UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Amendment No. 1
(MARK ONE) |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2006. |
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OR |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO . |
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13627
APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
CAYMAN ISLANDS, BRITISH WEST INDIES |
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NOT APPLICABLE |
(STATE OR OTHER
JURISDICTION OF |
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(I.R.S. EMPLOYER |
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WALKER
HOUSE |
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NOT APPLICABLE |
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) |
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(ZIP CODE) |
(345) 949-0050
(REGISTRANTS TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS: YES x NO o
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER, AN ACCELERATED FILER, OR A NON-ACCELERATED FILER:
LARGE ACCELERATED FILER o ACCELERATED FILER x NON-ACCELERATED FILER o
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE 12B-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT): YES o NO x
AT MAY 4, 2006, 58,408,400 ORDINARY SHARES, $0.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, WERE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Apex Silver Mines Limited (we, us, or the Company) is filing this Amendment No. 1 (this Amendment) to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 to restate its consolidated financial statements and related financial information.
We are restating the consolidated financial statements to correct the liability of our metals derivative positions. We determined that the method used in prior periods to estimate the fair value of our open metals derivative positions was not appropriate. pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (FAS No. 133), we record our open derivative positions at their fair value on our consolidated balance sheet and record the changes in fair value to current earnings at the end of each reporting period.
Our derivative positions mature or expire on various dates over an approximate six-year period commencing in July 2007. Many of the derivative positions mature or expire beyond the periods covered by the major commodities price indices such as LME or COMEX, or expire in future periods covered by those indices with respect to which only limited trading activity has occurred. In instances where only limited market activity existed, we used price projections provided by an independent third party employing statistical analysis and models to estimate the fair value of our open derivative positions. The models used by the independent third party relied on commodities prices indices out to three months and mean reversion statistical estimates beyond the three-month period. Recently, we reassessed the market information reflected in the commodities prices indices out to twenty-seven months and quoted prices from the counterparties holding the derivative positions and concluded that the additional market information is a more reliable indicator of fair value than the independent third party price projections we previously used.
Based on the reassessment, we concluded that we had understated the liability related to the open derivative positions commencing with the quarter ended September 30, 2005. The cumulative liability for our open derivative positions was understated by $208.9 million at March 31, 2006.
As a result, we have concluded that our financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the year ended December 31, 2005 and the first three quarters of 2006 should be restated. Use of the additional market information in calculating the fair value of our open derivative positions will likely result in increased volatility in our earnings during the next three years, the period over which most of the derivatives mature or expire. We intend to settle these derivatives with revenues from San Cristobal production over the six-year period commencing in July 2007. Therefore, the cash effect of settling these hedges will be realized as higher or lower revenue over that six-year period and the ultimate losses or gains from these derivatives will be determined based upon market prices at the time of settlement.
The information contained in this Amendment, including the financial statements and the notes thereto, amends only Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the original filing, in each case to reflect only the restatement discussed herein. No other information in the original filing is amended hereby. Currently-dated certifications from our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have been included as exhibits to this Amendment. As discussed in Item 4, Controls and Procedures (as restated), management identified a control deficiency that relates to the restatement that, under the circumstances, constitutes a material weakness.
The foregoing items have not been updated to reflect other events occurring after the filing date of the original filing or to modify or update those disclosures affected by subsequent events. Except for the foregoing amended information, this Amendment continues to describe conditions as of the date of the original filing, and we have not updated the disclosures contained herein to reflect events that occurred at a later date.
We do not intend to amend our previously-filed Annual Report on Form 10-K or our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods affected by the restatement described herein that ended prior to January 1, 2006.
APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
INDEX
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MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES |
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ITEM 1. |
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
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ITEM 1A. |
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RISK FACTORS |
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ITEM 2. |
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UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
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ITEM 3. |
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DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
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ITEM 4. |
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SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
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ITEM 5. |
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OTHER INFORMATION |
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2
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Restated |
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(in thousands, except share data) |
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Assets |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
9,318 |
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$ |
4,808 |
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Restricted cash |
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46,624 |
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135,182 |
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Short term investments |
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1,076 |
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132,000 |
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Restricted investments |
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171,087 |
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67,491 |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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10,185 |
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5,824 |
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Total current assets |
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238,290 |
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345,305 |
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
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445,606 |
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379,138 |
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Ore inventories |
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3,620 |
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Deferred financing costs |
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20,603 |
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21,604 |
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Value added tax recoverable |
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26,063 |
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20,052 |
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Restricted investments |
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76,158 |
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12,392 |
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Other |
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2,068 |
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2,020 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
812,408 |
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$ |
780,511 |
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Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities |
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$ |
64,841 |
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$ |
74,487 |
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Accrued interest payable |
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515 |
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3,096 |
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Derivatives at fair value |
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20,607 |
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5,652 |
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Current portion of long term debt |
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2,413 |
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2,270 |
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Total current liabilities |
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88,376 |
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85,505 |
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Long term debt |
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340,579 |
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320,021 |
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Derivatives at fair value |
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300,413 |
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145,719 |
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Asset retirement obligation |
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3,933 |
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2,003 |
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Total liabilities |
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733,301 |
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553,248 |
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Minority interest in subsidiaries |
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41 |
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34 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) |
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Shareholders equity |
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Ordinary Shares, $.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized; 52,031,408 and 50,444,890 shares issued and outstanding at respective dates |
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520 |
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504 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
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642 |
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(243 |
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Additional paid in capital |
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512,110 |
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486,762 |
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Accumulated deficit during development stage |
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(434,206 |
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(259,794 |
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Total shareholders equity |
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79,066 |
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227,229 |
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Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
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$ |
812,408 |
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$ |
780,511 |
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The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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For the Period from |
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March 31, |
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through |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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March 31, 2006 |
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Restated |
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Restated |
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(in thousands, except share data) |
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Operating income and expenses: |
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Exploration |
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$ |
(1,450 |
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$ |
(1,326 |
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$ |
(74,881 |
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Administrative |
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(5,313 |
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(3,929 |
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(75,171 |
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Losses on commodity derivatives |
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(172,818 |
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(374 |
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(323,366 |
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Gains (losses) on foreign currency derivatives and transactions |
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113 |
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(618 |
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841 |
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Other operating expense (1) |
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(48 |
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(62 |
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Amortization and depreciation |
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(95 |
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(16 |
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(1,491 |
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Total operating expenses |
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(179,611 |
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(6,263 |
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(474,130 |
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Other income and expenses: |
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Interest and other income |
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2,904 |
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3,400 |
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37,576 |
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Gain on extinguishment of debt |
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2,875 |
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9,640 |
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Interest expense and other borrowing costs (2) |
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(519 |
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(1,990 |
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(11,441 |
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Total other income and expense |
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5,260 |
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1,410 |
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35,775 |
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Loss before minority interest and income taxes |
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(174,351 |
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(4,853 |
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(438,355 |
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Income taxes |
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(54 |
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(433 |
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Minority interest in (income) loss of consolidated subsidiary |
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(7 |
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4,568 |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(174,412 |
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$ |
(4,853 |
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$ |
(434,220 |
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Other comprehensive income: |
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Unrealized gain (loss) on securities |
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$ |
390 |
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(135 |
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147 |
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Reclassification for loss included in net income |
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495 |
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495 |
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Other comprehensive gain (loss) |
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885 |
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(135 |
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642 |
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Comprehensive loss |
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$ |
(173,527 |
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$ |
(4,988 |
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$ |
(433,578 |
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Net loss per Ordinary Share basic and diluted (3) |
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$ |
(3.39 |
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$ |
(0.10 |
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Weighted average Ordinary Shares outstanding |
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51,420,587 |
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47,681,043 |
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(1) Other operating expense is all related to accretion expense associated with our asset retirement obligation at San Cristobal.
(2) Interest expense and other borrowing costs are net of $4.3 million and $1.1 million capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 respectively, and $13.6 million capitalized for the inception to date period ended March 31, 2006. In addition, interest expense and other borrowing costs for the three months ended March 31, 2006 includes a $0.5 million write off of deferred issuance costs associated with the purchase of a portion of the Companys convertible debt (see Note 7).
(3) Diluted earnings per share were anti-dilutive for all periods presented.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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For the period from |
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March 31, |
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Through |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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March 31, 2006 |
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(in thousands) |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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$ |
(12,111 |
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$ |
(5,046 |
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$ |
(119,089 |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Purchase of available for sale investments |
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(34,000 |
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(147,625 |
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(1,227,192 |
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Sale of available for sale investments |
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84,191 |
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165,315 |
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1,148,143 |
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Purchase of held-to-maturity investments |
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(17,524 |
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(239,207 |
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Sale of held-to-maturity investments |
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1,000 |
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15,669 |
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188,007 |
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Purchase of restricted investments |
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(191,612 |
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(233,905 |
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Sale of restricted investments |
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104,869 |
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1,868 |
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119,645 |
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Payment of derivative premiums, net |
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(3,168 |
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(3,168 |
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Advances for construction of port facility |
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(2,000 |
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Advances to suppliers and contractors |
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(3,405 |
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(4,090 |
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(7,280 |
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Restricted cash to collateralize credit facility, letters of credit and interest payments |
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88,568 |
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108 |
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(49,576 |
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Capitalized property, plant and equipment |
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(76,186 |
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(19,620 |
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(359,116 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(29,743 |
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(5,899 |
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(665,649 |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from issuance of Ordinary Shares |
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5,728 |
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429,291 |
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Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes |
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339,987 |
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Payment of debt issuance costs |
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(209 |
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(24,530 |
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Payments of notes payable and long term debt |
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(569 |
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(3,845 |
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Borrowings under project finance facility |
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40,000 |
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40,000 |
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Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants |
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1,414 |
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91 |
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13,153 |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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46,364 |
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91 |
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794,056 |
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Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
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4,510 |
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(10,854 |
) |
9,318 |
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Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period |
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4,808 |
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27,740 |
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Cash and cash equivalents - end of period |
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$ |
9,318 |
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$ |
16,886 |
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$ |
9,318 |
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See Note 13 for supplemental cash flow information.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Apex Silver Mines Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Such rules and regulations allow the omission of certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, so long as such omissions do not render the financial statements misleading. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. All adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements of the Company included in its 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Effective January 1, 2006 the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (FAS No. 123R), using the modified prospective approach, which revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS No. 123), and superseded Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and its related implementation guidance. The Company is currently evaluating whether it will adopt the short-cut method for calculating the pool of windfall tax benefits as allowed by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Position FAS No. 123R-3. The Company had previously adopted FAS No. 123 effective January 1, 2004. FAS No. 123R 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. Additionally, FAS No. 123R requires companies that did not previously include the effects of estimated forfeitures in the FAS No. 123 expenses they reported, to record a cumulative adjustment to the income statements presented in the period of adoption of FAS No. 123R in order to reflect the effect of the estimated forfeitures. The forfeiture rate used by the Company prior and subsequent to the adoption of FAS No. 123R has not changed and, therefore, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to prior period estimated forfeitures. The adoption of FAS No. 123R did not have a material impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations and is not expected to have a material impact in the future (see Note 10).
During 2004, a committee of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) began discussing the accounting treatment for stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine. During March 2005, the EITF reached a consensus (EITF Issue No. 04-6) that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. The FASB ratified the EITF consensus. The EITF consensus is effective for the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. In January 2006, the EITF issued additional guidance defining the commencement of production as the period when saleable minerals are first extracted in greater than de minimis amounts. In February 2006, the Company began mining significant amounts of oxide ore reserves at its San Cristobal project, which have been placed in stockpiles for future processing. The quantity and value of the minerals mined were sufficient to declare the start of ore production according to the EITF consensus. The Company has included the costs associated with the oxide ore production as long term inventory on its financial statements. The Company expects the mining of significant amounts of oxide ore to continue throughout the year, with the commencement of sulfide ore mining in the second half of the year.
6
The Company records costs related to productive activities as inventory held for sale in the ordinary course of business or work in process for such sale. Work-in-process inventories include ore produced and stockpiled for which further processing is necessary before a product is ready for sale. The Company uses the average cost method to assign costs to the units of ore stockpiled during the period. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or the current net realizable value. If costs held in inventory exceed their net realizable value, the excess cost is recognized as a loss in the current period. Net realizable value reflects the gross realizable value (estimated selling price) reduced by estimated costs of completion and disposal as of the balance sheet date. Gross realizable value reflects the anticipated average realization that the inventory will generate when it is sold. Any inventory write-downs will not be reinstated in subsequent periods should the net realizable value increase.
New Accounting Standards
At a meeting held in March 2006 the EITF reached a tentative consensus (EITF Issue No. 05-1) that the issuance of equity securities to settle an instrument that becomes convertible upon the issuers exercise of a call option should be accounted for as a conversion (as opposed to an extinguishment) if, at issuance, the debt instrument contains a substantive conversion feature other than the issuers call option. The EITF concluded that if an instrument is deemed convertible at issuance, then a subsequent conversion of the instrument is in accordance with a conversion privilege that existed at issuance and is, therefore, outside the scope of APB Opinion No. 26, Early Extinguishment of Debt. Therefore, the issuance of shares to settle the debt pursuant to the original terms of the instrument should be afforded conversion treatment. If the instrument does not contain a substantive conversion feature at issuance, the issuance of equity securities to settle the instrument should be recognized as a debt extinguishment. EITF Issue No. 05-1 will become effective following its anticipated ratification scheduled for June 2006. The Company has previously accounted for two transactions involving the buy-back of its convertible debt as an extinguishment under APB Opinion No. 26. Ratification of EITF Issue No. 05-1 would require similar transactions to be accounted for prospectively as a conversion.
Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3 (FAS No. 154) is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2005. FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. The statement applies to voluntary changes as well as changes required by accounting pronouncements which do not otherwise provide specific transition provisions, requiring retrospective application to prior periods financial statements where not impractical. FAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations for the period and is not expected to have a material impact in the future.
Correction of an Error Related to the Valuation of Open Derivative positions
Pursuant to the requirements of the lenders of its $225 million project finance facility, the Company was required to provide price protection for a portion of its planned production from the San Cristobal project. In the third quarter 2005, the Company entered into silver, zinc and lead derivative positions utilizing primarily forward sales, but also puts and calls, to comply with this requirement. As discussed above, the Company records its open derivative positions at their estimated fair value on its balance sheet and records the change in estimated fair value in earnings at the end of each reporting period.
The Companys derivative positions mature or expire on various dates over an approximate six-year period commencing in July 2007. Many of the derivative positions mature or expire beyond the periods covered by the major commodity price indices such as LME or COMEX, or expire in future periods covered by those indices with respect to which only limited trading activity has occurred. In instances where only limited market activity exists, the Company had historically used price projections to estimate a forward price curve provided by an independent third party employing statistical analysis and models to estimate the fair value of its open derivative positions. The models used by the independent third party relied on commodity price indices out to three months and mean reversion statistical estimates beyond the three-month period. Recently, the Company reassessed the market information reflected in the commodities prices indices out to twenty-seven months and quoted prices from the counterparties holding our derivative positions and concluded that the additional market information is a more reliable indicator of fair value than the independent third party price projections previously used. Accordingly, the Company concluded the derivative liability related to its open derivative positions was understated at March 31, 2006 by $208.9 million ($4.06 per share) and December 31, 2005 by $95.1 million ($1.96 per share).
7
The following table summarizes the impact of the restatement on the historical balances reported on the Companys consolidated balance sheets for the periods ended March 31, 2006:
|
March 31, 2006 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives at fair value |
|
|
|
|
As previously reported |
|
$ |
91,476 |
|
Adjustment |
|
208,937 |
|
|
As restated |
|
300,413 |
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
As previously reported |
|
$ |
524,364 |
|
Adjustment |
|
208,937 |
|
|
As restated |
|
733,301 |
|
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
|
|
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(225,269 |
) |
Adjustment |
|
(208,937 |
) |
|
As restated |
|
(434,206 |
) |
|
Total shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
As previously reported |
|
$ |
288,003 |
|
Adjustment |
|
(208,937 |
) |
|
As restated |
|
79,066 |
|
8
The following table summarizes the impact of the restatement on the historical amounts reported on the Companys consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and the inception to date period through March 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
For the Period from |
|
||
|
|
For the Three |
|
December 22, 1994 |
|
||
|
|
Months |
|
(Inception) |
|
||
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
Through March 31, |
|
||
|
|
2006 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(amounts in thousands |
|
||||
|
|
except per share data) |
|
||||
Losses on commodity derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
||
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(58,979 |
) |
$ |
(114,429 |
) |
Adjustment |
|
(113,839 |
) |
(208,937 |
) |
||
As restated |
|
(172,818 |
) |
(323,366 |
) |
||
Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
||
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(65,772 |
) |
$ |
(265,193 |
) |
Adjustment |
|
(113,839 |
) |
(208,937 |
) |
||
As restated |
|
(179,611 |
) |
(474,130 |
) |
||
Loss before minority interest and income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
||
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(60,512 |
) |
$ |
(229,418 |
) |
Adjustment |
|
(113,839 |
) |
(208,937 |
) |
||
As restated |
|
(174,351 |
) |
(438,355 |
) |
||
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
||
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(60,573 |
) |
$ |
(225,283 |
) |
Adjustment |
|
(113,839 |
) |
(208,937 |
) |
||
As restated |
|
(174,412 |
) |
(434,220 |
) |
||
Comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
||
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(59,688 |
) |
$ |
(224,641 |
) |
Adjustment |
|
(113,839 |
) |
(208,937 |
) |
||
As restated |
|
(173,527 |
) |
(433,578 |
) |
||
Net loss per Ordinary |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Share - basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
||
As previously reported |
|
$ |
(1.18 |
) |
|
|
|
Adjustment |
|
(2.21 |
) |
|
|
||
As restated |
|
(3.39 |
) |
|
|
The restatements had no impact on the Companys cash or investment balances or cash flows.
3. Investments
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments include investments with maturities greater than three months, but not exceeding twelve months. Long-term investments include investments with maturities greater than twelve months.
The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates classifications at each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held to maturity debt securities are stated at amortized cost and include government agency and corporate obligations. Available for sale investments are marked to market at each reporting period with changes in value recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. If declines in value are deemed other than temporary, a charge is made to net loss for the period.
The Company generally records its investments as short term or long term based on the underlying maturity date of the investments held. However, in certain instances the Company has been required to place investment funds in escrow where the restrictions on the use of such funds expire beyond the maturity dates of the underlying investments. In this instance, where the expiration date of the restriction is greater than one year, the Company classifies the investment as long term. At March 31, 2006 the Company had placed $70.4 million of investments in escrow to fund possible overruns of the Companys San Cristobal Project as a requirement of the project finance facility. The underlying investments in this escrow account have maturity dates of less than twelve months but the escrow account will not be released until after completion of the San Cristobal project, therefore, the Company has classified these investments as long term. (See Note 11 for additional discussion of restricted investments)
9
The Company invests only in government and corporate securities rated investment grade or better. The following tables, based on quoted market prices, summarizes the Companys investments at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
March 31, 2006 |
|
Cost |
|
Market |
|
Balance |
|
|||
|
|
(in Thousands) |
|
|||||||
Short-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Common stock |
|
$ |
434 |
|
$ |
1,076 |
|
$ |
1,076 |
|
Total short term |
|
$ |
434 |
|
$ |
1,076 |
|
$ |
1,076 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Restricted Investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Short-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Auction rate securities |
|
$ |
142,466 |
|
$ |
142,466 |
|
$ |
142,466 |
|
Total available for sale |
|
142,466 |
|
142,466 |
|
142,466 |
|
|||
Held to maturity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Corporate notes |
|
3,285 |
|
3,275 |
|
3,285 |
|
|||
Government bonds |
|
25,336 |
|
25,183 |
|
25,336 |
|
|||
Total held to maturity |
|
28,621 |
|
28,461 |
|
28,621 |
|
|||
Total short term |
|
$ |
171,087 |
|
$ |
170,927 |
|
$ |
171,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Long-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Auction rate securities |
|
$ |
18,334 |
|
$ |
18,334 |
|
$ |
18,334 |
|
Total available for sale |
|
18,334 |
|
18,334 |
|
18,334 |
|
|||
Held to maturity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Corporate notes |
|
2,450 |
|
2,444 |
|
2,450 |
|
|||
Government bonds |
|
55,374 |
|
54,911 |
|
55,374 |
|
|||
Total held to maturity |
|
57,824 |
|
57,355 |
|
57,824 |
|
|||
Total long term |
|
$ |
76,158 |
|
$ |
75,689 |
|
$ |
76,158 |
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
Cost |
|
Market |
|
Balance |
|
|||
|
|
(in Thousands) |
|
|||||||
Short-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Common stock |
|
$ |
434 |
|
$ |
686 |
|
$ |
686 |
|
Bond funds |
|
3,381 |
|
2,885 |
|
2,885 |
|
|||
Auction rate securities |
|
127,426 |
|
127,426 |
|
127,426 |
|
|||
Total available for sale |
|
131,241 |
|
130,997 |
|
130,997 |
|
|||
Held to maturity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Corporate notes |
|
1,003 |
|
998 |
|
1,003 |
|
|||
Total held to maturity |
|
1,003 |
|
998 |
|
1,003 |
|
|||
Total short term |
|
$ |
132,244 |
|
$ |
131,995 |
|
$ |
132,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Restricted Investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Short-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Auction rate securities |
|
$ |
14,950 |
|
$ |
14,950 |
|
$ |
14,950 |
|
Total available for sale |
|
14,950 |
|
14,950 |
|
14,950 |
|
|||
Held to maturity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Corporate notes |
|
2,003 |
|
2,004 |
|
2,003 |
|
|||
Government bonds |
|
50,538 |
|
50,191 |
|
50,538 |
|
|||
Total held to maturity |
|
52,541 |
|
52,195 |
|
52,541 |
|
|||
Total short term |
|
$ |
67,491 |
|
$ |
67,145 |
|
$ |
67,491 |
|
Long-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Held to maturity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Government bonds |
|
$ |
12,392 |
|
$ |
12,173 |
|
$ |
12,392 |
|
10
The Company liquidated approximately $12.0 million of investments, previously recorded as held to maturity, prior to their maturity dates as a requirement of the project finance facility and recognized a $0.1 million loss on the liquidation.
4. Prepaid expenses and other assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
|||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
||||
Prepaid insurance |
|
$ |
1,451 |
|
$ |
824 |
|
Prepaid bank fees |
|
209 |
|
|
|
||
Accrued interest receivable |
|
871 |
|
758 |
|
||
Prepaid consulting & contractor fees |
|
7,258 |
|
3,874 |
|
||
Receivables, travel advances and other |
|
146 |
|
118 |
|
||
Withholding taxes receivable |
|
250 |
|
250 |
|
||
|
|
$ |
10,185 |
|
$ |
5,824 |
|
The prepaid consulting and contractor fees consist primarily of advance payments made to contractors for work being performed for the San Cristobal Project.
5. Value Added Tax Recoverable
The Company has recorded value added tax (VAT) paid in Bolivia as a recoverable asset. Bolivian law states that VAT paid prior to production is recoverable as a credit against Bolivian taxes arising from production, including income tax. The VAT paid in Bolivia is expected to be recovered through production from the proven and probable reserves at the San Cristobal Project that the Company is developing. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 the recoverable VAT recorded for Bolivia is $26.1 million and $20.1 million respectively.
In addition, the Company has incurred VAT related to various exploration activities outside of the San Cristobal project in Bolivia and other countries. Because of the uncertainty of the recoverability of these taxes they are charged to expense as incurred.
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
The components of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
|||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
||||
Mineral properties |
|
$ |
117,041 |
|
$ |
117,103 |
|
Construction in progress |
|
297,500 |
|
232,288 |
|
||
Buildings |
|
8,423 |
|
8,423 |
|
||
Mining equipment and machinery |
|
11,505 |
|
10,127 |
|
||
Equipment under capital lease |
|
16,199 |
|
14,928 |
|
||
Other furniture and equipment |
|
1,873 |
|
1,966 |
|
||
|
|
452,541 |
|
384,835 |
|
||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
|
(6,935 |
) |
(5,697 |
) |
||
|
|
$ |
445,606 |
|
$ |
379,138 |
|
For the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 the Company recorded depreciation expense of $95,000 and $16,000, respectively. Also, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 the Company capitalized depreciation associated with the San Cristobal Project in the amounts of $1.1 million and $0.1 million respectively.
11
The March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 construction in progress balances contain $13.6 and $9.4 million of capitalized interest respectively.
7. Debt
The Companys debt consists of the following:
|
March 31, 2006 |
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Current |
|
Long term |
|
Current |
|
Long term |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
||||||||||
2.875% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 |
|
|
|
109,987 |
|
|
|
129,987 |
|
||||
Project finance facility |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Capital lease obligations |
|
2,413 |
|
10,592 |
|
2,270 |
|
10,034 |
|
||||
|
|
$ |
2,413 |
|
$ |
340,579 |
|
$ |
2,270 |
|
$ |
320,021 |
|
In December 2005 the Company closed on a $225 million project finance facility, arranged by BNP Paribas and Barclays Capital, and funded by a group of international financial institutions including banks, export credit agencies and the Andean Development Corporation, a multilateral financial agency that promotes sustainable development in South America. Borrowings from the facility are being used to complete the development of the Companys San Cristobal Project. During the first quarter 2006 the Company borrowed $40.0 million under the facility. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amount of the facility. Interest on the outstanding amounts drawn under the facility is based on LIBOR plus a credit spread for the outstanding amounts drawn against the facility. Covenants related to the facility require the Company to maintain certain security interests, financial ratios, insurance coverage, minimum sales contracts and metal price protection contracts as well as other requirements.
During the first quarter 2006 the Company placed in service $1.3 million of additional mining equipment to be used in stripping and future mine production, and recorded the transaction as a capital lease, resulting in total capital lease obligations of $13.0 million at March 31, 2006. During the first quarter 2006 the Company made payments of $0.6 million related to capital lease obligations and will be required to make additional payments of $1.8 million for the remainder of 2006, $2.4 million during each of 2007 and 2008, $1.8 million during 2009, $1.2 million during 2010 and $3.4 million thereafter.
During the first quarter 2006 the Company issued approximately 1.1 million Ordinary Shares valued at $17.1 million and $0.3 million of cash for unpaid interest to complete the purchase of $20.0 million principal amount of the Companys 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a privately negotiated exchange transaction. The transaction resulted in the recognition of a $2.9 million gain on extinguishment of debt. The Company canceled the notes purchased in the transaction.
Pursuant to the agreement related to the 4% Notes and certain provisions of the project finance facility, the Company is required to maintain restricted investments to cover the payment of interest on all of the Notes through 2007. The amount invested will at maturity equal the interest payments due. As of March 31, 2006, $15.9 million of restricted investments were designated for this purpose including $9.6 million in investments classified as current and $6.3 million in investments classified as long-term.
8. Sales Contracts and Derivative Instruments
Certain covenants related to the project finance facility required the Company to provide price protection for a portion of its planned production of metals from San Cristobal. During the third quarter 2005, the Company entered into positions utilizing primarily forward sales, but also puts and calls to comply with the project finance facility covenants. In order to maintain leverage to silver market prices, the Company entered into
12
proportionally more zinc and lead positions than silver positions. These derivative positions represent approximately 3.5%, 12.6% and 14.7% of planned life-of-mine payable production of silver, zinc and lead, respectively. Non-cash mark-to-market gains and losses from these outstanding metal derivative positions may fluctuate substantially from period to period based on spot and forward prices and option volatilities.
In addition, the Company continues to make limited investments in shorter duration put and call options and other metals derivatives not required by the project financing.
The Company marks its open derivative positions to estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period with the related change in estimated fair value recorded to earnings. For the quarter ended March 31, 2006 the Company recorded non-cash mark to market loss of $172.8 million and realized gain or loss of $nil compared to a $0.4 million non-cash mark to market loss and realized gain or loss of $nil for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and a non-cash mark-to-market gain of $0.8 million and realized gains or losses of $nil recorded for the year ended December 31, 2004. The 2006 and 2005 losses are the result of continuing high spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead. The actual financial impact of the required project financing facility derivative positions will not be known until the positions are closed on their future settlement dates. The Company does not intend to settle the open derivatives position contracts relating to the project financing facility prior to their settlement dates which begin during the second half of 2007. At the time of final settlement, the gain or loss recorded will exclude previously recognized non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses.
The following table sets forth the Companys open derivative positions at March 31, 2006. The contracts with open maturity dates of less than one year represent the discretionary derivatives while those with maturities greater than one year are all related to the requirements of the project financing and will be settled for cash based on monthly average prices for each metal in the period indicated.
|
|
Current Maturity Date |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Less Than |
|
1 to 3 |
|
3 to 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
1 Year |
|
Years |
|
Years |
|
Thereafter |
|
Total |
|
|||||
|
|
(in thousands except prices) |
|
|||||||||||||
Forward Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Silver (ounces) |
|
40.0 |
|
190.0 |
|
185.0 |
|
240.0 |
|
655.0 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
14.13 |
|
$ |
7.30 |
|
$ |
7.21 |
|
$ |
7.13 |
|
$ |
7.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Zinc (pounds) |
|
12,181 |
|
300,846 |
|
413,227 |
|
61,729 |
|
787,983 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Lead (pounds) |
|
|
|
195,106 |
|
127,867 |
|
|
|
322,973 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Put Option Contracts Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Silver (ounces) |
|
|
|
925 |
|
2,575 |
|
5,600 |
|
9,100 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
5.40 |
|
$ |
5.69 |
|
$ |
5.88 |
|
$ |
5.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Zinc (pounds) |
|
27,558 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,558 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
0.61 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Lead (pounds) |
|
|
|
2,205 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,205 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Call Option Contracts Written |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Silver (ounces) |
|
2,425 |
|
3,450 |
|
5,675 |
|
675 |
|
12,225 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
14.91 |
|
$ |
8.44 |
|
$ |
8.14 |
|
$ |
9.24 |
|
$ |
9.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Zinc (pounds) |
|
34,723 |
|
8,818 |
|
4,960 |
|
|
|
48,502 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
0.78 |
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Lead (pounds) |
|
14,606 |
|
17,637 |
|
9,921 |
|
|
|
42,163 |
|
|||||
Average price |
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
13
The following table sets forth the fair value of the Companys open derivative positions based on indices such as the LME and COMEX and valuations from counterparties holding the Companys derivative positions at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and the change for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
|
|
Amount To Be Realized In |
|
|||||||||||||
Period Ended |
|
Less Than |
|
2 to 3 |
|
4 to 5 |
|
Thereafter |
|
Total |
|
|||||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
12/31/2005 |
|
$ |
5,652 |
|
$ |
62,268 |
|
$ |
77,584 |
|
$ |
5,867 |
|
$ |
151,371 |
|
3/31/2006 Restated |
|
$ |
20,607 |
|
$ |
158,247 |
|
$ |
134,437 |
|
$ |
7,729 |
|
$ |
321,020 |
|
2006 Change |
|
$ |
14,955 |
|
$ |
95,979 |
|
$ |
56,853 |
|
$ |
1,862 |
|
$ |
169,649 |
|
During the first three months of 2005, the Company recognized a $0.6 million mark to market loss on a foreign currency collar transaction utilizing puts and calls that were put in place during 2004 to hedge currency fluctuations related to payments required on certain long-lead equipment purchased for the San Cristobal project that was denominated in Euros. No such gains or losses were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2006, and the Company did not have any foreign currency derivative positions.
The Companys 2.875% and 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024 have several embedded derivatives that have been determined to have no value.
Credit Risk and Risks Relating to the Use of Derivatives
Credit risk is the risk that a third party might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of a financial instrument. For derivatives, when the fair value of a derivative is negative, as in the Companys case at March 31, 2006, we assume no credit risk. However, should the Companys derivative positions become positive, the Company would become exposed to credit risk. All of the Companys derivative positions at March 31, 2006 are required by the project finance facility and per the terms of the facility are concentrated with two counterparties. The two counterparties are of high creditquality and the Company monitors their financial condition at regular intervals. Under the terms of the derivative agreements, the counterparties cannot require the Company to immediately settle outstanding derivatives, except upon the occurrence of customary events of default such as covenant breaches, including financial covenants, insolvency or bankruptcy.
9. Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has developed an asset retirement plan for its San Cristobal Project which is currently under construction and is expected to begin producing in 2007. The plan includes estimated reclamation, remediation and closure requirements based on government requirements, World Bank financing requirements and the Companys policies. Beginning in the third quarter 2005 the Company has been conducting activities at its San Cristobal Property including earthworks and plant construction that fall
14
within the scope of the asset retirement plan and as such will require future reclamation and closure expenditures.
Per the guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (FAS No. 143), the fair value of the asset retirement obligation (ARO) associated with the San Cristobal Project is calculated by first estimating the cash flows required to settle an estimated $21.3 million ARO obligation in future periods using an inflation rate of 1.6 percent and then discounting the future cash flows using the Companys credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 9.8 percent.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance for the Companys asset retirement obligations (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
$ |
2,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions |
|
1,882 |
|
|
Changes in estimates, and other |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities settled |
|
|
|
|
Accretion expense |
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
3,933 |
|
10. Shareholders Equity
The following table sets forth the changes in shareholders equity during the first three months of 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
Other |
|
Total |
|
|||||
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Paid-in |
|
Accumulated |
|
Comprehensive |
|
Shareholders |
|
|||||||
|
|
Shares |
|
Amount |
|
Capital |
|
Deficit |
|
income |
|
Equity |
|
|||||
|
|
(in thousands except share data) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2005 |
|
50,444,890 |
|
$ |
504.4 |
|
$ |
486,762 |
|
$ |
(259,794 |
) |
$ |
(243 |
) |
$ |
227,229 |
|
Stock to construct power line ($15.09 per share) |
|
369,033 |
|
3.7 |
|
5,724 |
|
|
|
|
|
5,728 |
|
|||||
Shares issued to retire debt, ($15.77 per share) |
|
1,086,653 |
|
10.9 |
|
17,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
17,125 |
|
|||||
Stock to consultants ($15.90 per share) |
|
2,832 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
|||||
Stock compensation accrued. |
|
|
|
|
|
1,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,052 |
|
|||||
Stock options exercised ($13.09 per share) |
|
108,000 |
|
1.1 |
|
1,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,414 |
|
|||||
Stock granted as compensation ($19.30 per share) |
|
20,000 |
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
885 |
|
885 |
|
|||||
Net loss Restated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(174,412 |
) |
|
|
(174,412 |
) |
|||||
Balance, March 31, 2006 Restated |
|
52,031,408 |
|
$ |
520.3 |
|
$ |
512,110 |
|
$ |
(434,206 |
) |
$ |
642 |
|
$ |
79,066 |
|
Ordinary Share Issuances During January 2006, the Company issued 369,033 of its Ordinary Shares, valued at $5.7 million, as the last of four agreed upon advances to SC TESA for the construction of the power line to the San Cristobal project. The Company had previously issued 1,134,799 of its Ordinary Shares, valued at $16.6 million, during 2005, as the first three advances to SC TESA. Excess proceeds of $0.1 million received by SC TESA from the sale of the shares will be added to the advances to be repaid to the Company with interest through credits against charges for future delivery of power.
In January and February 2006 the Company issued approximately 1.1 million Ordinary Shares valued at $17.1 million and $0.3 million of cash for unpaid interest to complete the purchase of $20.0 million principal amount of the Companys 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a privately negotiated exchange transaction. The Company canceled the notes purchased in the transaction.
Stock Option Plans The Company has established a plan to issue share options and other share awards for officers, employees, consultants and agents of the Company and its subsidiaries (the Plan).
15
Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Companys stock at the date of grant. Options typically vest ratably over periods of up to four years with the first tranche vesting on the date of grant or the first anniversary of the date of grant. Unexercised options expire typically ten years after the date of grant. The options and other awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control as defined in the Plan.
The Company has also established a share option plan for its non-employee directors (the Director Plan). Options granted under the Director Plan vest on the date of the grant and expire ten years after the date of the grant or three years after the date that a non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company. Options granted under the Director Plan are transferable only in limited circumstances.
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the entitys stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the Black-Scholes model. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and is based on past experience and future estimates and includes data from both the Plan and the Directors Plan. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
For purposes of calculating the fair value of options, volatility for the periods presented is based on the historical volatility of the Companys Ordinary Shares. The Company currently does not foresee the payment of dividends in the near term. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
Expected volatility |
|
43.8% - 44. |
5% |
42.6 |
% |
Weighted average volatility |
|
44.0 |
% |
42.6 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
|
|
|
Expected term (in years) |
|
3.55 |
|
3.58 |
|
Risk-free rate |
|
4.47 |
% |
3.62 |
% |
A summary of the Companys stock options at March 31, 2006 and changes during the three months then ended is presented in the following table:
Options |
|
Number of |
|
Weighted |
|
Weighted |
|
Aggregate Intrinsic |
|
||
Outstanding at beginning of period |
|
2,859,781 |
|
$ |
14.42 |
|
6.4 Years |
|
$ |
4,232,476 |
|
Granted during period |
|
32,644 |
|
$ |
19.63 |
|
9.9 Years |
|
$ |
|
|
Forfeited or expired during period |
|
(30,000 |
) |
$ |
16.61 |
|
|
|
$ |
(13,653 |
) |
Exercised during period |
|
(108,000 |
) |
$ |
13.09 |
|
|
|
$ |
944,404 |
|
Outstanding at end of period |
|
2,754,425 |
|
$ |
14.51 |
|
6.2 Years |
|
$ |
25,450,887 |
|
Exercisable at end of period |
|
1,926,249 |
|
$ |
13.25 |
|
5.1 Years |
|
$ |
20,225,615 |
|
Expected to vest at the end of the Period |
|
828,176 |
|
$ |
17.43 |
|
8.7 Years |
|
$ |
5,234,072 |
|
16
During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005, the Company granted equity awards with weighted average grant date fair values of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively; options were exercised with total intrinsic values of $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively; and the total fair value of shares vested during those three months was $0.3 million and $0.0 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested stock options granted pursuant to the Plan was $3.0 million which the Company expects will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 year.
A summary of the status of the Companys non-vested restricted stock grants at March 31, 2006 and changes during the three months then ended is presented in the following table:
Nonvested Shares |
|
Number of |
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
Nonvested at beginning of period |
|
173,200 |
|
$ |
18.38 |
|
Granted during period |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Vested during period |
|
(1,500 |
) |
$ |
23.11 |
|
Forfeited during period |
|
(3,000 |
) |
$ |
16.03 |
|
Nonvested at end of period |
|
168,700 |
|
$ |
18.38 |
|
As of March 31, 2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested restricted shares granted pursuant to the Plan was $2.3 million. The Company expects that the total unrecognized cost will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.
During 2005 the Company granted stock-based performance bonuses under the Plan, related to certain budget targets and completion date targets for the San Cristobal Project. The following table summarizes the stock-based performance bonus plan at March 31, 2006 and changes during the first three months of 2006:
Nonvested Shares |
|
Number of |
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
Nonvested at beginning of period |
|
32,000 |
|
$ |
15.41 |
|
Granted during period |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Vested during period |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Forfeited during period |
|
(6,000 |
) |
$ |
16.25 |
|
Nonvested at end of period |
|
26,000 |
|
$ |
15.21 |
|
As of March 31, 2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested performance bonuses granted pursuant to the Plan was $0.2 million. The Company expects that the total unrecognized cost will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.
Total compensation costs recognized for all stock-based employee compensation awards, including amounts capitalized, were $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Letters of Credit At March 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding irrevocable standby letters of credit related to the San Cristobal Project in the aggregate amount of $21.7 million. The letters of credit include $18.6 million associated with the rail contract to transport metal concentrates to the port facilities, $2.0 million associated with the construction management contract and $1.1 million associated with the
17
power line construction. At March 31, 2006 the Company had deposited $20.6 million to collateralize certain of the letters of credit and has recorded that amount to restricted cash. Per the terms of the letters of credit the required amounts may be reduced from time to time depending on certain circumstances.
Escrow Amounts At March 31, 2006 the Company had placed $6.8 million in an escrow account to collateralize its discretionary metals trading program. In addition, the Company has placed $4.0 million in an escrow account to provide for certain requirements related to the development of the port facility for the San Cristobal Project. At March 31, 2006 the $8.2 million in these two escrow accounts was recorded as restricted cash.
Project Financing Per the terms and conditions of the San Cristobal Project finance facility the Company was required to deposit cash and investments in a fund the use of which is restricted to the development of the San Cristobal Project. At March 31, 2006 the remaining balance in the account was $176.1 million which was recorded to restricted cash and restricted investments. In addition, per the terms of the project finance facility the Company has placed $70.4 million of investments in an account to provide over-run funding for the San Cristobal project if necessary. At March 31, 2006 the amounts were recorded to restricted cash and restricted investments and will be released upon certain project completion requirements being met or to fund over-runs should they occur.
Capital Commitments The Company has entered into agreements with certain service providers and placed orders for certain long-lead equipment and construction materials for its San Cristobal project resulting in open commitments totaling approximately $118.3 million at March 31, 2006. If the Company had cancelled all of these agreements or orders at March 31, 2006, it would have incurred cancellation fees totaling approximately $21.4 million.
Taxes The Company is receiving certain tax and duty benefits on a portion of the equipment it is importing for its San Cristobal Project. The benefits are contingent upon fulfilling certain expenditure commitments within a specified period of time and returning certain equipment off shore within a specified period of time. Failing to comply with these commitments would obligate the Company to refund all or a portion of the benefits received.
Other Contingencies The Company reported in its 10-K filing for the period ended December 31, 2005 that it had concluded an internal investigation regarding impermissible payments made to government official by several senior employees of one of its South American subsidiaries during 2003 and 2004. The Company reported at that time that the SEC had commenced an investigation with respect to these matters including possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We are cooperating fully with the SEC investigation and will cooperate with any investigation by the U. S. Department of Justice. We cannot predict with any certainty at this time the final outcome of any investigations that may take place including any fines or penalties that may be imposed.
12. Foreign Currency
Losses on foreign currency derivatives and translation consist of the following:
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
||||
Loss on Euro derivatives |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(618 |
) |
Gain on
re-measurment of monetary |
|
$ |
113 |
|
$ |
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
113 |
|
$ |
(618 |
) |
The re-measurement of monetary assets is related to certain taxes receivable and other accounts denominated in Bolivianos.
18
The loss on the Euro derivatives during 2005 is related to the marking to market of open Euro derivative positions held by the Company related to certain capital equipment being purchased for San Cristobal in which the price was denominated in Euros. The Company held no such derivative positions at March 31, 2006.
13. Supplemental cash flow information
The following table sets forth supplemental cash flow information and non-cash transactions:
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
||||
Supplemental disclosure: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Interest paid |
|
$ |
5,477 |
|
$ |
5,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation expense capitalized |
|
$ |
1,145 |
|
$ |
143 |
|
Interest expense capitalized |
|
$ |
4,296 |
|
$ |
1,104 |
|
Accrued interest capitalized |
|
$ |
483 |
|
$ |
201 |
|
Stock issued as compensation to consultants |
|
$ |
45 |
|
$ |
63 |
|
Mark-to-market loss on derivatives |
|
$ |
172,818 |
|
$ |
374 |
|
Accrued property plant & equipment |
|
$ |
(10,721 |
) |
$ |
17,876 |
|
Capitalized leases |
|
$ |
1,270 |
|
$ |
|
|
Stock issued to purchase debt |
|
$ |
17,125 |
|
$ |
|
|
During the first quarter 2006 the Company had entered into certain capital leases that resulted in non-cash increases to property, plant and equipment and long term debt of $1.3 million.
14. Subsequent Events
During April 2006 the Company completed the registered offering of 6,375,000 of its Ordinary Shares at $24.45 per share ($23.70 per share net of commissions) pursuant to its shelf registration statement. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of approximately $151.1 million to continue further evaluation, exploration, advancement and expansion of its portfolio of exploration properties and for other general corporate purposes.
During April 2006 the Company borrowed an additional $20 million against the $225 million project finance facility, bringing to $60 million the total borrowings against the facility. The funds are restricted to the development of the San Cristobal Project.
19
Item 2: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
The following discussion
and analysis summarizes the results of operations of Apex Silver Mines Limited
(Apex Silver or we) for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 and
changes in our financial condition from December 31, 2005. This discussion
should be read in conjunction with the Managements Discussion and Analysis
included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005.
Apex Silver is a mining exploration and development company that holds a portfolio of exploration and development properties primarily in South America and Central America. We currently focus our resources primarily on the development of our San Cristobal Project in Bolivia. At present, none of our properties are in production and, consequently, we have no current operating income.
Overview
During the first quarter of 2006 we continued to make significant progress on the construction of our San Cristobal Project in Bolivia with expenditures of approximately $76 million on equipment procurement, plant construction, infrastructure development, engineering and other costs. Significant progress was made on construction of the primary crusher and the associated conveyor system, the installation of mills, concrete work and power line construction during the quarter. At March 31, 2006 the project was estimated to be approximately 54% completed and is continuing to track within budget and on time. We anticipate commencement of production at the project in the third quarter of 2007.
We began mining oxide ores at the San Cristobal Project during the first quarter 2006. At March 31, 2006 we had stockpiled approximately 700,000 tonnes of work-in-process ore inventories recorded at a cost of $3.6 million. Work-in-process inventories include ore produced and stockpiled for which further processing is necessary before a product is ready for sale. We are scheduled to begin processing work-in-process ore inventories to a salable product during the third quarter of 2007.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2006 we issued approximately 1.1 million Ordinary Shares valued at $17.1 million and $0.3 million of cash for unpaid interest to complete the purchase of $20.0 million principal amount of our 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a privately negotiated exchange transaction. The transaction resulted in the recognition of a $2.9 million gain on extinguishment of debt. The Company canceled the notes purchased in the transaction.
During the first quarter of 2006 we initiated borrowing under the $225 million San Cristobal project finance facility that we closed during December 2005. At March 31, 2006 we had borrowed $40.0 million under the facility. During April 2006 we borrowed an additional $20 million against the facility, bringing to $60 million the total borrowings against the facility.
During April 2006 we completed the sale of 6,375,000 of our Ordinary Shares at $24.45 per share ($23.70 per share net of commissions). We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $151.1 million to continue further evaluation, exploration, advancement and expansion of our portfolio of exploration properties and for other general corporate purposes. With this additional available funding we are formulating plans to accelerate the evaluation of our current exploration portfolio and the expansion of new exploration opportunities.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2006 we recorded mark-to-market losses related to our metals derivative open positions in the amount of $172.8 million. The open metals positions are primarily related to the project finance facility requirement to provide price protection for a portion of our planned production of metals from San Cristobal. In addition, the Company continues to make limited investments in shorter duration put and call options and other metals derivatives not required by the project financing. The recent increases in the spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead resulted in the mark-to-market loss for the quarter. The loss did not have a material impact on our cash flows or cash position for the period. Further, while the final financial impact of the required price protection program will not be known until the positions are closed on their future settlement dates, we do not intend to settle the open positions with cash prior to the settlement dates beginning in 2007. At
20
the time of final settlement, the gain or loss recorded will exclude previously recognized mark-to-market gains or losses. In addition, should the increased metals price projections used to calculate the mark-to-market loss continue into the production phase of the San Cristobal Project, the increased revenue from sales of unhedged metals would generate a significant benefit to future earnings and cash flows. During the periods that the metal derivative positions are outstanding, gains and losses may fluctuate substantially from period to period in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (FAS 133), based on spot prices, forward prices and quoted option volatilities. If current spot prices continue into future periods that include the settlement dates of the Companys open derivative positions, the Company will report further mark-to-market losses in subsequent periods.
At March 31, 2006 we have open contractual commitments of approximately $118.3 million related to contractor agreements and material and equipment orders associated with the construction of our San Cristobal Project. During the remainder of the year we expect to spend approximately $240 million on the above commitments as well as on other San Cristobal Project construction and development. In addition, for the remainder of the year we expect to spend approximately $10 million on general corporate costs and we will be required to make interest payments of approximately $4 million on our outstanding debt. Our current plans call for expenditures of approximately $7 million on exploration efforts for the remainder of the year. However, with the additional available funding from the sale of Ordinary Shares discussed above, we are formulating plans to accelerate the evaluation of our current exploration portfolio and the expansion of new exploration opportunities which will likely increase the current estimate.
With the installation of the new government in Bolivia we continue to monitor the political uncertainties that may affect our San Cristobal Project. Newly elected Bolivian President Evo Morales who took office in January 2006 has issued a decree nationalizing the countrys hydrocarbon industry. To date, there have been no formal proposals by the Bolivian government to nationalize the mining industry but it is possible that the government may alter its current policies with respect to the mining industry in the future.
Results of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
Exploration. Exploration expense was $1.5 million for the first quarter 2006 compared to $1.3 million for the first quarter 2005. Exploration expense is incurred primarily in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico with additional expenditures in Argentina during the first quarter of 2006.
Administrative. Administrative expense was $5.3 million for the first quarter 2006, compared to $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2005. The increase in administrative expense during 2006 is primarily the result of additional personnel and related indirect support costs associated with the advancement of our San Cristobal Project and certain legal fees and other costs associated with the investigation of a possible violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as previously reported.
Gains and Losses - Commodity Derivatives. For the quarter ended March 31, 2006 we recorded mark-to-market losses related to our metals derivative open positions in the amount of $172.8 million compared to a mark-to-market loss of $0.4 million on our open positions for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The 2006 loss is the result of the mark-to-market valuation of our open metals positions at March 31, 2006 primarily related to the project finance facility requirement to provide price protection for a portion of our planned production of metals from San Cristobal. The recent increases in the spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead resulted in the $172.8 million mark-to-market loss for the year. The loss did not have a material impact on our cash flows or cash position for the period. Our open metals derivative position for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was substantially smaller prior to the lending requirements as reflected in the smaller non-cash mark-to-market loss. (See Overview for additional discussion of the first quarter 2006 mark-to-market derivative loss)
Interest and other income. Interest and other income was $2.9 million for the first quarter 2006 compared to $3.4 million recorded during the first quarter 2005. The 2006 decrease is primarily the result of less interest earned because of lower average aggregate cash, cash equivalent and investment balances held during 2006 as compared to the same period of 2005. The lower average aggregate cash, cash equivalent and investment balances are primarily the result of the investment we made over the year in the
21
development of our San Cristobal Project. Interest and other income for the first quarter 2006 includes a $0.4 million loss on certain held to maturity investments that were liquidated prior to their maturity dates as a requirement of the project financing facility.
Interest expense and other borrowing costs. Interest and other borrowing costs were $0.5 and $2.0 million, net of approximately $4.3 and $0.7 million capitalized, for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The 2006 interest expense includes a $0.5 million write off of deferred issuance costs related to the extinguishment of debt. The interest expense for 2006 is primarily related to the Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2004 and the project finance facility while the 2005 interest expense is primarily related to the Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2004.
Income Taxes. For the quarter ended March 31, 2006 we recorded approximately $0.1 million of income tax expense related to withholding taxes on certain services we provided to one of our Bolivian subsidiaries. No such taxes were incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At March 31, 2006 our aggregate cash, restricted cash, short and long term investments and restricted investments totaled $304.3 million compared to an aggregate of $351.9 million in cash, restricted cash, short and long term investments and restricted investments at December 31, 2005. The amounts held at March 31, 2006 include $9.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, $1.1 million in short term investments, $46.6 million of cash that has been restricted to collateralize outstanding letters of credit, the discretionary metals hedge position and certain obligations related to the project finance facility and $247.2 million of short and long term investments composed of $231.3 million that is restricted to fund development and possible over runs at our San Cristobal Project and $15.9 million that at maturity will provide the amounts necessary to pay interest through September 2007 on the 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024.
As of March 31, 2006, we had cash and cash equivalents of $9.3 million, compared to $4.8 million at December 31, 2005. The increase in our cash balance at March 31, 2006 is the result of a net decrease in restricted cash of $88.6 million, $40.0 million of borrowings against the project finance facility, $5.7 million of net proceeds from the sale of Ordinary Shares to fund the power line construction and $1.4 million of proceeds from employee stock options exercised, all partially offset by $76.1 million invested in property, plant and equipment related to the development of the San Cristobal Project, $12.1 million used to fund operations, property holding costs and administrative costs, net of interest and other income, the net purchase of $35.5 million of investments, $3.2 million of net premiums paid to acquire derivatives related to our hedge position, $3.4 million paid to suppliers and contractors related to our San Cristobal Project, $0.2 million paid to the banks related to the credit facility and payments on long term debt (capital lease payments) of $0.6 million.
Our estimate for the total amount of project funding required for the San Cristobal Project from January 1, 2004 through the beginning of production in 2007 is approximately $600 million. This amount includes all estimated costs required to commence production at San Cristobal, including all engineering, procurement and construction costs, as well as estimates for constant-dollar escalation and contingencies. The estimate excludes $22 million advanced through the issuance of Ordinary Shares to the company constructing the power line, $6 million advanced to or escrowed for the company constructing the port facilities and $27 million of working capital. Advances to the power line and port facility providers are expected to be recouped through credits applied against payments for the contracted services. Including the power line and port advances, we spent approximately $206 million on the Project during 2004 and 2005 and $76 million during the first quarter 2006. In addition to the amounts above, we expect to incur interest and other financing costs related to the project finance facility of approximately $30 million.
During April 2006 we completed the sale of 6,375,000 of our Ordinary Shares at $24.45 per share ($23.70 per share net of commissions). We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $151.1 million to continue further evaluation, exploration, advancement and expansion of our portfolio of exploration properties and for other general corporate purposes.
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For the remaining nine months of 2006, we expect to spend about $240 million on the San Cristobal Project including the purchase of equipment, construction materials, payments to contractors and other development costs already accrued or to be incurred during the year. Funds for this purpose will be provided by liquidating a portion of our restricted investments set aside for this purpose and drawing on additional funds from the project financing. In addition, for the remaining nine months of 2006 we expect to spend approximately $10 million on general corporate costs and approximately $4 million on interest payments. Our current plans call for expenditures of approximately $7 million on exploration efforts for the remainder of the year. With the additional available funding from the sale of Ordinary Shares discussed above, we are formulating plans to accelerate the evaluation of our current exploration portfolio and the expansion of new exploration opportunities that will likely increase our 2006 exploration expenditures. We plan to fund these project, operating and financing cash expenditures from our existing cash and investment balances and from interest and other income.
Significant Accounting Policies
During 2006 we have adopted and/or implemented the following new accounting policies:
Effective January 1, 2006 the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (FAS No. 123R), using the modified prospective approach, which revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS No. 123), and superseded APB Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and its related implementation guidance. The Company is currently evaluating whether it will adopt the short-cut method for calculating the pool of windfall tax benefits as allowed by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Position FAS No. 123R-3. The Company had previously adopted FAS No. 123 effective January 1, 2004. FAS No. 123R 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. Additionally, FAS No. 123R requires companies that did not previously include the effects of estimated forfeitures in the FAS No. 123 expenses they reported, to record a cumulative adjustment to the income statements presented in the period of adoption of FAS No. 123R in order to reflect the effect of the estimated forfeitures. The forfeiture rate used by the Company prior and subsequent to the adoption of FAS No. 123R has not changed and, therefore, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to prior period estimated forfeitures. The adoption of FAS No. 123R did not have a material impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations and is not expected to have a material impact in the future (see Note 10).
During 2004, a committee of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) began discussing the accounting treatment for stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine. During March 2005, the EITF reached a consensus that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. The FASB ratified the EITF consensus. The EITF consensus is effective for the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. In January 2006, the EITF issued additional guidance defining the commencement of production as the period when saleable minerals are first extracted in greater than de minimis amounts. In February 2006, the company began mining significant amounts of oxide ore reserves at its San Cristobal project, which have been placed in stockpiles for future processing. The quantity and value of the minerals mined were sufficient to declare the start of production according to the EITF consensus. The Company has included the costs associated with the oxide ore production as long term inventory on its financial statements. The Company expects the mining of significant amounts of oxide material to continue throughout the year, with the commencement of sulfide ore mining in the second half of the year.
New and Recent Accounting Developments
At a meeting held in March, 2006 the EITF reached a tentative consensus on EITF Issue No. 05-1 that the issuance of equity securities to settle an instrument that becomes convertible upon the issuers exercise of a call option should be accounted for as a conversion (as opposed to an extinguishment) if, at issuance, the debt instrument contains a substantive conversion feature other than the issuers call option. The EITF concluded that if an instrument is deemed convertible at issuance, then a subsequent conversion of the instrument is in accordance with a conversion privilege that existed at issuance and is, therefore, outside the scope of APB Opinion No. 26, Early Extinguishment of Debt. Therefore, the issuance of shares to
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settle the debt pursuant to the original terms of the instrument should be afforded conversion treatment. If the instrument does not contain a substantive conversion feature at issuance, then the issuance of equity securities to settle the instrument should be recognized as a debt extinguishment. EITF Issue No. 05-1 will become effective following its anticipated ratification scheduled for June 2006. The Company has previously accounted for two transactions involving the buy-back of its convertible debt as an extinguishment under APB Opinion No. 26. Ratification of EITF Issue No. 05-1 would require similar transactions to be accounted for prospectively as a conversion.
Effective for years beginning after December 15, 2005 the Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3 (FAS No. 154). FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. The statement applies to voluntary changes as well as changes required by accounting pronouncements which do not otherwise provide specific transition provisions, requiring retrospective application to prior periods financial statements where not impractical. FAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations for the period and is not expected to have a material impact in the future.
We have entered into agreements with certain service providers and placed orders for certain equipment and construction materials for our San Cristobal Project resulting in commitments totaling approximately $118.3 million at March 31, 2006. If we had cancelled all of these agreements or orders at March 31, 2006, we would have incurred cancellation fees totaling approximately $21.4 million.
Some information contained in or incorporated by reference into this report may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include comments regarding San Cristobal development and construction plans, capital and other costs, funding and timing; the timing of completion of San Cristobal construction, start-up and commencement of operations; spending during 2006; the likely increased volatility in future earnings due to forward sales, derivative positions and metals trading activity; and the timing and amounts of spending on the evaluation and expansion of our exploration portfolio. The use of any of the words anticipate, continues, estimate, expect, may, will, project, should, believe and similar expressions are intended to identify uncertainties. We believe the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, we cannot assure that these expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below and other factors set forth in, or incorporated by reference into this report:
· worldwide economic and political events affecting the supply of and demand for silver, zinc and lead;
· political unrest and economic instability in Bolivia including the communities located near the San Cristobal Project and other countries in which we conduct business;
· future actions of the Bolivian government with respect to nationalization of gas and other natural resources;
· Changes in the mining policies of the Bolivian government;
· volatility in market prices for silver, zinc and lead;
· financial market conditions;
· uncertainties associated with developing a new mine, including potential cost overruns and the unreliability of production and cost estimates in early stages of mine development;
· variations in ore grade and other characteristics affecting mining, crushing, milling and smelting operations and mineral recoveries;
· geological, technical, permitting, mining and processing problems;
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· the availability, terms, conditions and timing of required government permits and approvals;
· uncertainties regarding future changes in applicable law or implementation of existing law, including Bolivian laws related to tax, mining, environmental matters and exploration; and
· the factors discussed under Risk Factors in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005.
Many of those factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
Currently our major principal cash balances are held in U.S. dollars. We maintain minimum cash balances in foreign currencies and therefore have a relatively low exposure to currency fluctuations. We have previously engaged in a limited amount of currency hedging activities primarily related to an equipment order for our San Cristobal Project that was denominated in Euros. In addition, because we conduct our activities mainly in Bolivia, as well as in several other foreign countries, we may in the future engage in hedging activities to minimize the risk of exposure to currency and interest rate fluctuations.
We manage the timing of the cash required to construct the San Cristobal Project, to fund general corporate costs, exploration and other funding requirements and invest funds not immediately required in investments with varying maturities. Our policy is to invest only in government and corporate securities rated investment grade or better.
To complete the project financing for San Cristobal, we were required to hedge a portion of our planned production from San Cristobal. In addition, when San Cristobal enters production, we may sell forward a portion of our production and use price hedging techniques to mitigate some of the risks associated with fluctuating metals prices. We recorded a non-cash mark-to-market trading loss for the three months ended March 31, 2006 of approximately $172.8 million. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Results of Operations.
(a) Background to the restatement
During the first quarter of 2007, we determined that the method used in the periods ended September 30, 2005 through September 30, 2006 to estimate the fair value of our open metals derivative positions was not appropriate. This resulted in a restatement of the Companys 2005 annual consolidated financial statements; interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and for each of the first three quarters of 2006; and an audit adjustment to the Companys 2006 annual consolidated financial statements.
See explanatory note and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2006, for a discussion and summary of the impact of the restatement on the previously issued financial statements.
(b) Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Apex Silvers management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In connection with the original filing of report 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006, under the supervision and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee and management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness and design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
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Subsequent to the evaluation made in connection with the filing of the original Form 10-Q and in connection with the restatement discussed above in the explanatory note to this Form 10-Q/A, our management, with the participation of our Disclosure Committee, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reevaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2006. Based upon this evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of material weaknesses. For a discussion of the material weaknesses, see Item 9A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Based upon the substantial work performed during the restatement process, management has concluded that the Companys unaudited consolidated financial statements for the periods covered by and included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A are fairly stated in all material respects.
(c) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Apex Silvers management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our 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 (GAAP). 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 policies and procedures may deteriorate.
In connection with the filing of the original Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006, management concluded that there were no changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006, that had materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Subsequent to the filing of the original Form 10-Q and as a result of the evaluation made in connection with the restatement discussed above in the explanatory note to this Form 10-Q/A, management has concluded that the material weaknesses described in Item 9A of our annual report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2006, existed at March 31, 2006.
For a further discussion on the material weaknesses and the actions we are planning to take to remediate the material weaknesses, see Item 9A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
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10.1 |
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Underwriting agreement with Harris Nesbitt Corp. dated April 6, 2006* |
31.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
31.2 |
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) |
* Previously filed with the Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2006.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q/A to be signed on behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED |
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Date: |
May 2, 2007 |
By: |
\s\ Jeffrey G. Clevenger |
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Jeffrey G. Clevenger |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Date: |
May 2, 2007 |
By: |
\s\ Gerald J. Malys |
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Gerald J. Malys |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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