverizer and further split to
approximately 200 grams. This split is then further pulverized
with a ring and puck pulverizer to 0.106 mm. The pulverized
sample is rolled and transferred to a numbered envelope. Silica
sand is pulverized at the end of the entire sample run in order
to minimize possible contamination for the next run.
Assaying is a fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Each sample
is fire-assayed using a traditional lead oxide flux as well as a
known addition of silver (in quart). The samples are placed in
gas fired assay furnaces.
An internal quality control program was developed for the Martha
lab. It comprises running 20% of assays in duplicate and
inserting standards at 20% of sample volume. Exploration
drilling is also subject to external assaying analysis.
The main QA/QC program is performed in-house at the Martha lab
and consists of running 20% of the assay pulps in duplicate.
Duplicate pulps should fall within 10 percent of the
original assay value. When duplicate assays do not meet these
requirements, the duplicate sample, as well as the previous and
following samples are rerun and checked against the first
duplicate and the original assay.
Security
of Samples
A rigorous data validation process has been done on the Martha
data. Several validation techniques have been utilized in this
process. The first error checking procedure is completed using
the master database. Checks are complete for any non-conforming
assay information such as duplicate samples and missing sample
IDs. The database also automatically calculates sample lengths,
minimizing possible error generators. The database also
generates reports that allow the data to be checked visually.
The second error checking procedure is done with the Gemcom Mine
Planning software. Gemcom has good checking capabilities for
errors in header, survey, and assay information. The third
procedure involves visually checking the data. A complete check
of hard copy versus Gemcom data is done. In addition, each drill
hole that is imported into Gemcom is visually checked to ensure
that all locations and survey information are correct.
Security features on the database include back-end lock-out and
history tracking. Only the database manager has the password
that allows access to the back-end. This ensures that no one can
alter the data, tables, or forms of the database from the
back-end. The database tracks each and every change made to the
database.
Senior project personnel have portable versions of the database
on their laptop computers. This allows them access to the data
at all times. Nevertheless, the portable databases are only
up-to-date to the point that the master database is copied onto
the laptop as no data entry is allowed on the portable version.
Policy dictates that the
J-24
database is only copied from the master to the portable. Copying
from the portable to the master is not allowed, which ensures
the integrity of the master database.
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Reserve and resource estimates for the Martha Mine are normally
calculated on an annual or semi-annual basis. Factors that
affect reserve and resource estimates on an ongoing basis
include production, metal prices, capital and operating costs,
grade model updates, mine planning and pit design changes.
Economic, metallurgical, environmental, and governmental factors
have all been considered. At present there are no known issues
regarding these factors that would affect the reserve and
resource estimates. All reserves and resources consider the
combined economic weight of both silver and gold. In this
manner, all reserves and resources are quantified on an
equivalent silver basis; however, metal grades are broken out
into their respective silver and gold components for reporting
purposes.
Both 3-D and
2-D models
are utilized. To eliminate possible duplication of reserve
volume and grades, the mining design solids are used to select
and initialize to zero blocks that fell within the solid.
Remaining blocks are used to report resources. Resources are
reported in-situ and do not include dilution. Only 3D models are
utilized for reporting reserves. Mining solids or excavation
solids are created utilizing the geologic solids, drill hole
information, block grades, and operational issues such as
minimum mining widths and mining methods. Stope outlines are
constructed on vertical sections and excavation solids are
created. Reserves are reported using the mine design solids for
volumetric and grade calculations. Reserves include dilution and
mining loss considerations.
Martha
Mineral Reserves at June 30, 2007
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
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|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
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(g/t)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Proven
|
|
|
30,500
|
|
|
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4.03
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|
|
|
3,900
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|
|
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2,703
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|
|
|
2,646,000
|
|
Probable
|
|
|
72,700
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|
|
|
2.83
|
|
|
|
6,600
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|
|
|
2,108
|
|
|
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4,930,000
|
|
Total
|
|
|
103,200
|
|
|
|
3.18
|
|
|
|
10,500
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|
|
|
2,284
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|
|
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7,576,000
|
|
Martha
Mineral Resources at June 30, 2007
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
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|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Measured
|
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19,500
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|
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|
2.34
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|
1,800
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1,784
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|
|
|
1,125,000
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|
Indicated
|
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|
32,000
|
|
|
|
2.67
|
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|
2,000
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|
|
|
2,745
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2,110,000
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Subtotal
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51,500
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2.55
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|
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3,800
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|
|
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2,381
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3,235,000
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Inferred
|
|
|
67,000
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|
|
|
1.71
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
3,693
|
|
|
|
3,374,000
|
|
Metal prices used were $550 Au and $10 Ag
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do not
have demonstrated economic value.
Cut-off grades (COG) were variable between 500 800
g/t Ag Eq.
Martha uses a gold multiplier to convert gold grades
to an equivalent silver grade for mine planning and budgeting
purposes. This calculation is shown below.
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(Gold price/oz) * (Au Recovery, 89/3%
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Gold Multiplier
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=
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(Silver price/oz) * (Ag Recovery, 91.93%)
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|
Recoveries are based on the payable metal from the sales
contract with CMCB. This multiplier is used to create the
equivalent silver grade model with the following equation:
Equivalent Silver (Ag Eq g/t) = (Gold g/t * Multiplier) + Silver
g/t.
J-25
Mining
Operations
The current mining method only consists of underground shrinkage
stope mining, but open pit mining has been successful in the
past and could be utilized for near surface extraction. Final
underground stopes are designed using
3-D modeling
methods. In
3-D models,
mining solids or excavation solids are created utilizing the
geologic solids, drill hole and channel sampling information,
and operational issues such as minimum mining widths and mining
methods. Stope outlines are constructed on plan
and/or
vertical sections. Solids are created using these stope
outlines. Reserves are reported using the mine design solids for
volumetric and grade calculations.
Shrinkage stoping methods have been used very successfully at
Martha. The shrinkage stope design calls for a basal drift to be
driven at the lower level of the stope. Raises driven to the
ultimate height of the shrinkage stope provide access and
ventilation to the stopes. A remote control scoop is utilized to
extract blasted ore. This method reduces development meters and
time. Normally 100% extraction of the stope is achievable, but
depends on the ability to extract the pillars between the access
raise(s) and the stope following stope extraction.
Shrinkage levels are drilled to a 2.5 meter depth. Geologic
control is given for each lift and controls the dimension of the
stope. Back channel samples are taken every other lift for grade
control. Additional grab and channel sampling is done on an
as-needed basis for grade control. Dilution added to the
shrinkage reserves include 100% of low grade within the mine
solid plus an additional 10% to 25% of the total volume at zero
grade. The dilution depends on the vein width in the stope.
Losses of 5% to 10% are considered.
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
The R4 area ore is a rich and clean ore making it excellent mill
and smelter feed. It has a high silica content (quartz) and is
generally free of deleterious elements. Only minor amounts of
copper, antimony, and lead are associated with the silver
minerals. Ore mineralogy is complex particularly in the upper
oxidized zone. Primary ores are composed of silver sulphosalts
(mainly pyrargyrite), native silver, electrum, chalcopyrite,
galena, and sphalerite, in a gangue of quartz, adularia, pyrite
and some clays. Oxidized ores are composed of native silver,
limonite, hematite, jarosite, clays, and a suit of silver,
copper and lead oxides (mainly boleite, azurite, and
plumbojarosite). The metallurgy changes within the deposit
depending on the amount of oxidation with a lower recovery in
the oxidized material. The amount of oxidized material is
estimated at 42% of the total.
Historical plant metallurgical results for the Martha sulfide
ores returned recoveries of 91% to 92% for gold and 92% to 93%
for silver. Concentration ratios ranged from 45 to 50:1 and are
very dependant on accompanying metals such as copper, zinc,
lead, and iron. The R4 area sulfide ore is expected to have
similar metallurgical results.
A single floatation test has been done on the R4 oxidized ore.
The oxidized ore appears to be harder, requiring 33 minutes to
grind to the floatation testing size of 70% passing 200 mesh
versus the sulfide material of 22 to 24 minutes. Test recoveries
of 85% for gold and 91% for silver were realized. The
concentration ratio was 45:1.
Mine
Life
The base case life-of-mine plan consists of only proven and
probable reserves and extends through 2008. The mine plan
includes mining of the remaining measured and indicated mineral
resource. No inferred resources were included in the mine plan.
Markets
Concentrates are produced at Cerro Bayo and sold under contract
to private refiners. Current contracts are with DOWA Mining
Company, Ltd. located in Japan and Met-Mex Peñoles SA de CV
Mexico located in Mexico. The awarding of the contract is done
under corporate bidding procedures and controls. The actual
contract is within normal market parameters for concentrate
sales. Martha also ships some high-grade (+ X g/t) directly to
smelters in Germany.
J-26
Taxes
and Royalties
A royalty of 3 of the pit-head ore value is paid the
province of Santa Cruz and a 2% net smelter return royalty is
paid to Royal Gold, Inc, a US-based precious metals royalty
company.
Exploration
and Development
Exploration is underway to 1) discover and define new gold
and silver mineral resources and 2) develop mineral
resources to mineral reserve status. Exploration at Martha has
been very successful for Coeur. Since acquisition, exploration
has consistently replaced annual mine production and discovered
new mineralization. The 2007 exploration program is budgeted for
$1.49 million for discovery of new mineral resources and
$0.6 for development of mineral resource to mineral reserves.
ENDEAVOR
MINE. NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
Property
Description and Location
The Endeavor Mine, a sedimentary rock-hosted zinc, lead and
silver deposit, is located in the Cobar Field, 53km northwest of
the town of Cobar in west central New South Wales, Australia.
The mine is owned by CBH Resources (CBH), a
publicly-traded Australian mining company and its Endeavor
mineral tenure consists of five contiguous mining leases that
together total 4,096 hectares, all of which have been legally
surveyed. All known mineralized zones in which mining operations
are currently conducted and in which mineral reserves and
mineral resources exist are contained within these leases. All
required permits and licenses are in place and current. The
property is not subject to any known third-party royalties,
back-in rights, payments, or other agreements or encumbrances,
except a royalty to the government of New South Wales in the
amount of 4% of net revenue, subject to deductions.
Coeur owns the silver mineral reserves and production contained
in the total reserves at the Endeavor Mine under a 2005 purchase
agreement with CBH. Under the terms of the transaction, as
amended in 2006, between Coeur and CBH, Coeur retains the right
to a maximum of 20.0 million ounces of payable silver
contained in the mineral reserves, mineral resources, and future
discoveries within the Endeavor Mine.
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
Access to the Endeavor Mine is via paved roads northwest of the
town of Cobar, a distance of approximately 50km. The topography
of the mine operating area is generally flat. Because the
overall climate of the area is temperate, weather has very
little effect on surface plant operations, ore haulage, or
concentrate production/transportation, and a negligible effect
on underground ore production. Concentrates from the operation
are shipped via rail to smelters and port facilities. There is a
well developed regional transportation and power infrastructure,
sufficient water is available for processing, and a skilled
local labor pool exists. Tailings and mine waste disposal areas
are adequate for the remaining life of mine mineral reserves.
History
The zinc-lead-silver deposit currently exploited by CBHs
Endeavor Mine operations (which was originally known as the
Elura Mine) was discovered in 1973. Initial production commenced
in 1983, and the mine operated continuously until acquired by
CBH from Pasminco Limited on September 12, 2003.
Geologic
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Endeavor deposit, formerly know as the Elura deposit, occurs
in Paleozoic-aged rocks of the Ampitheatre Group in Cobar Basin
situated in the northern central portion of what previous
workers have referred to as the Lachlan Orogen. The orogen is
broken into Southwestern, Western, Central, and Eastern belts.
The central and southern portion of the Central Belt consists of
Silurian granites of the Wagga Tin Belt, which abuts the Cobar
Basin to the
J-27
north. The Eastern belt consists of Ordovician calk-alkaline
volcanic/volcanoclastic rocks which host a variety of
mineralization types, including porphyry-style copper/gold
deposits (Lake Cowal and Cadia) and epithermal deposits (Peak
Hill and Gidginbung). Other mineralized deposits in the orogen
occur in
Ordovician/Devonian
turbidite sequences and include the gold deposits at Ballarat.
It is believed that the north-south trending basins in the
region were developed due to regional crustal extension during
the late Silurian Lachlan Orogen. The Cobar Basin is a graben
block that hosts the Cobar Field, a mineralized belt that
extends approximately 80km in a north-south direction and up to
40km east-west along the basins eastern margin.
Mineralized deposits that have recently been exploited in the
Cobar Field include the CSA, Peak, New Occidental, and New Cobar
operations adjacent to and south of the town of Cobar, and the
Endeavor.
Local
and Property Geology
The Endeavor deposit consists of seven massive sulfide lenses
that collectively trend northwest and plunge sub-vertically to
the west. The Main Zone, located on the southern end of the
deposit and comprised of two zones joined over much of their
vertical extent, was the focus of the majority of the
mines production prior to CBHs acquisition of the
operation. The smaller lenses are collectively referred to as
the Northern Pods. The size of the lenses varies from
30m-100m
along strike by
50m-300m
down dip by
5m-50m
across strike.
Although the origin of this and other deposits in the Cobar
Field are subject to debate, recent workers believe that the
deposits are epigenetic.
Zoning of the sulfides within each lens is gradational, with
grades averaging 9% Zn and 6% Pb in the innermost PO
(pyrrhotite-rich) and PY (pyrite dominant) zones and decreasing
moving outwards into the SIPY (siliceous pyrite) and SIPO
(siliceous pyrrhotite) zones (12% combined Zn/Pb). Silver grades
average 54 g/t to 58 g/t in all four of these zones, although in
the upper levels of the mine, silver grades often exceeded 100
g/t Ag.
Mineralization
The mineral resources that comprises the Endeavor deposit occurs
in mineable concentrations in seven massive sulfide lenses that
collectively trend northwest-southeast
(±N15-20oW) and
plunge steeply to the west. These lenses consist of the Main
Zone (a combination of two converging zones) located on the
southern end of the deposit, and five smaller lenses
collectively referred to as the Northern Pods. The size of the
lenses varies from 100m along strike by 300m down dip by 50m
across strike in the Main Zone to less than 30m along strike by
50m down dip by 5m across strike in the Northern Pods.
The mineralization in the Main Zone and Northern Pods is
discordant with bedding in the CSA Siltstone, the host to all
mineralization on which mineral reserves are currently based.
Zoning of the sulfides within each lens is gradational, moving
outwards from a central core dominated by pyrrhotite into
strongly pyritic mineralization on the outer edges of the
central portion of the massive sulfide lenses. Surrounding the
central massive sulfide core is a zone of silicified
pyrite/pyrrhotite stockwork vein mineralization in silicified
siltstones or quartz breccias. Peripheral to this zone, the CSA
Siltstone host is strongly chlorite altered, folded, and faulted.
Strong chlorite alteration, folding and faulting exists within
the CSA Siltstone immediately surrounding the inner sulfide-rich
zones. Folds are typically of short extent with quartz veining
and brecciation often occurring along massive sulfide margins.
Locally shears often connect between fold limbs.
Exploration
CBH continues to explore in the Endeavor Mine for extensions of
the Elura deposit. Currently, in CBHs view the most
prospective underground exploration target is a mineralized zone
that is situated below the top of a limestone reef approximately
250m below the bottom of current mine development. While the
results from the 2005 2006 drilling program in this
area are encouraging as far as zinc and lead, Coeur believes
that the silver grades are erratic. Another prospective
exploration target with better silver potential is the northern
Z6 extension.
J-28
Drilling
Drilling in the deposit consists of approximately 1,600 NQ, BQ,
LTK-48, and AQ diamond core holes that were drilled from both
the surface and from underground workings. All drill hole
collars have been transit surveyed, and all holes have single
shot down-hole surveys. Core recovery through the zones of
primary mineralization in the deposit is excellent (+95%).
Because computer block modeling methods are used to estimate
mineral resources at the Endeavor Mine, true widths are not
calculated for each mineralized drill hole intercept. However,
the extensive number of holes drilled through the deposit to
date has sufficiently defined the orientation and continuity of
the mineralization, and this orientation and continuity has been
repeatedly confirmed by subsequent mining. Drilling continues to
extend the deposit to depth and to the north.
Sampling
and Analysis
Only samples of diamond drill core are used for mineral resource
estimation. Within geologic assemblages, the maximum and minimum
sample lengths are set at 2.0m and 0.30m, respectively. Core is
sawn longitudinally in half, with
1/2
sent for assay. For check sampling, the half core remaining in
storage is sawn in half again, providing
1/4
of the original core for shipment to the check laboratory. In
Coeurs opinion, the sampling methods and approach employed
by CBH at the Endeavor Mine meet CIM guidelines as adopted by NI
43-101, and
there are no drilling, sampling, or core recovery factors that
could materially affect the reliability of the sample results.
Currently, preparation of core samples for assay at the Endeavor
on-site
laboratory begins with the samples being passed through a jaw
crusher that reduces sample size to approximately 80% minus 30
mesh. The samples are then riffle split to reduce sample weight
to approximately 200g. The entire 200g sample is then pulverized
to 100% passing 45µm. No employee, officer, director, or
associate of Coeur has been or currently is directly involved in
the preparation of any samples from the Endeavor Mine.
Since CBH acquired the mine, all drill core samples have been
analyzed at the
on-site
operations laboratory. After preparation, the samples are then
digested in aqua regia and analyzed by AAS for lead, zinc,
silver, copper and iron. CBH continues to have an active QA/QC
program for sample assays. External QA/QC checks include the
submission standard and blank samples and quarter-cut core check
samples into the sample stream every 25 samples. QA/QC results
indicate very good performance on the part of the Endeavor
on-site
laboratory.
Security
of Samples
Currently, CBH retains complete chain of custody control on all
samples between the drill rigs, the logging and sawing area, and
the on-site
laboratory.
The drill hole intercepts used for estimation of the current
Endeavor mineral resources were spatially verified by Coeur.
Coeur also reviewed the
Vulcan®
assay database for common errors such as overlapping intervals,
etc. and verified that the database is free of such errors.
Approximately 1% of the total silver assays in the current
electronic database were checked by Coeur against laboratory
assay certificates for data entry errors. The results of these
checks indicate an error rate on the order of 2%, which in
Coeurs opinion is acceptable.
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
CBH normally estimates mineral resources and reserves annually
effective at the end of its fiscal year (July through June). It
typically estimates mineral resources using
Vulcan®,
a widely used commercial mining software system. Geological
interpretations were made from drill core and mapping of
underground workings. Then, a composite ordinary kriged block
model was constructed using two separate sets of parameters for
the resource calculation for the areas above and below the 9,370
meter level.
Estimates of the resource were generally only made for those
zones for which a reserve was later estimated. A cutoff grade of
4.3% zinc equivalent was used for the resource estimate and
reserve estimation (equates to a US$41.20 gross revenue per
ore block). Stopes were constructed using
Surpac®
mining software taking into account
J-29
factors such as expected overbreak. Tonnes and grade for each
shape were extracted from the resource block model using
Vulcan®.
Five types of stoping blocks were identified:
1) Primary
2) Secondary (against unconsolidated fill)
3) Sublevel Cave (under fill)
4) Sublevel Cave (under paste)
Each block was classified and expected performance (recovery and
dilution factors) applied to each shape. Dilution factors were
estimated with past reconciliations at Endeavor. Mining recovery
was estimated considering reconciliations at Endeavor compared
to similar operations (avg. 82% zinc and 75% lead). It should be
noted that 660,000 tonnes of inferred resource fell within
reserve shapes and has been included at a zero grade.
The mineral reserves and additional measured and indicated
mineral resources, are summarized effective June 30, 2006
as follows:
Endeavor
Mineral Reserves at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tons (short)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Proven
|
|
|
9,700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.6
|
|
|
|
15,419,620
|
|
Probable
|
|
|
11,700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
16,562,909
|
|
Total
|
|
|
21,400,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
31,982,500
|
|
Endeavor
Mineral Resources at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tons (short)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Measured
|
|
|
3,800,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
11,259,280
|
|
Indicated
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
14,104,644
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
8,300,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
25,363,924
|
|
Inferred
|
|
|
1,100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
2,764,986
|
|
The mineral reserves and resources are based on the cutoff grade
of 4.3% zinc equivalent (equates to a US$41.20 gross
revenue per ore block) using metal prices of US$0.91/lb for
zinc, US$0.34/lb for lead, and US$10.00/oz for silver.
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do not
have demonstrated economic value.
Mining
Operations
Underground
Mining consists of long hole stoping between sublevels that
range from 45m to 60m apart vertically. Ore is broken by
blasting rings of holes while retreating from an open slot
raise. Broken muck is picked up on the lower sublevel by LHD
units and loaded into
Roadrain®
underground trucks for haulage to the underground crusher on 6
Level or direct to the surface. Crushed ore is hoisted up the
production shaft. Currently mine production averages
approximately 1.0 to 1.2 million tonnes of ore per year.
CBH built a paste backfill system, critical to the successful
mining of the remaining mineral reserves and to achieve forecast
production of 1.2 million tonnes of ore per year. In
addition, production is ramping up following the ground fall in
2005.
J-30
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
The Endeavor process plant is a conventional
grinding-differential flotation mill originally designed to
treat approximately 1.1 million tonnes per year and produce
separate lead and zinc concentrates which are shipped off site
for smelting and refining and recovery of contained metal
values. The mineralization in the Elura deposit is fine grained
and complex, with the lead/zinc mineralization occurring in
association with a similarly fine-grained iron sulfide matrix.
The current targeted product from the grinding circuit is 80%
passing 45 microns. With respect to silver, payable silver
values recovered from Endeavor ore are associated with lead
concentrate. Process plant recovery of silver has ranged from
43.6% to 60% since 1999. Silver values reporting to the zinc
concentrate are not payable under current smelting contracts.
Mine
Life
The current mine life extends to 2012. Additions to reserves
from ongoing exploration and resource development, as well as
metal price increases, are expected to extend the mine life
beyond 2012.
Markets
CBH currently markets its lead and zinc concentrates to the
Ziniflex Cockle Creek smelter at Newcastle, New South Wales
(lead and zinc concentrates), the Port Pirie, South Australia
smelter (lead concentrates only) and the Risdon smelter located
in Hobart, Tasmania (zinc concentrates only). In addition,
currently lead concentrate production in excess of 70,000 tonnes
per year is sold on the spot market.
With respect to the marketing of the silver due Coeur, CBH will,
on behalf and as agent for Coeur, sell and deliver the silver to
smelters under existing concentrate sales agreements. The
smelters will then either pay Coeur directly for the silver
contained in the concentrates or CBH will receive payment from
the smelter on behalf of Coeur and remit such payments to Coeur.
Taxes
The corporate tax rate on profits in Australia is 30%. In
addition, Coeur will be subject to U.S. corporate income
taxes. Although production from the Endeavor operation is
subject to a royalty to the government of New South Wales in the
amount of 4% of net revenue (subject to deductions), this cost
is covered by CBH as a normal operating expense.
Permitting
The Endeavor Mine continues to operate in accordance with the
Department of Mineral Resources Mining, Rehabilitation and
Environmental Management Process (MREMP) under a
Mining Operations Plan (MOP). CBH is currently
operating the mine in accordance with the latest amendments to
the MOP.
Exploration
and Development
The Endeavor Mine continues to conduct exploration largely with
core drilling from underground and surface platforms.
J-31
BROKEN
HILL MINE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
Property
Description and Location
Coeur purchased the silver production and reserves contained in
the total mineral reserves at the Broken Hill mine. The mine is
located at the town of Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
and is owned and operated by Perilya Limited (Perilya) an
Australian publicly-traded mining company. Perilya controls
mining concessions in the historic Broken Hill District, which
total 7,478.57 hectares. All concessions have been legally
surveyed. All of Perilyas mining and processing facilities
and all mineral reserves and resources are contained on these
concessions.
Under modified terms of this financial transaction between Coeur
and Perilya, Coeur will own the rights to a maximum of
24.5 million contained (17.2 million payable) troy
ounces of silver to be mined from mineral reserves, resources
and future discoveries at the Broken Hill mine. All rights to
the mineral concessions, mining or ore processing facilities or
any other property rights are retained by Perilya and Perilya
will continue to be the mine operator.
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
Broken Hill is located in the far west of New South Wales about
1170 kilometers west of Sydney and 50 kilometers from the South
Australian Border to the west.
Currently hosting a population of around 21,000 people, the
city of Broken Hill is situated in a semi-arid range land
environment. Rainfall is highly variable, with an annual average
of approximately 250 mm with no seasonal pattern. Temperature is
also variable with extremes ranging from −2° C
minimum winter temperatures up to 46° C in summer.
Resultant evaporation rates exceed rainfall.
The city of Broken Hill lies in the Barrier Ranges, a low range
of hills with immature soils and scattered, linear rock
outcrops. The original surface expression of ore along one of
these linear rock outcrops has resulted in the Broken Hill ore
body being commonly referred to as the Line of Lode.
History
The history of the Broken Hill mine extends back to 1883 when
Charles Rasp, a worker at a local livestock ranch, examined
rocks from prominent craggy, black hill and noticed that they
were unusually heavy. While anomalous, the silver and lead
values in Rasps samples were not ore-grade due to the
presence of strong oxidation which produced a ferrous and
manganiferous, leached rock or gossan. Subsequent shafts exposed
the primary, silver-rich ores beneath the gossan. Though rich in
base metals, it was silver that made Broken Hill famous
worldwide. Over 500 million ounces of silver have been
produced from the Broken Hill mines since discovery.
On 31 May 2002 Perilya successfully completed the purchase
of the Broken Hill mine from Pasminco Limited.
Geologic
Setting
Regional
Geology
The zinc/lead/silver deposits of the Broken Hill District are
hosted in the Broken Hill Block of Proterozoic-aged
metasedimentary and igneous rocks of the Willyama Supergroup
which form a belt that extends from east of the Broken Hill into
the state of South Australia to the west. It has been estimated
that the Willyama Supergroup may have been 8 to 9 kilometers
thick.
Precursors to the metamorphic rocks were sandstone, siltstone,
shale and volcanic rocks metamorphosed to schist and gneiss by
temperature and pressure related to large-scale regional
folding, burial and local intrusive activity. This regional
metamorphism, dated at 1710 to 1690 million years ago
(mya), is believed to have reached temperatures of 550° C
in the north and 800° C in the south. It was the first of a
series of structural events that produced the extensive
north-trending fold and fault blocks typical of the Broken Hill
Block.
Subsequent to the early, regional folding and high-temperature
metamorphism event, rocks of the Broken Hill region were subject
to further folding, faulting and lower temperature metamorphism
forming relatively narrow
J-32
zones of fault-related schist, followed by intrusion of small
granitic bodies at approximately 1490 mya. One of the more
prominent faults formed at this time is the Globe-Vauxhall Shear
which trends NNE across the Broken Hill District.
Prior to the end of the Proterozoic, several periods of uplift
and erosion are documented as well as emplacement of diabase and
pyroxenite dikes and stocks. This was followed by a final period
of low-temperature metamorphism at around 500 mya, intrusion of
pegmatite dikes and local, small-scale lead-silver veins.
Local
and Property Geology
The geology of the Broken Hill ore deposits has been studied
extensively over its 120 some years of mining history. Within
that time frame descriptive (shape, composition) studies have
produced a coherent picture of the deposits. However, due to the
highly complex and intense metamorphic history, the
stratigraphic succession and structural geology of the district
and relationship of the sulfide ore deposits to the stratigraphy
and structural elements are much less well known.
The Broken Hill ore deposits lay in a thick sequence of
highly-metamorphosed Proterozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks
termed the Willyama Supergroup. The Willyama Supergroup,
consisting of the Sundown, Broken Hill and Thackaringa groups at
the mine, is well-exposed within a radius of 80 kilometers of
Broken Hill and, in addition to the world-class deposits of
zinc, lead and silver, also contains minor occurrences of iron,
manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, tungsten, uranium and tin.
The main Zinc/Lead/Silver ore deposit forms a belt called
The Line of Lode which is more than 7 kilometers
long (NE-SW) and up to 250 meters wide (NW-SE). The lode has
been folded, faulted and sheared into its present shape. The
main minerals mined are galena and sphalerite, from which lead,
zinc and silver are extracted.
Mineralization
The zinc/lead/silver deposits of the Broken Hill district are
thin, tabular-shaped, steeply dipping as massive sulfides lenses
or lodes roughly conformable to host rock stratigraphy. The
Perilya ore deposits are subdivided into Southern and Northern
operations.
Mineralization at the Southern Operations consists of six,
NE-striking, steeply dipping lodes, traditionally categorized as
Lead Lodes (2 and 3 Lens) and Zinc Lodes (A, B and C Lodes, 1
Lens). The two Lead lodes/lenses are distinct bodies to the
north, but merge towards the south. The Lead Lodes are generally
large, regular massive sulfide bodies, with sharp high-grade
contacts. The Lead lenses may have formed at the top of the ore
system but have been folded into their current position, beneath
the zinc lodes.
The A zinc lode is a series of ore lenses of variable thickness;
continuity and grade in both dip and strike directions. The A
lode has traditionally been divided into Southern A Lode (SAL),
Western A Lode (WAL), South Eastern A Lode (SEAL) and A Lode.
The B Lode is a massive sulfide body with fairly regular shape,
size and grade. There is a gradual drop in grade to the western
(footwall) contact and a sharp drop in grade to the structural
eastern (hanging wall) contact.
C Lode is a mineralized blue quartz
garnet gahnite deposit with variable grade and
continuity in all directions. Mineralization is most continuous
along strike and comprised of discrete sub-parallel remobilized
stringers in more weakly mineralized siliceous rock.
The number 1 Zinc lode/lens is locally similar to the Lead
Lodes, however it is predominantly made up of two, narrow (less
than 5 m) high-grade lenses that are fairly continuous in
dip and strike directions. The gangue mineralogy is dominated by
quartz and calcite.
Mining at the North Operations was completed in 1993 after
producing an estimated 34 dmt, mainly from the underground
operation and 0.7 dmt from a surface mining. The mineralization
at the North Mine consisted of the high-grade lead 2 and 3 lens
and one minor, zinc lode. The lenses are associated with a
well-developed pale, creamy,
J-33
pink garnet-quartz rock. Between the two lenses, extensive
silicification and sulfide remobilization formed large zones of
siliceous blue-quartz lode.
Exploration
Exploration by Perilya continues in and around the Broken Hill
mine area. The focus of current exploration is to define mineral
reserve outlines to improve stope design, to enhance continuity
of mineral resources to a higher standard of continuity (i.e.
inferred to indicated), expand mineral resources and, permit an
economic assessment for possible conversion of mineral resources
to mineral reserve status. Extensional drilling during 2005 and
2006 has delivered 670,000 tonnes of Ore Reserves.
Within the scope of the purchase agreement between Coeur and
Perilya, Coeur retains the rights to 24.5 million contained
(17.2 payable) ounces of silver. The current mineral reserves
total 18 million contained ounces. The remaining
6.5 million ounces must come from upgrading and conversion
of silver contained in additional mineral resources to mineral
reserves
and/or new
discoveries or extensions on the property.
Since acquiring the mine in 2002, Perilya has maintained a
stable mineral resource and reserve despite annual production
depletion. This stable mineral resource and reserve has been the
result of focused exploration within the South and North mining
areas.
Drilling
The Broken Hill deposit has been extensively drilled over its
history. Over 12,032 surface and underground diamond drill holes
have been completed to define the current deposit for a total of
1,117,244 meters of drilling as of March 2006. BQ (36.5
mm) was common from 1980 to 2003 while LTK60 core (44
mm) is currently used.
The vast majority, 95%, of the core hole collars have been
surveyed (N, E and Elev.) and down-hole surveys are taken every
20 or 30 meters down-hole with a Reflex EZ-Shot device by
contracted drill crews. Survey results are compared to plan
before they are loaded into the drill hole data base
(MS-Access). Core recoveries at Broken Hill are very good (95%).
Coeur believes the drilling techniques employed provide a
reasonable and acceptable basis for sampling the deposit.
Sampling
and Analysis
Underground core holes are drilled from stations located along
the main access ramps or adjacent to access cross-cuts and
lateral drifts. Overall drill coverage varies, but most of the
un-mined portion of the deposit containing the current mineral
reserves has been drilled on a spacing of at least 40m
horizontally by 20m vertically.
Sampling of diamond drill core from a hole begins at the first
occurrence of base metal and iron sulfides in the core. The
samples represented in the database are obtained from drill core
cut longitudinally, with
1/2
sent for assay and
1/2
retained in the core storage facility. The remaining
1/2
core sample in the storage facility is occasionally used as a
check.
Drill core is supplied to Perilyas onsite laboratory,
operated by an independent contractor. The core samples are
submitted dry then crushed to approximately a 2mm grain-size.
The crushed sample is split and duplicate splits are taken every
2 samples within each batch. The split portion is pulverized to
a grain size of 75µ. The resultant pulp is then bagged and
sent to the lab where a 0.5g sample is weighed for analysis.
Samples are analyzed at Perilyas
on-site
laboratory and subject to standard chemical analysis procedures
to derive lead, copper, iron and silver contents measured by
flame absorption spectrometry using acid/acetate matrix matched
calibration solutions. Since Perilya acquired the mine, all
drill core samples have been analyzed at the
on-site
operations laboratory.
Since taking over the mine operation from Pasminco, Perilya has
maintained an active QA/QC program. The program includes the use
of commercial standards, blank samples and replicate analyses.
J-34
Security
of Samples
The current drilling contractor is responsible for the drill
core up until the time it is delivered to the core racks at the
drill core storage area. This includes transport from both
underground at Southern Operation and from the North Mine.
Perilya then has custody of the drill core during logging,
cutting and storage of retained core. Samples for assay become
the responsibility of the contract laboratory company once
delivered to the facility. At this time the core yard technician
and the Aminya Laboratories P/L representative both sign off on
delivery of the samples of drill core. This is a fairly new
process that was instituted because occasionally when samples
were missing there was no paper trail to track it down. Perilya
plans to introduce a similar procedure for underground grab
samples and blast hole samples.
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Perilya normally estimates mineral resources and reserves
annually effective at the end of its fiscal year (July through
June). Mineral resources were estimated using zinc, lead,
silver, copper, and iron assay data from diamond core drill
samples. Over 12,032 drill holes (1,117,244m drilled) were used
in the most recent Perilya mineral resource estimate. From
April 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 a total of 418 holes
were drilled totaling 34,590.60 meters.
Three-dimensional geologic domains were used to constrain the
grade estimation in the Broken Hill deposit. These domains are
based on combined lead and zinc grades identified by geologic
mapping and core logging. Domain solids are then defined using
geological interpretations from 1:500 scale cross-section spaced
at 9.906m to 19.81m intervals through the deposit. These
sections include all drill holes that fall within the influence
of that section and also the mapped geology of relevant
underground openings. The cross sectional domain outlines are
then linked by wireframing in Vulcan to form three dimensional
solids.
Perilya composited all assay data into 1.0 m interval lengths,
prior to grade estimation, within the individual mineralized
domains. Each composite received a code that corresponded to the
unique geologic domain in which it was located. Block grades
were estimated primarily using ordinary kriging and, in some
cases, inverse distance methods on the 1.0 m composites. The
variography used for ordinary kriging is the basis for the
search direction and distance criteria used in the mineral
resource estimate.
After grades were estimated, the parent blocks were divided into
sub-blocks based on the domain constraints. The resultant
sub-blocks were used in an effort to better model the domain
boundaries for subsequent mine design. The three-dimensional
shapes of the mine development and the mined stope shapes were
also used as sub-block boundaries, which ensured that all mined
out areas were removed from the estimation.
The Broken Hill Mine Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves are
summarized below. The estimates are reported in short tons and
ounce per ton Ag.
Broken
Hill Mineral Reserves at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tons (short)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Proven
|
|
|
10,060,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.46
|
|
|
|
14,647,578
|
|
Probable
|
|
|
2,840,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.18
|
|
|
|
3,367,753
|
|
Total
|
|
|
12,910,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
|
18,015,331
|
|
Broken
Hill Mineral Resources at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tons (short)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Measured
|
|
|
2,110,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.31
|
|
|
|
4,869,687
|
|
Indicated
|
|
|
1,510,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
|
|
2,955,545
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
3,620,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.16
|
|
|
|
7,825,232
|
|
Inferred
|
|
|
7,260,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.64
|
|
|
|
33,673,520
|
|
Mineral reserves are based on long-term metal prices as follows:
Zn: US$0.91/lb ,Pb: US$0.41/lb,Ag: US$10.12/oz,Au: US$500/oz,Cu:
US$1.36/lbs
J-35
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do
have demonstrated economic value. The mineral resources are
based on a combined lead and zinc cutoff of 7.0% and are
calculated within the geologically-constrained high-grade lode
domains. The boundary for these lodes approximates a cut-off of
7% combined lead and zinc that would cover the site costs and
varying metals prices.
Mining
Operations
Underground
Perilya is currently producing lead, zinc, and silver from two
separate underground operations at Broken Hill the
Southern Operations, located on the southwestern end of the main
Broken Hill trend, and the North mine, located on the northern
end of the trend. Ore from the North mine is shipped via
conventional surface rail cars to the Southern Operations
concentrator.
Currently, mining at both operations utilizes a longhole open
stoping method that has been modified to allow extraction of ore
remnants and pillars left by previous operators. Longhole
stoping currently accounts for up to 77% of total underground
ore production, pillar extraction contributing 6% and
development ore contributing the remaining 17%. In order to meet
production goals, a large inventory of stopes must be available
at any one time, as fluctuations in the mine plan and schedule
are common.
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
The processing plant is a conventional grinding/differential
flotation mill with a rated capacity of 3.1 million tonnes
of ore per year. Currently, annual plant production is
restricted to 2.1 million tonnes of ore. The plant produces
separate premium coarse-grained lead and zinc concentrates that
are shipped by rail to off-site ports
and/or
smelters. The lead concentrates are sold for treatment by
Zinifex Limited (Zinifex) at its lead smelter in
Port Pirie. Zinc concentrates are sold to Pasmincos Risdon
Smelter and to smelters overseas. Currently, Korea Zinc Company
Ltd is treating a portion of the zinc concentrates.
The milling facilities (originally constructed in
1952) have undergone extensive expansion and retrofit
programs over the years, resulting in a reasonably flexible
milling circuit. Additional upgrades are planned, including
installation of on-stream analyzers that will improve the
process monitoring and plant control.
The tailings disposal facility is situated adjacent to the
concentrator. Tails may be used as stope back fill or stored in
a 2,300-cubic-meter capacity sand tank. Any portion of the final
flotation tailings not used for mine backfill is pumped to the
tailings dam and distributed. Central decant towers are used at
the dam and the reclaimed water is pumped to the mill for re-use
as make-up
water.
Mine
Life
Estimated to be 2012 based on mineral reserves.
Markets
Perilya ships lead and zinc concentrates to smelter owned by
Zinifex and Korea Zinc Company Ltd. With respect to marketing of
the silver due Coeur, Perilya sells and delivers the silver to
smelters under existing sales agreements within market
parameters. The smelter either pay Coeur directly or to Perilya
on behalf of Coeur.
Taxes
The corporate tax rate on profits in Australia is 30%. In
addition, Coeur is subject to US corporate taxes. Perilya pays a
4% net revenue royalty to the New South Wales government but
Coeurs silver is not affected by this tax.
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Permitting
The permits and licenses currently held by Perilya at the Broken
Hill mine are summarized as follows.
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License/Permit
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Relevant Authority/Act
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End Date
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Consolidated Mining Leases 4,5,6,8,9,10,11,12 & 13
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Department of Primary Industries - Mineral Resources (DPI (MR))
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Renewal in Process
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Environment Protection License 2683
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EPA
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End of Mine Life
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Environment Protection License 2688
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EPA
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End of Mine Life
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Acknowledgement of Notification of Dangerous Goods on Premises
(Acknowledgement No. 35/001325)
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Work Cover New South Wales
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1/01/2007
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Acknowledgement of Notification of Dangerous Goods on Premises
(Acknowledgement No. 35/006810)
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Work Cover New South Wales
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11/03/2007
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License to Sell/Posses Radiation
Apparatus &/Substances License No. 27096
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EPA
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30/06/2007
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Dewatering (Bore) License (60 BL 216435)
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Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
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24/10/2010
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Dewatering (Bore) License (60 BL 216123)
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DNR
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24/8/2009
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Bulk Shipping Facility
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Environmental Protection Authority South Australia
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30/9/2008
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Refrigerant Trading Authorization (Authorization
No. AU04969)
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Australian Government -- Department of the Environment and
Heritage
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6/9/2007
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License to Store Explosives
(No. 07-100008-001)
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Work Cover New South Wales
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08/05/2011
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Exploration
and Development
The Broken Hill mine staff continues to conduct exploration
largely with core drilling from underground and surface
platforms. The main area of exploration is in the South Mine.
Additionally, exploration is being conducted by Perilya at the
North Mine and in a regional sense around the Broken Hill
District on Perilyas mineral leases.
SAN
BARTOLOMÉ SILVER PROJECT, BOLIVIA
Property
Description and Location
Coeurs San Bartolomé silver development project
is located south of the city of Potosí, Bolivia. The silver
deposits comprising the Project are located on the flanks of
Cerro Rico and comprise over 5,500 hectares (14,000 acres)
of mining and surface rights.
Coeur conducts business in Bolivia through its wholly-owned
Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A. (or
Manquiri). Coeur acquired Manquiri and some other
silver assets outside of Bolivia from Asarco in 1999, and all of
Coeurs assets in Bolivia are held through Manquiri. The
assets consist of the San Bartolomé project and an
early-stage exploration stage project in southern Potosí
Department, called Rio Blanco (formerly Khory Huasi). Manquiri
maintains an administrative office in La Paz and an
operations office at the project site in Potosí.
J-37
The Bolivian national mining company, Corporación Minera de
Bolivia (COMIBOL), is the underlying owner of all of
the mining rights relating to the San Bartolomé
project, with the exception of the Thuru property, which is
owned by the Cooperativa Reserva Fiscal. Except for Thuru,
COMIBOL has leased the mining rights for the surface sucu or
pallaco gravel deposits to several Potosí cooperatives. The
cooperatives in turn have sub-leased their mining rights to
Manquiri through a series of joint venture contracts.
In addition to the agreements with the cooperatives, Coeur,
through Manquiri, holds the following additional mining rights.
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Lease with COMIBOL for the up-slope extensions of deposits above
4,400 m and the oxide San Miguel mill tailings.
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Lease contract for the PLAHIPO (defined below) dumps and
ancillary surface facilities (from Compania Minera Don Mario).
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Surface rights for Atlantida and Atlantida Segunda for the areas
where the San Bartolomé surface facilities will be
installed.
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Mining concessions for the area encompassed by the tailings
facility.
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Sub-leases with three cooperatives for oxide dumps not included
in the PLAHIPO lease.
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Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
The San Bartolomé Mining Project ranges from 0.5 to 4
kilometers south of the city of Potosí and is accessible
via paved and all-weather dirt roads. The city of Potosí is
the largest population center proximal to the mine site with
approximately 133,000 inhabitants.
Potosí is connected to the capital city of La Paz and
to the Chilean port cities of Arica and Iquique by all-weather
roads. Rail service is available from Potosí north to
La Paz and then to the coastal city of Arica, Chile. The
rail line also runs south from Potosí through Ollague on
the Chilean frontier and then on to Antofagasta, Chile. A small
airport near Potosí is capable of handling medium-sized
twin engine, high altitude propeller-driven aircraft. A larger
airport, with daily commercial service from La Paz, is
located at Sucre, a 2.5 hour drive to the east.
Potosí is situated in the Cordillera Central, east of the
Andean divide. The elevation of the city is 3,900 meters and the
project area ranges from 3,900 to 4,700 meters above sea level.
There are three main pallaco deposits on the flanks of Cerro
Rico: Huacajchi, Santa Rita, and Diablo (Diablo Este and Diablo
Norte).
The San Bartolomé mining activities will be carried
out around the periphery and on the lower slopes of the mountain
known as Cerro Rico de Potosí. The metallurgical processing
plant will be installed at Morado Punta, at Canta-Canta hill
located southeast of Cerro Rico, west of the
Pan-American
Highway, and southwest of the Potosí Hydrometallurgical
Plant (PLAHIPO). Solid waste deposits will be
located in the Martinez Valley, east of the
Pan-American
Highway.
The Project water supply will be extracted from sources
belonging to Administración Autónoma para Obras
Sanitarias Potosí (AAPOS). This
water is currently not used for human consumption, and as such
there will be no competition for this resource between the
communities and the Project. Moreover, Project operations
foresee recycling all available water during operations. In
November 2001 Coeur and the Potosí water authority, AAPOS,
signed a letter of intent whereby AAPOS agreed in principle to
supply industrial water to the San Bartolomé project.
History
Silver was first discovered on Cerro Rico sometime around 1545,
and mine production immediately started. Initial grades were
extremely high, averaging 7,000 oz/ton Ag (25%) for the first
27 years of production. By 1650, Potosí was the
largest city in the Western Hemisphere with 160,000 inhabitants.
By the early 1700s, production of silver had begun to
decline though still significant production continued well into
the late
19th century
and continues today through the activity of small mining
cooperatives. The cooperatives currently exploit high-grade
silver and zinc-rich sulfide veins by underground methods.
J-38
Tin has been mined from Cerro Rico since colonial times but on a
limited basis. Completion of the railroad link from the coast at
Antofagasta, Chile, to Potosí in 1912 made tin mining at
Cerro Rico highly profitable and created a large scale tin boom
in Bolivia during the early
20th century.
A two-thirds reduction in tin prices following World War II
created a depression in the Bolivian economy. This, combined
with the aftermath of the Chaco war, led to the Revolution of
1952, in which the countrys largest tin mines, including
Cerro Rico, were nationalized into the COMIBOL.
After nationalization the Cerro Rico was essentially divided in
half, with all workings below the 4,375 m elevation contour
worked by COMIBOL and the portion above 4,375 m worked by
artisinal miners and local cooperatives. COMIBOL also took
possession of those portions of the upper part of the mountain
not worked by the small miners. COMIBOLs operation
suffered from a lack of capital and expertise and was
significantly over-manned and COMIBOLs underground mining
operations closed in 1985. Currently, the former COMIBOL
underground mines are being operated by numerous local mining
cooperatives that collectively employ up to 17,000 workers. In
total, approximately 3,000 tonnes of sulfide ore is produced
daily by the cooperatives from the underground workings.
In the late 1980s, Compañia Minera Concepcion
(COMCO), a joint venture between Comsur and Rio
Tinto Zinc (RTZ), began removing dumps scattered on the sides of
Cerro Rico for heap leaching in a facility located several
kilometers to the southeast (the Plahipo site).
To-date, approximately 3 million tonnes of material
averaging 213 g/t Ag were processed by COMCO. COMCO ceased
operations in 2003.
The colluvial/alluvial deposits at Cerro Rico called
pallacos have long been known. These deposits were
mined on a limited scale during the rainy season by artisinal
miners who diverted the run-off and washed the gravel to recover
tin in the form of fine cassiterite using crude riffles, screens
and jigs. The deposits of reworked material are known as
sucus. Activity of this sort all but ceased in 1985
following a fall in tin prices. The sucus were never mined for
silver. Silver-rich boulder piles (troceras) from
past tin mining activities are still present and are part of the
San Bartolomé mineral resource.
Asarco began evaluation of the pallaco and sucus deposits in
1995 by channel sampling the steep faces that were exposed by
placer tin mining. This work identified the Huacajchi deposit as
the richest of the six known deposits. Samples from this phase
of the work were screened and various size fractions were
assayed. This work demonstrated that the cobbles in the gravel
contained significantly more silver than the finer matrix
material.
Coeur acquired the property in May, 1999 and in accordance with
recommendations made by The Winters Group (TWG)
began its evaluation which involved preliminary metallurgical
testing and a critical analysis of the Asarco data by Francis
Pitard Sampling Consultants (FPSC). FPSC also
performed a review of sampling protocols used by Asarco and
provided recommendations on appropriate sampling methods for the
pallaco deposits. Coeur initiated the sampling program using
traditional pozo sampling techniques (shaft sampling), but
quickly recognized that pozo sampling alone could not provide a
sufficient number of sample sites within a reasonable timeframe.
An investigation of alternative sampling methods identified the
Barber rotary drilling method as a viable alternative that could
provide sufficient sample recovery. By the end of 2000, Coeur
had completed nearly 4000 meters of drilling and pozo sampling
along with an initial resource estimate.
Geologic
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Andean Highlands of Bolivia consists of two regional
mountain chains, the Cordillera Occidental and Oriental,
separated by the Altiplano; a broad, tectonic basin filled with
Tertiary continental clastic sedimentary rocks. The Cordillera
Occidental is primarily andesitic volcanic rocks and rhyolite
ash-flow tuffs. The Cordillera Oriental is underlain by a thick
sequence of intensely folded lower Paleozoic marine clastic
sedimentary rocks overlain by similarly deformed Cretaceous to
lower Tertiary continental sedimentary rocks, un-deformed late
Tertiary unconsolidated continental sediments and late Oligocene
to Pliocene volcanic rocks.
The Cordillera Oriental hosts most of the metalliferous mineral
deposits in Bolivia, including the Bolivian Tin Belt. The
southern portion of the Bolivian Tin Belt, in which Cerro Rico
de Potosí is located, hosts numerous silver-rich
polymetallic tin deposits related to small rhyodacite to dacite
porphyry domes or shallow-level stocks of early
J-39
to middle Miocene age. The rich silver-tin veins mined at Cerro
Rico are centered on such a rhyodacitic dome complex.
Local
and Property Geology
Basement rocks at Cerro Rico are predominantly Ordovician- to
Silurian-aged continental clastic and shallow marine sedimentary
rocks and locally Cretaceous-aged continental clastic rocks.
Directly beneath Cerro Rico, basement rocks are overlain by a
thick sequence of middle Miocene-aged volcanic and
volcanoclastic rocks termed the Caracoles Formation. In
aggregate, rocks of the Caracoles Formation comprise a maar
complex, of three separate units, formed along the western
margin (ring fracture) of the Kari Kari Caldera.
A rhyodacite dome complex forms the core of Cerro Rico, a
conical hill rising to an elevation of nearly 5000 meters. It
has been referred to as a dome, subvolcanic dome or
mushroom-shaped stock. Exposures in mine workings suggest that
it is a high-level, single-stage intrusion emplaced along the
margin of a maar tuff ring at its contact with lacustrine
sediments filling the craters center. The intrusion
consists of an upward-flaring dome covering an area 1.2 by 1.7
km at the surface and narrowing to a 100 by 400 m feeder dike at
a depth of 700 meters below the present day summit. Margins of
the intrusion cut Paleozoic sedimentary rocks near vertically at
depth, but flare outward and override Caracoles formation rocks
at higher levels. Cerro Rico rhyodacite porphyry has been dated
at 13.8 Ma and mineralization dated at 13.76 Ma. Estimates of
the duration of the mineralizing system range form 300,000
to 1.75 million years based on dates and fragments of
pyritized Cerro Rico rhyodacite in the 11.7 Ma old Huacajchi
tuff.
Exceptionally rich silver mineralization was discovered at Cerro
Rico in 1545. It has since proven to be arguably the
worlds largest single silver deposit, producing over
1 billion ounces of silver since its discovery. Most of the
historic production came from a northeast-trending, 300 m wide
by 1200 m long, zone of closely spaced, en echelon veins
cross-cutting the rhyodacite intrusion which forms the crest of
Cerro Rico. Significant quantities of tin have also been mined
from vein mineralization at depth and from surficial deposits of
alluvial/colluvial detritus eroded from the crest of the
mountain. The San Bartolomé project will recover
silver from the surficial deposits and from oxidized waste-rock
dumps resulting from historic underground mining operations.
The Huacajchi, Santa Rita and Diablo deposits consist of
accumulations of unconsolidated, but well compacted gravel
(termed pallaco and escombreras)
resulting from mass wasting of exposed bedrock. Pallaco consists
of a mixture of mineralized debris derived from either the
rhyodacite intrusion forming the core of Cerro Rico or more
weakly mineralized wall-rock sediments. Escombreras are
essentially undisturbed talus at the upslope edges of the
pallaco deposits. Escombreras consist mostly of coarse fragments
of well mineralized intrusion and, consequently, has a
significantly higher average silver grade. The oxidized
waste-rock dumps are a byproduct of underground mining of
high-grade silver-tin veins within the core of Cerro Rico.
Pallaco and sucu deposits constitute approximately 95% of the
mineral resource, with escombreras and oxidized waste-rock dumps
comprising the remaining 5%.
Mineralization
Historically, both silver and tin production from Cerro Rico has
been mostly from narrow veins mined underground; hosted
primarily in the rhyodacite intrusion, but at depth, where the
intrusion narrows, they extend into the wall rocks. Individual
veins range in width from centimeters to several meters and have
been mined over a vertical distance of nearly 1200 meters.
Both wall-rock alteration and vein mineralization show
pronounced vertical and horizontal zoning. Alteration grades
upward from a high-temperature core of quartz-tourmaline at
depth through quartz-sericite pyrite and quartz-dickite into
pervasive silicification. Silicification in the upper levels of
the system is so intense that it has leached all the feldspar
and ferromagnesian minerals leaving vugs in their
place. These voids were depositional sites for latter
disseminated silver and tin mineralization during vein
deposition. This vuggy-silica alteration is typical
of high sulfidation style deposits.
Vein mineralization is zoned vertically from a high-temperature
core of quartz-pyrite-cassiterite-arsenopyrite-bismuthinite at
depth through an intermediate zone of
quartz-stannite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite-tetrahedrite to an
J-40
upper zone of ruby silver-native
silver-cassiterite-jamesonite-boulangerite. Silver-bearing
minerals are zoned from tetrahedrite-andorite at depth upward
into argentite-pyrargyrite-native silver in the upper levels of
the system.
Silver mineralization post-dates tin and becomes enriched upward
in the system. Both the tin and silver disseminated in the
quartz-tourmaline and vuggy-silica alteration were deposited
contemporaneously with similar vein mineralization. The
intensity of the disseminated mineralization increases with
increasing proximity to the sheeted-vein zone. Silver occurs as
native silver, chlorargyrite, pyrargyrite, argentite,
argentojarosite, argentian psilomelane, and silver-bearing iron
oxides and hydroxides. On average about 70% of the contained
silver is recoverable through cyanide leaching. The other 30% is
contained in refractory iron compounds or is silica
encapsulated. Silver will be recovered from the pallaco
deposits, but more precisely, from the mineralized hard-rock
fragments within the pallaco deposits. Although subjected to
varying degrees of weathering, erosion, and transport, these
cobbles have retained much of their original character and more
importantly, their original silver content.
Exploration
The distribution and grade of the pallaco deposits and
oxide-waste dumps have been defined through extensive
exploration sampling. Both the vertical and lateral extent of
the mineralized deposits have been determined in detail.
Evaluation of the pallaco deposits has been conducted using
three methods of sampling; surface-channel sampling of vertical
to near vertical faces of former hydraulic mining excavations,
hand-dug one meter by one meter vertical shafts (pozos), and
rotary drilling. Oxide dumps were sampled using a combination of
hand-dug 1 m x 1 m vertical shafts and large pits dug with a
hydraulic excavator. Sample collection, preparation, and
assaying followed the same protocols as used for the pallaco
evaluations. Samples from all pallaco-sampling methods are
treated as drill holes for the purposes of geologic modeling and
mineral-resource estimation.
Exploration sampling has been conducted with the assistance of
Manquiris geological contractor Expromin, S.A. under the
direct supervision of senior Coeur staff geologists and
metallurgists. Expromin also assisted Asarco with exploration
programs prior to Manquiri acquiring the property in 1999.
Reasonable effort has been made to validate all sample and
drill/pozo log geological data collected by Asarco prior to
inclusion in the database. The Asarco data constitutes
approximately 31% of the assays database.
Drilling
Coeurs exploration activities on the
San Bartolomé Project have consisted of a combination
of surface-channel trenching, RC drilling, Barber drilling
(reverse-circulation drilling within a 6 inch diameter
casing), and hand-dug pozos. Coeur has also prepared detailed
topographical maps covering the property. From these samples,
Coeur has collected information regarding lithology and
alteration, weight percentage of particle size fractions at
various screen sizes, moisture content, bulk density, water
table location, and silver and tin grade. Coeurs
exploration program was designed principally to define the
content of the already identified deposits with a sufficient
confidence level to permit the preparation of a resource
estimate.
All drill holes and pozos are orientated vertically and most
channel samples have a near vertical orientation. The pallaco
deposits are essentially draped over a pre-existing topographic
surface with slopes ranging from near horizontal to 45 degrees.
Consequentially, the orientation and thickness varies
significantly over short distances.
Holes are drilled or excavated from surface to bedrock with
limitation that hand-dug pozos normally cannot be safely
excavated beyond a depth of 20 to 25 meters. The average drill
hole/pozo spacing is in the range of 70 to 80 meters and total
of over 9,400 samples have been collected of which about 31% are
from the Asarco period. Subsequent to the 2004 mineral resource
and reserves estimate, over 60 new pozos (hand dug 1 meter x 1
meter vertical shafts) were excavated and assayed over one meter
intervals. These new pozos targeted the upslope higher-grade
extensions of the three deposits. Their inclusion in the
database has helped to better define the bedrock surface, and
significantly increased the density of +8 mesh weight percent
and silver assay data for modeling purposes. From April 1,
2005 to June 30, 2006 a total of 418 holes were drilled
totaling 34,590.60 meters.
J-41
Sampling
and Analysis
The geologic character of the San Bartolomé ore
requires careful sampling to acquire a representative sample.
Several techniques have been employed to insure accurate
sampling and to adequately define the grade and tonnage of mill
feed. All sampling has been done on one meter intervals. Sample
types have been ranked for inclusion in the resource-estimate
database as follows;
1) 1 cubic-meter pozo samples, 2) pozo/surface channel
samples, 3) Barber drill samples, 4) RC samples.
Coeur devised a preferred protocol, the RC Protocol,
based on recommendations from various consultant groups and its
own sample studies. The RC Protocol was designed to process
Barber drill samples which normally are crushed by the drilling
process to <1/4 (6.35 mm). The Protocol is summarized
as follows:
1. Drill samples are collected at the drill cyclone
discharge
2. Samples are split to a minimum 15 kg using a riffle
splitter
3. Sample is sealed in plastic bag, weighed, and shipped to
assay laboratory
4. At laboratory, dried overnight at 107° and weighed to
determine moisture content
Drill samples were split using a riffle splitter at the drill to
a minimum 15 kg sample. Samples were collected by Coeur staff
and its contractors at the drill, weighed, sealed in plastic
bags and shipped to the assay laboratory. At the laboratory, the
15 kg samples were dried overnight at 107° to determine
moisture content. Coeur has also applied the RC Protocol to pozo
(1m3
and channel) and surface (channel) samples.
All samples have been analyzed, under industry standard
techniques by Cone Geochemical, Lakewood, CO, Bondar Clegg in
Oruru, Bolivia and later by ALS-Chemex. Cone Geochemical ceased
operations at the end of 2000. Coeur selected approximately 200
assay pulps which had originally been assayed at Cone for
re-assay at Bondar Clegg in Oruru. A comparison of the duplicate
samples and a check of the standards assays indicated Bondar
Clegg could be used as the primary assay laboratory. Bondar
Clegg was acquired by ALS Chemex during 2003. Samples continued
to be prepared at Oruru, but pulps were shipped to the ALS
Chemex laboratory in Vancouver, B.C., Canada for analysis. Coeur
monitor all laboratories through the use of standards.
Security
of Samples
To insure and verify the accuracy and reproducibility of the
data collected during the evaluation of the
San Bartolomé project, Coeur implemented a full
spectrum sample checking and analytical QA/QC program.
Data collected in the field was subjected to several levels of
verification prior to being included in the database. Once
included in the database, it was verified again to check collar
locations and consistency with surrounding data. Coeurs
sample and assay-laboratory preparation protocols were followed
rigorously from sample collection through assay pulp preparation
to insure consistency of the assay results. The geochemical
standards and blanks were included in every sample batch sent to
the laboratory. Every
20th sample
in the sorted assay batch was replaced with one of the standards
or a blank of approximately the same weight. The replaced
samples were then used to create a false pozo within the assay
batch. This was done to insure that standards and blanks are
blind to the laboratory. Once the assays were
received, each standard was checked to determine if the assay
was within acceptable range. If not, the entire assay batch was
returned for re-assay. When the standard returned an assay
within an acceptable range, the assays were used in the database.
Coeur submitted 792 pulp duplicates that were originally assayed
at Cone Geochemical in 2000 to Bondar Clegg, Oruro and Bondar
Clegg, Coquimbo for an assay comparison. Coeur concluded that
although a good correlation existed between the sets of
analyses, there was a slight bias (<5%) in favor of Cone.
Overall, the level of performance of the original lab was deemed
to be acceptable.
J-42
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
Three-dimensional geologic domains were used to constrain the
grade estimation in the San Bartolomé deposits. The
geology of the three deposits has been mapped and differentiated
into six geologic domains. Domain surfaces and solids were
created using geological interpretations and domain outlines.
The current topographic surface was developed in
1999-2000 by
the Bolivian Instituto Geografic Militar (IGM) from areal
photography and a detailed ground topographic survey. The
geologic surfaces constructed for San Bartolomé
consist of:
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Pre-dump Surface the bottom of historic surface
dumps;
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Footwall Surface the base of the pallaco
(the primary material of interest); and
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Bedrock surface.
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These material types are generally draped over the underlying
bedrock, and hence the underlying surfaces bear a relationship
with topography. Coeur produced an interpolated estimate of the
down-hole distance from topography to each of the surfaces. The
elevations of the surfaces were then defined by subtracting this
interpolated distance from the topographic surface. This
interpretation accurately models the majority of the areas but
does not always adequately define channels and depressions in
bedrock which have been filled with debris, resulting in
relatively gentle surface topography above more dramatic bedrock
topography (i.e. potential for additional tonnage of pallaco
resource). By taking this approach, a much greater consistency
in the relationship between topography and the underlying
surfaces was established, and the underlying surfaces are forced
to follow undulations in topography. In addition, this approach
also precludes the possibility of lower surfaces crossing above
upper ones.
The surface values were estimated to grids with a cell size of 4
meters by 4 meters using inverse distance (ID). The modeled
surfaces for the base of the pallaco, and top of bedrock were
then checked against the total depth of the hole. Where these
were found to be above the total depth of the hole, dummy values
for these surfaces were established at the total depth value,
thus establishing a minimum pallaco thickness at these points.
Variography was done on Run of Mine (ROM) Ag and +8
mesh weight% by deposit and by domain within each deposit. In
general the variograms for RoM Ag and plus 8 mesh fraction are
fairly well structured and amenable to model fitting with a low
relative nugget effect. Silver grades were estimated into
transformed
3-dimensional
block models for each element. The block model dimensions were
20m (X) x 20m (Y) x 2.5m (Z) to better conform to
the 5m mining bench height.
The most fundamental estimation approach used for the new
Mineral Resource consisted of a spatial transformation of the
data to a flat plane defined by setting the midpoint surface
between the existing topography and bedrock to a single common
elevation. This transformation removed the irregular and highly
variable topographic features which have been problematic in
orienting search and weighting ellipsoids to the detriment of
the estimation to all of the material of interest. The
transformation was applied to the block models by estimating the
difference between the real-space elevation of the datum surface
and the datum value as discussed in the previous section. This
difference was then used to create a dummy block elevation which
was used as the reference elevation during estimation from the
transformed composites to the block model.
J-43
Once the composite data and the block models were transformed
ordinary kriging was used to interpolate the ROM silver grades
and +8 mesh Wt%. The April 2007 mineral resource model and
mineral reserve estimates are reported as in situ (ROM) pallaco.
Of this total mineral resource, approximately 90% will be
upgraded by wet screening prior to milling. Wet screening at 8
mesh, on average, allows discarding 40% of the tonnage while
retaining 70% of the contained silver. Coeur was able to
generate adequate variograms from the +8 mesh silver composites.
The mineral resources for the San Bartolomé Project
are summarized below.
San Bartolomé
Mineral Reserves at April 30, 2007
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Au Grade
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Au Ounces
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Ag Grade
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Ag Ounces
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Category
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Tonnes
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(g/t)
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(Contained)
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(g/t)
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(Contained)
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Proven
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|
|
Probable
|
|
|
41,824,264
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115.6
|
|
|
|
155,389,297
|
|
Total
|
|
|
41,824,264
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115.6
|
|
|
|
155,389,297
|
|
San Bartolomé
Mineral Resources at April 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Measured
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
|
|
|
10,812,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
|
32,339,634
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
10,812,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
|
32,339,634
|
|
Inferred
|
|
|
203,933
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
|
399,711
|
|
Metal prices used were $8.00 Ag
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do not
have demonstrated economic value.
Cut-off grade (COG) was 50 g/t.
Mining
Operations
Open
Pits
The San Bartolomé Project will mine only
unconsolidated materials (pallacos, sucus and oxidized waste
dumps). Mining will be straightforward due to the geological
nature of these materials. Proven, conventional open-pit
techniques will be used and no blasting will be required. Track
dozers will rip consolidated pallaco and generally push material
to wheel loaders. In some steeper areas, particularly at high
elevations where the pallaco is thin, an excavator will be used
for road construction, ore extraction, and truck loading. Bench
heights will vary depending on short-range variations in the
detailed mine plan. Relatively widely spaced loading intervals,
up to 30 m apart, will be required in steep footwall areas.
Gently sloping footwall areas and areas of significant ore
thickness with internal access will be mined at low face heights
between 4 m and 8 m.
The mining operations will maintain the stability of the open
pit slopes, as well as of Cerro Rico, and old mine portals
(bocaminas) in the mine areas will be preserved. If necessary
and appropriate, waste and unexploited materials, including
non-mineralized material or material of a grade less than the
cutoff grade, will be used to fill, stabilize and re-contour the
open cuts as a remediation measure.
Mine and process-plant infrastructure has been located external
to the proposed mining limits wherever possible. Other
infrastructure such as access roads, mine entrances, mine
facilities, and power lines belonging to the mining cooperatives
and located within the mining limits will be removed and
re-established once each phase of mining has been completed.
J-44
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
Three broad ore classifications have been defined for
metallurgical analysis and process design. These include:
1) screened ore (run-of-mine (ROM) ore) within the lower
portions of the Huacajchi, Santa Rita, Diablo Este, and Diablo
Norte deposits; 2) whole ore within the upper portions of
the Huacajchi, Santa Rita and Diablo Este deposits; and
3) oxide waste dumps.
The metallurgical process facility is located on the southern
flank of Cerro Rico at a site along the Pan American highway
known as Punta Morado (Canta-Canta Hill). The facilities consist
of grinding followed by agitation leaching, countercurrent
decantation (CCD), and final metal recovery in a Merrill-Crowe
zinc precipitation circuit.
ROM (screened) ore will be passed through a grizzly with the
oversize sent to a jaw crusher. The undersized will be slurried
in a rotary scrubber and then wet screened to remove the minus 8
mesh material prior to being fed to the SAG/ball mill circuit.
The minus 8 mesh reject will be delivered directly to the fine
tailings facility (FDF). Whole ore will be fed directly to the
jaw crusher, crushed to minus 15 cm, and fed to the SAG/ball
mill circuit. The oxide-dump ore will be handled in a similar
manner.
The grinding circuit will be fed at an average of 5,000 tpd
combined plus 8 mesh screened ore and whole/oxide dump ore. The
grinding circuit will produce minus 200 mesh discharge which
will be fed to an agitated-tank leach circuit operating at 40%
solids. Leach residence time will average 60 hours. Average
net cyanide consumption is 0.39 kg/t of ore. Average leach
extractions for the various ore types are summarized as follows.
Average
Forecasted Leach Extractions by Ore Type
|
|
|
|
|
Ore Type
|
|
% Extraction
|
|
|
Plus 8 Mesh Screened Ore
|
|
|
|
|
Huacajchi
|
|
|
75.1
|
|
Santa Rita
|
|
|
79.5
|
|
Diablo Este
|
|
|
73.9
|
|
Diablo Norte
|
|
|
71.0
|
|
Whole Ore
|
|
|
|
|
Huacajchi
|
|
|
79.8
|
|
Santa Rita
|
|
|
78.4
|
|
Diablo Este
|
|
|
80.8
|
|
Oxide Dumps
|
|
|
82.8
|
|
The extracted pregnant solutions are fed to a silver recovery
plant where silver is extracted in a conventional Merrill-Crowe
zinc precipitation plant followed by a conventional silver
refinery to produce doré. Residual solids from the leach
circuit are fed to a paste thickener which will provide slurry
to the dry-stacked tailing facility (DSF). Fine tailings from
the ROM ore scrubber (minus 8 mesh) and tailings from the leach
circuit will be stored in separate disposal facilities. Both are
designed as zero-discharge systems.
Mine
Life
Mine life is currently projected to last 15 years. Very
little additional exploration potential in terms of surficial
deposits located on the flanks of Cerro Rico exists, as the
property has been extensively explored and well-defined. There
is potential to increase mine life with existing economic
material and potentially economic material derived from existing
(remaining) resources. This would require increasing (and
permitting) tailings storage capacity.
Taxes
Bolivas tax regime is complex. It consists of a
combination of Direct and Indirect taxes. Direct taxes cover
corporate income and mining while indirect taxes are value
added, import, consumption payroll and property tax among others.
J-45
Marketing
Presently, the San Bartolomé project is under
construction and no silver is being produced or marketed.
Permitting
Coeurs permitting application consisted of two documents.
The Auditoria Ambiental de Línea Base (ALBA, or
Environmental Baseline Audit) describes all of the pre-existing
environmental liabilities in the project area. At
San Bartolomé, due to the effects of over
450 years of uninterrupted mining, the impacts to the
environment have been severe. The ALBA describes the baseline
flora and fauna of the area. It also describes the topography,
weather, ground and surface waters, the socio-economic
characteristics of the area and all identifiable pollution that
has been caused by prior human activities. This includes mine
wastes, acid rock drainage, wildlife impacts, agricultural
impacts, geomorphology of Cerro Rico, air, soil and water
impacts and those impacts on the inhabitants of the region.
Under Bolivian law, Coeur is not responsible for pre-existing
environmental liabilities identified in the ALBA.
The second permitting application document is the Estudio de
Evaluacion de Impacto Ambiental (EEIA, or
Environmental Impact Study), which describes the
San Bartolomé Project and its impact on the area and
the local communities. The EEIA describes the project in detail
including operating parameters, flows, equipment, tailings
facilities, mine plans, reclamation plans, chemicals, chemical
spill plans, and other parameters as defined by the Flour
feasibility study. An environmental protection plan and a
reclamation plan for the operation are included. All of the
assumptions and assertions are supported by engineering analyses
that are part of the document.
As the owner and operator of San Bartolomé, Coeur will
be confronted with numerous social demands and obligations in
the Potosí community. Because of the mining tradition and
history in Potosí the social aspects of the
San Bartolomé project will assume a much higher
importance than for many mining projects. Coeur will establish a
Foundation (FUNDESPO), similar to the Inti Raymi
Foundation that Battle Mountain Gold (now Newmont Gold
Corporation) established for the Korri Kollo mine near Oruro,
Bolivia. Coeurs strategic alliance with the cooperatives
combined with the foundation, constitute the cornerstone of
Coeurs strategy to maintain a positive image and community
support.
Exploration
and Development
Coeur is currently completing construction of the
San Bartolomé silver project with anticipated
start-up in
2008. No exploration is planned for 2008 at the present time.
KENSINGTON
GOLD PROJECT, ALASKA
Property
Description and Location
The Kensington Gold Mine is located within the Berners Bay
Mining District 45 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska. The
project is wholly-owned and operated by Coeur Alaska, Inc.
(Coeur Alaska), a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur.
The mine area consists of two contiguous properties, Kensington
and Jualin, which constitute the majority of the Berners
Bay mining district. Both are held through a combination of
state and federal patented and unpatented lode mining claims
either owned directly or under lease. The combined land holdings
total over 13,500 acres, nearly 900 of which are covered by
federal patented lode claims. All of the defined mineral
resources and mineral reserves on both the Kensington and Jualin
properties are controlled by patented lode claims. At
Kensington, 49 of these claims are held under a lease-purchase
agreement and another two under an option to purchase agreement.
Accessibility,
Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and
Physiography
The Kensington-Jualin project area lies at the southern terminus
of the Kakuhan Range where it merges with the Coast Range
Mountains. Terrain is generally rugged within the project area,
extending from sea level to over 4,700 ft. in elevation.
Topographic relief ranges from moderate near sea level to rugged
at the base of Lions Head
J-46
Mountain. Vegetation ranges from dense coniferous forest at sea
level through dense brush to bare rock. Tree line is between
3,000 and 3,500 ft. in elevation depending on slope aspect.
Southeastern Alaskas climate is the warmest and wettest in
Alaska with over up to 90 inches of annual precipitation in
the Juneau area.
The climate in the project vicinity is maritime with a mean
annual precipitation of about 58 inches at the lower mine
elevations. Annual snowfall varies from a few feet at sea level
to greater than 10 ft. at the 2050 level portal. Snow removal
equipment is required to keep site roads open during winter
months, but there are no seasonal restrictions anticipated for
operations.
Access to the Kensington and Jualin properties is by aircraft
(helicopter or float plane) or boat from Juneau. Kensington is
presently reached via Lynn Canal to the support facilities at
Comet Beach on the eastern shore of Lynn Canal. Access to
existing mine workings (850 level portal) is by three miles of
all-weather gravel road from Comet Beach. The Jualin property is
accessed by boat from the north end of the public road at Echo
Cove (south side of Berners Bay) to a landing at Slate
Creek Cove (north side of Berners Bay), then five miles by
an all-weather gravel road to the Jualin camp. Heavy equipment
and supplies are brought to both camps directly from Juneau by
barge. The entire project site is heavily forested. Tides in the
project area range from −5 feet to +20 feet.
Juneau provides the majority of services required to support
planned operations at Kensington, with other nearby communities
including Haines and Skagway adding to the potential employment
base. The area has a long mining history and there are active
mines in the area from which Coeur can realize vendor synergies
and have access to local, skilled miners. The Alaska Marine
Highway is the primary form of transportation between the three
communities, and dedicated ferries will transport mine employees
to and from Kensington on a regular basis.
Power for the existing and future activities at Kensington and
Jualin is supplied by diesel generators. Process water will be
secured by water rights to Johnson Creek and by recirculating
process water discharged into the tailings treatment facility.
Potable water is supplied from the same Johnson Creek source and
treated as required, making it safe for human consumption. An
on-site
sewage treatment plant will be constructed to handle wastes
generated on site.
Surface rights over the combined Kensington-Jualin properties is
more than sufficient to meet project needs for the processing
plant site, tailings impoundments, waste-rock storage, ore
stockpiles, and ancillary facilities. Extensive infrastructure
development has been completed on the Kensington and Jualin
properties.
History
The first recorded gold production from what would become the
Berners Bay mining district came from the Northern Lights
claim on the Johnson vein in 1887. By the early 1900s, numerous
other gold-bearing quartz veins had been discovered and mined.
Intermittent production continued until the late 1920s when
organized mining of the Jualin mine ceased. Attempts were made
to revive the Kensington and Jualin mines during the 1930s with
little success, and the district became inactive by the
beginning of World War II.
Recorded production from the district is estimated at nearly
137,000 tons containing about 61,000 ounces of gold. Most of
this came from the Comet and Jualin mines, which produced 22,500
and 36,000 ounces of gold, respectively. The Kensington mine
produced approximately 2,600 ounces. Average grades ranged from
0.3 oz/t for Kensington to 0.6 oz/t for Comet and Jualin.
The Kensington mine was acquired by Alan Wright in the early
1960s and optioned to Homestake Mining Co. for the 1980 field
season. It was then optioned to Placid Oil Company from late
1980 through 1985. Placid Oil Company completed 13,626 ft. of
core drilling on the Kensington deposit and an additional 14,076
ft. on other vein targets. Their efforts resulted in
identification of significant gold mineralization in the upper
levels of the Kensington deposit.
Coeur Alaska acquired the Kensington Property from Placid Oil
Company in 1987 and formed a joint venture (the Kensington
Venture) with Echo Bay Mines Ltd (Echo Bay).
The joint venture, with Echo Bay as operator, brought the
project to a feasibility study level by 1993. The project was
then placed on care and maintenance due to declining gold prices.
J-47
Coeur Alaska acquired total control of the Kensington Property
in July 1995 by purchasing Echo Bays 50% interest. By
1997, Coeur had redefined the project, prepared another
feasibility study and completed permitting. The project, as
defined by the 1997 development plan, required a minimum average
gold price of $416 per ounce over the life of the mine. Gold
prices continued to decline, however, making the project
economically unattractive.
Coeur undertook an extensive exploration program in 1998 to
define additional resources directly adjacent to the main
deposits and this substantially increased the gold resource
base. However, the increased gold base was insufficient to
overcome further declines in the price of gold. Efforts since
1998 have been focused on optimizing project economics and
modifying the project development plan to reduce capital and
operating costs. Coeur Alaska completed 34,035 ft of drilling at
Kensington during the second half of 2005, followed by 32,249 ft
of drilling during 2006. The objective of this drilling program
was to convert inferred resource ounces to the indicated
resource category.
Exploration interest in Jualin was renewed in 1978 when Hyak
Mining Company, Inc. (Hyak) located claims covering
the core of the vein system. Hyak leased and optioned the
property to other mining companies throughout the 1980s, during
which time extensive geological mapping, drilling and related
exploration work was conducted. In 1987 Hyak optioned the
property under a 20 year lease to International Curator
Resources (Curator).
In 1993, Coeur Alaska entered into an earn-in agreement with
Curator giving it the right to earn a two-thirds interest in the
Jualin Property lease. Coeur acquired a 100% interest in the
Jualin Property lease from Curator in 1994. Coeur Alaska
completed a 5,212 ft drill program at Jualin during the second
half of 2005 along with a district helicopter supported aero
magnetic survey, followed by 13,455 ft of drilling during 2006.
Geologic
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Berners Bay mining district is located at the northern
end of the Juneau Gold Belt, a 120 mile long, and
10 mile wide structural zone hosting the A-J, Treadwell,
and Kensington deposits. The Berners Bay deposits are
somewhat unique in the Juneau Gold Belt because of the presence
of significant amounts of tellurides in the mineralization and
local high-grade nature.
The Berners Bay mining district is underlain by
Triassic-aged mafic metavolcanic rocks to the northeast and
Cretaceous-aged pelitic sediments to the southwest. The contact
between these two stratigraphic units has been intruded by a
Cretaceous-aged stock, termed Jualin diorite. Two regional,
northwest-trending shear zones, the Gastineau and Kensington
shear zones, pass through and control the structural fabric of
the district. The Jualin diorite, measuring approximately
5 miles by 3 miles, is elongated roughly parallel to
the regional structural fabric. Regional deformation and, more
specifically, shearing associated with the Kensington shear zone
controlled the emplacement of gold-bearing, mesothermal
quartz-carbonate veins within the district.
Local
and Property Geology
Mineralized zones at Kensington occur, in large scale, as
north-trending ladder veins and veins swarms that are tabular to
sigmoidal in form but not commonly bounded by obvious, discrete
contacts (i.e. gradational contacts). The north-south trend is
apparently formed as dilation related to the regional-scale,
northwest-oriented shears.
Fault density and reactivation of older faults from progressive
deformation appears to be an important ore controlling feature
of Kensington. Where faults are relatively widely-spaced and
less deformed, mineralization is constrained to the fault. A
total of four deformation events have been recognized at
Kensington (D1, D2, D3, and D4). D1 is believed to have
commenced around 110 million years ago (ma) while D4 is
believed to have occurred at around 53 ma. Gold mineralization
was coeval with D3 deformation which developed as a system of
right-lateral, reverse, wrench faults.
Nine separate zones of gold mineralization are recognized at
Kensington with seven of these zones comprising the current
mineral resource. Additional gold occurrences are present
throughout the greater Kensington-Jualin area and will be the
focus of future exploration efforts. Zone 10, the largest of the
nine zones, developed as a dilation zone during D3 deformation.
J-48
Gold-bearing quartz-carbonate vein deposits in the district have
been divided into five groups based on their structural
affinity: 1) large-scale, ladder-vein dilation
zones (Kensington Zones 10, 20, 30, and 50),
2) shear-hosted dilation zones ( Kensington Zone 41, 44 and
45, Elmira, Eureka, and Johnson), 3) shear-hosted quartz
veins (Ophir, Bear), 4) extensional veins (Comet, Ivanhoe,
Horrible, Northern Belle, Selkirk-Acropolis, Seward), and
5) sigmoid loops with shear-hosted fissure veins (Jualin).
Mineralization associated with two of these deposit types is of
greatest economic significance. First, and most important, are
large dilation-zone hosted vein swarms (Kensington zones,
Eureka, and Elmira), which host the majority of the
mineralization. Second, smaller, less continuous, fissure veins
(Horrible, Jualin, and Comet) which contain significantly higher
gold grades. Drill-delineated gold resources have been defined
both in the Kensington area (Kensington zones, Eureka, Horrible,
and Elmira deposits) and at Jualin (#4 vein and Empire zone).
The structural geology which forms the basis of geologic models
employed at Kensington is well understood and documented.
Investigation and exploration of these deposit types is
currently focused on infill drilling and defining the extents of
known mineralization.
Mineralization
The Kensington deposit in aggregate consists of seven
mineralized bodies termed Zones 10, 20, 30, 41, 44, 45, and 50.
They are localized between and along several northwest-trending,
district-scale shear zones comprising the Kensington shear zone.
The deposits are bounded on the north by the contact with
metavolcanic rocks and on the south by a major
northwest-trending shear zone. They form an en-echelon series of
deposits dipping to the east and extending from surface to at
least 500 ft. below sea level (approx. 3500 ft.). Individual
deposits are hosted in two general structural settings:
1) large swarms of discontinuous quartz-carbonate-pyrite
veins in biaxial sets within dilation zones formed between
right-lateral reverse conjugate faults (zones 10, 20, 30 and
50); and
2) smaller, more massive vein zones formed in localized
dilations along individual shear zones (zones 41, 44, and 45).
Large dilation zones (Zones 10 and 50) typically have a
tabular to sigmoidal shape and grade outward into unmineralized
diorite.
Vein forms range from more massive quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins
(e.g., Zone 41) to extensive swarms of cross-cutting,
biaxial sets of discontinuous veinlets (e.g., Zone 10 and 30).
Vein mineralization is characterized by gold and gold-silver
telluride minerals with minor associated native gold. Most of
the gold is contained in calaverite
(AuTe2)
which occurs in association with native gold as inclusions in
and interstitial to pyrite grains and in microfractures in
pyrite. Trace amounts of petzite
(Ag3AuTe2),
coloradoite (HgTe) and altaite (PbTe) have also been noted.
Minor amounts of chalcopyrite are also present along with trace
amounts of bornite, molybdenite, sphalerite, galena, and
pyrrhotite.
Other
Deposits
The Eureka deposit is approximately 600 ft. west of Zone 30 as a
single, large shear-hosted dilation zone with a similar strike
and dip to Zone 30. Drilling has defined a narrow zone of more
consistent veining and higher gold values measuring
approximately 600 ft. long and centered on the 2050 level adit.
The Elmira deposit is hosted in a broad, shear-hosted dilation
zone approximately 2,500 ft. east of Zone 10. The mineralized
zone averages in excess of
100-feet in
width and consists of gold-bearing quartz-carbonate veins
developed in an extensive dilation zone associated with the
Elmira shear. Zones of ore-grade mineralization are relatively
narrow, ranging from 10 ft. to 20 ft. and are limited to above
the 1,400 ft. elevation.
During excavation of the 850 level adit, a 5 ft. to 15 ft. wide
massive quartz vein, now called the Horrible Vein, was
intersected at about 2,800 ft. from the portal. Subsequent
drilling delineated a mineralized structural zone over a
distance of 600 ft. along strike and 600 ft. down dip. It
strikes north-south, dips 50 to 60 degrees east, and hosts a
locally discontinuous, massive, sheared quartz vein containing
pods and lenses of pyrite, petzite, calaverite, hessite,
chalcopyrite, galena and native gold. Exposures in drifts on
either side of the 850 level haulage drift show a vein width
ranging from 2 ft. to 20 ft.
J-49
The second most productive gold producer in the Berners
Bay district is the historic Comet mine which lies approximately
one mile south-southeast of the Kensington deposits on the north
side of the divide between Sherman and Johnson Creeks. Two
gold-bearing quartz veins were exploited historically over a
distance of 700 ft. horizontally and 600 ft. vertically. They
are shear-hosted, extensional veins ranging from 1 ft. to 8 ft.
in thickness hosted in Jualin diorite at its contact with
metasedimentary rocks to the southwest. Mineralization consists
of quartz-carbonate veins with trace amounts of galena,
chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and molybdenite. Gold occurs as
electrum, petzite, and hessite.
Exploration in the Johnson Creek Basin, both historically and
recently, has been concentrated primarily on the historic Jualin
mine area. Two deposits of significance have been delineated by
exploration drilling: 1) Jualin veins (#1 through #4),
and 2) the Empire zone. Other prospects which have been
given at least some exploration attention include the Fremming,
Valentine, Yankee, Big Lake, Babcock, DZ, and Gold King.
Mineralization in the Jualin mine area is hosted in sheared,
Jualin diorite adjacent to its contact with metasedimentary
rocks to the southwest. Several stages of mineralization have
been recognized, two of which are of economic significance. The
most significant are large, high-grade quartz-carbonate veins
often containing multi-ounce per ton gold concentrations.
High-grade ore shoots along three of these veins were mined from
the surface to a depth of about 300 feet. Average grades
were in the 0.5 to 0.6 oz/t gold range. A fourth vein,
the #4 vein, was discovered during drilling by Placer Dome
around 1990. This vein is not exposed on the surface and was not
intersected during historic mining activities. The average grade
of the #4 vein, based on uncapped drill-core assays, is
estimated to exceed 1.0 oz/t gold.
Exploration
In exploration terms, the mineralized zones in the Berners
Bay district present two primary types of targets:
1) moderate-grade, large-tonnage deposits occurring as
quartz-vein swarms hosted in dilation zones between major
through-going shear zones (Kensington zones, Eureka, Elmira, and
possibly the Empire and DZ prospects); and
2) smaller-tonnage, higher-grade targets hosted in discreet
veins or groups of veins in or directly adjacent to major
through-going shear structures (Jualin, Horrible, Comet,
Johnson, Big Lakes-Yankee, Ivanhoe, Hope, Bear, Seward-Thomas,
etc.).
Buried or blind targets, with little or no surface expression,
are common in the district. The three most notable examples
being the Kensington zones (only Zone 30 was known before
driving of the 850 level adit), the down-dip extension of the
Horrible vein (also discovered by the 850 level adit), and the
Jualin #4 vein (discovered by exploration drilling). Other
such, previously undetected, deposits are expected to be present
in similar geologic/structural settings within the
Kensington-Jualin claim block.
Significant progress has been made toward understanding the
geologic history and structural setting of the known deposits.
Definition of their association with specific, traceable
structural zones and the structural settings localizing
mineralization along these trends has helped to define
prospective areas warranting further investigation.
Drilling
Resource estimates of the Kensington zones are based on
core-drill assays supplemented with local sampling of
underground development workings. Diamond drilling by Placid Oil
prior to the Kensington Venture, totaling 13,626 feet, was
restricted to defining Zone 30 mineralization from the 2050
level. Placid also completed an additional 14,076 feet of
diamond drilling into other targets in the Sherman Creek basin
(Johnson, Bear, Elmira). Between 1989 and 1993, the Kensington
Venture (Coeur and Echo Bay) completed another 468 diamond drill
holes totaling over 285,000 feet.
Coeur Alaska drilled an additional 76 diamond drill holes
totaling over 57,000 feet. in 1998. Core sizes ranged from
BQ to NQ, with the majority being NQ-sized core. All drill-hole
collars have been surveyed and tied to the mine grid. Down-hole
surveys have been taken for most holes using a Reflex Fotobor or
Maxibor. Mineralized intercepts cut by drilling have been
converted to true thicknesses where discrete vein structures
permit and used to define zones of mineralization where the
control of mineralization is by vein swarms and clusters of
variable and complex orientations. This work has been verified
and constrained by geologic mapping and sampling of the nearly
27,000 feet of underground development on the property.
J-50
In 2005 Coeur Alaska completed 72 holes totaling 34,035 ft and
in 2006 completed another 34 holes totaling 32,249 feet.
The combined drilling focused on conversion of inferred category
resources to a higher confidence indicated category resource,
and resulted in 632,000 inferred ounces of gold upgraded to an
indicated classification.
Sampling
and Analysis
Since Coeur started the Kensington Venture program in 1987,
approximately 457,241 feet of drill core has been logged in
detail, photographed, and mineralized intervals analyzed using
whole-core, one-assay ton fire assays on intervals ranging from
2 ft. to 5 ft.
All 2005 and 2006 analyses used a 2 assay-ton charge.
Coeurs sampling and assaying, whether on drill samples or
underground faces, has been performed according to Coeur
procedures as described below.
1. All drill collars surveyed.
2. Fotobor and Maxibor downhole surveys employed.
3. All drill core is photographed. Core size of AQ (Placid
Oil programs) BQ and NQ (1.1, 1.4 and 1.9 inch diameter,
respectively) with the majority being NQ. All 2005 and 2006
drilling is NQ.
4. Sample lengths of 2, 3 4 and 5 feet are marked on
the core, based on vein mineralization geometry and other
geological features. Core recovery over each sample interval is
noted. Peripheral to visible vein features, core is sampled a
minimum of 10 to 30 feet on either side of the vein. Sample
intervals are based on the distribution of vein density, vein
type, pyrite content, and any other geological feature needing
assay definition.
5. All core is bagged and labeled with unique composite
sample number denoting the target (i.e. K for Kensington zones),
the drill hole number and sequential sample number. All numbers
are recorded on the drill log.
In general sample quality is good and the sampling protocol
representative of the geologic setting of the gold mineralized
veins and vein swarms. No bias in sampling is known to exist
with the drill or face sampling conducted at Kensington as
confirmed in the comparison of bulk samples to core and from
routine analytical check procedures.
Security
of Samples
Coeur staff and staff members from other parties (i.e. Echo Bay
Mines) selected the core samples and shipped them to the
independent laboratories for analysis. Gold analyses were
performed by industry-standard fire assay techniques with a 1
assay-ton charge and gravimetric finish. All 2005 and 2006
analyses used a 2 assay-ton charge. Independent laboratories
used by Coeur to prepare and assay Kensington samples include
American Assay Laboratories Inc., Barringer (Inspectorate ISO
9001:2000 Certification), Bondar-Clegg (ALS Chemex ISO 9001:2000
Certification) and Cone Geochemical; widely known and utilized
commercial laboratories in North America during the time.
Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures included
routine check assays of original pulps, check assays of
duplicate pulps from coarse rejects, geochemical blanks, and
known standards to determine contamination during sample
preparation. Metallic-screen analyses have also been performed
to check for coarse gold. Reproducibility of high-grade samples
has been checked using cyanide-soluble gold assays.
The
2005-2006
exploration program was enhanced to include site-specific
geochemical standards and the existing QA/QC program implemented
in 2005 meets or exceeds all industry standards with regard to
sample preparation, sample security, and analytical procedures
and protocols.
The Vulcan database used for resource estimation was validated
and cross-referenced with certified lab assay sheets and checked
by Coeurs technical staff. Data from the Vulcan database
along with data from the lab certificates was loaded into a
spreadsheet that compares values and cross validates.
J-51
Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates
The mineral resources and mineral reserves for the Kensington
project have been evaluated by a number of different experts
during the past 12 years. Coeur has conducted considerable
exploration that includes 40,000 feet of underground
development and 457,241 feet of core drilling as well as
geological mapping and sampling of development exposures. All of
the sampling, drilling and other geological work has been
digitized to enable detailed modeling of Kensington.
The Coeur geologic modeling results were verified by Snowden
Mineral Industry Consultants who simultaneously conducted an
independent modeling exercise. The episodic character of the
Kensington veins in Zones 10 and 41 is well evident and
supported by prior Coeur and consultant studies and underground
inspection. The multi-veined, variable orientation stockwork
character of the main zones has been drill tested and all
wireframes adjusted accordingly and validated for volume
calculations.
Indicator variogram methods to model the directions and extent
of grade continuity were carried out to apply Multiple Indicator
Kriging (MIK) to the Kensington Zones thus replacing Conditional
Simulation methods.
The Horrible and Eureka veins are structurally less complex than
the main Kensington Zones, and mining is expected to be less
selective on these structures. Traditional Kriged block
estimates were used by Snowden in 2004 to update the initial
polygonal estimates completed in 2000 and were not changed for
the year-end 2006 estimation.
Coeur edited all the Kensington wireframes to reflect the large
additional 2005 and 2006 drilling. In all, there are 9 distinct
wireframes (10 main, 10 upper, 11, 20, 30, 35, 41, 42,
50) at the heart of the Kensington mineralized Zones, with
an additional 2 wireframes for the satellite Horrible and Eureka
Veins. It should be noted that there was no new drilling in the
Horrible, and Eureka veins since the 2004 Snowden CS resource
estimation, hence the wireframes for those veins were not
adjusted.
The method of constructing the mine planning model for Zones 10
to 50 involved the use of Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK). This
method replaced of the conditional simulation method used by
Snowden in 2004. MIK is one of the few techniques that
adequately addresses mixed data populations and was selected as
an interpolation method to make the transition from conditional
simulation reasonable.
Kensington
Mineral Reserves at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tons (short)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Proven
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Probable
|
|
|
4,418,556
|
|
|
|
0.306
|
|
|
|
1,352,140
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
4,418,556
|
|
|
|
0.306
|
|
|
|
1,352,140
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kensington
Mineral Resources at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au Grade
|
|
|
Au Ounces
|
|
|
Ag Grade
|
|
|
Ag Ounces
|
|
Category
|
|
Tons (short)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
(oz/ton)
|
|
|
(Contained)
|
|
|
Measured
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
|
|
|
3,136,057
|
|
|
|
0.199
|
|
|
|
623,238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
3,136,057
|
|
|
|
0.199
|
|
|
|
623,238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inferred
|
|
|
1,183,640
|
|
|
|
0.205
|
|
|
|
242,675
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metal prices used were $550 Au
Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and do not
have demonstrated economic value.
Cut-off grades (COG) were 0.120 oz/ton for mineral resources and
0.16 for mineral reserves.
J-52
Mining
Operations
Underground
The primary mining method will be longhole stoping with
backfill. Drift and fill mining and benching will be utilized in
the higher-grade Zone 41.
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
Metallurgical test work on the Kensington Project has been
conducted at the facilities of five separate independent
consultants. The testing included several different flotation
and cyanidation tests, gravity separation and regrind tests. The
process facilities, which have been built based on prior testing
and are nearly complete, are located at an elevation of
910 feet above sea level near the Jualin mine portal,
approximately
51/2
miles from the port facility at Slate Creek Cove. Ore is
received from the underground mine by 40 ton trucks and either
stockpiled on the crusher pad or directly fed to the crusher.
The crusher pad is on the same elevation as the portal, which is
about 50 feet higher than the plant pad.
The process facility is near the crusher, surface maintenance
shops, surface warehouse, diesel-generated power plant, and
other typical facilities located at this site. The plant
includes a jaw crusher and fine crushing circuit, followed by a
single primary ball mill and one re-grind ball mill. Gold
recovery is by a combination of flotation and gravity
concentration, followed by concentrate regrind and cleaner
flotation. Overall gold recovery is expected to average 95.3%.
Flotation concentrates are filtered, packaged in two-ton flow
bags, and loaded into shipping sea containers for shipment to
third party processing facilities. Flotation final tailings are
transported to the tailings disposal area.
Analysis of Kensington concentrates indicates there are no other
credits or deductions to consider at this time. Shipping rates
for transportation of bagged concentrates have also been updated
and incorporated into the cost structure of Kensington
operations. Suggested smelter terms and transportation costs
appear to be within market parameters, realizing that market
parameters for both of these issues are constantly changing.
The project incorporates a State of Alaska Mining License Tax
(per Chapter 43.65.010) at 7% per annum after allowances
for depletion. Kensington will be exempt from taxes for
31/2
years after the start of production. The tax is calculated on
Net Income less $100,000 per annum. No other taxes are
considered. The project incorporates an annual 3% Production
Royalty of net income payable starting the first year of
production to the State of Alaska (per Chapter 38.05.212).
This royalty has been included in Coeurs updated economic
assessment and allows for deduction of overhead and operating
expenses, development costs, depreciation, taxes, losses
sustained, an exploration incentive credit but excludes
allowances for depletion and federal income tax.
Total estimated taxes, over the 10 year mine life, included
in Coeurs updated economic assessment, at the $550 price
per gold ounce used in the operating plan base case economic
analysis is approximately $5.05 million. Total royalties to
the State of Alaska for the same operating plan are estimated to
be $5.01 million.
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
21/2%
at gold prices above $475, with the royalty to be capped at
1.0 million ounces of production. With the estimated
capital and costs and payback period used in current financial
modeling at $550/oz gold, no royalty payments to Echo Bay are
anticipated. Royalties on production from Jualin properties are
not included in the financial model since no reserves are
identified on the Jualin properties at this time.
Mine
Life
Based on mineral reserves, the mine life is estimated to through
2017.
J-53
Taxes
The project will be subject to various taxes; State of Alaska
Mining License Tax (exempted for first
31/2
years), State of Alaska Production Royalty (3% on net income).
Total estimated taxes of $5.05 million are factored in the
life of mine plan.
Marketing
Recent discussions with several smelters resulted in the
following smelter terms used for calculating an updated Net
Smelter Return for the Kensington Project:
Payable:
Au: 97.25% recovery
Treatment Charge: $104/dry ton concentrate
Refining Charge: $5/oz of payable Au
Permitting
All required local, state and federal permits for construction
have been issued. The key permits include:
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental Impact Assessment and Record of Decision issued
December 9, 2004 by the U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture-Forest Service.
|
|
|
|
Plan of Operations. Issued by The U.S Department of
Agriculture-Forest Service on June 13, 2005.
|
|
|
|
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES)
issued U.S. EPA in June 2005 and certified by the State of
Alaska.
|
|
|
|
Section 404 Permit(s) issued, along with the
Section 401 certification of the state, in June 2005 by US
Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). These are required for the
Cascade Point and Slate Creek Cove dock facilities, dredging or
fill activities in wetlands including the Lower Slate Lake TSF
dam and impoundment. (The Section 404 permit has been the
subject of litigation. For a more complete discussion, see the
section entitled Information Concerning Coeur
Business Overview of Mining Properties and
Interests in the Proxy Statement.)
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|
|
|
Corps Section 10 Permit(s).
|
|
|
|
Non-Point Source Control Program. Kensington obtained a
Construction General Permit for stormwater run-off management
regulations, including development of a Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan particularly for the process plant area and the
concentrate storage and load-out facility.
|
|
|
|
Clean Air Act permit involves both EPA and state approval of Air
Quality Control Permit to Construct.
|
|
|
|
Federal Consultation(s) with the United States Fish &
Wildlife Service (USF&WS) and the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) in administering the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), and the Bald Eagle Protection Act.
|
|
|
|
Other Federal Requirements; fuelling (U.S. Coast Guard),
the explosives permit (Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms), and the
Mine Safety & Health Administration program, and
Executive Orders 11990 and 11988.
|
|
|
|
Water Rights permits obtained from Alaska Department of Natural
Resources (ADNR) which authorize the use of surface water and
groundwater supplies.
|
|
|
|
Tideland Permit(s) required by ADNR for permanent improvements
to tidelands i.e. breakwater and dock facilities at Cascade
Point and Slate Creek Cove.
|
|
|
|
Rights-of-Way required by ADNR for the fuel transfer and
concentrate transfer facilities.
|
|
|
|
Dam Safety Permit required by ADNR to construct the Lower Slate
Lake TSF dam, including engineering design review.
|
J-54
|
|
|
|
|
Wastewater Permit(s) required for sanitary wastewater treatment
and disposal systems, such as the facilities at the mine site.
|
|
|
|
Spill Contingency Plan required for hauling fuel from the Slate
Creek Cove dock to the mine and processing plant (ADEC).
|
|
|
|
Fish Passage and Fish Habitat permits were issued to divert,
obstruct or modify natural flows of an anadromous fishery, or in
the case of Lower Slate Lake, temporarily eliminating the
resident fishery.
|
|
|
|
Instream Flows The project will be required to
maintain instream flows sufficient to support critical fisheries
habitat (ADF&G).
|
|
|
|
City & Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Large Mine Permit.
|
The Kensington Mine has in place a reclamation insurance policy
designed to address anticipated future expenses with reclamation
and closure. The two primary components are a reclamation
insurance policy and reclamation bonds. The policy is designed
to pay for future reclamation costs. This is a finite
policy, based on detailed cost estimates. The insurance
policy also provides excess coverage, in the event actual costs
exceed the current estimate. The bonds are traditional
reclamation bonds placed with the USFS, the lead regulatory
agency for the Kensington Project. The combined program serves
to insure increases in surety obligations over time within the
limits of the policy, without having to post additional
collateral. This provides maximum opportunity for modifying the
project in the future, including expansions and upgrades as the
program evolves. In addition, a reclamation reserve has been
included for the post-closure long-term care and maintenance
requirements.
Exploration
and Development
Future exploration programs will target additional mineral
resources around the main Kensington deposit. Other targets for
exploration will be the Jualin area, and the Horrible, Elmira
and Eureka veins.
OTHER
PROPERTIES
In addition to exploration at its operating and development
properties, Coeur conducts a large grassroots (greenfields)
exploration program to find new mineral deposits and define new
mining opportunities. Currently the largest components of this
program are devoted to the Santa Cruz Province of southern
Argentina and to the Lake Victoria Gold Belt of Tanzania and but
it has also budgeted for exploration in other parts of the world
as well.
Argentina,
Santa Cruz Province
Coeur continued reconnaissance in Santa Cruz Province where its
activities in 2006 resulted in identification and acquisition of
four new exploration-stage properties believed to be prospective
for silver and gold mineralization. These properties are El
Aguila, Sol de Mayo, Sascha and Joaquin. El Aguila and Sol de
Mayo are controlled by private Argentine interest. Coeur 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.
Coeur plans to continue to explore its new holdings and seek
additional opportunities in Santa Cruz in 2007 and has budgeted
$2.6 million for these activities.
Tanzania,
Africa
During the first quarter of 2004, Coeur acquired ten prospecting
licenses for properties located in the Lake Victoria Gold Belt
of Tanzania, Africa and added Saragurwa and Bismark in 2005 and
2006. Except for Saragurwa and Bismark, which are owned by
private Tanzanian interests, all properties are held 100% by a
Tanzanian subsidiary of Coeur via prospecting or primary mining
license provisions of the Tanzania Mining Code. After subsequent
exploration, the company reduced its concessions to 8 separate
parcels, currently and has applied for two new prospecting
licences.
J-55
During 2006, 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 (RAB) 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-west shear/fault zones. Also in
2006, 180 meters of core drilling was completed on Saragurwa.
Coeur plans to continue to explore its holdings and seek
additional opportunities in Tanzania and has budgeted
$1.8 million for these activities.
Puchuldiza,
Chile
Puchuldiza is a large, epithermal, hot spring deposit in a
setting very similar to other such gold deposits in the USA, New
Zealand and Japan. Gold mineralization can be found throughout
the property in systems of veins, veinlets and stockworks
developed in explosion breccias and silicified zones.
On November 28, 2001, Coeur signed an agreement with
Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) relating to
Coeurs Puchuldiza gold property located approximately 250
kms northeast of the port city of Iquique in northern Chile.
Under the terms of the agreement, Barrick can earn a 75%
interest in the property in return for exploration expenditures
of $2.25 million over the next five years (the initial
period). For an additional $5.8 million in exploration
spending, Barrick can increase its property interest to 85%.
Coeur, however, can recover its full 25% interest by making a
cash payment to Barrick equivalent to 25% of Barricks
additional expenditure of $5.8 million, plus a 50% penalty.
Since 2001, Barrick has spent approximately $1.95 million
on geologic mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and
drilling on the Puchuldiza property. A total of 4.375 meters
(14,350 feet) of drilling in 17 core holes has been
completed. Results of their work have been encouraging enough
for Barrick to plan
follow-up
work. In 2007, Coeur granted to Barrick a
24-month
extension of the initial period and Barrick must spend a
cumulative total of $2.45 million by the end of the initial
period to earn a 75% interest.
J-56
Annex
K
Certain
Information Regarding Mining Properties of Palmarejo and
Bolnisi
Technical
Report and Qualified Persons
The following descriptions and summaries of the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project are taken from the report entitled
Updated Technical Report Palmarejo-Trogan
Project, Chihuahua, Mexico (the Technical
Report) prepared by Michael M. Gustin, P.Geo. and
Neil B. Prenn, P.Eng. of Mine Development Associates Inc.
(MDA) dated September 17, 2007. A copy of the
Technical Report has been filed by Palmarejo on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. Mr. Gustin and Mr. Prenn are
qualified persons as defined in National Instrument
43-101
(NI
43-101),
are independent of Palmarejo and have reviewed and verified the
scientific and technical mining disclosure with respect to the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project contained in this proxy statement.
Palmarejo
Project
The nature and extent of Palmarejos title to and interest
in the concessions comprising the Palmarejo-Trogan Project are
as follows:
Corporacion
Minera de Palmarejo (Ruben Rodríguez Villegas)
Agreement
A lease and option to purchase agreement between Planet Gold and
the Corporacion Minera de Palmarejo (Ruben Rodriguez Villegas)
for 10 concessions totaling approximately 642 hectares (see
table below) was signed on June 26, 2003. The historic
Palmarejo mine, as well as the mineral resources discussed below
under the heading Mineral Resources, are located within the
northern block of these concessions. Pursuant to this agreement,
a five-year exploration right over the property was granted to
Planet Gold in exchange for cash payments, including US$20,000,
which was paid on signing and a further nine escalating
semi-annual payments totaling US$365,000, which also have been
paid. Planet Gold exercised the option and acquired a 100%
interest in the concessions by making a final payment of
US$115,000 in April 2005.
Palmarejo
Concessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
La Mexicana
|
|
|
T-212281
|
|
|
|
142.1410
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
September 28, 2050
|
Carmelita
|
|
|
T-209976
|
|
|
|
5.3430
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 30, 2049
|
La Aurelia
|
|
|
T-209541
|
|
|
|
10.000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 2, 2049
|
Cabellero Azteca
|
|
|
T-209975
|
|
|
|
5.0510
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 30, 2049
|
Lezcura
|
|
|
T-210479
|
|
|
|
14.5465
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
October 7, 2049
|
El Risco
|
|
|
T-210163
|
|
|
|
24.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
September 9, 2049
|
Unif. Huruapa
|
|
|
T-195487
|
|
|
|
213.7755
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
December 13, 2039
|
Palmarejo
|
|
|
T-164465
|
|
|
|
52.0755
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
May 8, 2029
|
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
T-194678
|
|
|
|
15.3737
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
May 6, 2042
|
San Carlos
|
|
|
T-188817
|
|
|
|
160.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
November 28, 2040
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
642.3062
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K-1
Aldo
Arturo Aguayo Dozal Agreement
On July 7, 2003, an application for the Trogan concession
was submitted to the Chihuahua Informe Pericial. This
application was configured to surround the Palmarejo mine area
and other properties of interest along major NW- and
WNW-trending structures; the initial application covered about
16 km in a NW-SE direction by 3 to 5 km in a NE-SW direction.
From the application, two mining concessions totaling about
3,852 hectares (see table below) were granted in the name of
Aldo Arturo Aguayo Dozal, a Mexican employee of Planet Gold, on
February 19, 2004. On October 15, 2004, Aldo Arturo
Aguayo Dozal transferred all rights to the Trogan and Trogan
Fraccion mining concessions to Planet Gold for a nominal sum.
Trogan Trogan
Fraccion Concessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
Trogan
|
|
|
T-221490
|
|
|
|
3,844.5413
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
February 18, 2054
|
|
Trogan Fraccion
|
|
|
T-221491
|
|
|
|
7.9682
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
February 18, 2054
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,852.5095
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jacobo
Valenzuela Agreement
A lease and option to purchase agreement between Planet Gold and
Carmen Breach Russo Viuda de Valenzuela, the heir of the late
Sr. Francisco Jacobo Valenzuela for concessions totaling 49
hectares (see table below) was signed on October 9, 2003.
The concessions lie in three separate areas within the broader
project region. The agreement, which can be terminated with
30 days notice by Planet Gold, grants Planet Gold an
exclusive four-year exploration right over the concessions in
exchange for cash payments, including US$25,000 paid on signing
and seven escalating semi-annual payments totaling US$205,000 of
which US$155,000 has been paid. When these obligations are
fulfilled, Planet Gold can acquire a 100% interest in the
concessions by making a final payment of US$70,000 by the end of
four years from the effective date of the option agreement.
Jacobo
Valenzuela Agreement Concessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
Patria Vieja
|
|
|
T-167323
|
|
|
|
4.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
November 2, 2030
|
Nueva Patria
|
|
|
T-167281
|
|
|
|
11.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
October 29, 2030
|
Maclovia
|
|
|
T-167282
|
|
|
|
6.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
October 29, 2030
|
San Juan de Dios
|
|
|
T-167322
|
|
|
|
23.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
November 2, 2030
|
Carrizo Anexas
|
|
|
T-167284
|
|
|
|
1.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
October 29, 2030
|
Carrizo
|
|
|
T-167283
|
|
|
|
4.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
October 29, 2030
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49.0000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mrs. Carmen Valenzuela (the heir of Sr. Valenzuela) is
currently the registered owner of 60% of the Carrizo and Carrizo
Anexas concessions. Mrs. Valenzuela will need to complete a
transfer of rights to the remaining 40% before Planet Gold can
acquire a 100% interest in these two concessions. The transfer
is being delayed as a result of the death of the registered
owner of the 40% interest. In addition, the registration of the
San Juan de Dios concession must be updated to reflect the
death of Sr. Jacobo Valenzuela and the transfer of rights to
Ms. Carmen Valenzuela. Planet Gold believes the transfers
will be completed and the registry updated before the
termination of the lease and option agreement.
Ricardo
Rodriguez Lugo and Joaquin Rodriguez Lugo Agreement
A lease and option to purchase agreement between Planet Gold and
Messrs Ricardo Rodriguez Lugo and Joaquin Rodriguez Lugo for
concessions totaling about 101 hectares (see table below) was
signed on April 20, 2004. The agreement, which can be
terminated with 30 days notice by Planet Gold, grants
Planet Gold an exclusive four-year exploration right over the
concessions in exchange for cash payments, including US$12,800
which was
K-2
paid on signing and seven escalating semi-annual payments
totaling US$102,800 of which US$26,800 has been paid. When these
obligations are fulfilled, Planet Gold can acquire a 100%
interest in the concessions by making a final payment of
US$80,000 by the end of 4.5 years from the effective date
of the agreement.
Ricardo
Rodriguez Lugo and Joaquin Rodriguez Lugo Agreement
Concessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
La Buena Fe
|
|
|
T-188820
|
|
|
|
60.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
November 28, 2040
|
Ampl La Buena Fe
|
|
|
T-209648
|
|
|
|
40.8701
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 2, 2049
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100.8701
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
La Moderna
Concession
Under the terms of a purchase agreement between Planet Gold and
Francisco Yanez Medina, signed on September 14, 2004,
Planet Gold purchased the 75.8635-hectares La Moderna
mining concession for US$12,000. The concession is valid through
to September 22, 2055.
La Moderna
Concession
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
La Moderna
|
|
|
208350
|
|
|
|
75.8635
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
September 22, 2055
|
|
Los Tajos
Concession
Palmarejo acquired a 100% interest in the Los Tajos mining
concession from Arturo Perea Saenz for US$25,000 on
April 21, 2005.
Los Tajos
Concession
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
Los Tajos
|
|
|
186009
|
|
|
|
2.7043
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
December 13, 2039
|
|
La Victoria
Concession Agreement
Planet Gold signed a lease and purchase option agreement with
Eva Alicia Fontes Manriquez and her husband Jim Patterson on the
La Victoria concession on May 5, 2005. Under this
agreement, Planet Gold holds a three-year exploration right for
escalating semi-annual payments totaling US$180,000, of which
US$65,000 have been paid (inclusive of US$20,000 paid upon
execution of the agreement). On or before the conclusion of the
three-year period, Planet Gold retains the right to purchase
100% ownership of the concession for an additional US$120,000.
La
Victoria Concession
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
La Victoria
|
|
|
210320
|
|
|
|
76.0883
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
September 23, 2049
|
|
K-3
Planet
Gold Concessions
The concessions listed in the table below were granted to Planet
Gold between April and November 2005. They are 100% owned by
Planet Gold.
Planet
Gold Concessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
Amplicion Trogan
|
|
|
224118
|
|
|
|
703.2318
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
April 7, 2055
|
Amplicion Trogan Oeste
|
|
|
225223
|
|
|
|
1699.9939
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 4, 2055
|
Trogan Norte 1
|
|
|
225278
|
|
|
|
1024.0000
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 11, 2055
|
Trogan Norte 2
|
|
|
225279
|
|
|
|
1019.2222
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 11, 2055
|
Trogan Oeste
|
|
|
225308
|
|
|
|
2699.0748
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
August 15, 2055
|
La Buena Fe Norte
|
|
|
226201
|
|
|
|
98.0878
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
November 30, 2055
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7243.6105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia
Concession
Under the terms of a purchase agreement between Planet Gold and
Mrs. Maritza Rascon Serrano signed on May 16, 2006,
Planet Gold purchased the 12 hectares Virginia mining concession
for a total price of US$625,000 payable as follows: US$300,000
was paid upon signing of the agreement. The balance will be paid
by five successive payments of US$25,000 (each payable every
four months after the date of the agreement) and one final
payment of US$200,000 to be paid 24 months after the date
of the agreement.
Virginia
Concession
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
Virginia
|
|
|
214101
|
|
|
|
12.0906
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
August 9, 2051
|
|
La Estrella
Concession
In February 2004, Planet Gold entered into an agreement with the
owner of the 59 hectares La Estrella mining concession. The
agreement provided that the concession will be sold to Planet
Gold for the amount of US$500,000 payable in seven installments
and that the concession would be transferred and registered in
the name of Planet Gold only after the payment of the first
installment of C$150,000. This payment was made on May 16,
2006 and the La Estrella concession is now registered in
the name of Planet Gold. The balance of the purchase price is
payable in five successive payments of US$25,000. The first
three payments of US$25,000 have been made and the others will
be due September 16, 2007, and January 16, 2008. One
final payment of US$225,000 will be payable on May 16,
2008. If Planet Gold fails to make any of the purchase price
payments, the concession will be transferred back to the owner.
La
Estrella Concession
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title Number
|
|
|
Area (Has.)
|
|
|
Concession Type
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
La Estrella
|
|
|
189692
|
|
|
|
59.5863
|
|
|
|
Mining
|
|
|
|
December 4, 2040
|
|
Mexican
Law Amendments
In February 2005, the Mexican Mining Law was amended. As a
result, the Mexican authorities have not issued
exploration concessions since January 1, 2006.
All existing exploration concessions have been automatically
converted into mining concessions and their expiration dates are
50 years from the date the exploration concession was
originally issued.
K-4
Ejido
Agreements
Planet Gold has entered into agreements that allow surface
disturbance for the purpose of conducting exploration activities
from the four ejidos, or surface owner councils, that cover the
Planet Gold land holdings the Palmarejo, Guazapares,
Guerra al Tiran, and Aqua Salada ejidos. These agreements allow
Planet Gold to carry out exploration on the ejidos ground in
exchange for paying nominal sums determined by the areas of
disturbance associated with the construction of new roads, drill
pads, etc. As part of their public relations program with the
local inhabitants, Planet Gold has also granted requests by the
ejidos to purchase plumbing and building materials for an
elementary school in the village of Palmarejo and use a dozer
contracted by Planet Gold to prepare a site for the school as
well as upgrade portions of the Temoris-Palmarejo gravel road.
The agreements with the Palmarejo, Guazapares, and Guerra al
Tiran ejidos are effective through November 2009, while the Agua
Salada agreement is effective through September 2010.
Subsequent to the above-mentioned agreements, Planet Gold
executed agreements with the Palmarejo and Guazapares ejidos
covering surface activities involved with the exploration,
exploitation and processing of mineral deposits, the
construction of all necessary mining and processing facilities,
and the undertaking of mining operations. The agreements were
signed on October 16, 2005 and October 30, 2005,
respectively, and are effective for 15 years with an option
to extend the terms for an additional 15 years.
Environmental
Matters and Permits
An environmental study was commissioned by Planet Gold for the
purpose of obtaining an exploration permit for the Palmarejo
Project on behalf of Planet Gold. Heuristica Ambiental,
environmental consultants from Hermosillo, Sonora, were
contracted to carry out the study and permitting. Heuristica
Ambiental submitted two NOM-120 applications to permit
exploration activities to the Mexican Ministry of the
Environment and Natural Resources Chihuahua office
(SEMARNAT) on January 15, 2004, one for the
Palmarejo Project area and one for the Trogan license area. The
two permits became active on January 20, 2004. A similar
permit was obtained for the Guadalupe area. These permits allow
Planet Gold to dig 200 trenches, construct 10 km of 5-meter wide
roads, and drill 300 holes over a
3-year time
period. A total disturbance on 10 hectares is allowed for each
permit.
Planet Gold filed an environmental impact study for the
Palmarejo Project with the Secretariat of Environmental and
Natural Resources, the Mexican Government environmental
authority (SEMARNAT) on March 13, 2006. The
study covers the potential impacts of a commercial mining
operation at the Palmarejo Project, including open pit mining,
mill and flotation processing, waste dumps, tailings and
tailings dam, etc. The environmental permit was granted on
May 23, 2006. The permit approves mining activities for a
10 year period, plus 3 years for reclamation, based on
the Palmarejo project mine plan as submitted by Planet Gold to
SEMARNAT. If Palmarejos mine plans change, Palmarejo can
apply to SEMARNAT for an extension of the environmental permit.
Planet Gold also filed with SEMARNAT a Change of Soil Use
application in May, 2006. The Change of Use of Surface Permit
for the Palmarejo Project was approved on August 31, 2006.
This permit allows Palmarejo to use the Palmarejo project land
for mining purposes rather than its current use as forest land.
The permit also specifies that the restoration, replanting,
rehabilitation and upkeep requirements for the Palmarejo Project
site will be undertaken by the Mexican National Forest
Commission in return for a single environmental compensation
payment by Palmarejo in the amount of approximately C$750,000,
which payment has been made.
The small village of Palmarejo lies approximately 0.5 km to the
northwest of the Palmarejo Projects mineral resources
reported below. While the people of the village appear to be
supportive of the operations that Planet Gold is undertaking at
present, it is not clear what financial
and/or
time-related impacts to the permitting of a mining operation, if
any, the presence of the village might create.
K-5
History
Pre-Planet
Gold Exploration and Mining History
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project area lies within the Temoris mining
district, which is reported to have had large but unknown
quantities of silver and gold production dating from Spanish
colonial times. Although local miners claim that mines such as
Todos Santos, La Patria, Carmelita, and Guadalupe have been
worked for over 100 years, there is no known record of
their past production, and they are now abandoned. Many small
adits and superficial workings along the districts two
main mineralized structural trends, the Virginia and Guadalupe
trends, attest to past mining activity.
Reported mining activities at Palmarejo started in 1818, but
mining ceased in the early 1900s at the time of the Mexican
Revolution. Intermittent small-scale production continued
throughout the 20th century. There are no production
records for the early period of mining at Palmarejo prior to
1909, although some estimates of approximate production were
made, as described in the Technical Report.
Production at Palmarejo was resumed by Minas Huruapa, S.A. de
C.V. (Minas Huruapa) during the period from 1979 to
1992. Records newly provided by Jorge Cordoba, General Director
of Operations for Minas Huruapa at Palmarejo, indicate that
Minas Huruapa mined 168,352 tonnes of ore grading 297 g Ag/t and
1.37 g Au/t. See table below.
Minas
Huruapa Production at Palmarejo Mine: 1979 to 1992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mined Grade
|
|
Year
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
|
g Au/t
|
|
|
g Ag/t
|
|
|
1979
|
|
|
735
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
142
|
|
1980
|
|
|
7,455
|
|
|
|
0.79
|
|
|
|
201
|
|
1981
|
|
|
12,383
|
|
|
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
275
|
|
1982
|
|
|
10,459
|
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
|
436
|
|
1983
|
|
|
11,500
|
|
|
|
1.59
|
|
|
|
335
|
|
1984
|
|
|
12,562
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
|
345
|
|
1985
|
|
|
12,991
|
|
|
|
1.41
|
|
|
|
317
|
|
1986
|
|
|
12,712
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
317
|
|
1987
|
|
|
13,708
|
|
|
|
1.10
|
|
|
|
260
|
|
1988
|
|
|
14,410
|
|
|
|
1.10
|
|
|
|
280
|
|
1989
|
|
|
12,889
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
258
|
|
1990
|
|
|
17,782
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
|
289
|
|
1991
|
|
|
18,186
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
269
|
|
1992
|
|
|
10,580
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
168,352
|
|
|
|
1.37
|
|
|
|
297
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The La Currita Mine, located adjacent to the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project in the Guadalupe area, produced at a
rate of about 100 tons per day from 1985 to 1998. The
gold-silver ore from the mine was processed at a 150 ton per day
flotation mill that also received ore from other area mines.
Production ceased at La Currita due to low metal prices.
Kalahari Resources Inc. undertook exploration drilling at
La Currita in 1991, while Silver Standard Resources Inc.
did additional drilling in 1998. Minor unrecorded production
occurred from several other areas within the Palmarejo-Trogan
area, including in the Guadalupe and La Patria areas.
High-grade gold-silver shoots at the Guerra-al-Tirano,
Convirginia (Virginia) and Juan de Dios prospects are being
mined by local miners today. These small underground mines do
not use modern mining practices, with little grade control or
constant production rates. Ore is trucked to a mill near the
town of Los Llanos for flotation, with the concentrate sent for
refining in Torreon, Durango.
K-6
Historic
Resource Estimates
Several estimates in respect of mineralization at the Palmarejo
mine were completed between 1909 and 1996. There are
insufficient details available on the procedures used in these
estimates to permit MDA to determine that any of the estimates
meet NI
43-101
standards, and none of the estimates are classified.
Accordingly, these resource figures are presented here merely as
an item of historical interest with respect to the exploration
target and should not be construed as being representative of
actual Mineral Reserves (under NI
43-101)
present at the Palmarejo Project.
The following table shows mineral inventory estimates,
consisting of mineralized material lying between workings
existing at the time, prepared by or for some of the companies
who have been involved with the Palmarejo mine from 1909 to
1996. No drilling data are known to have been used for any of
these calculations. The use of the term reserve in
this table is not consistent with NI
43-101. MDA
knows little of the techniques and parameters used in these
estimates. MDA believes that none of these estimates were
prepared in full compliance with the provisions of NI
43-101.
Previous
Estimates of Reserves for the Palmarejo
Mine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade
|
|
|
Ounces
|
|
Estimator
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
|
g Au/t
|
|
|
g Ag/t
|
|
|
Au Oz
|
|
|
Ag Oz
|
|
|
E.T. McCarthy
|
|
|
1909
|
|
|
|
615,000
|
|
|
|
?
|
|
|
|
559
|
|
|
|
?
|
|
|
|
11,054,180
|
|
W.D. Hole
|
|
|
1919
|
|
|
|
446,142
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
407
|
|
|
|
43,175
|
|
|
|
5,838,578
|
|
Garcia y Cisneros
|
|
|
1969
|
|
|
|
189,000
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
|
|
|
482
|
|
|
|
20,662
|
|
|
|
2,929,196
|
|
E.T. Knight
|
|
|
1975
|
|
|
|
416,000
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
428
|
|
|
|
33,440
|
|
|
|
5, 725,016
|
|
San Luis
|
|
|
1978
|
|
|
|
150,014
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
|
13,506
|
|
|
|
1,717,202
|
|
Minas Huruapa
|
|
|
1990
|
|
|
|
124,139
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
294
|
|
|
|
9,574
|
|
|
|
1,176,898
|
|
San Luis
|
|
|
1996
|
|
|
|
120,407
|
|
|
|
1.6
|
|
|
|
231
|
|
|
|
6,194
|
|
|
|
894,341
|
|
Planet Gold calculated an inferred resource for the Palmarejo
mine based on exploration by Planet Gold completed through June
2004. This resource estimate has been updated, refined, and
replaced by the estimate discussed herein.
Planet
Gold Exploration History (prior to the Acquisition of Planet
Gold by Palmarejo)
Other than the drilling at the La Currita mine mentioned
above, the only other drilling known to be completed within the
Palmarejo-Trogan property prior to that of Planet Gold is the
drilling of five holes in the underground workings prior to 1909.
In January and February of 2003, Hall Stewart conducted a
reconnaissance study on behalf of Planet Gold of the
Palmarejo-Trogan Project area. Stewarts work led to Planet
Golds submission of the Trogan application and the
initiation of negotiations on internal claims. Detailed field
investigations by Planet Gold began immediately following the
signing of the Corporacion Minera de Palmarejo (Ruben Rodriguez
Villegas) agreement in June 2003.
Reconnaissance surface mapping, trenching, and underground
sampling and mapping on known prospects within the project area
led to the identification of significant precious metal
anomalies in the Palmarejo Project area. A more focused
trenching and underground sampling effort was then undertaken at
the Palmarejo Project, and drill testing commenced in November
2003 with a single reverse circulation (RC) rig.
Sixty-eight surface trenches, for a total of 1,500 m, were
constructed and sampled by Planet Gold as part of the
reconnaissance of the Trogan area through June 2005. These
trenches vary in width from 1 to 116 m. An additional 43
trenches were completed at Palmarejo for a total of 927 m. The
trenches were completed with picks and shovels to a depth of up
to 1 m, with samples chipped over 3-m intervals. The trenches
were also mapped for lithology, alteration, structural controls
of mineralization, oxidation, and stratigraphy. The results from
the trench sampling were not used in the updated estimation of
the Palmarejo Project mineral resources. Additional rock chip,
mine dump, and select geochemical samples from various parts of
the project area were also collected and assayed.
K-7
Drilling by Planet Gold was initiated in November 2003 and began
with the drill testing of the La Prieta vein structure, as
the most extensive historic mining occurred within this
structure. Drilling then progressed to testing both the
La Prieta and La Blanca structures with focused
drilling undertaken in the areas of the Rosario, Tuscan, Halls,
76 and 108 mineralized shoots. The details of such drilling are
detailed below.
Planet Gold collected almost 2,200 shortwave infrared
(SWIR) spectral measurements from drill samples from
holes on a series of sections across the La Blanca and
La Prieta structures using an ASD Terraspec instrument. An
additional 500 SWIR spectra were measured as part of a regional
alteration-mapping program on the Trogan project. A new
exploration model using structural and stratigraphic targets,
high-level clay mineralogy, and the gold-silver and
pathfinder-element geochemistry is currently being developed and
applied throughout the Trogan project.
One hundred and eighty-six Palmarejo drill samples and 282
trench-sample pulps were analyzed for a 50-element suite by
combination ICP-MS and ICP-AES. The goal of these geochemical
analyses was to evaluate vertical and lateral zoning of major
and trace elements in the mineralized shoots at Palmarejo.
Geologic
Setting
Regional
Geology
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project lies near the western edge of the
Sierra Madre Occidental, a north-northwest-trending volcanic
plateau that separates the southward extension of the Basin and
Range Province of the southwestern United States into two parts;
these two areas of extension have been referred to as the
eastern and western Mexican Basin and Range provinces. The
Palmarejo-Trogan Project is near the boundary between the Sierra
Madre Occidental and western Mexican Basin and Range Province.
Basement rocks in the Sierra Madre Occidental are obscured by
Cenozoic volcanic flows, tuffs, and related intrusions but are
inferred to include Proterozoic basement rocks, overlying
Paleozoic shelf and eugeosynclinal sedimentary rocks, possibly
scattered Triassic-Jurassic clastic rocks, and Mesozoic
intrusions. The Palmarejo Project area lies southwest of the
west-northwest- to northwest-trending Mojave-Sonora Megashear,
along which an estimated
700-800 km
of left-lateral slip is thought to have occurred during the
Jurassic period.
Cenozoic magmatic rocks in northern Mexico, including the Sierra
Madre Occidental, are generally thought to reflect
subduction-related continental arc magmatism that slowly
migrated eastward during the early Tertiary and then retreated
westward more quickly, reaching the western margin of the
continent by the end of the Oligocene epoch. The eastward
migration is represented in the Sierra Madre Occidental by the
Late Cretaceous-Paleogene Lower Volcanic Series or
Nacozari Group, of calc-alkaline composition. Over 2,000 m of
predominantly andesitic volcanic rocks, with some interlayered
ash flows and associated intrusions, comprise the lower volcanic
series. Rhyolitic ignimbrites and flows, with subordinate
andesite, dacite, and basalt, formed during Eocene and Oligocene
caldera eruptions. These volcanic rocks form a
one-kilometre-thick unit that unconformably overlies the Lower
Volcanic Series andesitic rocks and constitutes the Upper
Volcanic Supergroup of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The
Upper Volcanic Supergroup is also commonly referred to as the
Upper Volcanic Series, or Yecora Group. The ignimbrites are
gently dipping to flat lying. As the magmatic arc retreated to
the western edge of the continent, becoming inactive by the end
of middle Miocene time, late Oligocene to Miocene
(24-17 million
year old) basaltic andesites were erupted in a backarc basin in
the Sierra Madre Occidental. Still younger alkalic basalts
related to Basin and Range extension are found in and east of
the range. Although there appears to have been little late
Cenozoic extension in the Sierra Madre Occidental itself,
extensional Basin and Range-type structures and ranges formed to
the east and west.
In the Temoris mining district, the lowest exposed unit of the
lower volcanic series consists of rhyolitic flows and
volcaniclastic units and related shallow intrusions. These are
overlain by andesitic flows and epiclastic rocks with related
andesitic porphyry intrusions. Local pillow lavas and limestone
within the andesitic sequence attest to their deposition in a
subaqueous environment. Younger dacite and rhyolite intrusions
have been said to be part of the Lower Volcanic Series, but
could be related to the Upper Volcanic Series instead.
Cliff-forming rhyolitic ignimbrites of the Upper Volcanic Series
are well exposed in the eastern and southern parts of the
project area.
K-8
Mineralization in the district, which is hosted in the Lower
Volcanic Series, may be synchronous with the upper dacite and
rhyolite intrusions. The Lower Volcanic Series exhibits regional
propylitic alteration.
Structural extension in the district takes the form of what are
interpreted to be listric normal faults striking north-south to
north-northwest, with west-northwest-trending flexures, as well
as dilation of west-northwest-trending fractures, caused by
strike-slip faulting.
A gold-silver metallogenic province that hosts low-sulfidation
epithermal polymetallic gold-silver deposits lies along the
western margin of the Sierra Madre Occidental. This province
appears to exhibit a regional zonation of silver-rich deposits
(Au:Ag ratios of 1:150) to the west and gold-rich deposits
(Au:Ag of 1:40) to the east. The Palmarejo-Trogan Project, a
silver-rich deposit, lies in the western part of this province.
Palmarejo
Project Local Geology
The Lower Volcanic Series is exposed in the central parts of the
Palmarejo Project and the Upper Volcanic Series is exposed in
the northern, northeastern and southwestern limits of the
property.
Basal rhyolite and overlying sedimentary rocks and andesites of
the Lower Volcanic Series comprise the surface and underground
exposures at Palmarejo. Ignimbrites of the Upper Volcanic Series
are not exposed in the mine area, but are visible on surrounding
ridge tops. Based on satellite imagery, it has been suggested
that the Palmarejo area is situated on the southwestern flank of
a small caldera.
The Palmarejo Project mineral resources described below lie
within and adjacent to the La Prieta and La Blanca
vein structures. The La Prieta structure extends for at
least two kilometres, has a variable strike that averages about
115o,
and dips to the southwest at
35o
to
85o.
According to one study, west-northwest-striking faults such as
the La Prieta structure may have become dilated and
mineralized during strike-slip movement on the more prominent
north-northwest-striking structures, such as the La Blanca
structure.
The La Blanca vein structure strikes about
160o,
has an average dip of about
50o
to the southwest, and is thought to be a listric normal fault
that parallels the trend of the regional faults in the Sierra
Madre Occidental. Faults with similar orientations are the most
commonly mineralized structures in the Temoris district.
A broad zone of mineralized quartz stockwork formed at the
intersection of the La Blanca and La Prieta
structures. It has been suggested that north-trending splays
from other north-northwest-striking structures at Palmarejo may
offset both the La Blanca and La Prieta faults.
Trogan
License Area Local Geology
The Lower Volcanic Series is exposed in the northern and western
parts of the Trogan Exploration Area, with the Upper Volcanic
series exposed to the east. North-northwest-striking normal
faults similar to La Blanca are common throughout the
concession and host mineralization at a number of prospects and
old mines. Some of these prospects are described below.
Guadalupe
Area Local Geology
The Guadalupe Project is about six kilometers southeast of
Palmarejo and includes the Guadalupe, Guadalupe Norte, El Salto
and Las Animas prospects. It is located within the
northwest-trending Guadalupe Las Animas structure
that can be traced for 2,000m along strike and has an average
dip of approximately
55o
to the northeast.
Mapping indicates both normal and strike-slip offset across the
fault, with vertical displacement estimated to be at least a few
hundred meters. Secondary west-northwest- and
north-northeast-trending structures have been identified by
surface mapping in the Guadalupe area.
The Guadalupe project comprises silver- and gold-bearing
quartz-carbonate veins hosted in a volcanic-sedimentary package
that is intruded by a felsic dome complex. The stratigraphic
sequence of the volcanic-sedimentary package at Guadalupe is
similar to that at Palmarejo. The Guadalupe hanging-wall block
consists of predominantly flat-lying volcaniclastic sandstones,
mudstones, and conglomerates that are overlain by amygdaloidal
basalt, porphyry andesite, conglomerate, andesite tuff, and
phenocryst-rich andesite. The footwall block
K-9
comprises the lower volcaniclastic units and basaltic-andesitic
lavas. The felsic-dome complex intrudes both blocks and is
characterized by flow-banded and porphyritic rhyolite dikes and
domes. Contact breccias are locally developed along the margins
of the dome. Talus deposits containing fragments of flow-banded
and porphyritic rhyolite partially overlies the structure
between Guadalupe and Las Animas.
The northwest extension of the Guadalupe structure is
characterized by a clay bloom that extends at least 450m beyond
the limit of existing drill coverage at the Guadalupe Norte
prospect.
La Patria
Area Local Geology
The La Patria project is located about seven kilometers
south-southeast of Palmarejo and includes the La Patria,
La Virginia, and Maclovia prospects. It is located within
the northwest-trending La Patria Todos Santos
structure that can be traced for over 4,000m along strike.
Prospects at the La Patria project have a combined strike
length of 1,700m and are spatially associated with subparallel
faults that strike predominantly northwest (335°) and dip
approximately 45° to the northeast. Mapping suggests
dominant displacement along the structure includes both normal
and strike-slip movement. Several prospects, including Santa
Ursula and Todos Santos, are located over several kilometers
along strike to the northwest of the La Patria.
The La Patria project comprises gold- and silver-bearing
quartz-carbonate veins hosted in a volcanic-sedimentary package
that is intruded by felsic dikes. The hanging-wall block
consists of interlayered flat-lying amygdaloidal basalt,
andesite porphyry, sandstones, mudstones, and conglomerates. The
footwall block comprises porphyritic granodiorite, welded
rhyolite ignimbrite, conglomerates, and the interlayered
volcanic-sedimentary package. Felsic dikes with flow-banded and
porphyritic textures intrude both the footwall and hanging-wall
blocks.
Mineralization
Deposit
Types
Mineralization in the Palmarejo-Trogan Project area consists of
epithermal, low sulfidation, gold-silver vein/breccia deposits
with strong vertical zoning occurring in
north-northwest-striking and west-northwest-striking structures.
Early quartz-carbonate veins are locally overprinted by
high-grade silver-gold veins. This deposit type is common within
the silver-gold metallogenic province of the Sierra Madre
Occidental, and accounts for much of the historic silver and
gold production from the province.
The silver and gold deposits are characterized by pervasive
silicification, quartz-fill expansion breccias, and sheeted
veins. Multiple phases of mineralization produced several phases
of silica, ranging from chalcedony to comb quartz, and two
periods of silver-gold mineralization. As noted in one study,
low-sulfidation polymetallic silver-gold mineralization
dominates the Palmarejo resource area. This strongly zoned
mineralization is characterized by pyrite, sphalerite, galena,
and argentite (acanthite) that were typically deposited in
quartz vein/breccias at lower elevations, and higher-grade
precious metals mineralization was deposited with fine-grained,
black, silver-rich sulfide bands or breccia-infill in the upper
portions of the structures. Much of the gold and silver
mineralization is succeeded by the bulk of the quartz-vein
material, which is weakly mineralized and tends to lie in the
interior portion of the veins in the mineralized shoots.
Silicic, argillic, chloritic, and hematitic alteration were
noted during underground mapping at the Palmarejo. Gold is
present as native gold and electrum, while silver occurs as
acanthite, electrum/argentian gold, native silver, and aurorite.
Based on petrographic examination of mineralized drill core
samples, it has been suggested that the mineralization may be
similar paragenetically to silver-dominant systems such as
Candelaria, Nevada, and Arcata, Peru.
K-10
Palmarejo-Trogan
Project Mineralization
The Palmarejo-Trogan Project mineral resources discussed below
are located at Palmarejo, Guadalupe and La Patria. The
mineralization at Palmarejo, Guadalupe and La Patria is
described first, followed by brief descriptions of
mineralization present elsewhere in the Palmarejo-Trogan
exploration area.
Host rocks are an important influence on vein formation at
Palmarejo-Trogan,, especially competent brittle hosts that allow
development of through-going fractures. Silicified laminated
sandstones of one unit are particularly favorable hosts, while
the lower rhyolites at Palmarejo, although silicified, tend to
develop many small fractures rather than through-going fissure
veins even though the rhyolites are silicified. Dilational
portions of fault zones, such as flexures, link veins in fault
jogs, or stockwork tension veins, favor development of the
mineralized shoots, or clavos. Throughout the Palmarejo-Trogan
area, left-stepping (west-northwest) bends in the generally
northwest-trending structures are particularly favorable sites
for clavo development. Increased normal fault displacement also
appears to be important, and structures such as Tres Cruces that
have little normal fault displacement tend not to be well
mineralized.
Palmarejo
Area
Gold-silver veins and vein/breccias occur within, and at the
intersection of, the west-northwest-striking La Prieta
structure and the north-northwest-striking La Blanca
structure. Multiple stages of hydrothermal activity and
mineralization filled these structures with quartz veins and
formed quartz stockwork mineralization within the wedge of rock
formed by the intersection of the structures. Both the
La Prieta and La Blanca veins have polymetallic
silver-gold vein/breccias with an epithermal gold-silver
overprint that forms high-grade shoots in the steeper-dipping
portions of the listric normal faults. Early mining focused on
the La Prieta vein, where high-grade silver mineralization
was present as bands of fine-grained acanthite and galena within
the vein. Steeply plunging, high-grade mineralized shoots, or
clavos, have been identified in each of the vein structures.
Further detailed information in respect of mineralization, based
upon petrographic and scanning electron microscope work, is
included in the Technical Report.
Drilling by Planet Gold along the La Prieta vein structure
has tested approximately 3.5 km of strike length and has
penetrated the structure over an elevation range of about 900 to
1,250 m. Approximately 1 km of strike length of the
La Blanca vein has been tested, through an elevation range
of about 750 to 1,250 m.
The Palmarejo mineral resources remain open for possible
expansion in several areas.
Drilling has tested the intersection zone of the La Prieta
and La Blanca structures, referred to as the Rosario clavo,
below the deepest mineralization intercepted in either of the
principle structures. The presence of significant mineralization
in the deep Rosario target has been demonstrated by hole
PMDH522D, which returned 24.4m grading 2.30 g Au/t and 196 g
Ag/t in stockwork mineralization in the hanging wall of the
La Blanca structure more than 200 meters down plunge from
the previously deepest intercept in the Rosario clavo. In
addition, six holes completed in the area between the Rosario
and the 76 clavo since the most recent resource estimation
in these areas have extended the Rosario mineralization
southeast along the La Blanca structure.
Guadalupe
Area
The Guadalupe project is located along a northeast-plunging
structure that hosts the Guadalupe Norte, Guadalupe, and Las
Animas prospects. A fourth and less explored target, El Salto,
is situated between Guadalupe and Las Animas. Together with the
La Currita prospect, a periodically active silver-gold mine
that lies immediately beyond the limits of the Planet Gold
landholdings, old mines and prospects occur over a six-kilometer
strike length of the Guadalupe structure.
The limited amount of available historical data suggest that
prior to Planet Golds work Guadalupe was identified as a
silver-rich (>300 g Ag/t) vein with low-grade gold
(<0.7g Au/t) and an average width of approximately five
meters.
The silver-gold (±base metals) mineralization at Guadalupe
occurs predominantly within northwest-trending quartz-carbonate
breccia veins enveloped by variably developed quartz
hydrothermal breccias and quartz-
K-11
stockwork zones. The multiphase quartz-carbonate breccia veins
have an average dip of 55° to the northeast and range in
thickness from less than a meter to at least 15 meters (true
width). Subparallel veins of varying thicknesses are hosted in
both the hanging-wall and footwall blocks.
Quartz-stockwork zones are typically developed in the
hanging-wall blocks or between closely-spaced subparallel
quartz-carbonate-bearing structures. Sigmoidal quartz veins are
locally developed in the footwall block. In the footwall at El
Salto, east-trending, shallowly dipping banded chalcedony/quartz
veins over 5m in width are developed in a possible fault jog
setting.
The quartz-carbonate breccia veins at Guadalupe are hosted in
both the volcanic-sedimentary package and the felsic-dome
complex. Outcrop expressions of the structure are dominantly
characterized by moderately to pervasively clay-altered wall
rocks and laterally discontinuous quartz veins with thicknesses
ranging from millimeters to a few meters. The clay-rich fault
trace is best preserved at Guadalupe Norte. Beneath the
clay-rich upper zone, the quartz-carbonate breccia vein swells
up to 15 meters true width and is spatially associated with
quartz-carbonate-pyrite-sericite-clayepidote-chlorite alteration
in the wall rock.
Precious and base-metal mineral assemblages are dominated by
fine-grained pyrite, argentite (acanthite), sphalerite, galena,
and electrum. Free gold was found in some specimens that contain
narrow semimassive sulfide mineralization, hypogene
hematite-siderite, or have been altered by supergene processes.
Hypogene mineralization typically occurs as bands and
disseminations in veins and, to a lesser extent, as 2 to 4cm
wide semi-massive sulfide vein infill. Clay-rich fault zones in
the upper portion of the deposit are barren to poorly
mineralized.
Results from the drilling indicate that shallow levels of the
structure are characterized by silver mineralization, while
significant gold values are encountered at depths of about 200m
vertical or greater (generally below 1300m elevation). A barren
clay-rich zone overlies silver-dominant mineralization and
suggests a setting similar to that at the 76 clavo at Palmarejo.
Early drilling by Planet Gold intersected well-mineralized,
silver-dominated quartz-carbonate breccia veins between the clay
alteration zone and the 1,300m elevation. Recent deep drilling
down-dip of the silver-rich portion of the system has delineated
several wide zones with strongly mineralized gold-silver breccia
veins located predominantly between the 1,300 and 1,100m
elevation levels. These results, in addition to surface
geological interpretations, suggest that Guadalupe target
represents the highest levels of a fully preserved epithermal
system.
Multiphase silver-gold (± base metal) mineralization at
Guadalupe comprises three main temporal and spatial styles,
including:
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early gold-rich quartz-sulfide style mineralization typically
developed at deeper levels;
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polymetallic silver-rich mineralization at intermediate levels
characterized by pyrite-argentite (acanthite)-sphalerite-galena
and minor chalcopyrite in the presence of several carbonate
species and hypogene hematite; and
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polymetallic silver-rich mineralization at shallow levels in the
presence of abundant argentite (acanthite) and local electrum
and free gold in association with white sphalerite and pyrite.
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La Patria
Area
The La Patria project lies within the northeast dipping
La Patria Todos Santos structure, approximately
6.5 km south-southeast of Palmarejo. Numerous prospects lie
along the structure, which can by traced for over four
kilometers. The La Patria project comprises the
La Patria, La Virginia, and Maclovia prospects that
have a combined strike length of 1.7km.
The gold-silver mineralization at La Patria is
predominantly controlled by northwest-trending quartz
±carbonate breccia veins enveloped by variably developed
quartz hydrothermal breccias and quartz-stockwork zones. The
multiphase quartz ± carbonate breccia veins have an average
dip of 45° to the northeast and range in thickness from
less than a meter up to 15 meters (true width). A flexure in the
structure is coincident with the vein dipping shallowly to the
north-northeast at the La Patria prospect.
K-12
Several hanging-wall splays are observed within the upper 100m
of the system and merge with the principal structure at depth.
Quartz-stockwork zones are typically developed in the
hanging-wall blocks, whereas narrow (less than 5cm wide)
sigmoidal veins are hosted in the footwall block.
The breccia veins at La Patria are dominantly hosted in the
volcano-sedimentary package and, to a lesser extent, within or
along the margins of felsic dikes. Outcrop expressions of the
structure are characterized by laterally discontinuous quartz
veins with thicknesses ranging from centimeters to several
meters, as well as moderate clay-rich fault traces. Alteration
selvedges of quartz-sericite-pyrite with minor
epidote-chlorite-carbonate-clay are spatially associated with
the veins and variably developed in the host rocks. Potassic
feldspar locally occurs at deeper levels. Sandstone and mudstone
units are intensely to moderately quartz-pyrite altered locally
and may provide competent host rocks for vein development.
Multi-phase precious and base-metal mineral assemblages at the
La Patria project are dominated by fine- to coarse-grained
pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and minor argentite
(acanthite). Metal ratios indicate a gold-rich system, with
Ag:Au ratios being generally less than 50, and increasing base
metals at depth. Three main mineralization stages include:
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early-stage fine-grained sphalerite-galena-pyrite as infill of
comb-quartz veins;
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intermediate-stage medium- to coarse-grained
sphalerite-galena-pyrite-chalcopyrite ± argentite
(acanthite) developed along altered wall-rock clasts and vein
margins; and
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late-stage black silica with fine-grained sulfide bands
associated with hydrothermal quartz breccias that are crosscut
by coarse-grained pyrite-carbonate-filled breccias.
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Results from drilling indicate that the upper portion of the
currently preserved La Patria structure contains modest to
strong gold ± silver mineralization over vertical depths of
about 150m. The lower portion of the drilled structure is
characterized by increasing medium- to coarse-grained base-metal
minerals and potassic feldspar. These results, in addition to
surface geological interpretations, suggest that La Patria
represents a partially preserved epithermal system that is more
deeply eroded than Palmarejo and Guadalupe.
The Maclovia prospect is located about 900m south-southeast of
La Patria. The area is characterized by a series of six or
seven narrow structures that have been intermittently prospected
and mined by traditional hand methods. Prospects along the veins
are located on both sides of a steeply incised valley, so that
more than 100 vertical meters of the vein system are exposed.
Trogan
Area
Northwest- to north-northwest-striking silver-gold vein systems,
similar to the La Blanca, La Prieta and Guadalupe
structures, have been identified elsewhere in the
Palmarejo-Trogan project area. These generally lie within three
structural trends: the Virginia, Hundidos, and Guerra al Tirano
trends.
La Virginia
Trend
The La Virginia trend refers to a group of
northwest-trending mineralized structures in the central portion
of the Trogan area. The La Virginia trend extends for over
four kilometers from north of the Todos Santos-Canadensia
prospect area south to La Patria, which includes the
La Patria, La Virginia and Maclovia prospects.
Quartz-sulfide gold and polymetallic gold-silver at
La Patria and other prospects along the Virginia trend are
flanked by epithermal gold-silver mineralization, such as at
Todos Santos.
Todos Santos-Canadensia. The La Virginia
structure can be traced from El Carrizo to La Patria.
The Todos Santos-Canadensia area lies along the northwestern
portion of the Virginia trend, about four kilometers south of
Palmarejo. Todos Santos contains small mine workings along a
two- to three-meter-wide quartz vein that lies within a
northeast-dipping fault. The vein consists primarily of a
breccia cemented by comb quartz. The La Canadensia prospect
occurs within a breccia emplaced along a west-northwest-striking
fault. This breccia contains silicified wall-rock fragments with
quartz infill.
K-13
In September 2003, a widely spaced trenching and select
underground channel-sampling program undertaken by Planet Gold
at both of these prospects returned up to 11g Au/t and 23 to
208g Ag/t. These anomalous results are contained within a clay
alteration zone up to 150m in width.
The Todos Santos Canadensia target is formed by two
left-lateral flexures along the Todos Santos-Esperanza Fault.
The overall strike of the structure is about 340°, but
deflects to 300° within the target area. The flexure has
been mapped on the surface as well as in underground stopes that
are localized along the deflection. The host rocks are andesite
and basalt in the hanging wall, with epiclastic sediments in the
footwall.
Fourteen core holes totaling 1,477m had been drilled at Todos
Santos Canadensia by Planet Gold through mid-2006.
Narrow zones of mineralization were generally intersected in
quartz-vein breccia at Todos Santos, although hole 11, the
northernmost hole drilled, returned an intercept of 2.2m grading
12.6 g Au/t and 154.9 g Ag/t; further exploration is planned to
follow up the mineralization intersected in this hole.
At Canadensia, holes 1 and 3 targeted the structure at shallow
depths and intersected a quartz-vein breccia up to 10m wide.
Anomalous to weak gold-silver mineralization was returned in
these holes along the footwall contact of the structure above
the main Canadensia underground workings. Other holes at
Canadensia failed to return significant results.
Hundidos Trend. The Hundidos trend consists of
steeply northeast-dipping, west-northwest-striking structures
lying between the Palmarejo area and the La Virginia trend.
The Hundidos trend includes the Los Hundidos and Cerro de los
Hilos prospect areas. The Los Hundidos Cerro de Los
Hilos prospect area lies along a northwest-trending structure
known as the Los Hundidos fault, which is north of Todos Santos.
Cerro de Los Hilos lies on the Los Hundidos structure about
0.5km north of the main Los Hundidos workings. Numerous narrow
veins (typically <0.3m wide) have been explored in workings
to depths of 1.5 to 2m over a 100-meter wide zone in the hanging
wall of the Los Hundidos fault.
Planet Gold excavated a 116-meter long trench across the zone of
workings. Sampling of the trench returned the following results:
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From
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To
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Interval
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Trench ID
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(m)
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|
(m)
|
|
|
(m)
|
|
|
g Au/t
|
|
|
g Ag/t
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
.39
|
|
|
|
65
|
|
PMTR 141
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
.71
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
.82
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
One study considered the exposed Los Hundidos Cerro
de Los Hilos mineralization to be relatively deep in the
epithermal system. If accurate, Cerro de Los Hilos is likely to
be more of a low-grade bulk-mineralized target than a high-grade
vein target. Another view is that the potential strike length of
the target is about 250m.
A six-hole RC program, for a total of 911m, was completed at
Cerro de Los Hilos in 2005. Narrow (1.5 to 3m) low-grade (0.5 to
3.25 g/t Au and 7 to 54 g/t Ag) values were returned from this
drilling. In September and October 2006, 11 RC holes totaling
1,158.24 m were drilled into the sub-vertical, northwest
striking Hundidos structure along strike to the northwest and
southeast of the 2005 drilling. Only one of the 2006 holes
encountered significant mineralization. Drill results are
available in Palmarejo Silver and Gold press releases on the
sedar.com website.
Cerro de
Los Hilos SE
The Cerro de Los Hilos SE target is an isolated oxidized anomaly
superimposed onto a composite rhyolite dike that lies 1.3 km
southeast of Cerro de Los Hilos. Six holes were drilled at this
target area; two holes intersected quartz veinlets with black
sulfides and weakly anomalous silver within a quartz-feldspar
unit that underlies the rhyolite dike. Results for three of the
holes were pending at the date of the Technical Report.
Hundidos West. Cerro Colorado is located about
1.5km northwest of Cerro de Los Hilos along the Chinipas Road.
The prospect is characterized by a prominent silicified rhyolite
ridge surrounded by hematite-clay altered rocks. Sampling of
surface trenches returned anomalous gold (up to 0.5 g Au/t)
values related to quartz- sulfide veins.
K-14
Guerra al Tirano. Preliminary sampling has
been completed at Guerra al Tirano, which lies in the southern
portion of the Virginia trend. The old Guerra al Tirano mine
itself is not controlled by Planet Gold, but the neighboring
district is part of the Trogan license. Anomalous silver
results, including 220 and 470 g Ag/t, were obtained from a
two-meter wide vein containing numerous small prospects. Several
other veins also returned anomalous silver results ranging from
23 to 83 g Ag/t.
Planet Gold began drilling at the Guerra al Tirano target in
late January 2006, and three core holes, for a total of 621m,
were completed in this Phase. The focus of the first three holes
was the Tres Cruces structure (Aster 1 Prospect), which lies
directly east of the main Guerra al Tirano structure. One of the
holes intersected a narrow fragment-supported quartz-pyrite
breccia and the two others tested the down-dip continuation of
the main Reyna de Oro structure, encountering weakly mineralized
quartz vein breccia. All three holes returned only weak
mineralization.
Drilling
Summary
Planet Gold initiated drilling at the Palmarejo Project in
November 2003 and drilling has been essentially continuous since
that time. In addition, drilling has been conducted more
recently at the Guadalupe, Todos Santos, La Patria, San
Juan de Dios, Guerra al Tirano and La Finca targets. The
only drilling known by MDA to have been completed at Palmajero
prior to Planet Gold consists of five underground holes drilled
in the early 1900s. Beyond their reported existence, no further
information about these holes is known to MDA.
Palmarejo
Mineral Resource Drilling Data
The resources reported below were estimated using the data
provided by a total of 732 holes drilled by Planet Gold at
Palmarejo through late September 2006, including 527 RC holes,
117 core holes, and 88 core continuations of RC holes. This
database includes holes drilled at the La Finca,
San Juan de Dios and Los Hilos prospect areas in 2005 and
2006, which lie outside the limits of the resource.
Palmarejo
Resource Drilling Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
Year
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Total Drill Holes
|
|
|
Total Meters
|
|
|
Planet Gold
|
|
|
2003-2006
|
|
|
|
527
|
|
|
|
89,793
|
|
|
|
205
|
(1)
|
|
|
36,579
|
|
|
|
732
|
|
|
|
126,372
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 88 core continuations of RC holes. |
Essentially all of the drill holes that cut the La Prieta
vein intersected the structure at roughly right angles to the
vein orientation, so that drilled vein thicknesses are
reasonably close to true thicknesses. Although some of the early
Planet Gold drill holes targeting the La Prieta structure
cut the La Blanca vein obliquely, later holes were
generally oriented to attempt to cross both principal structures
at high-angles.
The drill-hole database used for the Palmarejo mineral resource
estimation is briefly summarized below.
Palmarejo
Drill-Hole Database: Summary
|
|
|
|
|
Item
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Number of Drill Holes
|
|
|
732
|
|
Total Length(m)
|
|
|
126,372
|
|
Average Length(m)
|
|
|
196
|
(1)
|
Meters Sampled & Assayed
|
|
|
91,495
|
|
Drill-Hole Assays
|
|
|
64,818
|
|
Holes With Down-Hole Surveys
|
|
|
629
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Average total length of holes, with RC pre-collars and core
tails considered to be one hole. |
K-15
The drill-hole collar locations were surveyed by Palmarejo
personnel. Down-hole surveys were not completed on 103 of the
drill holes, due to lack of survey data at the time of the
estimation, hole collapse that prevented surveying or faulty
survey-data collection.
The drill-hole database is summarized in the Technical Report.
The mean silver and gold grades for the core holes are
significantly higher than the RC holes. This is due to a
location, as most of the core samples are derived from core
tails of previously drilled RC holes. These core tails tended to
drill a higher percentage of mineralized material than the RC
holes.
Guadalupe
Mineral Resource Drill Data
Guadalupe mineral resources summarized herein were estimated
using data provided by 130 drill holes. The resource
database is summarized at greater length in the Technical
Report. The database was created by Planet Gold in the same
manner as described above for the Palmarejo database, and was
similarly check by MDA.
Guadalupe
Resource Drilling Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RC
|
|
Core
|
|
Total Drill
|
|
Total
|
Company
|
|
Year
|
|
No.
|
|
Meters
|
|
No.
|
|
Meters
|
|
Holes
|
|
Meters
|
|
Planet Gold
|
|
|
2005-2006
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
13,293
|
|
|
|
75
|
(1)
|
|
|
22,963
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
36,256
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 7 core continuations of RC holes. |
The drill-hole database used for the Guadalupe mineral resource
estimation is briefly summarized below.
Guadalupe
Drill-Hole Database: Summary
|
|
|
|
|
Item
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Number of Drill Holes
|
|
|
128
|
|
Total Length(m)
|
|
|
35,790
|
|
Average Length(m)
|
|
|
280
|
|
Meters Sampled & Assayed (Au & Ag)
|
|
|
14,037
|
|
Drill-Hole Assays (Au & Ag)
|
|
|
12,444
|
|
Holes With Down-Hole Surveys
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Average total length of holes, with RC pre-collars and core
tails considered to be one hole. |
Guadalupe
Drill-Hole Database: Gold Sample Statistics by Drill
Type
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samples
|
|
|
Grade (g Au/t)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Std
|
|
|
|
|
Type
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Length
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
Dev
|
|
|
CV
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
5,411
|
|
|
|
1.52 m
|
|
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
18.55
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
5.44
|
|
Core
|
|
|
7,033
|
|
|
|
0.82 m
|
|
|
|
0.59
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
315.00
|
|
|
|
6.39
|
|
|
|
10.83
|
|
Total
|
|
|
12,444
|
|
|
|
1.13 m
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
315.00
|
|
|
|
4.82
|
|
|
|
13.04
|
|
Guadalupe
Drill-Hole Database: Silver Sample Statistics by Drill
Type
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samples
|
|
|
Grade (g Ag/t)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Std
|
|
|
|
|
Type
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Length
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
Dev
|
|
|
CV
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
5,411
|
|
|
|
1.52 m
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
3,640
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
Core
|
|
|
7,033
|
|
|
|
0.82 m
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
4,420
|
|
|
|
134
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
|
Total
|
|
|
12,444
|
|
|
|
1.13 m
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
4,420
|
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
K-16
La Patria
Mineral Resource Drill Data
La Patria mineral resources summarized below were estimated
using data provided by 62 drill holes. The resource database is
summarized in the Technical Report. The database was created by
Planet Gold in the same manner as described above for the
Palmarejo database, and was similarly checked by MDA.
La Patria
Resource Drilling Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Drill
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Company
|
|
Year
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Holes
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Planet Gold
|
|
|
2005-2006
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
8,183
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
2,911
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
11,094
|
|
La Patria
Drill-Hole Database: Summary
|
|
|
|
|
Item
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Number of Drill Holes with Assays
|
|
|
60
|
|
Total Length(m)
|
|
|
10,498
|
|
Average Length(m)
|
|
|
175
|
|
Drill-Hole Assays (Au & Ag)
|
|
|
6,054
|
|
Holes with Down-Hole Surveys
|
|
|
55
|
|
La Patria
Drill-Hole Database: Gold Sample Statistics by Drill
Type
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samples
|
|
|
Grade (g Au/t)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Std
|
|
|
|
|
Type
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Length
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
Dev
|
|
|
CV
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
5,204
|
|
|
|
1.52 m
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
25.90
|
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
Core
|
|
|
850
|
|
|
|
1.01 m
|
|
|
|
0.86
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
41.00
|
|
|
|
3.07
|
|
|
|
3.57
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,054
|
|
|
|
1.27 m
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
41.00
|
|
|
|
1.42
|
|
|
|
4.73
|
|
La Patria
Drill-Hole Database: Silver Sample Statistics by Drill
Type
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samples
|
|
|
Grade (g Ag/t)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Std
|
|
|
|
|
Type
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Length
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
Dev
|
|
|
CV
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
5,204
|
|
|
|
1.52 m
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
811
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Core
|
|
|
850
|
|
|
|
1.01 m
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,450
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,054
|
|
|
|
1.27 m
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,450
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Six RC holes, for a total of 1,052m were drilled at Palmarejo in
2007, and therefore were not included in the Palmarejo resource
database. These were drilled to test an area between the Rosario
and La Blanca resources (see the Technical Report).
Subsequent to the 2007 Guadalupe resource estimate and through
to August 26, 2007, Planet Gold had completed a further 48
holes, for a total of 16,060m, at the project (set out in the
table below). These holes have focused on expanding the existing
resource base, infill drilling with the goal of providing
sufficient data to bring portions of the Inferred resources into
Measured and Indicated categories, and exploratory drilling.
Guadalupe
Post-Resource Drilling Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Drill
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Company
|
|
Year
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Holes
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Planet Gold
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
3,229
|
|
|
|
39(1
|
)
|
|
|
12,831
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
16,060
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 4 core continuations of RC holes & 2 core
(wedge) continuations of core holes. |
K-17
As of August 16, 2007, Planet Gold had completed 59 drill
holes (totaling 14,772m) at La Patria that are not included
in the resource estimation (set out in the table below). These
holes have predominantly focused on expanding the project
resources, although minor infill drilling was also completed.
LaPatria
Post-Resource Drilling Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Drill
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Company
|
|
Year
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Holes
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
Planet Gold
|
|
|
2006-2007
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
5,831
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
8,941
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
14,772
|
|
Other
Palmarejo-Trogan Drilling
Drilling by Planet Gold up to August 18, 2007 on the Trogan
Exploration targets (located outside of the Palmarejo resource
area), including the results of the drilling programs, is
summarized below:
Trogan
Drilling Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RC
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
Year
|
|
Target
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Meters
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Todos Santos-Canadensia
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
1,477
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
1,477
|
|
2005-2007
|
|
Cerro de Los
Hilos1
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
3,782
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
3,782
|
|
2005-2007
|
|
La Finca1
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
7,033
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
1,489
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
8,522
|
|
2006-2007
|
|
San Juan de
Dios1
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
6,602
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
6,602
|
|
2006-2007
|
|
Cerro de Los Hilos SE
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
1,158
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
1,158
|
|
2006
|
|
Guerra al Tirano
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
2007
|
|
Los Bancos
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
3,664
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
3,664
|
|
2007
|
|
Palmarejo North
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
791
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
23,030
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
4,380
|
|
|
|
148
|
|
|
|
27,410
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Drill data included in the above drilling data tables. |
These targets, including the results of the drilling program,
are discussed in more detail above under
Mineralization Trogan Exploration Area
Mineralization.
Reverse
Circulation Drilling and Logging
Reverse circulation drilling was carried out by Layne de Mexico,
S.A. de C.V. (Layne), Dateline, S.A. de C.V.
(Dateline) and Major Drilling S.A. de C.V.
(Major). Detailed information is provided in the
Technical Report.
The RC drill chips were logged for stratigraphy, alteration,
weathering degree, quartz percent, and metallic minerals to aid
in geological and sectional interpretation.
The water table in the project area is variable due to the
topographic relief. If enough water was encountered to cause the
sample exiting the cyclone to be wet, the RC holes were
terminated and completed with a core tail.
Core
Drilling and Logging
Diamond core drilling was carried out by Layne, Major and
Perforaciones Godbe de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Godbe).
Detailed information is provided in the Technical Report. All
rigs were set up to drill HQ-diameter core with the ability to
reduce to NQ if necessary. Water was supplied by water truck
and/or pump
and water line running from Palmarejo creek.
The core holes that were collared at the surface recovered HQ or
PQ core, unless the intersection of voids or down-hole drilling
problems were encountered, in which case the drillers reduced to
NQ or HQ, respectively. The
K-18
core tails, which were drilled when RC holes were terminated
prematurely due to encountering groundwater, recovered NQ core.
Diamond core holes were logged for geology, including graphic
logs for stratigraphy and visual identification of ore zones,
and for geotechnical data.
Down-Hole
Surveying
Drill holes were surveyed with either a Reflex Maxibore
non-magnetic one-shot system or an Accu-shot. With the Reflex
Maxibore, a shot is taken approximately every 30m or 50m from
where core drilling begins to the bottom of the hole. Results
from the down-hole survey program were similar to the RC survey
results, with minor increases in the drill-hole dips recorded
with increasing depth. The greatest change in dip and bearing is
found in drill holes that passed through workings, as the drill
rods often re-entered solid rock at a greater dip and slight
change of bearing in a counter-clockwise direction. The
Accu-shot is a magnetic single-shot down-hole camera supplied by
International Directional Services. This tool simultaneously
records the inclination and magnetic direction of the hole on
film. The accuracy of the Accu-shot is to a quarter of a degree
in inclination and a half a degree in azimuth. A shot is taken
approximately every 30m from the collar to the bottom of the
hole.
Results from the down-hole surveying show a minor increase in
the hole dip due to the droop from the weight of the rods,
especially in holes drilled to depths of 200m or greater. The
greatest change in dip and bearing is found in holes that have
drilled through workings, which often re-enter the footwall at a
greater dip and slight change of bearing in a counter-clockwise
direction.
Sampling
Method and Approach
Summary
The Palmarejo, Guadalupe and La Patria resource databases
include RC and core holes drilled by Planet Gold. MDA believes
that the RC and core sampling procedures have provided samples
that are representative and of sufficient quality for use in the
resource estimation discussed below. Sampling methods and
approaches used for all Palmarejo-Trogan RC and core holes are
the same, except as otherwise described herein or in the
Technical Report.
Reverse
Circulation Sampling
RC chips were recovered up through the center of the double-wall
pipe, and the sample was discharged at the surface via a cyclone
directly onto a contractor-supplied three-tiered Jones splitter.
If groundwater caused the sample exiting the cyclone to be wet,
and the hole could not be dried with the addition of a
compressed air booster, the sampling was halted, the RC portion
of the hole was terminated, and any continuation of the hole was
completed by coring. The depth that groundwater was encountered
was logged by the supervising geologist.
Each entire 1.52m sample was collected into a cyclone and then
released into a hopper into a Gilson, riffle-type splitter. The
sample was initially split so that half of the material was
discarded. The remaining half was split in half again, and each
of these quarter splits were poured directly from the splitter
pans into a bucket containing sample bags. The sample numbers
were recorded as the drilling progressed by a geologist that
supervised the RC drilling. One quarter split was used as the
sample for assaying and the other was stored as an archive
duplicate. Once bagged, the samples were placed in order on the
ground near the drill. All samples to be submitted for analyses
were placed at a collection point on the drill pad for the
weekly pickup by a sample truck sent by the assay lab.
One of the quarter splits was sent to the ALS Chemex
(Chemex) facilities in Chihuahua City, Chihuahua or
Hermosillo, Sonora. A duplicate quarter split was also
periodically inserted into the sample stream sent to Chemex. The
remaining one-quarter duplicate splits were stored on site in
steel drums.
An air hose was used to clean out residual dust and fines from
the Jones splitter trays before collecting the next sample.
Due to the nature of RC drilling, the possibility of
contamination of drill cuttings from intervals higher in the
hole is a concern, especially when groundwater is encountered or
drilling fluids are added. No wet RC samples were
K-19
collected at Palmarejo, and drilling fluids are used sparingly,
if at all, which greatly decreases the possibility of
contamination.
A suspicious tail of mineralized samples in one RC hole was
noted, however. The hole had passed through a well mineralized
section of the La Prieta structure and returned an
anomalously thick section of footwall mineralization immediately
below. The suspicious footwall assays were not incorporated into
the resource modeling or estimation.
Core
Sampling
The core is removed from the core barrel and placed into wooden
boxes in the case of PQ core and plastic boxes for HQ and NQ
core. All breaks of the core made by the drillers were marked in
order to assist in the differentiation of natural vs. manmade
fractures. On selected Palmarejo holes, the core driller marked
an orientation at the top of the core run prior to retrieving
the core barrel with a spear-system that is sent by wireline.
The core barrel was then retrieved and placed into core boxes.
Oriented core has not been collected at either Guadalupe or
La Patria.
At the core shed, the core was first pieced together by a
geologist or technician, with the orientation mark facing up (if
applicable). Cut lines were then traced along the core axis,
sample intervals were marked on the core, and the intervals were
assigned sample numbers. The sample lengths for wall rock
average 1.5m at Palmarejo and 1.0m at Guadalupe and
La Patria. At all projects, suspected mineralized zones
were sampled at intervals averaging about 0.5m. Sample lengths
were variably adjusted by the supervising geologist to avoid
sampling across geological contacts. Digital photographs of
wetted core were taken and the core was then sawed into two
halves along the cut lines. The half of the core to the right of
the orientation line was chosen for assaying and placed in a
numbered bag along with a sample tag. A duplicate tag was kept
in the sample-tag book and archived at the Palmarejo field
office. The left side of the core was retained in the core boxes
on site.
After assigning 100% recovery to 31 intervals in the database
with recoveries that exceed 100% at Palmarejo, recoveries
average 93% in the 2,763 core intervals with recovery data in
the database. Within the La Patria and La Blanca
structures, the 250 intervals averaged 89% recovery. The
relationship between core recovery and metal grades at Palmarejo
and Palmarejo core RC twin holes are discussed in
the Technical Report.
The 12 core holes used in the La Patria resource estimate
have an average core recovery of 95.2%, while the 75 core holes
at Guadalupe have an average recovery of 94.7%. Many of the poor
recovery intervals in these holes occur in the first few meters
of the holes.
Sample
Preparation, Analysis and Security
Planet Gold used Chemex as the primary assay laboratory for the
project. Chemex has ISO 9002 laboratory accreditation and
ISO:9001:2000 for North America. MDA believes that the
analytical procedures employed by Chemex on the Palmarejo
project samples meet industry standards.
Sample
Preparation
The RC samples for assaying were stored at a sample collection
point within the drilling area, while the core samples were
stored in the core shed at the old mill site at Palmarejo. A
truck picked up the RC and core samples each Monday and drove
the samples to the Chemex facilities in Chihuahua City,
Chihuahua, or Hermosillo, Sonora. Sample preparation consisted
of drying, crushing, splitting and grinding. Specific
information is included in the Technical Report. The prepared
pulps were then shipped to the Chemex laboratory in Vancouver,
British Columbia for analysis.
MDA believes that the sample preparation procedures implemented
meet industry standards. The core sample security is also
adequate. MDA recommends that the RC samples be stored in a
secure place, similar to the core samples, although MDAs
review of the project has not led to any indications of problems
with sample security.
K-20
Analytical
Procedures
Gold and silver were analysed by Chemex using fire assay fusion
with a gravimetric finish on 30 g samples. The lower detection
limits were 0.05 g Au/t and 5 g Ag/t; the upper detection limit
for silver was 10,000g Ag/t.
Results from the initial assaying that exceeded the upper
detection limit for silver were analyzed by Chemex using a fire
assaying method with rigorous impurity corrections. Analyses
were run in triplicate, with internal standards and replicates
included in the analytical sequence. The results of samples,
synthetic standards and replicate data were reviewed by Chemex
before approval. If discrepancies were noted, appropriate
re-analyses were run. This technique yields a lower detection
limit for silver of 0.02 oz Ag/ton (0.69 g Ag/t) and an upper
limit of 29,166 oz Ag/ton (999,986 g Ag/t).
Screen-fire assaying of selected samples in 2007 was also
performed by Chemex.
Check-analyses on pulps were completed at ACME Analytical
Laboratories in Vancouver, British Columbia, using fire assay
with ICP-ES metal determination.
Data available for assay verification studies include blanks,
duplicates submitted regularly into the sample stream,
duplicates of entire drill holes, internal laboratory check
data, twin hole data, and samples sent for check assaying by
MDA. More detailed information in respect of these verification
measures is included in the Technical Report.
Mineral
Processing and Metallurgical Testing
Ten metallurgical programs have been completed for Planet Gold
on the Palmarejo mineralization through 2005; no metallurgical
testing specific to the Guadalupe or La Patria projects has
been undertaken. The work on Palmarejo has yielded positive
results for flotation of ground material with cyanide recovery
of the silver and gold from the flotation concentrate. The
metallurgical data reviewed by MDA in the Technical Report were
used solely for the purposes of deriving of deriving reasonable
and appropriate cutoffs for mineral resource reporting.
The metallurgical testing programs, conducted by five different
companies for Planet Gold, are described in the Technical Report.
Mineral
Resources
Classification
of Mineral Resources
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates
of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources
The mineral resource table under this section Mineral
Resources uses the terms measured,
indicated and inferred resources. United
States investors are advised that while such terms are
recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does
not recognize them.
Inferred mineral resources have a great amount of
uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to
their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that
all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be
upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates
of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of
feasibility or other economic studies. United States
investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of
measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted
into mineral reserves. United States investors are also
cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred
mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally
mineable.
Estimation
and Qualified Persons
Mineral resource estimation described in this proxy statement
and the Technical Report was prepared in accordance with NI
43-101. The
modeling and estimate of silver and gold resources were done
under the supervision of by Michael M Gustin, a qualified person
with respect to mineral resource estimation under NI
43-101.
Mr. Gustin is independent of Planet Gold, Palmarejo and
Bolnisi in accordance with the definitions and criteria set
forth in NI
43-101. The
mineral resource estimation completed by MDA for the Palmarejo
deposit is an update of the resources reported in MDAs
2005
K-21
Palmarejo-Trogan technical report dated October 1, 2006.
There are no mineral reserves estimated for the Palmarejo-Trogan
Project.
Modeling and methodologies used are discussed in the Technical
Report.
Palmarejo
Project Mineral Resources
The following table lists the gold and silver resources by class
for the Palmarejo Project.
A gold-equivalent cutoff was used to tabulate the resources,
with the gold-equivalent grade calculated from the gold and
silver values as follows: Au_eq = Au + Ag/55. The equivalency
ratio is derived in consideration of historic precious metal
price ratios, with a bias toward more recent ratios, as well as
the projected Palmarejo Project metallurgical recoveries.
Palmarejo and MDA believe that a cutoff of 0.8g Au-equivalent is
reasonable for the reporting of the Palmarejo mineral resources
due to the potential availability of the resources to open pit
extraction; the resources are also tabulated at additional
cutoffs in the following tables in order to provide
grade-distribution information.
Palmarejo
Project Silver and Gold Resources By Class
Palmarejo Measured Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au-equiv./t(1) Cutoff
|
|
tonnes
|
|
|
g Ag/tonne
|
|
|
oz Ag
|
|
|
g Au/tonne
|
|
|
oz Au
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
5,100,000
|
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
|
32,520,000
|
|
|
|
2.22
|
|
|
|
367,000
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
4,700,000
|
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
|
32,040,000
|
|
|
|
2.41
|
|
|
|
363,000
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
3,700,000
|
|
|
|
257
|
|
|
|
30,660,000
|
|
|
|
2.93
|
|
|
|
349,000
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
3,100,000
|
|
|
|
297
|
|
|
|
29,380,000
|
|
|
|
3.41
|
|
|
|
337,000
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
2,700,000
|
|
|
|
330
|
|
|
|
28,340,000
|
|
|
|
3.81
|
|
|
|
327,000
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
2,400,000
|
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
|
27,330,000
|
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
|
|
318,000
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
2,100,000
|
|
|
|
387
|
|
|
|
26,440,000
|
|
|
|
4.53
|
|
|
|
310,000
|
|
Palmarejo
Indicated Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au-equiv./t(1) Cutoff
|
|
tonnes
|
|
|
g Ag/tonne
|
|
|
oz Ag
|
|
|
g Au/tonne
|
|
|
oz Au
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
8,800,000
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
52,390,000
|
|
|
|
2.01
|
|
|
|
571,000
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
7,900,000
|
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
51,500,000
|
|
|
|
2.20
|
|
|
|
560,000
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
6,100,000
|
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
49,070,000
|
|
|
|
2.71
|
|
|
|
534,000
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
5,100,000
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
46,990,000
|
|
|
|
3.14
|
|
|
|
513,000
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
4,300,000
|
|
|
|
324
|
|
|
|
45,120,000
|
|
|
|
3.55
|
|
|
|
493,000
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
3,800,000
|
|
|
|
357
|
|
|
|
43,380,000
|
|
|
|
3.93
|
|
|
|
476,000
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
3,300,000
|
|
|
|
389
|
|
|
|
41,750,000
|
|
|
|
4.29
|
|
|
|
461,000
|
|
Palmarejo
Inferred Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au-equiv./t(1) Cutoff
|
|
tonnes
|
|
|
g Ag/tonne
|
|
|
oz Ag
|
|
|
g Au/tonne
|
|
|
oz Au
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
22,290,000
|
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
|
203,000
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
3,800,000
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
|
|
21,610,000
|
|
|
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
195,000
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
2,700,000
|
|
|
|
228
|
|
|
|
20,080,000
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
2,200,000
|
|
|
|
273
|
|
|
|
18,900,000
|
|
|
|
2.44
|
|
|
|
169,000
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
17,900,000
|
|
|
|
2.80
|
|
|
|
160,000
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
|
17,020,000
|
|
|
|
3.14
|
|
|
|
152,000
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
16,200,000
|
|
|
|
3.48
|
|
|
|
146,000
|
|
K-22
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Au-equiv./t = Au grade + (Ag grade
¸ 55). Gold equivalent grades
are calculated using a gold to silver ratio of 1:55 based on a
review of historic gold and silver price ratios, as well as
projected metallurgical recoveries at the Palmarejo Project (as
discussed in the Technical Report). |
|
(2) |
|
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have a
demonstrated economic viability. |
Data
A model was created for estimating the silver and gold resources
at Palmarejo from data generated by Planet Gold through late
September 2006, including geologic mapping, RC and core drilling
results, and surveying of underground workings. Maps of
underground workings prepared by previous operators were also
incorporated into the modeling. Aerial photography was used to
create a topographic model with two-meter contours. These data
were incorporated into a digital database, and all subsequent
modeling of the Palmarejo resource was performed using
Surpac®
mining software.
Deposit
Geology Pertinent to Resource Estimation
The primary controls of the silver and gold at Palmarejo are the
west-northwest-striking La Prieta and northwest-striking
La Blanca quartz vein structures, both of which dip to the
southwest, as well as the broader zone of sheeted quartz-vein
stockwork mineralization found at the intersection of the two
structures. Significant zones of hanging wall and footwall
stockwork mineralization of varying widths also lie along both
principal structures distal from the area of the structural
intersection.
Guadalupe
Mineral Resources
The following Guadalupe mineral resources conform to the
definitions adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), December, 2005, and
meet the criteria of those definitions. The table below lists
the Guadalupe silver and gold resources.
Guadalupe
Indicated Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au-equiv./t(1) Cutoff
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 to 150m
|
|
>150m
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depth
|
|
Depth
|
|
|
tonnes
|
|
|
g Ag/tonne
|
|
|
oz Ag
|
|
|
g Au/tonne
|
|
|
oz Au
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
710,000
|
|
|
|
166
|
|
|
|
3,790,000
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
|
|
|
49,000
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
610,000
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
3,610,000
|
|
|
|
2.49
|
|
|
|
49,000
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
570,000
|
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
|
3,490,000
|
|
|
|
2.66
|
|
|
|
48,000
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
|
|
196
|
|
|
|
3,400,000
|
|
|
|
2.78
|
|
|
|
48,000
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
440,000
|
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
|
3,090,000
|
|
|
|
3.19
|
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
220,000
|
|
|
|
303
|
|
|
|
2,090,000
|
|
|
|
5.13
|
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
64,000
|
|
|
|
481
|
|
|
|
995,000
|
|
|
|
10.65
|
|
|
|
22,000
|
|
K-23
Guadalupe
Inferred Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Au-equiv./t(1) Cutoff
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 to 150m
|
|
>150m
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depth
|
|
Depth
|
|
|
tonnes
|
|
|
g Ag/tonne
|
|
|
oz Ag
|
|
|
g Au/tonne
|
|
|
oz Au
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
8,000,000
|
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
|
35,120,000
|
|
|
|
1.34
|
|
|
|
345,000
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
6,500,000
|
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
32,530,000
|
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
337,000
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
5,900,000
|
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
|
31,180,000
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
332,000
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
5,600,000
|
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
|
30,040,000
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
|
327,000
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
4,300,000
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
|
25,970,000
|
|
|
|
2.11
|
|
|
|
294,000
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
1,600,000
|
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
|
13,400,000
|
|
|
|
3.64
|
|
|
|
185,000
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
330,000
|
|
|
|
414
|
|
|
|
4,350,000
|
|
|
|
7.44
|
|
|
|
78,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Au-equiv./t = Au grade + (Ag grade
¸ 55). Gold equivalent grades
are calculated using a gold to silver ratio of 1:55 based on a
review of historic gold and silver price ratios, as well as
Palmarejo Project projected metallurgical recoveries (as
discussed in the Technical Report). |
Two gold-equivalent cutoffs were used to tabulate the
block-diluted resources. The gold-equivalent grade is calculated
from the gold and silver values as follows: Au-equivalent grade
= Au grade + (Ag grade ¸ 55).
The derivation of the equivalency ratio is explained in
section 17.1.7 of the Technical Report. A cutoff of 0.8
Au-equivalent/t
was used for tabulating resources to a depth of 150m below the
surface. This cutoff was chosen to capture mineralization
potentially available to open-pit extraction. A cutoff of 2.5 g
Au-equivalent/t was applied to the blocks lying deeper than 150m
below the surface. This higher cutoff was chosen to reflect
mineralization potentially available to higher-cost underground
extraction. The resources are also tabulated at additional
cutoffs in the above tables in order to provide
grade-distribution information.
The Guadalupe silver and gold resources are classified primarily
as Inferred due to a combination of insufficient drill data in
some areas and the relatively simplistic sectional-modeling
approach. This technique, in which sectional mineral-domain
interpretations are projected half the distance to neighboring
sections, yields representative resource tonnes and grades, but
can introduce inaccuracies in the location of the mineralization
as distances from the controlling cross sections increase. These
inaccuracies were minimized by the use of variable horizontal
projections, which were used to mimic the strike of the
mineralized zones, thereby allowing some of the resources to be
classified as Indicated.
La Patria
Mineral Resources
The following table lists the minor gold and silver inferred
resources defined to date at La Patria.
A gold-equivalent cutoff was used to tabulate the resources,
with the gold-equivalent grade calculated from the gold and
silver values as follows: Au_eq = Au + Ag/55. The equivalency
ratio is derived in consideration of historic precious metal
price ratios, with a bias toward more recent ratios, as well as
the projected Palmarejo Project metallurgical recoveries.
K-24
Palmarejo and MDA believe that a cutoff of 0.8g Au-equivalent is
reasonable for the reporting of the La Patria mineral
resources due to the potential availability of the resources to
open pit extraction; the resources are also tabulated at
additional cutoffs in the following tables in order to provide
grade-distribution information.
La Patria
Silver and Gold Resources
Inferred
Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cut-off
|
|
|
|
|
Au
|
|
|
Au
|
|
|
Ag
|
|
|
Ag
|
|
(g/t AuEq)
|
|
Tonnes
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Oz)
|
|
|
(g/t)
|
|
|
(Oz)
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
3,600,000
|
|
|
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
171,000
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
4,030,000
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
2,600,000
|
|
|
|
1.81
|
|
|
|
152,000
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
3,600,000
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
1,700,000
|
|
|
|
2.34
|
|
|
|
126,000
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
3,050,000
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
1,200,000
|
|
|
|
2.73
|
|
|
|
109,000
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
2,660,000
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
830,000
|
|
|
|
3.29
|
|
|
|
88,000
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
2,190,000
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
530,000
|
|
|
|
4.05
|
|
|
|
69,000
|
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
|
1,770,000
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
340,000
|
|
|
|
4.98
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
260,000
|
|
|
|
5.54
|
|
|
|
46,000
|
|
|
|
149
|
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
71,000
|
|
|
|
8.06
|
|
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
|
242
|
|
|
|
556,000
|
|
The above resources include all mineralization between present
day topography and an identical surface created 200 meters
lower, as an approximation of material potentially available for
open pit extraction, as required by the Australian JORC and
Canadian NI
43-101 Codes.
El
Realito Gold-Silver Project: Temoris, Chihuahua,
Mexico
Bolnisi has, through its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary,
Wyalong SA de CV (Wyalong), entered into two
acquisition agreements over 9 tenements covering 641 hectares
and has received titles for a further 5 tenements including an
all encompassing claim, known as Septentrion, covering 7,472
hectares. Collectively known as the El Realito project, these
tenements which cover 8,113 hectares are located in the Artega
mining district of the Guazapares Municipality, Chihuahua State,
some 30 kilometers southeast of Palmarejo Project.
Tenement
Summary
The tenements and acquisition agreements which comprise the El
Realito project are:
|
|
|
|
|
five El Realito project tenements totaling approximately 7,472
hectares owned 100% by Wyalong; and
|
|
|
|
two acquisition agreements which can be terminated with
30 days notice by Wyalong.
|
The first acquisition agreement grants Wyalong a 5 year
exploration right from March 17, 2004 over 5 tenements
covering approximately 422 hectares for escalating six monthly
payments totaling US$500,000 (of which US$260,000 has been
paid). At any time during this period, by making all outstanding
payments, 100% ownership of the tenement area will be
transferred to Wyalong.
The second acquisition agreement grants Wyalong a 5 year
exploration right from September 29, 2004 over
4 tenements covering approximately 219 hectares for
escalating six monthly payments totaling US$901,000 (of which
US$197,000 has been paid). At any time during this period, by
making all outstanding payments, 100% ownership of the tenement
area will be transferred to Wyalong.
Project
Summary
El Realito is a typical Mexican polymetallic Au-Ag vein system
where high silver and gold grades have been exposed in
structurally controlled ore shoots. The mineralized quartz veins
are hosted by a north-northwest striking fault breccia
separating footwall Mesozoic calcareous siltstones and
hangingwall Lower Tertiary andesitic and dacitic volcanic rocks.
The El Realito fault has been traced for more than 3.0
kilometers, dips 30 to 40 degrees to the
K-25
west and has formed a dip slope. Detailed mapping at the
beginning of the year defined structural controls on high-grade
gold-silver mineralization. A series of southwest-plunging
clavos (e.g. El Realito, Chalate and El Pinito) occur at
inflection points along the main El Realito fault where the
strike changes locally from north to northwest.
Various Mexican and North American companies expressed interest
in the property in the late 1980s and early 1990s, one of which
drilled 29 RC for 784 meters and 25 diamond core holes for 481
meters. Recoveries of diamond holes were extremely poor in the
mineralized sections and in only 3 holes did recovery exceed
50%. Silver assays from recent sampling are consistently higher
than those reported in historical drilling results confirming
suspicions that previous work has underestimated silver
concentrations at El Realito.
Preparations are underway for the drilling program due to
commence at El Realito as soon as drilling equipment and
personnel become available.
From the commencement of exploration drilling at El Realito in
November 2005, 75 RC drill holes have been completed for a total
of 3,924 meters.
Due to the focus of activities on the Palmarejo project and
Trogan tenements, no field work was undertaken during the year
ended June 30, 2007. Bolnisi plans to undertake some
metallurgical testwork and prepare an initial resource estimate
for the El Realito project.
Yecora
Gold-Silver Project: Sonora, Mexico
Bolnisi has, through its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary,
Darbazi SA de CV (Darbazi), entered into an
acquisition agreement over 4 tenements covering 217 hectares and
has received titles for another 11 exploration tenements from
the Sonora Mines Department including an all encompassing claim,
known as Guacamaya, covering 8,085 hectares. Collectively known
as the Yecora project, these tenements which cover approximately
8,302 hectares are located in the east of the state of Sonora,
Mexico close to the Chihuahua state border and the Federal
Highway connecting Hermosillo to Chihuahua.
Tenement
Summary
The tenements and acquisition agreements which comprise the
Yecora project are:
|
|
|
|
|
eleven Yecora project tenements totaling approximately 8,085
hectares owned 100% by Darbazi; and
|
|
|
|
an acquisition agreement which can be terminated with
30 days notice by Darbazi which grants Darbazi a
5.5 year exploration right from 8 October 2003 over 4
tenements covering approximately 217 hectares for escalating six
monthly payments totaling US$1,105,000 (of which US$205,000 has
been paid). At any time during this period, by making all
outstanding payments, 100% ownership of the tenement area will
be transferred to Darbazi.
|
Project
Summary
The Yecora project occurs in polymetallic gold-silver district
with multiple occurrences of visible gold. Historic mining in
the district has been limited to surface pits and shallow
underground workings. Bolnisis Guacamaya license area
surrounds 16 kilometers of north-northwest striking structures
that host the San Francisco and Martha deposits. Two
tenements surrounding these deposits are not controlled by
Bolnisi.
Gold-silver mineralization is hosted primarily in Lower Volcanic
Series andesitic rocks typical of many epithermal Ag-Au deposits
in the Sierra Madre Occidental. The Martha and
San Francisco structures have been identified as the two
principal mineralized trends within the Guacamaya project area.
Gold-silver bearing quartz-carbonate veins are characterized by
brecciated, colloform banded and cockade epithermal textures and
vary from 1.0 to 5.0 meters wide. The mineralization style is
typically polymetallic-carbonate Au-Ag but there is evidence of
a high level overprint by high grade Au and Ag at some prospects
(e.g. Martha). Supergene enrichment of gold has occurred at many
prospects (e.g. Martha, Balila, Maguarichic) resulting in near
surface high grades.
K-26
Apart from limited drilling, trenching and prospecting on a
single tenement, there has been no modern exploration undertaken
within the license area. Due to the focus of activities on the
Palmarejo project and Trogan tenements, no drilling was
undertaken during the year ended June 30, 2007.
Data assessment and field reconnaissance work is ongoing.
Drilling is planned to be undertaken in the future when
landowner agreements over the two tenements surrounding
Bolnisis tenements which are not controlled by Bolnisi are
finalized.
K-27
|
|
|
|
Vote by Internet
|
|
www.cesvote.com |
|
Use the Internet to transmit your proxy until 6:00 a.m. EST on the morning of the Special Meeting. Have
your proxy card in hand when you access the website
listed above and follow the instructions provided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vote by Telephone
|
|
1-888-693-8683 |
|
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your proxy
until 6:00 a.m. EST on the morning of the Special
Meeting. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and
follow the instructions provided.
Please mark, sign, date and promptly mail your proxy
card using the postage-paid envelope provided or return
your proxy card to: Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation, c/o
Corporate Election Services, P.O. Box 3230, Pittsburgh
PA 15230-3230 to ensure that your vote is received prior
to the Special Meeting on December 3, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vote by Telephone
|
|
|
Vote by Internet
|
|
|
Vote by Mail |
|
|
Call Toll-Free using a
|
|
|
Access the Website and
|
|
|
Sign and return your proxy |
|
|
touch-tone telephone:
|
|
|
cast your vote:
|
|
|
in the postage-paid |
|
|
1-888-693-8683
|
|
|
www.cesvote.com
|
|
|
envelope provided. |
|
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE
ê PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ê
|
|
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
|
|
Special Meeting Proxy Card |
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The undersigned hereby appoints Dennis E. Wheeler or, in his absence, James A. Sabala, proxy of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes him to vote as indicated on the
reverse side all shares of Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation common stock the undersigned is entitled
to vote at the special meeting of Coeur dAlene Mines shareholders, to be held at The Coeur
dAlene Resort and Conference Center, located at Second Street and Front Avenue, Coeur
dAlene, Idaho at 9:30 a.m., local time, on December 3, 2007, and any adjournment(s) or
postponement(s) thereof.
If no direction is provided, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1, 2 and 3.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, 2007 |
|
|
|
Shareholder Sign Here
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, 2007 |
|
|
|
Co-Shareholder Sign Here
|
|
Date |
|
|
Please sign exactly as name appears
hereon. Joint shareholders should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please
give full title as such. If a corporation,
please sign in full corporate name by
authorized officer, giving full title. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership
name by authorized person, giving full
title.
COEUR DALENE MINES CORPORATION
VOTE YOUR SHARES VIA THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE
Dear Shareholder:
Your vote is important. Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation encourages you to submit your
proxy electronically via the Internet or by telephone, both of which are available 24
hours per day, seven days per week. If you vote your proxy by Internet or telephone, you
do NOT need to mail your proxy card.
|
|
|
To submit your proxy electronically via the Internet, go to the Website:
http://www.cesvote.com and follow the prompts. You must use the control number
printed in the box by the arrow on the reverse side of this card. |
|
|
|
|
To submit your proxy by telephone, use a touch-tone telephone and call
1-888-693-8683. You must use the control number printed in the box by the arrow on
the reverse side of this card. |
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting, please call D. F. King & Co.,
Inc., which is assisting Coeur, toll-free at 1-800-901-0068.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE
ê PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ê
|
|
|
Coeur dAlene Mines Corporation
|
|
Special Meeting Proxy Card |
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, ASSUMING THE UNDERSIGNED IS AN OWNER ON THE RECORD DATE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS
GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH BELOW.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3.
1. |
|
To approve an amendment to Coeur dAlene Mines Corporations (Coeur) articles of
incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of Coeur common stock, par value
$1.00 per share (Coeur common stock), from 500,000,000 to 750,000,000. |
|
|
|
|
|
o FOR
|
|
o AGAINST
|
|
o ABSTAIN |
2. |
|
To approve the proposed issuance of new shares of Coeur common stock to Bolnisi Gold NL
(Bolnisi) shareholders in connection with the combination of Bolnisi with Coeur, and the
proposed issuance of new shares of Coeur common stock to Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation
(Palmarejo) shareholders in connection with the combination of Palmarejo and Coeur. |
|
|
|
|
|
o FOR
|
|
o AGAINST
|
|
o ABSTAIN |
3. |
|
To approve the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the
special meeting to adopt any of the foregoing proposals. |
|
|
|
|
|
o FOR
|
|
o AGAINST
|
|
o ABSTAIN |
4. |
|
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to transact such other business as may
properly come before the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the special
meeting. |
(Continued, and please sign on reverse side)